The Hidden Princess 17

“Do you think we are in danger?”Emmett asked his siblings as the group were once again hanging out in the original room the Volturi held them in.Once they landed the plane they were met by a dozen more guards and escorted back to the castle where Bella had been whisked off as soon as they exited the cars.It was by unspoken agreement that all the Cullen children made their way into the sitting room to wait for Bella to come to tell them what was going on.

“I think that Edward and Carlisle were involved with something that has put a target on not only their backs but ours as well.”Jasper said.

“What were they doing messing around with children of the moon?”That’s what puzzled Alice the most.It was almost expected that the pair were up to something they didn’t tell the rest of the family about but it having to do with werewolves was something she wouldn’t have guessed.

“I don’t know but whoever broke into our house now has our scents.”Simone was worried what that meant for all of them.

“It’s a good thing we were offered the chance to stay at the castle because I don’t think any of us are safe outside of these walls.”Jasper knew he and Alice weren’t leaving anytime soon.He may have his reservations about living with the Volturi but they were the only ones who could keep him and his mate safe.

“I had really hoped for a chance to live outside the castle for a while.”Rosalie was upset about having to stay in the castle but didn’t blame Bella or the queens.It was just another way Carlisle and Edward screwed up her life.

“Yeah there is no way the queens are going to let Bella leave.I actually wouldn’t be surprised if the refused to let her out of their sight.”Simone had overheard Bella and Rosalie’s conversation on the plane.It the queens kept someone has powerful as Bella from going on missions that meant they wouldn’t want her involved in werewolf business.

“I hope that doesn’t happen.”Rosalie didn’t think she could handle being with the queens that much.It definitely wouldn’t give her a chance to bond with Bella.

“I don’t know I mean you heard Bella.They all got into a big fight about you two trying to move out because the queen wanted to live with you guys.”Emmett said.

“Yeah but Bella stood up to her mothers about that.”Alice had actually been impressed hearing that Bella had gone against her mothers so soon after meeting Rosalie.

“And her mother reacted badly.”Simone reminded them.

“We at least have Athenodora on our side.”Rosalie was hopeful that the warrior queen would help keep Bella’s other mothers from babysitting them.

“What was it like talking to all of them?”Emmett asked.

“On the plane Athenodora was actually kind of nice.”Rosalie expected the incredulous looks she received from her siblings.”No, I’m serious.She asked me questions about myself and was quick to tease Bella.Even Heidi was nice to me and joked around with the queen.”

“That’s crazy to even think that the most feared Volturi queen would joke around with Heidi of all people.”Alice said.

“It was kind of weird.I almost instantly became comfortable around them though.The only time I wasn’t was when the Bella and the other two asked me questions about our lifestyle.”Rosalie told them.

“They questioned your want to live off animal blood.”Simone concluded.

Rosalie shook her head.”That wasn’t even brought up.They seemed beyond confused that we went to high school over and over again.”

“Well it makes it easier to blend in with humans.”Emmett didn’t think that was a bad thing.

“Actually when we were talking about it they made some good points.Vampires can easily stay in one place for a lot longer than we did without getting caught.Until it was pointed out I didn’t realize that only reason we have to keep up appearances was because Carlisle wanted to be a doctor.He needed us to act younger so he could stay at his job longer.”Rosalie told them.

Alice was ashamed to admit that made a lot of sense.”That kind of is true isn’t it.”

“So you guys are saying the only reason we have had to continue going to high school over and over again is so Carlisle can do what he wants?”Emmett asked.

“You all seemed fine with it.I thought it made you happy.”Jasper had never really discussed how they lived their lives.Even though he was a member of the coven he was always an outsider due to his violent history and newness to the animal diet.His input was only asked for it they needed help with fighting.

“The queens were right.We are handicapped by Carlisle’s leadership.”Simone had been a nomad before joining the Cullens.She didn’t mix well with other vampires and had met Emmett while she was stalking a human late at night in a city.Alice had sent him to meet up with her having seen visions of them as a mated couple.Her only knowledge of living amongst humans came from Carlisle.

“We don’t have to worry about that anymore.”Emmett said.

“I wonder how much Esme knew about what Carlisle and Edward were up to?”Rosalie mused.

“She’s Carlisle’s mate.It would be almost impossible for her not to know what was going on.”Simone said.

“Mates don’t keep secrets from each other.Not only that but if Carlisle was messing with children of the moon Esme would have smelled them on him.”Jasper knew that with such close contact even showering wouldn’t remove the scent completely.It may be undetectable to those who weren’t in direct contact with Carlisle but someone who was constantly in his personal space could detect it.

