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Dear readers,

Sorry for the amount of time since my last post! I've been so incredibly busy with life! Plus I wasn't really sure until recently what exactly my plan was. It finally dawned on me yesterday! And by the way, I wasn't really planning on changing Bella's power for those of you who've been asking. I just assumed it would be the same as in Breaking Dawn. But I decided to add a slight twist to it. Nothing serious at all or anything. And hopefully there will be new skills from a few other vampires!

Sincerely,

Rusty Myers

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~Chapter Six~

"Why did Caius decide to move the induction?" I questioned briskly, following Heidi down the long corridor.

"I don't know. Probably one of Aro's whims."

The doors were already opened and we hurried into the large hall. I winced instinctively at the appearance of the multitude of vampires standing around the magnificent hall. That was something I'd never done before, and it wasn't even dinner time.

"What's wrong with you?" Heidi asked, hurrying to reach the front of the conclave.

"Nothing," I lied quickly.

I knew exactly what it was. All these memories resurfacing after years of suppression. The first time I'd been in this room it had been under much more unpleasant circumstances. Not to mention it'd been with Edward. Right after I'd saved his life.

We'd reached the end of the room where the crowd was located. They all parted as Heidi and I made our way to Caius. As usual, Marcus sat in his chair, looking out glumly at the crowd, Caius stood a little ways in front of him, talking with Jane, and Aro looked oddly triumphant as he waited for Jane.

"Aro, may I have a word with you?" I inquired, leaving Heidi's side.

"Of course, Bella," he answered with a smile. I always have time for you."

I stood very close to him, talking in a whisper though it would do no good in this room full of vampires. Aro took my hand and led me a few feet away, out of the crowd of Volturi. He chuckled to himself.

"Every single time…" he mumbled. "Well, maybe someday."

"You can't read my thoughts Aro, no matter how hard you try. You have your gift, I have mine. Now, why did you decide to move the induction?"

He laughed softly again. "Dear Bella, you always were my favorite. Always so inquisitive. But there's really no reason other than I wanted to. You know how I enjoy new blood in the ranks." He chuckled at his little joke. "Come now, I sense Jane is almost here with the inductees."

As he said that the crowd began to organize. Everyone took their places, spreading out around Aro, Caius, and Marcus. As I moved to take my place beside Aro, I noticed Marcus watching me intently, his eyes focused so hard I felt like he was piercing my very soul.

The doors opened and I quickly turned, ignoring Marcus for the present. Jane strode brusquely into the room, followed by five other vampires. I could tell they were all new, young ones-they usually were. The young ones were the only ones impressionable enough to submit to a life like this.

They seemed almost frightened of the whole procession. I suppose to anyone, even a vampire, the Volturi provoked fear and discomfort. The large room with its cobblestone walls, seeming so medieval, and all of us, standing guard around some of the most powerful vampires on the planet.

They had reached us now. Caius began the theatrics and the induction began. There was the speech about upholding the values of society and enforcing balance among humans, etc. And then the five newcomers had to swear an oath of allegiance and unconditional loyalty.

As the last vampire was making swearing his undying devotion to the Volturi, I caught the slightest scent of a rather unwanted intruder. Just as I was sighing with the assumption that no one else had noticed, one of the new vampires growled in disgust.

"What is that awful stench?"

Caius looked up from the ceremony, a livid expression on his face. I left my position immediately and sped towards the large double doors. I threw them open with one shove and ran down the hallway.

I was so furious that I nearly ran right into him.

"Bella-"

"What are you doing here?" I shouted.

By now he'd nearly stumbled backwards and had to grab onto the wall to prevent me from knocking him over. He bore a shocked expression on his face and cringed away from my accusing finger.

"I-I'm sorry, Bella, I just-"

"Do you realize what you've done?" I shrieked.

