The Inauspicious Beginnings Of A Prince
by Laura Spudzmom
Chapter 03
I turned to Edward. "Can you go purchase medical restraints please son?" He nodded and left.
Esme looked horrified. "Oh Carlisle, no." She shook her head. "Isn't there another way?"
I took her in my arms. "There really isn't Es unless I give him large amounts of sedatives and I don't feel comfortable doing that. I'm not sure that would be safe for the period of time we'd need to have him on it."
I backed away from her to see her face. "We just can't risk him escaping. If he did, he just might attract the attention of the Volturi and we want to avoid that with certainty. They would probably destroy him, no questions asked."
I pulled up a chair to his bedside and sat down to wait for Edward to return.
Jasper stared at me but when I tried to talk to him, he would turn his head away.
"Why don't you want to get to know us Jasper? We're not bad people you know. We would love to have you as part of our family. You would have two brothers and two sisters and a mother and father who love you and would take care of you."
His head slowly turned to look at me. "Because I don't need any of that. I was happy where I was. Why couldn't you just let me be? Now you're gonna tie me up like one of the hunters dogs aren't you? I heard you. I'm not stupid."
I sat back and sighed. "I wouldn't have to do that if you would agree not to try to get away. Can you do that? Because if you got away, there are people, other vampires, that would kill you if they found you."
He looked back at me. "Fine, you win. I won't try to get away. But don't expect me to like you. It won't happen. I'll hate you as long as you keep me here against my will. And how will I feed? I won't drink from animals. Their blood tastes like shit. I won't do it."
I pinched the bridge of my nose and then looked up at him.
"First of all please stop using bad language in the house. Your mother doesn't like it. Second, I'll get human blood for you. It comes in bags and no one had to die for it. It's a compromise. Do you know what that means?"
He shot me a dirty look.
"You do think I'm stupid don't you? I read you know. I taught myself, so yeah, I know what a compromise is. And I'll speak however the hell I want to. Especially if you're gonna keep me as a prisoner so fuck you."
I heard a gasp that I knew came from Esme somewhere in the house.
I sighed. "Alright, we'll see how you do with our deal here in this room for a couple of days and then if you're trustworthy, we'll let you out into the main part of the house and go from there."
He looked at me. "Fine, now get out." He turned his head away.
I rose from the chair and put it back in place before leaving the room. I closed the door, locked it and leaned back against it blowing out a big breath.
I was right. I was in for a rough ride.
I made my way out into the living room.
I couldn't muster up the wherewithal to do more than sit on the couch right now.
Sure, it's true that vampires don't get tired, but after dealing with my son, I felt emotionally weary.
I can see why humans blame all of their gray hair on their kids.
Right about now, I wasn't counting that fate out of the realm of possibility for myself despite my vampirism.
Esme joined me a short time later. She looked at me as I stared at the wall opposite the couch I was on.
"I'm not sure what to do Es. I know that it will take time and love, but right now, it just seems so impossible."
She simply leaned into me and rubbed my arm.
I shook myself mentally. What was I doing? I had such a defeatist attitude, no wonder I couldn't make any headway with our son. I was going to need nerves and resolve of steel to deal with everything our small son would eventually dish out, I was now sure. This air of self pity and defeat would not do.
"Es, I owe you an apology." I looked at her. "One day and I've almost given up."
I scoffed at myself in disgust.
"To have such an attitude after one day is inexcusable. I should be much stronger than that for you and our son, and I almost let you both down."
She turned herself toward me.
"Carlisle, we are not invincible, despite what you may think. We are still emotional creatures, and you are allowed to feel you know. None of us, least of all me, expects you to be perfect one hundred percent of the time my love, especially in such a difficult situation."
She kissed me sweetly and smiled.
"We will get through this intact, with our son Carlisle. It won't be easy. But we'll do it together. That's the key my love. We must strengthen each other, and do this as a family."
