Chapter 15: Anything New is Good

1943 Volterra Italy

Deep underground in the dungeons of the Volturi, Edward lay on his cot, the cold stone walls standing as they always had for over a decade. The dim light from the torches outside his cell cast flickering shadows, creating an eerie ambiance across the far wall of his small home. Edward's thoughts rarely focused on the present or his current predicament; instead, his mind drifted to the past, vivid memories replaying in his mind. He returned to the night Carlisle brought a screaming Esme home, her anguished cries echoing through the rooms and hallways of their house. He had been playing the piano, lost in his music when the front door burst open. At first, he had been bewildered by what was happening, but as soon as he read Carlisle's thoughts, the situation became painfully clear.

He recalled the urgency in Carlisle's movements, the determination in his eyes as he cradled Esme, whose still-human body looked fragile and quite injured. The night was a blur of frantic activity. As Carlisle worked to do what he could for Esme, he had spent that night and the next day packing up everything he could carry. They had no choice but to move Esme the following night; their current residence was far too exposed and certainly not right for a newborn vampire to awaken in.

As dusk fell, they were ready. Edward hoisted the heavy bags onto his shoulders while Carlisle gently lifted the still-screaming Esme into his arms. Her cries were a constant, heart-wrenching reminder of the torment she was enduring.

They traveled deep into the wilderness, the night cloaking them in darkness. The forest was alive with nocturnal sounds, but they moved swiftly, undeterred by the rough terrain. Finally, they stumbled upon an abandoned cabin, its dilapidated structure barely visible in the moonlight. It wasn't much, but it would suffice.

Edward's thoughts moved on to the remaining time of Esme's transformation, and he smiled, remembering how Carlisle's growing feelings toward the changing Esme became clear, at least to him. Carlisle, however, had taken several more months before he himself would admit to them. Edward almost laughed aloud as he began recalling some of Esme's exploits as a newborn; she had been quite a handful, and it had really taken both of them to keep her from going after humans right up until her newborn year had ended.

Edward remembered one particularly chaotic night when Esme had broken free. They had been near a small village, and Esme's heightened senses had picked up the scents of a young couple taking a moonlit stroll along a riverbank. Free from her protectors, Esme had torn through the forest, trying to get to the young lovers. Thankfully, Edward was faster and tackled her before she could do something she would have regretted forever. It took him holding her down and Carlisle's soothing words to bring her out of her bloodlust and help her see reason once again.

By the time Esme's newborn year had ended, she had thankfully become more interested in Carlisle than in blood. Coupled with his own dissatisfaction over his diet, Edward knew it was time for him to leave. There was no way he wanted to stay and listen to… that for eternity. One could only endure such masochism for so long, and he had reached his limit.

Edward began to remember his first night on the hunt after leaving Carlisle and Esme. He had wandered the dimly lit streets of St. Paul. It was winter, but there was no snow on the ground for a change. The city was alive with the quiet hum of late-night activity—distant car engines, the soft murmur of conversations, and the occasional bark of a dog. But he was not listening to these external sounds. No, he was listening to people's minds, determining if he could find someone who would sustain him.

As he walked, Edward wrestled with his current intentions, wondering if he would even feel comfortable killing a human. Unlike Esme, who had sadly slipped several times, his record, like Carlisle's, had been unblemished to this point. His conscience battled with his instinctual hunger, creating a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. The decision became quite easy once he heard the thoughts of his first meal. A man, lurking in the shadows, filled with malice and violent fantasies that made Edward's stomach turn. He had been stalking a woman, his intentions ghastly.

Edward's resolve hardened. He followed the man, his steps silent and his presence unnoticed. When he finally confronted him before the man could enact his deviant desires, it had been swift and decisive. The man's eyes had met Edward's cold, hard gaze for just a brief moment before his life was extinguished. The blood was warm and rich, and the feeling as it slowly coated his throat was truly indescribable. As he finished draining his first human, a sense of clarity washed over him. After that man, the road to his new diet became quite clear.

Before Edward's memories could proceed further, he heard the main door of the cell block open, the sound echoing through the stone corridors. Multiple footsteps reverberated down the hall, growing louder with each passing second. He wondered if he was getting a cellmate nearby since it was still a week before his next feeding of rats. However, his musings were abruptly interrupted when the footsteps stopped outside his cell door. To his shock, he heard a key placed in the lock and the distinct sound of his cell door unlocking before it creaked open for the first time in 14 years.

