AN: Enjoy!


It was three days after my fateful call to Renée and I had called her once more the day before. She had been slightly concerned that I had called back so soon but after a few heart-rending, yet reassuring, words, we had fallen into an slightly embarrassing and affectionate chat about Marcus. My mother couldn't wait to meet him and at her words, knowing that day seemed less and less likely to happen, I had quickly made an excuse to hand up so as to not trigger more suspicion in Renée.

That afternoon, Angela's house was abuzz with the sound of pages turning and excited chatter as Jess, Angela, Alice and I worked on our final English Literature project. The theme: Bram Stoker's Dracula, a subject that amused Alice to no end.

"Jess, your vampire analogy is fang-tastic!" Alice teased, grinning at me, and I chuckled, shrugging off my thoughts, while Angela and Jess exchanged puzzled glances. Alice was laying it on thick with the vampire jokes tonight.

Just as Alice was about to launch into another vampire-themed pun, her laughter faded into an odd, frozen expression and I quickly intervened to distract the girls' attention from what I knew was Alice getting a vision.

"Hey, Jess, did you try that new cafe downtown? I heard they serve the best pastries," I casted a knowing glance at Angela, who eagerly joined in, probably assuming I was trying to stir the conversation away from Alice's doubtful humor.

"Pastries? I'm all ears!" Jess exclaimed, her interest piqued. Meanwhile, Alice's amusement turned to a faint frown as her vision intensified. Angela took over the conversation and I looked more closely to Alice, who briefly let terror transpire over her beautiful feature before reigning it in.

"Sorry guys, actually, we better get going," I interjected abruptly, feigning concern. "Alice isn't looking too well. Must be something she ate." I internally rolled my eyes at myself, that was an awkward excuse if I had ever heard one.

Understanding the signal though, Alice played along, placing a hand on her forehead. "Yeah, maybe it's the… hmm, garlic." She offered me a wry grin, knowing I was the only one really catching the pun, and stood up, trying to appear unsteady.

Concern flickered across Angela's face. "Oh no, Alice! Are you okay?" she worried, getting up to offer a supporting hand.

"I'll take her home. Thanks for the study session, guys," I reassured, guiding Alice out, leaving Angela and Jess exchanging confused glances at the sudden turn the afternoon had taken.

"Rain check?" I heard Jess said as I helped Alice put on her jacket, keeping up with the pretense she was not well. "I really wanted that sleep-over!"

And the gossip to go with it, I thought, smiling internally. "Definitely!" I smiled warmly, hoping we would have the time to do so. I would miss my friends once I turned."

The moment we were outside Angela's house, Alice said in a hush tone; "We need to get to the house, now!" she urged me.

Understanding the seriousness behind Alice's sudden change in demeanor, I quickened my pace, hurrying us back to the Cullen home, my mind racing with worry and curiosity about the troubling vision.

As we drove toward the Cullen home, I glanced at Alice. Concern was evident on her face still. "What did you see? What's happening?"

Alice took a deep breath, her golden eyes reflecting the gravity of her vision. "It's Volterra," she began, her voice tense. "Something's wrong. There's a disturbance in the castle, and I saw Edward with red eyes. But there's more... Caius, he was… oh Bella, I think he killed you."

My heart clenched at the mention of Caius and what he might do to me. "But why, what else did you see?"

"I don't know, Bella. The vision was fragmented, chaotic," Alice explained, frustration evident in her voice. "But it's serious. I think we may need to go back to Volterra."

We parked in the expansive driveway and Marcus appeared by my door before my hand could even touch the handle. "Alice, Bella, what's happening, I thought you would not be back until later?"

I turned to Marcus, my voice tinged with urgency and pain. "Alice had a vision. Something's wrong in Volterra. Edward's in trouble, and Caius..." I couldn't continue.

"What about Caius, beloved? Did you see something happening to my brother, Alice?" he asked worriedly.

"No, Master Marcus. He was… In my vision, I think… it looked like… he may… I think he had killed Bella." her voice was such a whisper that I had to guess what she had said as my mate now had me securely sheltered in his arms. I felt more than heard his growl at Alice's declaration.

"Tell me everything you remember from your vision, Alice, every single little detail, from the weather to the color of my brother's shoes, every single thing, do you hear?"

"Yes, Master." Alice answered shortly and I could imagine her head bent down as my mate exuded power. He carried me inside and settled on a chair, keeping me seated on his lap. I stayed there without protest. I would not be separated from him. Not anymore.

Marcus's expression darkened further, concern etched on his face as Alice delved into the details of her vision. As we had moved inside, the rest of the Cullens had joined us and were standing still around the room, any pretense of humanity temporarily forgotten.

