I totally thought I had posted this and got upset when I had no reviews but when I found I hadn't posted it I decided to wear a hat that said dunce on it all day.

Pacing Death's Trail

Rain made the images blurry but I could easily recognise the snarling faces a few yards in front of me. Three times as many vampires stood opposite that did next to me.

We were outnumbered and we hadn't even started introducing ourselves. Behind the vampires, the wolves stood pawing the ground with their large paws I didn't know if they were nervous or just itching for a fight. Vampires stood next to their mates and loved ones close together as they looked ahead with fear in their eyes, some like Ricky had a manic gleam to them. I was stood in the middle of Jason and Edward, the most important people in my life, as they both gripped one of my hands in theirs.

Aro looked around our small number of vampires and smiled. "Well Isabella, it looks like you will be joining us at last."

The image changed to one of a great fire and then flickered away from the purple smoke to a hospital before my mind was filled with an image of the sky.

Jason removed his hands and glanced at Edward before looking back at me. I wondered if Edward got a clear picture as Jason had shown me the images in a different language.

"That's all there is, it changes sometimes with Stefan and Vladimir talking first…but Aro's words are always the same." Jason ran a hand over his face and seemed to be thinking over his next words. "The fire near the end, I can't see who is in there, it may just be from a few hours ago or we may actually have to fight." Jason was prevented by saying anything else by Edward who cleared his throat unnecessarily.

"Erm, I know you two are close but can we have this conversation translated so I know what is going on?" I looked at Jason who nodded and took my shield off, translating what had just been said into English in my mind for Edward to see.

We carried on discussing what Jason had saw until the sun went down. Mated pairs went to find privacy and others sat in unsure silence. I stayed on the porch with Jason and Edward, allowing Edward to pull me onto his lap and wrap his arms tightly around me while I held one of Jason's hands. We were soon joined by Alice and Jasper and I let my mind drift as Alice, Edward and Jason carried on the conversation.

I watched Benjamin and his mate Tia ran towards some trees and the rain didn't hit them. I laughed to myself and then stopped when an idea hit my head. I pulled off one of my shoes and threw it into the rain. I concentrated on focusing my physical shield over the shoe but rain still got through it. I tried again and again but I wasn't able to stop the rain from hitting the shoe.

I gave up and started to get up to retrieve my shoe only to be stopped by Edward's tight grip around my waist. I turned to look at him but he wasn't looking at me and was in conversation with Alice. I sighed and snuggled into Edward only to freeze a moment later.

"Bella? What is it?"

I shook my head and concentrated again, sure that I had sensed it right and that there was vampire coming towards us. A vampire that I hadn't been around the past few months. A vampire I was sure I hadn't talked to in nearly a century.

Marcus.

This time I was successful in escaping Edward's arms. I looked over to Jason and frowned before looking back to where I could sense Marcus coming closer. "There's somebody coming…" I whispered.

"Where are they? Bella?" I pointed my chin in the direction and watched Edward shake his head. "I can't hear anybody new Bella. Are you sure?" I nodded and stepped into the rain waiting for him to come closer.

Edward winded his fingers through mine but didn't try to stop me when I walked slowly towards the trees. I looked over my shoulder at Jason who shook his head.

When Edward gasped I knew I was right and that Marcus was coming this way. I stopped and focused on the tree line, a big smiled coming on my face when I saw Marcus.

"I thought you would be with your brothers." I said and took in every detail of Marcus' face that hadn't changed since the last time I saw him.

Marcus exhaled loudly and wrapped his arms around me which was a bit difficult because Edward was clinging onto one my arms. He let me go and held my face between his hands as he looked down on me. He pressed a kiss to my forehead before his eyes flickered to Edward and widened before he looked back at me and grinned.

"I told you he was out there didn't I, dear?"

I scowled at the Romanian's frown and raised an eyebrow, waiting for them to criticise me on the company I keep. I wasn't disappointed.

"You can't have both sides Bella! Its either you are with them or against them. There is no such thing of being the in-between. You either want the Volturi dead and smoking or you abide by their silly laws and take their punishments without complaint."

"If we still ruled, you would be our queen. You could help rule our world, and yet you insist on associating yourselves with the enemy. I don't know what Braxton taught you, but I can assure you if he wasn't already dead he would be suffering our wrath for putting these ideas of peace in your head."

I hissed at them both before leaving them and going to Carlisle's study where Edward, Carlisle, Jason and Marcus were.

"It isn't only Aro's greed that drives him here Carlisle, he wants to show the vampire world the power he holds and he thinks that if he comes here he will be able to show his authority when Isabella surrenders to him." I paused in the doorway before sitting myself between Edward and Jason on the couch.

