I must apologize for not updating sooner but I've been quite sick, migraine's been killing me. Anyway, just because of that you'll be getting a double update! Hope you enjoy it and thanks for the constant support. Reviews, please!


CHAPTER VI.- GATHERING STRENGTH

The smell of blood filled the air. Our guests and us were calmly eating from two bodies we had recently acquired. Johann had one of his victim's wrist firmly gripped and was sucking avidly from it while his friend fed from the neck. I looked back at mine and my companion's positions and realised we both sucked at the neck; we never bothered finding a different place for each one. Still, that morning I wasn't precisely pleased with the idea of being that close to my mate.

"So, what's the schedule for today?"

Johann's voice interrupted my thoughts, making me lift my head from the delightful taste of blood.

"There's no schedule", I answered and went back to what I was previously doing.

"What?" Both Germans lifted their heads. I reluctantly did the same and Stefan kept on eating. I shrugged.

"What you heard, there's no schedule. This is no bloody vampire school or something".

"But yesterday you told us to rest because we had a lot to do today", pointed out Johann.

"Yes, well, many things can change in a few hours", I replied, a smirk forming in Stefan's lips.

"But what about the training?" continued the young vampire.

"I'm starting to think training you is useless…"

"Useless? Are we that bad?" Disappointment overflowed Johann's voice; Stefan slowly lifted his head from the body underneath us.

"Is not that you're bad, is just we are not even going to fight the Volturi".

All gazes were now fixed on Stefan, who squirmed uncomfortably under them.

"At least…not soon enough?"

I raised a brow to his statements, getting closer to him, talking in whispers.

"Are you out of your mind? What do you mean by that?"

"Come on, Vladimir, let's face reality. The Volturi are strong whether we like it or not; how do you expect to overpower them, with two Germans and a stake?"

"No!" I replied, offended. "I'd make a plan; it wouldn't be the first time".

"No plan can be pulled out with just four people".

"And what do you want me to do, call the Cullens?"

"I never said that, is just…are you sure you want to keep doing this?"

I looked at Stefan, puzzled. "I am, aren't you? You already got…tired?"

Sudden fear started welling up in my chest, one that wasn't supposed to be there. Stefan's words from last night about bad blood echoed through my head; so that was it, our 'ancient' bond? But then he had also said it wasn't true…and at the same time, he didn't give further explanations…That bloody "emotional rollercoaster" was starting to bother me, clouding my mind, preventing me from clear thinking. Stefan gave me a sideways smile.

"That's not what I meant. Is just…I fear we might never be ready to face the Volturi again. We did it once with an army and it didn't work; the Cullens are complete idiots and so are their friends and these two…are fast learners but not enough to finish the Italians off. Let's try to get more allies at least before making a move".

I tried to smile back to Stefan. His words had calmed me but my mind kept on drifting away. I told my brain to shut up as I concentrated in Stefan's arguments.

"May I interrupt?"

Both Stefan and I had completely forgotten about our unwanted German guests. We turned around to find a confused Johann and indignant Klaus.

"Despite your internal disputes, I remind you we have a deal. If you are no longer going to require our services then we shall be off. It's a shame to realise that you get so easily scared".

"WHAT?!" Stefan and I screamed with one voice. Johann was sucking the last remains of blood from his victim's body when I lifted him up by the arm.

"Hey, I'm not finished yet!"

"I don't care. We are going to train right now…

…and call your friends. We'll need them".


We had been training for hours, more than any other day. The Germans had been progressing over time; as my mate once said, they were fast learners. A month had passed by since we met them and things looked like they were going right but still, we needed many more allies. The Cullens of course, were completely out of the equation but I was considering on looking for some of their friends; after all, there were a few that seemed like a good investment. That Egyptian boy, for example.

I had parted the group just to get a bit of fresh air. I could still hear Johann's groans as he fought for dominance with Stefan. It was fun to see the two of them wrestle; the boy had gotten far in his training, but still not enough to challenge my mate and get away with it. I smiled at the scene going on a few steps away from me, turning around after a few more minutes of contemplation just to find Klaus' face in front of mine.

"Bloody…! What the hell is wrong with you?!"

The German laughed and tilted his head to one side, his hair moving along.

"I'm sorry; I didn't know you were so off-guarded".

"Of course I was off-guarded! You could've made a bit of noise, you know? What were you in your past life, a spy?"

Klaus laughed again as he ran a hand through his hair.

"No, but it wouldn't have been a bad idea to be one. Anyway, that's not why I was looking for you. I had a response from some mates; Johann and I never had too many acquaintances but I've made contact some of them".

I grew interested. "And how do I know these mates of yours are trustworthy?"

"You thought Johann and I weren't trustworthy and look at us now. Is a matter of trusting in me first".

I narrowed my eyes at the vampire in front of me. The wind made his shoulder-length hair swing to and fro and he raised a brow towards me.

"I have never been a person of faith", I said, still looking straight to his eyes; it was true I had accepted him and Johann, but for a reason I couldn't put my finger on, I still found it hard to fully trust them, specially Klaus, with those deep blue eyes and strong jaw. It seemed to me that he was always hiding something and had ulterior motives; even when he was around his mate, he seemed distant. Besides, he had recently started to spend too much time with Stefan, which perhaps was the strongest motive why I couldn't trust him, but my pride was big enough to put that reason away.

"You still don't trust me, do you?" he asked, just as if he had read my mind. "You should start doing so since we plan to challenge the Volturi together. You said it yourself: you have to fully trust your mates in battle; after all, your life depends on it".

I kept on staring at Klaus, pondering his words, MY words quoted, to be more precise.

"And when can we meet these friends of yours?"