I do not own twilight; twilight owns me

AN: I'm getting the hits, I'm getting the visitors, but I'm not getting the reviews that I'm hoping for as I look at these numbers. Come on guys I need a bit of driving force here, reviews are that force.

Again a big thank you to Metesme who continues to review my story, you help motivate me to write this story :D

And to answer your question, I also wanted to know what happened to Gianna and I found out from an interview SM did that Gianna did indeed become supper, poor Gianna.


Aro held my hand for a mere second, each fraction of it he sorted through, saw, felt, heard every thought that had occupied for mind for the last millennia or more that I've lived. Every private moment I've had with a human male, my feelings for laurent, Bella and her unmentionable creation, the pain, anger, hatred I had ever felt was now in Aro's mind.

He only pressed his palm against mine for that mere second, not grasping it fully before dropping it. I stayed still; surrounded by many of the tense guard it would not be wise to make any sudden movements. Aro lost some control over himself and I noticed the flash of shock in his eyes. He knew everything I did; he knew this was Bella, mate of Edward, son of Carlisle, the man who had befriended Aro centuries ago. Aro then composed himself, and nodded to his guard who fell back slightly.

"This must have been quite the ordeal for you Irina." He stated, of course he knew it was an ordeal, hadn't he been the one who ordered my mother's death? The pain I felt for having to do something that would lead to the same fate as my mother? Hadn't my thoughts reflected the sorrow and guilt I felt? I nodded my head instead of answering with words, I was unsure if I could answer politely.

"Aro, what crime has been committed?" Caius barked at his ancient brother, a scowl forming since he was still unaware of the situation. Aro did not turn to face him; he was looking at the guests, most of whom were still dancing although I didn't doubt that most were secretly listening in as they whirled about the dance floor, occasionally shooting curious glances towards the gathering at the thrones.

"Peace brother, we shall discuss this matter in privacy." He replied to Caius, Aro was pleasantly smiling, I could not tell if it was genuine or not, Aro was always good at acting and showing no emotion, Marcus was better however and was acting like nothing was going on around him. Caius by the looks of it didn't like that he'd have to wait for his answer and sunk back into his throne with a quick flick of his fingers he motioned for someone to come forth, I didn't notice who and looked back at Aro.

Aro turned and floated back to his own seat, Aro's slow walk was extremely graceful, more so than the hundreds of dancing feet mere meters away. The guard resumed their positions around Aro as they did before I entered the room and they relaxed a little. I still stood where I was, unsure of my next move. What did I do now?

"Jane, make sure the whole guard is assembled at dawn in the tower, it seems we are in need of a briefing." He directed to his side where for the first time I noticed the small angelic vampire.

"Of course master." she nodded. Jane kept her gaze on me; did she perceive me as a threat? Ready to create an illusion of pain over me similar to my sister Kate's illusion, only more powerful and longer lasting.

Jane was young for a vampire, perhaps as young as vampires were allowed to be, I wondered if Jane had been any younger when turned perhaps she could have been classed as an immortal child herself. I did not know much about Jane, rumour has it Aro turned her and Alec himself, perhaps Aro had been watching them for a while until they reached an age he deemed suitable to be vampires. 10 years old? Twelve at most. As human she would have looked youthful with being so young, transformation would only intensify that. Jane looked beautiful but what vampire would want a mate that in ways was still just a child?

I was stood there awkwardly infront of them, not speaking but staring at several members of the guard as well as the ancients, Aro seemed to pick up on my uncertainty.

"Irina, please stay and enjoy the ball however if you do not wish to stay here then Santiago will show you to your quarters." He indicated to the olive skinned vampire who had accompanied Felix and me to this room. Quarters? I had no intension to stay over night or day for that matter.

"My quarters? Can't I return home?" I questioned, I wanted to get home to my sisters. I would feel uncomfortable staying here with the soon to be murderers of my family, again. No. I shouldn't think of them like that, more like executioners for a criminal.

This term didn't make me feel any better.

Aro quirked an eyebrow as if I was being ludicrous, I didn't see what was wrong with my question, wasn't I free to leave? I felt the anger rising, I had a right to leave. It was the basis of peace, every member or visitor of the volturi had the right to leave Volterra and if the guards could leave, why couldn't I?

"You must stay within the walls of Volterra, you must accompany the guards on the mission and present your testimony should the need for it arise, therefore I must ask you to remain here, also I cannot guarantee your safety should you leave, they might seek revenge on you." He informed me. I knew who he was referring to although I doubted Carlisle would seek revenge on me; he did not take killing lightly. The others I was not so sure of.

