Ugh, I'm grounded again. Whatever.

My head was spinning, but I could smile at the fact that within two weeks, I'd be free.

A week had passed with no word from the Cullens. It was so hard to settle my thoughts as the time passed. I knew Aro wouldn't hurt them. No matter how sadistic he was, he kept his friendship with Carlisle. Despite how thoroughly Aro had destroyed Carlisle's respect for him, Aro wouldn't just flat out kill them. Why bother destroying them when he could just throw them out? Out of sight, out of mind.

Another possibility was that they had sent a letter, but it had been caught by one of Aro or Caius's men before it could reach me. I spoke to Gianna of my concerns, since she was the one to get any mail first, but she assured me that nothing had arrived for them to destroy.

Not for a second did I think that the Cullen's had finally given up on me. Not only did Emmett and Jasper enjoy a good challenge far too much, but if Edward's actions a week ago said anything, it was that nothing was getting him to quit. He had gotten a good dose of Jane's power that night, but he still struggled to reach me. Sometimes, his dedication scared me. I didn't need him in pain on my account.

I comforted myself with the fact that they needed to move, find their next home and school out of the sun. They needed to get settled before they could contact me. They were probably expecting me to play the good daughter for a while as I waited for them to come up with a plan. I was hoping they would send me their address, under the apprehension that I could write back and forth to Edward as Carlisle made his diplomatic compromises with Aro for a solution.

I'll never know how Carlisle was so patient, but to be blunt, I had already put up with six years too many of Aro's bullshit.

Aro quickly grew anxious at the glint I carried in my eyes, but he did his best not to show how terrified he actually was of me. He didn't know what I was planning, but apparently, I had grown a little too unstable for him to be comfortable with. I think the real world equivalent was the look of the just fired employee just before he gets the shotgun from his car and evens the score.

I sat curled up sideways in the big chair which sat in the corner of Edward's room, legs hanging off the side of the armrest. I was taking in his scent from the pillows when Jane let herself in. I didn't even bother to lock any doors anymore.

I expected to see her typical cheerfulness as she accompanied me to the throne room, but she seemed a bit annoyed. Either she was still raw about not being able to threaten my family anymore, or not even she liked what Aro was planning now. Spectacular. This will be just marvelous I'm sure.

Upon entrance, the first thing I noticed was that Aro wasn't alone. All three brothers sat back and watched me enter, a range of emotions on their faces. Caius sat back looking bored, while Aro sat straight and alert, looking very pleased with himself. Marcus looked anxious as he sat forward in his throne, elbows on his knees while he examined my every move closely.

I skipped forward and gave Aro a bright smile and curtsy. His eyes widened a bit in fear at my actions, but Marcus smirked knowingly. He couldn't use his power on me, but he was smart enough to know where my loyalties were. He was just about the only one in this castle who wasn't afraid of what I might do if provoked.

"Good morning, Aro! Now what may I do for you today?" I was almost enjoying this too much. Aro held his composure magnificently, but the look in his eyes was similar to that of which I imagined from myself my first night here, just a child being taken to a new country and experimented on like a rat. Aro sat back in his chair a bit and looked suspicious of my behavior. I could tell he was having second thoughts about his newest decision.

"What do you know of the marriage traditions of the Volturi?" He asked warily. Normally, the question alone would send me into hysterics, but if Aro planned to marry me off, he'd have to do it in a matter of days. It was dangerous to me to get cocky, but it was worse for Aro to underestimate a women's scorn.

Cecelia had once told me that the Volturi had a system of almost arranged marriages, on the women's side at least. A man of the guard would come to one of the brothers, mostly Aro and ask them for permission to marry the woman. The only difference from the usual traditions is that if the 'father' approves, the girl is engaged, with or without her consent. I assumed this is what was happening now. I didn't even know someone was interested in me, let alone already asking.

No use in letting Aro think his surprise has been wasted. Let the old man have his little joys for his last few days before I take everything from him. I've gotten wonderful at playing stupid over the years.

"There is no marriage in the world of vampires except for the Cullen's. We have mates. Because vampires don't fall out of love, no contract or church witnesses are necessary." This was pointless. I was just repeating facts Aro thought I knew. Even if I said everything he was getting at, he'd repeat it to me like an idiot anyways. "Get on with it Aro, really, I'm bored. How have you decided to ruin my life this week?" I raised an eyebrow, dropping the pleasant face.

"On the contrary my dear. Yes, mates are the common way of our kind, but surely you know me better than to pass up an opportunity to celebrate. Do you realize that we haven't had a gathering since your coming out? But you deviate from the point! Someone has asked for your hand in marriage!" I felt unsurprised. No really, I didn't see this coming at all. I felt my eyes rolling mentally.

"When will it be held?" Poor fool. I felt sorry for whatever man had asked for my hand. Personally, I wasn't even the slightest bit curious as to who it was, only that the date might make me change my plans for leaving.

"In only a month's time. We've already sent out the invitations! I never expected your family to return to the castle so soon, but I wouldn't make them miss their daughter's wedding." I actually choked on my words with that one. I knew that there was no chance in hell this ceremony was actually happening, but receiving that invitation must have been a bit painful for the Cullens, especially Edward.

At least we were waiting a month. That meant nothing had changed. I'd still only be here a week at most, heck, my husband to be might even be on my list of people to visit before I left!

"Very well then, thank you for telling me Aro. I'll be taking my leave then." I gave him a little bow, satisfied that my week time limit still stood. I was angry that Aro had the nerve to invite the Cullens to my wedding, but I'd make sure to make it up to him later.

