"It's not a coincidence that you came when Damon isn't here, is it?" I said while staring at my reflection in the mirror.

"It's a bit strange not being able to sneak up on you" Alice said coming in the bedroom, she scrunched her nose and then smirked at me through the mirror. "This bedroom smells like a brothel"

"Have you been to a brothel?" I said jokingly. "You whore!"

She chuckled and sat on an armchair.

"Boots or pumps?" I asked her showing the options.

"Boots" she said with a firm nod. "Nice choice. I'm amazed at how much you've grown since you came to Mystic Falls, you're a woman now, with a sense of fashion"

"Thanks to Damon" I said while zipping up the knee-high leather boot.

"We have a lot to thank him for"

"But you didn't come here, avoiding him, for that"

Her smiled slipped from her face and it was replaced by a guilty frown.

"I'm sorry" she said. "And I really am"

"Alice" I interrupted. "Just let me… first. I'm sorry. You pissed me off, but I shouldn't have attacked you, it was inexcusable"

"You scared me for a moment" she said with a tiny smile. "Who would imagine? Bella Swan, the klutz, danger magnet… all powerful and scary"

"So, will you explain why I'm powerful and scary?" I asked sitting on the bed. "Damon said he had to solve some stuff so we could go out peacefully with no one dying while we're out… As if I didn't know he went to Elena's to talk to the girls about a birthday party. He'll probably be back soon, and I'm guessing he isn't supposed to know"

"He can, if you want" she said.

"So, what is it?"

"I had a lot of visions while we were away, Bella. But they only concretized once you were in the hospital" she said with a deep frown. "All this madness is far from over"

"Klaus? Yeah, I know, he just doesn't die, does he?" I chuckled mirthlessly.

"Not only Klaus" she said. "Bella, what I'm going to tell you now, you'll have to be careful about who you tell… It can change the future drastically and we definitely don't want that"

She told me what she had seen. And then I understood why I had to be changed. Not only I was a liability as human, a weak human even if a witch, but I would die soon, and that would disrupt the order that was starting to settle. I couldn't blame her. Not really. With me as a vampire the chances of everyone being safe were much higher.

I decided I would have to do something, to make sure my friends and family wouldn't get hurt.

Alice's eyes got unfocused and when they came back to normal she arched an eyebrow at me.

"What are you planning, Bella?" she asked.

"You already know, Alice, don't you?" I said standing up. "Help me with my make-up?"

"Are you sure about this?" she asked while I got the eye-shadows and eyeliner.

"Have I ever let a chance of saving the people I love slip?" I retorted. "Just tell me, will it work?"

"Yes… You will be fine and we'll be safe here"

"Make sure your family stays here. We can't be divided if something happens" I said seriously while giving her the brush. "And be careful with your thoughts, with Edward"

"I've lived with him over a century and I was able to hide your wedding dress, trust me, I'm an expert on that" she said with a small smile. "You just focus on your part. I'll hold the fort down for you" she hesitated and focused on her work. "So… are we good?"

"Alice, you're my sister. I might want to kill you sometimes, but I will always love you"

"Good. Because, I might love you too, even though you scared me to death that day" she smiled.

"The plan was to kill you" I chuckled.

"You wouldn't live without me"

"Careful, your ego is getting too big for this room" I said grinning. "So, how do I look? Do you think this is okay?"

"You look amazing, Bella!"

"Really?"

"Men will either drop dead at seeing you or kill each other to get a chance with you" she said and then winced. "I swear, I hadn't seen the pun there"

"It's okay" I laughed. "I'm sorry, Ali, for the last two weeks… I really missed you"

"Me too, sis"

"Bella! Let's go!" Damon called from downstairs with a frustrated tone. "Why the hell women take so long to get ready?" he grumbled.

I giggled as I descended the staircase and he turned around, his frown erased and in its place a mischievous smirk.

"You look… hot" he said.

