OMEAMC!! I AM SOOO SORRY THAT THIS CHAPTER TOOK SO LONG!! BUT HERE IT IS!! IF I GET A LOT OF REVIEWS I'LL POST SOONER….I HAVE JUST BEEN SOOOO INCREDIBLY BUSY WITH SCHOOL, I HAVEN'T FOUND THE TIME TO TYPE IT UP UNTIL TONIGHT!!
Okay….so…the phrases in italics are thoughts…just to clear things up…. So without further a do….here's chapter 21 of new moon from Edward's perspective… and I don't own any of the characters because we all know if I did…I wouldn't be here right now…
Chapter 21: Verdict
The fluorescent lights were in bright contrast to the alley we had just come from. The generic carpeting that lined the floor created a relatively warm environment for the hundreads of humans of humans they killed. I grimaced at the thought. Bella walked between Alice and I as we approached the elevator at the end of the hall. The ponderous door creaked shut as we walked through the door. The sliding bolt was fastened. Jane waited by the elevator. She smirked as she held the door open for us. I guarded her more carefully as we entered the elevator full of vampires. All of them licked their lips simultaneously. Thet lowered the hood of their cloaks, exposing their faces to us. I felt Bella +cringe beside me. I continued t rub against her arm, but my eyes never left Jane. We exited the elevator, much to my relief, and entered the reception area. We tread across the deep green carpet through the windowless prison. The bouquet of flowers on the glass table seemed to wilt when Jane and the Volturi guard passed them.
Oh, look how gorgeous that one is! The woman behind the desk thought. I snorted.
Too bad, I thought, I'm taken. I looked down at my beautiful Bella as she leered in astonishment. The only other human in the room was scoffing at her!
Hmmph, she thought, How can she be with him?
I growled silently. Alice seemed to notice and she looked up at me.
Are you okay? She thought. I simply looked casually to the left the to the right signaling my answer was no. She sighed.
Try not to lose your temper. She warned me in her thoughts. I growled again. How was I supposed to stay in control of my rage when me one true love was about to die beside me? How could I stand to see that?
Okay, okay. Settle down. She thought. I took deep breaths, trying to calm myself with Bella's scent. As soon as the first breath was drawn in, and I inhaled her delectable scent, I instantly felt better. A crooked smile spread across my face.
Better? Alice thought. I looked up at the ceiling and then back to the floor. She sighed with relief. Good, you needed Bella more than you thought, told you so. She simpered. It was true. So very true. I needed Bella in my life. I needed her, I wanted her, I loved her.
Gianna smiled at Jane.
"Good afternoon, Jane," she greeted.
"Gianna." Jane nodded in recognition.
Jane continued to glide forward to the set of double doors that I had been through just yesterday, begging for death. Alec welcomed us on the other side.
"Jane."
"Alec," she replied, as she kissed his cheek. Them his crimson eyes focused on us.
"They send you out for one and you back with two…and a half," he looked at Bella. "Nice work." Jane laughed her evil chortle. The laugh the stabbed nails into me. The laugh the was like sharp knives on a chalk board.
"Welcome back, Edward," Alec greeted me. "You seem in a better mood."
"Marginally." I agreed. I felt Bella's eyes on my face, studying my expression. Alec chuckled darkly, and observed my Bella as she embraced me.
"And this is the cause of all the trouble?" he raised his eyebrow. I simply smiled angrily in conformation.
Simple delicious… Felix sighed with blood lust. I froze.
"Dibs." He called from behind us. I turned to face him. A snarl erupted from deep within my chest. Felix smiled, his hand raised as he beckoned me forward to fight him.
Alice touched my arm lightly.
"Patience," she whispered.
Remember what I told you? Edward of you fight, you will lose. Be patient and remember to keep your temper please. It won't help anyone for you to fight Felix now. It will only make the situation worse. I inhaled deeply, calming myself and I turned back to Alec.
"Aro will be so pleased to see you again," Alec said casually.
"Let's not keep him waiting." Jane proposed. I nodded once, not able to speak yet. Alec and Jane held hands as they walked to Hell's core. I wrinkled me nose in repulsion. The grand, golden doors at the end of the hall were ignored and we entered the wooden door off to the side. I felt Bella shiver as we emerged into the dark, damp and the cold once again. The first antechamber quickly opened up into brighter room. The castle turret overwhelmed Bella as she soaked in her atmosphere. The long window sills shot beams of bright sunlight into the dungeon. The colossal wooden thrones took up most of the space in the circular room. The Volturi and their guard chatted on the far side of the room. The wives, in their sundresses, flittered across the room glittering in the sunlight. Aro approached us, as he floated across the room, his rove flowing at his sides.
