25. Torture
The two men I had spoken with earlier came into the room—gliding. Excitement gleamed in Caius' mind and Marcus was mildly bored. He'd had enough of the games and was deeply upset the rush to come to Aro would be foodless.
"Marcus, Caius, look!" Aro exclaimed. "Bella is alive after all, and Alice is here with her! Isn't that wonderful?"
What game will it be today? Marcus droned in his mind.
Hmm. I can almost smell the power. Caius strode closer. I bet this is Alice—the tiny one that Aro spoke enthusiastically about . . . and a human? His face changed into a distortion between thirst and distaste.
"Let us have the story," Aro said, eager.
This should be . . . interesting, Caius thought as he smoothly made his way to the obvious thrones in the room. The Volturi really did think highly of themselves, didn't they?
Marcus followed behind, but stopped to relay a message. His hand reached out as their palms met briefly, but long enough for me to understand. It was the intense relationship that not only did Bella and I share, but with Alice, too.
It's rare, he thought with a fleeting look our direction, then added, and unnatural. The last was about the link between me and Alice.
I snorted and Alice glanced at me quizzically.
What'd he see? Is it bad? Alice thought.
I barely shook my head—just Alice and me resorting to our usual non-verbal communication. I had a feeling it wouldn't go unnoticed here.
"Thank you, Marcus," Aro said. "That's quite interesting."
Marcus gave a slight shrug and joined Caius on their thrones. I suppressed another snort. Their superior attitude was disgusting, especially with the shadow of vampires that trailed behind them like a sinuous cloud.
Aro blocked me out of his head as if he built a maximum security prison around his most precious thoughts. He only let slip what he wanted to . . . until he was unfocused—like now.
A deep connection . . . strong. If we take one, we'll need to take them all. His eyes flashed to Alice and he pulled memories from my mind that he had taken earlier, as if he were grocery shopping for them. He was impressed—highly impressed—and it was with the Volturi you wanted to stay under the radar. Now we were big blimps on their screen.
Aro shook his head. "Amazing,"' he crooned. "Absolutely amazing."
This mind-to-mind crap is really grating on my nerves, Edward. Explain. Alice looked up at me with her irritated pixie face.
Our silent conversations were downright absurd compared to the mind games played in this palace. In a hushed-whisper I said, "Marcus sees relationships. He's surprised by the intensity of ours." Though, truly, it was pointless to try to hide the fact that I was explaining it to her. Every vampire could hear each syllable as if I had spoken it loudly in their ear.
Aro grinned and it was unsettling. She sees the future, he can read minds from afar, and once the enemy is easily captured by my guard with the help of Alice, everything will just be . . . "So convenient," he murmured, consumed by his thoughts of the possibilities. With their bonds the possibilities are endless. Then he spoke to us. "It takes quite a bit to surprise Marcus, I can assure you."
Flashes of a beautiful woman echoed in Marcus' mind and I knew the reason he was dead inside, the reason he barely responded to the others: he was just like me away from Bella. Except his mate was dead—even worse, dead by the hand of his "brother" who held him prisoner here with the help of a vampire who held their bonds tightly in place. I shuddered at the thought and Alice squeezed my arm real quick.
The future is murky . . . but there might be a light at the end of this tunnel. . . I hope. The last part Alice didn't want me to hear. It didn't matter, I always "heard." Except Bella—her mind was still as silent as a shadow.
I knew better than to have hope—that would just be foolish.
"It's just so difficult to understand, even now," Aro babbled on about the bonds as his eyes honed in like missiles to my arm draped around Bella. Well, color him mystified.
In his mind . . . I saw how strongly he wanted to feed, how hard it was to control such a lust of her blood. The blood, it sings out a haunting melody, one of thirst. "How can you stand so close to her like that?" Yup, he was mystified.
"It's not without effort," I responded dryly as I followed his train of thought.
"But still–la tua cantante! What a waste!"
He was so blind. Didn't he understand it wasn't about food, it was about love? I gave a non-humorous laugh. "I look at it more as a price." I'd pay whatever price to have her safe, even if I had to sacrifice myself for her sake.
Alice glanced at me quickly and began to rant out a stream of snarky responses at the slight future shift, even though it only lasted a few seconds. It was a few seconds too long for her.
Aro raised his eyebrows, disbelieving. "A very high price," he responded, almost like he knew the thoughts in my head.
"Opportunity cost." There really was no reason to try and explain this to him. He just didn't understand, nor would he ever.
Understanding flashed through Aro's mind. "If I hadn't smelled her through your memories, I wouldn't have believed the call of anyone's blood could be so strong. I've never felt anything like it myself. Most of us would trade much for such a gift, and yet you . . ." love it instead of eat it, he finished in his head.
"Waste it," I added to his thoughts, my voice sardonic.
The image of Carlisle danced across his mind, a particular memory of arguing about feeding while he was staying with them. Carlisle, even then, refused the taste of human blood. Even I didn't resist human blood when I was younger. I thought Carlisle to be holding me back from the greatness of human blood, but after several years of being the judge, jury, and executioner of several criminals, it never set right with my conscious. Carlisle was right to refuse human blood, and now more than ever did I understand why he made his decision. Now that I knew how precious a human life could be.
