Hello dear readers!

Here is finally an update for this story. I haven't been in the right head space for it, so it kinda was on the back burner for a long moment, but we're back now! I have been writing all day long, and let me tell you, I am literally cross eyed by now! Lol! Got more than 10.000 words down spread out on two stories! Can't believe it!

I am on vacation now, and though I do have a lot of things I need doing, I will definitely try to spend at least a few hours daily to write on my stories. Hopefully I will get a few done soon. Lol!

I wanted to thank you all for the comments and likes etc! I appreciate every single one of them!

Also, please be advised, this chapter contains sexually explicit content. Read with care.

Bella was sitting by herself in the library. It had grown dark outside and the huge windows were shiny black. She wasn't looking though. Her mind was in an entirely different world. A nightmare she couldn't seem to escape.

Aro had gone to meet his guards who were arriving any moment now. Edward and Alice had gone with him. Bella had stayed behind, mostly because she wished to be alone. She tried to comb through her feelings, her mind not able to come to any useful conclusions.

She was feeling helpless and angry. Her father was, if not dead, then most certainly in mortal danger. Aro's wife had taken him. Bella was so confused by this. She could sense the sorrow from her mate whenever he was thinking of Sulpicia. He still loved her, Bella could see it clear as daylight. What would happen when he finally met her? Would he be able to do what must be done? Or would he do much worse? Would he choose her over Bella? Bella shuddered violently at the thought, her body growing chilled at the thought. She wasn't sure she could handle this entire mess of a situation. She felt her brain almost melt with the effort of trying to sort through it.

"Are you okay, Bella?"

She jumped and turned around in her chair. Carlisle was leaning against the door jamb, observing her. She swallowed hastily.

"Yes," she said softly.

He gave her a dubious look, his eyebrows raised.

"It must be difficult for you," he said, slowly walking into the room.

"Charlie means a lot to you. And now he has been taken by Aro's wife. I can't imagine how you must feel." He came to a halt beside her, his hip leaning against the table.

Bella felt her eyes glaze over at his words. Her heart clenched and she released an explosive breath.

"You know, you should talk to him, right?" He said gently.

Bella bit her lip, glancing down into her lap, knowing he was talking about Aro.

"You are strongest together, but it requires you to communicate," he added, placing a cold hand consolingly on her shoulder.

"It's not like he's telling me everything," she whispered. "I don't know anything about him, except he was married once," she said, frowning as tears pressed in. "I can tell he still loves her."

Carlisle hunched down beside her, trying to look into her face.

"He loves you, Bella."

A single tear fell into her lap.

"It doesn't make any sense," she whispered.

"No, if there's one thing we can count on, it is that love will never really make sense to us. Aro is a complicated man. Many bad things have happened in his immortal life. You are probably the single best thing that has ever happened to him. And he's 3000 years old, so that's saying quite a lot." Carlisle smiled gently at her.

"He's your best friend?" She asked, looking into Carlisle's golden eyes. He frowned, sighing deeply.

"He's certainly my oldest friend. We know each other very well, and we disagree on a lot of things," Carlisle clarified.

"Did you know his wife?" She asked.

"No, we never met. She had disappeared before I met Aro." Carlisle ran a hand down his face.

"He rarely spoke of her, it was probably too painful for him. This whole situation will have cut up old wounds. I know it sounds strange, but he needs you now Bella, more than ever," Carlisle said softly.

Bella said nothing at first. She took a deep breath, pondering if she should say anything to Carlisle. Finally she came to a decision.

"What if he chooses her in all this?" She whispered, finally daring to air her thoughts.

"Bella, he would never abandon you. He's just confused right now. We all are. You have to understand that he never thought he would see her again. And suddenly here she is. He needs to understand why. It doesn't mean he will want to be with her. If I know him at all, he will most likely think of her as a victim. Just like your father." Carlisle stood up slowly.

