Disclaimer:

I do not own any part of the "Twilight Universe". This is strictly for fun.

Recap:

"Let us not mention it, Isabella. But I am rather curious now: I know that it was you. Demitri has seen you doing it. What I am curious about though is: Why did you do it? And why in that fashion?" I could see the fire burning in Aro's eyes.

Author's note:

A big "Thank You" to everyone who reviewed or added my story to any of their alerts or favourites list.

I love my betas: "Isarma" and "Servant of Time" They are awesome!

Bella POV:

"Aro, let her take her seat before you grill her to satisfy your curiosity. You would not want to stand in front of us like a student and be questioned like that." His wife scolds him.

"Bella, dear, come sit down. He is always impatient when he wants to know something. Just take your time. We have enough." Sulpicia winks at me and I have to giggle at their antics.

Uncertainly, I take my seat and gather my thoughts.

"Well, it's simple really. My parents left me everything. I just did not want any of it. It feels wrong. Like I gain profit by their death. Besides, had my plan come to fruition, I would not have any need for it... I wanted it to do some good though, to help someone...

When I was walking through town, I saw those children and followed them to the orphanage. It was an easy decision from there...they are the same as I. Younger, yes, which makes it even worse, I guess, but without family also. Why not help them? Surely they had enough hardships during their days and deserve a little happiness.

I could hardly transfer it to them, as my bank account is shut down and it would not really have been anonymous. It got more complicated even as I had just met Heidi that day and promised to meet with her the next day. Also, there were several other matters I needed to take care of – loose ends to tie, so to speak, before I could... um, well...'go peacefully'?

Surely there might have been a more elegant solution to get the money to them, but the way I went about it served its purpose. They got the money anonymously.

Admittedly, at that time, I could not come up with anything else. My mind was a little overwhelmed and in consequence, rather uncreative."

They show no reaction but keep staring at me.

"That is all..."

Aro was the first to recover, while the others continued on staring at me like I had grown a third head. He cleared his throat.

"Isabella, is it true, what you just told us?" His eyebrows rising in question.

"Yes. It was as I said. I had no previous plans as what to do with the money... and they were just there. The perfect opportunity..."

"No, no forgive my vagueness, I mean: Is there no one else in your life? Distant family members, friends?"

"Oh, that. No, I have no other family. My parents and theirs, as well, have been only children...

And for the friends part: Yes. There are a few but I have not been a good friend...I don't really wanna talk about details though. They do not know where I went, only that I will not be coming back. They are better off without me."

"Do not talk about yourself so meanly. I am sure other people think differently. As for now, we will respect your need for privacy."

At those words he throws a quick, I can only assume, warning glance into Caius' direction. Who sighs in response.

"Now, you know I have been doing some reading about human medicine as well as your behaviour. One of the things I can recommend to you do, to refrain from 'falling' as you put it, is this."

He is in front of me and holding out his hand to me, palm up. In the middle lies a scrunchy and some pretty stones.

'A scrunchy and a bunch of little rocks? What the heck?'

I take the items, not knowing how in the world they are supposed to keep me from going into my nightmare zone. He is just looking at me happily, like he did me a huge favour, along with the others. All of them expectant for me to say or do something.

"Uhm? Thank you? Yes, that is a nice scrunchy...and very pretty little stones. Aro, how is a scrunchy going to help me? No intention to be rude. It really is pretty..."

I can hear another one of Caius' signature chuckles and soft giggles from the wives.

"Ah, yes, how should you know. Let me explain this. You need to put the hair tie around your wrist and the stones into the pocket of you jacket or robe, whatever you are wearing at the time. You see, physical stimuli usually help to keep you in the present time, reality, when your mind is at risk to wander into the past. In order to stay in the here and now, you can either touch the stones and concentrate on the feeling of them in your hand, or you can pull the scrunchy around your wrist and let it snap back. It might take some time to gain control over this method, but in the end I hope it will do you good. You can really hold on to anything you like, you just really need to concentrate on what you sense with all your might. Do you understand?"

Aro's gaze is kind and encouraging.

"Yeah, sounds easy enough. I think I got it...do you think it will help? I would really like that."

Automatically my right hand is playing with the elastic around my wrist. My tone is dreamy, hopeful.

The ancient vampire opposite me sighs.

