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 12-

Bella's POV-

"Um, hello," "Well, excuse me!"

Ignoring my genuine and certainly in place protests, the door to my recently acquired bedroom was roughly pushed open, a blond vampire with creepy red eyes and a firmly placed scowl on her not- so- friendly face barging into my room as she came to stand in front of me, assessing me with her very eyes as she judged my worth.

"Well, not to sound rude or anything, but really, who are you?"

And more importantly, why are you here?

Who the hell invited you in here?

"Huh." That one word was unkindly muttered, her eyes boring holes at my un-cooperative form. Truly, can you blame me? "To introduce myself, I am your hairstylist, make-up artist and reluctant dresser for the evening. I would say that it is a cakewalk for me, but honestly, one look at you, and that would be a lie."

Well, okay.

"Um, who are you, again?" I raised an eyebrow in question, believing in the golden policy of first things first, needing to know her identity before I decided to give her a befitting reply; a massive part of me still worried about the red eye baggage that came unwanted with her.

It was always good to value your self-esteem, but it would benefit nobody, least of all me, to lose my life in the process.

And so, introductions were definitely in order.

She rolled her eyes at me, exasperated, "I just said that I am your hairstylist, make-up artist and…"

"Yeah, yeah. I got all of that."

In the first go itself.

Yay me!

I waved a hand in air, my eyes wide in disbelief. "What I meant is, when someone asks you who you are, it generally means that they are asking for your name. But I get it. You are old…" As dirt. "And so would not be familiar with the recent ways…"

"Jasmine." She thankfully put an end to my ramblings, a dangerous sneer on her face. "The name is Jasmine Volturi. And you are?"

"Bella. Bella Swan." I attempted a half smile, cautioned by the unfamiliar danger lying in my path; well aware that she was no friend to me. Where was Marcus when you need him? "So, now that the introductions are done with, why are you here, again? Not to be rude or anything." I specified; a forced smile accompanied.

"Master Marcus requested for my presence." She simply answered, shrugging in assumed superiority.

"Here? In my room?"

"Uh-huh." She nodded her head briefly, "He stated that you could do with the help. I completely understand his point. Though, for the life of me, I can't find one good reason why he would want to court someone like you. You are so…plain…and human."

Well, and you are dead. We can't all be picky now, can we?

"I…you know what, you would be better off asking that question to Marcus. He was the one to ask me out. It wasn't the other way round."

This wasn't my battle to fight.

And I was certainly not interested in butting my head in the castle politics. I was the guest here, and that is not what good guests did!

For the record, I had no interest in changing that status of mine anytime soon.

Jasmine gasped, not expecting my answer. Though, what did she even expect? For me to cry out a river in insecurity and jealousy? Oh, please.

So, she was prettier on the outside- good for her!

I was no plain Jane. And even if the immortals saw me as one, who cared about their opinion?

They were dead. Dead people have no opinion.

As very simple as that.

"You are…so rude." Why, thank you! "And mannerless. Poor Master Marcus. The loss of Didyme has finally reached his head; why else would he ask someone like you out? Now, he is a rather handsome man, and the king of our kind. He could have anybody he asked for. Beautiful. Tall. Blonde with perfectly almond shaped eyes and a thin nose, and fine lips."

Wait. Was she actually describing herself?

Really?

Who was this woman!?

"And long straight hair…"

"I get it." I hid my amusement filled smile. "Someone like you. He could have someone like you in his life."

"Exactly." She scoffed in response. "I am glad we agree on this."

Was she serious?

So, that's what this was, the grapes were sour?

Oh.

I would have to talk to Marcus about this. Of how dangerous her teeny-tiny crush on Marcus could turn out to be?

She was a vampire; and creepy and vampire are synonyms.

I would have to be careful around her; my guard always up. Now, I wasn't jealous of her. Not in the least bit.

And I had my reasons for that.

First and most important, Marcus had asked me out. It wasn't the other way round, and even if, impossibly, he did decide to change his mind, I wasn't as attached to him to face any heartache or loneliness. I would just, simply, go back to my older life. Gladly would, just saying!

Sure, probably I would have been a little upset; Marcus was close to someone I could have seen myself ending up with; but in no way would it have been the end of my life!

