RIP to my right hand that currently hurts when I move my fingers, because my cat attacked me. Keep in mind that this chapter, and the next two chapters will have a heavy discussion around suicidal thoughts.

Demetri POV

After the trial concluded, the guards filtered out of the throne room, returning to their duties or finding something to do. In all my existence, I'd never seen the Volturi coven so unified- yet it wasn't our power or purpose that bound us this time. It was her: the fragile human in our midst.

Bella had changed everything.

Though she hadn't done much overtly to warrant this shift, her presence seemed to center around Master Caius. For most of us, Caius was a volatile storm best avoided, his temper unpredictable. We followed his orders swiftly, eager to escape his wrath before it cost us a limb- or worse. But Bella? She was different. She didn't know- or didn't care- what it meant to tread lightly around him.

This was clear when she stumbled into our shared lounge, Jane right next to her. Bella, with her quiet voice, declared she was tired of people-pleasing, tired of catering to others' needs at the expense of her own. It was the most we'd heard her say since her arrival, and though her candor was startling, none of us could blame her.

The trial only amplified our concerns. Her quiet tears as she exited the throne room, the strain in her face, and the way Master Aro's expression faltered when his fingers grazed Carlisle's hand told us enough. Bella was unraveling, caught in a storm of grief and pressure, and if someone didn't support her, she might do something irreversible.

That's why I went looking for her.

Tracking her wasn't easy- her mental ability rendered my gift useless- but nonetheless, it didn't prove too be difficult. I simply followed her scent- lavender, freesia and strawberries, and the sound of her heartbeat, steady but subdued, led up to a spiral staircase, leading up to the rooftop.

I pushed open the door and stepped out. The bright Italian sun blazing overhead, making my exposed skin shimmer. Bella sat at the edge of the rooftop, her legs dangling over the side, with a peaceful stillness. She stared at the hills and towards the sprawling city below us, as if she was seeking solace from the vastness of the countryside.

"Are you okay?" I asked, pulling up my hood and stepped closer to her.

"I'm fine," She murmured. She didn't bother to look up, and instead her gaze was still fixed on the distance.

"We heard you crying," I said softly, "And we can't ignore what you told us yesterday. We're worried about you."

She glanced back at me, her eyes puffy and red, betraying the tears she'd shed. "It's nothing," she muttered, brushing it off.

I raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "You know that's not true."

Her tone sharpened. "I'm not trying to kill myself, if that's what you're worried about. I'm just... I came out here to quiet my thoughts. If something happens, well, I can't fault that, now can I?"

"For someone claiming they're not suicidal," I countered, "You're doing a remarkable job convincing yourself otherwise."

Since her arrival, it had been obvious that Bella carried a heavy weight. Her behavior wasn't overtly suicidal, but there were signs- recklessness, indifference to her own well-being- that had all of us worried. We'd talked about it among ourselves, especially after everything she'd endured: Victoria's revenge, the fallout with the Cullens, and the painful truths that surfaced during the trial.

"I'm not," Bella insisted.

"Being suicidal doesn't always mean wanting to end your life," I explained. "It can mean you're so overwhelmed by pain that you fantasize about death, even if you don't have a plan. It's about feeling like there's no way out."

She scoffed, bitterness tinging her words. "When did you start caring about a human's life? What I do isn't your concern."

"It is," I said firmly. "Master Caius would have my head if something happened to you. Now, why don't you come back from the ledge and we'll forget this?"

"Fine."

Bella rose slowly, her movements deliberate yet unsteady. I watched as she stood up, wobbling.

Then it happened:

Her foot slipped.

The sharp scuff of her sole echoed in the still air, followed by her gasp of surprise. Her heartbeat spiked, pounding wildly, before the rhythmic drumbeat fell away as she toppled over the edge.

I shot forward, my hand outreached, with fingers stretching towards her outreached hand. The warmth of her skin was just out of reach, and gravity pulled her downwards. My hand was met by the faint brush of air, where her hand should have been.

I was too late.

And this was bad.

This was really, really bad.

And if I failed- I would probably die because I failed to protect Master Caius's mate.

I leaped after her, the rush of air roaring in my ears. Bella fell ahead of me, her hair billowing around her serene expression. She'd passed out mid-fall, her body limp as I closed the distance. My arms encircled her, pulling her tightly to my chest.

The ground loomed below, but I landed with a muted thud, the stone cracking slightly under the force. Bella remained unconscious, her face peaceful, unaware of the chaos she'd left in her wake.

I clutched Bella tightly and looked her over for a few seconds. Her eyes still remained closed, since she passed out. She looked otherwise unharmed, and didn't look like anything was pulled- stitches wise, either. That was probably a good thing because I was sure that Master Caius was going to have my head if anything had happened or that she had managed to get herself into harm, even though I was there.

The girl came close to death, and I was really sure that Master Caius would have my head if he saw this.

God, how was I going to explain this?

I didn't have to think about that, because Master Caius appeared right before me- his sudden presence sending a jolt of fear through me. His lips were pressed into a thin, angry line, and his narrowed eyes practically burned as they took in the scene.

"What happened?" Caius barked, his voice sharp enough to cut through the tension.

"She lost her balance, Master Caius," I explained quickly. "I caught her before she fell."

"What was she doing up there in the first place?" he yelled, his fury palpable.

I winced. This wasn't good. If I survived this without losing my head, it would be a miracle.

"I don't know, Master Caius," I told him, bowing my head just a little bit. "She was there when I found her."

Master Caius looked at me for a few seconds- his red eyes boring into mine. I briefly wondered if he was just trying to find the most suitable punishment for what has occurred. Yet, he stood there- his fury palpable and rolling off him like waves. I refuse to say anything, lest of all the punishment might worsen.

Yet, he didn't say anything.

His eyes flickered downwards towards the unconscious girl in my grip.

"Give her to me," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I handed her to Caius who simply cradled her into her arms. Without another word, he vanished, leaving me to face the sinking realization of just how close I'd come to disaster. Without another word, he vanished, leaving me to face the sinking realization of just how close I'd come to disaster.