Chapter 9 Judgment

Aro, Marcus, and Caius sat across from me with Renata directly behind Aro as they discussed the Cullen's fate. I already knew mine. I was to be transformed as soon as the Cullen's mess was sorted out.

As it stood, Aro was concerned that his original plan was no longer a viable option. He informed me when this meeting began that he had intended to use me to entice at least a few of the Cullens to join his court. More specifically, Edward, Alice, and Jasper. He seemed to believe that Alice would stay for me and wherever Alice went Jasper was sure to follow. And it's no secret how much Jasper struggled with the vegetarian lifestyle. His life would be a whole lot easier if he had a reason to stay in Volterra, or at least that was Aro's reasoning.

But after seeing my reaction to Edward, Aro was no longer certain this was the best idea, which made absolutely no sense to me. He already knew the kind of powers the trio possessed. You would think he'd take a proven talent over some unknown quantity. He had no way of knowing if I'd be fortunate enough to possess a special ability, yet he was willing to trade all of them in for me. For such an ancient vampire, he was awfully reckless.

"Hey, there's always a chance I won't even remember them once I'm transformed, so my issues with them will be nonexistent. Sounds like you can have your cake and eat it to," I commented lightly. I'd been acting a bit off all day. Gee, I can't imagine why. You try giving up your virginity to someone you couldn't care less about while the man of your dreams is right outside listening to the whole ordeal. Now that the alcohol had worn off, I could fully appreciate the foolishness of my actions.

Aro cast a sideways glance at Marcus who shrugged looking genuinely perplexed. "Felix indicated that you spent the night with Demetri," Aro stated, but really it was a question. I frowned to myself trying to follow the abrupt change in subject.

I shrugged. "Does it matter?"

He gave a humorless laugh. "From the foul mood Edward was in earlier, I would say it matters a great deal. Do you really think he's going to give up his way of life for you now?"

How vile was it that I was pleased that I'd hurt Edward so much that even Aro could see it? He deserved it. Well, maybe my actions had been overkill…

"I should hope not. Hell, I can't even figure out why he'd be willing to do it before."

"Isabella," Marcus sighed in frustration. "Did I not explain to you that Edward loves you? I told you how strong the connection still is between you."

"What Marcus is trying to say is your Edward left you to protect you. I saw it all when I read his memories. He was protecting you from himself and from this," he motioned around the room, "life."

"He loved you enough to let you go," Marcus added.

I burst out laughing. "That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard." I shook my head muttering to myself, "Loved me enough to let me go. What a fucking bunch of bullshit."

Completely ignoring my foul mouth, Aro continued looking very irritated, "You've left me in a precarious position, Isabella. The Cullens must be punished for their actions and you have taken away my one form of nonviolent punishment."

I let that sink in for a minute, my heart pattering dangerously fast as I thought about the pain they might have to endure all because of me. Well, all because of Irina and her big mouth. The Volturi would have remained blissfully unaware of my existence had it not been for that insufferable tattletale.

I drummed my fingers on the arm of my chair deep in thought, searching my brain for an alternate punishment that wouldn't cause physical harm…that would get them far from Volterra and away from me.

Caius interrupted my musings, not that I was getting anywhere with them. "I think we should take the original offer to the Cullens. Even if Edward no longer cares enough about Miss. Swan's fate, some of the others are bound to. I believe that Alice will agree to stay, and with her Jasper. And in the off chance they all decline…well, we'll simply demand that they break up their coven. It matters not where they decide to reside, they simply cannot do so together. It makes us look weak having such a large, powerful coven remaining unchecked."

"Agreed," Marcus chimed in and Aro nodded.

"All right. Renata?" He glanced back at her. "Inform the Cullens that their presence is required in the main hall and ask the full court to attend. We need to make a production of it."

Caius swept out of the room behind Renata leaving me with Marcus and Aro staring intently down at me. I was squirming in my seat under such scrutiny and disappointment. I'd expected that kind of reaction from the Cullens. Maybe Dylan, but not Aro and Marcus.

