Cheers to CH 11, SM owns twilight.

Marcus POV

It had been so long since I had visited the stone that marked Didyme's proof of existence, even I couldn't remember when. So much had happened revolving around her that I really didn't know what to think, but a question kept looming over my mind. Would I choose Didyme over Bella? For most of my existence I mourned and became catatonic for a woman who I knew wouldn't come back, or so I thought. The day of her death we had won our first battle as the Volturi, a battle that changed the trajectory of many lives in the supernatural world.

(Flashback)

I closed my eyes and for a moment took in the atmosphere around me. The air was intoxicated with the sickly sweet smell that came from burning vampires, mixed with the rusted metallic scent from the children of the moon. A sea of cries from victory and anguish filled the air, as well as the footsteps of the guard scouting for more of the enemy. I could almost taste the pride and satisfaction knowing that The Volturi had just made history, and the vampire world would know that very soon. When I opened my eyes I saw red flames lick the darkening sky accompanied by the severed bonds from many people around me. Severed ties that could never reconnect, but that was the cost we all knew we couldn't ignore.

A new scream of anguish filled the air and I was confused on where it was coming from. It sounded like it was in my head, and for a moment I wanted to help whoever was in all that pain. Hands started to touch me so I started to fight back. Considering this was our first major battle it didn't surprise me that there must have been more of the enemy hiding, but this touch felt different somehow. I felt arms circle around my torso and arms rendering me vulnerable to the attack. I couldn't die now, Didyme needed me.

Didyme.

Reality started to set in and I realized that the screams were coming from me, one of the severed bonds I saw came from me, and i wasn't being attacked. Felix was holding me and in my venom blurred vision I saw Caius putting an arm back on someone else. Where was Didyme? I had seen her moments ago and made sure to check on our bond throughout the battle, she couldn't have been dead.

"Marcus you need to contain yourself, our people are watching and need to see you be strong." Caius spoke into my ear.

"Didyme! Bring her to me!" I ordered.

I heard some more crying besides mine, and when no one moved to complete my wishes I knew one thing to be true.

"I failed her..." I whimpered and my body fell slack against my brother.

She was gone. My love, my life, my wife.

(end Flashback)

A soft click of the door closing brought me out of my thoughts and looked up to see my brothers coming into the library. Bella had asked if we had one, and once I showed it to her and pointed out the English translations I hadn't seen her since. I didn't know how much of a bookworm she was, but then again I didn't know a lot about her at all which would soon change. Today was the trial and I had split feelings about the day. I wanted to be with Bella and find a way to stop her new threat, but I also wanted to wreak havoc on those Cullens. They had come in last night and I had found out that it was Esme who was missing, and I wished that they had come under a different situation. Maybe then I would want to help Carlisle deal and cope as I knew the pain, but my underlying ire consumed me more than my sympathy.

"Good morning Bella, Marcus." Caius greeted.

He actually used her name.

"Brothers, I do believe Bella is lost in the world of literature right about now. I'll go fetch her." I said.

"I'm right here."

I turned around and saw Bella with a book in her hand with a small smile on her lips. Since her breakdown I thought she would have looked as drained as she felt, but she looked better. There was more color to her cheeks, her hair seemed to shine a little, and her figure seemed to fill out some.

"Glad to see you're doing well this morning, as you already know the trial is today but you do not have to be there if you do not wish. I simply just need you to tell me your side of how you got to where you are now, and then we can proceed to the Cullens. Why don't you sit down." Aro said.

Nodding slightly, she made her way over to my side of the table and put her book down.

"Wuthering Heights? We have books about knowledge humans don't know even exist, and you chose that?" I laughed.

"It's a classic that fits in with my taste, Vampires for Dummies didn't seem that appealing." She teased back.

Out of the corner of my eye I could see Caius smiling, and that was my breaking point but Aro had interrupted my upcoming onslaught of questions.

"So then Bella, the beginning please." Aro said.

"Umm...I was born in Forks Washington but ended up living with my mom for sometime before returning to live with my dad. I started high school and that was where I'd met the Cullens. We didn't really communicate much at first, even with Edward being in one of my classes. One thing led to another and Edward and I started dating after he saved me from drunk men in an alley. I found out he was a vampire from a lead a close friend gave me, and then I did my research and confronted Edward about it. He didn't deny it and showed me the attributes of your kind... 'snicker' I'm gonna be honest though, I wasn't ready for the glittering part... But anyways once the family came to terms with our relationship we spent more time together.

