Heyy okay so I noticed that I didn't get a lot of reviews :( It's the only way I know whether or not to post...but anyways I think I love this story too much to not post lol. Please just leave a thought or concern or whatever lol thanks
Disclaimer: S. Meyer owns all, I just own the plot :)
JPOV
"We can't assume the worst Jasper, it could be someone else," Edward says but I can't feel the doubt behind it.
"No, it has to be her, all the clues that we've had lead to the Volturi," I say.
"What are you two talking about?" Carlisle asks.
"Jasper believes that Bella has been awakened by the Volturi and that she is the new member of the guard." Edward fills him in.
"Oh dear," we all turn just in time to see Esme drop a vase of flowers onto the carpet.
"Esme, I'm sorry you had to hear that, Edward and Jasper are not in the right state of mind right now."
"In the right state of mind! How can you ignore the facts Carlisle?" I shout. "Bella is there, I know it!"
"Is this true Carlisle? Was Bella awakened by the Volturi?" her voice is full of dread.
"I believe them," Alice chimes in. "I can't see a thing regarding our trip to Volterra, it's all dark."
"Are you planning on visiting them?" Esme asks.
"Yes, Aro just called a few minutes ago. He wants us to meet this new vampire they have recruited."
"And this new member is Bella?" She asks him.
"No, I don't believe so, but Jasper would rather much like to believe this," Carlisle says while shaking his head.
"But what if they are right Carlisle?" She looks down. "I could not bear to see her standing up there with the others." She lifts her head, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "What clues do you have Jasper?" I smile to myself; I knew Esme would be on my side.
"Well when I went to the area where Bella was buried, there were no traces of any kind of scent, but the area looked too organized, like someone tried too hard to make it appear as if they were never there."
"That doesn't explain anything," Carlisle bites in.
"The Volturi are very meticulous in their actions Carlisle, who else would make a jungle in Egypt look too neat?"
"This is nonsense Jasper, Bella wouldn't want you doing this to yourself," He is right, but the desire to see Bella is way too strong to ignore.
"Please just let me finish," I sigh. "Edward met a vampire living in that area, when we asked him questions about Bella; he instantly knew what we were talking about. He told us that he knew Bella was sleeping there but had no need to wake her. "
"Yes, well I'm guessing that a vampire living in Egypt would know of Bella's story; however I fail to see how this points to the Volturi."
"Well he told us that one day he realized that Bella's body was no longer there, which means that whoever took her, knew exactly where she was buried. Do you remember that we went to the Volturi about a year ago because of that newborn problem in the region?"
"Yes,"
"You're right Jasper," Edward interjects. "Aro read all of our thoughts, including yours Carlisle. He could see the exact location of Bella's body"
"If anyone has Bella, it has to be them," Esme whispers.
I sit down and think about the possible outcomes to seeing Bella, she could either be thrilled to see me or cold and indifferent as the Volturi are. But I know Bella; she would never join them, especially after how we told her about them. She is way to loving to be become a killer in that way. I will hold onto the hope that somehow Bella is not there by choice but a pawn used to recruit Edward, Alice and I into the guard.
BPOV
The trees whip past me as I run forward, not caring about the branches that stick out like hands along the way, wanting to pull me back. In a sudden blinding flash, his face appears, beckoning me forward with pleading eyes. I run faster, not wanting him to think that I don't want him or need him. But the quicker I run, the farther the length gets. He stretches his hand out, screaming something that I can't hear, but when I focus I can see that he is saying help me. How can I help? Every step I take seems to push him farther than where he was before. The trees start to move in, pulling me towards their sharp thorns and branches. I've failed him I think as I succumb to the grasp. I look up to give him my final sorry, my final plea for forgiveness but he is not looking at me. His eyes are locked onto the dark hooded figure that looms above him. I struggle, not wanting him to meet this fate, not wanting him to hear the dirty things the hooded man will tell him. Just as I am able to pull free, he is cut down, lying motionless and lifeless on the forest floor. He is dead.
