Holy Crap! It is another chapter in less then a month! The world must going to stop turning or start spinning the other way. I think this is what happens when I get banished to the back deck while contractors destroy...my bad, FIX my living-room.

Again another round of Thank you's go to Naomi Whitlock for Beta'ing this chapter. Still cannot believe she was so FAST! If you have missed the reposting of chapter 36 you should check it out. It is so pretty now that she has fixed it!

As always I own nothing...wish I did though.

side note for reading this chapter... anything in Italic is flashback, anything underlined is thought. Thought I would straighten that up now.

Chapter 37

I was awakened the next morning by the shrill ring of my cell. It couldn't wait any longer to ring? I was having a good dream, not a great dream but I am not sure if I could handle one of 'those' dreams with Jasper near. My shield was up plus the one around my room, but I was not taking any chances. The phone rang again before I could contemplate a great dream further.

"What," I answered the phone; I was not much of a morning person.

"It must be morning there for me to receive such a cheerful greeting," laughed the voice on the other end.

"I'll give you something else if you don't stop being a brat Carter and tell me what you needed," I replied rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

"I wanted to let you know that my team and I have arrived at our destination," he said.

"That's good to hear," I said getting up, there was no way I was going back to bed now. "Everything okay there?"

"As far as we can tell Mistress," he said. "We have run a perimeter of a few miles past their normal hunting grounds. We have not picked up any other scents but theirs."

"Good, let's hope it stays that way," I said starting my coffeepot. "Alice and Edward do not suspect anything?"

"We have Sandy's shield up so the Seer shouldn't see us," said Kristen, who was probably standing next to Carter.

"What of Edward?" I asked.

"No mind reader, save you, has ever gotten past my shield," replied Sandy, slightly put off. "Not that he is here anyway."

"What do you mean he's not there?" I paused in mid sip.

"Just that Mistress," started Carter. "He and his mate left right after we arrived yesterday."

"Where did they go?" I asked trying to stay calm.

"From what we have overheard that they are going to visit her family," answered Carter.

"The Denalis?" I asked.

"I would think so."

"Alright," I sighed. "Continue to watch the family, I will take care of the others."

"Very well Mistress," said Carter. "I will report again later."

"I look forward to it," I said ending my phone call. I tossed the phone on to the couch as I walked by. There was no other way around it, I was going to have to make the call. After my shower and the coffee kicked in I was going to call Eleazar Denali. I just hope what he told me when we first met still held true.

Flashback

"I bet you are ready to be home Mistress Isabella," said Anita over the phone as I sat on the couch in the Volturi private jet.

"I am," I sighed into the phone. "Who would have thought that reminding Vlad and friends that the Volturi were still in power would be so much work?"

"The Masters of course. That is why they sent you. What's more powerful then the Leader of the Volturi Guard herself coming to see you?"

"You forgot my band of merry men and Chanel," I laughed. "No matter how powerful I am, I always have them."

"The Masters like to know your safe," she replied.

"Well then Felix and Apollo are doing a fabulous job," I grumbled. "They haven't left my side all trip."

"Speaking of the Masters," Anita started and I interrupted.

"What of my brothers?" I sighed slightly. I was still getting use to the idea of them wanting me to call them family. They were the closest thing to family I've had for a long time, but I was finding it hard to switch Masters for Brothers.

"Master Aro was wondering if you wouldn't mind waiting at the airport for one of his guests to arrive."

"How long would I have to wait?"

"Not long Mistress," she replied. "His plane should be landing shortly after yours. At most, maybe a half an hour?"

"I suppose. Felix could just run home." I said looking at Felix who just nodded. "Here give the info to Chanel, she'll go and meet him at Baggage claim. I hope he isn't allergic to fur," I finished tossing my phone to my second, Chanel.

