Merry Christmas.
Heidi eyed me up and down as I sat with my head in my hands.
I sat on the cream sofa, back in my room and it had literally been blitzed. Make up, hair products, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings, shoes, bags, masks and of course, the numerous, plentiful dresses, had been placed down in just about every free space there was. It was a maze of boxes and I just hadn't bothered looking. It didn't matter. Heidi had come over with another vampire called Maryl who had a thick French accent. They were discussing what I was going to wear to the Ball.
From what I could tell, Heidi and Maryl were good friends. They joked about and very rarely had arguments. Maryl would never raise her voice and only Heidi's impatience or anger would get in the way. Heidi did have a temper, one I soon realised not to agitate.
"Well," Heidi started, flicking her long, brown hair. "If she is going to be introduced to others she needs to look her best. Does she not?"
"Oh, yes, by all means but what to put her in…"
The conversation around me didn't matter. What I wore to the Ball didn't matter. Nothing mattered. I had one image burned under my eyelids. Edward was kissing Victoria. One image that wouldn't go away.
I was prepared for him not to love me back but walking in on him kissing another woman – and Victoria of all people – hurt. It hurt more that I'd expected it to. I had to stop myself going over there and ripping her head of, because I knew I could. But Edward didn't stop her, he actually looked rather unresponsive, but he wasn't pushing her off either.
"…or silver perhaps?" Heidi pondered.
"Oh, yes, madam. Silver!"
Edward had written that letter before he left. I had no idea whether he still loved me or whether his was, in fact, in love with Victoria. I winced at the idea. Would he fall in love with her? The woman who tried to kill me? Was he on her side? Had this all just been some game?
"Oui, madam, oui!"
"Maryl, you are not meant to agree with everything I say." Heidi snapped and brought me to my senses. Then her tone changed to what it was like before. "I'd like your honest opinion on what would look good on her."
I pulled my head out of my hands and looking up, I saw her appraising me like a chunk of meat. Okay, a few days ago I was a human and I wouldn't have really cared if they did that… but I had just become a vampire, just like them. Now, just like before, I was being viewed like food. Before, they would attack with teeth and sharp nails, now it was curling tongs and mascara.
"Hmmm," Maryl frowned under her blonde bob haircut. "I think we go with something gold. It would go good with the hair and I have a beautiful mask that is die for…" She started to rummage in the ample boxes. What was it with this place and gold? (A/N: Remember, Maryl is French and doesn't have perfect English.)
While Maryl was getting lost, Heidi struck up a conversation with me.
"Why?"
I hated it when people spoke like I should already know the question. Everyone seemed to do it lately. "Why what?"
"Why did you want to be changed?"
"Well…" I trailed off. It was really for Edward. I wanted to be close to him but I didn't know what his reaction would be and I certainly didn't expect him to do what he did. I felt betrayed but I knew why I did it in the end.
"Love…" I stated simply.
"Ah," was all she said back.
Maryl bustled back with a large white box, another smaller one like it on top and two velvet cases balancing on that. If I didn't know we were all vampires I would think she'd drop everything. Neatly, if not perfectly, she placed them down on the coffee table in front of me. She smiled at both Heidi and I before pulling the lid off the largest box.
Wow.
Beautiful. Utterly beautiful.
It was a long, gold, strapless dress. Gold started at the top, with small beaded vertical strips trailing down to my waist where a quaint flower pulled some of the gold up, showing the white tulle underskirt. (profile!)
"Behold, the gold and ivory Taffeta gown, shipped in from Paris just last week." Maryl giggled and then sighed. "Ah, Paris. Comment j'ai manquer le vieux pays…"
She rolled her eyes. "Paris en fait."
They then started talking in French, probably just so I couldn't understand them. Not that only one language would stop me understanding. They could speak in fluent Spanish and I still wouldn't figure it out even though I studied it at Forks.
I wouldn't have believed you if you told me before. I wouldn't believe it if you said he would kiss her. I didn't – and still doesn't make sense. It hurt to think about how he deceived me. It hurt to know that he was here, in this very building and that he didn't love me.
Edward… How I just wanted everything to go back to normal…
Une telle beauté. Elle se penchera merveilleux!
Questa palla… Ciò che rende così speciale il suo?
