This is so great I never thought I'd have fans so quickly. Thanks again to all those who took time to read and review my story it means alot. The next chapter is now up, I hope you like this one as much as the other two. Happy reading!


Chapter Three

Familiar faces

We entered a bright and beautiful round room, two stories high. I noticed immediately the Volturi, my uncles Aro, Caius, and Marcus sitting at the farthest end of the room. They looked the same still pale and fragile. Seated next them as expected were Jane and Alec, though they were not part of the royal families they were very talented and now an asset to my uncles. Aro seemed the most impatient to see us, he looked like a child fidgeting in his chair. We glided along the marble floors at a slow pace, as vampires bowed on each side. There were many here who I didn't know but I smiled and bowed my head to each one. On my left I saw Demetri slide in next to Heidi, I always thought they would make a great pair, I wonder if they are together now. On my right I met Edward's gaze he is so beautiful, uh oh here I go again loosing myself in his eyes. I finally pull my eyes down from his stare; I notice a slight smile forming on his lips. To his left I see Carlisle proudly by his side he was giving me a joyful smile that I returned one in kind. He was surrounded by five others with the same topaz eyes this must be his family I thought. My how beautiful they are, I just smiled and nodded in their direction. I found myself feeling excitement of meeting them all. My happy thoughts were quickly smashed when I saw Felix and a few others from the guard smirking at me. Yuck! I was hoping my uncles would have gotten rid of Felix by now. I wasn't sure but I think I heard a low growl coming from Edwards's throat, I looked back at him to see Carlisle placing a hand on his sons shoulder, the thought of him growling for me made me blush. We were now face to face with my uncles and Aro stood first.

"Charles, you are finally here!" his voice rejoiced. "And my beautiful sister Renee, how are you?"

"We are well Aro, and you?" she smiled. "I am wonderful now that you are here it has been too long since our last meeting". He was so vibrant "Oh and this, could this be my angelic niece?" "You are heavenly aren't you?"He cried in delight as he held out his hand to me. I took it and gave him a small peck on his frail cheek. "It is a pleasure to see you uncle". I placed a small kiss on the other two as well, all the while thinking my mother owed me for this, behind an innocent smile of course.

Aro took my small hand in his again, his expression a bit curious. "Oh my Bella, what do you hold in that mind of yours? I cannot seem to read you at all. What talents do you cling to so secretively?" I stared at him a bit confused "Talents? I don't understand?" I know I have a few powers but what is he talking about, I don't hold anything in secret.

"Forgive me Aro, but this may not be the time to talk of such things, I would be happy to discuss Bella's talents more privately later" my fathers interruption surprised me. Aro seemed surprised too but understood. "Yes Charles you are right, let us mingle and enjoy the night" he clapped his thin hands together and music started up and conversation began.

I knew exactly who I wanted to see so I head straight for them. "Carlisle" I said as I gave him a big hug. "It has been so long and you have never visited" he hugged me back. "You were just a child the last time I saw you, my how you have grown and a young lady at that". "Let me introduce you to my family" he said with a proud smile "This is my wife Esme". I gave her a kiss on the cheek and a warm smile, she was a little rounder than the others but by no means large. She had an angels glow around her heart shaped face and dirty blonde locks. "These are my children, Emmett and Rosalie, Jasper and Alice, and you have already met my son Edward". I nodded and smiled to each of them. I was caught off guard by the one he named Alice, when she embraced me in a tight hug. I didn't mind though, I sensed we could be good friends if we had the time. Carlisle spoke again "Everyone this is your Princess Isabella". "It is so lovely to meet all of you, but please do call me Bella" I greeted them with animation.

I couldn't believe how beautiful they all were, Carlisle was still as dashing as ever with his blonde hair and god like features. Emmett was huge, muscular with curly dark hair and Rosalie who I assumed was his mate, was drop dead gorgeous. Tall for a female, with long wavy blonde hair, her face and body held features of an international super model. She made the prettiest girl doubt herself. Jasper could pass as her twin and Alice she was fascinating, petite and beautiful with her short spiky black hair.

