A/N: Be safe out there my friends, don't take any chances and stay at home xx For those of you who work in any of our world's healthcare systems in any capacity, Thank you xx For those of you keeping us all fed and online, Thank you xx For all the others keeping our gas & electric flowing and a million other services we take for granted, Thank you xx Alexis

My thanks to Idreamofeddy for the wonderful Peter we all use nowadays. I have expanded Luca powers to be a shield just like Bella. Remember if you want to know how my mind ticks, join me on Facebook, as always I'm Theadosia57 xx Alexis

Marcus

I feel like a proud father, Isabella is going to be like no other vampire here in Volterra. I placed an early morning call to Luca in Malta, asking his advice and telling him how her change was progressing.

"She's the full deal Marcus, both mental and physical shielding capabilities. Even here with shields being most prevalent, we rarely have one such as me. I might do a little digging into her background if you don't mind, to see if there is a link somewhere?" Luca said happy to be of some help to me,

He has never made any bones about disliking Aro, respecting Caius' military prowess and being close and almost familial with me. We both like so many of the same things and often spend hours discussing books or rare manuscripts I've found. He gives me another perspective I don't have here amongst the Volturi. Even Caius has friends' outwith the Volturi, unlike Aro who is insular and wary of all forms of contact. He brought it on himself always assuming everyone was like himself and only out for what they can get. Really, we are his only friends and we don't even like him anymore.

In the beginning, he was idealistic and full of 'Joie de Vivre' as the French say. But as the years rolled on he became more and more withdrawn and convinced everyone was out to get him. The lowest point in all this was the death of my beloved Didyme, at Aro's hand. Killing his own sister tipped him over the edge into lunacy, but I care nothing for his state of mind and it will not stop me finally getting my long-awaited revenge. Chelsea's arrival was what sealed his doom and ours as it happens, most are no longer family but prisoners to his every whim.

I am brought out of my reverie by Luca telling me more about what to do with Isabella,

"She will need training, proper training Marcus. Lucky for you there is a shield in Volterra and I will instruct her to work with your protégé. I never hid from you she is my spy in your camp and for your silence, this will be my repayment. But also she needs to learn control and that can only be taught by learning to fight without her shields, or at least the physical one! Find her a trainer, one she trusts wholeheartedly" he explained and I knew that ruled out Felix and Demetri.

"Thank you mio amico, your help is most welcome" I replied closing our call and returning to Isabella's side,

"Well, mia figlia, you are going to be very special. But who do we get to train you? Caius maybe?" I asked her and she slowly shook her head,

"Jasper or Peter first!" was all she gasped and I nodded,

I understood, of course, her choice of the Major. But did she even know Captain Whitlock? I was musing this thought when her phone vibrated and I picked it up to see a text from the Captain himself,

'Suga' and I have never met, as of yet. But the Major, Charlotte and I are on our way. Tell her we'll see her soon and then the trainin' will begin. PW'

So it's true then, he does have precognitive capabilities. He must know he can trust me to reveal himself that way. I doubt Isabella will let Aro read any of them ever. This should be illuminating having so many warriors in one place. Caius might be number one here, but once the Major arrives he will take second place and Felix will be demoted to fourth. I even think the Captains mate might be his equal if not better than him, we will see in the weeks to come. I think Aro will be very nervous, once they arrive.

MDWBMR

Demetri

"Get up you lazy bastard! It's not like you need the sleep" Alec said shaking my shoulder,

I have refused to move since Felix carried me in here and Chelsea told me the truth of why I denied my mate. I can't believe that arrogant asshole would do this to not just me, but all who have served him for centuries. I came willingly, Amun thought me stupid and unaware he traded me to save his own wretched hide. But I'd already told Aro I would come freely, so why did he feel it necessary to tie me to him and him alone?

"Fuck off Alec!" I said rolling onto my side facing away from him and the door,

If I hadn't I would have seen the lower guards with him who now were dragging me to the main audience chamber. I didn't help them I let myself be dragged, it's not as if it would hurt me, but it showed them I was no longer willing to do as Aro commanded. They took me right up to the podium and placed me down, not stupid enough to drop me. Next to Caius and Felix, I was the third-best fighter here. Aro tutted and I ignored him, slowly rising I bowed to Caius and asked,

"Did you wish my attendance, Master Caius? Do you need me for some errand?"

