Author's Note: Much love to my reviewers. Nothing is more motivating than a lovely review or two. Thank you tons! And without further adieu, here is chapter three:

Last Time...

Aro touched Marcus's hand for a moment, before the two vampires shared a knowing look. "I see. I suppose we must then trust you, dearest Isabella. But, never fear— we may explore this tomorrow. Something tells me that despite your… talent… so to say of disguise, you also grow weary as mortals do." He smiled at her as she yawned, as if on cue. "Felix will show you to your rooms."

"Good night," Marcus murmured as Isabella left with Felix.

Chapter 3

The second Bella was inside of her "rooms" as Aro put it, she kicked off her heels haphazardly. "Oh thank god…". She groaned, sitting on a small tufted couch in front of the gigantic four post bed.

The deep chuckle that followed reminded her that Felix was still there. Rather than occupying the doorway, he was now examining one of the discarded four inch heels. "I still cannot fathom why humans wear such contraptions."

"Ask the man who invented it…". She sighed, rubbing her feet. "Also, I have to say I'm glad this silent treatment is over. Stoic silence is pretty awkward."

"Hm… I guess since you'll be staying awhile, I'll have to tolerate you." He smirked, tossing the heel to the ground. "Besides, I haven't met the inventor. But I did hear that he was a massive prick."

To this, Isabella laughed. Felix seemed pretty alright— having a friend in the castle would be helpful in big scary Volterra.

"Anyways…" He breathed out in a oddly human-like mannerism. "All items that you need should be within these rooms. Clothes are in the walk in closet, toiletries other human things are in the bathroom, etcetera. If you get hungry, or need anything call for one of us. We'll hear you." He rattled on, as if checking off a list with each item he discussed.

"Thanks, Felix." Isabella said, hearing the door close as a cue of his departure. She padded over to the closet, appreciating the feeling of the soft carpet beneath her aching feet. After picking out a modest silk pajama set, it dawned on her…

"Shit…" She exclaimed, remembering that moment that she was wearing a complicated dress for modern standards; as such, she needed assistance getting into it for that very reason. Sighing, she walked to the door and opened it before peeking her head out. "Felix?"

In a moment he stood before her, arms crossed across his chest.

"So… I need help."

"Yes, that is obvious. Your sanity is questionable."

"No, not what I meant. I can't… uh… get out of this dress by myself."

Felix blinked before laughing loudly. "That's a very forward invitation."

Isabella huffed, crossing her arms as well. "Also not what I meant. Look if you can't help me…"

"Oh trust me, Isabella. I've undone quite a few bodices in my lifetime."

Isabella's cheeks flamed, a growl escaping her lips as she trudged back to the closet, rifling through a few drawers before beckoning Felix over impatiently. She presented a maroon silk scarf.

"And what might that be for?" He waggled his eyebrows in an over-exaggerated manner. He was definitely messing with her at this point.

"Just turn around you big oaf." Felix laughed again, but complied. Isabella fastened the scarf a few times around his head so that his eyes were firmly covered. "Kinky." He quipped, earning him a slap on the arm. "Are you kink shaming me, Isabella?"

"Just undo the freaking corset."

"Ooh I like it when they get bossy."

"Pig."

"Lunatic." He shot back, undoing the bodice in less than five seconds. "See, told you." He said mockingly before disappearing, blindfold and all.

Although vulgar, Felix still managed to be a gentleman…. She could respect him for that. There's nothing like mortifying experiences to bond people together.

—

Volterra- Morning

After a decent night's sleep— the first in a long while— Isabella got ready for the day. Fresh from the shower, she padded over again to the closet, where she selected a forest green knee-length dress and a cream colored cardigan. She kept her freshly washed hair down, brushing it absentmindedly as she slipped on a pair of black flats.

With not much at her disposal for entertainment, Isabella decided to venture out of her room to explore the castle. The dark stone halls were lined with rich red carpets, and seemed to go on endlessly. Nevertheless, something brought her to the North section of the castle to an expansive library.

The room was beautiful, lit with natural light of various shades, due to the floor to ceiling stained glass windows that alternated with deep mahogany bookshelves. These shelves were so high that a second floor was installed, accessed by a ladder that was attached by a rolling track system. The second floor expanded about 5 feet from the wall, encompassed by carved mahogany railings.

Upon further exploration, a seating area sat off in a nook on the second floor made up of tufted dark leather couches and lush, tapestry-like carpets. Isabella could see herself curling up with a blanket and a good book— she would keep it in mind for later.

For now, she perused the shelves on the second floor, her hands tracing the wooden banister. She could hear the door open and shut silently.

"One would think in a castle full of vampires, you would be easy to find, Isabella." A melodic voice purred.

