Author's note: For now, the spoken words belong to Stephenie Meyer. I simply read what Bella was thinking and saying at this time and used them as Edward's and tweaked them. But where words are in italic belong to me for now. I'll let you know when I go back using my own dialogue completely. Thank you, Stephenie, for your eloquent words.

"EDWARD, NO!"

How strange. That sounded just like Bella. Maybe because I was so close to death, I was able to hear her on the other side. I smiled sadly as I was now prepared to meet her. I closed my eyes and raised my foot to take a long stride out into the light.

"NO! EDWARD LOOK AT ME!"

I felt something hit my chest. Slowly I looked down. I must have already been dead because Bella was before me. I had never been so happy in all my life.

"Amazing. Carlisle was right," I said amused.

"Edward, you've got to move back into the shadows. You have to move," Bella gasped.

I could not believe there was heaven for vampires. But I had to be in heaven for Bella to be in my arms. I brushed my hand against her cheek. She felt real. I could not grasp that I had been killed by the Volturi.

"I can't believe how quick it was. I didn't feel a thing- they're good," I said as I closed my eyes to inhale her scent and I pressed my lips to her hair and thought about what Romeo had said in the tomb, Bella's favorite story after all. "Death, that hath sucked the honey of thy breath, hath had no power yet upon thy beauty."

In the back of mind I thought I heard the clock chiming and Bella pushing against my chest. But I knew this all had to be a dream. I was dead after all.

"You smell just exactly the same as always. So maybe this is hell. I don't care. I'll take it," I said as I continued to envelop myself in her wonderful fragrance.

"I'm not dead. And neither are you. Please Edward, we have to move. They can't be far away," Bella said to me as she struggled in my arms.

What exactly was she trying to say to me. "What was that," I asked politely.

"We're not dead, not yet! But we have to get out of here before the Volturi . . ."

I understood Bella now. We were not dead. Why was she here with me in Volterra and why was she alive? They were coming, I sensed them. I yanked us from the edge of the light and spun us around the where I had her back against the wall and then my back was to her to protect her against the guards that approached us.

"Greetings, gentleman," I spoke to them calmly as I continued to protect Bella. "I don't think I'll be requiring your services today. I would appreciate it very much, however, if you would send my thanks to your masters."

"Shall we take this conversation to a more appropriate venue?" Felix whispered menacingly.

"I don't believe that will be necessary," I replied with more of an edge as I had no intentions of allowing them to do anything to my Bella. "I know your instructions, Felix. I haven't broken any rules."

The other specter, Demetri, concealed as Felix in a long gray cloak, moved from out of the shadow that had him almost completely hidden from view.

"Felix merely meant to point out the proximity of the sun," he said as he gestured to the light. "Let us seek better cover."

I knew their plan. I could read them like a book. Demetri and Felix had been entranced by Bella's scent and were already planning on how they could each feast on her. That was not about to happen but I could no longer be dramatic, I had to plan carefully. Every word was all important now in saving Bella's life. Why in the world would she have come to Italy after all I had put her through? I would worry about that when things were not so dire.

"I'll be right behind you. Bella, why don't you go back to the square and enjoy the festival?" I said.

"No, bring the girl," Felix leered at us in a whisper.

That was it, I had had enough. I moved and prepared myself for a fight as I said "I don't think so."

"No," Bella mouthed the word.

"Shh," I murmured so only she could hear me.

Felix was about to pounce on us but I knew they would not attack the two of us in plain sight, at least that was what I was counting on. If nothing else it would buy us a few more minutes to try and plan some strategy. Demetri looked at his associate with much disapproval.

"Felix, not here," Demetri cautioned and then turned to speak to me. "Aro would simply like to speak with you again, if you have decided not to force our hand after all."

I would go but there was no way Bella was going anywhere near Aro and the rest of the Volturi. These two had been more than enough.

"Certainly," I agreed. "But the girl goes free."

"I'm afraid that's not possible. We do have rules to obey," Demetri explained politely.

Why was this happening to her? I could understand why my luck would have to change, since I had told them I wanted to die. But why not let her go?

"Then I'm afraid that I'll be unable to accept Aro's invitation, Demetri," I replied.

"That's fine," Felix seemed to purr.

"Aro will be disappointed," Demetri sighed.

"I'm sure he'll survive the letdown," I replied, not really caring if he did or not.

I watched as the two of them spread out to the mouth of the alley so they could come at me from both sides. They wanted to force us deeper into the darkness so no scene would be made. But I refused to move even one little inch. It was then I heard a noise from the darkness of the winding alley. Demetri and Felix both followed my gaze as Bella tried to put it all together. I knew who it was.

