Updated: Monday 4/09/2023
Chapter 2: Surprises, Verdict, Decision
Bella looked around Volterra marvelling in the craftsmanship of the place. It really was beautiful. If she wasn't hurting so much, she would have gladly taken a tour. But she had work to do and people to save. And to tell the truth she felt like she was going to fall down any minute.
She moved close to the shadows and looked around them. Looking for the tells of vampires. Soon her eyes spot a cloaked figure not far from her.
'Let me be brave', Bella thinks to herself.
The voice in her head purrs giving her the strength to continue on.
"Excuse me Sir I need to speak with the Kings Aro, Marcus and Caius", Bella whispers so low that no humans would be able to hear her.
The vampire's head shoots up and his eyes zero in on the thin human girl who had her head bowed and covered by a scarf. The human looked unnaturally skinny.
But she was obviously the human their THREE guests had told them that would be arriving.
Bella watched him calmly come over to her.
"You know about us human", he states.
"Obviously", Bella drawls out.
"What do you want?" he asks.
"I need to speak to the Kings. And I have a feeling you already know I was coming and were here waiting for me. How close am I?" Bella asks him boldly.
The vampire's eyebrow rises at the bold, small human girl. Whose blood smelt different from other humans. It didn't seem to have the appeal of others. In fact, he could smell some venom running through her system. So how was she alive?
"I am Bella Swan and you are?" Bella asks.
"I am Demetri, Miss Swan", Demetri tells her.
"The tracker", Bella states.
"How did you know that?" Demetri asks frowning at her.
"This conversation should not be taken here. I need to speak with your Masters. Would you please escort me there and to whoever else is waiting?" Bella asks politely.
"I will do so. Follow me", Demetri states.
"I believe you should carry me. If you don't mind. I would just slow you down. I am not exactly at my physical peak right now", Bella replies.
"You are one strange human", Demetri tells her.
"I have been told that. But please pick me up with care I was…injured not long ago and haven't healed fully yet", Bella tells him.
"Very well I'll be careful", Demetri promises as he already felt a bond to the small woman.
Bella smiles sensing she had gained a family member in Demetri. She knew she posed a gift to draw others to her. She couldn't stop it. But then again it didn't work on everyone. And she had yet to figure out why.
Demetri tries to be gentle picking her up be she gasps at the jolt and he looks at her worriedly.
"I'm fine. Let's get going kind Sir. I don't want to keep everyone waiting", Bella tells him trying to draw his attention away from her painful gasp.
Soon they were flying through the shadows. Going down a pipe made her whimper internally at the jolt but this time she was able to keep it hidden.
She saw light up ahead and Demetri gently places her down in an elevator.
"Will you be ok to walk from here?" he asks her.
"I'll be fine", Bella replies looking around adjusting her scarf.
Luckily it hadn't fallen off. Thank god for small miracles.
"Wait here with Gianna and I'll come back for you after I tell the Masters you have arrived", Demetri instructs as they walk into the reception room.
"Thank you", Bella replies.
Demetri leaves in a flash.
"Can I get you something to drink?" Gianna asks her.
"Yes please", Bella replies softly.
She takes the refreshing glass of water and closes her eyes as she drinks. Trying to get a 'read' on what was going to happen.
'I am not going to ruin the surprise', the voice tells her.
'Big help you are', Bella thinks back.
(Line Break)
Three Kings, a Queen and guests were in the Throne Room discussing the topic of the last few days. There soon to be guest.
Isabella Swan.
There three guests had told them much about the young woman and the Kings were intrigued with her. Even though they had never met. But the three Vampires told them that Isabella was worth more than they could ever hope for.
One guest told them how he was made to leave her and not long after leaving had found out his relationship to Isabella. And now he was furious with his Coven and had joined the two Nomads coming here when they managed to get around the pixie bitch. The bulky male felt sorry for his brother being forced to stay with that family if only to give them information about what they were up too.
