Previous chapter: Bella – BPOV

I chuckle as I pull back and say, "You do realize that neither the castle nor we are technically alive, papa?" Aro smiles as he shakes his head and says, "That's exactly something Didyme would have said to make me smile. Come, I'll show you her favorite spot in the castle. I bet you will love it just as much as she did."

Bella – BPOV

I smile as Aro leads me across the courtyard to a hidden entrance, and I gasp for unneeded air as he opens the door to reveal a room filled with books. A fire is burning in the fireplace in the corner. But my gaze is almost immediately drawn to the beautiful portrait that hangs above it. The resemblance with Aro is uncanny. So, it must be Didyme.

Aro smiles softly as he moves to stand next to me, and his voice is barely above a whisper as he says, "Didyme's love for books was even bigger than yours, mia figlia. My sister would have spent every second of every day in this room if not for Marcus. He was the only one capable of capturing her attention when she got lost in one of her books. I remember one particular Christmas eve almost two thousand years ago…"

Happiness fills my heart as I plop down on the couch near the fire to listen to my father as he reminisces about the past. It's already dark outside when someone knocks on the door, and I can almost feel Aro's disappointment as Demetri enters the room a second later.

Demetri - DPOV

The frustration slowly dissipates from my body as I rush to find Aro. Dear Gods, Caius can be a slave driver if he wants to be, that's for sure. With him barking out orders the whole day, I didn't complete even half of my work. It wouldn't surprise me if the bastard did it on purpose. I love my job, and I'm fucking good at it, but Caius will have to accept that Bella comes first. Surely, Aro will help him see that.

I smile softly as Aro's location pops up in my mind. I should have known he would show Bella Didyme's reading room. Not many people would love that room the same way Didyme did, but Bella will be one of them. Her love for books would be disturbing if I didn't know that she loves me more. Well, I'll know where to look for her when she's not in our quarters from now on.

I quickly knock on the door before entering, and the disappointed look on Aro's face doesn't escape my notice as I bow my head and say, "I apologize for the disturbance, Master, but you are needed in the throne room urgently."

Aro sighs as he rises from his seat and says, "No rest for the wicked, it seems. What did Caius do this time?"

Bella smiles as she moves to stand next to me, and I quickly pull her closer before saying, "An urgent matter has been brought to our attention, Master. Your presence is required to provide some much-needed insight and to determine the course of action. Felix, Jane, and Alec have also been summoned to the throne room by Master Marcus."

Aro cocks an eyebrow as he rises from his seat and says, "It must be serious if Marcus decides to summon all four of you. He doesn't tend to overreact, unlike Caius. Please escort Bella to your quarters before joining us in the throne room, Demetri."

Then he quickly turns to Bella, who looks like she's going to protest, and says, "Mia figlia, as I said to Carlisle, this coven is not a democracy. Marcus did not summon you, so I must insist that you retire to your room. I will try not to keep Demetri away from you too long, but I can give you no guarantees."

Bella huffs as Aro flees from the room before she can react, and I snicker as I place a kiss on her temple and say, "Your father can be quite sneaky if he wants to, amore mio, but no matter how much I hate not having you by my side, he is right. Come on; I'll walk you to our room. Do you want to take a book with you?"

Bella slowly shakes her head as she turns to me and says, "No, these books belong here in this room. It feels wrong to take one of them back to our room. I'm pretty sure I left some of my books in our quarters the last time we were here. I'll read one of those."

I nod as I gently place a loose strand of hair behind her ear and say, "Okay, let's head back to our room. With the mood Caius was in today, I don't want to keep them waiting too long. I didn't get any work done with Caius ordering me around all day. I'm afraid I'll need at least one more day to finish my work before we can go home."

Bella – BPOV

I quickly bury my face in Demetri's chest to hide the disappointment that must be showing on my face. Demetri smiles sadly as he pulls back and says, "I know that's not what you were hoping to hear, amore mio, and I don't like the prospect of staying longer any more than you do. I'll try to hurry without it being too obvious."

I smile as I look into his eyes and say, "Take all the time you need, Demi. I may not like it when we're apart, but I'll survive another day with our family if that's what's needed. Aro surely won't mind. Now do, as your father-in-law commanded, and escort me back to our quarters."

