So here is yet another chapter of this mysterious story, that is yet to keep you wanting more. I do hope you haven't been waiting too long, and I would love to thank all my new followers and the ones who are still continuing to follow this story.
Cathy29jes - Thanks again for your wonderful review. It most certainly will remain to be seen, but where the path takes them all, there will be some bumps and surprise too that will make it all worth it. Let's hope they finally understand what will happen if they can work it out in time.
Kouga's older woman - Thank you for your excellent review. I do too as it's definitely makes a change to how he was before she came along.
kelmikmag - Thank you for your amazing review. I'm glad you think so, but don't worry they will continue to be interesting as there is more surprises to come. Now that is where the fun starts to happen with seeing when they come together.
I don't own twilight and all rights goes to Stephanie Meyer
Chapter 22
Demetri POV
While having some enjoyment at incapacitating newborn after newborn from Maria's army, as I have a detest for newborn armies in general even if I was a newborn myself. I find this to be the one and the same army that my masters has gotten myself and others of the coven to observe but not encounter at any cost, I find myself disobeying as I really haven't got the time or patience to obey an order that I wasn't given recently as I have a mission that doesn't require obeying those orders that is separate from this mission, much to my delight.
Being that this army was to be under observation, I knew that my mission was to retrieve guests for this celebration, while I now know I will be running late for, if you can ignore the unintentional of it being ironic that I'm running late and I'm running to do this sort of side mission you could call it, thankfully I should be in the clear as I sent one of my fellow guards who joined me for the mission to send word to my masters about it and that I will explain further when I eventually return.
Well as I continue to keep decapitating heads of these newborns that seem to be endless, I still try to piece together what the old lady spoke to me after just sorting out the last guest on my part of the list, which I will say didn't go as easy as I originally thought but still managed to convince them to willingly turn up as requested. The weird thing about this old lady is that she seemed undeterred of my presence like she was fearful or effected by me being inhuman in more ways than it is the word out loud, all she did was stand there waiting for me, but when I did approach her, she seemed more wise than I could give her credit for, as I remember exactly what she said to me, "I know what you are, and who you are, so you don't need to speak but just listen, you are to track down Maria and retrieve three individuals and bring them with you back to where you call home, from there everything will fit into place, but whatever you do, they must stay with you till the war is over, from then destiny will decide".
Even now being here at the orders of that human yet wise old lady, what she said made little sense but if she wants me to track down someone who Ive been wanting to destroy and end her army for ages, as I knew there was a law against newborn armies, but the kings never let any of us to destroy them, for a reason even they was unsure of, but always told us that the time will arrive when we can get involved and stop them. With this opportunity that i'm taking full advantage of from the wise words if the old lady im gonna kill two birds with one stone.
After incapacitating yet another newborn, I heard two voices calling off the newborns which I was unsure of but got curious as to the reason as it was uncommon for them to just stop without one, oddly enough the same two voices who stopped the newborns attacking was the same two who ordered the newborns to attack, which I knew meant that they must be in charge but not the leader which confused me as I didn't expect Maria would allow someone to take charge, even though I knew she had the god of war in her ranks, but I just thought that he would just be in the army not taking charge, so my curiosity grew more and I was looking forward to getting a chance to talk to her to find out more, as well as doing what the old lady spoke to of.
As the newborns finally dispersed, allowing me to see two vampires, one of them I clearly recognise as the one who the kings have named The God Of War, he didn't look like the name he was given as to me he just looked like a vampire who was most definitely not a newborn, he had honey blond hair, looked to be tall but same in height as myself, the way he wore his top you could see all the scars on his arms giving him the appearance of being in lots of these newborn wars with Maria.
Whereas the other vampire next to him, shared similar in clothing, height, the slight difference is that he had brown hair, but the more I took of his appearance he didn't seem to have many scars which gave me the impression that he hasn't been around as long as his friend, but around longer enough that also makes him not a newborn, which does make me wonder why two vampires are working with Maria or under her leadership, but able to be around pass the newborn stage, as I knew that she wasn't with her sisters now so she wasn't one to share the glory unless there is more going on that I'm unaware of.
"Do you have any clue to why she wanted us to stop letting the newborns attack the cloaked one, even if it's unusual for one of them to attack us unlike the other times where they just observe us from a considerable amount of distance away that left us alone?" The brown haired vamp spoke in a whispered tone to the honey blond haired, "you don't have to whisper I can clearly hear you, and I'm just as curious as you are but for other reasons, I will gladly tell you my reasoning for being here and doing what I did, if you just take me to Maria" I stated to them both, "follow us, but if you try to attack either of us I will rip your head clean off, no matter what the mistress wants you for" the honey blond spoke in a thick southern accent.
