CHAPTER 28 – THE VOLTURI

Shelter – Birdy Cover

I find shelter in this way
Under cover, hide away
Can you hear when I say
I have never felt this way

Maybe I had said something that was wrong
Can I make it better with the lights turned on

A/N: For all your awesome reviews, I have made an extra long chapter with lots of revelations in 4, 563 words. Hope you enjoy.

"What happened to your parents?" Esme whispered quietly after the few moments of silence.

In a frantic frenzy, I shook my head, "Please" tears began to sting my eyes and the air left my lungs with the thought of talking about them now, "Not now" I pleaded, willing the memories to fade away before they could manifest into something more – something real.

Edward ran a calming palm down my hands to tranquilize my panic causing my breaths to even out when he whispered, "Okay" my heart rate slowed knowing that they wouldn't force the words out of me. Yet.

Instead of pursuing the topic, Alice took it upon herself to change it, "You know you never told us how you met Carlisle?" she perked up with hopeful eyes. I was just relieved that she had chosen a safe topic although I did worry about that fact that it did waver towards the dangers of the memories.

"We met in Italy" I paused when it dawned on me that Edward was still massaging my back which pleased me,"21st Century suits you" continuing when Carlisle's hitched brow caught my attention, "I prefer this modern bouffant style you have going" I teased him and he smiled in gratitude of the compliment.

Emmett was ecstatic about this when giddily asking, "What did he have back then?"

I smirked when Carlisle's face fell and he narrowed his eyes sending me a warning look, "He had longer curls and wore the expected petticoat with his ruffled shirt" laughing along with others.

Emmett pretended to wipe a tear from his eye as he chuckled, "Oh I wish I had a picture" again we shared another laugh at that and I ignored the mocking scowl that Carlisle pretended to glare at me. It was such a light atmosphere and I felt a warmth radiate around them. The combined happiness that they shared was enough to have both me and Jasper in such high spirits and I smiled at him in understanding which he returned.

After our laughter died down, Rosalie asked, "So if you were in Italy that means that you knew of the Volturi"

Another deep breath was taken to calm the thumping of my heart and I felt my brows furrow as I knew the memory was inevitable , "I knew them long before I met Carlisle" I murmured before I drifted back to my past.

-FLASHBACK-

Father had let me go running for while after mama's persuasion. He didn't like me out by myself but he loved mama and couldn't seem to say no to her. I knew that they needed some time to themselves which was why I had asked to go out for a while, also I enjoyed being around nature, where I could be free from the restraints of my home.

This was why I was now chasing the red fox through the forest.

Each lunge pumped even more adrenaline through me but I had to rein in the stretch of the lunges so that I wouldn't rip my new dress.

The familiar scent hit me causing me to come to halt before stumbling a few steps back but my back hit something hard and when spinning around, I came face to face with a tall pale faced man with long black hair that fell down his back. He was dressed in layers of black and burgundy robes that fell to the floor, grazing at the grass. A large gold chain hang around his neck with a V shaped crest encrusted with different colored gems.

His pale face contrasted with the bright scarlet eyes.

A vampire.

"Forgive me if I scared you" his voice had an underlying Italian accent although the English accent was more prominent.

"I-I'm sorry"

His red eyes unnerved me as they remained trained onto me. An unknown conflict played in his eyes.

My feet were lead as they were weighed down to the ground and I couldn't find the life in my veins and I tried to will myself to find the feeling he was emitting. All I could feel was his curiosity but the feeling was wavering as it sparked and dulled out. I was yet to perfect my aura senses.

"What are you?" he broke the silence with his dark throaty voice.

I took a few shaky steps backwards, "What?" I croaked out in an almost audible whisper. Fear grew more profound when he took a defined step towards me.

When he caught my fearful expression, he didn't lunge, instead he froze in his steps before his head lolled to the left, "Your smell…" he sniffed the air picking up on my scent and I tried to push out the elastic band that mama told me to envision.

It was difficult to learn to balance all three powers and the panic wasn't helping in keeping control of any of them. I fell back into another step but this time I tripped and landed on the ground. Knowing that I was now vulnerable before him, tears began to fall as I cowered away and stuttered, "P-Please don't hurt me"

A crease formed on his forehead as he grew troubled, "I was not planning to" he muttered, his emotions became more conflicted as he towered over me, sadness settling in his eyes as my words shook him to the point that he took a small step back.

I felt guilty for causing him pain which was why I felt brave enough to look up at him and ask, "Really?" while fiercely wiping away at the tears.

He continued to stare at me and stretched out his palm, "Sit with me?" he offered.

