Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.
A/N: This is not Beta'd and I only use spell check on Microsoft, so there are errors… I'm just too lazy to go fix them all.
"Wrong! You have to explain everything to us. You took something that doesn't belong to you."
"We don't share to well Edward, so you better tread carefully."
"Bella is my mate and we love each other; we belong together!" Edward hissed to the women.
"You are wrong and you know it! You know the difference between a mating bond and a La Tua Cantante bond are different yet similar things. You've seen it in your own coven; you've read their minds to know better, yet you continue to lie to yourself. You are pathetic and it ends here."
"She is not yours and she will not be returning with you two."
"You know very well that she isn't yours. You knew from the beginning she isn't yours. As soon as all three of you walked in here, you knew who she belonged to, yet you still put a claim on her. Your stupidity baffles me."
It took hours for me to clear my mind about everything that was said yesterday for me to be able to go to sleep. Even when I finally managed to go to sleep, my mind still went through everything that happened. I couldn't stop dreaming about how Edward acted around the Volturi leaders and what all was said. They may not have said it, but I'm not stupid. After everything they said, it's kind of hard not to put together what they had purposefully left out.
What was hard to figure out though is Edwards' part in all this. I don't, I can't believe them. After everything Edward and I have been through, I refuse to believe that our love isn't real. Although, they said they aren't disputing that we love each other. Edward wouldn't have gone through all that trouble, wouldn't have put his family in all those dangerous situations with James and his small coven if they didn't think I was a permanent fixture in their family. Edward and I are meant to be, we have to be.
I was only meant to take a small nap. I should have just slept for a couple hours to rejuvenate but I ended up sleeping a lot longer than that. A combination of the state of my health from when Edward and his family left, diving into the ocean and barely being rescued in time as well as the jet lag from flying across the globe to Italy as seriously destroyed my internal clock and has made me very exhausted. Instead of sleeping for just a couple hours, I ended up sleeping much longer. The alarm clock next to the bed showed that it was already nine in the morning. My body definitely wanted its' sleep because it wasn't even evening time when I finally started to try and fall asleep yesterday.
My body wanted to just roll over and fall back asleep when I saw what time it was. I almost gave in, but my mind just wouldn't let my body win. I need to get up and find a way to get home. I have to prove to them that they are wrong about me and Edward. I have to show them that Edward and I are meant to be.
I crawled out of bed and made my way to the bathroom. Everything I needed was already in there: shampoo, conditioner, soap etc. The only thing not in there was a change of clothes, but I guess I would find that in the closet Jane had pointed out to me yesterday. I left the bathroom wrapped in a towel, after making sure no one was in the room of course and went to the closet. I half expected the closet to be much larger than it should be, much larger than I could ever hope to fill up, but it was proportional to the rest of the room. I also half expected old fashioned clothes to be in there, just like the rest of the Volturi seemed to wear, but inside were clothes that I actually would be okay with wearing. I wonder if that was done on purpose while I was sleeping or not.
Once I was properly dressed and couldn't think of anything else to do, I decided to finally leave the room. I immediately found Jane right in front of the door, seemingly waiting for me to open it.
"The mistresses requested you eat first before speaking. They are concerned that you haven't eaten anything since you arrived yesterday. If you'll follow me to the dining area, Gianna has already had your meal prepared." Jane said.
Without waiting for a response, she turned to the side and started walking down the hallway towards I'm assuming this dining area. The least they could have done was ask if I wanted something to eat. I mean, I am hungry and I will definitely eat what they give me, but I feel as if I don't get a choice in anything I'm being told to do. I know that chances are that I would actually have done everything they have so far told me to do, but I would at least like a choice. At least Edward gave me choices.
Well… he at least gave me reasons as to why he made the decisions that he did. I haven't even spoken with these women and they are bossing me around. With Edward I was able to talk with him about the decisions he made and even had him back down from a few of them. These women are dictating my life and I barely know their names.
We finally reached our destination after nearly ten minutes of walking down many different corridors that I'm sure I will have no problem getting lost in. The dining room isn't as big as I thought it would have been, but this could very well not be the main dining room. For all I know this could be just some random small room that they decided to call the dining room and give me food in it.
The décor of the room matched the rest of the castle, or at least of what I've seen thus far. In the center of the room was a table that looked it could fit ten people. There were only two place settings on it though, right across from each other. There was a clearly human woman standing next to one of the place settings, so I walked to the other one across from her. Jane stayed standing by the door apparently content with standing staring down the hallway that we had just come through. It's the only way out of this room so I'm guessing Jane is standing guard again.
