A/N: I couldn't resist having a theme song being Sympathy for the Devil as, after all, it's a fanfiction that involves vampires. I've actually not seen Interview With A Vampire though (please don't stone me!). Even though the band evidently hates it, I actually really dig the Guns N' Roses cover of it for the soundtrack. Jane's Addiction has two cool versions of it too, one being entitled "Sympathy" and then another using the original title for the Sons of Anarchy soundtrack. Perry Farrell's voice is definitely an acquired taste, especially on the first version.

Chapter 12 Theme Song: Sympathy for the Devil by The Rolling Stones

Stepping out of the airport into a sunny day after all of our flights felt wonderful. I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath. We were here, well most of the way. There was still an hour-or-so drive from here to the city proper. I looked around and my classmates were similarly caught up by the beauty around us. Compared to Small Town, Oregon a place as different as Sweden was downright alien.

"Please follow one of us to our vehicles. Airport staff will be dropping them off shortly and we'll depart immediately". Money really did have its advantages, or maybe airports were just really nice to foreign visitors here. We walked a short way to where a few large cars sat parked by the terminals. I had no idea what they were named but they were undoubtedly high-end.

In short order we were on a major roadway I had no hope in pronouncing (along with any other names around here), and I was seated in the same place behind Heidi I'd been on the way to the Portland airport.

If the views out of the airplane window had fascinated me, they were nothing compared to what I saw now. Oregon had beautiful colors all year round, but not like this. The late fall browns, reds, and faded greens painted an almost ethereal scene across the Swedish landscape.

I'd just switched to a new CD, and while I was more partial to the Mick Taylor years of the Rolling Stones the last true album of the Brian Jones-era was a great way to close out an early chapter of the band. The lyrics, however, drew me back to the reality of what was going on.

Please allow me to introduce myself,

I'm a man of wealth and taste.

I've been around for a long, long year,

Stole many a man's soul and fate.

Heidi had mentioned a change in itinerary from The Volturi for the trip, so I wondered when I'd meet them. I was scared to, but I'd have Heidi by my side. It sounded like they probably wouldn't kill me. Hopefully? Shit this really was scary.

Getting out at the hotel (it was now late afternoon, although my body thought it was in the middle of the night somehow) Heidi checked us all in and we dropped our bags off in our rooms. I was rooming with a few students that had never been awful to me but were obviously not thrilled about me being there. Heidi didn't skimp out on the hotel rooms, as they all must have cost more than most families in our town saw in many months' pay. I was almost tempted to ask for the budget logs in a moment of cheekiness. When you're around long enough to see civilizations come and go wealth probably wasn't a big issue.

And I was round when Jesus Christ,

Had his moment of doubt and pain.

Made damn sure that Pilate,

Washed his hands and sealed his fate.

Heading back to the lobby we all met with Heidi, Luther, John, and Vincent. "We have no plans scheduled for tonight, but I insist that you remain here in the hotel. We are guests here and you will behave accordingly. I realize that you may feel excited and maybe nervous to be somewhere so new, but good manners are mandatory. Do I make myself clear?" She finished with a cold look, and no one hesitated to immediately answer in the affirmative. "Good, now please feel free to go with Luther, John, or Vincent to explore the hotel's amenities. Ms. May, please meet with me for a moment". I nodded as everyone else walked away, muttering excitedly.

We went and sat in the back corner of an adjoined café near the lobby. I ordered a large coffee and almost coughed it back up with how strong it was. Heidi smiled and gave me an empty cup with some cream. I poured some of my coffee into it and mixed the cream in; the resulting mix was far more palatable. She really did know me.

"So…w-what happens…now?" I enquired.

Heidi took a moment. "Well, you may remember me saying The Volturi decided on a rather sudden change in the trip's schedule. Originally there was to be 2 days of actual sight-seeing to help establish the intended alibi for when the…disappearances needed to be explained". Heidi looked away, now seeming a little nervous at my reaction.

