PS this one is dedicated to someone who admitted that they check their email at school to see if I have updated during the day. Well, here you go. Enjoy.
Carlisle checked us into a hotel not a mile outside Volterra. The day had been cloudy, abysmally gray and dark, which was perfectly fine with us. There was no sun, thus no exposure. My family gathered the things that had been packed for them—the underlings had not been so gracious as to pack me anything, not that I cared—and we walked out of Volterra. Every step I took that brought me farther from her made me ache. Had it been only a few hours ago I had been kissing her?
I fought not to pout like a child. I knew the saying—life isn't fair. But this seemed so wrong. How could she go through the change, the excruciating pain, and then get taken away? I had sat beside her, soothed her, held her, watched her scream and beg for it to stop. And now she was gone. Lost to me.
Until I found a way to get her back. I was not just going to run away with my tail between my legs because Aro told me to leave. He knew me far to well than to think I would simply accept this banishment. She was all that mattered, and now she wasn't here. Like hell I was just going to leave.
So I sat, brooding in the hotel room while everyone else was talking. I didn't even bother to listen to their words or their thought. I was too wrapped up in Bella. I had to think of something. What good was I if I couldn't even keep her safe? She was a vampire now, she was strong and fast and God knew she was tougher than most of us as a human girl, let alone the courage being changed had given her. But if she was watched, if she was kept under control by Aro's minions what could she do?
There was always the matter of her gift. She had not exposed it to Aro or any of the others as far as I could tell. They had no knowledge of her ability to tap into the power of anyone else and use it for her own.
"…Edward."
"What?" I asked, suddenly drawn out of my own thoughts.
"I said," Alice stated quietly, "She is safe as far as I can see."
I nodded in thanks. She was safe. That was a good thing. It was positive. I had to think of the positives. Bella was safe. No one was hurting her. Yet.
She had just gotten over the agony of the change, why would they want to hurt her? Though I had to wonder how they would do it, if they tried. Jane's power obviously didn't work on her. So they would have to resort to just physically torturing her. That thought made my stomach churn.
And Felix! I hadn't even thought of him! I knew all the things he wanted from her. I had seen and heard what he desired. That made me just as ill. She would fight him. She would scream and kick and throw him away. Because she wanted me. She loved me, she had said so herself. If it was Felix or torture, which one did I prefer she endure?
Neither. I would never let that happen to her. But it could be happening already. She was so close, but I couldn't have her. She was just beyond my reach. It was like being taunted. I loved her so much. I cared about her with everything I had in me. Why was I being punished?
But it should have been obvious. I damned her. I took her life. I made her into what she was now. I had created this horrible situation without needing anyone's help. This was my penalty for destroying the most beautiful creature God had ever created. So punish me, torture with unbearable heartache and sorrow. But Bella? What had she done other than give in to what I wanted, what would make things "easier"? She deserved so much more than to be imprisoned behind the walls of Volterra.
"Why didn't she just use her new found gifts when Jane touched her? She could have caused some serious pain and we could have gotten away," Rosalie said, her brow furrowed in clear distaste.
"Because Bella isn't like that, Rose. She doesn't want to hurt anyone."
"Well she should have! It would have saved her ass, as well as a whole lot of trouble!" she shouted. She was right; if Bella had channeled Jane's power she could have used it to help us get out together. But it probably hadn't even occurred to her to use it. And even if it had, Bella would have been repulsed at the idea of causing someone else pain. That was one of the things I loved most about her. She was gentle and kind. The idea of hurting someone would sicken her, not appeal to her. She didn't belong with the Volturi. I didn't want them to corrupt her.
"What do we do Edward?" Emmett asked. I shrugged. I had no idea. I didn't know where to go from here. Here I was, the man who was supposed to love and protect her, and I couldn't even think of how to rescue her. Pathetic.
Days passed. I don't know exactly how many, at least three. I couldn't think. Parts of me didn't believe any of it was real it was only the memory of her wonderful laughter and burning heat that even prompted me to think she was more than a daydream. Alice tried desperately to pull me out of my dark mood, wanting to share visions she had with me of Bella happy. But I didn't want to see them. If I couldn't see Bella here, in the flesh, I didn't want to see her at all. Second hand was not the way to view a goddess.
I kept trying to think of a way to get to her. She would be surrounded. She would be guarded and kept locked away. She would scared and angry and alone. It killed me to know that I wasn't able to comfort her. What was it she had said while she was changing? Oh yes.
It was always better when I held her.
How I wished I could hold her now.
