"Let's go socialize," Bella grumbled, standing up.

I laughed and followed her out of the room. We wandered around until we bumped into none other than the crown jewel of the Volturi- Jane. To my relief, Alec was trailing behind her. Hopefully, she wouldn't do anything too rash with her twin around.

"Alice. Bella," greeted Alec politely. Out of everyone I had met here so far, he had been the most accepting of Bella and I joining them. I wondered exactly how many members he'd seen come and go over the centuries.

I nodded politely back as Jane scowled. "You know, Alec," she said in a sugary-sweet voice as she ignored us, "I doubt the newcomers can even do what they say they can. How do we know they aren't faking?"

"Jane," Alec said in a hard tone. "Be polite."

Bella smiled at Jane. "Jane, I see you've seemed to forgotten about my shield. Remember? The one you couldn't break through?"

Jane hissed in anger and I elbowed Bella. We were supposed to be making friends, not enemies. But then again, being friends with Jane seemed impossible.

"What about her?" Jane spat, nodding towards me. "Seeing the future is almost unheard of in our kind. Why should I believe she can do it?"

"Why not?" I said defensively, before I realized how hypocritical I was being. Hadn't I just been annoyed at Bella for provoking Jane?

Alec rested a hand on Jane's shoulder. "Jane, leave it alone," he said calmly.

I expected Jane to spit out something rude and ignore Alec. To my surprise, she grimaced at Bella and I then stalked away.

Alec lingered behind. "Sorry about that. Jane...takes time to warm up to people," he said with a wry smile. "I almost forgot. Aro wants the both of you to meet him in the throne room."

Bella and I exchanged a fleeting glance. "Alright," I said hesitantly as we followed him.

Aro was seated upon his throne as the two of us entered. A creepy smile crept across his deathly pale features. "Ah, Alice, Bella," he greeted, his smile growing wider. "I've been waiting."

Neither of us said anything.

Aro continued, our silence not bothering him in the least. "As we know, you are new to the Volturi. As with the Cullens, we too have a few...rules." He paused. "First off, you will not leave the castle without permission from either myself, Caius, or Marcus. Secondly, if you do gain permission, you will not leave without a chaperone. Now, the next and final rule is the most important. You will not, under no circumstances, expose us."

It was as if his words echoed around the room. "Now, Alec," he said. "You know very well what breaking these rules will cause, do you not?"

"Yes, Master," said Alec obediently. "The punishment for all and any rule-breaking is death."

Aro chuckled darkly. "Very good. Now, about the newcomers…" he extended a hand out to Bella and I. It took no words to know what he wanted.

"No," said Bella sharply.

Aro raised his eyebrows. "No?"

"Our loyalties lie with you, Aro," I said quickly. "However, we will not allow our minds to betray the Cullen's secrets. We have left them, but they have been civil to us. We extend the same kindness to them."

Aro looked suspicious, but replied, "Very well. You may leave."

The three of us turned to exit. As we approached the door, Aro spoke. "Alice?"

I turned back towards him. "Yes?"

"You may address me as Master Aro," he said in a flat voice, but I could hear the tone of strict order beneath.

"Alright...Master Aro," I said, and left. I would be lying if I said I didn't mean to mock him a little at the end. Alec, after a quick glance, wandered off. Bella and I remained. "How are we supposed to leave now?" I said in a low voice.

But Bella's eyes lit up. "To hunt. Aro can't lure animals in here the way he does humans. Unless they can somehow capture a lion and bring it here, we'll have to feed eventually."

"And what if Aro forces us to change to the 'normal' vampire diet?"

Bella shook her head. "Carlisle stayed here with them for a few years, remember? Aro tried to get him to hunt humans, but Carlisle refused. Aro didn't force him. We just do the same."

I suppose I still looked unsure, because Bella went on. "Besides, the less humans Aro has to bring in here, the less chance of exposure, right?"

"I guess you're right," I whispered. I looked at her eyes, which were still a dark gold. Mines were probably a bright red- I remembered the bag of human blood I'd been given in the airplane. My stomach turned as I thought of it again. I couldn't help but remember how much better compared to animal blood it had been.

Yet, I was determined to stick to the Cullen diet. I had seen a difference in those who drank human blood as compared to animal blood. There was something more feral about them, something that made me uncomfortable. They seemed so much less...humane. Besides, if I wanted to get rid of these ghastly red irises, I would have to turn back to animal blood. "But we still have at least a week before our eyes are dark enough for him to see that we're thirsty enough to hunt."

"A week isn't so bad," said Bella.

"We have to prepare," I said. "It's either we escape, or get killed."

"I know," murmured Bella. She sighed quietly. "The Volturi don't give second chances."