A/N: Stephenie Meyer owns New Moon; no copyright infringement is intended. The quotes used from the book and the extra Rosalie's New also belong to her.

++-++-++

"Master Aro, your presence is requested in the antechamber."

Aro barely looked at Felix in the darkness of his wide stone room. "Whatever it is let my brothers deal with it."

"It's a Cullen, Master. He says his name is Edward."

Edward Cullen? He heard the name once from his old friend Carlisle. When was the last time they spoke? Sometime in this strange era through that thing Gianna called a telephone. Aro remembered that Edward was Carlisle's first fledgling, and had a power similar to his own.

"Is Carlisle with him?" Aro asked. He was hardly able to contain his excitement. Oh to see his friend again! All the stories he would share of moving around the world. He wanted to know all that Carlisle learned since their last physical conversation.

"No, Master."

"What does Edward Cullen want?"

"I don't know, Master. He wouldn't say. He wants an audience with you and the other Master's."

Perhaps one of the Cullen's had come to their senses at last. They couldn't survive on animals forever; it wasn't sustaining. It would most likely be the death of their coven. If that was the case, Aro would gladly speak with Edward.

"Thank you for telling me, Felix. You may go." Aro waved him away and he silently went, the sound of the door closing echoing loudly in the stillness.

Aro stood and stretched his aching muscles. Living underground was more stressful than he thought, not being able to run and flex the muscles he used to have. With age it seemed he was withering away. What would he be like if they decided to stay above ground and wander where and when they pleased? Would he and his brothers be stronger? He didn't think too hard about it. What's done is done, he thought.

Sulpicia sat on her ornate chaise, the one she bought three hundred years ago from a French merchant, reading by candle light yet again. Would she never stop? Their room was starting to look less where lovers would be and more like a library as the years went by. But he was to blame for that. He could deny her nothing; he would give her the world if she wanted it. Unfortunately, she was too involved in her books to care about much else.

Aro wrapped the familiar black clock around his shoulders but left the hood down. He didn't want to intimidate Edward. Without a word to his mate he left the room and began the long walk to the throne room.

With no one to keep him company, he let his mind wander. As much as he loved Sulpicia, he had always wished for more. When Carlisle found the Volturi, Aro couldn't stop thinking about him. He was an amazing figure, not to mention almost ironic. The son of a preacher infested with demonic energy, yet still believed there was a place for him in heaven. Who wouldn't love that story? He was an anomaly in the vampire world. He refused to drink from humans, but instead help them; he was a doctor now, after all. He felt guilty for making fledglings even when they were on the cusp of death. Did he not realize he was giving them a better life, evil or not?

If Carlisle had joined the Volturi they would have been stronger than ever. If he was with them Aro would have all the happiness in the world. He never wanted to be away from his dearest friend, no matter how much he didn't understand him, and probably never would.

Aro opened the door to the circular room to find both Marcus and Caius already waiting. Caius looked grumpy as usual but there was an underlying tension to his body that Aro didn't understand. What did the boy do already?

"Took you long enough to get here," Caius spat.

Oh yes, now it's my fault for once, Aro thought. "I'm sorry I'm late, brothers. What did I miss?"

Aro made his way to his throne and sat on the rickety frame to stare at the bronze-haired boy in the middle of the room. My, my, he is much more beautiful than I imagined. Aro couldn't believe the color of his hair; brown and red and highlighted by time in the sun. He was a tad lanky but there was a fine line of muscle, also. His face was that of a Botticelli angel. We could certainly use that kind of youthfulness around here.

"This boy is out of his mind," Caius continued. He must have been saying something before but Aro wasn't listening.

"How is Carlisle, Edward?" Aro asked, not missing the way Caius glared at his nonchalant question.

Edward was taken back at how casually Aro addressed him but answered the question. "He is doing fine, Master Aro."

"Still drinking from animals?" He didn't need to ask—Edward had the golden eyes he dreamed of—but he wanted to know if Carlisle's patience would ever run out.

"Yes, sir. Our whole family is still strictly vegetarian."

