Chapter 36
Demetri and I were having a wonderful time in Greece. We had spent the past two nights exploring the sights while journeying across the country. Demetri wanted to share with me the places that held significance in his early life, and I eagerly embraced the opportunity as it allowed me to deepen my connection with him. Night had just fallen, and we had arrived at the Parthenon.
As Demetri led me around the ancient structure, I watched him intently as his eyes took in the ruins before us. He spoke with a sense of nostalgia, "If I close my eyes, I can still see everything as it once was. I can hear the people talking and the worshipers praying to their goddess. I remember the hustle and bustle of the Agora marketplace and the traders with goods from distant lands I had never heard of before. It was all so new and wondrous that first time I was here. These ruins in front of us was once the most amazing building I had ever seen. For a man who lived in a small village by the sea, you can imagine what I thought coming to a mecca like this."
I was enchanted by Demetri's words. I could almost envision him standing here 2500 years ago. His insights brought the ruins to life in a way that would be impossible without them. I continued to listen as he reminisced, "The Parthenon was constructed just around the time I became a vampire, so I had just left my newborn years behind when I ventured to see what I had heard talked about throughout Greece in all the small villages I passed through." He walked to a particular spot, gesturing, "Right here is where I stood when I first beheld this majestic structure. It was resplendent, adorned with vibrant colors. The statue of Athena inside was utterly mesmerizing. In an era when belief in the gods was fervent, a sight like this, and the beauty it held within, could turn almost anyone into a true believer."
I stood next to Demetri, trying to vividly imagine all that he was describing. "When I first arrived here, it was still a bewildering time for me. I hadn't yet encountered another vampire to explain what had happened to me. I even approached the statue and prayed to Athena herself, seeking guidance. Strangely, she didn't enlighten me about the cause or reason of my affliction." He winked at me, eliciting a chuckle.
I loved hearing stories of his past, and the idea that we were standing where he once stood thousands of years ago blew my mind. "So after visiting the Acropolis and the Parthenon, what did you do next?" I asked, eager for Demetri to continue his tale.
Demetri smiled and pointed to one of the pillars. "I was standing there in the shadows, taking in the building when a young woman walked out. I think she might have been delivering food from the Agora, as she was carrying an empty food basket and smelled a little of yeast. I can analyze the situation much better now than I could at the time. Back then, the only thing I cared to pay attention to was the smell of her blood, and I wanted it. I absconded with her at vampire speed to over there," he pointed towards a pile of rubble a little ways away. "There was a small building there, and behind it, I drained her dry and left her on a pile of trash." Demetri looked at me and shrugged his shoulders. "In those days, I killed almost anyone when I was hungry. It wasn't until hundreds of years later that I started to change my eating habits."
I shook my head and smiled. I had decided almost immediately after first meeting Demetri that one had to broaden their views on morality and a host of other issues when dealing with vampires. "You know, almost every vampire story I hear always begins or ends with a dead human." I looked at him pointedly with raised eyebrows, but he could see the teasing behind my words, and I saw him return a sly smile.
"Well, to a vampire, a story is only truly worth sharing when at some point in that tale, their belly is nice and full," he whispered as he held me close. His voice had a seductive undertone that sent shivers down my spine. "I'm sorry my stories aren't always tame or suitable for every situation, but I believe you'd prefer honesty, wouldn't you?"
"Always. No matter what," I replied, holding him tightly. My words conveyed my sincerity.
"Good. The same goes for me. No matter what, I always want to hear your unfiltered thoughts. Whether you agree or not, I want to know the real you," he said, leaning down to kiss me passionately. "Now, let's see what other secrets I can tell you about this place that have been lost to time."
Our time in Greece flew by. We saw so much, and Demetri even managed to take me to some of the most scenic vistas I had ever witnessed. We, of course, made love wherever it was feasible. I needed as many good memories as I could gather to sustain me for the following months until I saw him again. These encounters would undoubtedly help tide me over during my lonely nights at UCLA, all alone in my bed.
After a few wonderful days in Greece, we docked back in Taranto at 6:00 am, which was perfect, as Demetri could safely get us to our vehicle before the sun became a concern. With the eight-hour trip back to Volterra ahead, I took the opportunity to catch up on my sleep. He woke me up about an hour before we reached the castle.
"So we're leaving tomorrow night to take you back to America. Is there anything you want to do or a site you want to see tonight?" Demetri asked as he held my hand, gently rubbing the inside of my palm with one finger.
