Bella's POV
Cool hands caressed my face. Cool lips brushed the skin on my cheek.
"Edward?" I whispered my voice harsh with rawness.
His hands and his lips are what I regained consciousness to. The fire that had overwhelmed my body before was now gone. Everything was different. I could smell roses from far off in a distance. I could feel wind brushing over my skin. I was completely aware of everything around me, even with my eyes closed. I sensed a presence in the room with me, subtle movements of a robe or a cloak being brushed against the surface of a stone floor.
"You are awake; however you wish to keep your eyes closed. How curious to see that you still hold on to human attributes that make you too scared to face the truth of your transformation."
That was not Edward's voice! It was then when I remembered everything that had happened. I was a vampire. My eyes shot open as I realized this. I don't know if it was such a good idea. I was visually assaulted by an ultra enhanced version of…everything. I was suddenly frighteningly aware of the ache in my throat, a thirst so great I felt that it would never be quenched. I grabbed at my throat. The pain I felt before was now replaced with an intense thirst for blood, any blood I didn't care. I needed it, and I needed it now. I whirled in the direction that I knew the only other person in the room was standing. I expected Aro, Marcus or even Caius. I was not expecting to see Alec smiling back at me radiantly.
"You're even more beautiful now than you were when you were human. I'm pleasantly surprised." I attacked him. I jumped up in the air landing on him and tackled him to the ground slamming his head on the stone floor effectively cracking the area below us.
"I need blood, now!" I yelled, the ache in my chest becoming increasing unbearable.
He laughed and it sounded like a cool winter's morning; icy cold yet oddly comforting.
"Bella, maybe you should think about letting me go so that I can get you the blood you so crave." He said still laughing.
"I'm glad you find my suffering so amusing." I hissed at him.
"I'm not going to ask you again. Get off!" I didn't comply. I didn't trust him. When I didn't move I saw him focus his eyes on mine. A thin mist enveloped us and it tingled against my skin.
"Damn it." He pushed me off of him but I landed gracefully in a crouching position. "It's like trying to move a brick wall with you! I can't touch you."
"Alec, is it? Do I need to go on a rampage through this entire building or are you going to show me where I can annihilate a deer or something?"
He was rendered temporarily speechless as he arched a perfect eyebrow. I wondered if he always was this good looking or if my insane need for blood was affecting my ability to see or think clearly.
"A deer?" he asked incredulously. "What would you need a dear for?"
"To…eat…or drink whatever it is that we do." I said just as confused by his confusion at my request.
"Um, sorry, no Tofu here, strictly red meat. Would you prefer a man, woman…child?"
A snarl ripped from my chest as I lunged myself at him. He caught me in mid air and threw me across the room. I bounced off the wall and charged at him again. He caught me a second time, but held me up against his body, cutting off my ability to move.
"I forgot how touchy newborns can be. Bella, I was just messing around with you. Aro thought you might react this way. You wouldn't be drinking from a live body. We will bring you bags of that disgusting blood donor blood."
The thought of being able to get rid of the ache in my throat was a relief. I relaxed in his hold on me and leaned my head into the hollow of his neck. If I thought vampires smelled good before, it was nothing compared to how they smelled to me now. I inhaled deeply before looking up at him. He was only about a foot or so taller than me but it was enough for me to have to crane my neck.
"Please?" I begged. "Just hurry."
"I so need to get a new job." He said as he let me go and walked out the door. I began to follow him but he stopped midway down the hall and snarled at me.
"Stay." He said with authority. I couldn't help it. I cowered and ran back inside the room.
Once back inside and once over my initial self kicking for allowing a member of the Volturi boss me around, I finally was able to focus on the room itself. It was completely unremarkable. I was in a perfectly round room. The floor was made of stone as were the walls. There was one window, if that's what you want to call it. It was more like a rectangular, vertical slit in the wall. In the center of the room was a very ordinary queen size bed with a wrought iron frame intricately decorated with red roses. White bed sheets covered the bed. A large cream colored circular rug lay underneath it and one nightstand. The nightstand had and orgel lamp and an empty picture frame. The only other thing in the room was an ancient looking wooden chest at the foot of the bed. Nothing else. There was no bathroom. There was no closet. I was being held prisoner in a comfortable looking castle turret.
