After leading the guard back to the palace, Caius changed out of his tattered training attire. The palm-sized tear across his chest was an eyesore, offending both his dignity and his meticulous standards. He stripped off the ruined garments piece by piece before dressing once more in his elaborate layers, fastening a red cravat around his neck.
Finally, he draped the black cloak that symbolized the supreme authority of the Volturi across his broad, well-defined shoulders, the garment fitting perfectly over the powerful physique beneath.
Resting against the sculpted muscles of his chest, the Volturi crest hanging from his necklace gleamed with restrained sharpness. Every polished edge reflected authority rather than extravagance, befitting one of the three kings who had ruled the vampire world for millennia.
Making his way toward Aro, who was leisurely examining the guest registry, Caius took the chair to his right. Marcus had an identical ledger resting before him, though its cover had yet to be opened. Judging by his indifferent expression, he had no intention of reading it. To emphasize the equal division of authority, Aro, the true ruler behind the Volturi's power, insisted on preparing everything in sets of three.
Caius had always despised needless ceremony, while Marcus had long since lost every worldly desire. The only thing he still awaited was the embrace of death itself.
"Oh, my dear brother!" Aro lifted his refined, scholarly face, smiling warmly as he anticipated Caius's report. "Thanks to your tireless efforts training our guards, I'm certain security during this gathering will be flawless."
Caius found the praise immensely satisfying. No one had contributed more to the Volturi's military might than he had. Yet the moment he remembered the newborn Aro had specifically instructed him to keep an eye on, irritation flared anew. Deliberately dangling the answer just out of reach, he replied,
"Felix's tracking is dreadful. He's better suited to slaughter than pursuit. Jane, Alec, and Demetri were all about the same. Barely acceptable, I'd say. Though I have to admit, Chino's gift is remarkably convenient..."
Patiently listening as Caius rambled in every direction except the one he cared about, Aro eventually realized his brother was doing it on purpose. His smile never wavered. "Brother... you're unusually talkative today."
A faint chuckle escaped Marcus's otherwise motionless figure.
Caius immediately stopped his aimless chatter, lifted his chin, and snapped, "What's that supposed to mean? Too many words for your liking? If there's something you're actually interested in, why don't you ask directly?"
"Don't be upset, brother." Rising gracefully from his chair, Aro stepped beside Caius and leaned forward in a soothing gesture. "Naturally, I meant no such thing. Since you already know who truly interests me..." He turned one hand upward, palm exposed. "Why not skip straight to the point? Assuming you don't mind."
The gesture was an invitation to transmit everything through Aro's telepathic gift.
"I do mind."
Caius rejected him immediately. The last thing he wanted was for Aro to witness the embarrassing memory of a newborn tracking him down and tearing his clothes. The damage itself had been trivial, but his pride found it utterly intolerable. Unfortunately, the instant he raised his hand, Aro caught it effortlessly, just as he always did whenever he had already made up his mind.
"You don't mind at all," Aro corrected gently after reading the truth from Caius's thoughts.
From Caius's perspective alone, Aro obtained more than enough information. He slowly released his brother's hand and drifted back to the throne at the center of the room. The anticipation that had filled his expression moments ago disappeared completely, replaced by unmistakable disappointment.
"Why didn't she use her gift?" he murmured. "The advantages of being a newborn won't last forever."
He fell silent, thinking carefully before continuing, almost as though speaking only to himself. "Comfortable circumstances rarely encourage growth... don't you think? People reveal their greatest potential when their lives hang by a thread."
Marcus remained silent.
Caius shot Aro a warning glance. "Or they simply die."
Aro understood exactly what Caius meant. After all, he had once made a mistake that he had spent centuries trying to undo. Judging from everything Caius had experienced firsthand, the training exercise itself had gone extremely well. Sophie had won by persuading Demetri to join her side, and she had also learned to control her body far more effectively.
Still, from Aro's perspective, nothing she had displayed so far was extraordinary. Every newborn enjoyed overwhelming physical superiority. Within a year, that advantage would fade, and Sophie would become just another ordinary vampire... unless she awakened a truly exceptional gift.
And so, Aro quietly decided to create an opportunity himself.
"Don't worry, brother." He spoke as though discussing something perfectly ordinary. "Developing one's gift always requires a little danger."
Caius warned him again.
"Jane cares about her."
"Indeed she does." Aro smiled pleasantly. "My twins have carried out their supervisory duties admirably. Feeding her on schedule, providing beautiful clothing, even preparing a private room. Jane has given Sophie every sense of security she needs, all in preparation for welcoming a new member into the guard."
Aro had permitted all of it because it suited his plans. If Sophie truly possessed extraordinary talent, nurturing dependence upon the Volturi beforehand could only benefit them.
"If poor Sophie were to encounter an unfortunate accident... and still failed to awaken her gift in time to save herself..." His tone grew so mournful it sounded as though he were already attending her funeral, laying flowers upon her grave.
The sorrow vanished in an instant.
Smiling brightly once more, Aro looked at Caius. "As long as Chelsea is here, Jane won't feel even the slightest sadness. How could I possibly allow my beloved twins to suffer?"
Chelsea possessed the power to sever or strengthen every bond except that between true mates. Dividing loyalties and forging new attachments was effortless for her.
Aro had already decided.
If necessary, Chelsea would intervene.
A ruler of the Volturi required absolute ruthlessness. Caius admired Aro precisely because of that merciless resolve... and, deep down, feared it as well.
On the surface, Aro had granted Jane complete authority over Sophie. In reality, if Aro wished it, he could devise a hundred different ways to eliminate the girl while keeping his own hands perfectly clean. Afterwards, he would comfort Jane with practiced sincerity, punish a few insignificant underlings, and shower her with beautiful gowns and precious jewels.
After all, manipulating hearts had always been Aro's greatest talent.
He was confident that Jane, innocent in certain ways despite a millennium of service, would never betray the Volturi for someone she had only known a handful of days.
Since Aro had already decided how to clean up the aftermath, Caius saw no reason to interfere further.
"Do whatever you like," he said flatly. "Just leave me out of it."
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