Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. Stephenie Meyer created it all.
Carlisle POV
A soft knock interrupted the silence. The whole family was gathered, sitting quietly, dejected over Jacob's leaving. I wondered why someone would approach our rooms and assumed that one of us was needed. One look at Edward's face gave me hope though. Hope that whatever he was reading from the individual's mind was positive…possibly Bella had sent for him. As Emmett answered the door, Alice went rigid, and after her vision passed, her face became radiant. She squealed and motioned with her hands for me to get up as Edward's face broke into a glorious smile.
I was too taken with the return of Alice's visions to react. She'd had one the previous evening, and it would seem she'd had one again just now. I wondered about the fates that hadn't allowed us this direction as we searched frantically for Bella. Divine intervention? Or was it just outright bad luck. I could imagine Jacob's gruff voice saying, "Them's the breaks." Jacob? My mind seized on that idea.
"It was Jacob. His presence was what stopped your visions, Alice. Think back. You began losing touch with Bella when Jacob became more predominant in her life. Then when he arrived at the cliff everything went blank…right?" I gasped out.
She became excited as the information infiltrated her mind. Edward's face, however, turned mutinous as he pondered my inadvertent slip that Alice had been watching Bella during our absence.
"And then last evening as he went for a walk, I was able to see…" Alice trailed off as Edward's face clouded over.
We all knew what Alice had seen between Felix and Bella.
Alice resumed talking, reasoning that the wolves must have the ability to block her visions as a sort of defense mechanism, while I held my breath waiting to see what Edward's reaction would be. One deep breath and he calmed himself. His face relaxed and then a victorious smirk ran across his face for the briefest of moments. I wanted to laugh in joy at his determination and reasoning. My son was definitely displaying a new maturity about the situation in which we found ourselves.
Afton followed Emmett into the spacious gathering room. "Carlisle, Marcus sent me to request your presence," he indicated, as soon as Alice finished her deduction.
Esme stood with me and linked her hand with mine. The message was clear. If I was going, she was. I smiled briefly at her, and then looked at Edward.
"Go!" was his only reaction.
I didn't have to be a mind reader to know the hope running through his mind; it was clearly evident across on face.
"Carlisle, Esme, go!" Rosalie encouraged, her normally reserved face curiously full of hope.
My beautiful, impetuous daughter…her optimism broke through the temporary paralysis that had momentarily frozen me. Jasper's face settled into bliss from the optimism that ran through the room.
"Of course, Afton. We would be honored," I said.
He looked to the others. "I haven't been given specific directions for the rest of you, but I do know that the others have gathered in the courtyard to practice…"
"A storm is coming…" Alice interrupted him with such enthusiasm that we all chuckled. She was inordinately pleased with the return of her gift.
"Yes…how did you..." the young vampire said, but then smirked. "Oh, never mind."
Emmett and Jasper looked at one another, clearly ecstatic with the idea of testing their skills on a new group of vampires. Years of battle play between them had kept the aggressive beasts at bay, but the possibility of new opponents clearly excited them both. Emmett linked his hands as if to pop the knuckles and flexed his massive shoulder muscles.
"It will be taxing, but I'll suffer through the process…for the good of us all."
Clear, cleansing laughter broke through us as my five children followed us out the door and through the hallways. We parted company at the throne room, them to their play, and Esme and me to our lost child.
Esme POV
Carlisle practically hummed with anticipation as we followed Afton through the hallways. I'd purposely invited myself to see if the Volturi guard would refuse my accompanying them. I knew I was bordering on being pushy, but I just didn't care. I needed to see Bella too, and I hoped that she was the reason that Marcus had sent the guard. If not, and this was just a meeting between the Volturi leader and my husband, well…it was as good a time as any for me to establish my presence with them. They needed to learn that where Carlisle went, I did as well. I couldn't deny a certain fascination with the trio and the two wives. Carlisle had shared everything about them, and it was difficult at times to mesh the intimate stories with the legends of their power and ruthlessness. Carmen and I had grown close over the years, but as a result of our last moves, I missed the daily interaction of another woman…the camaraderie. I'd formed a new friendship with Sulpicia, and I looked forward to see if Athenodora would be amenable as well. Considering the conversation between Aro and my husband, I truly needed to get to know Sulpicia.
Before I knew it, we were in the hallway that housed the leaders' suites. Afton knocked softly on the door and then went to relieve the guard standing at the end of the hallway. The door opened, and I saw Marcus glance at Carlisle and then me before smiling gently. He motioned for us to enter. I wanted to shout with glee when I saw Bella standing by the fireplace. I would have allowed myself to do just that if she hadn't looked so scared and upset.
"Isabella asked that I have you join us," Marcus began. "She would like to hear your explanation of the past months."
Carlisle squeezed my hand gently. I knew him well enough to know that he was thrilled. It was everything we could have hoped for. Many believed my husband did not possess a calculating bone in his body, but they were seriously mistaken. The energy Carlisle didn't put into fighting, he funneled into being strategically clever. While Edward and Carlisle discussed religion, medicine, and politics, Jasper and he talked warfare…at least the strategic planning of it. Emmett and Carlisle's relationship was as deep as the others; their discussions on relationships drove us insane at time. Emmett may not have Marcus' gift to "see" relationships, but he had an uncanny ability to develop them. He utilized his gregarious ways to solidify important ties. Although Emmett never met a stranger, he didn't befriend them all. His comment earlier had more than one meaning. My son would be maneuvering through the ranks of the Volturi guard, searching out critical relationships. During my reverie, my husband's astute nature led us to the couch to sit so that we would seem less threatening to the girl we both loved.
