Chapter 12: Bella POV
I didn't need to understand Italian to find my way off the plane and out of the airport. It was buzzing with activity. I looked at all the humans, worrying about small things like their passports or hotel bookings. It all seemed trivial to me. I found a cash machine and drew out a large sum of money. I didn't know what I was doing, but money could always be helpful.
I didn't really have much of a plan now that I was here. The only thing I knew was that the Volturi were in Volterra. It was the only information my family gave in their explanations about the vampire royalty. I walked shakily towards the rank of taxis and addressed the man driving the first one.
"Volterra?" I asked hesitantly whilst pointing to my watch- hoping to convey that I needed to know how long it took to get there.
"English sweetheart?" The man smirked and I nodded uncomfortably. His English was rough but understandable.
"Thought so. I always sniff out the tourists." His smile was unnecessarily sleazy.
"Volterra?" I asked more firmly now that I knew that he understood English.
"About a three hour and a half drive. It's gonna cost ya. Although, I'm sure can come to a arrangement." Again, the smile and poor grammar. I threw a handful of cash on the front seat. That language, anybody could speak.
"This should be enough. No arrangements needed." I said stiffly before climbing into the backseat. The Italian man looked disappointed but seemed to understand that I couldn't be messed with. He started the engine without a word and pulled away from the airport.
"No suitcase?" He enquired curiously.
"No."
"Business or pleasure?"
"Business."
"Oh." I was obviously giving off heavy vibes that I wanted to be left alone and he didn't try to talk to me again. I stared out the window in silence. Adrenalin was coursing through my veins due to the fear of the unknown and once again I found myself restless as there was nothing I could do for the next three hours. This is where my plan officially ended. My only hope was that once I got to Volterra, the Volturi would find me. I was fairly confident this would be achievable. They had sent some of their people half way across the world to look for me, surely they would know if I actually entered their city?
I watched the trees flit by and I lost myself in thought. Maybe I didn't have to be this terrified… Maybe the Volturi would change me and return me to my family. After all, that would be beneficial to me, I would finally get what I want; immortality. And I would spend that countless time with my love, Edward. That is if he ever forgave me for what I had done. For lying and deceiving him.
I took a deep breath. No matter how many times I told myself that there was no point in worrying; that I had made my decision and couldn't change it, I still couldn't get rid of the fear that ruled my body. I switched from bouncing my knee nervously, to wringing my fingers, to tapping my nails against the window, I just couldn't stop moving. The driver glanced at me warily from time to time but respected the silence I had imposed.
Eventually, finally, I heard the words I both longed to hear and feared,
"Welcome to Volterra." I nodded, vaguely aware that he wouldn't be able to see my acknowledgment.
"Um, where do you want me to drop you off? Hotel?" I thought quickly.
"No, that won't be necessary. Town centre?" I asked uncertainly and it was his turn to nod. It didn't take long to reach the crowded streets and our progress became slower as traffic increased. After a few minutes he pulled over.
"The main square is right behind that building." He indicated.
"Thank you." I said as I climbed out of the car. He tried to offer me some change but I declined. He hesitated.
"I'm sorry about earlier." This shocked me and I took a good look at him. He seemed tired and worn.
"Ok." I replied at a loss for words. He bit his lip.
"Watch your back. Don't know what kind of trouble you're in, you look like a good kid." He rushed hastily before nodding quickly and speeding off. The random act of kindness made my emotions swirl. I had to keep myself in check. This lack of control was ridiculous.
I took off my sweater and tied it around my waist. The sun felt pleasant on my face and arms and I took a second to appreciate it before I walked forward in search for the town square that the taxi driver had mentioned. I felt an unexpected pang of guilt as I realized that I didn't know his name. I put it aside and was amazed by the sight before me as I rounded the building.
