"When you start to realise how much of you constructed of yourself is based on deception and lies, that is a horrifying realisation."
Jordan Peterson
As they passed the stone corridors of the ancient castle, the Cullens started to notice that the architecture grew older and older as they passed.
"Where's the city?" Rosalie sounded confused.
"Down below. You'll see it soon enough," Gabrielle's voice sounded like a warning not to ask any further questions now. Bella remembered what she had said about the Vampire Queen being able to see with her gift, or even 'project herself', as the vampire Yakov claimed. It sounded an awful lot of what Billy and Old Quil had said around the bonfire with the pack and their families and imprints: what Billy said what the Quileute warriors could do before Taha Aki first turned into a wolf and passed the gift down to his descendants.
That made her wonder. Before she could stop herself, she asked Gabrielle. "That vampire- Yakov- he said something about Lady Laima projecting herself? What does that mean?"
Gabrielle paused. "Astral-projection," she said. "Is when the soul or the body's consciousness leaves its physical abode to appear or travel to wherever they wish."
Bella halted for a moment. "And she can do this?"
Gabrielle inclined her head. "Yes." She confirmed. "They both can. Although they can also simply use her Sight to see wherever, whoever and whenever they wish." She pursed her lips.
Emmett asked, "So how do we know the Vampire Queen's not watching us right now? Or the First Vampire Markus?"
Gabrielle paused. "We don't. But I do believe they would have at least been aware of us when we first arrived. They can sense us, even if they can't see us. They have always watched over their race."
Emmett grunted. "That makes me feel better."
"I hardly doubt they would infringe upon your privacy," Gabrielle pointed out. They entered a hall where lords and ladies would have feasted at some point. There were massive tapestries hanging from the walls, a wrought-iron chandelier set with candles hanging above, tables pushed to the side set with embroidered tablecloths and ornate gold dishes, goblets and cutlery, studded with gems. Briefly, Bella wondered what vampires would do with cutlery and a feasting hall.
The stone arches in the ceiling reminded her of the ones at their cottage back in Forks. A pang struck her heart, but she forced herself to keep moving, if only to get away from the reminders.
Another time, she would have been eager and fascinated to be there, as would they all.
Gabrielle veered a sharp left and they entered a narrow stone hall. They went past empty suits of armour, polished to a shine and holding various weapons, tapestries and oil paintings whose eyes seemed to follow them as they moved. The stone floor was covered with a narrow carpet, but apart from the tapestries and paintings, the walls were bare granite. Bella knew that it would've been freezing if they hadn't been vampires. Again, she wondered if Gabrielle had done magic to warm herself, or if she was naturally immune, and if that was the latter case, whether it was because she was a witch, a hybrid or that Veela-creature that she claimed her mother was.
Maybe half-human people were common among witches, Bella reasoned. But maybe there were half-vampire- Dhampir- children running around somewhere. She distinctly remembered Gabrielle telling them that some of the older species of vampires could reproduce by having children, and that there were probably a few somewhere in this place. She felt a lump in her throat.
If that was the case, briefly, she wished Renesmee was here. If she couldn't hang around human kids at Forks, then the least Bella could give her were friends just like her, around the same age, whom she didn't have to hide herself from. Whom she could be herself in front of; be a child, free and happy. Bella swallowed. It was as if she'd uncovered a mountain of regrets that she'd been ignoring for so long, because she'd put off thinking about it until Charlie confronted her during their talk. It was there, but she hadn't noticed, maybe because she felt it was natural to her landscape, like actual mountains, or maybe because she thought that they were necessary to the safety of her loved ones, and being with them- forever.
Bella swallowed again, feeling wetness in her eyes, although she couldn't physically cry. It felt like a punch to the face. A well-deserved punch to the face. How could she have been such an uncaring idiot, in regards to the feelings of those she loved? Her father and Renesmee among them?
If Edward were here, he would immediately put her mind at ease, Bella realised. If Edward were here, he would immediately soothe her fears, her worries and insecurities. And she would listen, pushing aside all that. Even her conscience.
Briefly, Bella remembered when Alice had presented her with the cottage. Esme and Alice- the latter for once thinking about Bella's tastes- presented her with the cottage, only for Alice's smile to slip a little when she asked why Esme wasn't there to present her gift in person.
Alice had hinted that they were afraid that Bella wouldn't like the gift- even though she loved it. But she'd been afraid, as much as she pretended otherwise. As much as Edward had denied it. Alice had said that they didn't want to put any pressure on her to like the gift, or pretend that she did, in case she didn't. Bella bit her lip. She'd felt awful afterwards, wondering if she really had been that bad, but Edward had quickly reassured her and she quickly forgot all about the incident.
