Author's Note: Thank you loves for your kind reviews and following this story to this point! I am simply blown away by the love this story has gotten so far, especially with one of my favorite written pairings. Some more questions are answered in this chapter, though I love a slow build if you can't already tell. All mistakes are my own!

Last Time...

"The only thing I could hear was this deafening screeching…. civilizations were burning before my eyes. The flames fought the swirling darkness that threatened to swallow the world whole. No matter how many nights they replayed, the terror remained. What's coming… it promises the end of your world and mine. We need to stop it, Aro. For all our sakes."

Chapter 4

"Ambiguity…" He began. "The threat at hand is fairly ambiguous, as you describe. Does this happen to indicate you are not entirely sure, Isabella?" He turned as he said her name, looking at her critically.

"Whoever is coming is highly elusive to Alice's visions. Our answers lie elsewhere, ones we must find ourselves to approach this threat. I have a feeling it begins here." Isabella said, glancing around the shelves of books to make her point.

"How long do we have?"

"Three months."

*FLASHBACK*

—One Week Prior—

Isabella was up again at all hours of the night, unable to sleep after another nightmare. After three years of these dreams, off and on, she was able to prevent her screaming when she woke up. Her roommates were blissfully unaware— it made things less awkward for them, especially in not having to explain why she woke up screaming about fire and destruction; when she lived with Charlie, he was more than disturbed…

Isabella had just celebrated her 20th birthday after beginning her second year of college in Seattle. The Cullens had moved with her, following a "new job" popping up close by for Carlisle. While they had offered for Bella to live with them, she enjoyed the space— especially from Edward.

She could tell her two roommates were asleep by their soft snores as she quickly padded downstairs, laptop under one arm. Putting the kettle on the stove, Isabella ran a hand through her hair, sighing in frustration. She knew that she played some major role in this, but the pixie told her time and time again that the time wasn't right… to keep being patient… that it would be clear when she was meant to go. To where someone might ask? Who knows. Damn elusive vampires.

Isabella grumbled, sitting on the countertop between the sink and stove, folding her legs in front of her. Resting her laptop on her lap, she began searching for the architecture that had become clearer in her dreams as of late. It was too gothic to be Greek, too simplistic to be Spanish….

"Italy." Came a bell like voice from her left. Unlike before, Isabella had learned not to jump every time a vampire snuck up on her. They were all too good at that. "I knew you'd get impatient eventually." She said knowingly.

"Alice, what do I owe the pleasure?" She offered, sass lacing her tone.

"For one, making sure your roommates don't wake up." Alice gave her a somewhat exasperated look, taking the kettle off the flame before it sounded noisily. She poured the steaming water in a mug, she added a tea bah before handing it to the semi-aggravating human she had befriended in Forks. "Second, seeing as you've taken matters into your own hands— I'm here to help." From her pocket, she withdrew a passport and plane ticket.

"Alice, this is 5 days from now."

"Yep!" She hummed cheerily. "Better start packing." Alice looped her arm with hers, and pulled her upstairs to begin fretting over clothes and necessities.

"This is far too dangerous, and you know it." A venomous voice spoke from the open window as they entered Isabella's bedroom. There he was, stalk-ward appearing like a gargoyle in the tree just outside. Contempt for his sister marred his otherwise pretty features.

"Enough with the theatrics, Edward. She's going." Alice said dismissively, pulling a suitcase from under the bed.

He looked pointedly to Isabella. "You cannot possibly think that you will survive. They're monsters, Bella. They will kill you in an instant." There it was, the pet name he called her. She glared at him, causing him to shrink back a bit from the window. She'd given him a verbal lashing the last time he had attempted to come here— it was something he seemed not to quickly forget, and for that she was glad. Who knew, humans could instill fear in vampires.

"Eddy." He grimaced at this— it served him right. "I cannot possibly think of doing anything else. Sitting out there and being bitter doesn't help your cause or mine. Just leave."

"You'll regret this." He hissed before disappearing.

"Uh huh. So, what's the cover?" Isabella asked, looking at the plane ticket.

"Well, with winter break starting in a few weeks, we'll say that you were accepted into the spring study abroad program in Florence. You will be arriving a few weeks early to acclimate and absorb the Italian culture. Charlie and Renee are incredibly excited for you."

