Eleven

Chapter Eleven

Who ever said that sharing their lives with vampires was a joy - which in all honesty was probably me at some point or another - must have some reoccurring brain malfunctions.  At one point in my life I would have even gone so far as to say that it was a blessing to be around such incredible creatures, but I can most assuredly say, that’s over now.

Grumpy from a lack of sleep I sigh wishing this nightmare was over.  Squirming in my seat like a restless child that no longer had the patience to continue listening to their parents prattle I try to find my happy place, where all was right in the world and I was still in my warm bed experiencing a plethora of sinfully Caius induced dreams.  A smile curls over my teeth as I tune out the overly winded, one-sided conversation Aro seems to be having with me as I think about that glorious bed and all the wonderful things I could be doing in it right now, like sleeping.

A loud thump breaks my concentration and from the raised brow and smirk on Aro’s face I’d stake my life that he had done that on purpose, if this was the case he never mentioned it.  Rolling my eyes I decided to fixate my thoughts to a less steamy vestige and more on every single way I could pay Emmett back for this mornings upheaval.  I would have thought by now that my vampire family would be more adapt to my human disabilities - sleeping, eating, bathroom breaks - by now or at least, more appreciative.  But alas they have not or should I say Emmett has not, which brings me back to why I am currently sitting in a beautifully lit study holding court with a vampire king and wanting to burn all within to ash.

Sleeping peacefully was not something that came naturally to me anymore, and when it does leave it to Emmett to interrupt it.  Emmett in all his burly wonder came practically bursting through my door this morning demanding that I “Rise and Shine” and at the time I was in a blissful state of euphoria where Caius had just made all my womanly dreams come true in a rather fast paced, lusty rendition of the horizontal-tango.  So rather than “Rise and Shine”  I wanted to “Rip and Burn” but as usual my large, overly chipper brother remained oblivious to my woes.  In fact it wasn’t until Rosalie came in, much like her husband, and told him without sugar-coating that “Bella” needed a cold shower and he needed to leave did he stop bouncing and commanding.  As my cheeks flamed with my all to familiar blush the words “Rip and Burn” became an understatement.

Groggy and with no buffer to my temper I sat grinding my teeth as Aro rambled on cheerfully as he flitted about his study speaking in English but far from my understanding.  To me he might as well been speaking another language for all I learned this morning.  Blah, blah, blah, Caius hates humans but for some reason I am the exception blah, blah, blah.   Even Marcus sat looking ready to nod-off at any second and I think it was that entertaining idea that kept me awake this long.  All I knew was that if I didn’t get something caffeinated soon Aro would be less worried why Caius and I were so connected and more about where he was going to put the crazy human with the large torch.

My eyes were drooping more by the second and the background noise was nothing more than a hum.  

“Isabella!”  Aro scolded, his hands smacking the large smoked walnut desk and it groaned loudly under the strain.

“What?”  I asked absently as my eyes flew open, remembering that this was not Emmett or even Alice I was talking to but a King.   I sat up straighter trying mercilessly to remove the cobwebs from my brain while Aro looked on almost amused and a little frightened.  Amused I understood as Emmett was constantly reminding me how entertaining the human was, but why he was frightened I’ll never know.  Maybe he thinks I’m crazy?

“Isabella, do you make it a habit to say all of your thoughts aloud?”  Aro asked me finally cracking a smirk himself while Marcus chuckled quietly from the his corner of the room where he had been sitting most of the morning.

“Sorry,”  I replied quickly.  “I’ve never had much a verbal filter.”

“Ah yes, and you talk in your sleep as well?”  I nodded the deep pink in my cheeks deepening as I could only guess who told him as much or what I had said.

“As I was saying, I’ll skip the formalities and as you American’s say “Cut to the chase”.”  He continued, changing the subject and I was extremely grateful.

“Alright,” I replied nodding, sitting up straighter and putting on my big girl face, ready to face anything he could throw at me.

He took his time taking his seat, calmly folding his hands in his lap while I on the other hand nibbled my lip in frustration and impatience.  “It was my intention in the beginning to have Caius here for this particular meeting but I fear I can put this off no longer.  But as he is not here, I wish to commence your change as soon as possible.”

Mortality.

It was something in my previous life I had never taken into account, not fully anyways.  I always thought it was nothing really, my life, I gave it willingly to someone who had never truly deserved it but now, I was nervous. 

It wasn’t just a thought any longer but a choice, to die or live eternally.  If you had asked me just a month ago this same question my answer would have been firm.  I wanted to become one of the undead, to live forever at Edward’s side, but things have changed substantially since then; the first being Edward and his lies.  There was no manual on how to conduct myself now, only the obsession that one vampire/possibly slash werewolf had over me. 

Truthfully, I couldn’t wait for his return.  There was so much that needed to be said and so much that had been left unsaid. 

“How soon?”  I asked nervously, wringing my hands together to stop their trembling as I awaited my answer.  I did not have to wait long.

