It's time for our girl to show her true colours.

Chapter 12 - The Volturi

Edwards POV

I turned to Carlisle and gave him a slight nod, they hadn't said anything yet and I was afraid if no one spoke now they would just attack without any warning. Carlisle left Esme's arms and walked forward. "Aro my old friend." His arms were open, inviting.

"Carlisle, it has been a while. I see you have created your own coven since last time we spoke." He gestured to all of us.

"Yes Aro, please let me introduce you to my family. This is Alice, Jasper, Emmett, Rosalie, Esme and Edward." Aro smiled politely at each of us but his mind was anything but. He knew about our powers, he wasn't thinking who it was that showed him but he picked Alice, Jasper and I out of the mix. He was thinking of ways he could separate us. Chelsea. A vampire behind him came to the forefront of his thoughts. I concentrated on Chelsea's thoughts trying to figure out what she could do.

After a few moments she thought about using her gift on us. She could cut the ties that kept us as a family or strengthen our loyalty to the Volturi. I kept my face from showing any emotion. Aro was thinking about the chances of her gift working on us. Apparently the stronger the bonds already are to one another the harder it was to break the ties. For instance she couldn't break the ties between mates. Aro could see the love we shared for one another and he had his doubts it would work on us.

"It is a pleasure to meet you all" Aro's voice was soft and polite, it made my skin crawl.

"What brings you to our home Aro?" Carlisle asked. Aro gave a sinister smile he was getting bored with the small talk. I shifted and Carlisle noticed he knew what it meant. We were heading down a dangerous path.

"There has been rumours Carlisle."

"Oh?"

"Yes, we have heard you and your family have plans to over throw us."

Carlisle's face showed nothing but surprise. "Aro, you must know that I nor my family have any intentions of doing any such thing."

"Must I? Your coven is larger than any other I have seen. Surely that cannot be a coincidence."

"That is exactly what it is, I created Edward, Esme, Rosalie and Emmett. Jasper and Alice came to us by sheer chance and chose to stay."

Caius shook his head and tsked at Carlisle. "We are not fools Carlisle." I begged to differ.

Aro stepped forward again. "I'm truly sorry it has come to this Carlisle. I wish there was another way." He brought his hand up to cover his cold heart.

"Aro please do not do this. My family are innocent." Carlisle had taken to begging.

"I do not have any other choice, my old friend." Aro said. The guard knew it was time, they were waiting for a signal from their master.

"Wait!" I yelled across the clearing getting Aro's attention. "Please do not hurt my family, I will do anything. Just let them live."

Aro's thoughts were on me. You are the mind reader are you not? I nodded. What would you do for me, to let your family live?

"Anything Aro, whatever you wish." I hoped my face looked panic stricken to match my voice. Aro's thoughts were on me and Alice, we were the two who had the most potential.

"What about the rest of you?" He asked my family.

"We will do anything Aro" Alice spoke up.

It was the time to beg and negotiate. Bella couldn't be far away now. "I will join your guard if this what you wish, you want Alice, Jasper and I, do you not?"

Alice nodded her head "We will join you, if you let our family live."

"No!" Carlisle turned to Alice and I. "You can't leave us, you are my children!"

He was playing the perfect grieving father. "We will do whatever we have to father." I told him seriously.

Aro took his time with his thoughts. Good, our plan was working so far. Come on Bella. My family were pretty much chanting in their minds. We knew that as soon as Aro decided we could join the guard, he would touch us to see our thoughts and it would mean war. Aro looked to his brothers for their opinions by touching both of their hands. Caius still wanted us dead and Marcus told him to spare our lives. Aro was just pretending to get the opinions of his brothers, in reality he was ecstatic with our offer to pledge ourselves to him.

"Ok, we have made our decision. Edward, Alice and Jasper can join us and we will spare the lives of your coven Carlisle."

Carlisle looked horror stricken much to Aro and Caius's delight. "No! You will not take my children away from me Aro!" Carlisle's voice was louder than I had ever heard it.

"Carlisle please" I looked at my father. "You must let us do this. Let us protect our family. We love you Mom, Dad. Let us go." My face was sombre as I looked at my parents. Aro was giddy at our exchange.

I started walking forward with Alice and Jasper in tow. We walked at a human's pace toward our fate 50 feet away. I stopped when we were in front of Aro. "Edward, Alice, Jasper welcome to the Volturi. I promise you will not regret your decision here today." He held out his hand in a friendly gesture but it was anything but. My body was stiff as I stared at his hand. Doubt creeping into my body. Bella wasn't here yet and it was the moment of truth. We were going to die. I took a few steps forward my hand slowly reached out towards Aro.

