Last chapter (since it was like an eternity ago!) – The seething rage that filled Bella seeped into every crevice of her body. Between clenched teeth, she unleashed the bitter-tasting truth: "If you knew he was my mate, then Aro knew as well!"
Bella didn't wait for Marcus's confirmation. She didn't need to. Furious at being yet again manipulated, her ire expanded exponentially with each passing second as she streaked out of the gallery in a blind rage.
Aro had insisted she be turned for her own good! He ruthlessly used information he had stolen from Edward's mind – her desire to join him in immortality. Used her own private thoughts and wishes against her! And from that small seed of information, he orchestrated her abduction through the use of innocents. Even encouraged her to kill! And then used her own insecurities against her to mold the doubt of a young woman and fill her mind with the need for power, crushing her heart in the process.
Aro claimed it was what she had wished for. Claimed her immortality was a gift. No, he didn't want to give her power for her own good – he wanted to use the power she already possessed for his own purposes!
True, he had brought her power to fruition, nurtured it, and then set it free … and now he would have to deal with the monster he had created.
Chapter 37 – Eyes on Fire
- I'm taking it slow
Feeding my flame
Shuffling the cards of your game
And just in time
In the right place
Suddenly I will play my ace
Edward.
Alone again in the cell, surrounded by several recently emptied containers of blood, Edward pushed away the unknown voice calling his name in his head. He wanted to just be. The physical pain was gone; Corin had taken away the pangs of withdrawal. The dreamlike state left in her wake dulled the edges of the blade that was lodged in his chest since the day the police arrived at his doorstep. Even though Bella was not dead – and that had given him much to be thankful for – she was still lost to him.
The knife may have been dulled as a result of Corin's effect, but by Aro's hand, it twisted and dug deeper.
Still, after witnessing Dominic's memories, Edward couldn't deny culpability. Aro wouldn't have been able to lead Bella down a road that took her away had he not paved the way. He could only blame himself for creating doubt in Bella's mind and heart. Now only Bella held the power to change the course of events … should she so choose.
Debilitated by Corin's effect and bound by Chelsea's, he was left alone with his thoughts, a chance to further ponder the errors of his ways. He had come to the conclusion that regret was the most haunting emotion that existed, and fear was the precursor to regret. So much he could have done – should have done – if he had not let fear rule his decisions concerning Bella.
Before Bella, he had feared nothing. Even in his human youth, fear was not known to him. War beckoned, and valor was praised when it came in the face of great risk – and risk was something his adolescent mind craved. When death did come, it arrived so swiftly and stealthily that he didn't have time to fear it properly before Carlisle bargained away his soul in exchange for immortality. Once the soul was forsaken, death just meant infinite nothingness. He had been content to exist in the moment, unencumbered by fear.
But the Fates had other plans for him. With their deft fingers and twisted senses of humor, they wove Bella into the tapestry of his life. They had infused her with a scent to make him forget logic and a mind that mocked his abilities. She confounded him and left him with an unacceptable feeling of vulnerability. After a hundred years, including fifty dark years of resignation that he was destined to be alone, Bella was the miracle he had given up on – love and, therefore, a reason to truly live. She was his salvation.
And his obsession.
Protecting her became his priority. As a result, he had placed her in a gilded cage dressed up as love. Was it any wonder Aro's offer to her was so tempting? Life here gave her a chance to discover and realize her true potential. Edward hung his head. Shouldn't that have been his role?
Their exchange of words from hours ago taunted him: "Bella. I haven't changed."
"Don't you see that's part of the problem, Edward?"
Edward scrubbed his face with both hands. To be truly worthy of her, he needed to move past what he was to who he could be. In transferring his guilt and shame of what he was to her, he had held back in changing her, creating a rift neither could transverse. In doing so, he had been convinced taking her humanity would be the ultimate crime, when to her, it would have been the ultimate gift of commitment and love. Only now could he understand why she wanted actions not words to prove his love for her.
