Chapter 44
By the end of my first year of college, I could say without a doubt that I enjoyed every aspect of college much more than high school. Having the freedom to choose classes that truly interested me and being surrounded by other young adults who were eager to learn was a welcome change. The only thing I would have wished to be different was the number of times Demetri was able to visit.
My second year of college seemed to be flying by, and Christmas vacation had already arrived. I was on my way to the airport to meet Demetri, as we were planning to spend most of my break in Italy. It had been a few months since his last visit, and although being apart was tough, our daily conversations helped ease the pain. As I reached the terminal for private planes, I spotted him waiting for me, and I ran to him, jumping into his arms and hugging him with all my strength.
After a good minute, he finally let me down, but I wasn't having any of that. I seized his shirt, pulling him closer until our lips met. When we finally broke the kiss, I let out a sigh, and my body felt right once again. "I've missed you," I whispered into his ear. Demetri rubbed my back, and when I finally pulled away, I smiled up at him as his smile was just as radiant. Demetri wrapped his arm around my waist and guided me toward the hangar and the waiting jet. As we walked, I couldn't help but feel excited, exclaiming, "I can't wait to return to Volterra."
"We're all looking forward to your visit as well. You certainly left an impression on everyone during your first trip," Demetri said, giving my waist a gentle squeeze. We soon boarded the jet and settled into the cockpit. I observed Demetri's actions closely as he prepared the plane for takeoff. I was aware that he would eventually teach me to fly once I became a vampire, but I saw no harm in learning a bit about it while I was still human.
As we took off into the air, I couldn't help but smile. I knew that soon our reunion would lead to much more enjoyable physical activities, but at this moment, all I wanted was to be in Demetri's presence and relax. College was hectic, and my classes, although incredibly interesting, were anything but easy. For the past few months, aside from my daily exercise and practicing with my abilities in the early morning hours, I rarely had a night off to relax with my friends. This vacation couldn't have come at a better time.
Demetri turned to me after engaging the autopilot and grinned. "So one year down. I'm thrilled your first year of school went so smoothly. Tell me more about the new classes you're taking this year."
I let out a calming breath, simply being in his presence made me feel better. "I'm taking many more science-related classes this year, and I'm pretty sure I'll end up majoring in science." I slipped off my shoes to get more comfortable, and Demetri took it a step further by pulling my feet onto his lap and giving them a nice massage. It felt amazing; he knew just the right amount of pressure to apply and where to apply it. "I've come to realize that I'm insatiably curious about how everything works. It might be due to my own abilities and those of other vampires. I just want to learn as much as possible about myself, others, and how the world functions. I think science will be the key to satisfying my thirst for knowledge. I'm aware that there are things we can't explain, and while vampires have supernatural aspects, not everything that's unexplained is magic. I want to work on unraveling these mysteries." Then a thought struck me, something I had never asked before, "Are there any vampire scientists out there?"
Demetri smiled. "No, I don't know of any vampire scientists. I would say Carlisle is probably the closest you'll find. Most vampires tend to shape their interests and careers around their human lives in some way. As many vampires are older than dirt, the sciences weren't really a thing during our human days. But, I think you'd make an excellent vampire scientist."
"Well then, I'll just have to be the first. Just imagine all the groundbreaking work I'll get to do. I hope you won't mind playing a crucial role in many of my future experiments," I said, smiling at him.
Demetri gazed at me with a sly grin, clearly envisioning something more than just experiments. "I don't mind at all. First thing we'll need to get you is a white lab coat, so you'll look the part," he said, his eyes dancing with suggestion. "And maybe you could put your hair into a bun and wear some black horn-rimmed glasses." His voice lowered as he continued, "Yes, I can picture you now, holding your clipboard as you write down your findings after carefully examining my entire body." While he said this, it was evident that he had something much more intimate in mind, fantasizing about me dressing up as some seductive lab geek.
His words stirred my own desires, and I found myself contemplating the same ideas he had already ventured into. Over the past year, I had become much more open in everything I did, and embarrassment was a thing of the past since I left for college. My free-spirited nature had kindled my own interest in creating various role-playing games with Demetri. We would engage in these games over the internet when he was away, or we'd indulge in much more enjoyable ones when he visited. I loved acting out different roles and fun scenarios we came up with. If it weren't for my newfound passion for the sciences, I'm pretty sure I'd be diving into drama and other expressive classes during my years at UCLA. So, if Demetri wanted to kickstart our fun now, I was all too eager and more than ready. I grinned at the leering look he gave me. "Oh, I like the sound of that. We've never played doctor before."
