I do not own nor do I make profit off of Twilight. All rights belong to it's author Stephanie Meyer.
HELLO! Thank you so much for the birthday wishes! I had a good birthday and a really off week which is why this chapter is a week late, I'm so sorry! There will be a chapter next week, but I want to reiterate that I'm not sure how November will go as it is NaNoWriMo and I do start focusing on my own original work, so I'll have to let you know next week. I also want to state again (as I have done in the past) I do so appreciate all the messages lately about wanting to collaborate or create art for this story, however, I don't make money from this and do it all for fun therefor I have in interest in paying for commission work. So while I appreciate the many offers I've received this month in my inbox, I'm not paying anyone for character art respectfully. I'm also a starving artist and simply do not have the budget for fun things like this (aka I'm BROKE HOMIE! T_T) so I do apologize, however if you just wanted to create art for the fun of it, (I have a co-worker that does that) go for it.
P.S it also turns out that this story wasn't added to a community titled the worst of the worst. I messaged the creator of the page and it turns out they have a troll and many others are experiencing this too. However my communities page still reflects this but at this point it no longer bothers me:)
Reviews:
Guest- THANK YOU! It's so nice of you to call me an author but I don't think I deserve that title lol! ANOTHER OCTOBER BABY YOU SAY! Well happy birthday fellow October baby! I hope it was wonderful, consider this a present from me to you!
Guest- THANK YOU! Sorry about the cliffhanger! I hope this answers some of your questions about this gift!
KEZZ 1-Thank you sweet friend, I hope you enjoy this!
Ooshnish- HELLO! Oh it's so good to hear from you! That's okay my sweet friend, life gets busy and you never have to apologize for taking time off this site to get real world things done, I promise it's okay! THANK YOUO FOR THE BIRTHDAY SONG! It really made my day special getting to read that so again THANK YOU! also thank you for your kind words on my chapters, it really made me smile, you always know exactly what to type my friend! I hope you enjoy this chapter and I hope your week gets a little less busy and a little more relaxing!
EtherealSoul456- NO WORRIES! lol all is good! THANK YOU FOR THE BIRTHDAY WISHES! It really made my birthday special getting to read it and I can't thank you enough! I'm sorry for ending the chapter like that and then going a whole week to post lol, sorry my week got wonky! I am doing alright and I did have a good birthday thank you for asking! Work is blah as it always is. My dream job is actually a career is writing it just hasn't worked out for me lol, I go through spurts where I try really hard and then kind of just give up for a bit before trying again, I like to think one day it will work out, but I'm not sure. YOU ARE TOO NICE! Literally, you make me smile with your sweet and kind words honestly thank you my sweet friend! I'm sorry this took so long but I really hope you like it, it's a bit on the longer side, but I have a feeling you won't mind lol! There's a little Carlisle and Mare moment I hope you enjoy and some answers on this mysterious ability Mare seems to have ;) As for Demetri, we'll just have to see! Thank you for the amazing review and for taking the time to write it when you don't have to! I LOVE YOU BACK and hope your week is as AMAZING AS YOU ARE!
AlexisHard- THANK YOU! It means so much that you wished me Happy Birthday really THANK YOU! Your right, Demetri does seem to have a bit of a soft spot for Mare ;) Thank you so much for the review and I hope you like this chapter! kisses and hugs right back at you my sweet friend!
agabriellafigueiredo- Hello, my friend I hope your not working yourself too hard! Thank you so much for your kind and sweet words, I'm really glad your reading more fanfic and I really hope you like this chapter!
Gretchenia- LOL you crack me up girl! THANK YOU for the wonderful birthday wish, I hope your anniversary was amazing! There's so much to read and so much to respond to lol. I have a really bad habit of trying to be funny during inappropriate times as a way of coping so it's something I like to give to my characters as it's something I'm really good at even though I shouldn't be lol. I also feel like Carlisle is stepping more and more into that father role, yes he's been like a father to these teenage vampires that live in his house, but they're all really adults, they're married with lives and decisions of they're own where as Mare's a young human girl that still needs a lot of guidance so I like to think fatherhood is something he has to work a little bit more into, just like Mare has to get use to having more of a parental figure. I LOVE EMMETT! To me he's not only the largest and the protector, he's also the one that cuts the tension something I thing he's learned to do becasue of Rose, lol. I always want him to be the funny one and that's how I think I'll always write him. I have to admit I did giggle writing the whole "I don't want to talk about it" because I just see him actually saying it. Uggg Gretchenia you just GET ME! I always love reading your reviews becasue they are just perfect as are you my friend! I hope you're having only the best week and are continuing to be the AWESOME YOU, YOU ALWAYS ARE! Please enjoy this chapter and as always TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!
