I listened to the Vampires answers our silly questions and I also took the time to observe them closely.
Marcus, who held Olly on his shoulders, had an air of age about him, it should have clashed with his young almost ruffian features, but instead served to make him give off both importance and casual disinterest. I first noticed it when we had gone to the kitchens, the Kings had decided we needed to eat before continuing with the tour. Marcus had been polite and well-spoken, as though he had been born into a high-society life and he oozed subtle confidence.
Aro was more animated than the other two, even his voice danced with emotion and pitch. He liked to add interesting facts and random bits of knowledge. At one of the carvings we had passed Aro casually stated that there was a passage behind it which led to the kitchens, designed by the architects of the castle for the servants to be able to escape should it fall under enemy siege. It was rather endearing how fascinated he seemed to be by the progress of humanity and the history of our world, it was also very humbling to realise just how much they had seen.
Caius was the hardest to read, he was consistently giving voice to the things we passed but in a more surface way than Aro. If I had to guess, he seemed to be holding back most of his personality, although his general aura was interesting, while the staff all seemed to respect the Kings they seemed outwardly afraid of Caius. It was understandable they would be wary of the Vampires as Marcus had informed us they were human, and it didn't take much detective work to realise that a Vampire would drink human blood. I was a little concerned at how much that hadn't bothered me to realise, but I knew I was still processing and I would definitely be addressing it later.
After passing through the final corridor on the west wing I began to realise just how big the place was, we had only managed the West wing and hadn't even gone into the rooms. "Mi Cara-" Aro gestured to a closed-door "This is your room, and your friends are the ones opposite. We have made sure everyone in the castle knows not to enter this wing for the time being."
Marcus spoke, "We know you do not plan to stay with us, after all, we are strangers who claim to have a connection with you, but we ask that you give us a week to see our life before you make any decision."
I looked over to Bella and Olly wanting to check with them, I had already figured that I would wait out the week but I don't want my friends to be uncomfortable.
"That's alright with me," Bella commented
"Yep! I wanna stay in the castle!"
I raised an eyebrow at Olly "Alright but don't go sneaking out of this wing alone, I don't want you being eaten."
He gave a solute while Marcus assured me he was safe. "We will not allow that to happen, Amore, you have our word."
After that, they left saying they would be back tomorrow.
As it was still afternoon and I wasn't tired we all piled into Bella's room to talk about the rapid turn of events. As soon as I got through the door I stopped dead, the room itself was pretty big for a bedroom, but it was more the detail of it that astounded me. Along the architraves were tiny sculpted figures in various acts of movement, the bed was four-poster and dressed in emerald green sheets. Drapes of the same colour were tied to each post and the light source of the room came from a stone archway opening above to the streets of Volterra.
I didn't remember going up again?
"Oh my god!" Bella looked around the room with the most awe-filled gaze I'd ever seen on her. She adored classics and romance, it was perfect for her, I bet it was like a dream come true.
After I got over my shock I headed for the bed and sat against the headboard with my arms crossed behind my head. Olly joined me by launching himself onto my legs.
"Oof!"
He giggled which seemed to break Bella out of her examination and she headed over after shutting the door. "You know every one of those figures is a person from Roman Mythology right?" I hadn't actually, I'd just thought they were random people, "-This place is so beautiful, first the hallways with paintings and old lanterns, then the kitchens were gorgeous, but this?"
I laughed "Yeah yeah, so it's pretty-"
"-Not just pretty-" She interrupted "-It's full of history."
That did give me pause, she was right this place seemed so authentically old because it was, it was the home to thousand-year-old Vampires. Vampires apparently a thing and a thing Bella had known about. "So you want to fill me in on the Cullens and how you knew they were blood-sucking Vampires and didn't tell me?"
Olly clearly not interested in the conversation pulled one of his recently acquired comics out of my satchel. Which I hadn't known he'd put in there.
Bella sighed "Well technically they don't drink human blood.."
"Did I specify Human? I just said blood-sucking Vampires and honestly Bella of those three words, Vampire is the one I'm emphasising."
"I really did figure it out myself, but Edward told me that I wasn't technically supposed to know, and he did try pretty hard to keep it from me."
"Edward seems to do a lot of telling you things."
She gave a laugh at that "Yes, he was a bit controlling, he would always insist I was entitled to my own feelings and opinions but he certainly made it clear when he didn't agree, it kind of made me not want to disagree with him on things just because it would cause an argument."
"Well, that sounds healthy." I gave her a critical look, running my hand through Olly's hair in thought. "You know the night he left you, and I drove you to the hospital?"
"I can remember some of it."
"Well I'm not sure if you know but the doctors found Connections between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the default mode network when they thought you might be in a coma, so they scanned your brain."
She looked frightened "What does that mean."
"Nothing." I placated "Not really, I could very well be nothing, but there was a study done, where people under the influence of hypnosis had those connections. I'm not trying to say that Edward was manipulating you in any way, but I am pointing out the possibility, and Bella, you were in serious condition after he left, it really scared me, and I didn't think it was... normal."
"You know Dad said the same thing, he thought my depression was… too intense."
I corrected her "No. It is possible that that's all it was because mental illnesses can kick your ass, but seeing how lively you are now, just a few months of separation from any reminders of his presence, it just doesn't quite add up."
"No, I understand, I've been thinking… clearly now, so I've been doing a lot of it. But even if what you say is true, it doesn't matter because nothing ever came of Edwards fuckery and never will. We should talk about your love life now."