“This evening if all goes well.  You should be well into your change by midnight.”  

As I thought this over I steeled my nerves and repeatedly told myself that this was what I wanted.  That this had been what I always wanted, to be with my vampire family for eternity… but this was different.  I was doing this without Edward and I had no soul mate to comfort me through my newborn year.  Stop being childish, I told myself firmly.  Jasper, Alice and many others had no one to comfort them through such a stage and here I was whining about not having my happily ever after. 

“Who?”  It was a vague question but as Aro’s eyes widened I knew he got the jest of my stellar vocabulary skills. 

“Well,”  he said standing and with a wave of his hand gestured to Marcus who also stood and made his way over to where I sat.  “It is true that I have not had much time to think about this but Marcus has requested that he be the one to administer the bite.”

Marcus bowed.  “If you would honor me?” 

I must have tripped over my tongue many times before I could form anything that remotely resembled words but I in all honesty didn’t know what to say.  From what I had heard many times from several of the Cullens was that Marcus did not involve himself with anything he didn’t deem worthy of his time and for him to ask to turn me was both frightening and flattering. 

“Of course.”  I finally managed, taking a deep breath to stave off the dizziness that had my head swimming.  “My I ask why you chose me?” 

His mouth curved upwards, a small half smile appearing changing his features so drastically that I was forced to gasp.  Just as quickly as his smile appeared it was gone, replaced by a deep frown.  Guiltily I wondered if it was my reaction to him that rapidly changed his mood, but as I looked up to Aro for some kind of answer I found that his eyes were already trained on me, widened in fear.  

“Isabella,”  he started lowly, slowly making his way around to me and pulling me gently up from my chair.  “Go behind my desk and stay there.  You mustn’t move until I tell you.  Do you understand?”  

“Yes,”  I squeaked out just as a long echoing roar rang from somewhere in the castle.  Quickly I moved myself to squat behind the large desk knowing all the while that the large piece of furniture would do me little good against anything capable of creating that kind of noise.  And the look on Aro’s face as he drilled out his instructions only terrified me further, surly if the brother’s were scared I had every right to be in a near panic.  

It was only seconds later when a thundering crash met my ears and my body was assaulted by thousands of wood shards, raining down on me from over the desk.  I screamed, quickly slapping my hands over my ears while the battle of colliding boulders continued, growling and snapping mixed in with the occasional snarled word.  Then it was quiet and I found the silence more frightening than the haunting sounds of the skirmish.  

I had shut my eyes sometime ago, too fearful to see what could be possibly about to eat me but as time ticked by and a cool blast of air hit my face, my curious nature got the better of me and I opened my eyes.  I jumped back, startled at the proximity of his body and by his appearance. 

“C-Caius,”  I stammered, still reeling from his closeness as his body was practically draped over mine and the coolness radiating off him was refreshing to my fevered skin. 

He said nothing in return but in his defense I don’t think he was capable of speech at the time.  He was beautifully feral, his white hair unbound and falling like a curtain of snow around him, his clothing were nothing but serrated tatters and his eyes were black as the night sky.  Yet they were different than those of a normal thirsting vampire; the entire circumference of the eye itself was black not just the iris and I couldn’t help but think that it was another mark left by the beasts he so loathed.  In my mind it made him all the more petrifying and beautiful.

“Caius,”  I said again, this time more firmly hoping anything would register without causing him to attack.  He cocked his head to the right, looking as confused as I felt and then he smiled his gleaming fangs glistening with the venom that spilt down his chin. 

“Do not fear me, ma cher.”  he told me, seductively running an icy digit down the length of my face and across my exposed collar.  I shivered in both fear and delight, many of my nightly fantasies racing through my mind as I bit back a moan.  His nostrils flared and with a hiss he parted my legs, sliding my dress up my thighs as he settled himself between them.  “I can smell you, little one,”  he whispered his breath tickling the hairs of my neck as he pulled the lobe of my ear into his mouth followed by a sharp sting. 

“Oh…”  I groaned, feeling myself moisten as he continued to suck and lick, nibbling his way down the column of my neck.  He chuckled against my skin, telling me how good I tasted and how he craved more.  I was panting like a wanton hussy around the same time a throat cleared.  Caius’s head snapped up and a deep warning sounded from his chest.  Peeking around his bulking form was not easy but when I managed I wished I hadn’t, not only were Marcus and Aro standing there smiling smugly but I also had to face Emmett’s wagging eyebrows, Alice’s knowing smirk, Rosalie’s scowl and Carlisle’s wide eyes.  Esme was the worst though, if she were still human I know she would have been blushing a brighter red than me. 

I groaned and buried myself in Caius’s chest, willing them to all fade away but the sound of my chuckling family assured me that my prayers had gone unanswered.  Chuckling along with them Caius lifted us to stand but as my legs were still jelly from Caius’s affections I think I was less standing and more hanging on by a thread.  It was then I heard Alice gasp and when my eyes flew to her face I saw her stiffen along with everyone else.

