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Chapter 3 - Yellow Eyes are bad... are they?

A soft knock on the door pulled me from the interesting TV. I had heard about them, but I hadn't had one myself in a long time. When I had first joined Aro, he'd put a small tv in my room, but I'd never really had any interest in it.

But this new TV…. Technology surely had come a long way since I had been sequestered in the little dungeon in Volterra. The pictures were clear and colourful, just like real life. The shows were slightly vapid, but I was amazed by the sheer volume of them. Hundreds of channels filled with any and everything you could want. I had finally stumbled across an adaptation of Pride and Prejudice on one of the channels, easily recognising the dialogue from my second favourite novel. I settled in to watch the characters I had only read about so far with facisionation. I couldn't really believe how beautiful the story I had only been able to read came to life on the screen.

When the knock sounded again I finally turned off the TV and got up. I hesitatntly made my way to the door.

'Yes?' I called out. I wasn't sure if I could open the door myself. Edward had been clear I was not to leave this room. I wasn't sure what the rest of my requirements were, so I figured better safe than sorry.

The door opened and Emmett stood on the other side, a kind smile on his face. 'Ms Swan, we've reached the port.' He said. 'Do you need help gathering your things?'

'Oh, no. I never unpacked.' I quickly walked over to the bed and got my bag again, sliging it over my shoulder.

Emmett nodded and reached to take my bag from me again. I let him have it. 'We'll be driving for a few minutes and then it's on to the plane.'

'Okay.' I said nodding my head.

'You'll be in a separate car from Mr Cullen, but I'll be in with you.'

I nodded again.

'The plane is private, so no need to worry about any humans.' He said, smiling kindly at me.

I nodded again, not bothering to tell him I didn't mind how humans smelled. One of my guilty pleasures was strolling through Volterra on overcast days and pretending I was a regular human. Aro would have killed me if he'd known I snuck out sometimes. But I had been crafty in my escapes. The scent of humans hardly bothered me anymore. But I wasn't about to share that with anyone.

'Come on.' he muttered, leading the way out of the cabin again. We headed off the boat and into a waiting towncar. A matching car stood a little bit to the front of us.

'That's Mr Cullen's car.' Emmett explained.

I nodded once. I returned to my previous attitude, sitting demurely with my hands folded in my lap and my eyes fixed on my hands. Emmett got into the car next to me and ordered the driver to go. The car lurched forward and Emmett whistled once.

'I've always liked this car.' He said whistfully. I wasn't sure if he wanted me to converse with him or not. So I kept my mouth shut. 'I mean the BMW's are good, they're fine in a pinch. Great drive. But these babies…' he whistled. 'Amazing.'

'What type is this?' I asked quietly. I wasn't really interested in cars. I never drove myself. I had to admit though it was a nice car. Nice leather upholstery, very spacious and it moved smoothly over the road.

'A Rolls Royce Ghost.'

I blinked at him, the name did not ring a bell.

He seemed to notice my blank stare. 'Not a car fan I take it?' he asked his eyes crinkling in a gentle smile.

'Not much cause to have one, much less drive one. I didn't really see the outside a lot.' I confessed in a small voice.

His eyebrows shot up in surprise at that information. 'You didn't go outside?' he questioned.

'Not much.' I said vaguely, worried I had said too much.

'How much is not much?' he asked, his brow furrowing.

'A few days a month.' I admitted.

'A few days a month.' He echoed. I nodded. 'And the rest of the time?' he asked.

I bit my lip, unsure if I should answer truthfully or not. Emmett reached over and gave my hand a small squeeze. I looked up at him startled by the action. No one touched me except to hurt me. I stared at his hand, waiting for the crushing to start, but his hand remained soft against mine. I swallowed hard.

'I was kept inside.' I finally said. 'A small room in the lower levels of the castle.'

'Were you treated badly?' he whispered.

My eyes shot to his with alarm. How much did he know? How much could I tell him? My mouth opened and closed. I was unprepared for this. I hadn't expected anyone to question me. I couldn't tell him the truth now could I? What would that help me? Except give them ideas… probably. I quickly looked way from his gaze again. Finally I gave my head a small shake.

'They were fine.' I managed to bring out finally.

Emmett regarded me for a moment, 'Isabella…' he started. 'You're safe now.'

Had I been surprised before, now I was absolutely gobsmacked. A snort escaped my lips before I could stop myself. Then I immediately cringed and pulled my hand from his.

'What?' he asked in confusion.

I quickly shook my head. 'Nothing.'