"Well Isabella, it can only help. It will not heal you, only help you with the flashbacks. To get rid of it all, you would have to talk about things... to work it out...however I know your stance on this topic. I would just wish you changed your mind." With those words he pats my knee gently, stands up and turns for the door. Sulpicia, Athenodora and Caius trailing behind him.

"Thank you. For everything." I whisper.

"That reminds me: We took liberty to order some clothes for you. They are in the adjoining dressing room. I am sure Marcus will show you. If you need anything else, just let myself or Athenodora know. It was a pleasure for us."Sulpicia says in a calm voice.

"Rest well and sweet dreams for you." She adds after a moment.

"Have a good night, you all." Is my genius answer. What are you to say, really?

They smile and leave.

"What you did was very generous, Bella. I am sure the old orphanage has good use for the money you gave them." A look of pride flits over his face before he stares at my dinner. I have not eaten much.

"Why don't you eat some more? Do you not like it?" He questions pointing at the plate on the side table.

"No, no, that's not it. It tastes fine. Honestly. "

"But?"

"I'm not hungry anymore...sorry."

When his eyes settle on mine they look so sad, almost desperate. For a moment, I am sure he will say something else but he shakes his head ever so slightly and sighs imperceptibly.

"You are sure?" I nod.

There is this comfortable silence again. And I am pretty sure he is just as occupied with his own thoughts as I am with mine. My hands play absentmindedly with the stones glad to have a purpose.

"Bella?"

"Mhm?"

"Did you know you talk in your sleep?"

'Pardon me? Where did that come from? And scream would be more accurate...'

"Oh I... Yes. I am sorry if it bothers you. I just can't...I mean I.."

"No no, nothing of this kind. I was just wondering. Would you tell me who this Victoria is? Why you are so frightened of her? You are safe here, no one from the outside can hurt you here. Never!"

I tense involuntarily and take a sharp breath. The grip I have on the rocks tightens until it pains me. But I feel somewhat focused. I hold on to them like a drowning person would to a lifeline. Slowly my eyes travel to meet his and I release my breath, still in control.

"Bella? I am sorry. I should have known this topic is off limits." Regret and concern weigh heavy in his words.

"I think I am okay. Surprisingly. They help?" I look at the little rocks speculating, twisting them in my left hand while warring internally.

'Can I talk about it? I ache to talk to someone, to get it off my chest, to ease the guilt, just a little. I just couldn't do so in Forks. They all knew me, Charlie and what had happened, at least what they thought had happened. Even the counsellor they had sent in to talk with me. It seems easier for me to open to someone who does not know anything, who is neutral.

I do not fear judgement by Marcus. How could he judge me anyway. He kills people on a regular basis- with his own hands. I only did so by accident, by my association... I might as well try. I do fear Victoria...'

"Bella?" I look into his milky ruby eyes, searching for confirmation, understanding and whatnot.

Suddenly my right hand is no longer on the armrest but in his left hand. My gaze follows. His touch is so gentle. My hand, small in comparison to his, the colour of my skin only a few shades darker than his, rests in his left hand, his thumb stroking softly over the back of it. There is no pressure, I could withdraw it, and he would let me, yet I don't want to. It is comforting and I relax my hand into his. I look up at those glowing red orbs.

"She is...he was..." I am in a vice grip of fear, only thinking about her, my thoughts losing all coherency.

"Bella! Please calm yourself. Listen to your heart. You do not have to tell me." Marcus voice is filled with worry.

"No! Just give me a moment. I can, I will!"

'You can do this. She is not here. She cannot do anything right now. Why fear her, right? You need to go about it differently...without emotion. Make a report, like the news-people do it. I have to distance myself. Yes, let's try detachment...'

I look straight into the fire, my left hand holding the stones tightly.

"When we met James during that outing, he was not alone. There were two others: Victoria and Laurent. We did not know it at that time, but Victoria, she was James' mate. Now she is set on killing me. She calls it her revenge, 'a mate for a mate'. She does not understand that I am not, that I probably never was...anyway, she was respectively is after me."

At this point it is hard to concentrate on something else, but I manage. My complete concentration is set on the stones in my hand.

"She got to our house. I was not home then. My father was. When I got home, I found them. He was hurt. She killed him, because of me. When it was my time, she was somehow interrupted and left me there. I survived. I came here. The end."

I was shaking, with me my vision, but I refused to go there. I gripped the stones so hart it hurt, as well as Marcus' hand, concentrating on anything that registered through one of my senses.