And second, from the looks of it, Jasmine had known Marcus for centuries before I was even born, come on, how bad were her attempts at flirting that she could still not convince him to go out on one date with her?

Now, now, I get it. I was his soulmate and all that bullshit; but it would have been perfectly alright to have a past.

I did. And I wasn't ashamed to admit whatever little unimportant past that I had.

"Anyhow, so do you need my help?"

Certainly not!

"It wouldn't be as very easy to make you look like this." Gosh. She just pointed at herself! Wow. Is everyone in this castle, excluding Marcus, this self-centered and egoistic? "But I could try. For Master Marcus, of course. I would do anything for him. Anything."

Again, that dangerous gleam in her eyes.

I would have to be very careful around her.

So far, she wasn't an enemy; but with the news of me being Didyme's reincarnation and Marcus's mate, who could say how she would react?

I was so not looking forward to it.

"Um, well, that's certainly good to hear. But no thanks! Now, if you could excuse me, I have someone to find."

I did not wait for her answer. I just walked out of the room, aware that I was heading into unsafe waters, but I could no longer wait for Marcus to arrive at my doorstep. I needed to find him. I needed to talk to him.

And I could be brave enough when I wanted to.

Stupidly brave, my mind decided to politely add!

Anyhow, I stormed through the narrow corridors, my eyes seeking Marcus with a newfound desperation, my footsteps harsh as they guided me in my haste filled search.

I really needed to talk to him!

He was the only one I could trust in this supposed hell I had been pushed into.

"Hi, have you seen Marcus?"

"Um…I…"

"Never mind." I waved the stupefied receptionist before me off, surprised to note that she was a human like me as she sat at her desk with a bunch of random papers lying in front of her.

So, so strange!

What purpose would a human even solve in this castle of the dead?

And why did they even need a receptionist in the first place?

They were vampires!

What business would a vampire have to warrant a receptionist?

Wait.

Was she that quick meal you saved for the rainy days?

Not as tasty, but kept for the 'need' purposes.

I…I could not even think about this without experiencing a chill pass through my bones…so, well, moving on…

"Hi, have you seen Marcus?"

"Bella." Marcus suddenly appeared in front of my eyes, a tired expression on his face, my feet stumbling back two steps on their own accord. "What are you doing?"

"Marcus." I grinned in prepubescent lust. "Just the person I was searching for."

"Yes, I heard." He let out a sigh, running a hand through his hair. "The entire castle is talking about it, apparently."

Say what now?

"Well, I just asked the receptionist about your whereabouts. And that's just one person. And I wasn't even shouting…"

"Vampire hearing." He instantly clarified, wincing. "It is much sharper and clearer than what humans are blessed with. We can hear even the slightest whisper mumbled close to a mile away. The entire castle heard you talk to Gianna. More like you storming off when she was too shocked to respond."

"Oh." I gulped. "I was not aware of…"

He waved me off, continuing, "Just be careful of what you speak in the common areas. The bedrooms are vampire soundproof; you need not worry about your privacy being violated while in there."

"That's…um…good to know. Of course." I forced a smile onto my face.

He offered me a small smile in response. "We need to talk. But not here."

I nodded my head in complete agreement, letting him lead me back towards my room, several vampires staring at us as he rested his hand on my back, comforting me and protecting me in the best way he could.

His touch felt rather good, and I could not stop myself from staring at him as he safely led us past the sharks that surrounded us, my mind at peace- aware that till Marcus was with me, no harm could come my way.

He would protect me.

He would keep me safe.

I need not worry when I was with him; whatever the danger in front of me be.

"Yes, my Bella?" he came to a stop, an eyebrow raised as he waited for me to speak, a look at my surroundings confirming for me that we were back in my room, away from the eavesdropping ears.

"Marcus…I…" I began to speak, the annoyance of being forced into a conversation with Jasmine, and realizing what a danger she could turn out to be at the forefront of my mind. "What the hell, Marcus? You told Jasmine, of all, that I needed her help? That I could not get ready on my own? Really!? If you are that uncomfortable with how I look or dress, the option to cancel our date is still available. But I refuse to be treated like a brainless bimbo who stands or sits when told to…"

"Who…What…" he stuttered through his words. "Hold on. What are you even talking about?"