"Good morning Bella, I'm Gianna and I thought you might to like to have breakfast with me; if that's alright with you of course." Gianna said in a pleasant enough tone. It seemed though that she would be more than willing to do whatever I told her to do. I bet she's under orders from the three Volturi leaders to keep me company so I don't have to eat alone.
"That would be nice, but if you already have plans, I wouldn't want to intrude." I answered politely, giving her an out. If she really doesn't want to be there now she can leave.
I sat down right away since I don't see the point in standing when everyone in the castle that can eat human food is already here. Gianna followed my lead and sat down as well.
"I actually don't mind at all. I asked if I could join you since I'm sure this is all over-whelming for you." Gianna said with a smile that couldn't be anything but genuine.
Over-whelming how? Over-whelming because I'm trapped in a castle in a different country with lots of vampires that I'm sure would be more than happy to make me their next meal? Over-whelming because I just saved my boyfriends' life only to have taken away from me again? Does she think I've never heard of vampires before and maybe she thinks I'm over-whelmed because she thinks I've suddenly been thrust into the supernatural world?
"I guess I am. I wasn't expecting to have to stay here without my friends." I admitted as I started eating.
"It must be at least a little frightening. I understand that the mistresses have yet to talk with you, I'm sure once they do they will clear some things up for you. After that I hope things become a little easier for you. You look like you've been under a lot of stress lately." Gianna pointed out as she too started to eat.
She must be talking about my lack of sleep and lack of proper eating habits for the last couple months. Not to mention the lack of sun, though I don't think I look any paler than I did before I just moped around in my room. I really did get a good nights' rest last night, if that keeps up I should be able to get my internal clock reset and get back to a healthy sleeping pattern. Though that all depends on what happens here.
My hunger though, I'm not sure about that. I should eat and I will, but I don't know if I'll be able to stomach enough of what I should until I can stop being so nervous. I'm too nervous about what's going to happen to me. I don't know exactly what those three woman's plans are. From I've heard about them from Edward and even a little from Carlisle, I most likely won't like what they have planned.
"Yeah, I have been." I confirmed. I don't want the conversation to die, since I do want to at least talk with someone, but I also don't want to give away all my secrets.
Gianna seems like someone I could easily befriend, but I don't know what her place is here in the castle. She's human and technically her working here is breaking the law. Either they plan on killing her, which I really hope isn't true, or they plan on turning her. If they do plan on turning her though, why keep her human? Why not turn her right away?
"What do you think so far of the castle? I don't imagine you've seen a lot of it, but what about the parts you have seen?" Gianna asked, clearly also interested in keeping the conversation going and taking the hint to not talk about my health.
We talked a little bit about the castle and its décor. Gianna revealed to me some interesting pictures that she's come across that may interest me. She actually told me about a picture that had a golden eyed vampire in it. Apparently she didn't know what the golden eyes meant and just thought it was the artist taking creative liberty with the painting. So for the last part of our meal I had the pleasure of explaining golden eyed vampires to her.
I don't go into details about the Cullen's themselves, just about their lifestyle. Talking about something simple as their lifestyle helped to curve the pain in my heart from having to suddenly leave them again. I wanted to go into more detail about the Cullen's themselves, but I don't know exactly where everyone in this castle stands on the Cullen's and I don't want to say anything that may get them in trouble. I could already tell that Jane, Felix and Demetri don't like the Cullen's and clearly the queens don't like them, so I don't want to push our luck of nothing happening to the Cullen's for them spilling their secret.
"Are you finished Bella?" Jane asked from her post, not even turning around. She must have heard us pushing our plates back and putting our napkins from our laps to the top of the table.
"Yeah, I am. I should help clean up though." I said, though the last part was more to Gianna than to Jane.
"Don't worry about it Bella, I'll clean up, it's no problem. The queens, I've heard, are very eager to talk to you." Gianna said with a smile as she started piling up the empty plates.
"Thank you Gianna, I promise I'll help clean up next time." I said as I started to follow Jane out of the room. I could have sworn I heard Jane practically snort in disagreement, but I could have been hearing things. Snorting just doesn't seem like something Jane would do. "So, where are you taking me?" I asked once we left the dining room.
"I'm taking you to the mistresses." Jane answered in her same monotone voice.
"And where are the mistresses." I asked, barely resisting rolling my eyes from her answer.
"They are in Didyme's office." Jane answered.
