Twilight is all Stephenie Meyer. The rest posted here is mine, all mine.
Many thanks to silentnc and Sarahsumbrella for their amazing skills, knowledge, comments, and suggestions. They beta real good. ;)
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR: Evil Counsellor
I was well aware of James and Victoria observing us, out of sight in the heavy forest surrounding the house, as Bella and I prepared to leave the next morning. They didn't realize I could pick up their thoughts easily at that distance – I was fairly certain they wouldn't care if they did know – but it didn't matter. Our actions wouldn't change due to their presence. They were staying out of my way, so it could do no harm to let them follow us. The others in the household were either in their rooms or out hunting. We'd said our good-byes last night, and I was thankful there would be no dramatic parting with them this morning, especially after seeing Bella's solemn, worried face.
Carlisle and Emmett drove us to Bremerton, the only airport in the area with a long enough airstrip for the Citation X to take off, other than Sea-Tac. We made the trip in silence, Emmett alternating between gazing out the window at the passing scenery and sending me baleful glances. He was still angry that I wouldn't let him accompany us – it went against his protective and proactive nature. He opened his mouth to protest once again, but I just shook my head.
"Stubborn," he hissed. Bella looked at me anxiously, and I gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. I sighed as I heard Carlisle agreeing with Emmett in my head.
Upon reaching the airport, Carlisle was able to pull his Mercedes up to the private jet where it sat on the runway. Both he and Emmett got out with us, and we all stood awkwardly until the pilot came to greet us. I could see that he was curious but professional, a vampire of indeterminate age, and well-qualified to fly the swift jet.
"I'm not going to be able to stand being so far away, not knowing what's going on," Carlisle burst out, unable to keep quiet any longer. He'd been struggling with this for a while, as had Emmett. "I have half a mind -"
"Don't, Carlisle. Please," I said softly. It was difficult enough to be taking the first step into an unknown future. I wasn't so concerned about myself, but the fact that I was taking Bella into this with me…I was panicking.
He gripped my shoulder, telling me silently of his love and concern before turning abruptly back to the car. Emmett trailed reluctantly after him and then stopped, turning back to face us with a grin and rocking back on his heels.
"I'll just make sure our visitors get a good send off," he said, gesturing with his head to where James and Victoria were lingering on the outskirts of the airfield, watching us, making sure Bella and I got on board the flight.
"Emmett," I began warningly.
He just smirked and began loping in their direction. "Whatever, bro. You've got to give me something to do." With that he was gone.
Carlisle sighed, gave me one last, long look, and then followed Emmett at a much less exuberant pace.
I watched them for a moment before turning to Bella. "Are you ready?"
"As I'll ever be." Her voice was calm, but she gripped my hand tightly as we boarded the private jet.
The interior was somewhat small, but luxuriously appointed with four large, cushioned leather seats, each equipped with its own data and video center. A small, pull-out sofa was located directly behind the seats along one side with a rich burled wood refreshment center opposite. A rather spacious lavatory took up the rear. We took our seats, and the co-pilot approached us deferentially to explain the safety features and amenities. He also informed us that the flight would take approximately ten hours in the powerful aircraft, not including the one stop we would make to refuel.
"Please knock on the cockpit door if you require anything," he finished. "Otherwise enjoy your flight." I had asked for privacy during the journey and was pleased to see that my request was being honored.
Neither Bella nor I spoke during take-off, sitting quietly, each lost in our own thoughts. Once we reached our cruising altitude and speed she turned to face me, holding out her hand across the narrow aisle. I brought it to my lips and shut my eyes as I drew her precious scent into my lungs. She turned her hand to cup my face.
"It's going to be all right, Edward," she whispered, and my gaze met hers. I let the uncertainty and anguish show unrestrained in my face. "It has to be."
"Bella," I started slowly, knowing she wasn't going to take this well. "I want you to promise me something."
"No," she said firmly.
"Bella -"
"No, Edward. The only thing I will promise you is that I won't leave your side. I promise you my shield will hold. I promise to love you with every fiber in this strange, new body of mine. We promised each other forever, and that's what we're going to get."
"If something should happen to me, I need to know you'll protect yourself. I need to know you'll get yourself out of there and back to our family."
