Disclaimer: This chapter contains direct quotes from New Moon, chapter 20... it all belongs to Stephenie Meyer.

I had no sooner unlocked the door, than Edward froze mid-step beside me. He came back to life after a few seconds and slammed his fist into the stone wall, shouting an oath. He pulled his hand back out of the rubble, trembling in anger as his eyes darted back and forth between the castle and the city.

I tensed, unsure what he was going to do. I had no doubt what he had just overheard; his request was to be denied. Aro had chosen the path of mercy then; but not the quicker one that Edward had hoped for. Would he try to run? Should I stop him, if he did? But instead of bolting, he tore the door right off its frame, storming inside as it clattered to the stones between us.

"This is madness," he growled to himself. "I've got to talk to Marcus."

I caught up with him, leaping over the discarded door in my haste. "Aro is only doing what's best for you, Edward," I whispered earnestly as I followed him through the dark lobby. "He must have seen, through your memories, that your grief will not be permanent. You may have thought that the human female was your mate, but Aro is wise in these matters. He can see the best path for you. Just let him help you!"

I lurched forward, catching his arms before he could tear the golden doors off of their frames, as well. Control yourself! I thought harshly. Or I'll take you inside myself, one piece at a time. He drew a deep, angry breath and nodded, waiting for me to remove my hands before walking forward at a human pace.

"Ah, young Edward," Aro began when we entered. But Edward didn't even look at him, coming to a stop right in front of Marcus. The scene was identical to before, except that Renata now stood at Aro's shoulder.

"Marcus," Edward said through his teeth, "I thought you understood. You, of all people!" Marcus just peered back at him dully, his earlier interest gone. Edward stared hard at him, listening, and then snorted in disgust. "'The greater good'? Listen to yourself! Don't tell me you actually believe that drivel!"

I laid a warning hand on Edward's arm, silently imploring him to please remember who he was speaking to. Although Edward had a great many lessons to learn about respect, I doubted that my Master thought now was the time.

"We do understand, my young friend," Aro said sympathetically. "But we must think of the greater good, mustn't we, Marcus?" Marcus nodded slowly, mechanically.

"You're simply too valuable," Caius added. "I can only imagine the benefits of having you out in the-"

Aro held up his hand, shaking his head slightly. "Our point is, well…. oh dear, this is going to sound terribly unfeeling… it's really too wasteful, Edward. Your gift has marked you for such a great destiny, and we simply feel unable to destroy such a life. I'm sure that in time, you will find new meaning, new reasons to continue. And what a happy coincidence that you are already here! Our family is waiting to take you in, my boy, and give you every comfort in this difficult time. You need not suffer alone, and I think you will be surprised at how much purpose you discover, once you've joined us."

"I'm sure I would," Edward muttered, looking angrily at Marcus again. Then he flitted over toward Aro so fast that I feared the worst. I leapt for him, eager to throw myself in front of my Master. But of course, Edward and I simply tangled together, facing away from the Three in confusion. Renata.

"I wasn't attacking," Edward hissed to her. "I preferred to speak to your Master in private, but very well. All I had to say is that even if I hadn't come here to make the request I did, I would still gladly die before joining this farce of a coven!"

I gasped in shock at his impudence. Was he trying to get himself killed? But then I remembered that he was, of course. Perhaps this was just his latest strategy.

"Enough!" Caius thundered, rising to his feet. "We have listened to your idiotic request, and it has been denied. If you don't have the sense to take the incredible gift we are offering you, then be gone! Go home and cry to your yellow-eyed creator! Go drown your sorrows with the blood of rats, and leave us in peace!"

"Dear brother," Aro said, with just the faintest hint of impatience, "Peace. Can you not see the depth of Edward's grief? That he cannot return to his former life? It simply holds too much sadness for him. We are the only ones who can comfort him now. But you may go in peace, young friend, if you choose. I do hope you find happiness, though I think you will soon realize that this is the only place left for you. Perhaps you could make an extended visit to our peaceful city, while you reflect."

