The mystery of Isabella Volturi

by Ashley Volturi-whitlock

A small child by the name of Isabella who is left at the doors of the volturi doors hoping for protection holds alot of mystery and can hold the key to chamging the volturi but may also find that life is complex and full of hidden dangers that lurk in the dark waiting for the right time to attack. (Bella/jasper pairing)

29. Chapter 28

So if you thought that last chapter was big, well then this one will blow your mind as it's the biggest to date, I'm hoping to keep the chapters about this size from now on, now with the story getting further into the action.

I like to thank everyone for keeping up with this story, by following and favourite it.

Kouga's older woman - same, well if you think that then you're gonna love this chapter him in this one as you will see more of that and much more of Jasper.

Guest - here is the new chapter that you asked for hope you like it.

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I don't own twilight and all rights go to Stephanie Meyer

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Chapter 28

Jasper/ Major POV

With having a week until I get to show everyone including the kings why I'm known intentionally and unintentionally called and feared as the God of War, isn't just for show or as an act but it's real, and I will show them that no messes with me, or anyone I care about or chooses to serve to be harmed, if I have anything to do with it, as I will not just put them in their place but I won't let them live longer enough to be a threat ever again. There has been a few who I willingly let live for reasons only known to myself and mine alone, as for the challenge I gave the kings, well they will live at the end of it, maybe not be all in one piece and require some assistance to patch themselves up, but they will live, others may question why or how I think they deserve to still rule our species. The one thing I understand, and a few others I know who understands the necessity to have a ruling body, is that without it the rest of the species will fall to chaos, Aro, Caius and Marcus may be far from perfect or the best for the job, but they have done a decent job of it to let them carry on, with what I know if the Romanians when they ruled, well they definitely wasn't fit for the role, so choosing between the two which I prefer, well that should be a easy choice to make. There is other reasons for keeping them alive, as unfortunate as it may be they have a role according to the letter they received to be guardians to my mate, yes, they haven't done as much of a job as rest of the coven have done for my mate, but I can't go against whoever choose them to do this, so until I know who that person is then they live, but I will keep my eye on them and correct them when I know they are wrong.

It's funny and down right unfortunate that the Volturi kings have ties to quite a few individuals that I either respect or grown to care about, besides the obvious of my own mate, as Demetri is not just mated to Maria who I once called mistress, but also cares about my mate and the twins, the twins well, they are just themselves who have others they care or are friends with, which no matter where you look at it, it all comes down to those three in the end, maybe in time those three will have their lives forfeited by someone else which if it happens, it happens and it wouldn't bother me, but until that time is necessary then I will do what I can to keep them living and learning the right way to rule, as a sorts of advisor.

Today being only six days remaining till the day of the challenge, I decided to the queen's Sulpicia and Athenodora, both who are mated to Aro and Caius, who I joined to have a nice enjoyable tour round Volterra, with Isabella has been attempting to take steps on her feet with not much success as she always lands on her butt, which did make us laugh at her expense, as we knew it was something of a learning curve, despite our hesitance of letting her try to take her first steps, which I knew if we saw it before everyone else it will be something that a few in particular won't be happy that they missed. We knew that there was more chance of dangers being out of the castle but being in that castle twenty four seven, every day of the week would start to drive a human to insanity who has the luxury of being able to sleep when getting tired or to nap most of the day away, being a vampire we don't get that, which is the one downside to it, as being awake all day and never getting tired physically, it kind of drives you to have to find someone to stop yourself going out of your mind.

I only offered the queens to join us as from everyone besides myself and my mate, they was the closest to being stuck inside the castle for so long without getting many chances to explore they homeland, I would have asked the twins to join us but they kindly declined seeing that they said they had matters of their own to deal with, not that I was gonna ask them what it was but if I did I knew they would have told me as we was very close to where we share most things together. We have only left about minutes ago to where we have some walking distance before we get the main part of where we see buildings and markets about, so we choose this time to let Isabella to try walking until we would ultimately be holding her till we found a nice spot to rest to provide her with some solid food as she seems to enjoy the softer fruits and some vegetables, which so far has taken a enjoyment of eating without any refusal or problems when ingesting.

"So ladies where would you suggest we go first unless you fancy just a gentle stroll as I'm content with just being out showing my mate the sites" I asked kindly, and as gentlemanly as I could muster while not taking my attention from my mate, they both began to look to be thinking, which I didn't blame them as such that before I arrived, they only had to sneak about to go anywhere, which most likely wasn't always in Volterra as they knew that their mates would have known about it. "Well I would like to check out the markets thoroughly without having to worry about watching my back all the time, as I've heard from Heidi and the other girls in the castle, that they have some beautiful jewelry that I love to add to my collection that is outdated for this time period so having something from the present, would be great" Sulpicia mentioned with a smile, I looked to Athenodora, "what about yourself?" I asked, "I wouldn't mind joining my sister with the jewelry as a girl never has enough, but I think I will keep my eyes open for anything that interests myself, to get for myself or my mate" she responded, "but we can't forget to look out for something for this cutie either" she said as she tickled my mate causing her to giggle.

"So it's agreed then, to the markets we go" I said knowing I was gonna be in for a long day of walking about with these two as I heard from the many guards that accompanies them during the time that Caius was aware of their sneaking about, but also from what I felt coming off these two, as it felt like a fountain of positive emotions that exploded for being contained for too long, causing to show a small smile at it. As we walked from one market stall to another, I kept my own eyes open for something special that I wanted to give to my own mate so that no one can say I didn't give her anything that she can remind her of when in any of the times she is away from me or just napping.

As hours went by I continued to walk around with the queens, even though I could have sworn that they sometimes forgot I was even there when they was so engrossed in some of the jewelry they was looking at in these markets, thankfully I would stay close by and look at a stall or two myself, while I did so, the humans here was very nice to us, more so to my mate than myself, as it seems that children get more attention due to how cute or adorable, which was two words I heard them calling her more often than anything, the humans was even being very helpful to myself and it wasn't from fear or anything as if so I would have noticed any spike of fear with my gift. I'm not sure or certain why I felt surprised that these humans would be so helpful or happy to speak to us like we was the same creatures, maybe it was the time I spent with Maria, or the humans I saw when I was in the war before I turned, either way I never stopped being on guard just in the possibility that we come across one not so nice or see an enemy of our species.

While I was looking at this one particular stall that intrigued me, as it wasn't the fact that the lady behind the wooden platform that held the items for sale, as the lady was old enough to be roughly be classified as elderly or frail, yet nothing that I could sense from her showed the same as what she looked like, almost like it was a disguise or something else to trick even a vampire like myself who has keener senses than a human does, maybe she is human, or maybe something else, should I ask or not, so many questions yet, one question in particular plagued my mind could this be the same old lady that Demetri, and Caius who said Aro spoke of the same lady who was described as the same lady that I'm seeing now, but it's the feelings I'm getting from her that has me confused and scratching my head. "Excuse me madam" I said, "madame, seriously I may look old, but please if your being all gentlemanly about trying to ask me something then just call me miss, but please calling me madame is kind of a sore spot for me, but please continue " the old lady interjected feeling hurt by me calling her madame, "sorry I didn't mean to assume, but your correct with me having something I want to ask, I just want to know that from everyone here your the odd one out, like your not from around here but also not like myself, as I can feel something different about you but can't put my finger on it" I said, while still holding on to Isabella, not that it was necessary as she was sleeping again, so she looked to be content.

"Ah Jasper, Jasper, you are the only one I've come across to ask that" she said but stopped as she saw that I looked to be shocked as she knew my name despite not telling her or the queens even mentioned it while we was out, so now I wanted to know more and how she knew my name, "you know my name, despite me not telling you it, how?" I asked determined, she smiled, not answering my question, "so many questions you people have, it's funny that we're talking now and you don't even realize that time has stopped around us, the only a few exceptions such as us two and Isabella, as she is called now, has any movement or able to speak without being frozen still until time starts again" she declared, I thought she was talking gibberish, as I couldn't sense her emotions now almost like they vanished, I turned around to see that she wasn't lying, everyone and everything stood at a stand still, even the birds in the sky stopped frozen in the air mid flight.

"I want to say how your doing this or something else, but I have a gut feeling that you know more than you are willing to admit, what I will say is I'm guessing that when you say 'you people' your referring to the kings, Demetri and possibly others that I can only guess you have been to, I don't know your reasons for it, or what your end goal is but if it's to danger my mate then I will end it here and now" I said showing my anger building up slowly, "dangerous I am not, my end goal I don't, wise with advice I have plenty, but who I am will remain a mystery" she riddled with a smile as she stopped to see that it made me feel baffled why she said it the way she did as she could have said that without trying to make it like a riddle.

"Okay enough of the riddles, and just give me straight answers is all I'm asking for as I don't want to be here all day, as I have things to do"I said irritated, she looked at me, then sighed, "you want straight answers but prepare yourself as you may not like what you hear, also what the others have been told is the same as what you was told today, or now, so it's your decision if you tell what you been told today or not, but what I tell you can have good and bad consequences to whoever you tell it, so I hope your ready " she mentioned looking all serious now. " To who I am is a mystery, as no one knows me, yet at one time everyone did" she says, "to how I know who you and everyone I meet is, it's not an answer that I can tell you as there is no explanation to explain how I know, as it's like a instinct or reaction to when I am within proximity of that individual or individuals as sometimes I met them in pairs such as yourselves" she paused again, "I know that you two are amongst eight others hold important roles that are heavily intertwined with each other, I don't know the reasons for why that is yet, but with time that passes day by day, answers will come, sometimes not to the same questions but to new ones that are not known until their revealing" she finished, I wasn't sure if what she said was less or more confusing or if I understood some or none of it, but she definitely gave me what she called straight answers that I demanded, "if that is what you requested then our time here is over, may your fate hold true, we may see each other again, we may not, but time is short so in the time I finished here you wont see me no more " she said, as banging sound of a brightest of light blinded my eyes.

As my vision cleared, the sound of everything around myself came back again as time began to start moving as if nothing happened, as with the old lady and that stall, it disappeared, like it wasn't even there to begin with, I shrugged my shoulders, looked down at Isabella to see her smile at me, "guess you're awake now" I said to her, "wish you was able to speak to me, to tell me if what happened just now was all in my head or it happened and just not making sense" I said again, only getting a response of a giggle, followed by a small flatulence of gas that told me that she needed a change quickly, causing me to look around for somewhere to go to change her without too much hassle.

Eight hours later

After a incredibly long but interesting day out, that I spent with the queens and my mate, the emotions that we all felt varied, but for the most part it was all good feelings, we still had a long walk ahead of us to get back to the castle, so neither of us could speed ahead of anything, not that we cared or wanted to. "Thank you Jasper for today, you made is feel more comfortable and normal, without all the downsides or problems that usually take place when we snuck out in the past, as we could actually enjoy ourselves and take our time looking and trying on some of what we brought and saw" Sulpicia said radiating with so much gratitude, "yeah my sister said is true" Athenodora paused, "before today, when we did sneak out or if my mate knew about it and sent guards with us while we did it, it was always felt like we trapped again like being in that tower all day, every day since our sister died, but today felt nothing like that, it gave us enjoyment to be ourselves, to be able to enjoy the sites of Volterra itself, as well as the company of the people who live here, as it's the one thing that our people should do more often is to interact with the public as it's only really Heidi who does but that is more for our feeding benefits than it is to actually interact and have fun" she said with the same gratitude as Sulpicia which made me happy that I did something that helped them both.

