Thanks to my co-writer Erin for helping with this chapter and the previous. Let me know your thoughts on the Volturi situation!
"Edward, you can't be serious."
"I am, Alice. I've decided. I can't keep avoiding this forever."
"You won't have forever if you do this."
I sighed and turned my head, checking the time. 4am. You've got to be kidding me. Why couldn't they have a fight some place else. I turned my pillow over to the cold side and snuggled back under.
"What other choice do I have? She won't give up." He sighed, exasperated.
"Do what you want. But when this backfires, just remember I fucking warned you."
And then there was silence.
I eventually woke up around ten in the morning. I crawled out of bed, padded down the stairs. The house was unusually quiet. There was no one home. Sighing, I went to the fridge. Some coffee would wake me up.
"Good morning, Bella."
I jumped and turned around, to see Carlisle standing, smiling slightly. "I'm sorry. Did I scare you?"
I shook my head and sat down, "Where is everyone?"
He sat opposite me, "They all decided to go shopping. Alice was in dire need of some new clothes evidently." He chuckled.
I nodded and took a sip of my coffee, "I heard Alice and Edward arguing last night."
Carlisle's eyes narrowed, "Ah. Do you know what they were arguing over?"
"No." I smirked, "But you do."
He chuckled again, "That is true. I do not agree with the lengths Edward has and is taking in regards to your pending immortality, but I will say this : I can't imagine how difficult it must be for him, to be stuck with this overwhelming decision. You have to understand, Bella, our way of life, the requirements we have to live with in order to maintain a healthy balance between mortals and our kind." He leaned back in his seat, "It isn't easy."
"But it is for you." I pointed out.
He nodded, "Yes. Simply because I have been around much longer than the rest of my family. I had to control the thirst, the lust for human blood is virtually uncontrollable if you don't know how. I was horrified with myself, disgusted even. I exiled myself for a long time, Bella."
I bowed my head and sighed. I wasn't liking where this conversation was going, "That doesn't explain why they were arguing, Carlisle."
"I know. Edward has decided to send you to the Volturi, Bella. He wants you to see first hand the consequences of the immortality that you crave so much. I want you to know, I'm not happy about this decision but-"
"Are you fucking kidding me?" I stood, "Why are you the one telling me this? Why not Edward?"
Carlisle stood also and held up his hands, "Listen to me, Bella this is not the time to-"
"No it is! After all the things Edward and I have been through, he should be the one telling me about his decision. Not. You."
Carlisle simply nodded, "I understand. I'll leave you to your thoughts." He left the kitchen, leaving me to make sense of what he said.
The Volturi? I had heard of them, I had seen what they were capable of so why was I being dragged to them?
This was all too much to process. Edward wanted to get rid of me. That's all I conjured. He didn't want me anymore.
"Carlisle told you." Upon hearing his voice, I turned and nodded.
"Bella...I thought it would be better to come from him."
Was he serious? "How?"
"He just...his way with words. People understand him better."
I rolled my eyes, "I don't care about that. The Volturi? Really?"
Edward sighed and attempted to move closer to me but I held my hands up, telling him to stay away.
"Bella. You need to know what it's like. You need to understand that immortality isn't a joke. When you have it, there's no way back."
"I fucking know that, Edward!"
It was decided. I was going to the Voturi. If it meant being turned then I would go. I had to do this. I owed it to Edward and myself. I mean, what could the Volturi do to make me so against becoming a vampire? In that moment I realised, I was becoming exiled.