Yes, they were mates as the Fates had destined it, but he didn't want to be just Bella's mate for life, he wanted to be the greatest love of her life.
Through his epiphany, a mind continued to reach out to him, rising in pitch above the incessant white noise of other minds which had become part and parcel of his life …
Edward.
The summoning still didn't register with him until more was urgently added to the message: Isabella must be stopped before she reaches the throne room. I fear for her. She sees, and is now blinded by revenge. Only you can change her course.
Bella was in danger! That thought alone cleared the remains of Corin's fog from his mind. Springing to life as if he had been a dozing human doused with cold water, Edward flew toward the throne room. The human blood surged through him, pushing him faster. He listened intently for guidance from whoever had sounded the alert.
Edward, look for her here.
The images that accompanied the mental directive pinpointed the junction where he could intercept Bella. He only had one chance ….
.
Only one chance, Bella thought as she backtracked through the corridors. She had yet to explore much of the maze of underground tunnels, but that would not deter her from reaching her destination. She only had one chance at the element of surprise.
Lies! Lies! Lies! The word looped through her mind over and over again, whipping her up into a frenzy of motion and emotion. The endless stream of lies that had been fed to her straight from Aro's lips fueled her fury. Each one he had carefully planned and tied to her back until the weight of them wore her down and crushed her with devastating doubt. From there he rebuilt her with more lies. How foolish she had been to believe in him! Her gullibility and humiliation set her ablaze with determination to bring havoc down on all of them – starting with Aro.
Barefoot, she flew toward the throne room. Nothing mattered or even existed except revenge. The shackles of her humanity crumbled and fell to the wayside as the monster took the driver's seat. The newborn felt only the deep-seated need for vengeance. Power was hers to wield, consequences be damned. They had brought this wrath upon themselves. Their destruction would leave no stain of guilt.
Bella embraced the part of her that hummed with delight at the thought of ripping Aro apart – the way he had ripped her from home and away from her humanity to suit his own desires. All trains of thought had merged onto the same track and were racing full-steam ahead with one determined focus.
Then, like an apparition materializing from the smoke of the torches, he was there, waiting at the perpendicular junction of the tunnels.
Edward.
She didn't want his intervention, and moreover, she didn't need his involvement. This she had to do on her own. This was her settling a score and shedding the damsel in distress image she had assumed since Edward entered her life. Bella's nostrils flared and she sent out a low growl of warning.
A typical vampire would have listened to his instinct for self-preservation and moved aside. But Edward wasn't a typical vampire … and he had something he needed to prove to her.
The crack of their collision echoed down the stone corridors. Bella, being strongest of the two, pushed Edward backwards until he hit the solid wall behind him. The force of their impact didn't shake the foundation of the castle, but it did crumble, surrounding them in stone debris and a cloud of lime mortar dust.
Lodged partially in the jagged stone wall, Edward fought hard against his innate urges to defend himself. He remained still as Bella growled at him in rage, her teeth just an inch from his neck.
"Don't! Don't try to stop me. I've had enough manipulation and lies for two lifetimes, human and vampire!" she snarled.
Assuming a submissive posture and casting his eyes to the floor, he did nothing to further provoke Bella. Finally, she backed away, disarmed and bewildered by his inaction. Assessing he was not a threat, she turned to resume her vengeful quest until Edward captured her attention when he spoke in a calm voice, "I have to stop you, Bella."
She stilled, but did not turn to face him. "I know you have to because of Chelsea's voodoo hold on you…"
"No, not because of Chelsea," Edward interrupted. "I have to because I cannot endure life without my mate, but more than that, I don't want to live without the woman I love, and right now, she is attempting a suicide mission."
Hearing him call her "mate" spoke directly to her new nature. It carried much more weight than when he had used the word "wife." "Mate" spoke volumes to her in this life. With his silver tongue, Aro may have said words she wanted to hear and made the promises she wanted to believe, but only one truth had since been proven: she had altered Edward's course from pursuing Caius, and only a mating bond had the power to sever Chelsea's hold. There was zero possibility their mating bond was a lie.
