52 Weeks
by Wizardtho
Chapter 18:
ACPOV:
Confusion is the dominant feeling when the Volturi guards come to tell us we’re to be escorted back to Volterra. When Carlisle asks why, they only tell us that Edward has slipped away and been found back in the castle. Though Carlisle and Esme seem surprised that Edward has gone back to the castle, something feels… just wrong… to me. I’m determined to spend time trying to piece all of this together on the flight back to Italy, since the only thing I can tell anyone at this point is, “I don’t know. I didn’t see this as a possibility.”
As I settle into a seat on the plane, I keep my mind clear of all else but the kings, Bella, and Edward. I can hear others speaking off and on, still, I look for anything connected to the main players in this situation. We’re nearly halfway through the flight before a vision hits me hard, making me grasp the arms of the chair with a loud gasp. It’s only quick flashes, barely enough to be called snippets, but they horrify me.
I know that the horror showing on my face speaks as loud as any words could because when my sight comes back to the present, Carlisle is kneeling in front of me with a grave expression. I shake my head as venom fills my eyes, “I don’t… Carlisle, I’m only getting flashes… and it’s of what already happened? I don’t understand… I see the future, not the past. There’s blood… so much blood. Caius screaming. The angui-”
I choke on the last sentence, a sob lodged in my throat, but I press on, “Caius is perched over Bella, giving her CPR. He’s begging her not to leave him.”
Carlisle is quick to ask me in a solemn tone, “And Bella? Is she alright? What about Edward? Where was he during this?”
I shake my head, just as confused as him, “I don’t know, Carlisle, but it didn’t look good for Bella. She lost so much blood; It looked like someone had fed from... tried to drain her. I didn’t see Edward at all in those couple of flashes, but I’ll keep trying.”
Slight gasps can be heard from the other women at Bella’s condition, but both stay quiet as they try to absorb the information. Though the guards sent to escort us are watching us intently, they are silent, giving me no answers to my many questions.
Unfortunately, though I do get a couple more heartbreaking flashes of Caius giving Bella CPR as he begs her to fight, I get no real answers. I’m only left with the feeling of it taking too long, and Bella’s heart not beating on its own as the last flash fades from my vision.
A sob rips from my chest as I try to grasp that Bella may not be alive when we reach Volterra… and it’s quite possibly Edward’s fault. Though Carlisle is instantly at my side, trying to comfort me and understand my reaction in the same breath, I can’t bring myself to tell him. I still know nothing of Edward’s condition or whereabouts, but now more than ever, I fear he played a crucial role in what led to me seeing those flashes.
CPOV:
“Sire, the Cullens have just been escorted into the castle.”
Demetri speaks softly, but his words still make my response come out as a slight growl. “Inform my brothers they are to read each one carefully. I want to know every relationship tie and every thought concerning my mate.”
Isabella’s hands tighten on the fabric of my shirt, causing my voice to soften as I reassure her, “All is well, Sweetling. Concentrate on my love for you, and you will wake to your new life with me soon.”
My mate has just past the 25-hour mark of her change; she seems to be about halfway through the transition at this point. Though I itch to get my hands on that coven, I refuse to leave Isabella’s side while she is still so vulnerable.
Just as Demetri’s soft footsteps start moving away from the door, Isabella chokes out, “Aro. Bring… speak... Aro.”
Before I can give the order, Demetri’s footsteps halt, and he is whispering in his phone, telling my brother of Isabella’s request. I quietly thank him when I hear his phone being slipped back into his pocket, though he assures me in a whisper, “Milady wouldn’t ask in her condition without good reason, Sire. Are you in need of anything before Master Aro arrives?”
I shake my head, then say aloud, “Not at the moment, though I will inform you if that should change, Demetri.”
I start to ensure that my mate is settled comfortably and covered, knowing that in less than 2 full minutes, Aro will be rushing into the room. He will not make his new sister wait in her current state. My thoughts are proven correct when just as I finish pulling the covers into position, Aro announces himself as his fast footfalls near the bedroom door.
“Brother, I’m coming in.” He is closing the door behind him and asking permission with his look in the same second, so I nod, knowing he wants to try to read my mate.
Aro sits at the edge of the bed, then gently grasps her hand, which is resting on top of the covers. He closes his eyes while whispering, “I am here, Sister. Tell me what you need.”
His head tilts ever so slightly, but then he opens his eyes to smile down at Isabella’s form. “She wishes that no formal declaration be made yet. She agrees with wanting them and their relationship lines read, but asks that I not give any indication as to Edward’s location or her condition. She feels she needs to be there… to face them… when the verdict is given.”
His tender smile turns to a proud smirk before he offers, “Your mate has a vindictive streak to rival your own, Brother. She is very angry that her time was unjustly stolen from her. Though I know it is only the anger speaking currently, I’m seeing a small clip of Edward Cullen’s limbs in a burning pyre and your fierce mate… spitting… in the fire to make it burn hotter.”
