Chapter Nine

Bella's POV

They took their seats opposite of us. Once settled Aro said, "Alright, now let us begin."

Begin what, I thought. I didn't want to begin anything with them. They had no right to be here even if they had figured out I was alive, in a way. I was infuriated that they would even jump to the conclusion of me welcoming them with open arms. After what they had done to me, I don't know how they could even bear showing their faces to me.

"I am sure that you are all curious as to how this has happened to Isabella, so I will fill you in." he continued, causing a low growl in my chest.

They had no right to know what happened to me. It would have never happened if what was supposed to be my family hadn't left me to fend for myself against a demented vampire. And as a human? I didn't stand a chance, I doubted they even paused to take one look back.

"Isabella, please be calm." Alexander pleaded. Giving me the full force of his eyes, I only nodded and hid my face in the crook of his neck.

Edward didn't appear to be too happy about our behavior towards with each other. You could hear a low hiss escaping his throat. As much as it bothered me, I agreed to stay calm.

Alexander, however, didn't. He released a hair raising hiss, silencing Edward's foolish attempts to be protective.

"As I was saying," Aro cut in. "I will fill you in on what has happened, and then it will be your turn. Once the exchange of stories is over, then the questions can be asked, clear?" They all nodded their heads in agreement.

As Aro began, causing me to relive the horror of those few days, I noticed that Edward could do nothing but stare at me, still shocked and hurt showing in his eyes. Looking around I could see it wasn't just Edward staring at me, but all of the Cullen's.

Alice showed the most hurt. I suppose I was a little too harsh with her, but she deserved it. She too, my best friend, left me to die. Esme was looking at me like she had lost her only daughter. Emmett was a little disappointed with my welcoming but you could see the happiness and excitement on his face. Jasper was trying to soothe Alice, while giving me pleading eyes. Carlisle was also happy but I could see he knew this wasn't going to go ever too good. Surprisingly enough, Rosalie was staring at me with a smile on her face. I guess she was used to bitterness, so I didn't hurt her too much. We had just started becoming great friends when they left.

I could feel the tug at my dead heart just by looking at them. Once the family that protected my life without a second thought of their own. Always fussing over how clumsy I was and the danger I seemed to attract, even in the safest of places.

Remembering this only opened up a whole to allow all the memories to come rushing back. I hadn't been paying enough attention and my barriers went down.

It was as if it was all in slow motion. My first day at Forks High School, sitting in the lunch room and then later in Biology, receiving death glares from Edward. The van spiraling out of control towards me, but being thrown out of the way just in time. Alice bouncing down the stairs and stopping to give me a kiss on the cheek at their house for the first time.

Emmett's bone crushing hugs. The meadow with Edward when he revealed what the sun did to vampires. The late night sneak ins without Charlie knowing. Alice basically kidnaping me and going shopping. Rosalie's lethal glares to her occasional smiles. Esme's motherly looks and Carlisle comforting advice.

Finally they were all gone and I felt completely drained.

"Isabella?" Aro asked highly.

Snapping out of my trance I answered, "Hmm?"

"I just asked if there was anything you wanted to ask the Cullen's?" he repeated.

Wow. Had I missed the whole conversation? I didn't even realize. Answering back, "No. There is nothing I wish to say to them." I hid any emotion from giving away what I might be feeling. I was confusing Jasper, I could tell by the look on his face.

I could see the pain I caused but it still had yet to even come close to how much I had felt.

"Bella?" Jasper asked.

"It's Isabella, Jasper." I said pointedly.

"Isabella," he corrected. "what are your powers? I know as a human Edward was unable to hear your thoughts, but now it seems I can't feel your emotions, and Alice never had a vision of you."

I narrowed my eyes and pursed my lips shut. There was no way they were going to know my powers, hardly anyone outside of the Guard knew.

"Isabella, answer him." Aro said bossily.

"Don't you dare order me around Aro." I snapped. I could see he didn't like that I had called him by his name instead of Father. "I am ordered around by no one."

The Cullen's eyebrows all shot up in surprise. Turning to them I said, "What? Not the same Bella you all once knew? No. I can't say that I am. I'm not the gullible, clumsy, pathetic human you all once thought I was."

"We never thoug--" Esme began.

"Don't even. It was because I was human that you left. Not wanting to change me, so you figured you'd leave the poor human alone to live her life, happily. Wrong. Instead I was tortured and beat by Victioria, whom you all seemed to forget about. In your own home, hours after you had left. I was turned into a monster. A monster that I wouldn't have had a problem to be if I had my love with me, but I didn't. Until now," I finished, looking up to Alexander smiling.

"Please, Isabella. Just tell them your powers." He pleaded.

He had been so kind to me all these years, I thought, but look now, taking their side. This is the last thing I shall do for him.

"Aro, this is it for you." I promised.

"I am only saying this once. I really only have one power. What I have summed it up to be I want or wish, I get. That is how I get my other powers." I informed.

"What exactly are your other powers? What can you do?" Carlisle asked.

