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Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight; it's as simple as that :)
BPOV
As quickly as possible I climbed into Edward's silver Volvo. Alice crawled in beside me. She had a phone pressed to her ear and she was speaking urgently. Emmett, Rosalie, and Jasper squashed themselves together in the backseat of the car.
"Raphael listen to me," I heard Alice say. "I need that plane ready by the time we arrive at the airport in twenty minutes." Through the corner of my eye I could see Carlisle placing every member of the wolf pack into Emmett's Jeep.
"Bella, we have a problem," Carlisle said approaching my side. "There is no way I can fit all of the pack into Emmett's jeep." I stepped out of the car and approached Sam. He now stood with his arms locked across his chest.
"Sam, you are going to drive the jeep to the airport," I told him. "The jeep seats twelve, I'm sure you will be able to squeeze everyone in if you drive." Sam growled furiously at me for a few moments before positioning himself in the driver's seat.
"Carlisle, I need you to drive the Mercedes," I told him. "Also, if we are not able to fit all of the wolves into the jeep then would you please drive the remainder of them to the airport?"
"Of course, Bella," Carlisle said leaning over to kiss the top of my head. Esme stood beside him and gently gripped my hand. They then both encased me into a hug.
"We have to go," Alice said tooting the Volvo's horn rather obnoxiously. Esme and Carlisle released me. Just as they did this I climbed into Edward's car once more and turned the key in the ignition.
"Alice how much time do we have," I inquired as I switched lanes. I was driving nearly 140 miles per hour, but it didn't seem fast enough.
"About fourteen hours, Bella," Alice told me. The tension I was feeling was almost unbearable. I could tell that Jasper was attempting to calm me down, but it seemed absolutely pointless. Everyone was feeling the grief and anguish at that came with the thought of losing Edward.
"Raphael," Alice said as she stepped into lobby of the airport. Two seconds later a young man who appeared to be my age was standing before us. "Is everything set for the trip?"
"Yes, Miss Cullen," he said quickly. It was obvious that he was fearful of Alice, but then again, who wouldn't be? "I have booked you private jet and filled it with every accommodation that you requested."
"Thank you, Raphael," Alice said removing her sun glasses from her face. "Bella, I will meet you in the terminal in twenty minutes. Jasper and I are going to finalize some plans for the trip. I want you, Rosalie, and Emmett to round up all of the wolves and board them on the plane when they arrive."
"Why do we have to help load the wolves," Rosalie whined. I sighed deeply before turning to face Rosalie. I took her hands in my own.
"Rose, please," I begged her. "There is no way I will be able to load all of them myself. Please, please, just do this for me. I'll never ask you to do anything again." My new sister squeezed both of my hands.
"Fine," she said. "I'll do this for you, but only this once." I sighed in relief and hugged Rosalie tightly.
"Thanks, Rose," I told her. She huffed before releasing me. She then took Emmett's hand and pulled him toward the parking lot.
"Come on, Emmett," she said. "Let's go find those stupid wolves." I followed behind them and inhaled deeply. The wolves were only about a half a mile away. Carlisle and Esme followed closely behind them. I checked my cell phone and saw that we now only had fifteen minutes.
"They're late," Rosalie complained once more. "We're flying them first class the least they could do was show up on time."
"They'll be here," I said trying to calm my nerves. The truth was I was just as frustrated as my sister, if not more. I wanted to get to Edward as quickly as possible. There was no time to waste. Nine minutes later Carlisle and the rest of the gang arrived at the Sea-Tac Airport.
"I'm sorry it took so long, Bella," Carlisle told me. "Traffic was horrendous and we continued to lose one another amongst all of the cars."
"It's all right," I told him. "I'm just glad that you're all here now." I looked at my cell phone once more and noticed that we only had five minutes until we had to be boarded. "We have to go. Sam, I want you and the pack to follow me. Carlisle, Esme, just follow Rosalie and Emmett. They will show you where you need to board." Rosalie and Emmett helped me keep the wolves in line as I forced them to board the plane.
"I hate you for this, Bella," Sam told me as we stood outside the terminal. "I hope you know what a horrible person you truly are. I can't believe you have been reduced to this." I could feel the anger begin to boil under my skin. I had never been an angry person, but I was already on edge.
"Shut up, Sam," I snapped at him. "You know damn well if the situation was reversed, and Emily was in trouble then you would be doing the same thing." And it was true. Emily was to Sam as what Edward was to me.
