The plane had landed in Florence, and Bella was nearly jumping with impatience. Millie placed a hand on her shoulder in an effort to calm her down.
"Calm down," she said firmly as they left the gates. It was the morning and the sun was out which posed a problem. "What do we do now?" She asked, her question directed toward Alice.
"Neither of you are opposed to grand theft auto, are you?" She asked lightly, and Bella's mouth fell open in shock and Millie shook her head ruefully.
"No, but how the hell do we get out of here without exposing ourselves in the sunlight?"
Alice smiled. "I'll sneak out and bring our ride around to the front. Stay underneath the arches of the front of the airport. It will provide you with cover and it won't be a problem for me to pull up right to you."
"Okay." Millie supposed she had to trust her, and Alice nodded before turning on her heel and walking off in the opposite direction.
"Come on Bella, let's get to the front while we await our ride."
Bella was running her hands through her hair wildly. "Grand theft auto?" She hissed quietly. "What was Alice thinking? We could get a record!"
Millie chuckled softly. "Not much of a concern when you're a vampire, don't worry about it."
"What's taking so long?" Bella huffed, and Millie sighed. "Breathe. Just breathe okay?" She said as a snazzy yellow Porsche pulled up in front of them. The passenger window rolled down revealing Alice.
"What the hell Alice?" Millie asked, stunned. They were supposed to be inconspicuous! Alice rolled her eyes, but there was a grin tugging at her lips. "Never mind that. I got us a ride, get in."
Bella walked up to the passenger door and pulled it open. Millie flew past her into the backseat and Bella sat up front next to Alice.
"I do happen to like the car for the record," Alice said as she weaved through the airport traffic. "But I was looking for something with speed and it doesn't get any better than a Porsche."
It certainly was quick and comfortable, with a luxurious interior with fine black leather seats, a gps system, and tinted windows.
"Bella, type Volterra into the navigation system," Millie ordered and Bella began to fumble with the touch screen navigation.
"No need for that," Alice hummed as she raced around another car. "I know where I am going."
"You've driven to Volterra before?" Millie asked doubtfully.
"No, but it does help to be prepared and to know where I am driving to, we don't need the system," Alice said as they whipped down the road.
"You see anything else?" Bella asked.
Alice frowned. "Not really, a big tour apparently. More of a crowd than normal in the city and thus," she trailed off and Millie understood the meaning of her words at once.
"More people for Edward to expose himself to," she said grimly.
"Precisely," Alice said as she zoomed around another car.
"What about Jasper, Peter and Charlotte?" Bella asked, a hint of fear in her voice. "They won't be able to catch us and stop us, will they?
Alice frowned and tsked. "I have seen nothing of that sort happening."
Millie nodded but she was a bit uncertain about that. It was Jasper after all. "We got a head start, so I don't think they could catch us at the moment," she assured, though it was more to herself.
"How long does it take to get to Volterra?" Bella asked.
"Hmm about an hour and thirty five minutes give or take," Alice said and Millie sighed.
"WHAT?"
"Bella, calm down," Alice said as the car sped up even more. "I don't intend for us to take that long, will you relax? You do no one any favors freaking out back there."
Bella took a deep shuddering sigh.
"Distract me," she said raggedly. "It will help calm me down."
Millie and Alice exchanged glances through the rearview mirror.
"What will you say to Edward when you see him?" Alice asked, her tone casual and Millie shot her a glare. How in the hell was that a distraction!
"What?" Alice asked innocently as she made several quick weaves. "Bella shouldn't be thinking about what if Edward dies. She should be thinking about what is going to happen when we find him."
"I...don't know," Bella confessed quietly. "I hadn't thought that far ahead. I think we should get out of the city first."
"Absolutely," Millie agreed. She didn't want to stay in the city any longer than necessary.
The scenery was beautiful even though they were flying past it. The green of the hills and trees were so stark and lush that it reminded Millie of Washington. The road they were flying down was small with only one lane going in each direction.
"If Edward does mess up and there is a bigger crowd, they won't be too happy about that will they?"
"No, they won't," Alice answered grimly. "They will act quickly and he knows it."
"He's still set on noon though?"
"Yes."
Alice was true to her word and they made it to Volterra just a bit under an hour. The city loomed before them, quaint and ancient, and under different circumstances, Millie would have loved to explore it with its narrow streets, buzzing markets, and small shops.
"What's the plan?" Millie asked.
"I'm going to get as close as possible and then Bella, you are going to get him," Alice said as they began to slow down due to the increasing traffic.
"Alice?" Bella stuttered out, the alarm clear in her voice.
