I may be tweaking this story a bit more someday, since Jane isn't supposed to meet Carlisle until Eclipse... oh well.

As we approached the house, Jane's impassive stare twisted into a disdainful smile. How quaint. They really do think they're human, don't they?

She had been mentally deriding us the whole way home—our eyes, our clothing, our humanoid way of walking, everything. Beneath the practiced, professional tone of her conscious thoughts, she was storing gossip to share with the other guards back in Volterra. From Carlisle's stories, I had known how unusual our way of life was, but I was surprised to discover tonight that my family was a subject of ridicule, simply because we chose to abstain from killing humans. It felt uncomfortable to meet vampires who held such disdain for our way of life—but I had to admit, I was intrigued as well.

The five of us entered the living room and sat down, Carlisle bringing in two chairs from the dining room. Demetri and Jane looked at the chairs in tolerant amusement before they sat down across from us. The scene was almost comical; we might have been a group of old friends sitting down for a chat. It seemed Esme should be donning a little lace apron and pouring tea.

Now, Carlisle," Demetri said once we were seated, "tell us what you have been up to."

For the next several hours, we all sat quietly in the living room as Carlisle related, in perfect detail, every event in his life since he had left Volterra in 1720. Esme and I sat enraptured; Carlisle had told us often of his travels and experiences, but neither of us had ever heard the full tale told in order. I had the added benefit of watching the events in Carlisle's mind as he spoke. Our guests listened intently, only seeming to lose interest when Carlisle's topic turned toward our "vegetarian" lifestyle. I smiled as he carefully chose his words in his attempt to explain the benefits of our choice, without preaching outright. Demetri seemed to have heard it all before, and Jane was smiling patiently as though waiting for a child to finish explaining his make-believe world. Her thoughts were not so patient.

When Carlisle had finished, they each asked several questions, which Carlisle answered honestly. Finally, Demetri turned to me. "And you, young Edward. What do you think of your creator's way of life? Do you enjoy this human charade?"

I answered honestly, as well. "This is the only way I've ever lived, since my awakening to this life. I don't need to end other people's lives in order to sustain my own. And yes, I do enjoy our human lifestyle."

"Speaking of which, Demetri," interrupted Carlisle, "I must remind you that we are known to many people in this town. I work at the local hospital, and Edward attends school. We must ask you not to hunt in the surrounding area."

Demetri's eyes never left me. "Yes, yes," he answered dismissively. "So, Edward, you attend school with the humans? Isn't it dreadfully dull and… thirsty work? You are rather young, after all." I saw his meaning as he imagined me in a hallway full of lockers, feasting on my fellow students. I almost laughed at the image.

"It's true that at first, I found it uncomfortable to be surrounded by so many humans. But I became accustomed to the scent quickly, and since I've never tasted human blood—"

Demetri leaned forward to interrupt me with an incredulous laugh. "Never? Not even once?"

"No," I said proudly. "Carlisle kept me isolated from humans as a newborn, and gradually integrated me into society when I was old enough."

"Carlisle, this is really too much," Demetri said, sharing a look with Jane. "Aro always thought that your peculiarities would be your downfall. Yet here you are, two centuries later and still playing human, and with two yellow-eyed creations, no less! What about your mate? Has she ever fed naturally?"

"Never on purpose," Esme admitted. "I made a few mistakes in the beginning."

"And we took every precaution," Carlisle put in quickly. "There was no exposure."

Jane rolled her eyes, regarding all three of us with disdain. This was a waste of time. They're all crazy.

Demetri laughed again, turning back to me with a smile that was friendlier than Jane's. My friend, you have absolutely no idea what you're missing! I wonder how your creator would react if you were to act like a normal vampire. Don't you tire of his game? How many decades do you plan on going to school with the human children?

I frowned back at him. "I find the experience interesting."

He nodded sagely. "No doubt due to your ability… I am curious, can you turn it off? What is your range? Are you able to view past thoughts, or only current ones, and what about emotions? Do you see pictures, or just hear a voice? Can you read the thoughts of more than one person simultaneously?"

I stiffened in the face of his sudden interrogation, and looked to Carlisle for guidance. He nodded to me slightly. You may as well answer him. It will be worse for us if Aro learns later that we have not been forthcoming. I reluctantly turned back to Demetri and answered his barrage of questions.

