Author's Note: It took awhile for me to finish this chapter. But no matter what I had to get it exactly right! You will see why.

And I wont show you guys something written so appallingly poor with no effort on my part, you guys deserve nothing but the best! But please excuse any writing mistakes.

Love you all. Enjoy.


All Twilight Saga characters belong to Stephanie Meyer. Unless stated otherwise. The plot to Bloody Rose belongs to me. This is a non-profit story. No copyrights infringements intended.


The count down until judgment hour was a sword over my head. My nerves were a tangled mess of anxiety, apprehension and mortification. I can't believe I still agreed to this. But a part of me has to know, must confirm that what I believe in my heart to be true. I tell myself over and over, and subconsciously I know I am right but seeing the act in front of my eyes will not only confirm it to me, one thousand percent, but it will undeniably confirm it to everyone else.

And that will show them all. That will show him.

Right. Right?

I don't know anymore.

After that brief little encounter with Caius, he walked out all too gallantly, leaving me a jittering mess sitting on the bed. Twisting and untwisting my hair, conjuring scenarios of what-ifs in all manners of good, bad, high and low. This is a catalyst that could be tipped in any direction and shift the events of today and quite possibly my life.

I should have said no, I should have crushed the suggestion at the first second it was presented to me. A bet? I snorted. More like a chance at mockery for the blonde devil to enjoy. His only interest is to make the human, who knows too much, suffer. Caius is as shallow as a side street puddle.

But at his boasting confidence, my ego grew, and I was appalled that he would think to question my bond to Edward to be so yielding. He doesn't know me, and he sure as hell doesn't know Edward.

I took a deep calming breath, willing my nerves and heart to remain steady. I looked to the terrace outside and the glint of the moonlight. Its mild temptings called to me as I walked over and pushed the long glass doors open, meandering to the large stone railing of the terrace, and downwards over the edge. Bad idea, I thought. As I pulled myself immediately erect, jerking my eyes away from the ridged jagged stone cliff fall below. More than grateful for the dense supporting of the railing, which I firmly placed my hands on for my peace of mind. That would be one hell of a bone crushing, skull splitting, and brain scattering fatality.

Banishing the gory image from my mind, I craned my neck to gaze at the brilliant shimmer of the clear silver moon. Its gleam gave me hope; hope that I would be looking at the same moon under different settings, in the cloud filled skies of Forks.

My heart warmed and swelled at the thought. To know that if everything played well, I would be shortly in Edward's arms and escaping this desolate place. The jittering feeling fairly subsided. Finally.

Edward will fight for me.

I thought warmly as I was so absorbed in my dandy thoughts that I didn't sense someone standing behind my back until I heard them speak.

"I hope you are not thinking of jumping."

I shrieked.

"But if you do, can you do a flip?" Jane appeared from behind the terrace entry, while I tried to collect myself.

"Oh my god, Jane!"

"Oh for heavens," Jane rolled her eyes. "If I wanted to truly scare you I would have stood intimately close to your back and whispered in your ear."

She paused to cross her arms over her chest. "That would have absolutely caused you to tumble over the edge." She finished with a delightful smirk on her full red lips.

I clutched my chest and shuddered. "Yes, the perfect murder." I remarked sarcastically.

"I wouldn't say so, Aro will have my hide. After all, you are my responsibility." Jane replied, quirking a perfect eyebrow.

"Yes, god forbid if Aro should spank you over my death." I jested appallingly.

Although something flickered in Jane's eyes that caused her to gleam and her lips to twitch at my comment before she immediately composed herself.

"Speaking of responsibility, I brought you a late supper." She pointed at the silver tray on the bed with the lid-covered plate. "Gianna made it." I eyed the tray.

"You should eat while it is warm." Jane turned to leave and as she made her way leisurely half the distance to the door she paused with her back facing me.

"I expect to see the plate empty when I return." She looked over her shoulder at me with a wicked sparkle in her ruby eyes. "We don't want master Aro to … spank me." She added coyly before she disappeared in a blur, shutting the door behind her.

Weird kid.


Nevertheless, props to Gianna, she is a good cook, too bad her talents were wasted in a place where no one ate, but I was absolutely famished. And the ice-cold water was heaven down my throat. If I come across Gianna I would give her my utmost gratitude.

