-Bella-

I woke up alone the next morning, the sun was beaming through the windows lighting up the room, complimenting the archaic architecture of the entire space. I'll admit during my stay here I've had a few lazy mornings here and there, but this time the throbbing pain coming from my arm kept that from happening. A bruise had now formed from where the woman grabbed me, meaning I now had a gigantic bluish black blob on my arm. To be honest I didn't care about the bruise, if anything it was what she had tried to tell me that I was more concerned about. I was curious as of to what the women meant when she said not to go back to the US, no one has yet to make any mentions of going back. Even if they did my answer would be no in every aspect, I won't lie i've begun to become very fond of the three women. So much so I would even dream of them on certain occasions.

I had a feeling it had something do with what had the three women so worried, every time I was in their office every inch of the table tops were littered with newspapers from America. Even the tv in there was turned to an American news channel specifically the ones focused on Seattle, Washington, and it was always the same thing. People were going missing and not only that but a few bodies here and there were turning up in back alley ways and sometimes were even left right out in the open. The bodies of course always were discovered in the exact same way, throat ripped open without a drop of blood left in the person. A clear and obvious signs of vampires, and if these occurrences continued it wouldn't be long before people stopped looking the other way.

The Volturi kitchen was a small, but modern. Heck I was surprised when they told me they had a kitchen, with the Cullens I knew they had one to play into the whole "Im human" thing. But to be honest I didn't think there would be one here let alone even think they would have use for it. I had planned to have a small breakfast consisting of just oatmeal and milk, mostly because that was the only thing I saw in the fridge the last time I looked. I was almost always alone for breakfast, I don't think the vampires in the castle are a very big fan of the way human food smells. I always tried to open a window while I was cooking, but sometimes it wasn't enough.

However this morning I was greeted by the sight of Didyme casually sitting on my bed waiting for me to come out of the shower. I had seen them so many times and yet somehow I managed to always be stunned by their beauty. Being around vampires so often I had often gotten used to seeing them shimmer in the sunlight, but this was so much different. She looked beautiful, I don't think beautiful is even enough to describe how she looked. She wore a linen white dress that grasped every part of her body, her hair had been given a 90s blowout style that only added to the look even more. She looked like one of those women you saw in greek classShe smiled at me, and I swear when she did I felt my body filled with warm, peaceful bliss. She shook her head and chuckled, then moved towards me until she was so close I could feel her breath on my lips.

"Did you hear what I said?" Didyme asked.

I shook my head no.

She chuckled again then leaned down and pressed her lips against mine, her hands gripped my waist as they pulled me closer. Her tongue nipped at lips before making its way inside my mouth and there it began to do things I had never experienced before. Kissing her was like being transported into another dimension, like everything around us disappeared and the only thing that mattered now was the two of us. I could feeling myself wanting to come up for air, but unwilling to break up the kiss. In the moment not breathing seemed like a small price to pay to get to continue kissing her longer.

Unfortunately Didyme didn't feel the same way.

The moment she pulled away I felt myself gasp for air, but it still didn't stop me from leaning in for another kiss. She laughed and leaned back a bit to stop me.

"Don't wory," She said and kissed me again, but this time barely letting our lips touch. "Soon, will be able to do this and more."

I was still trying to catch my breath so I sat on the bed besides her. "I have to admit I don't think I've ever had someone kiss me like that." I said in between breaths.

She chuckled then kissed my cheek."Good." She slid of the bed and held out her hand to me. "Come, I have prepared breakfast for you."

"You have?" I couldn't help the surprised look on my face, the only vampire I knew that could cook was thousands of miles away somewhere in the US. And last I checked the fridge owned by the Volturi wasn't kept very well stocked either.

She smiled and rolled her eyes."I didn't exactly cook it myself, but in a sense I had some hand in the preparation when I called them to bring it here."

I couldn't help, but laugh at her statement. "True, but either way I am grateful. I won't lie you get tired of oatmeal and fruit every morning."

"You'd like more of a selection of food?" She opened the door for me.

At first I thought about saying no, but then I remembered the sad ham and cheese sandwich I had for dinner some nights ago."If you wouldn't mind I wanted to go grocery shopping, the fridge doesn't give much options to what you can make."

She stopped walking and held both my hands in hers and kissed them. "Of course I wouldn't mind, anything you wish for will be mine to fulfill."

