Disclaimer:

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

Author's Note:

I have a new beta: 'Madietta'. She is doing amazing things. I am so grateful.

Recap:

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

'Can I trust him?'

Bella POV:

Soon I realized it wasn't only him I would have to place my trust in, but all of them: Aro along with Caius, Athenodora and Sulpicia, as well as the guards as they call them. I knew they heard everything I said or did in here. It was a given and I was well aware of that; but I had an inkling that right now, they were listening intentionally, not simply overhearing but downright eavesdropping.

Could I trust them? Looking back, they had done nothing that might hurt me, nothing to indicate that they would betray my trust.

Marcus, Aro and Sulpicia had been kind and patient. Caius and Athenodora, well, they were... cautious, to put it nicely. But I understood that to an extent. I mean, why should they trust me? In a way we were in a very similar situation.

I wasn't so sure about the guards. Felix seemed kind. As for the others, I had no idea. But they would be loyal to their Masters' stance, wouldn't they?

In my thoughts I went through the whole time I had spent here, and a snort escaped me before I noticed. What a strange situation this was. I was sitting here, debating with myself whether or not to trust these people, when not three days ago I had demanded that they take my life.

"May I inquire what thoughts have provoked this unusual noise?" Marcus regarded me, curiosity clear in his voice.

"It's this whole situation. Doesn't it seem bizarre to you? But I guess I have a talent to find myself in the middle of impossible settings, and most of the time I have no one but myself to blame, just like now. I mean here I am in this room with you, when just three days ago I was asking you to kill me..."

"And renewed your demand just yesterday... Yes, yes I see what you mean. But over-analysing will not change the situation, will it?" A wry smile flittered across his face, brightening his features for a second before giving way to his usual sombre expression.

"Bella, have you decided how to answer to my questions now? Your hesitancy is almost palpable. What exactly has you feeling so tense? Perhaps I can put you more at ease if you let me know what bothers you so."

"Well, to be completely honest, for one thing I feel spied on. I guess it is like being interrogated by the police, knowing that there's someone watching you on the other side of the one-way mirror. I know your family and anyone close enough can hear every single word I say. That makes me feel on edge. I'd rather they were here, then at least I could see them... it would seem more fair. But that's not all of it. I can't tell you every single detail, because there are some things I simply don't know, and others that I'm not allowed to say."

At first Marcus looked understanding, but by the end of my little rant he was scowling. "More secrets?" he said in a disapproving voice. "Of course, come in," he added abruptly.

I startled at his words and turned my head just fast enough to see his family already in the room. They all moved their chairs close to ours and took their seats.

"Ah, Isabella. It is good to see you are well. I have to admit you had me worried for a moment before. I apologize for making you feel so on edge. In our defence, we had no choice but to overhear your conversation, and I confess I am rather curious about your answer. Have you taken your medication yet?" Aro spoke so fast that I had to strain my ears to get it all, not to mention process it. His mood was as excited as ever.

"Uhm, yeah. Good to see you too," I answered automatically, staring at the whole group. "No, I haven't taken the antibiotics yet. Thanks for reminding me. I'll just go and get them."

"Please stay seated. I will get them for you." With that, Marcus was out of the room and back in a flash, the little cardboard box containing the pills in his hand. "Oh, thank you." I took the pills from him and rushed off to take them.

When I was done, Aro spoke again. "How was your dinner? I hope it was to your liking? Caius has chosen it with great care." The meaningful glance he spared in Caius' direction did not escape me.

My mouth hung open for a while before I gathered my wits again and shut it. "Yes, yes. It was fine. I really liked it," I managed to squeak out.

The black-haired elder looked pointedly at the only half-finished plate still sitting on the side table, a delicate eyebrow arching in both contradiction and disbelief.

"Nah, really, it tasted fine," I protested. "I just kind of lost my appetite half way through... thank you, Caius," I added in a small voice, almost inaudibly.

