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"Naturally, Marcus. Go and enjoy yourself. Your eyes are black as pitch. It will do you good. As Heidi is back so early she might be of help to your project, my dear wife."
By the end of his sentence I am out of my room already. The sooner I get it over with, the sooner I will be back, close to her. Until then, she will be safe with Aro and Cia.
This would not have been possible without my betas! Enjoy!
Bella POV
Slowly I open my eyes. I feel absolutely whacked. Tonight, rest had eluded me. The nightmares had been bad tonight and to top it all off, I had been woken up by a terrifying growl coming from the other room. Only a moment later, Marcus had knocked on my door and apologized for their 'conversation'. Yeah, right. That did not sound good. Just remembering the sound send a shiver down my spine.
The room was still dark. I had no idea what time it was, again. Slowly, I disentangled myself from the blanket and made my way carefully over to the curtains covering the large windows. Judging by the little light creeping in I would say dawn is near. My feet are getting cold while I stand there watching the sun rise, however I cannot draw my eyes away.
After a few moments there is a light knock on the door.
"You can come in...of course. As if I could keep you out..."
The last part I mumble to myself. I still cannot look away from the view, so I remain motionless.
"No, you would not be able to deter me. But I would never enter if you would not want me to Isabella...good morning." Marcus' calm voice reaches me. He is still a good distance away from me.
"Good morning to you too. I am sorry, I did not want to be rude. You have been nothing but kind. Forgive me." While I say so, my feet are getting too cold and unconsciously, I start to shift and hold the sole of one up to the calf of the other leg standing to regain some warmth.
"Here, you can stand on this. Your feet are obviously cold." I look down and see Marcus has lain a towel in front of my feet. I have not heard him moving. My eyes travel up and he wraps the blanket off the bed around my shoulders without a word.
"Oh, sorry. Thank you." I feel a light blush colour my cheeks and look back out the window.
"You are welcome Bella."
There is a short pause before I feel him standing beside me and looking out the window, like me.
"You still look tired. Would you not rather go back to bed and try to get more sleep? I must apologize again for our waking you. We..."
"Please, Marcus, I am fine. I can see you did not mean to wake me. It's okay, really. I don't usually get much sleep. I got used to it. It's beautiful- the view, isn't it?" My try at changing the subject is not subtle, I simply hope he drops it.
"Yes... it is. I have seen the sunrise thousands of times, yet it still holds a mesmerizing beauty that captivates me anew whenever I see it. I love the sun."
"I like it when the suns' rays warm my skin. I miss that. Back in Phoenix, the sun is so bright. Even under the palmtrees there is no real shadow. The shade is so much brighter there than anywhere else, it is like a sunny day in Forks would have been..." I feel a small smile pulling the corners of my mouth upwards a little bit, while I remember the sunny days in Phoenix.
"The funny thing is, I do not tan, but neither do I burn. The sun does not affect me. People made fun of me because of that. Said I was too pale - like a vampire. Ironic, right? Only when I got to Forks did I not stand out like a sore thumb. I thought I had found a place I belonged...I never fit in anywhere before I met them, you know?"
A humourless laugh left me without my consent.I pulled the cover tighter around me.
"What does that say about me, I wonder?"
Some time later, the sun was up, but had vanished in a soft cover of clouds, so you now could look directly at it without blinding your eyes, Marcus spoke up:
"Bella, would you like breakfast? After that, if you consent, I could show you around a little. The castle and, should the weather stay as it is, the city, perhaps?"
His questioning gaze settles on me, waiting for an answer.
"A little breakfast sounds good. And I would like to see the castle very much. But only if that does not inconvenience you. I mean you surely have better things to do than to..."
"No, not at all. I would not have proposed that offer, had I not wanted to. I will have someone lay out some clothes for you, while you are in the bathroom. Take your time. By tomorrow you will have your own clothes and won't have to wear someone else's." With that Marcus left the room.
I make my way to the bathroom, taking in the room around me for the first time: All the furniture is made of dark wood. There is the huge four poster bed directly opposite the door that leads to the study, to the right (looking on from bespoken door) is the other door in this room; the one to the bathroom. In the left wall, there were windows. One of those is actually a glass door that leads out onto what seems to be a balcony. I make a mental note to go out and have a look at the view later.
