Chapter 11
It took Bella over an hour to get all the blood out of her hair so the water ran clear. The entire time she was in the shower she was on autopilot, her mind a million miles from her task. Her mind refused to think of anything other than that kiss. She KNEW she was mad at him, but for the unlife of her, she couldn't remember why the fuck it was. All she could think about was the feel of his chest under her hands, the taste of his tongue on her pallet. She already knew the fucker was dangerous, but she never thought he was a danger to her. No, she still didn't think he would harm her, but he was still a dangerous son of a bitch to her if he could render her completely at his mercy with nothing more than a kiss.
The thing that scared her about that however was not his power over her; it was her lack of CARE about the power he had over her. She wanted to hate it, wanted to be able to ignore it as completely as he owned her thoughts at the moment, but she couldn't. She wanted to forget it ever happened, for it to have never happened, but it did and god help her she wanted it to happen again… and again. The man was an asshole, there was no two ways about, but dear lord, the things just his simple presence did to her was undeniable and it left her feeling both confused and slightly horny.
She was not inexperienced, but she was. Perhaps a better word to use was she was not naive. She had never had sex or anything like that and the only person she ever kissed refused to actually KISS her. There was never any heat to it, never any feeling behind it. Edward said he loved her, but he wouldn't even shove his tongue down her throat, grab her ass, cop a feel, nothing. She had always felt like a pervert for even thinking about dirty things that involved him because he was all like, 'No, we're not married'. Or 'Ewe, girls have cooties' blah blah blah.
Stefan on the other hand was not kidding when he told her he owned her ass, he did and even though she still didn't like it, she couldn't deny it. She was drawn to him from the very first time she laid eyes on him in Italy and every time she has even been close to him since then, she couldn't help but feel slightly at peace and completely safe in the knowledge that he was not going to hurt her nor would he allow anyone else to. What she didn't know though was if it was because he actually cared about her or if it was out of his fucked up sense of ownership over her. He told her from the beginning that she was his and she was nearly convinced that that was the only reason that he even gave a shit about her health and well-being.
Something else she was curious about was just what the hell he had in mind for her. He had told her that he had plans for her, but never once said a damn thing about what that was, at least not to her and she thought that out of anyone, she had the most right to know but doubted he felt the same. He didn't really strike her as one to just come out and say something choosing instead to play games and force you to use the brain god gave you and think for yourself. The problem with that though was she COULDN'T think with him around. Her brain melted to goo at the first trace of his scent so she was going to need a little more help on that front. She knew enough Romanian to know what all the pet names he called her meant and none of them were mean or cruel, they were actually kinda sweet but that didn't really mean anything either with the asshat because of the TONE he used when he said them.
Figuring that she had stalled in the shower as long as she could, she shut off the water that had long since run cold, not that it mattered anymore, and got out. Finding both a towel and robe on the vanity she glanced out of the crack in the slightly open door and saw the man that both terrorized and excited her pacing around the room on a cell phone looking far angrier than she wanted to deal with. Deciding that a little more stalling was in order, she dried off before putting the robe on then sat on the counter to work on drying her hair that she noticed was both longer and thinker, the subtle red and caramel highlights more like red and blonde streaks in darker mocha colored hair thanks to the asshat.
Wondering what else was different about her, she looked over her shoulder at the mirror, half surprised to see a reflection at all considering the legends say that vampires don't have one. The most startling thing was the bright ruby red orbs looking back at her after having chocolate brown ones for so long. Her cheekbones were more pronounced but her cheeks themselves were not sunken in. Her eyebrows were thinner and perfectly arched over her red eyes. Her lips looked fuller and were a dark red like she was wearing lipstick even though she wasn't. There was a smoky eye effect around her eyes that was burnt into her skin. Shrugging it off since she didn't like doing her makeup anyways, she hopped off the counter and opened her robe to get a look at her now flat and toned stomach. Her boobs were at least a cup size bigger and she was alright with that. She guessed she grew about four inches putting her at 5'7, still short as hell compared to Stefan and his 6'3 frame but over all, she couldn't complain too much. She was fucking hot.
Turning to the door when she heard a growl, she wondered a moment if it was for her but disregarded the thought when he kept barking into the phone. Turning back to the mirror, she gave herself one more glance over and figuring that she had now run out of things to do to stay right where she was, she took a deep breath and squared her shoulders knowing that she was about to hate herself.
