Ugh, my parents are yelling at me for spending too much time on the computer during the weekends now too! I can't satisfy these people.

I would keep a close eye on her, in look out of any betrayal, but while doing so, I'd do anything to see her smile like that again.

When I watched the sun rise and smelled the morning air through my shattered window, I knew Aro would be smug that I was still here.

Before leaving the Cullens hours before, I promised to see them again in the morning. I knew that with our lack of sleep, I wouldn't have to worry about arriving too soon. After changing clothes, I practically skipped down to the guest wing, anxious to see them again.

Carlisle let me in with a smile, and I took the same seat from the night before. Cecelia was busy with all of the other guests, and I realized that I hadn't even seen Demetri since he accompanied me to the ball. My face fell in worry. What would he be doing for all of this time?

"What's wrong, dear?" Esme cooed, placing a hand on my knee. I looked up to her with a smile and shook my head.

"I'm just worried about Demetri. I think this is the longest I haven't heard of him since I met him. Even when he goes on a mission, he brings a phone and calls every twelve seconds." A knock sounded on the door only seconds after I voiced my worries. Speak of the devil.

Demetri was let in, but it only caused me more concern. His skin was even paler than its usual tone, and his long hair hung in clumps and though he had spent all night running his hands through it. His posture was oddly stiff, and his face looked exhausted.

"So, I had quite an interesting talk with Aro last night. . ." he trailed off. My eyes widened and I stood to match him. "He wishes to speak with you." I nodded tightly and turned to say a goodbye to the Cullens. Demetri stopped me before a word was spoken. "Actually Bella, he asked for all of you." My mouth hung open.

"Why? What does he have planned?" I ran my hand through my hair and I understood Demetri's appearance. Aro was one exhausting vampire leader.

"I don't know, but whatever he's thinking, it evolves them." I nodded, feeling too tired to argue. I'd save that for Aro.

We made our way through the hallways tensely. I decided that after my embarrassing, but well deserved stunt with Aro the night before, I would act cool and indifferent. I would keep my composure, no matter what he threatened me with, which I'm sure he would.

"Should I be ready to hold you back again?" Edward's voice danced around my ear as he leaned in from behind me, crooked smile on his face. I blushed invisible a bit before returning his smile and shaking my head.

"I've got this all under control. I'm more diabolical than even Aro knows." Emmett's booming laugh sounded next to me.

"I certainly don't doubt that!" my smile lasted until I stepped into the ballroom and saw Cecelia's nervous face. Apparently, someone had called her away from her duties to frighten her with a little chat.

"Good morning Aro." I sighed pleasantly and Cecelia raced to my side. I put a casual arm over her shoulder and gave her a relaxed smile.

"Isabella, I see that you are in fact still in my castle." He sneered smugly.

"All in due time. . ." I trailed off, still holding my smile. He smiled in return, letting me know he had been scheming. I noticed for the first time that Jane was practically attached to his side, so I gave her a cheesy finger wave. She grimaced.

"Now dearest Isabella, I do believe you might like to hear my suggestion before making such rash decisions." Aro's voice was slick and greasy like some used car salesman. I nodded, waiting for him to continue. "You won't be leaving." He stated bluntly. I remained silent, but raised a brow in response.

"You won't be leaving, because that would be a danger to Cecelia," he glanced from Cecelia to Jane beside him.

"Now Aro, I don't believe-" I held out a hand to Carlisle behind me. He looked deeply troubled by how quickly our conversation had turned to straight out threats. I shook my head with a smirk, I was actually enjoying myself with this a bit.

"Well she is welcome to leave with me of course. I'm sure that with the high reputation I have, that no coven, other than yours of course would cause any problems for us. And if they did, well let's just say that father," I spat the word bitterly sarcastic. "I am more practiced than even you know."

Aro sighed, still comfortable that he had the upper hand, making me want to laugh. I was just getting started!

"You should know that we have our ways of finding you if you were to run. Our gifts don't work on you of course, but Cecelia is another story. We may catch you where ever you may go." I scoffed.

"With who? Demetri? I doubt he would help you in this particular mission Aro, he likes me more than he likes you." I smiled.

"We could make him help us!" he bit out. I was extremely pleased that he was losing his composure while I held onto my cheerful façade. I spoke with a grin.

"But you won't," I taunted. "Not only is he one of your best guard, but he is one of Marcus's favorites. I do believe your brother's have a say in this, why are they not present?" I mused, my teasing tone still hard. Aro jumped from his seat, completely furious. My eyes widened. Even when I had been a total brat in my first week here, he had been infinitely patient. I hadn't even provoked him much! I wondered if he had rough conversations with Demetri and Cecelia to make him agrivated already.

"You belong to me!" he cried. My fists and teeth clenched as I glared at him, no longer willing to play sweet with his last statement.

"I belong to no one." I hissed. Cecelia put a warning hand on my shoulder, and I sensed Edward moving closer behind me, ready if I launched myself. Aro fumed in place for a moment before a slow smile crossed his face and he sat back in his oversized throne with renewed confidence.