Idiot! He still thinks he can save her! After he knows what I can do to him he still tries to save her! She even saw him kissing her!
I fell to the floor, clutching my head. The thoughts were coming in thick and fast.
"Isabella?!" Heidi and Maryl cried out simultaneously.
And then, as fast as I had heard them. They were gone.
I took a deep breath in and climbed back into my seat. It took a second before Maryl's curious and caring nature took over – something I'd noticed she couldn't help – and she started hording me with questions I just couldn't answer.
"What in the world was that?! You just fell to the floor in pain and now you're fine?"
I waited patiently for her to calm down, as did Heidi. Slowly, she did. "I have no idea what it was. My head just really started to hurt." I shrugged it off, knowing I would have to find a better excuse later.
Maryl's eyes narrowed, obviously not believing me. She went to the other box and pulled out a glittering object. "This is the mask."
Wow, yet again.
It was a half mask. The undercoat was white and elegant gold designs were painted on. To the right of the mask thin pieces of metal were moulded into a stylish fashion. It curved up and around, nearly touching the top of the mask. Small diamonds had been placed just above where the eye holes were, making it look like I was wearing diamond eye shadow. (Profile)
"Where in the world are you finding these things, Maryl?"
"I have my sources, madam." She smirked. "Oh, but we are not done yet. Pas fini, non, non, non!"
She took the velvet cases, opened them up and handed them to me. It felt like my eye balls would pop out of my head.
It had to be one of the most expensive necklaces I'd ever seen, even when shopping with Alice. The kind that if you saw in a shop window wouldn't have a price tag because it was so pricey. I could feel my jaw hanging wide open as I looked at the many, many diamonds. It started as a normal necklace (encrusted with diamonds) and as it progressed around, strips of more diamonds formed and grew. (Profile)
Wow. Wow didn't even cover it this time.
"Why are you doing this for me? Why am I so special?"
Heidi and Maryl looked at each other for a second. There was something I didn't know. Heidi stood, taking my hands in her, trying to calm me, I suppose. "We don't know ourselves. Aro has just told us to make you look lovely for the ball tonight. He seems to think you'll have an extra gift or something like that. All I know is that his and Jane's gifts do not work on you." She sighed and collected the dress up. Handing it to me, she said, "Try this on. Then we will go, inspect the ballroom and speak to Aro. He is excited to see you, as you can imagine." She rolled her eyes and led me to the bathroom.
By far, the bathroom was my favourite part of my suite. It was large and never ceased to amaze me with its flair. My fingers traced the cool marble as I placed the dress down on the toilet seat. My reflection still shocked me and I had seen it many times. It wasn't so much the amazing beauty that came with the change but the blood red eyes that came with them. They didn't match and I didn't want them.
I stripped from my clothes and pulled on the dress. It felt odd. I could feel each stitch under my fingers and how weak the material was under my hands. The dress fit my form snugly and still somehow made it look like I had curves. Perhaps it was the change helped but I did look good in it. That I couldn't deny.
I slowly opened the door, still careful not to break anything like before and Maryl clapped her hands.
"Magnifique! Merveilleux! Je vous ai dit ainsi!
"Calm yourself, Maryl. I never said it wouldn't look good." She then spoke to me. "You will look wonderful tonight. Change back and then we can leave. Aro has been moaning ever since you finished your change."
Heidi handed me some new clothes and I went back inside the bathroom to change. I looked at the red eyed creature opposite me. How I wished for eyes like the Cullen's. They could blend in so well and didn't need to hide all the time. They fed on animals…I would do the same. But what of my hunger? Didn't I need to go hunting? And what about those voices in my head before? Was that what Edward felt all the time?
The first two voices were probably Heidi and Maryl but…the last sounded like Jane. She sounded like she was talking about us – Edward and I. What did she mean by 'he still tries to save her'?Was he still trying to get to me? One thing I could be sure of, I did still love him. No matter what he'd done I still loved him, even though it hurt to think of him with Victoria, or any other girl. I did love him. I loved him and I wouldn't stop. Not now, not ever.
Jane. I knew there was a reason I hated her and know I had one. She was hurting Edward. I was defending him even when I knew he didn't love me or want me. Masochistic or what?
I stepped out and my thoughts were still on Jane and how she would be hurting Edward. I couldn't stand to see him hurt.
