Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Twilight. I wrote this as a pure embodiment of my love for the series. This is entirely for non-profit.

Chapter TEN

Bending the Rules

I stand unnaturally still and I'm cursing under my breath for being such a sucker for smooth manipulative bastards like the one who's currently holding my hand. When he first told me that the leaders wanted to meet me personally I almost jumped out of my skin. You know, I so don't want to be on the menu and all but knowing Alec who presented it like a great honor I actually felt flattered. If only for two seconds, before Corin rolled her eyes and made a snickering sound in the back of throat.

Dark-haired vampire gives my hand a reassuring squeeze before he lifts his white pale hand to knock on a huge doors that lead to the feeding chambers. The name totally did not make me want to chicken out of it the moment it dawned on me why exactly was it called that. And I'm still trying to remember why I even decided to come here in a first place...

It was two weeks ago, I was in a dining room, eating my supper with a solemnity befitting a princess. Of course, you can never know here if the meal you're eating will be your last and I certainly don't want to finish off my long-awaited meal in a few huge bites, so I take my time with dining. Alec is leaning against a wall, perfectly content with reading his battered-looking, suspiciously black book. He showed me later what the book was about (it was an old edition of one of the first books that explored the art of intense sexual pleasures through equally intense pain experiences - with detailed pictures, of course) and I would have lived happily if I never had to know that. But it's also so Alec that I just want to roll my eyes and giggle.

Corin is sitting in a chair beside mine, staring into my plate with a haft-curious half-disgusted look on her porcelain face. I got used to her company and I barely even notice her stares anymore. It turns out she is among those very few vampires I know that could actually boast about being mentally stable.

Those ruby eyes actually met mine before I looked away and focused on my food. "I can't believe you're really going to meet the masters. Damn I hope they won't kill you," she blurted out.

"You're as blunt as ever, Corin. They won't kill Bree unless she gives them a reason to. But I won't let her screw this up," Alec said calmly before flipping one worn, yellowed page of his dirty book.

Redhead snorted and ran her fingers through her messy locks. "I seriously don't get you sometimes. How could you be so goddamn calm about it? Unless Aro sees potential in her, he won't let her live. And you know what are the chances-"

"Stop worrying. She'll be fine, I'll make sure of that." I heard Corin mutter something like 'yeah, cause you're such a reliable person'. Alec closed his book. "Besides, it's a great honor. Master Aro doesn't show his interest in anybody and he wants to meet her. She's here with me and that's enough reason to leave her be."

On my own surprise, Corin snickered quietly. "Of course nothing will happen to her because she has her prince charming to make sure she's still breathing in the end of a day. Even though prince's armor is a little rusty after so much time-" She squealed when Alec pulled few red tresses from her hair so fast that I only saw a black blur and then he was smirking and holding russet hair between his fingers. Corin jumped to her feet quite ungracefully for a vampire and jabbed an accusing finger at the other vampire in the room." You moron! You know it won't grow back and you still keep pulling my hair! Do you want me to have bold spots?" I started shaking with laughter then and all my worries about meeting the leaders melted away in the heat of a moment...

The huge door opened and Alec had to tug on my hand to get me in. I couldn't help it, even my legs were shaking and the only thing that had me standing was the link between mine and Alec's hand. I never thought I'd be so eager to hold onto him like this, though... no wonder it took me few moments to register the other vampires in the huge, badly illuminated room.

Mainly, the three vampires caught my attention. I suppose the guards were lurking in shadows, probably just waiting for an excuse to lung at my throat. You're paranoid. That's what I'm telling myself before giving the leaders my full attention. The one with long black hair flowing behind him and blending seamlessly (well, it is dark and it seems like it) with his midnight cloak that falls all the way to the floor. He's got something in his hand - a letter, it seems. One with a snow-blond hair was standing few feet away from the enthusiastic one, pinching the bridge of his nose with an obvious annoyance. The third one just sat on his throne, watching the two before him with a completely apathetic look that bear those who had many years behind without purpose.

"Caius my brother, look!" the one waving a letter exclaimed. "Edward Cullen and his lovely Bella are getting married at last. Isn't it exhilarating to see love blooming even amongst humans and our own kind?" he sang in the most melodic voice I've heard on any vampire I've met so far. Even if he did notice us, he didn't pay any attention to which I was unreasonably grateful and instead his focused on his grumpy-looking 'brother'.

