!ATTENTION! This is the rewritten version of this chapter! Around 3,000 words worth of additional content have been added. The quality is way better as well! !ATTENTION!

This is possible due to the help of my Beta for this story SpinningBlack. Without my Beta this wouldn't have been possible.

Bella's POV

Normally traveling via airplane is no problem for me, but I wasn't prepared for so much turbulence. I want to faint or sleep, anything just to be unconscious. I close my eyes and try to will my damn nausea into submission. My headache isn't helping. Strangely enough, I'd nearly forgotten the headache on the way to the airport but it came back full force the minute I settled into the comfortable first class seat. Really, it was so like Alice to manage to talk her way into first class despite the fact that the tickets were bought last minute. It makes me wonder whether or not being a seer is her only gift.

Tilting my head in thought, I grimace as another wave of nausea shoots through me. I double over and clutch my stomach as I try to take slow, deep breaths.

"Are you okay?" Alice asks leaning over from her position beside me.

"You look very pale," she tries again after I fail to answer quickly enough.

"Yeah, I'm alright. I just need to sleep for a bit."

She nods and reluctantly relaxes back into her seat. I do the same and close my eyes tightly, hoping beyond hope that sleep will come to me soon. After all, I wouldn't be of much help if I fainted before we were able to reach Edward. Airport security would probably also make a fuss if Alice were to carry my limp body from the plane. With pain still wracking my body, I try to let my mind drift.

After half an hour I admit defeat. Obviously it isn't meant to be. Opening my eyes again, I sigh in frustration and look out the window. The earlier events suddenly pop up in my mind again and I frown. How did I get that bandage on my head? Who put it there and what caused the injury? So many questions and no answers at all. It is so frustrating.

Focusing on the clouds and their beautiful forms. I let my thoughts drift and am slowly lead into my dream world, the soothing embrace of imaginary arms lulling me in deeper. Before I know it my eyes close and the pain is forgotten as sleep consumes me.

After what feels like minutes, I wake up to the humming sound of a motor. Beside me I can see Alice intensely focused on the road. Looking out of the window at the scenery rushing by, I feel nausea rise up again. Damn…she's driving fast.

"I couldn't wake you," Alice suddenly says. "It made me very worried."

She pauses, and gives me a quick glance, one which obviously portrays that she is still very much worried.

"I couldn't tell if it was due to your head injury," she grimaces. "I am so sorry for not noticing it earlier. "

She looks over again, venom glistening in her eyes. "I should have." She sighs deeply. "The airport security certainly noticed within minutes of the plane landing. I guess I am really blind as I missed what strangers could see at first glance."

I'm too busy mentally cursing myself for falling asleep, even though I knew it could cause problems, to even attempt comforting her. It turns out it doesn't matter as Alice continues talking. Obviously the story of how she managed to get me in the car will have to wait for another time.

"So much has happened in such a short time that I haven't been focusing properly. Visions keep bombarding me. It is hard for me to ignore them even now." Her fingers tighten so much around the steering wheel that I am worried it will bend. "If I hadn't told the others about my vision Rosalie would never have had the chance to tell Edward. He wouldn't have had a reason to go to the Volturi. This is all my fault."

I'm startled out of my thoughts, and turn to see her eyes slightly downcast, her shoulders sagged. She appears so utterly defeated that I suppress the nausea as best as possible and speak up.

"It's not your fault."

She looks over to me and I look directly in her eyes. "You had a reason to share the vision with the others, didn't you? What was the reason?"

Alice stares at me like I've grown a second head before whispering, "I was worried about you. I thought maybe if I told them right away then they could make the right decision – going back to Forks – and the vision would change. That maybe…you could be saved…."

She trails off and looks back at the road venom still glittering in her eyes.

I smile and say softly, "See, it wasn't your fault." I pause before adding, "It wasn't Rose's fault either. I am sure she had a reason. She may not like me very much, but she obviously loves her brother. She wouldn't want to hurt him like that."

I pause for a moment thoughtfully tilting my head determinedly ignoring the pain that caused. "Maybe she's just like you?"

Alice's head shot in my direction and she fixes me with intense black eyes. "She may cause Edward to die and you say it's not my fault. That she is like me?!"

There is an angry fire burning in her eyes that takes me aback for a moment. Apparently she blames Rose nearly as much as she blames herself.

Taking a deep breath, I decide to elaborate, "She is like you, because she most likely did it for the same reasons you did." Seeing her about to interrupt I press on, "She probably thought Edward would see how breakable humans are and keep his distance in the future. I'm sure her intentions were in his favour. No matter how bad it turned out in the end." I pause briefly. "Same goes for Edward I guess. He might have thought that a clear break makes things easier, but he forgot that things don't always turn out the way you want them to simply because you want them to. It's one of the things he has yet to learn."

