Bella POV
Once I hid Natalia's resting body (I couldn't even think of saying she was dead) in the safest corner of the room, I kissed her cheek for the last time. As I slowly rose to my feet I felt as though I was a hundred year old tree; rooted to the spot, bound by my lifeline never to leave this place. It would have taken the strength of a thousand vampires to move me, to tear my eyes away from her. My Nattie. My innocent. I knew I needed to leave. I knew that both the new Alec and the old Alec were in a lot of danger, but every time I attempted to move even the slightest bit, a pain so unimaginably unbearable squeezed at my heart.
"I'm so sorry baby girl." I whispered into the air; sadness overwhelming me, crushing me.
In my mourning I failed to hear the door open and the vampire that walked into the room. I only noticed I wasn't alone when I heard the voice of the only person who could sooth the pain I was feeling.
"What happened?" his voice sounded more curious than concerned. I turned around to see the very love of my life staring intensively at Nattie. He clutched his heart and furrowed his eyebrows. It took me a moment, but I finally registered the fact that this wasn't the Alec that knew, loved and cared for Natalia. This was old Alec; the stranger. I hesitated. I was scared. My fear was heightened. Without even intending, a growl sounded from deep within the protective animalistic part of me. My motherly instinct reared its head. He turned and faced me and that's when I saw it. Just as I was ready to attack him I noticed the hurt etched into his face. It gave me pause.
"I'm sorry." He whispered, echoing the very words I had said just moments ago. I couldn't help myself. I took the few steps it took to bridge the gap between us and flung my arms around him. He didn't hesitate to wrap his arms around me. I sobbed into his chest as I begged him to forgive me for not being able to keep her safe and for sucking so bad at being a vampire. I was hysterical and held on to him for dear life. His embrace did not waver. I wept tearless cries that were interrupted by the only words that could silence me at the moment.
"You version of me is gone. Ulrich teleported him away from this place and, most undoubtedly, this time." I froze. My body became stiff in his arms. I gently eased my way out of them until I was standing a foot away.
"No." was the only thing I could think of to say. No, this couldn't be! How would I ever get back to him? I'd have to talk to Ulrich and beg him to take me to him.
"Take me to Ulri-" Alec raised his hand to stop me.
"Ulrich has also fled this realm." I felt my heart break and then fall with a deafening thud to the floor.
"That's not possible! Why would he take Alec and leave me and Natalia here to defend for ourselves?! That doesn't make any sense!" I screamed at him and if I had any blood left in my body I am sure that my face would be red with furry.
"I do not have the answers you seek." His words both deflated and defeated me. We stood there in silence for a long moment both of us breathing unnecessary breaths, never once looking away from each other. When he finally spoke again I thought I was going to die.
"I was going to kill him."
"You WHAT?!"
"Do not worry. I did not harm him. Ulrich took him away before any of us could attack him."
"You!... I can't believe!...You asshole!" the last word was accompanied by a smack. I turned on my heels before I lost all remaining control and killed the son of a bitch. I stormed out of the room yelling Aro's name at the top of my lungs. The sounds of my screams filled the castle halls as my voice echoed loudly against the stone.
"Come out you bastard! I know you can hear me! You want a fight? I'll give you a fight!"
Behind me Alec was pleading with me to stop, letting me know that there was no way he could protect me if I picked a fight with the leader of the Volturi. I didn't care. It was his fault why Alec was gone and why I was stuck here. Now that I think about it, it was probably why Nattie was dead too. She did say that someone was trying to kill him. It was the jerk that was following close behind me. I stopped abruptly, turned around and attempted to punch him in the face. He was quicker. He ducked and as he got back up he picked me up and literally threw me over his shoulder and proceeded to run at top speed through the castle. It wasn't long before he came to an unnatural stop.
"My, my, my Alec. Where are you going in such a hurry? And who do we have here?" Aro's taunting voice sent chills down my spine. I was kind of glad that I was facing away from him cause it really freaked me out.
"My Lord, I found one of the wanderers. I was preparing to take her out to the square and burn her on a pyre." Alec sounded so convincing I almost believed him. It made me nervous.
"Set her down."
"My Lord?"
"Do not make me repeat myself boy! I said Set. Her. Down." The anger and authority in his voice made me wince at every word. It was a testament to Alec's composure that he didn't flinch once. He did hesitate though. I noticed Marcus (who was standing directly next to Aro) kept looking at me, then to Alec and then to me again. I prayed that he wouldn't say anything. He was absolutely noticing some sort of alliance between us. Everything within me screamed to run for the hills, but I couldn't. I was frozen in place.
"Come here my dear." The way Aro spoke was sickeningly sweet and it made me want to throw up. I knew I couldn't fight this. I knew that if I wanted him dead (again) he would have to be able to trust me. I would have to get his confidence somehow. He loved being pushed... just not too hard.
"Come to you? Do you have any idea how suicidal that sounds? How about YOU come HERE that way I can at least keep some of my sanity."
"How dare y-" began Caius but he was silenced mid-sentence by Aro's piercing glare.
