Woe guys! Thanks for all your kind reviews! So, as promised, I've worked at double speed to get this chapter written. Two days! Omph, I'm actually quite pleased! So, hope you all enjoy this chapter!

Disclaimer- All recognisable, characters and places belong to S Meyer.

Chapter Two: Chance

Edward

Today was Bella's nineteenth birthday, marking one year since that disastrous birthday party that had forced me to make some heartbreaking decisions. One year since I left my angel. One year without her illuminating guidance, her beacon touch. One year of being alone.

For around nine months, I distracted myself with the hunt for Victoria. I wanted to eliminate all the bloodthirsty demons (including myself) from Bella. I had tracked Victoria; from Washington to Washington DC and various loopy goose hunts in between. Just outside Texas, luck was finally on my side. Victoria managed to get sandwiched in between myself and some old friends of Jasper's: Peter and Charlotte. With their experiences in the Newborn Wars and my mind reading ability, we were able to annihilate her.

But, it wasn't a sense of joy or success I felt when the last of her flame like hair turned to ashes. I only felt a dull satisfaction and an overwhelming sense of dark emptiness,

*Flashback*

I watched the fire as it slowly began to diminish. In both my peripheral vision and my mind, I knew that Peter and Charlotte were watching me. They were both worried. Apparently, my eyes and face were empty; apparently, I looked to be in a mysterious trance.

He looks so lost. I wonder why. Was Charlotte's recurring thought. Cheer up Edward. Concerned, Peter still managed to stay light and cheery.

In the end, I thanked Peter and Charlotte before deciding that there was only one place where I could go now (returning to Bella was an impossibility). Back to my family. Back to Carlisle and Esme who had cared for me since my early days. Back to my siblings, Alice and Emmett in particular. Back home.

*End Flashback*

So now, here I was. In a loving environment, so loving that it was torture. My family were living in Detroit and had enrolled at the local high school. Since I had arrived late, I decided to skip this chapter of education.

But, that wasn't the only reason why I didn't want to go to school. I was afraid. I was afraid of seeing Bella appear amongst the crowd. I was afraid of the onslaught of memories which played over and over in my head. I was afraid of the predictable flirting of every hopeful girl. And, I didn't want anything to do with them.

My dead, cold, frozen, unbeating heart only belonged to Bella.

Bella

"Happy birthday Bella!" Charlie called jubilantly as he handed me a small rectangular package with icy blue gift wrap. "This is for you. I bought it back in Venice."

I felt myself blushing; my cheeks were no doubt glowing red. "Dad! You didn't! I said no presents!" I exclaimed.

I always asked for people not to but me presents. It was completely unnecessary. But, this was Charlie, so I could hardly say 'no' to his eager face.

"Open it Bells." That touching, loving, fatherly request put tiny little flutters to my heart.

My fingers obeyed and fortunately managed to peel off the gift wrap in peace. Hence, no vampire lost control and accidentally went pouncing for my neck where a thick torrent of warm blood flowed. I lifted the lid of the velvet box up and I could feel my jaw plummet straight to the floor. My heart began beating erratically. Why?

Why?

Because I saw the most beautiful piece of jewellery that I had seen in my whole life, rated right up with the baubles given to me by the Cullens. It was simple in design, very inexpensive, yet gave me a feeling of warmth and comfort.

The necklace consisted of a silver chain where a simple yet elegant pendant of intertwined hearts lay. Around the heart was a small sentence of text reading, "Love is life's greatest adventure."

How could that line make me think of anybody or thing other than Edward? No. It couldn't. Edward. I thought wistfully. Edward.

My heart. My soul. My light and dazzling world.

I fell asleep that night with contentment.

Next morning, Charlie woke me up with the promise of surprises. Urgh. I utterly detested surprises of all colours, shapes and sizes. We rode in a taxi; Charlie went overboard, making me wear a blindfold. Double urgh. The thin strip of black cloth was not only itchy but probably made me look like a sloth. My father was amused by my incoherent grumblings.

