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This is Part Three of Chapter 55: The Trial of Bella Swan. I also put out Part Two today, so make sure you've read parts one and two first before reading this one.

Last Warning...

Don's be spoiled!

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Okay, I guess you're on Part Three. Enjoy!

Chapter 55: The Trial of Bella Swan

Part Three: Into the Lion's Den

Bella stood surrounded, her gaze settling on the man leading the group toward her. Like all vampires, he was undeniably gorgeous, but there was a coldness in his expression that unsettled her. They stared at each other for a long moment before he finally spoke, his voice smooth and captivating, but with an edge that kept her on guard.

"What's your name, girl?" he asked, his accent betraying European origins, a subtle, exotic lilt that only added to his allure.

She tilted her head, refusing to be intimidated. "What's your name?" Bella shot back, her voice defiant. If he wanted to play games, she could too.

The man's lips curved into a smile, one that seemed to stretch wider with each word. "Demetri. Demetri Volturi," he said, his tone laced with pride, as if the name alone commanded respect.

Bella mirrored his smile, though inside, she was glad to finally put a face to the name. So this was the tracker. She studied him, noting the way his chiseled features gave him a statuesque quality, almost like a Greek god come to life. But as striking as he was, the hardness in his eyes told her everything she needed to know—in any confrontation, he'd have to go first.

Yet, despite his beauty, she had no interest in him whatsoever. She couldn't help but notice the way his eyes lingered on her body, making her skin crawl. It was the kind of look that told her exactly what was on his mind. He exuded the aura of a real sicko, the kind of man who would only be happy if he was shoving it up some poor girl's ass.

Bella held his leering gaze, unfazed. "Demetri... yeah, I've heard of you... Sorry, but I'd rather not give my name."

Hearing her words, Demetri lifted his head from the woman's taut body, his eyes locking onto hers with a predatory glint. A slow, mocking smile tugged at the edges of his lips as he took in her defiant stance. "You seem to have a problem with that. You didn't share your name with those reporters either. Or do you want us to call you Starshield, too?" His voice dripped with derision, taunting her as if her resistance was nothing more than a game to him.

Bella could hear the snickers from the vampires surrounding her, but she simply shrugged, casual and unbothered. "If you want to. I just made it up on the spot."

Demetri's patience for banter had worn thin. He already wasn't in the best of moods, and this vampire was just like every other self-righteous, entitled American he despised so much. Wanting to end this quickly, his expression hardened as he got down to business. "Well then, Starshield," he began, his voice sharp, "you've broken vampire law. You'll come with us to Volterra, where you'll stand before your Kings to face judgment. You can either come peacefully or," he leaned in slightly, lowering his head until it was inches from the young upstart, his tone menacing, "we'll bring you back to Volterra in pieces. So, what's it going to be… Starshield?"

Bella had expected this outcome and was relieved they weren't going to start trouble here and now. "I'll come peacefully," she said, her voice calm. "I did what I thought was right. I'll explain this to your leaders."

Demetri's eyes lingered on her for a moment, as if gauging her sincerity. Finally, he moved and held out his hand, gesturing in the direction they would be traveling. As she stepped forward, the other vampires immediately closed in around her, sealing any gaps and making it clear that escape wasn't an option. Not that she needed it. She had her shield pulled tightly around her body from the moment she first saw them, making her quite invulnerable to anything they might try.

As they walked, Bella took the opportunity to study her captors. To her left, she had to crane her head up to take in the largest vampire—or human—she had ever seen. There was no doubt in her mind that this was, as Peter had put it, the "fucking giant Felix." He towered over the others, easily at least seven feet tall. With his good looks, he might have passed for a model, if not for his sheer size and imposing presence. Without his handsome face, he could have easily been what she imagined Frankenstein's monster might look like.

Glancing down to her right were two of the youngest-looking vampires she had ever seen, both appearing no older than fourteen, if that. They had to be Jane and Alec, the infamous siblings Peter had dubbed the "Witch Twins." Bella found it hard to reconcile their youthful appearances with the immense power they supposedly wielded—the backbone of the Volturi's dominance for thousands of years. Their faces looked so innocent, yet they were the two most feared vampires in the world.