"Hmph," that and a shoulder shrug were the only signs of acknowledgement I got from him.

This little exchange was followed by an awkward silence, the looming topic hanging silently, yet pressing in the air. Aro was the first to broach the issue."Well, Isabella? Would you care to elaborate on the aforementioned subject?"

"Erm, well... You see... It's just that..." I was nervous as hell and it showed. Once again all attention was trained on me and I still had no clue what to tell them and what to leave out. My breathing came in short, fast gasps. I could practically hear my own heartbeat.

Suddenly I registered a light pressure, and looked down to find Marcus' hand holding my own, stopping it from twitching and fiddling with my clothes, and squeezing it lightly again. When I looked up, his eyes met mine, his expression exuding calmness and encouragement.

"Bella. Please calm yourself. Your heart - go easy on it. This cannot be good for you. Why don't you start by telling us about the time frame? That would help. We can go from there." His demeanour and voice were calm and comforting.

Grateful for his support, I nodded in agreement and took a deep breath in attempt to settle my nerves. To stall just a bit longer, I reached for the glass of water with my left hand, as my right hand was still in Marcus' comforting grasp. I made my decision. I would tell them as much as I could without revealing the truth about Jacob and the pack.

"Yes. So. I moved to Forks in March. That's when I first saw them, too. By the end of the month I had figured the secret out and befriended one of them. The trackers attack followed. The summer was good but uneventful. They left three days after an incident on my birthday in September. After the coven's departure, I couldn't do much. They had grown on me and I missed them. I still do.
I lived from day to day. Sometime in January, I started going out more. I got back in touch with an old friend. But after a month, he suddenly refused any contact with me. To cut my rambling short, he changed. I guess there is more supernatural stuff in this world then I could ever have imagined. He is such a different being, and so are his friends. What they are exactly is not my story to tell. They have crossed paths with vampires before. They protect the people of my home town against attacks from your kind. They took care of the group of vampires that attacked me. They had been protecting me and my dad from Victoria for several weeks then. She would try again and again to break through their line of defence. The problem was that whenever they'd get close to her and things would became too dangerous, she'd take off. They said it was as if she had a sixth sense or something. They called her elusive... You know the rest. She sent her minions to keep my friends occupied and she herself came for me. As soon as my friends realized the attack was only a distraction, two of them came to help me. Their approach distracted Victoria and I survived."

Although I tried to steer clear of emotions during the story, in the end I was clutching the armrest and Marcus' hand as hard as my strength allowed me. Had he been human his hand would be turning all shades of blue by now.

The silence that followed was short lived. "So, your friends know how to destroy our kind?" Caius exclaimed. "How is that possible? We are stronger and faster than almost anything."

His tone told me that he had some speculations, and was waiting for me to confirm his theories.

"Yes. They know you have to tear a vampire apart and set the parts on fire... Wait, you said 'almost anything'. So you have a theory on what they are?" I simply refused to be toyed with in such a way, which is why the last part came out more like a challenge. Aro and Sulpicia snickered, while Marcus was trying hard to maintain a neutral expression, but failed when his lips turned up ever so slightly.

"Yes. And that is why we need to go and eliminate them. They cannot be allowed to live!"

"No!" I was on my feet and in front of him in mere seconds. My heart was pounding madly in fear for my friends. "No! You can't! They only destroyed those vampires to protect us! And they would never tell anyone a single word about your existence! They rely on secrecy themselves! No! Please! They are my friends! They saved my life! Some of them got hurt because of me!" My hands were on his shoulders, trying to shake him, get some sense into him, make him understand. Caius didn't move, a mixture of surprise and anger in his face. In a flash, I found myself standing behind Aro and Marcus. Caius was no longer sitting; instead, he was pacing in front of his brothers, the picture of a furious angel, blond hair swaying around his head, glinting coal-black eyes fixated on me. Never had I seen a vampire look so ferocious, so truly frightening. I shrank back and hid my face in Marcus' back, my hands clinging to the fabric of his white shirt.

