As summer looms, Bella thinks she may have identified and isolated a protein that is capable of halting the regenerative process of human cells—a protein that is present in vampire venom. Based on this protein, Bella develops a serum that will remove the it and allow the cells to resume their regenerative process—in theory, reversing the change. Carlisle reviews her research and concurs that, if the protein is responsible for the change, her serum should work. Bella is anxious to share her breakthrough with the Cullen family, but Carlisle cautions Bella to wait until she has carried out more conclusive tests.
After Victoria's encounter with Bella/the Cullens, and James's subsequent execution, she wants to get revenge on the entire Cullen clan. Knowing she isn't strong enough to take on the Cullens alone, Victoria concludes that her best course of action is to provoke the Volturi. However, she needs proof that the Cullens don't plan to turn Bella into a vampire. Knowing that Alice will be watching her and Bella very closely, Victoria enlists the help of her longtime vampire buddy, Laurent, and asks him to snoop on Bella and find dirt on the Cullens that she can use to turn the Volturi on them.
Laurent observes Bella from a distance, managing to exist in the gaps of Alice's visions. Bella continues her work, completely oblivious to Laurent's watchful eye. Laurent notices the amount of time Bella spends in the lab and grows suspicious. He sneaks in one night shortly after Bella has left and explores her research. He finds the Cullens' labelled hair samples, glances at Bella's notes and, though he doesn't understand much of what she's written, begins to suspect that she is conducting some type of research into vampirism.
Laurent informs Victoria of his findings and, given what Victoria knows about the Cullens and—Edward specifically—she makes the connection that Bella might be looking into finding a cure. She realizes that this information is much more powerful and damning than Bella's desire to remain a human.
Using this as ammunition, Victoria travels to Italy and informs the Volturi of the Cullens' relationship with Bella—and of her attempts to reverse the change.
Alice can see that Victoria has gone to the Volturi in Italy, but she can't quite make out what Victoria told them. She tries to watch the Volturi's decisions, but their proximity to her—both physically and emotionally—makes such endeavors difficult.
Although the Cullens (Carlisle especially) don't believe that the Volturi will take any real interest in a single human knowing about their existence, they also don't know what else Victoria told them and so they all remain on high alert. Per Carlisle's suggestion, they choose not to tell Bella about the Volturi and Alice's vision—at least, until they can learn more.
[ONE SHOT: TAKEN]
"You're sure you'll be all right here by yourself?" Charlie asks, his hunting bag slung over his shoulder. We're both standing in the entryway, by the front door. He holds his car keys in his hand.
I roll my eyes and give him a gentle shove towards the door. "I'll be fine. I'm going to spend time with Angela, maybe stop by the lab—it'll be great. Enjoy yourself. And don't worry about me, okay?"
Charlie stares at me dubiously but then, with a small smile, he shrugs and turns to leave. "You'll have your cell phone, right?" I ask, standing in the doorway while Charlie makes his way to his car.
He pulls it out of his pocket and holds it in the air.
"Have fun!" I call. "And say hi to Harry for me."
"Will do," Charlie replies, hopping into his car.
I watch as Charlie drives away for his annual weekend-long hunting trip with Harry Clearwater and then head upstairs, where I change into a tank top and leggings. When I come back return downstairs, I grab a well-worn backpack and head to the kitchen, where I grab some water bottles, two bags of chips, and a granola bar. I shove them into the bag.
Just then, a knock on the door signals Edward's arrival. Backpack slung over my shoulder, I open the front door and smile upon catching sight of Edward's quizzical gaze as he takes in my outfit and my backpack.
"I'm going hiking," I announce, patting the bookbag for added effect.
Something like worry or hesitation flashes across Edward's expression for the briefest of moments, but it's quickly replaced with amusement. "I didn't know you enjoyed hiking," he says with a grin.
I shrug and raise my eyebrows. "I'm full of mysteries."
"That you are."
I glance at Edward's clothes—jeans and a button-down t-shirt with canvas slip-ons. "You're coming, I assume?"
"If you'll let me," Edward says ruefully.
"Do you want to change first? You're not exactly dressed for the occasion."
Edward chuckles and shakes his head. "I'll be fine."