Edward continued, "Tear me apart if you need to, but I won't step aside and let that monster destroy you."
"You wish to protect him?" she accused.
Edward's voice remained steady in the face of her venom-seared anger. "I don't mean Aro. I'm talking about the monster inside you. I know it well, Bella. I left Carlisle to obey to the monster inside. I regret that choice. Don't let it rule now or you'll be no better than Aro."
Pulled in one direction by the reasoning of her mate, and in another by the justified desire for revenge, Bella twisted her hands in her thick hair, torn as to which path to pursue.
"Bella, you told me actions define what lies in the heart – define who we are. I love you. Human or vampire. How could I not choose to stand between you and certain death?"
She turned to face Edward, hesitant to look him in the eye; she didn't want him to see how dead she had become on the inside. But instead of seeing shame in his eyes, what she saw brought back the fury she had momentarily lost – a red ring encompassed the blackness of his eyes. Evidence Edward had drunk human blood.
"What have they done to you?" she breathed, her hatred slipping at seeing the full damage brought upon him in Volterra.
The hint of compassion in her crimson eyes was the break Edward thought might not come. It was a glimpse of his Bella. Cautiously, he inched closer to her as if he was attempting to approach a wild, unpredictable animal. "It doesn't matter what they do to me. I'd endure it all again for the opportunity to win you back. They can have whatever they want from me, Bella, as long as you know the truth."
"The truth? I don't know what the truth is anymore!" Bella cried, shaking with emotion. "Who I am, what I am to you … Aro told me I would find my purpose and reason here through my power, but what good is power or control if in the end you are only a pawn, a piece in some else's game?"
"Carlisle came to the same conclusion, Bella. It's why he left." Edward sighed, hoping to help her reclaim her ability to reason. "But some live for the game, some can control the outcome of the game, and some can bend the rules to always come out the victor. You must find a way to outwit the game masters."
Bella watched Edward's pained facial movements revealed an internal struggle. It reminded her of Jacob's battle when he tried to overcome Sam's gag order about his phasing. She was sure Edward was trying to give her information without violating his forced allegiance. Observing Edward's inner war sparked a mean streak of possessiveness in Bella. Until Chelsea's control was eliminated, Bella would be forced to share Edward with her.
As misguided and archaic as Edward's behaviors and beliefs were, being a vampire herself gave her clearer insight into his ways – ways that were often driven by instinct instead of logic. Ironically, she now felt the same undeniable urge to possess and protect Edward. However, unlike when she was human, she now had the power to do so. Only problem: her priority to protect rivaled her need for revenge against the Volturi.
Reason slowly trickled into her mind as Edward kept her delayed. Aro was too clever to be bested by a straight-on attack, but Achilles had his heel … "What are Aro's weaknesses?"
Edward shook his head and frowned deeply. "Chelsea … I can't…."
Bella paced, this time frustration ruled her emotional state. "He took my humanity not to help me, but to help himself! Fight Chelsea's damn hold on you, Edward! I need what you know!" She felt a break coming, but the swiftness of her emotions eluded her ability to contain or direct them. "I was a fool to believe in him! I'm angry at myself for being so blind, and at you for leaving me vulnerable. And … and I didn't get to say goodbye to them! My family … I can't go home now. And I'm angry! So angry I can't focus on you, or saving Dominic. I'm losing myself –what makes me who I am – and I don't want that!"
"I understand the need to grieve for your humanity and your anger at the reason it was stolen from you," Edward responded sympathetically, briefly remembering the tirades he had directed at Carlisle when he was a newborn. "Dominic shared what happened. I saw how strong you were, Bella, and I realize now I have underestimated you. But believe me, my actions were meant to show my love for you. I never wanted you to have to choose between me and your family."
"I know –" Bella began, but she stopped short as Edward held up his hand.
"No, I was wrong. It was your life and yours to decide how to live it. Instead, I made you play a game in which I was controlling you to allay my fears. I'm sorry."
