Okay not going to lie... I have been a total slacker this week. Only thing story related I have done this week was rewrite 2 chapters COMPLETELY. I have even slacked on answering reviews, although I have answered all that I was able to. If I didn't answer send me a message and I will... everyone's opinion is important to me.

I own nothing but the craziness that is the plot of this story.


Chapter 30

Once I had ported back to my room I grabbed out my cell. It was time for a impromptu circle meeting minus Jasper. Hopefully it will be the only meeting, but I doubted it. Quickly I scanned my contacts for a mass text.

Jane, Felix, Demetri and Alec please come to my rooms for and informal meeting

I didn't have to wait long after hitting send for a message. All but one was basically a 'be right there'. The lone different one was from Jane.

Do you want me to get Jasper?

No.. Was what I sent.

While I waited I started the task of looking at the list of guard scouts. Normally I sent them solo, but this was Maria and she was known to be lethal. If I sent them in teams of two or three if anything happened they had a better chance. A better chance to survive and to get me the information I needed. If possible I could leave one team in each area. There was a knock on my door pulling me from my thoughts.

"Enter," I called from my office.

"Pardon my interruption Mistress" said Preston opening my door. "But it seems the inner circle, minus one, is here."

"Thank you Preston, please let them in." I said still in my office.

"Very well Mistress," he said starting to step back in the hall. "Should I be looking for Jasper as well?"

"Not this time." I said.

"Very well," he stepped back into the hall leaving silence… which didn't last long.

"I told him she sent for us," snapped Jane walking into the room.

"In his defense Jane," started Alec, "she probably ported in and didn't tell him she was back"

"I suppose," she sighed.

"He was only doing his job. He knows not to let anyone in here unless she say so." Said Alec trying to defuse his twin's anger.

"Speaking of our Mistress," started Felix. "Where is she?"

"I'm in my office Felix." I laughed. "You guys get comfortable, I'll be out in a moment."

"Anything I can help you with," asked Jane from the main room.

"Nope, just getting some files for later."

"Just checking," she replied moving away from the door. I continued to pull files and place them on my desk.

"Alright," I said coming out of the office. "Now I am…" I stopped when they all stood, saluted and bowed. "What?"

"I mean no disrespect Mistress Isabella," started Jane. "But we were under the impression this was informal, there for we are out of dress code. If you give us a few moments we can change and be back."

"No, your right," I said looking down noticing that I still had my blue cloak on. "I just haven't changed yet," I smiled. "Let me take this off then we can talk." I said walking to my bedroom "Take a seat, I will be out in a few," I closed my door.

I quickly walked to the cloak closet hanging up my cloak. Moving to my actual closet I let my hair down. As I passed my bedside table I tossed my id card and cell on to it and went to change.

"Alright" I smiled slightly coming out of my bedroom, "now we can have our little meeting," looking at my guard.

"Would you like something to eat or drink Bella?" asked Alec standing.

"No no I am fine," I said sitting in an empty chair pulling my legs up to my chest, wrapping my arms around them.

"So what's up?" asked Jane as her twin settled at her feet.

"First," I started, "I wanted to thank you for today. It is nice to know that no matter what situation you guys have my back."

"That's our job." Stated Felix smiling.

"It's more then that Felix," I sighed. I know that even if it wasn't your job you guys would be there."

"We would." Smiled Jane as the rest nodded.

"Second," I said getting away from the mushy stuff. "I am going to need help with Jasper for a couple of reasons." I looked down at my lap taking a deep breath. "Reason one is I am going to need a full second sooner rather then later with the situation coming."

"What is the situation coming?" asked Demetri stopping me.

"I am getting there Dem." I glared at him.

"Sorry," he muttered, "please continue."

"As I was saying," I eyed Demetri, "I am going to work him pretty hard to get him ready faster then I normally would allow. That's were you guys come in. Tell me now if you have any objections and I come up with another plan." I looked at each of them waiting. When nothing came I continued. "Jane I would like you to spend the day with him tomorrow. Answer any questions he has, explain what our plans are, tell him what is expected of his position. The only time I want him out of your sight is when he works with Felix for a few hours and at the evening guard change I want you to pass him to Ethan for the week." Jane nodded, I turned to Felix. "Monday he is going to return his rental and purchase his new vehicle, be back for release of Stan and Toby then his time with Ethan. So you are starting tomorrow and taking Monday off from him. Tuesday he will be yours all morning until I am ready for him. Talk, practice, have him watch a practice I really don't care. Remember you are in charge of getting him into Volturi ready." Felix nodded, I then went to Demetri. "Wednesday afternoon is yours until evening guard change then he goes to Ethan. Alec Friday afternoon is yours. You both know what I expect from my guards, what I expect from inner circle members and what I need from a Second. So I am trusting you to lead him in the right directions." I looked to both of them. "He is going to need to spend his mornings with Felix and his evenings with Ethan other then that he is yours." They nodded and I sighed in relief. "I know that I am putting a lot you guys and that normally I would spread this out more so that he was more comfortable, but I don't have time for that right now. Any questions?"

