I didn't even meet her gaze. I watched Edward from the prison of Alice's arms, still struggling pointlessly.

"He's fine," Alice whispered in a tight voice. As she spoke, he sat up, and then sprang lightly to his feet. His eyes met mine, and they were horror-struck.

Everyone took in a breath, waiting for what was coming next.

At first I thought the horror was for what he had just suffered. But then he looked quickly at Jane, and back to me – and his face relaxed into relief.

"Yes!" Edward and everyone else cheered.

"So, explain that one," Jasper challenged, raising his eyebrow. "Jane's gift is very different from Edward's and Aro's."

"Hmmm," Carlisle said truly thoughtful. "I don't know. What is it that all three of those gifts have in common – that isn't true about your own or Alice's."

"Didn't you say it before?" Edward said to Jasper. "It wouldn't have mattered if I stood in front of Bella or not...Jane's gift isn't like a bullet going at you..."

"She targets you in her mind!" Carlisle exclaimed. "They all work within the mind, but your gift is emotions...you change the entire climate of the room, physically change it..."

"Wow!" Jasper said his eyes going wide. "That would mean that Bella would be immune to most powers out there."

"Yes…quite the talent," Carlisle mused.

Edward just beamed at that.

I looked at Jane, too, and she no longer smiled. She glared at me, her jaw clenched with the intensity of her focus. I shrank back, waiting for the pain.

Nothing happened.

Edward was by my side again. He touched Alice's arm, and she surrendered me to him.

Aro started to laugh. "Ha, ha. ha," he chuckled. "This is wonderful!"

Jane hissed in frustration, leaning forward like she was preparing to spring.

"Er... I don't really like the idea of Jane being mad at Bella like that," Edward shivered.

"Don't worry Eddy, there's nothing she could do," Emmett chuckled.

"Don't be put out, dear one," Aro said in a comforting tone, placing a powder-light hand on her shoulder. "She confounds us all."

Jane's upper lip curled back ever her teeth as she continued to glare at me.

"Ha, ha, ha," Aro chortled again. "You're very brave, Edward, to endure in silence. I asked Jane to do that to me once – just out of curiosity." He shook his head in admiration.

Edward glared, disgusted.

"So what do we do with you now?" Aro sighed.

Edward and Alice stiffened. This was the part they'd been waiting for. I began to tremble.

"I don't suppose there's any chance that you've changed your mind?" Aro asked Edward hopefully. "Your talent would be an excellent addition to our little company."

"Never – not in this existence," Edward said.

Edward hesitated. From the corner of my eye, I saw both Felix and Jane grimace.

Edward seemed to weigh each word before he spoke it. "I'd… rather… not."

"Trying to be a little polite there?" Emmett chuckled.

"Alice?" Aro asked, still hopeful. "Would you perhaps be interested in joining with us?"

"Argh," Alice said making a face. "Where's the fun in that?"

"No, thank you," Alice said.

"And you, Bella?" Aro raised his eyebrows.

Edward growled.

"Is he seriously asking her?" Jasper asked, raising his eyebrow.

"A human that can stop his gift," Carlisle said. "I imagine that would be very intriguing to him."

"Then we'll have to make sure they never come across her," Edward groaned, "or any of us for that matter."

Edward hissed, low in my ears. I stared at Aro blankly. Was he joking? Or was he really asking me if I wanted to stay for dinner?

"No, that's not really what he's asking," Carlisle said. "He would see that as a waste, I'm sure."