"You need to tell him how you feel. And ask him what he's feeling. He will be honest with you, I promise."

Bella looked into his eyes, thinking hard. Finally she nodded. He patted her shoulder again and then left. She wasn't sure if she felt better or not. Though Carlisle had a point. They needed to talk to each other. She sighed sadly.

What an utter mess this was.

Aro was standing stony faced, waiting for the private jet to come to a halt. They were standing at a small airport, and the plane had just touched down. As the hatch opened, Aro caught sight of Caius first. His keen, crimson gaze swept the assembled vampires, then proceeded to look around at the darkened trees. The wind ruffled his blond hair gently, as he stepped down the gangway. Marcus followed him smoothly, his eyes apparently not interested in anything at all.

Aro had not realised his brothers would be joining him, but he was pleased even so. The guards stepped down after the kings, watchful and alert.

"Brother," Marcus said, coming to a halt in front of Aro.

Aro gave a graceful nod.

"I know what you are going to say," Caius interrupted, before Aro could speak the words. "We decided it best to deal with this at your side." He sniffed haughtily. "You've already been gone for far too long," he added, frowning, then he started walking towards the cars.

"Let us get that precious human of yours, and go home."

"Wait a moment, Caius," Marcus said softly, making the blond halt in his tracks.

Aro locked eyes with Marcus, and a silent communication seemed to shoot between them. Aro had not yet told them of the latest development, as he had been unable to get in contact with them. Marcus seemed to pick up on the tension in Aro.

"What has happened, brother?" He enquired quietly, looking directly into his eyes.

Aro looked back steadily, not even considering if he should tell them. There was no question.

"Sulpicia," he answered, sensing Caius tense immediately at the sound of the name.

"She is alive," he added, glancing between the two.

"Are you certain?" Caius demanded abruptly.

Aro sighed.

"I saw her briefly in the mind of our old enemy, Victoria. They took Isabella's father. I do not know why they are working together, or why they took him." He looked briefly at Edward. He felt like Edward should have seen something in her mind.

The young vampire shook his head though.

"She knows of my gift, and her thoughts were very deliberate. I saw nothing else," he said, frowning.

Aro said nothing.

"No matter, Demetri will find her," Caius said sharply, snapping his fingers swiftly. The guard in question stepped forward, nodded, then closed his eyes for a brief moment. They waited silently, knowing he was concentrating on finding her spoor.

Suddenly his eyes snapped open, and with vampire speed he glanced at the twins, and then they were all gone, on the hunt for their enemy.

The black night billowed around the remaining people there.

"Well, that might take a while, should we be getting back to the others then?" Caius said, sounding almost bored.

Aro entered the big house with his brothers in tow. Bella appeared at the top of the stairs, and her eyes took in the three kings below her. He realised it was the first time she had met them since her brief visit to Italy more than a year ago.

They greeted her politely, and she inclined her head down at them in response. Then her dark eyes fell upon Aro.

"Can we talk?"

Aro gave her a swift searching look, before glancing at his brothers. They said nothing.

"Certainly," he then agreed, and made his way up to her, taking her hand in his.

They entered Carlisle's study, quietly closing the door behind them.

"Please tell me that you are capable of handling this situation, Aro," she said quite abruptly.

He gave her an affronted look.

"I beg your pardon, dear?" He asked, clearly insulted. He was bracing for the explosion.

"I just…" She paused, biting her lower lip apprehension. "I just need to know that you won't run off with your wife. I am scared to death that you love her more than you love me, and it's killing me, Aro."

He looked intently at her, taking in her every emotion from her trembling lower lip to her bright eyes, shining with tears. He sighed softly, walking over to her and cupping her jaw in both his hands, he pulled her in for a gentle kiss. She responded to him, a small sob escaping her, as her emotions got the better of her after all.

"Mio amore," he began softly. "I am yours. I have always been yours, and so I shall continue to be. We are soulmates." He looked deeply into her wet eyes.

