[Chapter Nine]
If things were different, if Renee had never been turned into a vampire and was merely an absent mother, I know things would be harder when it comes to the knowledge, I am leaving Charlie behind. I'm not going to have to go through that, Charlie will stay home and count the rest of the year down mentally before he will leave during Christmas Break with Renee. She has no blood lust towards Charlie, apparently that has something to do with mates, so she'll be able to turn Charlie into a vampire before bringing him to Volterra to become part of the royal guard.
I don't really pay attention to what I decide to wear when I leave, merely glancing around my bedroom and thinking there's not much I would care to bring with me. I merely have a satchel filled with things that I can't replace, different jewelry passed down through the generations and given to me in the last two years. I even put the framed sitting photograph of me and Renee from the pier, the one in the past where I would look at with aggravation and sadness but have come to understand we were at different stages back then. Renee has grown since then, and it's one of the best photographs we have of both of us, we've never really had flattering photographs.
Heading downstairs, I notice that Charlie is standing by the fireplace with his hands folded together. His brown eyes, which will only last that color for so long before auburn overcomes the brown, try not to look everywhere. Renee is sitting on the couch, legs curled together, and a blanket thrown around her even if it's just for appearance's sake. Her crimson eyes are stuck on her ex-husband-now-boyfriend-once-again, as he fiddles with his hands and his mustache twitches. He's dressed down and not wearing his police uniform, in a plaid button up shirt with a generic sweater, a pair of old jeans that need to be replaced, and one of his numerous pairs of hiking boots.
Last night was one of the most stressful times in my life, so far. I didn't know how to feel about Charlie and Demetri being in the same room. Both men are completely protective of me, one from a fatherly point of view and another from a romantic point of view. Renee had to sit around me to make sure to protect me in case the pencil dropped, and shit happened. Yet they behaved cordially, knowing they were and still are doing this for me.
Renee never asked to be turned into a vampire, kill Phil, or come to me as a vampire.
Charlie never asked to learn the existence of vampires, especially when it comes to the fact he ends up being mated to his ex-wife.
I'm stuck with the knowledge I'm not only mated to a vampire, myself, but he happens to be one of the four head guardsmen of the Volturi and is extremely talented when it comes to his tracking skills–the skills having transferred from when he was an ancient Greek human man. I'm the one who will meet the Volturi first, to fall onto my knees and bow my head down, to show my respect towards them despite me knowing Aro and I will clash against each other instead of embracing each other in a freely made alliance…it will be an absolute alliance.
Demetri reaches me first and takes my satchel from me, deciding to leave to head out to the car he rented for us from Seattle. He gives one look towards Renee, as if reminding her the whole reason why he ended up in Forks to begin with. He gives his other look towards Charlie, pressing his lips together and studying him to remember what he looks like when he's still human. He still bows his head in acknowledgement, allowing Charlie to know he respects him even if he doesn't really know much about Charlie to begin with.
The front door shuts behind him in a resounding clink, enough for all three of us to stand for a few seconds. Almost as if we expect for Demetri to be testing me, making sure my loyalty is towards him and the Volturi instead of my parents. I'm not choosing a side; I just want to be able to walk a path without feeling as if I have to choose a side. I know that's very naive of me, quite stupid, but with my remaining time until I am in the Volturi I like to have that human naivety a little longer.
I turn and look at Charlie as he stands there, his eyes conflicted and his jaw clenched.
For a moment it's like I've signed up for the military, and the card says how long I will survive before someone kills me. He's sending me off to my own death, and I know it's the truth. I might end up being turned before he arrives or it might be held off, and he'll arrive as a vampire before I'm turned. I don't know, neither do they, on what will happen and even Alice Cullen (as much as her name leaves a bitter taste on the tip of my tastebuds), has said no one knows the whole truth when it comes to the future. We only see what is laid out in front of us, but it can be swept away and a whole new pathway is made in its place.
Reaching Charlie, I bite my lip and try not to water my eyes, as I stare at him.
His features, his warm skin, his brown eyes we will share for so long until we share the same red color as Renee. I both want him to reach his hands out and grab me but not at the same time. I don't know who grabs who first, but a moment later we are holding each other, and Charlie is sobbing. He has his hands tightening against the back of my shirt and uses as much as his strength as he can to make sure I won't leave him forever. I will not die, I will thrive, I won't walk into the Volturi and be immediately betrayed. I will be a survivor, like Renee, and I will not apologize for the means in which I will have my survival, and he knows this as he loosens his hands a few seconds later.
