Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight.

All plotlines, characterizations, and details in Eternally Intertwined 2.0: Blood Ties belong to the author: Bronzehyperion. No copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without the author's authorization. ©2011-2013 Bronzehyperion. All rights reserved worldwide.

This is the sequel to Eternally Intertwined. I advise you to read/skim over it before you read this because otherwise most won't make sense.

This story wouldn't be the same without my BETA Litmom.

What happened previously:

"Alice? Alice, what do you see?" Esme pleaded.

"Call Edward," I managed to choke out. "I think they no longer need to look for Bella. I think she is being brought here."

CHAPTER 9: LET'S MAKE A DEAL

ALICE

"What did you see? Be precise."

I wanted to roll my eyes. I was always fricking precise.

I saw Edward. His lips curled back in a snarl because he was furious at the sight of Bella, who was being held tightly between Jane and Alec.

They looked menacing enough, but not as bad as the two guards that would catch him.

"He's going to get hurt," I practically shouted.

I tried to make sense of it, the images, but they shifted so fast, like a slide show played on high speed.

Bella – still human – was with Jane and Alec. I couldn't see Aro, though. He wasn't starring in this particular vision.

But then the situation shifted. The story changed.

I saw Bella's marble skin, cool and white. Eyes that were now swimming with blood.

She looked cold and calculating.

A vampire. But not our kind of vampire.

I shuddered.

Aro was going to ruin her. He didn't want to kill her.

He wanted her immortal.

And Edward was going to die for thinking he could stop him.

I grabbed my phone and dialed my brother's number.

"Pick up, pick up, pick up," I chanted.

I could see it, I could see him doing something incredibly stupid. He would want to try and save her, but in reality, that would be the thing to get him killed.

I could see the delight in Aro's eyes as two of his guards held Edward, while their master grabbed his head, to rip it off.

If it had been physically possible for me to throw up, I would have. My fingers pressed the buttons of my phone frantically, hoping I would still be able to warn Edward.

I had to get the message across.

"Alice?" Carlisle grabbed one of my hands but I shook it off.

Once I sent Edward a message, I tried calling him again, but he still didn't pick up.

"Darn it" I hissed, before tossing the phone away. The crack echoed as it landed against the wall and fell to the floor.

"What is going on?" Carlisle pressed. "Aro is coming here?"

I nodded.

"He's got Bella.

And he is going to kill Edward."

BELLA

"Are we there yet?"

Jane sounded bored. I suppose that's what you became when you'd been immortal for this long.

"Be patient, Jane, dear," Aro chided her. "I have a few stops to make in this quaint little area. And then we can go home."

He turned to me, his red eyes glowing in the dim light of the car. "You'll love Volterra, Isabella," he purred. "The climate is wonderful, almost always sunny..." he smiled. "Plenty to eat."

It looked sinister when he did that. This creepy smile, so full of joy, so happy to make others feel completely miserable.

"Isn't that a problem?" I muttered.

"Is what a problem?"

"The sun. The effect it has on your skin..." I clarified.

"In Volterra we can move quite freely. You'll see," Aro told me.

"I wonder how Marcus and Caius will feel about our latest addition. They weren't very happy with the other one," Jane mused.

"Sapphire was far too erratic to be controlled. We should've just killed her," Alec joined her. "She kept running away."

"I disliked her so much. I hope this one won't cause as many problems."

"Enough!" Aro warned. "I made a deal with Sapphire's father and I am a man of my word. It doesn't matter if you agree with me or not."

"Sorry, Master," Alec mumbled, while Jane just rolled her eyes.

Apparently, she wasn't afraid of him. Her brother was, though.

We all went back to silence after Aro's outburst. I wondered about the deal Mark Daggett had made.

Clearly Aro had given Sapphire immortality. But what had he gotten out of it?

A chance to get to the Cullens? After all, Daggett had known about them and their lifestyle. Could he have wanted revenge for the death of his wife. His other daughter?

"Ah, we're almost here," Aro suddenly spoke, his voice eager.

"Where?" I asked, the words falling from my lips, before I could stop myself.

Were we at the Cullens?

"The airport."