So I knew I was right with my assumption that they was not working alongside her but under her, but there still felt like unanswered questions as from the look of these two they could be a match for her even with her additional years more than they both have, as what I know if Maria, she's not much of a fighter but more of a dictator who manipulates others to get what she wants, which I assumed must be why the kings have left her in peace as she hasn't tried to take enough territory to bother them or interfere with their territory of Volterra.
As I continue to follow them, the brown haired one was watching me continuously like he was assessing me or waiting for me to do or say something, almost like he was expecting it, " if your watching me to think I will attack then you don't have to worry as I'm here to talk with Maria and only her as I have business to attend to that she needs to hear about" I stated, which caused him to just smile and skip ahead to walk alongside his friend again, while whispering something causing the honey blond to sigh like he's exhausted of what his friend told him, which just made the brown haired to chuckle.
As we headed to the doorway of where I assumed Maria must be as that was who I asked for, so assuming that is who they told me to follow will be here, as I took one last look at building I'm heading into, it has a different look to it compared to outside of this part of the territory that they claimed, as in the territory there are just smaller tents for a single or pair of newborns to be housed, but this one seemed different as it was made of the same as the smaller tents but this one seemed like a normal building sized tent to hold multiple people, which must mean that she spends majority of time here with the two vampires I'm walking with. This building sized tent was coloured like green but has plenty of patches of dry mud where it has been taken down and rebuilt from moving from one place to another.
As I walked through the doorway it seemed to have a simple furnishing, nothing complicated or special just simplistic which I expected from someone like Maria as she wasn't one to have much with her when she needed a quick escape from possible enemies that she had or still does have with the many territories that she has gained causing others to try and take back eventually. The furniture that was in here was a simple desk in the on the right side, while the left side and middle contained a large circular round table with what looked like a giant map and pieces of paper scattered around it, which looked to be battle plans and other matters that was scribbled down to discuss before going out to take new territories and destroy more armies.
On this very simple desk was seated a small women who when she saw us moved with incredible speed which put even some of the guards back at Volterra in shame, but as she stopped right in front of myself, the two vampires on my left and right side moved to stand beside the wall behind the desk just watching to us both. As I took a full body detailed look, from top to bottom she most definitely hadn't changed one bit, even with the with her intoxicating smell she gave off everytime we together, looking at , her scarlet red eyes that gave off a sort of glow, that made her appearance the main focal point, but she never needed just her beautiful eyes to get my attention as just the ruffling of her raven black hair and her olive toned skin tone made being here for business so much harder as usually I came here for something else entirely.
The intoxicating smell of her hormones building up despite the two vampires who are still here showed that she didn't care who was in the room to want me so much, so with a hesitated push to stop her circling me to take every part of me which I knew was making the intoxicating smell more and more hard to ignore, she looked to be shocked as I rarely ever push her away unless I was here for business as I was here for which I really didn't look forward to.
"We have audience here, not just that as much as I hate to say it I'm here for business only and a bit of a rush too, so maybe we could tone it down for now until we have more time" I said with a bit of a grunt as I really didn't enjoy this, even if I did enjoy taking down her newborns that she knows I didn't approve of.
"Well the audience we have, I can't dismiss due to certain issues that have been happening as of recent, which I would have gladly removed if you were here for pleasure" Maria responded with a licking of her ruby red lips. ""As you was saying your here for business so what is it that I can do for you, and don't mind those two as they are loyal to a fault so you shouldn't have to worry about them seeing us together" she continued with a small wink. She was making this harder for me than it was supposed to be as with all this secretive flirting that she was doing and from the looks from the other two vampires in the room, where one of them was smirking the other was trying to not show some disgust in his facial expression, which made me slightly chuckle at his uncomfort but slight annoyance of the brown haired smirking behaviour.
With a small cough to try and clear my throat even if it was unnecessary, " so yes as I was saying neither the masters know of me being here or even sent me here but I would like to formally invite you to join a sort of celebration for someone special to the castle which as much as I like to tell you more on that I think it be a nice surprise that you will be interested to find out" I said with a smirk on my face before continuing " besides that I was sent here by a old lady who seemed to be also human but very wise, almost like she is older than she appears to be, as she said she brought up the subject of the ancient war again that requires someone that the volturi needs for it to end without this great evil to win" I explained with hesitation as what I was gonna say is the bit I was more dreading the answer she may respond back with.
"Who is the someone that is required because I doubt it would be me as you have already asked for me to come with you to this celebration of sorts that I'm most interested to knowing more about* Maria asked losing her musical tone but replaced with something else that I couldn't quite work out but it made me worry, " well that someone goes by the name Major Jasper Whitlock, but the old lady did say that he may not be willing to leave of his own accord or without a certain individual that she very gratefully told me that this other individual is named Captain Peter Whitlock" I finish saying while taking a few more steps backwards as seeing Maria's face scrunch up in a expression that I couldn't tell which as I knew a few expressions that could cause her to do that and one of them was anger, which I had a strong feeling it was.