I closed my eyes and leaned back on the couch. "Thank you Es. I don't know what I would do without you."
The next few days passed by in relative peace with Jasper giving everyone of us the cold shoulder or outright hostility. He resented everything we did, and scorned everyone that approached him. He did not however, try to escape.
After two days I had begun to leave his door unlocked. He hadn't ventured out of the room yet and it had been a week. I decided that it's time to try to speak with him yet again so I find myself outside his door, hesitant to knock. He never answers anyway, but I try to afford him all the courtesies I'm able.
Knocking lightly, I waited for an answer that never came, so I entered.
"What the fuck do you want?" He's staring at me coldly from where he sits on the bed.
"Son….." I don't get any further as he interrupts me.
"Don't call me that. You don't have the right. I am nothing to you just as you are nothing to me. Do you understand? YOU ARE NOTHING TO ME, EXCEPT MY JAILERS! I HATE IT HERE AND I HATE YOU!"
He turns his head away from me then.
"Now get the fuck out. This is my space as long as you insist on holding me against my will and I'll not have you fouling it with your presence."
Shock didn't even begin to cover what I was feeling in those moments as my little son yelled and cursed at me, but I knew one thing; I was just about at the end of my patience.
I was moving before I even finished making the decision on what I would do next.
I snatched him up, sat down, put him face down over my lap pinning his legs with mine and proceeded to warm up his backside with my hand while he struggled and growled out every foul word he knew.
I then bared his bottom and kept going with the swats, turning his backside a bright hot red. I was twenty swats in by the time he started to cry and at thirty, he was pleading for me to stop. I gave him five more on each side for good measure before pulling his underwear and pants back up and hugging his sobbing form to me, rocking him.
"Shhh my son. All is well now. I love you Jasper, but I will no longer tolerate you speaking to me or anyone in this house in such a manner, do you understand?"
He didn't answer, and then he was struggling to get away from me.
I let him go and he promptly shot to the darkest corner, curling up in it all the while glaring at me with the purest hatred I'd ever seen in a pair of eyes.
That look chilled me to my core.
I was startled out of my contemplations by the loud gasp of Alice followed by one word uttered in shock through Edward's lips. "Volturi."
Locking Jasper's door behind me, I rushed up stairs to find out exactly what Alice saw and what we had to do next. It wasn't as though I was afraid of the Volturi.
I had stayed and studied with them for quite a few years and considered Aro a friend after all.
Still, the situation with Jasper could prove to be tragic for our family if the Volturi refused to listen to our explanations.
I found everyone gathered in the dining room; our meeting place of choice when there were serious issues to be discussed.
"What did you see Alice?" I wasted no time getting straight to the point.
"The Volturi are on their way here Carlisle. Aro, Caius, Demetri, Jane and Alec. It was a spur of the moment decision on Aro's part. It seems as though they were in the area investigating something and decided to come by since they are so close."
"Is there any indication what they are here investigating Alice?"
She shook her head. "Not that I've seen, but we know that my visions aren't perfect or without holes." Smiling wanly she apologized.
"Alice, you have nothing to apologize for. You are such a help in so many ways and we all appreciate everything you do to keep us safe. Now, do you know when they will be arriving?"
She nodded and glanced at me apprehensively, just as the sounds of tires on our gravel drive made their way to all of us.
Pinching the bridge of my nose in frustration, I murmured. "I suppose that answers my question."
Minutes later, the whole family, minus Jasper, was assembled in the living room awaiting the arrival of our impromptu guests. The doorbell sounded and I went to answer it.
"Aro, Caius, what a surprise! Won't you come in?"
Aro was the first to speak as they entered and followed me to the living room.
"Thank you Carlisle. Please forgive our having simply dropped in on you without the proper notice, but you can blame my impetuousness. We were so close and it's been long since I have seen you my friend."
"Nonsense Aro, you are always welcome in my home. You need not worry with propriety."
