A/N: I've currently been posting a chapter a day, and while I'm going to try to keep that up, I'm sure how long it'll last for. I'll never go more than a few days without an update, though, so don't worry :P

Disclaimer: Until I make enough money to hire a team of a bazillion lawyers, I do not own Twilight.

Chapter 4: The Ancients

My stomach sank as my brother disappeared from view. I couldn't bring myself to believe that this was really happening; that Edward was really being dragged to his death.

"Edward!" Bella and I called at the same time, running into the alley after him. But before we could make it, the guards reached a large metal door and stepped through it, closing it behind them. I grabbed the handle and pulled as hard as I could, but it didn't budge.

"Alice, do something!" yelled Bella frantically.

I growled softly as I glared at the door, "Stand back, Bella."

I backed up a few feet before pouncing at the door, attacking the hinges. Nothing happened.

What the hell is this thing made out of?

I pulled back my fist and punched it, then yelped loudly and jumped backward. That had actually hurt. I looked at the door and my jaw dropped when I saw that I hadn't even made a dent in it. The Volturi think of everything. I turned up and down the alley to look, but this was the only door around.

"What are we going to do?" whispered Bella. I looked up and saw a window, getting an idea.

"Bella, can you get on my back?" The human blinked at me in confusion until I gestured to the window above my head.

"Can you do that?" she asked incredulously, eying the incredible height of the window. She looked at me and I nodded, "I'm more worried about you being able to hold on," I tilted my head to the side and looked at her with concern, re-thinking my idea. It was a really high window..."Maybe I should go in alone."

Bella shook her head quickly. "No, Alice. This is my fault and I have to help fix it." I opened my mouth to argue, but I saw the determination in her eyes and thought better of it.

"Please, Bella...hold on."

She nodded, tightly wrapping her arms around my shoulders. I lifted her up effortlessly, and she secured her legs around my waist. I dug my fingers into the stone wall, making deep dents as I climbed higher. The feeling of Bella clinging to me desperately was making it a little hard to concentrate, but I managed.

Good thing they didn't think to vampire-proof the walls, I thought to myself.

Bella groaned and buried her face in my hair. "Don't look down, Bella," I whispered softly.

"Too late," she replied.

As we climbed higher, my thoughts again shifted to my strange mind. The vision lingered, stirring up a million questions. The thought of a fall from that height actually killing my brother was laughable, but that hadn't been what had unnerved me. The symbolism was chilling, and since when did I have visions that used symbolism? It was like English class. In my head.

A minute later, my fingers were digging into the window sill, and I carefully climbed in. Bella didn't make any move to get off of my back, and I turned to speak over my shoulder.

"We can move faster if you stay on my back," I said, feeling her nod slowly.

I tore down the hallways as fast as I could. I found my way through the confusing castle by deciding to take every path I saw and reading the future with every decision. When I saw Edward's face, I knew to head in that direction. Bella clung to me the whole time, her fingernails digging into my hard shoulder.

I turned right down a hallway and saw the large stone doors of the throne room in front of me. Receiving a mental picture of Edward, I reached the doors instantly and threw them open, stepping out into the large, circular room with three thrones in the center. Three incredibly old looking vampires sat in them. Standing before them was Edward. He had his back to us, and as I watched, I saw his body shake with a very small sigh.

"Well, well, well," said the man in the middle throne, standing up slowly. "What a treat this is! It's so rare that we get company, and here we are with two visits in one day! Welcome, welcome," he said, gesturing theatrically as he did so. He wore a long, flowing robe and looked considerably more energetic than the other two vampires sitting on either side of him, one of whom looked as if he fancied a very long nap. The other had a permanent scowl etched into his face.

My attention was quickly drawn back to the one who had stood. He was intensely pale, even for a vampire, which was only intensified by the curtain of long black hair that framed his ancient face. "I am Aro."

"Edward…" whispered Bella as she looked at him over my shoulder, her tone sad. I noticed that she made no move to get off of my back.

