Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Twilight. I wrote this as a pure embodiment of my love for the series. This is entirely for non-profit.

Chapter NINE

Claustrophobia Calls

Being woken up with a start, dragged through an airport in Volterra in 2 a.m. and then shoved into a limo while still being dazed was not on my list of the top ten bright ways to start a new day. I can't tell if Alec is overly exited to be back home and it resulted in being all edgy and bratty or he's just acting usually like a jerk. He didn't have to hiss on me to watch where I'm stepping when it was not my fault he can't grasp the human notion of sleepiness. I'm just tired, not blind.

But now as I'm watching the beautiful city of Volterra through tinted glass I cannot help but feel the excitement myself. I've never been out of the States before and now I'm practically in one of the most beautiful towns in Europe, enchanted with the sight of cobblestone streets and medieval buildings. I could only imagine how breathtaking this city must be during the day, coated in sunlight.

Alec was the one who insisted on taking this flight and he explained the reason for our abrupt departure thoroughly - it wasn't the fact he cannot be exposed to sunlight.

"I'm afraid you and my endearing sister are not going to meet just yet. Given the lovely personality of Jane and the nature of our relationship, it'll be foolish to expect the warmest welcomes, so I've decided to postpone your introductions. Of course, Jane was very disappointed for not being able to see me in next couple of weeks..." He trailed off, sadness very evident in his eyes. Alec missed his sister.

On a rare occasions when Alec was in a good mood he'd tell me more about her and the life within the Volturi. He was always somewhat prone to sugarcoat everything he said about Jane but I was better than to believe it all - he wasn't lying to me intentionally, that was just the way he saw his sister.

The little I knew about Jane I was very positive the two of us wouldn't get along at all. Firstly, Jane was sadistic, cruel and obviously no stranger when it came to torturing weaker than herself. She was gifted with ability to induce the illusion of worst imaginable burning pain and she didn't hesitate in using it whenever she saw fit. Alec adored his twin and the two of them had close bond that bordered with compulsive possessivness. Alec said if Jane found a special someone (he actually used the word mate, but I'm not really positive on what that meant to vampires), he would most likely tear that person to pieces and set on fire and that said something considering Alec was way calmer than his sister. I don't want to know what she will do to me when she finds out I'm her brother's newest toy, but Alec said he wouldn't allow her to harm me. Yeah, right.

The limo stopped and Alec helped me to get out, saying that the streets are too narrow and slanted for any vehicles. We didn't have to walk long until we came on some sort of square with a fountain in the middle. Alec stopped in front of the tallest building with a huge clock on top and opened the heavy oak doors without any effort. He motioned for me to go in first.

There was a reception desk, empty at the moment, and the whole lobby was tastefully decorated with huge paintings of landscapes. I frowned slightly because it wasn't what I expected. I thought Alec lived in some huge mansion far away from any humans but certainly not a castle open for public. What else did this place hide?

I silently followed Alec who adapted his pace so I wouldn't have to run after him. I observed my surroundings curiously, bare walls illuminated with small candles. It seemed to me we were lost in this maze but Alec showed no signs of hesitation.

Finally, we reached something that resembled a room, filled with furniture in baroque style. I let a sigh escape me when I noticed a girl casually sitting on a table and slightly swinging her toned legs. She looked like she was older than me by a year or so but she wasn't any taller. Her russet hair fell to her waist in elegant waves, framing her heart-shaped face specked with remains of freckles. She had an upturned nose and her upper lip held small dominance over the other but she was absolutely gorgeous, nonetheless. Her petite figure was clad in deep blue satin dress covered by dark grey cape. Only thing that didn't fit in her innocent image was her piercing ruby eyes.

"Hello, Corin." Alec addressed her and bored expression on her face was wiped off by a dazzling dimpled smile as she eyed me and Alec.

"Oh, Alec! Nice to have you back, it was really empty here without you and I started getting on Demetri's nerves..." Corin's voice sounded like a chime of bells and a familiar pang of jealousy bit me.

Alec interrupted her with a fond smile. "I'd like you to meet someone. Corin, this is Bree. She is mine, and that means non-edible."

