"Are you certain this is a good idea?" Demetri asked as he draped a cream wrap around my shoulders.

"Relax, I need answers and who better to hear it from then the Volturi wives!"

Demetri mussed his hair which was in a fishtail braid.
"I get that but they are no longer as cautious as they were prior to Corin's influence. They could dislocate your shoulder without meaning to."

"Then good thing you are coming with me."
He was wearing washed out blue jeans and a polo neck, accompanied by the grey cloak and v-shaped necklace.

"Hey, why do you wear that?"
"This, the cloak? It identifies me as a member of the coven. It also alerts people to my rank. I'm quite high up."

"I saw the twins with dark, almost black ones."
"They have the highest rank. Ranking comes with favour and power."

We were near the brass door now.
"What can those two do?"
"Jane can make you feel like you are being burnt alive, whilst Alec totally leaves you without any senses."

I shivered.
"I wouldn't wish any of them to do that to you."
"Too late Aro had Alec use his powers on me. I was so scared...it felt like I was in limbo."
Demetri opened his mouth.

"You said you can?"
"I can track any person, except an Isabella Swan. I believe I mentioned it."
"You did?"

"Yeah, but you weren't really in your senses." he chuckled.
I rolled my brown peepers.
"And that monstrously tall guy? And Benjamin?"

"They are strong and can predict an opponent's tactics. But Aro doesn't value physical gifts as much as mental capabilities so they, Felix and Benjamin, have the lightest cloaks of the permanent guard." Demetri explained.

"How many permanent members are there?" I said.
He paused.

"There is the Volturi family...formerly started as six, now five as well as the top tier guards...including Benjamin, Corin, Chelsea, the Twins, Felix, Chelsea, Heidi and myself about...twelve permanent guards."

"But what about the rest, you said you were over thirty right?"

He smiled.
"You have a good memory. Yes, I said that so that makes seventeen of us that are permanent members and the rest about twelve to fifteen are transitory....so all in all we are thirty two."

I gasped.
"No wonder they ordered all members to stay in their rooms while I'm here...it's really not safe."
"It isn't. But the transitory members have reduced."

"Why?" I asked.
"A scandal with another coven. It made vampires question if they really want to be in the Volturi. So they are eight of those transitory and we have five cleaners, a priest, a chef and a secretary in our employ."

"Why are those other people special?"
"They are humans like you, but we prefer having as few as possible in on our secret...they are usually European and speak English or Italian.

The chef has been around as long as you. The humans here are actually glad you arrived."

I laughed.
"Marcus hired a chef for me?"
"Yes, we can all cook but the other Masters did not appreciate us deviating from our normal tasks."

"Does the chef get paid well?"
"The secretary complained actually. He gets paid more than her even when he does not cook.

But that is really our other employees' fault and not his own. His services extend to them as well, but I guess they fear Marcus' reaction."

He shrugged.
I wore a sky blue strappy halter dress. I had on white moccasins with blue beads and a white fur coat. Aro was getting excessive...

“Demetri, can you refrain from...” Corin came out of the brass door shouting. And her lips went white.
“MISTRESS! My goodness, forgive me, I thought he was speaking with one of our employees.”
She lowered her head in a bow.

“How was your evening? Was the chef's meal of the day to your standards?”

We looked her.
“My night was fine. The food was great.”

”Dude,” Demetri said to her.
Her face gnarled.
“Refrain from addressing  me so informally.”

“Uhm, Corin? Why the formalities with me and not Demetri?  You are colleagues, afterall.”

She watched me with ruddy irises.
“Demetri maintains a lower status than me, if anything he must watch his words. But you now outrank us.”

“I'm sorry? I'm just a human without superpowers. How could I possibly outrank you guys that have been around for longer than even  America has existed?”

“You are a mate of one of the Masters. It automatically means you superceded us, even if you end up having no powers like Caius, or even the wives.”
“What? Wait...they have no powers?”

“Yes,” Demetri glared and rose the hood of his cloak. She just puffed up her chest. Were they showing off their ranks?”

“So, does everyone in the Volturi know?”
“Yes, Marcus was very open about your status and he and Aro demanded you get the best treatment. Even Jane, who is not partial for your kind had to make do.”

