Chapter 3 – Opening My Eyes

Bella has been mine for a month and I knew almost everything about her. There were times we fought, but I actually enjoyed it. Her eyes would glare at me, hardening the deep pools of chocolate in them. Bella missed her mother and step-father, but I couldn't let her go. She pleaded with me to contact her mother, but I had to refuse her. "I told you that you couldn't." Tears welled in her eyes and her voice broke, "Please?"

The pain of her pleads cut through me, but I had to refuse her. To her family, it must seem that Bella was missing. To hear her crying cut through me like a knife. With every tear, the urge to hold her grew stronger.

In the month I've had her, I've tasted Bella's blood. When she cut her hand, some of the precious blood was wasted as it fell on the floor. I took her hand to survey how bad the wound was. The scent of it drove my instincts wild. The last bit of blood in my body was used and my eyes were suddenly black.

Slowly, my face got closer to her bleeding palm, making the scent ever stronger. Bella's muscles locked, trying to stop me, but it was to no avail. Her bleeding palm was on my lips and her blood touched my tongue.

Almost losing complete control, my arm wound around her body and pulled her into me. I wasn't letting her escape. She pushed against my chest, but it did nothing. My arm tightened around her as the bloodlust took over. My instincts drove me to bite at her neck, to cut into a major artery. She gasped as my arm tightened, "Please… stop."

My eyes opened to see the fear on her face. Her lips trembled and her eyes looked between her hand and my eyes. My teeth were dangerously close to her skin, but I pulled them back. Her blood stained my lips, "Why can't I resist you?"

Releasing her body, Bella's body fell on the bed. She examined her hand, then clutched it to her chest. Her skin was flushed and her heart was racing. Fear, along with her scent made her almost irresistible. The taste of it blazed through me. My urges begged for me. Ugh, I had to get away from her.

I was ashamed of myself. Leaving the room, I escaped to the bathroom, where there was cleaner air, which helped me think clearly. Reaching under the counter, I found a first aid kit. It was never used. Chelsea stored it there two weeks ago. The box fell on the bed next to her. She looked at me as I moved away from her, to open the window, letting the cleaner air swirl into the room, diluting her scent.

Bella was looking through the kit to bandage her hand. She winced in pain from closing her injured hand. My body didn't move one inch until the sound of the bandaging was done. Glancing back, I saw that her hand was completely bounded in the beige cloth. It was safe for me to be near her again.

Taking her legs, I placed them in the bed. "I'm sorry," was all I said as I pushed her down on the bed and stroked her hair. The air around her was still strong, so I left her to rest, while I went to hunt. The taste of my victim's blood was nothing compared to Bella's. The body was already buried and I ran back to Volterra.

While walking through the city, I came across a shop. Its calendar alerted me to the date. It was the day before Bella's birthday. The jewelry stepped out and gestured for me to enter. In the window display case, I noticed a fetching necklace. It was thick golden band that would snap around her neck with a sapphire cut into a heart. Making my way to my bed chamber, I kept the box hidden under my jacket. I wanted to avoid criticizing eyes and thoughts. My behavior was strange; I was caring for a human. She has lasted longer than any other human that was brought here.

While she slept, I left the box on the nightstand and took my place in my chair, to watch her. I found myself staring at her face more and more. She spoke in her sleep and that intrigued me. I couldn't hear her thoughts, so this was the next best thing. Listening to her uninhibited words while she slept.

Bella truly fascinated me, more than anyone ever had. I began spending more time with her. When she was quietly read, then suddenly sighed and smiled, I'd just look at her, wondering what was going through her mind.

There were many times I would look at her and wonder what she was thinking. Then, other times, I watched at her body. Looking at her mouth, focusing on the full curves of her lips that were above a chin that I urged to touch. Her lips looked so soft, that in the next moment, I saw myself placing a finger beneath her chin, to tilt her head back and press my lips to hers.

When she sat at the window, I would see her long cream skinned legs. When she walked across the room, my eyes were fixed on the movements of her hips. Then there were her curved arms, her heaving chest and lean stomach.

