I am so sorry for the wait. I got stuck with some terrible writer's block and then school started. I've been so busy. I tried to get on this as soon as I could. I hope you love the update. I am so sorry it took so long. I love all of you for sticking with me. I would like to give special thanks to my reviewers: a guest, jenny, Fleur24, Xo Bella Italiana oX, cathy29jes, vampirechick13, and psychovampirefreak! I appreciate your feedback! I hope this update does not disappoint.
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight….
IZZY/BELLA POV
"You still have yet to change things around here," I remarked quietly as I received an unnecessarily-thorough pat-down from one of the guards. I glanced at the guard slowly feeling up my leg and flashed him a mega-watt smile. His brows shot up in surprise before grinning slyly. Before he could go any further, I whipped around and caught him across the face with my foot, knocking him into the far wall.
"Isabella, was that truly necessary?" Aro asked slightly condescendingly.
"Yes Aro. Yes it was." I crossed my arms over my chest and tried to shake off the violated feeling coursing under my skin.
"Now," Aro said eagerly as he and his brothers sat in their thrones. "Why don't you tell us why you called on us for your safe accommodations?"
"Well, to be honest, things are going downhill at home. And after that incident in the forest, I knew you wouldn't try anything stupid with me. And you have excellent protection. So I figured I was safest here."
At the mention of that day in the forest, all three brothers sat straighter. Aro cleared his throat. "Well, our protection was seriously hindered after that day. It seems you took out over half my security. I don't know if we can offer any kind of safety to a vampire who has repeatedly turned against us."
He was baiting me. My eyes widened slightly before I bowed and dropped to one knee. I stared down at the marble floor with my hair curtaining either side of my face. "In the most sincerest of apologies, I offer my services to the Volturi." My voice barely came out as a whisper but I knew he could hear me.
"I'm sorry, could you repeat that?" Aro was smug. I could hear it in his voice and his thoughts.
With a sigh, I swallowed back the venomous comeback. "I offer my service to the Volturi out of apology for the crimes I have committed."
I heard Aro clap excitedly like a child on Christmas. "Well isn't this wonderful!" He got up from his throne and stood in front of me. I felt his finger under my chin as he pushed my face up to look him in the eyes. I struggled to look submissive instead of defiant. His eyes searched mine, seeking my truth. I sighed and lifted my shield. He gasped as he let all my memories and thoughts fill his mind. Now he knew everything. And that was the single most frightening thing ever. I swallowed back my fear and looked him dead in the eyes.
"Marvelous," he whispered. "You are welcome with us, my dear. Under a few conditions." I winced, knowing this wasn't going to end my way. "You must join my guard. You will be at my disposal any moment I ask for it. You will work under me for as long as I wish. Not a second more, not a second less. And finally, you will obey my every command. Is that clear?"
I looked behind him to where his brothers were sitting in their chairs, watching us eagerly. I looked around the room at all the red-eyed gazes we were receiving. I sighed. "Yes sir."
His cry of joy was one that killed me inside. "Perfect! Guards, show her to where she will be staying. You know where."
I kept my head down as two guards grabbed each arm and carried me out of the room. They carried me through twisting hallways without falter. They obviously knew where they were going. I kept my eyes closed. At least I would be safe here. Stephen can't find me here and Jasper won't have to worry about me any longer. I'm sure he'll find me but I hope he doesn't…for his own safety.
I sigh passed through my lips at the thought of my mate. My glorious mate. I can't believe I left him there. My heart cries for him, yearns for him. I can feel my heart breaking into a million tiny shards every second I'm away from him. It makes my chest feel tight. If I were human, I wouldn't be able to breathe. I miss you Jasper. I'm sorry. Please forgive me.
A door opened behind me and the guards threw me in carelessly. I scrambled to figure out what was going on. When I looked up, the guards were sneering at me as they closed the door. As soon as I heard the click of the door locking, the room was thrown into absolute darkness. It was so dark even I could barely see in here. There was no window. There was no way out. I started hyperventilating. I actually believed I'd be safe here! I started screaming and pounding against the door in a panic.
