Chapter 2 – Taunting

The morning came and she still slept. "Come in." Felix and Heidi entered my common room. The girl's scent was strong in here. Heidi peeked into the room and saw the girl in the bed. Heidi smiled, "That's cute. You put her to bed," she said in a patronizing voice. She spoke as if the girl was a child, "What are you going to with her?" I looked at girl. Her breathing was slow and steady, almost hypnotic, "I haven't decided yet. And her blood, it's unlike anything I have ever had."

Felix stared as the girl's legs shifted. The images that played through his mind about her were annoying. Moving quickly, I hit him, "Leave her alone, Felix. After all, you gave her to me." He looked at me, his eyes narrowing, "All right. Do with her what you want. Enjoy." Felix left the room laughing to himself, That girl won't last long. Heidi smiled at me, watching Felix depart, then turning back to me, "This is your first pet, Edward. How will you keep her?"

I sighed, "That's true. I do want to keep her a little longer. I could have consumed all of her blood last night, but I want to keep it around for a little longer." Looking at the girl I deliberated, "I'll need to keep her healthy." Heidi scoffed, "You'll need to keep her fed too." I nodded, "And clothed. Heidi….?" She patted my shoulder, "You don't even have to ask. Speaking of clothed, I hope you liked what she wore last night. I had her dressed in it, especially for you," she laughed, "I'll be right back." Heidi dashed out the room. I'd forgotten it was Heidi and Chelsea's responsibility to prepare the girls.

They did dress her as a virgin. Heidi was back in a few seconds, before the door closed into the frame. "These should fit her," she set a pile of feminine clothes on the dresser in the bedroom. She looked at the girl, "And this is her identification." She handed me a small purse, with a passport, driver's license and school id in it. Well, her name was Isabella Swan. Hmmm, it's been a while since Edward and I were together. Oh well, she won't be here long. "By the way, don't call her 'Isabella.' When Felix picked her, he heard everyone calling her 'Bella.' Your beautiful Bella."

I smiled, "My beautiful beautiful." Heidi smiled, "Maybe she's Italian. I'll tell Gianna to order her breakfast." Heidi left as Bella began to stir, "Oh, I'll leave you two alone." Heidi tip-toed out as Bella rolled onto her stomach and looked up. Watching her wake up, I stood in the doorway, as she looked around the room. Her head moved left to right, billowing up her scent in the air. Inhaling deeply, my throat was scorched with thirst.

She rolled over and looked at me. Her eyes widened as she looked at me. I stared back at her. Her brown eyes looked at me and I was almost lost in them, "Good morning." She didn't answer. "I had some clothes brought for you," pointing them out on the dresser. "There's the bathroom and your breakfast has been ordered." Her eyes followed my hands as they pointed out the bathroom door. Bella didn't speak, she just stared at me.

I nodded, "Fine. Also, Bella," her heart skipped a beat as I said her name, "I would advise you to not leave this room." Her eyebrows furrowed as I waved her identification packet, "When you were taken, your information was brought here. You see, it would be unwise for you to try to run away either. There's not much you can do without this."

She huffed and looked down at her hands. Turning to leave the door, the scent of salt water hit me. I looked back to see her wiping her eyes. Closing the bedroom door, I went to stand by the bed. It was interesting to see a human crying. I sat on the edge, spreading my arm to lean over her legs, "As I told you last night, I won't hurt you. But, listen to what I say. Do not leave this room. It would be very dangerous for you. I won't allow anyone to hurt you, but it is much safer for you in here." Her heartbeat increased as I leaned closer to her, "And don't bother trying to leave through the window. You'll only be brought back here and then, I won't be able to protect you."

Her lip trembled and she looked away from me out the window. She turned back to me, her warm breath blowing on my face. Without thinking, my hand clamped into her hair and kissed her again. Her body jumped, but I ended the kiss before she could react. I looked back at the door, "Here's your breakfast." She looked as Gianna knocked on the door. "Come in." Gianna pushed in a food cart, "I wasn't sure what she wanted, so I ordered everything."

Gianna looked at me and I smiled at her, "Grazie, Gianna. I'll call on you for her lunch and dinner. Hopefully, Bella be able to say what she would like." Gianna fought her blush as she left, Poor girl, but it's better she's with Edward than Felix.

Looking back at Bella, she had a perplexed look on her face, biting down on her full lip. "Please, change and eat. I'll be back within the hour." Bella watched me as I closed the door, leaving her alone. My body leaned against the back of the bedroom door, listening to her in the room. It was silent for a few moments, then the bedsprings squeaked and her footsteps moved across the floor. "How could this have happened?" she asked herself. She sniffled and then there was the sound of her muffled cries.