Just as I was finishing the last of the water, I was suddenly overtaken by the solitude that has befallen me in this room. Biting my lip, I felt curiosity getting the best of me as I wondered whether or not to leave the room.

What's the worse that could happen? With the nudge from my wicked subconscious my mind was set.

I felt like a kid in a late night, trying to sneak around the house as I tiptoed slowly to the bedroom door. Were there any vampires within the proximity that could hear even the smallest padding of my heels near by? Or was I tucked away in another corner of this monstrous labyrinth of a sanctuary? One thing is for certain; the rapid wild thumping of my heart was a sure sign of my presence.

As my fingers curled around the handle, moving the door ever so gently, I pushed it and was momentarily surprised it was open; at least I am not locked in here. I nudged it enough that I could fit my small frame into the ajar opening and squeezed delicately out, minding my every step along the way. I managed to close the door equally as softly before facing the large, central circular, sitting room I passed while I was carried here.

However as soon as I turned around, I stopped almost immediately, and barely stumbled. The hairs on the back of my neck stood to attention, and my scalp prickled for I felt another presence aside from my own in the big round room. And sure enough, blocking the other exit across from me, he lurked.

Alec, the other twin, was standing casually with the massive door behind him, wearing a charcoal grey fitted suit with a lighter contrasting tie. He looked more like a runway model then a supposed guard that possessed intimidating powers and drank human blood as means for survival.

His eyes looked slightly darker than I last saw him, I couldn't help but wonder if he was thirsty, and almost as the thought was presented in my head, my heart thumped a little harder. Proving his awareness of the fact, Alec knowingly smirked and my stomach clenched with anxiety.

"You don't need to be afraid of me, Bella. I wont hurt you." Alec cooed. He took one step forward and raised his hands to demonstrate his affability.

I somehow found my voice on the tip of my now dry lips. "W …. were you here the whole time?" I stuttered.

He dropped his head and chuckled before gazing at me thought his long lashes. "No, not all the time. I stay when Jane leaves. There has to be someone with you constantly, for protection. Not all who live here are guards and not all of them are as restrained in their control to resist the call of human blood." He took another step. "Much less one that lives right in their own home."

"How many vampires are there?"

"Let us just say ….. too many to count on your pretty little hands and toes." He answered, tiling his head and smiling crookedly. Teasingly.

Despite how warm it was in the room, I shivered and paled, the cold feeling creeping into my veins at the thought of possibly a mass of vampires and one human all living under one roof. Do I really have even a small chance of surviving here in my state when just beyond that door were creatures who are, ironically, dying to get a piece of me?

"Don't be scared. I'll protect you." Alec voiced, yet his tone was more playful than reassuring as his tousled hair swayed with the motion of his head.

"How? You are only one vampire." I threw back at him.

He laughed again but didn't reply. Instead he turned around and walked to the gigantic door and placed his hand gently on it, before he looked at me with a twinkle in his eyes. "If you do manage to pass this door, which I might add weights almost a ton and your …. delicate figure wont even manage to so much as nudge it, and then a vampire wandering the halls gets an aroma of your exotic scent decides to make a meal of you. Then my powers can prove to be handy to incapacitate them."

I looked to the door again and the sheer size of it, and damn it! He is right. I can't physically open it by myself. They really were intending to trap me here, while all doors might be unlocked it's a question of, can my human strength manage such a feat?

And the answer is no. well ….. crap!

"While that door might be able to keep me in, but what's to stop other vampires from waltzing in here and draining me all the same?" Alec's eyes widened before he broke into a grin exposing his sharp white teeth to me, I unconsciously took a step back.

He straightened his posture and pretended to fix his perfect tie, which needed no fixing. "I don't know much about your human senses, but this door however emits a mysterious sort of perfume like odor from the ancient wood. Even if you pass in front of this door from the outside a few times, within seconds, the scent of the wood will mask your appetizing smell."

"Amazing is it?" He commented, quirking an eyebrow with eyes full of wonder.

Just as I was about to speak, the said door behind Alec loudly creaked open and Demetri emerged with Jane beside him.

Demetri looked to Alec and nodded, his lips moved but no sound came.

