Author's Note: The writing spark is back and in full force with this mellow weekend! Thank you to you lovelies who left kind reviews right after I posted the last chapter. This one is for y'all. This chapter is prone to some grammatical errors because I wanted to get it up so fast! Enjoy

Last Time...

"While I was burning, many images passed through my mind... Not a vision as Alice has described to me... but images like memories. Familiar... When I regained my senses just moment's ago, having the ability to see Caius' blade left this sense of deja vu. Like I had seen it before, that I innately knew its purpose... Rather than dreams that informed my decisions in my human life as a protector of sorts, as Allistar believes, the piece of information I was given during my change resurfaced when I touched the blade." Looking to her mate, her eyes urged him to continue where she was still unsure.

"Yes... this memory of sorts that Isabella showed me dates back centuries to an execution... which, I am not certain... there were so many in that time." Aro looked at his mate a bit apologetically. "Our state of dress- Caius, Marcus, the guard, and myself, indicates it was somewhere in the 1600's... The castle's archives on unlawful executions will allow us to search into this matter further."

"Archives?" Edward questioned with emphasis, earning a concerned glance from Carlisle and Esme. Carlisle's dissaproving looking seemed to silence him. Though, the possession of archives for executions done by the Volturi, rather than a volume or two was sure to elicit some raised eyebrows...

Isabella ignored the copper haired killjoy completely, though Jasper stiffened slightly at the extreme annoyance that came from her in waves. "Marcus, Caius, Athendora." Isabella began, taking Aro's offered arm with grace, and a warm air of easy companionship with her raven haired mate. "Join us? I hope to utilize your knowledge as I seek to understand what this glimpse might mean."

"Of course." Marcus said cordially, though his warm smile hinted at his pleasure at the recent, public antics with Caius. "Lead the way."

Chapter 16

The group of vampires traveled through the crumbling halls of rarely used parts of the massive Volterra castle. Isabella recognized the area they passed as the secretive safe rooms, accompanied with swarths of ancient tapestries. Still, they continued further, Isabella's vampiric perception noticing the gradual change in temperature as their surroundings became cooler as they were surely heading underground in a matter of seconds with vampiric pacing.

Always a coven for intentional dramatic timing, Aro paused by a section of stone wall after they had traveled for some time. At this point, the halls they had traveled- dim except for the fading light of torches- looked entirely the same with scarce minute differences. Isabella had realized that this area was meant to confuse any seeking knowledge that they were not granted- and such was heavily guarded by a labyrinth of halls that stretched on like elaborate tunnels. Aro's pale fingers found purchase on an embedded stone in the cavernous hall's walls, similar to all those around it. With a swift push, the stone sunk a few inches back from the rest of the wall, and with a dull thud a section of wall fell back in suit, just wide enough to allow a person through.

Athendora, Caius, and Marcus dissapeared into the blackness beyond the entrance while Aro stayed behind, offering his hand to Isabella seeing her curious stare. He smiled endearingly at her as she took his hand, squeezing gently as he pulled her into the darkness with him, pushing the wall back into its original place on the outside before continuing forward. If she had been less focused on the task at hand, Isabella would certainly oblige her desire to steal a few kisses in the darkness. She could see of course, compared to her prior vision as a human just a week before... but it was the romantic in her that compelled her. These ideas were not lost on Aro, as he observed her distracted expression with mischievous resolve. "Later." He hummed, his arm wrapping around her waist. Isabella almost wanted to huff at the slow strokes he made with his thumb at the curve of her back, much too within her newborn hormones to deal with idle teasing at a time like this.

A few more strides in relative silence gave way to a softly illuminated room, the simple candles lit just recently as Isabella detected the remaining wisps of smoke from a match being struck. The room itself was also simple, a circular table for six set up in the center of the windowless room, given the place they occupied in the castle. The significance of the chairs present was also not lost on her as each vampire sat in what she could only infer as their usual places, each leader with their mate to their left. Isabella stroked the arm of the seat she resided in thoughtfully, the image of pale skin, curled dark hair and wrathful crimson eyes passing through her subconscious. Shaking her head slightly, Isabella stole a glance to Marcus who sat with an empty spot to his left. He met her gaze with a small forlorn smile, understanding passing between them.

