Twilight Collision: Falling Into Pieces

Goodbyes, Declarations, and Promises

Bella let the arm drop to the floor and leaped away towards the vampire. The room went silent except for the thoughts on their head but everyone else could only hear the lone vampire in the center, screeching in agony with both the pain and the humiliation of being bested by a human.

"Stand up!" Cauis told him in a cold voice, showing no hint of emotion. The vampire obeyed and struggled to stand up. His eyes were frantically darting towards the three masters that were sitting in front of him, afraid of what they were about to do to him for disobeying and for losing.

"That was quite... entertaining" Aro finally said with the same coldness as his brother.

"Master... I – "

"Hush!" Aro held out one finger. "You are hurt. Let Demetri and Felix tend to your wound" Aro's words were chillingly soothing and with his command, Demetri and Felix were instantly at his side.

"Shall we take you to your chamber?" Felix asked him while grabbing the amputated arm.

"I... yes..." He let them drag him outside and his thoughts were resigned and wary. He knew he had disappointed them and he didn't know how he was going to make up for it.

I glared at Aro, whose expression did not betray anything. I knew how Felix and Demetri was going to 'take care of him'. Even if he was glad that the fight turned to Bella's favor, he still did not like the idea that a member of his guard was defeated like that. The Volturi didn't have room for weakness.

"Isabella..." Bella was looking at Aro warily. She was finally able to breath easily now that it was over and I went over to her side and wrapped her in my arms.

"Are you okay?" I whispered in her hair.

She inhaled deeply in my chest. "I am now"

"That was, to say the least, the most fun that we ever had in this chamber since the last hundred years! Do you all agree?" Aro asked the crowd and they all whispered murmurs of agreement at Aro's statement. Only I could hear the uneasiness building up in their minds.

"You have given me much to ponder my dear, especially what you mentioned earlier." He smiled at her but Bella only frowned.

"Please do understand that my intention was just for distraction. I did not mean what I said and I hope I did not offend anyone by my words." Bella spoke carefully. I knew she didn't want to trigger any hostility from the others in the room who were already looking at her dangerously. Bella made sure that Aro understood that she never meant any of those things that she said and I sighed in relief.

"On the contrary my dear... I was actually quite delighted at your proposition. It was quite promising..."

Aro started and his mind wandered to the idea of not only Alice and me within the Volturi ranks, but Bella as well. It was sickening to watch and I tried to erase the image of the black cloaks that were clad in our bodies.

"I am in awe of you. You're as strong as your mind is as quick... could you blame me for wanting that? Just imagine all the things that you could do and what you could learn when you are one of us! Oh, I hope you would reconsider your position!" If Aro was trying to sell himself or the Volturi, Bella was not impressed. So am I.

"I'm really sorry to disappoint but I don't want to join you." Bella said with finality.

"Edward? Alice? The offer extends to you two, you know?" He smiled.

"No" I kept my voice as calm as I could.

"No thanks."

"Ahhhh... a vampire can dream" He laughed at his own joke. No one else thought it was funny.