I straightened my body and retracted my feet from Demetri's lap. Clearing my throat, I adopted a more professional tone. "Ah, Mr. Volturi, thank you for agreeing to participate in this scientific experiment. You've been selected for our study on bodily fluids. I must caution you; this is a very comprehensive study, and I hope you are not easily embarrassed as I will need to collect samples of all your bodily fluids, including a semen sample. Will this be an issue, Mr. Volturi?"
Demetri grinned. "No, that won't be an issue at all. I'll do anything I can to help you with your study. Do you need that semen sample right now, Miss Swan?"
"It's Doctor Swan, Mr. Volturi, and no, we'll save collecting all the samples I need for the end. First, I need to take down some information for our records. Now, to begin, Mr. Volturi, will you also allow me to take a blood sample?" I reached for a magazine in a side compartment of the cockpit and a pen, as if preparing to take detailed notes.
"I'm sorry, I don't have any blood... Doctor Swan," Demetri said straightforwardly, his tone carrying a playful undertone.
"Patient has no blood," I announced while pretending to write the information down. I lifted my eyes, locking onto Demetri's crimson gaze. "Well, that is a bit concerning. We'll have to investigate the reason for that at a later date. Now, if I provide you with a specimen container, would you be able to go to the restroom and provide a urine sample?"
"Sorry, I haven't needed to pee in a while," Demetri said matter-of-factly, though I noticed the slight edges of his lips lifting up, and it appeared as though he was struggling to contain his laughter.
"Oh, you're having trouble urinating? When was the last time you went to the bathroom successfully?" I inquired, attempting to maintain my own composure and stay in character.
"About 2500 years ago. Is that abnormal? I never thought to mention it before," Demetri said innocently.
"Hmm. Yes, your doctor really should have noticed you were having this issue when it first started. Who was your general practitioner 2500 years ago?"
"Well, the thing is, Doctor Swan, when I started having the urine problem, it was in conjunction with some other issues I was going through at the time. I did go to see my local physician, but I ended up eating him," Demetri concluded his statement with a devilish grin.
"Patient likes to eat people," I stated out loud while making note of it. I looked back up at Demetri. "Well, I hope you no longer have that predilection. I've never dealt with a potential cannibal before."
"I do, but the urge is not as strong as it once was. I think you're safe, Doctor Swan," Demetri grinned.
"Okay, let me just check over your chart here. So, no blood and no urine. I guess we'll have to settle for just a semen sample. That is, if you have semen, Mr. Volturi? Are you even able to still get an erection after 2500 years? Many men like you in their advanced years can't get it up. I assume you take excessive amounts of Viagra?"
"Ah, no, I've never had issues like that. I can prove it if need be," Demetri responded, clearly trying to assert his virility.
"Please be professional, Mr. Volturi. I am a licensed medical examiner. Now, judging by your lascivious tone, it seems you've been rather promiscuous. Approximately how many sexual partners have you had in your lifetime?"
Demetri answered immediately, "12,348. Is that a high number?"
I looked up at Demetri and wondered if he had really kept track. I wouldn't put it past him. But, staying in character, I said slowly while pretending to write it down, "Patient admits to being a man-whore." I looked up at Demetri and smiled. "Okay, I think I have all the information I need for the study. Let's go get that semen sample. It's probably best to go to my office. Follow me, please." I stood up and went to the main cabin, sitting in one of the leather chairs. Demetri followed me, sitting down in the chair opposite me.
"Very well, Mr. Volturi. I'll provide you with a container. You can proceed to the restroom and collect the necessary sample for our examination."
"Ah, that might be a problem, Doctor Swan. You see, I had a little mishap with my hands the other day. I'm having trouble gripping anything at the moment," Demetri said with a suggestive grin.
"Oh, I wish you would have mentioned this earlier. I could have had Todd, my assistant, help you, but he's already left for the day. Let me think for a minute as this presents quite a problem and I don't know how to resolve the issue. It's absolutely crucial that I obtain this sample immediately; otherwise, it will compromise the entire study. Time is of the essence," I declared, my expression filled with disappointment. The tone of my voice emphasized my concern and anxiety about my research. "But how ever will I obtain the necessary specimen from you?" I pondered aloud, deep in thought.
