Disclaimer: I do not own most of these characters, they belong to Steph Meyer.
A/N: Okies. Here's a little Bella and Volturi, but mostly just some back ground on Christian as we know so little about him. Feel free to share your thoughts about what should happen. Though, I do have it mapped out, there's always room for some tweaks.
Chapter 21 Into the Devils Lair
First class made what would have been an uncomfortable experience bearable. No matter how many times I had to fly I was never going to enjoy it, but at least it was comfortable. Christian was in the aisle seat playing peek-a-boo with a toddler in front of us. Who knew the big bad vamp was a softy?
I rested my head against the back of my seat. In another hour we'd be in Italy. In another hour, I'd be with Aro and Marcus again. I closed my eyes and remembered my last evening with Edward. Every touch, every kiss, every loving word uttered from his angelic lips. A month I would be without his captivating presence with no one to keep me company except Christian. I was not looking forward to bonding with him. He seemed nice enough, but his idea of fun involved Alyria and god knew who else in bed- or wherever they were when the urge struck them.
The child let out a particularly loud shriek of joy startling me out of my reverie. Christian turned his black eyes toward me. We decided to use black contacts because they covered the red better than ordinary colors. "What's going on in that head of yours?"
"Nothing worth mentioning," I replied a little irritably. "You're good with kids," I commented after a few moments of silence stretched out under his inscrutable gaze.
"My daughter was about this age when I was transformed," he spoke softly a flash of pain in his face before he turned his attention to the flight attendant making her rounds. She seemed to be taking her job quite seriously. This was the fifth time she offered her assistance to Christian.
I was bored and didn't want to think about what I'd left behind or what lay ahead, so I pestered, when I probably should have let it go. "Edward told me that we lose most of our human memories. I know I don't remember much beyond the last year of my life, and he said it will get blurrier with each passing day, so I'm surprised you remember her so well. It's been over seven hundred years," I said.
He stared at me hard for a few breaths before answering my rude invasion. "So, it has. But I remember my wife and daughter with perfect clarity. After all, they were killed by the vampire that made me." He grabbed a book out of his bag and placed his mp3 player on effectively ending this in depth look into his life.
The day was not looking up. What I wouldn't have given to have Demetri here with me instead of Christian. Heck, I'd even take Leah over him. At least we talked. It might not have been pleasant banter, but it would be entertaining.
We pulled into the plaza under the cloak of night. He was instantly by my side and offered me his arm with a coy smile on his lips. I shrugged and accepted. After all, I was supposed to be fleeing from Edward with my new lover, might as well get into character. "Remember not to block all of your thoughts from Aro, just the ones pertaining to our plan. We certainty don't want to pique Aro's interest in you. And if he thinks you are a shield he will be very curious."
"Yes, yes. I know what is expected of me, Bella," he sighed exasperatedly. We were almost to the visitors' entrance when he filled the silence. "I will do everything in my power to keep Aro and Marcus from you." He stopped and faced me, his body only inches from mine. "How far are you willing to take this charade, Bella?" He whispered, heat burning in his obsidian eyes.
Better to play it up with Christian than Marcus or Aro, right? Sure. That's what I'd keep telling myself. I squared my shoulders, determined not to be embarrassed or intimidated by him and replied, "We'll do whatever it takes to convince them of our relationship. Especially Marcus, as we have to fool his power to gauge the strength of relationships."
A predatory grin blossomed across his gorgeous face. "I was really hoping that you'd say that." With that he turned and led us to the two figures guarding the door cloaked in grey. "Show time," he muttered under his breath.
We were brought into the main entryway, but allowed to go no further. I sat on a stiff burgundy chaise while Christian walked the perimeter examining every nook and cranny, but trying to look as though he was simply enjoying the art work. Felix rounded the corner and slid to an abrupt halt when he saw me. "Bella, what are you doing here?" He asked, clearly surprised. I figured that Virat would have notified the Volturi the minute I boarded the plane, but I could feel the waves of shock drifting from him.
He wasn't in his normal Volturi guard attire, but in an immaculate tux with a blood red tie and cumber bund. I guess we'd be crashing a party of some sort. Goody. I so love parties.
"I've come to speak to Aro and Marcus." I motioned to Christian who had instantly appeared by my side at the arrival of Felix. "This is Christian. He's wishes an audience, as well."
Felix nodded once sharply and motioned us forward.
He pushed open the great wooden doors that was dulling the music and chatter from the ballroom. "Wait here but a moment and I will inform Aro of your presence."
"Bella, my sweets, whatever are you doing here?" Aro asked as he clasped my hand into both of his, happiness radiating from his translucent face, his milky eyes beaming. He too, was dressed brilliantly in a black on black tux with a silver tie. His eyes never left my face to take notice of Christian.