Now, she wasn't so sure. Maybe Alice and Esme did plan on giving them some alone-time, but overall, that smile fading a little was genuine. Alice had been afraid of her reaction, that she wouldn't like it. That she'd be upset, after all they'd planned. And after all, why wouldn't she?
Guilt squirmed her gut. Bella was perfectly aware of that mountain of guilt that she'd been ignoring for so long only seemed to grow higher. She ran through them: her teachers whose tests, assignments and classes she either skipped or been a human zombie in, but who still helped her graduate from high school and get good-enough grades to get accepted into Dartmouth. Her employer, Mrs Newton who kept her even as she became a zombie or grew suicidally irresponsible, been rude to customers, dropped what she was doing at random moments to get with Jacob, even snitched from the storeroom at one point (she did it out of spite when one of the other employees complained about her to Mrs Newton who confronted her). Jake and Mike whom she'd led on, without ever intending to be with either of them, to the point where Jacob was forced to watch as she almost died, though he still stayed to protect her. Jessica and Angela who had been the first to welcome her to Forks and whom she had been friends with, but ignored soon after, in favour of hanging out with Edward and Alice. Especially Jessica whose safety she'd also put in danger during her stint in Port Angeles with the bikers. Bella cringed at her own stupidity. And Charlie and Nessie whom she'd hurt more than anyone else.
But something else tugged at the edge of her consciousness. It wasn't something that she'd been aware of until now: as overwhelming as her guilt, as much as she'd hated herself; Bella wasn't the only contributing factor to that mountain of guilt she was now facing.
Somehow, as much as she hated to admit it, she wasn't the only one to blame. Jake had forcibly kissed her, even though she made it clear that she didn't want him to. That she was in a committed relationship, regardless of what he felt about Edward at the time. And he sure as hell didn't mean it when he used King Solomon's story about the women with the baby when he told her he was letting her go because he didn't want her to feel the way she did: torn between him and Edward. Bella had seen it in his eyes: he was still hoping that she'd choose him; that she would believe that he'd loved her more. That, despite making her wishes- and incoming marriage- clear as day, despite Bella initially putting it off, Jacob had refused to accept it: he had told her that he was giving her up in order for her to be happy, only to make his true reasoning and motivations behind such a message clear: and if that wasn't as clear as day, he'd run off the moment he'd received a wedding invite.
She'd felt like crap after that. But Bella wondered who had sent him the invite in the first place: Alice didn't like Jacob, and, as stupid and blinded as she'd been, Bella herself would have never poured salt in his wounds by sending him an outright invitation to slap onto his face. She would've contacted Billy, or asked Charlie to pass it onto him, so that Jacob would never see it. Bella honestly didn't know or remember how she planned on having Jacob around the wedding, or whether he'd planned on going someplace else during that time, and even though she called him her Best Man, she would've understood it if he had chosen to.
But Bella had never been in charge of anything during her own wedding. A chilling thought dawned on her: It was Edward. It had to be.
Bella froze, briefly halting. The other Cullens and Gabrielle turned towards her, concern in their eyes.
Bella ignored them: did Edward send the wedding invitation to Jacob and Billy's house, knowing that Jacob would receive it? Billy would've probably softened it to his face, but everyone knew that being in a wheelchair meant that Billy had to rely upon Jacob to run around the house. Including in picking up the mail.
She hitched in a breath. Edward knew. He wasn't stupid.
But it was her fault that she didn't stand up to either of them- at least not much. Bella briefly paused to take a few deep breaths. Instinctively, her hand reached out to support herself on the wall, even though, as a vampire, she didn't need it.
"Bella?" Alice's concerned voice sounded. Her worried topaz eyes met hers. "Are you okay?"
"Alice," Jasper murmured, reaching out to pull her back. "Give her some space."
Reluctantly, Alice pulled back.
How? Why?
"Bella?" Carlisle's voice, both confused and concerned, sounded.
Bella's head shot up. "It's nothing. I'm fine." She forced herself. "Let's keep moving." Gabrielle's brow furrowed, but she turned back around.
They turned another left.
"The prisons are located away from the city and surface," Gabrielle warned them. Bella felt detached. Cold and numb. Some part of her felt shaken and terrified at the idea of Edward being so far underground, but now, strangely, she felt detached, from even her own body. Was this what the Vampire Queen and the Quileutes felt when they astral-projected? It was strange, because Bella could physically feel her body, but for some reason...
They stopped in front of a pair of doors. As if emerging from a dream, Bella blinked. Steel. These were elevator doors.
"We have to go down," Gabrielle murmured in a low voice. "And brace yourself."
"Why?" Bella whispered. Slowly, she came back to her normal senses from her strangely out-of-body experience.