He shook his head, barely concealing his smirk,

"Did Master Marcus send word for me?" I continued and once again he shook his head in the negative.

"Then I'll take my leave," I said backing away from him.

"I sent for you!" Aro spat and I ignored him and turned my back,

"Jane!" he yelled and I went down like a ton of bricks, but I refused to scream.

Her pain was nothing to the pain already in my chest. The bitch was smiling at me as she stared into my eyes and then suddenly she was gone. I rolled to my back and saw her pinned to the ceiling above me. Everyone was still in shock when Caius spoke loudly,

"Dear me Aro! You really know nothing of mates, do you? I, if truth be told wonder if you and Sulpicia are mates at all by the way you behave! It appears Isabella is not impressed with the added pain from Demetri's torture, while she's changing. So even indisposed you still managed to piss off a shield. Wow, you are a glutton for punishment that's for sure"

Aro actually flinched and then rose from his throne and left.

"When or indeed if Isabella releases her Alec, Inform your sister she is demoted from the Elite guard for using her gift on a mated comrade. No matter who ordered it, she should have refused! It is in our laws, pity none of you have actually read them" Caius announced before he to left the chamber.

I hissed at Jane as I rose and passed under her and then again at Chelsea who was hiding behind Afton. Felix clapped me on the shoulder as I left the room. I know she didn't do that to Jane for my benefit, but for her own. But it was heart warming all the same; I would take any crumbs she bestowed on me. Even during her change, she was eroding Aro's power and Caius it seems is ready to step into his shoes. I would willingly give my allegiance to the other two brothers. But in reality, I'm sickened by what has happened here and wish to leave, but if Bella stays, then so do I.

MDWBMR

Bella

What in hell's name was that? Jesus that was painful, not my pain as such, but linked to me from someone else. It's not Marcus who's staring wide-eyed at my sudden roar of pain. Then I realise it's him, someone is torturing him and thus me. Well, that will just not do! So I follow the link to him and feel that bitch Jane's signature from before. I reach out my hand in front of me and close it lifting my fist into the air. It stops immediately and I just think to myself 'Stay'. Letting my hand drop back down I have no way of knowing if it worked, but feel some resistance in my shielding.

"Figlia! Are you okay?" Marcus asked concerned, as he stokes back my hair from my face,

"Now, yes!" I say with a little shudder,

The door flies open and Caius once more appears, he is enraged and barely making sense. Marcus grabs him to still him and demands to know what's going on,

"That fool! He is so stupid. No, his is uncaring, unfeeling! He ordered Jane to attack Demetri because he refused to work for him any more. I have demoted her for actually doing it, they have no idea of our laws and that's not just his fault, but ours as well" he ranted and Marcus held him in place as he listened,

"Ah, I wondered, Isabella cried out for the first and only time. She did something I assume?" Marcus quizzed him,

"Yes, Jane is pinned to the main chamber ceiling and is unable to get free. Aro scurried away when I reminded him who he had just pissed off. She's making a difference already, showing him up as a selfish, arrogant man" Caius now said relaxing and smiling at me as I watched the two men,

So it appears Aro has been blindly following his own agenda, regardless who it hurts and once more ignoring his own laws. Laws that I don't know and clearly must learn as soon as possible. These two will be my teachers; I need to know everything,

"Laws! Teach me" I huff out and they both smile widely, knowing I will take Aro on, but legally and show the world how truly corrupt he is before one of us kill him.

MDWBMR

Peter

I'd been gettin' random data on a human female for several months now. Nothin' clear or defined, but it had to be important. She lived far north goin' by the landscape, also she seemed sad and a little lost. My first inclination of who she was important too was seein' her uniformed father and his spectacular moustache. I knew then it would involve the Major, my sire, my brother. He'd mentioned the Chief of Police in their last small town had a doozy of a moustache. So the Major somehow knew this girl, the Chief's daughter.

But I wasn't sure how or why she was important, then that lyin' pixie bitch appeared and it all got clearer much clearer. Because I knew Alice I got more information and I was livid, what the fuck were the Cullens playin' at? No, what were Alice and Edward playin' at, the rest didn't seem to know. I worked out that Alice had glamoured the poor girl because she was refusin' to help her at first. Then suddenly they were on a plane bound for Italy. I was stunned why would she be takin' a human there of all places. I was on the blower* to the Major right away and he had no idea where Alice had gone or why.

