A/N: Well, here it is. The moment many have been waiting for.
It's not mine.
I have no beta.
BPOV
I didn't get much sleep last night due to an intense case of the jitters. The trial was set for nine this morning, and I have imagined every scenario possible of what might happen. Mostly, I'm anticipating the bitch slapping of a lifetime courtesy of Esme as well as Carlisle's excuse for ditching his mate and shacking up with someone else.
My anger towards Aro dissipated a bit once it was confirmed that Carlisle was his mate. He was rejected by the one who was created just for him. I was sure that Aro not only felt hurt but also betrayed. What Carlisle did was nothing less than cruel.
When I came back to my room at one in the morning, I managed to take a quick shower and crawl under the covers only to sleep for three hours. My sleep wasn't even very restful, since all I kept doing was tossing and turning. I finally gave it up and climbed out of bed.
I needed to do my daily workout so Caius had Felix, who was assigned as my bodyguard, to take me to the gym that they use for training. Once I walked through the doors, I was pleasantly surprised. It appeared that my grandpa had it set up for my martial arts training. There were mats attached to the back wall with Velcro. Multiple weapons were on display including a brand new bo staff.
The gym itself was about the size of a regulation basketball court, so I was able to run my daily mile by running nineteen times around the court. It was crucial to get my blood pumping and my body warmed up so that I wouldn't tear any muscles or tendons. With the type of workouts I participate in, I really cannot afford to skip this part.
Once I completed my mile, I went right into my stretches. It was imperative that I stay limber. Many of the martial arts maneuvers I do cannot be performed if the person doing them is not flexible.
I followed my stretching regimen with my total body conditioning workout which included a concentration on my core strengthening exercises. I did everything from lunges, squats, right back kicks, left back kicks, jabs, and v-ups. These were going to have to do until I would be able to get my hands on a five-pound kettlebell. I use the weight to build up my strength not to build up bulk.
Now I will use the time to practice all of my Tang Soo Do maneuvers. It was important to practice them so much that I could do them in my sleep. I worked on my flying back kick, blocks, strikes, jabs, and all the other kicks in my repertoire. Of course, I did ten sets of ten each.
Finally, it was time to work with my weapons. I walked over to the far wall where the weapons were displayed and took the bo staff off the wall. Once I turned around, I discovered the stands were full and everyone was watching me. I rolled my eyes, "I should be charging admission."
"I'm not ashamed to admit to being willing to pay it," Emmett said. Everyone voiced their agreement and I just shook my head.
"Dad, you're in on this too?" I asked although I shouldn't have been surprised. My dad is always boasting about my skills at both the station and the reservation. He does it so much that I have to take breaks from being seen at either place.
"Damn right I am. I don't get to see your workout much since I'm at the station when you're working out."
"Hey, Bells, I got some music you can work out to. Perhaps we can persuade you to do your world competition routine," Emmett pleaded as he pushed a button on a remote he pulled out of his pocket. A moment later the first few notes of Requiem for a Tower were playing.
I immediately went into position with the bo tightly clutched in my right hand which was behind my back. I started with a slower helicopter spin building up my speed to match the music's tempo. I threw in a flying back kick followed by a downward strike. I was finally at full speed and my bo staff was nothing more than a blur. I did an aerial spinning my bo behind my back and then went right into some figure eight spins adding several strikes and blocks to the sequence.
I spun, flipped, and kicked adding more moves than what was in my original routine. I then completed an around-the-world spin which I followed with my scorpion kick. From that position, I rotated my hip just a bit and did a series of quick side kicks while spinning the bo above my head in a helicopter spin. I performed a series of aerials ending with bringing the bo into a downward strike just as the song finished.
Just like at my competition, there was a few moments of silence. Then all hell broke loose and everyone began cheering for me. I rolled my eyes when I saw everyone shake my dad's hand as if he was the one doing the routine.
"Seriously, Bella, you would be so kick ass if you were on the guard," Emmett yelled.
"Can you imagine Bella being the first guard member that used the martial arts on the lawbreakers?" Alec said with a laugh. "I don't think there's ever been a martial artist transformed into a vampire before."
I shook my head as I walked back over to the weapon wall and put the bo back in place. Out of curiosity, I took the Sai down and began to spin them to get a feel of them. I did a few strikes and stabs followed by a few spins. They felt pretty good in my hands and I vowed I would work with them tomorrow.
