Ten. Volterra

FLORENCE, ITALY.

I observe each couple, giving farewell kisses and gave send offs to family or friends that enter the international airport. Saying goodbye in their mother tongue, language, here I stand as taxi depart and drive away delivering tourists to a destination they chose.

I was poised, but impatience runs inside my body rampant. Alice was taking quite the time, excusing herself to find a vechile to drive.

Bella, having argue with me joining my travel to the one place I didn't wish her to go stating 'you know where you go, I follow. we are in this together', wore sunglasses searching the line of cars.

A hard top, light colouring yellow Porsche comes to a jolt. each tire screeches and burnt rubber fumes could be smelt. Dressed in a chic, white, hooded coat Alice beeps the car horn.

The coat covers, protects, her skin from shimmering in the Italian sun. I have Bella enter going to seat herself down in the back space, my only problem was the lack of seat belt. " I will just have to hold on. I suppose." then in two seconds, I buckle down the belt for myself.

" Let's go-" the Porsche drives off and out of the airport laneway. The Tuscan country side stretches for miles, it was honestly a sight to admire given the ultimatum doom that waits just miles away. Alice passes fiats, Peugeot and different car brands manufactured in Italy.

I try not gripping hard down on the nicely polished dash board. her driving is figuratively and similarly that of a race car driver. no sense of road security, safety.

" where did the car come from, Alice?" Bella asks, in the rear view mirror I see her body move in motion with the Porsche. " I figured you wouldn't be oppose to grand theft auto." She casts a look to me, trying to give subtle humour to water down the tensing time.

" Not today, I guess. I can speak for Malachi and I." Is Bella's response, answering for the both of us. the car gains speed.

Alice face goes clouded in a vision, along with I. It's uneven, the picture is unclear nor has any sense. Edward, shirt unbutton, and both eyes closed. waiting for death to take him. This was the first vision I have had, months after my first of many unclear illusions I have encounter.

It was mirroring Alice's, I could hear the bells clang. " The Volturi rejected, refused, him. He is going to make a scene. Expose himself to humans." I replay the vision, saying what I see my eyes moving with the picture.

" He is going to wait until noon, when the sun is at the highest of its peak." Alice adjures. Failing to hide her worry that wanted to consume her. Not wanting me to see.

" there is Volterra." I bring myself to stare, Bella too, to a fortified centuries old village. an ancient city which lines with decrepit, brown and Sandy wall buildings. houses.

The car sped underneath an overpass, an entrance to the village. Beeping, loud enough to bring attention to the luxury automobile.

Narrow streets are congesting, filled, by thousands of red hood cloaks. Making it entirely impossible to divert the car, safely, with out running over or injuring the people.

" why is everyone in red?" I ask, making it obvious to show my annoyance. 'Too much red for my liking'.

" San Marco's day festival. They are commemorating the expulsion of vampires from the city." Alice explains. " the Volturi won't allow Edward to get far enough. to allow him to expose what he is."

The time shown on the digital clock was close to noon. Ten minutes to be definite.

" It's the perfect setting."

" Don't worry, Malachi. With the speed Alice is driving, we will reach Edward." Bella assures, hand on my shoulder. I didn't realise my body was tensing, releasing the tension.

" she is right, Malachi. Edward.. he is .. I.." Alice tries to say words of affirmation, to ease off my nerves. I wasn't quite certain of how or why I had these thoughts of contradiction when it came to how I feel. police have a road blockade, reserved for the festivities, the commander raises a hand to have the car stop.

I exit the vehicle, Bella too. " Alice. Tell me, us, where to find Edward. Where is the town square." There was an urgency in how I spoke. " bella, I need to you stay in the car. Alice can keep you safe. please, just listen."

I put my hands on each of her arms, wanting her to listen.

She gave a shake of refusal. " No, I am going. You know better, that I will follow where you go. It is simple." There was no use of trying to argue with her point.

" Malachi. Listen to Bella, she .. she is the one he can't see coming. Her joining will hide you, and your scent. Yours is very easy to distinguish in the crowd of humans."

Alice states, wilfully. Her words were a double entendre that I wish to understand more about, clear, but that could wait.

" If you were to go alone, Edward he'll think I am lying. And rush in to it. You need to hurry. Under the clock tower, now. Go!"

I take Bella by her hand. " I am going to start running, but use human speed. Okay. Let's go." I begin racing through the street of festival goers, Bella tries to not let her incoordination go on show, the cobble stone alley flooring creates abrasions in our shoes.

The red hooded festival goers were migrating in the similar direction for the town square. Manoeuvring around each human, dressed in red, I could feel my heart racing. mimicking how I felt in this minute. Time was running out.

Each narrow pathway became populated. More and more ocean of red as the eye could see.