I sat down on the bed and wondered where they were keeping Edward and Alice. I would have to try and pry it out of my annoying prison guard. Speak of the devil…
The door opened and closed faster than any human eyes would have been able to comprehend. The smell of packaged blood smacked me in the face and the ache grew stronger. Within a second of the door closing, Alec tossed me three pints of blood which I caught effortlessly. I ripped them open gulping them down one after another. It soothed the ache but didn't satisfy.
"More." I breathed between mouthfuls.
"Your thirst for human blood is insatiable."
"More." I repeated sounding a little breathless even to my own ears.
"No, I am not your messenger boy. You want more, you go and find more. There is a host of…guests, in the lobby. You can take your pick." I looked at him, appalled. I would never feed off of a human, I could not kill anyone. I would not kill anyone. He scoffed at my expression and walked out the door. This time I followed him out.
"Wait!" I said calling after him. "Wait, fine, don't give me anymore blood. Just tell me where Edward and Alice are."
He stopped so suddenly I bumped into him and it caused me to stagger backward.
"I really don't like you. I don't get why you're so important. If Aro wanted you, why isn't he here making sure you're taken care of? Why have I been chosen to have to look after you? This is absolutely ridiculous. Here you are, his soon to be mate, which, by the way, any other normal vampire would be begging to be, yet there you go pining over little pathetic besotted Edward. You really are a waste, dead or alive." And with that he spun on his heels and bolted down the massive stair case at full vampire speed. My eyes followed him down easily but I made no attempt to go after him. If he was going to be an ass then he could be one on his own. I wasn't having any part of it.
I wasn't alone for long. I turned to begin my search through the castle, or wherever I was when I heard the most beautiful, most welcome sound. Edward. I spun and saw him standing just outside my "bedroom" door. He spotted me immediately and froze in place. His eyes locked with mine and his mouth was slightly open.
"Bella." He whispered only for my ears. I couldn't take the distance. I ran, for the first time, at full speed. He caught me and held me to him tighter than he ever has. He was no longer restricted to being careful around me. He could be with me without abandon. It was the first time I felt him not holding back. He pulled me back, took my hand and led me to my room shutting the door behind him.
"Bella." He said again but it was all he could get out before I attacked him. I threw myself at him taking his face in my hands and kissing him with everything I had. I had no idea what I was missing out on when I was human. Kissing him like this right now was like being awakened to a whole other experience.
"Bella," he said urgently against my lips. "Bella, stop or I won't be able to control myself." I didn't want him to control himself I was done with him controlling himself around me. He didn't need to hold back in fear that he would kill me. I wanted him to have me. I wanted to give myself to him.
"Bella, please." He pleaded. Reluctantly I let him go. I took several steps backwards and crossed my arms.
"I guess I'm not even good enough for you when I'm one of you." I said severely put out.
"Bella, what the hell are you talking about?"
"You don't…you don't lo-"
"Don't you dare say that I don't love you Bella Swan! Don't ever let me here those words come out of your mouth. You know sometimes you are absolutely ridiculous. How could you even think that? Ugh, Bella, I'm crazy about you! Why in the world do you think I came all the way over here? You know good and well that I wanted the Volturi to do away with me. I couldn't live if you didn't exist!"
"No, you were just feeling guilty." He sighed clearly exasperated with me.
"Yeah, guilty is one. You could also add heartbroken, devastated, mortified, horror struck and absolutely crazy to that list. I don't ever want to be without you, Bella. I left you back in Forks because I couldn't stand the fact that I was the cause of you being in constant danger. I couldn't stand the reality that being with me was like a cancer to you. I wanted to protect you, but in doing so I've done this to you. I should say that I'm sorry but some sick part of me is elated that I can have you like this, with me, for eternity…if you'll have me."
