Edward's POV

"Explain Bella, or I will go and ask Aro myself" I watch as Bella closed her eyes. I hated it when she did that. It was the only insight into her mind and she closed me off.

"Edward, there isn't really anything to explain. Aro wants to keep me because of my abilities. He will do anything to keep me here. End of story." she still had her eyes closed as she spoke, so I knew there was something she was hiding from me. And she never answered the most important question.

"Why are you here Bella? What possessed you to fly around the world to Italy?" I heard her intake of breath and I knew I hit something. She was a horrible liar, even as a vampire.

"Um, well, uh, about that," she bit the bottom of her lip and I knew she would have been blushing bright red if she were still able. I knew before I even asked that I didn't want to know the answer, but I needed to know.

"Bella, answer the question." it was the harshest I have ever been with her, but it was the only way I was going to get an answer out of her.

"Edward, please don't be mad with me. I thought it was the best thing at the time. I didn't know…I didn't think…I was sure that you…"

She was nervous about answering me and that made me even more afraid to hear what she had to say.

I put my finger under her chin and made her look into my eyes. "Just tell me Bella, please."

I saw the pain in her eyes. It was unbearable to see her in so much pain.

"I-I was going to… I was planning on asking the Volurti to…well I was going to ask them to…kill me" she whispered.

Hearing her say the words, it sent shocks of pain all through my body. It was as though my cold, dead heart was breaking into a thousand different pieces. How could my beautiful Bella want these monsters to kill her? How could I have allowed her to feel as though this was her only option?

"Bella, h-h-how could you? What could possible posses you to try to end your life?"

She looked up at me and I saw a storm of emotions in her golden eyes.

Edward, I don't know how to tell you. I thought that you were only back in my life because you felt guilty. Like you somehow felt you had to make up for something. So I thought that if I left you wouldn't feel the need to well feel guilty. And then once I was away from you I felt that emptiness again. Like there was a giant hole in me that only you could fill. Then I remembered something you said when we were watching Romeo and Juliet before you left. Something about how when James had me, that if you had been to late that you would have came here, to the Volurti and provoke them to kill you. I never thought Aro would want to keep me. He wants me so bad. If I ever did anything to displease them, or if I tried to leave they said they would kill you and our family. I couldn't let them Edward. that's why you have to leave. You have to leave me here.

it was to much. I sunk to my knees and put my hands over my face. This was all my fault. I told her about the Volurti. I left her unprotected and that vile Laurent turned her. I made her feel unloved so she come here to have these monsters end her life. It was all my fault.

"No Edward. Its not your fault. You didn't tell me to come here. I chose to. It was my decision and I am prepared to face the consequences of my decisions. Please don't blame yourself. Please." she took my hands off of my face. I looked into her pleading eyes. I didn't deserve someone so beautiful, sweet, and forgiving. God how I loved this woman.

"I love you to Edward. With everything in me. And I'm the one who doesn't deserve you. You are to good, and I don't want you to think any less about yourself. You're not a monster. I could never love a monster. Look all around us. These…these thingsare monsters." she placed her hand on my face. I moved before I could fully think. I probably wouldn't have stopped if I had been in control of my movements. When my lips met hers, I felt complete. Like my other half was back with me. It made the aching pain in my chest that had been there since the horrid day in the forest, disappear as though it never existed.

When she pulled away, it was as thought she took my heart with her.

"Edward, Aro is about to call us back in. whatever happens, please know I love you and I always will." her voice broke before she finished. It was as if she were telling me goodbye for the last time.

Bella's POV

I would do whatever it takes to get him out of here. I took a quick glance into the future. I saw Edward, Alice, and I standing in front of Aro. His face looked grim. I couldn't tell what he had decided, but whatever it was he didn't like.

When Jane walked in, I glared at her. I was still angry that she used her "gift" on Alice. I had told her not to hurt them. As if she could read my mind, Jane smiled smugly towards me.

"The master would like to speak to all of you now. If you would please follow me."

I took Edward and Alice's hands. It may be the last moments I spent with them and I wanted them to know I loved them.

When we reached Aro, I dropped their hands and bowed to him.

"Isabella. You have forced me to do something I wished I wouldn't have to do. But seeing as there is no other option, my hands are tied."

I look fate in the eyes. I was ready to die. I would distract them long enough for Edward and Alice to run. I would have to take Demetri out first, so the Cullens would be able to hide.

As I thought of my plans, Aro stood and I braced myself for the fight of my life. The fight for my life.