All characters except for Annabelle Causley and a few others belong to Stephenie Meyer…and, of course, the writer is not receiving any profit for this story whatsoever.

This is an AU out of Stephenie Meyers' Twilight series. This story starts after Eclipse, two weeks before Edward and Bella's wedding.

AN: Thank you for the reviews! I appreciate them and they inspire me. Keep them coming!

Chapter Five

Bella sat next to Edward on the couch, staring blankly at the TV screen as Emmett and Jasper played a racing car videogame. After the incident at the meadow, Edward had been distant with her. Even though she kept asking about this new vampire, Annabelle, Edward insisted she wait until they were all able to learn more about Annabelle and her reason for being in Forks.

She hadn't been able to sleep, due in part because of Annabelle but also because Edward hadn't spent the night. Turning to look at Edward, she noticed him glancing back at the staircase. They were all in the living room, waiting for Annabelle to finish cleaning up.

Bella wasn't sure what this girl looked like, due to all the dirt and grime, but since she was a vampire, Bella couldn't help but assume she was beautiful, just like the Cullens. One more beautiful female vampire to make her feel inadequate as Edward's fiancée.

"Dammit, Jasper, quit crowding me," Emmett growled, pushing the control buttons as he moved his car to the opposite side of the road.

"How long is it going to take her to finish showering," Rosalie stood up from her chair, walking towards the back windows.

"Be patient, Rose," Alice looked up from the book in her hands, "She was really dirty…and her hair, oh boy, what a mess! She might actually have to cut it."

"No I won't."

They all simultaneously turned, all shocked at seeing the girl standing at the foot of the stairs. Bella felt her stomach sink. Not only was she beautiful but the sexual energy pulsating through the air was clearly coming from her. Trying to be detached, Bella took stock of her.

Voluminous blue-black hair fell in waves to her tiny waist. She had an oval shaped face with dark arched eyebrows, large eyes fringed by long soot black lashes, high cheekbones, an upturned nose and a full-lipped mouth.

She had a ridiculously hour glass shaped body that was very well displayed by a tight t-shirt that left her flat stomach bare and hip hugging jeans that accentuated long, shapely legs that defied her small stature. Her small feet were bare and Bella couldn't help but notice how delicate and graceful they looked.

"Annabelle," Carlisle stepped forward, breaking Bella's focus, "Why don't you join us?"

Annabelle stared at Carlisle before stepping down into the living room. Taking the seat Carlisle offered, she frowned, knowing full well that now was not the time to use her sexuality so she turned it off. She quietly waited for them to start the questions. She wasn't sure exactly where to start.

"Tell us about yourself, Annabelle," Esme smiled at her, her golden eyes filled with honest curiosity.

"Which part," Annabelle arched her eyebrow as she crossed her legs.

"When were you changed," Carlisle sat next to Esme, his arm around her shoulders.

"I turned sixteen in 1915. My parents surprised me with a summer trip to Italy. We left Chicago the last weekend of April. We've been traveling Italy for a month when we visited Voltura. My parents wanted to tour Voltura castle while we were there. We came across a woman named Heidi –she scheduled our tour for later that evening. We met Aro, Marco and Caius, who invited us to stay for dinner. The last thing I remember was staring out a window before I felt hands on my shoulders and a sharp pain on my neck. The pain was unbearable…I remember wanting to die. After the three days, I was told my parents were dead. Aro was able to control me, mostly due to my newborn status. He was good to me…I began to see him as...a father. As the years progressed, I slowly started seeing changes in Aro. Changes I didn't like. I realized that there were more ways to live as a vampire than the way I've lived these past hundred years. I wanted to change, to live my own life, so three months ago, late at night, I left Italy."

She looked at each one in turn, the corner of her mouth lifting at the interest displayed on every face.

"Change," Jasper looked into her black eyes, "What exactly did you want to change?"

"In the last year, I started developing a conscience...so to speak. I was sick of Aro's lying and manipulative ways. Every time he told me it was our right as vampires to take human blood, I knew he was lying. He kept wondering about the way you lived your life, Carlisle. I was tired of all his lies…I wanted something different, but I knew I would have to run away. Aro would never let me go willingly."

Annabelle shifted her eyes from Carlisle to Bella. She wondered what Bella was thinking –somehow, she doubted any of this was of interest to her. She had a feeling that what Bella really cared about was her connection to Edward's past life. She tried not to smirk as she wondered how long it would take for Bella to get the courage to speak up.