I offered my hand in a traditional greeting and realized my mistake as he gasped and gaped at me, having seen my son in my memories, I knew.
Caius was now watching us with suspicious curiosity clearly on his face as Aro dropped my hand.
"Carlisle, it seems, old friend, that we have much to discuss."
Hanging my head in defeat, I nodded slowly. "Shall we sit?"
They sat in rapt fascination as I explained the origins of my young son and the circumstances surrounding our current situation including Jaspers refusal to take animal blood and his continued hostility towards us.
Aro was looking very intrigued, but it was the interest that I saw reflected in Caius' cruel red eyes that had me worried.
I had no idea what was going through his mind where my small son was concerned, but with Caius, it could never be good.
He was renowned for his cruelty and intolerance of anything outside the laws set thousands of years ago.
"Carlisle, we would see him now."
Aro was making it clear it was not a request, but an order to be complied with.
Nodding reluctantly, I rose from my seat. "If you'll follow me."
Reaching the basement door, I unlocked it and entered, Aro and Caius following.
Jasper was still huddled in the dark corner he'd retreated to after his spanking, his look still murderous as he gazed at me. I didn't think it would take long for him to employ his sharp little tongue, and he didn't disappoint.
"I told you I don't want you here. Get the fuck out before I do as much damage as I can."
His eyes briefly flitted over Aro and Caius before piercing me once again with hatred.
"Son….." Once again he interrupted me.
"I told you not to call me that, you piece of shit. By the way Daddy…." He sneered out in total contempt. "…you'll not be laying another hand on me again without some permanent damage of your own to suffer, you can be sure. I'll take as much of you with me as I can, but one of us will at least bleed if not die."
I tried to ignore the words that were cutting through me like a knife while I introduced Aro and Caius.
"Jasper, this is Aro and Caius Volturi, two of the kings that rule over vampire society. They wanted to meet you."
Jasper eyed them suspiciously. "Toward what purpose?"
Aro stepped forward avidly. "You are unique in our society little one and we would very much like to know you and watch you grow and develop."
Jasper scoffed. "You mean you'd like to study me like some freak experiment? No thanks."
To my utter shock, it was Caius that stepped forward and spoke.
"Not at all young one. I would mentor you if you come to Italy with us. You could maintain a human diet there and learn the Old Ways of proper vampire society."
Continuing my shock, Jasper stood and approached Caius, eyes locked on the vampire King.
"Is it fresh?"
Caius stared down at my young son. "Is what fresh, young one?"
"The blood."
Caius smirked cruelly. "Straight from the source young one."
Jasper smirked back, looking just as cruel and strikingly like the King stood before him.
"I'll go."
Back in my living room with the two kings, I argued fervently.
"Aro, you cannot take my son from us. We just found him and he needs time with his parents and family. He hasn't even gotten used to us!"
Caius scoffed.
"The boy does not wish to stay here Carlisle. He will leave with us just as I told him he could."
I rounded on Caius.
"He is my son and I will not have him leaving here. He will stay here and learn our ways. He will acclimate eventually."
Caius waved a hand arrogantly.
"Aro, talk sense into your old friend. He is not able to deal with the child as the child despises him and his family. He will go with us and I shall mentor him, just as I said. If, when the child grows, he desires to know his family, I will not stand in his way. He will be free to come back here. The decision will be entirely his to make."
Aro turned to me with something like regret in his eyes.
"Carlisle, the young one will leave with us. This is our ruling and not a mere request. Please make him ready for travel as we must leave shortly."
Hanging my head, I nodded.
I could not protest a ruling of the Kings.
My coven would not survive a fight with the Volturi.
We were outmatched by the talent that was present even today. Alec and Jane alone could incapacitate a hundred vampires at a time.
We had no chance and no choice.
Looking at my tearful wife, I nodded at her and she left to pack Jasper's things, Rose and Alice following.
Edward and Emmett looked livid, but they knew all too well that we had no choice but to comply. I could tell that it rankled them though.
