Author's note: Hello guys and gals! I am actually thinking about starting another story. It will be a Prince of Night (Once Burned) FF. I have always thought about different ways to change it and how I thought it could be made better. I am super excited to start the story! It involves dragons!

Disclaimer: I would if I could, but I can't.

Chapter 6

Decisions, Decisions

(Bella pov)

I sat in a chair in a room full of human-drinking vampires. Z had left to retrieve his own body. He blinked into existence beside Aro, making the poor man jump out of his skin. He stalked over to me and stood behind me. He had one hand on my shoulder while the other dangled at his side, ready to grab the ridiculously big sword strapped to his back. His long hair was in a braid that fell over his chest and fell mid-calf. His white hair held a pearly sheen. His face, even though it was hardened, defined perfection. I thought Edward looked perfect before. Now he looked human compared to the demon that swore to guard me and keep me safe from harm. He didn't appear anywhere near this handsome in my dreams. I swear my heart gave out when I saw Z appear. It looked the female vampires would have done the same if their hearts still worked. Even now, those beautiful immortals were staring at Z's black and red armor. The dark metal only covered his shoulders, abdomen, forearms, and legs. The only article of covering him was a pair of black trousers.

He looked like a true God of War.

Z glanced down at me and winked.

The dull pink on my face darkened. Can he hear me?

What made you think I couldn't?

My blush grew even darker. Edward can't! How can you hear my thoughts?!

Why didn't this occur to you when I inhabited your body?

Touché.

Z's face slackened, giving me a soft smile, before hardening again. He scowled at Carlisle. "I need contact your source. I need to know every movement, every action, and every detail of that moment. Black fire is manipulated by an entire line of demons. I need to narrow the list down to find and locate the culprit. Did they tell you anything else about that day? Anything at all?"

Edward was glaring daggers at Z. "I read his mind. I saw everything through their memories as if I had experienced it myself." Edward pinched the bridge of his nose. "I saw the black fire. I saw the way Bella's body contorted. I saw the horrible coldness in her eyes. I…"

"What color were they?" Z barked. "The color is very important!"

Edward closed his eyes. "Yellow/orange. A red ring around the iris and yellow spikes surrounding the pupil?"

Z started growling things in a language that I had never heard before. It sounded like a language long forgotten by humanity. Maybe he could teach me the language.

I would be happy to teach you the dialect of the elves.

They're real?

Says the girl who has a vampire ex and a shape-shifting friend?

Touché. Again.

"I take it you know the demon that possessed Bella?" Caius jeered, arching an eyebrow.

Z nodded. "Unfortunately, I am familiar with that demon."

"So you know him?" Carlisle asked, "What is his name?"

"He goes by many names. His given name is Draven."

All of sudden, Emmett started laughing. It wasn't his normal laugh either. This laugh seemed almost maniacal. He fell to the floor, his body shaking uncontrollably from his laughter. After a minute of gasping for unnecessary air, Emmett managed to gasp out a sentence. "I'm… sorry. It's just the…. The one guy we don't … we don't want possessing Bella… Of course he's the guy! It's Bella!" He fell on his back, rolling around and holding his abdomen. Rosalie stood stone still. The only thing that betrayed her inner turmoil was the fear in her eyes. She looked over at me. I pondered at the amount of self-disgust and panic in those golden orbs. I wondered why she should feel afraid. She is not the one being possessed by a demon named Draven. A demon that killed a vampire with little to no effort.

That fear is not for her, but for you.

Me? No… She despises me.

She fears for you, Bella. She does not wish for you to suffer her fate.

What fate?

Edward was shaking with rage. "Out of all the demons in hell, it has to be Draven?!"

"Who is Draven?" Aro asked. "What makes him so despicable?"

Z pinned Aro with his gaze. "Many centuries ago, when the Gods created man, my brothers and I worked together to teach them all they would need to know. I educated humans in the art of weaponry and disguise while my brothers taught them other skills such as art and farming. All that they would ever need to know, given to them by me and my brothers. I saw the dark creatures in the future and gave the mortals secrets of the blade. For that, I was thrown out of heaven." Z's eyes took on a glazed, far-away gleam. "My fallen brothers and sisters looked to Lucifer to lead them. Lucifer was so angry at the god who banished us that he waved his hand killed a village of humans. The souls, corrupted by Lucifer's fallen majik, combined to create a flesh and blood monster. He fell to his knee and swore allegiance to Lucifer. My brother saw the worth in the monster and named him Draven." Z glared at the floor. "Draven was the first Demon."

