AN: Hey guys, thanks for all the lovely comments and corrections in my story ^^ My twilight fantasy wouldnt be the same without you all ^^ Please review me on my new character now ^^ The naming...it was a request so if you dont like it...dont say anything..-_- hahah
Bella`s POV~
My lungs were about to explode but I didnt dare take a breath. Fear was shaking me up inside as I kept my eyes glued to the intruder. Hidden behind the cowl of a scarlett red hood, not even my eyes could see behind the shadows to see his or her face. There was this mysterious aura surrounding that person. But what struck me as odd was the stillness of this situation. Here I was, sitting on the floor with my fingers clutching my bloody nose. Edward, his back stiff and rigid, was defensively crouched infront of me, most likely reading thought waves. Nobody moved, nobody breathed. The stillness made the atmosphere even more dramatic...tense...nerve-wreaking..like who would make the first move?
Shifting my weight slightly, I tried to stand up but Edward, sensing me move, pushed me back down with his hands.
"Stay down." He commanded, not even turning his head to glance back at me. Suddenly, the mysterious figure moved. Taking two casual steps, the Volturi member closed the distance between us rapidly. Edward, snarled ferociously, a monsterous trembling sound gurgling deep in his chest. To my surprise, the stranger threw up a pair of pale, white hands. It was the international symbol of peace.
"Relax, Cullen. I mean no harm." A voice spoke out from beneath the shadow. It was a woman`s voice, soft and rich. It was almost as smooth as Edward`s voice. Her voice sang out like a melody of woodwinds, like a high pitched flute. Even with the stranger`s words, Edward didnt stop protecting me.
"Why are you here? What do you want?" Edward barked out questions. I saw his fingers, stretched out like claws at his side.
"Im here to help, of couse." She responded walking close. She stood fearlessly, directly infront of my angel. Looking at her up close, she seemed less intimidating. Infact, she was rather short since she only appeared to be able reach up to Edward`s lower chest. If I had to compare, I would say she was the same height as Jane. Although I was still afraid, I felt deep inside, a sense of calm. It was as if I knew her, somehow from somewhere.
"Ha! Help how? Help kill us?" Edward snorted, rising from his crouch to his full height, trying to frighten her with his height. That affect was obviously lost on her, since she didnt back down.
"Do you want my help or not?" She sighed, crossing her arms underneath her cloak.
Edward, copied her movement and stood his ground. "Not."
"Too bad." She retorted with a harsh, cold voice. "Im here to help a friend, so accept it or deal."
A friend? Who did she know here that was her friend? Did the Volturi even allow friendships? Feeling awkward, being the only one sitting, I ignored Edward`s last command and stood up. The blood dripping from my nose stopped a little but still leaked. Now that the fear was dwindling away at the lack of fighting, I felt woozy and dizzy. The scent of rust and salt entered my lungs, heaving my stomach. I felt like puking, dying, anything to escape this disgusting feeling.
"Mgh...MGH!" I groaned, covering my mouth to prevent vomit. One hand on my mouth, the other on my stomach, I dashed past a shocked Edward and a motionless stranger and to the window beside the door. Sliding it open, I pushed my head out into the snow storm and watched with disgust as I blew chunks outside.
My throat burned with the fiery liquid and my stomach muscels ached from the constant contracting. The smell, that was excrushiatingly painful. The nasty smell of my blood was making me puke and the terrible scent of that was making me sick. And all those scents together were giving me a headache.
"Uh....*cough *..I ..uh...MGH!" I gagged, my fingers growing numb from grasping the icy window sill. I vaguly felt Edward, patting my back, asking me questions on my current state of health. My cheeks and face felt like they were being stabbed by icicles but I couldnt bring myself to stop being sick.
"Bella? Love, are you done?" He asked me anxiously, rubbing my back and holding back my hair. Embarassment burned in my cheeks, my heart pumping a bit more rapidly. A fresh gust of wind blew towards me, and I breathed it in greedily, grateful for a new scent. All the dried blood at my nose was making it hard to breath but I still managed none-the-less to clear my head.