Edward and I pile into my truck and we head for a small hiking trail about 10 miles outside of town in one of the only official parks Forks has to offer. After parking, I throw my keys on the seat and shut the door—no one would want to steal my clunker of a truck—and then sling the backpack over my shoulder. "Ready?" I ask, turning to look at Edward, whose neck is craned in the opposite direction, as if looking for something. "Edward? Is everything okay?"
He turns back to look at me and smiles warmly, but his eyes are bright with caution. "Everything's fine," he says, somewhat convincingly.
I purse my lips and squint at him. Before I can say anything, though, Edward's located the trail's entrance and has started to foray into the forest.
About 45 minutes of hiking later, we reach a small clearing in the woods and I decide to use the space as an opportunity to refuel and take a break. "Gimme one second," I say, just slightly out of breath, as I sling my backpack off and rummage around inside for my water bottle and the bag of chips I packed. I can feel the heat of my skin and beads of sweat rolling down my temple. I glance at Edward, who's looking around the clearing, his hands on his hips, his eyes scanning the surroundings.
"Would you like something?" I ask sardonically, shoving a few chips in my mouth. "Small rodent? A squirrel, perhaps?" I smile at myself, expecting Edward to reply. When he doesn't, I glance up. Edward barely seems to notice me. His eyes are closed, his eyebrows pulled together, as if he's listening very closely for something.
"Edward?" I ask, abandoning my snack and bottle of water. I take a step towards him and, when I do, Edward's eyes fly open and I instantly recognize that they are filled with sheer panic. Our eyes lock and he closes the distance between us in an instant, gripping both my arms with his hands; the strength of his hold on me is so tight that it starts to hurt.
"Edward, you're hurting me!" I say, my stomach starting to burn with panic. "What the hell—"
"I'm so sorry," Edward says, shaking his head, "I should have told you. You have to do what he says, Bella," Edward pleads, tightening his grip. I've never heard or seen him so panicked. "Promise me you'll do what he says."
"Who? You're scaring me—"
Edward opens his mouth to interrupt me, but then, not unlike a scene from a movie, his expression goes completely blank; his eyes become clouded and distant; his grip loosens on my arms and his body straightens, as if he's a robot being controlled by a remote. He slowly spins to face an unassuming spot in the woods and his gaze stares blankly ahead. I follow his eyes, scanning the woods, my heart pounding so fast in my chest that it feels like it's going to rise up and out of my throat.
A figure emerges from the edge of the clearing—he's staring directly at me. Despite the distance between us, I know that he's a vampire.
Do what he says.
Although every instinct is screaming at me to run, I plant my feet. I reach out and wrap my hand around several of Edward's limp fingers, hoping the familiar sensation of his cold fingers in mine will provide me some kind of strength. The stranger saunters ever closer. He's dressed in all black—an unbuttoned, expensive-looking jacket that flops open just enough with each step to reveal the black turtleneck beneath; his hands are covered in thick, black gloves; and he wears black dress pants and matching shoes. I can see a silvery pendant hanging from his chest—it stands out so much it practically shimmers—but he's too far away for me to make out any discerning features.
The boy has shaggy black hair that curls in at the end, perfectly framing his round face. The closer he gets, the more I notice how young he is; he couldn't have been more than 14 or 15 years old when he was changed. It looks like he still has baby fat on his cheeks. Unlike the Cullens, his complexion is ashen and pale; he looks sickly.
He stops a few yards away from me, keeping his distance. His red eyes continue to burn into me, and I hold his gaze. The more I look at him, the more I realize that his expression is a strange mixture of intense concentration and confusion. It almost looks like he's trying his very hardest to blow me up with only the power of his mind and is confused as to why it's not working.
The realization hits me like a bolt of lightning. Edward can't read my mind. Whatever it is that prevents Edward from reading my mind must also be preventing this vampire from controlling me like he is Edward.
I give Edward's fingers a squeeze and then say harshly, "What do you want?"
The boy blinks at me as if I've startled him; it's like he's seeing me for the first time. Although his expression wavers for the briefest of moments, he fixes it immediately and smiles in a way that I suppose he thinks is reassuring.
"Hello, Ms. Swan. My name is Alec. I've come to collect you and Mr. Cullen."
My blood runs cold at the mention of my name. "How do you know who I am?"
He smiles again, but this time there's no conviviality in it. "Please come with me, Ms. Swan."
