A/N: A quick thank you to everyone who added this story in their alerts and/or added it to their favorite list. It truly means a lot to me.

Chapter 33-

Aro's POV-

"Master. Master."

Having heard me scream like a banshee from hell, Renata barged into the room, part curiosity and part worry visible in her eyes. She had never seen me yell and wail in this manner, or even wrap my arms tighter around my knees as I sat huddled in one corner of the room, too afraid to even open my eyes and notice my surroundings.

"Master?" she questioned, hesitantly walking closer to where I sat, her stance similar to one approaching a deadly but threatened animal. "Are you alright? I heard you scream?"

"I am definitely not alright!" I defended myself, my tone an octave higher than usual. "Can you see that?" I crazily pointed towards the wall, not having the courage in me to open my eyes and see it for a second time.

I could not.

I just could not.

She could not be back.

Of course not.

Her spirit…no.

That Bella was her reincarnation, wasn't she?

And she was alive…proving this entire thing to be a ridiculous lie…

Unless…no…she was alive.

She was. I knew that with surety.

She could not have escaped from my created jail; it was impossible to!

Demetri, how could you leave me in such difficult times?

I had treated you like my son; okay, probably, like an unwanted, adopted son. But still, it should have counted for something?

And you had always been a loyal one…

Okay, so maybe, he wasn't as loyal as I proposed him to be. But I was his Master. He should not have even thought of leaving me!

"Master," Renata softly, woundedly, responded, "please tell me what it is that you fear as much? Only then can I protect you."

I scoffed aloud, still not daring to open my eyes.

Was she suddenly blind?

Couldn't she see what I was pointing at?

"First," I kept my tone as firm as could be. "I am not afraid of anything or anyone. And you would be a fool to assume otherwise."

"Of course, Master. I apologize for the error on my part."

I nodded my head in agreement, playing the bigger person. "And, second, can't you read that…that word written? It is huge!"

And written in blood!

Seriously!

Was she attempting to joke around with me?

Truly, a horrible joke, if it be.

"I…" she whispered in nervousness, "Master, there is nothing written there. It is completely blank, and obsessively white, just like it was the last time I walked in here."

"Are you joking with me?" I forcefully pushed open my eyes, glaring at her in annoyance and fury. How dare she force me to look at that again? What purpose of her being my bodyguard if she couldn't even protect me when I needed the protection the most?

If she wasn't as valuable, she would no longer be walking this planet!

"I…I am sorry, Master." She refused to meet my eyes, a tough nut to crack as while she had apologized, she refused to quiver in fear.

"Whatever." I waved her off. "I want an answer as to who could misbehave as much as to play such a disgusting prank on me. Find out who wrote that…" my words trailed off in mid- air, the white wall blank as I stared at it, the word that I had read no longer honoring it.

What?

How?

I had read it…hadn't I?

It had suddenly disappeared…how?

"There is nothing written." I whispered out to myself, my eyes wide as I found myself incapable of looking away from the wall in question.

"Exactly!" Renata boldly offered her agreement; again, if she wasn't as important…

"You may leave." I dismissed her away, watching her leave, my eyes once again on the wall.

I had read it; I was sure of that.

Had it been a trick of the mind?

How?

'Nobody but you will hear me. Nobody but you will see any trace of me. Nobody but you will suffer.'

Another loud shriek left my mouth, as I once again retired to my chosen corner in the room, my head in my lap as I rocked myself front and back, refusing to accept the reality.

She could not be back.

This could not be happening to me.

I could not let it.

Marcus's POV-

"Did you see that?"

"No, Aro. I did not see anything." I responded without even looking up, this question a common occurrence since the past few days now. Afton, now he was a smart one, was rather careful to not move things or reveal the presence of another in front of anyone but me. Especially not when Renata was around. She wasn't in on the plan, and so it was necessary to be careful around her. But when Aro was alone, or in my presence, Afton kept no control over his mischievousness.

You could see things flying, the piano keys playing without anyone putting in the effort, or simply doors banging when Aro was overly concentrated in his work.

It was eerie, I had to admit.

And had I not known that Afton was the one responsible for these occurrences, it would have- mind my language- scared the shit out of me, too. Especially when he had pulled Aro's hair from the behind in a semi-crowded corridor. Nobody but I knew why Aro had shrieked as loud as he had! Though, I was surprised as to how Aro had not suspected this being Afton's work yet. Probably he underestimated him way too much to even give it a spare thought?

Well, I don't blame him completely for that. Chelsea and Afton had entered these castle doors together nearly a millennia ago, all eyes being on Chelsea from the very start. She was more charismatic- a charmer, while Afton was content in standing in the background. He refused to mingle with the others, or even boast about his power, like everyone else in this castle did. Over time, people even forgot that he had any distinguishable power to speak of. And it seemed as if Aro had forgotten too!

Good for us, I would say!

"How could you not see that?" Aro complained, fear evident in his eyes. "I just saw every piece of clothing that I own traipsing in the air, doing a ramp walk arranged especially for me."

"Oh?" It was my turn to act surprised. "Are you sure?"

"Of course, I am." He scoffed in disdain. "I am telling you she is haunting me!"

"Who is?"

Admit it, Aro.

You killed my Didyme.

"I…" he stumbled over his words, realizing his error. "I…er…do you know where Bella is? Has she contacted you recently?"

Why, Aro?

Have you not kidnapped her and kept her your prisoner?

"No, Aro." I mock-sighed, pretending to be all wounded. "She wanted nothing to do with me, and you are aware of that."

He waved me off, uncaring of anyone but himself. "Still."

"Why?" I pushed him to answer. "Why the sudden interest in my mate?"

"Just." He looked away, suddenly overly interested in the papers on his desk. "If she does contact you, you will inform me."

"Of course," I agreed with a raised eyebrow, anything to assure him that I was on his side- and not the one planning his murder.

"And," he continued to speak, "I am calling for Eleazar Denali. He is well researched on several topics. I could do with his guidance."

"Such as?" I enquired with a frown.

What was Aro planning?

"Witches, Ghosts, why they haunt us? How to get rid of them?"

Oh.

"You think he would help?"

"I know he will help." Aro stated. "I need to get rid of her. I had done it once earlier, and will do it for a second time."

I nodded my head, all my self-control engaged in not confronting him.

I had to follow the plan.

We were on the correct track- just a few more steps now.

I could not lose focus this close to our destination.

"If you believe so, I trust your decision."

We would need to talk to Eleazar.

He would have to be added onto the plan.