Pulling away from him, I reach my hands up and wipe away some of the tears from his cheekbones. There will be some tear-stained places, but they will go away in time. There will be times he will be unable to sleep at night, and there will be nights where he will want to drink more than one beer during the night. Renee will be there; she will protect him and be the shoulder in which he can lean on. They can bond even more due to the hiatus all three of us will have from each other.
"I'll be okay, Dad. I promise I will see you at the end of the year. I won't let them control me, I will still be your Bells," I promise, holding out my pinkie finger to him. Quick flickers of my childhood where that was our secret special thing for each other appear before they disappear into the recesses of my mind once more.
Charlie wraps his pinkie finger around mine, tightening it for a split second, before our pinkie fingers unwrap from each other. He drops his hand down next to his side, a part of his mustache twitches–a sign of his discontent with this whole being in the debt of the Volturi. I might have saved Renee and him, and myself, but he still doesn't like being told what to do and feels as if he's imprisoned by those he doesn't know and who don't need his respect.
Renee on the other hand is lost in her thoughts, her eyes not looking at anything in particular. I can't help but wonder if Demetri is talking to his superiors on the small phone he has, and she's making sure to gather as much material as she can. She lets her attention focus on me a moment later, features bland but still so beautiful in immortality. She's not going to let me know what she had just learnt, if she had learnt anything interesting.
"I trust that you will know what to do. You haven't ever disappointed me, and I'm sorry if I ever made you think you weren't treasured. I also know Demetri will make sure to protect you, even if you know you can protect yourself to an extent. Keep in contact with me through email and know the Cullens can't do anything. We are under the protection of the Volturi," Renee softly informs me, reaching out with her hand and brushing stray pieces of my hair away from my face in a motherly manner. She presses her lips together and there are no tears that are coming into her eyes.
Nodding my head seriously, I promise back to her I will. I accept the small kiss on the cheek from her, the fragrant mint scent upon her another reminder she won't smell anything other than it. Well at least that's what she'll smell like when it comes to me still being human, thankfully once I've changed, I will be able to smell her own unique vampire scent. She won't always smell like those stupid breath mints that are in those expensive restaurant restrooms with the restroom attendant.
Leaving the house behind me, I'm thankful it's early enough in the morning that only a few people would be awake. It's in the late hours of the night, early hours of the morning, depending on how you see it, and the light hasn't come through. My thick fabric hoodless hoodie, and light weight sweatpants don't really give an elegant look towards the whole going and meeting royalty. My hair is barely combed down and I know without any makeup I look quite tired. I'm in the perfect state for traveling, but not for meeting the Volturi.
The side door of the car is opened, once Demetri leans over and unlocks it for me.
There is hot exhaust coming out of the exhaust pipes, due to the contrast of temperature from the warmed-up engine and car to the cold and dreary weather.
The winter is gone, and it's supposed to be summer, but somehow today it's a reminder how winter wants to stay a little longer here in Forks than anyone wants it to. Except for the weirdos who like winter and snow.
I climb into the car and sigh in relief at the low heat that is on. Demetri doesn't say anything about the sigh of relief, it's one thing I'm jealous of when it comes to being a vampire.
The whole not having to worry about being too hot or too cold, all the temperature is average for them. They could skinny dip under the frozen ice of a lake through a cracked part of the ice and not have to worry about anything at all when it comes to getting hyperthermia or dying of frostbite.
Demetri wordlessly turns on the radio to a random station as though to let me know he knows I don't like complete silence. He's heard me complain about the truck I had received and how the radio stations were always crappy whenever I tried to listen to them. Now I don't have to worry about any of that, the music that is playing calms me.
We don't talk about the time it takes to get up to Seattle, the whole two hours of driving, and the music being our only company makes the whole thing both relaxing and stressful at the same time. It reminds me how I'm leaving America all entirely, and how this time in the rented car is the last time I can memorize the cities I pass through. It doesn't make me sad though, this is just another stage of my life and leaving this country means leaving behind the annoyance of people whispering about how I'm the girl in school who had her mother brutally murdered.
When we arrive at the airport, Demetri is at my side of the car before I can blink. If it weren't for Renee being a vampire, I am certain I would have a slight jump of my heart at the speed. Thankfully I can have a somewhat normal reaction at him appearing on my side of the car and opening the door for me like the gentleman he is.
I climb out of the car once I unbuckle my seatbelt, and he waits patiently for me. He's learnt not to unbuckle my seatbelt from me or else I would tell him I'm not a little child once again. He merely reaches his hand out and I put my hand in his as he helps me out of the car. I lightly brush my fingers against his hand to let him know I appreciate him doing these little things for me, things that let me know I'm worthwhile while in the past I thought I was merely a burden.
