We took the train back to Florence in silence, returned on foot to our hotel. "Fix your face, sweetie," Alice told me, chucking me under the chin. I realized the others were wearing pleased expressions as they entered the hotel lobby, appropriate for people on vacation who had spent the day exploring Tuscany. I tried to follow their example. Rosalie chuckled at the results. "You never did have a good poker face," she told me. "You'll have to work on that. For now, just smile a little, and don't make eye contact." I turned my lips up slightly, and she nodded.

We went to one of the suites, Alice and Jasper's, locked the door, and stood together in the living area. Carlisle said, "Our two families don't have to arrive at the same decision, or take the same action; but I think it would be best to discuss it together."

"I agree," Tanya said. "First of all, I don't suppose there's any question of not going?"

"I shouldn't think so," Eleazar answered. "If the Volturi want to see us, they will see us, sooner or later. There's no point antagonizing them by refusing their invitation."

"It's reasonable that they would want to see Bella, and confirm that we've followed through," Jasper said.

"I could go by myself," I suggested. I wasn't crazy about the idea, but it seemed a little less frightening than seeing Edward and my whole family facing the Volturi.

Edward shook his head. "There's no call for that!"

"Alternately," Carlisle said, "three of us could go. Only Eleazar, Bella, and myself were requested by name. The rest could stay behind."

"You shouldn't go in there without support," Carmen objected. "They're so unpredictable."

"All the more reason to limit the number who meet with them," Eleazar argued, a protective hand on Carmen's shoulder.

There was a silence. "Discussion, anyone?" Carlisle asked.

"I think it's a terrible idea," Rosalie said decidedly. "Are we a family, or aren't we? Since when do we split up when there's trouble? We should be protecting each other, not hedging our bets that fewer of us will be at risk. I think we should go in there together, all of us."

"I agree with Rosalie," Edward said.

"There's a first," she said drily, and he snorted.

"Tanya?" Carlisle turned to her.

"Just what is the risk?" she asked. "We were asked to come to them, and show them Bella has been changed. They'll see she has been. We haven't broken any laws. What is it you're concerned about?"

"We haven't really discussed this with you before," Carlisle told her, "but when we encountered the Volturi earlier, after our battle with the newborns, Edward picked up certain things in Aro's thoughts."

"Aro is acquisitive," Edward said. "He collects gifted individuals; and he was quite intrigued at some of our gifts, particularly Alice's and Bella's."

"So your fear is that he will try to persuade them to join the Volturi?" Irina asked.

"Yes. Or perhaps do more than persuade."

Tanya nodded. "In that case, I agree that we should all go together." She smiled at me and reached over to pat Alice's spiky head. "My little sisters won't face their persuasion alone! Agreed?"

Irina and Kate agreed, and Carmen looked relieved. I think she was worried the Volturi would try to get Eleazar back as well.

"In that case, is there anything we need to consider in advance of our visit?" Carlisle asked.

"I don't necessarily expect any trouble," Jasper said, "but we should be prepared for every contingency. Edward thinks Aro might be...assertive in his efforts to obtain new members of the Guard."

"I could hear the plans in his mind," Edward said.

"But Alice did not see any of us joining. Possibly the plans were mostly speculation."

"Possibly," Edward said, looking far from convinced.

"You hear Aro's thoughts," Jasper told Edward. "I have no doubt that his thoughts often centre on ways to increase his influence. But I feel what he feels. He takes great pride in his position as impartial guardian of the law."

"I believe Jasper is right," Eleazar said. "Aro's mind may well be filled with thoughts of new additions to his Guard, but he would be reluctant to act in an openly unlawful way."

"You may be right," Edward said, with a little more conviction. "I still think great caution is in order."

We spent some time going over directions our meeting with the Volturi might take. We proposed things Aro might say to encourage one or more of us to stay, and what we could say to politely counter his offers.

My eyelids flickered slightly. Ideas came into my head, but they were unclear. "What he might do is try to use one member of the family to influence another. If he threatened Jasper, Alice would stay. If he threatened Edward..."

