Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

For God And Country

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 21:

BPOV

We arrived in Volturi and Demetri guided us through the underground passageway into the throne room. I had never been here. I also had never seen Garrett so alert. Not since La Push.

“Would you fucking relax already?”

“I will relax when we have left. You stay by my side the entire time we are here.”

This cute, sexy, stupid man.

“Garrett? You better go find the wife you think you have. She is probably barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen. I will go where I fucking want, with or without you.”

I heard Demetri snort in front of us. Great. That will get around the castle. Garrett was growling already and we hadn’t even got to the throne room.

We finally entered the cavernous hall. Neat. My three amigos were sitting in chairs, smiling.

“What’s up guys? Nice place. A little gothic but it fits you.”

Aro stood and approached.

“Thank you Bella. It is so good to see you again.” Aro kissed my hand. Caius and Marcus walked beside him. Marcus was smiling.

“Welcome Bella. We hope you and you husband will consider this castle as a second home.” Garrett snorted. I elbowed him in the ribs.

“Garrett, Garrett. What will it take to convince you that we are not the evil men you believe us to be?” Aro asked.

“Better lies I suppose.” He answered. Maybe in a couple hundred years he would chill out.

“Would you like to see your friend first or be shown to your room?” Caius asked.

“I believe I would prefer to talk with Nina. We have a difficult discussion and she has a choice to make. It won’t be easy for her.”

Caius looked at me in disbelief. “Why would it be difficult? Turn her into a vampire and that will be that.”

“I will only turn her if she wants it. She may choose death. If she does I will kill her, quickly and painlessly.” I told him honestly.

“Why on earth would she not want to be changed?” Marcus asked.

“Marcus, people like Nina and I are not afraid of death. It is an acceptable outcome to our lives. If I had not had Garrett’s love I would have preferred to be killed rather than live forever.”

Aro nodded. He understood.

“You are right Bella. It will be a difficult conversation. I hope you can convince her to become immortal. She is so like you. She would make an amazing vampire. Demetri take Bella and Garrett to Nina.”

I began to follow Demetri when Aro spoke one more time.

“Bella, I must say I never understood exactly the lengths you went too and the difficulty of the training you endured until I saw Nina’s memories. I want you to know I hold you in even higher regard, if possible than I did when I first met you. You are amazing Bella.”

Amazing?

“I’m a killer Aro. That’s all.”

“No Bella. I have known killers. Pure mindless killing machines who think of nothing but causing death to others. You my dear are like your husband. You are a warrior.”

We were led by Demetri to Nina’s room.

“Jane is inside. She has been explaining to her about vampires. What we are, how we become this way. How you became this way. Jane didn’t want her surprised when you arrived.

“Thank you Demetri.” I nodded.

I walked in and saw Nina and Jane sitting on a giant poster bed. Jane turned and ran to me, jumping in my arms.

“Bella! You are finally here!”

I had to laugh despite the situation. I missed the little witch.

“Hey Jane. Thank you… for… you know?”

“Of course. I would never let anything happen to a friend of yours.” Jane was smiling. She looked good. Faded ripped blue jeans and a Led Zeppelin t shirt. She still had her hair down. I hugged her again.

“Garrett, Jane, you guys mind if I have a minute?”

They both nodded and walked outside, closing the door behind them. I heard their steps going down the hall. They were giving us privacy.

I looked at the only woman I had ever considered a real sister. Her hair was dark brown and so long it hung to the middle of her back. Her eyes were naturally a beautiful shade brown. Not as dark as mine had been. We were built nearly the same. She was maybe an inch taller and her damn breasts were slightly larger but not by much. She had the same pale skin I had as a human but maybe slightly more tan. She had that beautiful smile. She was thin but strong. Not an ounce of fat on her.

“Nina.” I whispered.

“Bella.”

Neither of us said a word or moved. Memories were flooding in my mind. Memories that I was glad Aro kept to himself. Memories of the two of us comforting each other, pushing each other, picking each other up when one of us fell. I considered her my sister in every way but there was a time when we were… where we took care of each other’s needs. It was a lonely time. I know Aro knew. He could have told Garrett. He didn’t. I was glad. Garrett didn’t need to know that. It was private. Between Nina and I. It was what we needed at the time to hold on to our sanity. To hold on to our humanity in a place where everyone wanted to make us mindless killers. We became killers. But we held on to our minds.

“So Swan, who are you going to have to fuck to get us out of this one?” she asked me smiling.

“I’m afraid I can’t do that anymore. I’m married now.” I showed her my ring.

“That’s what your friend Jane said. She told me he is hot. Congratulations.”

“Thanks…”

Silence descended over us again.

“So vampires huh? What a fucked up crazy world we live in, right?”

“Yeah.” I said quietly.