"Well i'm glad that I helped you both with that, and I appreciate the gratitude, maybe we can do it more often as I think the fresh air does my mate some good too, it might make her try to take her first steps quicker too" I said with a chuckle at the end, which both queens joined in with," can I ask you both a question?" I asked, they both nodded, "before the whole sneaking about did you both do much with your mates and the other sister like this or similar?" I asked them as I was curious, we continued to keep walking, I saw that my mate was content in Sulpicia's arms which made me happy, yet that twinge in my gut made me want to have her back in my arms again, but I tried to push it away as I knew that I as much as I want to keep her to myself, others do like to spend time with her too. "Well us sisters always spent loads of time together despite the moans from our mates we had before, as of if it was anything like this yeah it was similar but different as times back then was different so we couldn't do as much as we can now, of course in the future there be even more things that we can do then that we don't do or unable to do now" Athenodora mentioned, "yeah it's true, of course it's a shame we can't have our sister to join us now, but we will always have her in our undead hearts and, our memories of her, so she never really be gone no matter how much changes in the future " Sulpicia said with sadness yet it was more of like the happy brand, which I understood too well.

I debated whether I should tell them about that old lady or not, but the more I thought about it, I knew it was a discussion for another day, so I left it be, "so do you think that my mate will ever learn to walk, beside just sitting up, as I know that when we get back she probably either be wanting something to eat or sleep until tomorrow where she play with her new toys as she's learnt to sit herself up which has made things more interesting" I mentioned, "actually I think give it a week or two and she be taking her first actually steps and it be interesting to see what mayhem she cause when she starts walking" Sulpicia chuckled, both me and Athenodora joined in, as we could imagine in our own heads of what my mate could get up to once she knows how to walk.

"So what did you both get yourselves as besides the boxes and bags we are carrying it seems like you got quite a bit" I asked, as I knew I could have looked but I wanted to have a conversation with them to try and build a good friendship with them both being that I will see them around quite a bit and that they wanted a bigger part in my mates life, "not much just jewelry, some new clothes that we saw we loved for ourselves but also for Isabella, as we know she look so cute in some of them, plus she has grown bigger since her last lot of clothes she had now that she's a year old, so with her constantly growing with ages we want to make sure she has clothes to wear that fits" Athenodora says happily, "Yeah that's true she has grown even in the time I've been here, I've noticed the growth" I say.

"Different subject but I'm kinda curious about what you both think about my challenge to both of your mates and Marcus?" I ask, as I knew it was a hard question for them to answer but I was curious because if it was me I wouldn't be able to stand by and let my mate in fight that she had no chance at winning, but good thing is my mate has loads of time until she even gets that far to learning to fight as she can barely walk yet much less fight so until then I will protect her, and when she is ready to learn or of age then I will be there to teach, guide her and make sure that who she trains with knows that if they go too far will have me.to deal with.

As I awaited a response from them, let's just say it wasn't what I expected from them, as they began to laugh which did make my mate in Sulpicia's arms turn to looks at the two girls trying to work out what all the laughing was for, or maybe she thought something else but from the expression I saw that is what I assumed, "okay what's so funny about what I said unless it's something else you found funny then you might want to fill me in" I said, "well it is what you said, because the funny thing is we have discussed it fully with each other among a few others, so we know what position we in and for us, despite the moaning and protests of our mates, more so Caius, my mate, we are actually rooting for you to win" Athenodora explained while still looking to be mid laughing, I'm not sure what I should have been more shocked at, that they already discussed it with others or the fact that they wanted me to win instead of their own mates, which I wouldn't have expected to hear from any mated pair to root for the opposition to win.

"Stupid question but why me to win, not that I'm not aware of how much better than I am in a fight than they are, but why root for me and not your own mates as if it was me in your position I would be rooting for my own mate to win and not the opposition to win, so this is a first for me but I'm confused" I said truthfully, while feeling that they was feeling confident and overjoyed at the moment, so I was interested to what they was gonna respond to me next with, "well my mate relies on his gift too much, as well as the fact that when you look at the coven as a whole it has loads of gifted guards who are all trained in a fight and have gifts to protect the kings, plus my mate has Renata who has a powerful shield gift to protect him if anyone breaks through all the guards as a last defense" Sulpicia explained, but paused as I knew that Athenodora was gonna speak next, none of us stopped walking as we spoke which made me happy as it was getting close to nightfall.

"As for my mate, I think you can guess that unlike his brothers, he has a superiority complex of sorts definitely when it comes to the guards or anyone who comes in because they broke the law challenging him or insulting him as he sits on the throne with the other two, but not just that he has let himself go as once a time he was feared amongst our kind as he took part in battles, won everyone of them too, but now he sits on the throne with Aro and Marcus, doing less, of course since you arrived he has took a shine at being more involved with training sessions that you know of now, but I think that with this challenge you will also be able to put his ego in check too as it might make him realize that there's a difference in being powerful because you won wars that was so long ago, to now only thinking your still that powerful but never actually showing it" Athenodora explained, I listened to them both and agreed that they was both right but then I remembered what about Marcus, as neither mentioned him or anything about this being good for him too.

"What about Marcus?" I asked, seeing if that would get a response from either of them or both, "actually with Marcus I think this will just bring out his warrior spirit that he lost after our sisters death as before he met her he was a great and powerful warrior even more than Caius was, but since the death of our sister I think this could be what he needs not the same as the other two but just like a kick start to get him back to his old self and maybe use the anger he has for my mate for what he did to his sister, our sister and Marcus's mate to show that he still has it in him to be the king, the warrior that this world needs him to be" Sulpicia explained with a bit of sorrow at when she brought up Didyme's death up again, "thank you both for telling me that, I guess that's also a similar reason to why you both wanted to learn to fight so you can defend yourself too and not be locked in a tower to be protected too" I said, they both nodded as I looked at them from behind, which caused me to smile.

"One small question as I know we are close probably about an hour or less till we arrive at the castle, so the question I am curious to know from the three of them who do you think is most likely to last the longest?" I asked, as I waited for a response, minutes passed in silence so I assumed that they either didn't know what to respond with or didn't want to say. As we continued to keep walking I thought in my head at who I thought would last the longest from what I know about the three kings, well if I started with Aro, I didn't have much hope for him, not because I thought he was weak or anything, but everyone seems to have the same thought process when it comes to fighting with Aro that he is to reliant on his gift to be a effective fighter so I think from the three of them he is the first to be out, between Marcus and Caius it's a tough call as they both have history in battles, different time periods and different fights but equally powerful opponents in their own right, but I think that Caius could be the second one to be knocked out just that his ego could be his downfall in the fight, and finally Marcus be the last one to knock out in the fight as he have neither brother to help him against me, of course the only possible conclusion if any of them survive till the end is if they work together which I doubted because of Didyme's death which pits Marcus and Aro at opposite ends where they won't work together with that causing too much of a rifted between them.

"Hey sister do you want to take over give my arm a rest" I heard Sulpicia say, it made me smile as I knew that she didn't need to rest her arm as being vampires we have unlimited energy and don't tire so she must have known that Athenodora wanted some time with my mate, I heard the shuffling of bags so I assumed that Sulpicia must have the bags that Athenodora had and she has my mate now, as I turned my head I was right with what I assumed and I saw that my mate looked at me with a smile, seeing that smile made me want to do back flips or my heart jump out of my chest but neither one is appropriate or possible to do now but I couldn't wait till we arrived so I could spend some private time with her, talk and just watch each other till she sleeps or requires something else.

One hour later

As we finally arrive at the castle doors we hear crashing sounds and sounds of something being thrown around the room, neither of us was sure what to expect to see, but as I used my gift to feel who's behind the doors I felt a wave of relief as seeing that it wasn't what we originally expected, "I think instead of telling you both what is happening as I don't sense anyone who shouldn't be there so you don't have to worry about that but I'm interested to actually see what's going on myself" I say seeing them both relax slightly at hearing that.

As Athenodora pushed open the doors what we saw made me laugh as even with my hands full I could still see what was happening, "Major don't just stand there do something I swear it was a mistake" Aro called out hysterically, both queens suddenly began to laugh with me too as what we saw was that Maria who was half dressed but had a look of pure anger on her face was throwing guards and objects directly at Aro and both his brothers Caius and Marcus did nothing but watched from the other side of the room with a pleased look.

As I put down what was in my hands I turned to the queens, "take my mate to our room where I assume the twins may be already or if not can one of you locate them and let them know that we are back, as I wish to speak to them after I deal with this quickly" I asked them, seeing them both nod in approval, I then turned to one Heidi who just exited her room, "Heidi could you do me a favour and take these items to the queens who should be in mine and Isabella's room so they can tell you where these go and if you wish take someone with you to help if you require it" I say with authority, she just nods without commenting at what was happening in the throne room currently.

"Okay next up all guards and anyone who isn't Demetri, the kings or Maria please leave before I start counting and removing you myself" I called out loudly in the same authorized tone as before, just as I used it with Heidi not that it was necessary as I knew she would have done as I asked, but I needed to for everyone else to listen afterwards, to leave the only ones left in this room now to sort whatever has happened, even if part of me is happy to see Maria and Demetri out of his bedroom, even though I doubt it be for long.

I turn to Demetri, "Demetri" I said keeping it short but knowing that's all was needed as he nodded and just watched as Maria his mate was throwing Aro a king, someone who is supposed to more powerful than herself yet she is throwing him around like a bloody ragdoll, seeing this gave me all the confirmation I needed about him, but also I saw the look of pride from Demetri, also felt it too, which I knew was why he wasn't involved but just watching to the side as was Caius and Marcus who just watched, "Caius, Marcus what the bleeding hell happened here, to cause all this, as this room reminds me of what everything looks like after a war has ended and trust me we all know what that looks like" I called out to them, as I knew they heard me, as they walked over to where I still stood by the doorway.

"Well one guess to who started it, and from there you can pretty much guess to how it all ended up to this point " Caius spoke, I looked to Marcus, "don't look at me, I arrived late to the scene, and saw this but instead of stopping it, I actually just thought why not let it happen, it burn off some excess hatred between the two and plus I love seeing Aro getting beaten up by a girl, but not just any female but one who is younger than him by many centuries" Marcus said with his hands up to show he was innocent, I just sighed at hearing them both, seriously Marcus and Aro really need to have their heads banged together and Caius should have done something to stop it getting this far even if I can agree that Aro probably deserved it.

"Okay enough" I roared loudly enough to even stop the Maria from throwing whatever she could at Aro as Aro tried to take cover behind one if the remaining thrones that wasn't chucked across the room, which I had to guess was Marcus's throne just from the looks of it, Aro still stayed hidden behind the throne while Maria just stared at me like what I said shocked her to being unable to move, "well now that I have everyone's attention in this very room, I need all you to listen to me and not utter a single word till I'm finished is that clear" I said in loud and clear voice, getting a single nod from everyone I continued, "firstly I'm gonna start with you Aro, stand the hell up before I break every limb off your pathetic body till it leaves just your head left, as your supposed to be a bloody king not some coward hiding behind a stone throne" I said with enough venom in my tone that he shot up and moved quickly to stand by his siblings while looking like a sulking child, " I don't give a care to how this all started because before just now I had a great time with the queens and my lovely mate so now is not the time to try and ruin my day any further" I said feeling irritable.

"Aro whatever you did that started this and don't even think about denying it as, I know for a fact it was you as I can only assume to what happened being that after Maria and Demetri have been in his room doing god knows what, that has kept them out of everyone's way, alongside fixing all their issues that has been caused by their own issues, so if I assumed right you most likely tried to interrupt them and caused Maria to go on a rampage on your pathetic self" I said while seeing Aro's face drop further showing I was right again, not needing my gift to tell me how everyone felt to know just by body language and facial expressions gave most of them away too easily, "Maria and Demetri it's good to see you out of the room as the pheromones and the amount of emotions that was bursting out of that whole room I could feel from miles away, but if you go back to what you was doing could you doing it somewhere else unless you are finished then that's good because I have many things to discuss with the both of you" I said, Demetri just nodded and Maria just stared without saying a word which I think was a new record coming from her as she was always the one to be in charge or talking and I kept silent just doing what I do best as I worked the army so long ago.

