a/n: It's been a while, but juggling this RL stuff ain't easy. Hope you enjoy the update. Much love to abbymickey24, stephlite, and SagaDevotee

Perfectly Picked: The Swan Song
Chapter 2: Changing

Marcus POV

My Isabella was going to be amazing. I watched as Isabella whimpered and thrashed about my bed. Technically she would be dead, but no more so than she was when I met her. She was so broken, but she would heal and she would prevail. I returned to her bedside and touched her hand, my cool skin seemed to calm her immediately. She was a very beautiful human and I would miss her delicious flesh, so soft and supple. Yet, she was becoming a vampire, the very thing she did not want. Isabella would accept me in time.

Fear then coursed through me. What if she did not want me? What if she sent me away? In all my time, I had only once seen where a vampire denied their mate. Aro could be quite the fickle vampire. A wonderful creature by the name of Siobhan visited Volterra to introduce herself to the proclaimed rulers. She wasn't a woman of the court, but she wanted to show respect. She was tall, robust with fire kissed hair and a round face. I immediately saw her connection to her Aro. However, her direct nature and ability to speak her mind was something he was unaccustomed to. She was a woman ahead of her time, and he dismissed her easily.

It was a shame really. Had he took the time to get to know her, he would have learned of her gift. She had the ability to foresee the outcome of events and even sometimes found ways to manipulate them. She was heartbroken when she left, rejected. I prayed that she would find one worthy of her fierceness. Aro later found and mated with Sulpicia, a soft-spoken and obedient woman. Just the type of woman Aro wanted. How he could have been the lucky one to find love again. He was an undeserving monster.

What if Isabella would want this Edward over me? I had already lost a mate to death, but to lose another by being rejected would destroy me more.

I pondered this line of thought for a few more seconds until I burst out in laughter, startling the changing Isabella in the process. She would not deny me. I was Marcus, son of Antero DelVichhio. My human blood may have been dead inside me, but it still burned strong within my soul with truth.

I shall have her.

"Not you…..not this…. You pro-mm-ised. YOU PROMISED!" Isabella screamed.

"And you said you could not live forever without your mate beside you," I told her.

"ED…WARDD!"

I tired of her screaming that imbecile's name. It was just hours ago she was in the throes of passion, screaming mine. Soon, soon she shall remember Marcus and remember that it's my venom that flows through her veins. Isabella would know that I own her heart and her soul. As she would certainly own mine.

"You, Isabella, are my mate, my life. You will be healed from this pain and never be broken again. My venom will make you stronger. My soul will always be yours. And I, my sweet dove, will never leave you. I could not, would not," I whispered to her.

"Mar…Marcus…," her voice broke through in a moan.

I cradled her face with my hand, her cheek molding into my palm. She continued to thrash, but seemed to be seeking my touch. I climbed onto the bed and pulled Isabella's body into my lap. Hopefully the chill of my body would offer her some comfort now. Yet, even I knew it would not matter in a few more hours. She would be even more consumed by the venom destroying the last remnants of her humanity.

With nothing to do but wait, I began to tell her of my past.

I was born in 688 A.D. in the northern city of Italy called Trento. My father was a nobleman and we lived a good life despite the wars with the Byzantines. In 713, I was sent to serve the Lombard King, Liutprand. We would conquer Spoleto and Benevento, but it was in Ravenna that I would lose my life and be reborn as a vampire.

Aro was watching bemusedly from the sidelines as we fought against the Byzantines. I thought he may have been traitor to our King and darted through the field of battle for him. I was on my back and burning from his venom within seconds of my attack. To this day, I do not know what stayed Aro's hand from draining me dry. I cannot say that I am grateful, as the years following were long, tortuous, and unnerving.

"Aro is evil and wretched. It will be difficult at first to even be in his presence, but I have a feeling you will put him in his place, young one. Still, I will not let what befell my poor Didyme…," I choked back a small sob for my first love.

I could already feel my heart healing from the pain of her loss. Isabella was healing that, but at the same time she was opening up the pain I held in for so long.

"Didyme was my first mate," I told her.

