Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Sins Of The Past

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 20:

Bella POV

It was dark. So dark even my enhanced eyesight had trouble making Master Caius out from the short distance away. We were deep into the Italian Country side. No one around for miles. No lights, no people. It was just the two of us. I wasn’t sure why. He told me we would train tonight.

“Master why are we here and not at the Castle?”

“To spar Isabella. You have an important battle in front of you. I have to make sure you are prepared.”

Okay.

“Who will I be sparring with Master?”

Master Caius slipped on a pair of black leather gloves.

“Me.”

I nearly laughed. Master Caius never sparred with the guard. It was rumored that he could not be defeated. Felix told me once he had sparred with him over six hundred years before. He said he lasted thirty two seconds. No one could defeat Master Caius. It was deemed unfair for the guard to spar with him.

“I don’t understand Master…”

“What is to understand? I want to see how strong you are. How your skills have progressed. The best way to do this is first hand. I have gloves on daughter. I promise your skin will not be touched. Now let us spar Bella Swan.”

I froze.

He was circling me…

“Master?”

“Yes Bella Swan?”

“Why are you calling me by that name? Bella Swan is dead.”

He moved so quickly I never saw him, but he was at my back. Very close. He whispered in my ear.

“No, she isn’t. Somewhere inside your perfect vampire brain Bella Swan lives. The girl who lost her mind over a boy leaving her behind. The girl who thought so little of herself that she constantly placed herself in danger to hear Edward Cullen’s voice. The girl who wouldn’t eat, who shivered in fear of Victoria every night. The girl who curled up on the ground and wanted to die in the forests of La Push. The girl who took a blade to the beach intent on spilling her own life blood and ending the life of not only yourself but your child. She is still in you somewhere. Her ghost haunts you. You do not seek revenge for Isabella Dwyer. Isabella Dwyer knew how to live with pain and use it to make herself stronger. You do not seek revenge for Isabella Volturi. She is untouchable. You seek revenge for the weak, sniveling human you were. You know she is still there, inside you somewhere. Hiding. Wanting protection. I want to see what Bella Swan has to offer. I want to see if she is dangerous or still just a victim.”

I didn’t move. He was so close he could kill me. I could shield myself….

“Do you know what your weakness is Bella?”

“I have no weakness.”

“Yes you do. Think. What is your weakness?”

“I can’t be touched.” I told him quietly.

“Of course not. But when you protect yourself you can’t exactly attack others now can you? How can you exact revenge, if you are constantly staying inside your little protective bubble? How can you tear the throat out of your enemy if you are hiding inside a bubble?”

“I won’t hide.” I gritted out.

“Show me. Fight me Bella Swan. Come out of your hiding place. Show me you are strong.”

I jumped away from him and turned in a defensive stance. He was no longer there.

The strike caught me by surprise. He struck the back of my head. I hit the ground face first. Before I could rise he was on top of me.

I screamed. My shield knocked him off of me and I stood up quickly.

“No!” he said loudly. I halted my near charge.

“Master?”

“Your eyes. Your eyes have tears in them. Why are you crying Bella Swan?”

“Please stop calling me that name.” I begged desperately.

“Isabella Volturi does not ask please. She would kill me for calling her that name. Get on the ground. Face first. Just as you were.”

“No!”

“Yes. On the ground now. Do not make me place you there. I can. Of course you can hide in your bubble if you wish. You could stay there like a turtle. Will you be my little turtle, Bella Swan? Are you my little turtle? Shall we find a pond for you to float in?”

“Stop.” I gritted out.

“On the ground. Shield down. Now.”

I dropped to my knees. I could do this. It was my father. One of my three fathers. He would not hurt me right?

I was ashamed of the thought even as I had it.

“Face to the ground.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

I stayed unmoving in silence. He said nothing. We must have stayed like this for an hour.

“You don’t get to go to La Push until you do this.” He whispered, breaking the silence. Not even a cricket was chirping. It was as if the world had disappeared and it was only the two of us.

“Why not?”