"No, I think once we get back to the castle, we can just relax and hang out with everyone. I think it's pretty clear I'll be visiting again, probably several times before I come to live here," I said, looking at Demetri. He had the biggest smile on his face as I mentioned Volterra as my future home.
"The real question is when can you come visit me when I'm at UCLA. Have you ever been to Los Angeles?"
"Of course. The last time was around five years ago on a mission with Felix. It was the typical case - two dumb, relatively new vampires who either didn't know or didn't care about the laws. We might have brought them back to Volterra for a trial, but they pissed Felix off, calling him Vampenstein," Demetri chuckled, clearly remembering the moment. "Suffice it to say, they didn't keep their heads for long after that."
I laughed as well. "It always bugs me when people get literature mixed up. It's clear they've never read the book. As for LA, should I assume you haven't had the chance for an extended visit there?"
"Nope. We'll have the chance to explore the nightlife together when I visit. We'll, of course, keep up with our cyber trysts. You don't know how happy I was that first time when I thought of it and saw your smiling face again." Demetri grinned, turned his head, and gave me a quick peck on the lips before refocusing on the road.
"That was a good night," I began, my mind awash with memories of that unforgettable evening, particularly the image of Demetri lying on his bed, pleasuring himself. A surge of arousal coursed through me, and I cast a hungry glance at Demetri. But I pushed those feelings aside, recognizing that this wasn't the appropriate moment. I had a more serious topic to broach with him, and now, just before our return to the castle, felt like the right time.
"I do want to talk to you about something important," I continued. "I'd like to hear your thoughts on how we should handle our relationship with my parents. I want to tell them that we're a couple and plan to attempt a long-distance relationship while I'm at UCLA. My mom of course has already met you. The real concern is my father. I'm not suggesting you meet him in Forks or anything. If it ever happens, it would most likely be in LA. The thing is, he's a cop, and I wouldn't put it past him to run a background check on you. If he did, would your story hold up?"
Demetri fell silent, lost in thought, and I waited patiently for his response. After a moment, he spoke, "I don't see any harm in telling your parents that we're together. As for my backstory, I've got an identity established for the human world that should easily pass a background check. Before you leave, we'll go over it carefully to ensure that everything you say about me matches up."
I smiled, a wave of relief washing over me. "That's a weight off my mind. I want them to know I'm happy and in love. I definitely didn't want to keep our relationship a secret. Otherwise, every time I spoke to them over the phone, I'd have to field the same questions about whether I'm seeing anyone, over and over again. Thank you for helping me make the limited contact I'll have with my human life easier after I become a vampire. I'm sure it will make my transition go much smoother."
"Oh, I think you'll soon realize that I would do literally anything to make you happy," Demetri said, his voice low and filled with promise, his fingers gently squeezing my hand.
I couldn't help but laugh, a mischievous glint in my eyes. "Really... Anything. That's good to know. You probably should not have told me that." With a playful grin, I reached into the bag at my feet, retrieving a bag of Hershey's Kisses that I had bought earlier. Slowly, I unwrapped one, holding it up for him. "Please have a kiss. I'm sure you'll love it," I purred, a suggestive tone in my voice, as I offered him the chocolate.
Demetri gave me an 'are you serious' look and replied, "Well, 'literally anything' does not actually mean anything." He winked at me as I let out an exaggerated huff. I took back the Hershey's Kiss I had offered him and with a deliberate slowness, my lips wrapped around it provocatively, and I moaned after engulfing it completely into my mouth.
Then, a devious plan bloomed in my mind. I leaned in closer, my voice dropping into a sultry tone as I whispered, "What if we melted the chocolate, and I started dribbling it slowly all over my breasts? You could trace your tongue all over my heated skin, tasting the sweet, warm chocolate, as you sucked on my nipples, then exploring every other inch of my body. It sounds so erotic, so tantalizing. You wouldn't want to deny me that sultry experience, would you?" I shot him a seductive look, my own desire simmering from my words.
Demetri thought for a moment and then smiled, his voice taking on a seductive undertone. "I'll do you one better. Let's wait until you're a vampire, and then you can pour blood all over your body. I'll eagerly take you up on your offer, relishing the time-consuming work of slowly licking every last drop off of your firm, taut body. Would that appease you?"
I didn't want to admit that the thought turned me on, so I took the opposite route. I proclaimed in a loud, aghast voice, my outrage clear as day, "How dare you think me, a god-fearing young lady, would consent to being drenched in human blood! All while you no doubt violated my body out of the bonds of holy matrimony! And how would we even obtain this blood? Will I be forced to go out and kill some poor fucker so you can get your perverse kinks satiated?" I would have gone on, but I started to laugh, and the jig was up. Demetri joined in. Sometimes it was just too easy to pick a role and run with it.
