Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight. Apparently you igmos.
Hey!!
so I'm finally updating after like a month.
My life has been crazy so, I could literally spend maybe an hour on this a week.
but, after lots of perstering from my friends, chapter 14 is finally here.
I had posted this earlier on Friday after pulling an all nighter finishing it.
I tried to edit and put it on the site this morning, but I was leaving for a school trip and didn't get to finish edting because I woke up late.
You probably could tell I was rushing by my AN. I was literally being honked at by my dad waiting for me in the car.
I was determined to get this up before I left so I could come back home to reviews. And my inbox has 80 unread, so I'm a little excited.
So thats why it may have been rough earlier, but now it's edited and I hope you enjoy it.
Some minor changes:
1. I revised my story outline and so the ending has changed and I like it a lot better. It's going to be epic and im excited.
So I have moved the week up a day. So instead of it being Sunday it is now Monday, so the duel will be on tuesaday. So thanks for everyone that has reviewed!! you have no idea how much they mean to me. The support you guys show for this story keeps me happy and motivated!
and thanks to everyone who has alerted and favorited, I would love you even more if you reviewed!
And a special thanks to Bonita10 and RileyAnastasia for yalls help with the cars in this chapter. You are heaven sent and I love you.
This chappy is fun because it shows the cullen/volturi interaction.
so here is Chapter 14- Volturi vs. Cullen.
Song: "Fat Lip" by Sum 41 (beginning), and "Yellow" by Coldplay (ending)
Chapter 14
EPOV
I stayed in the forest for a little bit after Bella left. I was ready to start working on getting her back, but I wasn't ready to see my family just yet. Their looks of pity and thoughts of remorse from my predicament would only send me back to self-loathing.
I was on a high of determination and I didn't want to be brought down. They already knew that our plan on getting Bella back was upgraded 40 levels because she was engaged. I didn't want to talk about it like we did earlier. That little session of Dr. Phil I could only take once. I only wanted to talk strategy.
I ran back towards the ball room and through the patio doors. I noticed my family wasn't there and I couldn't hear their 'voices' in the ballroom so they must've gone back up to the room. I began to weave myself through the crowds towards the exit when I was stopped by a hand on my arm. I turned to meet the golden eyes of Tanya Denali.
"Edward" She greeted me with her flashy smile. Her thoughts were already leading towards things I would only do with Bella, and I internally rolled my eyes. I for sure wasn't in the mood to deal with her advances.
"Tanya" I said through a tight smile
"I saw the rest of your family earlier, but they made a hasty exit. Is everything alright"
I knew she was being genuine because she and her family were our closest allies. But I wasn't going to pour out all of our troubles on her.
"Yes every thing is fine. We are just so over come with emotion from being here." I tripped a little over that last part trying to find a word that could fit what was going on with us.
"Oh! Us too! This is all quite remarkable. This vampire must be something. It makes me wonder what the Volturi really have up their sneaky little sleeves."
"Mhhm" I wanted to end this conversation so I could get back up to my family, but Tanya was too social for me. "Well Tanya, I need to find my family so I'll catch up with you later."
"I'll hold you to that."
I smiled in response to that and then walked a little too briskly away. I weaved my way through up the staircase and before I left, I looked back at the ballroom floor.
There my Bella was. She was dancing gracefully in the arms of Felix. They were gliding across the floor and she looked so happy. Felix dipped her and Bella threw her head back in laughter. She smiled at him with affection and that's when I walked out. I couldn't watch that anymore.
I should be the one dancing with her and making her laugh that way. She should wear my mother's ring on her finger and looking at me in the way she looked at him.
But I wasn't going to go back to feeling bad for myself. Bella would be back in my arms soon enough
I made my way back up to the room and walked in the suite to see my family. They were all sitting in the living area and suddenly turned quiet as I walked in.
A clear indication that they were just talking about me.
I went and stood before them with a determined stance. Alice made a motion to say something to me but I held my hand up for her not to. She closed her mouth and everyone in the room stood read for my next move. Their thoughts all expected me to do something rash, but I was past the reactive stage.
"I already know what you are going to say to me, so you can just save your energy."
"Dude how you can be so calm about this. You do know Bella is engaged." Emmett cut in while Rosalie glared at him.
I pinched the bridge of my nose to calm myself before I responded to my oblivious brother. "Yes Emmett, I am fully aware." Emmett was about to reply back but Rose gave him a look that said 'shut up or die'.
