Eruption

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APOV

Caius stands in the doorway of my study, panic barely masked behind his cold facade.

"Isabella is missing."

I stand to my feet, forgetting about the paperwork on my desk. "What?"

"She is missing. She went out to the market with Jane earlier this afternoon and while they were out, Jane caught Stefan's scent. She demanded that Isabella go into the seamstress's shop until she returned, but after she lost his scent Isabella was nowhere to be found. Her scent disappeared in the alleyway next to the shop."

I clench my fists, trying to rein in the need to destroy everything in sight. Desperate fear grips my heart. I should have changed her when I had the chance, should have kept her by my side. A part of me even regrets giving her any sort of freedom to roam. I should have locked her in the tower away from all the dangers this world has to offer.

"How long has she been gone?" The question escapes through gritted teeth.

"Possibly an hour. Jane didn't leave her for long, but it doesn't seem like she ever made it into the shop."

"Fuck." I slam my fist down onto my desk and the wood splinters. A few shards fly across the room. "Is there not even a trace of her?"

"Not that the guard can find. I sent-"

Just then, Jane makes her presence known, squeezing past Caius to join us in the study. I should be angry with her for leaving Isabella to chase after the Romanians, but I can't bring myself to show her any of my ire. I do not doubt that she did what she could to protect the girl, even in the idiotic choice to leave her behind.

Jane's head bows in shame, unable to meet my eyes. "Demitri caught a scent outside the city walls."

I growl, flashing to Jane's side, taking her hand in mine. I see her panic at catching Stefan's scent while out with Isabella and her order for my mate to stay inside of the shop until she returns. I watch her chase after the scent until she reached the outskirts of Volterra and find myself panicking alongside her as I see the moment she realized Isabella was gone without a trace.

But thankfully, Demitri was able to catch Stefan's scent again. It might be hopeless, but Stefan is our only shot at finding Isabella.

"I'm sorry, Master," Jane whispers, her eyes on the floor. I shake my head and release her hand.

"We must follow him." I throw my cloak over my shoulders and strap on my boots before shoving past the two. They both follow at my heels, discussing Demitri's findings but my focus is set on finding Isabella.

Demitri is waiting for us outside, pacing back and forth in front of the old brick walls like a caged lion. "You caught a scent?" I demand an answer and Demitri nods, motioning for me to follow.

"Brother," Caius calls. I turn my head in his direction, aware that half the guard has joined us. "What if it's a trap?"

"It probably is… But I will face anything to bring Isabella home."

We follow Stefan's scent out of Volterra and toward Romania. His trail winds through forests and almost circles back at times. My frustration only grows, knowing that he is trying to stall us. But I am running as fast as I can, every step forced in my desolation to reach her. I must find her.

Eventually, Stefan's scent ends at an abandoned barn, mixed in with the smell of Vladimir and… Isa.

I surge forward at the realization. She is here. And she is… alone… The only sound coming from the building is Isabella's labored breathing. I shove the door open, not considering the possibility of any danger in the face of finally finding her.

Isabella is sprawled out on her back, right in the center of the floor. Her hair and clothing are soaked with blood and her leg rests at an unnatural angle. But it is the weak beat of her heart that catches my attention.

I rush to her side and carefully assess her injuries. There are too many to count and I can only hope she was not conscious for most of them. I am barely aware of the movement of my guard around us as I rest my hand against her cheek. She stirs, her bleary eyes looking at me from underneath those thick, heartstopping eyelashes.

"Aro," she whispers my name, and the weak smile on her lips sparkles in her eyes. I try to shush her, not wanting her to expend the last of her energy on me.

She is fading, but I can see the life fighting to stay in her eyes even as her body fails to comply.

Caius drops down next to us, his expression hard. "You know what needs to be done, brother. You must save her."

I gulp, unable to take my eyes off my fragile mate. She is beyond the means of what her body can heal. Her heartbeat is weakening with each passing second and I know Caius is right.

I have no choice, I cannot wait for her to decide and I cannot live without her. The beast rages at the thought. I don't have time to ask her. And as I draw closer to her, I swear I hear her say those words I never dreamed she would speak. I swear she tells me she loves me as her eyes close, never to open her eyes as a human again.

It takes everything in me to refrain from tearing this barn apart and burning it to the ground. I want to rage and scream and find the vampires responsible for this. But I can focus on nothing but her.

With one last stroke of my hand against her cheek, I lower my head to her neck and press my lips against her soft skin. And with one whispered apology, I sink my teeth into her jugular.

For a moment, her sweet essence floods into my mouth, just as delectable as it tasted that day in the garden. Oh, how I will miss the scent and taste of her humanity. But her existence is far more important to me. I push my venom into her bloodstream before pulling away. I repeat the process at the site of each major artery. Her lack of movement is concerning, but the sound of her heartbeat pounds in my ears.

Once I'm satisfied that the venom is well into her system, I pull her into my arms, nod to Caius, and take off once again in the direction of Volterra. All the while, Isabella remains silent in my arms. She is still breathing and her heart rate increases in speed and strength with every mile we travel. But she does not make a sound the entire run back.

By the time we return to Volterra, it is dark, and worry for my Isa has nearly consumed me. It doesn't take me long to bring her up to my room and I deposit her onto the bed like she is as fragile as a baby. I do not allow myself to fall apart at the sight of her broken body. We arrived in time to save her. Isabella will be alright. And yet, my heart is clenching as she struggles to take each breath.

I reach for her hand, cradling it in my own. The change was not supposed to happen like this. She was never supposed to come so close to death. And I should not have let her out of my sight, never should have let her leave the castle without joining her personally. I almost lost her and the very thought elicits a rumbling growl from my chest. I have failed her, absolutely failed her.

~AB~

I sit in steady vigil by her side as the hours turn into days. And as the end of the change draws near, my brothers join me, both eager to see Isabella in her new form; though not quite as eager as myself.

Marcus sits in the corner of the room, his eyes closed in quiet contemplation while Caius wears a line into the floor with his pacing. Isabella's chest continues to rise and fall, each breath a struggle through what I know to be excruciating pain.

"She will wake soon," Marcus intones, eyes still shut.

Caius stops his movement and turns his attention to my mate. "Yes, I believe you're right, brother."

I should feel relieved at this because they are right; Isabella is nearing the end of the change. But my nerves are getting the better of me and I worry that she will be upset with the situation. After all, her choice was taken from her and that's something I never intended to do. Not when it came to her humanity.

"She will need to feed," is all I can manage to say. I rub my thumb against the back of her hand.

"Heidi is hunting as we speak," Marcus replies.

Silence falls for some time before Caius speaks next. "What will you do once she wakes, Aro?"

I lift her hand to my lips and press them against the back of her hand. "I would like to take her to the villa for some time while she builds her control."

"We can manage without you until she is ready." Caius' gaze rests on Isabella with a certain tenderness I've only seen him exhibit with Dora. "She will need you."

"No more than I need her."