Adley wasn't a devout Christian as much as her Oma wished she was. Alice's driving made her wish she was. She prayed over and over as the woman drove like a bat out of hell down the highway.
It was one thing the woman stole the vehicle. The main was that this vehicle stuck out like a sore thumb. A bright yellow Porsche turbo. The deep tinting kept the sun off of Alice. Adley tried to keep her eyes off the needle of the car that was stuck on the wrong end of the speed spectrum. It was going to break. Did this vampire even take the consequences of this thing into mind?
"He's made up his mind. He's going to reveal himself." Alice whispered, while speeding down the narrow road of Italy.
Adley bit her bottom lip. Seriously he's going to expose himself? If she hadn't have known the whole vampire law thing Bella had prepped her on back a few weeks ago.
"When?"
"Noon."
"That's in literally twenty minutes!" Bella groaned pulling at her hair.
Adley slapped her hands lightly from the back seat making Bella focus in. "Focus Bella."
"But if he shows himself!"
Fear flared right up in Bella. It swirled viciously yanking on her chest. Adley let go of her hand but took a deep breath to calm her. Desperate times. Only in urgency would she ever do this. She had promised herself this. It was a small amount. Any more and Bella would be getting anxious for a different reason. She just hoped it would be enough to keep her from leaping out of the car and running herself to Volterra.
Alice pushed the vehicle to its limits. The hills of Tuscany were beautiful in the sun. Despite the dark tint Adley could see the bright sky. She sighed seeing the walled city perched upon a hill. Many sand stone buildings with red tile roofs. She noted when they got closer to the city entrance there were quite a few people surrounding the entrance and wearing capes. She caught glimpses of false pointed teeth.
She bit her cheek. Irony in a city full of vampire royalty they dress like them. She mused sitting back.
"Alice, what's this?" Bella gawked.
"St. Marcus Day, it's a festival to celebrate vampires being expelled from the city." Alice answered.
The car came to a rolling stop at a man who held his hand up to them. Italian words were thrown back and forth. Alice eventually rolled the window wider. In her hand a wad full of Euros.
The man's eyes bulged at the cash he had been handed for a few moments before pocketing it. He motioned them passed.
They drove until the crowds got too thick and became to hard to maneuver. The digital clock on the car ticked down to noon. Alice stopped the car. Bella looked like a deer caught in head lights.
If Adley thought before was anything. The darkness on Bella's chest began to spark like flames and devour her aura. She didn't have time to influence the teen.
"Go! You're the only one he can't hear coming." Alice urged.
Adley didn't have time to think on her words. Bella booked it quicker than she'd ever seen the girl move. Adley scrambled out after her. It was as if some invisible force dragged her in the direction she knew to go.
One thing Adley made a mental note of. If they ever got back to the states, she needed to start working out. The burn ran up and down her legs as she followed behind Bella. She caught her a few times from face planting into the cobble stone roads and people.
In long sleeves and jeans they looked out of place. Amongst tourists in dresses and shorts. They looked wildly out of place. She felt it with the sun beating down on her neck sweat beading down her forehead and her hands got clammy the longer she clung to Bella. They rushed the crowds. Bella mumbling apologies while Adley just pushed them out of the way.
She was past caring at this point. She'd slept through the plane ride, however the emotions of the two she'd been with wore on her. Adley couldn't keep the panic from herself.
The voices of foreign languages flowed through her ears as did the rushing of her blood and hammering heart. A throbbing began to form in her temples the longer she held on to Bella.
"Where did she say to?" Adley asked panting when Bella came to a halt.
"Clock tower, city square." She replied.
Adley spotted the large old tower. It was attached to what looked like could be a castle or military fort that was made up of multiple buildings in the one side of the square. People were gathering tighter together laughing and speaking different languages. She took three deep breaths, ignoring the building burn up her legs and chest.
Adley just pushed through the milling people, they cried out but she disregarded them. They were running out of time.
The clock tolled.
Dread.
People crossed in front of them chatting on. Laughter.
"Move!" She hissed pushing passed with Bella in tow.
She found herself blocked by another crowd. She scanned the group and the buildings once they had reached the fountain.
Where was this lunatic going to be? She scoured the buildings looking for where this vampire would come from.
She saw him. There, between a family and an open Alley. A man with his shirt unbuttoned stood in just the lingering shadows of the mouth of the alley.
Shit. She mentally screamed.
She pulled Bella around from behind, using the force she hurled Bella in front of her. Adley let her walls come down stopping herself from projecting her current emotions. She used the tidal wave behind her wall causing a dam.
The feelings came flooding from her. Adley sighed from the loosening in her mind. She felt a smidge better.