"You want me to give up my two best soldiers to help in a war that is so ancient that I have never heard of but only heard as rumours since I was a child, and you want me to give them up to the volturi of all beings, I know that you will disagree but they are a bunch of power hungry vampires that wouldn't give him back even once this stupid ancient war is over, not just that but I will be without them for god knows how long, which means I could lose my beautiful territories and army that has served me faithfully" Maria ranted so angrily she could have left scorch marks on the ground as her anger was so intense I could feel actually feel it, which didn't feel right as I have been around others when anger but this was different as I actually felt it on a intense level.
After a few moments passed the intense feeling that I felt earlier subsided where I felt a calm wave wash over me, it made me feel better but also slightly confused, I would ask about it but Maria was looking at me with venom dripping from her eyes, " I love you Demetri but this is asking too much even If I owe you for keeping me and my army alive from your bosses this long" Maria said tearfully, all I could think to do was to comfort her as I felt I owed her that at least, so I walked to be within touching distance and I hugged her not caring about the other two in the room or giving them a look to see what they expressing on their faces. "I'm sorry my angel, if there is a way I could make this better or let you in about it all I would but it's not for me to tell you, but I do have a small question, what was that before when you was angry with me, as I actually felt your burning anger, then a few moments afterwards I felt a calming wave, was that you or someone else* I asked gently while rubbing her shoulder to let her know I'm still here.
She sniffled, "oh that, that was the Major's gift at work, sorry I didn't mention it, it didn't seem important to tell you but after what just happened I felt like I owed you that as it's why I feel the way I do and why I don't want to lose him" she explained quietly, "before you ask the Captain doesn't have a gift but does seem to have something that's akin to a gift as he seems to pick up on things and know what's gonna happen before they happen, but it's hard to explain" Maria spoke calmly while snuggled up in my arms still.
"Very well I can leave these two with you awhile longer but I will come back again to see if you change your mind, but I would love for you to come with me to the celebration if you be willing" I said with some hope that she would be willing to agree as even though I despise her newborn army as it's the law and she knows that, I still love her too much to let any harm come to her to destroy her with them, and I hope that the masters agree, which I have a idea on how I can get her to the celebration without too much trouble. Before Maria could respond, the one named Peter approach us both, " sorry to interrupt your twos valuable time as I know it's short before you, Demetri departs back to Volterra, I have a suggestion that might benefit you both but of course that's if you both agree to it, as well as the Major as it will obviously include him" Peter informed us, well for me I was willing to listen if it was to benefit us as if it makes this being here worthwhile then I'm willing to listen to his suggestion.
"Well I'm listening as you have yet to deter us yet, so let's hear it as I know my Demetri won't be against hearing it" Maria spoke musically which I knew meant she was back to her usual self and she knew me well enough, so I just nodded my approval, "very well then as I know that Maria and you are mates which the Major has confirmed to me as he can tell by the intense feelings you both feel for each other, I think that you both should attend this celebration as it will be a good thing that neither of you will regret attending as I have this strong feeling about it, besides that for your army mistress you shall not worry as I will stay to protect your territories until we are needed as I will explain later in due time as of now it's not needed to know about, but the Major is required to be at that celebration as there is something there that even I'm unsure of precisely what it is but I have a suspicion that he be glad that he was there, not just that but the Major can act as Maria's personal guard whenever, you Demetri are unable to be there" Peter explained very thoroughly without giving any of us time to get a word in or to interrupt.
As I took the suggestion that Captain Peter Whitlock came up with, at parts I was happy with, some I was confused but when he finished speaking I started to like the whole suggestion as it seemed well thought-out as even though I knew I would stay near her I was glad he managed to find a way to include the Major as her guard but also to work in my favour with what I asked her earlier, it almost felt like he wanted out of the whole army but had to find a compromise that pleases everyone until things could work the way they needed, he reminded me quite a bit of the wise old lady, maybe he was related to her or not but either way I will have to thank him as I feel like I owe him.
