I have some important announcements:

First and Foremost – I have a new fic out. I was going to wait until I finished this one first but the ideas for the other one were swimming around in my mind and were driving me crazy. I just had to start writing it down. And then when I started writing it down I couldn't resist posting it up now. Hah. So my new fic is called 'Domino Effect' Here is the summary.

Domino Effect:

New Moon AU. What if Jasper bit Bella at her 18th Birthday party? And what dark secret has Jasper been keeping from the rest of the family? He tells all as his relationship with Bella grows. Not a Jasper/Bella love fic. (More like father/daughter bond)

I got the idea from a challenge that was posted on a twilighted thread. If you want the link to the thread let me know and I'll give it to you.

Second – It was brought to my attention last night that I should consider having a Beta for my stories. Now at first I never really cared to have one. But I think it might be a good idea. I'm not sure how to go about getting one either. So I'm asking anyone who is interested, let me know. =)

Thirdly – I have another story bouncing around in my mind. It would be a Reneesmee/Jaccob/Nahuel Fic. I'm not too sure if I should do it…but I'm going to put up a poll and see if you guys think I should try my hand at that type of Post BD fic.

In Final news- I have updated my profile. I used to have a crap load of links on all the pictures for my fics and now it just has my intro and 2 links. The links are for 2 new blogs I have made for Another Chance and Amor Fati. It took me a long time to do them, so I hope you guys check them out. The Amor Fati one has a complete archive of all the entries I mentioned of Didyme's journal, pictures for my previous chapters, character profiles (still under construction), Pictures of what my characters look like, and I hope to put in much more. If you guys have any suggestions on what else could go on there then just let me know. My Another Chance one is pretty much set up like the other. But on that one I'm also posting up all the extras on there.

Thanks if you read this ridiculously long AN. I love you all for taking the time to read this, even if you read the chapter first and then came back to read this. lol

So here ya go, Chapter 10:

Italics - Others Thoughts

Bold/Italicized - Bella's Projected thoughts

Lights! Camera! …Read!


"Why didn't the venom in him just take away his sleeping?" Emmett whined from downstairs.

"Jeeze, Emm. Chill out." Jasper said.

"But I want to open presents already!" he pouted.

I suppressed a laugh.

Emmett could be such a kid sometimes.

"Emmett, it's only 7am. Have patience. It's not like you're going to grow any older." Carlisle joked.

Emmett huffed and I heard the thud of throwing himself onto the couch.

"Hey, maybe Bella should wake him up!" Emmett declared.

"Damn it Emmett, your anxiousness is driving me mad!" Jasper growled.

I could sympathize with Emmett, I was pretty excited too.

I couldn't wait to give Edward his ring.

"Don't worry Emmett. Bella is about to wake him up right now." Alice whispered.

"Am I now?" I asked in a loud whisper.

"Yep!" She giggled.

"Well, I guess 8 hours of sleep should be enough." I smiled.

"Sweet!" Emmett cheered. "Bella, you're so my favorite little sister!"

"Emm, I'm more than twice your age…" I teased.

"Not physically…" he mumbled. "Oh well you're still my favorite sister!"

"And you're my favorite big brother, Emm." I laughed.

I tilted my head up to look upon the face of the sleeping Angel underneath me.

I kissed my way up his bare chest.

I could hear his heartbeat begin to speed up.

I placed a kiss underneath his jaw.

His breathing hitched.

I kissed hiss cheek…his eye lids…his nose.

His breathing sped up as I hovered over his lips.

I kissed them once, twice…the third time I felt his lips twitch into a smile.

His eyes fluttered open and the familiar swell in my still heart once again filled me with joy.

"Happy Christmas." I whispered.

His bright green eyes, still full of sleep, bore into mine.

His gaze held as much love as they had a year ago.

"Happy anniversary." He whispered back.

I grinned and kissed his lips once more.

I would never tire of kissing him.

He always takes my breath away in each searing kiss.

As do you, love.

I smiled and was about to kiss him again but the ever impatient Emmett interrupted.

"Come on guys! We've been waiting for hours!"

I rolled my eyes and Edward chuckled.

