Preface-Trial

PREFACE 1

Present: 21 February 20102

The small library filled in with light from the two windows the moment the clock showed noon. Aro closed his book when he heard the whispers from the next room becoming more louder. He knew it was time. He had a decision to make, a very gifted vampire to panish with death, a vampire that he always dreamed to have in his family. A knock on the door brought him back to reality, reminding him that it will stay a dream. He didn't need to invite them in, he could sense who it was, her warmth was like a painkiller to him.3

"Master? It is time for your judgement." Alec said closing the heavy door behind him. Jane nodded, agreeing with him as always. The twins looked at him with well hidden anticipation, though Aro knew already how they felt since he and the twins were like one. The Cullen family wasn't very popular right now, not after the unspeakable thing one of them tried to do, but it's members were very gifted. And the Volturi always needs gifted vampires. So Aro's ruling would be very interesting. 4

"Yes it is." Aro said with low voice and got up from his favourite seat and walked with heavy steps towards the big closet. He wore his robe while thinking the dangerous decision he had to make and entered the round chamber, having the twins walking in front of him. 5

Young Edward Cullen was there, waiting for Aro to decide if he would die, as he's always wanted, or they would force him to return to his family. The Cullens might had failed to rescue Edward from the Volturi guards, that had imprisoned him for breaking the only vampire law but they did showed that they are a very powerful coven with friends, willing to do anything for them. Either to help Edward avoid the death penalty or take revenge for his death. Their actions, three days ago, showed to the Volturi that both options suits them well. 6

But the Cullen boy had broken the law. And that meant only death to every vampire. The other Volturi were already there. Carlisle Cullen was there too, right next to him. When Aro entered, he looked at him for a minute and then focused his attention to his older son. He was holding himself responsible for not doing everything in his powers to avoid this from happening."What a waste." Alec whispered to Jane, looking at Edward and took his seat next to Caius. 7

Everybody knew the procedure. Aro's decision for the Cullen had to be proved with evidence, and he had to make sure that Edward did everything that he had been accused of doing. And the only way he could find out such information was to touch him, to see his memories and thoughts. The young vampire seemed tired, seeing his beloved father and trying to block out the voices he was hearing was too much for him, so he gave his hand willingly when Aro asked for it. But Aro's mouth opened from surprise a while later and his eyes turn redder when their hands touched. 8

"I got really hungry feeling what you were feeling Edward. You broke the law twice. Though Bella has become more interesting to us now." Aro said to everyone in the chamber. 9

Edward Cullen, hearing Bella's name, focused on Aro's thoughts at last. Reading his mind, he saw the face of his long lost love. He saw who caused her death and he saw her as vampire. In shock and heartache he couldn't even speek. 10

"Edward?" Carlisle asked him because he wanted answers. He couldn't understand Aro's last words. How a dead human girl could be interesting to the Volturi? 11

"Apparantelly our Bella is your Bella as well. She is very special to us too and not dead at all; I can assure you." he explained to an astonished Carlisle. How could this be true? Everybody knew that Bella was dead. The Cullens, her family, her friends. Alice was at her funeral. How could she have missed seeing Bella alive? 12

"Jane prepare two rooms for our guests, untill your best friend arrives, and prepare some animal blood as well. And you know what to do with Bella's blood." he continued. Bella though she was a very powerfull vampire, she was still weak and she was following a special diet with animal blood and vampire venom in order to be kept alive, due to her denial to drink human blood. 13

Aro looked at Edward; He could now see who had influence his new addittion into drinking only animal blood and he felt anger along with relief. Edward was safe now, so would be Voltura."I'm sure they will appreciate the effort I put forth to keep Edward's love alive." Aro thought and headed towards the rest of the Volturi whispering inside his mind the names of the coven from Roumania. He knew Edward would hear him, he was counting on it. 14

"Aro he broke the law. He needs to die. Or others will follow his example,and expect to avoid punishment. Above all the law." he heard the familiar voice of Marcus telling him. He had left his usual place and walked towards Edward looking around the full with vampires chamber. Witnessess had to be also there, so no one would say that the procedure wasn't followed. Keeping the law and punishing the outlaws were vital for the Volturi since the were considered to be the Royal Family of the vampires. 15

Marcus was obviously annoyed by Aro's delay and unwillingness to impose the law. So was everyone else inside and outside the chambers. They expected an execution today as the result of breaking the law. Aro knew that Edward's actions, showing himself during day, was unforgivable. But he needed Edward's extraordinary power. Having him during the next meeting with the previous vampire royal family was his last chance to keep Voltura safe. 16

''Marcus, my old friend. Have I ever failed to carry out a just punishment?'' he said out loud to everyone inside and outside the dark, out of stones room. ''The law is as importand as our existence as vampires. But caution is needed. We all know the Cullen family and they never caused any problem. A war between vampires should be avoided at all costs.'' he said looking at Carlisle.17

Half of the vampires nodded, obviously agreeing with Aro's words, while the rest of them watched more carefully now. The Cullens were different but friendly and no one wanted incidents like the one not very long ago. A war would affect everyone.18

"How can I help you if others twice my age couldn't?" Edward asked when Aro had stop talking, thinking only his Bella and how he could go to her. "That remains only to be seen Edward." he replied. "I pray that you can." was his last words before he nods to the two Volturi to join him to their private chambers.19

During that second, Marcus sensed the creation of a bond between Edward and his very old friend, and he looked at Caius. Both had suspicions that Aro was holding back something from them. But trust was never an issue between them. Aro would share his secret with them in time. So the bond didn't bother him. He happily joined Aro, who now was ready to inform them for all the things he had hide from them the past three months. And they would decide together what their next moves would be. 20

Reviews

[.ronald.039.]

There are some typos and misspelled words, but other than that this reads pretty well. You have a good pace to your narration, it reads like a Philip Pullman novel. I've never read Twilight or seen the movies so I had trouble following the elements of the story. But I noticed you wrote a Twilight and a Harry Potter story. I'd be curious to read an original story of yours. You should post one. Oh, and thanks for the nice review of my story.

[Jessica Slatton]

This is very well written. I really enjoyed writing this. I was a little confused with the numbers at the end of each paragraph at first, but I figured out that you were just counting paragraphs, yes? If that is true then where is paragraph 1 and 2? I noticed them missing. Over all. Very well written.

[Laura]

Wow now I'm a BIG fan of twilight myself and I LOVE this. I think you have done an amazing job and hope you will put more up soon!!!