AN:

Hey folks, here is chapter 9 and it's a day early! I decided to post it since it was ready and I had the time.

I was thrilled with the response I got from you guys on the last chapter. I now have a hundred reviews which I was so pleased to see. Thanks to all of you that are reading and reviewing my story. You all are great! A very special thanks to my wonderful beta jmasencullen who makes this easier for me. I have learned so much from her about what works and what doesn't. She's amazing!

Well on with the story and I hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: SM owns it; I just like to play with it.

Chapter 9 Judgment Day

Bella's POV

My hand reached out like it had a mind of its own as I touched my fingertips to his gorgeous, rugged face. I proceeded to trace them along his strong jaw line, up to a prominent but perfect nose, and over to high cheekbones finally resting on his incredible full sensual lips. He grabbed my hand, gently brought it to his lips, and then kissed my knuckles. Bringing my hand to rest on his cheek, Marcus closed his eyes and leaned into my touch. He looked so happy and at peace I couldn't help but smile.

I, on the other hand, felt like someone had plugged me into an electric socket with the amount current running through my body. I had felt something like this before with Edward but the difference between what I felt with him and with Marcus was like comparing a spark to a lightening bolt. I wondered if that current had to do with lust as it seems to, whether it is bloodlust or lust of the carnal variety, there's always this charge present. I'd have to ask Di about that one.

Shaking myself hard mentally to clear my head, I studied the man before me. His thick black hair was shoulder length, gleaming in the lamp light like the wings of a raven. Although he was sitting, he appeared to be tall, with wide strong shoulders and long well muscled legs, so I definitely liked what I saw. Yum! I couldn't wait to see more of him. Hell, if I was being honest with myself, I couldn't wait to see all of him. I wondered what he smelled like. Oh my God, I wondered what he would taste like.

"Damn it, Di, your memories don't do this man justice. He's hot!" I exclaimed, practically panting and drooling while I blushed.

"I think I agree with you, Bella. Maybe after spending the last twenty-four years seeing things through human eyes I'm getting a little rusty. Oh, and by the way, in answer to your musing about the charge… 'yes'!" she teased laughing. "But Bella, you must remember what Lachesis said about Aro, and that the walls have ears in this place," she warned, returning to her serious self.

"I'm on it. I'll warn him on paper," I replied, thinking about how to set this up.

Marcus opened his eyes and smiled at me. His face lit up like the sun. He should do that all the time because his smile could light up the entire room.

"You know who I am, do you not?" he inquired, searching my eyes for the truth.

"Yes," I replied, but then put my finger to my lips and shook my head to indicate not to speak any more than that.

"Listen, would it be possible for me to have some time to freshen up? I really need a shower and to changed into some clean clothes. Also, do you have any paper in your quarters that I could use? I need to write some things down before I forget them," I asked, staring back at him hoping that I was conveying the need to be careful with what we say.

"Of course, the shower is through the door to your right. Your paper and breakfast will be awaiting you when you are ready," he informed me, narrowing his eyes in suspicion but nodding that he understood.

He got up headed towards the door. Stopping in the doorway, he flashed me a smile and left the room. The view from the back was as good as from the front, let me tell you. What a magnificent ass that man had. It made me want to caress it! Damn!

"Bella, go take your shower, now. Make it a cold one, please! We have things to talk about that require you to have your head in the game, not thinking about another kind of head," Di demanded, reprimanding me on my rotten timing at getting all worked up as I headed for my bag.

"So, what's up?" I questioned, deciding to wear my black skinny jeans with a blue silky button up blouse and retired to the bath.

"I'm concerned about the mind reader possibly exposing our secret and allowing Aro to find out about us. We need to have a plan if that happens," she responded, sounding worried.

"Marcus obviously knows… but how did he find out?" I asked as I washed my hair.

"I had to make sure Grace saw me so she would tell him about us. Marcus, in his confusion, told Carlisle. I guess you can see why I might be worried," she explained with guilt in her voice.

"Ah shit, Di! I can teach Marcus how to block Edward but Carlisle has never been good at it. I have no idea whether Grace can or not. I don't even have a way to tell them that they should block him and still manage to keep me out of danger. We are so screwed all because of Edward! I swear that when I become a vampire I really should tear him to pieces and burn his ass. If it wouldn't hurt the Cullens I think I'd do it," I retorted, working myself into a tizzy as I got out of the tub.

