My mind went over the interaction with Dr Cullen, again and again. I still couldn't find anything that should in any way indicate he was anything but a kind-hearted man except that something felt off, and over my lifetime I'd learnt to trust my instincts.

It could be the strange things I'd noticed about all the Cullens, no matter how briefly I'd seen Bella's boyfriend and his siblings, it was near impossible to miss the amber eyes, odd, I'd never heard of a genetic condition which causes that, but even though strange, eye colour didn't really prove anything.

"Hey Bouncy Borange!"

I scoffed "Borange? That's terrible, not even a word, try harder."

Olly ignored my teasing and instead pulled himself onto the front of my bike, which I had parked outside my apartment and had been sitting on for the last hour.

"Where are we going Bluffel?"

"Would it kill you to say Blue?"

Upon receiving only a cheeky grin in response I grabbed the helmet hanging off the back and shoved it onto his head. "That's it squirt. For that, I'm taking you to the chief's house and we're gonna see about getting you into school."

"Nooo-" His protest was muffled by the helmet and it was my turn to grin as we took off.

He gave half-hearted complaints as we made it up the path of the Swan's residence but I knew if he really didn't want to be there he wouldn't have been.

"Ding Dong." Olly sang it with a happy giggle

Charlie opened the door looking tired and a little surprised.

I immediately felt bad. "Sorry Chief forgot, normal people, ring, I was hoping I could talk about education for the kid?"

"Oh no that's fine, come in."

We made our way into the lounge and Charlie called out to Bella while he went to get a few biscuits.

Bella popped her head down and broke into an awkward smile when she saw us.

"Hey Blue." She nodded at Olly "You must be Oliver."

He puffed out his chest and stuck out his arm in greeting, "Yes, what's your name?"

"I'm Bella."

"Hello, Ballerina."

She turned to me with a confused look.

"Best not to fight it." I muttered.

She nodded "It was nice seeing you two, but I'm afraid I'm heading out to see Edward. I'll talk to you later?"

"Yeah sounds good, wanna come over on Thursday?"

She hesitated "Um actually, I mean I'd love too but I think Alice is making me celebrate my birthday at theirs on Thursday..."

"That's cool, I didn't know it was your birthday."

"Yeah, I don't really advertise it." She gave an awkward laugh

Olly interjected "How old are you gonna be? I just had my birthday. I'm eight years old."

"Umm 18-"

She looked very uncomfortable with that fact so I decided to save her from whatever it was and changed the topic, "You could come over sometime the next week, whenever you want."

She visibly brightened "Actually I think I'd like to come over the day after. It's okay with you two?"

Olly seemed to like that he was being asked for permission as well, declaring his opinion "Yes, you can come over. I'll make blueberry pancakes for your birthday."

I snorted "That means I'll be making them."

Olly nodded

Bella gave a smile "That sounds nice, I'll be there. Oh, where is your apartment?"

"Ah right." I looked around for some paper to write my address and reached for the sheet I found only to be attacked by a blur of green. "What the fuc-!"

Bella laughed, before picking the lizard off my shirt. I snatched the paper with a huff and scribbled the address which Bella pocketed and said her goodbyes leaving, just as her father came back with a biscuit to hand her.

I tried not to notice the way Olly's eyes lit up upon seeing the Gecko, I did not need those two together.

We spent the rest of the morning working out how to proceed and eventually with input from Olly we decided on keeping him out of school for the rest of the semester as it was nearly summer break anyway and he wouldn't be missing much. After that, I'd look into enrolling him in Forks Primary School.

I dropped him off at his entrance to his forest- kingdom on the way home, declining the invitation to play. Not that I didn't want to, but the lack of cases and more importantly any successful leads for the last few weeks was grating on me and I don't want to be in a foul mood around the kid, he deserved better.

That's how I found myself once again staring at scribbles on aged paper and trying to translate the stupid text. It had well gone into the night but the time I let out a triumphed yell and looked over my full translated page.