I considered groaning but decided to take it seriously, ignoring Olly's absentminded throwing up sound. "They seem nice." Yeah, I wasn't very good at serious.
"Just nice? Come on Blue," She wiggled her eyebrows at me and I flushed hard trying not to remember the way their voices seemed to pull me in, like a siren's call.
"I only just learnt their names Bella!"
"Well I'd only just meet Edward once and didn't see him for another week and I was already pretty obsessed."
I gave her a pointed look "Weren't we just talking about how that relationship was toxic? Sketchy at best?"
Rolling her eyes she moved up the bed, "The point is, Love isn't logical-"
"-Oh boy, here we go."
She ignored me and continued "-It's the feeling you get when you look at someone and you know you'd do anything to protect them. It's when you're up late at night, because you have terrible sleeping habits-"
"What is this pick on me day?"
"-and they are the people you want to waste the night with. Maybe you've only just met them, but I can tell you one thing about Vampires that I know is true, Mates are real. Alice and Jasper are mates and if you'd seen even just one interaction with them you'd know that they were perfect for one another, same with Rosalie and Emmet, or Carlise and Esme. I learned from them that Mates are recognisable from scent obviously, apparently, they all thought Edward was right in assuming I was his mate- but Aro said it was probably from their diet."
"Why do they eat animals?" I questioned
"Because they don't want to kill humans."
"Is that the only option. You have to kill the human you drink from?" My mind flicked back to the red-eyed Vampires from before.
"Well, I was told a Vampires' teeth is coated in their venom so if it enters the bloodstream then the human will start to become a Vampire."
"Just the bloodstream, not like if you drink Vampire venom you could become a Vampire?"
She huffed "I don't know Blue I'm not a Vampire, maybe ask your mates?" I fell silent at that and she continued getting to her point, "Basically what I meant is that what if you could skip, fast forward past all the trials and attempts at dating and find the one perfect, most compatible with you, instantly. That's what a mate is, not the perfect partner but the best match, a person who works with you, the Gomez to your Morticia."
I laughed "Addams family reference?"
"I figured since it was almost your last name you might have seen it."
I paused. I had chosen my last name because I adored that movie, it had been something I associated with my childhood, for someone to casually reference a movie that I might have seen just to connect with me, it was… unexpected.
Bella had actually done a good job calming my thoughts as well, I had been thinking about the whole mate business like fate, an entity I wasn't sure I believe in, but saying it was a fast forward to a more likely happiness, it made sense in a way, and also implied that I was skipping all the nasties that came with love and relationships, the very things I feared.
"Thanks, Bella." I wasn't very good at showing people how much I appreciated them, I'd never had much practice, thankfully Bella always seemed to know.
I stayed playing with Olly's hair and talking to Bella until Olly fell asleep and Bella crawled into the bed. I picked Olly up and took him to his room which looked very similar to Bella's but was done in a blue so deep it was almost black.
I would have felt nervous about separating us all, especially in a castle of Vampires, but I understood that if they had wanted to hurt us they wouldn't have gone to all the trouble they had. Unable to remember if I'd slept in Florence or not I figured I should rest before I collapsed. Fingered my pills I pushed open my door for the first time.
It was beautiful, the room was not obviously different than Olly or Bella's but I did notice it held an extra door which I pulled open to find a bathroom that was enormous. Deciding to deal with it in the morning I pulled the door close and hovered next to the bed, it was dressed in pitch black sheets and looked very inviting. Usually, I was very good with beds, I could handle them much easier than chairs although I never figured out why, but I still had times where the drugs just weren't enough to calm my heart and I would retreat to a corner of the room.
I pulled the sheets back and slipped beneath the covers, I sort of hated that I didn't know why I felt so safe here, but the inky black sheets were in pristine condition and as different as could be to my nightmares.
-IMMORTAL-
After thousands of years of waiting for their last mate to join them the three Kings were a little shocked at how unprepared they were. They had good intentions but the truth was they had not been human in 3 thousand years and so a few things had been lost on them, it occurred later on, as they were sitting in the throne room listening out for their mate's heartbeat, that perhaps they hadn't gone about telling her in the best way.
"You know Aro you probably scared her enough by standing in the dark and calling her a 'little mouse.'"
Aro gave Caius an offended look "I did not appear behind her to trap her in the room. That was you."
Marcus shot them both and are you kidding me look, causing Caius to purse his lips and look away. "We may be a bit out of touch with the delicacies of humanity but I am sure our mate is patient and will let us know how she feels, she seemed rather unafraid of speaking her mind."
Caius grinned at that, "Yes she did manage to surprise me, although it is troublesome to learn of the Cullens behaviour. Perhaps we should call them for a visit to explain themselves?"
Aro nodded, "Yes I must also see what Carlisle knew of our mate, she mentioned knowing him, I wonder why he did not tell us of her existence."
Caius growled at that, the thought hadn't occurred to him that their mate was being kept from them.
Marcus settled an arm on his shoulder "Calm yourself, brother, we do not know the whole story, and Carlisle knows the laws." The threat rang clear in the oldest King's voice.
An excited clap from Aro shattered the silence "I know! Let us hold a ball, I do love dancing and we can invite the Cullens a few days earlier to 'check-in' with them."
"It would be a good way to introduce our mate to other Vampires, she will need to be announced soon so everyone can know that we are now united and should anyone attempt to use her as a bargaining chip, it would not end well for them." Caius snarled.
