A/N: Real quick, I want to thank Lisa, my Beta reader for ALL my writing. She was sent from the Gods and was sweet enough to actually write some of the wonderful paragraphs you see in this chapter.

23. Paradox

I wouldn't have done it if it weren't for the fact that you wouldn't have listened to me. Alice stared at me sideways. You have to forgive me; it would have killed Bella if you didn't survive. It was my mistake in the first place. You had to know she was alive, and Bella wanted to come here … She still loves you.

Though many voices echoed in my head, Alice's was the most frantic, possibly desperate. She felt guilty, and though she was trying to explain away her guilt, it was still there.

The alley grew narrower as we continued down the lane. Bella shook in my grip, and I was sure my skin didn't help the matter. Again, I was being selfish because I wouldn't let go. I'd felt the torture of her absence for months now, and refuse to return to the desolate land of Bellaless Edward.

Alice prattled on, but my eyes didn't see anything, and my mind didn't listen to anything except for the frantic heartbeat of the frail girl in my arms. The same, beautiful girl I thought was dead. But she wasn't. It couldn't be a dream because I didn't sleep, though the possibility of hell was still not out of the question. I didn't care, because she was here, with me. Sweet torture.

Bella's eyes darted toward my face, the panic obvious in the lines of her porcelain-skinned face. Again, I noticed how thin she had become. Her cheek bones stood out more than they should. I made a mental note to make sure that she ate more food, if she would allow my presence in her life at all. It didn't matter if she did or not; I wasn't going anywhere. It was obvious she was my life; I needed her in order to retain any form of my humanity. The depravity of even speculating on becoming her vampire stalker again doesn't seem to faze me like it once had.

Bella's lips—oh, those lips, how I missed you so—parted like she was going to ask me something and I shook my head in hopes that she would stay quiet, at least for the time being. Boy, did I miss those soft, sweet, breathy words though. Imaging my life without them … I knew now wasn't the most appropriate time to think these thoughts but I just couldn't stop. It was best if we kept everything we could from the Volturi. I wondered if Jasper knew that Bella was here with Alice. He was probably freaking out about the repercussions of Bella's knowledge, and her fate, and our fate, being in the hands of the Volturi. I'd make sure that the Volturi knew that my family had nothing to do with Bella, even though Aro had read my thoughts. I'd make them believe … somehow.

"Well, Alice," I said, interrupting her flow of thoughts that I hadn't been paying any attention to. I had too many thoughts myself. "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised to see you here." That was an understatement. I knew she would see my plan; that was why I had tried to hurry the process along.

"It was my mistake," she reminded me. Her guilt was heavy on her mind, though her voice was soft and conversational. We had become very good at pretenses. "It was my job to set it right." I had to; I love you too much for you to kill yourself. I just hope we make it out of here alive.

I wasn't interested in her remorse because I wasn't upset. With all the emotions running through my body, being angry with Alice was low on the totem pole. I was elated. The damsel in distress rescued her hero—that was what I wanted to know about. How did it get to this point? "What happened?" I wondered.

That's what I'd like to know, Demetri thought from behind me. Nosey vampire.

"It's a long story," Alice said aloud, and then her mind began its frantic tale. I saw her jump off a cliff in one of my visions. Below was water, and I knew she was at some beach in Washington. The image was perfect in her mind, not even a hint of fog—clear as air. She was okay, at first, but then the waves crashed over her and she got sucked under. I waited and waited for her to resurface, but she didn't. High-def had nothing on Alice's memories of her vision. My arm tightened automatically around Bella's waist. Then suddenly she disappeared from my vision completely—I thought she had died; that was the only explanation I could come up with for her disappearing like that. Poof, like the light turning off, the darkness all consuming … and then she was gone from view. My heart clenched uncomfortably, and I relished it because I could feel my heart again. No empty hole, no horrible ache.