Gabrielle sighed. "Edward will be behind an invisible barrier when you see him." She warned. "You will not be allowed to touch until after the trial is complete. He will be wearing a Magic Inhibitor, but unlike your he cannot take it off, not even for a minute. Even after the trial and sentencing." She sighed as if steeling herself and gave them a warning look.
"I do not believe," Gabrielle said slowly. "That it is likely that Edward will be able to obtain a complete and total pardon."
The blow struck Bella like lightning, even though she'd been expecting it. She flinched, as did the others. "It is possible that Edward may have his sentence reduced, but…" Gabrielle sighed again and squeezed her eyes shut. "Even if that happens, at the best he will still be spending time in prison."
"Prison?" Carlisle interrupted. Gabrielle nodded. "They have prisons for long-term sentences, unlike the Volturi. For some of the most heinous offenders, they will be sentenced to death. And unfortunately, due to the severity of the crimes, that is what likely awaits Aro and Caius, along with the worst of their guard. Especially as we have to take into account that, if released or pardoned, Aro and Caius would likely pose a threat. If there is one thing that we can be certain in a courtroom full of immortals, it's whether or not the accused or the defendant may pose a threat in the future, will not be far from everybody's minds."
"But Edward isn't a threat!" Bella blurted. Alice agreed. "He just made a mistake-!"
Gabrielle winced. 'Unfortunately Bella, I can't convince them of that," she insisted. "At this point MACUSA and the Italian Ministry of Magic would have already passed on the results of their investigations to the judges. Everything laid bare for them to see." Gabrielle took one look at them and deduced that if Bella still had blood in her system, it would have quickly been drained from her face.
"This also includes their own testimonies, such as the way the Volturi resisted their arrest and reacted to the news. Now, in this case, Edward wins by a country mile." She said, causing hopes to shoot up. "However… while you were settling in, I've received reports that he may have broken one Mug- sorry, No-Maj law."
Jasper blinked. "Was he not supposed to?"
"If none of you were used to the diet of animal blood and if you were desperately trying to keep yourselves a secret whilst finding other means of survival, it would be understandable," Gabrielle agreed "and excused. Especially as you did not have the privileges and luxuries that being a citizen of the Confederation offer you, such as food- like the blood I gave you back in Forks, and the means to obtain it via purchase and trade. And they will also remember that you are trying to keep yourselves a secret without the benefit of the magic of both the Confederation and their links with wizard-kind. Your species were largely spread out, trying to keep yourselves hidden by isolation or blending in with the humans.
"However, please remember that- especially since your particular family unit or coven have been living and blending in amongst humans, and have chosen to commit to such a lifestyle- unless you were trying to keep yourselves from being discovered, you have no moral justification or excuse to break any non-magical laws.
Gabrielle gave them a look. "The investigators at MACUSA claim… that Edward had been breaking and trespassing into your father's house when you were still human and even before your relationship began and he had your permission."
Bella wanted nothing more than to sink into Arctic ice and disappear into the ocean below. The sensation would have been less foreboding and intense.
Gabrielle shook her head. "I'm not the judge in this case and I am a neutral party here," she warned. "But technically what reason did Edward have for that? He was breaking not only Muggle- No-Maj law, without needing to keep himself and his family safe, he was openly endangering their secret as opposed to taking desperate measures to keep you guys safe. After all, let's not forget that your father," she nodded towards Bella. "Is the chief of police in the city of Forks, and that he was close friends with Billy Black and Harry Clearwater- two members of the Quileute tribal council, the former being the son of Ephraim Black who signed the treaty the Quileutes had with your family. A treaty which was broken. Edward was there at the time, I believe. He would've known."
Everyone winced.
"This was also a serious breach of moral conduct in anyone's society, even vampires who go renegade and can't care less about any rules," Gabrielle reminded. "Part of the reason non-magical literary writers believe that vampires can only enter into a person's home once they have been invited is because everyone has standards, no matter what gender, what time, what race or species you are, or what place you come from. To them this is as bad as a host or a guest breaking Sacred Hospitality or Guest Right. Ever since before the first cities, for humanity or any other race, sprung up, one of the fundamental rules and beliefs about hospitality, long before it was inscribed into any law, was that the guest would respect the host- which Edward also decidedly did not do when also he climbed back through your bedroom window after your father had kicked him out. He not only trespassed, he over-extended his welcome."
Bella would've flushed, if she could. Feeling chagrined she listened as Gabrielle explained. "That wasn't just your house: it was your father's house. In fact, the property is still under his name by law, as it had been throughout the time he was doing this. And Edward had no good reason to be breaking in, even with your permission- and a good guest never over-extends his welcome."
