Edward's POV

My Bella was gone. Alice had called off the search when we had reached a waterfall, deep in the forest.

"Edward, she's gone. She has decided to go with the Volturi."

"What!" I said stopping suddenly, so suddenly that the rest of my family rushed by me, except of course Alice.

"She's gone, I'm so sorry Edward!"

I took that in and was almost crippled by the pain and agony of it all. I knew beforehand that it would be unlikely that I would reach her in time, but that didn't make it hurt any less.

"Isn't there anything we can do?" I asked desperately.

Carlisle shook his head, "I'm sorry son, but anything we try will only push her away. We'll just have to wait and hope she changes her mind someday."

"What," I exclaimed, "You want me to just sit here and do nothing, while-

"Edward!" Carlisle yelled firmly interrupting my rant. Then taking a softer tone he said, "That's the only thing we can do."

I nodded slowly realizing this to be true. Then turning away from them, I sighed and said, "Let's go home then."

I looked at the waterfall one last time. Bella would have loved the sight of it. I sighed again, letting the agony break my dead heart. Bella was gone; I had let her slip through my fingers like sand. I put on a brave face and turned back to my family. And with grim faces we headed for home hoping that someday Bella would return to us.

Bella's POV

The plane ride was pretty smooth despite the evil looks I kept getting from Jane and apparently Alec. They hadn't exactly been thrilled when I accepted Felix's offer, but they couldn't do anything about it so they resulted to glaring at me. Felix was sitting in the seat beside me grinning like an idiot. It was hard though to say it wasn't kind of cute.

I, myself was really nervous. From what Felix had told me, I would be presented to Aro and he would make my acceptance final. Then living quarters would be arranged and so on and so forth. What if I wasn't good enough though? I voiced my insecurities to Felix.

"Don't worry Bella, that's never happened before."

This however didn't make me feel better. Seeing that his comment did nothing to soothe me he sighed and said, "Bella, love, Aro wouldn't-

"Don't call me that!" I said sharply, interrupting him. Taken aback he raised his hands in surrender and responded, "Goodness Bella I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you."

"No, I'm sorry just please don't call me that." He nodded, but feeling the need to explain myself I said, "It reminds me of times I don't want to remember anymore."

He took my hand. "Your fine Bella, that's what is so great about the Volturi. You get a new family, a new life. Most people would kill for a chance like that."

I nodded mutely, stuck in my own thoughts. Immune to the snickers from Jane and Alec, I was in a war in my own head. I was trying to keep at bay the memories that threatened to flood within, cringing mentally when a snippet got through, praying with every ounce of my being that Felix was right.

Later…

I was shaking like a leaf. I was standing in the middle of a stone circular room, among many other vampires surrounding us, with three large thrones. The room itself was crude, there wasn't any elegant furnishings or such; the floor slightly sloped downward toward a drain. This could only indicate that I was probably in room in which they ate in. I shivered mentally.

The thrones were filled. Each vampire was similar in their beauty, but also distinct. Two of the three vampires, whom sat on the left and middle throne, had dark brown hair. The one who sat on the left seemed entirely bored while the other seemed very surprised. The vampire on the right side however had blonde hair and was more in between the other two vampires. They all had a vicious set of crimson red eyes. I started rethinking this whole crazy plan, but the vampire in the middle spoke.

"What do you have for me you three? I send you on a mission that should have taken you only three days, but you come back in five and bring me back her?"

I cringed, fearing he was mad and would not accept me. But Felix merely chuckled and replied, "There was a complication during the mission, but I will explain that better later. This is Bella. We met her as we were heading towards the plane. Jane's talent can't affect her, so I wondered what else she might be able to do and brought her to you for consideration, I personally think that she would be a great addition to the Volturi." He finished, sounding utterly confident.

"Do you now? He said walking towards us inspecting me. "Well that makes me wonder... Bella would please?" he asked his hand outstretched for mine.

My arm responded faster than my brain did and with a shaky hand I put mine in his. Firmly grasping his hands with mine he closed eyes and concentrated for a moment. On what I wasn't so sure, but I stayed silent.

"Marvelous, absolutely marvelous! Think of the possibilities!" he exclaimed ecstatic.

I could see Jane and Alec rolling their eyes, I smirked.

"What do you think Marcus? Caius? Wouldn't Bella be an exceptional addition to the Volturi?"

"Yes, she seems to have potential." The blonde haired vampire replied.

"I agree with Caius. There is much potential in this one."

"Well then it's settled. Welcome to the Volturi, Bella, you are one of us now." He said smiling warmly.

"Thank you!" I replied gratefully. I turned to Felix, his smile mirrored mine, big and wide filled with the same relief I felt.

"Now, everyone," he yelled within the room, "let's eat!"

"What?... Oh no!"

Well I know you guys might hate me right now, but its been really hard to work on this lately and I just wanted to get another chapter out there. But I promise that I will try to get the next chapter out faster and make it longer. I'm looking for suggestions so don't be shy. lol:)

Thanks for the reviews! They are very much appreciated!