Disclaimer: The Twilight Universe Belongs to Stephenie Meyer.
It should have been routine.
There had been a minor uprising in the Northwestern United States and Demetri had been sent to take care of it. He had not been particularly excited about the assignment. The perpetrator was an irritating, mouthy red-head that had much of the state of Washington in an uproar. Demetri had dealt with this one before and had rather hoped never to do so again, but fate—or , more likely, Caius—had a very twisted sense of humor.
In any case, one doesn't argue with a Patriarch of the Volturi.
It was supposed to be a minor, routine job, one that Demetri was used to handling, so he held his tongue.
It turned out to be anything but routine. A rather surprising turn of events involving, of all things, a pack of werewolves and a barely avoided massacre had resulted in Demetri extending his trip in order to pursue an interesting new lead on his own.
He was back in Volterra now, at long last, and on his way to report to the Patriarchs. He'd uncovered an interesting new development—and since he himself was unsure what to make of it, he knew that Aro, Caius, and Marcus would be particularly intrigued.
Demetri barely acknowledged the other "family members" he passed as he strode purposefully through the depths of Volterra's ancient clock tower. His first duty was to the Patriarchs; there would be time for the rest of them later.
Bypassing the large hall where visitors were generally greeted, Demetri headed instead for the smaller chamber where the Patriarchs usually held their more private audiences. The guard at the door caught Demetri's eye and nodded infinitesimally. They were expecting him.
His step never faltered. Demetri knocked once on the big wooden door before pushing it open and entering. He walked a few steps into the room and then dropped to one knee before the three most powerful vampires in the world.
Naturally, Aro was the first to speak. "Demetri!" he exclaimed, the smile on his face just innocent enough to seem menacing. "You've returned, how wonderful! I must say, we were worried when your guard returned without you."
"My apologies." Demetri stood. Aro, full of a child-like kind of joy that could only be described as sinister and vaguely threatening, was lounging in a cushioned stone chair. Caius, hair snow-white and wearing his usual scowl, was standing a few feet away with the slightly younger-looking Marcus, who looked as bored as he always did.
"Do us the honor of explaining your prolonged absence," Caius demanded short-temperedly.
"In the course of my mission, I had news of Carlisle Cullen and his coven. I thought it wise to follow through."
"Ah," Aro beamed, "yes, indeed. You were in his area, weren't you. How is the old vegetarian?" He chuckled at his joke as Caius snorted disdainfully.
"He sends his regards," Demetri said coolly.
"Would you care to explain why a visit just hours from where you were sent took an extra three days?" Caius snapped.
"The Cullen coven relocated a little over a year ago. I had to search them out."
Aro chuckled. "About time. If they'd stayed much longer, the humans might have started noticing things, and then we would have had to get involved. That would have been far more trouble than I like to deem necessary. Very sensible of Carlisle to move."
Caius ignored Aro and eyed Demetri suspiciously. "You're saying that your mission was forgotten and your absence lengthened so that you could tell us that Carlisle moved?"
Demetri restrained a sigh. Finally they were getting to the point. "His coven has grown." This news was indeed enough to interest both Aro and Caius. Marcus still looked as if he were only barely listening.
"They've found another vegetarian?" Aro asked sounding genuinely curious.
"What do you mean, 'grown'?" Caius demanded.
"Another female now lives with them. She's only recently been turned, but I gather that they knew her as a human. It would also appear that she's the mate of the one called Edward."
Aro sat up slightly, his face breaking out into a wide smile. "Ah, yes, Edward. Fascinating, really, what that boy is capable of. Good for him, settling down at last."
Caius scoffed but said nothing; Demetri moved on. "The Cullens are now, by a very wide margin, the largest and most powerful coven in the states." This was the part that Caius would be most interested in. He knew full well the implications of the existence of another powerful coven—especially one with ideals so very different from their own—and it was that alone that brought a rare smile, small though it was, to Caius' face. "That isn't all. The female—Isabella, I believe—has a wealth of untapped potential." Demetri took the time to look each one in the eyes before continuing. "It would appear that she doesn't thirst after blood."
Aro was sitting completely straight by now, and Caius' brief loss of scowl illustrated his surprise. The surprise was Marcus, who blinked slowly, frowning. Demetri had never seen him so animated. Marcus opened his mouth.
"Interesting," he murmured. Demetri was hard-pressed to maintain his unruffled expression.
"You have a theory, Marcus?" Aro inquired.
"I shall need to see this female," the normally silent vampire said, his voice infinitely soft.
"Yes," Aro agreed. "This is interesting news indeed, Demetri, excellent work. Where is Carlisle living now?"
"Central New York, just north of a city called Ithaca."
Aro's eyes were gleaming. "Again, my thanks. If you would, be aware that we will call upon you shortly to return there with a message for this Isabella."
Demetri nodded once. "As my lord commands."
"You may leave."
Demetri bowed and turned to exit, the Patriarchs' conversation following him out of the chamber.
"I do believe we are overdue for a visit with our dear old friend."
"Indeed. It would seem that a brief reminder of our laws is in order."
"Such a shame to send Demetri, though," Aro sighed. "We haven't left Volterra in nearly a century. Wouldn't it be about time for a little trip?"
Demetri shut the rest from his ears, walking briskly back towards the main chamber. He'd done his part, for now. It wasn't his business until they called on him again.
But he could help feeling intrigued. He'd met this Isabella during his brief visit, though the coven—and especially Edward—had gone out of their way to reduce his interaction with her. And for good reason, he thought, perhaps a little sadly.
He hadn't needed more than those brief moments to realize that Isabella Cullen was a gem among vampires.
Demetri smiled to himself. She would make an excellent addition to the Volturi family, and not simply for the wealth of talent that she was only just beginning to discover. Aro, Demetri was certain, would feel much the same upon meeting her. Indeed, Aro would be very reluctant to let her go.
Isabella Cullen would come to Italy, whether she wanted to or not.
It was just a shame the wedding would have to be cancelled.
A/N: Hello, and welcome to Blue Moon! This is the sequel to "Thanks to the Wolves" so I'd recommend heading on over there and reading that one first. This one's going to be a little more action packed and in 3rd person. Input always appreciated! Unbetaed, so please let me know if you see anything that could do with some touching up!
EB