I don't own the characters.

Chapter 12: After this I should think nothing of falling down stairs

EPOV

The flight was uneventful and went by surprisingly fast. Lost in the words Bella left behind, I realized too soon I had done little to prepare my strategy.

I had absolutely no plan, no idea how I should proceed.

The sad reality was I didn't think it mattered anyway. Strategy or no I didn't have much hope that this would end well. I didn't even know what I expected to happen. Honestly, I didn't think it was likely she was still alive, but if she were, I wanted the chance to try, to tell her how I felt, no matter the consequences. And if my suspicions were accurate, if she was already dead. Well, then, I was in the right place.

I would either leave with her, or I wouldn't leave at all.

The landing was smooth, and being in first class allowed me to avoid the pushing and shoving of the economy passengers as they tried to beat the rush to baggage claim. I only had my laptop bag so I avoided that scene as well.

I hit the rental car counter and asked for the fastest car they had.

So many ways to speed my impending doom.

The best I could do without having pre-arranged was a Mercedes convertible. They charged me an insane amount, but I didn't even try to argue. She wasn't the best or the fastest, but she was sleek and sexy, and she would be a fine last ride if it came to that. When I slid into the seat, I inhaled her history and let her memories mingle with mine. It was appropriate that she was a Mercedes I suppose, given Rosalie's attraction to the manufacturer—sleek and sexy, just like Rose wanted people to see her. I could map my entire life by the cars I'd owned. I knew my relationships with women had paralleled my car fetish. I liked being needed. Anyone would think that's what I was doing now. Playing the white knight to the damsel in distress. They would be looking at a skewed story though because I was the one in distress. I was the one who needed saving, and only she could do it.

I'd flown overnight which meant I had to hole myself up in a nearby hotel while I waited for the sun to set. Arriving at night would make my arrival both easier to hide and infinitely more difficult at the same time. If I had ease of movement through the town, so did they.

My phone buzzed more than once, and I ignored it. There was nothing anyone could say. My mind was made up. I'd said my goodbyes. It didn't serve any good to let the emotions continue to simmer.

More time. More fucking time. I was so unbelievably sick of time. Of waiting. Of wanting.

I felt like a race horse at the starting gate. The instant the sun set, I was off. The streets were narrow and winding, inhibiting my ability to pass cars going half my speed.

I wasn't nervous about the first phase. Getting in to Volterra was easy. Getting out was the part I assumed would be impossible.

The wall around the city made it difficult to see before you were almost in it, but I'd seen the soft glow from far enough away to know something was there long before I heard any of the sounds a city shutting down for the night.

I drove through the open gates and slowed to accommodate the tight cobblestone roads. I felt as if I could touch buildings on either side right from the car.

I didn't drive far; I didn't need to. I had a hunch it wouldn't much matter where I parked.

I turned off the engine, and stepped out of the car. I shut the door, but my hand stayed in contact with the Mercedes, dragging along the metal as I walked forward. I hesitated when I got to the end of the car. There was no going back now. I flattened my palm on her to feel the heat from the cooling engine. I listened to subtle wheezes and whistles from under the hood. I exhaled for no reason. I had always loved the way cars talked to me.

It was time though.

I picked up my pace, listening for voices. The night was still, and there were only scatterings of people. A couple kissing in an alley. A man avoiding his wife by imbibing too much. A few Canadian tourists who appeared lost.

They had no fear, and there was no cause for it. Of all cities where you could be caught unawares at night, Volterra was a good choice. At the very least, they were safe from vampires hunting them in this city. Should they choose to leave the city walls, however . . . well that was a different story.

Before long the narrow street opened up into a plaza. A contradiction of shapes met me, highlighted by the fact that they were the only illuminated elements in the area. In the middle of the square plaza sat a very large round fountain, with pink tinted water spraying out in arcs. It reminded me of diluted blood, but I doubt it had the effect on humans. It was juxtaposed by a tall rectangular clock tower. The whole thing was aesthetically stunning. This was Italy. This was strolling. This was lovers. It was also incredibly ironic. The beauty you could see was far eclipsed by the ugly hiding within.

I walked clockwise around the fountain, watching for movement out of the corner of my eye. Listening.

It didn't take long. They were quiet, but I still heard them. I made no movement to indicate I was aware of their presence until they flanked me.

