Alice sped down the slim roads, racing as fast as she could to stop Edward's impending doom. Rosalie sat in the center of the back seat, nails digging into the stolen car's leather. Bella heard her seat creaking over the roar of the engine.
"Alice!" Rosalie hissed. Alice jerked the wheel to the right, dodging the humans who were perusing a fruit stand. They jumped in shock as the car narrowly missed them. Bella held tightly to the overhead handle, willing her stomach to settle. If she threw up on Rosalie, she likely wouldn't live long enough to help save Edward.
"You're not helping, Rose." The car growled louder than Rosalie as Alice switched gears. "If he kills himself, Esme will never forgive me. We have to get there."
"I'm trying."
"Are we going to make it?" Bella's voice was barely a whisper. She didn't look at the vampires in the car, but she could tell they had shared a look. Brick facades continued to fly by. It still wasn't fast enough.
"You need to run." The car jerked to a stop. "Rosalie, you two need to run!" Crowds blocked the road ahead, and two cops were holding up their hands, blocking the car. "I'll deal with them. Go!"
Bella couldn't process how it happened, but one minute, she was buckled into the car, and next, she was on Rosalie's back as they flew through the shadows. She groaned and locked her arms around Rosalie's neck. They darted between groups of people, across an awning, and over a cart selling red robes before Rosalie stopped, pulling Bella off her shoulders. The world shifted and she found herself pulled tightly to Rosalie's front, their faces an inch from each other. "It has to be you. You have to run. As fast as you can, into the center square. You have to stop him before he reveals himself. If he does, we all die." Rosalie yanked two robes off the cart and threw one around Bella. She shoved her toward the flowing crowd, then melted away in a sea of red robes.
Bella had expected this, but she was still frozen for a moment. Only she could be exposed in the sun to search for Edward, but it still took her a moment. 'If he dies we all die,' echoed in her head, and she forced her feet into motion.
She wasn't usually fast, coordinated, or rude, but Bella flew through the crowd, shoving strangers out of her way in a desperate bid to get across the square before noon. She found a break in the multitude of people and pushed towards it, not caring what they were avoiding.
As Bella broke through the crowd, she realized her mistake. Her legs slammed into the high concrete edge of a fountain. She toppled into the water-filled lower level with no one close enough to break her fall. The red robe billowed around her as she jumped up, shoved her dripping hair out of her eyes, and searched desperately.
Bong.
The first chime of noon began. It was so loud in the square that Bella wanted to cover her ears. Instead, she screamed. "Edward!"
Bong.
The clock rang again. Bella searched for it, desperate. Alice said Edward would be in an open door right beneath it.
Bong.
There it was! On the far side of the courtyard, thirty yards from her, was a building with a bell. She couldn't see the door of the building, but she forced her legs to move towards it.
Bong.
She imagined Edward standing just inside some nearby building, waiting for the final ring. Was Alice sure he would wait? What if he changed his mind?
Bong.
The edge of the fountain would not trip her twice. She pushed up and out, her waterlogged clothes slowing her down.
Bong.
People moved away as she touched them, trying to avoid the water dripping off her. Her hair was plastered to the side of her face. She didn't bother with trying to move it.
Bong.
She was running out of time. She could see a doorway, but no one was standing in it.
Bong.
A red robe appeared in it. The man wearing it was tall and had pale hands.
Bong.
It was Edward. He pulled the hood down and opened the fastening; he didn't have a shirt on underneath. His eyes never left the ground.
Bong.
The robe hit the ground, and Edward stepped closer to the doorway. It seemed he was waiting.
Bong.
The final chime was coming. She was almost to him. He took a deep breath and began his step forward.
Bong.
She slammed into him with painful force. He was ice cold and didn't stagger back at all. "That was quick. I didn't know they would make it so painless. Why are you here?" He touched her face. "You didn't deserve to go to hell. I didn't doom you, did I?"