Suddenly they all looked to me and smiled significantly, and I couldn't help shuddering as Alec declared. "It is time."

I placed my hand on chest to calm myself, and gulped.

This was it.


We walked at leisure, human pace through the web of halls. Jane beside me, Alec and Demetri a few steps ahead. My knees were shaking, my palms were sweaty, and an annoying vein in my temple kept pounding like a hammer. I thought I would buckle at any second but the adrenaline drive pushed me to walk forward.

After all, I was only but a mere human pace away from Edward. His name a mantra in my head as I repeated it over and over, soon my eyes would be filled with the sight of his beautiful, extraordinarily handsome face. His strong arms would be my shield and rescue from this monstrosity.

My insides warmed to the thoughts; so tangible I could touch them. But as we took another turn to yet another long hall, I froze, as did the vampires around me. Blocking our path he stood, and again he wore that overly large black robe that cloaked his figure. Shoulders broad, head held high and mighty, Caius locked eyes with me and his grin immediately erupted.

I didn't dare approach, despite what I wanted lay beyond him, but Jane placed her hand on my back and moved me forward in his direction.

"Come now. We are nearly there." Jane spoke in my ear, a futile effort against supernatural hearing. And an equal futile effort to resist being pushed forward by a strong vampire, petite-sized be damned.

Eight human paces later, we stopped in front of the immortal blonde as he regarded the other vampires in our presence composedly. "Await us across the hall. I wish to speak to the human." Caius spoke curtly.

It didn't take a second for the vampires surrounding me to rush to the end of the hallway; I peered behind Caius just to visually confirm. Their eyes looked anywhere but in our direction, yet I knew they could very well hear what would be said. And deep down, despite the company in question, I was relieved I wasn't alone.

I looked back to said company. His eyes regarded me coolly, looking down at me in what I can only describe as condescending. And I still couldn't shake the irritable feeling of how tall he was, my mental image of a hunched lizard eyed, blonde, maniacal tyrant was what came to mind when I visualized him. A man with more power than common sense, that's my definition of Caius. Yet the mental image I first adapted was shattered by the figure in front of me. Here he was broad, tall and extremely sharp, an underestimation on my part. Or was it intentional on his part? I couldn't tell.

"Are you pleased to be meeting your lover boy again?" Caius asked tediously.

"I couldn't be more thrilled." I replied in the same tone.

He raised his eyebrows at my sarcasm. "Well then I suppose I should due to remind you of our little agreement. Should your human mind frail to forget." It didn't escape my notice how he mocked my humanity.

I suppressed the urge not to be equally as biting with my words. No use sinking to his level. "No, I haven't forgotten." I said, making sure to smile wide, trying to jab at his composed armor.

He quirked an eyebrow. "Good. Very good." He mused.

"Jane." He turned to call over his shoulder.

I blinked and Jane was instantly beside me. "Yes master."

"Keep an eye on her. Aro wishes to have words with the Cullen children. Then he will send to have her brought in." Caius spoke to Jane, completely disregarding me and irking me all the same.

"Yes master." Jane bowed.

Without another glance in my direction, Caius turned and proceeded to walk gracefully to the end of the hall with Alec and Demetri on his step.


I had this sudden urge to tap my heel against the dark stone floor. I have been waiting patiently to be called. Granted it's been a few minutes but quite frankly I don't give a shit anymore!

And as if by some miracle, Alec came into view in the long winding hall that Jane and I stood waiting, Jane; a frozen figure, me; a stressed-out mess. However when Alec approached, Jane moved and turned to her brother, who looked from Jane to me before he spoke.

"Everyone is waiting for you, Bella. Shall we?" Alec gestured as he stepped to the side for me to pass.

I blew out a frustrated, nervous, breath and took an equally calm inhale to prepare myself.

It all comes down to this. I though as I steeled myself.

I walked forward, if a little hastily as Jane and Alec took to gliding gracefully on my side each. When we finally exited the hall we came to the large main area where the throne chamber was beyond the double doors in the center of the room. And on the side I saw the elegant desk where Gianna would be sitting, except at the moment it was vacant. I frowned but it was a mild thought as we approached the entrance to the throne room and Alec stepped forward to push the doors wide open.