"Marcus, I'm not sure what I can say or do that will take away how you feel about your brother, I can feel what you feel and have been since I got here, as my gift isn't something that comes with a off switch so I can always feel it" I pause, "yes he did deserve what he got, no you shouldn't have let it continue as far as you did no matter how late to the scene you was as you have several guards who are injured because of it and several items and the room itself that needs to be fixed or replaced which despite how rich this coven is, I don't think you want to have this many humans in the room to fix it at the time it will consume to get it done" I stop again, "what he did was more than just wrong, as if I was in your position, he wouldn't have even been alive longer enough to make it pass the day I found out, but being that its not me, it's you, well now that is why I'm telling you, either do something about it now or try and learn to get pass it as I know several individuals in this coven have been trying as they was close to her also so it's not just you who was hurt by his actions" I said still feeling angry but held it just beneath the surface to contain myself longer enough to finish this.

"Caius, I respect you, you know that, but seriously you should have done something or anything to stop this, if you wanted to see them fight then throw them into arena or the training room if you wanted something to enjoy, as like I said to the others you are equally to blame for the damage that's been done here, you say that your a king, but what king are you who stands by letting things happen and not doing something or anything to stop it or prevent your coven falling to pieces, you may not care about Aro but you should have done something as a king not his brother to deal with the problem" I said in a serious tone, while keeping with being respectful to him.

"I'm gonna leave this room now, see to my mate ensure that she's getting on with her new gifts that I got with the queens today" I said as I turned to walk out the door, but stopped before I left, "if I hear any more destruction or fighting I will come back and remove every head off all of you no matter if you was involved or not and move your bodies to where you can't reach them until the end of the week, so I want some quiet time for the rest of the day" I said, "also if your cleaning up then do it besides that I be seeing some of you later" I said again but this time I walked out the door, with a sigh.

As I arrive at mine and Isabella's room, actually it's more her room but as I stay there majority of the time, to that I classify it as a shared room between us, but if I need to use the washroom to get clean then the twins always said I was welcome, of course Jane said that only after a set time to use it or unless they are not using the room itself, which seems to be quite a bit as of recent. I look in the room to only see the queens, Heidi, and my mate occupying it, "where's the twins?" I asked confused as I expected to see them so we could catch up like we have done for since being here, they all shrugged their shoulders, "I have sent any available guards who wasn't injured from Aro and Maria's fight, but so far none have reported back with seeing them, even so far as to check all the rooms" Heidi reported to me, I was surprised that she did that instead of just leaving it be, which made me smile that I was right to trust her, but also glad that she is showing some initiative which I think the three kings should thank her for as I knew that she never liked it when others thought that she was only useful for bringing in the humans for mass feedings.

"That's fine thanks, and thank you for doing that, even if you didn't need to, as we can safely say they aren't likely to return injured, found dead somewhere, or never return, as they know they have us and some others who still care for them or need them" I said, "so how is she doing with the new gifts that we got her today?" I asked changing the subject to something more lighter, "well besides the fact that we just witnessed her sitting up on her own for the first time, but I'm guessing you already knew that, which we would scold you for not telling us, but we are too happy to have seen it ourselves" Heidi mentioned with a little laugh.

"Yeah that, and the fact that she has started to babble more words some clearer than others to understand but it's progress" Athenodora said, "you two are telling him everything that he already knows from the glint in his eye that I've been seeing as you two been talking" Sulpicia chuckled, causing me to laugh myself, "seriously" Heidi and Athenodora both said at the same time, I just nodded, "yeah I knew all that but I had a strong feeling that she would repeat it again with you lot, shame that Jane and Alec have yet to witness it themselves, with all the time they spend busy doing whatever they are up to" I said with a smile.

"What is it they are doing" they all asked me, " I really don't know, not that I've chosen to ask them, as I know if I did they would tell me but with being here so new to being mated, and with everything else that's going on, I've felt no need to ask and find out" I explained, "would they tell us or you if you asked them what they was up to?" Heidi asked, I nod, ending that conversation.

Couple hours later

As it was just myself and Heidi left in the room catching up with Isabella playing with her wooden blocks, even though it was more of attempts of picking up, failing and then trying again, but the smile on her face as she played melted my heart, "so any news on Robert that you told me about before?" I asked, as he was a common subject of hers that she talks about often, sometimes telling me that she thinks he is so alike to Carlisle yet isn't too interested in changing his diet, which was the one factor that made me like he more, "well not much, we talk often, I even managed to convince Caius to let him join me when I go out to bring in other humans, just to get him out of the castle as he doesn't get chance to do missions like the others, so I thought it be something, also, he starting to open up more about his past life" Heidi said brightly, I could tell that something was going on between them as I could feel it, but I wasn't gonna say anything, as it wasn't mate bond connection but something close to it. "What of Carlisle and his meeting has that happened or not yet?" I asked with another question without answering to what she answered to my previous question, "nope or he hasn't mentioned it to me, probably because he knows how disliked that Carlisle is to most of us, so he could be sparing our feelings which I'm fine with, but to your question no he hasn't mentioned if it's happened or not" Heidi said in an almost forced smile at that.

As I checked again quickly before I asked any more questions or anything, I checked again with my gift using like a radar to see if there was any sign of the twins as none of the guards have gotten back to us with the location of them, we choose to keep it business that the kings didn't need to be aware of, not because of anything but that it was something that just didn't concern them, plus to he queens even agreed with me and Heidi that any of the kings find out from the guards, then those guards who spilled would be used to hold the queens clothing by their fingers for a week as, they didn't approve of anyone ignore orders from them even if the kings said differently, which I agreed with as they have the same rights that the kings had to give orders and for them to be followed. So far none spilled and the kings was still unaware of the situation, so far I felt nothing of the twins emotions as they was always the easiest to detect amongst a crowd, more so with Jane than Alec, "damn still nothing" I said under my breath, "I guess no sign of them still, have you checked the bond you have with them to see if it was still in tact or anything?" Heidi said just as she has done when she knew I checked about every half hour or so, "yeah I've checked it's still intact, it doesn't show anything that my gift wouldn't already detect itself" I said with a calm tone.

One hour later

"CRASH"

Sounds of broken objects that fell to the floor could be heard all the way from the room I was in, with Heidi, "did you hear that?" she asked, I nodded, I then checked again with my gift and sighed with a sound of relief, "looks like we have some luck, it was them I'm sure of it, let's just hope that no one else goes there but us as it was the one condition I asked of everyone if something indicates that they returned" I said, "well I hope so, but I'm not so sure if Master Aro, Caius and Marcus would listen as no one told them of that, plus they was out of the loop so they may or may not go to investigate themselves " Heidi explained, damn she was right I forgot to take them into consideration with that condition I asked for, well let's hope that they do what they do best and leave it be, for once at least.

"Could you keep an eye out for Isabella while I investigate, that's if you don't mind that, as I know that you worried about them too so I can understand if you wish to see them too" I asked nicely, "I don't mind, plus we still have those two guards outside the door to help me if any trouble does come our way, in the meantime, so you go ahead and just send a guard to let me know unless you decide to do something else instead " she responded with a smile, I was glad I could trust her, "okay I'll be off, Isa, be good, I'll be back as quickly as I can" I said, while looking to my mate who looked up to me with attempt at a wave of good bye, making me smile, but in my head knew that I might need one of the human staff to help me with teaching my mate some basics, as I don't think any of us have much of a clue or know if Isabella's growth is good or needs improvement.

As I rushed out the room quicker than the door had a chance to close again after I left, I knew the direction to head as it seemed that they were in their room, just by the angry tone coming from Jane, causing me to smile as I just turned the corner to the door closed, causing me to stop at the door. "Jane, Alec you here?" I asked as I knocked on the door three times, waiting for a response or something, "yeah we are here, but I may need a hand getting my idiot of a brother off me as I will explain when you help" Jane shouted with sounds of grunting and moaning of annoyance, I opened the door to see that she was right he Alec was on top of her but not in a gross way but like he was unconscious which his legs coming off from one side of her body and his head and arms coming from the other side as he was splayed on top, as she used her small arms to try and push him off with no luck.

As I walked to the middle of the room to where they was, I got down to push to roll Alec off her, "so what happened and how did no one know where either of you two was" I asked while I helped her push him off to him finally be on the floor off her, with a look on her face of relief, "well that is something of a long story, but long story short, we attempted a simple spell that went wrong and got trapped in this dimension that was full of dangers that we just made it out in one piece, as with how Alec became unconscious I guess I don't know as all I know is that I went through this weird looking portal thing first, then Alec came through a few minutes afterwards, so once he comes to you have to ask him what happened as, I want to know myself but I am exhausted to the brink that I could sleep for centuries" Jane explained, while not exactly a short explanation but it was most likely shorter than the whole story, I had questions that's for sure but first I had to find a way to wake up Alec.

I pushed Alec several times to try and get a response, "Alec wake up, come on your sister is worried and I'm worried for you too" I said several times to no answer, as we waited for several minutes, we heard grunting and moaning coming from Alec, "thank you, I thought you was like dead, dead even for someone like us" I said, with a relief, I saw that even Jane looked relieved at seeing her twin awaken, "Alec can you say something so I know that you can hear me please" I asked as despite the grunting and moaning, it wasn't enough to confirm he could hear us or was awake fully, "yeah I can hear you, let's just say one thing, we are not doing that again for a long time" Alec groaned, "what do you mean Alec?" I asked, as Alec pushed himself up to sit up on the floor as Jane was sitting on her bed to hear what he had to say.

"Well I assume that my sister told you of the simple spell we attempted that went horribly wrong in a way we definitely wasn't prepared for or expected" he said, I nodded, "well that's not all, because the one thing I suspect my sister didn't tell you it was the only spell the tome showed us, so because we was excited with this new discovery that we found in it, as we do with everything new we see as it doesn't seem to want to show us the full extent of what's contained in it right away" he paused, "besides that as I was saying when we did the spell exactly as it was told to us, we was sure we did it all right, but as the spell worked, it just wasn't what we imagined it to be on our first casting of the spell, as it sucked us into this portal, that transported us to this dimension with beings that we have never come across in our long life or even to mention heard of" paused again, I could tell this was tough on him, as I felt the same coming off from Jane which mirrored what he felt, I didn't say anything as I wanted to hear what else is next. "Well as you can imagine these beings was definitely not friendly or at least they wasn't after my sister used her enhanced pain gift on one of the smaller looking ones, who was still way bigger than us as was they all" he stopped as I saw that Jane glared at him, "well that one was giving me a strange look, plus he scared me as I didn't see him coming from behind me" Jane interjected trying to defend her actions, I chuckled at her defending herself even against what her brother said, at least she didn't say he was lying, "well as I was saying before that, we could only guess we would have been fine but unfortunately we can't go back and change it so we had to make a run for it as nothing we did seemed to stop the others from hunting us down, which felt like years there, which seems that time flows different in that dimension than it does here" he finished.

"So your saying that whatever spell you cast from that tome you been reading since the kings found it, gave you a spell and sent you to this dimension that you got sucked in and trapped there for years but while here it's only been about a week that's gone by since any of us last saw you?" I said, before I followed up, "have I got that all correct so far?", "Yeah that's about right give or take everything else that happened during that time and us trying to escape back" Jane responded in a sarcastic manner, "so there's more then, well you might as well continue as I have certain individuals who have been worried about you two and will need the full story before they let this whole you two disappearing for a week for, and you both know what Heidi is like and maybe even Renata who I've seen once or twice" I said.

