An Unresolved Past

This story starts off five years after its prelude: 'Life is never what you expect it to be'. Bella is now Caius's mate and they are both very happily bonded. WARNING: This is an adult version of twilight and will have sexual submission and violence (after all; the story revolves around vampires). This is not for the faint of heart; it is very dark and has sexual content. 18+

Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer is the creator of these intriguing characters but has nothing to do with this story.

Chapter 37 - "There is no greater hell than to be a prisoner of fear" *

Messalina looked carefully before she left her sanctuary as Vampires were infamous for their silence. Finding herself alone Messalina carefully opened the door; nerves tense after having listened to the secret conversation. The last few weeks she had been afraid that Aro would read her mind and find out that her powers of amnesia were limited. Now, knowing about their treatment of Isabella made her position even more dangerous; she had to leave! Realizing the loss of Demetri provided her with a good chance to leave the coven she headed for the apartment she shared with Alec.

She wanted to get some of the small gifts Alec had given her; precious memorabilia for when she was once more alone.

She carefully made her way back to the corridor and in no time found herself outside the apartments she shared with Alec. When opening the door she was surprised to find Alec. It seemed that he had come back to their apartments to gather some necessary logbooks and looking up he gave her a tantalizing smile saying "Hi, what an unexpected surprise; I thought you were in training."

"I had to get something from our room". Messalia replied

He slowly wrapped his arms around her pulling her toward him, then felling her rigid bearing he asked "You seem a bit tense; is something wrong?"

Trying to relax her muscle she purred "No, just in a hurry; I don't want to explain my tardiness".

Alec laughed "Just say you were with me. Or even better I will bring you there".

"That's not necessary. You go ahead; I still need to take a shower" Mesalina said hoping he wouldn't hear the hesitation in her voice.

Alec gave her a seductive smile saying "Shall we take one together?"

"No!" she quickly replied but hearing the urgency in her own voice she timidly smiled back saying "I mean… it's tempting but I want you to go ahead. I kept you away from your work too much the last few weeks".

Alec was a bit surprised by her reaction but he knew she was right. He had been unfocused the last few months because of their relationship and with Marcus away, his work was now doubled. So giving her a long tantalizing kiss he reluctantly left her company.

Messalina immediately began to search her things. Deciding that she only wanted a necklace with Alec's inscription and the matching bracelet, she deposited them in her pocket. She was about to leave when she thought of how this would look to Alec and decided to write a letter exchanging that for the two ornaments.

Dear Alec,

I am sorry but something has come up. I have looked at all possible solutions but fear I the only thing I can do is leave the coven. It was impossible for me to tell you for, as my king you would forbid me and if not then Aro would.

It has nothing to do with our relationship and my heart bleeds at losing you but I believe this is better for both of us. I have taken the gift you gave me when we first initiated our relationship for I wanted something to remember you by in my solitude.

Goodbye my love,

Messalina

She quickly folded and placed it in the jewellery box then closed it hoping that he would find it long after she had gone.

She was on her way to the corridors, the very corridors she had arrived. They were only known by herself and Dragus; and whoever else Aro wished to see in secrecy. However her mind drifted back to Isabella's suffering, a situation that she had helped instigate. At that moment guilt and shame took the upper hand causing her to stop in her tracks.

She knew that Marcus had asked Alec to watch over her, so he must have already suspected Aro of something. Unhappily Messalina had been forced to erase the conversation and thus also the favour Marcus had asked of Alec.

Her mind kept pondering the situation and came to the conclusion that Alec would be blamed for ignoring Marcus's request. Aro would certainly not tell Marcus the truth and Alec could not defend himself. It may even cost Alec his position. Since Messalina had been part of the coven she had done many deeds that she now regretted and in a moment of impulsiveness she turned to go to the tower. She could not bring back Caius but she could give Isabella her freedom.

Having heard that both Dragus and Aro were allowing Isabella to rest for a couple of days before resuming her indoctrination gave her a window of opportunity; something she could use to her advantage.

Overhearing the conversation between the two vampires she now knew where to look and quickly ascended the secret passageway to Sulpicia's room. Considering it was above Aro's office she was able to enter the tower unseen and when reaching the top she felt the walls for the secret compartment which would give her access to the room.

When she finally found the latch she slowly pushed the entry open and scanned the room for any dangers; seeing none she looked for Isabella.

Isabella was in down-time and looked exhausted which made Messalina realize just how extensive and therefore exhausting the 'treatment' had been.

She bent over the bedside and whispered "Isabella; I have come to take you away. You need to leave and the only way I know how to get you up is to give you some of my blood. Either that or I carry you; but that will be difficult considering the narrow staircase".

Isabella barely moved so Messalina took it upon herself to bite her wrist and put it under Isabella's nose.

Isabella being half starved reacted out of instinct and latched onto the offered wrist. After a moment or two Messalina attempted to pull back. Isabella, half crazed with thirst held fast and after a short skirmish finally let go.

