The Cullens' Computer

Written By:TimelessParodies
You can read the original here:
All credit goes to the original author

It was a dark and stormy night... Alice Cullen was sitting on the Cullen's front porch, staring at the rain falling down all around her. A fork of lightning flashed, and she sighed. She was bored. Jasper, Emmett, Edward, and Carlisle were all out hunting. Bella was away somewhere, cooing at Renesmee, and Rosalie and Esme were buying groceries. Ever since Jacob had started visiting regularly, there'd been a strong nessecity to buy food... and air freshner. There was nothing to do, really. Being a vampire got so dull... There was another clap of thunder. Alice stared up at the sky, having had a sudden, and violent wish to fly.

"If only vampires could really turn into bats..." she grumbled. There was nothing to foresee, nothing to do. Life had fallen into a dull peace. The worst kind of dull peace there was. Every day they measured Nessie, perhaps went to see Charlie, bantered a bit with Jacob, tormented Jasper, and tried unsucessfully to make Bella wear something she'd picked out. It was a monotonous routine, and one that she wanted desperately to break... but how? Get the whole family to participate in a skit? ... Not likely. Simply kiss Jasper for a while? ... He was hunting. Play... Truth or Dare? Before she could get excited, however, she remembered the last time they'd so unwisely chosen to play.

"ALICE! Truth or Dare!?" Rosalie hissed. She stiffened, a wide smile playing across her face.

"Dare." She said fearlessly.

"I dare you to... burn all the clothing that you've purchased in the past three days." Alice gaped at her, hatred suddenly pounding through her veins...

Alice grimaced, and shuddered at the memory of the ashes coating her skin. Why not give Bella a makeover? No... That involved too much begging and pleading, since she couldn't force her to sit still now that she was a vampire... She didn't need one anymore, anyway... Repaint the living room? Terrorize the nearby squirrels? Ooh! Try uselessly to talk to Leah Clearwater!? She sighed again, as the pointless possibilities flowed through her mind like a river. The werewolves should be asleep right now, anyway... Edward. What was he doing? Esme? Maybe she should repaint the living room... It began raining harder, droplets bouncing onto her as they rebounded off the porch steps. Alice sighed yet again. She didn't want to have to wash this... might as well go inside.

Stepping into the house, a flash of blue light caught her eye. She turned to look at the source- a light green laptop, sitting there, abandoned, on the kitchen counter... She grinned abruptly, and threw herself onto the couch, grabbing the laptop on the way.

A dim light filled the Cullen's first floor as she opened it. Her hands hovered over the keyboard, unsure of what to type... a password was required. This was Edward's computer. Alice furrowed her brow, trying to concentrate... she closed her eyes... a hazy vision played behind her eyelids. Edward sitting here, pressing... VampireFrogsLoveNessie. She opened her eyes, slightly taken aback. What the hell was that about? She shrugged. It didn't matter anyway, so she typed in the password. The first thing that came up was a link to a classical music website. She chuckled, and looked at the internet homepage. A link to... instant messaging? She clicked on it quickly.

Log-In... she needed a password again. Instead of wasting effort, she simply made a new account with a flourish.

TinkerBella

Wait... TinkerBella? The A was meant for Alice, but now it looked like Bella's account... she erased it.

PixieGirl

That was better... Or should it be PixieLady? Nah... that sounded too old. She was only seventeen, technically. She logged on, and carefully scrolled through random conversations until one caught her eye...

Moony: No, seriously, though. I really DO think I should!

Murky: Ew... No. No matter how many times you tell me that you're 'male-model' material, I'm still going to say the same thing, Jacob!

Moony: But Leah! It's TRUE. You've seen me before, admit it.

Murky: I know I have, and I keep trying to forget about it... JACOB. Step away from the shovel. Get AWAY! AUGH! CRAZY WOLF WITH A SHOVEL! CRAZY WOLF WITH A SHOVEL!

Moony: You've earned this! TAKE IT LIKE A MAN!

Murky: I'M NOT A MAN, DAMMIT!

Moony: MWAHAHAHAHA!

PixieGirl: Oi... you wolves ARE weird...

Moony: ...

Murky: ...

Moony: PixieGirl... a Cullen, right?

PixieGirl: Yes, a Cullen...

Murky: The only one who could be a pixie is the shrimpy one. What's-Her-Name.

PixieGirl: Excuse me?

Moony: Alice, isn't it?

PixieGirl: Yes. Thank you for troubling to remember my name when you visit my home every day.

Moony: Why have you joined us today, Dear Little Friend? You're not normally on here, even though everyone else is...

PixieGirl: ?

Murky: It's not that hard, leech... the rest of the Cullens all have accounts... not that they're on my normal contacts, but...

Moony: Now, now, let's not be too... rude, Leah, dearest.

Murky: Shut up.

PixieGirl: Where do YOUR names come from anyway!? I mean... Murky!? Moony!? What the heck is THAT supposed to mean!?

Moony: Now, now... don't lose your temper on us, Alice Cullen.

Murky: Like... the opposite of CLEAR. Murky. Like... Clearwater, you know?

Moony: I'm just desperately in love with Remus Lupin.

PixieGirl: ... What, from Harry Potter?

Moony: Yes.

PixieGirl: ... You strange, strange little boy...

TheFriendlyGhost: Alice!?

PixieGirl: Yes? And who are YOU?

TheFriendlyGhost: What are you doing here!?

PixieGirl: Curing my boredom as... wait... if you're Casper... JASPER! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!? I thought you were hunting!

TheFriendlyGhost: We, um, stopped to... rest at Tanya's place in Denali.

PixieGirl: ... And you... DIDN'T invite me!?

TheFriendlyGhost: Edward wouldn't let me!

PixieGirl: Edward's there too? Oh, well, I guess I'll just go on and tell Bella...

TheFriendlyGhost: !? No, Alice! DON'T-

NotAlbino: ... Jasper?

TheFriendlyGhost: Hello, Bella.

NotAlbino: Could you please tell Edward to log on?

TheFriendlyGhost: I would, but Tanya's on one computer, Emmett's surfing porn on another, and that's all there is because Edward left HIS at home!

RedRose: Emmett's doing WHAT!?

TheFriendlyGhost: Kidding, Rosalie! I was KIDDING! What've you been doing, anyway, just watching the werewolves talk for the past... hour, about whether Jacob's smexy or not?

RedRose: I was already laughing, but then YOU came into the conversation...

Murky: You were spying on us, bloodsucker!?

RedRose: Anyone can 'spy' on you, Murky.

Moony: Now, now, let's not get our panties in a knot.

PixieGirl: Excuse me?

NotAlbino: Jacob, now is NOT the time.

Moony: What the hell!? I started this conversation anyway! You all just butted in rudely!

MoonyFollower: I second Jacob!

Murky: Oh, go AWAY, Seth!

MoonyFollower: Why don't YOU go away, Leah!?

Murky: Because I'm automatically better than you, twerp!

TheBigOne: What have I missed? Hi, Rose!

RedRose: Hello... Emmett.

TheBigOne: ... Why do you seem suspicious?

RedRose: Oh... no reason. I'm checking you computer's history when you get back.

TheFriendlyGhost: I was KIDDING, Rose!

RedRose: I. Don't. Care.

[Blondie has signed in]

Blondie: Hello!

Moony: ...

Murky: ...

MoonyFollower: ...

NotAlbino: ... Hello, Tanya. Is Edward there?

Blondie: Would you like me to let him use my computer?

NotAlbino: Would you? Thanks!

Blondie: ... Okay...

[Blondie has signed out]

MindReader: Did you need something, love?

Moony: Woah there, Eddie-poo... You KNOW it makes me blush when you call me that!

MindReader: ...

MoonyFollower: :D

MindReader: ... ANYWAY... Bella?

NotAlbino: Why would you go off to Denali without telling me!?

PixieGirl: Or inviting me!

RedRose: Or ME!

