Guys I have a snow day today (YAY) so I'm able to write another chapter! Also in response to Kuro Furasshu's THIRD review (yes he/she is just that awesome) You'll just have to wait and seeeee! ;) ;) ;)
I woke up to the big buff one shaking me. I groaned and sat up. I didn't want to wake up yet! I wasn't ready to face the mess Bella had left me in, not to mention it was rather embarrassing to have fallen asleep after having a mental breakdown on a stranger's couch. But I had to wake up sometime, also I should probably get out of here before these vampires ate me. Why hadn't they yet? And would it be so bad if they did- don't think like that! I scolded myself mentally, sitting up. "What?" I snapped. That came out harsher than I meant it to. "It's Demi, right?" He asked surprisingly gently given his fierce appearance. "I'm Emmett, and this is Jasper and Rosalie. He introduced. "Anyways, it's Bella, she's alive." He said. I jumped to my feet. "What? How? Where is she?!" I asked. We don't know how, but she and Alice are headed to Italy to find Edward and stop him before he-" Emmett didn't finish his sentence. "Idiot," I muttered. If he cared about her so much, then why on earth would he do what he did? "Wait, why is he in Italy?" I asked. "Because he's looking for the Volturi." Rosalie chimed in. It was a moment before it clicked in my brain. "Wait, Bella's going to Volterra?!" I asked, alarmed. "Yeah, how do you know about the Votturi?" She asked suspiciously. "None of your business, but it's way too dangerous, she can't go there, they'll kill her!" Emmett groaned. "If you didn't hate Edward so much, the two of you would get along perfectly, always stressing about Bella." He said. I growled at being compared to Edward but continued talking, as I had just realized something important. "But if they don't reach him in time, then Bella will-" I didn't want to say it out loud. I wouldn't stand by and risk that happening, no way. "Tell Alice I'll meet them at the Airport in Italy!" I announced as I ran out the door, to my car and started speeding. I had to go fast if I wanted to catch a plane in time to meet Bella and Alice. As much as I hated Edward if he died, then it would kill Bella! Maybe even literally kill her, for real this time! I couldn't let that happen, especially now that I had an idea of what it would be like!
Somehow, I made it, meeting Bella and Alice with perfect timing. When I saw Bella, I ran to her, raping my arms around her tightly, tears running down my face, just barely able to keep it together and not 'red out' as I was beginning to refer to it in my head. "Bella! What happened? How are you alive?!" I gasped, ignoring the stares of passersby in the airport. "Cliff diving is a sport you know." She grumbled. "You idiot!" I scolded, still crying. "What were you thinking? You scared me to death!" I sobbed. Bella looked guilty, which she should, but it still made me feel guilty.
On the drive there, I rode in the passenger seat next to Alice, occasionally asking her quiet questions under my breath. "Alice? Why do you're family have gold eyes instead of red?" I asked her, quietly because I didn't want Bella to know that I knew. "Because we're vegetarian, we drink only animal blood, not human." She explained. This fascinated me. I didn't know that there were vampires like that! By the time we finally reached Volterra, the tension in the air was almost tangible. Alice had to find a way around as she couldn't go out in the sunlight, but Bella and I kept going. We sprinted in the direction Alice told us to go with a sense of urgency. For Bella, it was because of the prospect of losing Edward, and for me, it was the thought of losing Bella. At one point, Bella tripped, and her ankle let out a sickening crunch. I groaned. Now of all times! "Bella, come on!" I groaned. She staggered to her feet, wincing as she tried to step. She was hardly able to jog. I growled in frustration! This was too slow a pace for rushing to save the one thing Bella cared about most in the whole world! I scooped Bella up, carrying her. It wasn't much faster, but every little bit mattered when someone your sister cares about that much was on the line. I couldn't keep this up for much longer, I had never been athletic and I definitely wasn't used to sprinting while carrying my sister. Not to mention I didn't love the odd looks we were getting. Suddenly I saw him, Edward, standing in a patch of shadow. "EDWARD!" Bella yelled. I put her down and she ran to him, tackling him. He said something to her that I couldn't hear. I didn't understand how she could forgive him so easily. I certainly couldn't. As I watched the two and their emotional reunion, I felt strangely hurt. So things would go back to normal now. Bella would go back to being happy and content with Edward, and I would fade back into the background, my quiet endurance and silent pain in muted colors, difficult to see amongst the brighter, more important colors from the more important people. With Bella back to normal, I might even have to go back to Renee, and Bella might not even care. With Edward there to love her, did she really need me? My disturbing thoughts were interrupted when I came close enough to hear what Edward was saying.