This was a big step but I trusted my instincts when placing my own hand into his and allowing him to pull me back up and lead me to the large rock in the clearing he had been occupying.

His book was discarded, laying on the forest ground. Brown leather bound cover with slightly frayed strings that were loosened.

I bent down to pick it up for him and turned it over when curiosity got the best of me and I wanted to read the title.

DANTE'S INFERNO.

Not helping myself, I commented on the familiarity on the poems, "I enjoy his works" remembering that my copy would be on my top shelf.

"You have read Alighieri?" he asked with a surprised tone, obviously not expecting me to have known Dante but I tried not to show that I was offended.

Instead I nodded in confirmation, "Dante is very passionate" I answered and passed the book back to him.

He took it from me and wrapped the strings around the book before setting it down and taking a place back onto the rock he'd been sitting on which was conveniently shrouded by trees, away from the sun. I took a place by his feet as I crossed my legs under me and felt like the little girl waiting for her grandfather to tell a story with the strange position we were both in.

As I played with the wild flowers around me, I waited for him to say something but he kept silent so I looked up at him and read the contemplating expression he wore. His eyes bore into mine as they tried to read me but I couldn't understand why.

I was about to say something to divert his thoughts but he finally chose to speak, "How old are you?"

"Eighteen", I answered hoping he didn't read too much into how quickly I had answered. I was not sure as to whether I would reveal my real age.

He didn't seem to have noticed as he moved back to cross his arms over his chest with his eyes still trained onto me with such interest it was slightly uncomfortable.

We barely met other beings because mama and papa were so adamant in keeping me away from threats of any danger. Even school had become out of option as they had decided I needed to gain control of myself due to many slip ups.

Vampires were only myths due to the wild spin of stories that my parents had told me. All the dark morbid stories that they had fed me didn't seem to apply to the one that stood before me.

Wisdom filled his features and when I reached out, I felt no evil or felt any risk of danger. Instead, I felt a hollow pit of nothingness while sadness and loneliness clouded his aura. Not able to stop myself, I voiced what I had perceived, "Why are you alone?"

For a few seconds, he remained silent before tearing his eyes away from me and scanned the surroundings, a small smile gracing his lips before he answered, "The peace and quiet" he sighed wistfully.

I nodded in understanding, "Like me" he hitched an eyebrow at my reply, "Sometimes it's nice to be alone" I confessed while playing with the red poppies beneath my feet and twirling the stem around my index finger, enjoying the serene moment away from everything else.

"I agree" he sighed.

I turned to look up at him, using my hand as a shade from the burning sun, and saw how the sorrow seeped into his eyes but he tried to hide it by turning away from me.

He seemed to be grieving, withholding an anguish that he kept buried inside, not wanting to make himself seem vulnerable around others but the cracking misery in his pebbled eyes told me that it was just a front. My heart reached out to him which was why I had to speak out, "Although…" my voice captured his attention, "You do seem lonely" I remarked.

"Why do you say that?" his voice had lowered and gained a defensive tone.

I inclined my head to the left which caused a curl fall out of place so I pushed it behind my ear when replying, "Your soul – " I began but then hesitated scared that I would offend him. He nodded urging me on so I continued, "Your soul is in pain" I countered.

I waited for him to deny it but he just muttered, "How do you know?"

My wall was back up and I grew guarded but I felt that I could trust him which was why I confessed, "I can feel it"

"I suppose I am a bit lonely" he sighed pensively with a faraway look in his eyes when looking off into the distance. Seconds passed before he finally revealed, "I lost my wife" his croaky voice was laced with the desolation that he tried to hide but for some reason was willing to tell me.

Mama said it had something to do with the trusting aura that we emitted.

Trusting myself, I placed my palm on top of his hand and he flinched for a second before relaxing under my comforting touch. When he calmed down, I felt encouraged to ask, "Recently?"

The crease returned on his forehead as he breathed, "Feels like yesterday"

When he met my eyes, I spoke again, "Time only makes it easier but it doesn't mean that we forget" I felt myself crumble under his broken stare, "I am sorry for your loss" my sincere apology seemed to work because he actually gave a small smile in acceptance.

He looked down again to meet my eyes, "What is your name?" he questioned.

"Isabella" I answered in a quiet whisper, "And yours?" I inquired.

"Marcus" he held out his hand with a small smile, "Enchante" and for the first time since I met his, I saw the light return into his scarlet eyes.

It was nice to know that he was accepting me unlike the others which was why I accepted his hand, "Nice to meet you too"

If only I could've been able to see how my life was to change after trusting one vampire.

Blinking away the memory; I focused back onto the Cullens who were staring back at me in confusion.

