It hit 7:00 AM and a knock sounded at my door, I opened it to Bella. "Hi Bells, did you want to hang out today?" I felt a bit guilty since we'd come to Volterra. I'd hardly spent any time with Olly or Bella.

"Not like this." she groaned

I gave her an odd look, "What do you mean?"

"Heidi says she's taking us dress shopping for the Ball tonight, Alice and Rosalie are coming too."

"That's tonight? Wait who's Heidi?" I really wasn't rested enough to be bombarded with surprises.

"You remember the lady who led the Cullens into their trial? The one in the red dress?"

"Oh yeah," I muttered

"That's her."

We were stopped from any further conversation by all previously mentioned Vampires appearing in the doorway. Alice let out a delighted sound, "Oh come on you two! Let's go!" She ran off after that at super speed so I presumed we were going to be carried.

Heidi opened her arms with a question in her eyes and my suspicions were confirmed. Great.

Thankfully Heidi didn't drop me or smack my head into anything, I really should have more faith in the Vampires but knowing my own clumsiness and having spent a good amount of time with Bella, I had a few trust issues.

We were placed down within a shop and I was immediately captivated by the beauty of it. The shop was clearly for fancy events, with dark wood as the structural beams, running e width of the room with gold fixtures. Tall rails made up isles upon which hundreds of suits and dresses were hung, occasionally at the beginning of an aisle was a dress displayed on a manikin and I could see down at the back of the shop circular racks spread the dresses out more with mannequins sitting on top like a cake. It was beautiful.

Bella was in much the same state as me but the Vampire females appeared to have been here enough times to not find it so captivating. Heidi shuffled us over to a wall beside the changing rooms and then the three Vampires were speeding around pulling clothes from the rails. Clearly this was a place they didn't need to worry about revealing what they were.

Bella and I ended up having to stand while each of them held up a dress for both of us and the other two would decide whether it was worth trying on or not.

It was a long process and even after several dresses had gotten past the last stage they were hung on a separate rack and they would continue looking.

At some point, Bella had decided to drag over a chair and sit on it in between waiting for the other girls to appear. The wait between trying on dresses got longer and longer and I decided to head into one of the isles myself.

It wasn't that we were being picky, frankly, I could have worn just about any dress in the shop and would have felt comfortable doing it. Which was odd considering I'd never worn a dress willingly in my life, yet for some reason, the thought of doing it for my mates made slipping into the first one easy. After that, I hadn't needed to talk myself up at all, it was almost a pleasant experience trying on the dresses, I felt a bit like the queen I keep being called.

My fingers brushed along the fabrics of skirts as I wandered aimlessly I couldn't help wondering how much, whichever dress I got, was going to cost me, sure I had a bit of money saved up, but I had used quite a lot on the trip over to Italy. Heidi had told me not to worry but the fact none of the clothing had any form of price tag did nothing to ease the feeling I felt, not to mention I wasn't about to let Bella pay for hers.

My eye caught a flash of orange and I immediately gravitated towards it. The orange stood out not because it was especially bright but because there were so many, red, black, blue, green and various light shades, I had yet to actually see an orange one.

I carefully pulled the coat hanger out and held the dress in from me so I could see it in full. It was beautiful, which was a lousy way to describe it but the first word that came to mind. It wasn't the same solid orange all over but gradient slightly to darker and lighter tones as the fabric twisted and made up the bodice. I wasn't sure what fabric it was, not silk. I knew that much.

Carefully folding it over my arm so I didn't drag it on the floor I walked back to the changing room finding Bella looking at me expectantly. I Grinned and held up the dress for her to see. The gasp was all I needed to know she thought the same, heading into the dressing room I carefully pulled it on, spinning around to look at the mirrors surrounding me. I couldn't help the smile that broke out.

I left the changing room intending to show Bella but was faced with three Vampires as well.

"Oh my god, it's perfect!" Alice squealed

Rosalie nodded "You look very beautiful,"

Heidi turned to me, "Do you think this is the one you want? Or do you want to continue trying on more?"

I glanced at Bella who gave a thumbs up, "No, I think I would like this one, thank you."

Heidi called out "Antonio," Another Vampire appeared and gave a bow. Really I shouldn't have been surprised it made sense but honestly seeing a Vampire in a setting that wasn't a castle was a little, odd.

He began fussing around me, apparently making sure the dress fit right. He put in a few pins which made me very nervous, before telling me to take it off, "It will be ready by noon, your highness."

"Thank you, that's very fast to alter a dress isn't it?"

He gave a proud smile "My Queen you are in Antonio's shop, I have provided clothing for the Volturi balls for hundreds of years, only the finest and best service for my good customers."

I grinned back at him, his attitude was sort of adorable, he clearly took pride in his work and looked around at the racks of clothing, I knew he definitely should.

Alice brought my attention back to Bella as Rosalie held up the latest pick for Bella, "Oh my goodness Rosalie, it's perfect for you Bella!"

I had to agree, the two-toned green dress made of velvet on the top was something I could definitely see Bella wearing. She thanked Roaslie quietly and went to put it on.

