A/N:

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"I don't pretend to be anyone else when I'm with her, that's the whole point. I get to be myself."

– Damon Salvatore

Chapter 25 – Little Pixie

Previously on Let Me Sign:

FEAR crept down her spine at the man's uncanny resemblance to the Cullens.

It wasn't the red cloak that put her off, or the man's pale yet perfect porcelain skin with dark trellises of hair sleeked back onto his head... It was his piercing white teeth and wide smile that left an uneasy feeling to settle at the pit of her stomach.

"I'm sure you were, young Bel–la."

BellaPOV

I observed the strange man before me in moderate silence.

His eyes were hollow and pitch black like that of a monster, embedded like sharp rocks in the whitest snow. Under his eyes were purplish blue, like the Cullens, as though he had not slept in weeks.

Yet, even so, he appeared just as perfect, similarly to Edward but not as kind, much more powerful as if he had lived a thousand years.

My heart lept within my chest cavity as he neared. I could smell the sweet scent emitting from his breath.

"Young, Isa-bella…"

The way he pronounced my name caused a shiver to slither down my spine.

"Now, what will we do with you?" His face remained composed, like stone. A wicked smile played on his lips, a smile that fit his face weirdly. It was all wrong.

Despite my body's urge to run, a part deep within me warned me of the dangers my actions would cause. I may have lacked self-preservation around Edward, but that had been the part that knew he could never harm me.

"Jane…" he instructed and a tiny girl appeared from behind the door. Her eyes were piercing crimson as they snapped to attention, searching in earnest for any signs of trouble. An equally wicked smile appeared on her face when she realised we were alone. She wore a similar robe to the man… or cloak? I wasn't sure.

"Mhm. A feeble human. What was silly Edward thinking?"

"Now, now, Jane. Be nice." He chastised, though it didn't seem as though he meant it.

"Yes, Master."

Master?

He stared at me for a long moment before reaching out a pale hand.

I grimaced at his gesture. How would I refuse without him ending my life?

The blonde girl glared at me. I stumbled clumsily toward the man to accept his ghostly palm. It stunned me, the frightening chill of his skin against my own. His smile darkened at my widened eyes, no doubt enjoying the fear that he elicited.

As his hand tightened around my own, his eyebrows rose in concern but he remained still, waiting.

With a sudden glint, his smile only grew and my hand fell to my side.

"Remarkable!" He esteemed, his eyes glittering with interest. "Lei é notevole…" he recited, his hands clasped together in amazement. Italian, I presumed. The girl squinted in concentration, and struggle flashed within her eyes.

I stepped farther away from the two until my back touched the bed.

"Master, my…"

"I know, Jane. Lei é notevole…" he repeated. With my little knowledge of the language, it roughly translated to 'She is…' "Remarkable!" he whispered, eyes glinting in the distance.

"Come, we must take her to the rest."

Jane's eyes shot toward the man with disgust. "But, Master, we must-"

"Hush, Jane. There is more to her that meets the eye."

The hospital vanished in a blink. Darkness replaced pale walls, and I realised we were outside.

"W-where are you taking me?" I sputtered, barely sounding out the words. Their ears picked it up without any trouble.

"Hush, young one," the man whispered, his cold palm pressing roughly against my cheek. He bared his teeth into a smile, and I shuddered at the sight. "We should not ask too many questions, no? Shall we?"

I frowned at the hand he held in offering, but before I could voice a decision, he chanted three words and a man appeared.

"Go on," Jane commanded, and the man nodded knowingly.

He stepped into the light and smirked at me. Similarly, his red eyes appraised me and with a swift twist of his wrist, my body fell limp to the ground.

"Remarkable! So, her resistance only works with that of the mind." The man crouched to the ground to observe me, eyes bright and frightening.

I writhed on the ground, though my body refused to move. I felt paralysed to the bone… useless. Weak.

"Sleep now, Isabella…" His hushed murmurs calmed me slightly, and soon I allowed my eyes to close as sleep took me away.

When I awoke, there was only darkness.