"Yeah, *cough* Im fine.." I panted. Edward`s strong, loving hands pulled me back inside and shut the window closed. Resting my head against his shoulder, an overwhelming feeling of exhaustion came over me. I still smelled the faint, lingering scent of my blood and my vomit but it wasnt strong enough to make me have another episode.
"Love, you look green." Edward commented sadly, his cool fingers brushing my forehead. I tried to reply but my tongue was too thick to make coherent words.
"Mmmmmm" I moaned. Suddenly, the feeling in my legs disappeared and my knees gave out. My body fell to the ground to be caught by Edward`s arms before it painfully made contact with the carpet.
"Love?!" He cried out in alarm. My vision was soo blurry, that I had to shut my eyes. Even the brightness of the lights were contributing to my dizziness. I let myself lean on my love`s body, let him support me since I didnt have a bone in my body that could muster the strength. Edward, swept me off my feet, bridal style, and settled me down on the plush, velvety couch.
"She looks terrible..." I heard that woman say. Urgh, how embarrasing. I make such great first impressions...
"I dont think you should be talking! You barged in here and scared Bella to near death!" Edward snarled, I felt his lean muscels tense up.
"Ha!" The woman laughed. "She was already bleeding before I walked in."
"Stop....fighting." I gasped weakly. My love dabbed at my forehead with the sleeve of his shirt, sweeping my hair back from my face. The nasea was fading away and now, I was just plain tired from my recent indecent activity.
Slowly, but subtly, I opened my eyes and gazed into the eyes of my worried lover hovering above me. He helped me sit up, keep a firm, steady grip on my shoulder at all times.
"Please...She`s sick..not dying. Your so over-dramatic..." The woman huffed, still in the same position as before. Edward, leaped from the side of the couch to the front, landing directly in between us. Releasing a deadly aura, my angel began growling.
"Your still a threat and Im still going to kill you, Volturi." He whispered, his voice layered with venom. I felt chills run up and down my back at his icy tone.
The cloaked figure held up a pale hand. "Wait. If I was a threat to you, would I have stood so idly by while you were making sure that princess over there was done flying chunks out the window? I think that the fact that I didnt attack you both while you both were weak is proof enough that Im not here to fight...physically of couse. Verbally...no problem."
Edward faltered, his eyebrows bunching up in deep thought. At last, he finally spoke. " I suppose...But first, take your cloak off. Show yourself!"
I leaned over the couch, trying to catch a glimpse of this mysterious stranger, hidden behind the cloak. What exactly was behind that shadow that his her face?
In 1 swift movement, she flicked the cloak hood off her face, letting it hang from her shoulders, covering her body. I felt the wind of her speed from all the way across the other room. Long, thick, black strands of silky hair flew around a light, coffee colored face. My jaws dropped to the floor at her beauty. She surpassed Rosalie!
The girl had big, bright brown eyes that glistened softly, like melted chocolate. Those sweet eyes complimented her straight nose and thin, dainty pink lips. Thousands of lush, volumized lashes adorned her eyes. She looked like a doll...Her hair settled around her waist, perfectly straight, not a single tangle in sight. Her figure was small, like the height of a 7 or 8 year old. She had small hands and was very skinny, but they only added to her natural beauty. I could tell from her wrinkle-free skin that she wasnt one to show emotions on her face. Edward, however always had that thought wrinkle near his brows.
"How old are you?" I blurted out, unable to controll my curiosity.
"Which age are you asking me for?" She replied back, her voice sounded very young, yet full of wisdom.
"Um..The age when you were human." I said. My guess was that she was changed when she was around 6 or so.
"I became a vampire at age 13."
"No way! Your so small! You are not 13!" I shouted in shock. Even her small rounded face didnt show her age. Everything about her screamed 6-8 years old!
