BPOV

I looked into Demetri's eyes, seeing solidity in everything he said. Was I truly so blind I missed all of that? I was really so naive when I was with the Cullens I didn't connect those clearly laid out dots? Hearing it now, point by point, I struck dumb for a moment with no retort, nothing to say. When you have your every oversight handed to you on a platter like I just was, it left you with a cold feeling in your gut. He really did give me everything I needed to avoid this, but I just refused to listen to him.

I could hear the sounds of approaching feet, but I couldn't look away from his eyes, so clear, so decided. He was ready to kill an entire coven, maybe more. I wasn't sure if it was for me or because of me, but in the end, I doubted it mattered. Alec said they were here for me, Demetri confirmed it, and I knew that shit wasn't going to fly. He killed for me as a human, saved my life without a second thought against his own men.

It was then my eyes dropped to his arm where I knew there was a bite he received because of me, because of my oversight, my mistake. Thing was, he didn't even care. He was more upset with Luna because of the shirt comment than he was with me about an injury he would always have.

But... he lied to me. He manipulated my memories for his own personal gain. Then again, he told me he did it. He didn't keep it from me when he very obviously could have, possibly forever. Also, I have to wonder if manipulation is really lying. He didn't change any facts, just how I perceived them. Is that really that fucked up when, apparently, I was a right bitch when it came to anything to do with either coven changing sides and my point of view of them? Other than a few questionable actions when it came to his leaving, Demetri had been nothing but the perfect gentleman towards me. All my needs, even if I didn't know I had them, were met without question or thought on his part. He never really forced anything on me. I can't hold my change against him because I knew that was coming the moment I found out about the Cullens and the laws of their world.

God damn it.

I leaned more into his palm that was still against my cheek with a sigh, and he smiled at me, a real smile, one I didn't see that often.

His voice was softer than it ever was when he spoke. "They're here, and your time is up. Make you choice, Isabella."

I licked my lips. "Do I really have one?"

He nodded. "You always do. Sometimes they are more limited than others, but there is always a choice."

I shook my head. "I can't go back to the way I used to see them."

"Given enough time, you certainly could."

I shook my head again. "No, I mean I can't go back to that, and not because of the screwing with my memories. As a human everything I did was wrong. I had the wrong friends. I had the wrong attitude. I had the wrong clothes, the wrong life in general. What I wanted hardly ever mattered, to any of them. I didn't, I don't, care for the lavish style they strive for. I don't like over the top, I never have, and that's forced on me through guilt. I don't want to feel guilty anymore."

He just chuckled. "My Love, you realize you currently live in a palace, right? No manor they own will ever compare to this place. Have you any idea how much that choker around your neck cost? How much money I've invested in your wardrobe in the last week you cannot seem to keep from destroying? Lavish, Gataki, is a way a life, and that's the way of life here."

I nodded to him. "But, if I said I didn't want something, would you force it on me by making me feel guilty of the fact you even thought about me at all?"

I watched his lip curl. "What the fuck would be the point of that? If you expressly didn't want something, wouldn't my time be better served figuring out something you do?"

I lowered my eyes and voice when the doors below us opened and banged off the walls. "I don't know." Looking over the side of the railing of the catwalk, I nodded to the floor. "You'll need to ask them."

He also looked to where I was, his lips thinning and eyes flattening. "Well, looks like no one gets their Crest today." For the first time ever, he looked at me, a smirk on his face, and spoke before vanishing. "If I am your choice, stay here. I'll be back."

I grabbed his arm before he dropped to the ground. "Demetri... let me help. There are so many."

He didn't look impressed, even as more than just the Cullens came into the massive room. He just leaned in and touched the tips of our noses. "I've faced worse. Remember this one tiny detail, Gataki. Never, at any point, is a guard on their own within these walls, even if it looks like it."

With that, he was gone and I was transported back to the first time I ever saw him charge into a fight as his floor length jacket floated down to my feet.

DPOV

Landing in the center of the room, I crossed my arms, a smirk on my face as I took in the bodies across from me. Nine vampires, five smelly dogs; thirteen in total. They had balls, I would have to give them that.

Turning my eyes to Carlisle, I chuckled. "Still keeping the same company, are you? Master Aro will certainly be interested in hearing your alliance wasn't simply a one time ordeal to deal with a swarm of pests as we were original inclined to believe."

Always the diplomat, he stepped forward, his hands raised palms out, his voice as level as he could make it. "We are not here to fight, Demetri."

I cocked a brow at him. "Aren't you? If not, why the reinforcements? Why not come alone? Why the attempt at a break in? Why not simply call before your arrival? No, I know why you're here. It is for a fight, and it's with me."

He was pretty adamant when he shook his head. "No, we are simply here to retrieve..."

I cut him off. "My mate, I'm aware." Uncrossing my arms, I pointed to the rafters where Isabella waited on the catwalk. "She's right there. Take her if you think you can. I warn you, however, you will need to get through me first." Shifting my eyes, I grinned. "Hello Captain. It's been a very long time since I've seen you."

I watched as Peter rolled his shoulders. "Not long 'nuff in my opinion."

I cocked my head to the side. "Is that so? Then I must ask what you're doing here, with your own mate no less. What is it, I wonder, they have on you to gain your presence in a room where there is to soon be no survivors. Still a good little soldier following orders so long after retirement?"

He grunted. "You ain't one to be talkin' 'bout order followin' there, Fella."

I grinned and leaned forward. "I'm not retired, Fella. What I am, is pissed off. What you are, is fucked. There are some orders, Captain, that are best not followed. Helping to steal one's mate would be one of them."

He glanced at the empath who stood next to him. "The way I hear it, you took the Little Lady, and we just here ta get her back ta her Daddy."

I couldn't help it. I barked out a laugh. "I didn't exactly have high expectations of your collective intelligence, but you mean to tell me you want to take a week old newborn, and present to her her own father? I must say, points to you for coming up with something even I wouldn't do. That's fucked up." The Captain damn near looked like he swallowed his tongue, but I didn't pay much attention to the tongue lashing he then unleashed on the empath. Instead, I turned my attention to the mind reader. "So, Cullen, this is your poorly planned, half assed, ill-fated rescue, is it? Seven vampires marked for death on sight, two more lured in under false pretence, and five flea infested shifters, all of whom were outsmarted and overcome by less than half the number on our side inside the one place where you stand no chance. Bravo. At least when the roles were reversed she got you out of the palace."

His glare was about as impressive as a kitten. "Just give her back, Demetri, and we'll leave. There is no need for any of this or anyone else to get hurt."

I clasped my hands behind my back, a dark grin pulling at my lips. "I know this isn't something you're used to hearing, but I'm sure you know it's meaning... No." Looking up to the ceiling, I sighed. "My Love," looking over my shoulder, "I thought I told you to stay on the catwalk."

Though her mask was back in place, her eyes priceless in their shock. "How did you... I didn't make any noise."

I chuckled and tapped her mask over her nose. "It might not be as strong as yours, but it does work pretty well." I then looked back at Edward. "Well, Cullen. She's right here. You want her? Come get her."