There mysterious girl

Chapter 11

Caius steered her through a part of the castle she hadn't seen before. Her tour with Marcus had covered the high points- the library, the gardens, their respective studies, and a beautiful courtyard, but there would still be areas for her to discover.

The blonde leader held her tightly, but not to the point of discomfort. He seemed reluctant to let her go as they traversed through a series of back staircases and hallways she hadn't known were there.

"Are you ready, amore mio?" Aro asked her once they had reached a nondescript wooden door.

Bella swallowed and nodded. She could do this. She'd faced worse than a guard sworn to protect herself and the three leaders crowded around her.

"Nothing much will be required of you," Marcus murmured. "You will do beautifully."

"I'm sure it will be fine," she murmured.

Aro smiled, reaching out to sweep a stray hair behind her ear and pausing to straighten her pendant. He opened the door with a flourish, and Bella was swept through the threshold by Caius, whose grip on her had not decreased in the slightest.

They entered through a door she hadn't noticed the last time she had entered this room. They came from behind the thrones, which were now four in number, not three.

The guard was assembled as promised, shoulder to shoulder along the curved wall of the cavernous throne room. There were more vampires living in Volterra than she'd imagined. More than twenty, she thought. She recognized a handful. Jane, Alec, Demetri, Felix, and Heidi- but there were more strangers than not. She wondered what they thought of her.

"Dear ones!" Aro exclaimed. "Today is a happy day indeed! It is with great joy that my brothers and I, after many years of searching, present you with our long-awaited mate, Isabella."

Aro extracted her from Caius's grip, drawing her to stand beside him, in front of the leftmost center throne.

"I am confident that you will serve her in the same way you have faithfully served my brothers and myself for centuries. Her safety, especially until she joins us in immortality, is your top priority. Any action taken against her will be seen as an action taken against one of us. Is this all perfectly understood?"

"Yes, master," they all chorused in unison.

"Excellent," he beamed. "Some of you will remember a vampire who visited us some weeks ago, looking for final death. He may present a threat to your Mistress. If he, or any of his coven mates, are seen in or around the city, I want them brought to me immediately."

Bella felt her brow raise in surprise. Did they think Edward would make good on his threats of abduction? He might, she admitted. But it seemed unlikely that his family would assist him- it would be suicide! Not to mention, they couldn't have cared for her much if they left so abruptly at Edward's request. That, and Alice had seen all or most of her connection to Aro, Marcus, and Caius. No one in that family bet against Alice.

What came next was something like a receiving line. Aro directed her to sit in what she assumed was her throne, as he, Caius, and Marcus sat in their own seats. Caius was on her other side, while Marcus sat on the other side of Aro. Each vampire took a turn formally introducing themselves.

First came the elite guard, who all wore the darkest shade of grey. Chelsea, Jane, Alec, Corrin, and Renata, either curtseyed or bowed as they presented themselves. Demetri and Felix she already knew, but they came next, followed by Heidi and then the others in the lower guard. Chelsea's mate, Anton, was among them, his cloak pale grey. Apparently, he wasn't as valuable, and Bella wondered why.

When they had gone, Aro captured her hand in his, kissing the delicate skin on her inner wrist.

"You were splendid, amore mio," he murmured, smiling into her skin.