She came out with a sheepish smile, "I love it." I nodded, yea it was definitely the one for her.

I turned back to Heidi suddenly remembering with shock "I didn't grab my bag! Would you mind taking me back, or going to my room and grabbing my wallet, I left it there-"

She cut me off with a chuckle "Darl you need not worry about paying, the Kings have already covered it. You are their guests after all."

"I what-" I couldn't let them do that, it was bad manners right?

As though sensing my protest Rosalie spoke up "Mates like to provide for each other, you no doubt, will do things for them, but they have waited millennia for you. Let them do this."

I gave in, it was definitely bad manners to insist on paying when it had already been done, besides I really doubted I could afford it.

After Bella and I were back in our normal clothes we were taken back to my room, I had offered to help the others choose their dresses but they had already gone a few days prior. Bella collapsed on my bed with a groan.

I snorted, moving to check my emails, nothing new. I flopped beside her, "I wonder what we're supposed to do now?" It was still before midday and the Ball started at midnight, more than twelve hours to kill.

"Did you sleep last night?"

"Bella" I whined

She gave me a firm look "Your mates may be Vampires, but you need to sleep like a normal human, what if your body just collapsed in the middle of the Ball tonight? The Queen everyone had come to see just passed out on-"

"-Okay! I get it! But my body has never betrayed me in such a way, I think I know my limits thanks very much."

"But I doubt you've ever been quite so active on no sleep."

It was true and as much as I hated to admit it, I probably should rest. It wasn't even that I feared nightmares, I didn't actually get many, it was more the act of vulnerability sleep forced, I hated being unaware, but since coming to the castle I did truly believe I was in a safe place, it was definitely easier to sleep here. "Alright."

"Really?"

"Yes, but not yet, we have heaps of time to kill and I want to go see Olly, you coming?"

She followed after me as I stood from the bed and headed to the kitchens. We looked around there and found the staff looking rather sickly, which I put down to a rush for the Ball, but no Olly. Bella took me to check the gardens as I hadn't actually been there yet, it was beautiful and I could see why it had become Bella's spot, but still no Olly.

We found Demetri and asked him, "Have you seen Olly or the twins?"

He shook his head, seeming in as much of a rush as everyone else in the castle was at the moment, "Not young Oliver, however, his mates are with Marcus helping preparations for the Ball." He left immediately after and we were stumped.

As I had heard Marcus and Aro were busy I decided to take Bella to Caius, I had noticed that the more guarded king had been rather protective of Bella during Edwards trial and I knew she needed some friends.

We checked his room first then the library. It was incredibly frustrating how big the castle was, but I figured probably less so for Vampires who could basically teleport. We were about to go back to my room when I remembered Caius had mentioned he had another room that he used for his paintings, he was probably in there.

It was located along the same hallway as the library so we made it fairly quickly, the door was cracked open and I pushed it carefully, not wanting to disturb or startle him if he was in the middle of painting something.

I peered inside and was startled to find Olly sitting on Caius's lap as my Mate held a brush and worked on a piece. Another look I realised Olly was cheerfully gossiping away and holding up one of his polaroids he had taken, which Caius appeared to be paining. It was adorable and made my heart clench at the way Caius was engaging with someone so important to me.

"-and Blushy said 'Well why don't we have some fun here then?'-" He did a mockery of my voice which I heard a muffled snort from Bella for "-and then Bumblebee went outside the car and walked all the way over to the road cones, 'cause they were in our way, so we couldn't go to the aquarium, and she put a cone on her head!"

I blushed realising he was telling my mate of the time I had encouraged us to fight each other with road cones on our heads, rather like fighting with a sword, but with our heads whilst being unable to see and in the rain. It had been a disaster but had wiped the disappointed looks off my kids' faces and was very fun.

A laugh came from Caius and my heart fluttered again, Olly continued to tell him stories and I pulled the door back where it had been. Bella and I decided to leave them to bond, not wanting to intrude, I followed Bella out to the gardens and sat by her in front of a grave.

"Who's is that do you think?"

"It's Didyme's grave."

I gave her a startled look "Wait, Didyme's?" She nodded, "That makes sense I suppose, she was Aro's sister."

"How do you know that?" She questioned

"Because I read up on the history of my coven."

"Your coven?"

I paused, noticing the slip up myself, "I suppose I've already made my decision."

Bella looked a little upset but not surprised. "You aren't coming back to Forks are you?"

I pulled at the grass around my feet, "I'll miss it for sure, Forks grew on me, but I don't think so, I like it here and I feel…" I trailed off unsure how to describe it.

"Home?" She suggested

I didn't answer her but she didn't need it, "Are you leaving?" I asked instead.

She looked torn, "I have to go home to my dad, I really love Charlie, but other than him there is nothing for me in Forks, maybe I'll come back here once I graduate?"

"Is there something for you here? I don't want you forcing yourself to be here just because it's a place that makes me happy after you graduate you might want to travel elsewhere."

A tear fell down her cheek and I pulled her into, "I'm not sure I could be happy anywhere."

