Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns everything in the Twiverse.

A/N: My deepest apologies, dear friends! I was horrified when I realized that I hadn't updated this story since early August. And as I was already anxious about this chapter—knowing it was important, praying you would like what I did with it—the long gap between updates just added to my writer's block. ARGH.

But here it is, LONG overdue, and I hope you find that it was worth the wait. I didn't do my normally obsessive editing bc I wanted to get this to you ASAP, so pardon any egregious errors in that department.

Thanks for your support and patience! xoxo

Chapter 41: Benvenuti a Volterra!

Bella's POV

After returning from my third trip to the bathroom in twenty minutes, I adjusted the zipper on my down coat and checked again that my gloves were tucked in my pocket. Plucking a piece of lint from my jeans, I smoothed out a stubborn wrinkle just above my knee. The skin beneath the offending crease began to itch, and I worked to calm it with my fingernail. The more I scratched, the more it itched, and I was wearing a hole in the fabric when a large, cool hand laid itself atop mine.

"Relax, love."

I tried to smile. "Right."

He kissed my temple and continued to hum beside me, never releasing my hand. Edward's voice was always soothing, but his attempts to calm me were useless.

I was as nervous as…

Well, as a menstruating human approaching a city full of vampires.

There had been no sight of Mason or Annabelle in last night's dreams. But there were plenty of other vexing visuals:

Edward and Alice being dragged away against their will, returning in blood-red clothes that matched their eyes.

Jasper whirling on me in Alice's absence, vowing to finish what he had started on my birthday.

Carlisle screaming that his family's destruction was my fault as Esme spit at my feet.

Kate holding me down while Tanya crept toward me, determined to pay me back for stealing Edward and killing her sister.

And Aro running his cool hand down my cheek as he dropped to his knees in front of me, bending to sniff a part of my body that only Edward and my doctor had ever seen.

The last image had jolted me from my sleep with a fright, and I was calmed only by the realization of being locked in the icy vice of Edward's embrace. He had listened and cooed as I told him of my nightmares, reminding me that he would never let anything hurt me and neither would anyone else on board. Tucking me further into his arms, Edward began to hum the unfamiliar tune he was humming now, and I tried to relax.

Tried and failed.

I still believed that coming to Volterra was a better choice than sitting in Forks waiting for the Volturi to descend. But I could not shake the feeling that there was something we were missing, some unwelcome surprise on the horizon that could potentially destroy everything we'd fought so hard for in the past few days. And the prospect was stealing what little peace I could find.

Kate announced that she was bringing us in for a landing, and I gripped Edward's hand. The plane kissed the ground with scarcely a tremble, and before I knew it, Kate emerged from the captain's cabin.

"And now we wait," Carlisle said.

Edward began caressing the back of my hand in sensuous circles, but I was impervious to his touch. My heart began pounding so hard that the front of my jacket was vibrating.

"Jasper," Edward whispered.

I closed my eyes as Jasper's tranquil influence washed over me, flooding me from head to toe. The remnants of my dream seemed to evaporate from my mind, replaced by memories of my happiest days with Edward and our family. Leaning against Edward's shoulder, I sighed my thanks to Jasper as the remnants of my tension disintegrated.

Just as I was about to drift off to sleep, Edward nudged me. "Look."

Lifting my head, I turned toward the window and noticed for the first time that we were high above the city. The strong sienna walls and treacherous towers suggested the severity of our situation, but it was the rising light beyond them that captured my attention. The pale blue sky seemed to freeze in anticipation as the sun inched its way above the horizon. Higher and higher it climbed until the blue was eclipsed by its goldenrod beauty.

"Does it look the same for you?" I whispered to Edward, the moment too sacred for full volume.

"No." His eyes were alight as he looked at me. "I see variations of color and light that the human eye cannot detect."

"I can't wait to see everything through your eyes."

Edward's expression was both intense and tender as he kissed me. "And I cannot wait to share my world with you."

We fell silent as the sunrise concluded, marveling at the splendor in the sky.

Abruptly, Alice spoke. "They're coming."

"Who is it?" Eleazar asked.

"I've never seen them before." Alice frowned as she stared. "Four vampires—two male, two female—wearing aubergine cloaks."

