Penance ↠ Volturi Kings {2} ✓

014

"On your feet, come on. None of your mates are dying today, and certainly not because of you." Caesar hooked an arm around my waist and heaved me upright. "You have to be careful. Your instincts say that your mates are in danger, and if you do something to aggravate the bond- well, I suppose I don't have to explain what happens then."

Caesar was the grounding I needed for my head to clear, the monster inside me settling. I was just protecting them. I couldn't protect them if I blew my cover. The things I said were just acting, not reality.

"How did you know where to find me?" I asked as the pain of the bond lessened, slowly reverting to the constant dull ache that I had grown used to over the past couple of days.

"I knew something must have happened when you didn't come back, so I put Sam in charge of the last half hour and told him I had another duty that needed tending to. I knew the queens would set the bond off," Caesar eyed me cautiously and dropped his supporting arm.

"I'm fine," I told him, not liking how he was looking at me. Like I was fragile. "It just-"

"Everything is enhanced as a newborn," he said. "I can't imagine how difficult it must be, ignoring the bond. There are very few individuals- and no newborns- that I've ever seen resist the pull of it like you have. It takes incredible strength."

I smiled slightly at him. "Thanks."

"I still expect you at the next training session," Caesar said.

"I'll be there," I promised. "I should go find Hugo."

"Yes, you should. How are things progressing with him?"

"Surprisingly well. I had the chance to explain the history of vampires to him. He seems a little more questioning of Vladimir and Stefan's doctrine after that," I said.

"Good. I don't want him to be a casualty of this war. But even if he does join us..." Caesar trailed off, the rest of his sentence hanging in the air. There was no guarantee he'd survive anyway.

"If he joins us, then we'll do our best to keep him safe. That's all we can do," I said. "I should go."

"Yes, go. I highly doubt Sam ignores Hugo quite as much as I do during combat training," he said.

"Thanks again, Caesar," I said, lingering by the door.

"No need to thank me. I'd like to think you'd do the same for me."

"I would," I said before turning and leaving, running through the hallways in search of Hugo. I found him alone in the grassy clearing, struggling to reattach his arms.

"Rowan!" Hugo exclaimed when he saw me, eyes shining with relief.

"Here," I said, carefully reattaching his right arm. "Who did this? I'll tear them a new one the next time I step foot in the ring."

"Antonio," Hugo said in a small voice.

My lip curled. "That weasel. I'll rip his arms off for you."

"But only in the ring, right? You'll get in trouble if you fight outside of it," Hugo said.

"Yes, only in the ring. I'll get Caesar to have us go up against each other," I assured him.

Hugo smiled slightly at me. "You don't have to. What if you lose?"

"I won't lose," I said, baring my teeth playfully. "This is Antonio we're talking about. The only reason he won is because he's bigger than you and you're not allowed to use your gift in the ring. You're a firebender, remember?"