I didn't know what to say to that, I didn't know how to comfort her, it wasn't fair I got to spend the rest of my life, or eternity if I choose with three people that loved me, and Bella didn't even get one. "I'll always love you, Bella, always, no matter what."

She didn't answer but held me a little tighter. I sat like that for a while just watching Didyme's grave and stroking Bella's hair.

-IMMORTAL-

Felix had appeared at some point and informed us we had one more shop to visit before we got some rest. He'd given me a pointed look which I returned with an offended one, and then began to get ready.

He led us out of the garden and through the streets, I was thankful we were not being carried again, we didn't have to walk far before we entered another shop, this one much smaller and more closed. As soon as we stepped in the door I knew why we were there, only one thing was on all the shelves, masks.

"It's a masquerade ball?" Bella questioned

Felix nodded, "Feel free to look around, most masks are very personal, so If you wish to have one made that's fine too, but look around first."

I nodded and followed Bella who began searching the shelves, no doubt for green to match her dress.

I was looking but my mind was picturing what the Kings masks would look like, all of the ones in front of me ranged from simple eye covers to entire headpieces, I personally prefer a less extravagant design, not really liking feathers or a stick to hold the mask, that would be annoying when dancing...

I stopped dead as a thought hit me. I didn't know how to dance.

Felix noticed my face getting paler and inquired "Are you alright my lady?"

I turn to him "Felix I can't dance!"

Bella heard me and a look of horror crossed her features as well, apparently, she hadn't thought about that either.

Felix only gave a smile, "My lady, the Volturi Balls, while grand, it is not necessary to dance. However I do feel your mates would wish for at least one from you, I can get Demetri and myself to teach you the basics when we return if you wish."

"Yes please."

Bella nodded "I hadn't even thought about dancing-" She muttered the last bit "-I'm way too clumpy."

I scoffed, grabbing her elbow and heading further into the shelves. "Nonsense, Bells, you and I are gonna nail it, with Felix's guidance, we'll be the best dancers there. Ain't that right Felix?"

He threw a wink at us as we rounded the next aisle "With my guidance, of course, miladies." I chuckled and continued our search.

Bella found hers first, it was apparently a swan styled mask, Felix knowing more than us, and green. Perfect for Bella.

I didn't find mine until Bella let out a triumphant sound and held up a simple yet elegant golden mask.

I grinned, "That's the one."

Felix paid for them and walked us back to the gardens before going to get Demetri and starting our lessons.

It was incredibly hard with two Vampires correcting your dancing, to actually focus and get it right, but after several hours of practice, we were decent enough to not make fools of ourselves at the Ball. I had asked Demetri to get Olly as well so he could practice but I had been informed that Marcus was currently teaching him.

I was out of time, with 7 hours until the Ball, I'd been shoved into my room to sleep and would be woken at 10:00 PM giving Heidi 2 hours to make sure I was ready before being herded off to the Ball.

It was rather nerve-racking the longer the day dragged on, I was beginning to get a little more stressed every hour that passed, never having been to anything anywhere as fancy before in my life. The closest thing to a Ball I'd attended was a work dinner which I had snuck out on after giving the update to the department and before the dinner had even been served.

I took a deep breath and crawled into the bed. It would be fine.

-IMMORTAL-

I woke to a knock, and Heidi came in already dressed. She looked stunning in a slim blood-red dress and her hair was loose in chocolate waves. "You look amazing!"

She gave me a gentle smile before turning me into the bathroom. Closing the door and turning on the tapes of the bath, she added some soap which I saw was cinnamon, the same scent usually used to wash my hair. At my questioning look, she explained, "I noticed your shampoo this morning and found this for you."

"Oh, thank you." I was rather touched, everyone was so thoughtful it was rather unexpected.

At Heidi's gesture to my clothes, I hesitated. I'd never undressed in front of anyone before, I actually tended to wear long clothing but realising she wasn't budging I stripped.

She didn't give the small scars and two burns on my back more than a glance before she stepped back letting me enter the bath and duck under the bubbles. It wasn't really fair calling it a bath, it was gigantic, with a pillar in the centre of the back wall allowing tapes to surround it and fill the 'bath' up.

I ducked under again and came up giggling as bubbles stuck to my face, I loved the water and it was refreshing having a bath, I couldn't remember the last time I'd had one, tending to just shower and get cleaning over with.

Heidi held out my razor and soap. I swam over, taking it from her and sitting on the shallower part of the bath so I could use them.

I probably mucked around in the water for an hour, asking Heidi questions that most people would be annoyed to have to keep answering, she simply sat on the edge, careful to not get her dress wet and engaged with me as though it didn't bother her.

"-What about Mermaids?"

"I have never myself met one, I am unsure of their existence, though you would make for a beautiful creature of the sea."

I flushed hurrying on to my next question "-Werewolves?"

She nodded "Yes, creatures of the moon exist, however they are very dangerous, for Vampires as well. They are our natural enemy."

I sat up interested, "Really? I thought only other Vampires could destroy a Vampire."

"Only a creature with enough strength to rip us apart would be able to, then we must be set alight as we can heal from nearly all damage without fire."