"If something happens to you," she whispered, leaning toward me and dropping her voice to a low hiss, "it happens to me, too. So don't let anything happen, okay?"
I studied her fierce, mulish, lovely face. It was set and determined, and I knew there was no reasoning with my stubborn wife. I let out a frustrated breath and kissed her. I meant for it to be a quick touch, but her hand shot out to grab the hair at the back of my neck and pull me closer for a wet, thorough tangle of tongues, a slide of lips, a foray of teeth. I hummed appreciatively, frowning slightly when she pulled away. She just grinned, standing and coming across the aisle.
"Edward," she breathed, sitting on me, leaning down to stroke her tongue across my bottom lip.
"Bella," I murmured back, sucking it into my mouth and moaning with her taste.
The rest of the flight passed in quiet desperation. We stopped somewhere near the coast of Nova Scotia to refuel and were airborne again in short order. I gave serious consideration to grabbing Bella and running while we were on the ground – a poorly conceived plan to hide in the wilds of Canada flitting through my mind. Neither of us wanted to admit, and thus make real, our fear of what could happen in Volterra. It was apparent enough in the touches, the glances, the press of our bodies together, but neither of us gave it voice. She sat on my lap, her head tucked under my chin, and I held her close while we both stared out the small window. Eventually she stirred, and I met her gaze quizzically as she took both of my hands in hers. She stared at them thoughtfully, silent, her fingers stroking my pale flesh, tracing the cords of tendon that pressed through from underneath. After long moments she brought them to her waist, under her shirt, to press against her smooth, bare skin.
I raised a brow in query, and she smiled sadly, leaning up to place lingering kisses along my lips. I returned them uncertainly, unsure of her mood. The rise of passion that was so inevitable swept over us, tinged with desperation, and I wanted to give her pleasure, wanted to see it, if this was the last time. She gasped against my mouth as she felt my fingers at the button of her jeans.
"Bella," I whispered, and she reached for me, pushing the material of my pants down my hips, her hands encouraging me to lift so she could pull them down further. She stood quickly, shucking off her own, and then straddled my lap. The air left my lungs as she took me in, impaling herself in one swift movement, settling her knees and calves along my hips as she molded herself to my body.
"I want to feel you," she whispered as my hands stroked down her back. "For as long as I can."
"Forever." The word left my lips despite my efforts to prevent it. I felt her shiver.
We sat like that, perfectly still except for my hands sliding up and down her spine, joined, connected, and simply feeling one another. It was both bliss and torture. The soft, wet, silken clasp of her body was rapture to me, but now that we were joined I could hear the desolation and anxiety in her mind. Eventually I had to thrust, gently, seeking, and she returned the gesture with a roll of her hips. We moved languidly, not wanting the pleasure and connection with each other to end. We came, enveloped in a warm, soft glow, and I felt her trembling and shaking against me. I held her close, absorbing her soft, dry sobs as we clung to each other, not daring to move.
We stayed like that for hours, the entirety of the flight, with me inside her. We were still for the most part, sharing our thoughts, our love, until physical sensation would intrude. It overwhelmed us and we had to move, to rock into each other, seeking completion over and over again. They were the most significant and most terrifying hours of my existence. I let myself be consumed with her, concentrating only on absorbing the everything in my arms.
Reality could only be avoided for as long as it took the amazing piece of machinery to cut through time and space. We landed all too soon at the Volturi's small but adequate airstrip on the outskirts of Volterra. By the time the pilot and co-pilot opened the cockpit door and stepped into the cabin, we were both decently clad and sitting in our seats. The pilot opened the door and lowered the stairs. I rose, taking Bella's hand in mine and kissing the back reverently.
"I love you, Bella Cullen," I murmured, looking into her eyes and willing her to believe it.
She brought her other hand up to cup my cheek and gave me a brave smile. "I know. I love you, Edward Cullen."
We exited the plane, and I gave my thanks to the pilots for a safe flight. They had been instructed to wait and have the plane ready for twenty-four hours unless they heard otherwise. We walked hand in hand to the small terminal, only to be met halfway there by two large, hulking vampires. I could read that they had been sent to escort us back to what was referred to as the throne room, where the three leaders of the Volturi held court. They were the muscle sent on the errand to make sure we came along with no detours and no trouble.
