Disclaimer: The Twilight Series and its characters belong to Stephenie Meyer. Any other characters, settings etc. are property of their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
Last time:
They didn't have the opportunity to argue their case. They were captured, judged and executed without a trial —not that they didn't deserve to die. But the way they were disposed of…it was wrong.
In the human world, even the most vicious criminal is considered innocent until proven guilty. In the vampire world the Volturi ruled.
They killed humans and their own kind without a trace of regret.
Sick bastards.
~X~
Chapter 11:
As time passed, I learned that the Volturi patrolled the world looking for vampires whose uncontrolled behavior threatened to expose their existence. That was their number one priority —or so they said. I also learned they continually sent scouts out to look for vampires or even humans who showed signs of having powers that would become useful to them. These individuals were not to be harmed. They were brought to Volterra and convinced that it was in their best interest to join their community.
They were fools if they believed these lies. It was in the best interest of the Volturi not the other way around.
During my stay in Volterra, I spent it either in the library, my room or observing their physical training. I didn't join them again in one of their "missions"; the images of the way those three rogue vampires were disposed of was still vivid in my mind. And it would be for a long, long time.
On one moonless night I was sitting on the grass observing the guards as they fought against each other in preparation for a possible confrontation with an army of newborns. There were rumors that someone was creating vampires irresponsibly and they were threatening exposure. The Volturi were still waiting for more information before they could go and destroy them.
Although I didn't approve with the way the Volturi handled their criminals, these newborns were killing innocent humans and I had to agree that they needed to be stopped.
The training session was over, and everyone walked toward the 'castle'. As always, I stayed behind waiting for the sunrise. Felix, instead of following his friends sat next to me. "Why do you always stay here, alone?" he asked.
"I like looking at the sun as it rises," I said. "It's amazing the things you miss now that you are not longer human," I added, more to myself than to him.
"I miss nothing of my human days," Felix said. "I hardly remember being one."
I believed him. His humanity, as everyone's around here, seemed to have been lost.
How sad.
"Aro wants you to go with us, when the time comes to stop those newborns," he said, abruptly changing topics.
"I don't know…" I said.
"This will be a dangerous mission. I don't think you should go. Unless…"
"What?" I asked.
He stood up. "Train with me," he said, extending his hand to help me up.
I didn't need his help. I stood up on my own.
This was a good idea. I admit that watching them fight had made me wonder about my own abilities. Now I would know.
"Let's do it," I said, before he changed his mind. "What do I do?"
"You've seen us training," he said. "Just follow your instincts."
Sure, I could do that.
He took a few steps back and slowly walked around me. I got the hint and then we both were cautiously circling each other.
"The best offense is a good defense," Felix said. "You have to let your opponent make the first move, so you could fight accordingly."
"Okay," I said. "Then, come and get me," I taunted.
Felix smiled and launched himself toward me.
He wasn't expecting an aggressive move when he had just lectured me about defense. But who'd said I was an obedient student? In a surprising move, I lifted him and tossed him across the field. Felix rolled, jumped up and went back on the offensive. He was nearly a blur, hitting me with no mercy, but my resolve and determination made me deflect most of his hits. Most of them. He did land some good ones on me.
He became cocky, making me the only recipient of blows, so instead of deflecting his next swing, I thrust it away from him, throwing him off balance, and smashed his kneecap with my foot, further unbalancing him.
Felix was shocked to say the least. I took advantage of this and moved, in a split of a second, behind him, twisting his right arm behind his back.
"I think the best defense is to never underestimate your opponent," I whispered in his ear.
I let go of his arm and moved back, away from him. It wasn't safe to be around a humiliated vampire —even I knew that.
Felix turned around and looked at me with a mixture of hate and admiration. "Amazing," he said. "I haven't lost a match in centuries." His tone was not of awe. It was more self-reproach.
"Beginner's luck," I said. "I am still a newborn," I added in an attempt of self-preservation. No way would I be able to defeat an angry Felix.
"Yes, but newborns are useless brutes who are ruled by blood thirst. They never use their brain." He smirked. "You, on the other hand, have the strength and the rationalization. You make a worthy opponent, Bella."
What do you say to someone calling you a rational brute? Thank you? I just shrugged instead.
Since that day, Felix and I began training on regular basis. I learned all the tricks and moves from the best of fighters.
~X~
I exited the Cullen's home with my opinion about them completely reversed. Who would have thought that a group of vampires would give a damn about the welfare of some human girls they had never met before?
Even Rosalie, who had stayed out of the conversation, until it was mentioned that young girls were probably being abused, was passionate about planning a rescue for said victims.
I walked toward the driveway —Edward walking next to me— and looked up the sky; the clouds were dark, but the rain was light —the perfect weather for going for a run.
