Amnesia

Chapter Thirteen

First Trial
Maeryn could be found in her room once more, reading a book while Alec had his head on her lap, also reading a book, when a soft knock interrupted their peaceful silence. "It's Jane." Alec said softly without taking his eyes from the pages. Maeryn nodded and placed a bookmarker between her pages before closing the book. "Come in." she said and Jane opened the door, walking in. "Maeryn, brother." She said as she walked towards us, kissing both our cheeks twice, once on every side before sitting down onto the bed. Maeryn was used to Jane's old fashioned way of greeting. Maeryn had learned that in the time that Jane and Alec had lived as humans, it had been quite common to greet family members and close friends my kissing each other on both the cheeks. Of course in some countries it is still common, slightly altered but common. As a matter of fact, the country where Maeryn originates from they give each other three kisses on the cheek, however Maeryn had never really enjoyed doing it with strangers. But it had still been quite strange when Jane had done it for the first time.
"Jane." Alec said as he laid his head back down onto Maeryn's lap, feeling no shame. Jane didn't seem to mind either and continued to speak. "Master Aro wants us downstairs. Edward Cullen is here, wanting to end his life." Jane said. "Alright. I will be down there shortly." Alec said as he placed a bookmarker in between the pages of his book before closing it. Jane smiled slightly mysteriously. "Actually brother, Master Aro thought it to be good for Maeryn to see a verdict while being human. So she is prepared for when she is a vampire." Jane said as she made her way towards Maeryn's closet, picking out a simple, long-sleeved black dress that came to her knees. Alec frowned slightly but sighed in defeat shortly after. "Alright. I will be waiting outside. Be gentle." He reminded his sister. Jane rolled her eyes. "Brother, Maeryn has been her for nearly two months. I am sure I have proven to be gentle around her." She said as she pushed the clothes into Maeryn's arms before Maeryn walked into the bathroom to get changed. Jane helped her put her hair in ponytail, leaving two side bangs hanging from her head, making her seem less strict. Jane looked at Maeryn in the mirror. "Only 11 more days to go until you are one of us. I honestly don't know who in this castle is more excited about it." She said as a melodic giggle left her lips. Maeryn raised an eyebrow slightly in confusion. "Well, ofcourse Alec is very excited about it seeing as then age can no longer separate you two, Felix I believe wants to play-fight as you have suggested." Jane said giggling as Alec's low growl could be heard from outside the door. Jane grabbed the make-up bag that was laying on the table and started to do some easy winged eyeliner onto Maeryn's eyelids. "Master Aro and Master Caius want to know how your gift will develop. And, between you and me, you are officially one of the favourites. I have seen your cloak and it is quite dark." Jane said smiling as she gave Maeryn a playful wink. Maeryn felt quite proud of this. The Volturi guard currently stands at nine permanent members and a number of more transitory guard members. Each guard wears a cloak, whose color is an indication of their status/ranking: the darker its shade is, the more valuable that vampire is considered. The transitory guard members wear the gray cloaks while the nine permanent members wear the darker cloaks. Jane and Alec have the second darkest cloaks, while Chelsea's is almost the pure black of the leaders. And Maeryn felt very proud to know that she will soon be the tenth permanent member with a quite dark cloak color.
Jane smiled and finished doing Maeryn's make-up. "I knew that news would lighten you up. And ofcourse I am also quite excited for your change. Since you are Alec's mate, you have become a part of our small family inside the family. We are finished Alec. " Jane said as she gave Maeryn some black flats to step into. Maeryn did so as Alec opened the door and smiled at his mate and his sister. "Never thought you would have a soft spot for a human, sister." Alec said teasingly. Jane frowned slightly. "Only this once, brother." She said as she made her way towards the door. "Shall we? Master as the Cullen boy waiting for us."