"So what do you three think?" Peter asked curiously, even though ask he asked you could hear his southern accent, not just that but something about his expression on his face just told me he knew what the answer would be, even if asking the question about what we thought of it would mean an opposite answer to the one he knew, "for me personally I like the idea as it works out just fine for me, even though the more I've seen of you I would have liked to spend more time to get to know you better alongside the Major and my Maria" I expressed with a genuine smile, Peter turned to the other two waiting to see if they would reply, "well you have yet to fail me even if some of what you say doesn't feel me with much confidence, but I will trust you this once brother" Major spoke in his thick southern accent, "what of you mistress as even if these two have agreed, it solely rests on you to decide if my suggestion is to go ahead as I know that if you agree you would technically leave me in charge of your army while your away which I know for a fact you would never do willingly as you did get me and the Major to deal with your sisters so you could rule solo instead of as a triple threat" Peter approach Maria slowly as he explained but then stopped a few inches from her, "not just that but I can see in your eyes that part of you wants to agree so you can be with your mate Demetri instead of being so far away that causes you so much pain that you put yourself fully into this Southern War with your newborn army that me and the Major have helped you with to claim so much territory just to avoid all that pain that builds up with every minute you spend away from him" Peter continued to explain.
I was in shock as with everything he spoke, was the truth and it's also everything I have told her before, when we met up often until most recently, but as it was coming from one of her most faithful soldier, but also one that she and the Major has said hasnt failed them with what he spoke that must have really got to her as she didn't seem to speak, it made me glad that she was speechless as it means she was actually listening to it all, as she was one who always was careful with how she approached anything, not just that she thought everything through so knowing her to not respond back with any type of comment, filled me with hope that might be something positive.
As the minutes passed by I knew I didn't have long left till I had to leave otherwise the masters would think I have either betrayed them, or been killed off, "I have to be going soon so if you are coming, we will need to leave soon otherwise it be too late" I mentioned with urgency as I just realized how long I've been here and knew that If I stayed too long the masters would be suspicious even more than normal, even if I wanted to stay longer with my sweet Maria.
"Don't go Demetri!" Maria shouted, louder than she expected as she put her hand over her own mouth, while glaring at Peter as he burst out laughing with his hands covering his mouth as trying to contain it, while myself I was shocked as when she shouted, which not just surprised herself but also me, as it showed that she cared more than she would normally show with her affection towards me in the past.
Due to my shock at hearing her call me to not go, I stopped and turned round to see her moving towards me, which j just opened my arms to hold on to her, "Captain Whitlock is correct with his statement about me and us" Maria sniffled, " knowing that your from the Volturi and myself who isn't well versed in this world as you are, I choose to ignore the mating pull that was so much stronger than myself, but ignoring that pull left me in pain that I needed a escape from which breaking the Volturi laws of creating a newborn army and not being careful, was something I knew was wrong but it also allowed me to see you to ease the pain each time, even if it was briefly and that having some of pleasure that comes with it, but never being fully accepting of the mating pull has got me through these years being lonely" Maria continued which the sniffling slowly stopped as she spoke, but I didn't want to interrupt as I knew she needed to get this off her chest as she always knew my thoughts on this matter.
"So what are you saying" I asked not wanting to say anything else but to let her take all that weight that she must have carried as I know what it feels like as I have felt that pain and wanting that came with the mating pull, but have pushed it aside so no one would think anything was wrong, all except master Marcus who I assume knows but managed to keep it hidden from everyone including Aro's gift for as long as I can think of.
" What I'm saying is if you have me I would be willing to join you to this celebration and take it step by step to see how to proceed from there, so I'm not saying I will join your bosses coven but I do want to be with you so we can attempt to fix things and be a proper mated pair as the captain has pointed out to me" Maria spoke with more of her old confidence returning now that she has finished sniffling into my arms. This time the Major decided he needed to speak up, " what about the army and your territories that you have claimed, or was it all for nothing, or was I for nothing, as being in this army of yours gave me purpose, now I won't have one but as your personal guard at this celebration that you are attending" the Major spoke in outrage, which must be more down to his confusion of all this, as i could see why he felt the way he did, as it was quicker than anyone could have expected my visit to cause all this.
"Major trust me while you are confused about what your life means now, going to that celebration will give you a purpose and a meaning that will make what your feeling now all worthwhile, but trust me you will want to let the mistress to continue" Peter spoke while he approached the major with his hand clapping his shoulder to show that everything will be fine, but to also trust him.
"Thank you Captain, but the Major is right that I didn't think how it would affect you all with how I have done things in the past and now deciding to change everything so quickly" Maria confirmed, with a small smile, " as you pointed out, well our army will be cared for with Captain Whitlock until i decide otherwise as I have no need to keep it, but I don't want to destroy it because of circumstances being changed" Maria clarified with the Captain nodding in agreement with a small smile showing he knew what was gonna be asked of him.
"As for you Major Jasper Whitlock, your brother in arms you should trust him as, being my personal guard but my dearest companion all this time, I would very much love for you to accompany me until you find your purpose and meaning for your life, if you would accept" Maria explained with a smile of her own trying to show she's trying to put things right even if I know it will take time for it to happen.