It was simply stunning. I had to remind myself to close my jaw as I looked around. Then a grim thought occurred to me; I couldn't have chosen a better place to die. I strode forward to the middle of the square confidently whilst shaking my hair to spread my scent. I knew I had a powerful smell; the Cullens had told me many times. Some of the Volturi knew my scent from our last encounter, so hopefully this would be enough. My back up plan wasn't great; jumping up and down screaming, "It's Bella, I'm here!" I would look insane. Not that it mattered I suppose.
I sat on the edge of the fountain and briefly looked at my reflection. The face staring back at me didn't give anything away. The girl I was looking at was tired, but composed. She had dark circles under her eyes and pronounced worry lines, yet her body was still and she did not appear agitated. I looked at this girl and tried to figure out when was the last time she smiled. It couldn't have been that long, but it felt like an eternity.
Another idea to strengthen my scent came to mind and I dipped both hands into the water before splashing it onto my face and hair. This wouldn't appear too odd to humans and Ed-, he once told me that my scent intensified when I was wet. I waited an hour for something to happen, for someone to come and get me. As each minute ticked by, I felt more and more self-conscious. What was I doing? The Cullens must be having a heart attack over my little stunt and here I was, just casually sitting around in Italy? How pathetic was I to mess up what should be the simplest thing; my death?
I decided to give the 'scent idea' one more chance before I did actually resort to screaming my name. I had a quick look around me in order to find any sort of sharp object that would allow me to free my blood from my veins. My search proved itself unsuccessful, but I wasn't about to give up. I took a deep breath and started scratching at the skin on my wrists. I had done this before, as a means of self-harm during the time I was under Charlie's care. I hissed when the burn became more pronounced as the constant friction of my fingernails slowly bore through my skin.
I focused on the pain. This used to help me pull myself together during emotional breakdowns and it could hold that therapeutic effect once again. I didn't stop, even as I felt the warm, sticky substance I was looking for. I kept on scratching and was vaguely aware of a cloaked figure approaching from my left.
"Excuse me?" The cloaked figure revealed herself to be an extremely beautiful woman. Pale, perfect complexion and the most striking violet eyes. She had to be a vampire. I let out a sigh of relief and fear. They had found me.
"Bella Cullen." I replied hastily without thinking and her smile widened. She looked briefly at my wrist and had a pained expression. She swiftly tore a piece out of the heavy, grey material she was wearing and fastened it around my injury. She backed away as soon as she could.
"Follow me." She said before turning away and setting off. I rose unsteadily and did as I was told.
As I followed her, the full fear of the situation slapped me in the face. Oh God, why was I doing this? My heartbeat increased and I couldn't help but look around me desperately. I'm not sure quite what I was looking for, but anything to distract me from what lay ahead would have sufficed. I didn't find any comfort in my surrounding before I was sucked into a darker area of the square. Here, my mystery vampire took off her hood and turned around with a wicked smile.
"We've been waiting for you. Although, Aro will be surprised to find you travelling alone."
"A-Aro?" I stuttered.
"So ignorant." She mused before resuming our journey. I struggled to keep up.
"Where's Emmett?" I tried to demand, but it came out in huffs as I stumbled along.
"He's with one of my friends at the moment." I didn't like her tone of voice and the fear seemed to form a block of solid ice around my heart.
"Let him go." I whispered pathetically.
"Let me see… No."
She didn't say another word as she led me through a maze of tunnels. I wasn't claustrophobic, but under all the stress, it just added to my pile of fears. Tears started running down my cheeks. Who was I to think I could possibly be strong when set against vampires? I wanted Edward. His very name pained me, but I didn't care. I wanted him. I wanted him to hold me and tell me that that everything was going to be ok, that I was going to be safe. The tears kept on coming and I couldn't restrain the occasional sob.
"Oh Bella," The woman purred, "Don't be so sad. You'll soon find out that Aro is the solution to all your problems." As she spoke, she stroked my cheek gently.
"So warm." She murmured which only intensified my pain as I thought of Edward telling me those very words countless times before.
We must have been walking for at least two hours. My feet were dragging and my pace steadily slowed down. I could even see that my mystery guide was losing patience with me. I was ridiculously tired and was sure I was about to collapse when we reached a larger area. My guide pushed open the thick door easily and gestured for me to step in. I did so warily and cowered at what lay in the other room.
