Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight.

All plotlines, characterizations, and details in Eternally Intertwined 2.0: Blood Ties belong to the author: Bronzehyperion. No copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without the author's authorization. ©2011-2013 Bronzehyperion. All rights reserved worldwide.

This is the sequel to Eternally Intertwined. I advise you to read/skim over it before you read this because otherwise most won't make sense.

This story wouldn't be the same without my BETA Litmom.

What happened previously:

"Let me take her place," I tried again. "I can read anyone's thoughts. And unlike you, with all due respect, I don't have to touch them first to do so," I pointed out.

Aro remained quiet, watching me, contemplating my words.

"You would make a nice addition to my guard," he then murmured.

It would be worth it, to go to Volterra in Bella's place. I knew I would never make it out of there alive, but as long as she was safe, it was a small price to pay.

"Then we have a deal?"

CHAPTER 10: THIRST

BELLA

Sun.

He had promised me lots and lots of sun. But it had been days and I was still stuck in this prison of brick walls. They kept out all the light.

Apparently, this was for my own good because I wasn't able to handle the sun right now. It would be too painful.

I snorted. This wasn't some random vampire movie. A ray of sun wouldn't hurt me or turn me into ashes. But for whatever reason, I was not allowed outside.

I was trapped.

EDWARD

Thirsty.

I was so incredibly thirsty. My tongue was dry and my gums ached. They ached to sink teeth into something.

Someone.

I imagined how my razor sharp teeth pierced rough delicate supple ivory skin, releasing that thick, sweet smelling...

STOP! I chastised myself.

I was going mad with thirst and I kept seeing her everywhere.

Bella.

My Bella.

As the days passed the rational part of my brain, the part that registered she was in danger, was overruled by desperation, the need to hunt.

I couldn't escape the thirst licking at my throat.

I needed to feed.

But I couldn't. Because I was not allowed outside.

I was trapped.

ALICE

I knew my brother was suffering. I could feel it growing with every vision of him that hit me.

And there were a lot of them.

Perhaps it was this place - Volterra; so full of history, but at the same time so mysterious, that provoked the images. A future that kept changing.

Maybe it was me and my connection to Edward. I knew telepathy existed. Both of us were sort of proof of that with our gifts.

Perhaps Jasper was right. He was convinced that Aro had done something to me when we touched hands back in Forks. Jazz believed Aro was responsible for this new abundance of visions.

He didn't understand the process, though. I was used to the images. The silent movie scenes that shifted and twisted with every decision people made.

And right now, there were a lot of decisions. Almost too many to keep up with.

My phone buzzed and without looking at the display, I handed it to Jazz. He would have to deal with the family today, because I couldn't bring them another day of disappointment.

Flashback.

"Edward, if you want to make a deal, I need to know you are not playing games. I need to know I can trust you," Aro pointed out. "I'm afraid that right now, given the fact you just tried to attack me twice, it's obvious I simply can't.

So, you'll need to prove yourself in order for me to believe you."

Edward frowned. He had not been expecting this. He'd expected a handshake and an easy trade. His life for Bella's.

But Aro was far too cunning to accept something like that so easily.

"What do you want me to do?" Edward asked coolly, his jaw clenched.

He already knew, since he knew how to read Aro's mind.

"You and Isabella will both come to Volterra."

They'd been here for 20 days.

After Edward had reluctantly agreed to come to Volterra, my brother had foolishly hoped to be reunited with Bella in Forks.

But Aro had other plans. He had told his guards – Jane and Alec - that they would have to accompany Bella to Italy, while he travelled separately with Edward.

Carlisle had wanted to go as well, hoping he could reason with the coven he had once belonged to. But Esme put her foot down on that plan. She was too worried he would not return. Carlisle was torn, not wanting to abandon his son and Bella, whom he had come to see as a daughter.

But finally after a lot of coaxing and my idea to travel in his place – with Jasper by my side of course, Carlisle had relented.

"Carlisle still wants to come here."

I looked up, finding Jasper looking at me intently. He was the one who usually sensed other people's emotions so perfectly, but I could feel his own anxiety now. It was rolling off him in waves

He was used to fighting, to wars and battles. He hated waiting and not doing anything.

"He can't, Esme won't let him," I sighed. "Nor will I."

"Emmett wants to be here as well," Jasper pointed out. "Rose doesn't care much."

Same story every day since we had been here.

"It's us. Just us. The others have to stay in Forks," I murmured. "They know that."

