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21. The Devil You Know

Caius stood in his office staring at his sister as though Sulpicia had grown two heads, while processing the new information she'd just presented. Even though Athenadora was still recovering from almost having lost hers, she was past the most difficult stage of re-growth at last. It was all a mental exercise now and Caius was confident she would be herself within the month. The trauma of almost losing his mate had served to infuriate him even more. Incapable of considering his own responsibility for losing his temper with her, Caius blamed the entire incident on the Cullen Coven, further proof [in his mind] that they needed to be destroyed.

But the news he was just hearing now was as startling as it was inspiring… his only complaint was that he'd not been informed sooner. Still, circumstances being what they were, he could forgive his sister. The baby Cullen was really in their custody, how marvelous! He couldn't contain the smile that grew across his face as the implications became clear. Aro had finally begun to act like the brother he should be, offering the Cullens an invitation to their own doom. It was wonderful, and about time!

"That's the best news I've had this decade, sister! Where is she? Can I see her? Can I talk to her?"

Sulpicia smiled back at him, "She's at the Villa brother dear. If I know my Aro, he's keeping her under lock and key with a 24 hour guard. From the looks of it, she's also being kept unconscious for now, but I've come to get you, Caius so you can show her to me. You know I can't get past his guards alone, even in my own home, imagine!" She sniffed indignantly at him, "but with you at my side, they won't dare keep me from passing."

Caius scoffed at Sulpicia's distain, who cared what the brat looked like at this point? What mattered was that she would be the bargaining chip that could bring the Cullens down forever! "However did he manage it?"

"I'm not privy to everything Aro does, but I do hold some little authority in my own home. He kept another half breed at the villa while he developed a formula through trial and error that keeps the half human immobile and unaware. As far as I could determine it's some kind of specific cocktail made up of different designer drugs."

"If you are so out of the loop, how would you know this, my sweet sister?"

She whispered to him conspiratorially, "He kept notes…" she hissed lightly into his ear. "Apparently it does deteriorate their brain to some degree, after a while…but they heal quickly after resuscitation, provided they are given the time needed."

"Excellent! I'd very much like to be there when she's resuscitated."

"How would you like to take a look at her now?"

"I can think of nothing I would rather do! Please, lead the way, sister!"

Sulpicia chuckled, delighted with her brother's excitement. "I've had the limo waiting out front for us."

"Excellent!" Caius kept step with her as they exited the business front end of the castle and entered the waiting limo. "How long has she been here?"

"She's only just arrived. I didn't want to tell you until I knew she'd been delivered for sure. I watched them wheel her in."

"She's in stasis?"

"Yes, well it looked like it to me, from what I could see. Most likely as a precaution, Aro wouldn't want his new toy to hurt herself trying to break free, I suppose."

"You're right, of course. I'm just slightly disappointed I wanted to be able to talk to her, but it will be just as satisfying to be there, watching her face when she wakes up."

"Well, perhaps that can yet be arranged, eh brother?"

"I'm counting on it, dear Sulpicia! Do you have something special in mind?"

"Let's just take this one step at a time, shall we brother? One wouldn't want to jump Aro's gun and get caught in the cross fire." She patted his hand like the big sister she was and sat back against the comfortable seat while she watched the landscape slowly sift by the heavily tinted window.

The limo ride was short and comfortable, but Caius was anxious and his heightened state of anticipation made the time seem to crawl. When they finally arrived at the Villa de Anziano, Sulpicia led him directly to the eastern wing. He recognized two guard members at the end of the hall, standing immobile on either side of the door that faced them.

Caius nodded to the guards while they gave him room to open the door and push it in. Caius found Aro waiting for them as they walked over the threshold. He grinned at Caius, looking completely unsurprised as Sulpicia followed anxiously, closing the door behind her. When she turned, she was greeted with a scene better suited for a human's hospital room. Monitors and IV's were attached to the sleeping young woman prone on the bed before her. The woman/child would have been lovely had it not been for the obvious dark circles under her eyes.

"Are you certain you have the right child? She's… she's…" Sulpicia stuttered.

"Very certain, my dear. She's incredible, isn't she?"

"I'd say! For a six year old, she certainly is." Caius sneered.

"What we gathered from the Cullens concurs with my research, she's a perfectly normal half breed, they are fully developed by age six or seven, at which time they stop their physical development. Their mental and emotional state continues to evolve, but they're well beyond the human capacity even at this stage."

Whatever Caius thought impatiently. "What is your plan, Aro?"

"Plan?"

"Please, don't tease me now."

