Chapter Nine

A small woman knocked at the large doors and walked into the chamber where the Kings had been discussing their plans. "My lords, I have brought a large assortment of clothing for the new young Mistress. Where would you like me to deliver them?" Her voice had a strong accent she was a Vampire that was changed by one the Romanian vampires. Elena appeared before the kings hundreds of years back looking for a peaceful existence- she had tired from the running. Most vampires led a nomadic life, however she still carried many human memories of the life she once led.

Marcus dropped his head back and sighed quietly. Breathing was not needed, but it was such a strong instinct and suited his mood at the moment. His brain ran through the events of the last few hours and his emotions had been like a roller coaster. Marcus instinctual looked at Aro - he had knew that Aro would have taken charge, made all the arrangements that Marcus himself should be doing, but for years Marcus allowed his brothers to take care of everything for him - and if truth be told he felt at ease with how his brothers looked after him - this however was something that he was to do for his mate - not his brother. Marcus raised his eye brow slightly.

"Forgive me, I made arrangements early for some clothing to be delivered to your room for your mate. I didn't mean to impose - I" Aro dropped his head, "Forgive me, but she needs some new clothes."

Marcus gave his brother a rare smile - "Thank you, you saved me an extra step." Marcus looked at Elena, "Bring them to my rooms - but you are not to enter. I will bring them into my quarters when I go back to Isabella" A slight bow and the tiny vampire left.

"Caius and I will go and speak with the Cullen's - Felix will have persuaded one of them to talk - that I'm sure of." Aro looked at Marcus. Marcus's facial expressions had relaxed, and Aro could tell his stress was lowered.

"No, I want to go with you - I want to talk to them. I will go- I want to see that boy" Marcus moved his lean body towards the broken doors. His brother's followed closely behind. The three Kings made there way to their dungeons. The air was cool and damp, large torches lit the narrow paths that lead to the ancient dungeons. The Volturi castle was old - as old as the country side itself, the Kings - More specifically the wives made sure that area's were updated, however, the wives had nothing to do with the punishments, or policing of the Volturi, thus the dungeons' were off limits.

Vampires had the ability to move silently - however, the Kings knew how to intimidate - and they did that in spades. They made sure that the sound of their shoes echoed off the stone walls. Any vampire that was within miles of the castle would have heard them coming.

A wry smile formed on Caius he could not remember the last time the three of them formed an alliance to integrate vampires in the dungeons. Marcus had always stayed behind - he never showed any interest in any form of interrogations, or "negotiations" as Aro would call them. Aro hated getting his hands dirty, and felt that if he changed they words from interrogations, or negotiations, it sounded so much more diplomatic. Aro knew that there was simply no diplomacy in what they were about to do. Caius looked at his older 'brother' the sleeves on his blood streaked white shirt were rolled up, his hair was dishevel. He looked like he had walked straight out of a war zone. The Cullen's didn't know what they had unleashed.

Marcus picked up the pace and walked ahead of his brothers and arrived at the large wooden doors first. Grabbing both handles of the doors, Marcus pulled them open like they were as light as feathers - not over 4 meters tall and solid wood that took a normal person quite an effort to open one. Marcus stepped into the room, his eyes immediately locked onto Edward who's face was streaked with dirt. Felix had Edward in a head lock - upon seeing Marcus arrive in such a manor, Felix let Edward go and stood up.

Marcus heard nothing, seen nothing, he instinctively he walked directly towards Edward. Felix was one of the 'newer' members of the Volturi and had never seen Marcus in such a state. Felix looked towards the two other Kings who stood back and watched their brother. Aro motioned for Felix to leave the cell. Felix lowed his head in a small bow to his King, as Marcus walked by Felix.

Marcus grabbed Edward by the throat and lifted him high. Marcus let out a roar that had there been windows in the dungeons they would have surly shattered.

"What have you done!" Marcus hissed, his voice was deadly. "Do you know that girl is my mate!" Marcus's eyes were black - his eyes did not leave Edward's. "What was your plan? You better tell me and tell me soon"

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Away from the dungeons' Elena carried Isabella's clothes. Arriving to Marcus's rooms, she was greeted by the large vampire that was guarding the door.

"Yes" He looked down at the tiny girl,

"I'm just dropping off some clothes for the human in the room"

The guard looks down at the tiny vampire "No one is to enter, on orders of the King"

The tiny vampire, stomped her foot "I would not be here asking to come into human's room if I did not receive permission from our kings" Her voice carried a thick accent.

The guard moved his large frame into the doorway. "leave these here and I'll see that Master Marcus gets them"

"You'll not like what I'm going to do now - and remember you've asked for this." The tiny girl threw the clothes to the ground and glared at the large guard - the large guard's eyes grew and his hands immediately went to his head -

"NO…" his voice made a strangling gurgling sound.

"I told you, did I not tell you not to get me mad!" The tiny vampire's eyes were wild.

The large guard fell to the ground his whole body was paralyzed and he watched as she causally grabbed the clothes and entered the private rooms of Marcus.

