I Feel Like We've Been Here Before

Bella

Only two more weeks and this ridiculous tournament will begin. Okay, maybe it's not ridiculous but it's damned annoying to the person holding it! Everything is done and we are almost ready for the arrival of everyone. I'm really excited today as we are all going to the Finger Lakes region to dive for sapphires in their raw state, of course. This will be our gift to them this year; we might even polish up some. Garrett says it's easy for us as is the cutting of them, we see the flaws and defects that humans miss. There are eleven Lakes so it will be a fairly quick process if we all scour each lake bed with our vampire vision. I wanted something unique from our area and hope to find both large and smaller ones for every coven. The four guys have decided to make it a competition, be we ladies will just take our time and hopefully find a few.

Oh, we're doing this all at night, because it's two weeks to Christmas in upstate New York and we don't need the humans reporting us as a bunch of crazies! Our eyesight is the same night or day, so it makes no never mind to us. I have a funny feeling the guys are going to be doing this au naturel* for the freedom and enjoyment it brings, well Peter was pushing the idea. Clothes no matter how soft or expensive, still rub against our skin and make us uncomfortable. I often forget how old they all are and how little these things that bother humans mean to real vampires. It's taken me a while to be that free around Garrett, but nobody else as of yet! I'll decide when we get there and if the other girls are doing it too. Look at me being all blasé* and thinking like a grownup vampire.

But I hadn't reckoned with Char and once she slapped her husband back in line we dove in, just in our underwear. Turns out she dislikes baring her all for anyone else, so not just me then. Heidi had no problems with it, but Makenna also wasn't very keen either. So with that decided we got down to the reason we were here and started our search. This has to be one of the most amazing things I've ever done, and something I'd like to repeat around the world. When we surfaced from the second lake Makenna voiced my own thoughts.

"Oh Bell, this is the most fun we've had in ages! We have to do this every year, even in different locations. Please say we can make this a tradition, looking for gems and ores?" she begged and I laughed,

"I was going to suggest it too, so yes that would be amazing" I gushed back at her,

I could see Garrett smiling at us and he seemed happy we are getting on so well. I admit I've started to feel so relaxed with our group of friends and yes that includes Jasper too. The eight of us jelled really well, maybe because we didn't live on top of each other and also because Charles and Makenna brought a new dimension to the group. It's not like we were going to live with each other, except for the Whitlocks, of course.

Garrett

I'll give Peter his due, he's a trier! He, above everyone, knew his own mate would not join in on his naked escapades. So I wasn't as worried as Liberty about it. Don't get me wrong I would have joined in if this had been the consensus. Nothing wrong with my body so the wife tells me, for a man of my age! Cheeky madam, I'm in the prime of my life and always will be, so there, ha-ha. Yeah, I'm an arrogant ass, but when you live as long as we do you really only have yourself to depend on. Well, that is until you find your other half. Liberty completes me in a way I never knew I needed, she smoothes my rough edges and I rough up her smooth ones. We are the perfect balance of two vampires, the perfect balance for us that is. Just like for this outing, she thinks outside the box and likes unique things the same as me.

I can see her warming up to the Major every time they interact and I'm happy for them both. Yes, he acted like a fool but it's not a crime! Liberty is never one to refuse to see the error of her ways and will change when she is shown her mistakes. That's one of the things I love about her, being able to change even now as a vampire. Because there are plenty who never do, not because they can't but because they don't want to! Yes, I mean most of the Cullens, why does everything come back to them? But let's forget about them for now, they'll be here soon enough god help us all! We were three-quarters through all the lakes and had a decent haul of Sapphires of varying colours and even some gold nuggets. This planet is amazing, the strange and wondrous things it does. The fact that glaciers deposited them here so long ago.

"Looks like we have quite a few stones Liberty," I say and Charlotte bounces over,

"Can I have the gold Bell? I want to make a settin' for one of the stones for you" she explains to us both,

"You don't have to do that!" Liberty stated,

"I know, but I want to! So can I have it?" Char asked with her hands on her hips,

"Yes, of course, and Char, thank you" Liberty replied before hugging Char,

Bella

Gosh, I wish I could still sleep, tomorrow is the first day of the run-up to the Tournament. I just want to close my eyes for a few hours and leave it all behind. Under normal circumstances those closest would come last, but no! I received a text from Esme just now, saying they would be here first thing in the morning. They were back in Alaska, so the Denali's would also be arriving at the same time. That would make the new living arrangements more obvious that's for sure. I can imagine things would be a little stilted, once I explained who was going where. But for once I was doing things the way I wanted them to be. I didn't need to bend to the will of the Cullens anymore, they are not that important in my life as they once were.

I really only feel close to Emmett now and Esme slightly less, but the others were only tolerated due to them. With every year that passes and seeing how Carlisle's attitude to Edward and Rose has not changed, I respect him less and less. Twenty years ago Emmett and I pointed out their worst faults and nothing he tells me has changed. The shocker was that he had still not returned to sharing a room with Rose! Basically, he ignores her and has in the last four years finally divorced her, which everyone is keeping quiet about. It all came out in dribs and drabs and Emmett became more and more distant and disgusted by Rose. They are most definitely not mates, that was just another lie so she could have what she wanted. Maybe I should have given him a room in the new house?

