Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.

A/N: This is not Beta'd and I only use spell check on Microsoft, so there errors… I'm just too lazy to go fix them all.

A/N: Before you all start reading the story; I want to lay some things out for you so you all don't get confused. I decided to use the Volturi's wives (Sulpicia, Didyme and Athenodora) but have them have their canon husbands' powers. So, Sulpicia has Aro's power and Didyme has Marcus's power. To make it clear, the pairing in this story is: Bella/Sulpicia/Didyme/Athenodora and I still really don't like Edward… at all. This story starts when Bella saves Edward in Italy.

I can see Edward just across the courtyard, just barely visible through the mass of people in red capes, about to step out into the sun. I pushed myself to run harder and faster while praying I don't trip. I can hear the clock chiming just like Alice told me it would. I pushed someone out of my way, without even tossing out an apology, as I saw Edward start to slowly unbutton his shirt as he continued his slow decent into the sunlight. If I wasn't running trying to save his life, I would have taken the time to admire his toned upper body, as it is, I don't have to time.

Almost like it was purposefully perfect timing, which it probably was since Alice was involved, and just overall meant to be, just as Edward stepped into the sun and his body start to glitter, I ran the final steps to him and lunged at him. At first Edward didn't move at all, almost like he didn't even register that I had run into him. Up to this point I hadn't said a thing, concerned that if I did, someone would look at him and I was already bringing enough attention to me with running through people.

"Edward." I said as I did all I could with my mere human strength to push him back into the shadows. My hands wrapped around his waist and I did my best to position my body in front of him to try and hide it from the sun the best I can.

Hearing my voice must have finally clued him in that I am in fact in his arms again, as I should be and not just some figment of his imagination. Edwards' arms wrapped around me and he seemingly stumbled backwards into the safe shadows again before anyone could see him. I tightened my grip around him now that I know he's safe.

"Bella." Edward said, sounding very relieved.

I felt him lower his head as he sniffed my hair, probably taking in my scent that he's gone so long without. I would have found it creepy if I wasn't doing the same to his chest. I had almost forgotten what he smelled like. Unfortunately our reunion was short lived.

I felt Edward tense before he turned around to face the shadows of the hallway behind us. He kept a possessive arm around me and kept me tucked safely to his side. This can only mean one thing, a vampire was coming and it isn't Alice.

"I no longer need your services; I'll be leaving the city shortly." Edward said; his politeness sounding forced.

From the shadows came two cloaked figures, one slightly taller than the other. In unison they both lowered the hoods of their cloaks to reveal their faces to me. Both males seem really serious, but the slightly taller seems to have a mischievous glimmer in his eyes. They must be members of the Volturi Guard that Edward had told me about when had first started going out. They certainly do look like Edward said they do: fierce and unforgiving.

"As nice as that would be, your presence is requested." The shorter man said. Just by the tone of his voice, even though he said Edward was only requested, it seems as if Edward doesn't really have a choice.

"Then I will have to respectfully decline the request." Edward said through gritted teeth. Both men narrowed their eyes at Edward; clearly they didn't want to hear that answer. With his arm still around me, Edward stepped slightly in front of me, a sign of him protecting me.

"That wouldn't be wise." The taller man said, equally as upset as Edward.

Edward tilted his head down and in my direction, but he made sure to keep an eye on the other two, but apparently wanted to make sure that he's now talking to me.

"Go and enjoy the festival, Alice will meet you shortly." Edward said with a small, tight smile.

"All three of you will follow us to the throne room." The shorter one said, not at all hiding his annoyance of Edward trying to get out of this.

"She has nothing to do with this; I will follow you and Alice will meet us there." Edward said, like he was trying to haggle my way out of going with them. From what I recall of the little Edward told me about the Volturi, Edward won't win this haggle, the Volturi seem to always get what they want.

"You came here to kill yourself because of her; it has everything to do with her." The shorter one said, anger now slipping into his voice.

