Where was she?

Adley took in the stone walls surrounding her. The room was barely seven feet by seven feet. No windows. A door filled with a few metal bars to see through. The stones all the same gray. She lifted her weak hands. Metal shackles. She shook her head.

"Way to fit the aesthetic." She rasped.

She pushed herself to stand from the cot. Her feet only covered in her socks. She stepped forward. The cool metal on her ankles clanged against the stone floor. Under the tight metal encircling her ankles she could see the chafing it was causing in her olive skin. Her leggings were ripped in the knees. Her shirt faired worse a few holes were punctured in the sleeves and torso.

The walk…

Screams echoed through her mind. She'd pushed the strollers…

She stiffened.

Where were her babies? August… Althea…

She forced herself to get up to the door and peek out the small opening. She was too short to get a comfortable look. A stone hallway. Another door. She pressed up against the cold metal trying to see further down the hall. Why did she have to be on the short side? She stumbled off her toes while turning in the other direction. She hit the wood stabling herself

Since when was it hard to stand on her toes? Why was she so tired? Why were her limbs feeling thousands of pounds heavier? She stumbled over to the small cot, sitting back down, resting against the cold stones.

"Where are my babies?" She snapped. "If you've harmed either of them, I will torture the answers from whoever I need to. I will not stop until the sun swallows this planet whole. I've got all the time in the universe."

"You're wasting your time." A deep voice gruffed from across the hall. "There's no one here."

"You're here."

"I'm just as useless as you, Princess." He laughed, no humor in the labored coughs.

"Why are we here?" She demanded.

"Fucked if I know. I've only been awake a few hours."

"You have a clock?"

"A wristwatch but yeah."

"What time is it?"

"Three in the afternoon."

"In what time zone? Are we still in Italy?"

"I don't fucking know. I haven't exactly heard from our masters." The sarcasm dripping on each word.

She leant back running her hands over her face. The cold heavy metal pounded on her chest.

"Where were you, last you remember?" She tried again.

"I was in New York." He huffed. "Are you done interrogating me?"

"I'm just trying to get some bearings. I wasn't in the states." She tossed back. "My babies. I was out taking a walk with my twins. Have you heard babies crying?"

"Only thing I've heard is you're annoying ass."

Tears pricked in her eyes, stomach knotting. "Is anyone else with you?"

"Some dead fuckers."

"What?"

"No one is with me."

"Asshole."

"That's what people usually call me." He coughed. "Name's Mick. You?"

"Adley…"

"Weird name."

"I've been told."

"What about your kids, what're their names?"

"Why should I trust you?"

"In case I see them?"

"They're too young to be without a parent or someone watching them. fuck they're barely four months."

"What day was it, when you went missing?" He changed the subject.

"April 16th… I think?"

"April? Is it already April?" He wondered.

"Last I saw. You?"

"It was March 8th, 2003."

Adley stiffened. "2003?"

"Yeah… I can't believe it's been a month…"

"It's 2007…"

Mick went silent.

"Mick?"

She waited. One…two… three…

"Four years?! You've got to be fucking with me, tell me you're kidding!" He shouted.

"I wouldn't joke about something like this. Last date I saw was April 16th, 2007. I was taking my twins for a walk. Then something attacked us… Something you wouldn't believe…"

"I've seen some fucked-up shit, Princess. Try me."

"I think it was a werewolf."

"Werewolf? Really?" she heard his disbelief.

"I don't want to believe it either." She sighed.

"Well, we're pretty stuck here, where are you from. You said you weren't in the states at the time. I take it you aren't Italian." Mick asked.

Adley chuckled. "My fiancé is. I'm from Seattle born and raised."

"A Westcoast girl. Nice. How long you been engaged?"

"A few months."

"So, the kids came first huh?" He teased. "Thought it was supposed to be love, marriage, then kids."

"Life isn't always so planned." She snorted.

"Tell me about it. I've been out of it for four years apparently." Mick sighed.

"What about you Mick, you from New York normally?"

