disclaimer: I do not own the Twilight series. It all belongs to Stephenie Meyer (what an amazing author/woman for creating such a perfect world). I use dialogue from her outtakes and from the actual novels. It is her ideas, with a twist of my own thoughts behind the complex character of Edward Cullen..sigh..
7. Verdict
"A first," he said to himself. A human immune to me. That is new. What if… "I wonder if she is immune to our other talents… Jane, dear?"
"No!" I snarled. I did not want to risk it. Alice grabbed my arm, but I shook her off. I knew Jane's power very well. I did not care if Bella was somehow strangely immune to me and Aro, but I would not risk her with Jane.
Little Jane smiled up happily at Aro. "Yes, Master?"
I could not contain my anger now. My chest was heaving as the sound of my snarling ripped from it. I glared at Aro. Felix began to step forward, but Aro glanced at him. His happy grin turned sulky within a single moment.
Aro spoke to Jane again. "I was wondering, my dear one, if Bella is immune to you."
That really set me off. How dare they risk Bella for mere curiosity? Wasn't her safety most important? Did they not care what I would do if I saw her in pain again?
I had to let go of Bella, to ensure that I would not hurt her myself. I tried to step in front of Bella, to hide her from view a little. I knew this would do little, but I had to try.
Jane started her attack on Bella as a smile crossed her face. I could not just stand there to see Bella writhe in pain. I launched myself toward her.
"Don't!" Alice cried.
But before I even touched Jane, I was on the ground. The agony was unbearable, not as bad as the pain I felt when I had to leave Bella, but it was bad enough.
I heard Bella shriek "Stop!" I almost felt her touch, but then saw Alice throw her arms around her in an unbreakable grasp and ignored her struggles. I was very grateful that Alice stopped her.
I tried to remain silent, so my screams would not torture Bella or Alice and would not give Jane satisfaction.
"Jane," Aro recalled her in a tranquil voice. She looked up quickly, still smiling with pleasure, her eyes questioning. As soon as she looked away, I turned still. The pain was over.
Aro inclined his head toward Bella, and Jane turned her smile into Bella's direction. I struggled against Alice's arms, still trying to defend Bella.
"He's fine," Alice whispered in a tight voice. As she spoke, I sat up, and then sprang lightly to my feet. I looked into her eyes, trying to comprehend what she was thinking. I heard Jane's thoughts of attacking her, and I knew my face showed my horror. But I did not see any pain in Bella's face. I quickly looked at Jane, still smiling, and back to Bella. Luckily, Bella was immune to just about any mental attack on her. My face instantly relaxed with relief.
What?! How? Why isn't she screaming? Begging for mercy? Begging to die? I don't understand! This is not possible! I must be doing something wrong! Jane screamed in her mind. She no longer smiled, but glared at Bella, with her jaw clenched with the intensity of her focus.
Nothing happened.
I collected my emotions and went to Bella's side again. I touched Alice's arm, reassuring her that I was fine again.
Aro started to laugh. "Ha, ha. ha," he chuckled. "This is wonderful!"
Jane hissed in frustration, leaning forward like she was preparing to spring.
"Don't be put out, dear one," Aro said in a comforting tone, placing a powder-light hand on her shoulder. "She confounds us all."
Jane's upper lip curled back ever her teeth as she continued to glare at Bella.
"Ha, ha, ha," Aro chortled again. "You're very brave, Edward, to endure in silence. I asked Jane to do that to me once—just out of curiosity." He shook his head in admiration.
I was disgusted by his pigheadedness. How could he just stand and watch someone suffer in such ways?
"So what do we do with you now?" Aro sighed.
Instantly, Alice and I stiffened. This was the decision we were waiting for. The one we wanted to avoid. But I could not read anything bad in Aro's mind. He was blocking me, but I could tell he was in a good mood.
"I don't suppose there's any chance that you've changed your mind?" Aro asked Edward hopefully. "Your talent would be an excellent addition to our little company."
Well. Before I had thought Aro was only offering because he wanted to find an excuse to not kill me and keep his friendship with Carlisle. In reality, he really wanted me. Of course, he would still be using me for my power. But what if Bella did not want me anymore? I would go back to wallowing all over again. Maybe I should consider this. No. I'll take the chance. From the way Bella looked up at me now, it seemed as if she wanted me. As if she had completely forgotten about the past six months. Yes, I would take the chance of having her in my life again.
Another addition?!? What is he thinking? Edward Cullen? Gahh! Yuck! Anybody has more talent than him! What good would he do? Felix and Jane thought simultaneously as they grimaced at Aro's request.
