FAITH
"The fool hath said in his heart, there is no such thing as justice, and sometimes also with his tongue, seriously alleging that every man's conservation and contentment being committed to his own care, there could be no reason why every man might not do what he thought conduced thereunto: and therefore also to make, or not make; keep, or not keep, covenants was not against reason when it conduced to one's benefit."
—Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan
—
JULY 29TH 2039
VOLTERRA, ITALY
The delicate pages barely received any pressure at all with each gentle turn, noiseless as a pale hand flipped through them. Aro thought it would do the scribes some good to get to these editions next. If they were opened for too long the crumbling of the spine would force the rest of the bindings to give way, and it was always a hassle to expect proper transcription when the source material began to wither.
Aro hummed as he closed the book and returned it to the small pile. They ought to invest more time into duplicating these ancient texts. It was becoming too easy to let the task slip them by when they never had to read anything more than once.
Even still, sometimes he would return to a book twice, just to inhale the specific scent, to see the yellowing of the paper, and to feel its brittleness in his grasp.
Other times, he would sort things. Store things.
Nothing kept parchment crisp and preserved like the pages bound between old leather did.
He cradled two books gently as he walked back toward the shelves. He reached out as he passed his companions by. They both lifted their hands, one at a time, without removing their gazes from their own tasks. Nothing more than a brush of palms against fingers occurred, and he continued to move.
Marcus was suffering through a decent morning. The words he read were being focused on with intent, the comfort of the old Greek soothing a part of his brain that neither he nor Caius could do with their words.
Caius was suffering through a current frustration of noise. It never took long for repairs to be made in their main hall. After all, damages rarely occurred in the grand home of his followers, but every now and again a visitor or an accused would forget where they were.
It always did bother Caius when venom stained the marble or when stone was chipped away by a scuffle.
Aro knew the noise would only last several minutes longer—the shifting and replacing of new stone four floors down and ninety meters east had only been transpiring for several seconds now—but its impact on Caius' temper had already altered his course for the entire week.
"Perhaps our lead in Liberia will provide more than just another casualty," he spoke optimistically, knowing that it wouldn't soothe Caius' ire, but might tame it for now.
"Yes, brother."
Aro reached forward and held a book he hadn't reached for in many years. With it tucked beneath his arm he turned and exited the cramped wing of the library, back into the main atrium.
Just outside the grand, opened doors he smiled brightly.
"Master," the voice called out in polite greeting. Aro waved his hand toward the approaching form, beckoning them to stand up straight as they approached. "I was eager to find you."
"As I am to see you," Aro's smile was warm as he reached out and took the offered hand between his, palms clasped tightly overtop it. His smile only brightened with what he saw. "Then it is settled?"
"Yes, master."
"Ah," he closed his eyes as he released the hand, and let the comfort of what lay ahead warm him. "I knew it would be time eventually. The fool tries once more."
His guest nodded. "The risk of exposure mocks us all."
"The creations he brings forth threaten our existence," Aro agreed. "Before you leave, take this."
The old book creaked as he opened it and deftly flipped to a page far back in the text. A small stack of letters lay, pressed flat, the envelopes not yet showing signs of age.
Not that they should. They were only a few decades old. The dried ink still lingered in its infancy.
"For you," he handed over all four at once, electrified by their reemergence into the world. Their exposure to the air now felt like a fresh breath. A renewed sense of hope, and of justice, brightened his eyes as he handed over the envelopes.
"Thank you, Master."
"You have my full faith, Demetri."
Demetri nodded, once more bowing at the waist with the papers held closely. When he spoke he did so with his head bowed. "I am always eager to serve you."
Aro watched his tracker turn and walk back down the hallway, and a smile graced his old, pale lips as he watched his departure. The letters carried a weight that became lighter and lighter the farther away from the heart of Volterra they travelled.
The peace that was promised by the success of this mission was a beacon of hope. Hope that would be won since justice, in this case, was patient.
With quiet steps, Aro turned back toward the library and walked through the atrium with a comfort and assurance to his every step. He had nothing to worry about. He wouldn't have to lift a finger, spare a thought, or make any more decisions now.
Thankfully, Aro had made his mind up about what to do with the Cullens thirty-three ago.
A/N: Hope you enjoyed this week's bonus chapter. (I wasn't just going to give an early chapter and leave you hanging for the next 9 days. My fics may imply otherwise, but I'm not cruel.) Act Two begins next week.