Hi. Sorry to leave you there but I've just gotten back from Wellington and only now got a chance to update. I also had to update my other fics of which I'm currently balancing four, three of which are newish. I didn't really like the bit at the end with the Cullen's so I went back and edited it a bit with very subtle changes. You don't really have to read it but whatever. Here's chapter three, enjoy!


Chapter Three

"Good evening Miss Suicide."

The frail looking skin, the pitch black tresses. It couldn't have been Marcus with his snow white hair. That only left the other two, both almost identical with untouched raven locks despite their age. And judging by the welcome smile and deceptive friendly aura around the vampire I could easily guess which one I was dealing with.

"Lord Aro of the Volturi. What a pleasant…surprise." I smiled cordially and extended a hand "Bella Suicide. Though I can see you already know that."

He laughed, a sound as light as his feathery voice, and took my hand kissing it gently. An expression flickered across the face of the purple eyed brunette.

Annoyance? Whatever it was it was gone in less than a split-second and I was certain that no one but me saw it. And I wouldn't have even see it if I hadn't been looking at that exact moment.

She looked to be about twenty-five with luscious chestnut hair and a model's pout on her perfectly shaped lips. Her name came to me; Heidi.

I turned my attention back to Aro in time for his to straighten back up, a perplexed look on his face. I knew exactly what was confusing him, his gift of seeing every though an individual has ever had with a single touch was blind to me.

All powers are blind to me.

My lips quivered treacherously but I allowed no smirk to surface when I politely asked "Any particular reason for your visit? I take it this is not a social call."

The frown vanished into his eyes to watch me warily but his expression calmed. He gestured for me to sit down in my dressing table chair and I accepted without reminding him that this was actually my room and I should be the one offering seats.

I lay my hands softly in he lap and turned my full attention to Aro, pretending to be ignorant of the other vampires closing in subtly to form a circle around me – With no way out.

"Miss Suicide," Aro started.

"Bella, please Lord Volturi." I interrupted with a smile.

Aro returned it "Then you must call me Aro. The title makes me feel old." I inwardly snorted; this was from a man five millennia and still going strong.

As an afterthought he added with a brushing hand to his companions "Dimitri, Fabian, Jane and Heidi."

A 'look' was given to the last person. I recognised that 'look' as the look he used to give me. It all became clearer now. I next assessed the companions themselves.

The two men were first, both of them with sickly pale olive skin and thick black hair. Dimitri the tracker, no vampire or mortal was hidden. However I allowed him to find me, just this once.

Fabian created impenetrable force fields to keep out both enemy and, as an added bonus, eavesdroppers.

The child-like girl with the androgynous face was Jane the bringer of pain – for lack of a better word. Her sick little smile would bring anyone to their knees and now everyone was in revered awe around her. I couldn't wait for her expression when she used it on me.

Heidi, she was both the fisherman and the bait. Suggestive thought coupled with immense beauty goes along way in bring your food to you. This analysis took less than a second and my attention was back on Aro.

"Miss – Bella, perhaps it would be prudent if we warded the rooms before this particular conversation. Fabian?" The man raised his hands but I stopped him.

"Please, allow me." I said with a beatific smile. This would be the opportune time for me to unveil my own power.

I closed my eyes and looked within myself and selected a small tendril of my consciousness out of the spring locked deep in my mind. I mentally threw this small glowing string only I could see towards Fabian and hooked onto a small piece of the essence of his gift.

It retreated into me and the tendril went back into my inner well while the essence went into, I suppose I could call it a 'box' in the back of my mind ready for my beck and call.

His power was now mine for whenever I wished to use it. It would be nearly as good as the original but not as long lasting. Quite energy consuming in fact.

I opened my eyes again and threw up my hands in a mimic of Fabian's earlier movement. A pale white net cast out of my hands and covered the walls. No one would be able to hear us now. The Volturi stared at me and a calculating look appeared on Aro's face.

"Power manipulation," he said finally "This would be the reason why I could not get into your mind before."

The Volturi minus Heidi gave Aro a sharp look at this, Heidi would have already known through the bond. I nodded, pleased with him getting it quickly. It would save me an explanation.

Aro was still musing "This would of course be invaluable to my guards." I knew he'd make the offer but it's not in my plans to become one of the Volturi. Ally with them but not to actually join.