Heidi fell to the floor screaming in pain and I was instantly dug out of my reverie. Eyes wide, both I and Maryl watched, unable to stop whatever was going on.
Heidi sprung up, stormed to the door and screamed Jane's name. I'm sure the whole castle heard because she was there in an instant, generally curious.
"What the hell do you think you were doing?!" Heidi yelled.
"What?"
"You just take it upon yourself to start using your gift when people are unaware!"
"I haven't attacked you in two decades! I'm only allowed to on one of our Master's orders! I have no idea who did it but it certainly wasn't me! I've been watching the boy all day!"
Heidi's eyes narrowed. "And who is watching the boy now, pray tell?"
Jane's mouth formed a small 'o' and she sprinted away as fast as she could. No one spoke but we all heard a quiet 'thud' a few seconds later. I winced.
"Right," Heidi brushed herself down. "We'll go to the ballroom now. Just so you know where it is, Isabella." We walked out of my room and made our way down the corridors. I hadn't bothered to tell them that I preferred to be called Bella. I had decided that only people I trusted would get to call me that and seeing as I only trusted one family in the whole world, I would be getting used to my full name.
A few more passages and one flight of stairs later, we came to huge wooden doors. Maryl and Heidi had been talking vigorously about what they would be wearing to the Ball but it was mostly in French and Italian so I tuned out. The room was larger than my suite, a lot larger. It looked like a wedding reception room or a conference suite. Whatever you would call it big didn't do it justice. There was a stage at the far end and a dance floor just in front of it. There were lights almost everywhere, not that they were needed when you had vampire's who could see in the dark. (Profile)
I was over using wow lately.
"So, here it is," Heidi stepped into the grand room, her heels clacking on the floor outside and then silent on the carpet. "The ball will officially begin at seven o'clock and Aro doesn't want you to be late. He's fussy like that. Caius and Marcus don't really care what time you come as long as you're there. Now, we have to get to see him."
Maryl closed the door and I asked a question that had been burning at my lips for some time. "What is Aro's gift?"
"Oh,that." Heidi made it sound exasperating. "He can read your thoughts. Every one you've ever thought but he has to touch you first. Not like what's-his-name who Jane's guarding."
"Edward…" I mumbled.
"What?"
"His name's Edward."
"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry Isabella. I forgot all about…I'm so sorry!"
"Don't worry about it."
Maryl gave me a sympathetic look before glaring at Heidi. Maryl then erupted into Italian, shouting at Heidi. I tuned it out again. Heidi had no reason to lie to me so if she said that was Aro's gift it probably was.
"Marcus, where has Aro gone?" I heard Caius call from inside the throne room.
"I'm here, do not fret."
"Where did you go?"
"I went to check on our troublesome visitor." Aro spun around as he heard us come in. "Isabella! Look at you now! So beautiful, don't you agree." He looked at Marcus and Caius. They nodded. "Come and sit with us, Isabella. Heidi, Maryl, you may go." He led me to a corner of the throne room where a sofa and a loveseat had been placed. Marcus and Caius sat, as did Aro and he motioned for me to do the same.
"Now, how are you finding you new life, Isabella?
How was I going to answer this? I didn't like it because I wanted everything to be back to normal, though I knew it couldn't be, I wanted to be with Edward even though I couldn't be and I wanted to be away from the Volturi. "Fine."
"How are you finding the blood lust?" It was just a scratching at the back of my throat, like when I had a cold as a human. It was irritating but I didn't have a need to get rid of it.
"Fine also. I don't feel the need to hunt just yet."
"Hunt you say? Does this mean you do not wish to feed of humans?" I grimaced. I would never attack a human.
"No, Aro."
He nodded and then leant forward, clasping his hands together. "Now, down to business. Are you still able to block us all?" If Aro's power needed touch to work he would need to touch me, though, I wasn't sure whether my so called 'gift' was touch or mind related. Despite, this he took my hand.
I froze.
My whole body locked down as my mind tried to take in everything.
One whole millennium of thousands of people's thoughts hit me like a bullet. I couldn't see what was going on, only the memories that I had absorbed. Quite unconsciously, I picked up on one I hadn't meant to.