I let all the pain and sadness from leaving Edward show on my face as I constructed my lie. "Edward and I have separated and I have left the Cullen's. Christian," he moved forward as I introduced him. "…is my-companion?" I said uncertainly, not entirely sure that stating he was my lover so soon was believable.
Aro's eyes widened as he searched mine then finally flicked toward him assessing him up and down before dismissing him. He brought my hand to his lips and laid a gentle kiss on my knuckle. "You are here to join us then?" He asked almost void of all emotion, but I could see the glint of triumph in his eyes, could feel all of his emotions beating at me. He could be as blank as a statue, but Jasper's powers would always keep me informed.
"If you will have us, then yes, we'd like to join you."
He released my hand and motioned a female and male guard over. "Marvelous," he spoke loudly as he clapped his hand together like an excited child receiving the toy that he'd been dreaming about. "You must join us this evening. I am certain we can find some attire to your liking." He introduced us to the two guards who were to show us to our room and somehow conjure up formal wear for the two of us. "Go change, my dear. We will talk at greater length once our guests depart, until then enjoy the party."
The room was amazing. The bed was bigger than any bed I'd ever seen and draped in thick velvet in jewel tones with silk hangings. Everywhere I looked were paintings from what had to be ancient Greece and Roman times. Probably the real deal too. Millions of dollars in paintings and sculptures that should belong in a museum, all for my personal viewing pleasure.
I flung myself carelessly on the bed while Christian and the guards brought up our luggage. I suspected that Christian was committing the layout of the Volturi lair to memory. The guards left in search for clothes providing Christian and I with a few moments of privacy. So here we were in the lion's den for a month until help arrived.
Christian lay down beside me far closer than necessary considering the mammoth size of the bed. "Romantic, huh?" He teased lightly.
I snorted. Not a pretty sound, but said a lot.
"Now, now. We might as well keep up pretenses all the time. We can never be certain if we are being watched," he stated simply as he slid closer to me and snaked his arm around my shoulder, my head fitting perfectly against him.
"I do believe you are taking advantage of this situation, Christian," I said sternly.
"I have before me a woman of immeasurable beauty, laid out on this luscious bed like an offering and I'm not supposed to take advantage? What man could resist?" he whispered into my ear, his hot breath sending chills coursing down my body. "Besides," he murmured, his lips against me ear, "I haven't even started taking advantage of you yet."
"Well, just put those horny thoughts on hold. I don't do that kind of stuff until I get to know someone. So, start talking."
He sighed and moved back a few inches, but kept me tightly against his chest. At least his scrumptious breath wasn't beating against me and his lips were precisely where they belonged-far from my ear.
"What do you want to know?"
"Anything. Everything. Where'd you grow up?"
He was absolutely still, his breath barely noticeable, but I waited him out knowing that eventually he'd fill the silence.
"I grew up in a small village in what is now the Czech Republic right outside of Prague." His fingers began twisting my hair around and around lost in thought. His other hand traced the tattoo enveloping his throat. "I got this when I turned eleven. It was a sign of manhood awarded after my first successful hunt."
I sat up to inspect his markings, my finger sliding over his smooth neck. "It's beautiful." The detail was impressive considering that it had been bestowed upon him sometime in the late twelve hundreds.
"They are worms-what you would call dragons- entwined for all eternity symbolizing man, honor, and eternity."
I chuckled. "Well that sums you up perfectly, I think," I admitted as I lay back against his muscular chest.
"You think I am honorable?" He asked softly.
I shrugged. "Well, I don't know you well, but as far as I can tell. Instead of killing people you have blood donors, that's more than most vampires bother with."
"I am not sure that equals honor, but it does merit something. Anyways, at sixteen I met the girl of my dreams, though I did not realize that she was everything I'd ever wanted, and was married shortly after."
I must have made some sound because he turned to me and chastised. "It was a different world from what you know, Bella. It was very normal to be married by that age. Girls were sometimes as young as thirteen, but my Iduna was seventeen. Considered too old to be unmarried. Her father was frantic to be rid of her and offered my father much to arrange the marriage. We were not in love, but it grew…eventually. I became completely besotted with her. She was everything to me-the very air I breathed. My reason for waking each and every day. And then eight years later she gave me the greatest gift of all-my little Deena."
His expression clouded over and he remained silent for a handful of minutes. I let it go uninterrupted for I was lost in my own thoughts as I tried to envision the world he grew up in so long ago.
