32: Part Three, Chapter Four
Word Count: 2983, First Published 30 May, Australian time
And as always, thanks to Ms Meyer for permission to play with her characters and mess up her sand pit.
Unbeta'd
Chapter Four – Breaking
A week after Bella's change was complete, she still hadn't fed, and Marcus was getting worried. Every day they took another human into her room and slit their throat, though not in such dramatic fashion as Caius had done the first time. Every day, some other vampire ended up feeding—no point wasting good blood, as Caius had pointed out. And it wasn't as though they could be released anyway after being shown Volterra and all its glories, as Aro pointed out to Bella on the second day, trying to coax her to feed. She wasn't saving any lives.
But all the girl did was crouch in her corner, whimpering her mate's name. Her dead mate, although they hadn't told her that yet. Frankly, he wasn't sure if she was going to survive. An unstable vampire was a dead vampire, of necessity.
But Aro was convinced that with such a powerful shield, she was eventually going to be invaluable to them. And as for Marcus himself...well, there was a reason he'd injected more venom into her, to ensure her change was complete. He just couldn't quite decide what that reason was yet.
He could no longer see her bonds at all—they'd been completely blocked to him since the moment his venom entered her system. But he felt sure they were still there and as strong as anything he'd ever seen.
Today's feeding efforts had gone just like the previous six, but as on every other day, he had gone back once the blood was all cleared away, to try to talk to her again. She had been so lucid and controlled in the beginning. She was still controlled—supremely so—in the one area most newborns were weakest in. But as far as holding a conversation—that seemed to be beyond her. Although perhaps that was a choice on her part, it was impossible to say. If only they could simply send for Jasper Whitlock.
Of course, Marcus was well aware that Aro would have done everything he could do avoid that anyway. He wanted her for the guard. He did not want Carlisle Cullen or any of his coven walking in and snatching her away. And despite what Marcus had shown him of her bonds, he simply didn't believe her human bonds would have come through her change with any strength. He insisted that if they could just get her to feed, she would come to embrace her new life, and forget the old. Marcus disagreed, but it didn't much signify, sadly, since her mate was dead.
He hoped her bonds hadn't come through the change intact, but given what he'd seen when she was already a day into changing, not to mention the way Jasper seemed to be the only thing she could think about—that seemed unlikely.
.
When another week passed with no progress, Marcus decided it was time to consider other options.
"Aro," he said "I think we should consider bringing in animal blood."
But both Aro and Caius were adamant that no newborn in Volterra would start her life on animal blood.
"It was one thing to tolerate Carlisle's choice in this matter," Aro said, "but this is a newborn vampire in our care—and frankly she was barely more than a child as a human. She needs to be given a proper understanding of her place in the world as a vampire—and one with Volturi venom running through her veins no less. Don't worry. She'll break eventually. It's only a matter of time."
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Three weeks was Marcus's breaking point.
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Bella gritted her teeth. There were three vampires approaching her door, she could hear and smell them—no-one new, but there was a new smell. There was a heartbeat too, they must be bringing another human already. God, she didn't know how much longer she could hold out. The burn in her throat was all consuming. She closed her eyes and held her breath. It was too late, though, the smell—different as it was—had already done its work, making the burn flare up worse than ever.
She focussed on strengthening her shield, trying to extend it as far from her body as she could. The further away they were when they slit the human's neck, the more easily she could resist.
She could hear Aro's voice in her head, from previous ordeals. "Why do you keep resisting young one? They are going to die either way, you are just wasting their blood for no good reason.
"I know Carlisle has inculcated you with his strange habits, but they are not natural. We are natural predators. They are our food source. This is just the cycle of life. Really, there is no reason for you to deny yourself like this."
Stop it! She told herself. You can do this. Think of Jasper! Jasper worked so hard to resist! And he said it's much harder once you've tasted human blood. He wouldn't want this for you. He would want you to hold on. It won't save this one's life, but it will save lives in the future.
She focussed back on the shield, going over and over it in her mind. Weeks of this same process assured her that no one could break through to her—god knows they'd tried often enough to begin with. But it helped her to focus on something other than the flames in her throat.
.
