I owe you all an explanation. The chapter I put up last week isn't the chapter I meant to put up. In the other one there was no mention of the C word and also Edward and Bella didn't get to have their little talk before she left. I cut that all out, because that's what I originally wrote when I was on a roll. I didn't check what I uploaded, and by the time I looked at the reviews and realised what I'd done, it was too late to replace the chapter. And actually, I realised I liked that chapter more. But I definitely apologise for the use of the C word. It will NOT happen again.
This chapter is shorter and it took me a little longer to write. After I put up the wrong chapter, I just got angry with myself and lost motivation for a bit, but I'm back! SO here it is, enjoy.
Chapter 33- No News is Good News
BPOV
Nothing happened for the first two days. I was left in my room, Camilla occasionally coming to visit me, but I was less enthusiastic about it now. I barely ate and barely slept. I showered twice a day, for something to do but mostly to mask the sound of the sobs that threatened to spill at any moment. I refused to let them see how this was affecting me.
Every time I thought of Edward, my heart would hurt. I thought I was going crazy with pain. It felt like he'd left me. But I had abandoned him and it had killed me. I didn't expect them to try and help me, but was a little disappointed when I hadn't heard from the Cullen's.
"Bella, are you listening?"
I snapped out of my daze. Camilla was in my room again, smiling and looking at me with curiosity.
"Oh sorry, what were you saying?"
"I said, if you're bored here, we have a library, you're more than welcome to use."
I sat up a little straighter.
"Yes, if you wouldn't mind."
She let out her tinkling laugh.
"It's not trouble."
When I saw the library I was in awe. It was the size of a football field and there were shelves of books reaching up to the ceiling. It was a vast sea of literature. In the centre back was a fireplace and a few sofas and lamps. Camilla had left me, amused by my gawping expression.
"Wow," I breathed to myself, skimming my fingers over the patterned bindings.
After about half an hour of searching, I finally found something in English and sat down by the fireplace to read it. I don't know how long went by. I read and I read, escaping from this prison until my eyes started to grow tired and, exhausted, I blanked out on the plush sofas.
I was drawn from my slumber by something cool touching my cheek. It was a hand. I hummed and pushed my face into it. Edward. Except when I inhaled it wasn't his sweet scent that filled my senses. My eyes flew open. Instead of being met with soft golden eyes, I was met with harsh red ones. I sat up quickly, gasping. Demetri.
"Fuck, what are you-"
His shook his head, silencing me. His eyes were piercing into mine, it sent a shudder down my spine.
"Isabella. Are you aware what time it is?"
I shook my head, dazed by my sudden disturbance. Demetri's lips turned into a cruel smirk.
"Three in the morning."
"Oh," I said, agitated.
Why not just let me sleep then you idiot?
"I can escort you back to your room," he said, stepping back and offering me his hand. I looked up at him, my eyes narrowed. There was something about him that made every instinct in my body scream not to trust him.
"Why would you do that?"
Demetri shrugged, his eyes darkening.
"Can't let a creature such as you get lost can we?"
"Look," I said, standing up, ignoring his hand, "Just leave me alone. I don't need Aro to send a childminder to look after me."
Demetri hissed.
"You think Aro sent me?"
I blinked.
"Camilla?"
"I'm here of my own initiative, Bella," he spat.
"Don't talk to me like that," I seethed, crossing my arms over my chest, almost nose to nose with him. I was trying to ignore the disturbing fact that he had come to see me of his own accord.
"I may talk to you however I damn well please."
"And why's that?"
"Because you're merely a pawn, a helpless disposable human," he said darkly, his eyes flashing dangerously.
"I'm no more human as you are a lifeless, soulless fuck."
I knew he understood my dig. It happened in a split second. His hand was raised, his lips pulled back revealing his dagger teeth, his eyes black. I opened my mouth and let out a scream, closing my eyes as I imagined the terrific impact that would hit me. He would kill me.
"DEMETRI!"
It was Aro. I whipped my head round to see his figure at the far end of the library, his red eyes blazing. I exhaled in relief. Feeling a sense of security around Aro was surely a curious thing.
Demetri had his arm down so fast I didn't even see it. Straightening up he stepped back from me, his head bowed.
"Yes Aro," he said in a low voice, gritting his teeth together.
"Leave us," Aro said calmly now, his voice no longer loud, but dangerously soft.
Demetri's eyes met mine once more again, where my heart leapt again in fear, until he fled out of the room.
"Bella," Aro said, next to me. I jumped, not expecting it.
"Aro," I acknowledged, still shaken.
"I apologise on Demetri's behalf."
I was slightly taken aback at this, Aro didn't seem like the type to hand out his sorry's to anyone.
"I-what have I done to him?" I stuttered confused.
Aro completely disregarded what I said and drew himself up to full height and circled me. I stiffened under his scrutiny and let my eyes drop as a trickle of fear inched down my spine.
"Isabella."
I nodded shakily, I could feel it was time, I knew.
"Let's get this over with, shall we?"
So it began that night. He led me to a circular stone hall, three thrones at the far side, where Caius and Marcus sat. One by one hooded vampires came into the room and exerted whatever power they had on me. It went so fast, and I was so numb with fear that I barely registered what was going on. I closed my eyes and pictured Edward's face in my head, taking deep slow breathes.
They got the result that pleased them. Nothing happened, sometimes I could feel a cold wind hitting my face, fought back a mist that crept up on me, feel a slight warmth as I was set a light, but nothing was able to cause me damage, because whatever the power was, didn't seem to reach me. I counted nineteen vampires all in on that had their way with me, and each time I defied their power, I heard the murmurs that circulated amongst the three beholders.