Bella's body was beginning to entice me. Sometimes, she would lay on her stomach on the bed, crossing her legs in the air. All I wanted to do was to lay with her. When she would sit with me, instinctively, I would lean closer to her, just to breath in her scent. In the beginning, my hand would graze down her body and she would flinch. Now, she would look at me and slightly smile at me. She confessed to me that she was ticklish.

What truly shocked me about my behavior was purchasing her gift and my anxiety to see the look on her face when she opened it. My mind contemplated that. I had to admit it to myself, Bella was becoming very important to me. I've kept her because of her blood, but now it was something more. Her blood was precious to me, but Bella, herself, was becoming more important.

Watching her, she sighed deeply and rolled to her side. Hearing her moan lightly, my excitement grew. I wanted her to see her gift. She sighed again and began to sit up. She turned her head side to side. "Huh?" she sighed quietly. Her eyes were fixed on the box. She looked at me, "What is this?" I smiled, "Open it." She moved her hand hesitantly, biting down on her full lip and lifted the cover.

She gasped and her eyes widened as she looked at me, "What's this for?" Moving across the room, I took the necklace up from the box, "Happy birthday." Sitting down behind her, I clasped it around her neck. She huffed and looked back at me, "It's my birthday?" I nodded, "Yes, it's the thirteenth." She began to smile, as her fingers trailed along the golden band. Her body jolted as someone knocked on the door. Knowing she was afraid of him, I patted her hand, "Come in, Felix."

Felix sniffed at the air and exhaled, She's still alive? The door opened causing Bella's heart to sprint in her chest. Felix looked at her, making her heart stop for the briefest moment. "Sorry to interrupt, but Heidi's coming." He gave her a necklace! Edward, what is going on with you? Felix reveled in the fear he caused her.

He was ready to take a step into the room, but I stopped him, "I'll be right there." Felix's eyes were fixed on Bella's necklace. She began breathing more deeply, her tension was rising. I walked around the bed, stepping in his line of view, "I'm coming, Felix." He continued to stare in her direction, though I blocked her, "She's still mine." My voice was so quiet, Bella wouldn't have heard me. Seeing that I wasn't moving an inch, he nodded; I would like to talk to you. My eyes narrowed as he left.

Bella's heartbeat slowed once he left. For someone her age, her heart raced at an unhealthy pace. I looked back at her. Her heartbeat was normal, "I'll be right back. Enjoy your breakfast." She looked at me, kneeling on the bed, "Are you all right?" "Yes, why?" She blinked, "Your eyes," her fingertips brushed under my eye, "they're darker." My human was so perceptive. "I'm fine," my fingers held hers, "It's my condition." "Ohh." Bella believed that I had an ailment that caused my eyes to change from black to crimson.

Her hand grazed her neck, feeling the band of her necklace, "Thank you. It's beautiful." I brushed her hair back, "You're welcome." Edward! Felix was waiting right outside my door. "I'll be back soon." In the hall, Felix and Alec were waited. I think I'm going to be sick. "How sweet, he's bonded with her," Alec jabbed. "Not really," Felix responded. I rolled my eyes, "Get off my back."

"Why is she still alive?" Felix demanded. My body became rigid as Felix thought of her body, lifeless across my bed, "Because she's mine and I'll keep her as long for as I want. Do you have a problem with that?" Felix shook his head. I should have taken her when I had the chance. "Yes, you gave her to me. I will do with her what I please. Is that all right with you?"

He groaned and walked ahead. He's just jealous, Edward. You've been spending a lot of time with the girl. Don't worry, when you're done with her, he'll be the first one to ask how you did it. Alec patted my shoulder. I faked a smile, but cringed at the thought of ending Bella's life, though I would have to eventually. Maybe Carlisle's way of thinking still had an effect on you. To you, her life does hold some relevance. You do not have to explain it to anyone. Just keep her here. She mustn't escape. I nodded as we entered the main chamber as the humans gathered in.

