A/N: A quick thank you to everyone who added this story in their alerts and/or added it to their favorite list. It truly means a lot to me.

Chapter 6-

Bella's POV-

"Anyhow," I continued, playing with the hem of my shirt, my tone as nonchalant as could be, contrary to the turmoil currently ravaging in my head. "I can't leave this castle alive, can I?"

He stared at me, dumbfounded, my question as unexpected as could be. Though why was it this unexpected, I had no idea off?

It was extremely obvious to me.

No human was allowed to know of their world- and if you did, there was simply no exit to walk out of.

That was just how it was.

I had seen this happening with Charlie- right in front of my eyes. He had been tipped off about a party happening at the Cullen house- yup, it had been a surprise to one and all- and considering Charlie was aware of Esme and Carlisle Cullen being in Seattle for a medical conference that very weekend, he had decided to go check it out- just to be sure that nothing illegal was happening in there.

I had considered it to be a routine visit, not even looking up from the book I had been reading while he had informed me of this news- so imagine my surprise when the next morning an unexpected visitor had knocked on our door, wishing to talk to Charlie. That stranger had then introduced herself as Tanya Denali, and the rest was history.

They were dating within three days, engaged within a week and married within a month.

Yeah, it had been that quick.

I had almost expected them to divorce within the second month, considering the haste they were following- which did not happen.

But anyway, it was almost like Tanya was stuck to Charlie by some invisible glue.

It was certainly nauseating.

She went everywhere with him- apart from work- that is where he drew the line, fortunately. Still, she waited right at the doorstep whenever he was due to arrive from work, smothering him with kisses whenever he was in sight.

I had almost felt like an unwanted peeping tom in my very own house.

Okay, so I understand new love and all, but no daughter wants to see her father almost having sex on a couch- while she was in the same room, getting up and running out of the door as soon as she possibly could.

It was disgusting, I repeat.

He just forgot everything when she was in his presence, all other people and thoughts shifting to the back of his mind, just so very easily.

Anyhow, back to the topic, I had always suspected that Charlie knew some secret of Tanya- I could see it in his eyes and very behavior- hence the haste in every decision they took. By the end of my two year stay with him, he had decided to retire- he hadn't put in his papers, but he was planning to- citing that he wanted to enjoy the rest of his life with Tanya. Also, there was always some caution in his eyes whenever Tanya and I were in the same room, almost as if he was afraid of something unexpected happening- to me.

It was certainly strange.

But, there had been no exit once Tanya had entered his life.

I had even suspected that she was the one to take away that choice of leaving from him.

Not that he was unhappy or anything, but I always found it strange to believe that a man who had never even gone out on date in the eighteen years post his divorce, would readily marry an unknown woman in the span of a month of knowing her.

That was just so unlike the running from anything remotely commitment related- Charlie.

It was surprising, indeed.

It was questionable and had grabbed my instant suspicion.

"Bella," Marcus's soft murmur pulled me back to the present. "You okay? You were staring into nothingness…"

I shook my head, smiling a bit. "I am okay. Sorry, I spaced out. Was just thinking something,"

He nodded his head, accepting my answer. "If you don't mind me asking, how did you reach to that conclusion?" he asked, taking us back to the topic at hand.

I sighed, taking a deep breath in. "My dad is….most probably, a vampire, I guess."

"Come again," he stated, the shock evident in his eyes.

I sighed. Yeah, explaining something like this was not as easy as it looked….not that it even looked very easy in the first place.

"His wife- not my mother, they divorced when I was an infant- is a vampire, from the looks of it. The only difference is that she has these weird golden eyes, instead of the usual that I have come to note- red ones."

"An animal drinker," he nodded his head to himself. "They prefer to mingle with humans more than we do. Still, it is surprising that one of them would find their mate in a human. Then again," he paused. "The Pot has no right to call the kettle black."

I ignored his words. I was so not ready for that discussion yet.

Of course, I understood the implication of his words, but let's not go there.

Not yet, at least.

"Yeah," I continued. "It was so instant. They met one day out of the blue, and were married within a month." I snapped my fingers to get the added effect.

"Yes," he nodded his head. "When a vampire finds their mate…it is extremely instant. Most vampires have already waited decades or centuries…that it just seems futile to wait any longer."

I raised my eyebrow at his words. "How old are you, exactly?"

I had a rough idea of his age, but I just wanted the accurate year.

He shrugged. "I don't remember,"

I scoffed at that. How does one not remember their age?

That is like the most basic thing ever.

He chuckled when I told him the same. "Bella, I am thirty one in mortal years, if that helps. I don't remember the year I was born. Not many kept track of immaterial things as such, back in the day. But, I do know that I have been alive for over two millennia- I guess. I lost track of time over the years."