“Because you cannot fight him with your shield up, beloved daughter. As much as it pains me to do this to you I must. It is very possible that this beast will have you at some point pinned to the ground. Just as he did 16 years ago. I want to know who you are going to be at that moment, Bella Swan or Isabella Volturi? Will you use this shield when it is necessary or will weak Bella Swan emerge and cry and beg for him to stop? I cannot risk you going into this fight, standing aside and letting you battle this foul beast unless I know you can defeat your own demons first. You have a daughter relying on you to save her. You have revenge to seek for yourself. A family that cannot lose you. You can’t afford a panic attack. No more breakdowns, no more coddling from Aro. No more hugs from the Queens. We are playing for blood. Yours or theirs. Face first on the ground Bella.”

I lowered myself to the ground. I tried to avoid it but my lips tasted dirt. His hands were on my shoulders immediately.

“What now Bella? What now? Who will rise? The scared little victim looking for her turtle shell to hide in or my daughter?”

I couldn’t move. The dirt.

“His claws are marking you Bella. His teeth are near your neck. Someone has to act. Who is it going to be? Your beloved Jane isn’t here to cause pain to those who merely look at you with lust. Your brother Felix isn’t here to lift Paul LaHote by the throat for daring to insult his poor little sister. Where are you at Isabella?”

I was in La Push. I was frightened. It hurt. I wanted to cry.

“Why?” I whimpered.

“Where the fuck are you Isabella?!”

“In La Push.” I cried out.

“What are you going to do?”

“It hurts!”

“No one is hurting you. No one.”

“You are on top of me!”

“No I’m not. I am over here Isabella. No one is on top of you. Only your fear.”

I opened my eyes and looked up. Master Caius was twenty feet away. He had the saddest look on his face.

“Can you feel the weight on you?”

“Yes.” It was true. I could feel someone pushing me to the Earth.

“That is your fear. You have to defeat that before I can let you battle a wolf who will not be in your head Bella. He may be on your back. Again. I love you too much to risk him scarring you. What are you going to do?”

He walked over. I felt his gloved hand press my neck down. My forehead hit the dirt.

“Who is there?”

“I am.”

“Who are you?”

“Isabella Volturi.” I gasped out, speaking around the dirt.

“Volturi do not lay on the ground and cry. Get up. Show me who the fuck you are girl!”

Every memory I had of being held into the dirt while I was ripped apart came back to me in vivid detail. I didn’t know who I was. I didn’t know who was on top of me.

All I knew was I was going to kill the fucker.

My legs raised up and my hands rolled in front of me, sending my attacker over and to the ground. I was on him before he could rise.

I struck his face. That sneering face. Those fucking black eyes. His dark hair. He came into my father’s office and told me my daughter belonged in La Push.

He was laughing at me.

I hit him again. And again. Why was he still laughing?

His knee landed between my legs and I flew over him. I hit the ground and immediately felt him back on top of me.

Hair fell down and touched my cheek. I opened my eyes and saw the hair was black. It wasn’t mine.

We were both in the air. I twisted and landed on my back, Billy Black underneath me. I popped up and regained my footing. Looking up I expected to see Master Caius or Billy Black.

He was there. He had a mask on. I think it was a mask.

A wolf’s head.

“You haven’t hurt me you little bitch. Hurt me!” The wolf told me. I obeyed.

I fought for what must have been hours. I tore at his skin. I nearly bit him. Three times.

Finally I had him.

Face first against the ground, my arm wrapped around his neck.

“Good.” The wolf whispered.

I rolled him over and tried to rip his head off. I wanted to look in his eyes as he died. No. He needed to stay alive. He had not paid enough. Not nearly enough. I would rip the skin from his face.

In ripping his face off I saw it was only a mask. A mane of beautiful blonde hair lay underneath.

“Master Caius?”

He smiled at me.

“Very good daughter. You conquered your fear. Kill me if you must. I understand. Billy Black cannot touch you. Whether you use a shield or not. I will go to my death satisfied.”

I stumbled off of him and fell to the ground. What did I do?

A hand was above me. A gloved hand. I reached for it and Master Caius pulled me to my feet.

“Father?”

“Yes daughter?”

“I love you.” I told him quietly, not meeting his eyes.

