Disclaimer:
I own no part of the 'Twilight Universe'. Only the idea to this story. This is strictly for fun.
Author's note:
Thank you all for the great response you give me. I love every single review, and am happy about every new mail telling me someone listed my story.
Sorry for the shortness. My courses are killing me.
Unedited again!
Recap:
"It is late, Bella. You need your rest. I promise we can continue this conversation tomorrow, but I'd rather you rest for now. I wouldn't want you to strain your health any more than necessary. Does this suggestion meet your approval?" Marcus left the decision to me, like he so often did. I liked that. I wanted to talk more, but I was getting more tired with every passing second, so with a heavy heart I agreed.
After thanking Marcus, and wishing him a good night, I made my way through my nightly routine and went to bed, my sleepy mind still swimming with all the information I had gotten today.
Chapter 26 (Marcus' pov):
The moment I heard Bella sink back into her pillows, I sighed. Honestly, I had wanted to make use of this day to get to know her better, to find out more about her character. Instead we had ended up
talking about me. If only I knew, what had happened to her. Not for the first time, I wished I could share in my brother's gift, and that it would work on her.
Moment by moment I replayed the day's events.
The best moment: When I had seen her standing amidst the foam like the goddess she truly was, and the sound of her bell- like laughter.
A close second was the little giggle, that had bubbled up and past her lips, when I had asked her for permission to see her other hand; that and the feeling of her warm, soft, delicate hand in mine, combined with the knowledge, that she had given it to me willingly. She had placed her hand in mine. To me it meant the world. She had trusted me. A smile tugged on the corners of my mouth, and a warmth spread through the hand that had held hers, at the sheer memory.
That was something else I wondered about: How could she so easily make me smile? It had been years, since I had done so, and now, ever since she had graced us with her presence, I felt myself smiling more and more. It came to me naturally. And she had even made me laugh; not only once. Her wit, her bite, I smiled at the analogy my mind had come up with, were something else. I suspect, that Felix and I had been lucky indeed to get a glimpse at the real Bella, her true self.
It was like a veil had been blown up a little, taunting me with a picture of what might be, only to settle down around her one moment later. It was truly frustrating. Somehow, within such a short span of time, her happiness had become mine. When she was happy, so was I.
In a very human motion, I let my head drop back, staring at the ceiling. I would have to keep myself in check, it would possibly end in disaster, if I were to go too fast, to reveal too much. I had been close today, when I had complemented her, but it had been out before I could think about it, like a reflex reaction. She had hidden her discomfort, naturally.
Why could she not just accept a compliment? With her beauty she surely had many admirers.
A growl build deep in my chest. The thought alone had me on edge. I didn't like the picture that had formed before my mental eye: My Bella sitting, smiling softly, surrounded by ignorant, immature, hormone driven admirers, vying for her attention.
Alas, she was uncomfortable, same as when Felix had honoured her strength of will. I don't think he would have taken her rejection terribly bad, but then again, he didn't pay a compliment often. It was heartfelt. So I stepped in. Had that been too much interference? Had she minded? Why was I so insecure?
And all these stupid emotions, that accompanied my troubling thoughts! They were slowly but surely driving me over the edge, stripping me of the last shreds of control.
"Stercus!" I gripped the armrests of my chair too tight and they groaned in protest, as the curse slipped from between clenched teeth.. Slowly, and only with difficulty, I pried my fingers away from the ancient wood.
No sooner had I accomplished this, could I smell Aro outside the doors.
"Come in!" I hissed. He swiftly entered and closed the door behind him, and as I had anticipated that silly grin of his was right in its spot. How I wished to wipe it right of!
"Brother! Now, now, what has you in such a foul mood? I haven't heard you cuss like this in well over a millennium. We wouldn't want for Isabella to wake, would we now?" He was still smiling and the condescending tone he used with me only served to fuel my rage. Before I knew it, a steady growl was rumbling in my chest, as I glared at him.
Somewhere deep down I knew I was not angry at my brother, that he only meant well. I was just so frustrated with this situation in its entirety, overwhelmed by all these emotions, that I had not felt in so long; stressed by the still hanging threat, that this redhead posed, and disappointed with the way I was coping.