"What's the other reason you need our help?" asked Jane cocking her head.

"Okay well remind me to Bitch Slap Marcus when he starts talking about Aura's" I smiled. "And of you guys tell anyone this I won't have a problem setting you on fire very very slowly after I ripped you to pieces, then dancing around your ashes." They all gulped knowing I would do it. "But it would seem that Jasper and I are Mates. Now we have talked a bit about this and have agreed not to take any big steps until after he is a full guard." Felix started to interrupt, but I was not having that. "No I am not rushing him just to get laid." I glared at him, he smartly popped his mouth closed. "We have decided to go slow, take some time off for ourselves. When we do that I am going to need you guys to step up."

"I think it's about time you found someone," smiled Jane, "of course we will help."

"You would do the same for us," nodded Alec. "It is not like you take a lot of time off anyway." I could not help but smile at my team.

"Okay, can I ask now why we don't have time?" asked Dem.

"We have a newborn army building in Texas." I replied.

"What?" gasped Alec.

"When I read Connor my main goal was to see why I was targeted besides the fact that I am a girl. His sire was Francis." They all gasped and stared at me. "Yes, that Francis." I sighed. "We all know what he did and who he work with. Connor was going to follow in his sire's footsteps, he just hadn't got there yet."

"So where is the army coming from," asked Demetri?

"Maria," I stated matter of factually.

"Okay so," started Felix, "we just go stop her, no big thing."

"Felix, you know as well as I do we can't." Said Jane. "We need to wait for her to actually do something."

"The brothers don't mind some land grabbing as long as it stays small and of course the humans stay unaware." Said Alec.

"So in other words we wait for her to get big." Sighed Demetri.

"We wait." I nodded. "Then when it's time we destroy her. There will be no talking her way out of trouble this time."

"So what do we do in the mean time?" asked Jane.

"I am going to send out the scouts. They will watch and report back and wait with us. She won't get her Major," I smiled to my self, "because I have him. But if she gets her Captain then it will force our hand into acting faster."

"Jasper's the Major?" asked Jane a little stunned, I nodded. "Then ask him who the Captain is and we can get him first!"

"No," I snapped. "He is to know nothing of this until I am ready to tell him." I looked at them all. "Nothing, understood? Not until I say!"

"But he could…"

"No Felix" I cut him off. "That's an order guys."

"Yes Mistress." They replied being well trained not to mess with me when I make an order.

"I don't want him worrying about this right now." I sighed

"You don't want him to know he won't know." Replied Jane.

"Thank you." I looked at each of them. "I think that's it then." I smiled slightly, "unless you guys need anything?" They shook their heads no. "Then I will see you all later." I stood dismissing them.

"Are you wanting to work with me in the morning before Jasper?" asked Felix walking to the door.

"No, maybe on Monday," I shook my head.

"No problem," he and Demettri left.

"I'm still on Dungeon duty?" asked Alec with a smirk.

"It is your favorite," I laughed at him. "I am sure that Jane will join you if you wish?" I looked to Jane still in her seat on my couch.

"I'll be there in a bit." She smiled at her twin. "I think Stan has had a long enough break."

"I'll see you later then sister." He nodded to his twin. "Mistress," he bowed then left.

"Well?" I said raising my eyebrow as I turned to Jane again.

"When was the last time you ate?" she looked at me.

"I hunted yesterday with Jasper." I replied walking back into my office.

"That's not what I meant and you know it." She said following me to lean in the doorway. "You need food to."

"I know that Jane." I glared at her over my shoulder.

"Well then answer the question."

"I had something small after coming home from our trip." I said sitting behind my desk.

""Why don't I make you a sandwich or something." She crossed her arms across her chest.

"I'm fine Jane." I replied.

"You look like crap." She sighed. "Things like earlier really take a toll on you." My most trusted companions knew I didn't handle physically taking someones life, no matter the reason, well. I ended up shutting into myself, not really taking care of myself. The emotions start to eat away at the control of my temper making me quick to anger. Also the control of some of the more stronger powers start to fail. When I eventually feel the control slip to the point where I am a danger I leave. I leave for a secluded spot safe from humans, animals, vampires whatever. There I allow the emotions have me, I drown in them. When that happens my powers reek havoc, destroying anything for miles around me.