'I must have overlooked the door yesterday, when I drew the curtains closed.' Empty bookshelves adorn the space between bed and left-hand wall. To the left, (same wall as the study door) was the fire place, the fire within only glimmering embers now. I get into the bathroom. It is quite old fashioned as well.
My morning routine lasts a bit longer than normal. I take my time to take a hot shower and wash my hair. While under the spray, I inspect the scars on my torso a bit more thoroughly. 'They look paler than the rest of my skin and are cool to the touch, like the scar on my wrist. They never really answered my question. How did they heal it?'
When I am finally done brushing and blow drying my hair, and have brushed my teeth, I sling the large towel around my body and risk a glance out into the bedroom to look for the clothes. On the bed lies a dark green dress that seems to be made out of velvet, a pair of tights and a long black cape plus a pair of black ballerina flats. 'Not my first choice of clothes but it could be worse. I don't know why, but somehow I feel excited to get to see the castle. I should not...'
Once completely dressed, I walk to the door leading to the study and knock.
"Bella? Why would you knock when you want to exit your room?" Marcus states, sounding surprised and a little amused. "Shall I say 'come out'?"
I open the door tentatively and see Marcus standing next to the chair he occupied the night before, when he kept me company while I ate dinner, one brow delicately raised in question, or confusion? A smile threatening to break over his lips.
"I...ahem…well I...I was not quite sure whether I would disrupt you or not?"
Again I can feel my cheeks reddening and I look to the floor embarrassedly, fidgeting with my hands.
"Isabella. It seems I did not make myself clear yesterday. These are your quarters now. You will never interrupt me in anything." He smiles at me encouragingly to emphasise his point.
"If you say so...thank you."
"Do not mention it. Would you like some breakfast now? A snack only. Just tell me in case you would prefer something different."
I nod timidly, and make my way over to the table set for one person and sit down. He holds the chair out for me and another blush appears in answer. I have a piece of bread with some honey and a little bowl with fruits to eat, along with a cup of black tea and a glass of orange juice to drink. The fire here is still burning wildly and I am grateful for that.
After I am finished, we stay seated in front of the fire for a little while longer, before he speaks up again:
"Would you be ready for the tour, now? We would like for you to meet the rest of the guard today as well. Everyone knows of your extended stay within our home of course, and some of them are very impatient to meet you."
I don't know what to say.I mean, how many are there? I decide to say as much.
"Oh, well, I am not quite sure. There are more of you? I did not pay attention before...sorry."
"That is nothing to apologize for. Your mind certainly was...otherwise occupied in the throne room? Shall we put it like that?"
For the first time I have to think about all the people that went into that room with me two days ago. A shiver runs down my spine.
"Forgive my carelessness. I did not mean to remind you."
Not trusting my voice, I nod in answer. It is what they are, after all.
For the first time I notice his eyes. They are bright red today. He must have 'fed'. I am not aware of my staring, until he breaks our locked gaze and looks away - in shame?
"I am so sorry! I did not mean to stare! I just, the change in colour, it only, it caught my eye. Sorry! I did not want to make you uncomfortable!"
I know I am rambling. I can't help it though.
"You have to eat something...it is only natural." I whisper. I feel terrible. I know they have to take blood to sustain themselves, and we humans are the natural source. I know that...
The silence prevails. He does not look up. I feel even worse now. He is so kind and I am so ungrateful, so centred on myself that I don't see anything around me.
"Please, I am so sorry. I don't judge you, how could I? I am not vegetarian myself!"
"Pardon me?" He looks perplexed. Anything is better than the silent treatment.
"I mean: I eat beef, pork, chicken, fish and other stuff. And these animals have been killed because of me. I am no better...and we are your intended prey...I think we covered that yesterday already." The last part I add remembering my outburst.
"If I remember correctly, you have declared us to be insane for talking with our 'food'. So, you are not disgusted or afraid of us?" His curiosity is evident.
"No and yes. In general: No, because I know I don't stand a chance against even the weakest of your kind. It is inevitable and fighting would really be useless. I know that. It is not unexpected, so I can work with that. The whole fear thing is really , there are individuals capable of extreme cruelty...I fear them." I feel myself slipping back into my 'nightmare - zone' again and I cannot stop it.
