A/N: Hey guys. Just wanted to say that while this story is not abandoned, I've had a lot of trouble finding more inspiration for it. I want to continue it but I thought it would be fair to let everyone know not to hold their breath waiting for the next installment. Sorry :(

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It was all quite a bit dramatic for Bella but being on Leo's arm made her more comfortable. Besides, the looks of appreciation she received told her that it would be just another party.

Leo, his father and nephew lived in Venice, occupying one of the most majestic homes in the sinking city. What they also tended to do was mingle with humans of the aristocratic kind, influential businessmen, politicians. The list of important names that she had to memorize never seemed to end. How exactly they managed to mask the fact that they never seemed to age – not to mention keep alive for several centuries – she had never quite grasped. She didn't insist upon it because she was certain she'd run away screaming in disgust. Leo's coven was far from the angelic Cullens.

Refusing to dwell on the past, Bella concentrated on placing her Manolo Blahnik-clad feet down the marble stairs so as not to trip. Her coordination hadn't suffered much improvement over the years, sadly enough.

The violin quartet played enthusiastically and the buzz of conversation picked up after the slight lull during their entrance. Just as the soles of her shoes touched the ground floor, she knew something was off, wrong. She chanced a look at Leo to see if he had felt it as well. Had the temperature dropped?

It certainly felt like it when Leo gave her one of his most feral smiles. Before she could ask what was going on, they were greeted by the Minister of Finance and the night was off.

Bella spent the night receiving subtle bags containing some of the most expensive presents one could receive. Some older men were even chivalrous enough to offer her a delicate bouquet of flowers. And throughout it all, she constantly checked behind her because it felt like someone was drilling holes in her back. Whenever she turned, though, there was no one to spot. Leo continued with the disturbing smile that showed off his momentarily-tamed fangs. Waiters delicately whisked presents out of her arms and strategically placed a flute of kids' champagne quarter of hour after each one was finished.

She was a lightweight and inebriation was encouraged only in privacy.

"You look good enough to eat, bellissima," Sergio whispered in her ear as the conversation around her took a turn she missed.

Leo's nephew always teased her but she felt fairly confident he'd never dig his teeth into her neck.

"You startled me. And stop saying stuff like that. People will only get the wrong idea if they hear you," she muttered behind her champagne, benign smile secured on her lips.

"What kind of ideas?"

The blonde crossed his arms over his chest and just teased her some more with a cocky grin.

"You know, Sergio. Now leave me alone and go share pleasantries with someone else."

"But I want to share pleasantries with the birthday girl, Isabella." He bobbed his eyebrows suggestively and Bella could only roll her eyes. Sergio had been delighted to see her all flustered as he tied her up with words and made it sound like he was flirting with her at the beginning of their relationship. She'd been relieved when Leo re-assured her that he was well aware that Sergio wasn't being serious. But she'd also been terrified when he'd let it be understood that her life would end if he ever caught her with someone else.

Sometimes she wondered what exactly had motivated her to accept his marriage proposal. Survival instinct, perhaps?

A dark head with the blackest hair popped between her and Sergio.

"Are you picking on my fiancée again? Fuck off, Sergio; it's her birthday and I won't have her annoyed tonight!"

Maybe she had been a little more than exasperated with Sergio. Figures Leo's hearing would pick up on it.

Leo had inserted himself in the group without disturbing the conversation and while he had started out lightly, his last sentence had been strengthened with a flash of the crimson eyes in his nephew's direction.

Palms held out in defeat, Sergio backed away without bumping into anyone.

"Sorry – I'm gone. I'm pretty sure my extraordinary wit is needed in a conversation somewhere."

Bella sighed and rested her head on Leo's shoulder.

"You didn't need to do that but thanks anyway."

"Are you tired? You look it, Isabella. Would you like me to make your excuses so you can go to bed?"

Bella was startled to realise that she was in fact quite tired. A look at the large clock above the one of the fireplaces told she'd been at the party for hours.

"Holy crow, no wonder I'm so worn out. It's way past midnight!"

"That it is."

Leo turned her in closer to him and gave her a brief hug. He whispered endearments in her ear and then gently shooed her away.

Bella knew that retreat would be impossible if she took the grand staircase so she opted to head for the kitchens. Across the massive dining hall, she noticed there was a peculiar distance between the invitees and a shadowed area. Deciding to investigate this before going to bed, she changed course and headed towards it.

As she neared the dark corner, her human sight picked up on the fact that there was a table there and that someone was sitting in one of the chairs around it. Worried about a guest being isolated and possibly feeling mistreated by the hosts, she kept on going towards the lonely man.

His back was turned to her but his impeccable outfit reassured her it was just another invitee.

"Signor, is everything alright –"

The man turned to face her.

"Edward!" she gasped as bronze eyes blazed at her.

/

Bella was speechless. Her hands clutched her stomach and she barely caught his eyes moving over her to the sparkle of the engagement ring: Leo had chosen a yellow diamond on a pure gold band, both impressive and of the highest quality. When his eyes were back on hers she saw the raw hunger for her. It melted her insides instantaneously.

"What in God's good name are you doing here, Bella?" he hissed at her.

She felt dizzy and the floor started rotating underneath her heels. Bella was fairly sure this was not the norm and that it was a sign that things weren't exactly as they should be.

"I see you've discovered our guest of honour, cara mia. Tell me, isn't this a pleasant surprise?"

Leo had materialized at her side and a possessive arm came to rest atop hers on her stomach but in one fluid movement he let go of her and stood directly in front of Edward, extending his arm for a handshake.

Bella felt the panic escalate inside her. Edward looked like he wanted to whisk her away and lock her up safely while Leo had a giddy expression on his face. Oh goodness, now she understood his feral smile. He was testing her?

What to do, what to do? Her mind was going a million thoughts a minute and she was glad Edward could not read her because he'd be at Leo's throat. And then Sergio would intervene and Edward would surely lose and he'd die because of her –

The floor quickened its rotations and Bella had a strange out-of-body experience. She could see herself frozen between the two vampires and then she could see her heels slowly losing the fight with gravity.

Her skull would have surely cracked on contact with the expensive marble but before Leo's smile had turned into a frown, Edward had caught her unconscious form.

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