Chapter 5
Shocked would be an understatement. The world seemed to pause as their eyes met. What felt like a mere blink of an eye for Isabella, Marcus had slammed down to his knees. The sound of stone hitting stone vibrated the floor; Isabella twitched her bare toes under her dress. He stood almost as tall as Felix and was brought down to her chest level before she could even process his movements. Can vampires trip, she wondered. Isabella looked him over trying to assess what ailed him but found herself checking him out. Marcus was handsome, too handsome. A chiseled jaw, strong cheekbones, and perfect nose; like flawless Greek sculpture, his sculpted body confirming the theory. His brown hair hung just past his shoulders with just the smallest hint of wave. He was the exact man your mother always warned you about; devilishly handsome. Isabella almost turned away in that second. It hurt deep in her chest to look at him, but she couldn't look away. She was reminded of Indiana Jones and the Lost Ark; she waited for her face to melt away under his intense gaze. Much to her embarrassment, Isabella felt her face flush red, but it was short-lived. In the second she assessed him; he was suddenly surrounded. Felix and Demetri standing by each elbow, ready to assist him to his feet. Aro had dropped Isabella's hand, for once his blithe smile fell and his lips thinned in worry for his brother. Marcus has finally lost his mind, Aro thought. Aro walked forward grasping his brother's hand trying to solve the mystery.
Aro fell into Marcus's memories searching then emitting a loud, unnerving laugh when he figured out why his brother stumbled. Marcus had found his mate. Isabella has no idea she just became a queen of vampires, his new sister, Aro laughed to himself. Isabella took a startled step back from the Aro, his laugh scaring her. Marcus stood immediately watching his mate jump back in fear, giving a low growl to Aro for upsetting her. He knew deep down that Aro hadn't meant to upset her, but his natural instincts felt differently than his common sense. Fighting the urge to grab his mate and claim her right where she stood was near impossible but Marcus beat his inner beast down.
Ignoring his moment of weakness, Marcus held out his hand to Isabella.
"Marcus Volturi," His deep voice reverberated down her body, settling deep in her gut. Isabella still dazed and confused from what just transpired took a few seconds to realize he wanted to shake her hand.
"Isabella Swan," she whispered. His strong hand gripped hers before turning it over; he placed a light kiss on her knuckles, sending sparks through her body. She felt her blush deepen, much to her humiliation, but he didn't let her hand go. She gently pulled her hand away not sure what to do next. Aro noticing the tension in the room decided to intervene. He didn't know Isabella at all to recommend a course of action for Marcus; he wasn't sure how she would react to Marcus declaring his undying love for her seconds after meeting. Did humans even feel the pull, he wondered. This little human had certainly thrown this coven in a tailspin.
"Now that we have gotten introductions out of the way, Marcus and I have much to discuss. Isabella why don't you take a turn about the gardens before we call you for trial," Aro roused in his normal cheery voice. Marcus wanted to rip Aro's throat out for separating him from his mate, but once again he beat the beast down. With a stiff nod, Marcus turned and exited the room, Aro hot on his heels; they needed to have a family meeting immediately.
"What the fuck just happened?" Felix asked, breaking the leftover tension in the room.
"I-I don't know. Can vampires trip?"
"I don't think that was a trip," Demetri mused, he had a strong suspicion of what just occurred. "Don't worry though, Master Marcus will be fine. Let's go to the garden."
oOo
Marcus marched angrily to Aro's office, his emotions swirling wildly in his body; he felt like a newborn again. Gripping the lever too tightly, Marcus almost tore the solid wood door from the hinges. Aro followed behind him, for once in his long life he kept his mouth shut. It wouldn't bode well for Aro's office for someone to set Marcus off. The newly forged mate bond tended to awaken the baser instincts: protect and claim. And a fragile mortal mate with a dominant male. Disaster. Aro prayed to whatever Gods were listening to find a resolution and save his office.
Sulpicia had perched on one of the loveseats around the fire waiting for her husband's return; Aro had called a meeting before the human girl's trial. They typically always met in Aro's office for the family business. Caius and Athenodora lazed on the couch still in post-vacation bliss; Sulpicia still saw a glint of fury in Caius's eyes though. He was not happy at all at the turn of events while Aro was left alone to rule. A human, really? Many guards would be punished when this trial was over, Caius would see to it. How did she sneak unnoticed into the castle? The fury was doused slightly with the prospect of punishing the Cullens; Caius strategized in his head whilst playing with his wife's long golden hair.
The office door swung wide, splinters from the wood flying haphazardly; Marcus strode in, ignoring his audience and went to stand in front of the blazing fire. He was angry and unsettled which was odd for Marcus but before anyone could ask why Aro walked in. Caius sat up immediately, laying his wife's head into his lap to continue running a hand through her hair.