"Yes, I see," Jasper said thoughtfully. "Again, not that I expect it, but if it comes down to a direct threat..."

"In that case," Eleazar said, "we would have no chance. Nobody would."

I tried to fix on the dreamlike ideas going through my mind. "The Guard. How many are there?"

"Eight in my day," Eleazar said. "But more have been added since."

"I saw ten in their thoughts," Edward said. "Not including Heidi, who is seen as a sort of independent contractor; and the wives and their bodyguards, who don't attend audiences. Why do you ask?"

"How many have mental type weapons, like that Jane, and how many have physical weapons?"

"Felix and Santiago are their chief bodyguards, in terms of physical defence," Eleazar said. "Felix is an incredible fighter - strong, quick, and adept. He would be the primary threat in that category. Santiago depends on strength more than skill, but he is still formidable."

"What about the others?"

Eleazar seemed to wonder about my questions, but answered without argument. "I am not certain about Afton. He can make himself difficult to see, can even hide a person standing behind him; but I'm not sure whether his gift is mental or physical."

"Afton is the tall male with long, light brown hair?" Edward asked.

"Yes."

"I saw him in Aro's thoughts. It was only a glimpse, but I believe his gift works on the mind."

"Good," I said. "And the others?"

"The rest of the guard all have gifts that act on the mind," Eleazar said.

"Can you tell me what their gifts are?"

He described them briefly, the talents that numbed all the senses or that caused debilitating pain; the ability to divert and confuse an assailant; to form loyalties or dissolve alliances; to give an artificial feeling of contentment and acceptance; along with Aro's mind reading and Marcus' ability to see the relationships between individuals and groups. All useful to rulers who needed to control both their subjects and their own servants.

"Why are you asking this, Bella?" Tanya asked.

"Because it changes the odds. We have Felix and Santiago who are strong fighters, but how are the rest of the guard at fighting?"

Eleazar shrugged. "I have no idea. Completely inexperienced, I would imagine. If a conflict began, their gifts would protect them, protect the Volturi. Jane's and Alec's in particular. They never have to fight, not physically."

I grinned. "They would have to if I was there."

There was a momentary silence, then Emmett burst out laughing. "Bella has a point," he said. "Her shield would even the odds, all right!"

Tanya nodded. "It would be as if their usual weapons did not exist."

"So," Jasper said thoughtfully, "we would be a team of thirteen against ten, two of whom are dangerous fighters, but the rest probably unfamiliar with battle."

"That would, perhaps, be encouraging if we intended to engage the Volturi in combat," Carlisle said. "I hope you're not suggesting that we attempt a surprise attack on the Guard?"

"No, not at all. I'm assuming that our goal is to avoid confrontation. But being in a position of strength can help us to do that, especially if the Volturi are aware of our strength. Sometimes," Jasper said, "the best defence is a good offence."

We took the train as far as it went, and walked the rest of the way into Volterra. None of us spoke on the way; we'd discussed the upcoming meeting in every detail, and our plans were clear. Besides, I think we all appreciated the quiet time together before we faced the Volturi. We reached the clock tower in the centre of town just as the sun started to come out from behind the clouds and shine brightly, and we kept to the shadows until we were indoors. It seemed a little strange that the residence of the Volturi was regarded as just another old stone building, divided up and rented out as offices and workplaces. The scent trail of the Volturi and guard, and of the vampires who arrived for an audience with them, was like a theatre marquee; but I realized that to humans, the place would not stand out in any way.

From the stone archway, we followed the corridor to a reception area, attended by a young woman. She was human, and greeted us pleasantly in Italian.

"She's actually their employee," Edward told us, his voice disapproving, too low for the receptionist to hear. "She knows who she works for."

"This is something new," Eleazar said, frowning at the girl.

Carlisle glanced at Jasper, who approached the desk. He gave the woman a warm smile. "Good day, little lady. Parli Inglese?"

"Oh, si. Yes," she replied, flustered but smiling. I thought Jasper might be using a little emotional control along with his pretty smile. "I speak English. What can I do for you?"

Jasper glanced significantly downward, indicating the lower levels of the building. "We were asked to come in."

"Of course. The name?"