"I think I will stay here then." I answered an earlier question rather than replying to his last statement, he seemed to understand what I meant and softly clapped his hands together.

"Excellent. Alaina, take Irina and find her some more…suitable clothing." He said as he glanced at my simple casual outfit. Immediately a female was next to me, taking my arm and leading me away from the thrones. Suitable clothing? Who said i meant staying at the ball? I peered back at Aro about to protest but he cut me off.

"Oh and Irina, I'd appreciate if you refrained from telling other's why you are here, no need to cause panic." He smiled at me before he disappeared from my sight.

I looked at the female, Alaina I assumed. She was holding my wrist in her grasp and was pulling me along. Her dress was one of the more modern gowns I saw around the ballroom, it was a simple dress in comparison to the others but just as glamorous, it flowed down her body, one strap was straight while the other ran diagonally across her back to connect with the first on her shoulder. The dress was a dark blue but the skirt of it took on a pleated style. In her beauty she was as glamorous as the dress, she had long slender arms and neck, her hair seemed to vary in its colour, changing from light to dark brown and was tied up. Her red eyes did not seem to suit her looks very well.

She pulled me through one of the large doors at the side of the room, into a narrow hallway, the floor here also of polished wood, the walls were painted white with brilliant paintings hanging on them.

"This is not necessary, I can just ask to go to my quarters." I told her as she pulled me along. She chuckled at my words, strange. I had not meant them to be amusing.

"Nonsense, you'd rob me of a chance to dress someone up?" She laughed in a light french accent, that explained the unusual name of Alaina then. I also noticed she wore diamond earrings in the shape of a flower, the necklace she wore were made of these flowers, completely encrusted in more diamonds.

"You don't mind?" I asked apprehensive, she seemed kind, kinder than I would expect someone from the Volturi.

"Of course not, I enjoy guiding the newcomers around here. It appears to me you will be staying here for some time." She must have been listening in to mine and Aro's exchange.

"Guiding?" I raised my eyebrows, dressing them up was guiding?

"Yes, it's sort of a job for me; I take it upon myself to make sure visitors settle in well. I guess I am sort of a housekeeper; I look over people, take charge of certain things unrelated to the law." she smiled at me. I was confused, was it an official job or was she just imposing?

"Is it an official position?" I questioned politely, trying to determine the answer. By now she was walking down a hallway with a dead end but I noticed a white door on the end that almost blended into the wall.

"Yes, Aro is a dear friend to me, we've known each other for millennia, he places a lot of trust in me to perform this task, he likes to make sure his visitors are comfortable when staying." I was figuring out this woman was very talkative; she could just easily give me simple answers but was going into detail.

"I'm Alaina by the way, you proberly know it but personal introductions are better I believe." She pulled me to her side now and moved her arm so it was gently around me; her hand grasped my left shoulder.

"Irina." I merely said before looking around in awe at the room we had just entered. It was a bedroom, beautifully decorated and very french. I recognised the styles of the furniture and guessed they dated from around the mid 1700's, everything was coloured in pastel colours with either white, silver or gold embroidery over it. The floor was covered in a thick cream carpet while the walls were white; the windows were drawn with thick blue silk curtains. The smell of silk and velvet in here was almost overpowering mixed in with her own scent of jasmine and freesia.

A large bed was against one wall with a small cluster of chairs and couches by a small marble fireplace which held an antique clock. The gold hands pointed to 2am.

"There's no point in getting ready for a ball when it's already started and its 2am, besides I don't think I'm quite up to it." I whispered quietly, looking at the double door walk in wardrobe Alaina was standing in. I felt hollow, upset and guilty. I wanted to curl up and dry sob for hours not dance.

"Nonsense, I find balls a great way to take my mind off things." She called back to me before reappearing, she stood infront of me holding her arms out to me, one arm was leant out to me while the other was high up and holding a hanger. The gown was draped across the arm she held out so I could see it better.

The gown was amazing, the front was made of dark cream silk with interlaced links designs embroidered on the front, the sides were made of a thinner material in a chocolate mocha colour which were attached to the bodice but separated from the skirt at the waist creating two parts to the dress. I looked at it in awe.

"I can't wear it." I blurted out and Alaina looked at me in surprise, this wasn't the reaction she had hoped for and her eyebrows came together in confusion. She looked hurt by my words as if I had told her I'd rather wear dirt.

"Why not?" she demanded, her french accent coming through as she said it. She quickly looked at the gown in detail before turning back to me, frowning.

"I came here to report a crime, not attend a ball!" I exclaimed frustrated. I had felt it building, the absurdity of it all, where was my choice in this? It seemed everyone was trying to talk me into doing things, steering me away from what I wanted.