Edward smiled, suddenly looking peaceful again. "Yes, I think I'll do just that," he murmured. "There is a festival tomorrow, after all." He spun on his heel and walked right out, without permission. Caius ground his teeth and inched forward, but Aro held up his hand in silent warning.

"Shall I go after him, Master?" I asked.

"No, let him be," Aro said thoughtfully.

"He's dangerous," Caius argued. "You said earlier that he was planning to force our hand, if we denied him."

"And he may, although I don't believe there is any danger tonight," Aro said sadly. "What a terrible, terrible waste." He frowned, and my heart burned with anger for my Master's sake. Couldn't Edward see how he was hurting Aro? Couldn't he see what he was being offered, however undeserved?

Nobody moved or spoke for several minutes. "Demetri," Aro said after a while, "how far away is our heartbroken friend?"

I closed my eyes, searching. "Five miles," I said, feeling him off to the west. "Perhaps six. He is not moving anymore."

Aro nodded, reaching absently for my hand. I gave it eagerly, and he laughed as soon as we touched.

"Now what?" Caius grumbled.

"Renata," Aro said, "be a dear and bring Santiago to me." She disappeared instantly. "Oh, nothing, Caius, just a little repair to be done out by the main lobby. Now, Demetri."

He turned to me, generosity in his dark, thirsty eyes. "You were wise, my old friend, to catch poor Edward in his lie. Still, it warms my heart to know that you would have killed him like that, just to protect my friendships. I am touched."

I bowed deeply. "He will see reason, Master, I am sure of it," I said. I would not normally speak so freely, but his praise made me bold.

"I am not sure of it," Marcus murmured.

"Nor I," Caius spat. "He should not be unattended while still in the city. He should be watched. Or at least dismembered while he reflects; that should give him some perspective on what 'great pain' truly means. She was just a human. What sentimental nonsense!"

Aro tapped his fingers on the arm of his chair, thinking. "We have our duty," he announced. "And we must protect the city. Demetri, I want you and Felix to keep a close eye on Edward. Give him some space, but be ready. He may try something foolish. Pay particular attention after the sun rises."

"And if he does act?"

"You know the law," Caius said eagerly. I nodded, waiting for Aro's dismissal.

My Master was still looking troubled. "If he does force your hand, Demetri, bring the pieces to us. Don't burn anything yourself." He nodded, and I turned to go.

"Oh, and Demetri," Aro added as my hand touched the door. "Don't tell Felix what I just said about the burning. And do your best not to think about it, either, if you would. I know I can trust you to control your mind."

I bowed again, bursting with pride as I left to find Felix. I was being entrusted with something that he wasn't, because I was favored; I saw that now. Aro loved me. Nothing else mattered– not Edward Cullen's fate, nor my own foolish mental wanderings… not even Afton's triumphant smirk. I dashed the final orders from my mind and ducked into the stone corridor, my cloak billowing behind me and a new spring in my step.

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.

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"I don't see why we have to babysit him," Felix grumbled. It was almost noon, and we were standing in the shadows of an alley just next to the Palazzo dei Priori. We had our cloaks on, even though we were close to the human crowd; on St. Marcus Day, we fit in perfectly. Edward was a mere three hundred feet away from us, leaning lazily against the bricks of the Tower and somberly watching the humans go about their celebration. He had spent most of the night walking around the city, but he hadn't acted. He had stationed himself here at sunrise, and hadn't moved since. At least he was safely tucked in the shadows, like us. I just hoped he was using this time to reconsider his options.

I had spent the morning hours reminding him, mentally, of the myriad benefits that awaited him, if he would just make the right choice. They were endless: the joy of having a permanent home, the prestige of bearing the cloak, the comfort that friends like Chelsea and Corin could offer him, the convenience and honor of having our prey presented to us like kings. But the greatest benefits, I reminded him, would be to finally have a purpose to his life, and to serve under the loving rule of the most benevolent, wise leader a vampire could hope to have.

