Impressions of Three Men in Black
Chapter Twenty-Two
Darkness descends before Night
Celeste finally spends time with Marcus.
** I'm back online and sooner than I thought! My apartment complex provides the Internet in the rent now. As long as I pay the rent, I will be connected. Sorry for the delay, and thanks for your patience. Now on with the story**
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Marcus was worried about Celeste. They had not spoken in days, and while he knew both Aro and Caius had been with her not long ago, he had not. He found himself eager to know how she was and whether his brothers were able to convince her not to give up on them just yet. She did seem interested in the potential conflict with the Romanians, but would it be enough to bind her to them so that she would feel compelled to remain here in Volterra, loyal to the three of them as well as the rest of the coven. Would she agree to stay where she was loved, or request to leave the coven, something Aro would most likely not allow.
Deep in thought, Marcus inhaled sharply, despite his lack of need for air. He feared Aro's anger at Celeste for even hinting at wanting to part from him and his brothers, her sworn mates, but Marcus promised himself he would protect her no matter what might come, even if it meant defying Aro's orders.
Marcus wanted to find her though, and as soon as possible.
Eventually, he came across Celeste sitting in the gazebo when he decided to head outside to the garden. He knew it was one of her favourite places to sit and contemplate. Sometimes she'd walk among his roses and bend to smell those he'd bred to have the strongest fragrance. It pleased Marcus to explain the technique he used to create roses with just the perfect scent.
He saw Celeste sitting at one end of the rounded bench, leaning her head against the support pillar. He was about to take the three steps up to join her when he noticed her eyes closed and a single tear sliding down one cheek. It was obvious she had been crying for a while. The tall vampire was at her side in a flash.
Celeste was still feeling conflicted between wanting to help her mates and desperately needing a break from them. While listening to the discussion at the meeting, she knew she would be useless to Aro and the others in her current state. Being mortal would be a liability in any confrontation. She could insist on being changed sooner than later, but she was still so unsure about the process. According to what Aro had told her, she would be completely changed within 3 days. But they'd warned her of the lack of control she'd experience. The bloodlust would be very strong at first, stronger than any hunger she'd ever felt or would feel. It would dominate her very existence for nearly a year, if all went well. If not...
Unsure how to handle her feelings, Celeste remembered how much her mates had done for her. They all expressed their emotions differently, enabling her to see each man as a reflection of her own personality.
Aro appealed to her mind, the inquisitive side of her persona. He knew so much, causing her to admire the intellect of the long-lived vampire. They could talk about any topic, their discussions inevitably turning into debates. His memories of historical events, and his opinions of said events, kept her rapt with interest for hours.
Caius appealed to her more emotional side, the easy anger her friends said was something they had learned to avoid. Her temper could be as volatile as Caius', if not shown as much publicly. Where Cauis would say what was on his mind without filtering his thoughts first, Celeste could still manage to think first, speak second.
Now Marcus appealed more to her comtemplative side. She could sit for hours reading a book she loved, or enjoy lying on a lounger in the not-too-hot sun, an iced tea in her hand. The sounds of bird song or thunder had always been a balm for her soul. She felt a certain serenity when she was with Marcus she didn't feel with the others.
Celeste also knew there was nothing the three men wouldn't do for her. How could she just leave them.
She groaned quietly, the fear and frustrations inside her mind clashing with her love for the three Volturi masters. Squeezing her left hand into a tight fist, she didn't hear Marcus' approach until he sat beside her.
"Celeste, why are you here all alone?" Marcus reached over to place his hand on hers. He noticed her skin was cooler than normal, and that worried him.
Marcus' keen eyes noticed the small wound on her neck that was nearly healed. "Who did this to you?" he asked, as he lightly brushed his fingertips over the spot.
Opening her eyes, she replied, too embarrassed to look at him. "It was Caius. He was trying to...please me and got carried away. It's not a big deal, Marcus. Aro accidentally bit my lip while kissing me once. Things happen."
"Do you think these were accidents?" A frown appeared on his face, while shaking his head ever so slightly. "Why do you let them get away with it?"
Celeste loosened her fingers and took hold of Marcus' hand, playing with his long slender fingers. "It's because I love them, as I love you." She looked up into her mate's crimson eyes. "They won't change me yet. And with what's going on out in the real world, that may be low on the priority list. Don't you think?" she asked, looking up at him with a tilt of her head.