'Isabella, please look at me.' he asked. I did so reluctantly. 'Are you afraid we're going to hurt you?' he asked, his eyes were so open and honest that I couldn't help but answer him truthfully.

'Yes.' I whispered.

'Why?'

'Your master has a reputation.' I muttered, looking away from his gaze again. 'I know why I was sent here. I know I won't survive for long.'

Emmett gasped in shock. Thankfully the door was opened then and Emmett was forced to climb out. hHs eyes scanned the area and locked on something. Then he reached into the car again, grabbing my bag and my hand and yanking me from the car.

His sudden change in attitude scared me slightly. He was firm and gruff and I wondered if I'd set him off with my honesty. I mentally scolded myself for being honest. I should have lied. Told him I'd been fine and I'd been under the impression this was an actual arranged marriage, not a punishment for me.

'You can go ahead and get on the plane.' Emmett said.

When i looked up at him for further instructions I noticed he and Edward were staring at each other, or more like staring each other down. I supressed another shudder and headed for the plane while keeping my head down, not looking back at Emmett or Edward.

I walked up the steps and was greeted by a stewardess at the door.

'Where can I sit?' I asked her in a small voice.

She was human. I wondered if she was going to survive the trip, or if she was the refreshment. Or perhaps entertainment? Aro and his brothers had liked to use some of the prettier women that came through the castle. This woman was definitely pretty.

She looked up at me, surprised by my question. 'You may sit wherever you want, madam.' She said kindly, smiling at me.

'Isn't there a seat reserved for Mr Cullen?' I asked in a small voice.

She shook her head. 'No madam. Please just take any seat you would like.' She smiled again then she held out her hands. 'Can I take your coat for you?'

I looked down, almost surprised to find I was wearing my long winter coat. I had put it on just before we left the cabin. I nodded and undid the double row of buttons down the front. She took my coat and smiled at me again before heading towards a curtained off area with my coat.

I headed into the seated area. There was a comfortable looking couch on one side and two wide chairs on the other. I chose to sit down in the corner of the couch. I resumed my position and waited patiently for the rest to come aboard. I was actually really excited to be flying for the first time. I had flown once during my lifetime, when I had still been human. I had flown from my hometown in England to Florence. It was there that Aro found me, so it wasn't the best memory to think back on. But I had loved the plane ride. The thrill when the enigines roared to life, the feeling of being so high up in the air that no one on earth could possibly see you anymore. It was an amazing feeling and I was excited to experience it again.

A sudden noise from the front of the plane drew my attention. Emmett stormed into the cabin and on instinct I shrank into the cushions. I was certain his anger was directed at me. He stopped in his tracks. When nothing happened after a few moments I peeked up. He was standing at the entrance staring at me with a kind expression on his face.

'I'm sorry for scaring you.' he said when I looked up at him.

I shook myhead quickly. 'You didn't' I said, but the quiver in my voice gave me away.

He gave me a sad smile.

'Move Emmett.' Came a voice from behind him.

Emmett waslked further into the room and sank down into one of the wide chairs. Edward walked in next, his arms laden with bags. He dropped them on the floor at his feet. The stewardess reappeared from behind her curtain, she gasped audibly as she laid her eyes on Edward.

'Mr Cullen.' She gushed. 'Can I help you with anything?' she sauntered over and I couldn't help but cringe at it.

'No, thank you.' he said, his gaze once again locking with mine.

My breath stopped. Did he want me to know he was turning her down? I was sure she was just his type. Was this just him being polite to me? Or was it something more? I quickly turned my gaze away from his, turning to look out the window.

'I'll put your suitcases away.' She said, reaching to pick them up. He nodded to her and stepped over the pile of suitcases to drop into the chair next to Emmett.

Emmett was still upset it seemed, he had his arms crossed over his chest as he was glaring at Edward.

'Stop it.' Edward growled at him. Emmett growled back. I shrank back into the cushions slightly.

'We'll be taking off in about ten minutes.' The stewardess said sauntering past again.

Edward nodded once his brow was furrowed as he crossed him arms over his chest. Then he excused himself, disappearing behind the curtain for a moment. He came back a moment later with his sunglasses on. Emmett cocked an eyebrow at him. Edward shrugged. Then Emmett quickly went into the area behind the ccurtain as well and reappeared a few seconds later with a pair of sunglasses as well. It was strange to say the least.

