AN: Important! For the purposes of this story Edward did not go to the Volturi in New Moon.

"Speech"

'Written dialog'

My Angel Chapter 2

Rays of early morning sunshine were streaming freely into the stark hospital room by the time her eyelids fluttered, marking her rise to consciousness. Over night her skin had regained its normal shade of creamy paleness - a vast improvement from her pallor the day before.

"Did you sleep well?" I asked, as I watched her stretch, like a contented cat after a long nap. Her face took on a faux pensive expression before she nodded in affirmation.

"Your discharge papers were delivered thirty minutes ago. Shall we remove ourselves from this horrific tribute to the color white?"

A full smile graced her face.

"I will wait for you just outside the door." With a small bow, I left her to dress.

During her regenerative respite, my mind dwelled on a few rather glaring facts. Among them, that I have no idea who this woman is, where she lives, or if she is now considered missing. But more important is her knowledge of vampires. With perfect recall I would never forget the sight of the bite resting atop her still beating pulse.

I must have answers. My hope is that she will consent to come with me today. My brother cannot wait to be introduced to such an oddity-the only silent mind he has ever encountered, and as for myself-I want to solve as many mysteries surrounding her as possible.

I turn to her and offer my arm as she exits her room. She really is a beautiful creature. Her hair is thick and shiny, with curls-just enough to give her tresses a sense of life as they bounce with each footstep. The result is a constant fluctuation between hues of dark golden brown and a more sultry reddish mahogany.

Her height is nothing to remark on, but despite her small stature, she possesses an air which tells the world, without words, that she is resilient, enduring.

Her form is neither voluptuous, nor overly thin. She is elegantly built. Her type has been an inspiration to artists throughout the centuries.

Even accustomed to vampire perfection, I can recognize the comeliness of her face with her expressive eyes of multifaceted-liquid brown, surrounded by a slight ring of green that would barely be discernible to mortal eyes. They held a quiet intelligence. Her eyes had seen horrors that are not meant to exist outside of nightmares, yet she had come to the aid of a true living nightmare. Would she have offered herself so freely if she had known who she was restoring to health?

"I was wondering, il mio angelo, would you be interested in meeting my brothers today? One of them brought you in for treatment while I was still unable to be in public, but he would love the chance to see you awake."

She raised her eyebrows, as if surprised by my suggestion.

"Me? Go with you?" She mouthed, pointing first to her chest and then in my direction. I decided to take her shrug as acceptance.

"Yes, I assure you will come to no harm." Her only response was to wave my comment off as if it was no consequence to her. We made our way to the heavily tinted luxury vehicle left for us by one of the guard. The drive through the city was short and as we pulled up to the gate of the castle, I noticed her eyes were wide - taking in all the details of the ancient building.

"Have my brothers meet us in my study." I ordered the guard at the door. He was gone before my companion could blink and she jumped slightly at the rapid departure, but then only smiled and shook her head.

She was obviously an admirer of art.

Several times she paused during our journey, a slight pressure on my arm the only communication needed to tell me that she would like to take a moment. We did have quite a collection adorning the halls, priceless paintings and sculptures alike.

By the time we arrived at my personal study, my brothers were already waiting inside. I pushed open the thick wooden door and gestured for my angel to precede me. She stepped confidently into the richly furnished room, and with a wide smile, she dropped into a deep curtsy in front of Aro and Marcus.

"My dear girl," Aro could not help himself, he took her hand to help her rise-no doubt trying to see her mind again now that she's conscious once more, "We are so glad to see you in improved health. Come please have a seat." He led her past my desk to one of four armchairs facing each other in front of a large stone fireplace. Once seated comfortably she looked to me with questioning eyes, holding her left hand flat and mimicking writing with her right.

"Of course, one moment." Something about this human is impairing my mind. It is painfully obvious that writing would be a simple way to communicate. I was slightly embarrassed I hadn't thought of it before now.

I handed her a small leather bound notebook and a pen before seating myself as well.

Upon receiving the writing implements, she immediately began to scratch away inside the book. My brothers and I all shared a questioning glance as we awaited our first true communication with our mystery guest.

She turned her book around and we were astounded to read - 'Your majesties Aro, Caius, and Marcus, it is an honor to meet you. My name is Isabella Swan.'

"Molto Bella!" Aro exclaimed, clapping his hands in delight. "A lovely name for a lovely lady, do you not agree brother?" He asked, as he turned in Marcus' direction - thus missing the flash of sadness that crossed her face before it was wiped away. "Would you perhaps consider being our guest here, for the time being, my dear? We would enjoy having the time to know more of you."