“You look gorgeous. Not that you didn’t before but this vampire thing…”

“Why did you come here, Nina?” I had to know.

“I tracked you to Ireland. I tortured a couple RIRA guys for information. I thought when they found Kevin’s body in the river that you must be dead too. Then Tanner and his whole crew were slaughtered. My handler looked into it and word was, Tanner had something to do with the hit on you and Kevin. Only one person I knew who had the know-how and balls to kill 18 people and kidnap a CIA section chief. I knew then that you were alive. My handler found the Collins connection. I went rogue. Disappeared. Went to Ireland. Was unsurprised to find out Collins was dead. I tortured a couple associates of his who told me that you had found another lead in Italy and were at a castle in St. Marcus Square in Volterra. I used the tour group to get a layout of the place and here I am.”

“You shouldn’t have come after me Nina.”

“You wouldn’t have come after me?”

“Yes. I would have.” I admitted.

“You know my background Bella. I’m an orphan. I never had a family. I was never close to anyone. You were my best friend, sister, lover… you were everything to me. There was no way I wasn’t going to kill the people that killed you. Not after I learned about Kevin. I knew then it wasn’t an accidental death on the job. Somebody targeted you. I was going to find out who, even if it killed me. Looks like it might.” She smiled.

“It doesn’t have too.” I whispered and sat next to her on the bed.

“Really?”

“Yeah really.”

“You expect me to live forever?” she asked.

“I don’t know. I hope you will.”

“You going to be around?”

“Yep. It won’t be like before though. I can be your sister, your confidant. But I love my husband. I can’t be your lover any longer. You know what you mean to me. You are my family. We made a pact in training. To have each other’s backs no matter what. I won’t ever leave you behind.”

“So I guess I have a decision to make. Something tells me I can just give them my word that I won’t talk about this and we all go on with our lives.”

“No, I’m sorry. Vampires were behind Collins ordering the hit. Those vampires must have given you a false lead to here so you would be killed by my friends.”

“These vampires are your friends?”

“Most of them. Jane is very dear to me.”

“She is something else. She thinks the world of you. She showed me what she could do on the really big guy.” There was a surprise.

“I think the world of her. She is the first friend I had since you, that understood me.” I said honestly.

“So let’s catch up. Congratulations on the Cortez job. You certainly made a splash. Our little community was all abuzz with that little caper. Theories of how you escaped are still floating around.”

“My husband. I hadn’t even gone on a date with him but he started following me on jobs. He tore the electric fence for me and carried me to the top of the trees.”

“Cheater.” She laughed.

“Yeah. But I was kind of out of options. He would only do it if I went on a date with him. He would have done it anyway but I was already falling for him. I just fought it for as long as possible but he wouldn’t give up. I agreed to the date and fell in love. How did you know it was me?”

“Only two skinny pale brunettes who could have pulled that off. I knew it wasn’t me. Word is that it was a toss-up between the two of us for the job but my breasts were too big.”

“You fucking bitch.” I laughed.

“So what else?” she asked.

“I killed Todd.”

“No! Fucking awesome!”

“Yes it was.” I nodded.

“How did he find you?”

“Triangulated Kevin’s phone. He wanted the bounty the Cartel put on me. He sent a free agent first and I killed that guy. Then Todd found me at my fathers. My Dad walked in on me straddling Todd with a bloody knife in my hand after I had mutilated him.”

“I bet that was an interesting conversation.”

“It was touch and go for a moment. Todd and I had a gun battle in his living room that involved shotguns and then knives became involved. We kind of made a mess of his house.”

Nina was laughing.

“It’s not funny bitch.” I had to laugh to though. The lives we lead.

“How else has it gone? Has it been what you thought it would be?” she asked me seriously.

“Yeah. I figured out that I really loved killing.” I told her honestly.

“Yeah, me too.” She said quietly.

“Bella? How many times have you had to fuck a guy to get him in position to kill him?”

“Five. You?”

“Eight.” She responded.

“Sucks doesn’t it?”

“You are the only person I have ever made love to Bella.” Nina whispered.

“You and Garrett are the only ones I have ever made love too.” I told her.

“What’s it like? Being a vampire? Are you cold all the time?”

“No. I’m not cold at all. Honestly Garrett was freezing when we dated and then got married. But once I was turned he feels to me like humans felt to me before I changed.”

“Why did you change? Why not just die?”

“He wouldn’t have let me. I love him. I didn’t want to take myself away from him. The hit man they sent after me, he shot me in the stomach and shoulder. Garrett was home and bit me. We had already agreed that I was going to change. We just didn’t expect it to be like that.”

“That’s cool. I wish I had someone like that.”

“You do. You got me.” I told her.

“Not like that any longer. You have him.”

“You can find someone like that. We could be family. We could live our lives together forever. Never aging. Doing what we want. I will always be there for you. You could live with us. You could meet someone.”

