Disclaimer: All recognisable characters belong to Stephanie Meyer.
Hi everyone =)
Thanks for all the reviews and for following / favourite my story. This means a lot to me! =D
So this is chapter 3. I really enjoyed writing it. I hope you like it.
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XX
The Trial
The group of vampires and humans followed Jane down a stair and then through a maze of old, dimly lit stone corridors.
After a few minutes they passed a reception behind which a young women sat. As they walked by she looked up from her computer and smiled at them: "Buon pomeriggio.*" Anna knew immediately that she was the only real human in this entire building.
She saw Bella giving the women a pitiful look and it dawned on her that this women would either be one of the Volturi someday or... "No.", she refused to end this thought and looked up again. They had reached a huge, black double door. It looked heavy as hell but little Jane pushed it open like it was made of feathers and entered without a moment of hesitation.
"Jane, dear! Finally", the man who spoke had shoulder-length raven hair, a pale face and ruby eyes like pretty much everyone in the room. A smile was plastered on his face which was probably meant to be cheerful but it was rather creepy. "And you brought Edward and Alice. And Bella! So you are alive after all. Isn't that wonderful. I do love happy endings. They're so rare." His voice sent a chill down Annas spine.
The man, Aro she supposed, walked over and took Edwards hand in his own. His eyes went glassy. Anna used the little time it gave her to look around the room.
Behind the creepy looking man there were dais with three wooden chairs, thrones, on it. Two of them were occupied.
In the one on the left sat a man in his forties with long brown hair. His face looked like he carried all the sadness and sorrows of the world on his shoulders. Anna couldn't help but feel sorry for him.
The throne in the middle was empty, most likely Aros. Her eyes wandered to the last throne. In it sat a young man with blond, almost white hair that fell to his shoulders and framed his face perfectly. High cheekbones. Ruby red eyes. And he scowled directly at Anna as if she had personally offended him just by looking at him.
"So you must be Annabeth then", her eyes snapped back to Aro. He had let go of Edwards hand and was now looking at her. "Uhm... yeah. But it's just Anna." "Anna, the law student.", he smiled his creepy smile. "How do you..." "When he touched my skin he read every thought I ever had.", Edward explained. "I see."
"I also saw that Alice thought you could be their... lawyer?" "Erm... yeah. Her idea not mine." "Well then let's see what you can do shall we?" Annas eyes widened. Was he serious?
"Now, Bella and Anna, both of you know about our kind. What shall we do with you now?" Aro continued.
"They are a liability. And the Cullens have told them our secret. The law claims them. All of them." the blonde vampire hissed. "I'm afraid Caius is right.", Aro sighed. "We..", Anna started but Edward interrupted her: "They haven't told anyone ever since they know." "It is only a matter of time. Humans are too talkative to be trusted."
Anna opened her mouth to protest but Edward was again faster than she was: "You have humans in your service too." Anna rolled her eyes. This was the lamest argument anyone could have come up with. The answer was so obvious even he must have thought of it.
"Yes but when we have no more use for them they will serve our sustentation. Can you say the same about your little pet? Or the other mortal over there?" Edward snarled. "That's what I thought", Caius said leaning back in his throne a cruel smile on his lips.
"He has him cornered. Damn, that guy is good.", Anna was too impressed by Caius tactic to be offended for being referred to as "The mortal over there".
"I..." Edward started again but now it was Annas time to interrupt: "Shut it Edward."
All eyes went to her. She straightened her back. "You wanted me as a lawyer and got me into this mess. Now shut it and let me do my work." "Anna, you..." "Are you deaf? I'm gonna do this. You keep your mouth shut. Your speaking's done more damage than good."
She turned to Caius and looked him straight in the eye. "Well, first of all the Cullens haven't told us anything. We've found out on our own. And Edward's right. We haven't told anyone about it. And we're not planning on doing so."
"Humans can't be trusted." "Why not?" "What?" "You heard me." Caius eyes widened slightly. This little girl really had the nerve to challenge him. How dare she?
"Because", he said getting up from his seat "your mind is way too small to understand what it means to keep a secret like this. Maybe you have not said anything until now but what if you drink too much alcohol in the future? It tends to make humans very talkative."
"Bella and I both don't drink." Caius started to descend from the dais he was standing on. "And what if you were tortured? Threatened with death?" Anna scoffed: "By whom? We're not living in the 15th century anymore."
"How about that?", he was now standing right in front of her, scowling down at her. He was a good 5 inches taller than Anna but she stood her ground, still starring in his eyes. "The law says no human must know of us unless he is either going to die or to be changed. No exceptions." "Are you running out of answers?", she smiled at him. Caius eyes narrowed. "Watch your tongue mortal!", he hissed at her.
"Fine. Don't answer my question but the law doesn't claim all of us. The Cullens haven't done anything wrong." "They have raised your suspicion. Therefore..." "Oh please, you're making this up!" Caius smiled condescending at her: "Prove it little girl." Little girl? Now it was getting personal.
"It still doesn't claim them and you know it." The smile vanished from Caius face and he growled at her. "Peace brother." Aro tried to calm him. "Anna is right. Alice and Edward are innocent. They may leave in peace."
Caius head turned from Aro back to Anna in front of him his eyes glistening: "Congratulations little mortal. You've won this fight. As a reward you may watch your friend die. And then die yourself. Felix."
Anna whirled around. The bulky vampire she met earlier was now stalking towards Bella. Edward had been torn from her and was held back by a boy with dark brown hair. Alice next to Anna was held in a tight grip by the slim blond vampire. Desperately Anna searched for a loophole in Caius words. She could only think of one.
"He will change her!" Aro held up his hand and Felix stopped dead in his tracks. "What did you say my dear?" "Edward will change Bella.", she turned to Alice, who was still hold by the unknown vampire, "Right Alice?" she looked at her friend pleadingly.
"C'mon Alice don't let me down. Please don't let me down." For one unbearable minute complete silence fell over the room and then, finally, Alice answered: "Yes he will.", she held her hand out for Aro, "I've seen it."
Aro flitted over to her and gripped her hand in both of his. Everything went silent again. Anna was sure she could hear her heart racing. And she was absolutely positive of Caius starring holes in her back. "If looks could kill", she thought.
With a smile Aro let go of Alice hand: "How fascinating. To see what has not happened yet. You three may leave. I am sure you have preparations to make." Edward and Alice were both released.
"What have you done?", Edward snapped at Anna. "Saved Bellas life! Do you think I've kept her alive for the past six months to let her come here and die just because of your silliness?", she snapped back. Edward just glared at her and went over to Bella.
Anna turned to Alice who smiled happily at her: "You did it. You really did it. You've got us out of here. I knew you'd make it. God you're a genius." "No, I'm not." Anna didn't smile. She had lost and she knew it. She had challenged Caius and now she was paying the price.
"Of course you are." Alice still didn't get it. "No, Alice. You didn't listen. He said 'you three may leave'. I'm not coming with you." And at last Alice did understand and her smile faded.
*Buon pomeriggio = Good afternoon
