AN: Today was supposed to be dedicated to my other story, The Giving Gift, but I wanted to post another chapter for this story…
There shouldn't be as many mistakes in this chappy because I figured out how the spell-check works! Go me!
"You aren't a vampire and you aren't a human-"
"I am both, Rein."
He was amused at this.
He cocked his head like Carlisle. (We all know how that is, don't we?)
7. New Surroundings Part I
I wasn't given a choice on whether I wanted to stay in the castle or if I wanted to leave it, but it was well-known that I wanted to be rid of the place. Aro wouldn't let me leave, but he was subtle about it. "Come, Bella, it is far too late of a time for you to leave now," He had said, "You are more than welcome to sleep in one of the castle rooms. I would much enjoy your company once you have been fully rested."
It was quite clear that I wouldn't be allowed to leave, that I didn't actually own the situation like I thought I had. Aro had insisted that I stay in Edward's quarters because, after all, he wouldn't need the bed. I hadn't wanted to be anywhere near him, or his belongings, but no one can refuse Aro's wishes.
Edward's quarters ended up being on the top floor of the castle. Because I had been only one floor up above the dungeon room and the basement, this was a shock to me.
The room was a mixture of different shades of gold, and black was a main color. The carpet had a dark-gold tint to it, and the bed was the same size as the one I had at Carlisle and Esme's; it was big, huge even. It was the color of pitch-black midnight. It contrasted well with the gold and white in the room.
There were dozens and dozens of shelves of music; he more than likely owned everything there was to own in the music realm.
One would think that all the sleeping I did while I was unconscious would keep me awake and make me not tired…
One would be right.
Though the bed is more comfortable, something I thought impossible, than the bed I had in my healing room, I couldn't bring myself to fall asleep. My legs felt like I had a little case of "Restless Leg Syndrome". This, combined with the fact that I was in this all new environment I knew nothing about, brought me to get up and be snoopy.
There are reasons behind my fascination of werewolves. I was running in the woods one day, hunting, and I came across the pack. They were running a perimeter; it looked like, like they were looking for something… or someone. I saw them change forms, in and out. The process gave me fascination to rival Rein or Carlisle, and what I learned in Rein's office was that there was another who shared the fascination of discovery: my father.
The wolves did not know I was there, but I think they suspected that something was watching them when they went out. Along with my sarcasm, I am a snoop. The wolves, I found, were looking for vampires. They weren't searching for my type of vampire, my family, that drinks animal blood, but they were looking to kill vampires who preyed on humans.
When I put two and two together, I get the obvious answer. Jacob was trying to rage a war between wolves and vampires because it was the only way that his pack would get close to the Volturi and their guard. I must admit, it was a good plan, but Jake wasn't expecting a half-breed vampire/human teen girl to jump between him and his target.
I hadn't taken the time to examine the walls, or any part of the inside of the castle, while I was walking to my, I mean Edward's, room. It really was immaculately designed, gorgeous in every entailment. There were pictures from way back, thousands of years, lining the walls. Aro's I presumed, every detail coordinated according to him as everything was within the castle walls.
I don't know what led me there, but somehow on my walk I ended up beside Jacob. He was as a pictured him: he looked beaten, but healing by the second; he looked tired; he looked absolutely pissed.
He was chained to the floor. I wondered why he hadn't tried to escape, but then I remember the torture that was done to him; he wouldn't want to put himself in that position again.
Before I had gone to bed, a receptionist, Heidi I believe her name was, gave me some clothes to wear. She had given me a blue tank top and short, denim shorts.
I sat cross-legged on the floor in front of his cage-like obstacle. He knew I was there, but he wouldn't open his eyes. "I am trying to get you out of there," I offered, but he still wouldn't look up. He probably didn't even know who I was by my voice alone. He might recognize me if he saw me, but I hoped that he wouldn't.
"You know… I think my opinion on your situation is more… weighted on… than Edward's to Aro. That might mean-"
"If you are here to get into my head you can just piss off," he said with his eyes closed.
"I don't want in your head, Jake. I want… I am a prisoner, too. Aro won't allow me to leave. I think he finds me as an addition rather than a visitor who wants to pass through and be excused."
He opened his eyes then and took in my appearance. "You don't look like a prisoner; if you haven't noticed, you are on the outside of the cage."
