Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer is the creator of these intriguing characters. She and the filmmakers have made a fascinating and beautiful trilogy. I wish to borrow her background and add a plot twist of my own. I also made use of the site ' wiki/Volturi' a fantastic site if I may say and well worth a read for twilight fans.

Chapter 35 – The Games we play

Aro's POV

I was furious with Caius's stubbornness. When Isabella was a human and I wanted to change her, both Marcus and Caius were against it. Marcus, who usually doesn't have an opinion about anything all of a sudden, announces it would be better that Caius does this; that was the last thing I thought would happen. Then Caius, a vampire that always claimed to be appalled by humans, unexpectedly insisting on doing it himself; well that was the second last thing I thought would happen.

Until Athenodora came to live in the west wing Caius had always been predictable but since her arrival the state of affairs had changed. I am sure that without Athenodora's influence Caius would have made huge blunders by now, giving me an excuse to incorporate Isabella into the guard.

Caius of old was always repulsed by humans but now he was not only extremely possessive of Isabella he had also warmed up to her! He had always despised the animal hunters and yet he had allowed her to stay with the Denali and Olympic covens! Above all he would not let her join the special guards, something he used to find a very important part of the Volturi. This was not Caius's decision; no it had to be Athenodora's influence!

I didn't like this new situation one bit and I was convinced there was more to Athenodora than meets the eye. Athenodora had become very secretive of late and asked myself why.

Realizing my anger would not help I decided that I would have to compose myself and look at these circumstances more objectively. I had already decided to send Nikolai but when I examined the situation more thoroughly I realized that it would be better that he not meet Jane. Nikolai was expendable but not my Jane. I would send Jane but when he saw her, it would be the last thing he would see.

I had often sent Alec to spy in the west wing and now I had called him to my quarters hoping to be able to use some of the information he had gathered.

With the situation as it was, I decided it was time to make my next move. I wasn't about to wait a week let alone three; no I was going to take things in my hand now before it was too late. I was not happy with Caius, Athenodora or Isabella and this last argument with Caius had only increased my apprehension.

I now decided that it was time to assess the current state of affairs and deliberate them with Alec. I heard a knock on the door indicating his arrival and as soon as he looked around the door I beckoned him in.

"Master, I understand you wanted to see me?" he submissively enquired, his face tranquil.

"Yes and I have a few questions I wish to ask you" I responded.

"I will be pleased to be of service" Alec smiled making his angelic face even more exquisite.

I was always mesmerized by the beauty of my twins and paused for a moment before I began "You have been watching the west wing since Isabella's arrival, do you have anything to rapport?"

He didn't hesitate for a moment saying "When the Cullens were there, Isabella was often alone on the secluded grounds around the west wing. I would regularly try to see what she was doing but was often held up by one of Caius's guards. They would not allow me in and often told me that Athenodora was teaching Isabella and did not want to be disturbed but sometimes I would see Athenodora elsewhere so I knew they were lying. Later I would see Isabella and the Cullens come back from the grounds together".

At hearing this I immediately knew my suspicions and precautions were justified "Anything else?"

He continued "While the Cullens were staying I would see Athenodora visit Edward Cullen almost every evening"

"So?" I answered "I doubt this to be a problem, if she has come to an agreement with Caius it isn't that surprising" I said.

His smile then widened and he continued "I don't think theirs were romantic rendezvous, as these visits would often only last a half hour".

"Much can be achieved in a half hour" I snickered

He smirked back at me "You could be right but Athenodora has been locked up for centuries so if she wants company now, I believe it would be for longer than thirty minutes."

"Very observant. You may have a point there!" I laughed.

"Do you know anything about their last visitor?" I asked "The new girl Caius is housing in the west wing? I believe she is a member of the Denali coven"

Alec looked into my face and readily answered "No, not really. I know she started screaming the first night they were here; I don't know why and I don't even think the guards or servants know why as they are not allowed in her room".

I was surprised by this little tidbit and said "That is strange, since when has Caius been so secretive? It's not his style."

Alec grinned "I don't think that Caius is behind this, something tells me that it has more to do with Athenodora than him. She was often alone with Isabella and the Cullens while he was doing his administration and when they talked to one another it was often in a soft voice so I couldn't hear much".

"And the new girl what is her part in the household?" I asked

Alec shrugged his shoulders and answered "I don't really know but she is often in the company of Athenodora. Actually I had just been following her and Athenodora as they had left your wife's room together".

Now I was confused; Athenodora had always visited my wife regularly but why had she taken the girl with her? Bringing in that new girl made me even more curious and now that she had been to Sulpicia's room I had a right to know her personal history! I made a mental note that I would do a background check on her. I then decided that the best way to see this girl was by tapping into the memories my protégé had of her.

"May I?" I asked as I extended my hands to touch his. I watched through his eyes as he followed them, noticing a how Athenodora had turned around to quickly investigate the passageway before she and the new vampire left for their rooms.

I looked up into Alec's face and saw his relief as I let his hands go. I then asked "What is wrong Alec?"

"Nothing Master" Alec answered but the tension in his eyes betrayed him.

I smiled and tried again "I saw your relief when you let go of my hand so I ask you once more; what is wrong?"

He hesitated which made me even more curious so I held my hands up and summoned him to do the same. I then probed deeper and realized that he had been observing Isabella with a little more vigor than was necessary. After all I was more concerned about Caius and Athenodora, as Isabella had little to no influence on her situation. I then looked Alec in the eyes and smiled sweetly as I said "you seem to be infatuated with our beautiful Isabella."