"My, my, but we have changed our tune since we found our mate, haven't we?" she countered, harassing me.

"Not helping there, Di. Let me think," I hissed, drying off and wrapping the towel around me.

As I stood in front of the mirror brushing my hair out I was trying to figure out what my options were to short circuit Edward if we needed to. I'd have to get Marcus involved, which I'd rather not do, but I can't see any other option. He'd have to block Edward to be sure not to be caught thinking about us as mates. I know how possessive Edward could be, particularly since he still seemed to think owned me…well my blood at least. Were Edward to find out, even if he said nothing, Aro would still see everything if he touched him at any time before they left whenever that was. Shit, what a mess.

I brushed my teeth, got dressed, and headed to the other room to talk to Marcus or should I say 'write to' him. He stood in front of a window in his living room, bathed in the afternoon sunlight. God, he was spectacular as he glistened like diamonds in the glowing light. He looked like an iridescent statue of Apollo but he was my Apollo. Upon hearing me he turned and in a flash was in front of me holding my hand.

"Hello, Marcus, I'm Bella. It's very nice to finally meet you," I stated formally, looking around for the paper until I found it on the table in front of the couch.

"It is nice to meet you as well, under less stressful circumstances. Would you like to have a seat? Your breakfast has been ordered. It should arrive at any moment," he answered, gesturing to the spot in front of the paper and warning me at the same time. This guy dances really well, even when he doesn't know the steps. I've done well for myself. Taking the paper and pen, I put them under the couch cushion and smiled my thanks at him just as there was a knock at the door.

"Enter," Marcus said, smiling at me in return as Felix walked in the room carrying a tray.

"Hi, Felix, how's it hanging?" I jested, smiling at him and winking. The look on his face was priceless; I'd shocked him yet again.

"Um, just fine, Bella, thanks for asking," he responded, laughing and shaking his head as he went about setting my food on the table.

"No problem. Thanks, the food looks great! I'm so hungry I could eat a horse… No, wait a minute that would be the Cullens' cuisine of choice, wouldn't it? So, maybe not a horse, then. I don't remember Edward mentioning horses at all, but he has said that mountain lions and bears were pretty good," I joked, playing with him. He and Marcus were both still laughing at my silliness as I sat down, digging in to the cheese and danish on the plate after taking a quick sip of my orange juice.

"You're welcome, Bella. I'll make sure to bring you a dinner that won't bite back," He shot back with a smile. I actual liked Felix when he was relaxed and playful.

"Thank you, Felix. Now, I wish for you to inform my brothers that we will be ready to meet in an hour," Marcus ordered, dismissing him.

Yes, Master Marcus," Felix replied, and left the room. Reaching under the cushion to retrieve the pen and paper, I started with the warning.

"So, Marcus, has there been a decision made yet on when I'm to be changed?" I asked as I stuffed cheese in my mouth with my left hand and wrote with my right.

"No, we discussed it, eventually deciding to wait until you were awake to get your input on the timing," he replied, watching me multitask with curiosity.

"I appreciate the courtesy but the timing is immaterial since it's going to happen anyway. The sooner the better is probably safer for me since I'm human and I'm sure accidents do happen here on occasion," I replied, passing the paper and pen to Marcus so he could see what I had written.

'I've been warned that we need to do whatever we possibly can to keep Aro in the dark about who I was before. My existence will threaten him and a frightened Aro is dangerous. The outcome would be him trying to kill me while I'm still human so I need you to change me immediately after the meeting.' Anger and outrage were visible on his face as he processed what he'd just read. Then he started to write his reply.

"Yes, they do but not very often. The guard is extremely disciplined as a rule not wanting to displease any of us," He explained, pushing the paper back.

"Then I'm safe here? Are these your quarters, Marcus?" I asked, then started to read his response.

'Aro will not hurt you! I have waited two thousand years to be with you again so no one has the right to separate us. I will kill him or anyone else who tries if I have to!' He wrote passionately.

"Yes, these are my quarters, Bella, so you are safer here than anywhere else in the castle. Do not ever leave them without myself, Demetri, or Felix to escort you, though. There is no reason to tempt fate," he elaborated as I wrote quickly.

"I understand your natures completely so I won't be taking any unnecessary risks, I promise. Breakfast was good and it really hit the spot but I'm sorry you had to put up with the smell," I apologized, as I passed the paper back.

"It is not a problem. You are human so you have to eat. The rooms can air out while we are gone," he responded aloud as he eyed my written response with concern.