Cracking the door a little more, she poked her head out and watched Stefan continue to pace the floor. She was positive that if there was blood in his veins, his face would be as red as his eyes. The man was pissed and the guy on the phone either didn't know it or didn't care. But then again, why would he? He was probably nowhere near there and perfectly safe from Stefan's wrath. She however was not and the emotions in his eyes told her that he might not give a fuck who he took his temper out on just as long as he let it out. She was just about to beat a strategic retreat back into the bathroom when he looked her way and locked his black eyes on her. He raised a brow at her and was about to say something to her, she was sure of it, but whoever was on the phone said something drawing his attention away from her and back to the conversation. All but sagging in relief when he turned away from her and started to speak in rapid fire Romanian too quickly for her to keep up, she slipped into the room and over to a standing wardrobe he said was hers.
Opening the door, her jaw dropped at the sight of the beautiful clothing that lay within. There were all different kinds of things for her ranging from ball gowns to sweats and everything in between. Biting her thumbnail, she looked over everything but didn't actually pick anything out. Stefan had told her she needed to be presentable for something but not what so she didn't have a fucking clue what she was supposed to wear.
Back shooting ramrod straight when she felt him come up behind her, she tilted her head back and looked up at him with wide eyes. He had the phone between his ear and shoulder to hold it in place as he reached over her head and grabbed a pair of black slacks and a black and white long bell sleeved corset top. Handing it to her with a wink, he turned back to his call looking far less pissed and a little more approachable. Nodding and holding the selection to her chest, she was about to go back to the bathroom to change when a changing screen caught her eye. Glancing once more at Stefan, she shrugged and went behind it to change.
Once she was dressed, she looked at the finished product in the standing mirror that was back there. Turning to the side to get a good look, she thought she looked fantastic. The only complaint she had was the bust of the shirt was a little tight but it wasn't too bad. The pants made her butt look perfect so with a nod to herself, she exited the area and waited for Stefan to look her way. When he did she held her arms out to the side as to say 'how's this?'
Tilting his head to the side, he lifted his hand and spun a finger at her. Rolling her eyes, she gave him a spin so he could see from all sides and decide if it was alright. Once she was facing him again, he nodded and pointed her to the vanity that was not there a moment ago that had brushes and combs and all sorts of hair shit on it as well as a jewelry box. Sitting in the chair, Bella finished drying her hair and was about to put her hair in a ponytail when Stefan came up behind her again and picked up a barrette with a butterfly on it and slid it loosely into her hair above her ear. Blinking at him in the mirror, she would have blushed at the look he was giving her if was still able to.
Tilting his head to the side, Stefan studied his mate in the mirror trying to decide what was missing from the vision. Clicking his tongue, he reached into his inner jacket pocket and pulled out a long case and handed it to her.
Taking the case, she looked up at him with a small smile and confused eyes. Keeping her voice down since he was still on the phone, "What's this?"
Moving the phone from his ear, he answered, "You're just going to have to open it to find out." Putting the phone back to his ear, "Yes, I'm still here." He nodded to the case and waited for her to open it. The shock that shot through her scent brought a smile to his lips.
Eyes wider than they have ever been, Bella looked at the choker that lay in the black satin. It was beautiful. It didn't have a chain per say, it was more like two pieces of onyx glass with white gold swirled throughout the black jewel. But the star of the piece was the gothic style white gold cross that hung from it. The irony of the cross was not lost on her but that didn't make it any less beautiful.
When she went to pick it up, Stefan took it back and explained when the hurt entered her eyes, "Perhaps you should let me dragă inimă, unless you want to break it." Waiting until she was turned back around and her hair was moved out of the way, he clasped the choker around her neck. Setting his hands on her shoulders, he bent his head down and pressed a kiss to the bite mark that was still uncovered and looked into her eyes thought the mirror, "Absolutely stunning my dear. Perfect as I knew you would be."
As his scent once again invaded her senses, she damn near giggled but was just able to swallow it back down. Breaking eye contact and looking down, she could feel her face heat up but when she looked at her reflection she only saw pale alabaster skin on her face. She lifted her hand to the choker but didn't touch it. The cross fell just below her clavicle and the bottom tip stopped just short of the top of her shirt. It was the perfect piece to finish off her look and with the eternal makeup on her eyes and lips, she felt she was done.