Isabella's body rose from my arms and I believe her first attempt at growling. I couldn't help but chuckle, pressing her back down safely.

"Calm down, sweet dove. Didyme is long gone, ashes on the winds of the past. I will never forget her, but you own me now."

That seemed to calm Isabella in that respect and I continued to tell her my story. I told her of Caius and Aro's need for power, but how I found my happiness in my mate.

"Devotion, Isabella. That is what a true mate has. Never would we forsake it or abuse it."

I told her of my gift, the ability to see ties and connections. I told her of our connection, the rope of fidelity already strong, but love was dim and weak. Only time could build those, make them stronger. But I could fortify them with hope, for now.

For the remaining hours, I praised her for her fearlessness. She was so brave and strong, even though her mortal life was coming to an end, she was still confident and bold. Isabella always had that in her and those qualities would be more pronounced with the change. Her beauty would be endless and men, vampire and human alike, would fall to her feet. I too would be slain by her prowess and desire.

By the second day, I doubt Isabella could even understand anything I told her. She had stopped her screaming as the pain had totally consumed her. However, I knew her mind would still be grasping what it could hang on to at this point. I did not want her to forget anything, even her anger towards me for changing her. So I began to ask her questions, provoke the memories to come forward, in an attempt to burn them into her mind. I asked her about her parents, her friends, her jobs, her likes and dislikes.

I wanted her to remember the fucking Cullens. I wanted her to remember Edward, how he left her, abandoned her, and supposedly loved her. Then I began to kiss down her neck and caress her exposed flesh. I wanted her to remember me, my smell, my touch, how I ravished her over and over, and how I gave her the gift of immortality.

Towards the end of the day, I began to tell her many stories of my time amongst the Volturi. I mentioned when Carlisle came to us and stayed for some time. Aro and Caius' thirst for blood and power proved to be too much for his delicate, vegetarian stomach. I once even provoked his uptight morality for the sake of pure amusement. Demetri and I had decided to bring him along for a spontaneous hunt. He thought we were going to try animals. I would never feed from something so disgusting. We "accidentally" happened upon a family of peasants camping in the woods. As it turned out, one of the peasants was his singer. The young, bronzed haired boy did not stand a chance. Carlisle drained him dry before the others could even run. It was the first time I had actually see him enjoy a meal.

"And he says he has never shed innocent blood. Please! It is no wonder he changed your former love. He reminded him of the feast he could never have again," I told her with delight.

Isabella squeezed my hand and released what sounded like a snort. Some of what I spoke was getting through to her and I was glad I could at least give her some humor through this madness. Her body began to change, becoming more toned, her curves more defined. Her breasts were even fuller and they would accentuate her now somewhat taller body. Isabella had gained two inches on her shorter frame. Her hair brightened from its duller brown to rich chocolate with hints of red. Immortality would fit her just fine.

Worry continued to plague me for the rest of the night. Aro would not let me be happy for long. He and Caius had kept me on a very short leash for the past few centuries. I did not have it in me to leave Volterra. I was dead inside for the most part after losing Didyme, but it was the possibility of revenge that kept me there. I knew that the only way to discover who took her away from me was to stay. Isabella would bring back to joy to my heart and the freedom from this place I craved. I could not take on all of the Volturi with a newborn mate. I would have to tread very carefully. But what of my revenge?

Being hunted down by the Volturi was not a life I wanted for myself, nor my dear Isabella.

Sighing, I put those thoughts away to watch the sun rise on the third day. Isabella's already pale body was as beautiful as the finest porcelain. Her skin was as smooth as silk and by transformation's end, as hard as marble. Yet, she would be soft to me. As the sun rose, the light flickered through the sheer silk curtains, cascading over us on the bed. Isabella's skin began to sparkle like diamonds. Her change was nearly complete. It was a little faster than I expected, but only by a few hours. I decided to bathe her, ridding her of the excess blood I spilled. Messiness was a thing of the past for me, but Isabella had caught me in quite the precarious moment. I was hungry, sexually starved, and she tasted oh so delicious.

