Flashback

It was not long after their council with the Cullens, that Jane and Alec couldn't help but make a side glance view of each other. The tension was felt through out the guards, many felt it was best they head back on their own because they felt a sudden dread that would be unleashed upon them. While a certain few remained by Aro, this including the twins, Demetri, Corin, Chelsea, Felix, the wives; Sulpicia and Anthedora, and most of all Caius, who was going on and on about his complaints on the less course of action that was taken to his Wife. Aro had held a look on his face that was unreadable, so unreadable, that not even his wife could tell what was wrong. Fear rained upon the others, as most would state amongst themselves that Aro could be losing his mind.

As the gain closer to home, more and more angry and tense that Aro seemed to show. ' He could be struggling on whether or not to go back' Alec thought amongst himself. By night they had reached the castle, though they werent able to retire soon because Caius had ordered everyone in the throne room. Jane and Demetri figured that it was mostly to complain some more. Jane rolled her eyes at Demetri who smiled and shook his head, both quickly hiding their smiles as they entered the room. Many of the gurad had arrived to hear what was needed to be discuss. Tension arose so great as silence came upon them that Chelsea and Corin couldn't calm or content everyone. Something was terrible wrong. Tension grew to great heights that evening and Jane was so nervous that she grabbed her brother's sleeve fearing the dreaded wrath that could be unleashed upon them. Alec feared for Jane because she couldn't use her gift on the Cullens. She would hate to be in a room that was full of tension and agony practicing torture just find a way to break the barriers.

"It seems such a disappointment, such great talent and gifts could have been used, and yet I did regret that their could be an end to them. Such a pitty." Aro stroke the bottom of his Chin, while his brothers took their seat on their thrones. Many murmured their agreements, but some remained confused about the issue.

"We should have just finished them off! By letting them walk away it clear gave many the message that many could challenge the Volturi and many now have nothing to fear because of that shield. That child and halfling who care's if their was another halfling, If that halfling bit a human without control and able change another into a vampire wouldn't that still be a threat! Despite what he or she survives on one slip! Just one and that would be a danger to us all! That thing is a dangerous to us! I guarantee on slip up and it will be our undoing!" Caius stood as uttered these words at Aro, stepping down a few steps pointing and wavy his hands all over the place. The wives sat on their seats to the side with few guards around them, and looked from one from the other. Caius was boiling mad about Aro, and his lack of action against the Covens. Many of the guard feared this as well for it was their home. They didn't understand Aro's action, though the Vision was shared, Caius feared it was just a trick to see reason.

" And if they slip up we will finish it just like we did before." Aro spoke softly. Caius rolled his eyes and grumbled about to himself, while his wife lending her hand on his shoulder.

" We should have finished it then, despite that Cullen's vison, if she is so desireable she could have easily tricked you. I still think we should have risked it! What happens if there was a slip?! Should we allow it to spread to prove a point!? If the risk happened it would be out into the world before it reaches us and then what would happened?! We chose to let it go and if it comes down to that Aro, it is on your head, not mine?! That thing is a disaster! A disgrace to vampires! Worst of all they sided with werewolves! Our natural enemies! The enemies we have fought against! I remember clear as day facing one, they are not to be taken lightly." Caius raved as much as his anger would allow. Many wonder about his points and many realized that it was going to be the Volturi's end if this gets out amongst other vampires. The more he spoke on the more Aro temper was lost, and it wasn't till this very moment when the others, realized it was the start of things becoming different for the Volturi itself.

"Those things were shifters, not the real thing, nothing more. Their own temper is their undoing. Besides Caius it's a child! It's just a child, a child of human and a vampire, should we not look into this further before making anymore rash decisions. If she had the guts to talk to Aro personally, without showing fear like the rest of the Cullen's, she is very bright about not breaking the rules. …I think we should trust Carlisle? He was once apart of the volturi and your dear friend Aro. You know Carlisle wouldn't risk his family's safety! Not one law was broken in my eyes. As long as the news doesn't get out amongst humans I don't see the problem, other vampires will just need a reminder. The Child holds no flaws which I can see, and you heard what that other half-ling had spoken of, the child would reach maturity in time. As long as they taught her the laws and teach her to not disobey them I think they will be alright. She seemed smart enough to know and respect the laws. And Carlisle wouldn't risk it not for his family safety and which would guarantee our safety as well. The wolf however wouldn't risk their secret getting out either, so maybe they had an agreement amongst them which allowed them to keep the child alive." Many eyes turned to see that it was Alec who spoke up, he was always quite and kept to himself, which led to him leaving while the arguments went on its way, but the way he spoke up made many question the volturi motive for going and that meant questioning Aro as well, several agreed with the statement, but Caius growled and stood pointing a finger at him.

