A/N: Hey, here's another chapter: D We're back in Volterra and the first part is written from Lucan's point of view. I don't intend to make this a habit, but I just thought we needed a little peek into the thoughts of Lucan… You can tell me what you think about it in a review afterwards :) if you want to, that is…

So, you might have noticed, but this is actually a pretty fast update :D hehe… Didn't think I had it in me, did you? And since it's the holidays (here in Denmark anyways, don't know if it's the same for you?) I thought I'd hurry up and start writing another chapter for you right after I update this… Any objections?

Twilight/New moon/ Eclipse/Breaking Dawn (c) Stephenie Meyer

Solar Eclipse - Chapter 6

LucanPOV

I didn't know where the feeling had come from, but suddenly it was just there.

I had been wandering around in Master's studio, annoyed and restless, for a reason I didn't understand. I was so... Argh, there was no word for it. I had this unpleasant feeling in my chest, only it was more than that. It was … God Damn It, I had no idea what it was, and the fact that I didn't have an answer to my discomfort only made it worse. So I just marched trough the room, from one wall to another, getting more irritated with myself by the second. I had been on the verge of wearing down the soles of my shoes when a wave of panic suddenly hit me.

As I now stood in the small dressing room, staring down at the crying woman on the floor, I felt even more confused than I had before. Why the sudden panic? I had rushed down the hall, without thinking much of it, and run directly to this room. What I had found had startled me. Marissa had been about to attach the Isabella-girl. We had all been instructed to not harm the human girl, so the sight before me had surprised me quite a bit. It had made me hesitate, although only for a second. I had griped Marissa's arm first and then her neck, before I tossed her towards the entrance.

I had startled her. That much was obvious. After landing on her feet she had turned to face me, an angry hiss coming from her throat. I had just scowled at her, not even bothering to mimic her attacking crouch.

Marissa was Alec's mate and she was only a few decades old. She was weak. Why Alec had insisted on turning her, I had no idea. Already as a human it was obvious she would be nothing but a burden to us. Which was why we now had to lock her up within the mansion to keep her away from the humans. Always overpowered by her lust for blood, she was nothing but an animal. A cowardly pet, I though with disgust.

I would have to deal with her later. But not now! Right at that moment I could do nothing other than stare at the human girl before me. She had gotten up from the floor, and she now stood, sobbing while staring at her own reflexion.

I frowned as I took her in. This girl would be nothing like Marissa when she was turned. Even though her now falling tears spoke of weakness, I knew the truth. I had seen it in her eyes as she tried to fight me off back in Washington. She had done everything in her power to get herself and the other humans away from me. That she hadn't succeeded meant nothing. Her inner fire was like nothing I had seen before, and at first I had found it rather amusing to see her in action. She was strong for a human. I had even tried to manipulate her into following me, but I hadn't succeeded.

I pulled myself back to the present, and took a step towards her. I would have to lead her back to her room, and then go find Aro. He was after all the only one who really knew what was going on.

I let my fingers brush lightly against her elbow trying not to startle her with my presence. My eyes found hers in the mirror, and I was just about to pull her towards the open door, when she hit me.

She hit me. Right in the face. I was so shocked I just stared at her for a moment, and the expression in her eyes made me take a step backwards.

"WHY?!" she screamed, new tears trailing down her cheeks. "WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?!" She started hitting me again, this time with more force even though it had no impact on my stone body.

The loud sound of one of her bones cracking pulled me out of my daze and I pushed her away from me without effort. I had no death wish and Aro had already warned me about my punishment because of the injuries she gained in Washington. He will surely kill me for this, I thought absentmindedly as I pushed her, an arms length away from me.

She fought my grip, but soon realized it was of no use. The moment she stopped fighting against my grip I released her. She tumbled backwards and ended up against one of the mirrors. A sob sounded from her throat.

"Why?" she whispered. Her eyes meet mine, and I couldn't look away. The emotions which showed in her eyes took me off guard. The sorrow was evident, as was the loss, but it was the hate which made me back away from her.

She hated me. I didn't know why, but the thought of that made my breath accelerate. Of course she hates you; I thought to myself, how can that surprise you? You stole her away from everything she held dear, on the night which should have been the happiest of her life. You brought her here, against her will. You threw that woman, whom she obviously cared for, through a gigantic window. So how can that surprise you?