DamonPOV

"What do you see, Bonnie?"

Bonnie sighed, likely frustrated with me by now. "I can't explain it, Damon. I felt this... overwhelming sense that something bad is about to happen. And then out of nowhere; the vision."

Caroline scratched her head in thought. Her other hand balanced on the steering wheel as she drove.

"Your phone is buzzing!" Caroline said as she jolted forward to toss the vibrating object my way.

I caught it smoothly. "Hello?"

"Hi... Damon Salvatore?" A bell-like creature sang through the phone.

"That depends, who am I speaking to?"

"Alice Cullen."

"Ah, the pixie..." I could imagine her wrinkling her nose at the nickname. "Why are you calling my number? Better yet, where did you get my number? It's not really something handed out. You have to earn it."

Alice grumbled something below her breath. "Bella's cell. Look, I know this may be odd. We haven't spoken before... ever. But Bella speaks highly of you."

"Is that so?"

"Partly. I know she trusts you, a lot. Why, I don't know. My family doesn't really think you should be trusted. I, on the other hand, am unsure of what to think... Which is new to me."

I rolled my eyes as the pixie rambled on. "Your point?" I sighed. "Did this conversation have a direction, or is this an excuse to listen to my devilishly handsome voice?"

Alice chuckled nervously. "Right. Let me get straight to the point... Now this may come as a shocker, but shocker – we know what you are. Kind of. We know you're not human... Another shocker; neither are we. As you know, we're vampires."

"Yeah, I knew that, Pixie. It's not really a shocker. What gave me away? My extraordinary looks?"

Alice puffed out air. "As I was saying... now that that's out of the way. Even though my family doesn't trust you... I suspect I should. I feel you're the only one who I can trust right now."

"What are you suggesting?"

"My family... has turned on Bella. Well, not the entirety of my family, just Rosalie and Emmett. She believes Bella warrants as a death threat... and Emmett will listen to anything she says. Jasper is keeping an eye on them while I formulate a plan. Carlisle and Esme are on their way to Forks with Edward."

I growled at the thought of Edward returning.

"So, you're calling me because?"

"Damon, Bella is missing. I can't see her in any of my visions," she went silent for a moment. "Nothing. It comes up empty when I search for her."

"Visions? Missing?" I choked out, and sat up straight to comprehend the information she was spouting at me. Caroline glared in question while Bonnie eased forward to eavesdrop.

"Oh, yeah. That old thing. Precognitions is what I call them... generally. Are you going to help me or not?"

I looked at the two beside me. "Where are you?"

"I left the house. Rosalie is going insane... she's threatening to go the Volturi. I'm scared, Damon."

"Slow down. Who is the Volturi?"

"From what I've gathered, you don't know much about the vampire world."

I chuckled at that. More than you know, sweetheart.

"The Volturi is a coven based in Italy Volterra. They are the only form of power in the vampire world. They make the laws which ground us..."

I scoffed.

"Are there many laws?"

Alice sighed. "Not many that are hard to keep... But the law above all else; we remain a secret. We don't make a mockery of ourselves."

I nodded, absorbing the information. "And Bella... poses a threat to the Volturi?"

"Yes, and no... Bella, is different. She's trustworthy. I know she is. Rosalie doesn't see that. All she sees is Bella ruining the safe world we've all worked so hard to maintain. I've tried to convince her but... it's pretty difficult to drill human morality into Rosalie."

I ran my fingers through my hair. "Where should I meet you?"

"I'm near Bella's house. She hasn't popped into my visions all day. Ever since..."

I indicated at Caroline to drive towards Bella's place. She nodded in understanding, no doubt listening in on the conversation.

"What?"

"Ever since you've entered town it's like something is hindering me from seeing her future."

"You think I've got something to do with this–"

Alice gasped suddenly. "Damon–"

"Alice?"

"It's Bella. I know where she is. The Volturi... They're here."

"Here?"

"In Forks. Right now... They've got her."

"Hang on. I'm turning into Bella's street..."

"I see you." The line went mute and suddenly a loud thump sounded out against the hood of the car. Caroline pressed dead brakes in surprise.

