*Shout-out to EtomyB for her help with my creative names like "Iron Supplement" & to Lisa, my best friend and biggest supporter in all my endeavors.*
Please don't skip the author's note at the bottom.
Thank you.
26. Iron Supplement
I heard a soft, yet restricted, "He's fine" from Alice to Bella as I rose to my feet. As quick as I was consumed, I was released from the pain Jane inflicted with such careless ease.
It was foolish and selfish of me to think this, but it was there—Bella still cared. She'd shouted a plea for Jane to stop . . . for me. She'd actually shouted at the Volturi. Maybe she even still loved me? Was there such a god in this universe that would grant it?
Before I could even bring myself to think a hundred percent coherently again, several things happened at once. Aro silently waited with an overture of anticipation. You would think he'd be wearing a football jersey and a big foam finger that said "Jane's #1" on it by the way he was acting. Jane, on the other hand, had nothing but sweet, beautiful misery written in her mind. Her gaze fell over my shoulder and I pivoted around to stare in horror at what I knew would greet my eyes: Bella enduring the torture of Jane's "gift."
That wasn't the case, though. I studied and inventoried every last inch of her, but there were no signs of distress or pain.
Unbelievable, Alec thought with horror.
Aro exclaimed mentally with glee. Brilliant!
Marcus let out a long sigh while Caius's eyes glazed over with shock. This had clearly never happened before.
Jane's thoughts had become vicious, so dark and evil I had to make sure she was still directing her gaze in Bella's direction because of how silent and still she'd become. Jane was, though her eyes had narrowed, becoming slits.
Why. Isn't. She. Crying. Out. In. Pain? Jane thought wildly, concentrating her every last ounce of power on Bella. Stupid, insignificant human! This was unusual for Jane. Just like with me, I never had to concentrate or think about hearing people's thoughts—I just did. It was the same for Jane. She wanted torture and she got it without lifting a single finger. If she wasn't a vampire, she'd be sweating with the effort of it all now. Bella was a conundrum. One Jane was swiftly growing to hate.
My muscles went from predatory coiling to a cramped I'm-trying-not-to-laugh at the fact Jane, like Aro and myself, was unable to use her gifts on the beautiful brunette next to my sister. I joined them quickly, afraid that Jane might lash out in other ways. The thoughts of anger crowded into Jane's mind like a hurricane ready to hit the shore and destroy anything in its path.
Guess that Blood Bag was too much for Jane, Felix thought mildly, enjoying her failure with a straight face.
Demetri had faced Jane's torture before and was pleasantly pleased her gift failed her in this moment, in front of everyone.
Alice was frantically reading the future, taking this small space in time to search for an outcome while I wasn't planning on our escape. I was still stunned. It was only a matter of time before my brain began its inventory, though I felt trapped like a bug in glue. I touched Alice lightly; she let go of Bella and continued her intense search for the most favorable ending.
"Ha, ha. ha," Aro chuckled with much glee. "This is wonderful!" Oh, imagine the possibilities.
Jane glanced at Aro with disgust and hate. No one resisted her attacks. No one got away unscathed. That frustrated Jane more than anything. It's been a while since I had to get my hands dirty. She coiled to attack.
With a subtle move I placed myself in front of Bella.
"Don't be put out, dear one," Aro said jovially with a hand on Jane's shoulder. "She confounds us all." We must turn her. She must be mine. His thoughts were full of how he'd add Bella to his collection—me and Alice were on that same shelf. Did he truly think us likely to give up our freedom to live in a city of lies and torture? Ridiculous.
Jane only grew more frustrated as she bared her teeth with a silent promise to finish this later.
Alice sees their future . . . Edward hears their thoughts . . . and is able to withstand even the most tempting of blood. A true vampire with a strong will. He even stayed silent when no one else has. Yet, Aro added mentally, he wished to die. Not anymore. All of this because of this extraordinary human girl. He was the only vampire in the building to think of her as anything but a Tasty Transfusion.