"What a pity," he sighed. "So tell me, what do we owe this visit? I must say I'm surprised, yet elated, that a Cullen would come to Italy." Aro couldn't keep the smile off his face.

"We owe nothing!" Caius squawked.

Aro patted his pasty hand, which only seemed to anger him more. "Hush now, Caius. Let the boy speak."

Edward looked every part of a man on fire. He reeked with desperation as he fought to find the right words to say. Finally he asked, "You have a certain power, correct, Master Aro?"

Aro was intrigued by the question. "That is correct. Has Carlisle told you? I read minds through touch."

"It's hard for me to say this out loud."

Aro understood. Slowly he raised himself up from the throne and went to Edward. Somehow he looked so much like his dear friend, although he knew they were not biologically related. Perhaps it was the look in his eye . . . but Carlisle never looked so damaged. He was a strong man.

"Forgive me for saying this, but you seem to have a fascination with my father," Edward said quietly.

Aro pursed his thin lips. What's this? Do we have a mind reader in our midst? Edward nodded. He could read minds over a distance! What a splendid surprise this was! Tell me, Edward, if I stood at the opposite end of the hall, could you hear me there? He nodded. Do you hear Gianna through the wall? Edward nodded again.

Aro was mystified. Could this power be stumped? Was there a limit?

"There's a range limit, yes, but it's very long," Edward assured.

"Stop playing your silly little mind games and get to the problem, Aro," Caius hissed. "You are wasting our time."

"We have all the time in the world, Caius. Relax, enjoy the air. I know your chamber is often very stuffy with your hot head being there." Aro gave a secretive smile to Edward as he teased his friend. He wasn't always so impatient; time changed him the most. No time for trivial human things, you understand. Edward couldn't resist smiling. "Your hand, please, so we do not dissipate any more of Caius' precious time."

Edward held out his hand and Aro grasped it with surprising strength. The boy's thoughts were laid out like a book for him and he idly began flipping pages, trying to find the most important subject before he got to the matter at hand. Many of the memories were focused on some girl but he skipped over those, searching towards the past before he began the present and future.

Finally he found the object of his desire. Carlisle's handsome face came up in vivid detail. Not a day over twenty-three, that gorgeous complexion, golden eyes so bright. But what's this? There was a woman by his side. Ah, his mate, Esme. He heard a lot about her. Seeing his friend so happy surrounded by the ones he loved set Aro's heart as ease and he went back to search for what Edward wouldn't say.

"I'm no good for you, Bella."

"You don't want me?"

"No."

Ah, so there's a girl involved. Aro felt a fine tremble running through Edward's hand but he didn't let go. He kept shuffling memories. There were more good times than bad, so why would he leave her? He seemed truly in love with the girl. He focused on a scene where the family was gathered, tension in the air, as one of the Cullen men struck out at the girl. Bella, Edward's mind whispered. Yes, Bella. Isabella Swan. She was the reason for his visit.

I'm a monster. I have killed, I have lied, I have stolen countless things in my years, but I can't forgive myself for this. Edward was speaking through his mind; Aro was so excited his whole body shuddered.

What happened? Aro wondered. Surely if she was still alive Edward wouldn't come to him and share this news.

He flipped more pages to find what he was looking for.

"You can come home now. We can be a family again. It's over. She's dead, Edward."

Oh my. Now he understood. Aro released Edward and immediately took his seat again. He lied to his soul mate for the oddest reason and she killed herself, unable to bear the pain of being without him. He couldn't imagine pulling such a feat with Sulpicia; he couldn't live without her. Aro spared a glance at his friend Marcus. Was this the kind of emotions he felt after Didyme's death? He felt almost sorry he had to kill her, but Marcus had to stay with the Volturi.

"I believe I know why you're here now, Edward," Aro began. "I must say your memories are very . . . disturbing. You are truly a teenager in every sense of the word. Why did you lie to her?"

"I had to keep her safe," he answered in a hoarse whisper. "She didn't belong in my world and I knew she wouldn't give up, I knew I couldn't give her up."

"You haven't stopped thinking about her since you left."

"She haunts me at every turn."

"And that's why you came to us. You think we can make it stop. Only we have the power to end it."