Carlisle looked at Eleazar. "Do you recall a purple section of the guard?"

"Wait." Alice rose from her chair. "One of the females is human."

"Human?" Carmen also turned to her husband. "Is that normal?"

"Nothing about this is normal," Tanya muttered, stealing the words right out of my mouth.

"Her thoughts suggest that she is their equal," Edward said. "With no indication of any sort of duress."

"Anything else?" Jasper asked.

"She's excited to meet us," he said. "Hoping to please Aro by making a good impression. She refers to us as 'the Cullen clan' and knows to address herself to a strikingly handsome blonde-haired gentleman of that name."

"Good for you, honey," Alice squeaked with a kiss to Jasper's cheek.

"I said, a gentleman," Edward smirked.

"Naturally," Esme beamed as she gave her husband a proud pat on the shoulder.

"Why do you think they sent a human?" I asked.

"To lull us into a false sense of safety," Kate replied. "They know we abstain from humans, so we would hesitate to defend ourselves in her presence."

"Perhaps," Eleazar said. "But I think it best if we wait and see. Assuming the worst could prove dangerous."

"They are still in the castle but will soon be within earshot," Alice said. "Perhaps we should prepare to meet them."

Edward let the rest of his family walk ahead while we lingered in our seats. He adjusted the collar on my coat and smoothed my hair.

"Am I decent?"

"Quite the opposite," he replied. "But I do not have the time to do anything about it now."

I shook my head, catching his meaning. "How can you be thinking about that at a time like this?"

"When I look at you," he murmured. "It is impossible to think about anything else."

My cheeks flushed scarlet. "I cannot believe you said that."

"And I cannot believe your disbelief." He reached for my hand to escort me toward the back of the plane. "Every single part of me is in love with you, Bella. Naturally that love craves frequent physical expression."

Frequent.

Physical.

Expression.

In the wake of his words, I forgot all about Aro and Volterra. Standing on tiptoe, I reached for the back of his neck and pulled his face to mine.

"Bella, love," he muttered against my mouth, "We have to…"

"Shut up." I licked his bottom lip. "You started this. Now let me finish."

"Yes, dear," he growled as he lifted me up. I wrapped my legs around his waist as he pressed me against the bathroom door and yanked the impeding scarf from my neck.

Maybe it was last night's baby talk or Edward's passionate declaration. Maybe it was the time difference or my hormones being out of whack. But as Edward nibbled at my earlobe, all I wanted was to get as close to him as humanly possible.

Purple-cloaked escorts are darned.

"I love you so much," he murmured into my throat. "And I am so proud of you."

The sentiment was nice but didn't precisely fit the mood. "Proud?"

"Of course." His lips made their way across my jawline, teasing the corners of my mouth. "Does that surprise you?"

My fingers toyed with the hair at the nape of his neck. "A little."

"Well, I would love to explain." His eyes fluttered shut as my nails grazed him, a gentle purr rumbling in his chest. "If you would cease in your seduction."

"Seduction?" I gasped. "Moi?"

"We are in Italy, not France," he said as he set me on my feet.

I shrugged. "Que sera, sera."

"I am perpetually proud of you for myriad reasons." He bent to retrieve my scarf from the floor. "But at present, I am proud of your fearless resolve to see this through under the, uh, circumstances."

"Oh, that." I flipped the scarf behind my neck, twisting and tucking into position. "What was I supposed to do? Hide out in the plane because I was having an estrogen-induced emergency?"

"Something like that." He ran his hands down my arms. "No one would blame you if you wanted to stay here, you know."

"Edward." My eyes narrowed. "Are you suggesting that I opt out of this potential life-altering situation because I'm having my period?"

He raised his hands in immediate surrender. "I was merely pointing out that a normal person would have at least considered a mulligan. But you, my love," his icy hand caressed my cheek, "are anything but normal."

"That's true." His touch had the desired effect, and I demurred. But as I reconsidered my heavy-handed reaction, I began to worry about my psychological stability and its possible effects on our safety.

"What is it?" Edward asked, his beautiful brows furrowed in concern.

Before I could answer him, Jasper strolled through the rear door. "I could feel the shift in you," he said to me. What's going on?"

