Chapter 19: Volturi

It wasn't long before I found myself boarding a plane to Italy. Alice worked fast. I sat at the window seat with Edward beside me. Even though I was exhausted I was almost positive I wouldn't be able to sleep.

Packing and getting to the air port all seemed to be a blur. My sleep deprived mind didn't process a lot of what was going on around me. The only thing I had been aware of was Edward being with me.

A cold hand grasped mine and I turned to the seat next to me to see a concerned Edward watching me intently.

"You should sleep," he whispered soothingly.

I nodded in agreement. "You're right, I should sleep. The only problem is whether or not I will be able to fall asleep."

He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and brought me to his side. I could feel his cool lips on my head.

"I could distract you, if you wish?" How could he be so calm about everything that was going on?

Before I could answer his lips began their torturously slow travel down my neck and across my shoulder. I shivered with the pleasure of it. I easily made my mind focus on just this. How his lips left a cool burning against my skin. How my heart sped up with just the thought of him. Everything else left my mind. There was only his kisses.

"You're good," I whispered shakily.

Edward chuckle, his breathe felt like a whisper against me. "I do what I can." He started to hum in my ear that lullaby. Instantly I started to get sleepy.

"What is that?" I asked drowsily.

I could feel his hand rub calmingly up and down my arm. "It something I wrote for you."

Before I could ask him more I was asleep.

Cold arms engulfed me. My body was being rocked to the beat of someone walking. I opened my eyes and saw Edward's face very close to mine. That's a very good sight to see when you wake. He was carrying me bridal style. I smiled up at him.

"About time you woke up," he teased before kissing my forehead.

"Where are we?" I asked groggily. I looked around to find that we - along with the rest of our family - were walking through some sort of hall.

"We're about to meet with the Volturi."

It took me awhile to process that. "How long was I asleep?"

"Awhile." he stated simply.

"We tried to wake you up, but you were out like a light," Mitch teased.

I started to struggle against Edward's hold. As much as I loved being in his arms I needed to stretch my legs. Reluctantly he set me on my feet. I noticed Carlisle and Charlie were walking in front of us, followed by Mitch and Simon. Everyone else was walking behind us.

We continued walking through the ornate hall and reached a pair of doors that were entirely sheathed in gold. Before I could gawk the doors were opened and we were led into the antechamber. It was cold and dark. Thankfully we didn't stay in there long.

We were led into bright, cavernous type room. It was round, two stories and dimly lit. And it was not empty. A handful of vampires all turned to us at our entry. For one split second I got paranoid enough to think they were going to attack us.

"Carlisle!" A man in pitch black robes who sat before us cried in delight. "I had no idea you would come for a visit."

He made his way forward. He walked with just as much grace as Alice, it looked as if he was waltzing to us. His skin was just as pale as the Cullen's but his seemed almost chalky. As he got closer I noticed that what I thought was a hood for his robes was actually his black hair. He stopped in front of us.

Once before us he seemed to register that it wasn't just Carlisle here. "Charlie what do I owe the pleasure?" he asked pleasantly. His eyes scanned the group that was before him and his expression took on one of confusion. Charlie merely held up his hand for the man to take in answer.

I registered the man must be Aro. I had never met him, but Charlie had told me of his gift to search your mind when he had skin to skin contact. I watched in fascination as Aro took Charlie's hand and his face took on an almost far away look.

"Ah," Aro sighed releasing Charlie's hand. "I'm sorry about Renee." He looked at Charlie with nothing but sincerity. Charlie just nodded. "I remember her well. She was always kind." His eyes came back to mine and my brothers. "But I'm pleased to meet your children," he said with a smile.

He walked - more like glided - to Mitch and Simon, shaking both of their hands. My brothers were hesitant but complied without complaint. Then Aro was in front of me.

Slowly I allowed Aro to grasp my hand. I saw from the corner of my eye as Edward watched both Aro and me closely, as if waiting for Aro to make a wrong move. I watched with almost satisfaction as Aro's face went from cheerful to incredulity. He couldn't read my mind like Edward.

"Interesting," Aro murmured. "Very interesting." He looked at me as if I was a puzzle that he wished to solve. I wasn't sure if I should be creeped out or flattered. Before I could get uncomfortable he walked back up to the front of the group. "I enjoy seeing you again Carlisle and the rest of the Cullens even under these circumstances."