The crowd flooded away stepping away with their own peaking panic. She opened her eyes again and focused on Edward. She forced the urgency and panic at him. Pure unadulterated desperation that Bella was feeling.
His head darted up. He took one look at Bella, who was merely steps from him, before crushing her into a hug and falling a few steps into the alley.
Adley sighed slowing down and catching her breath. She was out of shape. Badly. She panted taking deep breaths walking her way to the alley that people were leaving the area. She had to reign it in. She did so. She flinched once the walls were back in place.
She focused back in on the teens. Tears met her eyes when the black hole in Bella's aura disappeared. Adley fought the urge to fall to her knees as the utter relief flowed through both of them. Their auras danced in greeting. Golden mixed in with the warm glowing light of love. The sob that fell from her lips brought the two facing her.
Edward held Bella to him. His dark eyes with purple bruises focused in on her. He looked like utter shit, Adley assessed. His pale white skin looked worse that what she summed up it should've looked. His copper locks were a mess in all directions. His shirt was in shreds along with his dress pants.
Bella was only in a better state because of her effort. Adley didn't have the energy nor the heart to force the pent up emotions she was experiencing at him. Not today. She promised herself. When they were home.
"You answered the phone..." he murmured looking Adley over.
Adley nodded pulling at the collar of her shirt fanning herself. "Yes in future instance listen to the whole fucking sentence."
Adley crossed her arms.
"Yes ma'am." He nodded pressing a kiss to Bella's forehead.
'You broke her. If it wasn't the pure happiness she feels right now. I'd be forcing this on you. Mark my words Edward Cullen when I am back to my strength and this is dealt with, we will be talking.' Adley directed her thoughts at him while leaning into the cool bricks across the alley.
It felt good on her sweltering hot back. She let her eyes flutter shut momentarily. The peace didn't last.
"Greetings, gentlemen," Edward voiced as if a jovial meeting was about to occur. His emotions were anything but. "I don't think I'll be requiring your services today. I would appreciate it very much, however, if you would send my thanks to your masters."
"Shall we take this conversation to a more appropriate venue?" a smooth voice whispered menacingly. Intruding intent.
Adley stiffened as her eyes shot open. Two men in smoky grey cloaks were standing further into the alley. They were large figures but one was bigger than the other. He was the size of the wall. She looked across to see Edward pressing Bella back behind him.
"I don't believe that will be necessary." Edward's voice was harder now. "I know your instructions, Felix. I haven't broken any rules."
"Felix merely meant to point out the proximity of the sun," the other shadow said in a soothing tone.
Adley noted it was creeping closer into the alley. She carefully bit her bottom lip not to speak right now. She wasn't beyond telling someone off at the moment. She did keep an eye on the auras. Her walls were fragile as it was.
"Let us seek better cover." The tall one offered.
"I'll be right behind you," Edward said dryly. "Bella, Adley, why don't you go back to the square and enjoy the festival?"
"No, bring the girls," the first shadow leered, stepping forward just a fraction.
"I don't think so." The pretence of civility disappeared.
Edward tensed beside them. Adley saw his lips curl while he about crouched down to prepare for a fight. Red and green swirled in the few in front of her. She saw Bella shaking behind Edward. The large one stepped forward. She saw his joy and anticipation sliding in to his red tinted aura. She'd be fascinated by such intense colours vampires felt but now was not the time.
"Felix," the second, more reasonable shadow cautioned. "Not here."
He turned to Edward then.
"Aro would simply like to speak with you again, if you have decided not to force our hand after all."
"Certainly," Edward agreed. "But the girls go free."
"I'm afraid that's not possible," the polite shadow said regretfully. "We do have rules to obey."
"Then I'm afraid that I'll be unable to accept Aro's invitation, Demetri."
"That's just fine," Felix purred.
He took two more steps forward. Adley tensed inching down towards the sunnier area of the alley.
"Aro will be disappointed," Demetri sighed.
"I'm sure he'll survive the letdown," Edward replied. Hostility grew around them all.
"Edward..." she warned.
Adley wanted to roll her eyes and slap the boy. His sarcastic words were not beyond her to hear the extent of disrespect in the boy's tone. Both mens' movements had them corralled further into the shadowy part of the alleyway. Edward positioned himself in front of Adley as well, who got behind him to grab Bella's arm. The teen was absolutely shaking. She was really starting not to care if she saved his frozen behind.
"Let's behave ourselves, shall we?" a lilting voice suggested. "There are ladies present."
