I don't have anything to say, so just enjoy.

I had just threatened the life of the Volturi.

All of Aro's hooded companions stepped forward simultaneously, but made no move to attack, their eyes carefully trained on Aro and I, waiting for any signal to move forward. The Cullens all sat ramrod straight, their entire bodies frozen in fear. Jasper seemed to be keeping everyone levelheaded, and Alice's eyes closed as she began looking for an outcome.

"And how exactly to you plan me harm? What makes you think you have the power to overtake us?" I had stopped breathing as soon as I realized what I said, so I took a deep breath. I had to think of something fast. I couldn't just take it back, because I wasn't bluffing. If Layla was hurt, I would do anything in my power to cause them pain.

I couldn't just admit defeat, because then we'd be back where we started, Layla as a sacrifice to our secret. I could always agree to change her into a vampire when she came of age, even without her consent, but when it came time to actually do it, I knew I couldn't.

For a moment, I seemed trapped in time, but not sitting in the Cullen's house. It was from a different life, before becoming a vampire, before Layla. I was sitting around Emily's small kitchen, laughing so hard I thought I'd have six pack abs by the end of the night.

Jacob, Embry, Quil, Jared, Paul, Sam, the whole pack, just playing cards like a bunch of regular boys. Even Leah had dropped her shield and played with us, laughing at Paul's pathetic attempts at poker. He was a terrible liar, and bluffing proved no different. It was wonderful to find something I was better at than someone else.

It seemed that despite my failure of hiding my pain to Charlie after Edward's departure, it turned out that my months of practice had paid off, and I was a much better actress than Edward had given me credit for. I blinked back to the present, the room full of vampires staring at me, anxious for my response.

"I took Edward's power when he tried to read my mind, and have been able to hear thoughts ever since. When you touched my hand, you felt no response, but I heard and watched your every thought, every memory." I smiled. "And I took your lovely Jane's power as well."

I prayed to anyone who would listen that Jane's power was something dangerous. If all she could do was some mundane trick, then I just completely screwed myself over. I smiled inwardly as the vampires took a step back, their eyes flickering in fear. Now if only I knew what that power of hers was. . .

'Bella, her power is pain. She doesn't actually hurt the person, but she puts the illusion of pain into the mind. She just looks at them and they are in agony.'

Carlisle's thoughts explained quickly in my head, almost as though he could hear my thoughts. I still wasn't sure if I had received her power, but if I had, I could see why they might want to back away from my daughter. I smirked in false confidence. Jane glared at me, seeming to once again try to use her power.

"I could kill your precious Edward and your innocent little Layla before you even figured out what to do with that power of mine." Jane hissed, completely unshaken by my threat. She was arrogant; obviously, the vampires in Volterra weren't any match for her.

I smiled, as I put my hatred into my eyes, the only thing I could think of that may cause pain. Jane was on the floor in a second. I clamped my hands over Layla's ears, trying to protect her from the screams that erupted from the body, thankful that Layla was turned into my shirt, her eyes unknowing of the horror happening before her. Jane twisted painfully on the floor, her face twisted in agony, hands gripping for anything to possibly relieve her of her own power.

The horror I was causing.

I immediately closed my eyes and turned my head away, breaking Jane from my spell. I could feel the venom tears flowing down my face, ashamed of what I had done. I turned back to her, tears still freely flowing.

"I'm sorry." I croaked. My remorse was only increased as I watched her eyes staring at me, wide with terror as she slowly backed away to the other side of the room. I looked around the room, at the Cullens' expressions.

They all stared, save for Esme, at me in open shock. Emmett even looked at bit scared. Esme was turned away from me, her eyes tightly clenched closed, refusing to even look at me. I swallowed my sobs before turning back to Aro, still unable to stop the venom from overflowing in my eyes.

"It is not my wish to hurt anyone. I don't want to be the source of anyone's pain, but you have to understand that I would take any measures to protect my daughter. You've put me in a difficult position, Aro, but I don't think I can very well turn back now." Aro didn't look at me with fear, but with obvious fascination.

"No, you are correct Bella, there is no turning back now, but you can still have redemption," he smiled. "You have a marvelous gift. Better than any I've ever seen, just imagine the possibilities!" I didn't like where he was heading with this. I started shaking my head, but he continued.

"You cannot fathom the power I have Isabella. Though your family is breaking our laws, and Layla would have to be killed for knowing our secrets, I can offer them immunity. We could let your Layla stay human, and no one will ever harm your family again, we will never pose a threat." He smiled, despite Edward's low rumbling growl. "What are you willing to do for that?"

"Anything!" I cried immediately. Aro smiled, obviously pleased with my answer. I could save them from the mess I had created. I was the selfish one. I had kept Layla with me, putting her in danger when I could've left her to be raised by Charlie or Renee. I couldn't let her go, despite all of the problems I knew it would cause. I could save her from death, my young daughter.

I just had to be the sacrifice.

"I would like to offer you a place in the Volturi. Join us Bella, and you'll have the power and strength to protect them from anything that may trouble them. You could come back to Italy with us, give up your life here. You would never see your daughter again, but you can live forever reassured that she and your family are well protected."

Edward's growl erupted from his throat, his lip curling over his teeth in a snarl. Everyone stared at me wide eyed, leaning in to listen to whatever I may decide. Esme had turned back to me, her eyes pleading as she shook her head no desperately. Emmett and Alice looked furious, yet terrified at the same time.

"Well. . . I. ," Edward's head whipped to look at me in a second. His hand slowly raised, his fingertips sliding down my cheek with the slightest pressure, his mouth slightly open, releasing his breath unevenly as he too shook his head desperately. I pulled away from his touch, closing my eyes.

After a few minutes of contemplation, I wasn't any further along in my decision. I raised my head to meet Aro's hopeful eyes. He smiled and made a gesture for me to go ahead and speak.

"I. . . I will consider it." I finally murmured over Edward's roar.

"What do you mean consider? You can't do this Bella, we can protect Layla ourselves. I can't let you do this, they'll ruin you Bella. They'll break you down until there is nothing left of you, and you'll be broken and alone! Layla needs her mother, and I need you, we all do." He grabbed my face to put emphasis of what he spoke. Again I pulled away and looked to Aro.

"I will consider your offer with great care, but I ask you give me time. You may stay near if you must, but I can't decide this with pressure. Please, come back, by tomorrow night you will have your answer." I stood, completely detached, void of all emotions. I carried Layla away, not waiting to hear Aro's answer, and closed myself in the bedroom.

I knew she wouldn't sleep, and that she had just recently woken from a nap, but I needed her to be there. I needed to see her face when I made up my mind. I placed her on the bed, and she obediently lay down, curling into my body when I fell beside her.

I was in denial. I didn't need another day; I didn't even need another minute to think it over.

I had already made my decision.

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Ouch geez, another cliffhanger? I would say I'm sorry, but I'm sick, and I want to make you all miserable too. What can I say, I'm a sadist. Well not really, that's a lie. Anyways, cliffhanger or not, it didn't take over a month to get the next chapter out, did it?