Disclaimer- All recognizable characters belong to Mrs. Stephenie Meyer, whereas all new characters belong to me.
Chapter 2- The dead should stay dead
The fire crackled in the hearth. The moon was low in the midnight sky and the stars glittered like diamonds. I closed my book, Wuthering Heights was what I had chosen to read, and laid my head on the back of the couch. I listened to the soft hums coming from the other rooms. People were talking and moving things around, but in the library none of it fazed me. The library was one of the places in Volterra I went to just get away from everything, to just be at peace. Volterra's garden was another. With its dark blue pool and majestic roses almost always in bloom, it was a beautiful place to just kick back and relax. Not only was it a place we trained our soldiers four years ago, but it was also where Edward and me got married three years ago. I could still see that day clearly, of course seeing as how I'm a vampire that doesn't come as a shock.
It was in late July, the sun was shining high in the afternoon sky. Carlisle was patiently waiting to begin the ceremony while I was standing at the back with Aro, who was the one to give me away. Edward was in a tux, looking as handsome as ever up at the alter. My dress was a deep crimson, it matched my eyes. All my bridesmaids' had on the same color, there were six of them in all. Lanina, Ash, Flora, Esme, Alice and Rosalie. Edward's best men were in a suit like his. All of them were waiting to begin the walk down the aisle as much as I was. I looked at the men who were standing beside the women and smiled. There was Travis, Mike, Manny, Jasper, Emmett and Laurent. I was surprised when Edward called Laurent and asked him to be a best man. I was even more surprised when Laurent accepted. Everyone I held dear to me was in the wedding. The pews were filled with the rest of the Volturi, close people to the Volturi, and the soldiers I had fought beside. I'd wanted them there. I smiled when I saw Yuzria cradling Hope in his arms. Next to him was Tori. He was in the first pew along with Caius, Marcus, Jane and Alec. I'd put him there because he was as close to me as they were. Edward was the one to call him and invite him for me. I was glad they were actually being civil to each other; maybe even friends. It was all as perfect as I could ever have wanted it to be.
I looked down at my ring and thought back to when Edward slowly slipped it on my finger and said his vows. The look in his eyes could've made me cry. Those warm topaz eyes of his had shone such devotion and love for me. I knew that even with all out problems, we were soul mates. We were meant to be. A sudden knock on the library door tore me from my memories. I glanced up and saw Edward and Hope standing there. She was in his arms and a weary smile was on her face. " It's bedtime for the little one. She wanted to come say goodnight." Edward told me. I smiled and held out my arms. She wiggled until he finally put her down and came running over to me, throwing herself straight into my embrace. I held her tightly to me and inhaled the lovely scent that ran over her. She kissed me on the cheek and gazed into my eyes.
" Goodnight darling." I said and ran a finger through her hair.
" Night mommy." She replied sweetly and gave me another kiss. " Can I go to work with you tom'row?" She asked. I scrunched my face up in thought, secretly glancing behind her shoulder at Edward. A wide smile was on his face and he shook his head yes. I always made sure everything was alright with him before I made any decisions concerning Hope.
" Sure. I'm almost positive they will love having you there to help." I answered. She squealed with delight and hopped off my lap.
" Did you hear that daddy!" She exclaimed. He picked her back up and exchanged a few words with her. I wasn't really listening, I was just watching how cute they were together. He was such a good dad. He looked at me and told me he would be back in a few minutes, and then he was gone. I knew Hope loved when he took her out running. She said that she felt like she was flying. I could remember when he first ran with me too. But my memories of my human life were fading. I was now writing down everything I could remember into a journal, so I wouldn't lose anything. In fact, I often wrote everything while in the library. Then when I was finished for the night, I would tuck it away in one of the bookshelves. It was unseen by any other eye but mine.
" You know, I am starting to think you love this library more than me." I heard Edward say. I grinned and got up, wrapping my arms around his neck. I pressed my lips to him in a small kiss.
" Ah, it's second to you." I replied with a smirk. " But it is a very close race." He chuckled softly, it was music to my ears. I led him over to the couch and sat on his lap. Then I laid my head on his shoulder and gazed into the fire.
" What are you thinking about?" He asked me quietly. I sighed and looked up at him. Straight into those loving topaz eyes. I kissed his chin and moved my way up to his full lips.
" Just about how lucky I am too have you." I answered against his soft flesh. " Edward, you don't know how much you mean to me." I told him. He lifted my chin up with a finger and looked into my eyes.
" I do, and you mean the world and more to me. But come on, what's going on inside that pretty little head of yours?" I smiled and shrugged my shoulders.
" I'm just thinking about a lot of stuff I guess. I found out today that there is a big chance someone has tampered with my memories Edward. I dreamed about Annebelle's death and it wasn't how I remembered. Lanina called Yuzria, but I don't know what he said. And Aro said he was going to look into things." I said to him. His eyes opened wide and I heard a protective growl slip from his mouth. I laughed and put my hands on his face. " Don't worry my love. I'll settle everything. I'm sure it was one of Annebelle's goons. I just don't know how they managed to." I frowned and looked away from him. " Actually, how did they manage to do that?" The room was silent for a few seconds, but then I shook my head and ripped the thoughts away from my mind.
