When Angels Cry
by wizardtho
Chapter 15: The Romanian Stronghold
The Romanian stronghold is as impressive as it is beautiful. The intricacy and attention to detail makes it feel like a castle of the 1700s or 1800s, while the realistic-looking daylight streaming in from the windows and the high security measures speak of the latest technology.
When we finally make it to the Great Hall, two sharply dressed men walk in from the other side of the room, but what catches my attention is the female walking next to one of the males. She has on a long Renaissance-era gown that brushes the floor in black and the most beautiful shade of blue. The gown has an attached hood which is up, covering all but her long wavy black tresses.
The Romanian stronghold is as impressive as it is beautiful. The intricacy and attention to detail makes it feel like a castle of the 1700s or 1800s, while the realistic-looking daylight streaming in from the windows and the high security measures speak of the latest technology.
When we finally make it to the Great Hall, two sharply dressed men walk in from the other side of the room, but what catches my attention is the female walking next to one of the males. She has on a long Renaissance-era gown that brushes the floor in black and the most beautiful shade of blue. The gown has an attached hood which is up, covering all but her long wavy black tresses.
Something about this woman draws me in and seems to relax me simultaneously. Curious, I flex my hand in Edward’s, which is a signal to him. He brings his lips to my ear, acting as if he’s placing a kiss on my temple, and says so softly I almost don’t hear, “Curious. I can’t read her, Love. She’s somehow blocking me. Stay cautious.”
Jasper and Alice flank our sides, and the rest of our companions stop just behind us. That’s when all 3 of the vampires stop, and the companion of the female smiles widely, “Welcome, friends; welcome. I am Stefan, and this is Vladimir. I will not keep you, Isabella, as I know your father is now in the care of Dr. Cullen. Our entire medical staff is at your disposal. If you need something, it will be yours. Please, know that you and your companions are safe within these walls. We only ask that if you leave the security of the castle, guards go with you for your safety. The same for your companions.”
I nod and hold Edward’s hand tight in mine, “We thank you for your hospitality. I don’t mean to be rude, but you didn’t introduce us to your female companion. Also, how did you know about the birth of my angel? You called us within 24 hours of it happening.”
The female in question produces one of my brightly-colored feathers from inside a pocket of her gown, twirling it delicately between her thumb and index fingers. Then, without a word, she brings both hands up to remove her hood. Eleazar and Carmen both gasp loudly, then Edward quickly follows as his eyes grow wide.
I feel like I’m missing something, but Stefan smiles lovingly at the female as he holds his hand out to her, “Forgive my lack of manners. Some of you may know of my mate, Didyme.”
Her hand lands in his, and he brings it to his lips, placing a sweet kiss on her knuckles.
A conversation I had with Carlisle some time ago comes to mind, so I offer directly to the female, “I was under the impression that you were mated to Marcus. It seems that I was misinformed. If you would be so inclined to tell me, Didyme, I would like to understand the truth of the matter.”
Her face lights up with an ear-to-ear grin, though she only nods to me while offering, “Of course… but please, see to your father and settle in with your companions first. We’ll convene again after you’ve had time to refresh. Nourishment will be sent to your rooms; carafes of fresh animal blood for your companions, and human food for both you and your father. We have set your father in the closest room to yours, but all of your rooms are in the same wing.”
Didyme seems truly happy, not like she’s being forced here, so I can only take her at her word for now… until I can confirm it with Jasper. My eyes meet hers. I give her a generous nod, then look to Conri, saying, “Take me to my father, please.”
Edward whispers to Jasper and Alice to help everyone get settled into our wing, and we’ll catch up with them once my father’s condition is confirmed stable. He’s again at my side before I can reach the doors we entered through.
After traversing several halls, I’m led into what looks like an actual hospital wing. A few shifters are being seen to or resting on beds in a triage area, but we pass that area and walk down a short hall until we reach a set of double doors.
I happen to see through the window in the door as Carlisle pushes a long needle into my father near his wound site. Suddenly scared, I rush into the room, Edward’s hand held tightly in mine. Carlisle, without looking up, says easily, “All is well, Sweetheart. I’m just doing as you suggested, and giving your father a small dose of angel tears directly to the areas that have not healed as much as I would like for this point in time.”
I let out an audible breath before asking, “Angel tears? Don’t you need mine? How?”
