Chapter 13- Disclosure
Alice's uncertainty about our destination was gone before I saw Jane waiting for us at the end of the corridor beside the elevators. As my tension increased exponentially, I felt Bella relax beside me. I looked around the bland, well-lit room and I could understand the reason for the change in her demeanor. This bright and warm hallway had to seem much less threatening to her than the cold dark passageway we'd left behind. She didn't know we were going somewhere far more ominous.
Jane was holding the elevator door open for us. She wore a bored expression under her dark cloak, but her thoughts were eager and excited.
I don't care if Felix wants her as an appetizer as long as I get to play with her first. Edward can watch. She mused silently.
I suppressed another growl and Alice hung back and moved to stand on the other side of Bella. I read her desperate thoughts clearly as we stepped into the elevator, followed closely by Felix and Demetri.
Stay calm Edward! I don't want them to hurt her either. They are trying to provoke you and if you give in they'll have every reason in the world to justify their actions. Aro wants to see us alive but they know if you give them a reason to act he won't punish them for killing us. It's not over yet; I still can't see what Aro will decide to do with us if you keep a cool head. Alice thought frantically.
I nodded imperceptibly to show Alice I understood while I watched Jane without blinking. I still held Bella tightly against me with one arm while my other arm continued to rub absently up and down hers. In spite of the warmth inside the elevator, she was still quite cold. I noticed she was taking in the appearance of the three Volturi vampires as they removed their cloaks and revealed the uninteresting clothes they wore beneath them. She trembled slightly and shifted deeper into my embrace.
I was sure she still loved me, that she loved me more than I'd ever realized when I left her. I'd had an epiphany about her feelings when I thought she was dead. The fact that she'd come to try to rescue me even after everything I'd put her through reinforced my belief. However, this experience with the Volturi had exposed her to the true nature of my kind. Because of this new knowledge I couldn't help but wonder if it was simply her terror that caused her to cling to me now. Had her encounter with these monsters finally convinced her of how much better off she'd be without me? Would she see how much more she deserved than what I could give her? The selfish part of me felt sick at the thought of losing her that way again. But, I was getting ahead of myself. None of these things were relevant now. We had to get out of here alive before any of that would matter.
In spite of my musings, I was still watching Jane intently. She was sizing Alice up and she was hoping that Aro would be unimpressed by her. Jane was jealous to the core when it came to Aro. He and her twin brother Alec were the only two things in the world that meant anything to her. She loved Aro like a father. Jane thought of Alice as a rival for the ancient vampire's affections and it was eating at her. She was hoping that Aro would sentence us to die.
Seconds later, the elevator doors opened with a soft creaking sound and we stepped out into the same reception area where I had waited for the Volturi's decision about my death less than 24 hours ago. This green carpeted room full of flowers and comfortable pale leather furniture was just as benign in appearance as the hallway we'd been in before, but something about it seemed to shock Bella. I glanced down at her and realized she'd caught sight of Gianna, the human receptionist who wanted so desperately to be a vampire.
Gianna's face was perfectly polite and serene as she glanced at us, but her thoughts were a snarled tangle of emotions. She was intrigued by my reappearance but her thoughts quickly turned to furious jealousy as she registered Bella's humanness.
They'd better not be bringing her here to turn her! I've been waiting for the chance to be changed for over a year! I heard Felix say they were looking for new converts. She's pretty, but I am beautiful! I've been loyal! I deserve this! Who is she, anyway?
"Good afternoon, Jane," she said sweetly, pulling herself out of her silent tirade to do her job.
"Gianna," Jane nodded in reply. Jane knew that Aro was still undecided about killing Gianna, and this time she didn't care one way or the other about his choice. Aro was thinking that Gianna might make a good mate for Felix; he enjoyed playing matchmaker from time to time; it entertained him. This was the only reason Aro was considering keeping her around. Gianna had shown no signs of real talent so far. Felix winked at Gianna as we passed and she giggled flirtatiously.
We passed through a pair of large wooden doors, where Alec was waiting patiently for his twin sister. He walked forward to meet us, his eyes only for her. He was relieved that she had returned with us intact. He'd been afraid that Aro would be angry with Jane if they'd failed to get me back here unharmed.
"Jane," he said, his voice dripping with relief and smugness.
"Alec," she replied in the same tone as they embraced and kissed each other's cheeks. Bella was watching them closely as they turned their attention back to us.
"They send you out for one, and you come back with two...and a half," Alec said as he looked Bella over with baffled amusement. Jane was even more amused, and she let out a tinkling chuckle in response.
Why didn't they just dispose of the girl before they got here? Alec thought.
"Welcome back, Edward," he said to me in a pleasantly polite tone. "You seem to be in a better mood." I don't know why he would be. The human is still alive and revealing our secrets. It's an unforgivable offense. He's going to die and he's not even suicidal anymore. He added mentally.
"Marginally," I replied flatly. I wanted him to know that I was fully aware of the irony in my situation. Bella was alive and I wanted nothing more than to save her from this mess. I was about to get what I'd asked Aro for when it was the very last thing I wanted now, and Bella and Alice would suffer for my stupid mistakes too.
Alec chuckled in response, knowing that I had heard his unspoken words. "And this is the cause of all the trouble?" His tone was insultingly doubtful, though I expected nothing less.
I smiled stiffly in response, but I froze a second later when I heard Felix's loud, disgusting thoughts from behind me.
I'm glad we finally made it; I'm so thirsty! The girl is all mine! Yum. I'd better stake my claim before the others say anything. I know Jane's been bored lately and I wouldn't want her to decide to keep the girl all to herself after she has her fun. ..
"Dibs," Felix said coolly.