"I see no reason to keep you human. Once we've announced our decision I will take you below and get your transformation under way."

The finality of those words rang through me. In three day's time I would no longer be human. I wouldn't even get to see my family one last time. I frowned wondering what story they'd be told about my disappearance.

I filed into the room directly behind Aro, my eyes fixed on his black cloak that he'd flung over his charcoal suit. No way was I looking at Edward, Dylan, or Demetri. Don't get me wrong, once the general discomfort of first time sex was gone, I'd thoroughly enjoyed myself, but I didn't know how to act around him now. We weren't anything to each other. Not even friends. Usually when one has a one night stand, they do so with someone they won't ever have to see again. On what planet had this been a good idea? The planet of Captain Morgan, obviously. Damn rum.

The atmosphere of the room was uncomfortably tense. No one made the slightest sound, except for me. It wasn't as if I could stop that pesky breathing or the thumping of my heart, which was getting faster and faster with each passing second.

After we were seated, Aro began, "We have two options for you."

Renata's small hands felt icy cold on my neck as she quickly readjusted my shirt collar, "Your marks are distracting everyone," she explained in a hushed whisper. I couldn't help the blush that stole over me as I remembered how Demetri had given me each and every one of them, but I did my damnedest to look nonchalant. It probably would've been more effective if I hadn't been keeping my eyes averted.

Aro cleared his throat, then continued in a voice void of all emotion, "It is no secret that I would love to have all of you here with us, but…" he paused making me chance a glance around, my eyes slamming into a very furious Edward who was shooting daggers at me. I'd never seen him look so…predatory. Furious wasn't even a strong enough word to describe the emotions roiling off of him. I made a small, unintelligible sound and resumed my study of the marble floor.

Carlisle had moved forward. "But?" he prompted wearily.

"I will settle for…three of your coven. It matters not who you choose. I'll leave that decision to you."

Yeah right. It mattered a great deal. Who did Aro think he was fooling? It wasn't like Edward couldn't read his thoughts, though he did appear to be rather distracted – by me. But I knew he was capable of multitasking. How hard would it be to read one's thoughts while seething with rage? I guess they could be shielding their thoughts from him, but it wasn't something they were accustomed to doing.

"And the other option?" Carlisle finally asked apparently displeased with his first choice.

"You disband your coven. You will not have to live here, of course, but you cannot remain together. You are too great a threat and have no bonds of loyalty to us."

Carlisle scoffed at that last remark. "I have always been loyal to you. While I cannot abide by your customs, I accept that it is the natural order of things." He glanced at each member of his family shaking his head sadly. "We are no threat to you, Aro. We do not desire anything but to be left alone. Certainly, none of us harbors any political ambitions."

Caius stood, his fathomless eyes narrowed on Carlisle. "We could just kill you, if that is preferable." I noticed that there were several nods of approval at that suggestion. None looked more excited than Jane. I glowered at her, and she smiled sweetly back.

"We are being more than fair, old friend," Marcus added nervously. Caius was grouchy and unpredictable. Neither Aro nor Marcus wanted any harm to befall the Cullens, but Caius did not share that sentiment.

Carlisle glanced at me then back at Aro. "And what of Bella?"

The smile on Aro's face was brilliant. Like a kid in a candy store on allowance day. "She has agreed to be transformed and remain here…" he trailed off, his attention wholly on me, his crimson eyes sparkling with victory. Carlisle's question about my welfare had bolstered Aro's assurance that he was but moments from acquiring the three vampires of the Cullen coven that possessed special abilities. "…as long as no harm comes to you and your family."

He'd effectively discarded Caius's threat with that announcement, and I could see all of them visibly relax. Well, not Edward. Every time I was stupid enough to look at him, he was still glaring menacingly at me. Lovely. Living here with all that drama was going to be just peachy.