I just barely saw a twitch of her eyebrows but just that tiny movement told me thats she was furious inside. "Excuse you. I am not small...Im simple vertically challenged!"
Edward laughed, disguising it as a cough. She sent a spin-chilling glare his way.
Scowling, Edward questioned. "So, Volturi, why did Eleazar ask you to come? If your not here to kill or take Bella, what is your purpose?"
The Volturi member flipped her hair back, it shimmered and fell behind her shoulder like a waterfall. Her face, devoid of emotions, remained frozen in that forever blank look. The only sign that showed how she felt was a slight twitch of her brows or her eyes. Her eyes were like the windows to her thoughts. I focused all my attention on her brown eyes, watching, waiting for her next feeling. She gracefully walked over to the velvet sofa across from me, her feet not even making a mark on the soft, lush carpet below. It was as if she was floating on air.
"The reason why I came here was because I wanted to know Bella. Eleazar is a very good friend of mine so its natural that he told me all about the mysterious, vampire-loving human. It drove me insane with curiousity. Later, when I heard of your dilema, I realized that this was the perfect time to make my appearance. You should be grateful, I traveled all the way from India to be here." Her childish, light voice felt sincere. My heart felt heavy, listening to her words. Changed into a monster at such a young age and becoming a part of the bloodthirsty Volturi...How did she feel about her life? She seemed to be hiding alot of her suffering behind her pokerface.
"Um, whats your name again?" I asked, feeling strange that I kept referring her as "Volturi".
"I was given the name Niyati at birth, but after I was reborn, I took the name Nishi." It was now, that I heard her slight, almost indetectable Indian accent. Her vowels sounded very sharp and her words precise, as if she was enunciating each and every word, trying to keep her accent in check.
"Niyati? Thats a pretty name, what does it mean?" I asked her, I felt some how connected to her. I could almost see the bond thats slowly being created between us.
"Niyati means "Fate" and Nishi means "Alert". " Nishi`s face flickered between an emotion that seemed tranquil, like she was remembering a nice memory.
"Why would you change your name? Fate seems pretty good to me." I said, wanting to knnow her more. Edward turned around to glare at me, 'Why are you asking so many pointless questions?" his expression seemed to say.
"Because Alert suits me better. You`ll see why soon enough." Nishi said cooly, marking the end of her name conversation.
Edward sighed, relieved for that to be over with. He was itching to ask questions of his own. "So, Nishi, what did Eleazar ask you to do?"
"He asked me to help Bella discover her gift. She`s immortal is she not? Eleazar also spoke of her healing abilities, possibly a mental power too. I can help her with that."
"Why? So the Volturi can take her once she`s stronger?" Edward hissed, venom creeping back into his voice.
Aruptedly, Nishi stood on her feet and in an instant, appeared before Edward. Her petite figure was laughable if compared to the towering body of Edward`s. Her brown eyes were clouded with dark clouds of rage...It was a frightening sight.
"You seem to think that you know everything about the Volturi, dont you, Edward? Why? Because your father lived with the leaders? Dont get so cocky!" She said in a cold, frightening voice. It sounded murderious...It was too scary of a sound to be coming from the throat of such a beautiful, young girl.
"I know the power-hungry, blood-thirsty, sick ways of the Volturi! Which vampire doesnt? The Volturi rule by fear and intimidating the weak, thats why thier infamous!" Edward retorted back.
"Did you ever stop to think that thats only the Italian Volturi?" Nishi pressed on, standing her ground.
"The Italian Volturi? Italy is the base, the headquarters. There isnt another Volturi...Its impossible." My angel too, stood on his beliefs.
The little girl crossed her thin arms, making her look like a pouting 6 year old ready to jump into a tantrum if only her eyes werent so dead serious. "Thats where your wrong, Edward. Italy and the Italian Volturi are the main branch. Every order and report goes through Italy, yes. But have you ever stopped to think how the Volturi were able to get involved in global affairs? The Volturi is very active in Egypt and Africa. Even here in the US. Havent you ever wondered why its possible for such a small organization in Italy to do all that?
