AN
Thanks everyone for reading!

So yeah, Carlisle was indeed the ceremony master, he'll be popping up here and there more often from now on.

Edward is going to be especially dickish in this chapter, so beware, but bear in mind that everything might not be as it seems :)

Not going to spoil, but trust me just hang in there ;)

As always hope you enjoy and leave me a review to let me know what you think :D

Chapter 6 - Pain and humiliation... I'm so done with all of this

The door closed behind us with a heavy thud before silence filled the room. I stayed where I was with my eyes firmly on my feet, not even daring to look around. Edward moved around me in a slow circle.

'I admit.' He finally said when he finished his inspection. 'You do clean up nice.'

I swallowed back my retort, knowing it would not be appreciated.

'These are my chambers. I have my bedroom, an office, a bathroom, and this sitting room.' He said. 'You may only enter here when I have personally invited you.'

I gave my head a curt nod, indicating I understood.

'Now we have 12 hours we have to spent here. Sadly I couldn't get out of that tradition, otherwise I wouldn't have you here.'

I felt another stab of humiliation shoot through me. He was doing everything in his power to make me miserable it seemed. I tried to swallow with my suddenly dry throat.

'I think it's wise if we use some of this time to go over some of the rules.'

'Rules?' I asked in a small voice.

'Yes.' He said. 'You are for all intents and purposes the Coven Mistress of the Cullen clan. However, I don't want you actively taking part in any coven descion making.'

I had expected that. He didn't trust me. Of course I didn't trust him either.

'Furthermore, you will be following our diet of animal blood. The glass I gave you earlier was filled with animal blood. We have a storage so if you don't want to, you don't have to hunt. If you do want to hunt yourself, that is fine, but you must take your ladies and one guard with you.'

'Animal blood?' I asked shocked. That's why it had tasted so strange.

'Yes. Any breaking of that diet is not tolerated and will have consequences.' He said severely.

I nodded once that I understood.

'Your ladies will fill you in on your social duties. In your down time you are free to roam around the grounds and the house, with the exception of my chambers. If you wish to go outside, you will take both your ladies and at least two guards.'

I nodded again.

'For these twelve hours you can stay here. There is a TV over there, and a bookcase in my bedroom, feel free to take any book you might like. Just leave it here when the twelve hours are up. I will be in my study. You may not enter.'

I gave another curt nod.

Edward gave a small sigh before heading towards a door in the corner of the room. He opened it but then stopped. I chanced a small look up at him to see what had stopped him. His eyes locked with mine immediately. His gaze was intense.

'One more thing.' He said, his eyes blazing with warning. 'I will hold you to your oath of loyalty. Any correspondence with the volturi will be viewed as treason. I will also hold you to that oath of loyalty with regards to me, I will not tolerate you having another man.'

My eyes widened at that information. I wasn't allowed to have an affair? Although I had no immediate plans for that right now, I also knew that Edward had given me no misconceptions about his feelings. I was not his mate. He did not want me, nor care for me. I was nothing and no one. He was happy with Tanya, happy to be fucking around with her.

To demand that I stay loyal to him, although he fucked around merrily behind my back… that just seemed… backward.

I opened my mouth to respond, but he quickly stepped into his study and shut the door firmly behind him. I was left standing there feeling like an absolute idiot and absolutely miserable.

I spent the first few hours just standing in the room feeling absolutely horrified and stupid. When Edward firmly remained in his study, I started looking around the room. It was a nice room I begrudgingly admitted to myself. It was homely just like mine was. The colourscheme was different though. There was a similar hardwood floor installed, but the walls were varying shades of grey.

The wall which also had the TV on it, was covered with framed photographs. It was surprisingly personal and homely. I recognised Emmett and Rosalie in quite a few of them. Then there was the ceremony master with a lovely brunette lady smiling at each other. And there was a blonde guy and a short girl with black hair smiling at each other. There were a few of with all of them together smilng at the camera. Surprisingly enough there was no Tanya, in any of the photos.