"There's something wrong with my fur?" thought Apollo, I guess my other second. Apollo was a vampire that could shape-shift into any type of animal he wanted whenever he wanted. Apollo was slightly strange for the fact that he very rarely changed to his human form. He elected to stay as a wolf most of the time, a very big snow white wolf. He was my second Second because he never left my side no matter what. Where ever I went, he went. Whatever I did, he did. He was part body guard, part sounding board, part pet... I always wanted a dog! Conversing with Apollo would have been easy with or without my talent to read minds. To talk with others he could send his thoughts into the mind of anybody or group that he wanted, though sometimes he choose not to.

"Nothing's wrong with your fur." I scratched behind his ear as he lay at my feet, his head in my lap. "Well, except the fact that you are starting to shed."

"I am not shedding!" he barked at me as I laughed. He just glared at me, and then removed his head from my lap.

"Speaking of Apollo," started Chanel, tossing me my phone.

"Et tuo Chanel?" thought Apollo. Chanel and I almost fell out of our seats laughing so hard.

"As I was saying," started Chanel again once she was back under control. "Since we are now walking through the actual terminal, what are we going to do with Big White and Furry here?"

"Well if he will shrink down to normal dog size I have an idea," I with a shrug.

"I will not be a purse puppy!" he thought to the both of us quite loudly.

"That wasn't my plan," I quirked my eyebrow at him. "It's a good idea though." I started to laugh at his wide eyes. "If you listened to what I said I think you might hear the word 'normal' in there."

"What would your definition of 'normal' be for a dog," asked Chanel still smirking at Apollo.

"I was thinking about the size of a German Sheppard. We could always make it look as if you are a helper dog," I said looking at Apollo.

"What would I need to do other then shrink," he asked.

"Just need to wear this vest," I summoned a yellow helping paws vest, "also a collar and lead." When I saw the dog sneer at the idea of the lead I added, "Only until we get to the car. I will go as fast as humanly possible through the building."

"You can't think of anything else," he asked.

"Not unless you want to be a purse puppy," replied Chanel rolling her eyes at his male ego being hurt.

"Fine," he huffed at us. "No pink lead though!"

"Purple," I asked as he shrunk down to about a large German Sheppard.

"No!"

"Yellow," asked Chanel.

"No"

"Mint Green," I asked.

"How about baby blue?" asked Chanel continuing our teasing.

"Oh Rose is a pretty color," I said with a smile.

"Girls are mean," thought Apollo.

"Oh you hush," I tapped his nose as I put on his vest. "You know I wouldn't put you in anything bad. I was thinking either red like our cloaks or black... like our cloaks."

"I think I could go with the red," I watched him do a dog shrug. "Red is a power color."

"This could be why the guard has it in their cloaks," I said while summoning a red collar and lead, then fastening the collar. I waited for our doors to open before attaching the lead. I was good on my word, I moved quickly through the terminal to our waiting car.

"Well, thank God that the driver is human," thought Apollo after we bid Felix farewell and safe running. "If it was a vampire, I would never live the collar and lead down."

"Whatever," I said as he jumped into the limo. Once I was settled I removed his camouflage. "I hope we don't have to wait long on Aro's guest."

"You could have run home with Felix if you wished," thought Apollo, "I thought I heard the plane was landing momentarily, I am sure Chanel will usher him out soon."

"Why run when I have been running the last couple of days?" I said.

"Then stop your complaining and wait," he huffed and plopped his head in my lap wanting to be petted. And wait we did. I understood why they asked me to wait, it would have been stupid to drive me home then send another car back to the airport. We didn't need to wait long, it truly was only ten minutes when I heard Chanel coming.

"Mistress," she thought to me, "we are on our way."

"Cody," I said to the driver, "you're going to want to pop the trunk, our last passenger has arrived." I rearranged myself so that I would not be seen until he was in and the door was closed.

"Chanel, do you mind riding up front?"

"Of course not," she thought, then opened the door sticking her head in. "I don't want my pants covered in fur," she said quickly before stepping back.

"So going to pee in her closet sometime this week..." Apollo grumbled as I snickered quietly. When the door was shut and our guest was situated he finally noticed he was not alone, but it seemed all he could see was the white wolf on the floor. I said as much to Apollo silently in his mind.

