Thank you so much for all your kind words. Sorry for the delay in posting - this week has been crazy with Halloween and of course, the nasty weather in the East Coast.

Here is the next chapter. As always, I don't own the story. I just borrowed the characters and put them in my own little world.

Chapter 51

BPOV

To say I wasn't enjoying my visit at Volterra would have been an outright lie. I was nervous as hell when we first arrived, but now after having spent some time with the royalty of the vampire world, I really started to feel a sort of kinship with them. They were different than Carlisle and Esme in that the kings never came out acting like replacement parents and I was glad they weren't. If anything, they reminded me of the way Jake and his tribe were; all one close knit family unit. At first, a part of me was skeptical and I kept asking Jasper about their emotions but he reassured me a few times that he didn't feel any animosity or ill-will from them.

It isn't just the kings who have welcomed us. I met Renata yesterday and spent some time talking to her about her shield. She explained that her gift allows her to almost instantly throw a shield over the kings and the queens should there be any danger. From early on, they tested her ability and found out she is able to create an invisible force field that is capable of protecting not just the royalty, but a vast majority of the guards as well. I was awed by just how powerful she was and her role as protector. We also spent time talking about my potential ability and from what she gathered after Aro had spoken to her, she thought mine was triggered somehow by Jasper.

We went to find him on the castle grounds and found him in one of the libraries they had. Thanks to their vampire brains, they were able to theorize that my shield is associated with the trust that I have with Jasper. It had been the emotion that carried since the day he saved me from Laurent.

I was skeptical about it but then we tested the theory by asking Aro to touch my hand once again. Unlike the first time he tried, this time, he was able to see some of my childhood and brief glimpses of my time out in Forks. Armed with the new knowledge, Aro and Renata concluded that as my bond with Jasper grew, it has just been a natural extension, of sorts to expand my shield over him even though he wasn't in any type of danger. They also figured that since my relationship with the kings was growing, and I was starting to trust them, my shield somehow allowed him to catch glimpses of memories.

"Am I ever going to be able to control this shield thingy, Jasper?" I asked as we got ready for our night on the town.

"You will, but most likely it'll happen after your change. Hey, given our discussion today with Renata and Aro, would you want to be changed out here instead of Texas?"

I thought for a moment as I reached behind me to zip up my dress but Jasper had beaten me to it. "Would it be less stressful on you, on having to deal with a newly turned vampire?" I asked as I turned around to face him.

"I wouldn't say it would be more or less stressful, but I am beginning to think that us being here would allow you more breadth of vampire knowledge, if you will, than if it was just me, Peter and Char. I am not trying to influence your decision one way or another, but think about it - and you don't have to make your decision now," he said as he pressed his lips against my temple. "Whatever you decide is fine with me, okay?"

I nodded. "I'll think about it and we can discuss it like we do with other things," I vowed. "How do I look?" I twirled around showing him the strapless black dress.

"Sexy," he growled. "That is the one that you got in Vegas, similar to the one you wore on our wedding, isn't it?"

I smiled and nodded thinking back to that night as I linked my fingers with his. "Yep, is it too much to go dancing in?"

"Hell no," he replied emphatically as I helped him fold the sleeves on his button-down. "You look stunning, baby girl."

I smiled, feeling the heat rise on my cheeks. "I'm glad you're letting me roll your sleeves up tonight. I love it when you're dressy but casual at the same time like this." I ran my hands down the back of his jeans. "And your jeans look really good on you."

We kissed for a few minutes but broke it off before things got too much. We headed out towards the living room area and headed out towards Volterra. Since there were so many of us going, Demetri thought it would be wise to just take some of the vehicles they had and carpool. I nearly laughed at first, that these vampires would be concerned about the environment. But then I realized that they were, and soon I would be, on this earth for a while. We were all citizens of the earth and therefore had to do our part.

The caravan of vehicles headed towards the club. Jasper and I were riding with Felix and Heidi while Peter and Char were in an SUV that included the twins, Alec and Jane amongst others.