"Oh... Are there many Werewolves?" I was a little worried, I had thought my mates were the safest creatures alive, I had not previously entertained the thought they could get hurt.

"No. Not anymore, Master Caius was nearly killed by a wolf once-" I jerked my head to her, feeling panic well up inside me, she gave a soothing sound "Worry not, he killed the beast and since then he led expeditions for a thousand years hunting down and destroying every wolf he found, it is through these expeditions he gained his reputation for having uncontrollable violence and ruthless cruelty."

I frowned, "I don't think he has uncontrollable violence," My mind went back to when I saw Olly on his knee.

Heidi gave me an indulgent look "That is because you are one of his mates and a part of our coven. All the masters have an image they show to the world, they must if they are to maintain order. Not many have the privilege of seeing underneath that mask. As we are their coven, we are family and they need not pretend with you or me." She stood and flashed to get a towel, "Come on, it is time to get ready."

I stood in the bath shaking off the loose water with a laugh before stepping out and into Heidi's arms letting her dry me as though I was a child.

She took me to stand in front of one of the sinks wrapping me in the towel, she fetched a stool and I unthinkingly sat in it, letting her hands fly around my head as she styled my hair.

She mostly left it down with a few white strands twisted and pulled back, matching the pull of fabric in my dress. She spun me around and held up some mascara with a questioning look.

"Just don't poke my eye out."

"Do not fret, I would not." I let her do her thing and soon I was back facing the mirror examining the simple but enhancing makeup.

"Thank you, Heidi."

She laughed "You do not need to thank me all the time, it is my pleasure to show you your beauty my queen, you will be stunning tonight."

I grinned at my reflection.

She fetched my dress and I slipped into it with her help, she held out black wedges that wrapped up the leg sort of like roman sandals. I put them on and spun to show her. "Magnifico. The Kings will be unable to take their eyes off you."

I flushed, "Am I allowed to check on Bella and Olly?"

"Bella is being attended to by Rosalie and Alice, Young Oliver is in his room with Demetri and Felix, I will bring you to them."

I followed her into Olly's room and gasped upon seeing him, dramatically declaring "Olly you look so grown up!" He puffed out his chest, letting me admire his suit. It was completely dark blue, the colour of his sheets, except for the pocket square and shoes which were a crisp white with gold trim.

"Look, mum!" My heart nearly stopped at the word and he excitedly held a mask to his face, it had three-pronged antenna like fixtures, with bells on the end, giving him a Jester feel.

I pulled him into a hug, "You look, awesome kid."

Demetri coughed and I turned to him grinning "You look very handsome as well. The both of you." I nodded at Felix too. Demetri was clad in a black tux with golden thread decorating it, giving an androgynous feel. His mask was golden and allowed most of his face to be seen, more decoration than a mask.

Felix was clad in a heavier looking suit and with an outer layer. The same golden lines decorating his waistcoat as Demetri's tux. Felix had a mask which arched down in a crescent moon over his right cheek and arched up over his left eyebrow, it was decorated with the golden designs of Demetri, they looked the perfect match.

I shot Heidi an excited look, "Everyone looks so beautiful!"

I was met by a few laughs from the Vampires who had no doubt done it all many times before. A moment later Bella came in accompanied by the other Vampire girls. Alice was in a black dress with red and gold flowers decorating the bodice and straps, it suited her light and breezy personality whilst also fitting the formal setting. Rosalie was in a more traditional ball dress, the top cut the same style as Heidi's but hers was a cream colour complimenting her complexion and hair.

Olly bounded in front of me and darted his way into the hall, "Come on! let's go!"

I looked questioningly at Felix who nodded and I followed, letting him grab my hand and drag me forwards. The others followed us at a slower pace but soon Olly's excitement got to me and I picked up the pace so we were speed-walking side by side. The amount of giggling I had been doing during my time in the castle was surely unnatural.

We made it to the throne room door and decided to wait for the others to catch up. It turned to Olly "So Olly Orange, how do you like it here?"

"I love it! Jane and Alec are my best friends, and I said Demetri and Felix were allowed to be my uncles!"

"Oh-" I said teasingly, "I thought I was your best friend?"

He gave me a look like I was stupid "No, you're Blueberry, and no one else can ever be you."

I knelt down and pulled him into another hug, "No one could ever be you either Olly, it's just us forever and always."

I stood up just as the others arrived, Heidi held out a bit of gold and I flushed in embarrassment, taking the mask with a mumbled thanks and holding it to my face while she tied it under my hair.

"I can't hear anyone." I gestured to the doors.

"That's because they aren't in the throne room, most of the guests have arrived by now, they will be in the Ballroom," Felix said, beginning to lead the way through a different door and another corridor.

"You guys have a room purposefully for Balls?" I gave an incredulous look to Demetri who only grinned "I seriously underestimate how many times you guys must do these things."

As we got further along the passage I began to hear the sound of voices get louder and louder. We made it out into an antechamber which held a table filled with food, apparently for the three of us humans. Bella voiced my thoughts as she looked to the extravagance of it, "That's a little intimidating."

