Chapter 6

Closed Book

Disclaimer: i do not own twilight or any of its characters. SM does. I own the plot of this story only.

Edward's Point Of view:

I wandered in the dark streets of Volterra, ignoring every thing around me as I ran, or rather… I tried to run, from what I was… from what I was expected to be doing, and mainly… the talk I had with Aro just an hour before…

After I had told him that I could not do what was expected to be done by me, Aro told me… like the heartless monster he was that what I was thinking was simply not an option… I couldn't not do what was expected of me… it was a tradition; I couldn't break it, and disgrace my family, my ancestors by not doing it…

Honestly, was his heart dead…?

The answer was clear, yes, it was…

However, he did give me a choice, as he liked to call it. I could enjoy the girl by sucking her dry as she was my singer, and then they would bring someone else for me..

I begged him with my mind to not to make me do it, I couldn't do it, not only to Bella, but also to someone else…

Aro had become irritated with my humane behavior, as he liked to call it… he blamed it all on Carlisle, my guide, my father.

And I had laughed at that one... he was blaming him for the little humanity I had left in me… loke it was something to be ashamed of...

Well, in his eyes, it was…

Aro wasn't my biggest admirer, but he valued me... I was his source of knowing what his enemies were planning… I was his reason for winning every battle he ever fought. I was his main weapon, his tool, his hope, his…reason for ruling.

I wasn't very fond of my job. In fact, I hated it. Even if it included killing monsters, like me… I hated violence, it was something I had inherited form Carlisle. Rather, I had just adopted it from him. Since, he was mainly the one around when I was a newborn.

I shook my head and looked up at the sky-the stars were shining brightly-yet I couldn't appreciate them, for I was a creature of darkness. I sighed as I tried to think what to do now. Aro had behaved like I expected him to, and also Caius. Marcus had been completely disinterested in the whole talk.

What to do now?

Should I go back to my room? No, I can't do that; I'd probably jump at the poor girl before even I realized what was happening. I couldn't stay here, nor could I run, something might happen t her in my absence. The whole castle was full of vampires. And even if they had been warned that she was meant for me, their control could slip easily.

So I walked around aimlessly, there was no human –or any other creature- here in the late hours of night, except me. I was a creature of the dark. I was supposed to be cruel, heartless, feeling no sympathy for my prey as I drank form it and savored its blood, every drop.

Yet, this was not who I was. I was neither here, nor there…

Who should be blamed for that? Who had made me this way?

The answer was simple, easy.

Carlisle…

I gritted my teeth, closed my eyes and punched the wall in front of me. Why, Carlisle, why?

Why you had to make me this way? I don't know what to do. I can't be what I am supposed to be. And it's your fault, all yours.

You're there, with your wife - and probably your family, too. And I am stuck here-never fitting in place, never feeling that this was where I was supposed to be.

I have no single idea what to do now. No single idea!

His words, spoken almost a century ago, re-echoed in my ears.

"It doesn't matter what you are, Edward. It's what you do. Try to do good, at least. Because sometimes, it's the most you can do."

I sighed as I opened my eyes. I was shocked to see that the wall in front of me had been completely destroyed. It was the wall of an ancient ruin, so I had no reason to worry, the humans would assume it had fallen.

I knew what to do now. I would go back-make sure Bella was safe and then I would try to talk to her. I would try to control myself... I would try to do good. At the same time hoping it would prove to be the most.

I ran back to the castle, wincing as I heard the screams of human girls-caused by what my brothers, the other princes, were doing. There was nothing I could do. But I would never do that, ever.

I made my way back to my room, trying to block out the thoughts of others.

I wonder what he will do now? .Alec thought, he has never been happy among us.

I have got a feisty one here, Edward.. James sounded smug, even in his thoughts, as he continued to force himself on the unfortunate girl. Want to exchange sometime, Il Grande Principe? He used the title I had been granted with jealousy. He was inferior to me-in one way.

I growled in disgust and hurried towards my own room, which was-thankfully- farther away from James and Alec's. It was on top of the castle, a tower in fact-which overlooked a beautiful place undiscovered by humans.

