52 Weeks
by Wizardtho
Chapter 26:
Once back in our suite, Caius helps me quickly change into a flowy green tank, destroyed blue motorcycle jeans, and a pair of matching green strappy boots. As he finishes zipping my boots, Caius asks, “Are you sure you want to do this, Sweetling? The dungeon is liable to have a vampire being tortured for punishment or information, and it constantly smells of vampire ash.”
While carefully smoothing my top as I stand, I look into my mate’s eyes and promise, “I can’t live out my eternity in a naïve bubble, Caius. I just killed 3 vampires without batting an eye, and I’m likely to have to do so again if we’re ever to bring Didyme home. If I can’t stand facing my own attacker, here in the safety of the castle, how will I ever help save Didyme from hers out there?”
I point out the window to make my point, which causes Caius to wrap his arms around me before gently kissing my lips. When his eyes meet mine again, he nods, “Alright. Just know that if I see you’re having a hard time down there, I’ll take you out of the dungeons without a thought. That is my compromise.”
I nod, then gently glide my hand up the side of his slightly scruffy cheek, “Compromise accepted. You, my handsome king, never cease to amaze me with how you love me.”
He smiles and leans into my hand, his eyes fluttering as he promises, “I am forever yours, Isabella.” His eyes open to meet mine before he sighs, “Though I would love to spend the rest of the day alone with you, we shouldn’t prolong this.”
With a nod from me, Caius leads me from the suite. Of course, Jane and Demetri are there waiting, and they follow us down the halls.
We take the main stairs down to the ground level, then Caius guides me to an out-of-the-way, deserted hallway. There is a guard stationed at either side of a doorway. One quickly opens the door and steps back; Caius and I step through, and we descend 3 more floors before I stop. I immediately feel Demetri and Jane stop behind me as Caius asks, “Sweetling?”
I shake my head and breathe deeply for a minute, then offer, “It’s the scent. I just need a minute to make my brain override my instinct.”
It smells of ash and venom, of fear and torture. It sets my nerves on ice and has my physical shield slithering under my skin on alert. My instincts have me wanting to back up, to get far away from the danger here... that what’s through those heavy metal doors doesn’t need to be seen. My brain is trying to tell my instincts that I am in command, and there is no danger to me down here.
Just as I take another breath, I hear Aro near the end of the corridor, beyond the heavy doors. It oddly helps my nerves calm some, so I let out my breath as I square my shoulders.
Cupping my cheek, Caius looks into my eyes, nods, then leads me through the metal doors, which creak slightly from the weight on the hinges. The scent magnifies exponentially, so I’m not surprised when only steps inside the dungeon, my shield covers both Caius and myself.
He takes my hand in comfort, then I see Aro turn in our direction from outside a cell. He gives me a small sigh, “Sister. I have already been in to read him, but something is blocking me. I am having no luck so far.”
I stop next to him, then look from the man to Aro. I ask in my thoughts as I touch his arm, “Do you think this is the same gift that blocks Marcus from seeing Didyme?”
Aro nods before saying aloud, “I believe it may well be, just a weaker version… or not as important of a recipient.”
I also now speak aloud, “Do you wish for me to shield you? There’s no way in hell my shield will allow me to try and shield him. He’s already attempted to kill me once today.”
Aro chuckled, “Me, of course, Isabella. I would never ask you to shield someone who had attempted to harm you.”
I nod and look to Caius, who says without looking away from me, “Demetri, go get a large carafe from the kitchen that is used for the guests. Make sure it is full, and bring a glass. I want you to stay with it at the guard table outside the dungeon doors, in case it’s needed. Do not let it out of your sight from the moment you personally open the blood bags, to the moment Isabella and I exit the dungeon.”
I hear a fading “Yes, Sire,” as Demetri quickly does his king’s bidding. Once the metal doors close behind him, Caius caresses my cheek and nods before backing up a step.
Once back in our suite, Caius helps me quickly change into a flowy green tank, destroyed blue motorcycle jeans, and a pair of matching green strappy boots. As he finishes zipping my boots, Caius asks, “Are you sure you want to do this, Sweetling? The dungeon is liable to have a vampire being tortured for punishment or information, and it constantly smells of vampire ash.”
