Bella

Time seemed to speed up. My feedings were cut from four a day to three and then from three to two. Finally, I was down to one feeding a day and though it was difficult I relished the obvious progress I was making.

I was able to handle the shower afterward myself now. I could dry myself, dress and dry my hair all on my own.

I got better at sparring and won more often than I lost unless I was sparring with Felix or Demetri, then I always lost. They weren't going easy on me anymore.

I was six months old when Jane came to me. "We're all going to Florence to a vampire bar. Would you and Demetri like to come with us? We're running."

I found Demetri in his office. It was like I was a tracker. I could always find him from the pull in my chest.

"So do you want to go?" I asked eagerly.

"Of course we'll go," Demetri said with an encouraging smile. "Go get dressed for a night out and I'll join you in about five minutes when I finish this report."

I dressed carefully, always remembering to treat cloth like it was made of eggshells I didn't want to break. I dressed in a purple sweater and a black skirt that showed some leg. I got out my black heels, something I would never have dared to wear as a human. I put them on and then waited on Demetri.

He was there in a few minutes already looking great in a blue shirt that showed off his muscular chest and black slacks. He pulled his shirt over his head and I couldn't resist the urge to rub my hands over his chiseled chest.

"If you keep that up we won't be getting out of this room tonight," Demetri said, his voice deep and a little raspy.

"Sorry," I said, only half meaning it.

He smirked at me and pulled on a blue sweater.

He took my hand in his and we went to the recreation room to find the others. Riley couldn't come so Alec stayed behind with him. But besides that everyone was there. We took off into the night, running and I felt so exhilarated. I laughed loud and long I felt so free running hand in hand with Demetri.

Demetri smiled an indulgent smile at me and we sped up, the rest of the group following in our wake.

We reached what looked like a warehouse on the outside. Demetri knocked on the door and it was opened by a burly vampire bouncer. He looked at each of us and then ushered us inside. I guessed he was looking at our eyes.

Demetri got me seated at a table and went to get our wine. Felix was drinking whiskey, which looked weird with blood in it.

We all had a drink and looked around the room. I was amazed by the number of vampires there. A few drinks later we got on the dance floor.

Demetri spun me and pulled me close. I just moved with him and it was a wonderful time. Eventually, Felix cut in and after a song Demetri reclaimed me. I felt so perfect in his arms. At the end of the night, all the others went out to feed. I didn't feel comfortable hunting out of the castle yet so Chelsea stayed with me while Demetri hunted.

"So what's your ability?" I asked Chelsea, she was one I didn't know all that well yet.

"I can..."

We were interrupted by three drunks stumbling down the alley we were standing in. "It looks like our lucky day boys."

It was only a second but Chelsea whispered "Looks like you get to hunt after all Bella."

"Hi boys," Chelsea called out. "Looking for a good time are you."

They looked between each other hesitantly. Apparently this wasn't the response they expected.

Chelsea ghosted over to the biggest one and knocked out the smallest. I took the one that was still standing, feeding deeply. Chelsea dropped the one she was feeding on at the same time I dropped mine. Then as if I was unable to control myself I slipped into a crouch, ready to fight her over the second man. Chelsea backed up and I fed on the third man. I drank greedily until there wasn't a drop left.

When the third man dropped it was like sense returned to me. I had almost attacked Chelsea.

She could see sense return to my eyes and approached slowly. "We have to cover the evidence, Bella. Chelsea picked up all three drained bodies and tossed them in the nearest dumpster, setting it on fire. Then we went back to the alley we had been waiting for Demetri in.

He was already there, looking around nervously. The relief in his eyes was obvious when he saw us but he looked concerned again when he saw I was covered in blood. "What happened," He demanded, looking at Chelsea.

"Three men thought they were going to attack us. We fed. The mess is cleaned up and everything is fine."

"I almost attacked Chelsea over the third man Demetri. I couldn't help myself, it was like some urge told me that I had to have him at any cost."

"You really aren't up for group feedings yet young one," Chelsea said. "It was perfectly natural."

Demetri's eyes softened. "The important thing is that you didn't attack her, you did well, my Bella."

"I was amazed she was able to repress the urge enough not to attack at this stage. She didn't even attack until after I did. I think she's ready to be around humans."

"You are amazing my Bella, I'm so proud of you," Demetri said with a quick kiss on my bloody mouth. Let's get you home. Chelsea, will you tell the others where we've gone."

"Of course Master Demetri," Chelsea said with a small smile.

Demetri

Bella and I ran back to the castle. We kept to shadows and back streets, entering the castle through a grate in the ground. I took her to our rooms going the back way and joined her when she went straight for the shower.

She ripped her clothes off, they really weren't salvageable. I took mine off and folded them on the bathroom vanity.

She turned the water all the way to hot and got under the spray rinsing the blood off of her face and chest.

I took her in my arms and lifted her. She wrapped her legs around my waist and I slid deep inside her warmth. I pressed her to the shower wall, pumping in and out of her in a frenzy. Taking her mouth with mine we dueled for control. Her body welcomed mine and she nipped on my bottom lip. I growled at her, increasing the pace. Soon she was chanting my name. I growled deeper.

I felt her tight pussy spasming around me and I emptied myself into her. She bit me again over my mating mark. We started all over again.

We were cuddled in bed later, both completely sated.

"You did well tonight little one. I'm proud of you that you didn't attack Chelsea. You're doing abnormally well my Bella."

"I felt so out of control, Demetri."

"It's a little early for you to be feeding with anyone but me. Don't worry about it. Chelsea understood."

I pulled her tightly into my arms and tucked her head under my chin. We settled into deep relaxation. It felt as though we were barely awake. We stayed that way till morning.

"Do we have any rocks around here?" Bella asked me groggily.

"Sure we do, why do you ask."

"I'd like to test my shield. I think I might be able to collapse a bubble and I wanted to see what happens."

I was on my feet quickly and tossed on some clothes. "Get dressed Bella. I'll get some rocks put in the training room so you can experiment."

I went immediately to get some lower-level guard on the task. When Bella joined me in the training room there were boulders and rocks of various sizes. She focused on a football-sized rock and a bubble wrapped around it. She collapsed the bubble and the rock was reduced to dust. Even the largest rock was reduced to dust in moments and I was amazed at what my young mate could do. She was truly deadly and it aroused me again.

Felix came in as the last boulder was reduced to dust and whistled low under his breath.

"That's quite the trick little one. I wonder what would happen if that was a vampire." Felix noted.

She broke the broom trying to clean up the dust. I got another and had it swept in under a minute.

"We should report to the Masters," I suggested.

Bella came with me immediately. We walked down to the throne room and found them discussing something about a spy network but they quieted as soon as we walked in.

"There has been a new development with Bella's shield Masters. She has discovered that she can collapse her shield and turn rocks into dust." I announced proudly.

"Will you fetch an appropriately sized rock to demonstrate Demetri?" Aro asked.

I had to find a boulder out in the gardens but I brought it back to the throne room quickly. I sat it down in front of Bella. She concentrated on it. I saw the blue bubble appear and then the rock disintegrated.

The Masters looked back and forth between each other then they all smiled. It was eerie to have even Marcus smile.

"Please continue to report any progress," Aro said. "Dismissed young ones."

I bowed and Bella followed my example. We left quickly and got back to sparring practice.