Murky: Or telling ME, so I could break into your fridge while you were away!

Moony: That was actually pretty good, Lee-Lee! :D

Murky: Call me that again, and I'll rip your throat out.

NotAlbino: Esme says "Leah, dear, you're welcome to our fridge at any time, just so you know that."

Murky: ... I was KIDDING, Mrs. Cullen. I actually DO have a house, WITH a fridge available...

RedRose: So does the dog you all call 'Jacob,' but HE always eats at our place.

Moony: My house is Paul-Infested.

Murky: Pity him, dammit! He has PAUL at his place!

NotAlbino: Why doesn't he eat at your house, then?

Murky: I'm his Beta, not his damn cook.

Moony: Why can't you be both, Leah?

Murky: I'm going to kill you...

NotAlbino: Renesmee would like me to tell you, Leah, not to kill Jacob. She says it would make her very depressed.

Murky: Why the hell should I care!?

Moony: That's so very kind of you, Nessie! (Make sure you relay that to her in an overly-done British accent) But shouldn't she be asleep!? She has to get enough rest, you know, Bella. She's not DEAD, like YOU. Tell her to go to bed, or I'll come at her with a Tickle-Attack!

Murky: ...

NotAlbino: I am her mother, Jacob, I know damn well how to take care of her, so stop lecturing me about her needs!

Moony: Geez! I was only offering a suggestion! You don't need to snap at me every time I take an interest in Nessie's life!

MindReader: Well, she'd ALWAYS be snapping at you then, you nosy dog.

RedRose: Tell Nessie that I'll do her hair in the braid that she likes if she goes to bed!

NotAlbino: I'm not bribing or threatening her, thank you very much! She's asleep now, anyway.

MindReader: Kiss her forehead for me, won't you, love?

NotAlbino: Of course.

TheBigOne: Yeah, yeah, yeah, we GET it! You all LOVE her! Now let's go back to the subject of whether or not Jacob is smexy, I got loads of nmaterial for that!

NotAlbino: WELL then! BE insensitive!

Murky: :D I agree with TheBrainlessOne! Let's go back a few subjects!

TheBigOne: THANK you, Leah... hey! That was uncalled for.

PixieGirl: It was funny, though.

Moony: Again... not bad, not bad at all, Murky.

Murky: I'd say he's a... six and a half on a scale of one to ten.

Moony: !?

NotAlbino: His rating went up when he became a werewolf, though. You know, the muscle...

PixieGirl: I'd have marked him a two before his first morph...

RedRose: He's got potential, if he lets his hair grow out again.

Murky: That's inconvenient for wolves, though.

PixieGirl: SACRIFICES MUST BE MADE FOR LOOKS!

TheBigOne: He's hot alright. I mean... he might even give JASPER a run for his money! Not me, though. Or Edward. Or anyone else, really. But I always thought Jasper was the least appealing.

Moony: -Blushes- You DO!? Thanks, man!

TheFriendlyGhost: ... What the hell?

PixieGirl: I find him to have a 'dangerous' look, and he's really a very good kisser! If you have a problem with my Jasper, EMMETT, I suggest you think twice before commenting! And I always thought your curly hair was girly!

RedRose: Watch it, PixieGirl. Emmett's my man, and therefore, I will defend him.

PixieGirl: Bring it on, Blondie!

NotAlbino: What are you talking about, is Tanya back?

Moony: No, see, Rosalie was Blondie before Tanya was Blondie. And Edward would be gone if Tanya was here. So... really, we all have a catfight to look forward to.

Murky: Then again, Jake... I'd have to say your ego makes your score drop to a four.

Moony: YOUR score would be a two!

TheBigOne: It would be a nine, and you KNOW it, pup.

Murky: ... Thank... you?

RedRose: What would I be, Emmett?

Moony: Oooooooooh... pressure's ON, leech! Gonna impress you leech lady!?

Murky: Oooooooooooh...

RedRose: ...

TheBigOne: Easy-Peasy, Rose! You'd be a ten!

RedRose: ...

Murky: ONLY a ten!? Damn, men know NOTHING!

Moony: Well what was he supposed to say!? Eleven!?

Murky: He should've said, "Rose, you're too far on the scale for me to comprehend."

TheBigOne: But that sounds like I think she's gaining weight!

RedRose: DO you now, Emmett!?

TheBigOne: NO! You're perfect, Rose, I love you!

RedRose: ...

Murky: SOMEONE screwed up badly...

NotAlbino: Edward would never do that.

RedRose: PSH! Edward waited 'till MARRIAGE, Bella! That automatically puts him in DEAD last on the most appealing list!

PixieGirl: True, you bring up a very good point, Rosalie.

TheFriendlyGhost: Am I first?

Moony: It's you, me, Emmett, Edward, and Jasper competing, isn't it?

TheFriendlyGhost: Yes...

Murky: Well, that just about sums it up! I say that it goes Jacob (purely because YOU don't smell disgusting, don't get your hopes up), Jasper (he has cool hair), Emmett (TheBigOne), and lastly Edward.

MindReader: Last!?

NotAlbino: You're first to me, and half the girls at school, Edward.

Murky: Brainless people, basically.

Moony: Gee, Leah. Are you SURE you aren't crushing on me? ;)

Murky: ... I've just expressed the desire to kill you TWICE, Mighty Alpha. I think it's safe to say that I'm physically attracted to you. Just something about your sweaty, copper skin, black eyes, and muscles...

Moony: ...

Murky: ... Makes me want to throttle you until your eyes roll upwards and out of sight, and laugh at the knowledge that I caused your death at the funeral.

Moony: I always knew you loved me.

Murky: No... that's not it. I have a passion for you. A deep, burning, ACHING hatred.

Moony: That's what I'm here for!

MoonyFollower: I'm getting uncomfortable with this sudden change of subject...

Murky: No one's making YOU stay, twerp!

MoonyFollower: PSH!

[MoonyFollower has signed out]

TheBigOne: Still mad at me, Rose? :'(

[RedRose has signed out]

TheBigOne: -sigh- Rosalie!

[TheBigOne has signed out]

MindReader: Good night, love... I see no point in staying if we're going to discuss Jacob's 'smexiness.'

NotAlbino: Good night, Edward.

[MindReader has signed out]

[NotAlbino has signed out]

PixieGirl: -GASP- JASPER! Is that YOU!?

TheFriendlyGhost: Yep.

PixieGirl: Awww! you came BACK!

TheFriendlyGhost: Yep.

[PixieGirl has signed out]

[TheFriendlyGhost has signed out]

Murky: ...

Moony: It's just you and me, then, Leah!

Murky: ...

Moony: Where were we before we were so rudely interrupted?

Murky: ... STEP AWAY FROM THE SHOVEL, BLACK!

Moony: ... -muahaha-...

Take This Waltz

Written By: Zigster
You can read the Original Here:
All Credit goes to the Original Author

The Basics:

It's all human. (I think)

It's set in Paris.

It's mad hot/humid out.

Enjoy!

----------------------------------------------

Her

"Oh, I want you, I want you, I want you. On a chair with a dead magazine..."

I looked over at my radio, surprised at the english I suddenly heard coming from the French station. I knew that song, and it always made me cry. The lyrics were filled with sex and longing, and on top of their suggestive nature, they were extremely melancholy. It was a frustrating song, because it was a song about giving up. Letting go of something still so desperately desired. I rested my head on the back of the chair I was sitting on. Ironically there was a pile of old magazines and books next to it. What a perfect setting, I thought bitterly. The old cafe chair was turned round, facing the window and my arms hugged its back, with my legs splayed on either side. I was looking out on the street below, watching the people walk by. It was too hot. Too hot. Damn the French and they're lack of air conditioning.

"... on a bed where the moon has been sweating..." Leonard Cohen sang to me again from the corner, and I laughed. The moon would most definitely perspire on night like this. I looked up at it then, shinning down, pooling blue light around my rooms from the open windows. I turned my head and looked down at my elongated shadow on the ground, cascading towards the empty bed. Singular and lonely.