"I'd… rather… not."
"Alice?" Aro asked, still hopeful. "Would you perhaps be interested in joining with us?" He, also, wanted Alice's power of seeing the future. He wanted all omniscience. The past, present, and future. The past with his own power, the present with mine, and the future with Alice.
"No, thank you," Alice said.
"And you, Bella?" Aro raised his eyebrows.
I hissed, not afraid to show my emotion. Was he joking? How dare he ask something like that right in front of me? I thought I had made it quite evident that I was doing my all trying to keep Bella human. Apparently, he saw some power in Bella too.
Caius who broke the silence. "What?" he demanded of Aro; his voice, though no more than a whisper, was flat.
"Caius, surely you see the potential," Aro chided him affectionately. "I haven't seen a prospective talent so promising since we found Jane and Alec. Can you imagine the possibilities when she is one of us?"
Caius looked away with a caustic expression. Jane's eyes sparked with indignation at the comparison. She definitely did not like being compared to a human.
I fumed. The rumble in my chest grew louder as every second passed.
"No, thank you," Bella spoke in barely more than a whisper, her voice breaking in what I assumed to be fright.
Aro sighed. "That's unfortunate. Such a waste."
Once again, I hissed. "Join or die, is that it? I suspected as much when we were brought to this room. So much for your laws."
"Of course not." Aro blinked, astonished. "We were already convened here, Edward, awaiting Heidi's return. Not for you."
"Aro," Caius hissed. "The law claims them."
I glared at Caius. "How so?" I demanded. Although I knew exactly where he was heading, I made him say it aloud for the others.
Caius pointed one of his skeletal fingers at Bella. "She knows too much. You have exposed our secrets."
"There are a few humans in on your charade here, as well," I reminded him of Gianna, the receptionist below.
"Yes," he agreed. "But when they are no longer useful to us, they will serve to sustain us. That is not your plan for this one. If she betrays our secrets, are you prepared to destroy her? I think not," he scoffed.
"I wouldn't—," Bella began, still whispering, but then Caius silenced her with an icy look. I couldn't control my emotions now. Fury and hostility rolled off me in waves.
"Nor do you intend to make her one of us," Caius continued. "Therefore, she is a vulnerability. Though it is true, for this, only her life is forfeit. You may leave if you wish."
I bared my teeth. I would never, ever leave Bella again. Especially here in this wicked, vile place full of evil vampires.
"That's what I thought," Caius said, with something akin to pleasure. Felix leaned forward, eager. He was preparing himself to attack. He was much too thirsty for Bella's safety.
"Unless…" Aro interrupted. He looked unhappy with the way the conversation had gone. "Unless you do intend to give her immortality?"
I pursed his lips, hesitating for a moment before I answered. As much as I didn't want to make Bella change herself into the monster that I was, I figured it was the only way out at the moment. And then, as long as we got out safely, I could protect her from then on. "And if I do?"
Aro smiled, happy again. "Why, then you would be free to go home and give my regards to my friend Carlisle." His expression turned more hesitant and raised his hand. "But I'm afraid you would have to mean it."
Caius, who had begun to scowl furiously, relaxed.
My lips tightened into a fierce line. I stared into Bella's eyes, trying to see any doubt in them. To see if she really wanted this. To see if she would ever forgive me for putting her through this.
She stared back, and whispered, "Mean it. Please."
I could never stand not to give what Bella wanted. The thought of making her happy and the thought of risking her soul and making her a monster fought a civil war within me. This decision was torturing me, inside out.
And then Alice stepped forward toward Aro. We turned to watch her. Her hand was raised like his. She didn't say anything, and Aro waved off his anxious guard as they moved to block her approach. Aro met her halfway, and took her hand with an eager, acquisitive glint in his eyes.
He bent his head over their touching hands, his eyes closing as he concentrated. Alice was motionless, her face blank. I saw her visions of her and Bella holding hands in the future. Bella had pale skin, even paler than now, and bright crimson eyes. Although she looked jubilant in the vision, I knew she would never forgive me for transforming her. For being so selfish as to ruin her life. My teeth snapped together as I contemplated these facts.
No one moved. Aro seemed frozen over Alice's hand. The visions continued of what could be in Bella and my future.
Another agonizing moment passed, and then Aro's voice broke the silence.
"Ha, ha, ha," he laughed, his head still bent forward. He looked up slowly, his eyes bright with excitement. "That was fascinating!"
Alice smiled dryly. "I'm glad you enjoyed it."
