This story is set in 2016 instead of 2006. All the timelines match up but everything is pushed ten years. Bella is born 1997 instead of 1987. Everything with the Cullens happen in 2015 instead of 2005.

Chapter 1

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Erika didn't care if she badly bruised her palm and wrist when she slapped Edward across the face, he deserved it. She had just been dragged across the ocean, found out that Edward was going to kill himself, and Bella wouldn't stop fidgeting. Erika was not in the mood for pleasantries.

"The next time you leave Bella without a good fucking reaso—"

"Gentlemen, I won't—"

"—Don't interrupt me, Edward Cullen!" Erika snapped, stepping forward so her face was in Edward's. Bella cringed as her older half sister berated Edward who held her. Erika lowered her tone as some people in red looked over with a giggle. "The next time you hurt Bella, you will wish they had killed you."

"Shouldn't we take this somewhere more appropriate?"

Erika's head whipped round, glaring at the new pair of men. Vampires, her mind told her, Human eating Vampires by their red eyes. Both wore smoke grey cloaks that reached the floor with their hoods down, revealing pale skin. Middle ranked guards.

"I don't believe that will be necessary," Edward turned his head to them. "I know your instructions, Felix. I haven't broken any rules."

"Felix merely meant to point out the proximity of the sun," The shorter one said, inkling his head. "Let us seek better cover."

"I'll be right behind you," Edward said dryly before turning to the elder Swan sister. "Erika, why don't you take Bella and go back to the square and enjoy the festival?"

"You do not get to dictate what we do," Erika folded her arms loosely, the leather jacket groaned lightly. She was unmoved when Edward glared at her, at least she knew who Bella learnt to glare from. There was a pulse in the back of her mind. "And stop tryna read me. We both know it doesn't work."

"No, bring the girls," The first shadow said, taller of the two. Erika presumed he was the one named Felix. A little too much like Emmet, with his stature, but he seemed almost calmer in comparison.

"I don't think so." Edward shifted his weight, almost preparing to fight.

Erika dug her palms into her eyes, groaning in annoyance. "I regret this whole trip."

"I did tell you you didn't have to come, Erika," Alice tried to comfort but faltered when Erika began glaring. Her hand dropped from Erika's arm like it was burned.

"If you think you can take Bella to another fucking continent, and not get yelled at by me for putting her mental health in danger by suddenly leaving, you've got another thing coming!" Erika paused as she looked into Alice's eyes, her kindness gone as her temper got the better of her. "So don't touch me, and get your brother under control before there's a fight."

Erika watched Alice move to Edward's side after he pushed Bella behind him, putting distance between Bella and the other Vampires. Erika had stood to the side, knowing this wasn't going to end well.

Demetri looked over his shoulder for a moment, catching the eye of a mother who was looking at the suspicious group of six. The father of the little family was getting worried, almost suspicious of them and even Erika knew that it wasn't good.

"Please, Edward, let's be reasonable," Demetri asked, gesturing silently with his eyes.

Bella nudged Edward gently, trying to get his attention.

"And we'll leave quietly now, with no one the wiser."

Erika sighed. Why did he have to be so stubborn? She just wanted to get back to America and back into her bed, and out of these goddamn boots. They were beginning to pain her now, after wearing them for a few hours. They weren't broken in properly and would leave blisters.

"At least let us discuss this more privately,"

"Edward, relax your stance," Erika said, looking to the family with a comforting and reassuring smile. She waved softly to the little girls and that made the family shrug it off a little. "You look ready to kill and it's bringing up susprion."

He did as she asked, his shoulders slouching a little. "No."

Felix smiled and it made Erika sigh again.

"Enough,"

Erika was surprised with how small this newcomer was. She was not even up to Erika's shoulder, so childlike and innocent but Erika knew it was all false. She had been turned young, almost too young so there would have been a good reason behind it.

Felix and Demetri had relaxed as soon as she came into the picture, Erika noted, as did Edward but his was in defeat. Finally. Erika hoped there wasn't going to be a fight, she really couldn't be bothered with that at the moment.

"Jane," Edward greeted.

