Three As | Caius Volturi

Chapter Eight

 Caius left Amalia alone for the next two days. He found that it was difficult then he thought it would be to concentrate on keeping her in line and keeping himself in check at the same time. He didn't want to not act like himself; that would lead to suspicion, and he couldn't have Amalia found out, not yet. He still needed her for information. So, instead, he did his best to act like himself, and it seemed to work, as no one questioned him. But then again, that could have been since people usually didn't question him, as they were afraid of him.

 After two days, Caius had gotten over whatever it was he felt over the memories Amalia had already shown him, and finding her, brought her to Marcus' study, which was good for them, because Caius didn't want Marcus knowing about any of this.

 "Fourth time you've dragged me somewhere to be alone, Caius," she remarked in a sly tone. "Why, if you hadn't been so attached to your wife, people would think you were trying woo me in solitude. In fact, they might still think that."

 "I don't care whether or not it's said," Caius growled. "I want to see Amara's memories."

 "Memory. I only have one. She knew the full extent of my powers, and probably knew I could take memories from her. I did get one, but I do not think it's something you would like to see."

 "Of course I want to see it. I want to know why my wife left me and humiliated me the way she did. Show me, Amalia, or I will find a way to force you into showing me."

 "However terrifying you think you are, Caius, you should know that I know about you, and I'm not afraid of you." She sighed. "Oh, well. I suppose there's no point in arguing. I am going to warn you one more time, you won't like this."

~~~~~~

 Athenodora sits alone in her chamber. She appears to be very anxious, and looks afraid of something.

 The door opens, and Amara enters the room.

 "Oh, Amara." Athenodora goes to her and wraps her arms around her. "Tell me we have not been caught. Tell me no one knows."

 "Of course not, my dear," Amara replies in a soothing voice. "Now, you tell me, what worries you so, my love?"

 "I fear what they would do to you if we were discovered," Athenodora says. "Amara, you must know how truly dangerous this is for us."

 "Of course I know the danger, and I believe it is all worth it if I can be with you, even if it is temporary. But you must know how dangerous it is for us to constantly be seen together. Come." They sit down together. "I love you, Athenodora. I know I have made that clear. But if we are going to love one another, we can't stay here."

 "What are you saying?" Athenodora asks.

 "I'm saying that we have to leave."

 "Leave?" Athenodora repeats. "But...but I've been here for so long! I don't know where to go that we won't be found!"

 "Ah, but I know the world, my love. We will never be able to stay in one place for long. We will have to constantly move, but you will finally get to see the world. You wanted to, didn't you?" 

 "Yes, of course I did. I still do. But, Amara, you must know that if I run away with you, Caius will never stop hunting us until he finds us. He will kill you, and he'll lock me up again, this time for good. And I've already been here for so long that if I taste freedom and then get locked up again, I won't be able to live with it. I'll just kill myself. Perhaps then Caius would finally understand."

 Amara takes Athenodora's hands and kisses them.

 "I promise you, it will never come to that," Amara says. "If we run away together, I will never lock you up. We will travel together, and we'll never be apart. Please, let me try to give you a better life than the one you have here."

 Athenodora looks into her eyes, and says, "Yes. I will leave with you. Tell me what we are going to do, and I will follow you anywhere."

~~~~~~

 "That was it," said Amalia. "I think you the rest of the story."

 Caius didn't say a word. He continued to stare at the wall ahead of him.

 Amalia sighed. "I told you that you wouldn't like it, didn't I?"

 "Get out."

 "What?"

 "I said, get out!" Caius sprung from his chair, knocking a few books over as he did so. "Get out of my sight, woman!"

 Amalia looked like she was going to say something, but then she turned and hurried out of them room, knocking into Marcus, who was just coming in. She mumbled an apology and went on her way.

 "Well, Caius, again with the temper, I see," Marcus said. "Aro wants to see both of us. He says there is something important he would like to discuss."

 "Fine," Caius grumbled. "I'll come with you, then."

 Marcus looked up and down. "Are you calm enough for a meeting? I could ask Aro to put it off-"

 "No, let's do it now and get it over with," Caius snapped, pushing past Marcus and storming down the hall.