A/N: I sense we're nearing the end, once the Citadel is running smoothly and Jane dealt with there will only be the ball and a small wedding to see xx Alexis
Aro sat watching the other's reactions to the antic's of his guard. Had he allowed the Elite guard so much leeway that now they saw themselves as above all others? Almost equal to his brother's and himself. Marcus who had left in disgust had warned him it would all come back to bite him one day and it was beginning to look like today was that day. Heidi had defied the other ruler's orders, Renata had used her gift on his mate, Corin had stolen from them all over years, no centuries and Jane took into her own hands, the punishment of wrongdoers.
This all pointed to a complete lack of respect for the brothers, for him. It was the direct opposite of how he had seen things; he always thought he was being benevolent and gracious to them all. They didn't fear him any longer but ignored and worked around him. Treating him like a fool and he had only himself to blame. Isabella's arrival showed up so many flaws he had been ignoring because only a fool couldn't see what was going on! So they, his brothers were correct and he was wrong, how galling. But he refused to be sidelined by anyone and now was angry he was made to look foolish by the guard.
"Everyone is dismissed! Jane, remain in your quarters until called for. Afton, we wish you to investigate her behaviour towards the other guards and staff. Demetri, please inform Marcus we will be having a council meeting in two hours time" Aro said really taking charge for once,
"Caius, Bella, we'll see you then and hear all proposals to sort out this mess. Pica, would you care to join me in a walk around the gardens?" he said every bit the ruler he once was and taking his mate's hand they left together,
"Alec" Bella called the retreating back of the boy,
"My lady," he asked bowing,
"If you'd be so kind, please escort Dora and Esme to their quarters," Bella said and he nodded and smiled,
"Felix, make sure everyone in the citadel who belongs to these jewels, has them returned. Chelsea, could you please oversee the ones belonging to other covens are sent back, make the excuse of our renovations bringing them to light" Caius now said and then they too left.
EIM
"Whatever will we do for two hours Káious?" Bella whispered to her mate,
"Oh, I can think of a couple of things" he replied growling,
Scooping her up and moving faster towards their quarters. He loved when she pronounced his name that way, the way it should be in Greek. Bella wondered if it was his age that made her mate a giving lover or just that he was her mate. Therefore her happiness was his happiness type of thing. Whatever it was he always made sure she was being fulfilled in this bond they shared and it made her see just how wrong her relationship was with Edward Cullen had been and how lucky she was to have escaped from him and certain death at his hands.
Caius had mapped her body with his hands the first time they made love and he knew what she liked, what she needed and when she needed it. He knew when to draw out their lovemaking and when to give her his passion hard and fast, but it didn't matter to him, it was the satisfaction and outpouring of undying love she gave him each time that made him happy. He had worried that bringing her here to Volterra would put a strain on them. Bella proved him wrong; she rose above it and saw the things around the brothers that were not what they should be. Bringing Pica along with her as a friend and a guide in all things Volterra.
"Little one, you are all I could have wished for and more. I want it all my Bella, the vampire mating ritual, you bearing my name through marriage. I want the world to know you choose me!" he panted in between each forceful thrust into her willing body,
"Yes, I want that too. I want those women to see what they missed out on, to show them you are mine" Bella replied breathlessly, before sinking her teeth into his neck,
Thus making him growl loudly and pick up the pace to an almost brutal speed. Because as much as he knew her body Bella also knew his. She knew he often needed to prove his dominance, not to her but to be heard giving his mate all she needed and desired. Proof that he was her rightful mate and he alone could satisfy all her needs. It was a strange thing to Bella at first, but having her shout his name to the heavens, pleased him immensely. Bella was too sheltered by the Cullens, to see how false they really were. They behaved more like humans than humans did and that was so wrong.
Caius was all vampire and she loved it. He didn't pretend to be anyone else; he had no need for the trappings of grandeur. The first sight of his quarters showed her this; it was much more functional than fancy. He, of course, told her to change anything she wanted, but Bella liked it this way. The library was extensive and en-suite amazing, the multi-headed shower was bliss on a stone body. You could feel it, unlike normal showers that only cleaned, but rarely invigorated as this one did. The colours in their rooms were subdued and calming, this too Bella liked, she wanted to have a place to relax and be herself.