Bella began to toss in the large bed, she sat up looking around the darken room, she could still see the fire was burning in the other room. She didn't know why, but she had the immediate urge to find Marcus "Marcus" her voice was a hushed whisper - her heart pounded in her chest and she could feel such anger that she felt like screaming - Marcus, she could feel his anger. "Marcus?" Bella's voice grew slightly louder and she begun to unwrap herself from the bedding the long shirt she wore to bed had wrapped around the sheets preventing her from getting out of the bed quickly, She needed to go to him it was instinctual - she needed to be with him to help him. She knew that she could not help a vampire - but the need to see him was immediate.

Suddenly Bella's hair on her arms stood up, and she felt the need to flee - Victoria - was she here? Did she have Marcus? God no, she could not lose anyone else. Her heart dropped, she didn't' know why but she felt that if she lost him - she simply would not be able to handle the loss - "Marcus?" She cried out in the dark

The room was silent.

"MARCUS!" Bella's voice rang out

In the shadows of the fireplace Bella seen a flicker - it was not a flicker of the flames, it was someone. "Who's there?" "Marcus?!"

A Shadow flashed before Bella's eyes and she felt the iron grip of small cold hands around her neck, Isabella felt the sting of her nails digging into her neck "Shut your mouth - you've created enough problems in this castle"

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Sulpicia and Athenodora sat in the lounge that connected their two homes. It was a safe place where the wives would meet up almost every day without their husbands, they could listen to music, paint, gossip, or just sit and enjoy each other company. Marcus had no interest in being close to their rooms - close to their wives. His room was on the other end of the castle. Being wives of the Volturi kings was lonely - the women were kept away like birds in cages. Both the women knew that the reason behind this was due to the death of Marcus's wife Didyme.

They had lots to catch up with - the arrival of Bella had the whole castle in a twist - a human girl was Marcus's mate. Athenodora pale, tall - blond and looked like a model, she carried the grace and stature of a Deity-she made sure that she wore the latest of all the fashions. Caius was the most cruel of the Kings, however, he made sure that his wife was treated like the Goddess that she was.

Sulpicia was shorter, curvier and held a darker complexion, her hair was shorter then Athenodora, her black shoulder length hair was curly - however, when both women entered a room - they knew all eyes were on them - they had been married to Kings for centuries and knew how to play to their strengths.

"She smells divine. Caius mentioned to me that the guards struggled with their thirst being so close to her when they flew home. She's just a tiny little thing as well." Athenodora flicked her long blond hair.

Sulpicia leaned in to be closer to Athenodora "She's been running from vampires - Aro has not idea how she's still alive. I'm very curious to meet her." Sulpicia leaned back deeper into the chair and smiled - "I'm happy for Marcus - he's been slipping further and further away from us - maybe this human will bring him back to us."

"Marcus!" A yell came from the end of the castle -Sulpicia and Athenodora but stood up 'It's the human!" Sulpicia being the older of the two immediately ran towards Marcus's rooms. The two guards that stood outside the common rooms were startled to see their two Queens' running towards the cry of Marcus's name.

Sulpicia yelled orders to the guards "Go and get the kings! We need to hurry! Get them to Marcus's rooms!" her voice held authority, Athenodora sprinted down the dark hallways into Sulpicia not far behind -

The guard that was watching Marcus's room was laying beside the open door. Athenodora stopped she quickly assessed the situation. The sweet fragrance of Bella was strong along with the familiar scent of Elena - Sulpicia and Athenodora both arrived in Marcus's room - it was empty.

Athenodora looked down the darken hallways, - "This way!" She yelled at Sulpicia the two women ran down the hallways arriving into a little known area of the castle - there were multiple rooms and passages that each led to the underground tunnels going to various locations outside the castle - some went directly to the city - most into the country side. It allowed members of the Volturi to move about unnoticed.

One of the doors was slightly ajar - "here!" Athenodora pulled open the door only to catch site of Elena holding Bella. "Put her down!" Sulpicia commanded. Elena stopped in her tracks - turning to face the two women, she knew she was no match for the Queens

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The two guards arrived in the Dungeons "My Lords!" They shouted - the doors swung open and the two guards ran into the room. "The human - your wives are gone to help - she yelled for you my Lord!" they looked Marcus who instantly felt Bella's panic.

"Watch the Cullen's" Aro's words rang loud

At hearing those words all three Kings ran out of the dungeons' and towards Marcus's room

Marcus's thoughts ran wild - his mate- he was so consumed with that Cullen boy that he didn't feel her panic his anger only fuelled his speed

The three kings arrived at Marcus's rooms only to find them empty - Isabella's scent was stronger than before, she was bleeding - Marcus' felt his cold heart constrict. To Marcus it felt like hours - but in a matter of a minute or two they had arrived to the small room at the end of the hallway - they could hear Sulpicia

"It's ok Bella'" Sulpicias' voice was soft as she held Bella in her arms. "Marcus will be here soon - don't worry" Rocking back and forth Sulpicia cradled Isabella.