" Malachi! Look. There is the tower. Oh no. No no, there is only ten seconds until the big hand reaches twelve. We are not going to make it." I knew Bella was trying to remain positive, but her muttering was not quiet.

" we got to move! Sorry. Excuse me." profanity in Italian is given, when Bella shoves each of the people in our path. " Fare attenzione!" Is repeatedly said. Shouted.

Then a fountain, sprouting water, in the centre of the square comes in view. I came to a halt in my pursuit, then a dreaded clanging of a bell echoes. Coming from the clock tower. I could see him. Edward, making his appearance in the shadows of the underpass, is unbuttoning each of the shirt clips. face void of anything.

" Malachi. Wait! Wait!" Bella shouts, following after me. I wade through the shallow water, sprinkling the h20 and creating moisture on my Jeans, to the other side. She too follows my actions. Edward has one foot out on the concrete, stone, step.

" Malachi. His skin! The sun!" Bella cries.

" Hurry." I wish to have been using my speed, but that would bring unwarranted scrutiny and Attention I didn't need.

In a billow of adrenaline, and nanosecond, I utilised my strength to push Edward out of the sun. the impact mirrored a wall made in entirely of bricks.

" You have to move. Now, Cullen. What you are about to do is irreversible and stupid. Step back." Edward, dazed, touches the spot under my right jaw bone. " so this is heaven. Carlisle is right." Bella pulls on his arm.

" Edward, I advise to go back in where there is no prying eyes." The finalised chime of the clock indicates the start to celebratory activity. He shows temporary confusion, of why Bella is here then realization sets in. we are actually standing before him.

" Malachi. You.. are here." Edward weaves my body out of sight, inside the pathway he was in. Before I could get a word in, He attaches his mouth to mine. Clenching, enamouring in my lips in a kiss. With unfaltering passionate hunger. I couldn't allow myself to rejoice of feeling his lips on mine, I was still very much full on anger.

I propel his advance, shoving Edward off of me, letting my wrath known. he was stupefied.

" You cannot just kiss me like that." I am pretty sure my eyes are burning a violent red, which I fought to keep down. the side of me I didn't want Bella witnessing.

" Not after you just left me. I am only present here, to keep you from being incredibly selfish and egocentric. So there was no guilt you would feel, about anything."

Then it all came out. Tears I so badly wish to not fall, finally release. there was nothing I needed most then to acquiesce; be accepting I could never have Edward again.

" and say a goodbye to the boy I stupidly feel in love with."

I couldn't begin to believe I was crying.

" I didn't act of the guilt I had, Malachi." He sounds anguished, heart broken. " I couldn't live in a world where, knowing, you no longer didn't exist. I thought leaving.. leaving would bring the peace of mind I thought was needed. But then i phoned Bella's house.." he did a shake of his head.

Bella tightens her hand around my arm. Wiping off the residual moisture of the tears. " you left Malachi, Edward. Breaking his soul, heart. You have the nerve, audacity, to kiss him." She does an action I didn't know she could have done. slapping, hard, on his left cheek. He moves his face, to the side, showing the same surprise. " That was for the kiss."

" I deserved that." He grumbles. 'I would have done worse if Bella was not here.' My hand quivers, keeping the anger that wants to show. It was proving a little arduous. Two figured men, clothed in red and black attire come out of hiding of a secret door entrance. Each were quite handsome, age in the earliest years of their twenties. Right is a burly man, strong muscles are tense underneath the cloak he wore. The bones in Bella's hand are taunt, rigid, clutching and grasping hard at mine.

" i won't be acquiring your services after all, gentlemen."

'Felix. The name of the vampire. you can trust him. believe in me, Malachi. he is of importance to young Isabella.' the voice of my grandfather is heard in my thoughts. " He'll be an ally." If there was to be anyone who tells the truth, it would be god. I listen to the internalised monologue he creates, which I could hear. No one else. " Aro wishes to speak to you, again." Felix speaks, his voice low pitched. Deep; sonorous. An emotion flickers over, through, his blemish free elliptical face when noticing Bella. She too takes a sharp intake of breath, the lightest shade of pink colouring her own.

" No rules were broken." Edward says, firm. 'I am taking from his disinclination to listen these men are not to be taken for idiots.' taking Bella by the wrist, I take the initiative of having her hide my frame. Not putting trust in the vampires. Felix eyes darken. I wasn't intimated in a remote sense, surely not by him.

" Nonetheless, we should take this conversation to a more appropriate venue." the slender, elegant, man that accompany Felix suggests. The smile he offers the choice was not agreeable or to be seen as expanding to alter. There was one outcome. To listen.

" Bella. Why don't you go, enjoy the festival. I will not be long." I say not removing my gaze from Felix. She didn't need to be here.

" she stays. The girl stays." Felix says, in a haste. " Bella must remain here. We cannot allow her to leave."

