Alice led us down an ornate corridor to an elevator. Carlisle pulled us to a halt a couple of times, reminiscing about one piece or another hanging on the walls. Eventually Alec joined us in the hall.

"There you are. We were starting to wonder."

Alice shook her head. "I told you we were coming. Did you notice Carlisle in this one?" Alice asked, pointing at the oil painting we had stopped at.

Alec looked for a moment. "Well, there he is. Is that Felix?" he asked, pointing at another figure in the back ground, one holding a man over his head.

"Yes," she answered with a giggle. "Why didn't we stop and look at these more often? Some are hilarious. Did you see Marcus' expression in this one?" She zipped down the hall to the last one we had stopped at. Carlisle continued to lead us the way we had been going. Alec and Alice returned in seconds, laughing together.

The guard members led us to an elevator.

"When did they put this in?" Carlisle asked. "The grand staircase is still used, isn't it?"

"It's still there, but not used, no. They put this in... almost a century ago, before Alice joined us anyway," Alec answered.

Bella was still uncomfortable. I put an arm around her shoulders while Carlisle, Alec and Alice chatted about changes made to the castle. "Is something bothering you?"

"Feeling very out of place. The only one with a heartbeat, the only one who doesn't count age in decades..."

"But you're one of us." I reminded her. "When Alice met you she called you a Cullen. You are." I kissed her temple, sending her reassurance. "Just because you aren't a vampire, doesn't make you any less one of us."

"Thanks, Jasper." She turned to me and I put a soft kiss on her lips, stroking her cheek. I felt her confidence rise only to falter again. "What are they going to want?"

"I don't know. Last time I asked Alice, they didn't know either. Don't worry though. I'm not going to let anything happen to you, all right?"

She buried her face in my chest, hugging me. "Thank you, Jasper."

Alice finally noticed us then. She came to stroke Bella's back. "Don't worry, sweetie. Aro's just going to take your hand and look inside your head. It doesn't hurt at all. He already has what he needs from James, but he wants to be thorough." She smiled wanly at me. She wasn't thrilled to be giving Aro an inside look into our lives, I could tell.

"So he'll see..." Bella looked at Alice, instantly embarrassed and terrified.

"I'm afraid so. Don't worry about it, he's seen worse, but not better," she smirked. I rolled my eyes. She didn't know Bella well enough. That wasn't going to make her feel better.

Bella chuckled, but didn't really smile. "I still don't like it."

"I know. He has so much in his head, Bella, he isn't going to linger on that, all right?"

She nodded, but didn't look up again. The elevator door opened then, and we were led past a receptionist.

"Hello, Gianna."

"Welcome back, Alice." The human behind the desk smiled at our group. "They've been waiting for you."

"I know," Alice sighed. "I had to take the scenic route, though. This was Bella's first time in Italy."

"Oh! Bienvenito!" Gianna said to Bella. I had to wonder at the humans involved with the Volturi. Although their hopes were obvious, it seemed impossible any of them would actually receive what they desired. Gianna was beautiful and eager, but she wasn't noteworthy. I couldn't pity her. She was willing to aid in mass slaughter; her own demise was less than full justice.

"Um, thank you."

Alice and Alec led us to a pair of double doors, one of which was open. Inside was a white marble throne room with three vampires seated on the dais. I recognized them from Carlisle's painting in his study. The two with black hair were Aro and Marcus. The pale haired one was Caius. Marcus would be the one staring off into space. Alice had said he wasn't the same since Didyme's demise. Aro had a smile that split his face in half.

"Carlisle! Alice! So good to have you here again. Please, come, introduce me to your family." He referred to them together. He knew Alice was joining us. That must have come from one of the guard. James wouldn't know that.

Carlisle stepped forward first, but Alice passed him, putting her hand in Aro's as she kissed his cheek. "I'm sorry to say goodbye."

Aro's anger was thin and well veiled. He smiled at her. "Yes, it is sad, but it doesn't have to be goodbye. You could keep your ways while you stay, you and the other Cullens." He looked to Carlisle and I. His eyes stopped on Bella.

"Bella. I have learned of you from the others, but Alice has given me a new view. You are a special human, aren't you? Destined to be one of us. May I?" He held his hand out to Bella.

She looked to me and then Alice. Alice was nodding, but I just tightened my hold on her arm. I felt her fear and trepidation, and I didn't doubt it was warranted. She put her hand in Aro's and he cupped another gently over top. He was excited, eager. This was a change from the disappointment and anger he'd had taking Alice's memories. He was hoping Bella's mind would give him a reason to keep her here.

The excitement turned to frustration and his brow furrowed. He closed his eyes a moment then opened them on hers. "How strange."

"What?" she asked, still terrified.

"Don't be afraid," I whispered to her.

"No, no need to be afraid," Aro agreed. "You are gifted, Bella, I believe. Demitri said he couldn't track you, but I thought that was just an oddity. However, I can't hear you, either. Have you ever met Eleazar, Bella?"

"N-no."

Aro smiled broadly. "Fear not," he cooed. "Eleazar has a gift for seeing gifts. I was wondering if he might know the extent of yours. I must say I am interested. It is still latent, you being human. You will make an excellent immortal." His red eyes were drinking in Bella, his emotions filled with want and desire. I dared to put a hand to his chest, holding him off.