I Jump up from the bed, sweat clinging to my clothes, making the weight almost unbearable. I wait until I can catch my breath before I open my eyes. A cool hand touches my cheek and I instinctively lean into it. Another hand smoothes away my hair and I smile weakly, the nightmare was horrible but this almost makes up for it. The hand makes it way down my jaw, my neck and then rubs slowly along my collar bone. No, I don't like this feeling; this isn't something that Damien would do. The burden of the dream still holds a strong influence over my movements and I feel like I can't lift up my hand to push this hand away. I moan groggily as the cold hand starts to apply pressure to my throat. No, no I don't I want this; I can feel my pulse heavy and quick against my chest. Finally the worry of my dream loosens its hold and I am able to blink my eyes open.
I scramble away toward the back to the bed; the eyes that met mine were ones I did not want to see. He smirks as he sits on the bed. My breathing becomes irregular and I close my eyes hoping that when I open them, he won't be sitting there. I squeeze my eyes shut hard until they burn, hoping that somehow this will work. However I know that I have failed when I hear the deep chuckle that I have grown to despise.
"What are you doing here?" I say through clenched teeth.
"I give you two days of vacation and this is how you repay me? Very rude Bella, I'm quite disappointed."
"Vacation?" I ask while snapping my eyes open. "I wouldn't classify two days of you not draining my blood, as vacation." I spit out.
"You should be grateful, I told Aro you didn't deserve it at all," he spits back.
"You don't know what that word means; because you don't even deserve to be alive or whatever it is you are,"
"In charge, that is what I am Bella," he smirks back.
"I'm pretty sure that's Aro, you're just the lackey," In a split second Demetri had his hand around my neck.
"Truth hurts huh," I manage to rasp. By now I don't care if he puts more pressure on my throat, I am so numb, I probably wouldn't feel it.
"Do you want to know your truth Bella, since you're so good at it?" he asks amused. "You're never going to be free, consider this your last break," he lets go of my throat violently.
He goes to the end of the bed where my ankle is shackled to a long chain and begins to open the clasp. My ankle is free; I yank it up under me, rubbing the sore spot. The skin is grayish there, probably because of the lack of blood circulation. He smiles up at me while shaking his head. I close my eyes, trying desperately to wish him away but well knowing that Demetri will always be there.
"Bella dear, are you okay?" I open my eyes. Heidi stands there in her normal perfectness; gorgeous and statuesque. Her long, glossy mahogany hair shimmers as she cocks her head at me. "Demetri how many times do I have to tell you to stop antagonizing her? She's not really going to like you when she joins us, now is she?"
"That will never happen." She turns to me with a smile.
"Oh, you don't have to worry much about him Bella, he'll do whatever I say."
"I'm not talking about Demetri, I'm talking about joining you, I will never do that!" I sneer. Her beautiful face frowns.
"Oh well that's not a very nice thing to say now is it? No worries, I know you'll change your mind sooner or later."
"She's rather stubborn isn't she?" Demetri says while coming up behind her to wrap his arms around her waist.
"Yes she is," she says while staring me down. "Aro asked me to get her prepared for our guests," she turns to look at him. "So get out,"
"What? I'm not allowed to watch?" he muses. In a flash he leaves us alone in the room.
"Don't worry about Demetri, he is always like that when around beautiful women," she smiles. "You know it would be easier for you just to accept his bantering and give in to what he asks."
"What are you trying say?" she walks into the closet on the other side of the room.
"Demetri is interested in you," she walks out with various dresses in her arms. I try to sit up to get a better look but I can feel my back protesting every move.
"You think I don't know that?" I say while wincing. She walks over to me and places a strong hand behind my back.
"I'm well aware that you know this but what I don't get is why you are fighting him," she supports my back and begins to lift. "Can you get out of the bed by yourself," I test my legs and automatically know that the answer is no. "Well?"
"No," I say through gritted teeth.
"Okay well I'm going to help you up and into the bathroom," I reluctantly nod my head.
"Where is Damien?" she smiles.
"He is getting all dressed up for our guest."
"Guests?" I ask while she helps me out of the bed in one fluid movement.
"Yes, but I've been told not tell you, Aro wants it to be a surprise."
"So I'm guessing you here to help me get dressed?" She smiles brightly.
