Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight. Nor it's sequels, which is quite unfortunate, 'cause then I'd have a bit more money on hand. Of course, I do own this plotline.

I use the term 'mate' very loosely. Just a warning.

Chapter 9: Can't Fry a Fish Until it's Seasoned Right

Bella slinked down the spiral stairwell at a slow pace that would have been human like if not for the ease of it all. She was too damn graceful in her vampire form to ever be considered human. The way she flowed like mercury down a sheet of glass entranced anyone that laid their eyes on her.

Most of the vampires in the castle would be feeding and distracted. It was the perfect time for Bella to skulk around the castle and reclaim some of her hidden goods. There were paintings scattered about the castle that Bella had temporarily donated, old dresses she had let others borrow, and various treasures yet to be found by others.

The gathering of items only took an hour. Bella was unsatisfied with her collection. The jewels didn't look as shiny, the dresses not quite the same, and the paintings just smears of color. An excursion was needed to replace the flimsy stash.

Everyone was still in the throne room reveling in the blood they had just ingested. Hazel had been ejected from Marcus' lap and was stewing about it in a corner. Marcus was slumped lazily in his seat talking quietly to one of his guards.

Bella walked around one of the castle's sentinels as they cleaned up one of the last dead bodies off the floor. Marcus straightened up in his seat when he saw her. Bella walked to the side of his throne and ran her fingers through his long ebony hair. His hand rested easily in her own and she started twirling stray locks. The guard next to them looked uneasy.

"Marcus my dear, why don't you go shopping with me? I'm sure you haven't been out of this castle since the dark ages." Bella cradled the base of his neck as she whispered into his ear. Everyone in the room could still hear every word she said, but she was going more for a sensual effect than privacy. The effect was immediate and apparent only to Bella. Marcus shifted ever so slightly that Bella only noticed it because she could feel the vibration through her ever so casual touch. A grin formed on his face.

"Of course, Bella." Marcus wrapped an arm around her waist as he stood up. "Let us changed into apparel more appropriate to the times, though." He gestured down to his black robe then turned to one of the females in the crowed that were discretely staring at them, it was Hazel. "Go get Bella and me some garments more fitting for this time period." Hazel bristled, but dared not defy one of the three rulers of Volterra. She ran out of the room and returned a few seconds later with two pairs of clothing.

As they started walking out of the room one of Marcus' personal guards spoke up.

"Sire, I think it would be hazardous to your wellbeing go out of the castle unescorted." The guard's eyes were modestly downcast. Bella smiled and he seemed to sense it. He glanced up only to quickly divert his eyes.

"Don't worry young one," Bella crooned, "I have thousand upon thousand years of experience. I'll keep Marcus safe." Bella and Marcus walked into the hall leaving most of the horde of vampires stunned at Bella's age. She pulled him into the first unoccupied room and started undressing. He looked at her skeptically. "Oh hush, it's not like it is anything we've never seen."

Marcus followed suit and started to de-robe. Neither of them turned around or diverted their eyes from the other's body. There was no need for modesty or wish for it. For being physically old Marcus was just as toned as the rest of the vampires. Bella appreciated all of his physical attributes that she spied.

She could feel him eyeing her the same way she was eyeing him. His left hand twitched, wanting to reach out and touch her. Bella threw on her surprisingly presentable clothing considering Hazel had gotten them for her.

When they were both fully clothed Bella looked like a model with her ridiculously hot father. A vampire was standing outside of their room waiting with a credit card for Marcus.

Luckily, it was an overcast day in the lovely city of Volterra.

Many people stared at the odd couple as they walked down the cobbled streets. Marcus had his hand firmly planted on Bella's hip. There were a few bags in his hand and he was very observant to their surroundings.

"Tell me Bella," Marcus started as his fingers found a small space between her shirt and her jeans to touch. "I can see relationships and I know you have no romantic feelings for me. So what is your intent?" Bella repressed a smile.

"Why do I have to have intentions to visit with an old friend?"

"You always have intentions, Bella." They stopped in front of a jewelry shop and looked in through the store window.

"I'm interested in you. I think you would make a good mate. No romantic feelings are needed for that, although I do believe they could develop if things continue as such." Bella gave him a flirtatious smile and entered the small shop.

She chose various diamond necklaces, a few rings, and no earrings considering her ears were unable to be pierced. Marcus willingly paid without even bringing up the price.

It was night by the time they got back to the castle. They weren't carrying too many bags considering they had run into one of the vampires from the palace. He had taken a few of their bags back.

The bags were waiting at the bottom of Bella's tower, just as she had requested them to be.

Marcus put down his set of bags before grabbing Bella and pulling her flush against him. He started to kiss her deeply. Bella moaned falsely and allowed his tongue entrance. Her hands roamed his body and he did the same to her. She couldn't tell if she was enjoying herself yet as Marcus cupped the back of her neck. She could feel the pestering sensation of lust budding in her, but she didn't want to act on it with him just yet.

Bella pulled away in a purposefully slow motion. She let her taste linger on his lips as she picked up her bags.

"Do you need help carrying your bags up?" A million different sexual thoughts and positions ran through Marcus' head as he asked with a low voice of experience. Bella stroked a slender finger down the side of his face, letting her nail drag against his granite skin.

"I think I can handle it." She said with a sly smirk before she disappeared up the stairs leaving Marcus with a frown and hard on. She wanted him to squirm.

Bella closed and bolted her door behind her as she leaned against it. She writhed slightly trying to vanquish her lusty itch, letting her bags fall to the ground.

"Are you alright?" Daniel asked with needless concern. Bella's eyes flashed open, forgetting there were two other beings in the room. She righted herself and picked up her bags. She threw them in the closet all over Edward, leaving the door ajar.

Without answering, Bella's eyes swirled from red to brown as her lips latched onto Daniel's. She didn't care that she was contradicting herself by taking a human. She led him backwards until he fell back onto the bed, his shackles clinking. He put up no resistance as she slowly tore away at his clothes than her own. Nor did he resist as a pair of ebony eyes peered at them from the closet.

(Edited 7/7/11)

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