Chapter 14

Aro and I got back to the castle in no time – it was almost dawn and I stopped at the door to the garden on the main floor, instead of continuing with Aro to his office.

"I think I'll go watch the sunrise. Why don't you join me after you call Jane?" I asked Aro.

He nodded and squeezed my hand a little before letting go and disappearing down the hallway.

I opened the doors, and walked out toward the sitting area I'd used before with Jane. A hushed conversation was taking place behind a tree in the next sitting area over – and I willed invisibility and silence before walking closer.

"I don't know how much longer I can go without him touching me. We have to move faster!" It sounded like Chelsea – but I'd only met her once and I wasn't completely sure.

A man's voice answered, someone I knew I'd never met. "We will. Just be calm. We've been working on this too long to have you fuck it up because you can't keep yourself contained. Aro hasn't read you in years. You have finally gained his trust." I crept closer trying to see his face.

Suddenly, I heard Aro call out, "Isabella?"

I turned around, and focused my speed trying to get to him before the two traitors took off.

I didn't let go of the invisibility – I grabbed him and willed it on him, too. Whispering a barely audible "sssh." into his ear. I pointed towards the trees in the direction of the two vampires, hoping he could see me now that he was invisible, too.

He nodded, which was a relief. And we ran towards them – with me willing silence on us both - and dragging his slow ass along.

He tripped a couple times trying to keep up – which would have been funny under any other circumstance, but sadly not this one. Finally we made it back to my hiding spot.

The two vampires were gone – and I opened my senses to see where their trails went but it was a blank. I wondered if this was the mystery vampire's power. They were both gone as if they were never there.

I dropped invisibility and silence and turned to Aro. "You have a traitor. You need to read every guard, immediately." I proceeded to tell him everything that I'd heard, and my suspicion that one of the vampires was Chelsea.

His face hardened into a grim mask, but he shook his head, "No, no. It couldn't have been Chelsea. She's been loyal for many many years."

I huffed - "You don't have to believe me. Just read all the guard's thoughts and see if anything suspicious stands out. I told you – one of them mentioned not having been read for several years now. It's obvious you've been too lax."

He nodded at that - "Yes, that's true. But I have had most of them with me for centuries. I don't feel it necessary to read them unless they've been sent on a mission. And several of the guards haven't been out in a few years... But I haven't noticed anyone who avoided touching me in recent years..."

"What about people you're not close with? Who spends the least amount of time with you? There are only 12 guards – it's not exactly a long list. It was a woman, that leaves Renata, Chelsea, Corin, Jane, Heidi or Sierra. The only one I can rule out is Jane because she was in Florence."

"I'll read them all," Aro finally conceded. "I'm not really close to any of them besides Jane. And I since I don't seek them out, I can only recall reading them after missions. And, as I said it's been a few years for most of them. Renata was recent – since she acts as my bodyguard during trials. But there was nothing of import to know, other than her romantic involvement with Dominic."

Dominic? The rude one? Huh.

I pulled him to sit next to me on the closest bench. I nodded towards the horizon – an we turned together to watch the sunrise – just as I'd planned. The moment was less romantic than I'd hoped for – but Aro put his arm around me, and I snuggled into him and we spent 5 glorious minutes in silence, just enjoying the sight.

Footsteps approached our spot, and I projected protection without thinking. A bubble surrounded us - it was like bluish tinted glass – but it didn't impede any of my senses. I took a deep breath and relaxed when I smelled Jane. I didn't let the protection go, though. We were fucking surrounded by traitors. I wasn't sure I trusted anyone right now. Especially not with Aro's safety...

Aro must have understood my hesitance, because he didn't berate me – just rubbed my shoulder soothingly and ignored Jane's look of disconcertion.

"Master," Jane began - "we picked up the trail of a couple of nomads that seemed to be tracking you two through Florence. Neither Santiago or myself recognized the scent. Did either of you see anyone on your excursion?"

"Isabella smelled one trail – though it must have been old – I couldn't detect anything. But the scent was what? Cloves and tree bark?" He looked to me for confirmation, and I nodded before he continued - "And I had a small interaction with Vlad – the Russian nomad that hates me, but Isabella ran him off with her shield."

Jane nodded - "Yes, we smelled Vlad near the border of the city, but he headed north and we lost him – and Santiago picked up the scent of the clove smelling vampire – he was one of those pursuing you. Along with a wintergreen scented vampire. Is that anyone you've encountered before?"

