OK there's been some comments about Alice and Edward being stupid going to Volterra Yes it was a dumb move but all will be explained.
Oh, and this is a different POV chapter. Somebody said the "constant change in POV was confusing" well I'm warning you beforehand. And by the way...what constant POV change? There has been one instance of a change of POV and it lasted approximately 500 words.
For the people who have kept an open mind, thank you so much, I love you all dearly and your faith will be rewarded.
Spoiler alert, Bella will act weirdly in this chapter...it will make sense in the next chapter.
As always, everything belongs to Stephenie Meyer.
Read, review, enjoy!
Chapter Nine.
Alice's POV
Even though I'd jumped in feet first with Jaspers plan, secretly I thought it was suicide. Even if we could keep Aro from touching us, I supposed we'd have a maybe forty-eight hours at most to find what information we could before the risk became too great. She was worth it though. I'd walk through the fires of hell to keep her safe. Bella, she was the one good thing about all of this. I'd tried to see as much of this plan as I could. If we left immediately we'd be caught out straight away. We'd arrive and Aro would insist on hugging us as greeting and then horror would ensue. If we waited too long then the future was murky and I couldn't get a fix on anything. But three days. If we arrived in Volterra in three days time then Aro would be busy, distracted by something, he wouldn't be around for a while. It was the best chance we had. We had to take it. I conveyed what I'd seen to Carlisle and Edward and they both agreed it was the best course of action. It was the only course of action available to us.
The goodbyes had been the hardest. Bella had pleaded. I wanted so much just to take her in my arms and never let her go. I couldn't bear watching her cry. She'd shed so many tears in her short life, it wasn't right. I tried my best to comfort her, convince her that it would be OK even though I had a niggling feeling that something was wrong. I held her, I kissed, I told her I loved her and then I left. I didn't have the strength to look back. If I did I might not have gotten on the plane. When I reached my seat Edward put a comforting arm around my shoulders. I was sure he could see the image of Bella broken and in tears in my mind. He didn't say anything, he just held me. I wished I could cry.
The plane had been so cramped. It was overwhelmingly claustrophobic to be in such close proximity to so many humans. At least at school, if it all became too overwhelming the we could make an excuse to leave. Here, over thirty thousand feet in the air, all I could do was hold my breath and pray this aircraft could travel faster than the speed of light. Edward appeared to be doing the same next to me.
I closed my eyes and rested my head on the headrest of my seat. Images of Bella kept filling my mind. The way she'd looked at the airport...it broke my dead heart. I swallowed the pool of venom that had formed in my mouth. I missed her so much already, but this was for the best. Edward and I had spent the first hour or so of the flight going over our plans again. We were going to do our best to avoid Aro. Keep our distance. I'd looked ahead and I hadn't seen any physical contact so that was a plus. When I had looked, Aro had seemed pre-occupied with something, locked in a study, pouring over notes and ancient tomes. He was up to something. A distracted Aro worked in our favour. Hopefully we could get away with dealing with the rest of the guard.
I leant my head against the glass window. It was could even to me. I stared across the sky at the clouds. It was late evening, the sky was a beautiful deep red with strands of purple and orange woven drastically across it. It was breath-taking. Wisps of clouds passed us, if there was a heaven then it must look something like this. The stewardess was asking Edward for the twelfth time whether he wanted anything to eat or drink. Somebody had an admirer. He politely waved her off and reclined his chair back, imitating sleep. I sighed, this plane could not last fast enough.
A few hours later we landed at the airport. It was 11pm. Perfect for us. Only the artificial light of the airport, no sunlight to worry about. I was in a bit of a daze as I followed Edward. We waited for our bags, passed security and we heading towards a set of escalators by the airport exit. Edward stopped in his tracks and I ran straight into him. He spun around and rolled his eyes slightly at me.