" I don't like that someone was messing around with that." Edward told me seriously. I rolled my eyes and kissed his forehead.
" And I do? Don't worry, a price comes when you kill a high vampire." I let out a deep breath and then straddled him. I put my forehead to his and kissed him. " It'll be okay." I whispered. He put his hands on my waist and deepened the kiss.
" It better be." He warned me. " Or I may have to get involved." I giggled and pushed my hair out of my face.
" Is that so?" I teased. He shook his head, his face still serious but his eyes were playful and filled with lust.
" Oh yes, no one messes with Mrs. Cullen and lives to talk about it." He pulled my even closer to him and slowly moved his hands up my back. It tickled in a way. I put my lips to his and let out a tiny little moan when he began to massage my back with his hands. I pulled away slightly and smiled.
" I'm glad you protect me." I told him softly. " Even though it isn't really needed."
" Of course I do. Nothing will ever happen to you Bella. Not while I'm around." A piece of his copper colored hair fell over his eye. I brushed it away and kissed him again. Getting all the more passionate as seconds passed. He whispered he loved me and I gladly returned the words. Soon he picked me up and brought me up to our room, making sure the door was locked behind him.
Dawn slowly rose over our bare bodies. I smiled and watched as we began to sparkle in the soft sunlight. I was wrapped in his strong arms, my fingers were running small circles over his stomach. I kissed his neck, grazing my teeth along the skin. He quivered under my touch and his arms gripped my waist even tighter. I smirked and moved up to his mouth. " I am so glad I have that effect on you." I said, my lips on his. He chuckled and flipped us over. Then he moved his teeth down to my stomach, making me tremble just like I had made him. His tongue was soft on my skin and I watched him slowly work his way up.
" The feeling is mutual my dear." He replied as soon as he'd reached my lips. I laughed and was about to kiss him when a knock came from the door. I groaned and put my head on his shoulder.
" Damn people, interrupting us." I mumbled in his flesh. He laughed and lifted up my head. He quickly kissed me and then he took my robe off of one of the bed posts and handed it to me.
" May be important." He pointed out as I began to scowl. He laid back down and threw some covers over his body. I smirked and stood up, throwing the robe over my body. I tied it in the front and made my way over to the door, opening it only a little. Lanina chuckled and held out a manila folder.
" Spells from Yuzria. He sent them over this morning. And he's coming by later today with Tori." She told me. I took the folder from her and glanced inside. They didn't look that hard. I could probably mix them myself.
" Mmk." I muttered, my attention on the spells. I looked up as soon as I felt her poking me. A devilish smile was on her face and she poked me again. " What Lan?" I asked wearily. She giggled and swung open the door before I could stop her. But to her surprise, Edward was dressed and sitting on the bed. She frowned and looked at me.
" Hmm, it isn't fair that your husband can read minds." She complained. " I'll get you one of these days Edward!" She told him defiantly. He grinned that crooked grin I love and shrugged his shoulders.
" You can try." He teased. She growled and turned her attention back to me. I was laughing so hard it was hard to stop. I was finally able to get control of myself and straightened myself up.
" He'll be here at noon." She stated simply. As she went to walk away she hit herself and faced me once more. " Oh, and Aro wants to see you in the dining room. Something about somebody."
" How helpful of you Lan." I joked. She winked and then walked away. I turned around and kissed Edward. " Come down with Hope when she wakes up." I told him. He nodded his head and put his hands around my waist, kissing me deeply. Finally I tore away and put a hand on his shoulder. " Later." I said and gave him a small peck on the lips. Then I closed the folder and headed down to the dining hall. Hopefully this information would help me. Lord knew Aro had all the right people to talk to. Happens when you're a Volturi member. I kinda liked it. No, I loved it. Made my job that much easier. I was so wrapped up in my thoughts I didn't think anything of the loud noise of breaking glass until an arrow was heading right towards me. I ducked and felt it whoosh right past my shoulder, barely grazing my skin. I stood back up and saw it was embedded in the wall. I yanked it out and gazed at it. Everyone came running out of their rooms and rushed towards me. I held up my hands along with the arrow and smiled. " I'm fine." I said to them.
" What happened?" Caius asked, his eyebrows scrunched. I vaguely pointed to the window before I noticed a small engraving on the arrow. I looked closer and then I threw the arrow to the floor. Edward put his arms around me. I stared at the arrow in horror.
" Bella? Bella what's wrong?" He asked, but his voice seemed so far away. I broke away from his grasp and then I turned away, ignoring the calls from behind me. The only thing I cared about was how that arrow got here. Because I'd killed the person who owned them. And once vampires are dead, there is no bringing them back.
A/N: Eh, shorter chapter. Sorry about that. Next one will be longer. Hope you liked it, and thank you for reading! Now all you have to do is review ;) haha.
Until next time,
Faith
