Chapter 29 – New Developments

Many homeless people came to the shelter, offering their blood for a bed and meals. Many came, but they didn't stay long. What Aro didn't know was that I helped the humans find jobs, homes and their families. The more we helped successfully, more would be drawn to come to us, diversifying and increasing the amount of blood. Chelsea and Afton helped by taste-testing the blood. They tested to see if the blood was marred by drugs or other substances.

"Remember how humans used to taste? Their blood was so clean." Afton agreed, "Yes and they were much more gullible." I chuckled to myself as I signed in another man to draw his blood. Renata worked as our nurse, drawing the blood. Many members of the Guard were involved, others choose not to.

Jane stayed in the tower, to be close to Aro, but Alec worked with Demetri in guarding our supplies of blood. There were those that dared to steal from us. Rumors were difficult to stomp out. With a vast supply of blood in one location, it was difficult for our kind to resist such an easy picking. Alec immobilized any thief that tried and Demetri dealt with them.

On their first visit, Felix came with Aro, Caius and Marcus. They watched the humans through the double-glass window in my office, which overlooked the entire layout. Aro's eyes whipped back in front in hunger seeing all the humans willingly giving up their life force to us. "How much have you collected, my dear?"

Caius and Marcus looked at me with anticipation in their eyes. Of course they would want to know how successful this project was. I guided them down to the basement, were the freezers were. Chelsea stood by the refrigerator door, hearing us coming. She opened the door and I gestured to them to step inside.

Switching on the light, the trio saw how successful we were. In the cold room, there were rows of metal racks, with their shelves stacked with bagged blood. They were sorted by blood types. There wasn't much supply of AB- and AB+, being the rarest of blood types. I was told before those were the most desirable types. This was amusing to me; my blood type was AB-.

Carlisle told me that when he treated me in the hospital in Arizona, I was very lucky they had my blood type, which was further coincidence. Renee was a blood donor. We were the same blood type and she gave often because of the rarity. Her blood saved my life.

Felix held my waist as Aro and his brothers walked through the shelves. "I've ordered special heaters for the blood to be warmed without killing the nutrients and taste," I informed them. This was more successful than they thought it would be. Felix kissed my cheek, "You are brilliant." Caius approached us, "Truly, you are."

My nose was filled with the scent of exposed blood. Chelsea poured the contents into several crystal glasses. Felix handed me a glass and held one for himself. "Bella, this was a magnificent plan. Now, all we have to do is keep away the thieves. It's a very good thing we didn't kill you." Chelsea clinked her glass against mine. I rolled my eyes as Felix chuckled, "It's a good thing I decided to keep her." I swiftly elbowed him in the stomach, "Stop it."

All of us drank from our glasses, happy with this endeavor. Other members of the Guard came to the facility to transport containers to the tower. Helena had accompanied them. She came down the stairs with the others. She glanced at me, then walked into the refrigerator. The idea of locking her in there played through my mind. "Well, this is quite impressive." My eyes narrowed at the sound of skepticism, "Thank you." She took up one of the bags, "Do you mind?" My head shook as I wrote on a clipboard, "No, that's what it's there for." She smiled, "The intelligence is still strong."

My hand rested on my hip as I turned to look at her, "Believe it or not, Helena, my mind, my intelligence has nothing to do with you. I get it from my parents." She smirked as she touched her lips to the tube coming from the bag of blood.

She sucked at it, pulling the blood into her mouth, "And where did they get it from?" I sighed, "Their parents. But we could play this game all day. Don't you associate yourself with me. Besides, intelligence must have skipped you because you're still here thinking you're going to win over Felix." Helena bit her lip as I looked at her. Surprisingly, she smirked, "Touché, Bella. You do have fangs."

Ignoring her, I went upstairs. The ides of locking her in the fridge was becoming tempting. To be behind a steel reinforce door with only one bag of blood. I walked along the rows of sleeping people, others talking or eating. Some eyes followed me as I walked to the entrance. "Damn," one said, "She's got legs from the floor to the ceiling." A snarl came from outside, as Felix heard the comment. Taking up a large black umbrella, I stepped out to the car. It was cloudy outside; the umbrella was just a precaution. Felix was instructing the others in loading the containers of blood into the cars. His arm snaked my waist, "When will you be home? I miss you."

I tip-toed up to kiss him, "Soon. I just have to get Helena out of my hair," and I gestured with my thumb to front door. He leaned down to kiss me again. "She's leaving soon," he whispered into my ear. Was he serious? She was leaving! "Hmm," I offered, "good. Then maybe we can take a vacation. I need one," feigning fatigue, "This shelter is working me to death." Felix chuckled, "Where to this time, mio amore?"

