A/N- This chapter is a little longer than the others. It was hard to decide where to stop. It also has a lot of dialogue from the book in it. I tried to add as much though form Edward as possible. So I hope you enjoy it. Thank you Defy Gravity and 1stepbehind29 for reviewing my last chapter. I really appreciate it. Please review.
Disclaimer: I own nothing pertaining to New Moon
We had moved into the warmer area of the residence. I was grateful only because Bella would stop shivering other than that this was not the place I wanted to be. We followed Jane to the elevator that would take us up to the main level of the residence. Upon entering the elevator Felix, Demetri, and Jane all relaxed. I instinctively drew Bella closer. Her scent was overwhelming in the small space and I knew it had to have an effect on all of them. In fact I could hear Felix mulling over just how much he liked the scent of Bella. It annoyed me immensely but little could be done in such a small area.
We stepped out of the elevator and into the lobby that I had been in just yesterday. Gianna, the human that worked for the Volturi, was at the desk. Bella noticed instantly that Gianna was not a vampire and she seemed quite surprised. Gianna greeted Jane with a warm hello. She was not surprised to see us all enter. When Jane is sent out on a mission she usually fulfills it. Felix was having some very interesting thoughts about the human and none of them had to do with eating her. Gianna shared in Felix's lustful thoughts as we passed by the desk. We moved from the lobby through the same doors I had passed through just hours ago. When we passed through the doors we were greeted by Alec, Jane's twin brother. Alec was surprised to see just who Jane had returned with.
"They send you out for one and you come back with 2 ……and half." He glanced at Bella when he said this making me more and more nervous of what laid in wait for her. "Nice work."
His mind was unclear he must have been warned to block his thoughts from me. "Welcome back Edward, you seem in a better mood." How could I be in a better mood? Alec was being sarcastic without trying. I thought I lost Bella hence the original poor mood now I may have been leading her to her death, how was that better?
"Marginally," was my reply because I guess after everything at least Bella was alive, at least for now. Alec turned from me and gazed at Bella, obviously assessing her worthiness. He appraised her as nothing to die over, those thoughts slipped through loud and clear.
"And this was the cause of all the trouble," he said with a dark chuckle. I did not like the thoughts coming through Alec's head at the moment. His thoughts questioned what all the fuss was about. I wanted to inform him of just how much trouble I would go through for her incase he had missed any of my pleas from the day before. This man child had no true idea of the feelings Bella stirred in me or of the love she made me feel. I smiled at him contemptuously. He would never know what love like this felt like.
Just then Felix interjected, "Dibs." He was obviously trying to egg me on and it worked.
I turned to face him a low growl building in my chest. He had made one too many snide remarks and I couldn't take it any longer. Threatening Bella in anyway was the final straw. His thoughts were flowing freely to me now about all the torturous things he wished to do, not only me but to Bella and that was just too much. He beckoned me forward with his fingers and just as I was about to move Alice reached for my arm.
"Patience," she cautioned. It was rather handy having Alice with me after all. She shared her thoughts with me on what might lay ahead for us and it seemed that Aro truly didn't want harm to come to me, however he still didn't know about Bella being here or Alice for that matter. As much as I wanted to put Felix in his place, I had to think of Bella's safety first. There was still a chance, albeit a small one, that we would make it out of this.
I turned back to Alec, who didn't seem to notice the exchange that had just taken place between Felix and I. "Aro will be so pleased to see you again."
"Let's not keep him waiting," Jane suggested with excitement in her voice. She would be rewarded greatly for returning with such a prize. Not only did she find me but she brought back extras including a human. I could feel the fear rising inside of me again. Bella still clung to me tightly and she seemed less fearful than before. How I wish she would learn some sort of self preservation. I wasn't really sure if she understood the danger that was present. I held her close to my bare chest; her warmth was so soothing to my cold skin. Now was the moment of truth, as we walked down the long hallway I wondered which room we would enter. There was really only one room that would not be good, the feeding room.
Alec stopped in the middle of the hallway and slid the panel open hiding the plain wooden door that lead to the feeding room. My worst fears were beginning to come true. This was not the place I wanted Bella. This was the room they brought humans to in order to drink from them. Alec held the door open for all of us to pass through. We entered the cavernous room that used to be an old castle turret. Again, it was cold and damp. My body tensed once more when I realized just how many vampires were gathered here waiting for my arrival, now our arrival.
Everyone turned towards us as we entered the room. Aro was pleased to have Jane return to him. "Jane, dear one, you've returned!" As Aro moved forward I noticed Bella's mouth drop open. She was obviously surprised by Aro's movement, or as he got closer, his appearance. He still hadn't noticed just who Jane had brought back so it was unclear what his reaction would be.
Aro floated to Jane planting a kiss on her lips, "Ah, Jane you are such a comfort to me." Aro's thoughts were focused on my return to them. He felt it would have been a waste to destroy me. Plus he truly didn't wish to hurt Carlisle. It was then that he finally turned to see the rest of our group. His thoughts were almost gleeful and surprised when he realized that both Bella and Alice were with me.
"And Alice and Bella, too!" Aro clapped his hands in pleasure. "This is a happy surprise. Wonderful!" He seemed truly delighted to see us all here. I was unsure of the source of his pleasure. I was really unsure of everything at this point. Aro was not about to let me read his mind so I had nothing to go on; it was like dealing with Bella's impenetrable mind all over again. I was frustrated and angry, not the best mood to be in when trying to be humble and apologetic. Bella just stared in shock at the warm welcome we received from Aro. I wished more than anything that I could read her mind right now. I needed to know how she was holding up.
