AN: I only wish I owned Twilight. No infringement is intended.

So here is the latest chapter. I can't guarantee the rest of the chapters will be this long in the future, but you never know, kinda depends on how I am feeling when I write and how much I want to cover. I hope you enjoy! Thank you Angie for letting me dictate this to you while I continue to try to regain use of my hand!

As the sun began to rise I felt almost content; not happy and not sad, but somewhere in the middle. Life had changed so dramatically over the last year; I didn't know what was supposed to be normal for me. I continued to battle with myself over my memories of the Cullen's, most of the time I was able to suppress them a good part of the day, but other days the memories flooded all of my senses, especially after Irena showed up. I guess having another vampire to socialize with was bound to drudge up memories about them. With Irena looking at me so expectantly it was hard to follow my same safe routine of running, hunting, reading and then watching the sunset; followed by the same routine with the sun setting. I was happy with my routine, because it did not require a lot of thought and emotions always trail thoughts. It was dangerous to even let one emotion bubble up, because it was always tied to another.

I worried about Charlie and Jake the most. As far as Charlie knew his only daughter was off God knows where trying to find herself or worse, he could be thinking I was looking for the Cullen's. I had been relying on the fact that Billy would have a mind to steer him away from such a path, but then that reminded me of Jake. He had been my best friend, my protector and my savior and I abandoned him. I don't regret my choice to protect him, I would do it again in a heartbeat, but I regretted not being there for him when he needed me. Technically, he left me first because of Sam, but I never believed it was what he truly wanted; in my gut I knew he wanted to be my friend and he needed me as I needed him. Now we were on different teams…I wasn't sure how Jake would react to me.

I wanted to call him and tell him everything, but would that really make things better or would he hate me for what I have become. I hadn't planned any of this…I wanted to run away and have the danger follow me, not make me the dangerous one. For now I was only dangerous if I wanted to be and human blood was easy for me to resist, but could I still be friends at least with Jake? Right before this whole mess happened I was about to give him everything I had left of my heart, but clearly fate had never meant for me to stay human. I still loved him and missed him. It wasn't the same kind of love I had for Edward, but it was enough to make me feel guilty. Jake loved me so much he and his whole pack probably would have gone after Laurent and Victoria to protect me, but at what cost. I was broken… far too broken to give Jacob what he really wanted and not at the price of his family. So far, I guess everything worked as long as Victoria believed Laurent when he told her I had left with the Cullen's. Now I worried that Victoria may go back to Forks to look for signs of where the Cullen's and I might have gone. I am already pretty strong and my shield is a huge advantage, but my inexperience is my downfall. I needed to learn how to fight, because someday I would run into Victoria again and I would make sure to end things once and for all. Whether that would be for my own benefit, Charlie's or for the Cullen's I didn't know, but they did risk it all for me once so it was my job to return the favor no matter if they cared for me or not.

The more I watched Irena and Laurent interact, the more I thought about Forks and the people I left behind. I smirked silently to myself realizing how strange the term family was when regarding vampires. In so many words I had accepted Laurent and Irena as family. In fact, to please them further I even called Laurent "father." The minute I spoken the word, Charlie ghosted into sight…followed promptly by Carlisle. One father I was forced to abandon because of the consequences of my own choices and the other chose to abandon me. I suddenly wondered if Laurent would abandon me some day so he could focus on Irena. The words he spoke to me last night made me think perhaps I would be the one to out grow him first. Obviously, I wasn't confident enough to strike out on my own yet, because I still wasn't sure how different I would be once there wasn't anything human left of me, but when I was able to control myself, I knew I would leave Laurent behind and I wouldn't look back. For now, Laurent and Irena brought comfort to the constant pain I carried around in my chest. Now I just had to hope that I wouldn't turn into a blood thirsty monster when I finished my transformation. Hours passed by quickly; while I was lost inside my head and all too soon I realized I should be heading back to the house. As I jumped down to the ground I caught a familiar scent at the base of my tree. Felix had been here again. His scent was faded, but he must have been there within the last 24 hours. My first impressions of him were mixed. He was the first vampire I had met since becoming part vampire myself. I hadn't mentioned the encounter to anyone else, because I had no reason to believe we would cross paths again. But now it seemed that Felix had other ideas about running into me again. I worried briefly that he might still feel the need to attack me because I still smelled partly human, but he hadn't tried anything the first time so I decided I should be safe. My heart is still beating despite the sudden attacks I seem to be experiencing occasionally. It feels like a weight is pressing on my chest restricting me from breathing while my heart throbs frantically and liquid fire races through my veins. I hadn't let Laurent see me when I had such an attack like the first one after I used my shield for the first time. I think he caught on though that I was still having them. He seemed to be patiently waiting for my transformation to finish. I rarely slept now, but I welcomed it when I could because it meant a few hours of escape. I walked at a humans pace toward the house debating on what my response to Felix would be the next time I saw him. I know what Irena would say…she only talked about me finding me a mate every other day. Sometimes I wondered if she still considered me a threat the way she would go on. Needless to say I already knew I had found my soul mate and lost him, along with most of my soul. As far as I knew vampire's never find another like that. Then again I think she just wanted to see me happy so she could feel like a good mother. Either way I wasn't opposed to being happy, I just knew there wasn't anything better than the mirage that was Edward and his family that was before my birthday of course.