"Anything. You have seen that I can sense anything, like barriers, invisibility and so on. I know when someone is lying to me, which Aro gratefully demonstrated for you."I paused to narrow my eyes at Aro. "I can move things with my mind or the flick of my finger" Focusing my eyes on the Cullen's, I picked up the couch they were seated in and then dropped it back down. "Like so." I continued.

"What else?" Edward whispered.

"You saw the barriers I am able to put up at will." Placing one over myself and Alexander. " I, too, can read minds, within any distance. I do not have the annoying buzz in the back of my mind though. It is only the people I wish to hear, and there is no blocking me from your mind, so don't even try." I snuck a peek at Edward. I'm going to have to watch what I'm thinking then.

"Yes, I suggest you do." I answered. He wasn't prepared for that. I couldn't help but smile.

Looking at Alice, I continued. "I can also see things, visions. But I can see past, present and future. I can get them at will and they are clear and long enough to be helpful."

Turning my attention on Jasper, "And like you, I can feel emotions as well as manipulate them. I seem to have the ability to intensify my powers, therefore, the emotions seem to be very extreme and intense."

"I control the wind, fire, water, ice and earth." Each in turn erupting on my hands and the ground shifter beneath us. " I can change the weather with just thinking what I want it to be." Opening the drapes with my mind, I changed the cloudy sky to a furious storm and then back again. " I am telekinetic, meaning, I can move objects with my mind like I said, talk with my mind to others, and project your thoughts and memories." Looking into Esme thoughts, I projected what she was thinking. She was remembering my clumsiness, falling down the stairs and none other than Edward catching me. I let out a small chuckle at this. " I am able to see through walls, objects and unfortunately, clothes." I said sheepishly. They all looked appalled.

"I'm not right now!" I yelled. "Bunch of perverts." I muttered.

"I am sure you have also noticed that your powers are of no use on me, it wont work. I can block anyone from using their powers on me, which is always up. I can control time, freeze it, speed it up, slow it down, whatever. I do not have to use cars or planes for transportation, I simply picture where I want to be and I'm there." Imagining myself next to Emmett, I was there in less than seconds, and then back next to Alexander.

"I can shape shift into anything. Animals, people, chairs, cups, anything." Shifting into a mountain lion and pacing back and forth before changing back into myself. "I am able to hover or fly, but not for long periods of time. I am still trying to build enough strength to perfect it." Hovering only a foot above the couch.

"I am able to change appearances, like hair, eyes, skin, weight, everything. But not only myself." I persisted.

"What do you mean?" Rose questioned.

Focusing on Rose, I began changing her hair from different lengths to styles to colors. Ending with long, dark brown. Moving on to her eyes, they changed from her usual topaz to an electrifying green. Her skin had a tropical tan and she was in a red sun dress and matching heels. Many gasps were coming from the Cullen's. Summoning a mirror, Rosalie was staring into it with her mouth hanging open.

"It'll last forever, or until I change it again." I informed.

The look on Rose's face was distressed. Waving my hand, she was back to her normal self in seconds.

"It is very helpful when needing to disguise someone for our missions." I stated.

"I can also alter memories, plant some in there and erase them. Hunt down anyone or anything with little to no problems." Pausing, I looked to Emmett. "Render any human, animal, creature or vampire weak, no matter the amount of strength they may hold." I said, motioning for Emmett to stand.

Once standing, "Pick up you family and the couch please."

He easily lifted them and had them way above his head. Taking his strength away little by little, they began to sink down until he was smashed underneath them.

Rose jumped up in alarm of her husband stuck under the couch.

"Relax Rose. He's a vampire, this will do no damage to your husband." I said rolling my eyes, while lifting the couch with my mind.

" I can also create illusions of any sort. I have used many to scare off humans wandering upon defiant vampires." I said. "And I can torture with my mind, like Jane, but more extreme. I have only used this power once and will never again unless absolutely necessary."

"I also have a few abilities. Unfortunately, I still blush. Tears do leak from my eyes when I cry. I do need sleep but not on a regular basis. Only when I use too much energy on my powers, like after battles and such. I am abnormally strong, but do not show it like Emmett with his muscles. I run faster than any other vampire I have ever crossed. I am immune to all blood. I never had the problem and urge to kill innocent people or animals ." I finished.

"You do not need to drink blood?" Carlisle questioned shocked.

"That's not what I said. I said I am immune to the urge, the burning of needing to drink blood. I never had the problem to jump on any human near me. On the contrary, they," pausing to look at Aro, " had a horrible time even getting me to drink. Forcing me many times until I finally got to where I don't feel so bad about it. I still need blood, but I do not have the uncomfortable burning all of you have right this moment, I'm sure." I explained.

Bel--, I mean Isabella, what exactly is your diet?" Esme asked, with regret.

"I would never harm a human. Never have. I, too, hunt animals every two to three weeks." I answered. I could see the relief on their faces. "As does, Alexander. We are the only two in the Volturi to hunt animals." I said proudly, looking up to Alexander's smiling face.

"And that's about it." I finished.

"Isabella, you are forgetting a few." Aro said.

"No I am not. I never used those unless absolutely necessary. They are not my powers." I spat.

