Bella

Demetri came back in and brought Riley with him. He took Alec and Felix aside and they had a quiet conversation. After that Alec approached Riley and I heard him say, "Hey man, welcome back. Let's spar."

That alone was surprising what was even more surprising was Riley followed Alec and they began sparring. After that we all got busy. I was more determined than ever that my sparring would improve. It had taken me longer than the others to dispatch Maria's newborns and I was determined not to be a weak link. I guess I could have taken them out with my shield but in truth, I hadn't thought of it until I felt the all-consuming rage when Maria tried to lunge at my Demetri.

I was panting after my workout. I had challenged Felix to spar with me towards the end and I was determined not to go down. I only went down twice, but I didn't get him down at all. I tried reminding myself that I was still a newborn and that it takes time to learn everything but those sounded like excuses to me. I wanted to get better. I wouldn't make excuses.

As always Demetri seemed to know that I was getting too frustrated. He took me to our rooms after practice and held me tightly on his lap until I was calm and centered again.

After I was calm we went to the recreation room. Felix, Alec, and Riley were there playing some sort of fighting video game where you beat up on each other until one of your characters is dead. Riley was just watching right now so I addressed him. Hey Riley, did these guys tell you that you can drink if it has blood in it?"

Riley looked up at me and I realized it was the first time I had addressed him directly. I promised myself I would do better. He was a newborn too and he was struggling.

"No, no one mentioned it."

"I'm having some wine. Does anybody else want a drink?" I asked.

"Whiskey," Felix said.

"I'll get my wine," Demetri offered.

"I'll get it, sit down with the guys," I said.

I got out a bag of blood and my wine and poured two glasses. It wasn't until I opened the bag of blood that it all went to hell. When the scent of blood hit the air Riley was out of his seat and lunging at me, kicking Demetri in the head to get to me.. I put Riley in a shield so I didn't get hurt and dumped the blood into a glass quickly, sat it on the table, and got out of the way. When I was clear I let Riley go. He got the cup of blood and swallowed it all in one go, setting the glass down too hard and shattering it.

Demetri had Riley restrained by that time and once there was no more blood he started to calm.

"Are you ok Demetri, I asked.

"Yeah, are you," He growled.

I looked into the black orbs of his eyes and told him the truth, "I'm fine. But I don't think Riley is ready for open blood bags near him."

"Felix take Riley down to feed?" Demetri asked.

"Yeah man, I got it."

Demetri had his hands on me as soon as Felix had hold of Riley. He ran his hands all over my body. "I'm fine, Demetri, not a scratch on me."

"You could have been hurt."

"No, I couldn't, I have my shield and I can put it up before you can get to me. Riley's not faster than you. Calm my love." I stared deep into his eyes until the black faded back to ruby.

"I'll clean this glass up." Alec offered. "I'll help," Demetri and I said at the same time.

I went and got the broom. As I swept I asked, "Is that what a newborn is supposed to be like?"

"Yes, that's what normal newborns are like. And we have you here and you're so controlled that we forget it. I should have warned you not to open that bag." Demetri said.

"Well, I've already poured the wine, lets not let it go to waste. Poor Riley must feel so guilty."

"You're one of a kind Bella," Alec said, "You're worried about the newborn's guilt for trying to take your head off."

"He probably didn't mean it and I bet he'll feel guilty now. I didn't like how out of control I was when I first woke up. He's here because he was mistreated. He didn't choose this like me." I countered.

I swept the glass into the dustpan that Alec was holding for me. Then I got another blood bag and poured it into mine and Demetri's glass. I handed Demetri his wine.

"You boys play. Felix will be back with Riley soon and I don't want him to feel even worse."

I mopped the floor quickly and put the broom and mop back where they belonged.

Sitting on the couch with them I rested my head on Demetri's shoulder while they played.

Felix was back with a calm and freshly showered Riley in a relatively short period of time. Demetri picked me up and put me on his lap so they would have a place to sit.

Felix sat at Demetri's side and Riley sat on the other side of Alec. It felt protective to me, but I didn't want Riley to think anything of it. Felix accepted the controller back from Demetri and we all watched the game. It was too quiet, none of the friendly banter that usually flowed back and forth between them was present. I tried to think of a way to cut through the awkwardness but came up blank.

Finally, I gave up on the idea and asked Demetri to show me the library. We excused ourselves and left the boys to their own devices.

The library was two stories tall with ladders to get up to the top shelves. It was breathtaking.

"You know," I started, "We have to get everyone to accept Riley into the group with the same kind of welcome that they gave me. I think we're being too hard on him."

"You think so do you?"

"Sure, I mean when you were gone everyone tried to help me in one way or another. He isn't lucky enough to have you. You're mine."

"You know I'm nicknamed 'Satan's favorite demon' for a reason don't you."

"You're big and bad and scary but you're a softie underneath," I smiled at him. "Just try to include him more, okay?"

"For you my darling, anything." Demetri pulled me off of the ladder and kissed me. My legs went around his hips and I said, "Then take me back to our room?"