From a single read-through, I could tell it was more of a personal account from a bystander of events than actual facts, still, it seemed to be Primary evidence, which was rare for something so old. My eyes lingered on a few of the more interesting paragraphs, they were written less poetically than the other account but no less beautiful.

The sight of the Angelic beast inspired fear in me, the one with hair black as night strode before the others with a crazed look in his eyes, only the blond appeared to see through it. I for one knew not what lay underneath the madness only that he walked the streets of Volterra with eyes searching for trouble.

All of us knew of Diydme's loss to the Volturi. The blond seemed volatile before she was taken from them, now he appeared a friend in comparison to the other Kings, I feared for the future with every passing day.

We in Volterra knew of their differences, their blood-red eyes and angelic-features, I knew in my heart they were gods among men, and all men run when a god grieves, I chanted every night, praying the angels would not turn their wrath upon us. I should not fear, the Volturi do not harm the people of Volterra, still, I do. Red eyes haunt my dreams and lurk in the corners of the day.

It was utterly fascinating, and finally I had a location, Volterra I was pleased to know I had been right about that. The Volturi seemed to refer to the demi-gods, and they resided or had done so, in the city of Volterra. I knew one day for sure I would visit the city, my curious heart would never allow me to rest if I did not. For now, I packed up the papers and called it a night.

-IMMORTAL-

Caius paced back and forth ignoring Marcus's comment about wearing holes until eventually, he left to pace in the privacy of his own space. His mind kept bringing up memories from the past times of conquest and heartbreak.

While Didyme had been Aro's sister and Marcus's closest friend she had never been more than something akin to a distant relative for Caius, yet, when she disappeared he saw the powerful coven fall into disorder. The Romanian's temporarily took over and it was the worst few years of Caius's life, dead and undead.

It had broken his unseen heart to witness the utter apathy from his mate Marcus, and Aro hid his sorrow well with his games, but Caius was always in-tune with his mates and he felt their heartbreak as keenly as if it had been his own.

In those years he had taken over most of the duties within the castle and had schemed and plotted strategies to re-assume control of the vampire world, it had been his own way to help his soul brothers. He hated the feeling of helplessness that had plagued him every time he saw Marcus's lifeless body gazing out at nothing and so he had resolved to distract himself and avenge the Volturi in the only way he could, by showing everyone that an incident like Didyme would never occur again.

While Caius had searched himself for the killer he found nothing and never pursued the case knowing his mates had done so more thoroughly themselves, in fact, it seemed to be the only thing keeping Aro's sanity in check during that dark time.

However, after One thousand and four hundred years had passed Caius led the standoff between the Romanian and Volturi covens, emerging victorious. It was the first day in as many years that Marcus joined Caius in his art room. He had said nothing and Caius did not press, but they both understood at that moment there would be more to their eternity than Didyme's death.

Aro took longer to draw out, it wasn't until another 400 years had passed that he found something that interested him more than the suffering of lawbreakers. Two young twins, Alec and Jane, stood accused of witchcraft and were burned at the stake by their own village, Aro knew they were special and he had felt a connection to something for the first time in years, prompting him to save the twins and bring them into the Vampire world.

It wasn't the same as before, Marcus still held a touch of melancholy and Aro's madness he hid behind, wasn't always just a shield, neither was Caius's rage, but based on those traits of weakness, the Kings carved out the views of those who did not know them, they encouraged the rumours letting others deceive themselves with their own ignorance.

The Volturi moved on, the tragedy of Didyme was never forgotten, but the rulers of the Vampire world knew the need for their form of order. They had been around when no one coven enforced the laws when there had been no laws, it was Aro who had realised Vampire kind would not survive without structure and it was Aro who found Caius and Marcus to help him bring their world to order.

The Romanian's always despised the laws, when they had ruled from 1000BC to 400AD there had been chaos and from it, many stories of Vampires too close to the truth for the Volturi, so, years later they injected their own information misleading the masses, something they were always quite good at.

Aro and Marcus never forgot Caius's leadership during those years and they better than anyone understood the cunning strategist behind the impulsive tyrant others saw. It was important as mates that they each knew and understood one another's masks, unfortunately as each year passed they lost hope of finding their last piece, understanding they may have lived and died a mortal life before finding their way to them.