"I thought it was rather obvious, brother. I'll just allow the Cullens to come to us and one by one, we'll see to it that they join us or join their darling Renesmee – in oblivion." Aro stepped back to reveal eight identical titanium reinforced cement coffins lined up against the wall of the room behind a heavy curtain.

Caius was silent as he inspected the motionless girl on the bed, all his attention seemed to be diverted to her at the moment. He'd seen the coffins before, they were Aro's idea for preserving rebellious but valuable immortals. They'd only used one once, very successfully.

"I thought you'd agree that immediate destruction was a rather meaningless punishment. Stasis will provide us both an opportunity to debate at our own leisure what is to be done to each of them in turn." Aro continued to prompt his response.

Finally, Sulpicia elbowed him lightly… bringing his attention back to Aro.

"Oh brother, you are the clever one!" Caius mumbled, sounding genuinely pleased.

"I'm so glad you approve, dear Caius." Aro turned to his wife, "Does she meet with your approval, my dear?"

"I must say she's a far cry from the infant I expected to see, husband."

Aro smiled wickedly and snaked his arm around her waist, "Jealous, Dearest?"

"Of your time? Always. I so seldom see you for more than a moment these days, darling." Sulpicia sniffed.

"You are right, I shall do all I can to correct that situation immediately." He murmured into her ear as he glided her toward the chamber door, "Coming, Caius?" Aro motioned for Caius to exit.

"Of course, brother," Caius mumbled, "Excellent work!"

Dominic was certain this wasn't what he'd had in mind when he'd decided to visit Katya. Going back to Italy was the last thing he'd wanted to do. But after two days of intense internal debate, he had to admit to himself it was the right thing to do. Katya was blissfully sleeping on his shoulder as the overseas flight bumped through some turbulence.

He had been impressed by the Cullens and their no nonsense approach. They hadn't been acquainted for 48 hours and he was already genuinely fond of Emmett whose jovial and self-deprecating manner made it difficult to not like him immediately. It was one thing to be forced into attacking strangers, not even knowing why. One was usually more interested in freeing oneself than focusing on the overall situation. But, it was clearly quite another once the situation was described in full detail. He was forced to admit, there was no going back. The Italians were clearly out of control. They had to be taken down.

Dom sighed to himself, calmed in this brief interlude by Katya's presence. It was always this way. War begat war begat war...the cycle has remained unbroken for millennia. At least this war seemed to be already half won. As long as Chelsea stayed out of the picture, there was hope that few more than Aro and Caius would have to be destroyed. Huilen sat on the aisle reading an herbal magazine she'd picked up at the airport. She seemed to be thoroughly invested in it.

He'd been able to feel her reluctance to leave her home, but the loss of her nephew was too much for her to bear without taking action. The call from the Olympic Coven recanting the loss of the stolen plane and the discovery of their Niece's ring in the wreckage seemed to be bad news for both families who had hoped for a reunion with them. In light of this news, it seemed likely to Huilen that her niece was still in peril and confronting Aro might be her only chance to recover Maya. With himself and the Cullens on her side, now would be her best and maybe only opportunity to get her back.

Dom watched as Huilen's brow furrowed deeply while she pretended to read in the dark. He reached up to switch on the overhead light for her, more to create the right impression with the humans than to aid her in her reading. She lifted her head momentarily to smile back at him gratefully acknowledging the gesture. He understood it was difficult for her to be cooped up for so long with so many humans so very near. She seemed to be handling it fairly well though, and time was of the essence, swimming would have taken at least twice as long.

Katya stirred briefly from his movement and then sat up to smile at him as well. "Hey, sorry I dropped off there."

"Don't mention it, sweet thing. Here," Dominic moved her arm and pushed the armrest back into the seat so their recliners were no longer divided. Then he gently lifted her across his lap, tucking her pillow underneath her head and cradling her against his chest. "Better?"

"Mmm, thank you." She mumbled as she fell deeply into sleep once again.

Dominic's thoughts raced as he held her. What a beguiling creature Katya was, she fascinated him. In all his years he'd never known a half breed before, and never thought about what complex and alluring beings they could be. He wondered idly whether she'd be able to bear children, and what implications that would have on the world of vampires. Could they change their natures, even if they wanted to? He speculated about the future, silently caressing Katya's hair and watching her sleep, oddly fascinated by her even in her currently unconscious state.

He wondered if Emmett and Rosalie had found the Amazons they'd spoken of. He'd never met the vampires they'd described, but that didn't surprise him. As he told Katya, South America had not been home to him for a very, very long time. He much preferred the northern climates that allowed him freer access to the world of humans.

They were met at the airport by the Cullens' rented limo and driver, a human. Dom was glad; any vampire from this area of the world was suspected Volturi as far as he was concerned. The beautiful Tuscany landscape flew by the window as Katya remained close to his side. She seemed content to allow his constant contact, for which he was grateful. She was grounding him somehow, he'd had to admit the need for reassurance as they came so close to the site of his most recent misadventure.