Edward had demanded that Emmett had to leave; now he was no longer married to Rose. But for once Esme put her foot down and told him to shut up since he wasn't anyone's mate either. That if he wasn't happy with the way things were, he could always be the one to leave! Alice unknowingly had sealed the deal saying she would much rather have Emmett around than Edward. When pushed to tell why by Carlisle, she exclaimed that Edward was a weirdo. That he crept around listening at keyholes all the time, so given the choice she'd rather have Emmett. That had Edward banned from all upper floors in their houses and he now resided in the basement, with only use of the ground floor allowed. Looks like he's taken over from her in the can't mind his own business stakes.

I was beginning to dread them arriving, but with any luck, I'll be too busy to deal with their gripes and demands. I haven't seen Alice since I wiped her mind so that will be fun..., not! To be honest, I haven't seen Rose or Edward either, but I doubt they will have changed in the least. Maybe I can feign being busy and have Char deal with them because she takes no crap ever. Well, I can ask her and pray she feels sorry for me. Firstly I will give everyone a tour of the ground floor before escorting the Denali's to their suites, that's when they will find out they are not staying in the main house. I will just have to spin it as vampire politics, after all, look what happened the last time. Why on earth would Caius want them anywhere near him? Especially Alice and Edward, yes they can take the can for being relegated to the old house!

I suddenly felt relieved that I had made a decision and looked up to see Jasper standing nearby, he was smiling and I realised my shield was down and all my apprehension and indecision had drawn him to me. The relief I knew was my own and he hadn't tried to influence me in the least.

"Thank you, Jasper, I had to sort that out in my own head," I said grinning,

"Well darlin', I think you're happy with whatever you decided and I've learned from my previous mistakes. I will never change your emotions unless you ask me first, I promise" he told me sincerely,

I believed him too, does that mean I forgive him, no forgive him is the wrong phrase. Do I believe his record of events? Yes, I finally do and I let him know as I turn to walk away.

"Thank you, Bella, you have no idea how much that means to me" I heard him say quietly,

Peter

I was happy for both the Major and Bell, it was beyond time this was settled. I had gotten the information drop that Bell needed Char to head off the Cullens and she was quite happy to slap them in place. So we are all ready for whatever chaos ensues. The girls will be surroundin' Bell, makin' sure she is able to focus on who is important and not who whines the most. Even Heidi has had her eyes opened; instead of just turnin' up she sees how much work goes into events like this for the hosts. I'm guessin' we'll be next no doubt, but at least it's twenty years from now. I'm neither lookin' forward to this nor not. Why, because I will always be third! I can't beat Caius and the Major, so I'm destined to remain in my third spot.

"Are we ready? What time will they all begin tricklin' in? Do we have time for a quick meal?" I asked as we all stood outside the new house,

"To hell with them all if anyone arrives before dawn! They can just wait for us to come back" Garrett said and he really meant it,

"Okay then, lock it up tight and let's get the hell away for a couple of hours" Char says and we all nod,

""Let's meet back here as the sun rises" Bell says as we all head out in different directions,

Bella

Jesus, we were back for less than an hour when they started to arrive. Peter was enjoying himself being the car parking attendant. He made them all park where the containers had been and walk up to the house; I heard the sound of grumbling from only one family, everyone else was fine with it. The only cars that would be allowed up here were the Volturi ones and we had a special spot for them. I don't know what their problem was. It's not like we get tired or out of breath anymore.

"My shoes will be ruined!" whined Rose loudly,

"Well take the damn things off, it's not like you actually need to wear that stupid tat anyway!" Peter replied and only she and Edward growled at him,

As they made it to the top of the hill and walked towards me I straightened my shoulders and felt Char squeeze my arm. Thank god for real friends!

"Welcome to the Roundhouse" I started to say when Edward started to interrupt me,

"Isabella, I...,"

That was as far as I let him get in his posturing. I wrapped a small shield around his head and carried on as if nothing had happened. But his stupid antics made him look like a fool.

"Oh, lovely peace at last!" Alice trilled, not remembering I had once done that to her,

"If you'll follow me I'll give you a quick tour of the ground floor before anyone else arrives and then we'll show you to your rooms," I said smiling stiffly and Carlisle looked away,

"Why were we made to walk up that hill when we could have parked there?" Rose spat pointing to the place for the Volturi cars,

"Well, be my guest! But you can explain to Master Caius, why his parking space was taken by someone who thinks themself more important than him!" Heidi spat at her in a heavily accented tone,

Rose actually gulped and slunk behind Emmett who moved away from her as Esme came forward,

"I'm so sorry Bella, I would promise you they'd behave, but I won't lie to you for either of them!" she said in a deathly calm voice and Carlisle flinched,

I didn't say anything, what could I say because nothing had changed in twenty years. I nodded to her and taking Emmett's arm led them into the house. Eleazar and Carmen looked embarrassed and even the sisters were giving Rose the cold shoulder. Everyone was suitably impressed with my beautiful dome, Alice most of all.

