Even with only three of us, we still lived in a large house, though this one was farmhouse-like, instead of extremely modern on the outside. Still lots of windows and French doors.

I knocked anyway, though I'm sure they heard me run up. Esme answered, her warm smile tempered with a tenseness I'd never seen. She looked like a Stepford Wife.

I stripped off my boots on the porch, not wanting to track mud. It started raining about an hour ago, it had tapered off to a light drizzle, but I was more than damp. Turns out vampires can't outrun the weather after all. "Sorry Esme, I-"

I-what? Sorry felt inadequate, but I wasn't sure what else to say. How did I do something wrong by telling the truth?

"I-"

"It's alright, Bella. There's nothing to be done now, but Carlisle will think of something."

The Monet painting in my room felt accusatory, and I avoided looking at it as I shuffled towards the bathroom. I felt like my dark jeans were going to leave smears on the pale carpet, irrational as it was. Wet skinny jeans were difficult to peel off of vampire skin as they were human skin, but for a different reason. I didn't want to tear them.

I left my pants and hoodie in a pile on the floor as I stripped.

Vampire or not, hot water felt wonderful. I scrubbed my hair clean, I could probably go without shampoo since my hair was only wet and not dirty, but rinsing my hair clean and watching the suds slide down the drain was soothing. I wrung out my hair and toweled off, it was still strange to not have skin that pebbled in the chill of the bathroom or turned blotchy in places due to hot water. With my hair wet and slicked back from my face, my eyes looked doll-like and large in the alabaster of my face. They were bright gold now, I'd eaten on the way. A rather large buck, not terribly satisfying, but better than nothing. My eyes stung with the urge to cry, but vampire eyes didn't weep. I pressed my hands against them anyway and released a shuddering breath.

I needed answers. I needed to know what I'd done.

I pulled on another pair of jeans, these wide-legged and loose, and an oversized hoodie that Alice would hate on sight. My bare feet made minimal noise on the wood as I made my way to Carlisle's study. He always had one on the second floor.

His desk was bare for once apart from his cell phone sitting in the exact center while Carlisle watched it like a member of the bomb squad.

My stomach twisted, I didn't understand.

"What can I do?"

Carlisle twitched and that alone was enough to make me feel worse. I'd never seen him this stressed.

"Bella."

"What is going on? How can I help?"

Carlisle shook his head. "This is my fault, Bella."

He glanced at the portrait of the Volturi in his study. "Aro has been my friend for a long time and I deliberately misled him."

"What are you talking about? You haven't done anything. The deal was that I became a vampire, not that I stayed married -I- Carlisle, I'm confused, but I feel like this is my fault. If you're covering for me, I need to know why."

"I wasn't 'covering for you' Isabella, not in the way you think."

Carlisle stood and made his way around his desk. "I know Edward told you a little about the Volturi, but I'm afraid he never had a firm grasp on what they truly are."

I folded my arms. "He said they were vampire royalty, but he made them sound more like…the mafia or something. Everyone just tries to stay below their notice because they…" I swallowed and glanced at the painting "-they 'removed' problems."

"That is only one facet. The comparison to royalty is correct. The Volturi are the governing body for vampires, more or less, with Aro at the helm for the last three millennia."

"Millennia?"

Plural? I'd thought they were around a thousand years old, but three thousand years? I hadn't reached my first century and I was already feeling out of place. Carlisle either ignored or accepted my interruption, but didn't break his train of thought.

"Vampires are antagonistic by nature. Predators that form few bonds, living primarily to feed. The Volturi intervene when vampire populations grow too great, impacting humanity's survival. Or when territory skirmishes turn into wars, or events of even greater cruelty, such as immortal children."

"Immortal children?" Even the words chilled me. Vampires couldn't breed. So that meant-

Carlisle's face twisted with pain. "Yes, some vampires turn children. It is a sacred law, on par with secrecy that vampires do not turn the young. The child can never age or mature, it's incredibly cruel."