" I will accept your proposal as having this life of battles and constantly fighting for survival, I have been curious to what exists outside of it even if I am to find it hard to change feeling like I should always be in battle mode all the time" Major spoke with a sullen face while bowing his head.
"Demetri if you could give me some time to speak to my army while the Captain and Major to wait with you for me to finish so we can go about our ways to this celebration while the Captain stays" Maria pleaded, "that's fine as long as you are with me, I'm willing to wait so we can go together to start our lives, like I should be" I spoke with a smile on my face, while Peter smirked and the Major just looked mixed between happy and sad.
After several minutes that passed by in utter silence between us three as neither of us felt like starting a conversation or had anything we wanted to talk about as of this moment, as we waited we could hear Maria speaking to the army and some outbursts from the newborns who must have got themselves together from my little fight with them which I found to quite fun and easy, posing no challenge as I have had to go up against tougher armies before but also fought with the Children of the Moon who was most certainly a tough challenge that even gave the kings a fight they could have lost if it wasn't for Jane and Alec's powerful gifts that aided us in our victory.
Silence continued to stay even outside was quiet as the emergence of Maria appear from the doorway told us all that we needed to know, from the facial expression on her face, I could see that it took a lot out of her, as she appeared to be hurt not physically but mentally, she looked to be saddened but slightly relieved as even though it was sad to leave this chapter of her life it was a heavy weight that has been lifted from her to not have all that responsibility or have the need to conquer territory after territory.
"It is done, Captain please keep them safe for me, they have all been warned that you are the leader and that they have to take all and every order that you give like it would have been given by myself" Maria spoke musically, which gave me the impression that she was feeling like herself again even if her face gave off a different impression as I could tell she would miss this, which gave me a idea to run pass the Major and the kings if they would accept her and my idea, that may help her and them in the long run.
"So now that's done, let's get this journey started, so I hope you both are prepared for the celebration as I'm not sure how well us being late will be taken definitely as I sent one of the other guards to relay my message to the kings" I said with so much happiness filling my entire body that caused even the Major to smile more.
Heidi POV
Meanwhile in the castle
Since Marcus came into the throne room, to tell everyone that Isabella spoke her first word which not just surprised everyone that she spoke her first world, and he heard it first but it was more about the word she spoke that got everyone talking about afterwards, it even made everyone laugh, including the twins couldn't stop laughing about it whenever it was mentioned, much to Master Marcus's disapproved facial expression whenever he was in hearing distance as Isabella calling him mama was just too funny to let go.
Besides all that everyone has been attempting to spend as much time around Isabella as possible, while so competing with each other to see who gets to hear her talk again as it's something that's become a sort of fascination amongst the coven, which for me I find hilarious as so far none has yet to witness it since the time that Marcus saw it, for myself I've been checking on everyone to see how they are doing but to see if there is news on either the twin's cracking situation that unknown to them as when it was mentioned to them, they said that they couldn't see any cracks and thought we all went nuts, even if we could see it, but also waiting for the arrival of the other guests as only one has so far arrived who is Aro's friend Carlisle.
Not long after Carlisle arrived Aro was at the door to greet him and to ask him about his travels, while having his own hands clasping his friend's hands to make sure that he was an ally and not working against us as was the case with felix who is a heavy reminder to us all to be on guard with everyone even to the ones we consider allies or close friends from the times we have seen them in the past as we can't be sure who is against us and who is still with us as Caius would constantly reminded us all when we knew that Carlisle was on his way before, as we knew that as he is the first to arrive it wouldn't be long till the others arrive too.
A few hours pass with no other guests, but also that the three masters, twins and Carlisle went missing which I assumed that they was occupied in the library as Renata was outside guarding that particular room while everyone else was doing other duties or their own thing until more guests arrive, as it was still early for the celebration to begin.
As I was walking around the castle with little Isabella in arm dressed in her little party dress that the Queens was adamant to design themselves as being in the tower they started to design and create their own clothing, but more recently Isabella's clothes, the party dress they made for her was made with expensive quality silk that was hard to come across, but was designed with little flower patterns that went round the trim of the bottom of the dress that was simple yet elegant which suited Isabella's style even for a one year old child.
As I made my route round the castle I stopped to check on everyone, allowed them to talk or give Isabella some attention then went to the next room until I ended up at the library to see if the kings had time for her. While I was at the door or the library I overheard several things that was said that surprised me but also didn't, as I knew they was gonna inform him about the twins situation to see if he had any knowledge about it, as among his travels he may have come across it, which he denied knowing anything of use, but as they started to talk about Isabella that is when she made he presence as well as my own known to them in the room which caused me to open the door.
