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As always, huge thanks go to my pre-reader/cheerleader team. Gredelina1, Verseseven, IamTheAlleyCat and Mary-Alice-Brandon-Cullen. Also to Snarkymuch for beta'ing this chapter and listening to all my bitching when the words wouldn't flow. I love you all.

~ Chapter Five — False Hope ~

Aro POV

I sent Demetri out to meet the boy. I didn't want him to act before I saw him; it would be a waste of a perfectly good opportunity for a little entertainment. The girl had been deposited in a chamber the other side of the castle. I trusted in the heavy scent of human blood left from our feeding to mask her scent.

The nomad had been concealed there, too. She asked for the chance to exact a little more revenge on the girl, and I allowed it. Alec and Santiago were standing guard over her in case the temptation to destroy the girl was too great. I would not have all my hard work ruined. I had plans for the girl and they did not involve been destroyed. Not yet at least.

I cleared the room of all the guard I could afford to lose, keeping only Renata close for my protection. I did not want the boy to catch a stray thought of his love from someone. I trusted that she, Caius, and Marcus could conceal their thoughts well enough, and if not… well I would have to kill him.

I heard their approach along the corridors and set my face into a sympathetic smile. Now was my moment.

The door swung open and Demetri strode in ahead of him. "Master, the Cullen boy seeks an audience with you," he announced

The boy was broken. His eyes were drowsy with sadness and his face was a lesson in pain. Even his clothes seemed to hang heavy on him. His was the physical reflection of the girl's mind: bereft and broken.

It brought joy to my heart.

"Edward," I said gently. His name stuck in my throat. I did not like addressing him by name. It was an honor which he did not deserve. I beckoned him forward with a regal wave and held out my hand to him. He took it without question, and I began to sift through his thoughts.

They were delightful. He believed the girl had drowned, which in itself was foolish. Why would the nomad have allowed her to drown when there were so many other more painful ways of exacting revenge? I suppose grief and panic did strange things to the mind.

He had fought with Carlisle. That memory was particularly satisfying to see. He had shouted accusations at him and blamed him for his love's demise. Idiotic boy.

I watched with barely concealable joy as I saw him sobbing in the arms of Carlisle's mate, the one he thought of as his mother.

He had concealed his plan to return here for death well. Carlisle's obsession with human life had compelled him to return to the shapeshifters that had been injured to care for them. The boy told his family that he could not bear to be around the one they called Jacob and sought solitude in the family home.

While the rest of his family had gone to care for the beasts and to cover up the girl's death—they were to make it look like a drowning accident—he had fled to the airport.

If not for the fact he already wanted death, I would have been tempted to punish him for the ill care he had taken when mingling with the humans on his flight here. He made no attempt to look human.

I saw the relief he felt as he passed into the city limits and realized he was close to his goal and that he had managed to evade his family's intervention.

"Ahhh, Edward, I see your pain, and I fear I must add to it," I said with feigned sadness.

His head rose achingly slowly to look at me. When he spoke, his voice was hoarse.

"What do you mean? You cannot refuse me again." His tone became pleading. "Please don't refuse me."

"I shall not refuse you," I lied. "But first, I must tell you what I know."

I saw Caius straighten in his seat out of the corner of my eye. He knew nothing of my plans but knew my ability to plot well enough to know there was something interesting coming.

"I have news of your Isabella," I said.

I still gripped his hand in mine in a gesture of comfort, and I saw the slight hopeful leap of his mind at my words. This really was fun. I feared I my calm mask would fall and I would lose myself to laughter.

"Your Isabella is dead," I stated. "I saw it in the mind of the nomad when she came to us to report on the shape-shifters existence."

He hissed. "Victoria!"

When a vampire lost their mate, there were usually two paths for them: revenge or depression. Victoria chose revenge, and the boy chose depression so great it would lead—or so he hoped—to his death. He had been certain in his choice, but now the thought of revenge appealed to him, too. I could free the nomad and allow the boy to seek her out, but then I would miss the entertainment of his capitulation.

"Yes, Victoria. I'm afraid I saw the proof of your mate's death at her hands. It will relieve you to know she has been dealt with, though. I saw the crimes in her mind. She created an army of newborns and failed to control them. We held council and her verdict was death. She was destroyed mere hours ago."

He snatched his hand back from me, denying me the stream of memories. It was a pity, but I comforted myself with the knowledge that I could always use Alec to incapacitate him later to read him. For now it was more enjoyable to build on his pain.

"Would you like to know the details of your Isabella's death?" I asked. "Or would it ease you to remain oblivious."

"I have to know," he croaked. "I have to know what happened."

I nodded understandingly. "As you wish." I steepled my hands under my chin and made my voice soft. "It seems the nomad wished to change your Isabella and to then destroy her so as to show her the pain her mate, James, would have felt. Unfortunately for her, and perhaps fortunately for your Isabella, she failed. The nomad took her into the water to evade you, but did not take due care with Isabella's human needs. She drowned."