As soon as my fists made contact with the wood, I felt something tear into my flesh. I screamed and looked at my hand, straining to see. My pinky finger was almost completely sliced off! I gently moved my hand over the space in front of me and felt trillions of little blades that were sharp enough to do some pretty crazy damage. My throat tightened. I held my pinky to my hand and licked the wound so that my venom would help it reattach itself.
I paced around the room frantically, trying to figure out some sort of plan. I heard the door creak open quickly and shut even quicker. I couldn't tell how many people were around me. But I knew that whoever had entered my room had brought friends. I growled at the unknown, unseen figure. I heard someone shuffling to my right and snapped at them. At that moment, I felt arms grip my wrists behind my back and force me to my knees roughly. I struggled and growled menacingly.
I felt a hard smack against my cheek and I calmed immediately. I glared in the direction of the person who slapped me. "Who are you?" I demanded.
"I am the one who is going to determine your fate under the Volturi," the woman said. Lights warmed the room suddenly, from three candles in the hands of the guards standing behind her. I held back the growl threatening to climb out of my throat. "According to my masters' wishes, you will be locked here until you understand your true loyalty to the Volturi."
With that, the candles went out and light flooded the room as the door was opened. It blinded me for a moment, but that moment was all they needed for them to exit and lock the door behind them without another word. I was left in complete darkness. A darkness that scared me and forced me to cower against the first wall I found and sob. I sobbed hard. I had left my mate, thinking I would be safe here. Instead, I put myself into more danger. I felt the tug around my heart, trying to tell me my mate was looking for me. I closed my eyes and simply allowed my mind to go blank.
A few weeks later…
Blood. Need blood. Where? Masters? Need. Hungry. Help. Kill. Feed. Kill. Feed. Kill. Kill. Kill. My mind felt like a wild stream of thoughts, led only by the need to kill and feed. In the back of my mind, I felt as though I were forgetting something, and my chest felt tight every day. I have grown used to that feeling and have decided it was normal. Now if only I had some food. Food…kill…blood…Masters. Where are my Masters? I wish to please them. I wish to help them. They will reward me with a beautiful blonde if I help them. I am ready to help.
"Masters, I need to feed. I need to kill." My voice echoed off the walls and bounced back against my brain. It was still dark in the room, but it does not scare me anymore. I am now quite fond of it. It keeps me safe. I feel no threat here.
Light flooded the room, blinding me. I hissed and retreated to the shadows. "No, no, no," a woman's voice cooed before light warmed every corner of the room with candles. "You need the light. If you wish to feed, you will tolerate the light." I couldn't remember the woman exactly. I knew only the faces of my Masters. "My name is Chloe. I am going to be your new best friend. How does that sound?" I looked at her warily. "Say yes, and you can help your Masters." Immediately I jumped to my feet and nodded vehemently. "Good. Now follow me."
She left the room and I hurried to keep behind her. I was nearly bouncing in excitement. I was going to see my Masters. Maybe they will reward me for being so behaved in my room. The grin I wore threatened to split my face in two. We entered the large room where my Masters sat in their thrones, looking regal as ever.
"Isabella," Aro said to me. I smiled at the sound of his voice. Blessed, is my Master. "I trust your stay has been…enlightening?" I nodded. "Do you wish to help us?"
I smiled. "Oh yes, Master! Please. I will do anything," I replied excitedly. Aro and Marcus raised their brows in surprise, while Caius looked at me with hooded eyes. I smiled at him as well.
"Isabella, who are we?" Aro sounded hesitantly excited. I frowned. Do not be hesitant, my Master.
"You are my Masters. You rule all that I am." I spoke with such certainty that they couldn't help but be excited; especially Caius. Oh yes, my Master. Be happy. It fills me with glee to see you smile.
"That is wonderful, Isabella. Are you ready for your first assignment?" I nodded. "We have a problem with the Romanian coven. They have been trying to overthrow us for the last hundred years but we have not been able to keep them from rebelling. They are gathering an army. Would you please take care of them for us? Use every method you need." I smiled.
"Yes Master. I shall only need a duffel bag and one escort so that you may carry some trust that I will get the job done. They will not need to fight. I will take care of it myself. But I believe it will make you feel more secure." I snapped out of my excitement, and composed myself into a strategic mindset.