While carefully smoothing my top as I stand, I look into my mate’s eyes and promise, “I can’t live out my eternity in a naïve bubble, Caius. I just killed 3 vampires without batting an eye, and I’m likely to have to do so again if we’re ever to bring Didyme home. If I can’t stand facing my own attacker, here in the safety of the castle, how will I ever help save Didyme from hers out there?”
I point out the window to make my point, which causes Caius to wrap his arms around me before gently kissing my lips. When his eyes meet mine again, he nods, “Alright. Just know that if I see you’re having a hard time down there, I’ll take you out of the dungeons without a thought. That is my compromise.”
I nod, then gently glide my hand up the side of his slightly scruffy cheek, “Compromise accepted. You, my handsome king, never cease to amaze me with how you love me.”
He smiles and leans into my hand, his eyes fluttering as he promises, “I am forever yours, Isabella.” His eyes open to meet mine before he sighs, “Though I would love to spend the rest of the day alone with you, we shouldn’t prolong this.”
With a nod from me, Caius leads me from the suite. Of course, Jane and Demetri are there waiting, and they follow us down the halls.
We take the main stairs down to the ground level, then Caius guides me to an out-of-the-way, deserted hallway. There is a guard stationed at either side of a doorway. One quickly opens the door and steps back; Caius and I step through, and we descend 3 more floors before I stop. I immediately feel Demetri and Jane stop behind me as Caius asks, “Sweetling?”
I shake my head and breathe deeply for a minute, then offer, “It’s the scent. I just need a minute to make my brain override my instinct.”
It smells of ash and venom, of fear and torture. It sets my nerves on ice and has my physical shield slithering under my skin on alert. My instincts have me wanting to back up, to get far away from the danger here... that what’s through those heavy metal doors doesn’t need to be seen. My brain is trying to tell my instincts that I am in command, and there is no danger to me down here.
Just as I take another breath, I hear Aro near the end of the corridor, beyond the heavy doors. It oddly helps my nerves calm some, so I let out my breath as I square my shoulders.
Cupping my cheek, Caius looks into my eyes, nods, then leads me through the metal doors, which creak slightly from the weight on the hinges. The scent magnifies exponentially, so I’m not surprised when only steps inside the dungeon, my shield covers both Caius and myself.
He takes my hand in comfort, then I see Aro turn in our direction from outside a cell. He gives me a small sigh, “Sister. I have already been in to read him, but something is blocking me. I am having no luck so far.”
I stop next to him, then look from the man to Aro. I ask in my thoughts as I touch his arm, “Do you think this is the same gift that blocks Marcus from seeing Didyme?”
Aro nods before saying aloud, “I believe it may well be, just a weaker version… or not as important of a recipient.”
I also now speak aloud, “Do you wish for me to shield you? There’s no way in hell my shield will allow me to try and shield him. He’s already attempted to kill me once today.”
Aro chuckled, “Me, of course, Isabella. I would never ask you to shield someone who had attempted to harm you.”
I nod and look to Caius, who says without looking away from me, “Demetri, go get a large carafe from the kitchen that is used for the guests. Make sure it is full, and bring a glass. I want you to stay with it at the guard table outside the dungeon doors, in case it’s needed. Do not let it out of your sight from the moment you personally open the blood bags, to the moment Isabella and I exit the dungeon.”
I hear a fading “Yes, Sire,” as Demetri quickly does his king’s bidding. Once the metal doors close behind him, Caius caresses my cheek and nods before backing up a step.
I take Aro’s hand, then close my eyes and concentrate. My shield slithers along my skin, but it doesn’t cover Aro. My eyes open to see the man in the cell. Though his limbs are chained and shackled, and there is also a shackle around his neck coming from the ceiling chain, this doesn’t phase me. He has dark hair, both on his head and for his facial hair. He looks rather ordinary on the surface; a black leather jacket, no shirt, worn-looking jeans, and black hiking boots.
