Two updates in a day! I either totally kick ass, or I am a huge loser with no other way to spend her weekend. You decide.
"Welcome home."
Jane's eyes finally met mine and she sneered. My clothes, or lack thereof, weren't completely hidden by the long black cloak and once again, my situation was amusing to them. Alec spoke up about me in explanation.
"I found her while passing through Phoenix. I was making a pit stop on my way to Texas. Those fools never stop making newborns they can't control." He explained quickly shaking his head, analyzing his twin's expression. "She was sobbing in a dirty alley over her first kill." He chuckled along with his sister at the idea. "She is alone and knows nothing. I thought it wise to bring her to Aro, and save someone a trip to America to handle her later."
Jane seemed to accept this. She took Alec's hand and turned from me without another thought, leading us through the gate into the city. It was locked behind us ominously, and I shuddered, causing another fit of giggles from the two vampires ahead.
It would take time to get used to that. Vampires.
As we strode through the streets, Jane prattled on about gossip between names I didn't know. We stayed in the shadows, despite the cloaks, and I was at least a bit relieved by the fact that the intense sparkling skin was the only side affect of the sun's rays.
I turned to find that the airplane pilot had been long gone, and I was too scared to think of what he could possibly be doing. Alec noticed my preoccupation.
"It is against the laws to hunt in the city," he explained, probably trying to sound reassuring. "We bring our food from the outside. Heidi is due back today." He smiled at the last statement while I held back another sob. How could he call them food?
They had family and friends. These people they fed off of had jobs, and hobbies, talents. What had their existence in the world done to our possible future? The two creatures in front of me were practically children, with the faces of angels. Had they fed from someone who could've cured diseases? Someone who would have started organizations and charities? Someone who could have saved even more lives?
I watched the cobblestones under my feet as we traveled silently. Was there a cobblestone for every life they had taken? Every child without a parent because of them? Every sibling now alone because they were thirsty. Husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, cousins, aunts, nieces, nephews. I knew better than most my age how it felt to be alone, and I mourned for all I had undoubtedly hurt by my lack of control in Phoenix.
I suddenly believed that were I to die in the next few hours at the hands of these creatures, the world might be better off.
So lost in my thoughts, I almost ran straight into Jane and Alec as they stopped at a door to the large castle which had entranced me on the plane ride here. The wooden door was so large; it made an odd sight to see the tiny Jane open it herself without trouble. I followed them inside.
The rooms were lit by harsh fluorescent lighting in a constant pattern on the ceiling. I had to close my eyes for a moment, recovering from the sudden attack on my senses. The room was empty spare a few uncomfortable looking chairs in the corner and a few potted plants sprinkled randomly in the room. It reminded me of my dentist's office.
I felt an odd sensation in the back of my throat as we approached a door on the opposite side of the room. It was a tickling, that could only be described as something similar to when you needed to cough badly, but held it in. Alec turned to me and gave me a stern look.
"Stop breathing," he commanded, I could only stare back with wide eyes. Stop breathing? He sighed in exasperation at my lack of knowledge. "You are dead now, you don't need air." He stated rather bluntly.
I complied and was surprised to find that I really didn't need air. My chest felt a little stiff doing so, but my body didn't go into the normal panic from the lack of oxygen flowing to my lungs. Alec made sure I would obey before opening the door. I knew immediately why he had cautioned me.
This room was similar to the last with one addition. On the other side of the enclosure was a solid desk, giving off a very business like air. Behind it sat a woman. Her eyes were green, and she was average looking. She was human. I was thoroughly disgusted. Not only did they feed off of humans without second thought, they kept them around as pets, teaching them tricks to do their bidding.
Alec and Jane each took an arm roughly, interpreting my expression as something dangerous and hauled me into the next room of the castle going right by the human woman, who looked up to me with a warm smile.
Alec was upset, thinking I had once again gone against orders, but Jane put a steadying hand on his shoulder. She met his crimson eyes with her own.
"Let's just bring her to the masters as soon as possible. She is wearing a strain on you." She soothed, sending me a scathing glance. I didn't dare speak up to defend myself. He nodded his compliance and I inwardly thanked anyone who could hear that Jane was not yet annoyed with me as well.
They kept their grips on my arms as the turned and started practically flying through the tight, winding stone halls. It took me a moment to catch the fact that my feet were still hitting the ground, running as fast as they were. A monster's speed, I reminded myself. All the better to run you down and eat you with my dear.
We slowed gradually to a stop before a wooden door, tired with age. They opened it gingerly and pulled me into a large turret room. Illumination came down in translucent patterns on the floors and walls spilling through the colored glass placed far above our heads. The room was littered with vampires, chatting amongst themselves casually, lounging in random couches and filling the room with their tinkling voices and sparkle.