"Yes," I started, "But I am not any freer to leave than you, less actually. There is a chance that you will be allowed out, but I am not so sure about myself."
"If I were Aro, his geezer age and everything, I would keep you captive, too," he said with a grin.
I blushed, "It isn't like that, Jake."
"Only my friends call me Jake," he said.
"Well, Jacob Black, will you be my friend in this humongous prison?"
He seemed to mull it over for some time. "What is your name?"
"Bella."
"Bella, you can be my friend on one condition," he said with a smile.
I was a little scared of his expression. "Oh."
"I am hungry," he said.
"Oh!"
"Yeah… Uh, can you get me some food that isn't blood in this place?"
"I actually have no clue," I said honestly.
"Oh," he laughed. It was stranger than anything to see him smile and laugh. I actually felt that he and I could be friends, but I would want him to get out of this place first chance he got. Something told me that he wasn't changed from his "Bad Boy" status that equaled him to Edward, but I thought that I could help him; I could become his friend.
"Let me go and check to see if I can find some food minus blood," I said with a smile.
"Thanks, Bells."
As I was walking around, looking for a kitchen, I ran into Rein, literally. "My apologies, so sorry," he said. When he noticed he had run into me, he smiled mischievously. "What are you doing out of bed?"
I have never been a good liar so this situation was not a clever one to find myself in. "Oh… Me? I was just… admiring the, uh, architecture," I started. Rein looked doubtful. "And I just wanted to find a midnight snack." I had totally forgotten that Rein knew of my dislike of human food now. I was caught in my lie. I grimaced.
"Really? You want 'gross' human food now, do you?"
"Yes," I said in what I hoped was a convincing tone. It wasn't.
"What are you really up walking around for?" It was like he already knew. He probably did.
"I went to visit Jacob Black," I started.
"Ah," he replied.
"Yeah… So, he is hungry. I wanted to get him some food. Human food, no blood, was his request."
Rein laughed. "Well, I was just on my way to check on young Jacob myself."
"Really?"
He pointed to his chest, "Doctor," he said. Right.
"Oh, so do you know-"
"Where to find food without blood? Yes, as a matter of fact I do. This way," he said.
"Thanks for doing this."
"It really is no trouble, Bella. I am a doctor. Both you and Jacob Black are my patient. I don't get very many here, none really."
"You really do remind me of my dad," I said more to myself. I have decided that my father is Charlie, but my dad is Carlisle because he raised me. I haven't chosen my last name though, yet.
"I told him he should become a doctor, you know."
"Really? So you must be the man he talks about. He says that a friend told him to make the best of this life and do what he feels comfortable with. Carlisle is the inspiration for the 'vegetarian' lifestyle that I have. I am grateful even though I am a lot to handle sometimes."
"Yes, you are quite lively," he said with a laugh.
"For a long time I have had to deal with what I did," I began, "My sarcasm and everything about me is defined by that murder."
"You didn't know," he said. "I have tried the 'vegetarian' side, by the way, but I just can't thrive on it. Staying here all the time is not the best, not what some would think. I have a lot of leverage but I will never be allowed to leave freely. I am collected, and human blood is the only thing that I truly enjoy here… Well, that is until you came along."
I stopped. "I have never told my dad or anyone about this, but… I have tried human blood. It was better than chocolate, the most decadent thing imaginable. I didn't kill for it. I have only ever committed one murder. Don't interrupt," I warned. "I stole it. I got it from the hospital blood bank. It was type AB-."
"Bella," he said stunned. AB- is the most craved blood and it's rare.
"I know. It was the first time I had ever tried it, too. After that, it was hard, for years, to go to school with the humans. Any time that one would bleed, I would have to leave school. That is my deepest secret, besides the other."
"You are quite interesting, Bella"
"I think you are too," I said. Then I started walking again.
"Bella," Rein started. He seemed to be struggling over words.
"Yeah?"
"May I be bold and ask you a… personal question?"
"Sure," I said apprehensively.
"… Why did you do it? I mean, why did you save Edward?"
I stopped again… And I told the truth. "I don't know."
"Huh."
"He is… Uh. I just… UGH. I don't know, Rein. I really don't."
"I assumed as much."
"You know what happens when you assume?"