Without hesitation, she quickly penned, 'Yes, I thank you for the kind invitation, your majesty.'

"Please, you must call me Aro, I insist. Now, it seems quite clear that you know who and what we are, he continued. Would you be so kind as to tell me how you came to learn of us? We are, as I'm sure you can understand, a bit concerned about your knowledge."

She bowed her head once more over her notebook. When she presented it again it read -

'I haven't said a word.'

This sentence was accompanied by a face that would have been completely innocent - had it not been for the mischievous twinkle in her eye.

I am almost positive I saw Marcus' mouth twitch.

The next entry in her book took some time. She seemed to struggle, looking for the right words.

'I was involved with-dated a vampire. I'm not sure how we lasted as long as we did. He said my blood called to him like none other before. Yet, he claimed he didn't want to hurt me. While showing me around his home, we came across a painting of you and he explained that you are the Volturi kings. You rule the vampire world, and exist to maintain order and secrecy for vampires. You prevent unchecked hunting and chaos that could lead to exposure. He said the consequences of knowing the secret are being changed, or death. At the time I was elated, I thought it meant he wanted me forever. But I was VERY wrong. He tossed me away and left me to die. I wish he had drained me from the start.'

It pained me to see her face in that moment, obviously reliving deeply hurtful memories associated with her past lover. She had wanted the change. Just what had he done to make her prefer death to her continued existence? Her explanation brought forth more questions than it answered.

Before any of us could bring ourselves to question her further, a loud gurgling erupted from her abdomen. She hasn't eaten today, I mentally berated myself, and I seem to recall humans require meals much more frequently than we do. It will do her good to have a break I suspect.

"Jane." A moment later small blonde vampire appeared.

"What may I do for you, Masters?" She asked, eyeing the human with confusion.

"Escort Miss Isabella Swan to see Gianna so she may get something to eat. Remain with her and show her to the open chambers in the south wing once she has finished."

Jane's eyes widened minutely at my orders. She knows the placement of our guest, in my personal section of the castle, puts her under my protection. It will inform all the guard that Isabella is to be treated as an honored guest.

"Of course, Miss Swan would you come with me please?"

Isabella gifted me with a warm smile and dipped a small curtsy as she rose to leave us.

"It is odd to care so much about the path of a single mortal life." Aro mused once the door was closed. "This girl seems to draw us in, does she not?"

"She has a gentle soul, in spite of all the severed bonds." The comment came from Marcus, who spoke barely above a whisper.

"Those who she was closest to are dead. Some lesser connections remain, but they are bonds of friendship, not family or a great love. But the others." He trailed off.

"What of the others!" I demanded. Patience is not generally a virtue of mine.

"The others could very well have been the strongest of her life. I've only seen such concrete bonds among immortals. But they have been damaged, perhaps irreparably, and are now withered. If you will excuse me brothers, I have something I would see to."

What he could possibly be up to is beyond me. He takes interest rarely, but when he does, it is absolute.

"I too have errands, Aro." I said, rising. "I have no idea where the girl lives, and she has no possessions with her. She will need at least basic human necessities-whatever they may be. Do we expect Carlisle?"

"Ah, yes. He is currently detained. He will not be able to be here before the weekend. But, Isabella seems to be doing well enough. I'm sure a few more days will not affect the matter we have consulted him on, in any case."

"You are correct. That injury is old and the treatment at the hospital has secured her general health. It would be fortunate if he is able to restore her voice, but I find I do not want to give her false hope."

"All will be well Caius, you will see."

"Oh spare me your incessant optimism!" I quipped, with no malice, as I strode out the door.

Aro's cackling followed be down the corridor.

O0O0OO0O0OO0O0O

I can't believe I'm in the Volturi castle. When I first learned of them and their purpose, I knew that I should probably hope to never cross their path. Just shy of two years later, I was ridiculously glad they do the job that they do. The hell unleashed could have been so much worse, if not for them. Unfortunately, my losses were personal targets and below Volturi radar. But, they unknowingly saved an entire pack of werewolves and many lives in the areas surrounding Forks.

Its been nice having people talking to me again. I've been so lonely lately. When I first moved to Italy three years ago, I isolated myself on purpose. It wasn't hard to do once people realized I required sign language or paper to communicate well. I didn't care about anything. I was so lucky to have met the elderly couple who gave me a place to live and food in exchange for helping them with their needs - whether it be going to the market or doing laundry.

I was about a month away from being homeless the day Aymelina's market bag burst onto the street. I chased down her escaping fruit and got a new bag for her from the vendor. Afterward, she would not take no for an answer. She put her tiny foot down, pointed a crooked finger at me and proceeded to tell me I was far too skinny, and that I would come eat lunch with her and her husband, Eliseo.

