Alrighty peeps!

Here's another chapter. It's short, because I'm sick and got a massive headache plus I am exhausted. Had to call in sick for work and get a COVID test done.

Please forgive the short chapter. Hopefully I'll be more fresh tomorrow to add to this story.

Aro gave another sweeping glance around at the trees before he got back into the car, thrusting it into gear, and peeling it around rapidly speeding down the road, away from the fallen tree. His senses were on edge, as he kept an eye out for any further attacks from the redhead. He was also focusing intently on his destination.

"What's wrong?" Bella asked, shifting around in her seat to be able to glance out the back window.

"Why are we driving so fast?" She asked, staring at Aro's profile.

"I am getting you out of here," he answered softly.

"Aro, slow down, it will be okay. Nothing happened. Trees fall over all the time," She said, her voice still a little shaky.

"This was no accident," He muttered darkly.

"What?" She asked, shock seeping through the word.

"It was Viktoria," He added, not taking his eyes off the road.

"What?" She repeated. She sounded scared now.

"Viktoria is here?"

"So it would seem," Aro confirmed softly.

"How do you know?" She asked urgently.

"I saw her," he said darkly.

She went silent then.

"You know of her?" She whispered.

"I do," Aro said, his voice growing even darker.

"She is a particularly troubled vampire. She has eluded the Volturi for centuries. Her crimes are legion and she has only become more dangerous since the death of her mate." Aro said all this with his eyes on the road.

"Her gift is exceptional. She is good at sensing when danger is coming. And she is after you," he added, his voice dangerous now.

"I will be taking you to school tomorrow." It wasn't a question.

Bella nodded, gulping slightly.

"If you insist on going that is. Given the circumstances, I think you should take the day off," he added, still not looking at her.

Bella didn't answer.

They drove on for a long while. She suddenly realised they weren't going to her house.

"Where are you taking me?" She asked, glancing at him.

"The only place where you'll be safe for now," he said. She almost asked him what he meant, but then he spoke.

"The Cullen's."

As Aro got out of the car, he hastily checked the surroundings for any signs of danger and then he opened the door in the passenger's side, allowing Bella to get out too. She glanced up at the large familiar house. It had been a while since she had been here.

The door opened before they even reached it, and Aro set eyes on his long time friend.

"Aro," Carlisle said, his face folded into a carefully constructed mask.

"Come in,"

"Thank you, Carlisle," Aro said, gently pushing Bella in before he himself stepped over the threshold and closed the door behind them.

Bella was barely following events as things seemed to happen so fast. Carlisle clearly expected them and she guessed that Alice had something to do with it.

"Are you alright, Bella?" Carlisle asked, peering into her face.

"You look pale," he added softly.

Bella stared at him mutely.

"I think perhaps she is in shock," Aro explained, taking her by the elbow and nodding to Carlisle, indicating for them to move further into the house.

Carlisle led them up through the house, finally stopping in the kitchen.

They were all there. Edward, Alice, Jasper, Esme, Rosalie and Emmett. Aro took in everyone at once.

Rosalie was glaring at him. This he had expected. Emmett and Jasper were frowning. Alice and Edward were smiling softly and Esme had a neutral expression.

Aro nodded at them all, and then turned his attention to Bella. He led her to a kitchen chair and sat her down, standing beside her. The others gathered around them.

"What's going on?" Rosalie asked, her dark eyes glaring balefully at Aro.

"Why is he here?" She added.

"Rose," Carlisle said softly.

"He's here because Viktoria attacked them," Alice interjected hastily.

All heads turned to look at her.

"But why is he with Bella?!" Rosalie sputtered impatiently.

Everyone turned to Aro, watching him expectantly. His gaze met Alice. She nodded slowly. He glanced at Bella. She was still staring vaguely into space. He hesitated. What would happen if he told them the truth? Would they believe him?

"It's okay Aro. Tell them," Edward said, his voice reassuring.

Aro mentally shook himself, sighing slightly.

"I am here, because Isabella is my mate," he said softly. Everyone but Alice and Edward froze.

"You what?!" Rosalie exploded, standing swiftly, a challenging glare at him.

"Rose, it's true," Alice said hastily.

"I've seen it."

There was a tense silence in the large kitchen.

"How is that possible?" Carlisle said into the silence.

"It is a long story," Aro said wearily," not intending to let all of them know what had happened in these last weeks.

Edward smirked. Aro almost sighed. Well almost all of them.

"And Viktoria attacked you? How? When?" Esme asked.

"Shortly before we got here. She tried to crush us with a tree," he explained.

Esme slowly put a hand over her mouth.

"She is clearly still out to get Bella," Carlisle said, glancing at Edward, who nodded darkly.

Aro glanced at his young mate. She had turned a delicate shade of green.

"Where is your bathroom?" Aro hastily asked, easily hoisting Bella up into his arms.

Carlisle saw the imminent danger and pointed to just around the corner. Aro flashed to the spacious room, putting down Bella. She barely made it. She kneeled in front of the toilet and vomited. Aro was beside her, doing his best to soothe her while she was sick.

"Are you alright, my love?" He asked once she finished.

She was gripping her brow with one hand, her eyes closed, breathing heavily.

"No," she croaked, speaking through her teeth.

"I can't believe she's back," she said, heaving a deep sigh, turning around and plopping down onto the floor, leaning against the bathtub.

"She will not hurt you," he said softly. He found a soft cloth and drenched it in cold water, slowly and carefully wiping her damp brow.

"I will make sure of that," he added darkly, sitting down beside her, placing his arm around her.

"How? How can you protect me, Aro?" She asked miserably.

"She will only run and then return at another opportunity. It will never end," she said.

Aro gave a sigh.

"That is why I took you here. I will ask them to keep you safe," he explained softly.

"I can't stay here forever," she said desperately, turning her face towards his.

He shook his head.

"You won't have to, my dear,"

"It is only temporary," he added.

Bella shook her head.

"No, it won't do. What about my father? If she can't get to me, she will definitely try and get to him,"

Aro sighed, acknowledging the truth in her words. Viktoria was out for revenge, and she would take it anyway she could.

"I will make sure he's safe. I will get my guards here, and they will protect him."

There was a gentle knock on the door and Carlisle entered.

"I think there's an easier way," he said softly, pointing over his shoulder at Edward who was peering into the room.

"We may have a closer ally," he said.

"If he's willing," he added, looking intently at Bella's pale face.

Suddenly it clicked. She gasped softly.

"Jacob," she whispered.

Feel free to let me know your thoughts.

-Pancakes