It was only when Alice smacked me upside the head and told me we had a visitor that I was able to pull out of my depressive state—so intense Jasper had his room moved all the way down the hall—and see what was happening.
I wasn't stupid enough to hope that it was Bella. I knew that there was no way Aro would simply let her go after a few days. After the show he had put on in the hall, I doubted he would ever let her go without a fight.
That was fine. A fight I could do. A fight I would do. If only it were that simple.
I was thoroughly surprised to find Demitri in the sitting room of my hotel room, looking at me expectantly. Without words he held out a folded sheet of paper. I caught the aroma on it and it hit me unexpected force. I didn't need him to even think who it was from, even though he did.
Bella.
Her delicate script swirled across the page, gracing it with her words in written form. I willed myself to hear her voice as I read it.
Edward,
I'm okay. Well perhaps okay is not the right word to use here. I'm not hurt. Aro was very specific in his instructions. If they harm me, he will be very upset. I don't understand why it is I am such a prized possession, but that is hardly the point.
Promise me you wont do anything stupid, Edward. I know you are most likely already plotting something. But please, for your sake as well as your family's, don't do anything reckless. I trust you to promise me that, even though I cant hear or see you.
Demitri is a good friend; do not be angry with him.
I will see you soon. Try to believe that, it makes it a little easier.
All my love,
Bella
I read the letter twice before passing it to Alice. She read it aloud to the rest of the family who sat in solemn silence. She said not to do anything stupid or reckless. That didn't mean I couldn't come save her, it only meant my plan had to be meticulous and well thought out. I could do that. Certainly.
But she had also said not to be angry with Demitri. How could in not be? He had watched as Aro pulled us apart. He had been there while she was being held back, while I was being shoved from the hall and she had done nothing. In reality it was unrealistic to think he would have been able to help at all. But that didn't stop a bubble of anger from coming into the forefront of my mind. After so many days being hollow and depressed, anger was nice.
"I know. I am terrible. You have every right to be furious with me. I deserve that. Bella was too. But she…she is holding up. She is very tough, more than I thought she would be. I understand now, what was so special about her to you. Even as a human. I've tried to be around her, keep her company. She is alone most of the time except for…the guard detail Aro set for her."
"How many?"
"Two at her door. Three more down the hall. Six outside her window. Sometimes he posts one inside if she is feeling violent, which I have to tell you she has the last few days. She is such a…tiny little thing. But she can be―"
"Vicious?" I asked, remembering that she had described herself that way once before. She had been joking mostly at that point, trying to appear tougher than she was. But perhaps she wasn't acting courageous, she just was.
Demitri nodded.
"We had to move her three times already. She insisted on being able to stay in the chambers you inhabited before…this ordeal. Aro told her to claim a new suite. But as soon as she got there and was left alone she went around and…destroyed everything. She broke the windows, tore down the tapestries and curtains, ripped the bed to absolute shreds. When someone went in to see what was going on she had just finished. And she just stood there in the middle of everything looking incredibly pleased with herself."
I had to smile. This was her not so subtle way of showing everyone she meant business. She didn't want to be there and if they had any doubts about it before, they didn't now.
"Well she did that anther two times before Aro finally got the hint and just let her stay in your rooms. I didn't think such a little vampire could cause such havoc in such a short amount of time. You should have seen her when they tried to escort her to the hall to see Aro. The escort hadn't been touching her for longer than three seconds before he was down the hall on his back. And Aro, of course, finds it hilarious. She's 'feisty'. She is his new favorite."
I cringed at that. Jane would likely be infuriated at this—she had been his favorite for quite some time now. But even more than Jane's anger—which was very obviously not a problem for Bella—I feared Aro's favor of her. To have him so attached to her was a risk in and of itself. He would not let go of her easily. While I particularly did not want the entirety of the Volturi out ad looking for Bella if I snatched her away—when I snatched her away—I would take that risk if I had to.
"But I am not here just to deliver messages. I am here to extend a summons," Demitri continued. "Aro requests your presence, Carlisle"
I had been wondering about that. Aro and Carlisle were old friends; they had known each other for centuries. It had surprised me that he had banned us all—Carlisle included—from Volterra. I could understand banishing me. But the rest of my family had done nothing. So far. Aro was intelligent enough to know that given the opportunity most of my family would take a chance to get to Bella if I couldn't.
Carlisle did not look surprised. He only nodded.
"Tomorrow I will return to bring you into Volterra just after nightfall. Be ready," Demitri stated.