Alice skipped lightly to Edward's side, her stance casual. There was no hint of any underlying tension. She looked so tiny, so fragile. Her little arms swung like a child's. Adley could see her smile as Alice wormed in front of her as well. She wasn't sure how Alice showing up helped them now but it did.
Yet Demetri and Felix both straightened up, their cloaks swirling slightly as a gust of wind funnelled through the alley. Felix's feelings soured. Apparently, he didn't like even numbers. Adley let out a small exhale in relief.
"We're not alone," Alice reminded them.
Demetri glanced over his shoulder. A few yards into the square, the little family, with the girls in their red dresses, were watching them. The mother was speaking urgently to her husband, her eyes on the six of us. She looked away when Demetri met her gaze. The man walked a few steps farther into the plaza, and tapped one of the red-blazered men on the shoulder.
Demetri shook his head. "Please, Edward, let's be reasonable," he said.
"Let's," Edward agreed. "And we'll leave quietly now, with no one the wiser."
Demetri sighed in frustration. "At least let us discuss this more privately."
Six men in red now joined the family as they watched with anxious expressions. Adley pinched her nose seeing Edward's knees move a fraction his anger growing.
Edward's teeth came together audibly. "No."
"For fuck sakes do as they say." Adley huffed tossing her hands up about to go herself at this point.
Felix smiled at that. She stepped forward.
"Enough."
The voice was high, reedy, and came from the side. There the young new comer came walking down in a darker cloak. Adley thought it was a young boy with the pale brown hair trimmed short. The frame smaller than Alice.
The body under the cloak was slim and androgynous. But the face was too pretty for a boy. The wide-eyed, full-lipped face would make a Botticelli angel look like a gargoyle. Even allowing for the dull crimson irises.
Her size was so insignificant that the reaction to her appearance confused Adley. Felix and Demetri relaxed immediately, stepping back from their offensive positions to blend again with the shadows of the overhanging walls.
Edward dropped his arms and relaxed his position as well, but in defeat.
"Jane," he sighed in recognition and resignation.
Alice folded her arms across her chest. Adley could feel the fear yet reverence for the small child. She knew one thing of this child, she was the one in charge of the situation.
"Follow me," Jane spoke again, her childish voice a monotone. She turned her back and drifted silently into the dark.
Felix gestured for us to go first, smirking.
Alice walked after little Jane at once. Edward wrapped his arm around Bella.
Adley kept close behind, she knew the two vampires from before had taken to her flank. The alley angled slightly downward as it narrowed.
"Well, Alice," Edward said conversationally as they walked. "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised to see you here."
"It was my mistake," Alice answered in the same tone. "It was my job to set it right."
"It is hardly your fault Alice," Adley admitted scratching at the back of her neck rubbing the sweat covered hair off her skin. "I answered the phone."
"It was Alice who warned me of the attack..." Edward replied meeting Adley's gaze over his shoulder.
"The blame still does not lay with Alice on this. Edward you are fully responsible for this." Adley stated point blank.
Adley did not continue to argue. Anxiety was flipping too much through the few around her.
Alice slumped slightly in stance in her shoulders. She heard merely whispers of air between the Cullen sibling pair. They were following behind young Jane now.
"Hm," Edward said curtly and the casual tone of his voice was gone.
There was a loose curve to the alley, still slanting downward, so they didn't see the squared-off dead end coming until we reached the flat, windowless, brick face. The little one called Jane was nowhere to be seen.
Alice didn't hesitate, didn't break pace as she strode toward the wall. Then, with easy grace, she slid down an open hole in the street. It looked like a drain, sunk into the lowest point of the paving. The grate was halfway pushed aside. The hole was small, and black.
Adley glanced down, frowning. Bella whimpered.
"It's all right, Bella," Edward said in a low voice. "Alice will catch you."
Bella sat down at the edge taking deep breaths. "Alice?"
"I'm right here, Bella," she reassured me. Her voice came from too far below.
Edward took her wrists and lowered her down. "Ready?" he asked.
"Drop her," Alice called.
Edward dropped her. He turned to Adley who stood taking a deep breath. She walked to the edge loosening her muscles.
"Alice?" She asked.
"Ready."
Adley stepped to the edge and let herself fall. Her heart racing as she plummeted hair flying around her. She grunted as she hit two rock hard arms, even though Alice tried to keep impact to a minimum. Adley rubbed her bottom when she was let down into the damn sewer.
"Fucking hell you statues." She commented making way for the next few.
The light vanished for a second, and then Edward was right in front of her. Soon the other two were below and behind them once more. Edward took to guiding Bella. Adley took hold of Alice's icy hand to guide her through the darkness.