I hear Demetri in the sitting room unable to stifle his snickering, then feel a combination of shock and amusement that aren’t my own, so I know Jasper must be near. I chuckle as I kiss Isabella’s forehead, but my main emotion is pride.
Aro pats Isabella’s hand, assuring her softly, “Consider it done, Sister. If you still wish to make this pyre vision a reality once your transformation is complete, we can certainly make those arrangements for you. Do you need anything else of me at this time?” A second later, he nods, then says, “Of course. Rest easy in your mate’s arms.”
As he stands from his position, he offers, “Her thoughts are tired, and more pictures than words right now. I see steam, then a cloth wiping her face and a glass of water with ice. Your mate is requesting to be cooled down, Brother. I will give you privacy to tend to Isabella, should you need nothing else of me.”
I nodded, “Thank you, Aro. Please let me know what is read from the coven.”
APOV:
As I close the bedroom door behind me, I hear Caius lifting Isabella from the bed and speaking softly to her. Jane is not is trying to contain her smirk, so I pat her on the shoulder, “Your new mistress is going to keep life in the castle interesting for her newborn phase, Jane. That I can promise you.”
She grins in response, “Lady Isabella was quite a unique human. You may want to have a pyre built and on standby for her, Sire. Knowing Milady, her anger at the boy will only grow... and this is a sentence she will want to hand down herself. He stole her time, yes, but he also interfered with a mated couple. Milady has been fiercely against anyone coming between mated couples from her first day here, and you know she would have made it clear she was Master Caius's mate during the time the boy had her.”
I nod slightly while quickly running through Isabella’s thoughts again, “You may be right, Jane.”
A soft knock on the main door has me opening it to see Jasper grinning from ear to ear. “Jane’s right, ya know. That l’il lady’s a hellcat.” His eyes shoot toward the bedroom door to make his point.
I let him inside as I smirk back with a nod. He brushes the back of his hand against mine as he passes, allowing me to see his vivid thoughts on the situation. My eyes meet his as I answer his unspoken question, “I shall take your thoughts under advisement, Major. Caius will be with you once he has settled Isabella comfortably again.”
He nods without a word, showing me the book in his hand as he calmly takes a seat in one of the armchairs. I exit the suite with a nod of my own, wanting to speak to my Sulpicia before I deal with the Cullens.
ACPOV:
Confusion is the dominant feeling when the Volturi guards come to tell us we’re to be escorted back to Volterra. When Carlisle asks why, they only tell us that Edward has slipped away and been found back in the castle. Though Carlisle and Esme seem surprised that Edward has gone back to the castle, something feels… just wrong… to me. I’m determined to spend time trying to piece all of this together on the flight back to Italy, since the only thing I can tell anyone at this point is, “I don’t know. I didn’t see this as a possibility.”
As I settle into a seat on the plane, I keep my mind clear of all else but the kings, Bella, and Edward. I can hear others speaking off and on, still, I look for anything connected to the main players in this situation. We’re nearly halfway through the flight before a vision hits me hard, making me grasp the arms of the chair with a loud gasp. It’s only quick flashes, barely enough to be called snippets, but they horrify me.
I know that the horror showing on my face speaks as loud as any words could because when my sight comes back to the present, Carlisle is kneeling in front of me with a grave expression. I shake my head as venom fills my eyes, “I don’t… Carlisle, I’m only getting flashes… and it’s of what already happened? I don’t understand… I see the future, not the past. There’s blood… so much blood. Caius screaming. The angui-”
I choke on the last sentence, a sob lodged in my throat, but I press on, “Caius is perched over Bella, giving her CPR. He’s begging her not to leave him.”
Carlisle is quick to ask me in a solemn tone, “And Bella? Is she alright? What about Edward? Where was he during this?”
I shake my head, just as confused as him, “I don’t know, Carlisle, but it didn’t look good for Bella. She lost so much blood; It looked like someone had fed from... tried to drain her. I didn’t see Edward at all in those couple of flashes, but I’ll keep trying.”
Slight gasps can be heard from the other women at Bella’s condition, but both stay quiet as they try to absorb the information. Though the guards sent to escort us are watching us intently, they are silent, giving me no answers to my many questions.
Unfortunately, though I do get a couple more heartbreaking flashes of Caius giving Bella CPR as he begs her to fight, I get no real answers. I’m only left with the feeling of it taking too long, and Bella’s heart not beating on its own as the last flash fades from my vision.
A sob rips from my chest as I try to grasp that Bella may not be alive when we reach Volterra… and it’s quite possibly Edward’s fault. Though Carlisle is instantly at my side, trying to comfort me and understand my reaction in the same breath, I can’t bring myself to tell him. I still know nothing of Edward’s condition or whereabouts, but now more than ever, I fear he played a crucial role in what led to me seeing those flashes.
