Utter Darkness - Chapter 13

"The shadow world today, will embrace the world in gray, and the Sun will set for you."

- Linkin Park

Gianna moved herself over to the pew in front of me and settled herself in. She had a habit of lifting her long black hair up off her neck, twisting it into a knot and exposing her long pale throat. I knew if would only take me half a second to shoot my hands out, grab her throat, squeeze and snap it like a twig. I don't know why that thought always seemed to go through my head when she made that gesture. But I wouldn't do it tonight. Tonight I wanted to hear the rest of her story.

"So how come you survived the attack on your family?" I wasn't sure if she was telling me the truth. I could only remember back how strong her desire had been when she was human to become a vampire.

Gianna dropped her hair down from the top of her head again. It fell to her shoulders in black disarray, the sunlight highlighting it blue in some spots. She laid one arm on the back of the pew and turned to face me. She looked at me trying to understand my interest. I left my face smooth and blank. I opened my mind to get a read on hers. Different images came to mind, mostly her distrust of me, but an even bigger curiosity of why I was interested in her all of a sudden. She was hurt by my rejection of her. I did not care. She had made a huge mistake in touching me in such a personal manner.

"Hmmm…I almost didn't survive. Alec had already rendered me senseless. I stood in a black haze of nothing, waiting for some final blow.". Gianna stopped for a moment lost in an ancient memory. Human memories start to become unreliable after so much time.

"The quiet was terrifying. I couldn't see, I couldn't hear. Alec is very dangerous Edward. Don't get on his bad side taunting Jane like you do." she warned me.

I chuckled slightly. I was only too aware of the power those two possessed. I smiled at her slightly, hoping to encourage more of her story from her. She didn't disappoint me. She was liking this new attention. Gianna continued on.

"Eventually, my vision started to clear. I could hear myself breathe and became was aware of another voice in the room. He was taller than Jane and Alec. Dark and pale at the same time. He too had the dark blood red eyes. It was another vampire. He had taken Jane and Alec across the room and was speaking to them quietly. I watched as a few more of those pale beings entered my house and begin to remove the bodies of my family. I tried to cry out in protest, but my voice had not returned yet. I could only stand there and cry silently, whispering prayers and goodbyes to myself and a God that had forsaken me."

"The tall vampire came over to me and held his hand out to me. He was trying to offer to help me up off the floor. I sat there, shuddering, fearing what was going to happen to me.

He began to speak to me. His voice was fluid, calming and had a lovely Spanish accent to it. His face almost seemed kind. I finally decided to take his hand. I was shocked by how cold his flesh was."

I sat calmly listening to her story. I had a feeling of where this was going to go knowing some of the history of the Volturi that Carlisle had told me. I found myself wanting to comfort her but then I reminded myself of her absolute viciousness and the feeling went away quickly. My silence prompted her to move on with her story.

"The vampire pulled me up. He smiled at me and I became confused when I did not see fangs of the nosferatu legend. However, it was strange because his smile was kind. He spoke to me again. He asked me my name and I told him. He told me his name as well. I believe you may know him Edward. His name was Eleazar."

A look of shock must have passed over my face because Gianna smiled widely. She started talking again.

" He apologized to me on behalf of the government of Volterra for having such a terrible deed committed against my family and myself. He said that they had removed the young vampires to a safe place where they would not bother me. He then smiled at me and told me that I possessed a very unique gift."

I interrupted her momentarily. "Yes, Eleazar once told me that was his own gift. Being able to discern unique qualities in other vampires. He was the one who pointed out to us that Bella was a shield." I was shocked that I had told her this. I couldn't believe that I had so casually blurted out Bella's name without feeling the sudden crush of loneliness. I was confused, yet grateful for the absence of pain.

Gianna registered what I had said and answered quickly. "Yes, and humans too. He saw my gift and offered me sanctuary within the wall of Volterra. I was to be given a home, a place to work and if I so chose, to join them in their ranks, keeping the peace."

I quickly interrupted her. I was incredulous! "How could you go there after what had happened?" I ran my fingers through my hair trying to figure out how she could so willingly go to them. I had figured her wrong when I thought she had been coerced as I had.