Alice's demeanor suggested that she did not like the new Vampire, Jane. Alice crossed her arms and her face was impassive, for once not happy with the outcome.

When Jane ordered for everyone to follow, Erika was the first to move. She grabbed Bella by the bicep and started to walk. Felix snickered behind everyone, somewhat amused by the Humans. Edward kept close to Bella's back as they trekked down the angled alley.

Erika was careful to breathe calmly unlike Bella, who's breathing and heartbeat was erratic as the alley began to become a tiny bit steeper. It wasn't hard to walk on at all, just made both Humans watch their step. Edward had to wrap his arm around Bella's hip to keep her from tripping again.

Edward tried to begin a conversation to calm Bella. "Well, Alice. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised to see you here.

"I made a mistake and so it was my job to set it right," She said, nodding towards Bella.

"It's a long story. Long story short, she did jump off a cliff, but she wasn't trying to kill herself. Bella's all about the extreme sports these days."

Erika scoffed. "If you include being a fucking idiot as a extreme sport, sure."

"Erika, you don't have to be so mean," Alice tried to scold but Erika rolled her eyes.

"Yes, I do. Your family left Bella and it caused her to spiral down with depression. So you can't talk about being mean." When Alice opened her mouth, Erika shook her head. "I don't want to hear it, Alice. I'm here because Bella isn't supposed to be here, someone needs to keep her best interest in mind."

"I have Bella's best interest in mind,"

"It doesn't seem like it," She muttered before falling silent.

The alley had turned darker, the ground was slowly becoming steeper. Suddenly, Jane had dropped into a hole somewhere. The brick wall had a drain with the grate pushed aside.

Erika paused before it, turning her head to the two male Vampires in the back. "How deep is it?"

"Three metres and a bit, I suppose," Demetri said.

"Eh," Erika jumped blindly into the hole. It took a second for her feet to touch the floor and she bent her knees to absorb the impact. It still rattled her legs but she was fine, she could walk it off easily.

Alice was next before Edward had to persuade Bella to jump. When everyone was back in the weird drain area, Erika suspected that either Felix or Demetri shoved the grate so it closed them in. They all continued walking in silence, for which Erika was grateful. It allowed her anger to simmer and soon enough, it went down and now she was just disappointed with the Cullen family and Jacob.

The light was dim for the Humans, but Edward held onto Bella, and Erika kept her eyes on Jane's pale skin, since it was still quite bright enough to see when the light vanished. After a minute of walking, Erika sighed.

"I can't see," Erika mumbled, having lost Jane's short figure but she knew that the Vampire was still there. Someone gently took her by the shoulder, definitely Demetri as Felix's hand would be too big and Jane was leading them. Erika turned her head to that shoulder, blindly saying, "Thank you. I rather not have to faceplant the floor."

"Nor would we want to see it," He said with amusement, guiding her carefully through the alley.

She could no longer even see her nose. She presumed the alley was wide, it sounded like it was but she couldn't be sure. Bella was making some noise, her footsteps were louder than Erika's, and her breathing had calmed somewhat as she hugged Edward as always. There was a rustle of fabric, Bella snuggled into Edward some more as the ground slanted.

How long would this take? How much further was there to go now? They had been walking for a good ten minutes now. How deep did this place go? Of course, no one was going to answer these questions so Erika kept them to herself.

Soon enough, Erika sighed silently as the light began to appear. She was glad for it, she could almost feel Demetri's cold skin beneath her leather jacket. She finally realised that they were no longer in an enclosed alleyway or drain, but an arched tunnel.

As soon as Erika heard Bella's teeth chatter, her jacket was off and she offered it to her. They might have been half sisters but Erika knew her duty as the older one. She still remembered when Bella was born. Erika was four years old and Renée married Charlie, having Bella soon enough. Little Erika was no longer an only child, she quickly took to being an older sister like fish to water.

Erika wouldn't be cold, at least not to the degree Bella was. Having grown up in Forks and jumped into the icy waters with Jacob as children, Erika was quite attuned to the cold. Bella grew up in Arizona, somewhere Erika couldn't imagine living. She could just imagine how horrible the sunburn would be.

