When The Cat Becomes The Mouse 32

“Take Bella to her room.” Athenodora demanded as she rushed into the living room with two guards. The Denali coven plus Bella, Rosalie and Victoria had been discussing exactly what they wanted to do. They had gotten nowhere and as Rosalie predicted the coffee table had been broken when Kate had been mid rant about how underhanded the royals were and how this was all just a scheme to get Bella to go to Italy. Seeing the anger on the queen’s face and the way she stormed into the room had everyone immediately on high alert.

“What’s going on?” Tanya asked.

“We found a vampire that we think was scouting the perimeter. I have the other guards searching to see if he is alone but I want Bella in a secure location.” Athenodora waved at the two guards. “These two are going to be Bella’s personal guards for the time being so they will be staying with her.”

Victoria looked to Rosalie. “You should go with Bella.”

“Ok.” Rosalie didn’t even argue with Victoria about it. She simply picked Bella up and rushed up the stairs to their room. She knew Victoria would let her know what was going on as soon as she could.

“Where is the vampire?”Kate asked as soon as she heard the door to Bella’s room close. Although she didn’t believe the queen’s claim of a familiar bond she knew that Bella was to valuable to the queen to get hurt. Kate trusted that the two guards would keep Bella safe for no other reason than that.

“He is secured in your out building.I didn’t think you would mind.” Athenodora said.

“Would it be ok if myself and Eleazar come with you to interrogate him?” Tanya asked.

“I am going as well.” Victoria wasn’t going to take no for an answer. Her mate’s safety was at stake and she wasn’t leaving it up to strangers.

“Me too.” Kate said.

Athenodora held back a sigh. She knew she had to treat these vampires with kid gloves as she was still trying to gain their trust but treating others kindly wasn’t really her strong point. Thinking about the benefits of the four vampires being involved she came to a decision. “You may come but I will do the questioning.”

“Of course your majesty.” Tanya agreed quickly before Kate could say anything.

“Good.” Athenodora led the way to the outbuilding where a blond haired vampire was being restrained by two guards. Walking up to the vampire she grabbed his chin and forced him to meet her eyes.” Who are you and why are you sneaking around this territory?”

“I’m not telling you anything usurper.” The vampire replied.

“I think you are.” Athenodora turned her attention to Kate. “How do you feel about showing this piece of filth some incentive?”

“It would be my pleasure.” Kate walked up to the restrained man and put her hand on his head.

“Release him.” The queen told the guards. As soon as they did the vampire tried to flee but Kate’s gift was quicker. As the electrocution jolted through his body the man convulsed and cried out in pain. “That’s enough.”

Kate took a step back as the guards once again restrained the man. “That was on the low setting.”

“Now then who are you and why were you trespassing in this territory?” Athenodora asked again. When the man didn’t answer Athenodora punched him in the stomach. “Kate would you please?”

“With pleasure.” Kate once again put her hand on the man’s head and as soon as the guards released him sent a more powerful shock through the man’s body. This time the queen didn’t stop her as quickly.

“That’s enough.” The queen grabbed the man’s chin again. “Are you ready to talk?”

“I’ll talk just please make her stop.” The man pleaded.

Athenodora wasn’t surprised the vampire broke so quickly. She doubted that Carlisle would actually send someone important to scout out the area in case they were captured. “Now then answer my questions and she will stay away from you.”

“My name is Terry. I was sent by Carlisle to see how many vampires were here.” Terry told them.

“How do you know Carlisle?” Athenodora asked.

When the man failed to answer Kate took a step forward. That seemed to be enough of a threat to make him talk.” I met him a century ago. We had similar interests and have kept in touch.”

“And what are those interests?” Athenodora didn’t really need the man to answer because she knew what he was going to say but wanted to hear him say it.

“You’re going to kill me aren’t you?” Terry asked.

“I am.” Athenodora confirmed. “However it’s up to you on whether that is slowly or quickly.”

“We want to see your reign end. It’s time for a new era, one that doesn’t include you and your so called mates.” The man was obviously goading them to kill him.

