Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. Stephenie Meyer created it all.

Bella POV

"YOU PROMISED," I snarled at Aro, as I lost all control of my shield. The lights flickered out and were left exposed. It didn't matter. The Cullens' presence here was of no threat to anyone except me. "Are you going to break your promise to me too, Father?"

I all but snarled the title we'd agreed upon, before tearing from Sulpicia's arms and darting from the room.

I ran as I'd done before but unlike the other time, I was headed for a particular place, the one place in the entire castle where I knew I'd be safe, Marcus' suite. I curled up in the same chair where I'd spent so many nights reading with him, curled up in the fetal position and buried my head in my arms. Panic and pain hit me in equal proportions. Pain at seeing their faces, the fake concern written across them…perhaps it wasn't fake after all, because they would feel guilty. Guilty because they would believe that they'd caused this to happen to me…but it would only be from a sense of responsibility. Panic, because, I'd seen Edward between Demetri and Afton. He'd been restrained. Was Aro going to destroy him? And the others? I actually wheezed as the emotions ripped across my stomach.

In an instant, the door flew open, and Marcus was with me. He lifted me like a child, wrapping his arms securely around my shaking body before settling back down in the chair. I clung to him, my fingers gripping his robe, sobbing tearlessly against his chest and wishing more than anything that I could still cry. He stroked gentle fingers through my hair, and I felt like I could hide from the world in his arms.

I could hear feet running down the hall and then the door opened again, admitting Aro, Sulpicia and just behind them, a rather shy Carlisle. I averted my eyes from his instantly. Aro swept up beside us and held out his arms imploringly to his brother.

"Give her to me!"

Marcus growled. I felt the vibration of the sound roll through my body. Judging by the look of shock on Aro's face, Marcus hadn't growled in a while...certainly not at Aro. I felt Marcus's arms tighten around me.

"I will not! You do not deserve her!" Marcus snarled back at him. "Leave this room now! I'm not asking!' he hissed out.

Aro looked at a loss for what to do next. He knelt beside the chair, hand out. "Marcus, I am her father; you need not protect her from me." When it was clear Marcus was not any closer to handing me over, he tried a different tactic. "I can't make amends with her unless you let her go."

"You hurt her! You dare call yourself her father, and yet you hurt her!" OUT! NOW!" Marcus roared.

I felt a surge of love for this man, so broken yet willing to try and love me. I didn't watch them as they finally conceded to his demand, thankful that for the moment I didn't have to face reality when I heard the door shut.

"Isabella, I am so sorry. I didn't realize that he hadn't told you. It is unforgivable."

Traumatized by what I believed would occur, my horrified voice whispered, "I can't watch their destruction. It will mean my own…I will find a way. I don't have a place to hold me as you do."

"WHAT?" he bellowed out. "Destroy them? What is it you believe is happening here, Isabella?"

His incredulous expression gave me pause.

"Wh…why are they here?" I forced out, but it took several tries through the emotions.

"They were needed to complete the trial. I will not lie to you; there will be consequences for what they did. Aro will be required to do something in order to respect the sanctity of the law, as they did leave you alive. However, Victoria is the one on trial. In addition she attacked you in the throne room, in our presence. Once presented to the Volturi, you fell under our protection, and we are the only ones who can decide a fate then. She sealed her's when she attacked you in front of us. Your Edward almost made the same fatal error. Jane's timely interference is the only thing that saved him. Aro brought Carlisle here to acquire his knowledge about her, and whether or not we will need to prepare for a vengeful vampire."

I ignored his comment about Edward. The burn at the use of his name was painful. "James was her mate, and he is already gone. The other member of her coven went to visit friends of the Cullens. I doubt anyone will even notice her absence."

"As I suspected, but Aro is nothing but thorough."

I caught the look on his face. It was a mixture of guilt, exasperation, forced acceptance, and understanding. My eyes caught his.

"What?"

"There are many things at play here, histories and relationships that I am not at liberty to share with you. But may I suggest things are not as they seem."

I'd finally gotten the shaking of my body under control, so I wondered if I should move, but the comfort I'd found in his arms was addictive, and I couldn't force myself to leave.

"Are you intentionally being vague?"

