Penance ↠ Volturi Kings {2} ✓

020

When we stopped just outside the walls of Volterra, it was still dark. The near-full moon, close to setting, bathed us in gentle light, and something within me settled as the city came within our view. We had lost a little time getting gloves for Caesar and Hugo and paper for me to write a note on for the kings. Caesar had the note tucked safely in his pocket, and both he and Hugo were already wearing the gloves we had bought.

"You should text your guardsman now, and one of them can escort us into the city. Otherwise we run the risk of being killed for infringing on their territory," Caesar said after he called for us to halt a mile outside the city.

"Good plan," I agreed, pulling out the burner and powering it on. "Request a new burner for me, please? This one is almost dead, and I don't exactly have anywhere to charge it."

"Certainly," Caesar said. "After you get in contact with one the guard, you should conceal yourself fully within the shadows so that you remain undetected."

"Noted," I said. My mind had been shielded since before we departed so that Demetri wouldn't know of our movements and alert the kings. Grief ripped through me when I saw Felix's name among my contacts, my eyes lingering on his name for a moment before I continued down to Santiago's number, sending him a text stating that Caesar and Hugo were waiting a mile outside Volterra.

He responded almost instantly. On my way. You with them?

No, I sent in response. I wished I could tell him the truth, but it was too big a risk.

"Santiago is on his way," I told Caesar and Hugo before pulling the shadows over me, becoming one with the night.

It wasn't long, perhaps another half-minute, before Santiago arrived, accompanied by Afton. I felt a rush of relief knowing that Afton appeared unharmed despite me having escaped Volterra under his watch.

"So you're Caesar," Santiago said, appraising Caesar critically. Santiago was several inches taller than Caesar, but there was no denying the powerful aura that Caesar seemed to naturally exude.

"Santiago, I presume?" Caesar asked, eyes pinned on Santiago. Hugo shifted a little behind Caesar, intimidated by the two Volturi guard.

"That would be me. This is Afton," Santiago said, gesturing towards Afton. "Guess we owe you a thank you for keeping the queen alive."

"No thanks necessary," Caesar said. "We're here to speak to the kings."

"I thought as much. Wish Rowan would have told us you were coming before now," Santiago said. "She's really not here?"

"No," Caesar said. "We thought it wisest she stay behind. This was something of a last-minute decision."

"They won't notice your absence?" Santiago asked.

Caesar grinned, though the expression did not reach his eyes. "We got permission. A plan devised by Rowan, who is becoming quite the strategist."

"She escaped Volterra, there's no 'becoming' a strategist about it. Clearly she's always been one," Santiago said.

Behind him, Afton shifted guiltily. "We should bring them to the kings, Santiago. They wouldn't be here without good reason, I'm sure."

"We'd prefer not to be killed by our allies in battle," Caesar said, smiling dryly, "and with Hugo and I on a bit of a time crunch, it would be best to speak to the kings as soon as possible."

"Follow us, then," Santiago said. The four began running towards the city, with me ghosting unseen beside them. It was strange being back in the city like this.