"I'm concerned about my emotional state." And totally embarrassed about discussing such feminine issues with two boys. "I don't want to have an ill-timed overreaction."

"Would you like my assistance?" Jasper asked.

"Yes, please!" I already needed him. "Don't make me a zombie. Just subdue any sudden negative moods."

"I'm at your service," he smiled.

Edward's relief was as profound as mine. "Thank you, brother."

"Any time." Jasper turned toward the window. "We should join the others."

Stepping out of the plane, I took a moment to bask in the otherworldly beauty of Volterra. Though the labyrinth of power lines and cell phone towers proved its modernity, the city seemed a hallowed throwback to a much earlier time. And as I glanced at the patriarch of our family, I could see him here three centuries ago, searching for solace as he perfected his goodness.

Carlisle sensed my stare and smiled as Edward and I approached. "Breathtaking, isn't it?"

"Amazing," I said. "I can see why it appealed to you."

He glanced around, his ancient eyes seeing things that I could not. "In some ways, it has irrevocably changed. Yet in others, it is the Volterra of my past."

"I cannot wait to see it with you," Esme said from his other side.

He cupped her face, stroking her chin with his thumb. "Perhaps we will take a private tour once our business here is concluded."

"I certainly like the 'private' part," she cooed.

I fought a blush at their shameless infatuation and turned away. I covered my chilly ears as Tanya's melodic laughter rang out from the circle she formed with Kate, Carmen, and Alice.

"I would never wear something like that!" she said to my insistent sister. "I don't care what you saw on next fall's runway."

As other lighthearted conversations reached me in snippets, I realized that everyone was being intentionally pleasant, as if presetting our emotional thermostat before our entrance to the castle. And I appreciated their dedication to the mission.

I nuzzled closer to Edward as a cool wind blew across the rooftop, and he wrapped both arms around me. "I wish I could warm you properly."

"You'll get your chance," I blushed, "as soon as I'm in the clear."

"That reminds me." He bent to my ear and lowered his voice. "When necessary, decide to look for a bathroom and Alice will escort you. There's not much else I can do to make you comfortable, but…"

"You're doing just fine." I kissed him gently, the feel of his lips making me shiver. "I'd rather be uncomfortable with you than comfortable without you."

"Ditto," he smiled, and our lips met again before Jasper cleared his throat from behind us.

"They're here," he whispered.

I don't know what I had expected, but the quartet of greeters emerging from beneath the curved stone arch surprised me completely. They moved in sinuous unison, literal poetry in motion, and I nearly forgot that one of them was human. Alice had pegged their cloak color correctly, but the garments seemed more fashion-forward than intimidating. These were set against the matte pearl gray of their remaining attire, the shade of which reminded of me of the bridesmaids dresses from my wedding one week ago.

I wondered if that had been intentional.

As expected, each member of the foursome was insanely attractive. But when you lived with the likes of Rosalie Hale McCarty, even inhuman beauty could be rendered average. The two males were of similar height and mass, but the rightmost one was clean-shaven where his counterpart had a modest Van Dyke. With her thin frame and angular features, the blonde female vampire looked as if she had modeled during her former life.

But it was the human in front who arrested my full attention as they neared. She was taller than Eleazar with skin the color of hot espresso. Her lush, raven hair was swept into a simple ponytail which drew immediate attention to the sultry curves of her body. But her wide hazel eyes and bright smile were the true source of her beauty. They are what entranced me as she came to a stop in front of Carlisle.

"Mr. Cullen, I presume?" There was a trace of an accent when she spoke.

He and Esme were in front with the rest of us loosely assembled behind them. "Yes."

"Welcome to Volterra!" Her enthusiasm made her eyes sparkle. "We are delighted to receive you."

She gave some sort of half-curtsy, half-bow which Carlisle returned with a bow of his own. "Thank you."

"I should like to know you all individually," she smiled. "But I am afraid we must make haste. The masters are expecting you."

"Of course," Carlisle replied.

"I am Kejara," she explained as we walked. "These are Quinn, Josiah, and Delphine."

Their greetings floated to us on the breeze, and we returned them as best we could.

"If there are no objections," Kejara continued. "We will proceed directly to the theater."

"Fine," Carlisle said.

