Rosalie
Ugh. These gatherings of Aro's were such a waste of time. Still, he had guilted Carlisle into confirming that at least one member of our coven would be in attendance. I was the unlucky one chosen.
"This is asinine." I fumed, "I refuse. I was getting so close in Berlin, I could feel it. Please, Carlisle. Dressing up and going to kiss ass with Aro isn't going to get her back."
I felt a small gust of air. I turned, catching Edward's frustrated expression before he whisked himself up the stairs. I heard his door close softly. Turning back to Carlisle, I could see the same pain on his face. The same pain we all felt since that horrible day.
"We're all trying, Rosalie." He said softly, rubbing his eyes instinctively, "And I know we've gotten close. But Aro personally sent me the invitation. Edward outright refuses to go. He can barely function, let alone pacify Aro. Alice is having enough troubles with her visions, and Jasper wouldn't go without her. I need to go into work to keep up appearances, and Esme wouldn't feel right without me there."
I knew he was right, but I was still irrationally angry. Along with the rest of my family, I had traveled far and wide over the years, scouring the earth for Bella. I didn't want to interrupt my search for something so stupid, so trivial.
"Rosalie, please. You know the Volturi are powerful. Maybe something's changed, maybe they've heard or seen something. Vampires from around the world will be there. I can't think of a better opportunity to try to see if anyone's seen her." I paused, considering this. He was right, it was worth a try. Still, I wasn't looking forward to prancing around for the Volturi. Not at all.
As I stepped in front of the mirror in the hotel, I merely surveyed my appearance. There was a time that I would have savored this part: watching my hair immaculately placed, face perfect, dress divine. Now, I had different priorities, ones more important than my vanity.
"You look nice." The gruff voice from behind me made me smile. From anyone else, that would be an insult, but I knew Emmett's "nice" was someone else's "the epitome of beauty". My husband was one unique creature.
"Thank you. Are you ready to go?" I observed his black tux approvingly, glancing up and chuckling as I caught sight of his hair. He had tried to slick it back. I shook my head, "Wash that oil out, I want to see your curls." I smiled seductively and he rushed to the bathroom, most likely sticking his head in the faucet. I smoothly glided to answer the brief knock on our door.
"Hey. Ready to be tortured?" A clear, trilling voice asked. I smirked. I did enjoy Tanya's attempts at humor. She had agreed to tag along with us, representing the Denali coven. I had grown closer to her over the past few years. She'd accompanied me on several trips looking for Bella. I knew she still felt guilty over Bella running away; Jasper confirmed as much.
"Ready as I'll ever be." I murmured, watching as Emmett emerged from the bathroom, grinning widely, his curls free of the disgusting gunk. I took his offered arm and we departed for Aro's party.
We arrived within minutes, thanks to Aro's knack for picking locations near hotels. Not only was it a courtesy for his guests, but the hotels also provided a nice, flowing buffet of human chattel. I rolled my eyes at the thought of his ingenuity.
As we arrived in the ballroom, I immediately started scanning the crowd for Aro. Better to get the pleasantries over with so I could survey the guests, see if anyone knew anything. We found Aro almost immediately. His eyes practically lit up when he saw us. Creepy old vampire.
"Greetings, Aro." I said smoothly, a smile on my face. Emmett nodded from behind me, and Tanya echoed my greeting to my left. He chuckled before grasping mine and Tanya's hands in turn, leaving cold kisses on our wrists. I restrained my face from showing how repulsive the act was.
"Rosalie, Tanya. You both look lovely." Aro's crinkly face pulled into a smile. After we thanked him, I tried to pull him aside.
"I was wondering if you've heard anything…" I began. Aro brought a cool hand to my face.
"Rosalie, I'd rather business be dealt with on another night. Mingle. I'm sure you'll have a pleasant time." He smirked at me then, before retreating to another group. What was going on? Aro wasn't usually this annoyingly vague…
"No luck?" Emmett asked from behind me. I shook my head dejectedly. Tanya scoffed before her amber eyes widened slightly. I ignored her as I began to peruse the crowed.
I heard a muffled "Shit!" and turned to her, annoyed.
"What is it? See a past conquest?" I said, bitingly. I wasn't usually so rude to Tanya, but I was trying to concentrate. I reconsidered as I saw her expression. She looked shocked and almost… happy? She turned to me slowly, only saying one word.
"Bella."
I whipped around to look in the direction that she was gazing. I immediately became frustrated. Where? I didn't see her. If Tanya was fucking with me…
Oh. Oh.
I couldn't restrain the gasp that escaped from my lips. I hadn't even recognized her at first. She was gorgeous. So different from the fragile human I had treated so terribly. Her features were delicate and smooth, her figure painted in a dark blue gown. If she hadn't been brunette, I might have had to take a closer look to make sure it was really her.
All of the sudden, I felt slightly dazed. I had been anticipating finding Bella for years. I had had daydreams of rescuing her from a dark room, breaking her chains and returning her to Edward's waiting arms. Bringing her home to make him whole again. To make our family whole again.
