Eternal Bonds (Twilight Fanfiction: Bella x Athenodora)

Chapter 1 - Awake

If she could control the flame, she would have set the world on fire to satisfy the monstrous fury scorching in her soul. Her chest heaves with rugged breath as she tries to reel in the dangerous monster that demands to be unleashed into this God forsaken world. With everything that transpired today, she wants to set this world in an agonising and unforgiving blaze.

How long had she been asleep? No. Just how long had she been put to sleep?

Her hands clench into tight fists; the desire to cause destruction is imploding within her. The obliteration of this dungeon does little to tame the fire burning inside. Her fingers shake in thirst once again, but that small ounce of sanity chastises her.

This is the only sanctuary she has to quell her wrath within the Volturi ground. If the waves of her outrage splashes one inch further, she will be discovered and it will do nothing but spark dangerous attention, raise questions and potentially have Corin's power amplified upon her. It's the last thing she needs at the moment.

Unfortunately, like any ever flowing river, this inferno continues to spill, pounding incessantly against her walls of control. But how could she when all she can think about is the fact that she had been coasting along her immortal life like a fallen leaf being swept away by the strong sea.

It was as if she was coasting in an endless dream; a place where happiness, joy and desire did not exist. There only ever was a feeling of contentment. They imprisoned her emotions, restrained her movement, and robbed her of free will. There was no decision to make, no emotion to feel, and no life to lead.

She frustratingly runs her fingers through hair in an attempt to quell her ire. Again, the question haunts her - just how long had she been living like a puppet bound by unyielding strings, manned by a heartless Volturi King?

How many centuries had passed her by until she was finally awoken on this disastrous day?

She stares down at her open palms and religiously studies every line, admiring the sight of finally being able to feel her own skin, to wiggle her fingers and control every movement. A small relief washes over her. But it is momentary as she notices the ugliest ring she has ever seen etched on her left ring finger.

It feels heavy and constricting, the steel digs tightly into her steely skin, a painful reminder that even though she's finally awake, she is not yet free. She still has a master she needs to obey.

Caius.

Athenodora takes a deep breath and closes her velvety eyes to refocus her mind. She summons all her memories to mind, trying to remember how she ended up here. Hard as she fights, it feels like there still remains a part of her that is controlled by Caius. And she isn't able to access it. It feels like a hazy memory, buried deep underneath a bottomless pit. All she could feel now is a heavy load of disgust at the memory of being touched by him. She shudders and the hair at the back of her neck prickles in distaste. She makes a mental note to take a bath and scrub herself off his touches later. Even if one day soon she can be free of the nightmares, would she be able to accept her?

They didn't only rob her memory, choices and life, but now they've taken away the sole purpose of her living the undead life; Isabella Swan.

Something shiny catches her attention at the corner of her eyes. In her rage of fit, Athenodora unintentionally broke the glass window pane, allowing the late afternoon light to cascade against the cold stony floor.

Her desperate feet move to the now open window and she closes her eyes as she allows the sunlight to kiss her sparkly face. When she focuses, she can feel a hint of subtle warmth and it reminds her of the taste of freedom.