"Everything is well now, Bella. This woman will not even get close to you. You are safe. No one will hurt you. No one. Never."

His words wrap around me like a blanket, giving me shelter and comfort. It goes on like that for a few minutes. The memories so desperately trying to swallow reality, to drown me once again. In the end I am victorious. I stay above them.

Slowly I lighten the death grip I have one his hand and the stones. It is painful to do so, the joints of my fingers are fixed in their curled position. Marcus realizes that and carefully he turns my right hand around and starts to flex and massage my fingers. No words are spoken. I only hear my breathing and the cracking sounds coming from the fire.

After some minutes he releases that hand. He turns the chair I sit in to face his and takes the other hand, taking the stones away to place them on the table and repeats his actions to loosen these muscles, as well. I can only watch. My mind reeling with thoughts of such different natures it is overwhelming.

"I am so glad you told me. How do you feel now?" His voice if possible, is even softer though there is a strain lying underneath.

"I don't know." I whisper in earnest.

He nods.

"How about a breath of fresh air? Just for a moment?"

That sounds like music to my ears and I eagerly stand up and go into the direction of the bedroom. Before I reach the door leading to the balcony, Marcus is beside me in an instant and has the blanket already wrapped around me, like I was a tortilla. I am covered with it from chin to ankle.

"Here." He says, handing me the shoes I left in front of the fireplace.

"Thank you." The words are simple but my tone implies that I am not only grateful for the shoes.

I feel better, lighter. We step out onto the balcony. It is blackest night. For once I don't care what time it is. It does not matter.

The air is fresh and for the first time in what seems like ages, I take a deep breath. It is drizzling lightly. I turn my head up and the tiny droplets of water fall on my skin. It is cool but so refreshing. My lips turn up involuntarily while my eyes are still shut.

"May I enquire as to what is the reason for your smile, Bella?"

I have almost forgotten that Marcus is on the balcony with me. In answer I turn to face him.

"I feel so much...lighter...like I don't know... Thank you for urging me to talk, and then for listening, for helping me."

"You are more than welcome, though I never wanted to urge you...obviously I failed in that. But I am relieved to say the least, that you are better. And impressed by your strength, very much so." He does look down onto the streets. Scanning them as if he was searching for something, while saying that. His hand comes up and rests on my shoulder. He means it. I am sure.

His wandering gaze halts and his lips move quickly. Then, he nods his head a fraction. Obviously satisfied with whatever.

"Bella, shall we go inside? Are you not getting cold?"

"Wait a moment, Marcus. Who were you talking with right now? And what did you say?" I am curious and much bolder now that I feel better.

"Ah, ever so perceptive...you truly are magnificent. If you must know, we have guards patrolling the streets. It is absolutely forbidden to hunt inside the city. I was just asking whether there was anything unusual tonight."

"Oh. I guess that is reasonable what with you living here permanently and all..." The blush from his first words is just subsiding.

"Okay. We can go inside then."

"As you wish. Would you like to retire for the night? It is rather late for human standards."

We make our way inside and I ponder whether to really go to bed or stay up a bit. To be frank, I am scared of another nightmare. I feel so good right now and I don't want that to end.

'Stay up it is'

"If you don't mind, I would rather stay up a little longer?"

"I enjoy your company very much, Bella, so I do not mind at all. Shall we sit again?"

"Yes please. And could I get something to drink?"

"Of course. Forgive my thoughtlessness. Felix, would you get something to drink for Isabella?"

Marcus turns my chair to face the fire again and waits until I sit. Just when I am about to ask him something there is a knock on the door.

"Felix, enter please."

"Master, Bella." The bow really is strange but it seems natural for Felix.

"Hi Felix. How was your day?" The giant looks at me surprised for a split second then his expression changes into a friendly smile.

"Very well, Bella. And yours? I heard you were in pain? I hope you feel all better."

"Oh, yeah. All fine again. I have totally forgotten about that. Apart from that my day was nice."

"Good to hear. Good night, Bella. Master."

"To you too, Felix."

And he is gone again. I take a good sip of the water Felix placed on the side table.

"Bella, I know you won't like what follows so I apologize beforehand. Would you describe this female? You need to understand that what you described to me, of her actions, she seems to be a danger to our secret and we should have someone monitoring her actions. A prophylactic, so to speak. You are the only one who has knowledge of her appearance. Otherwise I would not ask this of you." He is unhappy about this return to that topic and so am I but I comprehend his situation.

