Disclaimer- All recognizable characters belong to Mrs. Stephenie Meyer, whereas all new characters belong to me.

Chapter 21- One of us

The mahogany dining room table sat on a deep red carpet. Everything about it screamed vampires. From the black shades on the window to the wine glasses on top the table full of a dark red liquid I assumed was blood. The napkins were black and the seat cushions were crimson. Everything was dark. And for some reason, I loved it. It looked so elegant. I sat down next to Lanina and Yuzria. They gave him an actual plate of food, which surprised me greatly. Aro smiled, he was sitting at the head of the table. Marcus and Caius were on the chairs beside him. Jane and her annoying brother were next to them. " Please, drink until your heart is content. There are waiters prepared to bring you refills. And, to our vegetarian friends, you have animal blood. Mountain lion and grizzly to be exact." I smirked and picked up my wine glass, then raised it slightly.

" You have thought of everything haven't you?" I mused aloud to him. He grinned and took a drink of his blood.

" Of course my dear Isabella. We simply love having friends."

" Of course, it's a great occasion tonight. We won't eat you." Marcus smiled and tipped the glass to his lips. Everyone but the Cullens chuckled. Even Yuzria. Lanina said something quietly to Travis, who in turn busted out in laughter. Aro's eyes filled with amusement. He really did like having company. Jane had a slight scowl on her face, I was guessing she didn't. Or, at least not ours.

" So, Isabella, please tell us why you decided to come." Aro said as soon as his glass of blood was gone. He waved to a waiter to bring some more and focused his attention on me. Sighing, I put my glass down and leaned my arms on the table.

" Because frankly Aro, I don't think I can do it without you. Besides, I'm technically fighting your fight. Mitchell wanted me to help take the Volturi down; I refused. Which is why he's now coming after me with everything he has. He knows that if I fight with you, you're sure to win." I replied. Aro grinned and nodded his head once.

" Ah, so you've figured out the master plan." He teased and leaned back. " You can stay here and your men can train with ours. They will be a great assist to us." I could see the excitement in Ash's, Manny's, Mike's and Flora's eyes. I knew they would jump at the chance to help train others. I decided to talk to Aro about that later. I knew they would be great leaders, as would Lanina. I sat up straight in my chair and smiled.

" Thank you Aro." I said calmly and bent my head down in gratitude. He mocked my gesture with his grin still on his face.

" It's no problem Bella. We need you." He replied warmly. Jane rolled her eyes and took a drink of her blood.

" Don't worry Jane, I don't like you either." I winked and tipped my wine glass slightly, then took a small drink. Aro chuckled into his glass while the other two tried to hold back their laughter. Jane growled and pushed her chair back slightly.

" You talk so big Isabella-" She spat my name like it was a toxin on her tongue and stood up. " But, I'd like to see how long you would last in a fight with me." I smirked and started to stand up when Yuzria touched my arm every so slightly. I sighed and scooted my chair back in. There was no reason to get angry. Besides, I'd have to fight by her side soon enough. Of course, I could kill her and say it was the other side also. Hmm, there's a thought.

" I'm not fighting you Jane." I replied coolly. " Frankly, you aren't worth my time." I had to get some dig in there. She snarled and stormed out of the room. Aro sighed and looked at Caius.

" Please, go calm her down." He asked softly. Caius nodded and stood up. His steps were quick and fluid. It looked like he was walking on air. Aro turned back to me, a small smile on his face. " Pardon her actions Bella, we'll set her straight." I raised an eyebrow, oh really?

" Do you value me more than her?" I questioned him. His smile faltered for the briefest of seconds.

" Ah, you're good." He laughed and stood up. " Please, accompany me on a walk through the grounds. The moon is full and bright tonight; I'd love to see how your beautiful hair shines in the moonlight. I smirked and gave Yuzria a small kiss. Then stood up.

" How can a woman not turn that down?" I replied. He barked some orders to some lingering servants to show everyone else to their rooms. Then he put a hand on my waist and showed me out to Volterra gardens. I gasped in surprise when I saw the vast grounds before me. Deep green grass grew around majestic flowers, mostly roses. He picked one up and plucked the rose right off the stem, then stuck it behind my ear.

" Ah, so charming." I teased.

" Of course, I'd have a while to work on it." He answered. I laughed quietly and sat down before a the pool in the middle of the grounds. The water was a dark blue, it looked so calm and cool. I skimmed a hand over the surface, feeling the water on my skin. The castle walls were high, high enough so that if we were to come out during a sunny day, we wouldn't be seen. It was beautiful, life certainly wasn't bad here. Or hard, they had everything handed to them. He sat down next to me, his black hair brushing my cheek slightly. It looked so smooth, smoother than mine ever was. " This. . . Many of our men won't make it through this." Aro whispered, his eyes on the moon.

" Mine will. Every one." I whispered back. " I won't let them die."

" Sometimes, not even we can escape death."

" True, but we're fighters. Every one of the people I've brought into this will fight to the death. And they'll win. Because I've taught them to win. Aro, if you go into war with that mind set. . . You need to be strong, confident in your troops."

" Well, aren't you the leader? I knew there was a reason we needed you. Other than your being a guardian of course." I smiled softly, there always was a catch.