We talked for what seemed like hours, I couldn't tell what time it was the moon light still trickled in through the windows high above. I was surprised at how much I had in common with them all. Especially Edward, we seemed to be so much a like. Books, music, even the fact that we both would be forever 17. He was more comfortable now, not so tense. But every once and a while I noticed his brows would scrunch up in frustration. We were speaking to Alice she was trying to convince me to go on a shopping trip with her in the city. I had to admit I was a bit excited at the thought of doing my own shopping for a change, I knew I'd have to bring Sophie along though. All of a sudden Alice froze she seemed to be lost in another place. Jasper noticed quickly and grabbed her hand; Edward grabbed the other and looked as if he is trying to read her mind.

"Alice can see the future, she is just having a vision now, nothing to worry about" Carlisle's words eased my growing tension. I relaxed at his words and at the huge smile Alice now had plastered to her face. Edward also smiled and then shook his head at her, I am not sure I was supposed to see that. "Alice, what did you see?" I asked curious. "Don't worry Bella you will see soon enough. Just take my word for it, it will make you very happy, I believe it is something you have been waiting for" she hinted. "Stop blocking me Alice" Edward's voice commanded. "Blocking you? What do you mean?" confusion once again gave in my voice. Edward looked saddened as he spoke "I can read minds Bella". "That is amazing, anyone's mind? What am I thinking?" I thought how amazing it must be to hear others thoughts. "I can't…I can't hear anything from you" he sounded almost upset at this confession.

That is strange I wonder if that's why Aro seemed a bit disappointed as well when he said he couldn't read me. Maybe I was blocking them out. "Really, that is strange, do you mind if I try something?" I asked as I took his hand. He looked down at his hand in mine and then back to meet my eyes. I placed my thoughts in his mind, the look on his face said it all, and it worked. "How?" his mouth dropped open. "I am telepathic and telekinetic; I can hold conversations in anyone's mind."

They were all looking at me now, and blood rushed to my face. A look of surprise flooded all of them. "I have always been able to blush, it is a strange trait" I felt self-conscious now.

"So you do have talents, Aro couldn't read you either then?" he was happy at the thought. "I try not to use them in public my father says that they are a gift and we wouldn't want the enemy to know about them. I'm not sure who exactly the enemy is but I have a feeling it's not you" I was blushing again; I tried to hide it when Edwards hand lifted to my face. "It is even warm to the touch" he pulled away quickly when he realized what he just did. "I don't mind, its okay." I confessed it was welcoming to have him touch me. I wondered if he felt the static energy when we were this close.

My parents have joined us now and were speaking with Carlisle and Esme, my mother seemed to hit it off with Esme it was nice to see her enjoying conversation. She didn't speak to anyone but me and father at home with the occasional orders she gave Sophie. She looked at home here amongst her people. I over heard their conversation and wanted to disappear. "She wants to fall in love" she said laughing "silly child". I didn't think it very funny, I was serious. "And what did you tell her?" Esme's voice was calm and considerate. My mother looked thoughtful "I told her she has two weeks to find this love she is looking for or she marries Drake". Esme looked at me with a sympathetic smile "Oh I see". "I wonder if I should give her more time, if I should have said something else. I don't want her to be unhappy as I was when I first married her father". I didn't know she was unhappy they seem to love each other now. "She will be fine, she is a strong no matter what happens at the end of these two weeks she will still be happy" she said this as if she already knew the outcome. I was trying to hear more when a familiar voice interrupted me.

"So it's that bad huh? Two weeks or you have to marry Drake?" he was a bit agitated.

"Yes, it is. I agreed to the conditions so what ever happens I must accept it" now I was feeling depressed. I felt a calm wave through my body and looked over to the source of it. It was Jasper I think he just smiled and looked away. Edward noticed my stare "Jasper is like Alice and I, he can control the emotions of a room or single person, he must have felt an emotion from you". "I am doomed I think, how could I ever think this would work? My mother is right I am just a silly child."

