A/N- Ok so I am not uder where I am going to end the story either after they leave Volterra or the end of the story. Let me know if yoou guys are interested in reading more. Please review. Thanks again to those who reviewed the last chapter and all my reviewers really. Hope you like it

Disclaimer-It all belongs to Stephanie Meyer.

I stood before Aro continuing to listen to his pointless rambling. He seemed so content to reminisce about Carlisle and my restraint. I was anything but content, still being in this room was not what I wanted. I wished to be on a plane back to Forks, back to the life I had before Bella's birthday.

"Just remembering how she appeals to you it makes me thirsty," Aro said this with a slight chuckle. I found nothing funny about the statement and tensed immediately. Aro sensed my tension.

"Don't be disturbed I mean her no harm. But I am so curious, about one thing in particular." Aro's eyes brightened as his thought came to me. He wanted to know if Bella were immune to him too. "May I?" He asked me raising his hand towards Bella.

"Ask her," I replied in a flat voice. I was concerned that Bella would be afraid. I knew Aro was just curious to see if he could read Bella's mind nothing more. I hoped more than anything that he couldn't. I didn't want to be the only one who was blocked from her mind. It would bother me that Aro could see things that I couldn't.

"Of course, how rude of me! Bella, I am fascinated that you are the only exception to Edward's impressive talent- so very interesting that such a thing should occur! And I was wondering, since our talents are so similar in many ways, if you would be so kind as to allow me to try- to see if you are an exception for me, as well?"

Bella looked at me, horrified. She was obviously frightened by Aro's request but it was necessary to please him and allow him to do this. Plus it would settle some of my curiosity as well. Aro would not harm Bella that much was clear so I nodded at her. It was the first time I had looked her in the eye since we were in the alley. It pained me to see how unhealthy she looked. Bella looked away from me and placed her hand in Aro's. Aro's face showed confidence has he took Bella's hand and I wondered just what he might see if anything. If Aro could read Bella's mind than I could read Aro's and know what she was thinking. With in seconds I could tell Aro could see what I saw from Bella, nothing. It was clear this bothered him to no end. It took everything in to hide my smugness and not show the smirk I could feel creeping to my lips.

"So very interesting." Aro seemed to be contemplating what he wanted to do next. He looked at us curiously and I hoped he was making a decision to let us go. But then he did something I could not allow.

"A first, I wonder if she is immune to our other talents…..Jane, dear?"

"No!" Jane could not be allowed to torture Bella. Her power was to inflict pain so torturous that no should have to endure it. I could not allow this to happen to Bella. I couldn't watch her wither in pain at the hands of Jane. Alice grabbed me in an attempt control the rage building inside of me. I shook her off angrily.

"Yes, Master?" Jane replied to Aro with a wicked grin, grateful to be given the chance to prove herself against the mere mortal.

I snarled at the horrible thoughts rushing through Jane's head. I stared at Aro, full of anger how could he imagine I would allow Bella to be put through such torture. Everyone in the room had stopped and to watch my childish behavior. Felix started to move forward, he thought he would finally have his chance to destroy me but Aro shot him a look stopping him in his tracks. Felix looked like a wounded child. I was completely out of order, I knew that but I had to stand up for Bella it was not necessary to put her through Jane's torture.

"I was wondering, my dear one, if Bella is immune to you."

Aro could barely be heard over the furious growls escaping from me. I let go of Bella for the first time since entering the residence. I had to shield her from Jane. I had to protect her, for so long I had not been them when she needed me but I would be there now. Jane turned to Bella and as she did I lunged at her. I could hear Alice cry "don't" but it was too late. I was on the ground. I cringed against the stone floor making sure no sound escaped me; I would not give any of them that pleasure. I could hear Bella yell out for Jane to stop, still the brave girl amongst the monsters. She even made a move to stand between Jane and me, but thankfully Alice stopped her. Aro had called to Jane and now that I was out of the way he wanted her to see how Bella would respond. As soon as Jane looked away my body was still. I was thankful for the reprieve from the pain but I couldn't bear what might happen to Bella now. Jane was smiling fully at her. I sprang to my feet with a look of horror on my face waiting for Bella to start screaming, a sound I never wanted to hear. But the sound didn't come. I looked between Bella and Jane and could read the frustration in Jane's head. She was giving Bella the full force of her power and nothing happened. I went back to Bella's side, pleased that Jane was not capable of hurting her. Alice surrendered Bella back to me and once again she was safe in my arms.

