Sorry I didn't post this until now. I try and get them up earlier in the evening, but tonight I had A LOT to do and I got sidetracked. I know, bad me. But thank you readers and reviewers, I have enjoyed the baked goods, and my e-pony:) I believe someone asked about what was coming next calling it "glorious chaos". I like that. (Evil smirk)
Read onIt wasn't until we made it back to the doors that I realized that Bella wanted to go back into the hall, back into the party. I stopped short, pulling her back by the hand. She glanced at me, confused.
"What?" she asked, her innocence a clever mask of the diabolical plot she was keeping hidden from me. I had a feeling she was about to raise holy hell.
"Bella, that is not the most intelligent idea. Aro, Caius, and Marcus—they are all in there. If they know you are here…"
"Hush darling. I told you I have this all figured out," she said quietly. My eyes were drawn to hers. She held my gaze, hot and intense. I trembled. God help me, I trembled. She smiled, mischief in her eyes and continued to pull me along. I did not fight her this time. I had forgotten that I was powerless around her. Why did I even bother to fight? It wasn't worth it. Before she had been changed I had been able to resist certain things, if only for the fear of her safety. But now…nothing was out of bounds. No kiss was too impassioned; no touch was over the limit. There were no limits. And she knew it and was using it against me already. Sweet young Bella I had met months ago was still there, I could see the somewhat naïve edges around her personality. But she was also different, changed in ways beyond the physical aspects. It shocked me and amused me at the same time. I hardly see her for ten minutes and she is trying to tempt me.
Why didn't that surprise me at all?
The underlings opened the doors grandly for her, watching her perfect form as she floated past them, her feet seeming to hover above the ground with unnatural grace. I was powerless to do anything other than watch her. She was unbelievable, unnatural even for a vampire. I had no idea such flawlessness could even exist.
When the doors were closed behind us again I had to grind my teeth and block out the thoughts that flooded my mind. I could see Bella laughing. She could hear this, the disgusting, horrible thoughts that were going through the minds of every male in the room that lay their eyes upon her—human and vampire alike.
"They are thinking rather unsavory things about you," I whispered to her quietly, my lips close to her ear. She grinned wider.
"Let them think what they want, it doesn't matter to me," she answered, her voice as low as mine. "Dance with me?" she asked suddenly as the music in the background broke and then restarted with a lightly faster waltz. I nodded in agreement and she turned and placed herself gently in my arms, waiting for my lead. I took her hand in mine, placing the other at the small of her back.
She was a very good dancer. Likely should we have tried this while she was human she would have made a fool of herself, but now she was graceful and serene as I guided her along.
I kept waiting. I knew Aro and his brothers were around. I knew they would not leave her unnoticed for very long. But I tried to keep my thoughts on the moment I was in—her body pressed slightly against mine, her voice speaking gently to only me.
"So what have you been doing for all these months?" she asked. She had already told me what she had done to occupy herself. She spent time with my family, became familiar with them. She sulked in bed, waiting for a time to come and retrieve me. It felt so backwards, her doing the saving while I sat here and waited. I didn't let it bother me.
"I did not do much. I led a pathetic life. I never left my room. I was utterly wretched without you here," I admitted shamefully. Bella laughed softly.
"Well don't worry. That will never happen again," she assured me. I looked into her eyes, her gaze holding mine for a long moment. She was serious. Whatever she was doing now, whatever she had figured out, she was not going to fail this time. She was determined. I saw the same spark of assured victory in her face as the night I told her to leave. There was no way she would agree to that again. I had made us both miserable. But at least we were alive and had the chance for reunions like this one.
"Edward," she murmured to me quietly. I detached myself from staring deeply into her eyes and regained my consciousness. I raised an eyebrow.
"Go find Jane for me, will you please?" she asked politely. I stopped our dancing. Her lips touched my cheek softly.
"Why do you want Jane?" I asked her, trying so hard to concentrate on my thoughts and not the feeling of her smile against my skin.
"I just want to visit with her. I will be with Aro when you find her," she commented nonchalantly.
"What? Bella, you can't go seek them out! It is dangerous enough that you are even here if you go and―"
She stopped my words with a kiss, chaste and sweet.
"That was not fair play at all," I told her, trying my best to scowl it wasn't working that well.
"I know, I couldn't resist," she said, mocking me. I realized she had given my words back to me, the ones I had spoken months before after doing something quite similar. Her eyes sparkled with knowing and love.
