Back to December

Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.

Prologue

Even though Bella had been here a few times now, it never failed to intimidate her. The high beige stone walls of the Volturi's castle loomed each side of her, making her feel small and insignificant. And in a way she still was, despite her new powers. The long vaulted dome of the central chamber cast a sickly light as she emerged from under the huge arched entrance and out into the open. As soon as she appeared, the Volturi guards who had escorted her inside, melted off into the darkness, leaving her alone in the spotlight.

The huge chamber was now empty apart from one lone vampire who sat on one of the three thrones arrayed in a semi-circle on a high ledge. The vampire was a male. His shoulder length blonde hair was swept back from his stark white face, making his red eyes stand out more than normal. One black leather gloved hand tapped impatiently on the arm of the throne as he stared down at Bella from his high perch.

"So you came." He sneered.

Bella did her best not to quail under his stony gaze. She forced herself to stand up straight and return his gaze without flinching. "I came." She replied softly.

"The lure of what I can offer you brought you here after all." The male vampire stood gracefully. He left his high perch and began to float over the ground toward her; his black cloak flapping around his slim frame as he did so.

Bella didn't answer him. She stood stock still as he stopped in front of her, his red eyes showing his amusement. He reached out and took her chin in his gloved hand, forcing her to look into his knowing eyes. "I could snap you like a twig." He spat sarcastically.

"But you won't." Bella managed to keep her voice steady.

The male vampire laughed darkly. "No. If Aro or Marcus found out about our little arrangement they would not be best pleased."

Bella's amber eyes flashed fire as she glared at him. "They why do it?"

"Because I am bored and your request amuses me." The male vampire dropped his hand back to his side and smiled at her. Bella thought she had never seen anyone so chilling.

"Cut to the chase, Cauis. I am here. So what happens now?" Bella dared to ask.

Cauis began to stroll around her, looking her up and down, seemingly studying her. "I never understood Edward's fascination with you...I mean of course your blood called to him when you were still human...but now? Apart from your power what is there that draws him and the others to protect you?"

Bella shrugged. "That is something you need to ask Edward himself." She said nonchalantly.

Cauis laughed drolly. "You really have no feelings for your chosen mate at all, do you? I find that amusing after all the trouble you went through to come together."

Bella didn't answer. Cauis frowned as he reached out and took hold of her chin again. "I expect a response."

"Let's just say that the rose tinted spectacles fell away after I changed." Bella choked out.

Cauis seemed satisfied with her answer. He let her go again and drew his voluminous black cloak around him as if shutting out the cold. Bella watched him watching her. She wished he would just get on with it. But all the Volturi leaders were like this. They had to drag out even the most smallest thing. It must be something to do with being alive for so long. She kept silent until he finally began to move again. He floated over to what looked like a small sundial; one of the type you might find in an old stately home. He motioned Bella to come and join him.

"What is this?" She asked as she stared down at the sundial.

"This is the key to turning back the clock." Cauis' hand glided over the stone ornament fondly.

"You use this often, don't you?" Bella guessed. "To revisit the past."

Cauis glared at her, his hand suddenly clenching into a balled fist. "You presume too much."

"I apologize." Bella said automatically. "It was presumptuous of me."

"Been taking lessons in manners from Carlisle?" Cauis sneered.

Bella arched an eyebrow. "Carlisle has taught me to be more diplomatic in my approach, so yes." She confessed.

"Carlisle is a blind fool. They all are." Cauis' hand swept around the large chamber. "This life, this place, it is all meaningless."

"Then why do you stay?" Bella asked curiously. "If you have this you can leave forever."

Cauis' red eyes glinted in anger as he strode froward and gripped Bella around the top of her arms, shaking her. "You have the temerity to ask me that? The answer should be obvious. Unlike you I love my wife."

"Athenodora." Bella hung her head in acquiescence. "Of course."

Cauis released her quickly and stepped back. It was unusual for him to show such emotion. Normally he was cold and calculating. But whenever his wife was threatened in any way, then you could see the lover beneath the cold exterior. It was the only time that Bella felt an affinity with him. "Athenodora will not come with me. She loves the life here, so I am tied too."

"I understand." Bella said softly. "What happens now?"

Cauis ran his gloved hand over the dial for a moment before replying. "I will send you back to him." He told her. "When you arrive you will be human again and for thirty days will remain so. If after that period of time he hasn't asked you to marry him...then you will return and become again who you are now."

"I see." Bella looked at the insignificant sundial for a moment as she pondered over his words. Could she? Should she take the risk? Yes, she could. Her current life was unbearable. Even if she failed it would be worth it just to see him one last time. "And what happens if he doesn't?"

A cold smile crossed Cauis' lips. "Then my dear you will become subservient to me for the rest of your existence."

His words sent shivers down Bella's spine. She swallowed down her fear and placed her hands on the dial. "I agree." She whispered.

"Excellent." Cauis began to move around her in a circle, whispering words in an ancient language she didn't understand. Bella closed her eyes as she heard the whisper of his cloak trailing along the floor. Everything around her became still momentarily before a blinding light made her gasp. She felt her feet lift from the floor and she was spun round violently in a circle; flashing images of her former life unfurled before her like a badly played film.

Bella saw herself as she used to be and her eyes flared open as she relived each moment of her life again up until the time she was changed at the age of nineteen, then it all slowed down. A blinding pain spilt her skull as she felt herself stop spinning and fall to the ground with a dull thud. Ugh, she was cold, so cold...her arms instinctively wrapped around her body as she tried to infuse some warmth into her chilled skin. Her brown eyes stared wildly around as she tried to decipher where the hell she was. By the feel of her soft skin under her exploring fingers she could tell she was human again.

She rolled onto her back and looked up and up at the tall trees which surrounded her. Cauis had dropped her in the middle of the forest. What the hell? Bella managed to scramble onto her feet only to get another shock. She was naked. It was raining heavily. If she didn't find cover soon and some clothes she would freeze to death. Caius had done this deliberately. He got a sick kick out of torturing people. Bella began to run, forgetting she was now just a fragile human and no longer a vampire. She stumbled over a sharp twig and hit the dirt again, crying out in pain.

"Dammit." She cursed. She glanced at her foot to see a large cut underneath, oozing blood.

While she was engrossed in trying to stem the flow of blood a shadow loomed across her. Without her normal vampire abilities she was very vulnerable. She jumped in fright when she heard the sound of a sharp intake of breath. Ever so slowly Bella raised her head, her long chestnut, brown hair falling about her bare shoulders. A gasp left her lips as she looked straight into the eyes of the man she had come back to see.

"Bella?" He said in shock as he stared down at her.

"Hey, Jake." Bella mumbled, trying to hide her nakedness as best she could by drawing her knees up to her chest. "Long time no see."

A/N-please review.