More disclaimers of jealousy that I don't own the Twilight verse. Ms. Meyer does and that's totally awesome for her.
On another note I realize that I haven't updated in a while but between two jobs and an EXTREMELY clingy girlfriend I haven't had any time to actually write but from now on I'm gonna try to keep to updating at least once a week. Also that one shot is on it's way to being finished so look for that soon.
She refused to speak anymore that evening. As she lay sleeping I couldn't help but ponder over the evenings events. If what Bella said was true then she was well over four thousand years old. Human history dates the first settlement of what is now France as 2500 B.C. Assuming of course she was "hatched" near the time of the settlement of Gaul. While interesting it doesn't solve my question. Why are they after her? We need more information. There's just too much we don't know.
"I can hear your speculation." She sat up from my lap, running her fingers through her silver hair. "We must go. There is much to learn and very little time." She stood and crossed the barn to the clothes she had obtained the night before. She tossed me a small bundle of fabric before slipping in to a pair of black trousers, turning away I too began to dress. Unfolding the bundle I saw that it was a simple dress. The bodice was a pale green that complimented the darker near forest green of the skirt and sleeves wonderfully. I traced my fingers gently over the golden threads decorating the bodice. The design was so similar to the pact mark that I began to wonder just how old this dress was.
"Where did you say you found these clothes?" I slipped on a pair of simple black shoes. They looked almost like ballet slippers, the thought made me smile. I already sucked at acting human, these would just make acting so much harder. It was funny in a way. Edward and Jasper always said I walked far too quietly, even for a vampire. A wave of grief hit me so hard I was sure the wind would be knocked from me where I human. They were truly gone… All of them. There had to be a reason. Senseless violence wasn't the way of the Volturi. But if Edward and Jasper were also dead then they certainly didn't just make another play to obtain our power.
"We must go." Turning my jaw nearly dropped. Bella was wearing the simple black trousers with high heeled black boots that covered up to her knees. Her simple white tunic was trimmed with a deep blood red, from the plunging neck to the billowing long sleeves. My eyes clawed their way from her waist where the shirt was neatly tucked to the amulet she had adorned, silver with a small blood red stone. Looking higher I noticed her hair had been pulled back in to a pony tail and tied with yet another red ribbon. She had never looked more stunning. We were standing toe to toe before I had even realized I moved. My fingers found their way under her tunic and stroked the supple skin of her abdomen. Her eyes bore in to mine in yet another of her unreadable expressions. Our lips barely brushed before she pushed me gently away. "We must go." I nodded, a little disappointed, and slipped my arm in to hers.
"Where are we off to?"
"We need information. There's a town a few miles in to the hills, with any luck someone will know something."
"How are these people supposed to know about what vampires are up to?" A small laugh escaped her lips, she tugged on my arm a little as we began our walk to what I could only assume was this town. There are laws to prevent humans from knowing anything about supernaturals so I'm a little dubious as to what we could possibly find.
"Many towns in these lands are inhabited by those who are more than human and occasionally less. If there is something to be found we will find it there. The High Council does not hold favor among many."
"High Council?"
She turned giving me a wry smirk. "You didn't think vampires ruled all did you? Even the savage raids on the lune chanson by Caius were supported in some way by the Council." Anticipating my questions she continued. "The High Council is composed of many leaders of the supernatural world. Your kings of course compose three of the seats along with Lyceus, the Horn Hind of the werewolf clan, Olna Queen of the Fae, the Demon King Lidio, and magician or two to represent the mortals touched by magic." My gasp made her laugh again before stopping abruptly. Looking around I could tell no difference in the terrain that would have caused her to stop short.
Before I had the chance to ask two armored men appeared from the hillside. I snuck a look at Bella to see that her expression had not changed. Sensing no immediate danger I turned back to the guards. They wore silver breast plates that stretched up over their right shoulder. Leather tunics, which padded their chests and stomachs, were tucked neatly in to leather trousers. Bits of iron and leather formed bracers on their forearms, the left of which was resting on the hilt of their swords. A vision flashed quickly of the two guards opening a gate to a bustling town. When I came to I saw Bella smiling and holding a forearm of one man in what I recognized as a warriors greeting.
"Isabella, it's been so long. It's good to see you again." Said the guard beaming. I felt a storm brewing in my gut at their exchange but I quickly passed it off as the after effect of my vision earlier. Bella's pact symbol had made my visions stronger than they had been. Unfortunately I had found it difficult to track my family. A small pang of guilt surged through me at the thought. My visions were stronger than ever yet I couldn't even save my own family.
"It's good to see you too Marcus. And Sol how have you been?" The other guard gave a shy smile and dipped his head.
"I've been promoted to the guard full time now."
"Wonderful. May we enter?" The guards nodded and stumbled over each other trying to get to the large wooden gate that had appeared on the hills. Marcus stuck his arm in a slot and twisted. Blue and orange light spilled from around his arm and the seam of the door creaked. Pulling back he and Sol each grabbed a door and opened the gate to the bustling town I had seen before.
Bella tugged my arm again as we entered the market. We were getting glances from some and open mouthed stares from others. Obviously Bella had been here before but from the looks of things she had never come with company. I snuck another look at her face to see that she looked guarded. Sensing my eyes on her face she turned to me. Our gazes locked and the guarded look faded a bit to show pride shining through though I couldn't imagine why. Averting my gaze I took a look around the market. Maybe I could get in some shopping before we left this place.
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We arrived at an inn a short time later. Bella excused herself to speak to the barkeep while I took a look around. It didn't seem very large but from what I had already gathered from this place nothing was as it seemed. At the market there had been stalls selling small gems that light fires when thrown and pills that turned in to loaves of bread when water was added. The whole inn was built of beautiful mahogany except the bar which was made of cherry. There were pictures along the walls that showed the opening of the inn as well some local celebrities and some awards given to the inn and the surrounding town.
Warm arms snaked around my waist as a firm yet supple body pressed in to my back. I bit my lip tentatively as her lips grazed my ear. "To these people you are my mate, not simply bound in pact. Do you understand?" Her warm breath ghosted over my ear and neck as she talked. It took all my power to hold back my moan. "Good. We must keep up this appearance, it is not… appropriate… for one such as I to go without a mate for as long as I have." I turned in her arms to look into her stern violet eyes. I nodded in agreement. "I believe I have found a lead but there has been a complication."
"Complication?"
"Yes. We must cross the barrier to the motherland." I stared at her a little confused. Her face looked grim.
"I'm assuming you don't mean Russia."
Her expression hadn't changed any. "No. It seems our only informant has crossed over in to the land where magic originated from."
"So what's the complication?"
She sighed a bit and removed her arms from my waist. "In order to cross the shield I will need to contact Trent, The Magician King. He is not too fond of my clan. Now come, we do not have time."