Authors notes deleted 12/01/13

Chapter 5

The week that followed was my week of isolation; it was just another ridiculous vampire tradition. I was in a crappy mood and didn't want to be cooped up. The air was stifling, the fire was roaring as always, and the windows couldn't be opened.

There was nothing for me to do, no one for me to talk to, and knowing the deadline wasn't so far away was putting me on edge, I had no idea how to get us out of here. I dragged a heavy wooden chair up to the window so I could see out of it without straining myself. People milled around the square as usual, all taking photo's, wandering around shops and vendors, having a nice family holiday in the sun. I envied them.

I could see hills in the distance, grass. I hadn't felt grass under my bare feet in years. I hadn't even had the luxury of feeling undiluted sun on my skin. My skin was so white I could see the blood running through my veins under the surface, I snorted. Vampires would just love that.

I needed something to do, anything. I looked around the pristine room, everything was in its place, the floor was swept and clean, the beds were made perfectly. The maid had been when Char went to class.

It was just me, and I didn't know what to do with myself, it was the same every month, I just couldn't be on my own for such a long length of time. I felt like a wild bird locked in a cage, no matter how hard I flapped my wings or screeched I just couldn't get out.

The Major had sent me a box of chocolates, I had yet to burn them, they were too tempting, so they sat on my bedside table, mocking me, laying next to a little card simply signed 'M.J.W'. Why would I want sweets when I felt bloated and smelly and hot?

The room was just too hot.

I grabbed the jug of water that lie on a table beside two crystal glasses, put the fire out and then set to pacing. The chocolates kept looking at me, and that perfectly written monogram, I caught sight of my hanging robe on the next pass and I froze.

Aro had touched that robe and it wasn't due to be cleaned yet, so his scent would linger. I held the sleeve to my nose, but I couldn't smell anything other than detergent and smoke.

Aro. That creepy, lurking, bastard. That small incident had triggered memories and dreams I didn't want to remember. Every time I had ever felt scared or watched in the darkened corridors, or heard a noise at night, I had managed to convince myself that Aro was the monster in the shadows. The monster in my dreams when I was in the dark and had nowhere to run.

Sound carried in the fireplaces, at night, when everything was quiet, you would hear the girls below you, crying. It was always below, the younger ones. The elder ones who slept above had stopped crying years ago.

When the soft sobbing would die down, I would hear other sounds, sounds like stone grinding against stone. For the first few months I would jump up and check the room, see no one and lay down again.

But now, when I thought back, I would see me and Charlotte, her on her side, me on my back, sharing my red bed. I would hear that grinding, sit up and see Aro peering out from the fireplace.

It was the only place in the room I couldn't get too, to fiddle with; it was kind of bricked in, to make it smaller. You could see that it had once been big enough for someone like me to stand in, walk three or four steps and turn back again. Now it was roughly patched up, only big enough for me to sit in if I curled up and shuffled into the space.

I would have nightmares of red eyes. I always thought they were the Major's eyes, but now...now they were Aro's eyes. After all I was safe here; the Major couldn't get to me here, not easily. But Aro had lived in this Castle for centuries, if there were false walls or secret crawl spaces, which I was sure a building as old and as big as this did, then he would know about them.

I continued pacing, my thumb nail tucked under my lip as I wracked my brain for something, anything to keep my occupied and away from Aro, and the Major.

Escape plans. We couldn't go anywhere without seeing a vampire and without being seen. Vampires never slept, they didn't change shifts and leave a fifteen minute gap like cops did, or how I remember my dad had once said. It meant we couldn't creep down the halls in the dead of night and walk out of the front door.

A distraction wouldn't help either, the guards never left their positions, never, maybe if the building was on fire-but no, it was all stone, only paintings and wooden doors would burn, there weren't even carpets.