His sincere words fractured the wall she had built around her dead heart, clearing her head and giving her transformed focus. Games. Games. Games. Beat the game master at his own game…
"Of course!" she blurted out. Using all the strength she had rallied in her murderous quest, Bella focused inward. In response, her shield burst outward, bringing Edward into its bubble of safety. As before, those within her shield appeared as points of light. This she was used to, but when Edward came into her field, the light that flashed from him was momentarily blinding. It was the most brilliant light she had ever seen. Warm, pure, and inviting. Her resolve solidified.
"This game has changed. If Aro wants us for our powers, I say we give it to him in spades." When Edward gave her a quizzical look, she asked, "Am I shielding you from Chelsea's effect?"
"You can project it?" he questioned with clear astonishment – and a bit of pride.
"Oh, I can do more than just project it … Now focus. Is it working?"
Edward stood straighter. His eyes narrowed in concentration. "I don't feel any different."
Bella's brow furrowed as she focused inward flexing her shield, completely oblivious to the hint of a crooked smile on Edward's lips. "It should work between our mating bond and my shield …."
Hearing her affirm their mating bond sent a thrill down his spine. "Maybe we should try getting closer?" he offered continuing in his pursuit of her.
The deep, huskiness of Edward's voice caught her attention. Within her shield, his light began to pulse.
"Closer?" She swallowed.
"Bella?" Edward spoke her name in the form of a question as he offered his hand as a peace offering. A second chance to prove his love.
She stared at his hand, conflicted. Aro's poison-words echoed in head, spilling doubt into her mind. But this time, she knew his words to be elaborate, cleverly-spun lies. In changing her, he had planned to capitalize on her instability as a newborn and get her drunk on power, thereby creating a loyal and powerful guard. But she was about to turn the tables on the game master …
In one swift motion, Bella grabbed Edward's hand and pulled him closer. Underestimating her strength, she pulled him flush against her body.
The connection of their bodies was electric. The same electricity that had been there from the beginning, only the voltage had increased exponentially. Immediately, nothing mattered to her but their physical connection. It was home.
For the rest of time, no matter where they had to roam from this point on, home was no longer defined as a structure or location, it was found in her connection with Edward.
The ache for him moved rapidly from her healing heart to a thrilling sensation in her gut to … further down. It was a primal reaction, she knew it, but it didn't matter. She was claiming him – her mate. Instinct could not be denied in the newborn state…
Edward's chest vibrated against her as he took in the rapid change in her scent and its meaning. He had bound himself to her everyway humanly possible – now he could bind himself to her truly as mates in the way he had wanted since the day he watched her innocently eat mushroom ravioli, oblivious to the fact that he had rescued her from one horrific fate to ensnare her in another.
Bella pressed her nose to Edward's neck, breathing in his beckoning scent and the tempting scent of the human blood that dwelled just below his skin. The two aromas blended in her brain, forming the perfect vampire aphrodisiac. "You are so mine," she purred, her voice so thick and low she hardly recognized it as her own. Her hands fisted into his T-shirt as her teeth nipped wantonly at his neck.
"Yes, I think it's working …" Edward choked out.
Undeterred, Bella licked her lips savoring her mate's perfect flavor.
Edward's teeth began to grind as he struggled to maintain his restraint. "I know your instincts are playing havoc with you, but not here, love. When vampires consummate their mating bond … well, in my fantasies, I have made love to you with such unbridled passion the walls crumbled around us. That's bound to attract our enemies."
"Tell me his weakness," Bella hissed in response, vacillating between heated sexual cravings and vengeful urges.
Edward grabbed Bella by the shoulders and held her at arm's length so he could concentrate. He had so much to tell her now that Chelsea's bond had been weakened through Bella's shielding, but he still felt the strings of her forced loyalty. Clinging to the ties he had to Bella, his words flew from his mouth at vampire speed. "You need to understand, those with true allegiances to the Volturi were turned by them and then fashioned into what the Volturi wanted them to be. Others may have come to seek power and position, but once brought into the castle, slowly succumbed to Chelsea's effect to the point where they might not even realize they've lost freewill."