And in that moment, time froze, as I took in the view right in front of my human eyes. Marcus, Aro and Caius seated at their place on the three thrones. Demetri, Felix and two more female vampires I didn't recognize were standing close to the side. My eyes briefly, yet unconsciously flitted to look at Caius. His visage was as I first remembered him on the very first encounter, heavy lidded eyes, a deep scowl, and sneered lips. His posture was hunched and coiled like the tattered figure of an ancient tree. Yet he didn't fool me, I knew exactly how he was beyond this room.

But none of it mattered, all dimmed from my vision as I took to only staring at the two individuals who had their backs turned to me, yet slowly turned around the moment my feet padded on the marble flooring of the throne room.

My heart could stop, and I could quite literally die in this moment so happy and content as I saw Edward, and Alice, whom I didn't know to be arriving as well but was beyond joy all the same. Their golden eyes shined with elation as they took in the sight of me, reflecting the delight that, no doubt, I was exuding much the same, if not overwhelmingly more.

Despite the twins who flanked me, Alice paid them no mind as she ran to my side and wrapped her cold, hard, arms around my figure. I hugged her back and breathed in her aromatic, familiar scent, the beautiful floral fragrance I loved so much. Her slender shoulders were shaking. She was crying?

She stepped away, but still held onto my arms. Almost as if she was anxious, and as her beautiful shimmering eyes surveyed me, her smile got wider. "Oh Bella. We were so worried. I though I saw …" She tried to speak but was interrupted.

"It doesn't matter, Alice. She is safe and alive. That is the most important right now." Edward's deep melodic voice spoke from behind Alice, his hand on her shoulder. Delicately requesting of her to release me to him.

Alice, more calm now, obliged as she released my arms after one final soothing grasp. But no sooner had Alice's cool skin left mine than it was replaced by the comforting touch I longed for. The touch that I yearned for, Edward opened his arms wide for me, inviting me as I went to his embrace, being enveloped in his strong, reassuring arms.

His hug was gentle, but firm, and I held onto him with all of my mortal might. I pushed my face into his shoulder, inhaling his saccharine scent. He smelled sweet and intoxicating, he smelled like home.

I couldn't control the sobs as they racked through my body, the nostalgia of home despite how short a time I was away, making me gasp for air and claw at Edward's jacket, trying to get him as close to me as possible. He rubbed my back gently, reassuringly, trying to comfort me into serenity.

"Its alright, Bella. Your safe." Edward's sweet words whispered into my ear. His touch was heavenly, I immediately felt relaxed, and molded myself effortlessly to his body.

"You see, young Edward?" Aro's voice burst our bubble as his words echoed through the room.

Edward reluctantly released me to turn to him, but still had his arm on the small of my back. I looked to the three thrones; as I saw Aro rise gracefully, walking the few steps before stopping. All the while Demetri and one of the two female vampires kept close to him.

"Isabella is perfectly well. She is more than well. We take care of her as one of our own, and with ever greater attention to her human needs." Aro inclined his head.

"I can see that, I am grateful." Edward pulled me close to him.

"Ah! So it is safe to believe your worry was in vain. We will continue to care for her, and she will want for nothing." Aro spoke, tilting his head and grinned blissfully.

I can feel Edward's body shake with a growl that tried to desperately reverberate through him. "That will not be necessary, Aro. I came here to take Bella back with me, and that is what I intend to see through." He spoke stiffly.

"Oh dear, oh my. That's quite a predicament seeing as young Isabella came to us willingly. However if she were to change her mind ….…. well." Aro placed his fingertips on his bottom lip, taping them in consideration as he turned his head seeming to gaze away. "It will be most unfortunate." He spoke, dragging his eyes slowly to meet us.

Edward stiffened as he stepped a little forward and pulled me behind him, using his body to shield me, I clutched at his jacket and peered over his shoulder. I looked to Caius and I saw his elbow propped on the armrest of his throne, his thumb skimmed back and forth over his other fingers as he looked to Edward with scrutiny.

Aro's harmonic deep laughter riveted my attention back to him. "I did not mean it with ill intention, young Edward. My … you are a young and vivacious spirit to jump to such conclusions. I merely stated that it was unfortunate simply because we have all .." he gestured to the entire room. " … grown quite fond of Isabella." Aro's gaze rested on me with a gesture of endearment.