A moment of awkward silence reigned before Carlisle spoke. "Bella, you want to know what we did to attempt to find you?"
"No, I want to know why you left me in the first place," she rasped out, her pain evident.
Marcus went to her and took her hand, leading her to the chairs beside us.
Carlisle smiled gently over to me, and I nodded slightly, letting him know to continue. This was painful for us…remembering our time away from her.
"After the incident at your birthday party, Edward became crazed. He felt he couldn't protect you and that without changing you there was no hope for a happy future. He was adamantly against that option although we spent all night attempting to convince him. Emmett suggested that we wait until after graduation and even went further to plan our move away 'to college'…giving you the time to gain some control over your newborn behavior. Jasper went with Emmett's suggestion, devising a plan to stay away from you long enough to see you graduated. There is a small cottage on the property in Forks, and he suggested that he and Alice could live there. Jasper was upset beyond reason. He didn't want to stay away from you, having come to view you as his sister, but he wasn't going to risk your safety. We had it all planned out…the way to make everything work. But our plans were contingent on one thing…that you would sooner or later become one of us," Carlisle explained in an emotion ridden voice.
"One that Edward was unwilling to even consider," Bella murmured, clearly understanding the complexity of that horrible night.
I couldn't be quiet any longer. "Exactly. Carlisle told Edward that he would change you himself if Edward didn't feel he had the control. Edward became almost violent with Carlisle, like nothing we'd ever seen before. We argued all night, Bella, trying to get him to see reason. In the end, it didn't work. We left, but we didn't go far. He'd already told us that he was leaving to be on his own for awhile and that he would call to locate us when he was ready to come home. As soon as we were out of hearing distance, we changed all the plans. We only went to Oregon, to a rental cabin there. We left everything but our clothes in the house in Forks."
"But why didn't you come back for me?" she cried out, tearing at my heart. "Did you not know I was suffering?"
Before Carlisle could stop me, I told her the truth. "Every night… one of us stayed outside your window every night. We heard your cries and saw you suffer. But when Jacob became more fascinated with you, the wolves began to prowl around the house. We had to leave then, and that time was horrible. Alice's visions were gone; she couldn't see you, but we couldn't get close for fear they would smell us. I was frantic with worry. Then, Jasper had a brilliant idea. We broke into the school and watched you walk through the halls on videotape every night. You seemed to be getting better. I have to admit; it was then that I questioned our belief that you becoming one of us was inevitable. We overheard Charlie speaking with Billy and his relief that you and Jacob were growing closer. It was the only time we questioned the firm foundation that we'd planned this all around."
"I don't understand," she whispered. "What foundation?"
Carlisle took over again. "Alice's visions, when they did come, never changed, Bella. She continued to see you as one of us in the future. I am the leader of this family. I lay fault at my feet for two things. First, I hold myself responsible that I just didn't refuse to leave. I wanted Edward to be the one to change you…to be your sire. I wanted you to have that unique relationship and bond, and I thought if I stayed, one of two things would happen. Either our continued presence would drive him even farther away, or I would just give in and change you to stop all the chaos."
Bella gasped and looked up to see the sincerity in Carlisle's face.
"I've never changed anyone who wasn't dying, Bella. It made me feel a little less of a monster to be able to claim that distinction, but I was close so many nights as I hid just inside the forest line and heard you cry out my son's name in pain. To hear you begging him to come back for you was horrid. I wanted him to come back for you and for us. I missed him as well. But, I held firm to the belief that Edward was going to come to his senses and return for you. The second fault I must claim responsibility for is that I didn't consider the fact that your change would happen at anyone else's hand. I was an idiot, and for that I can only ask your forgiveness," he said, his voice quivering.
"None of us considered it. Carlisle isn't to blame. We were arrogant, believing that we would be the ones to usher you into our world…to be there to guide you through the chaos of your newborn moments. When Alice saw Edward returning to you, it was one of the best moments of my existence. I would finally be able to see you face to face instead of staring through a window at you or seeing you on a grainy tape. Alice and Jasper were in Seattle arranging a scholarship for you to attend the University of Washington when she saw him make the decision. We'd already packed our belongings and were heading home when the call came from Alice that you were at the cliff. I was inconsolable. I thought I was going to lose two children that day," I stated sincerely.
"We were wrong, Bella. If I had to do it over, I would have convinced Edward we were leaving and immediately resumed residence at the Forks house as soon as he ran. I would have waited until your graduation, and then we would have stolen you away to college. I would have bitten you myself and lived with the consequences of my son's anger. You are his mate, and he would have come to see reason sooner or later. My only excuse is that I attempted to live with a plan that allowed Alice's vision to be played out as naturally as possible, and I was wrong," Carlisle said, leaning toward her in his adamancy.
Bella's eyes clouded over from venom as she realized what we'd been saying. "You didn't leave me?" she whispered.
I felt uncomfortable with that assumption because we had in fact done just that. "No, we did, Bella. We shouldn't have, but we did."
"But you kept coming back to watch over me which means you really didn't. That's why the wolves changed, right? Why Jacob went through the change after you left…because you really hadn't…and your smell was everywhere. It all makes sense."
I saw Carlisle nod slightly, and in fact, that had been his supposition. I wanted to comfort her so badly, and I didn't think…I just acted. Her body tensed only a moment as I pulled her into my arms, settling into the chair, placing my cheek against her hair. It felt right; it felt like home. Even though we were ensconced in the place of - and at the mercy of - our leaders, my child was back in my arms. The dry sobs tore from me, joining hers as I smoothed my hands over her hair.