"You sent Jasmine to my room." I folded my arms over my chest, glaring at him to deny my accusation.

"Yes. Yes, I did." He slowly admitted. "But that was just to see if you needed any help."

"Why?" I demanded an answer. "Do you really believe I am incapable of getting dressed on my own?"

"NO." he shouted the word out, his eyes attempting to pacify me. "Never. That thought never even crossed my mind. Believe me."

"Then?"

"It is just…" he paused, taking a deep breath in, "Didyme rather appreciated Sulpicia's company in getting ready for the bigger days. They often helped one another in getting dressed. Now, I am aware that Sulpicia would have been the more preferable option, but the last time you faced her, she made you uncomfortable and…"

"So, you sent Jasmine?"

He shrugged in innocence. "Something is better than nothing."

"Not always." I hid the smile creeping onto my face. "Marcus, this was very sweet and thoughtful of you, but I don't need Jasmine's or anyone's help in getting dressed for a casual date." I had managed just fine all these years! "Didyme may have preferred the company, but like I said, we just share the same soul. Nothing more than that."

He looked apologetic as he nodded his head in agreement. "I am sorry. I may have crossed the line…"

I waved him off. "Please, just, ask me once before you decide to be this…generous the next time."

"Of course." He instantly stated, a tinge of regret visible in his eyes.

I smiled in response, coming back to the important topic at hand, "Anyhow, what is Jasmine's deal?"

"What do you mean?" he asked, surprised. "I wasn't aware that she played cards. Or that you two spoke about it?"

"I…What?" I grinned in amusement, staring at the man in question. "No…not that deal. Why would we…" I shook my head to myself, feeling the immense need for a clarification. "I meant that she likes you…."

"Yes. She does." He admitted. "I am the leader of her kind. She trusts me and believes in me and my brothers to do her justice."

"No. Not in that sense." I let out a protest. "What I meant is, she likes you in a romantic sort of way. Were you…um…were you aware of this?"

"Oh."

So, that answered my question.

"But she is not my mate. You are. Why would she then…" he trailed off, staring into nothingness.

I waved him off. "There is no sane explanation for feelings. Either way, I am worried that she could turn out to be dangerous?"

"No." He instantly cut me off. "I have known Jasmine for close to five centuries now. I can assure you that feelings or not, she is no threat to you or us."

"Okay." I offered him a brief nod. "I will take your word on this."

He smiled in response, "Why do you believe that she could turn out to be dangerous? Why this thought?"

I shut my eyes tight wincing, not completely comfortable talking about that part of my past. "Because of my father, Charlie."

"What do you mean?" he requested me to elaborate.

"So, after Tanya and he got married in a hush-hush wedding, the two of them had left for a short honeymoon. They were supposed to return post the weekend, but all of a sudden returned the next day, their faces terror-stricken. I really don't know what happened while they were in Seattle for their honeymoon, but who I now recognize as a vampire, Victoria, came knocking on our doorstep a week later. From what I got, she was infatuated with Charlie and was stalking him relentlessly. She just gave me a bad feeling. I could tell that she was to be feared."

"Did she ever harm you?"

"Thankfully, no. Back then, I wasn't truly aware of how dangerous she could be. All I believed her to be was a creepy human. Anyhow, she followed Charlie around for a while, before disappearing- not to be seen ever again. Charlie insisted that she was behind bars, but I could see it in his eyes that he was hiding something. And of course, now I know that she could not be in prison."

"Oh." He whispered. "I will ask Demetri to track Victoria. We need to be sure that she is no threat to you."

I waved him off. "It has been five years to that, Marcus. And why would she even come after me?"

"Still." He insisted.

"Fine." I rolled my eyes in response. "Now, if we are done talking about all the unpleasant stuff, you mind if I get ready for our date?"

"Oh." He almost blushed, shyly looking away. "I will be outside. Um, take your time. No hurry."

I giggled, nodding my head. "I will."

He smiled once, walking out of the room, leaving me there behind to get ready for our date, realizing a little too soon that I had no spare clothes on me, or even a comb, or even basic make-up, carrying nothing but my phone, wallet and passport with me when I decided to tour this castle.

In hindsight, I should have thought about this sooner.