Bella
When the Cullens were brought in I felt like I was vibrating with anger. Alice and Jasper came in first followed by Edward. He was followed by Esme and Carlisle, then Emmett and Rosalie.
I could tell Alice's eyes were unfocused. She was apparently trying to get a vision Jasper had to lead her into the room. Edward just looked confused I was sure he hadn't had many opportunities to have it so quiet in his head.
"Greetings, young ones, I find I am most disappointed in your coven. Oh my dear friend Carlisle, how sorry I am to see you here before me."
"I was unaware there was a problem Aro. We have broken no laws." Carlisle lied smoothly.
"Didn't I order young Isabella Swans change? Yet she is not with you. Where have you left her."
"Isabella decided she didn't want to change." Carlisle said
I stepped out from behind Demetri, unable to remain silent. "Liar." I called at him and all the Cullens gasped in surprise.
"Ah, newborns, so very temperamental, don't you agree." Aro said calmly.
"You would have had them kill me Carlisle, how dare you say I didn't want to change. You abandoned me with two vampires chasing me. You, who called me daughter."
"Bella!" Emmett called running to pull me into one of his hugs. I just let him come. He bounced off my shield and hit the opposite wall sliding down insensible."
Esme started sobbing into Carlisle's shoulder the rest just stared at me as if they had seen a ghost.
"Do you have anything else to say to our guests young one."
"You are all liars. The only one I have the least bit of respect for is Rosalie. At least she didn't pretend that I was part of her family and then abandon me. Jasper I don't blame you for trying to nip at me on my birthday, but you left with all of them knowing that I would be killed. Alice, you lied every time you called me your sister. Edward you lied every time you told me you loved me, every time you told me you'd stay with me, every time you let your family treat me like I was one of you. Carlisle I've lost every bit of respect I once had for you. You're nothing but a filthy liar and you deserve no leniency. Esme you lied every time you called me your daughter. Emmett, you lied every time you called me sister. It was all of your duties to see that I was changed as the Volturi commanded yet you abandoned me like yesterdays garbage. You are worthless, wastes of space that have no place mixing with humans or pretending to be humane."
Finally Edward found his voice. "Bella, you're here. They've turned you against us. You can come home with us now. My love, my mate, I tried to spare you this life."
"Oh shut up Edward and quit trying to save your own ass." I said.
There were chuckles around the room at this.
"I have a mate, so you lied about that too. You are not my mate, my Demetri is."
All the Cullens gasped in shock. Then Edward spoke again. "They've manufactured the bond Bella, you belong with me, to me, you are mine."
"Masters," I asked calmly, "what is the penalty for trying to come between mates."
All the Cullens gasped again but Edward was still approaching me.
"Please Bella come home with us. We love you."
I couldn't help it I started laughing. "You don't know the meaning of the word love Edward. You only know ownership and control."
Aro spoke up, "Bella, the penalty is death. Remove Felix's shield.
I looked at Felix and nodded. Aro looked at me then he nodded.
In moments Edward was only a burning incense smell on the air."
"We should have killed you when we had the chance," Rosalie shouted at me.
"You know all about being a bitch Rosalie. What would you have done to someone that tried to come between you and Emmett or is your mating a lie too?" I looked at her neck and realized there was no claiming mark there.
Rosalie fell silent.
The Cullens were huddled together now. Each no doubt afraid for their lives.
"Are you still of your former opinion Bella?" Marcus asked me.
"As long as I never see them again I don't care what happens to them, Master Marcus."
"Let us council Brothers." Aro called.
The whispered discussions went on for what felt like an hour.
"Bella," Aro said, "Remove my shield please so that I can read each of them."
Carlisle tried to run but Felix caught and held him.
Aro grasped Carlisle's hand first. When he dropped it he looked like he had been handling garbage. I expected him to wipe his robe on his hand. Jasper was next, followed by Alice, Esme, Rosalie and then Emmett.
