[BamaFan121s]

I inhaled deeply as I stepped forward into the great, round stone room. The buzz of melodic voices that had met our ears in the passageway immediately faded and was replaced by excited whispers as the room’s inhabitants stole curious glances in our direction. Seated against he wall in their three throne like chairs were Aro, Caius and Marcus. Caius sat eagerly on edge watching us as we entered the room. His face was fixed into a calm mask—quite a contrast from the expression of displeasure I’d come to expect from him. To his left, Marcus looked uttery as bored as ever. He looked over us briefly with an unfocused look upon his face. As soon as he saw us, Aro rose from his chair in one swift, fluid motion and strode forward gracefully to greet us. He grasped Calisle’s hand as he approached.
“Carlisle, my dear old friend,” he beamed. “It is so good to have you visit us again so soon. And with your entire family as well!” He took a step back as his eyes touched on each of our faces. Was it my imagination, or did his eyes linger slightly longer on me, Edward and Alice?
“Yes, Carlise returned warmly. “We all found that we couldn’t resist such a warm invitation to visit you.”
Aro’s smile widened evern more. He trhew his head back in laughter as he tunred towards the Italian vamipres behind him and gestured them forward. “Please, everyone, come and greet our guests!” Immediately, the rest of the Volturi heeded his command and stepped forward, greeting us all in turn.
I hadn’t realized I’d been holding my breath until Edward leaned and whispered in my ear, “Breathe Bella.” I nodded my head one quick bob and exhaled evenly. I took comfort in the fact that Edward seemed to be at complete ease at my side. I knew without a doubt that he’d read every mind in the room by now. If there was the slightest indicatino that anyone’s thoughts were hinted at even the smallest trace of an ulterior motive, he would be well aware of it by now.
I cast a quick glance to my right where Aro’s wife, Sulpicia, and Athenodora, wife to Caius were eagerly greeting Esme. Heidi was talking animatedly to Emmett while batting her eyelashes considerably more than necessary. Rosalie stood very close by, a murderously dangerous look plastered on her face as she glared at Heidi through slightly squinted eyes. To my left, Alice was conversing at ease with Chelsea while Jasper spoke with Felix. I noted that Jasper’s posture suggested he was less comfortable with our surroundings that the rest of the family. His eyes moved around the room constantly and I noticed that his muscled arms flexed reflexively on occasion.
It came as no surprise to me that Aro was the first to approach Edward and myself. “Ah, Bella my dear,” he chimed, leaning forward to kiss my cheek lightly in greeting. He stepped back and held my gaze and surveying my eyes. “So good to see you again. And I see that you have adjusted quite well to your family’s most unconventional choice of sustenance.”
“Yes, I have,” I replied proudly.
“Bella has adjusted to this lifestyle with tremendous ease.” Edward added. “And, she is looking forward to seeing some of what your great city here has to offer. Regrettably, she did not have the opportunity to do so on her last visit.”
“Aro smiled approvingly at his words before his eyes came to rest on Renesmee. “And darling Renesmee!” he beamed. I noticed that Rosalie had torn her glare from Heidi and had fixed it on Aro as he turned his attention to my daughter.
“Good day, Aro.” Renesmee chimed. “Thank you for my gifts.”
“You are most welcome. But none of them remotely compare to your very special gift, little one. May I?” He looked at Edward with a hopeful expression, clearly seeking permission. Edward inclined his head in consent. Aro leaned forward to meet Renesmee’s already outstretched hand and allowed her to place it on his papery thin cheek. He stilled immediately as he viewed what she showed him.
For a brief moment, I was concerned with what exactly he would see, and then reminded myself that it was no more than what he had surely already witnessed through Carlisle. At last, he pulled back, muttering to himself, “Fascinating…absolutely fascinating.” He turned to face myself and Edward again. “What Carlisle has relayed is correct. She is very advanced intellectually given her age.” He shook his head slowly in awe. “And, I see she has formed quite a strong bond with your wolf friend.”
I gritted my teeth and tried to ignore the disapproving grunt that came from Caius at the mention of Jacob. “Yes,” I confirmed defiantly. “He is a very close friend...to my entire family.”
“Fascinating,” he repeated. He looked back down at Renesmee. “Thank you, dear one for sharing that with me.”
“You’re welcome, Aro,” she responded.
“And so very polite too!” he noted in return. From the corner of my eye, I saw Edward’s chest swell with pride at the compliment. I imagined that Rosalie was responding similarly across the room.
“Now, don’t give her parents all the credit for her proper upbringing,” Alice teased as she danced her way to our side. “She got her superb fashion sense form me.” She winked playfully as she tousled Renesmee’s hair. Leave it to Alice to take offense to the lack of compliments on Renesmee’s wardrobe. She’s strategically planned it for weeks just for this very occasion.
Aro turned his gaze greedily to Alice as she stepped forward to greet him. “Alice dear! What a pleasure, as always!” As he had with Renesmee, he looked to Alice for permission as he held his hand towards her, palm up. “May I?”
“Of course,” she smiled and reached forward to touch his palm with her index finger. As she did, she shot Edward a quick, worried glance. I knew there was one memory she would not want Aro to see—her most recent that she shared with us on the plane. Aro became very still again as he sorted through her thoughts. Jasper hovered protectively near her side, never taking his eyes off the face of the ancient leader. I saw Alice bow her head and heard Edward’s teeth grind beside me.
Then, it was over. Aro lowered his hand and smiled broadly. “Well, that is very interesting!” he looked from Alice to Edward and me with a triumphant grin on his face. A new excitement danced behind his milky red eyes. “Ah, but we will have plenty of time to discuss what the future holds later.” My stomach turned and I felt nauseated. As he turned his attention from us, I shot a reproachful look at my favorite sister. She shrugged apologetically, but didn’t look bothered by the exchange otherwise.