Edward looked more and more peaceful as the morning went on, and I was encouraged; my silent monologue appeared to be working. He didn't seem to want to die anymore, at least; he could have forced our hand at any point throughout the morning, but he hadn't. I found myself relieved; Aro didn't want to see Edward's life extinguished. And some small part of me was coming to like this strange vampire, as dead in his grief as he was. Now all that remained was for him to accept reality and reenter the castle with us.

My mind, and my throat, turned to other matters as I waited: Heidi's return. I checked my watch: 11:58. I thought again of the waitress from last night: delicious. But she was safe from me. I didn't need to chase waitresses and hunt like an animal, like the homeless wretches that wandered the earth without direction, without a purpose. You see, Edward? You could begin reaping the benefits of Aro's favor even today: Heidi is due back with our blood in less than an hour. And don't tell me you don't look forward to that, even just a little. You admitted earlier to not following your creator's diet all the time. Now you can indulge your nature without guilt or shame. And if you are to be as honored as I imagine you are, you would get first pick of your prey, after the Coven. I will not resent your privilege.

Edward nodded absently, his eyes still on the humans and their fluttering red flags. If he was going to come back with us, why was he still out here? He needed time, I supposed. We might be out here with him for days, waiting until he set aside the first wave of his grief. Or perhaps he really did want to watch the festival; he had seemed interested in it last night. Maybe this was his way of bidding farewell to the first phase of his life: watching the humans frolic on the final day before they transitioned from his friends to his food. It was so deliciously ironic that he was here, today of all days; that the humans were celebrating their freedom from vampires, on the very day that they had just gained a new predator.

We don't feed on locals, I reminded him. But Heidi is due any minute now. Either come with us and feed, or go hunt in the hills before you present yourself. I don't care which, but either way you're wasting our time. I'm trying to be patient, but my thirst-

"Just a few more minutes," he murmured. "I want to see the rest."

So dramatic. And yet… it reminded me of Aro, in a way: he also had a fondness for the spectacular. I was growing more fond of young Edward every minute, though most of my care was still pity. If I could ease his burden, I would. But that was not my gift.

"I said, I don't see why we have to babysit him," Felix muttered. "He's not going to do anything. And Heidi's coming back soon."

"Felix, Felix," I sighed. "I am sure our Master will not forget us, if we are detained."

Felix sighed, checking his own watch and growling slightly. "You're different today," he muttered.

I shrugged. "It's a beautiful day."

"You're all serene again," he complained. "You were just getting to be fun, the last couple of months."

I smiled up at him condescendingly. Felix's loyalty was like that of a dog: constant and brainless. Those of us who had the extra burden of age and gift carried a deeper, more complex devotion. There was no greater delight than having a purpose, and being useful to the Three… to Aro. We were the guardians of our world, and I took a serious pride in my work, at being the best. Felix's pride was more physical, but I didn't blame him for that; that was his purpose.

The minute hand on the clock tower clicked into place, and I flinched automatically; I was usually deep inside the soundproof walls of my home during this part. The first bell rang out, and a chorus of crying children joined the cheers of the crowd.

"Demetri!" Felix hissed, suddenly alert. My eyes snapped back to Edward, who was staring back at us as he slowly unbuttoned his shirt.

What do you think you're doing? I demanded. His eyes darted forward meaningfully, toward the crowd of revelers. Toward the sun.

"You wouldn't," I growled. Another bell sounded, and another. He just stared back at me and undid another button defiantly, daring me to stop him. Weren't you listening to anything I said?! This is outrageous! Think of what you're throwing away!

"You must uphold the law, Demetri," he murmured as he undid the last button. Another bell sounded. "It is your duty."

He let the shirt fall to the ground and took one step forward as the clock tolled again. So this was why he had waited. He wanted to go out with style, dying for his lost love at high noon. He had been planning this all morning!

"I don't believe this," Felix laughed. "He really wants to die, doesn't he?"

"Yes, he does," I sighed. Felix inched forward, but I held him back. "Let's give him one last chance. We'll stop him in time, if need be." I mean it, Edward. I will spare you, even now, if you stop this madness. Don't be a fool! I don't want to destroy you!

