"They aren't letting this go." Edward said finally after the two men were escorted out by the young but terrifying twins. "They are furious and Vladimir is suspicious of Annabelle".

"Me?" I asked in shock.

"It was clear to them that you were being guarded. Vladimir has a few theories and none of them he finds favorable. He thinks you have some sort of gift Aro wants to collect or that you are dangerous. He's even considered that you are exactly what you are to Aro."

I blinked a few times while I was thinking. What now?

"We go back home soon. They won't need to worry about me." I said, optimistically, but Carlisle's face looked serious.

"I'm afraid that doesn't matter. Now that they have associated you with the Volturri, you've become a rather attractive target." Aro explained, his statement made towards me but his gaze blank and distant.

"You don't think they'd risk a move like that do you?" Carlisle asked, looking to his adopted son.

"Vladimir has been waiting for this kind of window. He has good instincts and he knows something about Annabelle matters to Aro. She's also human so he thinks she'll be easier to get to. His mind is made up." Edward countered.

"Then we shall not give them the opportunity." Aro said sharply.

"What is it you suggest we do, Aro?" Marcus asked.

"Forget this madness. The clear solution is to prepare the guard and deal with them for good." Caius said sternly "If we had hunted them down during the past century, there would be none of this to deal with."

"And we would appear to be everything they accused of us." Aro countered.

"Unprompted killing of them would in fact confirm the idea that you are power hungry and vengeful." Carlisle agreed.

"Well we are certainly prompted now, aren't we?" Caius raised an eyebrow.

"Not yet. It's only because of Edward that we know what they intend. There hasn't been any actual attempt at Annabelle's life." Carlisle reasoned. "Would they be so foolish to follow us back to Connersville?"

That made Aro laugh. A frightening, dark laugh.

"Foolishness is their natural state, dear friend."

Marcus looked at me for a moment with concern in his eyes. "His mind must be made up. There is a line of intent flowing from Vladimir to Annabelle."

I froze a bit. A vampire was after me. What a frightening realization. With all that Aro explained to me about speed and strength and everything else...I was terrified.

"Which means they'll be hunting." Carlisle sighed "We cannot stay here. They're too familiar with this place and they aren't going to make themselves known. We are likely to fall into their trap accidentally."

The three men seemed to agree with Carlisle, but none seemed pleased about it. Not in the slightest.

"Our flight is in a few hours." Edward informed. "Connersville at the very least gives us some normalcy."

"I agree." Carlisle nodded.

"Wait a minute." I spoke up "So if they will follow us, what then? Are they actually going to try to hunt me down or something?"

Aro moved, stepping in front of me and taking both of my hands, his eyes meeting mine. I could see in his eyes every ounce of worry I had and that he was now seeing.

"I will not give them the chance." He said softly before looking up "Marcus, you must stay here and manage the coven on your own. I am going to America with Carlisle. Caius, go East. Do not enter Romania but make it known that you are aware of their threat."

I looked at Caius who wore a smirk. He seemed to like action and rarely got to carry through with what he wanted.

"Very well, brother." Marcus agreed.

"Carlisle, I would like very much if you would allow me to stay with you and your lovely family. I find I will be useless anywhere that is not by Annabelle's side. My worry will most certainly distract me." Aro looked to him and received a nod of confirmation.

And just like that we were on the move, making preparation, gathering belongings, and Aro giving orders to various vampires in black.

Something about him coming with us instantly settled me. I felt calmer, safer, and more in control. Like danger couldn't possibly reach me. Not as long as I was with him. It was in a way, alarming how quickly I had accepted him into my life. But I couldn't stop myself. He fit so naturally. My eyes always found him in a room, my ears always heard his voice, and my gut always redirected me to stand by his side.

I turned around and suddenly, standing there, was Jane. She looked striking, her blonde hair poking out of the black hood she had pulled up.

"I retrieved your bag." She said informatively, holding it out for me to take.

"Thank you." I managed out, not being able to look away.

"Annabelle, Jane is coming with us." Bella informed, coming up to me and putting a kind hand on my shoulder "She guards Aro and now I'm guessing you."

Something about someone clearly so young "guarding" me felt wrong. But her red eyes glowed with danger and confidence.

"The coast is clear, let's go." Edward appeared out of nowhere, grabbing Bella's hand and leading her to the doors.

I followed, Aro and Carlisle appearing on either side of me and Jane behind.

"This isn't necessary." I muttered.

"Until this threat is away from you, it is." Aro said sternly, taking my hand in his and giving it a small squeeze.

The black car that had brought us to the castle now carried us to the airport. Bella and Edward sat together, holding hands and looking forward. Carlisle sat next to me, going between looking out the window and giving me small smiles. Aro was doing the same, his hand still holding mine. And Jane was looking dutifully through the window beside her.

"When we get there, Annabelle, you are to go with Aro and Jane. Straight in, through security, and to the gate. You have priority seating so you'll get on the plane first." Carlisle explained. His voice calm despite the clear danger. "Bella, Edward, and I will follow. We will meet back up with you. Aro made sure to arrange things so that we will all be together."

I nodded, grasping Aro's hand tighter as if doing so would fix everything.

"Do not worry, my love." Aro whispered, though I was sure everyone could hear him "Nothing will harm you."

Just as I managed to take a breath, the car stopped and I was instantly swept out, practically carried into the building by Aro, Jane dutifully next to us.

Security was speedy seeing as we only had two bags, both carry ons and somehow, I was guess Aro and Jane's charm, we weren't pulled aside for any additional screening.

We made it to the gate just in time for the first wave of boarding, the timing perfect. That's when I saw it.

A flash of black and almost white at the end of the vast airport. Just visible for half a moment. So quick I was certain I hadn't seen it at all. But something about it made my heart stop.

"Annabelle." Aro's voice broke through my muffled ears. "It is time." He said, guiding me forward with his hand on my back.

Aro was sitting next to me rather than behind me this time, an aisle seat. I sat in the middle row and to my left I could only assume was for Carlisle. Jane sat on the other side of the aisle, the two seats next to her, empty.

I took a breath, managing to smell whatever cologne Aro had on. It was perfect, something sophisticated and just the right amount of earth and spice together. It comforted me as did his hand which he now rested on my knee.

"I do hope this is acceptable?" He asked to which I smiled and nodded.

It wasn't until Carlisle, Edward, and Bella took their seats that I was able to fully calm down from what I saw. I was certain it was nothing but my tired brain seeing things.