"The goon squad," I said to Bella as we halted in front of them. I smirked at the quick rush of displeasure this caused both of them.
They fell into step on either side, directing us to an elegant black Rolls Royce Ghost. Bella raised a brow inquiringly at me as I helped her into her seat before being followed around the car to my own. I sat next to her as the two vampires got into the front seats.
"The Volturi are only subtle when they have to be," I explained with a shrug and a small grin. This earned a glare in the rearview mirror from the driver, but I just gave him a bland stare in return. Let them think I was taking the situation lightly; there was no way I would let them know by word or by deed that I was scared down to my bones.
I held Bella's hand in mine during the short drive into the ancient city. The vehicle drove through narrow streets, winding its way through the maze of buildings to the very center of town. We stopped in front of a rather unremarkable wooden door, and both vampires got out of the front.
"Do you have a plan?" Bella hissed quickly while they moved to open our rear doors.
I thought it a little late for her to be asking that now, but didn't say as much. "We need to convince them we are no threat to them – that we have absolutely no intention of usurping their power or rule."
"That's it?" she asked incredulously and a bit unflatteringly. I was unable to respond as the doors opened and we got out of the car.
As the heavy doors closed behind us I felt my frustration and anxiety ratchet up a few notches. My mind raced with possibilities that might get us both out of this predicament alive and in one piece. I opened my senses, taking in everything around us. We followed our escorts silently through echoing stone corridors and into an elevator. It descended for what felt like minutes before the door glided open and a diminutive form waited for us. I barely held back a hiss, instinctively holding out an arm in front of Bella.
"Jane," Goon Number One acknowledged with a grin. "You can see we've brought them home, safe and sound."
She nodded absently at him, her eyes locked on mine. "Edward," she greeted me. Her attention focused on Bella, and I saw the slight rise of her brow in inquiry. Good. They still knew nothing of the extent of my wife's ability. It was one thing we could count in our favor.
"My wife, Bella," I said evenly, walking out of the elevator to stand in front of the deceptively innocuous young girl. She was one of the most evil and deadliest creatures I had ever met. I didn't have to introduce Jane. Bella's shield was thrown over me like a familiar cloak, and I knew she was able to read the minds of those around us.
"Your wife," Jane repeated, tipping her head slightly. "Aro will be…delighted. Come along."
She turned on her heel without looking back, knowing we would follow without question, and we did. She led us down a long, wide corridor to another set of large, heavy, ornate doors. She paused to send me a wicked smirk before throwing them open with a flourish and walking forward into the wide, cavernous room. The ceiling was domed, ornately decorated, and soaring many, many feet over our heads. Natural light poured in from the clerestory windows ringing the dome, giving the occupants of the room a faint, gleaming sheen. Three large wooden thrones sat on a dais at the far end of the room, occupied by three ancient figures. The figure in the center stood and moved to the edge of the platform, hands clasped eagerly before him. Aro.
"Welcome back, Samuel, Ethan. Jane, thank you for escorting our friend Edward." He turned to the other two figures who sat indolently in their thrones. "Marcus, Caius, Edward has brought someone with him. Another vampire, I see." He knew full well by now who Bella was and why she was with me, but he was indulging his love of drama for the benefit of our audience. The room was occupied by a number of other creatures, those there for Volturi business and the Guard.
Samuel and Ethan herded us to the bottom stair of the platform, just in front of and below Aro. It wasn't an accidental positioning. The ancient ruler peered down at us in interest and curiosity. "Edward, it's such a pleasure to see you again. And your companion, as well." His red eyes focused on Bella.
"Hello, Aro. May I introduce my wife, Bella." I played along for the moment.
"Your wife!" He clapped his hands in dramatic glee. "May I dare hazard a guess that your wife was formerly Miss Isabella Marie Swan?"
"Yes."
His eyes searched mine. "Ah, such an interesting and curious development! I can't wait to hear your story. Don't you agree, Marcus, Caius?" There was a bored grunt from Marcus and an unintelligible mutter from Caius. "I can't wait to hear the events that took you from investigating this lovely young woman with your team to changing her, marrying her, and making her one of us. How you resisted her blood, that of your singer. I am sure it will be absolutely fascinating."