I was stressed past endurance and this time I couldn't stifle the growl that was resonating from deep inside my core. I would rip him apart if he touched her. Felix smiled gloatingly at me. He raised his hand and crooked his fingers expectantly in my direction. Come on boy! I beg you.
DON'T EDWARD! Alice shouted in my head as she touched my arm in an effort to calm me.
"Patience." she said aloud in a soothing tone.
However, her thoughts were much less controlled and serene than her words.
Calm down before you get us killed for certain. Felix wants Bella and he knows Aro will hear you out before making a decision about what to do with us. You should know he's hoping to get you to lose your temper before we get to see Aro! She added mentally.
She was right; he wanted me to lose my temper and I couldn't afford to. I sighed deeply, tuning out Felix's disappointed thoughts as I turned to look at Alec.
"Aro will be pleased to see you again," Alec said courteously as if he hadn't just witnessed me snarling at the strongest member of the guard. He didn't want this to turn into a fight.
He really would forfeit his life for a human! Madness! It must be all that animal blood that eventually causes incurable insanity. I wish Felix would stop antagonizing him. Aro will be upset if this goes badly. He thought.
"Let's not keep him waiting," Jane said evenly.
I nodded once in response as the feeling of foreboding inside me intensified further. I could see the gilded door that led to Aro's living quarters at the end of the hall, but we stopped in the middle of the corridor as I knew we would.
Alec and Jane's hands were intertwined as they revealed the secret passageway that led to the horrible room of death. I felt Bella tense beside me as we entered another cold, dark, damp stone hallway. But, we only walked a few steps before we were ushered to our final destination.
The large, circular room was one of the oldest portions of the castle; an ancient turret that was part of the original structure built over 1500 years ago. Long, narrow windows along the ancient walls provided an abundance of light during the daytime. I would have considered it to be a beautiful piece of architecture if I hadn't known what this room was for. How many millions of people had lost their lives in this place? I didn't want to know. I glanced at the throne-like wooden chairs spaced around the drain in the floor that allowed for easy after dinner cleanup. I suppressed a shudder.
The most elite members of the guard surrounded Aro as he stood in the center of the room. Renata, Chelsea, Santiago and Corin were all wearing similar pale human clothes, but I knew Aro never dispensed of his traditional black cloak. All eyes turned to stare at us as soon as we followed Jane and Alec into the room.
"Jane, dear one, you have returned," Aro said in his soft resonant voice. He moved swiftly forward and approached Jane, cupping her face in his hands before kissing her in a fatherly way on the lips.
I glanced over at Bella and I saw her taking in Aro's strange appearance. Her heart was still racing, but curiosity seemed to be out weighing her fear at the moment. I knew that wouldn't last long.
"Yes, Master," Jane replied, her thoughts exultant as she smiled sweetly at Aro; she reveled in the attention he was giving her. "I brought him back alive just as you wished." He will always love me best. She thought smugly.
"Ah Jane," Aro sighed happily. "You are such a comfort to me." I am sure Felix tried to thwart her efforts through subterfuge but Jane never fails me. Such a lovely find! Hopefully getting Edward here alive will yield results. He thought.
I flinched, hating myself all over again as I thought of the way I had played right into the old vampire's hands. I'd led Alice here, and he wanted her. He turned his gaze toward us and his evil smile lit up the sunny room.
"And Alice and Bella, too!" He gasped in pleasant wonder as he clapped his papery white hands together. "This is a happy surprise!"
Alice must have brought the girl so she could use her to stop Edward, but how is she alive in the first place? Edward was so sure she was dead. Did his other sister, Rosalie, lie to him about Alice's vision? Her contempt for the girl was clear in Edward's mind. How amusing. He added mentally.
Bella's face was filled with shocked disbelief at the way Aro addressed us. His demeanor was so cordial and casual that this seemed more like a pleasant social call rather than the trial it really was. I could tell she was very afraid of him in spite of his benign attitude, but the shock still seemed to be prevailing over her worries.
"Felix, be a dear and tell my brothers about our company. I'm sure they wouldn't want to miss this." Aro continued.
"Yes, Master," Felix replied. He glanced fleetingly a Bella with a longing expression, but the gesture was too fast and subtle for her to notice. I bit back another growl with difficulty.
"You see Edward," Aro said, turning his attention back to me. "What did I tell you? Aren't you glad I didn't give you what you wanted yesterday?" Thank goodness I didn't give in to his haste. How splendid that we got him back here with Alice just as I'd hoped. Perhaps we can use the girl to persuade them to stay. I daresay they wouldn't want Felix or Jane to…He thought introspectively.
"Yes I am," I replied through clenched teeth, interrupting Aro's musings and tightening my grip on Bella protectively.
"I love a happy ending," Aro said with a happy sigh. His pleasure had nothing to do with Bella and everything to do with Alice and I; especially Alice. "They are so rare! But I want the whole story. How did this happen, Alice?" He turned to gaze at Alice with ill-disguised curiosity and longing. "Your brother seems to think you infallible, but apparently there was some mistake."
Perhaps her answer will give me some more insight into the exact nature of her abilities. He thought.
Jane smiled widely from behind him, still hopeful that Aro would dismiss Alice's talent.
"Oh, I'm far from infallible," Alice answered evenly. Her voice was calm and pleasant, but Aro didn't miss the way her hands curled into tight fists, and neither did Bella. She tensed in response to Alice's body language.
Why did you tell him about my visions? What the hell has gotten into you? Alice thought irritably.
"You are too modest," Aro replied in a slightly admonitory tone. "I've seen some of your more amazing exploits and I must admit I've never seen anything like your talent. "
Alice's anger increased and she glanced at me without bothering to hide the gesture. She was furious and hurt now. Damn it Edward! What does he mean he's seen some of my exploits? Were you just so freaking eager to let them kill you that you didn't worry about the consequences of what you were telling them about me?