Even though we'd discussed this back at the airport I could tell that she'd begun to second-guess herself and my reaction. I reached over and squeezed her hands with a smile. She looked back appreciatively and coughed, a little embarrassed at her own unusual lack of confidence. "Ahem, yes. The Volturi decided that instead they wanted to meet you as soon as possible. As such, the feeding will also take place sooner than originally planned…tomorrow actually".

My eyebrows raised, but I kept my hands on hers. Breathe in. Breathe out.

Pleased to meet you,

Hope you guess my name.

But what's puzzling you,

Is the nature of my game.

"S-so…how does t-this…usually work?...F-feedings, I mean", I'd been curious about the whole process while I'd sat on the planes.

"Well, we typically carry out slightly larger operations with people far older than you, but as I've said there's been curiosity in branching out. As you might imagine, there are…unique complications with younger age groups, which is part of what we're dealing with in terms of our explanations and contingency plans for issues that may come up. We would not be here if we were not certain beyond doubt that our secrecy was not in danger, but accounting for the loss of high school seniors will be different than for senior citizens.

In terms of…feeding…there is also curiosity as to whether or not younger individuals would prove beneficial to our strength on occasion. Differences in things like vitality and age do affect how blood affects us. Even…the taste". Here she stopped and asked, "I know we discussed this but...how do you feel about this Violet?

I stuck around St. Petersberg,

When I saw it was time for a change.

Killed the czar and his ministers,

Anastasia screamed in vain.

I paused myself to collect my words, "L-like I said…it's fine. I'm okay w-with it. You're vampires. You…have to feed. I…I w-will stick with you…n-no matter what. A…after a-all…one day…I'll also d-drink…blood".

I rode a tank,

Held a general's rank.

When the blitzkrieg raged,

And the bodies stank.

She started and stopped trying to say something a few times. "I must ask, how…how are you so accepting of this? Shouldn't you…shouldn't you be running away screaming? Is this whole thing not entirely monstrous to you?"

I'd never seen or heard her the slightest bit ashamed of her vampiricism, and I didn't like the sliver of it embedded in her questions. "No. I k-know what…the h-human world has…to offer someone…l-like me. It's as I…told you. I'm still…p-processing…but I've c-committed to you and…all…all of this".

I wasn't sure if I'd gotten through to her, but it was enough for us to sit in fairly comfortable silence as I sipped the rest of my coffee. We smiled a few times at each other, and otherwise left each other to our own thoughts. I imagined that she was thinking over what I'd said and what that meant for where things went next. I'd caught her off guard, and I hoped that my responses would end up making the process smoother.

Finally, she stood up and said, "We must return to the lobby. The other students will be brought back there soon before being dismissed to their rooms. I will arrive from a different hallway and tell you all about tomorrow's plans. We will be leaving for a tour of a private estate out in the countryside. That is where the Volturi will meet us. I will take you to a private wing of the estate while…well while we feed, to be frank. Afterwards, you and I will meet with them to discuss how things will progress.

Do…do you remember what I said about vampiric gifts?" I nodded. "Aro, the Volturi leader, has an especially…invasive gift. You see he…he can see every thought you've ever had as long as he's in physical contact with you. He will likely use it on you out of curiosity, but also to ascertain if you are a threat".

Breathe in. Breathe out. I'd committed to this, to anything that came along with it. My thoughts were sacred to me, but I was in so deep that I didn't see trying to negotiate as a feasible option, and honestly? I didn't want to. If this is what it took, then so be it. I gripped her hand as tight as I could and forced myself to nod.

"I'm sorry that you must room with your classmates," her eyes darkened, and her teeth barred in a grimace, "but it is only for one night. Should anything happen to make you uncomfortable you will come find me immediately. I'll be nearby, monitoring the situation".

I agreed, and a couple minutes after she left I got up to make my way to the lobby. In less than 24 hours my world would be a significantly different place, and there'd be 14 fewer western Oregon teenagers around in it.

Pleased to meet you,

Hope you guess my name.

What's puzzling you,

Is the nature of my game.