"Bella, sorry doesn't seem an appropriate word as it cannot truly express the level of my regret," Carlisle said. Then he smiled softly before continuing, "But honestly, although the path was not as I would have liked, the end result is. You are here with us now. Edward can't bemoan the possibility of changing you, and we are amongst friends. Please give us the opportunity to be your family again, the chance to regain your regard."
"Aro is my father now, Carlisle." I heard her say, her body stiffening slightly.
He rushed in to keep the awkwardness from taking root. "I understand. However, isn't there room in your heart for us as well?"
I looked over at his golden eyes so sincere in his pleading, and my heart broke. I couldn't stand to see Carlisle suffer, and suffering he was. He loved Bella as I did. She had been his child from the moment he saw Edward smile as he said her name. Her gentleness and acceptance of us when we finally did meet only served to make it more permanent. Please, Bella, I chanted silently. Give my love a chance.
"There isn't a limit to your love, Isabella. Aro will not see it as choosing one over the other, just a natural extension of your nature," Marcus said softly.
With a soft cry, Bella held her hand out across the space between us and Carlisle. Faster than I could even follow she and I were suddenly cradled in his arms as Marcus grinned softly, turning to stare at an incredible masterpiece over his fireplace. He seemed at peace as he looked at the beautiful woman above him, and I basked in the moments of calm.
Emmett POV
It never failed to amaze me how the feel of Rose's skin against my fingertips could instantaneously distract me from anything. We'd left Carlisle and Esme, whom we hoped were going to a meeting with Bella, and made our way to the courtyard. I was immediately distracted by Rose as my hand brushed across her back, and the moment turned awkward. I was draped all over her, and Alice giggled as Jasper nuzzled her neck. Edward…he was alone, again. I thought he would become emo boy without Bella around, but surprisingly he'd withstood the angst I knew he must be battling against.
I couldn't even imagine what he was feeling. The love of his life…his mate, was within these walls, holding him at arm's length while being intensely pursued by another. Even though I felt for him, I still wanted to kick his ass for all this. He'd finally been complete when he found her, after being alone for so long. We'd all been thrilled, and my brother had radiated joy and contentment. All he'd had to do was bite her and get over all of it, but of course, he had to fight it. Typical for him, really…trying to do the RIGHT thing instead of being selfish for once. More than any of us, he was truly Carlisle's son.
Even my perpetually snarky Rosalie had realized that, in the end, Bella offered the only key to her brother's happiness. She hadn't been thrilled with the fact that a human would lose her life, her mortal possibilities for the future, but seeing the devastation that Bella's absence had caused us all and the pain that Bella had suffered at our absence, she'd caved. She wasn't going to be vocal about it though; she had a reputation to uphold. But she'd secretly shared with me that the new Bella pleased her. No more Little Miss Shy and Quiet…she'd let us have it. I grinned at the memory of what happened in the throne room. Man, I wanted the opportunity to fight Bella while she had her newborn strength. I was hoping she'd oblige. I was a simple man with simple desires…blood, family, sex with my beautiful wife, and fighting. What more could a man want?
I loved Edward, and even though he did tend to be melodramatic, he was an amazing man and brother. His melodrama had never affected the family; it just served to alienate him from the happy coupling around him and so no one could really blame him. He'd graciously put up with enough chaos from us all over the years, never complaining when we had to move or when he had to use his gift to help cover up our slips. While Carlisle and the others covered our tracks, he'd held each one of us, providing compassion without reproach. Edward could leave Bella many times over, and the amount of chaos would still be nil in comparison to what each one of my siblings had caused at one time or the other over the years. We didn't count his rebellion from Carlisle because no one other than Esme had been around. The difference here was that when we'd faced a crisis in the past, we'd done it as a family; whereas, Edward's one mistake, albeit a huge one, had hurt someone in our family. He'd compounded it by alienating us.
So if my baby sister Bella or the Volturi were expecting us to come down hard on him, they were going to be disappointed. Edward had suffered enough over the years for mistakes that weren't his own. He'd held himself accountable for his rebellion more than he should…we were vampires…what had he expected? And honestly, I kinda liked that my brother had been a bad ass for awhile. The family's slips had all been while we attempted to do right. Whereas Jasper had been a human feeder first, Edward, after having lived under Carlisle's grace and guidance, had intentionally embraced his darkness for a period of time and still came out on the other side. He'd also withstood the call of Bella's blood…which was unprecedented and beyond my comprehension, considering what I'd done to my singer. There was something to be said about all that. It made him unique. Edward, with his history, control, and gift was more dangerous than any of us combined, and anyone who underestimated him…well that was their mistake. If Felix thought his size would give him an advantage…he'd wizen up quickly. I smirked, remembering the times Edward had handed me my butt on a platter.
Nope…I wasn't going to warn them. Let them deal with the being who was Edward Cullen.
Now in regards to Bella and the sex situation…I might have to nudge that a little. Although seeing the state in which he'd returned to our quarters, I was beginning to even question if he needed my assistance with that. He'd been an intimate, albeit unwilling, witness to the sexual freedom and proclivity of the family for years. I was pretty certain that with the orgy of images we'd all given him and the lust and desire of others, both male and female, that he'd endured over the years, that Edward had more knowledge about passion and depravity than possibly anyone other than Aro. Now that he was beginning to let go of the rigid control of that side of him…I was anticipating fireworks. And I couldn't help but admit that I was going to enjoy it. I imagined Bella in a Dominatrix outfit, Edward willing submitting to her. Or perhaps it would be the other way around. Darkward…maybe that could be his new nickname, instead of Dorkward as we'd called him for years. Bedward…Sexward…Badward…
I snorted at the names I was conjuring up, causing Rose to look at me. Then, I realized I hadn't attempted to cover my thoughts. Ooops! I looked at Edward and saw his black eyes glaring at me. So what? I thought and shrugged at him. Are you game? He shook his head, attempting to dispel the vivid images of my baseness.