"Ah, how I miss my friend Carlisle! You remind me of him—only he was not so angry," Aro responded with a laugh.
"Carlisle outshines me in many other ways as well." My voice was still dry and sarcastic. I just wanted to get past all of the preliminaries—straight to the verdict. Alice's mind was too busy of a place for me to read while I was protecting Bella from the Volturi. The outcome was still hazy and half of it was my fault and the other Aro's.
"I certainly never thought to see Carlisle bested for self-control of all things, but you put him to shame."
"Hardly," I practically snapped. I hated how Aro spoke of Carlisle like he really knew him. He didn't know anything about Carlisle or me. He could read my mind and all the thoughts I ever had but he would never, ever truly understand me or know me. Until he felt the emotions, he would never know because he was busy trying to clinically comprehend them.
"I am gratified by his success," Aro mused, stuck in his memories. "Your memories of him are quite a gift for me, though they astonish me exceedingly. I am surprised by how it . . ." disgusts me, surprises me . . . "pleases me, his success in this unorthodox path he's chosen. I expected that he would waste, weaken with time. I'd scoffed at his plan to find others who would share his peculiar vision. Yet, somehow, I'm happy to be wrong." Oh so happy to have found two extremely gifted vampires and one potential. Carlisle does seem to attract the gifted ones.
I opened my mouth to reply, a growl slipping from my lips, but Alice stopped me. Don't even think about it, Edward. Telling Aro that he's the one that has wasted away isn't going to do us any favors. She was right and I hated it.
"But your restraint!" Aro continued, talking about more than the blood lust. "I did not know such strength was possible. To inure yourself against such a siren call, not just once but again and again—if I had not felt it myself, I would not have believed." He pictured what he thought the outcome should have been. He considered taking Bella himself just to see if the blood would taste as good as it did for me. He replayed the events from the ballet studio with interested, thirsty lust.
I did everything I could to keep the look of pure hate off my face as I practically glared at Aro. To see anyone steal Bella's life, even if it were just a thought of Aro's, had me seeing red. Or should I say vampire parts aflame?
"Just remembering how she appeals to you . . ." Aro chuckled. "It makes me thirsty."
My arm jerked around Bella, pulling her close instinctively.
"Don't be disturbed," Aro replied with a gleam in his eye. "I mean her no harm." Yet! I want to attempt something first. "But I am so curious, about one thing in particular." His greedy, crimson eyes darted to Bella as he dissected her in his head. "May I?" He held his hand aloft. I am only asking to be courteous. I will force this if I must.
"Ask her," I replied with narrowed eyes, trying to keep my voice emotionless.
"Of course, how rude of me!" Aro exclaimed, keeping up the façade. "Bella." His eyes burned in her direction, enthralled and dying, figuratively, with curiosity. "I'm fascinated that you are the one exception to Edward's impressive talent—so very interesting that such a thing should occur! And I was wondering, since our talents are similar in many ways, if you would be so kind as to allow me to try—to see if you are an exception for me, as well?" To see if you will make a good Volturi guard, he added mentally.
I tried to keep a mask of indifference on my face to make Bella feel more comfortable, but she was smart enough to glance up at me with horror in her eyes. It was good to know her tendency to attract all things dangerous was finally starting to seep into her cautious side. If we survived this, would she look at me with the same terror in her eyes?
Trying my best to not scare her anymore, I nodded with a faux confidence. He would do this with or without her permission, and I hoped with my approval she would just say yes so Aro didn't have to show his not-so-courteous side.
Bella began to tremble from head to toe, but she bravely held her hand out for him, not leaving my side. Her trembling was obvious to all the vampires in the room, but I shut them out, only paying attention to what was about to happen.
I immediately felt like the biggest ass on Earth because I was slightly . . . excited about the prospect of finally hearing Bella's thoughts, even if they were through Aro.
Aro, intrigued to the point of impatience, came closer but tried to not look too eager. My jaw snapped tight as I listened to his thoughts. If he couldn't hear her thoughts, he was going to send her through a few tests that included the other vampires. But more than that, if he could hear her thoughts, he would feel ultimately smug and I would, no doubt, be stupidly jealous of him. And I hated that.
Their palms touched and it took Alice's frantic thoughts to keep me from yanking her away. Stay still, Alice commanded. If you don't, no matter what your plan is, Bella will be hurt, possibly die. Don't do something you'll regret.
My mental ears perked up as I strained to hear the thoughts of Bella through Aro—which was something I had only done once before, when I first met Bella and failed at hearing her thoughts then too. Aro heard and saw nothing. He also strained to use his gift, something he had also never had to do. His cocky attitude dissolved into a confused expression before he replaced all emotion with one of a slight smile. I wanted to cheer and boo all at the same time. If she had to touch Aro I was hoping I could at least hear her thoughts, but at the same time I was glad he wasn't privileged with her hidden desires and emotions. I was glad they were still safe and locked away.