"Yes, sir."

"What are you talking about?" Caius asked.

"I've come to you requesting that you end my life," Edward stated, finally looking into Aro's eyes. "I can't live without her."

"What would killing you bring about, Edward? Think of it. When the news escaped back to your family, I would lose a very dear friend. I don't dare anger Carlisle, nor do I wish to make him grieve."

"You don't have to do it," Caius interrupted. "If it means he's gone quicker, I'll do it myself."

Aro placed his hand on Caius' chest to keep him seated. "Wait." Killing the boy would not only hurt Carlisle but it would be an extreme waste of talent. "Edward, may I offer an alternative?"

Edward stayed quiet as the ancient vampire stood to come back to him. He placed his hand on his shoulder in a friendly gesture.

"What if I give you something new to live for? We would gladly welcome you here—"

"No, we will not!" Caius shouted.

But Aro continued, undeterred by Caius' rage. "Amongst our guard. We could use a gift like yours with us. How upsetting it is for me to know there's a much more powerful telepathic gift, and it's not in my possession. I'll provide you with all the animals you want, because I know you would never eat from humans, as long as you'll stay."

Aro very deliberately kept his mind focused on the offer as he listened to Edward mull over the deal; he didn't appreciate the way the boy saw it. Dog? Never. All the guards were well kept—their own beings, not attack dogs.

"It's a kind offer but I must refuse," Edward answered almost immediately. "Nothing will distract me from this—"

"Ah, ah, ah." Aro wagged a finger in his face. "You said so yourself: Our kind is easily distracted. Join us, Edward. I insist." He smiled calmly to take the bite out of the command.

Edward shook his head. "I can't, Master Aro. I'm sorry."

A bit bullheaded but it can be worn down, he thought surly, hoping Edward didn't hear. He removed his hand and returned once more to his throne.

"Well then, I'm afraid we can't be of any help. Unless you accept my offer you'll have to wallow for the rest of your eternity. My brothers and I will not hurt you. That is our final answer." Predicting the outburst, he placed his hand over Caius' hand. He didn't want anyone ruining his plan. Edward would leave with the enticing proposal in his head and would come running back. Then he would have a new warrior in his ranks, and one of the most powerful gifts.

Edward stared at the floor, gathering his thoughts and finding his equilibrium. "Thank you, then. I'm sorry I wasted your time."

"Never. You're welcome here any time. Would you like a room for the time being? Perhaps warm up to—"

"No thank you." He turned and showed himself out, taking his bad mood with him.

Aro remained sitting for a while longer, staring at the door. Edward wouldn't do anything too brash, he hoped. It would upset Carlisle.

"She's not dead," Marcus said in the stillness.

Aro nearly forgot he was sitting there, right by his side. It was easy to overlook the quiet ancient. "What do you mean?"

"His relationship is still intact. He is not walking alone; his thread is still attached to someone."

"My, my, this is interesting. Who do you think this Isabella Swan is? She must be something great to capture his attention. He's something to look at, isn't he?"

"Why do you want him, Aro?" Caius asked, much less snippy now.

Aro couldn't hold back the smile. "He is a strong one."

"He looks scrawny. I doubt he could hold his own against Demetri."

"Not physically, no, but mentally . . . the boy is a genius. He has a power much like mine. I want it."

Aro called for Jane and Felix; they appeared immediately. "Follow our friend. Make sure he stays out of trouble, please." As quickly as they came, they disappeared just as silently. Always willing to please Master Aro.

"She'll reach him before you will," Marcus said.

"Either way, he will come back. If I can't have Carlisle himself, perhaps Edward is the next best thing." As he stood to leave, Marcus caught his attention once more.

"Their bond is deeper and tighter than any I've seen before. Love is not something you can break, Aro."

He couldn't help himself, but sometimes he had to be cruel to get his point across. He smiled evilly at his friend. "If that's what it takes to have him. I have done it once, and I will certainly do it again. Nothing will stand in my way to power—not even a mate of a friend." Aro didn't wait for a reply. He made his way across the floor and slammed the door as he left.

Edward Cullen would belong to him, one way or another.