"You can try and read my mind all you want Edward. I've become very practiced at being able to shield some thoughts from others. I've had to. To protect myself. You see, the day my parents died, my heart died with them. They were killed by two of the most aberrant monsters that ever lived. I knew that if I were to avenge my parents death, I would have to become like Jane and Alec. A vampire. It is the only way I will be able to kill them."

I was astounded by her story. A quick sweep showed me her mind was open and she was telling me the truth. I began to feel for her and her terrible story. I had to resist the urge to comfort her.

This was the last thing I wanted to feel for the hardened female predator sitting across from me. But there we sat, both of us orphaned when we were teenagers. Both sets of parents killed by parasites, hers by Jane and Alec, and mine from the Spanish Influenza.

Both of us, lives permanently changed by vampires. Her family, the Volturi. My family, the Cullen's. Suddenly the lines started to blur for me. It was too similar. What made Carlisle that much better than the Volturi? He took me when I had no choice. I was dying. Gianna was about to die, but Eleazar stepped in. I stood up quickly.

"Where are you going?" I heard Gianna call after me as I started to almost run through the catacombs.

"To find Aro!" I answered back.

_______________________________________________________

BPOV

Jacob and I had been sitting on the couch. He had been kind enough to light a fire for me but really the cold never bothered me anymore. It was the gesture that was more warming. I had filled him in on what had happened while in Italy. I watched his boyishly handsome face run a gamut of emotions during my story. He pulled me in close to him and I was happy to sit like that. Just the two of us for right now.

I found myself starting to relax listening to Jake recount stories of all the cute things Nessie did while I was away. I pushed the pain in my heart back into that box that I had created years ago when it came to dealing with painful things. Nessie was learning things at an amazing rate. The guilt consumed me that I wasn't here for her. Jake could tell it was getting to me and switched the topic to other things such as his latest tirades with Rosalie. That was Jake. My own personal sunshine.

Jake's stories were getting more outrageous and impossible to believe when we heard the car pull up. It moved quickly down the driveway. We looked at each other and silently agreed to head to the main house. Safety for Nessie drove the both us to the back door in a hurry.

As we raced through the kitchen we could hear Esme and Emmett at the front door greeting our visitors. Familiar voices boomed through the large wide open space of the living room. I recognized them at once. Carmen and Eleazar had arrived from Denali. I could hear Nessie's squeal of delight and just as I rounded the corner, I watched my daughter fling herself into Carmen's outstretched arms.

Carmen cooed soft words of love in Spanish to Nessie who in turn hugged her tightly. I crossed the room to join them. Jake decided to hang back in the kitchen for the moment. He knew we needed time.

Eleazar was greeting Esme and Emmett. I walked up and stood next to Rose. She surprised me by linking her arm through mine. I turned and smiled at her. She lay her beautiful, blonde head on my shoulder for one moment and I put my hand up to her hair just holding her head on my shoulder. I suddenly realized how much I had just come to love my other sister. She let me draw some strength from her for a moment, and we went to greet our guests as well.

Eleazar's rich voice greeted me like warm velvet. "Bella! Stunningly beautiful as always…and Rose…the glorious light to Bella's mysterious darkness!" We both went up to each side of him and planted a gentle kiss on each one of his cheeks on his face.

"Hello Eleazar!" we both said in unison. We looped our arms in his extended ones and escorted him further into the living room. Carmen was so delighted with Nessie that I just went up behind her after she sat down and put my arms around her shoulders and hugged her lightly. I whispered in her ear "I'm glad you're here."

She reached up behind her and grasped my arm with her hand. "Always…"

We sat for a couple of moments watching the interaction between Nessie and Carmen. All of us knew it would best not to discuss the recent events in front of Nessie right now. I could see Jake peeping around the corner of the kitchen and I nodded to him.

Every time Jake strolled into a room, his immense size always surprised me. His very presence commanded attention. But to me, he was still goofy, old Jake. He crossed over to Nessie and she scrambled up onto his back immediately, tugging at the dark, shiny hair that was already growing longer. Jake spoke to Nessie.