I reached out and grasped Z's hand. He peered at me through his eyelashes. I gave his hand a small squeeze. Z squeezed back.

"Lucifer started taking the corrupted souls of the dead. He tortured them until they morphed into a demon. Lucifer selected his most loyal and trusted brothers to rule over these new creatures, thus lines were created. I, along with Seraphim, Macolf, Diabolus, Leviathan, Lillith, and Sammael, were chosen to govern and care for demons placed under our care. As Lucifer's right hand, he entrusted me to watch over Draven.

"I did as I was told and protected my line. I governed my line with a firm but just hand. I protected my line from threats and taught them all they needed to know. I selected worthy demons to enforce my reign. Most of my subjects listened and followed my laws." Z clenched his fist. "Draven was different, though. He openly mocked me, taunting me by breaking each of my laws. I would beat and punish him, but he still refused to follow me."

"This sounds an awful lot like a caste system." Peter mumbled.

"Where do you think your governments get their ideas from, vampire?"

Jasper ran his fingers through his blond, curly locks. "That explains so much."

Z rolled his eyes before continuing.

"One day, Lucifer was holding court. We discussed problems and achievements within our lines. All went as usual until Draven strolled in through the doors. He approached Lucifer. He started speaking of Lucifer's idea to create a Dark Child, or what you humans call anti-christ. He spewed on and on about his plan and how he planned to use a human female to conceive and bear the Dark Child. Lucifer told him to stop, but the bastard kept talking. I grabbed him by the throat and threw him onto the table. I stood by as witness as Lucifer ordered that all plots for a Dark Child would cease. Draven stormed out in humiliation and rage when I cut him from my line."

Z grasped my shoulders. "Many years past before Draven was reported to be attempting to conceive a Dark Child. I myself created a league of demon hunters and gave them the secret to destroying a demon. They forged weapons made from my own blood and banished Draven back to Hell. My soldiers brought Draven before Lucifer and all of Hell's dwellers. Lucifer and I decided to curse Draven to the furthest reaches of Hell, bound in his prison. However, we cannot keep him there forever." Z's hands tightened. "Every millennium, the stars would align and his prison would weaken, allowing him to escape. He would be free to roam the earth until his cage pulled him back in, to seal him away once more. The stars are beginning their alignment. The time is nearing when the cage to his door will open. When he is free, he will hunt for his marked one."

"How is a person marked?" Alice chirped from the arms of Jasper. "I haven't seen anything on Bella. No tattoos or weird symbols."

"A human is marked by scent. It is subtle enough to go undetected by the children of Lillith, yet is like a neon sign to demons. The scent can be a territory claim or an invitation to other demons."

Garrett, perched on a window seal, let out a snort. "Scent is everything."

"Exactly." Z grinned. "You cannot change your scent. You can cover it up with potions and perfumes, but your scent is still there."

"Then how was Bella marked if Draven is locked away in Hell?" Rosalie snapped.

Z's thumb rubbed circles into my shoulder. "Draven must have scent one of his minions. When I found Bella, I knew who had sent the demon to mark her. I slayed the demon and marked her as one in my line. Now any demon with a lick of sense will avoid her. None want to incur my wrath."

Draven does… I mentally whispered.

That goes without saying, young one.

Why do you call me that? I shouted with my mind. I am not a child!

Z chuckled. Compared to me, you are a mere infant.

I pictured myself sticking my tongue out at him.

I saw that, youngling.

"Is there anything I can do to stop him, Z?" I asked quietly. The thought of angering a Fallen with my immaturity urged me to distract him. I wanted to know this anyway, so why not get two birds with one stone? Everybody wins.

Z's lips twitched. "There are three ways to prevent the conceiving of the Dark Child." Z circled the chair I sat in, stopping when he stood in front of me. "One way is to turn you into a vampire. I'm not exactly all for that, but it would be your choice. Another way is to kill Draven. That way would be much easier and more satisfactory in my opinion, but I cannot enter his prison without becoming trapped myself. He placed a curse on his own prison: to whomever kills the one bound to the stone walls shall take his place and forever remain. The third is to remove the virgin from the equation."

"What does that mean?" I shrieked.

Z's grin turned wicked. "Why, removing your virginity, of course!"

Almost immediately, men whom I noticed were unaccompanied by a lady friend, raised their hands. Male members of the Volturi observed me through hooded eyes and perked up. Even Garrett volunteered to be the one to….. My face burned hotter than any fire I have ever felt. Edward stood up so fast, his chair flew back and crashed into the wall.