"Do try not to trip Bella," Alice warned. "We don't have time for it. And you are the only one he can't see coming."
"I think I am going to be sick," Bella said heavily and Millie tapped her shoulder causing her to turn towards her. Millie gave her an assuring and sympathetic smile.
"Not now," she said. "You can be sick after we get this idiot, but not now." Bella nodded weakly
"Remember it's the Palazzo de Priori Bella," Millie said softly as they got stuck behind a tour bus. "Looks like you will have to run."
"She will," Alice spoke drumming her fingers against the steering wheel with clear impatience. "Bella, get out."
Millie whipped her heads towards the pixie. "Now?!"
"Yes, now," Alice looked at Bella. "Remember what Millie told you, he'll be under the clock tower to the north of the square, now go." Bella flung open the door and darted out before it slammed behind her.
Millie expertly maneuvered herself into the front passenger seat. Alice pulled off onto a small path where the building was taller and leaned over so that the pavement was covered in shadow. Alice stopped the car and they both exited.
"We stick to the shadows," Alice said as they began to make their way through Volterra. It was eleven minutes until noon and Millie prayed that Bella would be able to find Edward.
"Have you seen anything?" Millie asked nervously.
Alice grimaced. "No, it keeps changing, just flickers. Bella is our only hope."
Millie let out an exasperated sigh. "Perhaps we shouldn't have run off in such a haste, we could use Jasper's expertise right about now."
"On that we agree suga," Came a deep southern voice and Millie whirled around to see Jasper along with Peter and Charlotte.
"How did you-"
"I have my ways," he retorted his eyes blazing with anger. "You come to the most dangerous place in the world for Edward of all people?"
"We can argue about this later," Alice interrupted smoothly, though her eyes betrayed the severity of the situation. "Let's get Edward and Bella and you two can fight on the way home."
Jasper remained stone faced and turned to Peter who frowned. "Nothing at the moment, Major," he said in an apologetic tone.
"Well, we are all here," Charlotte huffed. "Let's get to this Palazzo de Priori before the shit hits the fan."
Jasper took her hand, and Millie knew she wasn't going anywhere out of his sight. Men and their damned overprotectiveness! They eventually made their way to the clock tower where Edward and Bella were in an alley with Edward clearly gushing over her.
"Edward!" Alice yelled as she rushed forward. Millie made to follow, but Jasper tugged her back, his eyes and stance wary and alert.
"What is it?" She asked. "Do you sense something?"
"There are many people in the city," he said shortly. "though I sense some malevolence."
If Millie wasn't a vampire, she was sure her heart would have skipped a beat. "Volturi?" She asked quietly.
"I'm getting the heebee jeebies in this city," Peter said as he looked around, hovering closely to Charlotte.
"Yeah, we found them, and Edward didn't step into the sun, can we get out of here?" Charlotte murmured.
"Let them come to us," Millie pleaded. She knew that Jasper wasn't about to go there into the alley, but Bella, Edward, and Alice coming to them was another matter.
"A minute," Jasper growled and she nodded. Millie let out a sigh of relief as she saw Edward, Alice, and Bella exit the alley and make their way towards them, sticking to the random shadows scattered throughout the city. They reached them, and Jasper took one long look at Edward before turning away with a growl.
"It would stupid of me to get you here in this city," he growled, and Edward flinched. "Outside of it is another matter, let's go." He turned and stalked forward at a quick pace, pulling Millie after him. She cast a glance back and Edward and Bella, the former had the later by the hand and was leading her through the city.
"Did y'all run here or did you get a car or something?" Millie asked, looking back again. They were getting further and further away from the clock tower and she felt her heart lighten a bit. They were going to make it, and everything would be all right in the end. Well, maybe not for Edward, but still.
All of a sudden, Jasper stopped and stiffened a growl reverberating from his chest. Peter was immediately at his side with Charlotte flanking Peter's right. Alice stepped to the left of Jasper, with narrowed eyes. Edward kept to the back, shielding Bella, which Millie had to admit was necessary.
Two figures in grey cloaks stepped from around the shadowed corner. One was massive, like Emmett, but taller than him at around six seven. He had a very muscular build and had olive skin with short black hair. He wore a lighter grey cloak as opposed to the smaller vampire that stood next to him.
The other vampire was around Jasper's height but lean. He had the same olive skin and black hair, yet his was wavy and shoulder length.
"This is quite the party Edward," the larger vampire said with a leer. "Shall we take this to the more appropriate venue?"
"Step aside," Jasper snarled. "No laws were broken here."
