Saphira and Bella had finally finished their food and were now on their way to the Cullens. Saphira has never travelled the road Bella was driving on right now so she was very curious to know where exactly the Cullens lived. She knew they lived out of town, but she didn't think lived so far out of Forks. At least the scenery is pleasant. Saphira was honestly a little nervous about meeting the Cullens. She didn't exactly know what to expect when she finds out why they seem different. She decided she shouldn't expect anything, but that was a hard decision. When Bella drove through a hidden drive way, weaving through the trees towards a modern house with three floors and almost completely covered with windows. It was a nice sight, but still it was foreboding to her and she probably is overreacting. When she stopped in front of the house, Bella looked to see Saphira looking down at her knees. She was shaking a little.
"The Cullens aren't going to hurt you Saphira," Bella said softly.
"I know, but it's knowing why they are a different that scares me," Saphira replied, glancing up at her. "We should go in now. I would not want to keep this going for long."
Bella nods in agreement and steps out of the truck. Saphira was quick to follow and walked to the front door where Carlisle opened the door for them.
"Hello Bella," He said to Bella first before glancing to Saphira. "Welcome Saphira, it is nice for you to come here."
"I'm sure," Saphira smiled slightly. "We need to talk."
"Yes, we do, but upstairs," Carlisle said with a smile, turning to walk towards the stairs.
Saphira followed behind Bella, feeling how light and open the house was. It was nice, but she still had a mission.
When she walked into the living room, she Edward's siblings and Carlisle's wife, Esme. Saphira hasn't seen much of Esme, only at some hospital functions with Carlisle and she didn't really talk to her.
"How nice it is to officially meet you," Esme said gently with a warm smile. "I do hope you feel right at home."
"I hope I might," Saphira smiled slightly as she moved to sit on a chair. "I'm going to go straight to the point. You all seem…different. The men I encountered in Italy seemed similar to you with pale skin and perfect white teeth, and gorgeous too. But they had red eyes, you…you all have gold and sometimes black. I am a little worried that they would track me down."
"I understand Saphira," Carlisle said slowly. "What we are going to tell you is top secret. You cannot tell anyone about us. Bella found out by researching legends and myths about us, and she also knows this rule. Anyone who knows of us, will have to face the wrath of the Volturi."
"Um, okay," Saphira said uncertainly.
"Do you believe in vampires?" Edward asked cautiously.
"Not really," She replied with a frown. "Why?"
Edward smiled slightly. And suddenly, without even blinking, he was in front of Saphira who jumped in fright. "Holy shit!" She cursed, pulling her legs onto the couch in fear. "You…you just…uh, what happened?"
"If you ever had to outrun us, you will never win a race," Alice said softly.
Saphira was about to speak when suddenly she couch lifts into the air, making Saphira scream. She glanced down and saw Emmett holding the couch with a grin. Her eyes widened and he put the couch down.
"Oh…what the hell are you?" Saphira demands. "Are you actually vampires?"
"Yes," Carlisle said softly. "And yes, we do drink blood. But unlike the rest of our kind, our family survive on the blood of animals."
Saphira really didn't know what to think. Vampires?! Blood sucking demons! She should be frightened of them, and she was, but not terrified. She didn't understand why.
"Please calm your thoughts Saphira," Edward said softly, surprising Saphira. "We are not here to hurt you. I know you're frightened, but we can't harm you."
"Can't? What do you mean?" Saphira asked with a frown. "What happens if I tell people about you?"
"You will die, as will we and all the people who know of us," Rosalie said with a firm expression. "I'm sure you don't want that. The Volturi don't."
"Who are the Volturi?!" Saphira demands.
"You already met three of them," Carlisle said calmly. Saphira turned to him with a frown. "Aro, Caius and Marcus are the head of the Volturi, and they lay down the rules for us vampires to live by. They are, essentially, rulers."
Saphira was speechless. She remembered their names well, but she had no idea they were vampires. Their red eyes, that must mean they feed on humans! That is not what she needed to hear.
"Yes, they drink human blood," Edward said softly.
"Why do you speak as though you can read my mind?" Saphira sneered coldly.
"Because I can," Edward replied calmly. "Not all vampires have gifts, but I am able to read your thoughts. Alice has the gift of foresight and Jasper can feel and manipulate emotions, that is some of the gifts we have."
"And the three m…vampires I met?" Saphira asked curiously.
"Aro is capable of reading the thoughts of anyone by touching them," Carlisle explains softly. "Marcus can see the bonds between people. Regardless if they are friend, foe or lovers. Caius has no actual gift, but he is sure a good fighter."
Saphira was not sure why she would be comfortable with any of the three men. She doubts they are the only ones of the Volturi. She really was uncomfortable right now. She could not calm her racing heartbeat, but yet she was not panicking.
"I bet this is overwhelming," Bella comments.
"Hardly, it's more than that," Saphira said softly. "I must ask, the Volturi leaders were being rather flirty with me in Venice when I was there. Is it normal for them to do it? To…draw in their prey?"
"They do not go after their prey like that," Alice reassured softly. "You didn't feel anything upon seeing them?"