I grinned and twirled around. I was wearing a black leather mini skirt and a simple blue top, contrasting the pieces, the sexy skirt with the innocent top. Of course, I was wearing my lapis lazuli bracelet, an onyx necklace and a gold two-finger ring.

"The only person dying tonight is me" he said pulling me to him. "You look so beautiful"

"Damon, I'm getting worried" I said seriously and touched his forehead. "Are you sick? All this cheesiness is not normal" I joked.

"Haha, fine I'll go back to being a dick"

"But not too much, or people will wonder what the hell did I do to deserve you as boyfriend" I smirked.

"You are just so funny tonight, aren't you?" he said sarcastically. "Well, you already know the plans, right?"

"Not really… only guesses"

"Well, instead of going to dinner and then going clubbing" he smirked. "We are going clubbing to dinner"

"Haha, very funny" I deadpanned.

"See, I can be a clown too" he retorted.

"Just go, Salvatore" I said pushing him to the door.

He chuckled, grabbing my hand and pulled me to a kiss before we left the Boarding House.

"No" Damon said quietly by my side. "Too skinny, you won't have much to drink from before he passes out"

"So… fat?" I frowned looking at a fat guy in the corner with his friends.

"Not necessarily" he chuckled.

"How about that one?" I asked nodding to a guy with friends. He looked like a quarterback.

"At least no one will get suspicious of why a beautiful woman like you is dragging a man to a dark alley" Damon shrugged sipping his drink. "Let me see… Hm, his friend has a nice girlfriend"

I looked at the blond girl, wrapped in a man's arms, completely lost in the conversation going on. I focused on the group and smiled. I was right, they were talking about football.

"She has a boyfriend" I said.

"But both can be compelled. How about we take the couple?" he smirked.

"What if I can't compel? We don't know if I got that ability from the original kind"

"Let's test it then. If you can't, I'll compel them for you"

I nodded and sipped the martini.

"So, how do we approach without looking suspicious?"

"I got an idea" he said turning back to the bartender and asked for another drink. "Go, bump into her and spill this on her" he said giving me a new drink. "She'll go to the bathroom and the guy is free for you to work your charm on"

"And the girl?" I asked.

"I'm so drunk I might go into the wrong bathroom to wash my hands" he said innocently and downed his bourbon. "Go!"

I sighed and pushed off the counter I was leaned into. I started walking to the group, and looked back at Damon. He was charmingly talking to a girl that had taken my spot.

"I'll rip your balls off, so don't even entertain the idea" I said quietly.

He shot me a grin and waved me off. I took a deep breath, ignoring all the scents and beating hearts surrounding me. I passed behind the girl, pretending to trip and spill the martini on her. She screeched, jumping away from me and turned with a glare.

"Oh, my gosh! I'm so sorry" I said quickly. "Some douche pushed me! I'm really sorry!"

"Just great!" she grumbled looking at her top.

"I'll help you clean it, and if it stains, I'll pay for it!"

She gave her drink to her boyfriend and pushed past me heading towards the bathrooms.

"Gosh, I'm so stupid" I mumbled.

"No, it's cool, she's just a bit temperamental" one guy of the group said. "I'm James" he extended his hand.

"Izzy" I smiled shaking it. "Do you mind if I wait for her here?"

"No" another guy said.

"So… Which one of you is with her?" I said with a flirting smile.

"Just Thomas here" another one said clapping the guy's back. "We are all free for you, darling"

"Oh, my lucky night then" I grinned.

"Wanna a drink?" James asked extending his scotch.

"No, but you know what I really want?" I asked.

"What?" he chuckled.

Come on, Bella, just compel him and drag him away.

"Dance" I said.

Dammit.

"What are you doing?" I heard Damon ask.

I looked and saw he was close to the bathrooms.

"Sure!" James said passing his beer to someone else. "Shall we?"

"Yeah" I said taking his hand.

He dragged me to the middle of the dance floor. A place with too many witnesses.

