Bella
I sighed as I closed the door behind me after Demetri escorted me back to my room. I unbraided my hair and brushed it quickly. Changing into pajamas, I went to curl up in bed as I thought. Tomorrow would be my last full day human.
What would I miss from being human? I'd never get drunk, I'd never eat or drink anything but blood again, I'd never sleep again. It was strange.
I had learned so much from the trip to the archives and I wanted to let the information puddle in the back of my mind. I'd burn for less than three days. Demetri would be with me the entire time.
The thought of Demetri being there was comfortable. I felt safe in his company in a way I didn't feel in Madison's. I was comfortable with Felix too. I hadn't spent any time with Chelsea, Jane, or Reneta. It would take a little time till I was comfortable with everyone.
I wonder if Demetri could be persuaded to let me get drunk. I really would like to experience that once in my lifetime.
I found myself smiling as I drifted off to sleep.
I woke early on my last morning alive. I showered, shaved everywhere, and got dressed for my day. I knew it was going to be a little while until breakfast so I went to read more. The vampire book was very interesting and I found myself absorbed.
Before I realized the time had passed there was a knock on my door. I darted to the door to greet Demetri. Throwing open the door I smiled eagerly. It wasn't Demetri it was Madison. I found myself a little disappointed. He placed my food on the small table. "I'll be outside the door until it is time for your lunch Bella,"
"Thank you Madison, I really do appreciate it."
I went to eat my breakfast and was surprised when the door opened behind me.
"I just can't resist," Madison said and he lunged at me. I screamed loud and long but something blocked him from being able to get to me. He tried three times but was blocked each time. Before I could wonder why for too long Felix was there and I relaxed. Felix manhandled him out the door and I heard the sound of tearing metal. Moments later he was back with me and I could smell an incense-like scent strong in the air. Felix placed himself in front of me and slipped into a crouch.
It was about one hundred heartbeats later that Demetri arrived and Felix straightened out of his crouch immediately.
"He couldn't get to me," I whispered.
"What was that Bella?" Felix asked.
"He tried to lunge at me and came up against an invisible wall, did you do that Felix?"
"No Bella, I don't have a gift besides never losing my newborn strength," Felix answered.
"We need to tell the Masters this, could you join us, Bella?"
"Of course," I whispered. I went to take a step and darkness claimed me.
I came back to myself in someone's arms with a discussion being had over my head about what they should do.
I was in Felix's arms when I looked up. "I'm okay guys. It just got to be too much I guess. You can put me down Felix."
Felix lowered me to my feet but kept his hands on my waist until he was sure that I could steady myself and walk.
"Lets go talk to the Masters," Demetri said.
"Yes Master Demetri," I replied. Demetri walked in front of me and Felix walked behind. I didn't feel like a prisoner this time instead I felt guarded and protected.
When we arrived in the gathering room Aro greeted us. "I'm glad to see you well, young Isabella. I'm afraid we all heard your scream of distress earlier. Felix and Demetri came to you immediately."
"Madison opened the door again after he delivered my meal," I said, "When he lunged for me he came up against an invisible wall. I screamed my lungs out while he was lunging but he made three tries before Felix arrived."
"So, you're saying that he lunged three times before Felix arrived and couldn't reach you?" Caius confirmed.
"Yes, Master Caius."
"Demetri, Test her gift with the elite guard this evening. Felix can take over guarding her until then."
"Yes, Master Aro," Demetri said.
"Bella and Felix, you are dismissed for now."
"Yes, Master Aro," Felix and I chorused.
I followed Felix out of the gathering room and he led me back to my room.
"Would you like to come in Felix?"
"I would be honored Little One."
"So I was thinking, Felix, Do you think Demetri would let me go out for dinner so I could choose my own last meal and maybe even let me go drinking for my last night as a human?"
Felix laughed at me, "I think I'd pay to see that little one. Perhaps I could accompany you."
"Would you Felix?" I asked.
"I'd like that very much. You do know that you can get drunk as a vampire, don't you?"
"Yes, you have to mix your liquor with blood and you can't drink girlie mixed drinks, but you can get drunk. In fact, we do, regularly."