"Thank you," Bella said, quickly shrugging the jacket on.

Erika nodded in acknowledgement. Her black T-shirt would do for now, her jeans were keeping her warm, as were her boots.

Demetri let go of her shoulder by then, knowing that it was bright enough for Erika to now see without aid.

The hallway was brightly lit, for which the Humans were grateful for. Everyone was herded onto an elevator, Bella slunked to the corner with Edward to the side of her and Erika in front. The Volturi Vampires relaxed almost completely now, their hoods now thrown back and showing off their skin, which was oddly olive toned.

As Erika stepped out of the elevator, she felt like she was in a strange reception area. Panelled walls, pleasantly deep green carpet that reminded her of a clean moss, with paintings instead of windows.

It was made to look comforting and cozy, but it had the opposite effect on Erika.

The flowers reminded her of her mother's funeral.

A woman, beautiful in Erika's opinion but not as beautiful as she or the Vampires around them, greeted the oncoming group. Dark skin complemented her green eyes, which were surprisingly bright and unconcerned with the undead company.

"Gianna," Jane greeted, but otherwise ignored her, continuing to the doors to the back of the room.

A boy, perhaps Jane's twin when Erika considered their similarities, strode up to Jane and greeted her with a kiss on the cheek. "Jane."

"Alec," She said fondly. They embraced like close siblings missing their family, before the boy, Alec, turned to the group.

"They send you out for one and you come back with…" He looked to Erika before considering his words. "Three and a bit. Nice work."

Jane laughed. It was childlike and just confirmed Erika's suspicion. Too innocent yet Erika already knew that Jane was centuries, perhaps more than that, older than her.

"Is this the cause of all the trouble?" He gave a pointed look to Erika.

"Nope," Erika said, jutting an inch long nail towards Bella. "That one is."

"Dibs!" Felix smiled. It turned wider when Erika turned around and simply gave him the dirtiest look she had ever given anyone. "Maybe not then…"

"Aro will be so pleased to see you again," Alec said as Jane took his hand.

"Let's not keep him waiting,"

How much longer could this take? They've spent most of the travelling and then there was so much walking now. It had been a good thirty minutes since they had begun this trek and Erika was becoming impatient.

They, finally Erika thought, got to where they needed to be.

The room was at least two stories tall, with long windows that allowed natural sunlight in because there were no artificial lights in sight. Three large thrones sat to the back wall, almost carved into the stone itself. The middle of the room had a drain, too thin to be used as an exit, and the slight red tone of the metal made Erika pause.

Strangely, Erika found the man who spoke first quite attractive, more so than she did any other person she had ever seen and this made her uncomfortable to admit. His skin looked so delicate but strong. His hair almost blended in with his long robes.

"Jane, you've returned," He sighed, voice soft and windchime like. He gracefully drifted forward, like physics didn't apply to him.

"Of course, Master," Jane's smile reminded Erika of Bella as a child. She missed those years before Renée took Bella away. "I brought him back alive as you wished for."

His misty eyes turned to Alice and Bella, both standing next to Edward. "And Alice and Bella too."

He clapped his hands together. His clapping slowed as Erika adjusted her footing, crossing her arms tightly across her torso.

"...And Erika…" He seemed more glad to see her than he did Bella and Edward. "Wonderful…"

He said something in Italian, gesturing for one of the Vampires.

Demetri took Erika's elbow. "You'd best stay out of this." He warned.

"This is my sister you're talking about," Erika snatched her elbow and stalked to stand to Bella's left. She recrossed her arms and straightened her back, not wanting to show fear. Bella's eyes flickered to her and Erika softly smiled in reassurance before her face turned hard.

Demetri glanced at him but Aro waved his hand.

"Alright then," Aro then said to Felix, "Be a dear and tell my brothers about our company. I'm sure they wouldn't want to miss this." He then turned to Erika. "My dear, are you sure you want to be involved in this?"

"Certain," She said before falling silent again as his eyes raked down her face. It wasn't unpleasant and she didn't like how not unpleasant it was.

He turned to Edward and Bella without pause.