"Allie...we can't stay holed up in here forever and we need strength in numbers if we want to take on the Volturi."

Same argument, every day as well. I knew how hard it was for him.

"We won't. The St. Marcus Festival is in two days. We should be able to blend in easier then, with all the crowds in the streets. If we show ourselves now, the Volturi guard will bring us in."

"They will bring us in anyway," Jasper pointed out.

"Probably yes, but at least we still have time to form a plan," I pointed out.

Jasper signed. "Fine. Any new visions? What's the last thing you saw?"

My turn to sigh.

"I already told you. I see Edward in a room and he is in bad shape. He's very thirsty. It's not much different from the things I saw before, although his thirst is obviously growing stronger."

I could almost feel my brother's agony. The venom pooling in his mouth. The fight to stay good.

He was slowly losing his mind.

"So they captured him? He can't feed?"

I shook my head. "No, he refuses to feed."

"And Bella?"

"She's harder to locate. I don't know if it's this place, like I am on a different wavelength, but for some reason I can't pick up on her very well, except a few snippets here and there."

"But you are certain she is still alive?"

A deep breath. Alive wouldn't be my choice of words.

"Well, I know she's not dead."

EDWARD

The girl was pretty. I could see that. Pale blue eyes, blonde curly hair. An angelic face.

She was probably not a day over fourteen.

And while her eyes showed fear, her thoughts, despite being slightly scattered, betrayed her interest in me.

"Yes, he is quite attractive, isn't he?" Aro chuckled. Of course, he could read her mind too because he was holding her hand.

The girl looked at him, her lip trembling. Her heart pounded against her chest, an unsteady rhythm.

His mouth curled into a knowing grin. "Look at you, so young and beautiful. It's alright my dear, don't be afraid. No harm will come to you."

The girl whimpered and struggled against his grip.

"Now, now, please behave. I don't want to hurt you."

He turned to me. "I know she isn't quite as stunning as your Isabella, but she is lovely, don't you think?"

"She's a child," I spat. "How could you do this to a child?"

Or anyone.

"The innocence of a child often provides the best quality of blood, Edward," Aro chastised me. "I know Carlisle has raised you differently and that you only strayed for a little while, slaying murderers and petty criminals, but I can assure you that once you taste the blood of this innocent young girl, you will finally understand the true joy of immortality…"

He looked at me and waited.

"Surely you must be able to smell her. Just give in, you know you want to," Aro coaxed.

She wasn't the first he'd brought into this chamber. Since he had started to hold me captive, he had offered me girls. Young girls.

He wanted to entice me, hoping that my growing thirst would break me. Until now, I'd managed to hold on, but I had to admit that hearing their blood pump, smelling their fear and the sweet fragrance,burned me like hot pokers being shoved down my throat.

This time was no different.

"It's alright to want her, Edward. It's your nature," Aro encouraged, as he approached me, gliding along the oak wooden floor, dragging the girl with him.

"I don't want her." My words sounded monotone.

Aro sighed in exasperation.

"That's a shame. I put all this effort in trying to accommodate your needs, but you keep spitting me in the face."

"Oh well," he shrugged, before grabbing the girl tightly and licking the pulsing point right underneath her ear.

"Last chance, Edward," he hissed against her skin.

I looked away, knowing what would happen next.

The young girl's screamed pierced through me, as he sank his teeth in her neck.

All too soon her protests weakened, her heart slowed and then, after less than a minute, everything stopped.

Aro dropped the girl's drained and lifeless body to the floor and wiped his mouth with a handkerchief.

I closed my eyes, desperate to lose the image. The girl's dead eyes on top of all the other death stares that haunted me.

"Edward, why torture yourself like this?"

Why, indeed.

"You won't be able to be this stubborn forever, you know. You will give up eventually. With every day that passes you will grow weaker, thirstier. You can't starve yourself permanently."

"I can," I muttered.

"But what would be the point? So you can pretend to still be the Edward from before? Isabella's Edward? That's just ridiculous. And rather pointless, seeing as the weaker you become, the easier it'll be for me to kill you. Of course, I don't want to have to go that far. It would be such a waste of your talents."

I opened my eyes and found him on the opposite side of the room. He sat down in the wooden chair, legs crossed. Eyes on me.

"Where is she?" I croaked.

I had asked this question before. He had yet to answer me though.

"Oh, Edward. You really ought to stop worrying about Isabella and have faith that she is in good hands. Instead, you should focus on yourself, because I must say, you're not looking too well."

