Chapter Fourteen

Bella

I was terrified, of these vampires, of the boy standing there with a smirk on his face, and of what I knew was about to happen. It had only been postponed, not put off all together. Now I was to become a vampire, the thing I had wanted more than anything when I was with Edward and now it was being forced upon me. We drove back to Volterra together and I was escorted to my bedroom in the main building and given fresh clothes of red silk to put on after a shower. I was being treated like a sacrifice and it scared me even more. I wondered who would do the deed. I prayed it wouldn't be Aro, the thought of his lips on my throat made me feel physically sick. When I was ready Aro made me lay on the bed which had freshly laundered sheets on it and he knelt beside me holding my hand.

"Isabella it will soon be over and remember you are among friends. Now Alec."
The young man came over and sat beside me putting his arms around my shoulders and lifting me up then before I realised it he had bitten me and the unendurable pain started. I screamed as liquid fire raced through my veins in the wake of his bite and I felt myself laid flat on the bed. Were they going to leave me to this torment alone? I had no idea of time or surroundings just the agony of the burning change and I tried to remember what Eleazor had said to me but it was so difficult to concentrate through the pain. Did I burn for three days or three years? I had no way of knowing but it seemed to go on for an eternity.

Jasper

The Vineyard was deserted and when we reached Volterra we were too late, I could see that by Aro's smile when he greeted us.

"Major Whitlock and your friends, to what do we owe such a great honour?"

"I've come to claim Bella Swan as my mate."

What else could I say?
Aro's eyes narrowed and I heard a hiss from Alec who stood behind him.
"Really? I thought she was Edwards mate but then she decided otherwise, now there is another of Carlisle's coven trying to claim the same position, how strange. She never mentioned you, in fact she seemed very interested in Alec who is in fact her creator. So he has a prior claim I'm afraid. So sorry."

All the muscles in my body stiffened when I heard that, I was right, we were too late, she was all ready burning.
"I have to say I don't believe that Aro, Bella is mine by right of prior claim not Alec and I insist on being allowed to see her."
"Demand Major? No one demands things of the Volturi" Caius intervened but Aro held up his hand to silence him.
"Lets not argue about it. Bella will soon be with us once more and able to speak for herself. In the meantime you may see her Major, of course."

He motioned to Felix who ushered us out of the audience chamber and along to a room, unlocking the door before gesturing,
"Be my guest."
Bella lay on a bed totally alone and writhing in the agony of her burn. I rushed over and took her hands in mine, sending calm thoughts to her distressed mind. Slowly she began to relax, her body stopped its constant movement and her hands gripped mine as if holding a lifeline. I knelt beside her and put my cheek to hers whispering softly in her ear.
"Bella its Jasper. I'm so sorry I didn't get here earlier. I only just found out what had happened through Carlisle. Listen to me if you can. It will soon be over now, your heart is already struggling to beat. I just wished it could have been my venom running through your veins, I wish I had been here with you to help with the pain but I'm here now."

I heard the door close and knew at least for a while I was alone with Bella. I needed her to know what was happening although I had no idea if she could hear or understand me.
"Bella please try to listen to my words. Aro wants to keep you here as a member of the Volturi. He will try to give you to Alec as a mate. If you don't want that please resist him. It will be hard in your newborn state but try if you can because once he takes you then there will be nothing I can do to help. I claimed you as mine to Aro, to help, I promise you, and I would never force you to keep to that but its your only way out of here. Please try to remember my words if you can Bella."
The door opened again and Aro and Alec walked in followed by Felix who looked disgruntled. Alec came to Bella's side and took one of her hands from me. As I snarled she started to writhe again and I felt to my amazement a flood of loathing at his touch. Had she heard me in her torment? She pulled her hand free and it moved restlessly searching for mine once more. As soon as she found my hand hers grasped it tightly once more and I couldn't help a smile of victory.
"So it seems our Bella may be harder to win than you thought" Aro said to Alec. "But you will get your chance once she wakes. You both will, a small test I think is in order, to see who she really wants. For now I think we should leave her, it wont be long and I think she might be safer alone when she wakes, Felix will inform us as soon as she is capable of greeting guests."

I didn't want to leave her in her torment but I had no choice. Pulling away from her desperate grip my shirt ripped and she held the scrap of material tightly. As we left the room I saw her clutch it to her face and wondered what she was thinking. Perhaps my scent comforted her as a familiar one in a world of unfamiliar sensations. I took a last glance back before the door shut, she was beautiful even in her agony and I realized with a shock that I was in love with my brothers ex girlfriend and a human, she was My Bella and I would fight Alec to the death for her hand if necessary. Alec scowled at me before walking off with Aro while Felix took me back to Peter and Charlotte who had been allocated a room for our stay.
"So what the fuck is going on?"
"She's changing as we speak and Aro has promised her to Alec Volturi."
"He can't do that. It's up to her who she chooses as a mate"
"Never the less I think he has a plan to choose for Bella, remember as a newborn she will be easily swayed and I'm sure Alec will get all the access he needs to persuade her he is the one."
"No way, its instinctual even in newborns."
"It's also instinctual to find someone to protect you in a world that is alien, she could choose him"
"I think there's more to it Major" Char interrupted.
I looked at her and nodded,
I think I'm in love with her and I know she reacted to my presence."
"Oh fuck it goes from bad to worse. we're going to start a war with the Volturi because you've fallen for Edwards ex girlfriend who you THINK you're in love with? Only think?"
"Peter, The Major has never been there before. He's entitled to be confused."
"No he fucking isn't, not if my necks on the line too. You'd better be sure about this Major"
I looked at him picturing her face and the warmth of her hand in mine.
"I'm sure"
"OK then. What do we do?"
"We wait, she'll be coming round soon and I'm sure Aro has some trick up his sleeve to help Alec."
"I know what I'd do if I wanted a newborn to choose someone other than you"
"Really Char? You delving into the twisted mind of Aro Volturi now? Scary fucking thing to do"
"Shut up Peter and listen. Bella will be a confused, frightened, and angry newborn. What's the best way to drive her away from The Major?"
"Show her his Bank Balance!"
"Peter be serious."
"I don't know. Show her how good Alec is, how talented, civilized, fuck knows."
I looked at Charlotte and I knew what she was thinking. It was a brilliant strategy and I couldn't hope to win.