She remained motionless and silent as I bathed her. If it wasn't for the erratic beats of her heart, I would have thought her beyond this life. The door to our haven opened and instinctively, I pulled Isabella from the tub and cradled her in my lap as a fierce growl erupted from my throat. In the back of my mind, I could smell the scent of my confidant, Demetri. That didn't matter as another vampire was close to new mate. I heard him chuckle and he left soon after. Once I couldn't smell him any longer, I hastily dried Isabella off and brought her back to the room. The bed had been changed and the bloody sheets removed. Laid on the bed was a new black suit for me and a shimmering, black dress for my mate. It was rather short for my taste, but it would accentuate her gorgeous legs. Demetri had also added a pair of heels. They were a vast difference than the runners she wore when we met.

Once we were both dressed, I laid her back down on the bed and sat in the chair furthest from her. When Isabella woke, she would be scared and confused. Newborns' initial reaction to waking is fear. Waking into this life can be very disorienting. Also, I was no fool. Isabella would also be rather pissed at me, but I was still excited for her to awake. My Isabella, my mate.

My phone vibrated, alerting me to a message.

Demetri: Has your new pet left you already?

I did not know what he was getting at. I did not want to alert anyone as to her being more than what she was.

She is still changing.

Demetri: I cannot sense her. It's like she is not even there.

That was interesting. Could she be gifted?

She is fine. I am placing my phone on silent.

Demetri: Oh newborns. The slightest things set them off. Good luck, Master Marcus.

I chuckled at his response. He was absolutely right and I would certainly have my hands full with Isabella. I sat up straighter in the chair as Isabella's heart began to pound against her ribcage. It was almost time for her to rise.

"He thinks this place is hidden! We have always known about this place!"

Jane. They had found me. I looked over to Bella's body, she was beginning to arch and thrash. I exited the room, hoping I could keep Jane from her. I reached the main entrance door just before Jane kicked it in.

"Jane, to what do I owe the pleasure?" I asked her.

She barged her way in, her oaf of a mate, Felix, hot on her heels. He slammed the door shut behind him and attempted to make an intimidating pose in front of it. They have thought me weak for too long.

"Aro asked for you days ago. I have been sent to return you to your place," she growled.

Isabella gasped from the room and Jane swept behind me, banging the door open.

"HE MADE A NEWBORN! THE OLD FOOL!" She screeched.

I was on her instantly, throwing her from the doorway. She flew into the old bookcase I built in 1647. Pity.

"Volterra is ruled by 3. Not 1." I all but growled at her.

"Traitor!" shouted Felix as he charged me.

I was able to easily dodge the big oaf, reaching back to grab him by the arm. I pulled him close and was about decapitate him when the little witch came to his rescue. No one was immune to her gift.

"PAIN!"

I dropped Felix immediately, falling to my knees in the most agonizing pain I have ever felt.

"STOP! I ORDER YOU! STOP!" I screamed at her.

Jane had never used her powers on me. Yet, I had attacked her mate and apparently had worn Aro's patience. Sending Jane was a clear sign of that. No more thoughts passed my mind as she turned up her gift.

Blinding….hot….pain

"SSSSTTTTTOOOOOOPPPP!"

"All vampires made in Volterra must go through Aro's approval. We all know this Marcus. And for all other vampires, it looks like there are three rulers, but we all know it is Aro who is the true King and Caius, his mighty enforcer. You are nothing but the remnants of a time for….."

Immediately, I could see again, no longer consumed by Jane's gift. I first saw Felix's head still spinning in a circle on the floor. I corrected myself as best I could. Jane was certainly an expert at using her gift and even vampires needed time to recover from that level of pain. I turned to see Felix's body twitching and there, by the bedroom door stood my Lady Isabella.

"He told you to stop!" She screamed at Jane.

Isabella was holding Jane up by her throat. She was squeezing so tightly that cracks begin to form on Jane's neck. She was moments away from being decapitated. As much as I wanted Jane to pay for her insolence, I knew that it would not bode well for me, nor my mate. I stepped closer to her and placed my hand on her shoulder, hoping my presence would calm her. Isabella reached back and bit my hand in warning. I saw her head move, but those newborn reflexes were very fast.