" Figures you would stand up to Carlisle, you wanted to leave with him when he left from the beginning and you sound as if you approve of this matter more so that your willing risk our safety as well Alec! Especially your own sister's for that matter! If this gets out, many would question and too challenge the Volturi motives as well as its existence! That Thing is a monster and a disaster and shouldn't have existed, along with those in the world like it!" Caius expressed his answer with great concerned he cared for Alec and so did his wife. Along with Jane, they would have been a good family until Chelsea came into the picture.

"It's a child! A little girl! Which proves we should question our abilities and what we could do, and see if the child is stronger than us as of regular vampires and look into it Who ages quickly past her time! What harm would it really be to let it be tested out!"

" I'm beginning to think you turning your back on us Alec! Do you fancy the young girl?! If so you would be considered a traitor in my opinion! Why not go leave go join Carlisle if that's what you really after!" Caius had grown frustrated at Alec, he wish the boy would just get it.

"Haha, I would leave if I could, but you apparently you think I am stupid to do such a thing. You practically scared out of your mind when you saw those dogs. you would be considered an arrogant old goat! Who whined about everything else! Your fear of the wolves and yet Carlisle has managed to make allies of them! Maybe I should question your own motives Caius! Wanting to end things so quickly is it out of fear or are you coward as many rumors stated" Alec laughed as Caius looked so red in the face and began shouting at the top of his lungs like frustrated child, the laughter spread amongst the guard, along with Anthedora who snickered behind her hand along with Corin and Chelsea. The air stiffened as the argument ranged out. Jane worried that maybe her brother was over stepping his boundaries just a little, but what she didn't know it was much more than pushing boundaries.

" Why you sickening little bastard of Child! Maybe its time your should know your talents is as weak than it was before when we turned you! I for one would rather have watched you burn! IT was your sisters talent that got my interest! Spoiled brat! Treated as prince only because your sister was the one we truly desired! Your gift has become less use for us than it has before!Why not just get rid of you now! Aro! Surely your aren't going to let this boy disrespect his leaders!" Sulpicia was in a outrage as she stood, listening to Alec and Caius tease each other. Alec felt a sudden wave of tension that only made him push his sister by Demetri, with a quick glance glance at Aro as if hoping what Sulpicia was yelling was bull and a bunch of lies.

Aro stood from his throne and looked at Alec in his eyes, and quick noticed at Jane's, who looked in fear for her brothers life. Aro sighed as he stood there in wonder what he could do, true as it was of the things that Sulpicia has mentioned but putting Alec life to quick end made him question even more about it so because he once saw the boy as his own son, but in that since he was just a servant, he have thought of Jane as more of a daughter figure and his own child than Alec.

"You seem to be pulling away from us Alec. I began to wonder where your loyalties lie. You seem to jump so quick to defend Carlisle, but when it come to our family, you leave the room, and leave during the night and disappear until dawn, you seem to be the voice of reasoning now, so tell me Alec what should I do" Aro looked at Alec with worry and questioned if he should just do it now, or go with his own plan by having Alec life end in a difficult mission. Jane worriedly stood by her brother, ready and willing to stand up for him. But Suplicia seemed to have her own words put into mine and ease her way into the conversation, she never much carried for Alec either, but other Aro who wants the strongest and best talents, she wants control and only favored Jane.

" Aro just punish the boy, after all we could lower him beneath the guard keep him around for better use than end the boys life so quickly, and besides if its not enough do so if he crosses us again. Jane is as much better value and you wanted her from the beginning and but she wanted the boy to, but his gift is weak it was proven that against that Cullen's shield and he's suppose to be the strongest. Jane isn't at her peak yet." She smiled at her husband softly. All she did do was get on Alec's nerve if she didn't get what she want which was her husband's wish she'll blame anyone even the strongest of the guard or if she was jealous. Jane hissed at the woman standing in front of her she rather call Athenodora mom than her. At that woman loved them both, Caius would have treasured them but his reaction was out of fear and anger of being humiliated in front of the Cullen's.

"I didn't see you going into battle neither hiding behind a bunch of guards fearing for your lives was it, no, your more like a coward you were, when this thing started you came just so you could treasure and gloat about being the queen bee of the castle. What now Suplicia jealous of the Cullen shield knowing her beauty isn't as much as the Rosalie Cullen's but at least she holds her own beauty and if I recall Aro did say that being a vampire was becoming of her and I wonder if that what was he told you at one point, because lets face it doesn't become you at all!" Alec smirked while Jane gasp. But that was heard was loud smack, enough to send the boy to the ground. Jane followed suit holding onto her brother's arm.

It was great insult to Aro or the leaders who spoke to the head of the wives that way, he looked at the couple of the guards and signaled them forward. Suplicia just smiled with such a grin that anyone would want to smack it off, but Aro stood firm and glared.

