Chapter 3 - This Was It
The rest of that night and the majority of the next day I spent working with the Volturi Guard. Demitri was amazing. I clung onto his every word. In around a dozen hours, the Elite Guard had explained my place as Leading General of the Volturi Guard, illustrated the Volturi standards and rules that I was expected to follow at all times, introduced themselves, and molded me into a seasoned fighter. Jane, Alec, and Chelsea stayed with us the whole time. The training was way more intense when I was part of it compared to when I'd watched the Cullens. It was also far more humorous.
"We all know each others abilities." Jane said, pointing between herself and the others. "You, on the other hand, have a secret. None of us know exactly how your gift works. That won't last forever though."
"Jane's right." Chelsea added, nodding. "When Marcus first changed me, I could take out Felix. It was easy to tie him to myself and leave him confused. Now that he knows what to avoid though, I'm no match for him."
"Which is why you're only a Colonel, Chelsea." Alec muttered with a smirk.
"Just because you got promoted and Jane took my title doesn't mean you have to mention my rank at every opportunity!" Chelsea shouted, smacking him on the arm.
"That is a highly inappropriate way to act toward your superior." Jane scolded jokingly.
"She's right, Chelsea." Demitri stated, attempting to sound serious. "Address him correctly, Colonel."
Chelsea looked at Demitri in disbelief, and when she saw the semi-serious look in his eyes, she turned on Alec.
"Major General?" She asked, looking sick.
"Yes, Colonel?" Alec was enjoying this way too much.
"I will be taking my title back soon, sir." We all burst out laughing. It was a good thing I didn't need to breathe, because I wasn't able to for a good three minutes after that comment.
It wasn't all fun and games though. When Felix joined us, things got serious.
"Felix and I will be your only points of weakness." Demitri reminded me when Felix had shown up. By this time, they had picked up the basics of what I could do. "Felix has no gift for you to use against him, and I already know what to expect when fighting you, and I'm experienced enough to ignore your gift's effects on me now that I know what's coming."
"Let's do a drill." Felix said with a mischievous smile that made me think of Emmett.
"Good idea, Felix." Demitri answered. "Chelsea can spectate and make sure it doesn't get out of hand. Felix and I will be the resisting target."
Alec and I went up against the two of them, and when the fight went on for an hour without leaning in anyone's favor, Jane joined Alec and I in the fight. Soon, Aro and Marcus had come to watch. The second they had entered, we had all become desperate to prove our worth. The spar became erratic. The unplanned became random. All instincts were on high-wire. It was when Jane was taken out and Alec and I were forced back to back that things fell into place.
I must have had a bit of Aro's power stored up from before, because when my hand brushed Alec's, I saw his next move along with all his past thoughts. That was all it took. I moved to cover the defensive for Alec, and he was able to use his gift to take out Felix. Since I now knew Alec's fighting style to the T, I was almost positive he would move to corner Demitri. I moved to the right in order to help Alec corner him. As we backed Demitri into the corner, Alec prepared to use his gift once more, but I held my hand out to stop him. Remembering what I needed to do as Leading General, I spoke to Demitri as if he were a Volturi target or suspect.
"You have resisted questioning and, in turn, lost your freedom. Surrender to the Volturi Crest now and keep your right to a trial." I spoke without dropping my focus. It was a smart move, because Demitri attacked. Grabbing my arm, he flipped me into the air. I used my light weight to land on his shoulders and place my hands on either side of his head in victory. "The Guard shall fight resistance with pain of second death, for the Volturi give no second chances."
Sliding from Demitri's shoulders, Alec, Demitri, and I shook hands. Jane, Felix (who must have gotten over Alec's gift during the fight), and Chelsea clapped for us.
"Excellent, all of you! Isabella, I'm impressed that you are catching on so quickly." Aro praised, and I decided right then that I liked drills.
"Thank you, Master." I said, bowing slightly. The others followed suit.
"Isabella, you may make that phone call now. Marcus has a cell phone you can use. Remember, nothing he shouldn't know." Aro said, giving me a knowing look. "You will probably need to go to the Northern Tower for reception." At Aro's words, Marcus walked forward and handed me a small Blackberry.