"Your fate if you stay?"
He didn't have to answer.
"I can see how the Volturi very effectively weave their spell, but what I don't understand is why bring you here?" Bella asked. "I don't think I would have questioned Aro's intentions if you hadn't arrived. Why would he take such a risk if he knew we were mates?"
Edward's eyes shifted. "I can hear his mind. Aro has noticed your absence." He began to involuntarily move away from Bella as Chelsea's strings pulled taut.
"No," Bella spoke urgently, taking Edward's hands firmly in hers to keep him connected to her. "Tell me. How do I beat the game master? Look at me, Edward! Tell me."
With effort, his eyes met hers. "His…ambition and…confidence are almost beyond comprehension. Once they served him well, now it has corrupted… It wasn't enough to have you. He wanted Alice and me …" Edward stuttered with the effort it took to resist the Volturi hold. "Our coven became a target, it grew too big – amassed too much talent. Aro wasn't comfortable with that… Using Dominic, stealing you, collecting Alice and me – it might have provoked even Carlisle enough to give Aro a reason to destroy him, his coven – my family..."
"Divide and conquer. There may have been a bit of Caius in that plan as well." Bella suppressed her monster's outrage to keep a hold on her logic. "So, greed and overconfidence is his weakness. But I think there's something else. I can't explain this easily…" She hesitated, concerned as to how Edward would interpret her next statement. "But Marcus and I have made some … connection. I think it started over our shared lost loves, I don't know… What I learned is that Aro cannot understand love, and therefore, the power it has. He has never known it so it's not even on his radar, and that can give us an advantage."
Bella saw the shadow that crossed Edward's face. "Marcus. Your sire."
She nodded once and felt the pain of the issue that would forever linger in the back of their minds: she had been changed against her will by another –in essence, she had been raped of her humanity. Would Edward always be reminded of that whenever he took note of her vampire traits? "I'm sorry. I wanted it to be you," Bella whispered, feeling the shame constricting her throat. "But Edward, I think Marcus is drawn to us because we share a bond like his and Didyme's. There's something under his vacant exterior. Something …."
The shadows coloring Edward's face darkened. "Aro might not understand love, but he has had to deal with it before. He almost lost Marcus because of love, and it pushed him to make a decision that still haunts him to this day. At times, he loses his ability to keep it buried from thought… I wonder how he managed to keep the truth hidden from Marcus… the truth about Didyme's death."
"The truth? Marcus said he and Didyme received Aro's blessing to leave, but she died in an attack coordinated by the Romanians prior to their departure. It's just so ... tragic."
Taking a deep breath, Edward shook his head as if to fight the remaining remnants of Chelsea's bonds before he spoke the secret that had the potential to bring the royal family to its knees. "Bella … Aro – he killed her. He killed his own sister to keep Marcus from leaving Volterra."
( ~ * ~ )
Marcus had made his way to his private suite.
Certainly the storm was upon them. In the back of his infinite mind, he knew he had done nothing to prevent it, and maybe even had a hand in provoking it.
There was nothing he could do to resurrect his lost love, but feeding off Bella and Edward's relationship had at least given him … pleasure. He had been so numbed by Chelsea's blanket of compliance even the smallest nuance of love – of simply feeling – was like a ray of sunlight thawing the coldness of his being.
And didn't he deserve as much? He had sacrificed so much, and so much had been taken from him. Was it so wrong to want to keep Bella and Edward here? Didn't he deserve what they had to offer him?
Yet, he was a parasite – allowing the young lovers to reconnect and then benefiting from it. However, it only meant more pain for them. And although Aro had succeeded in filling Bella's mind and heart with doubts about Edward's intentions, Marcus knew they had discovered their mating bond. He also knew their love bond had never been severed. This was why he went to them on this night, amid another frenzy of feasting and meaningless copulating at the feast. For just a short time, he wanted to bask in Bella and Edward's connection just as it had been on the day they first stepped foot into the castle. Their feel of their relationship, so akin to his and Didyme's, was impossible for him to keep away from. It reminded him what it was like, oh so long ago, to care.
