Forks, Washington
May 10th, 2008

Forks, Washington. Population: Three thousand five hundred and thirty two. Three thousand five hundred and thirty two men, women, and children. All with hopes, dreams, thoughts, prayers; the things that made them human, the things that made up their very souls. And now, they were Three thousand five hundred and thirty two pieces of potential collateral damage that Demetri could and would easily destroy without a second thought if he needed to.

Whenever Demetri came to a new place, his powers of tracking would immediately come into effect, and the essences of every single creature in the general area would come flooding into his mind. It had taken some getting used to; Demetri used to find it overwhelming, now he found it exhilarating.

Very few people understood the powers of a tracker, and what they entailed. Demetri could do more than just follow one individual from Point A to Point B to Point C, he could follow any creature within the vicinity of his path from Point A all the way to Point Z, whilst studying their movements, mannerisms, and eventually completely reading and knowing everything about them. He could hear, see, feel, and analyze anything and everything around him. His mind was a veritable computer, constantly thinking and processing his surroundings in every conceivable way.

He was in many ways the most dangerous and perfect hunting machine the world had ever seen. It was fact his allies appreciated and his enemies knew to fear.

And even as he sat in the driver's seat of his personal black Aston Martin Vanquish, Felix in the passenger's seat and six of the Volturi guard's most dangerous members in a large black van directly behind them, all en route to their destination, Demetri's cold, calculating, precise mind was already at work, trying to pick apart the variables of the assignment, working to figure out how exactly he was going to pull off this particular mission. But amongst all of that, and not to mention the presence of everything in Forks revealing itself in his subconscious, one question for Demetri loomed over all else: what exactly wasn't Aro telling him?

Of course, it was rather hard to concentrate when Felix insisted on having AC/DC's "Shoot to Thrill" blaring through the speakers (one of his personal favorite songs, much to Demetri's distaste).

"So what exactly is the plan here?"

"For some reason, Aro wants us to investigate the activities of the Cullen clan and see what they are up to." Demetri explained. "If we find that there is anything out of place, we're supposed to...act upon it."

Felix grinned. "Freaking perfect. Can't wait to kick some Cullen ass."

But Demetri wasn't amused. He glared at Felix through his sunglasses. "Let me make this very clear. Something else is obviously going on here. Why else would Aro send us in the first place? But until I figure that out, make no mistake, this is a recon mission. We are going to go in there, make sure that the Cullens are abiding by our rules, and if they're dot, we right the wrong peacefully. In short, we get in and get out as quickly as possible. We are not here to start a fight. Got it?"

"Peacefully? Since when was that one of your strong suits, old friend?" Felix taunted.

"Since, if we make even the most minuscule of errors here, we could start a war. No pressure." Demetri replied, to which Felix laughed, seemingly unaware of just how serious his partner actually was.

Eventually, the Volturi convoy reached the dreary center of the town, everything still drenched by the rain. Demetri parked the Aston Martin in front of the Forks police station and stepped out to observe the area, Felix following suit.

At first glance, Forks, Washington was a perfectly ordinary and perfectly boring place. Every conceivable surface seemed to be damp with rain, the skies were bleak, and people went about their lives as slowly and surely as they most certainly did with anything else they ever did. Demetri could accredit this monotony to the fact that it was a Saturday, the end of the supposed work week to which any liveliness was at an all-time low in America, a far cry from the seemingly constant activity in Italy. But Forks was seeming to redefine dullness, and Demetri's mind and tracking senses were still working to adjust to it all. Which was in itself ironic, as they were most used to the hustle and bustle of life in Volterra, and all of the insanity therein.

"Felix, stay in the truck with the others. I will return momentarily." Demetri ordered while approaching the door to the police station.

"Where are you going?" Felix asked.

Demetri turned to his partner and grinned. "Know thy enemy, my friend."

Felix rolled his eyes and obeyed as Demetri entered the station. It was a small, cramped building, which was barely lit, reeked of human sweat, cigar smoke, and stale two-week old donuts, and had the constant sounds of keyboards typing and outdated phones ringing. By both human and vampire standards, it was rather unpleasant.

Demetri's analysis of things was soon cut short by a brown-haired, middle-aged human officer, the police chief at further glance, approaching him at the front desk. Demetri immediately began concocting a suitable cover story.

"Hi," The officer said, his mind clearly more interested in the American football game that had occurred the previous night as evidenced by the faint aroma of light beer on his breath and the worn sporting jersey underneath his police uniform. "Listen, we're kinda swamped here today with paperwork. Is there anything real quick I can help you with?"

It was time for Demetri to put his cover story into effect. "Yeah, Chief...Swan," Demetri said, easily covering up the underlying Italian accent in his voice and exchanging it for something a bit more America, yet considerably less successful at masking his surprise at the officer's slightly familiar last name, "I'm visiting town and all, and I was just wondering if you could give me directions."

