Chapter 13
Edward was still waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Every moment was walking luxury, he felt like he was floating on cloud 9. For the first time in years that he could remember he was happy. Maybe too happy…and that's where his doubts nestled.
Having Bella back in his life was a feeling he couldn't find the words to describe. He was the luckiest man in the world for him giving her a second chance when he knew he far from deserved it.
But that was just it, now that he had everything he ever wanted he couldn't bare he idea of losing it when he finally had it back in his grasp. He wasn't sure he could survive it a second time.
Even with the thought lingering at the back of his mind he tried to forget about it, lose it under only his positives thoughts. Bella. Himself.
Their future.
He wasn't going to screw it up. Not again.
The plan was one of little confidence, in fact to call it a plan at all was to over compensate.
For in fact, for a better lack of term, it was simply…a messy idea with a lot of questionable plot holes and possible outcomes she couldn't concrete.
Messy outcomes that as of know the Cullens didn't need to be made aware of.
Aro was simply not a man of his word, she wasn't naïve enough to assume that he would let her go out of kindness; she knew of just how ruthless her master could be. If she wanted to stand any chance of her idea working she would have to act the part, adopt back into her ruthless and cold demeanour.
It would be as easy as slipping on a glove.
The only way to resonate was Aro was to stance power against power, and thankful to herself she was hardly lacking.
Digging deep into the depths of her wardrobe she pulled out a black sweater dress that reached her knees clinging onto her like a familiar second skin paired with heels; smirking at her reflection as she applied a deep shade of crimson across her lips.
'Isabella Volturi takes shit from nobody. You do what is in your best interest and anyone else be damned, and right now, right now it's in your best interest to leave and if anyone tries to stop you, well then you show them who they're playing fire with.'
Her crimson eyes gleamed, the familiar icy feeling in her chest, no longer suffocating but as a frigid ardour for what she was now fighting for. With the thought fresh at the forefront of her mind she strutted down the corridor passing the Cullen's guest rooms as she did, contemplating for a moment or two whether she should inform them before she went face to face with evil itself.
She vouched against it, the last thing she wanted or needed was for them in harms way or for their kindness to damper her fury. Anger and bitterness was what she needed to channel in order to win and there was no room for humanity.
"Aro!" her voice echoed off the walls of the main hall, her shoes ringing with a sharp snap with every step made her strut just that bit more confidently.
Aro appeared and flashed a smile once she came into view, "Ah Isabella-"
She cut him off before he could continue, her response blunt, "I want to leave."
He waited a moment. "Leave? Leave where?"
"Leave here. Volterra." She refused to waver even under his look, she didn't blink. If he did have a reaction to her words he did a sure job of hiding it.
"And why would you want to leave? Volterra is your home. This is where you belong."
She placed both hands on her hips, her voice now rougher, "Let's just say I've had a change of heart."
Aro circled around her, "And would that change of heart have anything to with our guests?" A glance at her puzzled and frozen face he pressed on, "Don't think me stupid my dear Isabella. I saw how they reacted to you upon their arrival, I also saw how young Edward reacted during your mishap with the Vampire Coven. Perhaps your poker face isn't as certain as you may think."
Her eyes turned cold, quick anger flooded her veins before fear took hold, "I don't see how that's any of your business."
"Well I think it is Isabella, you do after all work for me, you belong to me."
"Last time I checked Aro I came here on my own accord, I didn't sell you my soul. You have no ownership over me."
He seemed to ignore her last comment, "And yet here you are, in my guard. So why should I let one of my most powerful gems out of my collection Humour me."
"It's like you said, I have power. Enough power to destroy you and your precious guard and I bet I could do it before you got Jane to attack me." She flicked her fingers igniting a spark for effect. "You had me trained well Aro."
"I could just get the entire guard to kill you right now." He snarled.
"Who's to say that you could before I set this entire place to flames?" Her smirk was nothing over that adding insult to the wound, "Or instead, you could let me go. What do you gain out of killing me?"
"And what risk do you pose if I let you go? I make the rules."
The damn inside her snapped open, hot fury instantly took over. She could feel it burn all over, it was like ecstasy.
"I don't think your understanding Aro." She snarled, "I think you're forgetting what I can do." Flicking her wrist she had the room surrounded with flames, they didn't seek to burn the room however the fire was surely real, "Let me go and I promise you'll never hear from me again. I don't seek power Aro, I have no desire to come after you as long as you don't come after me. You don't need me, you have all the power you already need."
He looked all around him at the flames surrounding all the open exits, he was trapped.
"Your decision Aro, choose carefully." She stared intensely at him, her head tilting to the side. She had him cornered, it was only a matter of time.
"If I let you go now who's to say you won't come back. Use your power against me?"
You'll just have to trust me.
"I don't want your power Aro." She scoffed, he would never take her word for it, "What if I promise you that if you ever need my help, if you ever really need it, then I will come back." He seemed to think the proposition over, "If I wanted you dead Aro I could to it right now. I have no desire to kill you."
Dear God, please let this work. Please, please, please…
Her cold demeanour remained despite her panic.
"Fine." He drew a cold breath, finally caving into her demands.
"Why thank you Aro for being so…understanding," her smile was sinister. Not relishing the flames until she was inches away from them herself.
"Oh and Aro." She stopped herself at the door, "The Cullen's are off limits. We've known each other for some time, dare I say that we're quite close, so if you want anything I can only hope we can talk out our differences and leave the petty battling beneath us."
Not waiting for a response she left not wasting any time to get away fearful for what would happen if she stuck around. Her body deflated, the panic finally subsiding as she reached Edward's door; this time busy with everyone minus Carlisle and Esme.
"Everyone pack your bags, we're getting out of here." She blurted. The room froze turning to look at her.
"But your place here?" Edward asked adorably confused.
"Dealt with. We're good to go. Preferably as soon as possible." She paced, her nerves still high after her intense interaction with Aro just moments ago.
Edwards face brightened at what her news meant, his mouth turning up into a grin, "Really? That's amazing!" He reached out as if to grab her but pulled away last second as if remembering of their current estranged relationship.
She felt almost betrayed by her body as she almost wished he hadn't backed away.
"How did you do it?" Emmett asked eagerly.
"Well lets just say people are most easily persuaded when your holding flames to their head." The words tumbled so casually from her mouth she missed the way everyone froze to look at her a second time. And then, Emmet laughed,
"You threatened Aro? I always knew that you were crazy."
That she couldn't fully disagree with.
Edward chuckled from behind, Bella could only imagine him shaking his head and running his hand through his hair in amusement but didn't turn around to check.
"We're going home!" Alice exclaimed, "And Bella you're coming with us!"
Yeah, she was. Guess it was time to start another chapter of her life again…