As he stepped into the room, Marcus heard a low, continuous growl coming from the girl. He stepped forward and realised her shield was even further into the room than before. She should be getting weaker by now. Three weeks without feeding was unheard of in a newborn. In fact, the only vampire he had ever heard of doing it was Carlisle and he honestly doubted even he could have resisted humans whose throats were cut in front of him, day after day.
There was no doubt the girls' shield helped, but it was clear that it didn't block scent or sound, from the expression on her face.
"Bella," he said gently, "open your eyes, kórā mou, and see what I have brought you."
The girl's growls increased, her hands and eyes clenching more tightly.
Marcus sighed.
"Little one," he said, "it is not human. Use your senses. Listen. The heartbeat is faster than a human's. Smell it—the scent is far less appealing. In fact, to me it is entirely unappealing, but given how thirsty you must be, I imagine it is still very pleasant to you."
As he spoke, he saw her take a breath and slowly she seemed to relax a little until she finally opened her eyes just as he stopped speaking. They were almost completely black, despite her own newborn blood that should be keeping them red. He was right then, using her shield was taking her energy. She glanced at him briefly, before turning her attention to the vampire beside him, and the large deer she was holding.
Suddenly, the girl darted towards them, and Marcus felt himself thrown against the wall.
What on earth? He looked back and saw her, crouched over the deer sucking the blood from its torn neck, though a fair amount was escaping onto the floor and into the girl's clothes as well. Meanwhile, he felt himself held against the wall by an invisible force, as were the two he'd brought with him.
"Amazing," he breathed.
When she had drained the deer completely, she retreated back into her corner, leaving the deer carcass on the floor, and releasing them from her shield.
She closed her eyes again, but glanced up when he spoke to her. Her eyes were still dark, though lighter than they had been. She would need more blood soon. Unfortunately, deer were far harder to come by in Italy than tourists.
"Bella," he said softly, stepping closer until he again came up against her shield, "I know you don't want to feed from humans. I'm sorry I let this go on for so long. Aro was determined, Caius even more so but... on this occasion I overruled them."
"On this occasion?" She questioned, her voice light and clear, as though she hadn't spent the past three weeks doing nothing but growl at anyone who came near. "Meaning the humans will start again tomorrow?"
"No, kórā mou, no more humans. On this occasion meaning: in your case. I changed you, you know, and that gives me certain—"
"No!" She interjected ferociously. "Jasper changed me! Jasper! Not you. Not Victoria! Jasper."
"Shh... you are right. It was Jasper's venom that started your changed. Aro saw that in Victoria's memories. But Bella, Victoria ripped you away from him before he could inject enough venom. You lost a lot of blood, and by the time you got here your heart rate was very slow. I was afraid you would die before the change was complete, so I injected more venom."
She was running her fingers over the crescent shaped scar just inside her left elbow, looking away again. "That's why there are so many of these," she said quietly.
"Yes," Marcus agreed, matter-of-factly. "I bit you several times to ensure you would change in time. That one though, and the mark on your neck—" She put her fingers up to the scar automatically. "Those are Jasper's—I knew you would not want them obscured."
He was silent for a moment, watching her fingers slide back and forth over her dead mate's mark.
"Thank you," she said quietly, without looking back up at him.
"You are very welcome. Listen, Bella—" he broke off, not really sure what he wanted to say.
"Why?" She said suddenly, looking up at him again. "Why did you do it?"
"Why did I change you?"
"Yes."
"You were dying, Bella."
"So? I was just another stupid human. Food. Why would it possibly matter to you if I died?"
"I do not really know," he said. "It was an impulse. Instinct, if you like. And if you knew me, you would know I do not act on impulse. Not for centuries. So, I do not know. Except—"
"Yes?"
Marcus suddenly became aware of their audience. He had brought two strong members of the guard with him, as was customary when dealing with a newborn. But the bond he felt with this girl—he felt sure she wouldn't attack him. But it was a strange feeling, and one he didn't want to discuss in front of the guard.
He turned around, disregarding another rule about newborns.
"Felix, Ariana, dispose of that deer and bring another two."
"But, Master—"
"I'll be fine, Felix. Go now."