Love. I had forgotten the swell in my chest that her looks of affection could give me. It was something for me alone, something she would not give to any other person. Her love was mine, a gift I had longed after for so long and was finally able to get. I wished for her to know the extent of my love for her. I wanted her to be able to feel the love I held inside me for her.
Because that was what really ate at me for so many months. I was so in love with her it made me feel ill to even think of how deep it ran. I couldn't think when I looked into her eyes while she was looking at me that way. It was an intoxicating sweetness I could never get enough of.
"Bella, I really don't think this is the best idea. I mean what if they…"
"Hurt me? I think we have already covered the fact that they can't. I know," she said hurriedly at the look on my face, "that just because they can't use their gifts on me doesn't me that they cant physically hurt me. But I can handle this. Just go find Jane and bring her to me, please."
I hardened my jaw. I did not like where this was going. Why couldn't we just leave now? Why couldn't we just duck out like I had imagined so many times before? But Bella had a different plan. She wanted something, though what it was I could not be sure. Her mind was as closed as ever.
"If the feeding begins you must leave. I don't care what schemes you have worked out in your head, you must go if I am back or not. Do you understand me?" I asked, feeling like a parent more than the man who loved her. But she nodded and smiled gently at me.
"It's amazing," she murmured before I left her to retrieve Jane, "that just seeing you makes me feel so…divine. All those months, the unending hours of loneliness…they don't even seem real when I am here with you."
"I know what you mean," I replied gently, taking her hand to my mouth and giving her a gentle kiss on the knuckles through her glove. I inhaled the scent of her wrist as she touched my face, her hand cupping my cheek in affection. She was divine. I would spend every moment of the rest of eternity reminding her of it—as soon as I got Jane and helped her with whatever little plot she had come up with.
So I left her, cringing as I thought of her finding Aro. The look on his face would be worth more than his weight in gold. The astonishment, the complete and utter shock would be comical. I almost wished I could see it. But I concentrated on the thoughts of those around me, watching for Jane's face. It did not take me long to locate her, and I was not surprised to find her with her brother and Felix. Why was it the most detestable people always flocked together?
I caught Jane's eye first as I approached them. Her eyes her small and hard, and then grew wide in shock. Bella's scent must have been all over me. She gaped at me and I smiled.
"She can't be here," she said, but in her mind her thoughts were racing. She couldn't believe it. Bella was lucky to get away last time, what made her think she would be so fortunate this time? However even as these thoughts went by there was also a flicker of something that made me smile even wider: fear. Jane was self-proclaimed fearless. With her power there was no reason not to be—at least when it comes to most. But with Bella there was nothing she could do to her that Bella couldn't do back. She didn't know it, but there were even things Bella could do to her that Jane could not, such as inflicting Jane's torture upon someone Jane dearly cared about. She could try to harm me but if Bella touched me, laid even one slender finger upon my flesh the pain would end.
I couldn't believe that Bella would look to harm someone though. Changed as she might have been she would be sickened as causing someone so much physical pain. That was what I loved so much about her. She was not sadistic or interested in the darker nature of what our being could be. She wished to be as humane as possible. Because of this, she would stay Bella.
"She would like to see you, Jane," I said smugly. By this time Felix and Alec had figured out what was going on and exactly what she we were referencing. Alec automatically withdrew his thoughts into a deep dark hole I cared not to delve into. But Felix was gripped with two sudden emotions. The first was the hunger—the want he felt for her. I couldn't blame him on that front; she was quite exquisite. Bt the other was anger. She had rejected him so many times, injured and embarrassed him in front of the other Volturi. He hated her a little for being so defiant of his wishes. He was not used to having women turn him down for anything.
Well that's because she is MY mate, not yours! I wanted to yell at him, but I refrained. This was not the time for personal vendettas. In all honesty I didn't know what this was the time for. Bella wanted Jane. That was all the information I had. That and she was going to try and find the one vampire in all of Volterra that would gladly have kept her here against her will for the rest of eternity.
Between the mischievous smile and the look in her eyes I was almost afraid. I would have been worried about the glorious chaos she was about to inflict upon the whole of Volterra if I had but known what exactly she was going to do. That and knowing I was on her side made things a little less tense.
I waited with a patient smile as Jane reluctantly took a step n my direction. I knew she was following and so were Alec and Felix. They could come along for the fun if they so desired. I was not the one who would end up on the wrong side of this if things went badly. There was nothing they could do to hurt me now. As long as she was here, as long as I could see her, smell her, touch her silken skin I would be untouchable. She gave me strength in the most unimaginable ways.