When they arrived at the villa, they were immediately assaulted by a peculiar odor. Dominic's hackles were instinctively rising. An oversized man with a dark complexion approached the limo driver and gave him instructions for the delivery of their 'luggage'. As he approached Dominic, his proximity confirmed that he was indeed the source of the unfamiliar foul scent that assaulted him. The man sensed his repulsion and stopped several feet away, his own nose curling slightly.

"Welcome, Mr. Peridot, I assume? My name is Sam and I've been asked by the Cullens to host the arriving… allies. Ladies," Sam acknowledged Huilen and Katya as they inspected their things. "Please, follow me and I'll show you to your rooms."

Huilen quickly fell into step and Katya readily followed her. Dominic was less than enthusiastic, and more than a little put off by the odor, but he also trailed behind them. There were others of his kind here, Dominic was certain but how many, he couldn't determine, the smell was too concentrated. If this were the only accommodations, Dom they might be forced to find another place, but he was relieved when they were led to a wing of the enormous Villa that seemed to be otherwise empty and odor free.

Sam quickly retreated and Huilen explained the nature of their host from what she had learned during her last encounter with them in Washington State. "They may not smell too nice, but they're definitely handy in a fight. If that's what it takes to get Maya back, so be it," she said over her shoulder as she was sifting through her things. "The Italians hate them worse than we do, believe me. The blonde one… Caius I think, is absolutely terrified of them, from what I could see."

"That might be useful, should it all come to that." Dom agreed. "I wonder how many of them are here."

"However many of them there are," Katya added, "I only hope it's enough."

Vlad and Chelsea were wrapped around each other so intimately, an onlooker would have trouble deciding where one ended and the other one began.

"Perhaps we should be getting back, dearest." Chelsea said as she nuzzled Vlad's ear.

"Hmmm."

Their fine evening clothes were suspended from the tree limbs they lay under, having abandoned their new luggage they'd decided to be careful with their current only wardrobe choice. "Stefan will be cross with us if we don't let him know where we are soon."

Vladimir sighed heavily. He was basking in the power of the necklace, they'd so recently recovered. He hadn't felt this giddy in millennia, and he wanted to cherish it with his beloved. Besides, the crystal around her neck enhanced the power of his own, long lost lovers reunited… finally all seemed right in the world once more. Reluctantly, he raised up on his elbow to look down at her lovely face, framed by her raven black hair against the powder white snow she lay in. "As much as I hate to admit it, you are probably right. We should return."

Chelsea smiled back at her reluctant mate, "I tell you what." She shifted herself beneath him and pulled his chin towards her until his eyes rested on hers, "When we get back, we'll all go out to celebrate together, what do you think?"

His smile brightened, "I'd like that very much. What shall we do?"

"What about taking Merek to the mountain for some downhill skiing?"

Vladimir pulled her up into a sitting position with him, lightly bouncing her on his lap and giggled, drunk with enthusiasm. "Perfect! We'll go get them just as soon as I make you scream my name… One. More. Time."

Chelsea giggled as she wriggled away from him, "I think we've had enough one more times for now, darling."

He frowned as the tuxedo plopped down on his head from above. "Come on now," Chelsea coaxed, "Poor Stefan has no idea what we're up to and is probably worried sick by now."

Vlad sighed and began to dress, resigned to end their celebration for now. "We'll make it up to him by renting a Chateau for a couple weeks."

"Perfect." Chelsea appeared before him, fully dressed in her white ermine and black evening gown. The necklace sparkled on the perfect pale skin of her chest, just above her considerable cleavage.

They stuck to the roads as much as possible on their way home to keep their clothing dry. Chelsea wanted to make a respectable appearance with Merek still looming around the homestead. But the main house was obviously empty except for Anna when they arrived.

"I believe Mr. Stefan and Mr. Merek are playing golf with their guests, Madame." She replied when questioned regarding their son's whereabouts.

"Guests?" Vladimir probed.

"Yes sir. Mr. and Mrs. Cullen, I believe sir. They arrived last night." Anna reached for their coats.

"Did they now?" Vladimir barely said it aloud as a clearly rhetorical remark.

Still, Anna replied, "Yes sir." With that, she shuffled away.

"Care for some ice hockey, er, I mean golf?" Chelsea grinned at Vlad.

"This calls for a change of clothing."

"I should say so, shall we?" Chelsea gestured elaborately toward the huge, winding staircase, but before she could straighten up, Vladimir had her in his arms and ghosted up to their chambers.

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