Destiny

~26.3~

Weeks ago

Shortly after Destinee had that strange dream, she was in the woods. There she discovered more of her powers. Some of them appeared with sparkles, light or dust. It happened that Leah ran into her. She saw what Destinee could do and decided to give a shit on her Alpha's order, which was to stay away from others, and to tell her the secret that she could turn into a wolf. Since then, the both of them met many times in the woods and Destinee practiced her skills. They became very good friends and Destinee told Leah what she intended to do if the Cullens would return.

Back to present

Bella, Edward and Alice entered to face the three ancients, Aro, Marcus, Caius. Eight Volturi guards, including Jane, Felix and Demetri, lined the walls in a variety of modern dark overcoats. Bella shivered. Aro rose and greeted them like old friends, taking Edward'shand and shaking it.
"What a happy surprise! Bella is alive after all. Isn't that wonderful?"
Caius responded with a sour expression. Marcus could care less. Aro didn't release Edward's hand and looked at him.
"Her blood appeals to you so much it makes me thirsty. How can you stand to be so close to her?" he asked.
"It's not without effort."
"I can see that", Aro said laughing.
"One touch and Aro can see every thought I've ever had in my life", Edward explained.
"You're quite the telepath yourself, Edward. Though... you can't read Bella's thoughts. Fascinating."
He released Edward's hand and turned to Bella.
"I would love to see if you are an exception to my gifts, as well."
He reached for Bella's hand. She hesitated. Aro laughed at her reluctance and extended his hand further. Bella finally took it.
As he held her hand, confusion swept over him.
"Interesting", he mumbled.
He released her and moved back to his chair, deep in thought.
"I wonder if..."
Edward read Aro's thoughts.
"No!" he yelled.
"Let's see if she's immune to all our powers, shall we Jane?"
Jane turned toward Bella, but Edward sprung in front of her. Jane instead focused her gaze on Edward which flung him across the room where he collapsed, writhing in agony. Jane concentrated on him with a small smile, enjoying his pain.
"Stop!" Bella yelled.
She and Alice rushed to his side. As soon as Jane looked away, Edward's pain ceased.
"Jane, dear. The girl?"
Jane's gaze now turned toward Bella who cringed, awaiting the pain. But nothing happens. Jane's grin was replaced by anger. Aro laughed like a child with a new toy. Jane, infuriated, moved toward Bella, but Aro stopped her with a tiny gesture.
"Remarkable!" he exclaimed, "She confounds us all. So what do we do with you now?"
"You already know what you'll do, Aro", Marcus answered, seemingly bored.
"She knows too much. She's a liability", Caius agreed.
"That's true. Unless Edward intends to give her immortality..." he trailed off and looked at Edward.
"But that's not your intention, is it. Shame."
He nodded to Felix who moved toward Bella, but he only took a step before Edward tackled him.
"Edward, don't!"
Alice leapt to help, but several Volturi guard held her back, which was no easy job. As she struggled mightily Edward was David to Felix was Goliath. Edward would lose, but he would go down fighting. Edward was fast, anticipating Felix's moves before he made them, but Felix was stronger. He grabbed, throwing him into the ceiling. He smashed against the marble and dropped like a stone, before he then is immediately kicked across the room.
"Stop this! Please!" Bella yelled to Aro.
But he ignored her and leaned forward to study Edward. Jane was itching to step in. Aro gestured her back. Felix took some hits, but then lifted Edward overhead, cracking him like a nut, then flinging him against a wall. Bella ran toward Aro but a Volturi Guard flung her away. She flew hard against the wall. The guard was then occupied by the thrashing Alice. Bella, bruised, but not broken, made another attempt to get to Aro, finally reaching him and standing in front of him.
"Do it! Kill me! Just leave them alone!" she yelled.
Aro was surprised and intrigued.
"Enough", he ordered.
Felix immediately released Edward who managed to look up. He saw Bella standing in front of Aro.
"Get away from her!" Edward demanded and moved toward Aro but was quickly immediately pinned by Jane's invisible powers. He writhed in agony. Alice could no longer bear Edward's suffering.
"Edward, stop. I've already seen it."
"Alice, stay out of it", Edward said through gritted teeth.
"I know what to do."
Aro, being intrigued, gestured for Jane to stop. Edward went limp.
"Ah yes, the clairvoyant. I saw your gift in Edward's thoughts. What is it you've seen?"
"... don't..."
"I'm the one who will change Bella."
Bella was taken aback by this. Aro was surprised, as well.
"Please. Be my guest", he said.
"Not here. Her father is in law enforcement. If she goes missing, there will be questions.
"He is easily dealt with", Caius stated.
"It will happen, Aro. See for yourself."
Aro gestured for her to step forward. He nodded to the guards who released her. She stepped forward and held her hand out. She gave him her hand. He closed his eyes.