Alice continued, pulling me from my musings. I knew I would be too late, I knew it. But for some reason, I couldn't let it go. I had to go back, I just had to. I wanted to help Charlie. You know I always had a soft spot for that human. You always said Forks was off limits until Bella was gone. Well, she was, or so I thought. I never thought I could be surprised, or taken aback like I was, but suddenly Bella was there, inside the house. He eyes darted to Bella. She was alive. Alice's face twitched for a second before her eyes shot up to meet mine. And my vision was wrong … "In summary, she did jump offa cliff, but she wasn't trying to kill herself. Bella's all about the extreme sports these days."

I was sure my eyes had turned to slits as I took in all the information and turned toward Bella who had turned a lovely shade of pink. The water, mixed with the blood that swirled under her skin, infused together to form the most delicious scent. One would think that I enjoyed my break from that particular form of torture, but even though by throat was engulfed in flames, it was still the most amazing, life giving scent of all time—the scent that meant she was alive and here with me. I basked in it.

Alice continued, adding more to the story. I know you thought it was the right thing to do—to leave her—but it wasn't, you idiot. I told you it wouldn't work. Edward, she's been hanging out with werewolves for Pete's sake; the same ones that you and the others used to talk about, the ones from La Push. You didn't catch Victoria, did you? She managed to ask that mental question with a snarky tone—she already knew the answer.

My head barely moved back and forth. There was a bad feeling creeping its way up my veins at the mention of Victoria.

The werewolves killed Laurent, Alice informed me. I was sure for a moment my face went slack, but I composed myself as quickly as possible. But Victoria has been stalking the boarders of Forks—looking for Bella. I felt sick.

"Hm," was the only thing I could manage to say without exploding right then. Was there a worse word for monster? Because I am pretty sure that was me. Not only did I hurt Bella emotionally, but I left her in the hands of werewolves, and Victoria. I was a fool and an idiot, but worse than that, I was a tyrant for trying to make choices for Bella. I should have trusted her choice and stayed with her, at least then I could have protected her when danger came her way, which it did so often … whether I was in her life or not.

Each second I felt like a bigger ass.

We'd come to a grate in the ground, one that we would have to jump down into to access the castle. Jane hadn't slowed as she took a step gracefully into the sewer hole.

I'll go first, Alice told me. Help Bella down. She didn't stop her lithe strides as she took one last final step in the alley way and then vanished beneath the ground, into the same hole Jane had entered.

Your human is slowing me down, Edward. Pick up the pace or I'll have myself a snack. That was Jane. I had to swallow the growl that threatened to erupt from my chest.

Drop her down here, I'll catch her. Alice thought from below.

"It's all right, Bella," I whispered to her. "Alice will catch you."

Bella looked down at the black hole and then turn to give me an incredulous look. It was pure torture—of course she didn't trust me to keep her safe, because I had been doing the exact opposite for months now. I implored with my gaze, begging her to trust me.

If you don't hurry it up, I'll toss her down there myself, Felix snapped. He had a gory mental picture of a mangled Bella collapsed on the ground as he sprang to bite her neck before the blood ran cold.

Bella lowered and sat with her legs dangling below. There was the faint smell of old and dried blood that came rushing out of the hole. It had nothing on the fragrance that was emitting from the sweet human in the midst of the very, "non-vegetarian" vampires.

Yum, Yum, Demetri thought as air rushed out of the hole and wafted through Bella's brown locks.

"Alice?" Bella's voice was low and it shook.

"I'm right here, Bella," Alice called back, reassuring.

I took her wrists—trying to be as gentle as possible—and lowered her into the blackness.

"Ready?" I asked Alice.

"Drop her," Alice called.

I reluctantly let go of Bella, putting all my trust in Alice, I knew she'd keep her safe; she loved her almost as much as I did.

I heard the air whip round her body for a split second then heard the sound of impact as Alice caught Bella in her arms. Her thoughts told me that she was gauging the speed of Bella's fall so that her arms could absorb some of the impact. I did the best I could Edward, but I'm sure she'll have some bruises to show for this. Great, I couldn't stop hurting this beautiful, selfless creature that had traveled half way around the world to save a horrid monster. I didn't deserve her, but I also would never let her go again. Always so selfish—that was me.

