What if the Cullens weren't the first immortals that Bella met? What if she had an encounter with a more transitory immortal while she was in Phoenix? One that had a history with Caius…

Stephenie Meyer owns the original story of course. I am just playing with the characters

Chapter 21 – Answering AnnaMaria's questions

When I wake up, the sun has started to go down. The shadows of the cypress trees are growing long. Carlisle is still sitting in the same spot in the garden with one arm thrown over the back of the chair, his other hand stroking his chin, seemingly lost in thought.

"Oh, there you are," he says as I sit up. "Shall we go inside? I believe they are preparing dinner for you."

We go in and are greeted inside the door by Mona, who has changed from her bathing suit to a red velvet dress that clings to every curve. She has on a magnificent ruby necklace that hangs into her cleavage, with matching drop earrings. The rubies glitter in the firelight, reflecting both the flames from the fireplace and the vampires' red eyes. She tells us that dinner will be in thirty minutes.

Back in our bedroom, I grit my teeth and decide to wear the dress with the sheer lace bodice. I put on a black bra underneath, though it clearly didn't belong with this outfit, but I had to be able to walk down the hall without blushing.

Carlisle and Jasper escort me (there is no other word for their action) into a formal dining room, where we all sit at a formally set dining room table, even though Mona and I are the only ones eating. AnnaMaria's table has a magnificent lace table cloth and is covered with Limoges china in a delicate floral print. Flowers that match the table settings have been artfully arranged in simple but elegant vases, which are interspersed with candles which throw shadows on the wall. The vampires' red eyes seem to gleam more brightly in the light. The men all wear black dinner jackets, while AnnaMaria has on what appears to be a black Chanel gown, surprisingly modern, but still stunning.

We are joined by AnnaMaria's husband, who keeps closely by her side and says very little. He watches Carlisle and Jasper closely throughout the meal. There is some discussion of someone named Alec, who apparently spends time with Mario. It is clear from the comments that Alec is not necessarily invited on these trips freely. It seems he is included on their trips more as an accepted spy from Castle Volterra than anything else.

Carlisle tells me quietly that Alec is a member of the Volturi guard. He and his twin sister Jane reside at Volterra castle and are trusted confidants of Aro Volturi. Aro likes to keep a close eye on the vampire residents of the city, and he has always been interested in AnnaMaria's family. She is an older vampire with experiences that rival Aro's, but has never been completely under his thrall.

After dinner, we retire into the parlor with the fireplace again.

Mario and Alfonso quickly move some chairs and sofas so that there is enough room for all of us in from of the fireplace. This time, AnnaMaria leans forward, and asks me directly to tell her about my illness.

"Please, now, tell me what is going on," she says quietly. "I have made some observations since you have been here, and Carlisle has described your symptoms to me. I feel as though you have not told your new family everything. I have myself some personal experience with matters such as these, and have had contact with immortals other than vampires. I am sure there is much more to your story."

I start to describe the tugs. As I speak, I feel as though her eyes are looking through me, as if she can see my experiences through my eyes. But she sits listening without speaking.

She finally interrupts us, as Carlisle begins to discuss his medical observations, by raising her hand. "As I have said, I have some experience in these matters. Carlisle is correct, someone is trying to contact someone else, and you are caught in the middle. I believe your life is in peril, so you must trust me. Who is it they are trying to reach? It seems to me that you are protecting someone."

I stare at the floor, biting my lip. The silence drags on. I look up, and find all eyes are on me. Carlisle begins to stroke my hair in a reassuring gesture.

"I got lost in the desert, outside of Phoenix," I begin.

"Ah, the desert," says AnnaMaria softly. "Tell me about the desert. Many mortals encounter immortals in the desert. It is a hostile environment, one that is generally experienced through isolation and hardship. How old were you?"

"I was thirteen," I reply.

"A perfect age," she says, more to herself. "The mind and spirit are young and open. Mortals are seldom more attractive to immortals than at that age. Please go on."

"I got lost in the desert, and was beginning to suffer from the heat. I collapsed under a tree…" at this point, AnnaMaria stiffens.

She points to my necklace. "What is in that spirit vial you carry?" she demands.

"It was a gift from a friend," I say.

"Your friend gave you this, why?" she demands. "Why this specifically? I noted the smell of laurel when you came in the room."

Finally I just come out with it all. The strange story just bursts from my lips as if I can't get the truth out quickly enough. "Because somehow, I don't know how, it was a laurel tree that saved me in the desert. And it appeared in Washington, and now is somehow in my room at home in Forks. It healed me after I started bleeding internally on my honeymoon…"

AnnaMaria put up her hand to stop me from speaking. "I have heard enough, I do not want to hear more. If I hear more, than I would be in a position of knowing more than I want to."

She turns to Carlisle. "You must take her home now. Leave tonight and never set foot in this country with her again. I don't know if you can keep her safe, even where you are."

Carlisle looks at her, and says, "You know who it is, don't you?"

"I will not guess aloud. That would only be dangerous. The son you left behind in Forks is hardly the only mind-reader. Leave with her now, I wish you the best of luck. Now go, if you value yourselves and our friendship," she says, rising from her chair by the fire in a fluid motion. "Leave your things, I will have them shipped. Take my car, drive and do not stop."

Carlisle and Jasper bow to the men, and each kiss her hand. They bow to Mona also, who looks sad, especially at seeing me go.

Once we get outside, Jasper tells me, in answer to my unspoken question, "Mona is somewhat lonely. She was hoping we would stay."

Mario brings a sleek black car around to the front and gives Jasper the keys. As Carlisle hands me into the car, Mario leans over and says a few words to Jasper while pointing towards the end of the street, then steps away to allow Jasper to pull out.

To my surprise, Jasper drives in the opposite direction.

"Didn't he point this way?" I ask, looking behind us.

"He told me not to go that way," Jasper says grimly.

"What's down there?" I ask.

"Castle Volterra," says Carlisle quietly. "It's where I spent the day."

"What happened in there?" I finally ask in a small voice. It seems unfair, I started to tell my secret, and then everyone started buzzing around in activities they were leaving me out of intentionally.

"I believe AnnaMaria knows who is performing the summoning," says Carlisle. "There were a number of works in the library on summoning, just as I remembered from my stay centuries ago. Someone there has an interest in the subject. And whoever it is, or was, lives in Volterra. AnnaMaria didn't want to say anything aloud, or say anything that anyone else might think about accidentally. It's clear that she believes whatever is going on, it is happening here. And that it's not good for you. I lived here for decades, but eventually had to leave myself, and I was already an immortal. What goes on behind the walls of Castle Volterra is dangerous for almost everyone, mortal or immortal."

We drive rapidly; Jasper seems to have no problems navigating the car along the twisting roads that lead back to Milan. We get a few stares in the airport due to our formal attire. Jasper gives me his dinner jacket to wear over my lacy top so I feel more comfortable. Soon we are airborne and on our way back to New York.

In New York, I stop at one of the shops in LaGuardia where I pick up some sweats emblazoned "I (heart) NYC" to wear. I have to get out of that dress. I also grab some paperweights and postcards for people back home as we have a bit of a layover.

Soon we are in Seattle and on our chartered flight to Forks. Within a few hours, I am back at Charlie's.

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