The Collateral Lust Quartet: Tainted Love

First Touch

Bella

My eyes were entranced by the darkly familiar figure holding out his hand to me. It was both commanding and seductive as I moved forward slowly, despite Edward's tension and Alice's gasp.

I held out my hand, as Aro stretched forward to take it. His cold fingers clasped my own, pulling me forward, away from the safety of Edward's arms. He held my hand as if about to shake it, like we were two acquaintances that had just met on the street, as he let out a satisfied breath, then his grip changed, his other hand rising to cover my own.

Abruptly I felt uncomfortably warm all over, despite the chill emanating from this man. My heart pounded, and I refused to meet Aro's eyes, afraid of what I might see if he saw my awareness.

How could I not be so physically aware of the power and strength in the hand that held my own?

Aro

Bella's hand was warm and soft in my own, and I could feel the sheer fragility of her human body. It was enthralling. I pulled her closer, desiring more of her heat as I clasped her hand between both of my own, savouring the soft, silky texture of it before opening my mind to hers.

Silence.

Even so I kept my eyes closed, my lips hovering a bare inch from the back of her hand, as we stood there, human and vampire.

Mortal and immortal.

That would soon change.

I caressed her skin with my thumb, still pretending to read her mind. I knew I could not already, but I did not wish to relinquish it so quickly. I could sense Edward's eyes on me; sense his anger and his fear.

You've already lost her, Edward…

Bella

I felt like the world had stood still, like Time itself had frozen. No one in the hall seemed to breathe or move, as Aro and I stood entwined. I wondered if he could read my mind, and what would happen if he couldn't.

Since it was now safe to raise my eyes above the level of his chest, I did so rather than continue to study the thread count of his expensive Italian suit. I watched the top of his head where he was bent over my hand, concentrating, and couldn't help but appreciate the gleam of his obsidian black hair.

Carlisle's painting did not do him justice.

My heart thudded, and my mouth dried as heat flashed through me. Over Aro's head the one I recognised as Marcus tensed, his eyes locked on me as he ceased to be so apathetic and watched Aro and I with keen interest in his passive eyes.

Aro's head shot up, and I found myself drowning in his crimson eyes. My breath hitched, and I cursed myself inwardly for being so stupid. His seemed to reflect my own, for one split second, but then I dismissed it as a trick of the dim light cascading into the hall from the domed ceiling above.

"Interesting," he breathed in his silky, seductive voice. "Hmm, I see nothing."

Once more he glanced down at our joined hands before he let mine drop. For one last moment, I saw his eyes flick back to mine, and again I glimpsed that flare of hunger before it faded.

I tried to pretend the pounding of my heart was nothing but fear.

I tried, and I failed.

Aro

As I moved away, I grinned at my brothers. Oh yes, I could hear the thudding of Bella's heart, and I knew it was not from fear. Fear did not render her eyes glowing with a lust to equal my own, or make such a delightful blush creep over her skin.

You're losing her, Edward…

I knew the boy would hear my thoughts, knew he could not help but retaliate and attempt to protect what he thought was his.

I heard the psychic's gasped "Edward, no!" as I turned my back. I didn't even have to look at Jane.

"Pain," she murmured, and I heard the boy's snarl as he collapsed to the floor. I turned around, to see him splayed across the marble, his face contorted with agony. The psychic tried to join her brother, but with a slight nod from me, Demetri restrained her.

"No, please!" Bella cried as she tried to rush forward, but again with one gesture from me Alec caught her by the wrist, withholding her as Jane tortured Edward. I smiled happily.

All was going according to plan.

Bella looked up at me through her tears, and I never beheld a lovelier sight.

"Please stop hurting him! Please, please!" she begged me, trying to wrest her wrist from Alec's grip. Her resistance amused me.

"If you insist…Jane," I murmured, looking at my favourite. Her sadistic smile faded, as her eyes left the boy. I paced forward slightly, looking down on the now panting Edward. "Let that be a lesson to you, Edward. Don't try to interfere with my plans again," I sighed, too low for Bella to hear although every vampire heard me.

"No!" he growled, jumping to his feet. The fool actually tried to attack me once more, but this time it was Felix who intercepted him, throwing him across the hall before flitting in front of me to grab him by the throat as he fell to the ground and slam him with immeasurable force into the marble.

I sighed. "Try not to dent the marble, Felix."

Both ignored me as their battle continued, Edward trying with all his might to reach me. I sensed his anger, and his fear at what he could read in my thoughts.