"Jane, dear one, you've returned!" he exclaimed. Bella stood staring, mouth hanging open. It reminded me of the way she looked when she first saw me in the meadow. Oh, how I wished I could know what she was thinking! He kissed her tenderly on the lips. I cringed in disgust.
"Yes, Master." She smiled. "I brought him back alive, just as you wished.
"Ah, Jane," he smiled in reply," You are such a comfort to me." He then turned slowly to us and his eyes almost simultaneously widened with excitement.
"And Alice and Bella, too!" he clapped his frail hands together. "This is a happy surprise! Wonderful!" Bella gazed in shock at the sound of her name. He turned to our cicerone.
"Felix, be a dear and tell my brothers about our company. I'm sure they wouldn't want to miss this."
"Yes, Master." Felix nodded once and vanished out the same way we had entered.
"You see, Edward?" he smiled at me, mocking. "What did I tell you? Aren't you glad that I didn't give you what you wanted yesterday?"
"Yes, Aro, I am," I agreed whole- heartedly. I couldn't have been happier that Aro had denied me my wish. I tightened my hold on Bella's waist. Oh, how good it felt to have her in my arms again.
"I love a happy ending." Aro sighed. "They are so rare. But I want the whole story. How did this happen? Alice?" His gaze pivoted to Alice. "Your brother seemed to think you infallible, but apparently there was some mistake."
"Oh, I'm far from infallible." She smiled sweetly. "As you can see from today, I cause problems as often as I cure them."
"You're too modest," Aro reassured. "I've seen your more amazing exploits, and I must admit I've never observed anything like your talent. Wonderful!" Alice flashed her eyes to mine.
Where's he going with this? Alice thought. I don't know you tell me Miss All-seeing fortune teller. Aro seemed to notice our silent conversation.
"I'm sorry, we haven't been introduced properly at all, I tend to get ahead of myself. Your brother introduced us, in a peculiar way. You see, I share some of your brother's talent, only I am limited in a way that he is not." Aro shook his head as envy swelled up in him. I smirked to myself but reassured everyone else.
"And also exponentially more powerful," I added. I turned to Alice and promptly explained. "Aro needs physical contact to hear your thoughts, but he hears much more than I do. You know I can only hear what's passing through your head at the moment. Aro hears every thought your mind has ever had." Alice raised her eyebrows as I broached my head.
"But to be able to hear from a distance…" Aro sighed dramatically. "That would be so convenient." I felt two other bodies enter the room behind me. I also "heard" them.
Great, he's back. I thought Jane would've killed him… thought Caius. His papery skin wrinkled in abhorrence.
"Marcus, Caius, look!" Aro crooned. "Bella is alive after all, and Alice is here with her! Isn't that wonderful?"
Oh, sure, simply marvelous. Marcus thought cynically.
The second human to know our secret! Why don't we just put a sign: WELCOME TO VOLTERRA: HOME OF THE 1,725 YEAR OLD VAMPIRES! He sighed, I can see it now… At that I had to chuckle silently.
Caius simply frowned.
"Let us have the story," Aro mused. Marcus drifted over to Aro while he reached out his hand.
Why can't he just ask me rather than…touch me? He thought. Aro lightly touched his palm briefly and then let go. He raised his eyebrows.
"Thank you, Marcus," Aro said. "That was quite interesting." Marcus floated away towards the wooden thrones in the center of the room.
Yes, quite interesting indeed, a vampire and a human in love? He thought incredulously. And furthermore, a vampire and his singer fall in love. A passionate, unbreakable love. Nothing can separate them. Look at the way he guards her… He continued.
"Amazing," Aro said finally, shaking his head in disbelief. "Absolutely amazing." Alice was getting frustrated. I turned to explain what was going on.
"Marcus sees relationships. He is surprised by the intensity of ours," Aro smiled.
"So convenient." He repeated. He turned to us. "It takes quite a bit to surprise Marcus, I can assure you." Bella swiftly glanced at Marcus, comprehending.
"It's just so difficult to understand, even now," Aro stated gawking at Bella and I's embrace. "How can you stand so close to her like that?" he wondered amazed.
"It's not without effort." I replied steadily.
"But still- la tua cantante! What a waste!" I chuckled dryly.