It was a tragic thought but one that became more realistic as the days passed, nearing the 21st century they had all but accepted it, so the sudden link into the dream of their mate had been a shock for them all. Aro and Marcus seemed content to let fate play out, but after years of believing fate had screwed them over, Caius was… afraid.

It was jarring to realise that fear was what he had been feeling and the realisation caused him to curse himself. It was ridiculous to fear for something that could not be helped and he hated that once Aro touched him he would know of the weakness immediately.

Caius promptly banished the thought, Aro had never once thought him weak and his mates knew better than anyone what he was feeling. Resolved, Caius turned to seek out his brothers, he needed them now and he knew they would be waiting.

-IMMORTAL-

The day after Bella's birthday Olly and I spent the entire morning setting up various coloured balloons and party decorations. We'd decided on purple and green since I didn't actually know her favourite colour, a fact Olly found appalling.

What I Didn't expect when Bella called out "Ding Dong" Was to see the older kid barely holding it together, as though not wanting to disappoint us, which just wouldn't do.

Olly never one to mess around cut straight to it. "You're going to cry."

Bella looked startled at the calling out and I was quick to interject, pulling the younger girl onto my single bed and ordering Olly to fetch the party food.

To what I imagined was Bella's mortification tears did escape her and she silently shook. Olly clambered in front of us both and presented the treasured food in an offering, no doubt his attempts to stop the crying.

"Thank you," Bella gave a watery laugh and quickly dried her eyes, "I'm sorry it's just something happened at Edward's yesterday and he's been really standoffish since I think he's going to end it."

"The relationship?" I clarified, relaxing after she nodded. I knew she didn't need to hear any words of 'it's for the best' or 'you're better off without him' and instead decided to distract her so she could at least enjoy some part of her birthday.

"Well, I bet he's not as much fun as pin the hat on the gnome."

"What?"

Olly lit up and excitedly jumped off the bed to get the game.

"It was Olly's idea after he grilled me on all your favourite things so we could plan accordingly, he thought you'd like the gnome because you like Romeo and Juliet… Apparently he's seen that movie."

"That's actually really sweet."

Olly came back in time to hear the praise and practically glowed with pride, "See I told you she would like it Buzzy bee."

"Uh-huh, well don't keep her waiting, you'd better show us how to do it."

Happy with his new task Olly demonstrated spinning himself around complete with my angelfish socks covering his eyes, and successfully knocking over every single book on my coffee table in the process.

I winced as they went crashing to the floor and Olly paused long enough to shoot a guilty look into the air before re-assuming his loud narration of the rules.

The rest of the night went by in much the same fashion, but I didn't mind the mess, it wasn't like my apartment was particularly tidy, to begin with, and before Olly had even gotten onto the second game, Bella was already letting her competitive side out.

The two of them crashed over for the night and I made sure to text Charlie, before writing an email to Depika and letting her know all the updates on the case, which wasn't much before I settled against the bench and finally let my consciousness fade.

I awoke to Olly already gone, along with all the muffins I'd baked, and Bella lazily throwing broken balloon bits at me.

I groaned "Whaaaaat?"

She only laughed before stretching and going to the door, "Thought you'd appreciate being woken before I left, I'm heading to try and talk to Edward, hopefully, get some kind of answer. Thanks for last night, Olly's pretty cool too."

"Thanks for coming. Oh and Bella, give that ginger a kick up the ass if he's still being a dick, yea?"

"I'll definitely consider it."

She closed the door behind her and for that I was thankful, it was nice she considered waking me, but true to my promise I'd not slept properly, well properly for me, since a week before, so lying back on the floor I slipped back into my unconsciousness.

-IMMORTAL-

I must have been out for a while because I woke again to dark skies and my phone blaring. I picked it up, "Hello?"

"Blue thank god!" It was Charlie, and he sounded really stressed, which was odd for him "Bella, she was supposed to be home for dinner, but she hasn't returned, I don't know where she is, she's not picking up her phone. Everyone's out looking for her. Is she with you? Please tell me she's with you."