Thoughts of what he believed to be his precious Bella.

She will soon be mine, Edward…

"Never!" he snarled again. I ignored him, looking up as I heard Bella's horrified gasps, watching as her face as it filled with fear and anxiety.

Our eyes met, and I wanted to drown in those deep pools forever.

Bella

I couldn't help but gasp as I watched the fight between the two vampires. I didn't know why Edward had sprung at Aro, or what Aro had said or thought, but it must have been bad.

Perhaps he had decided to kill me.

I whipped around as the fight passed me and continued towards the three thrones. I saw the largest Guard, Felix, throw Edward through the air effortlessly before sprinting past me in a rush of air to grab him by the throat in mid-air and slam him into the marble floor. Edward still got up and tried to fight, but even I could see he was outmatched.

I looked up from them to Aro; saw him standing before his throne in all his dark glory as he watched the fight, before his eyes came to me. His hands were pressed together, as if in prayer, and he was watching me intently.

His eyes seemed to say, that strange hunger still flickering in those bright orbs: you can stop this, Bella. Only you.

I just didn't know what he wanted of me. Or perhaps I did and didn't want to acknowledge it.

Suddenly our voiceless contact was interrupted as Felix hefted Edward into the air by his throat and slammed him over his head onto the steps of the dais, just in front of Marcus. He didn't even flinch.

"Please!" I cried out, trying to reach them, but Alec still held me back. Aro eyed me once more, before turning his head in a gesture that was effortlessly graceful. Felix hauled Edward up and imprisoned him in his muscular arms, so he could not move.

"Go ahead, my dear," Aro said, once silence resumed.

"Please just stop hurting him!" I begged earnestly.

"He assaulted a leader of the Volturi. His life is forfeit," Jane spoke out, and I stared at her before I saw out of the corner of my eye as Felix dragged Edward up onto the second step of the dais, forcing him onto his knees. He grabbed his head, forcing him to look up at Aro, and I heard a horrible creaking sound.

One I'd heard in my nightmares too many times.

"No, no, please! I'll do anything just don't kill him!" I screamed, fear overriding every emotion in my system. "Kill me, just let him live!"

Aro

I inwardly smiled when I heard Bella's screams for mercy. Oh yes, I was so close now. I looked down at her, holding a façade of surprise over my face at her outburst.

I was surprised, surprised that she was willing to give her life for someone like us, but I would use that to my advantage.

"What are we going to do with you, Isabella Swan?" I asked, pacing back down the steps towards her, keeping our eye contact. I saw the instinctive shiver ripple under her skin, and inwardly purred in satisfaction. "What would you give, for Edward's life?"

"Anything," she replied instantly. I was envious of such devotion, but soon, oh so soon it would be directed at me not Edward.

I would make sure of that.

Felix yanked Edward upright and imprisoned his arms before forcing him to stand where Bella could see him. I looked at him, smiling genially at him as he struggled and snarled, his teeth bared, before I let my smile drop into sobriety and looked back at Bella.

"How extraordinary! You would do anything; give up your life even, for someone like us? A vampire? A soulless monster?"

"You don't know a thing about his soul," Bella replied confidently, faith shining deep in her eyes, as I bathed in their depths, the righteous anger in them lighting fires beneath my icy skin.

"Forse. Ma il vostro è uno o l'altro," I murmured, before moving closer to Bella. At a nod from me, Alec moved back, releasing her as she watched me intently. This close, her enticing scent was all the more potent, and I felt the venom gather in my mouth.

"What would you do, Bella, to save Edward's life?" I murmured, stopping just behind her, so I spoke into her ear. She shivered and flinched, possibly at my chill or perhaps not.

"Anything," she murmured. "I promise I'll do anything."

"Remember that promise, Bella," I replied quietly. I walked back to stand in front of her once more, before raising my voice to echo in the hall. "Such strength deserves a far greater reward than death. A choice lies before you, Bella. Life here, in Volterra, or death for you and your…family."

"No, Bella!" Edward cried in agony, as I stepped back a foot, and held out my hand to her.

It all hung on her choice.

Bella

I stared at Aro as his words rung in my ears.

Life in Volterra with him, or death for me, for Alice and for Edward.

I couldn't let that happen. So, ignoring the sounds of muffled protest from Alice and Edward, I stepped forward and placed my hand in Aro's.

"Let them go," I murmured quietly.