"Aro, your visit?" I prompted, knocking him out of his thoughts. "Ah yes, well Bella your fame has blatantly flaunted your status as a vampire to the world. This as you may imagine is a concern to the Volturi, us priding ourselves on being the 'polizia' as you say to vampires. We feel that your celebrity could reveal us to the mortals. That is not acceptable."

"Aro, I understand your apprehension completely but let me assure you, I have no intention of revealing myself to humans."

"You already have," Fabian pointed out "Your fangs are trademarked to Bella Suicide as is your unusual eye colour. Red is not natural for these mortals."

I shrugged "Humans think that they are props. To them the teeth are false and the eyes are contacts. Bella Suicide is an enigma behind a mask but no one doubts that she is mortal except for those who already know what we are. I know the risks and have taken precautions."

"If those fail?" Aro challenged.

I smiled; my fangs glinted in the lighting around my mirror "They won't."

"How can you be sure?" This was Heidi now, curiosity lacing her soft accent.

I tilted my head nonchalantly "This thing has been seventeen years in the making. Any possible exposure situations have been carefully analysed, twisted and refined until I have a way out for every possible angle. I'm sure."

I've spent one whole year working out the kinks, and without sleep that's twenty-four hours of planning excluding time set aside for feeding. That's thousands of hours of working just on exposure risks and ways around them. With all that behind me, I'm more than sure that I'm ready.

But they don't know that. They'll just have to take my word for it, if they can trust my word.

Or if they should.

That however remains to be foreseen.

"And if you loose control? I noticed your change in eye colour during your performance. Beautiful singing by the way." Aro complimented.

I nodded "Thank you. But you have no need of worry, my control is perfect. I've never fed from a human before."

"And yet your eyes tell a different story," Aro scrutinized my scarlet irises with his own. I met his gaze squarely

"I don't feed from humans, that's true. But that is not to say I don't drink their blood."

"Explain," came the short reply. I smirked and got up, gliding over to a box, specially built to my exact requirements, in the corner.

I tapped in a long number sequence into a keypad on the top and it opened with a hiss. Inside, layered comfortably inside the space were clear plastic bags full of thick red liquid. I picked one up, feeling the staring gaze of the Volturi on my back as I did so.

"I have no need to feed on humans, or animal for that matter because I have my own supply of blood for whenever I need it. The black in my irises before was from the adrenaline rushing in the climax of my music. It would be chalked down to being lighting or another technical matter if people noticed it at all."

"Where did you get it?" Heidi sounded curious again.

"I robbed a blood bank." I said, amusement colouring my tone.

"You drink it cold?" Demitri asked, his tone hinting a mix of curiosity and disgust.

I shook my head "No, the container is specially constructed to my precise instructions. It is opened by a constantly changing password, too long for any mortal to remember or type in without my realising they're there. It is kept to an exact temperature of thirty-seven degrees Celsius to mimic the body's heat. It is also labelled to the donor's details for taste. The system is impeccable."

"It's unnatural is what it is," Fabian snapped "Vampires are made to hunt and drink from humans, not plastic bags."

I smiled sweetly "And how many times have you slipped up and succumbed to you hunting instincts? Vampires loose themselves to their primitive nature when hunting and this makes for mistakes when they're not. I've never attacked a human and I have more control than, than…" I swallowed "Than Carlisle Cullen. This system allows me blood whenever I need it without having to kill a human. In fact, I needn't kill at all. And an advantage even to the 'vegetarian' type vampires is that I need not kill animals either."

Aro nodded thoughtfully "It is an interesting theory to be sure but I am certain I would not survive on it. Five thousand years eating habits cannot change easily."

"I would not dream of imposing my personal choice on you Aro. I am merely demonstrating one of my alternative control methods to ease your mind. I'm am not sure if the system works on all vampires as I never really had a taste for blood, neither in my previous life or existence now."

I have been thinking of testing my hypothesis on another vampire that had been drinking blood before that but now is not the time for this. Perhaps after my plan's success I could experiment. Aro was inspecting me again and I mentally prepared me for his expected offer.

"Such a thought out idea," he started "You cunning and intelligence intrigues me. Every one of my objections you have already thought of. In fact, if I did not know better I'd say you were expecting us."

