I'm a bit quicker this time. Sorry again for slacking.

As always enjoy, follow, favorite, review if you like. I like reading your thoughts.

Someone didn't like the last chapter. I'm sorry about that. Maybe this one is better. Things will pick up in the next chapter; quite a bit actually.
I hope it doesn't feel too rushed. I might come back and add something later but I'm quite ready for the action to start.

Please don't take my scientific explanations seriously. I enjoy making these up but it's just that: A (probably baseless) fabrication of my brain.

~Jane's POV~

"Where are we going?" Isabella whines behind me. "And when are we there?" –I chuckle. "Do you want me to carry you again? We would be there in a few seconds."
Her already pale skin becomes even lighter reminding me of Master Aro for a second. My mate, as it turns out, does not handle speed very well – or it was the jumping off the Volturi castle outer walls.

Now we are walking through the dense forest near Volterra. It's filled with small bushes and large trees, dousing everything in different colors of green and brown.
It's peaceful. Or rather, it would be if there was any other life around us. There are no birds chirping or small animals trying to gather food for their young ones.
They can all sense me. A predator. So, they flee. It's the obvious choice.
But that makes the forest quiet – too quiet. I take a subtle sniff of our surroundings. One can never be too careful.
But there is nothing out of the ordinary. No other vampires dare to come too close to our territory and the werewolves aren't close either, seemingly at least.

Our path ever so slowly inclines and the thick deep green moss and small branches and pines on the floor make way for a rockier surface. It's still sunny today so we won't be able to stay too long outside.
No matter. Every second with my mate is worth travelling any distance.

Without any further nagging – Isabella is probably too scared of me carrying her again – we quickly reach our destination. I pull the last branches of a thick pine tree out of our path. A soft gasp is heard behind me.

There is no cloud to obscure the view in front of us. The sky is still a deep ocean blue. In an hour or two it will slowly turn into a canvas of purple and red shades as it'll illuminate the sinking sun. But for now both of us are standing on a steep cliff overlooking another, far larger part of the forest a few dozen meters beneath us.

I turn to look at the brunette. Although I expected her to be as entranced as I was the very first time I've been at this spot, her eyes find mine instantly as if she's been watching me the entire time.

As she just continues to stare, I slowly lift an eyebrow and throw her a tiny smirk. "What is it? Expected me to turn to ashes?"

"Well, at least catch a bit of fire", Isabella instantly throws back in my face.
She takes a few steps closer towards me and strokes with her hand over my cheek. "I guess you are kind of cute though, Janie." A growl escapes my lips as she throws me an exaggerated wink and stops her ministrations to walk closer to the edge. Throwing a casual glance over the edge my mate – wisely – backs away a bit and turns to me.

"So, another myth, huh?"

I lift my hand up and inspect my fingers. The paleness nearly created a reflection but instead I probably just look like a ghost or a human on the brink of death. Isabella watches me as well but if she shares my musings, I don't know. I couldn't fault her for that. At the same time, I want to be as attractive for her as possible.

"Of sorts", I agree but swiftly carry on. She has to understand the life she is choosing. I can't take that choice from her. Even if my masters don't understand.
"It's not deathly per se but it is uncomfortable, even a bit painful if you are exposed to sunshine for too long. No vampire would endure the sun for a longer period of time than absolutely necessary."

My mate takes her place at my side again looking contemplative. Her arms twitch a bit as if she is thinking about pushing me towards the shadows of the forest, we just emerged mere minutes ago from.

"Why is that?" The curiosity shines in her eyes as she regards me again. I don't know if she is still only looking at my complexion or searching for any signs of pain or maybe even small clouds of smoke coming from my body.

I shrug lightly. "We can't say for sure. Vampires don't exactly line up to be test subjects and so far no experiments with … unwilling participants have been conducted. It is probably a result of the absence of cell division. As sunlight stimulates cells it might be similar to a sort of 'reverse skin cancer' because vampire cells can't be stimulated. At the end of the day, this is only a theory. Though Master Caius would probably be thrilled to have someone to discuss the scientific ramifications with if you are interested."

Isabella violently shakes her head hands up in the air in a defensive motion. "No, that's alright. That guy gives me the creeps." I laugh and close the distance to wrap my arms around her. It's pretty hot today so she shouldn't get too cold. "At least you have some sort of basic human instinct, Isabella."