"Bella, think what you're doing," Edward pleaded with me, but I couldn't look at him. I focussed on Aro.

"I will, if you promise to stay here in Volterra, forever, by my side," he replied, so quietly I doubted anyone except me heard him.

I couldn't help but glance helplessly at Edward. Aro would kill him with no mercy if I refused, kill Alice and me too. I couldn't say no.

So, with my hand in Aro's, I said yes.

"I'll stay here," I murmured, inwardly feeling my heart break. "If you will let Edward and Alice go."

Aro

"I'll stay here," she murmured. "If you will let Edward and Alice go."

"I will," I replied, answering her vow with my own. Our eyes met, and I did not wish to break away. Her soul, her mind was closed to me, but through her eyes I reach a tiny part.

Her eyes were like two deep pools, of the most entrancing shade of brown, alive and glowing with life and vivacity and intelligence. Her emotions flared in them, blazing there like a torch.

I wanted to see them alive with the lust I had glimpsed before anger took over, I wanted to see the depths of her brown eyes crystallise as I claimed her and showed her a world no-one else could give her. Certainly not Edward, with his ridiculous denial of her own wishes, and foolish morals.

Immortality was a gift, not a curse.

And I would show her that.

With that I turned away, not letting her eyes go until the very last second.

"Release them," I gestured to Felix, who let Edward free. "Say your goodbyes."

I knew Edward wanted to kill me, wanted to tear me limb from limb, but it was impossible. He was outmatched and outnumbered.

I stepped back to allow Bella and Edward their goodbye, as Alice stepped towards me too.

"Take care of her," she murmured, low and for my ears only. I stared at her, nonplussed.

Alice let her hand brush mine, and I fought to suppress my gasp.

Bella would be mine, forever.

Behind me, I heard Bella's shuddering breaths as she embraced Edward. I heard his whispered vow in her ear.

"I will come back for you. The future can always change,"

Not this one.

"I love you," Bella whispered back, and I could hear the pain in her voice. Pain I vowed to wipe away.

I allowed Alice to step back, and watched as Bella desperately pressed her lips to Edward's.

Anger smote me, but then I reminded myself it would be the last time she gave her lips to anyone else, for the rest of eternity. I saw us in my mind's eye, imagined Bella clinging to me, her lips under my lips.

Soon.

I clasped my hands together, tilting my head to the side, as I watched them, watched the communion of their lips, Edward's hand pressing her close.

"Edward," I said warningly, and he looked up to glare at me as Bella clung to him. "You will be permitted to leave Volterra, but should you return uninvited, I will not hesitate to have you killed."

I held out my hand, as Bella looked between me and Edward in sudden panic.

"Come, Bella," I breathed, as slowly she did as I said and placed her hand in mine. Edward's face crumpled, and he turned away slowly, walking achingly slow behind Alice as they left the hall.

Silence reigned after the pandemonium of before, as I sensed Bella's fight to restrain her tears, as she gazed desperately after her former boyfriend and sister. I caressed her hand, bringing her attention back to me, and the sight of tears in her expressive eyes both moved and aroused me.

I pulled her closer, and raised my hand to her face. She blinked but allowed the contact, and I felt the shiver. I smiled, as I felt the warmth of her skin and her blood, thrumming against my hand seductively.

"Isabella…" I sighed, ducking my head so our lips just brushed.

The first touch of our lips and I felt her rush of desire, of heat despite the loss of her mate. She looked up at me, passion warring with tears and anger, and I swallowed, reminding myself of the need for restraint.

She would need time. That was alright.

I had all eternity.

"Jane, have Santiago and Gianna prepare Bella's rooms," I replied, as I inhaled and smelt, below Bella's delicious scent, the scents of humans and their heartbeats.

The midday tour.

I let my hand brush Jane's shoulder as she came up to Bella to lead her away.

"Hurry back," I murmured, as I watched Bella walk away, trembling now and afraid. She looked over her shoulder at me before the doors closed behind her, the warmth of her lips touching mine, for the first time.

Bella

I was so doomed.

More soon. I've put up links for this story on my profile page, and also I've put up some for IDIB, if any of you have read it. They're just pictures of people I used as inspiration for the adult Alicia and Charlie, so tell me what you think.

Also the Italian I used, I just got off of the internet, so I don't know if it's correct or not, so any Italian speakers out there, heads up! Maybe you can finally clear up for us non-Italian speaking Twilight fans what exactly Aro says during that scene in Volterra.

R&R, and more soon!