Falling Stars

orders

Volterra was beautiful; Kallias would not deny that. The architectural magnificence was overwhelming, even if Kallias had seen so much of the world.

But entering the castle, where light was dim and only torches lit the halls; it felt more like a prison.

"I'm sure you are tired, nephew," Aro looked at him with a smile, but it didn't feel genuine or kind. He knew the vampire was only interested in him because he had never come across a hybrid before. "You should rest."

"I—"

"Go rest, Kal," Leon was not asking. He was ordering. Kallias' face twisted into a frown, and the only thing quelling his anger was Jasper's hand in his, and the pleading look from his mother.

"Demitri will show you to your quarters."

To our prison, Kallias thought instead.

He didn't thank the vampire king, just turned away with a tilted chin and followed the guard down the hall with Jasper's fingers intertwined with his.

"Volterra is not so bad," Demitri said, but it didn't sound believable, more like the vampire was trying to placate a child. Kallias and Jasper said nothing.

The Volturi guard said nothing after that.

"We'll be fine, darling," Jasper closed the door behind him, and then the two of them were alone. Never mind that there was likely a guard outside who could hear them.

"Maybe we should've stayed in Japan," Kallias sat on the bed, plush and welcoming even if it didn't feel like it. He knew the Volturi would've searched all around the world for them. They could only run for so long.

"Your parents will protect you. I'll protect you," Jasper sat beside him, "I won't let anything happen to you."

"I won't let anything happen to you either," Kallias said softly, leaning against the vampire and pressing his face into the crook of his neck. "We're trapped here."

"You don't know that," Jasper tried to soothe him, but Kallias knew even the vampire didn't believe his own words. "We're together. That's all that matters."

Kallias pressed a kiss to Jasper's gold skin, wrapping his arms around his mate and holding him tightly. Jasper embraced him just as securely, lips brushing the top of his obsidian hair.

"I'm sorry," Kallias mumbled, and Jasper just hushed him.

"You have nothing to be sorry for. All I care about is that I'm with you."

Kallias wanted to cry, but he didn't. He didn't want to worry Jasper, even if he knew the vampire could feel his anguish. This entire situation could have been avoided if they just didn't help Bella. But then he wouldn't have ever met Jasper. Kallias didn't know how to feel.

He moved his head to meet the vampire's lips, and their lips met in sync, sliding together perfectly. Kallias gripped his shoulders and let Jasper push him down onto the bed, until they were laying down, legs intertwined and bodies pressed against each other.

Kallias breathed out softly into the kiss. It was purely comfort; there was no haste to remove clothes or have the vampire inside of him. He just wanted to be held. So Jasper held him.

He wasn't sure when the kissing stopped and he fell asleep. All he knew was that it was restless, but Jasper was always there to hush him back into sleep.

Still it didn't stop his fear. And the unknown of what was to come.

Aro watched him with delight, almost like Kallias was a prize to be won. The hybrid only glared, and sipped at his cup of blood. Jasper was tense beside him at the dinner table, and his parents were just as rigid.

"Tell him what we have agreed to brother," Aro spoke to his brother, but his eyes remained on Leon's. His father remained silent, fingers curling into fists. Aro just tsked, smile widening, "The four of you will join my guard. Of course, as you and your father are family, will be higher ranked than the rest...But, for reasons unknown to me, your parents do not want me to keep you here."

Kallias fought the urge to roll his eyes. It was quite obvious why his parents didn't want him to stay in Volterra. "So then what will you do with us?"

"You and Mr. Hale will return to Forks and monitor the child. She is only half immortal, so there is no knowing about her growth. She could still prove to be dangerous."

"That can't be the only thing you want from us," Jasper had no fear when he spoke to the vampire king, but Kallias never expected him to. His imprint is strong.

"No, not it is not," Aro said, grin widening, "Your mother has shown me there are many shifter tribes we have been uninformed about. I would like you to begin to travel to each clan to...make them aware of our knowledge. We can't have an uprising, now can we? I'm sure you wouldn't want your friends...hurt. But of course your primary residence will be with my dearest friend, Carlisle."

"That's all you want?" Kallias asked, because it almost seemed too good to be true. "What about my parents?"

"We will remain in Volterra," Ylva didn't show her unhappiness, even if they all know this isn't what any of them want.

"Your parents' gifts are too valuable to not have here in the castle," Aro picked up his glass, taking a long drink of blood. When he smiled again there was red coating his lips. "Of course your gifts would be appreciated here too."

"No, brother," Leon hissed, "You promised him freedom."

But was it freedom? Kallias didn't think so.

"Of course, brother," Aro looked pleased, almost like he had said it on purpose, just to irritate Leon.

"Kallias will do as you wish," Ylva said, and she still held no fear. The hybrid never stopped being in awe of his mother's strength.

"Then it is settled," Aro clapped his hands, "You will report every two weeks. But first you will return to Hokkaido and form our agreement with the best shifters."

"And what is the agreement?" Kallias asked, feeling as if he might burst, fighting the wolf inside of him. Jasper placed a soothing hand on his shoulder, as well as sending a wave of calm towards him.

"The potential of hybrids poses a threat to us," Aro said, "We must stop this population from growing."

Kallias immediately thought of Sora and Toshiro. Aro was clearly threatening them, and his lips curled up into a snarl. The vampire simply laughed at him.

"Make it known to your...friends...that a hybrid will not be tolerated. Though it seems your shifters are smarter than they appear," Aro looked pleased at Kallias' anger.

In all truth, Kallias never wondered about the bears conceiving. Though his mother kept her cycle, so the bears must as well.

"As well as populate more of their kind," Aro frowned in disgust.

"So you will rule over them. We'd rather kill all of—"

"Kallias, enough," Leon cut him off with harshness, and Kallias shrunk down in his seat at the stern tone.

"It is for the best," Ylva said, though there was a twinkle in her eyes that all of them noticed.

"We will follow your orders," Jasper said, a bit of his southern accent peeking through. The major was on the edge of being released.

"Very good then," Aro smiled again, "Make your preparations, say your goodbyes, and then you will leave tomorrow morning. Understood?"

"Yes," Kallias responded stiffly, though there was a burning in his chest. He would not let this last for long. He will end the Volturi.

Or die trying.