I looked to Aro.
"May we visit him on occasion?"
Aro looked to Caius, who smirked and answered. "You may certainly try Carlisle. I won't forbid you. Neither will I force him to receive you should he choose not to. 'Tis probably best to call ahead." Those cruel red eyes met mine in challenge. "I wouldn't want you to waste your time."
Clenching my jaw to stem the flow of words that I longed to give voice, I turned toward the stairs.
"If you'll excuse me, I'll go see if they are ready."
I found my wife weeping over a packed suitcase, Alice and Rose trying desperately to console her.
Jasper, I noticed, sat on his bed, dressed to travel, with a disgusted sneer on his face as he watched.
Once again I was struck at the innate cruelty that seemed a part of my son. How could this be? No such inborn cruelty could be found in either me or my wife and yet it seemed to be a natural part of my little son. I simply couldn't fathom it.
Perhaps it was due to his having to fend for himself since birth?
I had to consider that I may never know the answer to that question. I feared that it would never improve but in fact become even worse over his time under Caius' tutelage.
"Jasper, it's time to go son."
He shot me a look of pure loathing, but left the room without comment, head held high in supreme arrogance.
Shaking my head slowly in my regret, I asked Alice and Rose to take Esme to our room. She was inconsolable at the moment and wouldn't be able to handle seeing our son leave with the Volturi, I knew.
I watched on as they all filed from our house and entered the black limousine, Caius' hand conspicuously placed on my willing son's shoulder.
Once again, I was struck by the similarities between the King and my young son.
Caius could be mistaken as his father, easily. Anyone that didn't know the truth would think so.
I noted with great pain in my heart, the fact that my son did not even offer a goodbye or even a glance back, realizing finally that he would not miss us in the least.
The pain was soul deep and I found myself wishing, for the first time in my vampire life, that I could weep real tears to relieve it.
Choking on emotion, I turned and entered our house. I had a wife to console and a life to try to piece back together…...minus my son.
I turned to Edward. "Can you go purchase medical restraints please son?" He nodded and left.
Esme looked horrified. "Oh Carlisle, no." She shook her head. "Isn't there another way?"
I took her in my arms. "There really isn't Es unless I give him large amounts of sedatives and I don't feel comfortable doing that. I'm not sure that would be safe for the period of time we'd need to have him on it."
I backed away from her to see her face. "We just can't risk him escaping. If he did, he just might attract the attention of the Volturi and we want to avoid that with certainty. They would probably destroy him, no questions asked."
I pulled up a chair to his bedside and sat down to wait for Edward to return.
Jasper stared at me but when I tried to talk to him, he would turn his head away.
"Why don't you want to get to know us Jasper? We're not bad people you know. We would love to have you as part of our family. You would have two brothers and two sisters and a mother and father who love you and would take care of you."
His head slowly turned to look at me. "Because I don't need any of that. I was happy where I was. Why couldn't you just let me be? Now you're gonna tie me up like one of the hunters dogs aren't you? I heard you. I'm not stupid."
I sat back and sighed. "I wouldn't have to do that if you would agree not to try to get away. Can you do that? Because if you got away, there are people, other vampires, that would kill you if they found you."
He looked back at me. "Fine, you win. I won't try to get away. But don't expect me to like you. It won't happen. I'll hate you as long as you keep me here against my will. And how will I feed? I won't drink from animals. Their blood tastes like shit. I won't do it."
I pinched the bridge of my nose and then looked up at him.
"First of all please stop using bad language in the house. Your mother doesn't like it. Second, I'll get human blood for you. It comes in bags and no one had to die for it. It's a compromise. Do you know what that means?"
He shot me a dirty look.
"You do think I'm stupid don't you? I read you know. I taught myself, so yeah, I know what a compromise is. And I'll speak however the hell I want to. Especially if you're gonna keep me as a prisoner so fuck you."
