Bella
It had been two days since Demetri had left. I tried really hard to seem like I was alright. I didn't want to worry the other guards. After sparring and feeding I went to our rooms. I just layed on the bed and inhaled Demetri's scent, sobbing tearlessly.
That was how Reneta found me.
"It's time to get up young one. You can't just sit here and cry, it's not good for you."
I couldn't help the growl that slipped through my lips.
"I know how you are feeling young one, when Anton is out of town on business I feel it too. How about we work on your strength. Wouldn't Demetri be proud if he got back home and you had mastered that?"
That snapped me out of my funk. I wanted to make my Demetri proud of me. The growl died in my throat.
I sat up cautiously. "What do I do?"
That was when I noticed that she had an armful of towels of all things.
"You fold these without ripping them."
She said tossing the towels down on the bed.
I got up and went to stand beside her. "That's it," I asked, "I just fold the towels?"
"It isn't as easy as it sounds as a newborn. Imagine your handling raw eggs and don't touch them with any more pressure than that. If you loose focus you'll rip one."
"So you have a mate?" I asked Reneta.
"Yes, Anton and I have been together for over a hundred and fifty years."
"How did you meet?" I asked picking up the first towel.
"Aro had heard about my gift and sent some guards out to see if I would join them. Anton was one of the guards. Of course I joined. I wouldn't be without my mate. We've been together ever since."
I put down one folded towel.
"How old are you?" I asked curiously, picking up another towel.
"I'm over eight hundred years now."
The chatter and the towels helped me and I forgot everything for a little while but focusing on towels. I'd only ripped two when I was done.
"Very good, Bella, Now fold them again," she said and unfolded all of them.
I got a bit frustrated at this but I knew that it would take more practice than just one load of towels.
I got started again.
"So what does Anton do?"
"He's another one of our trackers. He's not as good as Demetri but he hasn't had as much practice yet. He's only two hundred years old."
I ripped the towel. "If the Volturi have other trackers why didn't they send him to get the newborn?"
I felt guilty for my outburst at once. "Sorry," I said to Reneta who was standing there patiently waiting for me to get control of myself.
"Anton isn't as skilled a tracker as Demetri. He hasn't had two thousand years to perfect the skill. Plus he isn't as good in combat."
"So Demetri was really the only choice to fetch this newborn," I agreed sadly.
I put down a folded towel.
"He was the best choice, yes. But I'm sorry that you are suffering through being separated from your mate along with being a newborn." Reneta consoled me. "Come on, do these towels three more times and I think we'll call it a day."
I focused on the towels but my mind took in that Demetri was two thousand years old. What had it been like to be without a mate for two thousand years? No wonder he treats me as if I'm something precious to him.
I folded and folded and folded the towels. When I was finally finished Reneta took the ones that I had ripped up to the trash can. "You did extremely well Bella, lets go see about getting you fed now."
My entire body perked up at the idea it was feeding time. I was calmer just after feeding than I was at any other time of the day.
Reneta walked with me down to the catacombs and went to find my meal. Soon I was feeding and the liquid ambrosia slid down my throat, taking the edge off of my nerves.
After I was all cleaned up again Reneta and I walked out of the showers and almost ran into Alec.
"Sorry Alec, I wasn't expecting you to be here."
"It's okay I was searching for you Bella," Alec replied
"Has something gone wrong Alec, please tell me Demetri is alright?" I begged.
"He's fine, Bella, I just thought you would like to know that the Masters are sending me to join him so that he can complete his mission faster. The vampires sire is turning out to be elusive and when she shows up I can freeze her and the newborn so Demetri will have an easier time of things."
I hugged Alec and I don't know which of us was more surprised. "Take care of Demetri for me?" I asked him meekly.
"Of course. I've got to go catch the plane now. You be good for the rest of them, okay?"
"I'll do my best."
"I know you will, Bella,"
I was relieved that Demetri would have help. I was sad to see Alec go of course but it was nothing like the craving I had to have Demetri beside me again.
In the brief times I was alone I took to folding towels to get my strength in check. It was a task that required my complete focus if I were to do it without ripping any of them. I wasn't alone for long, it seemed like someone was always there. Felix would always show up with an invite to watch a movie or play cards.
Jane was there with an eager smile and offers to spar or feed. I think she liked beating me. Soon she wasn't beating me all the time though. I was improving.
Reneta was the one that surprised me. Until Demetri had left we hadn't talked much. Now we were fast friends. I even met Anton and we all watched a movie one night.