I'm not surprised when we bypass security, knowing it must have something to do with being a vampire and being royalty. I wouldn't be surprised if there are fake documents of him being a family member of the current president of Italy, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi. The airport would be flustered at having a president's family member coming through the airport from another country, and they wouldn't ask questions. Well, that and I'm certain a little vampiric charm would go a long way.
The sleek private jet is waiting for us on the tarmac, and the pilot along with the stewardess are waiting by the stairs of the jet. They are both Italian and are probably the private pilot and stewardess of the Volturi.
If they spend enough time being employed by the vampiric monarchy, they might possibly be able to become vampires.
They just don't have to ask questions when the Volturi doesn't ask them of some, or else I'm certain they would probably be disposed of and have someone new take their spot. I don't have to ask Demetri if this is true, the way the stewardess and the pilot act it's almost as if they are waiting for a cup full of water from the fountain of youth to be handed to them.
I don't pay attention to the stewardess and pilot as they introduce themselves to me, their eyes more than intrigued about a human almost showing a close relationship with one of their guardsmen.
They want to ask these questions on what my relationship with Demetri is, but they keep their mouths shut. They know better than to say anything, and honestly, I wouldn't be able to know much of what they would be saying because of the thick Italian accents they use (well that and they mostly speak in Italian towards Demetri).
Demetri takes my hand and leads me up the stairs of the plane and my eyes widen at the obvious wealth of the cabin. The Italian leather sofa and the marble coffee table in the middle of the carpeted cabin, along with the sculptures of famous glass blowers remind me I am in the presence of one of the richest monarchies of the world. It wouldn't be too astonishing if they are the richest monarchy in the world, due to their immortality.
We head over to where the sofa is and I plop down, smiling some when Demetri hands me a beautiful fuzzy blanket, most likely faux of an animal and wraps me up in it like a cocoon or a chrysanthemum. He kisses me on the top of my head and the stewardess goes behind the curtain where the small kitchen is before bringing back a glass of blood for Demetri and an Italian Cream Soda for me. I quietly thank them and take a sip of the drink, smiling once more.
I quietly wonder if this will be the same for Charlie and Renee, if they will have the same stewardess and pilot taking them from here to Italy. That is if they are still alive to take care of the Volturi and aren't replaced because they didn't do something stupid. Renee would probably have a glass of blood too, and Charlie would be given a can of his favorite beer if he is still human, if not then he would get a cup of blood also.
As I sip on my beverage I glance over at Demetri while he drinks his blood, his crimson eyes having a far-off look. He most likely is thinking of what it will be like when we arrive in Volterra. He might possibly try and keep me away from the kings as long as he can, in order for me to become adjusted to the whole Volturi situation…and I don't blame him.
"What are you thinking about, Demetri?"
Demetri glances over at me before he reaches his hand out and takes mine in his. I almost shiver due to drinking a cold beverage and having a vampire touching me with their freezing skin. He seems to notice though and drops his hand. He gives me an apologetic look, but I merely reach my hand out and wave it, in a way to dismiss his worry. He's not dry ice, where if my bare skin is touching him, I might possibly lose my hand.
"I'm thinking about how I'm going to show you around the city before I have to take you to the castle. I want you to get a feel of the city before we have to deal with the kings. I don't want to just throw you at the sharks immediately. Well, that and we'll get to stay away from the twins for as long as we can," Demetri informs me.
I smile at what he says, and remark, "thanks. I'm not too excited about meeting the kings. Especially Aro, since I don't care about him at all. A person needs privacy and I've already dealt with a mind-reader, even if he couldn't remind me."
The weather is nice when we arrive in Italy, and I loosen up as I leave the plane and notice the car waiting for us. It's one of the best cars currently on the market and I merely roll my eyes at it. Demetri chuckles some from my obvious annoyance at how flashy the Volturi are. He doesn't say anything, instead he takes my hand and leads me to the car. He gets into the driver's seat, and I get into the passenger seat, thankful that there isn't some chauffeur waiting for us in the driver's seat, and obviously turning to look at me in order to know how I know the Volturi.
Eventually we reach Volterra, which is built on a cliff and my eyes widen at the beauty of the place. It's almost as if I'm being taken back into time.
There are fields all around the city, reminding me not only of how old the city is but also the reason why they had decided to stay here for so long. They are able to rule the city behind the scenes and the city is more than grateful for their presence, even if they do not know what they truly are. All they think is the current owners of the castle happen to be descendants of themselves.
