I got a bit carried away with this one. Enjoy.
After whispering her loving and seductive message in his ear, Bella released her hold on Alistair's crotch and sauntered to the window to look out on the view of the courtyard below. Alistair immediately fell to the ground gulping breath in sharply. Bella could hear laughter coming from the other side of the door. After a moment she was able to recognise Garrett, Felix and Esme's voices. She remembered hearing them say they would not be far away. Looking out of the window she saw there were two sparkly vampires walking around openly down there. It was dazzling to watch. Bella suddenly felt confined and restrained, she longed to break free. Looking around the room almost frantically she searched for an escape route. Bella knew the urge to flee was ridiculous. She gazed out of the window and tried to bring herself back under control.
"Sorry hen. But if I had talked to you about it you would have freaked out even more. You were getting so nervous it was becoming hard to keep you calm." Alistair explained from his kneeling position by the door. His voice still wasn't back to normal. "Who taught you that move hen? Was it Becky?"
Bella laughed then started at the sound of her laughter. Completely forgetting her momentary urge to run, she found herself so easily distracted, it was disconcerting.
"No, every girl knows that move." She replied laughing at him still on his knees. "I'd have done it before if I could have guaranteed it had the required effect, but with human strength you would have just enjoyed it."
"Probably, definitely more than now. I thought you loved me hen."
"Oh I do love you, but I just don't have to put up with your shit anymore." She answered laughing. In reality he didn't give her a lot of shit, she just wanted him to know she was able to dish it out now as well.
He got slowly to his feet and walked toward her.
"You ok hen? You had me worried for a while there when you were so quiet. How do you feel?"
Bella turned back toward the window trying to collect her chaotic thoughts so she could answer. His arms wrapped around her as he nuzzled her neck breathing in her scent. She leant back against him all thoughts of running gone.
"Honestly I am not sure. Everything is so confusing and distracting. I felt the desperate urge to run just now but it was gone almost as quickly as it came." She shook her head slowly. "I can remember feeling pain while I was changing but I was able to think around it for the most part. I heard you all talking to me but couldn't respond, it was like I was locked down. I could focus though, on your voices and my memories. I think that helped keep the pain at bay, maybe."
"It can be confusing at first but it won't take you long to get the hang of it." Alistair said quietly while wrapping his arms around her waist. "How are your memories? What can you remember of before?"
"I feel confident I haven't lost any memories. I can see my dad's face clear as day, and Becky and the pack. I remember all about the Cullen's and you." She turned in his arms and kissed him tenderly. But was distracted again by the feel of his kiss. "You feel the same now, not hard and cold anymore."
"Give me a sec hen and I can be hard as you like"
Bella slapped him playfully on the shoulder, knocking him to the floor in the process. Her hand shooting up to cover her mouth.
"Oh my God! Alistair are you ok? I didn't mean to hurt you, honestly."
Alistair sat on the floor looking up at her laughing so hard if he could tears would be rolling down his cheeks.
"It's ok hen, you didn't hurt me. You just have to remember you are the strongest here right now."
She still looked horrified. He reached up for her hand and yanked her down beside him before rolling them both onto the floor.
"Seriously hen stop worrying. I'm fine. It's normal for you to forget your own strength at times." He kissed her again, this time with more urgency. Distracted by the sudden onslaught of passion she felt she forgot her embarrassment and concern and gave herself over to him.
Sometime later when they were both dressed again and the shreds of clothing ripped apart in their haste to get naked had been cleaned up. Bella was again horrified at her actions. This time she was sitting on the bed with her head in her hands.
"I can't believe I got so carried away. Sorry about your shoulder."
Said shoulder was sporting a rather viscous looking bite mark, similar in fact to the ones on Bella's neck.
"Now hen don't you ever apologise for that. I am proud of this." He said with pride in his voice as he touched the bite with his fingertips. "I love that you had to mark me again, it's not like I haven't done the same to you often enough."
"Hey! Why didn't you?"
"Didn't think you'd react too well to being bitten. Newborns tend to see it as a threat, bites are often used to keep them in line or punish them. Besides I was too busy enjoying being bitten myself." He winked cheekily at her as he pulled on his t-shirt.
He stood for a moment watching her. She was rubbing her throat absent-mindedly.
"Are you thirsty hen?"
Bella's hand went to her throat.
"Well I wasn't until you mentioned it." She snapped at him.
Holding his hands up in surrender. Alistair smiled broadly.