"Nothing, apart from death, can tear us apart."

She stifled another sob.

"But you love her, Aro, I can tell you do. The look on your face, it told me everything I needed to know."

Aro sighed again.

"It has not told you everything, my love. You need not worry, I will not be leaving you. Sulpicia may be my wife, and I do love her still, but you are my everything. The love we have is not something that will ever diminish. And nor would I want it to. Would you?" He spoke earnestly, his voice soft but fierce.

She shook her head, closing her eyes, finally allowing her tears to fall. They rolled down her cheeks, his thumbs catching them in their hasty flight.

"My dear, I am not trying to hurt you in this. Please understand that I am merely trying to resolve this with as little loss as possible. I do not wish to kill Sulpicia, whatever her crimes may be. I want answers, and once I touch her, I will get them. But we need to find them first."

He leaned in and kissed her trembling lip again.

"I will handle this. And I will save your father. I promise you that."

Bella gave another disheartened sob, and he pulled her into his embrace, holding her close.

"I almost felt like I had lost both of you," she murmured into his chest, holding on tightly to him, her frame trembling slightly.

"I will make sure you will not lose any of us. Will you trust me on this?" He ran his hands down her back, trying to soothe her trembling form.

"Yes," she whispered.

They stood for a long moment, not saying much.

"You could change me," she suddenly said, her voice catching slightly in her throat. "I would be able to help you."

Aro closed his eyes at her words. He was not ready for her to no longer be human. And the timing would be terrible.

"No, my love. Not now. You would be in pain for days, and not to mention that you would be a very bloodthirsty newborn once you were done. It would be too impractical."

She sighed, recognising his logic.

"I hate this."

"I understand. I do too."

"How long will it be until she is found, do you think?" She asked, pulling back from him to look into his face.

"It is hard to say, my dear. Demetri is very good, but Victoria is a formidable enemy too. Though I should mention that she has rarely been at the receiving end of The Volturi's wrath. She will come to regret her decision very much." He scowled darkly.

Bella nodded briefly.

"What do you think your wife wants out of this?" She then asked, biting her bottom lip uncertainly.

He thought for a long moment.

"I cannot begin to imagine why she would act like this. She has been missing for centuries, and then suddenly she comes out of hiding like this. I could understand if she wanted to attack me, to kill me, but this is just not like her. Something must have changed in her, something I do not understand."

Bella regarded him silently for a long time. Then she pulled from his grasp and went to plop down on the sofa by the windows.

"Maybe she does want you dead, but can't manage to do it on her own. Did you do something to make her want revenge?" She asked, frowning up at him.

"No!" He said far too quickly, feeling himself growing slightly defensive. She raised her eyebrows even further.

"I mean…" He amended quickly. "I never harmed her, or not intentionally at least. I admit I may not have been so easy to rationalise with at the time, however, she could have told me if she wanted to leave."

Bella said nothing more, but merely sat staring into space. They were both thinking about different things.

"I want him back, Aro," she finally croaked softly.

Aro saw a single tear make its way down her cheek. He was at her side instantly, doing his best to console her. She leaned heavily against him, sniffling gently.

"I know, tesoro."

She hesitated.

"If things don't go well, Aro, will you be able to do what has to be done?"

"How do you mean?" He asked swiftly.

"If Sulpicia tries to hurt my father... Will you be able to kill her if the situation warrants it?"

He was silent for so long that she looked up into his face, waiting anxiously.

"I will do everything in my power to save your father, love. If that entails me killing her, then that is what I must do. I do however hope that you will understand that I want to try and save her as well?"

Bella pondered his words, then nodded. He sighed with relief.

"Thank you."

They held onto each other for a while longer, not speaking.

"I should go meet your brothers. I think I was rather impolite towards them before."

Aro chuckled softly.

"Trust me, they will understand. You have a lot on your mind, my dear."

"Do you think they will like me?" She asked worriedly.

He kissed her temple.