Towards the center of the room, the vampires gave a wide berth, which was occupied by a solitary man; clad in a black cloak the same as ours. His hair was black as pitch and fell in gentle waves to his shoulders, swaying only in the slightest as he moved. His posture suddenly perked and he turned with a wide smile to the three of us.
His eyes were similar to the crimson eyes I had come to expect, only with a milky overcast. His skin looked brittle and I wondered absently how it felt for him when he rearranged his features. Overall, the black hair, white as snow skin and the red irises gave him a sinister look, marred only by his sincerely jovial expression.
"Jane! Alec!" he cried happily, arms wide in welcome. Was this the master whom had such control over the fearsome duo? Jane and Alec swiftly went forward, entering his embrace. The man turned first to Jane, giving her a kiss on the cheek, before turning to Alec and giving him a similar kiss to his forehead.
They positively beamed. My captors were reduced to puppies in the presence of this man.
He turned to me, his face holding his grin, only widening as he took in my presence. He released Jane and Alec and beckoned me forward. I took a few steps respectively, but wasn't about to let this strange vampire embrace me. He looked positively delighted by my being there. I guess he didn't get out much.
"And we have a guest! How wonderful! And may I ask who you are, my dear?" He looked at me expectantly, but I was too surprised to make any sound to respond. Alec, used to my constantly changing moods and actions, spoke for me.
"I found her in Phoenix, master. She was alone and just made her first kill. She knows nothing." He replayed the information he had told Jane earlier, speaking as though I wasn't there. The man's expression was unreadable as he looked back to me. He looked sympathetic, but another emotion flickered behind his eyes.
He looked to me and extended a delicate hand. I stared at him dumbly, not comprehending what he was expecting. Jane hissed in warning at me, but I wasn't sure what I was supposed to do. He chuckled, but left his hand hanging empty in the air.
"Forgive me dear, but what was your name?" he asked, finally dropping his hand to his side. The gesture received disbelieving looks from the various vampires around the room. I knew I would now have to speak for myself, releasing information I hadn't given Alec.
"Isabella, Isabella Marie Swan." I finally answered in what sounded like a squeak. He smiled, pleased to get a response from me. He turned, taking a throne, one of three that I hadn't noticed before. He waved me to come closer again, and I complied, still keeping a wary distance.
"Well, Isabella, I am Aro, and let me give you a formal welcome to Volterra, Italy." I smiled weakly in response and Aro practically danced in his chair. "Now Isabella, I assume you have at least been told what has become of you?" I nodded in response, a short answer which obviously didn't satisfy him. "And exactly how much do you know?"
I repeated all of what I had been told, not a word more and not a word less. He nodded in contemplation before looking back to me, smile replaced.
"The first thing I'm curious about Isabella is if you might have a power." I was baffled. He sure got to the point now didn't he?Did vampires fly or something? He elaborated. "Along with the standard changes that come along with the transformation, some vampires bring with them special powers, skills I'll call it. I, myself can read every thought that has crossed one's mind by the simplest physical contact." I stared amazed. That's why he held out his hand to me.
"I know it's very early, but have you noticed any such oddities since you became a vampire?" I shook my head slowly; a bit scared of what his reaction could be. He looked disappointed, but masked it quickly. "Well, as I said before, it is still early, but now that I have explained what I can do, would you mind?" He extended his hand to me again, and this time I took it, against my better judgment.
I waited, not knowing what to expect. Would it hurt? My mind raced with so many possibilities, I barely noticed how Aro's face fell after only a few seconds. Did my thoughts upset him? He looked up and released my hand, his face curious.
"Jane, dear?" he called out, not breaking his gaze away from me. "Would you test your wonderful power on Isabella here for but a moment please?" Jane's face twisted in a depraved smirk as she nodded.
The room stilled and all conversation ceased as Jane made her deliberate steps toward me. She stopped a few feet away, and met my gaze, still smiling madly. I waited, nervous as to what her power may be and when she was going to unleash it on me. Her smile fell, and she glared angrily, deep concentration etched into her brows as she focused some unknown force on me. A collective intake of breath was heard all around.
Nothing happened.
Aro was suddenly standing next to Jane again, a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Fascinating." He murmured. I saw a peculiar glint in his eye, and for the first time I understood why he held the fear of the mythical creatures around us.
Bella is finally in Volterra and the story is getting interesting. Duh duh DUH! Anything could happen from here! (And by anything, I of course mean the specific plot I have outlined already.) Still, I always love to hear from readers, so review. I'm open to an idea or two. Or eight, but whatever.
On a completely random and unrelated note, I'm currently listening to Heart's Barracuda, and it's damn good.