Maeryn stood in beween Alec and Jane next to Caius' throne. Edward Cullen was standing in the middle of the room, his clothes torn and looking at his eyes, he hadn't had a proper hunt for a while. Jane and Alec also had seemed to notice this as they moved slightly closer in front of Maeryn, working as a wall to protect her from this strange vampire. Aro was standing in front of Edward, his two bodyguards behind him, while he read Edwards thoughts. Aro released Edward's hand and made his way towards his throne in the middle. He quietly discussed the situation with Marcus and Caius while reading their thoughts.
Everyone knew he had made his mind once Aro had released his brothers' hands and clasped his own hands in front of him. Edward chuckled slightly, but without humour. "I see you have made up your minds." He said. It wasn't a question, more like he knew the answer already before it had been spoken. "It was an intriguing debate." Aro started, making his verdict. "We have rarely encountered a vampire who would willingly hand in his own existence." Aro continued. "Pathetic. Disgraceful" Caius said, his voice rather cold as he looked at Edward like he was something filthy. "I am afraid that your particular gift is too valuable to destroy. But, if you are unhappy with your lot, join us. We would be delighted to utilize your skills. Won't you consider staying with us?" Aro asked in a kind voice. Edward smiled sadly. "You know it will happen anyway." He said. "Not without cause." Marcus said, his voice monotone and bored as always. Edward nodded his head before turning around and departing the throne room. "Such a waste." Aro said as he sighed sadly.
"Felix, Demetri, please follow our dear Edward so he won't cause too much trouble." Aro said. "Yes, Master." They both said before also departing the throne room. However, it took such a long time that Master Aro even send out Jane to check if everything was under control. Alec would wait outside the throne room for her.
"Maeryn, dear. Please come here." Aro said as he smiled gently at her. Maeryn walked towards her Master. "Yes, Master?" she asked. Aro took her hand gently into his. "How are you feeling today, my dear?" he asked as he read through her thoughts. "I am well, thank you." Aro smiled. "Very well, my dear. However, if you feel like you do not want to witness the execution, you are free to leave." He said as he gently patted the top of her hand. "I am fine, Master. I wish to stay." Maeryn said in confidence. Caius smiled proudly. Aro also smiled. "Very well, my dear. But do please stay close to Jane and Alec. We must not take any risks when we are considering your safety." Aro said as he once more patted her hand before releasing it.

The minute Maeryn had taken her place once more besides Caius, Alec and Jane walked in, hand in hand, followed by Edward and two strangers. A familiar pixie like girl, clearly a vampire, and a human girl Maeryn had never seen before.
The girl had a very pale complexion with long, straight, dark brown hair, a widow's peak, unique chocolate brown eyes and a heart-shaped face with a wide forehead. Her eyes were large and widely spaced. Her nose was thin and her cheekbones were prominent. Her lips were a bit too full for her slim jawline. Her eyebrows were darker than her hair and were straighter than they are arched. Overall, the girl was rather pretty.
All the heads, including Maeryn's, turned toward the party as they entered the room. Aro stood up as soon as the door had closed behind the strangers.
"Jane, dear one, you've returned!" he cried in evident delight. He drifted forward, and the movement flowed with such surreal grace that it still surprised Maeryn till this day.
He glided to Jane, took her face in his papery hands, kissed her lightly on her full lips, and then floated back a step. "Yes, Master." Jane smiled; the expression made her look like an angelic child. "I brought him back alive, just as you wished." "Ah, Jane." He smiled, too. "You are such a comfort to me." He turned his misty eyes toward the two vampires and the human girl, and the smile brightened, became ecstatic. "And Alice and Bella, too!" he rejoiced, clapping his thin hands together. "This is a happy surprise! Wonderful!" So this was the human girl that had caused so much troubles. Maeryn once more examined the girl, but thought it was rather odd that Edward would give up is life for her. But then again, she would do the same if Alec would pass away. So, perhaps in a certain way, she understood his actions.
Aro turned to our hulking escort. "Felix, be a dear and tell my brothers about our company. I'm sure they wouldn't want to miss this." "Yes, Master." Felix nodded and disappeared back the way we had come.