Stefan disagreed however and turned to the jewelry box on the table top. Lifting the lid, he pulled out a tray and set it down and gave her a moment to look over all the earrings that were there for her. She chose a set of white gold hoops and once they were in and one more glance over and nod by Stefan, he turned back to his call. From what she could gather he was getting off in a moment but she was still caught up on the choker he gave her.
She was never one to accept something like this, not wanting to be in someone's debt should something untold happen to it, but this was different. She didn't know why but it FELT different. When Edward tried to give her stuff like this she always felt like a trophy girlfriend, or sometimes just cheap because of the way or reason he was giving it to her, but with Stefan, it was just different. She knew he was giving it to her because he wanted her to have it, not so she would fit in better with his family. Not that he had a whole lot besides Vladimir, but she still doubted very much that he cared if she wore fine jewelry or not. It was nice; different but nice.
She was brought out of her musings by what sounded like little mice feet scurrying about in the room. Turning to look just to make sure there was not in fact mice scurrying around, her face twisted up to show her confusion. Stefan, who just hung up his phone and turned to speak to her paused at the look on her face. "Something troubling you Isabella?"
She held up a finger and tilted her head to the side and licked her lips, "What is that?"
Listening to the silence of the room, he looked at her, "What is what darling?"
Standing and following the noise, "It sounds like mice or something."
Stefan crossed his arms and listened a little harder, "I do not know what you are hearing my dear but I assure you there are no mice in my palace, gross little fuckers."
Bella was out on the balcony at that point and looking around. Turning back to Stefan, she pointed to the south west, "It sounds like it is coming from there."
Coming up to stand beside her, the wind blew at just the right moment to bring the scents of a group of unfamiliar vampires with it. "Hmm, what is this?" Crouching slightly, Stefan leapt up onto the tower to get a better look at the direction that his mate pointed to only to find she could apparently hear things that were out of his sight range. Looking down at her he chuckled, "You are going to be wonderful asset in the future Pereche." Jumping down next to her, he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her to his chest. He crooked a finger under her chin and lifted her face to meet his. "Don't worry too much about it right now. Whoever it is cannot cause any issues here. Even a vampire has issues climbing the mountain. Plus, since I cannot see them yet they are more than likely not even coming here. If they do there will be enough warning to prepare for them if they intend to cause discord."
Her eyes told him that she didn't fully believe him but her clenched jaw also said she was not going to question him on it at the moment. Deciding to further put her at ease, he sighed, "Alright darling, if it will make you feel better, I will have Radu send out a scouting party to see who or what it is you hear. Will that do?" Instantly relaxing at the suggestion, Bella nodded and gave him a bright smile. Smiling back at her, "Alright. Shall we go then? While you were cleaning up we had a few guests arrive that I have yet to greet. I will speak with Radu on the way."
Nodding again, her voice told of her embarrassment to how she reacted to the coming noise that was, to her, getting louder. "Thank you."
Giving a slight shrug, Stefan took a step back and offered her his arm again, "Think nothing of it my dear. So long as you are happy and feel safe that is all that matters."
Pausing at the comment, she pulled Stefan to a stop with her and looked up at him through her lashes, "You mean you actually care about that?"
Clearly surprised at the question, Stefan was brought up short on how to respond for a moment. Turning to face her fully, "Of course I do. Did you not know that?"
Biting the corner of her bottom lip, she shrugged, "I wasn't sure. I mean, you run hot and cold so much that it is a little hard to follow your thoughts about me. One minute you're this sweet guy that I feel safe around and the next you're this asshole that I don't understand and then you…"
Whatever she was going to say next will forever be lost to land of 'so the fuck what' because she was cut off once again by his lips pressing to hers. This was nothing like the kiss from earlier, but it was no less mind blowing. He made no move to deepen it this time, but he didn't have to. Once again her brain was goo and her body was only still upright because he held her.
When he pulled back this time, he still held her like the most precious thing in the world. "Hmm, perhaps I could have been a little clearer for you. Allow me to clear up any misunderstanding you might still have. You are to be my mate and when we have the time, I will make you so. I will not ever describe myself as nice, because I am not. I am a sarcastic asshole and I will be the first to admit such things. Vladimir will simply call me an asshole but you, my întuneric zeita; will never have cause to fear anything that I might do. I am the master of games and I play them often, however, other than the little game of tag we played in the Romanian countryside, I didn't mean to play one with you. Most of the time I do tend to get carried away but I do not want you to fear to tell me to knock it off if I ever confuse you to the point that you do not know my intentions with you. The very first time we spoke I told you very clearly that you belonged to me but I doubt I explained what I meant by that."