A tiny figure emerged from the shadows which slowly took shape of the tiny pixie. Bonnie frowned, but carefully shifted to make space as Alice hopped into the car.

"Drive. I know where they are taking her."

"Where?"

"We need to go the airport. Hi, I'm Alice!" she chirped at Bonnie and Caroline, despite the fear apparent in her tone. She was a bundle of energy amidst the morbid atmosphere.

Bonnie smiled warily, but shook Alice's outstretched hand. The two stared stunned as they made contact, no doubt confused at their shared abilities.

"You get... precognitions too?" Alice said in amazement.

Bonnie shrugged. "Not so much as precognitions. Mostly just blips... Glimpses if you must. What happened to you..." Bonnie trailed off in sadness.

Alice looked taken aback. "Whatever do you mean?"

"You're a vampire?" Bonnie acknowledged. "How is it possible... I thought you couldn't be both."

Alice nodded, seemingly very uncomfortable. I watched the two cautiously. Caroline seemed unbothered by their behaviour

"I am yes. Um, both what?"

"A vampire and a witch," Caroline answered instead, eyes still focused on the road.

"Do you remember how..."

Alice shook her head, already anticipating Bonnie's next question. "Not at all. Wow, so you're a... I didn't realise those exist. I'm not one... though."

"You're so different from Damon and I..." Caroline realised.

Alice's head snapped in my direction. "You're a vampire... but how? When? That doesn't make sense!"

I shrugged. "What did you think I was, Pixie?"

"I don't know. A werewolf? This conversation isn't over."

I groaned in disgust. "Really? I'm insulted... You'd know if I'm a werewolf. Wouldn't dream of it," I added to her last statement. "I've got some questions for you as well."

"Yeah, your scent is a bit... off."

"There is nothing off-putting about my scent," I cockily corrected her. This certainly wasn't the topic for discussion, but it was a helpful distraction.

My mind reeled with thoughts of Bella in danger and the distance preventing me from saving her.

I cleared my throat.

"What does my scent have to do with anything?"

"Well, for one, you don't reek of wet dog."

I wrinkled my nose. Caroline frowned.

"Why would he reek of wet dog?" she thought out loud. Her eyes remained on the road, but the amusement was clear in her tone, no doubt remembering Tyler.

I agreed with her. She'd know. "Werewolves don't really have a scent..."

Alice looked confused. "That's strange. Sam Uley reeks of wet dog. It's disgusting really."

"So that's what those things are?!" I muttered. Alice nodded in response. "And Black..."

"Took you that long to figure it out? Jacob? He hasn't turned. Yet."

"That doesn't add up. Last week was the birth of a full moon."

"So?"

Bonnie looked at her. "Werewolves are bound by the moon. That's the only way they turn."

Alice seemed perplexed by this new information. "Sam Uley is able to shift whenever he feels... if anything he's triggered by anger really. Danger, too."

Caroline chuckled. "Those aren't werewolves then. You should come to Mystic Falls. One bite from an angry werewolf and you'd be dead."

"Oh... well, these ones are quite large. Scary too... but we can defend ourselves quite well against them."

Bonnie shrugged. "It's not so much as defending yourself. One bite from a werewolf results in death, meaning their bite is venemous. There's only one cure, but that's not important," Bonnie trailed off mysteriously.

Alice didn't bother to wait for an explanation.

"So... the myths are true? That they're not really werewolves?" Alice trailed off. "I don't understand. I thought they're–"

"I suspect they're shapeshifters," I answered. "Descendants of werewolves much like you are to us. I've been trying to put two and two together. You're right about their scent though, but it's not really a wet dog odour I sense. It is repulsive though."

Alice nodded in agreement as the airport came into view, thanks to Caroline's maniac driving which seemed to come in handy today. "Wow. That was educational."

"We need to hurry," Bonnie said. "Where exactly are we going?"