EDWARD

Three missed calls, five text messages.

A frantic Alice.

And now I knew why. Aro was going to be at our house. And he had Bella.

I didn't run, I flew. Probably faster than I ever had before.

Alice's warning was clear.

Don't do anything stupid. It will cost you your life.

She hadn't gone into much detail about what she'd seen, but I had a feeling it was very bad. Since I wasn't close enough to read my sister's mind I couldn't get the dirty details, but it was undoubtedly far worse than the brief play-by-play of her vision she had given me in a shouty rant on my voice mail.

"We need a plan," Emmett said, as he ran next to me.

"Working on it," Jasper said. He was flanking my other side.

"If he has Bella, he must want her for something," Emmett mused.

"Leverage," Jasper agreed. "Otherwise he would have killed her already. But he needs her alive. For now."

"Stop," I warned. "I don't need this speculation. We will stop Aro and we will save Bella."

I should be relieved that at least Bella was still alive and that she was possibly on her way to the house.

And maybe we would be able to make a deal with Aro. Carlisle might be able to reason with him, as they were old friends.

Still, I was aware of the one rule we vampires had. No human could know about our existence.

And the fact he had Bella, meant that he knew that she knew about us. That put her and the entire family at risk.

"Edward, Alice said she thinks Aro will not be alone."

"We can handle his pack of guards," Emmett said. He was full of confidence and his mind betrayed that he was looking forward to a fight.

"No. Perhaps a more...diplomatic approach is needed," Jasper pointed out. "We don't fight unless we have to. And believe me, it would be best for all of us, if we don't have to..."

ALICE

In the years I'd known Carlisle, I'd never seen him nervous. But here he stood, next to me, waiting. Staring into the darkness, waiting for Aro to appear. I could feel the stress rolling off him in waves.

"Are you sure it's just Jane and Alec you see."

In my vision, I' d only seen him with Jane, Alec...and Bella. It seemed like they were in a car.

"Like I said, I don't see more of them, but they have tricks. So there's a good chance there are more."

More guards or not, it didn't matter. Jane and Alec alone would be enough.

Jane especially was powerful with her mind control. Alec was less impressive but difficult to fight, nonetheless. And if Aro had even more guards with him, then there was no way we'd be able to win in a fight.

Not even close.

So that's what I told Carlisle. "We're never going to win a fight."

"Then I guess we have to settle this through reasoning."

I wanted to say something, but then, like out of nowhere, a black limousine appeared.

"They're here..."

The car came to a halt and to my surprise, only Aro stepped out. He looked impeccable, from a fashion point of view. Of course, living in Italy, he probably had the best designers at his disposal.

Out of nowhere, two of his guards - not Alec and Jane - appeared from the thick trees lining the access road to our house.

They must have been following the car.

Bella was nowhere to be seen though. Nor were Jane and Alec.

That didn't match my vision. Where was she? And why hadn't I seen the vision shift?

"Carlisle, my old friend," Aro spoke happily, rubbing his hands together with glee. "It's been too long."

I watched as Carlisle gave him a polite smile. "Aro," he nodded. "Indeed, it's been a while."

The man in front of us nodded. He was flanked by the two bulky looking guards, men who looked bigger than Emmett and very determined to use violence if necessary.

They kept a little distance but were watchful and wary. One had short, black cropped hair, the other seemed to go for the "emo rock" look, with black bangs that were shielding his eyes. Both were completely dressed in black, though.

"How have you been, old friend?" Aro inquired. "Your house is exquisite, I must say," he complimented.

"Thank you. My wife, Esme, designed it."

Esme appeared from behind Carlisle and grabbed his hand. "Welcome," she murmured.

Aro looked her over and nodded in approval. "Quite the beauty", he smiled.

"And such impeccable taste."

"Thank you," Esme said. "Would you like to come inside?"

Her invite – a sign of polite hospitability - was clearly a surprise to Aro, because for a moment his eyes went wide.

But soon he recovered and shook his head. "I'm afraid we don't have much time, dear," he said solemnly. "We've come here to discuss a grave matter."

I could feel Carlisle tense beside me, but before he could speak, I stepped in and held out my hand.

