I should have known...

God only knows when your word isn't pure

And the blood on your hands isn't yours

I won't believe any word that you tell

And I won't drink the blood if it spills

So give them the story they want you to

Give them the story they want

A kiss to you, girl

Before you fall down and leave me

Chapter 29: Penance

Bella POV:

"Do you think we have enough blood bags? I don't want you to run out at a bad time."

"Yeah Al. Benjamin already told us he thinks the Volturi will probably try for him again sometime this week. This haul should be plenty." I set the newly filled backpack down and started storing our mini fridge once again with fresh blood bags. Embarrassment and shame occupied my mind at the fact that I had been going through them much more rapidly than anticipated. Alice had been just as wonderful and polite about it as usual, but I knew she noticed. She was worried, and so was I.

"Alright. If you say so." She shrugged and went about trying to clean the tiny apartment while I fed. She eventually gave up and flopped down onto the bed. "You think we're ready?"

"Yeah, I think so." I finished the bag and threw it away, moving to sit down next to her. She was staring at her lap and fidgeting with her hands, obviously apprehensive. "Hey." I grabbed her hands in mine to stop the nervous movements. "Stop worrying so much. Benjamin will be fine, we'll all be fine."

"I know. I know. It just seems to be that if one of us is calm, the other worries. I guess it's my turn." This seemed to be true as of late. It was a blessing in disguise however, because at least one of us could take care of the other. But I hated it when Alice was worried. She looked so small and fragile, a terrible thing for a mate to look at.

"Come on. You just need to take your mind off of it." I had meant talking of some sort, but it appeared as though Alice had a much different idea on how to distract herself. She grabbed me by the back of the neck and pulled me down to her lips roughly.

Her cools lips pressed firmly against my overly heated ones, it was sensual as fuck. She knew how to get me worked up, that's for sure.

While I did enjoy it, a lot actually, I was worried it wasn't the most productive of solutions.

"Mmm Al." I painfully pulled away from her. "You know I love your kisses and everything, but this wasn't exactly what I had in mind." She kept her arms wrapped around me and kept inhaling deeply.

"I need you. I need to know you're here with me and you're safe." She had the same look on her face as she did when those nomads killed me so long ago. It was a primal need to know I was ok, even when I was right there with her. "Please."

It was pretty difficult to argue with her when she begged like that. Plus she kept caressing my head and planting small kisses all over my face. So I sighed and let her push me back against the bed, letting her have her way with me. My life is so hard sometimes.

Each touch and movement she made was so desperate, it made me understand what she was trying to do. My only complaint would be that I couldn't touch all of her at the same time.

"Mmmm." She withdrew from my face and licked her lips hungrily. "You still have a bit of that O positive leftover in your mouth love." Her eyes, that I had presumed turned black from lust, were staring down my lips with a predatory glare.

"Fuck sorry." I immediately blushed and began to swirl my tongue around in my mouth, trying to get any lasting remnants of my meal.

"Don't." She growled and tackled me back again, shoving her tongue deep into my mouth and moving it in synch with mine.

"Fuck me." I moaned, way too aroused for my own good at the moment.

"I'm trying." Alice smirked as she continued to trail her wet kisses down my neck, and I swear all the muscles in my core clenched. It was too much to handle from my current position so I tried to flip her underneath me, earning myself a disapproving growl from my wife. "No." She pinned my hands above my head for good measure as well.

It was something I could easily get out of, but I didn't particularly want to face the consequences from Alice if I did so. She seemed to really need to be in control at the moment, and her needs always came first in my book. So I sighed and relaxed my muscles to let her know I was hers.

"Good girl." She grinned at her victory over me, but let my hands go as a sign of good faith. I was grateful for it too, I had missed being able to touch her, even for those few moments.

Pretty soon all our clothes lay forgotten in a heap on the floor and it was a battle of hands and mouths. My center was absolutely throbbing from the lack of friction and I was getting ready to beg Alice for something to ease my ache, but I must have been whimpering without my knowledge because she hushed me gently and slid her thigh between my legs.

"Better?" She asked smiling down at me. I only groaned in response. Alice gets real cocky when she knows she's getting the better of me. It really only adds to my arousal.

