Edward's POV

I had slowly stopped thinking about time. It hurt too much to think how long it had been since I had seen Bella. So I had stopped taking notice to time and focused on helping around the camp. It was always odd jobs, helping where I was needed. The camp itself was decent sized composed of large onings and tents where certain stations where placed. Other than that there were tents scattered across the camp where you could go when you weren't doing anything or it rained though that didn't happen that often.

The camp was stationed in the little town of Alister, North Carolina. Nearly a ghost town the vampires had little to worry about when it came to humans seeing them in the sun. It was located about fifty miles from the sea, easy distant for vampires to run.

When we had first arrived, we were directly sent to meet Wes. Wes was scruffy to say the least. His hair was black that he obviously paid no mind to, it sticking up every which way. His clothes faded, wearing black leather pants and a black leather jacket, a skin tight red shirt underneath. He had a darker complexion; his skin scarred like he had been in many fights and like most other vampires had red eyes. He looked like a biker, the guy in the bar you didn't want to mess with.

"Ah, Andrew it's good you made it back to us in one piece, and you've brought some new recruits as well I see," He said his voice not overly deep.

Andrew nodded. "It's good that we did make it back, I can't say the same for Michael's group though unfortunately." he said sadly.

"What happened?"

"The Volturi must have heard of us. We only saw their cloud of smoke on our way to meet the Cullens, but when we arrived we saw their phone remains and their backpacks."

"This is very unfortunate. They were valuable allies and strong fighters," He sighed and shook his head, "are you sure it was the Volturi?"

"Positive. There were five of them in Michael's group. No random nomad group could have taken them out like that. It had to be the Volturi."

"Then it seems we have to be more cautious when we send out our groups. The Volturi will want to squash this before we even reach them. Go get a hold of every group we have out there right now and warn them. Tell them to get back as soon as they can."

Andrew nodded and left taking Garret and Taylore with him.

Wes sighed again and smiled wearily, "You must be the Cullens. I was hoping you might join us."

Carlisle took a step forward and shook his hand while saying, "My name is Carlisle and this is my family." Then he proceeded with introducing all of us and telling him about our gifts.

"Extraordinary, Extraordinary! This is just the news I needed to hear! It is rare that we come by so many with as many gifts as your family."

"Yes, well we are all very proud, but if you would please explain further what Andrew said about your gift?"

"Ah, yes. Well as you may or may not know, Carlisle, your family is quite well known. Being such a large group, the fact that you live among the humans as if you were humans yourself, and of courses your appetite."

"Well if others know us for these reasons it's only those. We try to be as indiscreet as possible."

"Well when I first heard of you, I knew you would raise our chances of success indefinitely. That is my gift. I knew what might happen if you joined us."

"And what exactly is that?" Carlisle asked skeptically.

"I saw you fighting among us, Edward saving Andrew just in time. Helping us in our attempt to end the Volturi's rule once and for all."

"What about the vision of the girl you saw?" I asked.

"Well occasionally, I have a real vision of what is to come. I'm sure Andrew has already told you about the Volturi taking my daughter Mia." He didn't wait to hear an answer, but continued, "This girl is stuck right in the middle between a game of cruel intentions. Despite all that she has managed to befriend my daughter and stand up to what they are trying to do to her. If we don't surprise them while they are distracted then she will meet a most miserable fate as will my daughter."

I inhaled sharply.

Taking no notice to this he said, "So that is why it is so important we have as many people as we can to help fight with us."

"So what is it exactly you need us to do now?"

He smiled genuinely, "I'm glad you asked."

And so it went, Carlisle was placed as part of the advisors. Helping Wes and others come up with a strategy against the Volturi. Alice with her exceptional gift stayed at Wes's side at all times, keeping him updated on the Volturi's status. Due to Jasper's experience and Emmett's size, he assigned them to help train some of the inexperienced how to fight. Rosalie and Esme helped gather clothes and other needed supplies. They couldn't risk going to buy some the things they needed around this area for the fear of being exposed and they couldn't buy anything online without one of the other vampires taking advantage of the human deliverer. So they did the best they could often going far to larger cities where stores were open late. Other than that they to learned how to fight better themselves.

I was asked to join the advisors as well though I respectively declined. I didn't care how we got there or any of those details. That was insignificant to me. All I cared about was finding Bella and making sure I never let her out of my sight again.

I was on my way to give Taylore clothes that Esme had gotten in Jacksonville, when Alice popped out of nowhere.

"What are you doing Alice? Aren't you supposed to be with Wes?"

"Yes, but there isn't anything new to report and I wanted to come see how you were doing."

"What do you mean?" my tone clipped, knowing exactly what she meant.

"Come on Edward, you act more depressed every day."

"Well how do you expect me to feel Alice?" I said stopping, glaring right at her pixie little face.

She didn't seem fazed, but said, "She wants to leave. She had intended on leaving with Mia, but now I think she knows they won't let her. I think she realizes what a bad decision she made."

"And how is this supposed to make me feel better?"

"It's not. I just thought you ought to know." she said simply as she turned away back to Wes's tent. I was numb as I made my way to Taylore's tent. I handed her the clothes then left without much saying anything. I went back to our tent and sat down on a log beside it and thought long and hard. My Bella was trapped in that god forsaken castle and I would stand at nothing to get her out of it. Lost in thought I had no idea who had approached me till I got a big whiff of dog.

Bella's POV

I felt stuck. Stuck between denial and acceptance. I knew that I couldn't leave, but a part of me wanted to believe I could so that I might have that hope to hold on to.

Don't get me wrong. It wasn't as if they were torturing me, but this place scared me. It made me wonder who I could trust and who was out to get me. I guess I have Mia to blame for my new paranoia, but that didn't stop me from shivering from thinking about all the stories she had told me.

I was in the library back in my cozy chair in the corner just finishing Dracula. I spent most of my time here in the library when I wasn't training or spending time with Mia. I liked it here, there being few amount of people and that I could enjoy one of my favorite pastimes as a human.

"So this again, huh?"

I jumped, and took unnecessary breath. It was Simon.

"Oh, hi Simon. You might have just scared the life out of me." I said trying to compose myself.

"My apologies, Bella. I just wanted to come see what you were up to. That I might actually have an opportunity to finally have a real conversation with you."

This much was true. In the month I had been here, ever since our first encounter I had done my best to stay away from Simon. Which seemed easier said than done. He popped in at random; always curious of what I was doing or just to make sure I was ok. Need less to say, he gave me the creeps.

"Well I'm not doing very much. I just finished my book and was

about to go find another." I said as I stood up taking my book with me, "I'm so sorry Simon, but I really must go. After I return this book, I have to go meet Felix for my training session."

"Oh, well ok Bella, but we really do must get together some time."

"Of course, Simon." I said, "But I must be going now."

"Then I won't keep you any longer," he said taking my hand and kissing it like he had when we first met, "A pleasure as always my Bella."

I mumbled a good-bye and without returning the book I left to go find Felix. I didn't look back at Simon once, but unlike the first time, as soon as I was out of sight, I wiped my hand where he had kissed it.

As promised here is the next chapter. I hope you like it. Don't forget to tell me what you think! Thanks!:)