Sulpicia arrived in my chambers just as the morning was beginning to touch the sky. She moved with effortless grace, gliding over the marble floors and plush green carpets, her pale hands carrying a stack of rich fabrics that shimmered in the candlelight. Her ruby-red eyes gleamed with something I couldn't quite place—anticipation, perhaps, or satisfaction. She was elegant in a way that made me feel even more out of place here, and yet, there was a warmth to her presence that kept me from shrinking away.

"Bella," she greeted, her voice a smooth, velvety murmur. "I have brought the dresses, as promised."

I stood awkwardly by the chaise, uncertain of what to do with my hands. "Oh. You didn't have to go through all this trouble," I said, knowing full well she would dismiss my concern.

Sulpicia smiled knowingly. "It was no trouble at all. I rather enjoyed it. Besides, you deserve something beautiful."

I swallowed thickly, unsure of how to respond to that. Instead, I watched as she laid the garments across the bed, carefully unfolding each one. The fabrics cascaded like liquid—velvet as deep as midnight, silks that gleamed like moonlight, and gossamer lace delicate as spider silk. The designs were intricate, with embroidery and fine beadwork, more opulent than anything I'd ever worn.

"Come," she said, reaching for the first dress. "Let's see how they fit."

I hesitated. "I, uh—I'm not really used to wearing things this... fancy."

She chuckled, her eyes twinkling. "And that is exactly why you should. You are in Volterra now, Bella. Let us embrace it."

I nodded stiffly and reached for the first dress, but she gave a slight shake of her head. "Allow me."

Before I could protest, she had already begun unbuttoning the pyjamas I had been wearing. My cheeks burned as I turned away, but Sulpicia was unfazed, helping me slip into the first gown—a deep burgundy velvet that hugged my torso before flaring out in soft, elegant folds.

When she laced up the back, the snug fit made me suddenly aware of how fragile I was compared to the vampires around me. Sulpicia was careful, her touch gentle, but I still felt like an imposter in such finery.

"There," she murmured, fastening a delicate golden clasp at my shoulder before stepping back. "Look at yourself."

I turned hesitantly to the mirror, expecting to see something ridiculous. Instead, I barely recognized the girl staring back at me. The dress complemented my pale skin, making it seem almost luminous. My usually unremarkable figure looked... refined, the gown's structure lending me an air of quiet grace.

"You are lovely," Sulpicia said, watching my reaction carefully. "You do not see it yet, but you will."

I cleared my throat, uncertain of what to say. "Thank you."

She gave me a knowing smile before selecting the next gown—this one a pale silver-blue, as light as air. The fabric floated around me as she adjusted the fit, and for a fleeting moment, I let myself enjoy the sensation of being cared for in a way I hadn't been since Alice—

I swallowed against the sudden lump in my throat, pushing the thought away before it could take root.

Sulpicia must have sensed the shift in my mood, because she squeezed my hands lightly before stepping away. "I think we need an audience," she mused. "I will summon Jane and Marcus."

I tensed. "Is that really necessary?"

"It is," she said with a smile that told me there was no point in arguing. "Stay here. I will return shortly."

As soon as she disappeared, I exhaled shakily, shifting uncomfortably in the weight of the gown. The idea of Jane seeing me like this wasn't as terrifying as Marcus seeing me. He was always so unreadable, and yet his presence unsettled me in a way I couldn't explain.

Minutes later, the door opened, and Jane stepped in first. Her crimson gaze swept over me, and for once, there was no amusement, no sharp remark. Instead, she tilted her head, something almost like approval in her expression.

"You clean up well," she said simply. The casual remark seemed foreign for her, almost.

I huffed a quiet laugh. "I feel ridiculous."

"You don't look it," she countered.

Before I could respond, the door opened again, and Marcus entered.

The moment his gaze landed on me, something shifted in the air. His usually distant expression softened, his eyes tracing over me with a quiet intensity that sent an inexplicable shiver down my spine. He didn't speak, but he didn't need to. The weight of his stare alone was enough to steal my breath.

Sulpicia, ever the observer, smiled to herself as she watched us. "Well?" she prompted, turning toward Marcus expectantly. A smile played on her lips.

He was silent for a long moment before he finally said, "It suits her beautifully."

A simple statement, but it carried something beneath the surface—something I didn't dare examine too closely.

"Agreed," Jane murmured, still watching me with that unreadable expression.

I felt my cheeks warm, and I quickly averted my gaze, wishing I could disappear into the folds of the dress. But there was no escape. I was here, in Volterra, among them. I still wasn't sure if this was a bad thing.

A soft knock at the door interrupted the moment, and Athenadora swept inside, her expression poised but tinged with mild irritation. Draped over one arm was a black velvet cloak, the inside lined with deep crimson, and in her other hand, a small, ornate box. Her hair bounced, helping to betray her anger further as she stalked towards us.

"I see you have all forgotten something rather important," she said coolly, directing her words at Sulpicia. Her gaze was like daggers in Sulpicia's direction- terrifying.

Sulpicia merely arched a delicate brow, amusement flickering in her eyes. "Ah, the finishing touch."

Athenadora stepped forward and fastened the heavy cloak over my shoulders, adjusting the way it draped before holding up the box. With a flick of her fingers, the lid opened, revealing a golden pendant in the shape of the Volturi crest.