“As I love you. I am very proud of you. I gave you everything I had tonight. No holding back. You defeated me. There is no one in this world you cannot defeat, gifts be damned. Go back to the Castle. I will be there shortly. Go to Jane. Go to your family.”

“Come with me.” I begged.

He simply smiled.

“I will be along shortly. I need a moment to myself. Go Isabella Volturi. Decorate your new chambers. Kiss your love. Relax. You are truly invincible now. Go.”

The sun was rising. I gathered my robe and covered my head. I felt alive. I ran to the city and stopped before the walls, turning and staring at the sun.

It was a beautiful sunrise.

Athenodora POV

I watched my love fall to the ground as soon as Isabella was away.

My heart broke for him as he laid prostrate and wailed. Deep sobs coming from deep inside his beautiful soul. The soul that only a few are privileged to see.

He did the same for Jane, one thousand years ago. Chelsea gave him the okay. He was the only one who could do it. He was the only one of us strong enough to do what needed to be done.

I did not approach him until the rays of the sun touched his body and his beautiful hair sparkled. Walking up I simply laid his robe over his body and walked to the hill to resume my watch.

He cried until the noon sun was overhead. Finally Caius rose and slowly made his way to me.

“Will she hate me forever?” he whispered to me, not meeting my eyes. I lifted his chin and was momentarily shocked. So much venom pooled in his eyes, his pupils were hard to see clearly, even to my eyes.

“She will love you forever.” I told him honestly. “Before she entered the castle she watched the sun rise with a smile on her face. You did what needed to be done. What none of us could do. I am proud of you husband.”

“If you are proud why do I feel so low? So low I want to fall at her feet and beg forgiveness for the rest of eternity?”

“Because despite your efforts to prove to us otherwise, behind the sneers, sarcasm, and lust for battle is the soul of a good man. That is why I have loved you for eternity and will continue to love you even if this world burns down around us. Come my husband. Alec has something he wishes to speak to the Kings about. I will give you a few more moments. Then you will resume your duties.”

“She won’t hate me?”

“She loves you Caius. Don’t be long.”

I ran towards the castle but stopped briefly to check on him. Even from this distance I could see the smoke.

He was burning the wolf mask he had brought.

Aro POV

Caius walked into the throne room solemnly. I knew what he had been doing. Soon we would be going to Forks to prepare. It had to be done. The question was how she would react. Today would be an emotional day for my daughter.

Caius walked over and did something rather surprising. He touched my hand. Caius usually preferred not to do this, entertaining me with his stories verbally.

I saw.

“Brother are you alright?” Marcus asked me after a moment.

“Of course. Why do you ask?”

“Tears fill your eyes.”

I wiped my eyes with the sleeve of my jacket and saw he was correct.

“She thought the sunrise was beautiful brother.” I grinned.

Marcus nodded. He understood. It had been a very long time since Bella saw the beauty in a sunrise.

Time to get down to business.

“Alec?”

The doors opened and Alec walked in, leading a very tense Dion by the hand.

He kneeled before us and Dion did the same.

“Rise Alec. Why do you kneel before us? This is not necessary.”

“Thank you Masters. I kneel because today I come before you with a request that can only be granted by my Kings, not my fathers.”

Marcus reached over and held out his hand. I touched him and saw. He was correct as always. He predicted she would return and she did. Neither of us suspected this soon but Chelsea’s severing of Rosalie’s bond may have had an impact on her emotionally.

“We are one and the same. Never forget that. Who do you bring before us? I do not believe we were properly introduced at the last court.”

“This is Dion, Master.”

“A pleasure Dion.” I gave her my best cheerful smile and Caius didn’t roll his eyes. I hoped he spoke to Isabella soon. I needed him to be himself. To do the things I couldn’t. Of the two I have always believed him to be the strongest. I was gifted at handling the affairs of our kind. Caius… Caius did the thankless work that had to be done and caused the vampire world to see him as a heartless monster. Of course I suppose we were all seen in that light by some.

“Thank you… Master Aro.”

“There is no need to call me Master, Dion. I am simply Aro to those outside of our family. My children call my brothers and I Master as a term of respect. There is no need for you to do so.”

