Previous chapter: Bella – BPOV

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. Jasper, don't stop until you reach Villa Bella. 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 right as 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.

Demetri - DPOV

I clench my fists as the plane lifts off at Florence Airport. How dare those Romanians to threaten my mate? My anger grows as I recall the horror on Alice's face when she told Aro of her vision. I can't imagine what a burden it must be to live with those images in your mind, even after you made sure that the future didn't come to fruition. Stefan and Vladimir will regret the day they decided to use my Bella for their sick games. No one tries to harm my mate without paying with their own life as long as I'm alive.

Alice smiles softly as she moves to the seat opposite me and says, "They will get what is coming for them, Demetri. I've seen it. You don't have to worry about that. The Romanians threatened the one person Aro, Jasper, and you will kill for to keep safe. I know you want this to be over as soon as possible, but we must pace ourselves. Bella needs time to master her shield, or the Romanians will detect her and Jasper while moving in on Volterra. I don't doubt Jasper's ability to keep her safe, but that possible future has too many unknown variables for me to work through. We must focus on the vision I saw before we left, and that means keeping those retched Romanians from detecting that Bella isn't with us for at least another week. Now, how are we going to do that?"

I unclench my fists as I take a moment to go over a few strategies in my head before saying, "We need someone who looks like Bella from afar. That way, we can trick the Romanians into believing she came with us."

Alice nods enthusiastically as she claps her hands and says, "We must let one of their scouts slip through. He will overhear you talking to "Bella" and will confirm her presence when he reaches their base camp. That will be enough to keep the Romanians on this continent for at least a week. Simple, but very effective if you ask me. Now, who is going to be your mate for the next few days, Demetri?"

Alice's grin widens as I quickly go through my options. I quickly realize Alice is the only one suitable for the task at hand. The only other girl on this mission is Jane, but she is much too small when compared to Bella, and I need Jane's presence to be known because she always installs a healthy dose of fear in our opponents. I snort as I shake my head and say, "You're lucky my wife likes you, Alice. Let me guess: there's a wig in that huge suitcase of yours that mimics Bella's hair perfectly?"

Alice giggles as she leans back in her seat and says, "Of course, there is a wig in my suitcase. Bella is my sister, even without her bond with Jasper, and I will do whatever it takes to keep her safe from harm. No one will touch her if I can help it."

I smile approvingly as her words are followed by a loud 'hear, hear' from Felix, Alec, and Jane. Those Romanians are going to regret the day they threatened my mate. That much is certain.

Bella – BPOV

Days fly by as Jasper and I lose ourselves in training, but even Jasper's enthusiasm can stop me from missing Demetri terribly. I do hope they catch those idiotic Romanians quickly. I know why Aro forbade me from going on that mission with Demi, but surely there would have been a way for me to tag along somehow. I sigh as Jasper tries to get my attention by gently nudging my shoulder before saying, "Stop moping, pumpkin. You will be able to join Demetri on his missions as soon as you master this amazing gift of yours. One more reason to focus on what I'm trying to teach you, don't you think?"

Jasper chuckles as I stick out my tongue in response and say: "You're enjoying this 'I'm-the-smart-big-brother' thing way too much, Jazz. It's a good thing I like having a brother. Don't tell me you don't miss Alice."

Jasper smiles as he looks down at his clothes and says, "Of course I miss her. I put on faded jeans and a ragged T-shirt this morning, and no one gave me hell about it. I mean, what's not to miss?"

I giggle as I imagine Alice scolding Jasper for wearing something non-fashionable, and I smile as I say, "You wouldn't love her if she wasn't like that."

Jaspers smiles softly as he nods and says, "So true, indeed. Now, let's get to work. I want you to run out into the vineyard and hide. Do whatever it takes to shield yourself from me. Let's see how long it takes me to find you."

I snort as Jasper motions toward the vineyard and roll my eyes as I say, "We're playing hide-and-seek?"

Jasper laughs loudly as he shakes his head before saying, "You can call it that if you want, pumpkin, but I call it training. Now, get going. If I didn't know better, I would start to think you don't want to master your gift anytime soon."

Jasper laughs out loud as I flip him off before rushing into the vineyard. I'll show him how Bella Volturi plays hide-and-seek. He is never going to find me.

