"What the hell?!Did someone just knock on our door?"Jane smiled hearing Kate Denali's confused voice. She along with Bella, Felix, Dimitri and five lesser guards flew from Italy to Alaska as soon as the royals had told them of the mission. It was Jane's wish that this mission wouldn't take that long because she knew Bella was going to be extremely upset when faced with the Cullens. The only thing that would be able to calm Bella enough to settle her would be her private room in the castle that was deemed her safe space. No one was allowed in that room except Bella and it was where the young vampire went when she was overwhelmed and needed time to get her control of her emotions. Jane just hoped that Bella wouldn't lock herself away for more than a few days but she expected the only thing that would draw her out of her isolation would be the promised fight against the Cullens.
"I don't know how they could sneak up on us."Irina said.
"It doesn't matter how,what matters is that they did.I want Kate with me, Irina, Eleazar and Carmen you know what to do."Tanya told them.
"Do you want to be the one to face them?"Jane asked Bella knowing that her mate enjoyed scaring people. Bella shook her head."If that's what you want."
"Kate stand close."They all heard a vampire take a big breath before the door was opened and the scared face of Tanya Denali met them.
"Shit."Kate hissed.
Noticing no one was going to greet them Jane spoke."Hello Tanya, Kate we are here on official business. Will you please invite us in."
"Yes, of course please come in."Tanya tried to keep her voice steady but knew she failed when Jane smirked at her.
"You go check out the perimeter,me and the Assassin will speak with the Denali."Jane told the guard members standing on the porch.
"Got it."Felix said as he motioned for the others to get moving.
Jane walked into the living room not paying attention at all to the occupants as she took a seat that made her the focal point. Bella stood behind her with her hand on her shoulder touching the exposed skin giving them a way to communicate."Now why don't you call the rest of your coven and have them meet us in here."
"Everyone come to the living room."Tanya was trying to keep calm but every time her eyes looked into the red ones behind the sliver mask she couldn't contain her fear. She had a feeling what this was about and was now cursing Carlisle for putting them in this situation.
Eleazar followed by Carmen entered the room and immediately dropped to a knee in front of Jane and Bella."Jane it's an honor to have you and the Silver Assassin in our home."
"None of that. Your coven is not the reason for our visit."Jane told them.
"If I may inquire are you here because of the Cullens?"Tanya asked.
"We are."Jane confirmed.
Tanya felt a lot better knowing that it wasn't her coven that was in trouble."What do you need from us?"
"The kings have decided that the Cullens need to be tried for their crimes. To do that we must apprehend them. What we want from you is to contact Carlisle for the reason being you are having trouble with a group of nomads."Jane said.
"Not to doubt your plan but wouldn't Alice know right away we are lying?"Tanya figured Alice knew of this very conversation.
Jane smirked."I can guarantee that Alice has no knowledge of anything that happened when you spoke with the kings nor will she know of this visit."
"I don't want to say you are wrong but how could that be?"Tanya asked.
"That's none of your concern."Jane wasn't going to tell anyone about Bella's gift. The only people who knew not only Bella's identity but how her shield worked were Jane, her brother Alec and the royals."When Carlisle inquires why Alice's gift doesn't work you are to inform him that you believe one of the nomads is gifted. That will also be the reason you haven't been able to catch them."
"Carlisle will definitely want to investigate that claim."Kate said.
"It isn't a secret that he wishes to make his coven more powerful."Eleazar agreed.
"The kings think so as well. They figure that if Carlisle learns of a gifted vampire he will gather his entire coven to come. His thinking being that he could either convince the vampire to join him or kill them because they can counter the gifts of his coven."Jane explained.
"I will gladly help."Tanya wasn't that comfortable working with the Volturi but Carlisle was in the wrong. She believed that Edward's action were just some of the crimes they had committed and Tanya wasn't going to continue to associate with law breakers. That and helping the Volturi would make the Denali look good in the kings' eyes and might be something they could use if they ever needed help from the royals.
"Call him now."Jane said.
"Of course."Tanya took out her phone, put it on speaker and dialed Carlisle's number.
"Hello Tanya."Carlisle's voice said over the line.
"Hello Carlisle."Tanya replied.
"I haven't heard from you in while is this a friendly call?"Carlisle asked.
"I'm afraid not."Tanya said.
"What is it you need?"Carlisle asked.
"We are having a bit of trouble with some nomads in our area."Tanya told him.
"Why haven't you been able to take care of them?"Carlisle asked.
Tanya gathered all her acting skills and spoke."We aren't sure but we think one of them is gifted."
