Chapter 10-

After exiting the luggage claim, we walked outside and were greeted with two humans holding up a large sign for Carlisle Cullen. They were both old and stiff, wearing expensive suits and had beak-like noses turned high up in the air like the snooty butlers you see on TV. They took our luggage and piled it into the trunk while we entered the long, black limousine the Volturi had sent for us. None of us knew how long we were to stay in Italy, and so we each brought one luggage. As we drove off, I saw Edward looking broody and anguished again and I squeezed his hand in comfort. He squeezed back.

We were told that our luggage would be taken to our rooms in some fancy hotel called Hotel La Locanda, while we were to meet with the masters immediately as requested by Aro Volturi. We were dropped off on a street where a festival seemed to be in full swing, everyone was dressed in red and were gathered tightly together. I looked curiously toward the mass of people and Alice answered my unspoken question. "It's Saint Marcus Day," she murmured.

Jasper snorted from beside her, "How ironic is that?"

I looked at them in confusion and then balked as a curvaceous woman passed by us, dressed in nothing but a red, lacy negligee and thigh high red boots. She winked superstitiously at Carlisle and his eyebrows rose while Esme's eyes narrowed. Jasper and Emmett snickered despite the tension. One of the drivers motioned for us to follow him as he began walking towards the throng of people.

Alice stepped closer to me, Jasper following her, not wanting to let her out of his sight, I suppose. "You see, Bella," she began lowly in her lilting voice. "The city holds a celebration every year. As the legend goes, a Christian missionary, a Father Marcus – Marcus of the Volturi, in fact – drove all the vampires from Volterra fifteen hundred years ago. The story claims he was martyred in Romania, still trying to drive away the vampire scourge. Of course that's nonsense – he's never left the city. But that's where some of the superstitions about things like crosses and garlic come from. Father Marcus used them so successfully. And vampires don't trouble Volterra, so they must work." Her smile was sardonic. "It's become more of a celebration of the city, and recognition for the police force – after all, Volterra is an amazingly safe city. The police get the credit."

I chuckled darkly, "And after all that, there are vampires entering anyway, huh? And Saint Marcus invited them."

Alice nodded, "The holiday in itself is ironic." A girl, perhaps around nineteen elbowed her way in between Alice and Jasper, flashing him a smile and a peek under her heavy, red cloak. Jasper's eyes widened incredulously and it would have been comical if she hadn't turned and did the same with Edward and me. She was wearing nothing underneath there. NOTHING.

Edward looked away in disgust and I was satisfied he was the polar opposite of Emmett as my big bear of a brother seemed to be enjoying his flash. Rosalie glared a laser at the girl and out of fright, she walked quickly away from us, not bothering on flashing Carlisle, which seemed to please Esme immensely. I was told later by Edward that she had followed out a dare her friends set upon her; to flash any sexy man that she happened to cross.

Alice shook her head in revulsion. "The more time grows, the more sex will rule," she murmured darkly. Jasper looked anywhere but his wife, his lips trembling as he tried desperately not to release a laugh. I assume he threw his hysteria at Emmett because suddenly he boomed with laughter, scaring a few people in the process. Alice hissed at her brother and punched him in the gut.

"Ow! That hurt, woman!"

"That was the point, dufus."

People gave us a wide berth and I thought it was because we were dressed differently because we were certainly earning a few stares for that. But then I remembered my first day at Forks High where the Cullens were given a wide berth as well. It was because they were vampires, not because we were dressed differently but because the natural instinct of people was warning them to stay away, I marveled. I had never felt the need to give the Cullens any space because they seemed like a second family to me and I never noticed how humans treated them, frankly, it pissed me off a little.

We were led into a dark alleyway where the driver bid us goodbye. After a few seconds of waiting, something moved in the dead end wall of the alleyway, a shadow looked as if it was detaching itself from the dark walls; it appeared to struggle free and then began walking toward us. I clutched at Edward's jacket, scared out of my mind as I was reminded of the eerie dementors from the Harry Potter series. He clutched back at me and tried to push me behind him.

When I was secured behind his back, however, I felt an unfamiliar cold hand on my shoulder and whipped around to see another dementor–like shadow. This one had it's lower face uncovered and I could detect a leer begin to form. Edward noticed my distress and whipped me back around, putting himself in front of me and growling dangerously at the sneering shadow.