When I entered the house Irena gave me 4.8 seconds to get settled in before she came flying downstairs telling me I needed to get ready. I laughed as she threw Laurent's clothes at him, but the laughing stopped when she forced me into a chair in front of a mirror that probably had every hair torture device known to man laid out before it. I cringed taking in the sight and then it was Laurent's turn to laugh. I tried to go to my happy place while Irena went to work, but her constant muttering kept breaking my perfect recollection of Wuthering Heights from playing through my head. When she stepped away from me, I gazed at the woman in the mirror. Her hair was gracefully piled on top of her head with subtle hints of rhinestone hairpins delicately woven throughout. Soft brown curls cascaded down around her face and then trailed down her back and the nape of her neck. She was beautiful and reminded me of something in fairy tales. I had to blink a number of times before I allowed myself to accept the reflection as my own. Irena placed a magnificent gold and champaign dress in front of me (I imagined Sophie's dress like the one Kiera Knightly wore in The Duchess). I stepped into it quickly and turned for her to tie and fasten the back. I took a moment to panic when I looked down at my dress and the cuffs, concealing my arms. Luckily, Irena handed me elbow length gloves that matched my dress, which I quickly slid up my arms while Irena was too distracted to notice my scars. Laurent looked very French in his ruffled shirt and coat tails. Irena had also managed to find herself a dress to match the exact color in Laurent's shirt.

"Okay my lovelies, are we ready?" Laurent asked before extending an arm to Irena and then to me. I took Laurent's arm and smiled to Irena. Laurent had splurged a few days ago and got the most expensive luxury sedan he could find with deeply tinted glass, which Laurent hinted would come in handy if we partied till dawn. The drive to the Louvre Museum was quick as can be expected with a vampire driving. When Laurent pulled up, valet's assisted Irena and I out of the vehicle, turning more than a few heads. The other guests' costumes were brilliantly colored mixed with classic pale shades as well. Our attire matched perfectly with the rest of the guests and I couldn't help but smile. I briefly wondered if Laurent would be able to control himself, but one look at him with Irena on his arm, told me he could handle anything as long as he had her to steady him. The music swelled as we were greeted into the ballroom; the attendant hardly looked at the names on the tickets as Irena winked at him. The ballroom was a masterpiece from the parquet floors to the pillowing silk and chiffon panels that adorned the fifty foot ceilings. The whole scene was breathtaking…I really felt as though I were at an 18th Century ball. Some people had masks decorated in feather and sequins and others were more subtle. My mask was a basic antique white with gold rhinestone on the edges and only covered my eyes resting on the bridge of my nose.

I watched Laurent twirl Irena onto the dance floor as they gazed into each others eyes. It was hard to watch such a private exchange that I turned my attention to the humans around me. Almost all of the men within a fifteen foot radius of me was staring and even a few women. I was surprised how easily I referred to the humans with disgust, as I started to move away from the on lookers. Suddenly though I felt a cold tap me on my shoulder and a voice I hadn't forgotten.