I knew if I said Heidi name in particular I knew they both would know that she isn't one to let something like this be over with until she's heard the whole story and even then most likely won't let it go as she is one worry wart definitely with those she's close to, such as the twins, and most of the other girls, despite not being that many of them in this coven who is mainly consisting of males, either intentional or not, it did make a difference. "Yeah your right, you just got to love her, for that no matter how many others fear us, she doesn't, no matter how powerful or capable we are with our powers and fighting ability, she will still worry and want us to return safely, while others wouldn't feel the same way, which is why like yourself, she is a valuable friend to have that we hate to worry, so I apologize if we worried you, and we will apologize to her also when we see her" Jane said, which I knew that Alec wasn't gonna say anything when his sister said all that had to be said to that, so he just nod of approval.

"So shall we continue Alec as otherwise my mate won't be pleased with me if I'm not back soon for whatever is next, as I think it's bedtime for her or food, as I know that changing her diaper Heidi has that covered, while I'm here, so please if you don't mind " I asked him politely, " your right, well while we was in that hazardous dimension, there was a lack of architecture on the ground we was on, but plenty of what, I guess you can consider as nature, it's hard to describe as there was lots of plant and tree like things as they looked like them but didn't as it wasn't anything like our world", I heard a sigh escape him, "well let's just say that if there was a way to show you, so you can witness yourself you would understand why it's hard to describe ehat the environment looked like, the only sort of building we saw was this temple, which housed the portal home, the temple itself was fascinating but we didn't get much chance to have a good look with those beings hunting us down" Alex explained.

"You said a temple right, is it like a temple would look like in our world or is it like that dimension where it was different and difficult to describe?" I asked curious as this dimension despite being possibly dangerous is still a fascinating discovery that could be useful if we could find a way to use it to help instead of injure, Jane perked up this time, "it was the same as that place, but if it wasn't for those brutes, we could have had a decent look at that temple, as despite it being a look and miss it thing, I swear I saw some symbols that looks like what is in our tome that we have her, so maybe they are related" Jane said sounding frustrated, and I saw and felt it coming off her, alongside seeing her ball her hands together.

"So the spell that sent you there, didn't just send you to a random dimension but a certain one that as you described Jane, one that has a connection to the tome itself" I said, also noticed that Alec looked confused, which meant that he didn't see what his sister did with those symbols, "that's interesting, is it something that you will inform the kings on as it may concern them with my mate Isabella, as you said yourselves before, that it mentions her in there, so what does that mean?" I asked, concerned for my mate but also wanting to keep her protected, "concerning them, yeah it does unfortunately, even though we wish to keep this to ourselves, we will let them know in time, for the moment, it stays between a selected few who is trusted, as we can't let the enemy find out this either, but also we don't want anyone to know that we did that" Jane said quickly before Alec looked to have chance to respond, "that's understandable Jane, but trust me you won't be able to hide it for long with the growing cracks on you two's skins" I countered, "he's right sis and you know he is, plus we need to learn how to use that spell again to see that temple, as unlike yourself I didn't get to see those symbols" Alec mentioned.

"Anyway Alec something happened to you that Jane said that she doesn't know about as she entered the portal before you, so did something happen?" I asked as I still have yet to hear anything about that, plus I still have one other question to ask that I'm curious about knowing, "oh that yeah those brutes that my sister loves to call them, well they tried to break through the portal after my sister went through safely, and I couldn't risk them following us so I used quite a bit of my power, to hurt them or push them back, i'm not fully sure as the amount of power I used was enough to cause me to black out" Alec explained, "that must have been quite a lot then, so these creatures are powerful, do you reckon sometime when you both have a better hang of spell work you could send me with you both, so I could see it myself" I asked curiously, "sure but not for a while as that trip has weakened us both so we need some time to rest, and recover" Alec mentioned with a smile.

I was glad that the dimension didn't effect them too badly, "actually I have one question or two that is connected to each other if you don't mind me asking before I leave you both to rest" I asked, "sure Jasper ask away"Jane replied, "thanks, well you said you was there for years, so how did you survive so long and also how did you get by without the need to feed?" I asked, they both looked to each other looking and feeling confused, "actually we don't know about how we lasted as long as we did without the need to feed, maybe it has something to do with the cracks and soon to become Witch hybrids, but we don't actually know, as for how we survived as long as we did, we was just grateful that our unlimited stamina and not needing to rest aided us the way it did because if not for that then we would have been in worse conditions than we are now, plus we really don't know how big that dimension is or how much of it that we have yet to still see" Jane explained still feeling confused.

"Okay I leave you two be, I have a worry wart and others to inform of your return " I said as I left the room, as they both just went to their beds to lay down, I did think that as much as a mystery my own mate is and always will be, those two are remarkable in how they not just get a upgrade in power, but also is dealing with it so well without it going to their heads like most would if they was given more power, it does show that not all go crazy with power when given it.

As I returned to the room, I saw that Heidi looked to be worse for wear as she was surrounded by toys but also look like she's been in ten rounds fighting in the training room for hours, "so what happened here Heidi, you look like you been in the training room than looking after my mate" I chuckled, she frowned at that, "it's not funny, your mate has learnt to throw her blocks, mainly at me, even when I move them, I find more blocks coming my way, so either she has another gift or those blocks are doing something to my memory as it was my head she hit constantly " Heidi said feeling very annoyed, "it seems that it must be the blocks as looking at her now she seems very happy with playing with the blocks and if she did have a gift to do that, I think she be using it now" I said, "anyway I assume you wanna know what I found out from the twins?" I asked knowing she would. "You have a point I do" she said, I nodded and told her it all, to which she listened, never interrupted but the only indications to how I knew she felt something about what I said was her emotions that surged high at points and her expressions too, not that I blamed her for it as I felt the same.

As I finished telling Heidi, "before you say anything it's probably best to leave them for the time being to rest up, before you go there asking them questions after questions as I know what your like and that you worry too much about them " I said before she had chance to speak, to which she frowned,"fine but when I see them next after they rested you can't stop me from asking them, but I will make sure that no one is about that isn't to know about it" Hedi said defeated, "good anyway I think I'll take my mate to see the queens and others who are trusted enough to know about it" I said as I picked up my mate who seemed happy to in my arms as I left the room again as Heidi stayed in the room for the time being.

A couple of days later

As I relaxed in my usual chair in mine and Isabella's room, as she continues to play with her wooden blocks, I've noticed several times that she is starting to do more and more with them instead of just picking them up, like she did when she first had them, I've yet to see her use her wooden pull along horse, but I've been told that she may start using it in time, as children her age like to go through something called phases where they will like one thing to another, which I assumed must be related to toys too. Today she is dressed in a simple yet elegant dress that Athenodora picked for her on the day we went to the market, yesterday it was a dress picked by Sulpicia, I never had much of a say when it came to dressing my mate for the day, as no matter what she wore she was always beautiful to me, and will continue to be when she grows up.

It's been a couple of days since I last saw the twins but Heidi being Heidi is always the first to check up on them every couple of hours, which she always informed the rest of us about how they was doing, so far I've yet to have a update but I'm not particularly worried either as I knew that they was resting as I use my gift to check on them myself and they seem at peace, almost calm which is like someone who is asleep, I've felt that from them every time I've checked not as often as Heidi's checks but enough to know they are fine. When I told the queens and Demetri about what the twins told me, they reacted similar to myself and Heidi, but they knew better, as I've only saw them on the same day I told Heidi, so if they have checked on the twins or not I wouldn't know as they haven't said anything to me about it.

As I escaped from my thoughts while the book I was reading on the witch trials was mostly about the Salem witch trials, as that was the most well known, there were others but they were so little known about them, that the information on them paled in comparison, which I found disappointing, the guards and even some of the guests who would occasionally come in to see Isabella, and some who came to talk to me, would ask my reasons for reading this book, I would only respond to them, by saying that you can't just research one piece of history without looking to be limiting your knowledge, so I try to fit in other parts of history which moves away from the battle and wars, in spare moments like these. Oddly enough the guests who arrived I've barely seen much of as of recent, the only ones who i know has stuck around is Carlisle, Heidi's friend Victoria and her mate James who I found out from Heidi of his name, not that it meant anything to me of his name just as long as doesn't seem harm to anyone here, I've been told by some of the guards that the other guests have left the castle to travel further out of Volterra and will return for my challenge with the kings, which pleased me as having a audience that's isn't just this coven but multiple covens and some nomads will be most entertaining at the reactions and responses that it will get down the line if word gets out, to the ones who didn't stay to witness it.

"Isa do you need a change again" I said as I knew the smell of urination quite well as of now, it may not be as bad as when she defecates but it's definitely something that requires a change so she doesn't sit in it, as she could get a rash or something else that wouldn't be nice for my mate to have, it's a shame that has to experience all this, with vampires who have little experience and still learning how to do this stuff that, naturally human mothers and fathers that would know how to do with some ease, as I've watched a few human families interact with each other when they are in the same scenarios as I find myself in at times, to be honest I felt jealous or envied that is vampires struggle with it more, definitely that we never have that opportunity as either our mates are fully formed adults or for some of us, except Carlisle, feed on humans so don't see the point in learning that particular experience. Isa only nods with a smile but look of being uncomfortable with sitting in that wet diaper, it's funny that having a incredible sense of smell can have it's upsides as well as downsides which I was told that Caius alongside a few others had the unforeseen treatment of getting, as I stood up, I put my book down on my chair as I begin to look for the changing supplies, "so let's see where your aunt Heidi put your changing supplies shall we" I said to my mate in cheery tone, while amusing myself trying to look everywhere, even if I knew where as it was something I knew that Isabella liked me doing as it made her smile and giggle when I pretended to look in the wrong place, this only ever lasted a couple of minutes as I didn't want her to soil her diaper any longer.

One hour later

After spending enough time in the library, we moved into the gardens to join several others who like ourselves enjoyed looking up into the clear sky with all the stars and constellations, I always liked the fact that stars can tell you where roughly you are facing by locating the North Star which is also called Polaris which I learnt from the Victoria's mate James who told me that knowing how to use the stars to navigate through the night helps him to track his pray efficiently, as the the North Star never changes where it is as it will always point you north, he told me a few other interesting things about stars, which I found fascinating. "So how is everyone today, hope your day has been as enjoyable as my own" I asked, seeing James smirk, with Victoria hiding her face of embarrassment, it's good thing that we don't blush as she would have a red face like a tomato, "yeah our day was enjoyable" James responded while nudging Victoria, with a chuckle, the others only respond with a smile or a nod but besides that I stuck to my patch of the garden feeling content with Isabella next to me.

I heard someone walking up in my direction to which I turned my head to see the queens, who was accompanied with Aro and Caius, who only nodded but said nothing, "Jasper and Isabella how have you been?, You had many chances to see the twins yet?" Sulpicia asked, "Also was wondering when you want to go out of the castle again to see what other markets are about, but this time further away from home?" Sulpicia said, seeing Athenodora smile, while the other two kings slapped their foreheads, I sat myself up more so I wasn't laying down on the grass, while leaving Isabella content where she was. "To your first question, we have been doing well, we have had some progress in other aspects but still yet for her to take her first steps, as with our bond, it's same as it has been, once she's older, it's bond to bring more to it but at her age it's still soon to say" I pause, noticing that Marcus was about most likely inside with someone else or doing his own things, "as for your other two questions, not as of yet as with Heidi being Heidi" I said then to hear her shout "hey its not my fault that they don't want to come out of their room" causing some of us to chuckle, "as I was saying, she has been informing me to how they been, but once they choose to come out of their room then It be like it used to be with us all getting along and talking often, as to about the markets, let's just wait a bit longer until we do that again as I'm sure that a few others would like to join us this time" I responded, knowing that I had to keep what I said minimal due to the kings presence here, plus I knew that the twins and Heidi and some others would most likely want to join the queens and myself on the next trip, I didn't mind being asked to go as I was a suitable protection for them and also it gets myself and Isabella out and about seeing the world more.