Demetri shuffled us along closer to the oak doors leading to the ball, "You can eat later, for now, you mingle." He pushed them open and we wandered inside, trying to take it all in.

Olly immediately disappeared, and Bella stuck to Alice who headed over to her family. I wandered out of the doorway and stood a bit to the side so I could look around before joining.

The walls were marble and so were the pillars holding up the very tall ceiling, there was a section in the middle we're the roof was entirely glass and allowed moonlight as well as the starts to shimmer on the skin of the Vampires, not as sparkly as I'd been told sunlight was, but so the entire room appeared to have glitter scattered over it which caught the light enough to feel like the stars were in the room with us.

Every Vampire had a mask and not knowing many it was hard to pick out familiar faces, I law Olly holding out his arm in a gentlemanly fashion to who I presumed was Alec. I watched as Olly led him under the skylight and I realised abruptly that there was a change in the floor, from plane marble like the walls to checkered black and white tiles making up a dance floor, where a flurry of Vampires was softly and slowly dancing.

I watched Olly dance for a while with a look of pride, Marcus had obviously taught him well. Olly and Alec danced as they knew exactly where each other would steep, I didn't know enough to see who was leading but I would have said they were effortlessly swapping whenever they please, it was rather mesmerising.

Around the outside of the dancefloor were a smaller number of people, then it got thicker in groups for people chatting. I followed one of the pillars to see along the walls around the height of a second story were a few balconies which Vampires were also grouped.

I was drawn out of my observations by a hand being extended towards me. I followed it seeing a Vampire clad in solid black, with matching hair and a mask that crossed one eye and the bridge of the other, giving an almost skull-like appearance to the painted black porcelain. "May I have this dance?"

"Aro?"

"Is that a question?" I heard the smirk more than saw it, to which I simply placed my hand in his and let him lead me to the dance floor, I felt a few eyes begin to watch us, no doubt recognising I was human, or maybe that I was the King's mate, I wasn't sure.

I quickly forgot about them when Aro placed his hand on my waist and held my other strong in his, before he stepped leading me in the dance. "Your heart is beating fast Amore."

I blushed looking at my feet in fear of forgetting the quick lessons I had been shown earlier, "I'm afraid I'm going to fall and look like an idiot." I muttered.

He pulled me closer with a deep chuckled "I would not let you fall dearest." He released my waist to put two fingers under my chin forcing me to look him in the eyes. "I won't let you fall." He repeated, I believed him.

Relaxing into his hold I focused on Aro's heated gaze instead of my feet and the stepping became easier, soon Aro began to spin me and I was dancing in a way I had never been taught, it was easy to do once I trusted Aro to lead. On one of the dips I breathed in his sent and was intoxicated by the smell of pomegranates, it was a smell associated with darkness and suited him perfectly.

Upon being pulled up a voice interrupted "May I interject?"

I turned to see Caius. He was dressed in a crisp white shirt and navy waistcoat with golden buttons, the top one of his shirt buttons was undone in casual elegance, paired with a navy jacket and slacks. His mask was stunning, made of porcelain with black cracks in the texture, reminding me of the chess pieces I had played using, the top of the mask had golden shapes that crowned the Volturi coat of arms, and the shapes also came down to rest on his checks.

Aro gave a sigh "If you must."

My hand was pulled into Caius's and I was spun at a speed too fast to be normal, causing me to let out a squeal and be pulled back into Caius's arms, a tutting Aro striding away to talk to others.

Caius pulled me further into him and inhaled deeply, "You smell divine Beloved."

I did the same to him with a cheeky grin, "You're not so bad yourself." In truth, he smelt like the aftermath of fire, dizziness and destruction, a hypnotising scent.

He danced differently to Aro, where Aro was smooth and flowing from one action effortlessly to another, Caius had definitive ends and beginning in his movements, not jarring but as though closing another chapter and then moving on to the next move, his actions were strong and precise, I did not fall with him either.

Once the song was over he led me off the floor and into the antechamber for water, I was a little out of breath and thanked him for the refreshments.

"That is quite alright Amore, would you like me to introduce you to some of the guests? My brothers say you are here to make friends after all." I heard a note of annoyance in his voice and sniggered.

"Possessive?"

He trapped me against the table and leaned in close. "Very" My eyes fluttered shut as he breathed the word before he abruptly pulled away and held his arm out for me to grab. I let him lead me back in, calming my heart as we walked.

Once introducing me to a man called Eleazar, I branched off from Caius, feeling a little more confident. Eleazar was fascinating, apparently, he had a gift as well, and his gift was the ability to tell what gifts anyone else had, even if they didn't know it. I met his mate as well, Carmen, she was beautiful and I noticed they both had golden eyes like the Cullens. "Are your eyes like that because you don't drink human blood?" I had, had my suspicions for a while and it would be nice to have them confirmed.

Eleazar nodded, "That is correct, I stayed with the Volturi for a time, helping them with my power to maintain the law, however, my mate and I are peaceful at heart, we did not like the violence, despite the cause and even if the humans be the scum of the earth we did not like our curse."

