Eleazar POV.
Eleazar Denali had once been part of the Volturi Guard, something which he neither regretted nor was thankful. In that time of his life, his mind had been undecided, and he'd stayed with Aro for convenience rather than freewill. When he met Carmen, it was like shining a light into the dark; he suddenly found a purpose to his endless, immortal life. So when the letter from Volterra arrived, he was unsure as whether to be cautious or joyful that he would once again reunite with his old friends in Italy.
Tanya, Irina and Carmen had been out when the letter came; only Kate was in the house. Even decades later, he still recognised Aro's personal seal with a crystal clarity. His relief was palpable when he discovered it wasn't a death sentence, but a requirement of his gift to assess a recent recruit to the guard.
Setting the cream envelope on his desk, Eleazar sighed. He hated leaving Carmen; normally he would insist she accompany him, but with it being the Volturi he was... hesitant. Kate's smooth voice broke him out of his reverie.
"What is it that has she in such a thoughtful state?"
He smiled briefly at his surrogate daughter.
"A summons from Volterra."
Kate's face tightened, and her lips pursed.
"And you are going."
It was a statement rather than a question. Eleazar frowned and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"I must."
Kate looked as though she might argue for a moment, but then her face settled in a mask of resigned acceptance.
"You will tell Carmen when she gets back, yes?"
He nodded.
"I wish I could stay, but I don't want to anger Aro..." he trailed off. Kate's eyes were sympathetic.
"Will Carmen accompany you?"
"No, I don't want her at risk. Not that that is the case, but you canm never know Aro's intentions."
Kate sighed softly.
"Yes, I suppose you are right. She will not want to stay behind though."
"I trust you will take care of her, Kate?"
"Of course. Pack your bags. The sooner you're back the better," she added darkly, before flitting away.
"I couldn't agree more," Eleazar murmured.
Jane POV.
Since the incident the other day, Jane had gone out of her way to avoid Volterra's newest inhabitant. Normally she would disregard Felix and Demetri's words without a second thought, but something in their eyes as they told her of the demonic Isabella, made her extremely wary, and just a tad fearful.
The last time she'd seen the girl had been when she'd had her first feast, and back then she had been white-faced and positive in the belief she was a monster. So how could it be a timid little thing like her could strike such fear into the hearts of vampires she had known for decades. Who knew? But until she had some proof of the girl's power, or lack of it, she was going to steer well clear. The compulsion of Master Aro broke her from her thoughts, and she hastened to the throne room. Alec joined her outside the doors, offering her a small nod.
"Sister."
She inclined her head, and strode through the door. Inside, Aro, Caius and Marcus were convened on their thrones. A dark-haired male who had his back to her, stood slightly in the shadows.
"Ah, Jane!" Aro greeted her warmly, an excited gleam in his eye.
She bowed her head, before raising her eyes once more to the three rulers.
"Master," she murmured. She heard Alec repeat the greeting.
"I need you to fetch Miss Swan from her room, my dear. Eleazar has arrived to assess her."
Jane blinked as the tall visitor turned.
"Eleazar Denali," she narrowed her eyes. He inclined his head.
"Jane." She kept mher gaze on him for a moment longer before turning back to Aro.
"By your leave, sir?"
He waved his hand, " You may go."
Jane nodded and left, feeling slight trepidation. She wasn't eager to meet the girl once more. Flitting down the passageways, she finally arrived at the girl's room. Feeling courteous, she knocked softly on the door.
"May I come in?"
There was a pause.
"Who is it?" Bella asked. Jane frowned.
"Jane."
There was the sound of faint footsteps before the door swung open, revealing to Jane's intense relief, the same girl she had seen a few days ago. Today, Bella was dressed in slim fit jeans and a grey camisole, with a burgundy jacket. Jane thought it complimented her brilliant ruby eyes.
"Master Aro wishes to see you," she snapped. Bella scowled slightly but with a sigh stepped into the corridor.
"Hurry up!" Jane hissed, an intense feeling of impatience and anxiety coursing through her as she turned her back to the girl. Bella's soft steps could be heard behind her, as the pair waltzed down the many floors to the throne room. As she entered the familiar surroundings, Jane let out the pent up breath she didn't know she'd been holding. Then, rearranging her composure, she walked to stand beside Alec, who was watching Bella with careful eyes.
"Anything different?" he murmured imperceptibly.
"Nothing," Jane whispered, her gaze glued to the silent female. Eleazar shifted in the corner of her vision and an emotion she couldn't describe flashed across his face.
Aro descended from his throne, a curious smile on his face.
