A/N: I don't own the characters or the Saga. All rights are with Ms. Stephanie Meyer.
Hi, friends! I am Nick. Nice to meet you. I want to share a secret. I am not like other people. My skin is really pale, and prefer to avoid blood (in public, anyway coz I am a vampire). Shhh! Don't tell anyone because as some of you may know, we are not allowed to tell anyone because of all the rules laid down by the Volturi and they are not in particularly good mood after their epic defeat by the Cullens. I have blue eyes, honey blond hair and an average height for my age. I am gifted so as to speak I have a supernatural ability as most of the vampires do. The abilities differ from vampire to vampire. None of us know exactly how any of this works but we stick to Carlisle's theory that we bring our strongest human trait into this life. You must be wondering what my supernatural ability is. Well, mine is like a copying mechanism. I can feel power and acquire them. Seems complicated? Let me explain: if there is a vampire around who can hear people's thoughts, I can sense his powers, know what he is capable of doing….I feel a kind of aura around them and if they stick around long enough I can copy his powers and if I am successful, I can have the power of hearing thoughts too.
You people must be thinking that I am really lucky and all. I can have any ability if I managed to find someone acquiring it. Well, it's not like that. Not every ability can be copied. The person must be comfortable around me for at least 15 minutes and while it may appear strange to you, I don't copy powers of those who are far too much proud. I don't like to and they contain an almost painful aura around them (I mean, painful for me) and there are powers which can't be copied like powers which are inherited over the generations —for them, I would have to drink their blood and...Well, I am a vegetarian (I prefer animal blood rather than killing humans). So, I only have a few supernatural abilities, like ability to change into a twinkle of light, and roam around, and change peoples' memories.
I would let you in on another secret: I accompanied the Cullens on their fight with the Volturi. Well, yes…I did. I was around them since Bella and Edward's wedding, I went there to wish Edward and Bella a happy married life (Bella's marriage at 18 was a heated matter of gossip at Forks). I realized they were vampires, too. So, I told Carlisle about my different lifestyle and asked him if I could join the family...he agreed and I shifted there and when Renesmee was born, I spent a lot of time with her, much to Jake's dismay.
After some time, I left to spend a little time on a world tour. Then one day, Alice saw a vision about the Volturi coming to get Nessie and she left (to get help). We thought she had abandoned us and all the Cullens went on a mission to get as many witnesses as they could. Edward found me at the Denali's' and then Eleazar told us about Bella's shield. Needless to say, I was shocked.
I tried to explain how I can be of help if Bella let me copy her power and she was only ready. I used to practice with Bella alone (we couldn't tell others because of Aro's mind reading ability.)
With so many gifted vampires in the area, the aura of power around the house was almost uncomfortable… it would have been a great treat for me, if only I was not preoccupied about the fight with the Volturi.
Anyway, I was getting good at shielding (not as well as Bella but still better than before). She always used to remark that maybe, it was because I lacked persuasion. Zafrina was there, she was making Bella see bad visions, and I was trying to protect her from these visions but this time, she screamed in agony. I can't have her watch that dreadful vision. I will my shield to stretch forward, trying to get to get her within it, I felt it stretched forward (it was if I was moving any other muscle) until at last, I felt her inside it.
"You did it", she said in almost a victorious voice, though her voice was strained.
"Forget it. What did Zafrina made you see?" I said, struggling to keep my voice calm.
"Nothing", she said.
"Your transition into a vampire may have improved your lying skills, Bella but you are still a terrible liar...nothing doesn't make vampires scream"
"I was just faking it", she said cheerfully as if she has done something worth remark.
She was faking it? "Why?"
"Today, I was practicing with Kate and she tried to give a shock to Renesmee and I did amazingly well. She said it was because I was desperate not to get her hurt, so I thought I will use the theory on you", she said, looking down.
"What made you think that I will try my best to protect you from that vision?"
"Well, nothing…I thought I will have to do a lot of hard work but it was easy"
"You are crazy", I said.
"It worked, didn't it", she said, smiling.
"And Edward thinks you are a terrible actress"
Suddenly, a thought struck me
"Bella, do you really think it's worth something to practice shielding? I mean, you already have a shield"
"I have told you a hundred times before, Nick. Shielding is a tiring process. I don't think that I would last long if I would have to shield all of us. Besides, it may be possible that we will have to shield individuals, and I can't be present at all the places at the same time"
"What do you think the Volturi are coming for? If they are coming for Renesmee I don't think we are in any danger"
"Well, Edward thinks they are coming for Alice and to destroy our family"
"But Alice isn't even here"
"They can still do the latter", she said in a small voice, and I could tell she would be crying if that was possible.
"Don't worry; it will be alright…we will defeat them. They have only fought covens till now. We will show them what does it means to be a family"
"That we will", she said, determined.