"It's like the Titanic! I love that movie" she enthused and I wondered if I had done her some more damage than I expected,

"Ah Bella, this is Alice, she's been very excited to finally meet you," Carlisle said and I for once didn't hide my feelings and glared at him,

"Yes, well I hope she's not as much trouble as your other teenagers Carlisle?" Garrett replied from behind them and I saw Eleazar smirk,

Dear God Carlisle is becoming as petty as them, is he regressing since they won't progress? Esme was staring a hole in the side of his head and I thanked all the deities they were not going to be staying in the house, she was going to rip him a new one very soon. Hell. Even Emmett couldn't believe his behaviour and Rose and Edward looked between Esme and him in disbelief. Only Alice seemed unaware of the undercurrent around everyone. Suddenly Irina said,

"Look, Tanya, it's those slippers, the ones we gave everyone at the last Tournament!"

The Denali's all gushed over me still having them, and them having a special place in the house. That broke the tension and I turned to them and asked them alone to follow me. Char ushered the Cullens out whilst sneering at them all. I lifted the shield from Edward, so they and not we, could have the pleasure of his antics. Thank goodness the other house is soundproofed too; I heaved a sigh of relief!

"I am most disappointed with Carlisle, he has had twenty years to sort the other two out and he did nothing at all! What was all that between Rose and Emmett, he totally ignored her? I knew they had some problems after our Tournament, but he refused to defend her" Carmen asked me directly,

"They aren't mates, never were and now are divorced, they have been for about five years now," I tell them all.

"What!" Eleazar growled,

"Carlisle lied to us; he said they were back to their old selves. He told me they had resolved all their problems long ago!" Tanya spat and I knew Carlisle had gone too far now,

Esme

I can't believe it! Not only three minutes in and they have ruined this whole event already, trying to make it all about themselves as always. Not just Rose and Edward, but Carlisle as well and oh my goodness it's making me actually see how much everyone else sees us. Yes, I can know I have been part of the problem, never really realising how much bother they cause everyone around us. But then we have rarely been included in events that have others there and now I see why! Nobody really likes us; even the Denali's were disgusted by today's debacle.

"Emmett honey, why don't you go and see if they have a place for you in the new house. I don't think you need to suffer here with these fools and yes Carlisle I include you in that group!" I say glaring at my mate,

"No Mom, you need at least one other voice of sanity here. Ali, why don't you go and pick out the best room for yourself" Emmett says and she skips away happily,

It's not that she is childlike; it's that she is a happy and slightly immature teenager now. If she ever met her mate it would be a good thing. That would be the nudge into womanhood she needed, Alice has just forgotten all the nasty and underhand things she ever did and she is now the girl she should always have been. It's time for me to take the reins in this dysfunctional coven. I know Emmett and Alice will back me, hoping something will change, but Edward will never let go of his grip on Carlisle. So it all comes down to Rose, she is the kingmaker in this. How to get her on my side, ah yes vanity! She has already put her foot in it and will not want to be seen as so stupid again, like the last time.

"Yes, let's sort out our rooms, Carlisle you will be sharing with Edward for the foreseeable future!" I say taking Rose's arm and sweeping out of the room,

"What's happening Esme? I feel we are at breaking point and I know I acted stupidly when we arrived. I will apologise to Garrett and Bella, it's jealousy I admit it. She always lands on her feet, while we stagnate in obscurity! Emmett is right of course, I am a spoilt bitch and will never change unless I'm willing to do so" Rose tells me and I sigh,

"Yes Rose, we have allowed both Edward and Alice in the past to drive everyone away. But Alice and you didn't help matters with your behaviour and I just buried my head in the sand. You all deserved better, hell I deserve better! So answer me this, if I challenge Carlisle for the leadership of this coven, who will you back?" I ask cautiously,

"We need to change before someone wipes us all out. I know Emmett will leave as soon as he finds his mate and who will blame him after what I did. But I really did think we were mates, I just didn't know it was infatuation and lust, not love and mating!

Carlisle should have been there to guide us, not stand back and do nothing as usual! So yes, I will back you and then we need help, because Edward will never back down, his need to control won't let him!" Rose says and I laugh,

"Oh, I think I might just ask Bella to do to him what she did to Alice!" I say casually and Rose whips around,

"What!" she whispers,

I sit her down and explain all she missed at the last Tournament, how after talking to Bella and Garrett then and only then Caius sent for that guard. To remember all Bella did with her shield, the bubble with Alice in it, the stopping her and Alice seeing them. The stopping of Edward reading everyone's mind and all that made me realise it was her. Plus why else would she need to be there when Alice was wiped? Rose was practically shaking with fear once I told her what I believed was true.

"She could have done it to any of us, at any time if she really wanted to! Oh Lord and I pushed her so much; my petty behaviour was probably what saved me, not worth her effort. No, that's not true, she isn't cruel and vindictive like we were, and Bella would only do that as a last resort wouldn't she?" Rose said quietly and I nodded,

"Okay, we'll leave it until we return home, this is not something others should be sucked into," I said and we agreed to ignore and avoid both Carlisle and Edward as much as we could,

Alice

Everyone has been so nice to me, nicer than I deserve by all accounts, but not Edward! Oh, he took much relish in telling all about my past; fifteen years ago and I hate him for it. From what I understand he knew telling me could have destroyed my mind completely, but he did it anyway. For the last ten years I have been having little flashes of what I thought were inspiration, but were actually little visions, nothing major thank god. I refuse to put them above all else ever again, I hate who I was and I hate much of what I did. So I pretend to be oblivious and have only one plan in mind. The downfall of Edward Cullen, he needs to learn some hard facts and I am going to out him. At this Tournament, he will finally learn that he is nobody. But I don't want him to have his mind wiped like me oh no, he must be made to live with his sins.

