No One's POV

"Hello Bella." Anastasia says calmly.

"You- What!? How!?" Bella shrieks again. "You're with them!? Do you even know who they are!? How could you do this! To Charlie! To me! You're supposed to be in college! How could you be so selfish!"

Bella's rant grated on the nerves of almost every vampire in the room. It also grated on the ears of her older sister, Anastasia rubbing her eyes and looking upwards as if suddenly questioning why she decided to step into the throne room to save her sorry sister's ass in the first place.

Caius and Marcus growl loudly in warning, not taking kindly to their mate being talked to badly about.

"Yes, I do believe I know who they are. Otherwise I wouldn't be sitting here. Unlike you little sister, I'm not ignorant of the world around me or selfish enough to believe the world revolves around me and my own problems. Honestly, can you see past your own nose for like two seconds? Or your precious Edward? Don't you think I talked to dad since I've been gone? Unlike you I didn't actually despise every second with him. Oh wait, I lived with him all my life. He knows I'm in Volterra. And seriously, what do you think? I just stay locked up in a tower with a dragon to guard me? God, you are so stupid sometimes. Wake up, Bella! You're so self-righteous sometimes. I'm not a fucking idiot." Anastasia scoffs, rolling her eyes again.

This time Edward was the one that growled, shifting as if to move threateningly towards Anastasia.

Caius and Marcus lean forward even more, Jane and the rest of the Guard closing ranks as if just itching for a fight, daring Edward to make a move on their Queen.

"At least I'm not living with a bunch of murders! Do you hear what they are talking about!? Are you just going to let this happen!? And be a part of it!" Bella screams, her voice rising to a high trill.

"Oh don't get all high and mighty on me." Anastasia throws her hands up into the air. "You make your own choices Bella, so don't try and guilt me or drag me into your own choices. It is not my fault you got yourself into this mess. There are laws for a fucking reason! Humans have them, vampires have them. The Volturi uphold the law. You are not above it. And neither are the Cullens."

"What about you! You're in it! And you're human! What right do you have? Why shouldn't you be killed!" Bella bites back spitefully.

"You spiteful little wench!" Caius growls suddenly lunging off his throne towards Bella, having heard enough. He could not stand by and have anymore insults be thrown at his mate, as wonderful as it was to see his mate be such a spitfire, as if he could be more enamored and in love with her than he already was.

Edwards moves to intervene but in a flash is thrown out of the way by Caius himself and across the room, marble and stone crackling and rippling under his impact.

Hands closed around Bella's throat, Caius' growls threateningly, eyes dark black.

"That is my mate. The Queen of Vampires. The Queen of the Volturi, you speak of." Caius hisses lowly. "Let me kill her, rid us of her, mio amato."

"Caius, she is my sister." Anastasia says softly, pleadingly, even though her sister's words still hurt, all she wanted was to protect her, as she rises from her place on her throne, Marcus easily gliding beside her, arm sliding around her waist protectively.

"Half-sister." Caius growls, pressure on Bella's windpipe increasing only subtly.

"Nonetheless, let her go. Please." Anastasia says, offering a hand to Caius.

Caius growls again loud and threateningly, glaring at Bella once more as she struggles for air, scrabbling for a grip on Caius' hands though it did little to relieve the pressure, before finally Caius releases her, though reluctantly, dropping Bella to the floor.

The blond hair king returns to his mate's side, fitting around her protectively, a heated menacing glare at the Cullens and his mate's younger half-sister.

"Il mio amore, I am afraid Caius is right, the law- she is a vulnerability." Aro apologizes, turning to look at his mate. "If she betrays our secrets, they are not prepared to destroy her."

Edward bares his teeth, only emphasizing that fact.

"Unless, you- Do you intend to give her immortality?" Aro questions, looking unhappy at that thought.

"And if I do?" Edward asks.

"Why, then you would be free to go home and give my regards to my friend Carlisle." Aro easily says. "But I'm afraid you would have to mean it."

"They do." Bella cuts in abruptly. "Alice, tell them. Tell them what you've seen. I've always been meant for it. I was born for it."

Anastasia felt like her sister was bragging and demanding Alice of it all at the same time, as if that was an achievement or some sort of prize. Honestly, could her sister get more self-centered? While she herself was to be changed and spend eternity with her own mates, she wasn't exactly in a rush to be changed. It was painful, for one, and two, she did want to enjoy some sort of humanity, while she had it left.

