"Not only can I not kill her… I can't stay away from her."
Full summary - Edward makes a fatal mistake and falls in love with a human girl, exposing and endangering their kind. The Volturi can't stand for that, and send Bella to exterminate their entire coven. Though upon arrival she can focus on nothing but Alice. Her hundreds of years experience as an executioner for the Volturi amounts to nothing when she finally finds her mate.
Under the veil of the waning moon, amidst one of many courtyards in Volterra, Bella, the finest soldier in their order strode over the stone with purpose. Head held high with grace befitting a creature such as her. Eyes red as blood as she made her way to the heart of the castle, where the council awaits her arrival.
"My daughter." Aro, the eldest of the council and her own master began, stepping forward from the dais to greet her. Pale hand outstretched in greeting. She knelt down by his feet, took his hand and kissed the bones that greeted her soft lips. "We have yet another problem that requires your specific talents, my dear." She nods, remaining at his feet as he starts to walk around the council chambers, sharing looks with his three brothers.
"I am at your service, Lord." Her voice was cold, practised, like a soldier.
Aro's laughter is eerie and he clasps his centuries old hands together in excitement, eager to have one of his favourites by his side again. He strokes her hair in passing, the dark tendrils curling around his fingers. Even from such a featherlight brush of his hand, he can reach into the very depth of her soul. Relive her memories, something she has always kept open for him. For that he is eternally grateful. He admires his subjects, his coven, and even more so when they prove themselves trustworthy in his eyes.
"A threat upon our kind has emerged. The Cullens have decided to expose themselves to a mortal girl."
Bella held back a grimace, eyes glued to the cracked stone beneath her boots.
How could they be so foolish? They deserve to have their necks severed for their blatant disregard.
"It would seem that the youngest, Edward, has fallen in love. And in doing so, felt it his duty to inform that mortal of his nature. Endangering us, our brethren." His voice ran her blood cold. Above anything he expected order from his kind, he was their king, the reason most of them had lived as long as they had. Knowing a coven, one of which he had known for centuries, had broken his trust and endangered them all was inexcusable.
Bella remained silent, knowing he was holding back more information.
"Your mission, my dear, is to bring me each and everyone of their heads on a gold fucking platter. Their traitorous blood shall run no more." Authority echoes through the chambers, his fangs gleam with rust as he smiles.
Bella bows, silent still until he touches her shoulder. Firmer this time and tells her to rise. She does, to her full height, over a foot taller than him, but keeps her head bowed out of respect.
His finger traces her cheek, the sharp pointed nail scratches over her marble skin. Deep enough to draw a line of blood "And remember, failure is not an option. You have two months, now go." He claws his hand back and hides it under his ornate jacket that hangs loose over his shoulder.
"Yes, my Lord."
With a billow of her cape and the thuds of her boots she leaves them to discuss matters further. There has to be more they aren't telling her, but always the good soldier she doesn't question it.
On the way to her room she encounters another of their favourite's, a redheaded girl, barely several decades old with eyes as black as night. She was perched on an outcropping window along one of the corridors. Bella drew near as the girl watched the clouds fluttering above, the stars twinkling as a cosmic map.
"You'll be leaving soon, I assume." She says,
"Correct." Her arms lean onto the wall and she bends her back to be comfortable, her leathers creasing at her waist.
"Be careful, sister. Alec and I warned them, they'll see you coming. They'll be expecting retaliation if they have not followed through with executing the mortal." Her voice is calm, carrying a quality that shows far beyond her young age.
Bella smirks, it's nothing she hasn't handled before. Let them know, she'll rip each of their limbs from their torsos and bring back the trophies for her Lord to incinerate.
"I'm aware, but they're just some young vampires, I can handle it."
"Be mindful of the seer."
Bella scoffs, so they have abilities? Interesting.
"Don't fret, I'll come home soon. Try not to bully dear Felix while I'm gone will you?" The redhead chuckles and leans her temple onto the brunette's leather clad shoulder.
"Oh I'll be sure to give him hell."
"Very well, sister. So long."
"In our Lord's name."
The silence that follows her to her room cloaks her like a shadow, encompassing her as she readies to depart. Felix will be around, like he always is. Once packed with essentials she finds him leaning on the wall outside of her door, arms crossed over her broad chest, messy brown hair covering his crimson eyes.
"Ah, I was just about to come find you."
"The car is ready, I will be driving you to the airport, your plane leaves in two hours, try to make it this time." Bella chuckles and pats his back, slinging the pack over her free shoulder.
"I was not going to get on that flight, if you saw the state of those men you'd understand. I could barely tolerate waiting with them two feet from me."
Her driver rolls his eyes and guides her out to the car, helping her with her bag and starts to drive.
"Lord Caius seemed in a good mood today." Felix remarks.
Bella quirks her eyebrow and stares out into the vibrant city.
"Hmm, he probably loves not having me around. I've always been a thorn on his side."
Their eyes meet briefly through the rearview mirror.
"Not true, I think he wants you to succeed, and is happy you're the one being sent. Officially you are the best we have."
There's a few beats of silence, the only sound being the chatter from the humans outside.
"And why have you been so generous with the compliments today, Felix?" Bella enquires from the backseat, crossing her thighs and leaning against the door.
"Not more so than usual, ma'am."
Bella cringes, "Oh I do hate when you call me that, why not Bella?" He shrugs and keeps his eyes on the road.
"It's by Aro's request." Of course it is.
Everything lately has been by his request,