A/N: Congrats to fresh-BLOOD-was-drawn-2night for being the 200th reviewer for this one xx Since I got his name wrong in Chap 8 I've fixed it and it's now Joham xx Alexis
While the hung around in the Rio hotel, Peter was slowly exasperating his mate, he couldn't help it he was so damn proud of her. But Bella didn't want her fifteen minutes of fame, yes; her change was quick, totally under her control and as it turned out pain-free. But did he have to tell everyone, twice?
Once it had started she became aware of a barrier of sorts inside her mind which she was able to pull down and it blocked out the pain of the change for her. As it raged on she felt all the changes to her body, which was strange and slightly uncomfortable. Sensing your bones elongating was mind blowing and hearing your own hair grow, very strange.
But she was able to right away to keep tabs on that and run all her memories good and bad through her mind. Her larger brain capacity was amazing and as she was fully embracing this event it was quicker than with those who fought it. So when she awoke after only fifty-six hours, Bella was able to see and compute everything with ease.
Her motor skills took minutes to master, rather than weeks as she just applied physics to her movements. Remembering how much pressure she'd used as a human and replicating it. It was as if she saw the formulas in her head and just copied them. Seeing with her own eyes the eighth colour in the spectrum was beyond amazing, scientists had been debating its existence for years and she could see it.
The downside was she could also see the dust, dirt and skin debris her body had left behind ...! No wonder vampires showered so often, it was all around her, damn it, the world was grubby! Things she'd once found pleasant, were not as good now. She could hear off-key sounds from everywhere, the clock, the air conditioning, most manmade things.
But nature was beautiful, birdsong was clearer and her ears picked up the higher frequencies too. She heard the beating of a butterfly's wings, the clicking sounds of insects communicating. It was so easy to be distracted by the sheer amount of sound. Then she had the slight problem of being totally and unequivocally entranced by her mate.
Watching his muscles moving under his skin, which was no longer rigid to her touch, was fascinating. Feeling them bunch up and relax repeatedly as they made love was beyond sensual. Everything about him was absolutely enticing. As a human his eyes she'd thought were either red, burgundy or black. But that was like saying all the shades of green humans saw were the same.
In the red were flecks of gold, hints of brown and hues of blue, his human eye colour. The black of passion was deeper and bluer than the black of hunger which held shades of grey. The burgundy was like the fine wine it was named after, fluid and shifting, darkening and lightening with his mood.
How could they get anything done when all she wanted to do was stare at him cataloguing every shade in his hair or counting every hair on his arms? Her love for him now felt like an obsession, she needed to see it all, to know it all. Peter laughed at her saying she'd give him a big head. But Bella knew what she did now; he had done while she slept as a human.
The first two weeks of her life had consisted of the three S's, staring at Peter, having sex with Peter and showering, preferably with Peter. Sometimes she did them individually and sometimes all at the same time, her favourite by far. But now, unfortunately, it was time to rejoin the others because her bloodlust was almost nil and therefore she had no reason to stay away.
She knew it was there it just wasn't the most important thing to her, Peter was. Her lust for him was harder to manage and she often slipped, sometimes by being overwhelmed by her feelings for him, sometimes by design!
"Suga' we have to go soon" Peter had said as she straddled his body on the bed,
"But I want you, no I need you Peter" she'd pouted back at him and like a good mate he had given in yet again.
Eventually, though they had returned to Seattle, to find the place crawling with vampires. The Irish Coven, the Denali Coven, all awaiting the arrival of the Queens and them. This time the staring was at her and Bella didn't like it at all. Some of the congratulations were laced with a little envy and the odd remark from the older vampires.
It was most apparent vampires didn't like different, but they couldn't explain why. As humans different was accepted more, not always granted but way more than vampires do. This was something Bella would need to ponder later, it came across like conditioning. We don't like or want to accept different, who instilled this blind adherence into the vampire psyche and why?
IIBOIIN
Once everyone was ready and Bella introduced to the Queens, Jasper decided it was time to fly out. He and Peter, as well as Rose, all had pilot's licences, so they hired a jet and were on their way to Rio De Janeiro. The two Amazons, Zafrina and Senna would meet them there with Nahuel. His aunt Huilen was staying behind with his other siblings and Kachiri.
The flight was quick and plans were made, or at least scenarios were run through, Jasper hated leaving things to chance and was verging on anal about it. Peter was the antithesis of him and they balanced each other out well. The Queens were happy to let the fabled Major run the show on their behalf. The biggest worry for the female vampires were the women first and the children second.
Bella stayed well in the background with Ashley, at present her biggest problem was Eleazar, he continually stared at her. It was beginning to be on the verge of rudeness,
"I'll place odds of 50 to 1 she'll deck you, Eli!" Emmett said as he also noticed how uncomfortable Bella was becoming,
"What? Who? Odds Emmett!" Eleazar said distractedly barely removing his eyes from Bella.