"Ha, ha, ha," Aro laughed heartily again, absolutely amused by the whole situation. We were like a real-life soap opera to him. "You're very brave, Edward, to endure in silence. I asked Jane to do that to me once—just out of curiosity." He smirked slightly and shook his head. Even I wasn't silent.
His admiration over the whole situation made me sick. I made sure to convey that with the daggers I glared at him.
"So what do we do with you now?" Aro sighed, turning bored.
We must change their minds, Alice thought frantically. Her eyes shifted to mine nervously as we both reacted over the possible outcomes. None of them looked agreeable. Bella, eerily quiet and still, suddenly began to tremble in my arms. She was finally reacting like she should have been from the beginning. This could have all been avoided if she just—no, I was the selfish one. I couldn't stay away from her.
"I don't suppose there's any chance that you've changed your mind?" Aro's eyes brightened with hope. Our offer is still on the table any time, dear Edward. "Your talent would be an excellent addition to our little company."
You're kidding? Felix thought in disbelief.
It's just a coy ruse, Jane thought in an attempt to convince herself what she heard was a little tomfoolery. Her nose scrunched up like she'd drank spoiled blood at the alternative.
Aro was attempting to hide his thoughts and was doing a good job with it.
I answered slowly, "I'd . . . rather . . . not." With each word I spoke I concentrated even harder on his mind. Nothing discernable.
"Alice?" Aro's eyes shifted to her, the hope still there. "Would you perhaps be interested in joining with us?"
"No, thank you," Alice said flatly.
"And you, Bella?" Aro raised his eyebrows.
Was this an ultimatum?
There was a collective exclamation in everyone's thoughts, though they stayed silent to all but me.
I hope he means for dinner. Felix rubbed his hands together enthusiastically. This is one Plasma Saddlebag I'm dying to taste.
Jane's eyes flicked around urgently. Feed her to the Clot Sucker, she thought vehemently while watching Felix's eager face.
Air rushed out of me in a hiss, my sights directed toward Aro, trying desperately to read him. What game was he playing at? And, for a small fraction of time, I wondered if Bella would accept his offer. It was what she wanted—to become a monster like me. Wasn't that what we had argued over? Wasn't that why I fled? Not only a victim to my venom, but a willing one! But would she truly want to be like one of them? A part of me fractured; I wasn't so different from them, and now maybe Bella would see the true character of a vampire.
Selfish, selfish, selfish, I chanted in my head. A part of me wanted it.
Tucked under my arm, Bella glanced up at me questioningly. I didn't have the answers for her, sadly. When I walked out of her life I gave up the chance to help her with these decisions. I had no right. As much as I wanted to scream "No" at them, Bella had to make up her own mind. And who knew what truly went on in that head of hers. Always so damn quiet.
"What?" Caius demanded, his voice indignant and flat, finally speaking up for the rest of the collective.
"Caius, surely you see the potential." Aro's eyes lit with optimism. "I haven't seen a prospective talent so promising since we found Jane and Alec. Can you imagine the possibilities when she is one of us?"
He picks the most unwilling bunch? Caius grumbled internally and turned away. Why does he always have to be so flippantly theatrical about everything?
There is no comparison, Jane griped angrily. She's nothing.
Everyone else was displeased—or bored (Marcus)—while Aro continued to swell with hope. There was no way in a million years I'd let him turn Bella, even if she said yes. Never. A growl had begun to form in my chest.
That's it! Alice practically shouted in her head. Edward, use what they pride in against them: their rules. The sudden relief in her was palpable.
"No, thank you," Bella said in a tiny voice, squeaking a little bit. Her voice, so small and scared, was like an unearthly melody. Something that had only been a memory in my mind, a wish in a well . . . and now it was live, echoing and spinning around me teasingly. It was real and tangible.
This could have been so easy. Aro sighed dramatically. "That's unfortunate. Such a waste."
Play ball! Alice.