"You k now…" Edward's fingers caressed my bare shoulder as he spoke. "You should wake me up like this more often."

"I'll keep that in mind." I laughed.

He cupped my cheek with his hand and I turned my head to place a small kiss on his palm.

"Let's get dressed and go downstairs before Emmett's head explodes from all the excitement." He laughed and sat up in bed with me still in his arms.

He kissed the top of my head and breathed in deep, taking in my scent. I did the same as I nuzzled into his chest.

"Alright!" Emmett yelled. "Hurry up and get down here already!"

I jumped out of bed and gathered my clothes to dress in something less risqué and more family friendly.

I was only wearing one of Edward's shirts and a pair of boy shorts. It was my usual sleepwear attire. Edward usually just slept in boxers. Or nothing at all…

I quite liked the latter.

I felt a breeze then warm arms wrapped around me.

My breathing caught as Edward's nose trailed up my neck and to my ear.

"I love you in the latter is well." He whispered.

I bit my lip and turned to embrace him, but he whipped around and went into the closet before I could hold on to him.

Tease! I growled playfully.

He chuckled and walked out of the closet fully clothed.

I quickly put on a pair of jeans and slipped on my flip-flops. I buttoned up Edward's shirt and picked up my hair in a pony tail. I gave myself a once over in the full length mirror and nodded.

This will do.

Alice wouldn't approve, but I'm sure she will be dragging me off later today for a full on Bella Barbie makeover.

Edward took my hand and we walked downstairs.

Everyone was gathered around the huge Christmas tree in the living room. Esme and Carlisle were bundled up together on the loveseat. Alice was sitting on the couch with Rose. Jasper sat on the floor, right by Alice. And of course, Emmett being Emmett was sprawled across the floor in front of the mountain of gifts under the brightly lit tree.

"Finally! You guys are so slow. If I didn't know any better I'd think you were human!"

"Lame." Jasper mumbled under his breath.

"So! Who wants to open presents?" Alice jumped up and walked over to the tree. "We already know Emmett does." She rolled her eyes at Emmett's hand waving uncontrollably in front of her face.

"I vote Emmett to be the last one to open his gifts, for his impatience." I smirked.

"Bel–la!" Emmett cried. His mouth was gaped open.

"Sheesh, Emm I was only joking. Open mine first!" I laughed.

In a split second the wrapping paper of his present was off and his eyes bugged out from his head.

"Dude! No effin' way!"

He rushed over and gave me a bone-crushing, side-splitting hug.

"Emmett. Can't…Breathe!"

He laughed and let me go.

"Damn Bella, how did you even get this? It's not even supposed to be out for another year!"

I had given him the new installment of his favorite video game franchise, Call of Duty 5.

I shrugged.

"I have a friend that works for Activision who tests out new video games long before they're even out."

"That's awesome!"

"Well that's only half of your gift…" I started.

His eyes widened and he was bouncing up in excitement.

"Well I was able to pull a few strings and I got you a job with Activision. They'll be shipping you exclusive video games to beta and you'll just have to tell them what you thought about it. Of course, you get to keep all the demos they give you too." I smiled.

"Bella you are definitely my favorite sister!" He grinned.

The rest of us opened each others gifts.

Alice, as excepted, bought everyone new clothes and bought me a new charm to go on the bracelet Edward had given me last year. It was a charm of a small musical staff with notes on it.

I had three other new charms already since last year. Edward had bought me a sun charm when we visited San Remo. He also gave me two others for my recent birthday. A lion charm and a lamb charm. He said they represented us. He claims the lion is him and I am the lamb. Although I still think I'm more of the lion in the relationship.

I waited until all the other gifts were opened to give Edward my gift, he had done the same.

One by one the rest of the family filed out of the living room to give us some privacy.

Edward retrieved my gift from under the Christmas tree and handed it to me.

I opened it slowly, savoring the moment.

I gasped as I opened the small wrapped box.

"Edward…it's beautiful."

Inside was a necklace, hanging from it was a large ruby heart pendant with intricate designs on it. ***

What really caught my interest was a tine vile like object sealed inside of the pendant.