"What is it?" Had someone tripped? I sniffed the air, there was no scent of spilled blood so why had he stopped so abruptly? He flicked his head over his right shoulder. I looked at where he had indicated and frowned. Alec and Demetri, two of the Volturi guards were there. Dressed immaculately in black trousers and boots and wearing what looked like a cross between a cloak and trench coat they waited with their arms folded behind their backs. I noticed the humans were given them a wide-berth. Alec and Demetri stared at them with barely disguised disgust. Demetri was slightly taller than Alec though they both had a similar build. Whereas Demetri looked to be in his early to mid twenties, Alec looked as if he was barely into his teen. I recognised them instantly. They were two of the most prominent members of the Volturi guard. Demetri, perhaps the most powerful tracker the world had known. And Alec, twin to Jane. He could paralyse every sense in your body and leave you adrift in a sea of nothingness. They were formidable opponents, two of the reasons why the Volturi were nigh untouchable. Alec could turn you into nothing more than a victim awaiting death and Demetri, well if you were lucky enough or stupid enough to run, then Demetri would track you to the ends of the Earth.
"It appears the Welcome-Party is here for us." I nodded at Edwards comment. Demetri slowly turned his gaze toward us, a cocky sneer spreading across his face. Alec followed suit. This was it. No chance for us to run now. Alec motioned with two of his fingers for us to go over to them. We waited in line for the escalator and made our way over to them.
"Edward, Alice, always a pleasure." Demetri was as charmingly slimy as always.
"Aro, Caius and Marcus are delighted you decided to visit." Alec's voice was soft, not a boys but also not a man's voice.
"I'm sure." Edward kept his voice crisp.
"Is Aro to receive us today?" I made my question sound as innocent as possible. Batting my eyelashes to emphasise my innocence. Alec and Demetri glanced at each other before Demetri answered.
"Sadly, no. Aro is...his attention is needed elsewhere." Edward and I nodded our understanding. Alec and Demetri moved aside. Demetri made a show of sweeping his arms before him, gesturing for us to take the lead. We did as instructed and made our way through the throngs of tourists and travellers and out towards the airport entrance. Alec was suddenly a head of us, standing next to a darkened Mercedes. He held the rear door open for us whilst Demetri gestured for the driver, a human, to deal with our bags. Edward and I lowered ourselves into the car. Edward taking the rear-left passenger seat, leaving me to sit in the middle next to Demetri whilst Alec sat next to the driver. The journey to Volterra was uneasy. I caught Alec glancing at us in the rear-view mirror a couple of times. Demetri did his best with polite but inane conversation. All in all, the hour or so car ride felt as though it took three or four days. Soon though, the city of Volterra was looming ahead of us. The large stone buildings, the rolling countryside. It was idyllic. A beautiful façade.
The car wound its way through the streets. They were relatively empty and quiet at this time of night. A few lovers clinging to each other in the shadows of doorways. It was strange that this was perhaps the safest place for a human to be. Hunting was prohibited within the walls of the city. The car pulled up to a solid, iron gate situated in the middle of a ten foot high stone wall. Either side of the gate was guarded by grotesque gargoyles. I shivered as I saw who was awaiting us outside of the gate; it was Jane, Alec's twin sister. Seeing her there, in her black-as-night cloak and her blood red eyes glowing in he dark sent a hot stream of fear coursing through my veins. She looked as if she were barely a teenager; maybe a little shorter than myself but her reputation in the Volturi was known world-wide. Everybody knew about Jane. Even the youngest newborns were told about Jane and her brother Alec. Jane, the innocent, angelic, sweet faced young girl who could make you believe your skin was caked in molten lave, who could make you beg for death before you begged for mercy. She was nothing more than a weapon for the Volturi.
The driver shut the engine off and held the door open for Demetri. He slid out gracefully and extended his hand to help me out of the vehicle. I took it and felt the warm night air on my face. It was refreshing to feel a breeze after so many hours with some form of a roof over my head. I breathed deep and felt the Volterra air coating my dead lungs. I felt Edward join me at my side, he quickly shoved his hands into his jeans pockets.