"What kind of gift do you believe they have?"Carlisle asked.
"It seems every time we get close to them they disappear. We have chased them throughout our territory but they have evaded all our attempts at capturing them."Tanya said.
"So they may be able to shield their location."Carlisle mused.
"We were hoping that you and your coven would be willing to come and help deal with them. With Alice and Edward's gifts they would be no match for you."Tanya knew the best way to get Carlisle to agree was to play to his ego.
"Well of course they wouldn't."Carlisle proclaimed proudly.
Tanya smiled when she saw Jane roll her eyes."Are you able to get here soon?"
"Edward is traveling at the moment but because this is so important I will call him home and we will travel to you as soon as he gets here."Carlisle voice was laced with excitement.
"Thank you my friend.I promise to repay you for this."Tanya said.
"No need.I know that you would come to our aid if we needed help."Carlisle replied.
Tanya winced."Regardless thank you."
"I will let you know before we leave."Carlisle told her.
"Good bye."Tanya disconnected the call."Well that was easy."
"The man is predictable."Jane said as she pulled out her own phone and sent a message to Aro.
"In the mean time is there anything we can get you?"Tanya asked.
Jane looked to Bella and took a minute to listen to her thoughts."Is that what you really want to do?"
"Is that what who really wants to do?"Tanya asked in confusion as no one spoke aloud.
"The Assassin would like to know if you would be willing to let them use your video game console."Jane was happy that Bella had found something to keep her busy while they waited. They should have brought stuff to keep her occupied but they had been in a rush.
"The Assassin wants to play video games?"Kate wasn't sure she believed that.
"Only if you allow them to use your console."Jane said.
"Of course. They can use anything in the house they want."Playing video games was something Tanya would be more than willing to let the Assassin do. Anything that took the focus of the deadly vampire away from her coven was good.
"Would you be willing to show them how it works."Seeing the confused expression Jane explained."They know how to play video games they just don't have this system."
"I can help."Kate volunteered. It wasn't everyday you got the chance to interact with the Silver Assassin without them trying to kill you.
"Is there anything you or the guards would like to do or need?"Tanya asked Jane.
Jane shook her head."The other guards are checking the area to find the perfect spots for staging.I am just going to stay here with the Assassin."
"Of course."Tanya was at a loss. She wasn't sure how to be the proper hostess to not only one of the Witch Twins but the Silver Assassin as well.
"Ok so what game do you want to play?"Kate asked.
"Do you have any war games?"Jane asked.
"Yeah I have a bunch. What war are you thinking about?"Kate once again asked the Assassin.
"Anything World War 2 is fine."Jane answered for Bella.
Kate didn't understand why Jane was answering for the Assassin but it was said that no one had ever heard the vampire speak."Do you like Call of Duty?"
"Those are the Assassin's favorite games."Jane told her.
"Mine too. Do you mind if I play with you?We can be on the same team."Kate would love the opportunity to play video games with someone who actually liked them. Her family would only play with her if she begged them and even then they didn't put much effort into it.
"Kate the Assassin doesn't want to play video games with you."Tanya said.
"It's fine Kate can play."Jane knew that if Bella had someone to play with she would be forced to interact with the world and not just ignore what was going on around her.
"Are you sure?"Tanya looked to the Assassin to see what they thought but they weren't paying any attention to what was going on.
"I promise it's fine."Jane understood Tanya's hesitation as it wasn't often that Bella interacted with vampires outside her family and Jane and Alec unless there was business to be dealt with.
"If they agree."Tanya didn't understand why Jane answered for the Assassin but didn't push. Everything was calm and it seemed that the Assassin really did just want to play video games.
"Great so here are what the controls are."Kate showed the Assassin what each button on the controller did then sat next to the vampire on the floor facing the tv. When the Assassin moved away from her she wasn't offended. They didn't know each other so it wasn't a big deal that the Assassin didn't want her in her space.
"So Jane may I ask what the kings have planned for the Cullens?"Tanya asked. Not only was she interested but she couldn't think of anything else to talk about to break up the tension in the room.
"As you will probably be receiving an invitation soon I don't see the harm in telling you."Jane wasn't worried about the Denali knowing because they wouldn't tell anyone especially with Bella and her in the house."The kings have decided to host a gladiator tournament."
"They haven't had one for centuries."Kate said.
"I have only been to one of those events when I lived at the castle."Eleazar had remembered how many vampires had clamored to fit into the arena to watch.
"What does the tournament have to do with the Cullens?"Irina asked.