I really should change the song, I thought. I lifted my head once again from where it rested on my arms, feeling the breeze of the fan reaching me from its twirling perch on the armoire. It cooled me for a few seconds before it continued on its rotation back out towards the rest of the room. Hopelessly trying to circulate the air in the stagnant humidity of the night. Surely, it would soon turn to pure water and drown me. Taking me out of my misery. Or, maybe that was just wishful thinking?

Laughter on the street brought my attention back outside the window. Looking down at the shimmering cobblestones, even they couldn't stand the heat. There even seemed to be a slight haze around the street lamps that glowed in the night. Their dim yellow swam around the head of the posts, casting the light into a fog that most certainly was caused by the moisture in the air.

On the street corner there was a cafe. Men stripped down to their undershirts were milling about, not sitting but standing as they sipped their night caps. Surely no one could stand to sit in this weather. Even my thighs were sticking to the wood of the chair, I shifted then, finding a new place on the seat that wouldn't be warmed from my touch.

"...There's a bar where the boys have stopped talking... They've been sentenced to death by the blues..."

Ah, I thought. He's wrong. The men down at the cafe were still talking, lamenting and emoting endlessly on the ideals that they would never realize in their lifetimes. All talk, no action, were how they were now. The children of the revolution having passed on into oblivion, with these new fools toiling around in their shadows, attempting fruitlessly to stand on their shoulders, trying to see what only the old school had the genius to experienced.

"... take this waltz, it's been dying for years."

I was born into the wrong era I decided. The wrong time, and the wrong place. Why be bitter about it? There was nothing I could change. The one thing I really wanted to change was my loneliness. My heartache. I turned my face away from the pseudo-intellectuals on the street below and back to the radio. Willing the song to end but not having the energy to go and end it. It reminded me of him, and as much as he hurt me by leaving, I never wanted to forget him.

"...There's an attic where children are playing

Where I've got to lie down with you soon

In a dream of hungarian lanterns

In the mist of some sweet afternoon

And I'll see what you've chained to your sorrow

All your sheep and your lilies of snow

Ay, ay, ay, ay..."

At that I started to sing along softly.

"...Take this waltz, take this waltz

With its I'll never forget you, you know..."

Eloquent bastard, I thought, and then I chided myself. You could never hate Lorca. He was too giving a soul, you could only love a person like him. He never ran from his feelings, instead he put them into the world.

I collected the locks of dampened hair off my shoulders and piled them high on my head, holding them there with my hand. This time turning my neck into the breeze of the fan. Allowing it to cool my fevered skin and send shivers through me. I sat there wishing it were him doing it. Cooling me down with his own cool breath coming from his lips. To feel his tongue on my skin again, languid and soft. I closed my eyes and let that feeling sink in. If only...

xxxxxxxxxx

Him

I stood there, transfixed. I had walked in several minutes before, but couldn't bring myself to speak. I simply stood and watched her. Her small movements. The way she shifted in the chair. The small tilts of her head, taking in the breeze from the fan. The way she regarded the people on the street, with a mixture of contentment and pity; bitterness and sorrow. The emotions spilled across her profile in the blue light from the moon, while she mostly had her back turned to me. There were no lights on in the rooms, only the glow spilling in from the large floor to ceiling French windows. All of them were open, their small balconies beyond them breaking up the composition of the street below into long rectangular sections.

The room was still bare. She had acquired nothing it seemed, since I'd been gone. The bed was made up of plain white cotton sheets and an old quilt was draped over the bottom of the frame. Surely it had been discarded for the weather. It held the only color in the room. The walls with their molding and plaster decorations were all bare and an off white color, made ever darker in the midnight light. The armoire held a fan, and next to the only chair in the apartment was a pile of books and magazines. It was a sad picture, a lonely one, made beautiful by its sole inhabitant. Her.

The radio was playing a song I knew she liked. It made her cry though sometimes when she was feeling particularly passionate and that made me dislike it. I hated to see her cry, for any reason. A face like hers should never be stained with tears. The only flush it required was from her blushes. She was too perfect for make up.

I watched as she gathered up her hair, piling it up on top of her head, holding it steady with her arm, as she gently sang along to the music. It wanted to photograph her like that, and keep her forever etched in my brain. She was wearing a tank top and a pair of boxers. My boxers. Her legs and feet were bare otherwise, and her skin shown with the slight perspiration it had developed from the heat of the night. There was small line of darkened material where her tank top met her spine. The sweat having soaked through the cloth there. I was drawn in by it.

"... my mouth on the dew of your thighs..." the man sang from the corner radio and my ears perked up. The lyrics having driven my mind from thoughts of composition to that of lust. I missed the feel of her thighs, and the feel of my mouth on them. I wanted to go to her then. Show her that I was back and would never leave again. What would she say? I wondered.

"... and I'll yield to the flood of your beauty. My cheap violin and my cross..."

A woman was singing with the man now, and her high soprano trilling in the background made me think even more that the woman before me should no longer be alone. I would never want to leave her, and would certainly yield to her beauty for everyday of my life.

I put down my bag, allowing the soft thud on the floor to indicate my presence in the room. She tilted her head in response but didn't turn to me, only to the breeze of the fan as it once again blew across her skin, taking the wisps of hair at her face, tickling her shoulders as they flowed in the wind. She smiled, and I was lost in it, walking forward without even the slightest hesitation.

".. oh my love, oh my love...."

Five paces more and she'd be in my arms. Damn the heat, I yearned for the touch of her moistened skin.

"take this waltz, take this waltz... It's yours now. It's all that there is."

The man and woman were only humming now. Their duet ending with the fading of the music. The final words were melancholy and sad; finite and unfufilled, but our relationship didn't have to mirror it. I was next to her then, looming above her, under the light of the same moon in the window. Our shadow's combining on the floor behind us, as their lengths reached over to the sheets of the bed.... Where I've got to lie down with you soon... the echo of the lyrics drifted through my mind.

I leaned down and kissed the hand resting on the top of her head. My hands ghosting over the curves of her shoulders, not wanting to startle her. She swerved in her chair and looked up at me, dropping her hair from the top of her head. It fell down around her shoulders as the fan blew its calming scent towards me. I closed my eyes and breathed in, allowing it to wash over my senses. My eyes only opening when I felt her lips on my own. She took my head in her hands and pulled me down to her, and I saw the small tears escape her eyes as she closed them, urging me to deepen the kiss with a flick of her tongue.

I moved to pick her up then, her legs twisting around and instinctually wrapping themselves around my waist. I was too weakened from the heat and didn't trust my trembling hands to hold her for long, so I sat back down on the chair, with her in my lap. Straddling its back as she straddled me. My foot accidently shoved the piles of books and they spread out around our feet. The radio hummed to us a french lullaby and the breeze from the open window drifted in to cool our entwined bodies.

She pulled away then, and stared down into my eyes, searching. "Ne me quitte pas," she whispered, speaking to me in french.

I smiled back at her. "Never again," I said, and kissed her once more.

Fin.

Eternal Love

Written By: xXxrisenangelxXx
You can find the original here:
All credit goes to the author

--M--

He sulked down the empty street, the full moon cascading down along the sand-stone buildings and illuminating the pale skin covering him. He looked at his bare fore-arm and growled. He hated himself. Why did he have to be a monster? A vampire? Aro was such a bastard. He used him to find out whether or not their enemy had a lover, any kind of connection to a loved one. He hated having to use it.

He closed his eyes and heard the distant tolling of the clock tower five miles away. Three tolls. He leaned against the wall nearest him and growled. If he could burn in the sun, he would happily burn himself away and never have to worry about what others thought of him. Never having to hide from the sun and into the dark underground world that Aro had created, just for the vampires that joined his forces.