Thugs were on me immediately, pinning my arms behind my back, but I continued to stare hatred at him. Bella was not his. He looked back at me, power in his gaze.

"Felix, Corin, let him go. He was only trying to protect his friend. You have a gift as well, Jasper. I do want your friend to be my friend as well, but I will not harm her; I will not force her."

I narrowed my eyes on him. He was lying. He had a way he intended to use to keep her. I would have to talk to Alice; she might know what his plan was.

He was going to know I was on to him. I couldn't decide if that was good or bad. Perhaps it would make him less likely to act, make him cautious enough to delay. Maybe it would make him wary of me. Maybe it would just make him try harder, work faster. I tried not to think about it. I wanted to get this over with so I could be free to think again. How did the guard put up with this?

"You need my point of view?" I thrust my hand at him, snatching his from Bella.

"Yes, thank you, Jasper." He held my eyes as he held my hand. I was just glad he was no longer touching Bella. I waited for the silent interrogation to end.

Aro nodded, letting go. "I see. And you, Carlisle?" Aro sidled down the line. I noticed the other two now that Aro didn't hold my attention. Caius sneered. He was filled with hatred and anger. I didn't know why he hated us so much, but it was heavy around him. Marcus was curious. It wasn't quite enough to bring him out of the cloud of depression that was even heavier than the anger around Caius. I was glad we weren't staying; those two dark emotions would crush me in time. I squeezed Bella around the waist and tried to draw from her.

Her fear was lighter, but not what I needed. Alice didn't have it either. She was concerned now; something she saw was troubling her. Carlisle was sharing his mind with Aro. He wasn't exactly thrilled about it. Was anyone in this room happy? Bella hugged me back, sensing my unease. I closed my eyes and focused on the love coming from her and Alice. They were both worried about me. It darkened the sensation, but it was still good.

"Are you okay, Jasper?" Bella asked.

"Yeah. I'll be glad to get out of here, though."

"I think we all will," Alice whispered. "Sadly, we won't be leaving soon."

"Thank you, Carlisle. I am glad you were able to find someone to share your life with you. I was certain Eleazar would join you. He seems happy in Denali though. You won't mind staying until I can invite him here?" Aro was talking to Carlisle, but the entire room hung on his words.

"That shouldn't be a problem. May I ask why?"

"I want him to tell me about young Bella." Aro's red eyes fell on my lover again, and I put myself in their path. "Her gift is most interesting. I know he has trouble with humans." He paused, his eyes taking on a faraway look. He cocked his head looking around me. "I didn't even think to ask, Alice's vision was unclear. Are you interested in joining us, Bella? Becoming one of the guard? Immortal?"

"Aro?" Caius asked.

"Come, Caius, isn't it obvious that her gift is defensive? If she were to share it with us..."

"No," Bella croaked. "I think I'd like to go home."

"I understand. Well, you have time to consider my offer. I will insist you accept our hospitality until Eleazar can arrive. I'm sure he won't delay, not when he knows the Cullens are here. Here, Felix will show you to a room. I'll have Gianna make sure something suitable is brought for you to eat. I imagine you are hungry after your flight and drive. Alice, would you stay? I have some news for you."

I held Bella's hand as we followed Felix with Carlisle at our side.

"They have a way of never letting you get a 'no' in edgewise," Carlisle muttered. "Don't worry, Bella. Eleazar will come, tell him what he wants, and we'll go home."

"I wonder what he's telling Alice," Bella mused. "And James, what happened to him?"

"Burned," Felix said from ahead of us. "Aro ordered it immediately after reading him. Same will happen to the other when we find her. He's already authorized it."

"He's gone?" Bella whispered.

"Ashes," Felix said with a smile. "I got to rip him apart myself." I felt the pleasure ripple from him. As much as I should be disgusted by it, I was only envious. I wished I had had the opportunity to take another bite out of him.

"Jasper?" Bella seemed frightened again. I realized I was wearing my emotions. Carlisle was a bit disturbed as well.

"It's nothing. Glad he's done."

Felix opened the door to a suite of rooms. "If you need directions, just ask anyone in the hall." He looked from Carlisle to me and back to Bella. He was fast. He swooped in, planted his lips on Bella's and ran out closing the door behind him.

"Alice is so going to kick his ass," Bella murmured.

My jealousy boiled. I fought the urge to run after Felix and rip his head from his shoulders. "Carlisle, will you and Bella be all right together? I think I want to join Alice."

Carlisle nodded. "Of course. Go on, Jasper. We'll be fine, right, Bella?"

She put on a brave face, but I could feel her fear. "Of course. Make sure Alice is okay. Bring her back with you." She clutched me around the waist. "This place scares me. I want both of you."

I held her and kissed her head. "I'll feel better with both of you at my side." I smiled at Carlisle. "I won't be long."

He nodded. "Let's see what the rooms are like, shall we, Bella?"

She sniffled and took Carlisle's hand. He pulled her close and put an arm around her shoulders, leaning his head onto hers. I felt her confidence bolster in his arms. It would be even better when I returned with Alice. I hurried out of the suite.

Thanks to Sharebear, as ever, for the beta.