I was suddenly wide awake, "No I'm sorry Charlie, I only saw her this morning, she said she was going to talk things out with Edward-" I pulled on my shoes and grabbed a coat. "Hold on Charlie I'm gonna search the forest, she might be there, Edward and Bella apparently go for walks around his house, I'd start looking there-"

"-I've got the police and some of the boys for the Quileute tribe searching there, they haven't found her, but please, if you think you can help, do."

"I'll try some other spots then, don't worry Charlie, we'll find her."

With the new information, my first choice was to find someone who knew where to hide.

"Olly!, Olly!"

"Blurry, are you okay?"

"Hey, kid Bella's gone missing, have you seen her?"

He shook his head rapidly, "No sorry."

I cursed "Okay if you do find her-" I pulled out my phone and handed it to him, it was more likely he'd find her anyway.

He took it and looked about to go searching when he paused "Do you think she might be at the waterfall? You said you had fun there remember?"

"Holy fuck, you're right kid. Thanks!" I bolted, yelling the words over my shoulder and hurried to leave the kids kingdom, not stopping running to mount my bike, causing me to wobble slightly before speeding off.

I managed to make it to the entrance in 40 minutes, definitely breaking the speed limit, terrible for a member of the force, but it was pitch black now and I was worried, so frankly I didn't care about any reprimands I might get.

I stumbled through the branches, feeling them snag my clothes more than I remembered, it almost felt like the very trees were trying to stop me.

I pulled back the familiar fern, thanks to the starlight was able to see the outline of Bella, huddled where we had previously bathed in the sun.

"Bella?" I called out, not wanting to startle her.

She didn't react at all and it made me nervous. I approached her cautiously but sped up once I saw her state. I knew what this was, she was in a catatonic state, it was horrifying to see, I'd seen it in textbooks and on the news but never in person.

"Jesus Christ Bella, what the hell happened?"

She didn't answer and I hadn't expected her to. Checking her pulse just to be sure, I then crouched down and picked her up bridal style. The trees seemed to almost part for me now I was holding her, and the journey to my bike was easy enough, it was once I'd reached it that I found the problem.

Unfortunately, I'd left my phone with Olly and couldn't risk leaving her to get help so shedding my coat I wrapped it around her shivering form, trying not to focus on her, once again, blue lips, I used the arms to secure her to myself, seating her in front of me like I would Olly, and I drove to take her to the hospital, this time at a slower speed, but no less urgently.

Once I'd made it through the doors she was surrounded by medical staff and whisked away, I was reminded of a similar time when I'd brought a different kid to the hospital, and the same level of exhaustion crept up on me. Remembering Charlie I borrowed the hospital's phone and called him, letting him know I'd found Bella and where she was, then I called my phone next letting Olly know his new friend was safe.

By the time Charlie had arrived I had pulled myself together and found Bella's room, unfortunately, the hospital staff refused to tell me anything, which I understood but I still hated.

Charlie went straight in and after a good few minutes came out to let me know she was alright. "Bells is gonna be fine, the Dr says she's suffered from some kind of shock and rapid change in temperature, they also said something about connections between the 'dorsolateral prefrontal cortex' and the 'default mode network' which frankly Blue I've no idea what that means."

He looked far worse than me, I gave him a tired smile, "It's probably medical Gargan for the same stuff you just said, they like to do that."

He nodded accepting the reasoning and bid me goodnight with a thank you before going back in the room, that was my Que to leave, but for a few moments, I stayed standing frozen in the hall. Despite what I'd said to Charlie, I did, in fact, know what that meant. Connections between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the default mode network. The words rang in my head. I'd done my thesis on it for my Psychology paper. I used it to highlight how Physiology is a direct link to Psychology, in short, the connections were found in people under hypnosis.

I stared at the closed door as if it would provide the answers I wanted. For the first time, I didn't want another mystery.

Giving the room a final look, I turned and left, stopping only once at the reception to ask where Dr Cullen was, I intended to drag some answers out of him while I was there, only to find he had resigned earlier that day. What was going on?