"Felix, be a dear and tell my brothers of our company. I am sure they wouldn't want to miss this." Felix skulked off to retrieve the others all the while his thoughts were on our demise and the pleasure he would have in destroying me. Obviously I had not made a friend of Felix and the feeling was definitely mutual. Next Aro turned to me.
"You see, Edward?" Aro had a tone of fatherly scolding and matter of fact ness about him. "What did I tell you? Aren't you glad I didn't give you what you wanted yesterday?" Aro was very pleased with himself.
"Yes, Aro, I am," I winced at the memory of what I had asked and why. I unconsciously tightened my grip around Bella. She was with me now. This was all I had dreamed of the last few days. I just hoped this dream would not become a nightmare. The monster that I am would not destroy the love I had found.
"I love a happy ending," Aro seemed truly happy about having us all here. I wasn't sure where he was going with this but the mention of a "happy ending" filled me with some hope. If we were just in another room I would feel a little bit better. Aro continued with his reverie," They are so rare. But I want the whole story. How did this happen? Alice?" He turned to her, for the first time, with a curious stare. "Your brother seemed to think you infallible, but apparently there was some mistake." Aro seemed to have a need for gossip almost like a teenage girl. I wondered if this was what happened living an isolated life for centuries.
"Oh, I am far from infallible." Alice showed no tension in her voice but there was some concern in her thoughts. She thought she would be blamed or possibly punished for such a mistake. She was, of course, already punishing herself and cursing Rosalie. "As you can see today, I cause as many problems as I cure them."
"You're too modest. I have seen some of your more amazing exploits, and I must admit I've never observed anything like your talent. Wonderful!" Again Aro was giddy. He truly seemed to be enjoying himself. I hoped his good mood continued and we were released soon. Alice shot me a nervous glance she was unaware of how Aro knew anything of her talents. Aro being observant caught the questioning look from Alice.
"I'm sorry, we haven't been introduced properly at all, have we? It's just I feel I know you already, and I tend to get ahead of myself. Your brother introduced us yesterday, in a peculiar way. You see, I share some of your brother's talent, only I am limited in a way that he is not."
The envy was clear in Aro's voice and thoughts. I thought it would be the perfect time to pay him a compliment. I wanted to keep him in his good mood and feed his ego a bit. "And exponentially more powerful," I looked at Alice to explain, "Aro needs physical contact to hear your thoughts, but he hears much more than I do. You know I can only hear what's passing through your head in a moment. Aro hears every thought your mind has ever had." I was pleased to hear that Aro appreciated my humbleness. Alice had questions of her own though.
"You showed him everything? He knows all about Bella, James, and the rest of the family?"
I inclined my head slightly at Alice. Aro noticed our conversation and the envy was back in his tone. "But to hear from a distance…" Aro sighed heavily showing his frustration with his perceived inadequacies. "That would be so convenient."
Then everyone in the room turned to face the door and the others entering. Marcus and Caius had arrived with Felix. Neither Marcus nor Caius looked pleased to be here. They did not share the enthusiasm of Aro about our presence. Felix had also not been saying nice things about my behavior from earlier in the day which didn't help their mood.
"Marcus, Caius look!" Pure excitement oozed from Aro. "Bella is alive after all, and Alice is here with her! Isn't that wonderful!" Aro's excitement was clear but did not spread to the others. Caius and Marcus drifted towards their seats. As Marcus passed Aro he reached his hand out and let his thoughts pass to Aro. Marcus was surprised by the intensity of mine and Bella's relationship. I tried to suppress a laugh and it turned into a snort. Alice looked at me curiously.
I explained swiftly, "Marcus sees relationships. He is surprised by the intensity of ours."
"So convenient," Aro repeated to himself. "It takes quite a bit to surprise Marcus, I assure you." Aro changed the topic suddenly. "It's just so difficult to understand, even now. How can you stand so close to her like that?"
"It is not without effort," was my reply. But I honestly wanted to take her in my arms and hold her forever. The closeness was something I have craved for the last six months, the loneliest time of all my existence. I could not express these feelings openly they would indeed put Bella in danger. The others would feed upon my weakness.
"But still- la tua cantante! What a waste!" Aro was amazed by my restraint.
I let out a humorless chuckle at this. Aro really didn't understand just how much Bella meant to me. "I look at it more as a price." Aro would never be able to comprehend the love I have for Bella. She is my life, the reason for my whole existence. He would always be preoccupied by her scent and as much as I loved her scent, her presence in my life was so much more important. I would forever pay the price of not drinking from her if it meant keeping her in my life. It was an inconsequential price.
Aro was still unsure. "A very high price"
"Opportunity cost." I would give anything to spend time with Bella and I would give my life if she no longer lived. Aro was missing the point completely.
"If I hadn't smelled her through your memories, I wouldn't have believed the call of anyone's blood could be so strong. I've never felt anything like it myself. Most of us would trade much for such a gift and yet you……."
"Waste it," I finished for him. He was obviously stuck on how I could not just take her life to feed my need for blood. He didn't realize Bella filled so many other needs for me, all more important than her blood.
"Ah, how I miss my friend Carlisle! You remind me of him- only he was not so angry."
Aro was very observant on this matter. I was angry. For the past few days anger consumed me for a loss I couldn't comprehend, now anger consumed me for the danger I had allowed so close to Bella. Anger was definitely an emotion I knew well. "Carlisle out shines me in many other ways as well."
"I certainly never thought to see Carlisle bested for self-control of all things, but you put him to shame."
"Hardly," I replied impatiently. This idle chat was becoming old. I needed to know our fate. Aro had existed for so long that time tended to be irrelevant for him. The minutes since we had entered the feeding room had past quickly but the time we spent standing here felt like an eternity. I needed resolution and I hoped to get it soon.