…Then she walked in, bringing in the most wondrous scent I'd ever smelt. Each step she took would send the freesias over, crawling up my nose, awakening the monster within me that had been dormant for so long. It was enchanting, she was enchanting, everything about her was enchanting. She tripped and the flowers hit me like a truck. She was some kind of monster, devilish being, sent to taunt me. I could feel the venom collecting in the back of my throat as she stepped closer, slowly placing her things down on the desk.
I ended up shooting daggers at Mr. Banner for even thinking of placing her next to me. Okay, next to me was the only seat but couldn't she sit at the other end rather than next to someone that wanted to kill her?
It would be easy. I could attack the right side of the classroom first, and then move around to the left before she noticed. She would only get the chance to scream once before I could sink my teeth into her. One scream from a classroom wouldn't send anyone. It would be so easy and then –
Carlisle's face flashed in my mind. I couldn't attack her, could I? All these years, I'd built up this resistance and I couldn't do that to Carlisle. I vowed when I returned that I would never kill another, and I wasn't going to start now.
Unconsciously, I was glaring down at her. She looked up and then turned her head, moving her hair over her shoulder, throwing her scent at me. But I couldn't attack her, she was just a human. Nothing more than that. I couldn't – wouldn't take her life. Just a girl, I couldn't…
"Isabella…"
I heard someone calling me…
"Isabella…"
It was getting louder.
"Isabella!"
I came to my senses and I could see Aro kneeling down beside me. I had fallen off the loveseat and was lying on the floor. I pushed myself up with my hands, trying to calm the millennium of memories I had just gained in my mind. I was sure it was going to explode but it wasn't as bad as the scratching in my throat.
My chest was heaving, trying to get unnecessary oxygen as Aro spoke. "Good heavens, you gave us a shock there. Are you quite alright?" Caius was peering down from behind Aro and Marcus was giving a 'what the hell' look.
I didn't speak, not trusting my voice, attempting to process the words that had just been spoken.
"Isabella?" He repeated.
"Yes, I am now."
Aro sighed in relief. "Do you know what happened?"
"I think I do…"
"Well…" He pressed.
"I just…Well, let's just say, you have a very interesting power." His brows furrowed in confusion as the burning sensation in my throat grew. "Um, well, I think I may have borrowed it…"
His eyes went wide with excitement. "You mean to say you can absorb other's gifts?" I nodded meekly.
Then Aro squealed.
Marcus, Caius and I just looked at him. He was practically bouncing up and down with enthusiasm. "Wonderful! This is just perfect, Isabella. We were going to introduce you to the vampire society as a member of the Volturi tonight and this makes it even better. Just think –"
"What do you mean by member of the Volturi?"
Aro tilted his head slightly. "We are the Volturi."
"Yes, I know that but since when was I a member?"
"Well, you didn't expect us to just change you and let you go, did you?" I didn't say anything. "With a gift as a human like that? No, no. We couldn't let you go. You were too precious to loose and now even more so."
"Aro," I said calmly, struggling to control myself. "We will negotiate this later. Right now, I really need to hunt."
His face flashed with surprise. He really wasn't expecting that just as I didn't expect to smell so good, even in a memory.
"Oh, yes, but of course. Are you sure you don't want to feed on our natural food source?"
"Extremely."
"Very well. You can not hunt in the castle grounds so we will send somebody to hunt with you. Maryl maybe?"
"I don't mind. I just need to go."
"Maryl," he called. She entered through a side door. "Please take Isabella to the forest. She needs to hunt."
Maryl nodded.
The trees were a blur as I practically flew past them. I understood now, why Edward enjoyed running so much. It was invigorating. A thrill to be sure but the scorch in the back of my throat wouldn't leave. Maryl was having a hard time keeping up with me and each time she called me to slow, the burn increased.
Before I knew it, vanilla was in my nostrils and I was away, leaving Maryl in the wood. I could see my prey before it saw me. A red deer. A stag. I had broken its neck and was draining its blood before I realised what I was doing. It tasted so good. Too wonderful for words.
The burning was gone. It was barely a tickle now. The stag lay in my hands, blood oozing out of the wounds I'd left. My nails had dug into its fur and more blood was seeping out. I was a monster.
"Strange, isn't it?" I looked up to see Maryl looking down. "To see your first kill. At the time, you don't know what you were doing, like you were just watching. Then you realise you have killed. You feel terrible."