I took a long way home and was unsurprised to find the younger kid curled up in my sheets. I was unfortunately wide awake, so I opted to shower and rinse off the short, but stressful day.

-IMMORTAL-

Unfortunately, the following few weeks shed no more light on any of the mysteries I had stumbled into by entering this town. Bella was released within a day, but after visiting her I found she seemed to be in a rather depressive state, Olly, Charlie and I did what we could but no one can bring someone out of depression and I suspected Bella had always had a dormant or mild form of the mental disorder, the abrupt departure and cutting words of her boyfriend and his family had, I suspected, opened the floodgates.

I was understandably furious with the Cullens, especially the prick Edward and if I ever saw him again you'd be damn sure I was going to give him a piece of my mind.

Unfortunately, as much as I loved Bella, Olly seemed to be getting more and more frustrated, I think at himself rather than her for his inability to cheer her up and he couldn't quite comprehend why he was failing, so I took matters into my own hands and decided to keep them apart for a while. Which left me rather busy entertaining the kid and checking in on Bella.

The first month was definitely the hardest for her, and by extension Charlie, I knew the guy worked hard and had heard she was constantly waking up with nightmares. I offered my place, so I could keep an eye on her. Charlie refused at first, not wanting to push her on me and also wanting to care for her as her father, but after assuring him my sleeping was erratic at best anyway and he was no less a fantastic dad for needing his rest, he caved.

So the second month was spent at mine, which I rarely left aside from visits to Olly, who Charlie had decided was going to be sleeping in Bella's bed, as mine was now occupied, and to follow leads, which had run dry at this point anyway.

So I was able to be there for Bella when she just needed to shake and have an am around her, or when she didn't want any physical contact but liked the company. I bought a few plants from the shop at Olly's suggestion, and for the first time, I saw her do something other than stare into the distance.

Seeing the plants helped her. I began to incorporate new things into her routine. It went, nightmare, shaking, internally berating herself, which I could definitely see she was fooling no one, then staring into the distance, mindlessly eating and watering her plants.

I added in a walk halfway through the month and was glad when she started to look, rather than stare, into the distance, even if it was to watch her stupid lizard crawl all over my furniture.

Near the end of the month, I noticed her looking at my bike and the next day I saw the biggest change in her. She bought a couple of old bikes and after asking me to take her to her truck, she loaded them on with some help and told me she was going to fix them up with Jacob.

It was a big relief, and the days following gave back a bit more of the old Bella each day, I was incredibly thankful that Jacob was able to help her, and made sure to let Charlie know the update, poor guy's heart probably couldn't take too much more stress.

Due to this and my own restlessness I'd made a decision. Well, I had volunteered an Idea which Charlie had okayed and Olly seemed enthusiastic for, it was just Bella I had to break it too before we could go ahead.

I decided the best approach with Bella was just saying what I wanted straight up, thankfully sugar coating anything had never been my style, so that day I invited her back to my apartment, as she'd moved back in with her dad once her nightmares had gotten back under control, she roomed with Olly now, apparently, that was a thing, I was a little fearful but never questioned it.

I decided not to invite Charlie or Olly with Bella, not wanting her to feel pressured into agreeing if she didn't want too, but I did make some attempt at dinner in a half-attempt to win her over.

She, of course, pointed it out immediately. "Trying to impress me?"

Honestly, the lasagna was a disaster, as I was terrible at taking care of myself let alone others, still, I had tried. "Yes- I'm mean no. Kind of?"

She grabbed a jug and went to water the plants she'd left in the windowsill. A shot of green landing on my bed made me protest.

"Hey don't bring that thing in here!"

"You're trying to change the topic."

"I'm not- I just-" Sighing I gave in, sitting with my back against the kitchen counter in a familiar position I waited for her to join her scaly friend on the couch before spitting it out. "I've finally translated those historical records, you remember the ones?"

"The ones you stole with Olly?"

