"Hello old friend." Bella said causing Marcus to jump up from the chair he was sitting in. She had been back a couple of days and hadn't gotten the chance to catch up with anyone other then Didyme.
"Dio! Why do you do that when you know I hate it so much?" Marcus relaxed back into his seat in the library as Bella came into view. Although she had never been openly hostile to him and his wife considered her one of her closest friends the woman still unnerved him. The fact that he never knew if she was in the room with him or not caused him at times to become very paranoid.
Bella laughed at the man and took a seat beside him setting down the steel case she was holding. "I do it to keep you on your toes Marcus. You are getting soft living in this castle. If it wasn't for me you would probably get even more lazy."
"How was your trip? Or have you been gone at all?" Marcus asked. One could never know if Bella was actually gone or if she just didn't feel like being bothered. Her antisocial tendencies made her that much harder to pin down.
Bella gave him a knowing smile. He wasn't very subtle trying to get information out of her. "I haven't been here long. Didyme reached out and informed me of the meeting with Martin's coven. She was concerned for your safety and although she didn't ask I knew she wanted me to attend. So I came back for that as a favor to her."
"It was good thing you did. Who would have thought he would have an elemental with him." Marcus made a note to thank his wife for her worry. He didn't even want to think about what would have happened if Bella wasn't there. Even though the woman at times made him uncomfortable, he knew he could rely on her to keep him and his people safe.
"Like I said, you are getting soft. Maybe next time I should stay away so that you could get in on the action. Give you a chance to try out your skills again.I know for a fact that Athenodora would be willing to train with you." Bella said.
Marcus grimaced at the thought. The last time he spared with Athenodora he was headless for three days until she gave into his mate's begging to put him back together. "I'll have to pass on that. What is in the case you have there?"
"I have brought some gifts back from my recent travels." Bella told him positioning the case in front of them.
Marcus leaned forward in excitement. One of the things he and Bella had in common was their shared love of knowledge. Most of his library consisted of books that Bella had acquired over the years and two thirds of the artifacts in the castle came from her as well. So if she brought something back in a steel case it had to be something exciting. "What have you brought?"
"My recent travels brought me to Egypt. While there I heard of a newly discovered ancient temple." Bella told him as she entered the combination on the lock of the box.
"Let me guess, you just happened to be there when they broke ground on the actual temple." One of the things he envied about Bella was her ability to go out in the sun while still maintaining her invisibility. It allowed her to travel all over the world never having to worry about being caught.
Bella gave him a sly smile as she opened the case. "I may or may not have been helping them dig a little faster when they were taking breaks."
Looking in the case Marcus noticed it was filled with tapestries, scrolls and various artifacts. "What is all this stuff?"
"Well the temple seemed to have predated the pyramids by about two hundred years. I found all kinds of religious texts and other religious related artifacts. I took the most important ones and left the insignificant stuff behind. This is just one of the many cases I brought back. This one is for your private collection. I have a couple for the museum of course and the general library." Bella told him.
Marcus carefully held up one of the tapestries.It depicted images he had never seen before. As he looked through the box he noticed a lot of things he was unfamiliar with. He looked up at Bella in awe. "This predates anything you have ever brought back before."
"That's why I put together the most important things for your research."Bella said. "I figured you would be the most likely to be able to translate most of the stuff out of all of us."
Marcus gave her an indulgent smile. "You mean anyone other than you. I bet you already examined everything you found."
"A girl never tells her secrets Marcus." Bella gave him a wink. "It would ruin the mystery."
"Of course." Marcus chuckled as he went back to the case. Bella may put him on edge at times but he agreed with his wife's opinion of Bella. She to was one of his closest friends. Where as when she was around others she was the embodiment of terror, when they were alone she was of quick wit and highly intelligent. He had wondered and even asked her many times how old she was but she had never told him or anyone else to his knowledge. From their various talks he suspected she was far older than even the Romanians but she never confirmed or denied it. Regardless he treasured their friendship and appreciated her protectiveness. A protectiveness she never explained but that made them thankful all the same.
"I will leave you to this as I wish to speak with Aro and Sulpicia."Bella stood and laid her hand on Marcus' shoulder. "I am glad you are well old friend because I would never want to have to console your mate over the loss of such a great man as yourself."
Marcus watched as she left touched beyond anything he could express at her words. Bella wasn't one to be sentimental so it was rare when she showed such blatant emotions. Smiling he went back to the case once again thinking how grateful he was that Death's Shadow had decided he and his family were worth saving all those years ago.
