Author's Note: After reading and re-reading the first two chapters of this fic, I realized it was really stupid for there to even be two chapters. So, I decided to conglomerate them into one. Thus, if you have been following the fic since the beginning, you may notice that this 'second' chapter is in reality the third. The old chapter two is now part of chapter one. Does everyone understand? Good.

As a side note, I would really appreciate it if you reviewed this fic! I have been thinking of maybe putting up a system where, if I get enough reviews, I will update earlier. I find reviews to be really motivating in terms of just sitting down and producing something. If I know people are interested, I'm a lot more eager to write.

One last thing! Check out my other Twilight fanfic, Innocence.

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2. Gift

Aro was surprised to see me return so soon, perhaps even displeased. I could hear his thoughts, his worries that I did not like my gift after all (oh, how wrong he was!). I stood before him, my head low, and waited for him to grant me permission to speak. He waved his hand, carelessly, as if on the brink of exasperation, and I tried to form the correct words for my story. It was difficult; I almost did not know what to say. This had never happened before.

"Aro," I spoke, almost apologetically. "Thank you for your generosity," I began. "I felt the need to inform you –in case you were not aware- that my gift is perhaps more special than you anticipated." I glanced over at him; he did not seem entirely interested. "I do not seem to be able to hear her thoughts," I said quickly.

This caught his attention. Aro raised his said, stunned for a moment. "You are unable to hear her?" he asked, awe apparent in his voice. "At all? Your powers are useless on her?"

"She seems to be blocking me, somehow," I tried to explain; although in truth I did not understand at all.

"But she is only human," Aro said, as if this was a wise statement. "How could this be possible?" He was silent for a moment before turning slightly. "Felix," he called out to a man in the back of the room. "Bring Edward's gift immediately, I wish to see her." In response, massive mountain of a man, Felix, stepped out of the shadows and nodded once in acknowledgment before soundlessly quitting the room. It was quiet before Aro resumed his questioning. "Did she seem aware of this?" he asked, curiosity brimming in his voice.

"It seemed subconscious," I answered, although I wouldn't know. It was strange to not be omniscient, I realized. I had grown used to knowing everything there was to know within a three-mile radius. Every moment of my life was filled with other people's thoughts. I knew everything about those around me: every bad little thought they had, all the things they regretted, who they loved, who they hated. There was no mystery to anyone, except her.

Aro nodded in response, his eyes fixed on the door as Felix entered, my gift in tow. She moved slowly, encumbered by the heavy shackles. Her dark eyes were focused on the stone floor as she shuffled towards the center of the room. Her soft sobs had stopped, but I could see glimmers of her tear-stained cheeks through the wall of hair that obscured her pretty face. She was more frightened than before, if possible; her heart was beating even faster now.

It would be wrong to attack her now, I knew, but it was so hard to stop myself. I held my breath, determined to gain self-control. I was used to getting what I wanted in terms of thirst, denying myself was something new. Refraining from pushing this girl against the wall and draining every last drop of her sweet-smelling blood was the most difficult thing I had ever done. I would have to wait.

Aro watched my gift, his red eyes studying her slight form. His glance soon turned to me, noticing the way I held my breath. I could hear the thoughts turning in his head, piecing everything together hesitantly. "What is her name?" he spoke at last, looking directly at me.

I did not know her name; it had never occurred to ask. Besides, I was not used to having to ask for names- I usually already knew. "I don't know," I replied.

Aro did not seem surprised by my ignorance. This time, he spoke to the girl. "Your name, child?"

She seemed to be choking on her words. I could see her mouth moving, her lips trembling as a soft sob escaped her throat, entwined with her honey sweet voice. "Bella," she said at long last. Her name was a song.

Aro nodded before addressing me. "Would you mind if I experimented?"

I nodded my head from side to side, unable to deny him his request. "No, of course not. Please do."

"Felix, bring her to me," Aro instructed.

Felix roughly grasped Bella's arm, half dragging her towards Aro's chair. She stumbled, tripping over the shackles, having great difficulty walking. I watched angrily, upset to see Felix abusing what was so clearly my property. I wanted neither Felix nor Aro anywhere near her, my Bella. There was nothing I could do.

