Chapter 8

Alice, declining Felix's assistance with carrying Bella, walked along narrow corridors and down winding passages to the basement level. Once upon a time it would have been a dank, dark dungeon. It was painted a pale Magnolia. There was no windows but was softly lit.

Demetri pulled out a set of keys and opened a small door. "You will both remain here until her time is done." He told Alice. "If for any reason you require our assistance, please use the intercom and someone will be with you."

"Thank you." Alice responded politely.

"Now, the room is vampire proof. The only way in or out is via these keys. Try and keep the newborn under control so that the master can see her. He's so thrilled that you have both made the journey here."

With that, Demetri and Felix made their exit and the heavy iron door closed. Placing Bella down on a small bed against the wall, she took in her surroundings. Other than a few art prints on the wall, the bed and a small chair, it was sparse. Not that she required anything, vampires could stand as still as a statue for days, if not weeks on end. They did not need necessities such as beds for comfort.

A television or a couple of books wouldn't have gone amiss though, Alice thought to herself. At least it was spotlessly clean.

Time seemed to pass slowly. Painfully so for Alice as she watched Bella as she laid silently before her. Occasionally she would twitch a little. But just her fingers. Her heart rate had also slowed to the point it was thumping just once in thirty seconds.

Twice, there was a knock on the door, a member of the guard would enter on the pretence of asking Alice if she would like a meal. Of course, Alice politely turned down the offer because she highly doubted it'd be a vegetarian offering. It was obvious also, that they were just checking in.

At the end of the second day, Alice was startled when Bella's heart rate rapidly increased. It was loud - so loud Alice wondered if her chest would explode. She scooted over to Bella and laid a hand on hers. It was almost over.

Bella's eyes we're screwed shut and her teeth were bared. Her back arched and she thrashed around. She still didn't scream. Her heart continued to thud, it sounded like a freight train.

Then, nothing. All was still, silent and calm.

Alice stood up and backed away and watched as Bella's eyes opened.

Bella couldn't tell how long she had been out. She'd lost count at two hundred thousand because she couldn't concentrate. Instead she had tried to keep as still and quiet as she could. She didn't know it would work. Although she wasn't able to hear anything, she knew Alice was by her side. Sometime during her transformation, her senses were heightened, through the intense heat she smelt something beautiful. Light rain on a summer day. Soft, white roses and freshly baked sweet muffins. She knew it was Alice. Even before, Alice, Edward and all of the Cullen's had smelt incredible to her. They all had a unique scent that had drawn her in - but now it overwhelmed her.

The light was bright, seemingly too bright for her brand new eyes. She squinted and tried to get to her feet. She flew across the room in a flash, quicker than she would have ever expected. She knocked into Alice in the process, pushing her down to the ground. Holy shit!

"A...Alice?" She stuttered as her back was pressed back against the wall. Alice, unhurt, picked herself up from the floor. Relief washed over her when Bella recognised her.

Bella's hand flew to her mouth. Her voice didn't sound like her own. Like everything else, there was more depth to it. She looked around once again, she could see the particles in the air and the brush strokes on the wall. Everything was in HD, total IMAX, digital sound quality.

"Alice...I remember. I remember everything." Thoughts flashed through her mind. Charlie, Jake, Jessica, Lauren and Eric. The Cullen's. Carlisle and Esme. Emmett, Rosalie, Jasper and of course Edward. She could remember her mother and their last phone call a week or so ago. She was in Volterra. Alice changed her.

Bella flung herself at her friend, enveloping her into her arms. Alice squeaked. "Owwww, Bella, you're a lot stronger than me right now!"

Bella laughed and loosened her hold as she buried her head into Alice's shoulder. "Huh, I'm sorry. But wow, we are the same temperature now."

Alice pulled away and held Bella at arms length. "So, you seem like yourself, but let me look at you.

She looked incredible. Her hair appeared to be longer and thicker. It was lustrous and shiny. Her curves were more defined and her whole body was feminine but strong, her muscles defined. Her lips were fuller than before and a dusky shade of pink with a natural looking pout. Bella's once chewed fingernails were much longer. She was absolutely stunning. Even her eyes, crimson were gorgeous. Surrounded by her porcelain skin she was perfect. Alice was so proud.

"You're beautiful, Bella. How do you feel?"

"I'm not sure. I feel… I feel very… I can't describe it. Everything is so much more detailed now. I can spot the tiniest of flaws. I can see the air - I can hear it, Alice."

Alice beamed. "Bella, I can't quite believe you're so lucid." All newborns I've ever come across have woken with only one thing on their minds - so the fact that you're so coherent is incredible."

Bella hadn't had the time to think about that. She swallowed and felt the slight burn in her throat. Sure, she could eat - but she didn't feel as though she needed to. "Hmm," she considered. "It's not the first thing on my mind. But I can't smell anything I'd want to eat." She recalled a conversation she'd had with Edward in the past regarding blood-lust, and the uncontrollable urges that accompanied it.

"Well, curiouser and curiouser, maybe great self control is your gift? I didn't see it quite like that myself, but it's not impossible!"

Suddenly there was a knock on the door. "Here we go," warned Alice. I can't see what's happening. Brace yourself."

"Ahh, Alice, Isabella!" Greeted Demetri happily. "My goodness, Aro is going to be over the moon. Come with us now, your presence is required before the Masters."

Alice reached out and grabbed Bella's hand, and they followed Demetri and his guard out and into the corridor.

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