" Of course. . . Tell me, what is it costing me? To have you help house my. . . Well friends."

" Nothing Isabella." I stared at him, waiting for him to say he was lying and that he really wanted my damned soul. I arched my eyebrows in confusion and felt my mouth fall open slightly. He laughed and faced me. " All I want of you Isabella, is your help in this. Afterwards, you can go your merry way. But-"

" I knew there would be a loophole." I muttered. He gave me a lopsided grin and shrugged his shoulders.

" We want you to become one of us."

" I already am a vampire." I replied, still confused. Then his face helped me figure out just what he meant. " Oh." I said and looked back out at the water. " You mean. . . You want me to become a Volturi member?"

" Yes. You'd be a strong one at that. Stronger than Jane. And she knows it. Age. . . Sometimes doesn't mean anything. You're powerful Bella." I stood up and wiped my hands on my clothes.

" I suppose. . . But strong enough to be a Volturi member?" I thought about it, yeah I was strong enough to be one of them. Aro stood up beside me and touched my cheek softly.

" Not only are you powerful, but you're full of a wisdom beyond your years. You have a strength and confidence in yourself and in the people around you that would be a great asset to us." I stepped back and blew out a slow breath.

" Wow. . . " Was all I managed to say. I'd be able to live in the castle, own all the measly vampires underneath me. Have power no other vampire but the Volturi had. . . " What about my friends?" I asked him.

" Well. . . It's not usual that we allow non Volturi members to say in the castle but. . . I suppose your closest ones could stay. Yes." I walked around the pool, looking at my reflection in the water. I studied it. I looked strong and beautiful. Fierce. I felt his hand on my shoulder and saw him appear in the reflection beside me. " Look at you-" He started quietly. " You look like one of us even. One of the perks of being a guardian, you have all the powers of a master vampire."

" Is that the only reason you want me? Because I'm a guardian?"

" No, we've had our eye on you for quiet a while Isabella." I pursed my lips in thought. Then I turned from the water and looked back into his crimson eyes.

" I'll think about it." I answered him. He smiled and nodded his head.

" Tis all I ask of you." I smiled and started back towards the house.

" Now tell me all the details about this war. I want to go in prepared."

" Are you sure you want to know everything?" He asked me. I held open the door and stepped inside, the cool air from inside the castle hitting me instantly.

" Everything." I replied simply.

The fire made a warm glow throughout the whole library. I was seated with Aro in the library, sipping some blood and looking into the fire burning in the fireplace. Everything he'd told me was running through my head. " So, let me great this straight." I said after swallowing the blood in my mouth. " This was also destined to happen. Ever since the Volturi came about?"

" That's correct." He answered, waiting for me to speak more.

" So, we're really going against an all out army. I mean. . . There's bound to be hundreds, or thousands, of vampires who side with Mitchell because they hate you guys. They hate the Volturi."

" Again, correct." I sighed and leaned back in my chair.

" Well, it isn't going to be easy. That's for sure. But, we can beat them. I'm sure of that." He leaned forward and clasped his hands. His eyes inspected me.

" Why did you decide to come here Isabella?" I put my glass down and bit my lip, trying to find the right words to say.

" I think you guys do a good job keeping everybody intact. Keeping our species in line. Without you, it would be utter chaos. You guys do your job, and you do it great." Aro grinned and sat back, his hair touching his shoulders.

" Well, that's a great compliment. Thank you Isabella. To be perfectly honest, we were worried. I mean, we've had tiny attacks against us and such in the past years. But nothing like this. Nothing like having a whole army against you."

" Then you should be kissing my ass." I teased and took another swig of blood. It was good, sweet. He chuckled and shook his head in agreement.

" You could say that." I yawned and put my head against the chair. " Tired?" Aro asked me.

" Eh, not really. My energy is just getting low. It's surprising, sleeping again. I mean, it's not every night, but still. I don't dream, it's just like I'm refueling myself or something."

" I'd love to see the full extent of your powers."

" You will tomorrow afternoon when we start training." He looked at me in confusion.

" I haven't scheduled a-"

" I did. Everybody will be training in the castle grounds tomorrow. Well, at least the leaders of our troops. I'm thinking Flora and Mike could take archery cause it's what they're best at. Ash and Mike could take over something brutal, maybe sword fighting. Lanina and Travis could teach movement, they're both graceful. Yuzria could help any witches you have with their powers. And the Cullens' could just stand by and practice with each other. They still need help on some things."

" You said our troops." I stood up and downed the rest of the blood. I couldn't believe what I was about to say. I wasn't sure when I'd officially made the decision, but I had.

" You're right. I did." I replied and put my glass down on the table. The flames danced upon my shadow.

" Does this mean-"

" It means you're looking at the next member of the Volturi." I finished for him and walked out of the room.

A/N: Dun dun dun! Lol, so, hope you liked the chapter. I liked writing it. It was a longer one that I had to edit a couple times before I was actually ready to submit it so. . . Hope you liked it! haha. Thanks for reading and thanks to everyone for adding me to their fav's or the story to their fav's and all that. I mean, I love it. Thank you all so very much. I owe a lot of this to you, because all of you keep me revved up to write. So, a big MWAH to you all. Y'all rock. The next chapter will be up soon. Oh, and I've decided to make a third one :)

Until next time,

Faith