I did not react. I was a little hurt that Alice would think I'd be so disloyal to her, but I knew she was too angry to think clearly at the moment. She would understand when she found out what Aro could do. He had noticed her irritation and he wanted to diffuse the tension.
I can tell she's upset with Edward for revealing her secrets to me. Now would be a good time for me to explain my own abilities. I need to put her at ease to win her over. Aro thought, deciding to reveal himself to Alice.
"I'm sorry, we haven't been introduced properly at all, have we?" Aro asked in a tone that suggested he was apologizing for a mundane lapse in manners. He might have been expressing regret for stepping on her toe.
"It's just that I feel like I know you already, and I tend to get ahead of myself. Your brother introduced us in a peculiar way. You see, I share some of your brother's talent, only I am limited in a way that he is not." Aro shook his head softly, and his thoughts were even more envious than his voice, though he was careful not to be too explicit with them.
"And also exponentially more powerful," I explained to Alice coolly, taking my attention away from Bella and Aro to look at her for the first time since we'd arrived. "Aro needs physical contact to hear your thoughts, but he hears much more than I do. You know I can only hear what's passing through a person's head in the moment. Aro hears every thought your mind ever had."
Of course! Alice exclaimed mentally, raising her eyebrows at me. You couldn't hide anything from him. Carlisle said he was talented, but I had no idea it was anything like this. I'm sorry for what I was thinking earlier. I should have known better.
I bowed my head slightly at her to let her know that I didn't hold her assumptions against her. I loved my sister dearly and I was glad that she was no longer under the ridiculous impression that I would ever betray her trust.
"But to hear from a distance," Aro sighed again, waving his hand to indicate that he'd noticed our silent exchange for Alice's benefit. "That would be so convenient."
I registered the buzzing of three more brains a half second before I heard their footsteps in the hallway. Every vampire turned their heads toward the door simultaneously, and Bella mimicked the gesture a second later, trying to see what had distracted us. Felix had returned with Marcus and Caius trailing behind him. Felix leered at me, his thoughts still on Bella, but fortunately, Aro spoke a second later and I was able to control my temper by focusing on him.
"Marcus, Caius, look," Aro purred enthusiastically. "Bella is alive after all, and Alice is here with her! Isn't that wonderful?"
Felix wasn't kidding when he said the girl smelled good, but since he got them back here like Aro wanted, he deserves her, I suppose. I can wait for Heidi. I really hope Aro decides to dispose of all three of them. Talented or not, the boy has flouted the rules for the sake of a human, and Aro says this Alice is fond of the girl too. Caius thought sourly as he looked around the room.
I cringed internally, but I knew it would be a really bad idea for me to show my irritation, so I carefully kept my face blank. Considering how poorly I'd been faring at controlling my feelings for the last six months, it took an extensive amount of effort for me to remain calm. I was out of practice at it.
Caius didn't approach his brother; instead he went to take his place on one of the thrones. He intended to play a less assertive role than usual in this matter. Corin and Santiago went to stand beside him, guarding the ancient vampire who, in spite of his thin skin and white hair, was not nearly as frail as he looked.
Marcus, on the other hand, approached Aro, and though his face was still a mask of indifference, his thoughts were surprised and even pained.
Their attachment to each other is extraordinary, especially since she's human. I have only felt such a connection between two mates one other time, and that was over 700 years ago. It makes me miss my Didyme. Marcus thought sadly.
I felt a stab of pity for him as he touched Aro's palm for a brief moment. Aro's eyebrows shot up in an understated expression of surprise. Marcus didn't respond to the look on Aro's face as he broke contact with his brother. He simply turned to go and join Caius, followed closely by Renata and Chelsea. He tried to occupy his mind with other things to keep from thinking of his missing mate.
Aro's expression was subdued, but the shock in his thoughts was far more revealing than his mildly surprised expression.
I had seen the intensity of Edward's feelings, but it is extraordinary that the human girl should feel as strongly for him as she does. I didn't know humans were capable of such devotion. It almost makes me feel some compassion for her. He mused silently.
I chuckled darkly in response to Aro's unspoken comments and my own stupidity. Marcus had spent less than a minute in the same room with us but he'd understood the bond between Bella and I better than I had. He'd lived for over 8 centuries and he had never encountered a connection like ours. Of course, a human's emotions are not quite as complex as a vampire's, so I knew she couldn't possibly feel the way that I did, but what Marcus saw made me realize that what she did feel was more powerful than I'd imagined. I was such a fool.
Alice was looking curiously at me and hoping that Aro was going to explain what Marcus had shown him.
"Amazing," he marveled aloud, shaking his head as he spoke. "Simply amazing."
Will you please explain what in the hell is going on, Edward. I can't see anything right now because everything keeps shifting, and since I can't read minds this is making me crazy. Alice thought impatiently. Her expression was openly annoyed now, and Bella was watching us both with curious eyes.
"Marcus sees relationships," I whispered quickly, feeling ashamed to explain what Marcus had seen because it reinforced the lunacy of my choice to leave Bella. "He is surprised by the intensity of ours."
Well, I'm not. Alice thought smugly. And you shouldn't be either. I told you not to underestimate Bella.
Yes, I should have listened to Alice.
Bella didn't react to my words, and I was confused. Did this mean that she was just as unsurprised by Marcus's assessment as Alice had been? Or was she determined to show no emotion because she was planning to leave me immediately if we survived? Regardless of what Marcus had seen, I was still afraid that she may not be able to tolerate being in a relationship with a vampire after seeing the true nature of our kind. I'd never wanted to be able to read her mind more than I did right now.
