Hey folks!
Thank you for your comments. I love reading every single one of them!
Another short chapter for you! Sorry about that!
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot bunnies.
Warning: Talk of disgusting bodily fluids ahead.
A recap:
"No?" She asked quietly, then she stepped forward, through the solid metal bars, pushing through them as if she was made of air, but her very solid hand grabbed Bella's chin, easily pulling her up from the floor, holding her face close. As she spoke, her appearance changed slowly. She grew taller, and Bella soon felt her feet leave the floor entirely as she dangled in the woman's grasp. Annetta's face had changed too. Her head grew longer, her skin colour had acquired a bluish tinge, her ears had become pointed, and her eyes were all black.
"How about now, then?" She hissed into Bella's astonished face.
Bella's POV
Bella stared up into the alien face, glaring down at her. What on earth was that thing?
"Well?" Annetta asked her pointedly.
Bella hesitated for a second.
"I'm not sure, what exactly are you?" Bella said, sounding more puzzled than scared, her eyes roaming the face of her captor.
Just then a scuffling sounded behind Annetta, and she huffed in slight agitation.
"Mother, we have company again. It is the blonde girl, she is trying to locate us. I have placed a web of concealment again leading off to,-"
"Thank you, son, that will do," Annetta said softly, interrupting his monologue.
The older woman, or creature, or whatever she was, let go of Bella's chin, allowing her to sink to all fours, before she swiftly got up, facing her now taller adversary. Though her face was much different, Bella had no trouble recognising the look of disdain she was casting her. Bella merely stared back, face deliberately blank.
"Your friend is persistent, I will give her that," The creature said.
Bella said nothing. She sincerely hoped that Jane would not come to any harm. It seemed that these creatures were powerful in more ways than one.
"What should we do?" Bartolo asked, a note of worry in his voice.
"Do not worry, son, I will handle the vampire. She will only find us, when I want her to,"
"What do you want with us?" Bella asked her fiercely, stepping forward, closing in on Annetta. The alien eyes swivelled around to peer at Bella. She didn't answer.
"What have we ever done to you?" Bella persisted, a glare now in place on her pale features.
The creature laughed menacingly.
"Oh you have done nothing my dear, it's just that the Volturi have something I want," She said, her voice cold and distant.
"What?" Bella asked.
"Everything," Annetta said darkly, then she walked out through the bars, leaving Bella in the silence.
Marcus' POV
Marcus felt ill, though that should be physically impossible. Vampires were never sick. He felt Aro glance at him, then he stood up, pacing a little, clearly thinking hard.
Caius simply waited for someone to say something.
"What is the matter?" He finally snapped, impatiently glaring from one to the other.
"I think we are dealing with another ancient creature," Aro said hesitantly.
"I cannot be sure, but it does seem to fit," He went to the book again, glancing down at it, as if to make sure.
"These creatures are able to make powerful illusions, they can change their form, and they use their trickery to beguile their victims. They can also dull the senses of others,"
As he spoke Marcus felt himself grow numb. His mate was in more danger than he initially thought. He barely registered as Caius came closer, staring intently at Aro as he spoke.
They needed to do something, and fast.
Bella's POV
"So are you going to tell me what you are?" Bella asked smoothly, as she peered out between the bars of her confinement. She had not touched them since, not seeing any reason to torture herself more than neccesary.
Her captor looked at her, merely frowning. He had gotten orders not to speak to her, and she was doing her damndest to provoke him to speak.
"Is Bartolo even your real name? What about Annetta? I bet that isn't your mother's real name either," she said musingly. He looked away again, not answering.
"Are you an alien?" She asked, almost giggling at the silly notion. "You must be an alien. I know of no creatures who can change their appearance like you. You even had me fooled, thinking you were human," He smirked a little at that, apparently feeling self satisfied with his performance..
"Or is it only her that can change her appearance?" Bella asked, curiously. He scoffed at this.
"No, I can bloody well change my looks too!" He snapped angrily, completely forgetting himself, stepping closer, as his shape shifted. Bella watched fascinated, as his appearance changed into something not dissimilar to his mother. His skin had the same bluish tinge, almost looking like it was covered in a fine fur. His face was a little broader than his mothers, and his eyes were not entirely black, but a hazy indigo blue. The slight tilt of the eyes and their somewhat almond shape made her think of all those pictures she had seen of supposed aliens. His hair had grown long and turned a light brown colour. It almost looked like bark.