I was exhausted, I could barely keep my eyes open and I was starving.
"Bella?"
I looked up at Cauis.
"One more?"
I sighed and nodded.
"Demetri-"
"No!" I found myself exclaiming. Demetri. I had no clue what this power was he had, but I was positive I didn't want to know.
"I don't think you get to be picky, Miss Swan," Cauis drawled, obviously bored.
I looked at Aro in panick. To my absolute astonishment Aro narrowed his eyes at me then broke out into a rare smile and stood up.
"Go to sleep Bella. Tomorrow, 12 o'clock sharp, I must insist you eat lunch with us, I have something I must show you."
Marcus and Cauis looked momentarily outraged, but I had a feeling they remained quiet either from lack of caring or because they had a minute amount of power compared to Aro.
I gratefully nodded and made my way too the door, my knees wobbling as I walked. I would only have a few hours of sleep, but by this point, even that was welcomed.
I opened the door and almost ran out, not failing to notice Demetri outside, watching in the shadows, his figure never moving.
"Too damn bad you didn't get your turn with me," I said casually, walking straight past him. He said nothing, his eyes never leaving me. It was only when I was at the end of the corridor, I heard his cold, emotionless words that sent a chill trickling down my spine.
"Not yet, at least."
EPOV
"Edward? EDWARD?" Alice screeched. I turned around to face her, agitated.
"Are you even listening to me?"
"NO," I snapped back, pushing my hair back with my fingers. It had been four days since Bella had gone and I was a wreck. I hadn't fed and to be honest hadn't moved. My family hadn't bothered me, apart from Esme, which was to be expected.
"Well, I asked if you wanted to come hunting with me and Jas?"
I took a deep breath and stood up, walking up to my sister calmly,
"Get the fuck out of my room," I murmured, my tone deathly quiet.
Instead of even flinching, Alice sighed in exasperation and flitted out. I hissed in frustration. I was terrified for Bella, they were hurting her, I knew they must be. She must be so scared, my angel.
I got that familiar pain shooting through my chest. I was going crazy without her smell, her body, her love. I needed her. And I, Edward Cullen, have never needed anyone, let alone felt this emotion acute to the point of pain.
"Edward-"
"I said fuck-" I span round, ready to bounce, when I paused seeing Esme's face anxiously peering through the door.
"This language of yours, it's a problem," she said, a hint of mischief in her eyes.
I shrugged. I could never be spiteful towards Esme, she was my mum. She walked in and motioned towards my sofa. I followed numbly.
"You're not going to hunt?"
"I don't want to."
"Why not?"
"I don't feel like it."
"Sweetie, your eyes are black."
"I can handle it," I snapped. Seeing Esme's eyes widen I internally kicked my own ass.
"I know you miss her Edward. But everything will be okay-"
I laughed mirthlessly.
"You don't know what they could be doing to her. She could be dead."
And when the overwhelming truth hit me, my chest burst open and I let out a dry sob on Esme's shoulder. She pulled me close to her and kissed the top of my head, like I was a heartbroken teenager. Heck, I was a heart broken teenager.
"We haven't heard anything as of yet, but no news is good news, Edward. Carlisle's doing all he can."
I growled at the mention of Carlisle's name. He had betrayed my by letting Bella go. To top that all off, he confined me to my room, Jasper and Emmett always on guard. The only reason Alice had even offered to take me hunting is because the whole of my personal security detail would be there to watch me no doubt.
"He should have let me go after her," I whispered, closing my eyes.
He did what he thought was best for the family, Edward.
I stood up and stormed to the window.
"Oh okay. As long as you're all happy, it's fine. Let's just chuck away my reason for living."
"None of us are happy, Edward. We hate seeing you like this. You were just coming back to us, after so long of being so…angry."
I shrugged again, the anger seething inside me. I contemplated smashing the window and jumping out for the hundredth time, but then I realised Emmett and Rosalie were both standing on the ground outside. Emmett waved up at me enthusiastically. What a dick.
"I asked her to marry me, Esme," I said softly, looking down.
Esme gasped. I couldn't even turn my cowardly ass around to face her. In this situation, her opinion mattered to me the most.
"You didn't?" she asked in disbelief.
"I did," I retorted, lifting my chin.
"She's sixteen, Edward."
"I know. I thought, well I wasn't thinking. Esme, as soon as those words came out my mouth, I realised it's what I wanted. All I wanted.
"You can't expect her to say yes right now, sweetie," Esme said gently.
"I want her to," I admitted, ashamed.
"Did she answer you?"
I shook my head.
"When you see her, she'll give you her answer, just be patient."
When I see her…
I felt a warmth spread inside me. I could see her beautiful face, hear her strong heartbeat, smell her intoxicating scent…
Then I snapped out of it in realisation. I was angry at Bella too. I was more angry at her than I was at my whole family combined. She left me, simply just ran away. She made me watch her leave.
If I saw her, I knew, I wouldn't be able to say one word to her. It's not as if it was in my control, I simply knew I wouldn't be able to bring myself to even look at her. My stomach plummeted and I clenched my fist. She hurt me.
"EDWARD!"
I hissed at Carlisle's voice entering my room. I turned, prepared to pounce him, but stopped dead at his thoughts.
"Edward, the Volturi requests your presence."
Why do they want Edward? What's Demetri's power? Will Bella accept Edward's proposal? Will Edward ever forgive Bella? STAY TUNED.
Don't forget, reviews = motivation for next chapter ; )