"So what you're saying is that Aro is coming here to get people to fear him?" Marcus nodded at Carlisle before he looked over at me and smiled sadly.

"He claims that his reasoning behind this invasion is to claim his spoils of war, a war that ended centuries ago and it makes no sense as to why he would want to claim what hadn't been claimed when he had had many opportunities to do that in the past. And if that was the case then he would want to claim the Romanian's downstairs as well but he only wants power.

"With Isabella with the Volturi, he would see himself as unstoppable to the whole races."

I glanced at Edward when he let out a growl and smiled sadly at him. "Surely Aro knows that he can't force those who have done no wrong toward him into submission? That is what we haven't figured out yet…why would he use force to get Bella, and not negotiate with her?"

Marcus laughed lightly and shook his head at Edward. "You may know your mate now Edward but when she came to us she was….for a better word, feisty." His eyes flashed to mine with amusement before settling back on Edward. "Even though you are a vampire you are quite young, to me, Carlisle and Isabella. Vampires have no trust in those they meet. I'm sure you felt the same way when you met the vampires in this house you hadn't before." I snorted when he whispered, hopefully the Romanians the most, under his breath.

"Bella bit Caius?!?" Edward blurted, his eyes wide as they looked between me and what he must be seeing in Marcus' mind.

"I told you she was feisty when she came to us. Along with outrageously protective over Mitchell." Marcus paused and looked over at me. "I'm sorry that he died Bella."

After further discussion with Carlisle, Marcus left back for Italy, or that is what he said but by the look on Edward's face I realised that we would probably be the last vampires to see him.

"How much longer?" Carlisle asked.

Jason blinked before answering. "Fifteen minutes…their tracker took the long way here." I smiled at the thought that Demetri might be doing something for me.

Edward's grip on my hand was close to painful but I wouldn't tell him. Marcus' words had made a prominent frown to appear on his face and no matter how many times I had smoothed it with my fingers it always returned.

His grip tightened and he spun me to face him, wrapping his arms around my waist and resting them on the small of my back. His eyes searched mine and he licked his lips before leaning his forehead against mine.

"Marry me." He whispered.

I didn't know what shocked me the most, if it was what his words meant or that he had spoken them in a language only Jason would understand.

"What?" I spluttered and stared at him while he repeated the two words.

Marriage.

It was a strange concept to me, even though I knew that all of the other Cullens were married. But marriage…it just seemed so…so…human…

And I'm not. I thought lamely.

I looked back to Edward who had started to look slightly panicked as his eyes darted over my face, probably trying to get an inkling of what was going on through my mind.

"I…I don't know what to say…marriage isn't something I have had to think about…I don't remember my human husband nor have I really been around any vampires that were married before I met you…" The world seemed to have no meaning as I looked at the hopeful expression on Edward's face turn to one of distraught and I hastily carried on. "I'm not saying no it just…I don't know what a wife does, how I should act…I would be the worlds worst wife!"

Edward chuckled and rubbed his nose against mine. "I doubt you could be the worlds worst wife Bella, I love you too much." I sighed and tilted my head so I could press my lips to Edward's and didn't complain when he pulled me tighter at him and attacked my mouth almost desperately.

What if either of us didn't survive this? Or something bad happened to one of the family? The wolves?

I reluctantly pulled away from Edward and ignore all the others stares as I turned to the empty space in front of me and lifted the corner of my mouth when I felt Jason's palm cover mine.

We would be alright.

I would make sure.

The minutes seemed to be dragging on slowly, slower then anything I had ever experienced.

Finally, Edward showed the reaction I had been hoping for; he stiffened and let out a small growl. I think everybody tensed slightly when the sounds of hundreds of feet softly hitting the ground could be heard.

Before they came into sight, the clouds opened with a clap of thunder and the rain began to pour down on us. Just like Jason had showed me.

I wasn't sure if I was thankful for the distraction of the rain when I caught sight of just how many vampires there were flooding into the clearing. I ignored the whispers as I scanned the faces of the vampires and started when I realised that apart from the Volturi members, I didn't know any of them.

Aro looked around our small number of vampires and smiled. "Well Isabella, it looks like you will be joining us at last."

Edward growled and I tugged his hand for him to be silent and was glad when he seemed to take my lead in being silent. Jason turned his head and I looked over to Carlisle who walked just slightly in front of us.

Aro seemed to become animated as his eyes landed on Carlisle and he clapped his hands before walking a few steps toward him, a small group of vampires shadowing his every step.

