The Volturi, who have been alive since some time in the 1300 live in an amazing underground palace. Sitting atop their solid gold, and beautifully adorned thrones they spend each day ruling over their kind. Aro the leader has seen a possible use for their once mortal enemies the werewolves…guard dogs. Caius of course is furious that the man he had called friend all these years would even consider such a thing. And Marcus who is nether for or Against any thing, has of course, no opinion.
"why do we even keep you around?" Caius demanded of Marcus. "you do nothing but mope about, even on such an important topic as this you have nothing to add. I say we discuss a new vote, all in favor of dethroning Marcus say I"
"that is enough Caius!" Aro nearly shouted, some thing that was fast becoming commin. "Marcus my dear friend, I know that the unfeeling slaughter of these animals must seem as heinous to you as it does to myself. After all was the death of your dear wife not as horrible and senseless?" at the mention of his dearly departed beloved wife Marcus cringed.
"perhaps," Marcus said thoughtfully. "an experiment could be conducted where a few specimens are selected to participate. Their performance closely monitored, and for the time being the raids be halted until we can come to a conclusive decision."
"there you see? Some one who can see the possibilities beyond his own prejudices." Aro's smile crept slowly across his face. How easily he could manipulate his companions. Marcus himself could see he was being used and did not care. "ahhh…dinner has arrived." at that the double doors to the hall were opened wide admitting a group of tourists led by one very stunning vampire in a red dress.
The crowed was made up of all types and ages. They were under the very false impression they were on a tour. Once the doors slammed shut they always seemed to realize some thing was wrong. Strangers hugged each other and cried. Mothers tried to shield their children. The adrenalin pumping through their veins was such a rush.
This time was different, a little. One child neatly evaded her mother's grasp. Her skin was darkly tanned, as if she had spent a hundred summers under the sun. her eyes were big and round, they were the richest shade of brown any one had ever seen. She marched bravely up to each of the Volturi, a huge ecstatic smile plastered onto her tiny face, she could not have been any older that three or four. Finally she stopped in front of Marcus and gave a little giggle.
No one spoke, the frightened sobs had died down to sniffles and shudders. All eyes were on the child. She raised her hand and waved. Marcus, unsure of what was happening nodded back politely. Having been acknowledged she jumped up and down clapped her chubby little hands together and laughed. "I knew it was you." she said gleefully. "your saint Marcus! You made the bad-uns go away!"
The three Volturi were shocked. Heidi was under explicit instructions and normally followed them to the letter. Only tourists were to be brought. This child obviously knew the story of St. Marcus, who had supposedly chased all of the vampires out of the city using crosses garlic and holy water. What shocked the three ancients the most was that she recognized him. They had spent thousands of years spreading false images of an elderly man with dark gray monks robes and a kind face. Trying to bury Marcus' identity.
"what makes you think it is him?" Aro asked intrigued by the child's absolute certainty.
"I just know." she shrugged her little shoulders. Obviously for a three year old intuition was explanation enough. Being a mother means being brave enough to save your child from herself. The girl's mother lunged out from the group, scooping up her child.
"please," she begged, looking deep into the eyes of Marcus. "she is only a child, she knows not what she is saying. She is only a baby." that she was. Clearly a clever child, wisdom beyond her years. It was obvious she had caught Aro's attention and would be spared.
Marcus stood, something he did only when necessary. He reached out his cold pale hands to the child who lunged from her mothers arms willingly. She wrapped her little arms around Marcus' neck and her legs around his waist. Her little head rested happily on his shoulder. She had no fear, if she knew what he truly was she did not show it.
"please." he mother whispered, reaching out to strok the little girls ling black hair. "love her." Marcus nodded. The woman stepped back into the crowed nobaly accepting her own fate and with that the feeding frenzy began. Aro and Caius launched themselves into the crowd, their gurad followed suit. Togahter they devoured every one in their path. The child in Marcus's arms did not turn away. With curious eyes she watched as her own mother was eaten alive by the woman in the pretty dress. When dinner was over the guards unceremoniously dragged the bodies from the room a sick thumping noise could be heard as the heads hit each step on the way down.
Having eaten his full, Aro turned back to Marcus. He had not participated in the feast. Marcus stood amongst the body's still to be removed, cautiously holding the child to his chest. This girl was something else. He smiled at the girl who returned his grin. "what have we here? You're a very smart little girl."
"I'm three. I'm a big girl."
"that you are." Aro said still smiling. The gears in his head turning.
"aren't you afraid?" Caius asked, allowing the body he had been feeding from the slump to the floor. The girl shook her head, still grinning from ear to ear.
"saint Marcus will protect me." she explained placing a kiss on the baffled Vampire's cheek. "he always has." she reached into her shirt and pulled out a necklace with a small gold medallion on it. An engraving of Marcus him self. The trinket must have been handed down for centuries, that it had survived this was amazing.
"what is your name?" Aro asked.
"Aquene," she told him. "it means peace."
"that will not due, such a pretty little girl should not bare such a serious name. we must give you a new one. What do you think Caius?" the blond vampire stepped forward.
"how about food?" he suggested menacingly. Aquene shook her head, still smiling. She obviously did not consider him a threat, probably thought he was being silly.
"Lottie." Marcus said suddenly. The girl looked at him puzzled for a moment. "how about little Lottie?" she nodded her head and so I was.
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