I nodded. It was just like I was watching it, a bystander. I wasn't conscious of what I was doing, nor if I would stop.
"I need a shower," I mumbled, looking down at my blood stricken and muddy clothes. Maryl laughed.
Four hours later I was sitting on the end of my bed, frowning at the box containing my dress. The other boxes had been taken away and I was left with what Maryl had come up with. I won't lie. I did love the dress and the mask was in a whole league of its own. I was just dreading the Ball.
I was going to be shown off as the Voturi's prized possession. Aro and I had spoken and he wouldn't let me go. Of course, I would find a way out because I wouldn't let the Volturi keep me here. Even if they wanted to, they wouldn't be able to. And they wouldn't be able to find me because I would block them. That part would be easy, the escaping part would be difficult.
Maryl knocked on my door and stuck her head around it. "Isabella, it is time to get ready." I nodded.
Over the past day, I had grown to trust Maryl as a friend. She still called me by my full name but I had grown to know I could depend on her in a time of need. I hoped she would be there for me when I tried my 'mission impossible', because technically it was. The Volturi were formidable and if angered, lethal.
The dress was just like before. Lovely. And the mask was perfect. Maryl really had a talent for picking out accessories. The jewellery wasn't too heavy either. If I didn't have the feeling of impending doom hanging over my head I might have even looked forward to the Ball.
When I came out Heidi was standing there with Maryl, hands on hips.
"Where do you think you're going? Get back inside there!" Reluctantly, I went back inside. Maryl came in back in with three large wash bags, brimming with make up. Heidi brought in a stool, hair products, straighteners and curling tongs.
Can you say déjà vu without meaning memories?
Another hour of torture later – with not only my thoughts attacking me but two vampires who needed a Barbie outlet – I was staring at the large wooden doors once again, waiting to be announced. Over the day I had been working out how I could use my power and how it worked. So far I could control the thought flow to something manage able and all I had to do was think of the person that had the gift. I took pride in understanding how Edward felt even if he didn't love me anymore. I also realised that I could turn gifts against the one's who had them. It was like I would pick them up and keep them with me until I gave them back. Call me a thief but I had a lot of fun with Aro when we spoke and he was trying to get a Marcus' thoughts. It was too much fun and it was his choice to hold me against my will.
I could hear Aro's voice from outside in the hallway. He was making me sound like a circus act. "One with the ability to stop your own… One with the ability to turn it against you…" Well, that hadn't been confirmed, I still needed to practice on…someone. Jane was busy so my prime target was down. None the less, I could hear the gasps and the shock in their thoughts. "So, may I present," oh god, here it comes. "Miss Isabella Swan."
The doors swung open.
Everyone, apart from Aro, Marcus and Caius were in a mask so it was hard to tell where everyone was. Everyone also wore finery and as I took my first step, the thoughts came in thick and fast. Only because I let them.
…Look at that dress! It's beautiful…
…Wow…
…That must have cost a fortune…
…That mask…
…Thank goodness she's okay… That was Esme, always caring.
…Edward, she feels so sad. I can feel it from over here… That was Jasper, and sad was an understatement.
…Oh my gosh, it's Bella! We so need to take her on a shopping trip when we get back… I hope you heard that Edward… Hearing Alice's enthusiasm made a small smile creep onto my lips.
…That smile…I've missed that smile so much…She hates me…She-she doesn't love me anymore… She doesn't love me… I'm such an idiot…I'd do anything to take back everything. Starting with September…My eyes fell to the floor, grimacing, trying not to remember that day. If I could cry, I'm sure I would have. Why is she doing that? What could have hurt her more than me?…
I didn't want to answer that but I could see him now, standing with the rest of the Cullen's. Esme wore a long purple gown, Rosalie had a short red dress which had a wide cream fabric that made it look like she was wearing a belt, Alice wore a black dress with a red strip that curved around the whole dress and ended in a large bow at the back. Edward wore a suit, like all the other men in the room but his mask was what caught my eyes. It was gold but had music notes cleverly embedded underneath, still showing the white of the paper. It symbolized his love for music. I wanted to wrap my arms around him but I couldn't. Aro was beckoning me over to the stage.