"Bella! Isabella! Concentrate on your hands! Do you feel that?" There is a slight panic in his voice.
I feel my hands being squeezed alternatingly.
"Pressure on my hands."
"Exactly. Good. Are you well?"
I take a deep breath and concentrate on my hands being held. When I open my eyes, I meet Marcus' worried ones.
"I don't know why that happens! I don't even realize I get too close to a dangerous topic here. And it is like the ledge I am standing on breaks off, and I slide down towards the things I don't want to remember and I cannot stop it! I have no control! There is nothing I can grasp, nothing to hold on to... I just fall. Sorry. I cannot even control my own thoughts." I look down on my hands, that he is still holding, ashamedly.
"It is fine. You did not fall completely, now did you? You are gaining control."
"No, I did not. Thank you for your help."
"You are more than welcome. To be honest, Aro will know what to do about this situation shortly. We will be able to help you get better then. In the meantime, how about the introductions? You could see it as a distraction? In answer to your previous question: Yes, there are quite some more of us. No one will hurt you, though. You are absolutely safe."
"We can do that."
"By your standards, it is quite a walk. Are you up to that, or would you rather I carry you?"
"Uhm, thank you. I'll walk." I have not had that much colour in my face for weeks or months.
"As you wish. Please tell me in case you would like to pause a little. I would not want you to be exhausted." His eyes look at me full of concern and something akin to pride?
"Will do." I mumble.
"Come with me, then. I will call my family. They will probably like to join us."
"Do they not already know? Have they not heard? They don't have to walk at my pace. It will annoy them..."
We reach the door while speaking and when I slip through, I catch Aro's chuckle and his cheerful words:
"Good morning, Isabella! Yes, we heard your conversation. And I assure you: anyone of us who gets impatient, will just go ahead."
"Aro, good morning to you too." I look from Aro to the others. Sulpicia, who is holding Aro's left hand, greets me with a bright smile, as does Athenodora, at Caius's side, who only grunts in answer.
Aro rolls his eyes at his brothers' behaviour and winks at me conspiratorially. A soft giggle escapes me that I stifle as fast as I can. Aro grins even wider and chuckles, as do the others who were witnesses to our exchange.
"What has you so amused Little One?" Caius words are sharp, demanding an answer but I don't want to rat Aro out.
So, I try a white lie: "Uhm, nothing?"
Damn me. It comes out more like a question, and I blush even before the words have left my mouth.
It is quiet for a moment, before Caius bursts out laughing. My eyes snap up at him in disbelief. The others join him. Marcus to my right, smiles amusedly down at me and explains it partly:
"You are not a very convincing liar, you know? Every little detail gives you away: Your tone unsure, the blush, eyes averted, heart rate increased, and so on. It is amusing to us. Our kind is so much harder to read. Shall we go then?"
"I know. My mother always said I was easy to read, like an open book. It is just that I hate lying and I rarely do so."
"That is a good thing Isabella. We do not mean to mock you. Your honesty is quite refreshing. Let's go then?"
When we exit, Felix is standing there. My 'guard'. He smiles brightly, and I just know he has heard my sad attempt at lying as well. I groan and he cannot hold back the laughter any longer.
"Really Isabella? That untalented at being dishonest? And here I thought people in this time were born as naturals at lying!"
"Enough, Felix." Comes Marcus' voice from close to my right side.
"Of course. Forgive my rudeness, Bella."
"Sure, Sure" A painting on the wall has caught my attention, and unknowingly I step closer.
"You like art, Isabella?" Aro asks, and I can only nod...
Needless to say the trip to the throne room took us quite a bit. There were so many things on display in the hallways: sculptures, paintings, intricate wall hangings, marble statues and so on. My attention was nowhere close to my feet, which left me stumbling, a lot. That amused them all to no end, and I explained about my clumsiness. Marcus ended up walking next to me with a hand in mine, to keep me from falling every time. To my surprise, they did not mind my questioning or my slow pace. Caius came around after the first few items. It was clear he was very well versed in all stuff history related, and all too willing to explain everything to me: what the scenes on vases and paintings meant, the historical background and so on. It was perplexing how much he knew. I felt at ease. I felt comfortable.