She stood directly in front of him now, eyes downcast. Aro did not speak to her, instead he simply placed a pale, leathery hand on her bare shoulder. There was a moment of silence before he withdrew, a quizzical expression on his face. "Ah," he said, "I too hear nothing, how curious" It was almost a relief. "You were right in bringing her to me. I did not realize how special your gift was, after all, but perhaps it is only appropriate. I assume you would not mind if I continued a few more experiments?"

I had no choice in the matter. "Not in the least." It was a lie.

"Jane," Aro called, his voice echoing in the nearly empty room. A moment later, Jane's soft footsteps pitter-patted into the stonewalled room. I did not need to turn around to know she was standing almost directly behind me. I did not want Aro to experiment with my Bella and Jane; I almost felt panicked, although I am not sure why. "Jane," Aro spoke again, "Use your gift on the human."

Jane stepped forward to get a closer look at Bella, looking completely uninterested. Her dark, curly hair framed her cat-like face and her blood red eyes glared at my most prizes possession. I expected Bella to fall to the floor, screaming, as I had seen so many others done. I expected Bella to plea for mercy, I expected myself to beg Jane to stop. What I did not expect was for nothing to happen.

The room was still and silent.

"Bravo," Aro whispered, and his face was more alive than I have ever seen it. "It seems your Bella has a very private mind, one we cannot enter into. I wonder if physical powers would effect her…" his voice trailed off, but he did not ask for my approval again.

"Is there anything else?" my voice clipped.

"You mustn't kill her," Aro said suddenly, "Do as you wish with her, so long as she continues to live. Also, she must be changed by the next full moon, or I will deviate this responsibility to someone else." My dead heart dropped in my chest. I would have to use self-control, then. I would never be able to completely let myself go and do exactly as I pleased. I would have to be careful. It was disappointing news, but I was almost glad I had a reason to be cautious around her. Aro misread my facial expression, and quickly apologized. "I am curious to see exactly what Bella will be capable of when she is turned. In the meantime, she is yours to enjoy. I am sorry to put such requirements on you, but I promise you will be repaid in full for the inconvenience."

I nodded, not particularly caring, and bowed. "Thank you," I said, my eyes watching only Bella. "Come," I said to her. She began to stumble towards me, once again having difficulty with the shackles. Having no patience to watch her trip her way all the way back to my ward, I moved forward and grabbed her, carrying her in my arms, and dashed out of the room.

The sudden movement of being picked up and rushed out jarred Bella. Her pale arms frantically wrapped themselves around my neck, as if she was afraid I would drop her. She nuzzled her face into the crook of my neck, and I had to fight the urge to bite her. She was so close, her scent pressed against me. It was simultaneously the most wonderful and desperate feeling in the world.

I did not have the self-control to change her. There was no way I could prevent myself from draining her of every last bit of her blood, and I knew that. I would have to wait until later in the month; perhaps I would be used to her maddening scent by then. In the meantime, I realized I had to spend as little time as possible around her, at least until I knew I could fight my urges. If I accidentally killed her, there would be dire consequences. I simply was not willing to risk it. No, it would be better if I left her, to keep her safe, until I knew I could do a better job.

But it would be so difficult to stay away.

We reached by chambers and I set her down carefully. She was so fragile; as if she could collapse at any given moment. Bella frowned, and took a crooked step backwards. Her face was flushed red.

"Is something the matter?" I asked, confused.

"Dizzy," was her one word response. She reached out and placed her warm hand on the wall, trying to steady herself. I must have moved too quickly when she was in my arms. She leant her body against the stone wall now, muttering to herself, and I waited for her to catch her breath.

"I have business elsewhere." I lied, "But I will arrange for a friend of mine to care for you."

Her head jerked up at these words and fear flashed through her eyes. "You're leaving me?" she asked. The tone she used confused me.

I stared at this bizarre creature for a moment, not sure how to respond. "Not for long," I tried, "You are to stay here."

It occurred to me to wonder just how much about my world she knew. I was sure she was aware that I was not quite human- but had she guessed exactly what I was? Did she know where she was, or how much danger she was in? It seemed apparent by her tone that she assumed I was safer than the others.

"Don't let them hurt me," Bella whispered.

I was taken back. I did not know what to say, but then suddenly a response appeared automatically out of my lips, as if I had been waiting for her to say that all along. "Never."