Aro approached his throne again and went back into the conference with his brothers.
"Ah young Bella, we are too late. They already have another young one in their web. Edward had yet another 'mate' in his current city. It has become his pattern over the years. They have done this to more girls than I can name."
"May I humbly ask that those girls are given the chance to join us, or some other coven instead of just being killed?"
"You may young one. That is not such an onerous request."
"What would you see as justice for this coven, young Bella?" Caius asked.
"I take back my previous request and ask that they be split in to groups no larger than pairs and are forbidden from ever seeking refuge in the human world again. I also ask that none of them join the guard."
"But Alice's gift could be such a benefit to us, young one." Aro cooed.
"Then as a permanent lower level guard where I don't have to deal with her. As long as you can see that she will do me no harm. I do not want her trying to kill me. I'd see her dead first." I replied, looking straight into Alice's eyes.
"No, no, I think you are right. Young Alice would seek revenge and die in the attempt."
I stepped back behind Demetri where he told me to stay, and whispered a soft, "I'm sorry," to him before becoming calm and still again.
Emmett, you and young Rosalie can go. And you Esme. Carlisle is not your mate. You are best off away from him. Jasper you may go. Alice is not your mate and may you find her quickly. Stay out of the human world. We will be watching.
None of them moved. "Carlisle, Alice, you are both dangers to the Volturi and Isabella personally. Felix?" Aro commanded. He moved so fast. There was but a blur and both were dismembered and set to flame. Esme sobbed, Rosalie glared at me.
I repeat you may go, in groups of two, but no more. Stay out of the human world and remember that we will be watching. If you break any of our laws again no matter how small you will be immediately sentenced to death with no trial.
Rosalie and Emmett and Esme and Jasper were escorted from the room.
I looked at each of the guards and removed their shield. Then I looked at Marcus and Caius, removing theirs as well.
Demetri turned and swept me into his arms holding me tightly where I cried out my stress and tension and even a bit of sadness into his shoulder. "I'm sorry I left my spot behind you." I whispered to Demetri.
"You are an amazing newborn Bella. You didn't lunge at any of them. I expected to have to stop you from trying to kill them yourself. Next time stay where I put you but I understand in this instance. Lets go get you fed before I leave."
Demetri
I watched from the beam as Bella fed deeply. It wasn't her normal feeding time but I knew she needed this to help get her emotions under control after the audience with the Cullens and knowing I was leaving. When she'd had her fill, leaving one man cowering in the cage I jumped off the beam. She crouched for a moment and then straightened up as soon as she saw it was me.
"May I have that one or are you not finished?"
"I'm finished, Demetri."
We made love in the shower and ruined both of our clothes. We both had to settle for the jogging suits provided down in the showers. I combed and dried her hair slowly.
"I'll be back before you know it." I told Bella as we climbed the stairs to our rooms. Do what Felix says at training. Let Jane take care of your feeding. Get to know them all. They're a good group of vampires Bella. You couldn't ask for a better family. I changed clothes quickly when we reached our rooms. I held Bella and kissed her deeply.
"Let me take you to the recreation room before I go."
"That's probably a good idea."
I kissed her again at the door. "I love you Bella," I told her.
"I love you too." Bella said trying to hold on to my hand as I tried to slip away.
"There is a newborn being mistreated Bella. I have to go find it."
"Kiss me one last time," Bella asked.
I kissed her passionately. "I'll kiss you again when I get back, alright?"
"Okay," She agreed and went into the recreation room. I really hoped she'd be fine while I was gone. I would never let on to her that I had concerns about leaving her alone but I did. She was just so terribly young.
I made my way to my Porsche and headed for the airport, one small bag with two changes of clothes beside me.
Once I got there I got onto the Jet that would take me to France and Victoria. It felt amazing knowing that Bella would be there waiting for me when I got home. I pulled out a book to read while the pilot did his job and Volterra faded into the background.