"Hi sorry to intrude but I was curious if any of you would like to spend some time with this little one before the guests will soon arrive" I said in my most innocent tone I could think of so they didn't suspect me of overhearing their conversation. "You not intruding actually, if anything I'm most curious to her myself as from what I have been told about her she is quite special yet mysterious, for someone or something yet so young to this world who could have so many possibilities to what she can or can do when she is of age" Carlisle explained, while clearly spoke before anyone had chance to speak, which pleased me as I was glad to hear him speak of something besides his past failed attempts at converting us to what he considers the best food source to survive on than what we have as he says his way is more morally correct, even though no matter his past attempts none have converted to his cause, even though he only seemed to annoy everyone besides master Aro, as such he was just more curious than annoyed like the rest us was.
"Would you like to hold her, as if Aro is fine with you holding her but if I see you harm her then I know I won't be the only one in this room to see your life ended, as we are highly protected of her, but if you can shine any light on anything that you think can help us to understand her more as you have been around humans, it could help us with your better understanding of them than we do ourselves, if my masters can forgive me for overstepping any boundaries, that I may have stepped on" I asked curiously.
As Carlisle slowly approached me to hold Isabella, everyone had their eyes on him with mixed emotions but all worried of her safety as Carlisle may be trusted to Aro everyone else had their worries that being not on our diet could make him less in control than he thinks he is, even without showing any signs of losing control. As Carlisle watched Isabella with curiosity she seemed to raise her tiny arms up with her hand open to grab his finger, which none of us expected but still watched intently. " She is a marvel indeed Aro, everything you told me you are right, she most certainly seems to have everything that a normal human baby would possessed yet, and excuse me if I say anything you don't agree with, she is missing something that I can't understand to make her human, but of something else, that bugs me like it's something that I've heard about before I was turned like a myth that is true yet shouldn't be true either" Carlisle explained while never taking his eyes off Isabella's eyes who's changed to matched his own then to red and then back to chocolate brown colour again, which caused a small gasp to escape Carlisle's mouth.
"Don't worry my friend you haven't said anything that we haven't been aware of ourselves, but you have given us something that I heard someone called food for thought, as what you did tell us about a myth that you came across is new to us as we haven't been aware of this so called myth that we would love to hear more about if you be willing" Aro informed with a smile that just looked creepy which made Caius move away from him, which caused Marcus and the twins to snigger in laughter, which just made Caius send them a evil glare.
I would have joined in if it wasn't for the fact I was just curious about this myth too as with all the places we travel to on missions or to see the world when we shop, that some of us get to do o was surprised that none of us have come across this myth either, maybe Carlisle would be inclined to tell us how he knew about it.
Just as I was about to ask Carlisle a question, there was a knock on the library door, all of us turned to the sound of the knocking," I get it and whoever it is I will send them away if it isn't of importance" Caius said while walking towards the door that I was still standing at, but he seemed to avoid walking near Aro. As he got to the door and opened it while still not opening it enough for all of us to see who it was, " ah you returned, alone or with the others?" He spoke to the one behind the door, " alone but the others are on their way with the guests, but I have an important message that I was told by Demetri to pass to you and the other masters" the voice said with a gulping sound that followed afterwards.
"Let him in brother, if it's as important as he says then we need to hear it, if it's not then we can let Jane or Alec do as they want with him for interrupting us" Marcus announced, while seeing both of the twins share a smirk, which I wasn't sure what was worse that master Marcus came up with that idea or that Alec was joining in with the smirk of pleasure to cause pain to someone, it must be connected to the cracks they both have on them or that they still feel like needing to let off some anger from the master's announcement from before which I was hoping they would let go by now, but I guess they won't let it go as easily as other like myself would be.
As Caius opened the door wider to let the guard in, I could tell he was nervous, which shows that he is still new to everything within this castle with our coven way of dealing with anything. As I watched the guard slowly walk in front, while Caius slammed the door closed, causing the nervous guard to jump into the air, which just made us all chuckle, "speak guard as you interrupted our important conversation for something so speak before I let dear Jane use her gift on you, if you don't start speaking in the next five seconds" Caius said frustratingly while making his way to his chair next to the other two masters and the twins.
"Trust me you will want to start speaking as I accidentally interrupted them and being as your still new you do not want to be on the wrong end of either of the twins gifts or master Caius's anger" I said to the guard in a gentle tone to hope that he begins to talk, the guard stands there and coughs to try and clear his throat which I knew he did intentionally "sorry for interrupting and thank you kind miss" the guard spoke in a deep tone, I just nodded my head and waited, " well as I was on the mission with everyone to get the guests, which I found awkward as I didn't know them very well, even though this couple was very kind to me which surprised me as I thought they would react differently as I'm from this coven but I guess that being new and them, not knowing who I am but only the coven im from aloud me to explain why I was there, which turned out they was happy to attend as they said they needed something new and interesting to do with their long life" the guard spoke, which from the tapping of feet from where the masters was sitting seemed to suggest that they wasn't interested with the explanation. "We didn't want to hear you talk about the mission, we wanted to hear the reason for Demetri gave you a message to tell us, so tell us the message and not any more of mission details otherwise I might come and end you myself" Caius spoke frustratingly while slamming his hands to the table which Marcus just glared at him because of it.