"Wait!" Aro cried out from behind me, jumping up from his chair, hand extended. I turned slowly, arms crossed over my chest. "Don't you want to know who you're promised to?" I actually smiled. Like it mattered. His eyes shifted to the door and mine followed.

I almost wasn't surprised when I saw him standing there. I gave him a little apathetic smile as I passed him to my room, not able to look at his pathetically innocent face for too long. What a prick. I can't imagine Edward's face when he would see the names on the invitations.

A letter was waiting for me as I arrived to my room. The first true grin in a week spread across my face as I practically flew through the room and pounced on the parchment carrying his elegant script.

My dearest Bella,

The family has moved to Italy. Rome to be exact. We couldn't stay in Volterra for obvious reasons, but I still wanted to be near in case anything happened. We won't be going to school, not that any of us would miss it, and Carlisle can't work at any hospitals because of the sunshine. I just want you to know that we are going to work immediately on getting me back there to you. We know that Marcus is our weak point, so we're going to try to work through him rather than Aro. I'm sending you our new address so you can write back. Please tell me that you're okay. I'll be there as soon as possible.

I love you. Edward.

I smiled at his words and quickly flipped over the page and scratched in three words before shoving it back into its envelope. Looks like I had a job to do.

Edward's Point of View

I paced furiously outside the Volterra walls as the cardboard boxes were piled up. It was almost humorous to think of how just a few years ago I thought I'd never get through my imprisonment in Volterra without my belongings. I didn't know how much Bella had taught me until this moment.

The family stood back in on looking silence, unsure of what to make of the situation as our clothes, books, CDs, everything we had brought with us was led through the gates. Jasper kept a tight control over our emotions and had the rest pretty subdued, but I continued my march back and forth.

"We should move close. We had to leave Forks anyways, and all of our belongings are here, I want to stay close. If Bella needs anything, I want to be able to get here soon. Maybe Rome? And I didn't like the sound of those missions. Any training she has is completely self taught. She isn't even trained to fight or defend herself if she's caught. . ." I was rambling and talking so fast it came out as little more than stutters.

"Of course, Edward. Calm down, we'll work this out as soon as possible, but we need to stay off of their radar right now. It won't be good for Bella to stir up trouble too soon, so let's just get settled. Alice, we need a car with dark windows before the sun rises and we get reacquainted with Jane much sooner than desirable." Carlisle's voice was set and determined. Alice nodded and disappeared from our sight so fast I'd swear she had Bella's power.

I drew in a ragged breath at the mere thought of her name. I pressed my palm to my chest when I thought of the last moment I saw her; on her knees, her entire frame shaking as she reached out to me. The look of utter hopelessness on her face would never leave my memory. Who would watch over her now? I was scared of the complete void that was Cecelia's mind as she held back my love. I didn't know what happened to her, but if she was under something's influence, she wouldn't be able to help Bella in the anguish she must be feeling now.

I could murder Demetri for his thoughts on the other hand. His mind was filled with guilt, but I knew that it was his actions were of his own free will. Aro hadn't even taken any measures to threaten him. I didn't catch the reason behind his betrayal, I admit that I was a bit preoccupied at the time, but knowing his reasoning wouldn't condone his actions.

I continued pondering Demetri's motives as our stolen car sailed through the countryside. I was jolted from my thoughts when Alice stopped the car and everyone turned to me expectantly. We were in a post office parking lot. I looked at Alice confused. She rolled her eyes as she pulled a piece of paper and pen from the glove box and handed it back to me.

"Write her a letter. Tell her we'll be close and give her the address so she can write back to us if she needs help with anything. She'll appreciate knowing that we aren't in some completely different country on the other side of the world." Alice quickly explained as I took the parchment from her gratefully.

I jotted down my quick message, upset that I didn't have time to say more. I comforted her to the best of my ability that I'd see her again soon and that Marcus would help to reunite us. I sealed away the message and posted it to the office front the Volturi used as a cover. Gianna got mail first as the receptionist, and I think she could be trusted to get it into the right hands before Aro got a hold of it.

The week passed slowly without word from Bella and I was getting anxious. Carlisle finally insisted we all go out for a hunt. I protested, not wanting to be away on an extended hunting trip if I may get any word from inside Volterra, but he promised it would only be a day. It came down to them nearly physically forcing me out.

Two things were waiting when we arrived home only half a day later due to my insistence. The first made my heart clench painfully.

We would like you to celebrate with us the union of two of our most esteemed family members

Demetri and Isabella

I didn't read the rest, noting quickly that the event was set to only in a month's time before crumbling the paper to dust in my clenched fist. We only had a month to get back to Volterra, and if we failed, my Bella would be given to another man. So this was why he acted out against us. That bastard might as well have just given her over to Felix rather than forcing her into marriage. I felt my temper rising and quickly rid my hands of the clinging dust.

I moved to the distraction of the next letter when my face fell once again. I stared angrily back at my own writing. She didn't get it. I'd waited all of this time and it didn't even reach her. She must feel so alone.My fingers tightened to deliver a similar fate to this letter to the last when my nose caught the scent.

Bella.

I tore the paper from the resealed envelope and searched furiously over the words looking for any further sign of her. I finally flipped the paper and was greeted by her familiar scrawl. Only three words gazed back.

Wait for me.

Sorry that Edward's point of view is kind of rushed, but nothing too terribly exciting was going on. Yeah, you guys guessed it. Demetri was jealous because of Edward and Bella's relationship. There will be more explaining in the next chapter.

Ummm, the question is what is your favorite cheesy dance move? I don't even have an answer to this one, they're all just so great, but what about you? The sprinkler? Lawnmower? Maybe even the shopping cart?

Review, or I might have Bella reevaluate her plans and give everyone hugs instead of a brutal death.