The space remaining in the snug room was filled with weathered book cases and trunks- it seemed the overwhelming presence of them was what made this space almost claustrophobic.

"Necessity has not shown itself in regard to this room in some time." Athendora explained, seeming to sense Isabella's unspoken question as she took in her surroundings. "All recent documents reside in Aro, Caius, and Marcus' personal studies... they are updated each decade before they are stored for each passing century..." Athendora paused, giving Isabella an empathetic smile. "Knowledge of this place- its exact location, that is, is reserved solely to those present." Athendora did not elaborate on these members, as no further explanation to whom was absent was necessary. "All founding documents, laws, and anything henceforth resides within these walls... millenia of knowledge and secrets that, if in the wrong hands would rule certain disaster."

The room grew quiet, unease interweaving into the empty space. Marcus cleared his throat in a human mannerism. "Isabella, as I'm sure you must know, time has not been kind to us as of late. Many customs have been overlooked in the presence of peril... peril that we are just beginning to understand, necessary to the continuation of our existence. As such, as the mate of one of the Volturi Triumvirate, you have adopted a powerful, yet equally precarious position within the world of vampire kind. Though you have not been presented to all as the mate and inherent equal of Aro, enemies- centuries old- may detect this and seek to use this against the Volturi. It does not take a gift such as mine to see the bond that you share as true mates. Ancient ways such as keeping our mates hidden from our enemies has... failed to maintain their safety." Marcus paused, eyes traveling to their hands, still interlocked and resting between them. Marcus' expression had clouded with grief. "With a gift such as yours, I can see that you will defend yourself and your mate vehemently... but, should under any circumstance, you are placed into that dreaded precarious position.. you must swear that you will remain secretive of any privileged information you are about to lay witness to." Marcus ended with an air of utmost formality, eyes searching hers.

"I swear it." Isabella responded softly, squeezing her mate's hand in affection and understanding of the gravity of her position.

Marcus then adopted his normal somewhat withdrawn, but now warm visage in the presence of Isabella. He nodded to Caius, who immeadiately went to a shelf, pulling a large volume.

"An account of executions from 1600 to 1700." Caius set the massive volume in the center of the table. "Make sure you take utmost care... the parchment is delicate."

Isabella nodded. "It includes the reasoning as well?"

"Yes, though all written records from previous centuries were written in Latin was the preferred language… that is until the 17th century. We've continued to use it since that time for continuity. I'm sure Aro will translate." Caius gave a pointed look and resumed his seat, posture as rigid and severe as ever.

"Thanks Caius." Isabella genuinely smiled, intent on pushing a few of his buttons.

Caius bristled, suddenly seeming not to know what to do with himself. "Well I wouldn't want to be responsible for the world ending, newborn."

He disappeared soon after, leading to a subtle eye roll from the newborn.

The volume itself was massive- the pages must have equated to at least 8 inches of compressed documentation. Her improved vision allowed her to capture the very presence of the fibers that made up the cover and visible edges of pages- each divot and scratch from centuries old use. The pages had become discolored- the fibers at the very top layer of each textile holding a yellowed tint, while layers underneath were pristine to the vampire eye.

Isabella inhaled, humming in contentment at the rich smell of the worn parchment. She had soon come to realize in her immortal life that not only had her love of books followed her, but also that Aro's scent was often intermingled with the scents of such volumes, parchments, and inks when he had been working.

Apprehension clouded her senses, however, as she stared at the deep onyx shade of the leather that encased these records. With one touch to the ancient sword Caius wielded joyfully in bloodshed of countless enemies, she had become overwhelmed with images of a scene of destruction and abject terror and pain. It still tingled across her skin like a fervid nightmare when she had jolted back.

It almost made her wish that she could still dream- to reach that level of relaxation and calm that she hadn't felt since she was human. That way, any negative emotions from her dreams would dissipate moments after she woke up. Now, they lingered...

Isabella took a futile breath before bringing the volume closer to herself, stroking the top absently before opening the cover. With each page turned, Isabella reveled at the feeling of the thick, textured parchment under her fingertips. Her face twisted into an expression of dissatisfaction, seeming not to find what she was looking for at first. Though she could not read Latin, the numbers were all the same as she passed by the years in rapid succession- 1600 to 1660 before something piqued her interest.