"Yes." Marcus nodded "But it will also serve to give our mate other connections apart from us, we do not want to overwhelm her and if we will be spending this week with her she will most likely appreciate the break."
Caius scoffed "Why would she need a break from us, she is our mate is she not?"
"That is true," Marcus spoke "But she is still human and does not feel the bond as strongly as us, nor has she had the same amount of time to adjust to the idea, in fact, she only learnt of it today. For now, we must be patient."
Caius slumped in his seat, he knew his brothers were right but it taunted him like cheese on a mousetrap, he wanted it badly but he also feared the pain if the trap was loaded. If Blue rejected them they would survive, but it would tear them in a way they could become shells of who they were, losing Didyme for the coven had been awful, if they lost their mate, he did not want to think about it.
Aro had a similar mindset, he feared every wrong step he would make, but Marcus's stead assurances within their mind link settled him. They must have faith in their mate.
-IMMORTAL-
On the other side of the castle in the turret of the North wing, Sulpicia and Athenordora paced angrily. They had spent hundreds of years upping their standing within the Volturi coven. They were the wives of the Kings, the rightful Queens and now suddenly they had no use of their wives.
Athenodora was outwardly and verbally raging, but Sulpicia had calmed her pacing and sat on a far chair to watch her sister. Once the initial shock of the news had passed, the annoyance had hit, causing them to verbally attack the Kings and attempt to reason with them, once they had been silenced by Marcus and dressed down in matter of fact tones the hurt had hit. At least for Athenodora, Sulpicia knew her sister loved Caius, they were not mates but that had spent many years together and Athenodora had poured more of her heart into the blond king than he deserved.
Sulpicia had never loved Aro, and like Caius did not love Athenodora, Aro did not love her. She never minded, the purpose of Vampire marriage was to physically attempt to mend a hole in the soul, love was not necessary and definitely discouraged as it could cause complications. The loveless union had been exactly what Sulpicia wanted and finding Aro attractive enough it had certainly been no hardship, unfortunately, both parties had grown apart from each other, Aro seemed to find her more and more difficult to touch for reasons he didn't know.
It was unfortunate that he did notice, but Sulpicia's powers hadn't failed her yet. She had successfully altered the memories of the Kings and Aro's little sister Didyme. She was able to alter them as they were made and shortly after. Annoyingly no matter how persuasive she and Athenodorar had tried to be, Didyme had never swayed, eventually, they were given the order to get rid of her, as she had begun to cause more problems alive than she would dead. Sulpicia's gift worked but done too many times and they began to get bits and pieces re-surfacing from the wiped memories.
Thankfully combined with Athenodora's power of mental hooks, she could intensify ideas of love and fear if she wanted, it placed the idea within their mind it wasn't as powerful as Sulpicia's but it served its purpose to keep any suspicions the Kings might have had from interfering with their plan. Athenodora was never supposed to fall in love with Caius but it mattered not, while Sulpicia hated her sister's broken heart she knew, in the end, Athenodora knew of the priorities that came before her heart.
They were so close. So close. And that stupid little human child had thrown them back years if not to the very beginning. They needed a plan. "Athenodora." The woman turned to look at her sister "We need to get rid of that talking monkey, but we need to do it without raising suspicion. Unfortunately due to our position, we are already automatically the first they would consider."
"Not if she gets rid of herself." Athenodora hissed hatefully
Sulpicia took a moment before understanding, "If she rejects the bond! The Kings would never force her to stay… and they would perish because of it."
"We would obviously have to check with Valad and Stefen before doing anything, they will need to be ready to strike when the Kings are weak."
"They will be sister, I am sure of it, but how are we going to make her reject the bond, perhaps we could befriend her and then warn her away?"
A laugh came from the blond "Sulpicia dear, have you forgotten I specialise in making people think what I want, she is human it will be much easier on her mind than that of a vampire."
Sulpicia nodded "We give her feelings of doubt and tell her the truth, about the Kings ruthless and vindictive nature-"
"-and how they would obviously never have chosen her if they had, had a choice."
"What of Aro. He will surely touch his mate before we get her to reject them if he sees that we were manipulating her it would be for nothing. And I cannot possibly be there every second of the day to constantly wipe his memory."
"Then we make this girl hate his gift. He would never use it on her if she asked him not to."
A grin worked its way onto Sulpica's face, "Good."
-IMMORTAL-
Bella groaned as Olly came racing in and jumped on her bed. "Come on Bella, come on!"
"What?" He yanked the sheets off her and she grudgingly sat us down to find two pairs of red eyes beside the bed next to Olly. "I'm guessing you guys are the twins?"
The girl gave a sharp nod, "Yes. I am Jane and this is my brother Alec."
At his name Alec added on "We've come to show you around, we can go wherever you would like within the castle or the city."
Bella noticed that the twins seemed to be flicking their eyes to Olly as though surprised he was still there. Olly decided to answer for them both. "We want to explore the castle!"
Jane seemed to soften from her harsh exterior when Olly turned his pleading gaze on her. "Of course Oliver, come with us." She turned on her heels and left with Olly trailing behind, Alec watched them for a moment before turning to Bella.
"You have time to get dressed do not worry, I won't let them runoff.
Bella gave him a smile in thanks and waited till he had left before stumbling to the clothes sitting at the foot of her bed and pulling on the first thing she had seen. It didn't take a genius to put together what had happened, Aro had mentioned yesterday that the witch twins would want to meet Olly, and the unconsciously adoring looks shared between the three was speaking in itself, Olly had found his mate. Or mates, she wasn't quite sure if Jane and Alec could be mates as they were related, maybe that made them closer she didn't know.