"I do love a good happy ending," His eyes flickered to Erika and then back. "They are so rare. But I want the whole story, truthfully…"

When he moved forward a step towards them, Erika leaned a hip towards Bella and shifted her weight a little. She kept her eyes on Aro and the guards around them. She knew Demetri was to her left but back a few feet.

"I'm sorry, we haven't been introduced properly at all, have we? It's just that I feel like I know you already, and I tend to get ahead of myself. Edward introduced us yesterday, in a peculiar way. You see, I share some of young Edward's talent, only I am limited in a way that he is not."

"And also exponentially more powerful," Edward added dryly. "Aro needs physical contact to hear your thoughts, but he hears much more than I do. You know I can only hear what's passing through your head in the moment. Aro hears every thought your mind has ever had."

That did not sound nice. Having to know everyone's business constantly, regardless of how little physical contact he had. Erika felt a little sad for him.

Aro's eyes suddenly turned to look over their shoulders. Bella was the last one to turn her head to face the new arrival Felix brought.

Erika grundinly agreed that these new men were just as attractive as Aro was. She didn't know where this attraction was coming from and it was making her angry. She dug her nails into her biceps, only stopping when Bella nudged her and then Erika dropped her hands to pocket them in her jeans.

The duo of men shared the same type of skin that Aro had, delicate but beautiful like they were sculpted from marble. One had the same black hair while the other had the complete opposite. His white blonde hair was so much lighter than Erika's dark blonde hair she had inherited from her mother.

"Marcus, Caius, look..." Aro crooned. "Bella is alive after all, and Alice is here with her! As is Bella's half-sister. Isn't it—"

"Sister," Erika stressed. "Unless we are referring to our different mothers, we are sisters."

Aro paused. "Of course. My apologies, my dear one. Alice, let us have the story…"

The white-haired Vampire paused to the side of Aro, easily facing Erika if there was a need. She had a sudden desire to step closer but she shrugged it off, shuffling her feet once. The other dark-haired Vampire stood to Aro's other side, brushing his hand against Aro's palm as his eyes remained on Erika for a moment.

Edward stifled next to Bella, his own eyes going to Erika in a silent gasp.

"Thank you, Marcus," Aro mumbled. "That's quite interesting. I didn't know if I was being deceived or not."

Marcus had just allowed Aro to see his thoughts. Erika wondered what was so interesting as he walked behind Aro and then stood next to Caius, she presumed as he was the only one left. Now she was within five feet of two of the ancient leaders of the Volturi.

"Marcus sees relationships between people. Aro is surprised by the intensity of ours…and yours with Erika…" It seemed like he wanted to say something but he didn't when Aro gave him a slight turn of the head.

Aro tilted his head slightly, glancing at the arm around Bella. "How can you stand so close to her like that?"

"Not without effort, I assure you," Edward said.

"But still— La tua cantante ! What a waste!" Aro complained.

Erika focused on how much her feet were hurting. She thought she had been careful to choose the pair of boots she had broken in but she was wrong, these were grating against the edge of her heel enough for her to notice. She'd have a blister by the end of the day.

She was a little hungry, Erika finally realised. She hadn't eaten since this morning and that was hours ago if she calculated the time difference. Erika had slept horribly last night and that didn't help her keep calm and level headed.

Erika quite easily caught upto what was said when she got out of her slight daze.

"...Makes me thirsty."

She bristled, the hair on her neck and arms raised up as she leaned closer to Bella, putting herself a foot and an inch in front of her. It was just instinct by now. She knew a threat, or the promise of a threat, when she heard it.

"Don't be disturbed, my dear," Aro reassured Erika but it didn't work, even if her mind told her there was no danger. "I mean her no harm. May I?"

He glanced at Edward before his eyes stayed on Bella.

"Ask her," Edward nodded to Bella.

"Bella," Aro addressed her now. "I'm fascinated that you are the one exception to Edward's impressive talent - so very interesting that such a thing should occur! And I was wondering, since our talents are similar in many ways, if you would be so kind as to allow me to try - to see if you are an exception for me, as well?"