"I am not asking you to show them. Just simply explain." he quietly requested.

As irritated as I was getting with Aro, I didn't want to do any such thing. He did, however, take me in at my time of need. "Fine." I said airily.

"I also have the power to heal. Vampires, humans, animals, plants, you name it, I can heal it. If something is already dead, I can give it life again. If something or someone," I paused and looked at Aro, "is getting on my nerves, I can also take it away. Those are my powers that I am aware of. I am sure there are things I have yet to think of that I wan, which is why I cannot say that is everything." I finished.

"Very nice Isabella." Aro complimented before turning back to the Cullens. "And there you have it. Start to finish. Is there anything else any of you are curious about?

I huffed quietly, getting frustrated that I would have to explain myself to these creature in the first place. Snuggling deeper into Alexander's chest, I tried to control my emotions; the wind was beginning to pick up outside of the castle.

None of the Cullens said anything. Instead, they resolved to quietly shaking their heads, while staring at me.

Taking that as my cue, I rose pulling Alexander with me.

Turning to Aro I said, "If that will be all, Alexander and I will be retiring to our room."

Edward didn't like the sound of Alexander and I sharing a room together. But as I narrowed my eyes in his direction, he quieted his already quiet growls.

"In the morning, Aro, I wish to speak with you. It is clear to me, new conditions are needed and will have to be held." I informed him with a sharp note in my voice.

"Alright Isabella, morning it is. But please know, I would not have betrayed you and still have not. You are a daughter to me and I really hope this does not ruin anything between us." He answered sadly.

"Of course not, Father. New conditions just need to be made, alright?" I said a little lighter. He did, after all, still mean the world to me.

Alexander, sensing my anxiety at still being in the same room as the Cullens, placed his hands on my shoulders and gave a light squeeze.

"Ready my love?" He asked, looking into my eyes.

"Am I ever." I replied quickly. With that we turned and made our way over to the door.

As I was about to open it, Alice suddenly blurted out, "Wait! We'll see you again, wont we? I mean, this isn't goodbye, right?"

Turning around, I answered, "Your the psychic. Will we see each other again, Alice? Wait, I forgot, your powers don't work when it comes to me. In that case, I guess this is just one of those situations where you have to wait and see. While your waiting, just remember, what you feel is exactly what I endured when you all left me. Left me the first time that is." Maybe I was being a little vicious, but at this point, I really could care less.

The amount of stress of seeing them, loss of energy of showing them my powers and the memories was really draining me. I was beginning to feel light-headed and weak.

Sensing this, Alexander gently grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the room. Wanting to get some distance in between them and us, I continued to walk four corridors down until I finally leaned against the stone wall for support.

"Come here love." Alexander said as he picked me up into his arms. Burying my face in his neck, I let the tears flow down my cheeks as I tried to keeps my sobs inaudible.

All the while Alexander was whispering soothing words into my ear. Finally reaching our suite, Alexander opened to door and carried me into the bedroom. As he set me down on the bed, he too, sat in front of me.

His eyes were filled with concern as I looked up at him, unable to hide what I was feeling.

"Will you be alright Isabella?" He asked hardly above a whisper.

Not knowing what to say, I crumbled. I was gently pulled back into his chest as he rocked me in his lap.

"I hate them Alexander, I really do." I sobbed. "I have always known there was a possibility that this day may come and I always worried that I would forget about what they did and take them back. I thought I was going to be weak. But all I could feel was hatred and disgust."

Shifting me in his lap so he could look into my face, he replied, "You should have never just taken them back. You are the strongest person I know and the most genuine. I knew before when you told me it would be a terrible day for them if they were to ever run into you, that you were telling me what you really felt. Never doubt yourself my love. If you were honestly thinking you would just take them back then I would be in some terrible trouble."

"What do you mean? How would you be in trouble?" I asked puzzled.

"You think there hasn't ever been a day where I worry that you could possibly take them back? Take Edward back? Then what would I do? I would be lost without you in my existence." he replied sadly, as he turned his face away.

Pulling his face gently back to where I could see his eyes, I said, "Alexander, I would never choose them over you. Ever. You picked me up when I was broken and put me back together again. The only love I have is yours. Completely for you and only you. Please know that and believe it. I would never leave you."

"That's all I needed to hear my love." He replied, eyes filled with tears that would never fall. He leaned in and gave me a soft, sweet kiss before moving to lay down on the bed and pulling me down with him.

"Promise me something." I stated looking up at him.

"Anything." He replied.

"Promise you wont leave my side while the Cullens are here. Not once. Please, Alexander, promise no even once." I asked desperately.

Placing his hands on my cheeks, he replied, "I promise I wont leave you ever, whether it's because Cullens are here or not. Not once."

We stayed cuddled each others arms the entire night, just basking in our love for one another. I wouldn't mind staying like this for the rest of eternity, I quietly thought to myself.

And there you have it. Chapter Nine. Sorry it's been so long since I updated. If I tried to explain myself that would be a really long story itself. Anway...please review! Once I feel I know how you all feel about this chapter, I will post the next!

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