Alec and Jane made their way towards Maeryn. Jane, who reached Maeryn first, gently kissed both her cheeks as Maeryn did the same. "Jane, glad to have you back." Maeryn said sending a gentle smile towards the child like girl. Jane returned the smile. "Likewise." Jane took her spot next to Maeryn, watching the scene infront of her evolve.
Alec, after his sister had taken her place, placed a hand on Maeryn's cheek and quickly pecked her lips. "Hello, amore mio." Maeryn smiled. "Hello, Alec." Alec smiled before taking his place on the other side of Maeryn, making sure she was protected from these outsiders.
"You see, Edward?" Aro turned and smiled at Edward like a fond but scolding grandfather. "What did I tell you? Aren't you glad that I didn't give you what you wanted yesterday?" "Yes, Aro, I am," he agreed, tightening his arm around Bella's waist. "I love a happy ending." Aro sighed. "They are so rare. But I want the whole story. How did this happen? Alice?" He turned to gaze at Alice with curious, misty eyes. "Your brother seemed to think you infallible, but apparently there was some mistake." "Oh, I'm far from infallible." She flashed a dazzling smile. She looked perfectly at ease, except that her hands were balled into tight little fists. "As you can see today, I cause problems as often as I cure them."
"You're too modest," Aro chided. "I've seen some of your more amazing exploits, and I must admit I've never observed anything like your talent. Wonderful!" Alice flickered a glance at Edward. Aro did not miss it. "I'm sorry, we haven't been introduced properly at all, have we? It's just that I feel like I know you already, and I tend get ahead of myself. Your brother introduced us yesterday, in a peculiar way. You see, I share some of your brother's talent, only I am limited in a way that he is not." Aro shook his head, his tone was envious. "And also exponentially more powerful," Edward added dryly. He looked at Alice as he swiftly explained. "Aro needs physical contact to hear your thoughts, but he hears much more than I do. You know I can only hear what's passing through your head in the moment. Aro hears every thought your mind has ever had." Alice raised her delicate eyebrows, and Edward inclined his head. Aro didn't miss that either. "But to be able to hear from a distance..." Aro sighed, gesturing toward the two of them, and the exchange that had just taken place. "That would be so convenient." Aro looked over the small group's shoulders. All the other heads turned in the same direction, including Maeryn's. Felix was back, and behind him floated two more black-robed men. Marcus and Caius.
"Marcus, Caius, look!" Aro crooned. "Bella is alive after all, and Alice is here with her! Isn't that wonderful?" Neither of the other two looked as if wonderful would be their first choice of words. Marcus seemed utterly bored, like he'd seen too many millennia of Aro's enthusiasm. Caius on the other hand was sour under his snowy hair. Their lack of interest did not curb Aro's enjoyment.
"Let us have the story," Aro almost sang in his feathery voice. Caius drifted away, gliding toward one of the wooden thrones. Marcus paused beside Aro, and he reached his hand out, he just touched Aro's palm briefly and then dropped his hand to his side. Aro raised one black brow. Edward snorted very quietly, and Alice looked at him, curious. Maeryn however, felt slightly taken back by this vampire's behaviour. How dare he be so cynical around her Masters? Edward turned towards Maeryn and raised one of his eyebrows slightly before turning his head back when Aro started to speak up again.
"Thank you, Marcus," Aro said. "That's quite interesting." Marcus didn't look interested. He glided away from Aro to join Caius, seated against the wall. Two of the attending vampires, Aro's bodyguards, followed silently behind him while two women in sundresses had gone to stand beside Caius in the same manner. Aro was shaking his head. "Amazing,"' he said. "Absolutely amazing." Alice's expression was frustrated. Edward turned to her and explained again in a swift, low voice. "Marcus sees relationships. He's surprised by the intensity of ours." Aro smiled. "So convenient," he repeated to himself. Then he spoke the strangers. "It takes quite a bit to surprise Marcus, I can assure you."