So I walked around the hall, listening to the anticipation and hunger in the thoughts of the vampires that were all around me. The feeding would begin soon. If Bella and I had left when I first saw her we would have had until after the feeding was over to get away. By the time anyone even noticed I was not sulking in my room it would have been too late, we would already be gone. Not that they would not try to find me, I had made a deal with Aro after all.
But as I neared the edge of the room I could hear Bella talking. Her voice was polite and charming. Her words were friendly and sweet, almost flirtatious. Marcus and Caius stood back a bit, watching her with some interest. And Aro was there, drinking it all in. He gave in to her teasing ways almost as easily as I did. I heard the smile in her voice as I approached the, Jane, Alec and Felix in tow. Aro gave me a look, one that was suspicious and subdued. He was dazed.
"Glad you could join us, Edward," Bella said with a purr. She nodded to Alec and Felix, ignoring the cold looks she was given in return. I was surprised she did not give the same glare to Felix. She simply looked away to Jane.
If it was possible Jane was more pale than normal. Her eyes darted around the room, never resting on anyone for too long. What was going on? Why was she so scared? But then as I probed a memory danced to the surface of her mind, filling it with dread.
Bella slammed Jane against the wall, holding her there while Jane dangled from the ground. Bella's jaw was clenched in anger; her breathing was hard and ragged. She was enraged, so very angry. Jane had realized that she was no longer in Aro's favor as she had been, at least not in the way Bella was now. So she had done something idiotic.
"If you ever do that again, Jane," Bella snarled, images of Jane trying to attack Bella, rather unsuccessfully as it turned out passed through her mind, "I swear I will tear you apart. Do you doubt me?"
Her eyes begged for Jane to challenge her. She was daring her doubt the sincerity of her warning. The words "just watch me" hung in the air like fog. The threat was heavy, almost palpable. Jane shook her head.
"Good," Bella spat and let her down, walking off without another word.
Bella being terrifying was not something I ever needed to experience again. The look in her eyes was one of pure animalistic hate. She would not have hesitated in destroying Jane, ending her existence without regard to the danger she would be placing herself in. Most likely Aro would have been displeased that Jane was dead, but so very delighted that Bella was giving in to the side of her he wanted to see. Perhaps that was why he coveted her so. It was not just the perplexing nature of her being, however puzzling that might have been. There was an innate ferocity in her that was utterly unmatched.
Her eyes met mine with curious interest as I slid beside her. My arm snaked around her waist and hers around mine. I was claiming her, as though I still needed to. But the looks she was getting and the thoughts about her from the males were enough to make me minorly insecure. No one else could have her. I was the first to admit I was possessive. I had this overall sense that she was mine when I was around her. Why shouldn't I? Not only had she announced publicly that she would only ever be mine for the rest of eternity, but we had given up so much, fought through so much just to see each other. It was incredible how much effort we had to make, how much we had to struggle just to lay eyes upon the other. But it was worth it. Every second I got to gaze upon her exquisiteness, every time she said my name, her voice saying the word more like a caress than anything else, I was internally grateful she was mine. And the way she looked at me made me understand she felt the exact same way.
"So Bella, I must ask you, why in the world would you ever come back here?" Felix asked.
Why would you risk the wrath of the Volturi for him?
Bella carefully dodged responding to his thoughts as I could feel she wanted to. She sighed gently and turned to him, her face the picture of serenity.
"Well for one it has been far too long since Aro and I had a good long talk," she said, smiling over to Aro who smiled just as brightly back at her, "and of course it was just too long being away from Edward. I simply couldn't stand it." She shrugged, the motion as graceful as every other time she moved.
"Well I must agree, your presence here has been sorely missed. Isn't that right?" Aro asked. There were silent nods. No one wanted to admit that they were glad she was gone. She was a sweet little creature when she wanted to be. But they were all afraid of her, at least a little bit.
"When are you playing on staying until?" he asked her. I tuned my mind to his, trying to catch his thoughts, but he was trying very hard to keep me out. I wasn't sure of where this conversation was going.
"Well I figured we could stay around for a few days, but then Edward and I really should be going. The whole family is planning a welcome home party and you know how Alice gets when she gets into that sort of thing…" she trailed off as though Alice's party planning habits should be common knowledge. I, however, knew well enough. But then I thought back, rewinding the last few seconds. Edward and I really should be going. She meant for the both of us to go.
