AN: I do not own the Twi-world, thanks SM for sharing.
Thank you csmgarret, Nightingale1692 and 'Guest' for your recent reviews. I am trying to incorporate as many requests into the storyline as possible, but as I am about 20 chapters ahead it may be a while before you see them. I am adding in scenes sooner for you when I can make space for them in the chapters I have ready to go.
Anyhoo, back to the story…
GUARD PARTY
"Magnus!" Aro called out as he made his way through the swaying guards, already merry with their bloodwine.
Magnus guarded the barrel and distributed the sweet nectar within to the vampires in attendance - he was the only one they all trusted to be fair with it.
"Master Aro, I am pleased you could attend. My queen." he greeted the royalty of the coven.
Sulpicia embraced the guard like an old friend before taking a goblet from the man and searching out some female company.
"I thought you may have brought your high guard along, we haven't seen much of them in the last few months." Magnus commented as he passed Aro a full goblet which he knocked down at once.
"And you won't be seeing much of them for some time, my friend. They cause me too much grief when they roam freely around the castle!"
Magnus laughed lightly, "I don't know how much is their own fault, my lord. There are still certain members of the guard who go out of their way to bring trouble to Felix and Demetri's door."
Aro was intrigued, and moved as close to Magnus as he could without drawing too much attention. Luckily the room was buzzing with life and the incessant chatter and tuneful music provided a perfect cover for them to talk plainly.
"Who? Who and why?" Aro probed seriously.
"I think you can guess who, my lord." Aro followed Magnus' eye line straight to Antonio.
He tutted. "Yes, he has caused more trouble than most."
"I have recently discovered that the Neanderthal has managed to convince others to do his bidding in his war against your high guard."
Magnus rarely insulted anyone, it wasn't his nature, a true gentle giant. To hear him call Antonio a Neanderthal was actually pretty shocking.
"I thought Felix was giving as good as he got there, that's why I have pulled him out of the guard activities ... "
"My lord, if I may interject, you removed Felix from Antonio's path and since then, perhaps, lifted your watchful eye from the situation."
Aro nodded, "I thought things were settling down, or, I hoped they were!" he returned, feeling damn stupid to have believed such a thing now he was confronted with the crowing guard entertaining a growing flock of underlings. Magnus whispered into his master's ear, "The devil grows strongest whilst we are looking the other way."
Aro nodded again. Very sage, my friend, he thought, I have been focusing on Felix and allowing that bastard to rise through my guard! Damn it!
"Magnus, I rarely ask you to speak against your coven mates, and if you feel unable to tell me, I will find the information some other way so as not to fracture your position here ... "
Magnus cut his master off mid-sentence. "I will happily speak against Antonio. He is insufferable and far more guards want him out of this coven than want him in. He has maneuvered himself to the top of the guards as he has Caius' ear. When Felix and Demetri were knocking about, they had yours and leveled things up. No one in here has your ear anymore so Antonio has free reign."
Aro knocked back his goblet and refilled it himself whilst digesting the information Magnus offered. He wondered if he had completely fucked up his coven by something as simple as excluding his sons from the guard hall?!
"I am not one for speaking out of turn master, but you need to get Antonio out of this coven before he causes lasting damage."
Aro's head shot up. Looking Magnus straight in the eye he asked him, "Are you prepared to help me?"
Magnus knew what Aro meant. Magnus was strong, very strong. Perhaps even stronger than Felix, and certainly stronger that Antonio. But that wasn't Magnus' gift. His strength was just his natural ability. His gift was being able to manipulate emotions - that's what he preferred his role to be in the Volturi and thus Antonio held the position of strength in the coven as Felix was high guard and therefore not in the competition.
Aro had asked Magnus before to go against Antonio and he had respectfully declined. This time though, he was prepared to do whatever necessary to save the Volturi from splintering with Antonio at the helm of the guards.
"I am master, but what will you have me do? Caius has made it clear Antonio is his favourite."
