26

Edward

The Volvo hums along the road as I travel back to the house. Tonight will be one of the loneliest nights of my existence. It was so unbelievably hard saying goodbye to Bella at will. Normally I have a very viable excuse to be away from her, but this is surely masochistic torture at it's best. I'll just have to coax Carlisle or the guys into one last minute hunting trip before the wedding, because after that, I won't be the least bit willing to leave her side.

I pull up to the house and get out of the car. I stop and stare at the front of the stairs and listen to the birds chirping one last melody before sunset: a symphony of nature and beauty. Not even the best composition can compare to the wonder nature brings. I am a creature of nature, and I play my part. My nose wrinkles at the smell of an oncoming storm. Off in the very far distance, I can hear thunder roar in the sky.

Hopefully not an omen for the wedding.

I push that thought aside and step into the house. Alice paces around the dining room table, stopping every now and again, trying to concentrate hard on the Volturi's plans. And every time she throws her hands up in defeat.

"You okay there?" I walk over to where she's pacing.

No. She flashes me a very annoyed look. Aro's just making plans for his "supper", that's all I can pick up on. But I keep getting flashes of this one place, at the base of a mountain it looks like. Don't know what it means though. None of it makes sense.

"Keep trying Alice. Keep trying." I rub her shoulder and she gives me a half-hearted smile.

Thanks but it's been like this since you left. I doubt it will change much. She shrugs her shoulders and I nod.

I make my way past the dining room and knock on Carlisle's study.

"Come in." He calls from within the room. I peak my head in. Ah Edward. Good. Sit down. I sit and I can see he's reading one of the Volturi law books once again.

"You think you can spare one night and accompany me on a hunt tonight?"

Yes, I think I can do that. I'm getting tired of looking at these old books anyways. He gives me a brilliant smile, gets up from his desk and places the book back on its shelf.

"We don't have to leave immediately. In a couple of hours is fine."

Seven o'clock then?

"Seven it is." I smile and make my way back out of his study. Alice is still pacing around.

If I could just…see…where…they're…going…. "UGH!" She lets out a bit of a scream and recoils back once she notices my presence. Oops. Sorry Edward.

I smile. "It's perfectly normal to get frustrated Alice. Just don't give up. Why don't you concentrate on someone else? Jane maybe? Another Volturi member?"

I'll try. She does not seem convinced.

"Please do. For Bella's sake."

She nods once and I swiftly move my way up the stairs and into my bedroom. Without Bella here I usually just keep to myself at home. A habit whenever I'm alone. With so many thoughts of those around me in my head, to be alone with my own thoughts is soothing. I glance over at the clock; it's 6:15. Forty-five minutes until my suffering of utter solitude is over. Sure I could help Alice, talk politics and law with Carlisle, fight with Emmett or wallow with Esme, but I'd much rather be one with my own being right now. I'm the masochistic lion even away from the lamb. It's my nature. I can't help it.

I sit down on my couch and reach under it. I pull out the sheet music Bella once discovered. I hope she didn't look at it too long to realize what it is. Ever since I wrote her lullaby I have been working on this composition. It's my masterpiece. I wanted to save it for a special occasion and I knew immediately I wanted this to be our first dance. It's slow, but lively and romantic. The melodies carry you away, smooth and gentle like a sleeping waltz. This is my gift to Bella because she will forever be the music in my heart.

I place a few last minute notes along the ending and begin to listen to it in my head. Perfection. Pure perfection. I smile to myself in such pride and content. Bella has given me so much happiness in my life, this is the absolute least I can convey my gratitude to her. I carefully rewrite the composition on new paper for the orchestra to have, making few minor edits here and there.

I've been so caught up in my music that I've almost forgotten what time it is. I perk my head up to the clock on the wall; it's 6:50. Better get ready. A clasp of thunder erupts over the house and tiny raindrops begin to fall.

Good. The rain will make this hunt interesting.

I change into some new, more flexible clothing. Better for moving around and running. I speed out the door and downstairs where I still see Alice, eyes closed, sitting at the table deep in concentration.

Before I can fully see her vision she lets out a gasp and all I pick up is Bella, lying on the grass with very distinctive bite marks at her neck.

NO! My hands turn into fists I can feel the venom pulsing hard through me; my anger raging, and my eyes turn dark in fury.

Alice's eyes open and she looks at me with worry.

"What happened?" My voice is sharp and deep. I try to restrain a growl that builds in my chest.

"Bella. I saw her through Tanya's mind. She met up with Aro and was given a task…although she tried hard to not think about it. Tanya's supposed to take Bella away to Aro. Edward, they're going to change her. Now."

Before I hear any more I'm racing out the door. The wind snaps all around me and rain pierces my face as my legs and feet dash involuntarily at top speed.

I must get to Bella before they do!

As I run, my mind floods with images of the worst. Bella dead. Bella withering on the floor, a bite mark visible on her neck. Bella taken captive. I've come too late.

My body is soaked from the rain and I've stepped in countless mud puddles but I could care less. I must get to Bella, I must!