Carlisle said, "Tell them we are here to present Isabella to them."

She stood. "Let me show you to the room."

I held tightly to Edward's hand as we followed her. We waited together at the chamber door as the receptionist went inside to announce us. I could hear Aro's unctuous voice from inside: "Thank you, my dear. Send them in." She emerged and nodded to us.

As we entered the chamber, everyone shifted their positions slightly, so that I was in the centre, surrounded by the others. I understood the reason: I had to be protected. If worse came to worst, my shield would be their only hope of withstanding the Guard. I spread my shield out, covering everyone, and only then took the time to look around. The chamber was arranged like a throne room, with three high backed chairs on an elevated platform, one for each of the Volturi. It was at once dungeon-like and palatial; dank and cheerless, but with marble floors, ornate hanging lanterns, wall tapestries, and elaborately carved furnishings. I thought it could stand a little redecorating by the proprietors of the Lakeview Bed & Breakfast; I stifled a laugh at the thought of the Volturi's chamber decked out with kitschy trinkets, the three royal presences seated on wicker chairs with calico seat covers. It was silly, but I immediately felt calmer.

I recognized the three Volturi from my indistinct human memories of the night we'd fought the newborns. I also remembered little Jane, and the enormous male bodyguard who had been there in Forks, the one they called Felix. There were others as well, all dressed in shades of grey, most of them arrayed on either side of the thrones. One female stood at Aro's shoulder as if protecting him.

I felt a little of the fear I'd experienced when I'd seen the Volturi as a human. I also felt the strangest sensation, as if in a part of my body I couldn't identify. I finally realized that it was my shield itself that was sensing something stirring against it, trying to get through. I couldn't put into words what I was feeling, but I knew someone was trying to see through my shield, to discover something. He or she was not succeeding; the shield held fast.

"Carlisle, my old friend!" Aro said, rising from his seat. "We last spoke on the site of a battle. It is good to see you under less distressing circumstances." His eyes slid to Jasper, who stood at Carlisle's left, looking utterly relaxed, seeming to ignore the meeting altogether, his only reaction a subtle attitude of deference whenever Carlisle spoke. Combined with his countless scars, his presence next to Carlisle sent out an unmistakable message: I've fought thousands. They all died, and I survived. And I'm on his side.

"Aro." Carlisle greeted him with a faint smile. "Greetings Marcus, Caius." The other two Volturi inclined their heads, but said nothing. Apparently Aro did most of the talking for the three of them.

"And Eleazar! A great deal of time has passed since you were with us. I see you have found a coven of your own."

Eleazar bowed slightly. "Yes, I found Tanya and her sisters more than a century after Carmen and I left."

"Yet another coven which has taken on unconventional hunting practices, I observe." Aro studied the cousins carefully.

"Yes. Carmen and I prefer it."

Aro chuckled and shook his head, like someone amused by a friend's inexplicable fondness for gas station tacos. "Tanya, you and your coven are most welcome."

Tanya inclined her head politely.

"But before we continue, let us welcome our newcomer! Isabella, how different you look now than at our first meeting!" Aro smiled, that outwardly sugary smile that made my skin crawl, and held his hands out to me as though inviting everyone to look. "Immortality becomes you very well. Congratulations on your successful metamorphosis."

"Thank you." I felt calm and composed, but I was sure that was Jasper's doing. I knew there was potential danger. I felt new sensations, new forces trying to penetrate my shield. I found I could identify them - not only their source, but their intent. I could sort of taste them with my shield. A force attempting to discover more about us. Another trying to come between each family member, to weaken the bond between us. And another, subtler energy, one that was more dangerous because it seemed friendly and pleasant; it felt safe to allow it past my shield, although somehow I knew better. They were Marcus' gift, and Chelsea's, and Corin's, trying to reach us, and failing. I was momentarily taken up with my ability to taste these gifts as they attempted to reach us. A smooth, balanced little gift with a pleasant bouquet, I thought in a pompous wine taster's voice, ideal for bouncing harmlessly off my implacable shield.

