EDWARD POV

I gently stroked my angel's cheek. She smiled softly in her sleep. Her angelic glow was much brighter now that she was 'linked up'. Charlotte was sleeping upstairs in Rosalie's bed, my sister hovering protectively over her. I knew why – Charlotte was clearly not an old angel, so Rosalie could be motherly without being patronizing. A rare thing in our world.

Alice strolled over, surveying Bella with satisfaction. As soon as Bella had gone into this coma-like sleep, Alice had whipped off her robe and put her into a tank top and designer jeans. Bella's snowy wings passed though the material as if it wasn't there.

Alice put a pillow under Bella's head. Her golden eyes were soft. "I think that you should talk to Carlisle. He's mulling over what that angel said, and I want to know what it is."

I nodded reluctantly. I didn't want to leave my angel to slumber on her own, but she had Alice, and I too was curious about what the angel had said to my father to make him so happy.

Carlisle was in his study, staring at the picture of London in the time of his human life. I wondered who had painted it. Carlisle had bought it in the 19th centuary at an auction for far less than the price it was worth. The artist had been destitute, and forced to sell his most prized works.

He turned around when he saw me. He smiled, knowing why I had come.

"Carlisle". I sat down in the chair in front of his desk. "What did the angel say to you?"

Carlisle ran his hands through his soft blonde hair. "He told me that both I and you were right."

I was confused. "Right about what?"

He sat down behind the desk, and studied me. "It seems that vampires do not lose their souls as soon as they are changed, not even when they feed, because newborns have no control. But they are not allowed to enter Heaven if they continue to take lives after they regain their personalities. But they have decided to make exceptions for those who make an effort." He looked at me, his eyes shining. "We are one of them. There are only two other covens in the world who are going to enter Heaven – the Denali's and the Crosses."

I frowned. "Who are the Crosses?"

He shrugged. "I don't know much about them. They're not vegetarians instead they take donated blood from hospital stores and drink that."

I realized what he was saying. "So…if we die, we'll go up to Heaven." A smile appeared on my face. "I can be with Bella."

He nodded. I felt strange. Well, Bella and I were strange. Who would have thought that something as pure as an angel would have fallen in love with something as dark as me? It was a miracle.

Then Alice raced up the stairs. Her face was filled with despair. "The Volturi are coming."

I stared at her. "Why are they coming? And why did you only get the vision now?"

She wrung her hands. "We haven't done anything wrong – they've eliminated a coven nearby, and they want to drop in and see Carlisle. They've only decided now, and that's why my vision was late."

I shuddered at the thought of Bella with Aro around. Aro had a collection of, not only talented vampires, but also 'experiments', creatures who he felt could help the Volturi. Children of the Moon, immortal infants. Bella would be the jewel of his collection. he could not see her.

I ran down the stairs. Bella was beginning to stir. I scooped her up, and ran into Rosalie's room. Charlotte was twitching. Soon they'd both wake up, and then we could move them. But I wasn't sure how stable their condition was while they were still 'linking up.'

There was a knock at the door. Alice flew down the stairs, Carlisle following her. Rosalie swept off to see the Volturi.

I listened to Aro's thoughts. Ah, so Carlisle has a coven. Oh dear. I was hoping that he wouldn't convert more of our kind to his ridiculous lifestyle. Still, at least it isn't a power-hungry coven…though it is a bit large.

I smiled. Aro wouldn't be coming up the stairs at any time if he was worried about his safety.

Bella moaned, and opened her eyes. Charlotte drew in a deep breath, and shot back into consciousness. They both stared at me. Bella's eyes where confused. "Why are we hiding up here? Who's downstairs?"

I was about to ask how she knew that there was people downstairs, when I remembered that she had senses as sharp as mine. I would have to get used to that. "I'm sorry Bella. The royalty of our world are paying us a visit, and I don't want them to see you."

She nodded, showing me that she understood. Charlotte smiled, and gave her a hug.

Then it happened.

Aro had shaken hands with Carlisle. And seen his every thought.

"Carlisle." Aro's voice was cold. "What's this about an angel?"