"Edward, Alice, always a pleasure." Jane nodded at us before turning to unlock the iron gate. With a loud creak it swung open and we followed as she led the way. We twisted and turned our way through alley-ways, heading down hill slightly until we came to an ornate wooden door. The door itself was a piece of art. Graphic depictions what looked to be vampires fighting werewolves adorned the door whilst the top section was crowned by a carving of Aro, Caius and Marcus. It was so elegant, so beautiful and life-like that I gasped a little.
"Yes, impressive isn't it?" Jane looked at me, her eyes appraising my face. "Caius had it commissioned to commemorate his victory in the War with the Wolves." I nodded along with her words. Though beautiful, the door was still ominous. A black portal to the hellish underworld of this beautiful city. Jane extended her arm and pushed the door. She glided through the doorway and we were urged to follow. I hesitated. I still had a bad feeling.
"Come on Alice." Edwards voice was soft and comforting. He gently took hold of my arm just above my elbow and steered me after Jane. We followed her down a cobbled stair case into a grand entrance hall.
"Please, make yourselves at home. I trust I don't need to remind you about the law against hunting within the city limits?" Jane's blood red eyes seemed to glow in the darkened hall.
"And I trust I don't need to remind you of our diet?" Edward arched his eyebrow slightly and Jane waved his words off.
"Ahh yes, so that phase isn't over yet?" Edward growled slightly and I had to place my hand on his wrist. It calmed him slightly.
"It's not a phase Jane," I tried to keep my voice level and calm, "It's how we choose to live. It's our way of life."
"Of course." Her words were crisp and indicated that the conversation was over. A sweet smile spread across her lips and it was perhaps the most horrific thing I had ever seen.
"Alice, your chamber is in the West Wing, opposite the entrance to the garden. Edward, yours is in the East Wing, adjacent to the library." She nodded in the direction of our chambers and departed. Alec followed suit silently, Demetri did the same but gave a small bow; ever the creepy gentleman.
"I'm going to unpack. Then I'll check the library. They're definitely hiding something. All three of them were trying to block me the whole time they were with us." Edward had dropped his bag to the floor and ran his hand through his coppery locks. He looked determined. We'd agreed, forty-eight hours and then we would be gone.
"Good luck Edward." He nodded and flitted off in the direction of his room. I grabbed my bag and trudged towards the West Wing. Solid stone walls, ornate tapestries and candles lined my route. I followed them until I came to set of antique French doors leading out a courtyard that was surrounded by vines, roses and lilies. The moonlight reflected off the dew-drops on the rose petals as if they were crystals. It was strange. It brought to mind Beauty and the Beast.. I turned my gaze to door opposite the garden. I rested my hand on the brass door knob. It felt slightly warm under my finger tips. I gave it a sharp turn and the door swung open. It was at least two inches thick, solid oak by the smell of it. No expenses spared. I stepped into the room and froze. It was dark but I could see perfectly. I wasn't alone. There was a figure perched on the edge of a four poster bed opposite the door.
"Hello Alice." It was a soft, English accent spoken by a woman. Her voice was...sweet, almost child-like.
"Who are you?" I was in no mood for games. It was already dangerous enough being here, I didn't need to be taunted by some strange vampire as well.
"I've been waiting for you." The strange woman stayed just far enough in the shadows that I couldn't see their face.
"That didn't answer my question." I heard a slight sigh, and then a pause.
"My name's Lesley."
"Lesley who? Why have you been waiting for me?" Lesley rose from the bed and stepped out of the shadows. She was small, about my height. Whereas I had a slight, dancers build; Lesley had more of an athletic figure. Slightly broader shoulders and a bit more muscle on her arms and legs. She looked like a runner. Her hair was chin length and platinum blonde. I noticed it was cropped at the back and protruding from her scalp in a million different angles. She had a a splash of freckles across her nose and a small, crescent shaped scar beneath her right eye. Her eyes were one of the most vibrant shades of red I'd ever seen, almost matching the ruby colour of her lips that seemed to be permanently stuck in a lop-sided grin. She looked as if she'd been changed in her late teens or early twenties. There was no telling how long she had been on this world though.