I then presumed to tell them about my and Bella's encounter in the forest.
"That is so classic Bella; trying to please everyone but herself. She doesn't want to marry that guy. We all could tell she wasn't too excited about it when we talked to her before you did." Rosalie said when I finished. Everyone nodded that they understood too.
"We have to help her." Esme included.
"We are. We are going to get Bella back and with us where she belongs. We have to do this for her. She doesn't want this life. And this life isn't for her. We are going to make her remember the life she used to have; the life she should have."
"Whoo! " Emmett shouted at that and pumped his fist in the air. Alice jumped out of Jasper's lap with the same determination as me and Jasper and Rosalie's thoughts were excited for this mission; Jasper for Alice and Rosalie just for the challenge. Esme smiled at the prospect of getting her other child back and Carlisle was happy for me especially.
"I'm proud of you Edward, but you all must be cautious of how you approach her. You can't forget that she is a member of the Volturi. She will most likely be around another member most of the time; especially her fiancé. You can't reveal too much. That could tip off the other Volturi and frighten Bella herself." Carlisle cautioned us.
He was right. We couldn't be too obvious, but it is going to have to be just enough.
And we only have 5 days to do it.
We all agreed to meet back later to go find Bella, and so everyone retired to their own rooms. I laid on my bed listening to my music gaining my focus for the task at hand.
I had to keep my cool.
We all met in the living area and left with Esme wishing us good luck, Carlisle had left earlier to meet with some other vampires. I knew the gym was back down by the gardens so we headed that way. Alice was out of her element in excitement so Jasper was sending out calming waves. They didn't seem to have the slightest effect on her, but helped out my nerves. The closer we got to the gym the giddier I became.
We reached the giant window peeking into the gym and we all stood slightly dumbfounded at the sight before us.
Bella was kicking someone's ass.
"Damn."
Emmett broke the silence with his profound vocabulary. But he was right. Bella had two vampires pinned against the wall and she didn't seem to be using any powers. Felix and another brunette vampire were standing off to the side. Bella then released them and high fived the other female vampire.
"Would it be bad to say I'm impressed and a little afraid of Squirt there." Emmett said as we continued watching. Bella was now using her shield to block things being chunked at her from all different ways.
"No." We all answered at the same time.
"Bella's got some moves" Alice piped in.
"Yeah, it looks like they are seriously training up a weapon of mass destruction in there." Jasper said.
"I honestly didn't think she had it in her." Rosalie admitted.
We continued to watch, emitting the occasional 'ooh" whenever Bella kept knocking things into one of the vampires in her training session. She ended with going up against all 4 of the other vampires and beating them by turning her self invisible and binding them together with an impenetrable, invisible force.
It was mind blowing.
She ended this and finally noticed us standing outside the window. She flashed us a brilliant smile and began to make her way out to us.
"Hey guys!"
"Hey" we all greeted back.
"That was some pretty impressive fighting in their. For a little thing, you sure caused some damage" Emmett said.
Bella rolled her eyes at Emmett's comment and replied, "Every Volturi member has to go through that. Mine is just more intense now."
"Well you didn't look like you were having any trouble." Emmett said.
Bella just shrugged and said "I guess they're just wimps", with a joking smile gesturing towards the four vampires inside.
"Or you are just that amazing" I added. Bella looked at me shyly and then looked down at the floor in embarrassment. What I would give to see her blush once more.
I smiled back at her modesty and the thoughts of the rest of my family were adding mental points to our score. Making Bella remember our playful banter and how she would get so embarrassed easily could help her remember.
Cullens- 1 Volturi-0
I looked at the other vampires to see them glancing at our interaction. I couldn't read their thoughts, but I'm sure they were all wondering who we were. Felix seemed extra cautious and was turning protective. He was worried for Bella's safety, but he was also getting jealous.
He began to make his way out towards us before we could think of a quick get a way with Bella. He glided out the door towards us and slid his arm around Bella's waist. She looked a little shocked by this, but didn't shake him off. She smiled up at him and he hugged her closer and kissed the top of her head. This made me come back down to earth and remember that Bella was already 'taken', per se, so that was a point against us.
Volturi- 1 Cullens- 1
Damn.
"Hey Bells, who are you friends?" Felix asked Bella curiously, but I could tell the possessiveness in his voice.
"This is the Cullens; Jasper, Alice, Rosalie, Emmett and Edward." She answered him, gesturing towards each of us and we all nodded in acknowledgment.