I quickly put them away and turned around to see my audience was still there. "You guys are stalking me," I accused them.
"We were just enjoying the free entertainment. Don't blame us. It's your fault anyway," Emmett laughed.
"How is it my fault?" I asked as I walked over toward the stands.
"Bella, I don't think you realize just how skilled you are in the martial arts. Watching you is exciting. The fact that you are human and are able to spin a bo at the speed you spin it is practically unreal," Jasper said with a huge grin. "We get a kick out of watching you."
"You are damn good, Bells. And no, I am not suffering from gifted child syndrome," my dad said anticipating my response.
"Watching you is like watching poetry in motion, little one," Caius said proudly.
"I find your skill level to be most impressive," Marcus added with a small smile.
"Well, I'm glad you all enjoyed it. Now, if you will all excuse me, I need to hop into a shower," I said bowing before walking out the door.
CHPOV
I knew my little girl was an amazing martial artist, but seeing her work out was always a huge thrill for me. While I wish that the reason behind my signing her up for Tang Soo DO in the first place did not exist, I cannot help but feel tremendous pride over what she has accomplished. The martial arts have really changed her life for the better.
I recall the last conversation I had with her mother a month after the Cullens abandoned her. Renee was the most selfish bitch I have ever known. Our daughter was going through something very painful and all Renee could do was bitch how she didn't think it was a big deal. She even accused Bella of deliberately over exaggerating to get attention. I wasn't going to tolerate that shit and I ripped into her. Renee's only response was to tell me she was washing her hands of Bella and that I could deal with her. When she hung up, I was livid.
To this day, I have no clue what I ever saw in her. As much as I regret ever being in a relationship with Renee, I could never regret my daughter. Bella is my world. I was so proud of Bella when her response to being abandoned by Renee was to say," To hell with her."
"Charlie, you have got to be proud of Bella. That was unreal," Alec said to me.
"I am. I'm even more proud because the girl you just watch was once the biggest klutz to have ever lived. Tang Soo do has done wonders for her," I said.
"You must be kidding. I cannot imagine Bella being Klutzy," Demetri said in disbelief. "There's just now way."
"He's not joking. Bella use to trip over air," Jasper spoke up.
"Yea, we use to laugh because she was always falling and tripping," Emmett added with a big smile.
"It's true. She was always skinning her knees as a little kid from tripping over the air," I said with a fond smile remembering a little Bella with bandaged knees.
"I hate to have to break this up but the trial is in an hour and a half. We need to review some things beforehand. We will see you all in the throne room then," Caius said as he and Marcus left.
"Yeah, I can't wait until this mess is handled. I'm going to go get ready. I'll see you in the throne room," I said as I made my way out. It was almost time. I was going to get a crack at Edwin. Good things do come to those who wait."
BPOV
After a quick shower, I got dressed just in time for someone to come knocking on my door. "Come in," I called out.
The door opened and Jane came in carrying a tray with breakfast on it. "Master Caius had this brought in for you," she said as she walked over to the desk to place it down.
"Thanks so much for bringing it to me. I know human food grosses vampires out," I smiled.
"It's no problem at all. Bella, I just wanted to tell you that we are all happy that you are here," she told me with a soft smile.
"Thanks, Jane, I'm happy to be here as well. It sort of feels like I've always been here like I just fit in," I admitted to her.
Jane nodded her head. "That's exactly what it seems like to us. You were always meant to be here. I'll leave you to your food now," she said as she made her way to the door.
"See you soon for some action," I called out to her before she shut the door.
Breakfast was lovely and I scarfed it down like I haven't eaten in ages. It didn't escape my notice that Caius managed to get many of my favorite breakfasts food. There was a lovely vanilla yogurt topped with fresh mixed berries as well as toast with jam. There was a small espresso as well as some orange juice.
While I ate, I checked my emails and phone messages. Jake called to remind me to get a video of this morning's trial. I'm not sure how that would work out, but it wouldn't hurt to ask Caius. He may just allow it.
Soon there was a knock at my door and Jane stuck her head in to let me know that she was sent to retrieve me. I stood up from the bed and made my way over to her. We made small talk on the way to the throne room. Both of us were eager to see what happens next.