Bella regardless of the guide the uneven ground causing her to struggle. Adley heard a few sighs from behind her from the other vampires at the sudden cries from Bella. She ground her teeth at the irritation spiking. Adley pushed out a few calming waves to Bella.
At the end of the tunnel was a grate the iron bars were rusting, thick about the size of Adley's arm. A small door made of thinner, interlaced bars was standing open. Edward ducked through holding it open for them. They hurried on to a larger, brighter stone room. The grill slammed shut with a clang, followed by the snap of a lock.
On the other side of the long room was a low, heavy wooden door. Adley blinked quickly adjusting to the bright light of the hall way. Off white walls, grey carpet along with the bright cold florescent lights. She felt like she was back walking the halls of an office or basement in the school. The only thing that wasn't sitting right with her was the lack of windows and doors allowing natural light. Only fluorescents.
Adley followed down as the door shut closed with a heavy thud. She spotted young Jane standing for the elevator. It felt like ages yet not long enough.
Once inside the elevator, the three vampires that belonged to the Volturi relaxed further. They threw back their cloaks, letting the hoods fall back on their shoulders. Felix and Demetri were both of a slightly olive complexion it looked odd combined with their chalky pallor. Felix's black hair was cropped short, but Demetri's waved to his shoulders. Their irises were deep crimson around the edges, darkening until they were black around the pupil. Under the shrouds, their clothes were modern, pale, and nondescript.
Adley tried to remain calm as Bella clung to Edward behind her. She was placed in between the couple and the Volturi vampires. Alice to her side.
The elevator ride was short; they stepped out into what looked like a posh office reception area.
The walls were panelled in wood, the floors carpeted in thick, deep green. There were no windows, but large, brightly lit paintings of the Tuscan countryside hung everywhere as replacements. White leather couches were arranged in cozy groupings, and the glossy tables held crystal vases full of vibrantly colored bouquets.
In the middle of the room was a high, polished mahogany desk that circled a receptionist.
She was tall, with tanned skin and green eyes. She would have been very pretty in any other company–but not here. She was human, thus only average amongst the immortal. Adley eyed her warily while they came closer. She was human working within a vampire bund. Was her future to be eaten?
She smiled politely in welcome. "Good afternoon, Jane," she said.
There was no surprise in her face as she glanced at Jane's company. Not Edward, his bare chest glinting dimly in the white lights, or even two humans, in various states of dishevel. Adley had wind blown locks of black falling out of her Dutch braid. Her shirt sweat stuck to her back under her light coat. Carefully she undid the thing to allow herself some cool air.
Jane nodded. "Gianna." She continued toward a set of double doors in the back of the room, and we followed.
As Felix passed the desk, he winked at Gianna, and she giggled.
On the other side of the wooden doors was a different kind of reception. The pale boy in the pearl gray suit could have been Jane's twin. His hair was darker, and his lips were not as full, but he was just as lovely. He came forward to meet us. He smiled, reaching for her.
"Jane."
"Alec," she responded, embracing the boy. They kissed each other's cheeks on both sides. Then he looked at us.
"They send you out for one and you come back with three," he noted, looking them over. "Nice work."
She laughed–the sound sparkled with delight like a baby's cooing.
"Welcome back, Edward," Alec greeted him. "You seem in a better mood."
"Marginally," Edward agreed in a flat voice.
Alec chuckled, and examined the human that cling to him. Adley bit her tongue to keep it in check. It's not the time.
"And this is the cause of all the trouble?" he asked, skeptical.
Edward only smiled, his expression contemptuous. Then he froze.
"Dibs," Felix called casually from behind.
Edward turned, a low snarl building deep in his chest. Felix smiled –his hand was raised, palm up he curled his fingers twice, inviting Edward forward.
"Don't fucking start shit." Adley snapped, her irritation spiking at the boy's lack of manners.
Did he have no consideration to the situation at hand? He was about to go before the rulers of his world with this self righteous attitude of moral high ground. She kept this to herself while the emotional tidal waves threatened to consume her however. Afterwards. She would have her say to him.
Alice touched Edward's arm. "Patience," she cautioned him.
Edward did as warned and straightened himself up. Even though his fists remained balled up. He calmed after some whispered words she couldn't hear from Alice.
"Aro will be so pleased to see you again," Alec said, as if nothing had passed.
"Let's not keep him waiting," Jane suggested, moving once more passed them.
Edward nodded once.
Alec and Jane, holding hands, led the way down yet another wide, ornate hall. Would there ever be an end to this maze? She had to agree while the statues and works of art were wonderfully done she was getting exhausted.
