Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight.
Edward arrived at the mental institution and was reunited with Bella. Rosalie, Emmett, and Jasper searched Forks for survivors and told the wolves Bella was dead. The Cullen's camp was attacked, but Carlisle made a truce with the other coven's leader and they were informed of the Volturi's mandate. Next the Cullens met with the Denali coven. Meanwhile, Laurent betrayed their whereabouts to the Volturi. The Volturi returned to Denali and took Bella, agreeing to let the Cullens accompany them to Volterra after some quick thinking on Bella's part. They arrived in Volterra and Bella met the other survivors; the survivors were shocked and appalled when Edward entered.
Chapter 12 (BPOV)
I blush and clear my throat before responding to Jennifer's question. "This is my boyfriend, Edward."
"But…but, that thing is one of them!" she exclaims, sneering.
"Yes, Edward is a vampire," I respond, emphasizing that he does have a name, "And he's also the most wonderful person I have ever met."
Jennifer glances between Edward and me warily before speaking again. "Okay then," she says disbelievingly, "So maybe your boyfriend can tell us what exactly is going on here."
"You should ask him," I prompt her sharply, annoyed at her lack of politeness and empowered by Edward's presence.
"Er, alright then," she sighs before turning to my beloved and asking with faux-confidence, "Well, why have you brought us all here?"
Edward, the eternal gentleman, explains gravely, "First of all, I did not bring you anywhere. This was not my idea, nor is it under any of my control. The ones behind this are called the Volturi. They have ruled the vampire world in secret for millennia, making sure the secret of our existence was kept. Most vampires, you see, used to feed on humans. This was perfectly legal, as humans are our natural food source. Some, however, choose to deviate from that path. My family, for example, drinks the blood of animals instead. Now it looks like all vampires are going to have to switch to that diet, what with humans being a now endangered species and all that. Unfortunately, that will not satisfy them forever; in fact, we'll be lucky if the Volturi can prevent them from storming the castle if they are kept waiting for too long."
The humans in the room are silent for several minutes while they digest this new information. Even I, who knew or could have guessed all of this information already, am silent as I contemplate what this means for us all. I think of the rest of the vampire race storming this castle makes me shiver slightly. It is only too easy to envision the monsters flooding this very room and fighting over us for our blood until nothing remains.
The old woman steps up to address Edward next, taking the place of a very stunned Jennifer. "So you mean to tell us that the only reason we are being kept alive is so that we can be eaten in good time." It is not a question.
Edward nods grimly, petting my hair. "Yes, but understand that my family and I will try our hardest to make your lives as easy as possible. I doubt they will kill you. They will keep you alive, taking a little blood at a time until you die of old age."
"But when we die there will be no more…" Jennifer begins, before her eyes widen in understanding. "Oh."
"That's essentially it, yes," Edward tells her, confirming something in her thoughts.
Jennifer's eyebrows knit together in frustrated confusion. "How did you…"
"I can read minds," he tells her flatly, not wanting to make a big deal out of it.
Most people in the room are not nearly as shocked as I'd expect them to be. If they weren't still trying to come to terms with their own fates, this definitely would have caused a larger uproar. Instead, only a few people even look surprised. Jennifer shakes her head slowly, and I can practically see the figurative overload meter flashing above her head.
I take advantage of their distraction to inquire about my personal situation. "What exactly did they say about my…renovations?" Edward had touched on this earlier, but I feel like he was leaving out something important.
His gaze returns to my face, his golden eyes soft. He caresses my cheek with a pale finger and whispers, "We'll discuss that soon, love, when we're alone." He glances up at the others in the room for a short second. His cold hands trap mine. "Come, we'll go to where we'll be staying."
I tilt my head to the side. I had assumed I would be staying where the other humans were staying, but I should have known Edward would not allow that. I smile, relieved that I will not have to be separated from Edward for any longer than demanded by the constraints of his hunting and my human moments. Of course, if I have my way, we'll be hunting together very shortly.