Bella cringed. And she felt Rosalie, Alice, Emmett and Jasper around her do the same. "There's also the matter that you were, as a citizen of the non-magical United States, considered underage when he first started this." Gabrielle mused. "It was unacceptable for him to have taken an interest in you during that period in time, and certainly not to go as far as he did. Granted, Edward is frozen at the same physical age as you," she said quickly, seeing Bella and Alice open their mouths. "But even though his body stays the same, he has had many years of experience, knowledge and awareness ahead of you. Plus, he knew what he was doing was wrong. You did not. You did not have his knowledge, nor his awareness or experiences, even if you had been transformed by that time. So he was taking advantage of your youth and inexperience in this regard, not merely to stay out of trouble, but to keep doing what he did." Gabrielle gave Bella a knowing look.
Bella gaped. "But I let him in after!" She wanted to sob. She almost stomped her foot, but remembered that that would be childish. Her face would've burned if she could and she wasn't so distressed, as she remembered she was a married mother of one, now, and in a place where good manners were expected to be paramount. "I was the one who-"
Gabrielle shook her head. "It doesn't matter. If you ever did anything foolish, it can largely be reasoned that it was because you were an inexperienced youth, blinded by infatuation, even though you were almost an adult, or later on, barely of the legal age." She continued, seeing Bella hotly open her mouth. "Besides, it was still your father's house and he did not give Edward permission to do any of the things he did. Edward, as I've said, has had over a century, both as a human then a vampire, of prior experiences, knowledge, and moral guidance and awareness."
"He confessed to me," Bella sobbed. Now, she was crying. "He looked so ashamed…"
"Did he specifically apologise?" That question stopped Bella in her tracks.
Bella opened and closed her mouth. She was feeling like she'd all too often acted the fish out of water.
Gabrielle's beautiful face was grim. "It's too late now," she warned her. "If he apologises now, to you or anyone, it'll just be seen as him being sorry simply because he was caught. He'll look even more guilty and dubious in front of not only the court, but the entire supernatural world. They certainly wouldn't trust him to walk free after this. He's too great a risk to public safety, including the secrecy of the supernatural world."
Bella bit her lip. "And having Edward apologise now would certainly cast public doubt upon his sincerity as he had still kept breaking in after he confessed, even with your blessing. Your allowing him to enter does not count, as not only were you not or barely of the legal age of adulthood when you did, it is legally your father's house that he was entering. Therefore, anything that could be taken as permission would have had to come from your father. Not you."
Vaguely, Carlisle remembered the Gothic novel Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu and how the vampire would only enter once she had received permission by the protagonist Laura's father, and that the mysterious 'mother' of the hauntingly beautiful girl had warned the family that despite everything that would happen after, they had actively chosen to allow the girl to enter in the first place. Although Carlisle did wonder since this fictional vampire had caused harm on Laura by preying upon her. However, he did remember that in the now-more famous Bram Stoker's Dracula, which was written twenty-five years later, Dracula had extended a sinister invitation to Johnathan Harker to enter his home: "Enter freely and of your own free will!" Of course, this was done in accordance to, what he now saw were the cultural norms, values and beliefs that seemed to transcend beings of all kinds, as well as time and place. Now, Dracula, as he remembered correctly, did not attempt to harm Johnathan Harker, until he accidentally cut himself shaving and was repelled by the crucifix (according to the story). He also prevented the three 'brides' from preying on him, even becoming quite angry when they encountered him, even though Harker had ignored Dracula's specific instructions not to wander in that particular part of the castle, he mused, thinking back to when he had read the novel. It was only after Johnathan Harker had attempted to murder Dracula as he rested in his crypt during daytime that the count's malevolent stare- possibly hypnosis- pinned him in place. Harker had fled the castle and its surrounding lands during the daylight hours, before Dracula's retribution.
So if the story held any truth, Carlisle mused, no matter how small, then it was Harker who broke the laws of hospitality, not Dracula. Perhaps the brides were unaware of his guest- no, he remembered Dracula furiously stating that he had ordered them not to touch Harker. Dracula had kept his end of the bargain.
Carlisle frowned as he thought about the implications of what this would mean for Edward. This looked as if this would be seriously frowned upon by everyone- even the vampires who had been previously unaware of the confederation and the existence of the progenitors. And even without all this, Carlisle knew it was. He even held onto the same beliefs, ever since he was a human. It was one of the few beliefs he still clung onto, which he did not change, hence why he and Esme had been very angry when they found out Edward had been entering through Bella's window before he had her permission and before their engagement. He saw the look on Esme's lovely face and knew that she had come to the exact conclusion as he did.
