"You see," Eleazar began to explain, "the Volturi, and especially Aro, have long been obsessed with the consolidation and perpetuation of their power. To ensure their dominance over all vampires he is always searching for talented individuals. That was my function when I was part of the Volturi, I could tell him if any humans had potential for great power and I could tell if any vampire had a power worth coveting."

I could see Dr. Cullen's serious nod.

"When Mendelian inheritance became widely accepted it sparked an idea in Aros' mind. He chose some highly potential humans and, for lack of a better word, bred them. He believes that by selectively breeding individuals with exceptional abilities, he can create a new generation of vampires with unmatched powers. And these new vampires would solidify the Volturi's dominance over the vampire world and ensure their position of power for centuries to come."

His eyes flickered from Edward to me and then to Alice. "All three of you are part of his breeding program. Edward, you are from the mind bloodline. Alice was supposed to start a psychic bloodline once she grew a bit older and Isabella, you are from a shield bloodline."

Eleazar's expression grew grim. "To accomplish his idea, Aro has used my gift to meticulously track and document the abilities of potential humans. I was the one who saw potential in your grandparents, Edward and Bella. I was the one who informed Aro about it. And I was the one responsible for arranging their unions. It was a simple exchange," he said. "They would each produce at least one child, marry them off to a partner determined by the Volturi and we would grant them immortality in return."

Edward gasped. "Does that mean that they are alive?"

"Both your grandparents are in Volterra." Eleazar nodded.

"And our parents?" I asked him timidly. I was reluctantly hopeful all of the sudden and I was unsure if I wanted to actually hear the answer.

He shook his head. "Your parents were offered the same deal. Produce a child and marry them off to other highly potential humans and receive immortality in return. But they did not follow Aro's plan."

"Because they did not marry us off to the chosen partner." I realized with a gasp as a wave of guilt swept through me. "Because Edward and I married each other instead. Against our parents wishes. Even though they fought against our union."

"Exactly." Eleazar confirmed. "That was the big flaw in Aro's plan all along. Humans are unpredictable. And because of their free will they are exceptionally bad for breeding. After your bloodlines were thought to have ended in the Spanish flu and Alice disappeared from the Asylum Aro gave up on his plan. The political development made arranged marriages exceptionally difficult and as far as I know he never tried again."

Studying Edwards' face I realized, "You were supposed to marry Adelaid Montgomery."

"And you were meant to carry someone else's child."

I swallowed. "A child…" I whispered. "Edward, a child that would continue my bloodline." I held onto his hands tightly as overwhelming fear flooded my body. Gripping my unbeating heart and squeezing it too tight. My muscles tightened. And my breathing became erratic.

Edwards' eyes widened in alarm only a moment later as he understood the meaning behind my panic.

The child that grew in my belly would be in grave danger once it entered into this world. It would become a target of the Volturi's ambitions if it displayed any abilities. And how could it not? Edward was a powerful mind reader and I had both a mental as well as a physical shield. It was almost impossible for our child to be giftless, although I prayed it would be so.

Edward clenched his jaw, his eyes dark with worry. "Bella." His voice was full of fear and despair as his hand wandered to my abdomen. Protectively rubbing the fabric covered bump. "Noone will harm you," he promised me, his expression determined.

And I suddenly knew Edward would rather die than allow the Volturi to turn our child into a pawn of their twisted schemes.

As would I.

There was a loud gasp and I reluctantly detached my gaze from Edwards to take in Carmen's astonished face. Her eyes were wide as she regarded Edwards hand on my belly.

She knew.

Edward and I had been so overwhelmed with our fear that we seemingly both forgot that we were not alone. We had been so focused on the abstract threat of the Volturi that the risk from Carmen and Eleazar had not registered in my mind. They knew. And they could betray us at any moment.

As far as I knew Eleazar would tell Aro as soon as he left this house. Our abstract fear for our child had quite literally placed it in harm's way.

"You are pregnant with Edward's child?" she asked for confirmation.

I could do nothing but nod, swallowing hard.

"Congratulations!" Carmen's warm smile reduced my fear a little. But only by a fraction.

"Thank you." I tried to smile back at her.

"This is a very special gift you were given." Carmen said. "There are surprisingly few pregnant women being changed, no?"