Deep in the fortress that Aro created, he had a sister, who was never shown among the other’s. For some reason Aro wanted to hide her, and Marcus didn’t know why.

He felt slightly happier than he did five seconds ago. Wait. What is this feeling? he thought.

“Who’s there?” he asked out to the darkness surrounding him. The soft pitter-patter of slippers on the stone ground reached his ears and he sprung towards the noise, sensing a feeling of fear run through him. He didn’t feel fear, someone was making him feel these emotions that he never truly felt unless he was facing something worse than himself, or Aro.

It didn’t take him long to catch up with the slippered feet and he caught the arm of the person. It was wearing a soft silk, and the fabric went past it’s elbow. “Who are you?” he grated out and blinked through the darkness, seeing that she had bright red eyes. Her blond hair reached to the middle of her back and flowed in the wind.

She stared up at him with shock, blinking to see more of him. She cocked her head to the left and leaned towards him. He backed away, but kept his hold firm on her arm. He was amazed she hadn’t cried out in pain yet from his grip. She was a vampire. “Who are you?” he asked again and shook her arm, making her whole body jostle at the movement.

She gasped and sighed, a smile on her face. “My name is Didyme.” she answered brightly, seemingly knowing that he was a vampire like her. “What’s your’s?” she asked and her white teeth flashed in the moonlight.

“Marcus.” he answered and looked around. “What are you doing out here?” he asked and released his hold on her arm.

Didyme looked over him, noticing that his hair was black and shaggy, unlike all the other male vampire’s in the coven. His eyes were black, as if he hadn’t fed in quite some time. His skin somewhat sparkled in the moonlight. He was wearing a dark blue, and that mixed wonderfully with his hair and skin tone. “I wished to be free and escaped from Aro‘s hold.”

“How do you know Aro?” he asked and backed away, it seemed like a blur to watch him.

“He’s my brother. He turned me.” she answered and walked toward him. Why is he backing away? she thought and made a noise as if she was trying to understand what was truly going on. Marcus felt a feeling of safety and stopped backing away from her. She put her hand to his face and felt the sharp planes on his face. His jaw angular and long.

“Where are you kept?” he asked and watched as her other hand went to his shoulder and traveled down his neckline of the shirt he wore.

“With the wives.” she answered blandly, “It’s unentertaining to say the least.” she added and felt the hard muscles in his body twitch at her touch.

Marcus felt his breath hitch and tried to hide it. What was going on? He was feeling an unusual feeling, and it wasn’t coming from Didyme. “Do you have a power?” he asked and felt one of the buttons on his shirt come undone.

“Yes. I can make others feel happy emotions.” That would explain why he was feeling so strange. “But most of the time they are to make someone else happy, that‘s around me.” she finished and traced one of his chest muscles with her nail.

Marcus shivered at the touch and grabbed the hand that was still on his face, it hadn’t moved. He looked at her hand and she stared up at him. What is this damn feeling? he thought and turned her hand in a few different directions and then brought each of her fingertips to his mouth, kissing each one.

Didyme stiffened and felt a rush of pure bliss run through her. She wasn’t afraid for once.

Marcus blinked his eyes forcefully and felt some kind of raw emotion run through him. He had asked a few other vampires who had found their mate what it felt like and the reply he was ever given was one that said that he would experience an emotion that he had never felt before and probably never would feel it again if he lost his mate, would come and it would feel strange. As if some part of him was saying that it wasn’t normal, but it was. This feeling he had at the moment reminded him of the description that the vampires had given him. He gasped and Didyme backed a single step away.

He caught her waist and held her still. “Don’t move.” he said and stared into her eyes. They were confused, but they seemed to know something as well. That inner part of his brain said that she was his. He cupped her face with his hand and she leaned her head into his palm, her eyes closed and she sighed. Marcus brought his face closer slowly, as if not knowing what he should do. Didyme opened her eyes and instantly brought her hands to his face, bringing him into a kiss.

They closed their eyes and moved closer together. The kiss becoming frantic and desperate. Marcus moved his hand to the back of her head and twined his fingers into her hair, feeling the luscious locks as if it were a fine silk.

Didyme pulled away and laid her head against his chest, his arms wrapping around her and holding her to him.

She’s mine. he thought and longed to know what she tasted like, but knew that if Aro found out, he would literally find some way to torture him if she was damaged in any way. She whimpered and shook slightly. “Shh. It’s okay.” he whispered and felt complete. He hadn’t felt complete since before he was a vampire and that was a very long time ago.

“Aro will know.” she whimpered and clung closer to him.

“Don’t let him touch you.” Marcus whispered and closed his eyes at the thought of Aro using either of them to get information out of each other.

Didyme looked up at Marcus and saw how intense he looked. “Will you take me back to the castle?” she asked and turned her face back into his chest.

Marcus hugged her tighter and softly answered, “Yes.” he picked her up and she gasped. “Just act as if I found you on the street.” he said and she nodded. He sprinted to one of the entrances and looked at Didyme. “I promise I’ll find you again.”

They entered the coven house and instantly a group of vampires surrounded them. Didyme covered her face with her hair and Marcus’ shoulder.

“Where is she?” Aro yelled over all the voices from the vampires. The two stiffened and Aro burst through the throng of vampires. “Why is she with you?” he asked, furious.

Marcus glared at Aro and answered, “I found her outside in an ally. I brought her back.”“I truly doubt it. How could she possibly get out of the tower?” Aro asked incredulously. Didyme whimpered and clung closer to Marcus. “I’ll take her up there.”

“I can take her.” Marcus said and glared at Aro.

“So be it.” Aro said and added, “Follow me.” Aro spun and walked quickly up a set of stairs.

Marcus followed easily and remembered every turn to get up into the tower that the wives were kept up in. Didyme shuddered at the thought of what Aro could possibly do to her for leaving the tower.

The door opened and the two wives looked up, obviously knowing that Didyme would have been caught. They smiled and continued reading their large novels. Marcus set Didyme down and she looked up at him, her eyes wide with fear. He gave her a crooked smile and pet her hair back.

Aro cleared his throat and Marcus glared at him. He nodded to Didyme and backed away, leaving the tower and Aro followed him, shutting the door and locking it. Marcus flew down the stairs and into a separate part of the house, shutting himself away.

--M--

Didyme sat down at the vanity in the room. Athenodora was behind her, egging her on about what she had done. She slowly brushed her hair, ignoring the giggling going on behind her. She sighed and rose from the vanity. “Oh come now Didyme, you can tell us what happened. Caius talks about Marcus all the time, he always says that he is brooding.” Athenodora said, putting her hands on Didyme’s shoulders.

“You know I ran off. That much you know, but you cannot let Aro know.” Didyme said, looking at both of them. “Marcus found me while I was running away, he must of found out that I was out there somehow, but he didn’t even really know that I was Aro’s sister. Things went from there and,” she paused, unsure of how she could tell them what exactly happened.

“And?” Athenodora asked, pushing for her to continue.

Didyme smiled shyly and said, “I believe he is my…mate.”

Suplicia’s face dropped. “But how?” she asked, trying to regain her composure, “Every male vampire that you have met has fallen in love with you, what makes it different this time?”

Didyme looked down at her feet and answered, “I love him back.”

“You just met!” she screeched and stood up, flying at Didyme, “How you can you even be sure that he is your mate. If Aro finds out you know full well that he will do something rash!”

“You have no need to remind me of the danger this is to Marcus and I.” Didyme said, glaring up at Suplicia, “There is just some kind of feeling that is coming from deep inside that is telling me that he is my mate.”

Suplicia glared at her and growled. Athenodora pulled Suplicia away slowly, she was a ticking pipe bomb, one wrong word out of Didyme and Suplicia would blow up and surely try to rip her to shreds.

“Now Suplicia, there is no reason to get mad at Didyme. At least she has fallen in love. You know how you acted when you first met Aro. He was all over you. Now settle down and face the facts: Didyme is in love.” Athenodora said, coaxing Suplicia to calm down.