"it's a lovely night for stroll," I stated casually.

"Welcome to Volterra," a male voice answered. "We would like to offer you our hospitality."

"Or something like that," the other added menacingly.

"Felix," the first man warned in a low voice.

Their thoughts were only of the task in front of them. Vampires in the Volturi guard almost always equaled a threat, but it was never their decision to make.

"Yes, I believe you may be able to assist me. I seek an audience with Aro, Marcus, and Caius." Having Carlisle's inside information would help me some, but it would only take me so far.

They blindfolded me, not knowing I could see where we were going through their minds' eyes.

Weaving through streets and down alleys, they did all they could to confuse my sense of direction. They gave each other signals as to which of the entry points into the underground city they wished to use.

In the end, Felix removed what appeared to be a sewer great, and jumped down. I hadn't learned his partner's name until he called out, "Send him down, Demetri."

And before I was ready, he pushed me.

A long tunnel, a more inviting corridor, a welcome area staffed by a human, and a large stone door all passed by me on the way to what I would describe as an antechamber. This was where my blindfold was removed.

"Greetings," a man who was nearly translucent with long black hair approached me—his eyes locked on mine. "I don't believe we've ever had your pleasure. You have such interesting eyes. I've only seen that color one other time." He paused. "Forgive me. Introductions first. I'm Aro, and these are my brothers Marcus and Caius. " He motioned back toward the met sitting behind them. He returned his gaze forward and asked, "And you are?"

"Edward," I replied without hesitation. But then I waited a beat. "Cullen."

Aro raised his eyebrow. "Cullen. As in Carlisle Cullen?"

I nodded. I took the opportunity to assess the room. Six vampires hovered about us. Felix and Demetri, of course. Two child like vampires leaned against a second exit. And sitting in ornate chairs were two more. I recognized them from Carlisle's painting immediately. Marcus and Caius. Everyone's thoughts were cautious. I couldn't figure out why Aro hadn't asked to touch me yet. I knew that would give him all the information he needed, but I could hear him playing out various strategies.

"interesting. I have missed my old friend Carlisle very much. Is he in Italy as well?" He processed the idea that I used Carlisle's last name. His curiosity growing by the second.

I shook my head.

"That is most unfortunate. We would love to have seen him again. Wouldn't we?" He turned to the chairs where Marcus gave a slight nod and Caius looked away in disinterest.

"So you are one of Carlisle's coven then? We have heard of its growth over the years. Up to what, seven now?"

"Yes, we have seven in our family."

His eyes went side at my word choice and one of the little ones by the door huffed.

"And you all share Carlisle's unusual philosophy then?"

"We do."

"Fascinating. Amazing really that you are able to maintain such a large coven."

"Is it? Your guard is quite large is it not?"

He chuckled. "Yes, but things are different here." I knew that already as well. Maybe it was the fact that they herded rather than hunted; maybe it was the balance of power, maybe it was that these were some of the most highly evolved vampires you would find in terms of special skills, but aggression was rarely a problem here. As Aro contemplated the difference, I was struck that if he were human, he would resemble a serial killer—his desire to collect, to keep his trophies close bore a strong resemblance to the men I'd hunted so many years ago.

"I suppose they are. But certainly, our coven is doing well."

"And it's true you still pass as humans?"

"It is."

Mentally, the others were intrigued to learn of the veracity of the rumors they'd heard. The Volturi kept tabs on various covens over the years, fearing attempts to revolt. So they all had heard of us. Caius indicated particular concern over our alignment with the Denali coven. He apparently had been warning Aro for years that we should not be allowed to live in close proximity to each other. The potential for a 12 member coven was dangerous.

"Well then, to what do we owe your visit to Volterra?"

"I believe you have something I want."

"Really? That is intriguing young Cullen, as it is usually the other way around."

"A woman has gone missing. A human woman."

One corner of Aro's mouth turned up in surprise. "Many human women go missing daily, and while I admit we are responsible for a number of those disappearances, I'm not sure I'm seeing a connection now."

"This human woman was writing a blog . .. about vampires."

"Ah," his face lit up in recognition. "The bloodsucking one?"