"Bella has a home to go back to, and a family that is worried sick over her. And as you previously said, Aro, her arrival here was of her own choice. I am to assume she has the same privilege to leave as well?" Edward spoke evenly, yet his posture was still overwrought, I can feel the muscles on his back were hard and strained, his shoulders were tense and rigged.

"Absolutely, young Edward." Aro affirmed. His ruby eyes turned to look to me tenderly.

"Bella." Aro called to me and I held my breath. He lifted his hand, gesturing for me to approach him.

This time Edward held nothing back as he growled openly at Aro's forward informality.

"Edward! He wont hurt her!" Alice shouted. Her eyes were wide and beseeching him to calm down.

Aro dropped his hand and sighed. And within seconds, everything happened rather rapidly for me to absorb.

"Jane." Aro spoke softly.

"No .." Alice breathed.

"Yes, master." Jane uttered from behind me. The next second Edward staggered forward and buckled to his knees, before his torso came into contact with the white marble floor as he thrashed in pain. My heart went into overdrive as it pumped my blood in wild panic. My tongue was slack in my mouth as I witnessed the sight before me.

Not again!

"Isabella, come here please." Aro gestured again for me to come to him. My lungs were in frenzy, and the pulsing of my veins crept all the way to my head, beating right in my ears.

"Its ok, Bella." Alice tried to approach me but Felix's massive hand clutched her arm, preventing her any further advance.

"You will be fine, just go to him. Otherwise Jane will not stop!" Alice implored. "Trust me please, Bella."

"Yes, dear Bella, come to my side and I will order Jane to stop her torment on Edward." Aro encouraged calmly.

I looked down to Edward's quivering form; he was trying so hard to keep from screaming his pain aloud. I couldn't stand the sight of him any longer as I looked ahead, and regretfully stepped away from him. I walked hesitantly in Aro's direction, with the intention of placing my hand in his, but as I got nearer and nearer to him, he lifted his other hand as if to open his arms to me.

I kept my hands pinned to my sides, as the flurry of anxiety kept unfurling within me, and preceded to walk until I was a foot away from Aro. He closed the distance between us and gently wrapped me in his arms and brought me to his side. My eyes briefly turned to Caius as I caught a flicker of satisfaction shining on his appearance before he adapted his usual bitter façade, and looked ahead. I turned around and looked back to Edward, who was in immense pain from Jane's wicked powers.

"Jane." Aro spoke softly.

Jane stopped her torture, finally, and Edward's thrashing ceased. Aro lifted one of his arms that were wrapped around me and gestured for her and Alec to approach our side of the room. With swift speed they stood beside us.

"Felix." Aro beckoned the hulk of a vampire. Felix dropped his hold on Alice.

She rubbed her arm and it made my stomach clench with agonizing concern that she might have possibly been hurt being forcefully handled by this massive built of a man, who walked leisurely to stand beside Demetri, both exchanging a smirk with wild abandonment.

Alice approached Edward as she tried to help him to his feet, but Edward brought his hand up to stop her, and gracefully rose on his own. His beautiful face that was once marred with pain was now smooth, yet held a deep scowl at the sight of how we must look to him. A human, wrapped around the presence of bright red, ruby eyed creatures.

"Isabella." Aro turned to me casually. He clasped his hands behind me, bringing me closer to him. If I weren't so accustomed to the touch of cold bodies, I would have shivered uncontrollably. But with that said I couldn't stop the redness that assaulted my cheeks.

"Is that necessary? To have her so close to you!" Edward growled. His tone dripped with venom.

Aro turned slowly to Edward, beaming brightly as he spoke. "There is no need for jealousy, young Edward. My touches are most innocent, I assure you. You can even attest to it through my thoughts. Do you detect any false or malevolent hints?"

Edward focused his hard gaze on Aro, and it only caused Aro's grin to grow wider on his perfect sculpted lips, exposing his gleaming sharp teeth.

"I thought so." Aro concluded arrogantly.

"Bloodlust or else, return her to me! I am taking her back." Edward screamed. He was no longer considerate with keeping himself composed.

"Edward, just don't." Alice warned as she grasped his arm.

Edward shoved her hand away. "Enough of this, Alice! No more of this farce. She is coming with us, you saw it, and so it's absolute!"