Meanwhile, Jasper and Emmett both groaned. Rosalie clapped her hand to her forehead and Alice looked like she wanted to shrink to the floor. It was an unusual sight; for Alice had always been the most energetic, bubbly and enthusiastic of their six children, so much so that they often found her enthusiasm contagious, even without Jasper using his powers to aid her. Carlisle understood the reason: Alice felt ashamed and horribly guilty, particularly as she herself had not stopped Edward, and at times even aided and abetted him, being too carried away by her own enthusiasm and excitement, or panic if she believed her visions held anything negative. She also did not foresee any of the consequences for such behaviour, including not being able to foresee the situation they were in now. Nor did she see the Della Rosa family even when they were there, Carlisle thought, frowning.
There was something wrong there. Carlisle made a mental note to ask Alice, in order to look into this further.
Maybe… a spark of hope ignited in him. Maybe this could mean that Edward had a reason for not seeing the Della Rosas; for not being aware… but Carlisle grimaced instantly. Not only had Edward admitted to having his eyes closed during his attempt at exposure- before the actual execution- he had been aware of the risks long beforehand: he knew that Charlie was the chief of police; he knew that Charlie had close ties to the Quileute community, including Ephraim Black's son; he knew that he would be risking the vampires' exposure to non-magical humans, without the burden of grief clouding his judgment, and he could have guessed the consequences for any onlooker had they seen him, just as easily had he come up with this plan.
But most importantly Edward knew that what he was doing was wrong, in any time and place in history, in any society. That hope died in his chest. Alice's visions- or lack thereof- were no excuse. They would have little room for arguing Edward's pardon or leniency in sentencing him regardless of to whom they would be pleading their case. Still, it was best to ask Alice just in case they had the vain hope that the High Council would be merciful to Edward.
In the meantime, Bella wanted to howl and scream. She wanted to stomp her foot like a child, like she did when arguing with Jacob as a human teenager. She'd felt so helpless then. She had never imagined she would feel so helpless now, as a vampire. Even with their confrontation with the Volturi, or Victoria when she was a human, had she felt this helpless.
Jasper spoke. "Do you think he will get the death penalty?"
Gabrielle pursed his lips. "It's hard to say. Even though I am well-acquainted with vampires by now- laws, values, beliefs, ways of reasoning, that sort of thing- I am not sure. It's possible that he will get the death penalty-" Esme moaned and Bella wanted to scream. "But it's equally possible that the court would be merciful and Edward would receive a prison sentence instead After all the list of charges against him are nowhere near as bad as that of the Volturi."
"If it's a prison sentence," Jasper said slowly. "How long will he be sentenced for?"
Gabrielle sighed. "Vampires are immortal. A few weeks may seem to them like a few minutes, whereas decades may mean months in their view." She explained slowly. Gabrielle frowned. "The nature- and consequences- of these charges are serious. If Edward receives a prison sentence, I am estimating that it will be measured in centuries, not decades."
Even though they had somewhat been expecting it, it was still a shock. Like an icy tsunami wave from the Arctic Ocean, the reality crashed into them with a force that could break even concrete.
Or in this case, a virtually indestructible species of vampire.
"You can plead his case to being that of love," Gabrielle said, but with a dubious look in her haunting violet-blue eyes. "Because he has never felt the intensity and the amount of such feeling before, but I am unsure of how this will go. Yes, the emotions felt by vampires illicit strong passions and seem to be typically more intense than that of humans, or even other immortal beings, and therefore the bonds or enmity created by them are extreme, but not every person, immortal or otherwise, inadvertently risks sacrificing the whole world- or their morals- to be with the one they love." Her violet-blue eyes burned with a warning. "Especially when he had given you up in the first place, so he has little excuse there. Even vampires are not permitted to do what Edward has done, no matter the species, despite the depth and intensity of their emotions. And if they also feel that, should he walk free, whether pardoned or after serving his sentence, that Edward cannot be trusted to not repeat any of his mistakes-"
Bella interrupted her. "He won't." She took a deep breath.
"It's not me you'll have to convince." Gabrielle said softly.
Gabrielle pinched her brow and took a deep breath. When she looked up, her violet-blue eyes were grave.
"Let's just go, shall we?"
She pressed a hand against the lift button- which to the Cullens' surprise, they hadn't even seen- and the doors slid open.
She gestured at them to come inside.
It was a long way down.
Even stranger, were the handrails that Gabrielle had told them to hold onto. The Cullens had nearly jumped when the elevator ground to a halt only to jerk backwards and take them in that direction.
"The prison fortress is built miles underground to withstand any escape or breaking ins," Gabrielle explained. "They have taken extra security measures." She gave them a look. "The Volturi are also being held there," she warned. "So brace yourselves."
"Well, ain't that somethin' to look forward to," Emmett muttered. Rosalie agreed. Bella normally would have agreed, but right now, she was too worked up and worried about Edward.