He laughed, hearing the daring tone of my voice. "What?"
"You make an ASS out of U and ME. A-S-S-U-M-E!" I said proudly.
"Quite interesting," he said again.
We rounded the corner then, to the "cage". The room wasn't big, only about a foot on each side of the cage to the wall and there were chairs… I felt that by me sitting on the floor, I really was a prisoner, not a prisonee, if that's a word.
"I- I mean… We brought you food," I told Jake happily.
"Did the bloodsucker touch it?"
"Which one of us are you referring to, Jake?"
He looked confused. Then, he took a whiff of the air around me, "Oh," he said with a grimace.
"I carried the plate," I offered.
He rolled his eyes. "Give me the food, Bells," he started. Then, seeing my expression he added, "Please."
"Here you go, ham and cheese on wheat bread with a glass of water to drink." I said in my waiter voice.
"Thanks, Bells."
"You're welcome."
"How are you feeling, Jacob?" Rein asked, full doctor face on.
Jacob looked at him incredulously. "I feel shitty. Who are you?"
"I beg your pardon, Jacob. I am Dr. Rein-"
"Doctor?" Jake cut him short.
"Yes. I am here to see that you are well," he said.
"I know what a doctor is. I just didn't know that there were any more leech doctors than that one in Forks."
"There aren't many, I grant you," Rein said in a friendly manner. This seemed to affect Jacob.
"I gotta admit, Doc, it's nice to have a break from the torture," he said. "I am getting' better. So you can just leave… you know… when ya want," he said. He caught the expression on my face.
Rein seemed unaffected. "I was actually just about to leave. I will check in to see that you are alright. Jacob, Bella, you should get some rest, both of you."
"See you later, Rein, and thank you," I said.
He nodded. He left.
"You could be nicer," I said. I got up to leave, but he reached through the bars, barely, and caught my hand. "Don't go. I'm sorry," he said.
"Well," I began. His large hand covered my hand completely. An electricity was going through me; his hand was much warmer than mine. "I guess I can stay a little while."
He sat back down then, letting go of my hand he went back to the wall and closed his eyes. Within minutes he was asleep, snoring, and I followed not long after.
I woke up the next morning on the hard, dusty concrete floor. There was a single window in the small room and the bright light from outside was shining full on me. It felt wonderful, like always when I go into the sun on a bright day. I didn't have to look at myself to know what I was glowing; I could feel it.
When I opened my eyes, sitting around the room in chairs were Rein, Emmett, Jasper, and Alec. Jacob was still in his cell.
"You are glowing, Bells. That's freaky," Jake said.
I smiled. "Yeah, it's not sparkles, but it works the magic."
"You're pretty," Alec said.
I laughed. "You had Rein check your eyes lately?"
Rein smiled.
"Where's the rest of the crew?" I asked.
"They are feeding," Jasper responded.
"Oh," I said. "So humans are dying right now? That's Volterra for you."
"Actually, we just finished." Then came Aro, Marcus, Caius, Demetri, Felix, Phil, and Edward.
I didn't reply, but I did sit up into a cross-legged position, still in the light; it gave me confidence.
"How did you sleep, Bella?" Aro asked.
"Comfortably," I said sarcastically.
"Whatever, Bells. You were tossin' and turnin' all night," Jacob said, "I woke up twice because you were talking in your sleep."
I blushed big time on that one.
"That color is lovely on your skin, Bella," Aro commented.
"Ha," I said. "And I do not talk in my-"
"You do, too! I came down here early this morning, Sis, and you were talking 'bout Wat J. Wood or something!" Emmett announced.
I couldn't help it, I busted into giggles and couldn't stop for a full five minutes. When I did stop, I started back up again. By the end of my fit, Emmett was about to die. Again.
"I… Oh my gosh… Wat J. Wood, Emmett? Are you sure?" I asked, still laughing.
"Ye… yeah," he got out.
"I cannot believe it," I said, shaking my head.
"Is that your boooy frieeend?" Emmett asked in a mocking tone. This only made me laugh more.
"Oh yeah, Em. I didn't tell you about the relationship between myself and my government teacher," I said with mock enthusiasm.
"You are dating your government teacher?" Emmett asked, shocked.
I looked at him incredulously. "NO, Emmett." I shook my head. "Wait. You called me Sis."
