CHAPTER 9

BPOV

How could Seth go to the Volturi? Did he really know what he was doing when he went to them? My thoughts were so blurred with emotion, I could hardly think.

I followed closely behind Jasper as we ran to the Cullens. Neither one of us said anything. He too was in thought.

I wondered what Edward was going to do with Madison. I knew I should have been trying to come up with a plan dealing with the Volturi, but my mind was on Madison and how I blocked her attack. How was I able to do that?

When we arrived at the Cullens, Micah and Isle awaiting my return. "Bella," Micah greeted sternly.

I searched Isle's face, trying to read her, but I came up with nothing. Looking at Micah, I immediately felt remorse for my actions. I love Edward, but I also love my family and seeing the two who had taken me in and made me into the being I am, looking indifferent towards me hurt immensely.

I wrapped my arms around Micah and buried my head into his chest. "Forgive me."

"I already have my daughter," he assured. He gently pushed me back, looking at me shoulder width apart from him. "We have a much greater worry to discuss."

"Where's Seth?" I asked.

"Leading the Volturi here," Alice answered walking into the room.

"They are leaving Italy," she continued looking at Carlisle and Esme.

"What are we going to do?" Rosalie asked.

"Anything we can to protect our family," Harrison stated.

Micah nodded in agreement. "We will leave your land, Carlisle. We do not want to involve your family in this."

"I will not have that," Esme answered for Carlisle. "Bella was once part of this family. We all love her as you do."

"My wife speaks what I feel as well, Micah, Iris. We are with you all."

"Damn right we are," Emmett said.

"I just cannot believe Seth's actions," Iris said. I could feel her disappointment and hurt.

"He felt betrayed, Iris," Esme began. "It was not your raising that caused this."

"She's right. It was my fault."

Alice pulled me into her arms. "You cannot blame yourself, Bella. I should have saw this."

Jasper leaned over and kissed Alice on the top of her head. "None of that talk, either."

She smiled up at him. "Ok."

"Jasper is right," Carlisle began. "What is done is done.

"What do the Volturi want?" Jacey asked.

"When I was human, they were interested in the ability I possessed." Laken gave me a strange look. "That no vampire's power had any effect on me…"

"Perhaps now they wanted to see if it's grown," Carlisle mused out loud.

"But why?" Kaden asked.

"Why indeed," Micah added.

"Seth must have told them something," Jacey whispered.

"Like what?" Harrison asked.

"Something to get them to come all the way from Italy," Laken said.

Rosalie shook her head, obviously upset with the situation at hand.

I felt absolutely horrible about this. I never wanted this to happen. I then felt a soothing calm come over me and looked at Jasper. I smiled in appreciation.

"Unfortunately there is no time to get any of our friends here," Carlisle announced.

"I know of one who may help," I whispered.

EPOV

"Why, Edward? Why?" Madison demanded. I gave you everything I had.

"Madison, I can not tell you how sorry I truly am. You are a wonderful and caring creature. You would make any man happy."

"Any man but you!" She snapped.

"I understand why you are so angry. I do not blame you-"

"Edward, I don't understand! Why not just tell me instead of having sex with her?"

"I didn't want to hurt you." I felt like dirt more and more as this conversation continued. I knew I was wrong and I hated seeing her this way. It was unbearable.

She flung the knife down. "Good job on that."

"I never meant for this to happen."

"I suppose it is partially my fault. I knew you didn't love me the way I knew you loved Bella. I was always in her shadow." She paused. "I forced myself on you."

"You did not live in her shadow, Madison."

She looked at me, her expression doubtful. "I do not believe that."

I brought Madison into my arms and hugged her. "You are the reason why I didn't try to die," I admitted. "You made my life so much better. That you can believe."

She looked up at me, her eyes still burning red but not filled with as much hatred. "What am I suppose to do now?"

"You can stay with us."

She pushed me away, shaking her head. "I am not pathetic, Edward."

"We are your family."

"You were my family. I cannot live with the two of you. I cannot and I am disgusted you asked me."

"I did not mean-"

"It does not matter now. Go. Find a way to save your love. She needs your help."

"Madison," I began.

"No, Edward. We are done. I have the last say in this. Tell the others I said goodbye, will you? Tell them that I love them. But I cannot stay. Perhaps in a hundred years our paths will cross. But until then I will not see any of you."

I understood the reasoning behind her actions, but I would be lying to myself if I were to say I was not upset with her departure. She was part of my family, whether or not I was in love with her, I did love her.

I cannot believe this is happening. I love my family but I will not stay with them while Bella is there. Madison's thoughts were not as hateful as I had imagined them to be. I suppose this is why I did love her, she was a gracious being when it all came down to it.

"Can you just answer me one thing, Edward?"

"Of course."

"Were you ever in love with me?"

I had to be honest. She at least deserved that. "No."

She nodded slowly, her thoughts blank. "Have a nice life, my love." With that, she disappeared into the forest, heading towards Canada.

I took a few steps back slowly before I began my sprint to my home. Though I did have much sadness for what just happened to Madison, the love of my life was in danger and I knew it was I she needed.

BPOV

"But, Bella, the treaty," Alice reminded me.