I instinctively started towards her, when I noticed another vampire looking at me. James. Oh, revenge was sweet. He seemed to recognize me at once. He quickly turned to Bella, moving his lips so quickly I could barely tell he was speaking. He looked at me again, panic in his eyes as I drew closer. She turned, asking him something. She looked irritated. Good. Maybe she'll help me string him up.
I felt Emmett's hulking presence behind me. "Call Carlisle." I hissed over my back. I felt him retreat quickly. James looked absolutely petrified now as I purposefully stalked towards them.
I came up directly behind her and stood quietly. James was a mere two feet away. It took all the self-control I had not to gut him right there. I paused before speaking softly.
"Bella?" I asked, my voice purposefully soft and calming. Who knew what horrors James had inflicted on her over the years? I had to be careful, cautious. She turned around slowly, and I felt a wave of relief wash over me. It was her. She was here, she was beautiful, she was safe. And she was looking at me like I was an alien.
"Is it really you?" I said, attempting to draw her into speaking to me. I made eye contact with James, then. He flinched at the amount of hatred I must have exuded. Just you wait, mother fucker, that's just a preview. She seemed to recover from her surprise before taking a slow step away from me. Into his arms. What the hell?
"Hello, Rosalie." Even her voice was different. It was smoother, more refined. And it sounded tired. I struggled to find the right words. Bella was brainwashed, she had to be. I couldn't let her leave. I had to get her home.
"Where have you been? We've been searching." I pleaded, trying to focus only on her. She closed her eyes and wrinkled her forehead slightly when I mentioned "we". I noticed James flinch before tightening his arms around her. He slowly narrowed his eyes, sizing me up. I raised a lone eyebrow, unimpressed.
"I- I know…" She stuttered. I almost cried in relief. So there was still a part of Bella the girl that lived on. How poetic that it had to be her awkwardness. I decided to try a different tactic.
"Bella, please. I've been looking for so long. We all miss you so much. Why have you been running?" I noticed she flinched again when I mentioned "we". Alright, so safe to say that Edward was a sensitive subject. Better to stick to the heartstrings I knew I could manipulate, "Alice has been inconsolable. Carlisle and Esme are miserable."
A frown appeared on her fair face and she looked down. If she had been human, tears would have been silently tracking down her cheeks.
"I'm sorry." She murmured softly, before raising her eyes to meet mine. I examined the color with disdain. Contacts. Does that mean she hunts? He has her hunting humans? Oh, Bella…
My heart began to ache with pity for her. What had she gone through? I slowly reached for her arm, but James yanked her back with a growl. She looked surprised, her eyes wide as he shoved her behind him, baring his teeth at me. I bit back a snarl, beginning to crouch into an attack.
I felt a soothing hand touch my back, urging me upright again. I shook off the momentary rage and allowed Emmett's large hands to guide me closer to James, and behind him, Bella.
Bella peeked around James, muttering something I couldn't hear before walking around him. He watched her with alarm, eyeing every vampire in the vicinity as if they were a threat. She slowly moved to Emmett, glancing at him with no expression on her face. Then, she launched into his arms. He laughed suddenly, a loud guffaw as he wound his arms around her waist, spinning her. Confused but pleased, I watched with a smile. Maybe Emmett could convince her better than I could.
I slowly approached James as he watched, Bella began talking to Emmett at a rapid pace. He looked tense, ready to spring. I paused, only inches away from him.
"You couldn't have thought you'd keep her forever." I said, glaring at him.
"She is mine." His voice was low and rough. I could recognize the trace of cockiness that I remembered, but also something else. Fear.
"Not anymore." I said, "And when she realizes how much you've stolen from her, she'll be the first one volunteering to set you aflame." I leaned in, exposing my pristine white teeth, "And I'll be second in line."
Emmett
"Should I…?" Tanya drifted off, nodding towards Rose barreling towards James and Bella. I shook my head no before taking off after my wife. The last thing we should do is cause a scene here, in front of everyone. But we had to get Bella out. Shit, shit, shit. The little human turned vampire was here- the one we'd been looking for. Rose instantly recognized my presence and told me to call Carlisle, not even breaking her stride.
I sighed, hoping she would have enough sense not to decapitate James on the spot. I briskly walked to the exterior door of the ballroom, dialing Carlisle's cell number. He answered on the first ring.
"Carlisle?" I asked, trepidation already in my tone. How was I going to handle this?
"Emmett, what's going on? Alice said she couldn't see you or the girls anymore, what's the matter?" Fuck, I hadn't thought of Alice's visions. They'd been so unreliable lately, I'd almost started to discount them.
"Um, who's there with you?" No way could Edward overhear this. He'd probably try to run here.
"Everyone." He replied, sounding puzzled.
"Could you please go outside for a moment? I have an, er, private issue I'd like to talk to you about."
"…Alright, just a moment." I heard Carlisle murmur apologies. Ten seconds passed.
"Can they hear you?"
"No. Now what's going on?"
"Bella's here."