"What do you expect? I am spectacular!" replied Apollo. I snorted louder then I wanted to.

"Yeah, spectacularly insane," I replied with a laugh, which drew the attention of my new companion. I smiled at him as his eyes took me in.

"My apologies," he placed a hand on his heart, making a slight bow, "I did not realize I had company."

"Not to worry," I continued my smile as I turned my head to talk between the divider separating the front of the limo and the back. "Chanel, are we ready to go home now, or are we waiting on another?"

"No Mistress Isabella," she replied, "there are no more; we are just waiting for your orders."

"Then your wait is over," I laughed slightly. "Cody," I said to the driver, "would you be so kind as to take us home?"

"It would be my honor," he replied, starting the car, putting up the divider and starting us on our way. I turned my attention back to my companion when he coughed lightly.

"Did I hear her call you Mistress?" He asked with his eyes wide.

"Yes she did," My smile grew. "Where are my maners? Let me introduce myself. I am Isabella," I adjusted myself so I was not right next to him, but close enough for him to take me hand. Apollo positioned himself between the two of us. "And this," I gestured to the wolf head in my lap, "is Apollo and the young lady you met before is Chanel."

"I have met Chanel before," he nodded. "She is the guard, correct?" I nodded. "Pretty high ranking in fact, right?"

"She is Second-in-Command," I confirmed his fishing. "Really good at her job I might add," I tacked on knowing she could hear even with the divider up.

"Her boss must like her then."

"I do," I watched him carefully, "Couldn't ask for better then Chanel and Apollo here," I scratched behind an ear.

"You're the Leader of the Guard?" He asked his eyes wide. "And I made you wait."

"I really didn't mind the wait," I smiled slightly trying to calm him. "It made more sense to wait then to have two cars going the same direction."

"Okay so we got the pleasantries out of the way," grumbled Apollo to the both of us. "Who the Hell are you?"

"Apollo!" I gasped and lightly pulled an ear. "That is no way to talk to a guest!" He just huffed at me, and then turned back to the guest.

"Who was that" asked the very mystified guest.

"That would have been Apollo," I sighed, "It is how he communicates," I looked to the guest, "My apologies, again, for his poor maners. Sometimes he forgets himself."

"Why does he not change back?"

"Excuse me?" I asked.

"I am sorry," he smiled. "Let me introduce myself. I am Eleazar. I use to be apart of the guard as well. I can tell someone's talent." I shook his hand, starting to feel slightly ill. I had heard of Eleazar a long time ago, pre-vampire. He was a friend of Carlisle's; his coven was basically cousins to the Cullen's. I had spent my vampire life trying to avoid the Cullen's and here sat my destruction of everything. Apollo sensing my discomfort put himself more in between us. "Your friend there is a shape-shifter." he said pulling me from my thoughts.

"No? Really, I thought I was the Easter Bunny." replied Apollo looking at me wiggling his nose like a rabbit, I couldn't help the giggle.

"That is very good Eleazar," I said.

"He can change to anything?"

"Yes," I replied not giving any information.

"You know 'He' can hear you," thought Apollo, I rolled my eyes.

"Then why does he not change back?"

"Because he chooses not to," I replied calmly. "Apollo would explain himself if he wanted you to know his reasoning."

"Right now he doesn't need to know," said Apollo.

"You," Eleazar turned to me, "are a shield and a very powerful shield at that," he cocked his head. "Is it physical as well as mental?" I nodded as we rounded the last corner before turning on the path to the garage. "As a human did you have your shield?"

"Not the physical," I replied softly rubbing the scar from James. Eleazar's eyes followed my hand. When he saw the bite his eyes went wide, flashing to my face, his full of recognition.

"You're...you're," he stopped, "but we all thought..." he stuttered.

"If the next line out of your mouth is either 'thought you were dead' or 'you're Edward's Bella' I might just go crazy."

"But you are, aren't you?" he asked.

