I melted into the throng of vampires that were getting out of their seats and starting up conversation with one another. I used my talent to cloak myself, and successfully blended into the crowd. I didn't fully realize just how many people there were in attendance, but it was much more than I had thought.

Before I made it out of the huge room, however, I was stopped by a slender brunette female vampire. She approached me with a hand outstretched as if to stop me. I was thoroughly confused. How can she see me...? When she got close enough, I could see that her eyes were a yellowish-gold instead of the typical crimson red.

"Um, excuse me? Kristin, right?"

I made myself visible again. I figured it was no use. "Yeah."

She smiled hesitantly. "I'm Bella Cullen. I thought I'd introduce myself. You okay?"

Cullen. No wonder. They were a coven of vampires known for living – I use that word loosely – off animal blood. That explained the color of her eyes. "Oh. Yeah, I'm alright, I guess."

"Is congratulations the correct sentiment?"

"Not really, but thanks anyway."

We just looked at each other for a half-second, then I thought of something. "Wait... how could you see me, just now?"

Her eyebrows furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"Well, my special talent is invisibility... you shouldn't have been able to see me."

She seemed to understand now. "Oh, I see. My special gift is a shield against other vampires' mental abilities. Apparently, your invisibility is an illusion."

I never thought about that before. Huh. "I guess I never thought of that before."

"Well, now you know. I should be going... my family might start to wonder where I am. Would you like to meet them?"

I shook my head. "Sorry, but I think I need some time to myself. Some other time, maybe."

She nodded. "Okay. We'll be staying here for a while, because Aro practically insisted. We'll have time."

I smiled. "Sounds good. I'll see you around."

She waved. "'Kay."

I turned and made my way out of the room, out of the foyer and down one of the many halls toward the library – my sanctuary. I thought about Bella and how nice she was to me. Maybe it's the lifestyle. Regardless, I appreciated her kindness.

I sat myself down in a chair by the fireplace. I'm not really sure how long I was there. I thought my choice to come here and stay with the Volturi. This was such a huge mistake, I thought. I should have just politely declined and figured something else out. But no. I screwed up.

I sighed. A childish thought entered my mind. I want my mom. I felt something catch in my throat, and I let out a dry sob with my next unnecessary breath. My eyes tingled with moisture I couldn't let go.

So this is what it feels like to cry as a vampire, I thought. Damn you, Lydia! Damn you for doing this to me! Because of you, things aren't right anymore.

"It seems we always find ourselves here," came a deep voice from behind me.

I'm not sure whether it was a good thing or a bad thing that I recognized him before he was finished speaking. Marcus.

I stood and faced him. We just looked at each other for a beat, then I asked the question that had been bothering me. "Why? Why are you talking to me? You never talk to anyone but me. Why am I so special?"

I saw something change in his normally blank expression. He looked at me like he'd never seen me before – really looked at me. It took him so long to speak I actually started to feel a bit uncomfortable. Then he said, "Because I see how you feel about Aro and Caius. It's unusual for a member of our Guard."

"How so?" I asked. They couldn't all be Aro's biggest fans.

"Chelsea initially ties the newest members to my brothers and I. The bonds she creates are so strong that the new members would be willing to kill themselves for us, which is... odd for vampires. Being gifted with immortality, most of us would not give it up for anything."

I nodded. "I see. And I haven't been willing to do that for them."

"Exactly."

I had a morbid thought. What if he's spying for Aro by talking to me? And what if Aro's biding his time before he kills me? "Why are you talking to me about it like this, though?" I wondered. "Why aren't you dragging me off to Aro so he can teach me a lesson?"

He hesitated. "I do not want to do that."

"No, but why? Isn't the Volturi's power your main priority?"

He gazed out the window at the night sky. "It was at one time," he replied, still looking out at the city.

I can't lie – I was becoming increasingly curious. "What changed?"

Before he could answer me, I heard voices – female voices – coming from the hallway. We both looked toward the door. As the voices came closer, I recognized them as Corin, Renata, Chelsea, and Heidi.

"We can't be seen," he whispered, soft and quick. "Aro cannot know."

I grabbed his arm and cloaked myself, putting forth the extra effort to cover him, as well. The four women entered the library no sooner than we disappeared.

"I thought she'd be here," Corin murmured.

"I hope she's okay," Renata said. "She seemed really upset."

"She shouldn't have been," Chelsea muttered. "She should have been honored."

"I'm sure she was," Corin told her, frowning. "You shouldn't be so critical all the time."

I grinned a little. I was glad Corin was defending me. Ever since I arrived here, Chelsea despised me, and honestly wasn't sure why. Until now.

"I've never been able to reach her. And it bothers me," she hissed.

Corin just rolled her eyes. Her and Renata turned to leave, but Chelsea and Heidi blocked their way.

"You're going to talk to her that way, Corin?" Heidi asked her. Her voice was deep and slow, yet sweet, like honey. It scared me to death.

"I do what I want, Heidi."

Chelsea got in her face. "You listen to me. I could get you out of here in at any moment. Don't underestimate me."

"Believe me, I don't."

With that, the four of them left, the tension leaving with them.

I let go of Marcus's arm and my invisibility. I looked at him. He just nodded, like he had just confirmed something.

"You see?" he asked me. "We're falling apart."

It didn't sound like he was too torn up because of it. But I wondered... "Because of me?"

"In a sense. Chelsea is focusing most of her efforts on attaching you to Aro, but she's not managing it well. Thus, the rest of Guard is crumbling. I feel Aro will tell her to bring the others together before he comes back to you. It's in his nature to bide his time while still preserving the necessary things."

I caught the operative word. "Necessary things?"

"The entire Guard is expendable in some ways. You are no exception."

I nodded. "True," I muttered.

"I must go," he announced. "But I implore you, be cautious. You may be more in danger than you realize."

He left the room, leaving me with more questions than answers.

Hope you guys like where this is going! I'm really enjoying writing this, and I hope you enjoy reading it! See you next chapter! :D