"To see the things you've seen—especially the ones that haven't happened yet!" He shook his head in wonder.
"But that will," she reminded him, voice calm.
"Yes, yes, it's quite determined. Certainly there's no problem."
Caius looked bitterly disappointed—a feeling he seemed to share with Felix and Jane. It was clear that they wanted Bella dead. I would never allow that.
"Aro," Caius complained.
"Dear Caius," Aro smiled. "Do not fret. Think of the possibilities! They do not join us today, but we can always hope for the future. Imagine the joy young Alice alone would bring to our little household… Besides, I'm so terribly curious to see how Bella turns out!"
Aro seemed convinced. Did he not realize how subjective Alice's visions were. That she could make up her mind to transform Bella today, and then change it tomorrow? A million tiny decisions, her decisions and so many others', too—even my own—could alter her path, and with that, the future.
"Then we are free to go now?" Edward asked in an even voice.
"Yes, yes," Aro said pleasantly. "But please visit again. It's been absolutely enthralling!"
"And we will visit you as well," Caius promised, his eyes suddenly half-closed like the heavy-lidded gaze of a lizard. "To be sure that you follow through on your side. Were I you, I would not delay too long. We do not offer second chances."
To restrain myself from saying something that would keep us here any longer, I clenched my jaw tight and nodded my head once.
Caius smirked and drifted back to where Marcus still sat, unmoving and uninterested. Felix groaned.
"Ah, Felix." Aro smiled, amused. "Heidi will be here at any moment. Patience."
"Hmm." I definitely did not want Bella to see this. "In that case, perhaps we'd better leave sooner rather than later."
"Yes," Aro agreed. "That's a good idea. Accidents do happen. Please wait below until after dark, though, if you don't mind."
"Of course," I agreed, just hoping to get out of here alive, the sooner the better.
"And here," Aro added, motioning to Felix with one finger. Felix came forward at once, and Aro unfastened the gray cloak the huge vampire wore, pulling from his shoulders. He tossed it to me. "Take this. You're a little conspicuous."
I put the long cloak on, leaving the hood down.
Aro sighed. "It suits you."
"Thank you, Aro. We'll wait below." I heard Heidi and her little group. It was past time for us to leave.
"Goodbye, young friends," Aro said, his eyes bright as he stared in the same direction.
"Let's go," I said, urgent now. I did not know if we would make it out on time for Bella not to see Heidi.
Demetri gestured that we should follow, and then set off the way we'd come in, the only exit by the look of things. I pulled Bella swiftly along. Alice was close by her other side, her face hard. We were having another private conversation in our heads. I asked if we would be fast enough to escape the oncoming scene from Heidi.
"Not fast enough," she muttered.
A babble of voices started coming up from the antechamber. They all showed awe and wonder.
"Well this is unusual," a man's coarse voice boomed. "So medieval," an unpleasantly shrill, female voice gushed back.
A large crowd was coming through the little door, filling the smaller stone chamber. Demetri motioned for us to make room. We pressed back against the cold wall to let them pass.
The couple in front, Americans from the sound of them, glanced around themselves with appraising eyes.
"Welcome, guests! Welcome to Volterra!" I could hear Aro sing from the big turret room.
The rest of them, maybe forty or more, filed in after the couple. Some studied the setting like tourists. A few even snapped pictures. Others looked confused, as if the story that had led them to this room was not making sense anymore. I noticed one small, dark woman in particular. Around her neck was a rosary, and she gripped the cross tightly in one hand. She walked more slowly than the others did, touching someone now and then and asking a question in an unfamiliar language. No one seemed to understand her, and her voice grew more panicked. She was asking if anybody wanted to run for it with her.
I pulled Bella's face against my chest. But it was too late. Besides, it wasn't like she could not hear. I pushed her quickly toward the door.
The ornate golden hallway was quiet, empty except for one woman. She stared at us curiously, Bella in particular. "Welcome home, Heidi," Demetri greeted her from behind us.
Heidi smiled absently. She reminded me of Rosalie, though they looked nothing alike—it was just that her beauty, too, was exceptional, unforgettable. But it did not compare to how I felt about Bella.
"Demetri," she responded in a silky voice.
"Nice fishing," Demetri complimented her.
"Thanks." She flashed a stunning smile. "Aren't you coming?"
"In a minute. Save a few for me."
Heidi nodded and ducked through the door with one last curious look at Bella.
I walked quickly out the door. Bella had to run to keep up. It did not matter how fast we ran. We did not get out in enough time to avoid hearing the screaming.