"My dear old friend Carlisle! It is nice to see you again!" Aro beamed and I had trouble figuring it out if he was putting on a show or he was genuinely pleased to see Carlisle.

"And you too Aro," Carlisle replied.

"Well, it seems strange to have to see you in such dire events my friend, but I was surprised when I was informed you were harbouring a fugitive among your 'family'. I must say I would never think it of you Carlisle to hide such a precious gift and use it as your own."

I growled and let go of Edward's and Jason's hand as I stepped forward to Carlisle. "You know very well I wasn't in hiding Aro." I spat. "You're just overjoyed at the opportunity to finally take me as one of your own into you deranged collection. The six years I spent with you was nothing but you practically begging me to stay in Italy."

Aro's whole demeanour changed along with his aura. "I have no need to beg Isabella. It will be you that will be begging me for mercy when the day is though."

Edward snorted and all eyes flickered to his. "When Carlisle told me of your gift Aro, I didn't realise that you would get every single thought from the person you touch." Aro looked curious. "You're informant had a plan brewing in her mind when she touched you and yet you let her go. She is the only one that is guilty here. She was the one that broke one of the laws you pretend to enforce on our kind. And yet you let her go."

By now Aro looked positively furious. "Pray tell, what is your power…"

"I read minds." Edward stated simply with a shrug of his shoulders.

Aro's eyes took a strange gleam to them and his lips moved silently. I looked over at Edward but he was too focused on what he was seeing in Aro's mind to notice anything.

Seemingly without thought, Aro moved back toward his one brother and I realised how strange they looked with the two of them without silent Marcus near them.

Carlisle looked to Edward for direction. "They are discussing who is here. The Romanians have made them feel uneasy especially now they know that Bella is on their side. They don't know what to do know, there is no excuse to give to just up and leave but it seems that Caius wants to do anything in his power to have Bella in flames and the rest of our family in exile along with many of those in our number.

"Aro is curious of my mind reading and how powerful it is. He does not know any of our talents apart from Bella's. His informant hadn't known anything about us except our faces and location but she knew that Bella was powerful and hoped that by going to the Volturi they would get her revenge for her mate if she failed." Edward's jaw clenched and he looked down on me before looking back at Carlisle.

"It seems that various members of the guard will want to stay and fight Bella, no matter what their masters say."

Aro seemed to have finished his silent conversation with Caius and looked over once more at Carlisle.

"Well, while Isabella feels that she hasn't done anything wrong, perhaps you would be willing to show me that." Aro's eyes gleamed at me through the rain.

I gritted my teeth as Carlisle walked to Aro and made sure that he was fully protected by both my shields, knowing that Aro would become angry when he couldn't 'see' anything from Carlisle's mind.

I was correct in my assumption and didn't flinch under Aro's angered gaze but had to hold back a smirk, unlike Stefan and Vladimir who burst into chuckles at Aro's expression.

"Isabella, you do know that you can't keep up your mind tricks forever don't you? Sooner or later there will be a hole in your shield." Aro growled.

"Mind tricks? And here I was, thinking that it was you who held the cards when it came to mind tricks. Aren't you the one that collects vampires with gifts that manipulate the mind? Without them, Aro, you would be worthless, defenceless and nothing better than the rest of us. You hide away in Volterra, sending out your guard to do your dirty work and collect your food. Vampires are built to discover and move around, not sit in a throne and rule a populace that is doing just that.

"Even when I was a newborn, my 'masters' didn't sit still for so long as I have seen you do. They went out to their people and talked about the world and how fast it seemed to be changing." I sighed and looked at Edward, then Jason, and then everybody else. "The love you so called feel is material, made up by one of your vampires with the trick to make others believe that they want to be with you and your demonic ways.

"I wonder if I placed them all within my shield, would they be free from your control and eventually see sense? Shouldn't a ruler's guard be there with a bit of want in their hearts? To want to protect their masters from harm and not silently hate what they do?" I didn't know where my words were coming from but they seemed to be having an effect on Aro.

"Jane." He muttered.

Edward moved from my side and grabbed Carlisle's arm, but froze when he realised that nothing was happening to him. He turned wide eyed to me and gazed at me before looking to Jane and then back.

I smiled tightly and tried to focus on something else than the dagger like feel of Jane's power trying to break through my strong shield with no success. Another pain was added and Edward looked over Chelsea before turning back at me again.

"How can you keep them all out at once?" Edward whispered as he came to my side and searched my face. "How can you keep our minds free and yet still not be on the floor with the pressure from it?"

"It's not without effort." I gritted out as I strange feeling of pressure appeared on my mind as a new power was added to the mix. "Though crippling on the floor seems like a good idea right about now…what are they all doing?"

