Yay!! I have connection again!! Don't really have much to say right now...oh! I made the varsity vball team at school...yeah...that's my news. Enjoy chapter ten!

Chapter Ten

BPOV

The wolves are officially the first things to go when I rule the world. Wow, that can sound either really arrogant and confident, or completely evil. Hmmm... well anyway, I guess I don't really have time to worry about that right now. I arrived at the farmhouse, wearing the moon necklace, and expected to see at least one of the stupid mutts... but all I could see and smell for miles was...

Blood... wolf blood.

Something doesn't feel right. "Get out! Our deal is off! Save yourself!" A wheezing and raspy voice called out to me. I heard a body collapse, meaning another just fell. I frantically looked around for someone who could explain to me what had happened here. Dead bodies covered the field, its grass a dull red in some places, and a bright, fresh red in others. Even I didn't have the strength to help all of them heal.

"Why Mrs. Swan, what a pleasure. I didn't really believe that you'd actually come. I thought your promise was nothing more than a way to ensure your safety with the flea ridden mongrels." I felt arms wrap around my waist, locking my arms and head in place. A terrifying figure emerged before me, his red eyes gleaming with excitement and pure malice, not to mention a hit of victory. "Now... let's see if my new protégée's abilities will work on you, my liege." I snarled at him, repeatedly moving back and forth, trying to break free. A boy about my age stepped out. "You didn't tell me that she was our future ruler! No, I...I...I won't do it. I will not go against her." The man turned on him, "Must I remind you that she will never ascend to power? That she will be rendered useless and agree to my terms? That I will become king?!"

Oh no he didn't.

His little follower froze as he spoke those words, but sullenly agreed to do whatever his master wanted him to do. It was rather surprising and refreshing to know that not all people wanted to follow this madman's plan. "That's better. Now, my liege, I know your ability allows you do to whatever you wish, but can you defend yourself from multiple things at once?"

Damn it. He found out. I know that I always make myself sound all powerful and claim that I don't need protection, but in reality….I do need it. Technically, I can only defend one aspect of what we call the human body at once. Say I choose to defend myself from any abilities relating to the mind. I cannot defend myself against anything stronger than a punch or kick...and vice versa. Rather annoying really. But, I can switch between the two, quite quickly actually. But if he's planning what I think he is…..

I'm screwed.

I roared, snarled, growled…..whimpered….as they came closer to me. I knew there was really nothing I could do. If I tried to defend one part of me, they'd attack the other. And just trying to escape was out of the question because I couldn't cower in fear while this insane killer was on the loose. I stopped all my attempts to get loose and hung my head. I glared into the ground, keeping my eyes away from him. I wouldn't let him see my fear….my fear for my throne, my race….my family. I took one last deep breath and looked up at my attacker. He smiled as he pulled out a knife.

"Why so serious?"

EPOV

It had been days….or for all I know weeks. We hadn't heard from her since she left us to check on the wolves. We had expected to hear something from or about her, but it was as if she had disappeared from this planet. Demetri, who could normally track her quickly, had returned from three tracking trips empty handed. Alice couldn't see anything relating to Bella. Aro had sent out hundreds of guards to search everywhere, but so far no one had even heard a whisper about her.

I, on the other hand, was losing my mind. I couldn't focus when someone tried to talk to me, nor could I function alone. I know that I sound really pathetic, but I felt no need to do anything without the incentive to do it. If Bella wasn't with me to do it, I didn't want to do it. I wanted to be wherever she was….or at least know where she was so I could go get her.

But, as I was saying, I was always accompanied by either one of my family members, or by one of the brothers. Aro and Alice would constantly talk to me about worthless topics, Emmett and Caius would take me around the city…..mostly to watch some sport. Rosalie thought I was being stupid, but she understood. Esme and Marcus, who were by far my favorite watchers, kept silent the entire time, busying themselves with whatever the situation called for. Marcus occasionally told stories of his youth and the early days of the Volturi. Esme just hummed something.

I never saw Carlisle. Every time I asked about him, my question would be forgotten. I caught a glimpse of him somewhere in the castle, but by the time I had caught up, he had already disappeared. From what I managed to get from the others' minds, his brother was still alive. That must be nice. To know someone from your normal life is still around, even if they are like you. I almost wish I had a real brother or sister, or even mother or father, here with me….but I wouldn't want them to be stuck in this existence. Maybe they could be around just long enough to meet my wife.

I felt a tap on my shoulder. Is it already time to listen to Aro or Alice again? Or is it Emmett's turn? I guess I lost track. "Edward, there's someone I'd like you to meet." I looked up. "Carlisle?" He smiled. "Come with me."