"I look at it more as a price." Aro scoffed internally.
"A very high price."
"Opportunity cost."
Aro laughed, a booming sound.
"If I hadn't smelled her through you memories, I wouldn't have believed the call of anyone's blood could be so strong. I've never felt anything like it myself. Most of us would trade much for such a gift, and yet you…"
"Waste it," I finished in my now corrosive voice. Aro laughed heartedly again. "Ah, how I miss my friend Carlisle! You remind me of him- only he was not so angry."
"Carlisle outshines me in many other ways as well."
"I certainly never thought to see Carlisle bested for self-control of all things, but you put him to shame."
"Hardly." I gritted my teeth impatiently. I was no where close to what Carlisle was. Carlisle wouldn't have left. Carlisle wouldn't have come to Italy. And most importantly, Carlisle wouldn't have to work so extraordinarily hard to keep the one he loved alive. Carlisle wasn't a coward.
"I am gratified by his success," Aro said. "Your memories of him are quite a gift for me, though they astonish me exceedingly. I am surprised by how it…pleases me, his success in this unorthodox path he's chosen. I expected that he would waste, weaken with time. I'd scoffed at his plan to find others who would share his peculiar vision. Yet, somehow, I'm happy to be wrong.
I stood soundless.
"But your restraint!" Aro sighed. "I did not know such strength was possible. To inure yourself against such a siren call, not just once but again and again- if I had not felt it myself, I would not have believed." I held my gape with an expressionless face. No emotions broke through the surface. However, fury was simmering just below the surface. I felt Bella's eyes on me, and I knew she was aware that I was restraining my temper, so did Alice.
Edward? Alice thought. Edward calm down, please, you're, making Bella anxious. I ground my sharp teeth together. I could tear Aro to pieces in a split second. Edward! Stop right now! Tearing Aro apart isn't going to help anything! I took a deep breath to calm myself and Alice sighed with relief.
Thank you.
"Just remembering how she appeals to you…" Aro laughed. "It makes me thirsty."
I tautened immediately.
"Don't be disturbed," Aro unsuccessfully reassured me. "I mean her no harm. But I am so curious, about one thing in particular." His gaze landed on Bella. "May I?" he asked.
"Ask her." I replied curtly.
"Of course, how rude of me!" Aro exclaimed. "Bella, I'm fascinated that you are the one exception to Edward's impressive talent…so very interesting that such a thing should occur! And I was wondering, since our talents are similar in many ways, if you all me to try…to see if you are an exception for me, as well?" Her eyes flashed to mine in pure trepidation. I knew there really wasn't any choice. So I nodded, encouraging her to approach the overly confident Aro. She raised her trembling hand slowly as he floated over to her. He pressed his hand to hers and I watched his face turn incredulous.
Nothing, absolutely nothing. He thought. Incredible, utterly incredible. Imagine the talents she could have when she's one of us!
I growled too low for Bella to hear. Aro smiled as her head turned to me. I was feeling quite smug.
"So very interesting," he drifted back to his original location. Bella's eyes gravitated towards my face.
I still can't believe how much control he has! And I can't hear her! How frustrating! Hmm…maybe I could go ahead and bite her now… He quickly shook his head. He's far too overprotective of her.
"A first," he said to himself. "I wonder if she is immune to our other talents…Jane, dear?"
"No!" I snarled. Alice tried to hinder me, but I easily shook her arm off me. Jane looked up sinisterly at Aro. "Yes, Master?" I was truly fuming now. Growls ripped from deep within my chest. My eyes penetrated through his crimson eyes into his evil soul. Everyone was staring at me in amazement, but I didn't care. I was prepared to anything to protect my Bella. Felix grinned.
Hah. Jane will teach that little bitch some manners.
"I was wondering, my dear one, if Bella is immune to you." I growled louder, completely absorbed in rage. Jane turned towards us with a devilish smile.
This will be fun. She thought.
"Don't!" Alice cried as I threw myself through the air, teeth bared, then, abruptly my whole body wracked with pain. Shaking violently, I tumbled immediately to the stone floor below me. If felt as if a lightning bolt had struck me time and time again. My entire being, writhing in pure agony.
"Stop!" Bella shrieked in horror. I heard her try to block my from Jane's formidable gift. My razor sharp teeth bit roughly at my bottom lip.
"Jane," Aro beckoned. I had to admit, that was the first time I was actually happy to hear Aro's voice. She looked up, breaking her torturous gaze on my body. Jane turned her head in Bella's direction. Bella was trying to get to me, but Alice's iron grasp held her tightly.