I really didn't. I had waited eighty years for Edward to come to us, and I had just spent the past five hours trying again to win him over, hopeful that he was finally heeding my words of wisdom. A false hope, it now seemed; I had failed my Master once again. But I was out of time. The clock tolled again, and Edward took the final step behind the forbidden line on the pavement. Felix and I surged forward, out of the alley and into the lighter shadows; we had waited long enough. He would be in pieces by the time the bells were finished. In fact, it looked now like Edward had picked this moment for precisely that reason: so we could destroy him under the clamor of the bells.

He nodded politely to me, turning his face toward the crowd and closing his eyes. Even though he was still in shadow, the irregularities in the pavement reflected upon his face and upper body with just a hint of glitter. I sighed and nodded to Felix. We walked faster, and the gong of the seventh bell began to fade away. Five left; we needed to hurry, if we were going to take advantage of Edward's morbid thoughtfulness.

"No! Edward, look at me!"

Felix and I froze, looking toward the sound. A human girl was stumbling through the crowd, toward Edward. But how could someone in Italy recognize him? He had never been here before. He smiled and advanced his right foot into the sunlight, but we couldn't very well dismember him in front of the girl, who was clearly on her way over here.

Before we could react, the girl slammed right into him, his arms locking around her in reflex. He opened his black eyes and smiled down at her peacefully, as if he had been expecting her. The bells continuing to ring out.

"Amazing," he whispered. "Carlisle was right."

"I'm confused," Felix said, still frozen at my side.

I was confused, as well. The girl seemed not to have noticed Edward's stone-like skin at all. A new suspicion crept over my heart, but I was too astounded to care at the moment. The girl's lips were moving, trying to speak around the crushing vice of Edward's grip, and above the eleventh bell that was just sounding.

"You've got to get back to the shadows," she gasped. "You have to move!"

A growl rumbled in Felix's chest. "Looks like we've got ourselves a breach," he said, cracking his knuckles eagerly and surging forward again.

I grabbed his arm. "Wait," I hissed. "I want to see what he says." Felix was right; this girl was already dead. But how had she known? Why was Edward just standing there, smiling like a fool?

"I can't believe how quick it was," he told the girl. "I didn't feel a thing- they're very good." He closed his eyes again, kissing her hair and drawing in her scent like he was feeding. He inhaled deeply, sighing in relief. "Death, that hath sucked the honey of thy breath, hath had no power yet upon thy beauty… You smell just exactly the same as always. So maybe this is hell. I don't care. I'll take it."

The final chime of the clock tower faded away, and understanding dawned over me, an impossible truth: this was the girl! This was the mate whose death had driven him to suicide. But I thought he had killed her himself? How could he have been mistaken about something like that?

"I'm not dead," she told him, as if she had heard me wondering. "And neither are you! Please, Edward, we have to move. They can't be far away!"

"I don't believe this," Felix breathed, his fists clenching.

"What was that?" Edward asked the girl calmly. He had completely forgotten our presence, it seemed. He was beginning to look confused.

"We're not dead!" she insisted. "But we have to get out of here before the Volturi-"

Several things happened at once. As the girl spoke the forbidden word, Felix surged forward in anger. I rushed forward, too, afraid he would forget our audience in his eagerness. Edward's serene expression twisted into shock as he registered both the truth about his situation, and our proximity. He spun the girl around, thrusting her deeper into the shadows and up against the brick wall. He blurred around again to face us, throwing his arms up in a futile defense of his human mate.

"Greetings, gentlemen," he said, his voice shaking slightly. "I don't think I'll be requiring your services today. I would appreciate it very much, however, if you would send my thanks to your masters."

"Shall we take this conversation to a more appropriate venue?" Felix purred.

Edward's jaw clenched so hard I thought it would break. "I don't believe that will be necessary. I know your instructions, Felix. I haven't broken any rules."

Felix whispered beneath the girl's hearing. "You have broken the only rule."

I took another step forward, speaking at a normal volume. "Felix merely meant to point out the proximity of the sun. Let us seek better cover."