"So you'll help?" Charlie asked. His voice was monotone but I could see a hint of desperation in his eyes.

"Of course."

"What help?" A man who looked much like Aro except with snow-white hair came towards us.

"It seems that Charlie is in need of assistance, Caius." Aro replied. "Apparently he is now at war with the Goras. Seeing as though I told his meleth that if she needed any help to ask me and I would deliver."

"From what I can tell he is not his meleth," a slim girl who was smaller than Alice sneered in a high voice.

"Yes, but part of Renee lives within Charlie, Jane." Aro answered her.

Jane looked at our group and grimaced. "Why are the Cullens with them? Did they make them their body guards?"

"Why would anyone think you're a girl? I mean you do have the body of an eight year old boy." Everyone stopped and stared at me in shock. I don't know why I snapped. Maybe it was just my tired state that made me irritable or maybe it was just the thought of Edward once again being seen as nothing more than my servant that through me over the edge. Either way I could see that Jane was pissed.

I could literally feel everyone tense when Jane turned to glare at me, but before her eyes came in contact with me Edward pushed me behind his back. I didn't know what happened, but as soon as I was behind Edward he was on the ground.

My mind couldn't register what was happening. Edward was completely still, but his face…it looked as if he was suffering the worst agony. I looked at Jane. She had a smiled upon her lips as her concentrated stare pierced Edward. Suddenly it clicked. Edward was in pain and Jane was causing it.

I completely lost it. I felt like a werewolf loosing its temper. With no need to concentrate I felt the familiar shiver go through me and I attacked. With claws and teeth I tackled Jane to the ground. There was only one thought going through my mind: She was hurting Edward.

I didn't have a good enough hold on her. Her legs kicked me right in the gut and I fell back. I quickly sat up and saw Jane wasn't attacking me. Instead she was glaring at me with all her might. I laughed at her. Her power did nothing to me.

Taking this advantage I flew at her. She didn't have time to react. I sunk my teeth into her freezing shoulder. With all my might I flung her into the wall. The powerful sound reverberated around the room.

A hiss sounded to my right. I turned to see a boy with slightly darker hair, but just as beautiful as Jane, crouching in an attack position. This must be Jane's mate. I crouched too and let out a growl of warning. Before he could attack Edward was in front of me and growling just as menacingly at the boy.

A wave of happiness coursed through me at seeing my meleth okay, but a roar from the boy brought me back to the situation at hand. Jane had joined him and was about to spring.

"Enough!" a voice roared through the room, stopping everyone. "Alex and Jane stand down!"

Aro, along with Charlie and Carlisle, marched to stand in between us four attackers. I could see Carlisle just looking blankly at Edward, I'm sure he was chastising him in his head. Charlie just stared at me. I couldn't decipher what was the greater emotion: disappointment or anger.

Aro waited an agonizing moment before talking. "I know how deep the connection between meleths are, so Bella's reaction may be forgiven." He glared at Jane before she could interrupt. "No fault will become of our guest while they stay here." His glare went around the room.

"The same," Charlie hissed at me, 'will go for our host. We will not harm them." I was to ashamed to meet his glare.

A wave of calm started to seep into my bones. Thank god for Jasper. The four of us straightened from our attack position.

"Felix give me your robe." Aro ordered. A tall broad shoulder man complied, but not before shooting me a glare. If looks could kill I'd have died to many times already.. Aro handed the robe to Edward who draped it around me.

"You can change back," he whispered. I closed my eyes to concentrate. When the shiver went through me again I wrapped the robe tighter around my now human form. It was a good thing I brought clothes with me. Edward draped a protective arm around me and brought me close to his side.

"How long before your friends come?" Aro asked, going from strict to cheerful again. Was he bi polar?

We all turned to Alice who had her eyes closed in concentration. She opened her eyes in shock.

"Now," she whispered. Just as she spoke I could distinctly hear the sound of wings.

Sorry for taking so long, I got caught up in a few books I've bought (damn you bmw72792, now I'm completely obsessed with The House of Night series lol) Hopefully Bella kicking Jane's ass got you guys in a good mood. I hate Jane so I needed Bella to put her in her place.

Sorry if any mistakes, I needed to rush to get the chapter up.

Oh, Breaking Dawn comes out in one day (cue girly scream) I can't wait. Plus it's cool because an eclipse is said to happen Aug. 1 at 1:00 p.m. It's a sign :)

Review please :)