A/N: I came across this idea from another fanfic and wanted to rewrite it in a slightly different way. This is a Twilight fanfic that takes place after New Moon. Bella discovers her mate - The Volturi. As a heads up: the Volturi are Athenodora, Didyme, and Sulpicica. Twilight Femslash. Endgame Bella and the Volturi women.

Volturi Twist

Running, feet pounding against the land; a lone figure raced through the shadows as the moon above is enveloped, casting the entire world into darkness. Continuing to stumble about blindly, bare feet trample the dark, lush, greenery of the forest floor, one that had been visible only moments before. Growing desperate, a scream is stifled, permanently ensnared within a clinched larynx.

Abruptly changing directions, those same feet lash out against the soil, crying in relief as branches and thorns turn into leaves and blades of grass. Suddenly, the frenetic pace comes to a halt as the darkness is pierced by a sliver of light. Hurtling towards the source, the shadows begin to fade before dissolving completely, wooden pillars giving way to a meadow full of flowers.

"Edward!"

Spinning about, panic clawing at a racing heart, the figure scanned the mass of flowers, squinting beneath the harsh glare of the sunlight above. This was it. This was the meadow where she had first discovered everything. But, where was he? Where was Edward?

"Edward!"

Shouting again, the girl spun about, auburn hair flaring behind as the breeze caught and played with the free locks. Still, there was no sign of him, or anyone.

"These violent delights have violent ends, and in their triumph die; like fire and powder, which, as they kiss, consume the sky."

That voice.

Jerking her head up, the girl twirled about and scoured the meadow once again, but saw no one but herself. Desperately spinning about in the field of wild flowers, the lone figure stopped in her tracks as she finally caught sight of an old woman. The voice. It had to be her. White hair framing her withering face, chocolate's hues widen with surprise as the girl recognized the woman lingering on the other side of the meadow.

"…Gran?"

The woman glanced up at the sound of the voice, surprise etched across her seasoned features. It wasn't until the girl smiled and waved that the old woman visibly relaxed and returned the warm gestures.

Ecstatic at not being alone, the girl started towards the old woman, only to draw up short as the old woman began to mimic her move for move. It wasn't until she grew close enough to the other figure that the girl speaks again.

"Gran?"

"Gran?"

Baffled by the familiar voice and the way the woman continued to mimic her movements, and now speech, the girl tried again, to no avail. About to try once more, the girl spun about as a third voice cut through the meadow behind her.

"Bella."

"Edward?"

It was his. She knew it.

Torn between the woman and the new voice, the girl hesitated until the voice called once more.

"Bella."

Glancing back at the old woman, as if to apologize for having to go, the girl felt the words stick to her lips. Startled to see her expression of hope and uncertainty mirrored on the withered face before her, the girl balked slightly.

"Bella!"

Her decision made for her, the brunette backed up a pace before turning around. Allowing her feet to carry her across the soft petals, back to the tree line, the girl disappeared as sunlight gave way to a new moon.

"Bella! Damn it, Bella, wake up!"

Jerked from her slumber, the brunette sprung up from the seat she was currently laying in. Unable to get up due to being pinned by a pair of strong, petite hands, chocolate orbs glanced at the owner hovering above her.

"Bella?"

It wasn't until Bella heard her name called, not by her boyfriend, but by her best friend, that the girl finally relaxed.

"Alice," Bella sighed. Relief flooding her limbs, the brunette slumped back into the chair beneath her, allowing the first class seat to envelop her lethargic frame. "What's wrong? Are you alright?"

"I should ask you that," Alice stated in concern, "you were calling out in your dream." Worry etching her brow, Alice studied the young girl who had been calling out her brother's name. Taking in the pale skin and the dark rings that lingered about chocolate orbs, Alice's brow furrowed even more.

"I'm okay. It was just a dream," Bella murmured, hoping that the pixie beside her would drop the questions before Bella cracked and shared about her nightmares. She had been having the dream ever since he left, ever since they left. It had plagued her sleep for months now. Bella wasn't sure why she was still having it since she was currently on her way with Alice to go see Edward again, but she was. In either case, she'd rather not talk about it.

