Chapter Sixteen

Bella

I growled low in my chest and crouched, if he came close I would attack. He grimaced,

"I don't think she's impressed."
"She's only just woken, She's just confused Alec. Aren't you Isabella?"
"Bella" I snapped "And yes I'm confused, and angry, and thirsty, and I want to get out of this room and away from him"
I pointed to Alec but Aro thought I meant the huge man behind him.
"Felix won't hurt you dear one, he's here only to protect us should your new-born rage become too much for you to handle but you seem quite calm considering."

I looked around again and, thinking of getting out, was at the door before the others could move to stop me.
"She's fast."

It was the deep voice of the huge guy Felix.
"Let us help you Bella. Alec will take you to feed then we can talk about your place here"
I knew he meant feed on a human and my brain screamed "No."
Before they could stop me I was out the door and along the corridor looking for a way out. I heard Aro stop Alec from using his talent on me but something inside me shouted that I could stop him without any orders from Aro.

Seeing a window I leaped out and landed in a sunlit courtyard. It was deserted except for a stray dog and some pigeons. I'm ashamed to say that the dog was drained in seconds, the burn in my throat eased somewhat and I found my way out of the courtyard and into more corridors. A figure walked towards me and I sprang grasping her by the throat, I heard a heartbeat and smelled the blood and before I could stop myself I'd started drinking from her throat. When I'd finished draining her I. threw the body aside and crouched hearing voices. Aro and Alec came at a run and I smiled ready for them now my thirst was not distracting me any longer.
"Bella dear, now I will need to recruit a new Receptionist and we had a human ready for you too. Still later perhaps. Now you are more comfortable perhaps you will be able to discuss your position here"
"I have no position here Aro and especially not with him"
I pointed dismissively at Alec.
"But my dear he is your mate you just need to open your senses to him."

"I have no choice, is that what you are telling me? There's someone else though, I know there is"
"See I told you she would remember him if we let him see her"
So I was right, the angels voice belonged to a real person.
"I want to see my choices."
Aro smiled unpleasantly
"Very well my dear, but it might be too much for you just now, the other who claims you are his, is truly a monster."
"Monster or not I want to see for myself."

Aro jerked his head and Felix disappeared silently down the corridor.
"Bella I am only thinking of you and your happiness. This monster will scare you but don't worry he wont be allowed to harm you in any way"
I didn't need him to tell me that. I knew I could protect myself, I just wasn't sure how far yet. Alec looked at me greedily and I longed to pluck his avaricious eyes out and burn them but I made do with a dismissive glance. He couldn't be mine, not that insignificant child, I didn't believe it. Hearing footsteps I turned to the door and saw Felix come back in, another man walking behind him. As Felix stepped away I saw my angels face, the one that matched the voice.

He was looking back at me and I saw something in his eyes, I knew this man, I thought. My eyes ranged over his face trying to delve into the shadowy recesses of my human memory to find a match. Then I saw the scars on his jaw line and down his throat, they screamed danger and I tensed but he stood relaxed, arms by his sides just watching me. His shirt was ripped on the shoulder and more scars were visible there. He was indeed dangerous, a predator, but not a monster. His eyes weren't those of a monster, they were calm and warm and I knew them from somewhere, but where?

Aro looked from me to the angel and back, annoyed I think that I didn't react the way he thought I should but I knew with utter certainty that I was safe with my angel. My rage dissipated and I smiled holding out a hand to him. As Alec hissed his disapproval my angel moved to take my hand and spoke,

"Bella do you know me?"

I nodded unable to speak, the touch of his hand brought so much back to me. A hotel room in Phoenix with his soft words "You're wrong you know. You are worth it", a smile at my party and the lunge he made to save me from falling into the glass table. Everyone thought he had attacked but I'd always known deep in my heart they were wrong.

And a name,

"Jasper"

He smiled at me,

"Yes that's right Bella."

"My Jasper"

The words came out more forcefully than I expected but he never flinched. Alec reared up immediately.

"Bella is mine. She was promised to me, I'm her creator, she owes me."

My eyes flashed to his childish face,

"Oh yes I owe you"

If not for Jaspers restraining hand I would have attacked.

Alec stepped back and Aro intervened,

"Please, no violence. Bella you are overwrought. too many new experiences crowding in on you. Until you are calmer I cannot allow you to make lifetime commitments, it would be wrong of me as your Father Figure."

I glared at him,

"Father Figure? What gives you the right to claim that? I already have a Father, or at least I had one before you decided you wanted me for a toy. Well let me tell you Aro, I am no man's toy, especially not yours."

As I spoke two other men walked in, both wearing the black clothes of the Volturi and I remembered their faces vaguely in my human memories.

"Brother, you should have informed us that the newest member of the Guard was now awake. Bella"

I looked at Caius then across to Marcus Volturi. He stood looking at our joined hands and smiled ruefully.

"It would seem Aro that Bella has found her own mate in Major Whitlock."

Alec stepped forward angrily,

"No, she is mine"

Before he could continue and over my snarls of anger Marcus voice cut,

"No Alec. I can see the relationship, they are strongly bonded, a rarity so quickly. Aro, you should have waited before handing Bella out like a treat to a spoilt child. Alec, Bella is indeed The Majors mate so I suggest you step back before you start a fight"

"A fight? I don't need to fight him, I can overpower him with no trouble"

"Really? "

Caius looked at me speculatively,

"I'm not so sure Alec, but its your funeral so to speak."

Alec looked at Aro for permission and Aro studied Caius before answering.

"Well Alec. If Marcus says Bella belongs with The Major I see no point in fighting. You couldn't win her devotion by killing her mate."

"Why not? Once she sees who is the stronger man she may think differently."

Jasper dropped my hand and moved away from me slightly, giving himself room to manoeuvre. I felt very protective of him and wanted to wrap my arms around his body, to shield him from possible harm. I didn't trust Alec one bit. As I thought this I felt a strange sensation as if I were growing a second layer of skin which was wrapping Jasper tightly. Was this something vampires could do? I'd never heard of it when I was human but then there was a lot I hadn't heard of then. I saw Aro nod very slightly and Alec sneered as he concentrated on Jasper. Felix at the door and the two other Brothers seemed to be holding their breath expectantly but at first I couldn't see why. Then a cloudy film started to build over Alec's head and to move sluggishly towards Jasper. As it hit my skin barrier it stopped, curling around as if looking for entry but it could find none..