I opened my eyes slowly, not wanting to overwhelm myself. Everything was so sharp, so clear. I could count the veins in the leaves on the other side of the meadow, which was a good hundred feet away, easily. The sky was an amazing shade of blue, the clouds a pure, bright white. I could feel the wind caressing me as it passed, its fingers wrapping briefly around me, then gone again. I could feel the ground beneath my feet, the dirt warm and hard beneath my toes. I could feel the grass tickle my ankles; I saw the prisms of light as they danced across the sky. It was all so intense. Amazing.
I didn't know what to do. Should I wait for nightfall, and head into town? Should I even head into town? Would I have enough control to restrain myself? I couldn't spend the rest of my life wandering around the outskirts of Houston. I felt so lost, so alone. I wasn't the social butterfly before, but something was pulling me towards town. I would try to head into town after dark. I think I could handle myself when there were less people around. Plus, I mentally added, I couldn't expose myself in the sun if it was dark.
While I waited for nightfall, I worked on my fine motor skills. The kind of strength I now had was a difficult thing to get used to. I would try to pick up sticks, and try to pluck leaves off the branch without crushing them. It was a surprisingly difficult task.
By the time night came, I could button and unbutton the buttons on my blouse without ripping the fabric or crushing the buttons. I figured I had good enough over my motor skills. I ran towards the lights that I assumed were town.
Not too far on the outskirts of town, it hit me. Heartbeats. Three of them. A mile to my right. Before I could stop myself, I found myself running towards the wet thumping of hearts.
I inhaled, picking their scents out in the plethora of scents around me. Amazing. Better than any food I had smelled as a human. As I got closer, I could see them sitting around a fire, talking and laughing. There was a round faced little girl, sitting with her mother and father.
A child.
I couldn't kill a child.
As quickly as it came, the bloodlust was gone. There wasn't anything left in its wake. I couldn't kill her parents and leave her stranded, either. I turned and ran away from the campsite as fast as I could. If anything proved my control, that was it. I shouldn't have been able to stop in the middle of a hunt. Shrugging, I tried to get my mind off that train of thought. It would be of no use to ponder on it. At least I knew I would be okay to go into town. However, I had to find someone to feed from; my control wouldn't be able to last that long.
I didn't pay attention to where I was running, until it was too late. I was hit with a multitude of scents, none of them smelling anything like the humans I just left. It was much sweeter, but had a hint of spice underneath, warning of danger. It had to be vampires. And a lot of them.
I stopped in the middle of a meadow, deciding to wait, and see if they would approach me, or if I could sneak by. I lowered into a crouch instinctively, my hands digging into the hard earth beneath me. I suppressed the growl that was begging to be let out, knowing it would alert them to my location quicker.
I could tell they were getting closer, I could hear their feet hitting the ground; they were running. I could count five sets of footfalls, too many for me to take on alone. Shit. I haven't even been awake a day yet, and I'm looking danger straight in the face. I growled lowly before I could stop it, frustrated. Why the hell was the universe so pissed off at me? I must have really fucked up in a past life.
I came back out of my thoughts, noticing the group had disbanded, and moved to circle around the meadow. My hands dug deeper into the ground, I wouldn't go down without a fight.
Suddenly, a short vampire stepped out from the cover of the trees. She had long brown hair, and was dressed in a lengthy black cloak, the hood pushed down a type of crest on the front left of the cloak, where her heart should have been. She had an evil smile on her round, child-like face, and I got the feeling I should be in pain. I checked myself over mentally. Nope, no pain. This little midget of a vampire was going to have to try harder than that. "What, is that all you've got? Sorry, missy, I'm built a bit tougher than to waver at a smile, even as one as ugly as yours." I smirked.
Her face twisted in anger. "Do you even know who I am, newborn? You should be on your knees in front of me, begging me to spare your life." I shook my head no. Who the hell was this chick, telling me I should be on my knees? Whoever she was, her ego needed to be knocked down a couple hundred feet. "I'm Jane, of the Volturi. I could have killed you before you could have spoken a word. Luckily, for you, Aro knows who you are. Isabella, right? From the Cullen coven?"