"You're stalling, Bella" I heard Damon say, this time closer to me. "Just compel the guy"

I looked around us nervously as the guy boldly put his hands on my hips and got closer to me while we danced.

"What is it, beautiful?" he whispered in my ear.

I pulled back and he frowned, surely at my nervous expression. I looked him in the eye and focused.

"You're gonna follow me" I told him.

"I'm gonna follow you" he nodded with a hazed look.

I smiled and grabbed his hand. I dragged him out of the club through the back door. I looked around the empty, dirty, dark alley and listened for anyone close by. There couldn't be witnesses. I pushed the guy against the wall and he smirked at me.

"Maybe you wanna go to my place?" he asked.

"No" I said and looked him in the eye. "Don't move, and don't make a sound"

"I won't" he mumbled, successfully compelled again.

I let my face change as I focused on the vein in his neck. My throat burned and I attacked his neck. He whimpered quietly, but didn't move or scream. I drank greedily, feeling the burn ease a bit.

"Easy, Bella" I heard Damon say behind me. "Slow down or you will be finished too soon"

I ignored him, the blood giving me a high, making me forget everything.

"Enough" Damon said and I ignored him again. "Bella, enough"

He tried to pull me away and I turned to attack him, pushing him against a wall. He looked at me with a scowl and I got my thoughts back in place. I stepped back, blinking, and sighed.

"Sorry" I said.

"It's fine" he said and nodded to the guy still leaned against a wall. "Compel him to forget and to have an explanation for his neck"

I nodded and walked back to the guy.

"You will forget this. Nothing happened"

"Nothing happened" he mumbled.

"A girl went a bit over the edge and gave you an awful hickey, you will cover that" I said.

He nodded and I smiled triumphantly. Damon grabbed my hand and dragged me away from the alley before giving me a passionate kiss.

"See? You did it" he said. "The guy will be fine in a couple days"

"Yeah" I nodded happily. "What now?"

"This club is a bit too slow… I'm more of a party animal" he grinned. "I know the perfect place"

It was amazing. After days suffering, with my throat burning, feeling weak… Blood was magic. I felt as good as new. In a high, all my senses hyperaware, heightened. I felt relaxed, powerful and free. Like I could do anything. Be anyone. Nothing could touch me. I was in cloud nine, feasting with Damon.

"You woke up earlier than I expected" Damon said entering in the bathtub.

"It's mid-afternoon, Damon, it's not early" I said sliding my foot up his thigh under the water.

"Hmm…" he grabbed my foot and started to massage it. "I was hoping we could stay all day in bed"

"Why can't we?"

"Because people will try to steal you from me soon" he rolled his eyes.

"Damon, I know you helped them plan a party for me" I laughed.

"Pretend it's a surprise, for Elena and Caroline's sakes"

"Only if you keep doing that" I said wiggling my toes while relaxing on the tub.

"Are you alright?" he asked quietly.

"I feel great. Never better. It's like… I'm untouchable, invincible, powerful" I said. "It's amazing"

I looked myself in the mirror one last time.

"You look fine, Bella. If you look one more time you'll be Caroline" Damon said amusedly while slipping his arms in the leather jacket.

"I wanna look good on my birthday, can't I?" I asked putting on the dark red ankle booties.

"You look stunning" he said standing behind me with his hands on my hips.

"Thank you for the dress" I said lacing our fingers and pulling his arms around me.

The dress was charcoal, long-sleeved and with flared skirt. I loved how it contrasted with my pale skin.

"I have something else for you" he said going to his dresser.

He grabbed something on the top drawer.

"You keep my gifts on your underwear drawer?" I asked amusedly.

He smirked and tossed it to me. I grabbed it without looking, and looked down at the small velvet box. I arched an eyebrow at Damon and opened it, revealing a black and white diamond ring. It was beautiful and discreet.

"Don't get any ideas" he said walking out of the room already. "It's just a gift"

"Asshole" I mumbled with a smile and slipped the ring on. "Thanks, I loved it!"