"The kings have proof of the Cullens' crimes so they have already been found guilty."Jane wasn't going to mention that Bella was their proof as it wasn't anyone's business."It's because of the severity of the laws that were broken that the royals arranged for the Sliver Assassin to fight against the entire Cullen coven by themselves as the main event."
"We are definitely going."Kate wasn't going to miss that fight.
"I would say that was harsh but for the crimes they committed I think it is more than appropriate."Tanya knew that the Cullens were being made an example out of but it was what they deserved for punishment for the severity of the laws they broke.
"Are you going to draw the fight out or are you going to just finish them off quickly?"Kate asked the Assassin.
"The Cullens won't get the mercy of a quick death."Jane once again answered for Bella.
"How are you going to get around their gifts?"Kate wanted to know how the Assassin was going to defend themselves against the Cullens many gifts.
"Kate that is none of your business."Tanya quickly stopped that line of questioning. Jane and the Assassin may have been friendly but Tanya was not under the illusion that meant they were actually friends.
Kate was about to argue when she caught the glare Jane sent her way."Sorry I didn't mean to pry."
"It's alright to be curious but don't expect answers to all your questions."Jane would've snapped or even threatened Kate but it seemed like Bella was enjoying herself so Jane didn't want to ruin it for her mate.
"In the future Kate will hold onto her curiosity."Tanya had a feeling that Kate was forgiven so easily by Jane because of the Assassin. It was quite obvious to anyone paying attention to the pair that Jane was very protective of the dangerous vampire and did what she could to make the Assassin comfortable. Tanya wondered what their relationship was but figured that Jane was probably assigned to the Assassin by the royals to keep them under control.
"That would be wise."Jane agreed.
"On your right."Kate called out. When the Assassin took out one of the enemy she held her hand up for a high five."That was great."
Jane held back a smile as she watched Bella stare at Kate in confusion. She wondered how long it had been since someone tried to actually high five Bella. She quickly came to her mate's rescue."The Assassin doesn't like to be touched."
"Oh cool no problem."Kate lowered her hand and went back to the game."You are really good at this."
"They have an arcade room in the castle that has stand up games and different consoles. This one must be a newer release as they don't have it yet."Jane had already sent a message to Didyme to tell her about the system so she could order it for Bella.
"You have your own arcade?"Kate wondered how she could get an invitation to visit. She had no doubt if the royals had an arcade in the castle then it would be pretty impressive.
"It was a gift to from the royals when the Assassin took their place in the guard."It was actually a present to celebrate Bella being united with her parents but Jane wasn't going to mentioned that.
"Do you think I could see it sometime?"Kate asked.
"Kate!"Tanya watched in interest as the Assassin took off their glove and grabbed Jane's hand.
Jane was surprised by what Bella requested. When was she raised an eyebrow to question it and received a nod in return she made the offer."You are welcome to see it when you come for the gladiator tournament."
"Yes!"Kate cheered.
"Are you sure?It's the Assassin's private space we don't want to intrude."Tanya was shocked by the offer but didn't know if it was the right thing to accept. Kate wasn't the most careful and would more than likely break something if she got access.
"I wouldn't have offered if I wasn't sure."Jane assured her. She was surprised that Bella offered Kate use of the room as she had never offered it anyone before. Jane reasoned that her mate felt comfortable with Kate. It was probably because Kate hadn't tried attacking her or challenge Bella in any way as new people usually did when they met her. Plus Kate seemed to love video games as much as Bella did.
"Then we look forward to visiting."Tanya wasn't sure but she felt that Kate may have just gained them an ally with the Silver Assassin. It was hard to tell as the vampire had never spoken but Kate definitely had Jane's approval and as Jane spoke for the Assassin it would reason that the Assassin approved of Kate as well.
"We will work it out when you visit the castle."Jane was already writing another message to Didyme going over the events. The queen would be very happy to hear that Bella had tentatively made a friend.
"Of course."Tanya said as room's focus turned to the two vampires playing video games. If someone had told Tanya when she went to the castle to rat out the Cullens that it would have led to the Silver Assassin sitting on the floor in her living room playing video games with Kate she would laughed in their face. Now with that reality in front of her she wasn't sure what to do. Most people were put off by Kate's childish personality but it seemed the Assassin enjoyed her. It made Tanya wonder who the vampire was. No one knew anything about them except for they wore a purple robe and a sliver mask. Even why they wore a purple robe was unknown. It made the vampire that much more mysterious. Tanya wasn't completely sure but if she was reading the room right it seemed that the Assassin was offering Kate a chance at friendship. Tanya was going to make sure Kate didn't screw it up because the last thing their coven needed was to be part of a main event at a gladiator tournament like Cullens were.