Chapter 27: Augustine Conspiracy Theory

Salvatore Vineyard and Estate Piedmont Italy

[Caroline's POV]

Niklaus borrows two of Damon's prized thoroughbreds to ride around the Estate. He has been giving me daily riding lessons. We have tumbled in the hay a few times in one of the horse barns. We have had the honesty conversation today. I told him that I expect him to be honest with me and I will be honest with him. I know there are things that are off limits for one reason or another. But if that knowledge is causing a problem we need to be able to discuss what is going on. He agrees. He seemed a little nervous when I brought the subject up. "Nik is there anything you want to tell me?"

He looks down at the floor like an embarrassed thirteen year old. "I had a one night stand back when I was searching for the Moonstone for the Curse breaking ceremony. I met this werewolf named Hayley. We got drunk and fucked one time only. She is pregnant with my child."

I nod. "Ok, Nik that was before we even thought about being together. I can't hold something against you from back then." I see him relax slightly. "I will be glad to welcome your child into any home we establish together." He relaxes.

"Nik as long as we can be honest with each other, I'm all in. I would love to build a home with you." He leads us to one of the bird observation blinds in the woods on the west side of the estate. We start shedding clothes. I got to use some of the techniques Rebekah was showing us during our girls' nights. Nik seems to appreciate them. "Caroline, he smiles down at me stroking my hair, I am home when I'm with you." I kiss him back passionately. He finally gets it.

Mystic Falls VA

[Enzo St. John's POV]

Today is a homecoming for Elena. We have returned to childhood home to see Jeremy and Jenna. We won't be able to stay long we have Augustine scouts looking for us. We have been through quite a few adventures. I originally snatched her because she could get me access to her parent's research. Under compulsion we went to their lake house and found quite a bit of information on the Augustine Society in a secret room.

We have been tracking down leads. With her help I have destroyed twelve labs. She resisted at first, but after seeing live examples of the kinds of experiments performed on vampires. She converted to my cause. She actually apologized to me for the torture I endured at her family's hands. After that she has been invaluable at tracking down these labs. Word has gotten out about the destruction of the labs and the vigilante after them. I had been giving Elena my blood since our first day together in her drinks. I compelled her not to notice the taste. I am glad I had the foresight. The third lab we investigated, she was attacked by one of their experiments. She would be dead except for my venom in her system.

When I realized she is sire bonded to me: I love her enough to give her life back to her. I told her that it would make me really happy, for her to leave me and live her life the way she wants to, free of me and my expectations. She blinked her eyes a couple of times looked me in the eyes and said, "Why would I want to do that? Enzo I have been in love with you for over a month now. I got over Stefan after he left. I still love him as a friend. I want to be with you." We were married by a Judge in a small town in North Carolina. I am a little nervous about Jenna and Jeremy's reaction to our marriage.

Jenna opens the door and screams out "Elena!" pulling her into a tight embrace. Elena laughs, "You are squishing me."

Jenna releases her with a laugh. "I am so glad you are back! How was England?"

Elena grins, "Smashing." She glances at me and winks. I told her about her cover story. Jeremy bounds out of the house catching her in an embrace spinning her around. "It's about time you came home." They both notice at the same time they are both vampires. Anna comes out of the house and joins us on the porch.

Elena looks at Anna and smiles, "Hi Anna. You guys make a cute couple."

Anna nods at her, "You too," glancing at me.

I suggest we take our reunion into the house and celebrate there. We all pile into the house exchanging quips and making plans to attend Jenna's graduation ceremony in the morning.

When the girls leave the room for girl talk, I pull Jeremy aside. "Jeremy the Augustine researchers created a new kind of vampire killer. The Seattle group got hold of a Cold One and converted him. Do you know of anything that can stop such a creation?"

"I haven't come across any information on that kind of vampire before. I will check with Rick and see if he has anything in his files." Jeremy promises.