"How do you know who I am?" I repeat.
Alec presses his lips together; it looks like he knows a secret and is proud to be the only one in on it. He gestures grandly behind him and says, "We really must be going." His eyes flick to Edward and then, suddenly, Edward is moving towards me, wrapping his arms under my knees and my armpits.
"Edward!" I shout as he quite literally lifts me of my feet, cradling me in his arms as if I'm a baby. I squirm and trash but am thoroughly unable to shake his iron-clad grip. I stare up at Edward, hoping desperately to find his warm eyes looking at me, breaking from Alec's spell, but he stares resolutely forward, his honey-golden eyes cold and distant.
"I'm sorry for the inconvenience, Ms. Swan," Alec says in a tone that makes it very clear he feels no such thing, "but we simply cannot afford to move at your human speed. Edward will carry you until we reach the plane."
Plane? Before I have time to voice my confusion, Alec jerks his head to the side and, with an audible crack, starts running full-speed through the forest, Edward not far behind. The speed with which we move is nauseating. I wrap my arms around Edward's neck and turn to face his chest, pressing my forehead against his shoulder while I squeeze my eyes shut.
I'm not sure how long we're on the move before we arrive at a small stretch of road, overgrown with weeds and grasses. There's an expensive-looking personal jet parked along the stretch. Now that Edward has come to a stop, I manage to squirm my way out of his hard and unfamiliar grasp. Alec glances back at me and smiles amusingly, as if to say, Silly human.
I rub my arm, the spot where Edward gripped me earlier growing sore and achy. I glance back at him, hoping to see some recognition of the Edward I've come to know, but, unsurprisingly, his eyes continue to stare resolutely forward, completely glazed over. When I look back to where Alec has last been standing, I realize he's not there and has instead relocated to the stairs on the plane. Edward walks towards them and I assume I am to follow, which I do begrudgingly.
Bella and Edward are escorted to the Volturi headquarters in Italy. Bella manages to stay awake the entire flight, on high alert. She notices that Alec has situated himself as far away from her as he can and that he keeps staring intently at her; she assumes he's still trying to manipulate her mind. She asks him about the nature of his mind-control powers, but he never answers her questions.
When they land in Volterra, an ancient looking town made of stone, Alec escorts Bella and Edward into one of the buildings. Bella stands close to Edward, who remains Alec's control.
They wind their way through a series of dark passageways and eventually reach a set of wide double-doors.
[ONE SHOT: The Volturi]
"Through here please," Alec says, and the "s" of that last word echoes through the cavernous tunnel. It sends a chill through me; goosebumps rise up my arms and I instinctively take a step closer to Edward. He pushes open the double doors, revealing a cavernous and ancient-looking domed room.
Edward steps into it and I follow suit. The room looks like something out of a history book. There's a haze throughout the entire dome. Several streams of golden sunshine pierce the haze, illuminating circles of light on the grey, stone ground. I look up at the ceiling, trying to find the windows where the light is coming from, and see it's decorated with faded and chipping paintings, similar to those in the Sistine Chapel. I let my gaze rake down the length of the walls, which are made of the same aged stone that lines the floors. There are dark rectangular patterns etched into the walls and painted black. Their dark color and sharp edges give the room a harsh, unfeeling atmosphere.
As Edward and I come to a stop in tandem, my eyes fall to three figures sitting on the opposite end of the room. They are seated in tall, throne-like mahogany chairs that rest on a stone platform, several steps above the main floor. They're talking back and forth; it looks like they've barely noticed Edward and I yet. Two of them are cloaked in black, archaic robes that cascade down the sides of the table, pooling at their feet. The man in the middle wears a slick, all-black suit. I watch out of the corner of my eye as Alec wanders across the room, situating himself next to a young woman who stands on the ground-level, just a few feet away from the three figures. She is also clad in a dark robe and looks just about as young as Alec. Her hair is blonde, a stark contrast to Alec's jet-black locks.
My observations are interrupted by a single clap that echoes throughout the room. It startles me so much that I physically jump, my eyes searching for the source of the sound. I realize that the conversation between the three men has stopped and one of the figures across the room—the one not clad in a robe—is now walking towards Edward and I, his hands pressed together.