"It just seems strange," I nodded my head, pondering over his words. "I like to be connected to the world around me. I am not extremely social, but I am really close to the people I call friends, meeting them at least once a week out for dinner or something. I just can't imagine not knowing what day is it- or letting time pass by without really achieving anything. I have things to do, and places to be- but I guess it's a moot point now." I sighed towards the end.

I had wanted to become something in life, you know?

Renee had always termed me as over- ambitious, but I disagreed with her on that.

It was good to have dreams.

They gave you hope that tomorrow would be better than today.

Marcus gave me a sad smile. "It won't be the same, certainly, but you can still fulfill all your dreams."

"Really," I raised an eyebrow at him in doubt. "I can actually walk out of these castle doors, human and alive?"

I somehow doubted the probability of that happening.

"Well," he sighed. "Like I said, it won't be the same…."

"Cut the crap, Marcus," I rolled my eyes at him. "Give me as it stands. I can bear the truth."

I had always prided myself for being capable enough of hearing the truth.

I could accept it.

I could tolerate it.

"Okay then," he took a deep- unnecessary breath in. "The answer to that is- no. You will not be able to walk out of these doors as a human. I am sorry."

I shrugged. I had expected that.

Not that it didn't still suck… but okay!

"Will I be changed into a vampire?"

He sighed, looking at his lap. "I will not let you die."

So, I guess that was my answer.

I was to become a vampire.

Yay me!

Life sucks at time- have I mentioned that already.

It is not like I didn't want to be a vampire…but yeah, it was actually that.

I mean, it was never even in the plans.

Heck, I hadn't even known that vampires existed till this very morning.

Sure, I had always suspected that something was off, but I had never been able to put a name to it.

I was perfectly clueless- blissfully at that.

I had been happy with my life, period.

Anyway- that reminds me- I should probably text Martha. She would be waiting for the photos-expecting the customary phone call any time soon.

Shit. I would even have to find an excuse of why I couldn't ever meet her in person again, or go home, for that matter.

I sighed.

What was I supposed to do for that problem?

I would miss the few friends I had back home.

I could live without them, but I would still miss the company.

I had so not imagined becoming a prisoner when I walked into this castle this very morning.

"Will you tell me about your family?" Marcus hesitantly questioned. "I don't want to intrude…"

"You are not." I cut him off. "I don't mind talking about my parents. I told you about my father- Charlie. He was the chief of police of the town in which I was born. My parents divorced when I was still in my diapers, after which I saw Charlie only two weeks every year in the summer. I lived with Renee- my mother- till she remarried. I then went back to live with Charlie, moving out after I graduated from high school. I have been on my own since."

He chuckled. "I get the feeling that you are fiercely independent."

I nodded my head. "I am. I hate being a burden on anyone. I earn my own money. I have worked two jobs a day to afford shelter over my head. I have skipped meals at times because I didn't have enough cash in my wallet. I won't bore you with details, but I am pretty proud of the fact that I stand on my own two feet."

I felt slightly embarrassed by the time I had finished- for admitting all of this, but Marcus's smile pushed all thoughts of worry out of my head.

"You could never bore me with details. I would love to hear about your life- and whatever else crosses your mind. In fact, I am confident that I could just hear you talk for the rest of eternity."

I blushed at his words.

He was sweet, I had to admit that.

"Anyway, I know of only two animal drinker covens. The Cullens or the Denalis…."

"She went by the surname- Denali," I interrupted him. "Tanya Denali,"

"Ah," he nodded his head. "I have met Tanya a few times. She was desperately searching for her mate."

"Yeah, she found him in my father." I admitted. "In fact, I have met the Cullens, as well. They attended high school with me."

His eyes widened at that admission. "Odd lot they are. What purpose of a vampire in high school?"

I nodded my head, laughing. "Exactly my point; they never even spoke to anyone outside their family. They were just there in the background; I have no idea doing what. They certainly didn't need the education in order to find a decent job."

He laughed with me, shaking his head. "I have not laughed like this in ages."

"You should," I instantly spoke up. "You have such a beautiful laugh."

Cue the blush.

"Have you…" he almost stumbled over his words. "Have you spoken to your father since…you know?"

I shrugged. "No. Neither did he take the effort, nor did I. I guess I was just disappointed in the beginning to know of how quickly he could push me out of his life."

"Does it still upset you?" he enquired.

I shook my head at him. "Not really, I mean, sure he was my father and all, but it wasn't like we were super close or anything."

"What about your mother? You talk to her often?"