His lips quirked slightly. "This much I can share, that boy, well actually both of them…it isn't what you think. I've never felt relationships purer or stronger."

I went rigid.

"Guilt is a powerful motivator," I said standing, his words severing the peacefulness of the moment. "May I be excused?"

Unexpected anger flared in his face at my tone. "Do not presume to focus your rage on me Isabella."

Regret lanced through me, and I grabbed his hand in apology. "Marcus, I'm sorry. Please accept my sincerest apology. My emotions have been all over the place since awakening, and no one deserves it. You of all people have not earned my labiality."

I felt his hand cup the side of my face. "Your control is just sort of impeccable; you do not owe anyone an apology. We all tend to forget your age. You, my dear, bring joy to my life. Allow me to bring a little to yours. Not all is lost; allow me to give you that comfort."

"Again, your vagueness does not help me." I waited to see if he would provide me insight.

Unexpectedly a small smile played across his face. "I am an inherently selfish individual, Isabella. I do not believe it in my best interest to reveal everything to you. I value your presence in my life too much to give you your wings."

"I have nowhere else to go. I don't think 'having wings' makes any difference. Marcus, I am sorry for barging into your room. I just didn't think clearly."

"Don't be ridiculous, I do not need an apology…"

"But someone else does, that is what you are inferring?" I interrupted him.

"Actually I am thinking that someone needs to apologize to you. My brother can be obtuse at times. Contrary to his opinion, he does not always make wise decisions," he said, but agony raced across his face.

"Marcus?" I said loudly, shocked at his reaction, reaching for his body.

He looked into my face for a long pause, before saying. "Not now Isabella. Not now…."

I refused to leave him, so grabbing his hand tightly; I slowly walked out of the room. I could hear them in Aro's room, and walked slowly down the hall. Contrary to what Marcus believed, I owed Aro an apology. I had to quit running away from my problems; look what that had gotten me into. I made the decision at that moment to stop. The Cullens and Jake would leave soon, and I needed to honor the individuals who'd taken me in. Wait?

I stopped in the middle of the hallway, and spun back to him. "Marcus, why is Jacob here?" I said in a rushed voice.

"He insisted on coming with the Cullens, or at least that is the message that was relayed to us."

"But, he barely knew them, and Jake has no love for them. Trust me, I know."

"Again, I will only say…things are not what they seem."

We were before Aro's door, so I stepped in to my worst nightmare. Carlisle stood close to Aro and Sulpicia. It was a surprisingly intimate scene. They seemed to be engaged in a heated conversation when I entered. Carlisle took several steps toward me, but stopped when he saw me step closer to Marcus in reaction.

I had yelled at the leader of the Volturi in public, an event I was certain didn't happen often, and was most likely dealt with swiftly and severely when it did. I felt the need to humble myself before him. "Father, I'm sorry for yelling at you, and leaving the room without permission. It was inexcusable."

There was a look in Aro's eyes that I rarely saw...remorse. "I'm sorry, as well Isabella. I thought to save you the anxiety of knowing that Carlisle and his family's presence would be required. I didn't tell you of their expected arrival, because I didn't know whether or not you would be required to even be in their presence."

Carlisle muttered something that I didn't catch, but I ignored him. I'd heard those words from Aro only one other time, and he'd meant them then...as I suspected he meant them now. I had calmed down enough that I decided it was time to find out. It was time to forget fragile, emotional Bella and grow up. I was Isabella Swan…wait…would I take Aro's last name now? And what was it?

With great care, I disentangled my fingers from Marcus'. He only let me go reluctantly. Before I walked away, I reached out and wrapped my arms around him in a hug tight enough to crush human bones. He returned the embrace awkwardly, almost as if he'd forgotten how to hug someone. Gently, I took his face in my hands and kissed his cheek, smoothing his tousled dark hair behind his ears.

"Thank you, Marcus," I said, holding his red eyes with mine.

Rather like his face was remembering how, Marcus smiled at me, and I answered his smile with one of my own. I felt rather than saw the shock on Aro's face at that development.

The shock became remorse as Aro reached out for me and I, with some degree of hesitation, allowed him to pull me into his arms. He held me like this before, but there was a new desperate edge to it now, as he perhaps began to realize how easily his behavior could hurt me. I leaned my head against his shoulder as Sulpicia brushed my hair away from my face.