"That's fine, just informed us when you think the time is right, if we was being honest we have yet to see them ourselves so we are like yourself who is waiting for them to come to us" Suplica said sounding pleased, "while anyway me and my mate have some things to do together" Athenodora smile but more of a smirk, which Caius chuckled as they both walked off, I could only sigh at that, I turned to the other mated pair, "what of you two, you two staying or going to do god knows what" I asked, "we be staying for the time being but will go a little later as we are enjoying looking at the stars as it's romantic" Aro spoke in a tone that sounded happy, I could sense it from them both, they both felt happy, and in love which made me smile as it was nice to feel that way, just makes me look forward to when I'm able to take my mate out to do romantic stuff but time is something that can't be rushed, so until then I was content with what I have now with her.

The rest of the evening went smoothly as one by one after the sunset everyone began to leave the gardens including ourselves to go back to our rooms or to do our jobs which was mostly the guards who went back to work as they didn't have mates unlike some of us. As I walked towards our room with Isabella napping in my arms with an adorable snoring sound that was too cute to say, I noticed that the twins door was open ajar, so I went to the door and looked in seeing that they both was awake and sitting up together on Jane's bed, I knocked three times on the door lightly, "you two up for guests?" I asked, "come in" they both said together, causing me to smile as I walked inside the room and closed the door behind me.

"So looks like you two are feeling loads better" I said, "yeah we are, it's annoying that we can't keep anything from your with our emotions always spoiling it, makes it no fun if we wanted to try and spook you" Jane retorted, "yeah maybe one time, but just not today" I chuckled, "so what have you both been doing in here, as I thought we can't sleep?" I asked, "well you can't but we can, must be one of those changes that we are going under, it's not that bad to sleep actually, it was one of the things we did miss that humans get to do naturally" Alec mentioned with a smile, that even Jane smiled to, "we haven't done that much as we haven't long woken up ourselves, so if anything we wanted to catch up what you been doing and how our little Isabella is getting up to" Jane said, to which I got them both caught up with everything that they missed, which was nice as I sorely missed catching up with them both, so it good to see that they both was happy to hear what they missed out on.

Three days later

With tomorrow being the big day it started to be the talk of the castle the last couple of days and still continues to be today, definitely with the guests who left before have returned again, as Isabella is down for a sleep I search for Renata. Knowing that she is most likely either with Aro or the girls, I check in with Aro first who be in the throne room like per usual, "Major what can I do for you today" Aro with a deep tone to his voice trying to sound like he was impersonating his brother Caius, " seriously trying to sound like Caius doesn't work for you Aro, but as to what you can do for me, is a simple request" I said, in a plain but serious tone, as i look at him waiting for him to respond, "so what is this request you want of me, as i'm already being part of your challenge which I still say i am a unwilling participant of" Aro sulked in his usual childish tone, I crossed my arms, as I wasn't pleased by his sulking as for a king he is the worst, Caius and Marcus acted more of a king then he did, "drop the childish whining tone Aro, your a king not a child and I should know as my mate is a child and is more mature than you are acting right now, so quit it now, before I do everyone a favour and end your miserable existence, as the only one who will miss you is your mate, but in time I think she would see it as relief not being stuck with you for eternity more longer than it has been" I said in a raised voice, which looked to have shook him to his core as he began to radiate fear, even started to sweat which surprised me, "sorry" was all Aro said, " your not unwilling participant if your brothers think that you deserve this so you can show everyone that as a king you can hold your ground without relying on your guards to do all the work for you" I continued with the same tone, not letting it go for one second because he was getting on my last good nerve with all his whining, "as for my request, all I ask is for you to let Renata to spend time with myself and the twins as the guards are guarding my mate and me and the twins wish to do some hand to hand training with your shield, who we think could do with some solo training" I requested, "that won't be a issue will it" I said with a raised eyebrow, "no that's not an issue, but what should I do with my shield to protect me in the meantime?" Aro asked, seriously he asked me that question, what kind of idiot is he, " I'm gonna not answer that as it should be obvious by now, as there is a number of things you could get up to where they is others to protect your defenceless backside" I retorted in a sarcastic manner.

As I looked to the corner of the room I noticed that Renata was in the dark corner who heard it all, with a surprise smile, "so if we are done, I will be off now with the twins" I said as I walked out the room, I turned my head round before I left the room, "you coming Renata?" I asked, seeing that she didn't even hesitate to run to catch up with me to follow where I was heading, with Aro's emotions showing a mixture of confusion and shock, causing me to just smile as I and Renata continued to walk away with the door closing behind us.

"I can't believe you said all that to him like it was nothing but like squashing a irritating fly in a room" Renata said surprised, "that was nothing, to be honest king or not, he has no right to withhold you from doing what you want as he has enough guards and gifted individuals in this very coven to protect him if he needed it, but not just that he has the capacity to learn to fight so he can protect himself too, but is too lazy or weak to do anything about it" I responded, as what I told her was true, everyone has the capacity to be able to defend themselves with or without a offensive or defensive gift to protect them, which is why I'm starting with her as her gift is only defensive but she is using so little of what she could really do with it, plus I need to test her reflexes and fighting ability, which is why I asked the twins to help me with this. "So why did you request me, or anyone that you could ask for?" Renata asked, "that's easy, your a physical shield yet, what you can do with it is, only a small fraction of what you are capable of, the twins and myself will train you as often as possible to deal with that, to make you a better protector if you want to be able to stick to the sidelines to protect the weak willed" I explained, while also hinting about Aro being to reliant to have her to protect him all the time, "but if you want more then we can teach you to properly be able to fight anyone who comes in close contact with you if your gift does fail you, as no matter who you are up against you have to be ready for the possibility that your gift won't always be there to protect you or those you are protecting so the need to be able to fight any sized or gifted opponent is necessary" I explained, while knowing that she was listening and holding to every word I said, "okay" was a she said as we continued to head to the twins in the training room which I insured was only for us to use and no one else.

As was only a few feet from the room, I could sense where the twins was just as I instructed, as they both was waiting for the signal by the far corner of the training room in pitched darkness as I found that I'm pitched darkness it's puts the senses and reflexes to the test unlike doing it during the day just doesn't have that same effect, the exhilaration that my method of training provides, I'm just hoping that the twins keep to the plan I told them off.

Flashback twelve hours ago

Sitting in the twins bedroom with Isabella sitting comfortably between the twins with a single wooden block in hand, we talked heavily about who in the coven needed it the most, the only reason we decided on our own coven, even if I said it wasn't one I was part of but only called it out because of my mate, twins and a select few I was close to. So for the past day and a half we have been discussing who in the coven was gonna be the first one to take part in it, as it be us only three who are in charge and in control of what happens during these sessions.

As these training sessions that we have planned are unique and special to us and how we go about it, as we are curious to see the results of how it differs when I do the group training sessions with Caius and possibly Marcus after the challenge is finished.

"I think that Heidi should be the first candidate" Jane said, "as not just that her gift isn't offensive or defensive, it could help her with fighting ability to be more of use than what she does currently with her enhanced beauty to bring in humans for us to feed on" she followed up with, "not just that it might stop her bothering us too often like she did when we was resting as that was annoying, even if I love that girl" Jane finished with a light chuckle, as I knew she being honest and genuine with her choice.

"Actually I think it should be someone less known like that odd guard that Heidi is attached to I think that Jasper said his name is Robert, to be the first candidate" Alec said, "it wouldn't just be good for his reputation to be brought up in a brighter way, so everyone would ignore his love of humans too much, and instead see that he is a better fighter and maybe even show something of a improvement in gift if there is one" he explained, "also hearing about him from Heidi, is something we could do without, so if we see him in person, even if we have before briefly, this time we spend more time with him, and may find we have some things in common, gain another ally who is outside of our circle of friends" Alec brought up, which I agreed was a good point, but still I kept listening.

This went on for a hour, or so, as I smile and smirked at the many ideal candidates from both Jane and Alec, as they both have good knowledge about the individuals they picked, even very fair and reasonable judgements too, which impressed me and would impress anyone who heard the conversation as others wouldn't have known they thought about others in the way that they spoke or after around them, "Jasper what do you think?, you haven't said anything, while we have mentioned loads, so what do suggest or do you agree with the ones we mentioned?" Jane asked looking concerned, "don't worry Jane, Alec, I have most indeed been listening, very thoroughly and been impressed with how you both spoke and felt about the candidates you picked but I think there is one that is most perfect for the ideal role that you both haven't mentioned" I explained.

Both of them perked up at trying to think who they didn't mention, they looked at me with confusion, "come on tell us, don't leave us in suspense" Alec said, "well have you ever thought about Renata, who is not just someone who a already powerful gift, who's gift is defensive, yet could be used to be offensive if trained correctly, plus it would also make the biggest impact on the coven, being that she's not mated unlike quite a few individuals in the coven, she also protects the laziest king, so picking her be the first candidate would definitely be perfect for us" I explained in detail, as it was something I was thinking about quite a bit to ensure that it hit every point I wanted to make this work.

"Wow you thought that through, the more I think about your point, it makes sense, but I guess you have another reason why her over the others?" Alec asked with surprise, Jane shared his surprise, "well nothing more than what I said really, but I did think about everyone, from the more known individuals, to the least known ones, to the ones with powerful and least powerful, to the ones with offensive and defensive gifts to ones who don't have either, to ones who have a defensive gift that could be used as offensive and the same with offensive being used to defend themselves" I said, " of course as I went through that in my head, alongside what I know about everyone's fighting ability, to ones who know how to and then down to the ones who don't know how or wishes not to learn, added to the fact of what is known about each individual adds to my assessment of my chosen candidate" I explained, "unless you two wished to continue discussing as we still have loads of time until we have to stop for the time being?" I asked.

"No!" They both called at the same time, before looking at each other to bursted out laughing together, "so that's phase one sorted then, okay phase two then, now this should be simple" I said, they both nodded while containing their fit of giggles that would try to escape, " so the location is simple, it be the training room as it has the biggest area for us to use, it's also an area that everyone who uses it and doesn't knows it's layout" I paused, " now this part is what you two need to listen carefully as this is simple and effective way that training will be perfect and will be used on every training session we do" I said, they both nod again.

"Well first the room needs to be pitched black, so it takes away the sense of sight so it should push the other senses to overdrive, secondly, you two are going to wait in the far corners on separate sides of the room, so when me and Renata enters you are going to attack her right away, without hesitation and from then you both will keep attacking her, till we see a change that requires us to stop but till then we need to see how far we can push her to use her shield on whim, or to see if she attack either of you to defend herself, but we got to see what it take to get results" I said, I knew it sounded quite harsh of the method to do it, but it was extreme enough that it would work without too much of a backlash.

"Okay that sounds great, harsh but great, I love it, as if our enemies get stronger or have gifts that surpasses our own or negates them then, like you said we need soldiers who can still defend themselves and others in that tight spot" Jane said with a huge smile, but a smirk then crept on her face and I think both myself and Alec knew why, "sister you might as well tell us, as I think we both know what you gonna say but please tell us, before your smirk breaks your cheekbones" Alec said amusingly, "you know me too well brother, well does this mean gifts is on the table if she uses hers?" Jane asked with such gleam I could tell she was excited if I said yes.

"Actually you can but let's first test her reflexes and fighting skill, but if you have something that lets you do what Alec does with shadow traveling or something along those lines then I encourage it as the more pressure we put her under the better plus if you use your pain gift it might make it pointless as she be incapacitated for the whole duration of the session and we don't need that unless she has a way to block that, then If so I give you the all clear to use your power" I said, Alec nod which I knew he be happy with that as he knew the power his sister holds in her pain gift more than anyone as he's seen it taken affect on her victims she uses it on, "fine, but I'm still happy, as nothing can take my happiness from this from me now" Jane stated.