Looking over at Alice I find her staring at me mouth agape, the road ignored as she has her whole focus on me. "You….you…"

I blush crimson and look away. "I…I spent a lot of time thinking about things; about me and Edward, your family, everything." I close my eyes and add, "Way too much time…"

We fall in silence. I'm not feeling like talking anymore and Alice is still in some kind of stupor. Completely aghast at something I have said.

That aggravates me more than it probably should. I sigh and can't help but think that as cruel as Edward's treatment and being abandoned by the Cullen's was, it has made me even more mature. Though maybe this maturity is only the loss of my innocence it's hard to tell.

I must have made some sort of noise, maybe a half-hysteric chuckle, because she's looking at me with very concerned golden eyes. Apparently she has calmed down a bit from earlier.

Blushing hotly, I try to frantically come up with a way too distract her from any possible discussion of my mental well-being. Thankfully, or not so thankfully, a painful twist in my stomach reminds me of a very pressing issue.

"C…. could you please drive a bit slower?" I manage to choke out between clenched teeth. The churning in my stomach half causing me to grimace.

Understanding flashes across her face and she slows down, though not enough to make the outside world stop looking like streaking blurs of colour. My stomach protests again as my quick peek out the window proves that, and I look away.

"Sorry Bella, but if we don't hurry, we won't make it in time," she says apologetically.

I moan inwardly and lean my head against the window. The cool glass helps a bit to ease the pain in my head, but not enough to stop the wish to knock myself out from sounding tempting.

"Where are we?"

"Ten minutes away from Volterra," Alice replies.

Exactly ten minutes later, Alice parks the car on the side of the street. Sighing in relief, I open my eyes to allow the outside world to finally come into focus.

As soon as I'm out of the car I look around in confusion. There is a huge space in front of me. Probably the centre plaza of the city. In the distance I can see a huge castle. It has an interesting design. Not that I can see much of it, or of anything really, as the city is packed with people. Thin and well-built, small and tall, young and old, seemingly the whole city is present. Or maybe more than just the habitats of Volterra.

I can dimly remember that the blurred shape of the city I could see out of the speeding car hadn't been all that big.

Is there some kind of event here today or is this normal for Volterra?

"Today is a festival in Volterra", Alice answers my unasked question. It makes me wonder whether she has spent too much time with Edward. He has obviously rubbed off on her.

Hopefully, pleasantly unaware of my thoughts she continues, "They are celebrating their patron. Holy Marcus is known here as the saviour of Volterra and its neighbouring cities from vampires."

I only raise a brow and stare at her with confusion written all over my face.

She giggles a bit and says, "He also happens to be one of the Volturi kings."

I am openly gaping at her now and she starts laughing merrily despite the situation. "It's a long story."

After I finally manage to stop gaping at her like an idiot, Alice and I discuss the best course of action. We finally decide to separate.

I push my way through the crowd to find Edward. Alice has to go along the side of the crowd to avoid sunlight as she can't run as fast as her vampire body would normally allow her for fear of exposure. So, she will take the long way around using her inhuman speed only when she is sure no one can see her.

It takes only a few steps for me to desperately wish to be a vampire or less clumsy; both would be fine with me. People keep shoving me around, and despite my best efforts I land more than once on someone else. I think I might have even caused some people to fall over in my desperate attempts to stay on my feet.

My clumsiness only makes it worse as I half-crawl half-stumble my way through the crowd of merrily dancing and chatting people. I have already lost count of how often someone accidentally shoved their elbow in my face.

Well, I guess I should count myself lucky that the people are in a good mood. Who knows how many more elbows I would have to suffer if that weren't the case. Iinvoluntarily shudder at that thought as I hurry past an overly well-fed child and its very enthusiastically dancing and equally well-fed parents. I just barely manage to avoid their flailing limbs.

I am half convinced I haven't moved forward at all when I finally see him. Edward stands across of me in the shadow of a side road. Only one more row of people and I'll be at his side. Looking around briefly I try to estimate where in the central plaza we are, but as I am surrounded by people who are taller than me I can't even see the castle.

Sighing in frustration, I duck under the arms of a passionately dancing couple. I'm not sure I'll make it in time; I guess I'll just have to hope that Alice will find us. Focusing on making my way to Edward, I determinedly ignore the throbbing pain in my head caused by the loud music and chatter.

I keep my eyes on him as much as is possible with the imminent danger of losing a limb due to the some of the more overenthusiastic dancers.

Edward's eyes are closed and it looks as if he is listening to something. I have to hurry. I run as fast as I can while avoiding the crowd screaming his name as loud as I can. Maybe if he hears me he will stop this madness.