Marcus wondered if this was good or bad news to Celeste.
"I want to be of help to the coven, but as I am, there's little I can do. More likely, I'd just get myself killed."
"I can speak to Aro if you wish," Marcus offered. "Let him know waiting is not something you want. There should be no reason to wait unless Aro's plans mean an immediate attack on the Romanians. At the moment, we don't even know where their stronghold is."
"Marcus, is it something I want?" Celeste turned her head to peer up at her mate. She leaned into him and closed her eyes when she felt his arm move to embrace her shoulders.
So she was unsure, more so than he had feared. Marcus held his human mate a bit tighter, trying to be reassuring. "Then I will say nothing for now. Instead, is there something I can do for you to make you happy? Seeing you this way breaks my unbeating heart."
Celeste smiled at those words. All three of her mates needed no beating hearts to love her as they did. It was an odd truth but truth just the same. Shifting on the marble bench, she looked at him, one hand reaching up to cup his cheek. She drew him down and placed her warm lips against his cool ones, until she felt him respond, both arms moving around her, drawing her closer.
When she pulled back, breathless, Celeste exhaled and laughed lightly. "Are you trying to distract me from an afternoon outing? Come on, Marcus, let's go into the village and do some shopping. I could use a nice juicy steak and maybe a split of red wine. And I want some of those chocolates I had before too. If I'm to become a vampire, I'm entitled to a farewell box."
Marcus was so pleased to see her suddenly perk up, he decided to deny her nothing. "As you wish, my love. Buy as many as your stomach can hold. Anything else you want, merely tell me and it's yours."
"Good. Let me dress in some comfortable slacks and a cooler top, and we can leave." Celeste stood, holding her hand out to him. Looking up at her vampire mate, she smiled when he took it and stood to face her. Stepping closer, she wrapped her arms around his neck. Pulling his head down to her, she kissed him long and deep. Her eyes sparkled with desire, looking into the darkening crimson orbs of Marcus. "I'll make it worth your time. I promise."
"I look forward to that, my love," Marcus said, his voice low. His imagination was already in bed with Celeste, his body taking her fiercely when she opened to him.
Her eyes expressed the unspoken promise which Marcus clearly read. He brought her hand to his lips, kissing the inside of her wrist as he smiled back at her. "I will hold you to that, Celeste." They walked up the back steps that led inside the rear of the castle. Walking down the corridor, they stopped in front of Celeste's room. She opened the door and went inside. "Give me fifteen minutes. I'll meet you out back by the gate. Don't be late."
"Me! When am I ever late. It's you who are always..." Marcus began to protest.
Celeste laughed and shut the door before he finished his protestations.
Shaking his head and smiling, Marcus returned to his own chambers and dressed in something more casual. Hopefully, this small trip into town would distract Celeste from whatever feelings had caused her melancholy. Managing a human could be very diffcult, and for that matter, it had been an eternity since he'd had to handle a female. So far, it had been worth every moment. He loved her as much as he had loved Didyme. Nothing would change that.
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Marcus stood at the rear gate, waving when he saw Celeste exit the back door. She bounced down the stairs, looking as if she had not a care in the world. And he would make sure she did not. He held out his hand to her as she walked over to him, her eyes lit up with happiness.
When Celeste saw Marcus looking so casual and nothing like a Volturi master, she grinned at him. He'd chosen black slacks with a simple button-up white shirt, open at the neck and sleeves rolled up to the elbow, with his long hair back into a low pony tail. Oh, yes, he is sexy, she thought,
She slipped her arm through his, and gazed up at him, love showing in her eyes. His own were now a dark chocolate brown, the vampire red covered by contacts. They wouldn't last forever under the assault of the venom within Marcus' eyes, but it would be safe to be with humans long enough for them to enjoy the afternoon.
Marcus noticed the look she gave him and patted her hand. His own emotions were, at times, stronger than he had ever anticipated after meeting Celeste. When he'd lost Didyme, he knew he'd never feel such love for anyone ever again. He was happy to be wrong.
"Come, my dear. Let us walk there since I see you've chosen your more comfortable walking shoes." It were these private moments he spent with Celeste that gave him the feeling of normalcy in the human world. He was not a vampire and she was not a human. They were simply a man and woman, in love, spending time together.