"It's beautiful, I can see why you decided to stay," I can't help but whisper, still enthralled by the scene before me.
Next to me Demetri merely shrugs his shoulders, as if telling me in time I will be accustomed to the city and might possibly think that it is a prison to me instead of paradise. It most likely ends up being the former.
Demetri parks the car near the beginning of the city, and once again he helps me out of the car. He's already flipped the hood of his hoodie over his head and stuffed his hands into the pockets of his pants in order for no one to see him having sparkly skin. He's wearing sunglasses and it's not cloudy enough for people to question it. I wrap my arm around his and he leads me forward into the city, my brown eyes studying the old buildings around me.
Some people wave at me, and I awkwardly reach my free hand up and wave back at them.
They beam happily at how I've acknowledged them. I wonder if Renee and Charlie will do the same thing, if they will wave hello to the city residents or if Renee will want to lead Charlie to the castle immediately. I like to think they will acknowledge them, if not briefly, and I'm thinking between the two of them it would be Charlie who would do so. Renee would probably be rushing Charlie to the castle so they can get settled and see me.
There are businesses that both have been here for a long time and others that are newer. My eyes land on one of the businesses, noting how it is an antique store. I can't help but stop and notice how there is a portrait of the kings hanging in the storefront on a display wall. My eyes study the whole portrait, noting how all three of the kings are abnormally beautiful.
Moving forward to the storefront, Demetri almost seems as though he wants to yank me away from the display window. I shoot him a look and he slump some as I move forward to the window, looking closer at the kings I will meet.
Three vampires stand in the foyer of the castle.
To the far left there is a long blond (so long it almost falls to his hip bones) vampire with a white Vicuna robe with embroidered golden flowers throughout it. He reminds me of the fae, and with his strong cheekbones and stern crimson eyes he almost sends shivers down my spine in a terrible manner. He could break your neck in seconds or set you on fire and would laugh happily at your demise.
"Caius, he's the one who is in charge of the guard. He's the one who oversees the executions of those who go against us. He leads the hunt for those who are the most troublesome and need one of the kings to interfere. He's almost made the Lycanthropes go extinct, and he claims he won't stop hunting them until they are all dead."
"Wow, he sounds lovely," I reply sarcastically, rolling my eyes at the thought of having to meet someone like him. I know I will need to be careful or else he might possibly kill me even if I am the mate of one of the four heads of the guard.
The middle king has long black hair that falls to his shoulders and an almost crazed look in his cloudy red eyes. He wears the same robes as his king brother and has almost paper-like skin. I don't have to hear Demetri say it, even if he does, to know this is Aro. There would be no mistaking the crazed look and knowing he is the collector of the three.
The last king on the right makes a ping go through my chest, there is this sadness that is etched into him. Unlike his counterparts he's wearing a black version of the robes. There is a veil that falls a few inches above his lips, and I can't see any details of his face. He's obviously in mourning, he's not someone who seems as if he would ever get over the death of his loved one, most likely he had lost his mate.
"Marcus, the only king who is fair. He's the one who can know the bond between mates, like you know how Aro can read minds through a touch of skin. He lost Didyme, his mate who could make anyone happy, three hundred years before the castle had been built. He's never seen without his veil on, and I'm certain if someone was strong enough and brave enough, they would make sure to kill him. He wants to join Didyme but Aro will not let him. Didyme was also Aro's sister," Demetri explains, and I listened to him eagerly.
For a split second I think of an assisted suicide, and I think how if Marcus comes forward and asks me to be the one to kill him, I will do so without hesitation. I'm still quite new with the whole mate thing and am slowly holding an adoration towards Demetri (for now it is mutual respect) and I know if someone had murdered him, I would kill them before asking someone to kill me in order for me to be with Demetri once again.
As if he senses this Demetri shakes his head.
"No, Bella. Don't even think about putting him out of his misery. You might already hold a grudge against Aro but if you kill his brother-in-law, it would be an all-out war for him. He likes holding this power over him and if you do so it will be a blow for him," Demetri warns me, and I nod my head even if a part of me thinks he can't control me when it comes to my final decision on helping Marcus be with Didyme once again.
We wander around for a little while longer, staying in the shadows when we can, but before long we know we can only stay away from the castle and kings for so long. So, we head towards the castle, and I can only hope I can stand toe-to-toe with the kings.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: here is the latest chapter of 'Blood of the Divine'. I hope you enjoyed the chapter. There is about 5 chapters left of the fanfiction. I just want to tell you already that Demetri and Bella don't have a kid in this story.
as always: Twilight doesn't belong to me.
-it'semmynotemma