Chapter One, Dust

Vampire Crayons

I stopped at one of the corner shops to buy myself a hooded sweatshirt. Sure, someone in a thick clothing in the middle of the summer months, a little odd; but then again, a model like girl with sequins for skin… yeah, uh, I'd side with the first choice. The Volturi spared no second or life to take action when one of their kinds disobeyed the laws, even for an old friend like me. Storing these thoughts back in my mind, I pulled the hood over my bowing head and to my eyebrows and left the store when I was properly concealed.

No one paid any notice to the young woman stalking her way to the castle terrace with hunched shoulders. I was dressed, also, in unremarkable jeans, worn sneakers, and a graphic tee shirt that would look plain against anyone who wasn't a vampire. The only attention I gathered was two little girls staring shocked as this tourist looking me approached the castle gates. My shaded face was hidden from the two so they couldn't see my knowing smirk. After my many years of existing among mortals I was able to read all the signs and expressions that flicker across their faces. Most humans were predictable, and others to young to have any distinguishing personalities.

At the stone walls that held the fixed iron gates I could clearly smell the vampires inside; they had multiplied. With my nostrils dilated I pushed on the heavy metal bar for a lock that was too strong for a single human to lift, not that they wanted to. I knew from experience just how terrifying and macabre the chateau could be. I had once lived here.

The entrance walkway was easily crossed in my elegant and long strides and soon enough I was knocking at the great oak and metal enforced doors. The pounding echoed deep inside until the sound was returned by the faint tapping of footsteps. The foot falls were too heavy to be vampire, so that must mean… but they wouldn't… would they? I never knew Aro and his brothers to keep humans as pets in their home.

"Hello," The middle aged woman, not immortal, but still with soft prettiness, showed no surprise at my presence. "Are you an acquaintance of the masters, or are you visiting?"

With eyebrows raised, I replied with a wily smile, "Both. My name is Isabella Swan; you may tell Aro, Marcus, and Caius that I've come."

She nodded and stepped aside for me to enter. The room was modernized with angular leather sofas, potted plants, and a radio tinkling in the rafters. "Wait here," And she left, leaving me to my own musings.

I haven't been home for many a decade, maybe even a century. Funny, that when you've seen so many places you've called your own, the only place you spent less than a few years in you are most attached to. I can still recall my old room, probably filled by another vampire in my absence. On one wall was a scarlet leather sofa resting on the softest cream colored carpet bare feet have ever set foot on. Cluttering the entire other wall were my classical books, not classical then but now, and candelabras lighting the surfaces. It was hokey, I know, since I cannot sleep, I still had a bed. It was large and feathered with a white-lacey coverlet. I used to lounge and lean against the pillows with a book crooked in my perfect hands. I would have already read the novel and wouldn't need to again because of my photographic memory. But that was something I indulge in. Reading felt so human and full of life, even though when I read I was as still as the stone I envisioned myself made of. I had a wide collection of handheld instruments: violins, violas, flutes, drums, and others: and artworks- all painted because of the era. Even some I painted myself. Ah, fine memories…

"Bella!" Someone interrupted my thoughts with a shout of joy. "You're finally back! You're back! Welcome home!" Caius, the usually dour of the three leaders, ensconced me in a hug. I wrapped my arms around him in reply, drawing in his sharp and sweet odor from his long black cloak. He was my favorite of all of them, more like a brother to me whenever I needed one; we had many conversations together and spent much of my time in Volterra in each others' company. Next was Marcus, the quiet one who took much pride in his political duty- if that's any way to call the job of the ruling class. Finally, Aro brought me into his own embrace; he was the friendliest of all, sure, but also the one with the most power, voice, and the great ability of reading minds. I was glad the sun was out and shining and I had to cover my skin. I wasn't quite ready to share my thoughts from the past centuries to my family, yet.

I grinned wider and said, "I would've come to the throne room if you'd asked. I don't deserve such a friendly greeting after all the time I spent running away from you three."

"Ah, but we didn't ask, little Bella," Caius replied happily. I rolled my eyes and gave him another hug.

"I'm sure you found your reasoning along your journeys," Marcus said politely which the white haired brother scolded, "Let her be, she doesn't need your chiding right now," although that was least thing he could possibly be doing. "Come, see your room. We knew you'd be back-." A sharp cough interrupted this along with another glare. "I knew you'd be back. We kept it intact, though I'm sure it's seen some aging."

"You kept my room," I whispered, my voice still quavering. If I was able to cry from happiness, now would be the time. My reaction made all three vampires to smile. "Thank you. Do you mind, I wish to see it now?" They assured me with shaking heads that I was allowed to go as I please.

How very much… the same it looked. The laced bed, weathered now to match the color of the still soft carpet. The books along the shelves were coated with a heavy layer of dust and the sofa had dulled a bit- even the candles on the candelabras were the same, melted just the way I'd left them last. I bit my lip and dry sobbed for a moment before composing myself and flinging myself onto the bed covers.

A wave of dust sprouted up from the holes in the fabric it had been nestled in and swirled around me. Stupid self, I had kept up with the habit of breathing and I just had to inhale right then. I jumped off the mattress, sputtering and shaking out my sweatshirt and jeans.

"Well, it needs sprucing up," I muttered to myself.