Edward's POV

It was a rainy day in Forks as usual. We were moved back in our old house in case Bella wanted to come back, so that she would know where we were. We would have to go to school next week pretending to be ordinary just like the rain was today. Today was no ordinary day in Forks though. Today was Bella's funeral.

Everyone was getting dressed in black attire and preparing themselves for the tears of others that they could not shed themselves. I wonder? Would it be worse for Bella to be actually dead knowing she loved me, or knowing she's alive but that she hasn't forgiven me?

That's ridiculous, of course its better that she is alive. I know that. But it nearly kills me to know that my true love wants nothing to do with me. As that thought crossed my mind a cascade of pain enveloped me making it hard to see straight for a moment. Then as suddenly as the pain came, a wave of calmness rolled over me.

"Easy Edward," Jasper said patting me on the back.

"Thanks," I grunted, staring out the window.

"She'll come back, I know it."

"Do you now?" I asked sarcastic. I know that he was only trying to cheer me up, but I wasn't in the mood for all the fake encouragement everyone kept giving me.

"Bella's smart. She'll figure out how terrible they are, and once she does we'll be there to rescue her." he said ever so chipper.

I sighed then putting the best fake smile I could I said, "Thanks Jasper that really helps."

It didn't fool him though.

"Is everyone ready?" Alice called coming down the stairs in a very modest black dress. "We probably need to head on down there now."

"Yes, Alice is right we should head down there." Carlisle responded coming down the stairs after Alice looking at his watch. The rest of my family trailed behind them all having somber expressions on their faces.

We left in two cars, off to the little church near the edge of town, where the eulogy of Bella and her life would be held.

It was all very sad to see all the people who came to mourn Bella. Nearly the whole town was here. Of course that wasn't saying a whole lot considering the town's size, but none the less. Billy and the whole pack was there playing there role as well. I wonder how close she was to them while I was away. Jacob hadn't said much since Bella left, but I knew he felt that he was to blame for all this. He was wrong though. I was the reason for all this pain and suffering. I was the reason Bella left.

The worst part through the entire ordeal though was seeing Bella's parents. There was Charlie who though had a hard time expressing his emotions had let them all out now. He was sobbing just as much as Renée whom though I had never met knew instantly that she was Bella's mother. They looked uncannily alike. She was being held by who can only be identified as Phil. Their thoughts and memories of Bella were most unbearable.

They buried in empty casket with a picture of her in it since they couldn't find the body. The official reason for her death was suicide. After Laurent bit Bella the wolf pack had to do something fast and there weren't many options. So they took a piece of her clothing she was wearing, soaked it in the water by the beach and left on the shore. Then they reported finding it saying that she must have jumped off the rock cliff. That she must have been smashed into the rock by the waves destroying the body, leaving only a little clothing behind. It was believable enough. A surfer a few years back got smashed into the very same cliff by a big wave. Only a few pieces of his surfboard had made it.

The excuse served its purpose at least by keeping away nosy detectives and the rest of the police. Everyone else believed it because apparently Bella had acted near depressed in my absence. I was utterly wrong for leaving her, and now everyone had to pay for it.

We were on our way home and my head was pounding. Too many thoughts of sadness had swarmed me and it was hard to shake them off.

We had just reached the house and were piling into the living room when Alice's face went blank. I locked in on it for I knew she was having a vision and was shocked and scared beyond belief.

"Alice what did you see?" Carlisle demanded concerned by the state we were in.

But Alice couldn't answer. She looked like she was about to cry if she could.

So I answered, "Caius made a deal with Felix to determine Bella's fate. If she doesn't become just like the rest the Volturi including her diet, they'll give up to Simon."

"What! Simon? I remember him. He erases peoples memories correct?" Carlisle asked now pacing.

"Yes," I replied my teeth gritted.

"What does Felix get if he accomplishes this? There has to be something in it for him."

"He gets to take her as his mate," I spat, venom in every syllable.

"How long did they give him?" he asked not slowing down.

"Seven months," I said trying to gain back some control.

"So that's how long we have to plan a rescue mission?" he stopped pacing. "That will be gone in a blink of an eye. We must act swiftly."

I was surprised by him jumping on board so quickly, but didn't question it. Time was of the essence.

"Yeah!" Emmet hollered, "About time we kicked some Volturi butt!"

Carlisle was about to chastise him, but someone knocked on the door.

Bella's POV

The castle was huge. I walked up and down the halls sometimes peeking through doors to see what I could find. I found several curious rooms. One was a mini art gallery. They even had some Picasso and Leonardo Da Vinci originals! Another room opened up to beautiful inside garden. But I found my favorite as I walked into their library.

There were thousands of books. Three entire walls were covered with the skyscraper shelves. They had all my favorites, but there were so many other books too. All of which seemed to scream at me to read them.

It was hard to pick at first. Then I saw it. The one book that I instantly knew I would have to read. Dracula by Brom Stocker. Even though I had knew of the book I had never been compelled to read it before, until now at least.

I found a little cozy chair in the corner and began to read. It wasn't long though before someone interrupted my peace said, "Interesting reading material you chose."

I looked up. This someone was average sized. He had sandy brown hair and his other physical features were sharply defined. He was staring down at me with an amused expression that oddly seemed bored as well, and of course he had bright crimson eyes.