"So convenient," Aro said with smile. He was referring to my abilities again. "It takes quite a bit to surprise Marcus, I can assure you." He paused for a moment before addressing me directly again.
"It's just so difficult to understand, even now," He went on, marveling at the way I had my arm wrapped tightly around Bella's small waist. "How can you stand so close to her like that?" She smells so sweet to him, and he's so thirsty I'm sure he hasn't hunted in weeks. If it were me, I would have taken her without a second thought the first time I'd smelled her. He mused silently.
"It is not without effort, "I replied evenly.
This was hardly the truth anymore. I felt no temptation in spite of my intense thirst. The smell burned my throat the same as always, but the pain of being separated from her when I'd thought she was dead had cured me of any real desire for it. The only thing I felt was relief at the flaming sensation; relief because she was alive and I was holding her. I could stand that burn for an eternity as long as her heart was still beating.
"But still," Aro countered. "La tua contante! What a waste." What I wouldn't give for just a taste of someone who smelled that sweetly to me. He thought.
I laughed bitterly again. "I look at it more as a price." I would pay any price to keep her safe. She is my world.
"A very high price," Aro replied doubtfully. He truly loves her, though I still don't see the appeal! He added silently.
"Opportunity cost," I countered.
Aro laughed in response. "If I hadn't smelled her through your memories I never would have believed the call of anyone's blood could be so strong. I've never felt anything like it myself. Most of us would trade much for such a gift and yet you…"
"Waste it," I finished for him in an acerbic tone. His cavalier attitude toward Bella was wearing on me a little more every time he thought of her.
Stay calm for Bella. Alice chastised me silently. She knew me so well that she could interpret every subtle reaction in my body language.
"Ah how I miss my friend Carlisle," Aro replied with a chuckle. "You remind me of him, only he was not so angry."
"Carlisle outshines me in many other ways as well," I reminded him, thinking of what I'd said about my father's compassion in our last meeting when I'd been fighting to die rather than to live, as I was doing now.
"I certainly never thought to see Carlisle bested for self-control, but you put him to shame," Aro replied. His tone suggested that he was trying to be complimentary, but there was condescension underneath the surface.
Aro was enjoying our banter, trying to make up his mind. His thoughts were carefully guarded now, and I suspected he was trying to come to a decision. He was also trying to avoid revealing too much about his true intentions. I was curious about what he was attempting to keep from me, and my patience was wearing thin.
"Hardly," I replied, and the irritation leaked into my tone now. I felt Bella tense beside me. She'd clearly noticed my ill-disguised anxiety, and it increased hers. I wanted to say something to soothe her, but I had no words of comfort to offer her even if I could talk to her.
"I am gratified by his success,"Aro said thoughtfully. "Your memories of him are quite a gift to me, though they astonish me exceedingly. I am surprised at how it….pleases me, his success in this unorthodox path he's chosen. I expected that he would waste, weaken with time. I'd scoffed at his plan to find others who would share his peculiar vision. Yet, somehow I am happy to be wrong."
I didn't comment on his statements. In spite of his superficially earnest words, there was an edge of anxiety in his mind. I couldn't get anything distinctive from his thoughts because he was clearly attempting to conceal something from me. I worried that he was trying to make a decision and he didn't want me to see the grave outcome of what he was planning.
He's going to want to try to read her thoughts before he makes up his mind, but I don't think he'll be able to read Bella any better than you can, Alice said silently. I still can't see what he'll decide because he' still really unsure.
I felt a terrible wave of anger and panic that I barely managed to conceal as I thought of Bella standing so close to Aro and his guard as he used her like some sort of human ginea pig. I couldn't bear the thought of letting her go long enough for him to test his talents on her.
"But your restraint," Aro said wonderingly, moving the subject carefully away from Carlisle and our family situation. "I didn't know such strength was possible. To inure yourself against such a siren call, not just once, but again and again…if I had not felt it myself I would not have believed."
I stared back at him blankly, not trusting myself to comment on anything he'd just said because my head was still full of fear and fury at the idea of allowing him to get any closer to Bella. I felt her gaze on me, and I could tell that she sensed my panic when I felt her tense beside me and her heart rate accelerated even further. This made me afraid too. She was human, and the physical stress of this situation might be too much for her in the frail state she was already in.
"Just remembering the way she appeals to you…." He went on with a light laugh…."it makes me thirsty."
Don't react! Stay calm! Alice urged me silently.
I was consumed with a burning anger. Bella trembled beside me in response to the way my body went rigid with fury. She was doing her best not to panic but I felt her control was slipping. This had to be sheer torture for her. My poor love.
"Don't be disturbed," Aro said reassuringly in response to my silent reaction. "I mean her no harm. But, I am curious about one thing in particular." His face was full of an eager anticipation I recognized, but his thoughts were skeptical. Surely the girl will not be immune to me the way she is to Edward. I am much more powerful than he is. He thought before finishing his request. I knew that Alice's vision was about to come true.
"May I?" he asked me pleasantly, holding his hand up for Bella to touch.
"Ask her," I replied curtly. I was tired of him treating her with such disregard. She deserved his respect for being brave enough to come here.
"Of course, how rude of me," He exclaimed. I suppose if I have to resort to addressing a human to keep this conversation moving in the right direction I will. He thought.
"Bella, "he continued, looking directly at her now. "I'm fascinated that you are the one exception to Edward's impressive talent; so very interesting that such a thing should occur! And I was wondering, since our talents are similar in so many ways, if you would be so kind as to allow me to try-to see if you are an exception for me as well?"
Bella's heart pounded harder than ever and she looked at me with horror written all over her pale face.
