Chapter Text
" Are you all packed Bella, the coach will be here any minute " shouted Charlie Swan standing at the bottom of the stairs hoping that his daughter Isabella had heard him. He had been dreading this day for weeks, his only daughter was about to venture out into the big wide world and to a dig site of all things, not understanding why she had the fascination of digging up bones and such. ' She must get it from her mother's side ' he thought to himself knowing that his side of the family was mostly in the police force, himself included. " Bella come on, we've not got much time left " shouted Charlie impatiently not knowing why she was taking so long. He was just about to make his way up the stairs when he heard the distinct sound of footsteps coming towards the top of the stairs, " I'm coming Dad, give me chance will ya. " said Isabella dragging a heavy suitcase behind her as she reached the top of the stairs slightly out of puff.
Charlie made his way up the stairs taking the case " Bloody hell Bella, what you got in here " grumbled Charlie as he lifted the case realizing it was heavier than he thought. " Just the essentials Dad " chuckled Isabella seeing her Dad struggle slightly with getting the case down the stairs, Charlie turned his head slightly giving her a disgruntled look " Hope you remembered your passport and traveller's cheques, I won't exactly be able to jump in the car and come get you," said Charlie as he released a puff of air once he got the case down the stairs.
" Yes dad all packed and secure," said Isabella smiling slightly as she tapped the shoulder bag she was carrying, " I still don't understand why you have to travel to another country to dig up fossil's we have plenty around here," said Charlie thinking of the all the items he had to dig up over the years. Isabella chuckled slightly and placed her hands on her dad's shoulders " Oh dad as much as I love you it's not just bones you know, we find lost artefacts, pieces of history that create a puzzle for us to solve " said Isabella softly as she leaned in hugging Charlie " I'll miss you, make sure you ring me every night " said Charlie as he held onto his daughter not wanting to let her go. " You know there's a time difference Dad, so don't get worried if I call you at odd hours ok," said Isabella releasing her hold from him as she stepped back.
" Yeah, yeah time difference gotcha," said Charlie giving off a small sigh, he knew Bella was all grown up and was starting to make her way in life but that didn't stop him from being concerned about her safety. Suddenly there was a honk of a horn outside, the mini-bus had arrived, Charlie opened the front door carrying the case towards the mini-bus, Isabella not far behind him. As soon as they got to the mini-bus the driver took hold of the case and stored it with the rest of the cases on board, Charlie gave Isabella one last hug " I'm gonna miss you kiddo " said Charlie trying his best to hold back the tears. " I'll miss you too Dad," said Isabella softly her eyes beginning to fill with tears. Releasing each other they gave each other a silent look, both conveying a silent message of how much they cared for one another.
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It took just over 11 hours to reach their destination a small village named Volterra situated in mid-Italy, all the group including Isabella were exhausted and looked forward to a good night's sleep before heading out to the dig site the following day. Isabella woke early in the morning and headed for the shower, soaking herself under the water. Her room was somewhat small but she didn't mind everything was easy to access and it wasn't long before she was showered and dressed. Isabella picked up the things she would need for the dig, putting them in her rucksack but little did she know that this was going to be the start of something that she would never have dreamed or imagined in all of her lifetime.
Heading out she caught up with a couple of friends that she had made whilst studying archaeology at the university, all three of them were in high spirits being as this was their first dig in another country. Volterra was a small quaint village, the locals were pleasant enough but they did have a couple strange laws that everyone who lived or visited there had to abide by. No-one was permitted outside when the sun went down and under no circumstances was anyone to enter the grounds of the castle on the top of the hill.
Isabella didn't really mind the rule of staying inside when the sun went down as she always loved to curl up with a good book in the evening but one thing that seemed to intrigue her was the castle, why was no-one allowed to enter the grounds her curiosity sparked with interest of all the history the castle had just waiting to be discovered, but that was for another time she thought. As they arrived at the dig site which was just a few miles outside of the town perimeter, she noticed two darkly clothed figures standing on top of a hill to the left of them, it seemed as though they were watching them with interest. Isabella shivered slightly but paid them no mind as she went in search of the dig leader, eventually she found him and he pointed towards a small cave like opening asking her to start excavating in there.
She had been in there most of the day taking breaks every now and then but so far she had only managed to unearth a few fragments of broken roman vases and a couple of roman coins, suddenly a rush of wind blew threw, blowing dust everywhere blinding her sight temporarily, Isabella wiped her eyes removing the specks of dust, suddenly she saw a glimmer of metal protruding from the cave wall it hadn't been there before, slowly she picked up her small rock hammer gently knocking the surrounding rock around the metal object, working delicately around it. It took a while but eventually she was able to break it free from the inner cave wall it was a golden goblet of sorts, quickly Isabella grabbed a cloth from her bag dusting it off slowly, it was beautifully decorated with figures of creatures that she had never seen before with a delicate inscription ' Dalla morte nasce la vita '. " From death comes life " whispered Isabella softly her eyes taking in the beauty of the goblet suddenly she felt a cold chilling feeling flow throughout her entire body making her shiver slightly with fear.
