Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight. I only own what I can come up with.

Timing was key. Vampires moved much faster than humans should be able to track, but I had grown accustomed to it. Adapting to your surroundings is probably the first lesson I learned when I moved here. Laurent moved and as he got closer, I twirled out of the way, ducking down as I did so. It was a move that Alec had taught me in our duel self defense/dance class. Demetri and the others moved in on Irina's mate before I even stood up, leading me to believe the whole ordeal had lasted less than ten seconds.

The hungry vampire continued to struggle against his holds. Resemblance to an angry animal was obvious, but it didn't frighten me. Irina had dropped to her knees in a desperate attempt to calm her mate. Her golden eyes were wide with fear. Behind me there was a shuffling and I knew that the crowd was parting for my father and uncles. Jasper's warmer-than-normal arms pulled me away from Laurent. Part of me wanted to smile, show him I was alright, but a much bigger part of me was focusing on how to defuse this situation.

My family wasn't known for their mercy. In my experience, they showed even less when someone put my safety on the line. By the time it took the vampire trio to reach us, Laurent had come to his senses. His eyes were lighter around the edges as he looked around the room wide eyed.

"Please, three kings," Irina cried. Her golden eyes were shining with venomous tears she couldn't shed. "Please show mercy!" The way she stepped in front of him, combined with the frightened look on her face made tears well in my own eyes.

Aro, for once, wasn't in charge. Caius was the one who looked at Demetri and Felix. Jane gently but firmly pulled Irina away, holding her tightly. The boys drug him forward through the parted crowds as the kings followed behind them slowly. I watched in silence, feeling like something inside of me was breaking as I heard Irina's dry sobs.

My uncles stood on either side of my father as he took the center position. Felix and Demetri had Laurent on his knees. One of their hands was pulling his head up by his hair. "Laurent of the Denali coven," my father's voice boomed. "Do you understand the crime you have committed?" The tone of his voice made me shiver. It was cold, even colder than his skin, and harder than even vampire skin.

"I understand, sir. My thirst got the better of me. I have yet to adjust fully to the animal diet of my other coven members."

"That does not excuse you! You tried to kill my daughter, the Princess of the Volturi! Punishment will be dealt! Do you understand this?" My father shouted angrily. I flinched, drawing back a bit. I could feel Jasper's curiosity but I was focused on the scene in front of me. The tiny spark of hope in Laurent's eyes died at the speech. "Good. Demetri, if you will." Around us, people varying looks. Some were horrified, some were hard. Obviously no one agreed with this, but what could they do? No once could stand up to the kings without dying.

Demetri didn't look remorseful as he stepped forward. His face was devoid of emotions as he stepped forward. Behind me, Irina's cries escalated, but she had given up as well. Guilt gnawed at my stomach as a realization crashed over me. On impulse, I pulled out of Jasper's hold.

"Stop!" No one could do anything to stop them without dying. No one except for me. "Do not kill him!"

Everyone froze. Even Irina, giving me time to pull my dress up a bit and run forward. Before anyone regained their composure, I was standing in between Demetri and Irina's mate. My 'Metri broke his emotionless facade as he stared at me, torn. He knew he couldn't do anything if I didn't want him to, but he couldn't go against a direct order from the kings. "Father, uncles. I beg of you, do not kill this man for a simple lapse of control."

"This was more than a lapse of control, niece." Sweet uncle Marcus had steel in his voice. "Now please move aside."

I looked back at Laurent. He looked up at me with such hope it made me want to hug him. Behind him, Irina was also staring at me, pleading with me. When I looked back towards the kings, my resolve was strengthened. This man did not deserve to die because of a mistake and I would not allow him to die here. "No."

"Excuse me? Isabella, do you know who you are talking to?" My father asked with narrowed eyes. His voice was nearing a growl. Fine. He wants to play this game, I will play too. My own eyes narrowed and my tone dropped into as intimidating as I could.