"I was worried, Bella! You just left and I didn't know…"

I realized too late that I had made a mistake. His intentions had been purely concern and, in my shock I'd acted completely irrationally. I withdrew and took a step back, my eyes imploring forgiveness.

Before I could say anything, half the Volturi guard was standing behind me.

"What is the meaning of this, Isabella?" Caius growled.

I took a casual step in front of Jacob, hoping they wouldn't catch my defensive stance.

"I'm sorry, Caius. It won't happen again."

"Again?" Caius persisted. "I know it won't happen again! I want to know what he's doing here now!"

I steeled my expression and thought quickly. Jacob's being here was a very serious offense and Caius knew that. He wouldn't fall for just any story. But I couldn't reveal anything about the Cullens. That would be drasticly dangerous for both of us.

"It's my fault really," I confessed. "Jacob's just trying to help us."

Caius scoffed. "Oh?"

"Yes," I said flatly. "While I was out hunting a few days ago, I ran into an old friend."

Behind me I heard Jacob's heart rate quicken. The others sensed it too and looked over at him curiously. I wish there was some way to get him to calm down. If he didn't trust me, the Volturi would know.

"A friend?" Caius questioned.

I laughed bitterly. "Well, perhaps friend isn't the proper term."

Caius narrowed his gaze. "Isabella, who did you see?"

"Victoria. I saw Victoria."

There were a series of hushed whispers throughout the procession.

"You simply ran into her?" Jane inquired skeptically. "We've been after her for years and you just ran into her?"

"Yes," I said simply. "I was leery of mentioning my encounter because I wasn't able to apprehend her. I know how important her capture is to us and I failed. Jacob tried to convince me to tell you, but I refused."

"I was worried, Bella! She could come after you again! The Volturi can help you!"

I resisted a smile. Jacob had finally caught on.

"Forgive me, Caius. I should have told you. I was just…ashamed…that I couldn't defeat her. I am not a warrior."

Aro stepped forward, a smile on his face. "Isn't this amusing? The werewolf helping the vampires! My dear Bella, you bring so much amusement to our blasé life!"

Caius scoffed. "This will not happen again, Isabella. The werewolf will not interfere with our affairs. I was very generous when I allowed you to keep the creature-" Jacob tensed behind me, but managed to keep under control. "-with you, despite our laws. This intrusion will not be allowed a second time."

"Yes sir."

"And as for Victoria, you will not secrete information from us again. I don't care about your petty weaknesses and silly feelings. You are a member of an organization sworn to uphold the balance in this world. We cannot tolerate failure."

"Yes sir."

There was a brief pause in which Caius stared intently from me to Jacob, probably trying to discern our truthfulness. Then a simple smile came over his face and his gaze narrowed. I steeled myself for the plan I knew was forming in his mind.

"Isabella, please step aside," Caius commanded.

I looked back at Jacob and caught his gaze. He understood.

"Isabella?"

I moved to the side. Aro stepped forward and held out his hand for Jacob, which he took.

"Thank you, Jacob," Aro began conversationally, while trying to pick the truth out of Jacob's mind. "The Volturi are all very appreciative of your assistance, however undesired it may be."

All the while I watched his expression grow more and more frustrated. He wasn't able to read Jacob's mind. Finally, he stopped rambling and released his grip. Jane and Alec appeared shocked at the realization of Aro's failure.

"Isabella," Caius said shortly, irritation dripping from his voice. "Please escort your pet outside of Voltera. We will continue the induction without you. Your serves are no longer required at present."

I hurried over to Jacob's side, gripped his arm and began leading him down the hallway.

"Isabella," came Caius' sharp voice.

I turned around.

"We will be in touch shortly regarding plans for Victoria."

"Yes sir. I await your call."

With that I started dragging Jacob down the hallway and through the complicated maze of sewers and gates until we were standing just outside the walls of Voltera. I released my grip and wandered a few feet away, pulling my grey cloak closer around my body to prevent any onlooker from catching the glint of sunlight on my skin.