"Volterra, Italy. It's the home of the Volturi. The one place wherein they can live safely. They're no doubt taking her to the rest of their coven. Aro Volturi is as ruthless as they come. If he found out about Bella on his own, then she's in more danger than we are. They're probably halfway there."

"Then we should get moving," I huffed.

"I don't think he would harm her just yet... She seems somewhat significant to him. Something about her intrigued him. Let's just hope it lasts in time for us to save her life," Alice said bemused.

"If he so much as touches a single hair on her head..." I began in earnest.

"Damon," Caroline cut me off. "I hope you're not thinking of going to war with a coven of vampires."

"Caroline, going to war is hardly the phrase I'd use. Slaughtering a coven of vampires seems more appropriate..."

BellaPOV

"What is this?" a strange voice spoke with apparent astonishment. Though I could not make out the figures beneath the blindfold shielding my eyes, I knew better than to speak.

The air was heavy with tension. Without having it confirmed, I suspected that I was in the place of the Volturi.

Rosalie couldn't have gotten hold of them this quickly. Even if she did... I couldn't blame her. She was doing what she believed would protect her family.

I was only a human in her eyes, insignificant to their kind. I agreed wholeheartedly. I wouldn't allow them to be killed on my behalf.

I'd hardly contemplated how I would die. But dying in the place of those I cared for, seemed noble enough. That had to count for something.

"A snack?" another teased.

"This, dear brothers, is a remarkable girl with a special gift... Isabella Swan," Aro declared. His voice resounded in the large space. A shiver slithered down my spine in fear.

Where exactly am I?

"A human? Are you mad?" a man gasped in outrage. "Brother, what is this nonsense?"

"Relax, Marcus..." another spoke. "Our brother feels she is special so we shall give him the benefit of the doubt by believing so."

Aro chuckled darkly. "Thank you, dear Cauis. Jane," he signalled from someplace around me.

Footsteps echoed behind me, slowly inching closer.

"Master?"

I frowned once again at the girl's response.

"Remove the blindfold," he instructed quietly.

Something shuffled beside me, and with a harsh tug the blindfold fell to the ground. Light momentarily blinded my eyes, and it took a minute to adjust to the ambience within the large room.

I wasn't sure what to absorb first. The structure and appearance of the place, or the intimidating creatures before me.

I stared at the two men poised amongst two of the three thrones; like kings without crowns. Though their posture signalled their power.

The man on the left wore a tiresome expression. He appeared much older than Aro and the other, as though he had lived a thousand years... or much longer. His hair was dark and straighter than Aro's, draped over his sunken shoulders beneath a deep-red robe. The man alongside him wore a similar robe.

I studied his expression with evident fear. He didn't speak as I stared, though his eyes appeared dreadful, nestled above protruding cheekbones. He didn't seem interested in the notion of bringing a special human into their chambers. He seemed bored if anything.

The other man appeared much younger, with striking blond hair and a sinister gleam in his eye. I could tell my presence excited him. No doubt the reason he watched me with awe-stricken eyes as I stood upon instruction.

I could have easily fled, but I would be a fool to run. There was no escape. I could tell the one named Cauis hoped I would, for the thrill of it. And Jane, the tiny girl (though power radiated from her) waited for me to so much as move an inch. I knew I'd be dead before I could breath the air for another second.

No, I would be a fool to run. So I stood, and abided as they instructed me forward.

From my little knowledge of vampires, I knew the Cullens eyes were golden rich in colour, a stark contrast to the creatures that surrounded me.

Though some held a higher status within these walls;

They all had one thing in common.

Their eyes were all hauntingly red.

DamonPOV

"Alice, do you see anything yet?"

Alice shook her head in disappointment. "No..."

I sighed and continued to look out of the window.

"Damon," she touched my arm in question.

We were seated on the plane. Another hour and we'd be in Italy.

"Yes?" I looked up at her.

Bonnie was passed out on Caroline's shoulder, a seat away from ours. Caroline kept scrolling through her cellphone, despite the clear instruction that we weren't allowed to be on our cellphones, no doubt waiting for a call from Tyler.

"You and Bella... There's more to it, isn't there?"