The answer to that, lies in branches. The Volturi, split itself into many organizations, planting them all over the world in secret locations. Naturally, the idea is to get vampires to believe that there is only 1 Volturi thats moving from world to world, discovering every secret, and ending the life of every traitor. Thats the fear by which the Italian Volturi dominate by. However, the other Volturis, like the one in India, Korea, Japan, China, Africa, Russia, and other places run by a different set of rules. We are descreet, but were not as bloodthirsty and merciless."
"Then, since you come from the Indian branch...The Italian Volturi doesnt know your here?" I asked, confused by the sudden intake of information.
"Originaly, the leaders of those seperate branches would report thier every move and follow every order the main branch gives off. But, I didnt report my latest course of action to the Italian branch, yet. So, no, they are unaware that I am here in Alaska."
"Wait. Your the Indian leader?" Edward inquired, bewildered by such an idea.
"Yes, I am. So, show some respect to me...commoner." Nishi said, her eyes becoming a tad bit lighter. Her position gave me more of a reason to pity her. At such a young age, she was already leading a clan that is allies with the Volturi.
"So, you heard from Eleazar about me...and came to help...why? All out of curiosity?" I asked, still unclear. How could someone in such a high position, go by her insticts and follow her whims? There was too much at stake for Nishi.
"Bella, I am young therefore I am impulsive. Even so, Im not stupid. I made sure to place a trustworthy member to take over my position for a little while. The Italian Volturi doesnt pay attention to minor details like who runs the other branches. Their main focus is being feared and listened too." Nishi moved her neck from side to side, stretching out her neck cramps before heading back to the couch. Edward, feeling too shocked to move, stayed where he was.
" Bella, I hear your half Immortal. Tell me, how does that feel? Do you know why you had to pour your blood into Emmett`s wound to make it heal? How long have you known your gift?" Nishi fired question after question at me, showing the extent of her wonderment. Why are all vampires so curious?
"Uh...It feels abnormal..Its like having 1 foot in the water and the other on land. Do I belong in the water or do I belong on land? You get used to it though...eventually. Let see...Im not sure why I have to pour my blood...I think its because vampires get strength from human blood and since Im half human and vampire, my blood is a stronger kind of "medicine." Sorry, I forgot your other questions.." I said sheepishly, unused to speaking for such a long time.
"Thats alright, Bella. We have time. Give me 1-2 days to think of a theory, then we can work on improving your gift. Okay?" Nishi asked me pleasently, like she asked me to go to the movies instead of training my vampire gifts.
"No, its not okay." Edward cut in sharply. His golden eyes lost some if its sheen, making it a murky brownish-gold color. Oh, no. When Edward is hungry or semi-hungry...he tends to get crabby.
"Why not?" Nishi asked, annoyed at Edward for his previous ignorance.
"I refuse to let anyone with a Volturi connection "train" Bella. Besides, even if your branch isnt after Bella, if she gets stronger, the Italian Volturi will want to take her even more. I refuse to jepardize Bella that way." He stated, voicing his opinions.
"Edward...If I dont learn from Niyati, I`ll never be able to help you when your fighting!" I complained.
"Why Bella? You dont have to fight! You can learn from anyone. I can get Carlisle to help you." He pleaded.
"Edward, you know thats not the same. There`s something about Niyati thats tells me that its okay to trust her. And I want to help you. Im tired to being protected and bringing you in danger! It tears me up inside that I risk your life and your families but I go and hide!" my eyes started watering and before I knew it, giant tear drops were sliding down my face.
At once, his arms were around me, rubbing my hair and patting my back. He hummed a tiny bit of my song and cooned at me to stop crying.
"Its okay, Love. Im sorry." He sighed.
"Edward...Please? Let me get stronger to help. The Volturi is always going to be after us and so is Victoria. Isnt it better strategy wise if Im able to at least defend myself?" I begged him, pleading with my eyes. Edward sighed once more...it was a yes!