Conditions
Aro's cold, stone-like hands slowly start to loosen, releasing the pressure in my head. Against my better judgment, I sigh.
"Mmmm," He smiles, looking me up and down, "gifted you say?" I lean back, his nose coming close to my mouth. I hear him take another long sniff before jumping up and down that child-like laughter bouncing off the walls,
"Aro!" Carlisle shouts breathlessly,
"Blood that doesn't smell, my, my darling you're fascinating."
"Aro!" Carlisle calls again,
"Gifted you say Eleazar!" Aro turns completely ignoring Carlisle and turning to A disheveled-looking man in the corner, actually now that I look around, everyone seems a little disheveled. Carlisle's quaffed and pressed dress shirt is missing one whole sleeve and a couple of buttons, Edwards perfectly tamed hair is completely out of place, and both Alice and Rosalie who have always looked so put together and manicured are a bit messed up and out of place, even the Denali, 3 perfect sisters in various shades of blonde look uneasy on their feet, hair a mess. What happened behind Demetri?
"Yes," Eleazar steps forward. He looks to Edward who gives him a strong nod, "Give Aro your hand Mare." He shouts to me, his golden eyes blaring holes in mine. I open my mouth when Aro turns around with a giddy smirk on his lips,
"You heard him child. Give me your hand." I swallow wincing at both the amount of blood still in my mouth and the pain blooming on the left side of my tongue. Aro's fingers twitch in annoyance and slowly I lift my hand. With quick speed, Aro grabs my hand and squeezes. His eyes look away and his lips frown, he lets ago and grabs my hand again repeating this several times before he turns to Eleazar,
"A shield?" Eleazar shakes his head,
"She's taking your ability away." Aro's form stiffens and slowly he rotates back to me. I swallow opening my mouth, when Aro grabs my hand again, his grip so fast and so tight I can't stop the scream when I feel an unnatural pop in my wrist. His cold hands squeezes mine before he lets go and quickly stalks over to Carlisle. Without asking Carlisle holds his hand out and Aro squeezes, once twice, then let's go before looking around the room. He moves to Edward and repeats the process before going to Eleazar. After a second he turns to me, his angry scowl suddenly turns into a smile as he begins jumping up and down, his laugh now coming out in a haunting sort of ah aha ah. I shudder at the sound holding my wrist to my chest feeling an uncomfortable ache right where Aro's hands were.
"Master?" Jane steps forward, worry in her voice,
"She did it, she's taking away all of our gifts, don't you feel that in you're chest?" Jane steps back, her hand coming to rest over her heart, she frowns before growling,
"Jane don't!" Esme shouts, but I don't know what Jane's not supposed to do, because she doesn't move from her spot, instead, she turns her dark red eyes on me, her smooth angel-like face twisted into a snarl as she focuses on me. After a second her face changes and she steps back alarmed as Aro laughs harder,
"Give it back!" She shouts. I open my mouth to speak when in the blink of an eye Aro's suddenly in front of me, Jane in his arms as she reaches for me,
"Ah, ah, ah," Aro tsks pushing Jane back lightly and gripping her face, "None of that my pet,"
"Jane she doesn't realize she's doing it!" Carlisle bellows,
"Control yourself, my child, I don't want a hair on her head touched."
"Brother!" Caius calls stepping closer from the far end of the room, "You can't go against what has already been decided." Aro looks offended,
"Watch yourself Caius,"
"No, we decided before they got here." He spits glancing my way, "The human wasn't allowed to live."
"I understand your frustration seeing as you have no ability," He frowns turning back to Eleazar, "This gift..is it one a human can...perfect?" Eleazar frowns,
"I don't know, this is one ability I have no knowledge about." Aro purses his lips, "This is something I've never seen before." My stomach starts to churn as I take in what they're saying for the first time. I've completely taken away their abilities...I've...taken...away...vampires...abilities. I feel like I'm going to vomit.