"Cheeky little one. I like her!" he addressed the crowd which also included Jane and Felix. He turned and faced me, smiled creepily and then started walking toward me. I noticed, out of the corner of my eye, Alec fidget (at least in the only noticeable way a vampire can) by shifting his weight from one foot to another. I really hoped he didn't do anything stupid.
Before Aro could ask, I held out my hand to him. He arched an eyebrow and I shrugged my shoulder.
"What? You want to read me right?" He let out a booming laugh.
"Careful beautiful one, your tone is boarder line insubordinate."
"Would you rather me kiss your ass like the rest of your posse? Nah I don't think so. I would have thought you'd appreciate me being brash over being fake. But if you'd prefer I could act like a little puppy like your pet Jane over there."
She snarled and lunged at me, but was swiftly held back by Felix. I saw her narrow her eyes at me and knew that she was trying to hurt me with her powers. I was noticeably smug when they failed to work. I pointedly looked at her and smiled my brightest smile.
"What's the matter Jane? Never encountered someone stronger than your little magic tricks?"
As soon as the words left my mouth Aro registered what was happening and snatched my hand. I cried out in pain as he gripped harder and harder trying to read what he would never be able to.
"What are you, child?" He breathed in fascination.
"The most powerful weapon NOT in your arsenal."
"Indeed child, indeed. Would you care to share your name with us?"
"Could you let go of my hand? You're not going to get any information from touching me and quite frankly I'd rather not have crushed fingers." As if awakened from some sort of intense dream he blinked a few times before finally letting go. I flexed my fingers and cradled my right hand safely within my left.
"Thanks." I said in a not so nice way. "It's Bella, by the way. My name is Bella."
"Beeeeella" He said my name so exaggeratingly long in his weird old fashioned Italian accent that It grated my nerves.
"Yeah… Bell-ah." I emphasized the shortness. "So, this meeting has been rather unpleasant and I would really like to go home so if you don't mind I'll just be leav…ing" as I spoke I actually attempted to weave my way through the throng of Volturi and out the door, but was unsurprisingly stopped by Caius who grabbed me by the throat and lifted me off the ground.
"And who, pray tell, do you think you are? We did not dismiss you."
"Let her GO!" Yelled Alec as I futilely attempted to pry Caius' fingers off of me.
"Drop her." Commanded Aro. I fell – hard. Alec's arms were around me not a second later bringing me to my feet. I instinctively buried my face in his chest and he wrapped me in his arms. I can only imagine the look on all the vampire's faces when they saw just how fiercely Alec was trying to protect me from them. He took three steps backward taking me with him. He pulled me out of his embrace only slightly and cupped my face and whispered, "Never leave my side again." It wasn't necessarily a command. Rather he was pleading with me. I nodded. He folded me into him again, but this time I was facing the crowd.
The looks on their faces were a mix between repulsion, shock and anger. Aro was quite visibly amused.
"Alec!" he said with a mocking smile on his face "since when do you court your mate by tossing her into a pyre in the town square?"
I wanted to smack that damn smile on his face. Alec tensed up before replying.
"I was merely trying to protect her."
"You lied to me!"
"My Lord, she is my mate. I would lie to the world if it meant keeping her safe. Surely you have done the same with yours. I haven't seen Sulpicia come down from her tower in years."
The look on Aro's face changed quickly from amusement to downright evil hatred.
"You dare speak her name!"
"My Lord, I was only attempting to show you reason."
"Bella, my young lad Alec appears to have lost his sense in his besottment. Is this boy truly your mate?"
I should have yes without hesitation, but the truth was that even though this Alec was Alec he wasn't MY Alec and wouldn't be for a hundred years. Instead I chose to answer with a version of the truth. I cleared my throat and said, "Alec is my mate. If you don't' believe me perhaps you should ask Marcus."
Marcus straightened his back even more so than before, but could not answer over Aro's roar.
"You do not decide what I do!" I held on to Alec tighter.
"Well I love him and I'm only trying to get you to understand that!" I yelled right back.
"Bella perhaps it would be wise to stop speaking." I looked up at him indignantly.
"You should take heed little one."
"I'll give you he-"
"Bella! Stop! Now." The anger in Alec's voice was so foreign and frightening that I immediately shut my trap. He must have realized how unnerved he made me because he gently started rubbing my shoulder.
"Now, let us stop the quarreling and discuss this matter further at a later time. Alec be sure that you and your mate do not wander outside of the castle. I am not entirely sure either of your intentions are good and I would hate to have to hunt you down and end both of your lives. I'm sure Jane and Felix would jump at the opportunity if one was provided to them."
The chill came back up my spine and I found it very hard to swallow the lump in my throat.
"Yes, My Lord." He responded and bowed his head almost imperceivably. He waited until the group of Vampires turned and walked away to then turned and face me. He cupped my face again and began apologizing. I could barely register his words. My head was spinning.
"I just want to go home." I said absentmindedly.
"I will do everything I can to right this wrong, but Bella I am not convinced that your stay here is only temporary. You may need to embrace the possibility that this place, this time, is your new home."
My heart broke for what felt like the thousandth time that day. All I could bring myself to do was hug Alec and let his affection wash over me and try to find some peace in the middle of my new hell.