Edward glanced over his shoulder before answering. "Jane is doing her stunt, Chelsea is trying to break any and every bond, Heidi is focusing on luring all the males to her, Alec is still warming up but his power should start soon, one of them, I don't know her name, is trying to confuse us into walking backwards, another is trying to make us open to any suggestion that will come our way…there's so many Bella that they are all blending into one."

I nod and gasp when I felt someone being flung into my physical shield.

"Aro…do you mind awfully not torturing my sister as she tries to protect those she loves from pain?" Aro's eyes widened as he looked between Jason and I.

"And who are you newborn?" Aro inquired.

"I'm Bella's little brother and I would hate it if I had to carry out what I see in my mind right now as I'm sure Esme would hate it if I dismantled your head in front of her…not exactly gentlemanly behaviour that I have been raised with…" I scoffed at Jason but carried on glaring at the floor as I kept my shield up and tried hard to not think of the pressure coming down on me from the weight of it.

"Your words make no sense so speak with proper tongue. Isabella doesn't have a little brother, so the words you speak are lies and of you killing me? Not a possibility that is even remotely going to happen."

"Not by blood we are joined but by the mind we are Gramps. I've seen you from Bella's memories in my mind, but not once did I see you being a small child that can't have the shiny toy he wants. We all know you only want Bella for her talent and nothing else. You would even give up everybody to have her in your possession." Jason paused and I could almost imagine him cocking his head to the side, pretending to think of a good insult.

"I like that idea much better Gramps. You run with your tail between you legs but let those who want to fight my sister stay and lose-" I couldn't hear the rest of Jason's words, my mind was filled with the weight of everything and I felt my knees land heavily on the ground but I didn't let up my shield.

How long had I been here again? Was it two seconds, two hours? Longer? It wasn't very entertaining here; there was just white light, white noise.

Oh, and the pain that seemed to be screaming in my mind.

But something was telling me the pain was good, that what my mind was doing for the pain to happen was the best thing in the world I could be doing, so I continued to do it.

Sounds like thunder rumbling reached my ears and my mind recognised them as growls, very familiar growls. The screaming didn't seem so bad now when I knew that Edward was near me. Edward was there so everything was going to be alright.

Eye lids closed and then lifted. The white was fading and I hastily blinked, rejoicing when my surroundings came back to me. Esme was knelt in front of me with Carlisle beside her as they both looked at me concerned. But that didn't matter to me anymore.

I gritted my teeth and stood, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand and became confused when I saw trickles of venom left on my skin. My eyes stung and I wondered where the venom was coming from but the though left my mind when I looked over at the Volturi with new found determination.

"I will give you the opportunity to leave, or I will not hesitate to use one of Emmett's phrases and kick your ass outta town!"

Aro stared at me in shock before looking at Caius. I didn't know whether to feel angry or elated when at least half of the vampires scattered before Aro had even made a decision with his brother.

Everything seemed to change. My shields now felt like mine, not something that had just been stumbled upon and I had been able to manipulate with effort, it seemed so easy now as I flexed its edges and discovered the new ways I could get it to flow without any effort on my part.

Edward stood in front of me now, his body turned slightly so his back wasn't fully exposed to the Volturi. His hands cupped my face and he mashed his mouth to mine, before pulling away and smoothing his thumbs under my eyes as he frowned.

"Your eyes…" He trailed off when Aro cleared his throat.

The decision had been made.

"It seems we stay, though as you can obviously see many of our number have already deserted us." Aro's eyes flickered to Demetri who was stood stock still and expressionless, only his eyes seemed to scream defiance at what his master would now be requesting of him.

Jason smirked and nodded at Demetri and then at Aro. "It seems that all those who you wish to stay have…different thoughts…show you are a true leader and give your loyal subjects a chance to chose their own side or leave and live the rest of their existence on their own.

Aro's mouth opened in shock and I was thankful for Jason's smart mouth when it came to aggravating people. Caius growled at the suggestion but now it was out there, many of the vampires seemed to be looking at Aro like he was their mother about to let her child play on the swings.

"Fine." Aro spat, and as soon as the word had left his lips, more vampires left except for Demetri who walked up to the boundary line of my shield and raised a hand to it.

"If you would Bella." I smiled and let him through and watched as he stood next to Carlisle, almost as though he didn't know who to pledge his allegiance to so he chose a vampire he had the most familiarity with.

I looked over the thirty or so vampires left at smiled.

A slice of mountain lion.

A/N: I know it sucks but I had to end it somehow. Epilogue should be up soon!

Thanks to those who have reviewed the last chap, I love you all lots :)