“So tell me the bad stuff.” Nina told me, always looking at a situation from every angle.

“I don’t know. I haven’t found anything bad about it. Not to say there isn’t. I can imagine for some people this would be hell. But Nina, this is a higher stage of what we are. The violence, the bloodlust? We had that already. The only difference is we drink the blood now. And let me tell you, it tastes great. It’s a rush like you wouldn’t believe.”

Please do this Nina.

“You will be with me? You have a husband. I don’t want to be a third wheel.”

“You won’t be. I had a third wheel. A little Irish whore I spared in a fight. I got rid of her. Pushed her off on another coven. She kept trying to seduce with my husband. I don’t imagine that would be a problem for you though, right?”

I had always known she was gay. She told me when we roomed together. Having sex with a man eight times to get him in a position to kill him must have been horrible. But we do what we have to. God and Country and all that patriotic bullshit.

“Can I think about it for a while or do I have to decide now?”

“You can have as much time as you want.”

“It won’t take me long. Life or death decisions never take us long. Give me an hour. Bella, if I decide I want to die, will you please be the one who kills me?”

I turned towards the door so she wouldn’t see the tears pooling in my eyes.

“Of course Nina. Please don’t make me do that though.”

I walked out, closed the door and ran down the hallway. Jane was waiting on me.

“What did she say Bella?”

“She is going to take an hour to decide.” I choked out.

Jane hugged me. “I hope she becomes an immortal.” She whispered.

“Me too. No matter what, I am glad I have you Jane.”

Jane nodded and smiled. “Let’s give her time. I can show you my room! Garrett is unpacking in your room. It’s right across from mine!”

I gave a fake laugh and followed her to her room. In my mind though the timer was counting down.

Exactly one hour later I entered her room without knocking. Nina was sitting on the back of the bed with her arms wrapped around her legs.

“Nina?”

“So when do we do this?”

“Depends. We talking about me killing you or you changing into an immortal?”

“We are killers, Bella. May as well ride this train out and see where it takes us.”

I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding.

“Thank you, Nina.”

“I never could turn you down, Bella.”

“I thought I was the one who couldn’t turn you down?” I laughed.

“Yeah well, what can I say? You are easy to seduce. So what do we do now?”

“Now you have some decisions to make.”

“I thought I just did.”

“Landscaping Nina. It’s going to stick for eternity. Choose wisely.”

“What did you choose?”

“I didn’t have much time for a choice but you know I always go Brazilian.”

“So do I. I guess some things never change Bella.”

“My husband is going to…”

“Bella?” I heard Jane at the door.

“Yes Jane?”

“If it would be okay with Nina… could I change her?”

That was certainly a surprise. I looked at Nina who was looking at Jane. I recognized that look. I had seen it on her face before.

“Nina?”

“Yes. That would be great.”

“Two hours. Be ready for more pain in the next three days than you have ever experienced in your life Nina.”

“We are always ready for that. Aren’t we Bella?”

“Yes, we are. I am going to check on my husband and make sure he hasn’t started any brawls. I will leave you two to discuss… the technical details of this.”

Jane walked Nina to the bathroom and I heard her pointing out razors and towels. Time to go see Garrett and distract him. Once Nina was turning it would provide the perfect distraction. It was time to finish this. With Jane and Nina and Garrett I could have a real family. Not just Garrett and I hiding away from the world. A real family.

But first, I need to finish some business.

“Bella? A word before you leave?”

Fuck.

I walked slowly into the bathroom as Jane was walking out. She winked at me and walked out.

“Yes Nina?”

“I am losing my human life because I came looking for the reason you lost your human life. You know who that reason is. Only a vampire would have sent me to other vampires setting me up to be killed. This isn’t just your vengeance anymore. It’s mine too. You owe me that. I know you are thinking of using my change to run off and do what you need to do without any backup. It’s what I would have done. But this is our thing now.”

“Kevin was my handler. He was like a father to me.” I told her.

“Yep and you were my family. This is ours now Bella. You have to swear to wait for me. We can leave everyone else behind but this thing… this belongs to us now. Do you understand? I’m doing forever for you. You better give me a few days.”

Fuck.

She was right. It would be dishonoring her if I didn’t let her share my vengeance. I wouldn’t dishonor her.

“I swear Nina. When you wake up and are ready we will go. Not a word to anyone. Don’t touch Aro from this point on. He will see what we are planning and send his army with us.”

“What are these people Bella?”

“They are the CIA and the FBI of the vampire word rolled into one. They aren’t perfect and they aren’t always about truth and justice. Just like the government we worked for. But they do the work no one else bothers with. The work the good little vampires of the world thinks happens by itself. Garrett doesn’t like them. But without them humans wouldn’t have a chance in this world. They, like those of our profession, are a necessary evil.”