"Yes, Aro wants you to look dashing," I snort.
"I'm not sure that's going to be possible," she shakes her head while leading me to the bathroom.
"What do you mean Bella?" I roll my eyes discreetly
"I can do this on my own," I grind out. She smirks and then sighs.
"Very well then, I'll be waiting in the room," She disappears without another word.
I immediately grab onto a towel rack, holding onto to it for support. I slowly shed my dress off, wincing when I have to lift my hands up to get it completely off. Every muscle is screaming in agony as I walk over to the supersize tub. I don't think I have enough strength to actually turn it on; every movement sends me into a state of groaning and hisses. I hear shuffling outside the door and urge myself to be silent. The last thing I want is for Heidi to come in here to do me a "favor." I bite down hard on my lower lip to distract me from the twinges of torture that I feel when I move my legs. Somehow I am able to turn the faucet that releases the heavy flow of hot water that my body needs.
At a snail's pace I lower myself into the tub, letting out a sigh of pleasure as the hot water unwinds all my tight muscles. I close my eyes and think about the nightmare I had this morning. Of course the man that I was running to was Jasper; the amber eyes were unmistakably his. A small pained smile forms on my lips as I imagine his face just the way I liked seeing it. I try not to think about how his lips were in a grimacing frown or how he reached his hands out to me and how I couldn't take his hand to save him. I think about the hooded man that loomed over his unmoving body.
A small tear falls down my eye but it nothing compared to how I could be crying, how I depressed I really feel. I sniff loudly and reach for the bar of soap; slowly rubbing down my whole body. How could my life come down to this? Somehow I think I always knew that my curse would lead me to something I wouldn't be able to get out of. A bitter laugh resounds in the foggy room as I think about how I complained about being awakened to help Jasper. Those days seem so long ago, but I know I would do anything to go back there, even if Jasper couldn't be mine.
I pull my head underwater and think about how easier my life would be if I could just end it all right now; I would find a way for Damien and I to escape. Bringing my head out of the water, I let the steam comfort me. I never thought I could actually end a life, even if it meant saving another, but I'm sure that if I could, I would kill Demetri. I would kill them all; burn down the whole castle as I watched as the purple fumes make deep circles in the night sky. I bit by bit I get out the warm water and begin to towel myself down.
This whole thing is confusing to me; why did they allow me to rest for two whole days and who are the guests that I have to dress nicely for? Surely they wouldn't want their company to see me. I turn to the clouded mirror and swipe my hands across it. I look closely at my face; what used to be a golden, olive toned skin, is now pallid and unhealthy. My skin resembling paste in texture is rough to the touch and seems to flake off onto my fingers. My body, unused to the lack of a natural diet, is now shutting down completely, truly turning me into a monster. I don't dare look at my hair, which now sports an off black instead of its usual lustrous black. It's thin and dry and is breaking in various areas. As I turn, I can clearly see the results of not eating a good diet; my bones protrude sickly from my back, making me look like an emaciated, abused animal. I wipe another tear before turning to open the door. I think to myself again, surely they wouldn't want their company to see me.
Heidi looks impatient standing by my bed; constantly checking her watch. She smiles when she sees me.
"What took you so long? I thought you were drowning yourself in there, but then I remembered that you can't." she laughs but I set my mouth and walk to the opposite side of the bed.
"What do you want me to wear?" I ask, a little impatient myself.
"You're going to love it!" She squeals, instantly reminding me of Alice. A slow rolling pain hits my stomach, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I miss her too.
"What is it?" I ask dully.
She unzips a black bag and pulls out a long black velvet dress. She holds it out in front of her and looks down at it with complete love. She walks over to my toweled body and swirls it around for me to get a better look. The velvet is split up on one side, revealing a ribbons and roses full skirt. The skirt is deep and plum red, looking very "dashing" with the black velvet. I instantly think it's too beautiful to be worn by me but hide my reaction until she speaks.
"So? What do you think Bella, isn't it gorgeous?" What harm will it bring to be honest?
"It's beautiful," I whisper. She smiles in delight and steps closer to me.
"I'm going to help you get dressed," She says in more of a serious tone.