Didyme had spent enough time with Athenodora to know that she takes after Caius, he wants to always enforce the rules, and she knows what will happen if Suplicia snaps. Didyme shivered at the idea of that happening. “Think of your Aro, Suplicia.” Athenodora whispered into the angered woman’s ear.

Didyme walked over to the balcony and leaned against the rail, she had seen the play of Romeo and Juliet and felt like she was Juliet with the way that Aro was acting. If only Marcus would come out of nowhere and take her away.

She closed her eyes and heard the nearby tolling of the clock tower. The sun would rise soon and with the sun rising she would watch all the people in Volterra live their lives, making it seem impossible to complete her day without going insane. Soon Aro would come and take Suplicia, and Caius would take Athenodora. It was ritual, and it was this time of the day that they would spend together, like lovers. She sighed and felt Athenodora’s hand on her lower back. “Don’t worry Didyme,” she whispered, low enough that Suplicia wouldn’t hear, but loud enough to where Didyme could, “Marcus has a very thick skull, he knows now where you are held, he could come by.”

Didyme looked up at Athenodora and smiled. “If only life were that easy.” she whispered and continued to stare down at the still empty streets. The whole building that they lived in was a sign to so many of these people, a sign of fear in more than one way. It was considered abandoned, but it was in great shape still. A fortress for Aro. Didyme glared at the thought of Aro knowing everything that had happened to her and Marcus not more than an hour ago.

“Excuse me ladies.” Aro said, his voice was unusually bright, he never was truly happy. Didyme looked at him from the corner of her eye and saw that Marcus was among them. She stood upright and toward them in an instant. “We are here to relieve you from your safe tower for the day.”

Marcus stared at Didyme, as if he would lose her if he looked away. Aro cleared his throat and Suplicia was in his grasp quickly, she had her Aro. Athenodora smiled at Didyme before she danced her way to Caius’ arms. The two couples went downstairs, but Marcus stared at Didyme. She walked over to him and he closed the door. “You’re not going to take me away from this tower?” she asked and melted into his arms.

He hugged her tightly and took a deep breath, breathing in her lustrous scent, a mix between the luscious rose and the vexing lily, but there was that scent that stood out the most in those two flower like smells, the smell of blood. But the blood seemed to make her perfect, just the way she should be.

“I have other plans in store for us.” he rumbled and took her into a kiss. Didyme moved her small hands to his chest and started to slowly unbutton his shirt, revealing more and more of his muscled core. His skin was soft and had no signs of hair, except below his navel, but it was a light dusty trail.

He shivered and traced the lace holding her dress together in the back, untying that and slowly revealing more of her back. He longed to know what her blood scent was like, it seemed only right for him to know what she tasted like. Only Aro knew what she tasted like, and that was because he was the one who turned her. “Marcus…” she moaned and arched toward him, making him groan. She pushed his shirt away and traced her fingers along the muscles in his arms, feeling the way he flexed when she traced a certain muscle.

Marcus nuzzled his face into her neck, her hair falling around him. He slowly moved her toward the large couch in the room and laid her down against it. She smiled up at him and laced her fingers into his shaggy hair.

Didyme pulled his head down to kiss him, but his head moved toward her chest. She gasped and giggled. This was what she wanted. To be with the one she loved and to not ever have to worry about whether or not Aro agreed to it. Marcus looked at her and she saw the lust burning through his eyes. She smiled at him and nodded.

--M--

Marcus traced his fingers along her arm, she was looking up at him with a smile and he finally got to experience love with his one true mate. Maybe Aro would be okay with them. He stared into Didyme’s lovely eyes and kissed her.

The sound of feet running up the stairs quickly reached their ears and Marcus froze. He sat up and looked for a blanket of any kind. One was behind him, hanging on the back of the couch. He grabbed it and covered their bodies with it. If it was Aro or even Caius then he would never hear the end of it and Didyme would be a joke to the wives.

Didyme cowered into Marcus’ body and he growled. She slowly looked over at the door and saw Aro. “Damn.” she whispered and clung to Marcus as if her life depended on it.

“What?” the sound of pure agony ran through Aro’s voice. Marcus bared his teeth at Aro and was ready to fight if it came down to it.

Didyme held the blanket to her body and sat up. She looked at Aro and saw Suplicia behind him, fighting the intense giggles. Suplicia turned around and looked at someone. Athenodora started to laugh uncontrollably and the two women laughing couldn’t stop. Didyme closed her eyes and shook her head. Well at least they would have something to talk about. “Hello Aro.” she said sweetly and reached back to smooth Marcus’ hair.

They looked at her as if she were crazy. “Oh come now…” she whispered and kissed Marcus on the cheek. He froze, but after a sly grin was plastered onto his face.

Aro growled intensely and tensed to lunge at them. “Aro dear,” Suplicia said, “let them be.” She came up to his arm and took it, “Remember when we were like that.” she added and led him away from the room.

He stared at Suplicia as if she were a mad woman. No one ever took him away from attacking someone. But he allowed her to lead him away from the tower. Caius came in with Athenodora at his side, and her face was contorted into a painful look. A laugh threatened to break from her face at any second. “Well,” Caius started, “I see you’ve made Aro angry in less than a quarter of a minute, congratulations, that‘s a new record.” he looked down at Athenodora and said, “Would you like to spend the rest of the day with me?”

“I would be delighted.” Athenodora answered and smiled at Didyme, a slight wave to her as they left.

Marcus stared at them like a confused puppy who was just reprimanded for something he didn’t understand. Didyme looked at him and tousled his hair, “Oh don’t worry Marcus, just let him cool off.”

“Do you know how furious he will be?” he asked and stood up.

“Oh, I’m guessing he’ll want to rip our heads off, but he would have to learn this at some point, wouldn’t he?” she replied and stood up, taking the blanket with her. “And right now, we’re alone again, they won’t be back until tomorrow night. Suplicia and Athenodora will keep their husbands busy for some time.”

“And what about when they come back?”

“Then we’ll deal with them there.” she answered and kissed his arm, “Don’t worry. We’ll deal with it later.”

Marcus looked down and kissed her again. Only time would tell before Aro really did snap.

--M--

Marcus sat in the huge chair, the cushioning was extravagant and too soft, making him feel like he was sitting in a marshmellow. He stared at Aro from behind the desk, feeling like he was being interrogated.

“So I see that you have taken a fancy to my little sister.” Aro said, a glare resting on his face and never seeming to end.

“Yes.” Marcus replied and crossed his arms and sat more upright, trying to get away from the back of the chair.

Marcus chuckled slightly and shook his head. “It’s the same thing that you feel for Suplicia.” he said and closed his eyes. He could practically feel the love for Suplicia radiate off of Aro. “And you and I both know that you love each other with a passion that has escaped the ages.”

Aro glared deeply at Marcus and Marcus met the glare. “You do know that I could easily rip you to shreds at this very moment and the only person who would really care is Didyme?”

“That’s the only person I want to care, whether I die or not.” Marcus stated and stood up. “Now Aro, there is no need to get mad at me. I’m not the only one who is in love in this turmoil.”

“I suggest you sit back down Marcus.” Aro said, his voice full of seriousness.

“And I’m done here. You know how I feel about Didyme and if you want her side of the story, you can ask her.” Marcus said and walked out of the room. Aro sprinted in front of him and growled, pushing him back into the room. “You really want to make a scene? In front of all the vampires around us? And what exactly would you do if you didn’t have me here?”

Aro glared at Marcus like he did most of his prey, usually it belittled all, but Marcus had a strong spine. “Get out of my sight.” he spat and growled at Marcus as he sprinted out.

Aro growled loudly and punched the hard wall. “Damn it!”

--M--

Two Years Later

Didyme stared up at Marcus longingly. They had planned secretly were they would go as they made their trip across the world they knew. “Marcus… where should we go first?” she asked pointing at the map laid out.

