So, let me just start in saying, I am completely aware of how confusing the first two chapters of this story seems. It turns out that there was a slight mix-up when I first uploaded the chapters because what is currently "Chapter 2" shouldn't have ever ended up in this story to begin with. However, once I considered the possible outcomes were I to leave it in, I've decided that I should fix up the first chapter (to help you all better understand the story) and continue it from where I've left off. With that in mind, I would like to stop typing so you can actually continue on to the story. Please just bear with me as I work out my editing process and hopefully, improve everything that I'm uploading. I'm also really looking forward to hearing what you all think so far and perhaps, even what you think should happen in the later chapters. So, go ahead and start reading!
The trip to Italy was shorter than I had expected it to be and yet, it was still just as grueling as I anticipated. Edward refused to so much as look my way and I supposed that this was all justifiable regardless of the torment that this caused me. I was so close to him-so close, all I had to do was reach out to touch him-and he couldn't bear to look at me.
Emmett was simply unbelievable. He was still cross with Edward-this much was evident in his candid glares- but he focused most of his attention onto me. I could see the curiosity in his eyes, though I didn't dare speak any further; let him believe me to be a traitor to, it didn't matter anymore.
My left hand reached out in Edward's direction-itching for contact-but I pulled it back stiffly and placed it inside of my cloak as we walked. I had only just learned that Heidi and a few others were watching over the rest of the Cullen's and that was enough to keep me in check. My head stayed down like a child who had just been scolded. I knew that this wasn't my fault, but facing so much rejection from one person, was enough to make me feel the guilt.
Edward's eyes scanned me up and down again and I turned my head away. Felix shifted so that his arm was slightly wrapped around my waist and I hissed before pulling away; he had no right to touch me with his grimy fingers.
"Now, Violet, please be reasonable. You know Aro will have us engaged just as soon as the Cullen's are taken care of." Felix's voice trailed off before starting again, "He's rather fond of you, that one." Felix said as he motioned with his head towards Edward who was still staring at me side-long.
"…Engaged…" Emmett murmured. Demetri remained in front, dragging Emmett along with him. It killed me to see him captured-the image wasn't right-Emmett was too high and mighty for that.
"Aro would never force marriage upon me and even if he did," I said as I faced Edward, "It wouldn't be to a low-life like you, Felix." Edward stiffened at something he had heard in Felix's thoughts and I wondered what that was.
"Bella, I would just like to mention that you are the only shield here and Felix is hardly capable of containing himself. Are you going to shield us or not?" Demetri reminded me. I only briefly considered mutiny until I realized that the outcome wouldn't be that great for the rest of the Cullen's and I flexed my shield out instantaneously.
"Now, we trust that you can inform these two on what should happen to them, before they are sent to meet Aro, Marcus, and Caius?" Demetri tried. This was my one opportunity to speak to them and I wasn't about to pass it up-that, and the fact that I had, had, several practices in doing so-I nodded.
"Then, we'll leave you here with them. If you need anything," He said, eying the captives, "We'll be down the hall for you. Heidi is informing Aro of your return." Again, I nodded and they left closing the hallway door behind them.
It was unnerved me to be at this end of the Volterra Castle walls, but it was better, knowing that I wasn't alone.
I knew Edward was going to make things difficult and so, I didn't try talking to him first. Instead I closed the distance between Emmett and me.
"Violet?" His voice was unsure and tense.
"No. To you, I'll never be Violet. It's just a name that Aro gave me when I was changed. It's actually confusing sometimes, going by a name that isn't my own. And, well, I've really missed my old name. Plus, it sounds weird being called Violet by you." I was mumbling uncontrollably, but it was Edward's voice that drew me back.
"Violet, could you please tell us where-," Edward was interrupted as Emmett came charging at me like a bull.
I squealed as me lifted me and twirled me in a circle, "My lil Sis is alive!"
"Emmett, please! Considering that we're in this mess, right now isn't exactly the best-,"
"Best, what? Edward, what don't you understand, here? Bella is alive and she's standing right here! You might not have cared what the hell happened to her, but I sure as hell did! Now, shut up and let me enjoy the fact that she's alive!"
"Emmett, it doesn't matter that she's alive! She's why we're in Italy. She was just a part of their plan and guess what? It worked! We're here and Aro is only more than happy to have Alice and I join his guard. Where does that leave you? You may not care, but in case you didn't realize it, they have Rosalie now too." Edward placed his hand on the bridge of his nose as I remembered him doing in times of frustration.
"Edward Anthony Masen Cullen. If you think for one minute that I would betray you than you know absolutely nothing about me! You didn't want me but that never stopped me from hoping that one day you would come back. Yes, I'm part of the Volturi; but that's only because I had nowhere else to go! You left me and yet, I can't help the fact that I still love you. I can't help that fact that you're here and in case you didn't realize it, Demetri already told you that I had nothing to with it!
"One of these days I should just go off myself for the way that my life is turning out! I would never hurt you, or any other Cullen! I never stopped loving them and seeing as how they knew nothing of what you said to me when you left; I can hardly blame them for the pain that I felt. Emmett, I'm happy that I got to see you again but if you don't mind, I'd rather Felix tell you what's going to happen."
It was here that I finished my rant and turned my back on the two people that I would probably never see again.
"Dammit, Edward, don't let her do this!" Emmett's voice was loud and demanding; he didn't want me to leave almost as much as Edward didn't want me to stay.
"Can't you see that she already has?" Edward muttered. But I hadn't! I was more reluctant than ever before, to venture out of this room.
"You're wrong," I thought quickly, "I would do anything-trade everything-to turn this all around. Don't you remember the time that I told you how much I loved you? I can't live an eternity knowing that you hate me, or even, an eternity knowing that I lost you because of it." I reinforced my shield and pulled the door shut behind me. Felix and Demetri were already there, holding the door in place as Emmett began pounding on it forcefully.
I fell against the wall and began sobbing again at Emmett's useless efforts; we were all too late. This wasn't the right place-this wasn't the right time-and we could all see that Edward had come back too late to make things right again.
I briefly considered what would happen to everyone else. Alice had to have seen this coming and I could only imagine her frantic efforts at trying to make this stop. She had to have known the outcome and yet, even I wasn't sure of it.
Emmett's fists, pounding harder and harder, only made my body rack with sobs and my eyes prick from tears that would never again be shed.
"Bella, don't do this!" Emmett shouted. Demetri groaned. This was all becoming to much for me to handle.
"I love you Emmett." I murmured as I came to my feet. Felix rolled his eyes in utter disbelief. "And, Edward, I haven't changed. I am still the same person. Did you know I even refused the diet that many of the Volturi follow? I don't harm humans and I still have a major diversion to blood. I never changed." Emmett's resounding thuds quieted though I couldn't be sure of the reason. My back was turned to them as I walked down the long corridor and slowed until I finally made my way into the judging room.
Aro stepped forward to greet me and I nodded my head in acknowledgment though I hadn't heard a word he had spoken. I took my seat-positioned just to Aro's right-and waited for the moment that my whole world would be turned upside down. I didn't have a say in the matter and I could only just imagine what was coming.
Really quickly here, I would just like to say thanks to everyone who has taken the time to read what I have written-in all my stories, not just this one-and I'm truly looking forward to your reviews. I love to hear what you have to say; you wouldn't believe how much it all means to me. So, review, review, review! I'll have the next chapter out as soon as I can manage, but I'm hoping for a few more reviews before I upload any further. Thanks! XD