I nod my head slowly knowing that she will not allow me nor trust me to put the dress on myself. As she pulls my towel away from me, a small gasp escapes her mouth. I know it must be because of my back; how my spinal cord seems to attract attention. I hunch down even further to make an emphasis on their abuse; maybe it will be enough to convince her to excuse me from their gathering.
"Well this just isn't going work out," she turns me around. "What have you been doing to yourself?" She asks in a mocking tone.
"Me?" I turn around hastily "Ask Demetri," I spit.
I grab the undergarments on the bed and put them on, not bothering to cringe when I bend my legs too far. She stands there with complete shock on her face. I sit on the bed and pretend to be really interested at a piece of lint on the bed. I do cringe though when she yells Demetri's name. I pull the discarded towel and wrap it around me.
"So you've changed your mind and decided to let me watch anyway?"
"Not quite," she turns me violently towards Demetri and pulls the edge of the towel down to reveal my back. "Care to explain this?" She points to me.
"Explain what?" he asks calmly while standing beside my bare back.
"Why she looks like she hasn't eaten in weeks," she hisses.
"Oh that." He laughs. "Well I didn't let that stunt she pulled with Damien and how she made me look in front of Master so I took matters into my own hands.
"You and your ego," she rolls her eyes.
"Is there something wrong?" he rubs his hand down my back; running his index finger along each jutting bone.
"This dress is meant to be worn to accentuate the back but I can't have her wearing it when she looks like that," I grind my teeth down when I realize that she didn't care that I was being starved, she only cares about the dress.
"Well can't you cover it or something, it is quite disturbing," He finally moves his hand off my back.
"This is your entire fault." She says.
"Don't you worry, Bella will be given food today…I've forgiven her,"
"I don't need your forgiveness," I hiss.
"Oh trust me Bella, you need everything you can get from me," he smirks.
"Now what do I do? I can't switch the dress; Master Aro wanted this one,"
"Like I said, why don't you just cover it with something?" She smiles.
"I guess you are good for some things," she runs into the closet and returns with a plum hairpin lace shawl. "This will go perfect with it." She gazes adoringly at the shawl before draping it across my shoulders.
"See now you've worried for nothing,"
"You may leave now Demetri, but let me warn you, I will not be adding any more accessories to dresses in the future so do not let something like this happen again."
"I can assure you Heidi, Bella and I will be far past our fun little tantrums in the future," He looks down at me. "Won't we beautiful?" He says in more of a statement then a question. "You two should be ready in thirty minutes,"
"Thirty minutes? Well that's hardly enough time to do her hair!"
"Not my problem," He says before leaving the room.
"This ismostly your fault," She says to me as she lifts me to a standing position.
"I do not see how that can be true." She furrows her brow.
"If you hadn't gotten him angry, he would've given you food and this dress could've been worn without a shawl." I scoff.
"That hardly seems a rational reason to starve someone." I bite out.
"Rational reasons do not exist for us Bella; we merely do what we want, when we want." She pulls me over to vanity mirror and makes me sit down on a small plush chair.
I silence myself as she applies various chemicals and pastes to my face. Every now and then she sighs in frustration while poking and prodding at my face. I barely feel anything as she plucks at my eyebrows or forces a small garnet earring into my ears. About twenty minutes later she pulls away from me.
"Squisito," she says admiringly. "Now let's get you in that dress," She drags me to the bed where she directs me to step into the dress.
I do as I'm told and step into the black dress. As she pulls up, I can feel how it fits me perfectly. It hugs my thin hips but gives the illusion of a nice curve. When I look into the mirror I cannot believe that it is me. My black hair is shiny and looks more alive than it did before when I was in the bathroom. It is slightly pinned back to let the ringlets hang past my shoulders. The front of the dress is heart shaped and sticks to my breast brilliantly. Somehow my pale skin makes the dress look even more beautiful. Tears come to my eyes, but not tears of joy but tears of hate. I hate that she has dressed me in this, I hate that I can't stop looking into the mirror, and most of all, I hate the fact that I keep thinking that I would love my wedding dress to look like this.
"Well what do you think?" She looks at me.
"How do you do it?" I ask her.
