Here you are, sorry for the wait but I've had a busy week and was writing the chapter from scratch. It's also a little longer than usual as I didn't want to break it up.
Shouldn't be too long before the next update but it needs a little tweaking.
Special thanks for all the reviews and new followers who had helped this story reach almost 400 followers which is amazing :D
It's pretty late and I've had a couple of beers so please forgive any errors I may have missed.
Enjoy, Lil'D x
xxxxxx
There was a silence before Rose exploded.
"Are you fucking serious?" Rose yelled, seriously angry. "I am not letting her anywhere near those fucking psychos!" She ranted, furious at the suggestion.
"No way! No fucking way!" She crossed her arms and her whole posture screamed defiance as she stood protectively in front of Bella.
"Why?" Was Irina's calm question and it cut through the young blonde's anger.
"Why? Because once they meet her all they will want to do is take her away from me!" She growled, not realising what she'd said until the words were out of her mouth. When she did, she scowled even more, upset at having let her feelings be known.
"You don't have to be afraid of them Rose," Tanya reassured her.
"Why not? They were always trying to take Alice away, Edward too so why wouldn't they be interested in Bella? I mean, have you met her?" She ranted, scowling at the looks of amusement the sisters were throwing her. Bella was chewing her bottom lip, extremely flattered by Rose's attempt to protect her and the somewhat roundabout compliment.
"Can you give us some time?" Tanya requested of Carmen and Eleazar who nodded and made a swift exit leaving Bella and Rose alone with the sisters. Rose, you really have no need to fear for Bella.
"Why?" Rose growled again, refusing to be swayed on the issue when the danger was very apparent to her.
"Because you don't," Kate added and Rose caught the glance she flicked to her elder sister.
"Well, it better be a damn good reason," the young blonde snorted as she maintained her defensive stance in front of the newborn who was trying to calm her bond-mate through a gentle touch on her arm but was having her efforts deflected.
"We do." Irina confirmed with a nod. "Tan?" She asked her sister to continue.
"To put it bluntly," Kate jumped in, "the Volturi are scared shitless of us."
"Gee, thanks Kate," Tanya shook her head but was smiling at her sisters description. "I've explained that we hold a lot of power?" Both young vampires nodded.
"We also hold a lot of influence within the Volturi," Irina smirked and wriggled her brows, leaving no doubt as to what kind of influence she meant.
"We are powerful and although not as old as Aro and his brothers, with our bond we are stronger and not susceptible to the powers of his guard. Aro has always been afraid that we will take control of the Volturi from him." Rose was shocked by the revelation, Bella less so but she had not had any experience of the vampire leaders except when they interfered with the time-scale of her change.
"We have a deal with him, Aro," Kate continued. "He leaves us alone and we leave him alone. We do occasionally visit the coven but only on business."
"And pleasure!" Irina added with a cheeky smirk which earned her a scowl from Tanya but it was more indulgent than annoyed. "However, as part of the agreement we do keep Aro updated with important events, so he doesn't get paranoid, well more than he already is," Irina added.
"And asking you to join our coven is a development of note so we are obliged to inform him of this and as a courtesy I wish to take Bella to Italy to meet Aro and his brothers." Tanya finished explaining.
Rose was not at all satisfied with the explanation but slightly reassured. But, not enough to be Ok with the idea of Bella going to Italy, of them both going because there was no way she was letting the newborn go without her.
"I offer you my promise that no harm will come to either of you," Tanya pledged and both Kate and Irina added their agreement. Bella was wary but without experience of the vampire leaders she did not really comprehend why Rose was so adverse to the visit. In fact she was curious to see what all the fuss was about. But, she wasn't going to dismiss Rose's concerns so listened carefully to what was being said.
"Thank you but pardon me for not feeling any better," Rose muttered. "If you insist it must be done then I will go. Bella?" The young blonde questioned her bond-mate, not wanting to ever presume to make decision for her, she wasn't Edward and valued the newborn's autonomy.
"If you believe it necessary then we will go," Bella agreed for them both but made an effort to increase contact with her bond-mate, slipping a hand under her crossed arms and tugging until Rose turned and narrowed her eyes at the newborn before the slightest smile tugged the scorners of her mouth. Bella spotted the weakness and gave a full on pout while blowing a strand on hair off her face in what Rose thought was the most adorable way so relented and allowed the brunette to hold her and and rest against her side. The sisters watched as Rose placed a soft kiss on Bella's forehead before turning a scowl on them.