"Also, we have an appointment with the coven's regent," Gabrielle continued. "If you wish to speak with Lady Laima, you will have to get his permission first. I do not know where she is in this place, and it sounds as if none of the other vampires here know, either. Officially, the reigning High Elder takes this place, but they travel between covens quite a bit. The current reigning High Elder, Amelia, is currently in Budapest. She'll travel here in time for the First Vampire Markus' awakening as High Elder."
The Cullens all shivered.
"That's due in a month." Gabrielle murmured. "I don't know how long the trials will take." The lift ground to a halt. "We're here."
The doors slid open.
It was narrow stone corridor. Bella noticed that the air down here was considerably colder than normal. It was also very dark. Being vampires, the Cullens were used to the dark, but it surprised them to see that Gabrielle was as well. Perhaps it was a witch thing, Bella considered, but she doubted it. Maybe it was a hybrid or a Veela-thing, though she still didn't know what that was.
"Brace yourselves." Gabrielle warned again. She led the way.
As if that wasn't spooky enough lights suddenly errupted. A line of fires burst into life upon wrought-iron torches. "They've been told to expect us."
"I have a question," Emmett grunted. "Why are we all alone here?"
"Hm?"
"I mean, apart from Yakov and the few Death Dealers we saw outside, we're not seeing any other vampires here." Emmett narrowed his eyes. "Even Tanya and the Denalis, you said they'd be here." Bella and the others stared at Gabrielle. Yes, now that she thought about it, they hadn't seen any other vampires apart from Yakov and the few Death Dealers."
"That's because during the trials, the witnesses who will testify, including each of you-" she nodded to the Cullens. "Are to be housed separately in order for their testimonies to be uninfluenced by those of others, even subconsciously in your recollections. You will see Tanya, Kate, Garrett, Eleazar and Carmen- as I'm told their names were- during the trials, but you will not be permitted to speak to one another, nor any other vampire that testifies, until after their testimonies have been completed. In fact, they take great care to ensure that you will not even bump into them by accident, or slip messages to them." She gave them a warning look.
"Not that you can, since we are in a place saturated completely by magic. The only technology in this place is Magitech, a relatively new phenomenon which combines both magic with a special type of technology, pioneered by wizards- or according to some accounts, brought back by them." Gabrielle paused. "If you so much as attempt to send a message to any of them, via your mobile phones, then I'm afraid not only will the Muggle- sorry, No-Maj technology go haywire, but this would alert the coven. And if you don't get into trouble, then it will certainly cast doubt on your testimonies, even with Maggie to detect any truth and lies.
"These vampires are undoubtedly efficient and meticulous. They don't do things by halves." Gabrielle slowed to a halt and turned around.
"They are not the Volturi." She warned them. "They are nothing like the Volturi. Or the Romanians who came before them. So if you think that they will hand out disproportionate arguments the way the Denali coven-unit have accused them of doing to their sister, you can safely put that out of your heads. But at the same time, unlike the Volturi they do not allow any small detail that can potentially slip past their notice, or turn the tides in this trial to slip past their fingers.
"They deliberately placed you in one of the towers, in some of the oldest sections of the original castle itself." She warned. "They're undoubtedly assuring your safety for the duration of this stay because... well, especially once the truth of everything comes to light, there may be some who would seek to harm you, vampire and wizard alike, because of what Edward's been accused of." Everybody stiffened. "The best of them will know better, but there are idiots of every being on this planet. Immortal and mortal alike. And sometimes, rage can cloud judgment. Lady Laima requested the regent of this coven, a vampire named Radu, to ensure your safety. The city is stretched out across both the castle complex and deep underground in a system of mountain caverns, caves and tunnels. Some of it were artificially made, typically using magic and engineering, others are natural." She paused, beautiful eyes widening in realisation.
"I think the coven's regents are deliberately ensuring you don't bump into anyone in case you are harmed." Gabrielle claimed, astonished. "I don't know how long it'll last but apparently, everyone seems to be staying out of your way. This is unusual. Not every visitor here, vampire or otherwise, is given this treatment." Slowly, she turned towards the Cullens again. "The nature of these charges and accusations against Edward must be more serious than we initially thought."
The icy pit in Bella's stomach opened wider and carved itself deeper.
Gabrielle sighed. "MACUSA didn't tell me everything. Neither did the Italian Ministry of Magic when we went to request the Volturi's surrender and to take them into the High Council's custody."
Emmett and Rosalie's eyes widened. "Wait- you were-" Emmett began.
Gabrielle nodded. Alice blinked. "But I didn't see you there... I mean, it's not like you're a blur or a black spot like when Renesmee or one of the Wolves has entered my vision."