Edward hunted a deer. Matching his pace was another vampire; Bella. She was pale and beautiful she and Edward smiled at each other as they took a last grand leap for the kill.

Aro released Alice's hand, utterly delighted.
"Mesmerizing!" he exclaimed, "To see the things you've seen, that haven't happened yet!"
Alice moved to Edward's side and helped him up.
"I'm so sorry", she apologized to him.
"Your gifts will make for an intriguing immortal. Go make your preparations."
Bella hurried to Edward's side, too. Caius was put out.
"You're letting them leave?"
"Dear Caius, the girl's disappearance will be conspicuous at best. And surely you see her potential."
"Let us be done with this. Heidi will arrive any moment", Marcus said dispassionately.
Aro gestured. Demetri the carved double doors threw open. Caius glared at them threateningly.
"We will make sure she follows through. I would not delay. We do not offer second chances", Caius hissed.
Edward, recovered by then, took Bella by the arm and, together with Alice, they cautiously backed toward the door. Demetri lead Bella, Edward and Alice out of the hall through a long corridor. As they made their way up the corridor, they saw coming toward them. A group of two dozen tourists, led by a beautiful vampire, Heidi. Edward, Alice and Bella stopped to let them all pass. As Heidi passed Demetri, he gave her a flirtatious smile.
"Nice fishing, Heidi, save some for me."
Heidi smiled. She gave Bella a curious once-over, then continued on.
"This way, please. Stay together", Heidi said to the group.
The group was moved toward the carved double doors which swung open for them. They filed into the marble hall. Edward pulled Bella forward, but she craned her neck back as the last of the tourists disappeared inside. As the large doors close, screaming was heard. Edward and Alice rushed Bella out. Bella pulled a tormented face as the screaming got louder and louder.

Night

Bella sat bolt upright.
"Stop!" she yelled.
She caught her breath, disoriented, confused. Then she turned to find Edward lying beside her, looking at her.
"It... wasn't a dream."
"Go back to sleep", Edward ordered her, "You've been through a lot."
"No, you might..."
"I'll be here when you wake up."
She looked at him warily.
"Why? Out of guilt?" Bella wanted to know.
"You... think I asked the Volturi to kill me because I felt guilty?"
"Didn't you?"
"I went to them because I thought I'd lost you."
"You didn't even want me."
Now Edward took her by the shoulders.
"Bella. The only reason I left was to protect you. I wanted you to have a chance at a normal, happy life."
"But it was so easy for you to leave", Bella meant.
Edward looked down.
"I had to be convincing. But easy? In my hundred years, I've never had a harder time than what I just went through."
She was beginning to believe him.
"I kept seeing you. Visions of you. Always protecting me. I thought I was going crazy."
"Your own instincts were speaking to you. I wish it had been me. But you're the heroic one. You saved me."
He moved to kiss her, but abruptly stopped. Suddenly her door swung open. She spun toward it as the lights flipped on and Charlie entered. Edward was gone by then.
"You alright? Another nightmare?"
"I'm okay. You don't have to worry."
"Last time you said that, you disappeared. You want to talk about nightmares?"
"I'm really sorry, Dad", Bella said sincere.
"Just... don't ever do that to me again. Okay?"
Bella nodded.
"And you're grounded for the rest of your life."
"I know."
"Get some rest so I can keep lecturing you in the morning."
He kissed her forehead and exited. She turned to find Edward sitting on the bed.
"He won't forgive me easily", Edward stated.
"Nope."
"Will you? I don't deserve it but... I hope you will. Because I honestly have no idea how to live without you."
Bella melted in his eyes. He kissed her.
"You won't be able to get rid of me once Alice changed me.
"She won't have to. There are ways to keep the Volturi in the dark."
Bella pulled away from him.
"They'll come after your whole family. You'd risk that just to keep me human?"
"Just? You really don't understand what you'd be giving up", he meant.
"I really do", Bella stated.
They looked at each other. She decided something, grabbed her jeans and pulled them on.
"You're not the only one with a say in it."