"May I have this dance?" said Felix. I turned and gawked at his piercing red eyes as he smiled at me. It probably took me more than a minute to gather my composure enough to take his out stretched hand. I looked at him amazed that he would even step foot into a room full of humans, but he seemed comfortable.

"Are you sure you can handle this?" I whispered as we walked to the dance floor.

"It's not without difficulty, but I hunted before coming in to find you" Felix smirked. I didn't know what to think or feel or say even. I hadn't even had time to worry about who I would dance with when I got here, before my tall knight showed up in a long black cloak. Felix effortlessly spun me around the dance floor and I even saw Irena with her mouth hanging open when she caught sight of us. Laurent did not look happy, but he didn't try to interrupt us. The harsh ruby red color of his eyes had been unnerving the first time I met him, but now they didn't seem as treacherous. For the longest time we just danced without speaking, my eyes would scan the room and then fall back on Felix who seemed to never look away from me.

"You are the most beautiful creature I have ever seen" he said as I rest my head on his shoulder. My breath caught at the significance of his words…Felix was definitely attracted to me, which explained his appearance here.

"Are you stalking me now?" I asked him.

"I had to see you again and when I went to the spot where we met I followed your trail back to the house in time to see you leave. After that I just had to see where you were going and then when I realized you had no one to dance with, so I stepped in" he said as his arms tightened around me.

"You don't even know me" I told him as I fidgeted. I wasn't sure how to process what he was saying. I saw Irena grinning like a fool at me from across the room and I looked back at Felix.

"I want to get to know you, if you will let me. Would you like to go for a walk and get some fresh air?" Felix shifted uncomfortably while eyeing the humans around us. I agreed, because it seemed clear that he was about to reach his breaking point. Felix led me outside with his hand on the small of my back and visibly calmed as the fresh air hit us. I removed my mask as we stepped outside.

"Sorry, I just needed to clear my head. How can you stand to be near so many when you are so young?" he questioned.

"I am just special that way, I guess.

"I suppose so," he said as he stared at me. The intensity of his eyes made me turn away and start to walk along the sidewalk. "I was your parents, their eyes are golden, are they animal drinkers?"

"Yes, we are" I told him with all seriousness.

"Oh, I have met one of your kind before. It was a long time ago, but he too drank only from animals. I wasn't aware there were more who followed that way."

"There are a few of us that chose it. Are you a member of the Volturi guard?"

"Yes" Felix said with pride.

"Tell me about them"

"Well, they are like royalty. They are the most powerful vampires in the world and it is their job to watch over all vampires to make sure our secret is safe. I have served the Volturi for a long time now."

"And where do they think you are now?"

"I do as I please with my own time. I would love to show you the castle and Aro is very interested to meet you."

"You told him about me?! Why?" I asked in a whisper.

"I have no secrets from them Sophie. They are just curious about the woman who has captured my attention. You have done nothing wrong; they would just like to meet you. Come with me, I promise you won't be disappointed" Felix said as he held both of my hands in his.

"Do I really have a choice?" I asked.

"It would be very bad manners to refuse them. You have nothing to be scared of, would it help if I hold your hand the whole time?" his eyes pleaded.

"What if I smell too human to them?" I countered.

"Non-sense, they would not hurt you, plus you smell more vampire than anything else and it gets stronger every time I see you, now come" Felix said as he took my hand and we ran. I was scared, I didn't know what to expect from these vampires. I had a feeling Laurent would not be pleased to know I walked right into Volterra after his warning of how they collect powers. I wondered briefly what powers they may possess, but knowing I had my shield at my disposal I agreed with Felix when he said that declining their invitation would be bad manners. Felix kept my pace as we ran through the night. We entered the city in less time than I had anticipated and I was surprised how close I had been to Volterra all this time without knowing. Finally, we entered a brick building and Felix led me down a long corridor before opened an iron gate. Once threw the gate we wander down another long hall before entering the castle through a back way. True to his word Felix held my hand tightly as we came up to a glass door where a receptionist greeted us. I did a double take looking at the woman behind the desk, before I was sure she was human. I carefully locked that information away for later consideration as Felix led me deeper into the castle. At the end of the hall, were two very large ornate wooden doors with hints of iron worked into them. Felix turned to look at me when we reached the door.