"C'mon honey, I'll take you hunting…Hungry?" he asked her. Nessie's face broke out into a golden, crooked smile. Oh that smile, it was one that haunted my human dreams….

Everyone wished Nessie a successful hunt and waved as she and Jake left. The door closed and everyone moved into a closer circle in the living room. Eleazar begun to speak.

"Tell me Bella. Tell me what Aro did. I knew when Carlisle called me and couldn't get in that it was serious." He asked me.

"Truth of the matter, Eleazar…I'm still not entirely sure what happened. I was unconscious for most of it." I told him.

A sharp hiss issued forth from both Carmen and Eleazar's mouths. I watched as Eleazar stroked his face with his fingers ending at the sharp point in his strong dimpled chin. He took a deep breath in.

"Bella, in the entire time that I served the Volturi I had yet to discover a vampire who could sleep. Is this a new development in your gift, because I'm not being able to pick that up from you?" Eleazar was concerned.

"No," I reassured him. "I think they may have poisoned me."

Carmen took in an audible breath of surprise. She looked to Eleazar. "My dearest, they have gone too far again!" Eleazar reached out and took hold of her hands within his. Her tiny, delicate, pale hands were completely hidden in his huge, graceful ones.

"Please, Bella, tell me everything." he pleaded with me. I was relieved to have him here. It was a wise decision for Carlisle to call him to stay with us. He knew Eleazar would not only be able to shed light on the situation, but give us some peace of mind as well.

So I began my story once again. The lid of the box that I shuffled all things painful into, began to creep slowly open. I had to let some of it out. To relive those last moments with Edward were the most excruciating to me. Turning and leaving him without looking back. Would he ever forgive me for that?

Eleazar and Carmen listened to my story with such patience and compassion. I was struck by how different vampire covens could be. The lines couldn't be any more clearer. The Volturi family, manipulative, deceptive, power driven. My family, The Cullen's, compassionate, gentle, loving. For someone who had chosen to leave their human life so early, I had chosen my family well.

My story started to come to an end and Emmett rose to put more wood in the fire that had been blazing away earlier. The silence was deafening for a moment. All we could hear was the singular drip drop of water from a sink somewhere in the house, the muted sounds of the traffic on the highway, and the comforting roar of the waterfall in the river.

Eleazar got up and paced back and forth. I could tell he was trying to digest everything I had told him. I didn't want to interrupt him. He had more experience with the Volturi than I did. I waited for him to break his silent reverie.

"Let me tell you what I know of the Volturi first dear Bella. Then we will decide what our course of action shall be, okay?" he asked me. I nodded and asked him to proceed.

"First of all," he began, "When the Volturi ventured forth out of their compound to bring their form of justice against the immortal child, it was a very dangerous thing for them to do Bella. They left a lot of the older vampires and the city vulnerable. You, Edward and Alice are quite a conquest for Aro. Then you had Renesmee. Imagine the pull of the child? Enough to make the brothers and their wives to leave their safe hold? Unprecedented!"

"But Aro and his brothers badly misjudged you and your resourceful family. Each of you have such an incredible gift. Pair your gifts with that of other covens, suddenly all of us were just as strong!"

I waited patiently for Eleazar to finish because Edward and I had discussed the very same thing!

Eleazar paused for a moment, a dark cloud crossing his face. "Bella, abstaining from human blood allows us to form true bonds of love. Has Edward started drinking from humans again?"

I remembered Edward's ghastly red eyes instead of his warm butterscotch ones. Slowly I nodded. Was our bond beginning to break…? I pushed the thought out of my mind. Edward loved me. I knew it. I believed it and I would never break that bond to him.

Esme caught Eleazar's attention. "I have something to say." she said plainly. Esme's face was a serious smooth like mask.

"Eleazar", she began, "When I first became a part of this family, Edward was having a hard time adapting to our vegetarian ways. I spent hours with him daily. Eventually he began to trust me. We hunted together. Our bond, as you say, became solid.