Once we made our way into the throne room, Caius gestured for me to have a seat on his throne. Marcus and Aro were already seated on their thrones, and I noticed the entire guard, including members I haven't met yet as well as my dad were already there.
"Alec, Felix, and Demetri, please go retrieve the Cullens," Caius ordered.
The three of them bowed and left to do as they were ordered. We didn't have too long to wait for them to show up with Carlisle and his crew. The Cullens looked horrendous. Their clothing was filthy and disheveled. I have never seen any of them look like that. I did feel bad that Esme was in that condition.
I looked over at Jasper and Emmett to see their reactions to their non-mates appearances. Neither of them looked like they gave a damn. I could tell by the pitying looks they were giving Esme that they felt the same way I did.
"Felix and Demetri, be prepared. Alec, release your gift," Caius ordered with a casual wave in the Cullens direction.
The moment Alec's gift was lifted, you can see when the Cullens became aware. Alice and Edward immediately started wailing about being mistreated. Rosalie was throwing filthy looks at me to which I just raised a brow in question. Esme was frightened and angry simultaneously while Carlisle was feigning innocence.
"Carlisle Cullen and coven, you are accused of breaking our highest law. You introduced a human into our world and left her with that knowledge. How do you plea?" Marcus asked.
"I plead not guilty. I'm sure we can get this little mess cleared up quickly," Carlisle replied while giving Aro a knowing look. He was already trying to play with Aro's emotions.
"Why the hell are we on trial and not Emmett and Jasper? They were there as well," Edward asked with a sneer in their direction.
"The reason is quite simple. They protected Ms. Swan. But before we get further into things, Aro will be reading you all," Caius sneered.
Alice and Edward tried to make a run for it but Felix and Demetri has them in a very firm grip. Aro walked over to Alice first and grabbed a tight hold of her hand but she continued to struggle. "Alec, remove her senses," Aro ordered. Alice quit struggling immediately as Aro read her thoughts.
Edward began to struggle having been able to see the thoughts Aro just read. Alec then removed his sense as well. I swear those two morons love to bring the drama.
A few moments later, Aro released Alice's hand and reached over to snatch up Edwards. Aro's grip tightened the more thoughts he read until Edward's hand was cracked and chunks were falling on the floor. Aro then threw the hand away in disgust.
"What did you learn?" Marcus asked.
"These two love to play games. Alice finds girls in her visions for Edward to play his mind games with. There have been several girls they have both done this to. They get sick pleasure from making the females completely dependent on them only to turn around and abandon them. Afterward, Edward forces the coven to move which gives him the perfect cover to go back and torture and then feed from them. It seems that Edward loves to hear the screams of his victims. He finds the screams sexually arousing.
Bella is his singer which was not something they had ever planned on. The opportunity to taste her blood was too great for him to pass up so they both went ahead with their usual games. They actually had a sick and twisted torture session planned out to maximize Bella's screams without killing her immediately. He didn't want to lose the gift of his singer's blood too early on," Aro finished with a deep growl.
All the vampires in the throne room growled angrily begging to have their turn at showing the punk what real torture looks and feels like. My dad looked like he was ready to kill, and Caius was struggling to maintain control. I just couldn't wait to see what my dad was going to do to him.
Clearasil showed no real emotion but Esme was shaking terribly. She clearly had no idea what horror those two had gotten into.
"Tell us, Carlisle, did you know what your two children were up to?" Marcus asked him.
"Of course, I didn't know," he sputtered.
"I don't believe a damn thing that comes out of your mouth. Aro, read him," Caius ordered.
Carlisle tried to take a step back from Aro but found out quickly that Alec had removed his ability to feel his legs. Aro grabbed his hand and helped himself to Carlisle's thoughts. Again, Aro threw the hand away repulsed by what he saw.
"He knew. He knows about every victim and did nothing to stop it," Aro replied with a sneer aimed at Carlisle.
"How could you!" Esme screamed. "You son of a bitch," she cried as she balled up her fist and punched him in the face so hard his jaw cracked.
I fought a grin that threatened to come out. Seeing Esme belt that bastard in the face was priceless. I always knew she had it in her.
I knew there was going to be a lot of dirt coming out. I just never imagined it would be this bad and we've only just started. What more could there be?
