Blackness filled what should have been light as I opened my eyes, fear gripping my heart automatically as I took in where we were. I turned my body then to face Edward who was lying next to me. His hands stoked my hair as he curled his body around mine.

"Good morning," he whispered close to my ear. I turned to face him, lying down on his chest.

"Is it?" I wondered aloud.

Edward hesitated in his answer, "Maybe not, but I'm just glad they allowed you to stay with me. I wouldn't want you in a cell by yourself." I nodded immediately, knowing for sure I would lose all sanity.

"What's going to happen?" I asked.

He took a deep breath, squeezing my tighter to him, consciously or not I'm not sure.

"Well, they have granted us wait time until you woke up, mainly because Aro would love to keep us here for as long as possible. He thinks that while staying in his luxurious rooms, we will find Voltura attractive.

"He is summoning us now, hearing that you've awoken. I don't know what he will decide yet, Alice's visions of him are obscure right now, but he hasn't made up his mind."

I didn't have time to say anything before there was a knock on the door, quickly followed by a non-permissive entrance. Felix walked into the room, eyeing us with a grin and a hungry look in his eye. Edward growled at him, turning me over so I lay behind him as he sat up, promptly taking a defensive crouch.

"Aro is ready to see you." He thundered, smirking before swinging out of the room, leaving the heavy door open. I touched Edward's back, running my hand down his spine, hoping to relax him. He turned his head toward me, a pained look in his eyes. I smiled sadly at him, wishing to be able to take away his pain.

"Come, we better go before he comes back." He whispered, kissing my cheek before pulling me up and into his side, a firm hand around my waist.

"I love you," I told him earnestly, kissing his neck.

"As do I, love. Forever,"

The corridors were dark, making me wonder the time of day. I asked Edward as such, making him grimace.

"It's about 10 AM here. Windows are pointless, making it seem a constant night."

I nodded, agreeing.

"Are you scared?" He asked after walking us down a flight of stairs. I looked up at him, confused.

"Are you?" I questioned back, making him bark out a laugh.

"No." Liar. I grinned at him, letting him know I knew he was lying. I shivered as we past the hall of guards, moving somehow closer to Edward. Tears slipped from my eyes as I remembered last night, all those people who were killed in that room.

"Bella," Edward breathed, stopping us as we past that awful door, "Look at me,"

My breathing was out of control, my eyes clouded with tears. I blinked furiously, trying to see him standing in front of me, grasping my waist and holding most of my weight. One of his hands wiped quickly at my cheeks, brushing away the endless tears.

"Edward," I sobbed, "So many people died Edward."

"Oh, shh…it's ok, your safe." He cooed, hugging me to him.

"It's s-so t-terrible," I couldn't stop, grasping his shirt and burying myself into him.

"I know love," he breathed, burying his face in my hair.

A throat clearing from down the hall made me jump, causing Edward to growl.

"Aro is waiting," Felix called, hissing.

"Let him wait." Edward hissed back, not moving from our position.

"Do we have to go into that room?" I asked timidly, taking deep breaths with Edward and clearing my eyes. He shook his head.

"No, you shouldn't have gone through that room either way," he growled, "I'm sorry Bella. I'm sorry I got you into this mess."

"No, you don't get to be sorry Edward; this isn't your fault, or anyone's for that matter." I looked up at him, meeting his sad eyes.

"We have to go," he breathed, pecking my lips. I sighed, but didn't say anything. His arm went around my waist again, pulling me to him as we walked through a different door set that looked identical to the original one.

I watched Edward's eyes as he walked us through the door, pretending not to see the well hidden fear and anger which colored his eyes.

"Ah! Edward and Bella have finally decided to show their presence…" Aro exclaimed, pressing his palms together in front of him as if praying. I tore my eyes from Edward's face to look at our family that was huddled into formation as we approached them. Jasper and Emmet where in front of Alice and Rosalie while Carlisle stood slightly in front of Esme, the two of them to the side and in front of Emmet.

Edward pulled me to stand next to Carlisle and Esme, but not letting go of my waist. Aro grinned suspiciously, cocking his head and narrowing his eyes.

"How was your sleep dear Bella," he asked, beginning the long interrogation. I swallowed, taking a shaky breath to answer.

"It was ok, thank you," I barely whispered. My voice was dry and I realized I was hungry. I couldn't remember the last time I ate. Edward squeezed me gently, reassuringly.

"Good!" Aro yelled like it was the best answer in the world. I looked behind him to see two other men whom I knew to be Marcus and Caius sitting next to a middle empty chair, presumably Aro's. A few other vampires lined the room, paying no attention to us whilst mingling amongst themselves, but then there were the vampires who stood to the side of the three grand chairs, one I recognized as Jane, the other Felix. Beside Jane stood a short boy her age with short dirty blonde, straight hair, and then another boy, taller and older with dark messy, brown hair. His facial features were opposite of the calm serene ones of the short boy number one. Boy number two had darker features, yet everyone is the room besides the Cullen's had bright red eyes, only so bright after having been fed.

"So Bella, if I may, would you be so kind as to tell me your and Edward's story?" Aro continued, ignoring my curiosity of his followers.

I heard Edward lock his jaw, but he didn't say anything or move, so I assumed that Aro's request wasn't less than a demand. I took a shaking breath, scared about talking so much. What if I said something wrong or gave something away. Just be vague…

"I-uh, Edward and I met in high school." I started, barely above a whisper, knowing that everyone across the castle would hear it anyways, "I guessed he was a vampire, and he tried to stay away from me, both before I knew and after.