My eye brows shot straight to my hairline. 'That was too despairing sounding for my liking. It's as if he doesn't want to let out of his sight.' the barricade sealing splinters and breaks, Alice makes her appearance.

She unties the scarf covering then skin of her neck. now in a protective pose, before my self, Bella and Edward. " guys. It's a festival. You wouldn't want to create a scene."

" We wouldn't." Felix proclaims. He is still heavily staring, intensively, towards Bella. Not breaking eye contact.

Then a petite girl, short in structure and build, walks in a saunter; amble in her steps enters the corridor. her Botticelli angel-like facial form face is uncovered.

" Enough. Aro sent me to see what was taking so long. Master does not appreciate nor like to be kept waiting. Now, Follow me."

Down the number of passages, I didn't have the time to take in the harrowing stench of death I could smell. 'The horror the walls could tell if they could talk', each of us enter an elevator shaft. opera music.

None of the vampires in this enclosed moving chamber speak. Still as statues. I check Bella, taking account her heart was surprisingly balanced in rhythm.

I caught Felix staring, perplexity relevant inside his eyes. The elevator rolls open.

An elegant, decorated, reception area comes in view. A, very human, woman stands in greeting. " Buon pomeriggio." Good afternoon. " She's human." I state, pacing my steps to match Bella's speed. Edward tries sliding each of his fingers, to hold mine. but I pretend I'm to scratch my neck. " Does she know or aware of...? She wants to be."

Of course. How could I question it. It was obvious the intention she was to be changed in to a vampire. " So she will be." Demetri, whose name I learned from Alice, confirms.

" Or dessert." Jane, plainly, states. I held back an eye roll.

Two grand doors open. Above a circular, white square rectangular designed roof thousands of years in age are exhibited. Three vampires sit on gold, black encrusted metal thrones. " Sister. They send you out to get one and you bring back two. And who appears to be a half. I am not quite certain he is one, too. Hmm." a boy speaks, he is no older then the age of sixteen. His blood, Venetian red irises glow. inquisitively. " His blood has quite the appeal."

" That I agree on, Brother. His blood is quite delicious to smell." Jane said. Joining her brother.

" what a happy surprise! It seems young Malachi is still alive, with us, after all. This is the most delightful news." I rose an eyebrow, to the man I recognise in the painting inside the Cullens home. he greets us like we the oldest of friends reconciling after years of not communicating.

'Aro. a fiend; killer. Do not allow him to touch you, Malachi.' the same voice, returns. Malignant, hissing. ' i apologise for causing confusion. I am who speaks when you think you are just hearing your internalising monologue. I'm the demon Balthasar. The one you allowed to kill the corpse Laurent. Lord Malachi. Our connection is tethered. I wish to explain further, but I must take my absence now.' He severed the connection, leaving me in confusion.

' But be aware. heed this now; he carries the burden of death. Slaying a woman in greed of power. He shed the blood of the one he should have cherished.'

" Ah. I see we have an Angel in our presence." whispers among the guards break out, in consternation of surprise.

" Dear Malachi. It is in our hearts that we welcome such an honorary part of history. please forgive us, for this misunderstanding." Aro inclines his head; respectfully. This causes quite the upheave, I take it this was a first.

" we have not been hospitable to our guest, dear Marcus. Caius."

" How rude of us." The silky blonde hair man, Caius I believe, sarcastically flatly deadpans.

'Kiss ass' I thought. Aro, greedily, takes me by the hand. In warning, both of my irises pulse a familiar red. " fascinating. il figlio del diavolo. He lives among us, and here he is. This is quite exciting. You would make the splendid immortal, Child. Angel, vampire, and demon. Such amalgamation can be of use in my coven. greatly respected in my guard. Or a place in the court." I wanted to laugh at his ridiculous proclamation.

'If he thought I could turn into a vampire. That is mistake number one.' " compagno destinato. young Edward has found a mate, in the Angel. Such a rarity."

He focuses. titling his head, focusing.

" Isabella. how precious. You are child hood friends with dear Malachi. The both of you share such a precious bond, I can sense. From how she clings to your arm." Then my hand is dropped like I was made of acid, I rub down the skin he touched. Feeling icicles.

" Interesting. It seems there is an obstruction in your mind. Forcibly shut out and removed my gift. Truely wondrous."

" Aro can read every thought you've ever had with one touch." Edward explains. " Now that you know everything. Get on with it."

" He is correct, that is my blessed gift. But when it comes to searching for your memories, Malachi. It appears I can access liminal and selected images inside of your mind. I have never encountered such obstacles, it usually does not have difficulties until In this time." He has a long, calculating stare. clasping his hands together. He takes a stride back, not facing away. " I wish, want, to see if young Bella is an exception including. To our gifts. If you will allow me, Malachi. Would you do be the honour?".

