At Death's Door

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A small portion of dialog comes directly from the New Moon book, which is owned by Stephanie Meyer. (Chapter 21: Verdict)

○●○ At Death's Door ○●○

We walked through long corridors made of the same ancient stone as the square. It was cold and lacked any natural lighting. The only noise was the tapping of our shoes against the floor. I wished desperately to ask where we were going and what exactly would occur once we got there, but I didn't dare disrupt the silence.

The further we walked the more claustrophobic I felt. Black trails of moisture seeped down the walls, like the ceiling had leaked ink. The only soothing thing was Jasper's hand in mine as we walked the downward slanted path. My teeth chattered as I shivered from the cold. Although, it was completely possible that I was shaking from fear.

At the end of the tunnel there was a metal gate - as far as I could tell in the dark. We walked through. It was closed behind us by one of the Volturi's men. We rushed on for a while longer, I noticed the tunnel was slowly starting to lighten.

We came to a large wooden door. On the other side was yet another hallway. This one was well lit, walls off-white, and the carpet gray. Compared to the dungeon we just walked through this hallway seemed foreign and a little offputting.

Edward turned for a moment and gave Jasper a hostile - almost murderous - look. Jasper smirked proudly. Alice slowed down her pace and stepped between the two, playing the peacemaker. I was usually the one to keep Edward calm, giving up the role so I could be the one to challenge him was a strange feeling.

The girl stood at the side of a modern elevator. She held it open with an apathetic expression on her face. We were herded into the small elevator. I was pressed into Jasper's chest, and I gladly excepted the position. Edward stood only a few mere inches from me. His eyebrows furrowed more than I thought possible. I had never seen his eyes the shade they were now, they seemed to absorb the light from around them; like a blackhole. It was a color darker than the darkest of ebony.

The Volturis removed their hoods in synchronization. I thought it unfair that they all seemed so relaxed, while I was barely keeping myself together. Jasper was the only thing keeping me from screaming. The elevator creaked as it travelled downward.

"Would you control your thoughts, please!" Edward snarled aggressively at Jasper.

Jasper just pressed his lips to the top of my head, further infuriating Edward. He seemed to be enjoying angering his brother.

The remaining time on the elevator was short, but extremely tense. I was almost relieved when we stepped into a posh reception room. The walls were paneled with wood. The carpet was green and thick. There still weren't windows, but they had placed pictures of landscapes on the walls instead. The room was decorated with clusters of cream couches, bouquets in crystal vases, and a grand mahogany desk. I gawked at the woman standing behind the desk. She was beautiful in all sense of the word, but that wasn't what had surprised me - she was human. What would the Volturi want with a human woman?

"Gianna." The small girl greeted as she walked past.

"Jane." Gianna responded.

Jane walked towards a door that opened before she had the chance to open it herself. A boy in a pale gray suit exited. He could have been the girl's twin, they were almost identical.

"Jane." The boy smiled. He reached out to embrace her.

"Alec." She responded as they embraced.

He kissed both of her cheeks, and turned to look at us. "They send you out for one, and you bring back three," he turned his attention to me. "And a half. Nice work." He praised.

The girl, Jane, laughed. The sound was high-pitched and pleasant; it sounded like a bell chime. Alec turned to Edward.

"Welcome back Edward. Feeling better?" He asked in greeting.

"Not particularly." He grumbled. His eyes shooting Jasper a look that made the hairs on my neck raise.

Alec smiled and turned his attention to me. He glanced at Jasper and his face slowly merged into one of confusion. "This is the cause of the trouble?" He asked skeptically.

"One of them, yes." Edward snapped.

"Oh, Aro will love this." Alec whispered, smiling in what I perceived as amusement.

"Let's not keep him waiting." Jane said impatiently, turning and walking through the door.

We all walked through more hallways, much to my dismay. When we finally stopped walking we came to a stone room. It was perfectly circular, it reminded me of an old castle turret. Slim windows high above our heads lit up the room. There wasn't much in the terms of furniture, only a group of large wooden chairs; although they looked like thones. There was a small handful of people in the room, most were in modern clothes, but the first to speak was in a black cloak. At first I mistook his long, jet-black hair as the hood.