Next I spent about an hour going through his bookcases in his bedroom. I Was surprised by his collection. He didn't strike me as the brainy type, yet there were medical volumes, ecyclopedias and even modern philisophical textbooks. It was all pretty heavy stuff, and not something I was in the mood for right now. So I headed back into the sitting room.

I spent my time browsing through the channels on TV, like on the boat, there were hundreds. Still, it couldn't keep my attention forever. When I had finished yet another vapid reality show that was mind numbing, I turned off the TV deciding to grab a book to try and pass the time. I had no idea how long I had left here... I wasn't even sure how I was supposed to know I could leave... would someone come get me? Would Edward kick me out?

I sighed and was about to get up and select a book to read when I heard a noise. I frowned. I wasn't sure exactly what sound it was or where it was coming from. I listened intently for a moment, not making a sound.

Then the noise came again. It sounded like something falling to the floor. It came from… Edward's study. I quietly got up from the couch and crept over to the closed door. There was another noise now, a hushed sound. Someone talking? Was there someone in there with him?

Finally a female giggle reached my ears and I quickly stepped back.

No. It couldn't be.

He wouldn't do that… would he?

He had kissed Tanya in front of everyone during our ceremony. Would it really be such a shock then that he would have her here while I was in his sitting room? I mean… he made it clear, didn't he?

There was another giggle and then the sound of a muffled moan. I swallowed through the pain threatening to consume me.

This was low. Even for him. To have her in there with him, fucking her, while I was in the other room?! I couldn't believe this. I eyed the door to his study wearily. Should I just barge in there? Demand they stop? And then… what? I couldn't exactly tell him off. I was his property. Sold to him by Aro. I had no right to make demands… but yet.. some small part of me was rebelling at being treated like this by him.

Especially because I had felt drawn to him. I thought it might have been the mate call. But this… you don't do this to someone who could be your mate. I quietly walked back to the couch, sitting down heavily. What should I do?

I could leave… couldn't I? I mean people would talk, it would put us in a horrible position, but he'd already done damage this afternoon when he kissed someone else.

Thankfully I was saved when a knock sounded at the door. I glanced at it, unsure if I should open it or not, then the door opened. Rosalie stepped inside and glanced around the room before her eyes settled on me.

'Ms Swan.' She said politely. 'Your twelve hours have-' she was interrupted by the door to the study opening.

My head swung around and I stared at the sight before me. Tanya stepped outside, her dress still unzipped, her hair was ruffled and her make up was slightly smudged. Edward followed her, shrugging into his shirt. He stopped in his tracks as he spotted me still on the couch. At least he had the grace to look embarrassed and uncomfortable. Rosalie was positively bristeling at the door. b

Edward winced as he looked over at her. 'Bella.' He said, clearing his throat. I thought you'd left already.' He shifted on his feet awkwardly.

I got to my feet slowly. Tnaya was sneering at me hatefully, but I ignored her. I stepped over to Edward and looked into his eyes. Trying to find something, anything, that could tell me why he had done this. Did he hate me this much? Did he just like hurting me? Was he as sadistic as Aro?

I didn't find any hatred in his eyes, just shame and guilt. But that didn't make sense either. He'd told me I wasn't anything to him. Why was he guilty? Or was I reading him wrong? I stared into his eyes for a moment longer. Then I pulled back my hand and slapped him across the cheek. Tanya's indignant gasp was the only sound that filled the room.

I stepped back and turned on my heel, then I fled from the room. Rosalie was close behind me.

I didn't wait for her to open my door, I didn't wait for her to help me out of my dress, I didn't wait for her to tell me what was expected from now on. I simply stormed through the doors to my chambers, slammed open the door to my bedroom and ripped the dress form my body, not caring that I tore it into pieces. I yanked the jewelry from my wrists and neck scarttering it across the floor. Angela appeared in the doorway, her face concerned.