"I see," Carlisle said sounding more than a little shocked which seriously pissed me off. Of course, I would protect them. It hadn't been me that left…they'd abandoned me. The only one that had any room to doubt was me. Especially after my actions last night. "Might we have a few moments to discuss this?"

My angry angel finally spoke. "There is nothing to discuss. Bella becoming a vampire is not an option."

Aro's face was comical as he eyed Edward who never spared a glance for the ancient vampire. His eyes were still transfixed on me, and try as I might, I could not look away though I desperately wanted to. His declaration was to be expected. It was the same argument we'd had after the James fiasco and my disastrous birthday party. I should have faced the truth then of the absurdity of our relationship, but I wanted to be lied to. I believed him so readily when he'd insisted it was my soul he was looking out for. I mean, how romantic was that? But the real reason was that he didn't want to be stuck with me for all eternity.

Aro wiped his face of expression, his attention directed on Edward. "She knows too much."

"I'm not disputing that," he blinked and I was able to tear my eyes away. "You have humans that work for you, Aro. Let her remain here in that capacity."

"Edward," Alice groaned from beside him. "I already told you I've seen her transformed."

But I barely comprehended her words. I felt like I'd been run over by Emmett, all the air whooshed out of me as I realized how much he loathed me. He wanted me to suffer the same fate as Dylan. The ultimate punishment - to live in Volterra and always be an outsider looking in. They would remain forever young and beautiful, while I aged and became useless at which time I would probably become an after dinner snack.

Aro frowned as he mulled over Edward's suggestion. "Isabella wishes to be transformed, and I see no reason to withhold that from her."

A deep, reverberating growl emanated from Edward and when he spoke his voice was nearly unrecognizable. "No."

Aro ignored Edward's outburst, a haughty expression now in place, and addressed Carlisle, "Isabella's fate has already been decided. Eleazor assured Marcus yesterday that she will possess some rather impressive abilities; naturally, I'd be a fool not to transform her."

Ahh. Now I understood why he was gambling on me. I guess the ancient vampire wasn't so reckless, after all.

"I understand, Aro." Carlisle spoke with a tone of warning that was clearly directed toward Edward. "And if you will allow us a moment to discuss the options that you've given us…"

Aro nodded and motioned Heidi forward. "Heidi, take them to the room across the hall. Ten minutes," he added sternly and they nodded as they filed out of the hall. Except for Edward, who remained rooted in place.

"Have you something more to say, Edward," Caius prompted thoroughly enjoying Edward's misery.

"Many things," he stated in his velvety voice that was laced with anger.

"Then by all means, carry on."

Marcus stood. "I do not think-"

Edward was quite suddenly in front of me, his vice of a hand locked around my wrist as he pulled me roughly from my chair. Demetri was at my side before he had me on my feet and Dylan was there a few moments later. That whole being human thing really slowed a mortal boy down.

"Release her," Demetri ordered with a promise of pain in his voice.

"I'm not hurting her," he bit out, his eyes only for me. "You cannot claim the same thing, can you Demetri?" he snarled, his eyes taking in the marks from last night that were visible and again my body broke out in a prickly rush of heat as embarrassment consumed me. Were we really going to discuss last night right here in front of the whole court?

"You had your chance with her, Edward. It is not my fault that you were not up to the task," Demetri taunted. "You've no one to blame but yourself."

Edward ignored him. "Did I mean nothing to you?" he asked quietly, though no less angrily.

I found my confidence at that question, because he'd caused this. "I believe I'm the one that should be asking that question, Edward." It felt weird saying his name, being so close to him, touching him, and not having my body respond to it. "You left me, remember? You told me you didn't want me. That you didn't love me."

"So you screw the first vampire that'll have you?"

I blanched at his crude, hateful words.