Marcus leaned over her and pointed at the farthest place that they planned on going to.

“That far?” she asked and looked up at him.

“The farther we are from Aro, the happier we both will be.” he replied and kissed her lovingly.

“I suppose.” she said and smiled as he kissed her ear and nibbled on it. “How are we going to tell him where we go first?”

“I don’t know. I still have to go and recruit some newborns for Aro in some time, for a week. So I guess we can tell him before I head off.” he suggested and took her hands in his, clasping them and whispering, “We complete each other.”

“I know Marcus, you don’t need to remind me.” she giggled and kissed his cheek, “Although I do enjoy it when you do.” she added and met him in a kiss.

Marcus chuckled and released her softly, “I’m heading out tonight, I hope you don’t mind.”

Didyme looked over at him with confusion, “But I thought you didn’t have to go for another week?”

“I can leave whenever, but the sooner I get it done, the better. I can spend today with you and then I’m going to be gone. We need to tell Aro sooner or later.”

“Alright.” she said and stood up, twirling her way into Marcus’ arms as they went down into the main part of the castle.

--M--

Didyme sat at the vanity as she settled down for the day. She brushed her long hair slowly, wishing that Marcus would be behind her, watching her face through the mirror and teasing her slightly. It was a playful tease and it always made her want him more. He was always so happy.

The door opened quietly and she looked at it. It was Aro. “Hello Aro.” she said and stood up from the vanity. “Are you taking our news okay?” she asked and gave him a small hug.

He smiled stiffly and pulled away from her. “Is something wrong Aro?” she asked and backed away, hitting the stool to the vanity.

“Oh nothing unparticular.” he said and stared at her. Her hair was long as normal, but it was loose, normally she put it into a braid to keep it from getting tangled. Her night gown was short and a light pink color. “I don’t see why you wear that, you don’t sleep.”

“Maybe not, but it makes me feel human.” she said and sat down on the stool, spinning back to the mirror. “Besides, Marcus and I will be living with humans for a while, there is no reason why we shouldn’t at least act human” she added sarcastically.

Aro ground his teeth together and sneered. “So… How long do you think we will be gone with Marcus?” he asked, but Didyme heard the harsh sneer behind the question.

“Why do you hate Marcus so? He has given you nothing but honor and he’s given me pure happiness and bliss.” she said and looked at him through the mirror. Why was he acting this way?

Aro walked closer to Didyme. If he couldn’t keep Marcus here, then he would make sure he stayed here, Didyme was taking Marcus away from him and he wasn’t going to let that happen.

He quickly sliced his claws through her shoulder, the arm falling off. She stood up and kicked Aro in defense, sending him flying across the room. “Why Aro?” she asked weakly and put her hand to her shoulder, feeling her dormant blood.

“You will not take Marcus away from me!” he growled and lunged at her, taking her down and slicing his claws through her other arm. She fought fruitlessly and watched Aro as he brought his mouth down on her neck, severing her off from her body. He stood up from her figure and grabbed her fidgeting arm, throwing it on her pile of severed limbs. He took a match and lit it, throwing it onto her body. He watched as her limbs twitched in the flame and smoked into ashes.

--M--

One Week Later

Marcus came back to the coven house late in the afternoon, with three new newborns with unique powers, just for Aro. He ran into the main room and saw the despairing faces of the vampires. “What happened?” he asked and grabbed a younger vampire by the shoulder. She looked up at him and instant fear ran through her bones. “What happened?” he asked again and shook her shoulder.

“Ask Aro.” she answered and sprinted away in a blur.

“What?” he asked out loud and bewildered. He sprinted into Aro’s office, where Caius was with Suplicia and Athenodora. “What’s happened?” he asked loudly and stared at Aro furiously.

“I found Didyme.” he said, his voice all serious. “And she was all but a pile of ashes.”

Marcus froze and fell to the ground. Athenodora looked Caius and he shook his head, she looked at Marcus and sighed. Suplicia looked down at Aro and then at Marcus. “Who?” he asked slowly, he could break at any second.

“I have no idea Marcus.” Aro said solemnly and stared at his rigid body. “Get up.”

Marcus stared at him and kept frozen in the spot he was at. Athenodora looked Caius and glared at him. Caius stood up and grabbed Marcus by the arm. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.” He led Marcus away from the room with Athenodora following close behind.

Caius led Marcus into an empty room and Marcus screamed. Caius looked at Athenodora and nodded for her to leave. “Caius?” she asked wearily.

“Just go. I’ll be fine.” Caius said and looked at Marcus, he continued to scream. “He just needs to get it out. Tell Aro to go ahead.” Athenodora nodded and disappeared. “Go ahead and scream Marcus, it will be over with soon.” Caius whispered once Athenodora was gone and he shut the door behind her.

Marcus stood up and charged at Caius. He blocked the blow and threw Marcus across the room, breaking a table. “Attacking me won’t make her come back!” he yelled and dodged another attack from Marcus.

--M--

Present Day

Marcus sat in the chair with no thoughts running through his mind. He could feel the power of love radiate off of the vampires who had threatened their lives and felt a pang of misery in his chest. He hadn’t felt that in such a long time. The mortal next to the century old vampire was frightened, she should be. But the vampire was protecting her. He should’ve been there that last week. He could’ve taken her with him and then they could’ve run off. Why didn’t they?

He looked at Aro and stood up. He couldn’t take this much longer. If he had to take one more look at those two he was going to be sick. He glared at them and walked away. If not for some unknown force he would not be here any longer. He hated his life. With out her… life was pointless.

He wandered aimlessly and eventually found himself in a secret garden. Took him years to find this. Actually he was with… Didyme when he did. She loved the place, for she went there many times before she was excluded from the rest of the fortress and he tried to go there just to remind him that she did exist, that she did make him whole, that she did make everything around him seem right. “Damn it!” he yelled and sat down in the garden. “Why can’t I be with her?” he asked out loud and cried in pain.

Becoming Jane

Written By: Jasper-is-a-God
You can find the original here:
All credit goes to the author

Chapter One – Do You Not Understand Quiet?

I couldn't help it. I screamed. “Oh my God!” I shouted, jumping up and down. “I can't believe it!”

My older sister Bethany laughed. “Neither can I,” she agreed, watching my celebration dance. Bethany was twenty-eight, and when Dad died, she was old enough to take care of me. She and her husband Eric watch over me, and in return, I babysit their daughter, Lizzie.

“I got the part,” I breathed. I had always loved acting, and I had just auditioned for my biggest role yet in a vampire movie called New Moon. I went for snippy little Jane, and I'd just found out I'd gotten the part.

The sound of the garage door opening startled us both. But it was just Eric coming in. Bethany kissed him briefly, than said, “Sasha's got some good news.”

Eric turned to me, brows raised. “Oh?” he asked with token interest.

“I got the part!” I screamed. “I'm Jane in New Moon!” I smiled hugely as Eric clapped my shoulder in what was for Eric a pretty big display of emotion.

“Well, congrats, kid!” Eric congratulated, smiling proudly. Then all of us heard a wail from upstairs.

“Oops.” I bit my lip. My screaming had waken Lizzie up. “I'll get her,” I offered and climbed the stairs to Lizzie's room.

She was crying, of course, I picked her up out of her crib and rocked her until she fell asleep again. I placed her gently back in her crib and flew back down the stairs to Bethany and Eric. “Can I call Jennifer?” I asked breathlessly.

“Of course,” Bethany told me earnestly, and I ran to my cell. Jennifer was speed dial 1, of course; a best friend has privileges.

“Hello?” Jennifer said when she picked up.

“JEN!” I screeched.

“Sash!” Bethany warned. “Lizzie's asleep!”

“WHAT?” Jen screamed back.

“Hold on a sec, I have to go outside so I don't wake up Lizzie.” I dashed out the back door and onto the deck. When I was safely away, I yelled at the top of my lungs, “I got the part! I'm Jane in New Moon!”