"Jane, dear one, you have returned!" He exclaimed delightedly. His voice was light and airy; almost as if he were sighing.

He walked towards us with such grace, not even Alice's gait could compete. People congregated around him, some behind, some in front. His skin looked translucent, delicate, like onion skin. I couldn't decide if he was beautiful or not, his features were perfect, but not in the same way as other vampires. I wondered if his skin was softer than Jasper's. I had a terrifying urge to touch him, just to see. He grabbed Jane's hands in his, and grinned widely.

"Yes, Master. I brought him back alive, just as you wished." She said sweetly, a smile on her lips. Evidently enjoying the praise.

"Ah Jane, you are such a comfort to me." He cooed. He turned his eyes to us - they were red like the rest of the Volturi, but milky, clouded - his smile grew ecstatic.

"Alice, Jasper, and Bella too!" He beamed. He clapped his hands together in rejoice. "This is a happy surprise!"

I found it strange being addressed like an old friend. I didn't know this man, but he was dropping our names informally like we were the best of friends. Jasper was rigid next to me. His stance almost reminded me of an animal. Even the smallest of sounds forced him to turn his head in search of the source. His hand was holding mine tightly. I stroked my thumb over his knuckles trying to calm him.

"Demetri, Felix, be dears, and fetch the brothers for me. I'm sure they would not want to miss this." Aro insisted. The two men behind us nodded, and left quickly.

I assumed this was the leader of the Volturi I had been told about, Aro. He turned back to Edward, his tone turning to a playful scolding. "You see, Edward? What did I tell you? Aren't you glad I didn't follow through on your request?"

"I'm still deciding." Edward mumbled dryly, sending me a look.

I looked at the ground, my stomach turning with guilt. I felt a calm feeling trickle through the palm of my hand. I looked up at Jasper to thank him, but his eyes were locked on Aro.

"Give it some time, young one. Something like this is very rare, it will take time. Oh, I do hope for a happy ending!" He sang. He flickered a glance to me and Jasper and his smile faltered.

He paused in thought for a moment. "I'm sorry, we haven't been properly introduced, have we? Edward introduced us yesterday, in a peculiar way. I tend to get ahead of myself."

He glided towards me. His expression was something resembling reassurance, but there was nothing reassuring about the strange vampire.

He held out his hand to me. "I would love to see for myself. Your immunity to Edward's lovely gift is riveting. I wonder if you might have the same effect on mine."

I moved my shaky hand to his. He gripped it with both of his hands. To my surprise his skin was still stone like. His smile turned quickly to awe. He was quiet for a moment, and then he suddenly broke into a fit of giggles.

"Incredible!" He exclaimed.

At this moment Felix and Demetri returned with two other vampires. They both had the same translucent skin as Aro. The two vampires contrasted greatly, one had black hair like Aro's and the other had stark white.

"Marcus, Caius, you must come see this young maiden for yourself!" He called.

The two walked over silently. The dark haired one looking increasingly bored. Aro held his hand out to him. He took it loosely. Aro's smile slowly fell into a frown.

"This is a strange development." Aro whispered. I wasn't sure what he meant.

The room fell into an awkward silence. Everyone stared at Aro as he stared at me and Jasper. If it weren't so cold I would have been sweating with nerves. The blonde haired man cleared his throat, luckily ending the intense silence.

"Exactly what were you so ecstatic to show us, Aro? We haven't all day." The man asked coldly.

Aro seemed to snap out of a trance. "Yes, quite right you are Caius. Jane, dearest, I do wonder if your gift works on Bella. Shall we test it?" He asked.

"No!" Edward and Jasper yelled at the same time. Jasper had stepped in front of me.

I nearly shrieked when Jasper gasped and sunk to his knees. He was panting and holding his chest, like he was having a heart attack. Alice gripped my forearm so I couldn't move in front of him.

"Stop!" I pleaded with Jane, my voice echoed in the nearly empty room. She grinned. Fury flooded me, she was enjoying his pain. I felt sick as I watched the scene unfold in front of me, not being able to do anything to save him. "Stop hurting him!"