"I am Nobody's Bella. I thought I was with someone, but," I looked down, "a conversation in the woods, a crushed spirit and a shredded heart later ended that."

"I don't understand?" Eleazar replied, "They left to protect you."

"Protect me?" I raised my voice, "I have on good authority that you are wrong."

"The family came to Alaska after they left Washington, they said…"

"Please," I raised my hand to stop him, "I don't want to hear it." I lowered my hand. "Either you are right or I am, and right now I don't want to know which it is." I said. "I know you are probably wanting to see your old friend, but you and I need to have a conversation first." I finished as the car came to a stop. "Apollo you are out first," I thought just to him, he nodded slightly. "When Apollo steps out you follow but do not pass him."

"But I..."

"Please do as I ask." I sighed.

"It would be easier if you did," thought Apollo, "she will get her way anyway." I didn't think Eleazar's eyes could get any bigger, but they did. He stared wide eyed at me for a moment, but when I made no move to back down he finally nodded. The door opened seconds later.

"Apollo," I said once the door was clear.

"Make way for the greatness," he thought and even with the graveness of the situation I couldn't help the laugh. Which in the end was Apollo's plan.

"You are a goof ball," I sent to him. "Who is waiting?" I asked as I watched Eleazar exit the car.

"Anita and the normal guard roaming the garage."

"I guess that is a good thing. If there were problems while we were gone there would be a bigger welcoming committee," I sent him as I slid out of the car.

"Mistress, Apollo and Eleazar it is so good to see you," said Anita stepping forward, the guard on the room saluting and bowing when I stepped forward.

"It is good to be home Anita," I smiled at her. "I see that everything is still standing."

"Yes it is," laughed Anita as I passed Apollo slightly blocking her way to Eleazar. "Jane is very excited that you have returned," her smile huge.

"I bet she is," I replied, my smile wide in return. "I am sure she can't wait to hand the reigns back to me."

"No, I'm sure she can't. Which reminds me, your young Sora asked me to give you this," She handed an envelope off her clipboard. Sora was a young Vampire that I had taken under my wing when she had come to Volterra with her coven, only to find out that the leader was working with Vlad. In the end she no longer had a coven and no where else to go. So I gave her the job of my assistant which also gave her my protection.

"Thanks," I replied tucking the envelope under my arm. I knew it was guard business but the red color around the edge of the 10x10 envelope, something that needed a few less witnesses around to read. "You must be here for Eleazar?" I questioned her, gesturing back to him still standing behind Apollo.

"Yes, Master Aro would like to see him directly," she nodded.

"Well that's too bad for him," I smiled, then turned to Chanel who I just remembered she was with me. "Here take these," I handed her the envelope, "please go figure out if I actually need to see what's inside." As my second she kept the small stuff off my desk. If there were things I needed to see, she would give it back.

"Of course Mistress," Chanel saluted and walked away.

"What do you mean Mistress?" asked Anita with a slight scared face.

"Aro is just going to need to wait for his friend a little bit longer." I watched her eyes go as large as saucers, her face going even paler.

"Why?" she gave a little squeak.

"We started a very interesting conversation on the way in." I shrugged. "And I would like to finish it before I release him into Aro's clutched." I leaned forward and whispered, although everyone heard, "You know how he gets with some guests. They go into that library and they don't come out for days."

"Yes, but..." she started to stutter.

"You just tell him to come see me if he has any problems, we should be in my office." I strengthened my shields around me, hopefully blocking Eleazar from being able to read anymore from me then he already knew. "Apollo let him by," I gestured for Eleazar to join me. "I would think I should only keep him for about a half hour," I said when I linked my arm with his, "Less time if you let us by."

"Of course," she stepped to the side, "I...I am sure Master Aro won't mind."

"I'm sure he won't," I smiled at her as I walked by her pulling a slightly terrified Eleazar with me. "Apollo re you coming?" I asked walking out of the garage to the elevators.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world." He thought back causing me to roll my eyes.

"Where are we going?" Asked Eleazar as the elevator doors closed.