Bella felt a stab of anguish hit her before she reached the door and to her horror she felt her eyes well up, willing it down she berated herself. She loved Blue and Olly, of course, she wanted them happy, it was just painful to think of her own life, so she chose not to, and she exited the room with her head held high.
This wouldn't beat her, she didn't even know what mates were a year ago, she could find someone to love and who loved her, maybe they would both be human and that's why she had no bond. She didn't think about how Marcus had told her that she had a mate, she didn't think what a dead bond would look like, maybe it was white and brittle like bones from a skeleton, maybe it was angry, red and buzzing or maybe it was jagged and sharp like broken glass. She definitely didn't think about it.
Jane had fallen back to walk with Bella while Alec walked with Olly. Jane regarded the human with a searching look, she appeared older than Jane did, most likely in her late teens compared to the twin's 15-year-old selves, well in appearance. Bella was clearly one of the shyer humans, having definitely noticed Jane's staring but saying nothing, Jane cocked her head to the side, the human looked… old, in the same way, Master Marcus looked old, she looked sad and tired. Annoyed with her analysis Jane elected to ignore her for the rest of the walk. Humans were too strange.
They made it to the familiar kitchens and as soon as the twins entered everything became more tense and polite at once. Both seemed unfazed by it but Bella couldn't help but feel a touch of sympathy for the Vampires who may be hundreds of years old but were children in appearance. They were feared and clearly took pride in it, but seeing all the staff actively try to avoid them, it was… sad.
Olly noticed it too and for some reason, he couldn't understand but it made him angry. Angry like when his mother had said he wasn't allowed to go to school, she had said it was for his safety because he was sick, but Blue had told him that she was mean and a liar. Olly thought the people staring at his new friends were mean too, they would probably not let Alec or Jane play either.
Olly decided then and there that he would make sure to play a game with the witches before he had to go. He didn't care if anyone tried to stop him playing with them, he would run away, and he would teach Alec and Jane to run away too. Yes, he would teach them to run away, just in case they needed to when he was gone.
He turned to Jane, she was very pretty, like his Blue was, but opposite. Blue had white hair and Jane had black hair. It was short and with a fringe, she sort of looked like Alec, Alec was pretty too. He had black hair and really smooth hands, Olly had grabbed it when he was walking, he wanted to do the same to Jane but she was too far away, instead, he drew patterns on Alec's hand and Alec smiled down at him, it made him feel like when he had brought Blue to his Kingdom. He would bring the witches one day, and Bella, Bella could come if she wanted.
The four kids sat at a table in the kitchens in comfortable silence, Bella never really talked much except with Blue, she hadn't even talked as much as she did with Blue, to Edward or even Alice. Olly was busy playing with Alec's hands and Jane and Alec went from watching their human charges to gazing out at the surrounding workers. Alec couldn't remember the last time he had just sat with his sister he felt a swell of thankfulness for their mate, and every pass of his finger along his palm made Alec have to resist harder from letting the smile overcome his features. Like his sister he was feared and known as sadistic and stoic by everyone except the other members of the guard and the masters. He knew his sister saw his well-hidden smile and he felt her returning one, she was always pleased when he was, it was the way of their bond.
Their peaceful morning was broken by a flurry of movement for the kitchen staff, who had all but started to ignore the Vampires in the room until another graced them with her presence.
A god-like woman entered the room and Bella found her eyes tracking the woman's movements with awe, she was so enraptured that she almost missed as Jane and Alec stood up violently and moved themselves in front of their table with a hissed warning "Sulpicia. You should not be here."
Sulpicia paused, flashing them a toothy smile "Don't worry pets I mean them no harm I've only come to introduce myself."
Olly Let out a snarl back, but the moment was broken as Bella let words fall stupidly from her lips "You're gorgeous." Bella immediately felt embarrassment flood her checks as all four turned to look at her.
Sulpicia smirked condescendingly "Oh little human you are so far from home, you're like a snack if I thought it was worth the trouble I would eat you here and now."
Alec snapped "Get out."
Throwing him a mock kiss she let one last comment ring over her shoulder before disappearing, "Of course, I wouldn't want to upset the doggies now would I."
Olly lunged at the empty space and was caught in Jane's arms, she gave a soothing noise and Olly immediately snuggled up to her. Bella watched on as Alec moved to run his hand through Olly's brown locks and she decided she would leave them to their time together, she didn't want them to have to watch her when they wanted to be getting to know their third.
"I think I'm going to go back to my room, I'm sure Olly can keep you guys busy finding secret rooms and whatever else."
Alec nodded in acknowledgement but Jane stopped her gentle purring to once again give the human a considering look. It was odd that the human would let them play with Olly when she did not in any way, have to leave, it was illogical to her and she didn't like it. Turning back to her mates she let the other human go.
Bella took the same path heading back to her room intent on doing what she'd said when it occurred to her that she was in a castle, a real-life castle from Kings and Queens of old, she was currently living a fairytale and she could live it much better if she explored rather than moping in her room.
So turning on her heels she began to walk in a random direction intent on getting, very, very lost.
She eventually found herself in front of a door which looked for all intents and purposes like a door to outside, as she had been super sped into the castle she didn't know if it was for certain, reaching out to open it she hesitated, was she allowed to leave the castle? Alec had said they could go anywhere in Volterra. Making up her mind she pushed the door open and stepped out into a beautiful garden.