If Bella agreed, Erika would stand down for the moment but she would be cautious. Bella looked up to Edward who nodded and then back to her. Erika slid a foot back, shifting her weight so she wouldn't be abrusting Bella as she pulled a hand out.

Aro held it for a full minute. Confidence graced his face and Erika thought it was quite becoming, but the doubt came along with a row of disbelief before he pulled his face into a pleasant mask that was supposed to be friendly.

"Interesting," He said before pulling a hand out to Erika. "May I, my dear?"

Erika looked at his hand, then back to his eyes before blinking and crossing her arms tightly. "I don't like physical contact."

He looked disappointed but it was quickly covered as he dropped his hand and drifted back like a ghost. His eyes flickered between the four for a minute before he turned to Jane.

"I wonder if she is immune to our other talents… Jane, dear?" Aro said, the young looking Vampire came up to him.

Edward snarled loudly, enough to make Bella jump towards Erika.

"...If Bella is immune to you…" Aro told Jane.

Erika carefully stood before Bella as she knew Edward would launch himself and he did. Within a moment, he was on the ground and withered like he was being tortured. Erika found it quite fitting for all the mental torure he put Bella through with his careless actions.

The little demented smile Jane had was fanicating for Erika. She didn't know why but she somehow knew that Jane was causing this pain.

"Stop!" Bella cried as she tried to jump forward. Erika was quick to catch her, easily holding the much shorter sister back. She shook Bella out of the horror.

"Jane." Aro stopped her easily. She looked to him straight away and Edward was now fine.

Aro inclined his head toward Bella and within the tiniest moments it took for Jane to look at her, Erika had pushed Bella behind her. Now the older Swan sister was sending Jane a blank but kinda dirty look, only her lip curled up slightly when Jane flinched before a sharp gasp escaped her.

"You mirrored Jane?" He asked as if Erika would know the answer. He changed to Italian for a sentence and Erika found herself across the room within Marcus' arms.

"No!" Erika screamed as she tried to break out of Marcus' grip. It was futile but she tried anyway. She felt safe in his arms but that just made her struggle more. Eventually Marcus had to ring his arms around her waist as she had started to kick to get to Bella.

"Calm, dear." Marcus muttered to her as she still tried to escape him. "She is fine. No pain. She is a shield of sorts."

Shield?

Erika slumped when she realised that Bella was not in pain.

Marcus carefully placed her down onto her feet and as soon as she was free, she sprinted the length of the room to check on Bella.

Nothing happened and Erika was relieved and angry beyond belief.

Aro chuckled. "This is wonderful!"

Jane hissed in frustration as Aro chuckled at her.

"Don't be put out, dear one. They confuse all."

Jane's smile had dropped and curled into a snarl as she glared at the Swan sisters. Erika sent a curl of the lips right back, quite satisfied with how it went.

"You're very brave, Edward, to endure in silence. I asked Jane to do that to me once—just out of curiosity." Aro sighed. "So what do we do with you now, Bella?"

Erika had swung an arm over Bella's shoulders when they both began to tremble, the former from anger and the latter from fear.

"I don't suppose there's any chance that you've changed your mind?" Aro asked Edward, hopeful tone in his voice. "Your talent would be an excellent addition to our little company."

"I would rather not…" Edward said after a moment to process the question.

"Alice?" Aro asked. "Would you perhaps be interested in joining with us?"

"No, thank you,"

"And you, Bella?" He then continued when Bella looked to Erika for a second. "Oh, your sister's situation has been sorted."

"What?" Caius and Erika both growled out suddenly.

"Caius, surely you see the potential," Aro turned to him first, ignoring Erika. "I haven't seen a prospective talent so promising since we found Jane and Alec. Can you imagine the possibilities when she is one of us?"

"No, thank you," Bella's voice didn't quiver in fear, Erika was impressed for the moment.

Aro sighed. "That's unfortunate. Such a waste."

"Join or die, is that it?" Edward scoffed. "I suspected as much when we were brought to this room. So much for your laws."

"Of course not." Aro blinked, astonished. "We were already convened here, Edward, awaiting Heidi's return. Not for you."

"Aro," Caius hissed. "The law claims them."