"Are you ready?" he asked. I was so scared; I just nodded hoping he couldn't see threw me. "They will adore you" he said quickly before placing a kiss on my cheek and opening the door. I tried to compose my expression, but was quickly awed by the décor and the three figures lounging in chairs fit for kings at the head of the room. Before me were the same vampires from the painting that used to hang in Carlisle's study back in Forks. Realizing this information seemed to grant me some courage, because I straightened up and walked straight toward them with Felix at my side. Deciding to keep with my attire I released Felix's hand and curtsied before his masters. Aro was on his feet immediately at my show of respect and quickly took my hand.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Sophie, I am glad Felix has decided to share you with us tonight. I am Aro and these are my brothers Caius and Marcus, but please I have asked Felix to invite you here tonight so that we may learn more about you."

"What is it that you would like to know?" I asked. He certainly seemed to be very curious about what little Felix was able to tell him about me.

"Well as you can imagine I was very surprised to hear you still have human qualities. I would like to hear about your creation and about you're… family."

"My father was interrupted when he bit me, so his theory is that only a small amount of his venom was passed to me. Thus I seem to be changing quite slowly, but always progressing. My father's name is Laurent whom I believe you have met before and my mother Irena is from a coven in the US." As I spoke, Aro listened intently and then came forward extending a hand to Felix. Felix took his hand without hesitation, but I got the feeling I was missing something. Aro looked intently at me as he released Felix's hand.

"You and your family are animal drinkers. What made you choose that way of life?" Aro asked. I was shocked that he posed such a question, but now the gesture between Felix and Aro seemed to be explained. Felix noticed my confusion and spoke.

"Aro has an amazing talent, which allows him to hear my thoughts when he touches me. He knows of your family through the conversation we had earlier" Felix said.

"Sophie, may I?" Aro asked extending his hand to me. Realizing what he wanted I smiled internally, nearly positive that his gift would not work on me as Edward's had not worked. As Aro reached out for my gloved hand I knew I did not want him to see my scars, so I took his hand and placed it on my cheek much to his surprise at first. Aro smiled as he took my face in both his hands, but then the smile faded.

"I see nothing" he said as he tried to conceal his frustration. "Sophie, did you know that you have a gift?" Aro asked.

"No, not for sure. I have met one other vampire who had a special talent whom said his gift did not work on me, but I had considered it a fluke until now" I told him with as much sincerity as I could portray.

"This is very intriguing, Demetri would you ask Jane to join us?"

"Yes, master" responded Demetri. Felix looked from me and then to Aro with fear in his eyes.

"Relax Felix, if I am right she will not be harmed" Aro stated. A moment later a small girl cloaked in black entered the room. She couldn't have been anymore than thirteen or fourteen years old at the time of her change.

"You called, master" Jane said.

"Yes, Jane it would seem that my new friend Sophie seems to be immune from my gift, would you see if she is immune to you as well?" Aro asked.

"It would be my pleasure, master. This may hurt a little" Jane said as her piercing red eyes focused on me. Felix watched with guard confusion from Jane and then to me. I felt nothing as I looked between Jane and then Aro.

"Exceptional, she is immune to us all" Aro laughed. "My child you have an amazing talent, is there any way I could persuade you to join us?"

"I am flattered, but my place is with my family. Thank you for the offer, but I am afraid I can't stay. My family and I are supposed to travel to the US tonight to spend time with my mother's sisters" I said nervously.

"The offer still stands should you chose to change your mind, Sophie and please do come back and visit with us again. I would love to see how you develop your talent once you have completed the change" with that Aro kissed my hand goodbye and Felix led me from the room. Neither Felix nor I spoke while we traveled toward my home. We reached the marsh lands just as the sun was coming up.

"He was very impressed with you, Sophie. You should be honored and I was so proud of how brave you were" Felix told me as we came to a stop. "Are you sure you have to leave tonight for the US?"

"Yes, I promised my mother we could go right after the ball was over" I told him. He sounded so upset that I was leaving, it reminded me of when me of when Edward would leave me for a few days to hunt with his brothers.

"How long will you be gone?" he asked quietly.

"I don't know, maybe a long time." Clearly, his feelings ran deeper for me than I thought, but I didn't know what I felt for him. I knew I didn't love him, but I did enjoy his company. He needed to know the truth…that I was broken. I

"Do you have a phone so that I may call you?"