"Let's behave ourselves, shall we?" Alice suggested. "There are ladies present."

Alice came to my side. Now I knew why Bella was here. Our aggressors had stopped and Felix looked sour toward Alice. They were not partial to a fair fight.

"We're not alone," Alice reminded all of us.

Demetri glanced over his shoulder into the square that was only a few yards away. A family with two small girls in red dresses was accompanied by their mother who was speaking to the father as she glanced at the five of us. She quickly looked away when Demetri met her gaze. The father walked farther into the plaza and tapped on the shoulder of one of the red-blazered men who were patrolling the festival.

"Please, Edward, let's be reasonable," Demetri said as he shook his head at me.

"Let's," I agreed. "And we'll leave quietly now, with no one the wiser."

But they were not about to back down nor had I expected them to. We were in this deep, with very little light at the end of a long dark tunnel.

Demetri sighed in frustration. "At least let us discuss this more privately."

Now there were six men in red with the family as they all watched us. I took a more protective stance in front of Bella, which is probably why the family had become so alarmed. What else was I to do? She was a frail human in a den of blood thirsty vampires. I was not about to back down and let them take her.

"No," I said through clinched teeth, venom pooling in my mouth from anticipation of an assault.

An evil smile formed on Felix's pale lips.

"Enough," a voice behind us demanded. Bella looked at Jane in confusion as I was sure she tried to figure out who and what she was at first. The huge robe made you wonder if she was a young boy. Jane was as small in stature as Alice but I knew the deadly gift she had as did Demetri and Felix. They immediately stepped back into the shadows. There was no use fighting now that she was here, so I relaxed, defeated for the moment.

"Jane," I sighed.

Alice folded her arms across her chest. She knew what Jane was capable of as well. We had no choice now but to do as they said.

"Follow me," Jane said in her child like monotone voice.

She turned her back on us and glided into the darkness. Felix motioned for us to go ahead of him and smirked at us. Alice followed after Jane and I put my arm around Bella's small waist and pulled her with me as I caught up with Alice and stood beside her, Bella looked up at me for answers to her questions but all I could do was shake my head. We were in danger. The worst possible kind, the kind I didn't know if there was a way out of. I would simply be glad for these last fleeting moments with Bella while I had them. I suppose I could talk to Alice about what she was doing here and why she decided to drag Bella with her. What had Charlie said about this?

"Well, Alice, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised to see you here," I said as we continued our journey down the sloping path simply trying to make casual conversation.

"It was my mistake. It was my job to set it right," Alice answered in the same manner, almost like we were anywhere but here.

"What happened?" I asked politely as though I was half interested in what she was saying but very aware of the ones who followed behind.

"It's a long story," Alice said while she looked at Bella and then away to some place far off. "In summary, she did jump off a cliff, but she wasn't trying to kill herself. Bella's all about extreme sports these days.

Bella became flushed and turned her eyes straight ahead.

"Tell me," I said to Alice in my mind so Bella would not hear us and possibly not our new acquaintances.

"Edward, she nearly drowned. On top of that, there is another vampire stalking her, and her friend Jacob is a newbie werewolf. Bella is hanging out with werewolves. Good going there, Edward. You leave her because you think you're too dangerous for her and she goes out and finds something else to replace it," Alice scowled.

"Hm," I replied curtly. Yes, I knew I had screwed up but now was not the time to be telling me so.

The alley continued to slope as it curved loosely. We were coming to a dead end and Jane had already made her into the hole near the wall and was out of sight. Alice kept walking and did the same. The grate which covered the drain had been moved aside and left us with a small and very dark hole to descend into. Bella halted. I knew she was scared and I could not say that I blamed her.

"It's alright, Bella," I said quietly but yet still trying to sooth her fears. "Alice will catch you."

Bella eyed the void and I knew she thought I would have gone first to catch her but I was not about to leave her alone with Demetri and Felix. I knew what awful things hid in their black hearts. Bella crouched down and let her legs dangle into the hole.

"Alice," she whispered in a trembling voice.

"I'm right here, Bella," I heard Alice call to her from below.

I held on to Bella's wrist and prepared to drop her into my sister's waiting arms.

"Ready," I asked to both Alice and Bella, who weakly nodded.

"Drop her," Alice called.