Her pace was slow, but enjoyable all the same. It was one of those times that didn't need to be hard and fast, it was one to be relished for all it was worth. Alice kept grabbing and touching me all she could, still in the primal mate mindset.

Eventually our languid movements became a little more desperate and jerky, signs of the theoretical mountain climb commencing. The air was heady with the intoxicating smell of our lovemaking, it was almost pungent enough to make my eyes roll back on their own accord.

Alice kept leaning down to kiss me and I eagerly returned them, but it was becoming too hard to keep up with all the emotions running through me. I wasn't the best multitasker when it came down to her being on top of me.

Without warning, she slightly readjusted her angle and I moaned extremely loudly at this new sensation she'd brought upon me. I knew I was nearing the edge, and by the way Alice was panting in unnecessary air, she was too.

"Bella?" She gasped in between raggedy breaths.

"Huh?" Words were too hard.

"I love you." Fuck she was perfect. The air caught in my throat and I was barely able to choke out a response.

"I love you too." After that it only took a few more jerks of her hips to bring me over the edge and thankfully her as well.

She kept her arms wrapped around me as my body convulsed against hers and gently kissed my nose when I lazily opened my eyes afterwards. The face of an angel smiling down at me met my gaze.

"Hey." Alice traced her fingers lightly along my jawline looking completely content.

"Hey." I giggled back to her. She carefully slid down to the side of my body and drew light circles on my abdomen as I began my slow fade into sleep. "I take it back. That was a good idea." Her tinkling laughter filled my ears.

"You should know that Bella. I'm always right."

"Ah yes. How soon I forget." I stifled a yawn and stretched my limbs a bit. "God that was good."

"Yep. We are quite the team." I grunted a laugh and yawned once again. "Go to sleep. It'll probably be your turn to panic in the morning." She nuzzled into my neck comfortably and I couldn't stay awake any longer.

"I still don't like this."

"Well if it makes you feel better, it'll all be over soon?" Alice grumbled and ignored me for the rest of the drive, occasionally fidgeting and then grabbing for my free hand desperately.

We were on our way towards Amun's compound to meet Benjamin. Amun had received word that the Volturi were coming to collect his son later today.

Of course I hated the fact that Alice was coming with me into imminent danger, but I knew there was no possible argument there. The only thing I could do was make quick work of the threats and not let her even touch one vampire. That was honestly pretty doable with Benjamin on our side. Most of the Volturi had left Egypt after the Demetri/Alec incident. I knew with almost complete certainty that we wouldn't be seeing Aro or Caius today, and those were really the big threats. I was confident, not carelessly cocky, but well prepared for what lay ahead.

It was strange to think that some of my greatest torturers, the people that plagued my sleep, may be dead in just a few short hours. I had this odd sensation in my stomach that I couldn't describe. It was a combination of nervousness and excitement. Like that feeling I got the first time I drove alone after receiving my license. Or, even the first time I was about to have sex with Alice. It was a new and scary forthcoming experience, but it was beyond thrilling.

"Bella? You're zoning out on me. Is everything alright?" I shook myself from my thoughts and gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

"Sorry Al. Just got a little caught up in my mind."

"Nervous?" She herself sounded extremely anxious as she asked. I frowned and shook my head.

"Honestly no. I've been waiting so long, and I know this was what I was meant to do."

"Oh? How do you figure that?"

"Well it's just a matter of history. The Volturi tried to create a race more powerful than their own, and they did so exactly. It's only fate that they're destroyed by their creation."

"Are you saying I'm weak?" Alice tried to feign a serious tone, but a traitorous giggle gave her away.

"Not ever." I whispered with sincerity. "You are hands down the strongest person I know."

"Besides you of course."

"Nope." I popped my 'p' syllable like a bubble of blown gum and smiled honestly. "You take great care of me, thus, earning you the spot as top dog."

"Well, when you put it like that." She grinned and looked much more relaxed than she had a few minutes ago. "But only one of us is an actual real life dog here Bells."

"Woof." Alice broke out into a fit of uncontrollable laughter and scratched behind my ear jokingly.

Yep. Bonnie and Clyde. Alice and Bella.

"I want to thank you for your kindness. Your help is appreciated. I will be sure to thank Carlisle as well, he speaks very highly of you."