"No, I'm from Providence. Grew up there until I went off to college, did my four years. Ended up working in New York, government job. FBI to be exact. I was working a case last, I remember. I was going to be headed out to Boston for further info… I barely remember honestly. It was some drug trafficking case. It was my first big one as a lead. I'd only been an agent for four years training under a few amazing people."

"Any family?"

"Yeah… my wife Vi, brilliant woman. We were expecting…" she heard a cough from his cell. "My kid's nearly four… Fuck… I missed so much… Vi probably thinks I left her, or worse thinks I'm dead. She told me I should do some desk work for a while. I'm a terrible husband."

"You didn't plan this Mick, you can't blame yourself." Adley interrupted him.

A few sobs were all that followed.

She wiped her own tears that rolled down her cheeks. Ignoring the metal that smacked on her chest. She was beginning to feel the pain of being separated from her mate and kids.

The crying stopped.

She perked up.

Heavy footfalls echoed on the floor outside.

"GRAAAAHHH"

She flinched.

She heard the few thuds against the cell. Her door rattled.

"Mick?"

She dared to get up and force herself to go look out the window. The door across the hall shadows began too retreat. She sighed about to step away.

A familiar face stepped into view. "See you've met your roommate."

"Cassandra?" Adley gasped.

Her familiar face had a few welts puffed up. Her once many locks were long gone, shaved down to her head. She was dressed in a simple black dress with long sleeves. Two golden cuffs along her wrists. Her eyes. The once deep pools of brown were swallowed in a deep onyx.

"Evening, Adley. It's good to see you making friends." Cassandra smiled.

"Not much else to do." She quipped.

"Step back, the council is ready for you."

"Who?" Adley stepped back a few steps.

"In due time." Cassandra unlocked the door.

"Due time? What the fuck are you going on about? Why am I here? This is the most important question now. Where the fuck are my babies? If I at least get an answer to that I won't torture my way out of here." She snapped.

"The council will explain all."

Adley's rage grew the longer she looked onto the neutral expression on Cassandra's face. Her aura swirling in bright golds of joy and serenity.

She grabbed onto her own boiling anger. She took deep breaths bringing it forward. She forced out her feelers locking in on Cassandra's aura. She solidified the path between their auras and forced the fear and rage swirling through to Cassandra.

Cassandra flinched, but her feelers were brushed aside with a flick of her wrist.

"The sooner you cooperate the sooner you will have answers."

"How did you…" Adley stepped back. "Can I at least have my running shoes back?"

"Your shoes are under the cot." Cassandra explained whilst she summoned the shoes forward. The dark blue glow around her hands, brought them to be dropped onto the floor.

The blue encompassed her ankle lifting her foot and tying the laces. It repeated for the left foot.

"Thanks." She eyed Cassandra over. "Can you at least tell me my twins are safe."

"I cannot know the condition of your twins, when they were not taken." She replied. "Your mate insured this."

Her tension fell slightly. "Are you actually Cassandra, or are you just a puppet?"

"Neither."

"What are you?"

She watched as Cassandra morphed away, growing, the limbs twisted at unnatural angles as the figure turned. Soon before her stood Marcus.

"Stop it. Stop taking the faces of my friends and family!" She snarled.

The figure swirled, turning, and turning the eyes twisted and began to spin at unnatural speeds. She watched on as it shifted, settling into a new face. The figure was a female once more, stood taller than she by a foot. Long hair of gold tumbled around her. The face was angular with a strong nose and thin lips. The eyes still remained black.

"Can you at least tell me your name?"

"I have many names. I have many forms. I am not one simple thing. I simply am." It replied.

"What do you prefer to be called?" Adley demanded. "Surely you have a form you like best or name?"

The figure shifted once more.

Spinning in many directions she watched as it turned into a tornado. Swirling and spinning in multiple directions. It was only a few seconds until it settled upon a smaller form. It was slightly hunched with large black eyes. Pointed ears of an elf, the stature barely four feet in height. It had a petite nose and wide mouth, many little teeth in blades. Still dressed in a black gown with golden bracelets.

"Many do not like my natural form." It stated head tilting.

"It's better than seeing the people I care for." Adley rebutted. "What is your name?"