Yes, Caius had worked out long ago that here in his quarters he could be just Caius, not a ruler, not a warrior, just Caius the vampire. They were totally in tune in this respect too; Bella also needed a place to just be herself away from others eyes. Most people didn't get that or like Alice understand the need for solitude. But sometimes just sitting alone and letting your mind wander was good for you, was good for the soul. Bella always thought it was because she was an only child, but it wasn't that at all. It was part of her psyche that needed silence and reflection to ease its worry and be a balm to it.
"Time's almost up little one, let's get this done. Jane had truly overstepped herself this time! But this has given us the perfect opportunity to make changes here in Volterra" Caius said hugging Bella to him.
EIM
"So ladies, what do you have planned for us now? I assume there will be changes around here? Also, what will we do with Renata and Jane?" Aro asked, knowing they would have already devised some sort of punishment,
"Ah well, as for Renata, she will be sent back to Luca as useless! I will strongly pen a letter stating a shield who comes between mates is not someone wanted in Volterra. Her sins will be leaked across the vampire world; none will want her services or company. She will never be trusted outside of Malta and will now cast a slur on the good name of Luca, himself" Pica said with a very evil little grin,
"We want to revamp, as it were the guard! Do away with the Elite guard; it is they and not any others who have caused Volterra grief. We will have a Senior guard, but for all who have served for more than one thousand years. No matter their position they will be Senior guards, as recognition for their service to the ruling house. Plus they will have their own recreation room in the guard's quarters. Esme's working on it now" Bella said and Aro nodded his head seeing how many of the old Elite guard would feel about that,
"We want everyone else to be just the guard, no favouritism, but with the knowledge that if they work hard they could earn jobs with important positions. For instance, I think Felix should be Commander of the guard and have Captains under him, they will answer to him and he answers to us, though me. Each Captain would have their own tactical unit for missions; Jane will no longer be considered!" Caius said,
"The household staff have never had a proper chain of command and it's only because they are mostly Seniors that this place runs so well. I want them to have a liaison between them and us, instead of coming to me alone. They will go to Chelsea as Superintendent of the Citadel Staff, she will then report to Pica and Bella" Marcus added his comment to the pot,
"Lastly, for now, all guards need to take a turn at other duties. Many of the household staff have little or no help. Plus when non-fighters are weeded out they can be given the option to work elsewhere in the Citadel. Because Pricilla it turns out has only one assistant and that's Carlisle, she's been looking after everything alone for centuries. That's unacceptable and while we're on the subject have you ever thought of making money by showing off the items in the archives?" Bella asked with a raised eyebrow,
Aro sighed, here Bella was pointing out all the things they could have done and also reiterating things Caius and Marcus have said in the past. Aro knew they had slid into a rut after Didyme died and he had just let it worsen over the ensuing years. Hiding Pica away had done more harm than good. Leaving Marcus to wallow, had done more harm than good. Taking the guard out of Caius' hands had once again done more harm than good! Because he himself had never picked up the slack and now this is where they are, the guard in disarray and the staff overworked.
"I see you all have thought long and hard and I know I have pushed these ideas aside in the past, but now I see you were right. So organise your guard Caius, see to our household ladies and Marcus, make us some money like you always wanted too. Now while we wait for Afton's report, Jane will be stripped of all trappings of importance. She will be a Senior guard only due to length of service, no more. Is that it then for now?" Aro asked reflectively,
"Aro dear, I'd like one more thing. The household guards and staff should have cloaks and insignia. So to that end, I want all lower guards to hand their light grey's over and they get the dark grey and only the Captains, Felix and Chelsea in black for now. We'll see as we change things up" Pica said smiling and everyone nodded, it would make everyone alike and look so much better at events and such like.
"Make it happen, my dear, before the ball to introduce Isabella to our world" Aro assented and all rose to head off to their own pursuits.
EIM
After swiftly kissing Bella, Caius strode out towards the training grounds. There was much needing to be done and here was where he would start. Calling Felix to his side, he informed him of his new position and told him that Santiago, Afton, Demetri and Alec would be his four Captains. He also explained he wanted two more but under no circumstances was Jane to be one as she was now just a plain guard when she was released. Then they would sort out the next tier down from the Captains, these Lieutenants would be the ones to take control while the Captains were on missions.