"Yes, odds that Bella will smack you down on your ass if you don't stop staring at her. She's not a prize exhibit you know and from the growling, in the cockpit, you best make yourself scarce before Peter removes your eyes for you, permanently!" Emmett replied glaring at the older man.
"I apologise, I wasn't aware I was staring at her," Eleazar said to Emmett and Bella hissed, along with Ashley who had also noticed his invasive staring at her previously, before Bella's return,
"I think it's my mate you should be apologisin' to don't you think?" Peter said from directly behind him and Eleazar shuddered.
"My apologies Bella for inadvertently catching you in my gaze. I didn't mean to offend you" he said smarmily, knowing full well how hard he was staring and how rude it was,
"Well, I'd hate for you to intentionally catch my gaze then if that was your idea of inadvertent. Nine minutes and forty-two seconds seems a might excessive for inadvertent, wouldn't you agree?" Bella retorted loudly and everyone looked at Eleazar.
Very few ever called him out on his blatant examinations of them, usually one so young would not have noticed, or at least not the length of time he'd been doing it. She was gifted he knew it, but unlike Ashley, he couldn't pinpoint what it was. After just a few minutes he knew Ashley was a minor tracker or a finder.
But Bella perplexed him. When he first started to watch her she was relaxed and seemed giftless, then as she became aware of his interest in her, a barrier slammed down and stopped him seeing anything from her at all.
"Eli you promised to stop that, it's rude and uncalled for. These are our friends, not conundrums to be solved. This is exactly the behaviour that's gotten Carlisle into trouble, have you no sense?" Carmen spat at him, angry that he felt the need to catalogue everyone; well that's what she thought.
"Eh, old habits are hard to break my dear, I'm sorry to have disappointed you" he replied in a way too rehearsed manner, proving it happened often.
The matter was dropped then and he dared not look at Bella again as Peter spent the rest of the flight glaring at him.
Eleazar was never more pleased to get off a flight and he wondered if that was how people felt when he stared at them, again he shuddered. Then he realised, of course, she was a shield, not just physical, but mental too! He knew if the brother's found out from him about Bella's gift, what his fate would be at her mates hands!
He glanced around quickly and the only people looking at him were Bella herself and Peter. No one knew he was still working for the Volturi on the quiet, it might be about to come back to bite him if Aro asked him for information on the two newest vampires. Let's hope he's too distracted by the hybrids to ask for his input.
IIBOIIN
Several hours later Peter and Bella led everyone down to the beach but held back as Esme took the lead to guide everyone there. They entered the water after everyone else and were the rear guard so to speak because Peter hated anyone he didn't know that well being behind him. He wanted to have Bella close by as well, he knew her gift was evolving. He had actually felt it pulsing against his side as Bella watched Eleazar exit the plane earlier.
The swim to the southern end of the island was silent, Heidi had the Queen's robes in a waterproof bag but the others just swam in their clothes unworried about the wet or damp as the night was warm and they would dry quickly enough. As the emerged very little sound was heard, any insects had burrowed deep and all birds had flown when the incumbent vampires had arrived weeks before.
Esme had explained a makeshift hospital was midway between here and the house on the northern shore. Peter and Jasper scouted ahead to check out who was where, before leaving he had nodded to Emmett to watch Bella. Jasper too had asked Liam to keep an eye on Ashley, neither wanted Eleazar anywhere near their mates.
It hadn't gone unnoticed that Nahuel and Senna were sticking close together and Zafrina smiled at them fondly. It had been hard for Senna living with two other women who were mated and visitors were few and far between. As for Nahuel, he'd lived all his life with his aunt and siblings and until now shown no interest in going out there and finding a mate. Love truly was to be found in strange places and no matter the circumstance it would prevail.
When the guys returned they both looked sick to their stomachs and that was not something you expected from Southern Wars veterans. Jasper was shaken and it was assumed even sedated the women were having a hard time of it and it was coming out in their emotions,
"There are five women in there, two South American and three European! The two are doin' better as he's pumpin' blood straight into their stomachs. The other three don't look good at all, just like Bella said they are emaciated skeletons. Only the boy is there watchin' them and he's asleep for now, Jasper sent him deeper so he should stay under for a while" Peter said in a grim angry voice.
"Joham and Carlisle are at the house and all is not happy in paradise! Carlisle seemed to think he could release the women afterwards and Joham is tellin' him to grow up, that it ain't happenin' and he will kill them all if any survive the births!" Jasper hissed just as angrily.