"Wintergreen mint?" Aro sounded confused, and a little horrified. "Yes – his name was Lucas. He was affiliated with the London coven when he came through here last. I wondered about him. His thoughts were murky and disjointed – like he was slightly insane. I was unable to get a good reading from him, but Alexander the coven leader vouched for him – saying he was the victim of a particularly horrifying crime that had marked his beginning as a vampire in a very negative way. He promised to keep a a close watch for me. And report if he decided to leave them."

He stood before continuing. "Gather everyone in the throne room, Jane. We need to have a reading. Then my brothers and I will convene to discuss all these recent events – when we figure this out I will discuss our next move with you later."

She nodded her confirmation of the order and left without another word. I looked to him, uncertain.

"Do you trust Renata to guard you? Or should I keep protection on you and your brothers until the reading is finished?"

He looked contemplative. "If we have a traitor, I would rather them not know your full powers. It is unfortunate that Felix and Santiago have already witnessed so much – but the full breadth is still unknown to the coven at large, we should keep it that way – so you are not viewed a threat to any plot currently brewing." He turned to look at me – with pleading clear in his eyes. "We should also not display any hint of our relationship until the full story is revealed. So we are not used against one and other."

I disliked the idea of pretending to be strangers – but he was right. I nodded and stood. I decided he should be aware of his weird fetish, if he didn't want others to know.

"Try to control your reaction to my calling you Master, then. It is obvious how much you enjoy it. You were not able to hide the darkening of your eyes from the nomad, earlier."

He winced and looked away – clearly embarrassed. How adorable. "Ah, well. I'll do my best." Great. Now it was awkward.

I decided to give him an out - "I'll meet you in the throne room in a moment, Master."

His eyes blackened, and he sighed closing them. "It just sounds so erotic when you say it," he explained, as he turned to walk away.

I knew I had to drop the protection – and as his form disappeared into the castle, I let it go. I needed to find a less obvious way of looking out for him, though.

I sat back down and thought through the books I'd read yesterday. What could I do? I sighed, frustrated. It seemed like everything in those books was so involved. I wasn't sure what I could pull off in my own offhand way. Could I ward him against harm without any of the materials or spells that went with it? How would I even know if it'd taken effect, if there was no outward sign and I was just willing it to happen? Damn. Damn. Damn.

Maybe I'll just keep an eye on him at all times – using invisibility when necessary until this was finished.

I nodded decisively to myself and moved toward the castle doors. Everyone should have had time to gather by now.

Walking into the throne room with no idea what the procedure for a reading was, no idea of my place in the guard and no idea what protocol dictated for a guardsman in any case – was unnerving.

I stood awkwardly by the doors until I noticed everyone standing in a line facing the thrones. I joined at the very end, and began checking to see if everyone was present.

Chelsea, Demetri, Afton and Sierra were the only ones missing. I knew Demetri had left on assignment the same day he met me, but I wasn't sure who, if anyone, accompanied him...

Aro began at the opposite end from me. His face was expressionless, and he picked up Renata's hand without saying anything. You could tell he wanted to comment on whatever he was seeing, but it must not have been relevant because 10 seconds later – he thanked her and excused her. Moving on down the the line – the same thing with each person. No comments were exchanged by anyone. It was eerily quiet – and I wished I could be as impertinent as usual, by cracking a joke.

Finally Aro got to me, and I presented my hand even though we both knew I wouldn't let him read me. I decided to try whispering into his ear like during my change. And will ed silence around us, in case it could be overheard.

"Hear anything juicy yet, Master?" It must have worked, because Aro's eyes widened a little and he nodded his head infinitesimally. I could only imagine the secrets he was privy to.

I smirked a little and he gave up the pretense of reading me to turn around and clap his hands.

I was the only one left – so he didn't bother excusing me – " Well, we have much to discuss. Isabella you don't have to remain, if you'd rather not. This might take awhile. You should be very careful of Chelsea if you see her though – she was the only one with no excuse for remaining absent – and no one in the guard had any idea where she was."

I nodded, before asking - "wouldn't you rather I remain for your protection? She could be anywhere, plotting Christ-knows-what, as we speak. And no one else knows enough to suspect her if she is seen in the castle."

"Hmm... go explain things to Jane and Alec – they will keep an eye out for her in the castle, and then return here. Use invisibility so you are not seen coming or going. You are right – treachery should be expected. But I want to seem unprepared. No one but you knows the full details, and it should remain that way for the time being."

"So I should just tell Jane and Alec to be wary of her? Or to send her to you when and if she is spotted?" I didn't want to mess up whatever plan he seemed to have, convoluted though it seemed.

"Have her sent to me. But make sure she is told nothing beyond that. You may explain to Jane and Alec that we are suspicious of her – only if you are sure you cannot be overheard."

"Understood." I willed invisibility right then and there – and added stealth. I wanted to spy a little on the way...