He won't hurt her, Edward, and she doesn't have a choice anyway. Send her. Alice thought emphatically.
I nodded at her reassuringly, and she gazed up at Aro as she raised her shaking hand and extended it to him. He walked confidently toward her and her fear mounted. His thoughts were smug as he pressed his hand gently into hers. He smiled patronizingly at her for a moment, but his expression changed from self-assured to uncertainty, and on to shock. I don't believe it! She's just a human.
He couldn't see anything.
"So very interesting," he said, composing himself as he let go of Bella. How is this possible?
I tried not to let the pride I felt show in my face. Ha! He couldn't read her any better than I. Aro was silent for a moment, lost in his thoughts as he gazed at the three of us.
She's just a human, though! He mused. She has to be keeping me out somehow.
"A first," Aro said thoughtfully. Is she blocking me intentionally? Hiding something perhaps…maybe her thoughts can be penetrated another way. We shall see what we can do about that.
"I wonder if she is immune to our other talents."
The snarl built in my chest as soon as I realized what he was going to try next. I wouldn't allow it, I couldn't.
"Jane, dear?" Aro said pleasantly, summoning his cruelest and most powerful mental weapon.
Calm down! Alice yelled at me in her head.
"NO!" I growled furiously. I wouldn't let her hurt Bella; I would die first. She was too fragile to withstand Jane. She would break Bella. I'd seen how powerful and painful Jane's gift was through Santiago's thoughts.
Alice grabbed me and tried to restrain me physicall y when I didn't respond to her silent words of caution. I jerked my arm away from her, still snarling with rage.
"Yes, master," Jane replied angelically. I'm really going to enjoy this; the girl looks weak even for a human. She thought jubilantly.
My thunderous growls were reverberating off the walls as I glared furiously at Aro, ignoring the shocked and appalled thoughts of the rest of the guard, including a smiling Felix, who had taken a triumphant step toward me, waiting to spring.
It looks as though we get to celebrate the destruction of bad vampires on St. Marcus Day this year like the humans do; the boy's finally lost his temper. Felix thought in response to my outburst.
My snarls didn't cease as Aro stopped Felix's approach with a glance and his smile turned to disappointment at once. Jane will deal with Edward if he gets out of hand. Aro thought.
"I was wondering, my dear one, if Bella is immune to you, "Aro continued, ignoring everyone in the room, including me, as he addressed his sadistic little pet.
My growls had reached a fevered pitch as I let go of Bella quickly and moved to stand in front of her. Cauis moved forward slightly, his body guards in tow as he took in the scene with interest.
I wonder how long she'll scream before the pain kills her Jane mused as she looked in our direction with an eager smile that made her look almost bestial. She knew I could hear her thoughts.
"Don't!" Alice cried just as I lunged toward the pint sized monster.
An instant later, I was on fire. Every part of me was burning and I was completely consumed with nothing but pain. I could feel the flames exploding in each and every cell of my being. My body was contorted into an unnatural and impossible heap on the stone floor and I couldn't control the writhing movements. I felt a terrible scream building in my throat as I begged silently for it to end. It was pain beyond endurance. Worse than the fiery venomous death of transformation; the most excruciating physical thing I had ever experienced.
Please let me die now! Please! I want to die. Make it stop.
The scream was on the tip of my tongue when I heard her voice.
"Stop!" I heard Bella cry out in terror from somewhere behind me. She was begging for me, saying what I couldn't. I kept silent, knowing that she would lose control completely if I screamed. I couldn't allow that; I couldn't let them hurt her for trying to protect me. The burning continued, and I was sure I woudn't survive another moment without losing all of my sanity when I heard Aro call Jane's name from a million miles away.
The burning stopped, but I couldn't move.
"He's fine," Alice was saying to Bella in a soothing voice.
"Try it on the girl now," Aro whispered to Jane in a voice so soft that Bella wouldn't have heard him.
I leapt to my feet just as I saw Jane turn her dark angel gaze toward Bella. I was filled with terror as I met Bella's wide and fearful brown eyes, but I relaxed an instant later.
Bella was completely unaffected by Jane.
What the hell is wrong with this little human bitch! Jane shrieked silently, putting every ounce of effort she could manage into hurting Bella. Her face showed every bit of the anger in her thoughts.
I saw Bella cower in fear, but I knew she was safe from Jane now. Whatever it was about her mind that kept Aro and I from reading her thoughts made her immune to Jane as well. I walked quickly to her side and took her from Alice, wrapping my arms tightly around her in relief. Thank God Jane hadn't hurt her and Alice had restrained her from running to me.
If you had just waited for a second I could have told you that Jane wouldn't be able to hurt her. You're lucky Renata or Felix didn't attack you before Jane did! Alice admonished me wordlessly.
"Ha ha ha," Aro laughed, and he was genuinely entertained by his little experiment. Extrordinary! He thought.
Jane hissed furiously, her rage too powerful for coherent words or thoughts now as she crouched into an offiensive position. She glared malevolently at Bella, and I took pleasure in her anger now because I knew she couldn't hurt her.
"Don't be put out, dear one," Aro cooed at Jane as he placed a hand on her delicate looking shoulder. "She counfounds us all."
Give me a few hours alone with her and I'll bet I could solve the mystery. I've yet to encounter a mind I couldn't decode. Demetri thought excitedly as I cringed.
"Ha Ha Ha," Aro laughed again as he turned his attention away from Jane and back to me. "You're very brave to endure that in silence, Edward. " And very foolish to put yourself in a position to try, he added mentally. "I asked Jane to do that to me once - just out of curiosity…" It was nearly unendurable. I've never felt such pain, he thought as he shuddered.