Aro suddenly looked very offended, "Oh! I see, of course you do not come for us," he took a few steps down from the throne and took a long look at all of his guests. "One of you has come because he wishes to kill himself, and the other two come to stop him, I presume. Does anyone ever stop by to say 'hello' anymore? Just a simple little greeting, hmm? But of course not…no one respects their elders anymore, pity. Not unless they want something," his hard gaze settled on Edward, and his eyes flashed a dangerous crimson.

"You are young and very, very foolish. Your talents…" he stepped forward now, placing his ancient hand on Edward's cheek. Edward did not flinch or otherwise acknowledge the touch. I stiffened, remembering what Aro's gift was. The ancient vampire's head turned straight to me and his eyes narrowed, his expression looking almost confused. The look was gone a moment later, and he lowered his hand and glanced back at Edward. "Yes, you are far too gifted to simply kill. What a pity that would be, what a terrible waste."

"He broke the rules, Aro," said the vampire on the right, "He was about to step out into the square and reveal himself in front of the humans. Punish him."

"Alice, do something!" Muttered Bella on my shoulder, but I was at a loss.

Aro's eyes blazed an even deeper crimson as he studied Edward, "Yes…"

I opened my mouth to speak, but someone beat me to it. "Now now, I'm sure we can work something out, gentlemen."

Two intense emotions struck me at once: confusion, and relief. I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. Thank god.

I turned over my shoulder to see Carlisle enter the throne room, looking as if he was coming to discuss the weather instead of to negotiate for his son's life.

Aro beamed broadly and stepped around Edward with his arms outstretched, "Carlisle! Oh, what a pleasant surprise. Have you come for a friendly greeting?"

Carlisle stopped beside me and rested his hand on my shoulder. I stared up at him, speechless. Why hadn't I known he was coming sooner? "Of course, dear friends," he nodded to Aro, and then to the other two, addressing each by name. "Aro, Caius, Marcus…it's been quite a while, and yet none of you have changed a bit," his smile was so flawless, so natural, that I felt my body instantly calm. Bella slowly slid off of my back, taking my hand and squeezing it tightly.

Edward glanced over his shoulder and stared at Carlisle. I saw a spark of anger flash in his golden eyes.

Aro chuckled, "I wish I could say the same for you, friend. But your young ones seem to enjoy causing trouble around here."

"Do they now?" replied Carlisle, still using a light conversational tone, "Well, I must apologize for my son's lack of self-preservation and the damage my daughter has done to one of your walls."

Whoops. If I could have blushed, I would have.

"Oh, it's quite alright," replied Aro with a wave of his hand, "Of course I do not blame you, old friend. Although, it brings me much sorrow to say that I am going to have to kill your son, and possibly the human that your daughter has brought into my throne room."

Bella gasped and squeezed my hand tightly. I quickly moved to stand between her and the three vampires in the center of the room, growling dangerously, "You will not touch her!" Edward stared over his shoulder at us, a look of fear briefly flashing across his face.

Aro just laughed, "Well, she seems very protective of the little blood-bag." I snarled loudly, but Carlisle held up his hand.

"Calm, Alice." I relaxed slightly, not taking my eyes off Aro.

Carlisle now walked towards the center of the room, a friendly smile on his face, "I do understand that my son was on the verge of breaking a very old law, but I would like to point out that as of this moment, that law remains unbroken. And, I assure you, this girl is of no threat to our secret."

"Hmm…" Aro stared at Edward, appearing deep in thought. "You do have a point about the law, old friend…"

Edward finally exploded, "What do you mean he has a point? I was about to reveal myself to a crowd of humans! In your own city! You have to kill me!"

"Edward," said Carlisle, his voice full of power. The word seemed to hang in the air, reverberating off of the walls. In the silence that followed, I noticed Edward twitch once in discomfort. Neither of us were used to hearing our adoptive father use a tone of voice like that."I would like to speak with you in private, if I may." Edward blinked, his uncomfortable expression transforming into one of rage. "Aro, if that is at all possible?"