"I didn't steal them… exactly. The Captain said I could have them." She only raised an eyebrow at that so I continued on "-Anywaaay the point is from what I've found I need to start looking in different parts of the world if I'm ever going to find out what happened, Italy to be specific-"

"-So you're leaving?" She had a carefully guarded look on her face which sort of broke my heart a little.

"The Captain said I was free to travel so long as I keep up with my workload, which is currently empty anyway… I need to get away Bella, I can't be still for long, I'm just not used to it, I've nearly been here a year already and I've only taken on two cases in that year, I need the stimulation."

"I understand."

I pursed my lips "So I talked to Charlie, and Olly's keen for an adventure, besides you're recklessness has not been subtle, I've noticed and so has your father, he's actually pretty observant. I thought you might like a bigger adventure than whatever thrill you get from a single motorbike ride, sooo…"

"Wait." She looked dumbfounded "You're asking me to come along?"

I pulled a face "Unfortunately it seems I've grown quite attached to you. and there is no way I'd be able to ditch the midget so he'll be coming too, think you can handle it?"

I found my answer when she launched herself at me for a brief hug before she pulled back excitement lighting up behind her eyes. "God yes! Thank you Blue, this it- it's exactly what I need."

"Well I have a shit tone of cash I need to blow anyway, being a high-end detective, who never buys anything, means we can do whatever you guys want and I got it covered."

"Oh you don't have to pay for it I had a job I can help out-"

I laughed "Relax Bells, I talked to your dad remember, he's chipping in a little and he called your mum she's donating, and I was serious I do have a lot of money I'm never going to use-" seeing her uncomfortable face I caved "-but if you insist, you're welcome to contribute to the food."

She ran her hands through her hair, a tick I'd seen her do when she was nervous or excited, I had a feeling in this instance it was both. "Thank you so much, Blue!" She gave me an awkward high-five before racing out the door with a quick yell, "I'm gonna go tell Jacob!"

"Okay," I muttered before a thought hit me, and I stared down at the creature on my bed with a grimace. "Hey, Bella! you forgot… Harold."

I gingerly picked up a plastic container and approached the bed I attempted to put the container over it but it moved with an inhumane speed right before I did. I let out a yelp and cringed back. "Ew okay, right gross." shaking off the shiver I picked up the container and tried again only for it to dart off the bed and scurry along the floor. "Motherfuck-"

I spent the rest of the evening attempting to catch the blasted thing with little success, resulting in another sleepless night.

-IMMORTAL-

I'd packed all the things I needed by the morning, into a single backpack and my satchel was filled with my papers and other gear for work. I had also packed another smaller bag with clothing I'd accumulated over the months that fit the kid, most of it had come from his old schools lost and found, which they had kindly donated, but Olly's favourite jumper had been purchased by Sammy from the station. It was denim and zipped like a normal jumper but had extra pieces of fabric at the top like lapels, I made sure to include it.

Charlie told Bella we were leaving the next day so she spent the morning packing, and Olly and I went over to help. I did have to insist she couldn't bring all her books and eventually won her over with the reasoning that she wouldn't be needing to read so much if we were doing fun activities like rock climbing instead.

It was midday when Charlie dropped us off at the airport. Unfortunately, I'd have to sacrifice something for the trip as well, my motorbike would be staying at the station until we got back.

I knew getting through customs would be a nightmare and Olly constantly taking every opportunity to point out how long it was taking, did not help matters. Eventually, he just decided that instead of walking he would cartwheel everywhere. Bella had looked like she was about to stop him but their time shared sleeping together must have opened her eyes on how Olly worked and she let him be.

Finally, we got through onto the plane and with Bella insisting on the window seat I found myself settled between them.

"Where are we heading to first? You said Italy but not where."

I pulled out the paper I had made, complete with a fantastically drawn map and pointed to one of the dots I'd plotted. "Cagliari, the oldest city in Italy. It's originally where the people that moved to Volterra are from."

"Volterra?"

"Yeah, It's our last stop. I got this case through a first-person recount of someone witnessing god-like beings, it placed them in Italy, I found another account several hundred years later, where they were placed in Volterra, I believe they called themselves the Volturi"

"Was the other account in first person?"