You have no idea. I've been expecting you to come on this precise day for years.

"Have you ever considered the possibility of putting that intellect to use in another area? We could use you in our guard in the Volturi, the singing is a nice way to make money but it is hardly challenging."

"Thank you for your kind offer Lord Aro, but the singing offers another type of use for me. Joining the Volturi is not my intention." I said carefully but firmly. Aro's eyes got a dangerous glint and the Volturi shifted stance and Jane moved to Aro's side.

"Perhaps you better review that Miss Suicide. You skills at power manipulation will be a valued asset and you are hardly in a position to argue."

Au contraire Lord Aro. I'm in exactly the position I want to be. I shook my head with a slight smile

"No, the Volturi will have to do without my skills. They've managed for the last five thousand years have they not?"

Aro sighed "I've never met another with such a fascinating power as yours. Using other's gifts as your own. And unfortunately I'm not inclined to give up this prize so easily." He reached out and caressed Jane's face, Heidi's face turned to stone.

"Jane dearest, will you please give an example of what Miss Suicide will endure if she does not comply with my wishes?"

Jane gave a little giggle and smiled sweetly at me. Nothing happened. Her brow furrowed and I gave a mocking sugary smile back at her. She scowled with a nod from Aro leapt at me.

I flicked a hand and she hit the white web that sprang around me; Fabians force field. She hissed in fury and prepared to attack again but Aro held up a hand as I started to speak.

"Lord Aro, your torture will not work on me nor will attacking me. Unless I wish for it, gifts do not affect me. My answer for the Volturi is unchangeable but not final. I will be happy to work with the Volturi but not for. None of your powers will work on me but then will work for me to use on yourselves. As you know from experience Fabians shields are impenetrable even to you even if you use the entire of the Volturi. And if you do I will then just have more powers to choose from to attack you while you will not be able to use anything. I understand your motivation to have me also stems from a desire for me to be under the supervision of the Volturi but rest assured I will not be exposed and I will not join the Volturi." Aro watched me, weighing up his options. I continued, best get him while he's still considering and before the shield runs out. I could already feel my reserves start to drain.

"Like I said before, I will give my assistance to the Volturi if needed. If I have a spare moment I shall allow you to experiment with my power to quench your curiosity. But I have my own intentions and objectives to pursue." He was still considering. I released the force-field in a show of trust

"And if needed you can assign a 'chaperone' until you are convinced of my intentions and control." He nodded and looked around. His eyes set on Demitri and I cut in

"Preferably female, my celebrity guarantees paparazzi and I'd rather not have a conspiracy on my love life." His eyes turned to Jane. This would not do, I reached into my pool of consciousness again and selected another thread which hooked into a piece of Heidi's gift. Once absorbed I used my new suggestive thought to implant into Aro's head.

Not Jane, I thought at him the anger at her power not working will impede upon her judgement and give her a negative approach. Send Heidi, she will be a less biased judge, you trust her opinion.

His gaze switched to Heidi. I could, however, feel his reluctance at sending her so far away and for an undetermined period of time. He looked back at Jane. I inwardly sighed and tentatively sent a thought to Heidi; I didn't know if she would be receptive to thoughts that were not her own considering this was her power.

Volunteer, The girl intrigues you, she has plans, she would be interesting to be around, Aro wants you to do this for him, he trusts your judgement, volunteer. Her brow furrowed and she looked straight at me. I was filled with apprehension and if I was still human my heart would be beating a steady hole through my chest.

"I'll do it," she said suddenly. I was filled with relief. Aro looked at her with doubt. I knew he wouldn't like her being so far away from him but he trusted her judgement much more than the others.

"Are you sure?" he asked, an expression in his tone that wasn't used with anyone else including Jane. Heidi nodded and touched Aro's arm. I realised she was letting him know her thoughts.

He appraised her and she smiled, a private meaning passing between them. I was hit suddenly with the memory of secret meanings passed between myself and Edward. I felt a twinge in my chest at the sight and wished for Aro to leave already. I desperately sent a thought to him and he straightened

"Fine," he said "You will check in regularly and return home when a definite analysis has been reached." he gestured to the rest of the Volturi and turned to me.

