AN: Okay so I am not dead, though there are days I really wonder... As always I own nothing but the plot bunnies that are running wildly around my head. I also suggest reading the AN at the bottom of this chapter. If you do not I am not responsible for a response to certain reviews!
On a side note...I have started to fix early chapters of VM. I have reposted chapter 3 and 4 tonight as well!
Chapter 38
"Hello," I answered my phone when it rang again.
"Mistress," came from the other end. "Did I wake you?"
No, Felix I was just wrapped in my thoughts that's all," I said. "What can I do for you?"
"I was just wondering if you and I were going to spar today?"
"No," I replied, "I needed to make a phone call instead of helping you with your date with the floor."
"One of these days I am going to get you," he laughed with me.
"We will see," I said still chuckling. "Why don't you work with Jasper?" I suggested. "He should be in the Center."
"So early? He looking forward to his schooling?"
"I had a job for him," I said finishing my hair, "he should be about finished."
"If he is not, may I interrupt him?"
"Go for it," Jasper needed to learn that there was always interruptions.
"This should be fun," I could almost see the evil glint in his eyes as he rung his hands together.
"Don't be evil, Felix," I giggled. "Alright, I need to make my call."
"And I need to go play with the new Second of the Guard."
"Not too rough, remember he is higher ranked then you," I reminded him. "He could make your life a living hell later."
"We'll see," he chuckled. "I will see you later then." I agreed, then ended the call and moved to my office. This was not a social call so I needed to use the phone in my office instead of my cell. There were channels and protocols I needed to go through since this was going to be a Volturi related call.
"Gianna," I said after dialing the front desk.
"Good morning Mistress," replied Gianna. "What can I do for you this fine morning?"
"I need you to get someone on the line for me."
"No problem, Mistress." I could hear her grabbing paper. "Who would you like?"
"I need Eleazar Denali and as soon as possible."
"I will get right on that," said Gianna.
"Thanks," I replied hanging up. I knew I had a few minutes before Gianna would let me know Eli was on the line. I quickly ran to the kitchen, made a cup of tea and grabbed a granola bar, then made my way back to my office to wait. I did not need to wait long, I was only half way through my bar and tea when the phone rang.
"Yes?" I answered.
"Mistress," said Gianna. "I have Mr. Denali on the line for you."
"Thank you, put him through please."
"Sure thing," she replied. I listened for the tell-tale click of the lines being switched.
"Hello Eleazar," I said so soon as I heard it.
"Good morning to you, My Lady."
"Eleazar, I wish you would not call me that."
"And I wish you to call me Eli."
"My apologize Eleazar, but this is not a social call." I smiled into the phone, even though I knew he couldn't see it. "I suppose for you though, I could forgo the formalities."
"I figured it was not going to be a happy call when you had the switchboard call."
"Are you alone?"
"I would seem to be this morning," he laughed. "The girls have gone shopping."
"For Edward's and Tanya's coming home gift I presume?" I asked calmly.
"Yes, I think…" he stopped and I waited. "How did you know they were coming?"
"That would be a part of why I am calling Eli," I replied calmly in hoped of keeping him calm too.
"Would you like the long version or the short?"
"The short please," Eleazar replied.
"Okay, well the short is Maria is back and looking for Jasper and his old second."
"You think she will send someone here?"
"I don't know," I replied. "In all honesty, I don't think so; you're to far away from her base."
"What of the rest of the Cullen's?"
"I already have a team watching them," I replied. "Right now I am worried about you."
"I don't need guards here," he said strongly.
"They don't need to be noticeable. They could be there and be gone without anyone being the wiser."
"Really, I don't see the need for guards. We are so far from civilization we would see them coming."
"Are you sure?"
"We will be fine," he reassured me.
"The only way I will allow this if you promise me that if you sense anything amiss you will call. You don't wait; you call me right away, my direct line."
"There will be no…"
"Eleazar you call the moment you think there is a problem." I used my 'Mistress' voice. "If you don't I am coming there and kicking your ass myself. I will kick it all the way back to Volterra where I will let the guard kick what is left and then I will kick it all the way back to Alaska. Is that understood Eleazar?"