"Sorry, sorry, please forgive me, I just thought you wanted to hear the before, instead of just the message, I apologize" the guard spoke quickly while bowing his head several times, which I just walked to him to put my hand on his shoulder, "relax, and if you need to breathe, now try to tell us the message as everyone here has been having a tense conversation with Aro's friend who oddly enough has been quiet this whole time listening from the seams of it, but please do try to hurry as none of us really like to be in the room with an angry master Caius" I said gently.
As the guard took several gasps of air, "sorry for my nervousness as a human I wasn't very good at talking to people" the guard spoke, " anyway, Demetri came to me and told me that he finished inviting one of the guests, but came across a old wise lady who told him to take a important side mission to retrieve some individuals who he didn't tell me who they was but told me to tell you that he was going to get them and he might be running a little late because of it, also he said that when he arrives he wants only master Marcus to be the one to be at the entrance to speak to about it, besides that he didn't tell me much else but that not to let master Aro or Caius to see these guests until master Marcus has sorted it out first" guard explained, "does that make sense to you all, as I don't want to get him in trouble if I muddled it up or anything" he followed up saying, causing me to chuckle.
"You may leave the room and do whatever duties that may still need you assistance if not do whatever you please until our guests arrive" Aro said while waving the guard off back out the room. After the guard left the room everyone was talking to each other very fast that I could make out only a few words, most of them was annoyance or curious to who the old lady was or the guests that Demetri went to get, as for myself I shared similar concerns to what I could make out from everyone, but other than that I couldn't take my eyes off Carlisle as he was the only one to not be speaking but just watching, probably not used to witnessing how things must have changed from his last time living here with the kings, but yet not knowing how much as he is yet to see the other changes that have happened or about to in the future.
I left the room leaving Carlisle with Isabella as I knew she would be fine with him as the masters, and the twins would take care of her amongst what other business they aim to talk about, as well as what the guard said about Demetri, as it most likely has risen more questions than could have been expected, part of me just couldn't get out of my head if Demetri is fine as taking a side mission within a mission was unheard of for him to do but not just that for him to do it without the masters being aware of it before he goes ahead with a side mission, all the time I've known him it just didn't feel right like something was different, it was definitely something I will have to ask him about when he returns as having a sibling bond with him despite not being related by blood we have always looked out for each other, so we could always tell when something wasn't right with the other and this feeling has been one I've noticed for a while, but recently it seemed to be worse where I feel like I have to mention it to him.
I feel mentally exhausted enough where I feel like I need to relax on my bed alone hoping that everything will make more sense in a few hours when the other guests should arrive alongside the rest of the guards who accompanied Demetri on his mission.
Carlisle POV
"You are awfully quiet my friend, is something the matter?" Aro asked me looking to very concerned, pushing myself out of my thoughts to turn my head to my friend, "sorry it's just that from the last time I spent living here, so much has changed, for the better, it's just that it's quite a bit to take in, not just that with what you told me before Heidi came in with Isabella, if I got the name right, but not just that but adding to what one of I assume one if the new guards that you have here telling you about what Demetri told him to tell you, it's just astounding" I explained while not giving time to stop unlike when I was around humans as I had to appear more human to blend in, but here I didn't need to as much, even if certain aspects I still continue to do as a reflex, almost like it's by instinct.
"If you still have more questions that you wanna ask us then please do as it's one of the reasons why we asked you to join us five in here, to see you perspective and any theories you may have, as with your history and that you spend more time with humans you have have heard information that we would not have heard that is valuable to us" Marcus informed me, it still took quite a bit by surprise to hear him speak as when I was here before he rarely spoke or didn't say anything at all, so all conversations I had was mainly from the other two kings than himself, so the child that they said that was in their care, must have caused something to affect Marcus to seem more alive, which I know will be subject that everyone will be talking about in the celebration that they have been talking heavily about so far, among other subjects which will have some interesting turn of events, that I expect they already knew or had a feeling will be talked about.
"Well I wouldn't say that any of the theories I have been thinking of would be something you all may like but they may be the closest I can think of that may help, as for my questions they may come across as too personal but it may be questions that needs to be asked, if that fine with you all" I explained hoping that they understand my view as being a pacifist I try to avoid fighting so if I could talk my way out of a fight to begin then I will, but I also know that sometimes a fight is unavoidable like just like the one they have mentioned called the ancient war that heavily involves Isabella more than anyone here.