“Bella, you’re bleeding.”  She made to move towards me, her eyes filled with concern but a loud growl flew from the vampire holding me and she held her ground.  Confused, I stared down at myself, looking for the mystery injury that I couldn’t detect until I found a few scattered droplets of blood, staining my gown in a vertical pattern down my breasts.

“Forgive me, Bella?”  Caius said lowly, nuzzling the top of my head with his cheek.

“Huh?”  I asked stupidly, the understanding of what he was apologizing for alluding me.

A single fingertip grazed my neck and up to the earlobe his sinful mouth had so thoroughly ravished.  “Your ear, my pet.”  He said silkily pulling his hand into my sightline where I could see the crimson liquid gathered on his finger before bringing it to his mouth and sucking it off like the most divine chocolate. 

My breath hitched as the heat between my legs flared in want. 

“Leave us.”  Caius told them firmly.

“No way, buddy,”  Emmett said puffing himself up and moving away from the protection of Carlisle and Aro.  “You just bit her, she’s going with you over my pile of ashes.”  My heart lurched with worry for my sibling, knowing full well of the chances of Emmett winning a fight with Caius, it was slim at best.  After all, Jasper was terrified of him and I had seen Jasper and Emmett spar.  Emmett didn’t stand a chance.

“Em, it’s okay,”  I tried taking a step in his direction in hopes of comforting him only to be pulled back flush with Caius’s chest as he snarled.  

“Do not test me, infant,”  he told him pushing me further behind him and moving to the defensive.  

“Enough of this,”  Aro commanded, sounding more the vampire than I had ever heard before.  “My brother will allow no harm to come to Bella, he could not even if he so wanted.”  

“Oh and why’s that?”  Emmett asked defiantly, crossing his gigantic arms over his chest.  “He just bit her, how am I supposed to believe he won’t do it again?”

The howling laughter of Aro startled me, he was bent at the waist cackling in such a away I would have never believed it had I not seen it myself.  “You think…”  he laughed.  “You are a fool if you cannot see it.”  

“Huh?”  We seemed to reply in unison and I imagined that Emmett was just as confused if not more than I was.  

“Soul-mates,”  Marcus informed us coolly, looking at me from his perch behind Aro with what I could only describe as affection.  

My eyes widened and my body stiffened.  I can’t be true, my mind screamed, taunting me for being a fool once again.  I had already heard this line, mates, that’s what Edward had called us and it was nothing more than a cruel lie to break my heart so he could fulfill his desires for my blood.  In my heart though, I knew it to be true.  I had known the man less than a week and for a good portion of that week I had brushed him off as a sexual infatuation or possibly a distraction in my vulnerable state but as the week went on more and more of me cried out for his presence, just the smell of him seemed to be a balm for my soul.  

Peeking up at him from under wet lashes his eyes, now returned to that beautiful ruby shade I had grown so accustomed to, were already peering down at me.  It was hard to believe with all that I had heard about Caius in the past, his cruel nature and his cold disposition that he could ever look upon anything so tenderly as he was at this moment.  Beautiful, I thought aimlessly as I reached out with a tentative hand to caress his marbled skin, relishing in the silky coolness that seemed to burn me from the inside out.  

Soul-mates.

A loud disgruntled huff had me shifting my gaze from the vampire still holding me snuggly in his arms to the sulking form of my brother who still looked a little miffed by the scene in front of him.  Rosalie who’s eyes were darting from me to her husband finally threw her hands in the air one of which detoured to smack my still bewildered brother upside the head.

“Come on, Emmy-bear, momma will make it all better.”  She teased seizing at his paw of a hand and dragging him from the room.  Carlisle and Esme leaving in a similar manner with a giggling Alice hot on their heels.  

“Well, brother, it seems you made your way home just in the knick of time.”  Aro said, his amused face slightly wrinkling as he took in Caius’s disheveled appearance and I had to agree, for as beautiful as the man was he was a train wreck and smelled worse.  

“Yes impeccable timing,”  Marcus agreed, his lips twitching upwards in a smile all his own.  

It was a sight to behold, really, watching the three most exalted men of their species behaving like… well, children.  Brothers till the end, I silently mused as they teased their younger sibling like I imagined all big brothers did only in most realities when the brothers squared off for the big wrestle they couldn’t literally tear the house down.  

Caius, for as lighthearted he seemed to be in the moment did nothing more than grunt at his teasing siblings before leading me through the destroyed room, and into an adjoining saloon where he took rest in a plush wingback, taking me with him.  Slightly embarrassed by this new public display I tried to stand with the intentions of taking my own chair as the brothers entered, but as Caius’s arms tightened around my waist he growled, a warning clearly stating that I would be going no where.  

“Well, now that matter is settled,”  Aro started looking pointedly at me.  “I have a matter to discuss with you brother, and it may resolve the reasoning behind Bella’s rescheduled change.”  

“What is it, Aro.”  Caius said darkly a small rumble vibrating from his chest.

“Edward Cullen.”