"Yes, Master."
The two vampires took the deer and left. Marcus turned back to Bella finally. He sat on the floor, facing her, as close as her shield would allow.
She looked at him curiously but remained mute.
"I don't know how much you know about us, Bella—"
"About vampires?"
"Well, that too," he said, "but I meant us—the Volturi—do you know who we are?"
"Sort of," she said. "You're like, the governing body for vampires, right? Carlisle has a painting of you on his wall."
"Does he? The Solimena I presume. I had wondered what happened to that."
"Yes. It's of Carlisle, and three vampires he said were the three leaders. You're one of them."
"And what else do you know about us?"
"Not much," she said. "Jasper—" her breath caught on the name and she paused for a moment. Did she know he was dead? She must at least suspect, he supposed. "Jasper said that once he told me what he was, it meant he would have to change me—that if he didn't I, as well as his family, would be at risk from the Volturi." He nodded, but she was still speaking. "Victoria said—oh my god, you didn't, did you? Please tell me you didn't hurt them!"
"No, Bella, we have not acted against the Cullens, if that is what you mean."
She breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank god," she said. "Victoria said you would kill them, for keeping a human alive—but you have to understand, they were always going to change me!"
"It is all right, Bella, Aro gleaned as much from Victoria's memories. What was less obvious to her, because she was so lost in vengeance, was quite clear to us."
"Good," she said. "But—where is Victoria?"
"She's dead."
"What?" She looked shocked. "I mean, not that I'm sorry, but—what happened?"
"She left a small army of newborns completely unsupervised while she escaped with you. Aro ordered her executed almost as soon as he read her memories."
"He read her memories?"
"Yes. Aro can read not just your current thoughts, like the young Edward Cullen, but every thought you have ever had, with one touch." Marcus decided not to mention yet that he couldn't read her. He watched her process that idea, until another thought obviously occurred to her.
"Oh my god! My dad! Who—I mean—what happened to the newborns? Did you—did they—?"
"Calm down, paidi mou, they are taken care of."
"So you did send someone to Forks?" She seemed disturbed by the idea, but he couldn't tell why.
"No," he said slowly, and watched as her shoulders slumped with relief. "We checked the news reports. There was a house destroyed by fire, and neighbours said they had heard an explosion before fire broke out. There were two deaths reported, but not your father. I assume he is the chief of police?"
"Yes," she said. "But he's alright?"
"Yes, he was specifically mentioned in the article, as it was his house. I understand he was not there when Victoria attacked."
"No, he was at work."
"Ah. And I gather the Cullen's were also largely absent."
"They were hunting," she said.
"Leaving you alone? Were they unaware Victoria was hunting you?"
"Jake was there!" She said defensively. "And Jasper wasn't far!"
"Too far to be of much use, apparently. And Jake is?"
"He's a...a friend," she said looking away from him again.
"Ah," he said again. "The wolf then."
"What?" She stared at him. "How did you—?"
"You forget. Victoria's memories." He wondered if she would realise that he hadn't mentioned her memories. "She claimed that the Cullen's had been working with werewolves. Is that why you were concerned about us sending someone to Forks?"
"I—yes." She looked down again, and he wondered if there was more she was hiding. "Carlisle said Caius wouldn't like it."
"Carlisle was right. And had your friend been an actual werewolf, Victoria would have been right to assume we would act. But he was plainly working rationally, with Jasper, to protect you, and not during a full moon either. That's not a werewolf. I presume he is a Native American shapeshifter."
"Yes," she said slowly, looking back at him. "So—are they common then?"
"Not at all. We were unaware there were any left. Aro is quite interested."
She stiffened again. Definitely concerned then. "But there is no law against forming alliances with them, so Carlisle is quite safe."
She was quiet again, and he just watched, allowing her to process all the new information he'd given her. He knew she would have more questions for him. He wasn't disappointed when she spoke up again less than a minute later.
"But you said—there were two deaths reported?"
"Yes."
"So, one of them was me? They would have had to come up with a cover story. And who else? Victoria? No, that wouldn't make sense."
"No, kórā mou, not Victoria."