"All these things will be provided to you. However, I will go with you to observe your methods of battle. I am curious." Aro sounded pleased. It made me smile. I nodded.
"Brother," Caius said quickly. He stood. "You are needed for a conference with the leader of the Irish coven. I will go with our new warrior and bring with me the scenes from battle. I am not needed and am curious myself of the skills of this girl." He touched his hand to Aro's. I simply watched.
Aro's smile grew. I smiled in response. "Go then, Brother. I shall stay behind. You shall depart tomorrow morning. Be ready." I nodded. "Chloe, please show Isabella back to her quarters."
I turned behind me to see Chloe nod and loop her arm through mine with a smile. A friend. That's what she claimed to be. My new best friend. Did I have a best friend before her? I tried to wrack my brain for the answer but found none. It felt fuzzy. She smiled and I smiled back. She seems to be a good friend. I did not dare read her mind though. Friends don't do that. I followed her with a smile until I heard footsteps behind us. I turned and saw Caius walking toward us.
"Chloe, I wish a moment with the girl. Bring her to my quarters instead. After you deliver her, you may go and fetch Chelsea for me. Tell her to knock first. Thank you." After those brief words, Caius turned and walked away. Chloe seemed shocked but redirected me down another hall anyway. She looked at me with a soft smile when we stopped in front of a door.
"I will go now. Please make yourself comfortable," Chloe seemed excited for some reason that I could not figure out.
I nodded and entered the room. I walked in and shut the door behind me. I looked around and saw a beautiful room with mahogany wood furnishings. In the middle of the room was a king bed with crimson sheets. On the bed was a sixteen year old girl with short brown hair and crystal blue eyes. She was crying and looked scared and tired at the same time. I heard her heartbeat and didn't even have a second thought. I just jumped on the bed and sank my teeth into her throat. She didn't even have time to scream before I was draining her blood from her body.
Her blood ran down my throat like a waterfall from Heaven. I thanked my Masters for giving me this gift. Once I felt she was dry, I threw her lifeless body to the ground and sat on the bed, feeling revived and excited. I was ready to kill for my Masters. I could feel the girl's blood still running down my chin and staining my clothes, but I couldn't find it within me to care. I was much too content to even think about it.
"You look sexy like that, Isabella," Master Caius's voice said from the door. I didn't even sense him approaching. I looked up at him and smiled brightly. His eyes flickered to the floor and back to me with a grin on his face. "Did you enjoy my gift?" His pale blond brow lifted slightly.
"Yes, Master," I spoke with great happiness and contentment. I heard him growl slightly and cocked my head to the side curiously.
"I love it when you address me that way," he groaned. In a flash, he was on top of me, pushing me into the bed with his hands gripping my hips. His lips devoured mine in a searing kiss that I knew would leave them swollen. He growled against me and moved his hands to tangle them in my hair. I kissed him back, ignoring the pain in my chest. I need to make my Master happy. If this makes him happy then I shall do this for him.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him closer. He licked the blood off my chin and kissed my neck. It didn't really make me feel anything except a little sick in my stomach. But I didn't want him to think I wasn't enjoying myself, so I pulled him even closer and exposed more of my neck to give him easier access. He kissed and nibbled and licked my neck while his hand travelled down my body to the collar of my shirt. He ripped it off of me and then sat up to get a good look at me. He growled deep in his throat and went to kiss my exposed torso when there was a knock at the door.
He jumped off me fast and ran to the door. I covered myself up as best as I could and sat up. Caius opened the door after composing himself. A woman walked in and smiled sweetly at me. She was beautiful and she knew it. I saw a little bit of sympathy in her eyes but I was distracted by the box she held in her hand. I looked between her and Caius cautiously and ignored my immodesty. I stood and walked over to them.
"Isabella," Master said sternly. "I need you to sit on the bed." I sat without question. "Close your eyes." I shut my eyes and strained to hear the two of them whispering to each other. I couldn't make out the words but I trusted that Master would make sure I was always safe.