Bella swallowed hard and shook her head, "You didn't."
Smirking, Stefan shrugged again, "I very rarely do. I am Lord that answers to no one so explaining myself is hardly necessary. I will give you this however, if I confuse you in anyway, do not hesitate to ask me anything. Simply put, you belong to me. There is no way to misinterpret that. You are mine, my mate, my future Lady, whatever title you wish to hold really all means the same thing in the end."
Licking her lips again, Bella took a deep breath and nodded, "alright, I get that part, but what I don't get is why. There has to be a million better people out there for you take as your mate."
Clicking his tongue again, he sighed, "I have been around a long time Young Lady and I can attest to the fact there is not. You are simply going to have to trust me on that."
Pulling her arm from his, she wrapped her arms around herself, "And if you find out there is? What then?"
Stefan actually laughed at that. "Are you truly concerned that my attention could possibly be taken away from you?"
She shook her head, "No, I am worry about what will happen to me if it does."
Still chuckling, Stefan shook his head, "it won't happen my dear."
Looking through her lashes at him, "But if it does?"
Crossing his own arms, "If it does it wouldn't be for long and by that, I mean seconds. Listen, you're new at this so allow me to explain this to you. To a vampire, a mate is everything. There are huge leaps and bounds between a companion and a mate. We can be with the same partner for decades, centuries even without actually taking the steps to become mated but a mated vampire, my adorable little kitten, cannot, ever, under any circumstances step out of a mating. It will cause the one that steps out agonizing pain to do so. The only way to free a mated vampire is by the death of one or the other."
Tilting her heads to the side, "Have you been mated before?"
Shaking his head in the negative, "I have not, no. However, I have met vampires that were and cheated on their mates. The way they describe the pain was something that I cannot say is worth the few moments of pleasure you MIGHT get before it catches up with you. All this is irrelevant however. If I thought for a moment that at any point that I would want someone else you would dead dead right now and not living dead so put this whole sordid bullshit out of your beautiful head hmm. It will not happen so do not worry about the 'what if' because there is none. You are who I want to spend my eternity with, not some make believe female that will probably drive me crazier than you do."
Snickering at that last comment, Bella retook his once again offered arm and allowed him to pull her along the halls in search of Radu so he could put together the promised scouting party.
*X*
After seeing to the scouting party he promised his mate he was going to send out for her, he took her to the throne room so he could greet his guests. However, knowing a newborn's instinct to attack pretty much anyone, as his little kitten proved when he found Radu, he felt it best to warn her about what they were walking into in hopes to nip it before she did only what came natural to her. This was her first day awake and her vampiric instincts will rule her actions until she gets older. The simple fact she was able to be restrained at all before she removed Radu's head was nothing short of amazing. It was only because he had been around newborns many times over his life that he was able to do so. He was under no disillusion of her being anything other than your typical hot headed and instinct driven newborn. So far, that was exactly what she was which is what made her easy to deal with. If she was even a little abnormal, this would be extremely difficult.
Pulling her to a stop at the end of the hall he looked down at her and saw the snarl already forming on her lips at the sound of voices. This told him that this was going to end as she wanted no matter what he said to her right then. Still, he had known this coven for decades and felt he should at least attempt to keep them from harm. He wouldn't get in her way if she chose to attack because she would simply see it as defending her home. Not everything that he wrote on that card was bullshit. Most of it, but not all.
Sliding between her and the doors she was glaring at, he cleared his throat to catch her attention. When she glanced up at him, he smiled at her. "How are you feeling right now dragă inimă?"
She blinked at him, "What do you mean?"
Smile growing, "You're growling my dear. But I was more so referring to your thirst and senses. How are you?"
Blinking at the information she was growling, she gave herself a mental once over for the answer to the question at hand. "The only complaint is my ears are ringing a little due to the volume of voices." The last part was a little louder than really necessary, but she was rewarded by them shutting the fuck up.
