A/N: Yes it's a really short chapter… I'm evil I know ;) More to come soon I promise :)

It really is short for a reason I promise…

Chapter 9- The Volturi

Alec was the first one to speak up. The semi-circle of vampires standing around me all looked on with their cold crimson eyes as I was gently shoved nearer to whom I presumed was Aro.

"Master Aro, this human, called Bella, approached us at the bank. She looked at us fearlessly, and with understanding. She told us that she knew what we were and asked to see you, Caius and Marcus. I can smell other vampires on her. Jane and I thought it best to bring her to the council," Alec told him. Aro took a step forward and reached for Alec's hand, which confused me.

"So, she knows of us, but hasn't divulged the identities of the vampires who've broken the law," Aro noted. He released Alec's hand, and then motioned for him to continue.

"While in the reception area, I felt something in her stomach kick me with such strength that I knew there was much more going on here than a human who knew too much," said Alec swiftly, with a tone of remorse, and obvious discomfort. Alec looked at me apologetically for a moment, and then turned back to face his masters.

Wordlessly, Aro grabbed the hands of the two other members of the council. After another moment, he let go and almost froze in place. Then, just as suddenly, he glided across the short distance separating us and silently grasped my hand. His skin was like Eleazar's, the same powdery-like finish and the clouded-over eyes. His skin felt different from any other vampire I had touched and I was motionless with fear and nerves. After a moment, Aro's expression went from one that was passive with a slight hint of amusement to one of frustration. After a few more seconds, Aro let my hand go with a look of frustration clear on his ancient face.

Suddenly Aro half growled out at the other two, "I can't read her mind. She is unique. Was she immune to you as well, Alec?"

Alec nodded and said, "Master, I tried to use my power to blind her while we came here, but my power didn't work on her either. Jane's was also ineffective."

Unable to help myself, a small smile broke out over my face as I saw the small girl scowling fiercely.

Aro was back in front of me in a flash, almost screaming, "You knew our powers wouldn't work on you?"

I stepped back involuntarily, trying to keep my fear from showing.

Aro then softened his expression and looked at me with greater interest, taking a moment to pause before he spoke again, this time using a gentle and calm voice, "I am sorry my dear, you have truly surprised me and that is extremely rare for someone of my kind. For me, especially, this is doubly true. I can read minds through touch, you see, however your mind is completely hidden from me."

He looked at me expectantly. I took a few breaths, trying to will myself to calm down.

Finally, I whispered, "I didn't know that you had a power or that you wouldn't be able to use it against me. I only have met four vampires with extra powers, however all but one of them were able to use their powers with me. However, I believe I have an explanation for that. Someone I met was able to tell what powers another vampire would have. He told me that I was a mental shield and that it was rare for a human to have such a clear manifestation of their power. He said if I were a vampire, I would have a very strong gift."

Aro looked at me with a puzzled expression. He again reached for the hands of the other two members of the Volturi.

After a moment, he smiled and addressed me again, "You have met Eleazar then. Tell me, how is my good friend?"

I blushed and mumbled, "He is well. He and his mate Carmen are very kind and were extremely helpful to me. They lead me to you unknowingly. However, that is all I wish to say about my acquaintances in your world."

Aro looked at me long and hard for a moment and then said, "Well, now we have come to the heart of the matter. You told Jane and Alec to bring you to us. What is it that you want from the Volturi, child?"

Aro and Caius looked down at me with obvious interest. Marcus however looked at me with a passive, bored expression that seemed to be permanently plastered on his face. It was now or never and I needed to be brave for my child.

I drew in a deep breath, looked up at them with as brave an expression as I could manage, and said, "I am pregnant. The child I carry is not an ordinary child. The father of my baby is a vampire, and was one when the baby was conceived. I knew exactly what he was but I loved him. I love him still. The baby is developing at an astonishing rate, and is beginning to leave bruises on my stomach. I have no idea what to do, or how to handle this. I need help for me and my child."

When I finished my short speech, I looked up at the Volturi council, and then stepped back in confusion. All three of them looked down at me with shock and amazement. I looked around the room, and saw all the vampires that it contained staring at me, frozen in place.

The silent motionlessness lasted for what seemed like an eternity. Then Aro grabbed the hands of the men on either side of him and froze again. I could no longer stand on the cold hard stone. My back was killing me, as were my feet. Finally, when I allowed myself to sink to the floor, the vampires around me began to move again. Wordlessly, Alec came up behind me and picked me up off the floor. He drew a chair away from the wall and gently placed me in it, like I was made of the most fragile blown glass and I would break under the slightest pressure. Once Aro noticed Alec's movements, he began to smile at me with the look of a loving father. For some reason, this expression made me even less comfortable.

Aro drew in a large breath slowly and then finally said, "Bella, we will help you. This is an amazing era of new possibilities for us. We never knew such a thing was possible. You, my dear, have brought us a hope that we could have never dreamed of. You will be taken care of, and provided for. We do not know what to do yet, but we will find out, my dear. Alec? Can you make sure that she gets settled in a tower suite?"

Alec smiled and ushered me out of the room as Jane watched me walk away with disgust. I breathed a sigh of relief as I was led away from the council. They were going to help my baby. They were going to help me. Volterra was my new home.

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