"As you wish," he said to me.

Demetri

It was going to be a full day in court for all of us. We were in our assigned positions in the throne room. We were in our cloaks. I didn't know what was coming. That is unusual, usually, I'm made aware of the proceedings.

First brought into the courtroom was a girl of probably sixteen.

"Ah Alexis, welcome to Volterra. I understand young Edward Cullen told you of us?"

The poor girl was shaking but she nodded.

"And what exactly did he tell you of us?"

"He told me that you don't cross the Volturi unless you want to...to die."

"And now you find yourself in our humble home with two options left before you. You may join us, or you may join him in death."

Suddenly I knew why I had not been informed of these proceedings. Aro didn't want Bella warned of them. I heard her sob from behind me. I reached back to offer her my hand.

"I want to join you."

"Very well, Felix, take this one to human quarters."

It went that way through Deidra, Abagail, Megan, and Jennine. They all joined.

Then, the next was called in.

"Welcome, Stella, to Volterra. Young Edward told you about us?"

"Yes"

"And what did he tell you?"

"That you were no more than monsters. That red eyes have no regard for human life."

"And now that you are here you have two options. You can join us, or you can follow him to death, what do you decide?"

"I want to die."

"Please, Aro?" Bella's voice rang loud and clear.

"Yes, Isabella dear?"

"May I speak with her?"

"If you think it will do you any good, my dear."

Bella stepped around me again and approached Stella. I knew Aro would love the theater of this production, but also prayed that Bella could help the girl change her mind.

"Stella," Bella said softly. "My name is Bella and I was another one he told was his mate. You don't have to die here today. This is a good life. I met my real mate here. He's over there, his name is Demetri. Don't give up hope because Edward isn't worth it."

"I want to die," Stella repeated and I was behind Bella, restraining me for the first time since she'd opened her eyes to this new life.

"Felix!" Aro commanded.

Felix's eyes met mine then they focused on the girl. I knew he had no choice.

He approached her quickly. I guess it was better she not see it coming.

We all saw when he bit her. Alec restrained Riley when the scent of blood hit him.

We all heard the moment her heart stopped beating.

We all heard Bella's tearless sob.

That was the last of the girls for the day and I was grateful. I held my Bella tightly both to comfort and restrain. I didn't honestly know what her reaction would be. She could kill a vampire with a look if she chose.

We had one final hearing to get through.

I knew he felt my shock when Jasper Hale walked in.

"Welcome back young Jasper," Aro sang from his throne."What can we do for you today?"

"I heard a rumor you were soon to be swimming in newborns and I came to offer my services."

Jasper's eyes flicked to my Bella, restrained in my arms and away again almost too quickly to notice.

"You want to join us young Jasper Whitlock?"

"Yes, I tried the world without the Cullens and have decided that I would prefer to serve. I also want to prove to Bella that I'm not the honor-less asshole she thinks I am."

"And what say you to this Isabella?"

Bella managed to get turned around in my arms and looked in Jasper's eyes for several moments.

She took three deep breaths and then seemed to center herself. "I'll agree."

"Let us council brothers." Aro intoned.

"Let us council." Marcus and Caius intoned.

They discussed for half an hour before they returned with their verdict.

"After much discussion, it is unanimous that we would like you to take over caring for our newborns but your position within the ranks will be decided by Demetri, as all others are. Do you agree?"

"I agree"

"Very well brothers, court has ended for today."

I saw Jasper staring, eyes fixed on my mate and she collapsed, a dead weight in my arms.

"I suggest you get her someplace she can blow off steam before I wake her, Master Demetri, Jasper said."

"Come with me, Jasper, Felix,"

"How bad is it?" I asked Jasper on the way out of the room.

"What sort of damage can she do?"

"Turn a vampire to dust," I said with a wry smile.

"Then let's get her somewhere with very few vampires and plenty of things to take out her anger on."

I scooped Bella up in my arms, asleep by all appearances and ran with her to the nearest forested area. I stayed by her side and Jasper and Felix spread out one mile on each side.

We would do our best to keep her contained between the three of us. I hoped she didn't blame Felix, but I honestly didn't know what to expect.

"Ready?" Jasper called.

"Ready," I replied, laying her gently on the ground and stepping back.

Slowly, she woke up. Her eyes turned first to me, but then as I feared, she ran away. I let her get a mile ahead of me before I followed, knowing Jasper and Felix would give her room too. I heard her sobs and the sounds of trees falling and being flung into one another for close to an hour but then there was what sounded like an explosion and felt like a small earthquake.

I ran towards the center of the disturbance and found Bella sobbing in the center of what looked like a bomb had gone off. There was no sign that there had ever been any trees here. There was a deep depression in the soil thirty feet out on either side. I approached slowly. Jasper and Felix were about a football field away on either side. I tried to approach but came up against her shield. It surrounded her in a sixty-foot diameter circle.

"Jasper," I said softly.