Carlisle watched us, his golden gaze at first unreadable but then transforming into one of dawning sadness.

Carlisle POV

When Edward began to lunge for Victoria, my joy at being in Volterra vanished, giving over to fear. I began to streak forward in an attempt to stop him. Aro would destroy him if he disrespected the court process. I silently thanked Jane when she dropped him to the floor, meeting her eyes in appreciation before she turned away with a small smile. I momentarily wondered why she would interfere.

I saw Aro kneel and then whisper something softly to Edward, and then felt astonishment when my son threw his hand out to the leader. Other than Marcus, Caius, and Sulpicia, I knew Aro probably as well as anyone within this room, maybe better. The look on his face was one of satisfaction. I knew in that moment that my family would not be leaving Volterra anytime soon, maybe never. My moment of reckoning was at hand, and it was strangely liberating.

Edward stood, and then his body seemed to fold in on itself. I surmised he must have read Victoria's mind, and there was only one thing that would have brought on that reaction.

"Carlisle…" Esme's horrified plea touched my long dormant heart. She'd figured out just why Edward might crumble before us.

The pain hit me full force. I couldn't fathom Bella being gone. It was too much. I'd failed. My choice, to allow Edward to figure out the futility of leaving her, had backfired. Esme had warned me that nothing good would come of my decision to stand back. But I'd wanted Edward to be the one to change her, not me. There was nothing like sharing the bond created by the process with your mate. My and Esme's relationship was an example of this.

She spun into me, placing her face against my chest, and I surrounded her with my arms. The sight of Edward's broken spirit before me was unbearable.

Everything changed though when Aro greeted his family. I'd wondered just exactly what he'd meant by his order to the guard, knowing the gravity by which he considered introducing individuals into his and Sulpicia's inner circle. It had been only several hundred years since I'd been so enticed. I didn't know what emotion warring within me was more predominant, joy or fear, when I looked into the blood red eyes of Bella Swan.

Her comment, thrown at him in agony just before she ran from the room, only tore at me further. I knew exactly what she was inferring when she said, "Are you going to break your promise to me too, Father?"

A startled gasp ran through the room when Marcus reacted first, running after her. My shock at the action did delay my response, but I quickly placed Esme in Edward's recently freed arms, thereby distracting them both, before I followed Aro and Sulpicia's quickly retreating forms. Aro's order to Felix of "NO, stay here" confused me.

But, our destination surprised me. I knew Bella's vampiric smell now, having followed it through the hallways during our chase. It existed in concentrated form in the leaders' private section of the castle. That alone spoke volumes about the precarious situation we'd walked into. I would have thought that I couldn't be surprised any further, but when Aro ran to Marcus' room, and we found Bella wrapped in his arms, I wanted to laugh at just how wrong I was. It had taken years for me to form a relationship with this man. She had succeeded in mere weeks. His fury, something I'd never witnessed, was staggering. I remained silent, following Aro and Sulpicia to their suite.

Another surprise awaited me as we passed by my old room. The door stood open and out of habit I looked that way. It was decorated in a more feminine style now, and it was obvious from the smell that this is where Bella now resided. How poetic. Aro turned to me as I entered his and Sulpicia's private domain, and a secretive smile stole across his face.

"Carlisle…" he murmured, "You cannot possibly conceive how much I have missed you."

He was instantly at my side, his hand curving around my face in familiarity. Pleasure coursed through me at his touch. He was distracted though, and I realized his mind was back in Marcus' room.

"Bella is head strong, Aro. She doesn't particularly like being manipulated. Edward's over-protectiveness drives her crazy. However, she has a truly forgiving heart. I should know, we placed her in many precarious positions, and she continued to love us. Tell me what happened?"

When he hesitated, I captured his eyes again and begged. "Please."

I knew Aro's weaknesses. He shook his head as if to clear his mind from my manipulation.

"The female vampire brought her to us, believing that we would help her destroy you. She utilized Isabella as a bargaining chip. She told a story of your family, attempting to portray you as aggressors and lawbreakers. Of course, she had no idea that I, of all people, would be the least likely to believe it. She had no way of knowing I attempted to corrupt you many times without success. If I've been unable to make you aggressive, no one can…" he said with a smile smiling.

