I don't own anything except for what comes out of my own head.
Just wanted to say a quick thank you to everyone who has reviewed my little story so far. It really makes me happy that people are enjoying the tale. Stay tuned for more drama, and the big reveal of why Bella left.
"I had to come and try to fix things Bella," the voice was so familiar and should have given her that warm safe feeling she was used to. But instead it sent shivers of revulsion down her spine.
"What did you not understand about me saying I never wanted to see any of you again?" Bella's voice was sharp, commanding.
"I understand, but..."
"But NOTHING," Bella cut Jasper off at the start. "You guys, the way you treated me. How could I ever allow things to be 'fixed' that would be like me forgiving you."
A calm began to wash over Bella as she stood there seething.
"DO NOT USE YOUR POWERS ON ME JASPER HALE!" Bella screamed alerting everyone in the castle to an unwanted visitor.
A vampire larger than even Emmett came rushing into the room and stood in front of Bella in a protective crouch.
"What is going on in here?" Aro's voice sliced through the tension. "Why is there shouting and what is the purpose of your visit Mr. Hale is it?"
"I came here on behalf of my family to plead our case to Bella."
"I do not wish to hear anything anymore from any of you." Bella spoke with venom in her voice and then turned her back on Jasper.
Jasper's face fell at Bella's words and soundlessly he left the room with one parting statement.
"Not all of us supported the decisions of our family Bella. Please believe me when I say that."
Bella crumpled to the floor once she heard the door click shut. All the emotions she had been trying to hold back overwhelmed her to the point of sobs. Almost hysterical in her tears Aro rushed over to try and comfort her.
"There, there child I will make sure none of the Cullen Coven will ever hurt you again." He spoke in a fatherly tone. However, in an undertone he made a grave mistake.
"It will be a grave loss to lose such gifted vampires."
"You do not have to lose them," Bella snapped. "I do not wish them to be harmed in any way. I just never wish to see them ever again."
Tears were sliding down her cheeks in torrents as she tried to gather herself after the horrific event that had just happened. To come face to face with one of her tormentors was almost too much for her fragile mind to handle. The large vampire who had rushed into the room first wrapped an arm gently around her.
"Bella, it'll be fine, we are all here for you."
"Wh-who are you?" Bella asked through her tears smiling slightly at the support the stranger showed her.
"I am Felix" he proudly proclaimed to her puffing out his chest. "I am the strongest vampire in existence to my knowledge and am at your service."
With those words he grabbed her hand and bent down brushing his lips against her knuckles.
"Thank you Felix," Bella removed her hand from his and stepped back a pace.
Aro chuckled in the doorway as he watched Bella's brilliant blush spread across her cheeks. Then his head turned as if someone had spoken his name.
"Felix, if you do not mind I wish to speak to Bella alone now. Demetri needs you in the training room anyway." Aro's voice held a indisputable command.
Felix turned to leave, not before winking at Bella and smiling at her in a rather lecherous way. This caused another blush to form.
"Ciao Bella."
"Please sit Bella." Aro gestured at the bed as he took a seat in the desk chair and turned towards her. "I understand that you wanted to know when your change was going to occur."
"Yes, Aro. I just wanted to know so that I could start preparing my memories and myself." Bella responded with a resolute tone.
"We will begin the change at Dawn tomorrow. Do you have a preference as to who is the one who changes you?"
Bella bowed her head. She let the curtain of her dark hair fall across her face shielding her from Aro's view.
"If you wish my child I will go and speak to my brothers and we will figure out a good solution for you." Aro's voice softened.
"That would be fine." Bella's voice.
Bella bade Aro goodbye and shut the door behind him. As she made her way into the bathroom a nagging thought entered her mind.
Where was Demetri when Jasper showed up? He had told her he was going to be there for her didn't he?
She shook her head He was probably just really busy. Where did that thought come from though?
Bella started the shower which looked large enough to clean about 6 people in an smiled as the steam from the hot water spread on the glass. Quickly shedding her clothing she stepped underneath the large showerhead and let the water ease the tension in her muscles. Moaning in appreciation she reached over to the shelf carved into the stone walls and uncapped a bottle of shampoo. She smiled when she smelled the fragrance. Raspberries. Lathering up her hair she began humming a song to herself. She quickly rinsed the foam out and conditioned her hair.
A Large loofah sat on one of the shelves and Bella squeezed a healthy dollop of a honey and cream based body wash onto it. She lathered herself up washing all the grime from her travels off. As she rinsed off it felt like any inhibitions she had towards staying in Volterra were also washed away. Bella stepped out of the shower onto the luxurious bath mat and reached for a towel. As she wrapped it around her body she realized how plush it felt against her skin.
"These must be really expensive towels." she thought to herself as she wrung her hair out into the shower. She piled her hair on top of her head in a loose bun and walked into the bedroom. The clothes Jane was supposed to get here were no where in sight. Bella wrapped the towel tighter against her body and stepped gingerly into the hallway. The cold stone of the floor stinging the soles of her feet.
"Can anyone here me?" She called down the hallway. As she walked one of the uneven stones caused her to stub her toe.
"Damn" she thought as she tripped. A pair of cold arms wrapped around her body as the towel decided to fall away from her. Hands moving almost too quick to see re-knotted the towel into place. She turned to look at her savior. His eyes were almost an exact match of her blush.
"Thank you for saving me Demetri" she breathed. " I was trying to find Jane. She told me she was going to bring me some new clothes."
"I will go find her for you." He said barely disguising a chuckle under his breath.
Demetri dashed away down the hall and Bella carefully made her way down the hallway and back to her room. Stepping inside she had barely closed the door when there was a knock and Jane spoke through the solid wood of the door.
"Bella I found you some clothes." Was the simple statement.
Sighing in relief Bella opened the door and yanked Jane in by her free hand. Jane's eyes widened in surprise as this fragile human pulled her in. The clothes were modest but elegant. A light peach colored tee shirt with a pair of khaki pants. The shoes thankfully were flats. A dark chocolate with lighter khaki stitchng on them.
Bella impulsively pulled Jane into a hug before dashing as carefully as she could into the still warm bathroom. She changed quickly and stepped back into the room. Jane was sitting at the desk with her hands folded and her eyes were twinkling merrily at Bella.
"I'm sorry it took me so long to bring you some new clothes but going through Gianna and Heidi's closets took longer than expected." Jane explained with guilt in her voice.
"It's okay Jane, I just really appreciate you finding me something to wear." Bella leaned over and gave the young vampire a hug. When she pulled back she notcied the hesistation on Jane's face at the close contact with a human. Bella stepped back and sat back down on the bed. Jane sensing her desire to be alone walked towards the door. She paused her hand on the knob.
"I know we only just met but if you ever need to talk I'll be there for you." Jane left with those words.
Bella lay back on the mattress and sighed.
Could she ever trust someone to be there for her again?
Thanks for reading this installment of Wicked Moon. Please feel free to review and leave comments!
Also if you are looking for Bella and Demetri to fall in love immediately then this is not the story for you. She has a lot of healing to do. Let just say the end will be well worth the wait.