As I sat there quietly, waiting for my next command, I felt a sudden shock shoot through my body. I felt like my body was being fried from the inside. Every nerve caught on fire. I fell against the bed and arched my back, convulsing from the pain. I opened my mouth to scream but no sound came out. I squeezed my eyes shut tighter as the pain made its way to my head and shocked every piece of my brain. I gripped my skull as I thoughtlessly became a human so that I could let the tears escape my eyes. The scream that ripped through my throat felt jagged. The pain grew so horrible that I actually fell into unconsciousness.
I woke up to the sun pouring in my face from a small window. I was sitting in a chair with a belt wrapped around my waist. I looked around and saw I was in a plane. I looked to my right and saw Caius sitting beside me. He was smiling and had my hand in his. I smiled back. Master Caius is so good to me. I couldn't remember going to sleep though. And that is what troubled me most.
"Master," I said softly. "What happened?"
His brows furrowed. "You don't remember?" I shook my head. "We were enjoying our afternoon stroll when I gave you the necklace you are wearing. You were so excited, you passed out. So I let you sleep."
I cocked my head to the side. "But I'm a vampire. Vampires don't sleep."
"You were in human form. Don't you remember your own power allows you to sleep in human form?"
"Now I remember." I smiled as my fingertips ran over the silver band wrapped around my neck like a choker. I fingered the small star pendant dangling from the band. I could remember being in his room and a woman came in with a box. Master Caius opened it and gave me the necklace. I was so overcome with excitement I fainted. I can't remember why I was in human form though. When I smiled back to him, he beamed in a way that made my skin crawl; I didn't make him privy to my reaction.
"Now let's go kill some vampires that have rebelled for the last time," Master said, laying his hand on my upper thigh. I resisted the urge to flinch away while I pondered my reaction. Why would I react this way when I'm with the man I love?
JASPER/MAJOR POV
"Yes, thank you," Peter said into his mobile. We all looked toward him. He nodded. I smiled a slow smile.
A few weeks have passed without my mate in my arms and it has only destroyed my sanity. In fact, on more than one occasion, Peter has had to hold me back from running out the door to Italy. We had a plan…I made the plan…but it was getting difficult to simply sit here and wait. My plan has been set into place and we now know how we are going to go about this.
We have sent a comrade to Romania to gather an "army" that will rebel against the Volturi. He was more than happy to help out when he heard about my situation. He had lost his mate in a tragic accident with the Volturi. If this was his one chance for help, he was not going to give it up.
I turned to the other vampires gearing up. "Are you ready?" I asked them. Rosalie stood silently and nodded. The rest followed suit. "Good. Let's go."
We ran as fast as we could to Romania, hoping that we would get there before the Volturi could. It was a long and horrible run. The closer I got, the more my heart yearned for Izzy. It kept screaming out her name, that she was near. I had to fight my inner demon from surfacing and ruining the well-constructed plan.
A few days later, we saw a plane land in front of the castle we were staying in. Immediately, we all tensed and watched the plane's door open. Caius stepped off the plane with a bright smile, leaving the rest of us extremely confused until she stepped behind him and placed her hand in his with an identical smile on her face. She was almost glowing. I'm sure my face reflected the shock coursing through me.
"Master, you know the plan," her voice whispered. He nodded.
"Of course, love," he purred in response. His emotions were anything but comforting to me. And the way he addressed her set my "blood" on fire. Without thinking, I moved ahead of schedule and jumped from the window of the castle to the ground in front of them. I growled low in my throat at Caius, glaring at their hands joined together.
Izzy cocked her head to the side when she saw me, as if she couldn't figure out who I was. It nearly crushed me to see that look in her eyes. But I had to ignore it. "Caius," I growled. My voice made Izzy step slightly in front of him protectively. "Let her go."
"She has chosen to serve my brothers and me," Caius said smugly. "She can go anytime she wants."
"Master, do you know this man?" Izzy asked without taking her curious eyes off me. Her eyes shone bright with a fresh kill but the red seemed frayed, as if she had been starved. My own eyes widened.
"Izzy," I said carefully. "Do you not remember me?" Her brows furrowed as she struggled to remember my face. She seemed to be pushing a mental barrier, keeping her from the truth. I watched her push harder and then hold onto her heart as if it hurt.
"The thought of you makes my heart hurt. What have you done to me?" Her tone was accusatory.
