Chapter 14

Kathleen stood in front of the Volturi and the Romanians, pacing, "If someone doesn't come out and tell me where the two Volturi bastards went then I'll start bending a little reality." The covens stood strong and she grinned grimly, "So be it."

Stefan cried out in pain and dropped to his knees, his eyes going white as the room began to spin around him. He stared around the room deranged, gawking in horror as all the other vampires began to descend upon him. Marcus, who in reality was standing against the wall and staring at him in bewilderment, grabbed one of Stefan's legs and ripped it off.

One by one, in Stefan's mind, the vampires ripped him apart. He screeched and writhed, kicking away the hands that weren't there while Vladimir watched in shock. He wanted to help his best friend but was frightened Stefan would attack him or that Kathleen would do the same to him.

Unexpectedly, the doors behind Kathleen flew open and the Cullens, accompanied by several nomads and the Denalis, sped to the room and halted in alarm at Stefan's agonized screams and thrashing. Carlisle stared at Kathleen in panic as she gave them a threatening smile, "Welcome to the party. Now get against the back wall."

Emmett took a step forward to refuse but grunted and fell to his knees, in obvious pain. Rosalie ran to help him but Carlisle grabbed her, holding her back as Emmett began to scream. In his mind, he was surrounded by bears, one of which was the one that attacked him years ago in the woods. It had blood dripping from its mouth, his blood. He wanted to fight them but he was becoming so weak...

Multiple vampires ran forward, hell bent on stopping Kathleen but they all dropped to the ground, either babbling nonsense or screaming. Emmett blinked in fear as the bears disappeared and only Kathleen remained. She glared at him and pointed at the wall behind her, "To the wall, now."

Emmett stood shakily and walked to the wall, leaning against it shaking. Rosalie and all the Cullens followed, along with the Denalis and most of the nomads. Only Garrett and Alistair remained. Garrett sneered, "I will not be repressed by a woman..."

He exhaled loudly and shuddered, but didn't fall. He was strong willed. He stood to his full height and then coughed, blood running down his chin. Kate screamed and ran forward but Eleazar held her back, even as she sent currents of electricity through him. He yelled out in pain but didn't let go.

Alistair stood watching with mild interest and droned, "How interesting. She seems to have power over the mind. I'd be careful... and do as she says." With that, he strode forward and took a place on the wall next to Vladimir. Stefan had stopped writhing once the focus was off him and he stood, shuddering, on Vladimir's other side.

Carlisle took a step from the wall, "Stop this! What do you hope to gain from torturing people?"

Kathleen smirked and walked until she was mere inches from Carlisle, "Power, my dear Carlisle. Power... and fear."

~V/R~

I ran as fast as I could through the trees, not noticing when the thick trunks were ripped apart by my arms or the logs beneath my feet crumbled to mush. I just knew that I needed to get away from them. I'd left Marcus in the dust behind me and now I just needed to get out of the forest.

Without warning, I ungraciously fell flat on my face and slid several feet. I lifted my face from the dirt, my eyes wide, and flipped onto my back, preparing to attack and destroy whatever had tripped me. I stared as a hooded figure strode to me and ripped off his hood with a sneer. My eyes went wide with confusion, "Caius?"

"How dare you!" he bellowed.

I gawked at him puzzled, "How dare I?" Then it all clicked, "How dare I?!" I screeched. "How dare I what? How dare I tell your brother what a lying bastard he is? How dare I take care of the children you sent away? Or how dare I disrespect you Volturi scum at all?!"

Caius had gone silent but I could see the rage flaring beneath the surface of his calm facade. Then, to my surprise, he calmed and his expression became one similar to Aro's when he was talking to a dull person. His face became very, very patient. He wanted me to understand but he desperately wanted to use force, as he normally did. Luckily he figured out ahead of time that doesn't work with me.

"Listen, I don't care what you have to say," I said before he could speak. "I just want to leave this place... and I don't want to see Marcus again. Ever."

"Oh, but you must," said a voice from behind me. Aro stepped from the shadows, his face concerned, "We heard from your brothers what Marcus has supposedly done and I assure you, he has done no such thing. He has been in Volterra, with us, since the day we left the Vampire Games. Aside from that, do you really think so lowly of Marcus that you think he would tell you he hated you? Marcus does not hate. Rarely does he show emotion at all, let alone hate for the person he cares most about."

That last sentence got me, "What?"

"He talks non-stop about you," Caius said with an annoyed sigh, "It is as if you two are a high school couple, falling all over yourselves in love. He would not stop speaking about you. 'Oh, what do you think Styx is doing right now?' 'Do you think she likes my hair long or should I get it cut?' 'Do you think she likes snow or the beach more?' Ugh, he has nearly driven the guard and myself insane."

If I had the ability to, I would have blushed, "He says that about me?"

"He never stops, piccolo," Aro breathed, smiling.

Their words weren't enough though. I needed hard evidence that Marcus hadn't been there. I crossed my arms, "I know what I saw and I saw Marcus, standing in my home, talking to me like I was some low-life. Until I see real proof he wasn't there, I'm not going to speak to him." I turned away from them in defiance and gasped.

My vampire hearing allowed me to listen as far as the castle and my eyes grew as I heard her voice, threatening my family and friends. She was back. "Oh, no," I mumbled sadly and put my face in my hands. I felt so stupid!

"What, what is it?" asked Aro and I gestured to the castle. He looked towards where I pointed but Kathleen was already in the building. He shook his head, "What...? I-I don't see..."

I sighed and gestured to the building again, "It's Kathleen. She's a vampire with the power to hypnotize other vampires. She steals souls. I have a feeling she's after you, Marcus, everybody. She tried to make Vladimir and Stefan fall in love with her but I managed to stop her before she stole their souls."

Aro's eyes were wide with curiosity and I shook my head at him sternly, "She must be destroyed. She's far too powerful to be controlled. She'd kill you, Marcus and Caius in an instant just to have the throne to herself. She probably expects to be Queen after tonight anyway..."

I groaned out loud and leaned my head against a tree, "She did it. She made me imagine Marcus saying those things. You were right. He was never there... and I was wrong. Oh, God, I was so wrong..." I put my face in my hands and choked back sobs, "I can't believe I was so stupid to think..."

"Beat yourself up about it later. Right now, we have got to save them..." Aro insisted and Caius continued, "And destroy her. She is far too dangerous to be kept alive." I nodded and we flew to the castle. I just about broke down the door and gawked at the sight.

Kathleen was standing in front of the massive line of people I didn't know were here. Carlisle and his coven were standing against the back wall along with all the Volturi coven, Denali coven and my Romanian brothers and several nomads. I gawked as I saw not one but two Marcuses kneeling beside Kathleen, wincing as she held them by their hair. I narrowed my eyes, "What is this?"

This, my dear Styx, is the end of the chapter. Once again, both sections are at the same time. Also... it nearly killed me to hurt Stefan. And Emmett. And Garrett. I may be sadistic. Oh well, its my story and I can do what I wish with it. Also, surprisingly helpful Caius. O.o Suprised even me. Till next time.

~Penny (the Surprised)