CHAPTER ONE

Carlisle slowly walked up the long driveway to the Cullen House. It was getting dark, but he didn't really care. Vampires could see perfectly fine in the dark, and the less time he spent in the house the better. He sighed softly, then froze.

A Vampire had been along here. Whoever it was was long gone , but the scent that remained was unfamiliar. The visitor had been male , and probably older than Carlisle, whose personal scent was mingled with an odeur Carlisle had never thought he'd smell again : Volterra.

A low growl sounded in Carlisle's throat. What was a member of the Volturi doing in Forks? It wasn't a guard Carlisle knew , that much was cert-

White skin drawing the dark shadows closer , ever closer . Fire in those golden eyes , a nobility above and beyond even Aro's in her defience , and the n screaming as the darkness swallowed her whole , screaming screaming , who was it making that noise , he had to help them , go and help them. But the guards were holding him back and he realised that the person screaming was –

"CARLISLE!" Alice's concerned face swam into view . Carlisle shuddered and realised that Jasper was holding him up , calming his emotions.

"I'm Fine." He managed to say. Alice tilted her pixie like face to one side, and a wave of disbelief crashed through Carlisle as Jasper snorted quietly.

"If you were human , you would have fainted." Alice said. "And , in case you hadn't noticed , Jasper's currently got his arms wrapped around your shoulders to stop you from collapsing on to the floor in a heap. Which you were going to, by the way. I Saw it. "

"I can't explain it." Carlisle murmured. "There's someone I'm missing , Alice , someone close. But I don't know who." he sighed. "One of the Volturi was here."

Alice's gaze widened. "That's not possible . I would have seen it."

"Can we talk about this later?" Jasper asked suddenly , glancing up towards the house. "Our Lord and Master's getting impatient."

Carlisle grimaced. "Try and keep this out of his mind , at least until we've discussed it further."

"Yes sir!" Jasper barked , making Carlisle jump. Jasper stood to attention and saluted smartly. Despite himself , Carlisle started to grin and Alice burst in to laughter that cut off abruptly as her eyes glazed over. "Shit." She muttered. "Now we're for it."

"Love?" Jasper asked . "What is it?"

Alice looked up , her eyes wide . "Trouble."

A.N : Hope that was okay! Please review and tell me what you think.