Charlotte and I left right away for Ithaca, New York and now I was the link between what was happenin' in Volterra and the Major. The rest of that family were in shock and disbelief. How could Edward be so rash? Why would Alice take Bella to Volterra? At least I knew her name now, Isabella Marie Swan. The only two who really cared what happened to Bella were Emmett and the Major. Rose was indifferent and the Doc and his mate were only worried about the golden duo, the chosen ones. I had the immense pleasure, which I hid from them all except the Major, of tellin' them that Alice and Edward were dead.

"She got them killed! Why did we ever get involved with that horrible girl?" Esme spat out before Rose of all people, slapped her across the face,

"They got themselves killed! You heard Peter; she wasn't their first girl, just the one they brought home to us! They were users and now it seems abusers of human girls. Don't you dare blame Bella for anything those two vile miscreants did! "She roared in Esme's face,

I had then to tell them what happened with Demetri and Bella, addin' what my knower was sayin' about Chelsea and Aro. Carlisle nodded knowingly, so this was somethin' he'd been doin' for years. Finally, I had to sadly relay her subsequent actions.

"Wow, so brave, so strong!" Rose gasped out and Charlotte nodded in agreement before I literally shouted out,

"He saved her! Thank god she's alive, well she's changin'. Marcus saved her!" I figuratively flopped into a chair in relief.

That's when everythin' started to change. The Doc and his wife retired to their room as we all waited with bated breath for somethin' to happen. They were no longer interested now that Edward and Alice were gone. Charlotte took the Major to task for never believin' us when we had told him repeatedly Alice wasn't his mate and now we were proven right. He was contrite, admittin' he knew deep down somethin' was wrong, but didn't want it to be true. It would have meant he'd wasted all those years on a female who wasn't his mate.

He would always be glad of the peace he'd gained and the friendship with Rose and Emmett, but now worried he'd missed his mate because of Alice. It was quiet for a couple of hours before I told them Bella had spoken to Heidi and the women laughed at her 'not blue, not a skirt' comment, both were digs at Edward and Alice. It was becomin' obvious little suga' was special and was goin' to turn Volterra on its head. The next piece of information was sad but necessary. Bella needed her family to receive closure and she wanted the Major to deal with it.

Her belief in him was a humblin' thing for the Major. I text her that he'd get right on it and was glad that Emmett wanted to help him set it up too. Rose was strugglin' to understand Carlisle and Esme's attitude and came to the conclusion that this whole family was constructed for Edward alone. She already knew she was changed for him, but thankfully they hated each other in the beginnin'. She had brought Emmett home and begged for him to be changed. I knew that Carlisle only agreed because he saw a brother for Edward as a good idea.

But really neither Rose nor Emmett were what they'd hoped or and it was too late to change things. When Alice arrived she was Carlisle dream daughter, talented and demure, the Major he took in on sufferance and they all tried to mould him into what they wanted him to be. I have a feelin' that Rose and Emmett won't hang around here long now. But at Emmett insistence assets will be divided and then they will follow us to Volterra. After all, Carlisle is their sire too and if he abandons them the Volturi will step in and he would never allow that kind of thing to besmirch his character.

Just before the Major and Emmett returned I got the next bit of information and was pleased to text Marcus via Bella's phone that we were on our way.

MDWBMR

Aro

I don't understand how this has all gotten away from me so quickly. Demetri's insult today made me so angry and I reacted as I would normally do. Unfortunately, it backfired spectacularly as Isabella reacted to the pain through her link with Demetri. Now I am without Jane by my side and Caius has ensured it by demoting her. He brought up the law that prohibits them attacking mated vampires for that very reason, something that I have flouted often. He even attacked my personal link to Sulpicia, asking if it was real!

I always thought it would be Marcus that challenged me for my leadership and not Caius. I have grossly underestimated him. His mastery of the laws has given him the upper hand today and Isabella's intervention brought home to me how slippery my grip is here in Volterra. I used fear and gifts to control, unlike the others who used their strengths instead. It appears I have made an error of judgement. I waved Renata away, as I wish to make some private calls and need no protection here in my private office.

