Chapter Ten

Caius and Aro walked quickly behind the guards that held Elena, once in another area of the dungeons, Caius grabbed Elena by the hair and dragged her towards one of the torches that lined the walls.

"What is this nonsense that you speak of?!" Caius hissed and pulled her face closer to his.

Elena smiled, "your reign will soon be over!" Caius tightened his hand and pushed her closer to the flame Elena pulled back slightly as the flames of the torch licked her face. She started to laugh - almost hysterical, Aro quickly moved in and grabbed her hand. His eyes got big.

"She's Stefan's mate!" Aro's voice was strained with anger. Aro was infuriated - all the staff and guards of the Volturi coven had been tested and all passed by himself - he should have seen this - how did she get in?

Caius pushed her face into the flame - Elena screamed as her face begun to melt - "TALK NOW!" Caius pulled her face out of the flame - her skin hung on off her face like a badly melted candle, disfiguring her - she hissed "We're coming back - stronger than before - it's taken us years - but we're coming back. We're going to take the hum-" before she could finish her sentence, Caius ripped her head off, pulling the torch off the wall he threw it on her head- her screams filled the small dungeon - Aro watched as Caius kicked her small body into the flames both Kings watched as she burnt in silence.

"Aro, this is a bit of problem" Caius pulled the hair off his face, and dusted off his hands "We have a to find out why Marcus's mate is attracting all this chaos."

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Marcus lay quietly in his room, he softly stroked Isabella's arm which lay languidly across his chest. He needed her to sleep - Eleazar was on his way to the castle - Marcus stopped stroking Isabella's arm- and tilted his head slightly - Aro's voice spoke from outside Marcus's door. His voice had an edge to it, but he spoke softly and quickly.

"Marcus - we've encountered a problem. Elena was Stefan's mate - Caius has taken care of her- when your mate is rested enough we need to speak to her, Eleazar will be here in a few hours." Aro cleared his throat - for a moment he hesitated about informing his brother about what Elena had said about his mate- they knew Isabella was somewhat connected to the Romanian's showing up. It was a lot of information to give to Marcus who being newly mated- might create a whole set of new problems for the Kings. Aro decided to leave this information out until later. It would be too much for his brother. "We've locked down the castle, Victoria has just arrived - Demetri is escorting her to the dungeons. - I will go with Caius to see Edward - he may not want to talk but he can't hide his secrets from me."

Marcus spoke quietly as not to wake Bella, "Do not kill the boy - you are to leave him to me - I want to rip his body parts off piece by piece and have him and those Cullen's watch as I burn them." Marcus pulled Bella closer to his body. Placing a light kiss on her head - he listened for her breathing to see if she had awaken. "I will meet you and Caius in the throne room when Isabella awakes"

Aro slipped away from his brother's room both he and Caius needed to see their wives - both of them needed to make sure they were ok, even with the extra guards - the Romania's were not to be taken lightly - they had managed to infiltrate their home - there could be others and once a mate is killed - especially of a leader that is basically an invitation of war. This was the second time the Volturi killed Stefan's mate -

Both wives were sitting in the common lounge when both Kings arrived. There were now six large vampire guards standing outside their common area. Aro walked to each of them and immediately they all knew to hold out their hands. Aro pulled each of the guards hands close to him and closed his eyes. He searched deep into each guards thoughts - he could not - no he would not let anyone slip into this castle again.

Caius spoke to the Queens as Aro interrogated the guards. "Elena was Stefan's mate" both women gasped.

"What!? How?" Was all Sulpicia could say

"I have no idea." Aro's words were dry as he made his way back to the others. "I have no idea how she got past me." Aro sat on the chair next to his wife and held her hand. "I have made sure that this will never happen again."

Caius looked at his wife, he could tell that Athenodora was stressed just by the way she sat. "Not to worry dear, I killed her and will make sure that I kill every last one of the Romanian coven's if it's the last thing I do"

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Eleazar arrived at the Castle and was quickly ushered into the Throne room, he was unnerved and slightly distressed to see all the extra security.

Aro and Caius greeted the leader of the Denali coven. A brief bow to his kings, Eleazar held his hand out for Aro to 'read' him. He too, knew to immediately to surrender any thoughts to his King.