Esme came over to me and pulled me up into a hug and held me tightly. I was a little perplexed. "What is it Esme? You can tell me…." I begged her.

She pulled back and grasped both my shoulders with her hands. She looked me right in the eye and said the words that scared me the most. "Edward changes when he drinks human blood Bella. I watched him almost starve himself to death to rid himself of the obsession of human blood. He goes crazy from it. The voices amplify, the rush is very intense for him. Your human self almost destroyed his will power several times. You, Bella, even though you triggered those desire in him at first, he knew YOU were someone special."

"Oh Bella, he tried so hard to stay away from you. But he couldn't. Why do you think he was so determined to keep you human?… As long as you were human, he could not go back to drinking the blood again. In plain terms Bella, he's like a drug addict when it comes to human blood.

I began to think back to all those times when Edward and I would argue about me turning…Was this one of the reasons he hesitated so much? Afraid he'd lead us both down some hazardous, bloodthirsty path?

"I'm sorry for telling you that Bella." I heard Esme whisper.

I grabbed her into my arms and clutched her tightly to my chest. "Don't…don't say that to me! I'm glad you told me. Now I know, I know that he loves me…!"

Everyone in the room stared at me as if I had lost my mind. I smiled at all of them and released Esme from my bone crunching hug, forgetting my new vampire strength once again.

"That last moment I was with Edward, after he…after… Well we had a brief moment, that was quiet in all that was going on. His eyes met mine and I swear to all of you…He did this for a reason… To protect all of us!" I waited to see if anyone agreed with me.

One person finally spoke up. And it surprised the hell out of me. Rosalie.

"I believe you Bella. Edward loves you, you are his true mate. I know my brother and he would never do anything so reckless without a good reason." she said plainly.

Emmett's face broke out into the biggest, goofiest grin ever. He walked over and pulled Rose up tight against his chest, her feet dangling off the floor. His laughter caught us all by surprise.

"By God, If my darling wife Rose has finally seen the light about my brother, I say it's high time we rescue his ass!" And Emmett laughed even louder, placing loving kisses all over his beautiful wife's surprised face.

Smiles spread through the room like wildfire. Feelings of hope spread just as fast. Until someone asked the one question that had to be asked.

"So how do we rescue him? Isn't he being holed up in a fortress or something?"

We all turned to see who asked such a thing. I watched as Jake strolled into the middle of the room with Nessie on his shoulders. I was livid that he had brought her into the tail end of our conversation. I was about to give him what for when the cell phone in the back pocket of Emmett's jeans began to ring.

He pulled the phone out and flipped it open. He mouthed to all of us that it was Carlisle calling. We watched as Emmett let Carlisle know that Eleazar and Carmen were here and that we think we could be making some progress. A few minutes of short answers back and forth passed by. Then Emmett grew silent. His face grew darker. As he listened to Carlisle, we all began to ask quietly "What is it?". Emmett kept putting his hand out in front of him like a shushing motion.

"Okay…got it." Emmett said and disconnected the call. He looked at all of us for a moment.

"As you can gather that was Carlisle. He just called from the Amazon. I've got bad news." Emmett said in a flat voice.

We all jumped up and crowed him at once. "What?!" "What is it?"….All the questions came at him at once. Emmett closed his eyes for a second.

"They've all been wiped out. The Amazon coven. All except Zafrina and she's badly hurt." Emmett slammed his fist down on a table in anger and caused it to splinter into several pieces.

We waited for the rest of the news. "Carlisle is bringing Zafrina back. Bella was right, they took the half vampire children. Kachiri and Senna were killed by Demetri and Felix."

Solemnly we all moved to different parts of the living room. Carmen and Eleazar….Esme, Emmett, and Rose…., Jake, Nessie and I. We silently mourned the loss of good friends.

I finally found my voice. "Eleazar, the Volturi must pay for this. We need your help. Any ideas where to start?"

Eleazar broke away from Carmen's grasp for a moment. "I don't know Bella….I…I…"

I saw him focus on Jake all of a sudden.

"I think I have an idea!" He sounded off enthusiastically. "The children of the Moon…they may be able to help us!"