Bella
Felix arrived at my room, dressed very nicely in a blue sweater and black pants promptly at six o'clock. He didn't even laugh at me when I asked who it was through the locked door, as if locks could keep a hungry vampire out.
He offered his arm and I took it. Eager to get out of the castle for the last night of my human life. . The walk out in the Italian air was nice and comfortable. No need for a jacket or coat.
"What foods do you think you'll miss most little one?"
"Pancakes and Sausage for breakfast," I replied immediately, "Lasagna for dinner, my grandmothers recipe."
"Were you close to your grandmother?" Felix asked.
"No, she died before I was old enough but I inherited her cookbooks. She lived in Forks, Washington near my father. That was the hardest thing about coming to Voltera was knowing I was going to hurt Charlie, my dad. I think as long as he believes I'm dead it will be the best thing. If he wasn't convinced he would search for me for the rest of his lifetime."
"You died very convincingly my dear. The rental car went over a ridge and caught fire. There was no way for your body to be discovered. Don't fret about that sort of thing, making people disappear is very easy for vampires."
"What else do you think you'll miss?"
"Sleep, I think I'll miss being able to sleep."
"I missed that for a while as well. Though it has been so long now that the memories have faded and I don't remember what was so good about getting a night of sleep."
The restaurant we walked to was not too upscale for me to feel comfortable but was a place where you were expected to dress up. We walked in and the waiter asked for our reservation I thought we were going to be turned away, but Felix surprised me by saying, "Voltouri, party of two."
The waiter bowed to us and quickly showed us to a secluded table out of the normal traffic pattern.
"This is where we normally do business dinners with humans so they know us here."
"Why would you ever schedule a business dinner?" I asked.
"Sometimes it is necessary, they know how to prepare wine for us so that we can drink it here. Would you like to try a glass of regular wine with your dinner tonight Bella,"
"I think I would," I said with a smile.
"You know there are a lot of good sides about being with us. I know you came to protect those you love, or would have loved, but there are many advantages to being one of us."
"What do you enjoy most, Felix," I asked curiously.
"Running. It's exhilarating to be able to run from here to Florence. We do that quite regularly as a group. When the initial wildness has passed you'll be able to come with us."
"What else do you like?" I asked hesitantly.
"I like the feeling of family that the elite guard shares."
"I think I would like that too. I've never had a large family, and I had no brothers or sisters."
"Welcome, Here are your menus, can I get you anything to drink while you're looking?" the waiter asked in very accented English.
"I'd like a glass of B-wine, and Bella would like your normal house wine." Felix said.
"Right away," the waiter said and left us to look over the menus.
"Would you like lasagna for your dinner, Bella?"
"Thank you Felix, yes, I would."
He looked at the menu quickly and sat it back on the table, I did the same with mine.
"So what else do you like, Felix?"
"I never lost my newborn strength so I still like sparring and fighting. Not the real battles but our sparring sessions. In truth we have few real battles, there is nothing for you to worry about. Plus you are a shield. You will be using your gift to protect us not be part of the fighting on the rare instance we do have to fight."
"What is a shield?" I ask, confused.
"Remember how you blocked everyone's gifts and how you kept Madison from going after you. That is a shield. But I expect it to get a lot stronger after you are like me. Here is our wine."
The waiter sat down a red wine in front of me and another in front of Felix. "Have you had time to decide what you would like for dinner?"
"The lady would like the lasagna and I am happy with my wine this evening."
"Right away, sir."
After he walked away again I asked, "Do you really think I'll be all that strong?"
"I have no doubts, Bella, you were amazing in training today."
"Good. It will be nice to be able to protect people with this weird mind thing I have."
"Do you remember much from when you were like me?" I asked.
"Not much. I know that I was a farmer and that I was raised on a farm. I remember that I was taken to become a warrior at the age of sixteen and that I trained very hard. I wish I could tell you that I remember my family but I don't. After I left to become a warrior I have no idea what became of them."