"Certainly not," the white-haired one replied, his bitter tone the exact same opposite of the one of his brother. "You should have ended it months ago, Aro. Such insolence will only result in further questioning of the Volturi's might. There will be a word of us losing influence."

I sent my confused gaze at Alec, who appeared completely unfazed by the scene. Maybe this black-haired leader named Aro was always so eccentric? Aro dismissed the other's words and put away his, as it turned out, wedding invitation from the Cullens. I was surprised because I didn't know the Cullens had any connection with these freaks, much less inviting them on a wedding. I suppressed a shudder.

"Nonsense, brother. I always act in our benefit and such potential can only serve to our purpose," he retorted with a sigh. I winced when his flimsy red orbs fixated on me for the first time. "It seems Alec has finally brought Bree to meet us. Come closer, child," he beckoned me with an outstretched hand but I made no move. I'm not that dumb.

Irritated one also noticed my existence and frowned. "What's this? Another human?"

"No need to fuss over it, it is only Alec's little guest," Aro spoke to him and then turned to me. "Come take my hand child, I promise I won't bite you," he said to me with a low chuckle. I just continued to stare at him. Nobody could blame me for not trusting this creepy guy, right?

His brother, however, had something else on mind. He pointed his long finger at Alec accusingly. "You, explain yourself."

Alec shifted his weight slightly, but did not appear nervous (unlike me). "It's just like master Aro said, sir. Bree is staying here and is completely my responsibility. I shall see to it personally that she doesn't threaten in any way to disclose our existence."

Caius' frown deepened and it looked like a porcelain cracking. "Still! Humans are food and therefore their mere presence here is forbidden. Highest ranking guard or not, such insolence shall not be tolerated. There's no excuse for compromising our own principles for the sake of entertainment!" he finished with a low growl, but Alec wasn't even looking at him. His eyes were trained on his black-haired leader, Aro, who merely chuckled.

"Oh, I don't think that's the case here," Aro stated simply and then lifted his milky gaze to the vampire beside me. "Alec, will you?"

I didn't understand what was that Aro wanted but then Alec's hand was on my shoulder, firmly guiding me towards Aro. I didn't even try to struggle, it was pointless. Aro's freezing hands clasped over mine and he had almost hungry expression in his eyes that had nothing to do with his feeding. It scared me even more because I couldn't understand it.

Instead of staring at Aro, I looked at his co-leader who was fuming with suppressed anger. "I don't know what his motives are and you shouldn't indulge because of his ability, Aro. What's next? He'll ask for a personal harem-"

Alec's lips quirked upward at this.

"-and god knows he's old enough to understand the burden of responsibility that comes with power," he finished breathlessly.

Aro nodded his head absently. "...how curious." My hand was really getting numb from the iciness of his grasp. I think his hands might even be colder than Alec's. I hope he would let them soon, before my fingers turn into icicles.

His white-haired brother seemed to give up on getting some reaction from Aro and instead walked to his throne with an expression of a sulking brat, next to the other leader. I almost had a heart attack when the third voice of the bored leader said: "Aro, I foresee a problem."

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding when Aro let go of my had and turned to face this other vampire. "Speak your mind, brother, you have my attention."

His expression didn't change when he started speaking in a monotone voice. "In order to preserve out integrity her existence cannot be revealed during the following week's event. It could cause us inconvenience."

Caius decided to chime in. "- it is an understatement. She's more trouble than she's worth. Many of our kind will take her presence as an insult and incidents are the last thing we need."

"Indeed," Aro said at last and with bemused expression looked into my eyes. "What shall we do with you, young Bree?"

Before they could even decide to kill me, Alec decided to step up and speak directly to Aro. "Master, if you allow, I will take her away during the ball and make sure personally that her life won't be endangered," he said with utter determination and I was glad he was here.

Aro shook his head ruefully. "I'm afraid it's unacceptable. Your presence is mandatory, and no excuse will do."

Alec looked mildly appalled. "But master-" he begun with an imploring edge to his voice.

After one long moment, the eccentric leader sighed. "I know, I know... We'll have someone to watch over her for the night. Someone who won't mind... Corin, perhaps?"

I swore I could hear Caius mutter something under his breath that suspiciously sounded like 'what a nuisance'.