I want him ridiculed, I want him shunned and I want him humiliated and I have been feeding just the right amount of garbage to make it happen. This is not like before, I'm not expecting to gain anything but peace from this. I have seen him not only lose his gift but his looks too, a suitable punishment for his superiority and I will be backing Esme in the upcoming takeover of this ridiculous coven. This is my way of making it up to Bella. Edward truly still believes if I've seen it, it is real, but not this time. I have convinced him without even speaking to him that Bella and Garrett are using the suite next to Eleazar and not Master Caius and Lady Dora. He will of course make a fool of himself at hopefully in the most opportune moment. Because I know something he doesn't Lady Dora has a vicious temper and a mean right hook!

Well let the show commence and I for one don't feel sorry for what will happen, Edward deserves some sort of comeuppance for his long list of sins.

Shit Meet Fan, Again

Jasper

I was clearly tryin' to avoid the Cullens, for two reasons. One was Alice, the other was I just don't like any of them except Emmett and maybe Esme. So you can understand my apprehension when I was signalled by Alice of all vampires, from the rear window of Bella and Garrett's old house. Ever the gentleman I tried to ignore her, well I really hoped to and that's when she called me by my name. My name, how did she know who I was, havin' had her memory wiped meant she shouldn't know who I was! Maybe a vague description from others, but not what I exactly looked like! I moved slowly that way, tryin' to work out what the hell was goin' on. Well, I was givin' nothin' away, if she wants to talk, then talk she must. I came to a stop by the open window and waited.

Just lookin' at her and samplin' her emotions, which were not anythin' like they used to be at all. Actually, they were calm, steady and as near to normal as any other vampire. I nodded to her but still said nothin', waitin' on her speakin'. She huffed, a little reminiscent of her old self, but otherwise, she was calm. Twenty years had wrought several changes to her, one was her clothes. They were casual and not designer, nor totally unsuitable for the occasion she was dealing with. Two, her hair was not in that ridiculous spiky style she used to wear, it was flat to her head in a much softer elfin style and frankly suited her much better.

"Hello, I realise I might be the last person you would want to talk to but hear me out, please?" she said calmly,

Finally, she started tellin' me I look well, callin' me Jazz, and then changin' it to Jasper! Sayin' she has no right or need to call me other than my given name. That she wanted to give me a heads-up, Edward will be havin' a massive and final fall from grace during this event and may never recover. His looks and reputation would be lost, but Alice wanted my backin' to stop his mind bein' wiped by Bella. Yes, she was aware it was her that did that to her, although until recently, nobody else in the family realised it. Her visions it appeared have started to return but were changed; they are now more like Peter's gift, factual and not subjective or decision-driven. But she said she never looks or seeks them out and will never again tell anyone what she's seen until now. Edward had tried to look and Alice now senses when he is tryin' his old ways.

So what Edward sees is the truth but not always in the right context, nor of any real importance! But she said it was not like before, not to benefit her and her alone. But she has no intention of letting him use her gift like he had in the past, so he can't ruin other people's lives. Edward, Alice explained thought it a great hoot to tell her about her past, carin' nothin' for her mental wellbein', that pompous little bastard! So she wants him punished, but not relieved of the memories of all his wrongs. No Alice wanted him to suffer, to be thrown out of the family and she knew it would happen once Esme was the leader and not Carlisle. This was going to happen very soon, sooner than Esme and Rose had planned. Due to her making sure he saw a diet of truthful misinformation.

Alice was feedin' Edward's ego and he was soon goin' to find himself in very hot water. It wasn't as if she actually lied to Edward, but let him interpret what he saw in her head wrongly. Mainly the sleepin' arrangement in the new house, which he had never seen the floor plan of.

"I just showed him how happy Bella was with that lovely Green and Gold room! How proud she was, how pleased with how it turned out she was.

How she had hugged Garrett saying it was just like she had imagined. It's the truth Jasper, but Edward has wrongly assumed that it is their room! I didn't lie did I? You were there too and it was no lie" Alice said smirkin' at me,

Well, she was right, Bella was so happy with it, she was dancin' around the room with Garrett because of it, but then she did the same for Eli and Carmen's room as well. Hell, when she saw our suite she threw herself down on our bed and said she was kickin' us out because she loved it! Basically, she just loves her new house, and why wouldn't she, it's quite somethin'. Well, okay, I will let him run with his delusion and make sure he is caught when and if the time comes. After all, I too owe him a little comeuppance!

Bella

Everything is going well, with the nomads now likely to trickle in and then only the Volturi yet to arrive, or is that making an entrance. The Denali's apologised for arriving so early, but the Cullens had insisted and they had relented due to the constant badgering from Edward and funnily enough Carlisle. I have no idea what Carlisle's problem was, maybe he was beginning to see I no longer hung on his every word, due to his inability to control his coven. His constant insistence they have changed, but they prove him wrong at every turn. After I left the Denali's to settle in, I nipped up to our suite and changed my outfit. I raked out my silver skinny jeans and a black peasant blouse. I was just about to look for a pair of boots when I saw Jasper's present and remembered it was actually Christmas day and wondered what they were.