"What? This isn't a god damn movie!" She snarled as she noticed their audience.
"Shh, it's sweet and you know it," Irina chuckled which awarded her a deathg lare from the young blonde.
"Let us know when we have to go," Rose grumbled and allowed Bella to lead her to the blonde's room, it was the larger of the two and where they now spent most of their alone time. Bella had moved in what Rose considered a small library of books she had borrowed off the sisters. "We need a bookcase," the blonde mumbled discontentedly, still feeling off from the recent conversation.
"Maybe we can go shopping? Online?" Bella queried, jumping at the opportunity to cheer her friend up and went to grab her laptop from the desk. "Sit!" She gently pushed Rose onto their couch and then wriggled so she was sat between her legs, the blonde frowning but permitting the newborn to push her around, allowing her chin to settle on Bella's shoulder as the newborn's fingers flew over the keys and opened several pages in her browser.
Bella smiled to herself as she felt Rose relax behind her, strong arms coming to wrap around her waist and pull her that little bit closer. The newborn also didn't miss the discreet sniffs Rose kept taking of her hair but overall she was pleased to have distracted the blonde.
"I like these, you can add to them and they will go floor to ceiling," Rose gestured to the corner of the room. Bella screwed up her nose.
"Isn't that a bit big? We don't have that many books here, I've borrowed these," she countered and Rose got a little happy when she heard the collective 'we' uttered by her bond-mate.
"Not yet, but I have a big collection and so do you, I know there are still a lot of your books at Charlie's and with the Cullen's," she explained, smiling ruefully when she realised how easy it had been to separate herself from her former family. Bella had been the motivation she'd needed to finally act on her dissatisfaction with that situation.
"Maybe? As your training is going so well, we could take a road trip to Forks and bring them here? So we'll need plenty of space, right?" Bella shifted a little so so could look the blonde in the eye.
"You'd want to come with me?" She frowned at the thought.
"If you'd want me to?" Rose asked softly, a little hurt that the newborn would consider leaving her behind.
Bella picked up on the blonde's change of mood.
"Hey, I'd love you to. It's -, it's just Charlie never really liked Edward and the thought of going home with him, well. You know?" She finished lamely.
"Yeah?" Rose queried.
"Yes, please?" Bella returned the smile she got.
"Anything for you," Rose confirmed, leaning forward to peck Bella on the forehead. God know she wanted more but things just weren't -, weren't' right yet. She loved Bella and knew the newborn loved her but things needed to develop further between them. As it was the blonde felt as though she was in limbo, neither a friend or a lover but she would take whatever she could get.
Bella accepted the kiss with a shy smile. She enjoyed her bond-mate's attention and knew it was given freely. She also appreciated how open Rose was with her affection, Bella had lived with her for several years and never seen her like this with anyone else, even Emmett. But, it also confused her. Bella still felt an undeniable s attraction to the blonde, but hell, who wouldn't? She was a vampire goddess with a body to die for!
But, as she had previously discussed with Kate, she would never want to use her friend purely for sexual release and the way her feelings were at the moment it was so very hard to distinguish between what she really felt and her bloody mother-fucking newborn hormones. So, she was terrified of either using Rose to satisfy her urges, because the blonde had already offered her that option, or falling head over heels and not having her affections returned.
So, she was playing it by ear, hoping that if anything were to develop from their friendship it would be soon but not knowing how to proceed. Maybe she could talk to Irina? She left that train of thought and returned to earlier events.
"Rose? Can you explain to me why you are so against going to the Volturi?" Bella questioned softly and felt the blonde tense. "Please? I only know what I've heard from Edward and Carlisle. They seemed a little wary but not overly concerned, even when they demanded I was changed. Why are you so scared?" She asked, knowing she had gotten to the bottom of the blonde's reluctance to visit the vampire leaders, Rose was scared and Bella knew the strength her bond-mate possessed so if Rose was scared then there had to be a good reason.