"Master Aro said that you did not require nourishment as you ate on the plane," Kejara said as we entered the building. "Is that so?"

"Yes," Carlisle replied.

"That is good! Not that I doubted the master's word," she added as the trio behind her exchanged anxious glances. "I merely want to ensure that you have every possible comfort."

Esme smiled at her. "Of course, Kejara. Thank you."

"My pleasure." Kejara's sighed as she led us down the wide corridor. Barely interested in interior design, I could help but marvel at the sheer majesty of my surroundings. Having had centuries to accumulate both wealth and style, the Volturi left nothing to chance in the creation of their castle. The high ceilings were dotted with chandeliers of all sizes and types, casting a sunlit glow on the rich fabrics and expensive furniture below. There were classical paintings and modern sculptures, quaint fixtures and ornate accessories, the old and new worlds blending together in flawless harmony.

We turned a corner and came to stand before a stunning wall mosaic. Quinn placed his hand against a smooth black tile, and a hidden door to our right slid open to reveal an elevator.

"If you please," Kejara smiled as Josiah and Delphine boarded first. I expected Kejara to tell half of us to wait, but the elevator was easily the size of my bedroom in Phoenix. Quinn was the last one to board, using the palm of his other hand to bring the lift to life. As there were no buttons available to push, I assumed there was only one possible stop.

In three seconds we reached our destination, and Quinn's right hand opened the doors once more. Kejara quickened her pace as we disembarked, and I wondered where we were going. Carlisle had coolly received the news about the theater, so I assumed the word wasn't a euphemism for "the place where we slaughter our visitors." But no one had mentioned such a possibility on the plane, which suggested that everyone else was as surprised by this development as I was.

Yet Edward's hold on my hand felt more pleasant than protective. Alice was practically skipping as she walked beside her mate, and the rest of our party seemed in similar spirits. Either Jasper was working overtime or no one sensed any danger.

And that was either really good or really, really bad.

We reached a large, wooden door, and Josiah came forward. He pulled it open with ease and ushered us through with a smile.

"This way," Kejara said as she made a sharp left turn down a narrow stone hallway. The temperature dropped, and I fished my gloves from my pocket.

"Are you cold, Miss?" Delphine asked from behind.

"It's Bella." I blushed at my bluntness. "And yes, a little."

"I understand, Bella." Delphine smiled. "It does get a bit chilly here, but don't worry. The amphitheater is well-heated."

"Thank you." I looked anxiously at Edward, wondering if I should not have told her my name, but his eyes were calm.

"No harm, no foul," they seemed to say.

"We are nearly there," Kejara called from up ahead. "Josiah, what's the time?"

He checked his watch. "Eleven minutes."

"Is that right?" Kejara asked. "I thought surely we would be late."

"The elevator has been repaired," Quinn added.

"Of course," Kejara replied. "I had forgotten."

The hallway opened into a simple but stunning lobby which preceded a single door tucked into a rounded wall. The theater, I assumed, lay behind it.

"Ladies, pardon me for not asking sooner," Kejara asked we came to a stop. "But do you need a moment to refresh yourself?"

Esme declined but turned to the rest of us. "Kate? Alice?" My humanness was obvious, but I loved my mother for not singling me out.

"I could use a minute," Alice said.

"And I," Carmen added.

"Accommodations are to your left," Delphine replied. "There is also a hand warmer should you need one, Bella."

"Thank you."

"We will wait for you here," Kejara smiled. "You have a few minutes, so no need to rush."

Edward squeezed my hand once more before releasing me to Alice, Carmen, and Tanya.

The girls chatted about the furnishings and their plans to borrow ideas for their next decorating projects while I used the immaculate facilities and tried not to wonder what the scent would do to the gentlemen gathered outside.

As Alice proposed a chandelier in the kitchen pantry, I laughed.

"What?" she asked as I exited the stall. "Is there a rule that I can't?"

After washing my hands, I slipped them in the hand warmer, reveling in how the heat refreshed my entire body. Alice met my eyes in the mirror as she touched up her lipstick, and when she finished, she wrote on the glass.

I see us leaving before sunset. ALL of us.

I smiled and blew out the breath I hadn't realized I was holding. She fished a wipe from her purse and erased her message. "Tanya, do you need my lotion?" she asked aloud.