[Jenna Sommer's POV]

I am so thrilled Elena came back for my graduation. I was changing into my robe and my honors doctorial hood, when I hear Elena squeal. There are more voices in the foyer: Bonnie, Caroline's and two new masculine voices. The girls came and brought dates. I'm thrilled at the family and friends spontaneous reunion. As I enter the living room, Bonnie introduces the newcomers: "Jenna this is Kol he my date and she points to the dark blond that is holding Caroline's hand that's Nik." Both men walk over to me and kiss my hand in greeting. I'm impressed. "Jeremy take note this is what gentlemen do." I tease him a little, as we head out the door to graduation.

Volterra Italy: The Volturi's Castle

[Riley Bier's POV]

It is so easy to enter the Castle. I am part of a tour party lead by the pretty Heidi. I have plans for her later if she survives. As she takes the rest of the party to the museum, I slip away to the hallway that leads to the throne room. I take out the guards in the hallway. A few quick snaps of the neck and a lighter, they are ash in no time. Good thing that this hallway is constructed from Marble or my prey could escape.

I open the doors to the throne room only two of the kings are sitting on their thrones. No mater, I'll get the absent one later. "You are not supposed to be here. The blond King yells out." I easily kill the guards that try to apprehend me. There are four gifted ones trying to influence me or subdue me I snap necks right and left setting the leaking venom aflame with a dropped lighter. I run to the black haired king and bite him on the arm. As he screams I leap across from him and I grab hold of the blond king and bite severing his left arm. He screams in agony I'm pulled off of him by a very large dark haired cold one, temporarily. I feel the cold of the flames consuming me briefly.

[Marcus POV]

I dimension shift as soon as the spelled portrait in the foyer indicates someone has entered. I open the door to the foyer. "Who has the audacity to disturb my meditations?"

"Master the throne room is under attack." Just as the guard relays his message the two queens run in. "Marcus, we have been attacked. Caius is dead and Aro has been bitten. All of the Guard in the throne room have been killed." Athenodora exclaims.

"Aro flamed the intruder as it attacked Caius. Felix was flamed also as he tried to kill the thing that was attacking Caius. It's true all of our guards in the room were eliminated." Sulpicia states, "Aro was badly injured also."

I pick up my cell phone and hit one button. All of the guards that are not assigned to the throne room today will get the alert to return to the Castle.

We make our way back to the Throne Room. The queens are correct Aro is the only one alive in the room. He was bitten by the creature. He isn't doing too well. He is reclining against the dais to the thrones, holding his left arm. The flame sphere weapon has fallen close to his body. Aro keeps muttering, "He was immune. None of the gifts worked. He was immune."

Our servants do a quick cleanup of the Throne room. I call Heidi and tell her to release all of her tourists for the time being. This is something new, an enhanced Cold One designed to kill us.

[Elijah's POV]

He is in his study going over original old sheets of classical music by some of the famous composers from past time periods. He is planning a surprise for Isa's birthday.

His phone buzzes, it's from a number he is not familiar with. "Hello?"

"Elijah Mikaelson, this is Marcus of the Volturi. You may know something about bioengineering of Cold Ones?"

"I know of bioengineering experiments on my own species. This is the first time I have heard of Cold Ones being experimented on."

"Who has been experimenting on your kind?"

"The Augustine Society, they are humans that have the resources to kidnap and experiment on individuals of my kind's sirelines."

"We were attacked by one of their experiments. He attacked and killed several of the Guard and Caius. He severely injured Aro. I am now the acting head of the Volturi along with the Queens. If you have any information on the Augustine society, I would like copies."

"I will send a currier to you with copies of the information that I have at this time."

"Marcus our seers are warning us about someone called the Hollow. Have you heard anything from your sources?"

"I have not received any information on that topic. I will gladly look into it."

"Can I help you with anything else?" Elijah offers.

"Elijah my sources say that your family owns blood collection centers for medical distribution. According to my calculations we would need nine pints of blood for one cold one's blood requirements for a week. Is there any way we could be one of your distribution points?"

He acknowledges Marcus new need for feeding discretion. "I will have one of my associates set something up for you that should meet your needs as of today."

"Thank you for your assistance. If you need to contact me please do so." Marcus hangs up.

He ponders that information for a moment, an alliance with the Cold Ones, wonders never cease. He goes back to sorting looking for the music he wants to play for his Isa.

