Chapter Two
"Anyway, you don't irritate the Volturi. Not unless you want to die - or whatever it is we do." - Edward - NM - Pg. 20
The bathroom was as large as the bedroom, done in blinding white. There was an elaborate countered sink, speckled in gold, the water pouring from a sensor. The whirlpool tub was done in the same style, the jets positioned inside, a dial at the edge for different speeds. It could have fit ten people, leaving plenty of room on the floor for twenty more.
Everything looked brand new, and she realized that it probably was. Vampires had no use for such amenities. It was when another startling revelation struck her.
The Volturi planned on kidnapping her for a long while. The only question that remained was why Alice didn't see it. She saw everything, it was one of the many important things that she did for the family. Seeing future financial stocks was one thing, but seeing oncoming danger was a vital role.
When she emerged from the bathroom fresh, her bed was made and clean clothes were laid out. She cringed at the blue satin dress and debated whether she should wear her sweatshirt and boxers for another night, but rather she kept on her floor-length robe.
As soon as she had sat on the edge of the bed, her feet dangling, Alec walked in. In his cold stone hands was a silver tray piled with muffins that smelled of blueberry. It sent her stomach growling again, but Alec pretended not have heard, setting the tray on the nightstand where the glass of water had been.
"You did not like the dress?"
"I'm more of a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl."
His brows knitted in confusion. "Then we will go shopping tomorrow. In the meantime, you shall wear this." He pulled on the door of the wardrobe and took out her jeans and blouse.
"You went through my things," she asked in venom.
"You were less angry when you found that we kidnapped you. You're such an odd girl."
Girl. Not human. He really didn't care about her blood or mortality at all. He was an odd one as well.
He laid them on the bed. "We must go shopping, you cannot wear these for the entirity of your stay." He touched a hole in the knee, slipping his finger through.
She didn't say so, but she hated shopping, however, she would take what she could get. She would not be wearing a dress as if she was attending a gala. Edward had already subjected her to a similar torture once. She never desired to attend her prom, and while she acknowledged that it wasn't as bad as she feared, the fact remained that Edward made her. Edward and Alice. She blamed the dress and the hazardous shoes on the pixie-like girl.
Bella missed them.
"How do I know that you're not lying," she questioned worriedly. "You could be just telling me the Cullens are safe."
"One: I don't have to lie to you for your cooperation. Two: If I am lying, starvation won't bring them back." Seeing the panic in her eyes, he assured her, "I am not lying, however. I will bring one here as proof for you."
"Edward," she demanded at once.
"You are not granted a choice, Miss Swan."
She glared at him, but he was right. She didn't have a choice. Angrily, she snatched a muffin off the tray, biting into it, it falling apart in her mouth.
"Shall I wait outside?"
Swallowing quickly, and wincing in pain at the lump that forced its way down her throat, she answered, "no." It earned her an expression of surprise mingled with that same amusement he had for her earlier. It was disturbing, how much she liked that.
"Very well," Alec said. "I shall stay."
"Will you sit down?"
He laughed. "The Cullens do act human, don't they?"
She scowled.
"I'm sorry, Miss Swan. Vampires do not need the comfort this bed gives you."
"I don't like someone hovering. Sit down."
"You're a brave girl, ordering a vampire."
"I'm dead anyway, right?"
"Brave and logical," he complimented dryly, sitting. "Does this gratify you?"
It did, but out of spite she wouldn't tell him that. "Who will you send," she asked instead.
"I'll ask for Carlisle, he is by far the most peaceful. He wouldn't want to start a war.
"Especially over a human girl." she tried to press the silliness of it. If they realized that then maybe there wouldn't be a war.
"You're more than a human girl if Aro sees you fit to join us, it is a great honor. Your gift is said to be miraculous."
"It's nothing special."
"It is if you're immune to me."
"How can you know that?" She would've remembered if he had used his talent on her. She would have honestly been horrified.
Ruefully he inclined his head. "I am sorry to say that I was merely inquisitive to your defenses against me, but it served you all the same. You were having a terrible dream, you were muttering and weeping. I wanted to help, but I was unable."
She said nothing, not knowing if she should thank him, or be angered that he would use his gift against her while she was helpless. She continued to eat.
Alec sat straight, his chin proudly raised, gazing at the wall, as if drab pictures were displayed. His face was gentle-looking, the features of a boy, but his eyes were beautifully ancient, even in their present color. Something tugged at her heartstrings, awakening her to see that she no longer felt depressed. She was... Whole in his company, and that frightened her.
"Is something wrong," he apprehensively asked her.
"Yes. I want to go home."
"I'm sorry, Miss Swan." He took the muffin from her, pitching it onto the tray.
"It's Bella."
"Bella." He picked up the tray and bowed slightly. "Have a good night."
It was night time. She felt more disoriented, as if waking in another country weren't bad enough. The idea of being all alone in that room spiked the fear in her. It was horrible to be in a place with someone's worst enemies, it was another thing entirely to sleep. Introspectively she was vulnerable, but if she was to die she wanted to know it.
"Where are you going," she asked.
"I'll be standing my station outside of your door," he responded, much like Jasper, in a soldier's voice. Alec was like a soldier, serving Aro the way he did, but unlike Jasper he didn't have the country drawl but the constants of beautiful Italian. Unlike Jasper, he chose to feed on humans.
"I don't think I'll be escaping," she remarked bitterly.
"It's not to keep you in, it's to keep them out."
She felt cold. It was more than the freezing temperature of the room, it was those that were cold themselves, and despite her position, she was grateful to Alec. She hated his reasons (orders), but if she lived to be a vampire she could one day repay them all in kind.
"Stay longer."
He placed the tray on the nightstand again, and sat on the floor where her feet were.
Bella yawned slipping under the thick, Egyptian cotton covers, pulling her pillow underneath her head. She was somehow still exhausted, but she was relaxed with the vampire boy and guard at her side.