"Join or die, is that it?" I argued vehemently. "I suspected as much when we were brought to this room. So much for your laws."
That's it! Alice cheered.
"Of course not." Aro was surprised and astonished. He hadn't predicted this reaction. But he wasn't the psychic, now was he? "We were already convened here, Edward, awaiting Heidi's return. Not for you."
It's as I feared, Alice thought dejectedly. We needed to leave as soon as possible.
"Aro," Caius barked. "The law claims them." Try to use our laws against us, Edward? What about that human girl that knows exactly what you are?
We didn't have time for this. "How so?" I demanded heatedly, pushing Caius to speak aloud. The Volturi prided themselves in their laws; being caught as hypocrites wouldn't look well on them.
Caius's finger pointed right at Bella. "She knows too much," he spat. "You have exposed our secrets."
"There are a few humans in on your charade here, as well," I emphasized.
Thinks he's so clever! "Yes," he agreed poignantly. "But when they are no longer useful to us, they will serve to sustain us. That is not your plan for this one. If she betrays our secrets, are you prepared to destroy her? I think not," he scoffed. Willing to give up your life for a human. Despicable.
"I wouldn't—" Bella breathed, but stopped when Caius's chilled gaze snapped to hers.
"Nor do you intend to make her one of us," Caius continued unambiguously. "Therefore, she is a vulnerability. Though it is true, for this, only her life is forfeit. You may leave if you wish."
Never. My lip curled irately.
"That's what I thought," Caius said with a pleasurable sneer.
Finally, things are getting interesting, Felix thought excitedly.
"Unless . . ." Aro glanced between us, clearly unhappy. If we kill the girl he'll fight—if we change the girl he'll fight. I could lose them all and that, truly, would be the real waste. Aro didn't want to kill Bella, he wanted to keep her—keep us all. He weighed the options in his mind quickly. What was his best solution? If he turns her himself—if he could withstand her blood—then there's still a possibility I could bring her to Volterra. It's an honor to be invited here. Surely she wouldn't deny us? Aro focused on the big, round doe eyes of Bella and made his decision, though he knew there would be protests. "Unless you do intend to give her immortality?"
That wasn't an option, but we had to figure out a way to leave before we had no options at all. Alice was mentally directing me to the quickest way out of this conversation.
"And if I do?" I hedged, trying to place my bets wisely.
Aro grinned, pleased to have turned the conversation back on track. "Why, then you would be free to go home and give my regards to my friend Carlisle." He paused, knowing that wouldn't placate Caius. "But I'm afraid you would have to mean it." His hand went up to cut off Caius before a word could escape, offering me to take it and prove that I would kill Bella.
I stared down at the girl in my arms, so scared and small. "Mean it," she pleaded. "Please."
My Bella was alive right now—something I never thought possible. And now she was asking me to take it away? Wasn't this what caused everything? Could I take her life? Could I be that selfish? Her round, richly communicative eyes spoke volumes at my reaction: she was heartbroken. It burned to see that look in her eyes, especially knowing I was the one who'd put it there.
It's going to happen, Edward, Alice expressed crossly. You can sit here and go through your self-loathing all you want, but I won't let you kill my best friend over it. Alice broke away from us and reached for Aro's awaiting hand. Nor will I let you suffer any more than you have.
I felt frozen in my spot, knowing she would show him the many visions of my Bella with rich as wine red eyes and glittering skin, my diamond in the rough.
A quick wave of Aro's hands caused his guard to back down as Alice approached him with purpose. He actually came forward, anxious and excited to see into the mind of Alice Cullen. When their hands touched Aro bowed over, his eyes closing as he absorbed the information he'd been dying to intake.
I was assaulted with images, like a quickly playing movie. But Aro was mainly searching for the future of the very human Bella Swan. And he found it. Arm in arm with Alice, long brown hair tumbling down her back in beautiful, whispering curls, and eyes as crimson as blood. No matter all the time that had passed, or all pain and misery I had gone through to prevent that outcome, Alice's vision was exactly the same as it had been the first time—so long ago when our family met to decide what to do with the human who knew too much. The human I now loved and could never see harmed. Yet Alice's vision had not slipped, faded, changed, or ceased. It was with great effort not to scream in frustration at all that had perspired. My teeth came together with an audible snap.