Bella left Marcus to find Aro deciding to not hide from the public. She hid behind her mask and took a bit of pleasure when those she encountered rushed in the other direction when they saw her. It was the ones that tried to make eye contact with her that amused her the most because it was usually those with false bravado who were trying to prove that Death's Shadow was nothing but smoke and mirrors and all the rumors were untrue. It took her merely narrowing her eyes at them to cause them to run. Even after all this time she had to smile at the idiots who thought she was a pushover. She quickly found Aro and Sulpicia in their personal living room watching television. If others were told the couple enjoyed British period dramas so much no one would believe it. It was one of their quicks that Bella enjoyed quite a bit.
"Ah, L'ombra Della Morte has decided to grace us with her presence." Aro said as soon as he noticed her walking through the door.
"Don't call her that."Sulpicia hit him on the shoulder. "Bella dear I had heard you were back. How was Egypt?"
Aro looked at his mate wide eyed. "Wait you knew were she was?"
"Of course, she told me before she left." Sulpicia told him.
Bella removed her mask and moved forward to give Sulpicia a hug and kiss on the cheek. "Egypt was good. I got you some more of that silk you like. I'll leave it in my room for you to get when you want it."
"Thank you dear." Sulpicia said with a shy smile. Bella was always a mystery to her. She was a great friend and always went out of her way to make sure she and the rest of the queens and even kings knew she cared for them. It was at total odds with what everyone else got to see of the dangerous Death's Shadow. It made her realize what a great honor it was for them to see this side of the formidable woman.
"So you were in Egypt?" Aro asked.
Bella gave him a knowing smile. The kings were very bad at hiding their intentions around her and it amused her to no end. "Yes I was and before you ask yes I saw Amun and yes he still believes you don't know about Benjamin."
Aro smiled. He loved the fact that Bella always kept him informed of the other vampires in the world. He was sure she knew more than she told him but he was happy with the information she gave him. "How is the boy?"
"He is well. I believe he is growing even more tired of being with Amun but doesn't want to leave because of his love of Amun's mate Kebi. He and Tia see the woman as a mother but Amun has become increasingly paranoid and has been restricting the four of them from doing much. I feel as if Benjamin is becoming restless and wishes to travel the world but Amun wants them to stay in Egypt where the sun prevents vampires from discovering them." Bella told them.
"Have you spoken to him yet?" Aro asked.
Bella shook her head. "It is not time yet for me to interfere."
"I see." Aro didn't but he knew better than to ask. Bella would tell him if he needed to know. It was something that frustrated him to no end but he had learned from his mistake of trying to get information on Bella before. He thanked his wife everyday for saving him when he went missing for that week.
Bella reached into her robe,pulled out a box and handed it to Aro. "I didn't want you to be left out of the gift giving so I acquired this for you."
"You didn't have to get me anything." Aro said as he opened the box. In it was a jewel incrusted scepter.It was made of gold and adored with many different jewels such as diamonds and rubies. He couldn't even begin to image what it was worth. "Bella you really shouldn't have."
Bella waved away his thanks. "It was no big deal. This belonged to the Pharaoh Siamun. I thought you could add it to your collection of royal artifacts."
"This means so much to me. Thank you Bella." Aro cleared his throat trying to regain his emotions.
Bella stood and motioned to the door. "I have one more stop to make before I go but I just wanted to check in and give you your gifts."
Sulpicia stood and hugged Bella. "Thank you again Bella. I'll text you later."
"You have a phone?" Bella laughed at Aro's amazed expression. He then turned to look at his mate. "And you have her number?"
"Yes and don't think I am going to be giving it to you." Sulpicia told him smiling as she heard Bella's laughter disappearing out of the room. It was a rare sound but one they all enjoyed hearing.
Bella made a quick stop in her room to pick up the final two gifts she had to deliver. She found Caius and Athenodora at the training grounds watching new members of the guard train. She made sure her mask was in place before she made her presence known. She held back a smile when both of them laughed at the guards flinching at the sight of her.Jane and Alec being the only two not affected. Bella had saved the twins on several occasions and helped them learn their powers better. She was by no means close to them nor had they seen her face but they weren't afraid of her like the others were. They knew not to cross her and that Bella could be counted on to lend a helping hand when needed. Bella stopped next to the king and queen. "How are the new recruits coming along?"