"Guess."

"Really, who are you Rumpelstiltskin?"

"It is one of my names." It affirmed.

"Really?" She eyed it over. "What name do you like?"

"Ru."

"Alright. Well then Ru, when does the council wish to see me?"

"Now."

"Please lead the way."

The path was winding up many stairs she'd dragged the chains that connected her feet and hands. Ru moved along at a quick pace. She was sweating all over when they finally came before two large arched doors. They swung open.

Inside a large circular room, with stone floors, the tiles took on the form of a pentagram. Around her five thrones made the points of the pentagram. Behind them sat a few more benches filled with many. She stiffened. Had she been pulled inside for a trial?

Marcus POV:

He had lost her again.

If it weren't for the fact, he held each twin in hand he'd have tore after the figure. He'd come to Adley's aid. After the pain erupted in his chest. The bond flaring as it did when she was in danger.

The hooded figure had paralyzed her legs in a snap of blue. He watched her collapse, not before handing the twins off to Jane. The young teen had zipped away as fast as she could down the alley where he stood helpless. The sun had showed making it impossible for either of them to run after the figure.

The onyx eyes settled on them with a snap of it's fingers they were gone.

"Brother, you cannot remain here."

Aro's hand dropped upon his shoulder.

Marcus snarled, but he could not push Aro away. Each twin remained crying in his arms.

"Hand the twins here." Aro coaxed him to his feet.

"No."

He held each twin close beginning back to the castle through the short cuts he held them close not to scare them. They were used to vampiric speed, despite Adley's warning against it.

He stormed through the main lobby snarling at each passing guard as they got in his way. It did not take him long to reach the throne room, his sisters were quick to rush to his sides. He reluctantly handed a twin to each.

"Felix, Ibrahim, Demetri." He snapped.

In a blink of an eye, they stood at attention before him.

"Adley has been taken. You will scour this country until you find her. Every Junior guard is to be out searching. There will be no rest until she is returned to me."

"Yes Master." They replied in unison.

"Where would you wish us to begin?" Demetri stepped forth.

"You will track her by scent or memory if you must. Felix, Ibrahim you are to search Florence. Check each resident where any witch or warlock resides. Tear their homes apart until you find her."

"Brother you threaten the Accords?" Caius questioned. "You must be rational in this, rushing into homes will be an outright declaration of war. Do we wish to just go to the humans and reveal ourselves?"

"My wife is missing."

"I am aware, I wish to rip those responsible limbs from limb as I am sure you do. We cannot jeopardize our species. Think."

"Fine, then you will go down to Florence and you will find Sophia Cavallo. Let her know that there is a warrant for the immediate arrest of any Aster that remains on Italian soil." Marcus snarled.

"Do you have any proof this was their doing?" Athena pressed. "I want to bring her home with as little issue. We must be certain."

"I have seen the bonds within the Aster family. They hold each family member in strong regard. A slight to one, is a slight to all. The moment we killed Hartford Aster. We were made their enemies. Who else has Imps working at their leisure? That creature that stole Adley, was one. We have many enemies, only one who would target Adley." Marcus seethed. "I will have their blood covering these tiles. Get the guard ready, I will lead this assault myself."

"Get Sophia on the phone." Aro sighed.

Sulpicia's POV:

Sulpicia remained upon the couch with Thea in her arms. The babe was nursing upon her dinner. The slowed heart beat that she'd become accustomed to over the last few weeks. Thea was warm to the touch, as was August, the difference was they did not burn as much. They flushed with blood that pumped through their veins even at the slower rate. The growth still quicker than that of a human.

Thea's warm brown eyes stared up blinking slowly with full lashes, as she drank her meal. A mixture of blood and formula. Her dark hair was thickening taking on slight curl of her father. Her small hand rubbed against her face as she fed.

Sulpicia ran a finger over her closed fist. Thea offered a smile, bottle still in place.

"Eat little one," she cooed.

"At least they are peaceful," Athena sighed glancing over to her.

