[Chapter Six]
It's not even a week later when I'm officially invited over to the Cullen Residence, which makes me kind of suspicious. I've never been invited to the house before but now, as I get ready to go over to the house that was restored and designed by Esme Cullen, I know there are prickles of goosebumps that dance across the nape of my neck. Reminding me to not let my guard down, just like I've been doing since I had first moved here.
Smoothing down a random graphic quarter sleeved sweater that I had ordered online, I glance at my reflection in the standing mirror. My hair is straightened for once, instead of just its usual wavy and lazy state, and I have a denim headband that is knotted on the top and has little white jewels sewn throughout the denim headband. I don't bother with too much makeup, not caring about dressing up really pretty for them. I'm just in a simple sweater, denim, and tennis shoes combo, nothing that is important.
Nothing that marks this date as anything special to me.
The drive to the house doesn't take too long, I had already been given directions by Alice on where the house is. When she had offered to drive the truck and for me to the passenger in my own said truck, I nipped it in the butt. I'm not allowing any of the Cullens to drive my truck, partly because of how they would end up pushing the speed of the truck further when it comes to speed than needed. Another being, they are the ones who are holding Renee hostage.
I barely reach the spot on the road where I won't have to make a U-Turn, when I notice their mailbox. I quickly go up the nature made pathway, my eyes not catching anything too remarkable.
Other than the fact that the landscape around me is more than stunning, it's a little pathway towards a large meadow that is just big enough for a Victorian Aesthetic House that has more modern windows and doors to it than antique windows.
To say the least, the house reminds me of a historical romance house the main female character would live in. The clean white paneling, the steeply pitched roofs that are a beautiful emerald green. The ornate garbles, painted iron railing, and churchlike rooftop finials. It's exactly the kind of house that I could find myself living in, if it weren't for two things: the modern windows they replaced the original windows with, along with the occupants that are in the house.
I've barely parked in front of the house, when the emerald painted front door opens and closes in seconds. My truck door is open, and I've barely turned off the engine along with unbuckling my seatbelt when I'm plucked from my seat. The cold but welcoming embrace of Renee calms me down when she sits me down onto the ground, my shoes finally touching the ground.
Renee must have taken all the clothes from Charlie's house that still belonged to her because she's wearing another outfit that she wore when they were together.
Another plaid button up shirt, with a white muscle shirt underneath, but the jeans aren't any jeans she had worn when she had been still with Charlie. The jeans are designer but have that worn out aesthetic about them. They look good on her but it's obvious that she's not into the whole designer thing now that she's a vampire, there's no point in wearing clothes that will be ruined from hunting. She has hiking boots on, which remind me that she's never going to be in Phoenix anymore. She'll be away from the clear skies and bright sunshine.
The front door opens again, and the Cullens slowly leave their abode one by one.
It's not surprising when the Hale Twins are the ones who appear last, of course they aren't really related to each other. They just have blonde hair and are the ones that are only a year apart in human appearances that could get away with acting like twins. They don't really have a relationship with each other, sure they have deep respect towards each other but there's nothing in their behavior with each other that really makes me feel they are close to each other.
Carlisle and Esme were the first ones that went out the door.
They're dressed just like I imagined they would be.
Carlisle is wearing a classy light hued dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up, khaki dress pants, and the trademark brown dress loafers. Esme is wearing a white classy dress, with cap sleeves, and the skirt of the dress rests around her knees. There are little diamond earrings that shimmer in her ears, one could consider them chandelier hanging earrings when it comes to the style. They are both holding each other's hand, hard enough I'm certain if you tried to pull their hands apart you would pull both of their hands off together.
Behind them next are Alice and Edward, neither of them standing close to each other but near enough that I know they won't hesitate to use their powers together. The both of them in their designer clothes almost makes me want to roll my eyes. Everything about them is fake, this beauty and wealth from them is nothing more than unsettling. They shouldn't have the powers they have, yet they have them, nonetheless.
Alice is wearing a black jumper dress with a white simple cotton light weight sweater that has quarter length sleeves to it. There is a black headband that sits nestled in the middle of her hair, and there is crimson lipstick that covers her tiny lips. She reminds me of Betty Boop as she peers up at me, but she's only like the girl in aesthetics. She even has on slightly heeled shoes, when there's no reason why someone should have to wear heels, even Esme is wearing just simple flat shoes.
Rosalie moves so effortlessly in a blur that one moment she's in the back next to Jasper and the next moment she has one of her arms wrapped around Emmett's.