Sighing, Bella adjusted her chair back into an upright position and glanced out the open window beside her. The sun was just cresting the horizon. They would be landing soon. It wouldn't be much longer until she saw Edward and she could finally get over the dreams. She just had to see him, hold him, and everything would be better. She knew it.

"Bella?"

"Yes, Alice?" Turning her head, brown eyes locked with golden hues as pearl white teeth nibbled at a ruby red lip.

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Alice-"

"No. It's not," Alice interrupted.

Ever since Alice had returned to find Bella alive and not dead like she had originally believed, the petite vampire had been alternating between apologizing and staring at Bella as if she was seeing a ghost.

"Alice, it's okay. You're here. That's all that matters," Bella reassured her friend, catching a cold hand between hers.

She's here, but where's Edward? Bella mentally wondered, once again. More than anything, she had longed to see the family that had taken her in, made her feel as if she was one of them. Every day, since that day in the woods, she had longed to be back with the Cullens. It had been difficult to cope and the depression had racked her body, obviously taken its toll. But, it was worth it. They, well, Alice was back.

"We'll be there shortly, you should try sleeping a bit more."

Pulled from her thoughts, Bella smiled faintly and nodded before reclining the seat as directed. Perhaps if she pretended to sleep she wouldn't have to dream and she wouldn't have to answer the questions lingering behind golden orbs.

Xxx

"Where are we going?"

"Volterra."

Without turning her head, gold eyes stare out the windshield as the yellow Porsche screamed down the highway, cutting and weaving through the other vehicles jamming the lanes.

Gripping the dashboard as Alice narrowly misses a car, Bella refrains from speaking further. She had grown somewhat accustomed to the speed the vampires loved to travel at, but today was different. There was a determination that Bella had never seen before, etched into the eternal features of her friend's face. Instead of talking further, Bella sank back into her seat as she watched the scenery outside the stolen car blur by.

They had landed in Italy a while back, and thanks to Alice had procured a vehicle to transport them both to their destination. Although they were heading to rescue Edward, Bella still couldn't help the knot that lodged in her chest at the idea of also moving closer to the one source that could dictate exactly how her death would come. Swallowing, Bella shifted nervously in her seat, catching Alice's attention by her movements.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah," Bella lied, causing Alice's eyes to finally tare away from the road.

"You know, maybe Jacob was right," Alice commented after a period of silence. "What?" Bella had allowed her thoughts to run wild once again when Alice hadn't commented further, so was startled when Alice finally spoke. "Maybe Jacob's right," Alice repeats, only to stop Bella as she tries to interrupt. "No. You need to realize this, Bella. The Volturi may very well view me as Edward's accomplice. Also, you're a human who knows too much and smells too enticing. They could kill us all," Alice warned. "Maybe Jacob's right."

Gripping her seatbelt, Bella's brow furrowed at the mention of the Volturi. Honestly, Bella couldn't recall much of them. She had heard the name mentioned a few times before during her time with the Cullens, but relative to the situation, Bella hardly knew aught about them.

On her 18th birthday, Edward had mentioned to her that they were essentially the royalty of vampires. Bella recalled that they were a very, very old and powerful family. Similarly, on her 18th birthday, Edward had mentioned to her that they were essentially the royalty of the vampires. Beyond that, Bella could hardly recall the minimal information, or even the photo of them that hung in Carlisle's office back in Forks. In all retrospect, Bella knew as little of the royal family as she did of Edward's plan. In either case, Bella knew one thing: she had to see Edward.

"I don't care," Bella finally spit out. "I don't care if they're old. I don't care if they're powerful. I don't care if I die trying to save Edward."

"Bella," Alice began, but was cut off.

"No, Alice," Bella interrupted this time. "He won't believe you. He has to see that I'm alive. I love him and I'm not going to let him kill himself out of guilt.

Staring at Bella, Alice sighed after a moment. "You seriously are attracted to danger," Alice mumbled while pressing down on the accelerator.

"You seriously are attracted to danger," Alice mumbled.

Unable to help the slight quirk that appeared at the corner of her lips, Bella refrained from replying to the statement. She was attracted to it, or perhaps she simply attracted it to her. In either case, Bella wouldn't back down. Edward had rescued her back when James was after her, now it was her turn to rescue her boyfriend.