I looked to Aro but he still was a blank.
"Bella I think you misunderstand―" Aro began.
"No Aro, I believe you misunderstand me," Bella said. Her eyes had lost none of the charm or sweetness. Her voice was still gentle and calm.
"Edward is coming with me when I leave Volterra this time. No one will stay behind. Banish us both is you like, but we are leaving. No more of this foolishness."
She sounded so absolute. Her words gave the aura of authority, of power and finality of the last word on a subject. She continued to look at Aro during this time, avoiding anyone else's eyes. I wanted so badly to meet them, to see what was going on in her mind. She was insane to so openly demand such a thing. No one told the Volturi what to do, certainly not some little young vampire that could barely control her blood lust.
"You know not what you say," Aro told her. He was biting back irritation. His good mood had been spoiled for the evening.
"No I assure you I speak quite deliberately. I know exactly what I am saying."
Aro growled low and menacing. The other vampires all stopped and stared. But Bella only smiled. Her face was no longer sweet and innocently cheerful. It was a hard smile, one of defiance, one of knowing. Trickles of his thoughts came to me. He was angry, furious beyond belief. She was being insolent, something he never tolerated. The only reason he did not tear her apart at this very moment was because that smirk on her face made him realize she knew something he didn't.
"Isabella, perhaps you have forgotten, but I am the essence of the Volturi. You forget your place here, child. I have tolerated your impudence thus far, but believe me my patience is wearing thin."
To this Bella turned to me and whispered.
"Can I show them now?" she asked. It took me a long moment to realize what she meant. But then it struck me with such force I could not believe I had not seen it before. She came here on tonight of all nights. She must have known what this was before coming. I had thought it was awfully clever of her to come here on a night it would be so easy to slip out with al the distractions. But now I realized why she came on this night.
There was so much power in this room it was almost inconceivable. And with a single touch she could harness it all. And no one knew this but she and I.
"Is that why you wanted Jane?" I inquired, suddenly startled. She shook her head.
"Only to make them understand. What is a good one? Something impressive, something…big," she said quietly. Everyone could still hear her but she was speaking only to me. By this time the music was still playing but the conversation had all but ceased. The vampires were all watching what was happening, astonished that this one girl would risk such things. The wrath of the Volturi was not something you tempted for an evening of fun. The humans were silent still, having enough sense to take the cue and not speak. Some of them were nervous, but they were all going to die anyway.
I let go Bella because I needed to reach out completely with my mind and search for the information I wanted. I did not want her to feel that kind of invasion of her mind. She would probably scream or fall to her knees. I let myself go, completely opening to the thoughts and memories and ideas that filled the room with far more deafening force than the noise of conversation.
I touched upon the minds of the other vampires, feeling out for the information I wanted. There was a telekinetic not far from us, staring with complete disregard for common courtesy. He was thinking similar thoughts as the rest of them.
What is she doing? Does she want to die? That would be such a waste…she is so beautiful…but she is already with that one. He is obviously her mate…
He may have been a little slow on the uptake, but his gift would do. But I sought out one more, at least one more whose gift was strong and unique. I searched, tuning in to each mind like a different radio station. Until I found it—a female not far beyond the male with the telekinesis. She was watching the scene as well, looking rather unassuming. But I could feel her gift strongly even from where we were.
"Bella," I said. She had been staring past me, looking lost in her own thoughts, as I was lost in others. She turned back to me.
"Two of them," I murmured. I pointed to the two of them, showing her who I meant. Derek and Cassandra were their names. Bella smiled sweet as you please and called for them to come to her if they would. She promised not to hurt them, but I heard the thoughts they had. Even their black eyes displayed clear mistrust. If this woman could dare defy Aro, what would she do to them?
But in fear of defying her they came anyway, walking with slow determination to her side. They did not wish to appear weak.
"Show me," she said to me. I touched her hand and delved into their minds, revealing their gifts. She nodded at Derek and gasped at Cassandra.
"Oh Edward I don't know if I can…well why not, she can do it if I cannot," she whispered, dropping my hand.
"What are you two talking about?" Aro demanded. Bella's smile grew. She motioned for Derek.
"Don't worry," she soothed, "I promise not to hurt you." Her eyes flashed in amusement as he came toward her warily.
"May I see your hand for a moment please?"
He held his hand out for her.
"Please tell Aro what you gift is," she commanded lightly. She was younger than he was by decades but he still answered to her as though she had an authority that trumped his.