Edward stood up quickly, moving against the far wall. His heightened senses immediately picked up the scents and sounds as three guards in grayish cloaks entered his cell.

The guard in the middle, taller and more imposing than the others, fixed Edward with a scornful look. His eyes, cold and unyielding, locked onto Edward's with disdain. "Aro wants you," he said, his voice dripping with contempt. "Are you going to come willingly, or do we have to drag you?"

"I'll come willingly," Edward answered, his voice steady but laced with curiosity and a hint of excitement. He wondered what was going to happen. He still had no intention of joining the Volturi, and he knew, sadly, escape was not an option, but the thought of leaving his cell, even just for a short time, excited him. It had been so long with only the same four walls for him to stare at.

As the guards led Edward through the dungeon, he eagerly tried to take in everything around him. Each new sight was a welcome change from the monotonous isolation of his cell. As they ascended the long stairway into the castle proper, they finally emerged from the dungeon. Edward took a deep breath, savoring the fresh air that filled his lungs. It smelled so much better than the stale, musty air of the cell he had been confined to for so long.

His eyes darted around, taking in every detail. The artwork adorning the halls caught his attention: intricate tapestries and paintings depicting scenes from a long-forgotten era. He marveled at the vibrant colors and the delicate brushstrokes, each piece a testament to the mastery of the artist.

As they passed another hallway, Edward's ears perked up at the sound of music. A lively band was playing, most likely from a radio. He paused, a smile spreading across his face as he listened to the catchy beat. It was unlike anything he had ever heard, a blend of instruments and rhythms that filled him with a sense of joy. He wanted nothing more than to stay and absorb the music.

However, his brief moment of respite was cut short as one of the guards gave him a rough shove, urging him forward. Edward reluctantly continued walking, the music gradually fading into the background. The loss of the music left a pang of disappointment, but the experience had lifted his spirits slightly, a small reminder of the world beyond his cell.

All too soon, they came to the throne room doors. One of the guards opened the golden doors as the other two escorted Edward inside. The first thing he did was look up at the large stained glass windows near the ceiling. Sadly, it was night outside, and the moonlight filtered through the colored glass, casting muted hues on the stone floor. He had so hoped to see the sun again. Realizing that wasn't going to happen, he focused back on the room itself.

The throne room was vast and airy, reminiscent of a grand cathedral. The soaring high ceiling and the stained glass windows near the top added a touch of grandeur. Giant frescoes adorned the upper walls, their vivid scenes depicting historic battles and mythical creatures. The room was filled with vampires, most of them milling around the edges. The flickering torches along the walls cast long, eerie shadows, enhancing the ominous atmosphere.

Edward's gaze swept across the room. Right away he spotted Demetri, and rage filled him at the sight. He would never forgive him for what he had done to Mindy. His ire grew as he saw Demetri notice him and grin smugly. If only he could wipe that smug look off his face, Edward knew he would die happy.

Near Demetri, he saw Alec, and beside him was a young vampire girl who could only be his sister, Jane. The pair stood close together, their expressions unreadable. Edward had unfortunately heard much of Alec's thoughts on the boat ride over to Volterra and quickly looked away, not wanting to have anything to do with either of them.

Instead, he looked towards the dais, where the three kings sat on their golden thrones. They looked exactly as they had 14 years ago, their faces unchanged by time. They wore the same black robes, and truthfully, it could have as easily been yesterday that he saw them instead of well over a decade ago.

Caius had that same hard sneer on his scarred face, a permanent expression of disdain. Marcus, as always, appeared disconnected, staring off into nothingness, his expression vacant and uninterested. The only notable difference in the scene was Aro, who, for some reason, had a human girl perched on his lap.

Aro still had that same maniacal grin that had graced his face the last time Edward was in his presence, a grin that suggested this was the best day in the world to be alive. Edward couldn't help but feel a surge of irritation at the sight. If Aro started proclaiming such nonsense, Edward would certainly have some choice words for him.

"Ah, Edward, my boy!" Aro's voice echoed through the grand hall, dripping with faux warmth. "I hope you have found your stay with us to be pleasant. I happened to have an errant thought about you the other day and thought it would be nice if we had a small chat. I know you said many things in anger the last time we spoke, and I was hoping we could try again and hopefully come to a better understanding without all that animosity." Aro's smile widened, as if Edward had just been on a delightful vacation these past 14 years.

