Here is my next chapter...I hope you like it..thank you so much for your likes, follows and reviews!!..I would like to Thank Rene Mai for helping me with my writing and becoming my Beta..because my native language is Greek, I made many mistakes and she offered to help me and I am grateful for that!!after that essential note...Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The next morning, Bella woke up curled in a ball under the blankets. She was freezing. Outside the rain was coming down hard and she could hear thunder in the distance. Obviously, Demetri didn't do a damn thing about the heat last night.
Crawling out of bed, still wrapped in blankets, Bella looked around for lighter or maybe some matches to light a candle. She had no idea why the Volturi still used candles and lanterns instead of electricity. Actually, they did have electricity in some rooms. Chelsea told her about it, but they were in the South Wing. Chelsea also told her about the Volturi hierarchy. How the high ranking members of the Guard didn't have to ask for permission to do anything. People like Jane, Alec, and Chelsea herself had the most power in the coven. That is except for the Masters, of course!
Riffling through her desk and her dresser drawers, Bella finally found an old book of matches on the floor by the closet. As usual, they had forgotten to put anything out of her, but then Bella noticed her phone was gone too. "Figures," she grumbled. But then she noticed a clock on the desk which said. 06:04.
Everything here was so different from America...
To warm up, Bella decided to take a long morning bath, filling up the tub, throwing in some bath salts. Soon the whole bathroom smelled like roses. Bella sank down into the warm soapy water, her body finally thawing out. It felt sublime.
Now refreshed, Bella padded into the bedroom to get dressed and caught her reflection in the mirror. She was a mess. There was a huge bruise on her forehead by the corner of her eye. She also had a large bruise on her left arm, all blue and purple. Funny, yesterday she had not noticed a thing, and neither did Chelsea. But this morning she looked like somebody beat her with a stick. Not to mention her leg hurt. Fortunately, the pain was minuscule. The problem was though, would Aro notice? She hoped not!
Grabbing her make-up bag, Bella covered the bruise around her eye with foundation and powder. However, the one on her arm was not so easily concealed. So she started digging through her closet and found the dress Aro had mentioned earlier. It was a simple dress, somewhat form-fitting, solid black with a skirt that came down just below her knee. Trying it on, the dress fit her perfectly. Unfortunately, the sleeves were not long enough to conceal the bruise. Bella hoped maybe Chelsea would help her by giving her a jacket or another dress.
While Bella was fixing her hair, she tried hiding the bruise, by giving her bangs a slight turn on the left side someone knocked on the door. She figured it would be Demetri bringing her breakfast or Chelsea maybe.
However, it was Corin, carrying a plate of eggs and toast. Her looks always startled Bella. She looked paler than anybody. Even for a Vampire, she was kind of creepy. "Good morning Isabella, I hope you slept well. I brought you some breakfast. I will wait here with you for Chelsea. We are taking you to the library today. Master Aro has ordered that we are not to let you out of our sight, so--"
"Thanks, Corin….um...come inside," Bella said, closing the door. She ate quickly, sitting on the bed, watching Corin with curiosity.
Corin quietly took a seat in the chair across from her. "I hope I don't bring you discomfort little one," she said trying to put Bella at ease.
Bella blushed, somewhat embarrassed. She had to admit, she had been staring at Corin rather funny. She couldn't help it. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you or anything. It's just that for a Vampire, you look really different. I mean, your still pretty and everything, don't get me wrong, but you're just so pale, and your eyes are light red, not dark." Awkwardly, Bella looked away, realizing her words probably just made things ten times worse. "Forgive me."
"I understand," Corin said softly. "It's difficult for me to explain. You see, I spend most of my time with certain Vampires that use my gift continuously, nonstop. This weakens me. If that makes sense. But nothing for you to concern yourself with."
"All right. I suppose you know best. Although there is something I want to ask you, Corin. If I may--"
"Of course, Sparrow, go ahead. Ask me anything."
"When I left the library yesterday I didn't know where the Garden was, and I got lost. I had no idea where I was, which kind of scared me. I kept thinking I was taking the wrong corridor, and I was worried that I would end up running into this Sulpicia you mentioned. You told me she couldn't control her thirst and that she might eat me. So where should I not go?"
Corin's eyes widened. "Oh my, Isabella, there are so many things you need to learn, especially about the wives. They are very dangerous. For your safety, you should stay away from them," Corin said, gazing at her with concern. "In fact, you look like you need some air." Jumping up, she started pulling the curtains back and opened the windows, letting light and air into the room.
Bella took a whiff of the cool fresh air and she felt like a new person. She had been in this cave too long. "So what do you mean by wives?" Bella asked hesitantly. "Does Aro have a wife by any chance?"
"All the Masters do, or at least they did. Aro's wife is Sulpicia. Caius is married to Athenodora, and Marcus…well, he was married to Didyme, but she's no longer with us." Corin's eyes became glassy as if dredging up painful memories. "Forgive me, it's an unpleasant story. Didyme was a truly kind woman and Marcus loved her deeply. They were true mates and her loss left a painful hole in our coven."
"So Aro is married to another woman and he loves her," Bella asked, trying to hide her anger and disappointment.