"Of course, I cannot help but wonder whether your rather impressive gift has changed as well. Would you permit me?" Aro moved closer, holding out his hand. His bodyguard moved with him.

I braced myself, let go of Edward's hand, and went forward to meet him. I kept my shield firmly over my entire family as I placed my hand in Aro's.

As before, he bent his head thoughtfully for a long moment, then released me. "Just as before. I see nothing whatsoever." He smiled at me again. "Excellent. You are, I am sure, a welcome addition to an already talented family." I returned to my place beside Edward. "May I ask who effected the transformation?"

"I did," Edward said.

"Naturally enough. And how was her disappearance explained?" He looked a little more stern as he asked, and Caius leaned forward attentively.

"It was managed for us, purely by chance," Edward explained. He described our disastrous flight from Anchorage, how we had escaped, and the subsequent funeral for us both. Sorrow for my parents' grief and shock emerged from the part of my mind where it remained, set aside but ever fresh, and I restrained it once again.

"What an unlikely turn of events! And yes, that does seem to have solved the problem satisfactorily." Aro looked around at us all, smiling affably. "Well, well. This is a reunion for several of us, after a lengthy period without any contact. Especially for you and your two sisters, Tanya." He looked at her. "Our last encounter was when we were forced to intervene in that unfortunate episode..." He trailed off, as Tanya, Irina, and Kate stood stiffly, immobile. "But there is no need to rake up the past. You three were found innocent, and there is no stain on your record, none whatsoever."

"We are very much obliged to you," Tanya said, her voice flat.

My eyelids fluttered slightly as I looked around at the Volturi and their Guard. I could feel my second gift functioning, more clearly than I ever had before. Eleazar had said it might operate best under stress, and this situation certainly involved stress. I was reminded of those teletype machines I'd seen in old movies. The machine would start humming and whirring, and a few seconds later a long stream of printed information would start to emerge from the machine's slot. Right now, I felt like my mind had started humming and whirring, and I was standing by for a very extensive printout. I kept my shield firmly fixed in place, but it didn't feel as if one gift interfered with the functioning of the other.

Aro was reminiscing with Tanya about events of the past centuries, making his interrogation seem very much like pleasant conversation. As he spoke, he walked casually over to Marcus, reached out and took his hand. Aro paused a moment, then turned to look sharply at Marcus, who shook his head. Aro glanced around at us as though suspicious, but he kept chatting without so much as a break or a change in his tone of voice. I immediately understood what had happened: Marcus' gift was to see the relationships between people. Aro had wanted to read what Marcus was picking up about the members of our family and their affinity to each other, but Marcus had come up blank. My shield blocked him from obtaining any information.

Aro finished with the three sisters and turned to Eleazar. "It is also some time before our former brother has been here with us. Eleazar, I would love to know more about the direction your life has taken since you left our Guard. Would you permit me?" He held out his hand, and Eleazar stepped forward to comply.

My internal teletype machine had finished spitting out its message, and it left me uncertain. According to our joint agreement, I was to remove my shield from individuals if Aro wished to read their thoughts, since refusing might be seen as an act of rebellion. My instincts told me to keep my shield in place. I felt I was in no position to make unilateral decisions, but I was also sure that my course was advisable. In the seconds it took for Aro to extend his hand and Eleazar to approach, I decided to request what backup I could. I firmly fixed my mind on the decision to keep us all shielded, and reached out to touch Alice. She looked at me, and I raised my eyebrows questioningly, hoping she'd understand.

Alice's eyes stared into space momentarily. Edward turned to look at her, taking in her vision of the consequences of my action, then at me. Alice looked at me and nodded minutely; Edward did the same. As Eleazar's hand touched Aro's, I kept my shield where it was.

Aro took Eleazar's hand in his, paused, and bowed his head as he had done with me earlier. He looked up at Eleazar, then directly at me.

"I'm afraid we're discovering that my gift is, so to speak, contagious," I told him. I saw Carlisle half turn toward me in surprise, and Edward place a hand on his shoulder. Carlisle looked at Edward, who nodded almost imperceptibly. I hoped everything had been made reasonably clear without attracting the Volturi's attention.