"The vile contains a few drops of my blood. The guy who I had make it thought I was insane." He laughed. He took the necklace and placed it around my neck. His hand came around and he held the pendant in his hand. "I figure when ever you're feeling lonely while I'm at school, or for what ever reason we're separated, you'll always have my scent around your neck to keep you company until you're in my arms once again." He smiled.

I kissed him and held him tight.

When I pulled away I picked up his gift and opened it myself.

I opened up the velvet box and held it out for him.

"You like it?" I asked timidly.

He grinned and took the ring out of the box.

"I love it." He leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss on my lips.

He took a closer look at it and read the engraving.

"Yes, forever." He said out loud.

He looked up to catch my gaze.

"I love you." He said.

"I love you too." I smiled.

I took the ring from him and slipped it on his ring finger.

I laced our fingers together, both of our rings shined in the light.

"One step closer to becoming my husband." I whispered.

"I can't' wait." He grinned.


"This blows! It feels like it was just yesterday you got here!" Emmett pouted.

"I know, they days just few by." I frowned. "What blows is us having to go back to that damn castle again."

Edward's grip tightened around my waist to try and comfort me.

"We will miss you." Esme came up to hug us farewell.

Alice kissed my cheek and then Edward's.

The rest of the family said their goodbyes and then we were back off to Volterra.

In much less time than I'd hope, we were back. And in much expected Volturi fashion, Aro had assembled the guard to greet us all in the great hall for our return. There was a new face among the guard though. He seemed familiar in some way, but he was a complete stranger to me.

"Isabella, Edward this is Laurent. He joined the guard a few days after your departure."

Edward's brows furrowed.

What's wrong?

I have a bad feeling about this guy.

I looked over at Laurent. He didn't seem so bad.

He was tall with short black hair, medium build with crimson eyes.

His thoughts are not blocked from me.

Weird, most of the Volturi always have their minds blocked from us.

Exactly.

I reached out to Laurent's mind.

She's exquisite. Aro's description of her did not give her justice. Lovely…

"Isabella," Aro started. "Laurent would like to get to know you a little better. I have arranged for you both to have the gardens to yourselves."

Edward's chest was building up a growl.

Calm yourself Edward.

"No offense, Laurent but we have just arrived and must settle in first. Perhaps we can reschedule for another time." I offered.

"None taken. I can wait as long as you please. I have nothing but time." His voice had a slight accent. I couldn't quite place where he was from but it sounded somewhat Spaniard.

I nodded and then turned to Aro.

"We'll be in our room for the rest of the day. We shall catch up later."

Aro smiled and nodded.

I took Edward's hand in mine and tugged him along with me towards our room.

Bella.

I turned my head slightly so Edward would know I was listening.

I was able to read Laurent's mind. Why wouldn't the Volturi have his mind blocked as well? They have the rest of the guard, apart from Bethany and Demetri, blocked from us…why not Laurent too?

I don't know, maybe they just don't have a reason to block him from us just yet.

We reached our room and started to put all of our things away.

After a few minutes we were done and everything was back in its place.

"Bethany is calling for you in her mind, love."

I nodded and kissed his cheek before walking over to Bethany's room. I knocked and was immediately jumped by her. I laughed and hugged my oldest and dearest friend.

"Come, let's talk." She said as she took my hand and led us inside to sit on a couch.

"So tell me how your holiday went." She said with a grin.

"It was amazing. I love spending time with my family. I finally bought Edward's wedding ring too!" I smiled.

"Aw, have you set a date yet?"

I frowned.

"No, not yet."

She nodded in understanding.

"Ella…there's something I have to tell you about." she started. "I'm worried. I can't help but feel that something big is going on, but I don't know what it is. Aro didn't tell you about Laurent's gift and that's just something else to add to my list of suspicions…" she whispered.

Huh, I wonder why Aro didn't say anything about his gift. Usually he would boast about any gift a new member possessed.

I had a feeling this would be a conversation I wouldn't want Edward to know about so I quickly blocked both of our thoughts.

"What is his gift?" I asked.

