Chapter 34: Stories of the night
A/N: one my readers wanted to know why Bella was sent to the volturi instead of someone else. Well, think about it. The pack is slightly unstable with Sam and Emily gone, so Paul being the temporary Alpha cannot just leave. So, they send Bella, alongside jasper peter and Addi. The volturi seeing Bella not as she once was, would certainly be a shock to the kings and a big help. Hope that helps.
The volturi castle was silent, as its residents began their night time routines. Some spent time with thier mates, while others dove into the pleastries they didnt have time for during the day and then there were the few that sat in the dark garden disscuing the days events. The most intriguing topic had been the strange human girl who appeared not once but twice at the castle and the fact the kings had bowed before her.
"I mean can you believe it Renata! The kings! They bowed to this human! I dont understand why. So she can turn into an animal, why is that so special!"
Renata shook her head as she painted her nails. Sitting around the garden with her best friends was always her favorite past time. Besides, it was always a breath of fresh air when she didnt have to be chasing after Exhurberent master. Master Aro, was the adventurous one outside the three kings and Renata always felt as if she were chasing after him waiting for the other shoe to drop. She however was just as shocked when her master so submissively bowerd himself before the human girl. In all honesty she had no idea what to think.
Heidi rolled her eyes at Renata's lack of commentary and turned to the others in thier group. "Afton? Santiago?Chelsea? anything?"
Chelsea sighed as she threw a rock at a mouse scurrying through.
"...As strange as it is, i trust the masters. I mean when have they ever showed such humility towards a guest? She must be really important."
"thats because she is."
All eyes turned to Afton who had finally chosen to close his book. Chelsea smiled as her husband had that familiar gleam in his eys.
"ohh dear friends i belive it is story time." She gigled. As soon as the words left her mouth, most of the gurds not on duty appeared in the garden, especially the younger ones. As it was, her mate was one of the oldest gaurd members and held a place of senority, not to mention being in charge of training the whole guard. It was wonderful when he spoke of ancient tales and the old ways.
"alright listen here. All of you. Our kings are not wimps, simps, pussies or anything else the modern day language has come up with to describe a weak man. Our kings are wise and power recognises power. The Renard family is an ancient shapeshifting family, whose name is known amongst the supernatural world. But to our newer members, you proably wont recgonise them. They are pratically equals to the volturi. Matter of fact, they are the ones who have made us who we are today. Thier original leader, Hugo Renard, was by our kings side the day they dismantled the romanian coven. However, it has been alomost centuries since we have had contact with the renards", so to see the new generation before their eyes has come quite a shock. But do not underestimate our kings or our guest."
With that said, the gaurd quickly went back to there own devices.
"so, the volturi have a history with this family? Why havent the masters said anything?" Santiago asked
"i have no idea. Perhaps they thought the family died out. It has happend once in a while ." Afton said as he picked his book back up.
"so what will they do with the girl? What about her involment with..well, with the dogs?" Heidi asked. Using the term dog as a code word for children of the moon.
"We must allow the masters to make a decsion. It will only be a matter of time.."
"but..lady didyme was killed by the dogs. Why should we help them!" heidi hissed
Afton rolld his eyes at the young gilrs defiance.
"So your saying we should punish the children for the sins of thier parents?" He asked angerly.
"Yes. Why keep the values of the parents if their children are going to follow in thier footsteps?" Heidi hissed
Seeing he wasnt going to get anywhere, Afton left the garden. Chelsea following after him.
...
Bella groaned as she suddenly awoken from her sleep
Darn it. I knew i shouldnt have dranken that water before bed. She thought
As she silently stood, she looked over to see Addi knocked out cold. She smiled knowing he was exhausted from being on high alert at all times.
With urgent steps bella made her way to the she was done, she looekd around the dark room, only lit by the rays of the full moon.
Deciding that going back to sleep wasnt going to happen, Bella went on to the balcony.