"I've seen you coming for a while now Alice." Lesley took a graceful step towards me. I noticed she was dressed in almost an exact replica of Jane's outfit. It took a short moment for her words to sink in.
"Wait...seen me?" She cocked her head to the side and smiled widely at me.
"Come now Alice," I spun around at the new voice. Aro was in the doorway flanked by Jane and Alec. He flicked his eyes towards Lesley and I heard her bow her head slightly. Aro returned his gaze to my face.
"Did you really think you were the only one Alice?"
A week had passed since my departure from Forks. I hadn't seen Edward since our arrival in Volterra. I'd been confined to my chamber. A couple of rabbits had been throw in with me a few days ago. I'd gulped their blood down hungrily. I hadn't seen Aro since he'd surprised me that night. I tried looking to see what was going to happen but all I say was a thick grey mist in my mind. I'd paced the room about a thousand times. It was exactly seventy three steps at its widest point. Why hadn't I been executed yet? Why hadn't Aro dealt with me? What had happened to Edward? What was going on back home? My stomach lurched at the thought of the rest of my family. I kept having harrowing imaginings of them storm into Volterra, trying to rescue Edward and I, and being torn to pieces. I couldn't let that happen. I had to find a way to warn them.
Lost in my musings I didn't hear the door open. I was completely unaware that I was no longer alone in the room until a small hand touched my shoulder. I spun around and lowered myself into a semi-defensive position. It was Lesley. I hissed at her slightly. She held her hands up to show she wasn't a threat and stepped away from me slightly.
"Aro wondered if you would care to stretch your legs." She didn't sound apologetic but she had a sort of shyness about her. I was beginning to suspect that she was new to being an immortal.
"I'm assuming I wouldn't be unaccompanied?" She smiled again, it was strange, her smile was so human.
"I'm to escort you if you wish to traverse the grounds." Her voice sounded a little deeper than it had when we'd first met.
"You?" I appraised her, she was no longer in her Volturi garb, she was wearing a simple pair of jeans a plain white, short sleeved shirt. Other than her eyes, she looked like any other young girl. Slightly more attractive, but still, relatively normal.
"I'm the only one who can anticipate you." I nodded. It made sense. Lesley stood to one side and swept her arm across her, much in the same way that Demetri had done a week ago. I took her invitation and left the confines of my room for the first time since I'd originally entered it. We walked along the corridors in silence for a while. I kept glancing at the tapestries as we passed them. They all seemed to depict battle after bloody battle. I shuddered involuntarily at them.
"Yeah, they kind of scare me too." I turned to face Lesley. She was so...un-Volturi.
"Who are you really?" I folded my arms across my stomach. I made it perfectly clear she wasn't going to get past me without answering my question.
"Lesley."
"No, more than that. Why are you here?" She smiled shyly and looked away before answering.
"I'm the you that Aro could have." Well that was at least a semi-honest answer. She continued to talk and I wasn't about to stop her.
"When I was...well before this," she gestured at her eyes and I knew she meant before she was turned, "I was always very intuitive...psychic I guess you call it. Guess the card, pick a number, I've never lost a game of rock, paper scissors." She jutted her chin out in mock pride and I couldn't prevent the quiet giggle that escaped my lips.
"Well, then one day I wake up and I'm not in my bed, I'm here. Aro is there. He tells me he's been keeping an eye on me, I'm special, he could help me with my gift. Well I have no family, no lover, no commitments at all. A lonely life you might say. When Aro gave me an invitation to his family, I accepted. The pain was..." she let her words trail off. I couldn't remember my change. I was lucky I guess. Lesley blinked and shook her head slightly.