He had joined the two Nomads. As the male Nomad was like himself. A relation to Isabella. And his as well as their instincts were screaming out to protect her. But for some reason the Nomad male told them this would only be the place to intercept her.
None of them had a good feeling about this. And the Nomads hadn't even meet her in person yet and they were all ready to protect her.
Even the Kings felt something for the woman they had yet to meet. The blonde-haired King felt something different it was a pulling in his chest. Like his body wanted to fight to get to something or was it someone?
The bored looking male King looked at his brother and saw something. A golden line leading off his brother's chest and out through the oak doors. That line could only mean…
Suddenly the doors open and in comes Demetri.
"Masters. I come with news", Demetri tells them.
"What do you have for us Demetri?" the middle King asks.
"I have bought the woman the Captain, Lieutenant and Cullen…"
"McCarty", the bulky man mutters.
"…have told us about. She is in the reception room waiting on me to come back", Demetri tells them.
"What is your first impression of her?" the Middle King asks.
"She is unusual for a human Master Aro. She showed no fear as she called me out. But Masters I don't think all is right with the woman…"
"What do you mean?" the Captain growls.
"When I carried her, she weights next to nothing and she gasped in pain when I picked her up. She is hurt and doesn't want to show it. She hides her face with a scarf. I don't think she is very well at all Masters", Demetri replies.
The bored looking King saw something new in Demetri's bonds. He seemed to have already started a sibling bond with Miss Isabella. How this bond appeared so fast he didn't know.
He brushed his hand against Aro's.
"What are your feelings for her?" Aro asks him after seeing what his brother Marcus saw.
Demetri frowns, "I feel the need to protect her my Kings. I feel like she is someone to be cherish and I seemed to be able to feel her pain and I want to take it ALL away. But I know I can't"
"Interesting. Please go and get Miss Swan", Aro tells him.
Demetri nods and disappears.
"What was that about brother?" the blonde growls.
"Well Marcus has noticed some interesting bonds forming Caius. But that is enough of that. I believe out guest approaches", Aro replies.
They heard the sound of two sets of feet and the sound of one slow beating heart. The doors open to admit Demetri and a small woman. Demetri was right she did appear sick. Even with them no being able to see her face. But they could tell by her posture that she was injured.
Bella bows to them.
"Kings Aro, Marcus and Caius…I am Isabella Swan", Bella tells them.
When she looks at the Three Kings, she felt all kinds of emotions and she felt pings in her head. That signalled she had gotten a few new powers. That she would have to figure out later.
Bella looked around the room and her eyes narrowed on three hooded figures. She KNEW they were friends and one of them felt familiar.
"Miss Swan, we have been expecting you", Aro tells her, "Welcome to Volterra!", he says waving his hands dramatically.
Bella noticed Caius rolling his eyes at Aro.
"Thank you, your Majesty,", Bella replies.
"Please my dear Isabella call me Aro", Aro tells her gently, "Please tell us why you have come before us today"
"You don't know?" she asks them, "I believed your first three guests would have told you"
Bella nods towards the three cloaked vampires. Much to everyone's surprise. One of the cloaked figures laugh at his Granddaughters statement.
"We would like to hear it from you", Aro replies.
Bella takes a deep breath and winces at that. Making everyone in the room look at her strangely. Bella ignores there looks and explains about Victoria and how she came to be acquainted with her.
"I come to ask…no to beg for you to protect me Family, my Town and the Surrounds from Victoria", Bella replies.
"And in exchange?" Aro asks her.
"I give my life. As long as you swear to protect them, I'll be ok with becoming your next meal", Bella replies her head held high even though they couldn't see it.
Growls fill the room at that.
"Never", Caius and Marcus growl much to everyone's surprise.
"My dear before we agree to anything please take off your scarf. Show us your face", Aro tells her gently.
He and everyone sees her hesitant but then slowly pulls the scarf down but her hair falls down and shields her face.
"Please Isabella look at us", Marcus says softly.
'Father', the voice in Bella's head says.