"Greetings, gentlemen," Edward's voice was calm and pleasant, on the surface. "I don't think I'll be requiring your services today. I would appreciate it very much, however, if you would send my thanks to your masters." "Shall we take this conversation to a more appropriate venue?" a smooth voice whispered menacingly. "I don't believe that will be necessary." Edward's voice was harder now. "I know your instructions, Felix.
I haven't broken any rules." "Felix merely meant to point out the proximity of the sun," the other shadow said in a soothing tone. They
were both concealed within smoky gray cloaks that reached the ground and undulated in the wind. "Let us seek better cover."
"I'll be right behind you," Edward said dryly. "Bella, why don't you go back to the square and enjoy the
festival?" "No, bring the girl," the first shadow said, somehow injecting a leer into his whisper. I let out an indignant cough, annoyed at being ignored, but no one paid any attention. "I don't think so." The pretense of civility disappeared. Edward's voice was flat and icy. His weight
shifted infinitesimally, and I could see that he was preparing to fight. "Felix," the second, more reasonable shadow cautioned. "Not here." He turned to Edward. "Aro would simply like to speak with you again, if you have decided not to force our hand after all."
"Certainly," Edward agreed. '"But the girl goes free." I let out another indignant noise, only to be ignored again.
"I'm afraid that's not possible," the polite shadow said regretfully. "We do have rules to obey."
"Then I'm afraid that I'll be unable to accept Aro's invitation, Demetri." I snapped my head up, confused, only to realize he wasn't talking to me. Demetri and Demetria were very similar names. "That's just fine," Felix purred. My eyes were adjusting to the deep shade, and I could see that Felix was very big, tall and thick through the shoulders. His size reminded me of Emmett. "Aro will be disappointed," Demetri sighed.
"I'm sure he'll survive the letdown," Edward replied. Felix and Demetri stole closer toward the mouth of the alley, spreading out slightly so they could come at Edward from two sides. They meant to force him deeper into the alley, to avoid a scene. No reflected
light found access to their skin; they were safe inside their cloaks.
Edward didn't move an inch. He was dooming himself by protecting Bella.
Abruptly, Edward's head whipped around, toward the darkness of the winding alley, and Demetri and
Felix did the same, in response to some sound or movement too subtle for my senses.
"Let's behave ourselves, shall we?" a lilting voice suggested. "There are ladies present."
Alice tripped lightly to Edward's side, her stance casual. There was no hint of any underlying tension. She
looked so tiny, so fragile. Her little arms swung like a child's.
Yet Demetri and Felix both straightened up, their cloaks swirling slightly as a gust of wind funneled
through the alley. Felix's face soured. Apparently, they didn't like even numbers.
"We're not alone," she reminded them.
Demetri glanced over his shoulder. A few yards into the square, a little family, with two girls in red
dresses, was watching us. The mother was speaking urgently to her husband, her eyes on the five of us.
She looked away when Demetri met her gaze. The man walked a few steps farther into the plaza, and
tapped one of the red-blazered men on the shoulder. I resisted the urge to laugh at the thought of what was going through their heads. Demetri shook his head. "Please, Edward, let's be reasonable," he said. "Let's," Edward agreed. "And we'll leave quietly now, with no one the wiser."
Demetri sighed in frustration. "At least let us discuss this more privately." Six men in red now joined the family as they watched us with anxious expressions. Edward's teeth came together audibly. "No." Felix smiled. "Enough." The voice was high, reedy, and n came from behind us. I had to stand on tip-toe to see past Edward to see a small, dark shape coming toward us. By the way the edges billowed, I knew it would be another one of them. Who else? At first I thought it was a young boy. The newcomer was as tiny as Alice, with lank, pale brown hair trimmed short. The body under the cloak—which was darker, almost black—was slim and androgynous. But the face was too pretty for a boy. The wide-eyed, full-lipped face would make a Botticelli angel look like a gargoyle. Even allowing for the dull crimson irises. Her size was so insignificant that the reaction to her appearance confused me. Felix and Demetri relaxed immediately, stepping back from their offensive positions to blend again with the shadows of the overhanging walls. Edward dropped his arms and relaxed his position as well—but in defeat. "Jane," he sighed in recognition and resignation. Alice folded her arms across her chest, her expression impassive. "Follow me," Jane spoke again, her childish voice a monotone.