"It's just so difficult to understand, even now," Aro mused, staring at Edward's arm wrapped around Bella. "How can you stand so close to het like that?" "It's not without effort," Edward answered calmly. "Butstill - la tua cantante! What a waste!" Alec wrapped his arm closer around Maeryn's waist, pulling her slightly closer to his cold body. Edward chuckled once without humor. "I look at it more as a price." Aro was skeptical. "A very high price."
"Opportunity cost." Aro laughed. "If I hadn't smelled her through your memories, I wouldn't have believed the call of anyone's blood could be so strong. Now, ofcourse our dear Alec and Maeryn experience the same thing as we are speaking." Aro said as he send a gentle and fatherlike smile towards the vampire he considered his son and the human girl. Maeryn felt a slight blush creep onto her cheeks as Alec smiled back proudly. "I've never felt anything like it myself. Most of us would trade much for such a gift, and yet you..." "Waste it," Edward finished, his voice sarcastic now.
Aro laughed again. "Ah, how I miss my friend Carlisle! You remind me of him - only he was not so angry." "Carlisle outshines me in many other ways as well." "I certainly never thought to see Carlisle bested for self-control of all things, but you put him to shame." "Hardly." Edward sounded impatient. As if he were tired of the preliminaries. It made me more afraid; I couldn't help but try to imagine what he expected would follow. "I am gratified by his success," Aro mused. "Your memories of him are quite a gift for me, though they astonish me exceedingly. I am surprised by how it... pleases me, his success in this unorthodox path he's chosen. I expected that he would waste, weaken with time. I'd scoffed at his plan to find others who would share his peculiar vision. Yet, somehow, I'm happy to be wrong." Edward didn't reply.
"But your restraint!" Aro sighed. "I did not know such strength was possible. To inure yourself against such a siren call, not just once but again and again - if I had not felt it myself, I would not have believed." Edward gazed back at Aro's admiration with no expression. "Just remembering how she appeals to you..." Aro chuckled. "It makes me thirsty." Edward tensed. "Don't be disturbed," Aro reassured him. "I mean her no harm. But I am so curious, about one thing in particular." He eyed Bella with bright interest. "May I?" he asked eagerly, lifting one hand. "Ask her," Edward suggested in a flat voice. "Of course, how rude of me!" Aro exclaimed. "Bella," he addressed the girl directly now. "I'm fascinated that you are the one exception to Edward's impressive talent - so very interesting that such a thing should occur! And I was wondering, since our talents are similar in many ways, if you would be so kind as to allow me to try - to see if you are an exception for me, as well?"
Bella's eyes flashed up to Edward's face in terror. Edward nodded at her in encouragement. Bella turned back to Aro and raised her hand slowly in front of her. Aro glided closer, his expression reassuring. The look on his face was more confident than his words had been. Aro reached out, as if to shake her hand, and pressed his insubstantial-looking skin against hers. Aro's filmy eyes smiled down at Bella's, and she looked back, looking like she found it impossible to look away. Aro's face altered as she watched. The confidence wavered and became first doubt, then incredulity before he calmed it into a friendly mask.
"So very interesting," Aro said as he released Bella's hand and drifted back. Her eyes flickered to Edward, and, though his face was composed, it also seemed a little smug. This made Maeryn once again frown at his confidence and slight cockiness. Alec could feel her tense up slightly as he started to rub circles on her hip to reassure Maeryn it was alright
Aro continued to drift with a thoughtful expression. He was quiet for a moment, his eyes flickering between the three strangers. Then, abruptly, he shook his head. "A first," he said to himself "I wonder if she is immune to our other talents... Jane, dear?" "No!" Edward snarled the word. Maeryn smirked slightly. Maybe that would learn him to be cocky infront of her Masters.