"I am talking to my father and my uncles. I am also speaking as a princess, which means I am allowed to have a say. And since it was in fact my life on the line, I should get to decide Laurent's fate." My desperation was rising, but I pushed it down. "Before the ball, you yourself came to warn me about those who had not taken your advice. You informed me I was taking a risk, and I was aware of that. It was my mistake to believe that those who thirsted would remain in their rooms tonight."

"He tried to kill you! We can not allow him to live, Isabella!"

"Laurent has made a mistake! Everyone in this room has made them before, including yourselves. Do not forget that, Caius. You as well, Aro and Marcus." I took turns looking them all in the eyes. I had the pleasure of seeming the squirm a bit before I continued. "You three are no more perfect than this man here. I am still alive, still part of this family. If you rip Laurent from his life, his family, and his mate, you might as well have let me die."

Silenced followed my words. I could tell by the change in atmosphere that my words had affected not only my family, but everyone around us as well. My stubbornness didn't allow me to look away from the kings, otherwise I would've. My family understood that I didn't mean just this attempt, but the ones in my past as well.

The kings sent me a mixed look. Pride and respect were the most dominant expressions, but I could see the slight hurt. The anger was still there, but it also warred with doubt. The small whimper Irina gave seemed to finally break them down though.

"Very well, Isabella. We will let you handle the situation as you want. Let it be clear to everyone though. If this thing happens again, Isabella will not have the chance to defend you." Aro's voice rang through the ballroom. I let out a breath as my father and uncles glanced at me before exiting the room to blow off steam.

I turned around, kneeling in front of Laurent. He had a dazed look on his face, as did other people in the room. Disbelief. Awe. Wonder. Those were what I saw on his face. A smile crept onto my face as I took his hand and stood him up with me. "Jane." She didn't need an order. My sister gave me a bright smile as Irina flung herself into her mate's arms, crying and laughing. He automatically wrapped his arms tightly around her shaking frame, his eyes searching mine.

"Why?"

I felt Demetri walk behind me and smiled up at him. His eyes held pride as he kissed my head. I smiled at him like I would smile at a scared child. Softly. "Later, Laurent. It will all be explained later. For now though, please go hunt." I turned my attention to everyone else. "Any person who needs to hunt, please go as well. I ask that you do not hunt in the city."

A handful of vampires slipped out of the room quickly. Irina thanked me profusely, looking at me like I was her hero. I just smiled at her, looking up at Demetri who looked smug. I knew why he did, and that made me feel even better with my choices. Addressing the still in shock crowd was easier with him next to me, definitely on my side. "Please return to the festivities. We will wait for the other party to return before we move on with the music and other planned events."

Vampires went back to what they were doing, hesitantly, but soon it became even more natural than when I first entered. My body sagged with relief as soon as the attention was off me. Irina hugged me tightly before backing up, beaming. 'Metri escorted both of us back to the Denali and Cullen covens. He handed me over to Jasper, giving him a pointed look which my date returned. Jasper pulled me into his arms, which surprised me a bit. Was he willing to go this far to win a bet? Or was this genuine concern?

Both covens looked at me as if I was family now. Even Rosalie had some respect in her eyes when she looked at me. "Thank you so much, Isabella. We can not even begin to thank you enough," Eleazar began.

I waved a hand at him, placing the other one on Jasper's arm. "Please do not mention it. You will understand my reasons soon enough." My eyes met Demetri and I knew he could see the panic in my eyes at the thought. I was hoping they would be a long while.

Sadly enough for me, it only took one measly hour. Jasper led me to the stage that had been set up again. We had all decided that this dress was good enough for tonight's song selection, so there was no need to change. I had another spontaneous idea, that I mentioned to Felix and he nodded his head, agreeing. He told the others who nodded as well. I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath to ready myself. This was the beginning of either the end, or a possible good future.

Hopefully it was the latter.

A/N: So, this chapter pretty much wrote itself. Also, it's to try and make up for being a horrible updater. Seriously you guys, I'm so sorry! :( Thank you all for being amazing and sticking with this story. You are all amazing. :)