Sulpicia stood just to our side, watching us with her perceptive eyes. I turned to her.

"Cia…when are you going to leave this old man for me? I'm ready to beg again."

She chuckled before grabbing me away from the growling Aro and placing a lingering kiss to my lips. "Carlisle Cullen, I would think you serious if I hadn't seen your beautiful mate in the throne room."

"Do not call her that silly nickname; you know it drives me insane…" Aro began, but a noise at the door capture our attention.

All three of us turned to see Bella enter holding Marcus' hand. The joy in me at seeing her alive raced through me, it was as if it was the first day my son brought her home. I began to step toward her in reaction. I was stopped in my tracks by the panic that raced across her face as she stepped toward Marcus as if for protection. Damn…

"Father, I'm sorry for yelling at you, and leaving the room without permission. It was inexcusable."

Pain flared through me, hearing her address Aro in that manner. My children always called me by my given name while we were in our home, only addressing me as dad or father while we were in public. Bella had never even referred to Charlie in this manner. It made me wonder about why she would address him so formally and intimately.

I'd wanted to be her father as well…and now I seemed to frighten her! God, forgive me.

"I'm sorry. I thought to save you the anxiety of knowing that Carlisle and his family's presence would be required. I didn't tell you of their expected arrival, because I didn't know whether or not you would be required to even be in their presence." Aro's voice conveyed true remorse, but I knew part of his plan to hide our arrival was manipulation, and I stole a glance toward Sulpicia.

She quickly shook her head warning me. I chose not to listen.

"Carefully, Aro, your true colors are showing…" I began to murmur, but Sulpicia stepping on my foot stopped the sentence.

Bella increased my shock when she turned to hug Marcus and then place a kiss to his cheek.

"Thank you, Marcus," she said, looking into his face.

My disbelief at his answering smile rendered me mute. It was all I could do to stare at her face. I had to remind myself to keep my mouth closed as Aro grabbed her. She remained in his arms for a few minutes before she straightened, managing to place her back to me.

"I would like to go to my room, now, unless of course I am needed."

Aro narrowed his eyes at her slightly, before nodding his head. "I'll come to see you after Carlisle and I have spoken…" I saw her stiffen at my name. "…Would you like me to send anyone to your room?"

"NO," she said the word harshly, then softened, "…No, I'll be fine."

She began walking to the door. Realizing I hadn't spoken a word to her the whole time, I called out, "Bella…"

Her body acted as if a whip had hit her, jerking to the side.

"…I realize our arrival here has been shocking for you, but the family would very much like to speak to you. We've been attempting to find you, for quite awhile. If it isn't too soon, I would like for you to come to our rooms in the morning so that we can speak. I will personally come to escort you."

"That isn't necessary, Carlisle. I won't bother you. I will stay in my room until you leave. There is no need for you to be troubled. My existence is of no concern to you any longer," she said softly, sailing out through the door, without turning once to face me.

The pain was sharp and immediate, and I barely stood under its onslaught. The finality in her voice was startling. I stood still unknowing what to do. Seeing the distress on my face, Sulpicia saved me.

"Shall we go back to throne room? We will be able to speak there without concern." She suggested gliding forward to link her arm through Marcus' and then pulling him out the door.

Aro linked his arm with mine. "Carlisle, no matter the conversation with everyone, you and I need some time alone. There is much I need to say."

I turned my face to him and, unable to form words, I simply nodded my head.

My family still awaited me in the throne room. Six pairs of golden eyes and one pair of brown ones locked on me when I entered the room, arms linked with the Volturi leader. Esme grinned slightly encouraging me. I was an incredibly blessed man.

"Felix, go…" Aro said to him, as we passed through the door.

The guard member blurred out the door, his haste unnerving, but I was more taken back by Edward's reaction. His eyes widened significantly and it look like he was doing all he could to control himself. I could only equate the look to panic. What was going on?

"Everyone except for the elite, leave," Aro ordered, but as an afterthought added as direction to two of the newer faces, "Aaron and Michael, my ruling is complete. Dispose of Victoria, and then you are released from duty."