I turned my hearing up to its full potential, and slowly walked the hallways.

I heard a couple conversations, but nothing important. I did however gather some rather intriguing gossip, though. Apparently, Heidi and Felix were an item. Who knew? Their lustful encounter was one I didn't linger over. I prowled around a bit more – but came up empty. I inhaled deeply looking for Jane's scent and located a recent trail headed upstairs.

On my way I overheard a panicked sounding phone call taking place – but I didn't recognize the language. The vowels made the callers voice sound rough and I couldn't tell who it was. I tried smelling their scent, but I was too unfamiliar with most of the guard to recognize them by scent alone. I listened for a few moments, committing what I heard to memory so I could ask Aro later and moved on when I heard the cell phone click shut.

I finally reached what I could only assume was one of the twin's bedrooms.

I forewent knocking and eased the door open as quietly as I could. While my movements were silent, I couldn't project a soundproof barrier – and everything I touched made noise. It was an annoyance I wasn't sure how to fix.

Stealing into the room, I saw the set up was very much like mine – a sitting room, with a bedroom attached. I walked to the bedroom door and heard Jane and Alec talking quietly about the reason for the reading. They were suspicious, but unsure.

I walked in, and lifted my invisibility – while holding my finger to my lips for silence.

They looked startled, but both nodded immediately. I walked over until I was standing inches away from them both and whispered into their ears using my mental voice.

I was still unsure whether or not my words could be overheard by others, so I kept my explanation brief. Explaining the conversation in the garden, and Chelsea's absence in the throne room. I advised them to tell her nothing but the barest facts and direct her to Aro immediately if she was found within the castle walls. I promised to explain more later, and they both nodded.

I willed my invisibility and stealth back – and left from the room as quietly as I entered.

I walked with a quicker pace back to the throne room. Opening my senses I could hear and smell no one close, but I kept the invisibility up until I closed the door.

Exhaling with a hint of relief – I saw the three brothers whole and unmolested – Caius's expression openly shocked. Marcus didn't acknowledge me at all – he looked for all the world like a bored statue – his eyes flicked in my direction for a brief moment, before he resumed his stone like posture. Aro's face was questioning and slightly amazed. I wondered if it was due to my powers, or me personally.

I greeted them all with a simple hello and turned to Aro - "I overheard a telephone conversation on my way to Jane and Alec. I can repeat it, but I didn't understand the language being used or the identity of the caller - but the tone of voice was low and panicked."

He nodded for me to go on – and I let loose with this: Stăpânul, eu sunt sigur dacă au auzit de mine vorbind pe robul tău mai devreme. Mă tem că am căzut sub suspiciunea și eu nu pot rămâne nici mai mult. Cea mai bună oportunitate de a realiza planul este încă așa cum am informat săptămâna trecută. Eu nu trebuie să fiu aici pentru ca acesta să funcționeze, puterea mea poate fi folosit pe oricine cu o legătură la mine din orice locație. Vă rog. Trebuie să vin la tine acum. Am nevoie de fonduri rămase în loc de obicei pentru a face călătoria. Poți să-l aranja în următoarele două ore? Nu pot rămâne aici mai mult decât atât. Mulțumesc, Stăpânul. Pe curând." (Translation in A/N)

I tried to pronounce it exactly as I had heard, but I knew I failed, by the looks of confusion on their faces. Some of it must have come through, though - the more I continued, the more angry Aro became.

And by the end I swear I thought he would destroy his own castle in a rage.

"Isabella, you must take us to the room you heard this conversation in. Can you grant invisibility to all four of us at once?"

It made sense that we should sneak up on whoever it was – so I tried – and it worked just like earlier in the garden.

Leaving the throne room, I willed stealth for us all, and walked quickly toward the room I'd lingered at earlier.

Aro didn't pause at the door - pushing it open quietly, he walked right in.

It was empty. The closet and drawers were all open, everything looked ransacked as if someone was looking for one specific item and threw the rest around uncaringly.

We had identified the traitor, it seemed. Aro snarled her name, "Chelsea."

A/N: Translation: Master, I am unsure if they overheard me speaking to your servant earlier. I fear I have fallen under suspicion and I cannot remain any longer. The best opportunity to carry out the plan is still as I advised last week. I do no need to be here for it to work, my power can be used on anyone with a bond to me from any location. Please. I must come to you now. I require funds left in the usual spot to make the journey. Can you arrange it in the next couple of hours? I cannot remain here longer than that. Thank you, Master. See you soon.

I didn't really feel it was necessary in the story – since it's BPOV and she wasn't given a translation. However, it will explain some of Aro's anger.