I heard a gasp that I knew came from Esme somewhere in the house.
I sighed. "Alright, we'll see how you do with our deal here in this room for a couple of days and then if you're trustworthy, we'll let you out into the main part of the house and go from there."
He looked at me. "Fine, now get out." He turned his head away.
I rose from the chair and put it back in place before leaving the room. I closed the door, locked it and leaned back against it blowing out a big breath.
I was right. I was in for a rough ride.
I made my way out into the living room.
I couldn't muster up the wherewithal to do more than sit on the couch right now.
Sure, it's true that vampires don't get tired, but after dealing with my son, I felt emotionally weary.
I can see why humans blame all of their gray hair on their kids.
Right about now, I wasn't counting that fate out of the realm of possibility for myself despite my vampirism.
Esme joined me a short time later. She looked at me as I stared at the wall opposite the couch I was on.
"I'm not sure what to do Es. I know that it will take time and love, but right now, it just seems so impossible."
She simply leaned into me and rubbed my arm.
I shook myself mentally. What was I doing? I had such a defeatist attitude, no wonder I couldn't make any headway with our son. I was going to need nerves and resolve of steel to deal with everything our small son would eventually dish out, I was now sure. This air of self pity and defeat would not do.
"Es, I owe you an apology." I looked at her. "One day and I've almost given up."
I scoffed at myself in disgust.
"To have such an attitude after one day is inexcusable. I should be much stronger than that for you and our son, and I almost let you both down."
She turned herself toward me.
"Carlisle, we are not invincible, despite what you may think. We are still emotional creatures, and you are allowed to feel you know. None of us, least of all me, expects you to be perfect one hundred percent of the time my love, especially in such a difficult situation."
She kissed me sweetly and smiled.
"We will get through this intact, with our son Carlisle. It won't be easy. But we'll do it together. That's the key my love. We must strengthen each other, and do this as a family."
I closed my eyes and leaned back on the couch. "Thank you Es. I don't know what I would do without you."
The next few days passed by in relative peace with Jasper giving everyone of us the cold shoulder or outright hostility. He resented everything we did, and scorned everyone that approached him. He did not however, try to escape.
After two days I had begun to leave his door unlocked. He hadn't ventured out of the room yet and it had been a week. I decided that it's time to try to speak with him yet again so I find myself outside his door, hesitant to knock. He never answers anyway, but I try to afford him all the courtesies I'm able.
Knocking lightly, I waited for an answer that never came, so I entered.
"What the fuck do you want?" He's staring at me coldly from where he sits on the bed.
"Son….." I don't get any further as he interrupts me.
"Don't call me that. You don't have the right. I am nothing to you just as you are nothing to me. Do you understand? YOU ARE NOTHING TO ME, EXCEPT MY JAILERS! I HATE IT HERE AND I HATE YOU!"
He turns his head away from me then.
"Now get the fuck out. This is my space as long as you insist on holding me against my will and I'll not have you fouling it with your presence."
Shock didn't even begin to cover what I was feeling in those moments as my little son yelled and cursed at me, but I knew one thing; I was just about at the end of my patience.
I was moving before I even finished making the decision on what I would do next.
I snatched him up, sat down, put him face down over my lap pinning his legs with mine and proceeded to warm up his backside with my hand while he struggled and growled out every foul word he knew.
I then bared his bottom and kept going with the swats, turning his backside a bright hot red. I was twenty swats in by the time he started to cry and at thirty, he was pleading for me to stop. I gave him five more on each side for good measure before pulling his underwear and pants back up and hugging his sobbing form to me, rocking him.
"Shhh my son. All is well now. I love you Jasper, but I will no longer tolerate you speaking to me or anyone in this house in such a manner, do you understand?"
He didn't answer, and then he was struggling to get away from me.
I let him go and he promptly shot to the darkest corner, curling up in it all the while glaring at me with the purest hatred I'd ever seen in a pair of eyes.