Hmm, i wonder. If my mother is a werewolf, i wonder why i havent transformed on a full moon? Do i even have the gene is the question, or is it dormant? Man, i really hope we are here any longer than tommorow night, i really miss paul.
As soon as she thought it, Bella heard a vibration on the nigh stand. With quick speed she saw that it was paul.
"babe?" she answerd.
"hey, are you ok? we felt you." He said, his voice still having that sleepy tone to it.
"i miss you.." she said quietly
" we miss you more. How did the first meeting go? Something tells us, you will be there longer then you want to be. At least if they reacted how we expected. Did you wear the jewels like we suggested?"
"yes, we did and they bowed?Why paul? What connection do the volturi have to your family?" Bella asked her voice laced with just a little bit of frustration. It seemd she was learning things last minute lately
"you mean our family. We are married now you know. Besides, i recieved a crash course just like you did. Apparently, one of our ancestors was a very powerful ally to the volturi. But dont be intimated. We are on the same playing field as the volturi. We promise you as soon as Sam returns, we are taking you on a much needed vacation."
Bella smiled.
"I look forward to that. How's the pack?"
"angry that we let you leave. We dont blame them but there is much they dont understand." He yawned
"Thats true. Alright honey, i am going to let you go back to sleep. Good night."
"good night precious one, we wil see you soon and remember, you have authority and power like never before, use it."
With the phone call ending, Bella realized she was still wide awake.
"I need to take a walk."
With steady steps, Bella pulled hard on the oak doors,that were pratically bigger than her. If she had been just a normal human, it would have been hard to pull the doors open.
As she did, she was met with complete silence.
Hmm, i thought there would be guards around. Man its freezing. She thought as she pulled her long black robe tighter around her.
As Bella began to walk the halls, she relaized just how beautiful the castle was. On the walls were ancient paintings by artist she had never heard of before . Thier were also pictures of various vampires covens
and as she kept going, she came across a door cracked open. From the small opening she could see a very beatiful potrait of a women. Looking just little closer, she could see it was a hidden garden, or a green house? She couldnt tell but with her new supernatural senses, she felt something pulling her inside.
Ok logic 101. Never go into a room that you dont know of. But...it is open..at least half way open. But you also cant go into someone's room where you dont belong.
Bella battled internally before she finally succumb to the pull and her own curiousity.
She slowly entered the room to see that it was not occupiedand it was indeed an indoor green house. The moon shone through the windows making the white lilies seem to glow even brigter then what they were.
There were also yellow tulips in a semi circle and in the circle was the painting. There sitting on a chair was women. Pale skin, dark brown hair and red eyes, that could rival her engagment ring. However, it was the smile on the womens face that drew Bella's attention. The women was just so happy it was hard not to look. An inscription on the potrait read as follows.
Mio amato didime, il tuo memorey vivrà su
"it says my beloved didyme, your memory shall live on forever." A sad, weary voice spoke.
Bella turned to see Marcus volturi standing in the doorway.
"oh, lord marcus...i am sorry. I didnt mean to intrude on something so intimate. I just felt a pull."
"just marcus, isabella and it is i who should be apoligizing. Please forgiev my outburst from earlier on. It was worng of me to jump to conclusions. Especially for somone of your status." He asked as she bowed down before .
Bella held her tongue for a moment. She was truly tired of the bowing, but her eys filled with tears as she looked back at the painting of Marcus's wife. She looked back at him still bowed low.
Not caring about ettiquette or decorum, Bella kneeled infront of the king and cupped his cold face.
Stunned by her touch and boldness the apathtic vampire looked up.
Bella gasped as she looked into his eyes. Marcus's eyes were black, pitch black and devoid of anything.
They werent black from thirst but black from a extreme depressed state and nothing seemed to pull him out of it.
Bella felt tears spill donw her cheeks. She understood. She understood better then anyone. Having the one you gave your heart to, gone forever. Never to return and yet you yourself stuck in a world without them and not knwoing how to move on.
