Hello! As promised, chapter 4, moving on with the story :)

I am amazed by how positively this fic was received. Thank you all so much for supporting this crazy idea :)

I hope you enjoy this chapter as much.

Have a lovely day!

THE LOCKET

Chapter 4.

Marcus closed the library's door behind him after coming back inside. Bella fiddled nervously with the hem of her shirt. What If she was making a mistake? What if he did know about the hidden room, and it was too painful to share it with anyone? Maybe she shouldn't have said anything.

"Are you all right?" Marcus pressed gently.

Bella nodded, and after taking a few deep, calming breaths, she squared her shoulders and pointed to the bookshelf that worked as a secret door. "Did you know there's a secret room behind that bookshelf?"

Marcus eyed her speculatively. "Many rooms in this castle have one. It's a very old construction."

"That's not an answer." She pressed.

Marcus smiled. "No. I did not know there was a hidden room in this library. Why is it so important?"

Marcus' words confirmed her suspicions. He didn't know his late wife had created a secret alcove in his precious library where she kept the happiest memories and her deepest secrets. Lady Didyme only trusted her husband to keep her memories alive and secrets safe; that's why she used the library as her final resting place -metaphorically speaking.

Bella walked in silence to the bookshelf and pushed on it. It gave way to the dark room she's been spending her days in. "I found this the first day you left me alone to read about my family. This is where I've been in the past two weeks."

Marcus walked further inside the library and followed Bella through the bookshelf door. He gasped when he spotted the chair. Bella's eyes watered at the reverence on Marcus' face. He was young but so ancient looking. Like all the wisdom he held, and the loss of his wife aged him somehow. Marcus was muttering something under his breath, too low for Bella to comprehend. Still, she pretended not to notice, slipping out of the room and into the library to give him privacy to get reacquainted with everything.

To her surprise, Marcus exited only a few minutes later. He seemed at a loss for words, so Bella helped him by explaining what she found and what she did. "I was roaming through your collection of books. I leaned into the bookshelf, and it just gave way. I found the hidden room; it was dark, cold, and so dirty. It was filled with leather books, so I thought they might be yours. I opened a few at random and read a few words. I stopped when I noticed they were personal journals and to whom they belonged. I only read a few words on a few of them. I didn't want to disrespect her or you by violating your privacy. I cleaned the room, and I've been sitting there these past two weeks."

Marcus laughed. For the first time since she met him, he laughed. "That's why the library has been empty whenever anyone came here. You really were not lying. You've been inside the library."

"I have been inside the library." She smiled amusedly. "I wasn't lying."

Marcus shook his head. "Thank you for taking care of it."

Bella shrugged. "I found something interesting about my family in one of her books, though. And from what I gathered, she seemed extraordinary. I couldn't let it continue deteriorating." An idea started forming in her mind, but she'd have to do some research first before proposing it.

Marcus beamed at Bella at her description of his wife. "She was an extraordinary woman."

Bella smiled, happy to have made Marcus happy. "Good night, Marcus." She slipped out of the library after he bid her goodnight.

The meeting with Aro and Marcus hadn't taken more than an hour combined, but she was still exhausted, so she retired to her room, settling on her earlier thought that the world would still be there tomorrow, waiting for her.

…

…

…

The following day, Bella woke up earlier than expected. It was barely seven in the morning, but she couldn't go back to sleep no matter how much she tried. Butterflies erupted in her stomach and her heart at the thought of the conversation that awaited her with her three vampires.

Demetri's arms had felt like home, and she was dying to know if she would feel as safe in her black-haired vampire's arms or in the embrace of the brown-haired one. She smiled giddily, just imagining it.

Since it was still early, and she had the excuse of being human on her side, she decided to hide for a few hours and make a list of the things she would like to do before being changed. She never thought of making a bucket list. She had never thought she would actually die before accomplishing certain things.

What was important enough to make it into a bucket list?

Graduating high school would have been nice. She shrugged and scratched that. She was sure whatever she needed to know to make it in the vampire world was not in the academic curriculum.

Jumping from a plane? No, she was scared of heights. She would piss herself before they opened the door. Which clearly spoke volumes of her state of mind the day she jumped off the cliff.

