Bella
I drank blood spiked wine with Felix and Alec. We played cards but I was hopeless at poker. Instead of me getting mad over losing Alec suggested we play thirteen. I knew that one and we played hand after hand late into the night.
"So how did you change, Alec?" I asked while Felix shuffled cards.
"I was convicted of being a witch about four hundred years ago along with Jane. Aro had heard that we had powers, Jane's ability to cause pain had already manifested. Aro rescued us, killed all the villagers, and changed us that very night."
"How horrible for you. At least you got to keep your sister in your life."
"We were only sixteen at the time. But it worked out. Our mother had already been convicted as a witch and burned and our father was a terrible man. Being changed was the best thing for us."
We played three more hands before I asked, "How often do you go on missions like the one Demetri is on now?"
"Demetri goes alone sometimes because he's a tracker," Felix said, "He's also the head of the guard, and as you can see he's better in combat than any three of us. Though don't tell him I ever admitted that."
"On average, we take six to eight trips a year but most of those are in groups," Alec added. "This one is an easy one. There is just one newborn and its maker to deal with. I wouldn't be surprised if he's home in a day or two."
"I'm ready for some more wine, how about you two?" I asked.
I went to the bar and poured myself another glass. I was starting to get antsy. I felt unsettled, uncomfortable, more out of control than usual. I went back to the table and saw them sharing looks.
"Okay boys, what are the looks about?" I asked hesitantly.
"It's the mating bond that has you feeling so out of sorts. It's more than just not seeing your mate, it's that he's getting farther from you. You'll get used to the feeling I'm told but it's not an easy thing even for a mature vampire," Felix admitted.
"We're here for you," Alec said. "We just need to keep you as distracted as possible over the next day or so."
"Alright, I guess I need to learn to deal with it. Let's play some more thirteen."
It was about four am when we finished. I was feeling a little bit tipsy but not very bad. I remembered how I'd drank until I fell asleep when I was human.
"There was no chance I was going to keep up with you all drinking and playing cards when I was human was there?"
"Nope," Felix admitted, "but it was fun to watch you try."
"I think I'll watch a movie until it's time for me to feed, anyone want to join me?"
"Heidi is waiting on me," Felix admitted.
"I will," Alec said.
"What kind of movies do you like Alec?"
"Action mostly but we can watch something else if you prefer."
"No, I like action, why don't we watch your favorite."
Alec reached up and pulled a box of the overfull shelves.
"300 is your favorite action movie?"
"Yeah, is that alright?"
"Perfect, can you put it in? I might break it."
Jane had joined us by the time 300 was over. "Let's go get you fed Bella."
"I just need to stop in my room for some fresh clothes on the way. Thanks for keeping me company, Alec,"
Jane joined me as I went to get new clothes from my and Demetri's room. I pulled down underwear, and a tee shirt, and yoga pants. After all I was only going to be sparring today.
We went down to the catacombs and I asked Jane, "How often do the rest of you feed?"
"Normally we go from every two weeks to once a month," Jane replied easily.
"That'll be convenient when I only have to feed every few weeks instead of every few hours," I admitted.
"Don't worry about it right now. You're doing really great to not have to be fed six times a day at this point. Soon you'll be at once a day feedings and you won't feel like your always in the catacombs."
"Is that where you feed, down in the catacombs too?"
"No, we feed in the throne room most times," Jane admitted. "You won't be ready for that for a while because we feed as a group. It's hard to control the instinct to protect your hunt."
"Are you due in court today or will you be with us sparring?"
"I'll be sparring. I enjoy it. I'd probably do it even if I didn't have to."
"I enjoy sparring with Felix but Demetri makes me feel like I'm so outmatched. I haven't sparred with anyone else yet."
"I'd guess that will change today. Felix is taking Demetri's place supervising training so you'll probably be sparring with the rest of us."
"That should be a nice distraction."
"Now let's go get you fed."