They ignored the doors at the end of the hall– doors entirely sheathed in gold– stopping halfway down the hall and sliding aside a piece of the paneling to expose a plain wooden door. It wasn't locked. Alec held it open for Jane. Edward took hold guiding Bella and his sister.
Adley followed through blocked by the vampires in front of her. She found herself falling behind the small group as the other two Volturi vampires moved forward. She still followed through the second heavy door. The air cold as it swirled from the force of the shutting door.
The room before her, it was the same ancient stone as the square, the alley, and the sewers. The stone antechamber was not large. They were lead down through it where it opened quickly into a brighter, cavernous room, perfectly round like a huge castle turret... which was probably exactly what it was.
Two stories up, long window slits threw thin rectangles of bright sunlight onto the stone floor below. There were no artificial lights. The only furniture in the room were several massive wooden chairs, like thrones, that were spaced evenly, flush with the curving stone walls. In the very centre of the circle, in a slight depression, was another drain.
Adley tried to ignore the thought of what a drain could be used for, for vampires. The room was not empty. A handful of people were convened in seemingly relaxed conversation. The murmur of low, smooth voices were a gentle hum in the air.
A pair of pale women in summer dresses paused in a patch of light, and, like prisms, their skin threw the light in rainbow sparkles against the sienna walls. The exquisite faces all turned toward the arriving party as they entered the room. Most of the immortals were dressed in inconspicuous pants and shirts–things that wouldn't stick out at all on the streets below.
Adley stopped a step before she slammed into Edward's back. She edged around him to stand off to his left. He held Bella to his right. She didn't notice Alice coming to position herself half way in front of her.
A man stood up on the dais with the thrones he focused in on them with arms open in greeting. He was clad in a long pitch black robe that brushed the stone floor. She saw that his hair blended in with it. He was hardly older than she was by probably a few years. Frozen in his late twenties. His pale skin matching those of the other vampires in the room. He was tall but she could not be sure his stature under the large cloak. His face grecian with the straight nose and pointed chin. He was the definition of royalty. He was stunning by historic and modern standards. A lot of vampires she was finding were.
"Jane, dear one, you've returned!" he cried, genuine delight swirled in his light grey aura. He was not loud with his words but commanded attention of everyone.
He drifted forward, and the movement flowed as if he was floating. He moved like a dancer she noted, as he came closer she got a better look at him. His skin once olive was white now, his jaw line strong, adding to his high cheek bones. His eyes while dark, she could make out the lighter red iris near the far edges.
Adley felt her heart stumble momentarily, he was a definition of vampire. She held back a shudder as the hairs on her neck stood on edge. He was patient in his aura, amused but there was irritation and a loathing he was experiencing with their group. She could not fault that emotion if it was in regards to Edward. He paid them no mind as he continued forward.
He glided to Jane, took her face in his hands, kissed her lightly on her forehead, and then floated back a step.
"Yes, Master." Jane smiled. "I brought him back alive, just as you wished."
"Ah, Jane." He sighed. "You are such a comfort to me."
He turned his gaze toward them, and the smile brightened became ecstatic. He didn't pay much mind to Adley who was off to the side. She did nothing to draw his attention, especially in her current state of tumbling stomach and heart making a bongo out of her ribs.
"And Alice and Bella, too!" he rejoiced, clapping his thin hands together. "This is a happy surprise! Wonderful!"
He turned to the hulking escort. "Felix, be a dear and tell my brothers about our company. I'm sure they wouldn't want to miss this."
"Yes, Master." Felix nodded and disappeared back the way they had come.
"You see, Edward?" The strange vampire turned and smiled at Edward like a fond but scolding father. "What did I tell you? Aren't you glad that I didn't give you what you wanted yesterday?"
"Yes, Aro, I am," he agreed, tightening his arm around Bella.
"I love a happy ending." Aro sighed. "They are so rare. But I want the whole story. How did this happen? Alice?" He turned to Alice, curious. "Your brother seemed to think you infallible, but apparently there was some mistake."
"Oh, I'm far from infallible." She flashed a dazzling smile. She looked perfectly at ease to those around them. Adley could see better with the sickening green taking hold of her aura. "As you can see today, I cause problems as often as I cure them."
"You're too modest," Aro chided. "I've seen some of your more amazing exploits, and I must admit I've never observed anything like your talent. Wonderful!"
Alice flickered a glance at Edward. Aro did not miss it. A bit of embarrassment arose in him Adley observed quietly.
"I'm sorry, we haven't been introduced properly at all, have we? It's just that I feel like I know you already, and I tend get ahead of myself. Your brother introduced us yesterday, in a peculiar way. You see, I share some of your brother's talent, only I am limited in a way that he is not." Aro shook his head, a smattering of envy.