Demetri chuckles as he offers me his arm and says, "Have I ever told you how sexy you are when you're bossy?"

I shake my head as I link my arm through his and say, "Is that so, Mister Volturi? I'll have to remember that for the future."

Demetri's eyes darken slightly at my words as he leans down to kiss my temple and says, "God, I love you so much."

I smile brightly as I lead him out of the reading room and say, "I love you too, Demi, more than I ever thought possible. Take me back?"

Demetri smiles as he nods and closes the door to the reading room behind us, but the smile on his face doesn't quite reach his eyes. I gently squeeze his arm as I lay my head against his shoulder while we walk back to our room. I'm not looking forward to spending even more time apart, and knowing Demetri is as unhappy as I am with this situation only makes me love him more.

Demetri - DPOV

I pull Bella closer as we walk back to our room, wishing I didn't have to let her go. Aro was right. This whole urgent meeting has disaster written all over it. Why else would Marcus call the four best guards to the throne room? Fuck, I'm getting this awful feeling that I won't be seeing my Bella for quite some time, and I don't like one bit. I sigh as I gently wrap Bella in my arms as we reach our quarters and say, "I can't promise you this meeting won't take long, tesoro. Will you be okay while I'm gone?"

Bella nods as she rests her head against my chest and says, "I'll be fine, Demi. I'll hate every second of it, but I'll be fine. Now, go!"

I snicker as Bella tries to shoo me out of our room and say, "Okay. Okay. I'm going. Can I at least get a kiss before I go?"

Bella smiles as she stands on her tiptoes to kiss me and says, "Now, shoo, before Caius sends down the so-called cavalry to fetch you."

I roll my eyes at her words as I kiss her forehead before rushing toward the throne room. Caius wouldn't dare to send someone to pick me up, but that doesn't mean he won't be pissed if he needs to wait too long for my arrival. Knowing I want to leave for Villa Bella soon, it will be best not to anger him more than necessary.

It seems, however, that won't be the case because, for some reason, the Masters haven't arrived in the throne room yet. The hairs at the back of my neck rise as I spot Toshiro at the other side of the throne room, and I raise my brow questioningly as I join Felix, Alec, and Jane on the dais and say, "Where are they?"

Felix nods in the direction of Aro's study as he crosses his arms and says, "Marcus is briefing Aro and Caius on the information Toshiro shared with him. It doesn't look good. Toshiro's arrival usually means trouble; you know that. Every war or giant battle somehow starts with him visiting Volterra. I bet this time won't be any different. I've never seen Marcus so shaken by a single message."

I sigh as I watch Toshiro, who is talking to Chelsea and Afton, and I nod in agreement as I say, "Toshiro, a.k.a. the harbinger of doom… Oh yeah, we're fucked."

Felix opens his mouth to respond but immediately closes it again as he notices the Masters entering the throne room. We wait as they take their place upon their thrones before taking up our designated places around them. I take my place next to Caius and watch as Aro turns to the man who has moved to the center of the throne room and says, "My dearest Toshiro, how I wish for the day in which you are to visit us while bringing only good tidings with you. My brother told me what you shared with him, but I would like to see it myself. May I?"

Toshiro nods as Aro motions toward his hand, and everyone watches in suspense as Aro walks toward Toshiro to take his hand and read his every thought. Aro growls as he releases Toshiro's hand four seconds later, and he looks murderous as he turns back to his brothers and says, "So, it is true! They dare to threaten my daughter?! I want their heads!"

A loud growl escapes from my lips as Aro's words register in my mind, and I raise my brow questioningly as I take a step toward him and say, "Who?"

Aro lets out another low growl as he walks back to his throne and says, "The Romanians, of course. No one else would be so stupid. They got spotted in Japan, and from what Toshiro showed me, it looks like they're building a newborn army. It seems the tews of your mating has traveled the world fast, and with it, Bella's relation to me. The Romanians assume Bella will be part of the team sent to deal with their army. They want to kidnap her and use her as a bargaining chip. They want to rule the Vampire world and believe Bella is the key to getting what they want. Toshiro even picked up rumors of Vladimir staking a claim on Bella as his mate. I believe they have finally lost their mind, but it will be their last mistake. Nobody threatens my daughter and lives."