As they approached the street, a large SUV pulled up, and Demetri opened the door to the backseat, gesturing for her to get in. Bella glanced inside and spotted Felix already hunched over at the far end, his large frame making the vehicle seem smaller than it was. She gave him a small smile before sliding in next to him, feeling the weight of Demetri settling on her other side, effectively pinning her in. Both Felix and Demetri were considerably larger than her, and with her effectively being kidnapped and thrown into the back of a van, she knew that if she were still human, she'd be scared out of her mind. Thankfully, she wasn't human... and while she respected the danger she was in, scared wasn't the word she would use to describe how she currently felt.

In the front seats sat two nameless guards, focused straight ahead on the road as one quickly pulled away from the curb. Glancing behind her, she saw Jane, Alec, and three other guards settled in for the ride, which she assumed would take them to the airport. The vehicle was silent, as none of her companions seemed to be the talkative type. That was probably for the best anyway.

If this trial went south and she was forced to kill them all, she'd rather not know them on a personal level. Being able to think of them only as evil assholes, like she did with her meals, made doing what she had to do much easier on her conscience. Leaning back in her seat, Bella let out a soft sigh. This was going to be a long flight to Italy.

When they got to the airport, Bella saw they were driving through the main gate toward the private plane hangars. The SUV finally pulled into one, and as they all got out, her eyes fell on a sleek black jet waiting for them. It looked every bit as expensive as she expected, a testament to the Volturi's wealth.

"Sweet ride," she murmured, more to herself than anyone else. She glanced at Demetri, curious if he'd react, but he didn't even crack a smile.

Unsurprising.

They boarded the jet, and two of the guards immediately went up to the cockpit to begin takeoff preparations. Bella couldn't help but think the Volturi might as well make it official and give all these nameless guards red shirts. It was almost comical what non-entities they were when compared to the core four.

Sitting down in a plush leather seat, Bella let her eyes wander over the jet's opulent interior. The polished wood, the sleek metallic fixtures, the unmistakable scent of money in the air. As the jet ascended into the sky, she leaned back, her mind already working through the looming confrontation in Volterra.

The silence in the cabin persisted, but after a few hours, she heard a new sound and shifted her attention to Demetri, seated directly across from her. He was playing with an expensive-looking lighter, flipping it open and closed with a rhythm that seemed almost deliberate. The golden sheen caught the dim cabin light with each flick, and Bella noticed the intricate Volturi crest etched into its surface. Typical.

But it wasn't the lighter itself that held her focus—it was the way Demetri's fingers danced over it, flipping it on, letting the flame lick the air, then snapping it shut. Over and over. The subtle crackle of the flame broke the silence each time, and Bella could read the unspoken message loud and clear. It was a threat, veiled in silence. The implication of fire, destruction—as if with a flick of his hands, he could set her ablaze.

She smiled, almost amused. "Nice lighter."

Demetri's eyes never left hers, his expression unreadable. He didn't respond verbally, just clicked the lighter shut one final time, the echo lingering in the cabin. Bella held his gaze for a moment longer before breaking the stare and turning her attention elsewhere. While she could easily match his threat—and, well, so much more—now wasn't the time for anything like that.

Her gaze shifted to the back of the plane, where Jane and Alec sat. At first, they looked like any other pair of siblings—quiet, detached from the rest of the world. But as she watched them, something felt... off. Bella's eyes narrowed as she noticed the way Jane was curled up against Alec's side, her body pressed much closer than seemed necessary. And the way Alec's hand rested on hers, the slow tracing of his fingers across her skin, was anything but sibling-like.

Bella closed her eyes. She already knew she was in the company of freaks and sickos, but really? Incest too? As if this group couldn't get any more fucked up.

Turning her gaze to the window, Bella tried to shake off the icky feeling of being stuck with these... weirdos. She thanked her lucky stars that it was Peter and Char who'd introduced her to vampirism. A small smile tugged at her lips as she thought of them. They were freaky too, no doubt—but in the kind of way that didn't make her want to crawl out of her skin. They were the good kind of freaky.

Finally, after twelve hours of near-complete silence, the jet touched down in Florence and taxied into a private hangar. As Bella stepped off the plane with the others, she caught her first glimpse of Italy. Under any other circumstances, it would've been thrilling—she'd always wanted to visit the country—but she'd kept her distance because of these assholes. Maybe, if this trial, or whatever the Volturi had planned, went well, she'd actually get the chance to enjoy Italy on her own terms.