"My dear, they will adore you," he said softly.

She laughed softly.

"Really?"

"Indeed. They have no choice but to accept you, as you are mine now, however, they do seem eager to meet you again."

She sat in stunned silence at his words.

"No pressure, right?" She then said, laughing as she got to her feet, getting ready to go out and greet them.

Aro placed his arms around her hips, pulling her body close, burying his face in her lower abdomen, breathing her in. She froze somewhat at his actions, not sure how to react. Then she placed her fingers in his silken hair, holding him equally close. He didn't speak, but simply began to place kisses on her stomach, nuzzling his way beneath her shirt until he met her warm flesh, desperately breathing her in. She gasped as his lips sealed hotly on her skin, feeling heat rush her nether regions in a gush. Both their breathing became impacted, as they suddenly needed each other more than ever before. Aro looked up at her, and she knelt down slowly, their faces now right in front of each other.

They took a mere second to look into the eyes of the other, then their passion exploded forth, their lips crashing together fiercely. He lifted her off the ground and placed her on her back, his hands feverishly removing her clothing, almost tearing them in his frantic need to see her skin bared to his gaze. She helped him, yanking her trousers down, allowing him to spread her legs, releasing his cock and in one fluent motion he thrust into her, burying himself to the hilt, releasing a deep groan as he felt her hot body receiving him. He realised he had not had her since her near death, and they somehow both seemed to understand that now was not the time for gentle love making.

They moved in raw passion, Aro plunging into her with wanton abandon, their bodies crashing together with desperate need. They were moving across the floor as his hard thrusts pushed her ever forward, and before long they were almost beneath the coffee table. She clung to him, her fingers digging into his ass, trying to pull him in deeper and faster. He fucked her straight into the floor as he bent down to kiss her, his pelvic bone clashing hard with her clit at every thrust, driving a harsh grunt from them both every time he bottomed out within her, the head of his cock hitting her cervix in a desperate effort to feel more and more of her. She was already coming apart at the seams and he felt a hot flash as his own release began to rush in, and he increased his pace, giving her the final push before he came apart, furiously spilling himself deeply within her, groaning against her throat as he felt her walls squeeze and flutter around him, draining him of more than his seed. It had been less than two minutes from start to finish, and they were both panting wildly as they slowly came to their senses. He raised himself onto his hands, looking down at her flushed face. She raised a hand to caress his cheek, and he nuzzled her palm as she cupped his cheek. He leaned down and kissed her tenderly, neither of them speaking for a long moment.

Then they began to right their clothes, making themselves presentable again. Aro knew they could fool no-one. Even if the room was soundproof, they would still let off a stench that screamed recent sex. He said nothing of this to his young mate however. He also knew that vampires were used to it, never quite able to escape their heightened senses, and so they were more often than not desensitised to it. Aro pulled her close and kissed her again as they were ready to exit the study.

Then he opened the door, allowing her to exit first, before following her out.

"Miss Swan, I am honoured that we meet again." Marcus took her hand and gallantly brushed his lips across her knuckles.

Bella was momentarily lost for words, staring rather dumbly at the austere vampires in front of her. Caius gave a polite bow, a tight smile on his lips.

"Thank you," she eventually managed, feeling embarrassed at her sudden lack of words.

"Is there any news?" Aro smoothly interrupted, taking the hand of Marcus, his eyes closing for a brief moment as he took in everything. Then his crimson eyes snapped open and they looked at each other for a long moment. Bella frowned slightly, almost annoyed at their silent communication.

Damn vampires.

Aro let go of his brother, and turned to Caius, repeating the apparently familiar ritual.

"Demetri is not back yet, no." Caius righted his sleeve pompously.

"Have we found out what happened to the wolves?" Aro turned to Carlisle, who shook his head hastily.

"No, I sent Jasper and Emmett. No news yet."

Aro considered his options. For now there seemed to be nothing else to do but wait.

