Chapter Text
CHAPTER 1
Isabella Swan’s heart leapt with joy when she saw a familiar, flashy car parked in front of her house. He’s back! she thought excitedly.
But you’re not so sure, said the more logical part of her mind. That’s Carlisle’s car, not Edward’s.
She removed her seatbelt and reached to unlock the door, but Jacob stopped her.
“Bells! No!” he said urgently.
She turned to her best friend, furious. “Jake, I have a visitor!”
“You don’t know that it’s one of the Cullens. This could be a trap,” he replied firmly. “I don’t recognize the smell. Stay here while I check.”
She rolled her eyes in annoyance. “And what? If it’s Edward, you’ll send him away? I’m not giving you the chance!” she snapped, jumping out of the car. She ran toward the house, ignoring Jacob’s protests.
“Bella, if it’s a stranger who wants to kill you, I can’t protect you in there!” he hissed behind her.
She entered the house and switched on the lights. She nearly jumped when she saw Alice Cullen’s pale, horrified face.
But she barely registered her expression. She ran to her other best friend and hugged her tightly. “Alice!”
“Bella,” Alice replied, sounding confused.
Bella pulled back and looked around. “Where’s Edward?” she asked eagerly. Jacob snorted behind her. “When did you come back?”
“Bella, it’s just me and—” Alice wrinkled her nose. “Do you have a dog?”
“In here,” came Jacob’s sarcastic voice from the doorway.
Alice’s eyes widened, and she scowled when she saw Jacob. Then she turned sharply to Bella. “You’re with a werewolf?”
“Alice, he’s my best friend—Jacob Black,” Bella said hesitantly. “Jake, this is Alice.”
Alice eyed her with disapproval. “There’s something I need to ask you, but first—can you send the dog outside?”
Jacob looked like he was about to protest, but Bella gave him a pleading look. Defeated, he left.
Bella sat on the couch, and Alice joined her, taking her hands.
“Bella, what happened?” Alice asked urgently. “I saw you jump off a cliff—but I never saw you make it back.”
“It’s kind of a thing in La Push,” Bella replied weakly. “Cliff diving.”
Alice frowned. “Then why didn’t I see you coming out of the water?”
Bella pressed her lips together. “I almost drowned. Jacob saved me.”
“Bella!” Alice snapped. “That was incredibly stupid! What were you thinking? Did you even consider how dangerous that was? And Charlie—does he know what you’ve been doing?”
Bella stared at the floor. “I’m sorry.”
Alice sighed, calming herself. “I haven’t been watching you—not really. I just… see flashes sometimes. We wanted you to move on. But when I saw you jump…” She trailed off.
Bella swallowed hard. They wanted me to move on.
“Where’s Edward?” she finally asked.
Alice hesitated. “Traveling. He’s been away from us for months.”
“Did he ever come back to see you?” Bella asked quietly.
“Sometimes. He’d hunt with Emmett, then leave again.”
“I see,” Bella said, trying not to sound disappointed. “How long are you staying?”
“Three days.”
Bella smiled faintly. “Good. That’s good.”
They spent the rest of the night talking—about Jasper, Emmett, Rosalie, Carlisle, and Esme. Bella told Alice about Jacob and the Quileute Tribe. Alice clearly disapproved, but she said nothing.
“Didn’t our father ever teach you not to play with your food?” Edward teased, smirking at his brother.
“Where’s the fun in hunting if you don’t?” Emmett replied with a grin.
Edward shook his head and finished off the mountain lion. Emmett wiped his mouth.
“So,” Emmett said, “are you heading home with me or what?”
Edward smiled crookedly. “I’m heading north.”
Emmett shrugged. “Suit yourself. Until the next hunt.”
Edward nodded and clapped his brother on the back. “Until the next hunt.”
“Race you to the next mountain!” Emmett shouted, taking off.
“Bastard,” Edward muttered, chasing after him.
They were nearly neck and neck when Edward heard unfamiliar footsteps—measured, deliberate. Vampire footsteps. Then the scent followed.
Edward and Emmett stopped.
Do you hear them? Emmett thought. Who are they?
Edward nodded grimly.
Why would they want you? Emmett pressed. Do you think they know about—
Edward shook his head. No.
Two hooded figures emerged: one tall and imposing, the other petite. They removed their cloaks.
“Good evening, Jane. Felix,” Edward greeted politely.
“Edward,” Jane said calmly. “The masters would like to see you.”
“Why?” Emmett growled.
“They said it’s a surprise,” Jane replied coolly. “But I can tell you this—there’s someone Edward might want to see.”
Edward stiffened as a familiar name echoed through Jane’s thoughts. A name he had buried.
“I thought she was dead,” he said quietly.
“She’s alive,” Jane replied calmly. “She was there—already in Volterra. Speaking with Aro, Marcus, and Caius.”
“Did you see her?” Edward asked.
“No. But they wouldn’t lie about this.”
Felix’s voice cut sharply into Edward’s mind. You will not tell anyone. Not even Emmett. Come with us if you want to see her.
Jane tilted her head. “There’s a werewolf nearby. You know who. Are you coming?”
Edward scanned her thoughts—and saw her.
He turned to Emmett. “I have to go.”
“But—”
“Go home,” Edward said firmly. “I’ll be fine.”
Without another word, he vanished with Jane and Felix.
“Alice? Alice!”
Bella shook her gently. Alice blinked.
“Edward,” Alice whispered. “He’s going to the Volturi.”
“What? Why?” Bella gasped.
“I don’t know. My vision’s unclear—but I saw Jane and Felix.”
Alice grabbed her phone. “Rosalie—Bella’s alive. Have you heard from Edward?”
“No,” Rosalie said coolly. “Emmett’s here. He hunted with Edward.”
“Alice! Did you find Bella?” Emmett’s voice cut in.
“Yes. Why is Edward with the Volturi?”
“Shit,” Emmett swore. “Jane said they had someone he wanted to see. Edward said, ‘I thought she was dead,’ and then he left.”
Bella’s heart raced.
“Alice… did Edward think that—”
“Bella, we have to go to Italy,” Alice said urgently. “If he sees you alive, it might stop him.”
Bella stood. “Okay. Let’s go.”
“But why would he think you’re dead?” Alice murmured.
“Dr. Cullen called earlier,” Jacob said from the kitchen. “Charlie’s arranging a funeral.”
“Why would you say that?” Alice snapped.
“I didn’t lie! Charlie’s at the Clearwaters—Harry died yesterday.”
Alice went pale.
“Edward must think it’s Bella,” she said fiercely.
Jacob scoffed. “Then let him deal with it.”
Bella swung at him—and hurt herself instead.
Alice dragged her upstairs, searching for her passport.
Edward thanked whatever God existed that he was still in Europe. Carlisle had returned to England, making the journey easier.
They arrived in Volterra at night. St. Marcus Day loomed.
Inside the palace, Edward’s heart would have raced—if it still beat.
Aro smiled when he entered.
“Edward, my dear boy. You’re eager, aren’t you?”
“I was told you have someone I’d like to see.”
“Oh, indeed,” Aro purred. “She was once mortal. Clever. Compassionate. Now—quite remarkable.”
Edward saw her in Aro’s thoughts.
“Marcus would like to confirm she is your mate.”
Edward met Marcus’s knowing smirk. “Of course.”
Aro clapped. “Demetri. Bring her in.”
The doors opened.
She stepped forward.
Brown curls. Pale skin. Soft curves beneath simple robes.
Hermione Granger.
She smiled, wounded but composed.
“It’s lovely to see you again, Ced.”
Edward gathered her into his arms.
“Hermione,” he whispered. “I’ve missed you so much.”