"Keep your hands off me," Isabella muttered.

I stepped away from her. She had not released Jane and the smaller vampire frantically kicked at Isabella's body, clawing at the hand gripping her throat.

"Please put her down, Isabella. Her master is a vicious one. He would hurt us both if she is destroyed," I whispered to her. "Aren't you thirsty, Isabella?"

It was a dirty trick, but it worked none the less. She lowered Jane down to the floor and grasped her own throat with her other hand. She looked from me to Jane and threw her into the wall by the door.

"Aro will not allow this! I will not allow what you did to me and my mate!"

Isabella growled, but I raised a hand at her. It did nothing to silence her, but at least she had yet to lunge at the diminutive hellion before us. I pulled out my phone and dialed Aro. I had only one option and I had hoped not to play this yet. However, for Isabella and my sake, I needed to take this chance.

"Marcus, you've been missing for some time. Is all well?" Aro's slimy voiced echoed over the line.

"Master, you'll never guess what he's…," Jane whined.

"Silence, child," I said to her, Isabella growling as well.

Jane quieted immediately. I knew she would not defy me in front of Aro. He always liked to keep up pretenses. I turned to make sure Isabella had not left the room. No longer could I hear her growling at Jane. She was currently being distracted by her new shimmering skin.

"Jane, do not anger Marcus. We know he is still on edge after all these years," Aro spoke as if I was a pet.

I did not want to delay this any longer.

"I invoke Una Tregua Vera," I stated.

Jane and Aro both gasped. There were several other gasps on Aro's end and I heard several curses from Caius. The noise shocked my mate again and she backed herself into the far corner of the room, a low growl in her throat.

"Brother please, we can work this out. I am sure Jane and Felix did not mean to be so aggressive. They are still young, a misunderstanding…," he pleaded.

"I have already spoken. I claim the One True Truce. I am not to be hunted, followed, or contacted. Anyone in my company shall not be attacked or bothered."

"I know Una Tregua Vera! I know what it entails. I created it! Know this brother, to invoke this is to forever bind you to the Volturi. Once your time is over, you belong to us forever. Or your life is forfeit," Aro replied.

Each brother and Elite guard was given this sacred vow. It was created by Aro in order to trap his specially gifted vampires to him. A vampire that invoked this was allowed a decade away from the Volturi. They could not be contacted or tracked. They were essentially free from any of their previous obligations of the coven. All crimes were excused at that point of invocation. You were still to abide by the laws of the vampire community while away. However, upon your return, you would be starting anew. Yet, you would be bound to the Volturi until you were ash.

Aro and Caius had each used theirs. Caius invoked when he killed the daughter of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, in broad daylight on a bright sunny day in 1369. Aro had used his when he turned his pet twins, Jane and Alec. They were much too young, but Aro wanted them based on the gifts they could possibly have. They were dying of the plague in 1679 in Vienna and he invoked on the spot.

I checked on Isabella again and she had crawled back into the bedroom. She was trying to drink water from a cup in the room. She spat it back out and tossed the glass in the walls. She once again clutched at her throat. Our eyes locked and I knew distractions would no longer keep her occupied.

"Fine Aro. Good. Must go now. Goodbye," I rushed along.

"Wait…Marcus!"

I ended the call and stuffed the phone into my pocket. I looked to Jane and she growled at me before she grabbed the pieces of her mate and left. I heard her curse and screech as Demetri's cheerful laughter met my ears. I was saddened to have to say goodbye to him. He then appeared before me with a bright smile.

"Master, our car is waiting," he said, wearing a satchel over his shoulder.

"Our car?" I asked.

"Master Marcus, I have always protected you since the day you turned me. I would not leave you to wander this new world alone," he spoke humbly. "Or with new company."

Demetri looked over my shoulder at Isabella. She was currently staring at herself in the dressing mirror. I guess I was mistaken about distractions. I turned back to Demetri to try to reason with him from being involved. Yet deep down, I knew his loyalty and he would not abandon me.

"Aro will have your head. You are his best tracker."

"It was actually Aro's idea for me to guard you and assure that you make it back in ten years' time," Demetri smiled.