We spent ten minutes in uncomfortable silnce as I stared at my hands in my lap and I felt two paris of eyes on me. The stewardess made her way over again tell us they were ready for departure now. She headed over to close the doors and then she took us through the safety regulations before taking her seat next to the cockpit door. The plane's engines started and I gripped the seat beneath me. The plane started moving and within a few minutes we were ascending. I gripped the seat tightly but was careful not to draw attention to it, or rip the cushion.

As soon as wel were level again I turned to the window and stared outside. The stars were bright and shiing, the moon castling its glow over the clouds we were now flyig above. Through the clouds I caught snippets of the cities below us, their lights shining brightly from down below.

'So you're gifted.' Edwrad stated after about an hour of tense silence. My head whipped around as I stared at him dumbfounded.'Don't act so surprised.' He scoffed.

I struggled to change my face into a more neutral mask. 'How did you know?' I asked him softly.

He just stared at me his face grim. 'Everyone knows Aro collects gifts.'

I hesitated. I didn't know what to say or how to answer. Aro never told me not to tell anyone about my gift. But he was also thoroughly unimpressed by it. I'd wasted all his potential he often berated me.

And for some reason I didn't want Edward Cullen to think I was a disappointment. I was ashamed of my gift, Aro had taught me to be after all this time.

'I…' I started, but then stopped, unsure how to start.

'Tell me.' he demanded after I didn't continue on my own.

'I'm… I'm a shield.' I finanly managed in a whisper.

Edward frowned and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. 'Mental?' he asked.

I stared at him surprised. But nodded in affirmation.

'Why would Aro let you go then?' he asked his voice running even colder than usual.

Emmett threw Edward a dark look. Edward returned it clamly before turning his stare back on me.

'I… wasn't a very good shield.' I finally mumbled.

Edward leaned back in his chair, apparently satisfied with the answer. I stared at my hands folded in my lap. My eyes bruning with unshed tears. I felt utterly humiliated and he hadn't even said anything.

Edward nodded to himself. 'Okay.' He said, then he turned away from me and started up his laptop which he produced from a small bag he had carried onto the plane. I cringed back into the cushions of the couch and desperately wished to be anywhere else than here. I didn't know what was worse. The Volturi's mistreatment of me, or this loaded atmosphere where with the simplest look or word Edward could thoroughly humiliate me and make me absolutely loathe myself. I bit my lip harshly and looked out the window.

The only sound that accompanied us during the planeride was Edward taping on the keys of the laptop. He must have been hard at work because he was typing furiously. Occasionally my eyes would drift to the small laptop that sat on his lap. I had only seen one a few times in my life. They were still mostly amystery to me. I knew it was a laptop and that it had access to the internet and that you could make things on it… but that was as far as my knowledge went… I had tried to keep up to date with the world during my little visits outside castle grounds, but there was only so much you could learn in two or three hours every month. I was glad enough that I knew about cars and planes and cellphones. Smartphones and laptops were just a step too far for now. I wondered how modern Edward kept his court if he himself worked on a laptop.

Aro, Marcus and Caius absolutely hated technology. They wanted to keep us in the middle ages. The Renaissance was their favourite era and much at the court had been in adherence to the rules and values of that era. I wondered if Edward's court had actually kept up with the times. I hoped so. I was tired of the floorlength dresses and corsets. I shifted in my seat, crossing my ankles demurely as I stared out the window again.

I didn't know what exactly drew my attention, but after a few hours I suddenly glanced over at Emmett. He was rubbing his eyes tiredly shaking his head at something, and when he lowered his hands and looked up we locked gazes.

I gasped.

Then a short yelp burst from my lips before I slapped my hand over my mouth and quickly cowered back into the cushions.

'Fuck!' Emmett yelled and I knew I was in for it now.

'I'm sorry!' I quickly said holding my hands up.

Edward had shoved his laptop aside at the commotion and was standing up looking at Emmett with a frown on his face then he rounded on me.

'Shut your mouth.' He ordered.

I quickly put my hand over my mouth and nodded.

Was he one too? The stange yellow eyes. We had heard about them, but only in rumors. There was rumored to be a coven of yellow eyed vampires, extremely ruthless, extremely violent, extremely dangerous.

And Emmett was one of them.

His eyes when they had locked with mine were a honey ocher colour that seemed to burn brightly into my very soul.

Aro and Caius had often warned me when I was still in favour to keep clear of these vampires. They were the worst of the worst. Their eyes became gold because of their diet; other vampires.

It all made sense now. How many women Edward was rumored to go through... Why every coven in Europe shuddered at the mere mention of the Cullen clan...

They were yellow eyes and they killed vampires to live.

Fuck.