"I'll be right behind you," Edward said drily. "Bella, why don't you go back to the square and enjoy the festival?"

"No, bring the girl," Felix said, his voice darkening along with his eyes. I finally noticed her scent: she was magnificent. How on earth hadn't Edward killed her before now?

Edward's lips drew back, revealing teeth that were already glistening with venom. "I don't think so." He shifted his weight towards us slightly; a threat.

"No," the girl whispered frantically. Edward shushed her, his eyes meeting mine now. He did not relax his defense, but covered his teeth again as he stared, silently pleading for mercy.

I could, possibly, let them go. I outranked Felix, and this was my call. My instructions had been to watch Edward while he was in the city, because of the risk. He had his mate again, and he clearly wanted to leave in peace; my duty was fulfilled. But now there was the matter of Edward's crime, just revealed: the girl had knowledge of our world. Of the Volturi. But I didn't think Aro would summarily execute him, not even for this; it would be as much as a waste as before. And Aro must have already known about this from touching Edward's hand last night, and he hadn't protested. Besides, I could always find them again. I focused on the girl's mind, drawing in her-

Nothing. Nothing at all. I panicked for a moment, unsure of myself. This had never happened before! Was I losing my touch? I focused harder, pulling at her brain with the full power of my gift. Again, nothing. I wouldn't be able to find her, if Edward wasn't nearby. That was a risk too great to take; this would need to go before Aro, after all.

But first, I needed to defuse the situation. Felix was shifting his weight in a mirror image of Edward's; not crouching yet, but still, entering dangerous territory in public.

"Felix," I said sharply. "Not here." Felix sighed and stood up fully. Satisfied, I turned back to Edward and the girl. "Aro would simply like to speak with you again, if you have decided not to force our hand after all."

"Certainly," Edward said, his eyes still hard. "But the girl goes free."

I can't, Edward, I told him. Surely you can understand my position.

"Demetri, please," he said softly, so the girl wouldn't hear. "You said you would ease my burden if you could. Please, just let us go. I'm begging you, just this once, do the right thing!" His eyes softened from anger into fear, looking anxiously down at his mate. "Please."

The right thing? I was doing the right thing! I was protecting our world from dangers like him and his human pet! Some deeper, quieter part of me wanted to be merciful; there was no denying how he had suddenly come back to life, now that he had the human again. As dark as his eyes were, I could see that his lifeless grief had immediately been replaced by the love he thought he had lost. And the girl clung to him as if he were life itself, as though there was nothing else in the world to cling to. It was... beautiful. Such a thing should not be destroyed, not even by me. Edward caught his breath, hearing my thought, and his eyebrows raised hopefully.

But I had my duty. Edward's case was no longer just a tragic story. He was turning out to be a criminal, and the evidence was right in front of me, staring with fear-filled brown eyes. It was one thing to play the incubus, and clean up after oneself; distasteful, but not illegal. But this was forbidden. I couldn't take the risk of letting the girl leave, not when I couldn't trace her. Aro would not only be displeased if I let them go, now; he would be disappointed, perhaps even angry. And that was something I could not bear. That, and not mere duty, was the reason I would have to become what the oddly-matched pair before me would consider a villain. I had done it before. Edward's face fell, his eyes glinting with new hatred as I made my decision.

"I'm afraid that's not possible," I said.

Sorry, I know that was an abrupt chapter break! But I really want to highlight this as the moment when Demetri shifts from "could have been a good guy" to "enemy". From Edward's perspective, at least. When he said "Demetri is mine" in BD, it seemed like he had some extra reason to hate him, beyond the danger of his tracking gift- which was one of the reasons I invented the visit back in 1926, to give them a bit of history together. So this moment here is when that sense of betrayal is formed.

Some of you have asked how far this story is going to go. I will definitely be covering the rest of the Volterra scene from Demetri's perspective, and a little beyond that. Then I think there will be an Aro POV chapter. The story will end in the moments following the big confrontation in BD, back in Demetri's POV.