Chapter Ten

Victoria's POV:

My family were gathered around the large table in Esme's tastefully decorated dining room. Yes, I did find it strange that vampires should need a dining table, but we used it for meetings such as this one today. Everyone was here, except Edward. He was out somewhere with Bella, who seemed to be by his side constantly nowadays. I didn't blame them, they were in love and I knew more than most how it felt when you craved that one person so much that you could not bear to spend a second apart.

The love of my life, my maker, my husband, my everything was sat by my side now; his cool delicate fingers playing with a curl of my red hair absentmindedly as he listened to Carlisle speak. As always, I found it hard to concentrate when Aro was touching me, even this small unconscious act of his was sending shivers running through my ice cold veins. It had been this way for centuries, ever since his deadly bite had transformed me from a dying human girl into a magnificent vampire. I gave myself an inward shake, I must concentrate, this was important!

Carlisle was addressing us all, his voice serious but calm, "So, according to Alice's visions, Athenodora will be arriving in Forks very soon. Exactly who she will be travelling with is unclear, but most likely Caius and Marcus will accompany her. Desiderius is far too old and quite frankly far too insane to bother with this trip. Athenodora is actually, as Rose so aptly described, 'madder than a mad hatter'! But we know although she may be much crazier than her old mate, she is actually very dangerous and single-minded. "

We all nodded sagely in agreement, as Carlisle continued with his speech, "Alice's visions are not crystal clear but it is becoming apparent that Athenodora wishes to harm Bella. She believes Bella knows too much and humans must never know of our kind's existence. Ever. "

Once again we all nodded as Carlisle paced the room. I knew he already thought of this strange human girl as one of the Cullen's. He was overjoyed that Edward had found love and his family meant everything to him, he would not stand by and let Athenodora harm Bella! None of us would if it came down to a fight. I still hadn't worked out what was so different about her, but it was undeniable that she was much more than ordinary.

Carlisle began to speak about Alice's other fears, mainly Athenodora's evil intentions towards our "son" Noah. The evil vampire queen wanted him destroyed because he killed Sulpicia. An act which made me adore him even more! She also wanted to make Aro and I pay for our betrayal. She loathed me and would love nothing more than to rip off my head. She frightened me intensely, I admit it. She was evil through and through, and yes I know none of us Immortals are perfect, we have all committed crimes against humanity as well as our own kind.

Aro moved his fingers from my hair to my leg where he gently stroked my thigh. I knew he was reading my thoughts and wished to calm me. Instead he was distracting me as I imagined his long cool fingers on other parts of my body. Danger and instability made me long for his soothing touch, his fiery kisses and the intensity of our passionate encounters. He could ease my fears if we were alone together, how I wished this meeting were over! A small knowing smile played over my husband's lips as he caught my less than innocent thoughts.

"Soon my love," he whispered softly in my ear, his cool breath making my skin tingle with longing.

I smiled contentedly, eager to be in his strong embrace. Carlisle was asking us all to be extra vigilant and to be on guard at all times. He asked us all to take turns to look out for Bella and he asked us to make sure we hunted frequently so we were strong and ready for anything. He also asked us to be patient with Edward, who was having a hard time adjusting to this looming threat hanging over our coven. I would do anything to protect my beloved brother. Athenodora had caused me and Aro countless agonies; I would now happily tear her to shreds if it came down to it.

Thankfully the family meeting was now over. Alice still looked troubled and as we left she told us to beware of a stranger in our midst: that was all she could offer just now. Jasper hugged her and whispered soothing words in her ear, but she looked paler than ever and quite beside herself with worry. Poor Alice, I would hate to have her special power. My own talent for evasion was much more practical. I couldn't wait to be alone with my dearest husband. We flew through the trees at high speed, our bodies a blur in the night.

The full moon shone down on Aro and I as we gave ourselves fully to each other over and over again. I clung to him as we reached the heights of passion together. I was determined that nothing and no one would come between us ever again. I had let my fears take hold for a while on our return to Forks, now I was feeling stronger and more able to face another fight head on. We had Noah to think of now too. He did not ask for this life, he was only a child; he did not deserve punishment or revenge meted out to him. Really it was Aro that Athenodora despised the most for he was the one who had betrayed her. The rest of us were pawns in her game. How would this particular one play out? Would we win or lose? I felt the icy fingers of fear dance up my spine once more, so I clung to my lover even more fiercely as he melted away my worries with his loving kiss and touch.

We were as one now, no one, not even the most evil vampire on this Earth could tear us apart.