Her expression distorted to anger for a moment but she hastily composed it and shook her head at me. She put the gown down on the expensive chair before walking up to me and looking me straight in the eye. I noticed her eyes were dark, dark burgundy that was almost black. I saw her tense slightly as she glared at me. All the kindness she displayed earlier was gone.

"Irina, you have made a decision to come here, you cannot leave until your duty is complete. As of now you are a guest of the Volturi and while you're here certain things will be expected of you, for instance your presence would be appreciated tonight, despite the late hour and your unexpected arrival." She paused and grasped my shoulders. "Now, I'm asking you to wear this dress and come with me back to the Ballroom, afterwards you will be shown to your quarters to change before you will most likely be summoned, do you understand?" she demanded through clenched teeth.

I could tell it was difficult for her to keep calm, her jaw was locked and she stood rigid. My words, seemingly harmless to me appeared to have struck a nerve within Alaina, she wasn't used to opposition. What I hadn't realised was that I was dealing with an ancient vampire, well over an millennia or two older than myself in what seemed to be a high position within the Volturi household. This felt as if I was a child again, scolded by her mother when I didn't do as I was told. I felt degraded and I wanted no more than to be on a plane back to Denali.

I nodded, she sighed and let go of my shoulders. She handed me the dress and stood there. I stood with the dress in hand just watching her for a few seconds, when she didn't move I realised she was going to watch me change. She proberly thought I might rip the dress when her back was turned, or that I'll run out the door. She huffed before quickly coming over to me.

Impatiently she ripped off my clothes, earning a shocked gasp from me as I tried to cover myself, she just tutted and grabbed the dress from my hands and unzipped it. She waited for me to lift my arms and when I did she slipped it on me and zipped it back up. If possible I felt even more childish, if I could blush I would be scarlet and had I been in a better position I would have argued and fought against her. She walked over to an oak dressing table and picked up a brush, she glided over and pressed it into my hands. Without speaking I obediently brushed my hair while Alaina disappeared again.

Suddenly I felt pressure on my neck; Alaina had slipped a heavy necklace onto me. The chain was encrusted with diamonds in rows of two until it reached the pendant where it came together in a cluster of 12 diamonds but it was the pendant that almost made my jaw drop. It was a massive teardrop shaped yellow diamond that rested around my throat. It screamed elegance, beauty but it felt like a choker to me. I could almost feel the dollars ooze out of it, this had to be the biggest diamond I had ever seen and most expensive.

"Well…don't you look stunning, I can imagine several men trying to catch your eye out there." She smiled; she tone seemed controlled, too sweet.

"Thank you, your very kind for allowing me to borrow your dress and necklace." I tried to be polite but if any venom came into my voice I hoped she wouldn't notice. I didn't like this woman, she reminded me of Aro. Kind as well as sweet on the surface but beneath the façade lurks someone else entirely, someone ready to rip you apart should you disagree.

"Borrow? No dear, a gift for you." she replied as she closed the door to the wardrobe and put the brush back. I mentally stuttered over my answer in utter disbelief as the vampire before me (who I barely knew) was causally giving me a gown and diamond necklace.

"But…I…I c-can't…" I desperately tried to get the words out but failed horribly, she whipped around towards me.

"I insist." She hissed firmly, she was frowning again. The expression seemed to make her age ten years as if all the years of life were starting to take their toll, but that was impossible for vampires. Deciding not to press this matter I fell silent. Alaina stalked from the room, leaving me to follow quickly.

The atmosphere between us had changed now a full 180 degrees from earlier, she no longer glided gracefully but stalked menacingly instead, she frowned instead of smiling her angelic grin. I had found out the hard way that Alaina possesed little to no patience at all. She also made no attempt to touch me soothingly or pull me along, expecting me to keep up with her. We reached the ballroom quickly and I had to take a breath before entering.

Everything seemed to have settled back to how it was before I arrived; everyone was dancing again and laughing. The group around the ancient leaders was not as big or tense. I glanced at the thrones, Marcus hadn't moved, neither had Caius but Aro was not there. I gasped when I saw him.

He was standing in the middle of the dance floor holding Sulpicia in a close rigid embrace. They held themselves as professionals where as everyone else around them used whatever skill they had from acquired from their human years if they hadn't learnt it. The couple stood in a small clearing, everyone around them had given them a wide berth and some of the guard were littered around them. The female who was glued to Aro's side earlier was clearly on edge and closer to the couple than anyone else. I never thought I would see anything like this but Aro and Sulpicia were dancing.