I wanted to correct him by saying I'm not his but that would also mean that I fall under the 'edible' category, so I kept my mouth shut as Corin smiled brightly but I was too confused to return it so I just stared dumbly.

Corin tilted her head, friendliness radiating around her. "Hey, Bree."

"I'm about to ask you a favor, Corin. I have to give my full report to Masters and I don't think they'll appreciate me parading a human under their noses. Can you keep a close eye on her untill I return?" Alec folded his arms and cast a side glance in my direction, warning me to behave.

Corin beamed. "Sure, no problem." She seemed strangely pleased because of it, and I couldn't help but wonder if she planned on eating me. "You know, Alec, you can't really keep it a secret from Aro but I don't think Caius will be happy with you either, especially after what happened the last time human was in Volterra. Little oblivion will do him no harm."

Alec chuckled darkly at something only the two of them knew. "I agree. Although the impaling part was quite... spectacular. Caius is indeed a show maker. I really have to go now and I'm warning you not to let Bree out of your sight since she is so prone to get herself into unnecessary trouble."

I frowned because he made me sound like a delinquent. Redhead was quite optimistic, though. "Leave it all to me."

Alec was gone in a second and I shifted my weight to other leg, feeling slightly nervous. This was my first time being alone with a vampire who isn't Alec (if I don't count the Cullens but I didn't know they were vampires back when I met them). I stared at my shoes, not sure how to behave.

"You don't have to stand, Bree. Get yourself comfortable." Corin pointed towards the sofa and set of armchairs that beamed with invitation. "I'd tell you I don't bite to break the ice better but that would be an impudent lie..." Corin started off and I realized that despite her open personality she could be just as insecure as I was.

I sat on the sofa opposite of her and lolled on my back. "Yeah, but you don't need to go through all 'getting to know better' process with me , Corin. Alec had made it known how easily replaceable I am to him." I realized too late that was not very discouraging thing to say to a vampire when trying to save your neck.

Corin frowned and pursed her lips. "What? No, you must be rather special to keep Alec's interest for long." She mused and seemed utterly convinced.

Someone had to pop that bubble for her. "Keeping Alec's 'special' interest sounds more like a bitter nuisance than a reason for celebration to me." I used the quotation marks, emphasizing word special. I was being completely honest with her, but she reclined her head and started laughing loudly, like she couldn't imagine anything funnier than what I've just said to her.

"Haha, gotta love the irony at its best!" She said in-between her giggles, and I looked quizzically at her but she just shrugged her slim shoulders. "After so many years Alec has finally found a girl to whom he has shown some genuine affection and you must be the first among thousands that isn't infatuated with him." Corin explained and watched me like she hasn't seen anything similar in her lifetime.

I sneered. "Genuine affection? Don't be delusional, Corin. I'm merely an instrument to break the monotony of a bored vampire."

She sighed exasperatedly. "I wish I had your brains when I first met Alec, you know. It would have spared me a lot of pain and unshed tears." It sounded like a confession and my jaw almost fell off.

I gaped at her blankly before remembering to close my mouth. "No way? You and Alec had a thing?"

"Yeah, unfortunately." She waved her small hand dismissively, like that part of her past wasn't important anymore. "But it's been only once and centuries have passed since. We're good friends now that we'd buried our lust under the layers of time."

"Phew, looks like you'd lived through many years," I concluded with a pout.

Corin nodded her head. "Indeed. I was born in early 1800s but I'm not nearly as old as most of the other members of the Volturi."

"How old is Alec then?" I furrowed my brow, cursing my curiosity. Corin chuckles sweetly before replying. "He hasn't told you yet? Poor boy, must be embarrassed. Last December he and Jane reached their twelfth century of existence."

I blinked few time, doubting my hearing. "Aa... wait, what? He's, like, over a thousand years old! Ew..." It was shocking to say the least and I rolled my eyes.

Amusement lit Corin's face. "True enough. He and Jane are one of the oldest members of the Volturi."

Okay, time to change the subject to something other than Alec. "Who's youngest then?"