"Glad to see you haven't lost that fire I love Iseabail. What do you want to feed on? Animal or human?"
Bella had thought about this a lot since arriving at the Cullen house. Her initial reactions regarding diet seem naïve now. Looking back over the past days her decision was easy.
"Human, I don't want to be like them. But would prefer criminals if possible." She answered slowly
"Well hen, it just so happens that we have a couple of choice, juicy drug dealers waiting downstairs for you." He walked to the door and opened it. "Shall we?"
Outside of the room Felix, Garrett and Esme were smiling warmly. They stepped back slightly so as not to crowd the volatile newborn, while greeting her, enquiring after her well-being and feelings.
"Looking good Bella," Garrett grinned "Glad to hear you keeping this idiot in line. He does need a firm hand."
Bella shook her head in exasperation; she knew she was fighting a losing battle. These guys would never change, they had been like this for centuries and she was just a new target. In many ways it made her feel happy that they liked her and cared enough to tease her. They truly were her family now. With quiet promises to see her soon Felix and Esme took their leave. They disappeared off down the corridor and into a room nearby. Garrett kissed Bella fondly on the cheek.
"Just off to do a little job for Aro. Be back soon Bella." He said with a wink. "You make sure you keep him on his toes ok."
"What job?" Bella asked Alistair as they walked onwards.
"He is going to try and persuade a nomad called Charles to come and validate the trial. They have Maggie who can tell if someone is telling the truth but wanted a second independent witness so there could be no question of any tricks."
"But why would there be tricks?" Bella was confused and having a hard time getting her head around this turn of events.
"Carlisle has been quite loud about the fact he expects the Volturi to silence him at some point. So many could see this as an attempt at just that. Aro doesn't want to be seen as someone who just disposes of threats." He put his hand on a door. "Here we are. Now you will make a mess, don't worry about it just go in and let your instincts take over ok."
Bella nodded slowly. He pushed the door open and she stepped inside. The smell of blood was overpowering, she could hear the heart beats thumping loudly in her ears. The two men were standing against the far wall. They looked tough and brave but Bella could tell they were scared. She heard Alistair slip into the room behind her and close the door. As thirsty as she was they were still people, she was having trouble seeing them as food.
"Don't think hen, just let go."
She stepped forward and cocked her head slightly to one side as she gazed at the men and breathed deeply. Then it was as though a switch was flipped and she could only see the blood in their veins. She leaped at them sinking her teeth into the first and almost tearing him in half in the process. She took a little more care over the second but in next to no time found herself standing in a pool of blood and covered from head to toe in the same substance.
Turning back toward Alistair she was overcome by shame and embarrassment.
"Told you you'd make a mess hen." He quipped cheerily.
She shook her head and glanced around her in defeat.
"It's ok Iseabail. We've all been there. And now you need a shower." He added with a wiggle of his eyebrows. "Come on, Let's get you cleaned up."
ooOOoo
The next few days past all too quickly. Bella and Alistair had spent the majority of the time in their room, getting better acquainted with her new vampire form. They did however take the time to tour the castle and introduce Bella to various guard members. The majority of those she met were friendly and welcoming. She could tell they were curious about the human who had finally captured Alistair's heart. The man himself however kept all but his closest friends at arm's length and jealously guarded Bella so she was not able to get to know many people very well.
Caius however was one that Alistair did not try to keep her away from. At first he came across as aloof but Bella got the distinct impression that underneath all that he was a lot of fun. She was determined to find out if she was right. Athenodora was lively with a warm, friendly air. She and Bella hit it off immediately.
As Alistair had predicted Aro drove her crackers trying to read her mind, then asking her every question under the sun to get to know her when he realised he couldn't. He wanted to know each and every detail of her human life and seemed fascinated by what Bella considered the most mundane of occurrences. But Bella liked him she could tease him and he would laugh. Alistair and his wife Sulpicia were irreverent and unrelenting in their teasing and he took it all in good humour.
Aro was also fascinated by her gift and quizzed her relentlessly on what she could do as a human as well as now. He suspected, as the Cullen's had, that she was a shield and would be safe from all mental attacks. He even went so far as to ask Jane to try her gift on Bella, causing Alistair to growl loudly and have to be held back by Felix. Jane refused though, she and Bella were forming a tentative friendship and Jane wasn't going to risk it. Aro asked that they might try Alec after the trial was complete as that would cause Bella no pain. Alistair reluctantly agreed to that causing Bella to inform him she was perfectly capable of deciding such things for herself and Jane should just go ahead and have a go. After some reassurance from Bella, Jane did eventually try her gift but as suspected it had no effect at all. It was agreed that they would try all the gifts they could on her over the course of the next few weeks as well as on others to see what she could repel and how many she could protect. Bella was keen to learn as much as possible about her gift. Alistair was less keen knowing he would be the one used when the time came to see how she could project it.