I looked behind me to see the first shadow stop a few feet away from us. "Felix," he called in a surprisingly velvet tongue. His Italian accent was monotonous and bored, "Don't do anything Aro will make you regret."

Felix gave a snicker, but stepped back from Edward. Carlisle conversed quietly and quickly with the first shadow and he turned around to lead us further into the alley. Emmett came up behind Felix and snarled low in his chest, sizing his opponent up. Felix was just as big as Emmett was, maybe even bigger and this seemed to displease Emmett.

Felix held his hands up and snickered once more before following the first shadow. Edward muttered a quick thanks to Emmett before tugging me along. At the end of the alleyway was a manhole; Felix hoisted the lid up and one by one, the vampires descended into the fissure. Edward and I were before Rosalie and Emmett so that Emmett could keep Felix in line.

Edward lifted me onto his back and jumped gracefully into the hole, dropping me back onto the ground reluctantly once we hit land. The sewer was dark and smelled a little funky…like rotting flesh. I leaned even closer to Edward and he buried my face into his jacket where his scent managed to calm my panic slightly. He guided my feet as he wound this way and that; I didn't care, I trusted him.

I heard nothing but my footsteps, the blood rushing in my ears, my heart beating quickly, Edward's breathing and the occasional drip drop of water droplets. The vampires were completely quiet, not that I expected anything less.

I heard wood being hit and the Italian monotone speak, "Demetri and Felix. We brang the Cullens and their pet." Edward pulled me closer still; I could feel his growl vibrate against me. When I heard the ominous creak of a door opening, I looked up and was met with light. I squinted, waiting for my eyes to adjust to the brightness after having my eyes closed against the darkness.

The medieval looking wooden door opened to what seemed like a throne room where royalty would sit importantly like in the movies. There were three intricately decorated thrones, two sat about a foot lower on either side of what seemed like the most significant. None of the royalty that sat on the chairs wore any crowns or capes or even jewelry. They wore fancy cloaks and expensive suits looking underneath; the three were identical in facial features, but the similarities ended there. The one on the left had dark hair, cropped short and modern. His bored and pale exterior brought even more attention to his crimson eyes. The one on the right seemed to sink into his chair, white as snow hair that seemed to blend in with his skin tone were falling into identical crimson eyes as to that of his brother. I was reminded of a short and cranky Napoleon whilst looking at him.

The one in the middle seemed genuinely happy to see us. His slick black hair was tied at the nape of his neck, much like Jacob used to style his hair. But Jacob's tan skin and friendly face seemed normal to me. This guy, however, may as well have been the actor who played Dracula in Van Helsing.

Dracula stood up and beamed at Carlisle and I was surprised I didn't see any fangs protruding from his mouth, "Carlisle, my old friend!" He floated down the steps that led to his throne, his beautiful cloak trailing lightly behind him, and embraced Carlisle who smiled and hugged him back. His voice sounded smooth as silk, liquid and warm. He talked like my grandmother Marie did, but his voice sent sweat pooling to the base of my spine whereas grandma Marie's had had a calm, soothing affect.

"Aro, it's good to see you again," Carlisle also seemed genuine. But what do I know? These guys are supposed to be better actors than the best in Hollywood. Carlisle gestured to Esme, "My wife, Esme Cullen."

"Ah, so this is what you have been doing all these years," Aro smiled innocently, looking completely unaware of his innuendo or Carlisle's now forced smile as he kissed Esme's cheeks. "Wonderful, simply wonderful. And the others?"

He pointed out each of his children and their respective mates including Edward and me. Aro looked on with interest and zeroed in on me when Carlisle introduced us. I looked away from his penetrating gaze and let my eyes wander over to Felix and Demetri who stood by other shadows near the throne.

"Ah, such constraint you have, Edward. How can you stand so close to her?"

"It is not without effort, I assure you." Edward sounded strained.

"But still – la tua cantante! Such a waste!"

I tried to keep my expression as blank as the others, but I was sure confusion was painted all over my face. Edward chuckled darkly, "Actually, I've done some research in my time and have read up on a few things. Our singers are actually our soul mates and they will keep returning from death until they are united with their other half. Even if I were to have…well, she would've come back according to my research."

Aro's brows raised in surprise, "Is that so? How interesting! May I?" He held his hand out to Edward. Edward looked hesitantly at Carlisle, Carlisle nodded in resentment. Edward clasped his free hand to Aro's and Aro's crimson eyes glazed over, much like Alice's would if she were having a vision. After a couple of seconds, Aro's eyes cleared and he pulled another Alice as he clapped with happiness, "Amazing! Simply amazing!"