She turned her back on us and drifted silently into the dark. Felix gestured for us to go first, smirking. Alice walked after the little Jane at once. Edward wrapped his arm around Bella's waist and pulled her along beside them. Having no other choice, I followed them. The alley angled slightly downward as it narrowed. "Well, Alice," Edward said conversationally as we walked. "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised to see you here." "It was my mistake," Alice answered in the same tone. "It was my job to set it right." "What happened?" His voice was polite, as if he were barely interested. I imagined this was due to the listening ears behind us. "It's a long story." Alice's eyes flickered toward me and away. "In summary, she did jump off a cliff, but she wasn't trying to kill herself. Bella's all about the extreme sports these days." Bella flushed and turned her eyes straight ahead. "Idiot," I muttered affectionately. "Hm," Edward said curtly, and the casual tone of his voice was gone. There was a loose curve to the alley, still slanting downward, so I didn't see the squared-off dead end coming until we reached the flat, windowless, brick face. The little one called Jane was nowhere to be seen. Alice didn't hesitate, didn't break pace as she strode toward the wall. Then, with easy grace, she slid down an open hole in the street. It looked like a drain, sunk into the lowest point of the paving. I hadn't noticed it until Alice disappeared, but the grate was halfway pushed aside. The hole was small, and black. Bella balked. "It's all right, Bella," Edward said in a low voice. "Alice will catch you." she eyed the hole doubtfully. She crouched down, swinging her legs into the narrow gap. "Alice?" She whispered, voice trembling. "I'm right here, Bella," she reassured. I waited impatiently as Edward took her wrists and lowered her into the blackness. I found it ridiculous how she would willingly jump off of a cliff, but was too scared to jump into this dark pit. Taking a deep breath, I followed Bella into the hole. It was silent and short. The air whipped past me for just half a second, and then I hit the ground with a small growl of pain, stumbling into Bella. The sound of the heavy grate sliding over the drain hole behind us rang with metallic finality. The dim light from the street was quickly lost in the gloom. The sound of my staggering footsteps echoed
through the black space; it sounded very wide, but I couldn't be sure. There were no sounds other than me and Bella's feet on the wet stones—except for once, when an impatient sigh whispered from behind me.
The path beneath our feet continued to slant downward, taking us deeper into the ground, and it made me claustrophobic. I couldn't tell where the light was coming from, but it slowly turned dark gray instead of black. We were in a low, arched tunnel. Long trails of ebony moisture seeped down the gray stones, like they were bleeding ink. We hurried through the tunnel, or it felt like hurrying to me. My slow progress irritated someone—I
guessed Felix—and I heard him heave a sigh now and then. At the end of the tunnel was a grate—the iron bars were rusting, but thick as my arm. A small door made of thinner, interlaced bars was standing open. Edward ducked through and hurried on to a larger, brighter stone room. The grille slammed shut with a clang, followed by the snap of a lock. I was too afraid to look behind me. On the other side of the long room was a low, heavy wooden door. It was very thick—as I could tell because it too stood open. We stepped through the door, and I glanced around me in surprise, relaxing automatically.
The heavy door creaked shut behind us, and then there was the thud of a bolt sliding home. Jane waited by the elevator, one hand holding the doors open for us. Her expression was apathetic. Once inside the elevator, the three vampires that belonged to the Volturi relaxed further. They threw back their cloaks, letting the hoods fall back on their shoulders. Felix and Demetri were both of a slightly olive complexion—it looked odd combined with their chalky pallor. Felix's black hair was cropped short, but Demetri's waved to his shoulders. Their irises were deep crimson around the edges, darkening until they were black around the pupil. Under the shrouds, their clothes were modern, pale, and nondescript. The elevator ride was short; we stepped out into what looked like a posh office reception area. The walls were paneled in wood, the floors carpeted in thick, deep green. There were no windows, but large, brightly lit paintings of the Tuscan countryside hung everywhere as replacements. Pale leather couches were arranged in cozy groupings, and the glossy tables held crystal vases full of vibrantly colored bouquets. The flowers' smell reminded me of a funeral home. In the middle of the room was a high, polished mahogany counter. I gawked in astonishment at the woman behind it. She was tall, with dark skin and green eyes. She would have been very pretty in any other company—but not here. Because she was every bit as human as Bella and I. I couldn't comprehend what this human woman was doing here, totally at ease, surrounded by vampires. She smiled politely in welcome. "Good afternoon, Jane," she said. There was no surprise in her face as she glanced at Jane's company. Not Edward, his bare chest glinting dimly in the white lights, or even me or Bella, disheveled and comparatively hideous. Jane nodded. "Gianna." She continued toward a set of double doors in the back of the room, and we followed.