With a graceful movement of his long-sleeved arm, Aro gestured towards the doors. "That would be all. You're dismissed," and then his piercing red gaze found my own and his papery lips elongated into something resembling a warm smile in an attempt. "It was a pleasure to share your mind, Bree. Hopefully, your feelings will change over time."

I just dumbly raised my forefinger in a 'who, me?' gesture and my jaw slacked open. Always the one to react in time, Alec hastily headed towards the exit, dragging me along, when Aro's shrill voice chirped behind us. "And Alec, your sister has arrived not so long ago. You should go and see her, I bet the two of you have a lot to say to each other."

I subconsciously visualized a particular evil smirk on Aro face when Alec nodded his head in respect, his expression growing grimmer with every passing second.

When my inborn curiosity finally emerged, we were well into the long hallway so naturally I felt the need to eloquently phrase my bewilderment. "Okay,what the heck was that?"

Alec spared me a quick glance over his shoulder and buried his hands in his pockets. "What exactly? And you may want to keep your voice down, you're still within their hearing distance," he said, amusement slowly creeping onto his pale features.

I huffed exasperatedly. "The lead freak 'sharing my mind'?! I haven't even said a word to him!"

But again, after everything I've been through since vampires entered my life I probably should've stopped wondering a long time ago and just should have just embraced the fact that 'abnormal, mind-blowing stuff' and 'everyday, no problem stuff' have miraculously switched places.

Alec just ruffled my hair affectionately, making me feel like an ignorant child (which I really am comparing to him). "You didn't need to. Aro can hear every thought that was ever in your head while maintaining the skin contact. It's... a little intrusive but I suppose it does come in handy. You'll get used to it," he said calmly, his hand straying from my hair to caress my increasingly red cheek.

Okay, I've really heard about (and seen as well) all kinds of super-awesome-natural abilities while staying in this madhouse but this one takes the cake.

A squeal of pure desperation left my lips and my eyes rounded like saucers. "You're telling me that the old geezer saw everything! Well, damn," I slammed my foot on the stone floor to emphasize my reaction to this disturbing news, to which was Alec completely unimpressed. "No wonder everyone here seems so depressed."

I still couldn't believe that my whole pathetic life has been served to that ancient creep on a silver plate. All my memories, even those so painful I tried to forget and never remember again, were shamelessly lied before a stranger. Every time I laughed, every time I cried, every time I blushed in embarrassment (and believe me, there are myriad of times when I hoped that earth would just swallow me), all my dreams and hopes and the thoughts that were only mine and for no one else... were now Aro's as well.

Alec stood passively as he observed my inner turmoil and eventually spoke with a hint of well-hidden amusement. "To tell the truth, nobody here pays any thought to Aro's special talent. He saw so many things he can't even bring himself to care about it."

I pursed my lips stubbornly. "What are you so cheery for? And what's that ball he talked about?"

It seems I hit the spot because Alec's mood vanished and he groaned. "It's that annual ball where every vampire comes here to celebrate Volturi's victory and the fall of the Romanian clan. Though I can't believe it's already been over a thousand years since. Basically, it's just an excuse for Aro to gloat about how cool and powerful we are."

"Oh, now I get why your presence is so essential," I laughed.

"Well, it's not the only reason. Events as such are a way to keep an eye on both old and new members of vampire society and to make sure their loyalty lies with the Volturi," Alec explained.

I frowned. "Who's the other side then?"

"That would be the Romanians," Alec remembered with distaste. I could see a small crease between his brows. "We literally obliterated their army when the Volturi took over, but there's still few of them left in the ruins of the Romanian castle. We send our tracker every decade or so to check if they're up to something but since they are of no threat to us Aro left them alive as a reminder of what happens to those who cross the Volturi."

We were now walking down the familiar dark hallway towards Alec's/our room which we shared during these few week I was here. On my surprise, even though I was constantly surrounded by vampires, my fear of being violently killed and used as nourishment was gradually lessening. The only vampires I talked to so far had very good self-control and if I believed Heidi's words those who would rather eat me chose to keep their distance in fear of Alec's wrath. On the other hand, Alec said they weren't so prone to get themselves tempted by the dainty they could never taste, so they chose to stay away. Whatever the reason, I was very grateful.

But now, I was processing the fact Alec so carelessly threw at me. "You were there as well?"