"Not one of the wolves?"
"Bella," he said gently, "I am not sure if you realise—but you must know, you need to understand—" He paused. "Bella, Jasper—"
"No!" She said, glaring at him. "No! Don't even say it. I know what you're going to say, but it's not true, it can't be true. I won't believe it!"
"Bella—"
"No!" She repeated. "I would know! I would feel it! I know what you think. It was just him and a few wolves against all those newborns, and Jake was already injured...But he's fine. Jasper is fine.
"Bella, I am truly sorry, I am. But Victoria saw him being ripped apart."
"No," she said again, though it came out more as a moan this time. "He was experienced with newborn armies," she said. "They couldn't have hurt him."
"He was trying to save you Bella. He did save you. But he could not defend himself properly at the same time."
"No, no, stop it!" she said. "Just stop it!" Her shoulders hunched as she seemed to fold in on herself, and suddenly her shield expanded and he was pushed almost to the wall again. "Go away!" she sobbed out. "Just stop it and go away!"
"Bella—" But a high keening sound was coming from her now, and as she rocked back and forth, head buried in her arms, her shield kept expanding. Marcus decided it was time to make a strategic exit out the door, before her shield trapped him completely. He could always push a hole through the wall, but it wouldn't be his ideal method of escape.
Aro was waiting for him in the hallway. "Was it wise to inform her that her mate was dead while you were alone with her, brother?" The keening sound increased in intensity and volume and Marcus hissed, dragging Aro further away before answering.
"I thought she deserved to be told without an audience," he finally said.
"And that clearly went well," Aro said dryly.
"I would say it went as well as could be expected," Marcus replied. "I have sent Felix and Ariana out for more deer. They should be back within another hour or so. I'm hopeful that feeding again will help her regain control."
kórā mou = my daughter, a term of endearment in Aeolic Greek
paidi mou = my child
A/N
Firstly, I was so stoked to get recommended on TwiFandomNews dot com this week! Totally made my day. Thank you!
Secondly, I wrote the first draft of this chapter (and most of chapter 1 of part 3) over two years ago, when I had only drafted a few scenes of part 1, so it's exciting to finally get to post it.
On the other hand, I am posting now despite not being as far ahead of here (in my draft) as I like to be before I post. I hope I don't regret it! But I didn't want to leave you hanging any more, and I think I am coming down with the dreaded lurgy (is that a term you use in America? or elsewhere in the world that's not Australia?), so I thought I'd better get it up!
Thanks so much to everyone who left a comment last chapter! It's so lovely to hear from you.
Now I have a question – this is really for those people who don't often review, but those of you who do are welcome to chime in anyway... Is it the word "review" that puts you off?
Most so-called "reviewers" aren't really reviewing, they are just leaving a comment – sometime encouraging, sometimes engaging in criticism, sometimes just a smiley face! But I think the word "review" put me off, when I first started reading fan fiction, and I wouldn't comment unless I had something review-worthy to say.
Just wondering if that's a common thing?
(As always, sneak peaks and progress updates to everyone who does leave a comment!)
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Recs
Please leave them a comment, if you visit, and let them know I sent you. :)
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First, a Jasper/Bella WIP that I discovered this week, and am really enjoying... (2021 update- this is complete now!)
I Thought I Knew by dll10
A vampire's nature is so fixed, unchanging. What happens when unparalleled trust is placed in the face of the ultimate betrayal? Is it enough to alter the course of things, and what everyone thought they knew? A retelling of Breaking Dawn where Edward's reaction to Bella's pregnancy causes her to turn to Jasper for protection and find love in a very unlikely place. /s/13265748/1/I-Thought-I-Knew [Bella, Jasper] [Alice, Seth] (edited to up up date: this is now complete)
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And here's a fun Edward/Bella fic, in which the Cullens are vampires and arrive in Forks as usual...but Bella is a ghost!
Romance Is Dead by Kat097
Bella had a feeling that she was going to die young. She just didn't expect to be a ghost afterwards but these things happen. So do vampires, who can not only see you but take an interest in your afterlife. "You're dead." "So are you. What's your point?" /s/5589439/1/Romance-Is-Dead