"Yep, and these jeans are the best. So stretchy. So was there any place you wanted to go, or is this all for me alone?" She loved feeling his cool hand in hers as they walked down the street toward the village. Already she could hear music, and the voices of tourists and locals alike as they perused wares in stalls and ordered meals at the alfresco cafes scattered around. Would she still be allowed to do this once she had... No, don't think about that right now, she told herself. Have fun now. The future was best saved for tomorrow.
The crowd magically seemed to part for the tall man and the woman with him as Marcus and Celeste headed toward the infamous chocolatier she so loved. They looked into the window to see a short line waiting at the counter, and entered prepared to wait. It was a small inconvenience, Celeste thought, to get the best chocolates in all Italy.
Once inside, the pair waited along with other customers. Marcus felt satisfaction when Celeste weaved her arm in his, while examining the chocolate candies lying behind the glass partition.
When it was their turn, one of the employees came over and grinned. "Benvenuta, signor, signora. Come posso aiutarti oggi?"
Peering through the protective glass, Celeste pointed at the pretty confections, saying, "I want that one and that one. Hmmm, and one of those...oh, I want them all. Uno di ciascuno, per favore."
"Sì certo." The man picked up a blue box and began to add the candies while Celeste waited with anticipation. He looked up at Marcus as if to question the person obviously paying. Marcus gave him a shrug, but then nodded in approval.
Turning to question her escort, Celeste asked, "Marcus, are you sure? They're not cheap."
"As many as your stomach can hold, amore," Marcus reminded her.
The man finished adding the last few chocolates to the box, then tied it with a white ribbon and handed it to Celeste.
"Grazie!" she said, taking the box from him with a grin.
He then accepted the extended Euros from Marcus, thanking them before moving on to his next customer.
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After the pair left the shop, Celeste walked at Marcus' side, her free hand in his, as they headed to the restaurant Celeste had suggested. The smile on her face felt genuine, the worry absent at last. Marcus felt more relaxed knowing she was enjoying their outing.
"Wouldn't you know he'd tie it closed, Marcus. Less temptation, I guess."
"We can sit on the edge here while you open it and eat a few." he suggested, seeing they had reached a small fountain, water spraying up into the air before splashing down into the pool.
"No, I can wait. Let's eat lunch first if it's alright. Anyway, it will teach me some self-control." When she felt his arm move around her shoulders, she snuggled closer. "About some things, anyway."
Marcus gave a light laugh. He began to think there was something in their relationshop he felt she did not have with either Aro or Caius. For them, it was the sexual unity with Celeste that appealed to them the most, Caius especially. Aro was the more intellectual of the three, and he delighted in sharing what he knew with their mate. History, literature, all of his knowledge of the ages. Caius' temperment could be volatile. Sometimes he would lose control of that temper, but with Celeste, it was expressed as a strong passion. Marcus knew his brother would never harm Celeste intentionally.
Where he was concerned, Marcus felt a bond of similarity between himself and Celeste. It was physical, of course, but emotional as well. Intellect was less an ingredient in their connection.
Their unions were always pleasurable, with Marcus willing to do anything to satisfy Celeste. He also refrained from questioning her about the methods of his two brothers. His only point of contention was when he saw marks on Celeste's body left by Aro and Caius. He preferred not to scar her in any way. Still, perhaps she would appreciate it if he roughened up his technique more, without actually hurting her.
"Hello there. Are you with me?" Waving her hand in front of Marcus' face, she laughed. "What were you thinking about?"
"Nothing you need worry about, my dear," Marcus replied, knowing he'd be blushing if he were capable. The changes this mortal had brought about surprised even him. Marcus was completely enthralled by his mate.
"Well, we're here in any case. Come on. There's an empty table over there." She dragged Marcus to the small table for two that sat on the outdoor patio near a tree that shaded the area.
Ever the gentleman, Marcus pulled out the seat for Celeste, then sat on the chair opposite her.
A waiter stopped by their table and handed them both menus. "Buon pomeriggio. How may I help you today?" the waiter asked in English, excited on hearing Marcus and Celeste talking among themselves. He wanted to show off his knowledge of the language.