"I would suggest we take a walk, lest you lost your control here and take your emotions out on your furniture. Isabella would, no doubt, wake, and I dare say she would be impressed with your display of emotions, but not in a positive way." My brother's voice had softened.
He was right. Of course, he was, and I hated him just more for it in this moment. Mentally I cursed him, like a sailor would, with words that would never slip past my lips aloud.
I nodded stiffly, my growl had risen with my temper and I feared I would wake my Bella, but I was unable to control myself, which only served to enrage me more. We were out my door, and in the wast hall, when I stopped and snarled for Felix and Demetri to come. They were there at once.
"You will both go into my study and stand by the door to Bella's chambers. You will guard her. Understood?" They instantly nodded, but I continued; even in my rage Isabella's safety came first, "If anything happens to her, while I'm gone and she is in your care, I promise, you will be begging for mercy long before I'm done with you!" The last part was was just an angry growl, that a human would never have understood.
They nodded again, but their anxiety was poorly disguised. It pleased me. It proved their understanding.
Without another word, Aro and I left the private wing. We both knew, where we would go, where I needed to go. No need for words, when you know your companion as well as we did each other.
When we reached the 'training field', which originally had been a wide stretch of land inside the castle's walls, to provide the inhabitants with fruit and crops in case of a siege, we both immediately dropped into a low crouch, ready for attack. We began to circle each other, growls ripped from my throat, and echoed back from the walls. My patience was thin and I charged; I needed an outlet and Aro presented just that.
He easily evaded my attack, and tried to get a grip on my back, but I expected as much, so I leaped into the air, spun around and saw him standing there, with an excited glint in his eyes and a toothy grin plastered on his face.
I was charged to the brim with energy, it felt like I should sizzle and fizzle.
It was exhilarating. As soon as I touched the ground, I went for him again with brute strength, this time we made contact, resulting in a sound like thunder, and it only excited me more, I was relentless, as was he. The rules had been ingrained into our heads long ago, during our training in ancient times: No biting, no decapitation. The detachment of limbs was allowed, but no shredding.
We wallowed in the filth of the moist ground beneath us, until Aro landed a good punch to my left side, that send me flying a few meters. My fingers dug into the mud, effectively stopping the movement and I used them to propel me towards Aro again, to maximize the momentum.
Now we were both trying to get a grip on the other, resulting in a fierce exchange of blows, some of them managing to crack the skin of the opponent. Like on a spoken commando, we flew apart, circling again, beginning the dance anew. Our clothing barely clung on to us now, the shirt being the worst.
Whispered conversations drifted over to us, members of the guard had gathered on the sidelines to observe the spectacle we presented them with, as well as the rest of the family. I only noticed them in the back of my mind.
It went on for a few more minutes, none of us had accomplished to damage the other yet, and we were both getting careless in our impatience and eagerness. Right now we were back to circling again.
This time my brother charged at me, and ducked at the last second. He managed to grip my right calf, tearing it from my body at knee- height, just as I ripped his left arm from it's socket. Hisses of pain and anger escaped me, when I fell to the floor, flinging his arm aside and gripping one of his legs. Before I could pull though, I was thrown off of him by Caius, who had obviously decided to separate us. Neither Aro nor I were pleased with this interruption, so we both instinctively tackled him. The old saying proved right again: Your foe; my foe; our foe.
He was pinned to the floor with another loud crash, definitely resulting in nasty cracks at his backside. He snarled in fury, but had no leverage, as Aro and I still held him down. Slowly the tension receded, and my mind cleared. I felt better now. My sparring partner apparently felt so too, as we both let go of him. My black haired brother helped me to my remaining foot, beaming at me.
"Ah, exhilarating, wasn't it? So rejuvenating! I can hardly remember the last time we did this! Splendid!" he exclaimed, his voice was saturated with glee. Caius stood up fuming at us, as he had ended up on the floor without even fighting, and growled for good measure.
Aro and I must have looked a rare sight, he with an arm, and I with one leg missing, only the most private region still covered by scraps of cloth.