The both of them have a combination of silver and white colors that make them look even more inhuman than they already are. They don't have to show any type of a human front when they are at home. They can be themselves, and if it means wearing the most expensive fabric in the world as sweaters then that's just what they are (other than the obvious fact of being vampires).
"So…why did you invite me to your house?"
I question them slowly, noting that everyone looks at each other before they turn their attention towards me. There is hatred that is in the eyes of Rosalie Hale, it's quite disturbing, as though it's her own personal mission to have me murdered in order to get rid of my presence.
"I'll tell you away from the others," Carlisle remarks, earning a nod from me even though I gnaw on my bottom lip. I hate how that is a common trademark of mine, but I can't help it.
Renee moves to follow me, but I assure her that everything is okay, enough for her to nod at me. She probably only trusts Carlisle to walk with me. Other than him she would demand she would walk with me without taking no for an answer.
Carlisle motions for me to go away from the house as I stuff my hands into the pockets of my jeans. He sighs as he tries to gather his words before he turns to me.
"Alice saw some unexpected guests coming ... They are planning on killing Renee if they see she is a trouble. We learnt that Renee has a power herself, she can cause people to want to do things for her in her thoughts without them thinking about it."
My heart races in my chest as I try to imagine Renee being taken away from me after we've made great progress with each other. I'm certain before long I'll be able to call her my mother without expecting her to think I'm saying it out of necessity but instead because I want to. I know if they kill her, I'll be distraught, and Charlie will make sure to be turned into a vampire so that he can get the proper revenge for the love of his life.
"Bella, there is a group of vampires that are considered the monarchs of the vampire community. I stayed with them for two decades before the turn of the twentieth century. They are called the Volturi and they reside in Volterra, Italy," Carlisle tells me, and I nod my head in order for him to know that I'm listening to him and taking everything seriously.
"The monarchs of the Volturi are Aro, Caius, and Marcus. Aro has the ability to know a person's every thought when they touch them. Caius does not have a gift even though he oversees the executions of vampires when they are brought to the castle. Marcus has the ability to see the ties of mates," Carlisle continues, in the distance I can hear birds that are chirping.
"They have a royal guard, most of them have abilities. Aro is known to collect those that have unique and helpful gifts for the coven. The four heads of the royal guard are Felix, Demetri, and a pair of twins that have the names Jane and Alec. Felix is known for his remarkable strength; Demetri is known for his ability to track vampires and people after meeting people that know the person. Jane has the ability to cause pain and her brother has the ability to take away a person's five senses."
I wisely don't say anything about this, of all the information he has given me.
There's nothing from it that I can use, myself, in order to turn things in my favor.
I am nothing more than a human that knows of their existence, who is to say that the Volturi will not have me murdered, along with Charlie, just for knowing Renee is a vampire due to our familial (and romantic on Charlie and Renee's side) bonds with each other. I have no need to say anything either, there's no point. The results will always be the same, even if I don't know what they are until they happen right in front of me.
Carlisle reaches to put his hand on my shoulder only for Renee to appear.
The look she's giving is something I've never seen from her before.
Her features are tightened, and she's almost crouched in a predator manner. I know it's more disturbing for her features are flawless, she's exactly how someone would depict a female deity that watches over those that seek shelter from her. She's wishing to hold her arms out above me and shelter me from everything around us, she has the ability to do so, and no normal person would try to get me when it comes to the motherly, territorial instincts.
"They're nearby. Bella, sweetie, come to me."
The depths of her crimson eyes hold nothing more than fear, and I know the only way to keep her from drowning in it is to hold her hand. I head over to her and once I put my hand into hers, she let out a deep breath despite not needing to. Her body language becomes different, a lot looser but it's still too tight for her to be completely at ease.
I walk with her, back to where the rest of the Cullens are gathered in the front yard. They are all facing a certain direction, which lets me know wordlessly that will be where the four guards will come from. I both want to look in that direction but not. I want to be able to drag Renee away and test to see if this Demetri can truly track us down.
Then they arrive.
Four vampires in an V formation, the first two are tall and masculine, allowing me to know that it's Felix and Demetri. The one who looks more muscular must be Felix, though the one who must be Demetri is no means thin and wiry. He has enough muscles showing with the cloak on for someone to second guess coming at him and challenging him to a duel. The other two behind them are tween sized actually, neither the size of a normal teenager but not the size of a small child–one who is a girl, and the other a boy, Jane and Alec.
Jane and Alec, to me they are more disturbing.
They must be only twelve or thirteen, barely into puberty.
I don't want to know what their story was, to know they were changed at such a young age.