Chuckling at the situation, Stefan nodded. "The room is designed for sound to carry since it was used for large audiences back when I was alive so it could get loud in there. There are also seven vampires currently in there, not including Vladimir, so the number of scents might also cause you some discomfort. I had the staff light torches opposed to using the overhead lights so that should hopefully be a softer light for your over sensitive eyes." When she nodded her understanding, he then took her chin in his fingers and made sure she was looking in his eyes for the next part, "I have known the leader of this coven for a very long time so I would ask you try not to attack. Anyone that actually lives here is one thing, but these are guests and that could be considered bad manners to do so."
Looking back to the door a moment, she looked back in his eyes and nodded bringing a smile to Stefan's face. "Perfect. You do not have to stay long, I know you must be getting hungry, but I would like to at least introduce you to them before I take you to feed."
Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, she dropped her voice to under a whisper so only Stefan could hear her, "I make no promises."
He chuckled, "I am not asking that of you dearest, I am simply asking you to try. However, you can hardly be blamed for following your instincts considering we are ruled by them."
Nodding at that, she once again took his arm and held it tightly with her other hand as they approached the door.
Glancing down at her a moment to make sure she was alright so far, Stefan pushed open the doors and led her inside where the visiting coven was waiting looking at the door, their interest at who the female they heard was.
The moment Bella's eyes locked on copper colored hair, she snarled and shouted, "You have GOT to be fucking kidding me!"
The uproar was instantaneous. Everyone was silent one moment and all but yelling the next, however the growling from the newborn was the loudest thing in the room. Her eyes never strayed from the copper haired asshole that LIED to her.
It wasn't until one of the Cullen's broke rank and ran towards Bella that Stefan stepped in. Shoving Bella behind him, he snarled so loud that the walls shook from the pitch. Crouched and poised to strike, he barred his teeth and snapped them with an audible snap stilling the feet of the tiny vampire that was staring at him with wide eyes and fear leaking from her every pore.
The leader called out to her to very slowly back away and not to turn her back to him. Doing as she was told, she moved at a snail's pace until she was standing behind him. Looking up at Carlisle, she whimpered, "I just wanted to give her a hug, I didn't mean any harm."
Growling at the voice, Stefan, still couched down, "I don't give a fuck. You do not approach my mate in such a manner again if you like living." Standing but keeping Bella behind him to deter anyone from trying such foolishness again, he glared at the pixy before turning his attention to the coven leader that apparently doesn't like to teach HIS vampires proper etiquette while in another's home. "Am I to now assume you are already acquainted?" Looking over his shoulder when his mate snorted, he inquired, "Isabella?"
Looking out from around his shoulder, she once again glared hard at Edward, "You could say that, yeah. That copper haired faggot is my ex-boyfriend, though it seems he neglected to mention something when we were together."
Looking at the one she pointed out, out of the corner of his eye, "That a fact?"
Huffing at the attitude he was getting, Edward sneered at her, "A lady shouldn't talk like that, Isabella."
Snarling, she made to lunge, but Stefan grabbed her around the waist and held her right where she was. When she was positive she wasn't getting free, she snapped her teeth at Edward, "I swear to god Fuckward I will kill you if given half a chance."
Carlisle looked around for Jasper and sighed when he saw him leaning on the wall a few feet away. "Jasper, please, if you don't mind."
Raising his hands and shaking his head, "Not getting involved, Carlisle. Personally, I hope she does kill him. I really don't like the bastard. Plus, it's not like he wouldn't deserve it."
Growling softly at the comment, he turned to Stefan and Bella to see her once again attempting to free herself from his hold. Clearing his throat to gain the attention of the Romanian Lord, "Perhaps she should eat. That might get her to calm down enough to be around other vampires."
A glare that could freeze fire settled on Stefan's face as he looked at the Cullen elder, "Excuse the fuck out of me?"
Holding his hands up and backtracking slightly, Carlisle tried again, "I was simply saying that it might calm her down a little so she will stop trying to get free to do harm to a member of my family."
Eyes darkening to match his face and voice, he growled at the other vampire but it was Vladimir that spoke. "Surely Carlisle, you are not thinking to tell Dracula himself how to raise his newborn mate in his own home because that would be a fatal mistake as you are well aware." When every eye was on him, he stood from his throne and, clasping his hands behind his back, strolled forward. "The young one is but hours old, woke this very night so, personally, I think she is doing quite well in keeping her temper in check if all she is doing is hurling threats; and what harm can that really do? Besides, it was one of yours that set Stefan off and apparently also one yours that pissed her off. Are you seeing the same pattern I am?"
