Chapter 3:
Ariella and Bella went to the funeral and pretended nothing had happened, Ariella sending a message to her brothers to await her return, but the plane would not depart before late evening. Apparently it had not been Carlisle that had called. They parted ways with Charlie, Ariella apologetic as it was an emergency in Italy and that she was whisking Bella with her so she could see a bit of what had taken up her years. The only regret leaving him behind after losing a friend. However, he took it in stride and said it was just what the girls needed, and without much drama they were on their way.
Bella was a mess. How could Edward think she was dead? And calling in the way he had, lying about his name and hanging up without checking for information. She knew her cousin also blamed herself from the way she had phrased herself, but how could she have known which Cullen belonged to the voice calling? The answer was that she couldn't, it was impossible as she had never met them.
"You won't have to worry about the sun yet," Ariella muttered to Alice while Bella rested, exhausted against the first-class seat. "The changes you are with now also affects the sparkling in the sun, you won't as much, just glow softly if too exposed. If close to me not sparkle at all and you will blend in perfectly. However, I must part with you and enter another way."
Alice nodded. Yes, she was aware. However, if Edward had time to actually break the law it was still little they all could do about it. And what could be offered as damage control? She had called her family, filling them in on everything, but as of right now, none of them could get to Italy any faster, and neither would they get there in time for the return. They would have to wait for the outcome.
"It has to be Bella," Alice said and looked over at her sleeping friend.
Ariella nodded. "I assumed as much. They are mates, you confirmed that the other night while she slept, so it makes sense that he now wants to follow her, as there is no one to get revenge on."
Alice refrained from snorting. "No, even Edward can't fight the deep blue."
"How was he going to keep on?" she wondered aloud. "He wouldn't have been able to stay away much longer, would he? So what would have been the point of him leaving in the first place…" she trailed off. Alice had filled her in on several things concerning her family and what the different members were doing, but also the fact that Edward had been away for a time, and that she had been asked to not look into his future. She hadn't actively, but at times visions would come to the female.
"You need to remember that Edward is stuck in a seventeen-year-old body, and even if his mind is definitely more mature than that, he still has his moments. A lapse of sorts. Where the boy dominates the man. Do not misunderstand me, he is mature and has a big enough sway in our family in the decision-making, especially since Carlisle is without a mate, it does not excuse the rest of us-"
"Hold on Alice," Ariella interrupted as she heard Bella's breathing change. She muttered a bit and then it evened out again. "Sorry, I don't want her to overhear everything that goes on between the two of us as that is in confidence. We're landing soon enough. When you arrive in the throne room, first of all do not let Edward catch your train of thought, I believe you will end up without my cover for a while. Do not let Aro's theatrics disturb you, it's mostly an act. Mostly. And at last, do not let your brother provoke anyone. Keep Bella close, I know she will be safe either way, but Edward won't know that. They are after all prepared, well some are. As for the other matter, we all can err, I certainly did in holding myself back for so many years, not visiting my family after the accident that made me what I am today. Nevertheless, we cannot move backwards, only forward." She smiled and stretched a hand out over the aisle towards the other vampire. They clasped their hands together and smiled warmly at each other. It was a new beginning of sorts, and the future was made in the here and now.
At the airport Ariella went to find the car that was supposed to wait for her, there was none. Shortly after Alice had arrived with a borrowed one, her terms of course and they were set for Volterra. She cursed whichever human car-service that had failed to delivered and texted Marcus. There would be words.
Before entering the city Ariella jumped off the car and took off unseen and left Alice and Bella on their own. She went a completely different way vampire speed to get to a secret entrance that led underneath the city. She rushed through the halls until she came to the castle parts and the underground rooms. A few levels up she went straight for her own room. She changed into a knee-high pink dress (someone had to be dressed cheerfully in the otherwise dark castle, though it was still being redecorated), high white boots and then she found her alternate Volturi jewelry. It was a V in white gold with many sapphires alongside one part of the V and then in the middle of it on top of the Volturi emblem, a large diamond – a gift from Marcus after she had turned. She pulled her black cloak around her and let her wavy long blonde hair flow freely until she pulled the hood over. Hurriedly she exited the room again and met a few surprised glances with a secretive smile. Her power reaching out and starting to cover the members in the castle as she went.