"Oh, God, in Italy? You saw her?"
"No, here here, as in at the ball." I grasped the back of my neck, stressed, "…with James."
Carlisle heaved a ragged sigh, "Is she alright?"
I shrugged even though he couldn't see the gesture, "She looks fine. Perfect. But she's with him, and she doesn't exactly look unhappy about it…"
"I see." Carlisle said, his voice heavy, "This will take some delicacy, then. If Bella's become attached to James, we're going to have to be subtle and not scare her off. She'll just run to him if we smother her."
"Rose is talking to them now."
"Go check on them. Try to keep her there, keep her talking. At the least, find out where she's staying, and ask if she plans on staying there." He spoke so quickly a human would've heard a hum.
"Carlisle, what about Edward? I know if he finds out nothing will stop him from coming here, but that might just make her run."
"I agree. I'm going to have Alice and Jasper fly over there tomorrow to help you and Rosalie. I think it would be prudent for Tanya to fly home, though. Under the circumstances, I don't want to risk Bella meeting her and getting the wrong impression."
"How will you keep this from Edward?" I asked.
"We probably won't be able to for long." Carlisle said, his voice grim, "But I'll tell Alice and Jasper that you called because of something at the Volturi ball. They'll find out the truth from you when they arrive. For the time being, I'll keep the truth from Edward and Esme… Ah, Edward's coming out, watch what you say."
"Oh…" I heard a muffled exchange before Carlisle got back on the line, "Emmett? Edward wishes to speak with you. I'll tell Alice and Jasper to pack immediately to assist you."
"Hello." I almost squeaked. How was I going to keep this from him? Oh, fuck, he can't read my thoughts over the phone, can he?
"Emmett, what's going on?" My brother's voice was hard and rough from lack of use. He rarely talked to anyone anymore except about traveling or theories about Bella. His entire vocabulary mostly consisted of yes, no, and grunts.
"We have a small issue here. We're not in any danger, but Carlisle thinks Jazz and Alice would be able to smooth things over." I lied smoothly, feeling a pang of guilt. But I had to; if Edward knew the truth, he would fly over here and pull Bella back by her hair if he had to. And I didn't want him to have to see the love of his life in another man's arms. I winced picturing having to see Rose in such a way.
"And you can't tell me anything else?" He sounded skeptical.
"Nope." I popped the "P", hoping he'd get bored with the conversation and go back to brooding.
"Alright. Good luck with whatever it is you're doing." The line went dead. I breathed an unnecessary sigh of relief before making a beeline towards where Rose, James and Bella stood. I groaned as I saw James shove Bella behind him, snarling at my wife. I chuckled darkly, almost wanting to let him get a taste of her vengeance. Luckily, my conscience kicked in and I reached her in time, gently calming her and pulling her upright.
I smiled as I saw Bella peek out from behind James. I couldn't help it. I barely knew her, but finding her when we least expected it was such an amazing find. I tilted my head to the side as she walked around James, ignoring his pleading eyes. She suddenly catapulted into my arms. I laughed loudly and boisterously, spinning slightly as I held her tight. This girl who has done so much for my family.
She leaned back a bit, seeming embarrassed, "I don't usually do that, I just… I don't know." She shrugged, a smile on her lips, "I haven't seen you in so long."
I smiled back, tugging lightly on the end of one of her brunette locks, "Mutual, kiddo." I could tell she was already much more comfortable around me than she was around Rose. I smugly looked over in her direction to gloat, but she was busy whispering threats to James. I'd have to take my turn later. I turned back to Bella and saw she was glancing in the same direction as me, frowning.
"Are you okay?" I asked. She looked back at me, seeming surprised. She looked like she struggled to find an answer.
"Yes." She said, smiling slightly, "I'm alright."
"Tell me more about you. What have you been doing for so long?"
"Mostly avoiding your family." She said quietly. I groaned.
"Bella, we need to have a long talk." She nodded.
"Do you live around here?" I asked. She nodded again, looking apprehensive.
"We live in an apartment about three blocks away." We. Shit. She's more attached than I thought. This wouldn't be easy.
"I know seeing us is a lot to handle, but can we please come see you tomorrow? Or meet you somewhere?" I turned on the Cullen charm, practically begging. She bit her lip before her eyes flashed with a sort of resolution.
"Yes, okay." I held out my arm and a pen. She quickly scribbled her cell phone number on my skin before turning away. I caught her arm gently.
"Bella? Please... still be around tomorrow. You owe us that much."
She sighed, somber. "I know. I'll see you tomorrow." She walked away and extended her hand to James, who snatched it. I could tell it was killing Rosalie not to take Bella with us then and there. Bella turned and waved goodbye before James put his other arm around her waist, ushering her out of the ballroom.
"So? Do we have a plan?" Rose asked, her eyes dancing with life and excitement. I shrugged.
"Not yet. We'll have to make one as we go." She smiled eagerly before rushing over to Tanya to update her on what had transpired. I looked up towards Aro's high ceilings.
The search is over.