Demetri - DPOV

It's obvious everyone is more than annoyed by the cat-and-mouse game those Romanians are playing, but the fact is that Alice's vision hasn't changed since we left Volterra, even though her plan to fool the Romanians worked perfectly. It's uncanny how much Alice looks like Bella with that wig on. It wouldn't surprise me if she had the damn thing custom-made. Even her clothes are a perfect copy of the ones Bella wears, and it makes me miss my wife even more. I'm never leaving her side after this mission, that's for sure. Maybe it's time to retire as Captain of the Guard. Jasper, for example, would be more than suited to take my place. I should ask him when I return home. Not that Aro would ever agree.

I quickly spin around as a twig snaps behind me, and I shake my head as Alice walks toward me, her hands raised in mock surrender. I roll my eyes as I turn my gaze back toward the enemy camp while Alice plops down next to me with a smile on her face. A few minutes pass in silence as we both watch the movement in the camp on the horizon before Alice turns to look at me and says, "He would do it for Bella, you know. He wouldn't hesitate for a second if you were to ask him. Nor would Aro."

It takes me a second to realize what she's on about, and I smile softly as I bump her shoulder with mine before saying, "Has Jasper ever successfully surprised you, Alice? I feel sorry for the man, you know. You even pick up visions triggered by simple inner musings."

Alice rolls her eyes as she swats my arm playfully before saying, "Simple inner musings, my ass. Being with Bella is something you long for, Demetri Volturi. Your heart aches without her near, and if it were up to you, you would never leave her side ever again. Don't try to tell me otherwise because I've seen it. Just like I saw that Jasper and Aro will agree without hesitation when you ask them. They love Bella very much, and they will do anything to make her happy. Having you by her side will make her the happiest of all, and Jasper and Aro know that. Just ask them."

I smile as I nod and say, "I will. Thank you, Alice. Your help is highly appreciated, even when you're quite annoying at times."

Alice giggles as she gives me a side hug and says, "I like you too, Demetri. Now, how about we..."

A sudden intake of breath alerts me to the fact that Alice is sucked into another vision, and I wait patiently as her eyes flick from one side to the other while the vision plays out in front of her eyes. Exactly seventy-four seconds pass before Alice emerges from her vision. Her face looks determined as she turns to look at me and says, "Bella successfully mastered her shield. It is time to make our final move, Captain."

I nod in agreement as I throw one final glance toward the enemy camp before walking back in the direction of our camp and saying, "It is, indeed."

Jasper – JPOV

I must admit I had my doubts when Alice told me Bella would master her within one week, but here I am searching the vineyard for the umpteenth time without the tiniest clue as to where Bella might be hiding. Damn, she is good at this. A soft giggle from behind me has me turning around quickly, but I let out a low growl as I find no one there, "Okay, Bells, you made your point. Now, come out so we can go and watch a movie."

Another giggle to my left makes me swing my head that way, and I can't help but smile as Bella steps out from behind one of the large vines with a bright smile plastered on her face and says, "And what is my point, Jasper?"

I shake my head as I let out a loud laugh and smile as I pull her in a side hug before saying, "That you excel at playing hide and seek. I'm proud of you, pumpkin. No vampire has ever mastered their gift this quickly. You are amazing."

I smile even wider as Bella rests her head against my shoulder and says, "I couldn't have done it without you, Jazz. You're the best big brother a girl can ask for."

I chuckle as I lead Bella back to the villa and say, "I'm glad you still think so. Now, which movie do you want to watch?"

Bella rolls her eyes as my cell phone rings just as she starts to answer my question. I smile as I pull it out of my pocket to silence it, but immediately answer the call as I see who's calling. "What's wrong?"

A chuckle sounds through the line, and Bella's eyes grow large as she recognizes her mate's voice as he says, "We're preparing to attack the Romanians at dawn. Vladimir and Stefan will notice Bella is not with us, and they will leave for Italy immediately. Alice sees them passing by the villa twenty-seven hours from now with you and Bella safely hidden inside the villa. Bella's shield will ensure you remain unseen by them. I forbid you to engage them, Jasper. Your only priority is keeping Bella safe. Stay inside at all times. Is that clear?"

I frown as I continue to lead Bella toward the house and say, "Did Alice foresee something you're not telling us?"

Bella giggles as Demetri lets out a laugh before saying, "No, she had not, but engaging the Romanians would be a last-minute decision on your end. You know better than anyone how your wife feels about pesky last-minute decisions. Speaking of your wife, she wants you to know a yellow Porsche will get you back in her good books. Do I even want to know what you did to get on her bad side?"

I groan as I pinch my nose and say, "Let's say I did the one thing I know not to do. I doubted one of her visions. I'd say I'm getting off cheap. Just wait until you do something to piss Bella off. I can't wait to see you grovel."