"She came to the village one night and slaughtered men, women, and children," he whispered so low that I had to strain to hear him. "My daughter was four years old when she died. I was the only one who woke up from that massacre. I, of course, knew all the legends of vampires, but hearing stories is not enough to prepare one to exist in such a fashion. I was left for dead, so naturally when I came back to my senses after the searing pain of the transformation I was very much alone and crazed. If my family had some how survived I wouldn't have batted an eye before draining the life out of them." He turned his head slowly and peered into my eyes, horror visible in his. "The guards are coming," he stated, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Do you have enough information on me to act the part of my lover?"
An answering smile bloomed across my face. "No. but it's a start."
"Good." And he was quite suddenly on top of me his lips sliding down my throat, his hands roaming down my body as the bedroom door opened and the guards walked in.
I peered around Christian's head, his lips still scorching my skin. The man cleared his throat, a devilish grin lighting up his lovely face. Was there truly no such thing as an ugly vampire? Even Aro and Marcus, though quite different with their weird skin and milky eyes, were still beautiful.
"We have found you several outfits that should fit you," he said in a deep voice that oozed sex. He tossed an armful of garments on the bed. "Don't take too long, Aro is extremely excited to show you off to our guests."
I was now encased in thick velvet of the deepest blue that barely skimmed my shoulders and plunged all the way down to my lower back and Christian was looking most impressive in a traditional tux. I took his outstretched arm and descended the stairs. It almost felt like I was marching to my death. Christian's tale had distracted me for a few brief moments, but now fear surrounded me, sapping all my warmth and energy making each step increasingly more difficult. "Relax, Bella," he mumbled. "It's just a night of fun frivolity, not a death sentence."
Aro was awaiting us outside the main door. "Bella, love, you look divine." His hand smoothed down the velvet leaving little patterns in the material. "We will of course provide you with a whole new wardrobe. If we had but known, I would have seen to every little detail personally." He nodded curtly at Christian who showed no sign of releasing my hand. "Come and enjoy the delights of the Volturi." I walked in with both men on my arms as Aro paraded me around stopping constantly to make introductions.
I knew that I'd been amazingly lucky in not running into Marcus already, but I could have gone the rest of my existence without ever seeing his hauntingly beautiful face. "Bella," he breathed out my name lovingly. Maybe Marcus still being besotted with me would work out to my advantage. "You look lovely," he added as he took my hand into his trembling one and laid a soft kiss against it, lingering a tad too long. "Is it true? Are you staying with us?"
"Christian and I will be here for a while," I said pointedly. Again, Christian got the once over and then was utterly dismissed. Was he reading our relationship? Had he already learned that we were not in love? Was he using his power against me right now? I certainly didn't feel any more drawn to him. Perhaps his hold was irrevocably broken. Small favor. I'm sure it's the only thing that's going to go right.
A breathtaking vampire joined us and insinuated herself on Christian. Divide and conquer, obviously. I sighed loudly. "It's okay, Christian.Go. Dance. Have fun. Apparently, I need to talk to Marcus."
He nodded once, looking nervous for the first time as he led the woman to the center of the dance floor.
"I cannot tell you how overjoyed I am to have you with us," he admitted. Though, he didn't really need to say anything. Not only could I feel the love and devotion emanating from him, I could see it in his eyes and feel it in the slight tremor of his body. He was absolutely nervous and excited to be around little ol me. I took his arm as he led me to the dance floor.
"Uh, Marcus," I muttered. "I can't dance."
He smiled. "Nonsense." He took me deftly into his arms and whirled me around, my feet moving in a rhythm I had no knowledge of, yet performed each step flawlessly. "See, my love, you dance beautifully."
The music sped up as the orchestra began the next song and Marcus twirled me around the floor at a dizzying speed. I saw a flash of an amused Aro and Felix, but lost sight of them as Marcus guided me across the floor, our bodies welded together, his eyes locked on mine. "Have you not fed?" he asked surprised.
"I have, "I answered confused. Then remembering the contacts I explained. Of course, that gave me something else to worry about. I guess I had thought about it before, but pushed it out of my mind because it was something I didn't want to deal with. I could go a little over two weeks without feeding-three at the most, but at some point over the next month I would have to drink something…
As we finished dancing, I caught a glimpse of Christian being led out of the room with the woman and Aro. Marcus followed my gaze. "Do not be concerned. Aro is simply getting to know our newest addition. And Seline will take very good care of him."
"Marcus," I made my voice as forceful as possible even though fear cut through my stomach like a jagged shard of glass. "He is with me. He is my lover and I do not share. Do I make myself clear?"
He appraised me for a moment before nodding his head. "Abundantly." Felix was immediately by our side. "Do go check on our Bella's wayward lover. Tell Seline to rein herself in." Felix nodded and bolted out of the room. "Satisfied?"
I smirked. "I will be satisfied once he's back in my room and his attention focused entirely on me," I replied sarcastically.