"Izzy. Listen to me. This isn't you. You're being controlled somehow. You need to push through it and remember me." My eyes pleaded with her.
She closed her eyes and tried to remember me again. As she did, the star pendant on her neck glowed slightly. My eyes widened and I turned to Caius, my accusation visible on my face. He smirked.
Suddenly, I felt a light touch in my head. It's Izzy. She's reading my mind! I smiled and thought of all the time we spent together. Her eyes shone with longing with every memory I showed her. And then something happened. Caius whispered something to her even I couldn't hear and she glared at me.
"You made those up!" She was furious and looked ready to tear me to pieces.
"No I didn't." I felt Peter and Charlotte, Rose and Em, and even Stephen and Rob land behind me. They all looked at Izzy and Caius, putting the pieces together.
"Izzy, come to me," Stephen said gently. I turned my glare to him for trying to take Izzy from me again. He gave me a sheepish look and bowed his head.
"Enough," Caius said calmly. "Time to end this. If you will stand in the way of Volturi business, you will die as well. Isabella, take care of them."
Izzy nodded and stared at me. She came closer, stalking me as if I were prey. Her eyes never left mine. She seemed to be scanning my face, trying to recognize me. I whispered my love to her and closed my eyes, prepared to die by her hands. But nothing happened. I looked up and she was staring at me with wide eyes. I saw recognition weave its way into her eyes. She smiled slightly and reached out to caress my face.
"Now Isabella," Caius commanded. Her face hardened. She turned to Caius slowly. I smirked at him. His own eyes widened slightly.
"What did you call me?" Her voice was laced with venom. She growled at Caius and stalked toward him, just out of his reach. "My name is Izzy," she seethed. Her hand gripped the silver band around her neck and tore it off. It completely shattered and fell to the floor like dirt in her hands. "I wasn't supposed to break that, was I? It's supposed to be resistant to vampire strength, right? Well, I got news for you Caius. I'm no ordinary vampire." She smirked and gripped him by his throat, lifting him off the ground.
"Isabella," Caius tried.
"I think we are done here. I think it's time I end this once and for all." Her voice was a dangerous whisper that carried over to me. "Separating mates is a crime punishable by death. Or does that rule not apply to you?" He looked genuinely scared now. "Jasper. Fire. Now." I didn't hesitate to start her a fire.
"Izzy," I said slowly. "If you kill them…"
"I know. I will rule. I get that," she interrupted me. "But perhaps the vampires of the world are in need of a new ruler." Her smile turned ice cold as she ripped his arm off and threw it behind her into the fire. His howl bounced off the trees as venom dripped from the wound. "For touching me, you lose your arms." She ripped the other one off. "For walking this planet like you own it, I take your legs." She ripped those two off as well and lay his remaining body on the ground so she could stand over him. "For ruling with an icy heart, I take your torso." She ripped his head off and faced it toward the fire so he could watch his body parts burn into a purple smoke.
"And finally, for thinking you could own me, I take your head," she whispered into his ear. He tried to scream but no sound came out. She threw his head in the fire and stood by me. We watched Caius burn together.
She turned to me with venom in her eyes. "Jasper, I'm so sorry." She sounded like she was choking.
"It's okay," I whispered and kissed her softly.
"It's good to have you back, sis," Peter said from behind me. "You scared us back there."
Izzy laughed; music to my ears. "Sorry. I love you guys!" She tackled our family to the ground in a hug. She looked up, seeing Stephen. "What are you doing here?" She stood, glaring at him.
"I'm here to apologize," he said slowly. "I've realized I am not your mate. I should not have ever taken you for myself. I am truly sorry for taking you from your mate. I will be on my way. You'll never see me again. Good-bye." And with that, he was gone with Rob.
She looked at me curiously and shrugged. She smiled at me. "It's good to be home."
"We aren't home, Izzy."
"Home is wherever you are." She hugged me tightly. I kissed her and decided it was time to go. We ran to Volterra to share the news of the death with the Volturi. For some reason the thought made a slow smile creep along my face.
This is going to be fun….
So sorry for the wait. I hope it was worth it. Please review with what you think should happen next. I love all of you!