"Bella, I noticed earlier you had a tattoo on your shoulder," Heidi said as she turned around.

I smiled. "I got it during the summer, it was a tribute to my dad."

"It's a beautiful design. You know you'll still see it after your change. It will be fainter but as you know, it will still be visible to human eyes."

I nodded and paused as I gathered my thoughts. "I figured after seeing yours, but I wasn't sure how... how to ask you about it given the reason you got it." I quickly grabbed Jasper's hand and squeezed, hoping like hell I didn't just insult her or make her feel uncomfortable.

"It is alright, I don't mind talking about it. I was in the beginning after my change, but as years and decades went by, the pain of the atrocities and the knowledge of how so many people were destroyed is almost like a bad dream. I still support foundations and museums dedicated to the Holocaust, anonymously, of course." She looked at Felix and placed her hand on his shoulder. I watched as he reached over and put his over hers. "My last human memory is being escorted to some sort of rudimentary laboratory and being strapped onto a gurney. I remember being blindfolded and then there was the sound of torn clothing, mine. I must have blacked out or been drugged... I am not sure, but then I felt this blinding pain and when I woke up, I remember being in some sort of cell and Felix peeking into the wrought iron that I was caged in."

"Even to this day, we aren't sure how she was changed, but it is possible that a vampire was dressed as a Nazi or something and changed her before bringing her here. We were all aware of the war and had heard of the experiments." He paused for a moment and I saw him brush his fingertips along her hand. "All of us welcomed her into the Volturi and accepted her without judgement."

"It was hard though," she cut in. "I hated the numbers that were forever on my flesh. I scrubbed and poured acid over it in hopes it would fade away. The worst feeling was knowing that I was a vampire and those numbers were forever etched onto my flesh... literally forever. If it weren't for every single person in Volterra supporting me and making me feel welcome, I would have demanded to be burned. It took a few years before I could look at my arm and realize I did survive in my own way. There was some good that came of it as well. The Volturi changed its stance on hunting humans after learning of the tortures humans did to each other. Sure, we didn't and still don't stop the rumors of us feeding on innocent humans; but the reality is, we don't. I'm actually in charge of gathering meals but it isn't the way the stories go. I don't lure tourists into the castle." She laughed and winked at me. "That rumor is one of my favorites. No, I make sure criminals who are scheduled to be executed, those that are dying and so forth are either transported here or their blood is drained and then the liquid is shipped to us."

"Y'all drink mostly out of bags?" Jasper asked and both Felix and Heidi nodded.

"It isn't what you find from blood banks usually. We've been researching blood and how to preserve its flavor for close to a century now. It hasn't been easy but we finally found a balance between flavor and viscosity so that it feels the most fresh. It isn't something a human can use though once we've put our additives into it," Felix explained. "If you'd like, we have some you can try when we get to the club, you'll immediately taste the difference."

"As much as we drink from bagged blood, we still like to hunt once in a while so we'll go to war torn places in the world or show up after a major disaster and feed off those who are already dying," Heidi interjected.

"You'd think running a castle with so many vampires that we'd deplete the human population but most of the Volturi are centuries old. As such, their need to feed becomes less frequent. The kings, for example are able to sustain themselves with one human a month, supplemented by a few pints of blood each week."

I looked at Jasper as he nodded in understanding.

"Hey, are the kings going tonight?" I asked.

"No, Aro and Caius tend to indulge their other halves by going to more cultured events like symphonies and theater productions. Marcus and Gianna have gone out with us more than the others, but tonight they went to Verona to watch Aida at the famous Arena there. It is both Sulpicia and Athendora's favorite opera especially when performed at the Arena di Verona so they go whenever possible," Heidi answered. "We're almost here."

We parked in front of the club and all of us bypassed the long line as we walked right in. The club was starting to fill up, but the music was already loud with colorful spot lights waving in different directions. Felix and Heidi led us to the second floor where it was more of a balcony with a full view of the dance floor below. The speakers must have been pointed away from this area because I could tell immediately that it was quieter and easier to hold a conversation.