"He's fine," Alice whispered softly. I sprang up immediately and my topaz eyes met her molten chocolate ones in revulsion. I glance quickly at Jane, who was still trying to attack Bella with her power. Her expression was one of frustration and anger. I tuned out the string of profanities her thought contained. Bella's calm façade did not fade away. I went to Bella; Alice blocked me at first.
I hope you know what you are doing. She hissed mentally. I touched her arm and looked up at her with pleading eyes. She sighed and moved aside; reuniting me with my love once more. Aro cackled hysterically.
"Ha, ha, ha! This is wonderful!" Jane hissed. "Don't be put out dear one," Aro comforted Jane, "She confounds us all." I couldn't have agreed more with Aro's statement. She confounded me deeply. What was she really thinking behind this brave face she so flawlessly carried? How could she still care for me? Jane's upper lip curled back as she bared her teeth at Bella.
"Ha, ha, ha," Aro chuckled again. "You're very brave Edward, to endure in silence. I asked Jane to do that to me once…just out of curiosity." He shook his head. I glowered, totally repulsed.
"So what do we do with you now?" Aro sighed thoughtfully. Alice and I immediately tensed while Bella trembled beside me.
"I don't suppose there's any chance you've changed your mind?" Aro asked me hopefully. "Your talent would be an excellent addition to our little company."
I hesitated, deliberating on what I should say. How could I make this not sound rude and completely idiotic?
"I'd…rather…not."
"Alice?" Aro asked, still optimistic. "Would you perhaps be interested in joining with us?"
Are you kidding? Hell, no! And live in this dump. It seriously needs some redecorating… Alice thought. I chuckled quietly. Alice's actual response was much more polite.
"No, thank you."
"And you, Bella?" Aro questioned. I hissed low but fiercely in Bella's ear.
"What?" Caius asked disbelievingly. His tone mimicked my internal thoughts perfectly. What was he thinking?! Hah. I know what he's thinking.
"Caius, surely you see the potential," Aro exclaimed. "I haven't seen a prospective talent so promising since we found Jane and Alec. Can you imagine the possibilities when she is one of us?"
I was furious! If I were a cartoon, steam would be billowing freely from my ears. A low vibration was slowly building a growl within me.
"No, thank you," she whispered fearfully. Aro sighed with disillusionment.
"That's unfortunate. Such a waste." I was beginning to let my anger get the best of me. I hissed violently.
"Join or die, is that it? I suspected as much when we were brought to this room. So much for your laws."
"Of course not." Aro blinked in astonishment. "We were already convened here, Edward, awaiting Heidi's return. Not for you."
Bull shit. I thought. Caius was getting irritated.
"Aro," Caius murmured. "The law claims them." I turned my head, my eyes in slits of pure rage.
"How so?" I demanded, even though I knew already. He pointed a brittle finger at Bella.
"She knows too much You have exposed our secrets." I raised my eyebrows.
"There are quite a few humans in on your charade here, as well," I reminded him. Caius anticipated this and he spoke eagerly.
"Yes," he agreed. "But," he shrugged, "when they are no longer useful to us, they will serve to sustain us. That is not your plan for this one. If she betrays our secrets, are you prepared to destroy her? I think not." Caius snorted.
"I wouldn't…" Bella began meekly. Caius glared at her with icy eyes.
"Nor do you intend to make her one of us. Therefore, she is a vulnerability. Though it is true, for this, only her life is forfeit. You may leave if you wish." He gestured towards the door. How dare he! My jaw clenched as my eyes narrowed in utter disgust. I bared my teeth and fiercely growled.
"That's what I thought," Caius said, with a vicious smirk plastered on his thin face.
"Unless…"Aro pondered. "Unless you do intend to give her immortality?" Nothing would please me more, than to keep her forever…for myself. She was too good for me, if she still wanted me at all. But, I had to think of something in order to get Aro to let us leave.
"And if I do?" I asked through gritted teeth. Aro smiled. Excellent.
"Why, then you would be free to go home and give my regards to my friend Carlisle." He added hesitantly. "But I'm afraid you'd have to mean it." Caius scowled ferociously. I flattened my full lips into a tight line. I looked down into Bella's pleading eyes.