Intimidating wouldn't cover the image of perfection that la before my eyes. Even in my situation, I couldn't deny the room or it's occupants' beauty. There stood ornate chairs with thee elderly vampires seated in them. As I looked more closely, something about their skin was off, but it didn't detract from the striking perfection of the three faces.
"Isabella Cullen. You have quite a reputation you know." Said the vampire in the middle. I stood there frozen and he smiled.
"How rude of me, you must be confused. I'm Aro, and this here is Caius, and Marcus." It was clear that Aro was in charge and I shuddered remembering what the woman had said. Aro would ultimately decide my fate. Aro didn't seem to be bothered by my silence and carried on talking.
"I must say, I'm not disappointed; you are very strange. Not only your situation, but you are quite remarkable by your own right. A human living with vampires, insane! Yet, you travel all the way to Italy alone and offer yourself to us. You are not without courage." His words weren't threatening or harsh, simply curious and bemused, but I still couldn't respond.
"Oh do relax my dear, we are all civil here." At his words, Caius hissed but remained seated. I backed away involuntarily.
"Patience brother." Aro said quietly. He then turned back to face me, "I don't want to frighten our guest." He smiled.
"Guest." I said incredulously.
"Ah, she speaks!" Aro laughed but I didn't find anything funny about the situation I was in and my face remained stone cold. Aro regarded me for a second.
"Why are you here?"
"This problem has nothing to do with my family. Let Emmett go and you can do whatever you want with me." I had rehearsed far better lines, but nothing it would have to do.
"Ah, but you see, it does concern your family. They chose to get involved as soon as they took you into their house." He replied sadly.
"Kill me." I said desperately, "Kill me and let Emmett go. Please, please let him go." I begged. Aro considered briefly and then walked forward.
"Maybe we could come to some sort of agreement." He almost purred and I was taken aback. This seemed to easy, almost planned.
"I've heard rumours." He continued, "Demetri couldn't sample your mind and therefore couldn't track you. I'm curious, are you impervious to all powers?" I decided that honesty was the best option here.
"Yes, mostly. Edward can't read my mind, but Jasper can control my emotions."
"Interesting." Aro mused. "You see, my power in similar to Edward's, only I require touch. May I?" He asked while extending his arm and I hesitantly walked forward. He took my hand in his and I flinched slightly at the cold skin.
Aro released my hand after a few seconds with a small smile.
"Yes, very interesting."
"Will you let Emmett go and leave the Cullens alone?" I asked impatiently, not understanding Aro's intents.
"Yes."
"Really?" I asked full of irrational hope.
"Yes." He chuckled. "Under one condition."
"Anything." I said breathless.
"You join us." That stunned me for a second.
"Become a vampire?" I asked uncertainly.
"Yes." Joy suddenly filled me. I would get to become a vampire and save my family.
"I think she misunderstood." Marcus spoke for the first time and I quickly glanced at Caius who had a sneer on his face.
"Yes, do explain further Aro." Caius smirked. I turned back to Aro in confusion and he was smiling sadly.
"I'm sorry for giving you false hope my dear. When I say you must join us, I do mean the Volturi. I am interested in your power. I believe you hold great potential. We will release your family member as long as you agree to become one of our guard. You won't be able to see the Cullens anymore and you will obey us." My face dropped as I fully understood what they were asking of me. I hadn't anticipated this. They wanted to… keep me?
"You will submit to training and will adapt to our lifestyle. You will be powerful and others will fear you. Being part of the Volturi is an honor and this offer doesn't happen often so I would chose wisely."
"Of course, if you do not agree, we cannot let you leave this city alive." Caius said. "And this Emmett will have to be disposed of as well."
"No." I cried out in fear.
"Well then, what is your answer young one?" Marcus asked calmly. I hung my head.
"I'll do it."
So here we go. I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I did writing it!
Iole01 xxx