Chapter 104

Darius

I told Edward of The Major's decision and he agreed with me that it was the only thing he could do under the circumstances but I could see he was uneasy at the idea of killing Mendoza personally. If Peter had been here then he would have ridden Edward hard about his squeamishness but I understood it. I'd known Carlisle long enough to understand his own feelings on the subject and Edward would have the same scruples, besides he'd never really been a human hunter, apart from his small slip some years ago and that hadn't lasted very long.

"Don't worry Edward, I'll do the deed, you just get ready for us to leave as soon as I return. It will be good to get away from here, I'm heartily sick of San Diego."

"Thank you Darius, I would have done it if necessary but killing for any reason doesn't sit well with me."

"And you are afraid if you spill human blood you might lose control? I understand the temptation and don't worry, the others don't need to know."

He nodded his thanks looking relieved.

I waited until dark and then made my way to the cave hearing our captive's labored breathing and pitiful whimpers well before I entered. He must have heard the scraping of my feet along the rock floor because he started to shout for help although I doubt he would have been heard more than a few feet away by another human.

"Help me please."

I crouched down and listened, his lungs were filling with fluid and it wouldn't be long before death came visiting anyway but losing consciousness and slipping quietly away wasn't enough. He needed to feel the agony of his final minutes.

I dropped a rope with a loop which fitted over his chest.

"You want out lift your arms and pull the rope tight around you then hold on."

He struggled to do so coughing harshly as he did so but he managed it and I hauled him out one handed until he collapsed on the ground at the side of the hole.

I turned on the strong flash light I had brought with me and flashed it into his eyes which closed instinctively from sensitivity to light after so long in the dark of the cave.

"I need a doctor. I have to find my daughters, they were taken from me by the men who did this."

He was in bad shape, his trousers caked with urine and crap, his face swollen and lips cracked with dehydration. His hands were scratched raw and bloody from clawing at the rock surrounding him and both feet were blue and swollen so much that his shoes looked as if they had grown from within.

"Your daughters are dead, you killed them along with others. Kat and Bella are safe now, back where they belong as far from you as possible and now it's time to pay for the things you did to them."

"No, no, they're my children, you have no right to take them."

"And you have no right to live in a world like this you sick bastard."

Edward

I had picked up our stuff and settled with the motel manager then drove to the park making my way to the cave on foot. Standing just inside the entrance I could hear a voice and the thoughts of the two men. Darius had no compunction about killing Mendoza, he wasn't even thinking about the man but Mendoza's thoughts were a complete contrast. He really believed the girls were his daughters, that they were looking for their beloved father and would appear soon. He was in pain, very sick, but his only thoughts were for them. As Darius spoke it began to dawn on him that he was never going to see them again, that the man in front of him was going to kill him and fear replaced all other thoughts.

I heard the first scream and the chaotic thoughts then moved further away as I caught the scent of freshly spilled blood which made my mouth water and my feet head towards the scent. Instead I ran, away from the cave and back to the car getting in and shutting the door, not breathing in case the scent of warm salty blood wafted this way, stupid though that thought might be. I closed my eyes and cursed my own weakness. I didn't want to be the man I was at times like this. Darius and the others made me feel inadequate and that made me dislike them. I wanted to be tough, to be in control of my body, but I knew if I had been closer I would have succumbed and drank that blood, disappointing Carlisle and Esme.

So I cowered in the car until Darius appeared looking as if he had merely taken a stroll in the park. There was no blood on his clothes, not even on his hands, and he got in starting the engine before speaking.

"We're all different Edward, you shouldn't feel less of a man because you cannot do the things The Major and I can, you have your own strengths and you had a different introduction to our world, be thankful for that. Now let's get back to Seattle shall we?"

I nodded unable to speak but grateful none the less.

He drove to the airport and while he got the tickets I took the keys back to the rental company and rang the house. It was a voice I didn't recognize who answered and I understood it was Felix Volturi.

"Carlisle and Esme went out with Charlie and the others are out in the grounds with Kat and Skye."

"Right, well someone should let Jasper know its all over with Mendoza and he's not answering his phone."

"I'll make sure he finds out."

He waited for me to continue but I didn't know what to say then he laughed breaking the awkward silence.

"And who did the dirty deed Edward Cullen? Not you I would guess, I can't see you getting your hands soiled."

"It's done, that's all you need to know."

He laughed again knowing he had hit home,

"I'll tell The Major that Darius handled the problem. I look forward to seeing you again Edward but don't worry, I wont say anything about your...weakness, it will remain our little secret."

He put the phone down and I cursed my bad luck in getting him of all people.

Darius was waiting with the tickets and saw the look on my face,

"You should have left the call to me Edward, who did you speak to?"

"Felix, he answered."

"I see, well I doubt he'll give you any trouble, Carlisle is rather a favorite of Aro's so I wouldn't worry. If he spoke at all it was only because he was alone."

"Do you know why Carlisle and Aro are such friends? He never really talks about his time in Volterra. I mean we know the bare bones but what was he like in those days? Did you know him then?"

Darius looked at me coldly,

"I tell you I will keep your secrets and you ask me to reveal anothers? Do you not understand how trust works at all Edward? I guess you don't need to, you read what you want to know from people's minds."

"Not yours. I don't hear your thoughts Darius and its not my fault I can hear thoughts, its not like I can turn them on and off."

"True but you shouldn't use those thoughts you hear, peoples secrets should still be their own. I spent a long time building defences Edward, from all kinds of attacks, including mental."

"And Jasper hides his behind a wall of terrible visions of his past, I understand why its just..."

"You want to know everything and anything that thwarts you upsets you."

"I guess so yes. Apart from you the only other whose thoughts I can't read are Carlisle's and I think that may be a mental thing on my part. He saved me and took me in as his son, I owe him and it would be a betrayal of that if I read his thoughts."

"Then there's something good you've learned, it isn't always necessary to know everything Edward, some things are better left unlearned. Now come on, that's our flight."