Intro

It was the year 2020. Covid-19 had spread the worst through Spain and Italy, after China. Even in Volterra the virus had struck.

Tours inside the Volturi castle had been restricted and with people staying inside the vampires found it harder to catch someone for food. They tried coming up with new ways to get a taste of blood.

One day Athenodora had found herself a prey; an older woman, sitting alone on a bench. The queen wasted no time and drank. She tasted something weird, but thought nothing of it. Whatever it was, vampires never grew old, never got sick and could only be killed by fire or decapitation, right?

A couple of minutes later Athenodora arrived back in the castle, a big smile on her face.
Caius, her husband, smiled "What has gotten you all happy my love?"
"I just got out for a little bite, but.. uch, ugh guurggle"
"Love, what's happening?
Dora felt the blood boiling inside her. She grabbed her stomach and convulsed. Black liquid erupted from her mouth, the rest spread throughout her body.
"It must be the Virus." Aro said, providing an answer "This is very concerning. We must contact everyone at once.

Things were set in motion. Vampires were only allowed to drink from non-contaminated persons. This made life even harder as they already needed to stay hidden form the world in order to survive.
Some of them turned to the animal diet; others refused.

These restrictions did nothing for Athenodora. The virus was slowly consuming her from the inside and there was no known cure, not even for mankind.
The first day she was still able to walk and speak. But her condition worsened, it weakened her.

"Athenodora" Caius whispered, softly stroking her cheek.
She didn't reply. The woman barely had any strength left.
"It pains me to see you like this brother." Marcus said, standing just outside the room "There must be something we can do?"
"We will gather every specialist in the world. May they be doctor, a fan of the occult, a priest… There must be someone out there who is capable to heal her." Aro replied, having decided this was the best course of action.
"We will be discovered." The brothers argued.
"Then we'll have to do it discreet."