I glared at him in disgust. We were nearly there, though. Aro was about to get to the point.
"So what do we do with you now?" Aro mused with a sigh.
Alice and I both froze and Bella was shaking all over. I would give anything to ease her fears. My heart ached at how she was suffering. I knew what Aro was going to ask me before he spoke, and so did Alice.
Choose your words carefully, Edward. She warned me. Aro is pretty sure you'll decline his invitation again, but he wants to see how you go about refusing him. If you say it like you're considering his offer, he'll be more inclined to let us go.
"I don't suppose there's any chance that you've changed your mind?" Aro asked me in a falsely optimistic voice. "Your talent would be an excellent addition to our little company."
I paused for a moment as though I were giving the matter some thought. Jane and Felix were both hoping that I would refuse. Jane had hopes of torturing me some more and Felix was growing thirstier by the minute. I tuned out his thoughts about Bella so I could give Aro my full attention. His decision was the only one that mattered. Our lives were in his papery hands and he relished the power.
"I'd rather not," I said slowly and carefully.
Good. Alice thought approvingly.
"Alice?" Aro asked, more eager for her answer than she was mine. He really wanted Alice. But, I saw in his head that he wanted Bella too. He was thinking about her potential. He wanted to study her.
I suppressed a snarl as Alice prepared to answer him.
"No thank you," Alice replied cheerfully.
"And, you Bella?" Aro asked, turning his gaze to Bella's frightened face. I hissed involuntarily as Bella's pulse raced and her breathing accelerated.
She stared at him for a moment, clearly unsure of whether or not he was serious. I could see in his head that he was.
"What?" Caius asked incredulously before Bella could answer Aro. What in the world is he up to? Surely he isn't serious.
"Caius, surely you see the potential," Aro replied in an admonitory voice. "I haven't seen a prospective talent so promising since we found Jane and Alec. Can you imagine the possibilities when she is one of us?" I saw Alice's visions in Edward's thoughts. Aro mused mentally. She will be changed one way or the other, and I'd rather have her here than…elsewhere.
I suppose I can see what he means. Caius thought. I've never heard of anyone being immune to Aro and Jane.
How dare he compare me to this worthless little mentally subnormal human!! Jane thought bitterly.
I was doing my best to stifle the hatred and anger burning inside me, but it was nearly impossible as I thought of the idea of Bella being forced into this immortal life by the Volturi. But it was more important than ever for me to stay composed. I'd been such a mess for the last several months that I'd nearly forgotten what it was like to hide my feelings.
"No thank you," Bella whispered timidly, her voice cracking as she said it. My anger waned at the sound of her fear. I had to get her out of here. She was close to the breaking point; I could feel it.
Their answers are no more than I expected, but all the same. Aro thought unhappily.
"That's unfortunate," Aro said sadly. "Such a waste." How I hate to destroy them. But, if he won't change the girl, I don't see how we can get around it.
Say something now! Alice shouted in my head. Call his bluff about what I know you heard him thinking. I've just seen what he intends to do if he doesn't get his way.
An image of the two of us chained to the wall as Bella was herded in with a bunch of humans for feeding time flashed in her mind. This wasn't what Aro wanted, but it was what he would allow to happen. Alice had seen what his true desire was, and I couldn't allow that. Not ever.
"Join or die, is that it?" I sneered angrily. "I should have suspected as much when we were brought to this room! So much for your laws."
I knew that my choice of words would bother Aro. Nothing meant more to him than his rules and regulations. Technically, we hadn't broken any laws today, so there was no reason for them to destroy us. But, I could see from his mind that the idea of us returning to Carlisle was unsettling to him, and he didn't really want to allow us to leave, especially not with Bella. He was just as concerned as he was curious about her future.
"Of course not," Aro said in an affronted tone. The boy's succinct and brash manner is disturbing. He is daring me to flout my own rules. "We were already convened here, Edward, awaiting Heidi's return. Not for you."
Aro shot a split second covert glance at Caius that Bella didn't notice. He was going to try to get his brother to do the dirty work for him.
"Aro," Caius interjected in a soft leer, playing along with his deceptively diplpmatic brother. "The law claims them." We can't let him get away with revealing himself to this human. The sister is his accomplice. Aro really wants him to consent to change her but he won't. He thought.
"How so?" I demanded, though I already knew what his argument would be.
"She knows too much," Caius replied, pointing a papery skinned accusing finger at me. "You have exposed our secrets."
"There are a few humans in on your charade here as well," I countered, trying to puncture holes in the only justification he and Aro could come up with. A second before he spoke, I knew it wasn't going to go smoothly.
"Yes," Caius conceded. "But when they are no longer useful to us, they will serve to sustain us. That is not your plan for this one. If she betrays our secrets are you prepared to destroy her? I think not." He was willing to die for her, wanted to kill himself because he thought she was dead. Of course he can't refute my point. Caius thought smugly.
"I wouldn't-"Bella whispered feebly in reply.
Insolent little beast! Caius thought as Bella was rendered mute by his murderous glare. How dare she address me!
"Nor do you intend to make her one of us," Caius went on as though Bella hadn't spoken. "Therefore, she is a vulnerability; though it is true, for this, only her life is forfeit." Any immortal who would give his life for a human deserves to die. Caius said silently to me.
I snarled almost inaudibly at him as I bared my teeth in fury.
"That's what I thought," Caius said triumphantly. Aro said he'd rather die than make that choice. He added mentally.
Yes! Felix thought eagerly as he made a move to position himself closer to us.
You're going to have to promise to change her for them to let us leave. Alice told me then.
It was the one promise I couldn't honestly make. I couldn't do it.
This has gone horribly awry. Aro thought. I wanted their talents, not their lives. And the girl has so much to offer. She's so brave and she will be gifted. I would love to have all of them.