Caius called the whole guard present to attention and asked them to surrender any pale grey cloaks and bronze insignia to Miranda and arrange with her for new dark grey cloaks and silver insignia instead. The four Captains to arrange for new black cloaks lined with blue and keep or receive their gold insignia. Felix was told to get a black cloak lined with red to show his status and his insignia would be made out of platinum. Once the Captains had with Felix and Caius' input, picked their Lieutenants, they would have their dark grey cloaks lined with green. Again it was stated Jane would not be eligible.
"You are now all the Volturi guard, there is no upper and lower or elite. There is you and then there are your superiors. The only new guard will be the Senior guard and that will be made up of the oldest serving members of the guard and household staff.
These men and woman will be shown respect, no matter the position they hold within the Citadel. I'm I understood?" Caius demanded loudly and got a 'Yes Master' as consent,
"You all now answer to Felix, but remember he answers to me! You are all dismissed for the rest of the day; tomorrow we train harder than ever before. Antonius a word please" Caius finished off by saying.
The Master of the dungeons came forward in surprise; he was never normally addressed at meetings of any kind.
"You report directly to me Antonius. Any repairs needed, any equipment needing replaced, you ask me. You are the Master of the Dungeons and will also wear a black cloak, but lined with green and a gold insignia denoting your status" Caius told the dumbfounded man who had always felt forgotten down there in his dungeons.
Inside the Citadel, Pica and Bella had gathered as many of the staff as possible, especially the heads of departments.
"Miranda, you, I'm afraid are about to be inundated with work. The cloaks of the lower guard are to now be issued to the household staff. I don't mean for workwear, but for any outside business and at ceremonies and the likes. You are all integral to the running of Volterra and should be seen as such.
Chelsea will now be the person who you take all concerns to, not Marcus. She is you Superintendent of the Citadel and will report to us. You may address us as the sisters to her, otherwise, it's 'My Lady', we are not Queens and it is an outdated mode of address" Pica said in a clear commanding voice,
"Now for those of you who haven't yet met her this is Lady Isabella, Master Caius' mate and future wife" She added introducing Bella,
"Thank you Lady Sulpicia. It's a pleasure to meet you all and I have made arrangements to meet with heads of departments over the next couple of weeks. What I would like to tell you is that those of you needing staff are about to get the help you need.
We will be rotating some of the guard through the household. When not needed they will bolster your departments. I believe Master Aro is setting in motion a grand ball to introduce me to the Covens and you will need all the help you can get I'm sure.
Marguerite, you will work closely with Chelsea, but the day to day running of the household is still firmly in your capable hands. The same goes for you Gaius and your beautiful gardens. Those of you that deal with the libraries, the archives and the vaults will now answer to Master Marcus. He will no doubt want to set up a structure of his own" Bella said nodding to the approaching Marcus,
"Thank you, Isabella my sister. Pricilla, Tristan and Evelyn please gather your staff and follow me to the main library" Marcus said and led his contingent away.
"Now Miranda, I believe Master Caius has decided on red, blue and green lining's for the cloaks, so we'll have the same but in pastel shades. Give Master Caius' ones the deepest shade and Master Marcus' something in the middle. Red for Chelsea, blue for Marguerite and Gaius, green for yourself and Theo and I'm sure we'll sort out the rest as we go along" Pica said with a little laugh,
"Thank you all for your time and now we'll get out of your way. It's been a pleasure to meet you all" Bella said letting out a puff of air as the staff all departed.
Marcus smiled at his much smaller staff but knew they were more dedicated than most. Theirs was a labour of love. Evelyn with the paintings and tapestries, Tristan with the books and scrolls and Pricilla with the large collections of artefacts. That left Marcus himself with the archives he loved so much. Carlisle was on this staff and had been in the three main departments since his arrival, he had loved the books the most and the artwork next, but the artefacts least of all.
Ladies and gentlemen, we may be smaller in size but we have the weight of history at our fingertips. We are the keepers of knowledge and to my mind more important because of that.
My three Custodians, you will now be wearing black cloaks with blue lining and gold insignia. At present, I will not be putting anyone in charge of you, so you answer directly to me. Pricilla I know you desperately need more help and we are going to utilise the guard to this end. But I insist you are picky and only let those who suit the posts in your domains.