'I don't doubt that you will do whatever is necessary to keep me safe my love, but I would prefer that we aren't put in that situation in the first place. My biggest concern is that the information will be leaked if Edward has found out. As a mind reader he is unpredictable, being reactionary enough to say or do something to endanger me without thinking about the potential outcome of his actions. I haven't got a clue what to do if he spills the beans.' He was furrowing his brow in thought as he read and then started to write back.

"Well, at least my food just smells bad to you. The smell of your preferred meal makes me throw up or pass out," I joked, giggling as he stopped writing and looked at me with the most adorable shocked expression on his handsome face.

"You have an aversion to the scent of blood?" he questioned. Marcus closed his mouth, shook his head, and finished up his writing before pushing the paper back at me.

"Yes, ironic isn't it, considering what I'm about to become? I haven't ever smelled animal blood so I don't know how I will react to it, but human blood stinks like rust and salt. Very unappealing to my sense of smell I assure you," I explained, reading what he wrote.

'Do not worry, my angel. I will come up with a plan, even if I have to kidnap you from the throne room. I may have to get help but I will figure out something. That Cullen boy better keep his comments to himself or I may just tear him apart. I promise I will not burn him though. I would not want to hurt Grace. She has been kind to us.' I finished reading and started my response.

"So you intend to hunt animals when you are changed?" he inquired, not seeming a bit surprised, and watched me as I wrote.

"My father was a cop, Marcus, so I was raised to respect the l law. I'm a vegetarian already so I might as well keep it up. Plus, being a very physically active person, I'd prefer to hunt for myself anyway," I explained, pushing him the paper and watching as he read.

'If I trust you with my heart, then I trust with my life. You are my life, so I'll try to stop worrying. One more thing… Is there somewhere in your quarters that we can hide my journals? I don't want anyone to find them and read them except you. They contain all my human memories, experiences in the last six years, and Didyme's dream memories of you so I guess you can see why I don't want them falling into the wrong hands.' I kept my eyes on him as he read and then started to respond.

"I am not sure how my brothers are going to feel about this. I am sure you could go with one of the Cullens after you are changed. That would not be inconvenient for anyone," he pondered, as he pushed me the paper.

"Good, I'd hate to rock the boat or offend anyone," I responded verbally as I read.

'I have a safe in our bedchamber that we can put them in. Ask to go to the facilities. I shall follow you, get them, and put them in the safe. Are we through writing now? I can put this paper in there as well.' I nodded my head yes.

"May I go to the restroom please, before we go to the meeting? It should be getting close to time, isn't it?" I asked, smiling at what we had just pulled off.

"Yes to both questions. Let me escort you since I need to change my attire before we go," he offered, smiling at me like the cat that had eaten the canary, and led me into the room.

"I need to brush my teeth, so that should give you plenty of time to change while I'm in the bathroom," I stated, unzipping my bag, pulling out my toothbrush plus the journals, and handing them to him.

"I will call out when I am through," he said as I headed off to the bath.

"Thanks," I responded over my shoulder with a wink, turning to close the door.

Finishing my business, I looked in the mirror to brush my teeth.

"That went as well as can be expected in the moment. You can trust Marcus, Bella; he won't let anything happen to us," Di conveyed encouragingly.

"I know that but we can't lose him now. What if something happened to him? I couldn't go through that again and I don't think you could either," I responded, worrying about Edward's big mouth and hot temper.

"I am ready, Bella. I will be waiting for you in the living room." I heard Marcus say.

"I'm just about ready, too. I'll be there in a minute," I called, taking a deep breath and opening the door before heading after him.

"We need to leave now. Aro does not like to be kept waiting. The throne room is a distance from here, so may I carry you there, please?" he requested, looking hopeful.

"No problem. Knock yourself out," I teased, laughing as he scooped me up in his arms, carrying me to the door. My god, he felt good and his scent is divine like leather and sage with a touch of honey, I thought as I buried my face in his chest for the first time.

He opened the door, took us through it, closed it behind us, and took off like the wind. I could definitely get used to this again. He slowed as we got to the door of the throne room letting me down, took my hand, kissed it, and then opened the door allowing me to go through first. I walked to the center of the room to stand in front of Aro.

'Lachesis, don't fail me now,' I thought, just hoping she could hear me.