Corin rose from the table just to come closer to me and sat on the armchair. She folded her legs beneath her and put her thick hair behind her ear. "It's Santiago. He's only 82 years old and I should introduce you to him later. You might get along well considering you're so close in actual age."

"Wow, I'm relieved to know I can hang out with guy who's only 5 times older than me," I muttered sarcastically and Corin gave me her dimpled smile. "Hey, be grateful he's not 75 times older than you like someone we know." She rolled her red eyes and then leaned in like she wanted to share a secret. "But the thing is that nobody technically gets old as a vampire. Our minds are frozen in whatever age we were changed and we will never reach maturity that follows adulthood. We'll always be driven by impulse and hormones even if we are to live for eternity."

"Uh, we?" I bit my lip, not liking the plural.

"Sorry, I meant vampires like the twins and myself. Alec was almost seventeen when he was bitten, you know..." Corin went silent as sound of footsteps alerted her to someone's arrival. I figured it was deliberately for the benefit of not startling me.

"I leave you two alone for ten minutes and you're already gossiping behind my back. How unsurprising of you, Corin," One very familiar voice drawled impatiently and I turned my head to see Alec standing beside me, his hand outstretched to help me up. Even though he was only absent for short ten minutes he was clad entirely in black, wearing cape similar to Corin's, only in darker shade and when I looked closely I noted that his hair was damp, like he just took a shower. When did he..?

"Well, correct me if I'm wrong but you've never cared about people gossiping about you." She glared at him, his eyes narrowing to red slits. And here I thought they were friends...

Alec returned the gesture and when it became obvious that I won't get up on my own he yanked me up to my feet with more force than necessary. "I'm aware that many unappealing rumors are circulating around about me but they are not meant for everyone's ears." With that he covered my ears with his hands to illustrate a point but that didn't prevent me from hearing what Corin replied.

"Look at him getting all worked up about a certain girl finding out about his obscene actions in past," She huffed but Alec only rolled his eyes at her and took my head in his, already walking out of the room.

"Shut your loud mouth already, Corin. Thank you for keeping Bree company but we have to leave."

Corin shouted after me. "Hey Bree, it was nice meeting you. You should come again to me if you need someone to give you heads up about this place."

"Your guidance shall not be necessary," Alec spoke through clenched teeth as I shouted back: "Bye, Corin."

Corin's laughter was heard as we entered the maze-like hallway again, only Alec pace was slightly faster this time and my hand being trapped in his I didn't really have any choice but to jog after him. Apparently, my humiliation has no end.

After Alec decided we were far enough for Corin not to hear us, he asked me hastily. "What exactly did you hear from Corin, Bree? About me, I mean."

I thought about it for a second. "Enough to get me disgusted." I finally spoke and Alec froze in place resulting in me colliding with his back and almost having a nose fracture. Alec watched me with widened eyes and I spat sourly: "I know your dark secret, Alec."

For the first time in a while Alec looked quite unsure of himself. He gaped at me and blinked. If I didn't know any better I would say he was afraid. He raked his hand through hair and finally decided to return my glance. "I have many such secrets, Bree. Which one did the insolent little... ginger decided to publically announce?"

My eyes narrowed and I feigned a content smile. "I don't know. Maybe it was the one about you being old as a freaking Bible! When did you plan on telling me you have a millennia behind yourself?"

I glared severely at him but only thing that he gave off was immense relief. What else did he have in his record to be relieved when I found out about his age? I couldn't think of many worse things but maybe I just lacked imagination.

"Ah, that one. I didn't feel like that was particularly vital information about myself. I would've told you if you just asked me, Bree." Alec cast me a lovely smile and my heart skipped a beat. I bet he heard it.

I scowled at him. "Yeah, whatever. You're still abnormally old, Alec. Nobody should be allowed to live that long. And how come that nobody ripped your head off for all that time?" I pouted, wondering if it wound be a good or a bad thing.

Alec smirked cruelly. "Believe me, they've tried." With that he released my hand and loosened his collar, exposing the better part of his neck and shoulders. I've already seen it but I blushed all the same.