"My … my …" Aro whispered.

I turned to gaze up at him, and he looked down at me. Our eyes met, and it sent a chill down my spine. "Is it true, Bella? Are you going to leave us?" Aro spoke gently almost with a hint of poignant gloom in his silky smooth voice.

Yes! Yes you are leaving, say it loud and clear and you're as free as a bird! My subconscious piped eagerly.

All I had to do was say 'yes'.

Just look up at this dark haired, red-eyed handsome vampire, which I did, as he met my gaze expectantly. And just utter the one word syllable. It was right there, on the tip of my tongue.

"No." I answered.

Aro's eyes shimmered with mirth, as he brought me even closer to him. "Oh my dear Isabella. A sweeter declaration has never been uttered upon my ears."

I frowned deeply as I looked over to the two most important people in my life. Their stunned faces broke my heart. I wanted to look away from them but I couldn't. I was numb.

"I don't understand. But I saw you ….." Alice trailed, her voice fading to the shock of what was happening in front of her. She shook her head as if she was dispelling some sort of haze, and focused back on me, looking past the point of rage.

"You were going to come back with us, I know it. I saw it. I SAW YOU SAY YES!" she yelled at me angrily. I flinched from her voice. Too startled to form any words on my dry lips. I have never heard Alice speak to me in that way before. The hurt cracked my heart.

"Why? Tell me why, Bella? What could possibly keep you here voluntarily?" Edward stepped forward, holding his hand out to me. He looked physically pained and emotionally hurt by my answer.

Oh Edward if only you knew!

"Did they threaten you? Are they holding you here …. against …. your …" Edward's jaw dropped as the hurt in eyes dissipated, and the crease in his brows melted away.

He looked like he was stunned, almost paralyzed, and for a second I thought that perhaps Jane was using her malicious ability on him again. Yet he didn't seem to be in any sort of pain. Just in pure shock, as he slowly trailed his topaz eyes from me to whoever was behind me.

I turned to my left to follow his gaze; my own eyes were about to pop out of their sockets. Caius, who was but a few moment ago slouching in his throne, had now risen from it. He looked to Edward with a malevolent smirk, chuckling deeply, menacingly.

My eyes bounced back and forth between Caius and Edward, but ultimately I stopped to look at Edward as his face went from shock to disbelieving. He was gazing into Caius's mind, I could tell, as his focus was unfaltering and no words passed between them.

What was only a few seconds, felt like agonizing hours. And slowly Edward turned his head to look gradually at me, his expression turned into one of betrayal.

Why?

He winced when his golden gaze looked to my bewildered brown eyes. His breathing was strenuous, and he curled his lips in disgust at me.

"How could you?" Edward spoke, shaking his head at me in disbelief, the disgust never leaving his face as he looked to me.

"Edward?" Alice reached to her brother. But he flinched from her touch. With one last look to me, Edward dropped his head before swiftly disappearing out of the throne room.

Alice looked to where Edward just left, she stood silently still for a few seconds, just as much as I was, only I was stunned and confused with the combination of the silence. She turned back to us, lifting her gaze but not truly seeing us.

"I will return again." She whispered too low that I barely heard it. She blinked a few times and then truly fixed Aro with a hard gaze. "I will come back." She spoke more determinedly.

"Of course, Alice. You are welcome any time." Aro affirmed.

Alice nodded to him before she looked to me with sympathy in her eyes. "Stay strong, Bella. I will see you very very soon." And then she was gone, gone where Edward left.

I felt my whole body go limp, still being cradled in Aro's arms, he was the one keeping my from crumbling to the floor as my brain to leg function evaporated. My mind was a fog, still unable to accept what just happened. I just faintly registered Aro pressing a kiss to the top of my head, I heard him whisper something to me but I tuned it out.

I was still trying to digest exactly what happened. I was suppose to go home, this was not how it suppose to be. This was wrong. Edward didn't fight for me.

Edward left me.


I hope it was shocking enough. Lol …. That was why I had a hard time with this chapter. And why it took so long to write. Soo much dialogue!

And this was such an important twist to the plot, I wanted to leave you guys with more questions than answers. The next chapter will hopefully make things a little more clear.

Let me know what you think!

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