Bella also managed to spend some time alone with Esme. They had quite a lot in common now and found that they actually got on well. Esme's personality was re-establishing itself and with it a wicked sense of humour and fierce temper. Bella learned that Esme had raged at Aro, Caius and Marcus when she first got the chance. Demanding to know why they didn't step in, why they allowed her to be treated in such a way? They had no real answer. Esme told Bella she received a heartfelt apology from them and the assurance they would do all they could to outlaw the practice in future.
"What are you going to do?" Bella had asked.
"I have accepted their apology and am going to try to put it behind me. At the end of the day it is over and done with. I could rant and rave about how unfairly I have been treated, how they should have done something but what would that achieve? This is to be my home now. Felix is a high ranking guard member; he has lived here for well over fifteen hundred years." She turned to the window and spoke softly. "I will not allow Carlisle to affect me anymore; he will not ruin my future. I will not allow what has happened to make me bitter and angry. I want to be happy. I will be happy. Even if Carlisle survives the trial and is given his freedom he will never affect me again. It is over."
Bella was impressed by Esme's philosophical outlook. Realistically she could understand the desire to move forward and not be dragged down by the past. Esme was right, holding a grudge would only harm herself in the end. The best punishment she could offer was to show them her indifference. Bella also knew it would be easier said than done, but she was determined to follow Esme's example and rise above it.
What she was certain of was that Esme was going to be happy. Felix clearly adored her and while their relationship had not progressed beyond friendship at that point, Bella knew they would be devoted to each other. Just as she and Alistair were.
It was with her earlier decision firmly in her mind that Bella greeted the Denali coven when they arrived two days after she woke from the transformation. They were there as requested to give evidence at the trial but had arrived early hoping to get the chance to speak to and apologise to Esme. Their apologies were heartfelt and the desire to get to know the real Esme now was genuine. She had accepted their apologies with good grace instantly and hugged them all warmly. Each face had been a picture of relief and hope.
Bella greeted them warmly as well. They were her 'mothers' friends and she was determined to give them a chance to win her friendship. It had not taken long at all for Bella to be sure that she would be firm friends with them all. Even Eleazar, who un-nerved her a little with his constant references to her gift, was someone she felt she could trust.
Alistair was a little reluctant to encourage her friendship with the Denali girls. Both he and Garrett had a past with them and he was worried what Bella would think. He didn't want her to worry or have doubts about them. However when Tanya let slip about her and Alistair's history Bella just laughed. She commented that everyone has a past and seven hundred years is a long time to be alone. Bella then proceeded to quiz her mercilessly for information and ammunition she could use against him. Tanya and her sisters were more than happy to oblige. By the end of the day Alistair knew for every tease and jibe he sent Bella's way she would have ten to send back at him and he was not happy about it. He was grumbling as they headed back to their rooms.
"Don't dish it out if you can't take it Al." She quipped as they walked.
"Oh hen I can take anything you throw at me, and I never, ever lose."
He pushed her up against the wall of their bedroom and kissed her passionately. They had a few hours before the trial and he wanted her marked as his in every conceivable way. Bella smirked knowingly at him as he removed her clothes realising in that moment that no matter what happened later, she would never want more than she had now. They were a true pair, perfectly matched, they loved each other devotedly and nothing and no one would ever change that.
ooOOoo
As the day of the trial dawned, the great and the good of the vampire world arrived to take their part. Bella had been furnished with a silk halter neck dress in blood red with a pair of four inch heels she found she could skip about in very easily. She was also given a black cloak to wear over it signifying her position as a member of the Volturi. Her hair was put up in an elegant style which displayed the bite on her neck perfectly. She held her head high and walked proudly beside her mate.
In the throne room which had been designated as the place for the trial she took her place next to Alistair. He along with Felix and Garrett stood just behind Marcus thereby proclaiming their link to him and position as guards of the highest rank. While Athenodora and Sulpicia stood beside their mates and various guard members behind them.