I sighed and fiddled with my ring. Alice saw right through me. I felt uncomfortable... which was rare. The only person who was able to see right through me was Bonnie, and even that pissed me off.

I shrugged. "What do you mean?"

"I mean... when Bella moved to Forks, I saw her coming. I saw her future, but I didn't see you in it. I saw Edward."

I frowned at this new information. "How does your precognitions work?"

"Well, whenever someone makes a decision, I can see it. Unless they change their decision, and then their future changes as well. Bella's future changed when you entered Forks. The moment you introduced yourself to her, it's been a blur to me. I only see glimpses now."

"Perhaps... you were unable to see me in Bella's future because I was indecisive about leaving Mystic Falls to begin with."

"Tell me about her..."

"Bella? I thought you two were friends."

"I know you know her more than you lead on. You speak about Bella as if you've known her for years. I only know as much as my visions allow. I've seen her... but not with you. Now I see nothing regarding the two of you."

"Not years... Just one."

"Where?"

"Well, the first time I officially met Bella was in New Orleans. I was off the wagon... Rampant with thirst. I killed inconspicuously for years, and felt nothing. No pain, no regret."

I still don't.

"A new born?" she whispered more to herself.

"A what?"

"A newborn. You said you were rampant with hunger... that you felt nothing? Newborns of our kind are deadly. They crave human blood, and they have no emotion for humans. They're quite uncontrollable."

I nodded slowly. "Yeah, but I wasn't necessarily a newborn. I'd just left the..." Oh, to hell with it. "I'd been captured. Tortured and used for an experiment," I told her in honesty.

Alice gasped, and her face twisted with pain and disgust. "By whom?"

"Humans that knew of my kind. They had a sick obsession with our healing abilities... I knew someone there. Enzo, was his name. Closest thing to a friend really. For years we tried to escape."

"Did he... survive?" her eyes held deep remorse.

I hesitated. "How did you know?"

"I... Just the way you speak of him..."

I nodded. "One of us survived and it wasn't him."

The memory flickered before my eyes, as did the fire. Ashes to ashes... dust to dust.

"What happened after you escaped?"

"I fled town. Somehow I'd wound up in New Orleans."

"You said you felt nothing?"

"The only way to... survive, was to turn my emotions off."

"How do you do that?" Her eyebrows etched together in both confusion and wonder.

"It's like a switch really. I just," I snapped my fingers. "Switch it off."

"It's that easy?"

"Yeah, coming back though... it's a little harder. My brother, Stefan," his name felt odd on my tongue. "He tried to help me. His best friend too... but I gave them little to no hope. It's not as simple as you'd think."

"So what changed?" she interrupted.

"By that... you mean?"

"Well, you don't seem like your emotions are turned off. If anything, I can tell you care about Bella. A lot."

I chuckled humourlessly. "You just answered your own question, Pixie."

She wrinkled her nose in surprise. "Ah, so that's when you met Bella?"

She seemed excited with this news. "I don't understand... Bella doesn't speak as if she's known you for that long?"

I looked down. "Yeah, she doesn't really... remember me."

"Huh."

"What?" I was surprised by her response.

"Nothing. I'm just trying to wrap my head around the whole thing. I'm not used to being... in the dark," she tapped her temple.

I chuckled half-heartedly. "No pun intended?"

She blinked. "What?"

"It's... you know because you can't go out in the sunlight?" I clarified.

She seemed unamused. Caroline shook her head with a glare.

"It's vampire humour?" I added.

A minute past, and finally she laughed. "Oh? Because I... in the dark... I get it!"

"Took you long enough, shorty."

A cold wind passed my hand. If it weren't for my vampire vigilance, I probably wouldn't have noticed her hand sweep pass the ring on my hand.

She snapped her hand back with embarrassment. "Sorry, I'm just intrigued. What is it?"

"It's my daylight ring. Embedded within it is a lapis lazuli gemstone, bound by a witch for protection from the sun," I held my hand up for her to observe. "I'm quite surprised you don't have one... I'm sure Bonnie would make you one if you ask nicely," I joked seriously. Bonnie would hate that.