Demetri lifted my hand to his lips and kissed the back of it gently. "I love you," he murmured. "It always amazes me, some of the things that come out of your mouth. It's so refreshing, and it's hard to believe that the words are coming from the same girl I met in that dark parking lot last year."
"Oh no," I replied with a playful smile. "That girl would have died of embarrassment doing a tenth of the things we've gotten up to and the thoughts that occupy my mind these days. I can't thank you enough for helping me become the woman I was meant to be."
When we returned to the castle, everyone was thrilled to hear that Demetri and I had made our relationship official and had admitted our love for each other. I tend to be rather vocal when Demetri and I get it on, so the entire castle was well aware of our status, and they were quite pleased to learn that our relationship was not just a passing fling. Heidi, at one point, took me aside and confided to me that she had suspected Demetri had met someone, as he had been quite the ladies' man in the past, but she had not seen him pursue anyone in the past year. Now she understood the reason why.
Demetri and I delved into his backstory, revealing a meticulously crafted human persona. As it turned out, the human Demetri Volturi was thriving, having secured a well-paying position as the head of security for a major Italian company owned by the Volturi. I could see why he wasn't worried about any background checks on himself.
He painted a vivid picture of the Volturi's extensive global influence. Beyond their direct involvement, they held ownership stakes in hundreds of companies worldwide, spanning a multitude of industries. Listening to the breadth of their interests, I began to see how we could construct a believable cover story for me once I became a vampire.
Demetri also shared details about the Volturi's network of safe houses scattered across the globe. He gave me the access codes, should the need ever arise for me to seek refuge in the California safe house. The conversation left me both awestruck and reassured.
Once we had our stories aligned, we spent the rest of the night relaxing. We headed to one of the game rooms and joined some of my newfound friends, engaging in some games of pool. My introduction to the world of pool had occurred shortly after I arrived at the castle. While I couldn't quite compete with vampires who had been honing their skills since the game's invention, I managed to hold my own.
There was one humorous moment during a game against Chelsea. I was opening, and as I broke, I quickly used my shields to haphazardly send all the balls into the various pockets. It was clear as day what I had done, but everyone had a good laugh watching it happen.
I felt so comfortable as the first conscious thoughts started to enter my mind as I woke up. I was in Demetri's bed, and if I wasn't mistaken, the cold form my body was snuggled up against under the covers was Demetri. My hand started to rub his bare chest, my fingers running through the light amount of hair he had. I hadn't opened my eyes yet but just smiled, feeling my man next to me. It dawned on me that this was my last day here. Tonight, Demetri and I would be flying back to Seattle where I would have about one month left to spend with Charlie before I moved to California, starting the next chapter of my life.
I'd miss everyone in Volterra, especially Demetri. I was so happy that I had fit in with everyone, and I could already feel the solid formation of many friendships among the Volturi. As I slowly opened my eyes, I was met with Demetri's warm smile. "Hey there," I greeted him with a stretch.
"Mornin', Bella. Looks like you had a good sleep," Demetri murmured, lifting the covers to reveal my naked form nestled against his side. He gently hoisted me on top of him and began to caress my back, creating a soothing sensation that almost tempted me to drift back to sleep. My head rested on his chest, just below his head, and my breasts pressed softly against his upper stomach. I might have succumbed to sleep again if not for the unmistakable hardening of his dick against my lower stomach. That certainly did the trick of waking me up fully. I raised my head and planted a sweet kiss on his lips, earning a smile from him as I playfully wriggled atop him, enjoying the sensation of him growing harder beneath me. "Well, it's your last day here. Anything special you'd like to do?"
I thought about what I might want to do. While I pondered, the restlessness I had begun feeling returned, and I knew what I desired. "You know, there is something we could do. I'd really like to go running with you, perhaps in the forest, where I could let out some excess energy. Back in Forks, I went running for miles every day and practiced daily with my abilities as well. These past two weeks, I've only used my abilities sparingly and not in my usual manner, and I haven't been running at all. For the past few days, I've started to feel a little restless at times, like I have to do something, but I don't know what. I can't be sure, but I think my abilities might be building up power over time, and if I don't have an outlet to let the power out, I start to feel a little jumpy. Our sexy time helps some, but it's just not the same as really going all out with my abilities. How about after breakfast, you show me a place, and we can really cut loose?"
Demetri smiled. "Of course, we can go running. In the future, though, if you ever feel restless or like you need to do something, please let me know. We could have incorporated more activities like that during our time here."