"Yes, yes, I know, now let's go, we're running late!"

"Whose fault?" I said passing him in the staircase.

"Your sexy ass' fault" he said picking me up and spinning me.

"Damon" I giggled.

He put me down and kissed me.

"Happy birthday" he whispered.

"Thanks" I mumbled. "Love you"

"Love you too" he said nonchalantly.

"Remember, it's a surprise" he mouthed to me as we walked to the front door.

I rolled my eyes and we entered the silent Gilbert house.

"Elena?" I called out for the sake of appearances.

Damon took off his jacket and hung it with my bag. I took his hand and he guided me to the living room.

"Happy Birthday!" everyone shouted.

I grinned and hugged Alice. The girls followed and soon I was almost getting lost on who I had greeted and who I hadn't. Jeremy was the only one I didn't greet with a hug, he smiled at me from the other side of the room, where he was talking to Ric. I could smell his blood, and even though the scent was mouthwatering, I was able to control myself.

"You told her!" Elena scowled at Damon.

"I didn't!" he said innocently.

"She's dressed up! How would she dress up if she didn't know about the party?" she pointed out.

"I said we were going to dinner but stopping here first so you could see her. You're always worried, she believed" he shrugged.

"Damon..."

"He told me" I laughed.

"Traitor" he said to me.

I grinned and went back to my conversation with Carlisle.

"So, are you alright?" he asked.

"Yes" I said and sipped my margarita. "Damon is a good teacher, everything went smoothly"

"We're happy for you, Bella" Esme said leaning on Carlisle.

"Thanks"

"Bella, you choose the music selection!" Caroline said pulling me to the sound system. "Mine or Elena's?"

"None" Alice said connecting her pink iPod. "Mine!"

I chuckled as 'Bloodletting' by Concrete Blonde started.

"Alice!" Esme said in horror.

"It's fine!" I said as Alice pulled me to dance.

"Oh, you were a vampire and, baby, I'm a walking dead" we sang together.

People started to laugh after a moment of hesitation. Damon pulled me to dance with him and I smirked as I pulled him by the belt loops.

"I got the ways and means, to New Orleans. I'm going down by the river where it's warm and green. I'm gonna have a drink and walk around, I got a lot to think about, oh yeah" I sang.

After that song, Alice's playlist was pretty much normal. But we still laughed a lot.

"Hey" Caroline said joining me in the kitchen.

"Hm, this is really good" I said taking another chocolate-dipped strawberry.

"I'm glad you liked" she said and frowned at the half empty tray. "How many did you eat?"

"Hey, I'm the birthday girl, I have the right to eat twenty strawberries if I want" I laughed.

"Right" she laughed and then arched an eyebrow. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, why wouldn't I? Just a bit hungry"

She hesitated and looked over her shoulder.

"Damon told us… I mean me and the Cullens" she said quietly.

"What?" I frowned.

"It's alright, Bella, I killed someone too on my first days…"

"I don't know what you're talking about, Caroline" I said.

She looked at me, confused and I grabbed a glass of champagne, passing her to go back to the living room and my party.

"She's acting as if nothing happened" I heard Edward hiss. "Tell me how's that good"

"It's better than letting guilt consume her!" Damon hissed.

I leaned against the wall and sipped the champagne.

"She killed a man! You said you had her under control" Edward growled.

"Let's calm down, guys" Caroline said.

"She's not a dog, I can't have her on a leash" Damon snapped. "Stay out of this, Cullen, she's my girlfriend, my problem"

That made me feel so good, I thought rolling my eyes.

"She's ignoring the problem, Damon" Jasper said. "She's halfway to shutting off her humanity"

"You know, it's not nice to talk around people's back" I said and their attention snapped to me. "Especially on their birthday"

"Bella" Damon sighed. "We were just…"

"Talking about how I killed someone last night?" I asked and sipped my champagne. "I should have known you wouldn't keep your mouth shut about it… But you didn't tell them everything, did you?"