Caius made a scoffing sound. "They are barely better than a bunch of newborns."
"Maybe you could go out there and show them a thing or two." Athenodora suggested smiling brightly as she watch more than a few of them flinched at the idea." What brings you to us that has you so out in the open?"
"I wish to speak to you of my recent travels." Bella told them.
Athenodora nodded. "Then let us go to our chambers to have some privacy."
As they were walking out Bella froze when she heard a male voice say. "She's not that tough. I bet she fucks all of them, that's why they like her so much."
Before either Athenodora or Caius could turn around to voice their anger Bella had the man held down to the ground with her shield. She strode up to the wide eyed male slowly reveling in the fear that pervaded off of all those in the arena. With barely a thought she had the boy spread eagle hanging in the air squeezing his body tight enough that cracks were beginning to appear. Instead of addressing him directly she looked back to Athenodora and Caius. "My lord, my lady do I have your permission to defend my honor against a member of your guard?"
Caius' cruel smile sealed the man's fate. "A lady's honor should always be defended. So do as you will."
"If you could please hold these." Bella handed the boxes she was holding to a grinning Jane and Alec. She then narrowed her eyes at the trembling man and ever so slowly tightened the shield. The boys limbs broke first causing him to scream, when his skull started to collapse he started to beg and when Bella walked straight up to him and ripped all four of his limbs off he began to plead. She held him there for a few more moments before grabbing his hair and forcing him to make eye contact with her. "Do you, you insignificant child feel as if my honor has been restored?"
"Please… Please don't kill me." The boy gasp out.
Bella growled. Causing all of those close enough to take a step back. "I said has my honor been restored?"
"Yes…yes… your honor has been restored." The boy's torso hung raggedly in the air.
Bella released him and addressed all of those in the crowd. "Remember this day as a day I showed mercy as it will not happen again. I simply don't have enough time to properly show this small insect the proper treatment for those who insult me."
Jane smile seemed ten times bigger as she handed Bella her boxes. "That was even better than I hoped it would be."
Bella simply winked in reply and headed out the doors with the king and queen. As they reached their quarters Athenodora laughed loudly followed by Caius. "Bella that was priceless. The way you asked us for permission to defend your honor. If that poor boy were human he would have lost control of his bowels."
"Let's be thankful he is not then." Bella said as she took off her mask. "And of course I would ask for permission. These are your subjects so it is at your will how I deal with them."
Caius smiled brightly knowing how much Bella truly meant that. When he had originally met her he was convinced she needed to die before she killed them all but as time went by and she continued to protect them he came to care for her like she was family. The fact that she was constantly bringing in new vampires with gifts to join the guard was also very welcome. "What brings you home this time?"
"Didyme. She was worried about Martin's coven." Bella explained.
"With good reason it seems." Caius looked to his mate. "Remind me to thank her for her insight."
Athenodora kissed his cheek. "Of course darling. I wish to thank her myself as well."
"I have of course come bearing gifts. I was in Egypt this time and came across a couple things I thought you would like." Bella handed them each a box.
"Bella you don't need to bring us gifts." Caius told her. "We are not your children, so we don't expect trinkets from your travels."
Athenodora inspected the sword she found in her box. "Speak for yourself. Bella this is gorgeous."
"I'm glad you like it. I got it from a religious temple I came across. It belonged to the personal body guard of the high priest. He was the highest ranking military person there. I figured you could add it to your war room." Bella said.
Cause opened his box and found some old scrolls. "I appreciate the gift Bella but I don't know how to read these."
Bella chuckled and pulled a book from the bottom of the box. "That is why I translated them for you and had it made into a book. They are ancient records of punishments and torture I found in the temple. This one predated the pyramids so all the information is different from the others you have seen. Truly barbaric stuff."
"It's perfect thank you." Caius had already started reading through the book.
Athenodora rolled her eyes at her mate. "I think he likes it."
"I think so too." Bella watched the couple for a minute just enjoying the company. "Well I wish I could stay for longer but I have things to do. Didyme is getting a shipment of plants this afternoon and I need to be there to show her how to take care of them."
"You are such a good friend Bella." Athenodora told her.
"So are all of you." Bella gave them a small smile before heading out. She had met her fill of socializing today and wanted some time to herself before the plants came. She would spend a little more time with Didyme then she wanted to head off to Ireland to meet up with some old friends.