Charlie woke slowly, almost feeling like this was becoming a habit of his. He groaned softly, blinking slowly as he looked around.

He was still in that same room, nothing had changed, except he was in considerable more pain now. His head was pounding, and he gritted his teeth in response.

"That took you a while," the familiar female voice said.

He didn't respond. He felt that if he spoke right now, he would throw up. He swallowed hard, willing the nausea to pass as fast as possible.

"Are you feeling sick?" He almost felt deluded into thinking she was concerned for his well being.

He nodded once, still not opening his eyes or mouth.

He felt cold fingers sliding across the back of his skull pushing into a very sore spot on the back of his head. He grunted harshly, shrinking back from her touch. She relinquished him, not saying anything. Finally he managed to gain control and he opened his mouth gulping some air.

"Ow." He glared up at her, still stricken by her beauty.

She didn't respond, but merely looked back at him placidly.

"What happened to the redhead?" He finally asked.

She glanced over her shoulder at the door.

"She had other matters to attend to."

Charlie tried to adjust his position somewhat, and she finally helped him to sit back against the wall. Her strength amazed him.

"So… You really are a vampire?"

She smirked cooly down at him, then nodded mutely.

"And Aro?" Another nod.

"Who else? Bells?" He dreaded the answer.

"No, your darling daughter is still human."

"Still?" He felt his stomach plummet.

"Yes, well it is against the law for any human to know of us without being either turned or killed."

Charlie scoffed.

"Who made that up?"

"Aro, and his brothers."

Charlie guessed he shouldn't be surprised by anything anymore.

"What are they, kings or something?"

"Yes." Was all he got from her then.

"Oh." He swallowed thickly. "You wouldn't happen to have some water? Or beer?" He asked, not feeling hopeful.

She smirked, staring down at him for a long time. Then she walked out of the room. While she was gone he tried to wrench at his wrists, tugging at his restraints. No good, he was too tightly bound. She returned faster than he anticipated with a glass of clear water, looking at his futile efforts for a moment, before kneeling down beside him. She placed the glass of tepid water at his lips and poured it carefully into his mouth. He followed her lead and swallowed a few times, before lifting his head to indicate that he had had enough for now. She silently placed the glass on the floor beside him.

"You failed to answer who else is a vampire…?"

She smirked, lifting her elegant eyebrows.

"I think you already know."

He frowned, thinking.

"Don't tell me, Carlisle?" He groaned softly.

"Indeed, all the Cullen's to be frank."

"Perfect," he said darkly, leaning his tender head back against the wall.

"How long was I out?"

"A few hours," she answered softly.

He looked at her, his head still tilted back.

"So, you're gonna kill me?"

"Not just yet," she said, her smirk faltering slightly.

"But it will happen?"

She regarded him coldly for a long moment. Then she nodded briefly.

"Right," he ground out. "Why?"

"It is a matter of simple revenge, Charlie. Nothing personal."

"Well, it feels kinda personal."

She flashed him her teeth again, and a thrill ran down his spine.

"You know, a beautiful woman such as yourself should not do crimes like this."

She smirked again.

"Did you have other crimes in mind then?" She asked nonchalantly.

He paused.

"Well, no. It just doesn't suit you."

"While I appreciate the compliment, Charlie, I think it best if you just keep quiet from now on. I do not need to hear your opinion on my choice of career."

Charlie huffed indignantly.

"Right."

"Victoria will return shortly, and it would prove wise to not speak in her presence. She is rather…"

"Temperamental? Angry? Dissatisfied with her life?" He suggested in rapid succession.

She chuckled throatily.

"Quite."

"Alright, consider me silent from now on."

"Wise choice," she said smoothly.

The door suddenly slammed open again, and his gaze landed on the woman who had slammed him against the wall. Her crimson eyes flashed in his direction and he gulped somewhat, fear seizing him.

She ignored him though, walking into the room slowly.