Perhaps it his resurrected ability to care, or maybe it was his knowledge that power corrupts love, which allowed him to unselfishly feed Bella's rage at Aro, potentially giving her the will to leave – an opportunity to succeed where he and Didyme had failed?
Marcus eased into his favorite chair. He closed his eyes and searched for the warmth of Bella and Edward's connection, so vibrant they didn't need to be in his presence for him to sense it.
He smiled slowly, feeling the seldom-used muscles creaking in protest. Obviously, putting Edward in her path had worked, but now the storm would certainly grow. The outcome unknown.
Aro's entrance startled him. "Caius expressed such certainty I would find you with our missing guest of honor. Imagine my displeasure at having to leave the festivities to fetch her myself."
"We toured the gallery," Marcus responded in his accustomed tone. "Had I known she had left the festivities unannounced, I would have redirected her, Aro."
Aro eyed Marcus with suspicion. "You seem unusually pensive tonight, brother. Might I share in your thoughts?"
Not waiting for an answer, Aro approached Marcus to take his hand and fast-forward heedlessly past all events until he came to Marcus's encounter with Bella. "Isabella is angry with me. Quite angry." Aro inhaled sharply and released Marcus's hand. "I owe you a debt of gratitude, brother. Clever thinking to place Edward between me and an unbalanced newborn, even though I believe your actions were partially self-serving."
"Forgive me, brother. I have been … compromised."
"The three of us will address the situation later. But I see I need to do more to secure Isabella. Chelsea, my sweet?"
Within seconds, Chelsea appeared in the doorway, her hair disheveled.
Aro didn't notice. "My dear, change of plans. I need you to pay Edward a visit. If you find him with our missing Isabella, send her to the throne room. It seems she has outgrown the confines of this castle. Time to leave the nest. I will be sending her, Demetri, Alec, and Felix as a special envoy to Estonia to handle a territory dispute that is threatening to become a war. Isabella is driven by her belief in justice and compassion, so we will help her fill that desire. Her success will bind her to us and give her the peace she seeks from being in control of her own destiny." Aro smiled in response to Chelsea's grin.
"I understand, Master."
"Oh, and take another guard with you," Aro added before dismissing her.
( ~*~ )
"We are no longer alone."
Edward's breathless whispered words broke through the outrage she felt upon hearing the ultimate betrayal committed against her sire and registered one second before Bella recognized the bitter scent of citrus and lemongrass.
Chelsea's shadow elongated on the stone floor before her as she drew nearer. "So, it is another happy ending for Bella and Edward! They are mates." Her snide tone gave away her true feelings. "Why, as soon as you return from your trip, Isabella, the two of you should take up quarters together."
Bella positioned herself between Edward and Chelsea, shifting her shield slightly to keep Edward within its confines as she faced Chelsea. "Trip?" Bella asked.
Edward took a step closer to Bella unsure if her shield could protect him from Chelsea's powers as she stood in such close proximity. "It's a diversion, Bella."
Chelsea's grin quickly faded at Edward's disloyal warning.
"I won't be going on any trip, sister," Bella growled.
"I didn't anticipate you giving me any trouble, Isabella. Don't you recognize what you can achieve here? You have been given so much and still you don't realize the potential before you. Do you wish to throw that all away?" Chelsea studied Bella's body language. It was clear Bella was taking a stand. "Foolish girl, it is much easier to comply than resist. Now, drop your shield and report to Master Aro in the throne room. I need to speak with Edward … alone."
"You stay away from him," Bella ground out between clenched teeth.
"Don't make this any harder than it needs to be, Isabella. I need only to call…"
"I just have a question, sister." The sudden chill in Bella's voice sent a shiver down Edward's spine. In a flash, he witnessed his mate change from protector to predator. From docile to deadly. She was changing the game.