Dora and Cia, bless them, walked over now, holding a piece of us each. Dora handed me my leg, she had already cleaned the venom leaking surface from dirt, and helped it fuse back in place. Poor Aro, his wife clearly had different plans for him; she was holding his arm hidden behind her back, a devious grin in place. When he took a step towards her, she took two back, her smile brightened.
"Ah, ah, ah, my love, if you want your arm back, you'll have to catch me first!" With that she had turned around and sprinted off. My brother stood there a moment longer, disbelieve and surprise had frozen him, before he raced after her.
Dora, Caius, and I, we looked at each other, shrugged and made to go to our quarters. When we passed the stunned guard members, Caius barked out: "Clean up and go your own ways!"
His command was followed at once.
When we reached the hall before our quarters, I realized I would have to go into the bedroom nearly unclothed,to garner a new apparel.
I really didn't want to engage Caius in conversation, but I wanted to wait for Aro and Cia to be finished with their momentary actions, even less. Even after all these years together I hadn't gotten comfortable with some of the things I heard.
Internally sighing, I called out: "Caius, wait."
He turned on the threshold. "Yes? Are you talking to me again?" His behaviour was so childish, but it was so Caius. I swallowed my comeback, and simply said:"Would you lent me a cloak? I can hardly walk into her room, clad in nothing but shreds." To emphasize my words, I dropped my eyes to my sparely clad body.
He had the audacity to smirk, and I wanted to turn him to dust, that cocky idiot of a brother, so I took an instinctual step closer.
Dora cut the oncoming fight short by saying she would get one for me, and dragging an enraged Caius with her.
'Whipped', I chuckled mentally.
She was back in no time, handing me a cloak, and adding in a low voice: "If you would like to take a shower, too, you are very welcome to make use of ours. That way you won't wake Isabella. I don't think your fighting has woken her."
My eyes shot to our door in panic, my senses focusing on her heartbeat and breathing. She seemed to be asleep still. But I needed to be close to her, to make sure she was indeed safe.
"That is very generous of you, Dora; and you, Caius." I added silently and reluctantly.
I kept the whole affair as short as possible, and was back in my study, covered in one of Caius' cloaks within three minutes.
Demetri and Felix were still standing, where I had ordered them; one to each side of the door.
"Has she awoken, or were there any other occurrences during my absence?" I asked, my voice was still sharp.
"No, Master. Everything is in best order," Demetri answered my question.
"Good. You may leave." they nodded in unison, bowed slightly, and were out of my study within the same moment.
Silently I slipped into the bedroom, where I found Isabella lying tangled in the sheets, fast asleep. Her sight calmed me. I observed the room reflexively, taking in every detail. Nothing had changed. Appeased, I tiptoed to the large closet, that now contained some of Isabella's clothing, too, and got a new set of clothes. With a last glance at her sleeping form, I slid back into the study and dressed. Only two hours had gone by, since she had retired to rest.
With a sigh I went over to the fireplace, put a few more logs onto the dying fire, and sat down in one of the chairs. I wanted it warm, for when she came in here to have breakfast.
There were so many things I needed to do. Heidi had been right, the technology of bathrooms had enormously improved; Caius' and Dora's shower unit had shown me that much. It was embarrassing to admit, but I had needed Dora's help to work all the buttons. I wanted that for Bella. Then there was still the issue with the news, and electronic entertainment...
My mind drifted off, planing how I would go about the changes, that needed to be made. It would surely take a few days to get everything installed, and we would have to leave our quarters. There would be so much noise and dirt, and men. I wouldn't trust them around my mate.
Where could I take her? So many possibilities...
An increase in Bella's heart rate and breathing snapped me out of my plotting. All else was pushed to the back of my mind, she was my sole focus. She began murmuring unintelligible things, her tone increased with anxiety. She began tossing and turning, her breathing became irregular and I could faintly smell the salt of her tears. I began pacing, faster and faster with every word, with every breath. I so wanted to wake her, to hold her, but I knew it would be wrong, so I kept pacing. A minute later a blood-curdling scream tore from her throat, and I knew she was awake. I held on to the mantelpiece, to anchor me in this room. It was unbearable. The scent of salt increased, and I began growling lowly. This situation was maddening. Slowly her breathing returned to normal, and her heart rate followed. Minutes later she had fallen asleep again.
