Disclaimer- All recognizable characters belong to Mrs. Stephenie Meyer, whereas all new characters belong to me.
Chapter 6- Do as the Romans do
I stared down at the file in front of me. I'd decided that after helping Ash and Mike on their run, I was going to stop and get rid of this Bobby for Lanina. May as well kill two birds with one stone. Besides, I really could use giving a good ass kicking. Why not give it to someone who was sired by one of the monsters I killed? A small bag was packed for me in the corner. I really hated leaving Edward, but the job called for it often. And there was no way I was going to let him go on a run with me. Hell would freeze over first. I put my pen down, I'd been making notes, and leaned against the chair. I was alone in the conference room, a glass of rich blood in front of me. I had three more hours before I had to leave, so I decided to use my time properly. You can only throw away after all. I rubbed my eyes and closed them slowly. Annebelle's face popped up, she seemed so real I felt like I could touch her. I studied her, every part of her. There was no doubt in my mind that who I'd seen was Annebelle. Still. . . Something wasn't right. Something just felt off. Dark roads, thick fog, blood, hell the whole scene could've came right out of a cheesy horror movie. Why would I see her there? Why wouldn't I picture her somewhere else, like at her old house? It was almost as if someone had picked the setting for me. Circles, I was going around in big fucking circles. I opened my eyes and let out a long groan. Why couldn't my life just be a tad bit easier? All I was asking for was some peace in my life. Just a little, not much. It really wasn't that hard to grant! " Jesus." I muttered and stood up, kicking the chair from its place in the process. A crucifix hung high on the northern wall. I glared at it. " What did I do that you're punishing for?" I asked to no one in particular. " I'm not one to believe in heaven and hell. . . One creator, all that jazz. But if you are real, can't you please just. . . Help me?" I questioned, my voice crackling a little at the end. I hated being weak. . . I hated admitting I was as vulnerable as anyone else. But I was just so sick and tired of it all.
I walked up to the crucifix and put my hand on the bottom part of the cool metal. I trailed my hands up and felt something block my throat; a cry. I sighed and dropped my hand, letting myself weep silently in my hands. Was it so bad for the guardian to have a guardian of her own? I lifted my head back up and slammed my hand on the wall. The crucifix swayed slightly from the impact. " Why didn't you watch over me when I was by her? Why didn't you save me? Why didn't you help me? I wasn't a bad person!" I yelled. I had to blame someone. I had to understand why I was forced to live in that hellhole. " What's the reason for it? What was the reason God? Tell me!" I paused, waiting for an answer. I slammed my hand on the wall again and screamed, " Tell me!" Then I broke down and sunk to the floor, my knees buckling underneath me. I drew my head in my knees and just cried. I didn't move when I felt a warm arm slid around my shoulder. I just leaned into the person and kept crying. " Why?" I cried quietly. I thought I'd been over it. . . I was so wrong. I'd merely pushed it aside. Killed everything inside of me so I wouldn't have to face it. Now I was coming head to head with those memories. It was crippling me. I had so many unanswered questions. So many.
" Bella, it'll be okay." Yuzria whispered against my ear. How had I not smelled him?
" Yuzria, I just don't understand." I whispered, looking up at him. He smiled softly and wiped away a few wisps of my hair. I put my head on his shoulder and glanced up at the crucifix.
" Some things aren't meant to be understood." He told me. " Maybe, this is one of those things."
" It hurts to remember. It feels like I'm going through everything all over again. I shoved it all away for a reason. . . So I wouldn't have to face it again. And now, I'm screwed because. . ." I sighed and just let my words fade away. He rubbed my arm softly with his fingers and just didn't speak for a while. We just stayed like that. His arm around me with my head on my shoulder. It was nice, it was warm. " I'm scared." I said softly.
" Use that to your advantage. Face your fears Isabella, it's all you can do. Don't live in fear. It's not worth it." He replied. The afternoon sun shone through the open windows, casting a glow throughout the room. " You have been through more things than I have ever seen in my long, long life." I chuckled softly and nodded my head.
" I will not argue with that." I smirked and gave him a small kiss on the cheek. I gazed in his bright green eyes and smiled. " Thank you Yuzria. I don't know what I would do without you." He shrugged his shoulders and we stood. I hugged him, then gathered up the materials on the table. I downed the rest of my blood and followed him out of the room.
" What are you going to do?" He asked me quietly. I tucked the file under my arm and glanced at him.
" I don't know. I'll come up with something. I always do." He nodded his head and kissed the top of my head.
" I won't doubt that." He winked and then made his way up the stairs to go see his wife. I groaned and plopped down in the living room couch. Aro was also sitting, watching some show in Italian. I rolled my eyes and tried to grab the remote from him. He jerked his arm away before I could reach it and smiled.
" Aro!" I complained, putting on my best puppy dog face. Unfortunately I was never good at those, so all he did was laugh.
