Yikes! As you probably can see, I've had quite a few reviews complaining about Bella, and a part of me thinks maybe I should change it. In fact, I've done this in the past, and I'm quite happy with the changes, so I always appreciate the feedback. However, in this instance, I don't really want to change this. I just don't look at being too compassionate as a vice. However, I do see the other point of view. Bella needs to learn to be more hard-hearted if she wants to make it in the Volturi world.

I look at Bella as having gone through a lot. She's lost her parents, her identity has been erased, she's been viciously attacked, her face disfigured, and now the one person she was sort of leaning on, Aro, has shown he's got a cruel streak, which kind of ripped the rug out from under her. Should she have known that? Probably. Yet Aro has always been kind to her. Does she have it in her to be a vampire? Maybe not right at this moment, but that could change. Is Bella foolish and out of line trying to help Edward? Maybe? Personally, I think the death penalty is pretty brutal, so I think it's kind of admirable that she tries to help him, even though she no longer loves him. It's much easier to just let things go and try to fit in than to try to help somebody. Anyway, nobody's perfect, characters grow and change and Bella will too.

So that being said, I do appreciate the feedback.

Here is my next chapter. I have a strange trepidation that this chapter may be just as controversial.

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Chapter 29 - The Trial

After several days, Renata's neck finely reattached. It just happened, just like that.

She was so happy, dancing around the room, wrapping her arms around Bella. "Oh, this is glorious. I finally have my voice back, and my legs, and my hands. I can go feed again. It's like a dream."

"I'm so happy you're in one piece," Bella said.

"Oh, believe me, so am I. However, Carlisle thinks I will always have a scar," Renata said, looking in the mirror at the thin red line around her throat. "I think I shall have to wear a ribbon to hide it." Pensively, she grabbed a black velvet band from her dresser and placed it around her neck. "I do have a gold buckle to wear with it along with a ruby pendant. I'm not sure I want to wear it all the time though." She sighed. "Oh well, what is it you humans say, 'scars remind us that the past is real?'"

"It's not that noticeable," Bella told her.

"Oh, yes it is, but I shouldn't be complaining, especially after what Vladimir did to you. And poor Alice. She looks frightful. I'm glad she regained consciousness."

"Yeah, I saw Alice this morning," Bella said, remembering their talk at breakfast. She had never seen Alice so depressed, and it wasn't just her looks. Yes, she was still a little green, and she kept pulling out dead sprouts out of her skin, grumbling that she looked like a potato. But there was something else that was bothering her. Edward's trial. It was today.

Obviously, the Volturi didn't waste any time. The minute Edward regained consciousness, they set up a time. Renata explained they had to do that because keeping prisoners was simply not possible.

Bella felt so unprepared. She wasn't quite ready to watch Edward be killed.

Renata took a seat on the edge of the bed. "I've heard that Vladimir has been killed."

"Not quite," Bella said bitterly. "Aro kept his living head."

"Oh no, didn't Master Marcus tell you? Right after Master Aro spoke with you, he came back into the office and tossed Vladimir's head into the fire."

"He did that?"

"Yes. Master Aro rarely indulges in torture. He probably kept the head simply because he was so furious that Vladimir hurt you."

"Well, I'm glad he threw it into the fire at least."

Renata reached over and grabbed her arm. "Bella, you do realize that Master Aro is in love with you?"

"I don't think so."

"Oh, but he is. You should have seen him after Edward abducted you. He was so furious. He told the guard that we were not to stop looking until we found you. Poor Sulpicia said something unkind, and Master Aro just turned on her. Indeed, he dragged her into his office and wrote up a divorce decree, which he made her sign. He then had her unceremoniously escorted out the door. I had to pack her things. Believe me, it wasn't pretty."

"He divorced his wife?"

"Yes, Mistress Athenodora was livid. She called Master Aro a slew of rude names and then stormed up into the tower, bolting all the doors, and refused to come out. Master Caius had to plead with her to get her to open the door. For a while there, I almost thought she was going to leave with Sulpicia, which would have made Master Caius crazy."

"Oh great, another person who probably hates me."

"No, no, the Mistress is not angry with you. She's angry with Master Aro. However, Master Aro simply didn't care. He was bound and determined to get Sulpicia out of the castle, and you must know why."

"Because of me?" Bella said glumly.

"Yes, absolutely. He did it for you. He cares for you deeply."

Bella wasn't too sure of that. She hadn't seen Aro since she spoke with him in the hall. She even sent him several messages, pleading with him to talk to her, but he never replied. "You know, Renata, I don't think I'm cut out to be a vampire. It's funny, at first, this was all I wanted to be. Especially when I met Edward and the Cullins. They had such a loving family, and they were so beautiful and strong, but now…everything seems so dark."

"Yes, there's a price you pay for immortality," Renata said. "I promise it will get easier. Believe me, I wasn't quite ready for being a vampire either. Of course, you don't have much choice."

"Actually, I do have a choice. I could choose death."

Renata's eyes grew wide and she was suddenly angry. "Don't even talk like that. Death is not the answer. In fact, death is nothing. It's the end."

"You don't believe in God?"

Renata leaned back, clearly unsure about this question. "I try not to think about it because if that's the case, I'm damned." She looked down at her hands, still holding the velvet ribbon in her hands. "Please don't choose death. I shall miss you horribly."

Bella gave a bitter chuckle. "Don't worry. I don't want to die. I'm just not sure that I can be as cold-blooded as everyone thinks I should be."

Renata smiled. "Not all vampires are cold blooded. Well, actually we are, but you know what I mean."

"Yeah, I know what you mean."

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Around noon, Renata came to fetch Bella, telling her to get ready, the trial was about to start.

Bella put on her uniform with a feeling of trepidation. On the way down, she saw Aro and raced to catch up with him. "Signore, may I please speak with you?"

Aro glared at her. "Is it about Edward?"

"Well, yes, I-"

Aro held up his hand. "You're too late. We've already reached a decision. I shall hear no more about it."

"But you haven't heard what I have to say."

"Actually you were quite vocal back in Romania. I've also read Edward's mind and Vladimir's. I know exactly what happened. The case is closed."

"But-"

Aro turned to her, his body stiff. "Isabella, when I say I will hear no more about it. That means the matter is closed."

Coldly he walked away.

Bella felt sick. She knew Edward was going to be executed. Clenching her fingers, she followed Aro into the hall.

Renata came up behind her and placed her hand on her back.

"At least I tried," Bella whispered solemnly.

"You cannot do more than that," Renata assured her.

Inside everyone was gathering around, standing back against the wall. Bella could see Carlisle and Esme, along with Alice and Jasper. All of them looked miserable.

Marcus was there, leaning back in the chair. For once though, he didn't look like he was about to fall asleep.

Caius was there too, and he did not look pleased, a scowl, permanently fused on his face.

Aro took his seat in the middle chair. He had his judge robes on.

Slowly everyone took their place.

"Bring forth the prisoner," Aro commanded.

The double doors opened and Edward was dragged into the hall, flanked by Felix and Demetri. He looked awful. Slouched over and very thin, his clothes were filthy and torn. His skin looked sallow and green, little dead sprouts popping up all over on his face and arms. He glanced over at her, and Bella looked away.

She couldn't look at him.

"The prisoner will kneel," Aro commanded.

Edward just stood there, his eyes filled contempt. "What's the point? We both know you're going to kill me anyway."

Aro's eyes filled with fury. Standing up, he walked down from the platform, and brutally smacked Edward right upside the head, knocking him off his feet. He then pressed his boot to Edward's temple and pinned him the floor. "Listen here, little man. I could crush you like a bug. So if were you, I would be very careful with what I say and how I say it. You are in my court and what I say goes. So if I tell you to kneel, you will kneel. Otherwise, I might just decide to smash your head into little pieces. Dear Carlisle will have to sweep your brains up with a dustpan, and then maybe in a decade or so you might have the wits about you to say your own name. So I suggest you wipe that look of contempt from your face and do as you are told. Do you understand?"

Edward looked dazed and shocked. If he was thinking of fighting back, Felix and Demetri made it a point to show he wasn't going to do anything.

Bella had never seen Aro this angry. Marcus was right. He did have a nasty temper.

"Answer me," Aro commanded.

Edward seemed to have problems speaking with Aro's boot digging into his skull, but he answered. "Yes, Signore."

"Yes, what?"

"Yes, I understand."

Aro released him. "Now get up."

Edward moved to a kneeling position, his unblinking gaze focused on the floor, his head bowed.

Aro circled around him, glancing over at Jane. "If he's in contempt of court again, make sure he pays for it."

Jane bowed her head. "Yes, Master."

"Edward Masen, you have brought here because you willingly conspired with our enemies and abducted a future member of our guard. What do you have to say for yourself?"

Edward just shook his head. He looked so pathetic, his body hunched over as if he had given up.

"So you have nothing to say?"

"No Signore."

"Well, then we shall pass judgment."

Both Marcus and Caius nodded.