"They are a danger to everyone. No rational thought at times. Ruthless and aggressive! That's what the Children of the Moon are like! How dare you defend them, silly human!" Caius roared.

A thunder-like, deafening crash resonated in the room, and suddenly Marcus and I were standing in a corner, with me still safely placed behind him, and Sulpicia standing by his side now. I risked a glance from behind him, and saw a very menacing, snarling Aro holding down a struggling, growling Caius. Athenodora was talking to Caius, trying to calm him, and eventually she succeeded. Aro spoke to him as well, talking in a language I wouldn't even dream to recognize. After a few more tense minutes the atmosphere calmed down, Marcus finally relaxed his protective stance before me.

"Now, Caius. You've just proved yourself wrong. The Children of the Moon are indeed as you have described . But think about it," said Aro. "Were those friends of Isabella truly the Children of the Moon, her town would have long been eradicated. These creatures are controlled, and obviously they do not feed on the flesh of the living. Don't you see?"

Caius ceased his struggling against Aro's grip, and his expression slowly reverted to his usual scowl. Aro then released him, and he stood up in a flash, adjusting his clothes.

"Shh, Bella shh. It's all right now. Shh." Suddenly I was in Marcus' arms and he was soothing me. Only then did I notice the shivers that were rocking my frame, the wetness on my cheeks, my erratic breathing, and the mad, irregular beating of my heart. I was in utter, mind-numbing panic.

Caius' eyes snapped in my direction, his gaze meeting mine shortly before I closed my eyes in an attempt to keep the world out. I was holding on to Marcus for dear life, still shaking violently.

"Perhaps it would be best if you left for now, Caius," Aro said firmly, not as a suggestion but as an order. I didn't hear Caius' reaction, concentrating on getting enough air into my lungs.

"Isabella, please forgive Caius for his outburst," Aro said. "He almost lost his life in a fight with a werewolf many years ago and has not yet overcome his anger and hate for that. He assumed that was what your friends were too; though considering everything you told us, it seems obvious they are not. I am grateful you told us what happened. We will leave now. Marcus will stay with you. I hope you can find sleep tonight, Isabella. My apologies again. Good night."

Aro edged closer to where Marcus and I were standing. With his last words he reached out slowly, and with supreme gentleness, he wiped the tear streaks from my face, examining me with a soft, sorrowful look in his eyes. Then he turned around and left, closing the door behind him with a soft click.

Marcus held me until I calmed down. After that, I went through my evening routine as if on autopilot, all the while trying to process what had happened in the study. When I emerged from the bathroom, I found Marcus standing at the balcony door, looking out the window. I walked over to him, standing on his right side. I could see the night sky brightening ever so softly, indicating the arrival of another day.

"I will be in the study. If there is anything you need, just call for me." Marcus did not look at me but turned around and made for the door. I stumbled after him, needing his solace. "Wait, Marcus! Please." When I reached him, I stumbled slightly and started to fall down. I never made contact with the ground; instead, I found myself in Marcus' arms again.

"Yes, Bella?" he whispered.

"Would you … could you stay here? In the room?" I knew it was childish but I felt safe when he was close. "Please?"

"Of course. You should go to bed now, Bella. You are dead on your feet." As if to prove his point, I swayed slightly. Marcus picked me up gently, carried me over to the bed and laid me down. I crawled underneath the blankets, and by the time I was done, the drapes were closed and Marcus was sitting in a chair beside the bed. I curled up facing him and reached for his hand, holding it tight.

"Thank you," was all I could breathe out before a huge yawn overcame me. I was totally spent. With my hand safely nested in Marcus' hands, I fell into a deep sleep.

End note/ Important!

Hey I hope you liked this one. I am very sorry to tell you that the next update will have to wait a bit. I am going to redo the other chapters. That will take some time. Until then! Take care!