"This signifies your safety here," she explained, lifting the delicate chain and fastening it around my neck. "It marks you as one of us. No member of the guard will dare lay a hand on you now," there was an odd conviction in her voice that I couldn't place.

I touched the pendant hesitantly, the cool metal pressing against my collarbone. It was heavier than I expected, a tangible weight of my new reality.

Marcus inclined his head slightly, examining the new pendant. "It is appropriate."

Jane smirked. "Now we just need to introduce her to the rest of the guard, it is Aro's orders, after all."

I swallowed. That sounded ominous.

Sulpicia's smile was reassuring as she reached for my hand. "First, we will see Aro, then. He will want to see you like this."

I wasn't sure if that made me feel better or worse, but I had no choice but to follow as they led me toward the doors, my new cloak billowing behind me as I stepped into the new unknown again.

The walk was fairly uneventful, with Jane, and Athenadora chatting between themselves happily. Jane was talking about a recently debuting play that she had wanted to go to, and Athenadora was excitedly saying that they should find a nighttime showing of it. It was oddly normal, despite everything going on.

Every once in awhile, I would find myself looking towards Marcus, trying to read his expression. I'd barely had a moment to try to speak with him- well, I'd barely had a moment to speak with anyone outside of Jane, but it seemed she was plenty content with that. I couldn't tell if I was a shiny new toy to the blonde vampire, or if she was actually interested in some sort of friendship with me.

But, Marcus? He was supposed to be mentoring me, yet we'd only spoken once, and not incredibly at length after I had accidentally cried.

The grand double doors to Aro's chambers loomed ahead, their towering presence making me feel impossibly small. My new cloak was a comforting weight on my shoulders, but it did nothing to settle the storm brewing in my chest. My hands curled into fists beneath the folds of velvet, frustration simmering just beneath my skin.

I felt anger bubble up as I remembered why I was standing here.

Aro had a habit of making decisions for me without ever bothering to ask what I thought. I had accepted that this was the nature of my new reality, but it didn't mean I had to like it. Every time something changed—every time they pulled me deeper into this world—I was left floundering, struggling to catch up. Today was no different.

Jane, walking just ahead of me, caught my expression and smirked. "Something on your mind?"

I exhaled sharply. "Nothing that would make a difference."

She hummed as if she found my irritation amusing, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "You're learning."

I looked at the small vampire incredulously as she began humming, closing her eyes as she walked. She didn't want to say anymore. Of course, Jane.

Before I could bite back a response, the heavy doors creaked open, revealing Aro seated in his ornate chair, his delicate fingers laced together as he watched our approach. Marcus followed silently behind me, his presence a steady weight at my back. I didn't dare turn to gauge his expression, though I felt his quiet unease like a whisper in the air.

"Ah, my dear Bella," Aro greeted, his voice warm, but there was an undercurrent of something sharper beneath it. His crimson eyes flicked over me with open interest, lingering briefly on the Volturi pendant resting against my collarbone. "How exquisite you look. Sulpicia has outdone herself, has she not?"

I barely resisted the urge to cross my arms. "She has," I admitted. "But I would have appreciated knowing what was happening before being paraded around like some kind of—"

I cut myself off before I could say 'prized pet.' The words had already hovered too close to my tongue. I wasn't sure what had gotten into me- it'd suit me better to behave if I wanted to stay alive. Aro's lips twitched in amusement, as if he had heard them before plenty of times.

"My dear, you must understand," he said smoothly, rising from his chair with slow, deliberate grace. "There are many matters to consider, and I cannot always take the time to explain each step in advance." He gestured lightly with one hand. "But you are safe. That is what matters."

Safe.

I swallowed the sharp retort that wanted to escape. He spoke of my safety as if it were a generous gift, as if I should be grateful. But I wasn't safe because he cared—I was safe because I was possibly useful, or possibly knew something. The distinction was impossible to ignore.

I met his gaze, stupidly unwilling to back down completely. "It would still be nice to be informed."

Aro chuckled, the sound light and airy. "Ah, such fire in you. It is endearing, truly." Then his expression turned sharper, a reminder of the vast gulf of power between us. "But do not forget, dear one, you are still human." He reached out, brushing a marble finger along the edge of my pendant. I automatically shivered back in response, betraying my fear, and his eyes met mine with a smile. "A fragile thing, even adorned in finery."

The implication was clear. No matter what I wore, no matter what mark they placed upon me, I was still breakable. Still temporary in this life.

Marcus shifted beside me, though he remained silent. I glanced at him briefly, noting the tension in his usually detached expression. His brow was furrowed in worry as his eyes flickered between Aro and myself. He wasn't pleased, but it seemed he wouldn't speak against Aro. It wasn't fully evident if he could to begin with.

Aro stepped back, smiling as if the conversation had been nothing more than an amusing exchange. "Now, shall we? The guard must see you properly introduced. We wouldn't want any unfortunate misunderstandings, would we?"

I forced my lips into a tight smile, trying to appease him after the tense exchange. "Of course not."

Aro clapped his hands together, pleased. "Then let us not delay."

As we turned toward the door, I felt Marcus fall in step beside me, his presence a quiet reassurance even if he didn't voice it. I felt a hand reach the small of my back, and realized he was leading me. The gesture felt reassuring in a sense.

Jane looked behind at us as we walked, and cocked her head to the side after smiling.