A thought occurred to Bella. "Alice, can you see Gabrielle? I mean, right now?"
Alice looked thoughtful. "At times, I can see her, but she's a blur. A light blur, though, so I see her more than I do the Wolves or vampire hybrids- Dhampyr- like Nessie, but in my vision when I saw the Death Dealers and the Italian wizards take down the Volturi, I couldn't see you."
Gabrielle blinked. "That's odd. And why can't you see me, your niece or the Wolves?"
Alice groaned. "Apparently, it's because they're nothing I've ever experienced before. I see humans fine since I was one. I see vampires best because I am one. Nessie's a hybrid and Jacob's a Wolf. I can't see either because I was never anything like them."
"In your visions or when they are physically standing right in front of you?"
"Both."
"Hm," Gabrielle pursed her lips. "I would like to inquire the reasons for this later, if I may. I already have a theory as to why this is, but explanations will have to wait. But how well can you see the Death Dealers, including Selene, and Yakov as compared to the vampires of your species?" They resumed walking.
Alice pursed her lips. "Well, enough. I think there may be subtle differences, but I can see them just fine."
"That's curious. And what about witches and wizards?"
"I see them," Alice admitted. "I couldn't see Adsila Sizemore very well, somewhat like you. I mean, I know you're here, even if you're not talking to me, because I can smell and sense you, and so forth. But it's almost hard to decipher either of you. Like I'm being blinded by light, only my eyes aren't hurt or affected."
"Adsila is part-Fey, just as I am," Gabrielle confirmed. "Her great-grandmother was one of the Nunnehi people, immortal beings and self-appointed guardians, as well as close friends and allies of the Cherokee people. My grandmother was a Vila, or Veela, a species first encountered by the Slavs and closely related to the Mediterranean nymphs often mentioned in Greco-Roman mythology. Sometimes, they are also mistaken for nymphs, and certainly mistranslated as them to English, particularly in Macedonia where the human population largely consist of both Greeks and Slavs. They all form members of the Fey or Faerie family."
Everyone's brows shot up. "Fairies?" Emmett said faintly.
Gabrielle nodded. "Mm." She paused.
"One more corridor to go." She warned. She nodded. Bella nearly jumped. She hadn't noticed that there was another corridor there. A dark, empty one. It was dark even for vampire eyes.
"Numele meu este Gabrielle Delacour și sunt aici pentru că am adus familia Cullen să-și vadă fiul Edward." Gabrielle called out in Romanian. Again, torches sprung to life, appearing at the walls. The Cullens jumped. Emmett and Jasper looked agape. None of them had seen the torches.
"Do these-" Emmett gulped, nodding towards the torches. "Magically appear?"
"I've never asked," Gabrielle admitted. "I've only been in this part of the city once, to ensure that the Volturi were safely locked away in custody."
Bella let out a hiss between her teeth. "They're here? Now?" Immediately, she felt stupid. "I mean, I know that they're here, but they're in the same section as Edward! How are they going to react?"
Gabrielle shook her head. "The prisoners are all kept apart. You will not see them. They will not see you. But you may hear them, so keep your voices down please.
"Edward has been questioned and given his sworn testimony prior, which, of course, has been recorded," Gabrielle warned. "But since you have not and unless you are willing to wait-" the Cullens all shook their heads vehemently. "Then I am afraid I was told that I must stand in the room at all times, and you will be watched and overheard by Death Dealers, to ensure that each of your individual testimonies will not be affected by Edward's."
Bella bit her lip. She didn't like it, but she knew she had no choice. She could see Esme thinking along the same lines. Carlisle's brow furrowed.
"You mentioned that Edward is being kept behind an invisible barrier," he said slowly. Gabrielle nodded.
"No physical contact." She looked sympathetically at them, particularly Bella, Carlisle and Esme. "I am sorry. But they don't want to risk you slipping anything to him."
Bella took a deep breath and pressed her lips together to keep from crying. She nodded. Esme closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths. Carlisle squeezed her hand to comfort her, straightening his own shoulders and putting on a brave face.
Alice looked worried. Guilt also stained her dainty features. She bit her lip and looked down at her feet. Jasper placed a hand on her shoulder to comfort her. Rosalie sighed, exhaling deeply. She momentarily closed her eyes. Emmett looked anxious, nervous, upset and worried all at once. Jasper gave his parents a grim look.
"They won't search you, but there's magic here, so they'll know if something's amiss," Gabrielle stated. "This way."
She walked forwards and the Cullens blinked. There, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, was a vampire. Even though the Cullens themselves had supernatural senses, they did not see, here, or in any way sense him there until now. Bella stiffened. Was magic shielding his presence? Or did he teleport here?