"Imagine if she was changed-"
"She can't!" Carlisle steps forward, "She poses no threat. Allow her to live, and will keep her hidden."
"I don't want her hidden." Aro laughs, "Imagine being able to take away an unruly vampire's abilities... permanently." He turns to glance at me. His eyes look like he's won the lottery,
"Aro please," Carlisle begs, and Aro holds a hand up silencing him completely. I swallow both my bloody saliva and the rising nausea in the pit of my stomach,
"Talented young thing you are," He quickly walks up to me, his eyes traveling up and down, before he cocks his head to the side, "Are you scared?" I swallow looking for the best answer,
"I'm annoyed." I finally push out before running my tongue along my teeth clearing them of their bloody film. Aro laughs before shutting his mouth his hand flying to his chest. I watch his eyes widen with joy,
"You feel that?" He looks around towards everyone, "Do you feel that?" He repeats, "It's back." His eyes flash to mine, "You don't know how you're doing this do you?" I shake my head,
"I...I" Aro turns to Eleazar,
"You felt that, didn't you?" Eleazar nods,
"We all did." Aro turns looking around at everyone before stopping on Jane,
"There my dear don't you feel better?" It's then I notice her eyes on mine, downturned and hateful. She stares a second longer before loosening her stance and turning to Aro,
"Yes, Master."
"Good." He praises before turning back to mine, "You young one," he reaches out to brush my hair back. Carlisle and Esme have done this a thousand times and every time it feels so natural so maternal, this one feels calculated...dark and disturbing.
"Thank you." I swallow, his fingers move from my hair to my temple, tracing down my cheek to my chin where I feel his pointer finger swipe, pulling back he's collected a small strip of blood. I watch him disgusted as he brings the finger up to his lips and takes it into his mouth. He's still a second before pulling the finger out of his mouth, I expect him to frown...rush me for more blood, but instead, he smiles...I hate his smile.
"Amazing," he enunciates slowly, before turning back to everyone in the room, his eyes settle on Carlisle,"If she lives there are conditions." Carlisle nods, reaching up to push his hair back, "One, I want updates-"
"Understood,"
"I wasn't done." Aro giggles darkly, "Here, once a year. Maybe June, a good vacation, honestly I don't care, but I want you and you're family here every year." Carlisle takes this news in carefully before nodding,
"That's very generous,"
"I know," Aro tips his head, "I'm very benevolent," I frown...did this man really forget that he sentenced me to death five minutes ago?! "Second, if anything happens like the events you have already explained to me, I want to be notified the second it does and third, you take no one new into your coven," I go rigid and I know everyone else does too...taking no one new into the coven? But...Bella...what does this do to the book? Has Aro seen this from my memories or Carlisle's... I swallow feeling closer and closer to needing to vomit.
"Of course Aro." Carlisle answers. Aro claps turning around to meet my eyes, he quickly crosses the space between us, until he's standing right in front of me again. His cold hand caresses my cheek,
"I feel great things from you child, who knows one day this could be your home." That's a fat chance! He giggles and then steps away, "Go on child," My eyes find Carlisle's golden ones, they soften and gently he holds out his hand, I look to Aro who nods and then slowly take a step, sure enough, my shoes are gone and I feel a little unsteady on my feet, but when I'm within arm's reach Carlisle grabs my bicep and pulls me quickly into his chest, one arm coming around me the other running up and down my back. I feel him drop a kiss on the top of my head and linger for a second,
"Aro, I find it in the best interest of everyone that we take our leave,"
"You always seem to read my mind, Carlisle, I do so miss having you around all the time, but yes, you may go." I reach up grabbing the remains of Carlisle's once nice shirt and grip it hard, Carlisle's hand squeezes my bicep lightly,
"Go to Esme." I take a breath and nod, slowly letting go and turning. Esme has both her arms out, and all her clothing intact, although her hair is a bit out of place. Just like Carlisle, when I'm within arms reach she grabs me and pulls me into her body although unlike Carlisle she's not as gentle. She loosens her grip when I grunt, her hold putting too much pressure on my aching wrist.
"It's okay," I whisper, her body relaxes,
"Come on." She turns, looking behind her,
"Esme?" I question turning to see where she's looking, Aro, Marcus, Carlisle, and Eleazar look to be in a heated discussion, Carmen stands off to the side of her husband and I know what Esme's thinking, she's not leaving until Carlisle leaves,
"It's okay," She repeats my words right back to me, before shuffling me forward into a different set of large arms, "We'll see you outside."