"It's an interesting sequence of events," I said, mimicking his tone. I knew that he had found out that Bella was my singer from reading Demetri's thoughts when he returned from Paris to Volterra. I could also sense that my friend was well and unharmed, somewhere in the room with us.
Aro's gaze narrowed almost imperceptibly on mine. "And of course, your future plans, my dear Edward. I would be most interested to hear of those." His eyes, however, flickered covetously to Bella, even as he tried to hide his thoughts.
A slight, feminine figure moved forward from the small group of supernatural beings that milled around the room. She climbed the steps of the dais, stopping next to Aro and placing her hand on his arm. He glanced fondly down at her, covering her hand with his. I saw him startle slightly as he read her thoughts, and wasn't surprised when he whirled back to me.
So this was Aro's damned oracle. I felt Bella stiffen beside me as she heard the woman's thoughts as I did, since I was under her shield. The oracle had prophesized that I was a threat to the trio's rule over the mythical world. She had seen the same vision as Alice, but without Bella at my side, and she was sending that vision to Aro now – it hadn't changed. She could not see Bella, however, due to my wife's shielding ability. The only reason Bella appeared in Alice's visions was due to me and my decisions. The difference between Alice's visions and the oracle's prophecies was that the oracle saw what could happen, Alice what would happen depending on individual choices and decisions. Neither, however, was entirely infallible. I hoped Aro was aware of both of those facts.
I knew this was the real reason I had been summoned. The trio were troubled about the risk I posed to their power and position. They had decided that the situation with Bella in Paris was a convenient justification to end me and remove that threat. Aro was using my behavior in Paris as an excuse to summon me to before the Volturi. His real interest lay with the prophecy his oracle had delivered, the one where I stood in his place, ruling with what he had always assumed was his unassailable power. Now that they saw Bella was with me – and even though they currently had only an inkling of her powers – their plot had expanded to remove her as well. I stiffened; there was no way I could allow that to happen.
"I pose no threat to you," I said through my teeth, staring at Aro. "We pose no threat. The only reason we came is that you sent a hunter and a trapper after us. Otherwise we'd both be happy to never set foot in Volterra ever again." I tipped my head, keeping my eyes on his. "I apologize for the events in Paris. I never expected…How could I? But Bella is one of us now, so there is no violation of the Rule."
"Yes," Aro said thoughtfully, his red eyes focusing on Bella once more. "Your singer. How…amazing." He was marveling at my control, the strength and extent of it, and this only increased his concern at the threat I presented, even as he wondered at Bella's power. I could see that he had known something of her ability as a shield before sending us after her, information gathered from a source I couldn't fathom. He stepped off of the dais, reaching out for my hand. "You don't mind?" He posed it as a question, but I knew I had no choice.
Bella's hold tightened on my arm as I reached for him. Aro clasped my hand in his, and after a few seconds his brow furrowed. His eyes shot up to mine in confusion, in alarm, and he jerked back.
"What is this?" he hissed. He stood completely still for a moment, and then reached out and clasped both Bella's and my loose fingers. We formed an unholy circle for another few seconds, until he threw our hands down and stepped back. I couldn't help but feel slightly smug. "Gemma!" he hissed at his oracle. Even though he had suspected Bella's talent as a shield, he still hadn't believed she could thwart him. I knew how he felt.
The oracle stepped forward, and he gripped her arm. The vision she sent him was, dark, foggy, and unclear. It coalesced, my figure becoming apparent, but an indistinct, swirling presence was beside me. Aro stared at her, and then slowly turned back to us with an incredulous expression. "She can project her shield?"
Marcus and Caius sat forward in their thrones. "How is that possible?" Caius asked darkly. Their concern at our presence had just increased tenfold.
Aro sorted through the oracle's prophesies. They hadn't changed, except now they were a bit more indistinct. His eyes finally left mine to focus on someone standing to the side of us. I read his intent a millisecond before he spoke. I was already in motion, pulling Bella behind me so we stood back to back.
Aro frowned at our clearly defensive posture. "Jane!" he barked.
The small blond girl stepped forward with a beatific smile on her face. She turned toward us, and out of the corner of my eye I could see her grin falter as nothing happened. "Jane," Aro repeated.