"You've killed a human." Bella nodded, biting her lip at the slight guilt the admission caused, but she only felt guilty because she had knew Rose disapproved. "I know you don't regret it, don't worry. I don't hold it against you." Rose reassured the newborn as she pulled her into her lap. I suspect you'll kill more in the future," the blonde added, her tone surprisingly resigned and non-judgemental. "But I doubt you'd ever do it for fun, only to feed." Bella shrugged, uncomfortable with the way the conversation was going. "I also think you'd be selective. I can't see you enjoying the blood of children, babies, slaughtering for fun, killing to excess." Bella scrambled away from her bond-mate, her disgust obvious as she stared at the blonde. "You see Bella, these vampires do not condemn such acts, in fact they indulge themselves in them. They are twisted of mind, humans are playthings, disposable toys." Rose sighed and continued.
"When you're there, inside the Volturi palace all you'll be able to smell is blood and death. The walls have seen so much death that they're practically alive with the pain and suffering the so called leaders of our race call pleasure." As Rose spoke her face was a mask of loathing. "They are everything wrong with both the human and vampire races. To think that you are required to go there, to be near them sickens me, it really does."
"Everyone who's met you thinks you're unique, my Bella. They are fascinated by you and I can't imagine the Volturi being any different. Aro will want you to join him, he has many was of influencing a vampire's decision," she sneered. "I don't want you exposed to that. Hell, I wouldn't want anyone exposed to it but especially not you."
"Tanya said we'd be Ok," the newborn reminded her bond-mate and Rose sighed. I
"I trust her, I do but these things are never certain, Bella. If we go you must keep your guard up, thankfully your shield will protect you from Jane and Felix's powers and your beast should do the rest. But, you have to promise me to seem as normal as possible, no talk of Alpha's and bond-mate's, chi or your level of control. Appear as ordinary as possible and we should be fine. I don't doubt Tanya but you never know what could happen," she finished with a smile and Bella nodded, taking on board her warnings.
"Ok, thanks for being honest with me. But then when aren't you?" Bella smirked "Bella! You need a new wardrobe. Bella, your taste in movies sucks!" The newborn teased in a fake falsetto as she mocked her friend, trying to lighten the conversation. Rose glowered at her for a second before narrowing her eyes.
"For that, young lady I am going to tell Kate that it was you who hid the remote for the TV when she wanted to watch the new series of True Blood," Bella scowled at the betrayal, knowing Kate had probably heard that. "I mean what was she thinking? Fucking vampire pussies," Rose mumbled under her breath
"Bitch!" Bella growled and threw herself on the blonde, knocking them to the floor. That was how Tanya found them, wrestling each other, Bella being careful of her strength as she tried to best the blonde. The coven leader smiled at the sight, she had heard the conversation between them and appreciated Rose's concern and the young blonde's trust in her. But, Kate had also heard and was plotting her revenge on the newborn and Tanya could sense some house repairs in their near future depending on what form her retribution took.
"We'll be driving to the airport at six tomorrow morning. Don't pack too much please Rose? We're only going for the day." Tanya explained. "We have no plans to stay longer. Eleazar will come with us as he's flying the plane. It will be night when we get there," she informed her young charges. "But Bella, no clothes with holes, please? The Volturi do not appreciate the current generation's dress sense!" She threw over her shoulder as she left them alone. Bella rolled her eyes but conceding due to the seriousness of the situation.
xxxxx
Bella was wary as they drove up to the Volturi palace and she could sense Rose's anxiety which in turn was putting her on edge.
"It will be fine." Tanya informed the young vampires with a smile. "Come," she gestured for them to precede her to an unobtrusive door which she knocked. "Tanya Denali," she announced and then spoke some words in a language Rose recognised as Eastern European in origin but she couldn't identify exactly which one which meant it was probably an older variation than those in current use.
The door opened and a large guard greeted them. He was over six feet tall and his broad shoulder's filled the entrance. He wore a cloak and Bella could see some armour under it, but she had no idea how that would help in case of an attack by another vampire.
"Greetings Mistress Tanya." The guard welcomed her with a bow. "This way, the Council is expecting you." Bella looked around and shivered. What Rose had described was true. The walls were dark stone and there was a definite tang of copper in the air. Their group followed, Eleazar and Tanya speaking to the guard, Bella sensed Rose tense then relax, a glance at the blonde earned her a small smile and the newborn felt a reassuring brush against her chi. 'I'm fine.' Rose mouthed, not wanting to give anything away to their guard.