"Bella and Edward!" he calls, his voice smooth and unexpectedly airy. "How delightful. Excellent job, Alec." As he approaches us, his features come into view, becoming more discernable. He is smiling and there's something deeply unsettling about the way his skin stretches over his teeth—which are unnaturally white and straight; I suspect they're fake. His eyes are the same red hue as Alec's and James's and Victoria's, but they're milky and aged. The pale skin of his face is chalky and ashen, not unlike Alec's. Every time he passes through one of the beams of sunlight, his skin becomes instantly translucent, revealing his bones and muscles underneath, before returning to normal.
Despite his aged, unsettling features, he wears a sharp, perfectly tailored, all-black suit; his physique is strong and lean—almost elegant. He has straight, jet-black hair that matches his suit and cascades down to his shoulders. Half of it is pulled into a small ponytail at the back of his head.
As he approaches, his eyes fixed on Edward, he seems positively delighted. His eyes flick to me and the smile falters just slightly. He slows his walking, and I can see his eyes squint in confusion. I watch as he glances back at Alec, who drops his head, as if in shame or embarrassment. When he looks back at me, the man's smile returns and it's cautious, considered. "Bella," he greets softly. His hands are still pressed together, hovering in front of his chest. His soft, lilting voice echoes throughout the cavern above us.
I stare at him, my expression guarded, fixed. He chuckles and the sound is apologetic. "Please forgive me," he says, exposing his teeth as he grins. "Introductions are in order." He holds his hands out to the side with a dramatic flair. "My name is Aro." He glances behind him and gestures to the man on the left. "This is Marcus." Then to the man on the right. "And Caius." He turns back to look at me. "They're my associates. We're the leaders of the Volturi."
I frown, pulling my eyebrows together to form an expression of confusion.
Aro tilts his head to the side, as if he's assessing my reaction. He seems intrigued, amused. His eyes flick to Edward. "Edward's not told you about us?" he asks gently, the "s" of his last word hanging in the air for several seconds after he's finished speaking.
At this, I once again fix my expression into one of neutrality. I open my mouth to speak and am quite pleased when my voice is steady, and sure. "What did he do to Edward?" My gaze shifts to Alec, who is watching Aro carefully… obediently.
Aro smiles and the expression is sympathetic. "We knew that Edward would likely resist a visit with us, so I'm afraid we needed to use some… persuasive measures to get him here." Aro nods backward, indicating Alec. "Alec was sent to retrieve you and Edward due to him."
"Why? What did he do?"
Aro smiles at me, as if he admires my boldness. "Alec can control the body by invading the mind." He chuckles at this and stares pointedly at me. "Although it appears you have confounded him," he says, studying me with interest.
I tilt my head in Edward's direction. "Just the body? So is Edward still… aware of everything that's happening?"
Aro bobs his head back and forth, considering. "Vaguely, yes." His gaze flicks to Edward and then he smiles—almost affectionately. It makes me uncomfortable. As he stares at Edward, his expression brightens, almost as if remembering something. He rubs his palms together and then tilts his head slightly in Alec's direction. "Speaking of, I think Edward has had enough. You can release him now, Alec."
Alec blinks and Edward's entire body startles next to me. I turn to look at him and the expression on his face—anguish, panic, confusion, and absolute rage mingled all in one—frightens me. He staggers for a second, stepping backward as he regains his bearings. His eyes search around, and it is only when they lock onto me that a bit of relief floods his features.
He reaches out to me and pulls me into a crushing hug. "We're all right," he whispers breathlessly into my hair. "We're all right."
I remain in Edward's arms, quite sure that I couldn't escape his tight hold even if I wanted to, until Aro's silky voice once again pierces the air. "So nice to see you again, Edward."
At the mention of his name, I feel Edward's entire body tense against me, feel his jaw tighten. He releases me slowly, reluctantly and, keeping a single arm wrapped tightly around my waist, turns to face Aro.
I watch as Edward and Aro stare at each other, Aro smiling warmly and Edward looking repulsed. There's clearly a history between them.
"They're fine," Edward says suddenly, coldly. I frown at him, confused, as Aro hasn't said anything. I realize then that Edward must be addressing the questions in Aro's thoughts.
I watch as Aro smiles and says, "Lovely. I do so miss seeing Carlisle. And the lovely Miss Alice."
"We're still not interested," Edward says through gritted teeth.
"Interested in what?" I interject.