"How fascinating! I have never heard of a gift being passed along to others. Have you, Eleazar?"

Eleazar was quick on the uptake. "Never, Aro. But you recall that Bella's gift was surprisingly well established during her human life. It could be expected to develop extensively, perhaps unpredictably, after her transformation."

"Yes," Aro said thoughtfully. He studied me closely a moment and, acting on some idea that was still at the instinctive level, I gave him a big smile. His eyes widened in surprise, and he looked away without comment. "Well, Eleazar, I hope you will tell me the events of your recent life in the conventional way."

Eleazar began summarizing all that had happened to him since leaving Volterra with Carmen, many years before. I felt a faint prickling along the edges of my shield, and easily identified its source. Jane was testing her gift, trying to find out if it was true that we were all protected against her now. I turned toward her; she didn't look happy. I had a cloudy, human memory of Edward, writhing on the ground in agony, as Jane smiled her sweet little smile. It's not going to come down to a fight, I thought. But if it does, you're mine, little girl. For just a second, I could picture myself attacking her, sinking my teeth into her neck and tearing her head off. It felt very satisfying. Jasper raised an eyebrow at me, and I focused my attention.

"Have you never thought of returning?" Aro was asking Eleazar. "We did such excellent work together."

"We did, certainly," Eleazar said politely, "but I simply found that it was not my calling."

"I understand. We must all follow our destiny." Aro smiled affectionately at Eleazar. "But now that you are here again, along with our old friend Carlisle and all your associates, I hope you will accept our hospitality, at least for a short period. Who knows when we will meet again?"

I felt that sensation again, of something searching for entry, trying to get past my shield. Chelsea and Corin.

Carlisle replied cautiously, "It is...awkward for us, Aro, to be here for any length of time. Given our different ways of hunting, among other things."

"Yes, yes. Our ways of life are very different. But there are always points of contact. I used to quite enjoy our discussions, my old friend, on such a variety of topics. We all took pride in having forwarded your education - although I understand you are largely self-taught since then."

"I have also attended university on several occasions," Carlisle told him. "We all have - except Bella, who hasn't yet had the opportunity."

"Most impressive! And you are able to study, to learn, in a building filled with humans? You continue to astonish me, Carlisle. You and your entire coven - and yours as well, Tanya."

The teletype machine had completed its work; everything was clear to me. I saw what Aro had planned. It wasn't the huge and imposing Felix or Santiago who were a real threat to us, or even sadistic little Jane. Aro didn't have to use force, or threats. He just had to convince us to stay a few days, and let Chelsea and Corin do their work, unnoticed. We would decide on our own to stay, voluntarily, even happily. That is, we would if it weren't for my shield. We would feel a loyalty to the Volturi, a strong attachment to them; we would long to serve them. And being here with them would bring us happiness - a sickly, unnatural kind of happiness, but a numbing and addictive kind. I let the remaining information seep in from my not-quite-subconscious. I understood exactly what kept the Guard together.

As Aro began to press us to stay with him for a time, I made another unilateral decision. I waited until Alice had processed the results, and she and Edward had given me a slight nod. Edward again touched Carlisle's shoulder, and a moment of silent communication passed between them. Then Carlisle caught Tanya's eye, unable to relate anything but letting her know that something was about to go down.

I reached out with my shield, carefully turning it out, mirror style, and wrapped it around Chelsea, stifling her gift and preventing her from having any effect, even on the Volturi and the Guard. Cautiously, keeping my shield in place over both families, I did the same to Corin. It felt as if I were reaching out and wrapping a hand around each of their heads, holding their gifts inside.

For a few seconds, nothing happened. Aro went on speaking in his saccharine voice, encouraging us to extend our visit. Suddenly Marcus raised his head, staring at the back of the chamber for a moment, his eyes wide. It was the first time I'd ever seen him look anything but bored. He inhaled sharply, and Aro turned toward him. Marcus met Aro's eyes, with an expression I couldn't define: anger, misery, guilt, sorrow, horror, all mixed together. It was a shocking contrast to his usual blank indifference. Aro paused in his speech, and Marcus looked away and sat stiffly, staring at the floor, as if trying to work something out in his own mind.