I looked down at the book I was reading then looked back up at him. "Yeah, it just happened to catch my eye."

"It's a good book, a classic even. If you can get over all the lies the author created about us. You're Bella correct?"

"Yes, and you are?"

"Oh I'm sorry, I didn't introduce myself did I? I'm Simon." He offered his hand. I took it as meant for a hand shake, but he turned it over and kissed it instead.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," I said politely resisting the urge to wipe his kiss from my hand.

"And I you, my dear Bella," he said with a smirk on his face.

Just then Felix bounded towards us.

"Oh Bella there you are! I've been looking all over for you." he was smiling like usual, but he seemed nervous, really nervous. "Oh and it seems you met Simon as well. How nice."

"Are you feeling alright Felix?" I asked concerned.

"Yes I'm quite fine really, you don't worry about me. It's time for your first training session."

"Um… alright let me just return this book," I said getting up from my cozy chair.

"No Bella go ahead and take it with they won't mind. People take books out all the time." he said.

"Okay," I replied.

"I'm assuming Aro wants me to help right?" Simon asked Felix.

"You would be correct." he said not sounding a bit happy about it. "So if you wouldn't mind getting Alec and Jane and meeting us in the gym, we will meet you there. I have to get Demetri."

"I wouldn't mind a bit." he said with an odd twinkle in his eyes, "See you soon Bella."

We left the library shortly after Simon. Felix looked mad and kind of scared. I didn't understand why he was like this. I didn't like Simon either. He seemed arrogant and that was one of the things I just couldn't stand. But why did he look scared? It couldn't be Simon could it? What happened in the room when I left?

"Are you sure you're okay Felix?"

He looked at me then took my hand and said, "I'm fine truly."

I still wasn't to sure, but I just nodded and let the subject drop. If he wanted to tell me about it he would.

We sprinted through the halls once more and came to a stop at a green door.

He knocked on the door, "Demetri are you in there? Aro would like you to help us train Bella."

The door swung open. "Why do I have to help?" he whined. He was big and burley like Emmett, but was a little smaller. I guess nobody could outsize Emmett.

"Because Aro said you do and you don't want to make him mad, do you?"

"No," he grumbled. "Let's go then."

We took off to the gym then. Which turned out to be basketball court except it was three times larger. There was a game going and strangely enough I didn't even ask about it. I guess I had finally accepted that I could expect nothing less than strangest things to happen as a vampire.

There was a separate room in the gym. The whole room was made of stone. One side of the wall had sparing weapons though I don't know why they would need them. Everyone else was already there.

The next four hours were exhausting. I didn't even know vampires could get tired, but I found out then. We went through all the basics of fighting having Jane tackle me over and over. Then we switched over to trying to figure out what exactly my talent was. It was easily decided that I was a shield. But the hard part was figuring out my limits and what kind of shield I was exactly. Not much was decided on that front. Eventually Felix ended the grueling practice much to my relief.

"Okay I think that's enough for today"

"Fine," Jane said sharply. "See tomorrow Bella." she said this with a smirk.

I tried to act cheerful, "Bye, Jane,"

She glared back at me disdainfully. Then she left with Alec trailing behind her. I smiled.

"Well, bye Bella. You did well for your first training session." Demetri admitted grudgingly. Then he left as well.

It was just us three now.

"Well, I think you did very well Bella I was impressed." he said casually. But there was something in the way he looked at me, like he was hungry and I was the main dish. I've got say this guy just seemed off.

"Thanks," I replied out of politeness more than anything else.

"Bella, why don't you go to your room. I need to talk to Simon about something. I'll come get you after we're done to take you out hunting. I bet you're thirsty." Felix said not looking at me, but at Simon.

I wasn't keen on just leaving Felix. I don't why, but I didn't trust Simon. But it seemed like they had issues to settle and I would just be in the way. Not to mention I was thirsty to be honest though it hadn't come to mind until now. So I left the gym and headed to my room like a good little vampire.

Felix's POV

I stood there glaring at him in front of me. "What do you think your playing at?"

"You don't think I already know about your deal with Caius and the others?" he scoffed. I blinked in surprise. How could he know? "I knew about it right after you ran out of the main room like a little girl."

"How?" I asked to flabbergasted to be insulted.

"Let's just say Caius and I have our own deal."

"What do you mean?" I responded agitated. I didn't like playing his little word games.

"Well you know how often I get to use my talent. It's a great day when I do. So Caius said that if you don't succeed then I get to use my talent on Bella and I get to keep her.

"What?" I exclaimed outraged, "He promised you her!"

"Well yeah, but don't worry about it. I'll make her forget and then you can have a turn with her after I'm done. I know how much action you get around here." he smiled.

I lunged myself at him. Expecting this he stepped out of the way just in time and I rammed into the stone wall.

"Ah, ah, ah, none of that now." he said leering at me, "You know the consequences of fighting among the Volturi."

I did know, it was death. I got back up and glared at him. "You won't win."

"We'll see." Then he turned and walked out of the room without saying another word.

What? Another chapter, so soon? It can't be! Well yes it can! I really got inspired by the new direction my story took and worked on this chapter like crazy. So think as this as a Thanksgiving present from me to you! I hope you like it! Let me know what you think:)