"We had a deal," I pointed out. My voice sounded weak, pathetic.

What a hero I was. Bella was probably dead and I wasn't far behind. All my bravura for nothing.

And if Bella was dead, there would be no point in living. Aro killing me would be a mercy kill then.

"We HAVE a deal," Aro said. "I have no intention of going back on my word. But in order for you to join my guard, I do need you to have your strength.

And since you refuse to feed on actual human blood instead of the vulgar animal kind, it would appear to me that it is YOU who's not keeping to his end of the agreement, wouldn't you say?"

I took a deep breath. Tired of fighting him.

Defeated.

"I want to see her. I have to know she is alright. Then I'll drain whatever human you bring in here."

Aro's eyes lit up at my words. He clapped his hands together in glee, grinning.

"Now we're talking."

BELLA

"She's still not eating."

I wasn't. The idea of food made me extremely nauseous.

"I wonder how long until she stops drinking."

I wasn't that thirsty either. Sure, my throat was dry and felt like sandpaper. But the queasiness made it difficult to keep anything down.

"We can't keep bringing full trays of food back to the kitchen. Master won't like it."

I listened to the voices, which belonged to a man and a woman. They were always at the door, so I figured they were part of Aro's guard.

A guard I was supposed to become a part of, as well.

"It doesn't matter. She can starve herself, but she won't escape her destiny."

Destiny? What destiny? Was it this; being stuck in the room without windows? If so, I'd rather starve myself and die.

Of course, the alternative wasn't that great either. I didn't want to be a Volturi guard. Not if it turned me into what these people had become.

Monsters.

Of course, all of it was better than to risk Edward's life.

Edward. As soon as his name popped into my head, I tried to shake it off. Forget him.

I took a deep breath and willed my emotions to stay in check. Thinking about him hurt too much. Like there was a hole being punched in my chest over and over.

"He's not doing much better from what I understand. Heard he's starving himself, as well."

This piqued my interest, thoughts of Ed…him momentarily forgotten.

They were talking about the man again. I didn't know his name. I just knew he was captured like me. Trapped in a stone cold windowless room.

I wondered if he would starve himself to the end as well.

In a way, thinking I had a fellow sufferer, brought comfort.

Misery loved company after all, even if I had no idea who this person was and why the Volturi were torturing him.

"Well, if she doesn't start eating soon, we might as well kill her. This is starting to become a waste."

"Tell me about it."

"Enough!"

A third voice. Jane.

"Master doesn't want you to stand around and gossip. Besides, his orders are clear: there will be no killing the girl."

"Too bad", the male muttered.

Too bad indeed. That would make things so much simpler.

"AAHHH!"

I was startled by the piercing scream, the sound echoing against the walls outside the room.

The wailing continued for at least half a minute, until the female guard intervened, her voice pleading.

"Jane, stop. Please!"

It seemed Jane had used her mental power of pain on the male vampire.

"I would like for you to keep your snarky comments to yourself, Santiago. Do you understand?"

"Jane, he meant nothing by it."

The screaming stopped.

"I am not in the mood for games, Renata," I heard Jane hiss. "Now, has the girl eaten?"

"No," the one called Santiago answered, his voice hoarse.

"That's almost four full days now."

After I had first arrived here, I had tried to pretend. I had eaten the perfectly prepared food. I had said thank you. I had been polite.

The room I stayed in was beautiful, although the golden bedframe and thick velvet curtains were a bit much for my taste.

But I had accepted it all, still hopeful that maybe; somehow I would be able to escape this nightmare.

I had been so naïve. And that had been made perfectly clear to me four days ago when I'd been summoned by Aro.

But not just him.

Flashback

In the room, which was more like a grand ball room, were two others. Vampires who looked exactly like him.

His brothers. Caius and Marcus. Although I was pretty sure they weren't technically brothers but that's how Aro introduced him. They had been away on business – whatever that meant, so I hadn't met them before.

Marcus seemed nice enough. A vampire of little words, who had nodded at me, before going back to looking very bored.

Caius, however, he was different. I sensed that before he had glided down from his throne to me. Before he took my hand in his to kiss it, which was beyond gross and gave me chills.

He looked me over from head to toe. Scrutinizing me for a few excruciating moments until he turned around and voiced his approval to Aro.

"She is as magnificent as you described her, brother," he praised.

I watched the gleeful smile on Aro's face in horror.