Though Aro had seen what was necessary, he continued to grope and prod through her mind, delving deeply into all the things past and present that has happened, will happen, or will never come to fruition.
"Ha, ha, ha," Aro laughed merrily. His mind was a spinning whirlwind of enthrallment and it showed in his bright, red eyes. "That was fascinating!"
Alice faked a smile, one she'd used enough times around me I could see right through it. "I'm glad you enjoyed it." Not really.
"To see the things you've seen—especially the ones that haven't happened yet!" To think of the advantages we would have with such a talent on our side!
"But that will." Alice eyed him with certainty. Whether Edward likes it or not. Even if I have to change her myself! Her eyes flicked to mine briefly and my teeth ground together.
"Yes, yes, it's quite determined," Aro agreed heartily. "Certainly there's no problem."
A mixture of thoughts came from everyone around me. Most of all disappointment—for a meal lost, a fight unfought, and a punishment unpunished.
"Aro," Caius chided. He was bored and Bella's death would be a great distraction to the mundane. Plus, Aro had made him look weak before all their "court." He did not take lightly to being shunned in front of them.
"Dear Caius." Aro grinned deviously. "Do not fret. Think of the possibilities! They do not join us today, but we can always hope for the future." One that includes adding these three to my collection. "Imagine the joy young Alice alone would bring to our little household . . . Besides, I'm so terribly curious to see how Bella turns out!" Intrigued indeed. There was a manic gleam in his eyes.
"Then we are free to go now?" I asked squarely.
"Yes, yes," Aro said distractedly. "But please visit again. It's been absolutely enthralling!" There was laughter to the edge of his voice.
Not likely. Alice mentally snorted.
"And we will visit you as well," Caius threatened, perturbed the whole situation didn't go the way he'd planned. "To be sure that you follow through on your side. Were I you, I would not delay too long. We do not offer second chances." And Edward, we will do whatever is necessary to have what we rightly deserve. Even the tiny human at your side—even as insignificant as she is, Aro finds her quite intriguing. You understand?
I gave a tight nod, worried about just what exactly the future really held for us.
Is it dinner time? Marcus thought dryly at the same time Caius smirked and went back to his "throne."
Demetri, surprisingly, stayed silent through the whole fandangle. Even his thoughts were utterly uninterested.
Felix, on the other hand, still frustrated his Iron Supplement was leaving fully intact, groaned.
"Ah, Felix." Aro's mind was blissfully in the future. A few years were nothing to him and he could wait, if that was what it took, to attain us. "Heidi will be here at any moment. Patience."
Bella will not take the situation lightly if we delay any longer, Edward, Alice warned.
Perhaps not. "Hmm. In that case, perhaps we'd better leave sooner rather than later." All I could think about was turning tail and running.
"Yes," Aro agreed. "That's a good idea. Accidents do happen. Please wait below until after dark, though, if you don't mind." I don't want any more theatrics in the sun. Aro raised his eyebrows cynically.
"Of course," I said quickly.
"And here." Aro beckoned Felix who came forward at once. Aro removed his grey cloak to Felix's horror and Jane's distaste. "Take this. You're a little conspicuous."
I pulled it around my shoulders, feeling just as disgusted as Jane. The grey cloak had meaning and I didn't like what it meant. He was like Aro was branding me.
Wish I was giving this to you under different circumstances. Aro sighed forlornly. "It suits you." Consider if an invitation.
You do look debonair in it, Alice joked. Joking—that was a good sign.
I laughed humorlessly, but came up short when the sounds of humans being herded like cattle echoed down the hall.
We'll be okay if we leave now. Alice glanced toward the doorway. Heidi's here.