I stepped in front of the room. I inhaled deeply, storing the air in my lungs which would enable me to speak a few words without being affected by her scent.

As I inhaled, I listened. Or tried to listen at least. There was no sound except Bella's slow, steady breathing and heartbeat. I was not able to hear a single word from her mind.

I frowned, remembering that I had not given much attention to her thoughts before; I was far too driven by the bloodlust engulfing me. But now, I was worried. I concentrated harder, my hand on the door knob, trying to catch even a slight flavor, the littlest of the tenors of her mind; but found nothing. It felt like a solid wall hit my mind when tried to get inside hers. What was wrong with me?

But, when I listened to the minds of the guards who stood in the floors below me, only then I realized that the problem was not with me, but with her.

Did the girl not think at all? Or had no brain? I shook my head to get rid of the ridiculous idea and opened the door slowly, still not breathing and stepped cautiously into my room.

The first thing I noticed was that my room was a mess. All the objects which recently resided in the shelf or inside the drawers were now on the floor. It was clear she had tried to break the glass wall, as she didn't know it was missile proof. Many of my most prized possessions, books and CDs mainly, and a few photos, would have to be repaired or replaced. I thanked God mentally that my piano and most of my CDs were safely in the other side of the castle. However, the same could not be said about my sound system. I flinched as I saw that it had been almost completely destroyed.

I made these examinations in merely a second as my eyes found her, the girl now sitting on the floor beneath the foot of my bed, a tray containing human food placed in front of her.

Bella, I thought, my singer. An enigma.

She raised her head slowly, as if aware of the dangerous predator in front of her. Her chocolaty brown eyes met mine. First, they were emotionless, blank. Then they were almost hyperventilating, dream and wistful. She shook her head then, her long mahogany tresses blew her scent with full force towards me, and I was thankful I had my weapon this time. No breathing, I reminded myself.

Her eyes were clearer now, more expressive. They were now filled with fiery flames of anger, combined with unwilling admiration and fear. She was right to fear me. I was more dangerous to her than any other person on the planet.

While her eyes and face was expressive, her mind was still a mystery to me. However, I was aware of her small figure more than I should be. I could smell her fear. It made her heart thud loudly and very speedily, and made her breathing fast. I was conscious of the heat radiating off her, of her movements: as she stood up slowly from the ground, the fabric of her shirt brushed against her skin-I was aware of that too. The way she balled her fists, and took a deep breath, as though preparing herself for a fight.

As though she could fight me, the darker side of me, the vampire, the demon, spoke. I quickly pushed that thought away.

She was speaking now, her voice soft yet firm as though these were the last words she would ever speak. And I couldn't blame her, after considering what had happened the first time we met.

"I know what you are and I know what you want to do with me", she spoke, trying to sound brave, yet minute shivers gave her away. "And I want you to know one thing, I' not going to give up so easily. I'm going to fight you with every ounce of courage I possess", she held her chin up as she said this, which unfortunately resulted in revealing of her throat, other wise hidden by her long locks. The top two buttons of her button down were undone. Her skin was creamy, a few moles here and there. Three, I counted, forming a triangle-almost. What appealed me more were the bluish veins visible just beneath the soft, fragile skin. I could hear the blood pumping in them. It made venom flow in my mouth, if I would just…

"Are you listening to me? '', she said, frightened as she felt the intensity of my gaze on her throat.

I diverted my gaze from her throat and looked up. Her voice had, thankfully, made me return to my senses. I was even more grateful for the fact that I had hunted a day ago.

I shook my head as I remembered her question. I was not listening to what she was saying.

"I was saying, that I won't let you have your way with me," she said, "Prince", she added.

"Believe me, I'm not trying to have my way with you", I said, watching as she looked at me in incredulity. "I didn't want you here in the first place. I'd never, ever do that with anyone, human or not".

She looked at me in utter disbelief. "But, but… Gianna said that… ''.