"We are gong to my office where it is quiet\," I replied patting his hand in my arm.

"And Apollo is coming too?" He asked.

"Apollo goes everywhere with me," I laughed. "He takes the role of watch dog very seriously."

"I thought you told... Anita was it?" \He asked, I nodded as we walked out of the elevators. "You told Anita we were just talking, why bring the dog with you?"

"We are just talking and I am not bringing Apollo with me, he is coming of his own freewill. If you ever refer to him is such a derogatory fashion again you will see up close and personally why I am Mistress of the Guard."

"I am sorry," Eleazar said seeing the controlled fury in my eyes.

"Apollo and Chanel are my right hand people and they deserve the same amount of respect as I do," I continued to lead in through the corridors. "Don't think for a second that just because Apollo chooses to stay as a wolf," I added emphases on wolf, "that he is not powerful."

"I won't do it again," Eleazar said as we turned the corner to the new wing. "This is new."

"This is the new Volturi Guard Working Center or just the Center," I replied. "When I took over as Leader I was tired of everything pertaining to the guard beings scattered throughout the grounds. The sparing room on one side of the grounds, the main offices on the other side and the meeting rooms meeting somewhere in the middle, also the fact that there was no where inside to have the entire guard meet was a problem. So I had this built," I said stepping through the last double doors into the main room.

"Wow," came from Eleazar as he took in the size of the room.

"This is large enough to fit the entire guard plus, so now we can do large meetings or trainings," I said walking through the room. "Through these does are my office plus the seconds," I pointed down the hall, "pus we have smaller meeting rooms if needed."

"So everything is together."

"Yup," I smiled slightly, "the Guard don't have far to come from their quarters, which saves time It is definitely more efficient." I said leading him into my office, "Please have a seat." I gestured to the couch.

"Mistress," came Chanel coming out of her office when she saw me in my doorway, "I don't want to interrupt, but I wanted give you these," she handed me some papers. "I am taking care of the rest."

"Thank you, Chanel."

"Just doing my duty," she smiled as she side stepped to allow Apollo into the room. "If you need anything," she nodded to Eleazar looking around my office, "you let me know." I nodded and shut the door.

"You have a beautiful office," stated Eleazar.

"Thank you," I replied placing the papers on my desk. "I spend a lot of time in here." I sat in a chair facing him, Apollo lying on my feet. "You and I have a problem." I said getting straight to the point.

"What do you mean?" His eyes snapped to mine.

"I have done everything in my power to keep the Cullen's from knowing of my existence," I placed my hands in my lap. "I have placed the Brothers and anyone else that might come into contact with the Cullen's when they visit under my shield. I have kept to my rooms to minimize them coming across my scent. I have even left Italy all together to avoid them. If I would have known it was you I was waiting on I would found another way home, then avoided you during your stay."

"Why would you do something like that? What have I done to force you from your home?" Eleazar sighed. "I don't see why you run from your home for the Cullen's either."

"Don't you see Eleazar, I have hidden my existence and today has ruined all my work!" I raised my voice slightly. "All you need to do is THINK," I tapped my finger on my temple, "and my world is undone." I took a deep breath to calm myself. "So now we are back to our problem. What are we going to do?"

"I don't understand? I still don't see a problem," replied Eleazar.

"What don't you understand?" replied Apollo rolling to his side, "She doesn't want the Cullen's to know she is here." I reached down and started scratching his side as he stretched out more.

"They would love to know you're alive," said Eleazar shaking his head.

"I guess we are going to have to agree to disagree on that Eleazar," I replied continuing to scratch Apollo. "But now we have come again back to our problem. How am I going to allow you to leave knowing my secret?"

"We could kill him." replied Apollo, his tongue rolling out his mouth as I scratched.

"No, I think that might be slightly drastic," I shook my head peeking at Eleazar's very wide and frightened eyes. "Don't worry Eleazar," I reached over and patted his leg, "no physical harm will come to you," I said with what I hoped was a comforting smile.