After what seemed like an eternity, I finally was able to see again. It took me a couple of seconds to adjust to the light. I looked out the window to see a very old looking city where a huge castle made of white speckled stone loomed over a tidy square and clock tower.

"This Bells" Mt father began with awe. "Is the city of Volterra."

The name brought back a memory from a long forgotten English class.

*Flashback*

"I was so worried Bella." Edward said, as we whispered, unheard by the rest of the class. "And I knew I wasn't about to live without you. My brothers, Emmett and Jasper would have never helped. So, this left only option. Volterra, a city in Italy. Home of the Volturi."

"The Volturi?" I asked. "Who are they?"

"The Volturi are a coven, considered as the leaders of the vampire world." Edward informed me, an odd glimmer in his eyes. "Carlisle actually lived with them for a couple of decades. He described them as more refined that the vampires of London sewers but human blood drinkers all the same. They rarely leave Volterra unless it is to go out and uphold the law, vampires who threaten to expose us and so on. The Volturi have three leaders: Aro the founder alongside Marcus and Caius."

"And, how many of them are there?" I was really intrigued now.

"It changed." Edward explained. "There are only a few permanent members of the guard. Alec, Jane and Demetri are the most well known; famous for their abilities. I only know that Demetri is the world's most prized tracker. I think the temporary guards stand at about forty, maybe fifty.

You just don't anger the Volturi. Unless you want to die."

* End Flashback*

So, this was Volterra. And somewhere here was where the vampire royalty resided. I was going to bet that they were somewhere underground, out of view from humans and out of the way from the sun. However, the general scene of the city seemed appropriate. There was a haughty dignity along each of the walls. Volterra was beautiful but modest enough not to gain too much unwanted attention.

Volterra took my breath away.

"I'll let you just have a quick look around." Charlie said, amused by my obvious wonder. "There is something else I still have to get for you. One hour. And a half."

He left with a cheerful wink; I grumbled. More presents. Oh joy! Note the sarcasm. Hadn't Charlie already done enough for me? I certainly thought so. My father had listened when nobody else had the patience, understood when others brushed me off as 'still in shock' and on top of all that brilliance had flown me to Italy. My debt to Charlie was way overdue.

I sighed. I really wanted to take a closer look at the castle. It had the general look and feel of the medieval time period, yet the extravagant furnishings belonging to the Renaissance, I began to cross the square, pushing my way through people when I heard a voice.

"Special offer for a tour of Volterra castle! Today only! Half price!" That definitely pulled on my strings and I quickly paid the fare.

The guide's name was Heidi. She was beautiful, but to my eyes not as gorgeous as Rosalie. With blonde hair and large, deep blue eyes (that even had a hint of indigo), it was no wonder that many of the guys were drooling everytime they caught a glimpse of her ass.

I loved the flamboyant walls; they reminded me so much of Esme and her passion. The grand ceilings were also magnificent.

"Welcome to Volterra." Said a wispy, papery voice and I looked up with curiosity to see a man wearing black robes.

With red eyes. Surrounded by others in black robes. With red eyes. I hadn't noticed them when I came in. With pale skin. White as snow.

"Vampires." I whispered a word I had not uttered for so long.

Volturi. Vampires. Red eyes. Volturi. Blood drinkers. Hunting. Shit. Castle. Volturi. Crap. Volturi. Vampires. Red eyes. Volturi. Blood drinkers. Hunting. Shit. Castle. Volturi. Crap. Volturi. Vampires. Red eyes. Volturi. Blood drinkers. Hunting. Shit. Castle. Volturi. Crap.

As I saw their eyes turn to dark crimson, I closed my eyes. And prepared to die.

Please review! Any guesses for what's going to happen next? Special bonus Volturi insight (pre - twilight) for anyone who guesses correctly. Good luck!

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