"That's a little sad."
"If you want to remember the past think of it often during and after the change. Anyone specifically that you want to remember tell Demetri so that he can remind you to think of them as you change. You'll have to try hard if you don't want to forget. I didn't have anyone to remind me so I have forgotten almost all of my time like you."
"I'll tell him who to remember tomorrow. There aren't that many that I don't want to forget. My mom, my dad, my friend Jake, and I want to know not to trust the Cullens. They lie. I don't want to forget them and fall for their lies again sometime down the road."
"They really hurt you when they left didn't they?"
"It wasn't so much Edward leaving me, at first that mattered, but what really hurt is that they pretended they thought of me as a daughter and then abandoned me. That's not what you do to a daughter, no matter what your eternally seventeen year old teenage son thinks. It would have been different if they had said goodbye, or if even Alice had given me a number to keep in touch. They left two vampires chasing me and only Laurent was killed, Victoria is still out there."
"How was Laurent killed if the Cullens had already gone?"
"I don't know if I should tell you that. I don't want to get them into trouble."
"Okay, you don't have to tell me but you should tell Demetri, or the Kings if there is a danger to us out there."
"That's the problem, they are a danger to us but I don't want them to get hurt because of me. They protected me with their lives and I don't want them to get hurt."
"You said Forks, Washington is where you come from right?"
"Yes," I admitted hesitantly.
"You're talking about the tribe of shape-shifters that Carlisle made the treaty with?" He asked gently.
"You already know about them?" I asked.
"We've known about all of them for hundreds of years. We have an agreement with various tribes to stay off their lands."
"My friend Jake is one of them. He changed right after the Cullens left. He and the pack killed Laurent as he was about to kill me."
"You've been through a lot in our world little one."
Bella showed Felix her scar on her arm. "You have no idea."
"You will have to tell me that story some day. I'm sure it is an interesting one. Don't worry about your shape-shifter friends, We stay off their land and they don't kill us."
"What if they saved someone off tribal lands?"
"How far away were you Bella"
"Less than fifteen miles away."
"I won't tell if you don't want me to but if they start to spread out too much we will have to contact their leader and have him reign in the pack."
"They only protect the town of Forks with the Cullens gone. If the Cullens are there they keep strictly to tribal lands."
"Here is your food, Bella."
"Is there anything else I can get you two?" the waiter asked.
"Another glass of wine for both of us." Felix answered.
I looked and saw my glass was empty, I don't even remember finishing it. I was too involved in the conversation with Felix to remember finishing my wine. I smiled at Felix.
I tried my lasagna and it was marvelous. "I think this is better than my grandmother's recipe. Thank you for bringing me out tonight Felix."
"It is an honor little one. An honor and a pleasure to be able to see you enjoying yourself so much."
So why did you first come to the Volturi? I want to know more about you.
"I first came when I was about two hundred. Times were harder for vampires back then. Many lived in caves or other out of the way places only coming out when it was time to hunt. I came upon Aro and he told me of another way of living that was more civilized, I guess. I came to explore and found that I could hunt only criminals and live in a castle with others of my kind. I was so lonely from being a nomad and constantly hunted. Remember back in those times we weren't the subject of romance books, we were the horrors of legend. Even though we were so rarely caught it became tiring to always be hunted. Plus I was valued for my strength, my fighting abilities, and I found a home where I could belong. My maker had long since left me behind. I was all alone in the world."
"I can see why that would have been so appealing to you. Not to have to constantly avoid villages, except to eat. Not being alone all the time, having some sort of family. People who seem to care about you. I know how that feels now.
"Didn't your father care for you Bella?"
"My father and my mother did care for me very much in their own ways. But my mother, she's very young for her age. I was the adult in the household from the time I was ten. My father was a mature adult but I didn't come to him until I was seventeen. It was too late for us to make up for only seeing him on summers by then and he has firmly entrenched habits, he's always fishing or watching sports on tv. It's my fault too. I spent the time I should have been becoming his child being insinuated into the Cullens household. I spent the time I should have spent with Charlie, with Edward or Alice or even Emmett. We both made mistakes that are past correcting now."
