*Prologue*

A Delicate Summer's Breeze

Curious tourists, of all parts of the world, huddled around in diverse groups to study the ancient stones of Volterra. They conversed excitedly in their different, jumbled languages; most likely discussing the old majesty of the regal buildings surrounding them. Amongst them was a young girl, whose small stature granted her the freedom of little attention.

Gazing with wide, fawn-like eyes of the deepest brown, she trailed her fingers along the fissures of the stones with a innocent, child fascination. Never has she been in such a town, in such an atmosphere!

It was as if the air tasted of a sweetness that could not be found at her home in America. The sun seemed to glowed down on her with a pleasant warmth, not just shine and blaze like that of Phoenix. Everything about Volterra was lovely, except for the undertone of fear that seemed to swim in the eyes of the citizens like ravenous sharks. What could be the cause of their terror?

A young couple near the sparkling fountain gazed at her with dread, until a figure behind her caught their attention. In an instant, their stares went from worry to unmistakable panic. They clenched each other's hand tightly as startled gasps fell from their parted lips.

Frowning, the girl turned around to see who or what caught their interest, and let out a gasp of her own.

Staring down at her with one thin eyebrow raised in restrained amusement, was the most beautiful woman ever. Her oval shaped eyes were a peculiar, trembling violet that seemed to shimmered from a wine red to a sky blue. Waves of luscious mahogany hair tumbled down her shoulders and onto her back, flapping delicately due to the summer breeze. Stunned into speechless, the girl could only stared in wide eye amazement at the tall woman. Seconds turned to minutes as time flowed by,

Suddenly, the woman gave a gorgeous smile as she place the tip of her finger to her bottom lip in quiet examination. After a minute of scrutinizing, she greeted the girl with a silky, "Hello, sweetheart. What's your name? "

A crimson blush with heated fingers clutched at the young girl's cheeks as she stuttered an reply of, "Bella."

The couple sitting on the fountain glanced at the setting sun before gazing at each other with remorse. Together, they stood up and slowly walked away with heads lowered. They, along with other residents, knew what was going to befall the small girl if she didn't leave…immediately. It was a common fact among the people of Volterra that unlucky tourists who are chosen or who willingly go with signora di morte, never come back from the tour she gives. This clueless child would be no exception.

"Well, little one, I am Heidi. I can only assume you're here for the wonderful tour I'm giving," Heidi said with an tone of excitement, bending down slightly towards Bella.

Slightly confused and feeling somewhat lightheaded, Bella whispered softly, "Tour? There's a tour?"

A gentle smile pulled at the edge of Heidi's full lips. Straightening up to her full height, she nodded once. "Yes, the tour of the Three Ancient Kings." Spreading her arms out wide, Heidi began a persuasive speech that made even little Bella want to take the tour:

"Come all to the magnificent tour of the Three Ancient Kings! Here about their lives that started over three thousand years ago! How they managed to live so long, and why they chose the fair city of Volterra to be their final home! Come to hear about Saint Marcus, and his two heavenly brothers of Rome!" She ended her speech with a booming clap.

Almost as if in a trance, tourists shuffled over to Heidi with eager impatience. Twirling back to Bella with an satisfied smirk, Heidi held out her hand. "Coming, darling? You look like you enjoyed stories of ancient pasts. I can promise you that this one would be a tale you'll never forget."

A strange shiver as icy as snow in Forks crept down Bella's back like prickly ants, paralyzing her in place. Wrapping her arms around herself as the coldness spread, she replied with an weak shake of her head.

Heidi's tempting smile faltered before being replaced with another that seemed a little more forced.

Holding her hand out farther, she purred persuasively with a smudge of irritation in her eyes, "Oh, come on, honey. Just one quick little tour?"

Bella could feel a shadowy fog stealthily slithered into her brain, removing all other thoughts except the thought of the tour. Clenching her teeth, she shook her head in a jerky motion before running off to find her mom and Phil.

I should have never left their sight! They're probably furious by now, she thought as she ran away from the town square.

Heidi, confused if not regretful, watched her departure with a slight frown until Bella disappeared over the hill. Sighing, she turned to her powerfully dazed group with a picture perfect smile and began the tour.

Later, as the annoying clicking noises of the humans' cameras faded in the back of her mind and the sounds of hungry vampires echoed from the other side of the thick doors, Heidi closed her attention on the one prey who was able to fight her gift of allurement. A juvenile human, this Bella, who escaped from the mental cage with ease that Heidi had placed on her. Her Masters, particularly Aro, would be most interested in this new development, and also furiously disappointed that she did not bring this gifted child to them.

Oh well, at least I have a larger group of prey than usual, Heidi thought hopefully as she pushed open the doors that would lead the humans to their deaths. Walking in with confidence once she shut the doors, one last thought crossed her mind as her coven ripped into the humans with starving snarls; the screams of their prey echoing off the marble walls.

She did however had the sweetest scent of blood I've smelled in a long time. Strawberries and Peaches, I won't forget that, darling Bella.

Not ever.

Author's Note: Signora di Morte- Lady Death

So, what do you think so far? Good beginning? Please, leave your thoughts on the imaginary door (meaning reviews of course!) Also, for those who have read my other stories and I'm sorry I haven't updated lately, but could you perhaps help me? I can't decide which story to update next, and it's frustrating me! Please, tell me which story you wanted updated next. Thanks! I'll choose by how many people votes for a certain story.