An Unresolved Past

This story starts off five years after its prelude: 'Life is never what you expect it to be'. Bella is now Caius's mate and they are both very happily bonded. WARNING: This is an adult version of twilight and will have sexual submission and violence (after all; the story revolves around vampires). This is not for the faint of heart; it is very dark and has sexual content. 18+

Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer is the creator of these intriguing characters but has nothing to do with this story.

Chapter 8 – Though the cage be made of gold, it's still a prison…. *

Bella didn't know what to think of Alice or Jazz. Had they really joined out of free will? That was something she couldn't believe.

As soon as she had spoken to them she contacted the Cullens, asking if they knew what was going on but quickly realized they had heard the same explanation and neither parties wanted to get into specifics for fear that the lines were tapped. One unspoken thing she did know was that the Cullens were just as upset with the situation as she was.

Sure, the idea of having them around was a comfort but not this way; they weren't the same two people she had learned to love so wholeheartedly.

It had been a week now since her discovery and she had constantly hoped to see them again and ask for some more information; but up to now, with no luck.

The next day Bella gathered enough courage to speak with Aro over this question.

After knocking on the door of Aro's office and hearing his voice Bella gradually entered. She hadn't been in his office often and stepping in she felt the walls close in on her. She softly closed the door behind her and with a self-assured pace gracefully strolled up to Aro who was seated behind his desk. After a couple of moments he looked and motioned towards the seat across from him saying "Ah, dear Isabella you wanted to speak to me?"

Isabella promptly accepted the offered chair saying "Aro, I wish to ask about the Cullens; Alice and Jasper to be precise".

Aro watched Bella with an inquisitive gaze and flashing a charming smile he asked "What do you wish to know my dear?"

Bella leaned back in the chair trying to relax in Aro's company as he watched her she began "Why are they here? I cannot believe it is their choice to be here".

Aro's smile widened, becoming wary as he laid both hands on the bureau in front of him and intertwined his fingers "Vampires often change habits".

Bella sighed knowing she would have to be more explanatory "Yes I have heard that from Alec and yet I know that they would never want to be here of their own accord. Their family is very precious to them, it is not something they would wish to live without".

Aro raised his eyebrow and with a serene smile asked "Do you think they are here against their will?"

She knew she had to be wary however the Cullen family being so dear to her heart so blindly blurted out "Well, that's why I'm here; I don't know. I only know that the Alice and Jasper would never leave their coven on their own accord".

Aro gracefully stood, his mind contemplating her words as he walked around her chair. Once behind her he tenderly laid his hands on her neck, his fingers softly moving as he grazed her shoulders. Letting a smile grow across his face, he bent over causing his raven hair to tumble over his shoulders and join Bella's amber tresses as he whispered in her ear "Have you asked them, my dear?"

Bella's first reaction was to shake him off but instead she turned and looked up into his face which seemed to be concentrated on her neck. She ignored the ominous feeling that suddenly crept into her as she watched his expression and continued to explain "No I haven't had a chance; but I see they're different. I don't see the open joy they had; something that was always an essential part of their life".

With much difficulty Aro tore his gaze away from her neck and standing strait he looked into her face. His expression had reverted to the normal, placidly smiling Aro that she knew as he brushed her explanation aside saying "I'm afraid that you are misinformed or maybe imagining things. The Cullens came of their own accord about a month ago and offered their services because of the loss of Caius has brought the Volturi in a difficult situation"

Aro subsequently returned to his former position; behind the desk his eyes skimming the several documents lying peacefully in front of him. Realizing she would get no further answers from him she was about to take her leave when with a motion of his hand Aro requested her to stay.

Aro leisurely scrutinized Bella's face and his smile that graced his lips grew; making Bella wary of what was to come.

Feeling increasingly uncomfortable under his gaze she was about to speak when Aro placed his arms on the armrests of his throne and soothingly said "My dearest Isabella now that you are here, I wish to discuss your duties to the court".

Confused Bella asked "Duties?"