Damn, cowboy boots, how apropos and silver and black to boot! I slipped them on and stood in front of the mirror admiring them. Garrett and I will be exchanging our own gifts later when we are alone and free of everyone else. I suppose this would be the best way to show him, that I do forgive him for a slight he didn't even know he'd caused! One I should have dealt with long ago, but let fester into something it wasn't and should never have been towards him. So today was the day to put my best foot forward, why not in sexy cowboy boots? Once I descended to the ground floor, the Denali's had also come down and were sitting in the inner courtyard and discussing the upcoming games. I smiled and asked if the rankings ever changed?

"Well, they did at our event. With Jasper being there for the first time, everyone moved down a place. But otherwise not really, unless there is any new blood!" Eleazar said,

"It's not just about the Tournament, but a way to share information, any rule changes and just generally to strengthen ties with other covens and nomads. Like you taking Charles and Makenna into your fold, that will give them much more than friendship, but strong backup too. These are the bonds we make all the time, well most of us do!" Carmen says, but looking out towards my old house,

"Yes, they are very insular aren't they?" I muse to no one in particular,

Peter arrived then carrying a load of small wooden boxes, I jumped up to help him and admire the carvings on them. It was a rendition of our new house and underneath was carved 'The Roundhouse'. These were for the gems and I was so happy the guys all decided to help Garrett finish them. I rushed him to the lift and we set to and filled each box with the aforementioned gems. I wanted to hand them out when the Volturi arrived and they would be receiving the largest box and the nomads would get smaller ones they could carry in their packs. Everyone else would have a medium-sized box for their whole coven. Some of the stones were polished and others were left in their raw state. But Master Caius and Lady Dora were getting a gem in a setting that Char had made for them.

For him a tie pin, because he often wore one and for her a delicate bracelet. My friends are all going above and beyond to make this visit go well for Garrett and me.

"Nice boots Bell!" Peter smirked,

"Yup, he has taste I'll give you that!" I replied nudging his shoulder,

Once all the boxes were filled and placed in a large bag we headed back down to the ground floor. Unfortunately, the Cullens had appeared and we gained a look of disgust from Edward. So before he could say anything I did.

"Hey Soldier; Peter and I are having a torrid affair. I hope you don't mind?" I said as Garrett came through the doorway,

"Nope, have fun, but he's a bit of a handful Char tells me!" he replied grinning,

Everyone laughed of course and then Heidi asked if everything was ready for the Volturi's arrival. I said yes and stepped forward.

"Oh, nice boots!" Alice gushed and everyone looked down at my feet,

"Ah, they were a Christmas present from my brother," I tell her and of course, Edward has to say something,

"You don't have a brother Isabella! You are an only child, what nonsense are you talking?" he sneers trying I assume to belittle me,

I just signal them all to move out of the way and throw him outside with my shield. Then I repeatedly punch him into the ground until he is buried and roll a large boulder on top of his head. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Carlisle open his mouth before he flinched as Esme's nails pierced through his jacket into his arm. Rose smiled and said,

"They're lovely of course; our brother Jasper does have exceptionally good taste"

I admit I was surprised at her and saw Jasper nod, meaning she was being honest for once. He was throwing thanks at me as well and I just clicked the heels of my boots together and everyone melted away or in Carlisle's case was dragged away.

"I love them Jasper, thank you," I told him genuinely,

"My pleasure Bella and no, thank you darlin'" he replied smiling broadly,

"What are we going to do about Edward? Much as I'd love to leave him there I don't suppose we can!" I asked and he laughed,

"His world is about to implode, well so Alice tells me! He told her about her past and her gift is back, but changed and she is lookin' for some retribution. But asked me to intervene to stop you doin' to him what you did to her!" he explained to me and I was shocked,

"You all know? I thought everyone believed it was Andreas! "I said shocked,

"We worked it out and Alice did too, but most still believe your story or Caius' story" Jasper replied calmly,

Carlisle

"What the hell Esme, you physically hurt me? Explain yourself!" I demanded,

Only to have my mate roundly slap me across my face actually cracking the surface. I was stunned but the slow clapping of Rose, Emmett and even Alice shocked me to my core.

"Watch your tone with me, Carlisle, remember I am no child!" Esme spat at me angrily,

"It's time Esme, you have my vote" Alice sneered, reminding me of her old self,

"Mine too, Emmett where do you stand?" Rose said loudly,

"I have no idea what's going on, but if I have to choose a side. I choose Esme!"Emmett informed the room,

"What?" I blustered,

"This is a challenge Carlisle, and the choice is you or me! Three to one, I assume" Esme said as I stood staring at them all,

"Correct Esme and I just asked the fool his opinion. He of course backed the losing horse. As a coven leader myself I am here to make sure this is legal and above board with no coercion on any side! Peter gave me the heads up by the way!" Tanya Denali said from the doorway,

Thank you, Tanya, will you be a witness to a new coven composition and sign the handover documents so I can send them to Italy for ratification" Esme enquired and I just didn't know what to do,

"Why Esme? Why now? What's changed?" I asked in utter confusion,

"Nothing Carlisle! Nothing has changed, nothing ever does! You tell everyone things have changed, but that as always, is a lie. You have no control over Edward or at one point Alice. You wouldn't let me deal with them, you had to be seen to do it, but you didn't. You talk a big game and yes although I love you, I don't always like you or your weak and lack lustre attitude!" Esme tells me and I collapse to my knees,

My mate thinks I'm weak, she sees me as ineffectual. I can't grasp what's happening, why are they all turning on me and the boy. I know he has some problems but surely it's not that bad? Yes, he tends to over-exaggerate, but he's a child. I don't understand what everyone is getting upset about!