"Guys, this is Felix" She introduced us to him.
"They taught me how to hunt vegetarian style yesterday." Bella said to Felix.
Realization dawned in his face and he said, "Oh yeah, the vegetarian coven from America. Aro speaks highly of your Carlisle."
"Carlisle a great man" Jasper said.
"So I've heard" Felix retorted, "So Bella what time do you want to head out?"
"What do mean?" Bella asked puzzled. I was praying that he was mistaken. If he and Bella already had plans, we wouldn't get to be with her today. This decreases our chances of getting her memory back.
"B, its Monday"
Bella then slapped her palm to her forehead and said, "Shoot, Felix, I completely spaced. With all of the stuff going on this week, I forgot what day it was."
"You don't have to go. We'll understand if you have stuff to do. I'm sure with the crowning and wedding plans, you're too busy." Felix said with a disappointed tone. He was acting as though he really understood, but you could definitely tell he really wanted Bella to do what ever they had planned.
"No way, I never miss Monday races. And Heidi has the wedding covered from what I can tell. In fact the less I'm involved in the planning, the better it will look, I promise you." Bella reassured him as Felix smiled.
Volturi -2, Cullens-1
Damn.
There goes our morning with Bella. She was going off with Felix to their 'Monday races' and we are left here on our asses.
Bella looked at us for a second and then smiled brilliantly. I smiled in return at what ever she was planning.
"Do you guys know anything about cars?"
BPOV
This was perfect.
Ever since I came to Volterra, Monday night was always my favorite time of the week. It was the night at Volterra when the youth of the castle would get together and just act our age.
Or our frozen in time age.
Felix, Heidi, Demetri, Chelsea, Jane, Alec and I all were changed relatively young and are all under the age of 21. We were all from different parts of the world and different time periods but we all have the need to just be with people our own age.
We all also had the same need for speed.
So on Mondays we would all go down to the garage, get in our cars, and race. We would either do mass tag team racing, drag racing, or we would work on the cars and make them faster to race. It was fun to just hang out and not have to worry about any of our duties. We were all pretty good friends (not so much Jane, but she could have her moments), so we looked forward to it.
I was hoping to spend some time with the Cullens, and now the perfect opportunity had presented itself.
I looked at my new six favorite people and smiled at the thought of racing with them. "Do you guys know anything about cars?"
They all looked at me for a second like I was a complete tard. Rosalie looked like I just told her she had a thick, unsightly uni-brow and Emmett looked like I just ran over his puppy.
"Bella, let me assure you, we know about cars" Edward said with a slight chuckle. The rest of the family nodded their agreement.
"You all seem very sure of your selves." Felix commented with a smug look.
"We can hold our own" Edward said with the same smug look plus a classic, crooked smile.
Both of them started to size up one another and glare at each other. Felix then casually moved his arm up to around my shoulders and pulled me closer. I saw Edwards jaw tighten and his eyes seemed to grow darker. His siblings were looking in between the two with anticipation.
I had no idea what was going on, but it wasn't friendly.
"Okay guys, hate to ruin this testosterone party, but I believe there is room for everyone in Car Land."
Edward started to calm down a bit, but Felix still hadn't loosened his grip. I gave him a slight push and a 'wtf' look and he released his hold on me. I rolled my eyes at him and then looked back at the Cullens who were giving Edward a skeptical look.
"Anyway", I started and they turned their attention towards me, "We always work on and race the cars on Mondays. Would you like to join us? It's not everyday we have more teenagers here."
They all smiled at that and accepted excitedly. "Excellent" I smiled back, "Meet us down at the garage around 6"
"We'll be there" Edward said with a smile. I almost sighed out loud.
"Now I've got to go do more wedding planning." I said with fake enthusiasm.
"I can't be all that bad. It actually sounds like fun" Alice chimed in.
"You've never met Heidi. She's a woman with a mission." Felix and I exchanged a knowing glance and shook our heads. "But, you'll meet her later. You'll see what I'm talking about."
At that my phone started to ring Heidi's specialized ring tone. "Speak of the devil" I said as I pulled it out of my pocket. Apparently I was late again so I needed to haul ass up to my room.
"I'll see you guys later. Bring you're A game" I waved good bye to the Cullens and my eyes lingered with Edward's a bit longer than necessary.