Jasper's POV

Ever since we arrived in Volterra things have been bizarre for me all the way around. The emotions of my family have run the full gamut from highs to lows. Edward was the worst with anger, possessiveness, and guilt being predominant. Poor Grace can't even begin to keep up with his mood swings as she tries to soothe or redirect them.

Grace has been the best thing that has ever happened to Edward in all the years I've known him. Bella may have put a crack in his shell but Grace broke it wide open, that is until we got here then Edward reverted back to his old emo self. Grace continues to love and support him in every way but I can feel her hurt. If Rose had my gift she would have shredding him by now. She warned him not to hurt her sister but he is anyway. He's just going to have to learn the hard way I guess, but that pretty standard for Edward.

The most unusual thing about him right now would have to be his feelings for Bella. There is not one speck of love for her that I've felt from him since she walked into the throne room. His anger and possessiveness when it comes to her doesn't make sense. It's like this situation has pulled him back in time so he's seeing the eighteen year old that he left that day in Forks and he still thinks he owns her.

The Bella that walked through that door yesterday will never be owned by any one. She is her own person who might compromise if her heart was involved but would never be subservient again. This woman is power and grace in motion with the soul of a warrior. Whoever wins her heart will win quite a prize.

It appears that Marcus is the candidate in the running if Carlisle and Grace are to be believed. This has Edward in a real snit because he believes that Marcus is 'after her virtue' as he put it. Just because he didn't want it in Forks, doesn't mean that Marcus shouldn't. They both deserve happiness, more than anybody I've ever seen.

If Carlisle's theory is correct, then Bella is Marcus's mate reborn so they were destined to be together anyway. Maybe that's part of Edward's problem with all of this. If she is Didyme, then she never was his. Yep, that would do it.

Then there's Bella obvious gift, because none of our gifts work on her anymore. It's the same with the Volturi. Aro recognizes that she will be one very powerful vampire when she's changed so he's beside himself with joy. That power hungry bastard would be; he's worse than Maria. What he's not thinking about is how you control a newborn that no one can touch. Oh, Aro, I think you have bitten off more than you can chew.

Alice and I are sitting on the couch in the living room waiting for the others to come out of their rooms. We've been ready for a while, as is Alice's habit when she's nervous and she's definitely nervous. Then she stiffens in my arms as she does when she's having a vision.

"Alice, darlin' what do you see?" I whispered, trying to avoid drawing attention to us until I find out what's happening.

"Jasper, there are events that are going to happen during the meeting that there's nothing that we can do about. When I look at you and raise both eyebrows you need to follow me so we can sneak out of the room with Marcus. I can't see Bella, of course, but I can see a very upset Marcus so it must have something to do with her. You and I are going on a trip with him, it appears. I can't see where only that your expertise will be needed. Oh, and don't think about it," She outlined rapidly, all in one breath.

"Okay, darlin', I'll be ready. I would rather align myself with Marcus than Aro any day," I quipped, smiling at her.

"Demetri will be here in least than a minute, everyone," she whispered loud enough to be heard by all.

Everyone was in the living room in a flash, arriving just as there was a knock on the door.

"Enter," Carlisle called, looking at Alice and I sadly as Demetri came into the room.

"Bella's awake so the Masters are ready for you. Follow me, please," he requested, so we all left the room together.

"Is Bells doing better today, Demetri? Has she recovered her strength yet?" Carlisle inquired as we sped down the hall.

"She slept twelve hours straight, had a good breakfast, and from what Felix said is in good spirits," he stated in a detached tone but what I felt from him was admiration.

That ended the conversation as we arrived at the door to the throne room. Entering in the same order as yesterday we took our places. Aro and Caius were on the dais but Marcus and Bella were nowhere to be seen, causing the ancients to be slightly annoyed at having to wait. The atmosphere in the room was mainly curiosity and anticipation.

The door opened again to admit Bella with Marcus in her wake. She proceeded forward and stood in front of Aro. He was feeling excited, with pleasure at the forefront of his emotions. Caius was just aggravated like yesterday but Marcus was ecstatic, though it didn't show on his face.

"Carlisle, it is a pleasure to see your family again. We have much to cover so I shall proceed without further delay. Bella, we wanted you here to witness the judgment you won for the Cullens. You are being granted an honor that has never been bestowed on another living human, the privilege of observing our justness in action," Aro elaborated looking at Bella like a spider after a fly.

"Thank you, Aro, for including me in the proceedings since I know you didn't have to," Bella replied, smiling warmly at him.