The boy hid his face in his hands. His shoulders shook, and he made strange gasping noises. It took me a moment to recognize them as sobs. I had not heard a vampire make such a noise since Marcus learned of Didyme's death. I had thought it a pathetic show of weakness then, and now my belief was confirmed. It was not a vampire's place to give in to these human weaknesses. We were better than this.

"She drowned," he gasped. "She really drowned."

"Indeed. They were far out at sea when Victoria realized her mistake, and she left the body there. I don't imagine it will be recoverable." I paused and then quoted the words I had heard in the boy's mind. "The ocean does not like giving up its dead."

His knees buckled, and he dropped to the floor. His head made an unpleasant sound as it collided with the stone floor. It was the same sound the girl had made when attempting to hurt herself earlier. I masked that thought quickly even though I knew from reading his mind that his gift was not working fully at the moment. It seemed his grief had weakened it.

"You should take comfort in the method of death," Caius said conversationally. "I understand drowning to be a peaceful end."

The boy groaned into the floor. He sounded like an animal in pain. The sound was almost as satisfying as the girls screams had been. Of course I should have liked to hear him scream like that, too, but I had learned you could not have all in life.

For a long time, he didn't speak, but continued to moan his pain. Eventually he marshaled control of himself and rose to his feet.

"You know what I am here to ask," he said. "Will you grant my request this time? Will you end my existence."

I pretended to consider for a long time. I had no more intention of ending his life than I had telling him his love was alive, insane, and in the castle, but these moments were to be savored.

"We must counsel," I said slowly. "Please leave us to speak alone."

He gave me a searching look, and I suspected he was consciously using his gift again to search my mind for my decision. I concentrated on the same thoughts I'd had the last time he was here.

Such a waste of talent.

The slight hopefulness that had lightened his expression faded back to dark desperation, and he turned to leave.

"Edward," Caius called to him and he turned back to face us. "Do not think to force our hand just yet. If you flout the rules, your life may not be the only on that if forfeit to appease your crimes."

It was a clever threat. No matter how angry he was at Carlisle, and how desperate he was for release, he would not risk the lives of his family.

He nodded slowly, as if his head was weighted, and walked from the room.

Once I was sure he was out of earshot, I clapped my hands together with glee. "Well, what are we going to do next?"

"Kill him," Marcus said quietly. "He has suffered enough."

"That is true," I said, "but it would not be half as entertaining as making him live."

Marcus frowned and then returned his attention to the opposite wall, immersing himself in his usual morose memories.

"We could make him insane, too," Caius suggested hopefully. "If there is a way to blind him, we could taunt him with the girl's voice."

That idea had merit. I could think of many things she could say that would torture him, but I didn't think it was feasible. There was no way of fooling him, and if we tried, he may work out what we had done to his love. It was a shame though. I rather liked the idea of another insane vampire for my collection.

I straightened in my throne. "I think we should wait for the arrival of his family and see how things transpire from there."

"Do you really think they will come?" Caius asked.

"I am certain of it. The relationships in this family are bizarre, but strong. If we can have a little patience, they will be here soon enough

We did not have long to wait for the rescue party to arrive. After only an hour, Demetri came to inform me of the approach of Alice Cullen and her siblings.

I summoned the boy back immediately. I didn't want their little reunion to happen outside of my view. It would be a shame to miss what I was sure would be an entertaining scene.

An idea occurred to me that would add a little more pain to the scene for the boy. There was little so satisfying as damned hope.

I smiled cruelly as he shuffled into the room.

Edward POV

They had to grant my request. There was no way Aro would be cruel enough to force me to live after seeing the evidence of my pain.

I plodded from the throne room and out of the castle. I didn't go far. I waited in the cobbled street by the tunnel entrance. I wanted to be ready when they called for me. I had no patience for long human walks through the city. I was ready.

I wondered if Alice had seen my intentions yet. She could already be on her way. I did not care. She would not be able to stop me this time. There would be no last minute intervention from Bella. She was gone far beyond my reach.

I allowed my eyes to slip closed and lost myself in memories of Bella while I waited. After a time, I heard footsteps approaching, and a moment later, Demetri's smooth voice called to me.

"My masters are ready for you now, boy."

I hurried to his side and followed him through the tunnels into the castle.

The scent of blood was thick in the air as we passed the concealed door I knew led to the feeding room. The last time we had been here a group of humans had been brought for the meal just as we were leaving. Bella had lost herself to hysterics at the sight of them. Up until that moment she had been so brave, but the loss of all those lives was too much for her to bear. My poor Bella. The one comfort I could take in this horrible situation was that she was now beyond such pain. It was a small comfort, but I would take what I could.

Aro was standing waiting for my arrival. He gave me a small smile as I entered and came forward to clasp my hand again. I wondered what he was hoping to see, perhaps some wavering on my part in my decision. If he was, he was going to be disappointed. The only thing I had ever been more certain of was my love for Bella.

He scanned my memories for a moment and then dropped my hand.

