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In the weeks leading up to my visit to Volterra, Alice was dragging me shopping near enough everyday. I honestly didn't know I needed that much clothes for this place.
Edward lurked in the corner, barely speaking, always watching. He could sense that I didn't want to be near him. Once again, his possessive side pissed me off.
It was the night before my flight with Alice and Edward and I sat on my bed, I could hear Edward, Alice and Carlisle arguing down stairs.
"Edward, this is a bad idea." Carlisle hissed.
"It needs to happen, Carlisle. Not all vampires are like us, she needs to know."
"She does know! So you'd put her in danger just to prove a fucking point?"
My eyes widened, that was the first time I had ever heard Carlisle curse. I slowly made my way downstairs, leaning against the kitchen doorframe.
Alice turned her head, "Bella."
Carlisle turned and smiled.
"You didn't need to hear that." Edward mumbled.
"It's pretty hard not to hear. And anyway, this isn't your decision, it's mine. I want to go. I want to spend forever with Edward."
"Edward will come around eventually." He smiled and placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Eventually is too far away. I'm ageing, he isn't. You don't realise how hard it is to be getting older every day while he is stuck where he is." I muttered.
"That's why I am against changing you, Bella. You will be stuck, like this. Forever." Edward crossed his arms and sighed.
"I don't care! How many times do I have to tell you that?!"
Alice sighed, "Bella, I think it's time you should sleep. You've got an early flight in the morning." She took my hand and took me to my room.
"Bella, you don't need to do this. You don't have to go to Volterra." Alice fluffed my pillows and smiled.
"Why does everyone keep saying this? I want to go and I am going."
I turned over and waited for Alice to leave the room. She turned the light off and closed the door.
Surprisingly, I fell asleep right away.
"Bella, wake up." I heard rustling around the room as he spoke.
I frowned, "No." Well, I think I said no.
"Bella." He touched my cheek and sighed, "Wake up. We've got a flight to catch."
I groaned and stretched out before opening my eyes, "Fine."
I grabbed my clothes for the day and stalked into the bathroom to shower.
The drive to the airport was suicidal. Alice wouldn't shut up about Italy and how much I would love it and how amazing it is and all the sites I would see and I just wanted to stick my fingers in my ears and throw a tantrum.
"But really, Volterra is just steeped in history! I mean, you cannot go there and not explore, personally I-"
"Alice." Edward hissed quietly.
"Right. Sorry." She glanced at me through the rear view mirror and smiled sympathetically.
The flight was boring. The car ride to Volterra was boring. No one fucking talked.
I had butterflies, I had to admit. Anxiety. Did I under analyse this situation?
We walked through cold stone corridors until we reached a large wooden door. Edward pushed it open, took my hand and walked inside, Alice following.
A man, stood up from his chair and smiled, "Friends, welcome."
Edward bowed his head slightly and released my hand, "This is-"
"I know who she is, Edward." He smiled and drifted toward me, holding out his hand, "Isabella." His eyes widened as he took my hand, "My name is Aro."
Alice shifted next to me, eyeing the various other vampires in the room.
"I must welcome you to Volterra." He released my hand and returned to his seat.
Edward cleared his throat, "We're sorry for inconveniencing you, Aro."
One guy chuckled, "It is hardly an inconvenience, bringing a human to our home. They're usually food."
Aro hissed, "Caius! Isabella is a guest here."
I gulped. I suddenly regretted making this decision.
Alice moved closer to me and took my hand, "Please know, Bella here will not over stay her welcome." Alice addressed the room, her tone cold and slightly callous.
One chuckled, "Good. I doubt my sister would like the competition." My eyes drifted to the vampire. He stood next to a blonde haired girl. Her eyes were dark and evil. She smirked at me, "I wonder..."
Edward growled, "Don't you fucking dare."
The girl laughed, like wind chimes, "I'm curious, Cullen." Her eyes narrowed in on me, "Pain." She breathed. Edward hissed and pushed me behind him. I didn't feel a thing.
Aro clapped his hands and chuckled, "My, she is a strange breed."
"You may go." The one sitting by Caius stood, "You have no other business here. You've succeeded in bringing the human to us. You are no longer needed."
Edward bared his teeth. Alice sighed and placed a hand on his shoulder, "We should go." She turned to me and hugged me, "We'll be back for you." She whispered in my ear.
Edward stared down at me, stroking my cheek, "I love you." He kissed my forehead and then he was gone.
My eyes were closed. I didn't want to open them.
"Alec, see to it that young Isabella is tended to." Aro muttered.
I opened my eyes to see the boy who was with the blonde move toward me. He took hold of my arm and pulled me toward the door.
"I hope you enjoy your stay." Aro chuckled.
Oh shit.