I didn't know why, but it did. I slowly reached my hand towards her, but let it fall to my side.

"I …" What could I say? What was wrong with me? It was so not like me to act like this. I was always cool and in control. What did I care if a mere human hated me? It sure as hell wouldn't be the first time. I shrugged off my uneasiness and turned my back on her.

"Have it your way, then", I hissed as I walked towards the entrance. I didn't care, I decided. This human could rot in hell for all I cared. So what if she hated me? I hated her too.

At least that's what I tried to convince myself, but as I reached the door I couldn't help but take another look at her. She had let herself slide down the mirror and she sat with her head in her hands. Her shoulders shook.

I looked away quickly and left the room. I would find Aro, and then he would decide what to do.

She was his, and I didn't care.

But the unpleasant feeling from earlier was back, and just as back then I couldn't shake it off.

One thing was different from earlier though. This time I recognized the feeling. It was a feeling I hadn't felt in almost a century. A feeling that had been lost to me since my days as a human.

Shame.

BellaPOV

I didn't look up as he left the room. I didn't want him anywhere near me. He … He had ruined everything. He had … I couldn't even think it. I didn't want to think it, much less say it out loud. It would make the whole thing far too real and that was something I didn't want.

It can't be real, I thought to myself. But it was. I knew it was, and denying it wouldn't help anything.

Renée. The mere mention of her name sent a throb of pain through my chest. My mother. My caring, erratic mother was… was…

A heartbreaking sob sounded from my throat, as I thought of her, my beloved mother, who was… gone. Gone because of me!

It was my fault. It was all my fault. If I hadn't pulled her inside the house. No… If I hadn't invited her, this would never have happened. Why would I invite her? Why would I put her in such a danger? Put her through such a risk?

I, of course, knew the answer to that question. I had wanted to say my goodbyes, before it was too late. I had wanted to tell my mother that I loved her. That no matter what happened she was the best mother anyone could ever wish for. She had been my life for so many years, and parting from her hurt. It hurt much more than I thought it would, given the amount of time I had spent with her the last couple of years. I had wanted to say goodbye. And I didn't say it.

I didn't even get a chance to say goodbye.

And now it was too late.

She was gone.

I felt my body shake as realization hit me. She was gone. I would never get to see her again. My always loving, irresponsible, unpredictable mother was gone. I would never hear her laugh again. That beautiful laugh of hers, which always lured me into laughing along with her.

Gone forever.

And it was all my fault.

I had been the one to interact with vampires. I had chosen to live in a world of supernatural creatures. I had been the one to make the choice, yet she had paid for it. That was why it was my fault, and I would now have to live with it. Live with the fact that I had killed my mother.

However long that might be, I bitterly thought, as I abruptly leaned my head back against the cold mirror behind me. A hoarse, rattling laugh left my lips. My body froze at the sound, but it didn't stop. I couldn't make it stop. It just kept on floating through my lips, making a hollow echo sound through the room.

It wasn't a happy laugh, not even close. It was a maniacal, hysterical laughter, which only made me feel even worse, if that was even possible. It made my stomach turn, and I wondered for a moment if I would be able to keep the content of my stomach inside.

I tried to get up off the floor, one hand on my stomach another on the mirror. I pulled myself upright, with what seemed to be the last strength I had. Finally standing, I once again looked at myself in the mirror.

My dress was beautiful. Just like I remembered it. It was a dream of old vintage laces and ribbons, looking like something right out of an Anne of Green gables novel. My shoes were gone, where to I had no idea. So was my veil, and … and the beautiful silver hair combs which had belonged to my Grandmother.

I reached for my hair, which hang loosely around my shoulders, hoping they might, by some miracle, still be attached to my hair. They weren't, and that just made me cry even harder. Renée had given me those combs, Renée and Charlie both.

I fought to steady my breathing as I thought of my father. I hoped he was okay. I hoped, for all it was worth, that he had gotten out of there. That he had somehow managed to live. I couldn't bare the thought of losing one of my parents, not at all both of them.

I had to believe he was alive. That my vampire family had somehow managed to save him and the other humans at the wedding. I didn't think I could handle more deaths.

By the mention of my vampire family, the one most important person in my life entered the centre of my thoughts.

Edward.

I had to believe he was okay as well. That he was as indestructible as he claimed to be. He was my life and without him, I saw no reason to keep on living. Because a world without Edward was no world at all.