"We fell in love," I shrugged, swallowing the lump in my throat, "Our family had some trouble with nomads, but overcame that…and now," I looked up at Edward, "Edward and I are getting married."

Aro had his eyebrows raised, looking at me with milky red eyes, "That's all?"

"In summary…" I answered, hoping that I wouldn't have to elaborate.

"Edward, anything to add?"

"That is a vague summary, but it's not really your business to know the details." Edward said in a hard voice, choosing his words carefully.

"Hmm…" he murmured, eyeing the Cullen's, but not saying anything. He was silent for a few moments, thinking of his next tactic no doubt.

"Bella," Aro hummed, "I have a gift, it is similar to your Edward's, yet far less powerful. I can only read others thoughts by contact, yet I can see every thought you have ever had," he held out his hand, stepping closer to Edward and I, "May I?" he asked, a couple feet from us. I looked at Edward who was glaring at Aro, but slightly tapped my waist, silently telling me I didn't have much of a choice.

Slowly I took a step forward, keeping my eyes on his hand. I brought my trembling arm up to place my palm against his upturned one, but quicker than I could see, he grasped it tight, tugging my body closer to where he stood, now less than a foot from me. I could feel his unnecessary breath as his eyes closed. Edward growled behind me, stepping close to my side but not touching me.

For several minutes we stood there, not a word was said, even by the by-standing vampires. Everyone paid rap attention to Aro and I, trying to ignore Edward's teeth grinding together in frustration. He showed no sign of acknowledgement to whether or not he could read my mind, but kept silent, his eyes closed in contempt.

Just as Edward was about to speak, Aro opened his eyes and stared at me, bright crimson glaring straight into me. My breathing began to accelerate, even as Edward's growl permeated the room.

I was tugged back lightly, almost as if I moved instantly to stand behind Edward as he snarled and glared at Aro. I wonder what he was thinking to make Edward so angry. I gasped in a breath, touching Edward's back. He lowered his growls, relaxing his muscles slightly, but didn't relent. I pressed myself against his back, letting him feel my warmth. He always told me, usually when we lie in bed together, that my scent and warmth would calm him, ease his mind.

I peeked over at the other Cullen's seeing them watching us with concern, but stood their ground. I wondered briefly if Alice could see the outcome. I watched her until she looked straight at me and asked silently with my eyes. Whatever answer she did or didn't have, Alice wouldn't show. Her facial expression remained stoic.

"Nothing. I saw nothing." Aro's voice was flat. He stood directly in front of Edward where I used to be I guessed, looking forward as if trying to see through him to me. I didn't feel comfortable with Edward so close to him, yet felt completely powerless to be able to be on defense.

"Are you not curious young Edward? Of what your mate will become as a newborn?" His creamy voice caressed the words, an Italian accent secretly hidden.

"Of course I am, but that doesn't mean I'm going to force her." Edward replied in a hard voice, not far from losing all control.

My eyes traced the sweatshirt on Edward's back, trying to calm my heart rate as Aro went on with his words.

"So since dear Bella isn't able to give me what I desire, I must have it from the next direct source…Edward?" he purred, holding his hand out for Edward to take.

No one moved for seconds before Edward reluctantly lifted his arm to take Aro's cold palm. He sighed in contempt, his mouth opening as if in pleasure and his eyes slipping closed. Silence filled the room, creating a tension almost visible between us and them. It lasted for what felt like hours, but was only a few minutes, though it was enough to make me uneasy.

"So…lovely, sacrificial…deadly," Aro summed up, licking his lips and tilting his head. His eyes flickered between us two as if we were the most enthralling thing in the world. I thought about it for a minute, wondering what it must be like for Edward to see all of his memories again, but through someone else's eyes. Quickly I became angry that he would do this. That Aro would invade other's privacy to see the truth of things. What kind of set up was this? What system displayed such chaos?

"I need a moment, to discuss of course. We shall meet back here at 5 PM sharp." Aro dismissed, turning his back to us as his long, black robes fluttered behind him, swaying to his walk while he ascended the short staircase to his brothers.

I looked up at Edward, his entire body tense again. Carlisle cupped his shoulder, standing where Aro did and held his face to grab his attention. Edward didn't move, but looked up at his father, searching his thoughts and having a conversation. He looked scared, which worried me about the path that Aro's mind was on. I watched as Emmet and Rosalie left the room with a short smile, followed shortly by Esme who waited by the door for Carlisle. Jasper stood with her, eyeing Alice as if when he looked away she might disappear. Alice of course grasped my arm lightly, smiling shyly at me as she started to pull me out of the room away from Edward. My eyes widened as the distance between us grew, but it didn't take long for him to snap out of his daze and take me by the waist, barring his teeth at Alice, making her giggle humorously and walk quickly to Jasper. I noticed Carlisle and Esme left; it must have been when I wasn't paying attention.

I kept my arms wrapped around him as he did me while we briskly walked back to our holding cell—or room—whichever you want to call it.

He sat me down on the bed, walking towards the door and banging on it with his fists, leaving them there compressed against the solid wood. Then after heaving out a sigh, gently rested his forehead against the door, his back losing its tension.

I didn't know what to say, or do. I didn't know how long we were going to be here or if we would ever leave. But I did know one thing. I knew that I had to convince Edward to change me, before the wedding if that's what it took to get us out of here.

"Edward?" I whispered, my voice coming out more hoarse and weaker than expected. His dark eyes turned towards me, slowly opening to reveal the anguish and torment, "Come here please,"

He did as I asked, pushing away from the door and, with a slumped demeanor, walking to me.

If he were human, I knew this would be a moment where he would cry. I felt like crying myself, but I had a job to do, and knew that if I started crying, it would never get done in time.