"And so I've been hoping that maybe you could help me. I don't dare to approach Strigoi, but they told me you were the least volatile," I was explaining to an audience that included the whole Cullen family and Bella. "It's frightening to be out of the Academy. I've never stepped outside before."

"Of course we'll help you dear,"the motherly looking one(Esme, I think) said, patting my hand as she spoke. "Won't we, Carlisle?" She turned to the breathtakingly handsome doctor.

"Amazing,"he breathed. "I've only ever heard Aro speak about the Moroi before, and it's fascinating to actually meet a dhampir. Of course we'll do everything in our power to help you." The Strigoi don't seem half bad. "But perhaps you'll like to sleep first? You seem tired. And you have a wedding to attend tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?"

"Bella and Edward are getting married tomorrow, Irma," Alice chirped. "And thank you so much for getting rid of the cut on Bella's face. It would have been horrible to have a gash on her cheek." She steered me to a bedroom while I mumbled that I didn't have anything to wear. Alice looked troubled. "I think people would understand," she said.

****

The next day I dressed myself as appropriately as I could. This meant a clean pair of jeans, a blouse and sneakers. I walked into a bathroom where Alice was moaning,"I only have so much time to make you look stunning Bella. You could have taken better care of my raw material."

Without a word, I walked over and put my hands over Bella's face. Quickly, the tired lines and minor eyebags disappeared. I felt like a walking airbrush tool. Alice looked at me gratefully and I just smiled.

Halfway through the day, at about the point of time when Bella's hair was done and the makeup just needed a good dusting, Esme glided in. "Oh honey, I'm so sorry we don't have anything for you to wear." Huh. It figures that they didn't have anything that fit me. These Strigoi were too stunningly fit.

"I can stay upstairs away from the ceremony if you'd like."

Bella turned her head. "No way. You come down and enjoy yourself. I'd join you wearing jeans and all, but Alice won't let me." I just nodded.

This afternoon was going to be murder. Weddings just made me feel all mushy inside, and receptions are like school dances. I never went because I knew I'd look horrible in comparison to the other girls. It was too awful being a wallflower when inside I was aching to have someone just ask me to dance, if only for a while.

****

The wedding was beautiful, even though I kept getting impolite stares from the guests. My spartan outfit and my outrageously curly hair was too difficult to hide. At the wedding reception, I tried my best to hide behind the food and the curtains, but Carlise found me and introduced me to a few more Strigoi friends. One Latino looking one mentioned,"You can control more than just spirit, my friend. Spirit controls all elements." That was new. I couldn't wait to try out manipulating other elements now.

Soon though, Alice started shooing Edward and Bella away in their going away outfits onto their honeymoon. Finally I can escape this wedding nightmare and get on with finding my mother.