“Master I have come to ask… Dion wishes to join the Volturi. She wishes to be one of us.”

“Is this true Dion?”

“Yes Ma… Aro.”

“Why do you wish to join our Guard? Do you have an understanding of what we do? What of your Sire? Are you not a member of his coven? You are a newborn. Newborns do not generally leave the coven of the one who sired them. You wish to leave the coven that saved your life and join the coven which nearly caused your death?”

“I… wish to be with Alec.” She whispered.

“Why?” I pressed.

“I feel… drawn to him. I cannot explain it sir.”

“Alec have you not explained this draw to Dion?” I looked at him in surprise.

“No Master. I wasn’t sure of it myself.”

“Why did you not ask me, Alec?” Marcus asked.

“I… didn’t want to take her choices away Master.”

“Dion the reason you feel drawn to Alec is something called a mating pull. Some vampires are inexplicably linked to others. These pulls are difficult if not impossible in some instances to break especially if both vampires feel the bond strongly. In other instances, the pull is felt by one and not the other as strongly. In this case they can be broken. Do you wish us to attempt to break this bond?”

“No! I mean please no? I… I want to continue to know Alec. I… he is a gentle soul and I…”

“I see. Alec do you feel the same? Do you wish to continue to know Dion?”

“Yes Master.”

“You understand the life we lead here Alec as well as anyone. A life of thankless duty to our kind and the human race as well. A life of danger often. Placing her with us would make her a target as we all are. Is this what you wish, or would you prefer to leave? To take her away? Travel?”

“Master? You would allow this?” he asked in disbelief.

“Of course. You are our son. We would never force you to stay.”

“Master I have no desire to go anywhere! This is my home. I serve the Volturi!”

I took a breath. I suspected as much. As much as it would pain me to see Alec leave I would not hold him here. He has been alone for eons. He deserved a chance at happiness.

“I am glad to hear that Alec. Dion do you understand what it is we do?”

“Yes. You uphold the law. You enforce the law. You protect our kind from being hunted by humans. You prevent humans from being overran by our kind.”

“And you wish to be a part of this? Or you wish simply wish to be with Alec? Because if Alec will not leave, then you will be a part of this life. You are sure you want this?”

“Yes. Yes I want this.” She answered firmly.

Young love. Of course I had already spoken to my brothers about this when Marcus informed us of the bond he saw. We had already decided what to do when the time came. It was inevitable that she leave Whitlock and come to us.

“You have no gifts that have been discovered correct?”

“No.” she admitted sadly. Alec also looked worried.

“I see. Alec if the two of you would wait outside while we discuss your request?”

“Yes Master.” I watched Dion and Alec leave, her hand seeking his. Once the door was closed I turned towards Caius.

“isabella loves you brother. She is stronger for what you did.”

“I know.” He admitted quietly.

“If you are feeling that much guilt I would be glad to spar with you brother and remind you who is the better warrior.” Marcus added in with a slight smile.

“I do my best not to harm the elderly Marcus. Shall we perhaps discuss the issue at hand?”

“We already have. She cannot join our guard and she cannot leave him behind. The choice is simple.”

“We have never done this before Aro.” Caius pointed out.

“I know. Exciting is it not?” I laughed. Caius rolled his eyes. There is the Caius I want to see.

“Alec?”

Alec and Dion entered the chambers looking quite tense.

“Dion I am afraid I cannot allow you to join our guard at this time. You are in no way prepared to help us in our causes. You have no training in battle and no gifts to help you or us.”

Neither said a word. Both looked at the floor.

“However you will be admitted into our coven. You will have your own chambers and you and Alec can get to know each other better. Should you decide that you wish to be with Alec you of course can share a chamber and do whatever it is you kids do.”

“So long as fisting is not involved.” Caius added quietly.

“Master I don’t understand…”

“She is not ready Alec. To new, to young. She would be hurt and possibly killed in our missions. But she will be a part of our family. She has a gift of making you happy. That is enough. In the future should she decide to train she may become a part of our guard if she so wishes. Until that time she will be family. Show her to the vacant chambers and allow her to choose one. Perhaps the one your sister and Isabella vacated. Have Celeste prepare a credit card and ID for her. Remember she is a newborn so keep her well-fed. I am assuming you agree with our choice of sustenance dear?”

