volturi wolf

VERDICT part 2

"Don't be disturbed," Aro reassured him. "I mean her no harm. But I am so curious, about one thing in particular." He eyed the human with bright interest. "May I?" he asked eagerly, lifting one hand.

"Ask her," Edward suggested in a flat voice. I growled loudly the human stepped back  

"Of course, how rude of me!" Aro exclaimed not even saying or caring that I did anything. "Bella," he addressed human directly now. "I'm fascinated that you are the one exception to Edward's impressive talent so very interesting that such a thing should occur! And I was wondering, since our talents are similar in many ways, if you would be so kind as to allow me to try to see if you are an exception for me, as well?" A horrified look pasted her face, and I walked over to Jane and rubbed my head against her hand she smiled at me. Aro reached out to touch her hand but a few seconds later his smile altered into a frown then back to a smile. "So very interesting," he said as he released her hand and drifted back. "A first," he said to himself "I wonder if she is immune to our other talents Jane, dear?" Aro looked at Jane.

"No!" Edward snarled the word. Alice grabbed his arm with a restraining hand. He shook her off.

Little Jane smiled up happily at Aro. "Yes, Master?"

Edward was truly snarling now, the sound ripping and tearing from him, glaring at Aro with baleful eyes. The room had gone still, everyone watching him with amazed disbelief, I saw Felix grin hopefully and move a step forward. Aro glanced at him once, and he froze in place, his grin turning to a sulky expression. As I got closer and got ready to attack. Then Aro spoke to Jane. "I was wondering, my dear one, if Bella is immune to you." Edward pulled Bella behind him. Caius ghosted in our direction, with his entourage, to watch. Jane turned toward them with a beatific smile. "Don't!" Alice cried as Edward launched himself at my little angel. Before I could react, before anyone could jump between them, before Aro's bodyguards could tense, Edward was on the ground. No one had touched him, but he was on the stone floor writhing in obvious agony, I looked at Jane proudly. Jane was smiling only at him now. "Stop!" The human shrieked, her voice echoing in the silence, then she jumped forward to put herself between them. But Alice threw her arms around her in an unbreakable grasp and ignored her struggles. No sound escaped Edward's lips as he cringed against the stones. 

"Jane," Aro recalled her in a tranquil voice. She looked up quickly, still smiling with pleasure, her eyes questioning. As soon as Jane looked away, Edward was still. Aro inclined his head toward the human.

 "He's fine," Alice whispered in a tight voice. As she spoke, he sat up, and then sprang lightly to his feet. NOTHING HAPPENED? 

Aro started to laugh. "Ha, ha. ha," he chuckled. "This is wonderful!" Jane hissed in frustration, leaning forward like she was preparing to spring. "Don't be put out, dear one," Aro said in a comforting tone, placing a powder-light hand on her shoulder. "She confounds us all." Jane's upper lip curled back ever her teeth as she continued to glare at the human. "Ha, ha, ha," Aro chortled again. "You're very brave, Edward, to endure in silence. I asked Jane to do that to me once just out of curiosity." He shook his head in admiration. Edward glared, disgusted, And I showed my teeth. "So what do we do with you now?" Aro sighed. Edward and Alice stiffened. "I don't suppose there's any chance that you've changed your mind?" Aro asked Edward hopefully. "Your talent would be an excellent addition to our little company." Edward hesitated. From the corner of my eye, I saw both Felix and Jane grimace. Edward seemed to weigh each word before he spoke it. 

"I'd rather not." He said. 

"Alice?" Aro asked, still hopeful. "Would you perhaps be interested in joining with us?"

"No, thank you," Alice said.

"And you, Bella?" Aro raised his eyebrows. It was the Caius who broke the silence. 

"What?" he demanded of Aro; his voice, though no more than a whisper, was flat.

"Caius, surely you see the potential," Aro chided him affectionately. "I haven't seen a prospective talent so promising since we found Jane and Alec. Can you imagine the possibilities when she is one of us?"

"No, thank you," The human spoke up in barely more than a whisper, my voice breaking in fright.

Aro sighed. "That's unfortunate. Such a waste."

Edward hissed. "Join or die, is that it? I suspected as much when we were brought to this room. So much for your laws."

"Of course not." Aro blinked, astonished. "We were already convened here, Edward, awaiting Heidi's return. Not for you."

"Aro," Caius hissed. "The law claims them."

Edward glared at Caius. "How so?" he demanded. He must have known what Caius was thinking, but he seemed determined to make him speak it aloud.

Caius pointed a skeletal finger at the human. "She knows too much. You have exposed our secrets." His said. 

"There are a few humans in on your charade here, as well," Edward reminded him. Caius's face twisted into a new expression.

"Yes," he agreed. "But when they are no longer useful to us, they will serve to sustain us. That is not your plan for this one. If she betrays our secrets, are you prepared to destroy her? I think not," he scoffed.

"I wouldn't," The human began, still whispering. Caius silenced her with an icy look.

"Nor do you intend to make her one of us," Caius continued. "Therefore, she is a vulnerability. Though it is true, for this, only her life is forfeit. You may leave if you wish." Edward bared his teeth. "That's what I thought," Caius said, with something akin to pleasure. Felix leaned forward, eager and I did was well I am hungry.

"Unless" Aro interrupted. He looked unhappy with the way the conversation had gone. "Unless you do intend to give her immortality?" Edward pursed his lips, hesitating for a moment before he answered.

 "And if I do?" He spoke.

Aro smiled, happy again. "Why, then you would be free to go home and give my regards to my friend Carlisle." His expression turned more hesitant. "But I'm afraid you would have to mean it."
Aro raised his hand in front of him. Caius, who had begun to scowl furiously, relaxed. Edward's lips tightened into a fierce line. He stared into my eyes, and I stared back.

"Mean it," The human whispered. "Please." Edward stared down at her with a tortured expression. And then Alice stepped away from them, forward toward Aro. We turned to watch her. Her hand was raised like his. She didn't say anything, and Aro waved off his anxious guard as they moved to block her approach. Aro met her halfway, and took her hand with an eager, acquisitive glint in his eyes. He bent his head over their touching hands, his eyes closing as he concentrated. Alice was motionless, her face blank. I heard Edward's teeth snap together. No one moved. Aro seemed frozen over Alice's hand. 

"Ha, ha, ha," he laughed, his head still bent forward. He looked up slowly, his eyes bright with excitement. "That was fascinating!"

Alice smiled dryly. "I'm glad you enjoyed it."

"To see the things, you've seen especially the ones that haven't happened yet!" He shook his head in wonder.

"But that will," she reminded him, voice calm.

"Yes, yes, it's quite determined. Certainly, there's no problem." Aro said. Caius looked bitterly disappointed a feeling he seemed to share with Felix, me and Jane.

"Aro," Caius complained.