"See you later, B" Felix said to me with a kiss to my forehead. I was still getting used to us, and kissing in front of people like that made me a little uncomfortable.
Especially the Cullens.
I headed back up to my room where I was subjected to more wedding plans by the merciless Heidi. We picked out her bridesmaid's dress and started looking at flower samples. It wasn't all too bad since Heidi wasn't as wired up from the wedding hype as she was yesterday.
We were picking out color schemes and almost decided on a flashy hot pink so we could dress Aro up in a pink suit when he gave me away. Lord knows that man needed to add some color to his wardrobe. But we decided on royal blue and gold.
As it neared time to head down to the garage, I decided to change into something more presentable. I never took as much care in my look before, but I stood in my closet room pondering what I should wear. I finally decided on a pair of simple jeans and a dark blue blouse. I brushed my hair so it would fall perfectly around my face in waves and wiped on mascara and a clear gloss.
I walked out of my closet to find Heidi looking curiously at me. "What?" I asked her, automatically smoothing my hand over my hair.
"Nothing. I mean, its just you look especially nice tonight. You've never put that much effort on your outfits all by yourself. Whenever Raymond or I dress you up, you act like we're trying to force feed you bleach or something"
I just shrugged my shoulders and said, "I just wanted to look good tonight. Is that a crime?"
"No, I'm proud actually. Maybe Ray and I are rubbing off on you," she said. Then realization dawned over her face and she smiled at me, "You wanted to look special for Felix."
"Sure, Heidi, Let's just go" I tried to play it off as I dragged her out of my room. She was still giggling slightly at me and I just rolled my eyes.
To be honest, Felix was the last person on my mind. I really wanted to not look like a freak for the Cullens; and Edward. I knew it was bad to be dressing up for a man that I wasn't engaged to, but he was company so I wanted to look my best.
I was almost running down to the basement floor where our massive garage was. I reached the glass door that led to the spacious underground room that stretched underneath the entire castle. It held over 100 different cars, boats, motorcycles, and anything else you could think of for the Volturi.
We walked in and my eyes immediately caught sight of the bronze topped god. He and his family were all gathered around a set of cars talking with Demetri. I couldn't help but stop and stare at his perfect form. He was wearing jeans that fit his body perfectly and a black polo that showed off his long, toned arms. I audibly sighed and he turned around to catch me staring. I quickly averted my eyes down to the floor, but not before I saw him smile his beautiful crooked grin and turn back to Demetri.
"What were you staring at?" Heidi asked me. I looked at her knowing I had been caught staring at Edward.
"Oh...Um, just…nothing."
She looked at me unconvinced and then looked back over to where the Cullens were staring. She stayed silent for a second and then it was if a light bulb went off in her head. She looked at me with a sly smile and laughed a little.
"Oh my gosh, Bella. You were totally checking that guy out," She said with a smile.
"What! That's absurd. I was not checking anyone out. I'm engaged for heaven's sake!" I retorted trying to cover it up.
Heidi just snorted at me and rolled her eyes, "Yeah right. I know a "checking-out" look when I see one. I practically invented it."
"I have no idea what you're talking about" I replied and then started picking at my perfectly manicured fingernails.
"What ever. But I don't blame you B. The red headed one is a grade A hottie," I threw my head back up at her for that one.
"Heidi!"
"What, he is! Just because we're taken doesn't mean we can't look," She justified to me and then pointed back to Edward who had turned his back to us, "And what a sight it is. Oh, the things I could do to that man."
"Stop right there Heidi." I said while holding up my hand to her fantasies.
She was right in the sense though. I could look at Edward all I wanted. Just because I had Felix didn't mean I couldn't admire other men. That was all I was doing to Edward.
Admiring.
This was just some ridiculous crush I had, it would pass soon.
"Who is that anyway" Heidi asked me.
"That's Edward Cullen and the other four are apart of his coven. They are the Cullen coven from America. The Vegetarian vampires Aro talks about sometimes. They took me animal blood hunting yesterday, remember."
"Oh yeah, the Cullens. Those ones are our age, right?"
"Yup."
"What are they doing down here?"
"I invited them to hang out with us tonight. It's nice to have some fresh faces around here"
"Gorgeous, fresh faces are more like it"
"Down girl" I told her as she hooked her arm in mine and we started walking towards everybody.
It surprised me by how much I was bothered at the fact that Heidi was thinking that about Edward. She was married so I knew she was only looking and I was engaged so I really had no right to get so worked up about anything. I must be losing my mind because I have never acted or felt this way about someone.