"And also exponentially more powerful," Edward added dryly.
Not the time to chastise. Not the time. Adley reminded herself taking deep breaths.
He looked at Alice as he swiftly explained. "Aro needs physical contact to hear your thoughts, but he hears much more than I do. You know I can only hear what's passing through your head in the moment. Aro hears every thought your mind has ever had."
Alice raised her delicate eyebrows, and Edward inclined his head.
"But to be able to hear from a distance..." Aro sighed, gesturing toward the two of them, and the exchange that had just taken place. "That would be so convenient."
Aro looked over their shoulders. All the other heads turned in the same direction, including Jane, Alec, and Demetri, who stood silently beside the group.
Felix was back, and behind him floated two more black-robed men. Adley took to examining them as they passed. They walked by at a fast pace but it felt forever to her.
The first's profile of an older man with white blond hair. He was Germanic looking in his sharp jaw and hooked nose. She would've guessed him to be in his mid to late forties by his looks. He was tall and medium built in his dark robe. His white blond hair was to his shoulders. His aura while light grey it was filled with a misted red, while not angry he was not exactly pleased to be in the room
The next man Adley just about fell to her knees. She did her best to hold back the cry that threatened to break passed her lips. His aura not as bright as those in the room. A hole in his chest in spots of darkness were consuming and feeding off of his soul. The aura wasn't white or any shade of grey. It was a blue. The sorrow and depression. This was not a new wound. It was ancient, and all consuming.
Adley wondered did he even know where he was or where he was going as he floated by. His long curly hair of deep auburn reached his shoulders. He was the tallest and biggest chested of the three it seemed. His dimpled chin she caught as he turned around near the front of the dias. She didn't see his eyes or meet his gaze. He wasn't even that old. He was the youngest of the three kings. Maybe two to three years older than herself. She knew better though. This sorrow that consumed him was not new. This was older than the modern world. He may have been frozen in time a young man, his aura was ancient like all in the room besides the group she came with.
The man paused and touched Aro's hand before resuming moving. The two sat down on either side of Aro who was still standing.
Adley pressed her lips together to keep herself composed. Her teeth were controlling her quivering bottom lip. She was already shuddering and about to fall to her knees. She wanted so badly to rush up and touch the man who's emotions were causing a tsunami on her. This man. Who was he? What had happened to him to cause such a break. While it was not the darkness of the soulmate wound Bella had endured. It was just as deep. It had had time to settle and fester in him. So badly she wished and itched to go and investigate this man. She dared not to move from her spot. It wasn't the time.
"Thank you Marcus," Aro nodded before motioning to resume. "Let us have the story!"
Two women moved to be behind the thrones, Adley watched as one woman with deep ebony skin moved to stand behind them. Her hair braided in many box braids and she stood proud in a grey smoke coloured robe. Adley clenched her hands to keep from wanting to push her away from Marcus.
She had to shake herself out of it. What was going on? She questioned silently. She wasn't here to diagnose and treat ancient vampires. She was here to save her friend.
"Amazing,"' Aro's breathy words brought her back. "Absolutely amazing."
Alice's expression was frustrated. Edward turned to her and explained again in a swift, low voice. "Marcus sees relationships. He's surprised by the intensity of ours."
Adley looked back to Marcus, he wasn't paying much attention at all to them. His dark eyes were focused on the ceiling behind them. He had been interested? Even engaged in reality and not in his own head. She did not see it in his blue aura.
Aro smiled. "So convenient," he repeated to himself.
Then he spoke to them. "It takes quite a bit to surprise Marcus, I can assure you."
She did not look away from him. She looked around his aura surrounding him. She dug deeper probing him. There in the corner of his chest was the surprise. She blinked a few times. So he had been paying attention. She turned her attention back to Aro.
"It's just so difficult to understand, even now," Aro mused, staring at Edward's arm on Bella. "How can you stand so close to het like that?"
"It's not without effort," Edward answered calmly.
"But still–la tua cantante! What a waste!"
Edward chuckled once without humor. "I look at it more as a price."
Aro was skeptical. "A very high price."
"Opportunity cost."
Aro laughed. "If I hadn't smelled her through your memories, I wouldn't have believed the call of anyone's blood could be so strong. I've never felt anything like it myself. Most of us would trade much for such a gift, and yet you..."
"Waste it," Edward finished, his voice sarcastic as ever.
Not the time. Adley crossed her arms while flexing her fisted hands that were beginning to cramp from the pressure she was adding to them.
Aro laughed again. "Ah, how I miss my friend Carlisle! You remind me of him only he was not so angry."
"Carlisle outshines me in many other ways as well."
