Simon rushed through the crowd, chasing after Alice as he made sure the hood of his red cloak never fell down. He had snatched it after they ditched the car, using it to block his exposed skin from the sunlight. He followed Alice, trusting that she knew where they needed to go. They approached one of the giant buildings, and he followed Alice in after she broke the latch off of the large doors.

"Come on, guys," Alice chirped as she walked in, cutting off Demetri and Felix as she took off her scarf and sunglasses. "It's a festival. You wouldn't want to make a scene, would you?"

Simon shrugged off the cloak with a small grimace. His gaze scanned over the people around him, though his eyes instantly dropped away after he found Edward staring at him in shock, confusion written clear as day across his face. Simon tossed him the cloak, which Edward absent-mindedly put on.

"No, we wouldn't—,"

"Enough," Jane cut Felix off, "Aro sent me to see what was taking so long."

She turned away, walking back down the long hallway she had come from. Edward moved forward, following after her as Bella, Alice, and Simon trudged along. Simon remained silent as Edward and Bella quietly talked among themselves, staying toward the back of the group with Alice.

As they entered the small elevator, Simon found himself sandwiched between Felix and Demetri in the back. He grimaced in the silence as Bella clung to Edward, only to wince as Alice smacked his chest as a warning. He shot her a wounded look, though he clenched his jaw and dropped his gaze to the floor.

Simon still found himself stuck between the two guards as Jane led them to the throne room. He listened as Bella and Edward conversed about the secretary's life choices before he turned his attention away from them. Jane pushed open the large doors, guiding them all into the massive throne room.

"My dear sister, they sent you out to get one, and you come back with three," Alec praised, before his gaze rested on Bella, "And a half. Such a clever girl."

"What a happy surprise!" Aro exclaimed as he rose from his seat. "Isabella is alive after all! Isn't that wonderful? I love a happy ending! They are so rare..."

Simon claimed the spot on Bella's other side as Aro approached her and Edward. He stepped in front of her, shielding her from Aro as the King took hold of Edward's hand.

Aro mumbled something in Italian, but Simon couldn't make out what. Aro's gaze drifted back over to Bella, trying to see her behind Simon's protective frame.

"Her blood appeals to you so much. It makes me thirsty. How can you stand to be so close to her?"

Simon glared at Aro as he listened to the King's words, though his aura remained composed as he felt Bella lean into his back. Her hand found his, holding it by his side.

"It's not without difficulty," Edward murmured as he stared down at Aro. He was tense, uneased by the King's fascination.

"Yes! I can see that," Aro said with a laugh.

"Aro can read every thought I've ever had, with one touch. It is his gift," Edward spoke as he glanced back at Bella. His gaze flickered to Simon before he looked back at Aro. "Now you know everything, so get on with it."

"You're quite a soul reader yourself, Edward," Aro spoke, his gaze landing on Bella and Simon. "Though... you can't read their thoughts. Fascinating," He murmured, stepping back away from Edward.

"I wonder if...they are exceptions to my gifts, as well. Would you do me the honor?" He asked as he held his hand out.

Bella hesitantly moved to stand by Simon, her hand not leaving his. She reached her empty hand forward, laying it in Aro's open palm. Aro stayed quiet, dropping her hand after a few seconds before snatching Simon's up next, not waiting for the younger male to offer it. Simon found himself tensing, but he relaxed after a few seconds as Bella squeezed his hand still gripped in hers.

"Interesting," Aro muttered, dropping Simon's hand before walking to stand closer to the other Kings, "I see nothing. I wonder if...they are immune to all of our gifts. Shall we, Jane?"

Edward reacted before Simon could, only to be stopped in his path as Jane focused her gift on him. He fell to the ground and Alice rushed to his side. Alec appeared from his sister's side, stopping Simon and Bella from going further.

"Stop!" Bella exclaimed, letting go of Simon's hand as she rushed forward, only to be stopped again by Alec. "Don't, please stop. Stop! Just stop hurting him, please! Please!"

"Jane?" Aro mumbled, his gaze moving to the blonde girl. "Go ahead, my dear."

"This may hurt, just a little," She spoke softly, though the smirk on her face painted a different story.

Simon pulled Bella back behind him, barely managing to get her away from Alec before Jane moved her attack. He couldn't stop the scream that ripped from his throat as fire ignited throughout his body. He collapsed to his knees as he clutched his head, no longer able to focus on what chaos was happening around him. The pain was more intense than anything he had ever felt. It was worse than the feeling of death; worse than the venom that ran through his body during the period of his turning. He couldn't breathe, and his mind was drawn blank from the sheer intensity of it.

He gasped for breath as it disappeared as suddenly as it had appeared. As he began to regain his senses, he found Bella holding his upper half against her chest as Aro laughed in glee.

"Remarkable!" He breathed, "She confounds us all! The boy, though, such a shame. So, what do we do now?"

"You already know what you're going to do, Aro," Marcus muttered from his throne, "She knows too much. She's a liability," Caius joined in their conversation.

"That's true," Aro spoke with a small sigh, "Felix."

"No!" Simon heard Edward shout before he and Alice rushed at Felix and Demetri.

Simon moved without thinking, using his body to shield Bella as all hell broke loose between Edward and Felix. He flinched as he listened to Bella scream, but he held her tighter as she tried to get him off of her and go to Edward.

"No! Please, please!" Bella cried out as Felix started to crack Edward's skull.

Simon wasn't sure what made the thought appear in his mind, but he immediately found himself speaking without thinking of the possible consequences.

"First Blood," He murmured as he looked up, his voice barely a whisper as his gaze met Aro's, resulting in the King's frozen stature. "I declare First Blood."

He watched as Aro paled with recognition. All three of the Kings ceased their movement, and Felix stopped his attack as confusion took over his expression. He shared the look with Demetri, Jane, and Alec before he turned his gaze to their Kings.

"If you hurt or kill either of them, I have the right to rip your heads off. Let them go. Now."

"What's going on, Master? What does it mean to declare First Blood?" The giant guard asked, his hesitant voice breaking the silence of the room.

"It's a law. One that's very old and very...troubling," Aro spoke, stepping down from his throne to move toward them. He didn't take his gaze off of Simon, whom everyone but the Kings were staring at with confusion. "If you're trying to make a fool out of me, Boy..."

Simon slowly stood up, gently pushing Bella over to Alice and Edward as the guards had released their holds.

"I'm not," He spoke up as he met Aro halfway across the large room, his hand already sliding into the King's waiting palm. "I'd give my life to see it through. And it will be done if she so wishes. Though, even if I am wrong, are you really willing to risk that chance? They are under my protection until that moment. If I turn out to be wrong, then you can tear me limb from limb and burn the pieces, as long as you leave them out of it. But only if I'm wrong."

"...Such a selfless, soulless monster. I've seen the things he has done to you, dear Child. He broke you. Yet here you stand, defending him and his beloved with your life. Why?"

Simon flinched as Aro's words echoed through the room, but his voice was certain as he spoke.

"Because she is my beloved. And he means something to her. I'd give up all I have if it meant she'd get to live and be happy. That includes trading my life for his."

The room remained dead silent as Aro gathered his thoughts. "Very well," He spoke, "Go, Child. Let us pray that you're right about your declaration. See to it that her wishes are met, and soon."

Simon subtly nodded his head, before he turned and retreated from the room. The others followed behind him, more confused than they were when they had arrived.