"Of course my dear" Aro said looking intensely at her face while he intertwined his fingers and rested his chin on them. Then he took a moment to concentrate on his next words. "You have talents that have not had a chance to flourish and I wish you to develop them".

His hands leaving his chin, he continued "With the loss of your mate the coven has become vulnerable and we are in need of vampires with talents like yours; that is why Alice and her mate have come to join us".

Bella was unprepared for this request and sputtered "But I have been taking lessons from Alec for years and you agreed to allow a recess".

Leaning back into his chair and resting his arms on the sides and said "That is true, but that was before the loss of my brother. The last several weeks I have watched you mourn and because of that you become more silent with the day. I will not have you destroy yourself; you will pick up your lessons with Alec starting tomorrow and we will curb this self-destructive path you are following".

She spread her arms saying "But don't you see, I am not ready"

Aro looked at her and compassion stained his voice "You never will be! Don't you understand this grief of yours will consume you; I will not allow it! I give you to Alec's care and he will train you without restraint. The best thing for grief is work".

She was about to continue her protest when Aro held his hand up saying "Another thing; you will no longer be living in Caius's wing of the castle.

She was stunned and it took more than a moment to regain her composure but when she did she fiercely responded by saying "That's impossible, it was our wing! I have lived there since I have been part of the Volturi".

"If I have to, I will enforce this" Aro warned and Bella knew this was no empty threat. "It will be much healthier for you! You have been constantly confronted with the past by living there; it is time for me to put my foot down".

"I don't care; I need time to mourn"

"Those were Marcus's words; I gave into his request but I will not make that same mistake with you!" Aro said the secretive smile that touched his pale lips held an air of hidden knowledge.

Seeing this Bella felt a chill of fear run up her spine and she guardedly asked "Where am I supposed to stay?"

"From now on you will be living in the tower; it is a practical choice for we can guard you better there. Caius refused to allow that, saying he was always at your side making that unnecessary. But now, without a mate you are defenceless".

Bella had always hoped that she might somehow avoid this fate but there it was. Now that she actually faced it she panicked as she considered how heavy the burden of this decision would be for her.

She kept her facial expression blank knowing that if she openly challenged his plans she would merely antagonize him; which would defeat her purpose.

Instead Bella gathered her patience, cleared her throat and firmly began "I realize you have your worries ….."

Watching Bella with a haunting scarlet gaze he cut in "Yes, with the loss of Caius I feel responsible for your welfare you need daily and nightly protection. That is impossible in your old apartment".

He then looked sober as he continued "Do you realize how important a Volturi queen is? My sister was murdered because of that fact. She, who was loved by all, was murdered in her own wing of the castle. Since then all wives have been kept in the tower".

"If I remember properly Caius told me that the only reason for the wives to stay there was to ensure that you or he would never face the same fate as Marcus. Well, when it comes to that I am no longer a wife of a Volturi king, only a widow and as such my loss can never hurt Caius".

Then forcing a wide false smile which Bella hoped would convince him she hesitantly added "Aro, I really appreciate your concern but I cannot live in the tower; I would gradually become claustrophobic".

He leaned over the desk and motioned for her to do the same, slowly reaching over he beckoned Bella to give him her hands. After a moments indecision she complied and taking her hands in his he interlaced their fingers in a tender hold saying "Bella, my dear, I understand your hesitation but it is for the best. You will still be following your lessons, I will ask both Alec and Demetri to go to your chambers to pick you up. You need not worry".

"But Aro, I really can't live there" she moaned.

Aro flashed Bella a charming smile as he withdrew his hands "I am sorry Isabella; I have made my decision and will not change my mind".

Already feeling the noose around her neck Bella's pulled away from him and in bind panic tossed all tact out of the window shouting "I am sorry Aro but I must refuse! It is not a place to live, it is a prison".

His vermillion eyes surveyed her and a smug smile formed on his cold lips "Do not be so dramatic; all the wives have lived there".

"Not me! Caius never forced me to live there!" Bella vehemently complained.

Aro narrowed his eyes and slyly replied "So actually you have no idea what you are talking about!"