As Marcus held me in his arms, Alice's story unfolded, describing not just the turmoil in Volterra but a brief snapshot of events beyond, events that hinted at the ominous occurrences in our own backyard. "Caius was in a state of upheaval, his decisions unclear. It's as though there's a disturbance, a ripple of chaos spreading beyond Volterra."

I listened intently, feeling a shiver race down my spine. Alice's visions were intricate, often containing hidden clues and interconnected threads that extended beyond the immediate scenario.

"There's a foreboding energy," Alice continued, her brows furrowing slightly. "Something about disappearing hikers, bodies found around the Olympic Peninsula..."

Her words hung in the air, a subtle addition to the grave news concerning Volterra. The mention of those ominous incidents struck a chord within me, a realization that danger might not be confined solely to the ancient city.

Marcus tightened his hold protectively, a silent acknowledgment of the underlying threat. His concern wasn't limited to the events in Volterra; it extended to the safety of our current home and the surrounding areas.

The Cullen household fell into a heavy silence, the weight of Alice's vision and the added hints about local disturbances amplifying the urgency of the situation.

"This is most concerning. We must prepare either way," declared Carlisle. "Alice, can you see more clearly now?"

Alice shook her head, frustration evident. "No, it's all hazy. But we need to act fast. I feel that whatever it is, it will happen soon."

Carlisle's brow furrowed in worry, Esme's eyes were wide with concern, while Jasper and Emmett shared glances, a mixture of alarm and readiness evident in their expressions.

"We have to go," Alice stated firmly, addressing the group. "There's something happening in Volterra. It involves Edward and Caius and Bella. Something must have happened there, an important decision was taken and it leads to my vision, I just… I can't see what the decision was, just the consequences! And they keep changing." Her frustration was evident, as her panic did not seem like the act they put up for their human audience. "I just feel that we need to go as soon as possible."

"We can't risk Bella's safety," Marcus interjected, his tone resolute. "If there's any threat to her, I will not allow it."

Carlisle nodded in agreement with Marcus. "Alice, is there a chance that this vision could be altered by our actions? Could it be a warning rather than an inevitable event?"

Alice hesitated, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. "I don't know. I've never encountered such a fragmented vision before."

Tension filled the room as the conflicting opinions clashed. I looked between them, torn. "We need to make sure Edward is safe. But Marcus is right; I don't want to put myself in danger." I couldn't put myself in danger. Doing so would place my mate in danger, and I would not allow that. The room fell silent as the weight of the decision loomed over us.

The discussion swayed back and forth, each suggestion altering the possible outcomes that Alice foresaw. However, regardless of our actions, every scenario seemed to culminate in one tragic event—a vision that always concluded with my demise.

"We can't ignore these visions," Alice stressed, frustration lacing her words. "Every path leads to the same outcome. We have to prevent it."

Marcus, ever protective of me, argued firmly, "But at what cost? We can't knowingly put Bella in harm's way. We mustn't risk her life."

Emotions ran high in the room, tensions escalating as they grappled with the severity of Alice's visions. Carlisle tried to mediate, offering words of caution and wisdom, while Esme comforted me, her soothing presence a calming force amidst the turmoil.

Jasper attempted to offer guidance, his empathic abilities allowing him to sense the anxiety and fear permeating the room. "We have to consider every possibility. There might be a way to intervene without directly endangering Bella."

As the debate raged on, varying opinions clashed, creating a cacophony of conflicting thoughts. Alice, desperate to prevent the ominous outcome she foresaw, pushed for immediate action, while Marcus adamantly resisted, prioritizing my safety above all else.

As to me, I was torn between my desire to help Edward and the fear of the imminent danger to myself, but ultimately, to my mate. I felt the weight of the decisions hovering over me. "I can't risk it," she whispered, her voice laced with a mixture of fear and determination. "I won't put myself in danger… but," I stopped. That was it, wasn't it? The one thing that could change the path of Alice's vision was so simple and the only way that I could ensure both my and my mate's safety. I looked up, meeting Alice's gaze, my decision made. "What do you see now, Alice?" I asked, hoping that this one choice might save me, and therefore my mate.

A wide grin spread over Alice's face. "They won't know what hit them."


AN: Thank you for the love on the last chapter. This is the last chapter of the second part of the story and I am working on the outline to Part 3 (Immortal) then I will start drafting the chapters! I do have a few key scenes written already too!

What do you think is going on in Volterra? If you can guess (or as close as), I will write you into a scene in one of an upcoming chapter :D

What will happen to our beloved Bella? and Edward? Has he been naughty in Volterra?

I couldn't resist bringing Caius into the story as well *evil laugh*

Please, please review!

Love!