Chapter 2 – Stay
I spent another listless month in the tower. Since I've been reborn to this life, my father has had dozens of books sent to me on a monthly basis. I've read almost everything, from Shakespeare to medical books. I was very intrigued to learn about the inner workings of the human body. Though they were nothing more than sustenance to me, I was still fascinated by humans. I studied many medical books about them, learning about the ailments that plague them and that could end their lives. The human life was so flitting, yet when I saw them in the square, they seemed so happy. I barely remembered things from my human life, but I could not forget watching my parents die. I could not forget hearing my mother's screams as she was being killed. I remember the weight of her corpse as it fell on me. Though I have lived for sixty years, I still miss my human parents. I love Aro and Sulpicia as my parents, but I know they were not my true parents.
Aro created me and Sulpicia nurtured me. When I feed for the first time, I was ravenous. I consumed the blood from three humans. During my first few months, my father had Felix watch me closely; newborns were always so erratic. When I was able to keep my impulses under control, my father summoned three vampires from the west to help develop me abilities. These vampires were different. When I first saw them, I did not trust them. They were different because of their eyes. Their eyes were gold, instead of red. Tanya, Kate and Irina explained that they abstained from human blood. They fed on the blood of animals. I wanted to ask more about that, but my father wanted Kate to help me develop my abilities.
Eleazar explained to her about my being a shield, which Kate was considered one herself. Kate had the ability to repel attackers. She could send what would feel like an electric shock from her body to her attacker. They would feel the shock whenever she touched them with the palm of her hand, having them repel from her. My father wanted Kate to teach me to develop and strengthen my shield. Kate and I worked on it for three weeks. She would shock a member of the Guard and I would have to push my shield out to protect them from being shocked. At first, it was very difficult to expand. My shield was focused on my own protection. Eventually, I learned to push out my shield, then I had to learned to strengthen it. I was able to push my shield away from myself to protect others. My father was very pleased with my progress. When Kate and her family left, Eleazar and his mate, Carmen left with them. They were intrigued by the lifestyle they had for themselves and wanted to try it for themselves. Of course, they were free to go. When I wasn't practicing, I noticed my parents tried to keep me away from Kate and her sisters. They would have Heidi and Chelsea keep me occupied. I thought nothing of it at first, but it dawned on me. They did not want me to speak with Kate or her family about their alternate lifestyle. Any talk about the outside world, my parents tried to keep me away from it. After Kate and her family were gone, I worked with Alec when I had to practice with my shield. I liked Alec; he was more approachable than his sister was. Jane prided herself on her ability; a true treasure in my father's collection. She had the ability to disable her prey with the illusions of pain to the point of that they were unable to move, or get away. They would just scream from the pain, unable to move. Jane did not like that fact that I was not effect by her ability. Above all, she hated when we were compared to each other, not that I enjoyed it myself.
To make the days go by I would draw sketches. One of the first drawings I did was of my human parents. My father explained my human memories would fade away as I grew more in this life. I drew my parents smiling and happy. I wanted to remember them that way. I would sketch the view of the town square, the plains outside my window and my new parents. I drew myself when I was human. I remembered my human father and I had the same eyes; chocolate brown. After meeting Kate, drew draw a portrait of myself with the same gold eyes. I kept that one away from my parents.
Looking at the drawing, I sighed heavily and put it away. I tried to live with my father's edict. I would remain here, close to my parents. Maybe my mother was right and I would get over my wanting for the outside world. My father said the world was too dangerous for one as young as I. However, to a 3000 year old ancient, I would always be a young one. I leaned back on the windowsill and looked out the window. The moon was high in the sky, lighting up the plains. I tried to suppress my wanting to go and dance in the field under the moonlight. I sighed and walked away from the window. It was not helpful to have these thoughts. Knock, knock, knock. "Come in." It was my mother, "Isabella? Dear, can I talk to you?" I smiled, "Of course. What is it?" "Darling, please don't be mad with me and your father. I know it is frustrating, but, dear, we just want to keep you safe. This world is truly dangerous." I sat back at the window, "Mother, you and I know that of all the things out there, I am the most dangerous." My mother couldn't argue that fact; what excuse could they use now? "Isabella, your place is here. With your family."
"Coven is a more proper word. I only have a family with you and father. The rest of them make up a coven." She looked at me, "Dear, that is not true." I laughed, "Mother, the Guard is just loyal to us. It is not a family. First, Chelsea bonded them to us. When that is no longer necessary, they remain because of fear." I shook my head, "Mother, I have never asked for anything from you. Also, the both of you wish to give me everything." She patted my hair, "Yes." "Then why do you deny me a choice; the choice of leaving. You offer it to everyone, but why not extend it to your own daughter?" She sighed, "Isabella, why does the outside tempt you so much? What about it is so appealing?" I scoffed, "It tempts me because I have never seen it. With what little I remember from my human life, I didn't see much of the world. We came to Italy for a family vacation and I have never left. Mother, you and father have seen the world and seen it change. I just want the same opportunity. What frightens you so much about my leaving? Are you afraid I won't come back?" She looked away, to the window, "Yes. Any parent would have that fear, especially with such a gifted child. You are so important to us. We don't want to lose you." I had a feeling that had more meaning that she stated.
"Mother, every parent goes through that; letting their children go. But you have to trust that I would and I will return to you. I just want the chance to see the world." My mother walked to the door, looked back and reached out her hand for me, "Come with me, dear." I took her hand and we walked out of my room. "Darling, this is your home. Here we provide you with everything you need. Out there," she gestured out to the veranda, "you'd have to hunt the humans. Here, they are brought to us. Also, out there, you will see how truly horrible humans are, especially to each other. When we kill, we do it for survival. There are some humans out there who kill for the fun of it. They are irrational, unethical and immoral beings. Why would you want to associate with them? You have read the majority of the books from them. You have learned about their cruel nature. If you go out there, you will see it firsthand. I have seen it. I think that I am being merciful when I am killing them. They are dying for a better purpose; the continuous of our kind. We are above humans, beyond them. We are truly the creatures of their nightmares. Why Isabella? They are nothing. Their only worth is that they sustain us. Bella," she rarely called me that; "you will soon come to realize that. Humans are nothing and they remain nothing. There is no future for them." We stood on the veranda, looking over our domain, Volterra.
I thought about my mother's words. Would I realize that? I know humans are vial, horrible beings, yet they still fascinated me? Another thought my mother had was the humans were brought to us. I realized I have never honed my hunting skills. Would I be able to control myself when faced with thousands of humans? Maybe she was right, that it was safer I was here, safer for the humans? If I could not control myself, I would risk exposing our world and the Guard would have to destroy me. Having me dead, that would truly hurt my parents and I wouldn't want to do that to them. So, I would behave. Be a good princess and remain in my tower, hidden from the world.