“Yeah I still smell the werewolf scent on each of us.”Emmett agreed.

Before anyone could say anything else there was knock on the door.Hoping it was her mate Rosalie made her way over to answer it smiling when she caught sight Bella standing on the other side.”Hello.”

“Hello Rosalie.”Bella engulfed Rosalie in a hug and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

“Come in.”Rosalie grabbed Bella’s hand in her own and led her in the room.”We were kind of waiting for you to come and tells what was going on.”

“I can tell you some but not everything.Hello everyone.”Bella greeted Rosalie’s siblings upon seeing them when she walked into the room.

“Hello Bella.”Alice said giving Bella a little wave.

“So what is it you can tell us?”Jasper wanted to know what was going on right away and didn’t want to waste time on small talk.

“Well firstly none of what I am about to say can leave this room.My mothers want to keep the fact that children of the moon are involved at a need to know basis.That means if you don’t want end up spending time with Edward, Carlisle and Esme speak to no-one about the topic.”Bella warned.

“We won’t say anything.”Rosalie promised which earned nods of agreement from her siblings.

“Good.What I can tell you is that Carlisle and Edward were involved with experimentation on children of the moon.They are the ones who broke into your house.The investigation hasn’t began yet so I have no other information other than Edward, Carlisle and Esme all will be interrogated and likely kept alive for a while until this issue is resolved.”Bella told them.

“So your mothers suspect Esme knows something?”Simone asked.

“My mothers have always been suspicious of Esme.They believe that she is just as much involved in Carlisle and Edward’s schemes as they are.She just knows how to cover her tracks better.”Bella wasn’t telling the group anything secret.It was well known that the queens didn’t believe Esme was a meek housewife.They just didn’t have a reason to investigate her.

“So what is going to happen to us now?”Alice asked.She would think about Esme later.Now she was more worried about their safety.

“I don’t have to tell you as it’s quite obvious but you aren’t safe outside of the castle.Whatever enemies Carlisle and Edward made know about each of you.Meaning your sire and idiot coven mate made you targets to the children of the moon and their allies.”When Bella saw no surprised faces amongst the group she knew that they had already figured that part out.

“Is there anyway we can help?”Emmett didn’t want to sit on the sideline while other people took care of his problems.He wanted to act.

“The only thing you can really help with is keeping yourself safe.”Bella said.

“Would your mothers be willing to let some of us train with the guard?”Simone knew how to take of herself but she wasn’t talented enough to be able to fight a werewolf.

“I don’t see why not.I mean I train with the guard.”Bella would just have to ask for volunteers to train the group.

“Maybe you could train us?”Emmett would love to learn from Bella.She was beyond badass.

“I don’t know how much time I will have as my mother wants me to help with the investigation.”Bella tried to think how to fit it into her schedule.”If you wanted to start with some of the guard maybe I could drop in once and while and help out.”

“I would be interested in your help as well.”Jasper hadn’t actually fought against an opponent that could block his gift.Since Bella could it would give him a way of strengthening his skills.”Alice should work with you as well.”

“That’s a good point.I can’t see your future.That means I can’t predict your moves.”Alice hadn’t really been able to properly train without her gift.Bella helping her could make her into a decent fighter like she always wanted.

“I want to learn to.”Rosalie was going to ask about training and was happy her family brought it up.If she was going to be mated to the Volturi princess she was going to need to be able to physically defend herself.

“Alright then I will make room in my schedule for two hours everyday to help train anyone who wants to.”Bella was happy the Cullens seemed to take their situation seriously and were making an effort to better themselves.Not only was it a good idea but it would make the queens respect them.

“So what do you want us to do now?”Simone asked.

“Well you all can do as you wish.My mothers have assigned your rooms so you can begin moving in.If you want anything delivered to the castle let Gianna know and she will arrange it for you.”Gianna was her mothers’ personal assistant but Bella knew that they wouldn’t mind the Cullens using her to help them settle into the castle quicker.

“What are we doing?”Rosalie was hoping that they would be able to spend some time together.

“My mothers have tasked the both of us to read through the files brought back from Forks.”Bella said.

“Wait I’m being allowed access to them?”Rosalie hadn’t expected that.She figured that the queens would only need Bella not her.

“You are my mate.That means you are going to have more responsibilities.Unless of course you don’t to be involved in Volturi business.”Rosalie could just live a quiet life but Bella had hoped that she would be her equal and share responsibilities.

“Oh course I want to be involved.I just am surprised your mothers are being so trustworthy.We barely know each other.”Rosalie was more than happy to help out.Having the opportunity to prove her worth to the queens so soon wasn’t something she was going to pass up.