"Alice, I doubt Saphira felt the bond yet," Carlisle said softly. Saphira was about to ask about it. "The reason why Aro, Caius and Marcus spoke to you in that manner is because a bond was created between you and them. The earth has basically shifted from under them, you are the only thing more important to them than their power now. For three thousand years, they have been waiting for a mate. You are theirs."
Mate? No…that can't be! Why me?! Can't they find someone else!
"I'm afraid they cannot choose who their mate is Saphira," Edward said gently. "I certainly didn't. I felt the same with Bella. The bond is different. Do you feel a void in your life right now?"
"Yes…but…that isn't it is it?" Saphira asked with a frown.
"It is your bond," Carlisle said softly. "There is a hole in your life now until you go back to Italy. Bella here became utterly depressed that she tried suicidal things to try and see Edward. It can get very bad. You only just met the kings so you won't feel the extreme feeling. But…you can't be away from them forever."
Saphira didn't know what to say right now. Did that mean they knew she lived in Forks. "How do you know I am the mate?"
"Alice had a vision about it," Jasper said softly. "You, sitting on your own thrown in Volterra. Our queen."
"Queen?!" Saphira breathed deeply for a moment. "And how did they know I am from Forks?"
"Because I was sent to protect you," A voice said, making the vampires tense a little.
Saphira saw another vampire walking up the stair, clad in a black coat with short, brown hair. He seemed youngish, but his red eyes were very distinguishable. But what shocked her the most, he was sent to protect her.
"Were you really sent to protect me, or follow me?" Saphira asked bluntly.
"Both," He replied softly. "I am Demetri, my queen, I am the best tracker of the Volturi guard. I am sorry about the shock of the knowledge, but you must know the kings do not want you harmed by anyone. You didn't keep their number, did you?"
"Um…well no, how can I trust a bunch of guys I had only spoken to for only a few minutes?" Saphira asked, putting her hands on her hips. "I am not property!"
"No one said you were," Carlisle said quickly and gently. "Demetri here will only watch out for you, and escort you to Volterra when you are ready."
"But…my life is here," Saphira said softly.
"Yes but you do not have any family do you?" Demetri asked softly, making Saphira glare at him. "Human history is quite easy to find."
"Just because I have no parents…" She choked as tears filled her eyes. "No…I can't leave."
"Your parents would want you to move on Saphira," Esme said gently, suddenly appearing at Saphira's side to hug her gently. "I know they are buried at the cemetery…"
"You don't know what they would want me to do!" Saphira snapped. She noticed the cooler temperature. "My god, you are cold."
The vampires chuckle softly. "Yeah, just a little something to keep you cool in a hot, humid climate," Emmett joked.
"Or freezing in Forks," Bella adds teasingly, elbowing Edward's side.
Saphira looked around noticing how much of a family the vampires seemed to be. That hurt her. She did not have that around her anymore, and she missed it. She didn't know what she was going to do. She didn't know if she wanted to go back to Italy. She did think it might not be as bad as she thinks and she might end up loving the vampires, but three men? That seemed rather strange to her.
"My queen?" Demetri said gently. "Are you angry at us?"
"No…I…I just don't know what to say," Saphira said, sniffling softly as she wiped away tears.
"I understand," Esme said to her softly.
"I won't tell anyone," Saphira said, glancing up at the vampires. "I can keep your secret. No one would believe me if I told them."
Demetri smiled. "Good, the kings would hate to give me the order to kill you," He said gently before turning to leave. "I shall be around if you need me, my queen."
"Oh, stop calling me queen," Saphira groaned. "I am not a queen. If I am, I don't deserve that title yet."
Carlisle smiled. "We were going to wait until you're over your jetlag to tell you too," He said softly. "But I guess you needed to know."
Saphira nods. "I hope they will understand why I will want…to process things," She said softly. "Are there any other creatures I should know about?"
"Are you aware of the Quileute legends?" Bella asked her curiously. Saphira nods. "They're true. There are a number of members, including Jacob, who can turn into wolves. But they are not very kind to vampires."
"Should I be concerned?" Saphira asked. "I mean, if they learn that I will be a vampire queen, will they want to hurt me? Or even kill me?"
"We do not plan on telling them that," Carlisle said.
Bella frowned. "Why not?" She demands.
"Because the Volturi would not be so kind to us and the wolves if Saphira were to be harmed because we told them who she is," Carlisle explained. "I know you want to tell Jacob, but you can't tell him everything."
"Oh no!" Alice exclaimed. "Since Victoria is still around…would she target Saphira too? We might have to let Demetri know about her."
"I forgot about that redhead for a moment," Edward growled softly.
"Who's Victoria?" Saphira asked curiously.
"She is a vampire who is out for revenge after we killed her mate, James," Edward explained softly. "But James almost killed Bella first. As far as we know, she wants to kill Bella so I live with the pain she feels. If she knows about you, she might think you're a mate to one of the other vampires in this family."
"Okay, then tell him," Saphira said with a nod. "I'd rather not have my blood sucked by a rogue vampire."
Edward nods and stood up to go and find Demetri. Bella wasn't sure, but Emmett, Alice and Jasper went with him. Saphira was still in shock about the whole thing. Even though she didn't want to leave Forks, knowing she had mates was very surprising. But now…Saphira began to feel different.
"Sono già innamorato di loro," Saphira whispered.
Translation:
Sono già innamorato di loro: I'm already in love with them.