That look chilled me to my core.
I was startled out of my contemplations by the loud gasp of Alice followed by one word uttered in shock through Edward's lips. "Volturi."
Locking Jasper's door behind me, I rushed up stairs to find out exactly what Alice saw and what we had to do next. It wasn't as though I was afraid of the Volturi.
I had stayed and studied with them for quite a few years and considered Aro a friend after all.
Still, the situation with Jasper could prove to be tragic for our family if the Volturi refused to listen to our explanations.
I found everyone gathered in the dining room; our meeting place of choice when there were serious issues to be discussed.
"What did you see Alice?" I wasted no time getting straight to the point.
"The Volturi are on their way here Carlisle. Aro, Caius, Demetri, Jane and Alec. It was a spur of the moment decision on Aro's part. It seems as though they were in the area investigating something and decided to come by since they are so close."
"Is there any indication what they are here investigating Alice?"
She shook her head. "Not that I've seen, but we know that my visions aren't perfect or without holes." Smiling wanly she apologized.
"Alice, you have nothing to apologize for. You are such a help in so many ways and we all appreciate everything you do to keep us safe. Now, do you know when they will be arriving?"
She nodded and glanced at me apprehensively, just as the sounds of tires on our gravel drive made their way to all of us.
Pinching the bridge of my nose in frustration, I murmured. "I suppose that answers my question."
Minutes later, the whole family, minus Jasper, was assembled in the living room awaiting the arrival of our impromptu guests. The doorbell sounded and I went to answer it.
"Aro, Caius, what a surprise! Won't you come in?"
Aro was the first to speak as they entered and followed me to the living room.
"Thank you Carlisle. Please forgive our having simply dropped in on you without the proper notice, but you can blame my impetuousness. We were so close and it's been long since I have seen you my friend."
"Nonsense Aro, you are always welcome in my home. You need not worry with propriety."
I offered my hand in a traditional greeting and realized my mistake as he gasped and gaped at me, having seen my son in my memories, I knew.
Caius was now watching us with suspicious curiosity clearly on his face as Aro dropped my hand.
"Carlisle, it seems, old friend, that we have much to discuss."
Hanging my head in defeat, I nodded slowly. "Shall we sit?"
They sat in rapt fascination as I explained the origins of my young son and the circumstances surrounding our current situation including Jaspers refusal to take animal blood and his continued hostility towards us.
Aro was looking very intrigued, but it was the interest that I saw reflected in Caius' cruel red eyes that had me worried.
I had no idea what was going through his mind where my small son was concerned, but with Caius, it could never be good.
He was renowned for his cruelty and intolerance of anything outside the laws set thousands of years ago.
"Carlisle, we would see him now."
Aro was making it clear it was not a request, but an order to be complied with.
Nodding reluctantly, I rose from my seat. "If you'll follow me."
Reaching the basement door, I unlocked it and entered, Aro and Caius following.
Jasper was still huddled in the dark corner he'd retreated to after his spanking, his look still murderous as he gazed at me. I didn't think it would take long for him to employ his sharp little tongue, and he didn't disappoint.
"I told you I don't want you here. Get the fuck out before I do as much damage as I can."
His eyes briefly flitted over Aro and Caius before piercing me once again with hatred.
"Son….." Once again he interrupted me.
"I told you not to call me that, you piece of shit. By the way Daddy…." He sneered out in total contempt. "…you'll not be laying another hand on me again without some permanent damage of your own to suffer, you can be sure. I'll take as much of you with me as I can, but one of us will at least bleed if not die."
I tried to ignore the words that were cutting through me like a knife while I introduced Aro and Caius.
"Jasper, this is Aro and Caius Volturi, two of the kings that rule over vampire society. They wanted to meet you."
Jasper eyed them suspiciously. "Toward what purpose?"
Aro stepped forward avidly. "You are unique in our society little one and we would very much like to know you and watch you grow and develop."
