Special thanks to luv2beloved, who beta'ed this chapter :)

For the hundredth time, Aro asked me to sit down. But I couldn't. I paced the room like a mental patient, nervously biting my knuckles as if that could help solve my problem. It terrified me to think that there was something else out there that could rival my strength, possibly even surpass it. I was told it was impossible and now I was doing laps around the cold dungeon, subconsciously circling the chair that Sean was sitting in lazily in the center of the room. He sat there, so nonchalant, completely bored with the situation. His arms were folded loosely across his chest and he had his legs stretched out in front of him, crossing his feet at the ankles.

"For Christ's sake, will you stop it? I'm beginning to get dizzy here and that's not easy for a vampire to do."

He huffed for the thousandth time. Who the hell did he think he is? He huffed at me! The anger was starting to boil inside of me and I could feel the acidic waves lap at the insides of my stomach. Everything about him annoyed me. Was he so arrogant that he thought I cared about what he had to say? Even his accent bothered me, dug under my skin and pricked me with every syllable. I knew it was ridiculous but I drew strength from his shortcomings. Were they even shortcomings? Probably not. But I needed him to be flawed. I couldn't cope if he was perfect and indestructibly. I gave up and stopped then turned to stand before Aro, Marcus, and Caius. My eyebrows shot up in question, begging them for an explanation or at least their thoughts.

"Can you move? You're in my way, damn it."

The little hairs on the back of my neck stood up at the sound of his voice. Oh, he was asking for it. I whipped my head around and looked back at him over my shoulder.

"Do you want to die, leprechaun?"

He snorted and shook his head. I refused to accept that I couldn't kill him. I certainly wouldn't allow him the pleasure of knowing it, either. Felix and Jane were in the room with us as well. I could feel their tension from where I stood and I knew Sean was getting on their last nerve. I stepped aside but still remained a few feet in front of Sean. There was no way I would stand beside him and let him be my equal. Caius appeared as if he was going to explode with anger. His papery thin skin was taught against the tendons of his slender neck as he strained to keep control.

"If you would stop acting like children, we may continue. Now, Isabella, you must know that we sent you after Mr. Hannigan for a reason. It was not unbeknown to us that you two share a power."

Each word he spat at us was drenched in loathing and frustration. My eyes widened in shock. We had the same power? How was that possible? I had always been told I was unique and that made me even more dangerous. I didn't know what to think. Was that good? Bad? Apparently Sean wasn't too elated with the idea because he scoffed and stood, standing beside me to challenge Caius. Moron.

"First, Mr. Hannigan was my father. So Sean, please. Second, no way is Girly here like me. I'm one of a kind. A pure Irish miracle, I'll have you know. And what is my power called? Disaster somethin'?"

By the time he was done with his little rant, Felix and Jane were at our sides and on their toes. They didn't take it lightly when someone posed a threat to the coven. It was silly, really, that they felt the need to defend Aro and his brothers. They were possibly deadlier than I was. Marcus and Aro remained silent while Caius responded.

"Sean, I suggest you sit back down. Bella, you and Sean share the same power. We sent you after him because there was no way we could bring him back here without you. He is still as fascinating to us as you are and just as valuable. This matter has been discussed thoroughly and Sean will be joining us so that we may learn from him. About the power, of course."

"Well, what if I don't want to stay here?"

I looked over at him and sighed, shaking my head. Like he had a choice. Felix wrapped his long, deceptively strong fingers around Sean's left bicep. He squeezed firmly and jerked him backwards.

"I think we've heard enough from you, no?"

Jane and Felix dragged him back to the entrance of the room kindly showing him out into the hall. I was left alone with the brothers and I was still confused. Why was he necessary? Why wasn't I good enough for the Volturi? Hell, I was a Volturi! I couldn't help the small huff that escaped my lips in anger. One of the corners of Aro's lips tilted up slightly. I was glad I could amuse him.

"My dear Isabella, please be hospitable. Sean is far more valuable than you know, both to you and to the rest of us. He is just as strong as you are and he is a strong asset. He will be a part of this coven, despite his reluctance."

It was a firm command, not a request that I accept Sean. Aro was always partial to me but I knew when I was pushing my luck. I ducked my head and turned on my heel, following the group out the door. We soon reached Sean's new bedroom, conveniently located right next to mine. Fantastic. I didn't feel the need to show him in; I figured Felix was more than fit for the job. Instead, I kept walking and went through my own door. The familiar scents and sights of the room calmed me and I finally felt I could relax and wrap my mind around the day. Was it that I feared him? No, if we had the same limitations there was no way he could kill me. Theoretically, we would be in constant battle until the end of time.