Renata

Thank goodness, I've been hoping to get away from Aro since Uncle Luca got in touch. I am being given the privilege of helping Isabella control her gift. Seeing her pin Jane made me smile and I was barely able to stop from laughing. If she was doing this now, during her change then she will be a force to be reckoned with. I only wish my shield was as good, it's better than Aro realises but not as strong as Isabella's. I have always maintained I needed contact to cover Aro and as he can't read me he just took my word for it. I needed a way to stick close to him, so I could inform Uncle Luca what he was up to.

Like now, for instance, I knew he was up to no good and not being there would mean we know nothing. Except for the fact I have his office bugged, well sometimes you have to find other ways to do your job. Aro's arrogance serves me well; I'm small so I always wear heels, except when guarding him. He doesn't want me to appear taller than him, so I wear flats at those times and where do I keep them? Correct, in his office and they are bugged. Simple but efficient as Uncle Luca would say. Technology is something Aro overlooks and thinks is irrelevant, but many of us have embraced as the world has changed.

So with that, all organised I rush off to Master Marcus' quarters, I have no qualms about calling him Master, unlike Aro, even Master Caius has my respect, he's much deeper than some assume. I knock lightly on the door knowing they will have heard me approach,

"Enter my dear," Master Marcus says, not giving my identity away,

I expand my shield and realise Isabella's is already over him, so I gently touch her arm and she looks at me. I mimic her covering me too and then I add mine to the mix and we are now soundproofed.

"Thank you, Isabella. No one can hear us for now" I say and am surprised when she replies,

"It's Bella" even if her voice is a little strained, I remember being awake during my own change but could nor communicate at all.

It will be a joy to help her and maybe it will enable me to do things I have never been able to try with no other shield around to aid me. We talk for a couple of hours, well master Marcus and I do and Bella says the odd word. By the look of her, she will be finished her change in less than the normal seventy-two hours and I suggest she pull back her shield only to herself for the final few hours as it will speed it along. Her using it is actually slowing her down.

Master Marcus concurs and says he is free of Chelsea's gift now and she wouldn't dare reapply it without instruction. As I take my leave she thanks me and says she'll see me soon. I hurry to change and return to Aro's doorway awaiting his pleasure, hopefully, once this is over I might be able to return home or to travel to seek out my mate. If he still exists out there somewhere.

MDWBMR

Bella

Well, today has been very instructive for me. Everyone else just burns for three days and is left to get on with it. Me, I get to learn the laws of the Volturi get instruction in how to use my shield and also have to defend myself from outside influences. Why is nothing easy for me? I fall for the wrong people; I get rejected by my own mate. I am saved by the most unexpected person and find I don't dislike the Warrior king as much as I thought I would. I have a friend in a man I've never met and a brother rushing to aid me. It's like for every bad there is twice as much good, so, all in all, I shouldn't complain.

But then my enemy is also a powerful and scheming king, a dangerous man, who lives on the edge of madness and that makes him unpredictable. When my change is over I know I'll have to protect Demetri because to hurt or kill him, is to hurt or kill me too. So I better do as Renata suggested and pull in my shield, so I uncover Marcus first and then just to be bitchy whip it away from Jane quickly. The whole castle hears the crash as she hits the floor and I smile to myself and Marcus laughs loudly. I hope she enjoys her new position in the upper guard, where she's just one of many and not quite so important.

I let my mind float as I feel myself approaching the end of my transformation. I have no idea how I look as neither Marcus nor Heidi said anything. But really no vampire ever looks worse after their change so that's a plus. Looks were never the most important thing for me, happiness yes, being comfortable in your own skin too. I was all those things before I met the Cullens and they, well some of them made me feel inferior until I even believed it myself. But I wasn't ever less than them; I was just human that's all. They were the ones with the problem, never happy with their lot in life when in reality they had so much.

So being eternal was for them not enough, how sad that is as an epitaph for Alice an Edward. They had it all, but the pursuit of power over a lowly human brought them to their end and the human lived on without them. With a mentor like Marcus and trainers like Jasper and Renata, I am sure I will flourish. Once my revenge on Aro and Chelsea is done and I resolve my issues with my so-called mate. Well, the world will be my oyster as they say.

Joie de Vivre (French) - Joy of Life

mio amico (Italian) - my friend

mia figlia (Italian) - my daughter

* The Blower is British slang for the telephone - the slang term comes from a mechanical precursor to the telephone, the speaking tube, each end of which was stoppered with a whistle. In order to attract the attention of the person at the other end, you took out your stopper and blew down the tube to make the other end's whistle sound.