"Anyway, after I woke from that, I saw everything. It all kept rushing at me. I saw a man deciding to cheat on his wife in New York. I saw a horse winning a race in London. I saw a car crash in Hong Kong. It was all there. I eventually learned to push it to the back of my mind. It's all still there, I can zone in and out as I wish. But you, well I couldn't push you away. I've been seeing you standing in that chamber for the last four weeks..." I had to cut her off there.
"Four weeks? I only made the decision to come a week ago!"
"Decision...? Why does that matter?" She looked as confused as I felt.
"The future, it's based on the decisions people make." She shook her head at my words.
"No...the future happens as I see it. It never changes. I never see different version of the same thing. I see it, it happens. That's it." My head was spinning with possibilities. Does that mean that every decision we made was pre-determined? Did she somehow control the future?
"I...I don't understand." I leant against the wall, rubbing my temples to ease the tension.
"Well, for instance, I can see your girlfriend right now. She'll be here in a few days. I don't know why she's coming but I know she's going to be here." I was shocked at her words. Girlfriend...that could only mean one person.
"Bella..." I whispered her name. She wouldn't come here...Carlisle would never allow it...would he? I couldn't risk it. Without thinking about it I lashed out with my foot. I sent Lesley flying through the air. She went straight through one of the walls of the corridor we'd just walked down. I didn't even wait for the dust to settle. I ran as fast as I possibly could. I had to find a phone, a computer, a carrier pigeon, anything! I ran through so many corridors. I could hear footsteps behind me but I didn't dare to slow down. There! A computer. It was an entrance, not the one we had used a week ago. There was what appeared to be concierge desk with a woman stood by it typing on a laptop. She was my target. I was at her side in a flash. I held her off the floor by her throat as I loaded up the email browser. I logged into my emails as fast as I could and managed to type two words before the Volturi were one me. Before they pinned me to the wall I managed to slam my fist down on the send button. I did it. I got a warning out. All I had been able to type was 'Stay Away.'
"You've forced my hand Alice." After my little show of disobedience I'd been moved to what could only be described as a dungeon. There was a cot in the corner for me to rest on and I was constantly guarded. At the moment I was being guarded by Felix, perhaps the largest vampire I had ever seen. Aro was pacing in front of me, his hands clenched behind his back. He had a stern look about him, like an angry teacher or parent.
"I had originally intended to allow things to play out as naturally as possible. However, I am forced to take matters into my own hands now, speed them along a bit." I had no idea what Aro was talking about.
"I apologise for the inconvenience." He spun around to face me then. A quizzical look on his face.
"No inconvenience at all young Alice. In fact I am quite looking forward to the prospect of reuniting with number six sooner than expected." His words cut me to the bone. Number six. I'd read the file, I'd heard the stories. I knew who he was talking about.
"Bella?! She's coming here?!" I'd risen to my feet now, Felix stepped forward slightly, ready to snap me in two at a moments notice.
"Ahh Bella, yes she always had a dry sense of humour. My best and brightest. I am so looking forward to our reunion." His smile tipped me over the edge of sanity.
"You bastard!" I screeched at him, flying across the room, aiming for his throat. I was blinded by rage. The world had disappeared and all I could see clearly was Aro and my hatred for him in that moment. I came so close, a hairs breadth away from my target before a strong hand clamped around my own throat and spun me around through the air and pinned me to the damp, stone floor.
"Alice, you are only alive at this moment for my amusement; I advise you to not become dull." Aro spat his words at the ground where I lay. To emphasise the point Aro was making, Felix pressed my head harder into the stone ground. I heard a loud crack, I wasn't sure if it was the floor or my head that had been damaged. I prayed it was the floor.
"I thought you would be excited Alice, you get to see 'Bella' again later on today." he spat her name in face as if it were an insult. I thrashed about under Felix's grip. I couldn't allow Bella to come here. I couldn't allow her to put herself in danger. At that moment there was a slight rush of activity in the room. I glanced about and noticed Chelsea had entered the room, she whispered something in Aro's ear and then departed as quickly as she had come. Aro clasped his hands together and clenched them with glee.