Oddly enough Aro began to laugh. "Ha, ha, ha, this is wonderful!" It was strange to me how Aro was so easily amused. Bella had become a source of entertainment for him, almost like a court jester. I hoped he had grown fond of her so he would let her go. Jane hissed in frustration at Aro's amusement.

"Don't be put out, dear one, she confounds us all." Aro placed a light hand on her shoulder to comfort her. Jane was not comforted her thoughts drifted to other ways she might be able to torture Bella. Jane curled her lip as she glared at me. I had made yet another enemy in Volterra, luckily I was not as concerned about their like of me as much I as with Aro, Marcus and Caius.

"Ha, ha, ha," Aro laugh in sheer amusement at the situation. "You're very brave, Edward, to endure in silence. I asked Jane to do that to me once- just out of curiosity." Aro shook his head at the memory of the pain Jane had caused him. I was disgusted to see his pleasure yet again in the pain of the situation. When he spoke again however his tone had changed and the topic was serious.

"So what do we do with you now?" It was a simple question with hopefully a simple answer. My breath caught when he said it. I could only hope against all odds that he would release us. Alice and I both stiffened at this. Bella began to tremble in my arms. I wished for a way to comfort her but there was nothing I could do. Our fate was to be decided by monsters and I hoped it would not be the end. Aro was being careful with his thought he didn't want to give anything away. Panic crept back in my mind as I waited patiently for the decision.

"I don't suppose there's any chance that you've changed your mind?" Aro asked me hopefully and I contemplated if my answer would save Bella's life. If I agreed would they let her go? I could see my hesitation was making Felix nervous and I enjoyed this briefly. Saying yes to joining the Volturi would mean leaving Bella and I couldn't bear doing that again. I spoke my words carefully, "I'd….rather…..not." Aro was disappointed but not surprised by my response.

"Alice? Would you perhaps be interested in joining with us?"

"No, thank you." Alice replied so much quicker than I did. She seemed so sure of our outcome but nothing was clear in her thoughts. Aro had not decided what he would with. The next question he asked caught us all by surprise including Caius.

"And you, Bella?" I hissed at Aro. How could he ask such a question? He could not keep my Bella. I looked to see what Bella's reaction was to his question and she seemed confused. I wish I knew what she was thinking. Caius broke through the silence.

"What?" He was not happy with Aro's willingness to invite the human to become one the most elite vampires that existed.

"Caius, surely you see the potential. I haven't seen a prospective talent so promising since we found Jane and Alec. Can you imagine the possibilities when she is one of us?" Aro was so certain Bella would be one of us. I still couldn't make myself see Bella as one of us, cold and hard with no soul. I noticed Jane was not pleased with being compared to Bella. As far as Jane was concerned she was the apple of Aro's eye, the vampire he needed beside him. The thought of being replaced by such a simple human was not pleasing her at all. I could feel a growl growing in my chest. I couldn't allow him to change her. I was still so undecided about what was more important, her life or her soul. Before I could say or do anything Bella spoke.

"No, thank you." Bella replied in a whisper. I was so proud of her this was the second time in one night she had stood up the most powerful vampires in the world. After everything I had put her through she had come here to save me and she was so brave. I was having trouble remembering why I left or more importantly how I thought I could exist without her.

Aro sighed heavily at Bella's response, "That's unfortunate. Such a waste."

The anger had returned in full force, "Join or die, is that it? I suspected as much when we were brought to this room. So much for your laws." I chose my words carefully. I knew what the laws said and they didn't have any reason to destroy us. I needed to play this right if I wanted to get us out of this.

"Of course not, we were already convened here, Edward, awaiting Heidi's return. Not for you." Aro was surprised by my remark and somewhat astonished by my petulance. And he was telling the truth. Aro's thoughts did not betray him; they really were waiting for Heidi.

"Aro the law claims them." Caius was not pleased by what was transpiring. He was not nearly has amused by us as Aro was. I could hear his thoughts. He felt we should be destroyed because of Bella. I could not allow that.

"How so?" I would make him say it out loud so I could disprove his reasoning.

"She knows too much. You have exposed our secrets." Caius was so predictable he said what I needed him to.

"There are a few humans in on your charade here, as well." I hoped I could use this to my benefit to save Bella.

A strange expression crossed Caius' face. "Yes, but when they are no longer useful to us, they will serve to sustain us. That is not your plan for this one. If she betrays our secrets, are you prepared to destroy her? I think not."

"I wouldn't…." Bella began to speak out against Caius, to defend herself but he silenced with a menacing look.

"Nor do you intend to make her one of us," Caius continued his grandstanding. "Therefore, she is a vulnerability. Though it is true, for this, only her life is forfeit. You may leave if you wish."