"None the less," he retorted. "I hate you for this." I turned to stare at him for a moment. I could see that he despised the fact that I held so much power over him. There was nothing that he could do.
"I can live with that, Sam," I told him, "but I can't live without Edward." I turned around once more and practically ran into the plane as I boarded it.
The true torture began as the plane stood idle on the tarmac. A few flight attendants were moving frantically around the plane begging us to put on our seat belts. Carlisle, Alice, Jasper, Emmett, and Rosalie all sat in my section of the plane. The wolves had a section completely to themselves. This was partially for their comfort, but mostly it was for our sanity.
"I hate the fact that we were forced to leave her behind," Carlisle said rubbing his forehead in frustration. He had decided that it would be best to leave Esme at home. He feared for her protection. It was a feeling I knew all too well.
"I know, Carlisle," I said placing my hand on his. "You only wanted to ensure her safety. I'm sure that she understands." Alice sat across from me looking perturbed beyond belief. She could foresee nothing, though she was trying her best to do so.
"It's okay Ali," Jasper said kissing her hand. "Well be in Italy soon enough." The plane finally began to descend from the ground the second Jasper finished speaking.
"Don't tell me you're the one with the physic abilities now," Alice said laughing slightly. Jasper lifted her chin and began to gaze into her eyes. I looked away quickly as they continued to stare at each other's faces. The moment seemed so private and I didn't want to intrude.
Seven hours later we still had not arrived. No one spoke on the plane, and to me that was even more maddening. I needed someone to distract me. I needed someone to speed up time so once again I could be in Edward's arms.
"I know this is killing you, Bella, but you have got to relax," Jasper told me. He looked to be in the same amount of agony as me. A few seconds later I felt a wave of calm engulf me. Carlisle took my hand and squeezed in gently.
"Don't you worry, Bella," he told me. "Everything is going to be just fine." I laid my head on his shoulder and began to visualize the time that Edward and I had together. In my mind I could see all of the meaningful glances, the feeling of his skin against my own, and the sweet kisses that we shared. I could also see the not so pleasant times that we shared, like when he chose to ignore me, when he left completely, and when he told me I meant nothing to him. I knew now that those were all lies, but none the less I could still feel the pain of his rejection.
"Bella," Alice said breaking me out of my trance. "It's time." I'm going to find you, Edward, I thought to myself. No matter what it takes, I'm going to find you.
"This is what I think we should do," Carlisle said addressing the crowd once we arrived at the Voultera. "Jasper, you and I will attempt to find Aro. We will then speak to him together and try to come some sort of compromise." Jasper nodded in agreement with this. "Alice, I think you should separate from the wolves and try to find Edward. Once you have an idea where is I want you to contact Bella immediately."
"Of course, Carlisle," Alice said running away from the wolves quickly. It was obvious that she was relieved to separate herself from them.
"Rosalie and Emmett," Carlisle continued. "I want you to help Alice in any way that you can." Emmett turned to Carlisle and began to shake his head in disagreement.
"I'm going with you," he insisted. "There is no way I am missing out on another fight."
"Emmett are you crazy," Rosalie shrieked. "You're going to get yourself killed!" I had to agree with her. As much as I loved Emmett I had to admit that he rarely thought about his actions. His heart may be in the right place, but there was no way I was going to risk him getting hurt.
"Emmett you are going with Alice and Rosalie," I commanded. "End of story." Through the corner of my eye I could see my sister smiling at me gratefully.
"Bella," Carlisle said stepping in front of me. "I want you take the pack with you." I began to disagree, but he held up his hand to silence me. "I am asking you not to go alone, Bella. I know you can change my mind in an instant, but I wish that you wouldn't." Carlisle leaned in to place a kiss on my forehead. "You are part of this family now. I couldn't risk losing you too."
"Okay, Carlisle," I agreed reluctantly. I hated sending my family off without further protection, but it seemed I had no other choice. If I was going to face the Voultri then I needed as much help as I could receive.
"Take care of yourself, squirt," Emmett said lifting me off the ground and hugging me tightly. I knew that he was mad at me for making him stay with Alice and Rosalie, but he never showed it.
"You too Em," I said returning the hug. "Take care of each other. And please, please, please, no matter what happens promise me that you will stay together."
"We promise," Rosalie answered me. With that they were gone.
