EPOV
"Edward Cullen", Aro sighed exasperatedly while pacing on the sunlit floors of the castle. I just stared at the intricately designed ceiling while two guards remained on either side of me, gripping my arms rather tightly.
"You are to remain here tonight, while I come up with a verdict" Aro continued, sensing my refusal to speak. "Guards, show him to his chambers".
Upon entering my room, I simply plopped onto the unnecessary bed and continued to stare at nothing while listening on the Volturi as they argued in an obvious deadlock.
"Edward Cullen is far to valuable to simply destroy!" Aro exclaimed.
"Are you willing to let him live at our expense? His attempt to reveal himself failed this time, but I fear that it will be much more than an attempt should he choose to expose himself again" Caius countered, sounding truly fearful.
"Yes but the Cullen coven is fairly large, I do not think it would be wise to simply terminate Edward" Felix argued.
"And yet we are more powerful, we have never hesitated to vanquish defiant vampires before, whether they could be an asset or not, what makes Edward so different?" Caius added, earning approval.
"He has a point", Demetri said, siding with Caius. After several hours of arguing, four hooded figures appeared before me.
"We have come to a unanimous decision" Aro said, looking at me gravely.
…
APOV
"We need to have a family meeting", I said and once everyone sat down I began to explain. "Edward has decided to test the Volturi".
"And by test you mean?" Jasper questioned, while looking at me inquisitively.
"He decided to make a display of himself in Volterra" I blurted. Esme began to sob into Carlisle's shoulder while Rose and Emmet sat perfectly still, as if they went into shock. Jasper's face was blank and his eyes showed the pain he was absorbing as well as his own for his brother.
"The Volturi stopped him before he stepped into the sunlight, but are still deciding what do to with him" I continued. "I know we have to help Edward, but we must find Bella as well, as a newborn she is a threat, and I fear that the Volturi will be less than happy with her as well".
"Emmet, Rose, and Esme" Carlisle started "we're going to Italy while Alice and Jasper find Bella".
"We'll meet you in Volterra as soon as we can track Bella down" I finished.
…
GPOV
When I saw my angel run her tongue across her beautiful teeth, I noticed a small pair of fangs appear but they made her all the more entrancing.
"The fangs really make your teeth stand out" I challenged.
She seemed relatively shocked for a moment, but quickly composed her features and said "Well you took that well, but what if I told you that you were just like me?"
"I would tell you that I wouldn't mind being like this for eternity" I replied, looking into her eyes to see if she got the double meaning, and she did.
"We'll see when you realize what I've done" her kissable lips formed a slight frown.
"What have you done my sweet?" I questioned, genuinely curious.
"Are you not thirsty? Do you not crave blood just as I do?" her voice began to raise an octave "I slipped for a moment and I made you into a monster!" She started sobbing, but strangely enough there were no tears. I raised her chin but her eyes darted away.
"Look at me" I commanded quietly. When her red eyes met mine, I kissed her softly.
…
BPOV
When he started kissing me, I froze for a moment, thinking of Edward. He doesn't care anymore I thought, and suddenly, I began to kiss the wonderful stranger back. It was nothing like the kisses I would share with Edward. This man was full of lust but devoid of love, he didn't even know my name and yet he was already moving to second base.
"This is wrong", I pulled away from him, leaving him looking confused.
"I apologize, I didn't mean to pressure you".
"No, it's not that, it's not that at all actually. I just don't even know your name" I amended.
"Gabriel" he replied in that beautiful accent of his.
I answered his unspoken question by saying "Bella".
"Bella" he repeated, and I liked the way my name sounded rolling off of his tongue.
"Well Bella, tell me about yourself". I told him everything, from Edward to how I was turned. I felt as if a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders. He then preceded to tell me about his life in Spain. That explains the accent. I thought as he continued fascinate me with his studies, he was an art major. I also learned that he came to America to see some of the galleries. When he asked me if he could paint me, I agreed, surprising myself.
When he finally finished telling me about himself, I realized I was so absorbed in his story, that I had forgotten to take him hunting. His eyes had darkened and he told me he felt a burning sensation in his throat and so we both bared our fangs and ran.