I bared my teeth at Caius. He knew I would not leave Bella here to be destroyed. He wanted me destroyed as well.

"That's what I thought." Caius showed pleasure at reasoning out why we were to be destroyed. Felix was also very pleased. Again he began to list the many ways he would destroy me but not before he had Bella for a snack in front of me. I don't think I disliked anyone more in the world than Felix.

"Unless…." Aro interrupted. He was very unhappy with the events that had transpired. He was struggling with finding us a way out. "Unless you do intend to give her immortality?"

I hesitated. I didn't know if I was ready to take Bella's soul and more importantly I didn't know if she still wanted to be a vampire. Did she still want to spend forever with me after everything that happened? "And if I do?"

Aro smiled happily at my response. He could find a way out for us, a way to spare Bella. "Why, then you would free to go home and give my regards to my friend Carlisle. But I am afraid you would have to mean it."

Aro was not foolish he knew I would say anything to get us out of Volterra. He raised his hand in front of me to read my mind. I was hesitant. Caius was not pleased about letting us go but he was pleased that Aro had thought through the possibility of deception. I stared deep into Bella's eyes. How could I decide for her? She stared back at me pleading with her eyes.

"Mean it, please." Bella pleaded with me. It tortured me to have her ask this of me. How could she want me to take her soul? I know we had this argument so many times but this time was different. I couldn't let Aro touch me he would see my indecision and that would lead him to believe he couldn't let us go. There had to be a way around this. Just then Alice stepped forward. Her hand was raised toward Aro. She didn't say anything and Aro quickly called off his guards to allow Alice to touch his hand.

It felt like time had stopped. I could hear Alice's thoughts. She could show Aro one of the many visions she had of Bella being part of our family. It would work. He would believe her vision because he wanted to. I could feel Bella's heart beat quicken, she feared the outcome and I couldn't blame her she didn't know that Alice could persuade Aro that she would be changed.

"Ha, ha, ha," Aro's laughter filled the empty space. "That was fascinating!" He was delighted with what Alice had shown him.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it."

"To see things you've seen-especially the ones that haven't happened yet."

"But that will."

"Aro," Caius was not happy with the change of events.

"Dear Caius , don't fret think of the possibilities! They do not join us today, but we can always hope for the future. Imagine the joy young Alice alone would bring to our little household….. Besides, I'm so terribly curious to see how Bella turns out!"

Alice had done a good job of convincing Aro of the events that would occur in the future. Aro had obviously forgotten that not everything Alice saw was true either that or he didn't care. "Then we are free to go now?" I asked in an even tone.

"Yes, yes," Aro said enthusiastically. "But please visit again. It's been absolutely enthralling."

"And we will visit you as well," Caius added with a promising glare. "To be sure that you follow through on your side. Were I you, I would not delay to long. We do not offer second chances."

I clenched my jaw tightly refraining from making any remarks. I nodded in understanding. Felix's thoughts were gloomy. He acted as if someone had destroyed his favorite toy. His sullen mood did not escape Aro's keen eye.

"Ah, Felix, Heidi will be here at any moment. Patience."

"Hmm, in that case, perhaps we'd better leave sooner rather than later." Heidi's return meant that the Volturi would be feeding soon and I wanted Bella no where near them when that occurred.

"Yes that's a good idea. Accidents do happen. Please wait below until after dark, though, if you don't mind."

"Of course." I agreed. I needed Bella out of this room as long as that happened everything else would work out. Once this threat had passed I realized I had to think about how Bella would take all of this.

" And here," Aro added calling Felix forward. He removed Felix's cloak and tossed it to me. I had honestly forgotten that I wasn't wearing s shirt until then, with everything going on clothing was the least of my worries. Felix was livid that Aro would give me his cloak. The cloak was a sign of the Volturi and meant that you were a part of the inner circle. Aro had handed me Felix's like it was nothing. Aro sighed at the sight of me in the cloak. "It suits you." At that Felix cursed me even more than before, feeling slightly insecure in his place with Aro. I chuckled at how easily Felix could be bothered by something so trivial.

"Thank you, Aro. We'll wait below." Alice had a vision of Heidi approaching with dinner we needed to leave. "Let's go." I said urgently. I didn't want Bella exposed to the cruel reality that was a vampire's existence. Demetri gestured for us to follow him and we did quickly. I kept Bella by my side and pulled her swiftly down the hallway. Alice was close on her other side hoping that we would be out of the hallway before Heidi arrived with dinner.

"Not fast enough," Alice mumbled.

A/N Part 2- Don't forget if you want me to continue let me know!!!