I know this is short, but it's really hard to get back into this story. XD I re-read the last chapter and I really hope I've come a long way since I updated about a year ago I think. I hope you guys enjoy the new chapter! :)

"Edward," I mutter, my eyes wide as he drives up to the house. I grip his spare hand tightly.

"I know," He murmurs thickly, bringing the car to a slow stop.

The house looks completely normal, and that's the problem. According to Edward, our siblings were screaming in pain while Carlisle and Esme went for a walk. They ran back and all they could find was their children's phones on the floor.

Before we allow ourselves to hesitate or stall, we both walk into the house.

Now the inside, is quite a sight. Alice, Jasper, Rosalie's phones are still in floor, but they're not the only things marring the perfectly white carpet. End tables have been upturned, potted plants and vases have been smashed; the mirror on the other side of the room has a series of cracks in it, coming straight from the centre, as if someone kicked it. But around the phones... I always knew Aro was one for theatrics, but this... No way.

Are huge, black V has been spray painted into the carpet, or at least I hope it's paint, because if it's not, it's ash... And there are only five people that ash could belong to. Nessie already went back to the Volturi when Edward and I left for our honeymoon, and I cringe as I think of fun-loving Emmett, or bubbly Alice, or reserved Jasper, or fiesty Rosalie, being burnt to ash in their own home.

And then, Michael. He was planning on staying with the Cullens for a while, but he doesn't have a phone so there's no proof he was here. He was my only friend in the Volturi... He left with me... What if he's dead? Oh God oh God oh God oh God- "Bella!" Edward's voice breaks me out of my thoughts, and I look up to find both him and Carlisle staring at me, Esme standing slightly behind them, Emmett's phone still clutched in her hands. "Are you okay?"

A sob beyond my control escapes my lips as I shake my head. Immediately, I am pulled into the circle of his arms, my head against his chest. "This is all my fault," I whisper brokenly. "Aro's doing this to get me back, or to get you and Alice to join. He obsessed over you two for the whole time I was there."

"No, no, no my love," Edward whispers in reply, gently stroking my hair. "None of this is your fault. We'll get them back, okay? Everything's going to be just fine. Don't worry."

I nod, but I can hardly take the words in. Edward would never lie to me, but this time I'm not sure he even realises he's lying. He doesn't know Aro like I do; they might all be dead by the time we get there. However, I dont' voice this fear out loud, as I'm sure Carlisle may already suspect the same as me, and Edward and Esme don't deserve to worry, at least not yet.

"I've already looked at flights or ships to Italy," Carlisle tells us quietly. "The earliest we can get is in two days. I don't want to wait either, but it's the best I could do."

I reach out a hand to him, and he takes it gently, giving me a sad smile and squeezing my hand gently. Yes, he definitely has the same suspiciouns as me, but, unlike me, he is resigned to them. If his family are dead... Well, he is already mourning them, and he won't stop mourning them until he sees them alive. But he is holding up well; for Esme, most likely, but maybe for Edward and me too. Maybe we will have a talk later.

And we do. Later, Esme and Edward go for a run together to clear their heads, leaving Carlisle and I on our own. We sit outside on the front porch in a comfortable silence for some time, before I break it. "It's so strange, how our world works," I say quietly, turning my head to look him in the eye as I rest my arms on the lowest railing and allow my legs to dangle over the edge of the decking. He is the same, and the casual position makes him look younger. "How one man can completely destroy someone's life."

Carlisle simply shrugs. "My family, and yours, to some extent, are very unusual. He doesn't understand, and even though he has tolerated it up until now, the largeness of my coven and the amount of talents within have disturbed him for quite some time, especially since those with talents have refused to join him. I can only imagine that allowing one of his own guards to join my coven was the last straw." He sighs and shakes his head.

"What did you mean by my family?" I inquire, thinking over his words.

"You still functioned as a family," He explains, looking down at the wooden railing. "Even after you were all changed. That's highly unusual. Even the closest of siblings usually destory their bond in the fight for food. Although it is not unusual for covens to ask to join the Volturi just for convenience, as your father did. In fact, most coven leaders at one time or another have a small desire to force their coven into the Volturi, even if only to keep them safe."

I purse my lips, forcing down the slight anger that is building. "Have you ever had such a disgusting desire?"

Finally, he looks over at me, his expression unreadable. He sighs again, but louder this time. "Yes," He admits, and I there is no shame in his admission. My anger spikes, but I force it down. Carlisle probably didn't know what he would have forced his family in to... But he lived with the Volturi; how could he not? "A long time ago, I thought of ordering Edward, as his leader, not his father, to go to them. It was not long before I changed Esme, and Aro and I kept in touch regularly, and in every letter he asked me if I had changed someone. Of course, I could not lie to him; he'd catch me out eventually. So to save the onslaught of demanding letters or even a phone call - Aro had also stated his excitement to 'aquire such a contraption for the Volturi' in his letter - I told him everything about my first compagnion. But Aro coveted his gift more than I anticipated, and instead of being sent a letter in reply, he sent two guards, who demanded Edward's presence in the castle. I could go if I wished, but Aro had apparently told them to tell me it would be best for me to stay behind; he didn't want to cause me unnesesary pain."

My mouth drops open, my lips trembling in silent speech. I don't know what to say, so I don't say anything. Except: "What happened?"

"Edward, of course, heard their intentions in their minds. He knew that if he went with them there was a big chance we would never see each other again. He refused to go, and that was the first time I was worried for his life. I had told him of the Volturi, and how their rules were to be obeyed, but I had neglected to tell him of their arrogance; how they believe that it is a crime if they refused. How they believe they are above all else," He spits out his next words. "The guards were shocked, naturally, and they left immediately. We were soon visited again, this time by Jane and Alec. They tortured Edward, and even though it was only for a few minutes, the sight of him in Jane's agony, and stumbling due to Alec's blindless, will forever be ingraved on my memory." He pauses, looking out across the lawn. "I think that was the first time Aro feared me," Carlisle admits quietly, and my eyes widen. It had never occured to me before. "Caius had always maintained that I was weak and unworthy of Aro's time and attention. Then suddenly, I had a very gifted vampire on my hands who was refusing to leave my side. Soon after, of course, I had another two gifted vampires and one of the strongest vampires to have ever have lived with me, and they were again refusing to leave me. I can't imagine how angry Aro must have been."

I inhale heavily, looking up at the stars so rarely seen. "I can," I murmur, and I don't have to look at him to know he's watching me curiously. "When I was with them, he regularly asked for Nessie's hand. He always watched the same memories; her memories of us. I allowed him to see mine once, and that only intrigued and angered him further. He constantly questioned us on why we were so loyal to your coven; why we loved you. He asked us what made us to loyal to you, especially. We thought he was just angry someone else in the vampire world had a small amount of power, but we never imagined he was afraid. It makes sense too..."

We let the revelation hang in the air between us for a few minutes, neither of us speaking. Then we hear Esme and Edward making their way through the trees. So, again, without speaking, we make our way to our mates, the people we trust most in the world.

That thought saddens me, as they are the people we trust most, but we won't tell them anything that's going on; I know we won't. As Edward bounds towards me, I try to imagine having to watch Jane torture him, and I can't. I'd rip the bitches head off before I allowed that to happen. But I can only imagine the pain I would see if I told him his entire family is most likely dead would be similar, so that strengthens my resolve.

But it has a full two days to crumble.