I had an image of a toddler, angelically perfect, face smeared with blood below glowing red eyes. "That's horrible."

"Indeed."

"So..the Volturi are more like the police?"

"Not necessarily. As I said before, royalty is correct. They create and enforce laws, address grievances, and with Aro's unique ability, the Volturi may be harsh, but very rarely wrong."

"They are this time!" I ran my hands through my still-damp hair. "I'm sorry, Carlisle. This is all my fault, I just- I don't understand."

Carlisle sighed. "I know you don't and that is my fault. I was hoping to spare you, but-"

"Spare me what?"

He looked past me to the window and I reached out, I was practically ready to shake him-when he finally turned to look at me.

"Isabella, are you familiar with the term, jus primae noctis?"

I mouthed the words and felt them roll over my tongue like an unfamiliar flavor before shaking my head. It felt like it should be familiar, but it wasn't.

Carlisle turned back to the painting. "It's an antiquated custom, but roughly translated, it means "right of the first night" later in medieval Europe, it was called droit de seigneur "right of kings". It is the right of a lord, or king to any young, unmarried women of their choosing. Traditionally, it was for only one night, but not always."

"I-why are you telling me this?"
Carlisle blew out a frustrated breath, and ran his hands over his hair. "Bella, Aro-"

We both froze when the phone rang, long enough for two more rings before Carlisle shook free of the panic holding us both and picked up the phone.

"Pronto."

I was nonplussed for a moment, but the voice on the other end didn't seem to be.

"Carlisle, è passato troppo tempo. Spero che Isabella sia soddisfatta del mio ultimo regalo."

"Yes, yes, it has. Too long. And she did. "

"-but I am to understand that she is not receiving my letters."

Gone was the feathery voice I dimly remembered from the throne room all those years ago. Neither was it the teasing, accented voice I remembered purring over the line when I spoke to him earlier today. This voice was deeper, more formal. It wasn't overtly menacing, but the hair on the back of my neck stood and I had to bite back the urge to growl. All of my instincts were screaming that something was very wrong.

"Aro, we agreed-"

"Which is null and void considering lovely Isabella called this afternoon herself to inform me that the tiresome Edward had finally come to his senses."

Come to his senses? My stomach tightened in offense, Edward came to his senses and divorced me? Well, that certainly poked some holes in Carlisle's theory that Edward's leaving me would be used as proof of erratic behavior.

"Aro, you can't possibly-" Carlisle looked on the verge of losing his temper, or as close as I'd ever seen him.

"Can't?"

If I thought Aro's voice was menacing before, it was nothing compared to the malice that dripped from that word.

Carlisle met my eyes and cleared his throat.

"Aro?"

The word fell from my lips so suddenly, for a split second I wondered who spoke.

"Isabella? Eavesdropping, preciosa? And I was under the impression you were a good girl."

As if his previous tone never existed, the teasing was back in his voice.

"I, uh, this isn't Carlisle's fault. It's mine."

"Yours?"

"Yes, I - I was embarrassed. That my marriage was so short-" Carlisle shook his head at me, but I barreled on "- I just-Carlisle was only trying to help me. This is my fault."

"I see. You have nothing to be embarrassed for, bella. Carlisle, as a gesture of goodwill, give Isabella my letters."

Carlisle opened a drawer to his right and withdrew a thick stack of envelopes. I didn't have to count them to know there would be one for every anniversary. But why?

"I don't understand-"

"Hush, read your letters. Carlisle and I need to speak in private."

"But-"

"Stubborn girl. Do as I say. I'll answer all of your questions soon enough."

I looked at Carlisle who offered the letters and shook his head at me. I bit my lip, but took the letters, leaving the study at vampire speed.

This didn't make any sense!

Carlisle's office must have possessed a type of soundproofing I was all but unaware of, from my room, I was unable to hear anymore speaking in the study.

