Bella's POV

"If only it were your intention to give her immortality." Aro said with apparent sadness in his voice. He eyed the human girl whose rasping gasps and rapid heart gave away her fear so clearly.

She was panicking. Her mind was drawing blank as she observed the beautiful, dangerous creature in front of her. His long black hair framing his features perfectly. His red eyes locked onto her as he licked his lips and visibly swallowed. She saw the way he looked at her and she felt her stomach drop. No…

"Wait." She said as he took a step forward, her voice shaking. He stopped approaching her, interested in what she had to say. "The problem is that I'm not a vampire, right?"

"Bella." Alice spoke, a quiver in her voice, a warning. But it was too late, she had made up her mind.

"Turn me then." She said bravely, even though she was deathly afraid of the consequences of her actions. "Turn me and let them go."

She felt the flickering looks of the Volturi between her and the three rulers. Her human ears barely picking up the wisp of rapid murmurs before there was a deafening silence when Caius glared down at them.

"Interesting." Marcus spoke softly. His milky eyes staring down at her in interest. This in turn piqued the attention of the brothers, which gave him flitting looks before settling on the girl again.

"You do understand what you are asking for, girl?" Caius intoned with distaste, "If we grant you your request, we hope to receive something in return."

It was then that a wicked, terrifying smile graced the lips of the blonde king. It was deeply unsettling.

She felt apprehension dawn on her as she started trembling. She felt every pair of eyes staring at her as Aro slowly, never leaving her gaze, raised his hand from his side and extended it towards her.

"Will you join us, Isabella?" Aro asked, enunciating her name deliberately in his Italian accent, sending shivers down her spine. His crimson gaze held longing mixed with a strangely unreadable emotion, pinning her in place as her heart fluttered uncontrollably in her chest. He had said join us but there was an undercurrent to his question. He wanted her to join him.

Her eyes strayed to his hand, extended invitingly and she felt an urge to oblige. She wanted to reach out and touch him. To feel the rough skin of his hands, to caress his face, to trace his pale pink lips… Her hand twitched involuntarily. It was as if no one else was in the room. Then, the gravity of the situation slapped her in the face as she looked at Edward restrained and struggling. What the hell was she thinking?

"Don't do it, Bella!" Edward managed to say before Felix's grip tightened around his neck, silencing him. His eyes pleaded her not to give in to Aro's request.

She swallowed nervously as she tried to disperse the alarming thoughts that had raced through her head.

Her eyes flickering to Aro again "You'll let them go?"

"But of course, my dear" Aro smiled, stepping closer to her.

"Promise it." She demanded, even though her knees threatened to give in beneath her. "Please… don't hurt them." She begged once more in a softer, pained voice.

She didn't want this. She cursed at Edward for pulling such a foolish stunt. To put his life, their lives in danger. And for what? He told her that day in the forest that he didn't love her and now he suddenly cared once he heard that she might be dead? It was all his fault. He had dragged her into this and then refused to make her a vampire. That was why she was in danger when Jasper lunged at her and that is why he left. She wasn't selfish like him. She wasn't going to drag anyone down with her.

He pursed his lips, looking at her perplexed. "You have my word" He said quietly.

She breathed out shakily, slightly relieved. She hoped that the Volturi leader would keep his promise and even with doubt looming over her head, she closed the distance between them and took his hand. His stone like skin was colder than Edwards as he gently enclosed his other hand over hers.

"Okay. I'll stay." She whispered, defeated. She looked at him now to see a triumphant look in his eyes and a pleased smile grace his lips.

"Excellent choice, cara mia."

He let go of her hand and brushed her brown curls away from her neck. She jumped, slightly startled as he closed the space between them and stopped inches from her face at an inhuman speed. She flinched as his hand cupped her face and his thumb traced her quivering lip. He shushed her gently, as he wiped wetness from her face and that was when she finally noticed that she was crying.

"I'll be as gentle as possible." He whispered so lowly that she almost thought she had imagined it. He closed his eyes, inhaling deeply, as his nose brushed her cheek and his lips were at her ear.

"Magnifico." His voice dripped with desire.

She shivered, taking in a sharp breath. She felt heat rush to her face and the change in warmth made him growl softly. She felt this was an extremely intimate scene being observed by many prying eyes but she could only focus on her beating heart and the way this man was savoring this. It was as if he was smelling fine wine before consuming it, reveling in its taste.

"Do get on with it, brother." Caius growled. "I grow impatient."

She felt herself tense at the comment but Aro ignored Caius as his lips traveled to her neck. He kissed it gently, her breath hitching and the snarls she heard from Edward mixed with Alice's soft 'no' distracted her momentarily. Then, she felt Aro's teeth brush against her skin.

It was quick. Much too quick for her to even register the pain of the bite. And then, there was fire. She gasped, registering vaguely a hand gripping her by the waist, pulling her closer to him, almost crushing her against him. His other hand fisted her hair, inclining her neck ever so slightly to permit him access to her more easily. Bella felt herself clinging desperately to the man who was killing her, grasping at his suit with as much force as her frail human hands were able. She felt herself slipping and growing weak. She could've sworn that she had whispered his name as she lost her senses and slipped into oblivion.

Authors note: Hello everyone! I hope you enjoyed the first chapter of my first Aro/Bella fanfic. I'm a little rough around the edges since I haven't been into Twilight for a few years before I stumbled on this pairing but, please bear with me. Do please point out any discrepancies you might see and enjoy the ride!