'As if she has the choice.' I thought, indignantly. 'Doesn't mean I couldn't have a say.' " I think it is in your best interest, Aro. To tread lightly, if I see you staring even in the slight of expression change, it will not end well."

He shakes his head in a nod. " Of course, young Malachi. no harm will come to Isabella. I just wish to see if she too is effective of our abilities." She hesitates but is compliant. Aro laughs at her reluctance, further extending his hand. Bella finally takes it. From his unamused, sheer expression of disappointment her mind is shielded. Blank; empty. " Hmm. I see nothing. Let see if she is immune to each of our powers. Jane? Shall we?."

I didn't like the sound of that. " No!" Edward charges forward to Jane, so quick I didn't register Jane was instead staring at me.

" Pain." Then diverts her gaze, instead, to him. He writhes in utter agony, I could only stare with disbelief. Shock. Concentrating on him, smiling in satisfaction.

" STOP!" Balthasar makes an appearance, our voices combining. " release him, Girl." I stand in front of Edward, preventing her ability of furthering torturing him. I focus on Jane, staring her down baring my teeth in a sneer. Hand raised." Pain." We both say, taunting her, before she screams out in excruciation. Reflecting her gift. She begins withering, the cells in her undead corpse of a vessel haemorrhaging.

" Unhand her, Demon." I snap my neck, to settle the glare I had on the brother. An elastic band snaps, in my mind, recognising each of the red eye vampires in the room as enemies. I out thrust my left hand, making him levitate. he begins gasping for 'air', suffocating and begging for any release. He gets higher, higher. The foundation of the throne quarters I stand in trembles, cracks are created in the marble confinements, turbulently. " Please! Make it stop. Make it stop!" Jane cries out.

" Remarkable. What a truely beautiful creature. You confound us all, dear Malachi. But I m-must insist you free young Alec, Jane. They do not know better and are not quite mature to understand their place. They simply just obey my order and words." Aro pleads. I suppose pleading was not his specialty, it sounded forced.

Ashamed he was subjected to such pathetic conducting manner. I allow each Alec and Jane to be free, revoking each of the gift I used.

" What do I plan to do with you, and young Isabella. Now?" Aro hums. " You already know what you are to do, Aro." Marcus, the king who just began the speak now, says gruffly. " Each the girl, and he are a liability that we cannot ensure will expose our secret." Caius, sour expression plastered as he says this. " Felix. Demetri. If you may."

Felix takes a minute to think. He delays his time to react, noticing my glare. " I am warning you. Don't do it." I roll my jaw, releasing tension in my shoulders. My wings come out, this time they are reach the same carmine and scarlet red. " gods be good." Demetri sputters. Each guard I glance around to do each the same cross formation, of faith, Touching fingers to their head then chest.

" Isabella swan is under my protection. In the name of god, my father Samael, and I. Including the Cullens. She is not to be touched.  I will not be hesitant in returning to here, in this castle, this room. To smite each of you. No is to be harmed. Are we at an agreement, here. Aro? No impasse. I agree to hope we don't have." My wings still on exhibit, i stalk around to each of the three Kings. Caius, now showing more emotion than before, straightens. Aro swallows, hard. Marcus expresses admiration; venerating the colour of my wings. Edward was being assessed, checked on by Bella and Alice.

" How can we be sure the girl keeps our secret. Oh holy one." Caius, acerbically; venom leaking in his words, exclaims. " My brother thinks what I, along with each of us in this room, desire to appease and ask. The intention of immortality." The fire in my veins aches to come out, to induct a torrent of fire. Thinking of ways to get Bella, Edward and Alice out of here if the worst were to ensue. It physically manifests, flames appearing. Each guard hurtle out of the reach, not wanting to be incinerated.

" She will become one of us. I have seen it."

What Alice said made me reel back, in shock. She had seen in a vision of Bella becoming a vampire. I was not aware. It intrigued Aro, specifically. I gave her a look that ask to explain later. Bella is taken aback, then did I realise Felix had moved to stand closer to her. The extensive size comparison was confounding, she reaches just three inches off his chest. Aro out stretch her hand, there is a moment of silence for a straight minute. Then his high pitch, frequency laugh returns.

" How truely amazing. To see what you see before it happens. And my! My! It appears Isabella is Felix's compagno predestinato. Fated mate."

Fated Mate. Fated mate.

Felix and Bella share, simultaneously, looks of astonishment. " Go now. Make your preparations. Felix, if you wish to join your mate, you have my blessing and permission. I know you'll be eager to know more about her." I notice Felix had fully gravitated to Bella, hovering over her body. She too was turning a shade of brighter pink each with second passing.

'This is a discussion we need to have when we are home.'

-








Jasmine Speaks;

We now know the name of the voice, Balthasar. Felix and Bella are mates, how about that. I hope you like this ship. I needed Bella to have love too. Even if it's from a Volturi member, but I love him.

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