I dumped the envelopes on my bed, searching for the first one. I wasn't sure if it mattered if I read them in order, but it felt right to start with the first one.

Dear Isabella,

Buon anniversario, cara. I do hope that you'll forgive me for treating this as your birthday, but it feels too right to celebrate your transformation into your true form. I hope that you will enjoy the necklace as a token of my esteem. Jewels should be worn by those deserving of their beauty and this necklace will suit you perfectly.

I do so look forward to meeting you in person upon your next visit to Italy, though I do understand that your newborn years will be trying enough without attempting to travel. Would that I was there to witness them, a new vampire is truly a marvel. Tell me, which of your new abilities do you enjoy the most?

I look forward to your reply, tesoro.

A-

Okay, weird, but not too weird considering it was Aro. I could hear his voice through the words he wrote. I opened the next one.

Dear Isabella,

I must admit to being a trifle disappointed to not receive a reply, fiore. Perhaps you struggle adapting to your new strength? Your dexterity will return with time, piccola, do not fret. I am patient, if nothing else. Carlisle will be quite put out at my telling you, but we used to keep mountains of pens on hand when he was learning to write. It was hard to tell which cast the brighter reflection in the sun, his vampire flesh, or the shattered glass surrounding the desk on the floor.

I hope you enjoy the pens I had made for you. Perhaps you'll write me a letter yet.

A-

That year, he'd sent me an exquisite calligraphy set, with venetian glass pens, so delicately spun, I was still terrified of touching them almost a decade later.

Dearest Isabella,

I fear your first visit to Volterra left you with few good memories, though one can only hope that our meeting left as much of an impression on you as it did me. The timing was unfortunate, but I regret not giving you the tour. Based on young Edward 's memories, I gather that you would find much enjoyment in the library. I've made a hobby of collecting first editions for centuries. Tell me, what are some of your favorites? What do you enjoy about the works of the Bronte sisters? I always found Wuthering Heights to be maudlin myself, so I do hope you enjoy the copy of Jane Eyre, it was always my favorite. Perhaps we can discuss it at length in the future?

I find myself looking forward to your thoughts with the greatest anticipation.

Yours,

A-

That explained the first edition of Jane Eyre, I had no idea it was his favorite. For some reason, the idea of a vampire megalomaniac having a favorite book was bizarre and the fact that it was Jane Eyre was even weirder.

I skipped over the letter from the year I received the painting, the earrings, until I found the one from the most recent year. Aro gifted me a single key. It was solid and would have been heavy to my human hands, ornately carved, a ribbon strung through the end so that it would be worn as a necklace. Now, it sat in its velvet box with the other jewelry, in the top drawer of my dresser.

Mea Vita,

Celebrating your first decade as a vampire is a milestone few vampires reach, many never passing their volatile newborn years. I wonder if you've ever tasted human blood, or if Carlisle managed to sway your morals enough to fight your instincts? I encourage you, tesoro, to try feeding naturally at least once in a while, to ensure your strength. Ask Maria's former Major if you don't believe me.

I am starting to doubt that you are receiving these letters, what is to be done about this? I must admit, my preference would be for you to return to Italy where I am able to disabuse you of some of the Cullens' less than savory opinions, but I can understand your reluctance to leave your aging father. Perhaps a visit?

This is a key to a private garden in the castle known only to myself. I must confess, your enjoyment of the meadow has left me with no small amount of envy. I wish to share a hideaway with you as well.

Tell me, if you are receiving my letters, is there a reason you don't reply? Does my attention frighten you?

Yours,

Aro

I dropped the heavy parchment as though it burned, clenching my hands and releasing them before snatching at the other letters. Maria's former Major? Jasper? As far as I knew Jasper wasn't drinking human blood. Was he?

My phone buzzed on the table and I considered ignoring it, but recognized Alice's number. "Alice!"

"Are you happy now? Now he knows."

"Alice, what is this?"

"Put your stupid letters down and listen to me!"

She sounded unhinged. "Aro is going to visit."