Edward opened the Volvo's passenger door for me.
I shook my head. "It's all right," I told him. "I'll walk home."
He closed the door. "I'll walk you home, then."
"It's not necessary."
"I insist."
Stubborn… "Look, if you must know, I'm not going straight home. When the weather is like this," I said, sweeping my hand around us. "I like going for a run."
He smiled. "What a coincidence! I like doing the same thing as well."
I narrowed my eyes. Coincidence, ha!
I shrugged my shoulders. "Suit yourself," I said and took off running.
The speed I was able to reach made the wind slap my face; the light water hitting me with force. I loved the feeling —it made me feel alive. I also loved the scent of rain mixed with the fragrance of the forest.
I could sense Edward running behind me. I quickly looked over my shoulder, to see how close he was.
He was closer than I expected. And sporting a huge grin; he was having as much fun as I was —and was shortening the distance between us at an incredible rate.
He was fast.
I turned around and focused on the path before me and put a little more energy to my legs.
It wasn't enough.
I few seconds later, Edward was running next to me, instead of behind.
"God! You're fast!" I said, without looking at him.
"You're not slowpoke either," he said, laughter in his voice.
"Hmph."
We ran in silence for a couple of hundred miles more and then I slowed my pace. Edward slowed his as well. I gust of wind touched my face and I breathed in the fresh salt-scented air.
I stopped right at the edge of the cliffs and walked down onto a narrow winding path.
Toward the sea.
Rugged boulders along the way made the descent more fun.
Before me, the vista was dreamy. Wisps of fog smudged the ocean. Black boulders pocked the sandy beach, and protruded out of the water, giving the scenery a picture perfect moment.
"It's beautiful," Edward whispered, next to me.
"Breathtaking," I agreed.
"Do you come here often?"
"All the time." I usually came here at least once a week to meditate. "The beauty in this place makes me forget, at least for a moment, the ugliness of life," I said, absently.
After a moment of silence Edward said, "Not everything in life is ugly."
I glanced away from the sea and turned to look at him. He was looking at me with an undecipherable expression that made my eyes stay set on him. But that wasn't the only reason I couldn't look away.
Oh, no.
Because of the wind, his bronze hair was in messy disarray, making me want to run my fingers through it. And his eyes, those honey-colored eyes, so intense, so passionate made me think he could control the tides before us. His presence was so powerful that I was sure he could make a woman forget her own name, forget her pride, until she would do anything for the pleasure of his touch.
He was the epitome of the perfect male.
Caught in this brand new line of thoughts, I didn't notice when Edward moved closer, but then I did notice the fire in his eyes, and I wanted nothing more than to throw myself into the tempest of the moment.
Without hesitation, he caught my lips with his, and kissed me hungrily. It was unexpected…startling.
With my hands caught between us —palms against his chest, my first reaction was to shove him off and send him flying into a heap, but I just couldn't do it. Instead, I kissed him back. An open mouth, tongue-seeking kind of kiss.
My arms, of their own accord, moved up his chest, wrapped around his neck and pulled him closer.
A low growl rumbled in his throat, as his tongue swiped against mine with more intensity.
I had never been kissed this way; with such raw passion, or desperation.
He wrapped his hands around my back and brought my body closer, molding it to his.
The feeling this brought was new. My nipples tightened in stiff points as they rubbed against his chest and the feel of his erection against my abdomen made me want to lift myself on my tiptoes and rub against it.
I was behaving shamelessly —so uncharacteristic of me, but Edward knew what he was doing. And he was doing it well —expertly well.
With an effort, I managed to tear my mouth from his and took a step back —it was one of the hardest things I've ever done. I looked at him shockingly —I couldn't believe the way I responded to his kiss; with abandon, with passion. The way he made me feel was...was...
There were no words to explain it.
I was breathing hard and my hands trembled uncontrollably.
Silence thickened the air around us.
Edward lifted his hand and trailed his fingers across my cheek, slowly, softly. I felt the tension in his hand —the leashed lust. He smiled. "You are so beautiful," he whispered.
"I…I…" What would I say? 'Sorry about my lapse of sanity?' But I couldn't lie. Deep down I knew this moment had changed me forever. I just wasn't prepared to accept it, neither was I about to accept being part of his countless past conquests.
Women who probably melted under the magic of his touch.
Just as I did.
I didn't need this, right now. Not ever.
Sensing the turmoil inside me, Edward dropped his hand to his side and sighed. "Do you want to go back home?" he asked, intentionally avoiding the topic of what just had happened between us.
I was grateful for that. "Yes," I said.
He gestured the way, and I walked up the cliff with uncharacteristic slowness. He followed close by.