"Well we be rude to decline your opinions, but if you can try to avoid upsetting anyone my friend then, please ask away" Aro said cheerfully, while some weariness showed in his tone when he spoke like he knew that the others may not agree with my questions and theories, but it was like he knew that I was right with when I mentioned that they will also need to be asked for anyone to get answers. "Well my first question is something I've be wondering about since I got here, mainly concerning the twins, as I've noticed that not just that they are cracking but they are behaving slightly different to when I last met them, so I'm not sure if it's because I've not been in their presence for so long or if it's to do with them changes they are most likely under" I explained, them stopping for a second to see the twins look at each other like what I said may be right, "as to my question, Jane and Alec, does both of your gifts still work or have changed that you have been aware of recently?" I asked curiously, which as I waited for an answer, I saw that everyone looked at them as I was, but they also seemed to be stumped by the question themselves, almost like they knew something or if they didn't didn't know how to respond to the question I asked.
"Actually we haven't used our gifts for awhile, not out of fear as we don't fear our gifts as everyone knows I take pleasure using mine to punish the guilty or anyone who disrespects me in anyway I see it, but myself more than anything I have been paying more attention to Isabella to bother to use my gift, as no one has tried to harm her or take her from me right away
even, even in the training room I haven't used it for awhile as I've been trying to better my fighting skills more so I'm not so heavily reliant on my gift all the time" Jane explained.
I turned to Alec, "what about yourself, are you in agreement with your twin sister or have you used your gift but not mentioned it to your her for her to say that you haven't used them in awhile" I asked him as he didn't seem to show if he was in agreement with Jane or if he was in disagreement, "well my twin isn't wrong as neither of us have used our gifts in awhile as we have had our priorities occupied elsewhere with training without them and spending time with Isabella, but the one thing my twin missed out whether because we wasn't certain ourselves or something else, we have felt different in ourselves as myself have felt my gift change to where it most likely could do more than just do what it does, maybe like it's evolved or something, we not hundred percent certain, but that's all we can tell you until otherwise" Alec explained quite precisely, which shocked me with how much detail he gave out it was quite impressive that for someone who generally never spoke much unless to say small sentences or words to his sister or a few others outside of his social circle that I knew of when I was last here.
It's weird that after so many years that have passed since I was last here, so much has changed, yes they would say that's what happens when time passes by, but it's not just that makes me wonder why the changes have happened, as myself couldn't change anyone here to turn to my diet that makes me one of a kind, but the changes seems to revolve around Isabella or that's what my observations is allowing me to think, as the changes that's happening to the coven in particular, is the biggest change that I've noticed, even if it's the smallest ones that most wouldn't noticed, I've only noticed them because I used to live with them to notice the slight differences.
Hearing the twins response to my question has definitely proven my observation of the changes caused and I would know as they would miss a day in their long lives without using their powerful gifts but Isabella is the one that is the biggest difference in this castle that can explain why changes are happening, not that I can complain about them as I think that changes for the better is a improvement definitely when it comes to this coven who is the ruling body of our kind.
"Carlisle"
"Carlisle"
I heard my name called twice to me, I looked around the room to see that everyone was looking at me oddly like I must have spaced out and not responded back to the answers the twins gave me to my question, "sorry I had things in my head that got me thinking, mainly due to being back here again after so many years but also with what the twins said got me thinking" I responded, while feeling guilty that I didn't say the full truth, even if what I said was part truth, "did anyone call my name twice as the voice didn't sound like something I've heard from anyone here, unless someone has a gift to speak into someone's mind" I asked as with new guards I wasn't sure if one of them could have a gift that I was unaware of.
"Actually none of us said your name but was tempted to ask Jane to use her gift on you as you spaced out for several minutes" Caius taunted with a small chuckle, "mind my brother's attempt at a joke, to be perfectly honest we haven't had any guards or anyone with that particular gift as my brother would have been aware of it with his gift, but I have a guess that it could be Isabella as she has already shown to have a powerful shield that she used on Felix our used to be guard when he tried to attack her a while ago, but I can't say for certainty that she does have a second gift as, if so it would be incredibly rare for anyone to possess a two gifts much less someone who isn't one of our kind, but with everything at this moment she is sort of a mystery to us" Marcus explained quite thoroughly while not showing any surprise to my question I asked almost like he expected me to ask something that would be along the lines about her.
"So what else do you wanna ask us, more about us with our gifts or something about Isabella as we will answer any that you have my friend" Aro asked with a smile that never left his marbled face.
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