'I don't want to remember her in detail. I can't. That makes her so much more frightening. But I owe Marcus that much. He helped me to feel so much better.'

"I could try... but... she... I don't want to fall..." My voice is hectic and full of fear.

"I will do anything to keep you anchored, Bella. I don't want you to feel like that either." His head is tilted to the side and he is looking at me contemplative.

"Bella, do you think it would help if you sat with me? I only assume so as you seemed to calm down considerably when Aro held you. I wonder. Do you feel alone, when you face your memories?"

My eyes widen from surprise. Never would I have gotten this idea. But it made sense, I do feel alone and somewhat abandoned. Then again, do I like the idea of sitting with him? I am not so sure about that... not at all.

"What do you say?" He interrupts my spinning thoughts.

"Uh, erm, I guess it's worth a shot...you helped me so much and I really want to help you... We will stop, when I lose it, right?"

"Of course. At once. Come here, Bella. Have no fear." I stand up slowly so does he. Very deliberately, his hand goes for the blanket on which I sat from our balcony excursion, and tucks it around me.

"To prevent you from getting cold. Would you like to hold the stones as before?"

"Mhm. I think it really helped..."

He hands me the little rocks and sits down on his chair, giving me the chance to back out. I inch towards him.

' I hate her. I hate the fear. I hate those memories. And I hate to be controlled by them.'

"Okay." All stressed I sit on his lap. In a movement to swift for me, he turns me around 90 degrees and has his arms around me protectively. My head resting on his collar bone. A little gasp escapes me in surprise.

"You are safe here. How about you only tell me how you saw her, when you first met her? On that outing? It might be a safer route?" His arms around me tighten slightly in encouragement.

To calm my nerves, I inhale deeply. Marcus smells good, like ancient books and cinnamon. I relax into his hold. This lure their kind has to attract us works perfectly.

"Well, she has red long wavy hair, with a tinge of orange in it. Like fire. A slender form, feline like, as are her movements."

My hold on the stones tightens and I try to distract my one way mind.

Rosalie staring at me...that works to a degree.

"Her voice is high, tinkling. You would expect it to be the voice of a young girl, chewing bubblegum...she is taller than I am. About 5'6?...her face is heart shaped...she will destroy anyone who helps me..."

At this moment I feel myself slipping. Shivers run down my spine. Victoria would hunt me forever, hurting anyone who dares to help me.

"Bella? Bella, that is enough. Calm down. You are here; safe. Everything is fine...relax. It is safe... You are safe."

That is all I hear of his voice. But he does not know, he needs to understand, what I bring over those who help me.

"Marcus no...no. You don't understand. She will hurt anyone who helps me. She will hurt you and everyone else here..."

I turn around to face him. My hands are framing his face, to emphasize my words. I stare into his eyes, willing him to see reason. He does not deserve this. He has been so nice.

"Believe me. She made that clear. You will be in danger as long as you keep me..."

"Shh, Bella, shh. Breathe. She won't hurt anyone here. You are in Volterra, this is our city. If she is smart, she won't try anything, if she ever comes here. Don't worry. We are all perfectly safe. You know who and what we are."

He tells me all of this to calm me and rubs my back soothingly. He won't listen. That much is clear...

"She won't stop. She will make another army. She will never stop. Damn that elusiveness of hers."

I mumble to myself, forgetting how sensitive the hearing of the creature holding me is.

His consoling movements halt for a fraction of time before he continues and asks in a casual tone, depicting disinterest.

"What did you just murmur there? About an army? Her elusiveness?"

'Crap! How could I explain that, without mentioning Jake and the others?'

"Hm?" Marcus coaxes, rising an eyebrow.

"Well..."

"Yes? Bella. You need to know that creating an army of vampires is strictly forbidden, too great is the risk of exposure, as newborns, as we call recently changed vampires, are hard to control, if at all. We had a real problem about a hundred and fifty years ago. So you need to see the importance that we know about that. The army must be dealt with; As well as its creator."

"The army has already been 'dealt with'. So we don't have to talk about that." I say as confidently as possible.

"And who handled them? How many newborns were there? I need to know this Bella."

I look at him, scrutinizing him a change, only one thought is on my mind.

'Can I trust him?'

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