As he takes one step forward toward the sunlight, I finally make it to his side tackling him fully back into the shadows. He doesn't protest, probably too stunned to use his incredible strength to resist. He opens his eyes and smiles at me.

"Edward you have to stop this! I'm alive! We can go home." He smiles wider.

"I didn't know that vampires could have hallucinations…interesting." He reaches up and brushes his fingertips gently over my chin. "I can even feel your skin that's truly astounding."

I push his hand away impatiently. "Edward. I am not an illusion now let's g-"

"Edward Cullen! We have been looking for you," A girly voice comes from a few metres away from us, startling me so much that I bump my elbow into Edwards side quite painfully; painfully for me that is. At this point I am already so sore all over that it probably doesn't make a difference anyway.

Her eyes are a vibrant red colour and glitter with anticipation as she stares him down. Her small and fragile stature gives her a nearly angelic look. It makes me briefly pause, especially as she appears to be no more than fifteen years old; at first glance. A closer observation reveals that her appearance is deceiving. Her eyes are the colour of blood. She is a human blood drinker. Despite knowing that, the blonde hair and billowing cloak still makes her look endearing to me. I shake my head and can't help thinking that I spend way too much time with beings whose very nature demands for human blood. It has obviously affected my moral compass.

Looking at her companion, I briefly wonder where they came from, but quickly decide that I am too tired to even try figuring that out. With the way the crowd acts I wouldn't be surprised if a whole army could pop up without anyone knowing where it came from or even notice its presence. They blended right in with the others.

The man beside her has black hair and is huge. His broad shoulders and muscles make him fill more than double the space his slim companion occupies. He has on the same cloak as the female vampire beside him. I can also see a silver V dangling from a necklace around his neck. A quick look confirms that the woman wears one too. Despite the black hair red eyes he reminds me of Emmett in an almost eerie way.

Edward growls and pushes himself in front of me, shoving me roughly behind his back.

"He doesn't plan to expose himself anymore!" Alice exclaimed from behind me.

"That doesn't matter. You will come with us," she says looking Edward right in the eyes.

Edward stiffens besides me and his head snaps in Alice's direction. "No! That can't be, NO!" he screams and falls to his knees.

"Edward, what's wrong?" I ask.

He looks at me and his eyes are completely black. "We won't come with you!" he exclaims loudly, ignoring my question and glaring at the female vampire.

Suddenly he starts screaming in agony and I rush to his side in panic.

"Edward? Edward!? What is happening?" The screaming abruptly stops and Edward looks up at me, but doesn't say anything.

"That is Jane's ability. She can give others the illusion of pain," Alice explains. "Beside her is Felix. Both are from the Volturi guard and were sent to retrieve Edward."

Edwards stands up and glares daggers at Jane with so much hate that I step away from him. "We. Are. Not. Going. With. You," he hisses through clenched teeth.

Before he can do more than that he falls back to his knees and starts screaming once more.

By now I can't hold back my tears anymore. "Please stop! We'll come with you, but please just stop!" Edward's screams of agony abruptly halt.

"This way," she turns around and walks deeper into the side street, leaving me dumbfounded behind her completely unable to process the sudden change in attitude.

It takes Felix half dragging Edward after him by his arm for me to come out of my stupor. Dazedly, I stumble in the same direction only barely aware enough to notice Alice doing the same.

Blinking a few times, I slowly turn my head towards her. She had a vision I am sure of that. What could it have been to make Edward react so violently? I shake my head and decide to focus on following the incredibly fast vampires before me. It wouldn't do for me to be left behind after all.

After a few minutes the Emmett look-alike, Felix, turns around and hoists me over his shoulder. He laughs happily at my squeal of fear as he runs at vampire speed.

I can vaguely hear a snort from the blonde vampire and a choked off snarl fromEdward as we speed by. Alice is probably still too deeply in thought to react and simply speeds up behind us.

I am so occupied with ignoring the speed we are going, that I'm only dimly aware that we have approached the castle I saw from afar before.

We have been walking through a few halls before the fact that we are inside the castle finally registers in my mind, the older looking halls being a clear indicator. The smell of fruit and the pleasantly warm air throw me for a loop. Weren't old castles supposed to be chilly and smell bad?

The shock of the sudden influx of information allows me to focus enough to be capable of truly taking in my surroundings.

There are torches on one side of the wall and doors and pictures on the other. The pictures are all very big and well made. Even I can see that they are all unique masterpieces.

They are beautiful drawings of landscapes alternating with portraits. A few times I could recognise one of our two guides in the paintings and I even saw Carlisle in one or two of them. Though what they all have in common are their wooden frames with golden emblems. The V symbol our vampire guides have around their necks are masterfully carved into the corners of the frame.

After walking through multiple halls, sometimes going upstairs but more often down, we enter a room in which a woman sits in front of a big computer screen.