Soon, she sighed and the water was turned on in the bathroom. The shower turned on and I heard the water hitting her skin. I thought about entering the bathroom to watch her in the shower. The idea was tempting, but I just got her. Save some things for later. Leaving my chambers, I leaned against the wall. "What are you doing out here?" Afton asked. Bored with your human. I smirked, "Giving the girl some privacy." He nodded, "Still a gentleman."

I looked at him, when he sniffed at the scent lingering outside my chamber, "Very sweet." My arms folded over my chest, "I tasted her last night and I had to fight with myself from not killing her." Afton smiled, "You want to hold on to her blood a little longer. You're not the first to do that." Venom flowed at the thought of her blood, "Well, I don't know how long you can keep her." Afton presented a concern I haven't contemplated yet, "I've already warned her to not leave my room, but you have a point. I don't know how long that will last." My eyes focused on my door. Part of me didn't want any harm to come to Bella and yet, I did not want to lose her either.

Afton smiled, "Well, if you're going to be around her, just tasting her, you can't let your venom flow." The sound of the water wasn't there. There was only the sound of quiet footsteps and a steady heartbeat. The urge to go back to her was getting stronger. I didn't want to leave her unprotected. Afton followed my eyes, "If you'd like, I'll ask Chelsea to stand guard at your door, so that no one goes in and she doesn't come out." That was somewhat reassuring.

I nodded in agreement, "Thank you." Afton went to get Chelsea as I slipped back into the room. Bella was looking over the food cart. Edward, go. I'll watch her. Chelsea patted my shoulder. Both of us left the room without making a sound to alert Bella that we were here. Afton and I went out, to drive to Modena. It was far enough for us to hunt without notice. Both of us waited in an alley, to wait for a human to get close enough. Soon, we fed and were on our way back in to the tower.

"Edward, how was your human?" Aro asked. I smiled, "She's still alive and very… sweet." Aro smiled, please to see me enjoying my gift, "It's good to see you like her." Aro's mind wandered on my years, over the many times I refused rewards. "I'm enjoying this gift. Aro, I'd like to request that no one touch her. She's mine and I plan on keeping her for some time."

It wasn't uncommon for one of us to make this request. Others have kept their humans before either ending their lives or changing them. Aro nodded, "Of course, Edward. No one will touch your human." "Her name is Bella and thank you." Aro chuckled to himself, "Bella, such a sweet name. I can assure you Edward, Bella will not be touched."

Walking to my chamber, Chelsea smiled, She was well behaved. She didn't come near the door. I shook my head, "Thank you, Chelsea." She smiled and sauntered away, "Have fun." I opened the door and saw in the bedroom that Bella was standing by the window. The door closed and she looked back at me. Some of the food was gone from the cart. At least she ate something. "Did you enjoy your breakfast?"

She looked at me, then to the floor, closed her eyes and sighed. Covering the food, I called for Gianna to come for the cart. Well, now I had my own human, so I would have to keep her entertained. Normally, I spent time in my room alone. Walking towards her, her scent was stronger, coiling my body to spring. "Where are you from?" She exhaled deeply, trying to steady herself, "Phoenix." "Why did you come to Italy?" "Studying abroad." "How old are you?"

She sighed, "Why do you need to know?" I looked at her. Her deep brown eyes narrowed in suspicion, "I was just curious. You don't have to tell me." My hand pulled out her identification, "Oh, you're seventeen. Your birthday is in September. That's in a few weeks," I added matter-of-factly, "How long were you going to stay in Italy?" She looked at me with her eyes widening, "Give me that." I scoffed, putting her information in my back pocket, "Not likely."

Her brow furrowed, "It's mine and I want it back." I rolled my eyes and turned away from her. "I said I want it back!" She stepped toward me. I turned around in time to see her throwing a punch at me. My hand moved to catch her wrist and she fought to get out of my hold. I held her shoulders, "I'll give it back to you when you learn to behave." Pushing her away, her feet fumbled to maintain their balance. She looked at me, "Dammit, I want what belongs to me!" She came towards me again.

She was like a kitten with the anger of a tiger. This would be fun. My hands claimed her shoulders again and pinned her on the bed, with my body. "I have to admit, you are beautiful when you're angry." She turned to get out from under me, but I wasn't letting her. Leaning closer, I inhaled at the scent of her neck and began kissing her skin.