Alice grabbed his arm with a restraining hand. He shook her off. Jane smiled up happily at Aro. "Yes, Master?" Edward was truly snarling now, the sound ripping and tearing from him, glaring at Aro with baleful eyes. The room had gone still, everyone watching him with amazed disbelief, as if he were committing some embarrassing social faux pas. Felix grinned hopefully and took a step forward. Aro glanced at him once, and he froze in place, his grin turning to a sulky expression. Then he spoke to Jane. "I was wondering, my dear one, if Bella is immune to you." Maeryn could barely hear Aro over Edward's furious growls. He let go of Bella, moving to hide her from their view. Caius ghosted in their direction, with his entourage, to watch.
Jane turned toward the group of strangers with a beatific smile. "Don't!" Alice cried as Edward launched himself at the little girl. Alec quickly pulled Maeryn behind him, ven though he knew nothing would happen, he still felt more comfortable with her close behind him. Before anyone could jump between them, before Aro's bodyguards could tense, Edward was on the ground. No one had touched him, but he was on the stone floor writhing in obvious agony. Jane was smiling only at him now, Maeryn knew she was using her gift on the vampire Edward. "Stop!" Bella shrieked, her voice echoing in the silence, jumping forward to put herself between them. But Alice threw her arms around Bella in an unbreakable grasp and ignoring her struggles. No sound escaped Edward's lips as he cringed against the stones. Maeryn's slight smirk didn't leave her lips, watching the vampire who had been rude towards her Masters be in pain felt like the right punishment. However, Aro's voice broke the silence all too soon for Maeryn's liking.
"Jane," Aro recalled her in a tranquil voice. She looked up quickly, still smiling with pleasure, her eyes questioning. As soon as Jane looked away, Edward was still. Aro inclined his head toward Bella. Jane turned her smile in her direction. Bella didn't even meet her gaze. She was watching Edward from the prison of Alice's arms, still struggling pointlessly. "He's fine," Alice whispered in a tight voice. As she spoke, he sat up, and then sprang lightly to his feet. Their eyes met, and they were horror-struck. But then he looked quickly at Jane, and back to Bella - and his face relaxed into relief. Maeryn looked at Jane, too, and she no longer smiled. She glared at Bella, her jaw clenched with the intensity of her focus. Maeryn frowned as she looked at the human girl. What was so special about her that she could resist Jane's gift?
Bella shrank back, probably waiting for the pain but once more, nothing happened. Edward was by her side again. He touched Alice's arm, and she surrendered Bella to him. Aro started to laugh. "Ha, ha. ha," he chuckled. "This is wonderful!" Jane hissed in frustration, leaning forward like she was preparing to spring. "Don't be put out, dear one," Aro said in a comforting tone, placing a powder-light hand on her shoulder. "She confounds us all." Jane's upper lip curled back ever her teeth as she continued to glare at Bella. "Ha, ha, ha," Aro chortled again. "You're very brave, Edward, to endure in silence. I asked Jane to do that to me once - just out of curiosity." He shook his head in admiration.
Edward glared, disgusted.
"So what do we do with you now?" Aro sighed. Edward and Alice stiffened. This was the part they'd been waiting for. "I don't suppose there's any chance that you've changed your mind?" Aro asked Edward hopefully. "Your talent would be an excellent addition to our little company." Edward hesitated. Both Felix, Jane and Maeryn grimaced. Edward seemed to weigh each word before he spoke it. "I'd... rather... not."
"Alice?" Aro asked, still hopeful. "Would you perhaps be interested in joining with us?" "No, thank you," Alice said. "And you, Bella?" Aro raised his eyebrows. Edward hissed. Bella stared at Aro blankly. Maeryn frowned. She would not like to to be affable with this girl. Sure, her gift was interesting, but Maeryn felt that this girl did not belong here. Thankfully, Caius broke the silence. "What?" he demanded of Aro; his voice, though no more than a whisper, was flat. "Caius, surely you see the potential," Aro chided him affectionately. "I haven't seen a prospective talent so promising since we found Jane, Alec and of course Maeryn. Can you imagine the possibilities when she is one of us?" Caius looked away with a caustic expression. Jane's eyes sparked with indignation at the comparison. And Maeryn felt the same. She believed her gift was much more powerful than this Bella's power. Alec chuckled very quetly and gently kissed the side of Maeryn's head. "Relax, amore mio." He whispered on her ear while continuing to rub circles on her hip.