"There." Isabella pointed to one page. The year 1661 was written in elaborate letters at the top left corner. Following it were three neatly drawn columns.

"Nomine refers to name of offender... Genus, referring to type or species as one would say now... and scelus, the crime committed." Aro interjected softly as Isabella traced the page.

"Filii luna..." Isabella murmured, earning a sudden reflexive growl from Caius. Her head snapped up at this- seeing his expression of rage. Eyeing him warily, she looked to Aro in confusion.

"The Children of the Moon... they do not conjure positive memories for Caius."

She recalled with finite clarity the scene she had witnessed- the ancient scene flashing before her eyes like a dream. How she did not recognize the sprawling grounds, heavily wooded and untouched by more modern civilization. She could smell blood… but it was foul… the metallic, disgusting way blood smelt when she was human… but worse.

Blurs of movement had surrounded her-dark, pale limbs enshrouded in jeweled cloaks. It was dizzying, though when her eyes had focused she saw Aro… a version of him she had never seen before. He wore elaborate cloaks of dark green and black. Beneath The edges were trimmed with rubies, emeralds, and gold fleece. His posture was different as well, speaking of a clear, terrifying power.

Atop his head was a silver crown, the metal dipping from hairline to the center of his forehead in a V. The rubies inlaid there glimmered with his bright red eyes- all heightened by the light of the flames that lapped at their pires in the space around them. His eyes were alarmingly cold. Bloodthirsty. As this Aro scanned the area around him, seemingly satisfied until he turned away from the two figures aside him...figures Isabella could only place as Marcus and Caius from the color of their hair from the back.

He had turned, caught unawares but still smiling in morbid delight. "Ah... it seems we have missed one." And like that, the images ended, causing Isabella to retract from the blade like she had been burned.

"What was their crime?"

Caius began to seethe, eager for an enthralling response of bloodshed and victory with the foul beasts. Yet with Isabella's faraway look, Marcus raised a hand to gently deter such a response. "Old wives tales of men turning into monsters until the light of the full moon is no legend. The children of the moon were slaves to the disease to that ran through them once infected, or simply born... Entire villages were slaughtered and burned, save for those they bit, becoming one of their clan so to speak... With no control over their own nature, we could not risk further further exposure."

"Not before they destroyed one of our own." Caius seethed. "The children of the moon could end vampires... our entire kind if they saw fit."

Athendora placed a soothing hand on his shoulder, rubbing soothing circles into the marble flesh. "Caius was almost lost to us as well, you see."

"Caius..." Isabella began, her brow furrowed in apology. "I'm sorry..."

"Never mind it." Caius cut in. "You've found what you're looking for. The beasts are gone." He remarked cooly with finality.

"Yes..." She began. "What I cannot fathom is how this is of use... as you say, the children of the moon were wiped out. Were any others aware of their presence before the Volturi stepped in?"

"No... any vampires that would have crossed their path would be no more... The guard who fought against them with us were sworn to secrecy."

"I see... I'm sorry, it appears we are at another dead end." Isabella sighed in frustration, running her hands over her face before her fingers found purchase in her hair. "I just.. wish I could be of more use."

"We know more than we did hours ago, piccola." Marcus murmured soothingly. "Perhaps feeding might aid in clearing your mind. If I recall correctly... you haven't felt the urge since you were changed just a week ago."

"I've been... preoccupied." Came a soft response, eliciting a chuckle from Athendora.

"Yes, well then... shall we?"

Once Isabella was satiated... thirst wise, she went out in search of her family- hadn't seen much of them since her transformation. It seemed that preparing for the end of the world and passionate, animalistic sex within a newly made mate bond didn't leave much room for quality family time.

Aro was playfully reluctant to see his mate go, though he did have some affairs to catch up on since he had been... indisposed by recent developments. "Don't run off for too long, now. There are still some things left to resolve that were so rudely interrupted." He whispered, nipping her ear lobe before withdrawing from her with a soft kiss.

"Oh I won't... I wouldn't want to leave you in your lonesome for too long, old man." She mocked, retreating with his laughter filtering away behind her.