Aro brought his hands together in front of him. "We have discussed at length what should be done with you, and believe me, it wasn't an easy decision. You have committed a capital offense and should be put to death. However," Aro waved his arm toward the Cullens. "We've had numerous requests asking for clemency. I have received letters from the Denali Coven, including Eleazar, who once served us, making entreaties to your good character.

"I also received a petition signed by the Cullens, assuring me that this behavior will never happen again, on pain of death."

Aro pointed toward Alice. "Miss Alice Brandon was so intent on saving you that she has agreed to join the Guardia Interna and serve the Volturi for no less than one hundred years, starting on January 1st."

Bella gasped and looked over at her.

Edward looked over at her too, shaking his head.

Aro continued. "This is a very tempting offer. Her gift of clairvoyance would be extremely helpful to us. Her mate, Mr. Jasper Whitlock, wishes to join us as well so he can be close to her, and I think he will make a fine addition as well." Aro glanced over at both of them, and Alice and Jasper reluctantly nodded back.

"My good friend Carlisle has agreed has agreed to join the Guardia Esterna, and act as a liaison and an operative in North America, which would be quite beneficial, because we simply do not have enough manpower there."

Carlisle indicated this was true, his expression grim.

Aro now turned to Bella, which made her cringe.

"The last request for leniency came from my guard member Isabella Swan, the one you abducted. She seems to still have an attachment to you which is quite regrettable." For a moment, a look of sadness passed over his face. "I will admit, I'm rather partial to her, and gave much consideration to her request. However, if I do this, it will be the last favor I will ever grant her."

Bella knew this shouldn't come as a shock. It shouldn't even bother her. She didn't want to be with Aro anymore. He was cruel. However, just hearing this broke her heart.

Aro now turned back to Edward. "So there you have it. You are guilty. You deserve death, but no law is absolute. I have more to gain from showing you clemency than carrying out your punishment. Therefore, you will not die today."

Edward looked up at him in shock.

Aro glared at him. "However, you are not to be let off the hook that easy. You have committed a grave offense to the Volturi Coven. One that cannot go unpunished. Therefore, I will show you what happens to vampires that steal from us and try to appropriate what is rightfully ours."

Aro nodded to Felix and Demetri.

Immediately, both guards grabbed Edward's arms, and with vicious tug ripped his hands off.

Bella had bit down to keep from crying out.

Edward let out a howl, screaming in pain, collapsing to the ground.

Felix placed the hands on a silver tray and then carried it to a table next to a wooden block.

Aro picked one up and studied it like it was an insect, the hand still squirming in his grasp. "This is what happens when you put you put your grubby hands on things that don't belong to you. You lose them. Tell me, Edward, should I throw this one in the fire?"

Edward was too shaken to answer, looking down his arms where his hands used to be.

"Such a shame. I've been told you are a gifted pianist."

Aro walked over to the fireplace.

This was the first time Bella even noticed they had lit a fire. She held her breath.

Aro watched the flames for several seconds. "Right now, I won't throw them into the fire. I will keep them, and maybe if you are very good, I will give them back. However, if you displease me," he said, walking back to the table, setting the hand on the block of wood. "You will know it. Let me demonstrate" Smoothly, he pulled out what looked like a nasty ice pick with a broad handle and a titanium steel tip, and then viciously drove it right into the center of Edward's hand, impaling it, the fingers flailing around.

Edward screamed in pain, his arm reflexively moving to his stubby wrist, staring at it with horror.

Caius gave a smirk.

"You may go," Aro said, waving them away.

Immediately, Carlisle and Esme rushed to Edward, helping him to his feet. "When might he have his hands back," Carlisle asked him.

"I haven't decided yet. Ask me in a year," Aro told him, waving him away.

People started making their way out the door.

Caius turned to Alice and Jasper. "I suggest that you arrive a few days before you start, so will not be late."

Alice nodded, her expression bleak as Jasper put his arms around her, and walked her out the door.

Caius then turned to Bella. "Miss Swan, you are to go your room and wait to be called."

Bella nodded, swallowing hard. Was she in trouble now? Probably. Aro wouldn't even look at her. If she was, she really didn't give a damn anymore. All she did was try to prevent an execution. If that was a crime, then fuck em. "I will wait, Signore," she said dully.

Renata moved to walk with her, but then Aro stopped her. "Renata, I would like you to stay."

"Yes, Master," she said with a bow. She looked over at Bella with a haunted look.

So I am to be denied my friends too, Bella thought. You can all go to hell.

Felix held the door for her, as Bella walked out of the hall.

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I want to thank everybody for your reviews, likes and follows.