Hello everyone, I am re-editing this story yet again, with the help of my new beta. Please welcome her Rosaryvampire

EDWARD'S POV

"Marcus, Caius, look! Bella is alive after all, and Alice is here with her! Isn't that wonderful?"

Marcus's brief awareness already waned, as he began to look aimlessly out of the window in boredom. Caius did not share his brother Aro's enthusiasm for collecting gifted vampires. Caius' primary interest was in law and order and meting out Volturi justice, particularly the death penalty. Aro remained undaunted.

"Let us have the story," Caius prompted.

Marcus suddenly took center stage as he reacted to the request by gliding toward Aro, briefly holding out his hand to touch his brother's palm "The boy and the human are not bonded like mates, more like a man should be with his pet," Marcus says nonchalantly as it if were common knowledge. Bella's eyes widened in shock as she looks up at me. She immediately snatched her hand from mine and moved closer to Alice.

Aro raised an eyebrow. "Thank you, Marcus. That's quite interesting. But still—La Tua Cantante! What a waste!" I was disgusted at Marcus's assessment and snorted dismissively. He took no notice of me as he went to sit on his carved wooden throne beside Caius. Caius unceremoniously said nothing, however never taking his eyes off Bella, almost as if he was in awe.

"Bella," Aro said, turning to her. "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?"

I could almost feel Bella's body cringe as she looked at me, her deep liquid eyes questioning if he should be allowed to touch her. She didn't really have a choice, but Alice was certain that Aro would not hurt her by reading her mind, so I nodded. I hoped she didn't faint.

Bella raised her hand and Aro floated over to her to press his palm against hers. She didn't flinch, brave as she is, though he gave her a solicitous smile, her hand was shaking in fright. Aro pinned her in place with his cloudy crimson eyes as he began to peer inside her mind. His eager smile quickly changed to curiosity and then faded to irritation. He was getting…nothing.

Caius curiously, however, smiled brightly. I don't think I've ever seen him smile. I also curiously was no longer able to read his thoughts. Aro dropped Bella's hand, irritated but intrigued, and moved away from her. Then he quietly considered the trio in front of him, Alice, Bella, and I, each of us unique. He was struggling to take it all in.

"A first," Aro mused. "I wonder if she is immune to our other talents…Jane, dear?"

"NO", Caius and I shouted simultaneously to Aro. It echoed in the throne room we stood in. I shot a curious look at Caius. Alice grabbed my arm to warn me, but I would take the strike gladly before I would let Jane do that to her. It could kill her!

"Masters?" Jane answered confused, as she did not know which one to obey.

Caius snarled menacingly at Aro, visibly challenging his authority. Clearly, nobody here ever challenged Aro's authority. Not even the Brothers. Also, clearly none of the Kings had ever shown this much interest in a human. "You could test the human's mind any number of ways…using Demetri, or even Alec, without hurting her." Caius said though angry snarls. I silently agreed, he had no cause to attack Bella!

Aro held a hand up to Caius and spoke directly to Jane. "I was wondering, my dear one if Bella is immune to you," I growled fiercely, keeping my eyes locked on Jane. When she turned toward Bella, happily prepared to inflict pain, I threw myself at her instinctively. "Don't!" Alice cried out to me. I didn't get as far as Jane, reaping my punishment before I was halfway there. The torture was far worse than I would have thought possible. The flames instantly filled every vein, artery, and blood vessel in my body. It was the fire of my change at full force in every part of me at once.

"Jane," Aro said dispassionately. The instant Jane turned her head the pain faded as quickly as it had begun, leaving no residue in my body except for a heightened fear of Jane's power. Knowing that the punishment could come at any time for any reason was nerve-wracking.

At the first moment, I regained control of my muscles, I hopped to my feet as casually as possible and looked up. With sudden panic, I saw that Jane was directing her eyes at Bella. I froze in alarm before I realized that Bella hadn't noticed jane at all, her focus was on me, she was glaring with so much anger I thought I would catch fire.

So Aro couldn't read Bella's mind and Jane couldn't torture her! Probably Demetri couldn't find her, or Alec's paralyzation on her either. Yet another miracle in a day of miracles! Jane concentrated even harder on Bella, her confusion and fury rising every second. I tried to take Bella from Alice's arms to pull her close to me again, however, Bella struggled away and stood freely concentrating on Caius with a smirk. To my surprise, Caius began to laugh. "Ha, ha, ha! This is wonderful!" He clapped his hands in glee. Jane, violently angry now, crouched to spring at Bella and I tensed to intercept her.

Aro stopped Jane with a hand on her shoulder. "Don't be put out, dear one," he consoled her. "She confounds us all." He then looked back at Caius, and with a quirk of the eyebrow "Almost all."

"Ha, ha, ha," Aro chuckled. "You're very brave Edward, to endure Janes wrath in silence. I asked Jane to do that to me once—just out of curiosity." Aro shook his head in disbelief, while I couldn't hide my revulsion at his cruel games. "So, what do we do with you now?" Aro asked himself aloud. After all his toying with us, finally, he had gotten to the point. "The law says your lives shall be forfeit", Aro spoke with authority, Caius obviously began to panic. His mind jarred free for me to read "What can I do? How can I keep her? I must keep her alive, at least." A growl began to rumble in my chest which shocked Caius to shut his mind down again. Until I looked at Bella to see how intently her focus was on Caius. Was she doing this? Was she blocking Caius' mind? The entire guard's?

"Unless…" Aro ventured. "Unless you do intend to give her immortality?" It was a deal that could save all of us. And intend can be construed many ways. I might intend to turn her today, but change my mind tomorrow, right? It could work. I noticed that Alice had unclenched her fists at some point during these last exchanges. She must agree with me. "And if I do?" I said, testing the waters. Aro smiled brightly. "Why, then you would be free to go home and give my regards to my friend Carlisle." "Why not keep the girl and let the others go free. We could change her ourselves", Caius offered. "If I may", Bella offered her hand looking at Caius. He nodded and stretched his hand to take hers. "May we speak privately please?"

I reached out to grab Bella's arm as Caius growled at me and held his other arm out to halt me. As Bella reached him they proceeded to walk toward the other exit door toward the castle living quarters. Aro followed after them, however, Caius shook his head to him to stop him as well. Aro then looked to Marcus, giving each other a knowing smirk. They sat on their thrones awaiting the return of the King and the Beauty.

Some quotes are taken from PA Lassiter's Edward's New Moon.