Visibly bristling at the insinuation, Carlisle shook his head, "You are only looking at the surface. There is much to the situation you don't know."
Raising a brow, "Oh? What is it then about your eldest that she despises so?"
Bella took that one. "He is a self-serving ass clown that doesn't give two flying fucks about anyone but himself and what he thinks and wants."
There was a snort that drew the eyes of everyone to the vampire that was still leaning against the wall. Jasper looked up at the feeling of being watched and shrugged, "What? It was funny."
Bella giggled a little drawing the attention of Stefan back to her. "Dragă inimă, you know him as well?"
She nodded and smiled a little, "Of course. That's Jasper. I didn't know he was a vampire, though that seems to be a recurring theme with these people."
Cocking a brow, "You know them all?"
Again, she nodded. "Why are you surprised by that? If you know one of them, you know them all." Pointing to each in turn "That's Esme, Alice, Rosalie, Emmett, Fuckward, and Carlisle and again, we're back to Jasper. I will however admit that it would appear that I don't really know any one of them outside of their name so don't ask for details."
Pursing his lips, "Huh, fancy that." Looking to the empath that his mate didn't seem to want dead, "Major, wonderful to see you again."
Bowing his head, "The honor is mine Lord Stefan. Congratulations on your recent mating as well."
Nodding in lieu of speaking, he turned back to his mate, "Are you alright now or would you prefer to leave?"
Glaring hard at Edward again, "Keep him silent and the fuck away from me and I should be alright for a little bit."
Tilting his head to the side slightly, "Are you sure? It is getting close to time for you to feed. Radu should have returned with your meal by now as well."
She rubbed her throat and cleared it to try and alleviate the burn a bit but it was not easy, more like impossible. "Maybe I should eat. Kinda burns a lot."
He nodded not surprised by that in the slightest. As he was about to excuse them, Jasper spoke up, "I'll take her if she'll let me."
Every member of the Cullen coven whipped around to look at him, but Stefan was still looking at Bella. Carlisle's jaw dropped slightly and he shook his head, "Absolutely not."
Stefan snorted but otherwise ignored them and spoke with his mate, "It's up to you dragă inimă. I am sure the Major will keep an eye on you if you prefer."
Eyes darting back and forth between the two, she didn't know how to answer that. She didn't mind Jasper. As a matter of fact he was the only one of them she didn't. But she knew what she looked like after her meal earlier and she wasn't entirely sure she wanted someone other than Stefan to see her like that. Finally she shrugged, "It doesn't matter to me." Looking at Jasper, "But I warn you, I'm kinda messy."
Jasper snorted, "all newborns are messy Darlin'. It is a fact a nature that they will literally make the biggest mess they are capable of making. I have raised enough in my life for no one to ever get me to believe otherwise."
Carlisle once again shook his head, "Jasper, you can't. You know that they don't feed like we do."
Glaring out of the corner of his eye, "I am aware of that, thanks. But I so appreciate the confidence you have at my self-control. Really, thanks Dad."
Stuttering at the tone and comment, "That is not what I meant, son. It is just…"
Shaking his head and pushing himself off the wall, Jasper moved slowly towards Bella, "Save it dick, I know what you meant. Come back with red eyes and I'm gone. So the fuck what." When he reached Stefan and Bella, he looked to Stefan first, "Anything I need to know?"
Glancing at Bella, who was also looking up at him waiting, "hmm, she is extremely sense sensitive. Her ears seem to be the worst but if there are too many conflicting scents, she will become slightly disoriented as well. It toned down earlier after she fed so it should calm after this go around as well. Other than that she seems to be a normal newborn, something I know you can handle just fine." Voice darkening no small degree, "Just know, anything happens to her and I will not hesitate to kill you."
Extending his arm for Bella to take, he nodded, "I will care for her like she was my own until I return her to your side."
Glaring even still, "See that you do." Turning to Bella, "enjoy my dear and I will see you shortly."
Giving him a small smile, she took Jasper's arm and turned away. As they were leaving, she turned to Jasper, "Jesus was Carlisle always such an asshole or is this a new development?"
Knowing perfectly well that he could still hear him, Jasper shrugged as they crossed into the hall, "Let me put it this way Bella. You met Aro right? I would prefer his company."
Looking both scared and appalled, she patted his arm lightly. "I am so sorry."