"Come to the throne room after your call." Marcus said. I gave another thanks and left the room with a smile to the others.
I reached the Northern Tower in record time. I punched in Dr. Carlisle Cullen's cell number from memory (I'd needed his medical expertise more than I care to admit), but then I froze and smiled. He had no idea what had happened since Edward and Alice had gone back without me. All he knew was that I'd joined the Volturi and most likely became a vampire. He had no idea I was the Leading General of the Elite Guard (solid black cloak and all). He also had no idea that I'd been changed by Aro, he had no clue of my ability, and he definitely didn't know anything about being related to me. I had to remember not to give away too much information.
Taking a deep breath, I pressed the talk button. He picked up after the first ring.
"Dr. Cullen." came the familiar voice.
"Hello, Carlisle. Are you in a place where I can talk to you in private?" I whispered so that anyone near him wouldn't be able to hear.
"I'm sorry, who is this?" He asked, sounding confused. I heard him running though, so I chanced something a little more obvious.
"I'll tell you when you're far enough away for Edward to not hear anything with his extra gift." I was speaking in a normal tone now, and I was sure he could hear the small resemblance now.
"Bella?" Carlisle asked, sounding shocked. "Is that you?"
"Yes. It's me, Carlisle." I replied, staying dispassionate. "How are you?"
"Oh, Bella, I don't really matter. How are you? We all miss you."
"I'm wonderful. Thank you." I said, and then I sighed. It was time to tell him what I called to tell him. "I found out something I think you should know."
"What is it?" Carlisle sounded truly curious.
"You are my great-to-the-forth-grandfather." I figured there was no point beating around the bush.
There was silence on the other line. Carlisle wasn't even breathing.
"Are you saying that we are blood related?" he finally said. "How did you find this out? How is this possible? I'm in shock, Bella."
"Yes, Carlisle. We are related through a direct bloodline." I said, answering the first question. "King Aro told me. Your daughter married my great-to-the-third-grandfather, named Thomas Swan." There was another long silence, but he got over this one more quickly.
"I've failed you, haven't I?" Carlisle sounded so broken that I actually almost felt bad... almost. "Bella, let me make it up to you?"
"Carlisle, I have forever to forgive you and your family. I hope it doesn't take that long." I answered truthfully.
"You are my family." Carlisle replied. "You're part of the coven. Please come back to us."
"We're only family by blood, Carlisle." That fact made me laugh out loud. "I was left behind because of my blood, and now I'm being invited back for the same thing. It's all quite ironic, really."
"Bella..."
"Don't bother yourself, Carlisle. I simply called to tell you of my findings." I interrupted.
"I'm so sorry, Bella. I didn't know." Carlisle's voice was a broken whisper. "I didn't want to leave you, I swear."
"I said not to worry yourself."
"Could you ask Aro to call me later?"
"I could."
"Thank you." Carlisle paused, and then he continued in an emotional voice. "I really do care about you. I also know that I'm not the only one."
"Then why did you all leave me?" The question slipped out before I could stop it.
"Jasper said that he heard you speak a bit of Latin under your breath when you were running from James in Phoenix. Is that true? Do you understand the language?"
"Yes. I understand and speak a little Latin." I thought that it was a strange question, but I wanted an answer. "Why did you all leave me?"
"Corruptio optimi pessima." In English, it translated to 'the corruption of the best is the worst'. "I'm not proud of what I did. Please do not hold it against me. You really were, and still are, like a daughter to me. I do not have a good reason for leaving you, and I'm not going to try to make one up. Will you at least promise me that you will try to forgive me?" If I were still human, I would have cried. I just wanted my old life to leave me alone, and I couldn't remember the worth of my reasons for calling in the first place.
"I will try. I must be going. I will have Aro call you." I needed to hang up before I said something stupid. "Goodbye, Carlisle."
"Will I hear from you again soon?"
"Yes, I can do that." I said it somewhat reluctantly, but I had no reason to deny a phone call.