"More than enough; I saw Sulpicia go mad in that room!"

The silence that followed was deafening. Aro's face became dark, his eyes flashing with anger and frustration as he suddenly stood beside her. Holding her shoulders he dragged her out of the chair and then, snatching her chin, he held it in a vice-like grip. This all took place in a matter of seconds and she cautiously watched his fiery eyes burning brighter as he drew her face towards his until it was mere centimetres away. She felt his breath against her lips as he angrily said "Be very careful ma petite!"

Time stopped for Bella as his words struck an inexplicable fear deep into her soul.

She tried to escape his hands but they held her firmly as Aro hissed "You will never speak of Sulpicia in such a manner".

"I'm sorry Aro; my words were not said in disrespect; as you know she was my friend"

He angrily thrust her away sending her staggering backwards. He dismissed their conversation with a wave of his hand as he declared "Well nevertheless you have no choice. I have already sent some of my people to prepare your rooms".

"Damn it, Aro you can't do that!" she passionately replied her red eyes spitting fire at Aro.

There was a moment of silence as Aro slowly turned, his glare now burned from the depths of his spirit as he snapped "you dare to speak to me like that you hellcat! Maybe Caius accepted it but I will have none of that!"

She could see that Aro had difficulty remaining composed and feared for the worst but prepared herself for the consequences.

A moment later a wide smile spread across Aro's pale lips; a smile that was anything but amiable. "I am head of our coven and our family, you will not presume to tell me what I can and cannot do! If you keep going on like this I will not only send you to your room but I will also have you kept there for the next two weeks".

Bella's angry expression did not falter refusing to be bullied into silence "Is that a threat?"

Aro gave her a cold but cunning gaze as he warned "Take it as you will my dear; however with this attitude you have more than convinced me that you are in need of authoritarian guidance and that will begin right now! If you do not do as you are told there will be consequences; do you understand?"

She opted to back down; although it was totally against her character she saw no other option. A burdened sigh inadvertently escaped Bella's pink lips as she gruffly capitulated. "Yes, you have made yourself abundantly clear. It seems I have no other choice but to accept your guidance".

While saying this she realized that Aro's inflexibility gave her no choice but to attempt to escape before being locked in the tower; if she didn't do it now she would never get a second chance. Tensely nodding her head she prepared to leave the room and the foreboding feeling it gave her. Looking up she asked "May I be excused?"

Aro was pleased with Bella; her temperament was commendable, just as he thought it would be. But observing her body language and the way she abruptly accepted his counselling; he felt something was not right.

Having dominated the vampire realm for so long he was ruthless and had always covered all potential flaws in his tactics so he scrutinized the woman before him. He couldn't read her mind but suspecting her surrender was feigned; decided not to allow her free reign until he was sure that she would not run.

Bella became extremely nervous under Aro's inspection and was about to leave, hoping that Aro would not oppose. However when he saw her preparing to take leave of the room he said "I'm sorry Isabella but I believe you must be accompanied"

Bella froze saying "I have accepted your conditions and know my way to the tower"

"Maybe so, but I want you to be accompanied from now on."

"It is not necessary; nothing can happen as long as I am within the castle walls!"

"Why do you have to make a problem out of something so simple? Aro whispered, his eyes constantly assessing her as a dangerously shrewd smile spread across his pale lips.

He walked up to her and putting an arm around her waist he gently but decisively accompanied her to the door then opening it he called Alec he saying "Alec, would you please accompany Isabella to Sulpicia's former chambers in the tower? I have ordered it to be prepared for her".

"Sulpicia's, why not Athenodora's former chambers?" Bella asked stunned by his words.

Aro ignored her as he re-entered his office and closed the door behind him.

Alec was stunned by this news but quickly covered his expression asking "shall we?"

Bella turned and with a sad smile she joined Alec slowly walking beside him down the corridors and towards her new rooms.

Accompanying Bella, Alec softly said "What happened; why are you going to the tower rooms?"

"Aro in all his brotherly wisdom feels it is not healthy for me to live in my own apartments" Bella sarcastically complained.