"Does this... prevent you from sparkling?"

A peculiar expression masked my face. "If by that you mean prevent me from bursting into flames, then yes."

"Flames?" I couldn't understand the expression she wore. It was both interest and confusion... and a hint of worry. I felt like a lab rat as she observed me.

"Yeah... is that why you moved to Forks? Since it rains all the time. It's quite depressing really. What do you do when it's sunny out?"

"We stay inside... or go hunting."

"Hunting? Right, you've adapted to the bunny diet," I remembered. Stefan belonged here.

"Bunny w– Nevermind, what do you mean flames, Damon?"

"What kind of vampire isn't aware of their own weaknesses?"

"Well, we're not exactly the same which is what I'm beginning to learn..."

"Right, you're sorta like descendants if anything. I didn't realise our weaknesses differed. Cold ones, that is what they call you?"

She shrugged dismissively. "It's a stupid legend, that's all."

Realisation dawned upon me. "Let me get this straight... you don't burst into flames, but you do stay out of the sunlight. Why is that?"

She looked around her before ensuring the coast was clear and that everyone continued to sleep peacefully. With a resigned sigh, she moved her arm past me and placed her palm onto the window sill where slits of sunlight shone through.

At first I was confused, that is until tiny diamonds pixelated around us and bounced onto the ceiling of the plane. It nearly blinded me. Had I been human it probably would have.

A gasp sounded out around me. Caroline stared with wide eyes from her seat opposite us. I made sure no one else witnessed Alice's phenomenon, but even if someone had I could compell them if it came to that.

Alice pulled her hand back after a moment, looking slightly nervous.

My brain couldn't comprehend it. Neither could my mouth.

"I... you..."

Alice giggled at my reaction. "Are you okay?"

"Hold up," Caroline said. "I need to capture this moment. I don't think I've ever seen Damon this... speechless. That's the word."

I fixed my expression. "You... sparkle?"

A chuckle erupted within me, and before I knew it, I was flat out laughing.

"That's adorable!" I said in mock seriousness. "I... don't believe it."

Alice rolled her eyes. "It's glamorous okay. Anyway, I knew you'd react this way."

"I thought you couldn't tell my future."

"I can't. It's just you've got douche written all over you... You're like my big brother Emmett. He laughed when he found out as well."

"He laughed at himself?" Caroline mused. Alice nodded with a chuckle.

"He's quite the goof."

"The big burly one?" I checked. "Hmph. I can see that."

"So you don't sparkle."

"The only thing that sparkles is my–"

"Okay, I don't need to be a clairvoyant to predict what you're about to say," Caroline interrupted with disgust plain on her face. "Ew."

She returned to her cellphone.

"So instead of sparkling, I hate calling it that, you burst into flames if you don't wear your–" she indicated toward my hand.

"Daylight ring, yes. I wonder if it'll work the same for you?"

Alice shrugged. "Let me try?"

I chuckled. "It's not that's simple, Pixie. The daylight ring only works on the person it's bound to..."

"Ah, that's interesting."

When I was certain Caroline wasn't eavesdropping, I turned to Alice.

"What did you mean when you said you saw Bella with Edwin?"

"Edward?" she scrunched her face up. I shrugged. Him.

I knew his name, it just felt better messing it up.

"When Bella moved to Forks, the first person she had an encounter with, aside from the humans obviously, was Edward. In her Biology class. Edward suffered greatly throughout the entire lesson."

"Why?"

"Have you smelled her?"

"I mean... yeah she smells good. But isn't Edward able to withstand human blood?"

"It's not that simple. Every cell in our body forces us to drink human blood... it's pure torture. Knowing you don't want to, but having the constant thirst. The burn."

"Why not just give into it?"

"That's not even an option," she snapped. "Anyway, Bella is Edward's singer."

"His what now?"

"His singer. Every cell in her body calls to him... Emmett had a singer once. He killed her instantly."

She spoke with such simplicity, as though everything she said made complete sense.

I frowned. "That's... deep."