They are dangerous, more cunning, more able to have others let their guard down because of course they'd help them due to their age. They can hide behind their innocent, child-like faces that are angelic but really aren't. They can attack without even having to really hunt their victims down, their victims will come to them naturally.
I only bring myself into the presence when Carlisle steps forward and speaks to the four heads of the royal guard. I don't really listen to him as he introduces each member of his family, with a warmth to him that comes naturally. I don't really pay too much attention to how the four heads of the royal guard seem more interested in anything else than being here, but since they were commanded by their kings they are here anyway.
I do pay attention when Renee drops to the ground like a stone. My eyes widened at seeing her laying there, her eyes not seeing anything. She's terrified and she's bubbling about how she can't see, or hear, and I move forward without thinking, hissing between my teeth, "leave her alone, Alec."
Everyone freezes in their place, none of them having expected for me to stand up immediately and tell one of the twins to stop using their power. It's enough that the child snaps his attention away from Renee and turns his attention to me, I still can't see his features, but his crimson eyes have narrowed and grown darker. He focuses his attention more on me, and I realize how he's trying to make sure he can have me receive the same treatment that Renee had.
"Humans cannot make demands when it comes to the Volturi. They are not in the position to do so," Alec hisses at me, his soft and angelic voice sends a violent shiver down my spine. I note in the corner of my eye that his sister has her own eyes narrowed, it seems as though she's still trying to cause me immense pain through her own power, but it won't work either.
"Well, this human has. No one has the right to do that to my mother, no one."
"Mother?"
Another set of shivers run down my spine, only instead of ice prickles of uncomforted it's pleasure. It's still cold but the dry ice that envelops the voice is enough to cause any sane person to want to do anything to hear that voice again. The voice is from Demetri, and as he says this, I can see his crimson eyes hold intrigue and amusement.
"It seems as though έρωτά μου (my love) is protecting her mother. It is a commendable act, one that we must respect," Demetri says before he steps forward.
Renee reaches her hand out to touch my pants leg, but I stay in front of her, making sure there is no way that this Demetri will be able to reach her and decapitate her head from her body before ripping her to pieces and burning them. She keeps touching me, but again, I ignore her, instead deciding to turn my attention towards the vampire that gave me a pet name. Most likely something romantic, but I don't know what language it is.
The vampire, Demetri, reaches one of his black gloved hands up and pulls the hood of his cloak back to reveal his features. His skin is a rich brown that has a tinge of paleness to it, and his eyes are uniquely shaped but still hypnotizing. His eyebrows are thick but shaped well, his nose reveals his heritage quite easily–Greek, and he has plump, enticing lips that beg for mine to join his in a tango. His hair, obsidian, falls in a soft wavy curtain around his shoulders. He folds his arms against his chest and studies me, then Renee for a moment.
The very sight of the vampire in front of me makes me scoff as I told my arms in front of me and plant my feet better on the ground. I make sure to tilt my head up, my chin more prominent and arch one of my eyebrows at him. Sure, he's hot, probably the hottest guy I've met but that doesn't mean he can just stand there and give me that cocky look as though he expects me to agree with him immediately. Even if there is a bubbling attraction rising between us, wanting me to move closer to him. I'm staying right where I want to, protecting Renee from him and the others.
"What is your name, έρωτά μου?"
"It's obviously not whatever the hell you keep calling me. It's Bella," I remark, tapping my fingers against my arms as I await to see his next move. I hear Renee getting up behind me only for her to scream in agony, falling onto the grass once more.
My eyes snap away from looking at Demetri, and towards the young girl, Jane.
She has her eyes landing on Renee, determined to make sure she will suffer because she can't make me suffer. I've barely moved when Demetri grabs me by the arm, hard enough that even my whole body won't be able to move due to the strength. I want to slap him, hard, across the face but I know the only thing that would result from it would be my broken hand.
"Jane, enough! Aro gave me the position of the head in our guard right now. Throwing tantrums will not make things difficult," Demetri hisses as his head snaps towards the girl. She still has her hood over her head, in fact only Demetri has his hood down.
Jane growls, animalistic, unafraid but still she backs down.
Renee is trembling when the power is taken off of her, and I can't help but feel tears falling down my face. I began to pull away from Demetri and fall down onto the grass next to her. I can't imagine the pain that Renee had experienced, since all of it was just mental, but must have felt as though she was being burnt alive slowly.