Have sex? She blushed. It's not like she had anyone to do it with. She blushed harder when her mind went to Demetri. She scratched the idea too. One divine hug is a considerable step away from falling into bed with him. And thinking of Demetri made her think about her two other vampires. She blushed harder; at this point, she might be as red as a tomato. One was one thing, but three…

Should she call Alice and ask for advice? But what would she actually say? I'm attracted to three guys I haven't spoken to? They look sexy as hell? It felt too superficial and objectifying.

Visiting another country. This one was plausible. She could ask Aro or Marcus if they could spare Renata or maybe Jane.

Get drunk—also not a bad idea.

Get a tattoo. Would it transfer to her vampire self? She shrugged; she didn't care too much if it didn't. She would get one, and if it made it through the change, great. She then added 'nose piercing' next to the tattoo.

All body shave. It seemed silly, but it made sense in her mind. She didn't know if body hair magically disappeared with the change. With Edward's almost aversion to physical touch or anything that might lead to an actual make-out session, she didn't think about shaving anything that she didn't already shave. But with the prospect of her three vampires, being all shaved, held a different appeal to Bella. In truth, they most likely didn't care about body hair. They probably came from a time when some women were hairier than men.

Looking at the paper in her hands, she knew why it was mostly empty. She didn't have much time to complete many activities, and most of the ones that crossed her mind could be delayed until after her transformation. Bungee jumping might not be so scary if you were indestructible. Would her vertigo disappear with the change? Or would she be the first vampire in history to fear heights?

She giggled and added ridiculous things to the list.

Meet the king of England.

Speak to the Pope.

Rob a bank.

Have a séance.

Ride an elephant.

Swim with sharks.

The list of things grew, and with it, Bella's mood improved. She giggled madly while adding the first thing that crossed her mind.

"You're in a good mood." Bella looked up, surprised. "Sorry. I tried to make some noise."

"That's fine. I didn't hear you." Bella smiled at Renata, who sat next to Bella on the bed.

"Swimming with sharks might be easier to arrange than riding an elephant."

Bella snorted. "Those are not serious. I just wrote them because I felt silly."

"Don't let Alec get word of this. He might take you bungee jumping or strap you to himself and jump off the plane." Bella laughed, but something tingled on her chest. She knew her black-haired vampire's name was Alec, but it seemed more romantic to refer to him as her black-haired vampire.

"I'll hide the list, then." Renata laughed.

"Can I ask you a question?" Bella nodded.

"Were you really in the library these past two weeks?"

"I was. I swear I was! I have no idea what happened. I don't understand how my scent was not with me or after me or whatever."

"I believe you." Renata smiled warmly at Bella, who appreciated the vote of confidence. "I actually came here to gossip for a few minutes."

Bella had never had girlfriends before; Alice didn't count because most of what she did was for Edward's benefit. It might seem unfair to reduce their friendship to that, but there's no point denying that Alice was Edward's sister first and her friend second. It felt nice to have a friend in this place. Jane was friendly enough, but that girl was too uptight for her own good. She would find a way to make her have fun when she's changed.

"What sort of gossip?"

"I'm not blind. I see things. Like how you follow three certain vampires with your eyes whenever they're in the same room. How Demetri clung to you as if you would disappear if he weren't touching you. Or how Alec never took his eyes off you the day you arrived. What's up with that?"

Bella sighed. "I'm not entirely sure, to be honest. I'm attracted to the three of them." She shrugged. "Is it weird?"

"That you're attracted to the three of them?"

Bella shook her head. She wasn't ashamed of that. "No. That we haven't spoken, and I'm still attracted to them."

Renata shrugged. "I don't know. I don't think so. Physical attraction is nothing to be ashamed of. You might want to rectify the situation and speak with them, though."

"I was planning on it." She smiled excitedly at the prospect. "Any words of advice?" She asked before jumping off the bed.

"Go get them?" Renata giggled at Bella's horrified face.

…

…

…

Once she left her room, she realized that she had no idea where to find any of her vampires. Her explorations of the castle had been limited to the library, her room, and the kitchen. She could ask anyone if they'd seen any of her vampires. Find one, find all, she guessed. And it's not like privacy was much of a thing in this place. If it wasn't a thing at the Cullens, and they were 6, there's no way it was a thing here with so many people coming and going at all times.

She hummed to herself while she had breakfast. She could ask Marcus if he knew where to find them. Or she could go exploring the castle and see if she bumped into any of her vampires. She should buy a bell. That way, whenever she wants to speak to them, she rings it, and they come. And with their keen hearing sense, it wouldn't matter where they were in this place. She laughed and shook her head. Of course, she would not buy a bell and call on them like a spoiled brat calls a butler.