Aro smiled at Eleazar, "Welcome"

Caius cut the greeting short - "Cut the crap Aro, we're not inviting him to a tea party- Eleazar we have a mess going on here and we need your expertise to see if Marcus's mate Isabella has any ability that could help the Romanians' - or the Cullen's - They both have put a lot on the line to try and get her."

Putting the Cullen's name with the Romanian's put Eleazar on alert. "Do you think these two coven's are working together?" Eleazar looked at Aro and quickly put up his hand almost trying to stop the thoughts that were going through his head. "Wait, what do you mean Isabella is Marcus's mate? Was she not Edward's mate?" Eleazar was confused - he had been told that the Cullen's left Forks quickly but he thought that the human was with them and had been changed. "Was Isabella not with the Cullen's? Did they not change her?"

"Yes, well - it seems our brother has found himself a new mate - she was not changed by the Cullen's instead she was abandoned by them. She been running away from a tracker, some newborns created by this tracker - and keeping ahead of them I might add - when we asked her she explained to us that she can almost feel them when they get close. But, could not elaborate anymore. Now, both the Romanian's want her along with the Cullen's. You tell me? Does this not sound like this girl has something in her to be creating all this -this mayhem."

Eleazar closed his eyes for a moment in order to digest all the information he was given in such a short period of time. If he were not a vampire he was sure that this task was something he would not be able to do.

"You can't read her, correct" Eleazar looked at Aro

"She's blank - when I touch her it's like - it's like I have no gift at all. I've never felt anything like that before."

"I don't remember there being anything overly special with the girl when I meet her back in Alaska - but, I never really studied her - never really got near her. There really was no need, and to be honest - I didn't want to be around humans" Eleazar looked at the Kings

"We've found a Romanian spy in our castle, Caius killed Stefan's mate - so we have no idea how much she's informed the Romanians."

Aro looked at Eleazar "When Isabella was here a few years ago - she had an ability to not be affected by our gifts - both myself and Jane had no effect on her with our gifts. So far, from what I can tell - it's the same - I'm not sure Marcus will allow anyone else near her- and seeing that he's newly mated - he's going to be more volatile."

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Bella stirred in Marcus's arms. "Isabella?" Marcus whispered into her hair.

"|Mmm," Bella stretched like a cat that had been sleeping in the sun.

"We need to get up my love - someone is waiting for us." Marcus had no sooner spoken those words he felt her tense.

Bella sat up and looked at Marcus. "Who wants me?" She looked scared.

"Let's get you fed, watered, and washed up. We're going to meet with my brothers and a member of the Denali Coven - Eleazar. Do you remember him? Don't worry - he's a trusted member of the Volturi, he may not be an active member anymore - but he's been a long standing friend." Marcus explained - he didn't need to put anymore stress on either one of them.

Isabella got up and padded to the bathroom. Quickly stepped into the shower - it felt glorious - for the first time she slept, there was no nightmare, no screams, no fear. Maybe Marcus was her personal nightmare control.

A knock on the bathroom door alerted her, "Isabella, there are some clothes for you to change in once you're done your shower. The food as arrived as well."

Again, on cue as soon as the word 'food' was sounded - Bella's stomach growled. Quickly drying off, she opened the door slightly and grabbed the pile of clothes. A sundress and sweater was quickly put on. Someone was even thinking as clean underwear was provided -brushing her hair, she looked at her neck - the bruises were still there, but they were very faint - Bella wondered why they were almost gone, maybe something to do with the venom from Marcus? She would have to ask later.

Stepping out of the bathroom, she was greeted by her vampire. Marcus. The smell in the room was divine breakfast. Sitting down quickly she began to eat - the surreal feeling hit her, it was like she had lived with this vampire all her life. This felt 'normal', this felt right.

"Thank you for the clothes Marcus" Bella smiled at Marcus who was dressed in a dark suit, white shirt with a long black jacket. The Volturi crest that hung on his necklace lay front and centre on his chest. His long black hair frames his face. He truly looks like a King. Bella felt her stomach do a flip, he looks hot she thought to herself.

"There is a pair of shoes as well - Aro and Caius's wives have insisted that they order you some new attire. I'm a little surprised, however, happy and I'm very rather pleased. I was not sure how the other mates would take to a new mate."

Bella began to choke, the word mate got her again. "Sorry, I'm not use to being called your mate"

Marcus sighed inwardly. He was happy - happy for the first time in a hundred's of years. He was pleased with his mate. Human's didn't think the same as vampires - Isabella was someone who was very different than other humans who he had been in contact with. This pleased him greatly. He walked over to her and grabbed her hand pulling her hand up to his lip, he gently kissed her knuckles. "Get use to it," Pulling her up out of her chair, they made their way to the throne room.

Arriving at the large wooden doors again, Marcus pulled the large doors open - Bella squeezed Marcus's hand and they walk in together - this room didn't seem as scary as before- not now that she walked in with her King.

Aro, Caius and Eleazar are standing in a circle talking. "Good Morning Isabella," Aro is the first to speak.

Marcus led Isabella to his throne and sat down pulling Isabella onto his lap. The other kings sat down on their thrones as well. Eleazar walked towards Marcus.

"Isabella, you remember me right?" Eleazar spoke

Bella nodded her head, "Yes,"

"Do you know that I hold a unique gift?"

"No, I'm sorry - I didn't know that."

Eleazar smiled, "That's ok, - my gift is not that impressive - I can't do anything spectacular like Aro, Edward or Alice's, there is no mind reading, or predicting the future. My gift allows me to sense what other human's or vampires hold as a possible gift - or talent." Eleazar walked closer to Marcus and Isabella. He stood in front of Isabella and closed his eyes. What seemed like an eternity, he opened his eyes and looked strangely at Isabella.

"May I?" Eleazar knew to look and ask the question to his king rather than Isabella. Marcus who nodded slightly.

"Isabella, Eleazar needs to touch you." Isabella instantly grabed the front of Marcus's shirt and lowered her head. "That's ok, I'm here - can you give him your hand?"

Isabella slowly let go of Marcus's shirt and gave her hand to Eleazar who gently grabbed it and placed it into his. Again, he closed his eyes. His hand was cold - and felt like Isabella was holding an ice cube. It felt like an eternity again before anything happened.

"Interesting, so very interesting." Eleazar opened his eyes, smiled at Isabella and let go of her hand.

"She's blank - there is nothing - She's a shield that's without doubt - but the extent of her shield is interesting - so very interesting."

"What do you mean extent?" Caius asked

"I can't read Marcus - I know what Marcus's gifts are - but - but I can't see them!" Eleazar was excited. "This is remarkable!"

Aro jumped up startling both Marcus and Isabella. Marcus wrapped his arm around Isabella.

"My apologies Marcus, but may I read you?" Aro was as giddy as a child.

Marcus held out his hand allowing Aro to grab it. Aro grabbed his brother's hand - he too closed his eyes, suddenly Aro's eyes got big and he laughed. "Nothing, I see nothing! This is remarkable!" Aro let go of his brother's hand and made his way back to his throne.

Isabella found that her hand had reached up to touch the centre of Marcus's chest, she clenched his shirt and looked at Marcus. "What does this mean? Does this mean I'll hurt you? I don't want to hurt you!" Her words were rushed and she was scared.

Marcus could feel her heart beat faster, not to mention she was clenching the front of his shirt for dear life. He pulled Isabella closer to his body - "I'm not sure - but don't worry. Isabella - we'

Eleazar walked slowly back and forth. "She needs to get off away from Marcus. I need to see her alone - she's too close to her mate - he might be interfering with her gift." Eleazar didn't hold back.

Isabella looked at Marcus, her head instantly dropped onto his chest. "I don't want to leave you." She whispered.

Eleazar knew he was playing a dangerous game - Marcus as powerful as he was, was newly mated - anyone who knew anything about vampires they are the most volatile when they are newly mated.

Aro spoke - "Isabella, we don't want to frighten you - no one here will hurt you - you have all of our words. We just have to figure out why you are being chased."

Aro's words hit home with Bella. She was being chased - she had something that everyone seemed to want, and she needed to find out what it was. Marcus was not far and would not allow (she hoped) anything to happen to her. "Ok, what do you want me to do?" Bella's words were quiet.