She frowned, anger overtaking her calm features. She took another step toward, focusing intently, but her vicious ability had no effect. She turned back to Aro and shook her head with a confused and slightly frightened look.
There was a collective gasp. I took a deep breath, feeling the action mirrored against my back. "Bella?" I asked softly.
"I've got this, Edward," she murmured back.
"Alec!" Aro commanded, his hands fisting at his sides.
Jane's twin brother stepped forward, glaring at us, but still nothing happened. Despite the precarious predicament we were in, my heart soared with pride at my wife's abilities. Alec's talent was the exact opposite of his sister's, he completely took away all of a being's senses, so that one was enveloped in a sea of nothingness until their fate was decided. His abilities had no more impact on Bella's shield than any other.
Aro was furious. Marcus was mildly alarmed, while Caius stood, his anger matching Aro's. "What is this?" He echoed Aro's words.
"She's a shield," Aro repeated, and under the anger I sensed his fascination and surprise. "Like none I've ever seen."
This did not please any of the trio. The others in the room had begun to close in, interested in the drama unfolding before them. "Samuel!" Aro spat.
I had already begun to turn us so that I faced the hulking vampire – Goon Number One. I tensed, giving Bella one last squeeze before freeing my hands to fight. Her shield would do us no good in a physical battle, but I knew she would continue to protect us both from any mental attacks. Her physical fighting skills were no match for mine, due to my many years of practice, even with her newborn strength.
Samuel moved forward with a grin that faded when I matched him feint for feint. He tried to whirl around me, but I was a fraction of a second ahead of him, spinning so that I still faced him with Bella at my back.
"Edward," she murmured, and I sensed someone coming at us from that side. Demetri – fuck.
Edward, I'll take care of her, he thought. Trust me.
I did. I moved forward to meet Samuel's charge, knowing Bella could hear both my thoughts and Demetri's with her shield firmly around me. Go with him, I threw at her in my head. Be careful. Demetri swept her up against him, his hand gentle around her throat. She relaxed in his hold, not wanting to be a distraction in any way, watching anxiously and keeping her shield firmly around me.
I ducked under Samuel's grabbing arms, flipping around and grasping one as I passed, twisting him roughly. He tried for a hold around my neck, but I somersaulted up and around in the air, landing behind him and bringing his arm back at a painful angle. He spun, slipping under my hold and pushing close, closing his arms around my chest. I brought both my arms up in a lightning fast movement, surprising him with my speed, and managing to break his grip. I lunged for him, my teeth at his throat, but he stumbled back and fell. I landed on his chest but couldn't manage to get a hold on him before he flipped, half pinning me underneath his bulk. I squirmed, rolling out from underneath him, and his killing blow was a fraction of a second too late.
I was on my feet in an instant, grinning evilly down at him. "Gonna have to do better than that," I taunted, and was rewarded with a bellow as he lunged to his feet.
We danced around each other in flashing, graceful movements, whirling and grabbing, flipping and leaping through the air as if we were flying. I darted over and around his slower but more powerful attacks. We crashed into the wall, cracking stone, and I once again slid out of his crushing grip. I couldn't help but glance at Bella briefly where she stood in Demetri's deceptively loose grip, and that was my fatal mistake.
"Enough!" Aro bellowed, noticing my momentary lapse in focus. His hand was lightly touching Marcus's arm – Marcus's ability was to sense the depth of relationships between beings. He had accurately read what Bella meant to me, what we meant to each other, and both he and Aro had correctly deduced she was my weakness. He swiftly came upon the best way to use her against me, just as Alice had warned.
"Ethan!" Aro jerked his head toward Bella.
Another very large member of the Guard moved toward her – Goon Number Two. He grabbed one of her arms, yanking hard, while Demetri held the other. Demetri sent me a quick, panicked look, loosening his grip; otherwise they would have torn her arms from her body. She growled in fury and twisted around, attempting to fling the larger vampire away. He held tight, jerking her completely from Demetri's hold, and she punched him in the face with a sickening cracking sound. Ethan only grinned, reaching up with one hand to straighten his broken nose, the other wrapping around the back of her neck. She struggled, almost managing to wriggle free, but his hold inexorably tightened.