Bella

Once I calm down I go outside after an hour or so of talking to Jasper and Peter and pull that fool out of the hole I put him in. He was shaking with rage but unable to say anything because I didn't let him. Then he tried to shake me off, but it was my shield and not my hand holding him. So he looked like a fool as the two shiny cars pulled up to a stop behind him. Edward was still struggling to get away as I turned to greet Master Caius and Lady Dora. They both came to a stand still looking at Edward who was still unaware they were there.

"Is this some strange sort of dance Edward? I hope you weren't trying to impress us because it's as bad as your fighting skills. Run along child, the grown-ups are busy and I'm sure it's past your bedtime!" Master Caius said scathingly and a humiliated Edward ran as soon as I released him,

" Vedo che vent'anni non hanno fatto niente per lui "(I see twenty years have done nothing for him) Lady Dora says before kissing my cheek,

"Si, sembra cosi. Benvenuti a The Roundhouse" (Yes, it appears that way. Welcome to The Roundhouse) I reply with a shake of my head and stifling a laugh,

I lead them inside where the Denali's, the Whitlock's and Charles and Makenna are talking. Master Caius smiles before asking had the Cullens been demoted. I explained I felt it might be prudent to keep them at a safe distance. He nodded as I took them on a tour ending in their suite.

"All there will be above you will be Garrett and I" I explain and he seems happy about that,

"Wonderful, the last debacle made us feel rather exposed! So how are you, young one? How has your gift been evolving?" Master Caius enquires,

I explain it has strengthened and that I can actually snap off small parts of it. These then die but still do the job I set it. Although it can't return to the main body of my shield! He seemed quite intrigued and praised me for continually pushing my gift's boundaries. Like before Garrett had me test out my shield on my meals before I killed them and that's how we found out I could do this. Like stopping them from talking, hearing or even seeing. Is it cruel, maybe but they are going to die anyway due to their evil deeds. We only target the vilest and nastiest of hardened criminals. Will it work on vampires, yes, yes it does! How do we know? I was attacked by a newborn; this was about six years ago. We were in Brazil at the time on holiday and hunting in São Paulo, when a newborn came out of nowhere and tried to use his gift of illusion on me.

Of course, it didn't work at all and I quickly subdued him and wrapped a part of my shield around his mind stopping the gift which had Garrett leaving me alone with my attacker! That was kind of scary, but he fought to get away when Garrett rushed back and I felt it snap and then he crumpled. He was screaming his gift was gone, but I could not recall the part that sheared away. Out of nowhere, his sire appeared, apologising profusely and then torched his childe right there in front of us! He was totally out of control he said, unwilling to learn and had run away. The sire had followed but had to intervene when he targeted me another and obviously more controlled vampire. He had been unaware of his less-than-stellar attitude towards women until after he changed him and he attacked a female coven mate.

She was luckily saved by another member, her mate who refused to believe the illusion since he was holding his mate in his arms. She was not running away on fire as he was being shown and that sick newborn had run away knowing they would terminate him for attacking another's mate. These are the follies covens face when too many are involved. So when Master Caius asked,

"On vampires?"

"Yes, sir it does" I replied and he nodded,

"Good, good! You, my dear, are as dangerous as you are beautiful" he said kissing my hand and taking Lady Dora into their suite,

Alice

Here we go. Edward is beyond livid and Bella has unknowingly set him on the path to his ruination. He won't be able to stop himself trying to admonish her; he still thinks she's the Bella from all those years ago. He has no idea what she is capable of, hell even I didn't realise and if anyone should have seen it, it was me! We are all being summoned to the new house, where she will hand out her gifts and Garrett will thank us all for coming before handing over the proceedings to the Volturi King. The first few rounds will take place and then Edward will make the biggest mistake of his life. Both Lady Dora and Bella will be at the house alone changing, but he is going to accost the wrong woman. Whereas Bella would humiliate him, Lady Dora will seriously hurt him.

So in the time-honoured way 'Let the games begin!'

Caius

The atmosphere was almost oppressive when Dora and I returned to the ground floor. It wasn't just Edward glaring at Isabella, but the tension between Carlisle and Esme and for some reason Rosalie and Gianna, oh no not again! Emmett Cullen was just standing staring intently at Gianna, ignoring everything around them and you'd have to be blind not to see what had happened. I signal Felix over and tell him to convince the boy to join us and not the other way around. With some serious training, he would make a half-decent guard, if he can stand the confines of Volterra. The Major came towards me and nodded,

"He's also a computer whiz and can beef up your security, both domestic and financial online like nobody else! Just give them a little freedom and he'll stay, but try to force Aro's archaic ways on him and he'll leave. Em's used to havin' his freedom and is the outdoors type. Plus remember he's Bella's favourite brother and we all know what she's capable of when the need arises!" he smirked,

Ah, so the Whitlocks didn't fall for the ruse. Oh well, he could live outside the city if wanted and Gianna isn't guard material, but Dora likes her and enjoys her company.