"Felix was merely pointing out the proximity of the sun," the smaller vampire spoke eloquently. Millie detected a hint of what sounded like a Greek accent in his voice. "The shadows while helpful, can shift at any time. There are better places for cover. We should seek them."
"I'll come right along Demetri," Edward interjected his voice surprisingly calm. "Why don't the rest of you go on ahead and I will catch up?" Millie perked up at the name. So, this was the infamous tracker of the Volturi. She knew it wasn't the moment, but she would love to prove that his power had limitations.
"Everyone is coming," The big vampire retorted. "Especially the human girl you have with you."
"You can go to hell," Edward snarled, all pretenses of civility dropped.
"Felix," Demetri said somewhat sharply. Millie was confused. She hadn't heard of a Felix of the Volturi, but no doubt he must be formidable in some way to be a member of the guard.
Millie tried to step to the side and address them both, but Jasper held her back and Millie wasn't about to argue with her mate in front of enemies. Well she could still speak to them.
"We only came here to get a member of the coven," she pointed out. "that is not a crime in our world."
"Aro would simply like to speak with Edward, since he has not forced our hand," Demetri said smoothly. "There are rules to be followed and you all must come."
Several growls erupted from around her. Millie found herself sinking into a slight crouch, ready for a fight if it came down to it. Though there was a reminder in her head of the last fight she had and winced internally.
"If you don't move," Jasper said, his voice dangerously cold. "You aren't going to like what I do to you."
"And I don't think Aro wants his guards caught up in a public scene, now would he?" Peter chimed in casually, though his stance and expression was anything but.
"He sure wouldn't," Charlotte agreed with a grin. "Especially a public scene with human authorities wondering why there are body parts laying around."
"We wouldn't," Felix said, a glint in his eye as he sized up Jasper. Millie caught sight of a human woman looking at them, her eyes wide and curious.
"We have an audience," she spoke sharply, and Felix and Demetri turned their attention to the human woman.
"We should at least discuss this more privately," Demetri said calmly.
The woman was now pointing them out to other tourists who had gathered and watched them intensely. Millie didn't like the option of the Volturi, but she didn't want to expose themselves either. If they continued like this, sooner or later one of those humans would call the police and then there would be even more trouble.
"Enough!" Came a high-pitched young voice and everyone turned to see a young girl, who looked to be about thirteen, with a cherubic pale face, and short pale brown hair. She wore a dark grey cloak and her crimson eyes gave them a bored glance.
"Jane," Edward said in a defeated tone, his shoulders slumping slightly. Millie inhaled a bit. The witch twin? Where was the other one? Charlotte seemed to share her thoughts as she looked around as well.
Jasper and Peter exchanged glances and Peter nodded. Jasper let out a low growl and his eyes flashed dangerously but he nodded.
"Quickly then," he snarled, turning his formidable gaze towards Jane. Demetri and Felix relaxed, and Jane walked off. They went back to the Piazza where there was an alley that became narrower and sloped downward as they walked further and further.
"Edward? What's happening?" Millie heard Bella's frantic questions.
"Don't worry love," Edward assured her in a calm tone though she knew he felt anything but. "I am surprised to see the rest of you here though."
"It had to be made right Edward," Alice said flatly.
"What happened?"
"It's a long story," Alice said, somewhat ruefully. "Bella wasn't trying to commit suicide, she was cliff diving."
A blush crept over Bella's face and she looked forward as they went around a slight curve till, they gave to a dead end with a huge drain in the middle of the ground. Jasper held her hand and gave her a look before she nodded, and he dropped down into the darkness, with her following closely behind him.
...
The drop was nothing to him. It was about fifteen feet at the most and he landed with ease. Millie landed right after him followed by Peter and Charlotte.
"This is like something out of a cliché vampire film," Peter remarked dryly and Charlotte scowled at him. "This ain't the time for your jokes Peter!" She snapped, though he could feel her underlying worry and fear. "Knock it off Peter," he said shortly, shooting his brother a glare.
"It's alright Bella," Edward's voice carried down. "One of them will catch you." There was a moment before a pair of legs dangled into the hole. He didn't even have to sense it to know that Bella was nervous and frightened.
"I'll catch you," Millie called up and she stood underneath the hole. Jasper sent a wave of calm upwards, impatient to get the whole thing over with. Bella dropped down and true to her word, his mate caught her. Edward and Alice landed right after her, followed by Felix and Demetri. If it came down to it, those two weren't a problem. It was Jane and wherever her brother lurked.
"Thanks, Jasper," Bella said quietly and Jasper grunted in acknowledgement as they continued through the place. The path continued downwards and as they stepped away from the light of the drain, it grew darker. He could hear Bella's teeth chattering from the cold though it was nothing for a vampire. They reached the end of the path which led to an open black grate and walked through it.