Sulpicia looked up across the room where the three brothers prepared around a small table within the side room attached to the throne room. She could hear the growing commotion outside in the throne room. The guard had gathered as instructed.

"I wish I could share the sentiment." She returned her attention to Athena. "I fear for our youngest sister. She has endured so much in her short life. Why could they not leave her be?"

"She interfered in their business." Athena sighed. "They would have made themselves known to us sooner or later. Even if Adley was not involved. There is something more to this then we realize. I fear we have scratched the surface of something more nefarious than a simple trade gone sour."

"They breeched our laws many months back. I would not doubt there is more involved. When has it ever been so simple involving the magic world? I am only thankful they do not live long." Sulpicia mumbled watching Thea fall asleep bottle empty.

Adley stared through the many around her. Two familiar faces sat within two of the five thrones. Vaguely she placed them from only the night prior at the opera. She straightened herself up, despite the chains still weighing down her hands.

Mary and Ignatius.

It's always the nice ones that seem the worst.

Adley stared at the many warlocks and witches. The commonality seemed to be they were all the same family. Marcus had said it was not just Gideon and Hartford that dabbled in the illegal. No, it seemed it was their whole family. At least most of it. How many of them risked breaking the Accords between all realms? How many were linked to that Original?

"How lovely it is to see you again, Adley." Mary stood.

"If you wished to have me over, the whole kidnapping thing and chains wasn't necessary." She forced a smile while holding up her wrists. "I'd love to stay and chat, but I should really get back to my family."

"You really think we would let you go? No, no. You see dear we have some unfinished business. You took something very important from us." Mary sat back down. "As well as involved yourself in our internal affairs."

"I'm not one to assume everyone's involvement in what happened in Washington, but I'm going to go out on a limb here you knew what Hartford and Gideon were doing. If that's the case, it was no longer family business when it crossed supernatural realms. Your family broke some very important laws. The moment you involved vampires it became our problem."

"Who is this plural you refer to?" Mary questioned.

"The Volturi."

"Ah, yes. Beth told me of your affiliations." Mary took a few papers from a woman behind her. "Here we are. You are the mate of Marcus Volturi. One of the three kings to the vampiric world. You are not a vampire though, are you? You've got some odd mixing to you. Immortal in your own right."

"Is there a question within this summary?"

"I am getting there." Mary dismissed her. "This is the introduction for the court and jury. You have been brought before the Aster family council regarding some severe charges. The nature of these crimes requires the immediate seizure of the individual accused. The charges in question, Aggravated Assault causing bodily harm to an individual of the Aster family. Conspiracy against an individual or the Aster family itself. Harassment of individuals of the Aster family. Kidnapping. Murder in the second degree of Hartford Aster."

There were some murmurs in the many behind the five thrones.

Adley bit back her growing frustration. She wanted to tell them exactly so badly what got Hartford killed. Why he needed to be taken out of existence.

She had to do this the right way. They were all about the dramatics after all.

"These charges have been presented to a court while I have no legal representative present. In the Accords it is my right to obtain one. I am an outsider to your kind and proceedings. No fair trial could occur without someone to help me. I request a non-bias lawyer to be present before I provide any answers or comments." Adley reminded.

"Alas you stand here without one." Mary challenged.

"I had no time nor forewarning of such proceedings. In this case, one is to be acquired and provided to me, with time to allow for council to be discussed. I have the means to pay a lawyer or team if need be. My requirements are that this lawyer has no connection nor family relation to the Aster family. This is to maintain the notions of a fair trial. I am sure there is some sort of magical way to find out that the lawyer is not connected what so ever or family to the Aster family. If it is found out this has been violated the trial is to be dismissed. These are my terms." Adley laid out her guidelines to the court before her.

She studied the tight-lipped smile upon Mary's face, a few others while they maintained faces of neutral expressions, she could see the auras around them were surprised.

"You are quite prepared, Ms. Choi, for someone who claims to have no knowledge of these charges." Mary glared.

"I make no denial or confirmation of comments towards this court until my lawyers are present." Adley stated stepping back. "I will remain in my cell until a lawyer is procured."