I knew sooner or later we would talk about this. I hoped it was later rather than sooner.
I was a being a coward. And I didn't care.
It took us double the time to get back.
Once in front of my door, I turned to look at Edward. "Thank you, and your family for the help offered to stop this monster," I told him. Talking about this issue was safer than talking about us.
"No thanks are necessary. It's the right thing to do."
"Well, either way; thanks." I took a step inside my house. "Bye," I said, and was about to close the door.
"Bella," Edward said, his voice was barely a whisper. "Like I said before, not everything in life is ugly. There is love. And it's the most marvelous thing in life."
Without another word, he turned around and walked away.
I closed the door and rested my forehead against the wood. Love for a vampire?
I shook my head. Impossible
Wasn't it?
I really didn't want to think about any of this, so instead of going up to my room I went hunting.
That afternoon, as I parked my truck on the University lot, I spotted Edward waiting for me, leaning casually against a tree.
The pit of my stomach fluttered uncontrollably, and images of the intense kiss we shared floated in my mind. I took a big breath and exited my truck.
I was a big girl. I could handle this.
I walked toward him. "Hi."
Edward smiled widely. He really had a beautiful smile. "Hello, love."
I ignored the term of endearment. It meant nothing to me. Nothing at all.
We walked in silence and stayed that way during our first class.
On our way to our second class, I stopped in the hallway and turned to him. "Edward, I know you don't seem to like Carlos, but it's important that you don't scare him. So stay back and let me make a connection with him so we can get to Leco."
"Of course I don't like that clown, but since you're set on this plan of offering yourself as bait, I'll go along with it."
I nodded.
"—As long as it is safe," he added.
I rolled my eyes at him and continued walking —Edward right beside me.
We entered the lecture hall and my target, Carlos, along with Josh and Chris, were talking intensely about sports. I made my way straight to them. "Hi guys," I said. I noticed that Edward chose to sit a few rows behind us. Alice and Jasper were deliberately absent. I wanted the guys focus only on me.
"Hey, Bella," the guys greeted me with big smiles.
"What's up?" I said, and took the seat they so nicely offered.
"Carlos told us he saw you at the movies. What movie did you go see?" Josh asked.
"True Grit," I said.
"Oh, I so want to see that one," Chris said. "Was it good?"
"Oh, yeah," I lied. I had no idea since I solely focused on Edward closeness. That day his touch had been unsettling, but that was nothing compared to his kiss, so passionate, so fiery. I felt a tingling feeling in my lips just thinking about it.
Focus, Bella! I chastised myself.
"Did you and your friends enjoy your time at the movies?" I asked Carlos.
"Not really. We went to see a chick flick to please Clarissa," Carlos said. "—Leco's friend," he added hastily.
That was the intro I needed. "Oh, yeah. Your friend Leco," I said as if I just remembered about him. "From…Brazil?" I added and made it sound like a question.
"Yeah, he has a modeling agency, and is here trying to recruit new talents."
New talents, yeah right.
"How interesting," I said, and tried to look interested. "I've never met a modeling agent before. I wish I knew he was one when I met him at the theatre," I pouted in what I hoped was a disappointing gesture.
God, I felt so ridiculous.
Of course, poor Carlos wouldn't allow seeing me sad. "I could arrange for a meeting with him," he said. There was a hint of reluctance in his voice. "Actually, he was very interested in you. He wanted me to contact you, but I didn't know if you were interested."
"I am!" I said, faking excitement.
The professor chose that moment to make an entrance. "Why don't you please ask him to meet me at the bar where I work. It is five miles off the One. The bar is called Pete's. Do you know where it is?"
"Yes I do," Carlos said, unhappily. Chris and Josh groaned.
I knew their disappointment was not because they knew about Leco's evil plans, but because another guy, besides them, has gotten my attention. If they only knew…
The class was over and I smiled sweetly at the boys. "Please don't forget to tell Leco to meet me at Pete's," I said, pleadingly. "This could be my big chance," I added.
"Sure," Carlos said, and gave me a weak, resigned, smile.
Chris and Josh looked plain mad.
"Bye," I told them and left without waiting for Edward.
I decided to skip my third class and went straight to my truck. I needed to go home and change clothes. Alice said 'looks' were important in the baiting business. I needed to look good to snare a kidnapper. Who knew!
As the engine rumbled to life, Edward approached me. I rolled the window open—halfway.
"I'll see you at the bar," was all he said. God, his breath was so good.
I knew better than arguing. "See you there, then."
I threw the truck into gear and left the lot determined not to look back. But I couldn't help myself. I glanced in the rearview mirror and saw Edward looking intensely at me.
I shivered uncontrollably.
I was in deep, deep trouble.
Many thanks to Marijee
