Bella

The day the Cullens were to arrive dawned and I was a nervous wreck. The situation wasn't helped by knowing Demetri would be leaving after the confrontation. Demetri noticed my distraction and rubbed my back soothingly.

"It will all be okay." Demetri soothed. "I'll be back as soon as possible and the Cullens won't be any trouble."

"I wonder if Jane will get drunk with me while you are gone cause this is going to suck." I complained.

"If Jane won't I bet Felix and Alec will. They're always looking for an excuse." Demetri comforted. "You haven't had the chance to get to know the rest of the elite guards very well, this will give you the chance to do that. I know it isn't what you want. It isn't what I want either but between working on sparring and your shield, getting more comfortable feeding, and getting to know the others I bet you'll barely miss me.

The tone of Demetri's voice concerned me. "Demetri I bet I still miss you when you're gone a hundred years from now."

"Sorry Bella, I guess I'm nervous about this separation too. I'm afraid you won't need me as much when the others are doing things for you."

"Even when I can take care of myself I'll still need and want you, Demetri."

"Are you ready to go practice my little love?" Demetri asked with a smile on his face.

"Why can't we just stay in bed today until the Cullens come? I want you all to myself."

"Because we're guard, Bella, and we have to be the best we can possibly be."

"Okay, but I like my idea better. I love you Demetri,"

The practice room was already busy and we got in and got right to work.

"Felix, you're in charge of Bella's training while I'm gone. Reneta, you're in charge of her shield practice."

Both nodded with a short "Yes, Master," before going back to their own endeavors.

"Jane?" I asked when she was between sparring sessions, "Will you help me feed and clean up while Demetri is gone?"

"Of course Bella, don't worry. We've all got you. We'll take care of you while Demetri can't."

"Bella," Demetri called, "You're sparring with me today."

Demetri waited till I was ready for him and he came for me. I'll never be afraid of my mate but when he lunged I could barely see him. The only thing that saved me is that I knew he was lunging at me and I was ready when his fist appeared, going towards my head. I blocked blow after blow and kick after kick but all I could do was block. We were moving way too fast for me to be able to punch or kick at him. Eventually he swept my legs out from under me and I fell to the ground with his teeth at my throat. He kissed where my pulse once beat and said, "Ok, Bella, now I know what we need to work on."

The next time he lunged at me he was slower, his movements more visible, and it was easier to jump that leg when he swept the floor. I struck out, trying to hit him but he was never where I thought he would be. Never where I expected him and never ever in striking distance. Getting frustrated, as I jumped another leg sweep I put my shield around me and watched him.

"Good job Bella, I was wondering how long it was going to take you to get frustrated enough to do that." He tried to penetrate the bubble, but there were no seams, no openings, no thin spots.

"Now relax Bella, put your shield away." he coached.

I took deep breaths. I relaxed my tense shoulders. I remembered that I wanted him to be able to get to me and just like that the bubble popped.

"What did you think of that made the bubble pop."

"I got finished being angry and remembered that I wanted you to be able to get to me."

"It was that simple, you just thought, 'I want him to be able to get to me,' and the bubble burst?"

I nodded. He chuckled and said, "I want you to put your bubble back up before I can lunge at you."

I nodded and he asked, "Ready?"

"Yes," and he was a blur again. His fist was coming at me before I got my bubble up but I did and his fist bounced off of it.

He flew back through the air and hit the wall. My shield disappeared as I ran to him.

"Are you ok?" I asked as I got down on my knees and pulled him up to me.

"I'm ok Bella, just surprised. I didn't expect to go flying like that with the momentum."

He stood somewhat slowly and I searched him with my hands trying to see if he was hurt anywhere. When I realized he wasn't I jumped into his arms and kissed all over his face and neck, "I'm sorry...I'm sorry... I'm sorry,"

"It's alright Bella he said with a quick kiss, you just stunned me a little bit. That shield of yours turns their momentum back on opponents."

Demetri put his arms around my waist and kissed the top of my head. "I want to try something else. I want you to try to expand your shield to include me.

I tried and tried to get my shield to expand but it wasn't going anywhere I must have stood there glaring at Demetri for a full hour. Then I decided I'd give him a little piece of my shield. A blue bubble surrounded him right away.

Testing it I put my shield around me and it didn't seem any weaker.

"Done," I told Demetri.

I concentrated on keeping his piece of the shield strong.

"Break" Demetri called and everyone surrounded us.

"Now expand your shield to cover all of them too."

I focused on Jane first, then Felix, Alec, Reneta, and Chelsea.

I looked around and they were all shielded. Then I put up my own shield and it seemed just as strong as ever.

"Done," I reported to Demetri.