Demetri chuckles as he says, "I bet you do. Speaking of my lovely wife, can I talk to her?"

Bella - BPOV

I don't even give Jasper time to respond to Demetri's question as I pluck the cell phone from his hand and rush inside the villa while saying, "I miss you so much, Demi."

The smile is noticeable in his voice as I hear him say, "Not as much as I much you, tesoro. I'll be home soon. Alice sees us leaving for Italy two days from now. It's almost over, cara mia. And then I'm never leaving your side ever again. I promise you."

I smile as I shake my head and say, "You can't promise me such a thing, Demi. You're the Captain of the Volturi. Aro will need you in Volterra at times, and that's okay. I know how much you love your job."

Demetri's voice is harsher than I'm used to as he interrupts me and says, "And I love you more, Bella. Nothing is more important to me than you. You're my life."

A soft sigh escapes my lips as I smile and say, "And you are mine. I love you so much, Demi."

"I love you too, amore mio. Fuck, I wish I could talk to you a little while longer, but everyone is waiting for me. Promise me you'll stay inside with Jasper. I need to know you're safe."

The rising volume of voices at his side tells me he is walking back to the rest of the group, and I smile wistfully as I say, "I promise, Demi. Please be careful."

"I will, cara mia. Make sure Jasper stays inside with you. I will see you soon."

Demetri disconnects the call right after I whisper my goodbye, and I sigh as I walk back to the living room. I can't wait for Demetri to be back home with me.

The rest of the day and night pass in comfortable silence after Jasper joins me in the living room, where we watch some of our favorite movies, and it isn't until Jasper very abruptly turns off the television that I realize twenty-six hours have passed since Demetri's phone call. Jasper simply smiles as he pulls me into his side and says, "Time to hide, pumpkin. Can you focus on keeping that beautiful shield tight around us for a couple of hours?"

I nod decisively as I take a deep unneeded breath before focusing on my shield. I smile as it easily slips around Jasper, and I say, "Done. Now, what do we do?"

Jasper gives me a quick smile as he turns to look through the large window at the vineyard, and the tension is visible in his posture as he says, "Now we wait for those bastards to pass."

Silence settles between us after that statement, and I softly lay my head against Jasper's shoulder while keeping my gaze fixed on the vineyard. I don't even realize I'm holding my breath until I spot movement outside fifty minutes later.

Jasper – JPOV

I feel the anger rise inside me as I watch the vampires rushing through the vineyard and easily recognize the snow-white hair of Vladimir as he yells something over his shoulder to the vampires behind him. My fingers itch to pull his head from his shoulders. How dare he come here to hurt my sister? A soft hand on my hand pulls my attention away from the scum rushing toward Volterra, and I smile as Bella wraps her hands around my waist before pulling me close and saying, "How about you pick another movie to watch before you do something rash?"

I nod as I glance outside and find the Romanians long gone. Well, I can only hope Aro takes his time when he gets his hands on those bastards.

Aro – APOV

The tension is high as my brothers and I wait for the Romanians to enter the city boundaries. We've been too lenient with them in the past, but that will not be the case when I get my hands on them this time. I grind my teeth in anger as I recall the pain and anguish on Alice's face when she told me of my daughter's faith if Vladimir got his hands on her. Not in a million years am I going to let that happen. His life ends today, just like the life of everyone that accompanies him here.

A soft knock on the throne room door interrupts my thoughts, and I rise from my throne as Gianna enters the room and says, "One of the lower guards spotted the Romanians as they entered the city through the east gate, Master Aro."

I smile sinisterly as I nod and say, "Very well, Gianna. Please go and hide in your room. It would be a pity if they stumbled upon you in their search for my daughter."

Caius chuckles at the panicked look on Gianna's face as she leaves the throne hall in a hurry, and I shake my head as he says, "You should have let them eat her, Aro. The girl is not cut out to be one of us."

I roll my eyes as I keep my eyes fixed on the throne room doors and say, "You say that every time, Caius, but at least Gianna is good at her job. You know how hard it is to find decent help nowadays."

Caius huffs at my words but refrains from further comment as the sound of fighting draws near and nods approvingly as the throne room guards move in front of us while Renata grabs hold of my cloak. A few minutes pass before Vladimir enters the throne room, followed by Stefan, and two other vampires, and yells, "Where is that daughter of yours, Aro? I have big plans for her!"

I grin as I take a deliberate step forward and say, "No, Vladimir, I have big plans for you."

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