Chapter 2
No-one can not hear snow falling or touching the ground, in contrast, I can hear Snow King coming. Although he moves gracefully, almost as if he is floating, I've been locked long enough to discern his steps from steps of others. He came alone which was rare and I had nothing against if his private visits became even more scarce. Out of every living and dead creature I've ever encountered, he was the one I was utterly alarmed by.
"You are all but ensuring your own destruction."
Sadistic smile of Caius, was something I could explain in details if I knew how particular muscles were named. He was a tyrant and down in the dungeons to mock me. Often accompanied by Aro, I got to witness the occasional willingness to argue against Aro whenever he disagrees with his decisions. Ultimately subservient to his superior's wishes, is what keeps me out of harm's way, but even Aro will have to give up on me at one point. I was plain and useless.
"You think I am foolish..." My throat was sore. "When all I want is to never be like you."
Caius didn't ask for further declaration, his hand striking me down, did. There was only one thing providing me solace, it still hurt. The dungeons of Volterra hosted me for months, but I haven't reached a stage when I am numb to pain. I crossed the line, brining up a matter that has him emotionally bound to Aro. Under the influence of Chelsea, he is kept from attempting to dethrone Aro. He is a puppet.
"You know too much, you are liability."
What I knew were bread crumbs in the bakery. Yes, I knew of vampirism, but so little and I knew even less of the Volturi. The knowledge I now have of them was accumulated during my time in imprisonment. It was demented, but I didn't even blame Caius for his actions. He was bored and I, a very easy target. When he isn't hurting me, he shares tales of what are in his eyes wonderful schemes for slaughter. Whenever the opportunity presents itself, he advocates for the most aggressive methods of handling situations, and is usually in favor of executions.
"Then why not kill me already and be done with it?"
It was out of character to think before striking me. Why did he decide to save kill for later rather than killing me where I stood? I considered him the cruelest out of three brothers, cries I heard during the stay confirmed he doesn't extend mercy to many. He is always the head of punitive missions, enjoys executions and abuses power. I wanted everything to go away, that is why he didn't kill me. By killing me, I would be shown mercy he doesn't want to grant me.
"Pathetic, disgraceful. Begging for death?"
"What else is there for me?"
Snow King laughed. Loud as thunder bolting through peaceful sky. His chortle provoked me to join and laugh at my miserable fate. I surprised him. Caius tensed, but then laughed in instant of total happiness. Grinning, he entered my cell and bent down by my side. I was sprawled on the floor since he struck me. I looked in his eyes to predict his intention. His eyes when satiated dark red, though cloudy or milky. That wasn't the case today, his eyes were coal.
"There is life."
His whisper was gentle. I crawled closer to him and sat up on my knees, no words were needed for me to know his exact wish. While bending my neck on side, he was already leaning in. It hurt , his venom spreading through my veins while he drank my blood. As if I wouldn't scream in agony, Caius reminded me to scream so every vampire can hear he is hurting me.
"Caius, surely you see the potential. I haven't seen a prospective talent so promising since we found Jane and Alec. Can you imagine the possibilities when she is one of us?"
Aro brought Jane and Alec down to the dungeon with him today. Caius had been already with me, he just finished feeding. I lost my count on days like I lost on weight, I also assume that at one point I lost my mind. My body was covered in scars, prints of Caius' fangs, but for obeying him and willingly offering my neck, I was given food and water. Cruel tyrant was my only connection to the outside world and what he told was detailed truth. I asked questions my heart didn't want answered, but my mind needed them.
"I will never be your puppet." My position shouldn't allow my voice to hold arrogance, but it did. It was shown especially when I let my eyes roam from one vampire around Aro to other. "There are no strings on me."
One of my tragic flaws reached surface, I have a lack of self-knowledge. I was strong on words because I had plenty time to think when in reality, I was still exceptionally clumsy, dropping and tripping over everything in sight, I was most fragile human in the world. Jane's glare, though not creationing ilussion of pain, ilustrated hartred and envy. She likes being Aro's pet, my death would benefit her. I understand frustration, I understand what she is like and I don't ask for understanding to be returned.
"Master?"
"You're dismissed." Jane and Alec bowed and left. "So much to discuss. So much to decide." He paced up and down. "What happened with Cullen boy and yourself?" Aro was obsessed with Edward and Alice.
"Are you a liar, Aro?" I asked.
"Why, dear Bella..." He seemed uneasy, draging with an answer. "Yes." Truth was forced from his lips, he was fighting with himself.
"So was he, along with being a coward, something you can also relate to."
I knew the pieces of the puzzle known as Aro. He was complex, layer upon layer. Without the rest of Volturi he would be a nobody and I pitied him. No-one really shared his vision of order, he was surrounded by many, but alone in thought of dominating. I had no compassion for him, I hated him and because of it I hated myself. He was fascinated by my 'gift' and I hated how this thing about me brought the trouble I couldn't outrun.
"I hope you don't mind, we brought you company." It was easier to ignore my previous words than to face with them, so he changed the subject. "Old friend from Forks."
The story is just starting and pieces you get to see in first few chapters are important for future of Bella's character. In next chapter there probably won't be Loki yet, but he will emerge soon.
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