“Yes.” She agreed quickly. It appears someone doesn’t like the taste of wild game.

“Excellent. Between her and Isabella we may solve the human’s overpopulation problem. Welcome to your new home Dion. We all look forward to getting to know you better. We have all the time in the world.”

“Thank you Master Aro, Master Caius, Master Marcus” She smiled widely.

“Yes, yes, your very welcome, now be on your way.” Caius told her dismissively.

The two ran from the throne room hand in hand.

“Well that went well.” I commented to no one in particular.

“Yes another newborn to feed who can help us in absolutely no manner, all so Alec can have a girlfriend. Splendid decision Aro. Perhaps she can water the gardens. Or answer the phones and we can finally get rid of Celeste.” Caius observed dryly.

“Let us see how Isabella is feeling? Is Chelsea at her chambers Marcus?”

“Yes. I told her we would be there shortly.”

“Then let us not keep her waiting.”

We arrived at Isabella and Jane’s new chambers. Looking around I could see quite a bit of decoration had already gone into it. It was elegant and lovely, like they were. A perfect reflection.

“This is much nicer than a stuffy War room would have been.” I mentioned quietly.

Caius said nothing. Isabella looked up from the couch where she had been in an animated discussion with Jane and Chelsea. Her eyes went directly to Caius.

She stood before him quickly.

“Master?”

Caius would not look at her.

“Father?”

That caught his attention. None of us could resist when she called us father.

He met her eyes and she smiled.

“I love you.”

Caius nodded his head but seemed incapable of speech. Finally his mouth opened.

“I love you too daughter.”

Marcus broke the moment before things could become awkward. I noticed Sulpicia and Athenodora had walked in. Time to get started.

“Isabella there has been a development. Nothing about La Push. We will leave for Washington soon. But something has happened. It affects you, and we have to tell you about it.”

“Okay.” Isabella sat with a worried face.

Chelsea stepped sat next to her.

“Do you remember the visitor named Garrett?”

“Of course. I am a vampire.” Isabella chuckled.

“I have to tell you what I have done Bella.”

Jasper POV

“I got a hold of the Denali’s.” Garrett told me, frustrated. Alice had already seen their decision but Garret was convinced he could change their minds.

“Turned you down correct?”

“Apparently the one named Irina had a friend who was killed by these wolves. They want nothing to do with witnessing the Volturi’s actions but are very happy with their decision to wipe out this tribe, innocents and all. I would expect animal feeders to be more sympathetic, at least to the innocent tribe members involved.”

“Sympathy is not a prominent trait in our kind Garrett. You wouldn’t care either if this was another coven prepared to wipe them out.” I told him honestly.

“Have you gotten a hold of Carlisle?”

“Nope.” I answered quickly. We were at the Cullen mansion, arriving last night. The scent of Volturi lingered.

“The coward.”

“He is smarter than we are. The more I learn about Bella Swan’s life the more convinced I am that we should leave.”

“What have you learned?” he asked, interested finally.

“She moved to Florida suddenly and dropped off the radar for a few years. Nothing. The only public documents with her name on it were a Florida driver’s license and a birth certificate issued months after she left Forks. She had a child. A daughter named Danielle. No father listed on the certificate. She stopped using the name Swan and started suing Dwyer. Nothing else. She pops up years later as a New York City detective. Her application had a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from John Jay in New York although my guy can’t find one single picture or indication she ever attended other than a transcript with perfect grades. Not even a graduation photo. She never went there. The Volturi must have forged the degree. Looking at what Jenks found, it is apparent that the Volturi have been paying her since she left Forks. Her expenses do not match up to her income by a long shot. Her tax records are perfect though. Meaning the Volturi hacked into the IRS database.