I almost thought about asking her how far the office is, but something tells me that Jane would most likely give me a vague answer again that would only lead me to ask another question. I feel like that conversation would be one giant loop of me asking something and Jane answering as vaguely as possible. That's not a conversation I want to have, so I opted to walk in silence and just look at the interesting artwork that we passed on the way.
Based off of the artwork, I was able to figure out that Jane was leading me down the same way that led back to my room. I was proven right when we turned down the corner that led to the hallway that only had four rooms in it. Instead of walking down towards mine this time, Jane paused at another of the doors and knocked on it. Someone from inside must have answered because Jane then opened the door and went inside. I followed her, not because she was polite enough to give me any indication that I should follow her, but because I didn't want to stay alone in the hallway that any random vampire could walk down and see me as a quick snack.
The room Jane had led me into looked exactly like a normal, typical office. It was jammed with book shelves and random odds and ends on some of the shelves. The desk was towards the back of the office and I'm assuming normally there was a chair behind it. Now though, all three women sat in chairs just in front of the desk and there was a fourth just in front of them. I vaguely noticed that there was an opened door in the corner that seemed to lead to, based off of what I was able to just barely get a glimpse of, a bedroom.
"That will be all Jane." Sulpicia said in a dismissive tone and even added a small wave of her hand for effect.
"We'll call you when we need you again." Didyme added.
"Have a seat Bella." Athenodora said as she gestured to the seat in front of them since I had only taken two steps into the room and stopped.
I quickly took my seat and waited for them to start talking. Instead though, Sulpicia silently offered me a glass of water. Seeing the empty glass on her desk and the pitcher of water, I felt my mouth get slightly dry. I started to get up but Sulpicia grabbed the glass, filled it with ice cold water and was already holding it out to me before I could even lift myself off the seat.
"Thank you." I said I took the glass and took a small sip from it.
"My pleasure dear." Sulpicia said with a smile.
"Now, I'm sure you're curious as to what exactly we plan to do with you; am I right?" Athenodora asked me once I placed my glass down on the end table that was just conveniently placed there.
"Yeah, I am." I answered.
"First off, in case you haven't already figured out –" Didyme started but was cut off by Athenodora.
"Which I'm sure she has figured it out because she is our mate; therefore I know she's smart." Athenodora said in a cocky tone.
"You are our mate." Didyme finished as if she wasn't just interrupted.
"I did briefly think that." I admitted.
But now thinking about it again, I doubt it even more. I know they just affirmed what I had thought, but thinking about now that I'm not so tired and on an emotional rollercoaster… yet at least, I can think a little more clearly about it.
Besides the fact they are females, there are three of them claiming to be my mate. Isn't that impossible? With how possessive and territorial vampires are with their mates, wouldn't have even just two mated to one person be hazardous to the vampires lives? I would think that the three will eventually end up fighting and may even end up killing each other. I mean, look at how upset with Edward was with his rightful; yes I'm still sticking to him being right, claim of us being mates. They just barely managed not to kill him.
"And what do you think of it?" Sulpicia asked, all three of them looking very eager for my answer.
I don't want to be rude to them and tell them what I really think. At the same time though, I do what to get my thoughts clearly across to them about what I think, in a non-rude way of course. The easiest way to answer would be to answer vaguely and hope that they understand; which I would assume they would.
"I love Edward." I answered, hoping that the tone of my voice showed I believe what I said one hundred percent.
The three women looked at each other and seemed to have a brief conversation that was too silent for me to hear. Athenodora and Didyme had instantly put a hand on Sulpicia's bare shoulders (bare because of the kind of dress she was wearing today) and seemed to communicate that way with her. I'm sure Sulpicia added in her two scents when warranted thought. Within five seconds though, they were all facing me again.
"Fair enough. We understand that in the time you have spent with him, you have managed to develop feelings for him." Athenodora said. Her tone suggested that she thought the idea of me having feelings for Edward was gross. She even made a slightly disgusted face when she said it.
"So, we feel it's only fair that we start at the beginning, just like you and Edward and we can work our way into your heart from there. Given some time, if you still feel as strongly as you do now about a relationship with us, we'll let you go." Sulpicia offered with a smile.
"What's the catch?" I asked right away. That seems too good to be true.
"The only catch is time. Edward had, we'll just say for simplicity sakes, a year of your time. We ask for the same amount of time." Didyme answered.
"Fair is fair after all. Your first love had that amount of time with you; we just want to match it." Athenodora added.