Bella's tears fell unto marcus's face, making it seem as if he were crying himself.
"...you were never allowed to grieve were you?" she asked
Marcus, shook his head. Bella figured. Yes, one could shut down and be empty but grief. Grief was completelty different.
Grief was like a being in the dark and never finding the light but evetually once one has accepted and let go of their grief, the light would return...little by little.
However, it seemed Marcus had never seen the light. He was still in the darkness.
" I ...I tried. I really did. I tried to be alive. For them.. for my family, for our coven, but..i just couldnt. I cant live without her. I cant breath...without her. She was my world, my heart and it seemd as if the day she died, eveything else left with her. She was never talked about, or mentioned. It was like an unspoken rule. This the first time i have looked at her painting in centuries. This room has been locked for ages and yet, today after my encounter with you, i ..unlocked the door. And when i opened it, i expected the garden to be dead and lacking of life, but...but here it was . alive and thriving. Just like her. She gave life to everyone she met. "
Bella took in Marcus's words. She understood. She had been the same with Edward. Not wanting anyting to do with a reminder of him. Looking at Marcus, she relaized no one gave him the chance to grieve. They wanted him back to his normal self. They wanted him put togather and not in pieces. Bella understood. Eveyone around her had wanted her to be better, to be fixed but no one told her how. They tried to fill her time and make her do things...but when your heart is involved it became difficult.
"Marcus...It's time."
The weary king looked up at her in question.
"its time to grieve...its time to treasure the memeories...and yet have peace. No one is saying you ahev to forget Didyme or stop loving her...but living in this darkness is killing you." Bella told her as her tears contiued.
"how? How do i do that Bella?" Marcus asked, sorrow filling his voice.
"you let it out."
It was then a song relased itself from Bella's lips. Her hands cupping Marcus' face, as she began to sing, Marcus began to sob. A wail like never before escaping his lips.
What's left to say?
These prayers ain't working anymore
Every word shot down in flames
What's left to do with these broken pieces on the floor?
I'm losing my voice calling on you
As Bella continued sing, a glow began to emerge between She and Marcus. Memories, almost like a movie began to show between the two.
Marcus's first dance with Didyme at a ball
Bella's first dance with Edward at prom.
The first time Marcus met Didyme. The way he smiled.
The very time Bella met Edward. His look of killer intent.
And then, the very last time they met.
Bella clinging unto Edward as they walked into the throne room.
Marcus screaming over Didyme's ashes.
And then…there was peace.
Edward and Didyme smiling and fading before their eyes.
'Cause I've been shaking
I've been bending backwards till I'm broke
Watching all these dreams go up in smoke
Let beauty come out of ashes
Let beauty come out of ashes
And when I pray to God all I ask is
Can beauty come out of ashes?
Can you use these tears to put out the fires in my soul?
'Cause I need you here, woah
'Cause I've been shaking
I've been bending backwards till I'm broke
Watching all these dreams go up in smoke
Let beauty come out of ashes
Let beauty come out of ashes
And when I pray to God all I ask is
Can beauty come out of ashes?
Can beauty come out of ashes?
When Bella opened her eyes, guards and various people were standing over her, but it was the cold arms of Marcus she was in.
To her shock. Marcus was crying. The tears however full of venom and burned as they dripped unto her skin but it didn't bother Bella.
"Marcus? What happened? How in the world are your crying?" she asked feeling like the life had been drained out of her.
"I don't know but we have called Carlisle to come and examine you. Bella…you did something. I have no idea what but…I think you've freed me. Freed us. Youve freed me from my grief."
A gasp surrounded the room.
"brothers. Whatever the Renard family needs we will give. There is not question or debate about it." Marcus declared as he looked up at the Caius and Aro.
Bella, however, didn't bother to hear there answer. She was too tired.
The last thing she remembered was seeing Carlisle rush into the room, Alice, and Esme behind him. A look of grave concern in his eyes.
"Bella…" his voice echoed.
And then…Everything went black.