"Bella," I called. "Listen to my voice Bella, let me come to you. Let your shield go so I can come to you. I want to help you, Bella. I know you're mad and scared..."

I felt jasper behind me "She feels betrayed and guilty."

"I know your mad and scared and you feel betrayed and guilty and I can't help you if I can't get to you. I love you, Bella. That's not going to change whatever you feel guilty about. Let me in?"

"Can you calm her Jasper?"

"Yes,"

"Slowly"

"Bella I'm right here. I have my hand on your shield and I'm going to come to help you as soon as you let me. I'll keep everyone else away until you're calm Bella. Just listen to my voice. I love you, Bella. I need you. You need to calm down so I can come to you. Easy Bella. Remember you were first using your shield and you just thought you wanted to be able to touch me, think that you want to touch me now so I can come to you. Let me in Bella. I know you're mad and I understand. You can be mad at me all you need to be but let me come to you. Bella, I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere until you're ready to see me again. It's okay Bella everything is going to be okay. You know you have friends and family here who love you, Bella, let me in and we'll talk until you feel better Bella. You will feel better Bella."

The shield finally collapsed and I walked slowly to her. She was still sobbing.

"Listen to my voice Bella, I'm right here for you. I love you and nothing will ever change that. Take deep breaths, Bella, Calm down a little. I know you're upset and you don't know what to do with all of the emotions but I'm here."

I sat down next to her but she scrambled onto my lap. I wrapped my arms around her gently. I could feel Jasper's gift affecting me too now. "Why are you feeling guilty Bella?"

I sat with her and waited on her to answer me. She was still sobbing. I just waited and held her. I kissed her hair. And waited. I rubbed her back. I could feel Jasper's gift getting stronger. "Why are you feeling guilty Bella?"

"If I hadn't wanted the Cullens punished that girl would be alive. And I lost control of my shield."

"Let's not worry about your shield for now. We'll take care of that later. Aro would have found out eventually. If you had done nothing all those girls would be dead. Maybe not today, but they would all have died, possibly with how many others. The Cullens moved every four years or so. That one girl is not your fault. You even tried to change her mind. Are you mad at Felix?"

Bella shook her head negatively.

"Can he come over and sit with us?"

"I guess so."

Felix walked into the newly created clearing and sat down in front of Bella.

"I'm sorry little one," He said gently. "You made a hell of a nice clearing out here."

Bella chuckled softly and rested her head on my neck.

"How are you feeling about Jasper Bella?

"He helped me today?"

"Yes, Bella he helped us today. Otherwise, you would have made the castle into a clearing."

"He can come over."

Bella turned to watch Jasper approach from behind us.

"I can feel you tamping down my emotions Jasper. Thanks."

"Anytime darlin'."

"So how did you make the clearing Bella?

She tensed. "I lost control of my shield and it expanded really far, really fast."

"It's a good thing you're such a controlled newborn." Felix said.

"Not so controlled." Bella said looking around. It looks like a bomb went off."

"I'd say it'd be a good place to plant some flowers. Make yourself a little spot to come to when you need out of the castle." Jasper said.

It's ok Bella. You did good to hold it in until you were in a safe place Bella. I'm proud of you." I told her.

"Maybe we should play baseball out here?" Bella asked.

I was confused but Jasper laughed. "Bella's first outing with the Cullen family was watching vampires play baseball."

I chuckled a little too.

"We'd better get back inside before humans come to explore out here. I bet they felt the rumble in the town." Felix noted.

Bella stood up and I stood with her. Felix and Jasper stood slowly, still careful not to startle Bella.

"It's ok, I'm under control again. How big is this crater?

"I'd say about sixty feet diameter, Bella. It's a nice little patch."

"Let's walk back to the castle, Jasper will you keep helping me? Bella asked meekly.

"Sure will." Jasper reassured.

We started walking back to the castle at an easy pace, faster than a human run but barely a stroll for us. I wanted her a bit more under control before we were back on castle grounds.

"Jasper has to deal with newborns now?" Bella asked.

"That's the job he signed on for Bella, He'll have our help starting out."

"Maybe Jasper can help Riley," Bella suggested.

"Who's Riley?"

"Abused newborn. Zero control. Eight and a half months, changed the receptionist. Attacked Bella when she tried to spike some wine with blood."

"He didn't attack me he tried to attack me." Bella clarified.

"I'll take charge of him tomorrow if you like. I should probably help you tonight."

"I agree," Demetri said. "We need to get you in a room too."

When the castle came into sight the party stopped. "You ready to go back in Bella?" I asked.

"Yes," Bella said with confidence.

We walked at a human pace toward the castle, but I was going to bring Aro out to the clearing so he could see what happened when he pushed Bella too far...after she was truly alright.

"Felix when we get back to the castle take over Riley for a while to give Alec a break. Jasper come with us. Bella I want you to feed. I know it's not time yet but it will help get your emotions under control."

Both men nodded and Bella kissed my throat. We went onto castle grounds.