There are moments where I really hate my life, or whatever it is you would call it. I know I shouldn’t feel that way, especially with the kind of life that I lead. I should have nothing to complain about, and yet I can’t fight the feeling that something is missing. Yes, my heart no longer beats, and the air I breathe is unnecessary, but that’s not what I’m talking about. Ugh, I don’t even know what I’m talking about.

This is what happens when I you don’t sleep anymore. Not that I remember what it was like before I was changed. Even my new family, the Volturi, consider me a mystery. All I know is that one day, I woke up a vampire without any memories of who I was or how I got here. Aro had taken me under his wing, I think because I fascinated him with how no one’s powers could work on me. Oh yeah, and there is also the part where the scent of human blood makes me sick. The only thing Aro could think of was that I had an aversion to the smell when I was human.

I was still new to this life, only a month old, but everyone treated me like it had been longer since I didn’t suffer from the typical newborn bloodlust. I was a novelty to the Volturi, and I hated all of the sideway glances and the conversations that would abruptly stop when I walked by. Aro was incredibly protective of me, and I know that was the only thing that kept the others from voicing what they were all thinking. But the way Aro would look at me sometimes made my skin crawl.

Ugh! I have to get out of here! I knew there was very little that Aro would deny me, and so I decided to try and weasel my way out of Volterra, even if it would only be a short trip. I just had to get out of this place, and away from all of the blood thirsty, power hungry monsters that surrounded me. It was Aro’s routine to drop by my chamber every morning to check in on me. Quite possibly the least favorite part of my day, but hopefully today would be different. I sat silently on my bed, watching the sunrise through my window, listening for Aro’s approach.

“Isabella, my child!” I forced a smile on my face in response to his entrance, and I really didn’t like the way he used my full name. “How are you this fine morning?” He embraced me in a fatherly hug, and I reciprocated the gesture.

I knew I really should be kinder to my father figure. It was Aro that ‘saved’ me and who explained everything to me when I woke up. From what he told me, I was on the brink of death after being attacked by a couple of rogue vampires, and I would have died if he had not been nearby investigating those vampires for nearly exposing our kind. He really did seem to have my best interests at heart.

“Good morning master. I am well thank you.” Aro beamed, I knew he liked it when I referred to him as master. Now for the hard part, “Master Aro, may I ask you for something?”

Aro seemed amused, “Of course child, you may ask.” And the way he said it told me I could ask, but not to expect anything of it.

I took in an unnecessary breath to steady myself. “Master Aro, I was wondering,” I could feel my courage slipping away with each syllable. I looked down at my feet as I continued, “Is there any way I could visit someplace beyond Volterra? I have no human memories, and I haven’t seen anything beyond the walls of the castle, and well, I was hoping…”

I was cut off by Aro’s laughter. Well this is good; at least he is amused by my request and not angry. “Dear child, such a small request! I was afraid for a moment that you would request something that I would not be able to grant!” He placed his arm around my shoulders, “I was actually going to tell you about an idea I had, and it seems that it will fulfill your request!”

I looked up into his cloudy red eyes, not sure if I could believe my good luck. “Really?”

Aro chuckled at my expression, “Yes dear one. I just got off the phone with an old friend who lives in the states. He is like you, he does not drink from humans.” I could no longer contain the excitement, and was practically bouncing in place. “I was thinking of sending you to spend time with him and his coven to learn how to hunt like they do, and he seemed eager to meet you.”

It was too good to be true! A chance to spend time away from Volterra, and to be around other vampires that didn’t drink human blood! I embraced Aro in a hug with all of my being. I heard him chuckle; he wasn’t used to people hugging him, most likely due to the fact that no one could touch him without him seeing all of their thoughts. “Oh master! Thank you! I promise to be good!” I regained my senses, and realized I had Aro in a bone-crushing hug and quickly released my grip. “Sorry master.”

Aro was beside himself, “Isabella dear, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so happy. It pleases me to see you happy after all this time.” He gave me that creepy look, and I recoiled slightly. I did my best to not betray my true feelings, and urged him to tell me more about my trip. “I will be sending you to a place called Forks, Washington. There you will stay under the guardianship of my friend, Carlisle Cullen and his coven. There are seven of them, and they all drink animal blood like you.”

“That’s an unusually large coven, isn’t it?” From what I have learned about our kind, outside of Volterra, vampires usually only traveled with their mates.

“Yes my dear, they are a mystery to us, and have been for some time.” I thought a saw something flicker in his cloudy eyes, but it was gone before I could get a good read on it. “You can stay with them as long as you like, within reason. I will expect you to check in from time to time, and I may send one of the guard to check in on things. And of course, if you learn of any powers, I expect you to tell me immediately, is that understood?”

I could tell he was trying to hide the threat in his voice at the end, but I heard it despite his efforts. The trick was to hide the fact that I heard the darkness in his voice. “Of course master!” I tried to sound as innocent as possible, and it seemed to work. “I will gladly do as you ask!” This was another aspect of Aro that creeped me out. I think that is why he visited me every morning - to see if I magically developed a power over night. He seemed so sure that I would, but so far, my only talent was my immunity to other’s powers.

“Ah, my dearest Isabella! You truly are a gift!” Aro stood up, and started to head out my door, before turning around one last time. “Carlisle and two of his coven will be arriving in three days to take you to the states with them. Do you think you can wait that long?”

I had to smirk at him, “Yes master, and thank you again.” I bowed my head slightly.

He simply nodded before floating out of my chamber. I laid back on my bed and closed my eyes. The sun had moved so that its warm rays were streaming though my window, and I could feel the warmth on my eyelids. The warmth was so hard to come by as a vampire. I smiled slightly as I felt the sun move in the sky and across my face. In three days, I would be free.