Chapter 10: "Volterra"

Disclaimer: The proprietary elements of Breaking Dawn, including its original treatment and all of the characters, belong solely to Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended.

Bella's POV

"Everything's set," Emmett announced enthusiastically. "The pilot says we're good to go—we can blast off at first light. Well, actually he said something more like 'yes sir, please plan for an early morning departure,' but—yeah, it's all arranged. He was going to fly us out on the Boeing, but I pulled a few strings and negotiated for the Airbus 380. You can thank me later. It's awesome—do you think he'd care if I rode on the wing? Oh, and I believe I was supposed to remind you to call Jacob before we leave. Consider yourself reminded, 'cause I'm probably gonna forget later."

"Um, right. Thank you," I replied—a bit distracted, as I set my packed bags by the front door. I was 'thirsty' again—a sensation akin to actual hunger, only more pressing—and I hadn't been able to stop thinking about Jacob since he left. After he and Emmett had excused themselves to speak alone in the forest, Jacob had just disappeared without a word. No goodbye—nothing. Only a message to call him after the travel arrangements were made. I knew he was probably upset, but I couldn't worry about that now. I had to focus. "We should hunt tonight."

"For sure," Emmett agreed.

"Bella, I still think you should at least attempt to contact Edward and Carlisle. Let them know you're coming," Esme tried once more.

I shook my head. "I'm sorry, Esme," I said for what felt like the hundredth time tonight. "They're probably still in the air, anyway. It's better that we make connections with them when we arrive. Please try not to worry."

"Right!" Rosalie pounced like a loosed wildcat—claws out, heavy sarcasm. "We'll just sit here and twiddle our thumbs while you two go trotting off to Italy. I'm sure Edward's gonna be just peachy with all this, too. He won't mind one bit that we're letting his wife leap into the middle of this mess—as a newborn, no less. You realize, Emmett, that Edward will tear you to pieces, himself. The Volturi would probably have more compassion."

"Bring it," Emmett scoffed—exuding confidence. "I can handle Edward."

"But can so few of you handle the Volturi?" Esme asked in a quiet voice, looking down at her hands. "I-I can't lose any of you. Bella, won't you please reconsider? Give it another day or two. I'm sure we'll hear something soon."

"I can't, Esme. Please try to understand…this is something I have to do," I replied, as empathetically as I could. I knew she must be as worried about Carlisle and Alice as I was about Edward and Elizabeth. "Remember, Jasper's there, too. We'll be fine."

"Yeah. Those bad boys won't know what hit 'em!" Emmett's arrogance made his attempt at reassurance less consoling than he probably intended it to be.

Rosalie rolled her eyes. Esme, of course, wasn't comforted in the least.

A few hours later, after a brief hunting trip, Emmett loaded our bags into the Jeep, and I prepared myself mentally for the inevitability of coming face to face with a handful of innocent humans. I was more controlled than I'd expected to be as a newborn, it was true—the others had noticed, as well. But, was I being impetuous? I supposed I'd soon find out.

It was time to go.

"You both have your cell phones, wallets, passports?" Esme asked like a mother hen, encircling Emmett and I together in her arms. "Promise me you'll be careful. Please take care of each other. I love you both."

Rosalie, who was giving us the silent treatment—apparently angry at me for initiating this course of action and Emmett for helping me follow through with it—waited until the last possible second to embrace her mate. "I will never forgive you if you don't come home to me in one piece," she hissed in his ear. Then she whispered in a voice that was barely audible, even for vampires, "Love you, Em."

Less than twenty hours later, Emmett and I were approaching our final destination—without a single casualty. I'd been careful to stay as far away from humans as possible throughout the long journey, which was made even longer by my inability to sleep this time. But, thankfully, Emmett kept a vigilant watch, facilitating the trans-continental travel process with unexpected finesse. Few questions had been asked due to the last minute nature of the charter, and the pilot had no problem accommodating Emmett's unusual request that he remain in the cock-pit—with the door locked—for the duration of the flight. In fact, not a single member of the skeleton crew ever made reference to the curious circumstances under which my companion and I were travelling—not even when Emmett informed them, somewhat dismissively, that no beverage carts or food service of any kind would be required.

In truth, I don't know what I would have done without him onboard. Once, when we touched down to refuel, Emmett noticed my escalating 'unease' and suggested that we slip into a wooded area near the private airstrip's refueling station to hunt. He was, in every sense of the word now, my 'big brother.' My protector. Despite the fact that he was protecting me from myself, I was deeply touched. I don't remember a moment when I was ever alone on the journey—he was by my side at every turn. He literally held my hand as we crossed the VIP tarmac, ushering me swiftly past the servicemen on the grounds, to the waiting Jaguar he'd rented for the last leg of the trip. I owed him an enormous debt of gratitude for single-handedly smoothing what would have surely been a bumpy road had I attempted this on my own.

Just minutes from Volterra now, I realized I probably should have watched out the window as first the city of Florence and then the Tuscan landscape flashed past with blurring speed. But I was too tortured with anxiety to really see the hills or the walled towns that looked like medieval villages in the distance. And then a familiar sight came into view.

"There," I said abruptly, pointing to the castle city atop the closest hill.

Seeing it again, appreciating Volterra for what I knew it to be, I felt the hint of a familiar kind of fear. Every minute since Edward had left, there had only been one concern—that I would never see my husband and daughter again. And yet, now, as I stared at the ancient sienna walls and towers crowning the pinnacle of that steep tor, I felt another, more selfish kind of dread thrill through me. Whether or not I survived this, I would see them once more. I'd have a chance to say goodbye.

There was no question he'd be furious—if I knew Edward, he'd be certifiable once he realized what I'd come to do. But I also hoped that one day he'd come to understand why I'd done it, and maybe even find it in his heart to forgive me.

Almost there. Focus. I supposed the city was very beautiful. Focus. But it absolutely terrified me.

"Volterra," I announced in a flat, icy voice as we approached the city gate. "This is it."