"What?" I strained my eyes but all I saw was perfectly impeccable pale surface. Alec snorted almost as he had anticipated this. "Come closer if you can't see."

And I did so, my cheeks burning red as my heart kept beating very loudly - I've heard it, so you know how loud it was. But when I looked very closely I saw there were several completely white scars stretching across his neck and shoulders. It was barely visible for me but it looked like someone had tried really hard on detaching Alec's head. I don't know why, but my heart sank just as I tried to imagine that scenario.

"Does it hurt?" I failed in concealing worry in my voice and Alec smiled warmly at me. "No, but I've learnt to live with them quite well and girls seem to like scars. They show how experienced I am on battle field."

Thankfully, Alec pulled back his cape and we started walking again. I replied dryly. "It's a matter of opinion." I would like it more if he didn't have any scars at all - probably because I would be much calmer knowing his life was never endangered.

Alec stopped in front of one room with doors made of elegant dark wood and smiled knowingly as he turned the knob. He let me enter it first and I sighed in surprise when I went inside.

"Whose room is this?" I asked absently, my eyes taking in every single detail of the gloomy room. It barely had any furniture at all, but the strong presence of its owner was very evident. Bare stone mixed with walls painted in pitch black, but yet very tastefully organized and giving off an impression it was a world of itself. It wasn't a standard cube room, it was shaped like letter L and it had two more doors leading somewhere else. A dominant furniture was huge king sized bed, beautifully carved in wood with silky crimson sheets. A large bookcase was spreading across the wall and it probably contained more books than I ever had an opportunity to read. I gulped when I couldn't shake the feeling the room was used for purposes too tainting for a mind like mine to imagine. Nothing implied any torture or similar doings but the heavy feel that this room is inexplicably bad was so present it was almost palpable.

Alec shoved his hands in pockets, carefully scrutinizing my reaction. "Mine. And yours now. You and I are going to share the room."

I actually smiled at that - miracles happen. "Wow, I'm basking in joy."

"Is everything according to your taste?" He wondered soberly as I made few hesitant steps towards the bookcase, inspecting the titles. Some of them weren't even in English but I recognized none, anyway. "Well, to be honest your room looks like a dungeon. All that's lacking are chains and other restraining devices."

He chuckled, mischief gleaming in his burgundy eyes. "Would you like me to get those?"

I sent him my famous glare that plainly answered his question. "Don't get ahead of yourself. And I highly doubt that you'd allow me to line up my teddy bear collection on your precious headboard." We had an argument back in Seattle about it and Alec seriously couldn't grasp why would a person of my age want to sleep with the bunch of plushy animals surrounding her. Well, it would be rather disconcerting if he understood.

Alec frowned sternly, averting his eyes. "Only if you must. Although I would find it kind of demotivating when we..."

Obliviousness, come back. "What, Alec?"

"You know what, Bree," He retorted in equally unpleasant tone and his expression slightly hardened. "Don't ask me to tell you things you don't want to hear."

For a change, I wasn't ashamed like every time Alec started this topic. I was enraged. "Then don't mention it. You brought me here as your slave but as long as I have what little third is left of my free will you cannot force me into anything you've just implied. It's on me to decide with who I want to do whatever I do in my sex life."

Alec reclined his head against a stone wall and sent me a glare which I assumed many humans and vampires saw just before they died. His slanted smirk made him look like an actual predator and I silently feared that this time I may have crossed the invisible line. "No," his voice was strangely raw.

I forced myself to stay in place and not back out running. "What was that?" Damn my shrill voice, it's giving away everything.

"If you believe I shall let anyone else touch you in that way then you are exceptionally delusive. I'd rather mercilessly slaughter, disembowel, rip to shreds, maim and burn whoever attempts to claims what's mine. I'll continue doing so until there's nothing left of him but unrecognizable mass of what was once a body, living or undead. I'm glad we clarified that. It would be me or nobody." He smiled lovely and I knew it wouldn't be his first time taking someone's life through torture. This was experience talking.