"Thank you, Bella." Carlisle said, obviously smiling. "I shall talk to you later then."
"You shall."
"Goodbye, Bella."
"Goodbye." I hung up and shook my head. That hadn't gone anywhere near planned. If the Blackberry had been mine, I would have thrown it at the wall. After taking a deep breath to collect myself, I walked to the throne room.
The whole of the Volturi was in the room. It took all the control I had not to falter in my movements as I went up to return the phone to Marcus.
"Thank you." I said with a bow.
"You're very welcome, Bella." Marcus replied, seeming slightly less bored than usual. "Aro, Caius, and I just finished telling the others the details of your gift. You and Demitri shall now have a rematch. Demitri is playing the part of the resister, and you play the the part of Leading General. Winner of the spar shall be Leading General."
"Very well, Master." I replied with another small bow. This was also unexpected, but I would face it. I would, for once in my life, do something for myself. I wanted to be Leading General. I wanted it more than I'd ever wanted anything in all my time on Earth.
"Begin." Marcus said, and he took a seat. Like before, the Elite Guard surrounded us in a circle. Demitri smiled at me, I smiled back, and we both dropped into crouches. As we circled each other, I felt a sense of defeat. I didn't really have hope that I'd win, but everytime I felt hopeless my determination would skyrocket. I wanted to win this. I needed to beat Demitri. I would give it my all.
I still had a large bit of Demitri's gift stored up. Following my instinct, I stood up straight and closed my eyes. When I closed my eyes, I shot Demitri's gift in every direction, picking up every mind's essence in the room. I felt Demitri come at me from my right, and I twisted out of his reach. I spent the next five minutes getting used to Demitri's strange gift. When I felt I had the hang of it, I opened my eyes. I continued to twist, bob, and weave just beyond his reach. I knew I wouldn't be able to think faster than him for much longer (I was also running out of Demitri-power-reserves), so I dove out of the circle the Guard had created to buy myself some time.
In the second it took the Guard to reform the circle, I had done what I'd wanted. I was absorbing Demitri's gift to use against him, and I had opened my mind to allow him to use his gift on me. It was the same technique Aro'd had me try. Demitri raised an eyebrow at me when he realized he could sense me. I just nodded back.
I now had full control of the situation, even if Demitri didn't know it. I had complete access to his mind now that he was opening his own to use his gift on me. I had an idea, but I wasn't sure whether or not it would work. It was all I had though, so I was determined to put all I had behind it.
Demitri went back into a crouch and began to circle me. I did not move. I did not crouch. I felt him closing in on me from behind. I couldn't help but smile as I slowly turned to face him.
"You have resisted questioning and, in turn, lost your freedom. Surrender to the Volturi Crest now and keep your right to a trial." I stood with dignity, and I could almost feel the disbelief of the others in the room as I faced Demitri with a complete confidence. Demitri ran at me. His hand reached out to strike me, I blocked his fist with my hand, and I used every gift at my disposal through the physical contact. I put out way more than was needed, and it was very hard to keep it going when all Demitri's thoughts were entering my head and the essence of everyone in the room was dividing my concentration. Clutching his head in pain with the hand I wasn't gripping, Demitri fell to his knees. I bent forward and planted my teeth to his neck in victory. "The Guard shall fight resistance with pain of second death, for the Volturi give no second chances."
The second I had won, I stopped the mental onslaught. I helped Demitri to his feet. Demitri was gasping for breath, and I could tell he was still in a lot of pain. I signaled Alec, and Alec used his ability on Demitri. Demitri didn't resist and went senseless with a sigh of relief. Completely supporting Demitri with one arm, I turned to face the Volturi Kings and take a bow. Felix, Alec, and Jane came to flank me. Chelsea followed without hesitation. Afton, Heidi, Corin, Santiago, and Renata were next. The twenty-two members of the regular Guard filled the back, bowing as well.