I was absolutely smitten by Edward. I was always watching him and admiring his beauty. Yet, he was also incredibly different from anyone that I had ever met. It was as if we had a connection that couldn't be penetrated. I had this new need just to be around him now.
But this was only a phase I was going through.
Temporary infatuation.
Everyone was here already. They were all gathered around a few cars and I could tell by the conversation they were just deciding who was going to take out which cars. I was happy to see that everyone seemed to be getting along with the Cullens. This meant that I wouldn't have to have two sets of friends. We could all be together.
"Hey Bella" Alice said as we approached them. I saw her eyes quickly glance at Heidi and mine's locked arms, and I saw a look of sadness flash briefly in her eyes. Everyone greeted us and then I introduced them all to Heidi.
"Hey guys, this is Heidi and Heidi this is Alice, Jasper, Emmett, Rosalie and Edward" I said as I gestured off to each of them. I saw Heidi and Rose glaring at each other, until Rose turned away. Peculiar.
Heidi, in her normal fashion, smiled and said "Official wedding planner and best friend, how do you do?"
I rolled my eyes at her antics, but out of the corner of my eye I saw Alice stiffen slightly, but she played it off. What was that about?
The Cullens all smiled slightly in response, but I could tell it was a little forced. Weird.
Heidi could tell it was getting weird, so she mumbled something about asking Demetri something and slipped away.
"So you guys ready for some fun Volterra style?" I said trying to break down some of the tension.
"Born ready" Jasper replied for his family.
I laughed slightly, which loosened every body up. "I take it you're not new to cars."
"To say we know about cars would be an understatement. Back home its pretty much all we do." Emmett said.
"Good then. That'll make me feel better when I win tonight." I smiled teasingly at them.
"Oh you're going to beat us now? Let me warn you, us Cullens don't go down without a fight." Edward retorted.
"Neither do the Volturi"
"Well then let the best family win"
"Don't worry. We will" I smiled at them before I went off to go find my car for the night. They all went off throughout the garage to select theirs too.
This was going to one hell of a race.
EPOV
This was going to be perfect. Bella was the one to start the initiative to hang out tonight. She wanted to get to know us better, I was sure of it. She wanted us to come to some sort of 'car racing' party tonight. The rest of my family was extremely excited for tonight. Not only were they going to be with Bella tonight, but do one of our favorite pastimes as a family.
The only down side to tonight was that it wasn't just going to be us and Bella. We were also going to be with her Volturi friends, namely Felix.
He and I didn't have the smoothest of starts earlier. I had coached myself earlier in preparation for this. I wasn't going to let myself lose control when he touched her. I had to keep reminding myself that he and Bella were engaged.
But it was a lot easier said than done. He must have felt the connection between Bella and I because he pulled her closer and placed his filthy lips on the top of her delicate head; clearly marking her as his. I almost lost it, but Jasper was shooting me waves of calm. We did have one hell of a stare down throughout the entire conversation to the point where Bella had to interfere.
One thing for sure is that, Felix was going to be greater an obstacle than I'd presumed.
But Bella was mine, so there was no way I'd be leaving this castle with out her.
We met down at the garage around six and Bella hadn't arrived yet. We walked in to rows upon rows of cars of every type, color, year and model. One of the big vampires we had seen at the club came and greeted us. His name was Demetri and he was tall and burly with chocolate brown hair, and sharp features. He was actually quite pleasant and I was pleased to know that not everyone here was going to be against us.
He took us on a tour of the garage and was becoming fast friends with the rest of my siblings. I wasn't talking as much, because I was watching Felix from across the room. He was glaring at me while wiping down a smoky grey Hummer H3. I turned my back to him and tried to listen to Demetri but I could almost feel his eyes burning into the back of my skull. He was trying to challenge me, and felt a low growl beginning to rumble in my chest. When I turned around, instead of his ice cold blue eyes, I saw the deep brown of my Bella.
She was standing with whom I presumed was Heidi and they were both staring at me. I smiled at Bella and then turned back around, if I stared any longer, I might have started drooling. I could hear little snippets of their conversation and all I could really catch was "checking him out", since they were whispering at a low enough volume.