I said nothing, but tilted my head in resigned acknowledgment. Her face flashed through the minds of Felix and Demetri. Felix, in particular began to imagine biting into her. I nearly reached out to pull an arm off of each of them. It took everything I had not to growl.

"We all got quite a kick out of that one. She's gone missing you say? Hmm, that's most unfortunate. But why do you think we had interest in her?"

This was the tricky part. I had promised to keep my family out of this. So I couldn't indicate that Alice warned us of their arrival.

Demetri's thoughts shifted. I saw him stalking her apartment. My ability to remain calm and controlled was fading fast. My hope diminished quickly.

"Are you going to deny that Demetri visited her apartment?"

I heard another squeak from near the entrance.

"Jane, please control yourself," Aro warned, and the tiny girl's eyes narrowed. Caius's interest piqued, and he leaned forward in his chair. Marcus remained stoic, unassuming. "Fair enough, no I won't deny it."

"Then where is she?" I growled through gritted teeth.

"I'm afraid, young Cullen, that I do not know, but I am quite curious now as to why it is so important to you."

I stumbled my way through an explanation. Trying to keep the emphasis off how important she was to me.

"Do you mean to say you are the 'first vampire' of whom she spoke often?" Caius interjected.

"I am."

"You are the cause of all this?" Caius huffed. "Aro, he should be immediately destroyed for such an infraction."

"What infraction was that?"

"The most egregious one."

"I assume then that you know of my ability?" Aro asked.

I nodded in agreement. "I do."

"May I?" he asked reaching his hand out as if to shake it.

"Of course," I knew resisting was futile. "However, I should warn you in advance that I too possess an ability, not all that dissimilar from you own. It may complicate things for you."

"Go on."

"I can hear the thoughts of others, not to the extent you can. I only hear the passing thoughts of others, though I do not need to touch them to hear. Everyone in the room tensed up and their thoughts immediately focused on what they might have revealed to me already.

"What a convenient skill," Aro stated with longing.

"I suppose; not as impressive as your own, certainly."

"Oh but to be able to hear from a distance. . . ."

"Yes, well, I'm not sure how this works, but I am wondering if you would be bombarded with more thoughts than you are used to in this case. Could it overwhelm you in some way?"

"I believe I'll take my chances." I didn't really believe he could resist.

His hand was cold, even to me. Despite his years, nothing about his touch indicated his strength. His touch felt like the hand of the death. I had wondered if this would feel as if something were being sucked from my brain, but I was oddly without affect. The same was not true for Aro. He'd closed his eyes the moment his fingers met my hand. Suddenly his eyes were wide open, and his body shook, almost as if he were seizing. I had no way of knowing if this were a typical reaction for him until I both heard and saw the reactions from others.

He seemed unable to pull away. I reacted quickly when I realized the others were closing in ready to do damage if they had to in order to pull me away.

I merely had to back away, out of his reach, and he collapsed to the ground.

"What did you do?" Caius demanded, and I barely had time to react before I was hit with the most intense pain I had ever felt. I doubled over and even that wasn't enough. I writhed on the ground. I wanted to escape my own body. I don't know if I screamed or begged. It was not like the burning of the change though the intensity was similar. The burn had radiated out where this seemed to be penetrating me. Digging through nonexistent organs. Slashing my skin.

I vaguely heard a weak voice call out. "Enough, Jane."

There were muffled protests and the sounds of shuffling feet, but it wasn't long before the pain ended. I lay on the ground still in a fetal position. Aro sat next to me on the floor, looking about like I felt.

I couldn't move yet. But I knew I was surrounded. I only caught the glimpse of the tiny girl in the corner as she smirked at me.

"I apologize, young Cullen," Aro started. "But the others seemed to think you had done something to me purposefully. They were merely concerned for my safety."

I said nothing.

"That was . . . intense . . . for lack of a better word."

The room was quiet. I didn't want any more thoughts. I tried to tune them out, but I could hear Aro loud and clear as he contemplated all he had learned. I knew I'd failed in my endeavor to keep my family out of this, but I had to have hope that it would somehow be okay.

"I never thought I'd meet someone with as much control as Carlisle, but that was impressive," he stood up slowly, with his onlookers at the ready. "You see, this human he seeks is his singer."

Eyes shot to me.

"Yes, and there is more. He was friendly with her and rather intimate as well."