"Do what?" She asks looking slightly frustrated with me for avoiding her first question.
"Never mind," I say, not wanting to try to understand her. "It's beautiful…I'm beautiful,"
"Of course it is!" She smiles. "Let's go, we mustn't be late." She walks ahead of me.
"What about Damien," ask behind her.
"Why are you so attached?" She stops at the door and asks without turning.
"He needs me," I say simply.
"Demetri needs you," She says while turning to look at me. "Why is that so hard for you to see?"
"No, he does not need me, want and need are two different things," she smiles.
"You shouldn't fight him on this…he always gets what he wants." She turns around and unlocks the door.
We walk down the long hallways and straight to the double doors and then to the elevator. The menacing opera music blasts into my ears as we lurch upwards. The doors ding open and we continue our march down the hall.
"Bella!" I hear. I lift my head up to see Damien dressed in a black button down and black dress pants. I break away from Heidi's stride and run toward him.
I have to hold the bottom of the dress in my hand because of the length; I would hate to fall. When I am within arm reach of Damien he pulls me into his arms and into his chest.
"You too huh?" he says as he pushes me slightly away to look at me.
"Yeah, but I hate it," he frowns.
"Me too, who do you think we're supposed to be meeting?" he asks.
"You aren't meeting anyone, Bella is." Demetri appears at his side. "You're just here because Master Aro believes that Bella won't cooperate without you,"
"And he's right," I snap.
"With time Bella…with time," he says before walking through the big doors.
"No more talking from this point on, our guests will be entering through the other doors and Master Aro would like your complete silence."
"I don't get why we have to listen to you," Damien challenges.
"Because unlike Master, I don't care if Bella will cooperate without you. Memorize this." She hands me a small card with writing on it then turns away from us to stand closer to the door.
Damien does not say anything else but instead hold my hand which I squeeze tightly for reassurance. Whoever these guests are, they must be very important for me to be dressed like this.
JPOV
"Thank you for coming on such short notice; we appreciate your company,"
"No need to thank us Aro," Carlisle says.
"No but I must,"
"Very well,"
"How was the flight?" As if he really cares.
"Good thank you."
"Well let's being shall we? Would you like for me to start from the being?"
"Spare them the trouble Aro and just introduce them," Caius says.
"I think the Cullens would like some sort of information." He goes on. "What do you say Carlisle? Would you like us to bring our guest out or would you like to hear about her?"
"Caius is right, I'm sure the Cullens are on a tight schedule, we should just introduce her and save the story for another time." Marcus interjects.
"Looks like I'm out voted, very well then. Heidi bring in our guest and Damien please."
This is it; this is the moment that we've been waiting for. If Bella is the person behind that door, then I will stop at nothing to be with her…even if she is a member of the guard. The door slowly opens and Heidi emerges with a boy trailing behind her. Alongside the young boy is a woman with her head down her long black hair trails in ringlets behind the shoulders. She is absolutely stunning in the black dress, but I know that it could not possibly be Bella. This girl is too pale, too skinny to be my Bella.
"Heidi you may join the others,"
"Thank you Master," She saunters over to where Jane stands. "Please excuse our newest member, she is quite shy. Why don't you say hi?"
BPOV
"Please excuse our newest member, she is quite shy. Why don't you say hi?" I close my eyes and prepare myself to repeat the word that I was given.
"Hello," my voice sound not like my own,
"Go on dear," Aro urges with a bit of force.
"My name is Isabella, and I -" I stop speaking when I hear a series of gasps from across the room. I don't dare lift my head up but when I hear my name I whip my head up.
I must be dreaming, this cannot be what is happening right now. I blink more than once; hoping that it will somehow clear the images away from in front of me. However when the vampires standing across the room do not disappear, I know that I am not dreaming but living a nightmare. They all are standing there; Carlisle, Esme, Rosalie, Emmett, Alice, Edward and…
"Jasper," I whisper.
Sorry to leave it at a cliffy again but I just had to! Maybe it will influence you guys to review and tell me how much you hate them lol or how much you loved the chapter. :) i'll try not to leave it on a cliffy next time. Please leave a review, it'll make my day so much better. Thanks guys!