Edward fumed beside Bella. "No, thank you," sje spoke up in barely more than a whisper, her voice breaking in fright. Aro sighed. "That's unfortunate. Such a waste." Edward hissed. "Join or die, is that it? I suspected as much when we were brought to this room. So much for your laws." The tone of his voice surprised Maeryn. He sounded irate, but there was something deliberate about his delivery - as if he'd chosen his words with great care. "Of course not." Aro blinked, astonished. "We were already convened here, Edward, awaiting Heidi's return. Not for you."
"Aro," Caius hissed. "The law claims them." Edward glared at Caius. "How so?" he demanded. He must have known what Caius was thinking, but he seemed determined to make him speak it aloud. Caius pointed a skeletal finger at Bella. "She knows too much. You have exposed our secrets." His voice was papery thin, just like his skin. "There are a few humans in on your charade here, as well," Edward reminded him as he looked at Maeryn with an accusing look on his face. Alec snarled slightly and pulled Maeryn closer to him.
Caius's face twisted into a new expression. Was it supposed to be a smiled. "Yes," he agreed. "But when they are no longer useful to us, they will serve to sustain us. As for Maeryn, she will be turned into a vampire by the end of this month. That is not your plan for this one. If she betrays our secrets, are you prepared to destroy her? I think not," he scoffed. "I wouldn't - ," Bella began, still whispering. Caius silenced her with an icy look. "Nor do you intend to make her one of us," Caius continued. "Therefore, she is a vulnerability. Though it is true, for this, only her life is forfeit. You may leave if you wish." Edward bared his teeth. "That's what I thought," Caius said, with something akin to pleasure. Felix leaned forward, eager.
"Unless..." Aro interrupted. He looked unhappy with the way the conversation had gone. "Unless you do intend to give her immortality?"
Edward pursed his lips, hesitating for a moment before he answered. "And if I do?" Aro smiled, happy again. "Why, then you would be free to go home and give my regards to my friend Carlisle." His expression turned more hesitant. "But I'm afraid you would have to mean it." Aro raised his hand in front of him. Caius, who had begun to scowl furiously, relaxed. Maeryn looked at Edward and felt intrigued. He had tried so hard to keep Bella a human and now it was either she would change or die.
Edward's lips tightened into a fierce line. He stared into Bella's eyes, and she stared back. "Mean it," she whispered. "Please." Edward stared down at her with a tortured expression.
And then Alice stepped away from the group, forward toward Aro. Everyone turned to watch her. Her hand was raised like his. She didn't say anything, and Aro waved off his anxious guard as they moved to block her approach. Aro met her halfway, and took her hand with an eager, acquisitive glint in his eyes. He bent his head over their touching hands, his eyes closing as he concentrated. Alice was motionless, her face blank. I heard Edward's teeth snap together.
No one moved. Aro seemed frozen over Alice's hand. Another agonizing moment passed, and then Aro's voice broke the silence. "Ha, ha, ha," he laughed, his head still bent forward. He looked up slowly, his eyes bright with excitement. "That was fascinating!" Alice smiled dryly. "I'm glad you enjoyed it." "To see the things you've seen - especially the ones that haven't happened yet!" He shook his head in wonder. "But that will," she reminded him, voice calm. "Yes, yes, it's quite determined. Certainly there's no problem."
Caius looked bitterly disappointed - a feeling he seemed to share with Felix and Jane. "Aro," Caius complained. "Dear Caius," Aro smiled. "Do not fret. Think of the possibilities! They do not join us today, but we can always hope for the future. Imagine the joy young Alice alone would bring to our little household... Besides, I'm so terribly curious to see how Bella turns out!"
Aro seemed convinced. "Then we are free to go now?" Edward asked in an even voice. "Yes, yes," Aro said pleasantly. "But please visit again. It's been absolutely enthralling!"