"First thing first, I need to ensure that we have no disruptions so before I collect her I will go round everyone to tell them that the training room is our of bounds until the challenge day, but before then no one is to enter it, not even the kings, plus I need time to retrieve Renata" I said, "what about us and your mate, what should we do in that time?" Alec asked, I had a response ready for that too, to which I smiled, "oh come on, you have a answer for that too" Alec said in surprise, to which Jane laughed, "yes I do, Alec, but trust me it's simple, you and Jane will first take my mate to our room to sleep which shouldn't be long as she is looking quite tired, secondly, one of you needs to stay with her till we get two guards outside the room, and then just wait in the training room till the door opens to which that be the signal for you two to attack her with everything you got, so no holding back, otherwise it won't work" I explained, Alec looked gob smacked, Jane just smiled.

"Let's get started then* I said with a clap of my hands as we all moved to get on with our tasks at hand

Flashback ended

I opened the door, I heard two wooshing of sounds of the air being cut through by the twins as one hit high and the other hit low at Renata"s body as she was hit unprepared, I heard her grunting, but as I used my hearing to hear the hits after hits on Renata I did nothing but moved out of the way, while I waited to see how long till Renata understood she needed to protect herself with her gift or fight back, "Jasper help me, I'm getting attacked and your doing nothing " she grunted through the pain, I ignored her and continue to listen as it was so dark that you can't see anything even with our perfect vision which is what I wanted for this exercise.

As the hits, the sounds of the floor being shattered and broken, went on for an hour so far, give or take, as I didn't take much mind to the time, but to the progress that should be happening, I think during this time I heard a few limbs being tore off, to which screams could be heard from Renata, which pleased me that they both twins listened when I said to not hold back. I chose this very moment to say something, not stop it but to tell Renata something to see if it get her to do something or if she is still in one piece, "okay Renata it's been an hour, I think you may have lost a limb or two, but I'm not stopping this session until I hear something that's proves that theres progress, the twins are your combatants in this fight you been having, so if you have your gift, have you even used it once?, If not you really should be trying, if you tried, then try harder, if you can fight, then fight, because I have told everyone else outside this room not to intervene, no matter what they hear, so you have another three hours left of this until I call it quits for today and if you think this is tough then next time you not gonna last long when I join in" I announced in, the room.

The emotions that radiated in the room through the hour and now never changed as coming from Jane, was enjoyment, glee, happiness, as she got to fully let go and use her full might without holding back, which I could understand, but she also felt guilty which I knew was because she was fighting and tearing limbs off her off one of her friends which I understood way too well, being that I had to fight friends and it's not something you like to take pleasure in, but it is something that you know you got to do for the end results is justified in the end. As with Alec he shared similar emotions to his sister but his dark joy overshadowed his guilt which I think was because he was always the one who held back and never let go, so the one time he lets go, the darkness of all that holding back over the centuries has taken over to override that guilt of harming friends, which may be something I need to speak to of when this is over, to see if he knows about it or not, and if he can control that darkness as too much is bad so something will need to be done to tame it slightly.

Well with Renata, now that was fascinating indeed, as she express loads of pain from all the hits and losing limbs, frustration at being unable to do much to defend herself, but the sounds of gritting teeth that I heard could only be from her, meant that she was determined too, which I could feel coming from her which meant that as much as she probably hated it done this way, which she expressed, the determination overrides that emotion enough for her to will herself on, making me feel proud.

"Okay we are on hour two, update time, Jane let me know what's happening on your end?, Then Alec you be next to tell me and then I want to hear from Renata if she is able to speak any words, but through this continue fighting as no matter what don't stop as you can multitask" I called out.

"Well progress wise, it's been fun letting go, being fully able to fight without holding back, feel bad for hurting her but it's what she signed up for, so all good, I've successfully torn entire arm off, possibly the left but could have been the right, in uncertain" Jane called out while still going at it, she was light on her feet so hearing her move about took quite a bit of concentration to hear her, which was brilliant.

"This is the most that I've spent not holding back, as I've had to hold back for so long, it's pure bliss feeling that I'm getting, I know I should feel bad but it's good to not hold back, shame that my sister took that arm off as I wanted to be the one to do it first, but I have taken off Renata's other hand from the remaining arm, besides that it's been a decent fight not as boring as I hoped, but need a better challenge really" Alec darkly informed me as he called out enough for me to hear, I couldn't even sense his feet movement which meant he took what I said with his shadow traveling to literal which must have been interesting to see it, but I'm glad that I haven't because it ruin the fun of what is taking place now.

I wonder how Renata is holding up, as she is yet to respond, I guess she has been pushed so much that she can't get a word in, "injured" then a sound of something being crushed into the ground, most likely Renata under Jane or Alec holding her to the ground, "but im good, this is a workout, I didn't expect, but I know there's a reason why you picked me" hearing Jane grunt, which I assume must be Renata trying to pull herself free, as I can feel that Renata feeling more confident in herself now than she did when she first got here, "I think that my gift is working at times, other times not, can't concentrate enough to make it last" she finished saying.

I debated whether to join in for the last two hours or not, but then I had a great idea to mixed things up, that will allow me to see more clearly, but also to confuse them all enough to see how the fight continues to progress, as I knew that despite how powerful Jane and Alec are, they are still learning the extent of their abilities and powers that is still evolving day by day, with their transformation, that doesn't have a time for when it will happen.

I rushed over to the far side of the wall weaving passed Jane, Alec and Renata who is still fighting, I find the hidden light switch in the room and turn the light on, the lights come on with a blaring white light that is disorientating at first but I got used to it pretty quickly, seeing the three of them baffled for a few seconds longer, till they went at it and Jane and Alec still looked to be on top without a scratch to be seen and all limbs are still intact, couldn't say the same with Renata, which pleased me that Jane and Alec are still a powerful forced to be reckoned with.

Renata's injuries was worse than what the twins informed me, probably due to the pitch black darkness that prevented them from seeing anything, but she was definitely missing limbs, most seemed to be torn off from the body leaving not much going for her to hold the legs to the body with the head, but the left arm was seen across the room in three separate pieces, most likely courtesy of Jane herself, and the other arm that was still mostly attached only one part that only connected from the shoulder to the elbow but the rest of it was on the floor also in two separate pieces, I was surprised that the legs was still intact, most likely Renata's attempts at moving about and doing what she can with her gift or to survive to keep them there in one piece.

"Two hours gone, two more to go till we call it quits for today" I announced, " so Renata I want to see more effort out in for the last two hours, as now that everyone can see there's no excuses" I called out in my serious and authoritative tone that I use more so when I train others, it felt good to do this again, just like the old times in the newborn army with Maria and my brother in arms Peter, who I wish he was here to see this and join in too. "So Jane, Alec now that lights on I'm excited to see what you both can do now that you can see without relying on my gift and the normal vampire senses to work out what you both are capable of too" I mentioned to them, while they both nodded, while they continued to batter Renata to the ground once again, which meant her shield was failing her once again.

"Renata if you think this session is tough then you won't like the next sessions to come as they will get more and more tougher, as soon I will join in, to see how you deal with three against yourself, and remember you haven't seen me fight at all only heard what I'm capable of" I taunted, knowing it get to her, as I expected that the more taunting and battering she is receiving it should put the pressure on her to work more to defend herself, which I can see she lacking due to the damage she has suffered in this session alone, not that I was expecting anything more from the twins skills, " I can do this, no I will do this, just you wait and see, I will get stronger" she got double punched by both Jane and Alec before she could finish what she was saying, but as I watched I saw he lift herself back up and charge forward at the twins again, I was amazed such will to continue no matter the damage she has suffered, but the twins didn't let her get closer enough lay a single hit before being knocked back down to the ground.

The session continued for for another hour and a half of the twins towering over Renata battering her and hitting her into the walls leaving multiple indentations to the ground as well as the walls, which showed the strength that they both possessed to cause that damage, while Renata took it all and still willed herself forward to try and try again, until I saw enough with only half hour remaining, "okay that's enough for today, Jane, Alec well done, yes I know it's half hour shorter but next time it be the full amount of allocated time" I said to them, with them both stopping their attacks to move to my side but not before they helped Renata up and gathered her limbs for her, "well what can I say Renata, what you lack in fighting ability, reflexes to bring up your shield quicker enough, you surpassed our expectations to how long you would be willing to go on, so congrats on that" I said to which she nodded her head weakly, " if you still want to take part in the group sessions with myself, Caius and possibly Marcus too then please do as it might help you to last with less damage, possibly, but these sessions are for you alone, until we decide that you have learnt enough to be a effective fighter and bodyguard if that's something you still want to do" I explained.

As I waited for an answer of any kind from her, I saw that Jane and Alec walked over slowly to help Renata to attach her limbs so they could heal slowly again, "do you need a hand or something to help Renata?" I asked as I wasn't a monster who enjoys causing pain, as that make me sadistic, I knew that Jane was sadistic but only towards those she didn't like or grew hatred for, which the only individual who she hated more then other was Felix and occasionally Carlisle, which I understand her reasoning for them both, but either way I joined the twins to help piece Renata limbs together.

After putting all the limbs back in place, "do you need to feed first to heal the cracks from the limbs being pulled off or will you be fine?" I asked gently, "I'll be fine, and thank you for the help, I will still take part in all sessions provided to improve as I want to be the best that I can, and maybe I even be able to land a hit on the twins in one of these sessions, or at least be able to avoid getting torn apart so much" Renata replied timidly, as she walked out the room we waited for her to leave before we discussed how the session went.

As the training room door closed with a clunk sound, "so honestly how did you two think she did?" I asked them both, as I think they kept most opinions about it to themselves, " she did fine, but you was right with your assessment of her at the end, as despite her will to keep going at us like she did despite being defeated, others would have quitted long ago, but she kept going despite the odds stacked against her" Jane responded in a mature way, " what about you Alec, what do you think?" I asked as this was all of us being in charge not just one or two of us, so I wanted to hear from him too, "I agree with you both, even though it felt easy, for someone of our caliber as she wasn't much of a fight, for us so it was too easy to take her down, but like you and my sister said, her will to keep going is what stood out more than anything, as her fighting ability was much of anything, her gift when worked for a second or two at most proved effective, but due to her being dependant on her needing to put so muxb concentration to get it to last longer enough, it itself proved ineffective at best" Alec explained in assessment that showed someone who could make a great training instructor, " I didn't want to come across as being harsh with what I said but I know you prefer the truth no matter how harsh it may come across" Alec added, he knows me well, which I would have congratulated but knew that it was pointless, "your right and both of your two's assessments of how she performed was on the dot, but it's something we expected from someone like her, plus we knew it was gonna be tough and hard on her or anyone we picked but from everyone this was our best option" I said, "just think of what the reactions everyone including the lazy backside of Aro would think when they seem what we did for her at the end of this" I added, they both smiled at hearing that.

As we made our way to the door, the door opens up before we had chance to open, but as it opens we see Aro standing there tapping his foot like he's been waiting too long, "Jane, Alec, you know that we was talking about him, well speak of the devil he is here just as we finish talking involving him" I said with a dark chuckle, they both join in, " what's so funny" Aro raged, "calm down Aro before I use my gift to knock you down before you throw a vampire sized, temper tantrum, actually better yet I could ask the twins to torture you with their gifts but seeing that I need you fighting shape for the challenge tomorrow, I will just use my gift to calm you down instead, this one time " I said, seeing the sad faces on Jane and Alec's faces, I could only smile at that, whereas Aro's face changed to a pure look of horror, but as I used my gift on him, he looked more calm and relaxed.

"Well that's better so if you don't mind us we have things to do, people to meet, so move out of our way, unless you have something of importance to tell us" I said, "nothing important, just worried about the state that my personal guard was in and wanted to know how she did" Aro spoke in a quit tone, like he was being careful to how he spoke to me now, "you needn't to worry, she did fine for her first time, to be honest I'm surprised that she didn't have any training before but in time we will fix all that" I said to him, "the only thing you can do is, give her some space and let her do more away from you, because her being stuck by you all the time doesn't do her no good when she could have been taking part in training sessions with the others, as well as actually integrating herself with the others of the coven to get her out of her timid shell, that she had built around herself because of you" I said to him, as I had to be serious with him, because unlike the others she was stuck to him being only around for her shield with no battle experience or anything, so he was the one to hold her back, when she could have been like the other guards in this coven who has shifts, between guarding and have personal time, but she hasn't got any of that and the personal time she gets is so miniature in comparison to everyone else, that she barely has any time to do stuff.

