I don't own these characters I only play with them.
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On with the story:
Jasper
Bella was acting differently, not so happy, not so eager to help the Masters. Executing Stephan and Vladimir had affected her badly. She was still just as eager to spend time with me though. I was really worried about her. I didn't know how to make it better for her. I would have had no trouble killing the pair of them but it wasn't a fight and I knew that made all the difference to Bella.
"Let's go hunting Jasper," Bella asked me. So off we went out into the forest and up the hill where most of the predators could be found. She never tried to convince me to change to her diet but I had considered it a couple of times. In the castle it was inconvenient but on missions, it was more convenient.
I decided to try it this week. I hunted down a bear and drank. The taste was wrong and it only muted the burn in my throat but it was acceptable. Bella was both surprised and happy with this change. I didn't know if I was going to keep up this diet but it was easier in one way. I didn't feel any fear from my prey. That was kind of nice. In truth, it was more than nice. It was a huge relief.
Bella
Jasper tried the animal diet. He seemed happy with the experience. "So how was it?" I asked.
"I may continue it. It doesn't get rid of the burn but it's easier on my gift."
"I'm glad you didn't hate it too bad."
"No, Bella, I didn't hate it too bad."
I dreaded going back to the castle and whatever I might be asked to do next. I'd had enough death, enough destruction, enough killing.
We were back in time to get ready to be in the audience chamber with the Masters. We took our places and stood quietly. The day passed while they discussed possible threats, real estate, investments, and other things that were relevant to the vampire world.
"Bella," Aro said, "I want you and Jasper to get ready to go pick up a new recruit. He's in France."
"Yes, Master." We both said.
We went to pack an overnight bag and go meet the jet. We'd be handed a packet with the recruit's information on our way to the jet. I'd never been to France before. I was a little excited. I hoped he'd be one of the many who wanted to come with us. We left and were driven to the private airplane. The driver handed us a folder without saying a word. We got out, got on the plane, and waited for takeoff.
The leather of the seats felt good against my skin. The pilot came aboard, another vampire, and we took off moments later.
The Name of the man was Arthur. He was young, only 21. He was still human and they thought he would have a gift once changed. Not married, no children and he wasn't close to his family. He was an ideal candidate for the guard. I only hoped he thought so too.
When we landed, we started strolling the streets of Paris. We didn't hurry to the meetup point, we didn't delay either. He was at home alone when we arrived. We knocked and he opened the door. I surrounded him with a shield.
He couldn't escape of course. He battered himself against the edges of the shield. Eventually, he tired himself out. Then I removed my shield and Jasper helped him up and explained he was coming with us.
A chef had prepared him a meal and we got him settled in on the plane. He ate and drank and then asked a lot of questions we couldn't answer. "Our Masters want to speak with you." as he fell asleep on the relatively short flight it occurred to me for the first time that perhaps the food was drugged. Jasper carried him back to the bedroom and covered him up. He was still asleep when we landed. Jasper carried Arthur to the car and we sat on either side of him.
I carried him into the castle as Jasper went to report in.
I got him laid down in human quarters, set up food delivery, and made sure the place was stocked with movies and books, this time in French. I borrowed them from Jane, she liked French. I got the door locked and assigned a guard I trusted to the door.
Then I went to report to the Masters.
"Bella, has everything been done for our new recruit?" Marcus asked me.
"Yes, Master."
"You assigned a trustworthy guard?"
"Yes, Master."
"Arthur is still sleeping so this is a particularly easy catch."
"Good work," Caius said.
"Thank you, Master."
Jasper and I were dismissed. I hoped Arthur ended up having a gift and was treated well. Jasper and I went up to our rooms. We showered together and enjoyed each other's bodies for the rest of the night.
Dawn came too early. When we arrived in the audience chamber we were greeted with, "We have another job for you. You won't like this one though. I need you two to fly to Rio and escort Edward Cullen to the castle."
"Yes, Master."
"He's being threatened by other vampires so this is a rush job. Head out now."
In a whirl, we were back on the plane with Alec and headed for Rio.
"Do we have to save him?" I asked jokingly.
"We were ordered to so we probably should," Alec replied.
"He's gonna cause trouble"
And to that, there was no comment.