Kinkward? I threw out, imagining the crack of a whip against his bare skin and his reactive shudder of passion…Bella in spiked boots wielding the slithering length…well at least that was the picture in my mind.
I burst out in laughter at his snarl. Well, anything was better than Mentalward or Deadward, which is what we'd been dealing with lately. Damn…damn…damn…this could get interesting. His eyes slanted, and somehow I knew he was envisioning things the likes of which I'd never seen. I sobered instantly…suddenly it was imperative to me that I pick his brain. Rosalie and I were always up for something new. He grinned evilly at me and then shoved me forward, causing me to step into a crowd of the Volturi masses. Life was good until I realized I'd collided with Felix.
"Sorry, man, my brother is being a prick," I said jokingly.
As Felix turned to glare at Edward, the hair stood up on the back of my neck from the look the two exchanged. I probably shouldn't do anything to instigate or inflame the dislike between those two. It was bad enough as it was. What was a brother to do, when he'd added to the tension of the moment? I stepped between them.
"Felix, I think you are the only one who would prove to be a worthy sparring partner for me; are you up for it?" I proposed, looking him squarely in the eyes.
Amazingly, he smiled in anticipation, and I was sure the look was echoed on my face.
"Emmett, I do believe you and I may become friends," he said, grabbing my hand in a bone crushing grip.
Seriously? He was going to attempt to prove a point this way. I squeezed back earning a deep hearted laugh from him. I saw Jasper eyeballing the group…such the little General. He was already analyzing them, looking for their weaknesses and strengths. His eyes edged around Jane and Alec. We knew they were the deadly vipers of the group. Did they fight fairly, or did they cheat using their skills? I realized in that moment that Jane wasn't any bigger than Alice. She looked almost frail when you really looked at her. She caught my eyes and looked as if she was taking my measure, then I heard Felix's voice beside me.
"Don't pay her any mind. Her leash gets jerked by Aro if she misbehaves."
I watched Jane's curious eyes turn flat and unresponsive as a result of the comment.
"Hey man, that's not cool. I don't know her, but it seems that we don't have to be disrespectful."
Esme would cut this boy a new one if she caught him being discourteous to a woman like that. I kept my eyes on Felix, wondering if I had just ruined a chance of forming a relationship. Strangely, his eyes narrowed before he quickly nodded and began striding toward the open area.
The courtyard was framed on four sides by the rambling monstrosity of the Volturi castle. Really…could they have made it anymore gothic? It was almost as if Aro was challenging the world with the truth. Well, even if it was on the more Bram Stoker spectrum, the walls did provide protection from human eyes. I saw a beautiful garden at the other end, but for the most part, it was wide open. It was a perfect space for vampire fun, if somewhat small.
"Do you ever go into the woods and play?" I asked, having followed Felix across the smooth bricks that composed the flooring of the area.
"On occasion," he replied. "Our true tests come from far away from here…Africa, Egypt, and other less civilized areas. We had a good time in the United States not too many years ago."
Jasper's eyes jerked to us, but he didn't show any other sign of interest. Jasper was cool as a cucumber in combat situations. I saw the other one…Demetri…sizing him up. Jane, after meeting my eyes calmly and dare I even say, openly, was looking at my wife and sister. I had to cringe a little, wondering if in fact her using her "gift" was off limits. I had no desire to see either Rosalie or Alice on the ground in pain. My perusal had caught Edward's attention, and not so surprisingly, I saw him walk up to Jane and Alec, mumbling a word of "thanks." Leave it to Darkward to be the one to thank someone for giving him pain. Or maybe it should be Kinkward. Those two were really battling for first place with me. He, of course, only saw it as a way to express his appreciation for what she did in the throne room. Her eyes flared in shock before they narrowed in assessment upon him.
No offense to Jacob, but we were like a pack of wolves, circling each other in an attempting to size one another up. All we needed to do was take a quick sniff and the whole "who is dominant" would be complete. Did we need to piss on the walls to mark our territory before we got started? Edward snorted at my observation, and I chuckled back.
Felix removed his shirt, and his skin shimmered subtly. I saw others from the Volturi who I didn't know by name, removing various layers of clothing. Even the females stripped down to minimal clothing.
"We'll take it easy on you at first. Carlisle's pacifism is infamous here, so I'm certain that you've not had the experience we have in hand to hand combat. We generally go through practice regimens weekly. No biting, we save that for the real stuff, but the sign of a victory is to gain access to your competition's throat," Felix murmured as he stretched. "I think you are right; your size makes you the most likely candidate for me to train. Come here," he directed.
I did my best to keep a straight face and act all excited. Man, did they have us pegged wrong! Felix and I were fairly well matched even if he was slightly bigger than me.
"I'm going to wrap you in a hold, so that we can practice you breaking away," he said, wrapping his large arms around me, pinning mine to my side. "Now see if you can get loose."
It was a typical hold a newborn might attempt; I wanted to laugh. He obviously planned to "show" me how to get loose later. I looked up at Jasper, but he was conscientiously keeping his face to the ground. Did I want to be good and keep our secret or have fun? Is my name Emmett Cullen, and hadn't Esme always said my name was synonymous with "mischief?"
I dropped, grabbing his arms and at the same time, spun slamming him to the ground. "Is that what you were looking for?" I said smugly.
