I would like to thank everyone for the reviews and feedback! I am so glad that my OC has for the most part been well received and that you guys seem to enjoy the story, despite the formatting challenge! I shall endeavor to continue to improve in that aspect! Please enjoy the next chapter.

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Chapter 13

It was tough to not be awestruck as I took in our surroundings. I knew that making a scene and getting away would be virtually impossible; we were too heavily guarded- but that didn't mean that I should give up or let my guard down. Edward and Bella clung tightly together in front of me, while Jasper and Alice stood behind me- I noticed this was to distance the guards from us. Bella and I noticed at the same time, the secretary we saw was human.

"Let me guess, another woman who was dazzled by the notion of immortality? You guys don't seem the type to grant such things" I noted lightly. A low rumbled laugh came from the back, barely reaching my ears.

"Oh… we do. For lunch at least." I could see Bella stiffen in the corner of my eye. I could respect their honesty and it gave a lot of insight into the situation. Few vampires were benign, but worst-case scenario, we could perhaps still survive this. Just have to prove we were worth more alive for now.

It made me happy that I had been able to get my less auspicious items through customs and I had them on me now. Not sure how many of these could work against a vampire, but still. Edward glanced back curiously. I could only conclude he could make sense of my mind. We were led into a room that was brilliantly sculpted, with three thrones in the center. Here, we were introduced to Aro, Marcus, and…. Cai?

"Ah so Bella is alive and well after all. And you've brought another human I see. What is your name, child?"

"Her name is of no importance brother. She's irrelevant." Ouch. I guess I could understand the cold calculating nature- he'd never indicated less to me in our brief meetings. Still, the fact he'd said anything at all… I stepped forward slightly.

"Irrelevant would be a good name for me, but I tend to prefer Lily. And you three are the Volturi. Governing body to keep humans like myself in the dark when possible." I gestured lightly with my hand as Aro came forward. Jasper moved closer to me as this happened.

"I like this one. You seem to have both power and a sense of humor. And a mate, I see- unless I am mistaken. May I take your hand dear?" Aro smiled at me and I could feel the tension amplified. Cai… No, Caius, as it turns out, kept a cool façade. But I could tell in the subtle shift of his grimace that he was a bit concerned. I suppose a part of him still truly cared for Jim- though I am not surprised to find him even more hardened and stoic. But he knew the truth, and that truth could cost him dearly.

"I think my refusal would give the wrong impression- especially when asked so politely. I am inclined to accept." He looked perplexed as I kept my guard up, anticipating the word.

"Amazing. It's like static. Hard to cut through, and something is there, but I can't get a fix on it. I wonder how you'd perform against those with other gifts… And if your cousin is the same." The low growls beside and behind me signaled the displeasure. I stepped aside as he then reached for Bella.

Bella was tense. Aro laughed this terribly unsettling high-pitched laugh. "Even more still amazing. It appears that I can't read your mind at all child."

"I know. Edward can't either." She frowned as he held her hand still.

"Never have been able to. The only other person I have ever had a problem with is her cousin here, who I've only just met."

"Well then… Let's see what else they can do. Jane dear…"

A fight broke out suddenly. It wasn't going to go well. Both Edward and Jasper were otherwise occupied and the blonde that had escorted us down fixed her gaze first on Bella, who got no reaction, and then to me. I felt a slight burn, almost like electricity, but I had been through worse pain before. It felt more like a constant bee sting. Annoying, but bearable. Jane huffed in anger and annoyance. Score one for us apparently.

"Well… aren't you two intriguing indeed? It's a shame we'll have to kill you. Or… Perhaps you could join us instead." Aro smiled like a demented child. "It would be a wonder to know what your powers grow into."

"Wait! Bella and Lily will be like us! I've seen it. And I can show you- you were right about Jasper. But killing them won't do you favors." Alice spoke up now, showing Aro our future. I noticed Caius drew nearer to me, and suddenly felt a note in my palm. Everyone had been too distracted to notice. After all, no one else knew that he knew of my magic. It seemed Jim had shared more secrets in their time together.

Aro agreed to give us a deadline, and have both Edward and Jasper released. It felt too good to be true. Marcus had a bored expression still. He didn't speak at all during the exchange. I would guess he was the oldest of the trio. Caius fixed a glare on us- leaving with:

"Remember this- we aren't in the habit of giving second chances. Do not disrespect our kindness or try to break the promise. We'll be checking in sooner than you think child- it would be a shame to have to drain you." Words similar to what had been spoken to me before. Jasper grabbed my hand lightly, and the five of us walked out back into the outside world.

We were silent until the airport. I could feel that , all but Bella turned to me. "You know Caius." Edward accused me. "Not in the way I just met him. His mate was my best friend. And given how the others acted, that is information not shared. He kept my secrets in there. In fact, he helped implement me keeping you two alive." I unfolded his note. 'A life for a life. You know what to do- '

"Not the most subtle, but cryptic enough. He helped save us to honor Jim. I had to lower my guard so that Alice could see clearly. Alchemists develop a type of almost mental shield against the supernatural. It doesn't cloak us completely, but it's like static. Hard to cut through and most give up. It's almost second nature to me. Apparently, the universe thinks we are mates." I turned then to Jasper and smiled. "Who'd have thought? Now, before the silence deafens us, someone please say something."

"So… we're alive because you have strange friends and a deeper past than you initially shared. Adding this to the list of 'things not to tell Charlie'." Bella said, folding her arms and shooting me a deadpanned look. I shrugged.

"Essentially. Best we leave this to your boyfriend is insane and you had to pull something similar to what he did in Phoenix. Best to not mention you either for now. It's still too new for me, and after this debacle of a romance, Uncle Charlie and Uncle Brian would probably seek to destroy you." Jasper nodded.

"So what happens now? Do we just take this one day at a time?" His cool hand cupped my cheek lightly.

Our plane was beginning to board now. "I don't know. I guess that is all we can think about doing, once we land. Just take things slow." I sighed. His eyes closed briefly, and I can tell my answer saddened him. "But until we land, we still have this moment. The spell is not yet broken. Besides, Bella needs her Edward time. I worry about Alice though." He dismissed that and said softly.

"She'd be more worried if we did nothing. Trust me. She's been hoping for this moment for almost thirty years."

"Well then. Shall we?"

We boarded the plane, allowing all our future worries and troubles to fade for now.