Edward glared at Caius. "How so?"

"She knows too much. You have exposed our secrets." His voice was full of disdain.

"There are a few humans in on your charade here, as well," Edward reminded him.

Caius's face twisted into a new expression.

"Yes. But when they are no longer useful to us, they will serve to sustain us. That is not your plan for this one. If she betrays our secrets, are you prepared to destroy her? I think not. Nor do you intend to make her one of us," Caius continued. "Therefore, she is a vulnerability. Though it is true, for this, only her life is forfeit. You may leave if you wish."

Edward bared his teeth as Erika gritted her jaw silently.

"That's what I thought," Caius hummed like he knew he was right.

"Unless..." Aro interrupted. "Unless you do intend to give her immortality?"

Edward pursed his lips, hesitating for a moment before he answered. "And if I do?"

Aro smiled, happy again. "Why, then you would be free to go home and give my regards to my friend Carlisle. But I'm afraid you would have to mean it."

Caius relaxed as Aro raised his hand in front of him.

"Mean it. Please." Bella struggled in Erika's grip before she was released.

If Bella wanted Immortality, Erika wouldn't stop her. Even if she was jealous of Bella having found such strong love so young, she would support Bella's decision unless it was a stupid one, like coming to Italy when Bella knew she wouldn't be allowed.

Erika didn't realise that she had dug her nails into her arms.

Marcus ran a finger on Aro's exposed wrist. Aro almost gasped but contained it. He turned the hand to Erika then.

"Erika," The way he rolled the name made her want to shiver. "Please may I have your hand? I...want to see if there is a difference between Bella and yourself."

"Why?"

"Oh, Bella is able to keep herself hidden from Edward and I. Jane does not affect her. But when you were hit with Jane's gift, you did not get affected, you reversed it onto her, am I correct, Jane?"

"Yes, Master," The girl said.

Erika hesitated for a moment before she uncurled her hand, stretching out the blue nail tipped fingers as he gently gripped the hand in both of his.

It felt like more than three milianiums passed for Erika.

Images flashed before her eyes. Memories, she concluded when she saw a young boy resembling Aro. he had been turned in his mid-twenties, and after a decade, he turned his younger sister. After a time, he met Marcus and realised he was a mate of his, Caius joined them before the century was up. Both Aro and Caius had married women for companionship but that ended upon their meetings of their mates.

As soon as the two women had seen each other, they had realised they were mates just as their ex husbands were mates too.

Erika saw the rather intimate scenes between them. Erika had the decency to know that she would never repeat what she saw about them, but the men were hot.

She watched through Aro's eyes how the world and society changed over the last three thousand years. The rise and fall of many empires and countries. The deaths that war caused. The chaos Vampires caused until the reign of the Volturi began.

There was no surprise when Jane and Alec, the twin witches as they were called when they were human, had a horrible turning.

The relationship between the 'brothers' was unique and unwavering over time. Aro, Caius, and Marcus stayed loyal to each other. Aro was saddened when Didyme left because she had met her Mate, her Soulmate, but he accepted it as he knew she would forever be happy now.

Erika knew that Carlisle had been part of the Volturi, but she didn't know to what extent. Aro had been impressed with how much control Carlisle had with his vegetarian Vampire diet, he had been wrong about it being a poor substitute but he wasn't willing to admit it.

The last few years had been uneventful. A rebellion here, a war there. It wasn't anything the Volturi couldn't handle, Aro had thought, until Bella and Erika Swan showed up.

He knew the instant he saw her that she was his Mate, but he was reluctant to be separated from his other partners. Aro was ecstatic when Marcus brushed his hand, showing the golden ribbon of a new SoulMate bond that hadn't been completed, and it wouldn't turn ruby until after all three of his mates were Vampires. Only one was now missing from the vital equation, and she stood before them.

Erika snatched her hand back before she tripped on Bella's foot and tumbled onto her bum. She was caught before the rest of her could touch the floor. She glanced up to Caius, who's eyes had been completely cold and icy. He looked at her with slight affection.

The words were said before she could think, "What the fuck was that? Is that what you see every time you touch someone, Aro? It's horrible !"

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