"Thank you thank you, Edward!" I cried, kissing him on his cheek.
"Bella, you have to stop making me into such a push over!" He groaned into my hair. I giggled and kissed his lips. That touch sparked that electric feelings in both of us, making us gasp with lust.
"Oh, Niyati, what is your gift anyways? How can you help me with mine? I feel like you can help me alot but Im not sure how or why." I asked her, breaking away from Edward`s embrace.
Nishi was slumped against the back to the couch. Her thick black bangs creating a shadow over half her face. Her body was still...so still....it was ominous.
"Niyati...Whats wrong?" I whispered, feeling slightly scared. Edward placed a hand on my shoulder, a defensive reflex.
"...Why...or what did you call me?" She asked in a small, creepy tone. It sounded like a whispering ghost.
"Niyati? Your name..?" I hesitantly responded. Shrinking into my protective angel.
"Why?"
"Why? Well...I think Niyati suits you better than Nishi....Is that wrong?"
Niyati, raised her head. Her brown eyes were glistening, much like that way Esmee`s eyes do when she`s 'crying'. "No, nothings wrong. Forgive me... I just havent been called that since..." Her voice trailed off sadly.
"Niyati, if you want, I can call you Nishi." I offered.
"No!" She shouted, then becoming flustered, she lowered her voice. "Niyati is fine."
At that instant, I saw the crack in her armor. It was small, but very deep. After all, no matter how many years she`s lived, she still is only 13. Edward must have seen it too, because he let go and walked over to her slumped body.
"Niyati, do I have permission to call you that too?" He asked gently. Niyati only nodded, slightly trembling. Edward smiled my favorite crooked smile, grinning into her wide eyes. Then, Edward frowned.
"Niyati...Why is your eyes brown?"
Niyati looked up at us. "My eyes...? My eyes are the source of my gift. I use my eyes..."
"Like Jane?" I questioned, remembering that sadistic, tormenting blonde girl with her piercing, vibrant red eyes. I recoiled and shuddered at the memory.
"Yes..Like Jane." Niyati replied. "My gift is that I can cloud someone`s thoughts or judgement."
"What do you mean?" Edward inquiered. He ran a hand through his messy, bronze hair.
"I used it on Bella some moments ago.." Niyati confessed.
"What?" Edward bellowed, getting enraged.
""Edward!" I warned, unable to muster enough strength to drag him back to the sofa with me.
Niyati looked away, her brown eyes were dull. "I was clouding Bella`s thoughts of the cold when she was by the fire. Her body cooled down but it was just her mind that was continually making her shiver. She would have gotten sick if she continued, so I blocked out all temperature related thoughts."
"She could have burned herself!" Edward cried. "Didnt you see her almost stick her hand into the fire?"
"I did! Thats why I stopped." Niyati said evenly. Edward sighed heavily. He appeared worn down.
"So, that causes your eyes to be brown? Your gift?" I asked, determined to keep Edward and Niyati from fighting. She nodded, her bangs bouncing lightly on her forehead.
"Since I have a mental power, I can help you with yours. Bella, I spent most of my time in India researching about half immortals and gifts. I may not be the best but Im decent. Please let me guide you."
"Okay. I`ll be grateful if you do. Right Edward?" I insisted, forcing a smile on my face.
Edward returned my forced smile. "Of course, Love."
Suddenly, Niyati giggled. She quickly clamped her hands over her mouth, shocked. Her eyes were wide in surprise. Then, she giggled again. My heart warmed a little at her giggles. It sounded rough and unrehearsed like she havent laughed in a long time but even so, it was a pleasent feeling. The sound of a child`s laughter...it was beautiful...