"Unless," Aro said aloud, his voice just as uneasy as his thoughts. "Unless you do intend to give her immortality?"
I pressed my lips together to hide my anguish. I paused, hoping that Alice would see some other way in a vision.
It's the only option. Alice said silently.
"And if I do?" I said, hating myself for even pretending to entertain the idea.
"Why then you would be free to go home and give my regards to my friend Carlisle, "Aro said jovially. He doesn't really think I would just take his word for it, does he? Aro wondered wordlessly.
"But I am afraid you would have to mean it." He raised his hand in front of me to indicate that I should take it.
Well, that settles the matter once and for all, Caius thought calmly.
My lips tightened into a pencil thin line as I met Bella's eyes. They were scared and beseeching.
"Mean it, please," she whispered imploringly as her heart continued to race in terror.
My face twisted in agony at her words. She must really be desperate to ask me to make such a promise. She couldn't possibly want to be one of us after what she'd witnessed here. Maybe she thought the Volturi would leave us in peace if Aro thought I was sincere. They would check, of course, and I couldn't do this to her against her will no matter what it cost us now. I wouldn't take her soul away from her to save our lives. It wasn't worth it.
For God's sake Edward! You'd rather sentence us all to die than to give her what she wants! Well, if you can't respect her wishes and do it, then I will! Alice cried.
Before I could react, she pushed past me and extended her outstretched hand to Aro.
Aro subdued his bodyguards with a wave of his hand. He'd been hoping for a reason to touch Alice ever since we got here. He was alight with anticipation and excitement.
I saw a flood of memories flowing from Alice's mind to Aro's. The day she'd awoken to her new life; wandering from place to place on her own. Visions of Jasper and the day she finally met him; their journey together to find Carlisle; our first meeting when they located us in Canada; various happy memories of our lives together; and finally, all of her visions about Bella, including the ones of her being changed. I cringed as I saw Bella fling herself off the cliff at first beach.
"Ha Ha Ha," Aro chuckled as they broke apart. "That was fascinating." Her talents are truly phenomenal; even moreso than I realized from Edward's memories. And she's rarely ever been wrong about anything, and in the cases where she has been mistaken, some event or decision has shifted. But, she's been seeing Bella's transformation consistently for over a year now, and that is sufficient. Aro thought.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it," Alice said in a somber voice. She was uncomfortable with Aro seeing all of her memories, including her most personal ones with Jasper.
There was no point in trying to get out of changing her Edward. Alice chided me silently.
It's going to happen.
"To see the things that you've seen, especially the ones that haven't happened yet," Aro marveled, shaking his head in awe.
"But that will," Alice said with conviction. She was sure of Bella's future. But I still knew that anything could change, and I hoped there was another way. I had to find another way. Bella may not even want to be with me anymore as a human, let alone be changed into a monster. For she had now seen first hand that we were monsters. She was just trying to find a way out of here.
"Yes, yes," Aro answered briskly. "It is quite determined. Certainly there is no problem." Otherwise we would not permit them to leave with her. He added mentally.
No way! Jane thought furiously. He can't really let them go! They all deserve to die! They are not worth the animals they drain to survive.
But I want the girl! Felix thought dejectedly.
I think this is too big of a risk! Caius mused silently.
"Aro," Caius started to argue.
"Dear Caius," Aro soothed. "Do not fret. Think of the possibilities! They do not join us today, but we can always hope for the future! Imagine the joy young Alice alone would bring to our little household! Besides, I am so terribly curious to see how Bella turns out!" I am sure that her gifts will outshine even her immortal beauty! Phenominal! Aro thought.
"Then we are free to go, now?" I asked Aro in a neutral voice. It wouldn't do for him to see how vehemently I objected to Alice's version of Bella's future.
"Yes, yes," Aro replied at once, his voice pleasant. "But please visit again! It's been absolutely enthralling!" I would love to meet the rest of them, especially Alice's Jasper. He sounds fascinating. How wonderful it would be to have him and Bella too once they are changed. Aro added silently.
"And we will visit you as well, "Caius said, his eyes narrowed distrustfully. "To be sure that you follow through on your side; were I you, I would not delay too long. We do not offer second chances."
The threat in his voice was implicit, and I knew better than to argue. I nodded once in assent, but I gritted my teeth reflexively.
Caius did not miss the gesture. It would be a pleasure to attend to your punishment should you procrastinate. He said silently to me with a smirk as he rejoined Marcus.
Our fate had been decided. We were free today, but only conditionally. And the stipulation was one that I couldn't bear. No matter what Alice saw, I would not be responsible for stopping Bella's heart and taking her soul away. I had to find another solution. I consoled myself with the knowledge that I had time. At least I had that. I glanced down at Bella and I noticed the devastated expression on her face. The look in her eyes surely meant that she didn't want to be changed anymore, and she probably didn't want me either. I felt a terrible wave of sadness. This was all my fault. I had to protect her from them at all costs. I would not allow her to be forced into this endless existence, especially if she didn't want me in her life anymore. Losing her again was going to be almost as unbearable as thinking that she was dead. But I would always watch over her.
A second later, I was distracted by a groan of longing. Felix was nearly overcome with bloodlust as the movement of Caius's cloak sent a breeze of Bella scent in his direction.
"Ah Felix," Aro said with an amused sigh. "Heidi will be here at any moment; patience."
We have to get Bella out before she comes in here! Alice thought in a panic. She doesn't need to see that, and if she were to get separated from us somehow…
"Hmm," I said, unable to keep the fear out of my tone. "In that case perhaps we'd better leave sooner rather than later. "
"Yes," Aro agreed thoughtfully. "That's a good idea. Accidents do happen." And I wouldn't want to make a meal out of Bella before she could be changed, and Felix wouldn't hesistate to take her if he had the chance. He thought.