"Ah, we welcome you to the family meeting. You two are late," Caius sneered at Aro.
"Sorry, brother but we were detained momentarily. How was the island home?" Ignoring Caius's baiting, Aro took a seat with Sulpicia, placing his arm around her shoulders.
"Cut the shit, Aro. Let us talk about this human that trespassed into our home, and instead of death you gave her a position on the guard," Caius huffed, ignoring Aro's wide eyes and silent 'shut up' gesture. "I cannot believe you are alone for one week and now our home has been contaminated with its filth. What comes next Children of the Moon?" Caius didn't even notice Marcus moving until Athenodora was gently moved to the side and he was smashing face-first into the large coffee table that the three couches circled. Caius stood unharmed but dazed; Marcus hadn't moved that quick in millennia. Aro would have been amused if it wasn't his sitting room they were destroying. While Caius was quick to recover his footing, Marcus, in all his fury, had launched himself at Caius. The growl that reverberated from Marcus's chest told Caius this wasn't a play fight. Soon they were viciously fighting on the remains of what was once the coffee table.
"DAMN YOU TWO. SIT DOWN NOW," Sulpicia shrieked. She had just finished redecorating this room and she wouldn't put up with this behavior. Marcus turned toward her with black eyes and a growl; Aro stood, replying with his own growl, ready to defend his mate. This seemed to reach Marcus through his bloodlust. He straightened from his crouch.
"I apologize, Sulpicia." Sulpicia pulled Aro back onto their couch; Aro remaining tense in case his mate was threatened again. Marcus took the hint and sat on his normal couch; once again alone despite his mate walking around the castle. He vowed this would be the last time he would sit alone.
"Now if you could explain why you attacked my husband that would be appreciated," Dora barked, out of character. She was the softest of the family, surprising for being mated to a white-haired demon.
"She's my mate," Marcus answered before looking back to the fire. The bond pulled at him to seek his mate.
"What?" Dora asked confused. Even with her perfect hearing, she thought she had misheard what he said.
"Isabella is Marcus's mate," Aro cautiously answered.
"The human?" Caius asked surprised. He earned a growl from Marcus.
"Isabella Marie Swan," Aro corrected, he had confiscated her ID and passport. Insurance so she couldn't escape, he thought, but really, he just likes to snoop. He had to do the old-fashioned detective work since he couldn't read her mind. Marcus turned back to the group at the mention of her name.
"Oh! We must meet her immediately! A new sister! Tell us about her. How did she react to the news?" Dora squealed. Sulpicia, the more reserved of the wives, mirrored Dora's smile.
"She does not know we are mates," Marcus answered rubbing his large hand across his face in frustration.
"Surely you will tell her soon? Aro, how do you think she will react?" Sulpicia asked soothingly.
"I cannot read her mind. She is immune to most of the coven's gifts," Aro answered. A loud cackle erupted the stunned silence. Caius never thought he would see both of his gifted brothers at a loss; Aro flying blind and Marcus, bond master, with a mate dilemma. A soft whack to the back of the head silenced his laughter; Dora didn't find the situation funny at all.
"Let's think about how we can remedy this," Sulpicia supplied.
"I say you tell her, fuck her and turn her," Caius offered. That plan had worked well for him after all.
"I do not believe that would go well. From what little I know of Isabella; she may not react favorably to the news. The Cullen boy had claimed they were mates, but he left her. Plus, she is a modern girl; you can't just steal her away the night before the wedding of her arranged marriage," Aro replied pointedly. Caius had in fact done that exact thing to Athenodora. Caius gave a smug smile while he pulled Dora back into his lap, hand slipping under the hem of her dress. The kings and their wives were born into different times, Caius and Dora reminded them of this constantly, bordering on obscene at times. Marcus slumped onto his couch, tossing his long legs onto the arm.
"Do not fret, brother. We will help you woo her if that's how you wish to proceed," Sulpicia soothed. Marcus gave her a grateful smile.
"It is settled then. You can court her at her own pace. We will need to inform the guard of the bond though; they will be discreet. You need to appoint her a guard, I suggest Felix and Demetri since they are the closest to her." Marcus growled at the reminder of Aro insinuating the pair's intentions toward Isabella.
"I am positive they will be on their best behavior, but using anyone else will alert Isabella to a change. She's too observant." Aro warned. Marcus acquiesced with a nod.
"I believe this is a terrible idea. Women never react well to secrets," Caius offered.
"I will tell her when I think she is ready." Caius scoffed but offered no resistance as it wasn't his mate.
"Perhaps after the trial, you could send her to meet us." Sulpicia nodded in agreement. This was a delicate situation and it was best with a woman's touch, Dora thought.