Niyati stood up and peeled the cloak off her shoulders, dropping it to the floor. A thin, red, sparkly scarf was delicately wrapped around her shoulders, cascading down to her knees. I saw small rhimestones glittering up and down that scarf. She wore a thin, polyester-like cotton dress that was golden. Each thread of the dress shimmered like real minerals. The dress had a v-neck cut, small butterflies were visible around the neck line and at the end of the dress. I saw that her legs were covered by the same material her scarf was. Niyati`s pants were a vibrant, cardinal red, glittering and sparkling, with a hint of golden threads. To complete her outfit, her dainty feet wore golden-bronze flats, with little swirls and floral-like pattens. Her entire outfit seemed to have been right off a fairy-tale page. Glimmering even in the dulled light of the Alaskan winter.
"Wow...Niyati, what are you wearing?!" I gasped, feeling under-dressed in Eleazar`s common cabin in the middle of nowhere.
"Its called a Punjabi. Normally, its only worn on special occasions such as weddings and ceremonies but I chose to wear it everyday. Im technically dead, so every day that I am walking this earth, its a special occasion to me." She explained.
"Thats...an interesting way of thinking...Niyati." Edward commented.
"Thanks...I think. Well, I should probably start researching on Bella`s gift. Like I said, give me 1-2 days then we can start. Until then, you and Edward can spend some quality time." Niyati said briskly, starting up the wooden stairs.
"Wait. I thought you researched everything already? Why do you need to read more?" I called out after her, still confined to the dang sofa.
Niyati peered over from the ledge at the top of the stairs. It took everything that I had to not laugh at her. She was on her toes, straining to look over at me.
"I did, but Eleazar said that he written some theories of his own."
"May I read them too?" Edward asked, about to follow after her. Niyati held out a hand.
"Later. When Im done. I dont like to be with people when I work." She turned and started down the hallway. It seemed like she`s been here before, because she knew which closed white door led where. Just before she disappered behind a wall, she looked back and smiled a thin, tense smile to show no hard feelings. Her smile was the same as her laugh, unrehearsed and maybe even fake.
"She`s kind of sad." I commented to Edward as he settled next to me. I crawled into his lap and he wrapped his stone arms around me like a guardian statue angel.
"Her thoughts are fine. I cant see any sign of depression in her though wavelengths but yes, she doesnt seem to have been such a happy girl in India."
I sighed and leaned against Edward`s muscely thick chest. My body felt weary and weak yet filled with anticipation at my training. At last, I wouldnt have to reply on my family to get hurt in my place. For the first time, I would gain the strength needed to protect the ones I loved.
"Sleep, Love. You are tired." Edward whispered in my ear, jump starting my heart.
"Dont leave me." I whispered back. I wanted the last thing I see before I closed my eyes to be Edward, as well as the first thing I saw when I opened them. Lately, my time with my lover seemed to limited. I didnt have to worry about Tanya, Irina, or Kate but still. Who knows if I`ll be able to be with Edward like this after I begin training with Niyati?
Edward tighened his grip on me and placed his lips on my head. "Never." He vowed. I sighed contently and fell into a half sleep. My other half, stayed wide awake, listening to the blissful sound of Edward`s velvety smooth voice, humming my melody.
AN: I dont like this chapter. I was writting it and then half way, I got distracted (I watched a movie) and then I lost where I was going. I think this chapter is a lotta bs but hey, at least I got my main point down. Hows the new character? She`s not too likable right now but just wait, she`ll get better. ^^ Review please. I feel bad because I couldnt add as much detail as I would like or normally do because I had to get through a lot of dialogue. Anyways, review, the next chapter is going to be Volturi, Alec and Jane. You finally get to know what happened to Alec!! Well not really. Imma tell you using clues and hopefully you guys can piece them together using your twilight brains! I wont come out and directly say what happened until the end of this story so yeah, if you cant figure it out by next chapter, then wait till the end. HAHA. Well REVIEW REVIEW! I wasnt going to write this chapter but I saw that I had like 4 more reviews so I was like, "man, people reviewed, now i have to write" so I didn. remeber, more reviews = faster chapters ^^ byes! and
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY~