My friend is pushing to enter the video I posted in Chapter 12 into this really low-key local contest. I think the winner gets a $50 gift card, it's that low-key LOL. We worked on it together, so just wondering if anyone had any pros & cons about it. I don't know if I'm up to actually enter or not, but I would like to know your input (all criticism is highly welcome because that's how we can make it better). Thanks again all!

Chapter 14

Aro stormed back to the Volturi's home, pushing open the double doors that led to his throne, sending all eyes in his direction. Demetri and Felix's smiles faded, upon abruptly halting their laughter on their leader's infuriated arrival.

Caius and Marcus both rose from where they sat, acknowledging a stir in his presence. Caius looked angered, and Marcus more curious as Aro flipped the side of his cloak with one arm in a sense of heated fury.

"This must end!" he barked, slamming his fist so hard onto one of the stone tables that it collapsed and fell to the floor in a heap.

Jane entered the room promptly and Demetri and Marcus closed in on Aro. He glared at them for a moment, angered by their laughter prior to his entrance.

"While you were here enjoying your evening, I was busy being attacked just outside of the city." He pointed his finger in the direction of one of the walls, still settling his eyes angrily on Felix.

"Who were the attackers?" Caius asked, appearing ready to go take them on.

"Strangers," Aro said, then laughed with dark sarcasm, "Nothings. Passerbyers. Vagabonds."

"Where are they now?"

Aro smiled at his brother, "In pieces, I assure you." His eyes moved back to Felix, "Will the two of you go clean up the mess and don't return until their pieces are ash."

Felix nodded once and left the premises with Demetri.

"Not Micah and Helen, I presume," Jane said dryly.

"No," Aro said, then looked at her intently with a thoughtful expression, "I do believe it's time, however."

"Time for what?" Caius asked.

Aro turned to him, "Time for a change; time to get things back to the way they were."

Caius smiled, and Jane looked at him with an intense, appreciative stare.

"What do you suppose we do?" she asked.

"Years ago we were feared," Aro stated, "We were looked upon as, I hate the word, but a type of government. No one would have crossed us, for they knew what would happen. Now, I have to kill off two beings who will never be missed because they attempted to take my life. It was hardly a challenge, but others will follow; others will attempt the same things as they have on myself, and our dear Alec."

Jane didn't break her stare, wanting him to say the words that she had been longing to hear since her brother's demise, or even before.

"We were never second-guessing ourselves back then," he went on, "And that's going to begin again today."

Caius smiled and looked at Marcus' tired expression.

"What is the solution?" Marcus asked dryly.

"The solution, brother, is to do what we are made to do; what we're here for," Aro explained, "We have never been afraid to fight. We're too strong, experienced... gifted." His eyes flickered to meet Jane's again. "Sometimes, you have to do something drastic in order to make a point and restore order; justified or not."

Caius stepped forward just slightly without realizing he did so. He held a half-smirk, but stood intensely behind Aro and the words he spoke.

"What are we going to do?" he asked.

"People are second-guessing the strength of our coven," Aro told them, "We haven't given people too many second-chances."

"The Cullens?" Jane asked. She made eye contact with Caius.

"I suppose all the things we've looked past with their coven will now serve as the reason why this will be a fair attack." Aro nodded once as he spoke, then looked to Caius, "I know you'd like to look after Delilah," he said, "We can kidnap her and the boy and hide them here."

"We won't have to," he said, "I can just send for her to visit. The boy can come with her, only because I intend to extend the bloodline of my family for as long as possible. And I don't overly care for her. It's just an interesting hobby of mine to keep the members of my bloodline alive; nothing more."

"So, you wouldn't care if she hated you for all of eternity then?" Aro asked with a smile, "For killing off the family of young Caleb?"

"Not at all," Caius said back with a smile, "I'd just prefer it if her life was preserved. If she gets in the way, we can discuss other options."

"Fair enough," Aro told him, unable to keep the smile from his face, despite how angry he was internally. "Jane?"

She nodded, "What are we going to do about Edward's mate?"

He thought for a moment, drawing images of Bella in his mind, "We'll have to kill her, or subdue her as early as possible. However," he paused, "Here are my thoughts on the matter. We have to go into this with the mindset that it will be a war. Some of us may die. Some of us will live. But no matter what the outcome, we will not back down until we kill of as many of their coven as possible. I don't care if they know we'll be coming. I don't care what gifts they may have. Ours are stronger. We have an army to stand by our backs, and we'll create more if we need to."

Caius nodded heavily, and Marcus did once, knowing he wouldn't mind in the slightest if he happened to be one of the casualties. It would prove to be his most dangerous tactic: the lack of fear in death; nothing to lose.

"I've spent centuries on this earth," Caius said, "So if it's my time, it's my time. If not, then I intend to return to Volterra stronger than ever."

"We'll send a message to the vampire world that we are effective," Aro said, "And the consequences will rain down on whoever crosses this coven, or puts our kind in jeopardy."

"I'm willing to die," Jane said in a monotone voice. She looked at Caius, then to Aro.

"But if we use all we've got," he told her, placing a hand on her shoulder, "Then we will not fall. We will rise, and your brother's death will finally find the vengeance that he so rightfully deserves. We will fight this fight for him, and we will win this fight for him. Make no mistake."

"I'm ready when you are," she told him.

"How will we get the Cullen boy to stay with us?" Marcus asked.

"He'll stay for his... love," Aro said with a smile, "And we'll be sure to make his stay quite comfortable."

"Sometimes the only way to regain order is make an example out of your strongest enemy" Caius stated.

"Indeed," he responded, "I will not be made a mockery of any longer."