As Felix passed the desk, he winked at Gianna, and she giggled. On the other side of the wooden doors was a different kind of reception. The pale boy in the pearl gray suit could have been Jane's twin. His hair was darker, and his lips were not as full, but he was just as lovely. He came forward to meet us. He smiled, reaching for her. "Jane." "Alec," she responded, embracing the boy. They kissed each other's cheeks on both sides. Then he looked at us. "They send you out for one and you come back with two… and a half," he noted, looking at Bella and I. "Nice work." She laughed—the sound sparkled with delight like a baby's cooing. "Welcome back, Edward," Alec greeted him. "You seem in a better mood." "Marginally," Edward agreed in a flat voice. I glanced at Edward's hard face, and wondered how his mood could have been darker before. Alec chuckled, and examined Bella as she clung to Edward's side. "And this is the cause of all the trouble?"
he asked, skeptical. Edward only smiled, his expression contemptuous. Then he froze. "Dibs," Felix called casually from behind. I turned to face him, a dark look on my face. "What was that?" I asked menacingly. Edward turned, a low snarl building deep in his chest. Felix smiled—his hand was raised, palm up; he curled his fingers twice, inviting Edward forward. Once again, I was completely ignored. Alice touched Edward's arm. "Patience," she cautioned him. They exchanged a long glance, and I wished I could hear what she was telling him. I figured that it was something to do with not attacking Felix, because Edward took a deep breath and turned back to Alec. "Aro will be so pleased to see you again," Alec said, as if nothing had passed. "Let's not keep him waiting," Jane suggested. Edward nodded once. Alec and Jane, holding hands, led the way down yet another wide, ornate hall—would there ever be an end? They ignored the doors at the end of the hall—doors entirely sheathed in gold—stopping halfway down the hall and sliding aside a piece of the paneling to expose a plain wooden door. It wasn't locked. Alec held it open for Jane. The room was made of the same ancient stone as the square, the alley, and the sewers. And it was dark and cold again. The stone antechamber was not large. It opened quickly into a brighter, cavernous room, perfectly round like a huge castle turret… which was probably exactly what it was.
Two stories up, long window slits threw thin rectangles of bright sunlight onto the stone floor below. There were no artificial lights. The only furniture in the room were several massive wooden chairs, like thrones, that were spaced unevenly, flush with the curving stone walls. In the very center of the circle, in a slight depression, was another drain. I wondered if they used it as an exit, like the hole in the street. The room was not empty. A handful of people were convened in seemingly relaxed conversation. The murmur of low, smooth voices was a gentle hum in the air. As I watched, a pair of pale women in summer dresses paused in a patch of light, and, like prisms, their skin threw the light in rainbow sparkles against the sienna walls. The exquisite faces all turned toward our party as we entered the room. Most of the immortals were dressed in inconspicuous pants and shirts—things that wouldn't stick out at all on the streets below. But the man who spoke first wore one of the long robes. It was pitch-black, and brushed against the floor. For a moment, I thought his long, jet-black hair was the hood of his cloak. "Jane, dear one, you've returned!" he cried in evident delight. His voice was just a soft sigh. He drifted forward, and the movement flowed with such surreal grace that I gawked, my mouth hanging open. Even Alice, whose every motion looked like dancing, could not compare. I was only more astonished as he floated closer and I could see his face. It was not like the unnaturally attractive faces that surrounded him (for he did not approach us alone; the entire group converged around him, some following, and some walking ahead of him with the alert manner of bodyguards). I couldn't decide if his face was beautiful or not. I suppose the features were perfect. But he was as different from the vampires beside him as they were from me. His skin was translucently white, like onionskin, and it looked just as delicate—it stood in shocking contrast to the long black hair that framed his face. His eyes were red, the same as the others around him, but the color was clouded, milky; I wondered if his vision was affected by the haze. He glided to Jane, took her face in his papery hands, kissed her lightly on her full lips, and then floated back a step. "Yes, Master." Jane smiled; the expression made her look like an angelic child. "I brought him back alive, just as you wished." "Ah, Jane." He smiled, too. "You are such a comfort to me."
He turned his misty eyes toward us, and the smile brightened—became ecstatic. "And Alice and Bella, too!" he rejoiced, clapping his thin hands together. "This is a happy surprise! Wonderful!"