"Understood Major. I look forward to our bout and I promise to not repeat my error from last time" I say and he shakes my hand in agreement on both matters,

Isabella came forward then and started handing out carved wooden boxes to the coven leaders and I raised an eyebrow when she approached Esme and not Carlisle. So that's the cause of the tension, a takeover occurred very recently. She held the largest out towards me and Dora was hopping up and down, desperate to see what was inside.

"Oh Bella, they are so pretty. Natural gems are much more complex than the humans can see and what a range of colours. Are these local?" Carmen asked as Tanya held the box in front of her coven,

"Yes, we all dived for them throughout the eleven Finger Lakes. Makenna had quite the eye for the hidden ones and Peter found the largest one. We had such a great time, everyone trying to outdo the other" She laughed and even I could see the strength of the bonds those eight have,

I could see Edward trying to find something scathing to say, but as everyone else was enthusing over them it would sound like sour grapes even to him. I was suitably impressed with the tiepin and put it on immediately. Dora was holding her bracelet up to the light and happily watching the twinkling from each of the gems.

"Bella," Charlotte said coming up behind her,

"Hey, oh Char it's stunning!" Isabella replied,

She held up a pendant that was obviously the largest stone, a black sapphire that she mentioned Peter found and made Isabella turn around as she put it on her. Everyone clapped and Charlotte told them she could make any setting they wanted after the Tournament. That was when Garrett stepped forward and gave me the floor to get the Tournament underway.

Edward

Why are they all fawning over Isabella and Garrett, this place isn't that special. Plus those gifts were so tacky, stones from the local lakes, how parochial! Where's the show of wealth, the proof of superiority, this just shows how low-class they really are. Well, I'm not surprised since they spend so much time with those damned hillbillies. Now that Neanderthal has found a real mate in one of those Italian whores! That's a plus since he will be gone leaving me in charge because Esme isn't capable in the least of running a coven. Carlisle would have lost it years ago if I wasn't here to tell him how to run it, but those pathetic females are blaming me, me their superior in every way, for any wrongs that happened. Once this travesty of a Tournament is over I will be taking over.

But first, it's time to put Isabella in her place, how dare she humiliate me again! I should have drained her when I had the chance. She's been acting like a common trollop and it's disgusting. Being alone with that nosey bastard Peter and accepting tacky boots from Jasper, what is Garret doing? Pimping her out to his friends! Well I doubt he's intellectually capable of having friends otherwise. I will be keeping a close eye on her and when I know we won't be interrupted I will be setting that morally loose woman straight. As well as demanding she remove this block on my gift, how dare she do that to me. She wouldn't have this life if it wasn't for me and this is the thanks I get. Now to monitor that bitch Alice's visions, I was disappointed she didn't have a full mental breakdown when I told her about her past, but well she's useful now I guess.

I just don't understand what everyone is all hyped up about, why is a common degrading fight seen as such an important event. I will just have to throw my matches and then get out of the whole thing. That way I will be able to catch her alone in that ridiculous house. Why on earth would anyone want to live in it at all? Maybe it's a slight upgrade on the hovel she's making us stay in but not by much! They have all been treating me like I am of no importance; I should never have allowed Carlisle to change these useless women and that oaf. Why was he not satisfied with just having me as a companion I will never understand. I am his equal, even his better in some ways so why did we have to have all of them too? Dear God they are starting this debacle once again, well I will just have to endure.

Well, thank god that's over and I can change into something I didn't want ruined. I find this testosterone-filled thing disgusting! Now I will find a place to watch Isabella and catch her alone in that tasteless room I saw in Alice's head. Far too gaudy and far too much colour for my taste. Aha, here she comes,

"I'm just going to change before Garrett's bout Char, these pants just pick up everything" she laughed to that common woman,

"Okay, take your time, there will be a couple of rounds before then" she replied in that atrocious accent,

I waited until she had entered the house and gave her time to reach her suite. It is a nuisance I can't hear anyone to know if they are heading this way. I took the stairs two at a time and all was quiet as I opened the suite room door, except for the sound of the shower running. I just waited but she was taking so long in there. I kicked open the door and grabbed her arm to drag her out. That's when everything became chaos for me. I can't understand what's happening, why is Caius' wife here? Oh my God the pain, what has she done to me? No! My eye, she burned my eye!

Dora

I can't believe that little pervert broke into my room and pulled me out of the bathroom in only a towel. I just reacted as Caius had trained me and gouged his eye out. While he grovelled on the ground whining like a child I found a lighter and threw his eye in the trash bin before setting it alight. Within moments first Bella and then Caius arrived with Felix and Santiago. They had him on his knees before my mate and Caius was livid and might I say very sexy with it.

"But she wasn't meant to be here, it should have been Isabella!" the fool bleated,

I understand and speak English perfectly; I just prefer to speak Italian. Plus I like to make everyone speak Italian to me; yes it's my little power play. But I couldn't help blurting out in English.

"You sick fuck! She has a mate, a man she loves! Why would she want an imbecile like you?"