"And we will visit you as well," Caius promised, his eyes suddenly half-closed like the heavy-lidded gaze of a lizard. "To be sure that you follow through on your side. Where I you, I would not delay too long. We do not offer second chances." Edward's jaw clenched tight, but he nodded once. Caius smirked and drifted back to where Marcus still sat, unmoving and uninterested. Felix groaned.
"Ah, Felix." Aro smiled, amused. "Heidi will be here at any moment. Patience." "Hmm." Edward's voice had a new edge to it. "In that case, perhaps we'd better leave sooner rather than later."
"Yes," Aro agreed. "That's a good idea. Accidents do happen. Please wait below until after dark, though, if you don't mind." "Of course," Edward agreed, while I cringed at the thought of waiting out the day before we could escape.
"And here," Aro added, motioning to Felix with one finger. Felix came forward at once, and Aro unfastened the gray cloak the huge vampire wore, pulling from his shoulders. He tossed it to Edward. "Take this. You're a little conspicuous." Edward put the long cloak on, leaving the hood down.
Aro sighed. "It suits you." Edward chuckled, but broke off suddenly, glancing over his shoulder. "Thank you, Aro. We'll wait below."
"Goodbye, young friends," Aro said, his eyes bright as he stared in the same direction. "Let's go," Edward said, urgent now. Maeryn knew this was also her queue to leave the room. She kissed bot Jane's cheeks as did she before turning towards Alec once more. He pecked her lips gently, his eyes slightly darker at the thought of feeding, but he restrained himself. "I'll see you soon, amore mio." He whispered softly. Maeryn smiled. "Enjoy your meal." She whispered back. Alec chuckled as she got out of his grip and walked towards the group of strangers and Demetri.
Demetri gestured that they should follow, and then set off towards the only exit. Edward pulled Bella swiftly along beside him. Alice was close by her other side, her face hard. "Not fast enough," she muttered. It was then that the first babble of voices could be heard- loud, rough voices - coming from the antechamber. "Well this is unusual," a man's coarse voice boomed. "So medieval," an unpleasantly shrill, female voice gushed back. A large crowd was coming through the little door, filling the smaller stone chamber. Demetri motioned for the group to make room. They all pressed back against the cold wall to let them pass. The couple in front, Americans from the sound of them, glanced around themselves with appraising eyes. "Welcome, guests! Welcome to Volterra!" the voice of Aro could heard singing from the big turret room. The rest of them, maybe forty or more, filed in after the couple. Some studied the setting like tourists. A few even snapped pictures. Others looked confused, as if the story that had led them to this room was not making sense anymore. One small, dark woman in particular seemed frightenend. Around her neck was a rosary, and she gripped the cross tightly in one hand.
She walked more slowly than the others, touching someone now and then and asking a question in an unfamiliar language. No one seemed to understand her, and her voice grew more panicked. Edward pulled Bella's face against his chest, but it was too late. As soon as the smallest break appeared, Edward pushed her quickly toward the door. The ornate golden hallway was quiet, empty except for one gorgeous, statuesque woman. Heidi. She stared at the group of strangers curiously, Bella in particular. "Welcome home, Heidi," Demetri greeted her from behind us. Heidi smiled absently. "Demetri, Maeryn." she responded in a silky voice, her eyes flickering between Bella's face and Edward's gray cloak. Maeryn nodded her head, greeting the vampire. "Hello, Heidi."
"Nice fishing," Demetri complimented her. "Thanks." She flashed a stunning smile. "Aren't you coming?" she asked Demetri. "In a minute. Save a few for me." Demetri replied. Heidi nodded and ducked through the door with one last curious look at Bella. Edward set a pace that had Bella and Maeryn running to keep up. However, Maeryn took a turn, saying goodbye to Demetri, and walking up the stairs towards her room. Maeryn understood why Edward pulled Bella away so quickly. Truth be told, it had taken Maeryn quite some time to get used to it herself. But the group still couldn't get through the ornate door at the end of the hallway before the screaming had started.