Chapter Eleven

Bella

I was being treated with every courtesy but I was still a prisoner and I wasn't told anything by the black cloaked figures that brought me food from the town cafés and anything else I asked for, books, newspapers, they even arranged for a television and DVD player although the choice of films left a little to be desired mainly romance stories although I had to smile when I saw someone had slipped in Interview with a Vampire, was it their idea of a joke? I spent some time sitting at the window which looked out across the countryside but was on the sheer side of the town so I never saw anyone except a young boy and his dog. They would walk the hills for hours and sit under an olive tree in the distance to read and eat a picnic lunch. I wondered why he wasn't at school, why he was always alone with just his dog for company but he was too far away to speak to and I had no Italian. I asked to be allowed to walk in the courtyards of the building or even in the town square but that request just met with a blank refusal. What were they afraid I'd see? Or were they worried that someone would see me? My face seemed to be the thing keeping me alive for now but no one would tell me anything and I wondered what my parents thought? Had they found my things on the cliff top and think I'd jumped to my death? I hated the thought of putting them through any more pain but there was nothing I could do about it. My cell phone had been in my rucksack and I hadn't seen a phone since I arrived here.

Felix

I had done all the research I could and found no link between this Bella Swan and Aro's family although I hadn't really expected to, it was much too far back to track his family's descendants but I worried what might happen to the girl when I told him this. The only thing keeping her alive was her resemblance to Didyme and once Aro was assured that she wasn't kin he would order her death. Should I try to save her? Why was I even thinking about it? She was just another human who had strayed into our world and would pay the price for doing so although left to me it would be Edward Cullen who paid that price not her. I was holding Aro at bay with lies that I was still working on her family tree but I couldn't do so for much longer. I was just finishing off one day when Marcus came in and closed the door taking a seat opposite me and looking at the thick file I had just closed.

"You seem to be hard at work Felix."

"Yes, just some things Aro was interested in."

"Really? A personal matter?"

"Yes."

"And you are doing the research?"

"Yes he asked me."

"Which leads me to believe it is something he would rather keep to himself, or at least from me and that leads me to suspect it is something I wouldn't like. Is this a secret from Caius too?"

The time had come to choose my path, I could lie and keep Marcus in the dark which would lead to Bella's death or I could tell the truth and possibly save her but cause a rift between the brothers. Would Chelsea's influence stop Marcus from acting when he saw Bella? I decided it was a chance I had to take, I liked Marcus best of the brothers and felt very sorry for his centuries of servitude. I too had been in servitude those same years but mine was of my own choice, not forced upon me.

"I have to take this file to Aro but I have to make a stop on the way."

I got up and took the file tucking it under my arm and waited, would he take the bait? Bella's life depended on his decision. He smiled a little and rose up from his chair opening the door for me,

"Please don't let me stop you fulfilling your duties Felix but I may walk a little way with you."

I nodded, he understood and was willing to see where this would lead. I wondered what his reaction would be when he set eyes on Bella, would he want to protect her or would the shock be too great?He could attack her as an imposter I supposed but I doubted it and I was gambling on him defending her life.

Bella

I sat at the window wondering how much longer this enforced captivity would last, would the Volturi kill me or would they decide instead to change me? Ironic if after all my pleas it was the rulers of the vampires who gave me my wish although I would never spend eternity with Edward Cullen, not now. Would I find someone else in Volterra? Was my "mate" here even now, on his way to my side? I was getting fanciful in my solitude. Then I heard a sound outside my room, I had a visitor and I didn't care who it was, any face, any words, were better than this empty silence. I was heartily sick of my own company. The door opened slowly and I recognised Felix as he stepped inside the room but he wasn't alone, I sensed another presence still out in the corridor.

"Bella, I trust you have the books you requested?"

"Yes thank you but I really would like to take a walk outside in the sunshine. Would you ask Aro if I could go out just for a little while, I don't mind waiting until evening and I'd be happy to have an escort. I have no intention of trying to escape I'm not that stupid"

I heard a sharp intake of breath and a name whispered just loud enough to hear,

"Didyme? It can't be"

Felix stepped aside and another man walked into the room, a man as tall and almost as broad as my friend but his eyes were wide with shock and there was a half smile on this lips,

"Didyme? Is it you? I thought you were dead. I saw Aro kill you so how are you here now?"

I stood up and shook my head,

"I'm sorry, I don't know anyone called Didyme. My name is Bella Swan."

"Bella? That is a beautiful name too but tell me Bella, what are you doing here in Volterra?"

I looked at Felix who nodded and explained about meeting the Cullens, Victoria trying to kill me, the cliff diving and Felix saving me.

"How long have you been here Bella?"

I shrugged,

"I have no idea, the days just merge into each other."

He turned to Felix,

"Who else knows of Bella's presence?"

"Only Aro, Caius, and Jane, but she doesn't know of Bella's resemblance to Didyme."

"And what have you been researching? Aro wants to know if Bella has a common ancestor with him doesn't he?"

"Yes but he's mistaken, at least as far as I can tell."

"And he was keeping her from me, Aro never stops manipulating does he? Will he kill her now?"

"I don't know, she has a gift. Bella stopped Aro from reading her thoughts."

The stranger broke into a grin,

"Did she indeed? Then you are far too precious to be allowed to die. Bella I think Felix is correct, Aro will kill you if he thinks you are of no use to him or will turn you to join the guard. In either case you will never leave this citadel. I offer you an alternative if you are interested."

I swallowed nervously,

"I'm, listening"

"You resemble my dear wife Didyme, dead these many centuries and Aro wished to keep you away from me because he likes to have control over my life. I offer you my protection in return for your companionship but you will need to decide quickly because Aro is apt to act impulsively."

He walked across very slowly and took my hand putting it to his lips and touching it softly with his cold lips.

"I'll leave you to think about my offer. If you wish to accept it please let Felix know and I will have you moved to my quarters where you will be much safer."

With that he bowed his head then walked out followed by Felix who turned back to shut the door and addressed me,

"I'll be back later but if I were you I'd think very seriously about Marcus offer, its your best chance of survival here Bella Swan."