My silence only fueled his fury because he looked even more pissed off than moments ago, his hand tightened uncomfortably and a small groan slipped from me, but he didn't even seem to notice. "All the times I told you I loved you and all it took was one lie to break your faith in me." It was said more to himself than me, I thought, and at any rate, I was so blindsided by his words, that I didn't have a response, witty or otherwise, to throw back at him. The smile on his face was not a happy one as he released his hold on me. My hand automatically rubbed my wrist where a dark bruise was forming. "Well, I guess we know why that was."

I shook my head having trouble following the conversation. Dylan and Demetri were too close, their presence making things all the harder. I needed to not be here in front of everyone having this conversation. It was beyond humiliating. "What? Why what was?"

Edward turned his back on me and took a good ten steps toward the door when Dylan cursed under his breath. "Maybe if you would stop running and actually stick around to talk things out neither of you would be so damn miserable."

He whipped around. "What is there to talk about?" He strode back to us anger surrounding him like a pulsing shield. "She's decided that she'd rather be damned…be a monster, so further conversation on that point is unnecessary." He glared at me in disgust. "And I don't know about you, but I don't really want a blow by blow of her night with Demetri," he hissed and Dylan flinched. Well shit, he hadn't known. Obviously he'd heard the rumors, but things often get distorted in the retelling.

Dylan rounded on me, more hurt than angry.

"Oh no, don't you give me that look," I said. "You have no right to bitch."

"No, of course not. He's only your boyfriend," Edward sneered. I groaned. Tell me this wasn't happening.

"Not any more…it wasn't real, was it Dylan?"

Heidi sauntered over, an extra sway to hips and wrapped her arm around me, her cheek resting on my shoulder. "My, my, my, Isabella, what a tangled web you've weaved. This is quite the pickle you've gotten your pretty little self into. It's worthy of an afternoon talk show. Dr. Phil would have a field day with you four."

"Five. You mean five," I snapped. "Don't forget to add yourself to the mix."

She laughed and it was the sound of wind chimes tinkling in a light breeze, and breathed in my scent hungrily. "Mmm, you do reek of Demetri. I guess the chit chat is accurate for once." Her lovely face was inches from mine. "I have always found Demetri's abilities in bed quite satisfactory." Demetri made an inarticulate sound of protest to which she smiled her cat ate the canary grin that showed just how much enjoyment she took from hurting us. "Wouldn't you agree, Isabella?"

Not waiting for my answer, she set those amused eyes on Edward, her lip drawn in a wicked grin and I knew her fun was just beginning. "Edward, you were an ass and deserved a taste of your own medicine. You had it coming. Now suck it up and get over it. Though…I'd be happy to help you even the score, if you're interested." She batted her eyes and threw her head back laughing deeply at his offended expression.

"Dylan," she continued, "you used your power to forge a bond between you two on Aro's orders. She was never yours. Her heart has always belonged to Edward. The line between work and play seems to be blurring for you. I think it's time I remind you where that line is." She pressed her cold lips against my cheek and whispered, "Ask him what he was promised in return for tricking you into joining the Volturi, Bella."

I froze at her words. How was it that I'd never considered what he was getting out of this whole mess? But I couldn't ask. I couldn't get my voice to work past the lump that was growing in my throat. Demetri and Edward were completely forgotten. I'd have liked to forget about Heidi, too, but as she was draped across me and smelling better than almost anything I'd smelled before…aside from Edward. Yes, ignoring Heidi was a nearly impossible task.

Dylan had heard her words though; I could tell by the look that he flashed her. She might be right about me and Dylan, but I had a feeling that she wasn't going to get her happily ever after with him either. "Remember when I told you that none of my family had ever become vampires?" he asked. I nodded and he went on without tearing his eyes from Heidi. "Aro did say that if you joined, he would transform me."

I let out a long breath. I could sympathize. I'd only known about vampires for less than two years and wanted to be one in the worst way. What must it have been like for Dylan to grow up with them, but never truly be a part of them? To know that every family member before him had been denied that gift and that he most likely would too? What would I have been willing to do if I'd been promised immortality?