"This is our area and then we just go down the stairs to dance," Jane explained to me. I could tell she was trying to be friendly so I smiled.

"Do you and your brother come here often?" I asked.

"Not as often as the others. Alec is more reserved than I am and tends to spend his time at the laboratory instead."

"That is because I am interested in science," he huffed as he walked by us and grabbed a seat on one of the lounge chairs.

"Not really. What he isn't saying is he likes to draw and spends his time doing that," she whispered to me as she pointed to another sitting area at the opposite end of the lounge. I grabbed Jasper's hand along the way and he walked with us over to a velvet couch. "What Alec doesn't like to admit is he likes to draw comics - like the action stuff."

"What's wrong with that?" I asked and shrugged as I sat down next to Jasper.

"Nothing and that is what we all tell him but he thinks, because we're centuries old, that art or drawing is supposed to be like Da Vinci or Michelangelo."

"You know, from what I hear from some of the folks at school, the comic culture is a big deal. Some of them go to conventions and have a really fun time. It isn't my thing but lots of people seem to enjoy it."

"So he hides his love of drawing comics by burying himself in a lab?" Jasper asked. I was glad he came into the conversation because it was a little awkward and I wasn't sure just how to interact with her.

"Sort of, I mean, I am there a few hours a week but he would rather obsess over research rather than enjoy his hobby. It is a good thing he doesn't sleep." She paused in thought. "What is that saying... oh yes, 'burning the candle at both ends'. That is what he'd be doing."

"What kind of lab is this, by the way?" I was really curious what vampires could be studying and relieved to divert the conversation.

"Mostly dealing with DNA, both human and vampires," she replied. "Over the years, Alec has sort of taken it upon himself to do various studies and then with Chelsea's help, a human scientist will be given some of the research work. Take that cocktail that helps AIDS patients. He came up with it and then we used Chelsea to help a few World Health Organization scientists come up with the formula to help humans."

"Wow, that was through the help of vampires?" I blurted out. "But why? I mean, it's cool you're doing this research to help humans, but why are you doing it?"

"Because we can," Alec answered from behind me. "Sister, you really have a big mouth." He glared at her and shook his head before sitting down across from me and Jasper. "I like the research and obviously cannot take the credit for discovering human cures. I usually see how long it takes for a human to discover a lot of these things on their own, or rather, see how close they get before needing our help."

There seemed to be an awkward silence between the siblings so I looked at Jasper who squeezed my hand lightly. I really wanted to tell Alec not to be ashamed of drawing comic books, but it wasn't my place and I didn't need a gift to see the tension between the twins.

"Mrs. Whitlock, care to dance," he asked smoothly as he kissed the palm of my hand.

I smiled and let him lead me down the stairs to where Felix and Heidi were, along with Demetri and Renata. I knew from talking to Renata the other day that she was best friends and occasional lovers with Demetri, but they didn't share the same connection I had with Jasper.

"They're bickering up there, aren't they?" Heidi whispered as we all danced together.

I nodded as the rest of them laughed. "They do this often, I take it?"

All of them nodded and rolled their eyes causing me and Jasper to laugh as he twirled me around.

"Where are Peter and Char?"

"They're at the bar, baby girl," Jasper replied and gestured with his chin.

I looked over and saw the two of them at the bar watching a big screen. "Car races?"

"Technically, they're watching the practices but you know them, they love their NASCAR."

I laughed knowing just how much. "They are going to dance right? I mean, it is just a practice thing, it won't last for hours, will it?"

Jasper chuckled. "He heard you and asked me to reassure you that they'll be dancing in no time."

All of us, except for Jane and Alec, spent the next couple hours dancing. Being that I was the only human in the group, I had to take a couple breaks to catch my breath. Demetri made sure there were refreshments waiting for me at one of the tables upstairs.

"Jasper, it looks like they left you a bag of blood," I said as we sat down once again.