I gulped and tried to remain my composure. "Your picturesque descriptions are truly breathtaking, Alec."

Alec's harsh features actually softened, like he suddenly remembered who was he talking to. "Indeed. But I imagine your monastic attitude towards sex will change over time and you'll come to me then. Celibacy can really be aggravating if you're dealing with teenage hormones and your body is aching for relief. And I'll be more than complying to help you with it, my precious, inexperienced little slave," Alec said with utmost confidence that made me want to punch his face. What does he know about me, anyway? I'll rather commit a suicide using toothbrush than seek comfort in Alec's bed.

I brushed it off and leaned on my back on foregoing bed, considering which would be the best way to counterattack. A smirk actually graced my lips as I spoke. "Corin said you bedded her."

The reaction was just as I anticipated, Alec's red eyes popped open and he glared at me disbelievingly. "Just when did the two of you managed to ravage that subject?"

"She merely mentioned it. It's funny how the thing that happened 'centuries ago' can reach to your heart now. Were you and Corin in love?" I batted my lashes sheepishly at growling and obviously enraged Alec.

I did not wince at his ultimate death glare. "It seems Corin misinterpreted the situation to you once again. At the time when it happened she had some sort of misplaced infatuation with me. I assure you she was aware of my motive right from the start and she chose the eventual outcome. It's rather hypocritical of her to play victim before you."

I chuckled. "Please, Alec, don't start talking about hypocrisy now, it's kinda ironic. Not to mention it's getting old. It is pretty obvious you seduced the poor girl and then fuc..." My rant was rudely interrupted by icy hand over my mouth. I bit back the urge to chew on it.

My gaze met Alec's and for the second time today I wish I cut off my tongue. He sighed finally and removed his hand, lying beside me on bed. I arched my brows at him.

"I see Corin is quite a bad influence on you, Bree. You shall not be seeing her anytime in near future," Alec moved dark wisps of my hair and stared at my eyes. I bit on my lip and then murmured without thinking: "Oh, look who's saying!"

A well placed double knock on the door saved me from Alec's reaction. I sighed contently while Alec deftly stood up with a grim expression on his alabaster face.

He opened the door and his frown deepened. "Huh, it's you."

"Don't you 'huh, it's you' me!" One beautifully pitched and musical voice rang and I tried to position myself so I could have a better look on whoever it belonged. The voice went on: "You haven't seen us in months and you're being such an asshole."

Alec looked just about ready to commit premeditated murder. "Can I help you with something? Somehow I doubt two busy ladies such as yourselves would make an appearance in my chambers just to make a social call. I didn't know my presence evoked such endearing feeling on your side."

The voice chuckled bitterly. "Don't flatter yourself. We're here to see the upshot of your latest act of self-sufficient arrogance."

"Corin told us you brought a human girl from America. Now it makes much more sense why you didn't want to meet with Jane earlier." Another melodic voice made its presence known, this one somehow softer and calmer comparing to the previous. I idly sat on the edge of Alec's bed, knowing well he wouldn't be happy if I just decided to join the conversation and this wasn't the time for making Alec lose his temper.

The first voice chimed again: "Yes, and I don't envy the poor girl. Jane automatically hates everyone who passes the radius of ten miles to her speshul little brother," Voice cooed and I saw a white hand pinch Alec's cheek before he slapped it away. It should be listed as extremely dangerous and life-threatening activity given the fact Alec looked like embodiment of the Death himself. Teasing him would be the last thing on my mind and to whoever valued his life but that obviously didn't apply to the brave woman before him.

"So, Alec, will you move and let us meet Bree?" I winced at the mention of my name.

Alec emitted a low growl but complied nonetheless. I almost felt my jaw detaching when the most beautiful woman I have ever seen entered the room. My eyes simply could not take in the absolute beauty she radiated, even for a vampire. She was tall and slender with tresses of mahogany hair enveloping her heartbreaking frame and generous curves. Tall cheekbones and unusually full lips complimented her face and her blood-red gaze landed on me.