Realizing that he was treading on a potential minefield Alec tried to change the conversation "We haven't spoken to one another since I came to pick you up in Alaska".

Bella was still contemplating a possible escape and didn't hear a word Alec said.

When he turned to look at her she realized he had said something and quickly excused herself saying "I'm sorry Alec; what did you say?"

He repeated himself and then added "Why are you avoiding me Isabella? We used to be such good friends!"

Bella was taken off guard but turned to face him as she automatically answered "I'm not avoiding you; at least it is not my intention"

Alec stopped to look at her complaining "Yes you are; Demetri sees more of you than I do".

She looked sideways trying to analyze his expression and seeing nothing peculiar she gave him a warm smile saying "He gives me lessons in Russian; tomorrow I will be starting my lessons with you and then you will be seeing me more than you care to".

Alec didn't answer but also didn't laugh as he walked with her through the corridors.

Looking forward he told her "I still remember when you first came to the Volterra to plea for the life of the Cullen boy. You were so full of fear and yet so courageous; you fought me all the way up to Caius's apartments".

She turned and stopped dead in her tracks giving him a look of total as she asked "Was that you? At that time I was totally disorientated; it could have been a big green orc and I wouldn't remember".

"An orc?" Alec asked clearly baffled by her words as he tried to determine if she was teasing him or actually insulting him.

"Never mind; just teasing!" she said giving him a timid smile.

They had reached the tower and she turned to open the door. When she laid her hand on the handle she saw it quickly covered by Alec's hand. Puzzled by the gesture she looked up to see the genuinely compassionate smile he bestowed upon her.

Alec tenderly whispered "I am truly sorry for your loss; just don't turn into another Marcus, it would be a terrible tragedy".

Bella was comforted by the sympathetic act but before she could say anything he was gone leaving her with the two guards that were at her door.

She slowly opened the door of her new apartment, hoping to avoid rousing any suspicion among the guards. Not having to worry about money or food she could easily leave without having to take anything with her; all she wanted now was her freedom.

She knew that the tower had two hidden passageways in their walls leading to both Sulpicia's and Athenodora's old chambers. She remembered that when Sulpicia's mental instability had become worse; Aro had built a reinforced wall blocking the passageway.

Realizing her only hope was via the passageway to Athenodora's old room she dashed towards the connecting door. It was locked so Bella used her vampire strength to break it down; knowing the guards were within hearing distance she worked quietly. She took the door apart piece by piece and then the wall, but to her shock and dismay found another wall of a strange indestructible design. She gradually dropped to her knees and remained there; all hopes dashed as she comprehended that the only other way out was through the door and passed the guards.

Hours later, disheartened by her discovery and its ominous significance, she gathered herself up from the floor. With unseeing eyes she proceeded back to the room Aro had enforced on her; it was as if Sulpicia had not left.

Bella had been here often enough, first taking lessons in etiquette and later just visiting her friend. Now looking at the emptiness she dearly missed her friend. Bella regretted her loss but knew that she couldn't help her friend escape her madness in the last years of her existence.

Scanning the room she saw very few objects from her apartment. It was bad enough to lose her mate but seeing the impersonal objects and furniture decorating the room; it was as if Aro wished to banish Caius from her memory. She saw the closets had been filled with her clothes and her jewellery had been placed on the dresser. Skimming through the precious objects she realized that many of the beautiful gifts that Caius had given her through the years were no longer between them. Bella slowly sat on the edge of the bed as a throbbing anguish encompassed her.

She lied down and found herself inadvertently staring up at the beautiful masterpiece adorning the ceiling, a painful groan occasionally issuing from her lips as her mind poured over those wonderful years she had shared with her handsome mate. The horrific loss had taken its toll; she often felt like giving up and after her subsequent loss of freedom she asked herself what use an immortal life was worth if she was forced to spend it alone and unhappy.

Her training and lessons would begin tomorrow and although she had hoped to start later she was now glad that it began. Any excuse to get out of this room was a welcome one.

* Mexican proverb