I seemed to feed more neatly now than I did when I first woke up. I still needed new clothing, but it wasn't up on the rafters anymore. Just in a small pool at my feet. I felt like I was really improving and wished Demetri were there to see it.
While we were cleaning me up Jane started asking me about my human life.
"My mom is kinda young for her age. I had to be the adult in the family from the time I was ten. I even had to use my babysitting money to pay utility bills a few times when mom forgot to pay them. I love her but I also wish she would have grown up, you know what I mean?"
"My dad was the grown-up in their relationship. They divorced when I was a baby I only went to live with him when I was seventeen. Then I met Edward and that whole mess happened."
By that time Jane was drying my hair and we couldn't talk anymore.
"So do you like being a vampire?" Jane asked as she shut the dryer off.
"Dealing with newborn stuff and missing mate stuff all at once is a little much but I can tell that I'm going to like it once I get a little older and Demetri gets back home to me. How about you, do you like being a vampire?"
"I really do. I was a normal newborn, nothing like you, but once that was over, I found that I really do like it. Alec and I both fit in here even if we are a little younger than everyone else and we help the coven."
I thought I would be able to help the coven in time with my shield. It would be a good place to be, and so far the people were good too.
"So what do you like to do for fun?"
The normal. I like to read, watch TV or movies, go hunting or out dancing, it all depends on my mood.
"I think I'd like dancing now that I'm a little more coordinated. I used to be incredibly clumsy. I could literally trip over air."
"I don't think it'll be long till you can handle the humans. Let's go get a jump on sparring for the day. We can get there before Felix shows up."
We both ghosted back up the stairs to the training room and got busy sparring with each other. I didn't feel as overwhelmed with Jane either. Maybe she was taking it easy on me. I'd bet she was, just to keep me entertained and distracted but there was a pulling in my chest that seemed to have Demetri connected to the other end. He was the missing piece in my chest and I knew the feeling wouldn't go away until my mate was back home with me.
Over the course of the day, I sparred with all of the elite guards. It was easiest to spar with Reneta. I knew she was a shield too. I hoped Aro kept using her. With her he could use his mind-reading abilities and still be shielded. It made the most sense for me to shield everyone else. My mind kept wandering as I was sparring and I'd end up with teeth at my throat, but I kept working, kept trying to improve. I thought Demetri would be proud of me for trying so hard no matter the outcome. I wasn't going to let him being gone for a few days send me into a newborn tantrum spiral if I could help it.
By the end of the day, I was desperate. I needed to hear that Demetri was ok and I didn't care what I had to do to hear it. I asked Felix if he would call Demetri for me and he agreed, but he cautioned me, "If he's tracking or taking care of business and it would disturb him he won't answer so don't get your hopes up alright?"
"Of course," I replied but my hopes were up.
The phone rang a few times before I heard him pick up. "Felix, is everything okay?" I heard from the speaker.
"Demetri" I called through the phone. A calm descended over me that I didn't expect.
"My Bella," Demetri sighed in relief.
"It's so hard being away from you." I admitted, "Everyone is being great to me but I need you back as soon as you can make it.""
"Don't worry my Bella, I won't be away a minute longer than I have to. I love you my Bella,"
"I love you too, please be careful," I begged.
"I will be but I've got to get back to work now," Demetri sighed.
"I just needed to hear your voice," I admitted.
"I knew, your chest feels weird and nothing else seems to matter as much as us being together again, doesn't it," Demetri said.
"Yes, I'm sorry you're feeling it too." Bella cried.
"We'll be together soon little love," Demetri reassured.
"Bye Demetri, I love you," Bella said quietly.
"I love you too, Felix, take care of her for me," Demetri said and he was gone.
"Feel better, little one?" Felix asked me with soft eyes.
"Yes, Felix, thank you," Bella admitted.
"Want to go play some more thirteen?"
"Sure, that's always good for a distraction. I'll get the wine."
