A/N: Congratulations the 200th reviewer for this story is traceybuie & we passed 10,000 hits too xx Sorry this chapter's a little shorter but I've been distracted by starting the new group on Facebook. It's called Theadosia57 Fanfic's & Beyond. Do come take a look and join if you feel so inclined xx Alexis

Bella

Is it bad to say that was very satisfying? Since I couldn't kill the bitch, I had to mark her somehow and well a woman face and all that shit! It also helped to show everyone even without my shield I was no pushover. Don't get me wrong, I know if she had had any fight training she probably could have done some damage. The difference between us though is I don't care. Looks were never that important to me before and well not much has changed. I may sound a little blasé, but he'll not care if I've got horns and a tail really since he's my mate.

What to do about Aro? He was pushing his luck with that stunt with Charlie. I need to make him look foolish in front of everyone. Aha! I have an idea. Now that the fight was over everyone was retreating inside and gathering in the throne room. This seems like the norm for them all. But it was my first time as a vampire and I was unsure where to go exactly. Demetri approached and although he said nothing it was better than all his skulking about.

He bowed and gestured for me to move onto the dais behind Marcus. He then took up a position behind me, but further back. I realised Aro's chair was in front of the others slightly, so I was almost in touching distance of all three of them. The room started to hush and in the quiet I said,

"Oh, by the way, Aro, if you were so desperate to get a hold of my father, you should have said. I have his number here; all you needed to do was ask! Unfortunately now he's out of touch on the reservation and they have no real cell service there"

He hissed at the lack of Master in my address and the rest of the room held their collective, unneeded breath. He did the only thing he could and ignored me, thus making himself look weaker. I knew he was seething as he called the Whitlocks forward and it only got worse when he was unable to read any of them. I was making his as ineffectual as I have Chelsea. He growled in frustration as he stormed out of the room alone. He had no Renata, no Jane, no Afton and no one else seemed inclined to step into their shoes.

Dear me, could this be because of me? Had sides been taken and horses backed while I was changing. Everyone relaxed after he left and I nodded to Marcus and Caius and left the dais with my shadow and went to speak to Jasper who looked like he was about to leave. But before I could reach him Jane stepped into my path,

"I wanted to apologise to you both. I should never have used my gift on Demetri while you were changing. I have always been told to do so, unaware when it broke the rules and that's wrong. It only makes everyone hate me more and not Master Aro, even when it's him ordering the punishment. Master Caius has been instructing us in the laws we were never informed of until now. So, I just wanted to say I'm truly sorry" she said quietly, but many were listening.

"Thank you, Jane, yes, we're all learning the rules together it seems" I replied smiling slightly, so she was on our side too,

Demetri

Isabella has said nothing to me so far, but she hasn't ordered me to leave either. The Major spoke with me yesterday and boy, that guy doesn't pull his punches. He stood looking at me, shaking his head before taking my arm and throwing me in the shower. I mean literally, clothes and all. Then he turned it on full blast and said,

"Get clean and then we'll find your balls!"

Then he heaved himself up on the counter as I stripped out of the clothes I'd worn for days.

"Ok, you blew it, well don't make it worse by bein' a fuckin' fairy about it. You need to man the fuck up and let your mate know you're there for her. She might not want you now, but you have to be there front and centre all the damned time" he continued saying.

I stepped out of the cubicle and towelled dry before asking,

"What can I do to redeem myself? She hates me and it's all my own fault. This has nothing to do with Aro or Chelsea; it was how I acted and spoke to her. She was offended and instead of being a vampire about it and kicking my ass, she's ignoring me"

I enter my room once again and start looking through the closet for something to wear,

"Don't get all tarted up like a damned peacock. Three things you need to know about Bella, she hates fashion, she hates expensive gifts and mostly she hates people bummin' their load!" he said and I had no idea what he was talking about,

"Bumming their load? What?" I asked confused,

"Shows of wealth for no reason but, look at me I'm rich!" he explained and shit, I'd been doing that for years,

"Oh!" was all I could say,

"You're right about her not actin' like a vampire and that's all down to the Cullens, well Edward and Alice mostly. They were so artificial and humanesque that Bella mistook that for how vampires behave. She will have to relearn what bein' a vampire means and you need to be by her side as she does" he said getting to his feet now,

"Hurt my sister again and I'll rip you apart and bury the bits all over the world. In dollar sized pieces!" was his parting shot and I sighed, in relief to be alone,

God was he scary. I wasn't so much what he said as how he said it and the emotions he used to back it up. Plus all those scars, meaning he knew how to kill me a million more ways than I wanted to know about. I may be years older than him, but here in Volterra, I've been sheltered from the wars and torture he endured. Yes, we weren't as scary as we purported to be, just hiding behind the twins and making all the right noises. It's not nice to see yourself as others do when you're lacking!

Caius

It might seem funny for now watching Aro being taken down a peg or two, but much more and he may become dangerous. Goading him into action may not actually be good. He'll kill someone she holds dear and not someone here. So if not her father who?