Something tells me that even if I don't agree, I'll still have to stay here. They made me stay last night anyways and I vaguely remember one of them saying that I would be staying here and not leaving with Edward. At least their being nice and pretending to give me a choice this time about what I want to do.
Maybe after a year is up, they will actually hold up to their end of the bargain and let me leave. I know there's no way that they will be able to convince me of being their mates; it's just not possible.
"I accept." I said, my voice sounding very unsure but thankfully they chose to ignore that.
"Wonderful, so why don't we start with the basics. We already know lots about you thanks to dear Edward, it's only fair that we extend the same courtesy to you and tell you about ourselves." Sulpicia said with a clap of her hands. I could almost see her bouncing in place because she seemed so happy about my answer.
"You already know our names, so why don't we start with our gifts." Didyme said, to which I nodded in agreement. "I have the gift of seeing bonds between people. I can see what they are and how strong they are. I can only manipulate them just like anyone else could. I see the potential we have with you and how much you are fighting the bond, whether subconsciously or consciously you are fighting it. I must say though, you will make the chase that much more fun. Vampires are technically predators, we are hunters and we do enjoy a good chase." Didyme said as she gave me a predatory grin that sent shivers down my spine. I can't decide if they are good or bad shivers though.
"I don't have a power per-se, but I am very good with strategy. I'm so good in fact, that some believe that to be my gift. I have never lost a chase and I can swear to you, I never will." Athenodora said with a predatory grin that matched the Didyme had moments before. This grin also sent shivers down my spine and this time I know it was in fear. I'm afraid of what she's planning because I can just tell from looking at her that already has several plans in place and probably even several back up ones.
"My power dear, is a very useful one. With a single touch, I can see all that you have thought, whether it be just a passing thought, or something you practically shouted out in your head, I can see it. So I'm rather curious, I know you were able to block Edward's gift, but I'm wondering if you can block mine as well. Might I try?" Sulpicia asked as she held out her hand to me. Alice had already told me about Sulpicia's gift, but I guess she felt it was only fair to tell me again since the other two told me theirs.
If I let her touch me and she can read my thoughts, she'll learn about a lot of things that I would rather keep to myself. I like having secrets, I liked that Edward couldn't read me. I don't know how his family put up with that because I doubt I ever could. I don't want my privacy taken away from me. Plus, what if they learn about Jacob and the pack and they think they're a threat. I can't risk that.
"I'd rather not." I answered as I shrunk back into my seat slightly.
Sulpicia pulled her back into her lap and frowned a little at having been denied. Both Didyme and Athenodora chuckled a little at Sulpicia's disappointment.
"That's the first time anyone has ever actually denied her that privilege." Didyme said, explaining hers and Athenodora's amusement.
"That's alright; I'll just have to learn things the old fashioned way I suppose." Sulpicia said with a slight pout.
"Now that you know just the very basics of us, before we get any further, I would really like to correct some things that you know; if you don't mind of course." Didyme said.
"What things?" I asked curiously. As far as I know there's nothing I know about them that they would need to correct since I really don't know anything about them
"The mating bond. What that stupid boy told you is not all correct." Athenodora said, almost hissing it out at me. I'm starting to sense that Athenodora can have a bit of a temper at times. I'll have to watch out for that.
"What things?" I asked. Edward wasn't the only person to tell me some things, Carlisle also told me some. He didn't tell me much, but I doubt Carlisle would have lied about what he did tell me.
"First off, lets' make this clear: mates can never leave each other and can never intentionally cause the other pain. It's flat out impossible even for some weird reason you tried." Sulpicia said.
"What Edward did was not only cowardly on his part, but also proves that he is not your mate." Didyme said.
I chose to not comment on that. I still have to think about that. I want to forgive Edward because clearly it hurt him to do that and it was for my safety. At the same time though, Alice came back when she thought I was dead, to verify that I person. Edward took the vague words of Jacob to heart over the phone and then went off to kill himself. I want to forgive Edward because I love him, but the more I think about it, not that I'm not in an entirely zombie or adrenaline state of mind, the more I find reasons to not forgive Edward. So, instead of commenting, I only nodded my head.
"Now for the part you may find the most interesting." Sulpicia said with a grin. "I'm sure you're very curious as to why three of us have been mated instead of just one, as is the norm."
"There are several theories we have about that." Athenodora said.
Theories? Does that mean that even they aren't sure? So, this means I'm not the only confused as to why the… four… of us are mated, at least they claim we are. God, it even sounds weird to say the four of us are in my head. There's no way it can be true, I really can't wait to hear their reasoning.