A burning sensation erupted in my chest. I looked around to find the source and everyone near Jasper looked pained. Was he doing this, or was it Jane?

"Enough! Jane, that's quite enough!" Aro yelled.

The burning pain quickly subsided. I watched as Jasper slowly stood up. He was breathing shallow breaths. I took his hand trying to help him up. I was trembling from the shock and fear that had just run through me.

"Are you all right?" Jasper asked in a whisper.

I nodded my head dumbly. I couldn't find my voice. I watched him to see if he was hurt anywhere. I felt my heart beating quicker than I thought possible in my chest.

Jasper glanced at me and his face softened slightly, "I'm okay." He whispered. I exhaled the breath I had been holding, and nodded my head.

"What to do with this newfound information? So many impressive talents in one coven, and la tua cantante to top it all off! Give my regards to Carlisle, your strange group never ceases to surprise me." Aro said, staring at each of us in turn. He walked closer to Jasper. "If you would, Jasper, I'd love to see the story for myself."

I watched as fear struck Jasper stepped closer to Aro. I swear I saw his face pale, even if it were impossible. I felt like my brain were about to explode. I felt tears form in the corner of my eyes. I couldn't lose him. The air felt thick as I tried to take deep breaths.

Jasper raised his hand for Aro, it was trembling slightly. Aro took it with an intrigued smile. A quiet sob escaped my throat. I was moments away from a complete breakdown.

Aro released his hand, "Quite the interesting life you've led, my friend. This does clear things up, thank you."

The room went silent as Aro lost himself in thought again. I could feel Jasper's confusion flowing off of him.

"Is that all?" He asked slolwy.

"Oh, yes. I apologize, I do allow my thoughts to wander on occasion. It's a bad habit I can't seem to break." Aro spoke with a shrug.

The relief seemed to hit me like a bus. Jasper was still alive, by some miracle.

"I am looking forward to how this story developes. And if you find yourself ever needing a place to stay, the Volturi will always be open to vampires with rare talents, such as yours. Would you like to join us?" Aro asked in a polite tone.

"Join or die, is that it? So much for our laws." Edward snapped. I had almost forgotten he was there, I had been to focused on Jasper.

"No, not at all. We were already congregated here in wait of Heidi, not you."

"Aro, the law claims them. She knows too much. We cannot trust mortals with our secret." The white haired vampire hissed.

"You have humans here." I pointed out. The white haired man turned to me with an icy look that sent a shiver down my spine.

"We intend to use them for sustenance once they are no longer useful. Do they intend to do the same with you, I think not." He spat.

Aro sighed, "Yes, I'm afraid Caius is right. Unless, of course, you plan on giving her immortality."

Edward growled, causing me to jump from the loud sound. I stepped closer to Jasper on instinct.

"And if not, then only her life is forfeit. The rest of you are all free to leave." Caius said dryly.

"I'll do it." Jasper said seriously. Despite everything I nearly smiled. The thought of sharing an eternity with Jasper made me unbelievably happy.

Edward rushed at him, but was almost immediately restrained by the gaurds behind us. Although, his snarls and growls did not go quiet.

"I've seen it." Alice confirmed.

"Then there is no problem." Aro grinned and clasped his hands together. Seemingly pleased with the outcome.

"Aro," Caius complained.

"Do not fret Caius. Think of the possibilities. If they do not join us today, that does not stop them from joining tomorrow. Besides, I am so terribly curious to see how this unfolds!" Aro cheered.

"Can we go now?" Alice asked.

"Yes, yes, of course, but do visit again. It has been enthralling!" Aro smiled.

"Were I you, I would not take long to change Bella. We do not give second chances." Caius warned, his eyes heavy and a scowl on his lips.

"Goodbye young friends! Do tell Carlisle to visit us soon. I have missed his company. And if you don't mind, stay below until dark. We don't want any accidents."

"Of course. Goodbye." Alice smiled softly. She turned and ushered me towards the door.

Jasper wrapped his arm around my shoulders and we hurried out the door. I couldn't believe that we had actually made it out alive. I felt as of we were surviving on borrowed time.

"Move, quickly." Edward demanded as we traveled down the corridor to our freedom.

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