The way they moved was mesmerising, Aro whose walk was so graceful now looked shaky next to his dancing. They floated through the air in quick precise movements keeping perfect timing with the music drifting softly from the harp.

This surely would have broken the hearts of many professional dances; the most talented ballerina in the world would have hung their head in shame watching this. A vampire ballerina would have been heaving with dry sobs in disgrace. There was nothing to compare to it. How was it that someone so menacing, so powerful and frightening could almost make a vampire lose several trains of thought? I found words were not enough to describe it, it sounded so silly that a simple dance could hold me like this but it was like watching leaves dance in the wind, spinning with their invisible partner, swirling upwards in natural beauty.

Most of the vampires were still dancing, twirling in their small circles while trying to watch the leaders secretly. Most of them looked envious of the far greater skill before them however something about their dance seemed off to me.

While they moved gracefully they stared into each other's eyes, this wouldn't have surprised many people but the strange thing about it was that there was no emotion in their stares, their faces completely blank. No flicker of feelings in their eyes. They just twirled around and around not glancing anywhere else but the eyes of their partner, it seemed as if they were in a trance. Oblivious to world surrounding them.

I looked at the thrones where Caius still sat, next to him was a woman, she looked a lot like Sulpicia in both facial features and hair colour, hers was also a golden blonde but was shorter and straighter. This had to be Athenodora, she hovered by her husbands shoulder but they didn't touch, Caius face was blank as he looked at her. Perhaps this was as close to a genuine smile he could master for her, she on the other hand gave a small smile in return.

I wondered if Athenodora was a sister of Sulpicia, maybe a cousin but definitely a relation of some sort. Athenodora looked up and towards the dancing couple, I glanced at Sulpicia who suddenly broke the gaze between her and Aro caught her relative's eye, they held it for a small fraction of a second before Sulpicia went back to staring at Aro.

I couldn't work out what was going on, I had told Aro there was an immortal child and it seemed it he didn't care, instead of going to deal with it he's just spinning around on a dance floor.

Then it hit me, maybe Aro was dealing with it. I remembered the curious glances everyone gave as I talked to their leader, the tense guard and how Aro dismissed his brother's curious questions. The small group starting to surround the leaders as I was led away. The dance was for show. Aro was trying to show everyone here that everything was fine; defusing what could have started a panic. No doubt there would be a lot of angry and upset vampires here should they find out there's an immortal child running around somewhere. The news would ruin his party, he was distracting them.

He was doing a good job but soon enough I could hear the music starting to wind down getting softer until it came to standstill. As it did Aro lifted his hand and Sulpicia did a spin in his arms, Aro placed one hand behind her back as she tilted herself backwards while Aro leant forwards in a suitable ending position for a dance. Everyone broke into applause, I quietly clapped my hands together watching as Aro and Sulpicia bowed to each other before making a beeline for the thrones. The crowd immediately closed into the space they had been dancing in once it was no longer occupied.

Aro headed straight for his seat while his wife went to Athenodora, she gently placed her hand on her arm and whispered something into her ear. I could not hear it, whatever she said was most likely too low to be heard by anyone else than Athenodora. I had been lingering in the doorway to the ballroom only just aware that Alaina had long been gone and I had been standing there alone. I walked in and noticed how two men in tuxedos were watching me with sly smiles on. I had to swallow the venom that rose in my mouth, thank god i was a vampire, had i been human i might have not been able to resist the urge to throw up. I stood by one of the walls trying to stay inconspicuous hoping no one would talk to me, the sooner this was over the sooner I could get out of here.

It was becoming more difficult to keep my emotions at bay, they were there ready to take me over and suffocate me. I hadn't realised the consequences of my actions, I knew what would happen to the Cullen's but not what would happen to myself, I had no idea I would have to stay with Volturi. No knows when they will end up leaving for Forks, Washington, I hoped that it would be in a few days at most. Then again it wasn't something i was looking forward to seeing so i was also grateful for any delays we might encounter. A small part of me hoped there would be plenty.

The ball seemed to drag on and on, never ending. When would daylight come? Aro had instructed the guard to meet at Dawn so surely the ball would end soon and I could find some escape. I kept my place by the wall although when I noticed that someone looked like they were about to talk to me I'd walk away a few paces and pretend I was busy. I was in no mood to converse with someone i didn't know when i was somewhere I didn't want to be. The heavy diamond on my neck seemed to get heavier; I wanted nothing more than to rip it off. It was too extravagant for me; it felt as if Alaina had placed her own personal seal on me as many admired it and I heard a few hushed whispers about her after they saw me. I could imagine the whispers now "Look over there, it's another one of Alaina's diamond whores.". Fantastic.