When I didn't say anything, he hurried to explain, "By that point I was already in love with you." Edward made a sound of disbelief and Heidi growled quietly in my ear, her chest vibrating against my skin, her nails embedded in my flesh, small beads of blood welling up and permeating the air enticingly. I sensed, more than saw, how those few drops of blood were affecting the crowd of vampires. Even Edward's head automatically turned back to me, his eyes following the trail as the blood slid into my shirt.

I was suddenly aware of the dangerous position I was in. She could snap my neck before anyone could stop her, slice my throat with one of her talon-like nails, or drain me dry.

Dylan ignored everyone, and continued his explanation, "I knew that you were going to be transformed. Was it wrong of me to want to be like you? We would've been free to go wherever we wanted once we gained some control over our newborn instincts. I was offered the chance to spend eternity with you. If that makes me vile and disgusting, I don't care. I love you, woman."

Heidi flung me through the air and I felt powerful arms of steel wrap safely around me to keep me from hitting the opposite wall.

"You're okay," Edward whispered. It was only then that I realized that the Cullens and the Denali clan were back in the room. Tanya hadn't been here when we'd started our meeting; I'd sort of forgotten about her in the face of the judgment that Aro was doling out and the guilt that was swallowing me whole over my night with Demetri.

I stayed in his arms enjoying the feel of them around me and allowed myself to pretend that we were still together, that all the mistakes we'd both made had all been a part of a really bad nightmare, and watched Heidi and Dylan fight while Demetri tried to restrain her. In the end, it was Aro that intervened, but not before Heidi had sunk her razor sharp teeth deep into Dylan's neck. Faster than any other vampire, Aro was on Heidi, ripping her easily from Dylan. He pulled her against his body.

"He. Was. Under. My. Protection!" he roared. His hand lashed out and landed a blow to her face sending her sprawling across the shiny, white floor with such force that the room trembled and the sound left my ears ringing.

She remained at Demetri's feet staring up at Aro with Dylan's blood dripping from her lips, a deep rumbling growl echoing eerily through the room.

She tried to sit up as he advanced on her, but at that moment, Dylan let out a shriek of pain as the venom began working its way though his system. I knew what he was feeling as I'd suffered through some of it after James had bit me. I traced that crescent scar on my palm absentmindedly while I watched Dylan writhe on the floor, Aro now kneeling beside him.

"Dylan," I whispered my hand reaching for him, but Edward tightened his grip on me.

He ripped Dylan's shirt from him and lowered his head to his chest, right above his heart, and bit him delivering the venom directly into the organ that would quickly circulate it through his body and hasten the transformation while lessening the debilitating burning sensation.

The crowd around us was restless. They were not used to so much human blood being spilled and not joining in the festivities.

Marcus, noticing what was happening, ordered everyone out of the room and sent Demetri and Felix to take Heidi to the torture chamber. I didn't want to think about what that would entail? How did you hurt a vampire? Some things were better left unknown.

Aro picked Dylan up so gently, you could really see how fond he was of him, and looked squarely at us, for I was now standing among all the Cullens. "I must attend to him. If you have made your decision…Marcus will deal with it." He swept out of the room with Renata at his side.

I hadn't realized that I was crying until I saw my tears dripping off of Edward's arm and then I noticed how my whole body shook and how sore I was from the impact of Edward's body as he tried to keep me from smashing into the wall. The wall might have been softer, less painful.

"Shh, shh."

Carlisle moved forward "Let me check her over. She hit you rather hard. There might be some broken bones." I felt the pressure of his hands moving over my body and let out a few hisses when he touched a tender spot. "Nothing's broken," he said when he finished his quick examination. "But you're going to have quite the collection of bruises," he said gently.

Something brushed my hair; Edward's hands were still wrapped around me…had he kissed me? No, that couldn't be it. I was just imagining things.

"Your decision, Carlisle?" Marcus said as he quietly glided forward, but his eyes were on me and Edward.

"We need to discuss the terms? How long?"