The passageways twisted and turned and Bella felt they were gradually going further and further into the hill behind the town. It seemed like the whole hill was concealing the vampire palace beneath. Finally, they reached a set of imposing doors at least twenty foot high. These were guarded by four guards wearing the same style attire as the guard who had escorted them, Bella assumed it identified them as the Volturi guard.
The guards at the door all nodded and murmured mistress as they acknowledged Tanya and both young vampires were beginning to see the true extent of the sisters influence in the Volturi.
"Greetings brothers," Tanya strode through the doors as they were pushed open and into the throne room as if she owned it.
"Ah, Tanya and Eleazar, you are welcome, friends. As always. "Bella caught her first look of the infamous vampire leader, Aro. He was paler than any vampire she had ever seen and had dark shoulder length hair slicked back off his face.
There were five other vampires present and Bella eyed them confidently. She could feel her beast near the surface and it was curious but not threatened. There were two males she assumed to be Aro's brothers. Caius and Marcus. One was large and dark haired, the other of slimmer build with lighter, longer hair. Both were studying her but she stood tall and relaxed, they were not going to intimidate her.
The other three were stood to one side. Two looked relatively young, a female, relatively petite with long blonde hair tied off her face in an elaborate braid the young looking male had darker hair. The other female had darker blonde hair, almost brown. Both females were staring at the visitors, hands clasped in front of their bodies as they watched the proceedings but did not participate in the friendly greetings being exchanged between the older Denali's and their hosts. The male looked bored.
"So, let me see her," Aro soon broke off and stepped towards where Bella and Rose were patiently standing. Rose forced herself to relax and presented the same, slightly bored expression she had perfected over more than a lifetime. "And Rosalie, how nice to see you again. So beautiful." He smiled but it didn't reach his eyes. "But we will discuss your change of affiliation later. Isabella," he purred the newborn's name in the original Italian pronunciation.
"My, my," he took his time looking Bella over and she held still under his scrutiny., not even flinching when he reached out for her hand. "Let's see shall we, hmmm?" He clasped her hand in his and after a second he frowned.
"She is a shield," Eleazar confirmed.
"Really, young one? Aro raised his brow and now the other vampires present were showing more interest.
"Yes," Bella replied and Rose was impressed by the quiet confidence in her tone. "I'm afraid I have not yet learned if it can be controlled, I do not mean to hide anything from you," Bella explained, both allaying Aro's suspicion and seeming submissive to his authority.
"Well, maybe Rosalie, yes?" Rose calmly held out her hand and once again the vampire leader frowned, perplexed.
"My power seems to also shield those I am close to," Bella explained. Her wording caught his attention.
"Close?" He queried.
"Yes, those who I spend a lot of time with. I believe it may also apply to Tanya and Eleazar," Bella explained. After Eleazar offered his hand Aro found this to be true.
"Very curious but it is not an offensive power," he mused. "Had it been I would have offered you a place on my guard." Bella felt Rose's panic spike then drop back to the monotone of emotion the young blonde had been projecting until now.
"I'm afraid I would be of little use, I have no control over it and much to learn," Bella deferred to him with a smile. "Alec, Jane, Chelsea," Aro called over the other vampires and they approached, Bella feeling another spike of anxiety from Rose as they did. "A little experiment if you will allow?"
"Of course," Bella inclined her head in acceptance and met their sneering gazes with one of impassivity. She had been briefed by Eleazar on their journey about what she might expect and the powers of the most prominent Volturi guards.
"Jane?" The female vampire stepped forward and reached for Bella's hand. Bella stared into red eye's and even though she had been warned she couldn't help but let her beast breathe a little, it was subtle, too subtle for anyone but Rose to pick up on, Jane blinked, unsure of what she was feeling but suddenly wary of the newborn. However, it didn't stop her taking Bella's hand and the newborn felt a slight tingle but then nothing. Jane scowled at her and Bella just shrugged. Rose held in a smirk, knowing how annoying she herself found that particular habit but seeing it directed at Jane made her so very happy. Not that she showed any emotion at all, of course.
"So?" Aro questioned impatiently.
Jane growled and scowled as she re-doubled her efforts.
"Nothing!" She snarled before stepping back.
"Fascinating!" Aro clapped his hands in a disturbingly child-like display of excitement.
"Alec?" The large vampire took his turn and Bella blinked as a black mist swirled around her, she eyed it curiously but unafraid, unlike Rose who seemed to be having an internal panic attack but her face gave nothing away. The young blonde vampire felt both Tanya and Bella send her a wave of calm and protection which helped her relax. That and the fact that Bella was remaining unaffected by Alec's power.