I bite back another growl as I nod and say, "Nobody threatens my mate and lives, Master Aro. Permission to lead the team and end them once and for all, Masters?"

Caius smirks as he nods and says, "Permission granted, Captain. Alec, Jane, and Felix will join you on this mission, as will Santiago, Chelsea, and Afton. Toshiro will accompany you to Japan and be your guide. Ashes are all that are to remain of those retched Romanians and their army, is that clear?"

I don't need to look around to know everyone in this room agrees with Caius' order as I bow my head slightly and say: "Crystal clear, Master."

Aro nods as he claps his hands and says, "Bella will have to remain at the castle in Volterra as long as the Romanians are a threat. She is much safer here than at Villa Bella. I know Bella was looking forward to going home, but I'm not risking her safety. I …"

A sudden knock on the big wooden doors interrupts Aro's monologue, and I'm not surprised as the doors swing open to reveal Alice Whitlock with a sheepish smile on her face.

Aro sighs as he motions for her to enter and says, "Mrs. Whitlock, this better be good…"

Alice nods as she makes her way to the center of the throne room and says, "I had a vision you might find important, Master Aro. It concerns the castle and Bella. She needs to leave; she isn't safe here."

I growl as I step in Alice's direction and say, "What do you mean: she isn't safe here? This castle is her home. Why wouldn't she be safe here?"

Aro lifts his hand to interrupt me and says, "Indeed, Alice, why wouldn't my daughter be safe here? She would be by our side the whole time. She would be well protected."

Alice sighs as she lifts her hand for Aro to take and says, "The moment Vladimir notices Bella isn't with the team you send to dispose of the newborn army, he will set course for Volterra. He has some followers waiting for him in Romania, and together they will come here and kidnap her. They will set fire to the library, and in the commotion that follows, Vladimir will successfully catch Bella off guard while his followers distract the rest of you. He will rape her! She can't be here when they come, Aro. Please, she can't be here…"

I fight the urge to punch a hole in the wall as Aro shakes his head while motioning for Alice to lower her hand and saying, "I don't need to see such horror, dear Alice. Is there another path we can take that ensures Bella's safety? Can Jasper help us somehow?"

I watch as Alice's eyes glaze over the moment Aro mentions Jasper. Dear Gods, let there be a way to keep my mate safe because there's no way I'm leaving her side if that's not the case. I'll even give up being Captain of the guard if that's what it takes to stay here with her.

My attention is pulled back to Alice as she sighs in relief when her eyes regain focus. A soft smile appears on her face as she looks at Aro and says, "Bella will be safe at Villa Bella with Jasper. As they train, her shield will grow stronger, and she will unconsciously shield herself and Jasper, making it impossible for outsiders to find them. It will be as if they don't exist."

Aro looks relieved as he nods and says, "Good, then that's what we'll do. I assume Vladimir will still come here?"

Alice smiles sinisterly as she nods and says, "Yes, he will, and he won't like the reception you have planned for him at all, Master Aro."

Aro smirks as he rubs his hands together and says, "Good. As I said, no one threatens my daughter and gets away with it. I'll make him regret the day he got turned. Alice, my dear, would you mind accompanying Demetri and his team to Japan? Your gift has proven itself to be quite handy."

Alice nods as she says, "Of course, Master Aro. I'll go and inform Jasper of this plan and pack my bag. After that, I'll join the team in the garage. Gianna is on her way to inform you the plane will be ready for take-off in two hours."

I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding as Alice speeds out of the throne room, and I chuckle as Aro shakes his head and mutters, "I don't know if I'll survive having her around for eternity."

Caius snickers at Aro's words as he turns to me and says, "Go and inform your mate, Captain. The team is to leave for Florence airport in an hour."

I bow my head as I say, "Understood, Master. I'll report back daily. May I ask that you keep us informed of the situation in Volterra as well?"

Aro smiles softly as he nods and says, "Of course, Demetri. You may expect a reply to each report. Now go and inform my daughter. We all know she's not going to like this."

I huff as I rush from the throne room toward my quarters, and I shake my head as I mutter, "Not going to like this? She's going to hate this, and I agree with her."