I appreciated Demetri's concern. "No, it wasn't a problem. It was only while we were in Greece that I started feeling this way. Let's go take a shower together and then head to the kitchen."
I loved taking showers with Demetri. Our shower time was always a fun and passionate affair. We liked to mix it up based on our moods. It could be a tender coupling, making love under the warm spray of the water. Or at other times, we'd let loose and explore all sorts of wild and energetic positions. This morning, I was feeling a little wired, so as soon as we stepped into the shower, I couldn't contain myself. I pounced on him, and as he skillfully held me up, my legs wrapped around his waist, as we indulged in an intense, frenzied rhythm.
I didn't hold back, pushing my body against his, moving fast and hard, eagerly chasing my release. He kept us under the constant stream of the showerhead, intensifying the moment. My climax built rapidly, and as it washed over me, I couldn't help but let out a joyful scream, my body shuddering in ecstasy. Demetri reached his peak at the same moment, and afterward, we remained closely entwined, our lips locked in passionate kisses, steam swirling around us within the glass confines of the spacious shower.
Eventually, we reluctantly separated, and Demetri gently washed my hair. As we dressed, I found it hard to tear my gaze away from him, the memories of our shower escapade replaying in my mind. I couldn't help but smile, thinking that all showers should be like that.
After I had a good breakfast, we headed off in one of the Volturi's vehicles with the standard heavily tinted windows. Demetri pulled off the main road about 20 miles outside of Volterra and continued driving for several more miles on a rough dirt road. We eventually stopped in a densely forested area. "I think this should work fine for your needs," he said, looking around.
Stepping out of the car, I took a moment to survey the forest. It had that familiar woodland scent, yet somehow, it didn't quite match the comforting feeling of the forests in Forks. I couldn't quite pinpoint the difference; perhaps it was the weather. The perpetual rain back in the Pacific Northwest always left the forests smelling fresher.
With my phone in hand, I reset the apps that tracked my speed and distance. After stowing it in my pocket, I turned to Demetri with a wry grin. "Ready for this? I'm planning to really push it, so you might want to prepare yourself for an extremely slow jog," I teased, laughter bubbling up. Though I'd be moving at a breakneck pace for a human, it would resemble nothing more than a leisurely stroll for a vampire.
"I'm all set. Let's see what you got," he teased right back. I nodded to him, and after stretching my muscles, I took off at a steady pace. After about three minutes, I signaled to him, and we really took off.
As I ran through the forest, the trees were moving by me so quickly. I relished the sensation, which felt even faster than the last time I'd opened up fully with Alice and Edward before coming here. I stole a glance at Demetri, and was struck by how amazing he looked running beside me.
I refocused my attention on the woods and pushed myself to go even faster. Just doing this, I could already feel myself starting to relax.
When we returned to the car about an hour later, I felt fantastic. I grinned at Demetri and said, "Thanks for that. I'm feeling a lot better now." I couldn't help but give him a warm hug, appreciating his company.
His eyes sparkled with amusement. "I'm glad. You were definitely going a lot faster than when we last raced in Phoenix," I pulled out my phone to check the running apps.
"You're right," I confirmed, looking at the data. "It shows I was running about 5 miles per hour faster than when I last ran with Alice and Edward. We covered close to 30 miles just now. Hmm, maybe I should consider signing up for some marathons," I chuckled, imagining the idea. Who would have ever thought that people could say, 'Bella Swan, the fastest woman in the world.'
Demetri's grin widened as he observed my joyful expression. "If you'd like to unleash even more energy, how about we pay a visit to the training center? I'm sure we can brainstorm some enjoyable games or exercises that will really help you push your abilities to the limit."
My eyes sparkled with excitement as I nodded. "That sounds perfect. Let's head there now." With eagerness, I hopped back into the car, my mind already racing with ideas.
"Push harder!" I bellowed at the top of my lungs. I found myself in the training center, positioned right in the middle of the arena, acting more like a drill sergeant. The fun with Demetri began with me erecting a shield in front of myself, and we engaged in a spirited contest to see if he could move or push back the shield. Despite his relentless effort, he couldn't budge it an inch. That's when Felix decided to join in. It seemed word then spread swiftly throughout the castle, drawing more and more vampires into the mix. Currently, there were approximately 20 vampires, a mix of both men and women, all exerting their strength—pushing, punching, running and slamming their shoulders into the shield in an attempt to force me back.