I shook my head again. "She is busy with her life, and I am busy with mine. We talk once in a while, but that is more of the 'are you still alive' phone call, than otherwise."

"Oh," he commented. "Do you miss her?"

I shrugged. "I did in the beginning. She had been my best friend growing up, you know, but not any longer. We just drifted apart, it seems."

He nodded his head at that. "I am still sorry for your loss."

I gave him a small smile in response. "Don't be. I am happy, just like my parents are happy with their life."

He stared at me curiously for a second. "You could still connect with your father in the future, you know?"

The unsaid implication being after I was changed.

I sighed. "I don't know. Let the future remain where it is. If it does happen in the future, I will accept it."

He nodded his head in agreement. "I still don't understand how Alice didn't foresee this. You would not have had to cut ties with your father if she had."

"Alice Cullen," I questioned in confusion, though already knowing the answer to that.

"Yes," he admitted. "She is a seer. She can see the future based on a person's decisions. From my understanding, she should have seen you meeting me in the future, being introduced to our world like this. It wasn't a sudden decision to come to Volterra, was it?"

I shook my head- no. "I had been planning for this trip since months now."

"She can see decades in the future." He added with a sigh.

I shrugged. "Even if she did, who is to say that Charlie wished to keep any contact with me? It is likely that he chose to break all ties."

If I had to admit, I would say that this was the more probable option.

It just made sense.

Marcus sighed. "If you want I can talk to Tanya…"

"Please don't," I interrupted him.

His intentions were good- I knew that; I just didn't need anyone interfering in how I managed my relations with my parents.

I could handle them.

I did not need the help.

"Thank you for offering," I gave him a small smile. "But I am okay; positive about that. If reuniting with my father is on the cards, then so be it, but I don't wish to put in all my effort and then realize that he couldn't care enough to give two fucks about me."

That would seriously hurt.

I had almost admitted the fact that I was not important to him.

I simply did not need the confirmation.

Marcus sighed, but nodded his head in agreement.

"Anyhow," I stated, waving my hand in air. "Enough about my broken family; tell me about your family. You call Aro- brother? And how is the one named Caius related to you?"

I was curious to know about him.

If I was being honest to myself, I liked the sound of his voice.

It was soothing.

Just like he had said, I could hear him talk all day- not that I was admitting this any time soon.

Marcus nodded his head, beginning to speak. "Aro is yo…Didyme's brother, as you already know,"

I nodded my head in agreement, thankful that he had remembered to say Didyme- instead of saying 'yours', like he had originally planned to.

I was not her.

I was not Didyme.

I may have shared a soul with her, but we were two different bodies and different people.

We had different likes- dislikes and different personalities.

It just wasn't fair to steal my identity away from me.

I was fine with being just myself….just Bella.

I did not want to be recognized by another's name and personality, someone I had only heard recently about.

I could still accept the concept of reincarnation- it seemed to be true the more time passed, but while I could believe that Didyme and I had shared souls, we were not sharing the same body or mind.

That was totally different.

And that is what mattered more to me.

"Aro began to live with me after I married Didyme." Marcus began to speak, his tone perfectly calm as he spoke about the days gone by. "I am his sire. The three of us lived together for a few decades before Aro met Sulpicia- his mate- a nomadic vampire who was traveling the town at the time. I could instantly tell that they were mates, using my gift- and Sulpicia quickly became one of our family, joining Aro in their eternity. Caius and Athenodora though, joined us centuries later. They were mated and lived with another coven back in those days. But, Aro saw possibility in Caius. I did not know it then, but Aro had dreams far bigger than what I could even imagine. He needed someone ruthless and completely heartless; someone who could kill a baby and not even wince. Caius was exactly that. He was rude and took offense extremely quick- his revengeful actions that followed not even worth commenting."

"Why do you live with them then?"

If they were truly as bad as Marcus believed, why did he still continue to live with them?

I would have left such people long- long ago, if it had been me.

Marcus sighed. "It was not this bad in the beginning. They were honest and fought for what was somewhat correct. I believe power corrupted their thinking, making them the soulless monsters that they have become. By the time I realized of this, it was too late, though. I had no wish to live left in me. I had no energy to start afresh, and ignoring their antics just felt the sensible thing to do."

I nodded my head, accepting his answer.

Power did change people in ways beyond one's understanding.

"Anyway," he sighed. "Would you like a tour of the Castle? I have a few places to show you."

"Are you sure that's safe?" I confirmed.

With so many vampires roaming around in the Castle, I was definitely not aiming to become food.

Marcus simply chuckled, taking my hand in his and leading me towards the door of his room, a protective arm soon coming to rest around me.

Okay then. I guess we were walking into the lion's den.

Lucky me!