"Are you alright?" Edward squeezed my hand when asking this, massaging my hand with the cool touch of his thumb as he drew circles on my skin.

I craned my head so I could look up at him but when I was met with his apprehensive expression; I smiled to assure him that I was okay before adding, "Perfect"

"So when did you first meet Carlisle?" Jasper pulled me away from the daze Edward had sent me on.

Carlisle replied before I had the chance, "Actually I came to the Volturi and found Bella there" he nodded towards me and I smiled shyly.

"What were you doing with the Volturi?"

Another sigh left my lips and I ran my fingers through my hair – a nervous habit I got from my mother, "School was difficult" recalling the past to how I used to be bullied by the other human children, "I was yet to learn how to control myself and tended to expose myself" the memory of my overwhelming anger and watched as my mind replayed the moment when I threw out my shield almost killing that little girl.

Once I was back to reality, I caught how they were all still staring at me so I quickly informed them, "I met Marcus and we became friends"

"Friends with Marcus Volturi?" Jasper grimaced at the thought.

His disbelieving tone made me laugh before I continued with a summary of my story, "He was lost and lonely…" my thoughts wandered back to his dulled eyes, "…And I tried to help him see the beauty in life again" I concluded, pushing away my own memories but also pausing as I waited for them to digest that information, "In return, he invited me to the Volterra Castle where he volunteered to be my teacher"

Alice grew doubtful and I could detect the hesitancy in her voice as she asked, "What about your parents?"

It seemed that I would never get used to someone referring to them. For a long time, they had only been in my private thoughts but it felt strange to hear them mention them.

"For a while they let me stay in Volterra by myself but then they were invited to stay" recalling how Aro had pretended to be so kind when he met them and how caring he had sounded as he hugged them like old friends. I felt even more stupid as the memory flew through my mind. My anger returned and I used my free hand to grip the side of the dress with both frustration and shame.

Edward's fingers tightened around mine as if he could read my mind when he sidetracked me from my shadowed thoughts with his crooked grin, "You must have been pleased"

"I was" I nodded with a forced smile but could feel it wavering under his stare, "At the time" his face became blurry and I realized that I was going to cry. With an irritated sigh, I looked away from him with a scoff at my weak behaviour before reaching up to furiously wipe away at the escaping tears.

"It's okay" he whispered, "You don't have to do it all at once" doing the same thing as before as his hands soothed my back in a circular motion.

Wanting to be closer to him, I leaned into his chest once again, still fighting back the tears that threatened to spill. I was so tired of being the victim and I was tired of allowing Aro to rule my life. It was ridiculous to think that even the mention of his name or even the thought of him would effect me so negatively.

As this thought passed by, I realized that I needed to tell someone. I needed to get through it once, otherwise I would continue to live in fear.

And I knew I could trust them. I knew that.

"No" wiping away the tears again. Blinking away the tears to regain my clear vision of the Cullens, only to find them staring back at me with wary expressions – probably waiting for me to breakdown so I assured them again, "I'm okay" giving a strained smile when accepting the tissue that Esme was offering.

They waited.

Continued waiting for me to gather my thoughts, all the while Edward's hand never stopped massaging my back and he never let go of my hand to which I was thankful as his touch had the ability to calm me.

Once I was sure that I wouldn't start crying, I took a deep breath and began, "Years later, Carlisle came and he too became my teacher" I sent him another grateful smile which he returned although his faltered as the pain emanated from him but I knew I had to keep going.

Turning back to the rest, I continued on with the story, "Shortly after, my mother became pregnant and I was so excited to have someone else to talk to. I remember I would sit next to her as I read stories to the baby. I knew I would love it with all my heart. Teach what I could just as my father did for me…" my voice shook at the end as I stared off into the distance but not really concentrating on what I was looking at. "After Carlisle left, we still stayed in Volterra and our trust for the Volturi grew. We honestly believed that a truce was possible. We had grown tired of running and hiding from vampires so we showed them that they could trust us just as we trusted them. We had no reason to because Marcus told us to trust them and we did. We told him everything and because of this, consequences were made-"

"What did you tell them?" fear laced her hushed words as she broke the deadened silence. Hearing Rosalie reminded me of where I was and who I was with as I had already lost myself in the story itself because when speaking, the images manifested and would replay themselves in my thoughts.

"We told them everything" I answered and watched as her eyes widened. The rest were on the edge of their seats as they hanged on to every word I said apart from Carlisle who was deep in his thoughts as he looked off into nothingness, not really concentrating on everyone.

"Everything" I whispered again before being pulled back into the story, "Our powers, our lifestyle, our abilities" I scoffed at my stupidity. It had been like I had brought the lambs to the slaughter and my punishment was living in forever with the burdening guilt that ate at me every single day.