"You call yourselves vampires?" I shouted, pacing back and forth as I observed the line of supernatural creatures doing everything in their power to breach my shield. "This is embarrassing! Put some muscle into it. Felix, you look like you should be strong. Surely you're not taking it easy on me? You know you should easily overpower a small human like me." A wry grin played on my lips as my taunts spurred them to push themselves even harder. I silently kept to myself the fact that I felt nothing from their actions. The only effort I was feeling was in creating and maintaining the shield, which had become child's play at this point for me. It appeared that no matter how much force they exerted against it, once the shield was in place, it remained impervious as long as I willed it to be.
As I enjoyed my time interacting with the large group of vampires, I turned my head and spotted Caius observing me from the edge of the arena. He had his arms crossed over his chest and wore his usual scowl. I flashed him a smile. "Caius, finally a real vampire has come to best the puny human. Are you going to show these bozos how its done?"
I couldn't be entirely certain, but I thought I detected a slight glimmer of a smile at the corner of Caius's lips. "No, I'm perfectly content watching these fools make a mockery of themselves."
I nodded at him. "Smart man. It's good to know there's at least one of you with the brains to run this whole operation." I cast a glance at the assembled group. Feeling great, I decided to give them a little show. Although I didn't need to use my body, I thought it would look more impressive. With a backhanded swinging motion, I simultaneously pushed a shield out forcefully into Felix, sending him soaring back high into the air, landing in a jumble on the ground some 20 feet away.
"I think it's time to show you guys true power," I declared. With that, I began picking them off one by one. Vampires were sent flying in all directions as I mimicked striking them with my arms and fists while shooting shields at them. Finally, I stood alone, victorious. I just needed a vanquished opponent to put my foot on, allowing me to strike the same pose as the giant statue of the female vampire outside the training center.
"You guys were really close," I teased. "I almost felt something there at the end. Keep practicing. I'm sure in a few years, when I'm a vampire, you'll be much more prepared to take me on." I watched as Demetri rose up.
"Is it okay to reach you now?" he inquired.
"Yes, the shield's all gone," I smiled, and Demetri zipped to me, picking me up and spinning me in circles, making me laugh. We shared a passionate kiss before he put me down.
"I know I've said it before, but you're incredible, Bella," Demetri said, and I hugged him tightly, moved by his words.
"You're not so bad yourself." As I held onto him, I noticed Caius still watching us intently. Finally, he gave a small nod to me and turned to go back to the castle.
"After that workout, I'm a little hungry. Let's head to the kitchen, then sadly, I think I should start packing up, then saying goodbye to everyone," I told Demetri, and he nodded in agreement. As we turned to leave, I addressed everyone on the arena floor, expressing my gratitude. "Thanks, guys, for helping me practice. It was fun. Try to think up some different sports or exercises we could do for the next time I visit."
Later that night, it was time for us to leave. I had made so many friends while I was here, and we had all exchanged contact numbers so we could stay in touch. I told everyone that if they ever found themselves near LA, they should look me up. Before we left, we headed to the throne room. Upon reached it, I saw that the kings were all present, along with many of the Volturi, there to bid me farewell.
I smiled warmly at everyone as I walked in front of the kings and stopped. "I just wanted to thank you all for being so gracious and helping to make my stay here so pleasant. I had an amazing visit and would very much like to return before I come back on a more permanent basis."
Aro rose gracefully from his throne. "You are most welcome to return anytime, Bella. We would be delighted to have you call Volterra your future home, a sentiment shared by many here, especially Demetri, judging by the smile on his face."
I saw Marcus nodding along and as I was set to turn to leave, Caius spoke up, "You surprised me, Bella. I agree with Aro; you are welcome to return. I look forward to the day when you realize your full potential as a vampire. If you ever need anything, just ask, and the Volturi will be there for you."
I was quite surprised by his words, but I nodded my head. "Thank you, Caius. Until next time, everyone." With that, Demetri and I turned and exited the throne room through the grand doors that led us to the reception area and the elevators, our footsteps echoing in the halls.
As we entered the reception room, I saw the receptionist, Gianna, whom I had gotten to know slightly. I smiled at her. "Well, I'm off." Leaning in closer to her desk, I whispered, "Good luck." A reciprocal smile graced her lips as she nodded while Demetri and I got in the elevator.
I hadn't really wanted to get that close with the human staff at the castle. Knowing that vampires were killing nameless people was one thing, but knowing they killed someone that I knew was something different. I did hope she got her wish and became a vampire one day.
Are people still enjoying the story? Since the websites stats broke several weeks ago, I can't tell if anyone is still reading it, other than a couple of people who always leave comments. Please let me know, as it's a lot of work getting chapters out so quickly, and it makes me feel better if I know the story has an audience.
