14

Tanya

It has only been a day since I left Forks and the rest of my kind. But I have a mission to fulfill.

I flip through a magazine in my first class seat on the airplane, heading to give my news of the progress of my trip. They did not want to come to Forks on their own; their reasoning was not said to me.

My mission is simple: check up on this Bella Swan girl. Make sure the plans to change her are still in place. They warned me not to toy with anyone there. But I did not expect to see Edward.

Edward.

My thoughts drift back to last night. I hate controlling him like that, but it's the only way to keep him from her. It's not fair, none of it is. Here Bella is, a human, in love with the very monster who selfishly tried to kill me, but through his "kind heart" let me live this horrible existence. I would rather have died that night.

A foreign voice comes onto the intercom, announcing our arrival. I jump up from my seat and out into the airport. I step outside into the cool night air seeing a sleek black car with a "V" emblem I recognize on the doors waiting for me at the curb. I ease myself onto the back leather in the back seat. The driver simply nods his head and jets off into the night.

As we drive through the Italian landscape I remember the first time I had come to Volterra:

It was only 3 years ago when I laid my eyes on the faces of the vampire royalty I had heard about only in stories through Carlisle in my newborn years. I knew they were a very powerful coven, each with a special gift of their own to control the vampire population from the least likely location. I had ventured to them for help. Begging for help is more like it. The Cullens had left Denali and I was torn in two. I told my own family that I was simply going on a trip, to get away from the memories that haunted my every step in the mountains.

I ventured to Volterra to discover my own special power. I knew I had one; it just never had surfaced. Carlisle had told me the Volturi knew everything. If I ever needed special help or guidance, he said to go to them. He always spoke highly of Aro, so I thought to give it a try. The least they could say was "no".

At first they were not so kind to me. I learned that only Aro truly spoke well of Carlisle and the Cullens. All the rest seemed to have grievances against them. As I stayed longer in Volterra I had learned that the Volturi saw them as a "waste of talent". I simply agreed with them, trying to win them over somehow, all the while missing Edward terribly. Aro, thankfully allowed me to continue to only drink from animals, but the lure of human blood was tempting. But I never strayed away, thinking of the poor lives I would be taking away. I would not let myself become a monster.

Seeing I was a friend to Carlisle's, Aro granted my wish to discover my own power, on one condition. Should my power be of use to them, I must join their coven indefinitely. I felt like I had nothing else to live for after Edward left, so I agreed.

What they found was most astonishing. My mind was powerful, so powerful that not even Jane's torture abilities were able to penetrate through me. Edward was the only exception, however. Since his venom ran through me, there's a special connection between us that can never be broken. To add to it, just the sight of him makes my mind venerable to him. They found that when I concentrated hard enough, I could control the minds of others, manipulating them to do as I willed.

But there were flaws. I had to maintain concentration at all times until my task was fully complete. And the subject must be close by to hear my commands, unless I include those commands in the trance. Controlling Edward was too easy. He only needs to hear my thoughts to command him to do as I wished. I found that I could control Alice's visions quite easily since my mind could feel her invasion every time.

Aro had been training me for quite some time to master my abilities. I stayed hidden deep within the tunnels underground to avoid any confrontation. I was not allowed in during any meetings. Once I had heard one vampire came to The Volturi, begging to be put out of his misery, but I did not ask any questions. When sudden information of a newborn outbreak came to Volterra, some left to control the problem. When they returned, they gave me my first mission. I was not given many details except to go back to Denali and insist that my family heads to Forks, where I would find this Bella Swan.

"She's a human who is of great interest to us, Tanya." Aro explained to me one evening. "Her mind is exceptionally powerful, and I daresay even more so than yours. Your mind tricks will not work on her. The coven she resides with is of great importance to us. They plan to change her soon, but we need to make sure they plan to keep that plan. Your job is simple: go back to your home and insist your family travels to Forks, Washington where you will find this girl. I trust you will be successful, Tanya. You must do this without any complications do you hear me? No one must know who sent you there." I nod. "That's a good girl. You are one step closer becoming a full Volturi."

