Chapter 7.
Pain. Sharp, searing, tearing. Bella cried out as the razor sharp teeth of Alice Cullen tore through the delicate skin of her neck.
Then there was heat, so much heat. It felt as though her whole body was thrown into a bonfire. From the top of her head, to the tips of her toes, her fingers and her throat. At first she couldn't think of anything but the fire that was consuming her. She reached out for Alice - just wanting to be held. She hopes that the coolness of her friends stone body would offer some solace, but no avail. She was holding on for dear life but the burning was the one in control.
Her body was prisoner; but her mind was still her own. Bella tried to center herself. She began to count back from a million. She didn't know if she were reciting the numbers out loud, she couldn't hear a thing, it was as though she was submerged in deep water.
She concentrated on nothing but the numbers and was somehow able to zone herself out.
She was quiet, far too quiet. Once Alice had composed herself, she was elated in the fact that Bella's heart was still beating. She'd had a few horrid moments thinking that she had taken too much and drank her to death. She was happy that Bella's heart seemed to be doing as it should, but it concerned her that Bella was silent. It wasn't normal.
Alice wanted more than anything to talk to Carlisle. He would find it fascinating and he'd also. Be able to give her advice.
She grabbed a soft blanket from the trunk and covered Bella with it. She leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. "We need to leave. I'm going to drive into the city now."
She didn't know if Bella could hear her. Alice didn't remember much, if anything of her change.
Alice checked her face in the rear view mirror after getting back up into the car. She dabbed at the small trail of Bella's blood that remained on her bottom lip and then with one final glance towards Bella, she put the car into gear and set off.
Alice expertly guided the car through the narrow winding street of Volterra. She thanked her lucky stars that it wasn't heavy guarded by the Polizia as it had been weeks before for the parade.
She quickly reached the Piazza dei Priori - she's been right, they were expected. As the car stopped at the gates, they were pulled open by a pair of hooded figures. Alice drove into a small courtyard and parked up in the shade. The figures were at the drivers door immediately and they tugged Alice from the car. Alice recognised them right away. Felix and Demetri.
Felix towered over Alice, he wasn't far off double her height. He gripped at her arm and moved her aside so he could peer in the back. He snarled and licked his lips at the traces of blood that still lingered there.
"Now, now, Felix my dear friend. That's not how we treat our guests." He turned to Alice with a sly smile. "Aro has said for us to make you comfortable. He appreciates that you won't want to leave your Isabella at this crucial time so I have taken the liberty of making sure one of our guest suites are ready.
Felix snorted and Demetri shot him a glare. "It's not The Ritz, I can assure you, but it will keep you out of harm's way. Come now. We will get you settled. The masters are waiting.
Another short one, but we are moving on folks. hope you are still hanging on in there.