CPOV:
“Sire, the Cullens have just been escorted into the castle.”
Demetri speaks softly, but his words still make my response come out as a slight growl. “Inform my brothers they are to read each one carefully. I want to know every relationship tie and every thought concerning my mate.”
Isabella’s hands tighten on the fabric of my shirt, causing my voice to soften as I reassure her, “All is well, Sweetling. Concentrate on my love for you, and you will wake to your new life with me soon.”
My mate has just past the 25-hour mark of her change; she seems to be about halfway through the transition at this point. Though I itch to get my hands on that coven, I refuse to leave Isabella’s side while she is still so vulnerable.
Just as Demetri’s soft footsteps start moving away from the door, Isabella chokes out, “Aro. Bring… speak... Aro.”
Before I can give the order, Demetri’s footsteps halt, and he is whispering in his phone, telling my brother of Isabella’s request. I quietly thank him when I hear his phone being slipped back into his pocket, though he assures me in a whisper, “Milady wouldn’t ask in her condition without good reason, Sire. Are you in need of anything before Master Aro arrives?”
I shake my head, then say aloud, “Not at the moment, though I will inform you if that should change, Demetri.”
I start to ensure that my mate is settled comfortably and covered, knowing that in less than 2 full minutes, Aro will be rushing into the room. He will not make his new sister wait in her current state. My thoughts are proven correct when just as I finish pulling the covers into position, Aro announces himself as his fast footfalls near the bedroom door.
“Brother, I’m coming in.” He is closing the door behind him and asking permission with his look in the same second, so I nod, knowing he wants to try to read my mate.
Aro sits at the edge of the bed, then gently grasps her hand, which is resting on top of the covers. He closes his eyes while whispering, “I am here, Sister. Tell me what you need.”
His head tilts ever so slightly, but then he opens his eyes to smile down at Isabella’s form. “She wishes that no formal declaration be made yet. She agrees with wanting them and their relationship lines read, but asks that I not give any indication as to Edward’s location or her condition. She feels she needs to be there… to face them… when the verdict is given.”
His tender smile turns to a proud smirk before he offers, “Your mate has a vindictive streak to rival your own, Brother. She is very angry that her time was unjustly stolen from her. Though I know it is only the anger speaking currently, I’m seeing a small clip of Edward Cullen’s limbs in a burning pyre and your fierce mate… spitting… in the fire to make it burn hotter.”
I hear Demetri in the sitting room unable to stifle his snickering, then feel a combination of shock and amusement that aren’t my own, so I know Jasper must be near. I chuckle as I kiss Isabella’s forehead, but my main emotion is pride.
Aro pats Isabella’s hand, assuring her softly, “Consider it done, Sister. If you still wish to make this pyre vision a reality once your transformation is complete, we can certainly make those arrangements for you. Do you need anything else of me at this time?” A second later, he nods, then says, “Of course. Rest easy in your mate’s arms.”
As he stands from his position, he offers, “Her thoughts are tired, and more pictures than words right now. I see steam, then a cloth wiping her face and a glass of water with ice. Your mate is requesting to be cooled down, Brother. I will give you privacy to tend to Isabella, should you need nothing else of me.”
I nodded, “Thank you, Aro. Please let me know what is read from the coven.”
APOV:
As I close the bedroom door behind me, I hear Caius lifting Isabella from the bed and speaking softly to her. Jane is not is trying to contain her smirk, so I pat her on the shoulder, “Your new mistress is going to keep life in the castle interesting for her newborn phase, Jane. That I can promise you.”
She grins in response, “Lady Isabella was quite a unique human. You may want to have a pyre built and on standby for her, Sire. Knowing Milady, her anger at the boy will only grow... and this is a sentence she will want to hand down herself. He stole her time, yes, but he also interfered with a mated couple. Milady has been fiercely against anyone coming between mated couples from her first day here, and you know she would have made it clear she was Master Caius's mate during the time the boy had her.”
I nod slightly while quickly running through Isabella’s thoughts again, “You may be right, Jane.”
A soft knock on the main door has me opening it to see Jasper grinning from ear to ear. “Jane’s right, ya know. That l’il lady’s a hellcat.” His eyes shoot toward the bedroom door to make his point.
I let him inside as I smirk back with a nod. He brushes the back of his hand against mine as he passes, allowing me to see his vivid thoughts on the situation. My eyes meet his as I answer his unspoken question, “I shall take your thoughts under advisement, Major. Caius will be with you once he has settled Isabella comfortably again.”
He nods without a word, showing me the book in his hand as he calmly takes a seat in one of the armchairs. I exit the suite with a nod of my own, wanting to speak to my Sulpicia before I deal with the Cullens.