Celeste knew what she wanted, so went ahead and ordered. "Buon pomeriggio. I want to start off with a split of red table wine and a salad. Then a steak, medium rare, with a side of fettucine."
"Si, signora. E per lei, signor?" he asked, turning to Marcus.
"Niente per me, grazie." Marcus took hold of Celeste's hand, basically dismissing the waiter, who took the hint and left.
Celeste reached out to clasp Marcus' hand. "Thank you for today, Marcus. I don't know what's wrong with me. I shouldn't need all this attention from you."
Marcus understood her feelings. At times in the past, he'd felt the same, his lack of emotional involvement with coven business irritating Aro to no end. After a while, both brothers stopped trying to draw him into their affairs, leaving it up to Marcus to choose to partcipate.
While they talked, Celeste ate her food with gusto, making Marcus laugh with amusement. She swallowed her mouthful of pasta before asking, "Is it alright if we go to that perfume shop we'd visited awhile back? There is a new scent there I want to buy. I'm almost out of my current bottle of cologne."
"Of course, innamorata. If I like it, will you wear it tonight?"
Celeste gave Marcus a flirtatious smile. "And only that?" she asked, tilting her head. She loved teasing these vampire lovers of hers. It had been awhile since they'd had relations...of any kind...with a woman. They may have been aged and wise, but experienced with modern females...uh, no.
Marcus' smile grew, but the waiter interrupted his thoughts, telling him the cost for Celeste's meal. He handed him the necessary Euros along with a sizable tip, then stood, assisting Celeste when she was ready to leave.
The walked down the main road, then took a side alley until they came to the door of the perfumery, large letters etched on the front window, saying Emiliano's Profumeria. Once inside, Celeste set the box of candies on a counter, and asked a female shopkeeper about the new perfume she'd heard about on TV. Una Notte di Passione, One Night of Passion. Marcus raised a brow at her when he saw the name, then he lifted the open sampler to his nose. He may have been an expert on the scent of a living rose, but he had no idea about perfume notes.
Dabbing a bit of the fragrant fluid on her wrists and behind her ears, Celeste whispered, "I adore it." She sniffed one wrist again, then held it up to Marcus' nose.
The warmth of her skin gave the perfume a more delicate scent than when in the bottle. He gave his mate a smile and nodded silently. Once the purchase was completed, the two left the shop and began the trek back to the castle.
Celeste suddenly stopped in her tracks. "Marcus, my candy! I left the box at the perfume shop. Stay right here. I'll just go back and grab it." She handed Marcus the bag holding her perfume purchase, when she felt his grasp.
Taking her arm, Marcus pulled her close. "I'll get it for you. I can move faster."
"Here? Where everyone can see? No, just wait here. I'll be right back." Celeste pulled her arm from Marcus' grasp, and ran back to the perfumery. Celeste entered the store and interrupted the shopkeeper while he was helping a customer. He smiled indulgently and handed her the box, hoping she'd return for it. She thanked him and left the shop. Heading back to where she's left Marcus, Celeste lifted the blue box, able to smell the chocolate permeating the cardboard.
"Thank goodness I didn't lose you, you sweet things," she said to the box. "Now let's get back to Marcus."
Celeste had taken no more than 5 steps when she felt a cold hand cover her mouth, smothering any sound she tried to make. She was dragged away from the shop's entrance and into a dark alcove nearby. Her head was twisted painfully to the side as she struggled, attempting to free her body from her captor's hold.
Celeste's thoughts centered around Marcus. If she were killed, he would be beside himself. She could only imagine the reactions of Aro and Caius. No doubt they'd be furious. Marcus, where are you? I need you!
When she felt a sudden, excruciating pain in her neck, she closed her eyes, trying to will herself someplace else.
The pain in her neck hurt like hell, but the searing heat that began to move through her body was far worse. Confusion filled her thoughts. Oh, god, no no! Her captor was a vampire and he was changing her. It couldn't be. She didn't want this just yet, and when if ever she was ready, it was to have been Aro, and not some...stranger. This was wrong!
She never even felt being thrown over her assailant's shoulder as she was taken away from the safety of her home in Volterra.
A/N : Oh no! There are going to be some very unhappy Volturi masters. What will happen when they find out, not only who has kidnapped their mate, but what has been done to her.
Thank you for reading this story!