"Mean it," she whispered. "Please." I wouldn't damn her to an eternity of night! No matter how much I wanted her to stay with me. However, she wanted to stay with me…maybe I could…NO! NO! NO! I love her too much to sacrifice her soul. It was too perfect to be marred by my imperfection. But she wanted it, but I couldn't give it to her. These two ends of the spectrum had no compromise. I was vaguely aware that Alice had stepped forward towards Aro. She raised her hand as Aro took it fervently. Her face went blank and I snapped my teeth together. I saw Alice's vision in Aro's head. Flashes of images sputtered hyperactively through his mind. Then her vision halted on one particular image. The same image that had haunted Alice's mind almost a year and a half ago. The same image that had decided Bella's future before she had even met me. It was the image of Alice's arm around Bella's cold pale, waist. Her beauty overwhelmed me. Oh, how I wanted her! Aro's voice broke the silence.
"Ha, ha, ha," he laughed. He lifted his head slowly, revealing his excitement in his crimson eyes. "That was fascinating!" Alice smiled dryly.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it."
"To see the things you've seen…especially the ones that haven't happened yet!" He shook his head in disbelief.
"But that will," she stated.
"Yes, yes its quite determined. Certainly there's no problem." I smirked at Caius's disappointment.
Hmmph…I wanted to kill her myself…I bet her blood would taste delicious… I growled brutally. Okay...okay…I get it…sheesh…
"Aro," Caius whined.
"Dear Caius, do not fret," Aro said with a smile. "Think of the possibilities! They do not join us today, but we can always hope for the future. Imagine the joy young Alice alone would to our little household. Besides, I'm so terribly curious to see how Bella turns out!" I wasn't really worried about Bella's future. Alice's visions were really quite subjective.
"Then we are free to go now?" I asked smoothly.
"Yes, yes," Aro said satisfyingly. "But please visit again. It's been absolutely enthralling!"
"And we will visit you as well," Caius promised, closing his squinted eyes. "To be sure that you follow through on your side. Were I you, I would delay too long. We do not offer second chances."
My jaw clenched in acute restraint, but I bowed my head once. Felix groaned annoyingly.
"Ah, Felix." Aro smiled, amused. "Heidi will be here at any moment. Patience." They were all thirsty. It would not be good to have Bella here with all of the other humans. She could be easily mistaken for one of their…prey. I grimaced at the thought.
"Hmm." My voice had a sharp edge to it. "In that case, perhaps we'd better leave sooner rather than later."
"Yes," Aro agreed. "That's a good idea. Accidents do happen. Please wait below until after dark, though, if you don't mind."
"Of course," I contracted immediately. I felt Bella cringe beside me.
"And here," Aro added, gesturing for Felix to come to him. Aro removed his gray shroud and handed it to Felix to toss to me. "Take this. You're a little conspicuous." I engulfed my body in the large piece of fabric. Aro sighed.
"It suits you." I chuckled without humor and turned over my shoulder. "Thank you, Aro. We'll wait below."
"Goodbye, young friends," Aro bid us adieu.
"Let's go," I said urgently. Demetri gesticulated that we should follow him the way we came in. I pulled Bella at a little faster than human pace. I was desperate to depart from this wretched place. I wanted to be alone with Bella as soon as I could.
"Not fast enough," Alice muttered. Bella stared frighteningly up at her. We were too late.
"Well this is unusual," a man's voice boomed.
"So medieval," a woman gushed in awe. The large group of people formed in the antechamber. The tourists stared in awe, while I stared in disgust and horror.
"Welcome, guests! Welcome to Volterra!" Aro sung from the turret room. Forty or so people filed in to the room, getting a "tour" of Hell. The cameras of the innocent victims, flashed in the dark dungeon. There was a panicked woman, speaking in tongues trying to warn the other tourists of their doom. I immediately pulled Bella's face into my chest. But I knew she already understood. I felt her hot tears on my frigid, bare chest. The hallway was empty, besides Heidi, both the fisherman and the bait.
"Welcome home, Heidi," Demetri greeted. Heidi smiled. Her utterly repulsive outfit was used to attract the "catch". Her violet eyes, piercing into my very soul. Hmm. He's hot. Hotter than Demetri. She licked her lips; inspecting me.
"Demetri," she responded.
"Nice fishing," he complimented. I almost gagged I was so repulsed.
"Thanks." She smiled wickedly, her eyes still examined me. "Aren't you coming?"
"In a minute. Save a few for me." Demetri called. Heidi simple nodded and eyed Bella curiously one last time. He could do SO much better. I set a pace that had Bella running. But, we still couldn't get through the ornate door at the end of the hallway before the screaming began.