Thinking back to my naivety of spending the days in the throne room where I would eat and talk with the Volturi, answering any questions they had and even going as far as blurting out our secret, "We even told them about our blood" I found myself forming the words in a laugh.

"What?"

I didn't know who had spoken and didn't check but I still answered, "Our blood is another way in identifying our kind. It's sweeter and more tempting as the power we have runs through the veins. If a vampire drinks it, that power can affect them by enhancing their senses or strengthening them which is why we have the shield. We can mask ourselves but it takes a lot of energy" I finished knowing that I could trust them. Carlisle had once had the opportunity of smelling my blood out of his curiosity and he had fought it. He did take a step forwards and growled at me with a hunger in his eyes but that was as far as it went. I briefly wondered how Edward would react…

When I noticed how the tension had returned with their waiting silence, I chose to carry on even though I was drawing nearer to reliving the nightmare, "A few days after we told them this, I noticed that Aro became more attuned to what I did. He would join in on Marcus' lessons and would help me with my knowledge of art, history and music" I continued with shaky voice, my mind trailing back to how invested he grew with my studies, "Then a few days later, Aro told me that my parents had returned to England which I found strange as they hadn't left me with an explanation or a goodbye but still I didn't question it as he sidetracked me with different things. Always kept me busy but I was too naïve to notice why" my head dropped down in shame and self-loathing, my clenched fists drug into my lap and I had to take a few more deep breaths to regain control.

Even though my whole form was quivering, I continued with a wavering voice, "It was months…" disgust filled me as I said this, "…Months before I decided to acknowledge the darkness that crept up on me and finally questioned him. Questioned why Marcus would avoid me and questioned why Aro was so suddenly interested" I was so far gone into the story and could feel the rage return, "That was when I had my first premonition dream" glancing at Alice when I said this and she nodded in understanding.

This was the part that would break me, I had relived it in nightmares or when I was alone with my thoughts but now I would be saying it out loud and the thoughts frightened me to my very core. Speaking about it made it seem like a movie, not the reality that I had lived through.

"You don't have to…" Edward broke through my trance.

Ripping away from the conflict, I turned to him and saw the sorrow play in his eyes as he pleaded with me but I shook my head, "I have to…" I whispered and tightened my hold onto his hand before dropping my gaze to our entwined hands, "If I want to break free from it, I have to…" I whispered again, looking back at him and hoping that he understood.

He did.

Closing my eyes, I took another deep breath, gripping Edward's hand for dear life as I fell back into the story, "The dream, started off with me waking up and walking towards the door before continuing down several halls. All dark and even though the guards flanked all entrances they didn't stop me and it was then that I realized I wasn't awake, I was still dreaming" they were all listening to the story with such piqued interest that the only sounds in the room was the low thudding of my heartbeat and the taunting ticking of the clock.

It was like I had returned to the dream because as it replayed in my mind, I narrated, "The dream led me towards another dark stairway which led to barred doors. A key was turned and a step was taken. It was silent and all I could hear was the whisper of feet gliding across the floor" I inhaled and I could still smell the disgusting stench of copper and salt, "It wasn't long before the muffled sound developed into loud piercing screams" behind closed lids, I watched as the dream manifested, "Finally a corner was turned and there was my mother-" my breath hitched as I watched the memory before shaking my head, "…but it wasn't my mother" frowning at the sight of the person that was supposed to be my mother, "Her beautiful long brown hair was wild and disarrayed and covered in dirt, her eyes were tired and filled with such crippling fear, her creamy skin was now ashen and I could see the bones poking at her skin" the image was wrong. She couldn't be who I thought she was, "Her hands tied up above her head in iron chains and her head fell to the side. She was in the same dress I last saw her in but it was caked in dirt and b-blood" chocking at the last part as I felt bile rise to my throat.

This time I couldn't stop the tears but I didn't reach up to wipe them because I was too far gone, still wondering why I couldn't move my muscles to run towards my mother, "Instead of running towards her, I was taking slow steps towards her and instead of breaking her free, I grabbed her neck with such force so that I could push her up against the wall, "The stench was stronger now but for some reason I enjoyed it, "Instead of me sharing her pain, I felt myself smile as I watched her tremble under my firm grasp as tears rolled down her cheek. Instead of feeling sadness, I felt lust and such a burning hunger" my breathing had grown erratic now as I watched with anticipation to how my mother squirmed away from my hold, "the power that I felt was indescribable" I breathed and a ghost of a smile played on my lips before I realized where I was and who I was.