Bright sunlight streamed through the hangar doors, but the Volturi, ever prepared, had two black SUVs with heavily tinted windows already waiting. Bella slid into the back seat next to Felix, only to feel Demetri's imposing presence settle in beside her once again. Glancing at him, she noted that same domineering aura radiating off him. She couldn't shake the feeling that he wanted something from her—and she had a pretty good idea what that something was too. But there was no way in hell that was happening. Maybe in some twisted, bizarro world where the Volturi were the good guys. But here? Not a chance.

Her mind wandered to the Multiverse of Madness movie she'd recently seen. Were there other versions of herself out there? And if so, were they having any better luck in the dating department? She glanced at Demetri, a smile pulling at her lips. Yeah... no. Not this depraved loser.

Bella exhaled slowly, willing herself to remain calm. She shifted her focus to Felix. They'd chatted a bit during the flight, though she wouldn't exactly call the conversation enlightening. All of his stories—stories he seemed all too eager to share—ended the same way, with him gleefully ripping some poor fucker's head off. It was like violence was his only personality trait. Now that she thought about it, most of these Volturi seemed disappointingly one-dimensional. You'd think that after thousands of years, they'd have developed a little more depth…

As they approached the walled city, Bella gazed out the window, momentarily awestruck by the sight of the castle looming in the distance. Its gleaming white walls rose high into the sky, crowned with spires and parapets that seemed to stretch endlessly toward the heavens. It stood as the tallest structure in the city, a beacon of power and authority, casting a regal shadow over everything below.

She briefly considered commenting on its grandeur but thought better of it. This wasn't the kind of crowd that appreciated architectural admiration. As they entered the city, the streets narrowed, flanked by centuries-old stone buildings that seemed to carry the weight of time itself. Bella imagined that life here hadn't changed much in the past hundred years. It was as if time had passed this place by, leaving its old-world charm untouched.

The locals, however, seemed perfectly content. The crowds strolling along the narrow cobblestone streets looked happy, relaxed, and utterly oblivious to the towering castle just outside their doorstep. What did they think went on in there?

Eventually, they reached the base of the castle, where a garage door quickly opened, and the SUV descended into an underground garage. Her eyes took in row after row of expensive European sports cars gleaming under the fluorescent lights. Of course. It fit perfectly with what she'd come to expect from this lot—extravagance at every turn.

Stepping out of the vehicle, Bella glanced around, noting the meticulous organization of the garage. Demetri, as always, gestured for her to follow, and she complied, once again surrounded tightly by the core four—a nickname she was quite pleased with. Why they thought she'd make a break for it here, in the heart of their stronghold, rather than back in Los Angeles where she could have just flown away, was beyond her. But hey, whatever floated their boat.

Led to an elevator at the rear of the garage, the group stepped inside, each one falling into place like pieces on a chessboard. Felix and Demetri claimed the back of the elevator, their towering frames dwarfing the small space, their shoulders brushing the sides with barely an inch to spare. In the center stood Bella, a lone woman flanked by four of the deadliest vampires the world had ever known. Finally, Jane and Alec, the youngest in appearance yet far from innocent, took their places, standing still as statues directly in front of her.

As the elevator doors slid shut with a soft ding, sealing them in, Bella braced herself for the inevitable silence that was to follow. But then, without warning, the speakers above them began playing the cheesiest elevator music she had ever heard, the melody comically at odds with the tense, unmoving group inside.

Not a word was spoken the entire way up. Five vampires, each staring straight ahead, as if locked in some silent agreement that conversation—or any sign of life—was beneath them. With that soft, cheesy tune serenaded them the entire way.

The elevator doors slid open, revealing what looked like a large reception room, manned by a strikingly beautiful human woman sitting on a raised platform. Bella could only assume she was there to take calls or answer questions if any humans attempted to enter the castle through what appeared to be the front door. As they passed, Bella couldn't help but wonder if the woman knew she was working for vampires, but the woman didn't even glance up as they walked by.

Demetri led the group forward, past the reception desk, and through a set of large wooden doors. Bella's eyes widened as they moved further into the castle. The narrow hallway opened up almost immediately into a grand corridor, lined with marble statues and priceless artwork. It was like walking through a miniature Louvre, the richness of history on full display with every step. The paintings—classical, intricate, and unmistakably original—depicted impressive scenes and portraits, the likes of which she had only ever seen in museums or history books. The statues, each expertly carved from marble, stood like silent sentinels, their eyes seeming to follow her as they passed.