"Isabella Volturi, Leading General of the Elite Guard, please step forward." Aro's voice held that majestic authority once more. I had known he would recognize the use of his own gift, and I was prepared to take consequences for my actions if the fact that I had used his gift against Demitri wasn't acceptable. I handed Demitri to Felix with a nod and, with deliberation, approached the thrones. I came to a stop at the bottom of the stairs and slightly lowered my head as I had been told was customary. I barely registered hearing Demitri stand on his own, his breathing back to normal. "Please Isabella, I normally don't make exceptions, but I want you to stand atop these steps with me. I want to show you something." I raised my head to see Aro standing, his hand extended to help me up the stairs like a gentlemen. In shock, I took his hand and let him lead me up the steps to stand facing him. "Close your eyes." I did so and felt Aro turn me around. "When you open your eyes, you will see what I see everyday." He leaned in and whispered his next words so quietly that I was sure not even the Brothers could hear them. "I want you to see it, not only through my memories, but see it with your own sight as well." He then continued in a normal voice. "Open your eyes."
I opened my eyes. The sight before me gave me a joy such as none I'd ever known. The whole of the Elite Guard was looking up at me with expressions of friendship and trust on their faces. If I could cry, I would have been crying in that moment. Demitri gave me a small, reassuring smile and a slight nod when I made eye contact with him. I smiled back. It was in that moment that I knew I'd found my place. I was accepted, I was loved, I was respected, and I was free. Right there, Bella Swan transformed into who I was meant to be. It was then that I became Isabella Volturi. I was home.
"Brother, I shall never question your judgment again." Caius said, moving to stand behind, and slightly to the side, of Aro. "Isabella, I would like to take this moment to apologize for my doubt in you, and I welcome you into the coven with sincerity, as I should have done in the beginning."
"Thank you, Master Caius." I replied with a nod of respect.
"Well, Aro, I say we get the rest of the Guard's opinion on Isabella's performance." Marcus put in, a smile on his face.
"Great idea, Marcus." Aro said, holding me where I was when I moved to head back down the stairs. I was confused, but I wasn't going to argue. "Let us start with our Brigadier General. Jane dear, do you have anything to share?"
"Her fighting style is very familiar. I would swear that I've seen someone who fights the way she does before, Master Aro." Jane answered.
"Interesting." Aro said, caulking his head to the side. "What do you find familiar?"
"Her crouch, her facial expressions, and her way of leading all contribute. However, it's the way she used her gift and claimed victory that are the most familiar." Jane's face was scrunched in concentration. "I'm comparing her fighting style to anyone I've gone up against. but I'm not matching anything together."
"If I may, Master Aro?" Demitri spoke up suddenly, his hand stretched out in offering.
"Of course, General." Aro permitted with a nod. Demitri's hand briefly touched Aro's before Aro started laughing and clapping. "Absolutely excellent! Please Demitri, share with the rest of the company!"
"Isabella has the same fighting style as the Major of the Southern Newborn Armies." Demitri said.
"Yes, that's it! She fights like Mars, the God of War!" Jane exclaimed.
"Excuse me. Do you mean to tell me I fight like one of the most feared vampires of all time?" I asked in disbelief. I only knew about the feared Major from Aro's thoughts, but after associating with Carlisle for a year I figured they'd expect me to know about him.
"Isabella, I believe you know him." Aro explained, a delighted smile on his face. "Jasper and the God of War are the same person. Without Alice and Edward's thoughts, I never would have known that Carlisle had added him to his coven. The very likely possibility that they were one in the same didn't even occur to me until last night while I sat in my study." That explained why Jasper was such a good fighter.
"Aro, are you telling me that the Cullen Coven has the feared Major on their side?" Caius spoke through his teeth.
"Master Caius, may I say something?" I spoke with caution, for I had only just gained his approval.
"Do you have an explanation, Leading General?" Caius asked.
"No sir, but I believe I may have some reassurance." I replied. "Carlisle holds Master Aro in very high regard. He is partial to the whole of the Volturi. He would never betray the Crest."
"He might not, but what does he matter if the feared Major has him? Surely the God of War holds us in contempt for flattening what was coming to be known as the Whitlock Empire. Had we not intervened, he would have killed his Creator, Maria, and taken over the South with his own creations, Peter and Charlotte." Caius shouted in what I finally noticed wasn't anger. It was fear.