"It appears they have arrived earlier than expected. Felix, bring Alice upstairs." Aro left with a flourish of his cloak. Felix snarled and hefted me to my feet. He twisted one of my arms around my back and held it firmly in place. I couldn't escape him.
"Where's Edward, Felix?" I heard a sort of snort behind me.
"I wouldn't worry about him right now." With a shove he pushed me in the same direction Aro had left in. In a few moments were in a large, circular room. Three chairs...well thrones would be a more apt description stood to one side. Aro sat in the middle with Marcus to his left looking as apathetic as ever and Caius to his right looking antagonistic. I was forced to me knees just in front of Aro. Felix kept a tight hold of the back of my neck. If I even moved I knew he would separate my head from my shoulders without a moments hesitation. Just then I was relieved to see Edward. He was being forced to the ground on the other side of Aro. Demetri was the one holding him down.
"Edward, thank god you're all right!" He smiled at me.
"Nothing to worry about Alice." His head was jerked forward by Demetri. I took as a sign that we were supposed to remain silent. The grand entrance door to the circular room opened at that moment and Chelsea entered with Carlisle following closely behind her. Jane, Alec and Lesley all entered after them. They were all wearing the identically dark cloaks of the Volturi.
"Carlisle my old friend, always a pleasure!" Aro greeted him warmly. Carlisle pursed his lips in a strained smile.
"Aro, so nice of you to invite my family." He nodded towards Aro, Marcus and Caius as a sign of respect.
"Well it had been decades, I thought a visit was in order." Carlisle just nodded at his words. This prompted Aro to continue.
"I believe you have a new-comer in your midst Carlisle; Bella, I believe." Carlisle's eyes narrowed. I tried to plead with him with a few quiet whimpers. Please Carlisle, whatever you do, do not allow Bella to enter this room!
"Bella has recently graced our family, that is true."
"I would very much like to see her." Aro smiled his acidicly sweet smile. Carlisle nodded his acquiescence. Chelsea left the room momentarily and returned with Bella. My heart lifted at the sight of her. I fought against Felix's grip. I just wanted to wrap my arms around her and keep her safe. She was the most beautiful vision I had ever seen. It was wrong for her to be surrounded by this nightmare.
"Ahh Bella! I trust you remember me?" Bella nodded. Her gaze was as hard as stone, she didn't glance at me once.
"You are a most impressive specimen Bella! You always made me proud. I'm glad you returned to us." Bella smiled shyly, a slight blush entering her cheeks.
"I'm glad to be home." My heart fell into my stomach. What had she just said?
"Bella...what?" Felix dug his fingers into my neck, causing me to hiss in pain.
"Thank you for bringing me back to my family Alice, I have no further use for you now." Her voice was so cold. I couldn't understand it. Where had Bella gone? My Bella? The Bella who would walk through flames for me? The Bella who would laugh at the simplest thing? The Bella who could see right into my soul?
"Bella, what are you saying?" Her gaze turned to me. There was nothing there. No love, no emotion, nothing.
"You heard me Alice. You were nothing but a way back for me." If I was still human tears would be streaming down my face right now.
"Come Bella." I twisted my face round to see Aro with his arms outstretched. Bella sauntered over to him and entered his arms in a delicate embrace. Aro placed a soft kiss on Bella's hair and she smiled lovingly, she actually smiled lovingly at him. Lesley stepped past Carlisle and rested a black cloak over Bella's shoulders. It was one of the most sickening things I had ever seen in my existence. I wanted to burn this city to the ground.
"Carlisle, thank you for returning our daughter to us. You and your family are free to leave." With that Felix and Demetri lifted Edward and I to our feet. We were dragged out of the room. I fought every single step, screaming Bella's name, begging her to look at me. She ignored every word. The last glimpse of Bella I had before the doors were slammed in my face was of her in that black cloak, kissing Lesley.