There mysterious girl

Chapter 9

Bella's ears were ringing. Surely, she couldn't have heard him right...

"What..."

Aro smiled softly at her.

"We have waited three thousand years for you, Isabella," he said, his eyes holding no teasing or guile. He was being as candid as she'd ever seen him, which was admittedly not much. She'd really only properly known him for a day, and yet...

"I don't understand," she whispered. "I can't-"

Marcus used his index finger to apply the barest amount of pressure to her chin, tilting it so that she was now looking at him instead. His expression was hopeful, but also sad. He'd known deep pain. She could tell just by looking at him now. It was inborn knowledge. Deep and indisputable.

"What Aro is trying to say," he said gently. "Is that you are our mate, Bella."

Her eyes found Caius, whose hand still covered her own. He was watching her carefully, as though he feared her reaction to this news. Aro was watching her with a cautious look as well.

Bella shook her head, unable to accept what they were saying. Had Edward been right all along? Would the Volturi leaders do anything, say anything, to get what they wanted? And if they were employing those methods now, what did they hope to gain?

"I know it must be a lot to take into consideration," Marcus was saying. "But I knew almost the moment I saw you that you belonged with us, amore."

"Marcus can see the bonds and connections that tie us together," Aro supplied.

"I know," she whispered.

Her head was spinning.

"But- but- all three of you?" she asked faintly. "How is that possible? That's cheating!"

Marcus smiled kindly, rubbing her hand with his own.

"No, amore," he murmured. "It used to be quite common, actually, to share a mate. Female vampires have not always been in as plentiful as they are today. Since meeting, we have known that we shared such a bond with one woman. We have been searching for you ever since."

It wasn't possible, she thought desperately. It couldn't be possible.

"No," she whispered. "I- this is-"

"I know this is hard to believe, dearest," Marcus tried, but Bella silenced him with a sharp look.

"Do you?" she asked incredulously. "Because mates is already a pretty hard sell. How can I possibly-"

"Alice saw it," Aro interjected. "She showed me the vision she had on your way to save young, misguided Edward."

"Alice knew?" she asked, feeling betrayed somehow. "What did she show you?"

Aro opened his mouth to respond, but Bella raised her hand, halting whatever he was about to say.

"No, don't tell me," she said shrilly. "Not yet. I need some air."

They didn't stop her when she opened to French doors leading to the terrace, but they did follow her, hovering anxiously. Alice knew. She knew, and she had sent her to Volterra with a suitcase full of designer clothing and no warning about what she was walking into. Apparently, Bella was wrong when she'd assumed that their friendship just hadn't survived her break up with Edward. They'd never been friends in the first place.

Well, now she understood what Caius had meant when he said there was "more" to their status at mates. But she couldn't be their mate, though. One, she could understand. But all three... It was impossible. She needed to leave-