"Were going to find him, Bella," Jasper told me. "You just have to have a little faith."
"Thanks, Jazz," I said hugging him awkwardly. Carlisle picked up my hand and gave it one last reassuring squeeze.
"Be careful, my daughter," he said.
"I will," I promised him. In a matter of seconds the two of them disappeared from my sight. All who remained were myself and the wolves.
"Okay," I said turning my attention to the wolves. "We are going to do just as Carlisle said. We are going to find Edward, and after we do so I would send one or two of you to inform the others. Is that clear?"
"Crystal," Sam said between clenched teeth. I looked to my left and noticed that there was a dark alley with an underground tunnel. I did not want to go through the main entrance seeing as it would make me look conspicuous. I had to be as discrete as possible.
I followed the scents of my family who had traveled this tunnel before me. The wolves followed behind me reluctantly as I tried to find my way. There was a lose curve to the alley. It was slanting downward. There was no light and everything was quiet. It was nighttime in Italy, so this was to be expected.
"Where are we going," one of the boys whined rather loudly. I jerked my head around in fear. What if someone had heard him?
"Shut up, Embry," Sam said urgently. "Do you want to get all of us killed?" Though I despised Sam I couldn't help but be grateful to him. We continued to travel through the dark trail until we came to a four way crossing. I could smell that Alice, Rosalie, and Emmett had gone down one lane, while Jasper and Carlisle and split up and gone down two separate lanes. That left two other directions for me to choose from.
"I would choose the left lane," Sam grumbled. I looked at him with a pondering glance waiting for him to explain. "It is the only lane that doesn't reek of vampire." I took Sam's suggestion and turned to go into the left lane. Suddenly, I heard someone begin to scream.
"Alice," I said with certainty. Before I could change my mind I found myself running toward the direction of her screams. "Alice, where are you?"
"Bella, no," I heard her shout. "Go away!" I stopped dead in my tracks. How could she just expect me to turn around and go away when she was in danger? I continued to run despite her warning.
"Bella, maybe you should listen to her," Sam said grabbing my arm. I turned around and growled at him ferociously. Once I had broken out of his grip I continued to run. The pack followed closely behind me.
"Bella, NO," Alice continued to scream. She sounded closer. I was only moments away from her. I continued to run until I found the open door. Two men were holding Alice captive. They had her locked in their arms so they couldn't escape.
"Alice," I screamed running toward. That was when it happened. I felt my body begin to fall through a trap door. I couldn't scream, though I wanted to. I found that I couldn't make a sound. I felt myself crash into someone as they encased me into their arms.
"Hello, Bella," I cruel voice cooed in my ear. I tried to break away from them, but he wouldn't release me. Just as I was about to demand him to let me go he began to speak.
"Calm down, Bella," he told me. "I'm going to take you to Edward, but you have to remain silent in order for that to happen." I could still hear Alice screaming. She was begging me not to go with him, but what other choice did I have?
The man lifted me off the ground as he continued to hold me in his arms. He carried me through a new tunnel until a bright light began to shine across my face.
"Aro," the man addressed the tall figure across the room. I turned my face to see that Edward was only three feet away from me. I released a sigh of relief when I saw that he was unharmed. "We have trouble."
"Bella, no," I heard Alice scream one last time. I felt nothing but hatred for the man responsible for all this. I continued to stare into the face of the man I knew to be Aro.
"Bella," I heard Edward say. His voice was so frantic, but I couldn't find the strength to break my gaze away from Aro. His skin was an eerie white, and his hair was pitch black.
"Hello, Bella," the evil man greeted me. "We've been expecting you."
"Aro, no," Edward shouted as he lunged toward me. "Let her go. I'll do anything, just please let her go!"
"It's too late, Edward," Aro said smiling sadistically. "We had a deal." The man who had been holding me dropped me to the ground and dropped kicked me across the room.
"Bella," Edward shouted racing to my side. Before he could make he fell to the ground and began to wither around in a mysterious pain.
"Edward," I said crawling to his side. I took him into my arms and caressed his face with my hand. He began to shout even louder.
"Bella, go," Edward said between screams. "Get out of here. Save yourself."
"No, Edward, no," I said holding him tighter to my body.
"Jane," I heard Aro say. "Release him." I looked over my shoulder to see a tiny girl with a sadistic expression across her face. Edward lifted himself from the ground and pressed me against his chest.