Edward growled threateningly to the two guards. He crouched down slightly as if preparing to run at them. He released his arm from around me and stood even more in front of me. Answering Edwards' growl, the two guards crouched slightly as if preparing for a fight as well. Before either could move, someone joined us.

"Boys, let's calm down and not fight in front of ladies, it's not proper." Alice said with her usual knowing smirk as she walked towards while taking off her gloves since she's now in the shadows. "We seem to be gathering an audience, we don't Bella and I go and enjoy the festival since she's never seen it and Edward can go and resolve any problems there may be. This way, we all remain undetected." Alice said, clearly using every vampire's need to remain unknown to her advantage.

"That is not an option." The shorter one said as he and his fellow guard stood from their crouch, though Edward stayed put.

"How so Demetri? Edward was the one that had the request, not Bella or I." Alice said in an innocent tone as she reached us. Alice stood on my other side, opposite from Edward, but slightly in front of me as well. She's making sure that in case a fight does break out; I will at least have a chance to escape to the crowd.

Before Demetri or the other guard could answer, another figure came from the shadows. Since this also appeared from behind the two guards I assume it's another guard member.

"Jane." Edward hissed as the figure finally came into enough light for me to see.

"What is taking so long, Felix, Demetri? You should have already delivered them." Jane said in a serious tone. Looking at her I would think she's as old as me, if not just a little younger. Her tone though, it held serious power behind as evident by the way everyone reacted to her.

"We were just about to leave." Felix said while smugly smirking to Edward.

Edward growled under his breath, but didn't say anything. Without a word, Felix and Demetri lead the way into the shadows. Edward, Alice and I followed after them and Jane behind us. Edward seemed hesitant to allow Jane to be behind us, but he didn't have much of a choice since she didn't move until we passed her.

Demetri and Felix walked at a human pace just for me and lead us to what seemed to be a random hole. It was so dark that I couldn't see the bottom of it; if I had a choice I wouldn't want to go down there. But since both Demetri and Felix jumped down there without hesitation, I knew I don't have a choice about following them down. Sensing my hesitation about jumping, Edward spoke up.

"Don't worry love, Alice will go first and catch you. Then I'll be right behind you; we won't let anything happen to I promise." Edward said in a loving voice that I know to trust.

"Just wait three seconds and then jump." Alice said then after giving my hand a quick reassuring squeeze, jumped into the giant pit.

"Okay." I said, barely managing that much through my fear of what's about to happen when we meet the leaders. I had seen a picture of the Volturi leaders in Carlisle's study and just based off of what Edward has said about them and just how the picture portrayed them, I'm not sure if we'll get out here. I'm hoping with Alice and Edward's power, we should be able to.

After counting to three in my head, I gave Edward a hug like it might be my last and hesitantly jumped after Alice. The ride down wasn't nearly as long as I thought it was going to be. In seconds I was already in Alice's arms and she was quickly moving away from where she caught and letting me back on the ground. Once I had both feet on the ground, both Edward and Jane were with us and we were off again following Demetri and Felix. Edward wrapped his arm around me and once again tucked me into his side as Alice walked on my other side.

After a while of walking in silence, we surprisingly reached an elevator. All of us piled in with the two male guards in back, us three in middle and Jane in front.

"There's something I should tell you so you won't be surprised Bella." Edward said in a whispered voice though we both knew very well that everyone in the elevator can hear him.

"What is it?" I said nervously, afraid that this is the moment that Edward confirms my fears and tells me that we really won't make it out of here.

"That picture you saw in Carlisle's office; that wasn't of the leaders." Edward whispered into my ear.

"Who were they?" I asked, confused about why he would have lied about they were.

"A passing phase of the real leaders. They aren't even alive anymore." Edward said.

Before I could ask about who the real leaders are, the elevator doors opened and we all filed out, this time Jane leading us. I would have asked more about it, but I was too busy looking around the hall we just walked into. This hall seems a lot more welcoming than the tunnels we were just in. In fact, the décor reminds me of something straight out of castle from medieval times. Knowing how old the leaders of the Volturi are, if Edward was telling the truth about that of course, I wouldn't be surprised if the décor really is from medieval times.