This time, I decided I wouldn't stand being ignored. "Um-" I said awkwardly. "Who are you?" He asked me curiously. "I'm Demi, Bella's sister," I said irritatedly. "Wonderful!" He cried. I narrowed my eyes suspiciously as he called our names informally, as if we were old friends dropping in for an unexpected visit. He turned to our hulking escort. "Felix, be a dear and tell my brothers about our company. I'm sure they wouldn't want to miss this." "Yes, Master." Felix nodded and disappeared back the way we had come. "You see, Edward?" The strange vampire turned and smiled at Edward like a fond but scolding grandfather. "What did I tell you? Aren't you glad that I didn't give you what you wanted yesterday?" "Yes, Aro, I am," he agreed, tightening his arm around Bella's waist. "I love a happy ending." Aro sighed. I snorted. "They are so rare. But I want the whole story. How did this happen? Alice?" He turned to gaze at Alice with curious, misty eyes. "Your brother seemed to think you infallible, but apparently there was some mistake." "Oh, I'm far from infallible." She flashed a dazzling smile. She looked perfectly at ease, except that her hands were balled into tight little fists. "As you can see today, I cause problems as often as I cure them."
"You're too modest," Aro chided. "I've seen some of your more amazing exploits, and I must admit I've never observed anything like your talent. Wonderful!" Alice flickered a glance at Edward. Aro did not miss it. "I'm sorry, we haven't been introduced properly at all, have we? It's just that I feel like I know you already, and I tend to get ahead of myself. Your brother introduced us yesterday, in a peculiar way. You see, I share some of your brother's talent, only I am limited in a way that he is not." Aro shook his head; his tone was envious. "And also exponentially more powerful," Edward added dryly. He looked at Alice as he swiftly explained. "Aro needs physical contact to hear your thoughts, but he hears much more than I do. You know I can only hear what's passing through your head in the moment. Aro hears every thought your mind has ever had." Alice raised her delicate eyebrows, and Edward inclined his head. Aro didn't miss that either. "But to be able to hear from a distance…" Aro sighed, gesturing toward the two of them, and the exchange that had just taken place. "That would be so convenient." Aro looked over our shoulders. All the other heads turned in the same direction, including Jane, Alec, and Demetri, who stood silently beside us. I was the slowest to turn. Felix was back, and behind him floated two more black-robed men. Both looked very much like Aro, one even had the same flowing black hair. The other had a shock of
snow-white hair—the same shade as his face—that brushed against his shoulders. Their faces had identical, paper-thin skin. "Marcus, Caius, look!" Aro crooned. "Bella is alive after all, and Alice is here with her! Isn't that wonderful?" "AND Bella's sister," I announced, just about at my limit of times I could be ignored or forgotten before I exploded. Neither of the other two looked as if wonderful would be their first choice of words.
The dark-haired man seemed utterly bored, like he'd seen too many millennia of Aro's enthusiasm. The other's hice was sour under the snowy hair.
Their lack of interest did not curb Aro's enjoyment. "Let us have the story," Aro almost sang in his feathery voice. The white-haired ancient vampire drifted away, gliding toward one of the wooden thrones. The other paused beside Aro, and he reached his hand out, at first I thought to take Aro's hand. But he just touched Aro's palm briefly and then dropped his hand to his side. Aro raised one black brow. I wondered how his papery skin did not crumple in the effort. Edward snorted very quietly, and Alice looked at him, curious. "Thank you, Marcus," Aro said. "That's quite interesting." I realized, a second late, that Marcus was letting Aro know his thoughts. Marcus didn't look interested. He glided away from Aro to join the one who must be Caius, seated against the wall. Two of the attending vampires followed silently behind him—bodyguards, like I'd thought before. I could see that the two women in the sundresses had gone to stand beside Caius in the same manner. The idea of any vampire needing a guard was faintly ridiculous to me, but maybe the ancient ones were as frail as their skin suggested. Aro was shaking his head. "Amazing,"' he said. "Absolutely amazing." Alice's expression was frustrated. Edward turned to her and explained again in a swift, low voice. "Marcus sees relationships. He's surprised by the intensity of ours." I rolled my eyes. Aro smiled. "So convenient," he repeated to himself. Then he spoke to us.