They stepped into a long hallway with a large wooden door that was open at the end.
"They sure do like their mazes and tunnels huh?" Millie said very quietly at vampire speed. Her hand slipped into his own and he gripped it firmly but not tightly. As they stepped through the door, they came into another hallway, with grey carpet and off-white walls. Fluorescent lights decorated the ceiling and it was much warmer than before. Bella's shivering and chattering teeth began to quiet down.
At the end was an elevator where a vampire in a grey cloak stood. Jasper assessed him, but his stance was relaxed, and his emotions revealed nothing to cause alarm. He was nothing more than a simple guard. Jane walked up to the elevator and as it opened, she stood, her eyes narrowed, and he could feel her impatience. She wanted them to go into the elevator first. Jasper entered the elevator and stood to the left in the corner with Millie and Peter and Charlotte. As he predicted, the guard stood in the middle with Edward, Alice, and Bella on the other side. It made no difference to him, he thought coldly. If anything, it meant he didn't have to go around Edward, and the rest to take out the guard. Jane would be the first to go. With her power, she was the most threatening. Though Felix, was someone to be watched as well. He was sure it would be no issue for him to take someone out while Jane had them immobilized from her gift.
There was a ping sound and the elevator stopped and the doors opened. They stepped into what looked to be a very classic modern room with marble floors, wood paneled walls and white and grey modern furniture. An olive-skinned woman with dark hair and green eyes sat behind a glass table and smiled at them.
"Good afternoon, Jane," she said in a thick Italian accent.
"Gianna," Jane said coolly as they walked by.
"She wants to be one of them," he heard Bella whisper to Edward.
"And so, she will be," Demetri responded as they arrived before two white and gold decorated doors.
"Or dessert," Jane quipped as she opened the two doors.
"They send you out for one and you come back with several and a half," a boy that could be none other than Alec greeted as he kissed his twin's cheeks. Jasper knew of him by his reputation and power, which was just as dangerous as Jane's. Perhaps even worse. One could still fight while in pain, but not when your entire senses were cut off. He looked at Peter who gave him a grim nod. Charlotte gave him a worried look, but he sent her a small wave of calm and he felt her gratitude.
Jasper pulled Millie closer to him as he turned his attention to the three thrones in the front. In the middle, sat a man with long black hair, translucent white skin and milky red eyes. He looked to be in his mid-twenties, but Jasper knew he was well over a thousand and this was none other than Aro. To his left, sat a younger man, who looked to be nineteen or twenty with the same translucent skin and milky red eyes. On the right was a man with snow white hair and who looked to be in his forties. Marcus and Caius.
"Jane!" He crowed, clapping his hands together as Jane walked forward and smiled at him. "You come back and with dear Edward still alive and safe!"
"Just as you wished master," Jane said and Edward let out a low growl. Jasper shot him a warning look. Now wasn't the time for him to his lose his temper. Not yet. He sent a bit of calm towards Edward who relaxed a bit.
"Aren't you glad that I didn't give you what you wanted the other day?" Aro asked, raising a black eyebrow at Edward as he rose from his throne and descended the steps. Jasper watched him carefully as he walked towards Edward and took his hand. "I do love a happy ending, they are so rare!"
"La tua cantante," Aro breathed as his eyes flickered towards Bella who looked away from him. "I don't know how you can bear it, it makes me thirsty."
"It is not without difficulty," Edward said tightly. "And now you know everything so get on with it."
Aro tsked as he turned his gaze towards Bella before his eyes drifted towards Millie. Jasper felt the low growl in his throat building and he felt the heat of Millie's glare though he didn't acknowledge it.
"Now this is interesting," Aro mused as he looked at Millie and Jasper. "The two of you together despite your very different backgrounds."
Millie rolled her eyes. "No need to beat around the bush, he's a white man from the South during the 19th century that fought in the Confederacy, and I'm a black woman that was born in the 20th century during Jim Crow in the South."
Aro extended his hand towards Millie. "A fascinating tale no doubt, if you mind." Jasper pulled Millie behind him, his teeth bared in a threatening gesture.
"And Jasper," Aro continued casually giving him a curious glance. "The God of War, the Major of the Southern armies. You have quite the past and reputation as do your companions here."
"As I am sure you do," Jasper said coldly. "Especially a man as old as you are." He felt a hint of anxiety from Aro, but it disappeared just as quickly before Aro turned back to Edward and Bella.
"You can't read Bella's thoughts," he mused before turning to Bella. "I would love to see if you are an exception to my gifts as well."