I leapt toward them with enraged snarls, a red haze blinding me. I was on the vampire that dared touch my wife in an instant, ripping the offending hand from her throat. As soon as she was free, Bella reached up, grabbing his wrist and wrenching his arm from his body. I met her eyes for an instant in admiration, checking her for harm while she did the same to me.
My momentary lapse of attention was all it took. I felt Samuel hit me from behind, and I was knocked across the room. He was on me in a millisecond, before I could work through the pain and blinding anger. He grabbed me around the neck and hauled me up, dragging me over to the stage.
I grimaced, baring my teeth as Samuel forced me to my knees before Aro. I heard Bella's gasp as his hands fitted around my head, bringing it up and back, stretching my neck painfully just to the point of ripping it off of my shoulders. Her shield had been more than adequate protection against the mental attacks the other members of the Guard had brought against us, but her ability was powerless against brute, physical strength. My attention had wavered when a threat was brought against her, just as Aro had planned, allowing Samuel enough advantage to secure a killing hold. I glared defiantly into Aro's falsely concerned mien.
"It's such a waste," he sighed, shaking his head dramatically. "A shame, to waste such talent, to have to destroy one who was such a loyal member of our order."
I hissed as Samuel wrenched my head back impossibly farther, hearing Bella's cry of anguish. Sorrow enveloped me at the sound – I would do anything to prevent such a noise coming from her.
"Do what you want to me," I managed through my straining throat. "But let her go, Aro. She's done nothing wrong. Please." I wasn't being noble, I wasn't being self-sacrificing. I was in love, and there wasn't anything I wouldn't do, wouldn't give up, if they would spare her.
The irony of the situation did not escape me. Not long ago I would have welcomed oblivion; I would hardly have protested if my existence had been threatened. I would have submitted with the same bored ennui that had permeated my existence before Bella. But now, after having experienced the joy she brought into my life, I wanted to fight. I wanted to rail against the injustice of my existence being taken away just when I had begun to live again. I had rediscovered desire, hope, and enthusiasm, all because of her. And because of her, for her, I would give it up willingly.
"If only I could believe you meant us no harm," Aro murmured, staring down at me.
"We don't!" Bella shouted, dodging and darting around the one-armed Ethan, trying to get to me. "I swear to you, we don't! We just want to go home, to be together."
I was becoming so familiar with her shield that I could feel it pulse and expand around us, and suddenly realized what she was trying to do. She was attempting to encompass Jane inside her shield to take on her power, her ability to cause blinding, burning pain. I didn't have to read Bella's mind to know she planned to use it herself. I braced myself for the agony, knowing that the second Jane was under Bella's shield with me I would be exposed to her, and she would turn her power on me. If it meant that Bella could make her way out of the room, to safety, I was willing to suffer any amount of torture.
I stiffened as a horrifying thought suddenly occurred to me. If taking on Jane's power did work, and Bella managed to eliminate the Volturi Guard and the leaders, where would that leave us? Out from under their threat, perhaps, but wouldn't that make Alice's vision and the oracle's predictions come to pass? Would Bella and I be the ones to fill the Volturis' role, ruling in their place, losing the humanity I had battled so hard to keep and Bella's natural compassion and loving nature? I heard her low cry as she read my thoughts.
Even if she could use Jane's ability and manage to get us out of here, she would have to decimate almost everyone in the room, take them all down at once. I'd never seen Jane's power work on more than one being at a time, and I was concerned that Bella wouldn't be able to eliminate an entire room full of enemies. By the time she took one down and focused on another, the first would have time to recover and come after her. She would only have time to affect a few of the vampires and other creatures in the room before the rest would be on her, on us both. I knew, too, that even if she did manage to get us out of the immediate clutches of the Volturi, they would hunt both us and our family to the ends of the earth at the offense.
"Bella," I croaked. No. Don't. Even if we do get out, they'll hunt us, our family, for eternity, until we are all destroyed. Her frustration was evident as the faint electric buzz of her shield tightened around me, and only me, once more.
