As the days passed, Edward constantly tried to hear Bella's thoughts again but she was as closed to him as the first day they met. He obsessed over it and was greatly irritated.
"Edward, it's not a bad thing. You don't want to know what goes on in my mind" She comforted
"I do, yours is the only mind I really want to hear." He confessed
He had discussed the experience with Carlisle in great detail. Neither could draw any conclusions besides that the mating bond allowed him to hear and help her at the time of need. Edward believed Bella would be gifted after her change and worried the Volturi may find out. I was not uncommon for a mated pair to be called to servitude if both were gifted. He wanted to know what her ability may be so he could protect her.
Bella had matured and blossomed in the short time she had been in forks. Her natural beauty was more pronounced. She walked taller and radiated confidence. She learnt all she could about the vampire world, being a female mate and the Cullen family history while she stayed with them. She and Alice grew closer like sisters and true friends. Rosalie remained the older sister who watched over them.
Edward took her on a hunting trip once to satisfy her curiosity. He caught a mall minx and drained it while she watched a few feet away. Instead of being frightened, Bella was aroused and thirsty. She shied away when he offered her the blood but allowed him to take her high up on a tree branch.
"I'm not good with blood Edward. It makes me faint," She stated leaning leisurely against him, naked, on the tree branch. Edward laughed loud and hard.
"A vampire survives on blood Bella," He pointed out
"I know. I just...can't drink it now. It smells like rust and salt" she wrinkled her nose at the memory. Edward watched her intently. He asked whether that was a result of her increasingly sharpening senses.
"No, I have always smelt it. It's confusing now because a part of me wants it."
"But you won't drink," The statement was more of a question.
"No, I'd rather have milk" She joked
"Please do not let yourself suffer love. I can get you blood whenever you need," She nodded without any intention of asking for it.
"Marcus' mate drank before she was changed. It's 'normal' so to speak." He continued
Bella was shocked. She did not ask but knew Marcus would have given her human blood to drink. Her insides twisted.
"I'm fine Edward"
She decided that she wouldn't go hunting with him again, at least until after her change.
The wolves alerted the Cullen family with loud warning howls early one morning. It was the last week of July. Edward kissed a sleeping Bella's cheek before leaping out the window to run the perimeter with Carlisle. Jasper and Emmett stayed behind to protect the family.
'Do you think it's her?' Carlisle thought to Edward
"It may be"
'The wolves have made themselves known'
Carlisle was concerned about the Volturi's reaction to the new wolf specie. He never had the heart to destroy or report them to the Volturi even after they attacked them. He learnt from Edward their actions had been because of one individual's hatred.
Edward suddenly stopped, halting Carlisle's progress. When he didn't say anything his father knew it was not safe to talk. They heard two sets of soft footsteps moving at fast speeds towards them until they came into view, thirty feet away.
One was a small figure wearing a cloak with a hood to cover all of her body and face. The other was as tall as Edward, wearing dark ragged jeans and a t-shirt. His burgundy eyes roamed over the two golden eyed vampires with suspicion. He stood protectively in front of the smaller figure.
'Mind reader, I come in peace' Jane's thoughts reached Edward.
'He is new, my mate.' She introduced her companion. Though she tried to control and hide her thoughts, Edward saw and heard everything.
"Welcome Princess Volturi, I believe you know my father." He replied
Their stance was tense but not frightening. Edward stood with hands in his pockets. Carlisle stood with his hands neatly folded behind his back. Jane slowly removed her hood to show her face.
"Good day, Sir Cullen" She greeted with the aura of authority
"Princess Volturi," Carlisle dipped his head instead of a full bow. "You are welcome in our lands. Please follow us to our home." He offered
"Thank you,"
Jane agreed and the four ran to the Cullen house. Edward worried for Bella's safety with a newly turned vampire in the house but knew they could not turn them away.
'Do they bring trouble son?' Carlisle was uneasy when he asked Edward on the run home.
Edward looked to his right and to the left, indicating 'no' to his father.
Carlisle became very curious then. He couldn't ask any questions directly. They had to wait for Jane to tell them the reason for her visit, or for a moment of privacy when Edward could share what he learnt from her thoughts.
Bella was waiting with the family when they arrived.
"A human?" Jane asked staring at Bella.
"She is my mate," Edward informed as he took his place by Bella's side. He stood protectively in front of her.
'You have not changed her.' Jane was shocked and suspicious.
"Why do you keep her human?" She asked wondering whether Edward knew of the ruling family's tradition to taking a mate.
She had extended much effort to keep her mate secret and safe before changing him. Even then, she had been forced to change him too soon.
"She asked it of me, to let her break ties with her world." Edward was uneasy with the inquisition. He knew others may not afford him the opportunity to explain.
Jane did not acknowledge his reply. She moved her eyes to study all the Cullen mated pairs until she met Carlisle's eyes again.
"We are alone and come peacefully." She stated and loosened her cloak off her shoulders.
Bella bit her bottom lip to stop from laughing when she saw how Jane was dressed. The revered and equally despised Volturi princess wore black low-cut leather pants, silver buckle stiletto boots and a cropped leather vest. Her creamy midsection was exposed. She was draped in black diamond jewellery. Her diamond blond hair flowed down her shoulders in frizzled curls.
Bella hadn't known what to expect of her but that was not it. Edward swallowed a smirk when the vulgar thoughts of the male with Jane reached him as his eyes roamed over her.
Jane sat on the long white couch while her mate remained standing behind her.
"Please, sit" She invited. The Cullens sat in the chairs across her.
"There is no point to keep my reason here secret with your mind reader," She started stealing a glance at Edward.
"We are here seeking your protection. Father is in the East to attend to an important matter. In his absence my guard has disappeared. Volterra is not a safe place for me and my mate. Our cousin Corin promised sanctuary here," She added, looking at Edward.
The room was quiet for a long moment. They were shocked to hear the man was her mate and clearly still a newborn.
"We are at your service."
Carlisle agreed after Edward gave no indication that Jane was lying. He knew to read subtle signs from his son in times of distress. The Cullen kids were shocked except Edward. He knew there was no way to deny Jane without grave consequence.
"Thank you, Sir Cullen" Jane was greatly relieved although she did not show gratitude besides the words spoken in pride. She truly had been afraid they would be unwelcome.
"May I show you our guest rooms so you may choose which you prefer?" Esme took her cue from Carlisle's acceptance
"Of course," Jane stood to follow Esme.
Her mate waited staring out the back glass wall. He was thinking over their circumstances. Edward listened intently and scrutinized all the information to assess whether they were genuine. The young man had a gift to burn with a touch of his palm which he had not learnt to control, as with his thirst.
Edward was relieved to find that Bella did not smell appetizing to him. Her beating heart was the only reminder of a human in the room. After seeing all of the guest rooms and learning where the Cullen bedrooms were, Jane chose to stay on the ground floor.
"Be warned, do not touch my mate. It will be the end of you" She warned the Cullens before leading her mate to their room.
The family shared questioning looks to Alice and Edward but could not talk among themselves without being heard. To their surprise, Bella went back to sleep without trouble. She was fascinated by the visiting pair and did not feel afraid of them. This shocked Jasper while Alice looked like the cat that ate the canary and wouldn't share her thoughts with Edward. Rosalie was disgusted with the way Jane presented herself as princess of the ruling family. Esme worried they may be lying to the family and the warning from Jane did nothing to ease her discomfort.
Carlisle was aghast at Jane. People hardly saw what the Volturi chose to wear as they always covered up with cloaks. He shuddered, thankful that none of his family chose to carry his name as such. Jasper and Edward had confirmed the visiting pair's honesty with quiet nods at his questioning look. Edward had explained the delicate balance of power and peace within the ruling family to them when he returned. Carlisle also knew that Edward was part of the reason Marcus' son Corin had promised Jane sanctuary with his family, but not why.
Bella was surprised to find the dining room table set for ten when she went to have lunch. It was extendable and Esme had added two seating places for their guests. Jane observed how the family dressed and greeted each other when they saw Edward and Bella for the first time in the day. Bella gave a half curtsey to her and her mate in respect. She continued to eat her lunch as normal while the vampires enjoyed a glass of wine at the table.