"It has been judged that you, Carlisle, and your coven, confirmed our secret to Bella Swan during your time in Forks, Washington. You neither turned her nor killed her, which broke our laws. It has been determined that for the term of fifty years your family shall be banished into isolation from the human world, with one mated pair at a time serving here with the Volturi guard for a period of twelve and a half years starting with Alice and Jasper. The entire coven shall be indentured to us for a period of one hundred years, to be called to service at any time should the need arise, even after your period of forced isolation from human society is fulfilled. There are strict rules for your behavior, which are to be followed to the letter. The rules are as follows:

First, no Cullen shall have any contact with the human world for a period not less than fifty years from the date of sentencing.

Second, no Cullen shall indulge in outside shopping trips; all necessary purchases must be made online.

Third, no Cullen will be permitted to indulge in any trips, vacations, or visits that could result in human contact.

Fourth, no Cullen shall be allowed to seek employment or education within the human community, except online, at any time during the period covered by this sentencing.

Fifth, no Cullen shall initiate any telephone calls to or accept telephone calls from humans; all telephone calls will be verified for origin.

Sixth, there will be regular, announced and unannounced, visitations by members of the Volturi guard to ensure that these sanctions are being obeyed.

Seventh, once every two years a jet will bring all members of the Cullen family/coven back to Volterra to verify that there been no violation of the imposed sentencing guidelines."

"Does anything addressed require clarification?" Aro inquired, looking at us all individually.

"No, Aro, I believe that was perfectly clear," Carlisle responded sadly as I felt his and Esme's pain.

"Jasper, you and Alice are to stay in your family's quarters tonight. Someone will collect you in the morning to escort you to your new rooms. Carlisle, you and the rest of your family should be ready by six this evening to go to the airport where you will be flown to Alaska to live in your home there. It appeared from your memories to be the most secluded. Is this clear to everyone?" Aro queried.

"Yes," we responded in unison, resignation being the main feeling in the family.

"Good! Now, Bella, would you tell us the story of what happened to you after the Cullens left you to your happy human life?" Aro inquired sarcastically, turning to Bella.

"Okay, Aro, but please be patient with me because my story is not a pleasant one. It may be hard for me to get through. I've healed a lot, but the underlying emotions can be overpowering at times," she relayed, pain showing on her face.

"Take your time, little one," Aro responded, sounding concerned, but I could feel the excitement at the thought of hearing about her pain.

"After Edward left me alone in the forest, I fell apart. I guess I must have been in some kind of shock because I tried to follow him by walking deeper into the woods. This went on for hours until I finally tripped over something in the dark and went down. I never got back up, just laid there dazed thinking about all that I had lost in that short conversation. It was the end of my love, my life, my world, and the future I had chosen for myself. I hadn't just lost him but the whole family that I loved as my own and I thought loved me the same. It was like all seven of them had suddenly died but I had no bodies to bury, no headstones to kneel in front of to grieve, and no closure. I was numb, totally lost to reality. Sam found me, picked me up and carried me back to Charlie," Bella explained with a tragic look on her face.

The family's feelings were reeling with a mix of love, regret, and guilt, which was to be expected. The feelings of the brothers were interesting, though. Aro was gleeful, Caius was angry with a touch of disbelief, and Marcus was in a violent rage. All the other emotions in the room seemed to be the same as the rest of us, so no surprises there.

"The next four months are of no importance because I basically became a zombie. I had pale skin and dark circles under my eyes from sleep deprivation caused by the terrifying nightmares I had every time I slept. I became thin as a rail because I had no appetite and developed a pinched look to my face from the constant writhing pain in my chest. I could have easily passed for one of you from a distance if I had been beautiful, but the pain had made me ugly. I would go out of my way to avoid mirrors whenever possible because I couldn't stand to see what I'd become. Then I stated hanging out with Jacob and thing got a little better, but in time he abandoned me, too," she stated hollowly.

"This is when I decided to try to find the meadow that Edward used to take me to. I had become pretty crazy by then, so I guess that I was looking for validation that they really did exist. I found it in the meadow but not in the form I would have wanted," she explained, smiling sadly.

"Laurent found me there while he was hunting so I engaged him in conversation, hoping to distract him while I tried to figure my way out of this mess. He told me he was there as a favor to Victoria because she wanted to torture me to death. You know the whole 'mate for a mate' revenge thing but that I had interrupted his hunt so now I was going to be his dinner. He was going in for the kill when he stopped, sniffed the air, and then ran like his pants were on fire. I ran, too, once he disappeared," she stated with no emotion in her voice or displayed on her face.