He stands and pulls me to my feet along with him, wrapping his arm protectively around my waist as we stride toward the door. I am aware of people rushing toward the door as he opens it, but we are out and the door is sealed shut before they are halfway there. A pang of shame clutches my chest as I glance back at the closed door. It feels like we are sealing them inside of their execution room, but I know that they are safer in there than they would be out here.
As soon as we are out of view of the humans, we are running. Or, more accurately, Edward is running with me in his arms. I throw my arms around his neck as soon as I realize what is going on and close my eyes in an effort to prevent the horrible motion sickness that comes with this experience.
Edward stops smoothly and plants a gentle kiss on my forehead before setting me down on my wobbly feet. His family is waiting for us in a narrow hallway, tired smiles on their faces as we approach.
"Bella!" Alice exclaims, dashing up to give me a hug, "I missed you."
I laugh jubilantly, glad to see my sister again as well. "Alice, it's only been, what, twelve hours?"
Alice pulls back and gives my outfit a once over. Then she nods solemnly and tells me, "Fourteen and a half hours since I've seen you, and a whole fifteen hours since you changed your clothes last. You, missy, are lucky I packed for this."
"They seem to be quite the variety, Carlisle," Edward says, responding to his father's mental question.
"No similarities at all? Age, ethnicity, blood type…" Carlisle inquires out loud for the benefit of everyone else.
Edward shakes his head. "Not that I noticed. Ages range from four months to ninety-three years. It's too late to say anything about ethnicity since the Volturi has yet to search every country. They have blood of all types, from A positive to O negative like Bella's. Most of their presence seems to be a result of lucky circumstances. There were at least two, though, who seemed to have been genuinely immune to the disease. They're young adult and late teenage siblings from London," he explains to Carlisle.
"Fascinating," Carlisle muses, his eyes shining, "I wonder if further study of them could lead to a vaccine…"
The conversation goes on, becoming more and more difficult for me to understand as they get more and more technical. Everyone joins in, and, though I struggle to use my basic knowledge of Spanish to decipher some of their foreign terms, I am unable to comprehend anything they are saying. I do notice, however, how Carlisle lights up when new ideas come up and he considers them and how Rosalie comments more than I thought she would. In my entire time to have known the blond vampire, I don't think she has ever even said a word to me. I sigh at the thought; perhaps Rosalie will just never like me.
Alice is apparently the only one to notice my preoccupation. She smiles wickedly. "Come on, you need to see your new closet," she orders, tugging on my hand.
"Aw, Alice, no!" I whisper, not wanting to disturb the intense conversation happening around us, "Can't you let me have some peace? It's been a long day."
Alice raises her eyebrows at me mockingly. "You're really complaining to me about long days? Now, come on, I've got your new closet all set up!"
I sigh, defeated, and allow Alice to drag me away from my life and straight into the purgatory known as a Bella Barbie makeover, courtesy of Alice. She pulls me into a regal guestroom with all of the amenities a human would need. I wonder idly why a vampire would need a bed and full size bathroom, but I want this to be over with as quickly as possible and it's in my best interest, so I don't ask. Instead, I think about the incredibly gorgeous vampire waiting for me outside the door.
"Okay, Bella, take these clothes, and go take a shower. You'll find everything you need in there," Alice directs me, handing me a bundle shooing me toward the bathroom I'd noticed before.
"Yes, ma'am," I tell her, saluting her playfully as I trudge into the bathroom.
As soon as the door is gently shut behind me, I sigh, secretly thankful for this opportunity for privacy. I need to think about all that has been going on here, and a hot shower should be just the thing to help me calm down. I find that the shower and bathtub are the same fixture, which should not be a problem. Once I'm standing inside, however, I experience one of those awkward moments of utter stupidity. I can't figure out how to make the shower come on and not the bath. I fiddle around with the knobs until I'm shivering while my feet are in lukewarm. The words "hot" and "cold" are written Italian, forcing me to rely on trial and error. I continue to mess around, until a forceful jet of ice water punches me from overhead. I shriek in surprise and jump back. My clumsiness does not fail me; I slip on the wet floor of the tub and fall roughly on me back, my head crashing against the wall. Apparently I kick something on my way down, because the water spouting from the shower head abruptly stops. It's really too bad I don't know how I switched the water source. I groan in defeat and embarrassment, rubbing my head tentatively as I sit up.