Aro tapped his index finger to his chin, deep in thought. "Well, you were the only guest today who bothered to stop in for a friendly greeting. Youth can be so rude," he glanced at Edward, than at Bella and I. "Yes, I suppose I'll allow it. You may step out for a few moments. Although I am still very unhappy with the human in my vicinity, and I'm very eager to get it out of here."

I narrowed my eyes at Aro but said nothing. Bella suddenly found the floor very interesting.

Carlisle and Edward stepped out of the room, and I listened as their footsteps echoed through the hallway. Aro stared at me in fascination, but I pretended not to notice.

"Alice Cullen," he said softly, "the fortune-teller." His eyes gleamed with greed as he looked me over.

"I suppose you could call me that," I answered softly.

He chuckled, "I don't want you to think that it's only your brother's talents I value. On the contrary…you, my dear, have an extraordinary gift as well."

"Thank you," I said simply, inclining my head slightly. I knew full well that Aro wanted me as part of his guard. I also knew he was probably dying to touch me, since I had heard of his power to see into the mind of everyone he touched. He would want to know what I know, to see what I see.

"Ah, but we can discuss your talents later. At the moment, I'm very curious as to who this young girl is and why she's standing next to you, alive."

His last words sent a tiny shudder up my spine, but I knew that Bella had not seen it. I turned and met Bella's eyes, loosing myself for just a moment in the perfect pools of brown. I could tell she was a little bit afraid, and I squeezed her hand again for reassurance. I then turned back to Aro and said softly, "She is one of us."

The blonde vampire on his right – Caius - narrowed his eyes at us, anger coloring his sour features, "Ridiculous. She's a human," he dismissed with a wave of his hand.

"Hush, Caius," scolded Aro, and Caius grit his teeth in annoyance. Aro's eyebrows rose as he looked back and forth between Bella and I. "Really now?" he turned to his left and muttered softly, "Have you heard one like that before?"

"Nope," answered Marcus, barely paying attention.

"They keep her alive! She's a human!" exclaimed Aro.

"Hmm, I hadn't noticed." He continued staring at the wall.

Aro turned back to us and straightened up, amusement coloring his features. "Well, that's certainly…interesting, Ms. Cullen –"

"But the law is very clear. She knows too much," interjected Caius, ignoring the disapproving sideways glance that Aro shot towards him.

I turned and glanced at Bella, who was now looking at Aro with a determined expression on her face. "I won't be human for long," she said simply.

My gut twisted into all sorts of shapes as I took in her words, surprised by them.

Aro smiled again, clearly very entertained. "Well now, isn't that interesting...the human girl choosing the life of a monster to be with her friends. Oh, to be young again…" his gaze now seemed far off, and the room filled with silence.

A few moments later, he seemed to snap out of his reverie, "This is all very interesting, but I still think she knows too much about us."

"But-"

"However…I am willing to let her go free, provided that I am presented with some proof of your intention to turn her?" his eyes darkened as he looked at me.

Might as well.

I sighed and held up my right hand, releasing Bella's. I stepped forward and presented my hand to Aro, who stared at it as if it was a free meal. Slowly, he reached out his hand and grasped mine. His eyes grew distant again, and I received the distinct impression that I wasn't alone in my mind. It was a very unnerving thought, yet something about it seemed oddly familiar. After a few seconds, Aro looked over at Marcus and raised a questioning eyebrow. Marcus turned to him and nodded slightly, his gaze flicking towards Bella before it settled back onto the wall. Aro chuckled softly before turning back to me.

"Does she know?" he asked in a voice so quick that I knew Bella couldn't hear us.

"No," I replied, knowing he was referring to my feelings for her.

He grinned broadly, "Now this is even more interesting! I never thought that…well, I won't say anything. I'm far too interested in where this may go. You have your work cut out for you, Alice Cullen."