He took several steps forward putting his hands on my waist and pulling me into him.
"I love you. I will always love you. Nothing will ever change that. Not you, not me or my stupidity. I'm sorry that I've hurt you. I'm sorry for lying to you. I promise I will never do anything so damn…moronic ever again."
I felt the wall I put up crumble before me. How long have I waited for him to touch me like this? How long have I been alone in my room crying my heart out believing that Edward didn't love me? Yet, here he was as wonderful and as perfect as ever telling me that he wants me…for his entire existence. I risked a looked into his eyes. The heart that no longer beat within my chest melted. His golden eyes staring back at my crimson ones with more love than words alone could ever capture, that 'I love you' wouldn't ever suffice. I slid my hands around his waist and breathed him in deep. His scent, my Edward's scent was ever so strong. I sighed into him as he ran his fingers through my hair. Even that simple touch ignited a fire in me and my self control was just barely in place. He kissed me cheek, my jaw line until his lips found my neck. I let out a small moan. I think that's what undid him.
He grabbed my face and claimed my lips. His tongue teasing my bottom lip begging for entry. I allowed him access and it was like I was being kissed for real, for the very first time. I dug my fingers through his hair and jumped up in his arms.
"Bella, we can't." I ignored him and continued to kiss him, desperately needing him close to me. He gently laid me on the bed and took a step backward. I felt suddenly cold and alone. I sat up looking at him wondering what the problem was.
"What?"I asked timidly. "What's wrong?"
"Jane." He said, but didn't offer me any more information. When he saw that I was confused he walked over to me and sat beside me on the bed and took my hands in his.
"Bella, we're not guests here. We're prisoners. I've read every mind I've been near and we're being watched all the time. Jane has been following me everywhere, threatening me. She's also told me that Alec has been ordered to follow you. Aro is adamant in his request for you to become his mate." At this he sighed and stood up. "He thinks…he thinks he loves you." He said the words as if he was swallowing a pile of maggots.
"He will never have me Edward."
"Then he will kill us all." He was silent for a few seconds before continuing. "Bella, if he sees us like this, which he will, it could endanger your existence. I told you I don't want any more harm to come to you."
The door opened then, the wood slamming up against stone. Jane stood in the door frame leaning up against it with her arms crossed.
"Well aren't you the sentimental one, Edward." Her voice was high pitched and cold. "Let's go, I don't have all day."
Edward didn't move and continued to look at me. "I love you." He mouthed.
"I said let's go." And she focused her attention on him as he doubled over in pain.
"No!" I yelled. I ran over to her and held her up against the wall by her neck, her little kid feet dangling in the air. Her eyes bulged out of her head in surprise.
"I bet you never had anyone who could stand up to you before. Touch him again and I will not hesitate to rip you into shreds."
"Harsh." She said barely able to get the words out. "But…you can…go to hell." I flung her across the room and her head smacked against it. She was up in an instant and ran over to Edward placing a hand on his shoulder.
"One more move and little Eddie will writhe in pain."
"Jane. Play nice." Said a second voice from behind me. I recognized it instantly.
"Aro." I said not turning to face him.
"My Bella," he purred. I shuddered internally. Edward flinched.
"I am not your Bella." I felt a painfully cold hand on my bare shoulders and I cursed the person who dressed me in a sleeveless flimsy blouse. His hands snaked down, slowly, to my elbows and back again. His hands gathered my hair away from my neck as he bent down to kiss the place between my neck and shoulder. I suppressed the urge to throw up.
"You will be." He said softly and confidently and turned me to face him. Standing this close to him was scary as hell.
"Alec has come to see me. He is rather…put out with you, but don't you worry my dear. He will be here to assist you in anything you shall need."
Behind me Jane scoffed.
"Do you have something to say, Jane?"
"Yes. Why her?"
"Hmm, you wouldn't happen to be jealous of the new addition to our family, would you?"
