Chapter two
Four days later and I'm on a plane to Italy. I tried to get Esme to come with me but she didn't like the way the brothers stared at her. I don't blame her but she chose me and would forever be with me. She wore my mark and I proudly wore hers. No vampire would ever cross that knowing that our separation would cause her extreme pain and possibly death. No matter how much another male wanted her it would be a short lived romance, my absence or demise would cause her pain and insanity. I have never met a male that wanted to experience that but it didn't matter to Esme she would rather stay far away from Volterra just to be safe.
As I disembarked the plane I saw a familiar black sedan with tinted windows and knew that Aro had sent some of his guard to greet me. I smiled to myself when Felix and Demetri stepped out of the car as I approached. Aro, always the worrier, would of course send his strongest and most talented to guard over me on the ride to the castle.
"Hello Carlisle, Aro has asked us to bring you directly to the throne room once you arrive. He is excited to show you his find! His words, not mine." Demetri stated.
"Typical Aro, he has no patience whatsoever." I chuckled.
"Is your lovely wife not joining you?" Felix asked.
I repressed a growl before shaking my head in a definite no.
(((CHAMELEON)))
"Carlisle my dear friend, I have missed you so!" Aro shouted as I walked into the throne room.
"Hello Aro, I have missed you as well." I replied.
"Esme still doesn't like coming with you to Italy?" He questioned.
"You know the answer to that by touching my hand. It hasn't changed since the last time we were here." I sternly replied.
"Yes well a man can dream can he not. Picia will be upset that she can't take Esme shopping while we talk business."
"I'm sure one of the other ladies would keep her company."
"Anyway, let's get back to why I made you take a flight here. I have a girl here under my care that is too dangerous to be out in the world all alone."
"If she's so dangerous why do you want me to see her? I'm looking for a companion for the boys not a human to guard. Besides can't she be placed in a local jail to be guarded by humans?" I questioned.
"She's not human, well not exactly. Besides your government sent her to me." He cryptically responded.
"Could you please explain that further, I'm not following you." I said confused beyond compare.
"To put it simply she's a witch, a very special one. Descended from a long and powerful line of witches."
Fascinating. I must have been giving him a look because without further ado he gestured to a guard, a side door opened and Caius walked through the doorway ushering a small brown hair girl into the room. Her head held high and with extreme confidence in her walk she quickly lounged on the steps to Aro's throne and looked me up and down. She sighed and then slowly turned to Aro.
"Aro can you please keep your thirst in check, I really don't like having the sudden urge to drink myself dry." She offhandedly replied.
"I do apologize my dear but you smell divine and I have been gorging myself since you arrived in the castle. I am hoping to remedy that situation, I believe you might enjoy living with my friend Carlisle here."
"What?" I exclaimed.
"Are you shitting me?" She laughed.
"Show some respect little girl." Caius growled.
"Just because I'm younger than you doesn't mean you are better than me. I only laughed because every vamp in this castle doesn't know how to handle me besides with brute force. Be thankful that I only sponge off of your personalities and not your strength or appetite." She growled back at Caius reminding me of him as well.
Before I could ask what was happening though her attitude switched to delight and curiosity in my appearance before her. "I am curious as to why Aro seems to think you would be able to guard me better than anyone else so far." She asked. She clapped her hands together while talking and in that moment her actions reminded me of Aro's when something new and fascinating stumbles upon his doorstep.
She took a few steps towards me and her attitude changed again. She held herself stiffly but her features softened. She looked curious yet compassionate.
"Are you a scientist Mr. Cullen? Wait no don't answer that, you're actually a doctor. It makes sense now." She mumbled.
"Excuse me, what makes sense now?" I asked thoroughly confused.
"The reason behind why I have the sudden urge to dissect myself. You sir are a doctor and a compassionate one to boot." She replied, proud of herself from the observation.
"Are you a mind reader or an empath young lady?" I asked, still not knowing her name.
"Neither and please don't call me young lady. After all, I am approximately half your age Doctor. My name is Isabella Marie Swan. Feel free to use formal or informal version of Bella. Whatever your preference may be."
"How were you able to figure out that I am a doctor, Isabella?"
"It is a talent she was born with considering the magical family that she hails from. But since she is so talented she has developed another more interesting talent." Aro stated with glee.
"What talent is that? And could you please explain the talent she was born with?" I politely asked.