“That's why you are all nice now?”
Corin frowned.
“Forgive me, for my mistakes. I was not aware of your relationship  to Marcus. But now I intend to give you the respect befitting of a regent.”

“Ok, I wanted to see Sulpicia and Caius' wife.”

Corin nodded.
“You can  of course. Just maintain a good distance...in case.”

“In case they decide to take a bite out a me like I'm a cherry pie? Got it!”
Corin giggled and Demetri rolled his eyes.

“Crude joke, enter first. I will mark your movements.”
Corin took point and in we went.

Sulpicia had a white gown today and her hair hung over her like a curtain. Caius' wife had a ponytail and a cream and green gown. They sat on adjacently facing oval couches.

When they spotted me they had large smiles and turned fully to watch me come in.
“Mistress Sulpicia and Athenodora. Mistress Makayla is here to see you.”

I frowned. Doesn't she know mistress is no longer a good thing to be referred to,as a woman?”
“Hello, dear one. It is lovely to see you. How is Marcus? It has been so long since we met.”

I felt a jolt. It has been two days since I've seen him too.
“And thank you.” Athenodora smiled.

“Thank you?” I said.
“Yes, Marcus has been more himself ever since you,began courting. He has been down ever since Didyme departed from this world. You have heard of her?”

“I have, I think I could never replace her.”
“No, you cannot but if we were lost to our husbands as well, how would anyone fill our shoes?

You and her are worlds apart and I believe Marcus did not choose you to emulate his late wife.”

My face was hot.
“And you do have your own attributes that are pleasing to a man.”

Her eyes traced my cleavage and my hips.
I coughed.

“Honestly, Dora. You are embarrassing the young one.”

“I only desired to instill her with some self awareness. Makayla, it is difficult being a second wife but I have never seen my brother in law appreciate another. I feel slightly jealous...Marcus is a voracious lover.

But I am sure you realised yourself, rumour has it you had some love bites,on your neck on your last few visits.”

I held my neck and my my face warmed. The worst was I felt my core moisten as I remembered the raw sensuality of Marcus' cool lips biting onto my hot, supple neck.

“I...I...”
I couldn't even respond to that.

Sulpicia gave Athenodora a playful push.
“Do not mind the old bat. She loves to tease. But Marcus I assure you is nothing but a gentleman. Is that right?”

I nodded.
“Sit, sit. So, we chat more.” Sulpicia urged.
I looked at the guards, Corin and Demetri confused at what to say.

“Do not worry dear. We are full and we would never harm family.”

I sat dumbly.
“Family?” I croaked out.

“Yes, Marcus dawdled but his intent is clear. You will be betrothed as soon as the stars align.”  Sulpicia said.

“Are you not, mistaken?” I said softly.
“You have doubts?”

“Yes, but not about him.”
“Then all is well.” Athenodora smiled.

I needed to take heart and ask Sulpicia about Aro, then maybe I would find his weakness or figure out if Marcus was in love with me or not.

“uh....how is life here with your husbands being kings and all?”

Athenodora sighed.

“In the beginning things were easy and happy. Before he met Didyme, Marcus shared the work equally and  Caius did not have much responsibilities...but when he lost Didyme he really lost his will to live. So his work failed. Aro and Caius had to shoulder his workload as well.

But I am jubilant you have motivated Marcus. He has enabled our husbands to spend more time with us. Caius sees me everyday, before it would be a month until his next visitation.”

I peeked at Sulpicia. She did not seem to agree much. I would get her alone and ask her personally about how she felt.
“Let me go... it was lovely chatting. ”

“Must you go so soon?”
“Uh...no but I'm sure you have things to attend to.”

“No, it is rather boring in here. We tend to lose track of time.” Sulpicia added.
“Please stay. There's so much you need to know.”

Athenodora insisted.
“I don't know...my food is usually ready at this hour.”

We can have one of the guards here inform the labourers to bring it here.” said Sulpicia.

They gave me pleading red eyes, which was creepy. But they really welcomed me, which was a different reception from the one I got from the brothers.