After feeding, Caius asked to speak to me. "Edward, your human? What are you doing with her?" It was becoming very curious as to why I still had Bella. "I'm keeping her alive for now. Her blood is very potent to me." Caius scrutinized my expression, "Really? Does she know what you are?" "No, "I answered too quickly, "She doesn't know. From the day I got her, she hasn't even left my chambers." The others were dispersing, though they wanted to remain close by. For many of our kind, it is strange to form bonds with humans. And, for it to be happening before the Volturi was utterly bizarre.

Caius sighed, "Aro, Marcus, would you join us." They entered the room. Aro looked between us, "Edward, everything is fine. We only wish to understand better why you have kept your human, Bella all this time." Aro took my hand, seeing my memories with her. "Huh?" My breathing stopped, but I tried not to show too much concerned when I heard what they've done. "Bring her in," Aro ordered.

A heartbeat was increasing, in speed and sound. Bella was being held by her arms by Alec and Jane. She whimpered as she looked at me. My anger rose, "Let her go!" Jane tightened her hold on Bella and she gasped in pain. "Jane!" I warned. If she hurt Bella, Jane was going to die.

Jane pushed Bella into me and I held her up. The scent of fresh blood hit me as I caught her. She looked up at me, with tears in her eyes. On her neck, there was a thin cut, with the blood coming from it. "Alec, Jane, you know you're to stay away from her." Alec bowed his head, apologizing, but Jane simply smiled, "Aro wanted to see her." Aro held up his hand, "Edward, please be calm. I asked Jane and Alec to bring Bella here. None of this will dispute your claim on her, but I'm curious for why you have kept her for so long." Aro glanced at the cowering girl in my arms.

Their bond is quite strong. Through Marcus' mind, I saw mine and Bella's bond. There was a thick gold band around the both of us, linking one to the other. It surprised me how strong it was, the thicker the band, the stronger the bond. Aro looked Bella over; "You have….." he looked at her again. "Alec, would you be so kind?"

Alec nodded and used his power on Bella. The slow mist crept around her, but her body didn't change. Her eyes were still on me, alert as ever. Caius' brow furrowed, "Can you still hear us, child?" Her fingers clutched at my shirt, but she nodded timidly. "Fascinating," Aro lamented. I wonder… "Aro, not that," he couldn't allow that, "She's still mine." Aro smiled at me, "Of course. But still. Alec, will take Bella outside? But don't harm her."

Nodding again, Alec took Bella's arm, pulling her away from me. Every instinct told me to tear his arm off. She looked at me, with longing as Alec took her into the other room. I still kept an eye on Bella through Alec's mind. Mmm, her blood is sweet. My eyes narrowed as Alec's hand grazed her neck and he tasted her blood. "Alec!" Sorry, Edward.

Aro, Caius and Marcus' eyes were fixed on my face. She's just a human, Caius thought. He believed I was overreacting. Aro cleared his throat, "Edward, what are you going to do with her?" I sighed, "I know I cannot keep her alive much longer. I know I will have to….." The thought of seeing the light leaving Bella's eyes made me stomach tie in a knot.

Aro looked at me, "Jane, could you please excuse us? We need to speak to Edward alone." As Jane left, Aro took Marcus' hand. They shared a long glance; He is really bonded to her. "Edward, it is clear that you don't want this human to die. You can so easily avoid that. Give her immortality. Not only will she make an intriguing immortal, but you'll have her always as you want."

My eyes shot up to Aro's face. "What are you talking about?" Caius shook his head, "You would give the girl a place in our Guard?" Aro explained to Caius his decision, while I still contemplated what Aro said. I wanted Bella to be immortal, so that she'll stay with me. No, that cannot be, she is only a human. There were millions of them, so why should this one matter to me? Aro and Caius debated the fact of Bella becoming immortal, while I remained locked within my mind.

"Edward, go. Take her and make your decision. She's yours to keep for how long you want. No one will question on you that. But, for as long as she is human, you must not let her know what you are. If she even suspects what you are, then she will be dealt with. Death or immortality." "Yes. Thank you." My limbs were almost dead as I moved to the door. Edward, I see that your ability does not work on her. Will you allow me to test my own? Aro was always ready to study a new endeavor, "You'll have to ask her."