Soon enough I come to a halt in front of her house. A shadow moves by her window and I carefully jump onto the roof beside her room to listen.

Okay so I'll hide here and when she walks in, I'll…Crap! She's coming. Okay I better hide….

The distinctive squeaky voice can only come from one person: Tanya. My venom pulses, my teeth clench dangerously together and a growl can't help but escape my throat. She will die if she lays one hand on Bella. Suddenly I hear Bella enter the room. I freeze in place, not to startle her or Tanya. Bella's so beautiful without even trying. I can tell by her slow and subtle movements she's not enjoying this time apart either. Then, Tanya moves.

"Hello Bella," I hear from inside the room. Then I hear a loud sound, a banging of sorts. Time to act.

I swoop into her room. My feet land on the ground and Tanya jumps back. I begin to crouch down, ready for attack when I freeze.

Bella's been knocked unconscious. Her hair is sprawled all around her. Her body lies on the floor, lifeless. I stare at the scene before me. I can't move. I can't think. I look up at Tanya in disbelief. A large rock is in her hand.

Angry doesn't even begin to cover what I'm feeling now. "Clever. And did you think you can just waltz out of here with her?"

Tanya stares at me, mouth agape. Oh my god, how am I going to get out of here?

"You're not. Not without a fight, Tanya."

I have to! Aro expects me to! Listen to me Edward Cullen. Her arms and legs begin to lower; her body is ready to strike. I must do this. You can discuss it with Aro in time, but right now, she's mine. Thunder claps like a bad sound effect in the distance.

My body lowers to match hers. The venom pulses like crazy in anticipation. I hate fighting, but in this situation, exceptions must be made. We sway from side to side, but I have the advantage.

I'll try to make it seem like I'm headed for the window, when I reach out for Bella…

I smile knowing her next move. Sometimes the curse has its benefits. Tanya crosses her leg over the other and moves one step towards the window. I move one step closer to Bella.

Good. He believes me. Her smile is sly and too convincing. Bella lies between us, and Tanya moves her leg over the other once more. I mimic her movements to the opposite edge, slowly making my way closer to Bella. Then, Tanya moves. Her face lights up before jumping towards the window, and in a flash, she's trying to grab Bella.

But I'm quicker.

I swoop Bella up into my arms and swing her onto my shoulder. I stand back up and hold her tight. She's going nowhere.

Tanya knees by my feet, her hands trying to grasp where Bella's body once was. She stares at the spot and then looks up at me in amazement. I simply grin and tap my finger on my temple.

"You misjudged me."

"No!" She lunges forward and almost knocks off Bella's alarm clock. My free arm stops her halfway.

"Shh…careful. How would Chief Swan take it if his soon-to-be married daughter is lying unconscious with two vampires in the room?" My voice still has the markings of anger laced in it.

Tanya nods. "How did you get here so quick?"

"Alice. She can see you now."

Tanya's face becomes white. That's why I couldn't feel her trying to enter my mind. It's because she was already in it. She sinks to the floor, her hands covering her face. What should I do? I'm ruined. Absolutely ruined. Aro will be so disappointed. What will become of me? Her body rocks back and forth.

I can feel Bella's breathing on my shoulder. I pick her up and hold her in my arms. I'll take no chance setting her down for Tanya to grab.

"Why does Aro want to change her now?" I ask Tanya, my voice becoming softer now that the threat is defeated.

"Demetri insisted. Or rather commanded Aro. Aro said that the others were getting too anxious, that he must act to set an example. I don't know what got into him."

"Why were you here, Tanya?"

"To take Bella to the base of the mountain where they would change her and then take her away. I had to follow my orders, I had no choice."

"We all have choices. You just chose foolishly." She hangs her head in sorrow.

"What should I do?" Her eyes cloud over as if she's crying.

"You will follow me back to the house and from there you will lead us to your meeting place. We'll have this settled once and for all."

She nods once hesitantly in compliance.

"Good. I'll carry Bella, you will lead the way first so I can keep an eye on you. Any sudden moves and all bets are off, you understand?"

She nods more fiercely this time. Tanya gets up and makes her way to the window where she jumps out first. I'm right behind her and land softly as I can on the ground for Bella's sake. She's still out cold. I look up and see Tanya standing in front of a black shiny car.

Carlisle. Get in Edward. Alice has told me everything.

"It's Carlisle," I say to Tanya. "Get in the front, I'll put Bella in the back with me." She complies and opens the passenger door. I walk forward and open the back and carefully set Bella down while I scoot in with her.

Carlisle zooms off immediately as I shut the door. "What the hell was that all about Tanya? Do you have any idea what you're dealing with? Who you're dealing with? Aro is a very powerful man, and to get yourself caught up in this is too dangerous." She simply looks down at her hands as she picks at her nails. They're bitten to the core. It's a shame that they'll never grow back. Carlisle sighs, "Where are we going?"

Tanya says nothing for a few seconds. Her mouth opens and she softly whispers to us the directions Aro had given her. Carlisle makes a sharp turn south as we head to Mount Olympia's base.