"Hi, I am Alice," I spoke softly, grabbing his hand without hesitation.

His hands felt papery and fragile. Like he could break at any moment.

"Alice," he whispered. The moment our skin touched, it seemed like he got lost in some sort of trance.

He was reading my thoughts, much like Edward could, except that Aro could see all of them. Not just the ones I was having right now, but all the thoughts I'd ever had.

"Fascinating," he mumbled as he read me. "You're a Seer."

"I am."

"Fascinating," he murmured again. "I don't come across many who have the gift of visions. Tell me, my dear, did you see me coming."

He opened his eyes, his blood red stare penetrating mine. I wasn't afraid of him, but the way he was looking at me so intently, that kind of scared me.

"Yes. I saw you coming," I answered truthfully.

I just hadn't seen the part where Bella wasn't currently here. What did that mean? Was the vision wrong?

"So then you know," he concluded. "What the future will bring."

"I know based on what people decide. Courses can change if people should decide so," I pointed out.

Aro smiled, his lips curled up in a sinister grimace. "That's a fair point."

"Is it?" I challenged.

"Well, I have decided on what I want to do, which I am sure you have seen..."

I hadn't seen all of it.

"But you have no intention to change your mind," I interrupted. "Not even with a compelling argument to persuade you…", I hinted.

"The rules were broken," Aro said simply.

"They weren't," Carlisle spoke up.

That caught his attention. "Really, Carlisle? Is that how you see it? Because I think you know quite well what the rules are. No one can know of our existence. And Isabella knows."

It was weird to hear him speak her name, like she was an old friend or someone familiar.

"Where is Isabella now?" I asked. "You must understand we are worried about her."

Seeing as we expected her to be here.

"I understand. But there is no need to be worried. Isabella is fine."

"Is she still alive?" Carlisle asked.

Aro started laughing, a high pitched eerie sound.

"Why, Carlisle, you do still know how to amuse me."

"IS she?" Carlisle asked again, his tone a little cooler.

Aro turned to me. "I'm sure your Seer here can answer that question. But, I'll play along. It's not a question of life or death...

...it's more a matter of humanity."

Carlisle was about to say something in response, when Edward, Jasper and Emmett came rushing from the woods behind us.

"WHERE IS SHE?" Edward yelled, getting in Aro's face immediately.

What happened next, wasn't entirely expected, although it still startled me. Within nanoseconds Edward was pinned to the ground by one of Aro's guards.

Emmett, eager to help our brother, was restrained by Jasper and Carlisle, while Esme looked on, worry etched on her face.

"Careful now," Aro warned. "We wouldn't want anyone to do anything we'll regret, now would we?" he hissed.

"Edward, control yourself," Carlisle warned.

Aro sighed. Clearly agitated he signaled for the guard to let Edward go.

"Now, that wasn't at all pleasant. Let's start over." He held out his hand and gestured for Edward to take it. "You must be Edward."

I looked at my brother who stared at the hand and then at Carlisle.

"Go on," our father said.

Edward rolled his eyes but reached for Aro's hand.

They stood there, hands touching, for what seemed like ages. Aro's eyes glazed over and a lazy smile appeared as he tried to read my brother.

Edward in the meantime wasn't focused on the man reading all the thoughts he'd ever had, or reading his in return. He looked at me, evidently confused.

He realized it, too. Bella wasn't here.

My brother's eyes then wandered to the rest of our family. And then to the two guards and the black limousine.

I couldn't read his mind, but I understood what he was doing.

He seemed to be calculating, trying to figure out if we could take on these two guards. Wondering if there was anyone else left in the car.

"Now, Edward...don't do anything stupid," Aro tsked.

Of course, he could read him now.

Edward pulled his hand away and stepped back. "Where is she?" he asked again. I could feel his tension, he was clearly only trying to stay calm.

"You don't have to worry about Isabella. She is safe," Aro said dismissively.

"That's not what I asked," Edward muttered. "I want to know where she is."

Aro sighed. He was clearly losing his patience.

"We expected her to be here," I explained, my voice calm. "But she's not in the car, is she?"