Alec smirked, mischief gleaming in his burgundy eyes. "Hell yeah, Jane and I are the best offensive weapons in the Volturi's arsenal," he said like it was a matter of course that he and his sister were responsible for who knows how many lives, human or not.

"I don't understand," I said honestly. "If you two are as powerful as I've heard you are, why are you still serving them?"

Noticing Alec's dark expression and disbelief, I blurted out the rest hastily, before my courage left me. "Don't get me wrong, I'm sure the two of you have your privileges but you said it yourself that you are basically just a weapon, a tool to annihilate the enemy. Why do you let yourselves be used like that when you wield the power even greater than those you call 'masters'? Why do so when you can be free-"

"Stop it," Alec cut me off in a cold, detached voice he never used on me before. A shiver of undiluted fear filled me and I subconsciously took a step back, noticing the shift. "It's more complex than you are able to comprehend and you have no right to speak to me about it," he said with finality and my skin crawled when I noticed the low growl in the back of his throat. His stance changed and for one perpetual moment I thought he was going to lung at me. The look in his blood red eyes was the one of a merciless predator and his sharp gaze focused on my neck. I couldn't think coherently, all I figured in that moment was how worse it would be if he was the one to finish me off now, how much it'll hurt me and not only physically and how I'd rather accept being killed by some faceless monster who I didn't know or didn't care for.

Knowing someone could murder you in an instant, snap your neck before you can even let out your last scream was one thing and being cruelly forced to experience it were two completely different things. With my heartbeat humming in my ears, I was finally subjected to my nightmare. Only it was real. If Alec didn't stop my last thought would be... no, anyone but you.

But he did stop, and I could only guess what reason was. Frozen in place by terror, I opened my eyes when the low snarling ceased. Alec was still as a statue, staring at his hands with an unfathomable expression. When he raised his burgundy eyes I cringed and felt my back hitting the stone wall. There was nowhere else to run.

He appeared by my side in an instant, his cold hand grasping my chin and forcing me to face him. Even though I was aware Alec didn't want to hurt me, I couldn't stop trembling when his hand made a contact.

Alec's beautiful face was marred by guilt at what he could have done. "Bree, I-" he said, hesitating. The pain reflected in his eyes told me he regretted his reaction. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I would never hurt you, but you mustn't talk about that subject ever again. I warning you now, and next time I won't be lenient if you decide to pursue this matter again."

His stern voice left no space for any further discussion. He waited for my reply and I nodded my head twice. I didn't dare question his authority because I had no doubt that he'd been lenient with me. I was always aware of how exactly deadly his kind was, but this... incident served to remind me of it. His icy hand appeared almost gentle on my skin, if not for the biting coldness, but if he wanted he could crush my jaw only by the slightest twitch of his long fingers.

Almost like he read my mind, Alec spoke quietly. "...Don't be scared. I promise I'll protect you."

I winced. Didn't he know what impact his carelessly spoken words had on me? I closed my eyes shut, trying my best not to cry now, not in front of him. Slowly, I raised my hand and put it over his, indicating to let me go. He did so immediately and I messily wiped away the tears that managed to slip away.

"Why," I almost sobbed. "Why are you doing it?"

I looked at him through my tears and even though he was blurry I could notice his confusion. Damn, I was never good at controlling my emotions. For once, I decided to be honest and spill the truth to him. I'll have regrets later.

"You and I are so different that sometimes it feel like the whole universe is between us, even if you are the one closest to me." I heard him gasp at my words and went on. "It scares me. I know I'm no match for you in any way and because of it I feel as if I'm insignificant and you're just playing. I mean, what happens when one day you grow bored with me and realize-"

Cold lips mercilessly slammed against mine and I found myself trapped between stone wall and equally immobile Alec. I let out a weak squeal of protest that fell on deaf ears as he effortlessly pinned my hands above my head and encircled his other hand around my waist, bringing our bodies as close as possible without breaking any bones. I could see his dark lashes casting shadows on his cheeks as his eyes fell shut. It all happened so fast it made my head spin and my heart pace quicken by double. I grew weak in my knees, just like every time Alec kissed me. Frozen by shock, I was relatively unresponsive but when I felt something wet gliding against my lower lip, begging for entrance I parted my lips, almost eager to intensify this sensation.