They continued down the corridor, their footsteps echoing against the polished marble floors, until they arrived at an even grander set of golden doors—larger and more imposing than the ones before. Bella had only glimpsed a fraction of the castle, yet she already understood that this place was more than just a fortress. It was a monument to power, wealth, and centuries of dominance. The extravagance was beyond anything she could have imagined.

Demetri and Felix swung open the grand golden doors, and Bella was immediately struck by the magnificence of the room beyond. It was, without question, the most awe-inspiring space she had ever stepped into. The sheer size of it was overwhelming, with a vaulted ceiling soaring high above, adorned with intricate frescoes depicting scenes of power and conquest. The walls were lined with towering marble columns, each one carved with exquisite detail, rising to meet the ceiling in graceful arches.

Everything gleamed—polished stone floors that seemed to stretch on forever, their surfaces reflecting the opulence of the room, and the soft flicker of candlelight from tall, gilded candelabras positioned throughout the space. Massive tapestries hung between the columns, rich with color and texture, depicting the Volturi's long history in scenes of battle and triumph.

But what stood out most were the vampires. Dozens of them lined the walls, their stillness almost eerie, each one draped in the standard Volturi dark cloaks, their expectant gazes fixed on her as though they had been waiting for this moment. It was as if the entire Volturi had gathered, convening in silent judgment, their eyes tracking her every step.

Bella could feel the weight of the room pressing in on her, its grandeur a testament to the centuries of dominance and control the Volturi had wielded. This wasn't just a throne room—it was a statement, a reminder to all who were brought here of who held the power in the vampire world.

As they proceeded toward the dais, Bella's eyes locked on the three self-proclaimed kings seated before her. Aro, positioned in the center, was exactly as she had imagined—a mixture of elegance and menace. His eyes gleamed with an unsettling anticipation, as if he were already imagining all the secrets he would pry from her mind. His thin, pale fingers drummed lightly against the arm of his throne, and the greedy smile on his lips sent a shiver down her spine. There was a hunger in his gaze, an eagerness that made her skin crawl.

To Aro's left sat a striking figure with hair as white as freshly fallen snow, but it was the deep, brutal scars marring his otherwise flawless face that drew Bella's attention. Peter had mentioned Caius's disfigurement, but she hadn't imagined it would be so profound. The three jagged gouges ran from his temple down beneath the black robe, cutting through his aristocratic beauty with a cruel permanence. She stared at him, trying to imagine who—or what—could have inflicted such damage on a creature as formidable as a vampire. She'd seen battle scars on Peter and Jasper, but nothing like the severity of these. Caius, with his cold, unyielding expression, seemed like a man hardened by centuries of violence—a sharp contrast to Aro's calculated, Machiavellian charm.

Turning her attention to Aro's right, Bella found Marcus, though his presence was almost like that of a ghost. His gaze was vacant, distant, as if he were looking at something far beyond the walls of the throne room that only he could see. His posture was slouched, devoid of the regal authority that Aro and Caius exuded. Instead, there was a sadness that clung to him, an air of loss so profound it almost pulled her in. Peter had told her his story, and now, seeing him in person, Bella couldn't help but feel a pang of pity for the man who seemed to be merely existing, not living.

As Bella passed the Volturi guard on her way to the dais, murmurs filled the air around her. She caught snippets of whispers, most of them murmuring the name Starshield. She had been right; from the hushed conversations, it seemed almost the entire Volturi guard had gathered to witness her judgment. The weight of their collective gaze bore down on her, their curiosity and anticipation palpable.

Aro stood, his movements graceful and deliberate, and raised his hands. Instantly, the whispers ceased, and the room fell into a heavy silence. Bella watched as the crowd straightened, all turning toward him in unison. It was clear that Aro commanded more than just fear—he possessed the ability to bend an entire room to his will with little more than a gesture.

Bella scrutinized Aro closely. He seemed to revel in the adoration of those around him, his posture that of someone who thrived on absolute control. When he finally spoke, his tone was lilting, almost cheerful, yet underlined with an unmistakable authority.