"Jane, I want you to try to use your gift." Demetri ordered. No one reacted. Jane focused on everyone one at a time.

"Now put all but your shield away, Bella."

I focused on each person taking back that little piece of shield that I had given them. Then I took my own shield away.

"Done," I reported to Demetri.

"Alec, I want you to try your gift on Jane"

The smoke I remember surrounded Jane and she slid to the floor. Alec pulled the smoke back immediately.

"Bella, I'd like you to come with me." Demetri ordered.

When we closed the training room door Demetri asked me, "Do you think you could protect the Masters like that?"

"I don't see why not. I can't expand my shield but I can give other people a little piece of my shield. It doesn't seem to affect how strong my shield is. I pulled him to a stop and got up on my tip toes to whisper in his ear, "But I like when you get all bossy like that."

Demetri's red eyes seemed to become redder and he kissed me roughly. Then saying, "Now behave, we're going to see the Masters."

I followed him staring at his butt and he turned around eyeing me knowingly. "I said behave."

I laughed and grabbed his hand letting him lead me to the throne room.

When we walked in all three Masters were there.

"There has been a development with Bella's shield Masters." Demetri said. "She can shield the entire elite guard in their own individual shields."

"What excellent news Bella. Could you please demonstrate by shielding the three of us.

"Yes, Master."

I looked at each of the Masters and gave them a piece of my shield. The blue bubbles sprang up around each of them. I concentrated on them just to make sure they stayed strong.

"It's done Masters."

Aro reached out to caress his shield with the tip of a finger.

"Jane's gift doesn't reach anyone inside a shield Masters."

"Simply magnificent young Bella. This could be absolutely priceless in combat."

"I don't think I have them perfected enough to allow you to fight from within one yet but it is my guess that if Jane's gift doesn't work then Edward's mind reading won't either. Possibly not Alice's visions. But I don't know how to allow you to touch someone with the shield up yet Master Aro."

"Perhaps you would shield us during the Cullens trial today Bella. I dislike the mind reader rummaging in my head" Aro said.

"You aren't subject to an attack either Masters, your opponents momentum would be used against you and they would simply fly back. I may have left a dent in the training room wall testing that theory."

"You can remove the shields now Bella." Aro said.

I looked at Aro, then Caius, then Marcus taking the pieces of my shield back one at a time.

"Yes, Masters, it is finished."

Aro extended his arm again and it went through where the shield had been.

"Simply marvelous Bella. Please keep us up to date on your training experiments."

Demetri bowed and I followed suit. "Prepare for the Cullens arrival young ones. I want the elite guard shielded and present before the Cullens arrival." Oh, and Bella, you'll find a black cloak in your wardrobe now. Wear it, and this, he passed a necklace to me. It was a Ruby with a stylized V over the top of it."

"It is beautiful Master, I will wear it with pride."

"Dismissed." Caius said but for once I thought he smiled.

When we closed the doors behind us I asked Demetri, "Will you put it on for me? I'm afraid if I touch it too much I'll break it."

"Pull your hair up my love."

Demetri deftly put the necklace around my neck and clasped it behind my neck.

"It looks wonderful on you," he said. "Do you know what that means?"

I only shook my head in the negative.

"You are part of the elite guard with me, and will be able to join me on missions after your newborn time is over."

I kissed him as gently as I could and ran up to our rooms to see my new robe.

I was ready long before the Cullens arrived. I even had Jane pull my hair up in a pony tail to show of my mating mark.

To say I was nervous was putting it mildly. I wore a black skirt and top underneath my robe but only the hem of the skirt was visible. I finally took the time to look in a mirror to see how much the change had altered me. I definitely had better boobs, and the flaws in my face had been erased. My cheekbones were more prominent and my eyes were a startling red.

"You look perfect, my Bella," Demetri put his arms around my waist and squeezed lightly.

"Thank you. So do you. Should we go down? I need to do everyone's shield before the Cullens arrive."

"Right, kiss me first then we will go down."

I stood on tiptoe and he leaned down and we shared a passionate kiss that I thought had caught my body on fire. My body melted against his, our tongues dueled, I never wanted it to end.

When he finally pulled away I could feel my face slip into a pout. He only laughed and led me from our rooms.

Apparently our kiss lasted longer than I had thought. All the elite guard was in the throne room already. I walked to the thrones first.

"Your shields Masters," I said and looked at each of them, giving them a piece of my shield. Next I walked among the guard giving them each shields as well. Then I went back to Demetri and asked, "Where do I stand?"

"Behind me," he said. "Put your own shield up. Don't let it down whatever happens."

I did as I was told. In truth it was harder to maintain my own shield than that of others. We all stood silently. There was no breath, no movement, not even mine.