I see little one. So the Cullens really made you feel like you belonged with them.
"Only Jasper and Rosalie stayed away from me. I'm not sure if Jasper stayed away because of his control or because he didn't like me. I know Rosalie didn't like me. Carlisle and Esme called me daughter. Emmett called me his little sis and Edward said I was his mate but I think he lied.
"Why do you think he lied little one?"
"Because I think he was dazzling me. At first we had a lot of disagreements over little things. He didn't like my taste in music so we'd listen to his instead. But I eventually gave up friends for him, even changed my diet for him. And he didn't treat me like the others treated each other. He treated me as if I was a possession to guard not a person to love. I think it was because I was his singer.
"You were really his singer?" Felix asked.
"He said so. I don't know what to believe any more about them. He sucked the venom out of my arm after James bit me to keep me human. If I was his mate wouldn't I be worth keeping around longer than a human lifetime?"
"Yes, little one. He would have known for sure if you were his mate after he tasted your blood. Vampires can tell their vampire mates by scent and the mating pull, but if one member of the partnership is human they can only tell if they taste their blood. It makes it almost impossible to find a human mate."
"Maybe I'll be lucky enough to find my mate someday then. But till then a family will be enough."
"Do you want desert little one?"
"I'd like something chocolate." I insisted and Felix laughed. Then we'll get you another glass of wine and something sweet to finish your meal. I'd like another glass of wine as well.
Felix signaled the waiter and he was at our table in a hurry.
I was glad that I had this time to talk with Felix. I liked him. I trusted him.
"We'd both like another glass of wine and the lady would like to see your desert menu."
"Right away sir," The waiter agreed.
When the waiter came back with the menu I chose the chocolate cake.
"So are you mated Felix?" I asked
"No, I'm not but I do have a companion."
"What does that mean Felix?"
"It means I'm in a relationship until I find my mate. Her name is Heidi. She's our fisher."
"Have I seen her before?"
"Have you ever been around when food was being brought to the main chamber?"
"The last time I was here, but I was panicked by that time so I don't remember what she looked like."
"She is the one that brings people to the main chamber when it's time to feed."
"She must be very beautiful to attract people like that."
"We are all beautiful to humans Bella, you know this from your own experience."
Felix
They brought our last glasses of wine and Bella's cake. I sipped my wine as I watched her take little bites of cake and moan softly in appreciation. Perhaps I should fetch her a piece tomorrow for right before she is changed. She obviously enjoyed the evening with me and I enjoyed it with her as well. She has so many more secrets I can tell but I can also tell that she is not going to share any more of them with me tonight. Perhaps once she's more drunk her tongue will loosen. As she enjoys her little bites the waiter brings me the bill and I put in on my credit card. I don't know if Bella has money on her but this little evening will be my treat. I can tell that Bella and I will get along well and I look forward to getting to know the new and improved version of her in about four days.
When Bella finally finishes her single slice of cake I lead her from the restaurant and back to her party at the castle.
As we enter I see Demetri waiting in a shadowed alcove watching us. I can smell his jealousy from here. I hope that won't become a problem. As it is I guide her gently over to him.
He steps from the shadow as she approaches.
"Demetri," she sings as she draws near. She launches herself into his arms.
"We had the best dinner," She tells him. I had wine and lasagna and chocolate cake that was the best I ever had. And Felix told me you already know about the shape shifters that saved my life so I don't have to keep a secret from you and it was just so great. Are you coming with us to drink now?"
"It looks like you already got started drinking Bella?" Demetri asks her.
"I had three glasses of wine and I may be just a little bit tipsy but I'm not drunk yet."
Demetri smiles at me and rolls his eyes a little and I know we are okay.