"Please Darlin look at us", one of the cloaked figures tell her.
"Come on Bells. There is nothing to be afraid of with us here", the other man states.
'Grandfathers/brother', the voice states.
Bella takes courage in the voice.
She looks up showing her badly scarred face causing growls of fury to sound around the room. As they saw all the bite marks that marred her exposed skin and the many more likely to be hidden under her clothing.
Suddenly Caius was by her side his eyes dark. But Bella KNEW he would NEVER hurt her.
"MINE", Caius growls.
"Mate", Bella whispers.
Gasps come from around the room as Caius gently pulls her into his arms purring to comfort his mate. As he carries her to his Throne.
His eyes widen at what he had just done.
Suddenly Marcus was at their side and Caius lets out a small protective growl. But was stopped by Bella's hand touching his face.
"Shhh Caius, I KNOW Marcus doesn't mean me any harm. Isn't that right Father", Bella whispers.
Whispers and gasps were heard from around the room.
"Il Mio Piccolo", Marcus says softly.
Bella flicks her hair back and looks at the Three Kings.
"I believe that Marcus is meant to become my Father. Caius is my Mate and Aro will be my Brother", Bella tells them.
Marcus smiles making everyone gape.
"You are truly spiecal piccolo", Marcus tells her.
"I have been told that only a couple of times. Thank you", Bella tells them.
"Mi Cara what happened to you", Caius asks gently.
"Victoria happened to me", Bella replies.
"What did that bitch do to you?" one of the cloaked visitors growls.
"Tortured me for 2 weeks is what she did. That is why I am like I am", Bella replies bluntly.
Snarls fill the room from all directions. No matter what anyone thought of the Volturi. They didn't condone torture. And by the looks of Isabella, she had seen and experienced more than her far share.
Caius, Marcus and Aro's eyes go black with rage.
'Our family', the voice purrs in contentment.
Bella reaches out and touches Caius and Marcus's faces.
"Shhh I'm here now. I am no longer with her", Bella tells them, "I doubt she will get to me again"
Caius nuzzles her neck trying desperately to calm down. He had become so attached to this small fragile woman in just minutes that it frightened him a bit.
To many's surprise Bella seemed to have a calming effect on the Three Kings.
"That's better", Bella replies smiling at the return of their red eyes.
They were surprised that Bella was growing in confidence the more she was around them.
"So, my Kings, I offer you my life or my gifts in exchange for my Family, Friends and Town and Surroundings. Do we have a deal?" Bella asks them drawing them back to what she had come here for in the first place.
"There is NO question that we are going to change you Mi Cara", Caius tells her.
"I just know you are destined to be one of us Piccolo", Marcus replies, "It just minutes you have changed all of us"
"My Dear what do you mean by gifts?" Aro asks.
"First can those cloaked figures reveal themselves? I believe that two of them are my Grandfathers. But I don't know their identity. But one of them seems familiar", Bella tells them, "But I know I can trust them. Even though I don't know their names yet"
Two of the figures throw back there hoods.
"I am Peter Whitlock darlin and this is my mate, Charlotte. I am your Grandfather by way of your Fathers, Father", Peter tells her his ruby eyes twinkling, "And it seems you have my gift Little One. This is going to make everything VERY interesting"
Bella smiles at him, "Nice to meet you. Whitlock you say?"
"Yes", Peter confirms smirking.
"So, your connected to Jasper Hale or Whitlock?" Bella asks smiling.
"He is our Sire and brother. So, we took on his name", Peter replies.
"How do you know that Belly? I didn't think you and Jasper talked that much", the last hooded figure states.
Bella's eyes widen finally getting who he was. How could she have been so stupid? Who he was, was staring her right in the face this whole time. She decided to blame this on the 'voice' and the fact that she had found family again in a mate Caius, a father in Marcus and a brother in Aro.
"Emmy?" Bella whispers.
~~Author's Note: What do you think? Please Review:)~~
Il Mio Piccolo means: My Little One.
Mi Cara means: My Dear