“Good because they are going to be putting the bulk of the investigation on you and I.They don’t want anyone but us knowing about what’s going. I’ve even managed to get permission to be a part of the interrogations.”Bella told her.

“Will I get to help with that?”Rosalie would love a chance to be in a position of power over Carlisle and Edward.

Bella shrugged.”I’ll ask my momma.She is always the one who is most likely to say yes.”

“Good.So now we are going to look through the files?”Rosalie asked.

“Actually I need to feed first.”Bella was somewhat uncomfortable bringing this up in front of the animal drinkers.

“I see.”Rosalie knew their diets were going to have to be discussed but hadn’t thought it would be so soon.

“Are we going to be forced to drink human blood?”Alice asked.

“No, not at all.Myself and the other occupants of the castle will respect your choices.”Bella told them.

“Then are going to try our lifestyle?”Simone knew that the Cullens were somewhat fanatical in their animal blood drinking beliefs.

“I will not be changing my diet.”Bella made sure to focus on Rosalie before she made her next statement.”However my mothers would like me to take you with me to show you how I feed.”

“What’s so different about the way you feed?Doesn’t Heidi just lure tourist to the castle and you drink from them?”Rosalie had heard Carlisle talk about the Volturi’s feeding habits many times.

“Who told you that?”Bella had never something so silly.

“It’s common knowledge that the Volturi and guards feed off of innocent humans.”Emmett said.

“Man, I knew Carlisle held a grudge against my mothers but I didn’t think he would create such a terrible lie.”Bella mumbled.

“Wait it’s a lie?”Alice asked.

“Of course it’s a lie.Do you know how quickly we would be caught if so many people went missing on a trip to same place?Eating tourist.That’s just stupid.”Bella scoffed at the very idea.”We have strict rules that prevent our people from targeting tourist.Foreigners going missing is the quickest way to get numerous governments involved in your business.”

Simone felt ashamed that she had so easily bought the lie.”If you don’t feed off of tourist who do you feed off of?”

“Well sometimes we use blood bags but mostly those are for visitors or lesser vampires.My mothers, myself and the royal guard all feed off prisoners.”Bella told them.

“You drink from prisoners?”Jasper wasn’t sure he believed that.He friend never mentioned the Volturi’s feeding habits.He had just assumed what the rest of the family did.

“Yes, Queen Athenodora has contracts with varies government where she pays them for violent criminals.Ones that have life sentences or are awaiting the death penalty.She even buys war criminals.”Bella explained.

“So your mother buys people to feed off of?”Simone didn’t know if she believed that.

“The world prison systems are overloaded.Most of the people she acquires would either die in prison or be released for over crowding issues.No one wants a mass murder back on the streets.”Bella said.

“I actually think it’s a good idea.”Emmett could see how it was actually better to drink from criminals than innocent tourist.

“I don’t expect any of you to change your diet I just promised my mothers that I would tell you about it.They know most of you were forced into the animal blood by Carlisle and wanted to give you a different option.”What Bella didn’t say was her mothers would prefer Rosalie would in fact change to human blood.She didn’t want to pressure her mate.

“I’ll think about it.”Simone missed human blood.If there were a more ethical way to acquire it she was more than willing to go back.She just needed to talk to Emmett before she decided.

“We will think about it as well.”Jasper wasn’t sure how he felt about changing but like Simone he would talk to his mate and they would make the decision together.

Rosalie thought of how she would feel if she drank human blood.It was something she always wanted to try but Carlisle had forbidden it.She knew that Bella would never force her to change her ways but thought maybe she would just give it a try.She wasn’t worried about what anyone would think because it seemed even her siblings were considering it.”Can I come with you?

“Of course.”Bella easily agreed.

“I don’t know if I want to switch but I think I at least want to try it once.”Rosalie told her.

“Then let’s go.”Bella turned her attention to the rest of the room.”If any of you need anything just ask any guard to get me for you.”

“We will.”Simone was happy that they had Bella as a contact in the castle.That would keep the other vampires from challenging them.

“You ready?”Bella asked giving Rosalie a chance to back out.

“As I’ll ever be.”Rosalie took Bella’s hand in her own and followed her out of the room.She was nervous about trying human blood but wasn’t disgusted by the idea.If she actually being honest with herself it gave her a thrill to know that if she had chance to help interrogate Carlisle and Edward they would see her red eyes.It was a final fuck you to her sire.A way to prove that she no longer belonged to him and didn’t have to follow his rules.Even if human blood turned out to be disgusting it would be worth it just to see Carlisle’s expression when he realized that he was powerless over her.