They were lonely.
“Well I do have questions.”
I sat down again.
^~~~oooo~~~^^^~~~oooo~~~^^^~~~oooo~~~
I discovered they were also about four millennia, like the Volturi kings.
“So, vampires can't eat food or sleep?” I exclaimed.

“No,” Sulpicia said.
I had finished my sandwiches and Benjamin had rotated with Demetri.

“Another thing we tend not to worry about are children. Since it is impossible for women, of my kind, to have their own offspring.”

“But men can.” Benjamin spoke quietly.
  My eyes were big.

“But you guys are dead, right? How?” I asked.

I was painting Sulpicia's fingernails jet black to match with her black sweater.

My yellow and gold acrylic nails had inspired the ladies to give it a try themselves. After having lunch I had started doing my nails whilst listening to more of their life stories.

For vampires they had such domestic lives...minus the cooking and cleaning.

“Well, vampires when they are turned their hearts freeze and so their cells become immortal and unchanging at the phase they reached.”
Sulpicia said.

She had learnt some science over the years in Italy.

“But men apparently maintain their... what are they? Sperm cells and those can impregnate a human woman; Aro thought it had to do with their genitals being warmer than any other part of a vampire, which is the opposite in human beings.”
She said.

Athenodora impatiently watched as I finished with Sulpicia. She wanted cone-tipped , short acrylic ones with denim blue , lime, peach and moss swirls highlighting them.

As soon as I finished I was near her on the loveseat instead of with Sulpicia on the three-seater. I hardly flinched. Demetri was correct; they couldn't inhibit their supernatural speed and strength. Despite that they were careful with me.

At first Corin and Benjamin would shyly caution I had breakable bones but after the millionth time I was whizzed around the room unharmed, they eased up.

“So there are half vampires out there?”
“Few, Caius was not particularly  concerned.” said Athenodora.

She had smooth, hard hands. She had the type of hands that were on handcream commercials. I realised I could not file down their cuticles so I made do by just pasting on the nails.

I apologised for them not looking as good as mine but they were not bothered.

“Nonsense, this is quite pleasant. I have not had such fun bathing, doing my nails and dressing as now.” Athenodora laughed.

Sulpicia, who was previously down had a smile on her face now.

“Me neither Dora. I've never been in a bath house! I hope you don't mind but I'll come and bath here every night.”

She smiled at me and Sulpicia chortled.
“Feel free;ciò che è nostro è tuo.(what is ours is yours. )

I blushed. Then:
“Aro, there is someone other than Corin with our mates. Someone who smells of lime and cucumber.”

“Why do we not see the intruder,” a soft voice teasingly asked.
Before the door opened I knew who it was.

Caius' enraged face calmed when he saw no-one threatened his love.
“Makayla? What on earth?” he said.

“Hello.”
He blinked and stood stock-still, so did Aro.

“Do not fear we are very safe. Nothing could become of us with our precious guards here. And we felt so lonely in here. We decided to have her keep us company.”

Athenodora explained as the men watched in wonder. Sulpicia nodded mutely.

Aro gazed at me and his signature smile returned.  I tried not to change my face. I didn't want to alert Sulpicia of anything wrong.

“You look lovely.”
I wore a yellow sweater and a brown scotched, low slit skirt with neon orange socks.

I also was covered in golden glitter. Athenodora wanted to take a few photos for me for posterity.

His eyes moved to Sulpicia. He was stunned. He froze again. I had dressed her in a black sweater and a grey pleated skirt with combat boots.

Her dark, luscious hair was in a nice bun.

“Sulpicia...” Aro said lost for words.
Caius was also appreciating my work.His wife was in a lime green sweater and dark green boot leg pants.

She wasn't wearing shoes because she did not want her nails to smudge. They were going to match well with her fingernails, once they dried.

“Speechless? I know, Kayla got me these online. What do you think?” Athenodora posed and blew kisses into the air. It was easy to forget her age when she did that.

I think these men both forgot I was with them. I told Corin to tell Athenodora to look for me when she wanted to finish her nails.

“Well, I'm off. And I think you need time to yourselves.” I said to the couples.

Caius said: “Bye, take Benjamin with you. Go to Marcus' room. If you need anything you can ask.”

That was the nicest thing he had said yet. I smiled and led Benjamin away.