I had her hands pinned to the bed. Gathering them in one of my hands, my other grazed down her body. Her heart raced as I kissed down her neck to the top of her chest. I pulled back to look at her, "Now, if you'll be a good little girl, we won't have to do this again." She stared at me, as a tear fell from her eye. Leaning towards her again, she quickly turned away from me. I kissed her cheek, letting the tear fall on my lips. "Now, I was honestly just trying to get to know you, since you're going to be here for a while." I let her up and left her alone in the bedroom, "Behave, Bella."

Going back in the room, Bella was sitting in the same spot on the bed that I left her. "Are you feeling better?" She looked up at me from underneath her lashes, with complete malice in her eyes. "What did you want to know?" Her voice was strained as she tried to compose herself, it was surprisingly adorable. "How long were you going to be in Italy?" "For the rest of the summer," her voice was still angry, "I was awarded this trip for having the highest grades in my class."

I smirked, "Really?" She nodded, "Yes. Anything else?" My eyes narrowed, "Drop the sarcasm. What were your interests back home?" I found myself wanting to ask more questions about her. I would need to know her interests. She would need something to do. I would ask Gianna to have books brought for her.

I kept Bella talking and her lunch was brought to the room. I found myself actually smiling at some of her stories. Someone was coming towards my door. Their thoughts were reaching me and I could see through their mind the hall leading to my door, "Hold on for a moment." Leaving Bella, which seemed wrong, my hand reach for the door before he could knock, "Yes Felix?"

Bella gasped quietly and her heartbeat increased. "Aro needs us." Felix smirked at the sound. "I'll be right there." Closing the door, Bella was taking quick short breaths. "What is it?" Her lip trembled and tears welled in her eyes, "It was him," her hand rose to point at the spot where Felix stood, "He was the one who brought me here." I tried to touch her hair, but she shuddered away from my touch.

She looked at me, "You're friends with him?" "Yes, Felix took you and gave you to me." Her eyes widened, "Gave me to you? I told you last night, I belong to no one, least of all, you." Why did that sting? "You don't have much of a choice. You belong to me and it's up to me to let you go. As I told you, you're to remain in here if you want to remain unharmed."

With that, I left the common room, locked the door and went to speak with Aro. The atmosphere stung from our tension. Alec, Demetri and I were to go to Venice to take care of another traitor. It would seem we would be gone until the next day. Aro reassured me that no one would bother Bella while I was gone.

The traitor was easily dealt with and we returned to Volterra. Felix felt it wasn't worth the trip, but some assignments are like that. Not all of them had the thrill of the kill. We were gone longer than I thought. Concern gnawed at me on our trip back to Volterra. Entering my room, the scent of my singer hit me, making venom flow. In the bedroom, Bella was asleep at the windowsill. Her head was down on her folded arms.

I sighed with relief to see that she was unharmed. Even to myself, I had to admit I was concerned about leaving her here. Her scent was too sweet to resist. She groaned sleepily and lifted her head. A book fell from her lap. Moving quietly, I picked it up, making her jump. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." She tried to muffle her yawn, but it was no use. Blood rushed to her face, making her look so appealing. My fingers brushed her hair back and she didn't flinch from my touch, "You need to rest."

Sleep was still in her eyes as she nodded, "But where are you going to sleep?" I sighed, "Don't worry about that." She looked at me for a brief moment, a thought rippling through her mind. If only I could hear it. I rolled my eyes at the absurdity of hearing her thoughts. It was going to happen. I pulled at her arm and guided her into the bathroom, so that she could change.

Relief was still strong within me. She wasn't hurt. No one came near her. Leaving her alone with vampires, being so sweet, vulnerable and delicious, I didn't want anyone to have her. Bella is mine! "Ow, dammit." I looked to the door as Bella came out, holding her right arm. A thin cut went down her arm. Barely any blood was exposed, but the scent of it was stronger. Driven by thirst, I took her arm, "What happened?" I didn't care. All that I could focus was on the blood beginning to color under her skin, ready to seep out of the small wound.

She hissed in pain, "I cut myself on the edge of the sink. It's nothing." She pinched at her skin, but suddenly stopped. She looked up at me from underneath her eyelashes and took her arm out of my hand. She walked past me and got into the bed. My arm began to lift to stop her, but I held back. it would be so easy. She was a bit clumsy and couldn't escape me easily. The thought of my teeth breaking through that supple skin ran through my mind. Her head laid on a pillow as she still looked at me. Flipping off the lights, I saw her eyes were still on me.

"Bella, please just go to sleep. I won't bother you." She still stared at me in the dark, "Why did you taste my blood?" I looked at her, "Go to sleep."