"Good idea, Dora. That would give them time to have her stuff moved into her new room."
"New room?" Marcus asked.
"Of course Marcus. We can move her into the room next to yours in your or would you rather she stay in the guards' annex?" His queen in the guards' wing, ludicrous, Marcus scowled at the thought.
Aro stood bringing attention to himself. "We will send Isabella your way soon enough. Brothers if you will, we shouldn't keep Isabella in suspense anymore." The three kings exited Aro's office. Caius ordering a lower guard to call Isabella to the throne room and clean up the remains of the coffee table. Aro entered through the door behind the thrones, followed by Marcus then Caius. Marcus hesitated at the back of the dais; duty called for him to sit in his throne, the bond to stand beside Isabella. Caius gave Marcus a reassuring shoulder squeeze and pushed him toward his throne. The three ancient immortals sat in their impressive thrones, the view the same as usual as their upper and elite guard lined the walls of the annular room. Everything changed for Marcus when Isabella shuffled slowly to the center of the room; his body unconsciously leaning forward in his throne. Isabella looked so small and fragile standing alone in the center of the room, red eyes pierced her from all sides. He could see she was uncomfortable. Marcus let out a low growl causing the guard to divert their eyes whether in instinct or in surprise at the change in Marcus.
"Welcome back, Miss Swan," Aro's saccharine voice broke the silence. "I hope your stay has been pleasant." Isabella looked Aro in the eyes as he addressed her. She quickly glanced at the blonde king who she had not seen before. His face blank and emotionless; Felix warned her he would try to intimidate her with his usual scowl.
"Yes. Thank you," Isabella answered gently; she didn't trust her voice to not break. Her eyes were drawn to Marcus as she answered Aro, quickly she diverted her eyes to the floor. His eyes felt like they pierced her soul.
"We would like to extend an offer to join our coven." Marcus's velvet voice caused Isabella to jump. She bravely looked from the ground to meet his eyes.
"Do the terms Master Aro set still stand?" One side of Caius's mouth quirked up at the audacity of this mortal; she would be a fiery little sister. Marcus leaned back casually in his throne amused.
"And what terms do you seek confirmation for?"
"Access to the library." She'd be damned if that was taken away from her.
"You may have access to any library that we own." Marcus agreed with an indulgent smile. Whatever you desire is what he truly wanted to say.
"Any library? Even yours, Master?" Marcus gripped his chair in restraint when 'master' slipped from her lips. Her subtle submission almost sending him over the edge. Aro who had been watching the interaction took over for his brother.
"Of course, Isabella. What do you say?"
"Yes," she answered, still watching Marcus. Aro clapped joyously.
"Perfetto. Now we have some people for you to meet while we have someone move your belongings to your new room."
"My new room?" Isabella broke eye contact with Marcus turning to Aro, confusion plain on her face.
"Yes, you will be serving under Marcus as his personal guard," Caius spoke with a smirk; the double meaning not lost on the already strained king. Aro's smile broadened, Teasing Marcus was going to be such fun.
"I understand." She didn't understand, but who was she to question the will of kings. By the looks of Marcus, he didn't need any help being protected.
"Wonderful. Now our wives wanted to meet you. Marcus, will you escort her?" Marcus stood without answering, holding out a hand to help her up the dais. Isabella's feet answered without thought. Her hand was tiny in comparison to Marcus's; he relished in smug male pride. Pulling her up the stairs, Marcus laced her arm through his, escorting her through the door behind the throne.
The door had barely closed before Aro stood and addressed the guard.
"Isabella Swan is Marcus's mate." Murmurs broke out from the surprised guard.
"Silence." Caius stood, scowl disrupting the beauty of his face. "She will be treated with respect; anything less will result in punishment. She, like our wives, must be protected at all costs; anything less with result in death."
"Master Marcus has chosen to not reveal the bond to Isabella yet. So, discretion is paramount not only toward Isabella but to anyone outside our coven. Outsiders will see her status as a human as a weakness and they will exploit it." Aro added almost as an afterthought, "Demetri and Felix will be her personal guard anytime she is not with the family." Felix and Demetri nodded in acceptance. Protecting Marcus's human mate was an honor as much as a risk. Aro took one last glance around the room before turning to leave, Caius walking in step with him. The guard had been given their dismissal but most remained in their spots talking; the gossiping had already started.
A/N: Thanks for the follows and reviews. Special thanks to: Daisy Grace, Guest, Msmalloryreads, Manognya. P, sweetsouthernsongbird, WPear, Jaysto, TheBlackSeaReaper, ForrestersWitch, traceybuie, Night Terror56, teamwolfaltw, Daisy Grace, jenn72stamper, marlastiano. Your reviews always light my writing fire.
