[BamaFan121s]

The sky outside was still a murky gray although I knew it had to be around noon. The air that surrounded us in the heart of the square was blanketed with a light fog. My eyes easily distinguished the individual water droplets as they swirled around us. There were a few patron scatters around the small boutiques that made up the lower levels of the tall stone buildings surrounding us. As Heidi led us to the fountain in the center of the area, a few cast us quick, nervous glances. One young couple hurried their pace to move out of our path. Their instincts obviously told them to keep their distance even though their mind didn’t understand why. For the most part, however, the people within the square paid us little attention. We could have been your everyday, average group of tourists.
At last Heidi stopped and turned to face us. “This,” she began while gesturing behind her to the largest, most prominent structure in the square, “is where we will begin our tour.” As she spoke, the conversation that had become a constant hum between Esme and the wives silenced. “Normally, I begin tours inside the museum, but as luck seems to be on our side today, I thought I’d begin here. Aro tells me that you, Esme, have a particular interest in architecture and would be most displeased with me if I didn’t allow you the opportunity to fully appreciate our most magnificent structure here in the city.”
“Aro is correct,” Esme confirmed, “and too kind to remember such a small detail about my interests. I will have to thank him for asking you to make the adjustment on my behalf. I hope you have not been put out by it?” She smiled warmly at Heidi, urging her to continue.
“No, not at all,” Heidi assured her before continuing. “Can anyone identify the structure behind me?”
“It’s the Basilica,” I replied. I found myself caught off guard by my own sudden boldness. Remaining quiet and trying not to stand out was a habit from my human life that I sometimes found it difficult to shed. I glanced quickly up at Edward. He was looking back at me, pleased amusement touching his features. He raised one approving eyebrow, clearly a bit impressed. Secretly, I was thankful that I’d fought off my daydreams in my European History class long enough to have actually learned something. Edward had once told me that “his kind…our kind” were easily distracted. I had found that statement to be quite true at times.
“That is correct,” Heidi praised with a slight inclination of her head.
I had to admit, I was a bit impressed with myself at being able to recall such precise details. It was an ability I was gradually becoming accustomed to. I was suddenly overcome with the desire to learn more. We’d covered material on various religious movements across Europe, including Italy, very briefly. I’d just taken it all for fact. Given all that I’d recently learned form Carlisle, I knew that vampiric history had played a more profound role that I’d thought. I was curious to learn just how big a role that may be. Whatever, it was certainly not something you’d learn in any standard college course! It gave me the sense that what was being taught at Dartmouth was in actuality, a very fragmented version of all that had truly transpired.
I pondered this to myself as Heidi launched into what was clearly a very well rehearsed dialogue about the actual structure of the Basilica itself. All the while, Edward absentmindedly traced circles on the back of my hand with his thumb. It was Esme’s observation spoken aloud that pulled my attention from my musings.
“I can see why the building is treated with such high regard. The structure is extraordinary!” She exclaimed in awe. “The techniques used for the placement of the foundation are like those I’ve only ever seen in Egyptian tombs…”
“Ah, you have a more profound knowledge and appreciation for architecture than Aro let on,” Heidi commented, the tone of approval coloring her voice. “The Basilica was in fact constructed to serve as a…tomb, of sorts and is of Egyptian craftsmanship. By friends of your own coven, if I’m not mistaken…Amun and Kebi? Of course, you are well aware that the Egyptians are well renowned and pride themselves on their intricate pyramids designed to house only their most noble families once deceased. They and some of their fellows built it as a gif for Marcus. They were human…at the time. Marcus bestowed a gift of his own upon them once it was completely.” Her wry tone left no question as to what “gift” Marcus had given them in exchange.
“After many years of dedication to performing work across Europe for the Catholic Church, it became inevitable that our own exalted Saint Marcus would one day have to...retire permanently from the suspecting public eye. As is often the case, after many years, whispers and suspicions surrounding his seemingly unchanging appearance began to circulate and it was decided that his retirement was due. The Basilica was built in the year 828 for the purpose of enshrining his remains. Of course, physically, he still remains below the Basilica, just not in the manner that humans expect.” A scandalous grin crept across her lush, polished lips as she spoke the last sentence and she winked knowingly at our group. She then turned and led us towards the massive stone building.
“Heidi,” I began, as I fell into step behind her. “I thought the Basilica was destroyed by fire…?”
She continued to lead us as she answered my question, “Oh it was…in 976. Long before even my human existence, of course. It was rebuilt though, with Amun’s help. Truthfully, it only suffered minor damage, but Aro elected to keep it closed publically for nearly a century. He used it to house some of his more prized collectable artifacts…a private museum, if you will. It still functions in much the same manner and is still primarily off limits to the public. I only conduct private, invitation-only tours now when we desire a fresh meal. Then it serves the purpose as an attraction used to lure in our prey.” She shrugged non chalantly as if she were discussing the weather.
A violent shudder rippled across my body. I had seen and heard where and how Heidi concluded her tours. I could still remember vividly the sounds of frantic screams as the ricochet through the tunnels far below and could almost sense the fear and panic that had overtaken me on that day. I slowed my pace, allowing myself to fall behind. What was that noise? How could it be that I could hear my heart beating out a frantic pulse in my ears? I shook my head to clear the noise, scolding myself for being fooled by what was not possible…a mere memory. Reneseme hurried forward to take Rosalie’s hand, intolerant for my sudden snail’s pace.
“Bella, are you OK?” Alice whispered from beside me. I could feel Edward’s concerned stare blazing red hot on the side of my face. I swallowed hard and nodded, willing away the memory and silently reminded myself that this was their way of life, as it was for many vampires that my family considered friends…that had stood beside us months ago. I was not in danger here now, nor was my family. This was not a new revelation—I was well aware of this part of their existence. No more than a full second, maybe two had passed since I’d frozen on the spot. I quickly continued my stride without notice from the rest of the group.
As we approached the entrance to the Basilica, I caught site of a man clad in a black suit standing by the massive, iron door that led him inside. He was very clean cut and every bit as massive as Emmett or Felix. However, it was not his size that pulled my attention—it was the fact that I instantly recognized him to be human. Every bit as human as the receptionist Gihanna and every bit as human as I’d been on my last visit here. Inexplicably, in that moment, I was briefly reminded of Max, J. Jelk’s assistant in Seattle. I smiled to myself at the memory. I assumed he was responsible for acting as a guard of sorts, ensuring that only those “invited” were allowed through the entrance. It made perfect sense that being in constant contact with the public was a duty more suitably filled by a human. I repressed another shudder.
“Buon pomeriggio, Heidi,” he spoke as we approached. Although my knowledge of the Italian language was limited, I was able to decipher his words as he big her a good afternoon. More impressively was the friendliness behind the words he spoke to her completely at ease. He showed absolutely no aversion to her. Did he realize what she was? What she was capable of? What we all were capable of? Or maybe it just didn’t matter…
“Good afternoon,” she returned. He reached forward and opened one of the massive doors and held it as our group began filing inside. Heidi stood beside him, ushering us ahead of her. “No more tours until morning,” she told him aside as I approached. As I began to step through the doorway, she reached out and hesitantly touched my arm, stopping me. My family continued on. Edward alone stopped to hover just a few feet in front of me beyond the doorway. “Bella. My deepest apologies for before…I didn’t realize…” I turned and caught her pleading gaze.
The sincerity of her apology was unmistakable behind her deep crimson irises. “Think nothing of it Heidi,” I assured her with an equally sincere smile of my own.
Relief washed over her face as she motioned me inside. “Shall we continue?”