"That's really good, Al."

Alice shrugged, smiling coyly. "What can I say. I'm the best."

—Four Days Later—

The Cullen clan waved goodbye to the retreating car down the driveway, with Alice, Jasper, and Isabella inside.

Carlisle hugged Esme close to him, who tearlessly cried as her practically adopted daughter began on the exciting, but potentially perilous journey ahead. Carlisle rested his chin on top of her head, willing his old friends to take care of the girl who had left a lasting mark on his family. If she were the piece that drew his family closer together, perhaps she could too impart it within Volterra.

Rosalie looked apathetic, though her expression softened when eyes were no longer on her. She had grown to tolerate Isabella, and secretly admired her spirit that often put prodigal Edward in his place. Emmett was a bit worse for wear, though he did not let it show. "Knock 'em dead, sis."

Lastly, there was Edward; his hands were thrust in his pockets, as he scowled at the ground. Regardless of what had happened between them, or better phrased what hadn't, if they hurt her, there would be hell to pay.

On the way to the airport, Isabella was thankful for Jasper's calming effect on her nerves. It seemed to have doubled when her anxiety spiked upon arriving to the airport. "Everything will be fine, darlin." He drawled, smiling warmly at her.

"Thanks Jasper. Take care of Al for me." She said pointedly, poking his shoulder.

"Always do." He laughed.

Turning to Alice, Isabella groaned seeing her with a garment bag. "What is that?"

"Oh this old thing?" She attempted to be suave, and failed miserably. "It must have slipped my mind. You'll be arriving during the winter ball." Alice squealed jovially.

Isabella rolled her eyes, sticking her hand out for the garment bag. "You could have just told me."

"Now what fun would that be?" Alice handed off the bag, looking smug. "Everything you need is packed and ready to go. I've put instructions in your carry-on for the evening. Follow them closely." Alice's eyes shimmered with unspilled venom tears. "I know you'll do great… Just remember not to sass too much… And use your knowledge as your strength. It will guide you to what needs to be done within the next three months."

Isabella hugged her tightly, tears escaping as she did. "I'll miss you, Al."

"Not for long." Alice squeezed her gently before letting her go. "Your flight leaves in an hour, and you musn't be late."

"Okay." Isabella took a deep breath, waving to them both before walking into the terminal, bags in tow.

*END OF FLASHBACK*

Three months. Aro processed this information thoughtfully for some time, his back now to Isabella as he looked on the streets of Volterra from their perch. They now occupied the first floor of the study, with Isabella sitting on the corner of the desk, and Aro gazing out the colored panes of the vast windows. It was at this point that Isabella looked to Aro, and stopped to admire him. Even in his stoic state, grace and power radiated from him. They were clearly etched in every sculpted feature of his countenance.

As she studied him, her expression softened from her initial curiosity. With the ever so slight hunch of his shoulders, she knew she observed a vulnerability that was not always apparent to those that knew him. He most certainly had the world on his shoulders; rather than being merely poetic, it was— the world he had built, nurtured, and maintained was now set to crumble in a few short months, with no known solution.

Despite her better judgement, she approached him after some time, seeing his head cock to the right just slightly at her approach. She rested her hand on his shoulder, pulling him gently to face her, being met with a somewhat puzzled expression. Isabella smiled gently at him in understanding; once again, touching a three-thousand year old vampire king went against any semblance of survival instincts.

"Are you okay?"

Isabella was met with more puzzlement. "You are asking me if I am 'okay'?" Slowly a smirk spread across his lips, that turned into maniacal laughter. "How brave of you."

It was Isabella's turn to look confused. Aro soon recovered, picking up her hand from where it rested on his shoulder and clasping it between his own. "In another time, you would have been executed for such an action. I would never permit it, but you still have very much to learn about the Volturi. Shall we begin there?"

Isabella nodded, allowing Aro to pull her to the nearest section of bookshelves. By the sheer number of books, she knew this would be an arduous task. With Aro as her guide, however, it was an intriguing one.

Author's Note: For some reason, "Something There" from Beauty and the Beast popped into my head when editing the end of the chapter. Anyone else seeing some of the themes?