..oo00O00oo..

As we entered the great hall that hosted the party that night, I noticed how the music had died out and every single being in the hall was straining to get a glance of us. Edward was dragged to the centre of the hall, followed closely by dozens of guards, and myself and Cole. Closing of the exit were onlookers from before, including Eveline. Every time I smelled a waft of her exotic perfume my stomach twisted in a knot.. I never felt so betrayed in my entire life.

I didn't have much time to dwell on the meanings of friendship though, as we entered a clearing in the crowds. Edward was pushed to his knees, still being held by numerous guards. They held him in the infamous death grip, both arms and neck restrained, so that with the slightest hint from one of the elders they could decapitate him and end his life for good. I shivered and tried to make out his face, but as I was still standing behind him it was impossible to do so.

I was so focussed on Edward that I didn't see who he was facing until I heard them conversing with eachother. Both Aro and Caius, flanked by their prized followers, had positioned themselves at the head of the clearing, in safe distance from us. Aro had a menacing look on his face as he glared at Edward. Caius, on the other hand, seemed to be positively gloating. I remembered how it was Caius who wanted me dead when I first came to Volterra, to save Edward. I almost giggled at the irony, looking at the situation now. The roles were reversed, but this time I was sure, I couldn't save Edward. Right at that time, Caius locked eyes with me. His smirk widened and I fought the urge to shrink back against Cole's body. Even if this were the last minutes of my existence, I wouldn't cower to him. Or anyone.

Aro raised his hand and the last murmurs died out. Dead silence in the hall. An omen of what to come.
'I would say welcome, Edward of the Cullen clan,' Aro began sweetly, 'were it not that not only were you not invited to our humble gathering..' he lowered his voice until he almost hissed, 'you were strictly forbidden to set foot on Volterra's soil ever again.' The crowd roared, some hissed at us, but neither one of us spoke. I noticed Edward's back was rigid, and he seemed deadly calm.

Aro waited for Edward to speak, and snarled when he was met with silence. 'Speak! What do you have to say for your defence?'

A moment of silence, before Edward finally spoke, loud and clear and in unwavering tone. 'I came to take back what is rightfully mine.'

The hall erupted in shouting at Edwards offending tone. In one sentence he had denied the Volturi their claim on me and positioned himself above them. My heart sank. Gone were the negotiating tactics the Cullens were famous for. Edward cut right to the chase. Which meant he knew just as well as I did that there was no way out. None but death.

Aro visibly gritted his teeth. Perhaps he had been looking for a way to end this more.. sophisticatedly, but I knew he would have to act on this insult or lose face before his entire clan. Some part of me was glad that this whole scene would be over sooner than later. As to how it would end – we would soon find out.

Caius stepped forward, both hands raised to calm down the crowds once again. 'My my, Edward, you show some strong spirit for someone in dire circumstances..' I noticed several of the onlookers smirking. They would get a show tonight.
Caius continued. 'We were in the middle of a grand feast, you see, and I myself, nor my brother I think, ' after which he quickly glanced at Aro, 'are very much in the mood for boring politics.' A few hoots from the crowds.
'So,' Caius growled, 'let's make this brief.'

He gestured to a guard on his right, who stepped forward carrying a parchment. He handed it to Caius, who opened it and held it in front of him in a theatrical matter.

'On this day I, Caius Dominus, with the power invested in me as elder of the Volturi clan, declare that Edward Cullen, for the crime of trespassing upon Volturi territory, raising hand against our own, and attempting elopement with one of most prized possessions..' I felt Cole tighten his grip on my arms, and I held my breath as the last words rang through the halls of Volterra's underground lair.

Caius lingered, then snapped the parchment shut and smiled through his teeth, fangs bared. He emphasized each horrible word that would together form the end of Edward, and inevitably, me.

.. 'will be sentenced to Death. By. Execution.'

The more the crowds started roaring, the number I seemed to feel inside. I expected to feel panicked, feel something, but everything inside me seemed to have died. I watched as Edward was dragged forward a bit, until he was dead centre of the clearing. In the process, he managed to turn his head toward me. We locked eyes. Mine empty, numb, unbelieving, but his determined, strong. I wished at that time I had the power to open my mind to him from where I was standing, to talk to him. What was he thinking? Why did he still have faith? Edward was pushed to his knees again, and his head was twisted back around to face the elders. Losing sight of him for the last time, I struggled to keep standing.

I wanted to be strong for Edward, and a selfish part of me needed to stay strong so as to be able to survive the years to come. The whole of me wanted it to be over. Somewhere in my mind, the bit that wasn't clouded over by the shock, was turning over strategies and possibilities. I could try to fight them off, get Edward free. Together we were a strong pair, we had proven ourselves before. But we would never be able to fight them all off. Then he would die anyway, and so would I. Part of me wanted to go down with him. Leave all the misery behind and just die. But it wasn't just Edward I cared for in this world. There was my daughter, my parents, the Cullens. If I died, that would be the end of my chance of ever seeing them again. So I clung to that faith, the only thing I would have after this was done.

Once again held in a death grip, Edward awaited the final command from the elders. Aro, still looking menacing, motioned the crowds to silence. 'So will it be. Now, for the act of the execution brother, who will have the honour?'
Caius closed his eyes, nodding gravely. 'Oh yes, there is that. I say we follow tradition, brother mine, and choose the greatest warrior fighter among us to rid us of this problem.' Caius raised his head and gazed straight at me. I blinked, not understanding what he meant. Until I felt Cole exhale against my back and release his grip on me. Other hands were fast to take his place, as he began to move forward towards the group holding Edward. The greatest fighter: the leader of the Volturi guard.

I shouted 'No!' and tried to wrench free. It seemed too cruel to let Edward be killed by the very man who discovered me, took me away and almost made me fall for him.
Aro, however, seemed elevated and brightened. 'Splendid, brother. You have always been one for theatrics! The two competitors for Bella's hand meet once again.'

I tried to plea. 'Aro, please, don't do this. Pick someone else, anyone!' But Aro just stood there. So, I tried to reason with Cole, who now rounded the group and positioned himself in front of Edward, so that he was facing me. 'Cole…' I whispered, deflated when I saw the look in his eyes. It was raw resolution. Edward didn't struggle against his captors but I saw him look Cole directly in the eye. 'You will never have her', he growled. Cole let that sink in, then reached for Edward's face, ready to rip off his head. 'But neither will you.' He said solemnly.

..oo00O00oo..