"Please wait below until after dark, though if you don't mind," he added politely.
"Of course," I conceded without a second thought. The only thing that mattered was getting Bella away from this horrible room before the catch of the day started filing in. I felt Bella tense beside me at the idea of having to stay in the castle for the rest of the daylight. My poor love.
"And here," Aro said as he beckoned for Felix to join him. I knew what he was going to do and I cringed internally at the idea of wearing anything that had touched that filthy brute's body and bore his scent. I wished I had my shirt or my bag with the beige leather jacket.
"Take this. You are a bit conspicuous," Aro continued as he removed Felix's cloak and handed it to me. I put it on without raising any objections. Aro took in my appearance and his thoughts were wistful.
"It suits you." He said.
I snickered for a moment at his delusional mental pictures of me willingly taking a place beside him but the laughter died in my throat a second later as I heard the shuffling noise of human footsteps coming closer. I glanced over my shoulder reflexively.
"Thank you Aro," I said, trying to stay calm. "We'll wait below".
Hurry Edward! They're getting close! Alice thought urgently.
We had to get Bella out of here. There was no time to waste.
"Goodbye young friends," Aro said. His eyes were eager as he tracked the sound of the approaching humans. Heidi is here at last! He thought. I could hear the thoughts of the vampires in the room becoming more primitive as their prey drew nearer.
"Let's go," I said frantically.
Demetri approached and guided us back out the same way we'd come in. This ought to be interesting. Let's see what the little human makes of our hunting practices. She's never been exposed to real vampires before. He thought. He was entertained by the idea of seeing the fear in Bella's face. He could have shown us out another way.
I pulled Bella quickly alongside me and Alice stood on her other side protectively. The footsteps of the incoming group of humans were deafening to my vampire ears now, and I could hear the buzzing of their voices, physical and mental.
Alice's face was contorted with rage and fear now.
"Not fast enough," She whispered bleakly. She's going to see them. She'll know what's going on. She added mentally.
Bella glanced fearfully at Alice, hoping for some reassurance. She trusted Alice. A moment later, I saw her expression change when the approaching voices were close enough for her to hear.
"Well, this is unusual," said one man loudly. Can't wait to tell the guys about this when I get back home. I'll bet Vernon never got to see this when he came to Volterra for the festival last year. He thought.
I was willing to bet he was right.
"So medieval," A woman behind him said. I tuned out her thoughts and tried to ignore the others who were on their way to their deaths. I couldn't bear to listen to the horror they would soon be feeling when they realized their fate.
Demetri was elated as he took in the fear on Bella's face. He motioned for us to stand against the wall to make room for the procession of newcomers. We obliged and Alice and I made sure we kept Bella between us.
The human parade continued past us and I observed that many of them were growing increasingly uneasy. One little woman in particular was already in a state of panic. She lagged behind the others, clutching her rosary tightly as she tried to make conversation with the others. She was speaking Portuguese and so none of the humans, who were mostly American and British tourists, could understand her.
I could.
I don't understand! They said we would be touring an ancient castle, but no one seems to be explaining where we are or anything about the castle! Do any of you know where we're going!
Bella gasped in horror a second later as her body began to tremble uncontrollably.
She knew.
I pressed her face into my chest to shield her eyes from seeing more. I hoped we could get her out of here before she saw or heard anything else.
We aren't going to make it. Alice answered me silently. She'll hear them.
I pushed urgently through a break in the crowd just as the tears forming in Bella's eyes soaked through the cloak. I had to let her go for a moment in order to get us through the doors that led out of the stone corridor and into the opulent hallway that we would follow until we reached the reception area.
A tall female vampire with long dark hair stood in the hallway we'd just entered. She was dressed in a racy long sleevedred vinyl top that shielded her pale vampire skin from the effects of the sun and a disgustingly snug miniskirt to match. Her legs were covered in tights and she wore blue contacts to hide her crimson eyes.
"Welcome home, Heidi," Demetri purred. Demetri thought she was beautiful and he didn't blame the humans, particularly the men, for following her like the mindless sheep he considered them to be.
Heidi smiled smugly. She was the most talented huntress in Volterra and she often came back with large groups like this one. Her every thought was tainted with her vanity and arrogance as she registered Demetri's appreciative glances at her skirt. Bella was staring at her intently, no doubt taking in her flamboyant appearance. She was still trembling fearfully, and her eyes were still leaking.
"Demetri," Heidi said lithely as she stared at us with interest. Is he the newest member of the guard! Did they give him this human as a special treat to celebrate his arrival? I know she isn't one of mine. I would have remembered her smell. She thought.
"Nice fishing," Demetri said admiringly. His words were sincere, but he was also hoping that flattery would get him some much desired special attention from Heidii later. I was disgusted by the distinctive imagery in his mind.
"Thanks, "she said with a smile, and I knew from her mind that Demetri would get his wish after they fed. "Aren't you coming?" she wondered, still puzzling over the three of us, particularly Bella.
"In a minute," Demetri said smoothly, glancing down almost imperceptibly at Bella's horrified face with pleasure as he added "Save a few for me."
Heidi nodded, her gaze flickering curiously back to Bella one more time before she disappeared out the door toward the fruits of her day's labor. I could hear Alec and Jane's whispers in the hallway as they sized up their prey. I knew they were getting ready to start.
Without a second thought, I ran as fast as I could with Bella in tow.
It's no use! Alice thought bitterly.
Seconds later, the screaming echoed all through the corridors and I felt the very last of Bella's composure dissipate completely.