She left the kitchen thinking of the different ways she could call on them. Each idea was more ridiculous than the next. It was the bucket list all over again.

"I like it when you smile." A smooth voice whispered from behind her.

She jumped away with a hand on her chest and her heart on her throat, threatening to beat its way out of her chest. "Jesus fucking Christ." She whispered, closing her eyes and leaning against a wall. "Fucking give a girl a warning before, would ya?"

Bella heard a deep chuckle coming closer to where she was. She opened her eyes and found Felix standing in front of her. He was still smiling, which made Bella both happy and annoyed. Her heart finally returned from her throat to her chest and resumed its usual rhythm. His smile was mocking and teasing as if catching her by surprise and nearly giving her a heart attack was the greatest amusement of the century.

Asshole.

She stepped away from the wall and resumed her mission of exploring the castle. Let him stay there or follow her. He deserved a little bit of silence for his stunt.

He fell into step next to her quickly, unperturbed by her silent treatment.

How unfair.

"Where are you going?"

She had no idea, but he didn't need to know that. "I have places to be."

"And people to see?" He teased.

She shrugged and continued walking. His presence was welcome; she felt safe and calm with him. She eyed him from the corner of her eye; he still had a smile plastered on his face, hands in his pocket, the picture of nonchalance. He was dressed in all black, which contrasted brightly against his pale complexion and stunning red eyes.

"Are you going to ignore me the entire time?"

"I'm not ignoring you. We're walking in silence."

Felix snorted. "Is it because I scared you?"

"I'm not ignoring you. And I got over it." She insisted.

Felix huffed beside her, and she had to bite her lip to keep her smile from spreading. He was not a patient man. His huffs reminded her of the day he walked her and Edward through the underground tunnels.

"Would you speak to me if I apologize for scaring you?"

She shot him a look. "I'm not ignoring you." She repeated and then added. "You can apologize. If you mean it."

Felix hummed softly as if the task was too complicated. Bella kept her unhurried pace, cataloging everything in sight. At some point, they came across one of the few vampires that had spoken to her. If she remembered correctly, his name was Santiago.

She approached him with a friendly smile. When he noticed her approach, he dropped his iPad and smiled politely. "You're Santiago, right?"

The vampire with black dreadlocks stared uneasily at the man behind her before answering. "I am. How are you adjusting?"

She shrugged. "I still think it's easier to get out of hell than find my way around, but I'm getting better." Santiago laughed and nodded.

"Yes, this place can be tricky. I'm still waiting for the portraits to speak or the stairs to move." Bella's eyes shone with mirth at the reference.

"Do let me know when that happens." She waved at him goodbye and continued her journey.

"I'm sorry." Felix said suddenly after being utterly silent for minutes.

Bella stopped dead on her feet and blinked, surprised. "What?"

Felix was no longer smiling, and that felt like a travesty. "I'm sorry I scared you. I thought it would be a harmless joke."

Bella smiled at him. "Apology accepted." Felix smiled again and grabbed her hand, interlacing their fingers. The flutters came back. She looked down at their joined hands. It felt so right, like their hands were made for each other.

He squeezed her hand gently, getting her attention again. She looked up to meet his eyes. "Is this okay?" He asked softly, lifting their joined hands.

Bella nodded without losing her smile.

"Do you actually know where you're going?"

Bella laughed. "Not really. I was trying to find any of you." Felix didn't need clarification on who she was trying to find. "Do you know where the other two are?"

"Yes. Let's go." He pulled her gently, tucking her against him without breaking the contact of their joined hands. Felix guided her through the castle with the ease of someone with a lifetime of experience. How long had he been living here? She had so many questions for each of her vampires.

When she was about to tease Felix about getting them lost, he finally stopped in front of an arch that held a double wooden door. It had intricate designs that Bella was not interested in paying attention to.

Suddenly, everything became too real. Her hand in Felix, the memory of Demetri's arms surrounding her, the feeling of Alec's eyes on her. Her attraction to the three of them. The intense tingly, buzzy thing in her mind that had only grown in intensity in the past two weeks.

Her breathing became labored, her sight splotchy, and her heart rate picked. It was not a panic attack, but it was still scary. Would they like her beyond whatever physical attraction pulled them together?