Alec would have been there of course but he was helping Demetri, and I hoped that they would be home soon. The days passed and on the fifth day, Demetri and Alec returned.
I pounced on Demetri and knocked him over. I kissed all over his face and he was laughing by the time I stopped. That was when I noticed the young boy with Demetri and Alec.
Demetri got to his feet and picked me up, holding me tightly in his arms. He kissed me deeply and then put me down on my feet. "Bella, I'd like you to meet Riley, he is joining us."
"Hi Riley, I hope you like it here," I said. I put my hand out but Riley didn't take it. He took a deep breath and lunged at me. I tripped him and pushed so he would fall and then got behind Demetri.
"Riley is a normal newborn Bella, you have to move more slowly with him," Alec informed me. Alec helped Riley back up and Demetri ushered me away.
He led me to our rooms and undressed me quickly. We made love quickly, a fast, hard mating that was all about claiming and passion and not about loving tenderness. I was happy. My Demetri had returned to me. As we lay in a tangle of sheets Demetri noticed, "Your fighting skills have improved my Bella, you took down Riley easy enough."
"Jane has been great to spar with. She makes it fun and she really enjoys it."
"I missed you," I told him.
He kissed me passionately again. "Oh, I missed you too." I sighed on his lips.
We made love slowly the next time. Demetri showing me with every touch, every caress just how much he had missed me too.
Demetri
The hole in my chest and the pull towards Bella was pleasantly gone now. I felt like I was a whole person again. I was just not complete now without my Bella.
"I've already reported to the Masters and Felix assured me that you were well taken care of," I said.
"Jane, Felix, Alec, and Reneta were all amazing. Reneta taught me how to control newborn strength. I've been folding towels."
"I'm proud of you," he said with a peck on my lips.
"I can't dress myself yet but I hope I can soon. I can get my own shampoo and conditioner now."
I was amazed at my Bella and felt grateful to my guard. They were good friends.
"We have tomorrow off," little Love. "It's just you and me for the next twenty-four hours."
We laughed and then fell into each other's arms again, making good use of the time.
After the day had passed we met with all of the guards in the sparring room. Riley was there and I didn't know how to act around him.
We were met with smirks, chuckles, and outright smiles when we walked in.
"Okay, today we are working on our normal sparring. Pair up. Bella, Riley, I want you to watch everyone.
Bella kept a careful distance from Riley, standing on the other side of me. I smiled briefly and watched the guard.
"Bella spar with Reneta,"
They sparred and Bella won the first round but Reneta won the next two.
"Focus Bella," I called, "You still aren't guarding your right side."
"Reneta spar with me, Bella, you watch this time."
Bella watched closely and I showed her how to guard her right side. Reneta was finished in three minutes.
"Again Bella," I ordered. She did better. It would take practice. She did guard her right side but she let down her guard a little in the front. Still, she beat Reneta.
"Good job team. We have court this afternoon. Chelsea, you have Riley while we are in court. Go get ready."
We rushed to our rooms and I helped Bella change. I was ready in minutes.
Guiding Bella down to the throne room we walked in to the Masters already on their thrones. Aro was smiling at Bella.
"You did very well while Demetri was away young one. I am very proud of you. Now I want you to shield everyone but Felix and myself for court today." Reneta was already in her position behind Aro.
Bella looked around the room at each King and guard. Blue bubbles popped up around each of them. "It's done, Master Aro," she said softly and stepped behind me.
Everyone got into their positions and we waited patiently.
A woman was dragged in by two lower-level guards.
"You are found guilty of feeding in the city of Volterra." Aro declared. The lower level guards stepped back. "How do you plead."
The woman didn't say anything instead she rushed the thrones. Bella shot out a hand and the woman was floating in her own blue bubble. Everyone turned to look at her.
"Good job young one, you can let her down now. Felix,"
Felix approached the woman and she floated back to the ground. The bubble burst and Felix dismembered her.
"I'm sorry Masters. It was instinct." Bella said shakily.
"You protected us before Felix could get control of the situation. You did well."
Bella nodded and we got down to business. It was a busy afternoon, there were four more cases but there were no more repeats of Bella restraining a prisoner.
When court was over and Bella had fed, much more neatly than the last time I had seen her, we went back to our rooms.
"So how should I act around Riley?" Bella asked me hesitantly. "I don't know how to act around another newborn."
I began schooling Bella on newborn etiquette. She was an apt student paying close attention to every word I said. I loved my little mate. She was so eager to learn everything she could.