Carmen agreed adding "We did not know there was another way until we meet Tanya and her coven, since trying our vegetarian diet we are happier, however-" She gently took my hand "-Do not let anyone make that decision for you, it is a big one, when eventually you are turned, your mates will support you, no matter what you choose."

I looked to Eleazar "You said they were 'scum of the earth'? Do you mean the Volturi only eat bad people?" I hadn't considered that in fact, I'd tried not to think about it much at all.

"Yes, the Volturi have their rules on who they kill, they would not change to a vegetarian diet I think, the Kings believe it weakens Vampires, they may be right, but they are not uncivilized. I suggest if you are concerned ask them, they will not lie to you."

I thanked them and took my leave wandering around the hall trying to decide who to introduce myself to when someone beat me to it. "And you must be the new Queen! An American as well I hear." I smiled at the sandy-haired man before me, and gave a slight curtsy, correcting him.

"Actually I was born in Russia, but I've been living in America for a long time and I'm a citizen so..."

He slung his arm around my shoulders, "Good enough, you know these Italians can get quite full of themselves, I'm Garrett by the way, been around a long time, not as long as your mates though. God, they're ancient."

I laughed, he was funny and easy to talk to, "I'm Blue."

He pulled back looking me in the eye "That's an odd name."

"I know."

When I said nothing else he smiled and put his arm back over my shoulders leading me over to a few of his friends and introducing them to me. "Everyone this is Blue, the new Queenie."

"You know, I'm not actually a Queen, pretty sure you have to be married for that."

One of the others who I believe was called Benjamin gave a wide smile "You haven't been told much of our world have you?"

I shook my head, no point pretending, "Actually only learnt about Vampires less than a week ago."

Garret let out an appalled sound, "We have done you a disservice, my dear. That just won't do, no, Benjamin my fine lad, brings the lady a seat."

Benjamin and the other Vampires in the group also zapped some chairs, I perched nervously on the edge of it ready to jump off at any sudden movements. Fortunately, the decision was slowly being followed all over the hall, and more and more groups were sitting, waiters came out with trays of glasses filled with blood, which Garrett took a few, passing them along he began to inform me of several 'absolute facts' as he called them.

"-No no no- '' Tia interrupted Edwards speech, he had found his way over to us which I wasn't sure how I felt about, seeing as he seemed to be trying to turn my opinions of Vampires into mud. Annoyed, That's what I was feeling. "-You cannot compare the life of Humans to Vampires, they are not the same, they are different." Tia, Benjamin's mate didn't seem to like Edward's Self-Vampire hatred either.

Edward had a permanent frown on his face. I interrupted before Edward could say anything else, "And what do you consider a soul then Edward?" He had been trying to insist that becoming a Vampire destroyed your soul, and I wasn't buying it.

"It is the essence of who you are, your sense of right and wrong." Benjamin provided.

I looked to Edward seeing if he agreed, he nodded, "But Edward, don't you eat animals because you think eating humans is wrong?"

"Yes but-" He seemed to know where I was going, but I didn't let him interrupt.

"So if you know it's wrong and are aware of your own moral dilemma, you must have a soul."

He scoffed "I am a monster and know it because it is true, we are unnatural."

I shot him an annoyed look "But you're still the same person right?"

"I am not a person."

"Oh for fuck's sake, I mean, you didn't suddenly start I dunno, hating yellow when you used to love it, nothing inherently changed about your personality when you became a Vampire right?"

He hesitated trying to find a flaw in my logic, Garrett laughed "Ah she's got you there mate. Come on Love, you'd better get some food."

I was thankful for the escape and bid Benjamin and Tia goodbye following Garrett to the table for some air and food. I stood there for a while, insisting Garett go back. I'd pretty much talked to most groups now and as my eyes made it to the balconies, I figured it would be nice to see the view from up there, so turning around and heading out the corridor I made my way up the spiral staircase.

I exited the stairs and was about to head over to the edge when a vaguely familiar voice stopped me. "So the Queen has graced us with her presence?" I turned to see Athenodora and another Vampire blocking my exit. I decided to be nice, not wanting to start a fight tonight, I was actually having a lot of fun.

"Hello Athenodora, and...?" I looked over to the other Vampire who was just as drop-dead gorgeous as the first, except in a darker way.

"Sulpicia." She provided. Right, Aro's wife, great, just what I needed.

Athenodora was donning a dress practically made of crystals making her look like she was dripping with silver and sparkles, her mask matched, it was pretty, if not a bit much. Sulpicia had a deep cut V neck black dress. I headed over to the spot I was previously going and looked over the rail searching for Bella to check on her.

I spotted her dancing with Jane. I wouldn't have picked the two of them to be friends but the way they glided across the floor was captivating. Jane was wearing a black dress that suited her age but had a touch more femininity that the girl usually eluded.

I was broken from my observations by Sulpica sliding up beside me. I sighed realising I wouldn't be able to avoid all confrontation tonight. "Yes?"

"Little human, I was wondering if you knew all you were getting into."

I scowled at her. "Yea actually your friend has already given me the lecture, this 'little human' can ask questions you know."

She immediately looked apologetic, and if she was faking it she was doing a much better job than Athenadora had. "Oh Sweet, I didn't mean to offend. You probably think we are jealous, as we were the Kings wives."