"Well… yeah."
"Emmy," I said with a bubbly lip.
Emmett and Jasper laughed. I smiled.
"This really is touching, Bella," Phil said.
"Did you enjoy eating your human, Phillip?" I taunted.
"All three of them, Babe," he threw back.
"How many friggin' times do I gotta say not to call me that?" I was angry. I jumped up and went over to him and slapped him.
"I am so sorry, Isabella. You would think that I would be able to notice that you are no longer a baby," he said while looking at me again. I shot him daggers with my eyes.
Rein got up then, "Phil, I would much appreciate it if you would not talk to Bella anymore."
"Why do you care, Rein? Do you have feelings for Bella?"
"I care." He looked menacing. Phil turned back to me. "You told him," he said, amused.
I went to sit back in the light, to calm down. Rein sat back down, too, in his chair.
"What am I missing?" Aro asked.
"Nothing of importance, Aro," Phil said.
"Bella, please," Jasper said.
"Sorry, Jazzy." He looked amused. "The only person who calls me that is-"
"Don't say the name," I shivered. "I call you that now, too." I smiled.
"I like it better when you say it," he admitted.
"Good," I said.
"You talking about that little-" Jacob began.
"Yes," I said.
"I am on Bella's side on that one."
It was silent for a beat; it was the first time that none of us had anything to say. I looked down. My phone was on silent, but it was lit up; someone was calling me. I grimaced and flipped the cell open. I put it to my ear, "Hello?"
"Bella! I am so glad that I got a hold of you, dear. Where are you?" Esme said. I looked up at the vampires in front of me.
"Me? Oh… I am… uh, I'm in Seattle."
"Liar," Phil said with a grin. "Shut up," I mouthed.
"Seattle?" She said.
"Yeah, I am… shopping."
"Shopping? Honey, you hate shopping."
"I wanted to buy some… books."
"Oh, now that makes more sense, honey. I have been calling for a long time now. Why haven't you been answering?" She accused.
"I am so, so, sorry, mom. My phone has been on silent for a while," I said.
"Well keep it on tone or vibrate for me, won't you? And since when do you call me 'mom'?"
"Oh, well, I guess it's just a new thing. I'm sorry, Esme," I said sincerely.
"I love you, Bella," She added in her motherly voice.
"I love you, Mom."
"Oh, the reason I called, Carlisle and I are going to be staying on Isle Esme for a longer time-"
"That's wonderful, Esme!"
"Well, you know Carlisle, always the charmer."
I giggled.
"Will you be okay alone for a little while longer?" She asked, concerned.
"I am quite sure I will manage." She laughed.
"Do you want to speak to Carlisle?"
I thought for a second. "Sure." I looked at Rein. He smiled. I smiled back.
"Hi, daddy," I said.
"I told you," I heard Esme say. I laughed.
"What books are you looking at right now?" Carlisle asked.
I looked around, "… Vampire books and Werewolf books," I laughed.
Jasper and Emmett almost died of laughter that one. "Shush," I mouthed, smiling.
"That's fitting," Carlisle laughed, "We have to go, Bella, we love you!"
"I love you, too dad. Bye."
"Bye-bye, honey," Esme said.
I flipped my phone shut after I set it to tone, then I leaned against the cell bars and let go of a deep breath I didn't know I'd been holding.
"Bella-" Emmett started.
"Don't, Em," I said through my laughter.
"What will happen when they come home and you aren't there?" Rein asked.
"Whooh. I don't know, but I couldn't exactly tell them the truth," I said.
Emmett laughed. "I can just imagine that, Bella, 'Yeah, mom, dad, I am in Volterra, yeah, in Italy with vampires and a werewolf who tried to assassinate Aro Volturi's son, yeah the head vampire, but don't you worry about his son because I am the one that really got shot!" He laughed.
"That was you?" Jake asked. I grimaced. "Yeah, but no harm, no foul. I am okay."
"I shot you."
"Yeah."
"Bells, you brought me food, (insert word) food!"
"You were hungry, Jake."
It was quiet.
"Was that Carlisle Cullen on the phone just now?" Aro asked.
You could hear a pen drop.
AN: I am debating on whether to stop here or not… I think I will, but I will start a new chapter. I don't know if it will post today or not.