I dropped down just as Alice was setting Bella on her feet.

I put my arm gently, yet firmly, around her again and pulled her close to my body. I guided her forward at a pace that was a bit of a struggle for her, but I wouldn't risk frustrating Jane and her cronies—they were thirsty and I wouldn't allow our actions to invite an early "snack time." Bella wrapped both of her soft, warm arms around me as she tripped and stumbled across the uneven stone surface. I almost laughed at how much I had missed her little quirks. As the heavy grate slid back over the drain hole, the light from the street was extinguished. It didn't change my vision, but I knew it would be even harder for Bella to walk over the uneven stones on the ground.

Felix, his impatience growing to a nearly intolerable level, let out a sigh. If you don't hurry, we can always have her as an appetizer. Pick up the pace. His mind continued, but I blocked it out. Some snippets I still heard, like how he was wondering how severely he would be punished if he gave in to his desire for a snack. Heidi was coming soon with their meal, but Felix didn't want to wait. Over my burning pile of ashes.

I pulled Bella closer to me, ready to protect her if Felix gave into his desires. I lifted my hand to hold Bella's beautiful face, tracing my thumb across her warm, supple lips. Although her scent had my throat burning like a fire in Hades, I lowered my head until my nose was surrounded by strands of her hair and inhaled her amazing floral scent. I'd once compared Bella's scent to a wine connoisseur breathing in the bouquet, but honestly, she smelled more wonderful than that, there was no comparison that could adequately describe how divine, how delectable—snap out of it. I had to reel myself back in to the present. I pulled her even closer to me, reminding myself that she was alive and that I'd been given a second chance at a life with her. I kissed her forehead, reveling in the fact that she was with me—alive and well … for the time being. Even Alice couldn't tell me what the future held, though she was playing every possible scenario though her head—God bless her. Until a decision was made, she couldn't tell me anything.

As we continued down the path that took us deeper underground, I tried to keep Bella calm by gently caressing her face, reminding her, silently, that I was there and would do all that I could to protect her. I took this opportunity to listen to the thoughts of Jane, Felix, and Demetri. Jane, always the well behaved pupil, had been well trained in controlling her thoughts already. She was filling her mind with thoughts of her impending meal being delivered shortly. No doubt, her intention was to make me believe that Bella would be included in that meal. "Never" is what I wanted to scream at her. I knew that Alice would back me up; we'd fight them to the death to save Bella.

I was suddenly pulled out of my eavesdropping by Bella's body convulsing. Was it from fear or from the cold? I got my answer as I heard her teeth chattering, breaking up the silence that had consumed the tunnel we were in. I immediately released her in hopes that my ice-cold body away from her would help her body temperature rise. Selfish as I was, though, I would not release her hand. I'd been without her for months now, and I refused to relinquish our contact. Bella surprised me, though.

"N-n-no," she chattered, throwing her arms around me. Did she want to die of frostbite? Of course, I could deny her nothing, so I wrapped my arm back around her, rubbing my hand up and down her arm, hoping to create some heat from the friction.

As we continued on through the tunnel, Felix's impatience grew. Imagines in his mind began to show me all the dirty things he wanted to do to Bella—every single one of them ended with her dead. If she walked faster, Edward, I'd almost call her meals on wheels. I shoot him the dirtiest look yet. His words sending me back to a time when James had called her a "snack" in the clearing.

As we finally reached the end of the tunnel, I slid through the grate, pulling Bella quickly behind me; hearing in Felix's thoughts that he was going to snap the door shut behind Bella—hoping to give her a scare. We stepped into a much brighter stone room as the grille slammed shut with a clang, followed by the snap of a lock, just as he promised. Bella flinched and I scowled. As we made our way into the next room, Bella relaxed immediately. She must have found comfort in the familiarity of this room, which appeared to be a harmless office, but I knew it for what it was—a waiting room for sentencing. I tensed, knowing that we were getting close to our own sentencing. But I only cared about one person's survival—Bella's. I knew it would rip our family to shreds to lose Alice or myself, but I couldn't allow myself to consider that, I was completely focused on ensuring that Bella got out alive, and human. If Alice and I escaped, that would be an added bonus. The thought was bleak, as I knew that she knew too much, and it was my fault that the Volturi know now. Idiot!