"No. I thought it would be better to keep her out of this. But, like I said, there is no need to worry. Isabella is being looked after just fine," Aro said.

"The vision," I murmured to myself. It just didn't make sense.

"Oh, Alice my dear," Aro said, his voice filled with false compassion. "Please don't doubt your visions. Under the circumstances, perhaps the stress of worrying about your friend, you clearly misinterpreted some elements. But rest assured, the bigger picture is still the same," he smiled, his lips stretched into a mocking grin.

"Which brings me to our order of business. I am here because the rules were broken. That requires a penalty."

The bigger picture is still the same.

Bella would still become a vampire at the hands of Aro. And Edward, in a feeble attempt to save her from this fate, would die.

"We didn't break the rules," I said.

Edward looked at me intently. He had heard Aro loud and clear.

"Didn't you?"

"We never told Bella, she found out on her own," I explained, hoping to reason with this man. "And Edward and Bella are in love."

I had no idea why I was trying to appeal to his human side, he clearly didn't have one.

"Yes, it's all very sweet," Aro nodded. "But that doesn't change the fact that she is human and humans cannot know of our existence. It's the most important rule and it was broken. You may not have told her, but she found out something she wasn't supposed to know, because you all were careless!"

"Bella would never tell anyone," Edward spat. "She knows the risks."

Aro frowned. "Yes, it would appear she is more aware of the risks than all of you."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Edward asked. "What have you done to her?"

I could feel he was ready to burst. Ready to lunge at Aro. Which would get him killed.

The bigger picture is still the same.

"Edward, don't," I warned.

"Listen to your gifted sister. There's no need for casualties," Aro pointed out.

Carlisle took a step forward.

"What do you want, Aro?"

EDWARD

That was the million dollar question. What the fuck did Aro want?

No, skip that...where is Bella? That was the million dollar question and the one thing I desperately wanted to know.

He could have killed her already. His mind didn't show that, but he was a master manipulator. Maybe he was able to alter his thoughts, or shield them from me. Much like Sapphire could.

But I'd seen Alice's vision. Well, the "highlights", anyway. And if Aro was speaking the truth, if the "bigger picture" was still the same, then Bella was still alive.

I had to hold onto that.

Still, it was obvious that Aro was playing a sick, twisted mind game here.

"I am here to make sure there is no bad blood between us," Aro chuckled.

"You see, regardless of how Isabella found out, rules were broken. And as I said before, when this happens, it's only fair that there is some kind of punishment...

...it saddens me, Carlisle, because you are such a dear friend and while I never understood your...lifestyle, I admire that you have managed to create this…veil…of human pretense here in this quirky and quaint little town...and if Isabella hadn't learned of your true nature, I wouldn't have come here to disturb you…

Hmm, if only there was some way..." he paused.

My father was usually a calm man, but I could see that with Aro he was rapidly losing his patience.

I understood the feeling. I wanted to rip this guy's head off.

"Skip the theatrics, Aro. Just tell us what you're going to do," Carlisle sighed. "If you feel like playing judge and executioner, then get on with it."

Aro smiled, a big, beaming, disgusting smile I wanted to wipe off his face.

"Well, see, normally, my brothers and I would have to decide what to do to the guilty party, but seeing as the rules weren't technically broken – as you pointed out; Isabella found out about our kind on her own, I suppose I could consider being lenient."

"Lenient, how?" Alice asked.

"Well, let's say this was all a great misunderstanding. Carlisle is one of my oldest and dearest friends. I would never want to cause him or his family any trouble.

And to be fair, the only ones culpable and responsible in some form are Edward and Isabella.

That really only leaves the question; what do we do with you now?"

BELLA

Don't throw up, don't throw up. Whatever you do, don't throw up.

It wasn't working. I really felt like throwing up.

"Would you like something to eat? You look a little pale."

No, I want to get off this plane, lady.

We were on a private jet. A private jet filled with accommodating humans who had no idea that they were among monsters. Monsters with no hesitation to kill them.

"No, thank you," I whispered.

The woman, golden haired, sun-kissed and with big blue friendly eyes, smiled a perfect Colgate smile. "Alright, well let me know if you need anything."

