Third POV

Volturi Castle, Volterra

Aro walked through the empty corridors of the castle. The moonlight shone through the stained windows. A eerie silence surrounded and the only sound in the whole corridor was of Aro's footsteps.

His gaze reflected determination; so did his walk. He was on a mission. A mission which was, in his eyes, crucial to be done sooner than later, especially with the current situation of emergency.

Aro saw James standing outside his shared chambers. He only acknowledged James' presence by a nod. James, as a part of the higher guard, bowed to Aro and opened the door for him.

Aro walked in and James closed the door. Aro walked into his bedroom, finding Bella on the bed with a book. He sat beside Bella and she looked up with a smile.

"Hey! How was your day?" She asked, like usual but instead of answering Aro just stared at her in complete silence. "Aro," Bella said, starting to get concerned and confused by Aro's silence.

"Aro, what is wrong?" Bella asked. Aro gulped down the lump in his throat and took Bella's hand in his, squeezing them reassuringly. "Bella, I know this is not something we have ever discussed but in the current situations, this is the best thing for you."

Bella was even more confused. "What are you talking about?" She asked, blinking blankly at him. "Bella, you are aware of how Athendora and Sulpicia live in a tower," Aro said.

"Yes and they can not leave the tower," Bella said. Aro nodded, staring at their interlaced hands. "I and everyone else decided that it would be safe if you shift into the tower with others."

Bella's jaw dropped and she stood up from the bed, retracting her hands from his. "You can't do this," Bella whispered in disbelief. "Bella, you need to understand why I am doing this," Aro said, almost pleadingly.

"You can't take away my freedom from me!" Bella exclaimed. Aro stood up as well, trying to hug Bella but she stepped back. "Bella, it's the only way to keep you safe," Aro said desperately.

"I thought James was supposed to keep me safe," Bella said, her eyes filling with tears of anger and frustration. "He is. He will be your guard," Aro said.

"I am not going to live in a damn tower," Bella yelled, her voice growing louder by every passing minute. "Bella please, understand," Aro said.

"Understand?! What is there to understand, Aro? You are asking me to become an eye candy of yours who can't go anywhere?!" Bella yelled.

A knock on the door stopped Aro from replying. "I beg your pardon for interfering, Master and Mistress but is everything alright?" James voice came. "Everything is perfect, James," Bella replied, taking deep breaths to control her bubbling anger.

"Glad to hear that, Mistress Isabella," James said. Bella nodded subconsciously, as if James could see her.

"Bella-" "let's not talk about this right now," Bella interrupted. Aro looked disappointed but nodded anyway. Bella let out a deep exhale and sat on the bed, returning to her book.

"I will have a shower," Aro said and Bella nodded. Aro went to the bathroom, trying to calm his nerves with a shower.

••••

Mistresses' Tower, Volturi Castle

Four dark figures lurked in the shadows, waiting for their ally to come and help them find their way to Athendora's chambers. Their red eyes kept a close watch on the corridor, eager to end their job.

Footsteps echoed and the four figures stiffened. The dark figure approached the four, the Volturi necklace hanging from the neck. The figure's hood covered most of it's face.

The figure gestured to a door and the other four figures nodded. The Volturi figure went away, letting the four do their job. One of the four picked opened the door of Athendora's chambers, making their way to find Caius' wife.

They found the lady along with Sulpicia, sitting and laughing in dim lights with a glass of blood. Before the figures could do much, Sulpicia sensed their presence, her head snapping in their way.

Sulpicia and Athendora's eyes widened. "Afton, Santiago!" Sulpicia yelled loudly, calling for the guards. One of the figures went for Sulpicia but before he could reach for her, he fell to the ground, growling and grunting.

Both the ladies looked up to find Jane, Alec, Afton, Corin and Santiago on the doorway. All the figures were captured and Jane sent Corin to fetch the kings.