Bella looked around before she stepped forward and held out her hand. Aro clasped it with his own and waited for several moments before he let go. "Interesting, I see nothing."
Jasper felt his curiosity, but he also felt a slight hint of maliciousness from him as he turned to Jane. "I wonder if she is immune from others as well," he said with a light smile. "Jane?"
The little girl turned towards Bella and Edward lunged forward with a snarl. "No!" He roared, but before he could even reach her, he seized up and fell to the floor, turning and writing in pure agony. Jasper could feel the despair, agony, and horror emanating from Edward emotionally, but the pain he suffered from Jane was purely mental.
"No, no," Bella pulled at her hair, her face devastated. "Stop, stop!"
"Jane," Aro spoke, and Jane turned her head towards him. "Master?" She questioned. She had stopped, for Edward rose to his feet with the help of Alice, on edge even more.
"Go ahead Jane," Aro said as Jane turned to Bella with a cruel smile. Bella took a deep breath and stared back at her, waiting for her gift to hit her.
However, several moments passed and Jasper felt nothing from Bella. He had to admit that it was intriguing and impressive. He wondered how Bella's peculiarity would work when she turned.
The smile fell of Jane's face and she frowned.
"That's quite the handy gift," Millie whispered and he nodded almost imperceptibly. Aro was by the looks and feel of his emotions was excited and intrigued.
Jasper wished he could ask Peter if he knew anything, but he didn't want to draw Aro's attention to his coven any more than necessary.
Aro let out a high-pitched laugh that echoed throughout the room. "Remarkable!" He boomed in a pleasant tone. "But what do we do with you now?"
"You already know what you are going to do Aro," Marcus said in a bored tone.
"She knows too much," Caius sneered. "She's a liability."
Aro stared at Bella before nodding. "That's true," he said with a sigh and Jasper felt his resignation. "Felix."
The vampire grinned and stepped forward. Millie let out a hiss at him and made to move forward when Jasper wrapped his arms around her. "No," he hissed harshly in her ear. He would be damned if he let her put herself in harm's way.
Edward had moved in front of Bella in a flash and lunged at Felix, tackling him to the ground. Alice rushed after them, but Demetri caught her in a chokehold. Peter and Charlotte immediately moved in closer to Jasper who while he watched Felix and Edward's interactions, always kept aware of Jane and Alec.
Felix tossed Edward off of him through the air and caught him before slamming him into the ground, the marble floor cracking underneath the force of the blow.
"She agreed to be changed!" Millie shouted furiously as she struggled in his arms. "We didn't break your laws!" Suddenly he felt her stiffen and she let out a wail and thrashed in her arms. He could feel from her emotions that she was in a great amount of pain. And he knew instantly who the cause of it was.
"Charlotte," he said as he loosened his grip on Millie, allowing her to fall into the arms of his lieutenant. Peter turned towards Alec though he stood protectively near Charlotte and Millie.
Jasper picked up every hint of Millie's emotions. Her agony, despair, panic, and anything else that was negative and sent that wave of toxic energy to Jane. The witch twin gasped and her concentration broke, and Millie let out a a gasp and he could feel her relief.
"Jane!" Alec cried, rushing to his twin's side, who had crumpled to the ground. Peter caught him and had him in a chokehold similar to the one Alice was in. Jasper then pounced. He was across the room and grabbed Jane by her neck and bent it back. The strain of it could be heard throughout the room and suddenly there was a break and Jasper held up Jane's head to the stunned room.
"This is an outrage!" Caius roared, leaping to his feet. "You'll pay the price for this!"
Jasper threw the head at him and grinned sadistically. "I'm not paying a damn thing." He looked at Aro who was stunned though he could feel the underlying rage in his emotions. "Alice, show him what you saw, that should more than suffice for the Volturi." Peter promptly removed Alec's head as well.
Felix let out a growl and in retaliation, ripped Edward's head clean off as well. Bella let out an inhuman scream. Jasper lunged, landing before Felix and hurling his fist towards his face which whipped back from the blow, but Felix quickly recovered and lunged forward. Jasper dodged his rush and slammed his elbow into Felix's back before tearing his head off as well.
Charlotte and Millie took on Demetri, wrestling him away from Alice and subduing him. Jasper glanced at his mate to make sure she was alright before turning back to Aro, Caius, and Marcus.
"Alice," Jasper called and she stepped in front of Aro, who feeling a mixture of rage, humiliation, fear, and defeat. "Show him what you saw in Bella's future."
AN: Sorry for the long wait! Hope you enjoyed the chapter! And thank you to everyone who favorited, followed or left a review on this story!