"The treaty technically only involves your family, the Cullens. It says nothing about the Malones," I stated.

"It's still too dangerous," Micah announced.

"Jacob won't hurt me."

"I don't feel comfortable with this," Iris said.

"Alice, look into the future. What do you see?"

She sat down, her hands folded neatly in her lap and she slipped into her trance. Moments passed before she replied, "Nothing."

"That's good enough for me, you're not going Bells," Harrison said.

"I have to. I know Jacob. He would never hurt me."

"He would never hurt you as a human, but you're not human anymore," Emmett pointed out.

"It doesn't matter."

"You are not going to that monster," Edward exclaimed as he walked into the room.

"Edward," I gasped running to him. I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him.

He wrapped his arms around my waist as he looked at everyone else. "Madison has left. She gives her love to you."

Esme sat down, her hands over her mouth. Rosalie was there to comfort her.

Of course Madison would not want to stay with what had happened. But I was not expecting her to leave now, not like that. However, we did not have the time to discuss this. I didn't want my families to be harmed because of me.

"I'll leave you all to mourn. Esme, Carlisle, I am terribly sorry for what I have caused."

Esme looked up, shaking her head. "None of that, my dear. You and Edward being together is obviously fate. I am just worried for Madison."

"As we all are," Iris said.

Micah cleared his throat, obviously more worried about my well being more than Madison's. "I as well am worried my daughter. The Volturi, will I'm afraid, show no mercy."

Edward was looking at me, his face unreadable. He turned to Micah. "I swear, Micah, nothing will happen to Bella."

Harrison was staring at us, his face filled with anger. "Harrison," I said softly.

"I'm sorry Bella. This is entirely Edward's fault. Seth left us, his family. My brother left me. He went to the Volturi. I still trust him. I'm not saying what he did was right going to them telling them about your abilities, but if Edward stayed faithful to Madison, none of this would happen."

"Harrison," Iris snapped.

I wanted to stop this conversation from escalating, but it was happening so fast, I wasn't sure how to.

"Hey pal, it takes two," Emmett growled.

"Don't blame Bella for this!" Jacey yelled. "Edward left her, twice! She tried to kill herself because of it. Edward should have just left her alone."

"Jacey," I whispered. "Stop."

"No, let her say what she thinks," Rosalie added. "Edward did the right thing by leaving Bella. She was not one of us and frankly her desire to be a vampire was sickening."

"Enough," Carlisle ordered. "I will not have this in my home."

"No one is asking any of you to stay and fight," Micah began. "I understand there is confrontation with the newest situation, and I apologize for my son's actions. You all have no idea how hurt and angered I am from his decision."

Iris rested her hands on his shoulders and rubbed them tenderly. The love they have for one another is break taking. She admired him so much after that speech.

"Unfortunately, I cannot speak for the rest of my family, but I will be there to help protect Bella," Carlisle stated.

"As will I," Esme nodded in agreement.

One by one, everyone promised their loyalty until it was down to only Rosalie not saying anything.

"Rose, babe?" Emmett wondered.

"Emmett, it's fine," I spoke, my voice kind. "I understand, Rosalie. I know when I was human all I wanted to be was a vampire, but it wasn't because I wanted immortality. I wanted Edward forever," I paused as I reached for his hand. "I wanted to be apart of your family forever.

Rosalie looked at me, her face as beautiful as ever. "I understood that, Bella. However my decision still stands."

We all watched as Rosalie walked out the front door.

"I can't let her leave alone," Emmett announced, feeling torn between Rosalie and the rest of his family.

"Of course not," Esme said. She cupped his face in her hands. "Go to her."

He nodded and then looked at Edward and I. "I am sorry." Edward didn't speak to him, but I smiled weakly. "You have nothing to apologize for."

I couldn't be hurt by their decisions. I just hoped I would see them again.

"I'm going to find Jacob," I announced.

"Bella, I won't allow it," Edward said holding on to me.

"I'm not asking for your permission."

He looked hurt by the statement, which immediately made me wish I would have chosen my words differently.

"Let her go," Micah said, feeling defeated.

I looked at him. "Thank you."

"Are you sure you know what you're doing?"

"I do." "Then that's good enough for me." "I cannot go with you," Edward reminded me.

"I'll be fine."

Harrison shook his head. "You're not going alone, Bells. Kaden and I will go with you."

Kaden looked at me in agreement. "Definitely."

"We're going to leave in twenty minutes," I announced. I looked at Edward. "Can we talk?"

"Of course."

The two of us walked outside, I walking in front of him. I turned around suddenly to face him. "Maybe I should turn myself in."

"What? No! That is not an option."

"Edward, I don't want our families to go through some horrible battle because of me."

He pulled me into his chest. "I will kill for you, my love."

"I know you would. But I don't want you to." I stepped back to face him. "I want you to take your family and leave."

"Even if I agreed to this, none of them would." He paused. "Listen to me. I just got you back. I'm not losing you again. Ever again. You are my world. And we will figure out what the Volturi want and we will make sure nothing happens- to anyone."

I didn't respond. I didn't know what to say to him. I knew I should have just left at that moment and presented myself to the Volturi.

"Promise me my love. Promise me you won't do something so wreckless and giving yourself to them."

"I promise."