"I suppose it is. He still feels guilty to this day. Edward wouldn't be able to live with himself if he harmed Bella in any way. They belong together."

I chuckled darkly. "Edward can hardly stand in the same room as Bella without wanting to kill her. You truly believe they belong together?"

"You're only saying that because you're on the Bella wagon."

I stifled a growl. "Great. It's like I'm damned to an eternity of misery. Every girl I want is either magically bound to someone, or she's someone's singer."

"It doesn't have to be that way," Alice hesitated.

I encouraged her to continue. "Well, ever since you introduced yourself to Bella, her future has changed. When Edward and Bella met in their biology classroom, I saw a number of possibilities for her, all of it ended in her dying, or becoming one of our kind."

I glared at her. "I'm going to kill him."

She rolled her eyes. "Edward has shown tremendous control around Bella. She is still alive, as you know. I don't know if you two will end up together, but I do know Edward's future has changed."

"I thought you said they belong together?"

"Sometimes the universe has a way of surprising me. I don't always know everything. It's frustrating but I'm sure you'll find it refreshing," she added for my sake.

I shrugged. "What went wrong?"

She looked away sadly, and even a little ashamed. "Bella found my journal. The night of the party."

"What was in said journal?"

"My life's story if you must know... I'm sure that's not what frightened her though. She found the picture of Jasper and I, taken in the 1940's."

"Wow, how long have you been a vampire?"

"Quite long," she said mysteriously. "I found the journal in her bag. I didn't think much of it... I should have seen it coming. But your presence kept interfering with my visions."

I smirked. "You're welcome."

"If I saw it coming, I could have prevented it. None of this would have happened."

"Bella is quite vigilant, Alice. I'm sure she would have found out regardless, had you tried and kept it from her."

Alice sighed. "How did you do it? Keep it from her I mean?"

"I didn't," I replied. "I tried to... but I didn't see the point of being with someone and keeping my entire existence a secret from them."

"How did she take it?"

"Bella is a smart girl, she figured it on her own. She accepted me as I was. She would have done the same with you had you told her."

"But she doesn't know about you now?" Alice checked.

I nodded. "She doesn't remember me. She suspects though... not about me. But about her past... she told me she's been having dreams. I suppose there's a lot about Bella that neither of us know... Bonnie has suspicions. I was about to leave town until you called."

"Dreams?" Alice repeated dumbly. "Do you think her past is appearing to her in visions? Why were you going to leave town?"

"In some shape or form yes. I gave her a necklace, when we were... together. A promise if you will, and she has it after all this time," I trailed off. "Bonnie had a weird encounter with Bella... I know someone in New Orleans who might offer us clarity."

Alice's eyes widened, completely dismissing what I told her. "Jasper said she couldn't find her necklace the night of the party. Was that it?"

"Yeah... she dropped it at school. That's the reason I came to the party. That and to say goodbye to her."

Alice looked unconvinced. "Did she really drop it?"

I sighed. "Something like that. I didn't realise it still meant something to her after all this time. It's like she knows... deep down. It's routed within her. She just needs a trigger."

"Doesn't Bonnie have a way to help her?" Alice suggested.

I shook my head. "I don't know. I wouldn't ask either. It's highly dangerous, for the both of them. Bonnie feels conflicted about Bella either way... She doesn't trust her. Anyway, I've learnt it's best to let things run its course."

"You sound like you've got experience with it?"

I stared at Bonnie. She slept peacefully on Caroline's shoulder, as if she was unaware of the trouble around us.

"I thought I was in love a long time ago..."

"What was her name?"

"Katherine," it still hurt to say her name. Anger replaced the burn in an instant. "I'd rather not speak of the devil's spawn."

"That bad?" Alice sighed.

"She used me... I was like a puppet, she pulled every godamn string. And I let her."

Empathy flooded her eyes. "Jasper... He knows that feeling all too well."

"Your mate, right?" It was weird to call him that. I suppose our kind differed in more ways imaginable.

She laughed half-heartedly at me. "Yes, her name was Maria. She was his creator; though she only created him to form an army during the Civil War."