I let Bella go and breathed a sigh of relief when I heard Alice catch her. Once I knew she was away from the opening I dropped through and made my way to Bella. I placed my arm around her and she put both of her arms around my waist and I basically drug her along as she stumbled and fumbled along the cold wet stone floor. I heard them drop the grate back in place behind us. All light was lost in the darkness. The only sound was Bella's chaotic heartbeat and her footfalls. That and impatient sigh whispered behind us. It was at that moment I began to hold Bella that much tighter and I placed one hand on her face and traced her lips with my fingers. I was memorizing everything about her. Even here with death all around us, she was still the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. Somehow I knew any kind of lengthy or romantic reunion was out of the question so ever so often I would place my face in her soft hair and took in her heavenly aroma. Bella held me closer to her frail body. I knew I was crazy but I wanted nothing more than to take her in my arms and kiss her until the end of time. I wanted to take every moment and do nothing but get one touch closer to her. I needed to embrace her and kiss her all over. I wanted to be one with her, to make love to her so she would truly know the depths of my feelings for her. I wanted to tell her over and over again that she was my one and only and I wanted nothing more than to spend all of eternity with her. I kissed her forehead, happy for that for now.

I felt the floor as it continued to slant down, going deeper and deeper under the city. I kept my hand on her face to keep her calm. I knew she was about to scream any minute. I did notice the light had switched from black to grey. We were now in an arched tunnel with moisture seeping like it was blood from the walls. It was then I noticed Bella as she began to shake. Her clothes were wet and my body temperature was not helping her being that the tunnel was cold as well. I let go of all of her but her hand.

"N-n-no," she chattered as she threw her arms around me refusing to let me go.

I knew how she felt. Who knew how much longer we had together. I then rubbed my hands against her arms as I tried to create some kind of friction to warm her, even the slightest bit. We were moving rapidly through the tunnel, much faster than Bella could actually go. Felix was unhappy with how slow we were going but he would get over it I was sure.

Before us was another iron grate and small door just to the side of it. I stepped through and walked immediately into a larger stone lined room. I heard the metal clang loudly as they shut that one behind us, followed by the distinct snap of a lock. A head of us was a large wooden door that was open as well. Once we stepped into the next room, I tensed and clenched my teeth tightly together. The stress was far from over and Bella for some reason seemed to relax. She was not fully aware of the horrible danger we were truly in. But I supposed the fact that this room was brighter and warmer was a sign that the danger was coming to a close. But it was not. And I knew as much when I saw Jane at the end of the hall. Alice flanked to the side of Bella opposite of me. If nothing else we could keep her from a certain doomed death. I pulled Bella forward with us as they dead bolted the large wooden door as well.

Jane held the doors for us, it was anything but polite. Bella cowered in the corner behind Alice and me. I refused to take my eyes off of Jane one minute. Felix and Demetri had slipped their hoods down and revealed themselves so Bella was now able to get a closer look. I noticed her examine them as I would steall a glance at her from time to time.

Once out of the elevator we entered the room that I had waited to hear the Volturi's first verdict. Bella and Alice looked around. Jane was leading us toward their human receptionist. I heard Bella gasp beside me. The woman smiled at Jane happily.

"Good afternoon, Jane," she said with no hint of any kind of surprise at the people who were parading in front of her.

"Gianna," Jane nodded as she continued to a set of double doors at the back of the room. We followed after her. I did notice Felix wink at Gianna to which she giggled like a school girl. If the woman only knew what he wanted to actually do to her, she would not have been so happy about it. To him she was food.

Once inside the door, I noticed Alec and I had been oblivious to the fact he looked like he could have been Jane's twin.

"Jane," Alec smiled as he reached for her.

"Alec," Jane responded as she embraced him. They kissed each other on each cheek and he turned and looked back at us.

"They sent you out for one and you come back with two . . . and a half. Nice work," he said while he looked at me.

Jane laughed out loud. Alec smiled at her but turned his attention back to me.

"Welcome back, Edward. You seem in a better mood," Alec greeted me sarcastically.

"Marginally," I agreed flatly.

It was then that Alec began to examine my Bella and chuckled. She clung to me and I held her even tighter, not worrying about the bruises I would cause her.

"And this is the cause of all the trouble," he asked skeptically.

I smiled with contempt. I heard him thinking that he wanted Bella but it was Felix that put me over the edge.

"Dibs," Felix called nonchalantly from behind us.

I snarled low from deep in my chest. Felix smiled at me. He brought his hand up, curled his fingers and begged me to attack him. I was about to until Alice touched my arm.

"Patience," she advised me.

"Edward, you cannot do this now. If you attack Felix there will be no chance to save Bella. And I know you want to do that. You want to spend forever with her. And brother, if you die there will be no forever for any of us," she said only to me.

"But Felix wants to drain her dry. He has been taunting me from the moment I saw him. I am not sure how much longer that I can stand it," I replied to her.

"If you won't do this for me, do it for Bella."

I took a very deep and turned back to face Alec. I would be patient for now as I would do anything for my Bella.