I probably don't need a shower that much anyway, I mentally lie to myself, Alice will just have to get over herself and let me be dirty.
"Bella, get back in there right now," Alice barks through the door.
"Come on, Alice! Please just let me be dirty for one day. Haven't I suffered enough?" I plead.
"Bella, trust me. You really, really want to shower right now," Alice insists.
"Last time I checked, mind control wasn't your superpower," I mumble dryly, knowing Alice can hear me through the door.
"Just push the bathtub spout in and the water will come out of the showerhead," Alice instructs me impatiently.
Anger pulses through me. "You couldn't have told me that ten minutes ago?!" I exclaim indignantly. Alice doesn't respond, and I hear the door click as if being locked from the outside. I mutter profanity under my breath for several seconds as I get up to shower.
As soon as I am clean, I pick up the ensemble Alice picked out for me. A knee-length ,white gown with magnificent, dark blue designs awaits me. I stare at if for several seconds, wondering what in the world Alice could have in mind for me to do tonight that would require such a dress. Shaking my head, I slip the thing on. Who knows what Alice is thinking? Well, besides Edward, anyway. Once fully decent, I check the doorknob suspiciously and find that Alice unlocked it at some point. I creep out slowly, hoping when I know that there is no hope that I will be able to sneak past Alice.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, Bella, did you really think you could sneak past me? I'm hurt. Are makeovers really that bad?" I should have known Alice wouldn't let me off this easily. Her puppy dog face is impossible to ignore.
"No, they aren't that bad," I concede, "But I still don't enjoy them."
"Just visit your happy place," she advises me as she guides me to an antique-looking vanity, "You'll be really glad you allowed this later."
"I'm sure," I murmur sarcastically, closing my eyes and attempting to find my happy place while her pale hands fly around my head.
It feels like very little time passes before Alice announces, "Ah, my masterpiece is complete!" I open my eyes slowly and peer at the woman who must be me in the mirror. My hair is arranged in intricate braids on top of my head. My makeup has been expertly done, courtesy of Alice. I reach my hands up to trace my cream cheek, but Alice stops my hand in midair. "Don't do that; you'll ruin your new face."
"It's beautiful, Alice," I whisper, astounded, "I look amazing. You've outdone yourself this time. Seriously."
"Aw, well, it was the best I could do without a shopping mall," she sighs, shaking her head sadly, "I'm really going to miss those things. How am I supposed to stay fashionable now?"
"I'm sure you could build and stock as many shopping malls as you want. Maybe this will be a new start for you. If you act fast, you could become the fashion expert of the new vampire world. Start your own clothing line and cater to all of the newly vegetarian vampires," I suggest, smiling widely at the image. I have no doubt in my mind that she could actually do it.
Alice's eyes widen at the idea too. Her golden orbs glaze over for several seconds before she turns to beam at me. "That's actually a spectacular idea."
"Glad I could be of service," I laugh, happy to have made her happy.
Alice laughs too. Then she shakes her head and refocuses. "Now, you need to go see Edward. He's waiting for you," she orders me, that wicked grin stretching across her face again. I sense the level of her exuberance, and I somehow doubt it is all because of my shopping mall idea.
Alice is definitely plotting something.
Author's note: Well, there you have it. It's right on time too, maybe even a little early. See, I can be punctual. The next chapter will be out by next Friday, maybe a little before. This chapter is more of a filler chapter than anything, and the next one will be very necessary fluff.
Review prompt: What could Alice be plotting this time?