Ace In The Hole?

[Alice Cullen]

-Jazz and I made it to Seattle in record time and by the time we had, night had fallen. We only broke apart to run separate errands; he to secure us a rental car and I to buy a few things we’d need for the trip. I hadn't wanted to return to Forks or reveal my plan for many reasons. They knew me well enough to assume that I was doing what needed to be done. My loyalty was faultless. Within an hour, we were on way, speeding down the highway towards California..and the lost city of angels. Ironic really. We didn't speak much, we didn't need to. At some point though, I began to look inward, focusing on Bella. And I saw. I saw them taking her away.They’d come for her, Jane and Alec, the twins. I gasped, stuttering as I told Jasper, his hand reaching for mine instantly- Edward..he went, too. –at least she wasn’t alone when they’d come. Edward would keep watch as best he could until ..until we could get there. Italy, again? I should take up citizenship there at this rate. I told Jasper and he laughed, a tight chuckle tinged with worry. We needed to hurry…I needed to find the vampire who made me. And somehow, someway, after years of silence, he was guiding me to him in fragments. By the time we pulled off Interstate 5 and into Los Angeles proper, it was about 2 hours before dawn. I’d looked up directions on the OnStar navigator in the car and guided Jazz towards the Pantages Theater. Pulling up, the dark shroud of night still blanketing the city, we parked in a lot adjacent and walked, hand in hand to the front of the remodeled building. Even at this early hour, there were people milling about. Looking around fervently, I frowned.-This is the place I saw in my vision. But where is he? Am I too late?

[Henry]

*I’d been standing in the alcove between the main ticket booth and a wall siding where posters of plays currently in production hung. She was….beautiful. My Mary Alice. My child, my daughter. I watched the way the brassy overhead streetlights washed over her short, sleek cap of dark hair, and even from here, I could see the shine of her eyes. Golden. Pure. Perfect. I’d done well. Pride rushed over me as I watched her and the young man she was with, Jasper. Oh yes. I’d been there the day he’d found her in that small diner. Hidden in the back, unobtrusively observing them. I’d kept my distance for so many reasons and now suddenly they didn’t seem important. I’d stayed away for far too long. Stepping out to where they both could see me, I watched her eyes widen then narrow then widen again as I spoke, my accent deep and lyrical* You are precisely on time, pigeon.

[Alice Cullen]

-He towered over me, of course, and even over Jazz by a good few inches. His dark hair curled around his shoulders, longish but very stylish. I’d inadvertently taken a step his way then felt Jazz’s hand tug me back in a protective way as he spoke. Oh! That voice! If chocolate and whiskey had an actual ‘tone’ to it, that would be his voice. Hypnotic and seductive. I wasn’t sure what to say or do and that uncertainty rang out as I spoke- Are…you my Maker?

[Henry]

*I stared at her, the question falling from that mouth with utter confused sincerity. Didn’t I look the same? But for the clothing of the time, I hadn’t changed a jot. I was now as confused as she was but very politely, very quietly, her young man explained to me that she, my darling girl, had no recollection of me or her former life and had only just recently come to understand something of her own past. Of course. I should have realized that there’d been some trauma there. She’d suffered much at the asylum and after “treatment” had been rendered for as long as it had, she’d taken to a state of amnesiac propensity. I had done her more harm than good it would seem. Or had I? Giving him a slight bow in thanks, I edged a bit closer, inwardly smiling as Jasper growled low* Stand down boy, I mean neither of you any harm. Why would I destroy the most beautiful thing I ever made? *I knew a few things of her life now and forged on* Carlisle Cullen may have given you a home and his name, but yes…I am your Maker, Mary Alice. Your father in a very real sense. *very slowly, I raised my hand and cupped her cheek. Like silk over marble she was* And since the situation calls for it, let me introduce myself properly. My name’s Henry. Henry Fratello.