"Aro will be so pleased to see you again," Alec said like nothing had even happened before.

"Let's not keep him waiting," Jane added.

I nodded at them. It was time to get this over with. We walked through a very plain wooden door, to which I could tell Bella was surprised the two host were ignoring the ornate gold ones. But they were toying with us that much I knew. Alec held the door for Jane and I pulled Bella through into the next room. This one was dark, too cold for Bella, but smaller. She sighed when it opened in to large rounded area. This is the room I had been in earlier. There were more of the Volturi present but it was Aro who approached.

"Jane, dear one, you've returned," Aro cried to her.

I saw Bella's mouth hang open as Aro glided effortlessly across the room and was moving passed us to Jane. He placed his hands on her face and kissed her lips. Then he moved back a step.

"Yes, Master. I brought him back alive, just as you wished," Jane replied with a smile that made her look even more like a child.

"Ah, Jane. You are such a comfort to me," he said as he smiled too,

Aro turned to face us now and his smile got even wider. How could this possibly be a good thing?

"And Alice and Bella, too!" he sang as he clapped his hands together. "This is a happy surprise! Wonderful!"

I could see nothing wonderful about any of this. Sometimes I despised all the pretense we vampires used. Why we could not simply get to the point rather than circumnavigating things?

It was then Aro turned to Felix. "Felix, be a dear and tell my brother about our company. I'm sure they wouldn't want to miss this."

"Yes, Master," Felix replied before he disappeared.

"You see, Edward? What did I tell you? Aren't you glad that I didn't give you what you wanted yesterday," Aro said as though he were scolding me.

"Yes, Aro, I am," I answered as I pulled Bella closer to me.

"I love a happy ending." Aro sighed contently. "They are so rare. But I want the whole story. How did this happen? Alice? Your brother seemed to think you infallible, but apparently there was some mistake."

My sister smiled but hid the anger underneath as I noticed her fist were in tight balls. "Oh, I'm far from infallible. As you can see today, I cause problems as often as I cure them."

"You're too modest," Aro replied. "I've seen some of your more amazing exploits, and I must admit I've never observed anything like your talent. Wonderful!"

Alice looked at me. I knew she wondered who he was. Aro noticed her gaze as well.

"I'm sorry, we haven't been introduced properly at all, have we? It just that I feel like I know you already, and I tend to 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 said with a hint of envy.

"And also exponentially more powerful," I added as I looked at Alice to explain. "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."

"Really?" Alice asked me only as she raised an eyebrow.

I leaned my head as though to nod only for her but of course Aro did not miss my gesture.

"But to be able to hear from a distance . . ." Aro sighed as he looked at Alice and me. "That would be so convenient."

Aro looked over his shoulder at all of the rest of the group was behind him. Felix had brought the brothers Aro had mentioned back with him. I was sure Bella would recognize them as the trio from Carlisle painting. Aro seemed very pleased to have them here. I was sure they would be part of the decision of our punishment.

"Marcus, Caius, look! Bella is alive after all, and Alice is here with here! Isn't that wonderful," Aro gleamed.

If we were not in such a dire situation I would have laughed at exactly how unexcited the two were of our presence. They both appeared to be unenthused and basically angered for being disturbed with such petty things. But it did not stop Aro from being overly excited.

"Let us have the story," Aro sang.

The brother named Caius who appeared to be the elderly merely passed us by and sat in one of the wooden throne like chairs. Marcus, the reason the festival was outside, walked to Aro and touched him. When I saw what he said I snorted to which caused Alice to look at me curiously. I am sure she wondered what was so funny at a time like this.

"Thank you, Marcus. That's quite interesting," Aro said.

Marcus flittered over to sit beside of Caius followed by their guards and their wives. If nothing this was very formal, almost regal. After all they were as close to the royal family as we could get. Aro was still in awe of Marcus's revelation.

"Amazing. Absolutely amazing," Aro said as he shook his head.

Alice looked at me completely frustrated. Quickly, in a low voice I explained. "Marcus sees relationships. He's surprised by the intensity of ours."

Aro spoke to himself. "So convenient." He turned now to address us. "It takes quite a bit to surprise Marcus, I can assure you."

I wanted to laugh again. Marcus did indeed look as though it would take an extreme act to surprise him. He was almost like a statue, expressionless.

"It's just so difficult to understand, even now," Aro said as he stared intently at my position around Bella. He seemed to be completely both amused and intrigued at what I was doing. "How can you stand so close to her like that?"

"It's not without effort," I explained.

"But still ---- la tua cantante! What a waste!"

"I look at it as more as a price," I laughed with absolutely no humor.