Athenodora held Elena down, upon seeing Caius arrive - Athenodora felt immediately relived. The girls could handle one small vampire but, the human's scent was almost too much for them to handle. Especially since she was bleeding -

Marcus spotted Isabella and fell to his knees in front of Sulpicia he held his arms out allowing her to pass his precious Isabella to him - he noticed a cuts on her neck where Elena's nails dug into her flesh. A growl sounded low in his chest. Isabella's eyes opened and noticed Marcus' beside her. She raised her arms allowing Marcus to pull her into his embrace. Being in his arms she felt safe, she wrapped her arms around his neck, she pulled her face into his neck - inhaling his scent she was safe - she was home.

Caius grabbed Elena from Athenodora, "Guards - take her now!" He pushed the tiny vampire into the guards - the tiny vampire yelled "Your reign will be over soon - ours is coming back! You should be afraid - we are going to get that human one way or another, and we're going to come back into power!" Her voice faded down the halls - Aro had quickly made his way to Sulpicia and helped her up - Aro kept his eyes on Marcus, as the newly mated couple needed wide berth.

Marcus squeezed Isabella tighter upon hearing the words that they wanted her - he knew that she was wanted, but he felt the castle would be a safe zone for them - he wouldn't allow Isabella out of his sight again, it was not going to happen.

Caius hugged Athenodora kissing her on the top of her head - "You did well my wife" Looking at Aro, we need to find out what's going on. "Guards", two larger men appeared, "You will escort our wives to the common area of our rooms and you are not to leave them"

Aro looked to Marcus who was kneeling on the floor holding his mate. "Brother, we will keep you informed"

Marcus heard them, but did not move. The room emptied, leaving just the two of them alone. "I'm sorry - I'm so sorry." he whispered in her ear.

"I heard you yell, I felt your anger. I was so scared" Bella pulled herself tighter into his embrace.

Marcus stood up, his strong arms held Isabella firmly in place. "Why - why do I feel so attached to you?" Bella's voice was small and her breath was warm on Marcus's neck.

"We're bonded - it's strong and it's forever. Slowly Marcus made his way back to his room. Shutting the door, he sat on his chair - allowing Bella to shift herself on his lap. "Isabella, I need to tend to your cuts on your neck. And, I need to change my shirt."

Bella pulled herself away slightly from his body. Looking at him for the first time, his shirt was covered in bloody streaks. Blood bothered Bella, the smell of blood made her gag - however, on Marcus Bella didn't care, and she instantly felt the loss when Marcus pulled away slightly and pulled herself tighter to him. "I-I don't want to -I don't want you to go, please not yet." Bella buried her face into Marcus's neck and tighten her arms around his neck. She felt safe, he was a safe harbour for her. This was silly she thought to herself, she's been on her own for the last few years and now she's hanging on to her - her mate? The words didn't seem right - slowly she forced herself to pull away from him and looked at his face, then to his shirt. A small smile formed on her face and it looked relaxed since she arrived in that God awful red suit. "it looks like you've feed" She mumbled.

Feeling relaxed for the first time since this tiny human arrived - Marcus chuckled slightly "It's ok, I'm right here Isabella. I need to heal your cuts - and allow me to change my shirt."

Bella pushed herself away and stood up. She was thankful that she was wearing his socks as her feet would have been freezing. She watched as Marcus quickly made his way to the bureau and pulled out a clean shirt. He changed into his clean shirt and in a flash was back to sitting on his chair. He motioned for Isabella to sit on his lap. "Now, let me fix those cuts for you." Isabella pulled back her hair and exposing her neck that had fresh wounds and blood to a vampire. She really had no sense of preservation.

Marcus looked at Bella's white neck she had purple bruises from Caius, and cuts and red marks from Elena. He wanted to growl, but he knew that it would unsettle Isabella. He watched as her jugular vein pulsed in tune with her heart beat. He watched as she leaned forward giving him full exposure of her neck to him - he in turned leaned slightly forward he ran his tongue over the nail marks - with such an intimate move, he immediately felt her heart rate spike. It took everything in his body and mind not to pull Bella into bed and have his way with her - he knew that she was feeling that boding pull as well - he could feel the way she moved on his lap, the small whimpers' as his tongue ran along her neck he felt her tiny hands clench the front of his shirt.

Marcus stopped - Bella didn't look at him, but placed her head along his neck again. "You're tired - you need to sleep"

"You - you can't leave me!" Bella pulled away from his neck. She was anxious again.

"Hush - I told you, I'm not leaving you." Marcus secured her legs and stood up and walked into his bedroom. Placing Bella on the bed, she moved over - allowing Marcus to lie beside her. He could see the red creep into her cheeks.

"I'm scared" Bella's voice was quiet again -

Marcus took his shoes off, and lay down beside her. "Don't be" He pulled her into his embrace. His hand lazily played with her hair Bella lay her head on his chest. Her hand lazily circled his chest- she was safe.

Bella was surprised how comfortable she was with him- as her hands circled his chest she realized he wasn't hard and cold like Edward. He was softer and felt warm to her. Before she could ask the questions she fell asleep.