Aro nodded, though he was already formulating a plan to free his coven from the influence of Antonio. "Yes, Caius will be an issue but I will work something out. For now, I am going to bring my high guard back into the guard hall - I need you to watch out for them in the castle."
"Consider it done, master. I will have Freyr do the same."
"Freyr!" Aro exclaimed as though the final piece of his puzzle had just fallen into place. Magnus raised a questioning eyebrow. "Would your good lady be willing to assist us, my friend?" Aro asked quietly.
"I believe she would be only too happy, my lord."
Aro pulled Magnus in close as he shared his idea with his old friend and trusted guard. Feeling confident that they could pull off his plan with Magnus offering a few amendments, Aro patted the giant man's shoulder as he went to search out Sulpicia.
"Freyr, dear, may I steal my queen for a moment? I believe Magnus needs to talk with you, also." Aro said easily and he took Sulpicia's arm.
"Of course, master." Freyr dipped her head as she sought out her husband.
Aro watched her leave, wondering if the one-time Shield Maiden still had the guts to do what he had in mind. Having fought beside the Viking woman in many battles, Aro thought back to the bravery Freyr had shown in the face of adversaries, but lying to the whole body of guards ... her friends.
You and Magnus have been guiding the guards for centuries ... would you be willing to guide them falsely? Could you do that, Shield Maiden?
"What's wrong, my love?" Sulpicia asked, seeing the pensive look on Aro's face, so telling of problems he was working out.
"I need you to fetch Felix and Demetri, deliver the twins to Marcus and ask him to keep them in his quarters until we fetch them."
Sulpicia was surprised. She knew Aro had refused to allow Felix to attend the party when he had asked only a few hours ago. "Are you sure, my love?" she questioned.
"I am indeed. Tell them I expect model behaviour and I need to talk with them before they mingle. I will explain all when we are alone, my queen." Aro gently pushed Sulpicia towards the door and waited until she flashed from the room before turning on his heel to re-fill his cup.
It didn't take long for Sulpicia to return with her eldest sons. The entire room turned to see the princes of Volterra swagger into the guard hall; a good many of them approaching to greet the long lost pair.
Aro caught Felix's eye and beckoned him over with a crooked finger. Sulpicia had warned them both to be on their best behaviour, and they swore they would be - neither wanted to fuck up their first chance to leave the tower socially in three months.
"Thank you!" Felix said happily. The excited energy coming from the boy was palpable.
Demetri, too, looked just as pleased, if in disbelief that Aro had allowed him to attend after catching him in Basileus' bed with his most recent conquests just this afternoon.
Aro placed his finger to his lips to shush his son as he passed them each a cup of bloodwine.
"Listen to me. Antonio's crew has grown. From reading the odd mind in here I know there are a few who are seeking to bring your downfall one way or another. He is organising a coup and setting himself at the top of the guards. I want you to remind everyone that you are my chosen guards - the top of the tree. Understood?"
Both boys hung their mouths open in shock.
"This is going against everything you have said over the last couple of years, you know!" Felix pointed out, unsure if this was a trick of sorts.
"I know. But things have changed. For tonight you are to stay together and in my sight, understood?"
Felix's earlier buzz at being allowed to attend the guard party had fallen from his face.
Aro saw his sons becoming crestfallen and knew they needed to be in top form if his plan was to work.
"And you are to enjoy yourselves; drink, dance, set up your next conquest ... " he winked to a shocked Demetri, "be your merry jovial selves. You must get as many guards on your side as possible. I am relying on you."
Felix puffed out his chest feeling quite proud that Aro trusted them to be part of his plans - whatever they were! Demetri nodded too, resolved to doing his father's bidding to the best of his ability.
Aro gave his boys a push to get them moving along as he saw Eleazar and Carmen enter the guard hall. A roar erupted from the guards as Felix strolled over to them and raised his glass.