The dancing continued but the sight was no longer magical after watching Aro dance, it may have been fake but it was still leaps and bounds better than everyone else. Finally all the leaders stood and Aro stepped forward, the music drifted to an end.

"My friends, I thank you for your company tonight. For those who must travel back to their homes, the weather is for once suitable to travel during the day but please refrain from feeding in Volterra and the surrounding cities. Again my dear friends, thank you." Aro finished before doing a slight bow to the vampires. After he stood straight, he took Sulpicia's hand and glided from the room, Caius took Athenodora's and they too followed them out. Marcus was last to stand, he stalked out of the room on his own. I could feel a twinge of pity for Marcus. I wondered what happened to Marcus to make him so unresponsive, so lifeless. If he was so unhappy here, why did he stay? I doubt it was the power, Marcus had never been overly active in enforcing the law.

I felt a hand on my shoulder causing me to whip around. It was Santiago, the vampire who followed me in when I arrived. He chuckled lightly as he saw my surprise; it was the first sound he'd made.

"I will show you to your room now, follow me." He told me, I nodded and followed him. He walked out of the room and started leading me down deserted corridors, after the vampires out in the ballroom I wouldn't expect any of them to be deserted since everyone would be leaving. But they still were and I noticed the quality of them went down as I we continued. We past doors with brass numbers on in hallways with thick carpets and beautiful paintings in, now we were walking down corridors that reminded me of the industrial hallway we went through when we came through the tunnels, my dead heart leapt, was he letting me leave? I hoped so but turning up in Denali wearing a ball gown and a diamond necklace would make my sister's suspicous. Hell i'd steal some clothes on the way from a suitcase or something, i'll even throw in the diamond for compensation. I could imagine the note i'd put with it: 'I stole your jeans, top and shoes but have a rare yellow diamond necklace worth millions of dollar's instead.' I'd love to see their reaction.

Sadly it turned out he wasn't letting me leave, instead he stopped out side a plain white door in a corridor with thin grey carpet and pale walls, Santiago reached into his pocket and pulled out a brass key and turned it in the lock, he stood back and let the door swing open. I stepped forward and looked at the room.

It was a decent size with a thick patterned carpet in beige, the walls were a similar colour, the room held a few unremarkable paintings, a queen size bed with fresh sheets on. There was a dressing table with brushes, combs and mirrors on. To the left of the room was a closet, next to that was a large fireplace with a dark leather sofa infront of it. It was better than I expected it to be and reminded me of the simple bedroom Carmen has at home. I turned back to Santiago.

"Thank you." I whispered, he didn't seem to notice it and glanced around the room before stepping forward and dropping the key into my hand.

"You will have an hour to change, once that time is up someone will come here to get you where you will be taken to the tower to the guard briefing." He informed me. Horror washed over me, guard briefing?

"What do you mean? I have no business being there." I snarled back, I didn't want to listen to their military tactics to the killing of my family. Having to accompany them to it was bad enough.

"Aro requested your presence and when he does so you will learn to go to him if he asks it of you." He frowned at me, he clearly did not appreciate that I was refusing his master's wishes. My only response was clenching my jaw, insulting his master infront of him won't do me any favours.

"The closet is stocked with clothes, take your pick, they are all for you." He gestured towards the closest before turning swiftly and leaving, shutting the door behind himself.

This was the first time I had been left alone for hours and unable to hold back the raw emotion that took me over I let a sob rock through me. My hand flew to my neck where it grasped the diamond and as if it was as light and thin as a spiders web I ripped it off and let it fall to the floor where yellow light suddenly reflected on the wall as the dull lamps caught the diamond. I felt lighter, free from the choke hold it had on me, I felt as if it broke some sort of connection between me and Alaina and therefore me and Aro.

I slowly went over to the bed and sunk down into it, I felt just as comfortable when I was standing up but I needed some support, something to stop me crashing to the ground, something to hold me up. I grabbed a pillow and hugged it fiercely, cursing that it was a useless bag full of feathers than the comforting, warm - and tingling in Kate's case - embraces of my sisters. Keeping their faces in my mind I laid back into the pillows and let the dry sobs flow.


AN: I've never written such a long chapter but I've noticed that I'm no longer rushing to get to the points I want to get to. I'm enjoying writing this story so much. Would it be greedy for me to ask for five reviews until I post the next chapter? There are visitors and there are hits so surely this story is being read. I don't think it's too much to ask it will only take you 30 seconds to review. Oh and pictures of Alaina's and Irina's dress and jewellery will be on my profile.

Let me know what you think! Thanks for reading my freaky darlings x