"NO!" He shouted. He rushed over to me picked me up easily, holding me close to his chest. "No, no, no, no, no, no, no! No! I will not allow any of you to touch Bella in such a manner! Bella, do not give such a precious gift away because you feel threatened or that you have to in order to survive!" He glared at Z. "You will stop this nonsense and stop filling Bella's head with such dirty thoughts!"

Z smirked down at Edward. He was a foot taller and towered over most of the men in the room. "What are talking about, Edwin? Bella's head is dirtier than Emmett's. She has a particular interest in BDSM and role playing, isn't that right, Mrs. Tabby?" Z placed heavy emphasis on the name. I didn't get, though. A tabby is type of cat. What does that have to do with anything?

Edward choked out a gasp. He held shoved his hands into his hair. After a moment of listening to the suggestive snickers around us, Edward gained control of himself. He continued yelling at Z and calling him a wicked evil-doer that poisoned the mind of his dear Bella. I just sat back in my seat and relaxed. I watched Z's smirking face as Edward continued his rant. As Edward was yelling, a female vampire came up behind him and grabbed his arm. Edward shook for a moment, and then fell face-first to the ground. He twitched every few seconds.

"Hey, that's a neat trick!" Z exclaimed.

The woman curtsied. "Thank you. He needed to take a time out anyway."

When Edward groaned and moved to get up, the woman touched him with her foot. He fell back to the ground twitching violently.

"I wish I could do that!" Rosalie whined.

The woman smiled before walking back to her two sisters. One of them was the female that waved at Edward earlier in the Stadium. I hated that woman with a vengeance.

"We have our options, now is the time to choose a course of action." Z moved back to my side. "What do you believe we should do, Bella?"

Caius scoffed, "You are leaving the decision to a human?"

"She is the one most affected by Draven, so yes, she will have the final say." Z snapped at Caius. He turned to me and softened his features. "This is your decision, Isabella."

I don't want anyone to get hurt.

I know, young one.

What should I do?

We have three alternatives. Two of them guarantee no one will be mortally wounded.

As a centuries old Fallen, what do you think is the best option?

Z paused before answering. Giving your purity away ensures he won't come for you. Same thing if you're turned into an immortal vampire. I believe killing him is the best and safest in the long run.

Why?

If I kill him now, he can't attempt the same thing a millennium from now.

But if you kill him, you will be trapped forever.

Not necessarily. Not if I kill him when he escapes his cage.

I gasped. You're going to let him out? What if he finds me?

I won't let him get that far. His hands held my much smaller one. My hand looked so fragile and tiny compared to his. I promise that I will keep you safe.

The last time a man said that, he left me in the woods.

Z rubbed my hand. I am not him. My word is my bond. I cannot break my promise.

I looked into the gleaming eyes of a Fallen. He had witnessed the rising and fall of nations and has seen countless battles. His eyes had a fire in them, but there was weariness in them. He has carried the burden of responsibility and endured the pain of betrayal for immeasurable centuries. He could just kill me now, drag me to Hell and be done with me. He could use me as bait and kill both Draven and me at the same time. But he looked at me with kindness. He was willing to put his life on the line to save mine, an ordinary, plain mortal. He could double-cross me in the near future, yet I couldn't turn away from him. If I am to die by his hand, then so be it. What better way to die then by Lucifer's lieutenant?

"I trust you."

(Still Bella pov)

Felix led me to the room I would be staying in for my stay in Volturi castle. I listened as Felix asked Z question after question. Z answered his questions, but would often avoid touchy ones with a myth everyone on the earth plain thought was true about Hell. This would bring another round of inquiries to my poor friend. He looked to me for help, so I asked Felix about what made him so special and powerful to be on the Volturi guard. His chest puffed up twice its size and he told me of how strong he is and how well he fought. When we finally got to my room, Z pulled me inside and waved good-bye to Felix. Felix gave me a small wave and a wink before strutting off. Z closed the door.

"Oh, fuck me!" He groaned. "That guy just could not shut up!"

I patted his back. "Come on. He wasn't that bad."

Z gave me an incredulous look.

"Maybe a little…" I sighed.

"No matter. You and I must discuss battle plans and what you will do if Draven does find you."

I choked on the lump in my throat. "You said he won't get past you."

Z pulled me into a hug. "I did, but we must consider all the angles. One of my opponents could slay me and my soldiers to pave the way for Draven. I must prepare you for the worst. I promise to watch out for myself, but no promises can be made that I'll come back."