I still stood unmoving, bowed over the fire place. My mind picturing scene after scene of what I would do to the one responsible, to this Victoria. She would attune for her crimes. I would make her suffer. I would avenge my mates pain. She would wish she had never been changed.
Some time later, although it seemed like only moments had passed, I heard fast, urgent steps approaching our wing and stiffened in response. No one approached our wing at night time uncalled, the only exception to this order was the case of an emergency.
"Master?" Our tracker sounded worried.
"Enter," I replied without hesitation, and turned to face the door, where he already stood.
"What happened?" My mask was back in place, my voice neutral.
"Master, our outpost in Rome, Lydia, called, she's sighted a female redhead, that matches the description Isabella gave us of Victoria. How would you like us to proceed?" he reported.
My first instinct was to run and get to her myself, but the little bit of sanity, that I was clinging on to, prevented me from doing so.
I knew this would have to be discussed with the complete family in attendance, that meant Caius, too, no matter how opposed I was to having him here. Also I would not leave my Bella again.
For once I didn't care whether or not I interrupted the privacy of my siblings, though to judge by the sounds of two showers running, they had already caught on and prepared to make an appearance. I called for them anyway.
A minute later they filed into my study silently. We took our seats and had Demetri repeat the phone call verbatim. He stood aside then silently waiting for our decision.
Aro was the first to speak, "I think we should do nothing quite yet."
"You must be kidding," Caius cut in, "I say we dispatch a task force and have her brought here. This is our chance, we should use it immediately! She exposed us, she is a threat not only to the human, but to our secret as well, we should take her out."
For once I completely agreed with Caius' suggestion, and was about to vote enthusiastically in his favour, when Aro countered, "I agree with you on the last part, she will most likely have to be executed. But we need to take into consideration the information we have on her on account of Isabella. If she truly posses a gift such as evasion, than she will flee, and if Demetri by then hasn't gotten a chance, to catch her mental identity, it could have dire consequences. This individual seems to be driven by only her yearning for revenge, she won't hesitate to act foolishly." He looked meaning fully at us all. When he put it like this he had a point, and we all knew it, but I just wanted, to tear her limb from limb.
"I'd recommend we wait. She has made it to Italy, and I am sure, that she will find her way here. We should treat her like any other visitor, at least until you, Demetri, caught on to her. Then we can take action," he stopped, while he pondered something, and added,"We might even be able to invite her into the castle, as is the usual procedure. That way, we wouldn't risk exposure in our town, and Isabella, of course, would be heavily protected, brother."
His plan had merit, though I didn't like the idea of her inside the castles walls. Caius didn't look too fond of Aro's suggestion at first, but as the strategist, that he was, he saw the potential advantage, too. It was clear that his mind was already going through all kinds of scenarios.
"Demetri, how strong is the hum-," I cut off his insult with a low, menacing growl, and he quickly relented, "I mean Isabella's scent in the city now?"
The tracker answered promptly, "Very faint, Master."
"Well, we would have to strengthen it, but without it being connected to us. Gianna could walk through the town, leaving wrong trails in her wake. It wouldn't be too suspicious, if her scent was tied to another human, they tend to make acquaintances, no? We could use the old little house in the 'Via di sotto', that has served as a home to our human employee at a time, to set it up as a prop, to make it more realistic. All the trails will keep her busy, and will give you, Demetri, a better chance to inconspicuously identify her. After that, we will invite her here. It might be wise to send out Chelsea, too. We might have a better chance to elude the red-head's alertness, that might be due to a gift, if she felt more comfortable with us around..."
Our brother ended proudly, although something seemed to bother him still, as he didn't wear his signature smirk, that marred his features when he had solved a problem.
We all remained silent, as we pondered his suggestions.
No matter what, I would remain at Bella's side until we had this witch safely under our control.
Only with her in absolute safety, would I part form her and bring my undefined plans of revenge to fruition. With that, my mind went back to all the tortures I had seen and I contemplated which ones would serve my purpose best.