I stared at the ceiling above me, counting the dips and curves that the shadows created by the lace canopy that was draped over my bed. They appeared to be faces mocking me while I fought the onslaught of daggers that I imposed on myself with various thoughts. I let out an exasperated sigh and rolled over onto my stomach. Being dead was far more complicated than it had seemed only two years ago. Then again, death itself is a complicated theory. What does it mean to be truly dead?

If my heart beat was to be the deciding factor, then I was the definition of dead. But can something without life still feel? Because if that is the case, then I do not fit the bill. I still feel despite my best efforts. Every single day I walk through the shadows with a throbbing pain in my chest as if I had a collapsed lung or punctured heart. I had no heart beat and no blood coursed through my veins but my heart was very much so alive and it ached for one thing. Edward.

I needed, no, craved the feeling of his smooth skin beneath my fingertips, the scent of his breath as it lingered around my nose. The way a lock of his wayward hair, bronze highlights illuminated in the sunlight, would fall across his forehead. My fingers danced on the comforter as I thought about it. I needed to feel him, even if for only a moment. I craved him the way a heroin addict craved a fix. Just the thought of his crooked smile made my insides flutter. Is this what death feels like? This is what it means to be dead?

My dead heart still had the ability to be completely in love with Edward Cullen, my husband. The extent of my love for him could never be described thoroughly as there are no words strong enough. In turn, this love also gave me the strength to leave him for his own good. I could now completely understand why Edward had left me before. I needed to save him from myself. And that is exactly what I was doing. Edward seemed to be helping, though. He waited every day for me to get even for what I had done to Alice. So then who was I protecting?

By the time I had finished with my internal battles and revelations, my shoulders were shaking with my dry sobs. The pain I should technically not be feeling was too much to bear and it racked through my body, destroying me from the inside out. To be no longer feeling would surely be more enjoyable than life on this Earth without Edward Cullen by my side. Yet, I couldn't decide if I would rather not feel or accept the fact that I am so horribly and pathetically in love that it hurts to even blink without him near me. To be in love is a precious and irreplaceable feeling. Do I embrace it, or end my suffering? Ending it would be far easier. I would barely have to leave my own house. The sobs that racked my body were interrupted by the creak of my door opening. I stiffened.

"Hey, Girly? You alright in here? I'm trying to sleep and all I can hear is your blubbering."

The nickname gave away the visitor's identity, but even if he hadn't used it, the thick Irish accent with which he spoke would have identified him regardless. I sighed and sat up, my back still to the door. What a charmer. And he's got a sense of humor. This guy was making it way too easy for me to hate him. My eyes weren't blotchy or wet yet I dabbed at them like a self conscious teenager caught crying over a boyfriend. Well, I wasn't too far off. Satisfied with my appearance, I turned on the bed and faced Sean. I managed a small smile and shook my head.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

His eyes softened at my answer and he just snorted, walking further into my room then closing the door behind him. He made his way to my bed with a cocky swagger. It's understandable that he can be so cocky considering there was only one other being on the planet that could stop him. The bed sank beneath his weight and his eyes bore down into mine.

"I may not be Romeo, but I know when a girl isn't happy. Whoever you're crying about isn't worth your time if they make you feel that way. I also know that about 99.9% of the time when a girl cries, it's over a male."

Oh, if he only knew. I shook my head and looked down at my comforter, embarrassed. He used a voice that was foreign to me, as I hadn't had a normal conversation with him yet. It was softer, understanding maybe. I would surely be blushing if I was still human. He placed a crooked finger beneath my chin and tilted my head up to meet his eyes.

"I'm serious, Isabella. If he makes you cry he isn't good enough for you. He must be a fool if he thinks he can hurt you."

I met his gaze and let out a silent gasp. He was looking at me with such an intensity that I couldn't help but stare back. The sincerity in his words was written across his burgundy eyes and I found myself lost in them. I soon grew uncomfortable though, and I fought to break our staring contest. I sighed and smiled slightly.

"Thanks, Sean. You're really sweet, but it's far more complicated than you know. I'm fine, really."

He gave me a cocky smirk that matched his swagger and he shrugged.

"Well, alright then. But listen, Girly, you're my new friend and I don't let my friends get hurt. You let me know when this fool comes around. I'll take care of him for you. And trust me, I'm not a fool. I would never hurt you."

Sean winked a twinkling eye and ruffled the hair on top of my head, then walked back out of my room. Great. First Felix, and now Sean. Oh boy. Another complication in my life. But then, what is a life?

Please review! I'm not getting very much feedback and it does do a number on my motivation. I need to know what you all think!