"Felix," he murmured simply. That's all it took. If he gave Felix free reign over me, I'd be dead by the end of the week. Either by him killing me, or him assaulting me and me killing myself. My fists slackened, and my jaw loosened from its vise hold. I stared at him in disbelief, amazed by how far Aro would go.

"Are you threatening me with rape if I don't stay here? You know well what Felix wants from me." He shrugged as if we were talking about something completely different. He released a slow breath through his lips, and his eyes drooped out of boredom.

"I had deeply hoped it wouldn't come to this, but you aren't leaving me many options." She sighed. My legs felt weak beneath me and I slowly slid down to the floor. Not a sound was heard behind me, not that I could imagine what the Cullens may say.

"Now Isabella, now that it is settled that you will be staying, I have a question." I looked up at him, my mouth still hanging open horrified. "The Cullen's diet, is this what you wish for?" I nodded my head cautiously. I didn't even know the man who sat before me anymore. "Then they will stay here until you can control your thirst."

Gasps sounded behind me, but all I could do was stare. Not only did I feel completely hopeless in the prospect of ever seeing the outside world again, but now I had inadvertently brought seven outside vampires into exile with me.

"You- you can't do that Aro, please, please, they didn't do anything." I had never felt so defeated in my life. I felt as weak and powerless as the first day here, a scared seventeen year old being shot at with fireballs and angry vampires for hour upon hour.

"Isabella," he soothed, "You know your happiness is my top priority." Was he really that deluded? I wanted to scream at him, but I was determined that I would at least get the Cullens out of this mess unscathed.

"You won't do this to them." I finally lifted my head to meet his gaze again, fire blazing in my eyes.

"Why not? You said this is what you wanted. You don't want to kill humans anymore. They can help you more than anyone else would be able to."

"I do not doubt it, but not under the price of them being held hostage." I insisted.

"That is exactly the price. That is what I offer, they will stay, or you will continue to drink from our natural food source." Carlisle then stepped in, placing a hand on my unsteady shoulders.

"Please Aro; give us time to discuss this with my family privately. Maybe we could work out another compromise. I know you to be a fair man." Flattery gets you far I guess. Aro nodded without further argument and watched as someone lifted me deftly to my feet.

I numbly walked out of the room, still speechless and followed The Cullens back to their room. My face was blank, dead, not knowing what to even think at this point. I'm sure that were Edward able to read my mind, he'd fall into a black abyss.

I don't even remember the walk there, or the arrival, only plopping on the couch, head in my hands, before sobs ripped through my frame. A hand touched my arm, but after I heard Edward murmur a soft 'It won't work, Jasper,' the hand was removed.

"I. . . I can't believe, that- that he would do this!" I wept, barely forming a sentence. "I would love to learn your ways Carlisle, but not if it means you have to stay. I can't do that to your family. I know what it's like to be held here against your will, and I can't do that to you. There's no deal, I refuse. I can try living off of animals on my own, and if I fail, I'll live with my grief."

I waited for their response, but there was none. I looked up to be met with their wide eyes as they stared at me. Did they think I would keep them here against their will for my own selfish benefit?

"I cannot knowingly leave you here if you honestly wish to change your diet. I will stay willingly." Carlisle's voice was firm and set. My mouth hung open as I looked at him. Esme smiled.

"Of course we'll stay and help you. I think it's terrible to sit back and let you kill humans when you don't want to. Of course I'll stay, dear." I gaped more, unable to form words still.

"I'm in." Alice chimed simply, a wide smile on her face.

I was having problems breathing and though I knew it was unnecessary, I was starting to hyperventilate. Why would they ever knowingly stay here for me? They had the whole world lying at their feet, a point they told me about all through the night. They could live with people. They could travel the world. They could go to schools and master subjects I had no hope for.

They had talked about family camping trips, where were they going to camp in Volterra? Where in this city could they play sports and run without worrying about exposure. I hadn't spent much time outside, but where would Emmett find his grizzles and Edward his mountain lions?

What about Carlisle's job? Esme's houses? Would Aro let Alice shop to her heart's content? Did this god forsaken castle even have outlets for Jasper and Emmett's games? I finally stopped breathing, hyperventilation successfully achieved.

"It will be difficult, but I go where Alice goes. Besides, I believe if I can live here without taking human blood, it would help my control immensely." Jasper negotiated.

"I'm interested in this Felix character." Emmett smiled mischievously, squeezing his hands into fists and cracking his knuckles. "I'd like to stay a while and get a better crack at him."

"I have no intention of leaving my family in Volterra without my gifts, especially if Alice can't have visions because of your involvement," Edward stated firmly with a smile which I returned still in disbelief. We all turned to Rosalie, her family cautious.

"Rose. . ." Emmett murmured, brows furrowing.

"I suppose I don't have much choice if you are all planning on staying in this place." She spat. My smile widened despite her tone.

The Cullens were moving to Italy.


Were you expecting that? Because I was. Haha, whatever, don't listen to me. Wait, listen to this: REVIEW! Thanks, you can stop listening now. Geez, I make myself sound like an idiot in all of these author's notes.