Perhaps a little too smugly…I didn't hear an answer as my legs were clipped out from under me, and I was dropped to the ground. A grin cut across my face as I leapt to my feet. Felix dove at me, getting his arms around my waist. We fell backwards, but I twisted to land on top, a knee to his stomach. He wrenched my arm painfully behind my back on the next attempt. Venom raced through my body from the thrill as we continued to blur around the area battling, each of us scoring points on the other.
I was high from the thrill of the fight I realized, something I'd never really experienced before. I couldn't get a decent fight out of Edward or Alice due to their gifts. Jasper and I sparred well enough to satisfy my aggression, but I couldn't hurt Carlisle or Esme. And, I generally ended up screwing the hell out of Rosalie if we even attempted…the feel of her skin too much of a temptation. I didn't have any reservations about Felix, and I let loose. I realized that my laughter echoed around the area, combining with his and the thunder in the distance. We'd called a stalemate minutes later when he had my head locked in a hold, and I held his leg to the point I would have ripped it from the socket with a subtle flick of my wrist.
Felix's face was ecstatic, and he reached out his hand for a handshake as a sign of mutual admiration. Of course, we had to play the squeezing game again.
"So…not so tenderhearted I see. Who is responsible for your training?" he asked me, clearly impressed.
"I am," Jasper answered softly from the across the way, surprising me. He generally kept his expertise a secret.
Felix turned to him, cocking an eyebrow.
"Human experience during the War of Northern Aggression, and vampire expertise during the newborn wars," he said quickly, believing it to be enough explanation.
Edward's eyes cut to Felix, and I wondered what the vampire was thinking. Clearly, he was focused on Jasper. "Excellent, it seems we gained multiple talents from your acquisition."
I wanted to bristle at being called an acquisition, but I guess it really was a fairly accurate description. I preferred to think that I'd willingly walked through the door. Whatever…
"Let's continue," he suggested, and various altercations broke out amongst the ranks.
I heard Jasper's enthusiastic laughter as it seemed that Demetri had taken him on. Hearing some bricks crumble, I turned, expecting to see him struggling with said vampire, but instead I felt a surge of lust seeing Rosalie and Heidi grappling. I'm a man…sue me. I was distracted by the sight of Rose flipping Heidi over and pinning her, so Felix got a cheap shot, shoving me across the way. All hell broke loose as we joined the melee of thrown and pummeled bodies and dismemberment. The laughter I heard was unsettling considering the reputation the Volturi had. I'd assumed nothing but the worst of the group. It would seem we all had a lot to learn about each other. A lucky shot at Felix's kidney area landed me what I thought was an easy victory quite a bit later, but he twisted at the last moment, slamming his hand into my chin, closing my mouth.
"I believe we are again at a truce," I grumbled out, after having jerked my chin out of his paw.
Chaos and destruction was littered across the area. Broken bricks and pieces of clothing were strewn across almost every square inch, and I even noticed that one small patch of the garden had been hit. I wondered who would have to repair that damage and vowed to volunteer for brick duty before I was roped into playing gardener for Esme. Various members of the guard helped others begin the reattachment of body parts, and I uncomfortably realized there would be a human slaughter tonight to help with the healing process. Rosalie's delighted chuckling distracted me though, and I turned to see her give a hand up to Heidi.
"Too true, and the area is a wreck. You Cullens enjoy making a mess," he laughed, looking across the space, taking in Jasper and Demetri shoving each other in fun.
He then stilled as he spied Edward sitting against the wall, Alice beside him. They were carrying on one of those weird silent conversations. It was obvious that they'd only watched.
"Is he too good for this?" he said acerbically.
Edward's eyes jerked to us and turned black at the antagonism and challenge in Felix's words. I didn't know what was being left unspoken.
"Um…Edward is no fun to play with." I was hoping to dissuade trouble. Rosalie slid under my arm, her body vibrating from the thrill of the play as she shook debris from her hair. Hmmm…I knew how to dispel some of that energy.
"Really?" Felix said in a tone that indicated that he really thought Edward was just useless, bringing me back from my fantasies of my wife.
Edward rose, and I knew I had to nip this in the bud. "Other than you, who is your best fighter?"
He stared at me.
"Seriously, you've asked a question and I'm attempting to answer it. If you participate, you won't get to see the beauty of it. Who?" I asked again.
"Jane," he sneered.
"Okay, I'll give you that, but his gift doesn't work against that talent. Next?"
"Actually, Afton is our most talented fighter. It is his gift," Demetri said next to us, Jasper just to his side.
"Afton?" Felix called over to the man standing to the side of the field. "Would you care to participate?"
The ruby eyed vampire stepped to the center, anticipation etched in his face. He lived to fight; it was clear.
"Edward…" I begged, wanting my brother to show off a little.
He shook his head slightly but humored me. Alice flitted to lean against Jasper's chest as we began to watch. What resulted was a beautiful dance of vampire antagonism. Afton was really, really good, incredibly landing a few well timed blows. I learned a few things myself just by watching him. But, my brother was better. After an hour of the twist and turn of bodies, Felix finally looked over at me in disbelief.
"He can't turn it off you know," I said, pointing to my temple. "Alice is the same way. I've seen them take on multiple attackers and walk away unscathed. They are exceptionally deadly in a fight and have been invaluable to us when we've had the need to defend ourselves."
Felix's eyes narrowed again, but I think my point had been made. I was growing to like the vampire beside me, but he didn't need to think my brother would be an easy target. The point was made to all present. Edward even let out a pleased chuckle as Afton claimed him as his permanent partner.
The door opened into the courtyard and happiness settled in my heart as I saw Carlisle, Esme, and Bella enter into the area, Aro slightly behind them. Bella was holding Esme's hand, but she still moved toward Aro when Alice took the first step toward her.