Sighing, Bella rested her head against the back of the seat as she stared blindly out the window. Edward, you idiot, why? Edward had never shared the exact details of his plan with Bella, but Bella could remember sitting in class the morning of her birthday as Edward revealed to her that there was a way of ending things if he ever thought Bella had died. Between Edward's vague tidbits and Alice's remarks since receiving her vision back in Forks, Bella was able to connect the dots by the end of the flight. If Edward really did come to Italy, then the Volturi must be powerful indeed to strike such a fear into the other vampires, and more so if they were able to make Edward so confident that his play would be fulfilled.

Pulling her hood up higher as she shifted in her seat, Bella rested her head on Alice's frigid shoulder. Soon everything would be over with and she would be back home with Edward, safe and far away from Italy. Perhaps then she could convince the auburn haired boy that he wasn't damned, that he could be happy, that they could be happy. They could finally be together, forever, as mates should be. This time, she would finally convince Edward that she did indeed belong in his world.

Raising a hand, Alice pushed back Bella's hood so she could run her fingers through the soft locks of hair in hopes of comforting her friend. "We're nearly here," Alice murmured after a time, causing Bella to sit up.

Glancing about, Bella takes in the narrow, centuries-old streets that are decorated in a festive design; everywhere she looks, she notes the color red. Red pendants, balloons, streamers, even the citizens were dressed head to toe in the bright crimson color, causing the streets to turn into a river of blood as the Porsche weaves through the festival revelers.

"Why are they all wearing red?"

"It's San Marcos Day festival," Alice replied, keeping her eyes on the road. "It's the perfect setting, really, with the large crowds. The Volturi won't let Edward get far enough to reveal himself – he's counting on that," Alice murmured, unwilling to share with Bella about her latest vision of Edward.

She had hoped that when the Volturi denied Edward's plea for death that it would be the end of the matter, but Edward was determined. If the Volturi would not willingly take his life due to his gifts, then Edward had decided to force the royal's hands.

"How much time do we have?"

Glancing at the clock, Alice forced the Porsche further into the crowd.

"We have until noon," Alice admits. She was trying to refrain from telling Bella too much in the hopes of not rising the girl's anxiety even more. However, with the time growing close, Alice knew that Bella would soon have her own role to play.

"We only have five minutes-" Bella began before she was cut off as Alice slammed on the breaks, forcing her forward into Alice's outstretched arm. Sitting up, Bella looked out the windshield at the road block ahead of them.

"You need to get out," Alice stated simply as the Italian police approached the Porsche, waving the car back.

Unbuckling her seatbelt, Bella did as directed. "Where's the square?" Bella asked as she jumped out of the car.

"Follow that lane," Alice pointed before allowing her hand to drop as the rest of her directions fell on deaf ears. Sighing, Alice popped out of the driver door and cupped her hands over her mouth before hollering in the girl's direction. "He'll be under the clock tower!

Watching Bella go, Alice glanced up as she sensed something above. Watching as a hooded figure leaps along the rooftops, Alice frowns slightly before hopping completely out of the car to track the figure above.

Be careful, Bella. Alice mentally whispered as she casted the girl a final prayer.

Oblivious to Alice's whereabouts and thoughts, Bella raced down the cobble-stoned alleys, stumbling along the uneven stones. Maneuvering about the festival revelers, Bella mentally cheered as she appeared to be moving in the same direction rather than against the crowd. However, her enthusiasm quickly dissipated as she neared the square. Instead of breaking free of the mob of people, her pace slowed as the alleys become more condensed with sweating bodies. Huffing, Bella set her jaw and began pushing past people, muttering out apologizes as she moved at the slower pace.

By the time Bella finally emerged into the crowded square, Bella heaved a sigh of relief before frantically searching the sea of scarlet bodies and decorations. Oblivious to the cloaked figure flashing past above her, Bella finally took notice of the clock tower on the other side of the square. One minute to go.

Taking a deep breath, Bella dived back into the crowd. Ignoring the shoves received from all around her, Bella battled her way through the square as the citizens shouted at her in Italian. Growling in frustration, Bella surges forward once more, only to find herself blocked by the fountain. Hearing the gong of the bell chimes above her, Bella jumped into the fountain and waded through the shallow water to the other side. Leaping onto the edge of the fountain, Bella feels her breath catch in her chest. There, in the shadows was Edward, just inches from the sunlight.