It’s what I feel when I look deep in his eyes that has my shield quickly covering Aro. It’s pure dark insanity… and I don’t want it touching Aro.
He looks down at me, asking softly, “Are you ready? We need to enter the cell for me to read him.”
I nod, tighten my hand slightly in his, then I hear the creaking of the metal door and Major whispering, “Told ya she’d be down here. Isabella Swan doesn’t back down.”
I clear my throat purposefully, then state, “If you wouldn’t mind, Major, your commentary on the strength of my spine -or lack thereof- can wait until I’m done trying to concentrate. Thank you.”
He chuckles, then says softly, “You got this, Little Darlin’.”
Aro and I step inside the cell as I check to make sure my shield is still strong and holding. Aro guides our hands up to his shoulder. Taking the hint, I hold onto his shoulder, so he has both hands available.
He quickly places both palms against the man’s temples, and I hear the man cry out. I let out a wooshed breath as I assure Aro, “It’s the same… weaker, as you said. Please hurry. I don’t… know how long…”
Aro continues, and I hear the man’s cries gaining in desperation. My breathing becomes heavy after about 2 minutes, and I notice my legs shaking. All my muscles start to hurt while I pant out to Aro, “Stop… I can’t…”
In the same breath as my words, Aro is turning to pick me up and carry me from the cell. The man’s screams suddenly stop, but the abrupt lack of all sound from him unnerves me. Major closes and locks the cell door behind us as Aro places me in Caius’ arms.
The last glimpse I have of the man is of his onyx, lifeless eyes staring at nothing, and a blank look on his face.
When I’m placed in a chair and handed a warm glass of blood, my hands are shaky. I carefully bring it to my lips. I’m able to get down a glass before my curiosity makes me ask, “That was different. You were different. I felt it. Your gift wasn’t passive with him.”
Aro nods, then gives Dom a serious look. The fire starter gives the most innocent look as he states, “I know nothing.” Then he makes a motion like he’s zipping his lips.
Aro looks back to me, then offers, “Yes. As his life was already forfeit for the attempt made against you, and we were pressed for time, I ripped the information needed from the man. I tore his mind apart for any and all information we could use going forward.”
I nod, not at all surprised since I felt him on the offense while in my shield. “It helped… me, I mean. You pushing against the power with me helped. Did you get everything you could?”
Aro states, “You did extremely well, Isabella. I got all that was needed. Tearing the information from him quickly, as I did, has literally made the man brain dead. He will not even see death coming.”
I think about that for a second, then wrinkle my lip up a bit as I’m handed another glass of blood, “Pity. I really do hate people trying to kill me. I guess it was enough that you taking the information was painful. So… why? Who was he, and why did he try to kill me?”
Aro confirms, “A spy from the Romanians. I had seen him before, but he had never raised suspicion. He only stayed near and took whatever opportunity he could. Though he had never seen where the Romanian stronghold was moved to, or where Didyme was taken, he was the one who kidnapped her. Today, he was attempting to abduct you. How he planned to get out of the castle with you, during a public trial, I have no clue. He was planning on gaining more favor from the Romanians, giving them a second queen. He believed with them having 2 of the 3 kings’ mates, we would give in to the Romanians, and he would be given a position of power. If he didn’t make it out with you, his alternate plan was to kill you where you stood, then die himself.”
I swallow, cough slightly, then say, “He wasn’t all there. I could sense the insanity deep inside him. That’s what made my shield finally cover you. He was grasping at straws today, but he was willing to die to give the enemy any advantage he could steal for them. He couldn’t stop himself, could he?”
Aro shakes his head, “His mind was fractured long before I entered it, Sister. Today was his final ‘do or die’ scenario.”
I finish my glass of blood, then offer, “I need some fresh air. How about we finish this conversation on the patio outside the library?”
Caius looks between me and Major, then asks me, “Are you sure you can stand, Sweetling?”
I nod, “I’m still weak, but I can walk. We can always send Dem for more blood if I need it, and honestly, the smell down here is making the blood a bit harder to drink.”
He nods and holds his hand out for me, “Alright. The library patio it is.”