I chuckled inwardly at that. I saw how flustered Bella was at that comment, and the thought of how she used to blush crimson whenever she was embarrassed flooded my mind. This Bella had to be 'dazzled', as she used to call it, by my presence so it couldn't be long before she remembered me. Bella knew I was special, that much was apparent. She even took extra care in her appearance. It was noticeable and she looked beautiful, but no matter what she wore or did, she would always be beautiful; human or vampire. She was trying to impress us. Not that it was needed, but the gesture was a point for us.
Volturi-2 Cullens-2.
I saw that Alice was staring up at me and I realized I was sporting a goofy grin on my face just at the thought of Bella. Alice glanced back at Bella and then smiled at me knowingly. I shrugged my shoulders at Alice and then went back to listening to Demetri talking about the cars in the garage.
"Hello Bella" I heard Alice greet and then turn to see Bella and her friend approach. Alice glanced down at the two of their locked arms and visibly winced. It was so hard for Alice to watch Bella interact with her Volturi friends while she couldn't be with Bella like that, at least not yet.
"Hey" the rest of my family waved to Bella.
"Hey guys, this is Heidi", she gestured to the blonde vampire she was with, "Heidi this is Alice, Jasper, Emmett, Rosalie and Edward", and she introduced us. My sisters were sizing her up. Alice was showing her happy demeanor on the outside, but on the inside she was plotting ways to get rid of Heidi. I was going to have to talk to her about that, killing Bella's friend wasn't going to help our situation. Rosalie was having a minor stare down with Heidi, and I knew it was a beauty competition. Heidi was smiling slightly straight at Rose and Rose was about to eye stab her. Emmett put a calming hand on his wife's shoulder and Rose broke the gaze. Heidi smiled triumphantly. If she knew what was good for her, she wouldn't challenge Rosalie.
"Official wedding planner and best friend, how do you do?" Heidi said in a light tone. It was meant to come off funny, but no one laughed because the tension was high. We all just smiled slightly, which could have almost come out as a grimace. Alice stopped slightly at the words 'best friend', but recovered from Jasper's calming waves.
Heidi could tell we weren't going to really soften up to her, so I heard her mumble "I need to go find my husband", and then briskly walked out of the huddle.
I heard Rosalie's thoughts chanting, "Ding dong the witch is gone. Which old witch. The ugly bitch." She was even smiling slightly at her little Wizard of Oz spoof. Now I had her and Alice to worry about concerning Heidi.
"So you guys ready for some fun Volterra style?" Bella asked us.
"Born ready" Jasper replied. My brother was competitive, not as much as Emmett, Emmett was borderline crazy, but Jasper had southern sportsmanship.
Bella musical laugh rang out at that and I smiled involuntarily. "I take it you're not new to cars."
"To say we know about cars would be an understatement. Back home its pretty much all we do." Emmett said with a smug look.
"Good then. That'll make me feel better when I win tonight." Bella replied surely.
I loved this new confidence in her. As much as I missed my old Bella, this new Bella was different in good ways and bad. The good being that she was confident and I couldn't wait to hear what she would say next; the bad being that she couldn't remember me.
"Oh you're going to beat us now? Let me warn you, us Cullens don't go down without a fight." I told her. She didn't understand the double meaning that had, but the rest of my family did and they audibly agreed.
"Neither do the Volturi", she replied back quickly with a teasing smile.
"Well then let the best family win."
"Don't worry. We will" Bella said with her teasing tone. She then smiled at us before turning to go through the garage
"I like the new and improved Bella. She's feisty." Emmett commented.
"That's for sure. She's different." Rose said.
"But she's still the same Bella. The old Bella is still in there and will come out to remember us." I said definitely.
"Of course, Edward. We know. We were just implying the differences in her. The same clumsy girl is in there. You'll get her back. We all will." Alice said while placing a small hand on my arm. I nodded at my sister.
"Okay, let's burn some rubber. I'm sick of standing around her like a pansy." Emmett said lightening the mood.
"We've only been in here for five minutes." I said to my brother. He could be so impatient sometimes. Well, most of the time.
"I know but I wanna show Bella some real racing," He then pretended to drive an imaginary steering wheel and completed the show with his own little victory dance, "I'm stoked!"
We all laughed and spread throughout the garage to find a car.
This was going to be an interesting night.
**********
We were all lined up outside of the castle along a massive dirt lot in the back. It was shaped in the form of a regulation race track and by the looks of the trees on the edge; it had seen its fair amount of crashes.