Feeling not much more than tired (I'd slept in after lying awake for hours and didn't have time for more than a few sips of coffee) I followed the entire group up to the estate's manor. It was massive, brick, and more of a small castle than manor. Surrounding it, though, were a few miles of dense forest in every direction. Despite its size if you weren't looking for it, you'd never hope to find it. All the better for their imminent plans, I guess. The walkway up was also brick and long enough to fully show off the sheer magnificence of it all. My classmates were surprisingly subdued taking it in, Nick McArthur only meekly trying to make crude jokes to his other friends.

Heidi's posture started to straighten even more (not that she slouched to begin with) the closer we got. Had I not gotten to know her as well as I did, I wouldn't have noticed it. The other vampires behaved similarly. I followed suit, as I wanted to make the best impression possible on the Volturi.

I watched with glee,

As your kings and queens,

Fought for ten decades,

For the gods they made.

When we were still a bit further out the front doors opened, and three figures stood looking at us. The one on the left had blonde hair, brighter but his a bit shorter than mine. The figure on the right side stood tall with dark brown hair and a look of complete disinterest. These two were intimidating, sure, but the middle one…he was clearly the leader. He was in his own league. With brown hair down past his collarbone he looked downright cold, but also there was an air of something…manic beneath it all. They all stood identically straight with red eyes and hands clasped in front of themselves. The students in front of me slowed down, unnerved by the statuesque trio.

Let me please introduce myself,

I'm a man of wealth and taste.

And I laid traps for troubadours,

Who get killed before they reach Bombay.

Suddenly the center one gave a wide grin and proclaimed, "Welcome students! My name is Aro and to my sides are Caius and Marcus," gesturing to the other two who didn't move an inch, "and we are the ones who've funded your lovely trip. We have many delightful plans for you and wanted to begin with a tour of this exquisite manor. It's filled with human history, and I'm sure that you'll appreciate what we have to show you".

Caius gave a small, clearly insincere smile while Marcus didn't change his expression at all. If they could have, I'm pretty sure my classmates would have turned around right then and there. International trip or not these three were far more terrifying looking than enchanting.

I quietly moved closer to Heidi, now on the side. Aro's eyes shot to me and, using all the self-control I had, I stared back. He held my gaze for a few moments before smirking and glancing briefly at Heidi. Turning back to the others, "Let us continue. We'll begin with a tour of the lower floor. You see the manor was built in…" Aro continued his speech, turning around and clearly assuming that no one would dare not follow him. No one dared, although Heidi's workers gesturing coldly for the students to follow may have had something to do with it. Marcus and Caius were by Aro's side by this point and I saw them all start to turn a corner.

Just as every cop is a criminal,

And all the sinners, saints.

As heads is tails,

Just call me Lucifer,

Cause I'm in need of some restraint.

Heidi and I stayed back in the main foyer, and her hand gripped my shoulder. "I will take you to the east wing library. You may peruse its contents, but you are not to leave it at any point before I come back to you. I'm afraid I must…follow them". I laid a hand over hers and squeezed. "Okay…let's go". She picked me up bridal style (I wasn't comfortable admitting this to her yet, but I'd really missed this recently), and I then found myself sitting at a wooden table surrounded by bookshelves. The library was absolutely massive. Eat your heart out Library of Congress, although I couldn't tell if it was actually bigger.

"I will return soon, Violet. Remember…do not this room leave without me". "Okay…I won't. Just…d-don't leave me w-when...you're done". She tightly wrapped her arms around me, and we held each other until she pulled back. She gave a smile, sigh, and disappeared. I knew where she was headed and what she was going to do. As long as she came back, that's all I cared about.

So if you meet me,

Have some sympathy and some taste.

Use all your well-learned politesse,

Or I'll lay your soul to waste.

Pleased to meet you,

Hope you guess my name.

Chapter Theme Songs Used So Far:

The Passenger – Iggy Pop

Grinnin' In Your Face – Son House

Get It On (Bang a Gong) – T. Rex

Breakdown – Guns N' Roses

Numb - Portishead

Come Away With Me - Norah Jones

Sprained Ankle - Julien Baker

Level - The Raconteurs

Columbia - Oasis

Werewolves of London - Warren Zevon (&) Storm Comin' - The Wailin' Jennys

Doctor My Eyes - Jackson Browne

Sympathy for the Devil - The Rolling Stones