"Felix, a word!" I said moving back from the crowd and Marcus raised a brow as he came over too,

"Isabella's mother, we need someone there watching her. I have no doubt that will be Aro's next target" I said quietly,

"Damnation, we should have guessed that" Marcus bemoaned,

"No worries gents, I have someone holdin' the fort until you get somebody there to take Aro's mercenaries out for good!" came the voice of Peter Whitlock,

"Who?" Felix enquired,

"Garrett, Randall and Mary are taking' turns watchin' them and if Mrs Dwyer were to win a holiday for two in Los Angeles. A high profile holiday, pictures in the paper, yadda yadda! That would hold them at bay until your guard got there and fixed the problem permanently" he said grinning widely.

I wonder just how much bother it is knowing so much before the event. He seems to have a handle on it, but there's a touch of manic, madness about him as well.

"Emmett and Rosalie?" Marcus enquired,

"In the air, as we speak, should be here by dawn tomorrow" was his reply before he wandered off again,

"Well, Felix, who do you wish to send?" I asked and he smiled.

"If you don't mind Masters, I'd like to go myself and take Heidi. She's the perfect cover for explaining they have won a holiday. Bella told her her mother was a little, what did she say, ah yes ditsy! So Heidi will have no problems convincing her. Plus she would love to go to L.A. herself" he said smirking at us.

"So be it. Have fun and keep us informed" Marcus said as Felix now rushed off.

"He won't go down without a fight you know" I mentioned as we looked over the crowded room,

"I know, but he will go down and I think it might be at my hand. I've waited a long time for this moment" he replied heavily and I squeezed his shoulder.

MDWBMR

Garrett

I was more than happy to help the Whitlocks out, hell they'd done me a good turn a time or two. I was even more willing when Peter explained what had happened to that poor girl. I hadn't seen Carlisle for years because of those two useless idiots, why he let that boy live past the first few days is beyond me. Eddie nosed around in my head during my first visit and told everyone my business, well before I ripped his ear off he did.

That's why he had the stupid floppy hairdo to cover the scar left behind; it ran right up into his hair. I may have spat on it to make sure that it left a mark to prove my point. Alice tried to tell me what to wear the next time I called by, going so far as to steal my clothes while I showered. I caught her just about to burn them out back in their garden, the Major shook his head and walked away so I tanned her ass and burned all her shoes.

I lost all respect for Carlisle with his namby-pamby reprimands to them and I thought he might put them in timeout, but no, a family meeting was called instead! So even though the Major was part of that coven I refused to visit if they were there and eventually I stopped going altogether. It wasn't really worth the hassle and Carlisle had changed so much we had nothing to say to each other anymore. He became Edward's puppet and it was beyond embarrassing really.

Miss Swan's mother is a riot; I've never met anyone like her before. I've been watching her along with Randall and Mary. How they survive on her cooking amazes me, hell I don't eat and I know more than she does about food. She cooks, she burns it and then they eat out, like every time! I actually heard him mumble how much he missed Bella's cooking and Renee whined and blamed the cooker again. So far there has been no trouble, but Randall caught some vampire tracks last night so we're being real careful.

Hopefully, someone from the other two brothers will come and make sure Mr & Mrs Dwyer will be safe and none the wiser for the ordeal. It seems that Aro Volturi has finally lost the plot. What is it the humans call people like that? Yeah, megalomaniac, yup that's' him to a tee. Jeez, what's that woman burnt now, was that a pizza, it's a more like a mangled drain cover now, yuck! I pity her poor husband and him a sportsman too, well love as they say it truly blind in his case.

Rose

Thank goodness we've arrived in Italy and Emmett is desperate to see his baby sister as he calls her. I hope she forgives him as easily as she has Jasper and funnily enough me. But then as she always said I told her no lies or gave her false hope. Emmett never wanted to leave her and now wishes he'd even stood up to me and stayed. I feel for him, yes it was the wrong decision, but it can't be taken back now. I know one of the reasons he wanted to save Chief Swan was to make up for not being there for her. It's just as well we were on the plane when Peter called or he would have gone to save her mother too.

As we arrive were met by Charlotte and she leads us straight to Marcus' chambers bypassing the throne room altogether.

"We're not expected to present ourselves to Aro then?" I ask,

"Oh, he expects it, but none of us did either. Marcus and Caius are claiming us as their personal guests who aren't here formally" she laughed and I shrugged.

Was it wise to piss him off intentionally? Well, they knew him better than me. As we entered the room Em hung back behind me a little scared how Bella would react. She of course never does what you think she will and she pulled him towards her with her shield and gave him a bear hug like he used to do to her.

"I've missed you, Emmy, thanks for dealing with Icky Vicky and for saving my dad from Aro's men. I love you both" she said and she meant it,

"Where's Jasper?" I ask and everyone laughs,

"Wait, listen carefully! Three, two, one!" Bella said and suddenly we could hear the sound of, well sex basically and then it was gone again,

"He met his mate, it's Renata. She can shield him from attack but not much else while they are otherwise occupied, so I'm shoring up the soundproofing as it were" she laughs and Peter nods saying,

"She's also stoppin' him projectin' on all of us or the whole place would be humpin' each other!"