Once we emerged from the bathroom, Kejara folded her hands in front of her and smiled. "Shall we?"

With little choice, we followed her as she approached the center door. Josiah stepped forward to pull on its brass handle, and in a moment, Kejara led us into the auditorium.

The large circular space had dark gray walls and vaulted ceilings with recessed stage lighting. A single carpeted aisle bisected several empty rows of cushioned stadium seats which sloped toward the cobblestoned floor. There was no other furniture to speak of, save a collection of elevated seats on the opposite end of the room.

And it was in front of those chairs that I saw them.

The three ancient beings who comprised the Volturi.

Other than the color and style of their dress, they looked exactly as they had in Carlisle's painting. The one I recognized as Caius had his back to us, as if in repudiation of our presence. Marcus looked almost pained, his pale brow knit in concentration.

But it was Aro who captured my attention as he turned to face us.

"Kejara, dear!" His feathery voice sent a chill down the center of my spine. "How speedily you have returned!"

Her dark skin flushed with pleasure. "I am glad you are pleased, Master."

"With you, always." Aro lifted her hand for a kiss. "I see you have retrieved my friends."

"Yes, Master."

"Excellent!" His misty eyes surveyed us in an instant, and I felt exposed.

"I would love for you to stay," he said to Kejara with a slight frown, "but the delegation from Bulgaria will be arriving in the East Wing in fifteen minutes."

"Of course." She gave us her best smile yet. "Enjoy your time in Volterra. Perhaps we shall meet again."

"Josiah, Quinn, go with her," Caius added with more force than necessary. "Delphine has other duties."

They bowed to their leaders and quickly to us before following Kejara out of a side door I hadn't noticed.

"Athenodora needs assistance," Caius said to Delphine. "She is in her chamber."

"Yes, Caius." She curtsied to us without a word and exited by the door we'd used.

Leaving us alone with the three men who held our fate in their hands.

"Brothers, this is truly a special day." Aro clapped his hands and sighed. "The prodigal has returned."

Marcus looked bored, and Caius seemed to be of a different opinion as Carlisle smiled.

"Carlisle, it is wonderful to see you," Aro bowed. "How long has it been?"

"Longer than I can remember."

"Ha!" Aro cried. "I see you have not lost your sense of humor. And who is this angel by your side?"

"My wife, Esme."

Aro bowed. "A pleasure."

Esme smiled. "I have heard much about you, Aro."

"I regret that I cannot say the same," Aro replied with a disapproving click of his tongue. "Your husband left our company without a backward glance."

"You were welcome to join me," Carlisle said.

"And leave all of this?" Aro asked. "Not in a million millennia. All of my clothes are here."

Alice laughed, and Aro's attention widened to include the rest of us, pausing when he saw Eleazar. "This is a surprise."

Eleazar snorted. "Nothing ever surprises you, Aro."

Aro raised an eyebrow. "Are we going to have a problem, old friend?"

The tone of his question frightened me, but Eleazar smiled. "Not unless you try to steal my bride."

"I wouldn't dare," Aro said as he bowed to Carmen. "You are lovely as ever."

"Gracias," she replied. "Will Sulpicia be joining us?"

"She is in Crete until Sunday," he said. "She will be most sorry to have missed you."

"Please give her my warmest regards."

"Kate and Tanya." His voice was silkier than ever. "You are looking well."

"Time has been good to us," Kate replied with equal sweetness. As Aro engaged the two Denali sisters in familiar conversation, I realized that there was more to their relationship than I knew. This was my first time meeting him, but even I could tell that he was being especially gracious to them. Which suggested something equally vicious beneath it all.

I was once again grateful that Aro would not be able to read my mind.

"The hour approaches, Aro," Marcus wheezed as his partner shared another laugh with Tanya. "We must prepare."

"Yes, yes, but we must have introductions, at least," he replied. "Punctuality should never outweigh propriety." He turned to Carlisle again. "Would you do me the honor, dear brother?"

I was confused. Alice and Jasper had spoken as if they had already met Aro. Yet he was asking for introductions?

"With pleasure," Carlisle had bowed during my distractedness. "This is Jasper and his wife, Alice. Perhaps Demetri mentioned them when he came upon us during that winter in Denali."