Isabella did not have to look to know who it was. Still, she turned, resting her forearms on the banister and looking down with a gentle smile and bow of her head.

"For that, I apologize, Aro. I find it hard to keep still."

Aro chuckled. "Yes, I can see that. We have never seen the guard so worried as to where to find a human in our midst…. Should you become immortal, I wonder if your ability might elude them further…". He elaborated as an aside to himself, blinking once before looking up again to her. "How curious it is that you have turned up here."

"Where exactly am I?" She laughed, looking around again, admiring her surroundings.

"My personal study. I'm glad it pleases you." He spoke from her left, no longer on the first floor.

"This… this is a study?" She asked in awe, turning to observe Aro's regal form now lounging across one of the dark velvet sofas in the reading nook, looking amused. Two fingers lay against his temple, his propped arm holding up his head effortlessly as he looked at her in fascination. "Join me." He gestured with his free arm to the love seat across from him.

Isabella obliged, crossing her legs in front of her and resting her hands in her lap. "I suppose you'd like to know what brought me to Volterra."

Aro nodded. "Please do not spare any details. My inability to read you leaves me…uncomfortably lacking in knowing you, Isabella. Assuming we will be working closely with one another to resolve this threat, our familiarity is essential, you see."

"Of course." Isabella began, launching into the story of her upbringing with Renee. Why she moved to Forks to live with Charlie…. But, what truly captured his interest was her 'ability' as he called it.

"I've always had these feelings. Like I knew something that everyone else didn't. In a way, they ensured that I was safe, or that others around me were okay… If you need an example, I could tell which of Renee's many boyfriends had not so great intentions…. let's just say that they didn't last very long after they met me." She paused, checking the still vampire's expression. She was glad his attention was still neutrally focused— she felt less crazy that way.

"Those feelings led me to Forks, Washington. I knew somehow that it was where I was supposed to be. It's where I met the Cullens, whom you have familiarity with." Aro's expression faltered, betraying his surprise.

"I introduced myself to Alice the first day I was at Forks High. A lot of people thought I was crazy, and I don't really blame them. Other humans have a greater sense of survival than I do. She saw me coming, though my decisions weren't clear to her at the time. I didn't know they were vampires at first, although I definitely knew they were different. It didn't take me very long, especially when I had Biology classes with Edward."

"Ah, the mind reader. Could he not hear your thoughts as well?"

"No. I could see that he was frustrated around me, and very tense. It wasn't too long until I figured it out— about a day or so. The golden eyes, calculated movements, disappearing when it was sunny outside, not eating… I told Alice that I knew, which she expected as well. What I didn't expect was her question if I was human. I apparently have no detectable heartbeat to vampires, you see. Carlisle tested this theory, seeing in my medical charts that human doctors never had an issue with me. Carlisle, however, could not register my heart beat with his enhanced sense of hearing or medical equipment. Odd, I know. So, he started theorizing as to why this was… his first assumption was that I had a gift of some kind, or 'ability' as you put it. That, combined with Edward's inability to read my thoughts was surmised as a means of protection, or a defense mechanism."

"Fascinating." Aro breathed, his attention never wavering from the mortal girl in front of him.

Isabella smiled shyly. "Carlisle was very excited to see if my abilities would transfer to an immortal life. That's when everyone to nudge Edward and I together." To this, Aro looked displeased. "It wasn't subtle… I saw it coming from a mile away, without my ability, mind you. His… ah… attempts to get closer to me were feeble at best.

A little stalker-ish and uncomfortable, for sure. Edward's inability to read my mind almost became like an obsession, and soon he was showing up places, waiting for me, asking me questions about my life, wanting to spend time with me…

It was clear he was romantically interested in me, as odd and mildly disturbing as his approach was. He ended up kissing me one night at the Cullen house. It felt wrong. I let him down easy— I knew that he was meant for someone else, and so was I.

When I told Alice, she agreed. The Cullens seemed disappointed that I hadn't fit into their plan. I understood— maybe in another life, a different me would have fallen in love with Edward Cullen. A little masochistic, yes, but not too far off a stretch of the imagination. After that, Alice was there for me when no one else was. That's when I started having the nightmares."

Isabella looked down to her lap, wringing her hands.

"The only thing I could hear was this deafening screeching…. civilizations were burning before my eyes. The flames fought the swirling darkness that threatened to swallow the world whole. No matter how many nights they replayed, the terror remained. What's coming… it promises the end of your world and mine. We need to stop it, Aro. For all our sakes."

Author's Note: Woo, that backstory took awhile! There are things she is omitting, such as certain characters. A mind shield comes in handy, huh? Much love! ~R