"Wait until you see her in action."

"Oh, I look forward to seeing her in action," Caius grinned, looking back at me with a sinister grin on his face.

That's when it had hit me.

I wasn't just here because of the promise I'd made to Aro. I wasn't just going to be a guard for them.

I was supposed to be much more, particularly to Aro's brother.

He wanted me as his mate, which was too disturbing and disgusting to even comprehend.

Whatever hope I had before, it disappeared right there and then. And so, after a little over two weeks in Volterra, far away from Charlie, Edward, the other Cullens and everyone else in Forks I loved or cared about, the nightmare had become my reality.

And so, I did the only thing I could do. I'd stopped eating.

Four days ago.

Slowly, I was starting to feel the effects. My body was starting to protest. I took sips of water to keep myself hydrated, but I knew that if I truly wanted to starve myself to death, I would have to stop doing that, too.

Death. In a way I longed for it. Just so I could escape this nightmare. Just to stick it to these monsters who wanted me as their shiny new toy.

I got pulled from my musings when a door opened.

Jane.

I was a little surprised to find her in the doorway, seeing as I hadn't seen her since we had arrived here.

She looked resigned, bored even. I was certain she was looking forward to the moment I would succumb because to her I was a huge waste of space.

"I heard you're not eating," she said, stating the obvious.

I didn't say a word.

"You know, it doesn't matter what you do. You can try and starve yourself, but you won't die, if that's your plan. Master, for whatever reason, wants you on his guard. And he always gets his way…

…so this plan of yours, which is foolish and typically human by the way, it's not going to work. Your death won't come, not in the way you expect it," she promised me.

Her lips curled into a mocking smile as she moved closer to me. "Silly girl. You think you can outsmart us. You're so stupid. Do you honestly think you are the first one to be brought here? To try this?"

She shook her head, laughing. "Like I said, Aro always gets his way. You would do well to remember that."

EDWARD

Aro had won. I had agreed to give up and drink human blood. IF he let me see Bella first.

I would take her place in his guard, as soon as I knew she was alright.

And then, once I was strong enough, I would make sure she got out of here. No matter what.

I knew it was dangerous and that I was putting faith in a man I couldn't really trust. But I had no choice.

Now I had to wait. Wait for Aro to take the bait. It all boiled down to what he wanted more. Me on his guard, or Bella.

Time was running out, though. My thirst was becoming unbearable. I could still smell the blood of the girl he had brought in here earlier and it was driving me mad.

I rested my head against the concrete wall and closed my eyes. I tried to compartmentalize, and focused on the feeling of the cold stone against my cold dead skin.

But the desire, the need for blood, burned too strong and soon all my thoughts were overridden by blood again.

Blood. Blood. Thick, rich blood. Bella's blood. My teeth, her neck.

Blood.

I would get some soon. If Aro kept his word.

I could almost taste it on my tongue - the thick, rich stickiness after I'd sink my teeth through supple skin.

Aro was right. It would be so much better than the stale, off-putting taste of deer, elk, or even mountain lion.

How easily you forget what Carlisle has taught you, I chastised myself.

It was true. I could pretend that it was the thirst that was driving me mad after going without feeding for days. But the more Aro confronted me with my nature, the more tempting it became to give in.

And if I was never going to see Bella again, just to keep her safe, then what would be the point to keep pretending I was someone good?

BELLA

Five days. Almost six. The sun was rising and setting, life went on.

It was morning. I knew that thanks to the large oak clock at the far end of the room.

More days had passed and I was getting worse. I struggled to sit up, but the wooziness hit me and I sank back against the fluffy white pillows of the bed.

A shaky hand reached out to the nightstand, where a half glass of water stood with a straw.

Thirst.

I had tried not to drink, to starve myself completely. But it had proven to be very difficult. My body screamed for water.

Rejecting food was easier. My stomach was getting used to being empty aside from the small sips of water my body asked for. It was all I was able to keep down now.

They still brought me food, although I never touched it. I knew that my plan was considered foolish and that Aro certainly had the means to stop me from dying. But I refused to make it easy for them.

They no longer talked about the other captive. The man. I wondered if he had died, and shuddered at the thought.

Had he succumbed on his own, or had they killed him?

Despite feeling faint and weak I managed to suck on the straw, forcing the water down. It felt cool and soothing in my throat.

After a few sips, I placed the glass back on the nightstand. My hand dropped, feeling as if I had done some extremely heavy lifting. Like I'd run a marathon without even moving my legs.