It’s what I feel when I look deep in his eyes that has my shield quickly covering Aro. It’s pure dark insanity… and I don’t want it touching Aro.
He looks down at me, asking softly, “Are you ready? We need to enter the cell for me to read him.”
I nod, tighten my hand slightly in his, then I hear the creaking of the metal door and Major whispering, “Told ya she’d be down here. Isabella Swan doesn’t back down.”
I clear my throat purposefully, then state, “If you wouldn’t mind, Major, your commentary on the strength of my spine -or lack thereof- can wait until I’m done trying to concentrate. Thank you.”
He chuckles, then says softly, “You got this, Little Darlin’.”
Aro and I step inside the cell as I check to make sure my shield is still strong and holding. Aro guides our hands up to his shoulder. Taking the hint, I hold onto his shoulder, so he has both hands available.
He quickly places both palms against the man’s temples, and I hear the man cry out. I let out a wooshed breath as I assure Aro, “It’s the same… weaker, as you said. Please hurry. I don’t… know how long…”
Aro continues, and I hear the man’s cries gaining in desperation. My breathing becomes heavy after about 2 minutes, and I notice my legs shaking. All my muscles start to hurt while I pant out to Aro, “Stop… I can’t…”
In the same breath as my words, Aro is turning to pick me up and carry me from the cell. The man’s screams suddenly stop, but the abrupt lack of all sound from him unnerves me. Major closes and locks the cell door behind us as Aro places me in Caius’ arms.
The last glimpse I have of the man is of his onyx, lifeless eyes staring at nothing, and a blank look on his face.
When I’m placed in a chair and handed a warm glass of blood, my hands are shaky. I carefully bring it to my lips. I’m able to get down a glass before my curiosity makes me ask, “That was different. You were different. I felt it. Your gift wasn’t passive with him.”
Aro nods, then gives Dom a serious look. The fire starter gives the most innocent look as he states, “I know nothing.” Then he makes a motion like he’s zipping his lips.
Aro looks back to me, then offers, “Yes. As his life was already forfeit for the attempt made against you, and we were pressed for time, I ripped the information needed from the man. I tore his mind apart for any and all information we could use going forward.”
I nod, not at all surprised since I felt him on the offense while in my shield. “It helped… me, I mean. You pushing against the power with me helped. Did you get everything you could?”
Aro states, “You did extremely well, Isabella. I got all that was needed. Tearing the information from him quickly, as I did, has literally made the man brain dead. He will not even see death coming.”
I think about that for a second, then wrinkle my lip up a bit as I’m handed another glass of blood, “Pity. I really do hate people trying to kill me. I guess it was enough that you taking the information was painful. So… why? Who was he, and why did he try to kill me?”
Aro confirms, “A spy from the Romanians. I had seen him before, but he had never raised suspicion. He only stayed near and took whatever opportunity he could. Though he had never seen where the Romanian stronghold was moved to, or where Didyme was taken, he was the one who kidnapped her. Today, he was attempting to abduct you. How he planned to get out of the castle with you, during a public trial, I have no clue. He was planning on gaining more favor from the Romanians, giving them a second queen. He believed with them having 2 of the 3 kings’ mates, we would give in to the Romanians, and he would be given a position of power. If he didn’t make it out with you, his alternate plan was to kill you where you stood, then die himself.”
I swallow, cough slightly, then say, “He wasn’t all there. I could sense the insanity deep inside him. That’s what made my shield finally cover you. He was grasping at straws today, but he was willing to die to give the enemy any advantage he could steal for them. He couldn’t stop himself, could he?”
Aro shakes his head, “His mind was fractured long before I entered it, Sister. Today was his final ‘do or die’ scenario.”
I finish my glass of blood, then offer, “I need some fresh air. How about we finish this conversation on the patio outside the library?”
Caius looks between me and Major, then asks me, “Are you sure you can stand, Sweetling?”
I nod, “I’m still weak, but I can walk. We can always send Dem for more blood if I need it, and honestly, the smell down here is making the blood a bit harder to drink.”
He nods and holds his hand out for me, “Alright. The library patio it is.”