"That won't be..."
"That is not the answer I want."
"As you wish Mistress Isabella," he sighed into the phone. "If I find anything amiss I will inform you directly."
"Thank you Eli." I sighed. "Would it be too much to ask for you to swear it?"
"Bella is it necessary? I promise I will call," Eleazar replied a little wary.
"It would make me feel better," I said.
"As you wish," he paused. There was no set swear I was looking for, just something to ease my mind that he really would call. He took his time choosing his words. "Mistress Isabella, I swear on my status of friend of the Volturi that I will inform you instantly of any misgivings that I may have until the threat we have spoken of is at an end. If I do not do this, may I be stripped of my rights in the chambers of the Leaders of the Volturi."
"As a Leader of the Volturi I will hold you to your word," I answered his oath with a lighter heart. "That really does make me feel better."
"I am glad," I could hear the smile in his voice.
"How are Carmen and the girls?" I asked now that the business was at an end.
"They are good. Carmen is thinking for having Esme come for a visit so she can help Carmen redo part of the house." We both laughed, it was one of our jokes that Carmen changed the house around more then most people changed their underwear. "And the girls are trying to bankrupt me."
"I am sure that Esme will do a wonderful job. I know that Carmen likes having a kindred spirit around." Both Carmen and Esme were born mothers and a natural calling to want to take care of anything and anyone. "Well, as for the girls," I started. "I always said I thought they were spoiled."
"Says the woman that could have anything her hearts desires."
"I might have the means to have what I want, it does not mean I always do," I said with a shrug. "You will make sure to give my love to Carmen?"
"Of course," Eleazar gave a chuckle. "She always has had a soft spot for the little miss Izzy." I had met Eleazar's mate a while back as Izzy the special human employee of the Volturi. A human for all she knew that never aged, but was not a vampire. I have never shown Carmen the true me for fear that Edward would see it in her mind when he visited. It was a risk I was not willing to take.
"The next time she visits with you we may have to invent a story that I have been changed. I think she might start to ask questions about why I am not aging and why I am so special to the brothers," I said thinking of the future.
"We will cross that bridge when we get to it," was his response. "Well My Lady," I again could hear his smile knowing I hated it when he called me that, "I am sure my ladies will be home soon. I also know you have more important things to do other then talk to me."
"I do have a new Second that I must see how his training is going," I said "I also have to take said new Second to get his new mode of transportation this afternoon plus I have some unruly guests to escort from Volterra."
"Then I think it is time we say our farewells."
"I agree," I sighed. "Eleazar you stay safe aright? I would never forgive myself is something happened to you."
"Nothing will happen, Bella. Please stop worrying would you?"
"I will try, but I doubt I will succeed," I said. "I really do need to go Eli."
"I will talk with you soon Bella."
"I'll call and check in with you," I said. "Goodbye Eli."
"Goodbye, My Lady," he hung up before I could say something about the name.
With the phone call off my mind I felt better. I hated the idea of someone going to Alaska and hurting my friends. But I knew that Eli would watch his land and that he would let me know right a way. With my mind slightly more clear I got up from my desk and got myself dressed for the day. Even though Jasper was able to dress causally, I could not. I was a representative of the VC today and I need to look like it.
Again I want to state that as much as I love reading reviews (mind you I never thought I would be getting any) if you only are asking for an update I am going to bring out my alter ego and may answer not so nicely. I am trying to sell a house while my parents now both work and stay a state away during the week. It is very hard to get time to get a chapter up. I am always writing and am actually a few chapters a head, but that does not mean I am going to get a chapter up! So just be forewarned!
Also I am working on THREE other stories... Mistress' Mate that is posted on TwiWrite (which hopefully by the end of the night be posted here too) and two others that have yet to be posted. Sometimes when the Muse hits for one of the other stories VM gets pushed to the back burner, but be rest assured I have not forgotten the story and will continue to work on it.