In awe, Bella let her feet take her along the cobblestone path that wound in and out of fruit trees and bunches of flowers, everything ranged in different colours and sizes, it was beautiful, natural and disordered but neatly kept and full of life, just like her.
She found herself kneeling beside some pink carnations, and gently put her hand into her jacket to pull out her green friend. Settling him on one of the leaves he stared at her as though accusing her of abandoning him.
"Don't worry Harold, I think you'll like it here. Besides you've been away from nature for too long, it's time for you to go free." He stares unblinking for a moment longer before scuttling further into the bush.
With a sigh Bella stood and began walking once more, after getting lost within the trees as well as the castle having strayed from the path, Bella tripped over a tall rock. "Owww." She hissed grabbing her knee but glad there was no blood, she didn't want a repeat of Jasper especially with a whole castle full of human blood drinkers.
Brushing herself off she turned to gaze at the offending rock but was startled to find it wasn't a loose piece of earth as she had suspected but was actually a grave marker. Mystified by the familiar shape and the word etched into the stone, she went closer and brushed his fingers on the Latin scribble murmuring the word "Nex." Her mind searched for what she knew of Latin, "Violent death... or murder."
"Didyme's grave."
A voice surprised Bella causing her to yelp and fall on her butt whilst turning to see the speaker.
The tracker gave an amused look to the human who flushed and pushed herself to her feet. Still leaning against the tree he introduced himself. "I am Demetri, part of the elite guard. You must be Bella." He wandered close to her, pushing off the tree with a show of casual elegance.
"I- am yes. Who's Didyme?"
Demetri stopped in front of her and breathed in deeply, Bella held still a little afraid but mostly used to Vampires as this point. "You smell… familiar."
He moved back after that, giving her a searching look as though it would explain why. When Bella didn't say anything else Demetri answered her previous question, "She was a member of this coven. This family. Master Aro's sister and good friend to Master Marcus."
"Not Caius?" Bella couldn't help the question and Demetri gave another smirk.
"Master Caius does not really have friends, although aside from his mates I do believe he might consider me one, or any of the elite guard, he is secretly fond of everyone in the family I think. I do not believe he disliked Didyme, it was impossible to dislike her." He seemed to be lost in a few memories and Bella hesitated to ask.
"Um I'm sorry but I am actually a little lost, could you pl-"
"Yes I was sent to retrieve you, it is time for dinner I believe."
"Already. Huh, and how do you find me if you don't mind me asking, I know Vampires can smell a lot better than humans but surely you can't track me out here."
Demetri held out his arm to Bella and began to lead her back to the castle, "Most Vampires cannot no, however, I would be able to track you, Bella Swan, if you were anywhere on this earth, I would find you. That is my job."
Bella's heart beat a little faster and she knew the words sounded awfully like a threat, she should be scared but she couldn't bring herself to, it was impressive. "Laurant said that James had senses unlike anything he'd ever seen but we were able to trick James for a while by using my clothing to lead him away. If you guys rule the Vampire world then why do people not talk about how good you are at tracking?"
He stopped to face the human amusement and a little bit of respect at the intelligent question, "It is because I am the elite guard Bella, our abilities are known but more like fairy tales for humans, those that do know and understand the power of the Volturi do not go around gossiping like fools, Carlisle who stayed with us for a time would not view our abilities in comparison to some no mad Vampire on the same level. James may have been a strong nosed tracker for other covens, but not here."
Bella walked the rest of the way in silence, her mind whirling, Demetri let her think and Bella briefly felt a twinge of happiness at the gentlemanly acts the Italian did, opening the door and lending his arm. It helped with the heartache just a little.
-IMMORTAL-
I woke to a single beam of sunlight entering my room and stretched feeling refreshed and well-rested, which was a novelty to say the least. I got up, looked around and found my clothes at the foot of my bed. Convenient with just a touch of creepy. I got dressed in some more practical clothing for a castle, figuring I'd probably get used to the temperature soon, but I'd been outside in Italy all of our Holliday so that day was not today.
I slipped on my Jeans and turtleneck throwing my hair into a loose updo and opened the door to be greeted with the giant from the information centre. "Hey I know you!" I blushed when he gave me a smirk and hurried to make myself look less idiotic, "I just meant I saw you… from before… at the inf- I'm gonna shut up now."
He smiled wider and gave a slight bow, "Apologies for not introducing myself then My Lady, My name is Felix, I am one of the elite guards."
"Uh right, I suppose that means you were watching us… before."
"Yes that is correct, I will do everything in my power to ensure your safety." He looked rather solemn as he said it.
"Thanks, I guess. Oh, I'm Blue by the way."
"Master Aro is planning on showing you the library today if you are agreeable?"
"Yes please, that sounds cool, I missed out on seeing the last one, unfortunately." He started to walk down the corridor and I hesitantly called out "Are Bella and Olly allowed to come?"
"They have already gone to meet Jane and Alec, and will be allowed to visit the library if they wish."
I vaguely remembered the names Jane and Alec from yesterday, they were twins and Aro had mentioned something about how they would be most eager to meet Olly. I figured there was nothing wrong with that and walked towards Felix, who lead the way again.
He stopped in front of a fence-like door, pushing it open he gestured me in. I stepped inside the room and just stopped myself from gaping, it was like much of the rest of the castle, stunning. The library was if I had to guess three stories high and shelves lived on the outer wall while isles were made either side of the entrance. It was massive. The detail hadn't been lost in the scale delicate gargoyles could be found watching over the books.