“Aro? What is he?”

“He is the leader. The other two who sit next to him rule as well but he is the leader.”

“You admire him, don’t you?”

“He can be a little creepy with his constant cheeriness but yeah. Don’t tell my husband, but I kind of do. He reminds me a little of someone.” I admitted.

“Who?”

“Kevin.”

She nodded her head. “I love you Bella.”

“I love you too Nina. Now get ready.” I hugged her and left. I guess I would have to wait a little while to finish this.

GPOV

Nina looked lovely. Bella thought it was a joke. I always thought a nice black dress looked good on any woman.

“Why do I have to look like the bride of Dracula, Bella?”

“Vampire tradition, Nina. Shut up and go with it.”

“I look like freaking Morticia.”

“Sorry. You want to be one of the undead you have to look the part.”

“Jane isn’t dressed like this.”

“Trust me. If she ever gets into another black dress the two of us will have an epic fight. She wore enough of them for a thousand years to last for a thousand more.”

“Bella didn’t like my fashion sense when she met me, Nina.” Jane replied.

When I first met Bella I figured she would eventually have friends. I never expected the most feared little female vampire in history and a Bella clone who was about to be turned into a Bella vampire clone. I also knew that our little family of two would be growing. Bella’s sister would be joining us. Bella was not going to want to be away from Jane for long either. We would be moving here. I knew this. Not in this castle but near here. I had never seen this coming. The strangest development…

I have been getting along with the Volturi.

How the fuck did this happen?

“Are you ready?” Jane whispered.

Nina lay flat on her back.

“Yes.”

Jane was nearly caressing Nina’s neck with her lips. What the hell is that all about? Then she bit. She only drank for a second. Hardly any at all. She bit her ankles and wrists to try to get as much venom in her as possible.

Jane got up and stood by Bella and I on the side of the bed. Nina took a deep breath. Then her breathing picked up. Then she let out the first of what would be many screams. Her hands flew to her face and Jane and Bella sat down on either side of her and held her arms down so she wouldn’t harm herself. Bella refused to have Nina’s hands tied. She would hold her. Bella and Nina were very close. Bella wouldn’t mind Nina living with us. I guess she knew Nina would never try anything stupid like Adelia did. Anyone could see the two were very close. They could talk to each other without words. If I didn’t know Bella was straight I would be slightly concerned.

Bella having sex with a female.

I had to laugh. What a stupid idea.

The shit that goes through my head.

I have nothing to worry about.

“So Bella. Has Nina been gay as long as you have known her? Or did she have a boyfriend once?” Jane asked.

“No, she was known she was gay since puberty.” Bella replied continuing to hold down Nina’s right arm while Jane had the left.

“I’m sorry, what was that?” I asked.

“What was what dear?”

“Did you say Nina was gay?” I must not have heard that right over the shouting.

“Yes, she is gay Garrett. Is that a problem?” Bella asked, glaring at me.

“No! Of course not. It’s just…”

“What? Surprised a beautiful woman doesn’t like dick?”

“No damn it! Stop putting words in my mouth. I was just wondering…”

“Wondering what?” Bella half asked and half growled. Probably not the appropriate time to say I was wondering if you two ever had sex.

“Never mind. If you two have this I am going for a walk… or something.”

“Please do.” Bella was stressed. Besides I doubted that… I mean Bella said she had sex like only 6 times. Surely she would have told me if she also had… no… no she wouldn’t. But still, just because Nina was gay and Bella was close to her doesn’t mean…

I didn’t realize I had made it so far down the hallway until I heard him.

“Something on your mind Garrett?” Creepy fucker was smiling like always.

“Aro.” I nodded.

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Don’t worry about what, Aro?”

“I have a guard at all times watching Bella discreetly.”

I suddenly became very angry.

“Why in the hell is someone watching my wife!?”

“You know why. You are frightened of the same thing I am. All of us are. She will sneak off and try to take on the Irish and their newborns on her own in an attempt to kill Maggie.”

I took a deep breath. Damn it. He was right. I had been worried.

“Why do you care Aro?”

“What do you mean Garrett?”

“We have never gotten along. You know how I feel about you and I can imagine you feel the same about me.”

“Isabella loves you so I will like you whether you want me to or not.”

“Why? Why won’t you leave Bella alone? She doesn’t want to be in your guard. Don’t you have enough vampires?”

“Yes.”

“I mean… wait. Did you say yes?”

“Yes I did Garrett. I don’t need Bella in my guard. I don’t need you in my guard. I only want her friendship. Her true friendship. I believe I have it.”

“Why?” I didn’t understand what their angle was and it was driving me crazy.

Aro shrugged his shoulders.

“I like her. I admire her. Deal with it.”

That said the little creepy bastard walked off.

He liked her? Could it be that simple?