"You're not?" I let the scepticism show in my voice, not read to believe her by a long shot.

"The Kings wives? No. Not anymore, but we aren't jealous or resentful... Well maybe Athenodora had a little anger to work out at first-'' She gave a sharp laugh "-but truly, we love this coven and want it to prosper for many more millennia to come, we are more worried that you don't understand and when you finally figure out what you are a part of, you will leave and harm this coven beyond repair."

I gave her my full attention "I don't understand, why would I leave, and why would that hurt anyone 'beyond repair'?"

She gave me a searching look, "You do not know?"

"Getting real tired with people telling me I don't know things."

"My apologies, let me explain. You are the mate of the Kings yes?"

"So I've been told," I muttered darkly

She continued on undeterred "-You are still Human and do not feel the bond as strongly and as such if you reject it, not much beyond a strong sadness would descend upon you, and that would only be temporary, however, the Kings, well they would not fare so lightly."

I gave her a shocked look, "Wait if I was to tell them that I wanted to go home at the end of the week, then they would be physically hurt?!"

"And emotionally broken. They did not tell you of this?"

I shook my head, mind whirling, I could have made a simple choice for myself and doomed my mates, and worse the Vampire world, the more and more I had heard about my mates and their coven the move I realised why they are so important, the world needed the Vampires laws enforced and without the Volturi, everything would fall into chaos. To think I could have unknowingly done that made my heart clench.

But I wasn't planning on leaving, and they hadn't told me because they didn't want me to feel pressured into making a choice I didn't want. If they had told me I might never have been sure if I had made the choice out of obligation or truth. "I'm not leaving though, I am staying, so it doesn't matter."

Athenodora stood beside her sister, "You say that now. Besides leaving at the end of this week wouldn't have done much to the Kings, we are more worried about further on, once, you have... show your love more fully to one another-" I gave her a dirty look "-When they are more connected to you, that is when you leaving would cause their fall to ruin. We don't want that obviously, so you have to go now." She finished sweetly.

"I don't plan on abandoning them at any point in the future, so thanks for the advice, but no thanks." I tried to turn back to the stair and leave but was blocked by Sulpicia. "Perhaps then you should know the darker parts of this coven, so you can be sure you will not abandon them later on when you learn the truth?"

I folded my arms unconsciously trying to protect myself against the uncomfortable situation. I didn't want them to tell me, not because I was afraid of whatever darkness they claimed lingered in my soon to be family, but because I wanted to learn all the parts of them, good and bad, over time and ideally with the person able to defend their actions.

Unfortunately, both Sulpicia and Athenodora were Vampires and blocking my way, so listening seemed like the only option. "Fine. Tell me."

Athenodora launched into it, "You know Felix, Demetri, Jane and Alec, yes?" I nodded "They are the elite guard of the Volturi, the top of the top. Not the only guard by any means, when Caius led war against the children of the moon, he did not take the elite guard, his own strength and the army of Vampires behind him enough."

I cringed at the adoration in her eyes, trying not to imagine the beautiful blonde in bed with my beautiful blond after he came back from battle.

Sulpicia continued "The elite guards are rarely used and when they are, they are never gone long. You see all of them are specialised in destruction, all in their own way. Just the four of them could take out a newborn army of Vampires as easy as swatting a fly. You see, Jane has the ability to simply glance at a person, any person be it man or Vampire, and they will be rippled with agonising pain. Most scream some feel the pain so greatly they cannot even summon the sound."

I looked away it sounded horrible, but if Sulpicia thought I was about to turn tail and run because of the potential that someone could hurt me, then she was an idiot. "I'm a human as you have so often pointed out, anything could hurt me, Jane doesn't need a special power too, besides I don't think she ever would."

"No-" Sulpicia agreed "-The Kings would have her in ashes, besides, she likes you." I wasn't sure I believed that we'd barely said two words to one another, "The point is, that Jane does this to others. You are a detective aren't you Blue?"

"How do you know that?"

She ignored me "And so your very existence is saving lives, finding people and protecting them from others, could you really stand by and watch, as you will have to in the courtroom, as a Vampire is on their knees begging for mercy and Jane tortures them in front of you? Could you do it? Because that is the life you are heading towards."

I didn't want to listen any more, I knew they were hateful and trying to scare me away, I knew that but their words left a very vivid image in my mind, was I prepared to do that? I couldn't even do human court, because it was boring and tedious, as well as corrupt, I hated injustice. My mind flicked to Aro's gift, but it wouldn't be injustice, would it?

Despite what Sulpicia and Athenadora thought they knew about me they were wrong, sure I liked helping people, but I also hated some, my mind flicked to the Wonka killer. I knew in my heart if he was before me screaming, begging for mercy, I would not feel sorry, nor regret, he was a monster and deserved it, he murdered children in twisted ways, I wouldn't feel a thing.

Unaware of my inner thoughts Athenodora continued on "The Volturi are utterly ruthless in their attack and upholding of the law, you will see hundreds of lives destroyed in your time as Queen and that isn't counting the human's lives you will destroy personally once you are turned."