He is fine, I decided, trying to convince myself. He and the rest of the Cullens were fine. They had been far too many in numbers to be overcome by four vampires. Edward was strong and faster than any other vampire I had ever known. He could take care of himself, I was sure. Not that he had to. When the Cullens stood together they were strong.

Emmett's strength was not something to joke about. That man was strength incarnated. And Jasper…. Jasper was a soldier. A war hero. He had been off to war even before I was born, and his abilities on the battlefield had already been proven during the newborn-attacks months ago. Carlisle wouldn't like the idea of killing his own kind, but he would do what was necessary to protect his family. To protect Esme.

My chest tightened at the thought of Esme, but I shook it off. Esme was a vampire too. She was caring and loving in a motherly kind of way, but a vampire none the less. She would be fine. As would Alice, who despite her size, was not to be underestimated. With her visions and Jasper to protect her, she was most likely the safest of them all. And Rosalie … pfff… I wouldn't try anything with her if I were those intruders. While her husband was strength incarnated, she was his evil counterpart. She would rip those vampires to pieces and feel nothing but joy while doing so.

I smiled to myself, as I thought of the blond vampire. Rosalie's love for her family would save them all. I was sure of it. And even if that shouldn't be enough the Denalis were there, and Seth. Seth would call for the pack if they were in trouble.

All the Cullens were fine!

But as I said this to myself I realized it wasn't completely true. One Cullen was sure as hell not okay.

I attempted to steady my breathing and wiped away the traces of tears on my face with the back of my hand. This wasn't the time to cry. What I really needed right now was to get the hell out of here.

"Wherever 'here' might be", I muttered to myself as I started towards the now closed door.

…

Before I turned the handle I put my ear against the door, listening for footsteps outside the door. I did this even though I knew the walk of a vampire was elegant and not heavy enough to leave a sound. It just seemed like the right thing to do, and since I didn't hear anything suspicious, I took my chances and sneaked a peek out the door.

No one.

I hurriedly walked out the door and closed it behind me. So far so good.

I looked around, indecisive for a moment, before I just started walking. I didn't know which way the exit was, but standing around waiting would only get me caught. Besides, who was I supposed to wait for? I was on my own now. I had to rely on my own strength to get home. Home to Edward.

I went right, hurrying down the hallway knowing fully well that hiding was no option. Vampires' senses were so much stronger than humans' such as my own and they would be able to detect my sent even if I managed to hide my body. My only option was to hurry out of here, while they were occupied elsewhere.

Slightly out of breath, I reached the end of the hallway, only to find a staircase leading down towards the floors below. I hesitated, but then started my way down the stairs. It was rather dark, so I felt a false security knowing I was hidden in the shadows, but then suddenly the darkness stopped, and I reached a lit-up room.

I shielded my eyes with my hands, for that short instant it took them to readjust to the new lightening. Then I looked around, and realized I had been here before. It was a huge chamber, a hall actually, decorated with marble in different shades and nuances. I felt the difference in temperature on my skin, the marble much colder than the rooms I had just left behind. I remembered the room from what seemed to be ages ago, when Edward and Alice had tried to get me out of the Volturi Castle as fast as possible. Without being able to stop myself I saw the scene before my eyes:

(Flashback - Stephenie Meyer owns everything – New Moon, page 482)

"Not fast enough" Alice muttered.

I stared up at her, frightened but she only seemed chagrined. It was then that I heard the first babble of voices- loud, rough voices- coming from the antechamber.

"Well, this is unusual" a man's coarse voice boomed.

"So medieval" an unpleasantly shrill, female voice gushed back.

A large crowd was coming through the little door (…). Demetri motioned for us to make room. We pressed back against the cold wall to make them pass.

The first couple, Americans from the sound of them, glanced around themselves with appraising eyes.

"Welcome, guests! Welcome to Volterra" I could hear Aro sing from the big turret room.

(Flashback – the end)

I shuddered involuntarily, and left the past behind. I needed to focus on the present, and get myself out of here.