Finally, I lifted my head, appearing unsure yet resolute in what needed to be done. "I mean, I suppose there is one way... but I'm not sure, it could be seen as rather scandalous. You might find the mere suggestion highly offensive, and, of course, it's quite unethical. But I could assist you in obtaining the sample," I said, moistening my lips in preparation for what I was about to do.
Demetri's smile widened, nearly reaching ear to ear. "That is very kind of you, Doctor. Yes, I would greatly appreciate any assistance you can offer."
"Alright, in the name of science, I'm prepared to do what must be done. Please lower your pants and underwear, Mr. Volturi, and we can complete this procedure, allowing you to continue with your day. I want to extend my gratitude for your participation in our study."
I watched entertained as Demetri slowly unbuckled his belt and dropped his pants, then bent over, pulling down his underwear and righted himself up so his crotch was right in line with my face. His dick was long and hanging there, aroused but not fully hard yet. I looked up at him and licked my lips. Thank God for scienceā¦
When we arrived in Volterra, I felt quite satisfied and well-rested. After Demetri and I had had our fun sexy time, I managed to get a good amount of sleep in. This time, I knew exactly what to expect as we walked through the long, wide hallways of the castle. I greeted everyone like friends, and they returned the gesture. As we reached the throne room, I received a much warmer welcome than on my first visit. Even, Caius was surprisingly pleasant, wishing me a pleasant stay.
As we exited the throne room, I couldn't help but wonder aloud, "It's Christmas time; don't you guys celebrate it? I don't see any decorations."
Demetri smiled and replied, "Many of us are older than the holiday itself, so the tradition never really caught on here. But if there's anything you'd like to do for the holiday, I'd be happy to help."
After a brief pause, I suggested, "You know, it might be fun for us to take a trip to the forest one night. We could search for a nice large pine tree, and I'll slice it off at the base and you could carry it. Then, maybe we could set it up in the reception area for the human receptionists and we could decorate it. My mom and I never really celebrated during my childhood, so trying it out once could be a nice experience to see what it's like."
"Sounds like a plan. We'll definitely do that. Come on, let's drop your bag off in our room. I'm really glad you'll be staying with me from now on."
"Me too. Once I'm all settled, let me grab a quick bite in the kitchen, and then I'd really like to go to the training center. I feel like really pushing the limits of my abilities. I've been putting in a lot of work trying to expand and strengthen my protection shield this past year, or at least I think that's what I've been doing. It's tough to be sure if it's working without another vampire with abilities to test against."
When we finally made it to the training center, I noticed it was pretty crowded. Felix was conducting drills at one end, and there were many others sparring around the arena, just looking to have a good time. "Hey, Bella. How have you been?" I turned my head to see Jane had appeared beside me.
I smiled; I'd stayed in touch with Jane and many others over the past year. "I've been great, Jane. College is going really well." I took a quick glance at the short vampire. "You're looking good." She did look better than the last time I had seen her. Her clothes were more stylish, with brighter colors. I thought, now all she had to do was loosen up that hair, and she would be every teenage boy's wet dream. "Want to help me with some training?"
"Sure, who do you want me to zap?" she replied with a devilish grin.
"We can save the zapping for later. Since I was here last, I've learned a new way to use my shield, and I think you'd have fun trying it out. It's a bit hard to explain, but it's like I'm creating flat shields that someone could walk on. They're invisible, so you won't see anything as you walk, but it's quite fun to walk on thin air. Are you game?" I raised my eyebrows at Jane.
"Sure, that sounds interesting," Jane replied, looking excited.
I gave Demetri, who was still beside me, a quick kiss and a nod to let him know I was cool and that he could go spar if he wanted to.
"Great. I'm going to try something new with you. I'll be creating shields like a staircase, and I want you to walk up them. But don't move too quickly; a normal human walking pace should be good for me to deploy new shields for each step you take. Now, I'll apologize in advance in the event you fall off, but being a vampire, at least you can't get hurt. Let's see if you can walk up to the skylights in the center of the training center. Just don't make any sudden changes in your course. We'll need to work together, anticipating each other's moves. A regular, straight walk should work well for these initial tests. You ready?"
I watched her nod with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. I couldn't help but add, "Just think of it, Jane. You'll be the first person in all of human history to ever walk up an invisible staircase. What would that girl of a 1,000 years ago think if she could see you today?" We both had smiles on our faces as we imagined it.
"Oh, I think walking up the invisible staircase would be the least of her questions," she replied coyly, flashing a wide smile that revealed both rows of her gleaming white teeth. Then, she playfully made chomping noises, biting down repeatedly, creating a distinct sound that made me burst into laughter. She was probably right.