Edward turns to me and his expression instantly softens. Still, I can tell he's worried. "Aro likes to collect vampires who has special gifts and talents. He's been after Alice and I for decades."
Aro scoffs playfully. "You make it sound so vulgar and uninteresting, Edward."
"Perhaps that's because it is."
I flinch at Edward's tone. I may not know who the Volturi are, but it's clear that they have unimaginable power in the vampire world. And, if their red eyes are any indication, I have a feeling they're not particularly forgiving.
But Aro simply chuckles, unbothered by Edward's hostility. He says lightly, "Perhaps we should continue our conversation out loud. There are others listening."
"Why did you bring us here?" Edward asks. I feel his fingers curl against my waist.
Aro smiles and presses his fingertips to his lips. His eyes shift to me. "Well, our reasons were two-fold, really. You see, we received a tip from… a concerned party who informed us of your connection to Bella." He smiles at me and there's a warmth in his eyes, though I don't trust it. "Obviously this person wanted to keep us informed, given that Bella is still human and, thus, you and your family are in direct violation of our laws."
"Victoria?" I ask, looking at Edward.
He nods and then scoffs, repugnant. "You didn't invite us all the way out here because of a single human who knows about our existence; you've never enforced that law with this much aggression. What else is there?"
"Hm," Aro hums, pleased. "Always so observant, Edward." He smiles and then starts to pace back and forth as he continues. "This same individual had a—" Aro pauses to chuckle gratuitously, "—very bold assertion to make about the lovely Ms. Swan here." He stops his pacing and stares purposefully at Edward.
I gaze up at Edward, watching carefully at his expressions tightens and his eyebrows tug together at whatever he sees in Aro's thoughts. He appears stricken and confused.
"Edward?" I whisper, glancing back and forth between him and Aro. "What is it?"
"As I'm sure you can imagine," Aro continues, ignoring me, "that is a very serious accusation—one we need to investigate fully and with due diligence. Thus, our meeting today." He takes a breath and steps close to Edward, a single, elegant hand outstretched toward him.
Edward, his expression still confused and pondering, extends his own. Their hands connect and Aro gasps, stepping forward and enclosing Edward's hand in both of his own. He closes his eyes, as if searching for something. Edward turns his attention to me, and my stomach drops at the look in his eyes… doubt and just a hint of betrayal.
"My goodness," Aro murmurs, pulling both of our attentions back to him. He still holds Edward's hand, but now his eyes are open once more and staring intensely at Edward. "My goodness," he repeats. "What an eventful year you've had. Your relationship with Ms. Swan is absolutely fascinating; your desire to spare and protect her juxtaposed with your desire for her blood." Aro swallows and runs his tongue over his bottom lip. "Your restraint is remarkable. It makes me thirsty."
"It's not without difficulty," Edward says numbly.
Aro laughs and pats Edward's hand. "Yes, I can certainly see that."
"You haven't found what you're looking for, though," says Edward. "Because it's not true."
"What are you looking for?" I ask, my question directed at Aro.
But it's Edward who answers, "With one touch, Aro can read and sift through every thought anyone has ever had." Edward's head swivels to mine and his expression is unreadable. "Aro's… informant," he says sardonically, "claimed that you've been conducting research into ways to reverse the change. Aro's looking for proof." Edward turns back to look at Aro and, as he does so, pulls his hand from the vampire's grasp. "Now you know—no such research exists."
Aro considers Edward carefully and then his gaze floats to me. "How intriguing," he says, taking a step toward me; I feel Edward pull me slightly closer to his side, "that your thoughts remain a mystery to young Edward. Just as they protected you from Alec's control. I wonder if you are immune to my gifts, as well." Aro slowly extends his hand to me. Given my experience with Alec earlier, I'm quite confident about what will happen when Aro's skin makes contact with mine. Still, my heart skips a beat in my chest. Aro smiles warmly upon hearing it and raises his eyebrows expectantly.
I step away from Edward's safe hold and place my hand, palm-down, into Aro's. As with Edward, he inhales deeply and then wraps both hands around my own. He pulls my hand close to his chest, bows his head, and closes his eyes.
I hear Edward inhale sharply behind me. The atmosphere in the room shifts and I can see the two other men in robes—who I had frankly almost forgotten about—move uncomfortably in their seats.