"Mom…"
Renee's eyes widen when she hears me call her that, venom rising in her tear ducts but like always they don't fall. She peers up at me before she lunges upwards. She wraps her arms around me and begins to pepper kisses on my forehead. It's almost as if she's afraid that if she doesn't give me the right amount of love by a certain time, she will have me take back what I had said.
"Do you really mean it? Do you really want to call me that? You–"
"Yes, I want to call you that now. I know that it's been a long time since I called you Mom, but it finally feels right to call you that. I love you."
"As much as this is heartwarming, we have to get down to business."
Of course Demetri has to be a sarcastic asshole, that's just how things are.
The way he looks at me is enough for me to want to give him the finger too. He looks at me as though he expects any moment for me to admit there's this seductive bond between us, waiting to be fed and then we can both ravish each other in the flames of our desires.
"Renee Dwyer, you gained immediate popularity when it came to your death, partly because of both your late husband's family and your ex-husband being a cop. Those two were bound to cause some problems when it comes to this situation," Demetri starts, his crimson eyes not showing any type of emotion that could make me feel what he's thinking.
"If it weren't for Carlisle and his family making sure to fake your death then I am certain we would have killed you before you could even properly analyze the situation. There is also something else that has happened we hadn't expected."
I can't help but glance over my shoulder, noting the Cullens that are gathered around each other.
They are silent, I don't know if they don't say anything because there's nothing they want to say or if they aren't saying anything because of them being the superiors of the vampires. Not the kings but damn close to it, as close as you could get other than being married to one or all of them.
As though he had sensed it, Felix begins to chuckle some from behind his hood, finding something amusing. He mutters under his breath something, and only the vampires can hear what he says.
It's enough for Renee to look as though she's already had her head ripped off of her head. If she had any blood running through her, giving her face color, it would have gone completely white. She couldn't believe what she had just heard.
Thankfully, Renee doesn't say anything, if the tween twins in the back of the guard have anything to say about her reaction, she will find herself back on the ground withering in the grass or having all her senses taken away from her.
She's learnt her lesson when it comes to that, but that doesn't mean she doesn't growl a little bit and crouch to stand in front of me even more, trying to keep me from even being seen by Demetri (Renee is a good bit taller than me now, but Demetri towers over the both of us so he'd be able to see me anyway). His crimson, vampiric eyes would still be caught in a staring match with my brown, human ones.
Something seems to click into place for me and I can't help but groan and let my eyes turn upwards at the sky. As if I don't have enough problems to begin with. Now it turns out that I'm supposed to be with the cocky, ancient Greek warrior looking vampire.
"Please tell me that you're joking. I've had enough time dealing with vampires for a while. Not enough that I want to be mated to one. I just want to be human and live in peace!" I groan, as though I'm begging God to answer my call.
Instead, Demetri does.
"Oh, come on, you should be honored to be mated to me! You could do a whole lot worse, like Felix!" Demetri cries out, only for Felix to send out a warning growl towards his fellow guardsman. Demetri waves his hand off to let him know he didn't mean anything by it, he was just teasing him, that's all. I wouldn't mind if Felix punched him.
"Look, I know it took me a while for me to get accustomed to my mom becoming a vampire. I had to get accustomed to the Cullens being vampires. Hell, I know that I'll have to get accustomed to Charlie eventually turning into a vampire…but me. No! No! No! No thank you!"
"The ultimatum is either accept me as your mate or we will take your mother back to Volterra with us so she can get a trial by the kings. You don't want that, trust me. Dying here would be a mercy killing, the last thing you should have to deal with is having King Caius being the one who executes your mother. I don't want to do that."
My heart stops for a second, it has been rattling and banging and bruising my chest the whole time, but those words cause my heart to stutter. He's not threatening me, he's telling me the truth. He doesn't show any amusement at telling me this, at how he holds this power over me. In fact, he looks uncomfortable at the thought of dragging my mother to Volterra in order for her to be ruthlessly killed there instead of giving a mercy killing here.
My eyes turn towards Renee, and how she stands there, no emotion on her face. I think of Charlie, of how he would be without her. I think there are worse things in life than sacrificing yourself for those you love. So, I take a deep breath and move around Renee, ushering her to stay still. I move to stand in front of Demetri, where he towers over me easily.
Taking a deep breath, I reach my hand out as an offer, "I accept."
When he puts his hand in mine, I know there's no turning back.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: don't you just love how Bella and Demetri are? Bella doesn't get close to the twins; she doesn't like them. They don't like her. Considering what they just did to Renee, it would make sense. Anyway, I hope you liked this chapter.
it'semmynotemma
as always: Twilight doesn't belong to me.