Landing in Rio we went to the address where Edward was living. He was home and shaking in his designer shoes.
"Come on, Edward. Its time to go back to Volterra. We're here now."
"Now that I'm finally safe let me finish packing," he said.
"You have five minutes." Alec said or I use my gift and we just take you to Volterra"
In five minutes Edward had packed more than he could carry. "I suggest you choose what stays because we may need our hands," Alec told him.
Learning we weren't going to be his personal concierge, he repacked and got it down to four bags and a box.
"Can we go now," I asked and raised my hood.
As we stepped out a gang of twenty vampires tried to stop us. I threw a shield around all of us instinctively.
"This vampire now belongs to the Volturi. I suggest you ladies and gentlemen find another target."
"He stole from us."
"What did he steal?"
"All of our jewels while we were sleeping one night."
"Edward, give them back their things." Jasper counseled.
"I don't have their things."
"I don't have time for this shit and motioned for Alec to use his gift on Edward.
"Ladies and gentlemen, if he stole your things they will be here among his possessions. We will go through them and if we find anything like you describe we will return it to you. Is that a fair handling of the situation?"
"If he stole from us we want him too."
"We all want things we can't have and I have given my word that this worm will arrive safely to become a member of the guard in Volterra. Please let me keep my word without killing you to get through you."
"Jasper take descriptions of the stolen items and give them to me, I don't think this will be too difficult."
Alec and I went through his bags first, then his box, where we found more stolen jewels than this one group had lost.
I sat the box at the edge of the shield and pulled the shield back so they could access it. "Consider the other jewels my apology that I am honor bound to take your target away from you. Do we have a deal?"
"I still say we should take him one male said."
"Ladies and Gentlemen could you please do me a favor and find me the largest boulder that you can lift to carry back. You have my word that we will be standing right here when you return."
"Why?"
"Because I would prefer to show you what will happen if you try to take this man than actually kill you."
The group sent four to find a boulder of sufficient size for my object lesson. When they came back the boulder that they brought with them was huge. "Thank you. Now anyone that doesn't want to have to take a bath and change clothes take ten steps back."
Some did and some didn't. I didn't care. I shielded the boulder then collapsed my shield turning it to dust. "I warned you to step back," I said to the vampires coughing dust. "Can we agree that this particular vampire is not worth you going the way of the boulder?"
The vampires faded away in twos and threes. Taking handfuls of jewels with them.
"Alec, can you keep him like that. I'd prefer not to hear him bitching the entire way home."
Alec laughed. "I never grow tired of your methods of negotiation. Find a boulder, that could be you if you don't get out of my way, it never gets old."
"I'll keep amusing you if you keep him quiet on the trip home?"
"You'd amuse him anyway Darlin, Admit it, you hate to kill when scaring them off will do."
"True," Let's go home.
Alec brought Edward back to consciousness in the audience chamber.
"My jewels, what happened to all my jewels?" Were his first words.
"Given back to those you stole them from more or less," Bella said.
"I wouldn't have needed you if I was going to give them back."
"I barely got us out of there Edward. If I were you I'd shut up and be grateful for my life. Masters, Edward shouldn't be able to read the thoughts of anyone I shield. Before he begins snooping is there anyone you would prefer to be shielded?"
"Shield Chelsea as well."
"Yes Masters." and I left the room to do just that.
Jasper
Edward was on his knees in despair as losing his ill-gotten fortune. I found it hard not to laugh out loud at his predicament. So, it seemed did the Masters whose lips were twitching. "Alec, take Edward to an apartment in the level one wing.
"Can I have a piano there?"
"I don't think one will fit. Perhaps as you prove you are not a selfish, egocentric fool we will upgrade your quarters. You may even one day see the gifted's living spaces with much hard work. Here is your robe, Aro handed him a robe of light gray, and here is your membership symbol, he passed a plain version of the necklace all Volturi wear. Be here at dawn in the morning, every morning to see if your services will be required that day. You are dismissed to get settled in.
Bella walked back in as Edward was leaving. "Chelsea has been shielded Masters"
"Go play young ones, I can see the light in your eyes that you are holding back your laughter," Marcus commented.
"Race you to the forest," Bella said.