"She can mold her personality to mimic yours, it's similar to being an empath and has a bit of the convenience of being a mind reader and it helps her blend in – at times." Aro replied.
"Fascinating. Am I to assume that you have also drank an immortality potion considering you look to be about twenty but you just admitted that you are about half my age?" I asked.
"No, I was born immortal or I guess the more logical definition would be that my family line was cursed immortal. It's a long drawn out story and I don't feel like explaining it right now." She explained.
"Fair enough and the other talent?"
Before she could describe it Aro lunged at her only to be stopped by a translucent blue barrier around the girl. It expanded out when he hit it and flung him across the room knocking him to the ground. He was a bit disoriented but considering he was a vampire it left him unharmed except for a bruised ego.
"I do apologize for my behavior, it seems that our dear little witch is my singer. Hence the need for me to gorge myself, Caius can you have Heidi bring three to the private room next door?" Aro whispered.
"So my good Doctor was that a significant display of my other talent?" Isabella asked without even a slightest glance at Aro."
"A shield, how interesting? Is it mental as well?"
"Yes and quite effective just not on what it was designed for." She replied.
"I don't understand."
Aro took that moment to excuse himself, I assume his meal had been delivered.
"The spell was supposed to help me block personalities but instead it blocks supernatural powers. The physical shield can be morphed into a weapon at my control and has long range capabilities. That is why Aro and the human governments see me as such a threat. Too many conflicting personalities and I seem deranged in my behavior, couple that with my shield and you can formulate your own conclusions. I am a severe liability. But I believe that Aro thinks your coven could keep me controlled, tell me is your mate like you compassionate and giving?!"
"She is and she would love to meet you."
"Tell me of your coven. What are the personalities?"
"Well there is Esme my mate, she is caring to the core. She would dote on you as a daughter although you are twice her age. Rosalie and Alice are a mated couple, Rose can be severe but will warm up to a person in time. Alice is like an Energizer bunny on crack, Emmett's description not mine. She is about 5'3 and could tire a vampire with her energy. Then there are the boys, my reason for visiting Aro. I was hoping to find a companion for them. They are quickly destroying my house! Emmett is what Alice refers to as a super sized McDonald's meal with the personality of a grizzly bear on caffeine. He loves TV, sports and video games. He constantly jokes and pulls pranks on the girls. Edward my first creation was born in the Victorian era is quiet and subdue and likes classic novels and classical music. Lastly, there is Jasper. He is from the southern wars. He is a history buff, loves to play the guitar and can be a bit militant at times. Oh I should also warn you that Alice, Edward and Jasper have supernatural powers. Visions, mind reading and manipulation of emotions – respectively."
"Fascinating mix of personalities, I think I would like to meet them. Tell me Doctor if this doesn't work out would someone escort me back to Volterra?"
"If it is what you want?" I replied.
"Okay then as soon as Aro is done feeding again we can leave for America. It has been a while since I was on US soil, this ought to be an experience."
"I thought the US government was the one to send you to Aro?!"
"They were but I was travelling through South America when the local government turned me over to them. One ballsy guard thought he could tie me up and do as he pleased. I used my shield as a last resort and amputated two of the fingers on his right hand. They knew right away that they weren't equipped and that they had to send me to Volterra for guarding. We were on the base at Guantanamo bay at the time." She explained.
"I am sorry that he thought to do such a thing to you. I promise the boys will be complete gentleman but they may throw a few flirtatious comments at you. Sorry in advance." I apologized.
"Well thank you and you're forgiven – in advance." She giggled.
"Does this mean that you are willing to go with Carlisle to his coven?" Aro asked startling us both with his entrance.
"I don't appreciate the sneakiness Aro, you know that. And yes I will go with the good Doctor and meet this fascinating coven. Oh by the way Aro, you missed a spot on your cheek. You must have been a glutton again. Didn't anyone ever tell you that you shouldn't play with your food or to slow down and savor the meal?" She joked.
"I am sorry Chameleon but I can't help what I am." Aro chuckled.
"Chameleon?" I asked.
"Since my personality changes to those around me, the guard has nicknamed me Chameleon for my blending capability. I think they just want me to be scared of them but immortality tends to make you fearless even if I have blood flowing through my veins and every vampire in this castle wants to taste it. Aro of course being first in line!" She giggled.
Fascinating little witch, most humans and females for that matter would be disgusted or scared to know that we feed on human blood. What a pleasure it will be to get to know the little witch. I only hope that the boys don't drive her insane.