We were going to do tag team racing with my family and 5 of the Volturi; Bella, Felix, Heidi, Demetri, and Alec. Each car would do two full laps around the track and then the next would go once they handed the idled driver the team's flag. The only rule was that you couldn't use your powers to help. So Bella graciously drained all of us of our powers and tucked them away in her petite little body.
I was in a silver Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Alice in a bright yellow Porsche 911 Carerra S Cabriolet, Rosalie in a candy red Dodge Viper R/T, Jasper in a sleek black Jaguar, and Emmet in a smoky grey Ferrari. Rose had done some quick, minor work on the engines before we lined up and so now the cars were 5x as fast as before.
The Volturi were also lined up single file right next to us. Bella was in a midnight blue Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder, Alec in a forest green Audi R8, Demetri in a white Mustang, Heidi in an orange Lotus Elise, and Felix in a black McLaren FL. They were all looking pretty smug and I couldn't wait to see their faces when they lost. The excitement was almost too much for anyone to handle because everyone was so pumped on adrenaline.
There was a light at the side of the track indicating when to go and we all waited for the green to light up. Emmett and Bella each had their team flag tied to the mirror in their car and from what I could hear over the loud rumble of the other cars were shooting off smack talk before the light turned. We all waited while the 5 red lights flashed indicating it was about to start and when the green finally blinked Bella and Emmett were off.
Emmett had an easy lead at first, but Bella quickly got up to him, accelerated and cut right in front of him, staying small fraction in front of him. Once they got to the end of their circuit they both quickly untied their flags and threw them into the open windows of Jasper and Alec. They shot off the same way with Alec taking the lead on this one.
Everyone else in waiting was inching more forward in anticipation of their circuit and with Alec rolling back in with Jasper hot on his tail, Demetri and Rosalie speed on with their flags. Rosalie kept an easy lead with her slightly faster car and strategy of cutting Demetri off every time he tried to pass. They rode back in to us and threw their flags to Alice and Heidi.
It was almost hard to look at those two with their brightly colored cars, but it suited their personalities. Alice and Heidi were neck and neck until Heidi pulled a dirty move and guided Alice off the road and into the trees. I saw the whole of my family shoot dirty looks at a laughing Heidi and the cheering Volturi. Bella wasn't cheering though, she had a look of concern on her face like my siblings and I. But it didn't last long because a bright yellow movement steered us back to the road to see Alice pulling out of the trees a good 20 yards in front of Heidi.
I love that little pixie.
Alice steered into the driveway and casually tossed me the flag with a bright smile on her face and then I was off just in time to see an agitated Heidi handing off her flag to a very agitated Felix. I pushed down on my gas and accelerated the car around the curve of the track. I saw that Felix was getting close, but I just concentrated on staying tight inside and focused on the finish line. I was almost there, but Felix was right beside me nearly growling in competitiveness. I drove in and hopped out of my car waving our red flag, just in time to see Felix doing the same thing with their blue one.
" Whoo!" Felix cheered while wasving around his flag.
"No way man, it's totally us. I was definitely ahead." I defended.
"I don't think so, it was a close call but I was in first." Felix fought back.
We started walking towards each other, chest sticking out, and ready to defend our team. I saw my family gather up behind me and then the rest of the Volturi do the same for Felix. We stared at each other in challenge, with Heidi and Alice beside us doing the same. Heidi wasn't making a good impression on my sisters, and now Felix was seriously working my nerve too.
"What was that all about? What about a clean game!" Alice exclaimed towards Heidi.
Heidi just rolled her eyes and said, "They were no rules saying we couldn't help the other team steer. Just get over it pixie stick, we won anyway."
"What did you just call me" Alice in a low, level tone. Jasper put a calming hand on his wife's shoulder and pulled her out of a fighting zone.
"Okay guys, you all need tochill out. It is not this crucial", I heard the perfect voice of Bella sound through all the chaos. She squeezed her way through the two groups and was waving around a Polaroid type picture.
"Don't fight guys. We have a photo finish and the winner seems to be", She examined the picture for a second and then said, "The Cullens!" with a wide smile. "Congrats guys!"
I looked at the picture and there it was, bright as day, the sliver of my car just about 5 inches in front of Felix's black one.
Volturi- 2 Cullens- 3
"Whatever, Beginner's luck" The Volturi mumbled as they walked back to their cars.
"Maybe next time" Emmett joked after them. Heidi flipped him off and he laughed.
"So is that all you do in America, race cars?" Felix asked us, sliding an arm around Bella's shoulders.