Amun was a nice enough guy. I could tell he didn't really like visitors and probably would have preferred if our help was unneeded. His childlike treatment of Benjamin still didn't sit well with me. Everyone deserves freedom.

Alice and I shook everyone's hands politely, it was starting to feel like an official business dealing.

The next few hours were spent anxiously fiddling around and waiting. Benjamin kept playing with the water casually and Alice couldn't stop bouncing her knee. It was a strange looking bunch.

Finally, when I was about ready to grab Alice's legs and keep them still myself, there was a small knock on the door.

Amun immediately motioned for us to hide and Benjamin stood awkwardly behind his 'parents' while they opened the door to the expected visitors. Alice and I stood on either side of an open doorway leading out to the courtyard, awaiting our moment. The sound of the running water was just loud enough to drown out my heart beat from any supernatural hearing. Provided they didn't listen too carefully.

"Good evening Amun. It's been some time." Felix's smarmy ass voice rang though my ears and I had to suppress a snarl. By the looks of it Alice did as well. We continued to stare at one another while the two spoke.

"Good evening Felix. What can I do for you?" Amun was short, yet still polite. He was obviously worried about upsetting anyone too early.

"I think you know. May we come in?" We? Who was we? Alice and I both shifted even closer to the wall. I wanted to know exactly who we were dealing with.

"Certainly." I heard the distinct sound of shuffling feet and several more elegant pairs of footsteps walking in. Three? Maybe four? We figured the whole guard wouldn't be showing up again, especially after losing Demetri and Alec, but three or four was a good number. Felix was probably the highest ranking among them considering he was the one doing the talking, so far at least.

"You have a lovely home." Heidi? What the fuck was Heidi doing here? Alice's confused expression mirrored mine exactly. Were they trying to seduce Benjamin into the Volturi or something? Isn't that what Chelsea is for? Speaking of…

"Is this Benjamin?" I wasn't sure if it was the presence of Chelsea making Alice further tense up, or the fact that more vampires kept talking. Felix, Heidi, and Chelsea.

"Answer." And Jane.

I nearly blew our cover and swore out loud. If it was somehow possible, Alice paled.

Jane couldn't technically hurt me with her power, but she sure as hell could fuck with Alice. And if Alice was in pain, so was I. So yeah, this made things complicated. Especially after the fact that we killed her brother. Jane's name just got moved to the top of the target list in this room.

I looked Alice dead in the eye and put four fingers up, mouthing names while I counted each down.

Jane, Felix, Chelsea, Heidi.

Alice nodded her confirmation of understanding.

"No need for violence Jane. Let the boy answer on his own." Felix chided Jane as if she were a child. A fucking sadistic thousand year old child. "Go on."

"Yes it is. My son." Amun of course answered for Benjamin. Did that man ever let his son do anything on his own?

"Well, we'll be the judge of that." I swear you could hear the smirk in Chelsea's comment. What a bitch.

"Felix, please. Haven't you already taken enough?" If I was being honest, a small part of me felt genuinely bad for the guy. Chelsea had already played her tricks on one of his own and took Demetri away from Amun so long ago. So I understood why he was so protective of Benjamin, but it was not really a fatherly defense, it was much more possessive. Like he was a sort of trophy or prize. Much like how Aro treated his vampires.

"Ah yes. I was so sorry to hear about Demetri. You should know that when the culprits are found, the punishment will be most severe." Jane growled loudly in the background as Felix spoke, but I had a sudden spike of fear.

Amun didn't know that we killed Demetri. We were the murderers of his former son. Alice looked up at me with wide eyes, realizing the same thing.

"I'm not sure what you mean?"

What do we do? He'll freak! Alice mouthed at me in an accelerating panic. I shook my head and thought of our options quickly.

We could attack now, but Benjamin would be thrown off and there would be a small delay that Jane could use to her advantage to take us down. Or we could wait as planned and just hope that Amun doesn't lose his shit when he finds out what we did.

I held up my hand to signal for us to wait it out. It was risky, but it was the smarter move.

"Surely you've heard?" Fucking Felix and his dramatics. I would roll my eyes if the situation weren't so terrible. Amun must have given a non-verbal response because Felix continued on. "Demetri was found dead a couple weeks ago, in this very city."