"What?" Caroline asked looking between Damon and Bella.

"I think you've drank a bit too much already" Damon said to me with a glare. "We should go"

"No, no, I'm fine" I shrugged. "Since you take pleasure on gossiping, go on, tell them the rest"

"What rest?" Edward said angrily.

"Bella, shut the fuck up" Damon snapped.

"What else happened, Bella?" Edward asked me fearfully.

"Oh, I'm guessing that Damon told you that I killed a man…" they nodded. "He didn't tell you I killed four, while he was feeding of one?"

They turned to Damon in shock and Damon glared at me. I smiled at him and finished my champagne.

"Come on, Elena is bringing out the cake. I'm starving so let's finish here quickly"

"Have you lost your mind?" Damon snapped slamming the door closed. "You're lucky Jacob and Embry didn't hear anything! Now that Jacob imprinted on Barbie Klaus I don't think he would hesitate on killing you!"

I rolled my eyes and threw myself on the couch. He glared at me.

"What?" I asked.

"Don't!" he said angrily. "Don't you dare!"

"What?" I chuckled. "Damon, you're starting to sound insane"

"You know exactly what"

I rolled my eyes again and stood up to get a drink.

"You're shutting off your humanity. It won't solve the problem, Bella, it will only get it worse!"

"See, I am the problem, so there is no solution. For now, I'm not caring" I shrugged.

He grabbed me by the shoulders and turned me to him.

"You are not the problem. You're just new at this" he said softly. "It will get better"

"I savagely killed those people, Damon, so fast you couldn't stop me" I said. "Tell me how that's different from Stefan? Tell my why I'm not locked up like him"

"We can work on this, I'll help you and it won't happen again"

"You can't guarantee that! I'm a monster, a one-of-a-kind monster, no one knows how this will turn out"

"You're not a monster, Bella" he said softly cradling my face in his hands. "You're beautiful, caring, gentle, selfless, strong and brave…"

I let my face change and he frowned.

"Go on. Continue on how beautiful, gentle and selfless I am" I growled. "Accept, Damon, based on how things went last night… I'm right on Stefan's path"

I pulled his hands away from my face and let it go to normal. I turned to leave but he grabbed my hand, pulling me back to him.

"Where are you going?" he asked softly.

"Going for a walk, I need to clear my head" I sighed. "I'm thirsty. I need to hunt"

"I'm going with you"

"No!" I snapped. "I hate being watched. I'm not a baby. And yes, I needed your supervision last night, but it gets on my nerves being watched, I can easily snap" I sighed. "Let me do this alone, Damon, if it goes awfully wrong, I'll tell you and we'll work on something"

"Fine" he sighed.

I turned to him and kissed him, surprising him. His arms wrapped around me and I pulled him as close to me as possible.

"I love you, so much" I whispered against his lips.

"Me too" he smiled. "Even though I wanted to kill you today for outing me on my lies"

"It was a bit funny" I said.

"No, it wasn't"

I kissed him again and ran out of the house.

I met Alice halfway to Richmond. She gave me a sad smile and showed me a carry-on bag.

"A passenger with no baggage calls too much attention" she said.

"Are you sure no one knows?" I asked leaning against a tree and taking a deep breath.

"Yes" she said. "I can see it clearly now. It will work. We just have to stick to the plan"

"Fine"

I grabbed my phone and typed the message.

Damon,
I'm so sorry.
I can't be in Mystic Falls anymore. I can't stand the looks of worry, pity and fear. I can't stand to know I deserve them. I am a monster. I can't stay close to people that I love. I can shut off the guilt for killing nameless people, but my loved ones would be unbearable.
Elena needs you there. Klaus is not going to leave her alone easily, and Stefan is still an issue. Elena needs all help she can get. Stay there, don't come after me.
I will come back once I've worked on my control.
I'll call you soon.
I love you.