So that explained it.

"He did, indeed," Aro replied. "But it is so nice to meet them in person."

"This is Edward, my oldest," Carlisle continued, "and his wife, Bella.

"Wife?" Aro's eyes fell to my left hand. "How extraordinary! Had I known, I would have sent a gift." He glanced at Carlisle. "I suppose my invitation was lost in the mail."

"Bella surprised me with a wedding," Edward interjected with a firm hand around my waist. "Two days after my proposal."

"Indeed?" Aro's focus on me intensified, causing my courage to rise. "In a hurry, were we?"

"When you know what you want," I smiled up at Edward. "Why wait?"

"She is delightful!" Aro clapped his hands again. "I should like to know her better, but I'm afraid Marcus is right. We must observe the time."

He extended his hand, indicating the elevated thrones behind him. "When Demetri informed me that you were coming to Volterra, I nearly lost my lunch. Carlisle Cullen with his family in tow? This was cause for celebration! Naturally I wanted to throw a banquet in your honor but thought better of it."

"I appreciate it," Carlisle said dryly as my stomach lurched.

Edward escorted me up the few stairs to our seats, sitting me between himself and Jasper.

I had never felt safer.

"I only had a few hours to prepare," Aro continued as he sat with Caius and Marcus further down the row. "But I hope you will be pleased. Let us begin."

The theater lights went out, stunning me with the depth of the darkness. I waved a hand in front of my face and saw nothing. Edward chuckled beside me, and I stuck out my tongue at him.

"Alec," Aro called.

There was a beat of confusion, and then everyone around me gasped. Edward jumped as he reached for my hand, his breathless whisper finding my ear. "Alec has the gift of sensory deprivation," he explained as the murmuring around us continued. "He has dulled our awareness to that of an ordinary human."

"Thanks," I snorted.

"Remember, love." I could feel his smile in the darkness. "You are not ordinary."

"Whenever you are ready," Aro commanded.

The room was silent once more, and the anticipation was palpable. Suddenly a timpanist clad in black was revealed by a red spotlight in the center of the floor. He began pounding out a rapid, primal beat that seemed to shake the very foundation of theatre, and I inched as closely to Edward as our wooden seats would allow.

On the player's left, a second drummer bathed in green light took up the downbeat. Then a third musician came into view on his right beneath a blue light, his syncopated song doing strange things to my heart rate.

All of a sudden, the drumming ceased and a high-pitched soprano cut through the void, startling us all as she appeared behind the center drummer. Her long, robust note idled within me as one-by-one, smaller white lights revealed six different singers behind her in a v-formation, each adding their own note to her symphony. The seven-part harmony rose in volume and depth until at the height of the crescendo, the room fell into pitch-black silence once more.

"Wow," Jasper breathed beside me.

When the whisper had completely faded, the drummers began playing again, this time illuminated by a large white light. Their playing was both softer and simpler, and I almost lamented the change until they were joined by a stirring string section. Revealed by rising lights around the rotunda, the assortment of lutes and harps infused the song with undeniable depth. Edward looked at me as though he could read my mind, mouthing "I love you" as his thumb stroked the back of my hand.

As if that weren't enough, the choral septet contributed their pitch-perfect Italian to the song, their vocal emotion telling me what their foreign words could not. They were joyous, triumphant, as if celebrating a hard-won victory. With Edward at my side and most of our family nearby, I echoed the singers' sentiments. James and his coven had tried to destroy us, and we were still here. Still together and still in love. And as the bold ballad continued to swirl around me, I doubled-down on my resolve to obtain immortality as soon as possible.

Edward stroked the side of my face with a slight frown, and I realized that Jasper must have questioned my emotional shift. Pressing my lips against his cheek, I smiled.

"I'm fine," I mouthed. "I just love you, that's all."

His answering grin told me that he understood, and he returned the kiss to my cheek.

Jasper's answering happiness floated around us like a cloud, and I sighed with pleasure.

But somewhere down the aisle, someone hissed.