And there was that oh so familiar feeling again, it was foreign feeling to me. To have someone care so much for my needs and what I wanted, to dote on me at every moment. Making sure I had everything I could possibly need, down to the letter. I had never felt so...loved.

"Thank you, that really means a lot."

She simply smiled and kissed my hands.

Didyme led me us to the library, one different to the one we had been to before this. This one had a big executive desk off to the side and in the center was a small living space with a coffee table and a fireplace off to the side. There were stacks of books piled tall and high practically everywhere you looked, next to the desk, the bookshelves, the couch, all over the corners off room. On the coffee table there was a small assortment of breakfast waiting for me, the fireplace had already been lit with a small fire going. Weirdly the fire smelled sweet like vanilla, something I didn't even know was possible to do without a candle or wax melts.

"Pardon the mess, if you haven't noticed already I'm a bit of a hoarder for books. I've just collected so much over the years I ran out of places to put them." She led me to the couch and sat us down next to each other. "Tea?" She held up the kettle. I nodded my head yes and watched as she poured the dark liquid into a mug for me.

I blew on the tea a little before taking a sip, there were hints of bitterness in the tea, but all in all tasted very sweet.

"This tea is wonderful, it taste amazing. Thank you."

"You're welcome, and please help yourself." She gestured to the food on the table.

It wasn't anything much, just a bowl of fruits, toast, a couple different jam and jelly, and even a poached egg and pancakes. I went for the toast first choosing a strawberry jam to go along with it. The bread tasted wonderful, and it was then I realized that this wasn't just any sort of bread it was a brioche bun. I heard of these before the Italian called them Cornetto, according to Charlie Great Grandma Swan would make them a lot before she was became too ill to make them anymore.

"I must say again to please pardon the mess, I haven't quite gotten around to cleaning up in here yet."

"I actually I like it, if anything I like this library much better then the one you showed me before. I could see myself spending hours reading in here, it has a very comfortable feel to it." I said

She seemed shocked for a second, but then she smiled to herself for a moment. "Sulpicia and Athenodora have been nagging at me for years to clean up in here, so I can't wait to tell them that you like it in here."

"Do the three of you argue a lot?" I popped a strawberry in my mouth.

"No, actually. We disagree here and there sometimes, but the for the most part we tend to be very agreeable with each other."

"Have you been together long?"

"Yes, actually 897 years and counting."

I couldn't help the look of shock on my face even if I wanted. "897? I-I-I'm sorry I just-" I shook my head in disbelief. "Wow."

She chuckled. "Don't worry about it humans have a very different perspective of time then vampires, although I hope you don't find us too old for you."

"No, not at all."

We chatted for a little bit as I enjoyed my breakfast, she even gave me a tour of her "office"/ library. Finally we just sat down and enjoyed each others company. Out of nowhere though she sighed, and gave me the saddest look.

"I must admit, I had other reasons for treating you to breakfast today." She clasped her hands in her lap." There something important I must speak to you about."

I took a deep breath, I knew very well it was only going to be a matter of time before they would talk to me about it. I don't think any vampire, even if they wanted to do could turn a blind eye to this whole situation even if they wanted to. It was cut and clear what was happening in Seattle, and from what the Cullens told me about the Volturi they didn't take well to lawbreakers.

"It's about what's been happening in Washington isn't?"

She looked surprise for a moment, but quickly regained her composure."Yes, it is. We've been observing what's been happening in Washington for a couple months now, and we fear things will only worsen without interference. When it comes to these things collateral, unfortunately, tends to be unavoidable no matter how hard we try. We know that you have a friends and family in Washington, which is why it was important that we had your opinion on a certain perspective of the matter."

I knew exactly what Didyme was about to ask, and to be honest I knew at some point I would have to go back and tie up loose ends if I wanted to stay here. I could only wonder how Charlie felt right now, knowing his daughter ran off to some random country with her boyfriend. Even worse knowing that his daughter is still in said country and has barely talked to him let alone even explained to him what was going on.

"You want to know if I want to return to Washington with you when all of you go."

She nodded her head yes. "Seeing as this is a situation that does affect you we thought it was only right, that we ask." Didyme closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then she leaned forward and took my hand in hers. "Bella, situations like these, they get...messy and out of control, and if I am being honest we do not want you anywhere near Washington, let alone the American continent . If we had it our way we wouldn't be making you this offer at all, if anything, we just want to lock you away somewhere until this whole thing blows over. However we understand that you have family and friends in Washington, and we understand that you may wish to return to them. You are very important to use and we want to make sure that if you choose to stay here it is because you choose to. We care about you, but we do not a relationship created by force. Soon we will be due to leave for Forks, and we would like to offer you to come with us if you so choose."