"Thank you for your honesty Major, I guess you two agree?" Aro said, the twins just nodded, "well thank you, I guess since you arrived here Major, it wasn't what I expected but you have and are still helping us all to do better, I thought it was just your mate who changing us, but it's you too, it take time but I'll get there soon" Aro said, "well I'll better be off to do my kingly duties" he said before he sped off leaving the doorway clear once more.i turn to the twins, "wow that was something, should we be off now, as I am missing my mate, your welcome to join us" I said to them, the shook their heads, "we are good, we got plans with some of the girls and then to see if Demetri wants a catch up" Alec responded, " unless he's occupied with his mate" Jane chuckled, "well I see you both later then, don't forget to make time to see my match with the kings tomorrow as you don't want to miss it" I said to them, as we walked out the door going out separate ways.

Chelsea POV

Of all my stupid luck I'm still here in this hell hole, of course it doesn't help with the situation that we are in currently, as I'm still chained up in these stupid manacles and chains to this wall, that's contains some powerful ingredients that Kur made specific to mine and Aderes's DNA, of course it doesn't contain us fully but enough to make us feel de-powered and weak, being unable to do much, the lack of blood for me has been the worst kind of torture, as I could only have so much from Bari during the time we have spent off the sedation, without killing him in the process, I knew better than to take any blood from Aderes as her blood would kill me if I tried even a drop, don't know why it is but I do have some self preservation left in me. During the time being off the sedation while hating being chained, I have felt connected to Bari despite how idiotic he may be or that I have a much stronger bond with Afton, who I miss so much, wishing he was here to save me like he has done before, but unfortunately he's not so I have to think of a way to escape from here, unfortunately I can't leave these two here with Kur, even if I want to be free, as much as they annoy me they deserve freedom too.

"Don't even think it, you won't escape me today, you still a valuable piece on the chessboard that has a important part to play" Kur would torment me with, anytime I think of a way that may work, as he either read my mind or he knew my intentions so we'll that made me feel even more trapped than I already was which made me feel even more useless than everyone else in this room trapped with Kur who I once look up to and respected, but now hated and wished that I stuck with the weak vampires of the Volturi as I felt that even they would have done better than doing what Kur done to me keeping me here as a prisoner for no reason but his own.

"Oh but that's where you're wrong my dear, being with the Volturi you be dead already, as you wouldn't even make it that far without myself or one of my assassins hunting you down before you took one step in their territory, as for why you are here, yes your a prisoner, but as insurance that if your mate Afton fails and comes back empty handed then I will kill you in front of him, before I kill him next " Kur said with a dark chuckle, as this time he said it aloud so even Aderes heard it, she was in shock, with it replaced with fear, of her being next, " don't tell me my dear that you have stopped making escape plans as your taking my enjoyment away besides the enjoyment at torturing this pathetic creature who failed at doing something so simple to keep you both sedated until you both served your uses " Kur taunted, while not taking his attention from the constant torturing of Bari in front of us who looked worse for wear, but his screams and the smell of his clothing soaked in his sweat, just showed how worse he was getting it than myself or Aderes, despite us being chained and feeling helpless.

As my mind drifts to how it started, with some uneasiness, but also feelings of regret as if Kur can hear my thoughts he would know all that happened before he arrived, even if how he got here was already worse then, so knowing the before could make things worse than it already is or not but im losing the will to concentrate on the now and want to think of something less painful to look and think about.

Flashback to a week and six days ago

Early that morning, myself and Aderes would have our usual conversations about some stupid stuff and some important things, that we tend to talk about to pass the time during the hours of Bari's sleeping time, as with today we knew that we wouldn't have long till Bari would sedate us ready for Kur's arrival, to ensure that none of us being conscious be known to Kur, as if found our there be death to Bari and God knows what to us two.

"Chelsea I'm sure that being sedated with us knowing about it, this time be better than the alternative of us faking sedation, as just think about it for a minute, that if you was Kur I'm sure you could smell us and sense that we wasn't sedated as, the drugs used has a certain smell to it I'm sure, so this way, it's guaranteed us and him safety" Aderes said, "I know that, but what happens if something goes wrong" I said, think about negative side of things but someone had to, as no one else seemed to remember that something always has to go wrong before anything goes right, "oh hush you, stop thinking so negative all the time, trust me this will work, it has to" Aderes said with enthusiasm.

Nothing was said for several minutes that passed, I got good at knowing how much time passed when I had nothing else to think about, besides the odd questionable thoughts would creep in, which I chose to ignore but knew deep, deep down that nothing would come of it, if I listened to them, of course this time I did listen to it, but what was worse I said it out loud forgetting that Aderes was next to me, "Aderes is there a future to be had with us getting out of here, with Bari" I said too loudly, where I could have sworn that I heard Bari waking up, she laughed, " so you do like him them, then there's me thinking you hated him and wanted his death before you escaped leaving me here alone with his dead body" Aderes said lightheartedly, "shush, shush, don't say it so loud, I don't know why, maybe he's grown on me, but getting out of here together doesn't sound so bad" I said in a much quieter tone.

"Don't worry your secret's safe with me, but every chance I get I'm gonna tease you with it" she said causing me to be grateful that I don't blush, "anyway he's getting up now so quiet" I said pushing her playfully, which was enough to cause her to tumble to her side, which made us both smile, as she pushed herself upright while with as much movement she could get despite it being difficult as with most movements either do or attempt, not that it stops us from trying, of course with the small yet slow pace we have taken with Bari it won't be long till he lets us out of these annoyance of chains and shackles we have been bound in.

With the increase sound pace of steps coming behind the door we both knew that Bari has woken and is on his way, as neither of us knew what his mood could be but hoped it be cheery as maybe it means escape but knowing that Kur is soon to arrive, I definitely had some doubts about escape so soon. As the turning of the door handle rattles, the door opens with Bari standing in front of it with a mix of emotions playing on his face like even himself must be having some doubts about what Kur's arrival could have in store for Bari for disobedience but for us as we are not sedated, so I could definitely understand any of us for doubting even if some of us are less likely to say it, which I knew that Aderes was definitely less likely to say it. As Bari walked forward into the room his expression suddenly changed to a more brighter look, "morning girls" he said with a forced smile "I apologize for the late arrival, I decided to sleep in longer after yesterday's activities of sorts, let's hope that after Kur's visit, is done with that we can get on with what you both have been belittling me into I gave in, so I hope I don't come to regret giving it a go" he mentioned, before he closed the door behind himself, I just looked at him, with a few things running through my head, one was it took him longer enough to accept this, but secondly he is such a idiot, yet glad that he is finally accepting the truth despite if he says we belittled him to agree to it.

With the clicking of the door, which indicates it was closed, unlike the other two I could here not just the click of the door being closed but also the rusty gears within the door locking it, you would have thought that those gears would have been heard by someone like Bari but for whatever reason it was designed with the intention to not be heard, quite genius, even if it was most likely designed and made by Kur. As Bari continued to speak to us both the same as he does every morning, I blanked it out like I always do, as to me it was just nonsense chatter that didn't interest me, but during that time I did see something black like a shadow behind him getting bigger, I wasn't sure if it was just me seeing things, or it was actually happening, could it be Kur or Bari doing something without being fully aware of it, I turned to see that Aderes was indeed not aware of it as she was too occupied with the nonsense chatter that they call conversation, not to say that all of it was nonsense but today it was.

I kept my eyes on that shadow getting bigger, but tried to see what those two idiots was talking about as I know I missed a big amount of it, for good reason, "we know that he is going to arrive" Aderes said, though I missed the first part of what she said so I waited to see what Bari was gonna say that might make the conversation more easier to understand what's I missed, " well I know that, but remember I have no choice but to use the sedatives on you both" Bari said but didn't finish as a hand from the shadow stretched out too quick for anyone but myself to see, but not in time to stop or say anything that I knew inside that would be useless to stop it happening, any sooner than I could to get the words out.

As that hand grabbed Bari by his throat, which not only stopped any words to be spoken by him but also doing something that made Bari just hang there like a rag doll from his shoulders down to his feet, but I could see the fear in his eyes as he knew who it was, and that he was in trouble, if I could see myself in a mirror or something I swear that even I could be seeing myself in fear in my eyes, as Kur wasn't the type who was predictable in anyway, but he was so unpredictable that friend or foe was to be weary of any action or word could cause from him.

As Kur fully emerged from the now, full grown black shadow that not only seemed to have stretch throughout that side of the wall now, but also seemed to have what appeared to be tendrils coming out of it, just waving in the air waiting for orders, yet those tendrils wasn't ordinary, as they was like the growing shadow earlier as they seemed to be made of the same thing, with that in mind, we was doomed. "Oh come on, Bari I'm waiting for you to finish that lovely sentence, that you was gonna say" Kur spoke sarcastically, "oh wait I forgot you can't speak with my hand on your throat, restricting it second by second" he cackled, "what am I saying, that be no fun if I kill you now, I think torture is the way to punish disobedience, right" Kur seemed to be talking to himself as he was looking at Bari, while I could have sworn that he may have been asking me or Aderes that question too.

"Well let's have some fun, let's start with some special electro therapy, sorry not therapy but electro torture, it's gonna be so fun, maybe starting at 250,000 volts should be a good start" he said with a glint in his eye, as that voltage is more than enough to kill Bari for sure and I think he knew that, but was testing to see if either of us would protest, but I knew to keep shut, "no protests, wow you both are heartless, well let's see what happens, as I've always wanted to see a crispy fried human, maybe I'll even skewer him with a long stick of sorts, like a human kebab, as I'll bet it taste delicious" Kur said with a licking of his lips, but went on, taunting to try and get a reaction, even though I knew he meant it with his words as he would do exactly as he describes, just causing me to scrunched my nose instead, while groans of protest was clearly coming from Bari.

I was surprised that Aderes didn't speak or do anything as from either of us she would have been the one I'll bet on to react or do something first, "here we go" Kur called out as thick black, shadowy ropes came out of Kur's back in a whip like motion, that moved to coil round Bari, as the full length was round him, it began to restrict his entire body that it looked to cause him to turn a purple like skin colour, but that wasn't all as Kur release his hands to let these ropes do the work as he shun a gleeful smile as Bari screamed so loudly and in pain that I tried to move but couldn't will my body to move like I was frozen in fear.

"Tut tut, it's rude to try to intervene, now sit and enjoy the show" Kur snapped his head round to face me so quickly you could hear the snap sound vibrant in the air, before he turned his head back to face Bari, just watching with glee, "well I've had enough of your screaming for the time being, let's see how you deal with the electro torture next, as trust me you gonna not have to worry about being cold ever again" Kur laughed, as Bari's eyes looked like they was gonna pop out of his eye sockets. The next thing you could see is that the shadowy ropes took a more of a look that you could see sparks coming off them like they was conducting electricity through them, so I knew that now Kur was going to next part he said, which wasn't gonna be pleasant for Bari or us unwilling spectators. As the electro torture seemed to start slowly, I guessed that Kur didn't start it so high voltage as he said, which was gonna make this slow and painful to watch and for Bari himself, you could see the burning marks as the shadowy ropes continued to move around his body like a snake, but with each burning mark leaving darkened skin going black and crispy, giving off a burning flesh smell even left me feeling queasy in my stomach, wishing to puke my guts out with each second going by.