Memories came flooding back to me. Edward. Alice. Jasper. Emmett. Rosalie. My second family who left me in the dust. Carlisle. Esme. My second set of parents. With those memories came the promise I made to Aro, to be changed before my nineteenth birthday. Well, sorry Aro, it happened a bit later, and under much different circumstances.
"Don't you dare associate me with those excuses of vampires. I wasn't changed by them. Don't call me one of them."
"Oh, I know exactly who you were changed by. Victoria was working for us. Well, partially for us, and partially for her. She went on and on about some kind of revenge for a mate…I didn't really pay attention. It worked out for us in the end. Surely you didn't think you were going to be able to get out of the deal you made with Aro?" Fucking Edward. He caused me more problems that what he was worth, especially after ditching my ass in Forks.
"Why are you here, then? I'm changed, the promise is fulfilled. Now, leave me alone."
She laughed, then. It was an annoying laugh. This midget was really getting on my nerves. She waved a hand, and the others came out from the cover of the forest. There were more than I counted, eight total. This was no visit to check on my humanity. Fuck.
"You're coming back to Volterra, Isabella. You're going to work for the guard. You didn't fulfill the promise in the time slot allowed. Therefore, it was nulled. We could have killed you. Be grateful that you get out this easily. If it were up to me, you would have been dead the day after your nineteenth birthday. Be glad Aro likes you." She said it with a cold detachment, making me shiver slightly.
The guard? No, I couldn't. Work for the corruption and greed that is the Volturi? I would have to try to fight. I couldn't just lie down and take this. I wouldn't. I didn't want to spend my time fighting their battles for them. I refuse.
The other eight rushed at me from different angles. Analyzing their paths, I jumped up and over, grabbing one of the guard's arms, and twisting it off his body. I tossed it aside, and turned, waiting for their next move.
They were clearly caught off guard by my actions, so I took advantage. I rushed the one already disabled, and kicked, kicking his feet out from under him. I caught his leg on its way up, grabbing and ripping it off at the kneecap. Another guard was running towards me, he was much bigger than the others were. Before I could react, he had my arm torn off, and had me in a submissive position, with his teeth at my neck.
Damn it. So much for fighting my way out of this.
"Are you done, now? It would be really inconvenient to cart you back to Volterra in this fashion. Although, if you still feel the need to fight, we can rip all of your limbs off, and shove you in a box. Choose, newborn." Jane's voice came cold and harsh from the other side of the meadow. So, she wasn't the fighting type. Figures.
I sighed. If I went willingly, it would probably turn out better for me in the end. Maybe I wouldn't have to serve as long, get out on good behavior or something.
"You have proven your strength. I won't fight anymore. I'll accept my fate willingly." My head was bowed, my tone solemn. I felt the man who was holding me down let up.
"I'm glad I didn't have to kill you. It would have been a shame to kill a lady as fine as yourself. My name is Felix, by the way." He stuck his hand out to shake. I tried to move to return the shake, it finally sinking in that my arm was torn off.
"Oh my god, will it grow back? Will I forever be without a right arm? Is it like a starfish? How long will it take?" I was panicking. I couldn't go through the rest of eternity missing my right arm. I was right handed for god's sake!
Felix laughed. "Calm down, Isabella. If you will hold still, I will reattach it for you." He grabbed my arm from where he tossed it, and began to cover the end that attached to my torso in venom. I looked at him skeptically.
"Just trust me. Now, this will hurt slightly, but it will be good as new in a minute." I nodded. With that, he pressed the end to my torso, and I could feel the nerves begin to fuse together again. There was pain, but it wasn't anything like the burn of the change. I winced slightly as it finished, and started to wiggle my fingers. Jane was looking on at the scene with a hint of amusement.
"Is it like a starfish? Will it grow back? God, did those Cullens ever tell you anything?" She seemed highly amused at my reaction.