Carry on as usual and if you need anything you know where to find me. Thank you all and see about your new apparel as soon as Miranda can fix it.
Carlisle, walk with me" Marcus said and his staff disappeared as quietly as they had come.
"So how are you enjoying working in Volterra? Not as demanding I assume, but hopefully as fulfilling" Marcus asked Carlisle,
"It's been fascinating, I admit I preferred the libraries most of all. But the artwork is spectacular. I had to laugh when Evelyn pulled out that painting of us all and did a double-take at me. I know this is meant to be a punishment and I know why, but it doesn't feel like it is and I am thankful for that.
For Edward, I broke my Hippocratic Oath and I don't think I could ever go back to being a doctor ever again. I..., I let myself down as well as Bella and the family. I will never get back all that I lost and I don't deserve to either. I let the scientist in me sway my better judgement" Carlisle explained to Marcus and it was from the heart,
"Well with that in mind, I have a new job for you. There are so many documents in the archives that are medical and scientific. I need someone who understands them to get them into a cohesive section in there and then to have them transferred to the computer system before they are lost to the rigours of time. What do you say, Carlisle, can you do this?" Marcus asked knowing Carlisle could not refuse.
Marcus was the only brother who felt Carlisle should never have left Volterra. He was more scientist than doctor way back when and Marcus had truly wanted him to stay and help them. He hoped now he could guide and mould Carlisle into the man he should have been. He was too weak-willed to lead but too intelligent to let others lead him. But he could be an integral part of the Volturi archives if he let himself go and release the need for a family. That was the one human trait that was his downfall, Carlisle needed to accept he was a vampire and not a human anymore.
In the future, Marcus saw Carlisle as the man to wear his group's red-lined black cloak. It wouldn't be soon, but one day he would elevate the doctor to Chief Custodian of the Volturi Archives, Libraries and Vaults. If anyone had the patience to wait it was Marcus, he was a past master of the pastime.
"I would be honoured to finally work alongside you Master Marcus" Carlisle replied and followed behind his friend and now mentor to the archives.
EIM
The day had all been about change, well for the others but not Aro. His day was all about diplomacy and invitations to a grand ball. He had spoken to several of the larger covens and written to many more. He supposed he should follow their lead and organise the staff that they had for these purposes, technically the secretarial staff.
"Gustav, how many staff do we have? In total, the couriers included" Aro asked his personal secretary,
"Including the mail, the telephonists, the couriers and the reception desk, about twenty-five, possibly thirty" He replied,
"Well organise them to your liking and find Lady Isabella a secretary. You are now the new Director of Operations. Snappy title don't you agree?" Aro said, thinking that wasn't so hard,
"Thank you, Master Aro, do you wish me to find you another secretary or are you happy for me to stay and wear two hats," Gustav asked, he had always been in charge but never recognised until now,
"I need you, you are the only one that understands the way I do things" Aro muttered and finished his next letter,
"Very well Master Aro," Gustav said keeping his head down to hide his grin,
"Oh, see Miranda about the new cloak business, whatever Marcus' lot are wearing will do for us too. You're not guard, but not household either and neither are his lot so we'll band together as it were" Aro said airily happy that he was getting into the spirit of it all.
Pica would be pleased and it was always nice when she was pleased with him. Afton had delivered his report about Jane and oh dear, she really was not liked here in Volterra. It appears she thinks that everyone is here to do her bidding, even before that of the ruling house. Well that is about to stop and from now on anytime she uses her gift to threaten others she will be punished. It turns out the receptionist before Gianna was tortured to death, not eaten as she told Marcus. So Jane wasn't above lying to the brothers either!
Yes her gift was powerful; yes he enjoyed watching her use it. But that did not give her any rights to treat everyone like they were beneath her. Especially the brothers and their mates. It looks like she's attacked most of her peers at one time or another and she rarely listens to Felix at all. Apparently if not for Alec stopping her she might have done more damage than she already had. How had he not seen this? How, because he had turned a blind eye and made her think she was more important than she actually was.
Time to call another council meeting, everyone will want to know what's going on and what we are going to have to do with her. Demotion would be the most humiliating thing for Jane, taking away any status she had would get through to her, well it was to be hoped.