"Absolutely astounding!" Aro was staring at the newborn with open admiration. "Chelsea," he beckoned forward the third vampire. "Let us see if you can resist my most powerful weapon," he purred and it sent a shiver through Bella.
Chelsea stepped forward and locked eyes with the newborn. Bella allowing a slight smile to tug at the corners of her mouth as she felt a pressure trying to alter her sense of self. She simply ignored it and pushed back. Both Rose and Tanya felt it too and Bella sensed their chi's spike in warning so she pulled back but not before a final pulse of sexual energy left her, backed up by the dominance of her beast.
Chelsea gasped and stepped back.
"Nothing, master," she confirmed but kept her eyes on the newborn, unsure what she had felt but it had unsettled her.
"Well, it seems your power is strong, Isabella. But I trust Tanya to keep her coven in order?" Aro questioned as he turned to the Denali leader.
"Bella is a model coven member Aro," Tanya confirmed with a smile at the newborn.
"Good, good," Aro smiled at the newborn. "I'm pleased to have met you young Isabella. A very interesting vampire, I have high expectations of you," he praised, Rose wasn't sure if that was a good or a bad thing but as there seemed to be no immediate threat to Bella she relaxed, a little. "Are you hungry? I have a few humans in the dungeons if you're interested?" Aro blinked as he waited for Bella's response, the newborn found the human action very disturbing.
"No thank you, I don't need to feed very often," Bella calmly declined the offer. "And I prefer animal blood," she politely informed her host.
"Hmm, such a pity," he pouted. Again, it looked so, so wrong.
"She is doing well with her training," Tanya stepped in. "As you know, we have welcomed them both to our coven, the Cullen's have not been giving them the support they need."
"Indeed? Young Rosalie, defecting I see? And what of your mate?" Aro queried, his interest now piqued.
"We were not true mates, Aro. I felt it time to move on. I feel the Denali's can teach me more of the world. Of what it means to be a vampire," Rose politely informed her host. "I have already learned a lot from the Denali's but I realise I have a lot more to learn."
"I'm sure you will find your education extremely enlightening," Aro purred. "Tanya and her sisters are much more open-minded and knowledgeable than Carlisle ever was," he acknowledged. "Even I find their outlook on the world unique and informative which is why I have approved your membership of their coven. I feel their instruction will benefit us all."
"Thank you Aro," Tanya smiled. "We shall see about leaving, unless there is anything else you require?"
"No, no. It has been entertaining but I have other matters requiring my attention," he clapped his hands and his guards brought a struggling male vampire into the chamber.
"Then we shall take our leave," Tanya and Eleazar both offered their hosts a half bow. "Come, young ones," Tanya gestured for Bella and Rose to proceed her and they followed their original guard from the throne room.
Once they were out of there Rose began to relax, that changed when she saw their way blocked by Chelsea and Jane.
"Leave us!" Jane snarled at the guard. He hesitated, looking to Tanya before receiving her nod of permission. Both the Volturi females scowled at the gesture.
"To what do we owe this honour?" Tanya queried politely but her tone was insincere.
"The newborn, what other powers does she possess? What are you hiding?" Jane growled as she stepped towards Bella but was intercepted by Rose who shifted in front of her bond-mate.
"Rosalie, do not test me!" The petite blonde cried.
"Or what?" Rose glared at her and crossed her arms in a way Bella had seen many times before. She felt sorry for the Volturi guard if they kept provoking her friend.
There were no more words, only a snarl as both Jane and Chelsea advanced on Rose, slamming her against the wall, each gripping her upper arms. Bella was prevented from interfering by a warning touch from Tanya.
"Oh, seriously? You just did that?" Rose laughed and Bella flinched, it was scary. Rose was really pissed that they would try something like this after Aro had given them his blessing.
"We are the law here, you bitch!" Jane growled and hissed in Rose's face. The young Denali snapped and issued a roar before sending an incapacitating blast from her chi which knocked both her captors to their knees. Rose stepped forward, towering over her attackers and then Bella felt it, felt Rose's beast be unleashed and the full wrath of her bond-mate explode, it's focus the two Volturis. The newborn gasped, she had never felt such anger before.