"Telekinesis. Only small things, but still useful," he mumbled. Aro nodded in appreciation. He had seen telekinetics before. While not being common they were not as rare as Bella or I or even Cassandra.
Bella took a deep breath and with something like sigh the chair Aro had been sitting in raised off the ground. I was sure she only meant for it to lift a few inches but she obviously had little control over how much force she used because she did not know the limits or abilities of this gift. It shot into the air, stopping short over our heads. She suppressed laughter. The thoughts of the humans exploded in my mind, turning from quiet caution to shock and awe in a slit second. Their thoughts were loud; I did my best to keep them out.
Slowly but surely the chair returned to the ground where it belonged. Aro stared at her. He flat out gaped. His jaw was sure to hit the floor any second now. Mine and Cassandra's gifts were rare, but Bella's was unheard of. There had not, at least to my knowledge, ever been a vampire that could tap into the gifts of another vampire and use them at their desire.
Before anyone could say another word, Bella dropped Derek's hand and motioned for Cassandra. She stepped toward Bella reluctantly.
"I promise to be careful. If it gets out of hand, feel free to take control," she assured the girl. She still looked uneasy but held her hand out as well. Bella did not ask her to tell anyone what her gift was this time. Perhaps she wanted the shock value in this little demonstration.
This one took a considerable bit more concentration. I was glad she took this one seriously. I did not want her accidentally destroying herself and everyone else here because she was being unsafe. She took another deep breath and exhaled slowly. And with a small squint of her eyes a tiny little flame appeared in the palm of her hand.
This time Aro did gasp.
"You are a pyrokenetic?" he asked Cassandra. She nodded weakly as Bella stared into the flame in her palm. She smiled at me over the little fire. When she let go of Cassandra's hand the little fire went out. She was limited with the need for physical contact but she was also so talented, so unlimited in ways that someone like Aro could only dream. He could read thoughts of a lifetime but he could never truly know what it was to posses another's powers. But Bella could experience them; she could use them if she so wished.
"Bella this is…quite astonishing. But I have to say I don't particularly know why you think it strengthens the case for yours or Edward's freedom," he said languidly. He was trying to appear as though this made little or no difference in his opinion of her or the issue. But now that he knew what she could do…
Bella shook her head and then reached over and grabbed onto Jane's arm.
"And if I were to use Jane's gift? What then? Or if were to go find Cassandra and burn Volterra to the ground? You know I could do it. You know I would do it if I were given enough reason. You have seen me when given ample provocation Aro; you are intelligent enough to know that I will react in such a way to cause damage where damage is deserved."
"You forget who you speak to!" Aro shouted, his anger now flared beyond caring about her gift.
"I think perhaps it is the other way around, Aro."
Without warning he struck her. The back of his hand connected with her face so quickly I strained to see it. The crowd behind us gasped. I growled low. I could not believe he just hit her. But Bella looked into my eyes with sincere reassurance. I could not read her mind but she seemed to be telling me that she was fine. She tossed her head, readjusting her hair. Then she looked into Aro's eyes.
I could not see them myself but in Aro's mind I was startled. There was nothing in them but blind power and a sly smile. He would never avert his gaze and agree to subservience to this girl but at the moment, she was uncontrollably volatile. Her hand was still on Jane's arm. At any moment she could choose to lash out with her power and bring every person in the room, human and vampire to their knees. But she did not. She let go of Jane and straightened herself.
"It was wonderful visiting with you again Aro. Marcus and Caius it is always lovely to see you. Have a wonderful rest of your evening, enjoy the feast," she said quietly, her voice a soft hum. Then her hand slipped into mine and we walked out.
The drone of voices and thoughts behind me built and then suddenly cut off as we walked down the hall. The feeding had begun. The smell of human blood filled the air behind us as we approached my room but while I felt Bella stiffen she did not go into a hungry rage. She stopped outside my door, standing with me, her eyes looking into mine. She was looking for a response.
"Do you feel better?" I asked teasingly. She had risked her life back there in taking risks such as those, and for what purpose i was not entirely sure yet. She stepped into my outstretched arms, settling into the place she so rightly belonged.
"Its always better when you hold me," she reminded me.
AN: Thought I would end this chapter with a cute moment and not a cliffy for once. But don't you worry my faithful readers, this is not over. MORE IS TO COME! I mean seriously, you can't just go around throwing your power in Aro's face like that and expect him not to be ticked…
Until next time, I hope you enjoyed this latest chapter. It was fun to write.