"It takes quite a bit to surprise Marcus, I can assure you." I looked at Marcus's dead face, and I believed that. "It's just so difficult to understand, even now," Aro mused, staring at Edward's arm wrapped around Bella. Finally, someone who agreed with me! "How can you stand so close to her like that?" Just maybe for an entirely different reason. "It's not without effort," Edward answered calmly. "But still—la tua cantante! What a waste!" Edward chuckled once without humor. "I look at it more as a price." Aro was skeptical. "A very high price." "Opportunity cost." Aro laughed. "If I hadn't smelled her through your memories, I wouldn't have believed the call of anyone's blood could be so strong. I've never felt anything like it myself. Most of us would trade much for such a gift, and yet you…" "Waste it," Edward finished, his voice sarcastic now. I was glaring dangerously now, but no one seemed to take the hint that they should really stop talking about how delicious my sister would be. Aro laughed again. "Ah, how I miss my friend Carlisle! You remind me of him—only he was not so angry." "Carlisle outshines me in many other ways as well." "I certainly never thought to see Carlisle bested for self-control of all things, but you put him to shame." "Hardly." Edward sounded impatient as if he were tired of the preliminaries. "I am gratified by his success," Aro mused. "Your memories of him are quite a gift for me, though they astonish me exceedingly. I am surprised by how it… pleases me, his success in this unorthodox path he's chosen. I expected that he would waste, weaken with time. I'd scoffed at his plan to find others who would share his peculiar vision. Yet, somehow, I'm happy to be wrong." Edward didn't reply. "But your restraint!" Aro sighed. "I did not know such strength was possible. To endure yourself against such a siren call, not just once but again and again—if I had not felt it myself, I would not have believed." Edward gazed back at Aro's admiration with no expression. "Just remembering how she appeals to you…" Aro chuckled. "It makes me thirsty." Edward tensed, and I growled under my breath. "Don't be disturbed," Aro reassured us. "I mean her no harm. But I am so curious, about one thing in particular." He eyed Bella with bright interest. "May I?" he asked eagerly, lifting one hand. "Ask her," Edward suggested in a flat voice. "Of course, how rude of me!" Aro exclaimed. "Bella," he addressed me directly now. "I'm fascinated that you are the one exception to Edward's impressive talent—so very interesting that such a thing should occur! And I was wondering, since our talents are similar in many ways, if you would be so kind as to allow me to try—to see if you are an exception for me, as well?"
Bella's eyes flashed up to Edward's face in terror. Despite Aro's overt politeness, it didn't look like she really had
a choice. Edward nodded in encouragement—whether because he was sure Aro would not hurt her, or because
there was no choice, I couldn't tell. Bella turned back to Aro and reached out her hand slowly. It was trembling.
He glided closer, and I believe he meant his expression to be reassuring. But his papery features were
too strange, too alien and frightening, to reassure. The look on his face was more confident than his
words had been. Aro reached out, as if to shake her hand, and pressed their palms together. Aro's face faltered as I watched. The confidence wavered and became first doubt, then incredulity before he calmed it into a friendly mask. "So very interesting," he said as he released her hand and drifted back. Aro continued to drift with a thoughtful expression. He was quiet for a moment, his eyes flickering between the four of us. Then, abruptly, he shook his head. "A first," he said to himself "I wonder if she is immune to our other talents… Jane, dear?" "No!" Edward snarled the word. Alice grabbed his arm with a restraining hand. He shook her off. Fear seized me. What was this going to do to Bella?!
Little Jane smiled up happily at Aro. "Yes, Master?" Edward was truly snarling now, the sound ripping and tearing from him, glaring at Aro with baleful eyes. "What? What is it going to do to her?!" I asked, alarmed. The room had gone still, everyone watching Edward with amazed disbelief, as if he were committing some embarrassing social faux pas. I saw Felix grin hopefully and move a step forward. Aro glanced at him once, and he froze in place, his grin turning to a sulky expression. Then he spoke to Jane. "I was wondering, my dear one, if Bella is immune to you."
I could barely hear Aro over Edward's furious growls. He let go of me, moving to hide me from their
view. Caius ghosted in our direction, with his entourage, to watch. Jane turned toward us with a cold smile.
"Don't!" Alice cried as Edward launched himself at the little girl.
Before I could react, before anyone could jump between them, before Aro's bodyguards could tense,
Edward was on the ground.
No one had touched him, but he was on the stone floor writhing in obvious agony, while I stared in
horror. Jane was smiling only at him now, and it all clicked together. What Alice had said about formidable gifts, and why everyone treated Jane with such respect. This was what she was going to do to Bella! "Stop!" Bella shrieked, her voice echoing in the silence, jumping forward to put her between them. But I threw my arms around her, trying to restrain her. No sound escaped
Edward's lips as he cringed against the stones. It felt like my head would explode from the pain of
watching this, and I hated Edward. "Jane," Aro recalled her in a tranquil voice. She looked up quickly, still smiling with pleasure, her eyes
questioning. As soon as Jane looked away, Edward was still.