“Oh my GOD!” Jennifer screamed, as excited as me. “That is ah-frickin-mazing!”

“I know, right?” I responded. “I am so excited! I can hardly believe it!”

“Omigod, Sash, you'll get to meet Rob Pattinson!” We both shared a swoon moment. “And Kellan Lutz, and all the other hotties on set! Oh, wow, I am so jealous. If I could only get one glance at RPattz, my life would be complete...” She sighed contentedly.

“Dude, come visit me on set, and you can meet Rob,” I shrugged. I definitely would get to meet Rob, because Jane and Edward have a face-off type deal, but I didn't know if Jennifer would get to meet him too. Then I realized something. “Oh, Jen, guess what?”

“What?” Jennifer demanded.

“I get to burn Rob with my mind!” I squealed, remembering what Jane could do—and did do—to Edward. “Oh my God, if a year ago today someone told me I would be burning Rob Pattinson with my mind in the near future, I would have told them to lay off the marijuana. But now—oh wow!”

“Do you know when shooting starts?” Jen asked.

“March,” I told her.

“Good, we'll be back from Italy then,” Jennifer said, sounding satisfied.

“Oh yeah, that's right, you guys are going to Italy.” Jennifer's dad had been promising to take Jen, her brothers Nick and Evan, and her mom to Italy for at least two years, and now they were finally going on a three-week Italian tour. I was going to miss her, sure, but I had March to look forward to, and lines to memorize.

“JENNIFER!” I heard Nick-or-Evan scream in the background. “GET OFF THE FREAKIN' PHONE!”

“I guess that's your cue, huh?” I laughed teasingly. “Talk to you later, Jen.”

“Later, Sasha.” She hung up, and I flipped my phone shut.

I reentered the house, significantly quieter than before. “I think I have it all out of my system,” I told Bethany and Eric when I reached them. Bethany laughed.

“Good,” she declared. “Though I hope you're not too quiet for celebratory shopping and movie night...” She trailed off and raised her dark eyebrows at me.

“Girl stuff,” Eric muttered, and made his escape. I laughed.

“Never too quiet for shopping,” I agreed.

We spent the rest of the day in Delia's trying on jeans, Aéropostale trying on t-shirts, and Sephora trying on crazy purple glitter eyeliner. I had so much fun, but was totally exhausted by the time Bethany and I reached the white house. I crawled right into bed, my purchases around me, and fell asleep instantly.

Chapter 2 – A Very Delicate Situation

“Jane, Jane, dear one,” came an unfamiliar voice.

I blinked. I had been zoning, and I shook my head to dispel the rest of the fog. I looked around for the voice, and for the Jane he'd been addressing, and then wondered where the hell I was. I was in a big room, one that was nearly cave-like. It was perfectly round, and had at least thirty-foot ceilings. I glanced up at the slits of windows at the top of the sienna brick walls and was reminded of a castle. On the ground, there were three chairs that were very nearly thrones. Only one was occupied, by a man with skin the texture of tissue paper; clouded, pale red eyes; and long, flowing black hair that reached the floor.

Okay, I thought to myself. Weird dream. It's okay, Sasha, just too much shopping.

Then I realized the strange man was looking directly at me. “Jane, dearest, are you quite all right?”

I paused. Was he talking to me? He seemed to be waiting for an answer, and I had to speak. The only thing I could come up with, though, was, “My name's not Jane. It's Sasha.” My voice sounded different. It was higher, less husky than my own, and it rang out clear like sleigh bells.

The man chuckled. The sound was gritty, like sand, but still smooth, and slightly raspy. “Jane, you silly girl, why do you play such games with me?” he asked. “Sasha, indeed. Do you need to look at yourself in a mirror to double check?”

I knew he was teasing me—or Jane—but I took him up on his offer. “Yes, please,” I asked politely. My voice was still the one I'd used before. The man threw me a bemused glance, but found an ornately framed pewter hand mirror and handed it to me. Cautiously, I glanced in it.

Involuntarily, I gasped. I had a round, pale face framed with short, light hair. My lips were a full, perfect double curve. But what really got me was the eyes. They were a frightening shade of crimson, a flaming scarlet with a bit of black in them to dilute their color. It was in the eyes that I put two and two together. In the book New Moon, Bella, Edward, and Alice met the Volturi. In the Volturi was Aro, with his paper-thin skin and flowing hair. And they met Jane, with her full lips and light brown hair.

My stomach dropped to my knees. This man was Aro. And I was Jane. How could this have happened? The Volturi weren't real. None of this was real. I was sure it was all a dream. But when I pinched myself, I could still see the tiny white hands and the uncharacteristic clothes. “Holy crap,” I mumbled under my breath. The sound was so quiet I wouldn't have thought anyone could hear it. But through hours of audition prep poring over New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn taught me to know better. I was sure Aro heard it.

He turned to stare at me with a quizzical expression on his fragile features. “Jane, what is the matter?” he asked tentatively. He reached out, as if to touch me, but at the last second I remembered Aro's power. If he touched me, he could read every single thought I'd had since birth. Consequently, he would realize that he, the rest of the Volturi, and the vampire population were fictional. He couldn't know that I was a real human girl trapped in a fictional world. I wasn't sure what would happen, but I knew it would not be good.

I knew that if I were to keep up the facade, I'd have to act like Jane. In what I recalled from the books, Jane was seemingly angelic and innocent, but menacing underneath. I smiled in my best part-innocent-part-evil way. Hell, I wasn't an actress for nothing. “Where are the others?” I asked casually. I knew Jane-Jane would know, but Sasha-Jane didn't, and I was curious.

“I told you, didn't I?” Aro's question seemed rhetorical. “They're getting some food.”

“Oh.” I let the subject drop. Just at that moment, I heard a gaggle of voices coming from just outside the closed door. Aro smiled widely, showing no teeth.

“Lunchtime,” he declared. “Come in!” he called to the others, more loudly.

The door opened. A human woman, who by her description looked to be the secretary Gianna, led a group of tourists into the room. Behind them were the rest of the Volturi: Caius, Marcus, Heidi, Alec—who was supposed to be my twin, and for good reason; Sasha-Jane looked just like him—Demetri, and Felix.

“Hello, hello!” Aro called enthusiastically to the tourists. Smiling in my new half-and-half way, I scanned the tourists with no glimmer of interest. But then I saw a familiar-looking boy, and I did a double take. This kid looked exactly like Jennifer's brother Evan. I looked around him, and gasped.

No. No, no, no, no, no.

This was the week Jennifer and her family were visiting Italy. And, of course, they were part of the Volturi's lunch plan.

What do you do when you have to suck your best friend and her family completely dry? You do what I did. I bolted.

Chapter 3 – The Truth Gets Out—Sort Of

I kept running, through an abandoned back road. No one would see me there. With my newfound vampire speed, I was invincible. But then, as I was running, I had time to think. Just because I ran away didn't mean that the rest of the Volturi wouldn't kill Jen and her family. I had to go back, and face the others, but how? Aro would be undoubtedly confused by my odd behavior, but that was insignificant. My main task was to save Jennifer.

I did a 180 and started running back to Volterra, and to the castle I'd left behind. The image of the place the Volturi called home was burned into my memory, both vampire and human, and I had no trouble finding my way again.

“Jane, you've returned!” Aro cried.

“Yes, Master,” I replied, slipping into Jane's character again.

“I'm so glad you've joined us.” Then he told me in a low voice that the humans discussing amongst themselves wouldn't detect, “We waited for you to come back before we fed. Once they are gone, I would like to know what just happened.”

“Yes, Master,” I repeated submissively. Then, a plan hatched itself in my head, and I shot at the chance. “Master, would you mind very much if I took a few and fed somewhere private? I'm not feeling quite sociable today.” I hoped that performance would be enough to convince Aro.

“Of course, dear one. I understand,” Aro told me earnestly. I smiled, and looked toward Jennifer and her family.