Suddenly, I tensed as Alice was assaulted me with a vision that nearly sent me to my knees. Aro—biting Bella's neck. Not to feast from her delectable fluids, but to make her immortal. He wanted her for his private collection. What he saw in my thoughts intrigued him, I knew that. My teeth clamped together. I would not allow it. I would find a way to change that possibility. Bella would not be subjected to the life of a monster, a barbarian with no self control. Alice was searching too, running through every possible decision to attempt to find a resolution that would end with all of us returning to forks, to our family.

There was a problem though; at every angle I scanned the room and new thoughts, new plans formed, which made Alice's vision flicker. She had a look on her face like she wasn't sure what to say or do. My ideas were interrupting and blinding her only form of self-protection—of the future—but if I thought of something, and the future changed to Bella escaping, Alice wanted to find it. It was a catch-22, a stupid freakin' paradox.

Demetri continued to narrow his eyes at me. He could see every tiny flinch of my muscle as I tensed for the first plan that Alice could see working. It felt hopeless.

I could feel Bella's body temperature rise as we walked through the bright, warm hallway. Impossibly, the situation made me feel colder. I stared down the hallway where Jane waited, hoping she'd be given the command to use her gift on Bella. I sent her the fiercest, most primitive evil glare I could muster up.

I pulled Bella along as Alice walked along the other side of her, offering as much protection as she could after seeing what Jane had planned for Bella. It was bad, really, really bad.

Jane waited by the elevator, one hand holding the doors open for us. Her expression was apathetic, though her thoughts were vivid—Bella, on the floor, writhing in pain. I had no idea if Bella would be immune to Jane's gift as she was immune to mine, but my mind was racing, trying to find a way to protect her if Jane tried to attack her.

Once inside the elevator, Jane, Felix, and Demetri relaxed, allowing their hoods to fall back. Bella was curled into me, probably stunned by fear, as she stood, staring at the three vampires. I hoped that she didn't notice that their eyes were turning black, indicating their thirst. There was no reason for her to be even more terrified than she already was. I kept my eyes on Jane, listening to every thought that passed through her mind, ready to attack, no matter how much it hurt me, if she tried to hurt Bella. Your little friend won't fare well if I get my way, Jane mentally snickered. I scowled. Oh, Edward. Don't worry; I'll let you watch, of course.

As we stepped out of the elevator into the posh reception area, Bella gaped slightly, taking in all of the very normal décor. Alice and I started our mind-reader-vision-dance again. Every time, we are dead, Bella was dead; whether immortal or not. My conscious scolded myself for not listening to Bella's words so many months ago, as we sat in her father's house watching Romeo and Juliet. She told me—didn't ask, she demanded that I would not hurt myself … no matter what.

I knew immediately when Bella spotted Gianna, because she stopped breathing and stood almost as still as a vampire. I suspected that Bella felt a bit safer, knowing that she was not the only human in the large castle. Or maybe that was hope she was grasping on to. I wanted to say, "We all are, sweetheart. That is all we have left—hope." Instead, I kept quiet. No reason to scare her anymore.

Gianna smiled politely in welcome. "Good afternoon, Jane," she greeted. There was no surprise in her face as she glanced at us, though her mind gave away her bewilderment. Edward is back … with a human? I don't know what his business is here, but I've never seen anyone arrive with a human clutched to their side. Does she have a death wish? She looks half dead already. Or is she here to be changed? Uh, if they change her and keep me human, I'm going to … well, I guess there isn't much I can do. Maybe I'll start wandering the streets at night to find a vampire willing to change me—no, I have vampire scent on me … Aro's scent … no vampire in their right mind would cross Aro.