Suddenly we stopped in front of a narrow wooden door. Aro looked at me and said:
"Isabella, you will wait here with Felix, and we shall call you in when the others are convened."
"That is fine with me Aro."
We did not have to wait long. Felix opened the door for me, I had not heard a word. We were in the same room I had been in when I first came here. The throne room.
We enter through the little door, Felix hardly making it through due to his size. We are on the podium, behind the thrones. The door cannot be seen from the room, as it is located in an alcove.
"Come here, please, Isabella." Aro calls out to me, standing next to a throne with Sulpicia close to him.
I walked over towards him, suddenly not feeling so relaxed anymore. Felix took a free spot in the line with the other vampires.
"This, my friends, is Isabella. We would like to introduce her to you all." The other vampires in the room nod in answer.
"Come then, Isabella. Let us start at the left side." At these words Marcus leaves his place next to his throne to stand right beside me.
There are so many names, and I only remember a few. There is Jane and Alec, who are twins. They look very young, though their eyes belie their age. Very wise. There is also Felix, Demetri, Chelsea, Colin and Heidi. The other names I forget and hope to remember soon.
I was more intrigued by the cloaks they wore, and I asked Aro about it in a whisper, creating the illusion of privacy for me.
"Aro, why is it that the colours of the cloaks vary from black to grey? No other colours?"
"Ah, you truly are perceptive, are you not? The longer I know you the more I understand how you were capable of figuring out our secret. I will tell you later. Just remind me." He looks down at me fondly, yet uncomfortably, before his mask is back in place. I am suspicious. I certainly will remind him.
When all the introductions are over, the guard darts from the room, apart from Felix and Heidi. Heidi comes up in front of me, with a careful sideways glance at Marcus, before she talks to me.
"Bella, can you forgive me for deceiving you?"
"Heidi, you did not fool me. I knew what you were from the moment I saw you and I was so happy. I came absolutely willingly. I had been searching to meet one of your kind for a few days. Sometimes, I had a feeling of someone watching me, but could hardly call out for him or her. There would have been questions and I just wanted out of this all, without further delay..."
"Oh. So you looked so victorious because you thought you'd get what you wanted and I, so to speak,handed it to you on a silver platter? So you deceived me?" Her voice spoke in incredulity.
"Yes, I am sorry Heidi. But it almost worked. Is it not said that 'The end justifies the means'?" I look up at her and see the hurt and disappointment on her face.
"Really, had it all gone my way, it would have been just dandy for everyone involved! No liability anymore, no broken law, a nice meal, and no more pain for me. A win/win deal, so to speak."
I try to cheer her up, and realise how manipulative and selfish I have been while pursuing my goals. No one likes to be used for someone else's benefit.
"I am sorry I was so manipulative. I did not mean to hurt your feelings..."
"It is fine. Everyone of us has manipulated someone else at one point or another Bella." Marcus tries to alleviate my now sombre mood.
"Yes, some more often than others, isn't that right Aro?" Sulpicia smiles innocently at Aro, who only huffs.
My stomach chooses this time to interrupt all banter by growling loudly, successfully breaking all tension left in the room.
"Shall we begin the tour by showing you the way to the kitchen? Hm?" Athenodora smirks.
"But how can I be hungry again? I only just ate breakfast!"
"That was 5 hours ago Bella. It is now two in the afternoon." Athenodora tells me amusedly while the others laugh unabashedly. "You were quite smitten with the history lesson my husband gave you on the way here..."
"Oh."
"Let us go then. Heidi, Felix, you may leave for now. We will take care of her." With that said, they are dismissed.
When we reach the kitchen it smells wonderful, to me at least. We enter, and I see a very beautiful, very human woman setting the table for two.
Caius clears his throat to gain her attention, with success.
"My Lords, My Ladies." She has a soft welcoming voice. Her hair is dark. The most stunning feature is her green eyes that hold a contrast to her tan skin. "Isabella. It is good to see you awake. Lunch is ready. You only need to take your seat. "
"We shall leave you two to lunch. Felix will be waiting outside, and I will come to give you the promised tour when you are finished." Marcus explains.
Before I find my voice to say something in return, they are gone.
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