She returned to Fork’s last month, apparently along with the Volturi guard to investigate her father’s shooting. She shot the man involved during a drug raid and arrested three accomplices. She was able to get the warrant for the raid due to the dead man’s uncle hanging himself the night before. He was a Judge who refused to give a warrant to her father. Days after that, an unknown assailant broke the three men out of jail, killing the two Forks deputies. Two of those men, shot Bella in front of her father’s home. Witnesses reported seeing Bella returning fire and killing both men. One man who escaped, Paul LaHote, is still at large. State Police have taken over Forks PD and are trying to figure out what the hel happened. Witnesses saw a blonde haired teenage girl take Bella in a car. Her daughter was not found, though she had attended one day at Fork’s high, indicating Bella planned on staying a while and her daughter was here.

Now Bella is gone, her daughter is gone and even her father is gone. No one knows where her mother is at this point either. Her entire family has disappeared. We know what happened to Bella. Her family is a different story.”

“Interesting. Perhaps she wants revenge on those who shot her father? But why kill the whole tribe?”

“She had a daughter, Garrett.”

“So?”

“Sixteen years ago. Shortly after abruptly leaving Forks. Use your fucking head.”

“She was raped, wasn’t she Jasper?” Alice asked, walking in, looking sadder than I have ever seen her.

“Yep. Looks that way. I’m betting by a wolf.”

“It’s why Rosalie left. Aro must have told her the truth. You know what happened to Rosalie. She would know we left Bella with those… those fucking wolves.” Alice whispered.

“Yeah. I left her. You wanted to bring her. I made the decision Alice. This is on me.”

“No. This is all our fault Jasper. It is why Aro is so angry. Don’t you see? 16 years? He found her. He would know what they did. He let her stay human to raise her child. Why would he do that? He is a bastard right Garrett? Why would a bastard do that?” Alice asked the question that had been on my mind. Aro had her. He could have taken her then and there. Why did he wait? Pay for her life. Give her everything she wanted. He simply could have taken her. She was young. It would have been easy to manipulate her.

Garrett for once seemed out of words.

“Now she has returned. Aro promised her revenge. He is making good on his promise.” I thought out loud.

“Jasper we got someone coming through the woods on foot..” Peter said from the yard. I knew he heard every word.

I walked outside, Alice and Garrett by my side and waited. I expected Volturi or a pack of wolves. I was a bit surprised to see one man wearing only cut off shorts.

Out of the trees stepped Jacob fucking Black. I remembered him as a skinny kid. Now he was a huge man. Older but still an intimidating presence to humans. I remembered him at Prom. Bothering Bella. I recognized the scent immediately. He was a wolf.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” he opened.

“This is our house. What he fuck are you doing here?” I responded.

“Have you come to help them?” He looked worried, eyes flitting over all of us. I looked around the tree line. No way he came alone.

“Help who?” I asked casually.

“The fucking vampires who want to destroy my people. The fucking Volturi.”

“Why are they coming for you?”

“Why do your kind ever do anything? You’re fucking monsters.”

“My kind didn’t rape Bella Swan.” I countered hoping for a reaction.

The reaction was all the proof I needed.

“I… I don’t… are you here to help or fight against us? No way you just decided to show up.”

“Where is her daughter?”

“None of your fucking business.”

“Wanna bet?” I stepped forward.

“Wanna get into a fight surrounded by wolves? There are over twenty of us now. You really want that kind of heat?”

I checked the surroundings again. No emotions. No one was out there.

“I need to know. Are you going to help us or is all that respect for life Carlisle is spouting a load of crap? We have a treaty. Do you intend to break it?”

I felt the anger radiating off my companions. Witnesses? Yes I planned to witness. I planned to witness the Volturi wipe these fuckers off the face of the planet.

“We are just on a family vacation, reliving old times. I would say good luck to you but I wouldn’t mean it. I would also kill you now but I don’t believe it is my place. Go to hell Jacob Black. You return here and I will hurt you.”

The little fucker smirked.

“Be seeing you around Whitlock.” He ran back into the woods.

He made it into the trees when I realized what he said. Peter did as well.

“How the fuck did he know your name was Whitlock?” he asked.

I took off after him. Following his scent I should have caught up with him in seconds.

Until his scent trail ended. It just ended. No footprints. No scent, no noise. It just ended.

What the hell was going on around here?