"Gianna is a human. She is paid to retell whatever she's wanted to." My air supply had run short, I had to breathe soon. "The truth is that I am just as helpless here as you are". I couldn't speak anymore.

"But you are a… prince?" she wondered, her anger had melted away as she gazed into my eyes.

I breathed, her scent hit me like a tornado but I resisted, just as I had been resisting for over a century. It was a hundred times more challenging than denying ordinary humans, but still, I managed. I kept my muscles locked in place, forcing myself not to move, not to jump at her like before.

I growled as I made an effort.

And I succeeded.

She was afraid, naturally. Her face was more expressive in fear than in anger. But still, not very much. I couldn't read her mind. I couldn't read her face well. She was like a closed book. So, instead I focused on her eyes, her pupils had dilated in fear.

I remembered what I was planning to say before, so I continued as if nothing had passed.

"I am not the authority here. Kings are. I am bound to do what I have to. I am trapped here, with you. I have been told repeatedly about what I should do with you." Her lips trembled, "But do not worry. I am a monster, but I have denied myself human blood for over a century. Although your blood appeals to me more that any human's, I will resist it. And I will not take advantage of your body. ", she looked at me in disbelief and…. Hope? I decided to give her evidence.

"Look at my eyes", I commanded gently. Brown met gold. "What do you see?" I tried to say this in a soft, whispery voice, my predatory charm included.

"Golden brown", she said, dazed. Not breathing.

"Breath, Bella", I whispered.

She breathed and I felt another wave of blood lust hit me as she exhaled, but I resisted.

"How are they different from those of the others you have met here?" I asked gently. She was much younger than me, even physically. Maybe around sixteen or something.

"They were red, like blood", she shuddered. She had a look of wondrous awe when she asked me, "Why?"

"It's what makes me different from them. I feed on animals, not humans. While their eye-color reflects what they feed on." she nodded, still awed as her yes took in my features and moved down my body and stopped on my robe. She looked at me questioningly.

"We are all color-coded", I shrugged. I was more comfortable around her the more I spent my time with her, I realized.

Looking around the room, I realized again what a mess it was.

"I'm sorry", Bella said, remorseful.

"It's okay" I said. The books and CDs could be replaced. As well as the sound system, I reminded myself. "You should eat now, and then sleep. I'll send Gianna to clean this up."

I made my way towards the door as I heard her call me.

I turned to look at her. She had an expression on her face which I couldn't quite understand. I wished I could read her mind.

"What's your name?", she asked, her face unreadable. It again reminded me of a closed book. You could just see its cover-the title and the picture, nothing else.

"It's Edward", I said.

She was just about to say something else when I cut her speech, "Go to sleep. Don't go out of this room unless you want to be dead." I stated the truth without any sugar coating. Then I added, in a softer tone, "We'll talk later ".

She nodded, no expression her face at all.

Frustrated, I made my way out of the castle.

I had to hunt, have a talk with Gianna and then-after informing Aro- go to the main city to replace what had been destroyed.

The memory of the cluttered room brought a smile to my face as I left the castle.

To hunt.

Author's Note: This chapter was one of the hardest for me to write. But I managed it anyway. I'm really anxious to see what you think.

Thanks to all those people who reviewed. :) And a special thanks to those who have just started to read this story and reviewed for every single chapter. It was great hearing from my readers.

REVIEW PLEASE!

The next chapter won't be up for probably a month because I've got my exams coming and I've got to prepare for them.

Fan-girl Moment:

Anyway, who'll bother to wait to read this story when an ABSOLUTELY AMAZING movie is coming up. Yup, Breaking Dawn's coming up soon, and I know how excited all of you are. I am too. I hope it breaks records.

Love twilight

Love Edward

Love Bella

Love Renesmee

Love Robsten

Just 7 days left, YEAH... ! :D

Question :

Someone PMed me and asked if I had an account or page on Facebook or Twitter etc etc... Um..., I don't really know. The authors who have theirs on FB have written a LOT of stories and I've just written three.

Do you think I should make an account or page on FB?

Bye until the next time,

Love,

the-rebel-in-twilight