As I walked through the archway I was pleased to smell lunch, I'd better hurry before they started to realise what was going on.

"Aro!" Caius greeted me in a fashion I couldn't help but feel was too warm, "You're late, dare I ask why?"

"Ah, my friend, I imagine you heard Sulpicia and me 'discussing' Renata?"

"Indeed, she's so like Athenodora sometimes, isn't she?"

"I wouldn't know, do you argue like that?"

He sighed, "Yes, but I think that maybe you shouldn't bring this up with Renata, you know how she is with-"

"Bring what up with me?" Renatas quiet voice interrupted Caius.

I could see Caius' thoughts practically screaming a warning at me, but I chose to ignore him.

"Sulpicia is being jealous, as usual." I smiled and thanked whatever ruled this world that no one here could read my mind.

"Ah." I could sense Renata struggling for something to say.

She was beautiful, Renata, with dark brown hair and eyes that were a peculiarly gentle shade of red, I could easily see how Sulpicia felt threatened.

I knew why I found Renata attractive, it was her silence. Rather than blurt out anything she was thinking she chose to quietly contemplate what had been said. Of course, to me there was no silence, but I could imagine that if I did not read minds she would be pleasant company. Indeed, Sulpicia was worried over nothing, I would never leave her for Renata; I was not stupid enough to believe that in a thousand years Renata would not be the same shrieking, demanding harpy as my own wife.

"Foods up!" Jane bounded through the archway, closely followed by a tired looking Alec.

"Good, I'm starved." Chelsea moved out from the shadows and Caius jumped in surprise.

"Merda Chelsea! Why must you do that!?" Caius looked annoyed and I couldn't help but laugh.

Jane looked conspicuously at the clock on the wall and moved from foot to foot, Alec put his hand on her shoulder.

"Let's go then." I led the way through the elaborate hallways, taking my place at the front of the line as the obvious leader. Sulpicia stalked to my side and I placed a hand around her waist if only to look like her husband. Renata walked slightly behind me, head down, avoiding Sulpicias murderous glare. Caius walked behind me to the side, one arm around Athenodora, I got the feeling that this intimacy between them was as much for show as Sulpicia and me. Marcus arrived and took his place opposite Caius, his thoughts a painful mesh of jealousy and loneliness. We walked on and I became aware of most of the rest of the volturi keeping pace behind us, carefully arranged in order of rank. No one quite knew why this order was upheld but it seemed appropriate and I knew Sulpicia relished being at the front, the most powerful, in her view anyway.

As we arrived at the hall I stopped under an arch and those behind me fanned out around the edge of the room, already staking claim to their humans. It was time for me to speak, I knew that well and I was preparing to give my usual short introduction to the pitiful humans who had walked straight to their doom, but something stopped me, a scent. Only for a second was I silenced, I wasn't sure what it was but as soon as I smelled it I felt almost dizzy with desire. I shook my head and started speaking.

"Welcome! My esteemed guests, how pleasant it is to see you here," I could hear the vampires around the room growling lowly and laughing, "Alas, I must cut short your stay in Volterra," I smiled at Caius and heard someone, demitri maybe, laugh cruelly.

"What's going on here?" An American tourist seemed to have decided to take charge of the situation, his deep accent shaking slightly, I saw his thoughts; he was wondering if he could attack me and make his escape, a poor plan.

I felt the cool shape of Caius lean closer to me and almost silently whisper, "That one's mine."

I laughed and nodded.

"Come on cloaky, tell us what the hell's goin' on." I really did wish that whoever was on hunting duty today hadn't brought this hick.

"Ah, but that would ruin the surprise." I spoke deeply and felt his fear at the eerie calm of the room, from the vampires at least.

A woman at the back was crying softly and I heard Renata think that I should just get it over with, so I sighed and help up my hand.

"Let the feast…begin!" I dropped my hand and heard the brush of robes on the floor as those around me swept forwards and grabbed their humans. Then the screaming began and the silence shattered. I knew Renata hated this and I heard Marcus consider leaving, but I shot him a look and his thoughts quieted.

I glided forwards and surveyed the scene as the vampires began to drain the flailing bodies of the tourists. There were some still left, running around or cowering in corners crying or screaming. I found myself searching for the smell I had caught earlier, cautiously breathing in the scent of each human until I found it again. Intoxicated I walked forwards and found her cornered by Demitri and Jane, both thinking of how to beat the other for her.

"Demitri! Jane! Leave her, she's mine!"

They looked angrily at me but moved away.

Then I saw her for the first time. She was tiny; probably only about 5 feet tall, she looked about seventeen. She had golden blonde hair that fell to her back in beautiful curls, her eyes were an icy blue, but somehow they were the warmest I had ever seen. She looked terrified, her mascara running down both cheeks. She saw me and tried to scramble backwards but the body of a human was lying in her way.

I heard her whimper and something stirred in my chest, before I knew what was happening I was down at her level, looking her in the eyes and reaching my hand towards her, desperate to do something to protect her. I knew it was stupid, I should drain her and get back to hunting, I was being ridiculous. I leant forwards and felt her freeze as my teeth brushed her neck, instinctively looking for the pulse of her veins. I found it and bit down lightly. She yelped and I jumped back, she shivered and looked up at me, pleading with her eyes. I moved back and brushed my hand through her hair, feeling her flinch at my touch.

A shadow fell over me.

"What the hell is going on?"

Sulpicia looked down at me.