"Have you made your decision?" My voice was a hoarse whisper.

"We have. First, I should like to extend an invitation for you to join us here, though. I know you feel your grief is insurmountable at the moment, but time can be a great healer."

The direct contradiction to his words was sitting in a throne behind him. Marcus had lost his mate over a millennia ago and still suffered for his loss. He was a better man than I. I could not bear another minute of this pain, let alone a millennia.

I knew I was failing Bella by making this choice, but I hoped she would forgive me my weakness. I was a coward, but that was never a surprise to her. She knew me better than anyone.

"I appreciate the invitation," I said diplomatically, "but I am certain of my choice. There is nothing left in the world for me without her."

"Not even your family?" Caius asked. Though his tone was kind, the malice in his eyes contradicted him.

"Not even them," I said firmly.

I loved them all, even Carlisle, to whom I now held more anger than I knew was possible. He had chosen his self appointed mission of savior over my love, and for that, I would never forgive him.

I turned as the door opened and Demetri slipped inside. He hurried to Aro's side and touched his hand briefly. Aro nodded to him and gestured for him to stand aside.

"Very well, Edward. If you are absolutely certain, we shall grant your request."

My relief was overwhelming. I thought I was going to need to force their hand, but they were merciful.

"I shall have to face my friend Carlisle and tell him what I have done," he lamented. "But if he saw your pain as I do, he would understand. Is there anything you should like me to tell him when he comes?"

"Tell him I that I hope he is right."

I truly did. If we did indeed have our souls, I knew without a doubt that I was going to hell, but perhaps before then I would be allowed one last moment with my Bella. I would happily suffer an eternity of the flames of hell if it meant one last glance at her beautiful face.

I could have added more, thanks for the lifetime I had with him, for the love he showed me, but I could not bring myself to say the words.

"Felix," Aro called to the hulking form. "Would you oblige."

I dropped to my knees and held my head high, ready for Felix to strike. I felt his hands grip my forehead and shoulder and closed my eyes. I fixed the image of Bella in my mind, her beautiful smile and bright eyes. She seemed to smile knowingly at me, and I allowed myself to believe she was accepting of my choice and preparing herself for my arrival.

I'm coming, Bella.

The hands tightened and my head was turned slowly to the side.

I'm coming, love.

"Stop!" a desperate voice shouted.

"Bella?" I gasped.

She had somehow found her way back to me after all. I struggled against the hands holding me. They tightened for a moment and then dropped. I leapt to my feet and spun around searching for a sight of my love. She had to be here. I had heard her voice.

Small hands cupped my face and a voice shouted, but I paid them no mind. The hands were not Bella's, therefore they were unimportant.

My eyes raked the room, but there was no sign of ivory skin and mahogany hair. She wasn't here.

The hands on my face disappeared and then there was a stinging pain on my cheek.

I looked down and saw Alice. Jasper was standing directly behind her.

"No!" I howled. My knees buckled but someone was holding me upright.

"Easy, Edward," Emmett's familiar voice said in my ear. "You're okay."

"No! No! No!" I moaned. "I wanted Bella."

"You selfish ass!" Alice shrieked. "How could you do this to us?"

Her words barely registered. None of them did. How could they do this to me? I had been so close to my goal, and they had destroyed it all.

"Wonderful, it's a family reunion," Caius said sardonically.

Emmett eased me to an upright position again and released me. I looked around the room and saw that Rosalie was here, too. She was scowling at me fiercely, as was Jasper. Something in his eyes made me hopeful again; he looked ready to kill me himself.

"I am sorry for bursting in like this," Alice said. She didn't sound remotely apologetic; she still sounded livid.

"It is understandable," Aro said. "I expected your intervention sooner."

If he expected Alice to arrive, why did he grant my request? Was he hoping for Alice to arrive so he could use the opportunity to draw her into his guard?

"I was delayed," she said simply.

Delayed by the damn wolves, no doubt. I noted that Carlisle and Esme were not here. I was sure Carlisle was still attending to the wolves. What would my death mean to him when there were people to heal? Bella's safety had not mattered, why should mine?

"Well you got here in time, that is the main thing," Aro said. "I had hoped to see you again, though I never thought it would be under these circumstances. Please accept my condolences for your loss."

She nodded graciously. "Thank you, Aro. And thank you for sparing my brother."

"I very nearly didn't," he said honestly. "You must understand the pain your brother is suffering. It would be a mercy to allow him the release of death."

I raised my head wearily to look at him. Did that mean there was still a chance I would get the release I desired?

"A mercy for him, but damnation for our family," Jasper said looking me in the eye. "We have lost one of our number today. We cannot lose another."

"Of course," Aro said. "If you can promise to keep him from forcing our hand we shall of course be glad to leave him in your care. Destruction of one of our kind is never pleasant. No matter the circumstances."

His words became white noise to me as the bitter truth sank in. I was not going to be allowed my death.

My knees buckled and I sank to the floor.

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Simaril x