Alec quickly answered "It is true, I do not know why but I cannot deny she has a certain attraction master"

I chuckled playfully as I went on to say "Oh well do not trouble yourself as it has little bearing on what I wish to discuss".

He looked puzzled and I clarified myself "I am not happy with the way Caius's bond with Isabella is developing. He has cut her off from me and refuses to allow us to recruit her in our guard. I find that borders on treason, after all it is the guard that keeps the Volturi coven safe".

He was thinking this over and I added "I need you to watch over Isabella, she is momentarily by the Denali coven as you already know but I am planning to take her away from there before she becomes too attached to them as she has with the Olympic coven. Caius is very obstinate at the moment but must quickly comprehend where his loyalty lies before there is too much damage done to our coven and our bonds of leadership."

"I have recruited an old friend and he will help end Isabella's unhealthy visit with the Denali coven. He cannot do this on his own so I will also need someone to help him and I am hoping you will agree to do this for me"

"Of course master, I only wish to please" he said.

I gave him an endearing smile as I said "Delightful, tonight you will take the Volturi jet to a small airport in Alaska. You will be taking Felix, Demitri and Jane with you for they have other business to attend to in the area. You however will stay close to the plane and wait until Nikolai or I call.

I looked up to see how he was digesting this information then added "In a couple of hours you will come back here and I will have all the necessary documents, money and information ready to give to you. You are not to speak to anyone of this, not even Jane. She may be accompanying you but once you all disembark the plane she, Demitri and Felix will have their own assignments and will go their own way. So ….discretion is essential".

"I understand master" Alec replied as he bowed to leave

When he was about to leave my presence I said "Oh and Alec…"

He turned to look at me as I said "Can you tell your sister that I wish to speak with her?"

"Of course master" he said and proceeded to leave the room

I laughed as I clapped my hands together saying "This promises to be excellent entertainment"

Alec's POV

I didn't know what was going on between Aro and Caius; but who was I to question Aro? I was relieved but also puzzled by Aro's casual reaction to my interest in Isabella and then, because of this, I was even more confused when Aro asked me to do this.

When I first saw Isabella I wasn't really impressed; she was just another human but I must admit I was fascinated by her courage (or stupidity). No human would enter the Volturi coven voluntarily, knowing the dangerous creatures it was composed of and yet she had been brave enough to come for the Cullen boy. Then when seeing the pain Jane had projected on him she had given Jane and Aro permission to do whatever they wanted if they would only stop hurting him. I had never seen this devotion in a creature and it perplexed me. I thought of her struggle when I brought her to the west wing and unceremoniously threw her over my shoulder as she kicked and screamed all the way to her chambers. She was quite feisty and I enjoyed the feel of her body as she squirmed against mine; when she stopped stirring after hearing Cullens scream I was strangely disappointed. Throwing her on the bed I was tempted to experience the pleasure I knew her body could give but thankfully I dismissed that idea before it took root; gratefully my self-preservation was strong enough to control that whim.

I had forgotten her as soon as I had left the room except those moments when I heard her screams. I knew at those occasions that Caius was enjoying her body and my imagination was set free at the thoughts of what was going on between them. When Aro sent me to spy in the west wing I occasionally caught a glimpse of her from a distance and realized when Caius gave her blood; for every time she received it, she was gradually converted from a mere mortal to a stunning creature. After the ceremony I saw her go back to her quarters as a fiery beauty hissing at me or anyone else that passed her in the corridors.

Aro was right; bringing the Cullens into our coven and allowing her to stay at the Denalis were acts that bordered on treason as it exposed our coven and the gifts of our members to outsiders. Taking Isabella away from them was the right thing to do and I would help Aro because she belonged to us.

I walked directly to my sister's quarters to tell her that Aro had requested her presence so that she too could receive her assignment from Aro.

I then finished my packing and thought of how much I would appreciate a little time away from the others. After all it would be nice to have a different change of scenery for a while.

It promised to be a long but extremely adventurous assignment.

Aro's POV

I heard Jane approach my door and before she knocked I said "Enter".

"Master you called?" she asked

"Yes my dear Jane, please come in" I said motioning to the chair across from mine.

When she sat down I explained "I have an errand for you. There is someone that is very dangerous to the Volturi. Actually he has taken it upon himself to do something that might upset the balance of power in the Volturi coven. He used to be part of the coven in the past but now he has become very unpredictable".

I paused watching her face and then went on "At the moment I think he is in the area of the Denali coven but I do not wish to kill him just yet. I want you, Felix and Demitri to go to our home there and stay until I call with further instructions. Alec will be joining you on the plane but he has his own task to fulfill so he will not join you on this quest."

I looked at her puzzled expression and said "I know this is all sounds very mysterious but it is also very important. Would you do this for me?"

"Of course master" she said a smile slowly forming on her face

I took her hand in mine and slowly stroked her cheek "Would you be so kind my love to inform Felix and Demitri of this? Alec will be flying out tonight and I wish you all to leave with him."

I stood up and she followed my example "Goodbye my love" I said and brought my hands together "take good care and call me once you have arrived safely."

"I will" she said and then bowed and turned to leave.

I would miss these young ones I thought to myself as I continued preparing the documents that Alec would need.