Origins
Chapter 4
by missrebecca
Through the crenulations at the height of the tower, Volterra is a buzz. It is market day, and the humans' mill around buying fresh fruit, flowers, and clothes from the many stalls below. Isabella and Chelsea watch, arms crossed on the parapet, knees on the roof, as their prey go about their lives, unaware of the vultures that sit and wait.
"I wasn't sure you were ever coming back," Chelsea says, brushing at the flyaway strands of hair that escape the tail it is tied in.
"I'll always come back," Isabella replies.
Chelsea drops from her kneeled position, leaning back against the parapet and staring at Isabella until she matches her position. They are old friends; vampires who have been around the Volturi longer than many in this castle. It is a strong bond, though not one that lends itself to easy conversation.
"Where have you been?" Chelsea asks.
Isabella contemplates the question, staring off into the sun filled sky. Five-hundred years is a long time to wander alone, though she managed for the most part. During her times away from the castle she makes a determined effort to avoid any vampires with an affiliation to the Volturi. Though the spies Aro sends after her are often hard to shake, it is not impossible to do so.
"Everywhere," she finally replies. "Most of my time was spent in England. Our kind are only sporadically found there, it makes it simpler to hunt."
The younger vampire smiles before turning mischievous eyes to Isabella. "And I suppose you were alone, that whole time?"
"Of course not," Isabella laughs. "Around the Scottish borders, I ran into an old friend."
Chelsea pulls her thick dark hair from the tie it is kept in, and begins working it into a thick rope-like braid. "Anyone I might know?"
"Perhaps, does Carlisle Cullen ring any bells?"
"Of course," Chelsea replies. "He turned up about a century after you left. Very aggressive. I believe he scared Aro a bit."
Isabella smirks. "I know, I sent him here to do just that."
"Ah, intimidation tactics. Well, they worked." Chelsea shuffles, throwing her waist length braid across one shoulder, as though making herself comfortable. "What else did you two get up to?"
"Exactly what you're thinking. For seventy-four years, before Carlisle found Esme."
Chelsea mockingly cringes. "Discarded for another woman? Nice."
"Not quite. Esme's his mate, and Carlisle's older than I am. I couldn't have been happier for him."
"Yes, Aro was…puzzled that he had not come across Carlisle before." Chelsea's statement is a question in disguise, and Isabella muddles with the truth in her mind before deciding that in this case, the truth can do no harm.
"He has a gift, he is able to hide himself from view of…everyone."
"Like you?"
"No, much better than me." Isabella smiles, contemplating how to explain her friend's tricky gift. "It is intrinsic to who he is. You cannot smell, see, or hear him if he does not want you to. Trackers cannot find him. He is invisible to all, but those he chooses to expose himself to, and me of course."
"Of course. How did his mate find him then?"
"It's bizarre, but as soon as he saw Esme his disappearing act simply…vanished. He was completely exposed to her, it was instinct for her to see him."
The younger vampire smiles as she relaxes into the parapet. "What is she like?"
"Young, very young. But sweet, she may be the kindest person I've met since…well, you know." Chelsea nods and Isabella continues. "Her maker left her to fend for herself, and you know how I feel about that."
"Yes, though I think it's a little ridiculous."
"A maker is responsible for their creations, no matter how old they become." Shaking herself from the dark confines of her mind, Isabella turns a blinding smile to Chelsea. "But enough about me, tell me about Afton."
The younger vampire is sufficiently distracted, and begins an in-depth explanation about exactly how she and her mate met, allowing Isabella to drift away upon her own thoughts. Her ideals on the matter of creators and their creations have always held fast, never wavering once. However, at the turn her thoughts take, she resents the responsibility and what it could mean for her near future.
Just a short little chapter :) Let me know what you think won't you :D