I thought about that for a moment. "Could we? You all could get drunk with me."
"Do you know how to play poker?" Felix asked.
"No, I don't, but you could teach me. I'd be happy enough to learn."
"Maybe we could have a night in. I don't know if Demetri will be able to come with us it depends on whether he has finished all of the work he needs to finish before your change."
"So you have poker nights, what else do you do for fun around here." I asked Felix,
We go hunting in Florence on occasion, we go out dancing to a local club, occasionally we travel for work but when we're all in we have movie nights or some other entertainment all together as a group.
"Maybe we could have a movie night when I'm a newborn. That would be fun. I'm really nervous about being so out of control."
"Don't worry so much about it. You might have more control than your average newborn or you may not but we will make sure you stay out of trouble until you are controlled and able to make your own decisions again."
"Don't let me do anything that I'll regret?" I asked.
"I won't." Felix agreed.
"Do you like reading?" I asked Felix.
"Very much, I spend a great deal of time in the library, not so much time in the archives, but plenty in the library."
"You'll have to show me the library when I am controlled enough to handle books again."
"I'd like that little one," Felix answered.
Demetri
As I was excused from court I made my way to Bella's quarters. I heard her ask him whether he liked reading and I found myself somewhat jealous as she asked him to show her the library.
I knocked lightly on the door and walked in. Bella was standing and Felix was sitting comfortably on the couch.
"Are you ready to test your abilities Bella?" I asked.
"Of course, Master Demetri," she answered with a smile.
Demetri turned and I followed him out of the room. We were walking through the halls again when Felix commented.
"Bella would like to get drunk before she dies, Master Demetri. Do you think we can accommodate her? I was thinking about a poker night."
"I have some more paperwork to do but if you don't mind staying sober enough to serve as her guard I have no problems."
"Thanks, Master Demetri," Bella said.
We arrived in the training room a little afternoon and the girls were already sparring. Alec had returned from his mission and he was waiting in the training room, seemingly eager to get a look at the new girl. Felix paired up with Chelsea and they went to work. Bella walked over and took her position behind me.
"Bella, this is Alec."
"Hello Bella," Alec said
"Hi Alec, it's nice to meet you."
We focused back on training and I noticed that Chelsea needed more work on sparring and I knew that she was spoiled by her shield sending attackers away.
"Break," I called.
"Chelsea please use your gift to see if you could manipulate Bella's bonds?"
Bella looked at me strangely. She obviously hadn't heard about Chelsea's gift. Chelsea shook her head no.
"Now, Jane, I want you to try to cause Bella pain. Just for one second."
Bella looked hesitantly at Jane while Jane glared at her for the shortest of seconds. I was ready to catch her if she were to react.
Alec, will you try your gift?
"Alec's gift is sensory deprivation," I informed Bella as the dark smoke began to approach her feet.
Her heartbeat sped as the fog touched her feet but when it surrounded her she asked loudly "Is this smoke blocking my vision his gift?"
The smoke dissipated immediately and I explained to Bella, "Under normal circumstances, Alec's gift would make you unable to hear, see, smell, speak, or move."
"That is a good gift," Bella commented excitedly.
"Bella, I want you to approach Renita and see if you can bypass her shield."
Bella looked at me but approached Renita and tapped her on the shoulder.
"Very good Bella."
"Felix," I said too quickly for Bella to hear, "I want you to lunge for Bella."
Felix lunged quickly and Bella let out a little eep but didn't stop him from tapping her on the shoulder.
"I wonder why it didn't work this time?" I asked.
"I feel safe with the two of you. I know Felix wouldn't attack and I know you can stop him, Master Demetri, I've seen you hold him off before and honestly I kind of expected a lunge from someone after testing everyone's gift on me." Bella said. "You wouldn't put me behind you and then allow me to be attacked for real."
I knew my eyes went soft and so did Felix's. She trusted us to resist our urges and to protect her.
"Back to sparring, multiple opponents."
I watched as Alec took on the others, performing admirably, and the work continued.