Was this what dying felt like? The weakness, the rapid irregular pounding of my heart, working overtime to keep my body going.

I knew that this wouldn't last much longer. A few days, possibly a week. Soon my organs would start to shut down and once that happened, I'd reach the point of no return.

But would Aro let that happen? Jane didn't think so, but perhaps he had gotten bored with me and maybe he had decided I wasn't worth the trouble anymore.

I could only hope so.

ALICE

St. Marcus Day Festival. Masks and disguises everywhere.

Jasper held my hand in a tight grip. We blended in with our masks, but I was certain a few of Aro's men were on the lookout, especially near his palace.

But today was the day. The day everything would change.

I knew the story now and how it would end. It was bad. Very bad.

Aro had orchestrated this perfectly. He had let both Bella and my brother starve. He had made them weak, by letting them think they were strong by defying him.

They should have fed. Both of them. Now their bodies were on the brink of giving up. And we needed them to fight.

I had to find Edward first, knowing he was the key to all this. If he made the decision I had seen him make, then all bets were off.

But if I could stop him, then maybe, just maybe, we stood a chance.

"These people are clueless," Jasper muttered as he sensed the crowd. "They have no idea of the monsters that live among them."

Of course they didn't know, that's why the Volturi had chosen this place. Great climate, beautiful architecture, and free meals all the time.

It was like a luxury vacation for vampires every day.

"Do you see any guards?" I asked.

"Not sure. There are too many cloaks here. I think most are human, but I am sure there may be a few wolves hiding in sheep's clothing."

I chuckled dryly at the irony. "Not actual wolves."

Jasper rolled his eyes at me.

"I think there is an entrance at the bell tower. I saw it in one of my visions," I said, halting Jasper and pointing at the old clock looming in front of us "We better hurry if we want to make it in time."

"Noon," Jasper murmured.

Noon. About 30 minutes to go before disaster would strike.

EDWARD

There was some sort of commotion. Usually, things were silent and quite serene in the palace, but today, there was excitement.

St. Marcus Day Festival.

I read it in minds and heard it in whispers. While my body was impaired from the lack of feeding, my mind still managed to pick up on plenty of thoughts.

Right now, I was picking up on a very amused Alec and a mean, calculating Jane.

"Get up," the boy hissed. He reached out and grabbed my arm forcing me to stand.

I could have protested, but I was too weak. It had been two days since I had told Aro I was ready to feed. After I saw Bella. I had waited and almost given up on him.

But perhaps this was it.

"Where are we going?" I asked. I tried to stand still but my legs were wobbly.

"Just walk," Jane sighed, resigned. She grabbed my free arm and pulled me along.

"My, my you must be thirsty," the boy chuckled. He enjoyed taunting me.

He wasn't wrong. I WAS thirsty. My body was screaming for blood.

But I had to see Bella first. I had to know she was doing alright. I had to make sure that Aro had kept his end of our deal. He brought her here, but he was going to put her on a plane back to the US before I would join his guard and toss aside the human pretense I had built.

"His girl must be thirsty too," Alec muttered, which caused me to halt and face him.

"What did you say?"

Alec shrugged and grinned. "Nothing. Nothing to worry about at all," he chuckled.

I wanted to hit him. No, I wanted to do more. I wanted to rip his face off.

"What has happened to Bella?" I demanded. Jane grabbed my arm and forced me to start walking again, but I found the strength to pull away, which earned me a glare from her.

"Careful, Edward," she spat my name. "You wouldn't like to see me angry."

Her threat wasn't idle. Jane's threats never were. I knew what she was capable of.

"Where is Bella?" I asked again. "I won't go anywhere with you until you tell me or take me to her. Aro knows that's what I want."

Alec snorted. Clearly this situation was highly amusing to him. "Somehow, I don't think you are in the position to negotiate."

"Shut up, Alec," Jane warned. "Look, Edward, we are taking you to Aro now and he will decide when you get to see…Bella. So let's just walk."

I had no time to go against her because Alec grabbed my other arm and started dragging me. Between the two of them, there was no way for me to fight it and so I allowed them to guide me to a large ball room.

In the middle were three thrones. Carlisle told me that the Volturi had a rather ostentatious taste in things and it showed.

This was grand and over the top.

"Edward, how wonderful of you to join us," Aro said. "Marcus, Caius, this is Carlisle's boy," he explained as he gestured at me.