I blinked, mulling over his cryptic words.

"Very interesting!" he exclaimed loudly, his voice returning to a normal human speaking speed. "I very much enjoyed seeing your thoughts, Ms. Cullen. Especially the ones that haven't happened yet," he smiled devilishly. "Very well then, I believe that you will turn the human…I will want to meet her, of course…when she is standing among your family as an equal."

Caius scoffed loudly.

He took a step back and raised his head to stare at Bella, "Isabella Swan," Bella blinked in surprise as he spoke her name, "What a beautiful name. I look forward to meeting you as Isabella Cullen. Oh, and look, my guests return!"

I heard the sounds of Edward and Carlisle approaching and turned to watch them enter the room. Edward was staring at the floor, his expression unreadable. Carlisle had his hand on his son's shoulder, and once again wore his friendly smile.

"I thank you for letting me speak with my son, Aro. I do believe we're on the same page now. Can I trust that you agree with me, since no harm has been done?"

"Hmm…" Aro tapped his finger to his chin again, "alright. I really would hate to waste such talent, anyway. And congratulations, Carlisle, on your new edition to the family!"

Edward's eyes widened and Carlisle briefly looked over at Bella, "Thank you, Aro. I appreciate it. Alice, Edward, Bella? I do believe it's time we return home."

Aro frowned, "So soon?"

"I'm afraid so, Aro. My family is a bit scattered at the moment and I have a feeling I have a bit of work to do. It really was quite nice to see you again, old friend."

"You as well, Carlisle. We really must do this more often. I look forward to visiting Ms. Swan when she is one of us."

Carlisle smiled and turned, taking Edward with him. I quickly caught up to Bella and took her hand, very eager to be out of that room.

The four of us stepped out of the Volturi palace and into the shadowy, deserted alley. Edward walked in front of us and Bella walked behind. They seemed to be studiously ignoring each other. Carlisle and I were in the middle, speaking quickly and softly.

"You say your visions have been strange?" he asked with some concern.

I nodded slowly, trying not to portray how uneasy I was about that fact. "Yes…the one I had of Bella, when she…jumped," I had to force the word out of my mouth, "I experienced all five senses. I've never had a vision with any sense outside of sight or sound. But it was strange…" My brows knitted together as I tried to find the words to explain.

"Go on," Carlisle urged gently.

"Well…I have a theory, but I have no way of knowing if it's even close. Do you remember what the world looked like to you as a human, Carlisle?"

Carlisle blinked in surprise and stared ahead as we continued moving through the alley, his expression thoughtful. I briefly glanced back at Bella, and she smiled at me gently. I returned the smile before turning back to Carlisle, knowing that she wouldn't be able to hear us at the speed we were speaking.

"It was such a long time ago. The memories are dim and faded, the way a photo album might age, but…yes, vaguely. I remember the world was largely a stranger to me. I know that I had wretched eyesight, even for a human, and much of the world was blurry. I couldn't hear anything beyond my immediate surroundings, and I rarely, if ever, smelled anything at all." He cocked his head to the side and frowned, grasping for memories that seemed just beyond his reach. "It's strange. My vampiric memory can recall just about anything I've ever experienced during the last three centuries of my existence. Yet my human years are quite muddled."

I felt a brief pang in my chest as he spoke, knowing exactly what he was talking about. My memory was flawless as far as the last ninety years were concerned, but if I tried to go any farther back, it was like hitting a mental brick wall. I sighed in frustration and Carlisle looked at me, his eyes full of sympathy, "I'm sorry, Alice. I could try to help you again, if you wanted." Several times in the past few decades I had gone to him, asking for help in recovering the human memories that I knew lay right beyond the brick wall in my mind. Several times he had tried everything he could think of: hypnosis, triggering, age regression…nothing had ever given me even an inkling of the life I had lived before I was turned. It was so frustrating to be able to read the secrets the future held, and yet know so little of my past. That was one of the reasons I was so terrified that my visions were warping themselves.