I can't say the same for the rest of the room as the emotions had gone crazy. The Cullens' were mainly fear, anger, grief, and guilt, with Edward running all of them. The brothers were feeling fear and anger with Aro being the exception. He was happy, like something had been confirmed for him. The rest of the room whispered in stunned disbelief.

"Jacob finally got over whatever his problem was with me and started coming around again, quickly becoming my best and only friend. We went hiking in the woods, rode motorcycles, hung out with his friends, and went cliff diving. I basically lived at La Push until graduation when the hell I'd been living internally manifested on earth right in the middle of my world," Bella said with a multitude of emotions playing across her face as she stopped to drink some water and regroup. We aren't going to like this, I can tell.

"The day of graduation was just wonderful because my mother and stepfather had flown in from Florida to watch the grand event. My dad, Jacob, and Billy, his dad, cheered me on as I walked across the stage to end that phase of my life. School had been a living hell for me since the Cullens left so I couldn't wait to close that chapter. I'd been offered and accepted a full scholarship to Washington State University in Seattle. I couldn't wait to go, putting all the bad memories behind me," she reminisced wistfully.

"A couple of days later, my mother and Phil were schedule to leave to go back to Florida so I headed home since I'd been at La Push visiting Jacob and Billy. Jacob decided to come with me, wanting to say goodbye to my folks. When we walked in to the house it looked like a war zone with broken furniture and windows everywhere. The back door was open so Jacob was out of it in a flash, running into the woods. I followed as fast as I could but at the time I was clumsy and slow so it took me a while to catch up," she conveyed, visually agitated.

"What I walked in on was a blood bath. My parents were dead, obviously having been tortured and broken by Victoria. I don't even think she fed on them because there was too much blood everywhere. She was in the process of ripping Jacob's throat out as he struggled to break free, so she gleefully finished him off before my eyes," she choked out in pain, with grief written all over her face.

"The scent of their blood was so strong, even out in the open, I had to struggle to stay conscious and keep my stomach for rebelling. Victoria turned to me, smiling a smile so evil that I couldn't have conjured it in my worst nightmare. The glint in her jet black eyes was pure insanity, confirming that I didn't have a prayer in hell of surviving this time. So, I said my goodbyes to Edward, to the Cullens who I loved more than anything else in this world, and then I steeled myself for the pain to come," she described, with tears in her eyes but resignation in her voice.

The pain and sorrow in the room was so intense it almost brought me to my knees. All the women in our family were sobbing into their mates' chests, so I held Alice close to me rubbing soothing circle on her back. Aro on the other hand was feeling smug, getting some kind of perverse pleasure from her pain.

"To say that it 'wasn't so bad' would be a lie. I had never felt such intense physical pain in my life; it rivaled the emotional pain I'd been living with from being abandoned. Victoria was an expert on torture, knowing just how much pressure to apply to cause intense deep level pain without killing. She would have been great during the Spanish Inquisition to get people to confess to anything she wanted. She insisted I knew where the Cullens had relocated. She didn't believe me when I told her I didn't, so the pain continued. I think she wanted to know so she could send them the tape she was making of our quality time together. She even bit me then sucked the venom out because she was all about causing me pain," she quipped with a laugh that held no humor.

"But I never screamed once because I wouldn't give her sadistic ass the satisfaction. I had learned over the last nine months how to endure pain without even a whimper. I wasn't going to let that redheaded bitch win!" she spat angrily. "At moments like that my stubbornness definitely comes in handy. I was holding my own until she lost her temper because she wasn't getting what she wanted from me. She threw me against a tree and I hit my head hard. After that I don't remember anything about the attack," she stated coldly with finality.

The feelings in the room were shock and disbelief, mirroring those of my family's, but remorse was added to ours. Marcus and Caius were filled with so much rage that I wasn't sure how they were containing it. It was written all over Caius's face but Marcus looked the same, except that his eyes were black as pitch. Aro was experiencing a pleasure so intense that he was vibrating. I wouldn't have been surprised if he shot his royal load right there in front of everyone. He really is a sick, perverted bastard, getting off to her pain like that.

"The next thing I remember was waking up in the hospital alone. The head trauma was severe enough that I was in a coma for two weeks. A couple of weeks later I was discharged. I headed home, had the memorial services for my parents, and closed myself away from the world," Bella recited blankly.

