Twilight: blood & brimstone

Edward clung to her like she was the last thing keeping him tethered to the world.

But he didn't realize—

He was already slipping through her fingers.

Bella pressed her face into his chest, inhaling the scent of cold marble and something familiar, something that once meant everything to her.

But it didn't feel the same anymore.

Because while Edward felt like the past—

He felt like something else.

Something new.

Something undeniable.

And that was the part she couldn't admit yet.

Because if she did—

Edward would break for real.

The Volturi Arrive

"Fascinating."

The voice sent a chill through Bella's spine.

Edward tensed against her.

Because they weren't alone anymore.

Alec and Felix stood just a few feet away, their crimson eyes glinting beneath their dark cloaks.

Felix smirked. "A rather dramatic scene, don't you think?"

Edward immediately moved, pushing Bella behind him.

His voice was sharp. "You have no reason to interfere."

Alec tilted his head, his expression eerily calm. "No? Our dear friend Marcus would say otherwise. It seems…" His red gaze flickered to Bella. "…bonds have shifted."

Bella's stomach dropped.

Because they knew.

They could feel it.

Edward's entire frame went rigid, his breath shaking. "You're wrong."

Felix chuckled. "Are we?"

Bella's fingers trembled.

Because this wasn't just about Edward's near-suicide anymore.

This was about her.

And the choices she wasn't ready to face.

Aro Wants to See Her

Alec smiled, empty and polite. "Aro will want to speak with you."

Edward snarled, stepping in front of Bella fully. "She isn't going anywhere with you."

Felix raised an eyebrow. "You're hardly in a position to refuse."

Bella's breath hitched.

Because she knew—

This wasn't a request.

This was an order.

And if she didn't comply—

Edward would die anyway.

She exhaled slowly, stepping out from behind Edward before he could stop her.

"I'll go."

Edward's head whipped toward her, his black eyes wide with disbelief. "No."

She swallowed hard. "We don't have a choice."

Felix grinned. "Smart girl."

Edward grabbed her wrist, his fingers cold and desperate. "Bella—"

She forced herself to meet his gaze.

And lied again.

"It'll be okay."

The Volturi Palace – A Dangerous Game

The halls were dark.

Silent.

The air was thick with something ancient, something that watched even when no one was there.

Bella walked between Edward and Alice, her heartbeat steady, her mind anything but.

Because they had been right.

Something had shifted.

And Aro was going to see it.

She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms.

She had to be careful.

She had to lie.

Because if they knew—

If they saw what was inside her, what had already started to change—

She wouldn't be leaving Volterra alive.