Maybe if I checked the room again, I would find a secret escape route I hadn't noticed in my previous hundred or so searches. Then Char and I could escape when she got back for lunch, or maybe in the dead of the night. But the door guard would hear us and stop us. I glared at the door as if it had somehow betrayed me, the smooth wood stared back, silently. I snorted, I never actually expected it to apologise for harbouring one of the bloodsuckers that kept me in, I wouldn't have minded if it did though. It would've given me something new, and someone to talk too. Rolling my eyes at myself I turned away from the door before I actually started to talk to it.

It was hopeless, I had given Char false hope; we were going nowhere. The vampires couldn't even be staked. I had all this wooden furniture, firewood, and it wouldn't do a thing, except maybe give me a splinter.

I passed the water jug again; it was glass, crystal. We had only been given old tin jugs and cups when we were younger. Maybe now we were trusted enough to not be suicidal or have breakdowns. It was heavy, if the vampires bled, or were soft enough to have some kind of concussion I could smash some heads in with it. Kill the brain...no, that wasn't vampires, what monsters were only dead if you took out the brain? I didn't remember, but I had a sudden dislike of the jug, it was its fault for bringing me a little ray of hope.

The jug made a satisfying smash when it collided with its co-conspirator, the wooden door. Little shards sliced against my cheek and my ankle, I relished the pain, it made me feel alive. A nasty smirk drew the corner of my lip up, it felt good. A little shot of adrenaline hit my bloodstream and my heart beat that much faster. The door flew open.

"I slipped." I squeaked innocently, covering my sore cheek with my hand. The small women narrowed her eyes as she searched the room with her eyes. I was biding my time till she would leave again, after seeing everything was in order.

Then she whistled a high-pitched sound that made me shrink back. I had never seen that happen before and I was startled, she stepped into the room and closed the door behind her, I staggered back in my shock. I suddenly felt like an idiot, my heart began to pound in fear, I could hear it in my chest.

The vampire stared at me, her eyes dark as my blood scented the air, she stood with her hands behind her back and leered at me from the wall. I went to move and she hissed, I stepped back, putting space between us until I hit the wall, I had no idea what was happening. She wasn't supposed to be in here, she wasn't supposed to do anything other than guard the door. She wasn't supposed to be in my room, she had never been in my room before, it was unprecedented. The door was ajar, it was a barrier between me and the vampires that existed on the other side of it, it had failed.

There was a vampire in my room, looking at me, existing near my things, my precious few things. I felt a little dirty, I wanted to go wash up and then get back to my pacing. I had a routine, I would pace exactly one hundred and thirty seven times, from when Charlotte left and came back for lunch, often stopping to think. We would have lunch, she would go back to class and I would pace three hundred and ninety two times, and count the floorboards and stones that made up the room before she was finished for the day. I wasn't going to have time now, not with this interruption.

There was a knock on the door, and then it swung open to reveal a concerned looking Carlisle holding a medical bag. He looked at me, the door guard, the room and then stepped in, holding the door for the guard to step out. He closed the door behind her and placed his bag on the table I had swept the jug up from, then he examined the scratches on the back of the door with his gentle hands. My day was going to go downhill from here; I wouldn't have time to get everything done now Carlisle was here too.

"Isabella?" He questioned quietly, turning to me, I removed my hand from my cheek, my eyes wide as he approached me.

I prided myself on knowing how things were run in the Academy, I made sure to be observant and miss nothing, it was easy to do behind my mask. But now, in front of a concerned and highly suspicious vampire I felt too exposed.

"Yes, sir?" I asked, wincing at how weak my voice sounded. What I really wanted to do was ask him to leave, I had things to do, but I didn't think he would understand.

His cold fingers cupped my cheek as he turned it towards his probing gaze, he walked me towards the chair I had positioned under the window. I did as I was told, still in shock. Things weren't supposed to happen this way. I knew how many tiles there were in the bathroom, how many stones made up our dorm, how many lefts and rights I took every day, and I was stupid enough to draw unwanted attention to myself in a moment of weakness.

"What happened?" He asked quietly.