Marcus cleared his through, "Intimate? With his singer? And she lived?"

"So it would seem," grumbled Cauis. "Perhaps it would have been better for all of us had she not. I don't see how it matters whether he was the original informant or not. He is responsible for too much trouble and should be dealt with accordingly."

"Hmm, well I'm not sure I agree, brother. Edward is rather interesting, and he has given me some food for thought about ways we might also enhance the guard." A Vision of Alice swept through is mind, and I cringed. "Tut tut, there is time for that," he said dismissively.

"Edward, you believed she was here, did you not?"

"Yes," I responded.

"Then you do not know who her contact is?"

"No. I only know what you all have read."

"We have also been following the blog for a while. And probably should have stepped in sooner, however, we were hoping that we could let it go a bit longer in order to draw out some more information on her contacts. Someone like you for example. And here you are."

"We sent Demetri for her recently, but she was gone by the time he got there. He tried to track her, but for the first time, he came up cold. We were all completely shocked, but now that I've read your mind, I realize it makes more sense," He looked to the others and continued, "Bella was inaccessible to Edward as well. It's a shame she's likely dead. I wonder what her gifts would have been."

I shook my head lightly. Death, vampire, guard. Too many things I had no desire to consider.

"What if she's not dead?"

"You don't assume her contact has finally finished with her?" Caius posed.

"Who do you think the contact is?" I asked.

"I feel we can be candid with you, given the circumstances. We have a theory that there may be quiet workings to undermine the important work of our guard. We aren't entirely sure who the instigator is, or where the base is contained. Could be one of our known enemies like the Romanians, or perhaps, we have no done enough to squelch the group in Mexico, led by a Maria? You know more about her than I apparently. Whoever it is has been exceptionally thorough in covering his or her tracks.

"So you think this person was working against you? Feeding information to Bella?"

"We do. It was particularly clear when she wrote about the changing process, don't you think? They wanted to start an uprising."

Fuck. I was wrong. How had I missed it? Maybe it was Alice's vision that had thrown me off. I threw it all away. I knew I had little hope, but I was going to make an effort.

"I think I should leave now."

"Where do you intend to go?" Aro asked.

"Home."

"Home? Not to look for the girl?" Marcus questioned.

"She's probably dead, as you said."

"Probably but perhaps not," Aro said calculating.

"She cannot be allowed to live." Cauis demanded.

"Certainly not. But if by some chance she were found, there may be other options for her. Frankly Caius, with the threat that we are facing, we may be able to use Edward here quite well. It may be our luck that he came to us first. Why don't we send him to seek her, and if he finds her, he should bring her to us?"

"Just like that?" Jane whined. "He gets to go?"

"No of course not, dear one. We'll send Demetri and Felix. He could use a tracker and some muscle with him."

Felix's thoughts turned to Russian, a language I spoke but only at a basic level. It seemed he was listing his favorite foods. Demetri on the other hand was thinking of soccer matches. My eyes narrowed in uncertainty. They were trying to hide something.

"You will take our jet. I'm afraid none of us would do well on a long flight with such crowded conditions. We grow accustomed to some, like our Darling Gianna, but some temptations are just too difficult to handle. Which reminds me, you should probably feed before you go. I believe Heidi brought back a rather nice selection earlier. Please help yourselves. And Edward, you're more than welcome . . .

"Thank you but I'm fine," I interrupted.

"As you wish."

An hour later, we were leaving the city for a private hanger on the outskirts of town.

It wasn't until the plane had taken off that Felix and Demetri started to relax their thoughts. The images that came overwhelmed me.

"You both know I can hear your thoughts right?"

Felix looked at Demetri, and a slow grin spread across his face.

Demetri turned to me. "We were kind of counting on it."

E/N: Oh no! a cliffie! I would apologize, but it just felt right to me.

Thanks to hmonster4 (happily back on the continent) for beta work and staceygirl/jackbauer and daisy3853 for a pre-read.

I appreciate all of you who have been sticking with the story waiting for present time. We're here. Bella's blogs will still go in reverse chronology. I love every review I get. You are one thoughtful bunch of readers!

So, he went to Volterra. Where is Bella? And what is going on with Felix and Demetri? How does this chapter impact what you think is coming?