“Hey, Jane, dibs on that meaty American,” Felix added, still speaking too quietly for humans to detect, and gesturing toward a heavyset, balding, textbook-touristy man. I nodded in acknowledgment, then stood up and walked to the group. The buzzing conversation came to an abrupt stop, and an aisle parted for me to walk down.

“I need you, you, you, you, and...and you.” I pointed to Jennifer's parents, brothers, and reluctantly to Jennifer herself. “Come with me,” I told them brusquely. They followed without so much as an argument. I took them out of the castle-room, out of the posh reception room and past Gianna, out to a secluded hall that would be out of the earshot of Aro and the others.

“What is it?” Jen asked boldly. I resisted the urge to smile, trying to channel my inner Jane and not be her crazy best friend Sasha.

“Jennifer, not now,” Jennifer's dad hissed. “I'm sorry ma'am. What do you need?”

“You have to get out of here. Now.” My dangerous tone contrasted with my soprano voice. “Never get into a situation like that again. You all were in very serious danger back there. How did you get there?”

“That hot girl, Heidi, was our tour guide, and she led us there,” piped up Nick in typical eighth-grade-boy fashion. I tried not to roll my eyes. Luckily, Jennifer did it for me.

“Don't be such a boy, Nick,” she said impatiently. Then she turned to me. “How do we know you're telling the truth? You could be the one putting us in danger.”

“Look, honey, if you were in danger of me, I wouldn't be telling you to run now,” I pointed out, fed up. This was so Jennifer. Why couldn't she be submissive and meek? Did she have to be so Jen-ish? Whatever the reason, it was so typical of Jennifer to be so stubborn.

“Jennifer, that's quite enough,” Jennifer's mom scolded.

“Enough chitchat,” I told them. “Go. Now. Before you all get hurt.” None of the five of them moved. Instead, they stayed frozen on the ground. I pulled back my lips and snarled menacingly. I hated to be mean, but they weren't going to listen to me any other way. “Go!” I urged, and without a word, Jennifer's family was gone.

Chapter Four – But I'm Just an Actress!

I returned to the cave-castle place. The humans were gone, and the members of the Volturi were scattered around, talking amongst themselves. Caius and Marcus were now sitting in the empty thrones, and I took a seat next to Alec.

“How was your meal?” he asked politely with a frighteningly even smile.

“Good,” I lied. Alec looked at me long and hard, but shrugged and turned away, releasing me from his scrutinizing eyes that might have known the truth.

Aro turned to me, and I cringed. I was going to have to make something up, and fast. “Jane, dear one, would you care to tell me what's troubling you?”

I paused to buy myself some time. I stared around at the faces that were looking at me expectantly. Then I decided that this was between Aro and me, and that I needed to speak with him in private. “Master, may we take this to a more private setting?” I implored. Aro stood. I recalled reading about Renata and how she was always so close to Aro. She stood with Aro.

“Renata, darling, this is between Jane and me,” Aro insisted firmly. Renata dropped her hand and stepped back from Aro almost reverently. Aro offered his arm to me, but I knew better than to take it. Instead, I mumbled something incomprehensible even to my ears, and Aro placed his arm back at his side.

We walked to a dark, echoing hallway. “Jane, I don't know what's with you. You tell me your name is Sasha, and you refuse to touch me. Then you run at the sight of our meal, come back, and then take a few away. I know you didn't feed on those humans, Jane. Your eyes are partially black.” He glanced at me smugly. Damn the eyes. “So are you going to tell me what's going on or not?”

“Not,” I decided swiftly. “I can't tell you.”

Aro looked amused. “You can't?” he verified. Something dangerous flashed in his milky red eyes.

“I can't,” I repeated.

“Jane, you will,” Aro said firmly. His stare was hard. And I crumbled under it.

“I'm not Jane,” I said in a low rush. “I'm just an actress playing, um, someone like Jane” —even now, I wasn't stupid enough to tell Aro he was a fictional character— “in a movie, and somehow I went to sleep and woke up and I was Jane! I don't know what the hell happened or anything, but I'm a human girl and I don't drink blood and my name really is Sasha and I'm not Jane!”

I bit my lip as Aro took this in with an awed expression. “A human girl?” Aro finally asked, bemused. “And not Jane? How is that possible? It isn't...”

“I know, I don't know how it happened either. All I know is that I hate being a vampire and I want to go back.” I didn't mean to confess that, it had just slipped out. It probably put another strike against me that I had just told the big daddy of all vamps that I hated being one.

“Well, it was delightful that you would get to take Jane's place for a while, but I think it's time for that silly nonsense to end, Sasha.” Aro smiled evilly. In the seconds that followed, I realized what was about to happen. I desperately scrambled around in my head for an excuse.

“If you kill me, the real Jane, wherever she is, won't have a body to come back to. You like Jane, don't you? You wouldn't want to lose her, would you?” I challenged daringly.

Aro pondered then, and it was almost too much to take, the waiting. I closed my eyes, willing the process to speed up. Then a familiar noise played directly in my ear.

Is that...Evanescence?

I opened my eyes. It was dark, and I couldn't see. I reached blindly for a light, and found the lamp that always sat on my bedside table. Why was that there? I flipped the switch, hope bubbling in my chest at finding the lamp. Light flooded the room, and in the newfound illumination, I saw where I was. I was in my bedroom. The song “The Only One” was the source of the Evanescence music, coming from my iPod that I use to fall asleep. I ripped out the ear buds.

“What the—?” I muttered. Then I spoke louder. “My voice! It's back!” I cheered. Belatedly, I realized it was late at night, and toned down my voice. I was glad to be rid of Jane's girlie soprano and back to my own husky alto. I grabbed a fistful of matted dark brown curls, which were obviously mine. I laughed out loud in complete relief. I was Sasha again.

Somehow, I had stopped being Jane.

Epilogue – Heidi's a Stupid Name Anyway

Jennifer's signature ringtone started jingling away in my bag. I tore through it anxiously, hoping not to miss her call, and got it at the last second. “Hey, Jen!” I exclaimed. “How's packing going?”

“Great! I just called to double-triple-quadruple check that I'd packed everything,” Jennifer told me.

“Well, shoot! What do you have?” I prompted.

“I have a week's worth of clothing that my mom will wash so I can rewear it, that $150 that Grandpa Edward gave me, five bras, seven pairs of underwear, my running shoes, my red satin heels, my black heels, my brown flats, tons of socks, my digital camera and memory card, and that red dress I bought that one time at H&M.”

“Sounds good. But don't wear your running shoes out because you'll look super-touristy and like a nerdy American,” I advised. “Wear the flats out, and the running shoes if necessary. Wear the black heels with the red dress instead of the red heels so you don't look matchy-matchy. And take that cropped leather jacket that your Aunt Alice bought you. It's cute and it'll go with the dress and whatever else you took. Did you bring your dark wash skinnies?”

“Yeah.”

“Wear them with the red heels out to eat or something. Okay, enough with clothes. Kiss a cute Italian boy for me. And don't take too many pictures so you won't look touristy. Honestly, running shoes and cameras constantly clicking are a dead giveaway.”

“Sounds good to me.”

“Oh, Jennifer, one more thing.”

“Hmmmm?”

“If you meet a tour guide in Volterra named Heidi, don't follow her. No matter how beautiful she is.”

“Um, why?” Obviously Jen had forgotten that part of New Moon.

“I just had a weird dream about evil beautiful girls named Heidi leading people to their deaths.”

“You're the strangest person I know, Sash.”

“Just don't, 'kay? I'll rest easier.”

“'Kay, then. I'll call you from Florence.”

“Talk to you in Florence. Have fun on the plane. Bye, Jen.”

“See ya, Sash.”

I dropped the phone back into my bag and picked up the New Moon script. “Yes, Master,” I read in a sickly sweet Jane voice. I was really good at becoming Jane.