I walked over to him, wondering if Edward's thoughts could be true.
"Isabella," I heard Edward's thoughts again. Why is he calling her that? She hates that name…He was too far away to hear but he was probably digging into Aro's thoughts. "You are to sit on this chair and each of us will come up, state their name and their power. You will then try it out and they will give you tips." I sighed. Edward's mind was questioning my every move and Aro noticed it too. "It needs to happen. We have some of the most elite vampires here to date, Isabella. They have brilliance. Some of which we need double."
I frowned and took my seat as Aro started to explain my complex gift. Jane glided around to behind my chair, supposedly guarding me. She was such a pain sometimes.
So far, my favourite gifts were Aro's, telekinesis, the repulsion to human blood, and, well, I was unconsciously using Edward's all the time.
Of course, Aro had planned this out perfectly. I met each and every vampire in the whole room. Those who had come alone were presented first, then the smaller covens of two, three and four. Finally it was the larger covens.
I was generally dreading the very last coven but I couldn't put them off. Denali was already done in the blink of an eye. Carlisle stepped forward and introduced himself as coven leader and then introduced each member of the Cullen's. I could feel each of their eyes on me as Carlisle spoke. It tore my heart up to see each of their beautiful faces.
We shook hands, like I had done with everyone else in the room. "Carlisle Cullen and my gift is compassion."
Esme stepped forward, taking my hand. "Esme Anne Platt Evenson Cullen, wife to Carlisle. My gift is love to anything."
Then Emmett and Rosalie. Emmett's eyes were soft and his thoughts were sympathetic. Shockingly, so were Rosalie's. "Emmett McCarty Cullen, my gift is strength."
"Rosalie Lillian Hale, wife to Emmett. My gift is slight tenacity. You don't need to tell me twice, I know." She said, proving the point.
Jasper and Alice stepped up next. Alice jumped in front of me, screaming her thoughts about how she needed to take me eight months worth of shopping. "Mary Alice Brandon Cullen. I can see into the future. It's not always 100 percent and the clarity of the picture depends on how far away the thing is. It's not set in stone, the future never is. It's usually very reliable, though it has known to slip up once or twice." She frowned, dropping my hand. Jasper took her place.
"Jasper Whitlock Hale, I can feel and manipulate the emotions of those around me," and as if to prove his point he sent a wave of joy my way and I smiled. Jasper's thoughts were glad he had accomplished something.
Perhaps it was best that I was happy instead of deadly nervous as Edward took my hand. I didn't shake but my dead heart was swelling to two times its normal size.
"Edward Anthony Masen Cullen. My gift is the ability to read minds." Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Jane slowly moving around the side of my chair. He bent his head, lifting my hand to his lips.
Never before have I felt so many emotions.
Jane had moved around, clearly in my view this time, eyes on Edward. The electricity I felt from that small, loving gesture almost certainly provoked my next action. Jane's gleam grew, something I knew to watch for when I first met her. I lifted her power from her and turned it on her. She fell to the floor, writhing, crying out for it to stop. By this time everyone else had stopped dancing or socialising and was watching.
The very idea of Jane having her own fearsome gift used on herself was a bolt from the blue. All of the Cullen's mouths apart from Edward's, were hanging wide open. He was just staring at me, golden eyes burning with that intensity I had missed for such a long time.
Taking the note I had written earlier and hidden down the side flower catch of my dress, I handed it to him and ran from the Ballroom.
I left him with the note and ran to the clock tower.
Dawn was not far off.
A/N:How's that for long?
So, here I am. It's Christmas Eve and it's taken me all day to write these 12 pages. (12! That's 6 more than I normally write!) Anyway, this is my Christmas Present to you all. If you're an American or live further west than myself, you will get this very early and should either wait before reading or spoil your surprise. It's up to you.
Bella's dress, mask and jewellery are on my profile, as is Esme's, Rosalie's and Alice's dress and Edward's mask.
Here are the translations (I'm not sure where Heidi is from so I just used Italian):
Maryl:
"How I miss the old country."
Heidi:
"Paris indeed."
Maryl:Such beauty. It will look wonderful!
Heidi:This ball... What makes her so special?
Maryl: Not finished, no, no, no!
Maryl: Magnificent! Marvellous! I told you so!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Emma