"Master Caius, I know for a fact that Jasper never would have wanted an empire. His very words were this: 'In the eyes of the darker vampire race I threw away the world by leaving what I had, but I left in order to find a new world.' I didn't know then that Jasper was talking about the Newborn Wars, but it is obvious to me now. He joined Carlisle's Coven for the same reason anyone would. He no longer wanted to take lives."
"You may have a point, Isabella." Caius said, gritting his teeth and nodding.
"Well Isabella, it seems like you've been in training since you were human." Aro said with a laugh. "I assume you watched Jasper spar with the others. Did you pick anything up?"
"I picked quite a bit up actually. I always listened to him closely. Even as a human I could tell he was the one that knew what he was doing." I replied.
"Well done." Aro said to me then turned to Caius. "Let us talk about what is to be done with the Major in the Cullen Clan, Brothers. Are there anymore questions or comments?"
"Master Aro, sir? May I tell you something privately?" I whispered to him to that the Guard couldn't hear.
"Absolutely." Aro replied and politely dismissed us. He led me just outside the room and turned his attention to me. His voice was nearly silent. "What is it, dear?"
"Carlisle would like you to call him when you get the chance."
"Very well. I shall do so." Aro's expression was soft when he continued. "How did it go?"
"Not as I had planned, but I can take some pain at the expense of keeping the family my allies." I sighed and decided to tell Aro more than I normally would have. "He invited me back when I told him of his relation to me."
"I expected as much." Aro replied with a nod. "What was your reply?"
"I declined. I do not believe I would leave the Volturi for anything, Master."
"I'm glad to hear it. You are becoming a huge part of this Coven so quickly, but no one would stop you from leaving. Think of yourself as a free-agent." Aro said with a sad smile.
"I will remember that, sir, but I do not think it'll be that easy to get rid of me." I replied seriously.
Aro laughed and put a hand on my upper-arm. "I must go consult with my Brothers. Go and spend a nice, relaxing day with the Guard. Let them know that they have the day off. You all need a break from training."
"Very good, Master." I replied with a bow, and I flanked Aro as we reentered the throne room. Right away, Aro exited the room with Marcus and Caius. I turned to the Guard and delivered the good news. "We have the day off today. Let's all go and enjoy it!" Their cheers made me smile, and the throne room emptied of everyone but Jane, Alec, Demitri, Felix, Chelsea, and Afton. I ran up to them and, laughing, enveloped them all into a group hug.
"What's got you so happy?" Demitri questioned with a grin.
"Do you mean besides beating you again and staying Leading General?" Alec said with a chuckle.
"What is up with you constantly bringing up rankings?" Chelsea muttered, sounding annoyed.
"Why are we all asking questions?" Felix asked with a slight grin.
"I'm happy because I finally feel like I've found where I can belong." I said, answering Demitri's question, the dorky smile still plastered on my face.
"Did you not feel like you belonged with the Cullens? I thought you and the mind-reader had a thing going on." Felix said, smirking at me and waggling his eyebrows.
"Not like that, Felix." I said, rolling my eyes, which caused them to all laugh. "I was human. Truthfully, I shouldn't have expected to belong."
"Well, now that we know you weren't having sex with the rat drinker, we can tell you our real names." Jane said seriously.
"You're real names?" I started laughing. "Nice try, Jane."
"She isn't joking." Alec stated.
"Yes she is." I replied.
"I swear it's the truth." Jane said.
"Lies." I sang jokingly.
"Truth."
"Lies."
"Truth."
"All lies..."
"It's the truth!"
"Wonderful way to spend your day off, Generals." Jane and I swung around in surprise at Aro's voice. We'd been so absorbed in our fake argument that we hadn't heard the Kings come back into the room. "Chelsea, could you go get Heidi? She needs to hear this too." Chelsea was gone and back with Heidi in less than three seconds.
"What is it, Masters?" Heidi asked.
"You are all needed for a special assignment." Aro replied.