[Marcus POV]

The next person on my list to call is Eleazar. We will need to find a few more talents to replace those killed today. Eleazar answers on the first ring. "Marcus how can I help you?"

"This is not for general knowledge, we were attacked today by an enhanced renegade cold one, I was told that he is an Augustine Society experiment. He was sent to wipe out the Guard. Caius was killed in the skirmish, along with Chelsea and Corwin. Aro was badly injured. Athenodora and Sulpicia are fine. We need to regroup. Is there any way I can meet with you and our current Guard?"

"That's interesting. The only one I know that is experimenting with Cold One bioengineering is Joham. He is siring offspring using human women as incubators and taking the children after the mother dies in childbirth. I confronted him on his experiments and he told me that Caius gave him permission to experiment however he chooses."

"I am willing to host the Guard here in Denali, as long as we can come up with a feeding plan for discretion." Eleazar offers.

"I have contacted a source that delivers human blood to the medical and scientific communities. He is will to set us up as a distribution site, where ever we end up."

"May I ask who is setting this up for you?"

"Elijah Mikaelson."

"I know you are being watched. I would use the old tunnels and split up the Guard to enter Alaska at different points."

"Thank you Eleazar. I will call you back as soon as we have a working plan."

Didyme returns to Marcus from the other dimension to help him rule over the Cold Ones, along with the other two queens. Vladimir and Stefan from the Romanian Coven appear after sundown. They will support Marcus, Didyme, Athenodora and Sulpicia as the Volturi leaders. They will also act as consultants when needed. Marcus informs the Guard and the Queens about the decision to move to another location. Since Chelsea and Corwin's influence has been removed, Athenodora and Sulpicia request a room together. Marcus nods and asks for the remaining Guard to meet. He gives each individual the right to leave if they so desire. To his surprise only two of Aro's former Volturi guards leave.

Marcus does not trust Alice. She cannot get a reading on him due to his Elven heritage. His gift shows she doesn't form bonds properly with other vampires or humans (i.e. she is batshit crazy). The closest normal bond that she has is to Edward Cullen. He lets Alice think she is very important member of the guard, but he will allow her to return to the Cullens. She finds a very different Edward when they reach Denali.

In the past Bella gave Edward hard-ons; Tanya is teaching him what to do with them. He is actively pursuing Tanya. He is no longer a virgin and loves sex, which is cool with Tanya, but he still has Edwardian attitudes about women. If she decides he is her mate she will have her work cut out for her.

Alice works to break up their romance and the more she tries the deeper the bond that forms between Edward and Tanya. Marcus and Eleazar are amused at the personal dynamics. Garrett was attracted to Denali out of curiosity about the "new" Guard. He receives a warm welcome from Marcus, Eleazar and the Queens. He discovers he and Kate are mates. Irina is still bitching about Laurent abandoned her for Victoria. She never found out what happened in Forks with Isabella. Just that he never returned to her after Victoria called him.

Salvatore Estate Italy

[Elijah's POV]

I persuade the girls to help me with Isa's birthday party: A Pride and Prejudice night at the villa. They love the idea. Rebekah and Caroline spend hours looking for the right style of clothing, room furniture, period food and beverages."

I told them to set up one of the rooms as a music room and that I would take care of having the instruments placed. They have control of the design of the room and decorations. The rest is up to me.

[Isa's POV]

Elijah treats me like a princess. He went out of his way to create a "Pride and Prejudice" night for my birthday. The entire villa is decked out with the theme. It is like I stepped back into a different era. We arrived at the villa in horse drawn carriages. There is a majordomo that announces our names as we enter the villa. The dining room has been transformed to look like one from that era. Everyone is dressed for the time period. I really love the tight breeches on him. Elijah refuses to wear a wig; he just had a dusting of power in his hair.

After dinner we gather into the 'music room'. Elijah plays several pieces of music for me on a variety of instruments: the harpsichord, the violin, and even the bagpipe. He hired a quartet to play as we danced to some of the traditional dances of the period. We even dance a waltz together. I have never had a better birthday party. Everyone seems to enjoy themselves. Now I need to figure out what I can do for his birthday.