"Edward!" Bella screamed. However, her cry was drowned out by the booming chime.

Not giving up, Bella lunges back into the crowd and pushes towards his general direction. She had to get to him before he revealed who, and more so, what, he was. Getting a glimpse through the mass of red, Bella gasped as she noticed that Edward was unbuttoning his shirt, exposing his bare chest with each chime of the clock above.

"Edward!" Bella screamed again.

The cries mingled with the shouting of the square. To Bella's horror, she couldn't even wave the vampire down. As Edward closed his eyes, welcoming death, Bella lunged forward, colliding with the stone body as Edward stepped into the sunlight. Effectively blocking the sun with her body, Bella cried out again.

"No! Edward! Don't!"

Opening his eyes, Edward stared down at Bella in a daze, oblivious to the shouting about him, the clock's final chime, or that the alley behind him was filling up with other occupants. Instead, Edward continues to stare at Bella in amazement, already perceiving that he had been killed by the Volturi.

"Carlisle was right," Edward whispered in awe. Raising a hand, he cupped Bella's cheek. "…heaven."

"No," Bella interjected. "I'm alive."

Confused, Edward's brow furrowed.

"No, you're dead, Alice saw it," Edward argued.

"Look at me!" Bella shouted as she cupped Edward's face in her hands. "Alice was wrong!"

"Ah, but not for long," a voice interrupted from behind Edward.

Stiffening, Edward abruptly pushes Bella behind him, taking a protective stance in front of her while growling. "I won't be needing your services after all, gentlemen," Edward stated in force politeness. After believing he had lost Bella, he had no intentions of letting her out of his sight again.

"Aro wants to speak with you," a second voice commanded, leaving little room for argument.

Glancing about Edward, Bella took in the sight of two inhumanly handsome, young, males as they emerged from the shadows. Bella noted that they were both vampires, similar, yet different than Edward. It was the sight of their blood red eyes, however, that caused Bella to shrink back slightly. Yes, she had come to rescue Edward from doing something foolish, but she was no match for a vampire; she recalled what happened the last time she got mixed up with one. However, Bella refused to lose Edward again. Gripping onto the back of Edward's shirt, Bella used the auburn haired boy as a shield as she stood her ground.

"No rules were broken" Edward pointed out. Although he had attempted suicide, Edward had not stepped into the light as he had originally planned. He did not see why he had to speak with Volturi. "Please inform Aro that I must decline."

Smiling at the statement, the first vampire arched an eyebrow at the audacity of Edward's reply. "We should take this conversation to a more appropriate venue," the vampire suggested, ignoring both of Edward's comments.

Although the statement came across as a polite offer, Bella felt Edward tense beneath her hand.

"Fine," Edward huffed. Turning his back on the two vampires, Edward cupped Bella's cheek in his hand. "Bella, why don't you stay and enjoy the festival."

"The girl comes with us," interjected the second vampire.

"That's not going to happen," Edward growled, dropping into a more defensive position as he spun about, ready to protect what was his.

"Come on, guys, it's a day of festivity," Alice chirped as she suddenly appeared in the alley. Pulling the hood of her white swing coat down, Alice smiled pleasantly at the two vampires while slipping to stand protectively next to Edward and in front of Bella. "After all, we wouldn't want to make a scene."

"There won't be any scene," the second vampire confirmed as his red eyes narrowed. "The three of you will come with us."

Ignoring the vampires before him, Edward once again turned his back on them as he smiled down at Bella. "Why don't you go and enjoy the festival. Alice will meet you there shortly."

"When we say three we don't mean two vampires and a duck," the first vampire interrupted Edward, his eyes narrowing as well at the lack of respect the auburn haired boy was showing.

"She has nothing to do with this," Edward retorted, glaring in turn.

"You came to Volterra to kill yourself because of her. After being denied, you still persisted," the second vampire reminded Edward, causing Bella to gasp. Grinning at the sound, the vampire quickly appeared behind Bella. "Did you not know? It is because of you that we were threatened and why Edward must die," the vampire sneered.