"His scent carried the essence of controlling one's movement. I was ordered by Aro to start training him the same day he arrived. In our first lesson we figured out that he had the ability to make anyone immobile. As the training continued we found out some more disturbing sides to his gift. He can manipulate a person's limbs and bodily functions in to doing anything he pleases or rip them apart at will. He could shatter a vampire's bones using only his thoughts and it takes days of painful healing for them to mend."

I gasped.

My memory pulled at one of Didyme's journal entries.

The girl from her visions seemed to have that exact power.

Could one of her changes in her last vision have been that the girl would actually be a guy now instead?

That the powers this vampire would posses were much stronger than she had thought before?

Could Laurent really be one of the vampires from Didyme's visions?

"But the most dangerous part of his gift that we've discovered is he is able to make human blood run through the veins of a vampire after consumption." She continued.

I furrowed my brows.

"How is that the most dangerous?" I asked.

"The vampires that we experimented on seem to become stronger with human blood running through their veins. If they have a gift, it would become more potent as well."

Fuck.

This is not good at all.

This vampire could cause so much damage.

With Laurent's gift, Aro would be able to make his guard much more powerful and virtually indestructible, even by vampire standards.

The look of panic must have been showing in my face because Bethany took my hand and rubbed soothing circles over my knuckles.

"So you see why I have been so worried. His aura is very bright, not as bright as yours but he is still extremely powerful, Bella. He's Aro's new pet, and with Laurent under his wing, there is nothing that could stop him from being in complete control of everything and anything." Her voice cracked and she squeezed my hand. "Not even you could stop him."

"What do you mean?"

"Because even with all of your powers, if Aro were to give a command for Laurent to kill you, you wouldn't be able to stop his gift from harming you."

"But he manipulates with thoughts, right? I could just shield my mind. He wouldn't be able to control me."

"It doesn't work. Aro had Benji sit in our session a few days ago to see if Laurent was able to control him…"

"Oh god, is Benji alright?" I asked panicked.

"Benji isn't immune to Laurent's powers. Laurent crushed most of his bones in our last session. Oh, Ella it was horrible." She sobbed. "Poor Benji was screaming in agony and there was nothing I could do to help him…"

I took her in my arms and rubbed her back.

"Is he ok now though?" I asked.

"Barely. He's full of scars and his bones are still not all completely mended. He hasn't left his room since it happened…"

"I'll go see him later and make sure he's ok." I said.

She nodded and sat back up.

"So you said that you had some suspicions about things that might be going on, what else have you seen?" I asked her.

"Not much, but isn't it odd that so many vampires have been joining the guard lately? In the last few years we've had more people join than we have had in the last three centuries. It's quite unnerving. Especially when most of them just happen to have powerful gifts…" she whispered.

I thought over her words.

It was true.

The guard has nearly doubled in size within the last few years.

It can't just be coincidence that most of them have impressive and powerful gifts.

Realization hit me like a ton of brinks.

It isn't just coincidence. Aro knew exactly what he was doing.

He was searching.

He was looking for them, the girl and boy from Didyme's visions. Didyme practically warned me about this and I failed to take it into consideration. His intentions since the first vision she had, had been to find them and use them at his will.

And now he's found one of them.

"Ella, you must be careful. With this new guy here, I can't help but feel like you're in grave danger. You know how paranoid Aro is of you and your gifts. If you give him any reason to doubt your loyalty he won't hesitate to find you guilty of some sort of crime and kill you. Please, Ella. Please be careful." She begged.

I could only nod. I wasn't purposely going to try and aggravate Aro or anything of the sort, but I knew, now more than ever, I had to keep my guard up tenfold.

"I'm going to go see Benji. I'll come back around later, ok?"

She smiled and nodded. We stood up and she followed me out the door. She went towards Demetri's room and I went to the elevator.

I searched for Edward's mind and projected my voice.

I'll be back in a little bit. I need to speak with Benji. Don't wait up. It's late, you should sleep.

Ok, love. But hurry back. I'd much rather fall asleep with you by my side.

Alright, I'll try.

I went up to the guard's quarters and walked to Benji's door. I knocked twice.

"It's open, come in."

I opened the door and tried to keep my emotions and reactions in check.