" Isabella, you are by far one of the strangest vampires I have ever met." He laughed, the remote still out of reach.
" I try." I lunged forward and tackled him, the remote almost in my hands. But then I felt someone wrap their arms around my waist and lift me up like it was nothing. I turned and kicked back, landing on the floor in front of whoever it was. Marcus grinned and grabbed the remote from Aro, then sat down. He turned on some cheap horror flick. " You are no fun." I told him.
" Never said I was." He replied swiftly, taking a sip of the blood in his glass. " Now be quiet, the woman is about to get dismembered." I grabbed the file up and headed out of the room, allowing the children their tv time. I wondered down into the basement, where a training area was set up. Lanina's hair hung from her bun as she smacked her foot into the kicking bag. She smiled and stood up straight, not looking like she had just been working out except for her hair.
" What's up?" She asked, brushing some of her blonde locks out of her face. I tossed the file aside and walked over to some weights.
" No where else to go." I answered simply. I put five hundred pounds on the bar and began to lift them. It was really no problem. I kept at that for an hour while listening to Lanina hit the bag. It was rather soothing. I'd always enjoyed working out. Nice way to empty the mind of all stressing thoughts. And the Lord knew I needed my stressful thoughts emptied out. Even if it was only for a short while.
I held the chalice to my lips and watched as the sun began to slowly set. The sky was illuminated with many colors. Pink, blue and purple were the main colors. Ash and Mike were talking with Aro, making last minute changes to everything. I was beside Edward, sitting on the window ledge in the living room. His arms wrapped around me and I felt him put his head on my shoulder. He softly kissed my cheek, barely brushing the flesh with his lips. " I'll miss you." He whispered, trailing more kisses down my neck. I put a hand on his head and turned towards him.
" I'll miss you too." I whispered back, kissing him full on the lips. Our tongues clashed in a fiery kiss and soon everything was getting more heated than it'd started out to be. I pulled away and pecked his lips once more. His amber eyes gazed at me lovingly; damn I hated to go. He put a finger on my cheek and stroked it gently, a small smile playing upon his lips.
" Be safe my love." He told me strongly. " I will be here when you return." I leaned forward and rested my head against his chest. He held me tightly, some of his copper colored hair falling on my face. I closed my eyes, hoping I wouldn't be gone long. A moment later he tapped me slightly, making me nudge my face out of the comfort of his skin. I looked up and saw Ash and Mike there. Both smiling. I groaned and took my time getting up. I smoothed my shirt, making sure I hadn't wrinkled it. Then I made sure my daggers were safely placed in my boots and I had my gun in the back of my pants. I liked being prepared. I slung my bag over my shoulders and wrapped my arms around Edward's neck.
" I'll be back soon." I sighed and kissed him strongly. It would have to last me at least a week after all. He put his hands on the small of my back and returned the kiss.
" You better." He teased, kissing my cheek softly. I hugged Aro goodbye, as well as Caius and Marcus. I wasn't close enough to Jane to give her a hug, and Alec was no where to be seen. Something was wrong with that kid, I'd find it out someday. Lanina and Travis were next, she was still pissed I told her to stay home. She could help Aro find Rosemary while I was gone. I also gave Tori and Yuzria a hug goodbye and told her to rest up so nothing happened to her baby. She practically shoved me out the door. Jealousy problems? It's possible. I slid into the limo with Ash and Mike and leaned my head against the tinted window.
" We'll take a small jet to a town directly outside of Venice." Ash began, her file in her hands. From there we'll be taking a car to an apartment complex owned by a friend of Aro's-"
" Evangelo. He told me." I cut in. She nodded her head and took a packet of blood out of the mini bar in the back of the limo. She broke the seal and started to drink, still looking over the papers.
" That night we'll head out to town and talk around. See if anyone knows anything about our mister rogue. Hopefully, we'll get a someone who knows where she lives and we'll wrap this up quickly." Mike finished for her. Ash smiled and squeezed my knee.
" Don't worry Bella, we'll have you back at Volterra in no time." She assured me.
" I know, I need a good fight anyways. Now, we're sure it's a woman?" I asked them. Mike shook his head yes, his brown hair moving with him.
" Yeah, everyone who's reported a rogue vampire has reported that it's a female." He replied, his eyes staring into mine.
" Okay. Let's go get the bitch." I smiled, returning the high five Ash gave me.
" Now that's is the spirit!" She exclaimed, throwing me some type a blood. I laughed and drank it down. I had to loosen up, or I would drive myself insane. As the saying goes; when in Rome, do as the Romans do.
A/N: Thank you so much for the reviews! I love them, they all make my day. I hope you liked this chapter, as you can see Noleen is unraveling a bit at the edges. Don't worry, she'll still be as strong as ever. Lol. Well, review and let me know what you think and I will catch you all later!
Until next time,
Faith