When Ends Meet (Marcus & Aro Volturi)

Chapter 24: When You Thought You Knew It All.

I look to Bella with slight confusion. "I don't know about shields. Bella is as clumsy as a circus clown, and I would say that I attract enough danger as it is."

            Edward stares at Bella with a growing grin. "No...it actually makes sense now, but the ones that I've met are so different. It explains why I couldn't read your thoughts or why Aro couldn't. You're a mental shield Bella."

            Bella and I look towards Eleazar as he is the one who has the gift to be able to identify other gifts. "It's a defensive gift. Any mental offenses cannot harm you—and with practice, I can bet that you can expand the reach of your shield to protect more than one person."

            Bella laughs with disbelief. "Really? Then what about Ana? You said that she has a shield too—but Edward can read her thoughts still."

            Eleazar smiles. "It's because she is not a mental shield—but a physical one. It's not active right now, but I can see a slight shimmer of it hovering over Charlotte. You're quite protective of her."

I swallow. "Yes. I don't want anything to happen to her...I couldn't live with myself if anything were to ever harm her."

            "You're a good mom. And that type of thinking is most likely why your gift has developed to be as such. You must have felt like you needed to protect yourself often...needed to hide. And now those same worries you hold over your own child." I feel slightly exposed with Eleazar's analysis, but he shakes his head. "The development of a shield comes from fear, and anxiety—sometimes feeling neglected. But having a shield is one of the greatest gifts you can have in order to keep those you love safe."

            "Charlotte...is a shield too?" I ask, trying to avert the conversation elsewhere.

            "Yes, but so much more advanced. Technically she would be a mask, a branch of what a shield is. Her gift is able to mask a person's feelings and emotions from others and from themselves. From what Carlisle had told me, Charlotte masked the pain of your separation from your bond. Her gift is far greater than I could have imagined. Charlotte not only hides things that are related neurologically but physically as well. It seems as though she has masked your mating bond so well that neither Marcus nor Aro can feel any emotions or trauma you may project. And if my hunch is correct, Demetri wouldn't be able to track your scent either as Charlotte can mask your essence and your physical scent. It's extraordinary."

            My eyes peer over to my daughter, as she looks up at me with little presence in the conversation. I can feel her gift easing me from the new knowledge I am absorbing. Directing my focus to the Denali leader, I then ask. "Can you help me prepare to protect my family?"

            Eleazar stares at me with a small smile. "Of course. I'll do what I can."

Aro's POV *After Irina's report*

            I tap the arm of my throne with irritation. "We should have had guards watching her so that she couldn't escape—now look at what trouble she has gotten herself into! We need to bring her back." I stand from my throne, the anger boiled me to the point of explosion. It is always rare when I lose my composure—I have always been thoughtful in every plan, every decision, but with the news of an immortal child, and my mate being connected to the creators...I fear for the worst.

            "We can't. Ana will not come back willingly—not when our trial circles Isabella. Ana will stand by her sister, I'm afraid we do not have much weight in convincing her to come back." Marcus says painfully.

            "Convince? I am not going to waste my time, we are going to retrieve her, even if we have to drag her back." I spit.

            "Oh yes, Aro. Let's force our mate away from her family and drag her back against her will—let us lock her up in the tower while we are at it!" Marcus barks with sarcasm, but I glare towards him.