"Excuse me," a woman with a small child sleeping on her shoulder approached us, "Vagabondare il Riparo?" (Is this the Swan Shelter)" I smiled, "Sì, è entrato per favore." (Yes, please come in.) Felix looked at me, a smile coming across his lips, "What? When in Volterra." I studied and learned to speak perfect Italian. Felix held my hand when I took a step away from him. He pulled me into his body, "See you in a few hours." I smiled, "Sooner than you think." The woman needed somewhere to rest. I allowed her to sleep and eat before she made her donation. She was hoping to find her family in Sienna. Her daughter, Monique was a sweet child, figuratively speaking. "Mama, lei è bella. Mi piace il suo." (Mama, she is pretty. I like her.)

The shelter was a great success. Aro saw it for more potential than just collecting blood. He sent Karolyn from time to time to look over the humans for formidable abilities that would be useful and utilized among the Guard. That was what Karolyn did; she could sense the powers within others. She worked very closely with the government and had a great deal of power and responsibility, including covering the Volturi's tracks when necessary.

Karolyn wrote off the werewolf attack on the tower as a boiler explosion. It was in the local newspapers. The explosion caused the tremors in the ground. It was fascinating how far the Volturi's power and influence extended.

Bree was happy to help me at the shelter, wanting to get out of the tower more often. For her assistance, she would have first picks at the blood stores. Bree helped by collecting information from people and kept tracked of how much blood was taken in. One day as Bree was taking information, she recognized one of the new arrivals. He wasn't human and he knew her. "Diego?" He looked at her with his crimson eyes, "Bree."

Diego was wearing dingy, worn clothes with a heavy hoodie. They knew each other before they were vampires, as runaways and both of them were forcibly changed to join Victoria's army. Diego had run away from Seattle before our contingency found the army terrorizing and making a mess in the city.

Diego showed his story to Aro and was offered a place in the tower. Diego had no special ability like the rest of us, but not everyone did. He was welcomed to increase our numbers. Diego was eyeing Bree. They rushed off alone. I watched after them and smiled. "How did you get here?" Bree asked. She missed her days at the shelter. Bree and Diego began a relationship as quickly as Felix and I did. "I liked him before we were changed. Riley found us together." My hand rested on her shoulder, "I understand."

Everything was falling into place. Bree was happier now that she had Diego, while Felix and I were complete bliss. And, best of all, Helena was gone. She left before we found Diego. As she was walking toward the antechamber, she ran into Felix, not by coincidence, of course.

She hugged him fiercely, while I stood silently and watched. Helena looked at me, "Bella." That's all she said, not that it bothered me. She was gone, going back to her life and getting out of mine. As the sound of her footsteps faded, Felix turned to face me, seeing my reaction. I gestured to him with one finger as I stepped into our bedchamber. A growl escaped his lips as he came after me.

Fifteen Years Later

Bree and I stood on the veranda, overlooking the courtyard. The crowds wore their traditional red cloaks. She replenished her glass with more blood, then poured more into mine. It was St. Marcus Day and we watched the spectacle below.

All of the people were cheering as a tribute to Marcus was carried into the tower. The humans chanted Marcus' name. I scoffed; humans. Bree sipped at her glass, "This doesn't get any more interesting." In the past few years, Bree and I developed a relationship like a mother and daughter. Sometimes she would call me 'Mom.'

She stepped back inside, fiddling with the beads from her long necklace, "Completely boring," she muttered. The two of us took to matching sapphire earrings. She was a Virgo too, September 5th. I chuckled myself as she went inside. She was right. It was the same thing every year.

The people cheering for their tribute to St. Marcus, the Christian minister that banished vampires from Volterra. Not even Marcus watched the festival anymore. He found it comical hearing humans praise at the legends of him. The truth was Marcus drove out his enemies during the ancient wars. They were some vampires in the crowd, protecting our dominion.

I took up the bottle of blood and followed after Bree. Chelsea passed me, taking the bottle from me, "Grazie, B." I chuckled lightly as she dashed down the hall. Since the homeless shelter opened, there was hardly a human in the tower. Now, Heidi ran the shelter with Diego.

I had new responsibilities. I was now the top interrogator in the Guard. With my shield, I looked into other's minds to see their truths. Aro was happy with my abilities. "Dear Bella, you bring me such happiness." He kissed me on my forehead, "First, you become Felix's mate, then the shelter, which led to others branching out across Europe, helping our kind and humans, and now, you've stopped a newborn army before it began. It is no wonder Felix loves you so much."

Felix stood behind me, his hands moving along my arms. There was more to why Felix loved me, but it was a start. In truth, no one understood our relationship and it was fine. We were together, that's all that matters.

Life in Volterra was wonderful. Felix and I were hardly apart. He and I took several years for ourselves from Volterra. We went back to India and traveled to many places. But no matter how far we were, we still went to Carnivale every year, where the Cullens met up with us. Alice always had ball gowns for me every year. Carlisle was impressed with the homeless shelter idea and he contributed to them.

That was a bit surprising. Of all people, Carlisle approved of my project. He was happy that the Volturi weren't killing people for simply sustenance. Another interesting fact; it would seem that Aro had very long fingers. He had a follower in every government office around the world. Aro informed me, if I was interested in a position, all I had to do was ask.