"Z. I….." A knock on the door interrupted me. I squeezed Z's hand before opening the door. To my complete surprise, Rosalie stood on the other side. Her eyes displayed with nervousness and uncertainty as she stood across from me. She wore a pretty red blouse the left little to the imagination. He black trousers looked poured on and her killer stilettos made her six inches taller. She looked down at me. "Can we talk, please? Alone?" She asked.

I stepped aside and let her inside my room. I sent a pleading look at Z. He nodded.

Be cautious, young one. She is still a vampire.

And you are an arch-demon of Hell.

Touché, young one.

With a slight smile on his face and a quick warning glare at Rosalie, he blinked out of the room. Rosalie jumped, stunned by his disappearance. I sat on one of the fluffy sofas and motioned my hand towards the sofa across from where I sat. She glided over and sat down with an elegant grace only vampires (and apparently demons) possessed. I almost giggled at my choice of words. Rosalie looked anxious enough without thinking that I was laughing at her.

"Do you know how I became like this, Bella?" She didn't look at me as she spoke.

"Edward said something about it, but he didn't give me the whole story." I replied. "He said it was your story to tell."

She almost smiled, "Edward is an idiot, but a very considerate idiot."

I nodded.

She stilled, closing her eyes tightly before speaking. "I was a very popular woman, Bella." I had to strain to hear her quiet words. "My father worked at a thriving bank and I was quite beautiful. Every lady wished to be me or was jealous of me while men desired to be my husband. I was the most sought after woman in town. One day, my father arranged a marriage for me. The son of his boss was looking for a wife and was taken with me. I met Royce, and he was so charming. He was ever the gentleman and very handsome. I couldn't wait to be married."

She stared at her hands. "On my last night as a human, I was visiting my friend. She had gotten married before me and already had a son. I remember his dark curls and little dimples. For the first time in my life, I was jealous. I wanted what she had already. I wanted a husband and a house with a white picket fence. But most of all, I wanted a baby. I craved a life growing inside me and holding a child with the features of me and my husband. I want it so badly." Her stare hardened, taking on a menacing gleam. "I was walking home when I saw a group of men a few blocks from my house. They were loud and obviously drunk. I would have walked around them, but I recognized Royce.

"I tried to walk by him, but he stopped me. He was talking to his friends about what a beauty his fiancée was and how he couldn't wait to see the rest of me. He started pulling at my clothes and his friends joined." Her body tensed. "Next thing I know, I am lying on the ground, having been gang raped and stabbed in the stomach. I watched in hatred as he and his friends staggered off. Carlisle found me and bit me. He took me to his home and told me the truth when I awoke from the change. I sought revenge for the crime against me, picking off those men one-by-one, leaving Royce King for last. The night I came to him, I wore the wedding dress I had chosen for my wedding day. I said 'here comes the bride' before knocking his door down and torturing him to death."

"That's what I call poetic justice." I grinned.

Her lips twitched. "Yes, poetic justice." She looked at me. "I don't hate you, Bella. Can't you see? I hate the path you were choosing. You were willing to give up a life, everything that I wanted, to be with my brother. I didn't hate you, I was jealous of you."

What? "Rosalie, you get to spend an eternity with the man you love. Doesn't that mean anything to you? I want what you have. Beauty, grace, and someone to love me for eternity."

She smiled. "I may have what seems to be the perfect life, but what I truly desire will be forever will out of reach for me. I will never have a child." With that, she got up and walked out of the room. Before she exited the door frame, sent a small smile back at me. "Think about what I said."

I sat in my chair, digesting the fate Rosalie had suffered. So that's what Z meant.

Z blinked into the seat beside me. Our thighs and arms touched, warming my chilled skin. Z didn't say anything, he just let me think. I thought of Rosalie's last moments as a mortal and the upcoming battle between Z and Draven. An idea blossomed in my mind. A grin stretched across my face as I beamed at Z. He rolled his eyes, but his lips twitched.

I can't make her mortal again.

I'm not asking for that, Z.

Then why so perky?

I have an idea.

What do you have in mind?

Bella has a plan! Will it work?

Is anyone else leaning towards Azella than Edella? My story seems to be heading that way. I will put up a poll so you guys can decide. I think I'm leaning towards Azella. Just a little bit.

So is anyone else wanting me to start another story of dragons and vampires and shit? I do!

Keep the reviews coming! They keep me going.

-SPN :3