I still haven't made a decision on that, Eleazar's words from before came back to me "If you are concerned ask them, they will not lie to you." I would do that, my mates wouldn't force me to do anything I didn't want to, them not telling me the resulting harm my decision could cause them was proof of that, they wanted me to be happy, clearly, above their own happiness, which was sweet but I needed to prove to them that they were just as important, it would be something I'd work on.

"The elite guard, have their ranking because they have earned it, over thousands of years of refining and practising their skills as well as combat, do not think Jane is unable to rip apart an average Vampire just because she has her mental skill, she is stronger than most Vampires they all are, although Felix is the strongest in our coven, aside from the Kings of course."

Sulpicia took a step closer causing me to take one back, "They are unstoppable. Demetri is the greatest tracker in the world, no Vampire has his sense of smell, he could track someone even if he had never met them, so long as he finds someone who has, there is no place on earth anyone could go, that he would not be able to follow. Vampires have run from the Volturi, but they cannot hide from the law with Demetri."

"and Alec-" Athendorora copied her soul sister stepping closer"-His power surrounds you, it incapacitated you, makes it so you cannot feel, cannot see, touch, hear or even think, till the silence becomes the only thing that is left and you are begging into the void for Jane's punishment to return, only to never hear your own voice."

"Sensory deprivation," I muttered

She leered, "Yes. It is exactly that." She scowled at me, "You must leave at the end of the week."

I made myself appear sincere and slightly fearful, knowing they wouldn't let me leave otherwise. "Yes, of course, thank you for telling me, I should head back now they could come looking for me," Giving a fake nervous laugh I stepped in between them and headed through the stone archway walking down the spiral staircase.

Sure what they had told me didn't sound pleasant, but it was a little awe-inspiring, I tried to imagine training for years and couldn't do it, to think the four Vampires I'd hung out and joked with were such deadly beings was kind of cool. I grinned to myself as I jumped from the last few steps onto marble. Honestly, the ex-wives schemes were almost funny, although I should probably tell the Kings they keep trying to get rid of me, otherwise they might attempt a more permanent way, which would not be very ideal.

I slipped back into the Ball and found myself within earshot of Demetri and Felix who had just stumbled across Rosalie and her mate, Emmet.

Demetri split into one of his smirks at the sight of the couple and Emmet put a protective arm around Rosalie, Felix noticed and placated the man "Don't worry she isn't our type."

"Who is your type," Emmet questioned.

"Men," Demetri answered.

Felix winked at Emmet and Rosalie wrapped a protective arm around him, causing me to snigger and run into a solid form. "Oof!"

"Careful Darling," Purred a familiar voice.

I looked up to see the mate I had yet to find all evening. "Marcus, I found you!" I had been looking but he seemed to be but a rumour until now.

"Looks like you have, care to dance with me. I notice both Aro and Caius got their turn."

I took his hand "Of course Marcus, I would never deprive you." I finished cheekily, enjoying the purry it elected.

He was wearing a more traditional tux, with a bow tie and a white shirt, his mask however was black with shots of purple in the porcelain, it came to a point on his nose like a break, and spiralled, slightly to the sides of the temples, like both ears and horns, a cross between an owl and the devil, it suited him.

"You look stunning tonight Darling, I cannot help but wonder how Caius and Aro have managed to restrain themselves?"

"Not yourself?" I teased.

He pulled me into a dip and I felt his teeth graze my neck, "We shall see."

I struggled to breathe for a few seconds, my heart beating wildly at the danger and arousal the moment evoked, in turn, my face flushed bright red and I attempted to bury it in his chest while we danced.

He cooed at me and brushed his fingers over my jaw. Leading me off the floor to the quieter outskirts and he leaned against a pillar, handing me a drink of water I hadn't seen him grab, he watched me drink it with a hungry look that did nothing to calm my flaming cheeks.

Nervously putting the glass down on the floor afraid my fingers would accidentally let go and drop it, I looked up at Marcus as I stood, then suddenly found myself leaning against the pillar, his arms trapping me in. He leaned down and stopped millimetres away from my lips giving me the chance to breathe him in, he smelt like stone ruins and just a touch of an alcohol I couldn't name, "Darli-"

I cut him off by wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling his lips to mine. I gasped as he stepped closer, moving his own arms to grab mine and hold them above my head, kissing my deeper. He pulled away allowing me to breath and I greedily sucked in the air, suddenly remembering we were not alone, but in a hall filled with people, I tried to pull my arms down but Marcus only chuckled seemingly noticing me realise our location, he pulled me into another kiss.

Which was how Aro and Caius found us.

"And here you tell us to behave, brother." Caius's smirking face came into view as Marcus pulled back with a dramatic sigh. I whimpered at the loss of his lips, seemingly unable to decide between wanting to preserve my first impressions on the guests and wanting to continue.

Aro flashed to my other side with a coo "Don't fret dearest, I believe we have stayed long enough anyway."

Seemingly waiting for that cue, Caius picked me up and ignored my yelp, we sped off disappearing from the Ball without a goodbye.