Benji was sitting on a chair in the far corner of his room. His arm was bent at an odd angle and his skin was full of scars and gashes. I can't believe Aro would let this happen to him, especially when they value his gift so much.

"May I sit and talk with you for a bit?" I asked.

He nodded and motioned to the chair opposite of him. I took a seat quietly and placed my hands on the table between us. There was a beautiful glass chess set sitting on top of it.

"Care for a game?" he asked.

"Sure." I smiled.

For a few minutes we played in silence.

"Check."

"Damn, I suck at this game." I laughed. I moved my piece to avoid his.

Just so you know, Bella, I've always been on your side.

My jaw dropped and Benji chuckled.

Yes, I know you can read my mind. I'm allowing you to for the time being.

But…how? And what do you mean you've always been by my side?

I am able to let my shield down, but only for a few moments at a time. Aro doesn't know that though, nor will he ever know. And I meant that I am always here for you, Bella. I owe you so much. If it wasn't for you, I'd still be a prisoner of Amun.

If it wasn't for me you wouldn't be stuck here in the Volturi…

That was my own choice, Bella. A choice that I would take back if I could.

Then leave, they can't keep you here against your will.

It's not that easy anymore.

I frowned. I knew what he meant. Once you're sucked into the world of the Volturi it's difficult to leave with no strings attached. I for example, even though I was able to leave the Volturi, Aro still always watched over me. And in the end, I ended back here anyways.

Don't blame yourself. It'll all work out eventually. Just live one day at a time.

"Check mate."

Cheater, you totally distracted me.

He laughed but then doubled over in pain and clutched at his ribs. I quickly rushed to his side.

"Damn, he really did a number on you didn't he?"

"I'll be fine…" he said through clenched teeth.

I smiled and placed my hand on his chest. A soft glow emitted from the bottom of my hand. His cool skin momentarily turned hot and then back to normal. Benji's eyes widened in shock. I healed his arm next. He lifted his arm and flexed his fingers.

"It feels like new." He grinned.

I did the same to the rest of the scars and injuries Laurent left behind. They all disappeared beneath my hands.

I had once asked Jasper if he wanted me to do this for him too. I could take away all of his battle scars so that when he looked at himself he wouldn't have the constant reminder of how they got there in the first place. He thought about it for awhile. He really did consider it at first but later decided that his scars defined him and just made him who he was. He declined my offer to take them away.

"Benji, why didn't Bridget just heal you the day Laurent did this to you?" I asked.

"Aro wouldn't allow her."

"What…why?"

"My punishment." He lowered his head and started putting all the chess pieces back in their original spaces. I took his hands in mine and searched his eyes. He sighed.

I can't tell you. I'm sorry. He'll kill me if I do.

I nodded and let him go.

"We should play again sometime." He smiled.

"Definitely, how about tomorrow?" I offered.

"Sounds perfect."

"I'll see you then. Good night."

I let myself out and went back to my room.

Edward was already fast asleep. I didn't mean to stay gone so long. Since he wanted me to, I had hoped to make it back in time before he fell asleep. I would have to make it up to him some how.

I quickly undressed and slipped into bed with him and let my thoughts consume me. My thoughts swirled and knotted in my mind. I tried to process all the information I had learned today.

I wonder what happened while I was gone that made Aro want to punish Benji in the first place. What ever it was it must have been something extreme.

Why would Aro risk Benji getting hurt when Edward and I were due back in a couple of days?

If Benji would have been killed all of their minds would have been exposed to us.

I know Aro is hiding secrets. He obviously doesn't want me to know about them. Otherwise, he wouldn't have Benji blocking all of their minds.

But what is he hiding?

I sighed in frustration.

Regardless of what happens from here on out, of one thing I was absolutely sure of: I will find out what Aro is hiding from me.

Yay! The plot builds!

Hah, I bet you guys are going nuts with how I'm going about bringing out more secrets and more cryptic questions. =P

It'll soon all be revealed. It'll be worth the wait =D

***Picture of Bella's heart pendant is on my story blog. Please check it out. I worked really hard on the site! =)

-Jan