Chelsea too sensed the change. She took two cautionary steps back as Bella stepped forward.
"I was wondering," Bella continued in a sweetened voice, "what did you see? When Cane surprised us with his gift? What do you fear?"
Chelsea stiffened and deflected. "Isabella, Master Aro is waiting. You do not want to find out what he does to those who defy him. Think about your mate. Do you wish to see him suffer because of your insubordination?"
Bella stole a glance at Edward. Subtly his eyes communicated with to her. Both Chelsea and Edward's actions spoke louder than words. Just as Bella had surmised, Chelsea feared her, the only being in the castle she could not compel loyalty from. Bella was a loose cannon – a threat.
A sinfully wicked smile formed on Bella's lips as she savored the bittersweet tang of power. It was satisfying and Bella felt the licks of its addictive properties. "I thought so." Her hands went to her hips as she sauntered around Chelsea. "You see, since I've been in training, I've also been observing. The brothers may be the puppet masters, but you, sister… you're the one who attaches the strings. What keeps you loyal? They owe you everything. What have they promised you in return?"
Chelsea's demeanor instantly shifted from guarded to outrage. "You keep out of my head, Edward!" She pointed and spat in a manner very uncharacteristic of Volturi guards.
Interrogations in the presence of a mind-reader had its advantages. Edward's eyes let Bella know she was on the right track and Bella enjoyed watching the cool Chelsea come undone. As her eyes narrowed in thought, she pushed the guard harder.
"Wait … no, not just a promise of future reward … you owe them a debt, don't you? You have something to hide. So, how do you like being the one who is controlled?"
"Bella!" Edward yelled as Afton appeared with such speed his scent didn't precede him. Locking Edward's hands behind his back, Afton shoved him face-first into the broken wall.
"You need to be taught a lesson or two about life in this castle. And I'm just the one to teach it to you, Isabella," Chelsea sneered as she glanced and nodded at her snickering mate.
"An eye for an eye," Afton said with thick malice before he shoved his shoulder into Edward's back, pinning him hard against the stone. With a howl of laughter, The guard twisted Edward's right arm with such torque it snapped off at the shoulder.
Edward's face contorted in pain, his mouth gaping in a silent scream as Afton tossed his detached limb to the floor.
"Now we're even," Afton said sardonically.
"This is the game you want to play?" Bella shook with fury. "Want a piece of me, bitch? Come and get it," Bella challenged, further testing the limits of Chelsea's control.
With a guttural yell, Chelsea lowered her head and charged at Bella.
From just the corner of his eye, Edward watched in disbelief as Bella actually closed her eyes. And though her lips were pressed together in a thin line, he swore he heard her clearly: I can do this. Edward gasped as he realized he was seeing into Bella's mind as she pulled all her strength inward in preparation to strike a devastating blow. "Now!" he shouted as he pressed his back into Afton's sturdy frame.
Without a sound but with complete intention, Bella's defensive shield shot outward. In the wake of its blistering-quick shockwave, Chelsea, Afton, and Edward lay unconscious at her feet.
"This is not about revenge," Bella spoke to the part within her that would revel in ripping and tearing. "And it's not about power." Bella stepped over Chelsea to the nearest torch. Rising up on her toes, she pulled it out of his wrought iron holder.
She returned to stand over Chelsea's unmoving form, the reflection of the flame dancing in Bella's intent gaze. "This is about the truth finally being told – it will set us all free."
A/N: *peeks from behind door* Any readers still there? So sorry this chapter took so long! It seems the story-line that I was so confident in has begun to evolve. The good news: evolving usually means improving. Thank you for your patience and understanding!
So Edward sees the errors of his ways, Marcus is conflicted, and Bella swore! So many twists - almost reminds you of BD2 (LOL)! And yes, I lost my s*hit at the theater! And Aro's mean girl laugh...
I really drove my team insane with this chapter, and they challenged me as well. I lost count of the re-writes! In the end, we know it's all for the readers and I do hope it was worth the wait.