I didn't hear her speak and I didn't dare turn around. I couldn't face Edward. I knew he was battling out different ways to get me away from Aro's side and I knew if I looked at him he would see the fear and repulsion I felt and doom himself in trying to protect me.
"We'll chat about this later." He spoke over my head to Jane before returning his attention back to me.
"As for you, you're hungry. I can see it in your dark eyes. Come with me and we will satiate your thirst now."
As much as I hated being near him, just the mention of more blood was enough to override my fear, if only just for now. I let him take my hand in his shale like ones and allowed him to lead me out of the room. I risked a glance behind me before the door was closed and saw Jane caress Edward's face as Edward looked at me defeatedly.
As I walked out the door I remembered something I should never have once forgotten, Aro can read minds with a single touch. I panicked for a second before remembering something else; powers have no effect on me. I sighed in relief as Aro's hand squeezed mine gently.
"It's quite frustrating not knowing what you're thinking." He said almost to himself.
"I get that a lot." I said dryly.
He stopped in front of a beautiful set of heavy looking doors and moved his hand to my shoulder bringing me into a tight side embrace. I looked up at him questioningly.
"For your own protection." Was all he offered, and then opened the door.
The smell of several different scents of blood attacked my senses. It was like walking into a brick wall of a beautiful aroma bouquet. Instinctively I felt my lip curl up from my teeth as I spotted several humans huddled up in a corner with fear in their eyes…and all I wanted to do was sink my teeth into them.
"Patience my love. I will show you how to do this the right way. We don't want you getting your pretty self all messy now do we?"
I struggled in this grasp but I was in his vice grip. I snarled and snapped and growls were ripped from my chest. I felt the venom pool in my mouth waiting, just waiting to be able to savor the feel of a warm soft body.
"I can take it from here my Lord." Said Alec appearing at my side out of nowhere. I took one look at him and then focused my attention back to the beating hearts in the room.
Boom, boom, boom, boom.
The combined rhythm of their hearts was like African drum music to my ears. I felt the sudden release of Aro's hold on me followed by the grip of Alec's strong hands. They weren't, however, stronger than my desire to feed. I managed to use that split millisecond of opportunity to rush over to a girl who was probably my age. I picked her up and ran with her to the other side of the room. I cradled her, holding her tight against my body. She let out a sob of fear as the others screamed her name.
"Natalia! No, not my Natalia." And then something clicked inside of me. The monster within me struggled to get out as I tried to smother it. What was I doing? I let her go and Alec took my hand.
The girl lay on the floor in the fetal position unable to take her wide scared eyes away from mine.
"Go." I whispered horrified with myself. She didn't move.
"I said go!" I yelled. She scrambled up to her feet and bolted to her mother's waiting arms. Her mother held her close and rocked her trying to shield her from the monsters in the room
"Why are they here?" I breathed and it was a big mistake. It was taking everything I had not to go back and take Natalia and drain her dry.
"They're here for you." He rolled his eyes before continuing. "You know, I used to have things to do. Can we get this over with? I really don't want to wait until your hunger beats out your conscience."
"Please get me out of here." I continued to whisper. I was holding in my breath. I didn't know how many more words I could form on the air I was holding in.
He looked at me incredulously again. Clearly irritated he pulled me to my feet and out the door. Aro had already left. How charming for him to leave me like that. As soon as the door was closed I leaned up against it closing my eyes and took a deep breath of fresh, non blood invaded air and asked Alec to leave me alone.
"No." he said simply.
"Then at least let them go."
"Can't. They know too much." I opened my eyes and starred at him. "Don't you have someone here with the power of compulsion or something that can erase their memories?"
"Yes, we do, but he is not someone you have the power to boss around."
"Couldn't you just do this favor for me?" He looked at me like I was nuts.
"I don't like you remember." And he walked away. I looked at the door wanting so much to go in there to relieve the ache I felt, but I didn't dare. She was in there. Natalia. And it was her blood that I wanted most. I sighed and frustration and punched the door. I've become a monster and there was no going back now.