Short Stories and Oneshots

This Left Feels Right - Part 2

This Left Feels Right

Part Two – Volterra

He was not overly alarmed when the summons arrived in the post.

The slightly yellowed parchment sealed with the classic red wax bearing the Volturi crest was not an unfamiliar missive to Carlisle Cullen. About once every half-century or so, his old friend would contact him and invite him and his family across the pond for a visit. He always politely declined and Aro would instead send one of his ambassadors to follow up with them, often times the snarky young Salvatore who enjoyed needling his children – Edward in particular – and their life would continue on its merry path.

With a weary sigh, Carlisle opened the missive but frowned reading it. It was worded far more formally than usual and with the tone of an order rather than an offer. Still, Carlisle went into his study and picked up the phone, dialing the long distance number to his old friend.

After being placed on hold by the human receptionist currently under their employ, Aro graced the other line with an airy, "Ah Carlisle. I've been expecting your call."

"Aro," Carlisle greeted neutrally. "I'm afraid I must once again send my regrets to your invitation. My family is in a delicate transition period, and it would be unwise for us to travel at this time."

"For shame, Carlisle. I'm afraid it is I who must send regrets for the invitation, as you referred to it, is nothing such. I am not requesting your presence; I am demanding it."

"Demanding?" Carlisle frowned, his mind flying to the repercussions of that one word. He found himself wishing Alice was there to consult with, but she and Jasper had left earlier to go hunting. "I'm afraid I do not understand, old friend."

Aro's chuckled was drenched in dark amusement and Carlisle rather felt like he was the butt of a joke he was not privy to. "I am not contacting you as your old friend, Carlisle. I am contacting you as the king whom you owe fealty to, as do all our kind. You will come to Volterra, and you will bring your so-called family. This is not a request lightly made, but an order justly given. You have until the end of the month. If you do not come...Well, let us not visit such a path, old friend."

There was a click as Aro hung up.

Carlisle stared at the phone in his hand before limply hanging up when the dial tone announced the cut line. His vampire mind race at dizzying speeds, calculating the meaning of this summons and Aro's cold reception. He always knew the Volturi did not approve of their lifestyle choices, but they'd never interfered before and he was curious as to the reason they'd concern themselves presently.

For that's what he presumed the summons to be about – their diet and their entwined lives with the humans. It could be nothing else, he determined, for his family observed the laws and always flew under the radar, both from the Volturi and the humans.

His mind touched on the image of the human girl he'd left behind and reminded him that, no...they had not always observed the Volturi laws. But Alice and Edward were adamant about the decision to leave, certain it would be safer for Bella and for them. He was certain their gifts gave truth to those claims and therefore dismissed the vague idea of the Volturi learning of her. There was no way the Volturi could have learned about her and her forbidden knowledge. No, there was no danger there, he assured himself. They'd simply have to avoid contact with Aro, and he was certain his friendship with him would aid in that endeavor.

He would just have to talk with Alice and cajole Edward out of his room. He'd been sulking ever since they'd left Forks, though the departure had been at his insistence. They'd have to snap him out of his funk if they were going to survive the trip to Italy – his gift would be a necessity in navigating their way out of whatever sort of dilemma they'd inadvertently landed themselves in.