"Ah Violet," Aro laughed coming closer and closer to me, "I cannot believe that we are meeting again." I stared at him with a confused expression.
"What are you talking about, Aro," Edward asked angrily. "This is Bella, not Violet." Aro began to laugh loudly at Edward's statement.
"My dear boy you are mistaken," Aro said. "I would know Violet anywhere. It is quite unusual that she is once again living though. In fact I find it nearly impossible since I killed her myself nearly ninety years ago." I felt my breath escape my body. Edward stood frozen beside me holding his breath as well.
"What," Edward finally said. His lips were trembling and his hands were clenched into fists as he held me tighter and tighter against his side.
"It's true, Edward," Aro said haughtily. "I killed your precious Violet." He began to circle Edward and I as he continued to speak. "You see, I came to Chicago in 1918 to visit my dear friend Carlisle. I never expected to be so attracted to someone." He gestured toward me. "Violet, was my La Tua Contante. Her blood sang to me in a way that no one had before." I felt the vibrations against my chest as Edward began to growl.
"I thought I killed you," Aro continued. "Once I discovered that you were in love with Edward, I decided to take your life. You were quite delicious if I do say so myself." I felt my stomach begin to turn at his words.
Edward pushed me to the ground and flew across the room towards Aro. I gasped when he stopped mid air and fell to the ground. He once again began to wither around in agony. I flew to his side once more as Aro continued to talk.
"Ninety years later I decided to pay Carlisle another visit," Aro continued. "Edward was thriving when it came to his mind reading abilities. I wanted him to be a part of this coven, but something, or rather someone, was standing in my way." He gestured toward me again.
I could feel my body shaking uncontrollably. I buried my face in Edward's chest begging him to come out of the trance he was in, yet all he could do was lay there paralyzed.
"When I saw it was you, I couldn't believe my eyes," Aro told me. "You were even more beautiful than I remembered. I could tell that Edward would fall in love with you again immediately seeing you were the only one he had ever loved. Therefore, I created a plan. I would make it so that Edward would never be able to touch you."
"Ho-ow," I stuttered trying to find my voice.
"I'm glad you asked that, Violet," Aro said sounding triumphant. "My plan was quite brilliant if I do say so myself. With the assistance of my servants, Lila and William I was able to block my presence and my thoughts from you and your family, but I never left your side.
"If Edward ever made any attempt to touch you, I planned to bring myself out of hiding kill you in an instant." That explained everything. Alice never saw how I would die. She just knew that if Edward ever touched me then I would certainly lose my life.
"Wh-hy," I stuttered once more.
"Because you were nothing, but a distraction to him," Aro explained. "I wanted Edward as part of the family, and if I continued to allow you to be in his life then I knew he would never leave. So, instead of killing you again I used you to bring Edward to the Voultri."
"You won't get away with this," I said with a sudden strength. "I am not a measly human anymore Aro. I you can't control me, but I can control you." I placed a soft kiss against Edward's lips and lifted myself from the ground. Before I was able to move Aro had my body pinned against the wall. I was numb, I couldn't move, I couldn't feel. It was if every power I possessed was drained from my body.
Suddenly flashes of Violet's horrific death began to race through my mind. I could feel the pain, hear Aro's haunting laugh. Violet had known that Aro was after her. She gave herself as a sacrifice to him in order to save Edward. She had also written Edward a note and blamed the cause of her death on an illness so Edward would not be suspicious.
"Ah," Aro laughed kissing my neck. "I see I am an exception from your gift Bella." He released my body allowing me to fall to the ground. Four other men, who I assumed to be the rest of the Voultri family, entered the room. They were each holding a member of my family.
"Let go of them," I shouted at the top of my lungs. Every member of the Voultri released my family members. Aro growled at this and picked me up once more. I felt my powers begin to drain again.
"I have to be touching you in order to stop your powers," Aro said holding me by my neck. I peered through the corner of my eye to see that my family was now fighting against the Voultri.
"Bella," I heard Edward shout.
"I have what I want now," Aro breathed against my skin. "I can now finally kill you once and for all."
"Not if I can help it," I heard a familiar husky voice say. "Sam, Embry, Jared, attack!" I heard the shredding of clothes and the familiar growls of the wolves from La Push. "I'll handle this asshole on my own." Aro tried to escape with me in tow, but it was too late. Jacob already had him pinned to the ground.
