A Potter Secret

The Volturi

Edward walks down a seemingly endless corridor. Finally, he reaches a set of intricately carved double doors which open for him. He enters. Edward finds himself facing three wooden thrones, on which sit the ancient Volturi: Aro, Marcus, Caius. Aro wears an expensive, contemporary, black Italian suit, long black hair in a loose ponytail to his waist. Marcus and Caius eschew modern clothing for rich silk robes, their long hair loose around them. All three have translucent, onion-like, white skin.

"Have you decided?" Edward asks.

"I'm afraid your gifts are too valuable to destroy. But if you're unhappy with your lot, join us. We'd be delighted to utilize your skills," Aro replies.

"So you won't end this," Edward continues.

"Not without cause," Marcus reminds. Edward registers this, his face setting. Clearly, he's going to give them cause. He strides out.

"Such a waste," Aro mutters.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Bella waits impatiently at the curb as a yellow hard-top Porsche with darkly tinted windows screeches to a halt in front of her. The passenger door opens Alice is behind the wheel, pulling off the chic, white, hooded coat she used for protection against the sun. Bella climbs in, buckling up. "Where'd you get the car?" Bella asks.

"Hope you're not opposed to grand theft auto," Alice mumbles.

"Not today," Bella replies.

Alice floors it and the Porsche peels out.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The yellow Porsche screams down a highway, cutting lanes, weaving through Peugots and Fiats. Bella grips the dashboard as Alice narrowly misses a car. "How much time do we have?" Bella demands.

"He's waiting till noon, when the sun's at its highest," Alice replies. "He's going to make the Volturi change their minds."

"It's almost noon now," Bella notes.

"There's Volterra." Alice punches it as Bella sees a medieval fortified village atop a distant hill. Volterra. The narrow, centuries-old streets are crowded with festival revellers who all wear red. They gaily head toward the town square carrying red pendants, balloons, scarves. The Porsche weaves through them, hurrying forward.

"Why are they all wearing red?" Bella asks.

"San Marcos Day festival. The perfect setting. Large crowds. The Volturi won't let him get far enough to reveal himself he's counting on that."

"We only have five minutes." Alice screeches to a halt at a road block. Italian police wave her back. Bella jumps out. "Where's the square?"

"Follow that lane." Bella's already running. "He'll be under the clock tower!"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Bella races down the cobble-stoned alleys, stumbling on the uneven stones. Festival revelers head in the same direction, she maneuvers around them. As Bella nears the square, the alleys become more populated. She pushes past people saying "excuse me," "sorry." Finally, she emerges into Palazzo Dei Priori. A sea of scarlet flags, dresses and jackets guard her path. On the other side of the crowded square the clock tower; it reads one minute before noon. Bella battles her way through the square; the crowd shoves back, shouting at her in Italian. Bella charges forward to find herself blocked by a fountain. suddenly, gong! the clock tower bells chime. It's noon! Bella jumps into the fountain, wades through the shallow water to the other side she jumps out and barrels through the crowd. Finally, she sees Edward, in the shadows, just inches from the sunlight. "Edward!" Bella cries. Gong! Bella's cry is drowned out by the booming chime. She pushes toward him, fighting to reach him as he unbuttons his shirt, exposing his bare chest. He closes his eyes, welcoming death. Then slowly Edward takes a step into the sunlight, the rays hitting his shoe, but before the sun touches his skin Bella slams into him it's like running into a brick wall. "No, Edward! Don't!"

Edward opens his eyes and looks at Bella as the clock booms its final chime. He's amazed, already dead in his mind. "Heaven," Edward mumbles.

"No, I'm here. I'm alive," Bella replies.

Edward's confused. "You're not real."

"Look at me! Alice was wrong." He begins to realize she is real.

"Bella?"

"Please, step back. I'm alive, I'm-" He suddenly kisses her, stepping back into the shade with her. They soak each other in like starved people suddenly nourished. He pulls away to look at her.

"You're here," Edward says.

"I'm here."

They share a long look, he's about to kiss her again when suddenly, he stiffens and abruptly pushes Bella behind him, taking a protective stance in front of her. they face the dark alley that runs under the clock tower. out of the alley's shadows emerge two figures in hooded overcoats. both stunningly handsome males in their twenties; Felix, huge, strong; and Demetri, slender, elegant. Both have unsettling burgundy red eyes. "I won't be needing your services after all, gentlemen," Edward says.

"Aro wants to speak with you again," Felix replies.

"No rules were broken."

Demetri's smile suggests he doesn't agree. He's the more gracious of the two. But no less dangerous. "We should take this conversation to a more appropriate venue," Demetri suggests.

"Fine. Bella, why don't you stay and enjoy the festival?" Edward insists.

"The girl comes with us," Felix says.

"That's not going to happen."

Alice suddenly appears, lightly tripping through the alley toward them, pulling back the hood of her white swing coat. "Come on, guys, it's a festival," Alice says. She reaches Edward and Bella, positioning herself in a protective stance, as well. "We wouldn't want to make a scene."

"There won't be any scene. And we'll still win," Felix assures.

"But not easily," Edward replies.

"Enough," Jane interrupts. A very tiny, young woman appears, Jane. She also wears a dark overcoat, her Botticelli angel-like face peering out from under the hood. see her crimson irises. Felix and Demetri are back off immediately. Edward and Alice step back, as well. Bella can see they're afraid of this small girl.

"Jane," Edward says.

"Who is she?" Bella asks.

"Just do as she says," Alice mumbles.

Jane tosses Edward an overcoat. He dons it. "Follow me," Jane says. Jane simply turns and heads up the alley, confident they'll follow. Felix, smirking, gestures for them to go ahead of him. Edward takes Bella's hand.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~