-—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—

The performance could have continued for minutes or hours—it was impossible to tell. In addition to the musicians and singers, there were also tumblers, dancers, and a duo of flame-throwing jugglers. When the female contortionist twisted herself into an almost obscene position, Tanya had snorted. "I can do that," earning a smiling elbow from Kate. It was the most spectacular show anyone anywhere had ever witnessed, earning the cast a well-deserved standing ovation.

The players took their leave along with their magic, and the room became ordinary once more. And as Carlisle and Esme thanked Aro on behalf of the group, I became acutely aware that all the preliminaries were concluded. The winds had shifted, and I felt a gathering of wits around me.

It was time to get down to business.

"Well," Aro said. "It occurs to me that I have yet to inquire about the reason for your visit." He turned to Edward. "The inaugural stop on your honeymoon journey, perhaps?"

"Volterra is certainly worthy of that," Edward replied. "But our appearance here is of a more serious nature."

"Oh?" Aro asked as if he didn't already know. "Then perhaps this is not the place to discuss it." He rose quickly, turning to Carlisle. "Shall we adjourn to the Throne Room?"

"Yes, thank you," Carlisle replied as he helped Esme to her feet. Watching our patriarch slip so easily into a deferential role was an elegant treatise on humility. It didn't bother him to bend to Aro's word or to speak only when spoken to because he knew who he was and what he stood for. And throne rooms aside, there was enviable power in that.

As Aro prepared to lead us out, Caius stopped walking. "Does this little matter require all of you to explain?"

I could feel Edward stiffen at the question even though it was directed at Carlisle, and I gave his fingers an encouraging squeeze.

"We are a family," our father replied. "And we deal with our issues together."

"As you like it," Caius snorted. "But I do not see how we need all ten of you. Let alone the human."

I didn't realize I was angling myself toward him until I felt Edward holding me back.

"Careful, brother." Marcus said as Caius' cut his eyes at me. "She is more than she appears."

I felt Jasper's influence restoring my inner balance as Aro nodded. "That much is certain."

"What are you suggesting?" Eleazar asked Caius, his irritation rising.

"Whatever brought you here cannot possibly concern all of you equally," he explained. "So perhaps we should meet with only a few of you."

"What of the rest?" Marcus asked.

Caius shrugged, suddenly indifferent. "I am sure they can find some form of diversion with our fabled walls."

"To what end?" Marcus pressed. "Their numbers cost us nothing and might yield a greater understanding of the issue."

"But if the most pertinent members are present," Aro said, "then the others would be superfluous, would they not?"

As Aro's eyes roamed our group, I realized that this was what my heart had feared. The possibility that had been too terrible to imagine.

If Aro feigned ignorance about our purpose in coming, then he could do whatever he wanted. Send us away unfulfilled. Invent an imaginary issue and solve it to his sick satisfaction.

Or he could do the absolute worst thing imaginable.

Divide and conquer.

Carlisle had warned us not to get too emotional, to preserve the sanctity of our clan at all costs.

But Aro observed no such rules, acknowledged no other loyalties but his own. And if he decided that he wanted to see only some of us, then the rest would have little choice but to comply with his wishes. The decision might seem harmless enough on the surface, but an hour in his company had taught me better.

If we let him separate us, we would be in irrevocable trouble.

But would he do that? Would he break up our merry band to heighten our wariness and nullify our sense of strength?

His eyes hardened as he glanced my way, and I knew.

Yes. He most certainly would.

(The chapter title says "Welcome to Volterra!" in Italian)

Again, I'm sorry for the delay in posting, and I sincerely hope you like the intro to Volterra. The ending surprised me a bit, but it will lead us right into the heart of things in the next chapter…which I hope not to make you wait so long for.

And I MUST end with a rec, a rec that has occupied my full attention for the past three days. "BREAKING POINTS" by sugarbucket has this summary: "Ever wonder why Rosalie and Edward are so cold towards one another? Their story from the start; in keeping with the books, but based on the idea that they're both masterful liars. Love, lust, betrayal, desire, lies, darkness and breaking points."

I finished this compelling fic hours ago, and it is still with me, demanding my attention. Even if you're not a big Roseward fan, I urge you to try this one. It is gripping and dark and oh so delicious.

(And while you're at it, give a little love to my other fic, "Black Ice." I'd sure appreciate it!)

Until next time, my lovelies!

xoxo