Bella – BPOV

I look up in surprise as Demetri bursts into our quarters like the devil's on his tail. I don't even have time to say something before he pulls me into his arms and eagerly inhales my scent. I frown as I try to pull back and say, "What's wrong, Demi? You're worrying me."

Demetri sighs as he rests his forehead against mine and says, "Let's sit down for this, tesoro. It's a long story, and you won't like it."

I nod as he leads me to the couch and listen attentively as he tells me about everything that happened while he was in the throne room. I shiver in horror as he comes to the part of Alice's vision, but I'm also thankful that he isn't trying to keep that part from me. Demetri knows how important the truth is to me. And that only makes me love him more. But He is right. I hate that Demetri will be on the other side of the planet to find those bastards while I'm supposed to stay here and work on my gift. How will I ever concentrate knowing Demi is out there, risking his life for me?

Demetri smiles softly as he cups my cheek and says, "We're all going to be fine, amore mio. Alice has seen it. Just promise me you'll stay with Jasper at all times."

I lean into his touch as I bite my lower lip and say, "Only if you promise to listen to Alice at all times and not take unnecessary risks. I can't lose you, Demi."

Demetri smiles as he leans in to kiss my forehead and says, "I promise, tesoro. I will always come back to you. Will you help me pack?"

I nod as Demetri offers me his hand, and together we walk to our bedroom. I watch as he pulls a duffel bag out of the closet and throws two black pants, four black shirts, and two cloaks into the bag. I shake my head as he walks back to the closet to grab a sweater, and I hand him the one I wore yesterday as I say, "Take this one. That way, I'll still be close."

Demetri smiles brightly as he adds the sweater to his bag and says, "You're always close, amore mio. You're my heart and my soul. You're with me wherever I go, but I'm still taking the sweater with me."

I smile as I wrap my arms around his waist and say, "Good. I'm going to miss you so much, Demi."

Demetri sighs as he pulls me closer and says, "I know, tesoro. I'll miss you just as much. You can text me as often as you want, and I'll try to call you daily."

I smile as I rest my head against his chest and say, "I would like that. When do you have to leave?"

Demetri glances at the clock and sighs as he spots the time before saying, "We leave in ten minutes. I better get down to the garage. The Captain can't be late."

I give him another tight hug before stepping back and saying, "Be safe, Demi. I love you."

He smiles as he tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear and says, "I love you too, Bella."

A soft knock on the door interrupts us, and I'm not surprised when Demetri opens to door to reveal Alice and Jasper. Alice smiles softly as she takes her designer bag from Jasper and says, "It's time to go, Demetri. Jasper will keep her safe."

I smile as Demetri nods and says, "I know, Alice. There's no one I trust more with her safety than Jasper. Let's go."

Demetri smiles as he leans down to kiss me and says, "I'll call you when we're in the air. Have fun training with your brother."

I nod as Jasper moves to my side and say, "Just be safe, both of you."

Alice giggles as she walks to the door with Demetri following behind her and says, "Don't worry about us, Bella. I've seen the training schedule Jasper has planned. I'm going to have more fun than you are."

Jasper rolls his eyes as Alice and Demetri disappear from the room and says, "Don't believe a word she says, pumpkin. We're going to have a blast."

I giggle as I grab another duffel bag from the closet to start packing my clothes and say, "I'll take your word on it. Help me pack? I'm ready to get out of here."

Jasper nods as we quickly finish packing my stuff. Aro is waiting for us in the garage, and I bite back a sob as he hugs me close and says, "I love you, mia figlia. Be safe."

I hug him tightly as I nod and say, "You too, papa. Don't do anything foolish."

Aro laughs loudly as he kisses the top of my head and says, "You don't become as old as I am, Bella, by being foolish and acting rash. We'll be fine. Now, get out of here. Don't stop until you reach Villa Bella, Jasper, and keep me posted on her progress. She must master her shield soon."

Jasper nods as he slides into the driver's seat of a large back SUV, and I smile as he pulls out of the garage the moment I close my door after slipping into the passenger's seat. I can't help but feel relieved as he drives us toward Villa Bella at high speed.

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