"Esme no," I push away but they don't let go, coming to rest on both my biceps,
"She's right behind us." Emmett pulls me along. I feel my mind start to shut down, but my socked feet move as if on their own, sandstone walls turn into wood paneling, and then the marble interior of the elevator. Emmett's hands never leave my arms, even as the elevator doors open and we're moving down the hall, his arms remain a constant stable point for me to hold on to until my body's autopilot shuts off and I feel the bile rising in my throat again, this time I know I'm going to throw up,
"Emmett," Edward warns and suddenly we're moving so fast my stomach jumps and now I'm huddled over an alley trash can, throwing up the omelet Esme made me this morning.
"Scusaci" I hear Edward over my retching, "Scusa, Scusa." I take large breaths between my vomiting, A hand holds my hair back while another cold hand rests on my shoulder. It feels like it's supposed to be a comfort, but instead, it just feels overwhelming and I shake it off, plunging my head back into the trashcan, dry heaving, my stomach twisting into painful cramps.
"I've got it from here Edward." Carlisle's gentle voice permeates the air around us. I feel my hair billow around me only for it to be gathered and tied in the back. Another cold hand gently lands on my back and starts to rub soothing circles around my shoulder blades, "It's okay, you're okay."
"Carlisle?" I hear Esme's worried-laced voice,
"It's alright luv." He answers his other hand coming to rest on my forehead,
"I think I'm done." I gasp, feeling Carlisle's hand snake under my chin and lift my head. I feel a soft cloth wipe my eyes and nose before moving down to my mouth,
"Take some water and swish you're mouth out." Carlisle holds out a water bottle, I quickly take it and rinse my mouth, before spitting in the trashcan. Carlisle makes me repeat the process three more times,
"Deep breaths." He encourages, "I'm going to give you your inhaler okay, take a deep breath and hold it." I feel the familiar plastic force its way between my lips. Carlisle pushes the plunger and I take as large a breath as I can manage and hold before gasping for air, "One more," he encourages and we repeat the process.
"No more." I breathe out,
"We're done sweet girl, it's alright, you're okay." I grip the sides of the trashcan as tightly as I can ignoring the fact that my right hand is sort of limp
"Alive?" I ask, the reality of the situation crashing down,
"You're alive, I'm alive, we're all alive, everything is okay," He says, voice strong and steady, "Esme is getting the car, we're going to go back to the villa where you can rest alright my sweet girl." Rest? A nap sounds really good, slowly I nod feeling Carlisle's hand move up to the back of my head and prod, he finds the spot where my head hit the wall and gently pushes, I wince and reach up to push his hand away forgetting the pain in my wrist,
"Owww"
"Oh, oh, oh." Carlisle gently seizes my wrists and helps me cradle my aching and suddenly swollen limb, "I know that doesn't feel too good." I open my mouth, to speak when Carlisle reaches up, tears his other sleeve off, and begins ripping it along the seam until he has a longer piece of cotton and then leans forward wrapping the fabric around my arm and up to my neck creating a makeshift sling, "That's going to help some of the pressure until I can pop it back into place," I lean away from him,
"I'd rather just leave it." Carlisle looks tired, but smiles,
"Carlisle?" I hear Tanya's voice. He turns to look at her, but she's looking at the ground, and then's when my attention is drawn to underneath me, particularly to the large red droplets, that's right. And then it all hits me at once, the pulsing ache in my right wrist, the burning feeling in my mouth, the dull dragging pain in the back of my head, and a wet, slick soreness on my calf. I reach forward grabbing Carlisle's collar,
"Marceline!" Esme's suddenly at my side, keeping me from face-planting into Carlisle's hard chest most likely earning myself a broken nose.
"The shock is wearing off, we need to get back." He tells her, both their hands resting on different parts of my body settle me on my feet..wait,
"My shoes?" I mumble feeling my body move without actually walking,
"It's alright honey." Esme kisses my temple, things move so quickly around me, that I recognize I'm sitting in the car, Carlisle's driving while Esme has me wrapped in her arms, a blanket draped around me,
"The others?" I mumble,
"They're coming,"
"I feel weird." I lean more into her as she reaches around and tucks the blanket tighter around me,
"It'll pass," Carlisle promises from the driver's spot,
"It's okay." Esme reassures, "We love you." I close my eyes and sigh,
"Promise?"