Athenodora wasn’t going to let that happen yet though. “How many people does he have on his side?”

“I don’t know but hopefully enough to take care of all of you.” The man spat out.

“I think that is all he knows.” Athenodora told the others. “Carlisle wouldn’t have sent the first person to spy on us with any important information. Most likely he was a test to see if we were paying attention and if we were capable of capturing him.”

“If that is true what do you want to do with him?” One of the guards asked.

“Take care of him anyway you see fit.” Athenodora told them.

“Yes, your majesty.” With that the guards ripped the vampire’s arms off.

Athenodora ignored the man’s screams as she made her way back to the house. She wanted to check on Bella. Her instinct to take Bella and run back to Italy was in overdrive and the queen knew she needed to reign it in as to not upset the other vampires. Walking directly up the stairs to Bella’s room she was pleased to see the guards at the door. Knocking she waited until she heard permission to enter. Before she could walk through the door though Victoria had raced past her and was already on the bed hugging Bella.

“Are you ok?” Bella asked making sure to look to at the queen to show her concern.

Athenodora smiled liking that Bella was so obviously concerned about her. “We are fine little one.”

“What did you find out?” Rosalie asked as she loosened her hold on Bella so Victoria could have more contact.

“Nothing useful. The man was simply sent as a test and knew nothing. He did confirm Carlisle is trying to overthrow us.” Athenodora explained.

Bella settled in between her mates after Victoria released her.“What are we going to do now?”

“Well we know that Carlisle is planning to make a move against us. In response we will continue as we have with patrols. Other than that the rest of you do as you have been doing.” Athenodora said.

“You need to work with Eleazar and Rosalie and I need to train.” Victoria didn’t want to be away from her mate now that the threat had shown up but it was important that Bella try and get control of her gift.

“You are working with Eleazar?” Athenodora hadn’t been told about that.

Bella nodded. “I am trying to learn meditation to gain control of my emotions as it seems every time I use my gift it is because I’m extremely emotional.”

“That makes sense.” Athenodora said. “I need to contact the other queens but I was wondering if you have given thought to speaking to them?”

“I think I am ok with it.” Bella didn’t see anything wrong with talking to the royals. She did know that her mates would want to be in the room though. “Is it alright if Victoria and Rosalie are there as well?”

“I would expect no less.” The queen would prefer otherwise but if it would make Bella comfortable then she would allow it.

“What do you guys think?” Bella asked Rosalie and Victoria.

“I’m fine with it.” The more Rosalie was around the queen the more she was leaning towards the bond being real. If that was true it would be almost cruel to keep Bella away from the queens. Rosalie had experienced being forced to stay away from Bella and she didn’t want anyone else to suffer the way she had.

“I don’t like it but I won’t stop you.” Victoria hated the fact that she was starting to believe the bond was real as well. There was no way the warrior queen would be able to keep up the act of trying to be respectful of everyone’s boundaries this long if she didn’t really care. Victoria’s biggest problem with the whole thing was that the queens lived in Italy and would probably want Bella to live there as well. It was a discussion she and Rosalie would have to have with the human.

“Thank you sweetheart.” Bella said giving Victoria a soft kiss then turning her attention kissed Rosalie as well.

Athenodora didn’t even to try holding back her smile as she watched her daughter with her mates. It reminded her so much of how she and the other queens were with each other. It also made her miss her loves. “Would you mind doing it now?”

“Sure.” Bella sighed when instead of letting her walk on her own Rosalie picked her up instead. “I can walk you know.”

“I know you can I just like having you close.” Rosalie wasn’t going to miss out on a chance to hold Bella even if it was just to carry her somewhere. Following the queen and Victoria down the stairs to the study Rosalie wondered what the other two queens would be like. She had never met them before but if they were anything like Athenodora then she wasn’t worried about them hurting Bella. That’s all that matter to her that Bella not be hurt whether that be physically or emotionally and if the queens dared do either no one would be spared from Rosalie’s wrath. Not even the royals.