"Each of you are going to go spend time with an allied coven of the Volturi." Caius explained. "We need to be sure they are all still loyal to the Volturi Crest."
"Afton and Chelsea, you will be sent to stay with the Olivand Coven in England." Marcus said.
"Heidi and Felix will go to the Landwirt Clan in Germany." Caius stated. "Jane and Alec will go to the Saava Clan in Russia."
"Demitri and Isabella shall stay with the Cullen Coven in America." Aro said, giving me an apologetic glance. "All these stays have already been arranged with the respective covens."
"You will be given details in three days time. Your flights leave in five hours." Caius informed us.
"We are sorry to cut your day off short." Marcus said sincerely.
"Meet back here in three hours time. Do not pack anything. We will be giving you credit cards to buy anything you may need once you arrive in the foreign country. You're excused." Aro said. "Isabella, Demitri, I must speak with the two of you."
As the others left the room toward their individual suites, Demitri and I followed Aro, Marcus, and Caius back to what I knew to be Aro's quarters. He let the four of us in first, and he followed us in and closed the door.
"Surely you had a feeling that we are sending the two strongest to this particular coven for a reason."
"You have reasons for all you do." Demitri said with a forward inclination of his head.
"Yes, well." Aro seemed to be at a loss of words.
"Master Aro?" I spoke up.
"Isabella, I am very sorry. I would have sent someone else, but you really are the only sensible choice. You and Demitri are the only one's that could handle this, and you already have a connection with the coven..."
"Please, I'll be fine, Master. There's no need to worry. I'll have Demitri there for support. Right?" I asked, turning to him.
"Of course." Demitri replied, giving me a large smile.
"In that case, it's down to business." Aro said, taking an unnecessary breath. "Demitri, your job is simple. You are to learn the essence of all minds in the coven and make Isabella's job easier. Isabella, you will need to have Demitri under your shield at all times. Edward automatically projects his ability, and he cannot control it. Isabella, I want you to constantly project Edward's ability out to everyone. We need information."
"What are we looking for?" Demitri asked.
"You're looking for any signs of disloyalty." Caius replied.
"Anything else?" I questioned. That couldn't be the only reason they were sending us to America.
"Yes." Aro said hesitantly. "When the others collect the information they are being sent to obtain, I will be leading the whole of the Elite Guard to Alaska. This mission could end the danger of the Southern Newborn Armies forever. They are getting out of hand, and there are some humans close to guessing the cause of the death toll in that area. The problem is, we won't be able to stop all of them on our own without blending into the armies. Even with your help, Isabella, we do not know how to seem as if we belong. We need Jasper, and I fear it will take a lot of convincing to have him agree."
"If he agrees at all." I said as I nodded in understanding. It would be nearly impossible to convince Jasper to help. He'd have to return South, and I knew that was one of the last things he'd do.
"Here you are, Isabella." Marcus said, handing me the same Blackberry I'd borrowed before. "This is yours now. The Italy number is already in the contacts list. You are leaving before the others. The plane should be landing on the hill anytime."
"Lead the way for Isabella, Demitri. You are dismissed. Good luck." Aro said, grabbing my arm and sending a large amount of his gift into my shield. "For emergencies. Be careful, Isabella. Trust only Demitri until you find out more. This is bigger than you could possibly imagine."
"I will not fail you." I spoke with a solid conviction.
"I know you won't. Call when you have any information, secretly when needed. Use caution."
"I will, Master."
"Isabella, it is strange for me to have you calling me Master after all you know of me, and I of you. We even share the same venom. Please darling, call me Aro."
There was no way he could have known that he'd given me the world with such a simple request. I couldn't help but repeat it in my head for the entire flight. 'Please darling, call me Aro.' With all the thoughts going through my head, it seemed like only moments before Demitri and I arrived in the small Alaskan airport. Looking out the plane's window, I saw Carlisle had come to greet us personally. My stomach dropped. This was it.
A.N.: Don't kill me for the slight cliffy here. I'll be updating in a week, if it makes you feel any better! =P
Thanks for all the support and feedback you guys have been giving. It seriously makes my day everytime I see a review alert in my inbox.