Aro inclined his head toward Bella.
Jane turned her smile in Bella's direction. "NO!" I gasped, releasing Bella and shoving her away in a heartbeat! The next thing I knew was pain, pain like I had never imagined was possible! It was worse than being on fire! I wish that I had handled it as well as Edward had, but I didn't. Instead, I cringed Into the stone, letting out cries of strangled pain! "Demi!" Bella shrieked. It was a moment before I was finally released, but it felt like ages. When I was finally able to stand, I was shaking so badly I could hardly walk.
Aro started to laugh. "Ha, ha, ha," he chuckled. "This is wonderful!"
Jane hissed in frustration, leaning forward like she was preparing to spring. Only then did I realize that Jane was already trying her powers on Bella.
"Don't be put out, dear one," Aro said in a comforting tone, placing a powder-light hand on her shoulder.
"She confounds us all."
Jane's upper lip curled back over her teeth as she continued to glare at me.
"Ha, ha, ha," Aro chortled again. "You're very brave, Edward, to endure in silence. I asked Jane to do
that to me once—just out of curiosity." He shook his head in admiration.
Edward glared, disgusted. "And Demi, shoving your sister out of the way, even after watching Edward." He praised. About time I got some recognition. I thought.
"So what do we do with you now?" Aro sighed.
Edward and Alice stiffened. This was the part they'd been waiting for.
"I don't suppose there's any chance that you've changed your mind?" Aro asked Edward hopefully.
"Your talent would be an excellent addition to our little company."
Edward hesitated. From the corner of my eye, I saw both Felix and Jane grimace.
Edward seemed to weigh each word before he spoke it. "I'd… rather… not."
"Alice?" Aro asked, still hopeful. "Would you perhaps be interested in joining with us?"
"No, thank you," Alice said.
"And you, Bella?" Aro raised his eyebrows.
Edward hissed, Bella stared at Aro blankly. "I'm good, but thanks for asking," I said loudly and sarcastically. Aro chuckled, "Ah Demi." He then looked back at Bella expectantly.
It was the white-haired Caius who broke the silence.
"What?" he demanded of Aro; his voice, though no more than a whisper, was flat.
"Caius, surely you see the potential," Aro chided him affectionately. "I haven't seen a prospective talent
so promising since we found Jane and Alec. Can you imagine the possibilities when she is one of us?"
Caius looked away with a caustic expression. Jane's eyes sparked with indignation at the comparison.
Edward fumed beside me. "She'll stay with us," I said fiercely.
"No, thank you," Bella spoke up in barely more than a whisper, her voice breaking in fright.
Aro sighed. "That's unfortunate. Such a waste."
Edward hissed. "Join or die, is that it? I suspected as much when we were brought to this room. So
much for your laws."
The tone of his voice surprised me. He sounded irate, but there was something deliberate about his
delivery—as if he'd chosen his words with great care.
"Of course not." Aro blinked, astonished. "We were already convened here, Edward, awaiting Heidi's
return. Not for you."
"Aro," Caius hissed. "The law claims them."
Edward glared at Caius. "How so?" he demanded. He must have known what Caius was thinking, but he
seemed determined to make him speak it aloud.
Caius pointed a skeletal finger at me. "She knows too much. You have exposed our secrets." His voice
was papery thin, just like his skin.
"There are a few humans in on your charade here, as well," Edward reminded him, and I thought of the
pretty receptionist below.
Caius's face twisted into a new expression. Was it supposed to be a smile?
"Yes," he agreed. "But when they are no longer useful to us, they will serve to sustain us. That is not your
plan for this one. If she betrays our secrets, are you prepared to destroy her? I think not," he scoffed.
"I wouldn't—," she began, still whispering. Caius silenced her with an icy look.
"Nor do you intend to make her one of us," Caius continued. "Therefore, she is a vulnerability. Though it
is true, for this, only her life is forfeit. You may leave if you wish." My heart was thundering in my chest. Not Bella, not Bella, not Bella! My head screamed. They couldn't take her!