Caius indicates for Santiago to open the window, then he threw the fool out into the waiting arms of Major Whitlock. Well, he did step aside and let the fool hit the ground before he dismembered him. Then everyone faded away while my mate checked me for injury. This took him a couple of hours, Caius is nothing if not thorough. It is not my place to stop my mate from doing this and it is most definitely my pleasure to be the centre of his undivided attention.

Bella

I can't believe he did that and to think it was meant to be me! What was the fool thinking? The Tournament has come to a standstill once again due to the Cullen's behaviour. This is only the second time they were involved and both times they have turned it into a three-ringed-circus. Garrett just wants to drop a match on Edward and it's only Jasper and Peter who are keeping him from doing it. This will be left for Master Caius to decide and I have to tell him that my shield sheared off as he was launched out of the window and that it was intentional on my part. His gift is gone forever and I for one am happy about it. We are only waiting on the royal couple returning and everyone is studiously pretending they can't hear everything coming from their suite since the window is wide open.

Far be it for me to say anything, but from what we hear I'd say he's got some moves and she's a lucky woman. Every woman here has made eye contact with me at least once and they all seem to agree with my assessment. Esme is beyond angry with Edward and I fear his life is not going to be very happy if he survives this and Alice has a look of pure satisfaction on her face. It's not like before, but yes, she's happy with his serious fall from grace. I wonder if she knows already that his gift is gone, that might account for her happiness. I wonder what will happen to Edward now; he deserves to be punished that's for sure. But once again he had his ass handed to him by a woman. But what I find is strangely coincidental was I almost took his eye out and Lady Dora actually did.

That must have been meant to be, so for once fate made sure it became real. Oh, here they come, time to find out what they want to do about that fool of a boy.

"Put the idiot back together, please gentlemen. Isabella his gift?" Master Caius barked,

"Gone I'm afraid, I was a little pissed off since it was supposed to be me he attacked!" I said loud enough for everyone to hear,

But instead of hissing or gasps, there were whoops of joy and even some clapping and Carlisle was mortified. Edward himself heard and started to sob like the child he is.

"You can do that? It's very hard for me to see all the facets of your gift. The drawbacks of a shield I'm afraid" Eleazar mused and I nodded,

"Yes, it's evolved since she wiped my mind. I'm actually happy she did because I was so obsessed with my gift and it ruled my life. But it's back and much better than before, thanks to that fool telling me about my past, even though he was ordered not to by the Volturi in case he destroyed my mind completely. It's more on a par with Peter's one, no longer relying on decisions made by others" Alice said and Edward howled as if in pain,

Now he knew she set him on the path he was on by telling him absolutely nothing. When her visions didn't change or show anything untoward when he made the decision to attempt to reprimand me, he believed it would work. Of course, he never asked her if her gift had changed, never asked for confirmation that that suite was actually mine. No, Edward just assumed he was right and as usual the rest of the world was wrong!

"I can't be bothered with nonsense anymore. The boy isn't worth the air he breathes. Esme as the new coven leader do you want him in your coven?" Caius asked and there were many intakes of air,

"Personally no, but he is my mate's firstborn. So we will take him if he survives this" Esme replies clearly,

"Isabella, what do you want to happen?" he now asked me,

"Well, he's lost the two things he loved the most, his gift and his looks! I'm happy to let it lie as it is, he means nothing to me anyway!" I replied and so the realisation dawned on his face,

"Then those Cullens who wish to stay do so but that boy has to go and if I hear one thing about him in the future the guard will come and terminate him. In fact, I'll send Jane personally to deal with him!" Caius said and it sent shivers around everyone,

Garrett

Well, it's over once again for the next twenty years and I'm so damned glad. The Tournament went on for several days after the Edward debacle. The bout between Master Caius and the Major lasted two whole days until Lady Dora got fed up with them and called it a draw. They swore to pick up where they left off next time. I still managed to beat Felix so I'm happy and now Liberty and I are alone once again. We are going to shut up the house and travel for a couple of years and that suits me fine. We'll take the bikes and just go wherever the wind blows us. We might eventually visit Emmett in Italy. He's so happy to be away from the Cullen's and reverted to his own name of McCarty. The future will bring many changes I'm sure for all of the remaining Cullens, but I really don't care.

We fully intend to keep a distance between them and us from now on, Liberty was never really one of them and she graciously accepted Alice and Rose's apologies for all they did in the past and so it's done. We don't care what happens to Edward or whether he accepts what happened was his own fault. Why? Because he is an insignificant blip on the radar of our lives! Thankfully in twenty years, it will be someone else's problem and we can always be out of the country when it happens! Just an idea, but anyway we can walk away at any time and that's all that matters. So here's to the next drama-free twenty years, I can't wait to get my mate alone once again.

Mia cara, dove hai preso quegli stivali fantastici? (Italian) - My dear, wherever did you get those amazing boots?

Grazie, ho trovato un ottimo sito web che vende solo stivali (Italian) - Thanks, I found a great website that sells nothing but boots

Maestro Caius, possiamo avere una parola privata? (Italian) - Master Caius, can we have a private word?

au naturel* in a natural state: without anything added

blasé* unimpressed with or indifferent to something seen so often before

Cowboy boots by Philipp Plein; priced at $5,802 (£4,665) in Apr 2023. The conversion was correct on the day of writing this story. The Casadei denim ones are $1665 (£987) approx.