"Don't send it now" Alice said. "Wait for when you're in the plane"

"You're right" I said saving the message and putting away the phone. I grabbed the bag and hugged her. "Thanks, Ali"

"Thank you, Bella. I'm sorry for this"

"Hey, it's nothing" I said pulling back. "I don't know if I'll be able to keep in touch but… I'll miss you all"

"We will miss you too" she smiled.

I kissed her cheek and ran the rest of the way to Richmond to get my flight.

My cell had been ringing non-stop on the lay-off in New York. It had been hours since I left the Boarding House, by then Damon knew something wasn't right. Every time his name appeared on the screen my fingers itched to accept the call, but I knew it was a bad idea. Alice was right, if I told him what I was doing now, he would try to stop me, or follow me. I was still wearing the dress I wore at the party, and even though the weather was chillier in New York, it didn't bother me. The attendant had given me a weird look when I asked for the first class ticket, saying I was going for business. At least my passport was helpful, with so many travels through Europe during the summer it was believable I traveled for work. I sat, tapping my foot impatiently, waiting for the call for my flight. I needed to leave the JFK immediately, so there would be no risk of someone finding me.

I almost jumped from my seat when the female voice announced my flight was boarding and rushed to the gate.

"Flight 4269, United Airlines, New York to Rome, is now boarding"

"How can I help you?" a girl asked in a bored tone, not even looking up at me.

"I want to see Aro" I said.

"Sorry, miss, there is no one here with that name…"

"You tell him Ms. Swan wants to speak with him, it's about Klaus and the curse"

Her head had snapped up so fast at Klaus name it was hilarious. She got up and led the way to the elevator.

"Someone will be waiting to attend you there, Ms. Swan" she said pressing the button and stepped back. "Good luck"

I rolled my eyes and leaned against the elevator wall as it descended into the ground. I told myself not to let any emotion show. I couldn't show fear, nervousness or worry. I had to keep cool. When the doors opened, a tall woman greeted me, her red eyes giving me an once-over.

"Welcome to Volterra, Ms. Swan" she said and showed me the way. "Master Aro is ready to see you. Can I help you with anything?"

Other than stopping kissing my ass? No, thanks, honey.

"No… thank you" I said coldly.

She nodded and we continued to walk down the long, luxurious corridors. Vampires passed us, giving her a nod and a questioning look at me. I stopped in front of the double doors, and she opened the doors before hurriedly stepping back. A man with dark jet hair, falling to his shoulders smiled at me from the center of the room. He wore an expensive-looking black suit, and so much black contrasted with his red irises. I walked in the room, keeping my head high and ignored the guard vampires around the room.

"How wonderful to meet a friend of Niklaus" he said.

"Let's cut the crap" I said noticing two other older men, one blond and one brunette standing back. "I'm Isabella Swan… Blaire's descendent"

His eyes flickered to the guards and his smile twitched.

"Blaire's descendent?" As if he didn't notice the similarities, I was her doppelganger after all. "Oh, my dear, it is so nice to meet you, but I do wonder… What is going on with Klaus that made you come here? Surely you're not his ally"

"Absolutely not"

"Then what do you want here, witch?" the blond man sneered.

"She is not a witch, brother… Like Rebekah, she had a bit of an incident with vampirism" Aro said grinning. "But you are not of their kind… and nor is of ours"

"How?" the blond asked narrowing his eyes.

"I died with venom on my blood… and original vampire's blood" I said. "I'm a hybrid"

"Fascinating" Aro said and looked at his brothers. "I've never heard of it before… You are unique, Ms. Swan, perhaps you would show us your abilities"

"Aro, I am here because I know you were planning on tracking Klaus' business" I said and he inclined his head. "I also know you are not his friend, you are enemies on a battle for power"

"It would be wise to tell us how you got such information" the brunette brother, Marcus, said calmly.

"I was a witch, I have means" I shrugged.

"Did Niklaus send you?" Aro asked.

