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Chapter 4 – First Night
When Bella got back to her room, Renata turned to leave, opening the door.
"Oh wait, please don't go," Bella pleaded.
Renata's eyes widened in surprise. "You want me to stay?"
"Oh yes, please. You're like the only kind person I've met here."
Renata hesitated for a moment and then came back into the room. "I suppose I could stay for a little while."
"Oh good, have a seat," Bella said, pointing toward the sofa.
Renata gave a shy smile and scurried to one of the chairs. "I usually don't do this," she said nervously.
"You won't get in trouble, will you?"
"Oh no, I'm just…how do you say it? I'm not very sociable I'm afraid."
"Actually, neither am I," Bella said, plopping down on the sofa.
An awkward pause grew between them.
Renata cocked her head. "You know, I'm not the only kind person here. Master Aro is kind."
"Really?"Bella said skeptically.
"Oh yes, very. He's always been kind to me."
"Are you sure about that?" Bella questioned, but then she stopped. "I'm sorry, I probably should keep my mouth shut."
"No, it's all right. Ask me anything?"
Bella figured she would probably regret this, but she asked anyway. "Everyone says that Aro had Chelsea bind you to him."
Renata nodded. "That's true, he did…at least at first."
Bella was surprised. "You don't mind?"
"No, not really. It's hard to explain. I'm not really bound to him anymore. After so many years, Chelsea's bond has kind of worn off."
"Worn off?"
"Yes." Renata leaned back. "You see, nothing's permanent. It's like drugs, you take a little at first, and it makes you euphoric, but after a while, it doesn't do that anymore. Chelsea's power is like that. The intense feeling of acceptance and belonging starts to fade. That's what her power is. It's this feeling of belonging. It's quite lovely, really. Everyone looks at it as so evil, but I actually kind of miss it."
"Yet you're still loyal to Aro."
"Yes."
"May I ask why?"
"Because I believe in him."
"What if you announced you wanted to leave. Would Aro let you?"
'Yes."
"Are you sure about that?"
Renata laughed, pulling her knees up under her chin. "Oh Bella, you think he's so evil, but I don't think you know what true evil is? There are some vampires out there that are truly terrifying. Aro is not one of them."
"What about Caius?"
"Caius is very strict. I suggest you keep your distance. But why all these questions? What about you? Did Aro force you to join us?"
"Yes, he told me he would let Edward live if I joined the Volturi?"
Renata frowned. "Did he actually say that to you, or did you volunteer?"
Thinking back, Bella realized she was the one who actually made the offer. She told him to kill her, not Edward. "I did it to save Edward's life."
Renata gave a big smile and raised her hands. "You see, Aro is kind."
"Somehow, I don't see it that way."
"Oh, but you should. Don't you see? Aro's not much impressed with Edward. He thinks he's petulant and brooding. In fact, just yesterday Aro was complaining about him, 'How dare he come to our court asking us to kill him,'" Renata said, dropping her voice, doing a funny impersonation of Aro, wagging her finger. "What does he think we are, hired killers? The nerve of him.'"
Bella couldn't help but laugh. Her impression was so spot on.
"But don't you see, Bella, he knew you loved Edward, so he spared him. That's kindness."
"No, he wanted my gift."
"Of course he does. That doesn't mean he isn't kind. A cruel ruler would have taken Edward's head and then thrown you into a dungeon. Like I said, you don't know what true evil is."
Bella frowned. "So what do you suggest I do?"
"Listen and learn. Stay close to Aro, he will look after you. Ignore Jane, she's just a child. Try not to make Caius angry, and don't get too attached to any of the secretaries. They don't live long."
"Poor secretaries."
"Yes, it's sad, but in some ways, it's their own fault. I say this because they know what we are and they don't care. All they want is wealth and eternal beauty, and they're willing to become killers for it. It's not a lofty goal."
Bella wasn't sure that was quite fair. "So why did you become a vampire?"
Renata eyes suddenly became sorrowful, her shoulders slumped. "To protect my family."
Bella wanted to ask her more, but she let it drop.
As if to change the subject, Renata picked up a piece of paper on the coffee table. "Oh look, Heidi left a menu for you. Pick something to eat?"
Bella glanced at it. The whole thing was in Italian. She couldn't read a thing. "What is Spaghettini coi Gamberi?" she asked, mangling the words.
"Very thin spaghetti and prawns."
"Okay, I'll get that."
Renata laughed. "Oh, that was easy. You're easy to please, aren't you? That's a good thing. I'll go give this to Heidi," she said, standing up.
"Thank you, Renata. I mean that. I'm so scared."
Renata touched her hand. "Don't be scared. Aro will protect you."
"Do I need to stay in my room?"
"No, but you should probably stay here in the east wing. This is Aro's private section. No one comes here unless invited. You'll be safe here."
Bella chuckled. "What if I get lost?"
"I'll come fetch you. But don't worry, this place is not that big." Renata pointed toward the door. "There's a library at the end of the hall, and a swimming pool, which you must have seen when you came in. There's also a private garden and a gallery. Aro collects priceless antiquities and it's an amazing collection. If you need anything, my room is right next door."
"Okay… thanks."
"Good night, Isabella. I'm sure things will get easier. I think we're going to get along splendidly." Silently, she closed the door.
Now completely alone, Bella felt a little bereft. This spooky castle was so quiet. It was like a tomb.
Around five o'clock, Alec brought her dinner, along with a basket of warm bread, gold eating utensils and a cloth napkin. He opened a bottle of merlot, which she proceeded to drink, getting a little tipsy.
Alec didn't say much. He just looked at her with a curious expression, and then mumbled 'good night' before closing the door.
Now feeling a little less inhibited, Bella decided to investigate the east wing.
There were numerous bedrooms, all of them lavish with brocade bedcovers and marble floors. Beautiful paintings and statues filled the halls. A large atrium was near the pool, filled with fruit trees, flowers, and a goldfish pond.
But one room caught her eye. It was the most amazing bedroom she had ever seen with a huge four poster bed made of gold, which sat on a marble pedestal. The bed covers and curtains were all woven in red, brown, and gold.
Slipping inside, Bella decided to check out the terrace. That's when she heard someone come in. Startled, Bella turned around.
A tall, slender woman dressed in red velvet with honey-gold hair and crimson eyes glared at her. "How dare you come into my private bedroom," she hissed. "I shall have you whipped."
In a rage of fury, she turned and left.
Bella ran, terrified. Oh my God, what have I done? She had to find Renata, now!
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I hope you enjoyed the chapter.