"What is he doing here?" The one with the blonde hair hissed. "I thought you said Jane and Alec were getting Isabella."

I hated the way his tongue curled around her name and pushed down a sudden anger when I realized why he was smiling like that.

He was intrigued by her. By MY Bella.

"Don't!" I hissed, as I inched closer. "She is mine."

Aro grinned at the display. "See? Fascinating, isn't it. He can read anyone's mind. Well, except for Isabella's."

"The girl is special," the one named Caius agreed. He flashed me a big grin as he gauged my reaction.

She will make for an excellent mate, he thought tauntingly.

I wanted to kill him but I was flanked by guards, so even if I tried, I would be stopped before I could reach him.

"Indeed she is. Speaking of…"

I sensed her before she entered the room. I smelled her. After weeks of not being close to Bella, I was desensitized and the venom pooled in my mouth instantly.

"Appetizing, isn't she?" Aro mused, as if he could read my thoughts. "You can smell her, can't you?"

I could and it made me very thirsty.

BELLA

Walking was difficult and it took me a lot of effort to stay upright as Demetri pulled me along the long corridor. I was dizzy from the movement, ready to faint at any moment.

But there was also a strange sense of déjà vu, like I had been here before. That made me feel even more uncomfortable because, while I knew this was absurd – I had never even left the country before all this - the feeling remained.

I struggled as Demetri kept up his pace, feeling like I was going to pass out.

Everything became blurry and for a moment I was certain my legs were going to give out.

"Please…" I begged. "Can we just stop? For a moment?"

Demetri, who had not looked at me until now, halted. His grip remained but he did listen to me.

"You better stay with me. Stay conscious," he warned. "Aro is expecting you."

I nodded as I focused on breathing in and out. The dizziness remained but my vision cleared up a little..

"Yes?" Demetri urged. "Can we walk?"

I nodded and he gripped my arm a little tighter before he continued along the corridor.

It felt like ages until the narrow hallway suddenly opened up into some kind of lobby, which looked like a central space connecting several rooms.

Demetri purposely pulled me towards one of the doors furthest away and into a large spacious room.

For a moment I was distracted by the splendor of the colored glass windows and the beautifully carved wooden beams. The sun filtered in and I wanted to bask in it.

It had been too long.

"Isabella! How wonderful you have come to celebrate with us."

I forced myself to look at him. The blonde one. Caius.

The way he spoke my name and his enthusiasm were frightening.

Next to him was Marcus, who looked as bored as ever.

In my periphery I noticed Aro, Jane and Alec. Plus Felix. They were shielding someone else.

Aro grinned at me, before moving out of the way, providing a good view of who this was.

My heart jumped in my throat when I caught sight of him.

It couldn't be.…he couldn't be here. He was supposed to be far, far away from here. In Forks, where he was safe.

"Edward," I whispered.

EDWARD

Her name pierced straight through my dead heart and I half expected it to start beating again.

I peeked over Felix' shoulder, taking her in.

Bella looked terrible. And I fucking hated myself for feeling so thirsty just by looking at her. I wanted to go to her, but Felix's grip was tight.

Perhaps that was a good thing though, because I was practically salivating at the sight of Bella. I was completely desensitized and wanted her. In many wicked ways.

"Edward, as you can see, Isabella is doing fine," Aro spoke. I didn't know if he was being ironic. "Now, I believe we had a deal."

"The deal is that you let her go." I pointed out in a hiss. "I am going to stay here in her place."

Aro sighed. "If only that were possible, but I am afraid, it isn't. She is simply too valuable. So I can't let her go."

"You promised!" I yelled, the sound making Bella cringe.

"I did no such thing, my friend. You only assumed. Now, will you keep to your end of the deal or will this get ugly?"

"Edward, please," I heard Bella whisper. Her plea gutted me. She was worried about my safety, while she was the one in danger.

"You saw her and now you will drink," Aro demanded. He grabbed Bella and dragged her over to me.

He did the exact same thing as he had done with the young girl a few days ago. He licked the skin underneath Bella's ear and then sunk his teeth in, just a little.

Bella gasped. Aro grinned as he offered her to me.

"So drink!"

So now Bella and Edward need to make it out of Volterra alive. Well...in a way. One more update coming.

As always, thank you for reading, reviewing, taking the time to share your thoughts. I appreciate it :)

Note: I have been criticized before for announcing flashbacks. But with the limited ways FFn offers to distinguish paragraphs, I prefer to do it this way. Sorry if it bugs.