Hour by hour that passed, the voltage kept going up and up, with the smell getting worse and worse, what was worse was that Bari's screaming got worse, but also started to sound dreadful like even his voice was running out to almost muted screams of pain, just looking at Bari just wasn't even possible as you couldn't even recognize him. All of a sudden a golden purple light gleamed over Bari that only lasted a couple of seconds at most, which not only caused Kur to have stopped his torture, as he took several steps backwards, to get away from it, even his shadowy ropes disappeared entirely, leaving just the golden purple light to simmer until it faded again.

After that light faded all that was left was a partially restored Bari but he looked unconscious on the floor, I guessed that it was either a miracle or something but I had some hope that Bari did that unconsciously to protect himself from that torture, causing me to smile slightly, "what the freaking hell was that?" Kur shouted in a hellish rage, looking obviously taken off guard, while I just laughed but not alone as even Aderes laughed too, it wasn't intentional laugh but it felt good that something had the drop on him like that.

"What you didn't know he wasn't fully human then, I'm surprised Kur that something so small even surprised you, that's why we are laughing even if it's as small as that" I said as I laughed some more, completely forgotten that Bari was unconscious on the floor for a few seconds until I looked down at him seeing that he hadn't moved since that light faded.

"It may have caught me off guard this time but it doesn't mean that what I did still hasn't affected him emotionally, as you can see that he lays there unconscious and still damaged, not burnt to a crisp as I wanted, but still got burnt marks and is still the weak willed creature that he is" Kur roared in a sound of almost triumphant way, "so now I'm gonna continue what I started but this time with something much more lethal that electricity, im gonna use the very shadows that I can will to inflict damage so deadly that not even that stupid light or whatever else he can do, that protect him from" Kur said with confidence that brought back that creepy smirk, making my dead body fluids run even colder than before.

As the tendrils from the wall rushed upwards and into Kur's being, like it is part of him, as you could see the flickers of the shadows slither and wave all over his being, " so let's begin the party ladies" Kur announce with glee, as he pushed his hands forward to launch thousands of thousands of long bladed shadows in a whip formation attacking Bari over and over again leaving cuts so deep into the body but no sound escaping his mouth despite the dreadful pain that it would cause almost like something else was at play.

Aderes began to scream so much and sob until her eyes went red, from all the tears she shedded, I turned to her, "stop, just stop, we got lucky that he survived the first part, but it's too late, he's either already dead, or just lucky and under something that he can't escape from, which may or may not be Kur's fault for causing, so there is nothing that screaming or crying will do to save him" I explained to her trying to save whatever I could of us getting out of this thing alive, not that it be worth much, as much as I wanted out of here, claim innocence or say something to Kur to let him forgot what I did and let me go free but nothing came to or out of my mouth that would let me.

What surprised me was that Aderes face went red with pure rage,"you are a monster" she paused as she must have been fueled by adrenaline causing her to breathe heavily, "do you get a kick out of torturing us because we can't defend ourselves to you or is your life just that pathetic that torture is the only thing that give you the kick you need to make you feel special" another intake of breathe, I couldn't believe she saying those things without a care yet, I didn't want to stop her as she was right and I was scared of what would happen if I spoke now, not just that I was curious to what she was gonna keep saying, as Kur obviously didn't look bothered by what she was saying, almost looking bored by it, " you think because that gentle soul stopped giving us those horrible sedatives was bad but for us, it gave us something of a relief, so whoop de do, get over not getting things done the way you want and live with it, so what you gonna kill us, well I say hurry the hell up, because seeing your messed up, ugly, stupid face to be forced to stare at while you torture us and Bari, is something I could do without, so chop chop, kill me now" another intake of breathe as she looked too worn out to carry on.

"You finished your forsaken, pathetic, self absorbed, and useless ranting, only succeeded in giving me a headache which itself was minor as your ranting was quite the bore", rubbing his head, "the only thing that headache did was remind how long it's really been since I last had one, it was long before the Hadean period, which if I remember correctly it was before this very earth was first formed, so hope it doesn't surprise you that I'm way older and wise than you think I am" Kur explained, "even humans and vampires wasn't about in that early time, but my world was much better than your own, as mine didn't have to deal with useless and weak willed beings such as yourselves or the others I've come across in my incredibly long, long life" Kur continued, "so if you have nothing else to say, which you have no choice in, keep your trap shut otherwise I do it myself, of course it won't be done nicely " Kur said smiling, showing that he has some much little care for her and even me, that he was willing to do whatever he wanted, most likely not even using the full use of his abilities as even now he seemed to not even use a small fraction of it, so it did make you wonder what he be like full power, at full power usage, as he definitely wasn't holding back now with the little power he was using.

"Anyway my dear, dear Chelsea, you are right, he was lucky, but he won't get lucky twice, because one I won't let it, two you was right when you said he be under something, as soon as I got my wits about me, from that sudden surprise, well let's just say that I put him in one of my special little torture methods that is keeping him unconscious, thinking what just happened was all a bad dream, so what he is thinking now is something entirely different, of course I'm not gonna give it all away to you now, as that would ruin all the fun" Kur explained to me, as he looked completely at me this time. "When you said he wasn't fully human, well even you can be right for the third time in one day it seems, well yes it took me off guard but it's not something I've never come across, uncertain if this one is even worth my time spent but I have time and some things I need to burn off, so it will do, as they may be hard to kill entirely, as we just seen, but they can be harmed subconsciously to extremes that no power they hold that, has the possibility of harming me, with those dangerous feats in magick, but they all hold the same weakness no matter the increase in power each one I've come across, which is that attacking subconsciously is something they can't come back from" Kur explained with a smirk, "what luck did I get that this one is not even trained unlike the others I've seen, now those caused some problems for me, but this thing, well he is more like a slug or cockroach, weak and easy to kill over and over, till you feel bored to leave them be" Kur said while he pointed with his other hand to show he was talking about Bari, yet I didn't need him to point to know who he spoke of.

"Before I continue with this whelp, I just want to tell you one thing first, I plan to make him so scared and fearful of me, with what I plan to do to him, that he will be so obedient he be like a puppy who listens to his master without going against me" Kur said sounding arrogant, but honestly his arrogance was something to be feared than anything as he has yet to lose, but with those last words, the only thing that brought me any comfort was that day by day I have to bide my time, slowly, figure a way to get out preferable alive, and intact, as there had to be something that can be done to work or for Kur to leave us, as he can't stay here forever, can he.

Flashback ended

As my mind brings me back to the present time, I wonder why I ever let myself be part of his army, why I thought it was a good idea to think that working for him was the best solution over what I already had, yes it made me much stronger and powerful than I originally was, yes I didn't have to bow to men no more, as Kur was no man but a monster, but also it brought me to Afton who made me happy and treated me like a equal on all of our missions, so why am I full of regret while also not regretting my decisions.

" My dear I can see your expression, I know that expression anywhere, if you're regretting anything then you are weak, regrets are for the weak, just like those emotions that you, this thing and her" Kur said out loud, pointing to each of us, it was first time he started talking since about a week now, or more when this started, " felt for each other, but seriously how can love help you when if anything it's trapped you, made you weak and easy to control, make you submissive, make you less willing to think straight" Kur continued, " unlike me, I have washed away such pathetic and weak emotions, which is why I'm strong and nothing can change that ever" Kur said in fury, which made him double the effort he put in torturing Bari, while also sending such power radiating through the room that if felt like gravity pushing myself and Aderes to the ground unable to move, such force, it hurt to do anything little as twitching a finger, so I knew that moving was impossible, as Kur laughed manically.

Hearing movement coming closer to me, I knew it could only be from Kur as none of us could move, Bari was most likely unconscious still, so it had to be Kur, "if you think that anything you all have to say will work then give up, as I'm not gonna stop torturing you three till I've had my fun, and when I had my fun I will leave to attend to some plans that are still in the works, but after that I will return once more and begin it all over again, and again, till you three are nothing but empty shells, who will do what I say, when I say, and when I ask any of you anything you will respond with what I want and nothing more, because what I have planned for you all is only just the beginning because you the fear I will set on you all is what will make you all obedient to my will" Kur laughed so much that he swung his hand, and back handed me to the side of my perfectly formed face, to which I heard a two cracks, one from the backhanded hit from Kur and second from the damage it must have done to my face, it was so much pain that I blacked out.

With the little will I had left, I could feel the feeling that, may have been the same as what Bari, must have felt like under Kur's power, or it may have been slightly different but I was sure that I was now next to feel that same torture that I witnessed Kur do to Bari in front of us, but now being the one getting tortured, I just hope that Aderes isn't under this torture, as the feeling of blacking out makes it impossible to tell if it's just me and Bari or all three of us being tortured by this one being I once worked hand in hand with, as the only thing I see and will feel now is darkness, shadows in pitched dark nothingness, that no light could penetrate even with the strongest kind of light there was would feel helpless to it.

One hour later

This nothingness, or what it felt like, as I was sure that I was definitely not asleep as I don't sleep, but I was definitely not awake either, maybe I'm in the in-between, I felt weightless as I seem to glide about this nothingness that I've called it, because there is absolutely nothing here but myself, I would know if there was something here as with so much time, with no one or nothing here, I have drifted about where I have seen, you guessed it nothing. Something like this for human would drive them to insanity, me I was still me, I did scream and shout at first to get answers but none came so I gave up that and just let myself drift and glide about like a speck of dust moving in the air with no care, as I lost all care, all meaning to life, did I have will to fight back, yes, did I want to fight, no, as with nothing to fight, there was just myself to beat up over everything and everyone I wronged.

Being here felt like my life before Kur, nothing, pointless, useless, nothing positive to bring light into it, yes when I joined I had things that gave me purpose, but Afton and Bari, even Aderes brought me light in my life that gave me something to hold onto, I still try to hold onto that with as much will I have left in me.

"You enjoying yourself, enjoy it because where time passes at normal pace in the real world, where you are time goes so slow that it make being here with nothing last much longer, which is torture for what you deserve" the voice that only belonging to Kur spoke to me.

"If you think this is scaring me then please I've had so much worse, so give me all that you got, as this is nothing to me, do you hear me nothing" I screamed.

"Ha you say it's nothing now, I've heard about your human life, with the abuse and beatings you had for disobedience, refusing to listen to rules and the laws" Kur said like it was nothing but to me it was way worse than anyone can imagine, "so if you think that was bad to you, well your gonna be in for a treat as what Bari, is going through, making you feel all those useless emotions, well that be nothing to what I will put you through, as originally I was gonna just let you stay here to rot until Afton returns, and hears where you have been all this time" he paused, waiting to here or see me fall to pieces, but I refused to back down even to him, who has given me so much in my new life as a vampire till this happened to me, "so what I'm gonna do with you he won't even be able to recognise what you look like in the end, that's if he does survive the impossible mission I tasked him with" Kur stopped leaving many quiet possible seconds turning minutes of nothing being said, but myself feeling broken by his words as it started to crumble that wall I used to hold it all back, so I don't end up the blubbering mess.

"So buckle up, as you may think I can only punish one of you at a time, but I'm feeling inpatient and got so much that I want to do, to you all for what you have and haven't done, because I can do it, without no one to stop me" Kur sounded sinisterly excited, "on a final note before I leave you here trapped for here to never escape from or be saved from, Aderes is as helpless as you, and if either of them survive at the end when I feel satisfied, well let's just say they won't be any state to be much help, not that you be much use either" Kur laughed in a sinister tone as his laughter began to fade until I was left alone, once more, but now dreading my decisions leading me here, in this nothingness which knowing Kur will or won't have anything of the dangerous kind to torture me inside here, while my body is getting punished the same as Bari and possibly Aderes is.

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So what did you all think, was it what you expected? Was there anything you wanted to see but didn't? Well if there is anything that I missed or want to see in the next chapter, then please let me know either from reviewing the story or DM me as I read them all.

Well I'll better start on the next chapter so you all don't have to wait too long for the next one.