I made my way further into the room, taking quite steps out of fear someone might jump out and scold me, my head was drawn further up as I examined the roof, it too was decorated, and it was painted which must have been difficult for whoever had to do it that high up and they must of had to have been horizontal. My mind drifted to my mates as I walked further into the shelves making the odd turn here and there.
All the Kings seemed to be strange, it wasn't just the fact they were Vampires, Aro, for example, his very name was odd to me, I'd never heard of anyone called Aro before. I let the name fall from my lips quietly. "Aro. Aro, Aro, Ar-" There was a brief breeze and I froze as I felt a presence behind me.
"Dearest I do hope you're not doing that on purpose."
I whirled around to find Aro inches from me and flushed, "W-what on purpose?"
He hummed and moved a little closer breathing in deeply before reaching over my shoulder and grabbing a book. My heart stuttered as he pulled his arm back to present the book to me, the memory of his arm caging me in was not something I was going to think about ever again. Get a hold of yourself idiot.
His knowing smirk only made me blush harder and I hurried to take the book. It was a titleless book and gently flipping open the cover I realised the edges had been dipped in gold. "That's a little extra isn't it?"
Aro laughed "It is written by Marcus, all the history associated with our home here in Volterra, we constructed most of this castle but certain places like the kitchen and some of the West wing were previously used as a smaller castle."
Oh, that was interesting, I did love learning new things. "May I borrow it?"
"Of course Darling, all these books are here for your use."
I went to put it in my satchel which I rarely removed and paused "Wait am I supposed to issue it or something, so you know that I've taken it."
He gave a bemused smile "That will not be necessary."
Okay. I put it carefully in my bag and looked back up to see Aro glance at me before making his way along the shelves, in a cheerful tone, informing me of their layout and the strange ordering of the library.
Eventually, we sat down at one of the tables hidden within the library, talking with Aro was surprisingly easy, surprisingly because I had expected talking to a fated partner would be weird. It wasn't, instead, he happily rambled on about the workings of the printer, making reference to the advantages and disadvantages of the upgrade from the printing press. It was actually adorable and I'd never thought to learn how a printer worked, always just taking it for granted. One thing I realised about Aro, apart from his delight in technological progression, was his appreciation for the things that came before and the preservation of history.
He paused in the middle of his sentence and broke into a smile. "You are staring Amore, do I have something on my face?"
I smirked "Beauty." I loved the shocked looks I got from them every time I answered their teasing with something they hadn't expected, it was refreshing to be able to just quip back at someone and not be afraid of the consequences.
"You will truly keep us on our toes Amata we are lucky to have this opportunity to get to know you." I felt genuinely touched at that, he had not insisted that he would get to know me, and I him, over time, but instead thanked me for the chance of the week I had promised. The behaviour from the Vampires was shockingly far better than most humans I'd met. Probably years of practice.
"How old are you physically Aro? I cannot tell"
"Perhaps you can take a guess?" He questioned slyly
"This feels like a trap."
"No trap, just curiosity my dear."
"Alright, I suppose I should guess Marcus and Caius ages then as well?" He nodded, I put my head in my hand with my elbow on the table and stared at him trying to figure it out, "twentyyyy-four?"
"I was 23 when I was turned, very good dearest."
I was seriously going to get a stroke if I kept blushing all the time, judging by the way his eye followed the rising colour that was his intention. "Okay, Marcus's is definitely the youngest…. 20?"
"That is correct."
I gave a sound of triumph, "Right and Caius I'm guessing is older than you. 25?"
"Caius was turned at the age of 29, I'm afraid."
"Well I'm 28 so I guess that makes me the second oldest." I gave him a cheeky smirk and he laughed.
"Darling we are over 3000 years old, Marcus is the oldest, then myself, and Caius is actually the youngest of us three, but you dearest are like a young mouse first making its way up to the lion's cave." I pulled a face at the animal reference. Aro noticed cocking his head to the side, "you do not appreciate the comparison?"
"It's not that, it's just… I don't like mice. They are disease infected rodents and used to be everywhere where I used to liv- stay." He pulled his hands to his face as though listening intently and I realised that he truly was interested in what I was saying.
"I apologize Blue, I didn't mean to cause bad memories to resurface." He looked genuinely troubled by my reaction which in turn caused me to feel horrible.
"Hey no, you didn't know, you couldn't possibly have known. Believe me when I say this Aro if I am uncomfortable with anything that is happening, I will tell you. I will not suffer in silence I assure you."
He seemed to lose a weight from his shoulders after that and I had to consider the situation from their perspective, it must be frightening meeting one you have waited thousands of years for only for them to have a very real chance of disliking you. I knew I would give them a fair shot and so far I liked it here, but they didn't know that.
Making a decision I decided to volunteer some information about myself, a show of trust and vulnerability so we would hopefully be on even playing fields. "I come from Russia-" He sat up a little straighter "-My mother and I left when I was 6 years old, she wanted a better life for me than the one we would have in the outskirts, she used to call me Lada."
Aro looked thoughtful "Lada, Slavic goddess of beauty and grace."
I nodded. "I want you guys to know about me, I do. It isn't that I don't trust you but I've never even said my history into the empty air before, I don't like looking back."
"It is quite alright Amore, we understand, we wish to tell you of our life of the undead years and even before then, there is no need to rush." He stood and went to hold out his hand but seemed to realise his mistake and instead disappeared to pull my chair out for me. "Come dearest, let me show you something."