We descended to the training ground floor, and I pointed out the path Jane should follow, indicating her final destination. With that, I created the first shield and nodded to Jane.
I watched her closely as she took her first step onto the invisible shield. At first, she moved cautiously, clearly adapting to this entirely new experience. As she found herself a foot above the ground, she extended one leg to feel the flat shield's boundaries, determining its diameter. Gaining confidence, she ventured to the next level and then the next, moving with more assurance. After a while, she turned her head and offered me a smile. I returned the smile and nodded, encouraging her to keep going.
Jane continued to climb the invisible staircase, and by the time she had ascended 20 feet in the air, I could sense that more vampires had ceased their own sparring to watch Jane's ascent. To any observer, it appeared as though she was scaling the heights of the training center on nothing but air.
She pressed on until she reached the center of the vast glass roof of the training center, designed to let in extra light. Jane lightly touched the windows and then looked down at all of us far below, a wide grin on her face.
"Great job, Jane!" I called out, my voice filled with enthusiasm. "Why don't you write 'Jane was here' with your fingernail?" I smiled as I watched her follow my suggestion and etch her name onto the metal support between two panes of glass. "Now, don't move for a moment." I held the shield she was standing on steady, ensuring she remained supported.
With the shield held safely in place, I swiftly made my way to the other side of the training grounds. "Okay, Jane, start walking down in a straight line towards me, just like before." I observed as she took her first step downward. It must have been quite intimidating, feeling like your stepping off into nothingness, even if your invulnerable to injury. Soon, she found her stride, walking at a normal pace, and before long, she stepped onto the ground right in front of me. As she did, cheers and claps erupted from the other vampires who had been watching. Jane and I both wore broad smiles, and I was relieved that the test had been a success.
"That was crazy, Bella. I've never seen anything like that," she said with an intrigued expression in her eyes. "You know, we should give it another go before you head back, but this time, let's do it in the gardens. It would be fascinating to have someone else spray a water hose at your shield and we can see what it looks like. We might discover other interesting things about it."
"That's a brilliant idea," I replied, my mind already racing with thoughts about potential experiments. "I've never tried deploying this type of shield in the rain, so that would be a fantastic experiment. Similarly, I wonder what would happen if someone used spray paint on the shield, and then I made the shield disappear. What would happen to the paint? There are so many different things we could test out."
I smiled, along with Jane, both of us excited about the possibilities and the fun we could have. "Alright, I'm sure you want to test your zappy power without anyone getting pissed at you. Let's see how well I can protect Demetri from it now that I've been practicing for a year. We'll have him walk further and further away from me, and I'll try to shield him. You can keep zapping him, but please stop as soon as he gets beyond my shield and feels the pain, okay?" Jane nodded with that same devilish grin. She must really enjoy zapping people, but it was all in the name of science. "Demetri," I called, and he zipped over to me.
"Yes, Bella?" Demetri said with a smile as he wrapped his arms around my waist, drawing me closer. I smiled in return, enjoying the closeness. Demetri added, "That last test was amazing, by the way."
"I'm glad you liked it. Would you mind helping us with another test? I'd like to shield you from Jane's power, but this time I want you to walk away from me slowly, and we can see the maximum distance I can protect you from."
Demetri's smile faded slightly, but he nodded nonetheless. We started the test, and fortunately, all my hard work had paid off as he managed to walk about 200 feet away from me before he fell to his knees, crying out in pain. Thankfully, Jane must have stopped instantly, as Demetri quickly regained his composure and stood up. I rushed over to him to make sure he was okay. It was another successful test. As I hugged him, I contemplated what we could test next; the possibilities seemed endless.
We spent the remainder of the day at the training center, and when evening fell, I headed out with Demetri, joined by several others, on my first venture through downtown Volterra. We stopped at a restaurant for me, and afterward, we hit a club to dance and enjoy ourselves. On this trip, I didn't have any plans to travel far and wide to see the sights. This time, I simply wanted to unwind after a long year at school and hang out with my friends.
Demetri and I did go out the next night to get that Christmas tree, and we set it up together in the reception room when we got back. We also bought some tinsel and other ornaments from a few shops around the castle. When it came time to place the star at the top of the tree, Gianna started laughing when I wrapped Demetri in a shield and floated him up, so he could easily set it in place. I turned and smiled, winking at Gianna, who was still human, so at least no one had eaten her yet.
Let me know your thoughts.