Jane nodded. "Gianna." She continued toward a set of double doors in the back of the room, and we followed. So desperate, that one … to be my meal.

As Felix passed the desk, he winked at Gianna, and she giggled. The longer Aro allows Gianna to remain human, the more delectable she becomes. Perhaps, if I do my job well today, Aro will reward me with two snacks. Don't worry Edward, I'll take Bella first, I want to have a clear palate when I taste her divine juices. Alice mentally screamed at me, seeing instantly what I had planned to do. Edward no! If you attack, we'll all die. What would be the point of this reunion if we all died because of your stupidity? I hated when she was right. My mind wandered back to escape plans which were bleak now.

On the other side of the wooden doors, Alec waited for us. He smiled brightly as he stepped forward, arms outstretched, and embraced his twin sister. "Jane."

"Alec," she responded. They kissed each other's cheeks on both sides.

Then he looked at us. My, my. Who might this be? Her scent is so tasty; floral, strawberries and hot, pulsing blood. Oh, so hard to resist when their hearts pound so quickly.

My arm tightened again and I glared at him with a thousand daggars.

"They send you out for one and you come back with two… and a half," Alec noted, looking at me. "Nice work."

She'll be more than a half once I add in my fun and games. Jane laughed, the sound perfect and flawless and evil.

Alice's vision shifted suddenly and I saw some of the future—the horrible future. Alice was being held down, her neck at an odd angle, like they were about to break it, and I was on the ground, recovering from Jane's "gift." Worst of all, though, was the screwed-up-I'm-about-to-die-look that Bella was currently wearing and my heart literally felt like it had been ripped in a new way. Alice actually had to place a hand on my back to stop my impending collision with Jane, as her vision changed abruptly. There was no "look" on Bella's face in this future—just a lifeless, shell of the girl I loved. My muscles relaxed immediately under Alice's touch and her vision shifted yet again, back to random pictures. If I weren't a vampire, I'd say it would cause one vertigo.

Hum, who might this human be? "Welcome back, Edward," Alec greeted. "You seem in a better mood." Perhaps you have decided to join us, and you prove it, you wish to feed upon this girl? Do share …

"Marginally," I said dryly. It took everything in me not to show the anger that was boiling and spilling over inside me.

Jane placed a small hand on Alec's forearm and whispered, "Bella."

Alec chuckled, and his eyes shot toward Bella to study her more closely. I didn't like his eyes raping her like they were, picking up on every last detail of her smell, her look, her hot blood. "And this is the cause of all the trouble?" he scoffed. Unbelievable.

My lips twitched up into a menacing smile.

Oh no, Alec. Felix had a smirk playing on his lips. I stiffened at the images in his mind. "Dibs," he called out.

Alice was screaming at me, shouting through her mind, sending me visions and images. I almost didn't stop, I almost pounced on top of that little bastard as soon as he spoke. I pivoted and a growl rumbled through my chest and then he licked his lips in Bella's direction. I tensed, ready so shift Bella into Alice's arms.

Oh, you do want to play after all? Come on, then. He coaxed me with his finger, telling me to come after him, mocking me in his head.

My body reacted.

Author's Note: Sorry for the delay, but good news, my book is currently at the publishers and a cover is being designed as we … read? … anyways, thank you for waiting and here is another update. I promise one soon. I will finish this story! You can follow me on facebook (see profile)

Speaking of stories…I am co-authoring a MA story with five other FanFiction authors. Please read and review! You can check it out under my favorite authors "DevilishPleasures"

Wicked Angel: Twisted. Dark. Deep. A Hitward Tale.

I am Edward Cullen and I have a deadly secret: I am a hit man. My new target: Isabella Newton. With the help of my friends, we plan the crime of the century. What the hell am I going to do when Bella becomes more than my target and becomes my life....

PLEASE REVIEW!

Disclaimer:All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of Stephenie Meyer. Lolafalana is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of New Moon. No copyright infringement is intended.