AN: I'd like to thank the people who added the story- and me- to their Favorites & Alert list, and Gaby19 for reviewing the previous chapter.

I present Chapter 18, enjoy.

0~O~0

Vile Beauty

Chapter 18: Intertwined

Edward's Point of View

0~O~0

I moved quickly and went outside, not needing to fear exposure as it was dark out. I looked at the cobblestone streets and listened to a few cars still about on faraway roads and to family's putting their children to bed.

I lost track of time quickly and eventually someone began to walk alongside me, glancing at their thoughts, I realized that it was Alice.

"What is it Alice?"

"Aro has requested that the family join him in the throne room." She answered distractedly as she tried looking into the future.

"Alice, you know it's futile."

"I know, it's just that I keep hoping that whoever is interfering with my visions will slip and allow me a glance at the future."

"Carlisle has already told us that the guards are extremely disciplined when it comes to using their powers."

"I remember," she whispered as we made our way slowly back to the castle, the air heavy with a sense of foreboding.

When Alice and I made it into the throne room, I immediately noticed that the rest of the family was already present. The brothers were sitting silently in their thrones, staring at us in contemplating silence. I was just beginning to feel a slight uneasy at the complete silence when I heard her walk down the staircase and saw her move towards her chair out of the corner of my eye.

I resisted the urge to focus my attention on her progress, painfully aware that both Aro and Caius were watching me closely.

"Is it not amazing that the two who once knew everything about each other, and would have once been perfect together, now cannot be in the same room for any period of time before unrest appears?" Aro looked straight at me as he spoke before turning towards her at the end. I resisted the urge to frown, what exactly was he getting at?

"What are you talking about?"

"I am speaking of you, my dear Bella and the young Edward Masen."

"He's been dead for nearly a century Aro, it's perhaps a little late for what you're suggesting. An appropriate idiom would be 'that ship has sailed', don't you think?" She replied, turning her torso to face him as she spoke.

"You two were close as children, I cannot think of any reason why your relationship never amounted to anything more than friendship." I froze. It couldn't be.

"Well the first reason was that's the way he preferred it- judging by his behavior in my presence. Secondly, I was engaged to the man from Rochester, New York."

"Ah, yes, the dashing but disloyal Richard King with the wondering eye?" Aro said quietly, as if just recalling that fact. I didn't believe it for a second because Rosalie stiffened at the reminder of her human life.

"Not just his eyes," she sneered with contempt. Aro laughed softly at her words. "The other ass in my human life."

The other ass? Her choice of words was definitely not lost on me.

The brief lull in conversation lasted only for a second.

"I never spoke to you about him, I only ever mentioned Richard. How exactly did you come by this particular information?"

"My dear, he is now known by a different name, but he is alive nonetheless. I merely pieced together the information from his faint memories."

"What?"

"In this existence you've only known him as Edward Cullen." She turned slowly to look at me, scrutinizing my face. Her eyes began to dawn with realization and she burst into unbelieving laughter.

"Oh, how could I not have seen it? He hasn't changed one bloody bit." She said as she calmed down and faced Aro again. "Now that you've had your fun, why don't we move along to the real reason we're assembled here."

"I can assure you my dear, I have no idea as to what you are referring to."

"Aro, I know you well, you would not have gone to such lengths for your mere entertainment."

"You would be correct."

"Well then?" she replied, prompting him to continue.

"I have a proposition for some of our guests." As he opened his mouth and began to speak, Bella gripped the arms of her chair and sat stiffly for several seconds. She had the same 'seeing-beyond' look that Alice usually had when she was having a vision.

"Aro don't," she whispered slowly before looking at him, "you will seal your fate and that of everything you've worked for."

All the more reason to find more ways to safeguard it. Like little Alice. I was surprised, why was I now hearing his thoughts?

Outwardly he continued as if he had not heard her warning.

"Alice, would you like to join the Volturi Guard? I believe there is a special place in it for someone with your abilities."

Alice gave him a brilliant smile. "I would be honored."

I froze.

Don't challenge him. An unfamiliar mental voice spoke to me softly, but firmly. Don't allow your family to challenge him either, it will end badly for all of you.

I began to frown.

Keep your face impassive! The same voice hissed. It will peak his curiosity and any hope of saving Alice and Jasper will be lost.

"How wonderful, what about you Jasper?"

"I will do so gladly." He replied with a bow, I focused on his thoughts and those of Alice. There was something off about them, they didn't think once about our family. Or what their departure would do to it.

"Excellent, glad that it is settled then. Shall we go see to your new accommodations?" With that he stood and began to make his way out of the room with Alice and Jasper in tow. "Oh," he stopped before the door and turned back. "Bella, please escort our guests back to their rooms and anywhere else they may wish to go." Preferably out of Volterra and Italy altogether.

"Of course." She replied with a dip of her head. With that, he left the room in a flourish of his black robes.

Follow me, she said meting my eyes as she walked by me and began to head in the direction of our rooms.

Ushering my family before me, I followed. I had no other choice.

Published: July 7, 2013

AN: So there you have it, Edward and Bella are finally aware of their mutual past- although I'm sure that by this point you all saw that coming, but then again I wasn't exactly making it difficult.

Anyway, feel free to share your thoughts.

Until next time,

Med.