Esme was standing beside Felix, resplendent in midnight blue and a black cloak. Her hair was also piled high on her head and Bella noticed a fresh bite mark gracing her neck as well. Bella grinned widely at Esme who smiled contently back at her. Now wasn't the time but Bella found it hard not to squeal and jump up and down with girly delight at her friend's happiness. She looked into the assembled vampire crowd and caught Tanya's eye. It seemed she was having similar feelings. Alistair put and arm around her gently.
"Settle down hen." He whispered as the 'jurors' and their coven members filed in.
Almost everyone who entered the room looked at her and Esme and nodded in greeting. Even though Bella had next to no real idea who they were. Alistair had given her a rundown of participants earlier and as they entered he pointed each out to her. Garrett leant in and whispered that everyone was curious to see the girl that had brought about this trial. So they knew who she was, as well as it being only good manners to greet the mates of the high guard.
Alistair had explained the trial process to Bella earlier. Unlike a human trial there were only six vampire 'jurors' but the coven members who accompanied the representative would also have a say in the decision. Aro, Caius and Marcus and their wives would have a vote on both guilt and punishment as would Bella and Esme, she had been informed. The validators Maggie and Charles had the right to vote as well. This trial was not going to have the chance to be seen as one sided, Aro was determined on that.
Aro had sent invites to the main covens in the vampire world, even when he knew that a coven were friends with Carlisle they were invited. Only Eleazar had not been asked as a juror, but as he was giving evidence this was to be expected Alistair had said.
Amun of the Egyptian coven stood first. Being possibly the oldest vampire from perhaps the oldest coven he was given seniority. He was a tall austere looking man with red eyes that had a serious expression. He was solemn and sincere as he stood to confirm his participation. He stated that he knew Carlisle well and was agreeable to taking part in the trial as representative of his group. With him he had brought his ever silent mate Kebi and their two companions Benjamin and Tia. Benjamin was looking around with great interest and when he met Bella's eyes his own sparkled with amusement. Bella found herself hoping for the chance to meet him later.
Next to stand was Robert from the New Zealand coven. He was a tall man with scruffy blond, sun bleached hair, golden eyes and slight stubble. He looked to have been around twenty when turned, he was fit and lean looking. Bella would have put money on him having been a surfer and preferring 'Rob' or 'Robbie'. He announced in a broad Australian accent that he didn't know Carlisle at all and was happy to stand as representative for his coven. He looked like he laughed a lot and even though he was taking the occasion seriously his eyes sparkled with mirth. He was accompanied by Marianne, his mate. A tall, slender woman with dark red hair and golden eyes. She was elegant looking with an aristocratic bearing she spoke with an English accent. Alistair confirmed she was originally from Britain and had met and turned Robert then gone with him 'down under'. Their remaining coven members were Simon and Elaine, both from New Zealand where the coven now made its home.
"Weather more agreeable." Alistair commented.
Robert and Marrianne had formed a firm friendship with the other couple. They had been a coven for around sixty years now, new in the eyes of most but no less strong. What Bella found strange was that Simon and Elaine both had red eyes and yet they obviously all got on well together. That would never have happened with Carlisle but it proved both diets could co-exist happily. Bella wanted to know why Robert and Marianne chose the animal diet. What made them change from the norm? She felt it was a stroke of genius on Aro's part to include them. While all of them seemed to have an easy going aura which was appealing she knew there was great strength and determination underneath. Bella found herself eagerly looking forward to getting to know them once this was all over.
After Robert came Siobhan from Ireland. Alistair knew her well; he said that Carlisle believed she had a gift but that she didn't. He liked her though, he said she was fair minded and honest. She was a forceful looking woman with intelligent red eyes. She commanded attention, immediately and completely as soon as she entered the room. Bella felt she was not someone you would want to get on the wrong side of. Siobhan told the assembly that she knew Carlisle very well and would go so far as to consider him a friend. She said she would stand on the panel at this trial. She was accompanied by Liam her mate and Maggie.
Maggie caught Bella's attention straight away. She had wild curly red hair and vivid red eyes that were scanning the room nervously. Bella could understand that after all a lot was potentially riding on her gift. She was asked to take the empty seat to the right of Bella. From that vantage point she would have a clear view of the whole room. Alistair had told Bella that Maggie had a very strong sense of justice and wouldn't be steam rolled at all, that was why her presence as a validator was both necessary and welcome. Maggie was sitting next to Charles the nomad Garrett had tracked down. He too looked uncomfortable and nervous. He was scruffy looking with dark brown hair and fast moving red eyes. Bella was sure he would be sweating if he could.