"Found dead?"

"Well the remains of him, yes. The culprits killed another one of ours as well." Jane's growl grew even louder and Felix paused for a few seconds. "Two famed members of the guard, gone. Must have been pretty powerful to do such a thing."

I began sweating profusely and my rising heartbeat was starting to become an issue if it got any louder.

"Culprits you say?" Amun was putting it together. I couldn't tell how he would react.

"Yes. There were two distinct scents around the scene when we arrived. Most likely lovers or mates, there was a hint of arousal mixed in there."

Alice began to shake and I had to press my hand to my chest in an effort to stop it from hammering. The way Felix spoke made me feel like he knew it was us. And I worried if he suspected we were still here, right now.

Were we the ones being toyed with?

"Well…. I hope they're caught soon." Alice and I sighed silently in relief, Amun was not going to give us away for our actions. But Felix was the one that sighed most theatrically.

"Wow. I'm really disappointed in you Amun. But I have to say, I was actually hoping to do this."

About a thousand things happened all at once after Felix's dire statement.

There was an earsplitting scream and the unmistakable cracking noise of someone losing a limb. Alice and I jumped into the room, only to find Amun headless and his wife, Kebi, restrained by Heidi. The second Alice stepped into sight however, Jane went into action before I could stop her.

Alice dropped to her knees, screaming in pain at the top of her lungs and clutching her head. I lost it and went for Jane's throat, only to be caught by Felix and Chelsea.

It was as if someone had pulled this scene straight from one of my nightmares. Amun dead, Kebi being ripped apart in front of me, Alice tortured by Jane, and where the hell was Benjamin?

"Benjamin!" I yelled blindly for my acquaintance during my fruitless struggle. Was he too traumatized to act? "BENJAMIN!"

Just as I was about to lose hope, Alice's screams died out and Chelsea and Felix dropped me as if I had burned them. I ran to Alice's side without a second thought or glance at my surroundings.

"Alice! Are you alright? Please tell me you're ok." She was clearly shaken. I had to scoop her up into my arms while she recovered. The sooner we got out of here, the better.

"Bella!" She finally gasped, a look of horror on her face. Confused, I scanned the compound quickly to find myself in my actual nightmare.

Benjamin stood with pure rage radiating off of him. Chunks of the walls and ceiling covered the formerly upright Volturi guards. They're unconsciousness was only temporary. We had to move, but now Benjamin was the problem. The once calming and tranquil pool of water in the courtyard was flooding out everywhere. It was already up to my knees. Apparently in my panic of getting to Alice I hadn't noticed the gradually rising water. Debris blocked us into the entrance way. No apparent escape point in a flooding room.

"Hey Benjamin. Look, they're down. You need to stop the water alright?" He was either too angry to hear me, or he had completely lost control. Both were not options that would keep me alive. A small tug on my shirt brought my gaze down on my wife, staring up at me wide fearful eyes. She knew the consequences we were facing.

"Bella he's feeding it from the river. If he isn't stopped…"

"I know. You work on an exit, I'll work on him." She nodded and jumped down from my arms, now into waist deep water. "Look at me Benjamin. Come on this isn't you!" He was in some sort of trance that was fueled by his fury.

"There's too much pressure!" Alice called out from where the door was, the water was now up to her chest. I was losing time.

"Fuck!" I went for broke and tried to shake him out of it. Big mistake.

Almost as if an invisible dam broke, water shot out from the ground and sprayed with dangerous force, disorienting me completely.

"Bella! Bella!" Alice's voice echoed as the water neared the ceiling. I was treading for my life, down to my last breaths. There had to be a hole here somewhere! Benjamin had done enough damage to the structure to make one big enough to breathe through surely.

Seconds later, I was submerged.

Searching for Alice in the murky dark water was nearly impossible. Being without her in this situation was just plain cruel.

She was right. Alice was right.

Benjamin was our downfall. He was too new, too inexperienced. She was right all along. And I didn't listen to her.

So ironically I was living out my worst fear in penance.

Eventually my lungs squeezed painfully and my vision grew black. I had drowned to death before. But this was definitely the worst.

There was a sudden flash of bright light and several muffled noises right before I faded into the deep dark black.

A/N: Love you all :)