I followed him as he made his way through the shelves seeming to know exactly what he was looking for and where he would find it. He eventually stopped at the foot of one of the outer wall shelves that stretched the full three stories and before I could fully register what had happened he had scaled the ladders which had been offsetting one another as they ended, and he was back in front of me presenting another book, this one far thicker than the other had been.
"It is like a family tree." He explained, "If you are feeling out of place in your knowledge of our family, this book will tell you how we are all connected. And it also has our ages."
I sniggered, taking to heavy toom and firmly stating "I'm the second oldest Aro. It's just how it is, accept it."
He was about to respond when he stopped and turned to face the aisle closest to us, I looked as well and was about to ask when Felix appeared a few feet from us. "Jesus."
"Apologies My lady, but I am afraid there is a situation."
Aro looked a little like he wanted to sigh but instead turned to me and gave an almost bow, "I am sorry dear but I must go. Thank you for today. I will send Demetri to ensure your friends get dinner. Would you like Felix to take you to the dining room?"
I remembered the speed at which I'd been carried last time and politely declined "Yeah... no thanks, I'll walk."
Aro chuckled and Felix hid a smirk then the two were gone.
"Ah, shit!" I forgot to ask where the dining room was. Why did Vampires need a dining room?
I picked my way through the shelves trying to remember what way I'd come from and eventually made it to the familiar gates, still carrying the massive book with both arms, partly because it was heavy and partly because it looked really old and from what I knew people always seemed to say old things need careful handling.
I decided to just walk in a random direction and hope to bump into someone I could ask, not two steps after deciding that course of action another figure appeared in my vision. The woman was clearly a Vampire as the inhuman beauty was anything to go by judging from her expensive-looking red dress I guessed she was important. Although on second thought these people lived in a castle, everyone dressed like royalty.
She broke me out of her thoughts by lifting a hand to my face and turning my head towards hers, "Well if it isn't a little lost lamb."
Shit, I hadn't considered that I might bump into a Vampire who didn't know who I was, I was definitely about to be eaten. Desperate to avoid that I said whatever I could to threaten her away, "I wouldn't if I were you. I don't think the King's would be happy if they found out you ate their mate."
She sneered squeezing my jaw harshly which caused me to let out a whimper before she dropped it and took a step back with her own chin thrown up in haughty arrogance. "Oh so the little lamb thinks she's special, does she? Darling-" She said it in such a mocking way it felt like a personal offence to how the Kings addressed me, I like being referred to as darling, it was sweet and this stranger was being… mean.
I interrupted "Look lady- " I snarked back "-I am special I don't need you or even any Vampire to make me think that way. I bet you couldn't find a pen if it was thrown at you stupid head, I have found people, so fuck you." Yep definitely need to work on my insults.
"Oh sweety, do you actually believe that you are significant to this coven? This family?" She took a threatening step forward, "I have been in this coven for generations, a time you couldn't even wrap your head around, baby, so do us a favour and get on your plane home right now before your head gets big enough to make a decent meal?
I clenched my jaw, I didn't want confrontation, but this Vampire's problem with me was, well, not my problem. "I've already told them I'll be here till the end of the week at least, so-"
She cut me off "-Tell them you want to leave and then you're free to go."
I didn't know what her problem was but I felt a weird almost ich in my mind and it shocked my head to try and clear it. "No. You know what, I'm leaving I don't have to deal with this."
I turned only to come face to face with her again, except now she had a look of fake worry in her eyes. "Wait."
I crossed my arms in annoyance "What?"
"You're just a fragile little human-"
"-Alright." I started walking but she continued talking, easily keeping up with me
"-You can't possibly handle all aspect of our world."
"Lady-"
"Athenodora." She corrected
"Fine whatever, Athenodroa, I know a lot about your world already okay, I understand that you are Vampires-"
"Oh well done." She spat mockingly "But do you know some of us possess powers?"
"Yes actually," I allowed a little bit of arrogance to pour into my words as I showed off my knowledge desperate to prove her wrong. "I know that Marcus can see Bonds, and I know Aro can read minds-"
Her attitude seemed to change at that, calmer and reminded me of a snake swaying ready to strike. "You know of his power, do you? Is it because you have let him into your mind?"
"I- no. Not that it's any of your business."
She sighed "You must not be afraid of him knowing every thought every feeling you've ever had then?"
I hesitated my mind focusing on one of the words she'd said "Feeling?"
"Oh yes, everything, nothing would be private he would see you in all the ways you see yourself, an inconsequential human."
I ignored that in favour of clarifying "Do you mean if I got stabbed in my memories, he would feel it if he touched me?"
There was a moment where her eyes flicked up then a grin took over her face "He feels what he sees yes, as though he experiences it himself, again and again, every time he touches you. It must be awful painful for him, I do hope you didn't get many paper cuts, for his sake."
A stab of fear clenched my heart and then she was gone.
Shit.
Feeling hard to breathe I went against the stone wall and tried sucking in shallow breaths, I didn't know why I was feeling so panicked, it was fine, the lady could have been lying. All I had to do was ask Aro or Marcus or Caius and they would tell me. It seemed unlikely Aro felt what he saw, he had to touch thousands of vampires to judge them in court that sounded excruciation if he did feel it all.
My mind helpfully pulled up memories of the times I'd experienced pain. My heart beat faster. I couldn't bring myself to think about telling them and I didn't know why, I just had to keep Aro from touching me. That was the solution. I could last a week without touching someone, I'd done it my whole life.