Messalina was a bit dizzy but regained her equilibrium and swiftly moved a few paces from Isabella and towards the secret passageway. She hoped that it would allow Isabella to arouse from her down-time and grasp the situation. Only then would she be able to calm her blood lust.

Messalina watched as Isabella's head moved back and forth on the pillow; her eyes taking in the room. She then saw her sniff the air and realized she had no choice but to leave before Isabella attacked. She promptly turned to leave when the attack came; her only choice was to keep her at a distance as she tried to wake her.

"Please Bella listen; it's Messalina. I came to help but you need to listen. I will get you blood but if you drain me I can't help"

Although Messalina saw that Isabella had disorientation problems the words had somehow slowed her down.

Cautiously Messalina continued to explain "I came to get you out of here and bring you to a safer place".

Messalina saw Isabella's eyes register her for the first time; the haze that had filled her eyes slowly dissipating.

Seeing this she went persisted "Yes, it's me; I came to help you leave the Volturi"

At that moment she saw the panic in Isabella's eyes as she shouted "But I can't! I have nowhere to go!"

Messalina put her index finger to her lip and then said "Of course you do; anywhere is better than here!" Messalina argued. Then in an effort to console her she added "We will go together and I will take care of you. We will roam Europe; Demetri is not here so they can't trace us. When Marcus comes back you can ask for his protection; Marcus is very concerned with you welfare and would not consent to this treatment."

Isabella shook her head passionately her eyes scanning the room as she shouted "You don't understand! I can't leave Aro, not after all the things I have done; I have disgraced him. I have disgraced Caius's memory; I promised the coven to stand by Aro in order to strengthen the coven. Instead I have torn it apart".

"Please be still Isabella or we will both be caught" Messalina said then asked "What are you talking about?"

She realized by the slur of her speech that Isabella was half drugged but she kept talking "Dragus explained everything to me; I have constantly clung to a false belief that Caius would come back and in doing so I have disgraced Aro".

The statement was so detached as if Bella had rehearsed it and Messalina knew that Aro and Dragus had done their work well.

Messalina however wouldn't give up and went closer to soothe her saying "You have not disgraced Aro; whatever Dragus has told you!"

"What are you doing here Messalina my dear?" Aro asked as he came out of the shadows with Dragus behind him. Then his eyes skimmed her small figure as he continued "These rooms are off limits to everyone except myself and those I allow in it"

Messalina stiffened when she heard his voice knowing that all was lost. She stumbled over her words as she explained "I heard someone upstairs and found Isabella; what has happened to her?"

Before Messalina realized it Aro had closed the distance between them and touching her hand he read her mind. Disclosing all the things she had feared to reveal.

Aro's eyes narrowed as he stated "I see that you are hiding things from me my dear. I think it is time that you I have a small chat; it seems we have some catching up to do."

Messalina took a step backward looking for an escape route as she replied "No! I can't force Isabella to come with me but I am free to leave; you have always said that is my decision to stay or leave; and at the moment I wish to leave".

She promptly endeavoured to pass Aro but in a flash he grasped her arm.

Dragus then stood before her, his sinister expression making her anxious. She knew he held her responsible for not killing Caius and now she feared he would take his revenge.

A slow smile developed as Aro spoke "It seems that option is no longer open; you must realize that I can not allow you to leave. Now, stay here with Dragus and do not make a drama of this otherwise it will only cause more problems".

Then turning to Dragus he added "I am going to take Isabella to our apartments".

Dragus secretly seethed; he had hoped to use his final week with Isabella to slip her out of the coven without anyone noticing. This was the second time this bitch had thwarted him; utterly shattering those plans and he swore he would take it out on her hide. He however kept a mask of indifference as he argued "It's too early; Isabella is not ready yet".

Aro turned his smile on Dragus arguing "On the contrary dear Dragus; Isabella has just now proved her loyalty. She was given a chance to leave but has refused; it seems that she finally understands that she cannot live in a dream world and that the safest place to be is at my side".

Then turning to face Messalina he added "I believe however, that Messalina must learn that her place in the Volturi coven is dependent on her loyalty towards it and their leaders. In the meanwhile to avoid any false accusations she must be detained here; I will not allow her to tell others of things she does not understand. We will now need this room for her reprogramming".

Then walking towards his mate he held out his hand as he encouraged her to join him saying "come my love."

Isabella was puzzled and afraid saying "how can you forgive me having disgraced you before your piers?"

"You have not; the coven ….." Messalina's words were swiftly stopped when Aro motioned to Dragus that she be silenced.

As always the quick and forceful backhand van Dragus had caused substantial damage temporarily preventing Messalina to speak. Having seen the inadvertent smile on Dragus's lips upon attacking Messalina, Aro swiftly added "I know you wish to help me but I will not permit further aggression towards Messalina."

Then just as he was about to leave the room he turned to Dragus saying "Once I have comfortably installed Isabella I will come back to discuss with her the things she has been keeping from me; until that time you will restrain her from leaving".

* Ben Jonson