Zafrina stood next. Bella knew instantly she was from the amazon coven. Although she wasn't wearing the animal skins Bella had been told to expect. There was no mistaking the feral and animalistic way she moved and interacted. She was the most vampire like of all the assembled vampires Bella concluded. Felix had told her about the coven as neither Alistair of Garrett had met them. The Amazon Coven was wild and untamed, but not in a bad way. Zafrina was highly intelligent and extremely gifted. She was not someone you wanted to mess with or double cross. Senna and Kachiri were equally as fierce and untamed. For some reason Bella found immense comfort in the fact they bowed to no-one, that they were so totally independent. When Zafrina announced to the congregation that she knew Carlisle and would take part in the trial there was a collective sigh of relief. Her opinion mattered a great deal and those who knew her knew it would not be swayed by anything other than her own head.
Bella quickly began to realise that such independent, objective views would be invaluable if the Volturi was to survive this trial. Alistair had not said it in as many words, but if they lost this trial and failed to discredit the Cullen's many could, and probably would chose to follow Carlisle. Thus making their situation precarious. Bella asked him why he didn't just kill them all in Montana. He had had the chance, they had been at his mercy. It would have been easier for all if he had. Alistair told her carefully that while everything in him told him to kill Carlisle he knew that in the end he needed to be publically disgraced. If he was just 'done away with' the Volturi would always be under suspicion and therefore potentially a target for discontent.
"For goodness sake," she had exclaimed. "they are the Volturi. They could repel any rebellion."
"You really don't understand do you hen?" Alistair replied. "They are a few. Even with the gifts they have and the fighters who are loyal they are still a relatively small number of vampires. If the vampire world as a whole decided to overthrow them, then the numbers would win out. They cannot rule without the will of the people. And believe me hen, we need them."
The Volturi however, by allowing this trial they were risking losing and putting Carlisle in a much stronger position as those on the fence 'so to speak' would side with him because of his shameful treatment! Bella realised that Aro, Caius and Marcus while using her as an excuse to seize the Cullen's had put almost everything on the line to win this. It gave her an enormous feeling of gratification, that she was so highly valued. While at the same time she felt terribly guilty that she might be responsible for the decimation of the Vampire hierarchy.
After Zafrina had spoken came the turn of Ma Ji. She was the head of the Chinese coven. That coven consisted of three members Ma Ji, her mate Chen Chao and Yin Zhi their coven mate. They were old, almost as old as the Egyptians, over three and a half thousand years old and had been a coven for almost all of that time. Ma Ji was a tiny woman with jet black hair tied back in a bun. She wore modern clothes and looked to have been in her late teens when turned which surprised Bella, for some reason she'd been expecting wizened old people in kimono's. Ma Ji had an intelligent, alert expression and a spark of fire in her bright red eyes. Bella knew that she was a force to be reckoned with. The entire coven was treated with a great deal of deference and respect. Chen Chao and Yin Zhi also looked to have been turned relatively young but then people grew up a lot faster back then. Chen Chao looked like he was trying not to laugh, he projected an aura of mirth and fun, Bella could see he and Robert would make one hell of a pair. Yin Zhi was quiet and solemn she had a sadness that shone out through her beautiful eyes. Garrett said she had lost her mate about three thousand years ago, she had singlehandedly destroyed the entire coven that killed him in her revenge. She was someone who was highly respected. He was looking forward to speaking to her later. Ma Ji spoke in a clear voice that she did not know Carlisle or any of his coven and she was pleased to stand on the panel to judge his crimes.
Last to stand was Vladimir. There had been some consternation when it was announced he had accepted the invitation to attend. Many thought that the Romanians and Volturi were still at war but that was not the case. A tentative truce had been reached a few centuries ago and since then new relationships had been forged. He was accompanied by Stefan. Both were of relatively short stature with a fierce almost fanatical gleam in their eyes. He announced that he knew Carlisle a little and would take part in the trial.
With all the vampires announced and accepted it occurred to Bella that all of them being in Volterra was necessary but very dangerous, they were all being watched closely. It was clear that those invited could probably wipe out the Volturi then and there if they were to choose to. She fervently hoped it would not come to that.
"Welcome friends" Aro said rising from his seat. "Thank you for attending and agreeing to participate formally. Let us progress to the trial. They will be tried as a collective and individually, each will be examined and questions put to them, all will have the chance to defend their actions."
He nodded towards the guards at the door.
"Bring in the accused."