"That's enough, Gianna!" Jane snapped. "We're fine here so you can go back to your seat.

Gianna nodded. "Yes, of course."

She then turned to me. "If you get hungry…"

"I'm fine," I told her again.

"You better enjoy it while you can, human," Alec chuckled. "Soon you won't be eating anything, anymore."

"No more hunger, just thirst," Jane chimed in and then both started laughing.

I ignored them. We were at the airport in Port Angeles, waiting for Aro's private jet to take off. I'd been here once before, when I'd flown in from Seattle.

I remembered how tiny this airport was, with only small commercial flights. I swallowed back my emotions as I remembered how Charlie had picked me up. Awkward hugs and memories.

He would never know what had happened to me.

Would the Cullens?

Aro was with them now, probably gloating as he told them of my decision. Rubbing salt in the wounds his words would inflict.

Thinking of what that might do to Edward and his family, broke my heart. I could only hope that he would understand I had chosen this to save him.

To protect him.

I tried to blink away the tears that were forming in my eyes. I had to be strong now. This was my choice. And becoming a vampire and joining the Volturi Guard – whatever that meant, was a small price to pay if it kept Edward and the Cullens alive.

"How much longer will this take?!" Alec muttered, clearly frustrated. "I am bored and thirsty!"

"Relax, brother," Jane grinned, as she looked me over. "It'll all be over soon...

...and then we go home."

EDWARD

"So, what WILL you do?" I muttered. I was tired of the mind games.

Whatever Aro had to say, it wouldn't be anything I'd want to hear unless it was about Bella and her current location.

The rest was static.

"Well, like I said...we can all go about our way...no harm, no foul. This was just a misunderstanding."

"Just like that?" Alice enquired. "No problems whatsoever. No repercussions?" She emphasized.

"Indeed," Aro nodded. "No problems whatsoever. No repercussions either."

"What's the catch?" Jasper spoke up. "I think I speak for all of us when I say I have my doubts that you just came here for a good lecturing."

Jasper was right.

From what Carlisle had told me, Aro wasn't one to back down on something this easily. He thrived on power and showed no mercy once he had decided you were guilty.

His mindset seemed to confirm that. He was here with one thing in mind.

Punishment.

He was envious of Carlisle, of the life my father had created, far away from Volterra.

And Aro hated the fact that Carlisle had left him and his brothers. He resented my father for it.

But there was more. I took a moment to concentrate. To really listen to his thoughts.

Mostly, I sensed that Aro was here to gloat.

And that's when it hit me.

"It's a trap, isn't it?" I asked. "It's a fucking trap."

He was here, protected by two of his guards, while Bella was with Jane and Alec, the two vicious twin-guards who would have no problem killing her.

"Edward…" Esme admonished me. "Keep it civil."

I didn't hear her.

"Where is she?" I growled, a rumbling erupting from my chest. "WHERE IS BELLA?"

The two guards were in front of me instantly, shielding me from Aro.

"Easy now," He hissed. "Isabella and I have an agreement."

An agreement?

"What are you talking about?" I said, trying to free myself from the guards strong grip.

Aro rolled his eyes. "Let him go," he told the two vampires that were restraining me. "I'm sure he won't try to do something stupid again. Not unless he wants me to kill him this instant

And then you'll never know what will happen to Isabella."

The two guards let me go and backed down. Both kept their eyes on me though.

"Well," I said impatiently, trying to keep my temper in check. I hated it, but right now, this monster in front of me, was my only link to Bella. He held all the answers I was looking for.

"Isabella is a very gracious girl. Very brave, too. You should really thank her."

"Why?" Alice asked. "What has she done?"

"She asked me to spare you, which I will because I am a man of my word and I believe she is a woman of hers."

Bella was a woman of her word. Aro chose those words very carefully and precisely. She had promised him something.

But what?

"WHAT DID YOU MAKE HER PROMISE?!" I screamed, ready to lunge again, not caring if Aro's two guards jumped on me before I got the chance.

Not caring if they ripped my head off.

"Edward!" Alice warned. Her tiny arm grabbed mine, forcing me to stay back.

"I didn't make her promise a thing," Aro said calmly. His expression betrayed that he was rather pleased with himself.