She is beautiful with long flowing hair and breathtakingly intense eyes. Her skin is fair and she has soft features. Though with Jane standing right next to her it's painfully obvious that she is human. How a human can survive in a castle full of vampires is beyond me. Maybe she is meant as some kind of snack?

"The masters are already waiting," she says casually still focused on her computer. I would have laughed at the contrast between the torches behind her and the modern computer in front of her if the situation wasn't so severe.

This room is a strange mix of welcoming hall of old and modern secretary office. The walls of the room are decorated with beautiful designs and there are masterfully made sculptures littering the room. In-between those are three comfortable looking sofas and a few armchairs. There is even a mantelpiece with a fire lit in it at the opposite end of the room from grand, heavy looking door leading to what might be a throne room. The table with the computer the beautiful woman is sitting in front is in the middle of the welcoming hall.

Jane nods and goes to the large door and knocks, nodding at Felix to set me down on the floor as she passes. Now on my own feet, I look up at the tall door in front of me and am completely overtaken with awe. It is so much like the door one would expect in a fairy tale castle that I can't even bring myself to feel truly worried. Anticipation and a bit of nervousness, yes, but not frightened out of my mind as I would have expected standing in front of a door that might turn out to be the door to my personal kind of hell.

"Come in Jane," a deep, husky voice calls from beyond the majestic door. It sends tremors through my body and makes my knees go weak.

She opens the door and we walk in behind her. Somewhere in the process Felix let go of Edward, who immediately stands by my side. I take his hand, and as soon as we enter the room Edward shoves me behind him.

I look around and see vampires standing on each side of the wall and three sitting in front of us at the rear of the room. If the previously minimal anxiety hadn't turned into painfully high levels, I would probably have chuckled at the overly dramatic way Jane opened the door; banging and all included. As it is, though, I am too busy trying not to have a heart attack to find it amusing.

The vampires by the walls are standing straight-backed and eye us warily. While most of their faces are carefully blank, I can see some of their eyes glitter in amusement. It's not apparent if they find my absolute terror or Jane's display of her dramatic side more entertaining. Probably a mix of both.

Peeking out from behind Edward, I can better see three vampire kings sitting on thrones in the back of the room. As soon as lay my eyes on them I know the one in the middle is the one who called us in. It is something I instinctively know to be true.

Their postures portray different states of relaxation. The blonde man on the left has his hands lazily laying on on the armrest of his throne the fingertips just barely touching his legs. The black haired vampire in the middle sits eagerly leaning forward with his fingers spread on his thighs, every fibre of him practically screaming anticipation

The brown haired king on the right sits slumped in his seat. His shoulders slightlysagging and his head bowed. The sight alone made my heart ache and I instinctively try to inch around Edward, who has dragged me behind his back once more. I want to be closer to them and despite only having gotten a quick peek from behind Edward's back, I can't help but feel attracted.

I don't understand why but something about them lures me in. As soon as I laid my eyes on them I felt a subtle tug in my heart. A tug that resonates through my whole body in a way that nothing ever has before.

My eyes linger on each of them in turn as I unconsciously lean forward from behind Edward. I wonder what their eyes look like… Whoa, where did that come from?

I try to step around Edward in an attempt to see them better, but he holds me in place. What the…?

"Please stay here, my love," he whispers to me. I look at him curiously. Why doesn't he want me to see them? Was it Alice's vision?

"Hello Alice!" the black-haired man greets. His voice once again sending tremors through my body. It's subtle accent more apparent the longer he speaks. "So nice to see you again. How is Carlisle?"

"He is well," Alice responses politely. "How are you?"

"Fine, thank you Alice."

The man turns to gaze at Edward thoughtfully. "Edward, what you tried to do is inexcusable. If you hadn't been stopped you would have exposed not just yourself, but all vampires. You have already committed one crime by exposing yourself to just this human girl."

Edward growls, but says nothing. "Now give me your hand. We will decide your punishment afterward." Edward takes a step back and demonstratively puts his hands at his sides, his back muscles tense prepared for a fight.

Within seconds Edward is on his knees again writhing in pain. I follow him to the floor and sit by his side, putting my hands on his shoulders unsure how to help him.

I look up helplessly to search for Alice and am completely unprepared as my eyes meet ruby orbs instead of the familiar golden eyes. I stop breathing. Suddenly everything becomes blurry.

I tear my gaze away and blink, but when I open them again I am faced with six glowing ruby orbs instead of two. Each of them unique in their own way. Different shades of red swirling together in the most beautiful way to form their irises.

Everything blurs in front of my eyes once more, and before I can do anything I feel my knees go week.

The last thing I see before drifting into the blackness are three pairs of red eyes above me. Deep ruby seas drawing me in to drown in their intoxicating dance of colours. So beautiful…