Rosalie, Esme, Emmett, Jasper and Alice seemed just as lost as I felt. Aro having noticed this, "Oh, how terribly rude of me! You see, I share some of your Edward deary's talent, only I am limited in a way that he is not." Aro's tone was envious.

"And also exponentially more powerful," Edward added dryly. He looked around at us as he explained. "Aro needs physical contact to hear your thoughts, but he hears much more than I do. You know I can only hear what's passing through your head at the moment. Aro hears every thought your mind has ever had." Esme looked distressed and Emmett raised his eyebrows, Edward inclined his head slightly.

Aro did not miss it. "But to be able to hear from a distance…" Aro sighed, gesturing to the exchange between the brothers. "That would be so convenient."

The other black-haired brother got up from his seat abruptly, gliding toward his sibling and reaching out his hand. He touched Aro's shoulder briefly and Edward snorted. I looked up at him curiously.

"Thank you, Marcus," Aro said. "That was very interesting." And I realized that Marcus was letting Aro know his thoughts. Aro was shaking his head. "Amazing," he said. "Absolutely amazing. Perhaps then, the bond is as strong as the thirst?" He asked himself.

Alice gave a quiet, frustrated huff from beside me. "Marcus sees relationships," Edward explained. "He's surprised by the intensity of ours." In my peripheral vision, I saw Rosalie clench her teeth and throw her hair over her shoulder.

"Hmm." Aro murmured. "If Marcus' power works, and Alice and Jasper's powers work as well, perhaps then it is something mental?" He shook his head and smiled. "If you don't mind, Bella, dear?" He held his hand out. "I would like to test a theory of mine."

I bit my lip and looked at Edward, unsure, he nodded reluctantly. I stepped forward, Edward holding my waist tightly and raised my hand to Aro. His skin felt smooth and cool, and much like Felix's had felt, foreign and unpleasant.

I looked at his face, unable to detach myself from his fiery eyes. His expression was friendly at first, then his confidence wavered into doubt, and then molded into incredulity before the friendly smile came back. "So very interesting," he murmured as he released my hand and stepped back, Edward pulled me back, too, back to our family. "I wonder," he cocked his head. "Jane, dear," he called. The white haired one, Caius, I presume got up to glide over and watch.

Edward and Carlisle looked horror struck. "Aro," Carlisle asked. "Is this truly necessary?" Aro actually ignored him as a child-like little girl walked up towards him.

"Yes, Master?"

"I was wondering, my dear one, if Bella was immune to you." Edward began to snarl dangerously and Alice demanded that Emmett constraint him. When our contact ceased, I almost felt like crying. Jasper helped calm Edward down, but my boyfriend's eyes were still desperate.

Carlisle put a hand on my shoulder and motioned for the rest of the family to step back. He looked apologetically at Edward and me before little Jane step forward. She gave me an innocent smile and I waited for…something. I remember Carlisle had said to be especially careful of this Jane, but I had no idea why. I looked back at Edward and he seemed to sag in relief as he stared between Jane and me. I looked back at Jane and was surprised to see anger and frustration clouding her expression, making her appear demented.

Emmett let go of Edward after Jasper gave the okay and Edward came to me so fast, he was nothing but a blur. Jane gave a growl and leaned forward, like she was about to lung at me. Aro laughed, "This is incredible! Amazing! Don't be put out, dear Jane, she confounds us all." I heard a light snicker come from near the thrones and Jane turned around to glare at Felix.

I watched in terror as Felix collapsed to the ground in agony, writhing in pain and screaming his head off. His bloodcurdling screams echoed through the walls and I shivered and shuddered against Edward as he held me tight and tried to turn me away from the horrific scene.

Aro put his hand on Jane and she looked up at him, Felix spared and breathing heavily on the floor, springing up as soon as he caught his breath and turned to glare at Jane. Aro chuckled under his breath, "Behave, my children." He scolded them lightly as if they were nothing but a normal family going through everyday mischief.

Caius looked on with disappointment and gave me a glare, too. Aro turned to us once more. "Now," he sighed. "What do we do with you?" Almost at once, every single vampire in that room surrounded us into a tight circle.

A/N: Mmm, so there were some references from the book and of course all the credit goes to SM.

The sexy chicks were inspired by the movie Vampires Suck.

Reviews are much appreciated.