[BamaFan121s]

I stared down the dark, dimly lit stone corridor at the quickly retreating silhouettes of Alice and Edward. I was at a loss as to what could have triggered Edward’s reaction. I knew that he would have never left if there had been even the slightest indication that we were in danger, yet my instincts screamed at me to run and escape with them from this underground maze. My mind fought against the pull and kept me rooted to the spot where I stood, my own determination to follow my mate’s urgent directions battling with my own drive for self preservation.
“Bella,” Carlisle discretely whispered. He tugged gently on my sleeve. I turned my confused questioning eyes to meet his gaze. His piecing, ocher gaze and a curt nod of his head offered calmness and encouraged me to play the role for the time being. I quickly returned his nod and plastered a very fake smile on my face as I turned to continue making casual conversation with our hosts—to act as if nothing had happened.
I made every possible effort to speak at leisure with random individuals as they drifted through the chamber. I noticed that Jane and Alec always oriented themselves as far as possible from me and my family members. I was sure that the manner in which they strategically placed themselves was completely intentional—not at all willing to bury the proverbial hatchet and partake in socializing, yet too intrigued to remove them altogether.
I tired to occupy my thoughts by observing those around me. Rosalie and Emmett were talking leisurely to a few of the Volturi guards. They seemed perfectly at ease, as did Esme, who was examining one of the woven tapestries with the wives. There was no doubting that Edward had heard some errant thought from Aro that had prompted his quick departure. However, the Cullens remained convincingly composes, not allowing even the remotest hint that anything was out of the ordinary.
Countless times I’d been complimented on the ease with which I seemed to have adjusted to this immortal lifestyle, yet I envied their ability to portray such a convincing façade. That ability was something that could be achieved only with time, patience and practice. If I was being honest with myself, I was quickly beginning to disagree with many of the conclusions that had been drawn by others about my transformation. At times, I felt like this life was perfectly designed for me. Yet sometimes, I felt the internal struggle to adapt—so much I was unsure of…
I lost track entirely of how long we remained behind. I tried my best to focus my attention on those with whom I was speaking, but as the time passed, my efforts to do so became increasingly futile. I grew very uneasy as the second ticked by and eventually found myself trying to stay near Jasper. I desperately hoped that if I were close in proximity, he would be able to help me remain calm. However Jasper, always the militant, seemed equally as anxious. Every few seconds, his eyes darted around the room taking a silent survey of our surroundings. I could only imagine his mind was working at a frantic pace, constantly strategizing and analyzing our best course of action…should it come to that.
At long last, from across the chamber, I heard Carlisle speak the words we had all been eager to hear. “Aro, I really must thank you for the generous hospitality you all have shown to me and my family, but I am afraid that we really must be on our way.”
“Oh, so soon?” The elder responded with obvious disappointment.
“Yes, I’m afraid so. I am expected back at the hospital for a shift late tomorrow.”
Aro chuckled. “My dear friend, you continue to impress me with your unswerving self control.” He shook his head appraisingly. “To willingly and unnecessarily put yourself in such close proximity with so many humans…and their fresh, tempting blood…it’s simply…”
“Mouthwatering,” Jane responded sadistically from several feet behind Aro. I leaned to the side slightly to glare at her, trying to fill my gaze with as much hatred for her as possible. She merely grinned her sickeningly sweet smile in return. I felt a low growl building in my chest, but it was stifled as Jasper secured a vice-like grip around my wrist and I felt the long sought waves of calmness washing over me.
To my satisfaction, it was Carlisle’s calm response that seemed to wound her ego. “Yes, well I do consider it a great accomplishment—a result of disciplined self control and patience that many of our kind lack.” He cast a quick, accusatory glance in Jane’s direction. The smile melted off her face as she reformed her features into their customary disapproving, bitter, hate filled scowl.
“Yes, indeed,” Aro agreed. “In any event, please do not let us delay your travels any further. You are, no doubt eager to return home.”
“And your little on is no doubt, eager to see her furry, four legged friend again.” Caius said, with obvious distaste. I stiffed at his words, not at all pleased that he had taken an obvious interest in Renesmee’s connection to Jacob.
“So my friends, I bid you all a fond farewell and hope that our paths will cross again in the future.” Aro snapped his fingers once and Heidi immediately stepped forward. “Heidi dear, if you would be so kind as to escort our guests out to the city.”
After a brief exchange of departing words, we finally began following Heidi up to the streets above. Each step seemed lighter with the increasing distance between ourselves and the Italian coven we were leaving behind us. Heidi led us down yet another unfamiliar passageway that eventually led out to a small alley just outside the main square. We said genuine good byes to the vampire that has served as our guide and set off on the way back to our hotel.
We began making our way down the alley. At this point, I was beyond urgent to reach Edward. It took all the self control I could muster to walk at a human pace. There was no one else in sight, but we couldn’t risk exposing ourselves—especially not here. From behind us, I heard a metallic ‘clang’ as Heidi pulled shut the heavy door from which we had emerged.
“Carlisle?” I urgently whispered.
“Not now, Bella,” he quickly replied, cutting me off. “Let us wait to discuss this when we reach the hotel. Best not to take any chances having our conversation overheard.”
We continued walking at what seemed like a painfully slow pace until we finally reached the hotel entrance. We entered in pairs through the brass framed, glass revolving door and were welcomed by the soft light from the old chandeliers. We strode across the ivory marble floor towards the elevators. Given the late night hour, we were the only ones in the lobby aside from the lone hotel working behind the registration desk.
We rounded the corner and Emmett reached out and pushed the button to summon the elevator. My patience, however, was spent. I bypassed my waiting family without a word and burst through the door to the stairwell. As soon as I heard the door catch behind me, I began flying up the stairs at a speed that reduced me to nothing more than a blur. I slowed to a human pace briefly at floor fourteen to pass an elderly couple heading down. As soon as they were out of sight on the stairs below me, I resumed my inhuman pace until I reached the suite level twenty-six stories above the ground. Less than fifteen seconds has passed since I’d left the ground floor.
As soon as I stepped into the hall, I could hear Edward’s angry tones floating towards me. I hurried down the dark, maroon carpeted corridor and quickly slid my key card through the reader beside our door. I walked into the living quarters and stopped for a fraction of a second to survey the scene before me.
A now wide awake Renesmee sat on the couch with her eyes glued to a cartoon on the television set. I understood immediately—her sudden fatigue had been a cover—a result of Jasper’s talent. He’d induced her easily into a quick and convincing slumber just as he had done with me years ago as we’d hidden in Phoenix. Alice sat on the edge of a chaise lounge. Her head was lowered into her hands and she was slowing shaking it side to side as if in disbelief. Edward was pacing the floor in front of her, his hands balled into fists.
When his eyes met mine, he came to a halt and bound across the room. He pulled me into a tight embrace, wound his hand through my hair and buried his face in my dark tresses. “Oh Bella, Bella, Bella!” he murmured into my hair with a relieved sigh.