"Felix, I had fun tonight, but I am broken…you don't want me. I already met my mate and lost him, I could never love another like that. You deserve someone who is whole and I can't be that for you."

"Sophie, I know that my feelings run deeper for you and yours do for me, but I don't care. If you have truly lost your mate, then you need to move on and I can be that one for you. I can help you find passion again. But enough of this let us hunt. Your need must be great since you are so young yet." I was rather hungry so I let Felix lead me further into the marsh. I caught the scent of some wild bulls and shot after them. Felix made a face at the scent. "Meet me at the tree when you are finished, I think I can find something that smells better than that."

I let Felix go without complaint; I wasn't about to tell him to change his diet for me. I really wasn't that hungry, so I took down one bull and then headed for the tree. When I arrived, I quickly took to my branch and waited. I don't know how far Felix would have gone to find a better meal, but it may have been far. Minutes later I could hear someone approaching, the minute I saw Felix I jumped down from my branch. I crouched as my feet touched the ground and when I looked up to stand up straight Felix was nearly on top of me, standing mere inches from my face.

"Sophie" Felix whispered as his breathe consumed my senses. His breathe was intoxicatingly sweet, different from the last time. My throat suddenly recognized why his breathe was so much more potent than before. The scent of fresh human blood was still on his lips as his face inched ever so closely to mine. Suddenly, I couldn't contain my body as I propelled myself the last inch and crashed into Felix's lips as I closed my eyes. I was almost wild in my attempt to scour his mouth for the last remnants of blood. My body was screaming out of more blood and I growled into his mouth when I couldn't find any more. Felix groaned as he lifted me up to his height and pressed my body against the tree. His lips moved expertly beneath mine as I started to realize my hasty actions. His cool hands massaged my back as we continued to kiss slowly now. The way Felix made small circles with his hands and the sensation of kissing another, made my eyes pop open as memories of Edward flooded my mind. My heart and my head finally caught up with the rest of my body and I pushed Felix away. I dropped to the ground gasping for air as a single tear slid down my face. Felix had also wound up on the ground, but the sight of my tear had him at my side in a heartbeat.

"Did I hurt you?! I'm sorry, Sophie, I'm sorry."

"No, I am fine. I am not physically hurt. It was just the first time I kissed someone since…" I didn't have to finish my sentence for him to know who I was talking about. Although I suddenly thought of when Laurent kissed me, but this was different…I had wanted to kiss Felix. "I have to go, before my family comes looking for me." I told him my phone number before running off and leaving Felix at my tree. I didn't slow down a single beat as I sped towards home. I burst through the front door, slamming it and then slide down it to the floor. Laurent and Irena came barreling down the stairs not a second later.

"Sophie! Do you have any idea who that was? Where did you go with him?" Laurent demanded.

"We didn't know where to find you, Sophie. We were so worried they may try to keep you!" Irena yelled.

"I'm sorry and they didn't keep me so everything is fine" I told them.

"They?!? I want to know everything now!" Laurent screamed. I went into the abridged version about having met Felix before and my brief visit with Aro in Volterra, editing out the kissing and the human blood consuming on my part at the end. When Laurent was done yelling at me about how stupid I was, and how I could have ruined everything, he stalked off. Irena stayed behind, sitting on the staircase.

"Do you like him?" she asked.

"I don't know…" I said staring at my feet.

"Was he a good kisser?" she asked. I looked up at her to see a grin spread across her face.

"Yes" I said as I covered my face with my hands.

"I knew it! He is pretty handsome, but do you think he would be able to leave the guard though if you wanted to be together. I can't see you joining them although I am sure they would love to have your gift in their arsenal" Irena babbled on.

"Mom, I don't know if I like him that way" I groaned.

"Well then I guess its good we are leaving today. Maybe time apart will help you decide, come on I will help you pack" Irena smiled as she pulled me from the floor.

Well the holidays are approaching quickly and with that in mind, I am going to be pretty busy. I may not have time to update next weekend but I will definitely have another chapter up by Christmas. Please read and review! Roastedheart I tried to be more descriptive just for you! Thanks! I also want to thank bornagoof and gabby871 for reviewing, your suggestions and support count!

bornagoof