"Could wipe his mind," Apollo suggested.

"That idea has merit Apollo," I quirked my head thinking. "It is the easiest way out of anything that I can think of really."

"Wait… wait," Eleazar threw up his hands.

"Do you have a suggestion?" I looked up at him while sliding to the floor to pet Apollo better.

"There is no need to do anything to me. You can stop planning my destruction."

"I don't remember any destruction plans," I laughed slightly with an eye roll.

"Nope, just a death plot."

"You're not helping." I pulled Apollo's ear.

"Would you stop doing that?" Apollo huffed.

"Would you stop being a pain?"

"I'm trying to help!"

"Are not."

"Are to!"

"Are not." I shoved him in the side.

"Are to!" He hit me with a large paw.

"Children!" Eleazar raised his voice over our bickering.

"Sorry," Apollo and I replied together.

"That's better," he said with a chuckle.

"Anyway," I said getting back on topic. "What was your suggestion?" I said, tucking my legs to my side while staying on the floor. Strategically speaking I should have moved back to the chair to show that I was equal to, if not above him. But I already had the upper hand; there was no need to flaunt it. If staying on the ground next to Apollo put Eleazar at ease, then I was willing to do just that. I did tune into his mind however.

"There is no need to do anything," Eleazar said.

"Why not?" I asked calmly as I placed my hands in my lap.

"I am also a shield," He looked down at me. "A weak one, but a shield none the less." He said with a slight smile. "Edward cannot read me unless I let him and Aro only gets blurry images."He continued in his mind.

"I bet the blurry pictures annoy the Hell out of Aro," I laughed lightly. "I know he hates not getting anything from me."

"How did you know?" asked Eleazar. "I thought you were a shield?" He asked aloud, but in his mind he continued. "I've never had a mind reader get into my mind."

"I am a shield, among other things," I smiled. "Tell me, have you heard of an absorber?" I asked getting off the floor.

"You're a sponge too? You're a shield and a sponge?"

"It's a kick in the pants isn't it?" I laughed. "The sad push-over human is now a strong powerful vampire."

"I think they call that irony," said Apollo rolling over to his stomach, standing and stretching.

"Shut up," I said giving him a slight shove, I turned back to Eleazar. "Barring a talk with Aro and confirming your shield, I think we are good to go."

"You can't read my mind and see the truth in my words?" he asked.

"I can," I smiled. "But I want his opinion if you really won't let 'slip' my location."

"If you really don't want Carlisle and his family to know you exist," I shook my head, "then they will not learn it from me."

"Thank you, Eleazar," I sighed.

"Although, I do have a few conditions," he said.

"And they would be?" I crossed my arms across my chest leaning back against my desk.

"Nothing bad I can assure you," he smiled widely. "Condition one. You show me more of your powers, if that doesn't bother you?"

"That's not a problem," I gave him a tight smile. "I do like to show off every once in a while."

"Condition two. Since we share the same diet you go hunting with me sometime while I am here."

"Again that's not a problem," I shrugged, these conditions were not what I was expecting. "I can show you all the good spots."

"Condition three. Please call me Eli, my friends do. I look forward to getting to know you better."

"I look forward to it as well," I smiled, the laughed as a thought crossed my mind. "That is if Aro lets you out of his library."

"He is long winded at time." Eleazar chuckled, then his eyes went wide. "Don't tell him I said that!"

"My lips are sealed," I continued to smile as I grabbed my cell. "Let me call someone to escort you to Aro."

End Flashback

I was pulled from my memory by my phone ringing again. I rubbed my eyes to see that I was now sitting at my vanity with my brush in my hand. Sometimes it was a good thing a vampire can run basically on auto pilot, if I didn't I don't think I would get anything done.

"Hello." I answered my phone when it rang again.

Okay so what did you think? I think I loved the banter between Apollo, Chanel and Bella. Can anyone guess my favorite lines in this chapter? You guess them I will send you a preview of either the next chapter or the new (still) unnamed story I am working on. Guess them both and you with get something from both.