"Dear gods above! Well I think it's time to put an end to all of this now" Sulpicia said quietly and everyone nodded,
"I think Senna, Esme, Rose, Bella, Carmen, Tanya, Irina and Maggie see to the women and if you must restrain the boy for now. Everyone else with us to the house. Gentlemen if you would fan out behind it, in case they wish to run that would be helpful. Pica and I will do the talking" Athenodora said taking charge and her air off gentle helplessness slipped away.
In front of them now stood the Queen of the Volturi, a warrior in her own right from millennia in the past. Something she had allowed to lapse, but no more. The fear that they, the wives would die like Didyme had been held over them for too long and this slice of freedom was a blast of fresh air and she intended to keep it that way. If Corin attempted to subdue her again heads would roll!
The only sound to herald their arrival was a whoosh as the men surrounded the house and then Athenodora let her voice ring out,
"Carlisle, Joham, would you care to join us?"
There was a sudden noise from within the house as someone attempted to leave via a window, then a growl and the Major's voice saying,
"I don't think so scumbag! You'll face your Queen when she demands your presence!"
"Thank you, Major, I'm waiting Carlisle or would you have me order someone else to drag you out as well?" Dora said in a most regal voice and Carlisle shuffled out, his mouth opening to start his diatribe,
"Silence!" Pica ordered with such contempt that he hung his head instead.
Suddenly Rose's voice reached them from the hospital,
"God damn it, you sick assholes. This is inhuman! Cause no harm, Carlisle! You lying hypocritical bastard!"
There were sounds of sobbing and growls of displeasure in equal measure and both Joham and Carlisle tensed. Of the twenty-two new arrivals on the island, sixteen were female vampires and they knew they would be lucky to leave here alive. Carlisle was horrified when he realised most of his previous coven were here to stop him and Joham finishing their experiment. So too were several friends, who looked less than friendly now. Was Esme here too?
"Ashley, could you go to the hospital please and along with Bella collect all the documentation and notes on this diabolical atrocity. Bring it here my dear, we must destroy it all before anyone else gets the idea to implement such an evil undertaking again!" Pica said sadly, knowing in her heart of hearts, it would be her own mate who would consider it seriously.
"Pica, Dora, I don't think you understand the impor...," Carlisle started to say, before being forced to his knees by Peter,
"You dare address us with familiarity at a time like this? Have you no morals at all? We are you Queens, your accusers! Try to at least show some respect" Dora said scathingly and he fell silent again.
All the while Joham stayed silent, watching his son Nahuel, could these stupid women not see the evidence of their own eyes, he thought. He was proof these experiments worked, so the host body failed, so what! They were merely vessels for the continuance of a greater cause, his cause. A voice from behind him jolted him out of his musings,
"Neither feels any remorse! While one feels confusion at your disgust! The other feels only disgust at your interference of his work!" Jasper said his voice barely concealing his contempt for both men.
"They are sedated, they feel nothing! Why such a fuss over lesser beings?" Joham spat at the Major and cringed at the evil laugh which emanated from him,
"NO PAIN!" he roared, "This is what those five women feel!"
Suddenly Carlisle and Joham were clutching and clawing at their abdomens. Rolling on the ground in absolute agony, their howls of pain making all watching wince, except Jane. She was admiring the Major's ability to apply specific types of pain, unlike her who could only give one. Jasper only stopped when both men had torn open their own bellies for relief, which was never actually come.
They were panting pathetically as the venom dripped to the ground from their wounds. Bella and Ashley appeared then holding all the copious notes the two so-called scientists had made. Bella's face showed everyone just how bad it really was,
"Six times, your majesties. Carlisle ignored his own evidence six times! Joham knew from the beginning this would be a cruel and painful death for them all, but he cared not!" she said glaring at the men and all could now see the pulsing shield around her body.
"Easy suga', centre yourself. You don't want to hurt your friends!" Peter crooned and she took a deep breath, though unneeded and huffed out the air,
"My apologies your majesties," Bella said handing over the notes.
"Understandable my dear, you're barely a month old and your control does you proud. Anger is always the hardest to master" Dora said patting her arm.
"Rose has them all on high doses of morphine, the women are not saveable, but the offspring will be. She intends to awaken them, explain the facts and ask them who they are and let them know we will contact their families" Ashley informed everyone.
"Good, good" Pica said smiling at the two young vampires, seeing in them the hope for the future of their species.
Too many vampires were stuck in the past and tended to hold on to long-ago glories. If they wanted to survive they would need the more modern vampires to teach them the way the world they inhabited was now. Volterra would need the biggest shake-up she thought and Aro would dislike that intently. She like Dora had no intention of letting things go back to how they were. Aro and Caius would fight them, but Marcus she knew, would side with her and Dora and form a consensus. Or they would assert their right and take back their thrones!
