Chapter 14

"What are you doing here?"

Her head cocked to the side. I could read the expression on her face. She was amused by the challenge in my voice.

"I came to warn you, Isabella, and to offer my assistance."

My eyes narrowed automatically. A warning growl rumbled from Alice's throat. The guard did not appreciate the doubt, and she answered with a snarl. The intensity of Alice's growls increased.

I was worried it was going to get out of hand. I reached up and placed my hand on her shoulder. I pulled my body away from hers, trying to soothe her with my words.

"It's okay, Alice."

I turned to face the intruder. I stretched out my arm, indicating that we should move this conversation to the front room. She nodded, and stepped through the doorway. Alice followed next. It was obvious she didn't trust Arianna, and was planning on providing protection whether I wished it or not. I smiled slightly.

As I entered the front room, I remembered that Arianna had appreciated when I showed strength back at the castle. I planted my feet firmly in front of me, and folded my arms across my chest. I kept my chin high and my eyes staring directly into hers. I took a deep breath, filling my soul with confidence. I had to be convincing.

"Edward is still in the process of healing his body from those sessions with Nathan. I appreciate your concern, however, I do not believe your assistance will be required. I assure you, Edward and I will be fine."

"Isabella…you are so naïve."

Without giving me a chance for protests, she threw her arms up and encased us both inside a shield. Her strong fingers gripped onto my upper arms, holding me in place. I could see Alice outside the shield. It looked as if she was yelling, but I couldn't hear a sound. I watched in amazement as Alice tried to reach out to me. Her hand was stopped mid-air. It was almost as if we were inside a clear box.

"Isabella…you need to focus…we don't have much time."

I took a deep breath in and sighed.

"Okay, Arianna, you have my attention. What is this all about?"

Her fingers loosened their grip. Her head cocked to the side, pausing momentarily to ensure that she had my attention.

"Edward was right about Aro never giving up. He is convinced that you will be very powerful once you are like us. He will not stop until you become a member of his guard. If Edward turns you, Aro plans to torture not only Edward but the entire family until you give up and agree to join him. If you remain a human, Edward will be punished every few months until Nathan finally destroys him. Then, the punishment will fall upon the next Cullen and so on…"

My body was trembling. I shook my head, not wanting to hear anymore. No matter what I do, the family is going to be in danger. I don't even have the choice of returning to Aro to save them. Edward would find a way to stop me or to come after me. I couldn't see any way out of this…except Arianna had offered her assistance. Maybe…

"Tell me what to do."

Arianna nodded. She leaned closer, even though the shield she had created was sound proof.

"There is only one thing that will cause Aro's obsession to cease. You have to die, Isabella."

I gasped and took a step backwards.

"Is that why you are here? Did Aro send you to either bring me back or kill me?"

Arianna rolled her eyes.

"Don't be absurd, Isabella. Aro doesn't know I'm here. No one does. As much fun as I think we would have once you are turned, the prospect of the Volturi guard becoming unstoppable frightens me. It's bad enough that I can hide their whereabouts and provide opportunities for surprise attacks. If you are able to thwart all mental attacks as well, there would be no defense against Aro and his rule. We have to keep the balance, Isabella."

I understood her logic. I even agreed with her on the importance of not giving Aro that much power. I just wasn't sure I was ready to leave this earth.

Ignoring my hesitation, Arianna jumps into her idea of slipping me into a type of Witness Protection Program. The idea was so far off from where my thoughts were, I had to slow her down so I could process it all.

"What?"

She sighed, her irritation obvious.

"Bella Swan would disappear, and you would be given a completely new identity. You could live a normal, human life. You would have to be inconspicuous, obviously, but you wouldn't have to die."

Tears began to well up in my eyes. Yes, I would be safe. But, I would be completely alone. I would never be able to see Edward or his family ever again.

Arianna started speaking about ways to arrange my death. I was only half listening, until she mentioned how careful we would have to be in order to fool Edward. Fear gripped my entire being.

"No…Edward can't think that I'm dead."

She shook her head in disbelief.

"He has to, Isabella. Aro will read his thoughts, or worse, torture him until he talks. We will have accomplished nothing."

I took a deep breath and looked directly into her eyes. I knew I could not budge on this point.

"Edward told me once, that he could not live in a world where I didn't exist. If he thinks I am dead, he'll find way to end his existence as well. I won't do that to him!"

Arianna's eyes narrow in frustration. We stared at each other for the longest time. Finally, she was convinced that I would not give in on the matter. We both stood in silence, trying to figure out a way around this impasse.

"Wait…Edward also told me once, that if I ever wanted to leave this craziness…him…he wouldn't stop me. In fact, he encouraged it more than once. He has always wanted me to choose a normal human life over him. I will just leave."

Arianna shook her head, insisting that Aro would continue to search for me unless I was pronounced dead. She was convinced that her way was the only way to keep me safe. I stuck to my ground, reminding her that if Edward no longer existed, it wouldn't matter what Aro did to me.

We spent the rest of the time devising a plan where I would slowly fill a duffle bag with supplies when I returned home. I decided to keep it in the bottom of the closet so Edward wouldn't find it. Arianna gave me a disposable phone that only she knew the number to, telling me to keep it in the bag.

"Don't forget to check it each day, Isabella. I will text you when it's time. Make sure you are ready."

I nodded, grateful for the additional time with Edward. I had to know that he was fully recovered before I could leave his side.

Arianna's hand gently rested on my shoulder. She promised to take care of everything up to that point, so I wouldn't have to worry about anything. She would return to help me escape, then I would be on my own. It was the only way to keep my existence from Aro.

Now that the plan was in place, I felt a sense of calm descend upon me. I cautiously pushed my personal grief to the back corner of my mind. There would be plenty of time to deal with it after I was gone.

I would need to be very careful from now on, so that Edward, Alice, and Jasper, those with special talents, didn't discover the plan.

Arianna began to dissolve the shield. Before I could move away, Emmett's voice echoed throughout the small cabin.

"We're b…ack…" His voice stuttered when he walked into the room. "Hold onto him! We have a guest."

The air around us suddenly filled with Edward's loud roar.

"Bella!"

Emmett jumped in front of me, as Edward and Jasper came rushing in through the doorway. It startled me, and I recoiled.

Forcing my eyes to open, I beheld the scene that was taking place. Edward was growling at Arianna. Jasper had a tight hold on him, but I was worried that Edward might still break free. I knew I was the only one that had a slight chance of calming my angel down. Cautiously, I moved towards him.

"Shh…I'm okay."

As soon as I was close enough, I reached out towards him. I rubbed my palm against his chest. I could feel his cool breath in my hair as he bent down to touch me. His cheek nuzzled against the top of my head. I wrapped my arms around him, giving him a tight hug. Jasper released him, and Edward copied my actions, wrapping me in a protective embrace. He took a deep breath, using my scent to calm his emotions. His voice, however, still had a bit of a low growl to it, when he spoke.

"Leave us alone."

The guard's gaze met Edward's, and her expression turned as hard as stone. Her upper lip curled back, showing her deadly bite. It was obvious she had grown tired of Edward's attitude. She snarled at my angel.

Edward lunged forward, pushing me backwards. Thankfully, Jasper and Emmett had predicted this reaction and were ready. They grabbed his arms, just in time. Their combined hold was formidable. Edward couldn't get away. The snarl hissing through his lips, however, left no doubt in anyone's mind of his intent.

I screamed, "Edward, don't!"

My voice seemed to distract everyone enough so that Arianna could leave. She nodded in my direction, and then was gone. Only I understood her secret message. The plan was in motion.