Jasper scoffed. "You mean you'd like to study me like some freak experiment? No thanks."
To my utter shock, it was Caius that stepped forward and spoke.
"Not at all young one. I would mentor you if you come to Italy with us. You could maintain a human diet there and learn the Old Ways of proper vampire society."
Continuing my shock, Jasper stood and approached Caius, eyes locked on the vampire King.
"Is it fresh?"
Caius stared down at my young son. "Is what fresh, young one?"
"The blood."
Caius smirked cruelly. "Straight from the source young one."
Jasper smirked back, looking just as cruel and strikingly like the King stood before him.
"I'll go."
Back in my living room with the two kings, I argued fervently.
"Aro, you cannot take my son from us. We just found him and he needs time with his parents and family. He hasn't even gotten used to us!"
Caius scoffed.
"The boy does not wish to stay here Carlisle. He will leave with us just as I told him he could."
I rounded on Caius.
"He is my son and I will not have him leaving here. He will stay here and learn our ways. He will acclimate eventually."
Caius waved a hand arrogantly.
"Aro, talk sense into your old friend. He is not able to deal with the child as the child despises him and his family. He will go with us and I shall mentor him, just as I said. If, when the child grows, he desires to know his family, I will not stand in his way. He will be free to come back here. The decision will be entirely his to make."
Aro turned to me with something like regret in his eyes.
"Carlisle, the young one will leave with us. This is our ruling and not a mere request. Please make him ready for travel as we must leave shortly."
Hanging my head, I nodded.
I could not protest a ruling of the Kings.
My coven would not survive a fight with the Volturi.
We were outmatched by the talent that was present even today. Alec and Jane alone could incapacitate a hundred vampires at a time.
We had no chance and no choice.
Looking at my tearful wife, I nodded at her and she left to pack Jasper's things, Rose and Alice following.
Edward and Emmett looked livid, but they knew all too well that we had no choice but to comply. I could tell that it rankled them though.
I looked to Aro.
"May we visit him on occasion?"
Aro looked to Caius, who smirked and answered. "You may certainly try Carlisle. I won't forbid you. Neither will I force him to receive you should he choose not to. 'Tis probably best to call ahead." Those cruel red eyes met mine in challenge. "I wouldn't want you to waste your time."
Clenching my jaw to stem the flow of words that I longed to give voice, I turned toward the stairs.
"If you'll excuse me, I'll go see if they are ready."
I found my wife weeping over a packed suitcase, Alice and Rose trying desperately to console her.
Jasper, I noticed, sat on his bed, dressed to travel, with a disgusted sneer on his face as he watched.
Once again I was struck at the innate cruelty that seemed a part of my son. How could this be? No such inborn cruelty could be found in either me or my wife and yet it seemed to be a natural part of my little son. I simply couldn't fathom it.
Perhaps it was due to his having to fend for himself since birth?
I had to consider that I may never know the answer to that question. I feared that it would never improve but in fact become even worse over his time under Caius' tutelage.
"Jasper, it's time to go son."
He shot me a look of pure loathing, but left the room without comment, head held high in supreme arrogance.
Shaking my head slowly in my regret, I asked Alice and Rose to take Esme to our room. She was inconsolable at the moment and wouldn't be able to handle seeing our son leave with the Volturi, I knew.
I watched on as they all filed from our house and entered the black limousine, Caius' hand conspicuously placed on my willing son's shoulder.
Once again, I was struck by the similarities between the King and my young son.
Caius could be mistaken as his father, easily. Anyone that didn't know the truth would think so.
I noted with great pain in my heart, the fact that my son did not even offer a goodbye or even a glance back, realizing finally that he would not miss us in the least.
The pain was soul deep and I found myself wishing, for the first time in my vampire life, that I could weep real tears to relieve it.
Choking on emotion, I turned and entered our house. I had a wife to console and a life to try to piece back together…...minus my son.
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