"Where the hell have you been hiding?" Corin asked as she pulled the young guard into an embrace. "And our little Lothario! You have been missed, Demetri!" she crooned as Adrianna and Lucy approached.
"How much have you missed me, Corin?" Felix asked with a sly smile as his hands travelled the length of her back and rested on her ass, giving it a tight squeeze.
"I haven't drunk enough for that yet!" she said, though the playful giggle and coy smile suggested otherwise.
"Have we been allowed out to play boys?" Antonio swaggered over to the returning high guard, looking ready or a fight.
Felix smiled to Demetri and pulled him close, "Let's enjoy this, brother." he whispered as Demetri winked in response.
"I suppose it has been a while since we graced you with our presence." Felix offered to the bullish guard.
Antonio scoffed. "Ha! You speak as though you had a choice!" Antonio spat back to the younger guard, announcing loudly, "The guard hall is no place for children, little boy!" Antonio's hangers on started to laugh mockingly at Aro's high guard.
Interestingly, Afton and Chelsea were standing back, as though they didn't want to be associated with the guffawing head guard. Demetri caught Afton's eye and tentatively offered a small smile, which, to his surprise, was returned.
Felix began booming laughter, drowning out the sly giggles of Antonio's crew ... much to Antonio's ire.
"Oh Antonio, how long did it take you to come up with that witty remark?" Felix smiled to the elder guard.
Antonio hated it when Felix played cool. Gettin go a rise out of the jumped up little prick was what he lived for!
"As the princes of Volterra, we have many draws on our time which take us away from attending the guard hall. I'm sure you can appreciate that?" Felix spoke easily as he began to circle Antonio and Renata. He listened to the guards whispering about his status, pleased to hear they were largely supportive.
The odd one made comment about their living situation. "Has Aro really taken them on as his sons?" Felix heard Lucy ask Adrianna as they hung around Demetri.
"YES!" Felix confirmed loudly to the questioning guards.
More whispers! Felix reveled in revealing his new status to the guards. Aro may make me retract it at some point, but for now it feels good to be honest about it all, he thought contentedly.
"How are you doing sweetheart?" he asked as he passed Renata, purposefully loud enough for Antonio to hear.
"Get away from my mate, you fucking brat!" Antonio demanded as he pushed Felix back towards Corin.
Renata looked to the floor, embarrassed that her disloyalty had been brought to the fore once more. She heard the guards whispering about her again.
"I know enough about you to bring you down, Felix. You should remember that!" Antonio threw out viciously.
Demetri's head shot around to Felix. Shit, he can't say anything about that, Felix do something! Why are you smiling?! If the guards find out we killed the townspeople they can call for our fucking heads!
Demetri wore his panic on his face and Felix understood why. Don't worry little brother, this oaf won't say a word.
"Afton, you may wish to remind your friend what my grandfather told you both!"
Afton's face paled at Felix's words as Antonio looked murderously back to the 'prince'.
"So you do remember, Antonio? You would do well to think on it. Basileus will be back soon, after all." Felix made himself comfortable in the plush sofa as he drained his goblet, feeling rather pleased with himself.
"Antonio, I'm not fucking with Basileus ... " Afton tried to make his coven mate see sense but Antonio cut him off.
"Shut the fuck up. He isn't waltzing back in here like he owns the fucking castle!"
Afton scoffed at Antonio's tone. He wasn't taking that from him, they were equals regardless of what Antonio thought. "If Aro's taken the pair of them as his sons, and Aro is Basileus' son - you do the math - it is their fucking castle!"
Antonio felt a burning rage swelling from deep inside him. He flashed from Afton's side to stand in front of Felix, snatching him up roughly by the front of his shirt.
Felix laughed in his face. He knew where this was going and, for once, he feared no reprisal from Aro.
Hearing the whelp's laughter only fueled Antonio's rage and in an angry stupor he planted a solid fist square into Felix's face. Antonio's huge fist managed to smash Felix's nose and crack his jaw at the same time. Blood spurted from the younger guard's face and landed on Corin who sitting next to him.