"Thank you for your hospitality Bella, this visit has been very…instructive but I believe it is time for us to take out leave back to Italy." The Volturi nodded and I released the force-field around the room. Without another word the Volturi, minus Aro, vanished. Aro turned back to Heidi.

"You will be careful," he ordered softly.

She smiled "I'll be fine. I'm shadowing a vampire singer, there is no danger involved with this."

If only she knew.

Aro looked slightly appeased "Until next time," he said catching her lips with his own in a brief kiss. The contact ended shortly and he vanished but it still set a sharp pain in my insides.

It was slightly weird to see such an old looking man kiss someone in their mid-twenties but I guess the love between mates does not care for the boundary of age. Edward was a centaury older than me. But I guess it turned out that he didn't really consider a mortal as a mate possibility.

I was going to change that.

Heidi turned to me, the room around us silent. Her purple eyes gleamed and we stared each other down. I decided to break the ice first.

"Bella Suicide." I offered my hand. She stared at it then shook it

"Heidi, of the Volturi." she replied. The awkwardness was killing me; I needed to forge a bond with her.

"You need proof of my control around humans." I started, she looked at me wordlessly.

"I have access to the V.I.P section of every club in this city. What better place to test control than an area teeming with mortals excreting the stench of sweat and sex, blood pounding and hearts racing?"

She tilted her head in deliberation. I decided to appeal to her more Rosalie side. I know she wasn't like Rosalie, she was smarter and stronger but I still bet she had some of Rose's qualities and I was banking on this one.

"I also have a walk in wardrobe with four levels and a team of personal designers." She mirrored my smirk and I knew she was sold.


Somewhere in the streets of Bristol

"And how do we know where Bella Suicide is?" Rosalie asked as they walked through the streets of London.

"Because," Alice said leading them into a building "I read in some magazine that she keeps a penthouse apartment in Bristol." They'd walked into a flash apartment complex and Alice led them up to the main desk. The woman at the desk looked up as they approached.

"Hi." Alice said brightly. Rosalie rolled her eyes and Emmett sniggered.

"Welcome to the Belgravia complex. Do you have an invitation from one of the residents?" the woman asked politely.

Alice shook her head "Not exactly."

The woman frowned "Sorry, this is a private complex and without a personal invitation from one of the residents I can't grant you entry. Please leave the premises or security will escort your out."

"Didn't really think this out did you?" Rosalie said, too fast for the woman to hear. Alice scowled at her sister; Jasper sent over a wave of calm.

"Look, we need to speak to Bella Suicide-"

"You and the rest of Britain," the woman interrupted "But unless you've got an invitation you're not going to."

"Let's just go," Jasper said and added almost silently "We can just break into her apartment or run past the woman."

Alice shook her head "No, can you just put my name down or something? It's Alice Cullen."

The woman looked up sharply at that "What was the name again?"

"Alice Cullen." Alice repeated "Why? Do we have an invitation or something?" she asked slightly confused.

No one knew they were coming. Not even the rest of her family knew. The woman reached for an item under her desk

"As it so happens Miss Suicide is not currently in residence but she did leave this at reception for anyone with the last name Cullen or Hale." Alice took the small item in surprise. She held up the item to her husband and siblings, it was a small shiny pocket mirror.

"Vanity Fair." she read off the back. "Do any of you have any idea what that means?"

"It's a nightclub," the receptionist commented behind them "Really popular."

Jasper took it off his wife and examined it "There's an address," he said.

Emmett shrugged "Looks like we weren't unexpected after all."


And the plot thickens with an introductory to new character: Heidi. Yeah, I liked her better than Jane and I dunno, I guess when Carlisle said that the Volturi started off with three males who were joined by two females I thought that at least one of them should have been mates. And I love Aro so I chose him and Heidi. If you don't like it deal with it. Aro's kind of touchy feely so I thought that Heidi might get jealous and annoyed. Bella's power, I personally think it's something to do with power manipulation since she's not affected by certain powers as a human and would carry that trait to her vampire self. In New Moon it said when Bella saw the people the Volturi were about to eat that 'the story they'd been told to get them there didn't make sense anymore' I thought of Heidi as having suggestive thought. Like implanting thoughts in the mind to make it seem like you'd thought of it. That's basically my reasoning behind it, just so you know.

Putting feathers on a cow will not make it taste like chicken…

Love Queen Cocaine

XXX