" It sees you lack the manners I taught you Alec. Very well, I won't lower your rank, but I'm willing to forgive this incident if you apologize to your mother." Aro said leading his wife beside his throne. Jane pleaded for him to just apologize but Alec glared and stood up with his sister, who was quickly pushed aside as the two guards seized him. With all the thoughts that rang through his head, Alec couldn't giver her the satisfaction.

" No, I won't apologize to that wench, and she is nor will she ever be our mother. No matter how many bribes she conjures up, no matter how she fakes loves us, she holds no desire to really love us at all, She will never be our mother!" Alec said forcefully and Jane whimpered as it was clear it was the final straw for Aro.

"Fine then! Seize him! Fetch me rod! If he's brave enough to talk then lets see how brave he is now!" Aro shouted as it was clear it was the final straw for him. He would not be made a full of and it was clear to Suplicia that Aro was beyond mad. This mad she never seen him before as many of the guard has witnessed it before. Caius looked at him like he was crazy.

" ARE YOU DAFT! THAT COULD KILL THE BOY!" Caius shouted Corin and Chelsea fetched Jane earning a cry from her lips. They knew this was something she should not have to see. Athenodora looked shocked at what was stated and looked worriedly at the boy before her, as the torture began the process.

"You're the one who should punish him Caius! Or would you have rather I end his life then waste my time with this fool! I am the leader here and this boy will receive punishment like anyone else in this guard!" Aro shouted ( from here it will be Caius and Aro argument back and forth).

" This is crazy! This type of punishment! he's a boy! and he's not a prisoner Aro!( listening to his screams was heart breaking and Jane was dragged from the room to prevent intervention of what was happening along with Chelsea, who showed remorse and mercy) He's had enough! How much are you going to continue to punish him or any of us for that matter based on few witnesses! He's just a boy ! and it was you who only cared about these guards for their power! Collections for your special up bringing! if they had any at all and if not the mean little to you and they would be sent on suicide missions! He's a boy! A child that still has much to learn don't do this Aro! the boy looked to you like a father and this is how you will punish you child! What would the others make of this!" Caius shouted. Alec cried of agony as the rod pierced his mouth and was touched on his side. The torture was endless and Alec was entirely drained and hurt after what was done to him. Caius watched helplessly as Aro ordered the stop and Suplicia to her great joy, wished for it to continue.

The boy laid on the floor whimpering and crying. The pain was to much that his gift was no use now to be used. Double doors swung open to the side and a small cry from Jane was much that was heard, which brought Caius and Athenodora to stand hurt and regretful at what had progressed in front of them. Alec couldn't move and every time he tried he whimpered and fall down. To Caius Yeah it was disrespectful, but Caius and Athenodora wouldn't let hand on the children in such a manner, because they both agreed Suplicia was arrogant and wanted what was done her way, but they secretly desired children of their own. All the Guards tensed and looked shocked at what took place. Demetri and Felix looked on sorrowfully at the poor boy trying helpless to reach for his sister when she was once beside him Jane kissed his forehead whispering comforting words towards her brother, holding their own private conversation with a secret treasure they held so dear.

"Aro! That was to far!" Caius shouted. One thing he was against, beside the half-ling existence was hitting children, him and his wife long to have them what his argument was to inforce Alec to fight back and get him to act strong in pursuit to one day be a leader that would over run Aro as he secretly hoped. He fancied the boy in the bottom of his heart but he refused to see the boy weak and slouching about. Athenodora raced to aid Alec and Jane comforting them both.

" No more of coward is what you are attacking a child makes you no better then savage wolf eating you both! You both lack conviction! Neither of you wanted children just prize possession's!" Athenodora stood her ground by the children and asked Corin to come forth to take Jane to her quarters, while she aided Alec up off the floor with the help of the guard. Shushing him as he whimpered and clung to Demetri like a life line.

"For the boy to once admire you both and thought of you as his parents to forget his own because of what they had done to them! Your no better then the village that burned them, for the people of the village who accused them and no better than the same village who murdered their parents! I'll be damned if I let you claim them Suplicia! You cared nothing for either of them just wanted them for your own personal gain along with the rest of the guard." Athenodora followed Alec and Demetri out the doors, along with Felix, and Chelsea.

This leaving a stunned Suplicia in the wake as she watched her one friend walk out the door with both the children's back against her. Caius remained standing as much of Marcus.

"I'm afraid this will cost you Aro." Marcus left the room with many others agreeing that no harm should be done to Alec. And the matter should be put to rest for further noticed. The decision was finalized by Caius and Marcus, much to Aro's dismay. It wasn't a surprise that many of them refused to hear Aro's argument on the matter, along with Suplicia.

End Flashback