And with that I was on my way. There was something about Forks that I could've sworn I had heard before, but I had to concentrate on my task.

My mission was clear: check up on her and do not expose yourself. I shake my head, coming back to reality remembering the last part, wondering if I had done wrong.

Suddenly I'm overtaken for a brief second.

"Damnit Alice!" I could feel her trying to enter my mind, searching for anything she can get her hands on. I gave her a vision of trees, mountains, and my Denali home instead. Thank god I was able to control her visions, or my cover would surly be exposed.

The car pulled into the familiar walled city and the driver stopped suddenly in a dark alleyway.

He nods to me again and I nod back. I step out into the night and the car speeds away. I open a familiar storm drain and I jump down into the dark tunnels below the city. I run for only seconds before Jane greets me.

"Hello Tanya. We have been expecting you." Her smooth voice fills the tunnel as she guides me into the chamber where the rest of the Volturi reside. Aro recognizes me at once.

"Tanya! So wonderful to see you again! And how is our Bella Swan doing?" It's amazing to see him always in good spirits, even after feasting on countless harmless humans.

I respond, "Well and still human. The plans to change her are still in place for after the wedding, which is in 5 days."

"Excellent!" Aro says. "Wonderful job, Tanya! Yes you have served us well. And how are our friends The Cullens?"

"Well also. Although I was quite shocked once I learned they were in Forks." I admit.

"Oh yes, well, we did not want to say anything in regards to that to keep your mind strong and useful. But I am sure you enjoyed seeing them once more, did you not?"

I nod.

"Yes and I trust your presence there did not give them any cause to…worry, did it?" Aro's voice is threatening and utterly menacing. Thank god Aro is not able to use his powers so easily on me.

"Of course Aro. You have nothing to worry about." I gulp and look to my side where Jane stands, eyeing me, not believing a word I had just said. I smile at her, hopefully reassuring her. She does not smile back or take her eyes off me. I swear she is constantly trying to use her powers on me.

"Good, good! Lovely Tanya! Excellent!" He held his hands open, way too excited for my success. "Now, I'm sorry for placing this on you so suddenly, but we would like to have you return to Forks and continue to be our eyes and ears for the time being."

Wait. "I'm going back?" I ask.

"Yes, yes, you'll be going back, for the time being. You will return here with news of Bella Swan's transformation in no later than one week. If they show no signs of keeping their promise to us, then by all means, use your little gift accordingly."

"So, you're giving me permission to manipulate them?" Maybe this is my way to avoid conflict if they come to know of my use of my powers on Edward already.

"Yes and no. Remember Tanya you must not be caught. They must not know it is you who altered their minds. I trust you know how to do that, yes?"

"Uh-huh," I quickly nod my head, panicking inside remembering I did not end the manipulation properly on Edward. This is a bad.

"The law forbids us to unwillingly alter any minds unless under threat or absolute need, do you understand?" Aro is not bubbly or cheery as he makes sure I fully comprehend what he is saying.
"Forgive me, but if the law is so, then how can Jane torture another unless being threatened?" I look slowly at Jane, her eyes wild at my remark.

"I am above the law, lest you forget," she spits at me.

"Jane is right, Tanya." Aro mentions. "You, however, are not yet a full Volturi, thus you must obey the laws written. Any laws broken have regrettable consequences, I'm sure you know of that."

"Yes, Aro, I understand," I barely say, my mouth trembling with fear.

"Good. Now your driver will pick you up where he left you. You will find your plane tickets in the car. Good luck and we shall see you soon."

Aro's last statement left me uneasy. Soon? But how soon was soon? I have a week. Would they show up in Forks? For all I know they could show up tomorrow and fully expect me to not be surprised their presence. What they say or do goes.

Now that The Cullens probably knew of my threat to Bella, I know I cannot simply walk through their front door. I guess I'll have to spy on them.

I just hope Edward hasn't figured everything out just yet.