Chapter Eighty Three

Aro

I expected trouble from Caius, he had been less than happy with the decision to allow not only the Cullens to bring up the children but also to give Bella Swan another few months but it was never a good idea to make enemies, especially with someone who could cause severe problems if he decided and The Major was just such a person.

As soon as we emerged from my study he was on us finger waving in my face.

"You had no right to make those decisions alone Aro. We gave the girl extra time, to do so again smacks of weakness and why didn't you insist the children come here to be raised? Sulpicia and Athenodora are quite capable of raising two children."

"Really? Have you asked them or is it merely your supposition? Besides having the children here in the citadel, the scent of their blood would be unsettling for everyone here. As for the girl Bella Swan, why should we be so stiff? A few more months will make no difference."

"Well it's your responsibility but I am not happy about leaving the children unsupervised with the Cullens."

"Are you volunteering to watch over them personally brother?"

He scowled at me as Marcus sniggered quietly,

"Of course not but I think we should have a member of the Volturi join the Cullen family to keep an eye on the children."

"You still don't trust Carlisle do you? Even after he saved our lives?"

"I don't trust any vampire who denies his nature and lives on animal blood among the humans."

"Very well, who would you suggest? Heidi? Corin? They could take it in turns along with Chelsea and Jane I suppose."

"No, I was thinking of someone who wouldn't be missed, they are all gifted and I don't want them coming under Carlisle's spell."

"Then who?"

"I thought perhaps…... Felix."

Marcus and I looked at each other somewhat startled by this,

"Felix? He's an enforcer Caius not a babysitter."

"Exactly, that sends a message to Carlisle, that we are watching him. Just because he got his own way doesn't mean he will do so again."

"Don't you think that's overkill Caius?"

He whirled and snapped at Marcus,

"Just because you are Aro's little lap dog doesn't mean I have to be."

"ENOUGH!"

He stopped, aware he had gone too far and bowed his head,

"I believe you owe our brother an apology Caius for that last remark."

I waited and eventually Caius nodded looking at Marcus.

"I apologize Marcus, that was uncalled for."

"Very well, if it makes you happier Caius we will send Felix to watch over the Cullens and the two children but that's it. I do not want to hear another word about the subject, is that understood?"

Caius nodded,

"Understood Aro."

Caius disappeared down the corridor as I turned to Marcus,

"That was uncalled for Marcus I too apologize. I think we will need to watch our dear brother. He worries me when he starts throwing his weight around."

"He doesn't like losing face Aro and he feels he lost face to Carlisle. Personally I'm not so sure sending Felix is a good idea."

"Oh really Marcus? You have a good reason for saying so I take it?"

"No, more of a feeling really. I think it might be a bad move but as you've already told Caius you are sending him I guess we'll just have to wait and see."

Marcus very rarely spoke out about someone or something but when he did he was usually right. However I couldn't back down now, not without causing a real problem with Caius but I would keep a close eye on things. Felix was my man so he would report directly to me therefore if anything was going on I would be the first to know about it.

Felix

When I got the order to report to Aro immediately I wondered what the problem was. He only called me like that when there was trouble and as far as I was aware everything was pretty quiet at the moment. I went to his study rather than the audience chamber which meant it was going to be a private conversation. I just hoped it wasn't an order to execute one of the guard. That only happened rarely but the order was always given in this way. So, I was pleasantly surprised to find Caius there too.

"Felix, please be seated."

I sat down looking around, Aro always had interesting pictures on his study walls and I appreciated fine art.

"I'm sure you are wondering why you've been called here."

I nodded still fascinated by a Bosch painting behind his head, it was The Seven Deadly Sins and the Four Last Things, oil on wood panels, that was supposed to be in the Museo Nacional Del Prado.

"We have a task for you, a rather unusual one, not your normal kind of work. There are two children we want watching for a period of time, human children that is."

"Oh, where?"

I never asked why, it wasn't my job to ask that kind of question and I knew I would soon find out anyway Aro never left me stumbling around in the dark.

"The children are currently living with Carlisle Cullen and his family."

Now I was interested, Carlisle! I was as fascinated by him and his "family" as I was by fine paintings, he was something of an enigma to me.

"Are you sending me there for a particular reason or just to keep them safe?"

"A little of both. Caius here feels a little nervous at the idea of the Cullens looking after these gifted children. We just want to ensure they are kept safe and brought up carefully."

"Am I to understand they are ignorant of our world?"

"Actually no. The younger of the two, a baby we understand, is aware, that's her gift. The other girl will probably become aware, that's not an issue at present."

"I see."

This was an unusual assignment for me and I was puzzled,

"Is there a threat to their safety?"

"Not as far as we are aware."

"Then can I ask why me? After all it's rather outside my sphere of interest, young children and babies."

"I think Caius wanted you to deliver a message that Carlisle is being watched. There is a young woman too, involved with The Major, but she will become one of us soon."

"Yes in three months or we do it ourselves, you do it Felix."

So there was conflict between Caius and Aro and Caius and Carlisle. I looked at Aro for my orders,

"We want to know if the girl Bella is still human after three months but you are not to take any action without a direct order from me Felix."

So, it was that bad was it?

"When do I leave?"

"The jet is presently in Japan but should be back in a few days so I would suggest you be ready to leave in about a week."

"And how long will I be gone?"

Aro glanced at Caius,

"That remains to be seen but some time."

"Very well I'll make my preparations. Do the Cullens know I'm coming?"

"Not yet but they will by the time you get there. I wouldn't expect a warm welcome though."

"I never do Caius, very few people are pleased by my presence, its why you keep me around."

I left with a nod to Aro, this was going to be an interesting assignment and one I thought I might enjoy if I could make myself seem less a threat than a help although I knew that would be difficult, the words I had spoken to Caius were only too true. I was no oil painting and my size and reputation tended to make others feel uncomfortable if not downright terrified.