"Edward, we're not in hell. Please, move!" She pushed both hands against his chest. The dreamy look of peace left his face. He grabbed her and stepped fully back into the shadow of the building.
"What are you doing here? You're alive?"
A voice that sent shivers down her spine interrupted. "Why don't we save this beautiful reunion for somewhere a little more private?"
Several things happened at once. Edward spun around, crouched in front of Bella, and hissed. The two vampires in dark robes crouched and hissed in response. The stained glass window over them shattered, and Rosalie and Alice flew through it, landing in the center of the standoff.
"Sorry, my invitation arrived late," Alice giggled. It sounded strained even to Bella's ears. "Where were we?"
The taller of the two strangers stood from his crouch; the shorter one followed. The chilly voice came from the smaller one as he said, "Aro would like a word. With all of you." It was clear this wasn't a request. The door behind them opened, and two more vampires came in. These two wore red robes. They shut the door behind them again.
"It would be rude to refuse to meet Aro when we're in the neighborhood. We will come." Rosalie gestured to Edward, indicating he should lead. Bella followed him. Alice and Rosalie allowed them to pass, then flanked Bella. She knew what they were trying to imply. They were her protectors, and they would fight to do so. It made her feel sick.
"Make yourself presentable," the cold voice said, gesturing at robes on hooks in the corridor they entered. Edward grabbed one, quickly putting it on and covering his naked upper body. Their guides didn't pause or even turn around. Bella could tell they were used to having their commands followed.
A secret door in the stone wall opened, revealing an elevator. The two vampires ahead of them stood to the side. Their silent procession all loaded in, her vampire guard keeping the threats as far from her in the cramped space as possible. Bella was ushered against the back wall, her shoulders touching Rosalie on one side and Alice on the other. Edward remained in front of her. She shivered, the chill of her wet clothes and the vampires around her sinking in. Only their two original captors entered the elevator after them.
Bella allowed herself a brief moment to imagine Rosalie, Alice, and Edward taking down the two terrifying figures in black. The ride was too short for her fantasy to materialize. She had barely imagined Rosalie grabbing the short vampire and tearing her in half when the elevator stopped. The doors opened and revealed a hall full of guards. They did not move at all. A more foolish human would have assumed they were statues. Bella knew they were vampires. She worried for a moment that these vampires were hungry.
"Follow," the hated, cold voice ordered. They all followed. The hall ended in a giant wooden door, which opened to a giant dias with three ornate thrones on it. Their captors stopped, then issued another command. "Kneel." Bella looked at the three men in front of her. They were all pale and dressed in perfectly tailored suits, and two of them looked extremely interested in the four people brought into the room. The third looked like he hadn't been interested in anything in centuries.
The group hesitated. The taller vampire ripped off his hood and kicked Edward in the back of his leg. "She said kneel." Edward's hand darted out, but before it made contact he was writhing on the floor in pain. Bella gasped. The smaller vampire took down her hood. She was short, petite, and blonde. She glared at Edward, a small smile on her face as he gasped.
The vampire in the middle throne clapped. "Jane, enough. Thank you for protecting our traditions. You've made your point." Edward quit struggling. Alice kneeled. Rosalie did too. She grabbed Bella's hand and yanked it. Bella didn't resist. Edward scrambled off the floor into a kneeling position. "See?" The vampire was delighted. "We respect rules and tradition here. That's all. Jane, Alec you may return to your post."
The two melted away, disappearing somewhere in the shadows. "Rise," a bored voice said.
"Welcome!" The excited leader said. "I'm happy to see the Cullens! Alice, Rosalie." He nodded to them. "Edward, still alive! Thank goodness." His red eyes settled on Bella. "And Isabella Swan. The human I've heard so much about. I'm Aro." He left his seat to come closer to her. He stopped feet away. "My dear girl, what is so special about you?"
"Nothing."