"I certainly never thought to see Carlisle bested for self control of all things, but you put him to shame."
"Hardly." Edward sounded impatient. As if he were tired of the preliminaries.
"I am gratified by his success," Aro mused. "Your memories of him are quite a gift for me, though they astonish me exceedingly. I am surprised by how it pleases me, his success in this unorthodox path he's chosen. I expected that he would waste, weaken with time. I'd scoffed at his plan to find others who would share his peculiar vision. Yet, somehow, I'm happy to be wrong."
Edward didn't reply.
"But your restraint!" Aro sighed. "I did not know such strength was possible. To inure yourself against such a siren call, not just once but again and again if I had not felt it myself, I would not have believed."
Edward gazed back at Aro's admiration with no expression. Adley kept attention to their emotions despite trying to block out the rest of the room.
"Just remembering how she appeals to you..." Aro chuckled. "It makes me thirsty."
Edward paused. Adley was about to warn him.
"Don't be disturbed," Aro reassured him. "I mean her no harm. But I am so curious, about one thing in particular."
He turned his attention to Bella.
"May I?" he asked eagerly, lifting one hand.
"Ask her," Edward suggested in a flat voice.
"Of course, how rude of me!" Aro exclaimed. "Bella, I'm fascinated that you are the one exception to Edward's impressive talent so very interesting that such a thing should occur! And I was wondering, since our talents are similar in many ways, if you would be so kind as to allow me to try to see if you are an exception for me, as well?"
Adley sensed the fear spike from Bella. She sent some calming emotions as best she could. Her own heart was going wild. Bella frantically looked between the others before reaching her hand out.
Aro glided closer, smiling. The look on his face was more confident than his words had been. His curiosity was his main aura color as he went forward.
Aro reached out, as if to shake hands. Bella took it. Aro smiled watching their hands. Aro's face altered. The confidence wavered and became first doubt, then incredulity before he calmed it into a friendly mask.
"So very interesting," he said as he released her hand and drifted back.
Aro continued to drift with a thoughtful expression. He was quiet for a moment, his eyes flickering between the , abruptly, he shook his head.
"A first," he said to himself "I wonder if she is immune to our other talents... Jane, dear?"
"No!" Edward snarled the word.
Alice grabbed his arm with a restraining hand. He shook her off.
Little Jane smiled up happily at Aro. "Yes, Master?"
Edward was truly snarling now, the sound ripping and tearing from him, glaring at Aro. The room had gone still, everyone watching him with amazed disbelief. She didn't know what social rule he broke but she knew it wasn't good.
Adley's patience were failing her. She whispered under her breath. "Fucking idiot, control yourself."
No one paid her mind. Felix grin hopefully and move a step forward. Aro glanced at him once, and he froze in place, his grin turning to a sulky expression.
Then Aro spoke to Jane. "I was wondering, my dear one, if Bella is immune to you."
A few growls echoed out. It began from Edward and was retaliated by the blond king. Anger spiked as a red wave. Adley took a few deep breaths before she could snap herself.
"Don't!" Alice cried as Edward launched himself at the little girl.
He didn't get far. Before he was plummeting back to the ground. No one had touched him, but he was on the stone floor writhing in obvious agony.
Jane was smiling only at him now, and it all clicked together. What Alice had said about formidable gifts, why everyone treated Jane with such deference, and why Edward had thrown himself in her path before she could do that to Bella.
"Stop!" Bella cried.
Alice caught her quickly.
No sound escaped Edward's lips as he cringed against the stones. Adley just about whimpered falling to her knees at the assault of fear that hit her.
"Jane," Aro called to her in a tranquil voice. She looked up quickly, still smiling with pleasure, her eyes questioning.
As soon as Jane looked away, Edward was still. Aro inclined his head toward Bella.
Her fear spiked. Adley caught herself as she bent in half hands on her knees. She shook very close to collapsing. Her emotional wall was going to fail. She was exhausted taking breaths to settle herself, no matter how futile it was. All vampires too focused to the sight before them. She felt light headed. Could this end? She begged mentally.
Aro started to laugh. "Ha, ha. ha. This is wonderful!"
She flinched.
Jane's emotions flared.
"Don't be put out, dear one," Aro said in a comforting tone, placing a powder-light hand on her shoulder. "She confounds us all."
Aro chortled again. "You're very brave, Edward, to endure in silence. I asked Jane to do that to me once just out of curiosity."
He shook his head in admiration. The room was on edge. Adley dared to look upwards.
"So what do we do with you now?" Aro sighed.
Edward and Alice stiffened. Adley took a knee behind them keeping her head up. Tears were falling down her cheeks. This was the part they'd been waiting for.