"Ah, Demetri, you've returned and brought with you the illustrious Starshield," he said, the name rolling off his tongue with exaggerated flair. A few quiet snickers echoed through the room, but Aro either didn't notice or didn't care. His attention shifted to her, his expression sharpening. Though his words were regal, there was a biting edge to them, a warning just beneath the surface.

"We have been following the coverage of your deeds over the past day," he continued, his voice smooth but with a clear undercurrent of displeasure. "You are, indeed, fortunate that the word 'vampire' has not once crossed a single human's lips, or this meeting would be taking a far more severe turn." His eyes narrowed briefly before sliding to her right. "Demetri, if you will."

Bella watched as Demetri ascended the dais, bowing briefly before placing his hand in Aro's outstretched palm. She observed how Aro's eyes fluttered shut for a moment, his brow knitting in concentration. When he opened them again, a smile spread across his face as his gaze returned to her.

Before Aro could respond, Caius leaped from his throne, his eyes blazing with fury. "Enough with the pleasantries, Aro! This blatant violation of the law cannot be tolerated. We'll give this pitiful excuse for a vampire her so-called trial, and then she will be executed—immediately!"

Bella's anger flared at his words, heat rising within her as her hands balled into tight fists at her sides. She could feel the tension coiling in her muscles, but she forced herself to remain calm. Caius, of course, didn't notice her restraint; he was too consumed by his own rage.

"Speak, girl!" he barked, his voice slicing through the heavy silence. "What's your name?"

Bella met his gaze without flinching, her eyes burning into his. She had no intention of humoring him, and her silence was a challenge in itself. Caius's expression twisted with anger at her defiance. Without warning, he lunged at her, striking her face with a vicious backhand. The blow snapped her head to the side, but Bella had anticipated his move. She'd decided to let him strike her before reactivating her shield. She wasn't ready for the meeting to spiral into violence—not yet. Despite everything, she still held out hope that they could reach a reasonable agreement, though that hope was quickly slipping away with every word they spoke.

Caius loomed over her, his height casting a shadow as he leaned in, his voice a furious roar. "You violated our most sacred law. You exposed us to humans! How do you plead?"

"Guilty," Bella said, her voice steady. She knew her actions were justified, but there was no denying that she had broken the law.

Caius's eyes lit up, a twisted satisfaction flickering in his gaze. "She speaks!" he declared triumphantly, the words almost dripping with mockery. "And seeing as she's so graciously admitted her guilt," he continued, his voice rising with impatience, "I see no reason to drag this out any further. I vote we end this farce of a trial and proceed directly to the execution."

He turned sharply, his eyes darting between Aro and Marcus. "Aro? Marcus? What say you?"

Aro rose to his feet, his movements slow and deliberate as he gestured calmly toward Caius. "Patience, brother," he said softly, though his voice carried across the room with undeniable authority. "Before we rush to any hasty decisions, there is more that must be revealed—information that casts a new light on this situation."

Bella's brow furrowed, her mind racing. What was he talking about? Murmurs rippled through the gathered vampires, curiosity thickening in the air.

Aro's gaze swept across the room before settling back on her, his expression darkening. "Yes, my friends, this vampire has not only broken our sacred laws... but she has also caused great harm to the Volturi itself." His voice dropped into a menacing tone, heavy with accusation. "For she is not just a lawbreaker... but a murderer of our kin."

Bella stood stock still as the tension in the room mounted, every pair of eyes now fixed on her. Aro paused, letting the weight of his words sink in before continuing.

"This woman," he said, drawing out each word, "savagely killed four of your fellow guard members... and ended the life of our dear Santiago, who served the Volturi loyally for over 800 years."

The murmurs turned to gasps, the crowd's reaction swirling like a rising storm. Bella remained frozen, her mind trying to grasp what was happening.

Aro's eyes gleamed as he stared at her, his lips curling into an evil smile. "Do you deny this?" he asked, his voice sharp with challenge, though the answer was already written in his eyes.

And then, with a sinister twist, he spoke the words he knew would bend her to his will, his smile widening as he struck the final blow.

"Bella Swan."

Oh no! As the late, great Admiral Ackbar would say: "It's a trap!"

Come back tomorrow for the thrilling conclusion of The Trial of Bella Swan. I guarantee you won't want to miss what happens next!