"Promise."
Earlier
"I don't agree with this Aro, the threat should be taken care of immediately,"
"She's not a threat Caius," Carlisle's voice deepens betraying his own emotions,
"She's a human, that apparently can't be changed, that's a threat, Carlisle." Caius spits, stepping forward,
"Caius" Aro tsks,
"You have to see the weight of your decision!" Caius's voice bounces across the room, but Aro doesn't look phased, "Marcus agrees with me." He turns for confirmation but is met with unease,
"I'm not sure I do."
"You think the human should live?" Marcus turns away, silently answering Caius's question. Caius opens his mouth but quickly closes it, choosing to turn and head for the doors, his footsteps loud and pounding on the floor. Carlisle clenches his jaw as he passes Esme nearly missing her,
"You must forgive him, he feels strong in his convictions, you can't blame him for it." Aro says once Caius is well out of the room, Carlisle responds with a nod, "Anyway no harm." Aro shrugs and Carlisle feels his fist clench,
"You told her you would kill her and then dislocated her wrist" Carlisle pans to Demetri, "You opened her stitches and threw her against a wall, she could be concussed, I don't know until I look her over." Demetri at least has the decency to look a little ashamed, Aro only shrugs,
"Humans are such fragile things, you'll have to pardon Demetri, he's used to killing them not protecting them." Of course, Carlisle thinks, Aro wouldn't take responsibility for anything that happened, but Carlisle can't fault him, he did just accept Mare.
"I would take this act of kindness and thank Aro," Marcus says...more so demands and Carlisle knows his place, stepping back into his stoic nature.
"Thank you, Aro." Aro smiles, turning to Esme, who's also stayed behind along with Eleazar's wife, Carmen. Esme bows her head,
"Thank you." Aro steps towards her, hand outstretched, she allows him to take it and give her knuckles a gentle kiss, she does her best not to shutter, Aro laughs at this,
"Esme, Carlisle chose you well, such a picture of class and poise."
"I chose him." Aro laughs, before turning to Carlisle,
"Yes, nice work." He steps closer to Eleazar,
"So you mean it, you know nothing of this ability?" Eleazar gives his head one shake,
"I've never sensed anything of this nature, she's not shielding your gifts away, she's physically taking them, and multiple people at once...it's new." Aro considers this, an odd smile on his lips,
"It's fascinating, I mean what I say, Carlisle, I want to see her every year she's alive, I want to see what she's able to do, will it grow with her, one day can she change-"
"Aro-"
"Yes I know Carlisle" Aro rolls his eyes, "The child can not be changed,"
"Even if one day she can be changed, it's not something she wants." Again, Aro's laugh bounces off the stone,
"What kind of human doesn't want this?" Aro shakes his head, "No, no, no they all do, ask Camila-"
"Victoria." Marcus interrupts causing Aro to turn, his robes spinning with him.
"What happened to Camila?" Marcus looks almost uncomfortable,
"She was three women ago." Aro tilts his head,
"Three you say?" Marcus nods,
"She was before Lucia, Maria, and Stella and after Alessandra," Jane states matter of factly, a sick sort of sweet smile on her lips. Aro shrugs,
"Well, ask any of them, this lifestyle is the only way."
"Marceline doesn't," Esme states, her voice strong. Aro takes her in,
"For now, "
"Forever." Aro smiles,
"How long will you be staying?" He turns back to Carlisle,
"With your permission, we would like to leave tomorrow, we would like to settle in Rome for a few days." Aro considers this before nodding,
"Come by tomorrow before you leave." Carlisle stills before Aro continues, "Just yourself Carlisle, bring your wife if you'd like, but you can leave the child behind." Aro smiles at Esme,
"Yes, Aro."
"Yes, off you go." Carlisle reaches for Esme as Eleazar does the same for Carmen,
"Thank you, Aro," Aro nods,
"Yes, as you know Carlisle I always get what I want, my want for the child to live can change, so take that into consideration." If Carlisle had a heartbeat it would stall,
"Yes, Aro."
"Remember that, my charity depends on me," Aro smiles, "and my mind is easily changed."