"Wait!" I cried. Everyone in the room looked at me. My throat went dry. "Take me instead," I said. Caius gawked at me. "What?" He asked, taken aback. "I said, take me instead." My voice was stronger. "I know just as much as Bella, you have no reason to take her instead, especially because she cares about Edward too much to betray him!" I said. "Demi!" Bella cried. "But what use will you be to us?" Aro asked skeptically. "You have no potential," Caius said gleefully. "I wouldn't be so sure." "Well, show us then!" Aro encouraged eagerly. "Demi!" Bella said again. I hesitated and then took a deep breath. Slowly, my nails grew, the tips of my hair turned red, and I felt my teeth sharpen. Then, I focused with all my might, and a small flame appeared on my fingertip. I opened my red eyes and met Aro's. "Incredible!" He breathed. "Does it burn you?" He asked curiously. "Yes," I answered, blowing out the flame as if it were a birthday candle. "Fascinating! I assume it won't do that when you're a vampire." He guessed. "Does that mean, you're taking me instead?" I asked. "You've convinced me." He admitted. "Demi, please!" Bella begged. This time, I turned to her, embracing her tightly. "I love you, Bella," I whispered, tears streaming down my face. "Demi, you- you don't have to do this!" She sobbed. "I am," I said firmly. "Have a nice life, Bella. With Edward. I hope you two are happy together."
"Then we are free to go now?" Edward asked in an even voice.
"Yes, yes," Aro said pleasantly. "But please visit again. It's been absolutely enthralling!"
"Please do," I whispered.
Edward's jaw clenched tight.
Caius smirked and drifted back to where Marcus still sat, unmoving and uninterested.
Felix groaned.
"Ah, Felix." Aro smiled, amused. "Heidi will be here at any moment. Patience."
"Hmm." Edward's voice had a new edge to it. "In that case, perhaps we'd better leave sooner rather than
later."
"Yes," Aro agreed. "That's a good idea. Accidents do happen. Please wait below until after dark, though,
if you don't mind."
"Of course," Edward agreed.
"And here," Aro added, motioning to Felix with one finger. Felix came forward at once, and Aro
unfastened the gray cloak the huge vampire wore, pulling from his shoulders. He tossed it to Edward.
"Take this. You're a little conspicuous."
Edward put the long cloak on, leaving the hood down.
Aro sighed. "It suits you."
Edward chuckled, but broke off suddenly, glancing over his shoulder. "Thank you, Aro. We'll wait
below."
"Goodbye, young friends," Aro said, his eyes bright as he stared in the same direction.
"Let's go," Edward said, urgent now.
"Bye Demi," Bella whispered softly before letting go of me, and leaving with Edward, looking back the whole way as he dragged her along. "Come with me," Aro said, guiding me to a small room where he left me, telling me to stay put. That was when the screaming started. I curled up in the corner of the cold, stoney room, covering my ears, and trying not to cry.
The Cullen's POV (3rd person):
When they were finally allowed to leave, Bella was not in a good mood. "I can't believe Demi- She shouldn't have- for me!" Bella muttered to herself. She looked up abruptly. "Why didn't she tell me?" "About what?" Alice asked. "About what she could do!" Bella said. "Doesn't she know she can tell me anything?!" Bella asked indignantly. "She was afraid you would judge her." Edward piped up suddenly. Bella looked at him with surprise. "Why on earth would she think that?" "It's because- well, I think she'd rather me not tell you." He muttered. "Please?" Bella begged. Edward shook his head. "I think she'd rather tell you that herself." Bella sighed in defeat. Suddenly, Alice pulled to a stop. "Alice," Edward said slowly. "Where are we?" He asked. Alice had a wide smile on her face. "We're here for a friend of mine. I think he can help Demi." Bella looked up, startled. "You mean-" She started. "You didn't think we would just leave her there, would you?" Alice asked. "Hold on, wait in the car." She got out, and after a moment or two, she had melted into the shadows, no were to be seen. After a minute or two she returned with a vampire neither Bella nor Edward had seen before. He had shaggy hair, sticking up every which way, but he was still gorgeous. He was tall, but nothing unusual, and his eyes were gold. "Guys, this is Everett." Alice introduced. "Jasper and I met him before we joined Carlisle and Esme. He- well, let's just say he doesn't particularly like the Volturri." Alice smiled. Everett was smiling too. "Good luck!" Alice called as they drove away. Edward's eyes were wide as he looked at Alice. "He isn't-" "He is." Alice beamed. "He's what?" Bella asked. Edward opened his mouth to say something, but Alice put a finger to his lips. "Shush, you'll ruin the surprise.
This chapter was just so mentally exhausting to write! I don't know why but it just was... Anyways, Introducing the newest addition to the story, my brand new OC, Everett! *Crowd cheers*