"What?"
"I see him boarding a plane to New York, he's going to expect an explanation in person. He's bringing the closest members of the Guard. That's Felix, Renata, Alec, and Jane. Maybe Dimitri, I can't quite see."

"You can't see?"

"When Aro grabbed my hand in Volterra, he developed a better understanding of my gift than I have."

"Alice, what-"

"He sees everything Bella! Everything. Every thought you've ever had."

I raked my hand through my hair, feeling the pull as my fingers snagged a tangle. "Alice, please. I know you're angry, but I don't understand! I don't know what I did! I-"

She exhaled heavily. "I know you don't. Carlisle isn't doing a great job of explaining."

"He said something about a 'Right of Kings', but I don't know what that means- and then the phone rang, and Aro was so angry- and then the letters don't make any sense-"

"Aro staked a claim on you when you left Volterra."

"Like, to join the Guard?" Was all this about my gift? I couldn't even use it!

"No, worse. He contacted Carlisle and issued a personal claim. He wants to add you to his own coven."

"Alice-"

"Listen! We deliberately subverted his will by using Edward's claim of you as his mate and added you to our coven, but now he knows that was a lie."

"Alice-"

"-You don't lie to the Volturi! So now Aro is on his way to personally investigate."

I sat heavily on the bed, hearing the letters crumple beneath me. "I don't understand, Alice. Why is this happening?"

"You don't want to be in the Volturi, Isabella. It would crush you, I've seen it. I know we've hidden things from you, but please believe us, it was to protect you."

"I-I'm so sorry, I didn't think-"

"We should've thought more about how uncomfortable gifts made you, that was our fault. There's nothing that can be done now, but Bella, please remember. You cannot trust Aro. He's been manipulating for over three thousand years, he will tell you anything you want to hear, but he doesn't mean it."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because you're going to be on your own for a while. I need you to remember this."

"On my own?" If I were still human, I would be hyperventilating. What had I done? Aro was on his way here. Was he going to kill the Cullens? This was all my fault.

"What can I do? I have to fix this. Please, Alice! There has to be something."

"We'll survive this, Bella, if we're careful, but we won't be able to thwart Aro a second time. He's going to want you to come back to Italy."

"Why? I can't even, my gift doesn't even work!"

"Let me think. He's blocking me now. I need more time. Just, try not to do anything else. Wear his presents maybe? He'll like that."

"His presents?" The sudden change of gears left me nonplussed. "Alice, what-"

"He'll be there within twenty- four hours. We don't have enough time for a better plan. Just, try to pacify him. He wants to leave a good impression on you, if he still thinks he can recruit you, it'll be better. Wear that dark blue jumpsuit I bought you for your birthday with the necklace he gave you. And put your hair up."

"My hair?" I crossed the room to the closet and started looking for the jumpsuit.

It was silky fabric that ran through my hands like water, dark blue, a shade lighter than navy. The neckline was high, but open in the back to expose a sliver of skin from nape to waist where it flowed into wide pants. When I stood still, it looked like a dress. "Alice-"

"Trust me, he'll like the outfit and exposing your throat is submissive for vampires, you also don't have a bite mark on your throat."

I rubbed at the bare column instinctively. It was true. Carlisle bit my wrists and used a syringe to inject more venom into my heart, but my throat was clear. Why would that matter?

"Alice. Why-?"

"Just trust me. I know you're confused, but I can't explain everything right now. There's no time."

"Okay, Alice, okay, but-"

"I'll tell you everything soon, I promise, but just- wear the outfit and listen to Carlisle."

"I will."

"Okay, I'll call soon. I love you."

"Love you too."

I stared at the phone, then at the outfit in my hand, dropping the suit onto the bed and walking to my dresser. The velvet box sat innocently in the top drawer, I opened it and stared at the round diamond within, tilting the box back and forth in my hands to watch it gleam.

I didn't want to wear it. I didn't want any of this, but what was I supposed to do now?