Three As | Caius Volturi

Chapter Twelve

 "I think you should leave," said Caius.

 Amalia looked surprised at the suggestion. "Is that part of your plan to protect me?"

 "It would be in your best interest if you left the Volturi. While you're here, you are vulnerable and in danger. You must know that."

 She nodded. "I suppose you're right. It may be best if I leave. I would have left sooner, but..."

 "But?"

 "You're here. I didn't think I would ever say this, but I've become quite fond of you. I would be a little disappointed if we were to be parted."

 Caius nodded. "I understand. I never thought I would like you, but I do. Perhaps wherever you go next, I can visit you there."

 "You could. Or you could join me."

 He raised his eyebrows. "Join you? What do you mean by that?"

 "I mean that you should come with me. You don't really have to stay here."

 "But...but I do. I have a responsibility as-"

 "Oh, to hell with all that! Don't you want a life with more freedom? Something that's...not this? Haven't you ever wished you could be someone else for a change?"

 "But I'm not someone else, Amalia. I am Caius of the Volturi, and I have a duty here. I don't know if I could just pick up and leave."

 "You could, though. Isn't that what Marcus and Didyme planned to do before her death? They were going to start a coven of their own, and have a new life." She sniffed. "I suppose that worked out well for your friend Aro."

 "So...you think we should have our own coven?"

 "Well, why not? Two friends with two different personalities, the leaders of a new coven, perhaps one ever greater than the Volturi. It could be done, Caius. You know it could."

 "Yes, yes, I know what you mean," he said. "Very well. I will consider this idea. But you have to leave. Leave, and I promise you, I will visit you soon."

 She sighed. "Very well." She kissed his cheek. "I certainly hope you keep that promise, Caius. I'll miss you."

~~~~~~

 "Caius and Amalia seem to be close, don't you think?" Aro asked.

 "I suppose," Marcus replied. "I think it is good for him to have a new friend after everything he has been through. She seems kind, so perhaps she will have a good influence."

 "Perhaps. What do you think, Marcus? You have always been able to sense these things."

 "I think their friendship is a good thing."

 "Well," Aro touched Marcus' hand, "If you insist, brother. I will trust your judgment, and hope you are right about this."

~~~~~~

 Amalia had rehearsed exactly what she was going to say over and over again, hoping that Aro would simply accept the fact that she wanted to leave and let her go on her way.

 "Ah, Amalia," he said with a smile as she walked in. "What a lovely surprise. Tell me, what brings you here?"

 "This is an important matter," she began. "I must leave the Volturi."

 "Leave the Volturi? Well, how tragic! What, may I ask, has made you decide to leave?"

 "I think...it just isn't for me," she said. "I'm sure there are many others who would be much better suited to the job. I am afraid I miss my old life too much."

 Aro nodded. "Very understandable, my dear. But...I am afraid I can't let you go."

 "Why not?"

 "Well, you see, I recently came across some new information that I simply cannot ignore. And to think, my own brother was concealing it from me."

 Amalia began to panic, because she knew what he was talking about. But she kept a cool exterior, and said, "I'm afraid I don't know what you mean."

 "Oh, but, my dear, you know exactly what I mean. See, I know that Amara was your sister, and that you knew where she was after running with Athenodora. You even knew about her plans to destroy us. And yet, you kept it all to yourself. You came here after Amara's death, presumably to finish what she started, and got Caius and Marcus to trust you. All I had to do was look into Marcus' mind and see his memories. Caius told him everything in confidence, despite his warning that I could discover it. And now I have you. Hold her down."

 Amalia's arms were grabbed by two guards, and she was forced down onto her knees.

 "I truly am sorry by how much this will upset Caius," he said, "But rules are rules. Farewell, Amalia."