Opening my eyes, I stared off out the glass walls but not really seeing anything as I whispered, "I bit her" ignoring the sharp intake of breath that shattered the silence, I drove myself into recalling the night and my eyelids fell as I was pulled back in, "I indulged on the taste of her blood. Crushed her body to me as I felt the warm liquid run down my throat and with each drop that filled me, I only felt myself grow hungrier. I was insatiable" the last part was spat out although it was filled with the smugness, "Once I pulled away and dropped the dead body on the floor, I then focused on the other protesting screams from behind me" now that I was in control of myself, I could feel the trepidation creep back into my voice as the tremors overtook me, "Whipping around, I caught sight of what was left of the person that looked like my father. His shirt was ripped open and there were slashes all over his body but I still made no move to save the last person I had left"

I could feel myself slowly losing it and nearing the threat of a breakdown but still I had to carry on, "When slipping my fingers into my pocket, I pulled out the silver dagger from my pocket. I lifted it up to the light, ignoring how my father was thrashing and screaming and crying for help while admiring the sharp blade" I paused when I felt the danger of the feelings returning again before I spoke again, "When I looked down at the silver blade, I smirked at the blood red eyes on the reflection. They were full of malevolence, pride and greed but that never bothered me because it signified my power" the dream replayed as to how I stepped closer to my father and wrapped my fingers around his neck, enjoying how his fights were futile when I threw his head back onto the brick wall.

"It was then I realized, I wasn't who I thought I was…" drifting off as I opened my eyes once again and found that my vision had blurred, "I was Aro"

A/N: Intense stuff huh? Poor Bella having such a power to relieve all that.

THANK YOU all for your reviews. Many of you liked the multitude of chapters so I'll try my best in doing that.

Anyway, super excited to have used my first FLASHBACK and to have gotten this out in the open. Hope you enjoyed it and thanks again for last chapters reviews. Here are the responses:

o.0 rosa o.0 – This fanfic is still a work in progress so I don't think all the chapters will be up by then but I will try and post more than one on your birthday. Thank you for reading and reviewing.

chyna76 – Never left a person speechless (or typeless?) anyway thank you for your review and for still reading this.

Gracegoddess – Yay! You loved it. Was worried about how readers would take the whole angel/guardian thing so I'm delighted you liked that.

Valentine Rain - You knew? Thank you for reviewing each chapter. I'm happy that you kept reading and are waiting for my updates. I'll do my best to be updating with extra bonus chapters.

InLoveJA – Congrats on the almost guess. Thank you for the compliments – glad that you liked that the chapters and you're still reading on. Thank you for your review and for reading as always.

IzzyPure – I love red hair. Hope your dye turned out okay. What's your natural hair colour?

The school B**** sound like many girls I know. Take Footguy's word for it – if he doesn't like her, he doesn't like her. Guys are usually upfront about things. Rumors be darned!

Aw…sorry about your bro. I know how it feels. My big brother is studying in a diff country and I'm missing him. Hopefully the two months will fly by.

Weird about the creepy/gay ex. I think Footguy likes you….already stalking your facebook and fighting over you? You didn't give him your number – does that mean you don't like him? You're confuzzling me right now.

Poor Horse-face guy. Be nice (mock scowl)

I tend to avoid giving my friends advice – someone always ends up in tears.

If your Latin teacher picks on you for laughing just say – "Freedom of expression, first amendment". Then again, you shouldn't take my advice as I said so before.

Good to know that you're excited for my story – keeps me writing.

Multi-Fandom-Lover123 – Coincidental moment: I actually just finished reading that series and I'm waiting on the movie. Love the books – which one are you currently reading? It's awesome to know that you're loving the updates and still reading and reviewing so thank you.

cecilia4059 – Protection against the whole Volturi? We'll just have to wait and see. Aro didn't do it by himself – he had help…

Thank you for the love sent to my story. I am very grateful for that. Also thank you for your review and for still reading. I'll keqep trying to update with more than one chapter but not this week but hope you enjoyed this update anyway.

Twilight Rocker 12 – Your welcome for the chapters and I'm walking on sunshine knowing that you liked that so I'll try to be doing several updates. It will be easier after I've dealt with everything. Don't worry about my issues – nothing I can't handle but thanks for your concern.

jukmare – New reviewer? Thank you for reading my story and reviewing. Hope you're enjoying. You knew too? True thing about caring for humans. Anyway thanks again.

I'll put up pictures on the blog as to what I envision her mark to look like. Glad you enjoyed the Edward and Bella moments – just a little teaser. I'm excited to write about the Denalis arrival.

To end this, thank you for your lovely review as always and for reading.