"They are starting to wake up now. It won't be long before we can set the plan in motion."

Charlie listened intently.

"They are going to feel groggy for quite some time. I had to give them a dose fitting of an elephant to knock them out entirely. Their accelerated healing caused me quite a lot of trouble," the dark woman said, bored amusement in her voice.

"Even so, the plan worked. The Cullen's don't suspect anything yet.

As for this..." Victoria suddenly kicked Charlie's boot, making him fold his legs in as far as he could. She smiled menacingly down at him, then got down in a squat in front of him.

"I will save him for last. She needs to feel the pain and suffering I have felt."

He looked into her cold red eyes, swallowing again. He said nothing, but glanced at the dark woman across the room. She said nothing either.

"Yes, you will do nicely, human," Victoria remarked, caressing his brow gently, almost lovingly.

Charlie felt his body grow cold, knowing she was going to cause him insurmountable pain. He glanced at the other lady again, his frightened countenance making her frown slightly.

Victoria got to her feet.

"We kill the first wolf at dawn. Be ready."

Then she left the room, slamming the door behind her. Charlie looked silently after her.

"Wolf? What wolf?" He asked, not expecting any answers, the silence in the room quite complete.

Demetri and the twins didn't return until a couple of hours before dawn. They entered the kitchen, their red eyes glinting in the dimmed light of the fancy room.

"Well?" Caius demanded, stalking forward expectantly.

"Master, we tracked them to the border of Canada, but the spoor grows cold at the edges of Vancouver. I cannot pick up any traces from there on. I believe she has left a false trace to try and trick us. When I returned to this area, I felt certain that she must be nearby. I can sense her, but I cannot place her. She is planning something here."

They all listened intently, not happy with the news. Aro scowled. There was definitely something strange happening.

"She must have another ally apart from Sulpicia. Someone gifted. Otherwise she would not be able to evade us that easily," Aro said, looking at his brothers in turn.

"Indeed, she has always been good at evading us, but she always had to run in the end. This is different."

"But what do we do about it?" Bella asked, looking from one vampire to the other.

"We have to lure her out. The question is if she will fall for it." Caius said musingly.

"I think she will," Edward said softly, stepping forward. "If I come forward. I can be the victim she always wanted me to be."

"No," Bella said. "I should do it. It's me she wants."

"Do not even consider it," Aro warned darkly, glaring at her.

She scowled back at him.

"It's the only way, Aro. She wants me, not anyone else."

"She wants you to suffer, yes, but not by inflicting direct pain to you. She wants to torture you by hurting those you love. Which is why I should be the one to do it," Aro finished, pressing on as she looked like she was about to interrupt him.

"No," she whispered, eyes widening.

He took her hand in his.

"I made you a promise, my dear. I will save your father."

She didn't know what to say.

"How will you do it, brother?" Marcus asked softly.

"I do not know. I suppose I have to improvise." He looked into the wide eyes of his mate, her head shaking slightly from side to side as she realised what he was about to do.

He leaned forward slowly, placing a gentle kiss on her lips.

"It is the only way, my love," he said in a low voice.

He glanced at Edward for a brief moment. The young man nodded at whatever Aro was thinking, clenching his jaw.

"No." she blinked back tears, shaking her head frantically, but Aro was already gone.

She gasped and turned to the now open terrace door, not even able to see him anymore.

"NO!" She screamed, trying to run towards the darkness outside, wanting to follow after him. Edward caught her around the waist, holding her back. "Let me GO!" She screamed, making everyone wince at the noise. She struggled fiercely, trying everything to get out of his grip, but of course she stood no chance against a vampire. She was a weak human after all.

"I can't lose him too!" She whispered desperately. "I can't lose him too, Edward." She whimpered, finally giving up and then she slumped, sobbing hysterically into his shoulder, feeling her entire world implode around her, the assembled vampires watching her mutely.

Oh dear! What will happen to Aro now?

-Pancakes