Felix's hand on her grounded her. He hadn't made a move, either to comfort her or to open the doors. She was sure that with their enhanced senses, whoever was inside that room knew they were there. She was grateful that they hadn't opened the door either.

She concentrated on Felix's hand. It was big on hers, but it fit like a puzzle. He traced circles on the back of her hand with his thumb, silently comforting her. She counted the circles, matching her breathing with the rhythm of his thumb. After a few minutes, her sight cleared, her breathing eased, and her heart rate returned to normal. She breathed deeply a few times for good measure and reminded herself that they were the ones who initiated this entire thing.

The ball was in her court, yes, but the match was initiated by the three of them. They were the ones who frantically looked for her, who panicked when they couldn't find her. Felix was the one who couldn't leave her hand alone; he had been the one to approach her. Demetri had been the one that hugged her so tight she might have melted into him. Alec couldn't shed his eyes away from her. They were interested, and it wasn't only something physical.

This conclusion made her feel better about her nerves. She turned her head to Felix to tell him she was ready, but he looked at her with concern. She squeezed his hand and smiled softly. "I'm ok."

"Are you sure?" She nodded, still smiling.

"Here we go, then." He opened one of the doors, and Bella had to stifle a giggle at how anticlimactic it felt that they didn't come in barging open a set of heavy-looking wooden double doors to make a grand entrance. She felt robbed.

Alec and Demetri pretended not to notice her coming inside. They were focused on fighting each other in a ring at the center of the room.

Were they using gloves? What for? It's not as if any hit to any body part would cause any damage. They were both wearing black as well. But unlike Felix, who was the image of pristine perfection, Alec and Demetri looked rumpled. How long had they been up there?

Felix cleared his throat, stopping Alec mid-punch. "Boys. Look who I found."

Demetri was the first to look in her direction. He smiled and jumped out of the ring, walking at a human pace to her side and kissing her cheek. She smiled shyly at the gesture. Alec was less savage on his exit from the ring. He held the cords down and stepped out. He also walked at a human pace and kissed her other cheek.

Was she drooling? No, but she was swooning. Who would have thought that a simple kiss on the cheek would disarm her like this?

"I was wondering if we could talk?" She eyed the three vampires surrounding her. She really had no sense of self-preservation. Edward was right. Here she was, surrounded by three red-eyed vampires, and she felt as comfortable as if she were standing in front of three human men.

She was glad that her trauma with red-eyed vampires didn't impede her from being in the presence of her three vampires.

"Of course, Bella. We can talk here freely." Alec offered.

Since there was no place to sit, they returned to the ring. It's not as if vampires sweat, so the ring was probably cleaner than her pillow.

"Do you want to go first, or would you like us to explain things first?" Felix asked, tracing patterns on her hand once again.

"I think it's better if you explain things, and I'll ask any questions I may have." The three vampires nodded.

"Do you know what a mate is?" Alec started.

"Not entirely." She admitted.

Alec proceeded to explain the concept of mates, what it meant for a vampire to find their mate, and the implications of it. The more Alec spoke of mates and its meaning, the louder the buzzing in her head became. She tried to ignore it and focus on Alec's words, but it was getting harder to do so.

"In sum, you are our mate." Demetri finished.

The buzzing continued. Bella nodded, needing a few seconds to focus on finding the right words and pushing them through the uncomfortable buzzing. "All three of you, and only me?" They nodded. She smiled. Well, who would complain when fate dealt you such a card? She must have been a really good person to be rewarded in such a way. "Ok. I like that."

Felix laughed and kissed her temple. They were really physical in their affection. Edward had never been like this. Was it because they were not mates? Was any of her relationship with Edward real at all? Did he know that they were not mates? Did he know that Demetri, Felix, and Alec were?

"Do you have any questions?" Felix asked.

Bella shook her head. What the fuck was that buzzing in her mind? She flinched, uncomfortable, and pressed a finger to her temple. "What's wrong?" Alec leaned forward, worried.

"Nothing. Just a headache." She tried to smile, but it came out like a grimace.

"We can tell when you're lying, you know." Demetri pressed gently. "You can tell us anything."

"Sorry. You're right. I have a buzzing in my head that's been progressively intensifying for the past two weeks. And the longer Alec talked about mates, the louder it got."

Alec and Demetri exchanged a look charged with meaning. "What?" Felix pressed.

"I think it's Bella's gift trying to come out." Alec deadpanned.

"What the hell does that mean?" She growled out.