"So you've changed your diet," Carlisle shifted forward, looking deep into Annabelle's eyes, which were still black. She stared into his golden eyes, knowing full well that he may not believe her.

"Yes," Annabelle crossed her arms, "And I must say, your diet is definitely an acquired taste."

"It doesn't look like you've changed your diet," Emmett spoke up from where he was sitting on the floor near Rosalie's chair, "In fact, it doesn't even look like you've fed."

"My system is still getting used to the new diet," Annabelle shifted in her seat, looking at Emmett, wondering if she'd ever seen anyone as big as him, "I haven't tasted human blood in over three months," breathing deeply, she instantly regretted it as Bella's scent filled her head, "And I made sure to feed before I returned. I didn't want to cause trouble what with Bella being here."

They all turned to look at Bella, realizing that even though they've become desensitized to her smell, a reformed vampire would have difficulty with her. Edward shifted, blocking Annabelle's view of Bella.

"Don't worry Edward," Annabelle gave him a mocking smile, "I'm not going to jump her. I'm not thirsty."

"Well, that's good," Alice shifted from her position next to Jasper, "Can I ask a question?"

Annabelle looked at Alice, instinctively knowing what she wanted to ask. Cocking her head to the side, she wondered how much she was willing to share. She caught Edward's smile out of the corner of her eye.

"Yes, you may."

"What is your talent," Alice voiced the question on everyone's mind, "You just suddenly appeared in my visions. It was disconcerting."

Annabelle chuckled, knowing full well what Alice was referring to. Uncrossing her legs, she leaned forward, tucking her bottom lip between her teeth as she turned on the sexuality, focusing it on Alice.

"Well…one of my talents is becoming invisible, so to speak. It's a mind thing. I can make you think I'm not there. It only works with vampires."

"One of your talents," Alice shifted in her seat, feeling slightly hot and uncomfortable.

"I'm multi-talented. The main reason why the Volturri decided to keep me," Annabelle sat back, turning the sexuality off as she turned her eyes towards Edward, a small smile on her face.

"What are your other talents," Carlisle looked at Edward, wondering if his son was able to read this girl's mind.

"Her sexuality is one of them," Edward was aware of Annabelle's thoughts, of her uncertainty on how to explain, "She can turn the sexual energy on and off like a light switch."

Annabelle smiled in appreciation. She wasn't embarrassed or ashamed of this particular talent; it was just that she never had to explain it to anyone before.

"What exactly does that mean," Rosalie frowned as she placed a possessive hand on Emmett's shoulder. Annabelle smiled at her, turning it back on. She watched Rosalie's eyes widened in surprise, which made her smile turn into a grin.

"It means I can use my sexuality to get anybody to do anything I want," Annabelle leaned forward, focusing all her attention on Rosalie. Rosalie gasped as she felt the sexual energy coming from Annabelle, which caused hers to react in kind.

"You mean men," Bella looked at Rosalie, frowning at her dilated eyes. Turning back to Annabelle, she gasped, finally understanding how it worked.

"No honey," Annabelle licked her bottom lip, her voice a little above a purr, "I mean anybody –human, vampire, man and woman. It's a case of my sexuality turning yours on. I can focus it on one person or widen it to include an entire room," Annabelle leaned back into her seat as she demonstrated, grinning as they all collectively gasped, their eyes trained on her.

"Kindly desist," Carlisle's eyes were dilated in awareness to her talent yet there was a look of displeasure on his face. Annabelle turned it off as she crossed her arms, carefully blanking her face. She wasn't used to people showing displeasure towards her. In fact, she was used to people liking her…well, the few that knew she existed.

"I can understand why the Volturri kept you since you can disappear," Alice looked at Annabelle, feeling slightly disgruntled.

"That's not the only reason. Although that talent is a major contributor to my main talent," Annabelle kept her face blank, trying not to care about what the Cullens thought of her.

"Your sexuality is your main talent," Bella sounded skeptical and somewhat disgusted. It was a gross unfairness that this drop-dead gorgeous vampire could play with other people's hormones –as if her looks weren't enough.

"No Bella," Annabelle frowned at her, "My sexuality is a talent I use for my own personal interest. No one in the Volturri even knows about this particular talent."

"So what is your main talent," Jasper stared at Annabelle, feeling the irritation in her but unwilling to do anything about it.

Annabelle looked at each one of them, knowing full well that revealing her most important talent may not be to her best advantage. She stared into Edward's eyes, trying to make up her mind.

Could she trust the Cullens with her talent? Would they let her be herself or would they use her as Aro had used her?