Behind her was another vampire, slightly shorter and younger looking with shoulder-length chocolate brown hair and wide dark eyes. She was also a sight to relish in but it was easy to overlook her while standing next to goddess.

The mahogany haired beauty nodded in my direction and smiled at me. For a second I considered changing my sexual orientation and all I could do is stare blankly. "Oh, so you must be Bree. My name is Heidi and my friend here is Renata. We heard about you and couldn't resist coming here to annoy Alec some more."

I started playing with the hem of my shirt, averting my eyes so I can think reasonably. "Wow. N-nice to meet you all," I stammered shyly, trying to catch my breath.

I noted in my peripheral vision that Heidi turned to her friend. "See, Ren? I told you she must be a nice girl."

"Which makes me all that curious why did she end up with Alec of all people?" Chocolate haired one concluded wisely. I wonder the same thing.

Alec's limited patience seemed to wear off. "Are you done yet?"

Heidi clicked her tongue disapprovingly at his lame hospitality. "I see that Mr. Obnoxious is eager for us to leave but do know this, Bree, if this brute gets too domineering my room is first on the left after the grand staircases. Don't be shy to come and visit anytime," She said in pleasantly and winked.

"Thanks. I'll keep that in mind," I replied and she nodded her head and beamed: "Sure you do."

I could almost imagine a vein pulsing on Alec's temple as he hissed through his gritted teeth. "Ok, that's enough. Out. Both of you."

Renata rolled her black eyes at him. "Ouch. Who stole your fake fangs, Alec? Oh, it was nice to meet you, Bree." She added with a smile directed at me and I couldn't help but return.

"And by the way, Alec, a bunch of juicy humans are waiting in front of a Clock Tower for me to take them in for a tour. I thought you wanted to know." Heidi informed as she made her way out of the room and Alec drily retorted: "I do. Now leave."

I wondered what kind of touristic program did this castle offer when they had bunch of people waiting in the middle of a night for a tour of Italian version of Dracula's castle. And what Alec had to do with it?

Alec slammed the door shut after they left but I was too confused to try to calm him down. I frowned and decided to ask Alec. "Um, tourists?"

His face was apathetic. "Food, Bree."

I instantly felt bad for asking. I knew I couldn't make a difference even if Alec allowed me to exit the room without his supervision but the feeling of guilt was present, nonetheless. Just being alive while they were sentenced to death was making me nauseous.

I peeked through my lashes at him, still a bit hopeful. "Can't you just skip a meal or something?"

Alec's dark mood lightened momentarily and he offered me bewildered and slightly shy smile. "Why? Can't stand not being in my enchanting presence for a few minutes?"

I stuck my tongue out. Of course he would believe the world was revolving around him. "Just feeling sorry for the lives you're about to take."

He shrugged, indifference clouding his hopeful face. "They'd die anyway. I just want my fair share."

"Of course you do." I whispered bitterly when I noticed Alec had a little silver key in his hand and I stood up, gripping onto his hand furiously.

"You're locking me up?" The look of terror on my face must have caused the guilty expression on his face and he sighed tiredly before offering his explanation: "The castle is a dangerous place and I don't want you wandering alone here, especially during the feeding. Wait for me, okay?" He planted a cold kiss on my forehead and in a blink he was gone and the sound of a door locking never sounded so eerie.

"What else can I do anyway?" I mumbled to myself and took off my shoes before curling up in a ball beneath the silken bedclothes. I was too wired to sleep now but after all, it was still night and the sleep will come eventually. Last thought that crossed my mind before falling asleep was the one of Alec with smoldering red eyes and blood leaking from the ends of his lips, calling me to join him. I smiled contently before reaching into his embrace.

A/N: I'm aware how the title of this chapter doesn't make any sense unless you're very creative but I'm too lazy to think of anything else. I'm just glad I finally managed to finish this installment. ;)

And yes, Corin's personality. I figured the person with ability to induce happiness would have a bubble-y personality, so she definitely made it in my favourites. ^^

Nothing makes me more eager to continue with this story than lovely reviews you wrote. ;) Thank you so much, your feedback is very appreciated. (hint*hint)