Finally, Demetri was satisfied and leaned back in his chair thoughtfully. "Fascinating. And what an opportunity for you! Edward, I don't need to speak to Aro to know that he will be happy to have you join us in Volterra. You would have an honored place at his side." Just think, Edward: with your ability, you would quickly rise in Aro's favor. You cannot imagine the myriad benefits that your position would bring.

Carlisle was suddenly gripping his chair's handrail so hard that it snapped off. "Demetri, Edward is just a boy. Surely Aro would not expose one so young to the… it's out of the question!"

Demetri's voice raised slightly now. "I hardly think it is your place to dictate his future, Carlisle. And as you well know, he would receive the highest quality education available. Imagine what he could learn at my master's side. And you would have him sit day after day, with humans for company? Don't you want your 'son' to grow? To learn?"

"Not the kinds of things you would have him learn. I'm sorry, but Edward is a part of this family, and that's the end of it." I had never heard his voice so cold.

I felt as though I was in the middle of a tug-of-war. I was torn between disgust at Demetri's offer, and pride that I had received it. Imagine, an invitation into the elite Volturi guard, and at my young age! And I was embarrassed by how Carlisle presumed to speak for me. After all, I might be frozen at seventeen, but in reality I was twenty-five; a man. If I were still human, by this time I would be off on my own, well into a career, perhaps married and beginning a family. Admittedly, my experiences had been rather limited, but my ability had allowed me to share in the memories of literally thousands of people so far. And Demetri had raised a question I had never before considered: by what right did Carlisle continue to make decisions for me? How long was he planning on doing so? Did I still need his guidance at all? My mind spun with an entirely new world of questions.

Edward! Carlisle's thought snapped me out of my reverie. Son, listen to me: this is what they do. When they find someone they want, they will use any means necessary to turn that person against their coven and bring them to Volterra—and once he's there, they have further means of persuasion.

Demetri was filling my mind with his own arguments. Edward, I admire your devotion to your creator. Such loyalty is admirable. But surely Carlisle has told you that most vampires do not remain with their sire for long. There comes a time when a young immortal—especially one with such a powerful gift—must begin to take control of his own life. Do you not agree?

I looked back and forth between him and Carlisle. They were each thinking about how uncivilized the other was, and I was getting a headache from the storm that was brewing in my own mind. For the first time since my transformation, two paths lay before me, and when I looked down the one Demetri was offering, I saw a whole other life, full of exciting possibilities, but also wreathed in mystery and fear. Was that fear real, or was it only Carlisle's thoughts echoing in my own mind? Just yesterday, life had seemed so simple. I had my father, and I had Esme…

I looked up at my adopted mother, and her worried eyes met mine. She was picturing me packing a suitcase and leaving with Demetri and Jane. Edward, please! We're your family! I couldn't bear it if you left with them. Who knows what kind of life they would pull you into? Although I could not read emotions, there was no mistaking the frantic love in her thoughts.

And with that simple observation, my choice was made. I still felt immensely flattered by Demetri's offer, but of the people sitting around me, it was clear who loved me and who would use me.

I stood and cleared my throat—a human mannerism, but it seemed fitting. "Demetri, Jane, it was a pleasure to meet you and I am most honored by your invitation. But this is my home, my family. I'm happy with my life the way it is."

Jane clenched her teeth, but Demetri just smiled; it reminded me of the patient way that Carlisle smiled sometimes. "I don't believe I've made myself clear, young Edward. I am offering you a position in the Volturi Guard. It's customary to bring the applicant for an interview with the Three, but in your case I feel confident in making this exception. We can leave tonight—or in a few days, if you wish to prolong your farewells to your creator and his mate." This is the first time I have ever made this exception, young one. There are vampires who would kill to be in your position! I don't think you understand the significance of this occasion.

"I understand," I said evenly. "And I decline."

Demetri frowned politely, but Jane's soprano thoughts revealed her boiling anger. You think you're too good for us, don't you, human-lover? Do you think you're the only vampire in the world with a gift? Do you remember what I showed you earlier? A nasty, belligerent smile spread across her face and she turned her eyes toward my mother.