The staircase ended right behind three enormous thrones, and I tried to tiptoe around them, knowing fully well that if I made it to the other end of the hall, I wound find the door to the reception. I remembered the reception, and that human girl who sat behind the desk. Brianna? Was that her name? She could become a problem, if she denied me my exit, but I would worry about that when I got there. First I had to get past those thrones…

I crept around the throne at my right, fighting to keep my breathing even. I stood right beside the thrones, facing the door which led to my exit, when my heart rate accelerated for no obvious reason. I came to a halt. I suddenly felt like I was being watched, and the real possibility of that fact made my heartbeat accelerate even more.

I saw a dark shadow out of the corner of my eye, and I felt my spine stiffen. A thousand voices in my head started screaming for me to "run", but I stood frozen none the less, and I felt my face move in the direction of the shadow without my consent.

I was met by a pair of beautiful, yet very bored ruby eyes. I felt my eyes widen as I took in the sight before me, and I unconsciously took a step away from the thrones. On the throne, farthest from me, sat a very tall and majestic vampire. His beautiful ruby eyes, which had a milky touch to them, followed my every move, yet it was like he didn't see me. He looked right through me, looking so bored I was surprised he wasn't sleeping.

I opened my mouth, but I had nothing to say, so I closed it again. He looked unimpressed, as I took another step backwards still facing him, so I took another one. He didn't react, didn't move at all, actually. I kept this up until I was almost at the door, my eyes never leaving his sulky, unimpressed ones. The room was in total silence, and I'm sure my eyes were wide as mill wheels as I tried to reach my exit. I felt more than saw that I reached the door, and I was just about to reach for the handle behind my back, when a heavy hand fell on my shoulder.

"AAAAHHHHHHH" a bloodcurdling scream left my lips, and I turned to face my sudden attacker with a speed that made my vision blur. I was met with a pair of startled ruby eyes, belonging to a tall, blond vampire. I looked at him in horror, weirdly enough remembering his name in the middle of my panic.

Demetri.

We stood still, facing each other for what seemed to be forever, but what probably only was a tenth of a second, silence echoing between us… that is, until his lips started to twitch and a low snicker started to form in the back of his throat. He pressed his lips tightly together, as if trying to keep the laughter inside, and I was so surprised by his reaction I could do nothing but just stare.

A booming laughter started from behind me, and this seemed to be too much for Demetri to handle, because he threw his head back and laughed so loudly the sound echoed between the walls of the huge hall.

I cringed from the sudden sound in the room, and I felt my breath hitch when a pair of stone-cold hands grabbed me from behind and twirled me around. A huge vampire suddenly stood towering above me, making me feel very small. He also looked at me with those ruby eyes, but when he flashed me a huge grin, an almost inaudible sound left my lips. This only made them laugh even more.

"BWAHAHA, what was that? That sound… did you just chirp?" I felt my cheeks burn from embarrassment, not at all sure what to do about my self. I took a quick look at the door, only an arms length away and I knew I wouldn't be able to make it. It could have been miles away for all it mattered… With three vampires in the room, my chances at getting out of here equalled zero. I couldn't resist the urge to reach for the handle anyway, but my fingers were instantly covered in an iron grip.

"No, no, no… You stay right here, princess. Can't let you outta here!" I strained my neck to look up at the enormous vampire who held my hand, and I saw him shrug as he met my gaze: "Master Aro's orders", he said as if that explained everything.

I looked down at my hand, so tiny in his huge one and suddenly it was like all my energy left me. I suddenly felt so very tired, and I felt my legs give way from under me.

"Hey there, you 'key?" I heard the words, and I felt his paw like hands hold me by my shoulders, but I didn't answer. Of course I wasn't okay. I wanted to go home. Why did they do this? What had I done to deserve this?

Once again I met his gaze, and I don't know what he saw in my face, but whatever it was made his eyebrows draw together.

"I want to go home", I whispered in a hushed tone I didn't recognize. I looked at him with pleading eyes as I grabbed the front of his shirt, begging him with all my might to let me go. I knew it was useless but I tried none the less, and for one small second I thought I saw something in his eyes… a flicker of something I couldn't quite describe, but then it was gone and his face got a determined expression:

"You are home", he said as he led me back to the thrones.

A/N: Okay… so what did you think? We met some new vampires this chap… Demetri, and…. And? Who do you think we met? Okay, I know it's not that hard to guess, but hey… I'd like some dialog here ;D The interior of the Volturi castle may differ a bit from the book, but hey… it's called artistic freedom, right? ;D

Thanks so much for reading :D Please review :)