I pondered over her words for a minute, truly taking in everything she just said. It was clear what she was trying to say, they would not continue any further with me until I decided. A decision they felt I would not truly be able to make unless I was given the option to return to Forks. I knew at some point I'd have to go back, I hadn't even graduated, and on top of that I still had to face a very angry Charlie. I had to admit I've put that man through hell this past year, and I can only guess running away to another country will be the straw that finally breaks the camels back.

"I'll return to Forks with all of you..." I leaned forward and cupped her cheek." But only to say goodbye to my friends, I will admit I have developed feelings for all of you. I don't know why, but just the possibility of being away from any off you seem...unthinkable. I want to stay here...forever."

I didn't get the chance to gage her reaction, mostly because as soon as the words forever let my mouth she pulled me into her lap and kissed me. It was a different sort of kiss, it felt like she was pouring every ounce of love she felt for me into it. Soon it became more heated and her tongue slipped into my mouth, entangling itself with mine. Her hands had gone under my shirt and began to explore the skin under there, she pulled away for a minute to let me breathe. I quickly took a breath of air and resumed our kiss, I didn't realize it at first but my hips had started to move and began to rub against hers. And embarrassingly enough I started to moan, it's like my body was so...hungry for her. It's like I couldn't control my self as that warm hot feeling began to grow and pool in between my legs, and all of a sudden I started to rub against her out of a frenzied need to quench that fire. It's like something inside me was building up and getting ready to explode, and I was desperate to let it.

Until all of a sudden out of nowhere I found myself sitting on the opposite couch from her, and it was like a bucket of cold water had been thrown on me as I realized what had just happened. I could feels my ears burning, as my whole face turned red, I tried not to move as much to minimize the wet squelching sound I made every time I moved. When I looked over at her I had never seen her more disheveled, and more noticeable how dark her eyes had gotten.

"I-i-i'm sorry, I didn't mean to..."

She held up her hands to silence me, she closed her eyes and began to take deep breaths. "Do not apologize, my love. Trust me when I say it I would've loved nothing more but to continue." When she opened her eyes again they were still dark, but at least she seemed more...calm now. "However, I will admit it would spur quite a jealous stir amongst us if they knew I cheated and took you first."

"Take me first?" I asked.

Didyme looked at me like she had been caught, then she shook her head and chuckled. "You will know soon enough."

I was bewildered at what she meant, but just assumed that there was bound to be jealousy amongst them especially when it comes to sharing one person. I got up from my spot on the other couch and moved so I was sitting next to her. For some reason being away from her, I felt naked somehow, like a piece of me was missing. She looked a little surprised also especially when she put her arms around me, and I snuggled into her more. I don't know why, but I just felt this overwhelming yearn to be near her.

"When do we leave for Forks?"

Didyme reached behind her and came back with a folder filled to the brim with papers, in it were news paper clippings, pictures of missing people, police reports, and even more that I couldn't decipher. She flipped to a newspaper clipping with neat handwriting along the margins, and different parts of it highlighted.

"To be honest with you, we were hoping to have more time to deal with this situation however," She handed me the folder, "We fear without our interference things may only worsen."

I had only flipped through the first few pages when the first pictures of bloody mangled bodies appeared, leading me to promptly snap the folder shut and hand it back. "I'll take your word for it." I sighed and looked up at her. "I'm guessing this means war in a sense."

She nodded, mindlessly playing with my hair. "Unfortunately it is a part of this life, on the bright side however as the years go on it is far and few in between when wars occur."

"Right."

We didn't talk much after that, I think she realized I needed time to process a few things and was giving me that space. It didn't help that the anxious feeling i've had for this whole situation had now grown, and now it was impossible to shake the horrible feeling I've had about this. I still couldn't bring myself to tell them about that woman's warning. How she begged us not to go North America, as if there was something more sinister occurring there. And of course the wolves, specifically Jake. The only friendship I truly cared about leaving behind, our departure wasn't on the best of terms so I knew how things were going to be when I returned. And my father, oh god my father was going to be angry. There was so much I knew I'd have to face when I got back to Forks, most especially the Cullens. All I could hope for was the feelings I had for these three women were enough to get me through for however long we were there.