𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐫 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐬 | carlisle cullen (3)

(𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐫) the pocket-watch

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ESTE DIDN'T MOVE FOR A WHILE AFTER THAT, it was hard to ignore what had just happened to her. She could feel it inside of her, moving steadily to keep her satisfied. The blood prickled, it warmed the feeling of ice. She hid the mirror in her room with the ebony cloak, wishing the myth about vampires not having reflections was true. Even with these extensive efforts she could still see herself, burnt into her mind. Scarlet eyes and bloodstained lips. She could still feel the way skin tore easily against her stone teeth, the way flesh had ripped for her touch. She could taste the blood, it contained her.

She wore Carlisle's jumper over the black gown like dress she donned, sleeves pulled over her hands as she wrapped her arms around herself. With her eyes closed she imagined he was hugging her. She could picture him lying against her chest as she ran her hands through his golden hair. Este wished for it so deeply. Stars coated the inside of her mind as she lay still.

It seemed the volturi were understanding about her taking the two days to herself. Este never replaced the candles, she lay in complete darkness as her eyes adjusted to the light. She could see the shadowed outlines of the pieces of furniture in the room, the whispers of movement somewhere around her. Este knew she'd made the choice to come here, she should be getting a head start with Caius but as her mind twinged she didn't want to be here any more, she didn't want to be her any more.

At the end of her second day in isolation, she was ripped from her daydreams. It had been content for the time being, imagining she was with Carlisle. After all, where else should she be? The door to her room had opened and fast light to the shadows. It was such a peculiar sight, the line of glowing candlelight splitting the darkness that Este had become accustomed too. She felt the need to squint her eyes, red burning from the sudden inclusion of light.

"You can't stay in here forever Estella" it was Aro.

Este sat up and as Aro started to replace the candles within the chandelier. The way he did it gave Este the impression that he'd usually have members of the guard do this for him. Este stood up, taking the matches from his hands and lighting them herself. The light pooled over the walls, illuminating all the cracks in the stone.

She finished lighting the last candle and shook her hand gently until a stream of smoke turreted out of the match. Aro smiled at her politely, looking around the room to see the covered mirror and the jumper that Este had pulled over her clothes. She sat back on her sofa, watching Aro carefully.

"Caius told me what you did" Aro murmured.

"He needn't, it's not as though I can hide it" Este referenced to her eyes, "what did he say about it? Was he smug?"

"No" Aro shook his head, standing very still with his hands clasped. "I know you don't favour Caius but you do have to let him help you. Caius is willing, that much I didn't expect"

"I know" Este ran her hands over her face, "I know, I don't know why I'm hiding in here"

"I do" Aro spoke carefully, "you're ashamed, you're scared, you're upset. This is only natural Estella, you've been through a terrible ordeal, it seem problems never cease for you"

"It feels like it" Este laughed coldly, "it feels like ever since we came here for the first time... the worlds just been against me"

"Yes it does appear you have more than your fair share of problems" Aro agreed, "I'm sorry if you felt pressured yesterday, to do something you weren't comfortable with. Despite difficulties Estella, you would never be forced to feast on humans like us"