"I don't suppose there's any chance that you've changed your mind?" Aro asked Edward hopefully. "Your talent would be an excellent addition to our little company."
Edward hesitated. Edward seemed to weigh each word before he spoke it. "I'd... rather... not."
"Alice?" Aro asked, still hopeful. "Would you perhaps be interested in joining with us?"
"No, thank you," Alice said.
"And you, Bella?" Aro raised his eyebrows.
The room stilled. Adley looked between Bella and Aro. He was kidding right?
It was the white-haired man who broke the silence.
"What?" he demanded.
"Caius, surely you see the potential," Aro chided him affectionately. "I haven't seen a prospective talent so promising since we found Jane and Alec. Can you imagine the possibilities when she is one of us?"
Caius looked away with a caustic expression. Jane's eyes sparked with indignation at the comparison.
"No, thank you," Bella whispered.
"That's unfortunate. Such a waste."
Edward hissed. "Join or die, is that it? I suspected as much when we were brought to this room. So much for your laws."
"Of course not." Aro blinked, astonished. "We were already convened here, Edward, awaiting Heidi's return. Not for you."
"Aro," Caius hissed. "The law claims them."
Edward glared at Caius. "How so?"
Anger, irritation…
"Enough Edward." Adley roared, shaking finally making herself known to the group.
She could feel all of them staring at her. Alice and Edward moved out of the way of her, as if they had forgotten she was there with them.
"Another human?" Caius scoffed. "Two liabilities stand before you and you ask about the laws and how they apply?"
"There are a few humans in on your charade here, as well," Edward reminded him.
Caius's face twisted into a new expression. Adley bit her lip at the diabolical amusement this Caius felt playful with Edward. She sighed realizing that this teen was messing with things more than he should be. He'd end up killing everyone if he wasn't careful.
"Yes," he agreed. "But when they are no longer useful to us, they will serve to sustain us. That is not your plan for these two. If either betrays our secrets, are you prepared to destroy them? I think not," he scoffed.
"I wouldn't—" Caius silenced Bella with an icy look.
"Nor do you intend to make her one of us," Caius continued. "Therefore, she is a vulnerability. Though it is true, for this, only her life is forfeit. You may leave if you wish."
Edward bared his teeth snarling.
"That's what I thought," Caius said, with something akin to pleasure. Felix leaned forward, eager.
"Unless..." Aro interrupted. "Unless you do intend to give her immortality?"
Edward pursed his lips, hesitating for a moment before he answered.
"And if I do?"
Aro smiled, happy again. "Why, then you would be free to go home and give my regards to my friend Carlisle." His expression turned more hesitant. "But I'm afraid you would have to mean it."
Aro raised his hand in front of him.
Caius, who had begun to scowl furiously, relaxed.
Edward's lips tightened into a fierce line. Adley's anger took it's final straw.
"You dare break her further? How selfish of a twat must you be?" She snarled. Adley shot to her feet and found herself stepping and turning her back to the royalty.
Her emotional walls fell the tidal waves took hold of her. She locked her gaze on his and let it flow into him. She watched him fall to his knees he whimpered with deep unneeded breaths.
"Do you realize the harm you caused her? This is a fraction of what Bella felt. Do you need any more reason boy? She was days from death because of you. She is your soulmate and you rejected her. She suffered for months causing pain to those who loved her and cared for her. Do you realize how selfish you sound. What reasons could you possibly have for denying your soulmate immortality? I don't know a fucking thing about vampire laws, but I know something about soul wounds. You dare spit in the face of fate and kill not only her but yourself?"
"I don't wish to damn her soul." He cried, thrashing on his knees. "We're soulless creatures."
"Soulless? Seriously?" Adley laughed wiping the tears that blurred her vision. She probably looked like a psycho but she couldn't care. "Do you see souls Edward? Can you tell me, an Empath what they look like? I've only seen one thing that did not have a soul. That was the dead body of my best friend while she laid above me in the rubble of the twin towers. Every living thing in this room has a soul. Animals have souls."
Adley all but screamed her words.
"Adley enough!" Bella's begged. "Please, stop, you're hurting him!"
"He deserves this."
"Do I?"
Adley paused. She shut her eyes. A soft thud could be heard. Her head was heavy as she shook it. She opened her eyes as she felt icy hands on her sleeved arms.
She looked up to see dark eyes. Her chest hammered, and stomach fluttered as she held gazes with Marcus. Adley barely registered she was being scooped up in his arms.
She could barely keep the stinging out of her eyes as she closed them again and leant on his hard chest. Darkness finally took hold of her.