Not surprisingly, she found her family in the most homey part of the castle... an elaborate sitting room that mirrored the environment she had known them in quite closely, though the Cullen manor didn't have a wall dedicated to elaborate stained glass. Comfy couches were situated near the fireplace, a flatscreen and gaming systems set up on the mantle. More unsurprisingly, this is where she found Emmett and Jasper... though she wasn't expecting Felix, Demitri and Alec there as well.

Carlisle was content in another sitting area near the expansive windows, certainly a spot for reading with a few bookshelves nearby. Theology seemed to be the subject of the day, as Carlisle was thoroughly engrossed.

Lastly, there was long dining room style table- though its original purpose would remain unfulfilled in a castle full of vampires. Rosalie was surfing the internet, looking for new ways to tune up and modify the coven's cars. It appeared that the italian makes and models that the Volturi had at their disposal had caught her eye from the tabs Isabella could discern. Next to her were Alice and Esme, each with their own sketchpads and various magazines- for Alice, fashion of course, and for Esme home and garden collections of neighboring Italian Provences.

Observing her family in this way put Isabella at ease, displayed by her contented smile. If she could, she would have taken a photograph- freeze this moment forever, as it was unclear how much longer this might last. Her musings were interrupted when the ever intuitive pixie perked up at Isabella's presence, wrapping her in a hsug a moment later. "You'd think as a vampire your hugs would be less surprising for me." She laughed, hugging her friend tightly.

"Never... I still have a few tricks up my sleeve, being psychic and all." The pixie winked, bumping Isabella with her hip. "I'm glad you're here, the levels of testosterone was getting a bit unbearable."

"Hey..." Jasper called in mock indignation, though he continued looking at the screen they were playing some sort of multiplayer combat game.

"It's true!" Alice laughed.

"Really?" Isabella retorted, sarcasm lacing her tone as she walked towards the boys with Alice at her side. "You've never been one for complaining about overwhelming testosterone, have you Al?"

"Oh shut it!" Alice giggled, feigning exasperation as she lightly hit Isabella's arm.

"Owwwww... Alice... you wound me!" Isabella moaned in fake pain, draping herself over the arm of the couch in a mock faint.

"Uh huh." Alice rolled her eyes, perching on the other arm of the couch next to Jasper.

After a few beats, Isabella perked up to watch the game in her spot next to Felix. "Giving Emmett a run for his money, Felix?"

"He wishes." Emmett guffawed. "Wait no... What the hell is that?! You can't get supercharge at this level!" Obscenities followed soon after. Isabella was surprised to see the controller in one piece after it was thrown down to the ground in his frustration.

"Wow, someone finally beat Emmett at video games. Felix, I'm impressed."

"Thank you, Mistress Isabella." Felix grinned, placing emphasis on the latter half of his sentence- surely to make her uncomfortable.

"Oh god, do not make it weird on me." Isabella shoved him. "We're friends, so cut the mistress crap. At least when Aro's not around."

"I don't think friends hear the other have animalistic- OW! Rosie!" Emmett rubbed his temple, a pen that Alice had been sketching with dropping to the ground beside him. "Hitting a man while he's down... low blow."

Turning, Isabella gave Rose a thumbs up while the other boys snickered. "Serves you right, Emmett." He only grumbled in response, looking engrossed in the last game's stats all of a sudden.

Sass aside, Isabella eventually got her hands on a controller and did pretty well before losing, obviously. The others had a few decades to practice their skills. It was nice to have a feeling of normalcy for the first time in the last few weeks. Gaming, engaging in a friendly debate with Carlisle on prose, pretending to know things about cars, and laughing at avant garde trends Esme and Alice filled her unbeating heart with a warm joy that Isabella hadn't know she was missing. Still, it felt a bit incomplete without a certain brooding vampire lurking in the corner.

"Hey Al?"

"Uh huh?" Alice responded distractedly as she added another pair of death traps to her shopping cart.

"Where's Edward? I somehow miss his stoic self with present company."

Alice surpressed a chuckle for Esme and Carlisle's sake, though the glint of amusement in her eyes was there. "I believe he was on the hunt for a piano... something's got him in a great mood."

"Huh..." Isabella pondered, intent on seeking him out after a little while longer. If he was happy, it would be a refreshing change. All she wondered was why.

Author's Note: