Chapter 3

Aro sat in his throne, tapping a long, graceful finger against his throne. His other hand casually holding up a large tome as if the rich leather and thick, heavy pages weighed nothing. He sighed out of sheer boredom. Sometimes being a king was a bore, especially with Caius and Athenodora out on a holiday. Days ago, Marcus had also left on business in Milan. He would be alone for a week more before his brothers would return, fortunately, Sulpicia decided to move her trip to another week. Aro grinned lasciviously thinking about his wife patiently waiting in their rooms. He would have to reward her tonight. Perhaps their absence from the castle was not a loss, he chuckled to himself. There was one more court appointment before Aro could release the upper and elite guard and retire to his chambers. Foolish nomads and their land disputes. He had heard the same petty disputes for over two millennia. Glancing around the room, Aro watched as his guard lazily entertained themselves; phones, books, chess, really anything to drive the boredom out of an empty courtroom. Felix, the loudest of the coven, had the afternoon off leaving the room mostly silent. Aro turned the page of his book with a silent flick.

Two sets of footsteps rang down breaking the near silence of the throne room. One distinctly inhuman but moving at a slow pace. The other unrefined but light steps belonged to a human probably a female; her frenzied heartbeat confirming the assumption. Aro glanced to Demetri for clarification.

"Felix." Demetri closed his eyes to concentrate. He blinked in surprise. "I cannot find the human. They are invisible to me," admitted barely concealed discomfiture. Never in Demetri's one thousand years had he been unable to locate someone. Aro straightens up in his throne at this information. Interesting. His palpable excitement causing the guard to straighten up. What treat was Felix bringing to his throne room, Aro wondered. Soon Felix stopped at the closed doors, the human beside him almost faltering in stride. Three soft knocks, as was custom, asked for permission to enter. Aro tipped his head in silent consent and the two mighty doors were pulled open allowing the most of the guard to look at the uninvited human.

Her heartbeat picked up when several pairs of red eyes snapped to her. She was led straight into the vipers' pit. Felix directed her to the center of the room before dropping her arm and continuing to the dais, where Aro eagerly awaited to use his gift. Felix silently held out his hand allowing Aro to find the information he needed.

Isabella stood uncomplainingly in the center of the room but inside her mind was in turmoil. She wanted to run and scream but stayed glued to the vulnerable place she was left. The hair on the back of her hair raised as she felt each unwavering stare on her. Once again, her curiosity got her into a mess, and each time it had to do with vampires. Why couldn't she just mind her own business? She glanced around the room soaking up what would probably be the site of her death. Like the rest of the castle, this room was immaculate. If you doubted the wealth of this coven, you just had to look at the gilded dome ceiling. The light flickering in from the windows cast a golden sheen unto the occupants; she felt like she was at Mount Olympus. Quickly she scanned the room, noticing that she was right in her conclusion that there are not any ugly vampires. The shades of the vampires ranged just like their features. If ruling the underworld didn't work out for them maybe they could become an international modeling agency, Isabella thought to herself. She looked back at the three thrones, two of which sat empty, and watched as Felix offered the leader his hand. Maybe he had a gift. Isabella watched the king's raven hair spill forward, eyes closing as he held on to Felix's hand. His dark hair and flawless olive complexion went perfectly with his classically handsome features. He was obviously turned closer to forty, but that didn't detract from his appeal. He radiated power, dressed impeccably, and was probably just under six foot tall. The king's red eyes snapped to meet hers as if he felt her assessing him. Felix took a spot back on the wall next to another male vampire. A sly smirk appeared on his lips.

"Isabella is it?" It was a statement more than a question.

"Y-yes, Isabella Swan" she stuttered.

"Do you normally break into people homes?" She didn't expect that question and her eyebrows rose in surprise.

"Uh… not normally. In my defense, I didn't know it was your home." She wrinkled the edge of her red cape nervously. Aro glided closer stepping gracefully from the platform.

"And do you know who I am?" Aro circled her, making Isabella's hair raise on the back of her neck. Even her body knew she was prey.

"One of the Volturi kings, but I do not recall your name," She answered unconfidently.

"Correct. I am Aro Volturi one of the leaders and you have ventured uninvited into my home." He turned his full attention on her by stopping directly in front of her. She was only an arm's reach from her death. "What is most curious about this situation though is how you already know about our existence. Obviously, someone has been very naughty," He tsked. He knew his wide smile was unnerving to humans and he used it to his advantage now. Isabella stood her place even though he knew she was frightened. Very Curious. He took a graceful step forward. "May I?" he held out his hand in a polite demand. She relinquished her hand and he grasped it firmly before bowing over it in concentration. She gasped slightly at the contact; he was colder than she remembered the Cullens to be. His dark hair tickling her wrist and black cloak brushing against her outfit at their closeness. Up close his olive skin had a tinge of paleness but was still decidedly rich and flawless. His hair of black silk was finer than any of the Cullens. Maybe his age had to do with the differences? He huffed whether in annoyance or excitement she would never know. Maybe his gift wasn't working on her?

"It seems you remain a mystery to me, Miss Swan." Aro declared. Nervous shuffling could be heard around the room. Someone blocking Aro's power had never occurred before. "Jane," Aro called softly wanting to test his theory. Nothing. No screaming. No thrashing. Not even a whimper. Jane cursed under the hearing range of their guest. Aro smiled broadly. A shield. Tyche was unquestionably looking favorably on him today.

"Are you a mind reader?" Isabella asked hesitantly; she was oblivious to the exchange. A small smirk played at Aro's lips, She's clever. This slight human was quite daring to address him so boldly. A refreshing change for him.

"You could say I am more a soul reader, but alas, my power does not work on you." He glanced at his hands unconsciously.

"Edward Cullen's gift didn't work on me either," she responded almost as if she was trying to comfort him. Isabella also knew she was tattling on the Cullens but she hardly felt bad about it at all. Aro's eyes shot back to Isabella. What had Carlisle brought upon himself now?

"What do you know of the Cullens, my dear?"

"I dated Edward in high school. That's how I know of your world." Her cheeks tinged a slight pink.

"They exposed you to our world but didn't cull or change you?" Everyone in the room obviously knew the answer, her heartbeat solidifying the facts.

"Well, they didn't exactly tell me; I figured it out on my own. Edward just confirmed my theory."

"That doesn't excuse their negligence or change our most important law."

"I agree," she agreed, almost bitterly. Her feeling toward the Cullens mostly seemed sour. Aro would have to explore the reason why later. He could never forego gossip.

"When have you last been in contact?"

"They left me when I was eighteen. I haven't heard from them since." Caius would have a field day if he was here. He had waited centuries to take that pious Carlisle Cullen down a notch and here was the woman who could lead to their destruction.

"How old are you now, Isabella?"

"24." At this, Aro began pacing again. It was a charade really; He knew he wanted the young Isabella Swan in his guard. She held a great promise of being a renowned shield. There was something else just so fascinating about her. The way she calmed and was almost unafraid of the vampires in the room. She had even tried to comfort him when his gift didn't work on her. Just fascinating. Aro couldn't resist a puzzle, it just happened to be apart of his curious nature. Aro knew he was in luck that his brothers were out of town and he could make the ruling without their input, not that would stand in his way when it came to adding to their gifted guard.

"So, six years you were left unattended? Why did Edward drag you into our world?"

"He said we were mates." Isabella could now hear the murmurs around the room.

"You are not mates. For he could never leave you if you were truly a fated pair," Aro answered her.

"I guessed that a long time ago," Isabella answered with wry small. Aro chuckled. She could probably drive a smile out of his bore of a brother Marcus.

"What brings you to Volterra, my dear? Did you just come to break vases and steal books?" He jested. Isabella glanced at the book still clutched to her chest but made no move to give it back. He raised a black brow as he waited for an answer.

"I'm doing an internship to strengthen my Italian, Greek, and Latin before I apply to a doctorate program. I'm researching the source of some pages that were found by another researcher. The pages lead me to Volterra, but the emblem embossed on the pages lead me to this castle." The excitement for education was apparent in her tone. Isabella also enjoyed a good mystery.

"How very interesting," Aro responded. Too curious and observant for her own good, he mused. He slowed his pacing and returned to his throne, sitting gracefully. He wanted to toy with her more before he dealt his verdict; it had been so long since he had good entertainment. The atmosphere changed when he sat on his throne; Isabella remembering he was, in fact, a king among vampires. She was not going to make it out of here alive.

"Here lies my problem, Isabella. You have broken the law, thus forfeiting your life." His voice was serious and commanding, a complete 180 from mere seconds ago.

"I understand," Isabella swallowed thickly. Aro motioned Felix forward; Felix grasped her petite shoulder with his large hand and waited for Aro's command. Felix had to admit while her blood would be satisfying, he had come to admire the diminutive woman. He had indeed been entertained thoroughly and the promise of destroying that vegetarian coven would be pleasurable.

"B-but before you kill me could I ask one favor?" Aro looked amused. Humans always begged for respite, but he believed Isabella's favor would be... different. Aro also didn't make a move to correct her on her incorrect assumption that she would die. He nodded giving her permission.

"If you could get someone to find the book that contained these pages so I could see it. I know it's a hefty request, but I've come all this way…" Isabella unfastened her cloak dropping it unceremoniously to the floor and grabbed the small satchel that she kept a notebook and one of the pages she pilfered from the other library. Maybe I am a thief, she laughed to herself. Aro rose from his seat and floated over the steps to take the page from her outstretched hand. He instantly recognized Marcus's handwriting. This page belonged to one of Marcus's war journals, an older one that was written before they had become the kings they were now. He spied the Volturi crest that was pressed into the corner of the sheet. She is a resourceful human, Aro considered.

"Demetri, find this journal; it will be in Marcus's office," He handed Demetri the page, who offered a quick 'yes, master' before vanishing out of the room. Demetri was back within a minute as he easily tracked the journal in Marcus's vast personal library.

"Ah yes, Marcus wrote this when we still resided in Greece. He is a bit of a war enthusiast," he chuckled, before handing the leather-bound journal to Isabella. She smiled like a child on Christmas, eagerly grabbing the book. She flipped through the pages, hungrily scanning the pages.

"Could I have one more request," Isabella asked sheepishly.

"I am starting to believe, Miss Isabella, that you trying to delay the inevitable. I am feeling generous though, so ask."

"Could you read this to me? My Greek isn't that great and it definitely doesn't go back this far." Isn't she just darling? Aro asked himself.

"I could," Aro deliberated. "Perhaps, we could work out a deal out." Isabella's attention was diverted from the book.

"I will give you lodging, a key to decipher this script, and access to the library for one week. At the end of the week, my brothers will return and then we will decide your fate. Then you will either be culled or changed." Aro offered graciously. At the prospect of being able to use the library, her eyes lit up.

"What do you get out of the deal?" She asked, quick as a whip. He smiled devilishly.

"All that I ask is if we decide to change you that you pledge your loyalty and service to my guard for one hundred years," he offered innocently.

"Do I get access to the library if I am apart of the guard?" Aro didn't expect this question, but he should have guessed she would ask something along these lines.

"Of course. You will also receive a generous salary and housing among other things that the rest of the guard receives." Isabella didn't even care for the money, she just wanted to be able to continue learning.

"Okay, I agree." Isabella held out her hand. With a smile, Aro shook her fragile hand. A deal with the devil, she thought. She remembered the Cullens' negative view of the Volturi, but so far they seemed reasonable to her.

"Felix, escort dear Isabella to a guest room and make sure she has everything she needs." Felix offered Isabella his arm again and guided her out of the throne room. The room was filled with soft whispers as the remaining guard discussed their king's decision.

"Silence," Aro ordered while once more taking his throne. "I want this to be clear. Isabella Swan is off-limits. She will be joining the guard, as I believe her to be a powerful mental shield. She successfully blocked Demetri's, Jane's, and my gifts. I know it is unheard of for us to allow a human to dwell among us, but she will be treated with kindness and respect and protected in her vulnerable state. Anything less will not be tolerated; any harm will result in severe punishment. Pass along my message to the rest of the guard."

An echo of "Yes, master." rolled through the room.

"Good, now bring in those damn nomads. I wish to be done with court matters for the day." He commanded, waving a hand. What a wonderful day this had turned out to be.


A/N: As mentioned in this chapter: The vampires range in skin color, just an ashier shade from their human color. I could never get over SM just bleaching away their ethnicities. I get they are dead, but come on.

Thanks for the reviews: WPear, ForrestersWitch, babesbraves, traceybuie, sweetsouthernsongbird, Meracus, weepingbirch, southerncuttie23, Manognya. P... The feedback is very uplifting to the writing process! Also, I have no Beta so mistakes are all my own... so my apologies.