Aro's gaze flicked to her and then back to me. I could see his thoughts, his memory of the damned oracle's predictions. He was dealing with his own quandary. One on hand, he coveted my and Bella's abilities, he was intrigued and fascinated by the powerful talents we possessed. He wanted to have them under his control. On the other hand, he was frightened of them, and that was an emotion he found foreign and abhorrent. Our powers, especially together, could spell his downfall, his destruction, the usurping of his position and control as the ruler of the Volturi, and that was completely unacceptable to him. He thought we must be destroyed to prevent the possibility of his, Marcus', and Caius' iron rule ever being overthrown.
I kept my eyes locked on his. "We don't have that intention, Aro," I forced through my throat. "We never have. Power, ruling, that kind of responsibility and control has never been my desire or intention. You know this. It hasn't changed – I haven't changed. We are no threat to you."
There was a collective stillness in the room at my words. I knew it would be our only chance. Everyone in attendance, the other Guards, the followers – they all thought we had been brought before the Volturi for judgment due to Bella's violation of the Rule and my subsequent actions. No one had considered that the three were considering destroying us because we were a threat to them. It had never been considered before, ever, in the millennia of their existence. I could feel eyes examining us with new respect and wary speculation.
Marcus glanced around the room uneasily with this new shift in awareness. Caius looked mildly alarmed. "Just do it, Aro," he hissed. "This has gone on long enough. He has defied us, him and his mate. He has cost us dear. It cannot be allowed." I could hear in his mind he wanted to end us both, here and now. His hand was fisted tightly around the small torching instrument in his pocket, almost trembling with the desire to pull it out and set both Bella and I to flame.
Aro's eyes also shifted around the room, taking in the interest, shock, and surprise on the faces of the other beings in the room as they moved in closer to follow the events unfolding before them. "Careful, brother," Aro murmured, so low I only barely heard him, his attention returning to me. "You give much away."
"You know I speak the truth." I pressed my small advantage while I had it, speaking as clearly as I could manage. "You have only to touch me to know it's true, isn't that right? You'll know I'm telling the truth. We've broken no rules. Bella is changed and she's one of us, changed by my own venom. We offer you and the Volturi no threat. We've broken no rules."
Aro's gaze flickered around the room once more before settling on me with grudging respect. He nodded shortly at Samuel, and the large vampire's hold on my neck eased. I felt my crushed windpipe rapidly mending itself from the vicious hold, the sensation slightly scratchy. Aro slowly but steadily extended his hand toward me.
"Bella, let him in, please," I said softly, keeping my eyes steady on his. She made a muffled sound of protest, but I didn't dare look at her for fear if I saw her being manhandled my temper would get the best of me once again. "I need him to be able to read my true thoughts. It's okay. Let him in, please."
The almost imperceptible tingling sensation of her shield faltered and slowly faded. I could feel her intense concentration, though, almost like a physical touch, ready to snap the net of her protection back around me in an instant. Jane took an eager step forward, but Aro held out his other hand, halting her. He smiled serenely down at me.
I straightened my shoulders from my position on my knees before him, and boldly clasped his hand. I never took my focus from his bowed head as he sorted through the thoughts and images in my mind. He was still for many long minutes, so long that Caius sat forward impatiently in his chair. I held the air still in my lungs, hoping beyond hope he would see that my intentions included nothing but being with Bella for the rest of our existence, peaceful in the presence of our family, with no objective other than to continue as we had been, content in our own little corner of the world.
Finally, he lifted his head, his fingers drumming almost absently on the back of my hand. A faint frown crossed his parchment features, and he nodded his head slowly." I see," he murmured, almost to himself. "Yes, I see." His face rose in wonder to ponder Bella, and I knew the extent of her abilities was no longer a secret.
"See what, Aro?" Marcus intoned, utterly expressionless.
"I see amazing possibilities for the future. I see our friend Carlisle, and his influence on young Edward here." Aro's eyes remained focused speculatively over my head, on Bella, and I unconsciously tensed. He turned his faint smile on me at the almost imperceptible reaction. "I see what his mate means to him. I see his intentions."
He dropped my hands and spun to face his brothers. His arms spread wide in a dramatic gesture, designed to draw the attention of everyone in the room. "He means us no harm, Marcus, Caius. And now that he has made Bella one of us, no rules have been broken. Isn't that delightful news!" His hand came together in a gleeful clap. He turned now to face to large room like an actor on a stage. "Edward, Bella, I am so happy that you found each other, and made it possible to be together for eternity! I hope you will accept my belated but heartfelt congratulations on your marriage, and well-wishes for your future together with your family and our dear, dear friend, Carlisle."