The rest just fell into place. I was invited back the following two days, and when they found out I was renting a room above a tavern they offered me the spare bedroom of their small house in exchange for a helping hand here and there. They slowly but surely wormed their way into my heart. I know they wondered, but they never pushed to know my story.

I cried for a week straight when they passed away two months ago, within 12 hours of each other. I cried for another week, after an official looking man came to the house looking for me - Aymelina and Eliseo left their house and small savings to me in their will. In a letter, they told me I was as close to family as they had, and they could think of no better way to thank me for the kindness I had shown them, during their final years. I knew it was me however, that will forever owe them a debt. At the time they took me in, they were all that kept me from giving up. So, for two months now, I have been doing odd jobs, mostly cleaning, to make a little money and keep my mind off of the terrible loneliness.

I was startled out of my thoughts by Jane's crisp voice telling - who I'm assuming is Gianna - to "fetch" me something to eat immediately. Guess she doesn't think much of Gianna.

"This way please Miss Swan." She gestured to an adjoining room with a kitchenette area also containing a small, dark wooden table and then proceeded to take up a standing position by the door.

'Thank you Jane.' I wrote to her. A stiff nod was her only reply. She was visibly shocked by my next communication.

'You were one of the guard sent to Washington state, to destroy an army of newborns just over three years ago, weren't you?'

"How could you possibly know that?"

She didn't sound angry, just surprised and curious. I invited her, with my hand, to take a seat beside me and began my explanation.

'A friend of mine saw a vampire there that matched your description. He said she was as short as me, or just slightly smaller, with bright blonde hair and very pretty. I thought it might have been you.'

"Well, that was certainly nice of your friend to say." She seemed thrown by the description. "Yes, I went with my brother Alec, Demitri, and Felix.

'Only four?'

"There was no need for more."

'But, I heard there were almost 20 newborns.'

"Alec and I have particularly powerful gifts." She replied somewhat smugly.

'What can you do?'

"I can make one think they are experiencing debilitating pain."

I am far too curious for my own good. 'Would you like to see if it works on me?'

"Of course it will work, you foolish human!" She nearly overturned the chair as she rose sharply. "I will not disrespect my masters by damaging their guest!"

'Jane, I promise I didn't mean to offend you. Your gift works on the mind right? I don't think it will work on me.'

Her brows furrowed for a few moments before, I assume, she made her decision and shrugged.

"Very well mortal. Aro will be able to see that I was only giving you what you requested. Pain." She whispered the final word.

I waited. Nothing. Yes! One more power thwarted! Score for the human!

"How is that possible?"

I threw my head back in a silent laugh. 'I have no idea Jane.' I scribbled quickly. 'But, you are not the first. I've known a vampire who could read the current thoughts in anyone's mind, but he couldn't read me.'

"Can Aro?"

'Can Aro what?'

"Master Aro can see every thought you've ever had by touching your skin."

'Do you think he's tried?'

"I saw him carrying you when he took you to the hospital. I've no doubt he made contact with your skin at that time."

'But you don't know if it worked?'

"I have not inquired, no."

'I can't wait to find out!'

She shook her head with a slight smile. "You are strange."

At that moment Gianna returned bearing brioche and coffee. Perfect. Jane glared at the other woman until she left the room. She really must have something against Gianna.

'So Jane, tell me about yourself.'

O0O0OO0O0OO0O0O

"That will be all Heidi. Inform me when you have completed your task."

"Yes sir", she replied and swept from the room.

It will be interesting to see what fits Heidi's idea of classic and demure.

"What can I do for you Alec?" I asked the elite guard, as he approached.

"Jane sends word that Miss Isabella has eaten and seen her rooms. Isabella was, I quote, 'floored', what ever that means, and has decided to rest a while on her, again I quote, 'mattress from Heaven'. Jane says she will remain with Miss Isabella until she is known to the entire guard. Unless you would have her do otherwise."

"No, that is quite alright. I'm surprised and pleased Jane has made the offer. It usually takes her much longer to warm up to those who are new in the castle."

"Jane seemed quite happy conversing with Miss Isabella when I checked in on them. It seems she actually likes the girl. Will Miss Isabella be staying?"

"That is the plan. We intend to offer her a permanent invitation. Changing has not been discussed. We would like to get to know her better before that conversation, but she will certainly be changed if that her desire."

He seemed happy with that information. He cares deeply about his sister's happiness. Many vampires are wary of her, due to her formidable gift, and yet she is making fast friends with our new resident human. Miracles never cease.

"Be sure the full guard is assembled at 7 this evening. We will introduce our honored guest at that time."