Victoria began screaming obscenities as she was taken from the room, but no one cared to listen. Aro went to his throne and sat while the room cleared, Sulpicia taking her position directly behind him. Marcus lowered himself into his chair as well, but focused his gaze directly on Edward. Caius gazed neutrally at me. I wondered about his thoughts regarding my return. We'd parted amicably, but I knew he was the one most likely to approve of my departure. He hadn't liked the possible changes my association with Aro would bring. I went to Esme, needing the comfort of her body against me.

"Where's Bella?" Jacob asked.

"She is in her room," Aro answered. "She believes that you didn't want anything further to do with her. She is overwhelmed by this." He turned to Edward, "You need to know that she believes that you left her, that you do not love her. From your thoughts, I know this isn't the case, but she isn't privy to that information."

Edward began to say something, but Aro held his hand up indicating for him to remain quiet. Thankfully Edward obeyed the command.

"As a consequence for your collective disregard of the rules of our world, the Cullens will remain in Volterra. You will each take positions within the guard, as is fit. I will provide a wing of the castle for your family, and having learned my lesson the last time, I will not interfere in your feeding practices…"

I grinned into Esme's hair at his statement. His ruling wasn't surprising, I'd known that it was the most likely consequence we would face when we arrived here, and he was aware of my prior belief after filtering through my mind. It was magnanimous that he decided to forego attempting to change our way of life. My eyes caught his. I didn't have to be Edward to know what he was saying.

I will not lose you again.

Edward POV

I probably should have felt agony at hearing Bella's strangled accusation, but all I could feel was tremendous joy at the fact that she still existed. Bella was alive! She was here, and we were here, and I swore at that moment nothing would get in our way this time. I wasn't obtuse; I knew we faced almost insurmountable odds, but my biggest concern…fear…had been eradicated…the decision already taken from my hands. I breathed in and caught her smell. It was different to some degree than when she'd been human. Gone was the burn her blood caused, but the underlying smell of freesia was still present. The strawberry smell was gone, as well, probably due to the use of a different shampoo.

The smell transported me back to the quiet moments in her bedroom, when I'd struggled in equal parts to kiss her and not kill her at the same time. The thrill of victory soared through me. I would finally be able to humble myself before her and apologize.

Then I was overwhelmed as a multitude of voices stormed over me. I struggled to control my reaction, and within the small part of my mind that wasn't being bombarded, I reasoned that the silence had been due to Bella. Somehow she'd been responsible for my inability to hear them, but her emotions had overwhelmed her.

I wanted to chase her from the room, but Marcus followed first, and the overpowering astonishment of the rest of the Volturi stopped me in my tracks. I shook off Afton and Demetri's hands just as Carlisle spun Esme into my arms and followed Marcus. I wanted to shout at him for leaving me in this room. I needed to touch her, to kiss her lips. But my time away from Bella had taught me a few things, and I would handle this chance at happiness much differently. I would not force myself on her like a deranged fool. For now I would stand here and absorb everything I could in order to enter this new phase of our existence intelligently.

First, it was clear we wouldn't be leaving here. I realized the reason for Carlisle's concerns…the reason we'd never visited. Aro's pleasure at acquiring us radiated from him, now that his thoughts were clear to me. Having deduced the potency of each of our gifts, including the importance of even our 'ungifted' members, he was formulating his strategy quickly. That strategy included utilizing Bella as a pawn against me. He would win…no doubt. She was my destiny, and I would not be separated from her again. Ironically, my respect for Aro grew in that moment. His intellect was amazing.

Secondly, Marcus' was a kind and gentle man, his thoughts centered solely on Bella's well being. He would be my first point of contact. I would cultivate this man, not just because his every thought was of her, but because he truly housed a soothing soul.

Caius judged my every move, wanting to see if I was going to break again. I knew then just how close I'd come to destruction. He raised his eyebrow at me when he noticed my regard.

She already has champions here, young one. You would do well to remember that..and your place.

Champions? Yes…she did. I looked to Jane as she stood by her brother. Why had she used her gift to save me? For that was exactly what she'd done. Her mind was not focused on that now, blocking my chance to learn her motivation; she was still amazed at Marcus' unusual show of emotion. Demetri was watching Felix in concern, as the large vampire stared at me.

I held Esme as his thoughts poured into me. Esme gasped as my body tightened in reaction to his memories.