"I'm fine Jane." I replied again.

"Do I need to get Aro?" she stood straight, her arms still crossed. "Maybe I should get Jasper?" she played the mate card and took her phone out, "He would want you to eat."

"Don't you dare." I growled. "I will eat when I want to."

"You really do look like crap." She said still eying her phone.

"You call him and I will use you for target practice."

"It would be for your own good." She looked at me.

"I'm not hungry right now. I want to go through these files then I will get something.

"Do you promise?"

"Yes I swear I will eat when I am done." I sighed still glaring at her.

"That's all I ask." She smiled starting to head to the door.

"You're a real pain in my ass." I said loudly at her retreating form.

"But you love me anyway." She replied as she left.

"Sometimes I wonder." I yelled. She was right. I loved them all in their own way. I know she cared for me and I couldn't fault her for that. I really wanted to, but I couldn't.

Still shaking my head I logged on to the computer. Quickly I found my file with my scout teams. After reading it through and doing a survey of my guards I found that all but one team that I needed was in residence. It was time to put everything into action.

"Sora," I said when she answered my call. "I thought I was done for the evening, but it seems I was mistaken." I sighed into the phone.

"What may I do to assist you?" she laughed a little.

"Could you round up the scouts teams for Texas, Alabama and Florida."

"Of course I can. Which ones do you want?" I could hear her scribbling in her notebook.

"All of them." Her scribbling stopped.

"Excuse me," she paused. "Did you say all of them?"

"Yes, is that going to be a problem Sora?"

"Of course not!" she quickly replied.

"Good, could you tell them I would like to see them in the center in," I turned to my clock, 7:30pm "a half hour. Tell them to do so quietly. I do not want unneeded attention."

"I will get right on it Mistress."

"Thank you," I ended the call, then scanned my contacts for the remaining scout team. "There it is." I muttered to myself as I hit send.

"Blood Bank, Donations always welcome."

"Carter is that the way to answer the phone." I said.

"Mistress Isabella," Carter gasped. "I meant no disrespect I… I thought… I did not look at the ID before answering.

"My favorite was always 'City morgue you stab'em, we slab'em'" I laughed putting him at ease. "Aro never thought it was humorous."

"It is an oldy, Mistress" Carter chuckled.

"Hey it was funny in my time."

"This is still your time," replied Carter.

"What ever." I sighed then giggled as I heard 'suck up' come through the phone. "Hello Kristen"

"Hello Mistress" Kristen yelled.

"So what can we be of service for our Mistress?" asked Carter.

"I would like you and your team to check on a coven for me. There is a situation starting and inadvertently they may become a liability. I don't think there will be any issues, but I want to make sure."

"How long are we to sit no them and are we to make contact?"

"I am not sure on the time frame Carter. It may be awhile. If your team has any issues let me know later." I said. "There will be no contact unless I tell you otherwise."

"Who are we watching?" asked Kristen.

"The Cullen's" I sighed. "Remember they have a mind reader, so keep Sandy's shield up. Also no hunting near their area. No attention to yourselves."

"Understood." Came their response.

"You have watched them before, you know their normal friends and routine. If there is anything abnormal I want to know right away."

"Understood." Again was their response.

"Good let me know when you are in place or if you need anything."

"Yes Mistress," said Carter, "have a good night."

"Have a good rest of the day." I finished closing the phone. Looking at my watch I realized I needed to get to the center knowing my scouts would start showing up. Again this is one of those time I love the ability to change clothes in a flash. So in a flash I changed into black skinny jeans with a red scoop neck blouse and black 2 inch heals. I grabbed my guard cloak.

"Chris," I said opening my door. "I am heading to the center."

"Yes Mistress," He bowed as I walked past. "I think Mr. Jasper is roaming about."

"If he is he is." I shrugged walking down the hall.


On the Beta front... I was given the suggestion by CarlislaCooper, author of Feral Blood, Washington, The Virgin Madam, Demonic Desire and the finished Breathing Hope, to go to Perfect Imagination and search for a Beta... which I did. I am glad to announce that a Beta has agreed to take me and this story on. So hopefully this will be the last chapter that is unbeta'ed and the story will be better for all!

You guys can also blame CarlislaCooper for some of my slacking. Go read Feral Blood and The Virgin Madam to see where else my brain has been!