It was then that I took in the rest of his attire. He was dressed rather…touristy. He wore a baseball cap, dark shades, a long-sleeved pullover and jeans. He was also wearing a pair of runners, similar to Isabella's. Demetri then tossed me a bag of clothes.

"Had I known we were making a getaway, I would have laid these out instead."

I nodded at him and walked to a frantic Isabella. She turned to me swiftly, startling me slightly. It had been a while since I was in the company of a newborn.

"I thirst!" She screamed, backing away from me slightly.

"Blood is what you need," I said to her and she continued to scratch her throat.

I pulled her hand from her throat, attempting to keep her from making permanent damage. She was digging too deep and venom was leaking from her scratches. The blood would heal her. I rushed around the room, grabbing her old knapsack and stuffing a few items into it. Bella caught a whiff of her human scent and she tried to grab the bag. I threw it all to Demetri, Isabella's eyes following its direction, but didn't follow. She was smart still being as hungry as she was. She knew not to attack the strange vampire holding what could have been a potential meal.

I blocked her path from continuing and I could tell she was calculating how to escape. Demetri slowly retreated from the room. I snapped my fingers in front of her, trying to gain her attention once more. She turned to me again, only to growl and back away. We didn't have time. I slowly approached her, extending my hand to her. I wanted her to come willingly, to trust me.

"Come, my Isabella. Come with me."

She took my hand a lot faster than I expected and squeezed tight. I winced as heard two of my fingers crack.

"I...know you," she said while examining my face.

I kissed her hand, thanking her for entrusting me. Isabella whimpered again and we made our way out of my home.

"We need to get her fed," I said to Demetri.

"There is bagged blood in the car for now, Master. Fresh and warm," Demetri spoke as I ushered Isabella down the cobblestone stairs.

"Thank you Demetri. You do not have to come with us," I told him.

"Ten years away from those old bastards is well welcomed. Plus who knows? I may actually enjoy myself," he said, laughing as he spoke.

I turned to Isabella before we stepped out of the shadows. The car was right next to us. We would shine for only a moment. It didn't matter as there was no one around these old buildings. I opened the door for her, the smell I was quite sure was awful. New car smell with leather added with Demetri's scent probably smelled of sweaty feet and cloves.

"This is not the way I expected to do this. You may not fully trust me now, but deep down you know innately that I will not harm you. Follow me and I shall quench all of your thirsts," I said softly, bringing up my hand to touch her cheek.

She simply nodded. Demetri swiftly got in on the other side. Just as I was about to tuck her into the car, she stopped.

"I know you… But your eyes are wrong. Your face is wrong. Your hair is wrong. Are you not…Edward?" She asked, her head tilting to the side.

For the love of God!

"Not now, nor will I ever be that insolent child. I am Marcus. And by the end of this day, you shall never forget it."

I pulled her by the arm and sat her in the car. Demetri pushed a button up front and a compartment opened in the back filled with bagged blood. It was truly fresh and virginal. Demetri was spoiling her rotten. Isabella immediately grabbed the bagged blood and bit into it. I noticed that Demetri had covered the whole entire back seat in plastic. I winced at the mess she was making, but someone needed to be back there with her. She didn't even noticed as I slipped beside her, already draining three of the bags.

We drove off, leaving everything behind us. I had ten years to decide what I would do. Once Aro knew of Isabella, he would know something was off. He did not know she was my mate, but he knew I would not just change someone lightly.

"Where to?" Demetri asked, grimacing from the mess Isabella was making.

We needed a secluded place here in Italy. We could not fly until Isabella had calmed some. I would have to train her well.

"Montefoscoli, the cottage in hillside. However, you can stay at the villa in town," I replied, knowing he loved it there.

"Excellent choice."

I watched the scenery change as Demetri sped through the countryside. It was quiet for a few more minutes, only the sound of Isabella slurping down her meal. She would become more lucid soon. And I knew I would be a long trip to…,"

"MARCUS! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME?!"

"Fuck," Demetri and I both mumbled at the same time.

a/n: Isabella is pissed! Hope you enjoyed.