"How old is this Jasper you speak of, I should have a conversation with him..." I chuckled lightly. Stefan and Jasper would get along well.

"He's lived a long life," she said cryptically.

I suppose she didn't completely trust me just yet.

"After Katherine, you did find love again right?"

I shifted in place. "Not likely... There were complications. Katherine turned me into a vampire, but it was I who chose the path of a monster."

She touched my hand in reassurance. "I doubt that's true. You don't sound like a monster."

I shifted in place. "That's because you haven't witnessed the cruel nature of the infamous Damon Salvatore," I quoted sarcastically.

"Whoever told you that you were cruel?"

"A girl..."

"Was it Bella?"

I smirked as a wave of nostalgia hit me. "No, Bella never saw me as a monster. She was different. Completely different."

"Then who?"

"Elena... My brother's girl," I felt weird saying that.

She frowned. "You were in love with your brother's girlfriend?"

I chuckled. "Well, when you say it like that, I really do sound like a dick."

"And a dick you are," Caroline muttered, so only Alice and I could hear.

"I didn't love her... I think I thought I did. But after Bella, nobody has ever... been able to replace her."

Alice cooed. "You're such a romantic!"

I groaned. "If you tell anyone I told you that, I'll destroy you."

She gulped. "Well, I'm starting to see this monster they speak of... Go on."

"Elena reminded me of someone, that's all."

"Who?" Alice inquired.

"The devil's spawn," I hinted.

"Yeah, more like looks like her," Caroline mumbled once more.

Alice frowned in confusion. "What does she mean?"

I glared at Caroline. "They're doppelgangers."

"Doppel – what now?"

"I can't explain it," I said simply.

She nodded slowly. "So they look exactly alike?"

"But have no relation whatsoever."

"Wow," Alice gaped. "That's intriguing."

I shrugged. "Is that all you wanted to know?" I retorted.

Of course, I was being sarcastic but sarcasm isn't in Alice's vocabulary.

"Your eyes... it's blue. I don't get it?"

"What?" I was confused by her observation. Why was she telling me my eye color?

"Trust me it's natural," I winked.

She rolled her eyes. "No, I mean... you drink human blood, don't you?"

"I do..." I shifted in place. I felt like I was being judged by the little pixie.

"How do you do it?"

"Simple, I just do. What does my eyes have to do with anything?"

"Didn't you notice that my family and I have golden eyes? I figured yours would be red."

"Not really. I haven't been upclose and personal with anyone of your kind until now... The last time was years ago. I don't really remember much about it. I choose not to."

"Oh, right now my eyes are?"

"Brown."

"Yeah, because I haven't hunted in a week. The golden hue has now changed minimally to a dark brown. If I don't hunt soon, it'll likely be black. But not yours."

"Our genetic makeup is very different, I suspect. You scent is different too. What do I smell like to you?"

"You smell weird, to be honest. It's rather strange... You smell sweet, and odd at the same time..." Alice tried to explain.

"Don't hurt yourself. I suppose it's because unlike you, I've still got blood pumping through my veins."

"Yeah, how does that work?"

"I know somewhat about your kind... It's different with us. We in many ways alike, but I suppose we go against the laws of nature. Blood continues to pump throughout my body; in fact the only way to become one like us is to die with my blood in your system. I know your kind is venemous and the only way to change is to be bitten. It's apparently a painful process."

Alice's eyes widened, a shudder wracking her body. "Certainly."

"You remember it?"

"No," she trailed off sheepishly. "But my family speaks about it quite a lot. I witnessed Emmett's experience as well," she tapped her temple once more.

"You don't remember much about your human life?"

"Nothing at all..."

I couldn't wrap my head around that. "Do you?" she inquired.

I nodded, my mind reeling. "Unfortunately, I do."

"I'm sorry. I suppose it's rather a blessing than a curse, me not knowing and all."

"Perhaps it is."

"Damon," Alice said suddenly just before the lady on the intercom announced our arrival in Italy.

"We're here."