"Do not cross me!" Rose roared as she grabbed them both by their throats and slammed them against the wall as she turned her blackened eyes on them, her beauty turned terrifying. They had no strength to fight as Rose channelled her chi direct through their scars to subdue them, part anger, part sexual dominance, both of which they were unable to conquer.
"Do not mistake my compliance with my coven leader's wished for weakness," she hissed, her venom splashing onto their skin. "And never, ever threaten me or mine or I will find a way to end you!"
Bella realised she was gaping and snapped her mouth shut, Eleazar letting out a low chuckle.
"Your Rosalie is a very strong vampire, she defends you well," he whispered so only she could hear. "She loves you very much." Bella turned to look at him but saw only a small smile and she re-focused on Rose, entranced by how powerful and god damn sexy she looked all vamped out. Rose felt a wave of arousal come from her bond-mate and it made her beast purr.
"Leave us or I will take this up with Aro and my sisters," Tanya confirmed, coming to stand behind Rose and adding her influence to her coven mate's. The strength of both Denali's presence was too much for the female Volturi's who whimpered and avoided eye contact with the dominant females as they attempted to escape.
Rose released Jane and Chelsea and they fell to the floor before regaining their footing, still weak from the emotional attack. Chelsea looked toward the newborn and emitted another whimper when she saw Rosalie's ire mirrored there and felt the newborn's displeasure. These vampires were far more powerful than she had ever realised and now understood why her masters showed them such respect.
"Go!" Tanya snarled and they backed away down the corridor before blurring off. Probably to report to Aro, Tanya thought but was not concerned. He would more than likely be amused and reprimand them for interfering in settled business.
"Alex?" Tanya called and their original guard re-appeared a few seconds later.
"My apologies mistress Tanya," he apologised. "I see the matter is settled?"
"Yes, please send my apologies to Aro. He may call me to discuss the matter if he wishes. Rosalie has my blessing and was authorised to defend my coven."
"Yes mistress," Alex offered her a bow as they reached the exit. "Safe journey," he called after them, Tanya acknowledging his words with a raised arm.
As soon as they had left Bella was by Rose's side, her hand sliding into the blonde's.
"That was awesome," she complimented her bond-mate shyly as she pressed against her, desperate for the contact after such a stressful day.
"Yeah?" Rose was touched by the newborn's words
"Oh yeah!" Bella replied and the blonde couldn't decipher her tone. They stayed in contact as they ran together until they reached the plane. Bella watched her bond-mate pull away once they were on the plane, taking a seat and pulling her legs up against her chest. Tanya went to sit in the cockpit with Eleazar, leaving the young vampires alone.
Rose was still tense, she had reacted on instinct when Bella had been challenged, threatened but now she was exhausted. Exhausted form being on constant alert for the past few hours and exhausted from holding herself back from ripping the heads off those vampire bitches.
Bella felt Rose's anger spike as the blonde stared out of the plane's window.
"Thank you," the blonde looked up as the newborn spoke, coming to stand behind her chair, hands coming to rest on her shoulders. Rose bent her head to place a kiss on the back of Bella's hand. "It means a lot, that you did that, for me." Strong hands started to massage her neck and shoulders and the blonde groaned in relief.
"I love you," Rose stated bluntly and the hands stopped moving.
"I love you too," Bella confirmed and resumed her massage and Rose felt her affection thorough her bond but it wasn't enough, it left her empty. The newborn felt her bond-mate's mood change and changed positions, taking the seat next to Rose and pulling her down so the blonde's head rested in her lap.
"Relax," Bella urged as she ran her fingers through her hair and stroked her forehead. Rose tried to resist but it felt good, too good. Eventually she was able to let go and submit to the affection Bella was giving her, the touch and scent of her bond-mate lulling her into a relaxed, sleep like state until the plane landed.
Xxxxxxxx
Next on Crimson Bonds
As soon as Kate signaled the impending approach of the Cullen motorcade Tanya witnessed both Rose and Bella's walls go up but she couldn't blame them, the time had passed quickly since their arrival but their reasons for leaving were still very fresh in their minds.
Tanya herself was concerned to see how Bella and Rose would handle both Alice's and Edward's presence. She gestured for her coven to proceed outside to greet their guests, presentation was important at times like this and her coven mates arranged themselves in their traditional V formation with Tanya at the head, then Kate and Irina, Carmen and Eleazar then finally Bella and Rosalie.