When Aro raises his head and opens his eyes, his expression is captivated. "Remarkable," he whispers, staring into my eyes with his burning red irises. "I see nothing." He runs his hands around mine and his skin feels like parchment paper—old and fragile. I want nothing more than to rip my hand from his cold grasp, but instead I hold steady, levelling Aro with an assured stare.
Finally, he releases me. "I've never seen such a unique talent before—certainly never in a human." Then, his expression changes; it is sorrowful, filled with regret. "I'm afraid, however, that, despite the remarkableness of your gift, Ms. Swan, we still face a problem: I can neither confirm nor deny the accuracy of the tip we received."
I frown at this. "You read Edward's thoughts," I say accusingly. "You saw that there's no such research taking place. What more proof do you need?"
Aro smiles and says to Edward, "I can see why you like this one." Edward says nothing while Aro continues by explaining, "I'm afraid my gift is not as straightforward as Edward's, for example. Though I have the ability to read and sort through every thought a person has ever had, doing so takes time and effort; it can be hard to catch each one. And for someone as gifted as Edward, it would be relatively easy to bury a thought or two—conceal it from my view."
"Why would I be looking for a cure for vampirism?" I say assertively, defensively. "What reason would I have to do that?"
Aro chuckles and holds his hands out, gesturing to Edward. "Well, it's no secret that Edward here has, shall we say, struggled with our way of life."
"Aro," Edward says pleadingly. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see him shake his head imperceptively left and right.
Aro's expression turns quizzical. "You've not told her, Edward?" he asks before smiling sympathetically. "You see, Bella," he says, pacing once more, "young Edward has visited us on more than one occasion, seeking out… a specific set of services we provide." His red eyes stare purposefully, sorrowfully into mine.
I feel a lump rise in my throat. As Aro continues, I'm finding it hard to breathe.
"Naturally, we couldn't honor Edward's wishes." Aro turns back to Edward. "I'm afraid his particular gifts are far too valuable to be destroyed without cause."
The weight of this information hangs heavy on my shoulders. I glance at Edward, whose arm now hangs loosely around my waist. Though his face is turned away from me, I can see his clenched jaw, can see that his eyes are pressed closed.
Aro takes a breath and says, "Given Edward's history, the plausibility of this information cannot be ignored."
I stare at Aro and know he can see the disgust and loathing in my eyes. He presses his fingertips to his lips and a faint, malicious smile dances over his lips. "I'm afraid we'll have to turn to more… influential methods." He twists around and looks over his shoulder at the small girl who is standing next to Alec. "Jane?" he murmurs, his voice lilting and amused.
I stare at the girl as an equally malicious smile mars her otherwise cherubic features.
I watch as her gaze slowly wanders to Edward, who seems so wrapped up in his own grief and sorrow that he hasn't even noticed the last few seconds of conversation. A horrible feeling burns in the pit of my stomach. I start to move to tap Edward's arm, hoping to give him some kind of warning. Before I can even move my arm, a horrible, strangled sound fills the cavernous room. I startle violently and jump away from Edward's body, which is contorted into a twisted, agonized shape. His back is arched, and the tops of his feet barely touch the ground, as if he is being suspended in the air by an invisible noose around his neck. His arms are splayed out to the side and his face is scrunched into an expression of absolute agony. For several torturous seconds, he hangs in the air, hovering in silent anguish.
I watch, completely frozen as he eventually collapses to the ground, doubled over, clutching his chest, his mouth agape in a silent scream. My hands are still outstretched, suspended in the air. They are trembling; my lungs have forgotten how to pull in air and release it again; I feel like I am drowning.
"Edward?" Aro asks, as if he can barely be bothered. His sickeningly calm voice slices through the electric tension in the room. "Tell me what you know about Bella's research and then this will all be over."
The mention of my name snaps me back to attention. Hands still trembling, I fill my lungs with as much air as I can manage and then yell, "STOP!" as I lunge for Edward's crumpled, convulsing body with all my force. I throw my body on top of Edward's, arms outstretched, covering as much of him as I can in an attempt to shield him from Jane's line of sight, not knowing if the effects of her torturous gaze will hold true on me. I can hear the remnants of my desperate, high-pitched cry reverberating back into my ears as it echoes through the highest lofts of the room.
