Aurora - *FELIX V. PAUL*

Ch. 7

" Yes, daddy. I'm with Bella now... Yeah, everything's fine. We got a, um, a call from Edward's sister. She said he was in a bad accident and that he wanted to see Bella... This could be her last chance, daddy. I just didn't want her to deal with this all alone... You're the one that wanted us to get along. Remember?... Oh! Gotta go, dad. They're letting us in to see him now. I'll text you to keep you updated... I love you too. Bye."

Aurora ended the call. Her screen went back to the recent calls list, almost every single one had been Paul. She sighed feeling like she had made a mistake. It took every ounce of herself not to call him and ask for things to go back the way they were.

Suddenly, a bright yellow Lamborghini rode up beside herself and Bella in the pickup line. The windows rolled down to reveal Alice.

"Get in."

"Uh.. Alice, wher--"

"No time, Bella. Come on."

The step sisters exchanged a look before doing as they were told. Alice took off at the speed of light, racing against the clock. It was over an hour drive from Florence to Volterra. According to Alice's vision, they would just barely make it in time.

As the three closed in on the city, from the distance they could see the bright red colors that seemed to paint the town. The castle in the distance was particularly a breathtaking sight.

"So Alice, you're, uh... you're a vampire." She stated rather than asked.

"And?"

"And so is...?"

"Aurora?" She focused her attention on Bella. "The Cullens are vampires."

"Oh my gosh," Aurora pointed at Bella with her mouth dropped open. "You knew this whole time?"

Bella turned to her step sister. "It wasn't my secret to tell."

Aurora nodded, recognizing the irony. "So what exactly is the Volturi?" Bella looked to Alice also interested in knowing.

"They're an ancient coven that upholds our vampire laws. They're by far the largest coven, consisting of mainly gifted members." Alice looked to Bella. "When Edward asked to be killed, the kings wouldn't go through with it. Their Guard becomes stronger with every gifted vampire they add, and they want Edward."

"So he's still alive then? They won't kill him?" Aurora said hopefully.

"They won't kill him... not until noon. He plans on showing himself to the townspeople." Aurora was confused, so Alice continued. "Its the St. Marcus Day festival, there's going to be hundreds of people in the streets. When Edward's walks out of the castle and into the sunlight, he'll expose our kind to the humans. Then they'll have no choice but to kill him."

As the vehicle entered the heart of the city, they were slowed to a complete halt. The streets were jam packed with people in red cloaks in honor of the festival. Roads were closed off and the way to the castle was blocked.

Bella jumped out of the car, ready to run in. As Aurora went for her door handle, Alice stopped her.

"Wait, Aurora! Bella, it has to be you!"

"What? You're not coming with me?"

"If either if us goes, he'll be able to read our thoughts. He'll just rush into it. You're the only one he can't see coming." Bella nodded in understanding, but Aurora was blindsided. "He'll be under the clock tower. Go!"

The last Aurora saw of Bella was the flash of her dark hair and light toned skin taking off down the cobblestone path. She turned to Alice.

"What do we do?"