Chief Swan furrowed his brow, investigating Demetri. "Say, you wouldn't happen to be related to the Cullen family, would you?"

Demetri faked a smile. "Yeah, that's just the house I needed directions to! I'm Eddie's cousin! We spent nearly everyday together as kids. Nigh inseparable we were!"

"Nigh inseparable, eh?" Chief Swan said, raising an eyebrow. "I don't remember seeing you at the wedding."

Damn.

"I was in the back. And I had to leave early."

"I've never heard of Edward having any cousins."

"I live pretty far away."

"But seriously though, he's never mentioned you to me before."

"You two talk a lot?"

"I'm his father-in-law."

Damn.

Clearly, this wasn't working. But, you couldn't win them all. Time to abort.

"Eh...um...on second thought, I know we're I'm going." Demetri stammered, never breaking character. "Thanks anyway...Uncle."

Chief Swan grunted at this.

And as Demetri walked out the door, he couldn't help but add: "Nice game last night, eh?"

"There was no game last night." Chief Swan replied.

Damn. Today was not Demetri's day.

As Demetri exited the police station, he was quickly teased for his failure via a text from Felix:

"What happened? Silver tongue turned to lead? -F"

Demetri replied:

"Quiet you. I can't track the Cullens myself, or they'll catch on to us. I have to find their residence some other way. -D"

But as Demetri was texting, a young woman carrying several boxes was walking straight at him, also not paying attention. Now, any other ordinary person would've instantly collided with the woman.

But Demetri was not ordinary. And he always paid attention.

So with split-second speed, Demetri moved out of the way and the woman stumbled to the ground, dropping her things everywhere.

"Oh dear, I'm sorry!" Demetri said in mock sympathy, helping the young woman up, and picking up her packages. "I wasn't minding where I was going."

"No it's alright," the woman said, making herself presentable again after her stumble, "Stupid me, always the klutz! I...uh...whoa..."

The woman was speechless at the sight of Demetri's physical appearance. Being a hunter, it was beneficial that Demetri's physique was perfectly well-toned and permanently statuesque. All the better to ensnare his targets. Unfortunately however, his targets were very rarely female. So his looks usually ended up being a benefit he used to bewitch beautiful women. Not that he had any complaints there...

Finally the woman spoke. "I...I'm Jessica...you...um...you have my package."

Initially confused, Demetri soon realized he was in fact carrying one of her parcels in his arms.

"Pardon me, it would seem I do." He grinned sheepishly, returning Jessica her box.

Jessica struggled to make logical sentences in front of Demetri. "You're...um...you wouldn't happen to be a Cullen would you?"

Demetri quickly analyzed Jessica. Easily distracted by attractive males. Packages obviously containing American romantic comedies from the 1990's. Wearing a "Forks High School: Class of 2006" T-shirt.

In summary: recent high school graduate struggling to get off the ground and make a life for herself. Therefore, very vulnerable and easily manipulable.

An excellent combination any day of the week. Demetri decided to keep his normal voice for this one, as not much effort seemed required to get what he needed from her.

Demetri grinned. "I get that quite a bit actually. I am a friend of the Cullens's from out of town, here to pay them a visit."

"So you're not here for the party then?"

That caught Demetri's attention. "Party? Pray tell..."

"Yeah it's this big bash the Cullen's have been planning for months at their place." Jessica explained.

"Well," Demetri smiled. "I suppose that gives me two reasons to stick around then."

Jessica giggled. "It is invite-only though..."

Demetri leaned in close to her and smoothly wrapped his hand around hers, whispering in her ear flirtatiously. "I suppose I'll have to be your plus one then, eh?"

Jessica stared deeply and longingly into Demetri's eyes, nodding feverishly. "Well...um...then...you can come over to my place at eight before we go to the party then?"

"The party starts so early?"

Jessica grinned sensually. "No, but I do."

Demetri chuckled. "You're an angel. But seriously though, I'll drive. And where exactly will I be heading to get to this little gathering?"

Jessica closed her eyes, clearly not paying any attention as she answered Demetri. "What, the Cullens' place? You just keep going down that road, take a left, it's right on the outskirts of town. You can't miss it."

Success.

Demetri grinned. "Thank you, my dear. I'll see you tonight then!"

Jessica smirked teasingly as she slipped a small slip of paper with her home address into Demetri's pants pocket. "You better be ready for me, hot stuff."

Demetri winked as Jessica strutted away towards the post office. He turned around to face the truck parked in front of the police station, with Felix in the front seat glaring at him, clearly frustrated at him for seemingly mixing business with pleasure...again.

He casually strode into the truck and handed Felix the slip of paper Jessica's address. "Merry Christmas, old friend."

After marveling the slip of paper for a brief moment, Felix bewilderedly looked at Demetri. "What happened out there?"

Demetri turned to the back, and addresses Felix and the other guardsmen with a smile, while donning a pair of sunglasses.

"Gentlemen, suit up. It's party time."