The moment my arms wrap around him, he heaves a tremendous, shuddering breath and his body goes limp. I can feel him trembling as he curls into my touch, sucking in huge, shaky breaths.
For a moment, the rest of the room, the rest of the world, is gone. I press my face into Edward's shoulder and we both attempt to catch our breaths. The moment is not long-lived, however.
I jump, pressing myself closer to Edward, when Aro claps his hands together and laughs, the sound manic and malicious—amused. I refuse to turn around and look at him and instead move one of my hands to Edward's head, burying my fingers in his hair as I keep my face pressed against his shoulder, breathing in his calming scent.
"Remarkable," Aro whispers. He sounds fascinated. "Such sacrifice and devotion for one of our kind… from a human. And such a unique gift. She confounds us all."
"Let us be done with this, Aro," comes a voice I've not yet heard. It's deep and frail. Keeping myself pressed close to Edward, I lift my head and swivel it around to see who is speaking. It's the man on the left, with the greasy black hair. Now that I focus on him, he looks worn and weathered—almost exhausted. He stares disapprovingly at Aro and continues, speaking slowly. "We've no proof of what that woman suggested. Let these young people go."
My eyes flick to Aro. I hear Edward groan softly beneath me. Aro purses his lips and gazes at Edward's recovering form with an expression that looks like mild regret. "I suppose that's true."
"You can't just let them go," says another voice—Caius. He has a long, lean face and wears a cruel expression that matches the coldness of his voice; he reminds me of a snake. "The girl knows too much now. She's a liability to us."
Aro gazes at me before heaving a regrettable sigh. "That's also true," he says. "Given that she has no intention of becoming a vampire, it certainly seems we've no choice." For a moment, there is real sadness on Aro's face. Then, his expression shifts as clear realization dawns. He turns his blood-red gaze to me and parts his lips; I can see his tongue running over his bottom teeth as he starts to move toward me. My insides squirm and I instinctively start to scramble backwards, pressing myself closer to Edward.
Suddenly, however, Edward stirs and he is no longer behind me, but in front of me. One of his arms is stretched behind him, holding my arm to keep me steady. The other is outstretched towards Aro. He kneels on the ground in front of me, wobbling just slightly.
Aro stops in his tracks and it is clear that doing so takes some effort as he inhales deeply, his bottom jaw jutting out just slightly.
"Bella will be a vampire," Edward says, and his voice is filled with such dismay and exhaustion. "Alice has seen it." He pulses his hand in the air, indicating that Aro is to step forward and take it.
Pressing his lips together and regaining his composure, Aro does so. Yet again, he wraps both of his hands around Edward's and closes his eyes. His eyebrows pull together and it is clear he is concentrating deeply.
When his eyes open again a few moments later, they are bright with intrigue. "Remarkable," he whispers, still holding Edward's hands. "To see what will be before it has happened."
"Now you know," Edward says, pulling his hand away from Aro with as much effort as he can muster. His body collapses just slightly under its own weight; his arm that was outstretched to Aro falls to the floor with a gentle thud.
Aro stares sadly at Edward. "Why would you bury such a beautiful vision so deeply?" he asks, genuinely curious.
"This is not the life I want for her. She deserves a human life," Edward says softly. "I suppose I figured that if I buried it deeply enough, I could prevent the inevitable."
Aro hums appreciatively at this. Then, with a small tsk, he says, as if he's announcing it's time for lunch, "Go then. Make your preparations." He steps past Edward and reaches out to me, brushing his fingertips across my cheek and down my chin. I press my eyes shut and clench my jaw as I resist the urge to recoil away from his cold, papery touch. "I look forward to seeing you again, Bella. You will make for an incredibly intriguing immortal," he whispers, inhaling deeply.
I swallow and take a step to the side, reaching out for Edward and intertwining my fingers in his. He returns my touch, folding his fingers against mine, but his grasp is weak.
Finally, Aro steps away from us, returning to his position atop the platform with Marcus and Caius. "Thank you for your time," he says casually, before turning to Caius.
"We'll be checking in very soon," Caius mutters. "Remember that the Volturi rarely give second chances. Use yours wisely."
Edward nods and, squeezing my hand, guides me out the door that we originally entered through. They shut behind us with a loud, resounding thud. And then Edward and I are alone in the musty passage.