Chapter 3: New Life

Chapter 3: New Life

Felix met us at the gate in Florence, along with a bulky blond vampire with a far away look in his eyes. The flight had been timed perfectly, so it was dark already as we ran through the streets. Well, they ran; I was carried, held between the boys like a small child while Jane led. I had only the small duffel bag for my visit to Tanya with me, and that was slung over the shoulder of the blond one, who I came to understand was Christiano, the new guard who saw visions of vampires who had revealed themselves, along with the humans involved.

When Volterra loomed out of the gloom, I worked very hard to suppress a shudder as memories of my last trip here flashed through my mind. They were very clear, despite the fact that they were human.

My bag was returned to me once we were inside the city and they were sure I wouldn’t make a run for it, and I was taken straight to Aro. He was in a big room with a gold ceiling that I had never seen before, half a dozen grey-cloaked figures surrounding him

“Oh well done Jane!” he crowed when he saw me, his milky red eyes flashing with excitement, “I knew you wouldn’t fail me.”

“Of course not Master,” she said, smiling sweetly at him.

He turned to me. “I am sure you will be quite comfortable here Bella. Felix will show you to your room, and then you and I will have a little talk about your place here, and what I expect from you, alright?”

I nodded, lowering my eyes. I heard him sigh heavily.

“Really, you are going to have to do better than that. When I ask you a question like that, you will answer ‘yes Master’ or ‘no Master’ as appropriate. Do you understand?” He sounded like a teacher addressing a new student.

“Yes Master.” I whispered, trying not to cringe.

“Good!” he said, happy again. “Off you go now, I will see you soon.”

Jane, Christiano and Felix bowed, and I followed suit, before Felix led me from the room.

We climbed up a winding staircase until we reached the very top of the tower. There, a little dark wood door with black iron supports across it stood open, giving a view of my new room. It was small but comfortable, with a dressing table, a little closet and even a small bed. I looked around it, not really seeing anything. It was all foreign and hideous compared to my cosy little cottage and our big white bedroom.

“Just put your bag down,” Felix said in his deep gruff voice. “You can unpack later. Master doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”

I just nodded, dumped my bag on the bed, and followed him out of the room and back down the stairs.

The big room was empty apart from Aro when I re-entered it. He smiled at me again, and I bowed.

“Come here Bella,” he said in his high, scratchy voice. “It will be easier to talk if we are close.”

This wasn’t strictly true - I could hear him just fine from the other end of the room - but I did as I was told and approached him.

“Much better,” he crooned. “Now, down to business. First of all, there is the proper way to address the various people here. That is fairly simple. You will refer to your fellow guard members by their full first name unless they tell you otherwise. You will address my brothers and myself as Master at all times, and you will not speak to Sulpicia and Athenadora at all without permission. Do you understand?”

“Yes Master.” I replied, my eyes turned respectfully downwards.

“Good. Now, I assume you would rather be referred to as Bella?” He made it a question; as if he wasn’t sure what I would want. I thought for a moment. What did I want?

“Actually... Master,” I began, hesitant, “I would much rather separate this life from my old life. You know, not be reminded of who I was more than necessary. So...” I bit my lip. “Do you think it would be possible for everyone to call me Isabella from now on? If that’s ok with you, of course.” I added hurriedly

“Of course!” Aro exclaimed, “Whatever you would prefer... Isabella.” He seemed to be testing it out, trying the name to see how it sounded.

“Is there anything else I should know?” I asked, eager to get this over with so I could escape and have some time alone. I needed to cry; or at least, to do the vampire equivalent of crying, which amounted to an odd prickling in my eyes and dry sobs.

“Not right now. I will explain the other aspects of life here as we come to them. Now, Isabella, you will probably want some more clothing and other personal belongings. I can send someone out to buy whatever you need.” He smiled at me. “I want you to be comfortable here.”

“That’s very kind of you Master, but the only things I need cannot be bought.” Just saying the words made the prickling start, and I had a hard time keeping my voice from cracking. Aro’s smile slipped and he looked very solemn.

“Would you like to go home Isabella?”

My head snapped up and I stared at him incredulously. “Home?”

“Just briefly, to collect some of your own things. You would have an escort, of course; but you could go into your home, fetch your own clothes. You could even say your goodbyes if that makes you happy. I’m sure Edward will be very worried about you. And little Renesmee.”

Their names ripped through me, leaving a burning agony in my heart. But I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to go back to the cottage one last time.

“Thank you Master. You are very kind. Would it be possible for me to leave right away? I don’t want to waste any time.”

He smiled at me, satisfied that he was helping me. “Of course Isabella. You will have to run, it’s too late to book a flight, but Demitri will go with you and he will help you find your way.” He snapped his fingers and Alec appeared out of nowhere. “Fetch Demitri. I have a job for him.”

I bowed once more as Alec ran off to find Demitri.