Aro quickly scanned the Guard members. I saw no obvious reaction, but Aro studied them with a worried expression. I released Chelsea and Corin from my grip, seeing my point was made.

Aro returned to what he'd been saying, although he seemed a little distracted. "You will all find it a wonderful opportunity to learn, to expand your experience. With no obligation, of course, to remain longer than you wish." He looked at me searchingly. "My dear Isabella, wouldn't you enjoy the chance to discover more about our history, the work we have done to maintain the peace in our world, the world you are now part of?"

"I'm sure it would be very interesting," I said, "and I admire the work you do to keep us safe. I requires such perfect...balance." I could see it all: a perfect but precarious balance, one person's gift equalling another's; animosity between Guard members on one side balanced by the bond between mates or siblings on the other. It was what kept them from destroying each other.

"Balance?" he repeated, tilting his head inquisitively.

"Yes. You've achieved exactly the right equation here, the right people in your Guard, so that it functions perfectly. So perfect, that if you add or subtract anything, it would disrupt the harmony you've established."

Both Aro and Caius were watching me closely now. "Do you think so?" Aro asked.

"I feel sure of it." I looked pointedly at Alice. "And who would risk perfect harmony for the sake of a change that could end well, or just as easily end in disaster?" I looked at Alice again; she nodded sagely. It was tedious, talking in vaguely sinister metaphors and unspoken threats, but that seemed to be the way things got done around here. The Borgias must have got sick of it after a while. I stopped and turned to Carlisle. "Sorry if I'm speaking out of turn."

"Not at all, Bella." Carlisle looked at Aro. "You're quite right; the Volturi would not risk their position, so essential to all of us, for an uncertain benefit."

Tanya spoke. "That is why the Volturi remain stable and strong," she said, gesturing at the three thrones, "long after the Romanian empire, the Domnitori Strigoi, have fallen. They were ambitious, greedy." She waved a dismissive hand. "And they're gone now." She was pretty good at the vaguely sinister thing. "The Volturi would never make the same mistake."

"No," Alice agreed. "I can see continued stability. No future disasters for the Volturi." She smiled sweetly. "As long as they remain as they are and we, also, continue peacefully," she added, as if as a casual afterthought. "Otherwise, the future takes a different direction. There will be imbalance, and the Romanians...but I'm sure that will never happen."

Usually this kind of situation would bring literary references to mind, fictional characters who had perished due to their overweening ambition; but at the moment, all I could come up with was Yertle the Turtle.

"But, to return to the question at hand," Carlisle said, "we are deeply honoured by your invitation, but must regretfully decline it."

Edward, who seemed to have kept himself apprised, went on. "What we want most is to live as we have done. We respect the work you do here, but it is a hard thing to have the life you've chosen disrupted, close relationships divided, even in a good cause. Just as it would be terrible if your far more venerable coven were to somehow lose its close bonds of loyalty, its members turned against one another and its strength reduced." It was a more direct statement than we'd been dealing with. He paused to let it sink in. "Our family is of no consequence by comparison, of course, but I am sure you understand that it would be of no real benefit, to us or to you, to bring any of us here unwillingly. It could only result in...disharmony."

There was a silence. Caius rose from his seat and stood beside Aro, looking displeased. "I, for one, have no interest in any changes to our Guard. It has already expanded beyond manageable size, in my opinion." Aro didn't respond, but I could see he was weighing things in his mind.

Carlisle spoke again. "We are admirers and supporters of all the work you do to keep our world peaceful and hidden. As long as we continue to live together, you will have no more loyal subjects than our two families."

"And now," Tanya said, "perhaps you will allow us to take our leave."

Before Aro or Caius could speak, Marcus said dully, "Yes, you may go."

Aro looked back at him uneasily, then turned to smile at us once more. "Leave with our very best wishes; and be assured, you will always be under our protection. Your lives will not be, er, disrupted by us, or by any means we are able to prevent."

"Thank you," Carlisle said gravely, inclining his head. Tanya did likewise; then we turned and left the chamber in silence.