Edward regarded Aro's jovial mood with a mix of confusion and suspicion. Was Aro crazy? Did Aro think he was crazy? Edward didn't know how to react to Aro's complete 180 in demeanor. Glancing at Caius, he saw that even Caius was looking at Aro like he had a screw loose. Edward felt a small sense of relief knowing he wasn't the only one questioning Aro's mental state.

Clearing his throat, Edward took a moment to choose his words carefully. "Well, Aro, I'm doing about as well as can be expected living in a dungeon for over a decade, eating nothing but rats." He hoped his tone conveyed just how absurd his situation was.

Aro beamed, seemingly oblivious to Edward's underlying frustration. "I'm so happy to hear that. Many times, prisoners in our cells can go unnoticed for centuries before we think of them again. I'm glad we're able to speak now before several more centuries go by. I was wondering if you have given any further thought to what we talked about the last time you stood before us."

Edward's eyes narrowed slightly as he listened, his mind racing to keep up with Aro's rapid shift in conversation. Aro continued, his voice smooth and persuasive. "You do realize you don't have to go back to your cell, right? I would much rather have you shown to the guards' wing of the castle, where you could have a nice room overlooking the garden. You would be able to take a hot shower and change out of those dirty clothes. Wouldn't that sound better to you? You could have all that and more. All you would need to do is join us in helping to protect vampire society. It's a noble calling, Edward, and truthfully, your talents are wasted rotting away down in that dungeon."

Edward realized that Aro was testing him, probing to see if time had weakened his resolve. Aro believed he could buy his mind reader with the promise of comfort and luxury, a nice room, and shiny clothes. Edward huffed in disdain. Aro was a fool if he thought such things would ever work. A million years could go by, and he would still never give in and join the likes of Aro Volturi and his so-called 'law protectors.' What a joke.

"No, Aro, I have not changed my mind. I won't ever join your guard. Either kill me now or put me back in my cell, but I refuse your offer." Edward's voice was steady and unyielding, hoping his words were clear enough for Aro as he saw his jovial smile falter.

From the corner of his eye, Edward noticed Caius's smile widen as Aro's vanished. Caius looked like Christmas had come early this year. "You heard the boy, Aro. He would rather die." Caius's voice dripped with malicious glee as he motioned to the side of the room. "Felix, you know what to do."

Edward's eyes shifted to Felix, who began to approach with a malevolent grin, rubbing his two giant hands together as if savoring the task ahead. However, just as Felix was within striking distance, Aro held up his hand, halting the approaching giant in his tracks.

"Patience, brother. Edward is still so young, and with youth comes stubbornness," Aro remarked, regarding Edward with a frown. Then, as if struck by a brilliant idea, his face lit up, his crimson eyes sparkling. "Now, Edward, wouldn't you be interested in eating a real meal again? I understand Caius was just having his fun making you eat rats, but can you really do that for all eternity? Wouldn't you enjoy a nice, juicy human to wash away that god-awful taste you must have in your mouth?"

Edward watched as Aro shivered, probably thinking about how disgusting it truly was. The flickering torchlight cast eerie shadows on Aro's face, highlighting his predatory grin. The throne room's vastness seemed to amplify Aro's words, making them echo ominously in Edward's ears.

"As it happens, I have a human right here," Aro continued, his voice dripping with temptation. He gestured to the young woman sitting blankly on his lap, her eyes unfocused and her expression vacant. "I had Alec put her under for our conversation, as I didn't want to be interrupted. She's nice and fresh. She could be yours."

"You could have all the humans you wanted if only you would join us," Aro added, his tone silky and persuasive. He leaned forward slightly, as if offering a sweet deal. "Think of it, Edward. No more rats, no more filth. Just pure, warm blood, ready for the taking."

Edward was disgusted. Had Aro learned nothing after reading him the last time? He had picked a young woman, maybe Edward's age, in the hopes of tempting him? He wasn't some evil creature who would just bite into anything that moved. He regarded the young woman with pity. She was quite pretty, with long black hair that cascaded over her shoulders. She wore a simple outfit, likely indicating she was a local, perhaps a farmer's daughter. Her blank, vacant stare, a result of Alec's power, made her seem even more vulnerable.

Edward glanced around the throne room, noting the casual, indifferent expressions of the other vampires. They appeared completely unbothered by the fact that they were discussing the fate of an innocent human being. The flickering torchlight cast long, eerie shadows on their faces, making their cold indifference even more chilling.