Just then I felt Edwards hands cup my chin pulling my face to look at him. "Don't ever say that, you are smart and beautiful, you are powerful and kind. You will find love Bella I feel it, I just know it." He sounded so passionate I couldn't doubt his words. My blushes betrayed me again; he seemed to have a bigger effect on me then I wanted to admit

"Thank you…but we just met you know nothing about me" my voice was a bit reproachful.

"It may be true that we have just met, but I do know you it is my duty you are my princess" his voice was proud. Again I blushed, did he just call me his princess? He was leading me out to the balcony I could hear the crashing waves in the distance. The night sky was glowing bright above us I couldn't help but stare up at the stars. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Edwards gaze follow mine, silence fell upon us, it wasn't an awkward silence but a comforting one. Sophie was right, I did find him attractive and easy to talk to, could he feel the same about me? I wanted to ask but he spoke first "What are you thinking?" I wasn't sure now if I wanted him to know, so I fibbed a little. "Just wondering about love it self" I admitted "have you ever been in love, Edward?" He looked shocked at my question, certainly not expecting it. He shook his head from side to side "No not completely, I haven't really had the opportunity".

I giggled at that "what do you mean, tonight alone, I have witnessed a handful of females throwing themselves at you". He rolled his eyes at me "I am not at all interested in them, I am looking for more". As he was speaking I noticed he was closing the distance between us, his eyes were dazzling. I wanted to reach for him but I was too afraid. He gently rubbed my arm with his hand causing a warm sensation to run through my body. Did he feel that too I wondered, I lifted my hand to touch his face when I heard my father's voice "Bella, are you out here?" I turned towards his voice "I am here father, Edward was just going to escort me to my room" I smiled through my lie.

"Aro was right Edward you are a good man, thank you for keeping an eye on her. She can be a handful" he winked at me. "Thank you sir, your words are too kind, I am just doing my duty" Edward said firmly as he dropped his hand from my arm. My father just thanked him again and took off to join my mother once again.

Edward's words made me hurt inside, what was he doing to me? I just meet him this morning and now I am having strange feelings about him. And did he just say I was his duty? What the hell is that supposed to mean? I just stared at him the hurt in my eyes poring over. I know he noticed but didn't seem to care he reached for my arm again. "Come now Bella I'll walk you to your room." I pulled away quickly, how could he I thought. "Don't bother I can find my room myself" my words were like fire. I stomped off towards the main hall, my mind was going wild. What was I thinking how could I be so stupid to think he would like me so soon.

I was so caught up in my self I didn't see Felix walking towards me. "Hey Princess, should you be roaming the castle halls alone?" His voice made my skin crawl. I tried to ignore him and just walk by but he wouldn't have it, he stood in front of me blocking my way. "Could you kindly move? I 'd like to go to my room now" I spoke without feeling. He laughed and tossed his greasy hair behind his ear. "Oh Princess what is the hurry? We have a perfect opportunity for you and me to get more acquainted." I wanted to vomit on him, could he really think he had a chance? "I am sorry but you must have me confused with one of your floosies. I have no dreams of becoming any more acquainted with you now or ever." I tried to push past him again but this time I felt him grip tightly around my waist, I was turning around to punch him when Edward came out of nowhere pushing Felix off me. "Get your hands off her Felix!" he practically spit at him. "Oh how cute has little Eddie come to save his princess?" Felix spoke with jealousy. "I am to protect her, she is my charge" he yelled. Oh wonderful more of this, why cant he just save me cause he wants to, because he likes me. I was getting impatient with the both of them, one treating me like his play thing and the other one saving me cause of duty. "I don't need your protection Edward and I don't want your attention Felix. If you will both excuse me I will be leaving now." Jerks! I wanted to cry, why did life have to be so complicated? I ran down the hall and up the large staircase to my room. I threw myself on my now turned down bed, I just wanted to sleep, but that was a small problem since I have never slept. So I lay here thinking again, if Edward was just doing his job his duty as I am only his charge. I would help rid him of his tiresome duties and show him what a handful I can really be.

Ok that was chapter three I hope you liked it please remember to review! Thanks again!