"Greetings, Istvan, if I remember correctly?" Gabrielle mused. The vampire, a handsome male with dark hair and blue eyes. The Death Dealer, Istvan, which Carlisle remembered correctly was a Hungarian name, nodded.
"Welcome," he said, his voice smooth and strong. He spoke fluent English- British English to be precise.
"The Cullens, I presume?" He asked. When they all nodded he turned to the wall. Istvan withdrew a blade. He sliced himself on the finger, to the Cullens' shock and amazement blood flowed.
The smell hit Bella's nostrils and she was shocked. It didn't smell appetizing, like human blood. It looked- and smelled- and looked thinner. Metallic in scent, tinged with something else, like raw alcohol. Not anything which they would find appealing. It reminded her of when she was a human, smelling human blood, like rust and salt, she'd told Edward. She'd easily fainted at the scent.
Bella certainly didn't faint now, but the Cullens all watched in stunned surprise as Istvan reached out his bleeding hand and touched a slot in the wall, which, like the torches, the corridor and Istvan himself, they hadn't noticed before. It was round and ornately carved around the stone edges. Istvan's muscles tensed as he gripped something inside the slot and he turned.
A section of the wall slid open, stone sliding against stone with an ominous sound revealing another room with torches. Inside, was a person sitting on top of an iron bedstead.
"You have thirty minutes," Istvan informed them flatly.
At the sound of his voice, the person's head shot up from where he had been hanging it between his hands. Bella choked back a sob.
"Edward!"
Instantly, Edward sprang up and ran towards her. "I wouldn't," Istvan warned calmly just before Edward flew into Bella's open arms.
Instantly, a flash of light appeared along with a bang. Edward flew backwards causing all of the Cullens to cry out in alarm. He landed on the bed, but he fumbled back in his shock.
"There's an invisible barrier to ensure you don't slip any messages, weapons or anything of the sort to each other. Also prevents magic," Istvan explained bluntly. "And the Magic Inhibitors prevents you from using your powers as well as your vampire abilities, unless you're a Death Dealer, one of the judges or the Truthsayer. This includes your supernatural speed and strength. In almost all ways, except for your resistance to temperature, sight and hearing, you will be reduced to a human's strength." Bella's eyes widened, as did the others.
Gabrielle's own eyes widened. "I didn't realise you were using different inhibitors than us."
Istvan shrugged. "We developed it with wizard-kind's help at first. We went on from there."
"I see."
"Like I said, thirty minutes," Istvan said shortly. "I'll be right outside. I apologise, but I must inform you that I am under prior orders to listen in on your conversations in case you attempt any plans or stories during the trial. Either trial, since you've kindly agreed to testify during the Volturi's trial."
Edward swallowed. His eyes glazed with pain, but he nodded. "Of course."
"And she'll be here." Istvan looked at Gabrielle, who nodded at Edward. "Good evening, Mr Cullen. I hope that your conditions here were... not lacking in any way?"
For some reason, Istvan smirked, but he wiped off that smirk almost instantly. Edward shook his head. "No. Thank you for bringing my family."
Gabrielle nodded, eyes softening. "No thanks is needed during these stressful times." Istvan stepped back and the door began to slide itself shut.
"May I conjure some chairs?" Gabrielle called out to him. "Do as you will." Came the reply. The door closed. The Cullens noted that there was no door to the room: Istvan had opened a wall.
Gabrielle waved her wand. "Speak as you will. I will be sitting there." She pointed her wand to a chair at the corner of the room. The Cullens all took their seats.
Carlisle nodded. "Edward..."
"Are you alright?" Esme cut off her husband.
Edward nodded. "I'm fine." He took his eyes off Bella to look at them all. "I'm glad you're all here."
Somehow, Bella suspected that was a lie. She already knew by now that Edward lied in order to protect her... but she was also forced to accept that Edward's judgment... was not entirely reliable.
And didn't that grate at her to admit it?
Was Edward wrong in many things? Yes. Bella had no choice but to admit that. She suspected that if the judges thought that her judgment was clouded in regards to her 'infatuation' for Edward, she would only sound like an unreliable idiot. Then how were they supposed to get Edward some leniency?
Or clemency?
"Edward..." Carlisle hesitated. "We don't know how much you've been told..."
Edward blinked. "They told me about the different species, this coven... and the Vampire Progenitors." He sounded as if he still had a hard time believing it.
Carlisle nodded. "Did they also tell you about the full list of charges?"
Edward hesitated. Eventually, he nodded.
Esme's eyes narrowed. "Good," she said icily. "Perhaps you'll mind explaining yourselves to us and the rest of the family as to why you did all the things that you did, such as breaking into Charlie's house."