"I slipped," I told him, clearing my throat to get rid of the tell tale hitch. He pierced me with his golden gaze, and I didn't squirm, I sat still, my hands clasped in my lap, my feet crossed at the ankle and tucked to the side, a perfect, ladylike, posture.

"You slipped?" The words were enunciated carefully, making sure he understood what I had said. The floors were smooth, I had no bruising on my knees or scrapes on the heels of my hands, but I still nodded.

"Yes, Sir," his eyes searched my face again and he sighed.

"Okay then, I believe you." Getting up from his kneeling position, he walked back to his case and pulled out a swab and a jar of the Major's venom. I flinched when I saw it, but otherwise didn't complain as he healed the small cut on my face, then the small one on my ankle. I hissed as the venom penetrated my skin and burned, Carlisle lay his cool hand on my cheek and ankle till the sensation passed.

"May I please be excused?" I asked, tightening my hands so he couldn't see the slight tremble, he nodded and gestured with his hand as he sealed the venom back up.

Keeping my back straight and my gait even I made my way to the bathroom. I remained calm, closing the door behind me. Then my body shook, and only my iron clad will to keep myself from crying prevented the tears from falling.

I washed my face with cold water, and then patted it dry, taking a few minutes to relax my nerves before I headed back up to my room. Carlisle's back was to me, he was sniffing my robe, my brow crumpled in confusion but I made my way back to the chair.

"Isabella?" Carlisle asked, I stopped and turned to him, my heart hammering again.

"Sir?"

"Is there anything you need to tell me?" He asked, turning to face me, his arms crossing over his chest. All gentility was gone from his face, his eyes had darkened and his cheekbones and nose seemed to have lengthened, he didn't look human at all.

"Sir?"

One of his hands swung out to draw my attention to my robe and my heart thudded again, he cocked his head to the sound and I clasped my hands behind my back.

"Aro's scent is on your robes." He stated, I nodded, silently, praying I could keep my composure.

"Why, is Aro's scent on your robes?" He bellowed, I held my position, but ducked my head.

"Because he touched me, Sir."

"When? Explain everything, from the beginning, leave nothing out." He demanded.

"I was walking back to my room after my healing, Sir."I started, choosing my words carefully. "I paused by a painting and Master Aro, stopped me from touching it."

"By touching you?" I nodded again, my eyes still downcast, I had never seen Carlisle angry, it wasn't pretty.

"Yes, Sir."

"What painting?" He enquired, I could almost hear the gears turning in his head, he was pacing now. I could see his feet walking back and forth in front of me.

"The one with you all in the sun, in the second, north corridor," I told him, licking my dry lips.

"Did he say anything?" His feet stopped moving, right in front of me.

"Um, w-we mustn't touch what doesn't belong t-to us, Sir, and something in Italian when he dismissed me." I conveniently left out the 'my sweet Isabella' part, I didn't see him taking that well when he was so mad already.

"Have you told the Major?" I flinched slightly, but held my ground as I swallowed, trying to lubricate my dry mouth.

"No, Sir." I sighed, waiting for his violent reaction, he didn't disappoint.

"Why not? You are aware of the rules, Isabella! A man has touched you! Your mate has to know!" My hair was disturbed as he roared inches from my face. My eyes teared up.

"He is a head, Sir, and he only touched my robe!" I pleaded, raising my head. My world felt as though it was crumbling around me, but instead of freedom, I was being held down by the debris.

"It's no matter! He has done something he shouldn't have, the Major must be told immediately. You will sit here and wait for me to return!" Then he was gone, my door slamming behind him.

I sat down where I was told to and began shaking. Something terrible was going to happen, I could feel it coming, one touch, one broken jug and a too vigilant door guard. I was going to blame her for whatever was about to happen.

When Carlisle came back, an hour later, he had Esme following him and a wooden trunk. Despite wanting to jump up, I remained seated, my nails cutting into my palms. Esme gave me a reassuring smile and began empty my chest of drawers, neatly, into the trunk. My nostrils flared as I forced myself to remain calm.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Carlisle slip gloves on and seal my robe away in a plastic bag. I desperately wanted to ask what was going on but, Esme, using her unnatural speed, had everything that was mine packed away before I could open my mouth. When I next looked up, both vampires were stood before me.