Isabella quickly wrapped the goblet in the dusty cloth, making her way slowly out of the cave. Something had struck a nerve inside of her, she couldn't quite understand it but this was something important to her but what it was she had no idea. Isabella headed over to the outside table where Professor Watkins was studying the map of the area " Professor Watkins I've found something, I think you should take a look " said Isabella slightly anxious in handing the goblet over, the professor turned round looking slightly annoyed at being disturbed but as soon as he saw the goblet wrapped up in her hand, his eyes lit up. The professor took it out of Isabella's hands unwrapping it delicately his mouth gasping in awe as the goblet gleamed in the now fading sunlight.
It seemed like only moments had passed when suddenly a black limousine with black tinted windows pulled up onto the dig site, a smartly dressed driver got out of the car hurrying towards the rear passenger door opening it quickly, Isabella turned her head looking to see who it was, her eye's opened widely, her jaw dropping slightly as she saw him, he was a tall handsome figure of a man wearing dark glasses, smartly dressed in a black suit with matching black tie and his long black hair floated delicately in the breeze, Isabella noticed he wore an emblem necklace of sorts with a distinct red jewel encased perfectly in the middle. ' Must be Italian royalty or some sort of noble ' thought Isabella, not knowing that he was the one who owned and lived in the forbidden castle on the hill.
Isabella gulped slightly as he made his way towards her and Professor Watkins. Isabella averted her eyes looking down slightly trying her best not to stare at the man that was now standing before them " Oh Mr Aro, I hadn't expected to see you so soon, we've not really found much today but just a few moments we did , well Isabella did she came across this quite unique goblet. " said Professor Watkins slightly surprised at the arrival of his sponsor, showing Mr Aro the goblet that had been found. Mr Aro quickly took hold of the goblet seemingly examining it for a short while but little did Isabella realise behind those dark glasse's he was examining her not the goblet, silently Mr Aro beckoned his driver over, handing him the goblet, the driver didn't seem to need words as he carefully took the goblet proceeding back to the car.
" This is a very good find indeed Professor but alas I am also the bearer of unfortunate news, I will no longer be in need of your services. I will handsomely compensate you for your time and trouble, and I wish to thank you once again for your finds. " said Mr Aro smirking slightly. " But but Mr Aro we've only been here a week and I've just had new volunteers arrive " said Professor Watkins pointing slightly at Isabella. Mr Aro seemed to ponder for a brief moment, his hands coming together as he nodded his head slightly " I understand Professor but that is my final decision " said Mr Aro authoratively lowering his hands, slowly he turned heading back towards the car. Isabella lifted her gaze feeling slightly angry ' What, she had been there a day, found something of interest and now they were being told they were no longer needed, what was this Mr Aro's problem. ' thought Isabella as she watched him walk away.
The black limousine sped off leaving a cloud of dust in its wake, the sun was beginning to set Professor Watkins called everyone round letting them know of Mr Aro's decision, everyone began grumbling as they all began to pack up heading back towards the village. They had all arrived back in the village just as darkness fell, Professor Watkins had let everyone know that he would sort out their expenses in the morning. Isabella decided to head off to her room feeling somewhat dis-heartened of having to return home so soon, even so she couldn't seem to get the image of the goblet or Mr Aro out of her mind.
Isabella had not long showered and got into her night clothes settling herself down with a book when there was a knock at her door. It was the hotel porter " Sorry to disturb you miss, I've been asked to give you this " he said smiling slightly as he offered her the envelope which she noticed had a wax seal placed upon it. " Thanks " said Isabella, the porter bowed slightly and left. Isabella closed the door slowly looking at the envelope feeling slightly puzzled as to who would send her a letter like this. Isabella carefully opened the envelope pulling the letter from within, a red rose petal fell to the floor, picking it up she smelled it, it smelt fresh as the morning breeze filling her senses and making her mind drift off slightly for a few seconds. Soon she returned her gaze towards the letter,
Dear Miss Swan,
You are invited to dinner at the Volturi residence at 9pm, a car will arrive to pick you up.
Yours Sincerely
Mr Aro
A puzzled look appeared on her face " Of all the cheek , he fires us and then wants me to have dinner with him, well that's not going to happen " said Isabella to herself , even though deep down she was fascinated by this man and she had recently found out that the castle she was intrigued with was also his place of residence and that lit an even bigger spark of interest within her. Isabella mulled it over in her mind for a short while weighing up the pro's and cons, eventually she decided ' why the hell not ' it was her last night there so may as well enjoy herself. It was nearly 9pm so she didn't have much time to get ready so she threw on a flimsy blue dress with a delicate undergarment and matching underwear. Just as she put on her flat plimsoles there was a knock on the door it was the driver from earlier. Isabella grabbed a small white shawl closing the apartment door behind her. Little did she know what was about to lie ahead for her.....