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Chapter 4

Bella POV

"Now Bella we need to work on strengthening and controlling your shield." Demetri commented and I nodded my acceptance. "When you used your shield before were you touching Marcus?" I nodded remembering that we were still holding hands when I shielded him. "Jane." Demetri called and I knew what was coming in a sense. Jane appeared in a matter of seconds.

"Yes Demetri?" She asked, seemingly excited at the idea of using her gift on someone. Demetri turned to her.

"You will be hitting Felix with your gift to see if Bella can expand her shield far enough to cover him. Bella stand right there and try to push your shield outward to encase Felix." Demetri said and I wasn't happy with the idea but I nodded slowly. Felix braced himself and nodded while Jane started on him with her power. It was heart wrenching to see Felix down and in agonizing pain. I tried to force my shield out from me and for a few moments, nothing happened. I concentrated harder and harder, closing my eyes and envisioning what I wanted to occur. I was so focused that I didn't notice that Felix had stopped screaming. I held the shield as Jane was still working her power, even though Felix was covered and I held the shield as long as I could. I managed it for about 10 more minutes until I couldn't hold it any longer and the shield snapped back to me. I heard a brief cry of pain from Felix just before Jane stopped her power and I opened my eyes to see that they were all looking at me with awed expressions. Marcus, Aro and Caius were also standing there with the same expression before they finally snapped back to reality.

"Very nicely done Isabella." Aro clapped and smiled widely, breaking the others out of their trance. I felt relieved that I had managed it somewhat easily and I smiled a little. I started to step towards Marcus and felt like I might get dizzy. As I took my next step, I felt the room spin and was instantly cradled by the strong arms of my Marcus.

"I think you may have overdone it a little Cara." He said softly and I felt the world right itself again.

"How long did I keep the shield up Demetri?" I had to ask. Besides I didn't think that a vampire could get dizzy.

"It was about 12 minutes or so Bella. Considering it is your first try, that is extraordinary." He praised with a smile.

"Cara, you need to feed and then rest a little. It has already been a very long day for you." Marcus suggested.

"Yes brother, I think you are right. Heidi, go out to town and find a few humans that won't be missed if you will?" Aro ordered and Heidi nodded, taking off do as he asked. It really had been a long day for me and I was admittedly a little smug at the fact I could already use my shield that long. I looked over at Felix after Marcus allowed me to stand.

"Felix, are you okay? I'm sorry that I couldn't get my shield up faster." I said, worried that I had caused him so much pain. He just smiled at me and shook his head.

"I'm perfectly fine Bella. In fact I am surprised that you shield reached me as quickly as it did." Felix assured me and I smiled at him. I looked over at Jane who wore a smug smile.

"Oh drop the smug Jane. I know that you are enjoying this but really?" I said raising an eyebrow at her. She looked her physical age as her smugness dropped into a frown and I could have sworn I heard her mutter something close to "killjoy" under her breath. I knew that most if not all the guard didn't mess with her because she could cause them pain so I started to smile at this. I had one up on her and I had to laugh at the thought of her crestfallen face when she figures out that I could pick and jab at her without retaliation.

"What are you smiling and laughing about Cara?" Marcus asked slightly amused and the others looked like they were both amused and curious.

"Oh, nothing. I was just picturing the crestfallen and pouting look that will be on Jane's face once she realizes that she can't use her power against me and I intend to thoroughly enjoy that privilege." I said. Their amusement turned to outright laughter as they processed my words and I dared a look over at Jane. The look she wore was exactly as I had pictured and I just couldn't stop laughing. Jane got irritated of course and lunged toward me and Marcus. I knew that she was headed for me, but the urge to protect my mate was very strong and I got in the defensive crouch and braced for a fight. Suddenly, out of nowhere, Jane was flying backwards through the air and I saw no one around her. She impacted with the wall and stood slowly but was resigned to stop the fight she started.

"What the hell was that?" I asked as the rest in the room stood in stunned silence.

"It looks like you aren't just a mental shield my dear but a physical one as well." Aro said still slightly dazed. Huh, well isn't that handy?

"Wait, I did that?" I asked and they all nodded smiling in slight amusement. "Huh, well anyway we can practice with that later. Can you send for me when Heidi returns?" I asked looking at Aro. "Marcus and I need a little private time and I should rest a little." Aro smiled widely and took my hand, bringing it to his lips for a light kiss.

"Of course my dear. I will have someone retrieve you once she returns." I nodded and looked over to Jane.