One day they were playing baseball during a storm, and Laurent, Victoria, and her mate James came. James was a hunter and he wanted me, and even with the Cullens helping me leave the area James managed to lure me out using my mom as bait. But it just turned out to be a video recording of her voice he used. As you already know he was killed and Victoria wanted revenge. On my 18th birthday they threw a party for me and I managed to get a papercut from a present which resulted in me being thrown across the room, and Jasper being restrained. I guess Edward didn't want my life to be at risk for a third time, so he later told me that they were leaving and then that was it. I hadn't seen or heard from any of them since." Bella said.

"Who gave you the lead, and why aren't they here?" Caius asked.

"I haven't been in contact with him in a while, but his name is Jake. His ancestor's had stories about creatures called the cold ones, and I think you can see the connection."

"So a story was all it took for you to find out about us? You're really much to smart and observant." Caius said.

Bella looked shocked about the compliment she just got from Caius. I wondered what his sudden change in attitude was really about.

"I know your father knew but what about your mother?" I asked.

"I haven't spoken to her in almost 3 years. Last time we talked I did told her about my ability, but she didn't believe me. Told me I needed to get help, and then cut all communication with me. I don't talk to anyone from Forks, and I'm sure people think that I'm dead by now." She said without any emotion.

"I have all the information I need, so coming to the trial is your choice. After this ordeal, I think it would be appropriate to see what's going on in that mind of yours..."

Bella paled slightly before giving a stiff nod, as Aro got up to leave. Caius stayed and had a strange look in his eyes, and then he looked at Bella.

"What's your full name." He asked.

"Isabella Marie Swan."

"Well, I shall call you Isabella from now on. I believe we got off on quite the wrong start, and I would like to give you my deepest and sincerest apologies."

"Uuuuuum...I'll accept?" She said and started to pale a little more.

"Caius I think you're scaring her, what is the game you're playing here." I said under Bella's range of hearing.

Genuine guilt and something else shown in his eyes, but he quickly masked it away. Something strange was happening with him, no one goes from wanting to kill someone to wanting to care for them, in such a short amount of time. I quickly blinked and saw a strong familial bond coming from Caius, but it wasn't recieved by Bella yet. When had this changed? Looking at my brother once more, we made eye contact and I knew that he could tell what I found out.

"I want to get this out now, before my brother combusts from my actions. Isabella I know you've noticed my sudden change in demeanor, and it is from two reasons. One, when we had found you frozen in the corridor days ago and I saw how Marcus handled it, I thought to myself what if it was my mate. I may not understand the nature of your relationship, but I know that whatever it is it's real. I especially don't want either of you two to see me as a threat to your life anymore. Secondly, I did do my research on you and traced your genealogy back to me. More towards my sister Julia Maria, but still family nonetheless." Caius said.

"..." I sat there shocked at Caius's confession.

"So does this mean I have one less enemy..." Bella asked shyly.

A laugh erupted from Caius and a smile graced his face, "Within these walls, yes."

She let out a sigh of relief and started to give a more genuine smile. The next few hours were spent with us talking about nothing and everything, until we met together in the throne room and awaited for the Cullens and Victoria to be brought in. My brothers and I were wearing our back cloaks as well as Bella, who sat in a chair hidden behind our thrones. Soon the vampires filed in followed by the guard, and I felt anger settle in my veins as I saw who pained my mate. Looking at their bonds however I saw that all but Edward had strong bonds to Bella. Edward surprised me the most though, there was no proof that he and Bella ever had a relationship at all just a bond that mirrored what a child felt for a toy. Swallowing venom, I looked away and tried to regain my anger by focusing on the steady heartbeat behind me. She was my life now, and everything I did had some sort of effect of her now. Get through this trial, so that we can focus on the real problem.

Edward was looking at me with curiosity, but I left my mind blank to him and felt my anger flare again. Something electrifying filled the air in the room and through my veins, and judging by the expression of everyone else they felt it to. I focused on Bella's bond and vital once more but saw something odd. Wrapping around the bond like a vine was a dark energy, and I could practically feel the fear radiating through Bella. I didn't know what was happening except for one thing.

Didyme was here.

I'm going to have slower updates now, but please review! It gives me more motivation and incentive to put things out quicker.