"Not yet, baby," Jasper whispered, drawing her back into his arms as he assessed Bella. "Give her just a little more time."
"Jazz…" she pleaded and whined, but he shook his head, firmly squelching her excitement. My poor pixie sister, she was devastated without Bella's presence in her life.
Unfortunately, both Edward and Felix's eyes were riveted on Bella as well. We would have a fight if either of them started toward her. Time for further action.
"BELLA!" I boomed, startling several of the individuals around me. "Just the person I need. Poor Felix here had to finally call quits on his futile attempt to beat me. He's grown weak being the big man on campus around here. Whatcha say to a little newborn show of strength?"
Both Felix and Edward began speak, but I never found out what they would have said because just the thought they would speak up possibly at her defense pissed my little sister off…as I'd hoped. She narrowed her eyes and let go of Esme's hand, grinning wickedly. I was so going to get my ass "whupped", but hopefully Rosalie would give me a rubdown for it later. It was all in the interest of family preservation, well and a little of my own thrill at getting to wrestle with her.
"Em…" I heard Jasper begin to warn me, but I shushed him.
"Bella-baby can handle me, can't you? Or are you the true anomaly to vampire transformation and still clumsy?" I asked innocently, baiting her. I attempted to put a horrified expression on my face as if it might be true.
She shrugged her shoulders elegantly, playing along with me. "Don't know, Emmett. No one has been willing to try. They run from Jane and me."
I heard Jane chuckling behind me, and the very nervous shift of vampire feet. Interesting! Yeah, I could see them being a terror together.
"Well, you know less secure individuals probably do find the two of you intimidating. But I don't want to play with your gifts, I just want to see if you can pin me," I grinned, waggling my eyebrows at her. "Leave the mumbo jumbo to the others; I just want to play with the newborn."
She came toward me but stopped to take off her shoes which she handed to Demetri. He chuckled at her actions, pinching her cheek as she passed. "Interesting…like I said, Bella," he murmured cryptically.
"Do we just lunge at each other, Emmett? What is the protocol?" she laughed, rolling her eyes adorably at me.
"Ladies first," was the only direction I gave.
She nodded and stuck her hand out as if to shake mine in agreement.
As I flew through the air and smashed into a wall, I asked myself why I hadn't remembered just how manipulative Bella's mind was. She'd come up with the strategy to deal with James after all, shocking us all with her capacity to be devious. I flipped up onto my feet and ran slightly towards her, turning sideways just as I neared her. I grasped her arm, spinning her around, but she easily broke my hold. Damn, she was strong! I stepped back to avoid getting crushed, crouching into a defensive stance. She elegantly followed suit, the vampire in her very evident by the slant and color of her eyes.
We countered and parried. As long as I avoided getting into her grasp, I would be fine. Even still, she got a few good blows in on me. My final mistake was when I lunged toward her feet. She caught me from behind and slammed my head down into the dirt, causing a large furrow. I was humiliated at how quickly she'd taken advantage of my attempts. I'd lost, her lips were at my throat. I dropped my hands to the ground in a sign of truce. After growling at me softly, I felt her slowly regain control and unlatch her teeth from around me.
"Thanks Emmett," she whispered at a volume where no one could hear. I grinned at her as she released me from her hold, knowing she knew exactly what I'd done and why. She patted my cheeks affectionately when I flipped over and then leaned back down to say softly, "You're a good big brother."
"Welcome home, Bella. Now talk my wife into giving me a backrub," I begged.
Her pealing laughter soon joined by everyone else's, cut through the silence, as a fine mist of rain began pouring down.
Aro POV
"Aro, if I might have a moment of your time?" Isabella asked softly, as she edged toward me and away from the raucous behavior that was happening around her.
"Certainly Isabella, shall we retire to your room?" I asked, linking our arms and leading her away from the destruction that was scattered across the courtyard.
"I should stay to help with the cleanup, I was just hoping that you would allow me to speak with you afterward."
"Come, come…you'll have your opportunity to pay your dues."
I continued to walk forward, so she had no other choice than to follow. She was adorably filthy after fighting and she shied away from me as if she hated to even touch me.
"Seriously…they'll think I'm snobby if I don't help."
"Isabella, you will have your time, but for now we are going to your room. You have raised my curiosity as to what you would like to discuss with me. Being the leader has few advantages, but this is one. No one will question your leaving if you are with me, they wouldn't dare."
She still gazed back over her shoulder, as if expecting those in the courtyard to be staring at her. It would be spotless in no time with the speed at which the cleaning was occurring, and I saw her settle into the notion that she could accompany me with repercussions. She was an amazing creature, so loyal to everyone in her life. I was pleased that she'd decided to forgive Carlisle and Esme. I was hopeful that forgiveness would also extend to her siblings, and Emmett had certainly made a large step in taking her down that pathway. The little one, Alice, would be a powerful weapon in my arsenal, along with her mate and brother. I already knew the value of Carlisle, and in conjunction his wife.
The final two Cullen siblings, however, had shocked me over the past few hours. Although I may scour the Earth for talented humans and vampires, I'd learned a critical lesson in my millennia of existence…talent did not always equate to usefulness. I'd had to destroy a plethora of gifted vampires, because they would not work for the whole, or abide by my will. Emmett Cullen would do anything to protect his family, and once his indoctrination was complete, he would be a powerful asset to my collection. I planned to do everything I could to solidify the burgeoning friendship between he and Felix. His wife, Rosalie, she was an enigma…or would be to someone that hadn't read her every thought. Her bitterness at her change had overshadowed a good chunk of her vampire existence. And although I suspected she would always maintain her haughty nature, underneath lay a spirit of a lioness. She would not abide by any threats to her family. Once I had manipulated her loyalty to include me and mine, she too would protect us with her life.