"Gentlemen, if you would please restrain them, their outcome will be decided when the brothers arrive! Under no circumstances are any of you to talk to them, do I make myself clear Eleazar? These two abominations have nothing to say that decent vampires would want to hear. Kate and Zafrina could you both stay as well and if needed meet out any punishment you see fit on any wrongdoers!" Dora said scathingly and Carlisle's hopes sunk lower and lower.
IIBOIIN
'A heavy pall hung over the island, carryin' the stench of imminent death. None were unaffected, makin' tensions run high! The prisoners held their tongues under threat of electrocution or mental torment, worse that it would be delivered by women. The hospital was abuzz, time was of the essence, those poor souls were not long for this world'
"I'm gonna head over there and see if I can spread a little calm. I don't know how much more of this I can take!" Jasper said nodding to his brother and fellow captors,
"Sorry man, I just keep getting sucked in, it's the atmosphere" Peter apologised.
Carlisle seeing Jasper as the biggest threat, started to speak as soon as he was gone,
"Eli, you must unde...," was all he managed before Kate had him writhing once more on the ground. Peter snorted,
"Asshole!"
It was becoming most apparent that Carlisle saw women as less of a threat to him. His attitude was to assume Jasper was his biggest danger. Discounting Kate's gift as smaller, a parlour trick of sorts. He had felt it before many years ago on a less significant setting, now he realised his error, the pain was excruciating.
Jasper received a surprise when he arrived at the hospital, he felt nothing from the five women and Bella stood rigidly concentrating on them all,
"What's goin' on?" he asked Ashley,
"Bella's shielding their minds; they feel no pain at all. It's amazing, she's so talented!" Ashley enthused about her new sister.
"Relax Bella, let it flow from you like liquid, imagine your wrappin' their minds in little bits of your shield," he said and she relaxed a little,
"Good girl, it's an extension of you not somethin' separate. It's merely a thought process, don't try to force it, but think it there" he said and she was now completely calm and relaxed.
"Thank you, Jasper, I had no idea what I was doing, just that I knew I could!" she smiled and he sent her some pride, love and calm.
"This is perfect, the morphine was doing nothing. Now I can wake them and we can talk to them" Rose said and everyone nodded.
The next thirty minutes we harrowing, Rose, Bella and Jasper explained they were doctors, which was true in one form or other. Tanya interpreted for the Russian girl; Ashley shocked them all by doing the same for the Norwegian student, turns out her maternal grandmother was from Norway and had taught her the language. While Senna spoke to the two young South American girls, Esme held the English girl's hand as everything was explained to them all. Telling them they'd been kidnapped, illegal medical practices perpetrated on them and their prognosis was sadly not good.
All relevant information was extracted from them as Jasper kept them calm. They were then told their families would be contacted now and they hoped they would be able to get them there soon. This would not be happening, but it gave them all some comfort. Rose had ascertained the Norwegian girl would be the first to give birth and she was put back to sleep and moved into another room. The two that Senna was talking to were sisters and this added more fuel to the fire which would engulf Joham.
Esme was very confused; she didn't care where Carlisle was or how he was being treated. Her only concern was for these unfortunate women. Jasper could feel her conflicting emotions and asked her what was wrong,
"I don't understand I have no thoughts for Carlisle, no worries, no need of him. Why?" She said in a low tone.
"I can explain that Esme" Pica said smiling sadly, "Your mate bond is broken! He has failed you as a mate and you have severed it" she told the stunned Esme.
"All of this was for the greater glory of Carlisle Cullen; none of it was done for you. His priority should have been your wellbeing, your happiness and he pushed you to one side. It is a female's right to leave a mate if he does anything directly opposing her views and needs!" Pica finished to a quiet room,
"Wow! I never knew that" said Carmen quietly, but they all heard, "Did Eli know this?" she continued,
"Oh yes, he knew!" said Dora, "Why else would he lie to you? He still works for the Volturi, he never stopped! Even though I know you asked him to, three hundred years ago!"
"Just as Aro and Caius knew when they decided to have us locked away for our own safety, kept loyal by Chelsea and calm by Corin. They knew they were taking a chance! Why do you all call us the Queens, but them the Brothers? I'll tell you why because up until Didyme's death, we ran the vampire world with our consorts!" Pica said in an affronted tone,
"They and I don't include poor Marcus in this, decided to change the rules, knowing it could backfire on them. They will be a little shocked to know their rule has come to an end when they get here!" Dora said laughing, but her voice held little amusement,
"After all, why would the Romanians kill a Queen rather than one of them? Because we were the rulers, we took them down" Pica finished by saying and everyone was totally silent. The room as a whole drop to one knee and in silence gave their loyalty back where it belonged, to their Queens.
