"How very curious…" Aro's inquisitive voice broke my concentration. On impulse, I spun my body to face him, arms spread in a protective stance, surprising everyone, even myself. Was that the beast, defending the bliss of an upcoming meal? Or, was it me, shielding a girl I didn't even know from a fate I couldn't change? When had my world gotten so complicated? Aro advanced and a deep growl rumbled from my chest. Either way, my body and my mind agreed on one thing, I was not backing down.

"Edward, has your strength finally wavered? And here I thought you could never be tempted... May I?" I flinched as his fingers grazed the top of my hand.

"Ah, I see. So very rare to find… and you resist it?" His eyes were lit with interest as he carefully kept his thoughts from me. I could say nothing. I had no idea what I even wanted to come out of this situation. No, that's a lie. I knew exactly what I wanted; I wanted her, but it couldn't come to that.

"You understand, of course, she can't leave this room alive. She's seen what we are and we have rules to maintain. You will do this yourself, or someone will do it for you." I glanced around, finally noting the pale and lifeless bodies of the tour group, drained and scattered upon the floor. Had she seen all of that? It suddenly mattered a great deal whether or not she had. Strange. I looked back to her, I had to know what she thought of this situation. It shouldn't matter to me, but it did.

Her wide brown eyes stared into my own. I expected fear, probably hate, but all I saw was resignation. She seemed to know what awaited her and had made her peace. Such a strange girl. What was she thinking? Wait. What was she thinking?! I honestly had no idea. I focused on where her thoughts should have been, but only silence greeted me. How…frustrating! I'd never come across this before with a human. She must have seen the confusion in my face, mistaking it for concern over Aro's ultimatum.

"It's okay, I'm ready" she breathed, her hand slightly pressing into my shoulder. I'm sure shock was plastered across my face. Was she actuallycomforting me?

"What are you thinking?" The question was a blurted reaction; I'd never meant to say it aloud. Confusion replaced her resignation.

"What's this? Can't read her thoughts, Edward? So curious…" A moment passed as I focused on Aro's thoughts.

"No, Aro, don't-"

"Jane, dear." She was at his side immediately, her menacing stare focused on the beautiful brown eyes peering over my shoulder. I tensed, anticipating the screams, expecting the horrifying sight of her fragile little body withering on the floor. But there was nothing. The brown eyes met the red ones and no one moved. Jane focused with more effort. Still nothing. Her blond hair glistened as her head shook in a youthful tantrum. Aro smiled at this, his eyes cast inward, clearly intrigued. I didn't like the direction of his thoughts.

"Very well, Edward. This situation and this girl have interested me and I'm quite willing to wait for the resolution. You will have two days to drain her or change her, and after that, she becomes our problem."

...

With that, the hall cleared as arrangements were made and bodies were moved. I turned slowly to face her, placing a carefully blank mask over the hopelessness that I was sure was etched into my face. Her arched brows completed her beautifully questioning look as I finally had a good look at the girl that had raised so many conflicting emotions within me. Her chocolate brown eyes stood out all the more clearly because of the dust coating her skin. Where were the tears? The cries of fear? Perhaps she was in shock? I lead her into the hallway, away from the bodies and gore.

"My name is Edward Cullen," I started, "and I've put you in a terrible position."

"Bella Swan, and I think I've managed quite well to put myself in this terrible position. I really should have opted for the art museum." Her voice was shaky but sweet and my curiosity alone seemed to be holding the beast back. At least for the moment.

"So, you're what? A vampire?" I could only nod. How could she be speaking so calmly when the date of her death was so irrevocably pronounced not moments before?

"I see. And you're going to kill me?" She stared at my face thoughtfully, like she hadn't just uttered the most ridiculous question of her short life.

"I haven't decided." And I truly hadn't. I couldn't take her life and I couldn't force her into this existence, but if I didn't do either, who knows what Aro had in store. She was silent as we both pondered our dilemma.

"Ok. Are you going to give me a tour then?" Was she insane? This had to be the most absurd person, human or otherwise, that I'd ever met. And I was terribly curious. How could the most interesting thoughts I'd ever encountered have to be closed to me?

I chuckled. "Hardly."

"Why do you keep staring at me like that?

"Like what?"

"Like you're trying to get into my head," she stated simply. She was certainly perceptive.

"Actually, I can read thoughts." She gasped, then stuttered, clearly worried I'd overheard something private.

"But I can't read yours," I quickly soothed, "Which, honestly, is something that has never happened to me before, at least where a human is concerned."

"But that can't be why you attacked me." Dead on again.

"No. It's not. The truth is I'm quite drawn to you, Bella." Her heart suddenly beat faster as I said her name and a flush of red spread across her cheeks. She seemed to be having an internal argument with herself. I longed to hear what she might be thinking. At this point, I couldn't even guess. She was just so unreservedly adorable. My body involuntarily took a step forward, was that the beast or the man?

"To be honest, your blood is absolutely tantalizing and your mind is an utter mystery. Both are, in essence, something I've never encountered before." Looking deeply into her eyes, I noted her deeper blush and increased pulse. She was beautiful when she was lost in her own thoughts.

"You're eyes aren't red like the others."

"Yes, my sister and I maintain a vegetarian diet, of sorts. We don't drink the blood of humans." It was so strange to be having this civil conversation, minutes after what had just transpired. We were walking now, her probing eyes missing nothing as we made our way through the dark walkways. The conversation turned into a type of question-answer game, both of us apparently trying to uncover as much as possible about the other. It was several hours later when I finally left her at the room where she would be staying for the next week. It had the necessities and though I ached to give her more, she wouldn't hear of it.

"Look, Edward, thank you for what you did today. I know it's only postponed the inevitable, but thank you anyway."

"How can you talk to me like I didn't almost end your life a few hours ago? You should hate me, cower in fear from me. I…"

"Shhh. I know it doesn't make sense, but I just feel that you're the one person in this place I can trust to not hurt me."

"You're so wrong, Bella, you're so, completely wrong." I shook my head. Sighing, I took my leave. Today had been exhausting and I needed to hunt if I were going to maintain my control around her.

...

Holy crap. Holy crap. Holy crap.

How did I ever get myself into this mess? A nice summer trip to Italy, I had said. A once in a lifetime experience to see the country side, I had said. Oh Bella, you should check out that castle. Stupid, Bella! Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

Now I have, at most, a week to live. A beautiful monster is fighting every instinct not to kill me and I'm quite possibly, irresistibly fascinated with him. No, what had he said? Drawn? Yes, that's it. I was absolutely drawn to him. He was beautiful, of course, but they all were. Their angular features and strikingly chiseled bodies would have given me a serious complex if I wasn't so preoccupied with other thoughts. But he was different. His eyes, for one. Such a beautiful topaz, but filled with inner pain and struggle. I shuddered; I was the reason for that inner turmoil. Gazing out into the crowded square, my thoughts threatened to engulf me.

He was so…so…god, was there a word to describe him?

You can't possibly think he'd be inter-

No, of course not. It's just that-

But this is ridiculous, Bella. He just tried to kill-

I know, but did you see that look?

You're a fool if that is the most salient thought in your head right now.

She was right. I mean, I was right. I mean, whatever. Someone was right; I was in a lot of trouble at this very moment.

"Hello, Bella." I swallowed uneasily before turning around. Apparently, I was in more trouble than I thought.