"I focused all my energy of becoming physically stronger starting with Tai Chi and martial arts. I worked with mediation for pain management and to balance my moods. It all worked well, allowing me to develop a grace and coordination I never had before. I vowed to myself that I would never be a victim again," she expounded with fierce determination.

"Thank you, Bella, for sharing your story," Aro stated offhandedly, like her tale was nothing. "Now, we need to determine what to do with you, my dear," he continued, tilting his head to study her like she was a science project.

"Aro, I believe that we should be allowed to take Bella with us when we leave," Edward interrupted, feeling possessive of how she was dealt with. The look of shock was apparent on Bella's face at his request and Marcus was livid.

"And why should we consider your request, Edward?" Aro lead coyly, with a feeling that reminded me of a cat playing with a mouse before the kill.

"Well, we're going into isolation for the next fifty years so if we take her with us she can remain human, living out the rest of her life surrounded by people who love her. She's obviously mentally unstable so I'm not sure how much of her story can be believed. I'm sure with Carlisle's help and the proper medication she could be happy and back to her old self in no time. It's obvious that she still loves us so we would be happy to take care of her until the end because she's family to us," he detailed, confident in his flawless logic. I felt the hunger in him building, so her scent was getting to him again.

Glancing at Bella I noticed that her eyes were closed, the color of her cheeks was flaming red, her fist were clinched into tight balls, and she was taut like the string of a bow. In other words, she was pissed. In the blink of an eye she was in front of him and in his face, nose to nose. He blinked, taking a step back, shock being his predominant emotion in reaction to her attack.

"Who the hell do you think you are, Edward Cullen, bargaining with my future that way? I would rather die than go anywhere with you and your loving family," she spat with as much venom as one of us. "I refuse to be your family's pet anymore! What will you do if I haven't died during those fifty years? Euthanize me? Maybe you could finally justify getting that snack you've been lusting after since you first caught my scent?" she questioned his motives expertly. "I loved all of you with all my heart but you left me alone and unprotected without even changing me so I could protect myself. That is not love and I was never your family! So let it go, Edward. Take care that lovely wife of yours and leave me alone," she concluded angrily, turning to walk away but he reached out to grab her.

The family was so shocked and hurt that they didn't notice that Edward's eyes had turned black. His rage had caused him to lose control of his bloodlust. He was seconds away from killing Bella so I moved at lightning speed in his direction, yelling at Emmett to grab him. He snarled and snapped at us, struggling to break free. I hit him with a wave of calm to take the edge off so he would hopefully get himself under control again.

Looking up, I noticed that Marcus had entered the fray and had Bella in his arms protectively. He was radiating a combination of fear, anger, and the most intense love I have ever felt.

"Is he the reason that you don't want to come with us?" Edward sneered, starring a hole through Marcus. "Do you really believe that crap about you having his dead mate's soul? Vampires don't have souls, Bella! He's playing on your diminished mental and emotional state to seduce you. Can't you see that? You have no idea the filthy thoughts he's having about you. I won't allow him to hurt you like that," Edward was adamant, anger and disbelief radiating off of him. Dear God, my brother is an idiot!

"That is it, Edward! You have disrupted these proceedings long enough. You and your mate are dismissed to yours quarters, so leave now while you still can!" Marcus threatened, pulling Bella closer to him and feeling very protective as he stared Edward down. He watched as Grace grabbed Edward, dragging him out of the room.

"Marcus, what is this about Bella having Didyme's soul? You do not believe this tale do you?" Caius inquired in confusion and concern. The emotions in the room were off the charts. Oddly, Aro was now feeling intense fear.

"Yes, I do believe it to be true, Caius. Grace saw an image of Didyme transposed over Bella when she first arrived yesterday that appeared to radiate out of her like a vision of her soul. I have been attracted to Bella from the first moment I saw her and a mating bond has formed between us, so there is no other conclusion that I could come to." Marcus presented his case with conviction but was running an underlying fear.

"This is ridiculous, Marcus! I agree with Edward, we do not have souls," Aro said adamantly but his fear was intensifying. "This human has become a threat to us and our world so I say we should kill her!" He said passionately as his fear finally reached a crescendo.

With the emotional climate of the room intensifying, this situation was quickly becoming a powder keg with Aro's fear being the wick. I just wonder who's going to light and throw the match?

AN: Love it? Hate it? Let me know.