What about after the week? What if I decided to stay? I didn't know… I didn't' know. Turning off my thoughts I gathered myself back up annoyed I'd let someone get to me so easily. The solution was clear, just don't touch Aro, he won't feel pain, nothing else too it.
I'd just managed to start walking again when I was greeted by Bella and another Vampire I hadn't met before.
"Hey Blue."
I nodded at Bella, she seemed content. I pushed down whatever had just happened even further, Bella didn't need to see me being weird, right now she needed someone, no matter how good she was at hiding it. "Hey Bells, who's your friend?"
"I am Demetri, My Queen." He bowed his head
I gave him a startled look, "Eh what?"
He huffed a laugh. "Perhaps we should go milady, Alec and Jane have taken the youngster there already."
I gave a cough, "Right lead the way."
He smirked and before I could protest he had gently picked me up and with Bella on the side, we sped away. Stumbling out of his grip into a new room with an elongated table in the centre I half-heartedly glared at him, goddamn strong Vampires.
I looked up to see my mates sitting at the table along with Olly and who I assumed were Jane and Alec. I made it to Caius's side and seeing it was a bench seat I clenched my fist under the book and reminded myself not to look like an idiot. I sat on it without raising any attention and was incredibly thankful that it was a bench seat and not a chair. I lay the book under the seat out of the way.
"Good evening Dearest, did you have a good day with Aro?" Marcus inquired.
"Yes, definitely-" I smiled at all of my mates, "-I mean I wasn't even aware time had gone so fast."
He hummed and turned to the youngsters at the table, "And you young Oliver? I trust you enjoyed your time with your mates?"
Olly grinned, clearly quite taken with Marcus already, "Yes we went onto the roof!"
I narrowed my eyes at the twins, Alec looked almost sheepishly at me while his sister held my stare with a daring one of her own. A twinge of annoyance welled up in me but I broke the eye contact, I didn't know how I felt about them yet, but I knew I wasn't being fair, I'd only just been introduced to them and it wasn't their fault I felt protective of the kid.
To my surprise Caius asked Bella how she was doing, "I heard that our other resident human took to exploring the gardens, alone?"
Bella looked a little like she had been caught with her hand in the cookie jar but Demitri came to her rescue, "I was with her Master, she was not alone."
Caius hummed looking not entirely like he believed the tracker, but let it go just as food began to be brought out for the three of us and trays fo what looked like wine glasses filled with blood. Knowing where I was I was willing to bet, that was exactly what it was.
I looked at my own meal and saw it was a salad and some sort of fettucini I glanced up to see my mates watching me expectantly, "Did you make this?" I asked surprised, after a hesitant nod from them and a stoic look from Caius I grinned and dug in making sure to wiggle my eyebrows as I ate and complement it consistently. "Wow, it's the most delicious thing I've eaten since the time I ate a whole cake for no reason, all by myself." Bella sniggered and the Kings seemed to be elated, truthfully I wasn't really tasting it much but it was fun to keep coming up with more and more outrageous praises. "Once I saw a shooting star and let me tell you I'd wish for this meal a thousand times."
At some point during my meal, the Kings had begun to drink their own meals and I had briefly paused to watch it, before resuming my complements. I wasn't bothered by it because I didn't know all the facts, I'd give them a fair chance I had promised.
Neering the end Jane and Alec finally reached for their glasses and I turned to watch Olly's reaction. He seemed to notice the attention and looked up to see the twins sipping their drinks."You're drinking blood?" He asked Jane
She nodded.
By now everyone at the table was watching the interaction. "Oh-" He looked sad and I was prepared to take him out of the room, but he continued "Guess you're really not Aliens then."
I laughed and most the table seemed to share in my amusement as well. "Really Olly? You're still on that?"
"Not anymore." He pointed out.
"Touche" I agreed.
At the end of the meal when things were cleared away Marcus spoke "Blue My dear, as we are lucky enough to be graced with a week of your company-" Aw come on, now he's making me feel bad, "-Within this time we have decided to hold a Ball-" Huh? "-To help introduce Blue and both Bella and Olly into our world. It will also provide you all with the chance to make friends outside of our Coven." That was actually a really good, and thoughtful idea.
Caius looked at me and spoke seemingly not carrying to address everyone, "The guests will begin to arrive tomorrow, if you should feel unsafe with anyone in the hills, call out, one of us of the elite guard will come." He shot a pointed look at Olly and Bella which they answered with a solute and a small thank you respectively.
Aro clapped his hands, a habit he seemed to have when he felt the need to either break the tension or add to it. "I think that is quite enough information for one night, it is time for the humans to sleep I believe."
It was an odd way to phrase it but endearing that he was unsure if it was actually time for rest. Smiling I gestured to Olly, "Yep, bedtime, come on, up." I bent down and picked up my book, holding it tucked under one arm now.
He groaned but got up and lazily latch onto my other arm, I waited for Bella to untangle herself from the bench and we called goodnight. I gave my head a slight bow to the Kings and took my family through the door and in the direction I assumed was to our wing. A tug on my arm had me follow Olly, "Wrong way." I let him guide us bac trusting his judgment. Bella looked a lot more dead on her feet now we were alone.
When we got to Bella's room Olly crawled under the covers and Bella just managed to strip off her shorts and replace them with pyjama bottoms before doing the same. I went and closed the door then settled against one of the walls, pulling out Bella's torch from her bag and cracked open the massive book. I'd slept all of the last night sleeping and I knew not even pills could knock me out tonight, instead, I put the hours to use and began to read.