A/N: Here's chapter ten! Enjoy!!!

Esme's P.O.V (The Cullen mansion)

I had joined Edward in pacing. Bella…why was she doing this? To my son? To my family? Jasper and Alice stood and left. Jasper left, I believe because of all the tension in the room. It had to be taking a toll on him.

That was when Edward and I, the closest to the back of the house, heard the six pairs of vampire feet racing through the forest. Jasper and Alice paused and came rushing back. Carlisle got up and stood at the head of the family. The footsteps slowed.

Three long black cloaks…of the Volturi guard came striding out of the shadows. Two were positioned in front of the third, who looked distinctly female. Her scent was so sweet, so staggering, I had to grip Carlisle's arm to keep from falling over. He looked back at me with sympathy. Then I remembered that because he was in front of me, he was smelling that ten times more concentrated.

Two of the threes shed their hoods. Demitri and Felix. And in the back was still an unfamiliar face. Demitri and Felix quickly traded places with the female, who still had her hood on. I felt Edward stiffen.

When the female shoved her hood backwards, I couldn't hold in my gasp…my daughter…my lost, twisted, vampire daughter…

Felix's P.O.V

When we touched down, Bella immediately threw her cloak on and put the hood up. We sprinted through the forest, to the Cullen's house.

We leapt over the wide river and slowed. Bella fixed her hood and made her expression. She tried to not gasp as she saw the three that were in our throne room so recently. I patted her shoulder quickly and we got in formation. Anything to protect Marcus's soul mate.

Demitri and I removed our hoods and traded places with Bella. She was leading us now. She stepped forward and removed her hood. The leader's mate, Esme, gasped in either horror or surprise. Distinguishing either one was a lost concept with me.

She walked up to Carlisle and held out her hand. Demitri and I tensed. When Carlisle finally took her hand, she began to speak.

"It is nice to formally meet you, Carlisle. Aro has spoken nothing but good of you for the last few days." she said with a slight smile. Carlisle looked like he was in shock.

"Ah, you as well, Isabella," he said, kissing the top of her hand. It was just a gesture of respect. I had to give it to Carlisle; he was quick to recover.

Bella bowed her head and moved to Esme.

"Esme," Bella said, looking over her.

"Isabella," Esme said formally and bowed her head.

"Esme, it's Bella. Isabella is too much of a mouthful." Bella smiled. She removed her cloak then. She handed it to me. I slung it over my arm.

It revealed her outfit. Now I saw what Demitri meant by 'breathtaking'; she was stunning. A checkered dress that went just past her knees (extremely low-cut, to bear the golden Volturi crest), suede boots that started where the hem ended, and leather gloves that only came to her wrists.

She moved to the small, pixie-like one.

"Alice," Bella said, inclining her head. Alice nodded back. She looked like she would be crying if it were possible.

"Jasper," was next, presumably. The honey-blonde's power was the only thing keeping me from snatching Bella away from their rudeness.

"Rosalie and Emmet," Bella said at last, now on to the message. "You all are invited to the Saint Marcus Day Ball in the castle. Aro would be very pleased if you'd come," she said, handing the invitation to Carlisle. She closed her eyes tightly and pinched the bridge of her nose. What was wrong again?

When she reopened them, the whites were black, and her irises resembled coal. She needed a soul. She clutched at her sides and fell to her knees, right when I rushed over to her and picked her up.

"What's happening?" Carlisle asked, shocked. He'd never seen a vampire like Bella before.

"Demitri, you know what to do!" I yelled at him over Bella's moaning.

He nodded and raced off into the green. Every second felt like an hour. When Demitri finally returned, he was carrying a passed-out human. Bella's head snapped up.

She leapt out of my arms, taking the human with her, and tackled him to the ground. She made no noise as she fed. And when she was done, she looked up at Demitri and I.

"Thank you," she managed to gasp out, wiping her mouth, ridding it of the slivery substance.

Carlisle and Esme were looking at her like she was a science experiment or something. I moved to stand in front of her, snarling at anyone who got too close. She was my little sister, God darn it! And I was going to protect her.

Demitri soon mirrored my pose. I felt a delicate hand on my shoulder. I looked over to see Bella staring at me with an intent expression. She was willing me to calm down.

I glanced over to see the Cullens staring at all three of us in shock.

"I believe it is time to go now," Bella said, moving through Demitri and I, "and we would be glad if you'd come to the ball." she nodded and us and them and wheeled, racing into the dark, cold forest.

We inclined our heads at the Cullens and followed her.

A/N: Hope you liked it, I didn't make it long enough, I know. But I hope you liked it anyway! --Mary