And the key to it all resided in the individual next to me. My Isabella. The irony that I would be contemplating such base uses for my daughter ran through me, but such was the dichotomy of my life. I could not view anyone without seeing how they could be utilized. The difference here was that I cared greatly for the tool of my manipulation. Would I give up my plans, if ultimately they would affect her in a negative way? I wasn't surprised to realize the answer. Like Sulpicia, Isabella would come first. I would draw the line at her leaving me, but other than that, I would fix whatever problem existed for her…even if it meant giving up something I desired. She was dangerous in that she had such a level of control over me…her salvation was that she did not realize it.
"May I quickly clean up, before we speak?" she asked the minute we walked through her door.
"Your wish…my command."
Her snort was adorable, and within just a few moments, she was sequestered in her bathroom showering. I moved to sit on her couch, but my roving eye saw the new picture on her bedside. I was drawn like a moth to a flame. I also saw the note that lay on the table. Edward's writing…I recognized it from Carlisle's memories. The young man was a strategic marvel. Those that knew me would probably be surprised when I pointedly ignored the missive. His words to her should be private. I couldn't help what I would learn the next time I touched him, but for now I would honor her privacy. The picture was telling. The family loved her, it was evident. For a split second I was jealous. I'd only had just a few short days with her before I had to send for them. Now instead of having time alone to build our relationship, I had to share. I held the frame in my hand, and my fingertip brushed across each smiling face, renewing my vow to make the chains that bound them here so tight, that they would never consider the possibility of breaking Isabella's (as my finger lingered over Carlisle I amended the statement), or my heart.
I placed the picture back precisely as it had sat, not wanting her to realize that I'd disturbed it. I then went over to the sitting area. The hearth had grown cold, so as I heard her turn the shower off, I knelt to start a fire. It was such a simple task, one that I could have easily called for another to do, but in realm of my life it was often the simplest things that gave me pleasure…a kiss from Sulpicia's lips, a sunrise, or a beautiful symphony. That reminded me, I wanted to hear Edward play. What I'd gleamed from his family, as I surreptitiously touched them over the course of the day, had teased my senses. I'd not heard such a talent since Vivaldi. Music was a guilty pleasure of mine, and in more archaic centuries, my brothers and I had attended many productions under cover. The modern age was beginning to make it more difficult. There were too many ways to be caught on tape or in pictures. We had to be infinitely more careful.
Edward it would seem, would be useful in more than one way. Would he though be the happiness or destruction of Isabella, I wondered. His intentions were clear. I could only imagine that his level of frustration at reading his love's thoughts was equal to mine.
"I'm sorry, I just couldn't stand to get you dirty," she murmured coming out of the bathroom brushing her long wet hair.
She was dressed casually in jeans and a t-shirt, which I'd come to understand was her favorite attire. Sulpicia had begrudgingly provided the items, but refused to discontinue her attempts to entice Isabella into wearing flowing summer dresses, or at least more revealing attire. I'd disagreed with my wife, telling her that Isabella was a product of her decade. Jeans and a t-shirt were the perfect attire to hide her lethality under deception. She looked a fragile young lady, fresh in maturity. She would make the perfect killing machine, if she was so disposed. Her almost black eyes clearly denoted just how much she fought that nature. She would need to feed tonight, and I knew it would be a fight, now that the Cullens were here. Perhaps it was time I took Bella to the streets of nearby Florence, criminals galore abided within the darker teeming streets. It would take very little effort to find her a victim. A satisfactory plan solidified within me, and I turned my focus to my daughter…and the tantalizing purpose of her request. I rose and sat on the couch, and she followed pulling her legs up to sit in an uncivilized nature. I would have chastised her, but this was her room, and she was nothing but proper at other times.
"Father, something occurred to me that I needed your guidance upon. The Cullens…they operate as a family unit…" she stopped. She seemed extremely embarrassed about something, and it only peaked my curiosity. "…how do you really see me?" she rushed the words out.
"I'm at a loss, Isabella, exactly what are you asking? You know I consider you as a daughter."
Her hands twitched nervously, and she grasped them around her legs, resting her chin on her knees to look at me. At that moment she looked no more than a child.
"How old were you when you were turned?" she asked unexpectedly.
No one other than Sulpicia had ever asked me that question. Marcus and Caius of course knew. We'd been friends before we were immortals. Age meant so little to a vampire, and I was curious what it meant to the child in front of me. There was no way to know unless I satisfied her curiosity.
"The seasons had changed twenty five times. My only recollection is that my mother mentioned my birth occurred during the winter months, so it is possible I had turned twenty six that year. I became lost in a storm, and the immortal that created me found me."
She gasped. "YOU aren't much older than Carlisle when he was made."
"I should find that offensive Isabella. Are you shocked that I am that young, because I look older, or because you assumed I must be primordial."
She was too shocked to cover up her embarrassment. "I don't know, honestly, I just assumed you must have been much older."
"I was ancient, even then. I know because I read Marcus and Caius thoughts before I turned them. I had only vague recollections, other than memories of their faces, and the sense that they were important. My desire brought me back to them. Fool that I was I thought I could control two newborns. The first year or so was…interesting. But I was able to see everything before the transformation wiped their memories away.
I'd had a family… a wife and children. They were taken by illness…what would many centuries later be called the bubonic plague. When I disappeared it was thought that I had wandered into the woods and died as well from it. Ironic isn't it that my death and the death of my family would be blamed on an illness that results from a bite. Of course in the case of the Black Plague it was from a flea, not a vampire, but regardless the humor of that never fails to amuse me. But I digress…I saw through Marcus and Caius my life, and theirs. Caius was the second son of a local lord."