Edward shook his head in disgust. The Volturi were despicable, treating humans as mere commodities, playthings for their amusement. Aro would have had a much better chance of cajoling him if he had brought him a killer of others, someone whose hands were stained with innocent blood. But this? This innocent girl? It only hardened his resolve.

"No, Aro. I have no interest in the girl. Please bring her back to wherever you found her. She doesn't belong here." Edward's voice was firm. He knew it was futile, but he had to at least try and save the girl.

Aro's smile faded slightly, replaced by a look of mild irritation. But before he could respond, Caius interjected. "You have no right, boy, telling us whom to eat. We're your superiors in every way possible." The anger in his voice was palpable as he looked down on Edward, his eyes narrowing with disdain.

Caius's gaze then swept across the room, settling on Demetri. "When's Heidi returning with the new batch? I'm getting hungry," he asked impatiently, a reminder of the Volturi's indifference to the havoc they must wreak throughout the surrounding lands.

Demetri straightened up at the mention of his name, his posture rigid and attentive. "She shall be returning come the morning, master." His voice was smooth, almost rehearsed, as he bowed his head to Caius, who leaned back, seemingly satisfied with the answer.

Edward's eyes returned to the girl on Aro's lap. Her vacant stare and still posture spoke volumes about her ordeal. Her long black hair cascaded over her shoulders, framing a face that might have been lively under different circumstances. Instead, she was a puppet with cut strings, controlled by the beings around her. The dim torchlight flickered across her features, casting a haunting glow that highlighted the unnatural stillness of her form.

Aro regarded his brother and top guard with a smile before turning back to Edward. "I'm afraid he's right, young Edward. Are you sure you don't want her? Otherwise, I'm afraid she's going to go to waste." Aro's voice was smooth, almost gentle, as if he were offering Edward a simple, everyday choice.

But then, with a swift, practiced motion, Aro pulled the girl's head back and, with his right index finger, sliced a line across her neck. Blood started to flow from the deep wound, dark and rich against her pale skin. The girl, still under Alec's power, didn't react at all, her eyes remaining vacant and unfocused as she began to bleed out.

The sight of Aro's casual cruelty sent a jolt of shock through Edward. He was momentarily paralyzed, his mind grappling with the sheer depravity of the act. Aro flung the woman off the dais with a dismissive flick, and she landed at Edward's feet with a sickening thud, her lifeless body crumpling on the cold stone floor.

Edward stared in horror as the pool of blood spread rapidly around her neck wound, the dark liquid seeping into the crevices between the stones. The girl's long black hair, now matted with blood, fanned out around her head like a grotesque halo. Her face, which might have once been vibrant and full of life, was now eerily still, her features slack in death.

Edward had to fight his instincts even while he was repulsed by what had just occurred. The rich, intoxicating scent of her blood filled the air, tantalizing and maddening. It had been so long since he had tasted human blood, and his throat burned with thirst. But he fought to remain in control. He would not debase himself by getting on his hands and knees and lapping up the blood like a dog. He was better than that. He would not give in to temptation.

Edward straightened his posture, forcing himself to breathe evenly, and looked back up at Aro, his expression defiant and unmoving. His golden eyes, darkened with thirst, held a fierce resolve.

"You disgust me, Aro. I will never join your guard. Never!" His voice was steady, filled with a loathing that matched the intensity of his words. He meant it, too. His cell was better than becoming a monster like these vampires.

Aro regarded Edward for a moment, his expression unreadable. Finally, he nodded, a fake smile plastered on his face once again. "Well, it has certainly been pleasant seeing you again, Edward. This is the last time we will speak for a good long while. Maybe in a century or two, I'll call on you again. During that time, if you change your mind and feel you may have spoken rashly, just tell your guards, and they will relay your message to me. Goodbye for now. I'll see you again, maybe in the 23rd century."

Aro's voice was smooth, almost cheerful, as if he were bidding farewell to an old friend rather than a prisoner. His casual tone contrasted sharply with the gravity of his words, adding to the surreal horror of the situation.

Aro motioned to the three guards, who instantly closed in around Edward, their grips firm and unyielding as they secured his shoulders.

With a shove, Edward started moving, walking towards the massive doors that marked the exit of the throne room. Each step echoed in the vast chamber, the sound a grim accompaniment to his departure. As Edward left, he looked one last time up at the windows high above. He wished it was morning. He so missed the sun.

Well, it seems the '40s will not be Edward's decade. Hopefully, he'll be doing better when we catch up with him in the '50s. Reviews and comments are welcome. I enjoy reading your feedback.