"Come now. These three have put themselves in mortal danger for you. You're not Edward's mate, so what is it?" The words ripped through Bella's chest, refreshing the pain of the last few months. He took a step closer. "Why would they protect a human they know we must terminate to protect our secrecy?"
"You can't." Rosalie spoke. "It's against our laws. Bella isn't Edward's mate. She's mine." Bella's head jerked up in shock as she looked at Rosalie, who never broke eye contact with Aro."
Alice spoke next. "And I intend to turn her because Rosalie won't, just like Edward wouldn't."
"Ooohh!" Aro clapped. "Girls, please!" He reached out for them, and Alice and Rosalie each touched his hand. "The drama!" Alice and Rosalie withdrew their hands as fast as they could. Edward looked angry and confused. Aro reached for Bella next. Rosalie grabbed his hand before he could. Suddenly, she was on the ground, trembling in pain. "Oh Jane, you do too much. Rosalie was just protecting her mate! Can you believe that?"
Aro waved his hand, and the trembling stopped. Rosalie stood up, still shaking. "Don't touch her."
"I understand your protectiveness. I should have asked first." He turned to Bella. "Isabella, I can read thoughts, but only while I touch you. May I?"
The room was full of statues. The other Volturi looked bored, as if this was below them. Alice and Rosalie looked afraid. What did they know? Were they lying? How had they tricked Aro? How strong was his power? Bella hoped Aro's power worked more like Edward's, and less like Jasper's, because this did not feel like a request she could refuse. What would he see? She nodded and set her hand in his and shivered from more than just the chill of his skin. He gasped. "Nothing! There's nothing there!" He covered his mouth. "Excuse me, Isabella. It's not to say you have no thoughts, but they are locked away from me. What a gift!"
"What a shame, Aro." One of the other men said. Marcus, was his name, maybe? She tried to recall what she'd been told about the Volturi before they arrived. They were the kings of the vampire world. They meted out punishments. What were they considering?
"A shame indeed. Isabella, I hope you'll understand, but we can't have a human with such knowledge running free range around the world. And the Cullens have shown us they are happy to abandon you. That makes you a danger."
Her blood froze in her veins and her mouth dried up. This was it. Jacob had warned her how dangerous being in the vampire world was, and here was her end. She couldn't even tell him he was right.
"She's mine. I claim her." A voice broke in Through the ringing of her ears. "I will not abandon her. I will protect her. In time, we will change her." The voice came from the blonde next to her. Rosalie had called Bella her mate, and now she was saying she wanted her. She wanted Bella? That was idiotic. They'd never believe it.
"I'm sorry, Rosalie, but we cannot just take your word. Your actions have shown that." The third man spoke. "Just be done with it. I tire of this." She almost laughed at that. He couldn't get tired. He had all the time in the world. It was turning out she had none.
"You don't have to," Alice's voice rang out strongly in the echoing room. She reached out again. "Look again, Aro. I've seen it; it will happen." The old vampire's face lit up as he was given access to Alice again.
"Brothers! She will be one of us! What a relief. I can tell these three would have battled to the death for this human." He reluctantly let go of Alice's hand, and looked to Bella. "You are going to be magnificent." He put a hand on Rosalie's shoulder. She tensed under his weight. Bella wondered if his powers worked through clothes or only skin contact. "You two will be the most magnificent pair. Feel free to come back and visit us when the change is complete." Ari snapped his fingers. "Jane, Alec, escort our friends out. Hurry back. It's almost dinner time."
Aro's friendly countenance dropped as he returned to his chair. Rosalie steered Bella out, with a protective arm around her waist. She placed herself between Bella and Edward in what could only be described as a possessive way. They were shuffled to the side as a tour group came off the elevator. A tour group full of humans. Jane pushed the button for them and addressed Rosalie. "Wait until night falls before you leave. Don't wait too long to change your mate, Rosalie. We will not be forgiving twice." The door slid shut as her sentence ended. The screaming began before they began their ascent.