"Oh, hush Jane. You can't tell me you had a cool head when you got your first arm ripped off."
She mumbled something too low for even us to hear, and then turned her back to us. "We should be on our way back to Volterra." She didn't wait for a response, and started running back towards Houston.
"Think you'll be alright to pass through Houston? Wouldn't want you to murder half the town before I could stop you. Although, that would be a really fun game of chase." He winked to show me he was joking.
"I think I'll be fine. As thirsty as I am, I had the control to stop mid-hunt before I ran into you guys, so I think I'll be okay." He seemed surprised.
"You stopped in the middle of a hunt? How far away did you stop? Were they right in front of you? They didn't notice you were different, did they?" He was firing questions at me too quickly for me to answer them.
"Yeah, they were maybe six meters in front of me. They were huddled around their little campfire; they had their little girl with them. I couldn't kill a child, and I couldn't just leave her there to fend for herself. They didn't even notice me." I finished with a feeling of pride. Maybe I could handle this being a vampire thing.
"Wow, I've never heard of a vampire being able to stop in the middle of hunting like that. You're gonna be an extraordinary vampire, Isabella." He threw an arm around my shoulders. Surprisingly, I was okay with the contact. I mean, I wouldn't ever date Felix, but he seemed like he would be an awesome person to hang out with.
"Uhm, Felix, you realize Jane and half of the guard left like, five minutes ago, right? I mean, its not that I'm eager to get to Volterra, or anything, but I really don't want to have to spend the time looking for Jane, either." I said her name with a tone of disgust. I really didn't like that midget of a vampire.
"Silly Isabella, I'm a tracker. She couldn't run away from me if she tried. I'd be able to find her no matter where she ran." With that, he took off running. That made sense; I was wondering why they weren't taking more precaution with me. I ran after him, not wanting to make any of them think I was going AWOL.
It took us no time to catch up to Jane and the rest of the guard; they were waiting for us just outside Houston.
"We will be passing through Houston, and then catching a plane at a little rural airport just on the other side of Houston. Think you will be okay?" Felix was the only one that felt the need to keep me informed. It was nice, being in the loop.
I nodded. "I'm sure I'll be fine. I feel like I can control myself." Felix just nodded, and turned to walk into town.
We passed through the suburban area easily, as most of the humans were still asleep. Once we got into the more populated area, though, it became more difficult.
"Felix…so…many…heartbeats…" I was clutching onto his arm for dear life. I couldn't tune them out. There were too many in one place. It was like an incessant humming in my ears.
"Jane…maybe we should let her hunt? I mean, she hasn't hunted since she woke up. She's shown excellent control this far, I don't think we should push it." Jane didn't look to keen on that idea. "Please, Jane?" Felix was pleading my case while I was focusing on not murdering half the town. How sweet of him.
Jane sighed. "She's not hunting. She would end up killing too many people." She looked towards one of the other guard members. "You, there. Find something for Isabella to drink. Don't waste any time."
The guy nodded, and took off, the rest of us moving into an alleyway, out of the way of normal foot traffic.
He was gone maybe five minutes, and then he returned, a man in his twenties in his arms. At that point, I didn't care that I had directly caused the end of this man's life. The guard member laid him down in front of me, then backed up. My instincts took over and I let out a savage growl, tearing into his neck. The flesh tore oh so easily against my teeth, the searing blood spilling into my cold mouth. I drank until the man was emptied, coming back to reality slowly.
"Are you good, now?" Felix asked, taking his place by my side again. He really was like a big brother.
I nodded. "What do I do now…?" I asked, feeling completely stupid.
"Demetri will take care of it." The same man as before stepped forward, picking up the body. At least I knew his name, now.
After Demetri returned, we continued to make our way across Houston, me much calmer.
We finally came to what I assumed was the little airport Felix had mentioned. It was made up of a small building, and two hangars that was placed a few hundred feet out.