Caius interrupted my daydream: "Of course it would be dangerous to take Isabella to her appointment at the hospital tomo-"
I cut him short, "Tomorrow? She has an appointment tomorrow? Why have I not been informed about this? She doesn't know. We can hardly spring something like this at her, can we?"
Then I accused my other brother, glaring at him, "Aro, you said yourself, that she needs to have a say in things! Are you going back on your word now?"
"Certainly not!" He growled indignantly. "She has an option on this appointment, and can still decide for herself. I wanted to tell you about this development, when I came here before, but you were obviously not in the right frame of mind, and afterwards I got distracted," he concluded, throwing an appreciative smile at Cia, who, if she could have, would have blushed ten shades of red.
I huffed, not at all content with the way thing were going.
"Can I continue then?" Caius queried. He was always so impatient.
"Go ahead." I grumbled, Cia, who sat next to me, gave my hand an affectionate, sympathetic squeeze.
"As I said, we should not lead a deranged, possibly parched, female of our kind to a hospital, where the temptation could easily overwhelm her. It would be better to have the doctor come here. He could do a basic examination, draw some blood for his tests, and perform special tests later, if needed. Who ever is not under absolute control, will have to stay at the other side of the castle."
Alec and Jane will stand guard at the entrance of the great hall, and one of them will accompany the physician to and fro the main entrance." When he had ended his speech his silly smirk was in place, and I sill hated it.
Cia spoke up, "In my opinion that sounds like the best way to go about things. It will also allow us to stay close to Bella at all times. I feel better, knowing she is close."
"I agree," Dora murmured, smiling slightly at me.
"I can live with that," I said, not looking at anyone.
"Very well, then we have decided on our course of action. Demetri, will you brief the others, and instigate the necessary steps to create a realistic cover? We also want to be informed instantly about any news regarding this topic." With these words, Aro wrapped up our conversation.
"Of course, Master," and he was gone.
Only seconds later, hushed, excited voices wafted to our ears. The guard was informed.
"If there is nothing else, I think, we will take our leave." Aro excused himself, and Cia followed suit, after throwing me an encouraging, yet sympathetic look.
I simply nodded, staring straight into the flames.
'I should have known, that he would leave me with Caius and Dora. Bastard!'
After a few more moments of awkward silence, Dora had plucked up enough courage, and spoke:
"Are you feeling better now? Your leg is fine, isn't it?" I raised a brow at her, she new I was all mended by now.
"Fine, please listen, Marcus. I know that our behaviour wasn't" I interrupted her right there.
"No, Dora. I won't lie, I had hoped you would have behaved differently, but I know that it isn't in your nature to trust easily, so I won't hold it against you, and you know that. And I don't like it when you apologize in behave of Caius, "I told her, while urging her to finally grasp that. We had had this conversation one too many times already. When my gaze landed on Caius then, my voice grew colder, " You are old enough, and should be mature enough to stand up for your own wrong doings, if you truly are repentant." Silently I challenged him with a raised eyebrow.
There was more silence, before Caius brought himself to say something.
"Can you not just leave it be? Nothing happened, and you know I wouldn't have hurt her." His words enraged me to no end, he was still not willing to come off his high horse. Yet he didn't meet my eyes, while he mustered my study nonchalantly.
I had had enough with him, this had been the last straw.
"Get out." My tone was cold and cutting, dry and calm; deadly.
Their heads whipped around. I was concentrated on Caius. He was shocked, and didn't react to my order, so I repeated with more menace: "I said: Get. Out."
"No brother of mine would disrespect me, or my mate like that. I will not stand for it. Get out."
Dora silently walked over to me, her head bowed, tears glistening in her ruby eyes. She hugged me and whispered a soft "I am so sorry, Marcus," into my ear. Quickly I reached out and held her back by her hand, before she could turn away from me.
"Dora, dear, I was not talking to you, but your mate. If he is unwilling to admit to his errors, I will not pay him any more respects, as he is unworthy of such in my eyes. Actually, I wanted to ask for your and Cia's help with something I have planned." I was ignoring Caius' disbelieving stare for now, intent to leave him to stew in his own juice.
"Yes, anything." My sister's voice was saturated with relief.
End note:
I love reviews! They distract me from my studies in a sinfully forbidden way... and make my day.