Anastasia believed life to be cherished, that life had passion and vibrancy to it, and she had much she wanted to do and see, even outside the Volterra castle walls, which she had persuaded her mates to allow her to do within reason. Of course, those were thoughts for another time given the situation at hand.

Alice suddenly offered her hand to Aro.

"That was fascinating!" Aro exclaims.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it." Alice smiles looking strained.

"Aro." Anastasia beckons, offering her own hand and therefore her thoughts to her mate.

Aro turns back towards his mate, looking sincerely delighted to be allowed to touch his mate again, gliding quickly over to his mate and eagerly pressing a hand to Anastasia's.

"An excellent idea and point, il mio amore. Brillante!" Aro answers, his smile gentle as he presses a kiss to the back of his mate's hand before dropping it.

Anastasia smiles briefly before allowing Aro to announce the sentence.

"My dear Anastasia makes a point. Alice's visions are subject to change, based on whim and will of those in it. It is clear Bella means much to you, however. Given the circumstances, that it would upset our own mate to have her half-sister meet her demise and that we ourselves have a human mate, we have decided in this case some lenience is allowed. This said, dear Isabella must be turned within the year." Aro announces.

Edward opens his mouth to object.

"We will visit. To be sure that you follow through on your side. Were I you, I would not delay too long. The Volturi do not offer second chances." Caius hisses lowly, cutting off Edward's would be protest and curling around Anastasia more protectively.

"On that note, Heidi will be here at any moment." Aro claps cheerfully.

"In that case, perhaps we'd better leave sooner rather than later." Edward hedges.

"Yes. That's a good idea. Accidents do happen. Please wait below until after dark, though, if you don't mind." Aro asks.

"Of course." Edward replies.

"And here. Take this. You're a little conspicuous." Aro offers, Felix taking off his dark cloak. "It suits you."

"Thank you, Aro. We'll wait below."

"Good bye, young friends." Aro bids good bye as Edwards urges Bella and Alice out the throne room doors, Bella desperately trying to catch her half-sister's gaze, but couldn't as Aro blocks her view.

"Il mio amore, may we see you after?" Bella hears Aro ask her sister.

Bella couldn't understand, her thoughts jumbled. She was so confused to as how and why her sister got to be residing within the walls of Volterra, let alone, to what it seemed to be, in a relationship with the head of the Volturi.

Inside the throne room Anastasia stands surrounded by her three mates, Caius now calm enough not to go tearing after her sister.

"Feed. I'll return to my studying. I'll see you later." Anastasia answers with promise, pressing a light kiss to the cheeks of her mates before sweeping out of the room, her Guards falling in step after her.

Exiting the throne room, Anastasia hums lightly to herself, light footsteps lithe and graceful, almost as if she were already a vampire as she walks through the reception area towards the personal quarters of the Volterra castle.

"How could you?" Bella asks, yanking herself out of Edwards grip to step towards her sister on somewhat shaky feet.

"Bella-" Alice tries to intervene, grabbing for Bella's arm, giving the Volturi Guard a worried look.

Anastasia pauses her steps, turning towards her sister with a blank look.

"How could I what?" Anastasia asks, her voice carefully neutral.

"How could you let them do this!?" Bella cries, stomping her foot. "Make them change this! You're the Queen are you not!?"

Exactly like a child, a spoiled child, Anastasia thinks.

"You have no right to question or demand anything of the Queen, human. You are insignificant-" Alec begins to snarl.

"Alec, enough. It's fine." Anastasia calms, pressing a hand to Alec's chest.

"My Queen." Alec grumbles, but is complacent, sending Bella a heated look and a low growl.

"I was under the impression you wanted this, Bella. What was you said? You were born to be a vampire?" Anastasia says dryly. "You complain now because you suddenly have a time limit? That's not how things work. I may be Queen but I do understand laws and ethics. If I do not follow them, believe myself above them, how would I expect anyone to follow them? The Kings have ruled, I cannot, will not, ask for them to overrule it. It is fair. More than fair. You have been given immortality to live by someone you love. That is more than many get. You are being selfish and childish. I suggest you change it little sister or your immortality will forever have you stuck that way. Have a safe journey home."

With that Anastasia walks passed, her Guard filing out behind her.

mio amato ~ my beloved

brillante ~ brilliant

Edited 2/3/19