"Actually no...I don't believe Master Aro loves Mistress Sulpicia. They were never mates, you see. Aro was alone when both his brothers found their mates, and he knew he had to have a mate too. But because he had no time to search, he created his mate. He found a human girl that looked like the ideal woman according to his standards, and made her love him, changing her, but," Corin hesitated a moment as if she was afraid she might have said too much. "But all that belongs to the past. Many things happened after that, but they are not your concern, Sparrow."
"Weren't they happy? If they don't love each other, then why is she still here? Please, Corin, tell me. I need to know...please." Bella grabbed Corin's hand, her eyes filled with agony.
"All right, I'm not sure I understand why this concerns you, but I'll tell you. Many years ago, after Aro got married to Sulpicia, Aro's sister Didyme was found dead. She was murdered, and before you interrupt me, yes, Didyme was Aro's sister. The Masters felt that their wives had to be protected so they locked them up in a tower in the East Wing. It's a highly guarded area, so I wouldn't recommend going that way. After that, Aro avoided Sulpicia because he felt guilty for leaving her alone for months. Once there was a whole year that he didn't go to see her. He sent her some letters though."
"So because they stopped seeing each other, they just stopped loving each other?"
"Well no, something happened in between. Another tragedy occurred in our coven that tore the couple apart, but also Aro's heart--"
Suddenly, a knock on the door interrupted their conversation. Bella opened the door to find Chelsea and she invited her inside. She couldn't hide her disappointment though. She wanted to know what tore Aor and Sulpicia apart.
"Are you ready ladies? It's time for some Volturi education."
"Yes of course," Corin said, standing up. "Bella, we can talk another time…come."
"Coming!" Bella said, slipping on her shoes. Stepping out into the corridor, she walked with the two women to the library.
On the way, Chelsea tried to explain to Bella what she had to do today. "Bella, my dear Sparrow, in two days from now, a trial will take place here at the castle. A leader from a very powerful coven has been accused of various crimes. Master Aro has informed me that since you will be part of the high court, you must learn our rules. So today you will spend your time learning our laws and their consequences. I suspect that you're already aware of the consequences, as these do not to vary from one to the other, but we have some basic laws, not many, and it's essential for you to learn them. The important part is that you understand why the punishment needs to be carried out. Why we have made certain actions a crime. Do you understand?" Chelsea asked somewhat nervously.
"Yes, I do. Learn the laws and understand why they exist…got it. But around what time will we be finished?"
Corin turned to her, somewhat disapprovingly. "Have you something better to do? We are talking about your job as a guard, Isabella. This is the Volturi's sacred duty. We all must do our part. I hope you realize the gravity of your position, and that you are prepared to focus on the job at hand."
"Yes, I realize I need to focus. But I'm starting to get mixed messages here. You see, Master Aro visited me yesterday and told me that we were going out on a date. He said he was going to show me Volterra. Believe me, I know my place and my job. I'm sorry if I stepped out of line."
"So that is why you asked me about Aro and Sulpicia," Corin said, eyeing her. "What is there to be confused about, Sparrow?"
"Well, you both are so nice, and you keep telling me not to trust the Masters, but I feel like Master Aro is also kind. He seems like he wants to protect me and help me. Nothing makes sense between what you tell me, and what actually happens. So, yes, I'm a little confused." Bella was not angry but she was started to become weary. For two days, it felt like she had been on an emotional roller coaster. Everyone was trying to help her, but they kept telling her different things.
The two Vampires looked at each other momentarily, and then Chelsea looked at the floor and Corin apologized. "Forgive us, Isabella, we should never try to confuse you about the Masters. You are right, Master Aro is good and kind to you, and he nee--"
Chelsea stopped her, whispering something only they could hear.
Then Corin continued. "We just want to protect you. Just like the Masters," she said leading Bella into the library to a table stacked with books.
Bella studied for hours, learning and writing down all the Volturi laws, memorizing the punishments that were carried out if they were broken. To be honest, Bella already knew the penalty for most of the laws. It was death, of course. Very few cases had a different outcome, but she also learned about that too. It would have helped if Bella could have stopped thinking about her supposed date with Aro. It also would have helped if Corin and Chelsea would have stopped pushing her so much. She was so tired of reading about Volturi doctrine. She even started inventing up questions so they would slow down.
"So, how was your chat with Master Aro yesterday, Chelsea?" Bella asked nonchalantly.
To her surprise, it was Corin who answered. "It was fine. He just wanted to inform us about some Vampire things going around."
"So you were with Chelsea?" Bella asked, turning to her suspiciously.
"Um...yes, he wanted to talk to us both. Nothing important really."
"Ohh ok"
Around 7 o'clock, they finally decided to call it a day. "Can you please take me back to my room, Chelsea?" Bella asked.
"Of course Sparrow!! And we must decide what you shall wear tonight when Aro takes you out. You must look your best. You will be accompanying the Master after all."
Bella raised her eyebrows.
"I thought you two were against my going out with Aro." Bella glanced back and forth between the two of them.
It was Corin who answered. "Well, I'm going to go. Forgive me, Isabella, I can see that this is important to you, and I will ruin your cheerful atmosphere. So goodnight, please be careful."
Corin waved goodbye and left the room.
Bella was kind of surprised.
"Don't listen to her," Chelsea said. "As long as you are next to our Master, nothing can go wrong."
"I'm glad to hear it."
"However, you do need a makeover."
"Wait...what do you mean Makeover?"
That was it...I hope you liked it..it was a bit of an informative chapter..if you have any question I would be more than pleased to answer!!!