"Wow Bells you're amazing," Emmett says and gives her another hug.

We spent a couple of hours catching up on all that had happened so far. Hell, I wish I'd seen the fight with Chelsea. Luckily Charlotte had videoed it on her cell and we got to see it after all. Once we'd gotten the gossip Bella, Char and I made our excuses and went to hunt. Well, they were hunting and I was standing guard as I wasn't ready to give up on animals yet.

Aro

Smug bastards! Do they think I don't know what's going on around here? Well, we'll see who's laughing when I have her mother and step-father here in chains. Maybe her mother will have blood that is as appealing as hers was and I can feed on her. I'll dangle her in front of the bitch as I feed on her until she complies with what I want!

"Alec!" I shout and he slips noiselessly into the room,

"Where is Felix? I wish him to do something for me" I enquire,

"I believe he has been given leave to take Heidi on a short break" was the reply,

"Where and by who? I sanctioned no leave for anyone!" I roar,

"I don't know where Master, but I think it was Master Marcus," he tells me and I wave my hand dismissively,

"Where is Renata? I need her here with me. She has no right to be swanning about!" I demand now,

"With her mate, I believe. They are just newly mated after all Master. I don't think you'll see her for a while if the Major has his way!" the little shit says before nodding and leaving without my consent,

This is all getting out of my control, Those two fools are doing as they damn well, please. Vampires coming and going without my express permission. I will not stand for this insubordination. Once I have control of the chit, I'm killing those two usurpers. I rule here, I tell everyone what to do, not them! They all only exist to serve me, me Aro Volturi the greatest vampire who ever lived! I need only sit here and wait or Duke to make it up to me by bringing those two humans here to me.

Alec

That was close, thank god he didn't touch me. He really seems to be losing it, I've never seen him this manic before. So far I don't think Master Aro realises he has no allies left here in Volterra. Not that any of us were really his allies, his subjects, his pets even. Unlike his brothers he never wanted or needed to get to know us or even understand us, he just wants our gifts and it's all backfiring on him now. Master Marcus is my leader, but he is also a friend and mentor.

As is Master Caius to Felix, they both have kind words for us on occasion and thank us for our help or service. Master Aro never has or does, because he thinks we should serve him without complaint. But his gift is nothing compared to mine or Jane's and certainly insignificant in light of Isabella's newly acquired talent. I fear power has gone to his head and he will never accept anyone as being better or stronger than him. I know I should care because he's my sire, but I don't and that's down to him!

I walk slowly. meandering towards Master Marcus' rooms. I just don't want to be followed or seen because it won't take much for Master Aro to blow and I have no intentions of being caught in the blast. If push comes to shove I will use my gift on him and damn the consequences! I tap on the door and am ushered in.

"Master Aro was asking for both Felix and Renata. I said one was on a short break and the other detained by her mate. Pardon my forwardness, but he's unravelling before our eyes and could be a threat to us all quite soon. I am yours to command" I say and both the other two Masters nod in understanding,

Good, now they know I will do all in my power to stop him taking us all down with him.

"He has a couple of spies in the lower guard, ones who nobody would suspect, should I temporarily neutralise them? They don't realise what it is they doing on his behave" I ask and Master Caius nods once again.

MDWBMR

Felix

Heidi has pulled out all the stops or this bogus holiday that Isabella's mother s about to receive. It's almost to high profile, but it will keep the woman alive and give her a lifetime supply of gossip. She'll be touring L.A. and meeting some film stars. Doing all the usual touristy stuff but followed by a photographer so she's never out of the spotlight. I will watch over her at night and maybe I can convince Garrett to hang around too. That way Heidi and I might get a little alone time we so badly need.

I've been looking for an excuse to remove Duke's head for years and now it's about to happen. He thinks because he works for Master Aro he's untouchable, ha! He forgets that the Volturi has two other leaders and I work for them. Yes, this will be a most enjoyable break from the humdrum routine of Volterra. I intend to ask for a promotion of sorts for Heidi, she is so much more than just a fisherman. He siren talent is much more useful than just that. Again Master Aro, see not the talent but only his own needs.

At last, we've arrived in America, got to love private jets. The thought of flying commercial gives me shivers. All those humans, their noises, their bodily functions, no, just no! I'm happy to be a vampire rather than a human. Ah, there's Randall,

"Good to see you Randall, Thanks for yours and Mary's help in this matter. Once you take me there you can get on with your own lives" I say as we clear customs and meet up with him,

"No worries Felix, we owed you one. If it wasn't for you and Master Caius we'd be long dead" he replied smiling,

"Any sign of trouble?" I ask and he nods,

"Picked up a couple of scents last night, but they've not made any moves as yet" he explained.

"So what's the mother like? If she's anything like her daughter this might not fly" I enquire and he laughs,

"She's, in a word strange! Can't cook, barely keeps house and spends more time consulting her horoscope than looking after her husband, poor sap. Garrett says she a hippy and thinks she overdid the pot in her youth" he says shaking his head,

Well, nothing like her daughter then. Isabella must take after her father, lucky for her.