I narrowed my eyes slightly at the subtle warning. Go back to Washington and stay with your family, with your father. The warning was not necessary; I had no intention of doing otherwise. I nodded in acknowledgement. Bella's shield snapped back over me, and its presence was a balm to my wary consciousness.
"Thank you, Aro," I murmured, standing and slowly backing toward Bella.
He tipped his head with a wide, beatific smile for the benefit of our audience, but his eyes were cold and steady on mine. Try as he might, he couldn't hide his thoughts from me. On the surface he was all benign ruler, but inside he was seething – angry to have to let us go, to have to actually worry about the threat we posed and what we were capable of with our unique talents. He regretted the loss of having us in his collection of gifted creatures, our abilities fascinated him endlessly. There was no mistake – he coveted Bella, craved her unheard of abilities. He wanted to use what she could do to bring him power and control, and the fearful respect of all mythical creatures. He knew that coupled with my mind reading and abnormal quickness, both mental and physical, Bella and I together represented the most powerful pair our world had ever seen, more powerful than the trio seated before us.
This was what infuriated him the most – the fear he felt at out potential power, the potential we had to replace him and his brothers in what they saw as their rightful place as head of the Volturi. It went against his instincts to let us go, but he was caught in a trap of his own making. The Volturi ruled because they kept the peace, upheld the laws. If he broke with that trust, he would himself bring about the very thing he feared. He would lose their place as rulers; the loss of trust would result in the supernatural world staging a revolt.
I couldn't prevent a slight smirk as I read his thoughts, reaching Bella and taking her hand. His eyes grew colder as he realized I knew of the trap he had caught himself in, and I knew there would be an accounting for the day's events sometime in the future. Aro had not held his position for millennia by allowing slights and questioning of the Voturi power to go unanswered. I determined I would worry about that later. Bella and I still had to get ourselves out of the stronghold.
Her hand tightened convulsively on mine. I slid an arm around her waist and whirled for the exit, moving swiftly to the oversize doors. I nodded at Demetri in thanks, feeling another slight surprise at the intention I read in his mind. He was going to follow us back to Washington. There was nothing for him here now. He realized that Aro would know of his loyalty to me and not with the Volturi the next time he touched him. I nodded imperceptibly, knowing I couldn't spare any concern for his situation until Bella and I were well clear.
The vampires at the door swept them open for us, and I could actually feel the heat of the angry thoughts Samuel was throwing at me. I took a quick glance back and saw him standing to one side of Aro, his eyes intent and deadly on mine. In that brief second of connection, I read his anger, his shame at almost being bested, and the promise of retribution. His thoughts were alarmingly echoed in many of the Volturi Guard – Jane, Alec, and even the oracle, Gemma. There was also the pointed warning directed at me from Aro, as he knew full well I could hear his thought. I resolutely turned my attention forward, eager now only to leave and get my wife somewhere we would both be safe.
I stilled a shudder at the malevolent regard following us from the room I that I had thought, when I entered, I would never leave. I held Bella to me tightly as we swept under the arching doorway, past the foreboding, heavy doors, and into the corridor beyond. It wasn't until we were standing outside in the alley, next to the hulking black car that had brought us here that I let even one muscle in my body relax. Bella exhaled loudly, and I realized she had been so tense that she had been panting softly, trying to take in as much as she could with her senses to evaluate every potential threat or benefit. She gripped my hand tighter, and we both stilled the urge to grab each other in relief, knowing we were still being observed.
"How do you feel about running to the airport?" I murmured as we stared at the car in distaste.
"Try and catch me," she returned, darting down the alley, and I followed.
I couldn't take my eyes from her, amazed that she was well and whole. I reveled in running after her, amazed that I was well and whole. I hadn't dared believe either of us would be after our audience with the Volturi. A smile finally broke across my face, and as we cleared the city walls I let out a whoop, echoed by my wife as she jumped into my arms. We continued as quickly as we dared for the airstrip and the waiting plane – the plane that would take us back to our family.
The plane that would take us home.