I watched as he grabbed it with one hand and with his other, he brought my legs up to his lap and started massaging them. If I could purr, I would have done so right there. He brought the opaque bag up to his mouth and pulled the valve open. If it weren't for the large letter 'V' on the bag, it would have looked similar to the ones at a hospital so I knew this was one of those bags Heidi and Felix was talking about earlier.

Jasper took a sip and I watched as his eyes closed for a moment and a small smile emerged. His shoulders seemed a little more relaxed. After a couple sips, he took a deep breath and sighed.

"Is it like the stuff you brought with you?" I asked out of curiosity. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see that both Jane and Alec seemed fascinated by our conversation.

"Nah, it is just like they described it, like fresh blood without the anticoagulant taste that I usually get. Whatever they do, it actually makes the blood taste richer," he explained before taking a few more sips.

"The enhanced richness of the blood helps us curb our need to feed as often. It actually feels like we've had more when it has only been a liter's worth," Jane said as she slowly approached us. "You don't feel uncomfortable talking about blood and watching him feed?" she asked.

I shook my head. "I used to be squeamish about blood but things sort of changed. Jasper has never hidden the fact he's a vampire from the moment he came back for me." I looked at him and smiled. "No, I am not uncomfortable. This is sort of the first time I've seen him drink from a bag but it isn't bothering me at all. I like that they aren't clear bags because that would have made me a little woozy, but I'm good."

She smiled and Jasper gestured to pull up a chair. "Why were you shocked at our interactions, if I may ask? I thought Marcus and his Gianna had a similar relationship," he asked as he set the bag down.

"They do, but we don't consider them peers because he is one of our leaders." She looked down at the table and shifted, in what seemed to be, discomfort. "It is something I noticed with you two and wanted to ask. Forgive me for intruding."

Jasper looked at me as if to gauge whether or not I was upset for being interrupted and when he realized I wasn't, he gave me a smile to which I gave a wink back. "You're not intruding at all, we're just resting a bit from all that dancing."

I giggled at his comment and the fact that his finger found a sensitive spot on my ankle. "No, you're not intruding, we don't mind the company," I said in between gasps as he continued to run his finger along that spot. "Jasper!" I squeaked out before pulling my legs off his lap. I stood up quickly to smooth out the skirt of my dress before sitting down on Jasper's lap. By this time, Heidi and Felix and arrived and were watching us from one of the couches.

"What?" I asked as I took another sip of some cocktail they brought up to me. It was a little strange to be suddenly thrust into the center of attention and that was exactly how it felt as everybody looked over at us.

Jasper must have sensed my unease at the attention so he grabbed the now empty bag and held it up. "Good stuff, y'all were right."

"We researched forever it seemed until we got it right," Renata replied and smiled. "Bella, are we wearing you out?"

"A little," I said and smiled. "Even with the running and stuff I do, dancing with all of you... well, I can't keep up."

"Oh? You are a runner?" Heidi asked.

"Not a long distance runner, but I am going to be running a 10 kilometer race a week from now."

"That is great! I have faint memories of being on a swim team while in my last years of school. I don't remember much except for the swim costumes we had to wear." She looked down at her sequined dress. "So much different than the fashion today."

Renata put her arm around Heidi and gave her a small hug. "Be grateful you didn't have to wear those heavily brocaded robes and gowns like I had to," she said and grimaced before looking up at me. "You should have seen me during the Renaissance before my change. It used to take me hours to get ready with the petticoats and stays...I was starving by the time I was able to show myself in the common areas of the house." She shook her head and laughed. "I, for one, am glad I don't have to do that anymore. I had an authentic dress made in the style of my human days during a celebration we had here and even with my vampire skills, I found it hard to maneuver and do my normal routine wearing that."

"Did you have to bring up that celebration?" Jane said almost whining. "I hated that we had to wear clothes from our time. I looked like such a child in mine."