Growling in outrage, Edward yanked Bella to stand behind him once again. "You will not talk to her like that!" Edward warned.

"I will-"

"Enough."

The rest of the vampire's remark was cut short as a very tiny, young female emerged from the shadows as well. Peering out from beneath the hood of her dark overcoat, the young woman scanned the group in front of her, red eyes flickering over each individual.

Curiously, Bella watched as both the male vampires backed off immediately. What alarmed her, however, was when both Edward and Alice stepped back as well. Swallowing nervously, Bella didn't like the fact that they were afraid of this small girl.

"Jane," Edward acknowledged.

About to ask who she was, Alice shook her head at Bella. "Just do as she says."

Watching as Jane tossed Edward an overcoat, Bella felt her stomach sink as Edward simply did as prompted without argument.

"Come," Jane ordered before turning and heading up the alley.

Edward hesitated as if weighing his options. It wasn't until Alice walked past with Bella's hand in hers that he finally followed suit. Ignoring the smirking vampires behind him, Edward swiped Bella's hand from Alice and led her through the narrow alleys that Jane selected.

Keeping quiet, Bella simply followed along until balking at the sight of the open hole in the street. Although she had just watched Jane and Alice disappear inside, Bella couldn't help but hesitate at being unable to see through the black void beneath her.

"It's alright, love," Edward reassured as he caught Bella's hands in his. "Alice is down there and will catch you." Sliding his hands down her wrist, he moves to pick her up before feeling Bella break free.

Lunging at Edward, Bella locks her arms about his waist in a momentary death grip before letting go. She was unable to help it. She had barely managed to find Edward and now she wasn't sure what was going to happen. She at least wanted one last hug, unlike last time Edward disappeared from her life. Stop it, Bella, she mentally chided herself. She wasn't going to lose Edward. "Okay," she murmured.

In a matter of seconds, Bella felt the ground disappear beneath her and before she could scream at the sudden darkness that enveloped her like in her dreams, Bella was resting in Alice's arms. Stifling her sigh, Bella couldn't help but slump against Alice as the pair moved away from the hole to stand next to Jane. By the time Bella was back on her feet, Edward was by her side, pulling her close.

"There's something you should know," Alice murmured to Bella, ignoring Edward's glare.

"What?" Bella asked, unable to hide the quiver in her voice.

"The picture you saw in Carlisle's office – that's not the Volturi," Alice begin to explain.

"Alice," Edward interrupted, cutting off anything else his sister was about to share.

Curious as to why Edward stopped her, Bella simply stayed quiet. Perhaps Edward didn't want Alice saying something that would get them into more trouble. Instead of commenting or asking for clarification, Bella stayed within Edward's grasp as they continued to walk.

As the dark corridor stretched on, Bella couldn't help but wonder where they were exactly heading. It was a few moments more when the path opened up to reveal an elevator. Stepping inside, Bella shrunk into Edward's side as the door closed. On the ride down, Bella was surprised when she noticed how modernized the elevator was, especially considering the entrance to it. What surprised her more was when the doors opened to reveal an elegantly decorated space. Unlike the tunnels above, Bella was surprised to be greeted by such an old world charm. What startled her, however, was the greeting they received as well.

"Buon pomeriggio," the receptionist politely greeted.

Although the woman was attractive, Bella was forced to look twice to confirm that the lady was actually a human.

"Come, they're expecting us," Jane ordered, breaking Bella's shock.

Perhaps if other humans are comfortable working here, then it won't be completely horrible, Bella hoped. A bit more optimistic of their outcome, Bella leaned into Edward as they left the reception area and headed down a long corridor.

"Does she know?" Bella whispered, although the others could hear her.

"Yes," Edward stated simply, assuming that Bella was referring to if the human knew that she was amongst vampires.

Before Bella could comment further, Jane stopped in front of a pair of carved doors. With an ease unfitting for a woman so small, Jane opened the door before leading the way inside.

Swallowing nervously, Bella latched onto Edward's hand even tighter as she stepped into the circular white marble hall, finally coming face to face with the three ancients. What caused Bella to gasp, however, was the fact that instead of three men residing on the thrones there were three women.