Arden POV

As a child, mother had always told me stories about father and my big brother; of how brave they were because they hunted after these dangerous creatures that threatened our very existence. She said it would eventually become my duty to follow in their footsteps. Of course, as all young kids are, I was thrilled. To be as brave and heroic as my brother, well it would be a dream come true. I read day after day, studying and memorizing the signs that would prove one was a monster.

I know…..obsessive right?

Well, you can't say you haven't done something like that too. I mean, even if you say you hate your older sibling, you can't help but look up to them. There's just something about our older siblings that intrigues us, makes us want to be like them in some way. Or, I could be completely wrong and I could be just building up your older brother's ego so when he wrestles with you, he has some sort of leverage over you.

Anyway, I was so happy to meet the one I had admired for so long. And I still admire him. "Your eyes are red." I laughed. "Why aren't we stating the obvious? Yes, my eyes are red. And your eyes are gold. Is there a problem?" The end of my sentence turned a bit…hateful almost. The very creature he sought to destroy all those years ago was now before him, only different. "No, not at all. It's your chosen lifestyle. I'm not going to try and tell you what the correct lifestyle is because I don't know. I've chosen to not feed off humans. Maybe your way is better than mine, maybe it's not. Maybe both ways are needed for a balance."

I laughed. "Yes you are the Carlisle mother spoke of." He chuckled. "Tell me what happened." I sighed. Of course it would come to this. "Well, mother was pregnant with me at the time father died. She didn't realize it for quite a while. You took over father's job at that point and mother always feared for you. When you disappeared, she was devastated. She was all alone until she realized she was pregnant. Of course with this news, she was overjoyed. When I was born, I was named Arden Blade, passionate warrior or something like that, in your honor. She said it was because whenever you had a task to fulfill, you didn't stop until it was done."

We talked about our parents for hours. I had never met our father and he wanted to know all about mother. "Cullens." We had drifted into the library and now looked towards the intruder. It was some guard….whose name escapes me. Oh well, no hard feelings. There are a lot of them so I have some right. We were called into the throne room. "Ah brothers. You have finally joined us." Carlisle seemed confused.

"It's a title given to those in high positions of power. Obviously you have the three Brothers, Aro, Marcus, and Caius, but you also have brothers within the court. I am the fourth Brother, never mentioned, yet possess as much power as the three. I receive and provide an unbiased insight to the workings of the clans around us. Only a select few know of me." Aro stepped forward. "We consider you to be one of the most trustworthy people we know Carlisle. You are the fifth. We are probably breaking normal tradition by having more than three but it's in our best interest."

Carlisle bowed. "I am honored Aro. Truly I am. Now, I know you didn't call us in here to simply inform me of this." Aro sighed. I stepped forward. "Where is she? Where is my granddaughter?" I saw a bit of intimidation run through his eyes. "We received a letter, or a video I should say. They're demanding a trade." What? A trade…..? "Wait one moment Aro. My family, most importantly Bella's husband, needs to hear this." He swept out of the room. I waited until he was out of hearing range.

"She's in danger isn't she? They'll kill her if we don't agree correct?" He nodded gravely. I sank into the nearest chair, running my hands through my hair. This was not the way things were supposed to be going. I should be preparing her myself for the issues we face and possible issues that may bother us in the near future. I should be helping her as her advisor. All of us were going to serve as an advisor for her, so we could keep up with our world…. but I probably cared more than the other three….maybe….

I rose from my seat and punched the wall. I didn't notice Carlisle and his family enter. I roared. "She doesn't deserve this. It's nothing more than pure luck that she inherited this. What more does she have to endure?" I rested my head against the wall. I felt Carlisle's hand on my shoulder. "What's wrong? Where is my wife?" Edward was right behind him, fear and worry completely covering his eyes. I started back into his eyes, my own falling blank and empty. I searched his eyes, looking for anything I could use against him later.

Yes that sounds really evil and rude, but I had to be sure that he really cared for her, not the title he would come to possess. I saw nothing but worry, fear, and complete devotion and love for her in his eyes. "She could be dying as we speak." He froze. Then, everything exploded. He tore towards the door, ripping away from any hands that tried to grab him. I pushed myself away from the wall and clutched his shoulder. I quickly pulled him into a headlock and held him still. He thrashed under my grip yelling, "No no no no!! Let me go! I have to go find her! I have to! I can't just let her die! I'll take her place and let them torture me! Just not her!"

