-Sorry for the update delay, had to go do Easter with the family! I'll be out Monday celebrating my husband's birthday, so here is what I have to tide everyone over :)

-Own nothing!

CPoV

Alice had surprised me, but Jasper's strong defense had surprised me more. As Volterra's skyline came into view, I wondered why Alice had been so against Bella and I in the beginning. Now was clearly not the time to ask, but I would when I could. Looking to Bella, her silence both astounded and worried me. I knew she must have been apprehensive, but her gaze remained fixed on the growing city before us as I place my hand over hers and squeezed it gently, neither of us speaking. There were no words for what was to come.

The roar of the engine died down as we began to navigate streets that were progressively filling with more and more people. The crowd gathered to celebrate the expulsion of vampires from its city; and a small, dark part of me laughed silently, knowing they would never even begin to understand what their city truly was: the home of our 'government'.

Alice turned to Bella as the car was stopped by the local authorities and we were told we could go no further by vehicle. "They rejected him." Her face went blank for a moment, then filled with terror. "He's going to make a scene."

Bella's eyes widened, gripping Alice's seat as she leaned forward, "What?"

"He's going to reveal himself to the crowd at noon when the sun's at its highest." Finally, her stare broke and her gaze shifted to Bella. "You have to run, Bella."

"I—" She shook her head, confused as to where to go, I'm sure.

"GO!" Alice shouted, making Bella jump in her seat for a moment.

She turned to kiss me goodbye, a brief brush of lips, and before I could say a word she was gone, lost in the sea of red robes. I looked at Alice, who's eyes were already on me.

"You should go after her." I was dressed for the part; black driving gloves, my pea coat and fedora. I wouldn't exactly fit in, but at least I was hidden. I nodded to Alice, unable to find words that were appropriate as I climbed out of the car and began my dash to track Bella.

I would catch glimpses of her as I darted through the crowded streets, pushing passed the spectators. I couldn't use solarity without being noticed, so I tried my best to keep my speed as human as possible while being as fast as I could. It was enough to follow, but not be even, with her pace. She crashed against the fountain in the town plaza as the clock tower struck noon and I looked up, realizing I couldn't be seen following her without casting more suspicion on what Edward was about to attempt.

Easing back, I watched Edward open the doors beneath the tower with a sense of dread filling me. I had caused this, and now I was going to watch it play out without the ability to intervene, it was torture. It all played out at an agonizing pace; Bella desperately sprinted through the fountain, her eyes locked on Edward as he let his robe fall away and began to step forward. Seconds felt like hours as I watched him inch closer towards the sunlight, praying he would see her before it was too late.

She crashed into him with a blinding force, and even from a distance I could see his spirit mend as she pushed him back into the building. Something inside of me twisted sharply, and I realized that while my intentions were good I may have destroyed the last shred of hope I'd had by bringing Bella here. It was completely possible that after seeing each other again, she and Edward would fall in love. Leaving me nowhere.

"We need to go in after them." Alice was at my side before I could sense her, a sign of how I'd slipped in my self pity. I didn't look at her.

I looked around, "Where's Jasper?"

"With the car." She nodded without needing to explain. She was right, this would overload him.

"In after them, we go." Stepping forward through the masses, Alice and I approached the steps and didn't hesitate as she pushed open the door. I immediately closed my mind to Edward, knowing now was not the time for the truth to come out. Before us stood Bella, Edward and two lackeys I had yet to recognize due to my not-so-sharp state of mind. It would come to me, I'm sure.

He was holding her. The sight of it made whatever had twisted before slice and gash through me as I tried to avert my eyes. Alice placed a hand on my arm and squeezed tightly as she spoke, something witty, but my impending misery drowned it all out until Jane appeared. Suddenly, everything became very clear and very real.

"Aro sent me to see whats taking so long." Everyone's resistance dropped before her, and we all walked forward in silence as we followed her through the corridors, down the elevator and through the halls that led to what most would view as a throne room of sorts.

"Bella lives. How marvelous." Aro stood, poised arrogantly as his eyes trailed Bella curiously. They never wavered from her as I entered, but his lips curled into a sadistic smirk.

"Carlisle." He cooed, "What a pleasure to have you in our company once more."

I nodded politely, keeping my tone neutral, "Hello, Aro. I've only come to ensure the safety of my family."

"Of coarse," his voice was utterly calm, "and what a family you seem to have." His eyes had yet to leave Bella's, and though her fear was palpable, her face did not betray it. In the face of the Volturi, there was no greater strength than that.

Looking to Edward at last, he said, "You cannot read her thoughts." His demeanor suddenly changed, turning to pace the room, "I am fascinated to know how she fairs against our abilities." He raised a hand as if to ask a favor, "Jane, if you would?"

Jane smiled deviously, "With pleasure." No.

I stepped in front of Bella, turning my back on Jane as I heard her calmly say, "Pain." My vision swam, although the effects weren't what they would've been on Bella, or Edward for that matter. I fell to my knees, jolts of sheer agony coursing through me as I heard Bella scream for her to stop. She sank to her knees as I fell completely to the floor, her eyes filling with tears.

"STOP, PLEASE!" The pain ceased, and as my vision cleared completely I realized my head was in Bella's lap, her tears falling on my face.

"Fascinating." Aro's eyes shifted from Bella to me and then to Edward, who stood motionless staring down at us with a look of contempt in his eyes. "Carlisle, would you be so kind as to... give me a bit of insight?"

I rose, knowing better than to defy him here and now, and gave him my hand knowing what it would mean as my eyes remained on Bella, and hers on mine. Aro's face brightened with an insidious light, his eyes widening with glee.

"Oh my, quite the conundrum." He grinned, "Thank you so much for that. Now, if you would, please stand beside Jane for a moment." I had never wanted to do violence so much in my life as I was forced to leave Bella's side and watch Aro circle her like a predator. Taking my place beside Jane as told, I glared at him with a seething hatred. His day would come, and when it did I would rejoice, we lived to see it.

"My dear, sweet Bella." He circled her once more as she stood still, "Would you care to take your place at the side of your love?" Bella nodded but her eyes remained on Aro's, trying to be unreadable. Had it not been for my inability to shield, it would have worked. "Then by all means..." He stepped back, enjoying his little game as Bella hesitated. "Go quickly, my dear, for whoever remains will die." Holding out his arms as if trying to reason with her, he finished, "We must hold someone accountable for today's near-tragedy."

My heart caved in when, after a moment of silence, she turned to Edward. This was it. All of my compassion and trust had earned me this. I couldn't blame her, but even if I could have I wouldn't have wanted to. All I wanted was her happiness. I loved her so much. Closing my eyes, I braced for the darkness to reclaim me.

"I'm sorry." Her voice came quietly, and then nothing. The air was still around us, and for a moment I could do nothing but stand with my head hung, waiting.

"True love. How touching." Aro mocked. I was sure he would enjoy this, seeing my demise. "Have you any last words?"

I smelled caramel before feeling hands cradle my face. Opening my eyes, I managed a weak smile in the sight of Bella's tear-streaked face, nose-to-nose with mine. Looking forward, I saw Edward's eyes glowing with hate, his arms held out to either side by those same two lackeys as he spoke clearly, focused on me,

"No."