Edward! Edward I'm almost there! Relief bust through me. Bella, she was almost here. A couldn't stop the grin from showing itself on my face and I took a step back, my hand returning to my side.

Aro's eyes narrowed he knew something was up. "Aro" I tsked. "You should not have come here today." I smirked at him, not keeping my delight from my face or voice.

"Oh really?" he asked.

"Yes, really. You have unknowingly sealed your fate, by falsely accusing my family."

He laughed manically and his sinister smile reappeared. "You think you can kill me child?"

He tone was mocking. But my smile still held "No, I don't think I could kill you…. But she can." I gestured to the goddess who was standing behind the Volturi. Her face looked calm but you could see the rage in her eyes. Her pale skin glowed under the white dress she wore her dark hair flew around her, perfectly contrasting with her skin. She looked like an avenging angel, my avenging angel.

Isabella POV

Edwards hand pointed towards where I was standing. I watched as Aro turned towards me. He gasped with recognition. I smirked at him. The brothers and guard members turned also. The only ones who knew who I was were the brothers. The guard just glared at me. I walked forward through the middle of the Volturi, passing Aro and on towards the man who I had fallen in love with. His eyes shined with love and his smile took my break away. My eyes glided over all the Cullen's who smiled at my approach. When I reached Edward I took his hand in mine and turned to face Aro and the Volturi with my family.

Aro's face held fear and shock. I heard Emmett snicker from behind me and I turned to wink at him. Edward and I were only about 3 feet from Aro, Alice and Jasper a few feet behind us and the rest of our family were 50 feet away. Aro's eyes shot between Edwards face, our joined hands and my face. He realised his mistake in falsely accusing the Cullen's immediately, Caius was furious with my presence his expression was murderous and Marcus looked somewhat grateful, he even gave me a small pleading smile although his eyes were glazed over.

"Aro" I greeted my voice emotionless. "It has been a long time, fortunately. I see you have created quite the coven after my absence. Did you really think that I wouldn't catch onto your scheme sooner or later?" I tsked shaking my head.

His frightened face turned to one of surprise. "You... You killed Maria and her army" He stuttered.

I smirked at him. "Of course I did, Aro. You should know better. I should thank you really, if you hadn't been stupid enough to let Maria bring attention to herself, I wouldn't have gone after her and come across Edward here." Edwards hand gripped mine tight and he hissed at the same second I felt a sharp pain hit behind my eyes I turned to see a small vampire with blonde hair she looked to be about 14 years of age, Jane. Her focus was on me, I could tell she seen the fear in her masters eyes. Jane was Aro's most prized possession and she wanted to make him proud.

Her eyes burned into my own with such intensity, but I didn't falter in my stare back. She growled when she realised I wasn't on the floor rolling in pain like she had intended. I couldn't hold back a smirk and to be honest, I really didn't want too. She lunged at me, before anyone could react my hand was around her neck holding her in place her feet dangling above the ground. I hadn't even moved, my other hand was still in Edwards. The guards eyes widened as they watched Jane struggle in my grasp. Her fingers clawing at my skin, but left no mark. Her eyes were wide, they switched from anger to fear and I could feel her tremble when she realised she couldn't get out of my hold.

Her brother Alec stepped forward but Aro raised his arm in warning. Alec came to a halt, his eyes darting between Jane, Aro and I. "Who do you think you are? Let go of my sister!" He hissed.

Edward grinned at Alec's livid form catching my attention. Edward turned back to me. His eyes were alight with love. His free hand rose to the side of my face, and he brushed my cheek with the back of his hand. "She's Isabella" he answered Alec's question, pride in his voice sent tingles down my spine. Gasps of horror were heard but I didn't even turn in their direction my eyes locked on Edward. I didn't know what I did to deserve this man beside me.

He leaned down and kissed me ignoring everyone around us as his hand trailed into my hair at the base of my neck holding me there. When he pulled back it was too soon in my opinion but we did have an audience. I grinned at him before turning my gaze back on Aro. "The Cullen's are innocent Aro." I stated. I made it evident in my voice that there was no room for disagreement.

He nodded, his eyes still wide. "As you wish Isabella, we will leave." He gave Jane a sad glance before he bowed, turning around back to his guard stepping towards them. "Aro" I called, his step faltered. He took a moment before he turned back to me. He knew exactly what was coming it was written all over his face. "The Cullen's are innocent. But you, are not." I flexed my hand that was around Jane's neck. Her neck instantly crushed with the force. Her small body fell to the ground and her head followed a moment later.

I had made the first move, and now, it was war.

A cliff hanger if there ever was one.

Aren't you guys happy little Jane is headless?

I am.

-Skye (FeminineHeroes)