My second cloak was flung over my shoulders and Esme retied my mask. No words were spoken as we three marched down the hall, Carlisle carting my trunk to save Esme from having to do it, though she was more than able.

We went through the double doors, the doors that were never open. The doors that separated the 'school' from the rest of the castle. I stumbled through the threshold. Esme righted me and I fought to take in every new thing.

There was ruby red carpet here; it felt soft on the heels of my feet. There was more light too, electric bulbs lining the halls, it hurt my eyes. Bright, illuminated effigies of the Italian countryside illuminated the hallways instead of windows. I hadn't seen electricity in years, I was fascinated.

What was more awe inspiring however, was that there was only two vampires in the halls, and they were the two that were with me. There was not one guard in sight. Carlisle ducked into a room; I followed automatically, and stopped after having allowed room for Esme to follow me in.

The room was opulent, the bed -that was centred and against the wall- was huge, bigger than mine and Char's beds put together, and higher too. It was still canopied though, draped in a floaty looking white fabric I guessed was silk. The stone walls were covered in ornate tapestries of the four houses and Latin verses I couldn't understand. But my favourite part was the window. It was a full sized window that allowed sunlight to stream into the room, even through the iron latticework.

Under the window sat a desk and a chair, with a vase full of violets on top. Of course there was a fireplace, a large one, big enough for me to stand in; it stood on the wall opposite to the bed, a large shield with duelling swords crossed over it. In the far corner stood a tall and wide, three-door wardrobe, the chest of drawers and bedside tables all in matching dark wood.

There was a door in the corner, beyond the bed, I guessed it was a bathroom. The door was closed though, so I couldn't tell what it looked like, though I imagined it was beautiful.

"This is your new room, Isabella." Carlisle told me, I looked up at him, standing in front of me, the gentility back in his face, Esme buzzed around in the background, putting away my few belongings. I didn't know what to say to Carlisle, I was finding hard to even breathe.

"You are to stay here till the presentation ceremony. You will not leave the room, your teachers and meals will come to you. The door will be kept locked at all times." I nodded numbly, tears gathering in my eyes.

"Is this my punishment, Sir?" I asked, not doing a very good job of hiding my emotion.

"No." He sighed. "This is what the Major demanded. He will be arriving in Volterra tomorrow night, he wishes you to be kept away from anyone you do not need direct contact with." I twitched, before composing myself.

"So, when he leaves…I can go back to my room?" I had to have hope, hope was all we had, I couldn't let it go now. If I couldn't get back, Charlotte would be kept on the other side of the castle, alone. We would both be alone for the first time in seven years. I had a hard enough time being alone for a few hours let alone the months Carlisle was suggesting. Carlisle shook his head and set to pacing.

"He is angry, I don't know what to expect when he arrives. Though I fear Aro will need to explain himself adequately if he wishes to keep his head. The Major has also demanded that the guard that witnessed the event be present when he arrives." My throat began to hurt with suppressed sobs, I couldn't help but wonder what would've happened if I had told the Major when I was supposed to, or if I hadn't off smashed that stupid jug.

I didn't understand why the Major had so much influence over the Volturi brothers, the Kings of his world. What trumped a king? Why were they so afraid of him as to jump to his every whim?

"This is most peculiar, this shouldn't be happening. Aro should have known better! Nothing pertaining to you goes how it should; you really have him under your spell." I knew he wasn't talking about Aro, but I didn't understand how I had done anything to encourage the Major, I had flat out ignored him.

Carlisle was studying my mask, as though he could see my face beneath it and was searching for his answers. I didn't have any to give him. He blurred from the room, Esme staying behind, and I heard a key turn in the lock.

I panicked, my mask almost hit the floor, but Esme caught it just in time, I tore my way out of my robes and screamed, falling to my knees when it turned into hysterical sobs.