The Cullens were already at their house in Venice when Felix and I arrived. Alice stormed into the house before I could answer the door, "Bella, did you put a spell on these men?" My brow furrowed, "Alice, what are you talking about? And, hi." Her forehead was puckered due to her deep scowl.

She shook her head and hugged me, letting out an exasperated breath, "Edward's engaged." My eyes widened and my body locked down. Edward and I have spoken every week for the past few years and he didn't even mention he was seeing someone. There was going to be an addition to the family and he didn't tell me. My mouth fell open.

It surprised me that Alice was upset about this. "Alice, you don't like her?" She ran her fingers through her hair, "She's not you, but she's ok, I guess." She bit down on her lip. "Alice, what are you talking about? What does this woman have to do with me?" Alice sighed and walked to the back doors, "Well, since Edward couldn't have you, he settled for a knock-off." Alice tapped her foot and groaned, "He's marrying Helena."

My body couldn't move. This wasn't real, "What?" my voice ran through an octave. Alice laughed once, "My new sister is your great grandmother." Helena's name buzzed in my brain as Alice spoke. She leaned against the glass door, "Well, she's nice. I mean, once you get back that hard, rude, mean, sarcastic exterior, she's very sweet, like Rosalie. But… but…." Alice Cullen at a loss for words; impossible. She folded her arms tightly and sighed, "It's just not right. Some thing's missing. Just an element that should be there, but it's not. I do like Helena, but, it's just doesn't feel complete." My body was locked in silence.

Helena was marrying Edward. Edward Cullen, my Edward. Jealousy was creeping up on me and I couldn't push it back. She couldn't take Felix, so she went after the other man I loved. I didn't want Helena near Felix or Edward. Red began to color my vision, but I had to stop these emotions. Like Felix taught me, I built a wall around them. Edward may want her, but I would have to see for myself. I have to see Edward and Helena together.

At the festival, Edward was standing with a dark-haired woman with his arm locked around her waist. Felix placed his hand on my waist as he saw them. Edward was smiling down at the woman at his side. Pain ran through me, the thoughts that it should be me with him. Edward and the woman with him looked back and smiled at us, "Felix, Bella!"

They came over to us, both of them smiling. Felix whispered to me, "They really are together." My eyebrows shot up behind my mask, "Maybe she enjoys being with Edward." Helena hugged me, her arms tight around my neck. Her eyes were now a blood orange. Alice said she was trying animal's blood, but mixing it with her donated blood. She was slowly weaning herself off human blood. I looked over her shoulder to Felix and Edward. Edward smiled, while Felix looked at us perplexed.

She took my hand in hers, "How have you been? I heard your shelters have really taken off. Carlisle was talking about setting one up in America. I am so proud of you." I looked the woman standing in front of me. This wasn't, it couldn't be the same women who left, defeated. Was this really Helena? There was a brightness to her that wasn't there before. She was way too happy to see me. She was almost exuberant. A few feet away Jasper was waltzing with Alice. He was good.

Edward hugged me and I pushed my shield into his mind, Whatdidyoudotoher? Edward laughed, "Long story." The two of us looked at each other and I huffed, "And you know I want to hear it." The two of us watched Felix and Helena whispering to each other. My eyes watched everything single movement of their hands. I was jealous to see her with both Edward and Felix, but if she was trying to trick me to get to Felix, I'll kill her. Edward and I looked at each other from the corner of our eyes, both of us sharing the same concern.

Then again, Felix and Helena could have the same fears. But that wasn't happening, not again. Felix, Edward, Helena and I talked and danced the entire time at Carnivale. For the first time, there was no tension among us. Helena spoke nicely with me. She enjoyed living with the Cullens. She leaned closer to me, "I think they like me so much because they miss you." We looked at each other for a moment. To must be strange for them to see my face, but it wasn't me.

"I just can't believe they're getting married," I said as Felix took my wrap. We were home, after feeding on some muggers. Felix hadn't said anything on the matter. He was as surprised as I was. The two of us sat together on the couch. "I know. Who would have thought those two would fall in love?" My eyebrow arched at him, "but, then again, I wonder how many people said that about us?" Felix huffed a quick laugh, "Maybe so. We don't know how close they were?"

"I couldn't help but see the irony in this." Felix looked up at me, tearing his eyes away from their gaze down my body, "What irony?" I ignored his wandering eyes, "Helena. I mean her first husband was named Edward and now, her second husband is Edward. She's addicted to Edwards." Felix laughed and I joined him. "Did she name her son Edward?" Felix paused for a moment, "I believe she did." My mouth fell open, "Oh my gosh, she's on Edward-mania." Felix laughed again, pulling tighter to his side. His chest rumbled with laughter as I leaned against him.

My chest brushed against his as I put my arms around his neck. Our eyes met after our laughter slowed. He leaned closer to me and I tasted him on my tongue. "You know we're invited to the wedding?" He shrugged his big shoulders, "Then we'll go." I let my lips brush his. Felix's hand moved along my arm, up to my face, so that his lips could claim mine.