"So you are an alien?" She asked, her voice a slight whisper.
"No," he sneered down at her.
"If only we were, you would have been lucky, then," he added, smirking.
Marcus' POV
"You think, we are dealing with fae folk." Caius stated flatly his gaze stiffly on Aro. Aro nodded slowly.
"We need to get the guards back, or they will be in terrible danger too," He said darkly.
Marcus felt himself fall into a state of paralysis. His body felt stiff and uncooperating, as he saw his brothers step into action. Caius sensed what was happening, and he hastily stepped in front of him, glaring at him.
"Marcus, no, do not let it take you! Fight it. For the sake of your mate, fight it!" he hissed angrily. Aro joined them, his hand grabbing Marcus by the throat, none-too-gently.
"Brother, look at me," he said. Aro felt Marcus' mind spiral downwards.
"We are gonna lose him again," he murmured sadly, keeping Marcus steady, as he tilted his head back somewhat, looking into the blank stare of his brother.
"No, we are not!" Caius responded angrily, flashing from the room.
Everything was turning blurry, and Marcus recognised this from the time he had lost Didyme. He had been helpless to stop his mind from being consumed by this inner darkness. He had dubbed it the Vampires depression and it had taken him centuries to climb out of that hole, his body just sitting frozen year after year.
Caius was back a moment later, a small, dusty bottle held in his hand. It was ancient, the cork dark with age.
"What is that?" Aro asked curiously, still holding Marcus around the throat.
"Do you recall a certain human man a few hundred years ago, that Marcus had a strong reaction to?" Caius said softly, shaking the small bottle to mix the contents well.
Aro frowned. "You mean the man that smelled so bad to us all, but in particular to Marcus. Yes, I thought you took care of him?"
"And so I did. I thought his putrid essence might come in useful one day, if Marcus should ever leave us in spirit again.
"Have you been keeping that all this time?" Aro asked, astounded. Caius merely shrugged.
"I have a few bottles hidden away for situations like this," he said shrugging again.
"Brother, do you not think that is a bit excessive?" Aro asked him, almost sounding worried, as if he knew exactly what was going to happen.
"No," Caius said flatly, uncorking the small flask, and unceremoniously tipped some of the contents into Marcus' mouth.
The reaction was instantaneous. Marcus spluttered violently, spewing the vile fluid everywhere, roaring with rage and disgust, as he gagged violently, trying to rid his senses of the taste and smell. Aro held him firm, pushing him against the wall, wrinkling his nose as the disgusting content hit his face. He would never forgive Caius for this. Marcus was gasping violently, his eyes suddenly in focus again, staring wildly at his two brothers.
"Feeling better?" Caius asked, smirking somewhat.
Marcus glared at him.
"No," he spat at the ground.
"Well, it worked, did it not?" Caius asked dispassionately, hastily corking the bottle again, stowing it away in his inner pocket. Marcus merely scowled, nodding at Aro to let him go. They both righted their clothing somewhat, waiting for Caius to speak.
"Right, now that that is resolved, we need to locate Bella, but we have to be extremely careful. I know very little of the fae folk, except that they are vulnerable to iron and can be extremely dangerous when they choose to be. What on earth they are doing here, is beyond me. I used to think they were gone, but apparently not. We should get the guards to join us, as I suspect which plan they have set in motion, and we are very vulnerable, if I am right," He spoke fast and efficiently, his mind swiftly going through various scenarios choosing the most likely to happen.
Aro and Marcus kept silent. Caius was usually right, when it came to the tactics of his enemies. He was very good at predicting what they would do next. It was one of the reasons he was so valuable to the Volturi.
"What will we do, when the guards return?" Marcus asked, his face still contorted somewhat at the smelly liquid clinging to his frame.
"We will invite the fae to join us for a friendly visit," Caius said, smirking somewhat.
"And if they refuse?" Marcus asked, frowning.
"They will not refuse," Caius said ominously.
Let me know of your thoughts in the comments!
-Pancakes