Disclaimer to Stephanie Meyer.

A/N: Thank you to everyone who left such nice notes on my last submission. I'm sorry it's been so long since my last post, school has had me slammed. The semester is wrapping up next week though so I'm hoping I can post more regularly after finals.

I hope you all enjoy this chapter!

With love, -M

Chapter Five

Aro kept a firm grip on my hand. Everyone studied me, looking for the same answers as Aro. I clenched every muscle in my body, attempting to remain as still as I possibly could. He had told me how powerful the Voltori were, how they ruled over an entire species with their abilities. The sting of Aro's failure to use his gift on my mind could not play out well for me.

The only sense of calm I felt was the knowledge that this protected the Cullens.

Aro slowly dropped my hand and stepped back to the sides of Marcus and Caius. Before, his demeanor had been condescending, but cheery. His expression was now tense, wrestling with this discovery. In this moment, he reminded me so much of Carlisle. The same natural curiosity for the abnormal. I could see now why Carlisle had once found company among these men.

Caius was the first to break the silence.

"We have other means to acquire information from her."

"Yes," Aro began, "I wonder if she is shielded from other abilities, don't you Caius?"

The edges of Caius's mouth curled upwards. His eyes sparkled with amusement, clearly enthused by Aro's implication.

I clenched my fists, fighting down the fear rising in my chest.

"Jane?" Aro's voice was light. His expression had returned to the cheerful curiosity from moments before.

Jane took a step forward. Her gaze stretched over me, eyes locking with mine. Her mouth curled into a tight smile.

My next breath caught in my throat. The smile fashioned by Jane in this moment was identical to the one James had worn in the ballet studio. The memory of that pain raced through my core. My body tensed as my mind prepared to fight my resolve from slipping.

I forced myself to continue breathing as Jane took another step towards me. Her steps were slow, deliberate, granting me time to fear what was about to happen. She paced herself to allow my fear to overwhelm me. It sat in the pit of my stomach, threatening to dissolve my opposition. She took pleasure in watching me grow frightened.

"It will only hurt… a lot" Jane cooed at me. She took another step forward, now standing half a step before Aro.

The pupils of her eyes enlarged; her hands tightened to fists at her sides. Her mouth formed into a straight line, focus apparent on her face.

I closed my eyes and waited.

For the longest moments of my life, nothing came. I shifted, uncomfortable in the ache of my body from standing for so long. Everyone I cared about either thought I was already dead or didn't care. It seemed fitting to follow through, to match the narrative others thought my life to already be.

In my last moments with a clear mind, I allowed myself to think of him. Memories rushed through my head and the grip from the pain of his absence clutched tighter in my chest. Flashes of car rides, biology lectures, afternoons in the meadow- they all materialized. I longed for missing pictures, golden onions, scratched up CDs on dirty floorboards, and jackets I stopped returning. Just the thought of the scent that once lingered on his clothes sent a thrill to the tips of my fingers. It was effortless to remember every detail of his existence. Tears spilled down my cheeks.

And cold fingers wiped them away.

"Amazing" Aro whispered.

I opened my eyes. Aro now stood in front of me, even closer than before. Over his shoulder, Jane's expression had turned from focus to complete rage.

I stumbled back; my breath was shallow as the anxiety of waiting for the worst had finally caught up with me. Aro's smile was wide, the sharpness of his teeth exposed.

"Absolutely fascinating." Aro began slowly circling me, inspecting me from all angles. A shiver shot through my body as I felt him suddenly behind me, his hand brushing my hair away from my neck.

Aro swiftly circled around me, now in front of me, hands gripping my wrists. I didn't realize how much I had been shaking until I felt how solid he was. He released one wrist and pushed up a sleeve. Unsatisfied, he reached to lift the other, pausing when he found what he had been looking for.

"So, it was not the wolves…"

Confused, I followed his gaze. The scar from James was exposed, the healed creases in my skin now being traced with Aro's finger. I tugged my sleeve down, covering the scar. He didn't stop me; he only met my eyes with deepening curiosity.

"You are protecting someone?"

I kept my gaze fixed. I could give him nothing.

"Astonishing! You know what we are, what we are capable of… yet you would endure unimaginable pain to protect one of our kind?" Aro's eyes were glittering, he spun and returned to the others.

"If she knows nothing of the wolves we should kill her and move on." Jane was still furious.

Aro was silent, the three men stared at me with the same pondering expressions. Aro turned on his heel, facing directly at Jane.

"Jane, dear, it is obvious that Bella is a friend to our kind. It would be quite uncivilized to treat a friend so harshly, do you not agree?"

Jane was silent, her murderous glare never wavering from me.

"She cannot continue to live. It is apparent she knows too much." Caius looked uneasy.

Marcus stood behind Aro, his thumb under his chin and his index finger lightly tapping at his temple.

"Caius is right, Aro. Something must be done." He added.

Aro was silent, his grin became wider.

"Of course, you are right brothers! Bella cannot continue to live. But what a strong immortal she would make…"

"No!" I shouted. I spoke before I could think. They could not turn me; it would be the worst punishment of all. An eternity to exist in this pain. I would have rather they kill me right then.

Aro began to speak, until the door behind us opened.

A human woman stepped through the doors.

"Excuse me, I'm so sorry. Someone is asking to see you all. He says it is very urgent and asked to speak to you right away." Her voice was soft, barely audible to me so many feet away.

Aro motioned for the woman to step forward. She immediately shut the door behind her and walked as quickly as she could to Aro. He took her hand and inspected it with an even greater intensity than he had with mine. Aro dropped her hand and threw his head back, an enormous laugh unleashed from his chest.

"Of course, of course! Send him in now. Bella, pull up your hood and stand behind Felix."

I quickly followed instructions, happy for the distraction to piece my thoughts together. I stood behind Felix, his demeanor now on guard preparing for whoever was about to walk through the door. Marcus and Caius sat in their wooden seats. Aro remained standing, waiting for his guest.

Behind Felix, I was completely hidden. Aro's words hung in my mind. Immortal. I would have to beg for a death, provoke them until they were tired of dealing with me. I could not continue this life with his rejection. It would be true torture.

Moments later, the creak of the wooden door echoed again throughout the room. I could not make out the figure that entered due to Felix's height. I thought I could use this individual to my advantage, antagonize the Voltori so that they would have to kill me on the spot. They could not risk being seen as hypocrites for keeping a human alive.

As I took a deep breath, ready to scream as loudly as I could to bring attention to myself, Aro stepped towards the figure.

"Carlisle! How wonderful it is to see you!"