It was awkward at first, his smooth tongue coaxing mine into moving along with him but only until I overcame my initial shock and started, rather shyly at first, to let my tongue entwine with his in a slow, sensual movements. Almost instinctively, my hands flew to his neck and hair and I slanted my head in order to gain a better access. A feral hiss tore from him as I slid my tongue across his upper lip and the front row of his sharp teeth. Absently I wondered if I tasted as good to him as he did to me? I always linked vampire skin with ice so I expected him to taste like one but interestingly enough, his taste was a strange mix that reminded me of a metal coin I once licked and sweet, sun-warmed watermelons… I knew it was impossible since the last time Alec ate anything was over a thousand years so I probably just made a subconscious link between the appealing flavors.

It was strange how my mood seemed to change with only one kiss. Minutes ago I was on a verge of tears, but at the moment all I cared was Alec's touch and Alec's kiss. There was a distinctively warm feeling in the pit of my stomach that fluttered every time he caressed my back in slow, deliberate way or ran his fingers down the length of my hair.

I moaned into his mouth as the kiss became demanding, almost hungry. Alec dominated now, eliciting low, needy moans and sighs from me. I was too deep to even feel embarrassed since it became rather apparent how I felt about out lip-locking.

Breathing eventually became a problem and sensing my growing discomfort, Alec broke the kiss, his trademark smirk deliciously curving his lips.

My sense of modesty came back to bite me from behind as my cheeks turned hot despite the chilly temperature. Breathing heavily, I managed to stand back on my feet without falling, only having to touch to wall for the support, much to Alec's amusement. "Whoa.."

Alec snickered. "Exactly," he added with a slightly seductive smirk. "Want to go somewhere secluded?"

"Alec!" I yelped, embarrassment flooding me completely because if he asked that only ten seconds ago, I would undoubtedly said yes. Now I just playfully hit him in a shoulder for turning me into beetroot with his stupid, insensitive questions.

Alec rolled his eyes in a way that so did not befit someone of his real age. "You still don't trust me? If I wanted you dead, I could've killed you over a hundred times."

"I think that's the gist of our problem here," I said dryly. Not to mention it was a major mood killer.

"So what do you want me to do to finally get you to loosen up a bit. It's like you've built an emotional wall and you won't let anyone in," he complained.

Hmm, although I think he kind of got his answer a moment ago I muttered under my breath, "For starters, you should vow not to kill me sadistically when you get over this senseless obsession with me."

My face was suddenly caught between his palms as he leaned closer so that our noses were almost touching. "Stupid, stupid human. I will never get over you, Bree. Don't you see? I'm willing to share everything with you, to bend the rules, even break them, to go against my own nature… just for you."

I gulped. I don't know how I feel about all that. "And what if I don't feel the same?"

His red eyes narrowed dangerously and his smile became the one of a predator although in completely different sense than earlier. "That's the good part. I have all the time in the world to change your mind, to make you realize that all you'll ever need is me."

I thought Alec was going to kiss me like before, but he abruptly let his hands drop from my face and stepped away like I've grown a second head. I might have been disappointed but I hid it behind my forced smile. "Mhmm… see? You've already changed your mind."

And that was when I noticed the worry that etched onto his pale face and I instantly knew something was very, very wrong. For all this time I knew Alec, he was never not even close to worried. Which also meant anything that made Alec Volturi worry, should make me send my prayers to god, begging for mercy.

Alec's expression gradually melted into a neutral, disinterested one which I figured was only a mask.

"She's here."

A/N: ... aand I'm back! I'm really sorry it took me so long to update but my life's been kind of hectic these last few months, so please don't come after me with pitchforks and torches, it's bad enough as it is, lol.

I originally intended to include Jane in this chapter but the original writing (over 6,000 words) accidentally got deleted and I was stuck with writing this all over again. -.-' Having to do the same thing twice is a powerful demotivating factor and you can practically point out the exact spots where I lost my patience and cut short some scenes where I probably should've elaborated more. Next chapter will be out relatively soon - key word: relatively - but I promise I'll try.

Psst, I'll give out a little secret: Even though the ending for this fic has been firmly decided (it should be at least 10 more chapters or so before that happens, according to the rough drafts I made), I've been wondering how do you imagine the ending..? If you're willing to share your thoughts, hit the button bellow and I'll let you know how close you are. X'D Maybe I'll like your version better and use that one instead... or you could just lecture me about laziness and rant about updates, I'll read it anyway. Have a nice day. ;]