"Hmh." Edward agreed. "Actually, we mainly asked you here because of that mystery."

Carmen wrinkled her brows. "What mystery?"

"Why I was changed."

"Bella identified Irina as her creator from a photo she saw of her." Edward explained. "And we ran into Irina's hidden mate Laurent whose thoughts revealed that she changed Bella because of her pregnancy. We were wondering if you had any guess as to why they would do such a thing."

"Irina has a mate?" Eleazar asked with wide eyes. "Why wouldn't she tell us?"

"He is red eyed." Dr. Cullen told him. "We are suspecting Laurent was opposed to changing his diet and Irina too afraid of your judgment to reveal their relationship."

"Ridiculous," Carmen scoffed, "We would accept any mate of Irina's, as long as she is happy. Whether he joins us in our diet or not. And I am sure her sisters would think the same."

Jasper shrugged. "That's the only explanation we could come up with."

"And it's of no importance." Rosalie spoke up. "What is important is whether you have any idea why Irina would want to change a random pregnant human."

Eleazar pierced his lips.

"Oh!" Edward exclaimed as he looked at him. "Why didn't I think of that?"

I raised my eyebrow at him.

"Kate, Tanya and Irina had a mother figure, their creator Sasha, who thought of them as her daughters." Edward explained calmly. "But it seems the longing for a child was not satisfied by the creation of the three sisters, because Sasha at some point committed the ultimate crime by creating an immortal child."

I took a deep steading breath.

"His name was Vasilii. He was only a toddler. And just like all toddlers he was unwilling to follow rules and quick to throw tantrums. But in his anger he would not only scream and cry but slaughter entire villages. And he was stuck. He could never learn. Never grow.

That was the danger of immortal children." He said. "That was why the Volturi banned their existence and slaughtered them and anyone who knew of them.

Apparently Sasha kept his existence from the sisters. That was the only reason Aro let them live when he killed both Vasilii and Sasha. But Tanya, Kate and Irina witnessed their mother's death.

They barely speak of her, the pain is too bad, and rarely even dare to think of her. All they have left of her is their unhealing grief and a deep respect for the laws of the Volturi."

"You mean, Irina would want to have her own Vasilii?" I asked him.

He nodded. "Eleazar believes she was trying to get our child from you and care for it as her mother had done for Vasilii."

"And, contrary to Sashas situation, there would be no threat of the Volturi because vampire-born children do grow and learn." Eleazar added. "In fact they do so at an alarmingly fast pace. The Volturi saw no reason to ban their existence because they pose no bigger threat of exposure."

Edward nodded. "I think that might have been her reason for changing you, Bella. Even though I never heard a single motherly thought from her. She must have harbored that wish for hundreds of years."

"Well," Rosalie crossed her arms. "She will have to find another child because she won't get my only niece and goddaughter."

I threw her a grateful smile. "Thank you, Rose."

"Bella, I have never seen a vampire birth before." Carmen spoke gently. "Would it be alright if I stayed and witnessed?"

"You want to see the birth?" I asked her, my brows drawn together.

She nodded enthusiastically. "This is something so rare. I would love to be able to witness this precious moment. Of course, only if you're comfortable with that. I know you have only known me for a few hours, but…"

I looked at Edward, questioning her sincerity.

He shrugged. It seemed she was genuine in her curiosity. "All right." I smiled reluctantly.

Her eyebrows shot up. "Truly?"

I nodded. A little more certain.

"Thank you!" Her smile was warm as the sun. "Thank you so much for your trust and this opportunity, Bella. Uhm- Am I- Would you allow-" She stuttered. "Could I-"

"What is it?" I asked her.

She sighed and looked to the floor. "I am sure you have been asked that question a lot, but could I touch the bump?"

Once again I threw a questioning glance at Edward who nodded soothingly.

"You may." I stood up from my place next to Edward.

Carmen approached slowly and hesitantly raised her hand to lightly brush over my fabric covered abdomen. She closed her eyes for a moment. Unfortunately, the baby seemed to be asleep and there was no movement for her to feel.

"If Irina tries anything, Eleazar and I will protect your child." Carmen promised me.

"Thank you, Carmen."