Marcus sighed and I knew why. Aro hadn't mentioned a time limit, but as he was otherwise indisposed, surely it would be in Marcus's power to make that sort of judgment. "Two years."

Alice nodded. I felt Edward nod behind me and just caught Jasper making the same movement, but it was Carlisle that answered, "Done. Alice, Jasper, and Edward will remain here with Bella, for two years time. At which point, all four of them will be free to come back and reside with us."

Four? They wanted me to come back with them?

Caius was livid as he popped up beside our little gathering. "Your coven is already too large. We most certainly will not be allowing you to add to it."

"Now, now, Caius. I think it is clear that the Cullens have no desire to usurp us from our rightful position. I believe their terms are acceptable."

"We will just have to wait until Aro has a spare moment to discuss this, Marcus." He spoke his name like it was the foulest thing known to man. "But I dare say, that Aro will not be quite as amiable as you predict."

He, too, left the room, leaving me with only Marcus and the Cullens. I so did not want to be alone with them, so I was really hoping he wasn't in a particular hurry to go somewhere.

"You have much to work out. You might as well make yourselves comfortable. Aro will be preoccupied for the next three days."

"If I may offer a suggestion, Marcus," Carlisle began, "I've given this matter some thought ever since I believed Bella might one day have to suffer through the horrors of transformation."

"Go on."

"I'm hopeful that we can control the pain, not alleviate it entirely, but with enough Morphine, it should be tolerable. I could procure some and try it on Dylan, if you'd like."

Marcus thought about it for a full minute before saying, "Anything to ease his suffering. But, you will be accompanied by our guards at all times. You understand, don't you, old friend?"

Carlisle nodded and Marcus turned his attention back to me.

"Bella?" He moved closer to the door and I had to push against Edward's arms to get him to release me so I could follow.

"Dylan's untimely transformation has put a wrinkle in our plans for you. I am most sorry, but we cannot transform you tonight."

I smiled in relief. "That's okay." For some reason, I wasn't as excited by the prospect of immortality as I'd once been. Could be that I'd have to deal with Heidi, Demetri, and Edward on a regular basis for the next two years.

"Will you be all right on your own?" he asked nodding at the vampires waiting quietly behind me all privy to our exchange with their enhanced hearing. I didn't see why he was bothering to whisper.

I grimaced. "Might as well get it over with, right?" I forced a smile which he returned. I watched him walk through the door, abandoning me to face what - once upon a time – I'd hoped would become my family.

When I finally found the courage to face everyone, I was surprised to find only Edward.

"Thank you for…catching me," I mumbled lamely because I didn't know what else to say considering my behavior last night.

How many times had I dreamed of being alone with him? Thousands, and not one of them had been awkward like this. I laughed to myself, because not once in any of my dreams had I just had sex with some other vamp - that does tend to crank up the awkward meter a few notches.

He moved closer, but remained a safe distance away. "Dare I ask what you're thinking?"

I glanced up at him, shocked to find all the anger gone. "Um…no."

He sighed, that crooked grin in place and it took my breath away. God how I'd missed it, and I'd been so certain I'd never see it again. "I forgot how frustrating it is to be around you."

"Sorry," I smiled apologetically.

The silence stretched out interminably. I was staring everywhere but at him, but I didn't need to see him to know his eyes never left me.

Eventually, he sat on the dais and motioned me to join him. "I'd planned a million different things to say to you when I saw you again, and now…I…just don't know…" he struggled to put his thoughts into words. I understood better than he knew. But it was so uncharacteristic of Edward who always spoke so eloquently.

"Yeah, well," my brows rose as I inwardly cringed, "that was before you caught the live show of my drunken escapades, huh?"

He nodded, staring sightlessly in front of him. "It took everything in me not to break down the door and kill him last night," he admitted.