"I nodded yes, I know, kind of far-fetched obviously, hundreds of years apart, they couldn't be talking about the same thing right? but I've always been open to the supernatural, not that I think that's what this is… but it's a start."

She looked troubled with the new information but I quickly forgot after remembered what I had been meaning to do before, and reached into my pocket pulling out a small plastic container containing one scaly creature.

"Harold!"

"Yeah, you left the little devil last night, thought you'd miss him."

"Hey, don't hate the Gecko."

"Uh-huh, just keep it away from me and we're cool"

She grinned but did as I said, putting it away in her bag once she confirmed I'd picked a hole for air. The rest of the plane ride was uneventful, with Olly engaged in a movie playing on the back of his seat and Bella captivated by the view, I leaned back and closed my eyes, letting rest catch up to me.

-IMMORTAL-

We decided to go to a few museums first, for education purposes, Olly seemed to love asking all the questions to anyone around him, thankfully everyone in Italy seemed really nice and a bonus was we had all begun to pick up some Italian.

I knew a fair bit of Latin from my translations and medical knowledge, so it came a little easier for me, still, Bella was nothing if not dedicated and we made a few trips to the library to get her some books, which she read up on at night and practised with people she met during the day. I knew in a way it was a bit of a fear rush for her to engage with a stranger as much as riding a roller coaster might have been, all in all, it was fun.

After that, I loosened my reins a bit and left Bella to her practising and Olly's soaking up of knowledge, and I found myself asking the museums to look at their available records. It was a good system and by the time Olly had absorbed knowledge from all the displays in the museum I had read all I could find on the Romanian Coven that occupied part of Cagliari back when it was Callaris, during the middle-ages, which was coincidental during the time the Volturi was said to have lost power.

I wasn't sure exactly what a coven was, nor what it meant by losing power, but I now went by the assumption that a coven referred to a group of the god-like beings and, probably the fact they were believed to be 'gods' was what the records meant by power. More and more I was suspecting that I was learning about cult behaviour spanning centuries and beginning millennia ago, it was fascinating if not a little disturbing.

At the end of our first week in Italy I decided we should change it up and I excitedly waved three tokens in their sleepy faces.

"What's that?" Olly mumbled it around his fork and I smirked.

"Why Pumpkin, it's your very own pass to a private instructor course on cliff jumping."

"I'm not a Pumpkin."

"Wait really?" Bella looked wide-eyed

"Yep, Jacob gave me a heads up that he saw you eyeing some friends of his doing it, and I dunno, wanted me to make sure you didn't?"

She gave a startled laugh "So you paid to let me?"

I grinned "Obviously. And no. I paid to get someone to teach us how to do it without hurting ourselves."

"You're the best."

I agreed "That's true."

Olly snagged the toast from my pate and with it bolted for the door, "So what are we waiting for!?"

"Hold your horses kid, we're coming, we're coming."

Frankly, I knew I was just as excited, so when I stood on the edge of the cliff and peered down at the water I was entirely unprepared for the sudden burst of fear, especially because I never had a fear of heights before.

"You scared Bumpkin?"

I glanced back at Olly and gave a stern look "Don't even think about jumping from here Olly it is far too high for you."

He looked outraged at the comment and I only just managed to hide my smirk.

"You can't do that!"

"Sure I can-" I stuck up my chin with fake arrogance "I'm the boss, cause I'm the oldest." I finished it with mock pity and was about to complete my act when a mass of brown locks pulled me over the edge. "B-ella!"

We hit the water quite far apart due to the long way down separating us, but as I broke the top for air I couldn't hope to even pretend to be annoyed, the rush from the jump was still running in my veins and I started laughing. I was a terrible actor anyway.

The moment was bettered when a terrified scream descended followed by another splash and Olly joined us, treading water he was quick to demand another go, which quickly turned into two more, then three, apparently he was determined to go the whole way at least once without screaming.

By dusk we were stretched out on the sandy beach drying, I was reminded of the time several months ago when Bella and I had played by the waterfall. It was a good memory and I knew this one would be too.