"What do we do with you now?" she heard Aro ask aloud as she opened the back door into the throne room and silently floated towards the thrones. She stopped beside Marcus' throne; her head still enough bowed that she could see him acknowledge her. She did not let his appearance startle her, instead she let her physical shield cover him and the other brothers, all of them changing to a more human look. "Ah, there you are dearest," Aro said.
"Took you long enough," Caius muttered.
"If I knew that you would complain upon my return I would not have bothered," she hissed towards Caius.
"Now now, we have guests," Marcus said, careful to keep his tone neutral.
"True," she said and then lifted her head and lowered her hood. "Hello, Edward." She felt her mental-shield protect her at once when he had tried to read her and her physical dimmed a bit to keep the intrusion away. She met his golden eyes and wasn't entirely sure what her cousin saw in the male, even if they were mates. Of course he had the attraction of a vampire, but he was boyish in her eyes. He was a child, yet he wasn't. He looked tired, and he held onto her cousin as if his life depended on hers. Maybe it truly did. Alice stood on Bella's other side and her shield found her at once.
"Wonderful!" Aro said as he noticed.
"No law was broken," Edward said, his gaze returning to Aro.
"No, it was not. By the way, it is in poor taste to impersonate another through the phone," Ariella said, and took two steps down. "I'm Ariella Swan," she introduced.
"Ariella Volturi Swan," Aro added.
Edward stared down at Bella then and she looked up at him and nodded. "You have a relative who's a vampire?" he asked and dragged a hand through his hair.
"Yes, though I did not know before she came back last year," she answered and blushed.
"You were the one on the phone!"
"If you had let me finish then you would have known Bella was alive…" Ariella trailed off as she felt movement in the room. She tried to not reach out to the twins but it was hard. Later, she promised herself. "Though I assume it was for the best, no? You're finally reunited with your mate. As long as she'll take you back of course." She lifted a brow and she saw her cousin mimic her.
"Now, shall we set a date?" Aro asked.
"What?!" Edward hissed.
"For Bella's transformation of course," Aro stated calmly.
"It will happen eventually," Ariella said and tried not to wince. Of course he had to bring it up at the worst possible time, just for the excitement of it.
"But not now," Bella spoke up.
"No, not now," Ariella said and went to sit down on the armrest of Marcus' chair. "We can discuss this later as it is your choice, Bella. But the sooner we have an idea of your ideal age to be frozen with immortality the better for us all. Because I assume, that you will choose to become a vampire."
Bella nodded. Edward stood stunned beside her.
Ariella noticed and her gaze softened. "There was never an option for Bella to live a human life," she said, and saw him flinch. "The sooner you come to terms with that the better for your relationship I would dare assume."
"Ariella," Marcus spoke with warning.
She saw a glimmer in his eyes and was wondering what he saw between them all. "Right, I apologize. I'm not supposed to make assumptions," she muttered, only for vampire ears.
"What our dearest is trying to say is that Bella's fate has been tied to the vampire world for a time now, and as your mate and singer, it would be impossible to have her die as an option, right, Edward?" Aro waited expectantly. "And it is Bella's wish to be like her mate. It is her decision, and hers only."
"And now that this has been settled," Caius interrupted, "I would like to point out that it is our law. Keep the secret. You should have set a date the moment she figured out she knew of our secret, or killed her. No offense," he added the last part looking at Ariella.
"Noted," she answered dryly. "Though I might just be a little."
Marcus stood and let his hand touch Aro's as he watched the two Cullens in front of them. Then back to Ariella whom had stood again too. Waiting for the exchange to be over. "What is it?" she whispered.
"It seems our world will change even more now, dearest," Aro said and met her eyes.
"For the better," Marcus added and gave her a small smile, warmth shining in his eyes before they again clouded over a bit, and he took his seat.
"Far too long have we been still," Aro muttered, though the closest vampires heard him.
"I'm rather comfortable," Caius answered, loud enough.
"You also get bored," Ariella said and let her weight rest more on her right foot, while she had her left hand resting on her left hip. She stared at Caius. He had a mate, but enjoyed a good fight and when things were stirred up. But he also liked his peace.
The brothers were ancient and even if looking young to the eyes, they also had a way about them that screamed years and years of experience.
"Now, there is no more to talk about here I believe," Ariella said and smiled directly at Bella. "Meet me out in the lobby."
"Jane," Aro called.
The girl was quick and while the doors opened she motioned for them to follow before she led the three out.
When the doors were fully closed Ariella hugged them all. Everyone left in the room and she held on longer to Alec. "I've missed you," she whispered into his hair.
"Now dearest, if Alec had been human, I believe you would have suffocated him. Release him so he may breathe."
"Is a good thing I consider you my brother, Aro, or I would squish you."
Caius chuckled. "As if you could."
"Careful. Remember she is a force to be reckoned with." Marcus had retained more of light in his eyes again. It would never be enough without his mate, but the change in dynamics truly helped in the castle itself. The bonds between them all improved.
"We always remember," Aro said, eyes sparkling.
Ariella laughed nervously. "I assume I am forgiven then."
"We could never be mad at you."
She noticed Jane arrive back in and hurried to squeeze the girl. At first she was stiff, but then she relaxed against her embrace.
"Will you tell me the bonds you saw, Marcus?" Ariella then asked when she released the girl whom in turn hurried to her brother's side.
"It is faint, but a start of something strong. I see your connection to Bella is of great significance, and we trust you enough to enforce the law in our place if needed," Marcus started. He seemed to think for a moment. "There are also other bonds through the Cullens that are in the making, but without seeing them in the same room as you I cannot tell in which way they will be. Again, it all connects them to us again, through you. They make for strong allies with you as the connection, but in time I believe they will be more and we will be more to them as well."
"Who would have thought?" Caius muttered.
"To believe that one can change so much, after all we have seen and the wars we have participated in or the ones we have fought against, to go over to the bonds of a more familial way. It is astonishing."
Ariella didn't want to think too much about it. It felt heavy, and like a big discovery that was still a bit hidden, if that could even make sense. She looked towards the doors. "I loved to see you again, but I need to get going. Uncle Charlie expects us back in a few days, and I need to show Bella a few of the things I said we were going to do, or he'll be suspicious. Bella is not the best liar out there."
"What about Edward? He did not seem too interested in changing his mate," Caius commented.
"And they are truly mates," Marcus said, confirming the bond.
"If he wants their relationship to survive, he will need to come around. It is her choice, and he has no say, though it would be for the better if he was warmed up to the idea first."
"She'll be a strong mental shield once changed, her gift already powerful. Just as you were," Aro commented.
"I assumed so," she responded.
"And this female Victoria," Caius then pointed out. "She seems to stay elusive. Neither you or the wolves have gotten too close to her. Maybe a few of the guards should go back with you."
"I told you I would handle it and ask for help if needed!" She glared at Caius.
"We're only concerned," Marcus defended Caius.
"If she actually bothered to fight me, I would win."
"We have no doubt about that. But the thing is that while she is ever elusive for you and the shifters, she could create more problems as her target is your cousin," Marcus pointed out.
"Send someone around Bella's graduation if the matter has not been solved. And if something happens before I will let you know."
"Don't be a stranger," Aro said as she left the room.
She saw that Bella was exhausted and had Gianna book the best hotel room in the city. Then she left Alice and Edward with Felix so she could show her cousin her own space within the castle.
Bella took in her cousin's room and stared wide-eyed. There was no bed. But a couch and tv. A large desk with a computer. And several shelves with books on the supernatural apart from her large closet-space. The additional bathroom had a shower, a tub and sink with mirror, though no toilet, not that her cousin ever needed one again. And she supposed that there never were any humans in that part of the castle. Her walls were white where it showed and there was soft light, but still enough to see clearly as a human. There were no windows. The space felt large because of the lighter furniture and the way she had fixed her room.
"How much jewelry do you have?" she asked. Her eyes nearly falling out at all the glittering content in one of the boxes that her cousin had taken out from her closet. No doubt that all was real. There were no earrings anywhere though, she remembered from the start of her return that she had talked about that the venom made her holes grow closed under the transformation. She could only wear necklaces, rings and bracelets.
"I have more if that is what you wonder."
"No need, I believe you."
Ariella led her out again and through the corridors and up a few levels. Only passing a few guards. "I need to stop by the kitchen," she then said and led her cousin to one of the living rooms closest to it. "Wait here, will you?"
"Alice and Edward?" Bella asked.
"Still waiting in the lobby, I assume."
Ariella hurried to get a blood-bag and felt the human blood fill her up. The hunger in her subsided and she felt fuller than she had in a long time. Returning to her cousin, she saw Alec as he floated into the room, just to stop when noticing Bella's presence.
"Oh, Hello," Bella said and gave a small wave.
He turned on his heels and walked out again.
Ariella laughed. "Alec can be a bit reserved around strangers unless he has a task to perform," she then explained. "Come, let us find our companions and get to the hotel. You my dear cousin is in need of rest."
She saw Bella press herself close to her mate later that evening at the hotel. Refusing to let Edward out of her sight, though sleep did claim her quickly. Alice shared a look with her and she sighed softly in return. "I cannot even begin to imagine the feeling. How is it for you?"
"Being away from Jasper is hard, but we have a solid bond and have been together for quite some time. It does not make it easy, but a bit bearable. Plus, I know I will see him in a few days." Her cheerful tone made Ariella smile.
Now that she stayed closer to them her shield had already covered Alice fully and was working on Edward. His eyes changing to green. His skin tone softening. And she knew he would be warmer to Bella as well. Apparently he saw himself in Alice's thoughts, because he then looked at her with surprise. She lifted her mental shield if only for a moment. Tell me if you want me to retract it, it's habit for me, and most don't mind. He shook his head and then looked fondly down at the sleeping Bella again.
"I cannot imagine having a mate," she muttered loud enough for Alice to hear.
"It makes a long existence worth living. How do you think Aro and Caius have been around for so long? Their mates keep them anchored to this world. Just as yours will one day," Alice said and beamed.
"My mate? Have you seen him?" She gaped at the pixie female who laughed her bell-like laugh.
"Of course I have, but I won't tell you anything in fear of changing the course of the future."
"I understand." The thought itself made her dead heart flutter, not truly, but it was more of a happy feeling within her. She would be mated one day. Another part of her wanted to know how soon, but it did not help if he wasn't even born yet. She did not let herself wonder at what he would be like. She had plenty of time for that. For now, the immediate future was what counted.
The rest of the night was quiet conversation, mostly to get to know each other better, and when the new day started it was time to travel again. First Bella got to see a bit more of Volterra without the stress of having to save Edward, though it did not stop her from holding on to him as if he would disappear.
And then they were on their way to Rome and spent another day there – being tourists – before they were to return to Forks. On the plane back Ariella sat beside Alice and informed Edward that it would be wise that he was not seen the next few days. A phone call with Charlie had revealed that the Cullen family were rumored to have moved back to town. At least the doctor and Edward, and supposedly Alice – whom were traveling with them. Her uncle was aware of that last bit at least. Ariella assured her uncle that at the time, Alice did not know of her (adoptive) father's plans. Emmett, Jasper and Rosalie would stay out of sight for the time being. Alice was welcome anytime around the house, it would be harder to get Edward back into the warmth. If at all.
The plane landed in Seattle and her almost new car awaited them, still parked in the spot she had left it. She saw Bella's sleepy eyes flutter close again as she fixed the mirror. Alice beside herself, and Edward holding around Bella in the back. They would have to part soon enough. Spring break was over and Bella needed to get back to school, it was after all, the middle of the week. At least there were ways for them to be together underneath Charlie's nose without him noticing. She wanted to drop off the two Cullens first, but she knew it was going to be hard enough. Charlie was not supposed to be home yet and she risked driving home her cousin. "Take the car Alice, and I'll run to your house later when Edward gets back here. I should stick with Bella for now," she muttered and the other female nodded.
Thirty minutes later Edward returned through the window in Bella's bedroom, his eyes only for his mate. Assured that her cousin would be fine she left the house through her own bedroom window and started to run between the trees.