"Are you ready to learn to play poker?" He asks her.
"Are you ready to teach me I bet I'm a slow learner," Bella says and Demetri chuckles quietly.
"You'll probably win every hand, it's beginner's luck."
"You don't think the others would get mad if I win do ya Demetri?"
"I don't think anyone would dare get mad at you tonight little one," I put in.
We take the elevator to the second floor and then walk all the way down the hall to our recreation room.
"What would you like to drink Bella?" Demetri asks as we walk in to the room.
"I really liked the wine" Bella calls and all of us laugh.
"Did you like red or white wine?"
"It was red." I instructed.
Demetri pours her a full glass and we sit down at the table with Jane and Alec.
Bella waits to sit until Demetri is back and then sits in the chair between us.
Demetri
I was worried that Bella would become to fascinated with Felix over dinner but I shouldn't have been so concerned. She jumps into my arms when she sees me and starts telling me all about her dinner out. I should have known he would start her drinking and she is very cute when she's a bit tipsy.
Sitting her wine down in front of her I start to shuffle the deck and deal the cards.
Bella picks up her cards and I see that she has a good hand. I begin instructing her all about poker.
An hour later I've filled her glass again. Her card playing skills are deteriorating at a much faster pace than ours with our higher alcohol tolerance. We're all smirking and trying not to laugh.
It takes two more glasses before she's beginning to nod off.
I scoop her up in my arms and carry her down to her room. "Don't let me forget to tell you all the things I want to remember tomorrow, okay? Bella says before laying her head on my shoulder and falling asleep.
I place her on her bed and get her shoes off before I place her under the covers. I'm just starting to head out of the room when I hear her call my name.
It surprises me because I thought she was out cold, but I approach the bed. She calls my name again. Her eyes are closed. She talks in her sleep. She's dreaming about me.
I resist the urge to listen in on her sleep talk. Instead I go back to the others and our game.
"How's sleeping beauty?" Alec asks.
"She talks in her sleep". I respond and the game starts over.
Felix stops me as I go to leave the room at the end of the night.
"Get her pancakes and Sausage for breakfast, A piece of chocolate cake for lunch and get the change over with. Oh, and in case she doesn't remember to tell you she wants to remember her mother, Renee, her father, Charlie, Jacob Black, the Quilute wolves saved her life, and not to trust the Cullens."
"Do you think she's got it in for the Cullens?"
"I think she'd be hurt if they were really punished but ask her that to know for sure. She only said she didn't want to fall for their lies again. Try to get her to tell you the whole story about the Cullens. I only know a little. At this moment I've got in in for them a little myself, but I wouldn't want the little one hurting."
"Are you falling in love with her yourself man?"
"Its possible she could be my mate...or my little sister. I don't know right now. I'll only pursue it if she's my mate though. How about you?"
"I left her room earlier and she was dreaming of me, calling out my name in her sleep. It's taking all of my self control not to listen to her sleep talk and she what else she has to say. She's become a beautiful woman. Any man would be lucky to have her."
"Promise me you won't take advantage of her newborn year to get a companion Dem? I know how lonely you are man but she's going to be incredibly vulnerable and she trusts the two of us the most."
"I'll not take advantage of her newborn year unless she's my mate, then all bets are off."
"That's all I ask. I bet you could hear her sleep talking through the walls in your room if your quiet. She knows where you are and that you can hear. That isn't taking advantage."
"Goodnight Felix,"
I ghosted to my room and closed the door quietly. I lay on my bed and close my eyes to hear better. A tracker's senses are extra honed.
"Five cups of milk, a cup of sugar... Dad stay home don't try and find me...chocolate cake and wine... I win... Demetri... family and friends and not alone...stay home...Demi...
It was seven am when her talking finally stopped. I had listened to every single word. Could this beautiful, brave, crazy girl possibly be my mate? She wouldn't have called my name the night before if she wasn't the least bit interested in me.
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