"Thank you, Aro. We'll wait below," I said hastily.
"Goodbye, young friends." He was already forgetting about us as his next meal coated his thoughts with red.
"Let's go," I urged and pulled Bella forward.
Have fun with your Hemoglobin Carry-on on the plane ride, Edward, Felix jeered silently.
I glared at him.
Demetri guided us away from the Room of Death, as I had affectionately nicknamed the place I hoped to never visit again.
Bella felt small and weak in my arms, smaller than I remembered, as Alice wordlessly told me to hurry up. She flanked Bella and was becoming frustrated at her slow movements. She didn't want her to be anywhere near that room when the humans showed up.
"Not fast enough," Alice suddenly muttered, the future's cloudiness receding.
A crowd of people was escorted through the door by Heidi. She was the lure and this was her catch of the day. The voices ricocheted off the walls—all different tones and languages spilling from their tongues, their thoughts a jumbled mix of excitement and fear. Only if they knew that those would be the last words—and thoughts—they'd ever speak.
We clung to the wall as the group passed, and I watched as Bella took in the strange scene before her, wondering how long it would take her before she figured out what was going on.
Then Aro spoke out cheerily as they filed into the Room of Death. "Welcome, guests! Welcome to Volterra!"
I could feel Bella's body go rigid. She knew. There was no way I could protect her from this, even though that was all I wanted to do. I embraced her, pulling her into my chest and holding her tight. She was safe there—at least for the time being. Her warmth filled me like a fire burning beneath my skin. I didn't want to let go.
The group of people thinned and I rushed us through the door, Bella's frame beginning to tremble in my arms.
In the hallway we came across Heidi who raised a curious eyebrow in Bella's direction.
Must be taking a treat to go.
"Welcome home, Heidi," Demetri greeted as he came from behind us.
She was dressed like a highly trained escort, quiet and decisive, able to entice men and women with her vampiric beauty. She smiled wanly, her contact-coated eyes gazing at the scene before her.
"Demetri." Her voice was like smooth glass.
Grey cloak? Is he new? Her eyes darted between me and Bella questioningly, not understanding our contact.
"Nice fishing," Demetri praised, acting like we were nothing new or important. That was the way I liked it. Under the radar.
"Thanks." She grinned wickedly. "Aren't you coming?"
"In a minute. Save a few for me."
Strange, she thought with a nod before leaving.
A little faster won't hurt anyone, Alice thought suggestively.
Alice on one side of Bella, and me on the other, tried to race her down the hallway before her human ears could hear what was about to go down in the Room of Death.
But we were too late.
The magnifying echo of screams erupted down the hall.
Author's note (IMPORTANT): This is going to be a little long-winded and I hope you will take the time to read it. First, and foremost, I am sorry for yet another delay. Truly, I have wonderful excuses. I have now published two titles, Shadow of the Sun and Soul Stalker, that are available at B&N, Amazon, & Books-a-Million, among other bookstores. I am also currently writing my third and fourth novel. I appreciate any support from my fans in my publishing endeavors.
Also, I have quit my job at the university to pursue writing. I've also started a publishing business with another author, Brenda Pandos, who has one title published and another coming out in December. My life has been busy and hectic, but most importantly I have suffered a tragedy I'm afraid is something I'm having a hell of a time getting through.
My best friend of ten years killed himself in August and I was the last person to see him alive. Though I knew he was in a bad place, I had hoped he would pull through. He didn't. This is something that I am currently struggling with greatly. We talked every day and now there is a huge void in my life and heart. I put my life on hold for a while and spent many weeks grieving. However, as much as I wish the process would just end, it continues without letting up. Sadly this is good news for my fans on FFN, because I am now trying to let work consume me. When I'm not working I'm trying to find something to do to help relieve the pain. That's where FFN comes in—my escape I once found and have found again.
Thanks for sticking it out with me and I promise to update regularly from now on. I need this place now more than ever, and I need my fans to help support me in this time of grief.
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.