"No. We also attend school." Jasper said matter-of-factly.
"Are you serious, once was enough for me. What do you do for fun?"
We all smiled at each other and said "Baseball" in unison.
"Oh yeah, I've played that a few times, fun game."
"Well we're just going to have to play before the week ends." Bella said up to Felix and us.
"Yeah, that would be fun. We will show you how vegetarians do it." Emmett said.
"And beat you again. That would be fun" Rose said.
"We'll see about that," Felix said, "You Cullens can't always get everything you want." He then kissed Bella on the top of her delicate head, and then looked straight back at me. "Some things are meant for us Volturi."
What the Hell.
I knew the rest of my family tensed at that show he just gave. Was he on to us? Did he realize how much we had been focusing on Bella? Did he suspect something?
He somehow had a sinch to how much I liked Bella, or he wouldn't mark her as his right in front of my face.
That bastard.
It was then that I wished I could read his mind, but it was still being blocked by Bella. I needed to know what he was thinking.
"Umm yeah, right." I said. I didn't know what to reply to that.
We were broken from our thoughts when Felix's phone went off. He got it from his pocket and looked at the screen.
"I have to go, but we'll see you at the Duel tomorrow." He said.
"Yup" Emmett replied.
"Good" Felix said slyly. He hugged Bella, kissed her ring, and then took off back to the castle with Demetri and Alec in tow.
"Well that was fun," Bella said with a smile. "Besides, the little bit of competitiveness, I think we are all becoming fast friends.
"Oh yeah, we are a regular Breakfast Club" I said sarcastically.
Bella laughed at that and said, "Give them a chance, they're not bad. They aren't too keen on newbies."
"We can tell" Jasper said.
"Come on let's put these cars back" Bella said.
We all started to drive the cars back to the garage. We were joking around the whole time, and even Heidi, Alice, and Rosalie were starting to act more civil.
My siblings were at the garage waiting on Bella and I to finish up, since we were the last ones left. We were enjoying eachother's company and even the silence while we worked wasn't awkard; it was nice. We were taking our time because Bella knew as soon as she got back to the castle,she would have to start preparing for tommorrow. So we talked about anything and was even the nostalgic game of 20 questions we used to play. This new Bella was still clumsy, loved books, and despised shopping; things I'd already knew.
But what i did learn was that she harbored a deep love for the Volturi.
She loved Aro as a true father because he had always believed in her from the begginning and never gave up on her. They had a connection that she and Charlie never really had. She also did really care deeply for Felix. He was her very first real friend as a vampire, so they would have a connection that couldn't break.
She trusted him with her life.
I could tell in her eyes that she was planning on marrying him.
But plans could change.
Bella and I were sitting in the middle of track staring up at the full moon and bright stars. She was leaning back on her hands, and looking up at the sky and smiling as if it was the greatest thing in the world.
" It's enchanting, isn't it?" Bella said as she continued to gaze. " No matter how long or how many times you look at the sky, it's different and can be what ever you make it out to be. It's free and can never be contained," I smiled at her assessment and gazed at her beautiful form illuminated by the moon light as she continued, " I mean, have you ever seen anything more beautiful."
I couldn't help the answer that popped out of me, but I was glad that I said it. " Yes," as I continued to stare straight at her.
She looked at me and noticed my gaze, she automatically looked down from embaressment at my referrel to her. I picke her chin back up to look at me.
" You shouldn't hide such beauty, Bella." I told her with confident care. She bit her lip through a smile.
The wind blew a peice of her hair in her face, and I tucked it behind her ear before she could. I left my hand lingering on her cheek and didn't stop myself when i stared to softly glide my thumb over her porcelain skin.
She seemed to go into a trance for a couple seconds, but came out of it. She smiled at me. and then lifted her graceful hand over mine on her cheek. I was intoxicated by her scent as she started to lean in towards me, and the look in her eyes told me she knew who I was.
Who I really was.
She remembered.
This was it.
Our lips barely brushed and Bella put her left hand on my shoulder with a smile.
Then, the moonlight caught the glint on Bella's engagement ring.
She looked at it and gasped. She then looked up at me in horror, and stood up quickly and a good distance away from me.
"Oh my God. I'm so sorry" She almost whispered and then she ran back off towards the castle before I could even get a word out.
I guess she didn't remember me, but her engagement.
Volturi- 1,000 Cullens- 3
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