Ok, sorry for not updating right away. Work kicked my butt the other day and I was too tired to write. But hey, good things come to those who wait. So I hope you think this is good and worth the wait. Please feel free to read and review. Give me thoughts and ideas! I'd love to hear them.
Songs for chapter:
Smile Empty Soul – Nowhere Kids
Linkin Park – In the End
BPOV
It had been 3 weeks since my change from mortal to vampire. I had learned a lot about our world and the mortal world. When you didn't sleep or get tired it was easy to learn a lot in a short time. I had discovered I also had a few talents as a vampire. I could resist the taste and smell of human blood, which for a newborn was unheard of. Aro didn't really enjoy this, but I couldn't bring myself to harm a human. After several failed attempts to get me to drink human blood he gave in. He brought me a selection of animals to see which one appealed most to me, I chose the Jaguar.
It didn't fully cool the burning in my throat, but as time went on I learned more and more to ignore it. I also learned to how to better ignore the scent of human blood. It was very appealing however not for me.
Another ability I learned I had was called a shield. I possessed the ability to shield my mind from the abilities of others like me. Jane for example wasn't happy when she learned this. She has the ability to make you think you're in tremendous amounts of pain. When it didn't affect me she became angry and used it on everyone around her. But the extent of my ability, according to Aro, went far beyond just being able to protect myself. He had begun teaching me how to push my shield onto others. I could protect whomever I so chose and myself.
One thing Aro didn't know about my ability was that when I placed my shield around someone I could use his or her abilities as well. It was very interesting using Aro's ability. I could read every thought a person had ever had. I could sense Aro had a suspicion about this part of my ability. He refused to let me touch him. I'm not sure why, maybe a dark path he didn't want me to know about.
He told me he didn't want my beautiful mind to see such horrible things. He loved me as a daughter, or so it seemed.
"Well then my dear, shall we continue your training?" Aro asked as he walked up behind me.
I spent any free time I had standing in the main chamber simply staring at the wall. I used to time to try to remember my past, the time from before I was a vampire. I spent many hours without success however. It pained me to have these images of people I couldn't remember.
"Of course Master Aro. Anything I can do to better myself for the sake of the Volturi, and you of course."
"Very well my child, very well indeed. Today I want to try something a little different." He said eyeing me cautiously. "I want you to try and push your shield out of your mind. Leave it open so to speak."
I was a bit confused on what he was asking. Did he want me to try and drop my shield completely? Why?
"Master what are you asking exactly? Are you going to try and read my thoughts?"
He chuckled.
"No my dear child no. Instead I'm going to have Alec try and use his ability."
This worried me a little bit. I had been told of Alec's ability, seen it a few times against mortals at feeding time. He would leave you with none of your senses. You couldn't see, hear, or feel anything. He walked up next to Aro as if he had been called over.
"As you wish Master Aro. I'm not sure it will work though."
"It doesn't hurt to try my child, it doesn't hurt."
I nodded and acted as if I was trying to lower my shield. I didn't want to risk Aro reading my mind while I was senseless from Alec. I couldn't risk Aro knowing I could use other people's abilities. For some reason I felt like I couldn't fully trust Aro. He always seemed so honest and up front, neither his face nor his voice made me think otherwise.
I must have played the part very well. Aro and Alec both looked at me with disappointment. Aro wanted this badly, and I knew the very reason why. He was suspicious of me. I couldn't make any mistakes.
"That's enough children. We will work on this more tomorrow. For now let us feed and be merry!"
Aro turned and walked away without another word or glance. As he started walking away the chamber doors opened and a fresh new crop of humans walked in for the frenzy. This never sat well with me, why did they have to harm innocent people?
I couldn't say anything however. If I tried to rebel then Aro and the rest of the Volturi would surly destroy me. I couldn't put myself at that kind of risk, not until I knew who I was. Did I have a family, parents, brothers, and sisters? I didn't know, but I wanted more then anything to find out. Even fight a war for something I didn't believe in.
Once the feeding had finished Aro had one of his servants bring in my food. I never understood why he went out of his way to treat me special. It was another reason I didn't feel like I could trust him, and you could tell most of the other Volturi members weren't happy.
I ate quickly and as soon as I was finished I went to do my "meditating." I wanted to try and do as Aro wanted me, only without him being around or his knowledge of it. But as soon as I went to leave he placed his hand on my shoulder to stop me.
"Brothers and sisters, children and lovers gather around please. I wish to speak with all of you on a most important matter."
Everyone stopped immediately and began to form around Aro and I. They were like clones, all damned and following a wise Sheppard. It was pretty pathetic in all reality.
"As you all know there are several covens of vampires other then ourselves. Most all of which are small, maybe 3 or 4. However there are a few exception, and most of these are harmless to our world."
I had heard of these other covens, but I always thought they were all small groups of nomads who traveled together. Aro had told me of just one coven that was larger then most, the Denali family. They lived in Alaska and didn't feed off of human blood. Like myself they preferred animal blood, for whatever reason.
Aro explained this to me when he learned of my dislike for feeding on humans. He said that my dislike wasn't unheard of, just uncommon.
"However I have learned of one, and it is with great sadness that I must do what I do now."
A look of sympathy and then ice came over his face. The change was so fast a mere mortal wouldn't have noticed it.
"Most of you know of my long term friendship with Carlisle Cullen. He has helped many of our kind with accepting what we are by offering an alternative to feeding on human blood."
As he spoke many of the people in the room became rigid. Most of them didn't like that I myself didn't feed on human blood.
"The problem with this is," he continued. " That he has created enemies to the Volturi. His coven, the Cullen family, is opposed to us. They wish to destroy what we are. They wish to wage war!"
At his last words many threatening roars ripped from the throats of the surrounding vampires. Aro eyed me suspiciously as he finished his sentence. I played my part and roared in anger too. I now, more then ever, couldn't show any signs that I didn't agree with what the Volturi were.
I couldn't shake the sense that I had heard of this Cullen family before. I wasn't sure why, but I knew Aro was lying to his followers. I had to stand by him though. After all he was the only person I could ever remember to take care of me. I would fight at his side against this Cullen family, even if it meant my death.
Notes: Sorry if the chapter seemed long. I felt it was important to really get an insight into Bella's mind as a new born. I also felt it was important to stick to Bella's true character from the Twilight series. But isn't it crazy she doesn't remember the Cullen's, or anyone else for that matter? Plus, where are Ben and Angela? Alice saw them in her vision but there is no mention of them. Guess you'll just have to hang around to find out!
