Twilight: blood & brimstone

Bella felt the moment Edward realized it.

The moment it hit him.

She wasn't his anymore.

Not completely.

Not in the way he needed her to be.

His grip on her arm loosened, his breathing unnecessary but shaking anyway. His black eyes searched hers, desperate, demanding something she couldn't give him anymore.

Not after him.

Not after the demon.

And Aro—

Aro was enjoying every second of it.

Aro's Games

"My dear, your mind is truly fascinating," Aro mused, fingers tapping against his chin. "Not only immune to Edward, but changing in ways none of us could have foreseen."

Bella swallowed hard. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Aro laughed. "Oh, but you do."

His crimson eyes gleamed, dark and delighted. "I wonder, child… did you think you could stand between two worlds without consequence? That you could brush against something so ancient, so forbidden—and remain unchanged?"

Bella's pulse stuttered.

Because she had thought that.

Because she had convinced herself that she could be near him—be touched by him—and still be the same girl she had always been.

But she wasn't.

And Aro saw it.

He stepped closer, voice a near whisper. "Tell me, Isabella… when you dream, does he whisper your name?"

Her breath hitched.

Because he did.

Because the demon was always there.

Because he had never left her alone.

Edward snapped.

He lunged forward, snarling, but Felix caught him, shoving him back so hard the marble beneath his feet cracked.

"Enough," Caius sneered, unimpressed. "Your theatrics are tedious."

Edward struggled, fangs bared, but Bella barely noticed—

Because Aro was still looking at her.

Still waiting.

And she knew—

If she answered him, if she let herself admit even a sliver of the truth—

She wouldn't walk out of here the same.

If she walked out at all.

So she did the only thing she could.

She lied.

"No," she whispered.

Aro tilted his head, lips curling. "Oh, my dear."

His grin widened.

"You really should be a better liar."