I could so see him doing that. "Why didn't you? I mean…" I added when he glanced sharply at me, "…break down the door, not the kill Demetri part." I guess I'd thought if he really loved me, that he would've done something to stop us, and when he didn't, I took it to mean that I'd been correct in believing that Edward had never really loved me. I'd just been one of his many distractions that helped ease the monotony of his eternal life.

"You seemed…" he closed his eyes, his features hard as he became mad all over again. "You seemed to be enjoying yourself," he said quickly the way you rip off a band aid. If you say it fast it won't be so hard, so painful, but that wasn't true. It still hurt no matter how quick you were.

"Was I wrong?" he asked after a minute. "You appeared very certain in your decision. Your look said it all."

I nodded words escaping me because I was on the verge of tears again. If there was one perk to being a vampire it was that I wouldn't be able to cry anymore. I whispered hoarsely, "I wanted to hurt you as much as you hurt me."

He turned, his knee grazing mine and a little spark zinged through me at the contact. "Mission accomplished." He sounded so broken and looked close to tears himself, despite the fact that he could not cry.

"I'm so sorry, Edward," I bawled. The tears were so heavy I couldn't clearly see him. I replayed last night over in my head. The look he and I had shared last night. The anguish on his face as I made the biggest mistake of my stupid life. "You must hate me."

"I don't know about hate, but I'm…" he searched for a word. Edited, more like it. And settled on, "…angry with you. And disappointed. And disgusted with myself." I looked at him questioningly. "This…all of it, is my fault. If I hadn't tried to protect you from me, none of this would have happened."

"I don't understand, Edward. That day, when we were in the woods, you-"

"Lied."

"What?" I wiped at the tears violently, trying desperately to see in his face what he was having such a hard time saying out loud.

"You weren't going to let me go. I knew I had to make you believe that I wasn't in love with you. What I did was unforgivable, Bella; the worst kind of blasphemy. But I thought it was the only way…to ensure that you moved on."

I gaped at him. What else could I do? The hell I'd been through. Not to mention what I'd put my parents through. And it had all been a lie? "What are you saying, Edward?" My words came out sharper than I'd meant. I'd hoped to keep my anger to myself, but dammit, I'd been hospitalized because of him.

"I'm saying that I love you. I never stopped, and I cannot believe that you believed the lie so readily. I thought for sure I would have to spend hours convincing you…"

I threw my hands up in exasperation, jumping to my feet pacing wildly back and forth in an effort to burn off the angry energy. "It never made sense for you to love me," I screamed in frustration. "You were finally being honest. Telling me what I already knew, had known all along. That you were too good for me, too beautiful, too perfect. You deserved the chance to find someone like you. Someone like Tanya," I ranted still moving back and forth restlessly.

"Bella." He grabbed me and forced me to be still, his hand tilting my chin up so he could look into my eyes. He shook his head, his crazed mane of bronze hair going everywhere, his jaw clenched. "We need to clear something up right now."

But whatever we had to clear up was forgotten by Alice racing into the room with the rest of her family on her heels.

He turned, not letting go of my arm and had a silent conversation with Alice. God, how I hated that. I might not know what was said, but it was bad, very bad. He'd gone two shades whiter, and that was saying something.

"What? What is it?" I croaked. I didn't think I could take any more drama.

"It's Laurent," Edward spat, his eyes still locked on Alice. No doubt, she was replaying her vision for him. "How long?"

She moaned, her eyes closing looking like a broken child. "I can't tell. I think soon.

There's nothing. Everything's just gone." She met my eyes and the horror I was feeling was reflected in her own face. She whispered, "We'll be too late."

I looked between them, my mouth hanging slightly open as I tried to decipher half a conversation. But I was here, protected by the might of the Volturi. Whatever she'd seen definitely didn't involve me. That left…Charlie.

Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry about the length. I know I hate to have to sit through super long chapters, but there was just no good place to split it. Anywhoo, I had a lot of fun with chapter. Please comment. Reviews really do help. If something has been written unclearly or whatever...let me know so I can fix it. Thanks.