Penance ↠ Volturi Kings {2} ✓

010

"This is where I leave you," Caesar said, the two of us once again standing outside Hugo's door. "I have other duties that need tended to, and Hugo is your responsibility now. He will be able to show you to combat training at the appropriate time, and I will see you then."

"You train with us?" I asked.

He smirked. "I don't train with you, I train you. Until then, do your best not to get killed. This castle is not one to wander about freely. Hugo knows the safe areas. And before I forget, here is your key to our quarters."

"Thanks, Caesar. For everything," I said, pocketing the key he presented me.

"Don't thank me yet," he said. "Good luck."

And then he was gone. I felt uneasy without him; I had grown accustomed to his presence and he offered a certain measure of protection against the threats that lurked here at every turn. I knocked lightly on Hugo's door, resolving to convince Hugo to join Caesar and I against the Romanians. One of Vladimir's newborns, Caesar had said. Hugo's loyalty to his creator would complicate things. But I wouldn't let him be a victim of this war, not if I could help it.

Hugo opened the door, a grin on his face. "Welcome back, amiga! You were gone a while!"

"I had a couple questions that Caesar answered before I returned," I said.

"I like Caesar. He's always been super nice to me. Not like everybody else," he closed the door and glanced around, as if afraid of being overheard. Then he whispered, "They scare me a little."

"It's okay to be scared," I told him. "Sometimes fear is what keeps you alive."

He nodded sagely. "I understand. Hey, do you want to see what I can do? The masters are always encouraging me to practice and now I have someone to help!"

"Sure," I said, smiling at his enthusiasm.

"Okay! There's a special room they have for me to practice in. They said it's to make sure I don't burn down the castle. But I don't see how I could." He wrinkled his nose. "It's stone."

I laughed. "Good point. But better safe than sorry, I suppose."

I wish this damned castle would burn to the ground.

"Yes, probably. I'll lead the way, c'mon!" Hugo said, darting out of the room. I ran to follow him, growing accustomed to my new vampire speed. Caesar had a tendency to walk everywhere, but this was not the case with Hugo. I grinned. I loved the speed.

"Here we are," Hugo said, stopping abruptly. "You're supposed to have a key to get in, but..." he patted down his pockets. "Ah, oops, I must have left it in my room." So off back to his room we went.

"Where did you last see it?" I asked, watching in bemusement as he flashed around his room in search.

"I don't remember," he said before darting around again, muttering as he searched. "Mamá me mataría por esto."

"It's alright, Hugo. It happens," I said kindly. "Would you like some help searching?"

He stopped, staring at me with wide eyes. "Help? Si, if you want!"

"Have you tried the key holder?" I asked, pointing to the small rack that hung on the wall. There were two keys on it.

"Ah," he said, smacking his palm against his forehead. "Caesar always puts them there. I always forget."

I attributed his forgetfulness to being stuck perpetually as a child, rather than any fault in his vampire memory. "That's okay, Hugo. It's why I'm here."