"Jane I am sorry, I didn't mean to do that to you." I said to her. Her defensive posture had since relaxed and she smiled at me. She nodded in acceptance of my apology and I could see that she would no longer attack me.

Marcus and I walked off back to his chambers located just off of his personal study. We walked in comfortable silence until we entered the bedroom. I sat on the edge of the bed and Marcus sat next to me, still holding onto my hand. I leaned into his shoulder as he released my hand and wrapped his arms around me. He repositioned himself on the bed so that now my head rested firmly onto his broad chest. I sighed in contentment. I was for the first time in a very long time, home. I felt safe and cared for in his arms and although we both agreed that we could take it slow and get to know one another, I wasn't entirely sure that I would be able to deny our attraction for much longer. I cuddled into him and he shifted from his seated position to lay me on the bed. He lay next to me for some time until there was a knock on the door.

"Come in." Marcus announced. In stepped Demetri alerting us that Heidi had returned and was waiting in the throne room. I stood from the bed with a reluctant groan, but I knew that I needed to feed. Marcus chuckled lightly at me and we walked back towards the throne room hand in hand. After I was fed, I felt refreshed and ready for anything. Aro decided that I needed to be involved in some of the day to day business so we remained in the throne room.

"Bella my dear there is a matter that has come to our attention and we believe that it is necessary for you to be involved as it pertains to you." Aro stated.

"What is it Aro?" I asked now curious to see what this matter was all about.

"It seems that there is a vampire creating a newborn army near Seattle with the intent to destroy you." He said. Blunt much?

"Victoria?" I said and he nodded. If I were still human then I would be quaking in fear, but now I was surprisingly calm. Damn her. Always trying to ruin what little happiness I would find in my life. "What should we do with her and the army?" I asked, refusing to simply let others handle the situation.

"Since you have made such remarkable progress with your abilities and the discovery of your physical shield, we need to intercept the newborn army and destroy them along with their maker. They not only pose a threat to you but they are also starting to cause a stir with the humans. Since that is the case, you and some of the guard members will head to Seattle and contain the situation. I have also contacted the Cullens and they have gotten word they are headed towards Forks." He said. I nodded. I would have to make sure that Charlie isn't harmed in the process of all this. "I am putting you in charge of the matter since you seem to be who she is after but Felix and Demetri will be your personal guards for your own protection."

"So does that mean that Marcus would not be accompanying me?" I asked.

"I am afraid my dear that Marcus must remain here for now. If the situation gets any worse, we all would have to be present to deal out our punishment. If and only if it is possible, Victoria is to be returned here so that she may face her proper punishment." I nodded in acceptance still clinging tightly to Marcus' hand. So many lives had been destroyed or ended by her vendetta and a part of me understood her grief, but I would have reserved my vengeance for the appropriate person if it were me. She was hell bent on taking her revenge and it was apparent that many more would suffer if she wasn't stopped. I knew that I had to do something.

"When do we leave?" I asked.

"As soon as you are ready my dear." Aro said and we dispersed to our own tasks. Markus walked back to the room with me and I flopped rather unceremoniously onto the bed while Marcus chuckled lightly at my childish action. I really had been having a crazy first day as a newborn vampire and I wondered if the madness would ever stop. I was so deep in thought that I hadn't realized Marcus had pulled me to lie with him on the bed, our backs propped on the headboard. I looked up at him to see he was staring at me intently with so much emotion in his eyes.

"I am so torn Marcus. I feel like I need to go and stop Victoria from all this madness, but yet I do not really want to see her at all. I wanted all this psycho vengeance thing to end and I feel something needs to be done and yet I can't seem to bear the thought of leaving you here." I said as I snuggled closer into his chest. Several hours later I needed to get up and pack some essentials for my return to Forks. I didn't need much but I would be ready for what was to come. Thinking of Forks reminded me of Jake and the realization that I hadn't contacted him as I had originally planned. I hoped that he would forgive me and that we could somehow still be friends. Marcus hadn't said much and I was thankful for the quiet time. I needed it and I believed that he knew that. We were getting ready to go to the jet when Marcus spoke.

"Cara, please be safe and return to me. I lost Didyme and it nearly killed me, but to lose you now that I have only just found you would end my existence. I love you." He said trailing off to a whisper towards the end. I truly didn't want to leave this man here without me.

"I love you Marcus." I said and kissed him with everything I had. I would return to him, or die trying.

Well let me know whatcha think. Sorry it has taken me longer than usual. Please R&R.