"No… We are in bad terms, you could say" he seemed intrigued. "You knew Blaire, you know I could never be Klaus' ally"

"What do you want?" Marcus asked suspiciously.

"I know you were planning on going to Virginia, to take care of some problems. Well, those problems are my family and friends, and I want you away" I said.

"Oh, Isabella, we can't" Aro said. "They are attracting attention. Stolen blood banks, dead people…"

"Klaus broke the curse" I said and they tensed. "He found the doppelganger and myself and also found a way to create hybrids. He's creating an army. If you go there, threaten me, the doppelganger or my friends, I am sure I will have his and his army's help"

"Hm, we might reconsider" Aro said turning away.

"I know you won't, but I have something to offer" I said. "Leave my friends alone. I'll tell you all about Klaus… I'll be your double agent if you want. That is an unique opportunity. You can't get a double agent, Klaus would never allow a cold one close to him and original vampires wouldn't help you instead of Klaus"

"As much as the offer is tempting" Aro said still walking away from me. "I know you are not fit for the task. You are a newborn, you know nothing of vampire life, you would need training"

Alice warned me they would try to make me stay.

"I'll stay here if you want. You can train me"

"How do we know you are not Klaus' double agent?" Marcus said.

"He killed Elijah" that made Aro pause. "He killed me, more than once. He killed my friends and is using my friend as a blood bag to create hybrids. You can be certain, I'm not on his side"

"We will consider your offer" Caius said in a bored tone.

"I still have a talisman, my grimoire and a Bennett witch…" I smirked as he glared at me. "I'll be expecting your answer, gentlemen"

I turned and walked away. I was waiting for the elevator when a tall, buffed man that had been on the room as guard approached.

"Master Aro says you are staying… I don't know what you did, but you convinced them" he said.

I grinned and walked back to the room.

Caius had been very clear. I was going to be taught how to fight and other stuff, but I could not contact anyone. They were still paranoid, thinking I was on Klaus' service. So, they gave me five minutes to call home and inform people of how things would be before throwing away my phone. Felix leaned against a wall while I sat in a couch on their 'waiting room'. I hadn't turned my phone on since my flight landed and once I turned it, it biped with several messages and calls. Who to call? Damon obviously. God knew when I would be able to talk to him again. I had to talk to him. But what to say? He had to understand I knew what I was doing, and that no one could come after me. Maybe I shouldn't tell where I was…

My phone rang in my hand and I glanced at Felix. He hurried me with a look and I accepted the call.

"Hello?" I said trying to sound chipper.

"Where the hell are you? I'm sorry won't cut it, Cullen is up my ass about where are you and what we are going to do about it" Damon said.

"I don't want to stay in Mystic Falls anymore"

"What?" he snapped. "A little warning would be good, Bella!"

"Look, I'm sorry. I just can't stay there anymore. Elijah warned me. It's not enough for me anymore, not now that I'm not an ordinary human. I want to experience the word, and I don't want people breathing down my neck every time I feed. I want to enjoy the freedom this life is giving me"

"Where are you?" he asked again, clearly trying to stay calm.

"No. Damon, I don't want you to follow me. I don't want you to come. I want to be alone" I snapped. "God, you just can't let go. If I wanted you to be with me, I would have asked you to come"

He stayed silent for a moment and I looked away so Felix wouldn't see the tears.

"So that's it? You're not coming back?"

"Maybe later… a lot later. Tell Elena not to wait, she might not be alive by then… I hate Mystic Falls. It means worries, concern, judgment, and no peace"

"Fine, Bella" he said coldly.

"Goodbye, Damon"

"Once you told me not to look in the similarities between you and Katherine and Elena but the differences" he said before I hung up and I bit my lip. "Tell me, how are you different from Katherine?"

He hung up before I could say anything. I took a deep breath and gave my phone to Felix, he pocketed it and offered me his arm.

"Welcome to the Volturi, Isabella"