'Bella?' she asked softly. 'Are you okay?'

I was panting heavily as I stood there in my underwear and heels. 'I'm fine.' I said harshly.

'You don't seem fine.' She hedged carefully. Rosalie stood next to her in the doorway, a pitying look on her face.

I shook my head. 'I knew what this was. I had no expectations that this was going to save me. I knew they were pusnishing me. I knew I was in for it… but this…' I sank down to my knees and buried my head in my hands. 'This is worse than anything they ever did to me.'

Rosalie came over softly and wrapped a robe around my shoulders. 'I'm so sorry he did that to you, Ms Swan.' She said in a kind voice.

'Call me Bella.' I muttered.

She gave me a small smile. 'I never thought he would sink that low.' She said, a frown on her face.

'Bella, what do you mean they were punishing you?' Angela asked coming over and taking my hands from my face.

I gave her a ghost of a smile. 'You were gone before it turned ugly.' I whispered.

'They treated you bad?' she asked, disbelief in her voice.

'They tortured me.' I whispered. 'For some fifty years I spent my days being their doormat, plaything, punching bag, whatever they wanted. I was the lowest of the low. Everyone could step on me.' I looked away from her kind gaze. 'They sent me here as a punishment. You all have a fearful reputation in Volterra. They hoped Edward would make me more miserable or kill me in the process.' I revealed. 'I never thought that he would be this good at torturing me though.'

Angela wrapped her arms around me. Rosalie did the same.

'I'm so sorry you had to go through that Bella.'

I shrugged. Not wanting to wallow. It was my life and I just had to deal with it.

'But why though?' Angela asked softly. 'When I left you were still the golden girl.'

I scoffed. 'I was never really the golden girl, Angela. They indulged Aro in his obsession with me.' I said. 'He had hoped to train me as an effective shield, making him more powerful. But when I failed to progress, the rest of the court turned against me. Aro never taught me basic vampire skills. I was useless against them.'

'Not even basic training?' Rosalie asked in disbelief.

'Aro figured I wouldn't need it if my shield was powerful enough.' I mumbled.

I wasn't sure exactly why I was deciding to air everything right now. Perhaps it was because it had reached my limit. Perhaps it was that these people were giving me the first kindness I had known in about fifty years and I was just desperate for their comfort. Or perhaps I just didn't care anymore. Let the volturi come, let them take me away, I was already a broken shell. I was useless. They had told me often enough. And I knew better than to think otherwise.

'We'll have to change that.' Rosalie said fiercely. 'I know you deserve better than the life they have shown you. I'll speak to Emmett immediately and get you started on combat training. And then we'll ask Kate to start working on your shield with you. Perhaps she'll have some tricks for you.'

My eyebrows shot up. 'Why?' the word was out before I could stop it.

'Bella,' Angela took my hand carefully in hers. 'After everything you've been through I know it might seem hard to believe, but we are here for you. Me and Rose.'

Rose nodded in agreement. 'You've been dealt a shit start to your new life, a life you iddn't chose. And I'll be damned if that fool makes this second chance for you equally bad.' Rose said fiercely. 'I'll go and speak to Emmett and Carlisle. They'll both have a word with him. How he behaved today was absolutely despicable and I'll make sure he knows that.'

I smiled at her fierceness but was already shaking my head before she had finished speaking. 'Please don't, Rose. I don't mind you speaking to Emmett to get me some training, but don't start anything with him. I'm not worth the trouble.'

'You are Bella.' Angela said kindly. 'He behaved absolutely ridiculously.'

I shook my head again. 'I'll survive. I'd rather not anger him by telling on him.' I said, looking down at my hands.

Angela and Rose shared a look before reluctantly agreeing to my request. They both took my hands in theirs and squeezed supportively.

'If that's what you need right now, then we'll help you.' Angela said smiling kindly.

'But if he so much as looks at you wrong, you let us know and we'll make sure he pays.' Rose added sternly.

'You're not alone anymore, Bella.'

I felt the burn of tears start behind my eyes. If only I coudl still cry. I hadn't felt the urge to cry in a long time, but right now I felt so safe and protected that I finally felt able to let myself be vulnerable again. A dry sob tore through my chest before I could stop it. I was in their arms immediately as they patted my hair and soothed me as I cried dry tears for what felt like hours.

After I had somewhat calmed down again, Angela sugged I take a nice relaxing bath while Rose went and talked to Emmett about starting me on a training schedule right away. I agreed and she headed into the bathroom. When she called me in there a few minutes later I nearly started crying again. She'd drawn me a lovely lavender scented bubblebath with rose petals strewn across the bubbles. There were candles lining every available surface bathing the room in their soft glow. Angela excused herself and I slipped into the water with a sigh. I settled into the warmth and closed my eyes. Vampires couldn't sleep but this level of relaxation sometimes made me feel as if I were asleep. And I hadn't been able to do that for about fifty years. I stayed in the water with my eyes closed until the water turned cold.

As I stepped out of the tub, I half expected Rose and Angela to burst in and start their ministrations over again, but it was quiet. Were they giving me some space? I shrugged to myself and dried off before slipping on my robe again. I walked from the bathroom to the bedroom and noticed that my rooms were empty. I was indeed alone. I sighed for a moment.

It was the first time in about 48 hours that I was fully alone again. I had always liked being alone. It allowed me to take stock of everything and keep myself centered in this life. I slipped into some comfortable clothes, a pair of yoga pants and a loose cotton t shirt, and settled onto the comfortable bed with my bag. I pulled out the few belongings I called my own in this world and set them out around me.

It really was pathetic as I gazed around the items. A book, a pair of earrings, a photoalbum from my human life, and a pocketwatch. That was all I owned in this world. I sighed as I looked at the items. Then I looked around the room. Everything that was here was someone else's. Although I now held the title of Coven mistress, I definitely didn't feel like one.

Sculpitia was the coven Mistriss of the Volturi, together with Athenodora and before her death Didyme. They shared the title like their husbands shared the title of Coven Master. But we all knew that was just a fabrication. Everyone knew Aro was the real head of the Volturi, just like everyone knew not to bypass Sculpitia in any dealings. She was the one with the power and we'd known it. She had ruled the volturi halls with poise and grace but also absolute power. I couldn't even begin to compare myself to her, I was nothing compared to her.

I couldn't even stand my husband… and he'd blatantly told me that my title was just for show. I was nothing here… No one…

I sighed and laid back on the bed. God I felt pathetic.

If sculpitia had been in my situation she wouldn't just bemoan her fate like some idiotic little child. I sat up. I was a vampire damnit! I was powerful, even though Aro had kept me weak and compliant. I knew I could do more. I knew I deserved more than this shit life I'd been handed. Aro had taken me away from my family, he'd turned me against my will. He'd hurt me over and over and made sure I knew I was nothing without him.

Yet here I was… without him, and although I had felt like nothing around Edward, Rose and Angela sure made me think otherwise. Their kindness and fierceness made me realize what a vampire woman should be. We were just as strong as the men. We were just as important as them. Sculpitia had taught me to fear her. Why wouldn't I be able to do the exact same thing here?

Not that I really wanted people to fear me…. I just wanted to be respected. I wanted to belong here, rightfully and start my life over. I wanted this feeling of safety for the rest of my existence and I sure as hell wasn't going to let Edward Cullen ruin that for me. He could go and chase Tanya around the world for all I cared.

At least that was what I was trying to convince myself of. I took a deep breath and put my hand on the book my mother had given me. Her inscription swam before my eyes. I could do anything I set my mind to. I could change my fate. I didn't 'know why it had taken me this long to see. But I had been following along meekly with the abuse for too long.

Enough was enough.

I was a vampire and I was going to start acting like one. Damn it!