Edward looked at Bella and Rosalie, and Bella tried to put space between them. "Not yet." Rosalie's grip wasn't overbearing, but her arm was cold, and Bella was still wet.
The elevator doors slid open with a chime. A redheaded human addressed them. "Please come wait here. It will be dark in a few hours. You may leave then ." Rosalie took one of the black robes they walked by off the wall and wrapped it around Bella. The consideration surprised her, but as the immediate danger had seemingly passed and her adrenaline wore off, Bella's energy drained out of her quickly. The door to the sitting room shut quietly behind them as a lock snapped into place.
Bella swayed on her feet. Edward tried to catch her, and Rosalie growled at him. She was suddenly scooped up into strong vampire arms as Rosalie held her protectively. "Get away from her before you get us all killed. Sit down." She sat on a couch, setting Bella down gently arranged across her lap. She tried to keep her eyes open. Bella desperately wanted to ask questions. She wanted to look at Edward. She was nervous about this proximity to Rosalie, who hated Bella the most, but she also felt safe in iron arms again for the first time in eight months. Her exhausted body defeated her mind, and Bella let her head rest on Rosalie's shoulder. She curled her hands into the robe Rosalie was wearing in an attempt to keep them warm. Her questions would have to wait.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Rosalie's mind raced. She could feel the warmth of Bella's pulse and hear the beating of her heart as she clutched the girl close, doing her best impression of one desperate to save their mate. She had never had a mate. She didn't know the right way to act. She was afraid to clutch the human too close, in case she crushed her. She was also afraid to wake her and deal with any questions. Worst of all, she was afraid she was unbelievable, and they wouldn't make it from here alive. Her brother and sister would die here with her and the human, then their parents would have to guess what happened, and Jasper would come here begging for death. Emmett would maybe make it, but the life left for him to live would be too empty to make him smile anymore.
Rosalie could do this. She could act this out for a few more hours. After that, they could figure the rest out, too. When they got home, they could sort this all out. She couldn't wait to be back in dreary Forks, where danger seemed a world away (even when it was just over the reservation line). They could protect this fragile human a bit longer.
It did not escape her, the promise they had made. They would turn Bella into one of them. Edward growled as he read her thoughts. She snarled out loud at him, startling Bella out of her short slumber. The girl's heart raced as her eyes snapped open. Rosalie did what seemed natural: She smoothed Bella's hair and apologized in quiet whispers. "Go back to sleep, it was just me. Shh, we'll be out of here soon." They could make it to sunset if Edward could keep his opinions to himself. Everyone was about to make sacrifices, and they had been to save him. He was clearly still listening to her mind. He cleared his throat and stared at the ground.
"Thank you both."
"You're welcome." Alice and Rosalie answered in unison, though Alice sounded tired and Rosalie sounded resentful.
Rosalie looked at Bella's sleeping face. She hoped the girl didn't have nightmares, because she could only imagine how traumatic this had been. Rosalie was no stranger to trauma, and no matter what happened next, she preferred for Bella to be. As she shifted Rosalie saw the small crescent scar on Bella's hand. They had caused the girl so much trauma already. She had narrowly avoided becoming a vampire, and now that didn't even matter. It was eternity or death. There was no in-between.
The three vampires in the room maintained a statuesque holding pattern. With no need to breathe, move, or adjust in any way, they simply didn't. The only time one of them adjusted was when Rosalie shifted to accommodate Bella. Edward didn't like it, but Rose managed not to growl at him again. Bella deserved sleep while she was still human and could sleep. Maybe she would have warm dreams about Phoenix, or even a happy life with a human man. She still had possibilities in sleep, even as they were slipping away in real life.
Finally, the human woman from before came to the door and unlatched it. "You are free to leave the city. Do not draw attention to yourselves." Rosalie truly considered throwing this woman through the wall, but she imagined that would draw attention to them. Instead, she allowed Alice to wake Bella so they could finally escape this godforsaken city.