Chapter Ten

Aro Volturi

"This has gone on long enough, we must be seen to act brothers."

"Why? These humans are cleaning up for us, let them continue Aro."

I looked at Marcus angrily,

"Humans who have killed more than fifty of our kind? You think it's a good idea to leave them continue? Don't you think they may become a danger to our very existence if they discover where our citadel is?"

"And how exactly will they do that brother? They are hardly likely to interrogate any of the nomads they kill. From all accounts they use fire and from a distance, they are very clever. Their leader is quite a man I would imagine."

Caius turned on our brother at that,

"You'll be wanting to ask him to visit next, or for his autograph perhaps Marcus. He and his little band of followers are killing off our kind on a daily basis and it must stop."

"Hardly on a daily basis and they are only those the guard would be hunting so he is doing our job for us as I said."

I looked from one to the other,

"I think this leader and his men would be far better serving us directly, don't you agree brothers?"

"You mean capture them and turn them? Put them in the guard? Are you sure that's a good idea? After all the guard is made up of our most trusted soldiers."

"Yes, so to add to it would be advantageous unless of course you feel it would be too dangerous to have them here Caius."

He scowled at me,

"Are you saying you think I am afraid to have these killers in the guard?"

"I was merely inquiring as to your reluctance brother, that was all. What do you think Marcus? Are you afraid of this small group of killers?"

"It matters little to me Aro, do what you will, you always do. Just be sure you know what you are doing and wouldn't it be a good idea to speak to Felix first, after all he will be the one doing the training of the newborns."

"Felix can handle anyone we send to him never fear Marcus. I would like to capture these humans, or at least their leader before he is changed, I want to meet him."

"Well as he kills vampires on sight that might prove a little difficult don't you think?

I smiled at Caius words,

"Possibly but I think we may have an advantage, his friend."

"You mean the human that William snatched and changed? You know where he is?"

"Of course, I considered he may be useful to us in the future so I had him watched, from a distance of course. He is quite the fighter himself if a little unpredictable. He is still with William who by the way handled Peter as a newborn with some flair. We know where they are, close to the border as are the vampire hunters so perhaps we can bring the two together. It will be interesting to see if the leader of the hunters is prepared to kill his friend once he recognizes him and vice versa."

"And you intend to change these hunters and then send them back to hunt down the nomads and newborns that spill over the border? Wouldn't it be easier to kill them all off, including Maria, Carlos, and Pedro, they are nothing but trouble. I don't know why you tolerate them Aro."

"I do so dear Caius because it keeps any of them from becoming too strong and get ideas above their station, such as trying to take over the kingship of our kind and because occasionally they come across a gifted newborn and send him or her here to us as a placatory gift. Now why would I stop that?"

It was decided that we would capture the leader and his right hand man but kill the best of the hunters. I could live with that, after all such a group turned and then kept together could become a threat to us however small. I wanted to meet the man who led them though and explain to him just what his new role would be once he was changed. Perhaps he might even be happy to know that he would still be killing our kind although not at his discretion but at my command. I called in Felix and Alec and explained their task.

"You want us to bring the leader back to Volterra as humans?"

"Yes Alex as a human and unharmed which is why I am sending you under Felix command."

I could trust Felix to ensure my wishes were carried out to the letter, Alex tended to be a little insubordinate if given the opportunity and that I couldn't allow, not on this occasion.

"What if they fight?"

"Of course they will fight but with your gift and the surprise I am sending along you should have time for your gift to build up before they become dangerous. Of course if you think it might be too difficult I could send your sister, its only the leader I want and she could disable him easily enough while Felix and Demetri dispose of the others."

I knew that would hurt Alex's pride and sure enough when Felix followed my lead by adding,

"Jane would do the job admirably Aro."

He jumped in,

"Of course I can do it, there's no need to involve my sister."

"Very well, you will leave as soon as the next ship sails from Pisa and remember, no unnecessary feeding on passengers or crew so hunt before you leave."

"I hate being among humans when I'm thirsty what if I can't help myself?""

"Never mind Alex, I'll find you a nice warm body once we dock in America."

Alex scowled at Felix but said nothing. He knew that using his gift on my personal guard was forbidden and without it he didn't stand a chance, Felix would chew him up and spit out the remains. I did arrange with Felix that if Alex was unable to resist temptation he could take a passenger as long as the disappearance was put down to an accident. I knew Felix could go weeks if necessary, he was so well disciplined.

Felix

I hated traveling with Alex, he never stopped complaining but as the crossing was rough he spent most of his time in our cabin reading. I didn't understand how a vampire could feel sea sick but he managed it or maybe he just wanted to be away from me, which suited me just fine. I on the other hand loved the ocean and spent most of my time at the stern rail watching the play of moonlight on the water only going below when the sun rose, after all if I were seen it would mean killing all the crew and passengers and although that wouldn't bother me or even pose much of a problem it was better if the voyage concluded normally, less fuss involved. We could of course have swum across but finding dry clothes the other end could prove a problem especially for someone of my size. As it was the passengers stayed well away and the boy assigned to our cabin was only too happy to stay away, especially as I paid him well to do so.

Luckily we docked at night, cities always presented particular problems for our kind in the daytime. Once in New York Alex refused to go further until he had fed and I was thirsty myself so we found ourselves the poorest part of the city and chose our meal at leisure from the crowds of beggars, prostitutes, and thieves, that teemed on the side walks. No one noticed us as we snatched our prey and fed in the dark and squalid alleyways that made up this neighborhood.

Then, realizing dawn was approaching we caught a horse drawn cab to the railway station and caught a sleeper train, we were aware we still had a long journey ahead of us but within a couple of days we would be in Houston Texas and from there we would proceed on foot. I sent a wire to Aro telling him of our arrival and estimated time to reach Houston knowing there would be a reply waiting once we arrived, then we settled down with the blinds down to wait.