"Does anyone know that on this trip you brought this letter to me?" I asked. Demitri shook his head.
No one besides the woman who wrote it. I cannot bring a reply. If it were to be found, there would be much trouble, not only for me but also for Bella.
"I understand that. Just tell her…that I love her. And that I promise," I mumbled. Demitri nodded.
I will see you soon. Try and believe that, it makes it a little easier.
She had written those words, attempting to give me solace. Locked away, she was still trying to comfort me. I wished there was something I could do for her. But I would be doing something for her. I would be getting her out. If only I could do it sooner.
He departed shortly after, leaving my family and I alone to speak of the next step.
"If Aro favors her the way Demitri says he does it makes things significantly more complicated than before," Carlisle said quietly.
"I am aware of that. However I think we must look at the one positive thing that has brought us."
"And what is that?" Alice asked.
"A possible ally. Jane was Aro's favorite for decades. She is sure to be angry that her position has been taken from her. I expect that if she were given a chance to help rid Volterra of Bella, she would take it."
What if she tries to rid Volterra of Bella in a more final way? Alice thought to me. I growled.
"I will end her in the most painful way I can think of," I answered. Everyone else stood around, knowing what possibility had just been brought to the table. If Jane so much as touched her in a way I found to be unfit I would make her death slow. She couldn't use her powers to hurt Bella, but she was sadistic. She would enjoy the idea of inflicting pain on the girl who took her place.
We spoke of things we could do, plans to get in and out quickly. Before I realized the day had passed, Demitri came back to get Carlisle. Esme was fretting, afraid of what could happen to him without any of us there to help him. I did my best to console her. Aro would not harm Carlisle. Jasper sent out a wave of calm across the room and Esme relaxed. But she was still nervous.
Carlisle was gone for quite some time. It was almost dawn when he returned. Demitri had not escorted him home again. When he stepped in the door he smelled distinctly of Bella.
"You saw her?" I asked. I was surprised Aro had even let them be in the same room, let alone be near enough to have her scent cling to his clothes. Carlisle nodded.
"Apparently she demanded to see me when she was told I was coming for a visit. She threw a fit. She had beaten a few of her escorts by the time they came down. I could see that just from the pleased look on her face. When I asked her why she told me they were new. They had tried to touch her."
I grinned. She was certainly taking Volterra by storm. She might have been prisoner there, but she took it in stride. I loved her ferocity. It was amazing she had the nerve to be so bold. But as I had concluded, that was Bella. She had probably warned them about touching her as they walked out the door. They had most likely not heeded her warning and she had forced them to understand how very serious she was.
I wondered if her aversion to their touching was because she just did not like to be handled by anyone, or because she did not want to risk giving away her gift. It was possibly both.
"Does anyone know of her other gift yet?" I asked. Carlisle shook his head.
"Not that I could tell. They were still quite fascinated with her ability to lend her immunity to others. Aro finds it amusing to test Jane over and over again, mostly because she gets so infuriated. He said it's 'cute'. I wouldn't go so far as to call Jane cute, but Aro has always had an interesting take on things."
"And what of Bella, is she well? Did Aro say much about her?"
"Bella is fine for the moment. Most of the others are afraid of her, which I found almost entertaining. I would never have thought that little Bella could be one to inspire fear, but I suppose after tossing around some underlings—and some of the others as well—they have learned to keep their distance. I believe she asked me to tell you to 'remind me to tell you about Felix'. She didn't say exactly what happened but she looked rather delighted with herself.
"As for Aro, he is being…obstinate. He doesn't see why you both had to make such an issue over her leaving Volterra. He thinks she will flourish there, and come to love it. What he does not understand is that she will hate being trapped there, and will come to hate him and everything about Volterra if she is imprisoned much longer. Rage and resentment can only live for so long before an outlet is needed, and I am afraid that her only outlet would be an escape attempt. If she were to be caught trying to get out, trying to get to you, I am afraid of what might happen to her, favorite or not."
I sighed. He was right of course. She would get fed up with being trapped eventually and do exactly what she told me not to do—something reckless. If only I could assure her that I would come for her. I didn't want her to get herself hurt or killed because she was becoming desperate.
"We need to act fast Carlisle. I wont be able to stand it if…" if she gets hurt because of me. If she dies because of me.
I simply wont allow it.
"Yes well, I thought you might say that. I may have a solution to our problems. I brought someone along who might help us," Carlisle said, going back to the door. He let the figure in the hall step inside and I suppressed a growl.
"Good Evening."
Mwahahaha... :)