There was what appeared to be another awkward silence after Jane's outburst. "Since we're leaving the day after tomorrow, anybody care to tell me about this whole consultant thing the Kings mentioned?" Jasper asked and could almost imagine most of the Volturi guards here were relieved that he diverted the conversation.

"Caius hasn't mentioned it?" Peter asked as he pulled up a chair next to us.

Jasper shook his head. "He has been nervous every time I bring it up, so no. All I know is that it has to do with Maria."

Demetri shook his head. "I wanted to mention it and suggested the guards talk to you first but our leaders weren't comfortable about it. The basic story is Maria's after more power and this time, her target is Volterra. There are rumors that she's infiltrated the city with a spy or spies, but we know for certain it isn't in the castle itself. What we want to know are her weaknesses which was the whole intent behind asking you, Jasper."

"We're not forcing you to be involved, but we just want to know what you know of her," Felix added.

"I had a feeling that was the case," Jasper replied. "A part of me would want more but at the same time, I know I can't just go off on a whim and try to destroy my maker. I've got too much at stake now." He held onto my hand.

I understood his predicament and a part of me wanted to hold him safe while another part of me wanted him to find her and tear her apart.

"Jasper," I whispered against his ear. "I know you want to be involved and I'll support you in your decision, but can we talk about it first?"

He nodded and kissed my temple. "I'll help out. As to the degree of my assistance, well, Isabella and I will need to talk about it first before I make any further commitments."

"Sure, we can respect that," Renata said. "I'll let the Kings know. You two are going to do a little sightseeing tomorrow, correct?"

I nodded. "Just a small road trip before we leave. I have a feeling we'll be back though." All of a sudden, I yawned even though I tried to fight it off.

"Baby girl, you tired?"

"A little bit," I replied.

"Come on, let's get you back then," Felix said. "We'll drop you off, but everybody else can stay if they want."

I said my goodbyes to the Volturi guards and exchanged email addresses and phone numbers before we headed downstairs to the car.

"Jane wasn't making you uncomfortable, was she?" Heidi asked as soon as we left the club parking lot.

"No, not really," I said and furrowed my brow. "She just had a different way about her. Well, her and her brother, but I shouldn't be talking about them like that." I silently admonished myself for being so rude.

"It's alright, we've known them for ages now and they've always been this way. They're both a little socially awkward and have never really outgrown that," Felix said and chuckled when Heidi smacked his arm. "We love them as family but think they were changed a little too young to fully adjust and interact with us, since we are a little older when we were changed."

"We do try to include them as much as possible, but as you gathered, Alec would rather be at the laboratory or drawing and Jane..." She paused and then smiled. "Jane tries to be more sociable than her brother but I think she has a tendency to try too hard to be liked and doesn't realize that we do like her for her."

"I think I know that feeling a little too well," I said as I leaned my head on Jasper's shoulder. "I was in her shoes up until..." I thought back and sat up all of a sudden. "Holy shit! It has been over a year since I've been that way. It feels longer than that. Wow, time flies." I shook my head and then rested my head on Jasper once again. "I can relate to her, maybe that is why she's been wanting to talk to me?"

"It could be. You got her email, right?" she asked and I nodded. "Good, while she might not have the ability to actually change, maybe just having someone who can relate to her might help. That is, unless you don't want to."

"No, it is alright. I don't mind talking to her," I admitted.

"Well, Jasper and Bella, we're here," Felix announced and pulled the car right next to our rental. "All of us hope you enjoyed your stay here at Volterra. Please come back and visit soon."

We got out of the car and waved to them as they pulled out of the castle lot before we got into our car and headed back to the house.

NOTES:

In case you're wondering, in this story, Renata will have the super shield that Bella had in Breaking Dawn. Bella's won't be as strong as the Volturi Guard's.

If you were also wondering about the twins - Jane and Alec, I wanted them to be a little socially awkward. In this story, they are probably a little older than they were in the books (maybe 15 or 16 ish).

I hope you liked my little tweeks. :)

Sushi