"They are expecting us." Jane said as we entered what looked to seem a type of reception room.

Off to the side there was an actual human working behind a desk. She didn't seem at all scared or curious about the red and golden eyed vampires. In fact, it almost seems like she knows.

"Does she know?" I whispered to Edward, knowing he would know what I mean.

"Yes." Was his simple reply.

Jane opened large doors that looked like it would be too heavy for a human to open but of course Jane was able to open them without a problem. Jane led us all inside. Edward, Alice and I followed at a slower pace than Jane to the center of the room. Felix and Demetri closed the doors behind us and slipped of the side. Edward pushed me more behind him and tightened his grip on my hand, not enough to hurt but enough to tell me he was worried.

At the other end of the room sat three ornately designed thrones. In front of the thrones there stood three women who all seemed to be talking. One woman had long black hair that flowed freely down her back. She was dressed in a dark black dress that was highlighted with scattering red. The dress seemed to come from another age, just like all three of their clothes. Another woman, a blonde haired one with equally long hair that was tied in a loose ponytail, was dressed in men's clothes. Not that I have anything against woman wearing pants and such since that basically all I wear also, but these were clearly clothes from another century that only men wore. Her clothes though were a lighter color, I assume to compliment her hair color. The last woman, the woman in the center of the trio and the only one that I couldn't even get a glimpse of her face, was another fair haired woman who also had her hair in a tight bun on top of her though; though if I had to guess I would say it's just as long as the others. She was also dressed in a dress, though it didn't flow as much as the other, it still seemed like something from an entirely different generation.

"I have brought them Mistresses." Jane said as she walked closer to the three women.

Mistresses? Are they the leaders of the Volturi? Is that what Edward was trying to tell me, that the leaders of the feared Volturi were in fact female and not male. Why would Edward lie about that?

The woman in the middle turned around and clasped her hands in front of as she smiled at Jane. Jane bowed towards the three women and stayed there as the middle woman spoke.

"Wonderful, we were starting to wonder what was taking so long. We had hoped you hadn't left already Edward." The woman said; turning her attention from Jane, which I guess Jane took as a dismissal because she stood straight then moved off to the side, to Edward. "So this is the Bella that I've heard so much about." The woman said as all three woman turned their gazes on me.

"Fascinating." The black haired woman said.

At that statement, Edward started growling and pushed me further behind him to the point that I could almost not see around him.

"Edward." Alice said in a warning tone; if she had to say that out loud instead of in her head for Edward to hear, Edward must be very upset about something to have to have her speak out loud.

"This is definitely an interesting development." The other blonde haired woman said.

"Was there something you wanted or can the three of us leave now?" Edward practically hissed to the woman.

"I don't think all three of you will be leaving." The middle woman said, her attention going back to Edward as she glared at him.

Not all of us will be leaving? I felt my eyes grow wide in realization and fear. One of us will be killed. Either Edward since he did ask and did almost break the law or me because I'm human and shouldn't know about them. Shouldn't Alice have seen this and just had us make a run for it in the sun during the festival; I'm sure with the crowds we could have gotten away. I felt my heart start to race from the fear I'm feeling and I just hope for once none of the vampires are paying attention to me.

"You have no right to keep us; we haven't broken any laws." Edward said through a growl.

"I'm sure you know that we do in fact have every right to do so." The second black haired woman said.

"Come here boy; I don't think you were entirely truthful when you first asked for death." The middle woman said. The woman held out her hand, clearly intending for Edward to take it. When Edward didn't move, the woman growled. "Perhaps I should have Jane persuade you to do as I ask." The woman said kindly with her hand still held out towards Edward, but Edward stood firmly in place, only now he let go of my hand. "Have it your way; Jane be a dear and persuade Edward please."

