The Obsessed
Chapter1: How to Properly Fight a War
Marcus' Point of View
The forward parties had been feeding us information through runners for the past three days. These Southern Wars were completely out of control. The house we had 'liberated' from one of the smaller groups in the war was our current base of operation. We three kings sat at a round table discussing the situation, never going into an attack without thorough planning.
One of the younger guards came in after knocking to give the most recent report. He bowed deeply before starting.
"We have come across a large coven just south of the Texas border. They number between 50 to 75 vampires." It was a startlingly high number. Most war covens had at most 40. "I've only identified 10 that aren't newborns. There are 4 that stand out but, I can't tell which one is the leader. They all seem to act independently, but to the same goal. One seems to be a supervisor of the main group, one trains the newborns, another acts as a scout, outlook, and helps with training, while the other is in charge of the blood supply as well as some sort of specialized group. Would you like me to draw you a picture of them, Masters?"
"Proceed." Aro said and inclined his head towards an inkwell and parchment. The guard took it quickly and started sketching.
"The first 3 are 2 males and a female. They are scarred up like most southern vampires. All have blond hair with varying shades." He showed us the three drawings and pointed to the one in the middle who was taller than the other three with a thin build. "I read some lips of newborns and they called him Major. He does the training of the newborns. I did not catch the name of the bulker male who does the scouting, but I think he is mated to this female who is in charge of the blood." The guard took a moment to draw the fourth person, a woman. "The supervisor is a brunette. I think she was looking at maps when I scouted them. The strange thing about her is that from where my team and I were I couldn't see a single scar on her." Aro picked up the drawing and the guard waited for us to ask questions or be dismissed. He handed Cauis the drawing then to me. I briefly glanced at it.
The tallest male, Major, had an air of violence to him. He could possibly be a good member of the guard if he had a gift. The stouter male was unremarkable, looking like any other vampire. The blond female had a certain charm to her and looked surprisingly plump compared to most vampires. The brunette female had a slight tilt to her eyes that almost made her look Western European, which wasn't surprising since these Americas seemed to have attracted many immigrants. He had drawn her sitting so I could not quite see how tall she was. Her unscarred flesh annoyed me for some reason.
"The brunette is probably the strategized rather than a fighter." Caius nodded at my words. "If we eliminate her before even engaging in a fight it might make things quicker, more efficient. The shorter male is probably not the leader. I think it would be best if I went out with the next scouting party to see the relationship bonds myself."
"A wise deduction." Aro said. "I agree. Alec should be added to the party as well, as a precautionary measure." We three nodded together. "Feed your group as a reward for a job well done then prepare them for their next mission and get Alec. When everything is put in place come here." Aro instructed the guard. He bowed then left. We three looked at each other. "In the thoughts of a captured vampire three battles back there was a rumor of one called The Major, a skilled fighter who used to fight under the banner of Maria. Her coven disappeared a few years ago while some of the remnant members joined another coven. He did not know which coven though." He paused in thought. "He could possibly make a good guard member. It is well known that he could strike fear into the unbeating hearts of his enemies with his gift, as well as other emotions."
"A possibly dangerous gift that could be used against us, but a thought worth entertaining." Caius said. They looked to me and I nodded in agreement. We three always agreed.
I returned to the book I had been reading before the guard came in. Aro returned to the large chest of gold and jewelry he had been playing with, creating new pieces by simply bending the metals. Caius looked at the newest maps the various scout parties made and brought back. The only noise in the room was the movie of paper, Aro's random chuckles, and the clinking of metal and jewels.
It was twenty minutes before there was another knock on the door. Soon after I was off with 5 other vampires in the direction of the enemy camp. We started to slow after 2 hours and Alec stuck close to my side, always a good guard. Our footsteps were nearly silent, completely unheard in the sound the soft breeze was causing. We had to circle around so as to stay upwind of the group. We kept low to the ground and soon the large encampment was in view.
It was a valley surrounded by two hills. There were a few tents set up as well as a few luxurious chairs. They had made no attempt to hide their location. I take in a deep breath, concentrating so as to see the various bonds. Slowly I surveyed the area. In the left portion there was about 40 vampires, all practicing fighting as the one called Major hissed out orders. Most of the bonds they had toward him were of fear, but there was a few of respect and lust. His to them were of indifference. I continued my scan. The guard was right the shorter male and blond female were mates, true soul mate. I made a note to make sure one didn't get away during the coming battle while one died. A deceased mate was more than enough reason to have a nonstop vendetta against the Volturi. I could tell that there were some vampires in the tents, probably the older ones. Since I couldn't see them I could not see their bonds. All the way to the right was another 20 or so vampires doing nothing in particular other than talking, practice fighting, and fornicating.
One of the larger tents came undone and the brunette from the drawing came out. As she came into sight I could see all the bonds associated with her. The one from her to the major was thick, woven with respect, friendship, lust, and love as well as a trickle of fearfulness in the relationship and deep admiration. From the shorter male to the brunette was a thin line of friendship, thankfulness, and fear. A thick line connected her to the blond female. It was of sisterly love and friendship. She was clearly the leader by the way all the vampires ducked their heads when she came near. It was strange though, all the bonds that were associated with her did not actually touch her like most bonds did. A foot away from her on all sides the lines stopped. Along with that I could not see her end of the relationship, how she felt about the others. I was deeply confused and somewhat angry. She must have some sort of gift.
With quick, lethal steps she walked to Major. He didn't turn around nor did he even acknowledge her approach. She snaked her arms around him from behind and suddenly I can't see the relationships he had towards others nor did any of the relationship lines touch him. She whispers something to him while standing on her toes so as to almost reach his ears. I can't hear what is said, but it makes him smile and she rubs herself against him in a deliberately seductive fashion and unexpectedly I'm filled with rage.
A growl slips out before I can stop it. It travels quickly down the hill we are on and to the valley. Her head is the first to snap our way and our eyes meet even though my group is hidden in the foliage. I both feel and see it. A bond has been formed and I am frozen in place because of it. The line was not of the usual thin often grey one that comes when first meeting someone, no this was a thick golden rope of a mate.
AN: If you're interested there is sort of prequel to this fic that is 3 short chapters called Worth. You don't have to read it to understand this story, I just decided that since the settings were similar I'd make them the same universe.
This will be mostly from Jasper and Marcus' POV. I'll be updating every week or week and a half, most likely every Monday.
Is this worth continuing? Review.