[Alice Cullen]

Henry. Fratello. –I rolled the name over my tongue over and over again but nothing. Italian surname. But he spoke with an English accent. Hmm. The name didn’t immediately cause my swiss cheese memory to fill in, no rushing images of my past raced across my vision. But there was something soothing about him and I found myself nuzzling into his large hand like a little girl would, seeking her father’s favor. Carlisle was..IS…my father in all the most critical ways. This man had turned me and left me to learn on my own.- Why did you abandon me? –it came out a bit more harsh than I’d intended and as always, Jazz tensed up, feeling my emotions and instantly I felt some calmness tugging at my senses as I stared up into Henry’s face, taking a step back-

[Henry]

*such soulful longing in those eyes. She was my pixie child. And hearing that anguish in her voice cut me to the quick. That accusation stung. Mostly because she was right. Stepping back a bit myself, I looked around before motioning them towards the theater doors* Come. Let’s go inside to my office and we’ll talk there. Let’s get off the streets. *I’d left one door unlocked and quickly ushered them both in, locking it behind us and leading them over the padded carpet of crimson and gold design to my office on the second level, inviting them to take a seat where they wanted*

[Alice Cullen]

-This. Place. Was. Amazing. Plush and regal, it was reminiscent of a by gone era and I’d briefly read about this place once before. One of the oldest structures in Los Angeles, it’d been refurbished and once more open to the public. We’d followed him in, taking seats next to each other in big, padded chairs while he slipped into a leather desk chair, leaning back as he templed his hands under his chin, studying Jazz then me. What was his connection to Aro? I needed to find out and fast..-So…you work here now? –trying to be light-

[Henry]

*Chuckling softly* No. I own this place. And the next five blocks attached to it. Now. Why don’t you tell me why you’re here? We could spend hours waxing polite rhetoric or we can cut to the chase. Since you can’t recall your past, I’m assuming your visit here means you’ve come looking for answers. You think I abandoned you. An enigma you need to solve. And I’m the largest piece in your personal puzzle

[Alice Cullen]

-shaking my head, almost shouting in alarm-NO! –Jazz’s fingers clutched mine as I felt him pour more of his special magic into me. Letting it do its work, I let out a breath I didn’t need to and gentled my voice-I mean. Yes. But now now. I..don’t know why I’m here. I had ..a vision. Of you. And you were with the Volturi. Do..you know of the Volturi?

[Henry]

*smirking slightly* Yes. I know ‘of’ the Volturi, you could definitely say that. This vision…*I knew her past was a sore point and to be honest, while saddened she didn’t recall me, I didn’t blame her brain and consciousness for blanking it all it. It’d been horrible. Vile. Vicious. To look at her spritely air now, that sweet ingénue of happiness that bled from her, you’d never know how badly she’d been damaged* What exactly did you see? *we’d get to her thinking I’d abandoned her in a moment*

[Alice Cullen]

Aro. I saw you with Aro and he looked concerned. No. He looked…worried. –slight pause-Are you his enemy? Please say yes…

[Henry]

*I barked out a low laugh as Jasper’s head swung around to look at her, the blunt statement still hanging in the air* Ah. His enemy? I’m sure he thinks so. *I peered at her for the longest time, then Jasper before speaking again* Had I been certain that you and the other Cullens, plus the witnesses gathered for Renesmee couldn’t have stayed his hand all those years ago, I’d have come myself to stand with you.

[Alice Cullen]

-both Jazz and I jerked in surprise, looking askance at each other then at him-You….knew about that? And still you stayed away?

[Henry]

*I waved a hand at the censure in her face* As I said, I knew the Volturri would be defeated that day. My presence wasn’t necessary, had it been, I’d have shown myself. Mary Alice,you have a remarkable gift, pigeon. One I can access from time to time and “keep up” with you, so to speak. I’ve always been there. You just never saw me. But that’s for another time. I see worry in YOUR eyes, both of you. So. Tell me what you want from me and it will be done. I owe you that much. A peace offering if you will.

[Alice Cullen]

-this was bizarre. And too easy. Immediately I was on edge but simply gazed at my ‘father’ and nodded-You’re right. You do owe me. –and with precise detail, I told him all about Bella’s deal with Aro and how it affected not just her, but the rest of the family. It took a few moments, I even told him of my vision of seeing Jane and Alec taking Bella away to Volterra, Edward in tow-You may have made me, Henry. And for that I’ll be eternally grateful..-my hand holding Jazz’s tightly-But the fact is, the Cullens ARE my family. These are people I love and I won’t sit by and just LET this happen. There has to be a way to undo this. So…please. Help me. Help us. –I watched his heavy lidded eyes carefully, finally realizing that they were neither crimson or golden. They were a lovely shade of a lush, sparkling green. And not “human” green either. Odd. And mesmerizing. What were HIS secrets then?