I snarled into his ear, "Fighting with me will do you no good son. I have many years of experience on you. Now, you are not the only person here who would willingly sacrifice themselves for my granddaughter. Pay attention and help us figure out a way to get her back to us safely." I released him from my grip and turned to Aro. "Show us that video."

EPOV

I cocked my head. They received a video? Some guards brought in a TV and Aro slipped the video in.

"Why so serious?" Bella just stared past him. Her enemy had his back to us…but we all had a pretty good idea as to who it was. He held a knife up to her face, slowly dragging the blade down her face. "You must be familiar with this weapon your Highness. I believe your friend James used it on you not too long ago. The sword that can hurt us…yes it does exist. No one can tell what's killing them because it feels like claws. That's why it is considered to be a myth. He turned toward us and grinned. "You all know of the deal I proposed. We're going to have a little more fun with her majesty and then you'll get her back…so you can tell her that you're going to sacrifice her life to attempt to ensure that I don't get what is rightfully mine. He quickly turned and shoved the knife into her stomach. Not even a hint of pain crossed her features, but her eyes told me everything.

Her body couldn't take much more of this.

The video ended with her winking at us. "Don't worry about me. You all know that I would willingly sacrifice myself for Esme." All eyes widened. She laughed. "You're probably shocked that I figured it out. Hey, I'm not as stupid as I look or tend to act sometimes. See you all soon." And with a final grunt of pain, the screen flashed blue.

"What was Charles' proposal?" I looked at Esme, anxiety and guilt clear on my face. "It's either we give up Bella's life and keep you….or we hand you over to him and get her back." She gasped and fiercely pulled me into a hug. "Edward, we will find another way. Bella will be returned to you one way or another." I shook my head, "We're not going to give you up Esme. So don't even consider thinking that."

We waited for at least a week to see if Charles would stay true to his word. If not, I would personally go out and be sure that he suffered more than anyone had ever suffered before he died. I paced around our room anxiously as I waited.. and waited... and waited... "But madrona..." The doors were thrown open and before I knew it, a pair of very familiar lips fell upon mine. I nearly cried out in joy as I picked her up and spun her around, her legs wrapping themselves around my waist. When we pulled apart, she rested her forehead against mine and we stared into each others eyes. "I was afraid that I would loose you. I was prepared to take out half of the guard to escape and find you."

She giggled. It was only then did I see the marks that covered her beautiful skin. I growled in anger as I saw the results of my stupidity in letting her go alone. "They look worse than they really are." I set her down on our bed and inspected her wounds. The mark Rosalie had given her a while back was still present, as well as a new wound running from the middle of her forehead down to the middle of her right cheek. I lifted her shirt as I continued my inspection. Multiple cuts and scrapes covered her arms and legs and she had a deep cut in her stomach. "Edward,"she pulled her shirt back down, "I'm fine. I'm living and I'm here with you now. Come on, we have to come up with a plan."

BPOV

Leaving the comfort of our room was probably the worst idea I've ever had. We sat in the library and argued for hours. I offered to give myself up, but it was immediately shot down. Esme did the same, but was shot down as well.

I sighed. Of course all of this was happening at once. I sat on the floor, rubbing my temples, trying to keep my temper in check. You have got to be kidding me. "Are you serious?" Edward was rubbing my shoulders. They had to be joking. I stood up, pacing around the room. "Please calm down highness. It's not as bad as it seems."

Wrong thing to say idiot.

"Not as bad as it seems! Oh no, not at all. I mean honestly, there's only a raging psycho out there who's raising an army against us. Oh no I would say things are quite peachy. Wouldn't you?" The annoyance rolled her red eyes at me. "Why is he revolting against us? What does he want?"

I couldn't keep my eyes from wandering to Esme, both in an accusatory and a comforting way. "Her!" Dead meat walking. She walked right up to Esme. "We should give him her." She raised her hand to strike.

"You touch her, you'll be living underneath my feet….where you belong." She backed off. I groaned. Nothing I knew could possibly help us in this situation. Sure, I've dealt with armies rising against powers before….but I've had to fight on my own. Now I don't mean that I've had to fight alone…..I've never had to fight to keep someone alive before. "Well, we have to think of something. Handing her over seems like the most logical idea to me. In fact, I'll do it my-" I spun around from the place I was sitting and kicked her against the wall.

"We're going to wait... wait and fight him. I'm not going to let Esme go simply because I fear for my own life. So, we will train the guard and prepare to fight him."

Well I hope you enjoyed that. This story may end up being shorter than the first one but I don't know yet. Please review!!