"So very interesting," he replied dryly and stepped back. He was disappointed and elated all at once.
Bella cuddled in closer to my side and I could feel her brown eyes on me. It felt like she was examining me—she had always read me so easily and I was sure she could read the expression I was trying to hide: my pride in her.
Her gaze drifted back to the vampires before us, which I was thankful for because the look I shot Aro was not one I wanted Bella to see. He was moving back and forth between his vampire brothers, mumbling in his head. Another test . . . yes. If she is able to prevent others from using their abilities while in human form, I could only imagine what she could do as a vampire . . . Oh my, what a wonderful addition she would make. He shook his head, absolutely baffled.
"A first," he mumbled aloud. "I wonder if she is immune to our other talents . . . Jane, dear?"
"No!" I growled with venom in my voice. I took a step to make a move toward Jane but Alice seized my arm with a force she rarely used with me.
You can't, Edward. Stop!
I shook her off like she was an annoying fly.
Think about Bella! Edward! Alice mentally screamed.
A creepy smile snaked its way up Jane's child-like face. "Yes, Master?" Please tell me I am finally going to have some fun.
Alice was screaming mentally, over and over again, which was the only thing keeping me from pouncing on Jane. Growls, snarls, and other animal-like sounds escaped my mouth—sounds I was sure Bella had never heard from me. Mentally I was dismembering Aro and Jane.
Edward! Alice was shouting in her head. Please stop! Please! If you'll stop changing your mind on how you want to kill all the vampires, I will finally be able to tell you if Bella will be okay or not! Stop! STOP! Edward!
Stop thinking about killing all the vampires around us? Not likely! My breath was even, though if I were a human I was sure it would be as insane as my heartbeats would be. The other vampires all stared at me like I had shot the President, my actions unheard of without the punishment of death. We definitely had Aro's curiosity on our side.
Please, Edward. Go for it. I've been dying to see what kind of a match you'll be. Felix grinned with pleasure as he stepped forward, preparing. Now that you have something to live for, maybe you'll actually try.
You know we can stop you, don't make a scene, Edward. Aro glanced toward Felix who froze as if Aro had stunned him. Felix's grin melted into a sullen expression.
Move an inch toward any of them and I'll have your head, Felix threatened.
Aro turned toward Jane, ignoring us hostile vampires. "I was wondering, my dear one, if Bella is immune to you."
I was furious. Jane would not lay a mental finger on Bella. Instinctively, I pulled Bella behind me, knowing with my body in the way she would have to get past me to hurt her.
The other vampires were intrigued, some to see if Bella could repel Jane because they had never seen that before, or to see a fight. Even Caius and Marcus moved closer with their shadowing guards following behind.
Jane's thoughts turned to one of a small girl who wanted to play torturer to her Barbie doll. Alice's frantic thoughts quieted as Jane moved closer and I couldn't take it anymore.
"Don't!" Alice shouted as I propelled myself at Jane and her ugly thoughts.
I crumpled to the ground in the worst agony I had ever felt. Jane focused her power on me like the sun through a microscope. It was a mixture between trying not to kill Bella, living without her, losing my family, and dying all in one. With only one thought breaking through the pain: Bella was watching; I kept the scream from escaping my mouth. My face was surely distorted, but I kept the sounds of pain from leaving me.
I heard a shriek. "Stop!" It was Bella, but my eyes couldn't open to see her, but I could hear as she placed herself in the path of Jane's wrath and there was nothing I could do about it. At the same time I was surprised she still loved me enough to want to sacrifice herself for me. I wasn't worth it—I wasn't worth any of the love she gave me, but I was glad she still cared enough.
I've got her, Edward. Alice thought and I saw through her mind as she snatched Bella from behind and held her at bay.
Through the agony I felt relief at knowing Bella was still safe from Jane.
"Jane." I heard Aro's voice close by, soft, unemotional. The pain left immediately as Jane's thoughts ricocheted in my head, her pleasure at my pain. Even worse, her pleasure in knowing what she was going to do next, and knowing I couldn't stop her. I'd already proven it to her.
I know Edward can be tortured, Aro thought with amusement. I watched, lying on the ground, as he pointed his head in Bella's direction. Torture her.
A/N: I haven't been around because I am currently writing book two of my Timeless series which I have a deadline on. Publishing waits for no one, so I apologize. I will finish this story, it may take me a bit, but I promise you that I will. Thanks for your patience and please don't send me angry reviews because it won't make me write any faster. My books and my life come before Fan Fiction, but I do love to write it so I continue to come back. I am hoping to have more time coming up once I finish book two. I plan to take a break for a bit and de-stress. My MIL is also fighting cancer and might not make it, so my life has been a little full. Yes, I actually have legitimate excuses. SURPRISE! :)
Till next time . . .
(BTW, Rob at MTV Movie Awards . . . which I did not watch, just saw the videos afterward . . . Yummy.)
P.S. I hope to have another chapter out before the Eclipse Release . . . FYI.
Disclaimer:All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of Stephenie Meyer. Lolafalana is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of New Moon. No copyright infringement is intended.