She watched a few murmurs, protests went about the crowd. Rage began to boil in the few auras of the front rows.

Adley watched carefully, with her feelers of one in the far throne on the right. He was a young man with light blond hair. His eyes of icy blue, many freckles covered his hands and face. He was tall and lean, barely in his forties. She latched onto his aura, she began to play around with the rage that coiled and spun within the electric blue.

Seconds ticked by and she messaged the rage, building from a small cloud of red to a deep fury frothing and waiting to spill over.

"This is ridiculous Mary. Those Accords do not apply here. She has violated our statues as a coven. Revenge is within our right to claim. Kill the bitch and send her head back to her masters. Let them know they trifled with the wrong family. The Asters will claim their rightful place once more amongst the rest."

"Silence, Heinrich. You will control your out bursts." Mary held her hand up to him, not looking in his direction. "Ms. Choi is correct, the Accords she signed has her excluded from any revenge clauses in the others. We will not hold this trial amongst our Italian host's home, without following protocol. Phyllis you will find a lawyer with no bias or connection to our family. We will reconvene once they are prepared."

"They are not to be human. I do hope I do not need to clarify they cannot also be an outsider to the magical world. They must know the laws they work with." Adley warned.

"Of course, dear, I am a woman of my word." Mary smiled baring her teeth.

Adley eyed the elder, her gut not trusting the sickly yellow disgust that seeped into her aura. The electric blue exploded here and there within it. She may have looked frail. The woman though was not as weak as she seemed.

"Return Ms. Choi to a side room, this should not take long."

Ru led Adley to a small room three doors down on the left of the hall, he'd marched her up. The small creature pointed for her to sit in one of the many leather rolling chairs. He bounced back and forth bringing a glass of water and a few sandwiches forward with a snap of his fingers.

"Eat, you will need it." Ru instructed.

She eyed the small creature over, the complete dark eyes still unnerving.

"It's not poisoned. I promise." He pushed the plate forward.

"I require my hands, these chains aren't light." She lifted her sore wrists, the red beginning to flake with blood and skin.

Ru waved his hand and the chains disappeared. "Do not make me regret this."

"Thanks," Adley reached for the food. "Why are you helping me?"

"It's my duty to keep the prisoners alive." He shrugged.

"If that was it, you'd have left me chained."

"You have a spark to you," he dismissed. "Not many go into that room and exit in the same shape. You're smart, you know how to avoid the manipulation. You didn't even know they couldn't disobey the Accords. They could lie and hide all the extents those apply here, yet you knew to ask."

"I was taught well, my mate made sure I wasn't without protection. This isn't my first time being kidnapped this year." She explained before downing the water.

"Who else?"

"Hartford. He tortured and held me against my will. Something about needing to cleanse the earth of vampire scum, and I was getting in the way. I was an eye for an eye." She sighed.

"They were still on about that?" Ru paused.

"It was one of the motivating factors Gideon obtained that Original. They wanted to create an internal conflict between two very powerful, delicately aligned covens. Let the vampire world destroy itself, I guess. They failed to do that, so I guess trying to harm me was another means to an end."

"I see," Ru stared at her for a few minutes.

She ate the sandwiches dutifully despite the lack of sauce making the thing dry. She drank down three glasses of water before pushing away.

Ru waved his hand across the room. A thrum of electricity went over her.

"What?"

"I cannot betray the Aster family. I am tied to them by blood oath. I owe them my life, and servitude until the end of time. It was an unfair deal gone wrong." He began.

"Okay, why tell me this?"

"Ever since Ranjan Aster died a decade ago, this family is spiraling out of control." He whispered. "I cannot betray the Aster family. I can, however, accidentally leave a map, and make sure the way out of this house is clear. You will only have fifteen minutes to escape. Once you are out, I only require you to free me. I tire of servitude with little sustenance. They keep me starved and powerless. They gave me a powerful meal by having you here."

"I don't get why you are doing this. I will try to free you. I cannot guarantee I will succeed. Will this be enough?"

"It will. If not find the magic dagger and end me."

An old piece of paper appeared on the table. The door swung open. Ru disappeared.