"Bella, where are my manners? How are you? Is your accommodation comfortable?"
Bella nodded mutely, looking shiftily from Aro to Eleazar and back.
"They are to my liking," she replied quietly, her red eyes darting around the room.
"You haven't had any more...episodes?" Aro pressed, his gaze piercing.
"No," Bella answered shortly. "None."
"Interesting," Aro mused, his hands a steeple under his chin.
He gestured to Eleazar, who stepped slowly into the light.
"Bella, this is Eleazar Denali from Alaska."
Bella's eyes immediately fixed on his golden ones.
"Miss Swan, it is a pleasure to meet you. Aro has told me a lot."
Bella looked indecisive for a moment before her face cleared.
"All good, I hope."
Eleazar smiled.
"He sings of praise."
Jane seethed silently, and Alec stifled a laugh at his jealous sibling.
"Eleazar is gifted with the ability to read the talents in others," Aro told Bella, who was looking more wary by the second.
"I have asked him if he would assess you. Is that acceptable, Bella?"
Bella frowned, "I guess."
Aro inclined his head and took a step back to allow Eleazar room.
"Bella, I want you to look into my eyes," he murmured. She took a quick breath before locking her ruby red irises onto Eleazar's yellow. They were both silent for a moment before a frown appeared on his face. Breaking their gaze, he turned to Aro.
"I'm not sure how to say this, my friend, but I can assure you...the girl has no power that I can sense. The only slight problem would be if she were a shield but as I understand, her power does not manifest that way."
Aro nodded his head, his eyes brooding.
"She is not a shield, no she is something much more."
Eleazar glanced at Bella, his gaze surprisingly hard.
"That much I can tell," he murmured.
"If you have no further use of my services Aro..."
"Go in peace, Eleazar," Aro said distractedly. Eleazar nodded, his face unreadable, and after giving Aro, Caius and Marcus a respectful bow, and nodding to Jane and Alec, left the room wordlessly.
"You are an enigma, my dear," Aro sighed.
"Alec, escort her back to her room would you?"
Alec nodded and beckoned Bella, who followed without question. Meeting her gaze once, Jane glared at her but then she was gone. Aro immediately vanished, followed by Caius, whose face was like a thunderstorm. Only Marcus and Jane remained, the former lost in thought, and the latter scowling.
"Jealousy can warp even the most tender of minds, Jane," Marcus' voice rasped. Her eyes widened; he had never spoken directly to her.
"You would do well to remember that."
And then Marcus too, left. Jane sunk onto one of the many benches that skirted the room. He was just a batty old fool, depressed and mournful. His advice was worthless. But deep in the recesses of her mind, Jane had a niggling feeling Marcus was right.
Eleazar POV
Eleazar was bemused. The Swan girl. Where had he heard that name before? He'd have to ask the rest of his coven- perhaps they'd know. As the plane hit the runway, he felt a lightness in his heart, as he neared Carmen and his daughters. Soon he'd be home. Bella Swan was nothing more than a fleeting image in the constancy of his life. She'd never bother him again.
As he left the plane, he wondered how his old friend, his adoptive brother, Carlisle, was faring. Last he'd heard, they'd had to move on a spur of the moment choice by the youngest son, Edward. What was it Esme had said? Something about a human girl called B-. Eleazar froze. Impossible. If it was true...
Reaching for his phone, he scrolled down the contacts until he reached 'Cullen'. He pressed call. Alice answered within three rings.
"Eleazar," her voice sounded faintly less exuberant than usual,
"What can I do for you?"
"Alice, everyone needs to here this," he said, slightly breathless from the revelation.
"Wait a moment," she said, her voice distant, "You're on speaker."
A chorus of greetings from his family echoed down the line.
Carlisle spoke, "Brother, how can we help?"
"Is Edward there?"
There was a silence and Eleazar could hear the tension crackling down the line.
"He is... elsewhere. Can we take a message?"
"He had a girlfriend, didn't he?"
"Bella, yes."
"Where is she now?" Eleazar asked hurriedly, desperate to know.
"In Forks, she's living with her father-"
"No. No she isn't."
Another pause.
"What do you mean, Eleazar," Esme's voice sounded worried, "Nothing's happened to her, I hope. She is alright, isn't she?"
Eleazar took a deep breath.
"Aro summoned me to assess a new recruit. He said she was different, had a gift that he'd never seen the likes of before. Naturally I had to go. It's her-"
"Oh my God," Alice whispered.
"It's Bella Swan."
And there is the next chapter. Hope you liked it!