"Is that what you wanted to come here for? I thought you wanted to be alone with me." Her hands move inside my black cloak caressing my sides with her fingers. "You should be informed. I know you think there is not a risk with your transformation but the concerns your 'friends' have brought forth and the normal changes you have to endure should be considered before you rush into this."

"Look at you, Janie. Weren't you against prolonging this before? What's with you now? You know I don't care about this as long as I can be with you." Still with her arms around my waist Isabella slowly walks me backwards. I don't resist too busy searching in her face for the hint of doubt I've seen before. The dark of the forest wraps around us as my mate succeeds in getting us out of the sunlight and into the shadows again.

"I trust you. You won't let anything happen to me… and I'm pretty badass myself" Her eyes twinkle as she presses me against a tree. "Now please… Let's have some alone time."

~Bella's POV~

The turning seems to be some sort of once-in-a-year-event in this castle if the massive banquet is anything to go by. Why they acquired these amounts of food is beyond me considering I'm the only one (to my knowledge) that even ingest 'normal' food in this castle.

Nevertheless, as Aro has explained it – with an enthusiastically nodding Heidi behind him – I should enjoy my last human meal and that apparently includes having the so-called kings and their wives along with their inner circle and the Cullens watch me as I munched on and on. I avoid thinking about what would happen to the "left-over" food in my body once the transformation is finished and my body couldn't digest it anymore.

"Do you need anything else, dear Bella?"

I quickly shake my head afraid they would somehow and from somewhere procure even more food. Jane leans into my side to (needlessly) whisper: "You can stop any time, you know? I think you ate enough to not hurt Heidi's feelings to badly."

Said vampire huffs and turns to glare at Jane for a few seconds. "I honestly could do without your chattiness, Jane. Brooding, angry you was much more tolerable." The blonde just shrugs and goes back to fussing over my wellbeing. Not that I'm complaining.

Around the table in the big throne room you can see various emotions playing on everyone's faces. Some where plain uninterested, others like Aro, Demetri and Alec seem to be delighted that we have decided upon my 'final' day. Mainly the Cullens have worry written all across their faces. Alice tries to give me a reassuring glance once in a while but even she can't hide the concern lurking underneath the surface.
And then there are others (Caius) glaring daggers at the Cullen family still suspicious of their intentions even though we thought it best to explain the actual reason for their 'visit'.

I know it's risky but in the end there is no choice. Over the last week multiple members of the Volturi guard as well as the Cullens and lastly Jane explained their experience of becoming and actual being a vampire to me: The good times, the bad times and the choices they had to make. The choice of hunting animals, the choice of hunting humans. The choice of becoming someone else. The choice of staying the same at heart. "You gain a new perspective, Isabella. What is one war compared to the ten you've already lived through? What is one life compared to the thousands you've seen perish? What are concepts of 'good' and 'bad', of 'truth' and 'false' when goodness and truth are always determined by the one left standing?"

Well, there is one truth for me and that is that I want to be by my Jane's side. And so, it was decided.

The clanking of the cutlery on my plate has everyone present in the room return their attention to the current situation.

"Why don't you take your Bella to your room, dear Jane? I'm sure she would be more comfortable in a familiar environment." Aro has at least sometimes a good idea it seems. The blonde vampire nods and gets up reaching for my hand to help me stand as well.

Before I can make a move, slender arms wrap around me in a tight hug. Alice's black spiky hair moves against my face as she presses closer to me.
"Promise me you'll be okay." I smile softly and squeeze her back. "Well, you know me." The short vampire laughs. "Exactly." A short kiss was pressed against my cheek and Alice steps back ignoring the glare Jane sends her way.
After getting up and hugging the other Cullen members ("Yes, I'm sure, Ed. Please let me go.") and Demetri I follow Jane down the long-winded hallways of Volturi castle.

Once we reach her room, she closes the door softly behind us and turns to me. "Are you sure?"
I take another few steps further into her huge quarters and let myself fall back on the massive bed with a beautiful oak frame and red satin sheets that now resides in her room.

"Take me, Jane!" She rolls her eyes as I dramatically present my neck to her all doubt now gone from my mind. "Please don't be as insufferable, when you wake up." I wink at her. "You love it."

She sits herself beside me and nods. "I do." Ever so slowly she touches my cheek and smiles as I lean against her, into her touch. "Me too, Jane."
And then she kisses me; softly at first. Her lips are barely touching mine. Then she moves against me and I relish in her closeness, in her scent and in the feeling, she elicits deep within me. Her kisses trail down my face towards my neck.

It's bliss.

Until it's not. And then the fire starts.