"I love Edward Cullen, Carlisle's son. It fills my every pore, my whole being. I don't want to love him. In fact, I've been trying as much as possible to forget him, but I doubt it is going to happen. I will probably be stuck loving him for eternity. I thought at one point he felt the same, but he left me after realizing I was nothing but a distraction to him. He broke every promise he ever made to me. I was left devastated...broken"

Ah…Bella, you have no idea. Thank you Felix, I thought. I'm going to personally tear your lips off for touching her, but I'll attempt to make it as painless as possible for that little gift you just gave me. She is mine, and you can't have her. I growled softly, causing Esme to place her hand on my face.

"Edward?" Jasper asked just to my side.

"Somehow Bella blocked their thoughts from me, but they are all clear now. I'll explain later."

Left only with silence from Bella, I searched frantically for Marcus' mind. My desire to know this man only increased as I saw their conversation. I gasped as he remembered the strength of the relationship between my father and Aro…I'd never understood until now. I wondered what Carlisle thought of it.

Aro's own thoughts crowded into me as well, but when I saw the scene between Carlisle and Bella I wanted to grin. Bella had always been strong willed, what did Carlisle expect? She was furious at us. She'd fearlessly ripped into me even as a human. I just needed the opportunity to talk with her, I'd make her understand. I had to…my life depended on it.

I was more worried at this point about Jacob. Whatever our situation had been before, the months of existing together had formed a bond between us. His grief was in clear juxtaposition to my elation, and I grieved for him in that moment. He'd lost her, without having been afforded the opportunity to even fight for her. He knew that. Our kind and his couldn't exist as lovers. It was impossible, but his love for her was so strong that he was running through scenarios of them living together platonically. He was attempting to figure a plan for the age old animosity to be set aside.

Surely if I can be friends with the Cullens, I can figure a way to convince Sam to allow her to live on the reservation. I can kiss her…there are others things that can be done…

I was glad that Aro and Carlisle's entrance drew everyone's, including his, attention. I didn't need a visual of how Jacob thought he could satisfy both of their sexual desires. I wanted to scream, though, when Aro gave Felix orders to go comfort Bella. He knew exactly how that would make me feel, and that I would hear Felix's elation. It was Aro's form of penance for me.

"Everyone except for the elite, leave," Aro ordered, but as an afterthought added, "Aaron and Michael, my ruling is complete. Dispose of Victoria, and then you are released from duty."

I wanted to utter epitaphs of thanksgiving as Victoria was taken from the room screaming. Good riddance.

"Where's Bella?" Jacob asked, as the rulers took their assigned places.

"She is in her room," Aro answered. "She believes that you didn't want anything further to do with her. She is overwhelmed by this." He then turned to me, "You need to know that she believes that you left her, that you do not love her. From your thoughts, I know this isn't the case, but she isn't privy to that information."

I began to beg him to allow me to go to her, but obeyed his command out of respect. I would get farther being obedient, than fighting at this moment. His announcement of our incorporation into the Volturi Guard didn't surprise either Carlisle or I, but I shuddered at his possessive silent statement to Carlisle. I realized in that moment the depths of my father's love for me. He'd willingly walked back into Hell to rescue my love, knowing that his fate would be sealed upon entering these doors. For it would seem that Aro desired my father in more ways than one.

I would love to know what you think! Unlike my other story where I couldn't ask for reviews, I'm soliciting your thoughts here. Please!

As always, I want to thank my Betas – please check out their stories here on FF – they are incredible:

hopeforastalemate – A better name for this woman would be Volturi Girl. I'd started this story months ago, during short breaks from Harvest Moon. So… in response to her love of the 'Italian scum' and her personal invitation for me to write something a little darker, my planned sweet, angsty story between Bella, Edward, and Jacob took a dramatic turn. See the link to her profile below:

http: / www. /u /2173996/

Crmcneill – For his patience with me (contrary to how he presents himself on his FF profile) and his incomparable editing skills. Male twilight fans are not a myth – they do exist, and I am so glad I was able to connect with him. I've called many men friends, but I've never called one master until now. "Strong is the power of the comma. Mind what you have learned. Save you it can." See the link to his profile below.

http: / www . /u /1933926/