"Bella, go," Jacob shouted toward me. I laid there paralyzed for a few moments more before finally regaining the use of my body. I rushed over to Edward's side where the small girl still stood over him.
"Let him go," I growled pushing her away. Suddenly Edward stopped screaming. The girl named Jane stood there frozen with an angry expression across her face. "Use your powers against the members of your family," I commanded her. She did exactly what I told her to do, causing every member of the royal family to cry out in agony.
"Destroy them," I heard Jacob shout from across the room.
"Tear them apart and burn the pieces," Edward added. I stood beside Edward and watched as every wolf and every vampire mutilated the not only family, but also every member of the Voultri guard.
"Bella, help me," Edward said as he began to break apart pieces of floorboard. The wolves and vampires placed the small pieces of flesh into one large pile. Edward lit a match causing purple smoke to fill the room.
"I have one more," I heard Jacob say as he added one last carcass to the fire.
"Let's go," Edward shouted as he grabbed my hand. Everyone followed behind us as we ran out of the burning building. Once we were all outside I observed that one person was missing.
"Jacob," I said in a panic.
"Bella, leave him," Edward said attempting to restrain me.
"I can't," I said breaking away. "He just saved our lives." Edward tried to follow me, but I commanded him to stop. I ran back into the burning building. Thick purple smoke nearly blinded me. I inhaled deeply until I found the revolting scent I had been searching for.
"Jacob," I cried holding out my hand. I searched the floor blindly until I felt his hot body against my skin. I lifted him into my arms and ran out as quickly as I can.
"Is he okay," Sam asked collapsing at my side as I placed Jacob on the ground.
"I don't know," I told him, "I don't know." Carlisle ran to Jacob's side and leaned his head down to listen to Jacob's heart, which was still beating. He then checked Jacob's body. His lower half was almost entirely covered in burns.
"Oh, no," I cried against Edward's chest. "What have I done?"
"It wasn't your fault, Bella," Edward told me. "Jacob is the one who made it an order to come after you."
"How," I asked him. I had been under the impression that Sam called the shots when it came to the pack.
"He is the alpha leader," Sam explained. "Once you disappeared we were forced to follow his orders. He sent us to find you."
"Bella," I heard Jacob whimper. "Bella?" I leaned down and grabbed his hand.
"I'm right here, Jake," I sobbed. "I'm right here."
"I'm ss-sorry, Bella," he told me. "I'm so sorry."
"Sorry," I said in confusion. "Sorry for what? You just saved my life Jacob Black. You have absolutely nothing to be sorry for."
"Yes I do," he told me. "I love you so much, Bells. It killed me to see you in love with someone else. I didn't mean to hurt you."
"Oh, Jake," said smoothing his hair with my hand. "It's okay."
"No it isn't, Bella," he said angrily. "Because of my jealousy I became the monster I always feared becoming. Saving your life was the least I could do after I'll I've put you through."
"Jacob," I cried against his shoulder. "I'm sorry I hurt you." Jacob grabbed my hand and shook his head.
"I'm going to be fine, Bella," he promised me. "Don't you worry." I knew wolves healed quickly, but it was still hard to believe that Jacob would recover.
"He's right, Bella," Carlisle assured me. "He should be as good as new in an hour. You saved his life."
"Then I guess were even," I said running my hand through Jacob's hair. "Thank you Jacob."
"Bella," I heard Edward say behind me. I stood up slowly and starred at him for a moment. A smile crept to my face as I ran into his arms. He lifted me off the ground and began to kiss me continuously. He carried me away from where everyone had gathered and sat me down.
"Are you crazy, Bella," Edward asked shaking my shoulders frantically. She still seemed dazed.
"I couldn't do it," I said throwing her arms around my waist. "Not if it meant losing you."
"I was so scared," he breathed against my hair. "Bella you must tell me. What were you thinking when you came here?"
"That I love you Edward," I said capturing his lips once more. "Perhaps it was selfish, but I couldn't let you go."
"I know the feeling," he said against my lips.
"So," I said pulling away from him, "am I still in trouble?" I peered at him through my lashes to see that he was smiling.
"You are not vindicated quite yet," he told me.
"What can I do to change that," I asked kissing him once more.
"Marry me, Bella," he said looking deeply into my eyes. "You can marry me."
18 pages! So now you know why Edward could never touch Bella. It was entirely Aro's fault. I plan on having the next chapter be my epilogue. Please, please, please, review. Thanks for reading!