Jane watched her. Bella reminded her of a time long ago, when she was the most treasured of her family. Edward touched and watched her in worship. She found the smell of human food disgusting but Edward touched the stuff and fed it to his human mate while the family laughed at the table. She did enjoy the wine and conversation. Her mate seemed to be pleasantly surprised he could consume the liquid.
She stood to leave the table first, not waiting until Bella had finished her meal. The Volturi princess had kept with her rebel look. She wore a barely there black leather mini skirt, vest and shoulder studded jacket. Bella's eyebrows had shot up her forehead when they stood to leave the table. She swallowed a mischievous smile when she caught Carlisle's disapproving glance at Jane.
It was tense in the Cullen living room unlike when the family was alone. Jane asked a few inconsequential questions about them to pass the time. She did not share any more about herself or her mate. Later that evening she took her mate hunting in Hoquiam. It was a test to see whether her hosts would protest.
"They went hunting," Edward informed the family when they were out of earshot. This opened the floor so they could talk freely.
"Why is she here Edward?" Carlisle asked again. He was not satisfied with Jane's reasons.
"You know why father," Edward referred to a thought that crossed Carlisle's mind. "To protect him from Alec,"
"Her lover?" Bella asked as the name rang with familiarity. Edward nodded. The family was shocked to hear this though Carlisle had suspected as such.
"Will he come for her Alice?" Esme asked
"I can't see. Only Aro and the queen are certain"
"I gather from the two of them that Alec does not know he exists. She was careful. They ran while he had accompanied his father on an outing. Both Jane and Alec have sent some of the guard to search for the ones we destroyed." Edward informed.
The reminder put them on edge especially with Aro's arrival a certainty. He would know the whereabouts of the destroyed Volturi guard with a touch.
"They will send others after her," Rosalie stated. She was unhappy that the family was put in a difficult position.
"True," Carlisle agreed
"Can't we send them to one of our homes or to Isle Esme?" Emmett asked
"We could but I doubt she would go. She was serious when she specifically asked for our protection. She expects us to stand and fight to protect her and her mate." Edward told them.
"No!" Bella growled and shot up from his lap.
"You will not endanger yourselves for her. Not after what she put you through Edward" The family stared between the two. It was clear Bella knew things they did not.
"I don't think we have a choice love. Her mate can burn a vampire by touch. They will turn on us if we refuse." Edward was surprised at Bella's outburst, it was the first aimed at him.
"I forbid it Edward! You will not fight for her" She stood her ground staring directly in his eyes.
Carlisle was without coherent thought to hear Bella speak to her mate like that. Edward was surprised to find he was aroused and proud of her. He always suspected that Bella had fire in her. Rosalie swallowed a smile while. Alice hid her face behind Jasper who was interested in the different moods he tasted in the room.
"Bella, remember your place." Edward reprimanded although his words held no weight.
"I'm sorry," Bella remembered the time he spanked her.
"I don't support it Edward," She corrected and sat back on his lap.
"We don't have to decide what to do now. Jane sent Corin to find Aro and tell him about her find. Without Corin and her guard she feared for her safety and chose to run. She changed her mate the first time Alice had the vision of her in our home." Edward added
"He's that young? It doesn't show" Emmett was surprised
"She found him over four months ago. She had planned to change him at a later date but worried for his safety when her guard disappeared. Only Afton knew of him." The family connected the dots between this information and how Edward had decided to keep Bella human for a period before changing her.
"They swam here" Jasper guessed.
"Yes" Edward confirmed. "She wanted to be untraceable"
"Edward, why would Corin send her here?" Carlisle asked the question that had clouded his mind.
"He is blood of our blood"
Edward explained that Corin learnt that their Cullen grandfather was related to his mother. He added that Corin looked out for him in Volterra after the discovery. He did not share the details Bella knew.
Carlisle frowned. He began to wonder whether the Volturi had known of this, and whether it was the source of the conflict between their families. The thought of being related to the Volturi chilled and unsettled him. They were his opposites, cruel and selfish.
"How long are they staying?" Esme asked
"They too don't know"
Edward sighed and pulled Bella close. He was eager for a private moment with her after she unintentionally set him on fire.