"Perhaps, but not at the moment. I'm more concerned about what humans in general experience." I recalled his earlier description of his human senses and nodded slowly. "Yes…that sounds about right. While I experienced other senses in the vision, all of them seemed dull, muted somehow. I smelled the salt from the sea and little else. I heard everything as if the sounds were miles away, yet I was standing right there…" I trailed off, my eyes narrowing as I realized something, "That's another thing; I almost seemed to have form in the vision. It wasn't just like I was watching it happen, it was as if I was there, though Bella didn't seem to notice me."

"Hmm…" Carlisle pondered over my words before offering, "If you had form, that may help explain why you experienced more than the usual senses, though it wouldn't explain why they seemed…almost human, you say?"

I nodded, "I think so. Like I said, I don't have much to go by, but your description sounds about right."

"What of the other visions?"

I glanced ahead at Edward. He seemed to be sulking, but that was typical of him. He moved with his head slightly slumped and he seemed to almost be dragging his feet. I knew that he had heard everything Carlisle and I had said, but he showed no indication that he was avidly listening or that he cared.

"I'd rather discuss those with both you and Edward, if you don't mind."

Carlisle followed my gaze. Edward didn't acknowledge my words at all, so I figured that conversation would have to happen later. We were getting closer to Carlisle's Mercedes, which had been neatly parked in a shadowy spot at the end of the alley.

"Fair enough. Is there anything else you want to tell me?" I caught the instantaneous glance he shot at Bella, but I wasn't ready for that one yet.

"Have you ever gotten headaches?"

He blinked, clearly thrown off by my words. "I...Well, no. Never," he looked at me suspiciously, "Why do you ask?"

I shrugged, "I've been getting headaches over the past few days."

"Are they triggered by visions?"

I considered that carefully before rejecting it. "I don't think so, they seem to happen at random."

"I don't believe I've ever heard of a vampire getting a headache," he speculated.

I sighed heavily, "Yes, well, I seem to be losing it all over the place. I can't believe I didn't see you coming to Italy."

"You didn't see me?" he asked, incredulous.

I shook my head, "And I apparently can't see werewolves," I groaned loudly, "Just keep poking holes in my shattered psyche, please," I mumbled to no one in particular.

Carlisle patted my shoulder sympathetically as we reached the Mercedes. "I promise you, Alice, we'll do all we can to help you when things calm down a bit."

I smiled at him gratefully, appreciating his care and concern, "Thank you so much, Carlisle…it looks like I'll need it."

Bella stepped up beside me then and I switched back to normal speaking speed as I turned to her. She shot me a desperate and pleading look, then glanced at Edward briefly. My heart sank until I noticed that she seemed to be standing behind me almost defensively, putting as much room between the two of them as possible, and her message then became clear: Keep me away from him. I nodded slowly and slid into the backseat, gently pulling her in next to me. She smiled gratefully as she buckled her seatbelt.

Carlisle got behind the wheel and Edward flopped into the passenger seat, staring out the window. The awkward silence that settled was thick, but Bella rested her head on my shoulder as Carlisle started to thread through the thick crowd, making me feel infinitely better. I focused on the sound of her breathing until we could find a hotel.

Nothing out of the ordinary happened as we drove, finally pulling up to a fancy-looking luxury hotel.

Checking in went smoothly as Carlisle booked a suite and brought us all upstairs.

Everything was fine when we first entered the room and glanced around, taking in the expensive décor.

It wasn't until Carlisle politely excused himself and Edward glared at Bella with fury in his eyes that all hell broke loose.

A/N: Oh. Cliffy. Be afraid.

For the record, I love Aro. He's just so fun to write.

Don't worry, Edward's not going to be hogging the spotlight forever. I don't like him nearly enough for that. (As you can see, neither does Alice, and I'm a slave for Alice's desires.) I just need him to tie up some loose ends.

Love it? Hate it? As always, review and tell me what you think!