Instantly Edward fell to his knees and started screaming in pain. I looked towards where I saw Jane go and saw her staring intently at Edward. Clearly her power is to somehow inflict pain on people without even having to touch them. I immediately screamed for them to let Edward go and if it wasn't for Alice holding me back, I would have run to Edward.

"Please stop! Please, don't hurt him!" I yelled to no one in particular. I kept my eyes trained on Edward as he convulsed in pain and just begged for someone, anyone to stop his pain.

"That's enough Jane." The black haired woman quickly said after I started begging for them to stop.

Once Jane released Edward, Alice released me and I ran to Edward and did all I could to help him back to his feet.

"Are you okay?" I asked worriedly. I don't see any wounds on him, but you never know.

"I'll be fine." Edward said as he shakily stood back on his feet.

Without saying a word, Edward left my grip and walked towards the woman that still had her hand outstretched for Edward. Once Edward was in reach, she quickly took his hand and closed her eyes. I felt Alice move to stand next to me and felt her lean in to whisper to me.

"Sulpicia can read every thought you've ever had with just a single touch; she's reading all of Edwards' thoughts now." Alice whispered to me.

After just a few seconds of reading Edwards thoughts, Sulpicia threw hands away from her like it was on fire. Her face contorted to one of disgust and anger as she stared at him.

"What did you see?" The other blonde haired woman asked, her tone showing she's running short on patience.

Ignoring the other blondes request, Sulpicia spoke to Edward.

"You knew the whole time yet you still planned to claim her? You even intended to allow her to die. That is unforgivable!" Sulpicia yelled at Edward, her rage seemingly barely controlled.

"She is mine! We are meant to be; Bella will always be mine!" Edward yelled back.

All four of them, the three Volturi leaders and Edward, started growling and seemed ready to attack one another.

"She will never be yours!" The black haired woman yelled.

I felt my heart rate increase as the situation escalated. I think this is the first time I'm actually afraid. Even with James I wasn't this afraid because I knew what to expect with him. But now, I don't know what to think. What they're saying is confusing me and I don't understand it at all.

"We will discuss this later after we've had to think this all over. In the meantime, Edward you will be in the dungeons with Alex as your guard. Alice, Bella, Jane will show you to some temporary rooms while we discuss things over and decide exactly what to do." Sulpicia said in a commanding voice.

Edward, for a brief moment, looked like he was about to protest, but then nodded his head and followed behind another vampire that had just appeared. I wanted to protest as well because I just got Edward back and don't want to be separated from him again and I really don't want him put in the dungeons. But I know that if Alice isn't saying anything to help save her brother, then there's probably nothing that can be said.

"We will see you again in a couple hours at most. Until then Bella" The other blonde haired woman said with a gentle smile on her face.

Alice wrapped her around my shoulders as a form of comfort and we followed Jane back out of the room and then down a different hallway from last time. Luckily, with how long these hallways are, our room that we would be waiting in wasn't far at all. Jane opened the door, let us in and said that she will get us with the Mistresses are ready.

"What's going to happen Alice?" I begged her as soon as the door was closed behind Jane.

Alice led me over to the bed in the room, I'm sure it hasn't been used in centuries if it's even ever been used and had us both sit down.

"I'm not sure Bella, we will have to wait and see." Alice said with a sigh. Alice is my best friend and I can tell when she is lying; I know she's lying right now. But also because I'm her best friend, I also know that whatever it is she's keeping from is probably being kept for a reason and she won't tell me no matter how much I beg.

"Who are those women?" I asked instead. I at least want to know the names of the people that apparently are in control of our fate right now.

"You know Sulpicia, the other blonde is Athenodora. The black haired one is Didyme; she has the gift of seeing connections or relationships and the possible connections and relationships between people." Alice answered.

I didn't bother asking anything else and Alice didn't bother saying anything. We both silently agreed to just wait for Jane to come get us and see what plays out. I had to wait though to see if things would turn out okay, at least Alice already knew if it would or not. I really hope time passes quickly until Jane comes for us.