Demetri went inside the building, carrying a folder of papers. "Flight plans," Felix said from behind me. "He's going to be our pilot." I nodded. That was convenient, having a pilot in the guard. Also, it was a lot less dangerous.
Jane walked towards one of the hangars, which I assumed housed the plane we would be taking. Demetri joined us a few minutes later, telling us that we were cleared for take-off, whenever we were ready. The plane was medium sized, nothing fancy marking it. I guessed that they were going for inconspicuous. How odd, I thought the Volturi were ones for flair.
We boarded, the inside of the plane as non-descript as the exterior. The seats were comfortable, though, and there was a bit more room inside, because there were less seats. Felix was the only one who sat near me, the rest of the guard, excluding Demetri of course, took seats in the back by Jane. So, this is how it was going to be. Yay for being the outcast. Again.
The flight to Volterra was uneventful, everyone staying quiet but Felix and I. He told me what he remembered of his life, before Aro turned him. He had a brother and a sister, whom he loved dearly. His mother died giving birth to his sister, them not having the type of technology that was available now, it was a common occurrence. He worked as an blacksmith until he was turned in 1610. Aro saw that he would be an extraordinary vampire, and decided to turn him. He was twenty four when Aro found him. He left his hometown of Chesapeake Bay, following Aro back to Volterra, and that's where he's been since.
I told him of what little story I had, skipping quickly over my relationship with Edward, focusing more on my childhood and college.
Before I knew it, we were descending, about to land in the outskirts of Volterra. I sighed. I didn't want to face Aro and the other two kings. I didn't want to be here. Was it so much to ask to live an eternity in peace, especially after all I've gone through?
I felt the wheels of the plane touch the ground again. Anger started flooding through me again. Why were they making me do this? This was idiotic. They were going to have to drag me in there.
And they did. Two guards picked me up and carried me into the city, and into the castle. They nodded to the woman who manned the front desk, and went on back. We came to a large set of doors. The Throne Room. Greedy bastards, of course they would have a throne room. The doors open, air rushing along my face from the inside of the chamber. Stale. It smells stale. I could smell dried blood in the air, too. Disgusting.
"Why, hello there Miss Swan. I see your change went well. May I ask how it happened?" Aro glided forward, trying to be friendly.
"Fuck you. You know damn well how this happened." I wasn't playing nice.
"Now, now, Isabella. That is no way to talk to your master." He slapped me hard across the face.
I recovered, looking him straight in the eye, and spit cold venom in his face.
He seemed unfazed, and slowly wiped his face clean. "So, it's going to be like this? I was hoping this would be easy. I suppose I was mistaken. You know you are in debt to us, Isabella. Why are you so reluctant to join us here? Have somewhere else to be?" That was a low blow. He knew damn well I had nowhere else to go.
"Why would I want to work for you? You're the definition of corruption and greed. Need proof? Look around, why the hell would you need a throne room? A castle? An entire city? Why would I want to help you achieve your goals? My time is wasted here."
"Is that what you think? I'm sorry to hear that. But I'm afraid you have no choice. Well, allow me to rephrase that. You do have a choice. We could kill you, or you could serve in the guard. Choose." Aro clasped his hands in front of him.
Dying was not an option. There was something I had to do, somewhere. If I died, somewhere, someone would die because I did. It was an odd feeling I had.
"Fine. You win, Aro. I'll serve you." I bowed my head, a sign of submission.
"I'm pleased to hear that. Now that that's all settled," He clapped his hands together, the guards dropping me immediately. "Follow me." He lead me out of the Throne Room, and stopped in front of a set of doors. Felix soon appeared behind me, putting a hand on my shoulder. Aro threw open the set of doors.
"Welcome, Isabella."
I couldn't believe my eyes.
A/N: Yup. Another cliffhanger. Mwahaha. Btw, I know originally Felix was originally not a tracker, but I wrote myself into a corner, and I couldn't write myself out of it. So…Felix is now a tracker! Yay! Anyway, review, please. It's what makes me write. So, if you want more, tell me in a review!
~Blaize