She raised her eyebrow at that.
"He comes by his arrogance naturally." I smiled at her giggle before I continued. "Marcus was the son of minister. It is why he and Carlisle get along so well. Marcus had never married, because he had been in love with Didyme since they were children."
Pain reared within my soul, and I cast my eyes toward the fire. I hoped, not prayed…that she hadn't suffered. Prayer was beyond my immortal hope…Jesus of Nazareth might have preached that all could be saved…and he had been a riveting man…but the son of God fought demons like me. I feared him as I'd never another.
The touch of Isabella's hand brought me back around from my torture. She linked her hand in mine, bringing me back in focus.
"And your family?"
"Our father was a wealthy merchant. I was pampered and privileged. My marriage was planned to expand my family's wealth, my focus on ensuring success. I don't remember her or the children, other than through Marcus' and Caius' memories. It is odd seeing yourself in that manner, one-dimensional when everything else is so vibrant. I believe I cared for her, but I can tell you that the look on my face in those memories does not compare to how I feel when I see Sulpicia."
"What was your last name?
"My last name? You mean a surname?"
"Yes."
"Velathri. Although, my family utilized it rarely…mostly for trade. It wasn't a common practice to use such identifiers…except with the Chinese, and briefly the Romans. It was the Middle Ages before the English really enacted the practice."
I couldn't fathom where Isabella was going with this. Possibly she just wanted to know our history. I would imagine that it helped to have a foundation. We were alike the two of us. I'd been able to glean information from Marcus and Caius before it was all lost. She had the Cullens who could remember all that she'd told them. She would be an anomaly among our world…having a tie with her human life in such a manner.
"Vel..a…thri." The name came from her lips in an inquisitive manner. She stood then and went to the fireplace, taking down the picture we'd been able to obtain of her biological father.
"Jake will be telling him that I've died, when he gets home. He'll make some story up about it and that the Cullens were unable to bear being near their house and the many memories. Jacob is a good man. I hate that he will be the one to bear the brunt of my father's anguish. I do not want to loose the part of me that was Bella, and I already ache for what I have lost. I know now why Edward always wanted to spare me this, but either way I would have lost something precious. For at that time, there was nothing I wanted more than to be with him for eternity."
I raised my eyebrows at her over the fact that she was glossing over her feelings. She didn't want to spend eternity without him now…or she wouldn't be tearing herself to pieces over him and Felix. I wasn't going to argue with her over it though. I was too interested in the conversation we were having, and were she was going with it.
"You and Sulpicia are my family now…and yet I still feel lost somehow. As if I don't belong in either world. Maybe it is because I can still remember…and I'm reminded of it by things like this picture, or Jake, or even the Cullens. I feel unsettled, and I know some of it may be the chaos I feel about Felix and Edward. You're not as good at hiding your thoughts as you think, by the way." She stopped to scrunch her nose at me. "But it really is more than that. I never want to forget Charlie, and my mother, but I will never be able to return to them. It is better that they do think I'm dead. Jake will help Charlie heal, and my mother has Phil. But who do I have?"
I started to interrupt her, but she shushed me. "I need to have a place in this life. No matter how much I want to deny it, I will always be Bella Swan, but I'm so much more now. The Cullens, they've formed a family, with Carlisle as their leader and father. They operate as a family, and stick together through everything, but I know it has taken them decades to get to where they are…"
She paused, and the hand still holding mine squeezed lightly. She looked to the crackling fire as if she was contemplating her next words. Finally she began to speak again. "…the name Isabella Marie Velathri seems like a good place to start for me."
She shyly looked out of the side of her eye to see my reaction. I was stunned…honored…speechless. I was apparently quiet too long because she began to babble.
"It's okay…I don't…"
"Absolutely not!"
She gasped at my adamancy, and began to pull away from me. I realized exactly how my words must have seemed.
"Stop, allow me to explain." I gently took the picture out of her hand and turned it around for her to see. "This man…" I tapped her father's face, "…he raised an incredible young lady. I wish I could show you my memories of your entrance into our halls, your fearlessness, and your defense of those you love. He may never see you again, but it would be a sacrilege for him to not be honored. "
"Isabella Marie Swan Velathri, then, unless you do not want me to carry your name," she said adamantly.
I was too thrilled to even conceive of arguing.
"Isabella Marie Swan Velathri," I said with the proper enunciation and prestige.
"It is a good start, yes?" she asked shyly.
"A most excellent one," I growled, snatching her to me and wrapping her in my arms.
A/N: Would love to know your thoughts!
Velathri was the original name of the city of Volterra. It was a small village until an Etruscan tribe known as the Velathri settled there in the 8th century B.C. It then flourished becoming a mecca for trade. Knowing that Aro was changed around 1000 B.C., it would seem that he and the brothers may have settled in the area, and perhaps would have dabbled in controlling human lives even that early. So I took much liberty in proposing, in this story, that the city may in fact have been named after him (in fiction of course). It was too good of an opportunity to give up. And even funnier – there is a Aro Velathri on Facebook. No – I have not contacted him. Yes – I know I'm a research geek. I drive my betas crazy with details. Speaking of….
Dedicated to: Crmcneill – For his patience with me (contrary to how he presents himself on his FF profile) and his incomparable editing skills. Without him my stories would just suck.
Male twilight fans are not a myth – they do exist, and I am so glad I was able to connect with him. I've called many men friends, but I've never called one master until now. "Strong is the power of the comma. Mind what you have learned. Save you it can." See the link to his profile below.
http: / www . /u /1933926/