Chapter Fifty Two
Bella
I didn't speak during the long flight to Italy although Edward tried his utmost to get me to. The guard he had with him I hadn't seen last time I was in Volterra and they held no interest although I saw one of them smirk when I just looked out of the window when Edward addressed me, perhaps he was no more popular in Volterra. As the jet came in to land Edward tried again.
"I've asked Esme to prepare a guest room for you, well I didn't exactly tell her it was for you, just a surprise visitor but I'm sure she'll be overjoyed when she sees you. There is just one thing though Bella. I'd like you to take off that ring, in fact both of them."
That got my attention and I looked at him as if he were an idiot.
"Go to hell Edward."
I clenched my fist and held it with the other one.
"I'm going to have to insist."
"Really? You want to try your luck with my shield?"
"No, you're going to give the rings to me of your own free will unless you want me to make another phone call."
"You'd kill someone to get them? You really are one sick puppy Edward Cullen."
"Never the less Bella."
He held out his hand so I took the rings off but held them tightly in my hand waiting for his next move.
"Bella."
"No."
He got his phone out but I held firm calling his bluff. He scowled but put the phone away.
"I don't want to see them again. You can throw them in the trash or give them away but I don't want them on your finger again."
I didn't answer and he thought he'd won but again it was a victory he was going to regret before long. A car was waiting at Pisa airport and I got in without speaking and scooted to the far side of the seat as he joined me.
"Stop acting so childishly Bella. As my daughter you should be more respectful."
"Oh why? What did you ever do for me except screw my mother and now screw me?"
His face twisted in anger and he brought his hand up but I just smiled,
"I don't think so daddy."
My voice dripped sarcasm and I could see he was itching to slap me but we both knew he would never finish the move, I wouldn't allow it.
"So what do you intend doing with me?"
"You'll learn to love Volterra, find a suitable husband and join the guard."
"In your imaginary world may be but not in mine. You can't hold our friends indefinitely, Aro wont allow his best guard to be tied up on baby sitting duties and as soon as they arrive back I'll know my friends are either free or dead. What threat will be left to you then Edward? As long as I'm here you'll have to watch your back because you give me the tiniest opportunity to kill you and I'll take it, I wonder if Caius and Marcus know what you've done."
"Oh and what's that? Brought my daughter home as I should have when you were born, why should that bother them?"
"Oh no not that. I was thinking more of you declaring war on The Major. One day soon he'll come to claim me back if I don't get out before hand and when he does he won't be alone."
"Do you really think he's crazy enough to come here and fight?"
"There's no question about if, it's just a case of when, so be very careful Edward, very vigilant or you wont see your death approach."
He went silent at that and we pulled up at a side entrance to the citadel.
"Sneaking me in are you?"
He didn't answer, just motioned me to enter the building which I did slowly looking around carefully.
"What's the matter now?"
"Just getting the lie of the land Edward."
We walked along several stone corridors devoid of life and then up a flight of stairs before he pushed open another door and gestured for me to enter. It was a beautifully appointed room with heavy velvet curtains and a thick luxurious carpet. There was a table and chairs by a large window and two doors leading off.
"A bedroom and a bathroom, your own. There are clothes for you and everything to make your stay comfortable."
"You shouldn't have bothered Edward I won't be here long."
He smiled,
"We'll see Bella."
Then he went out shutting and locking the door behind him. I explored my prison and it was certainly a gilded cage in every sense of the word with expensive bedding, my own kitchenette, thick fluffy towels, and very expensive toiletries. I took a quick shower ramming one of the chairs under the door knob just to give me warning of anyone trying to get in.
When I was dressed again I looked round the room more closely. There was a huge bookcase filled with books, a lot of them first editions of the classics and after looking at them, a lot of titles I'd had in my bedroom with the Harrises, I knew Edward had put them there. My first reaction was to burn them in the huge fireplace but I couldn't bring myself to burn a book so instead I piled them up on the balcony off my sitting room. I had just finished when I heard a tap on my door which I ignored then I heard a female voice,
"Can I come in?"
"If you have a key be my guest."
I heard a key turn then the door opened, I'd remembered to move the chair when I came out of the shower, and a woman came in smiling uncertainly.
"Hello, my name is Esme Cullen. It's very nice to meet you Bella."
It's a pity I can't say the same."
She looked taken aback,
"Oh, is something wrong?"
"Wrong? Why should there be anything wrong? I love being torn from my husband at gun point and flown around the world to be locked in a strange room."
"Gun point? I think you're being a little melodramatic Bella. Edward is far too gentle to do anything like that. I have persuaded Edward that wasn't necessary to lock you in and I'm sure you'd like a tour of the place. I can show you where the library is, the small cinema, we could even go for a walk in the courtyard if you like."
"That's very nice of you but all I want is to go home to my husband."
"Oh, Edward said you might say that but really Bella Jasper Hale isn't safe. You'll thank Edward for saving you once you realize that. Shall we go?"
"No thank you. I prefer to stay here. If I see Edward I might just get the urge to stab him or throw him off a balcony."
"Really Bella that attitude wont get you far here, threats don't mean very much. I'd rather not be here myself after what I learned, what my husband did but I was looking forward to our being friends, we both have to make the most of things."
"No we don't. I don't and I'd rather you went now. I'm not enjoying this conversation and I may be a prisoner but at least I can choose who to have in my cell."
"This isn't a cell Bella, don't be so silly. Come on"
She reached over to take my arm and I shook my head,
"I don't think so. Didn't Edward tell you about me?"
"He told me he is your father which makes me a kind of step grandmother, family in any case. I'd like us to be friends. Its been rather lonely for me here with no female companions but I've got used to it now."
"Well good for you Esme. Now if you'll excuse me... unless you can take me to a telephone that is."
She shook her head,
"I'm afraid not. Edward doesn't want you to contact your old friends, they are a bad influence."
"Sorry? My husband is a bad influence? How would you feel being kept from your husband? But of course I forgot he's dead. Didn't they tell you I was the one who insisted on that?"
"Edward did explain that you were influenced by your "friends" into making a very rash demand but of course Aro saw it for what it really was and kept Carlisle safe. I was distraught by what they said he'd done, my husband isn't a violent man Bella but he was misguided in his dealings with you. And of course Jasper isn't really your husband now is he? Edward will find you a much more suitable match here in Volterra. I think later he's hoping to introduce you to the other hybrid children."
I was so angry I couldn't speak to this stupid blind woman. Aro had lied and kept Carlisle alive, he'd even allowed Edward to leave Italy after all his promises. Aro Volturi was a man living on borrowed time so he joined Edward and his sire on my list of those who were going to die.
"He needn't bother, I have nothing to say to any of you for now."
I turned my back on the woman and stayed like that until she left, locking the door behind her. That was a bizarre conversation, what was going on in that woman's head? How could she accept her husband and make excuses for him? A man who had arranged the death of so many? She might join the list herself if she didn't wake up and smell the rot.