Another vampire comes into the room from a side doorway with a gentle smile on his face, offering me a deep head nod before saying, “Though it has only been used in the most dire circumstances, we were fortunate to have donated angel tears left in our possession to treat your father with.”
Shocked to hear they would have something like that so many years later, I shook my head before letting out a surprised, “Oh.”
Rose moves the ultrasound wand she’s holding slightly, to keep the needle in sight, and I see Carlisle nod as he injects a small amount of angel tears into the spot he’s looking at on the screen. Within seconds, the image starts changing… the damage healing as I watch the screen.
With a slow breath in and out, knowing my father is being taken care of, I add after a moment more of watching the screen, “Once I understand a bit more about my angel self, I will see you about helping to restock your supply.”
It seems to be the vampire’s turn to be surprised because it clearly shows in his voice as he speaks. “Thank you, Lady Isabella. It would be my honor to save your healing tears.”
Carlisle removes the needle, then smiles up at me. “That was the last of it. I gave him a sedative before the procedure, so he wouldn’t feel the needle. I’ll move your father to his room, and one of us will stay with him until he wakes. Once he wakes, I’ll have him take it easy for a day or two, just as a precaution. Your suggestion worked flawlessly, and your father is now healed.”
I hug Carlisle tightly, then offer in a bare whisper, “ I don’t know all the details yet, but I don’t want you to be blindsided. Carlisle, Didyme isn’t dead. She’s here, and it seems as though she’s Stefan’s mate. She said she’d explain after we’ve all had time to settle in.”
Carlisle’s arms tighten around me slightly, so I say aloud, “Thank you for taking such good care of him.”
He releases me, nods, then offers, “Of course, Bella. Now go, spend a few quiet minutes with Edward to calm your nerves. One of us will find you the moment your father wakes.”
Once I’m done hugging Esme, Rose, and Emmett, Conri leads us through another secret passage cutting through the mountain, then through several halls with grand rooms on either side. We finally end at a long gallery hall with beautiful paintings and closed doorways on either side. Conri says as he leads us to the ornate double doors at the very end of the hall, “This is your wing. Doctor and Mrs. Cullen are the last door to the left before your rooms, while your father is the last door to the right. Of course, there is a small guard station just outside of your rooms.”
The guard station is a nice, roomy desk with a multi-screen computer setup, 2 leather executive chairs, and docks for charging phones and walkie-talkies. One of the men from the plane stands from the desk as we approach. He bows his head in my direction, then states, “I took the liberty of having the kitchen make up a tray for you, Lady Isabella. There is also a carafe of animal blood for your mate to enjoy. Your luggage has been placed in your sitting area for now. Should you need anything else, you only need to press #1 on the landline in your rooms to reach the guard station, or #2 to reach castle staff.”
Edward thanks them before saying, “Alice will most likely want access to our room while we shower, to unpack our luggage. Let her in, please.”
Both guards nod as Conri opens the doors to our suite for us.
Jasper and Alice flank our sides, and the rest of our companions stop just behind us. That’s when all 3 of the vampires stop, and the companion of the female smiles widely, “Welcome, friends; welcome. I am Stefan, and this is Vladimir. I will not keep you, Isabella, as I know your father is now in the care of Dr. Cullen. Our entire medical staff is at your disposal. If you need something, it will be yours. Please, know that you and your companions are safe within these walls. We only ask that if you leave the security of the castle, guards go with you for your safety. The same for your companions.”
I nod and hold Edward’s hand tight in mine, “We thank you for your hospitality. I don’t mean to be rude, but you didn’t introduce us to your female companion. Also, how did you know about the birth of my angel? You called us within 24 hours of it happening.”
The female in question produces one of my brightly-colored feathers from inside a pocket of her gown, twirling it delicately between her thumb and index fingers. Then, without a word, she brings both hands up to remove her hood. Eleazar and Carmen both gasp loudly, then Edward quickly follows as his eyes grow wide.
I feel like I’m missing something, but Stefan smiles lovingly at the female as he holds his hand out to her, “Forgive my lack of manners. Some of you may know of my mate, Didyme.”
Her hand lands in his, and he brings it to his lips, placing a sweet kiss on her knuckles.
A conversation I had with Carlisle some time ago comes to mind, so I offer directly to the female, “I was under the impression that you were mated to Marcus. It seems that I was misinformed. If you would be so inclined to tell me, Didyme, I would like to understand the truth of the matter.”
Her face lights up with an ear-to-ear grin, though she only nods to me while offering, “Of course… but please, see to your father and settle in with your companions first. We’ll convene again after you’ve had time to refresh. Nourishment will be sent to your rooms; carafes of fresh animal blood for your companions, and human food for both you and your father. We have set your father in the closest room to yours, but all of your rooms are in the same wing.”
Didyme seems truly happy, not like she’s being forced here, so I can only take her at her word for now… until I can confirm it with Jasper. My eyes meet hers. I give her a generous nod, then look to Conri, saying, “Take me to my father, please.”
Edward whispers to Jasper and Alice to help everyone get settled into our wing, and we’ll catch up with them once my father’s condition is confirmed stable. He’s again at my side before I can reach the doors we entered through.
After traversing several halls, I’m led into what looks like an actual hospital wing. A few shifters are being seen to or resting on beds in a triage area, but we pass that area and walk down a short hall until we reach a set of double doors.
I happen to see through the window in the door as Carlisle pushes a long needle into my father near his wound site. Suddenly scared, I rush into the room, Edward’s hand held tightly in mine. Carlisle, without looking up, says easily, “All is well, Sweetheart. I’m just doing as you suggested, and giving your father a small dose of angel tears directly to the areas that have not healed as much as I would like for this point in time.”
I let out an audible breath before asking, “Angel tears? Don’t you need mine? How?”
Another vampire comes into the room from a side doorway with a gentle smile on his face, offering me a deep head nod before saying, “Though it has only been used in the most dire circumstances, we were fortunate to have donated angel tears left in our possession to treat your father with.”
Shocked to hear they would have something like that so many years later, I shook my head before letting out a surprised, “Oh.”
Rose moves the ultrasound wand she’s holding slightly, to keep the needle in sight, and I see Carlisle nod as he injects a small amount of angel tears into the spot he’s looking at on the screen. Within seconds, the image starts changing… the damage healing as I watch the screen.
With a slow breath in and out, knowing my father is being taken care of, I add after a moment more of watching the screen, “Once I understand a bit more about my angel self, I will see you about helping to restock your supply.”
It seems to be the vampire’s turn to be surprised because it clearly shows in his voice as he speaks. “Thank you, Lady Isabella. It would be my honor to save your healing tears.”
Carlisle removes the needle, then smiles up at me. “That was the last of it. I gave him a sedative before the procedure, so he wouldn’t feel the needle. I’ll move your father to his room, and one of us will stay with him until he wakes. Once he wakes, I’ll have him take it easy for a day or two, just as a precaution. Your suggestion worked flawlessly, and your father is now healed.”
I hug Carlisle tightly, then offer in a bare whisper, “ I don’t know all the details yet, but I don’t want you to be blindsided. Carlisle, Didyme isn’t dead. She’s here, and it seems as though she’s Stefan’s mate. She said she’d explain after we’ve all had time to settle in.”
Carlisle’s arms tighten around me slightly, so I say aloud, “Thank you for taking such good care of him.”
He releases me, nods, then offers, “Of course, Bella. Now go, spend a few quiet minutes with Edward to calm your nerves. One of us will find you the moment your father wakes.”
Once I’m done hugging Esme, Rose, and Emmett, Conri leads us through another secret passage cutting through the mountain, then through several halls with grand rooms on either side. We finally end at a long gallery hall with beautiful paintings and closed doorways on either side. Conri says as he leads us to the ornate double doors at the very end of the hall, “This is your wing. Doctor and Mrs. Cullen are the last door to the left before your rooms, while your father is the last door to the right. Of course, there is a small guard station just outside of your rooms.”
The guard station is a nice, roomy desk with a multi-screen computer setup, 2 leather executive chairs, and docks for charging phones and walkie-talkies. One of the men from the plane stands from the desk as we approach. He bows his head in my direction, then states, “I took the liberty of having the kitchen make up a tray for you, Lady Isabella. There is also a carafe of animal blood for your mate to enjoy. Your luggage has been placed in your sitting area for now. Should you need anything else, you only need to press #1 on the landline in your rooms to reach the guard station, or #2 to reach castle staff.”
Edward thanks them before saying, “Alice will most likely want access to our room while we shower, to unpack our luggage. Let her in, please.”
Both guards nod as Conri opens the doors to our suite for us.