"It was Isabella's idea to trade your life for her humanity," he said casually. "I didn't make her."

Humanity? Bella...was giving up her humanity?

Was she...had he turned her into a vampire?

Impossible. I mean, it was supposed to happen – Alice had seen it after all, but not like this. Not at the hands of this monster.

"NO!" I roared. This time I lunged, determined to maim, or kill. Even if it cost me my life.

If he hurt her...the woman I loved, if Aro dared to harm her in any way, he was going down.

"Edward, no!" I heard Alice shriek. Of course, she knew the consequences of what I was about to do. She had seen them.

But before I could stop myself, there was another roar. And then a growl.

And then, within seconds, the scene shifted and I wasn't simply fighting Aro and killing him. I wasn't being held down to get my head severed from my body.

I was being held back by Emmett, while a dazed looking Aro had moved closer to the limousine, shielded by his two guards.

Between us stood Jacob.

Wolf Jacob.

Aro's eyes were big. He was surprised.

Shocked.

"It can't be..." he murmured in disbelief. "The legends…"

"Are true," My father spoke calmly.

"But the Quileutes ceased to exist centuries ago," Aro spoke, still astonished. "Wolves are extinct."

"They aren't."

"You better tell the dog to back off," one of the guards - the larger one, barked. "Because I think I know what can happen to dogs when they try to take a nibble out of a vampire."

That got a reaction from Aro. The wonder on his face got replaced by determination. Menace. Glee.

"Felix is right. I'd hate for this creature to get hurt for making the mistake of defending you."

"Jacob," my father said. "Back away, please."

The reddish brown creature looked back at Carlisle like he really understood him.

And then he did as he was told. He backed away and went to stand next to Emmett, who patted his head.

"Now, where were we..." Aro muttered. "Ah, yes...Edward here was clearly taken aback by the news of the deal I made with Isabella. I can understand the shock, dear Edward, I can. But I don't appreciate you trying to attack me. Again."

He turned to Carlisle.

"I would have thought you would have raised your son with a little more respect for us, Carlisle."

My father didn't say a word.

"Well, if that is all...I think we best be on our way. We have a plane to catch."

Aro turned, ready to get in the car and drive off.

I couldn't let that happen. I had to know where Bella was. I had to save her, even if it cost me my life.

"Wait," I spoke up, my voice a lot calmer than I really felt. "Whatever deal Bella made with you, I want to alter it," I said.

Aro turned around. Those creepy eyes were shining again. He was intrigued.

"I'm afraid that's impossible."

I shook my head. "It's not. Bella offered her life, her humanity. I am willing to take her place," I said.

"Take her place," Aro mused. "And why would I be interested in that? As I said before, Isabella seems to be more gracious about the rules we have than you. You have tried to attack me twice already."

"I...apologize for that," I grumbled. "And to answer your question...I have something to offer that Bella doesn't."

"And what would that be?"

"You know what I can do. Bella has no powers. I do. I could be of use to you."

For some reason that made Aro laugh. Very loudly.

It was a horrible sound.

"Oh, naive Edward. You have no idea of the power that Isabella possesses. She is a gem," Aro smiled.

Powers? Bella had powers? Did Aro really believe that? Or did she make him belief that? Was she trying to escape by making this deal?

She would certainly be fearless enough to risk her life like that.

So many questions suddenly occupied my mind, but there was no time to figure them out.

I looked at Alice who shrugged her shoulders. She didn't know what Aro was talking about. No vision to give me any answers on this.

"Let me take her place," I tried again. "I can read anyone's thoughts. And unlike you, with all due respect, I don't have to touch them first to do so," I pointed out.

Aro remained quiet, watching me, contemplating my words.

"You would make a nice addition to my guard," he then murmured.

It would be worth it, to go to Volterra in Bella's place. I knew I would never make it out of there alive, but as long as she was safe, it was a small price to pay.

"Then we have a deal?"

It's been a while. I apologize for that. Real life and stuff gets in the way at times. The good news, the two next chapters are done, so they'll be up straight away!

Thanks for those who are sticking around and welcome to new readers! :)