She shot to her feet, repulsed at the ruby stain on the lace bodice of her dress and shoved Antonio back with as much force as she could muster, releasing Felix as he went.
Antonio stood back and watched as the younger guard flopped back into his seat in a daze from the blow. The room fell silent as every guard in the hall waited for a response to Antonio's actions.
Aro, Eleazar and Magnus, along with their mates, had watched the scene unfolding.
Carmen had a tight hold of Sulpicia who looked set to match Antonio's rage for punching her son.
Antonio dared a glance to the coven king, fearing greatly for his life now that his senses were returning. Fuck, Aro's smiling, why is Aro smiling? He looked back to Felix, the constant source of his strife. Smiling too, damn it, he's trapped me! THEY'VE trapped me! Antonio started to panic realising he had been goaded into his own stupid actions. Punching Felix Volturi in the guard hall with so many witnesses - including ARO! His own thoughts berated him, questioning his stupidity for being so obviously drawn into the snare.
Antonio turned to finally face the coven master who no doubt would end his life. As his panic started to rise, he decided to spill his guts in a last-ditch attempt to save his own skin.
"My lord, I implore you to hear my defence!"
Aro continued to smile as he slowly, and purposefully made his way over to the doomed guard.
"Felix - he goaded me, he set this up!"
Aro began to circle the babbling guard whilst maintaining his silence, still smiling - that smile was most unnerving for all in attendance.
"Master, please you must understand, they think they are above the guards! Your high guard are calling themselves the princes of Volterra - we are all concerned what that would mean for the hierarchy of the coven, aren't we?!" Antonio proffered to the rest of the guards in attendance, hoping for some back up.
A few of his crew made indistinguishable mutterings, Aro looked around them carefully. Then he turned to Magnus.
"You have the guards' ear I believe, my friend. I have trusted your counsel on guard matter for many centuries now, what say you? Are you threatened by 'the princes of Volterra'?"
An audible gasp went through the guard hearing Aro repeat the term Felix had earlier used.
Magnus crossed his arms across his broad, solid chest. Looking directly at Antonio he said, "I am very fond of your high guard, master. I see no reason to be threatened by them."
Far more guards muttered their agreement to Magnus than had to Antonio.
Fuck, Antonio thought, I need backup!
"I believe Master Caius would agree with me!" he threw out in an attempt to at least stall Aro from executing him.
Aro stopped dead in his tracks in front of Antonio. In a tone of disbelief, he asked, "Are you saying Caius is threatened by Felix and Demetri? Really?"
Antonio began to stutter but Aro continued before he released anything of sense. "Because I am sure that Caius, my brother-in-arms, as a master of this coven feels no such thing! Though he will be very interested to hear that you believe him to be so weak, Antonio."
Antonio shook his head. This is wrong, it's all going wrong, I need to fix this! "My lord, I meant no such thing, I have drunk too much, my words are only confusing the situation. I apologise for my misdeeds."
Aro smirked. "I wonder just how great your misdeeds are Antonio." he said as he extended his hand.
Antonio gulped down the pooling venom in his throat and viewed Aro's hand as a viper about to strike. Taking a deep breath to steady his nerves, with a grimace he placed his own trembling hand in his master's.
Aro searched through the guard's thoughts, first checking if the ingrate had spoken with anyone else about his young guards' midnight flit a few months before, and more importantly, about them killing the townspeople. Renata and Chelsea. Aro eyed the young women who were both avoiding his gaze, I think I can trust the two of you. Renata's bond with Antonio is breakable anyway, Marcus confirmed that years ago. I would like to keep you two if I can. Antonio is as good as dead.
Aro buried deeper into the guard's thoughts. Afton, you two aren't as close as you were, and thankfully youhave warned Antonio off going after my children, interesting.
Aro released Antonio's hand, he had seen enough. The guard was doing his best to convince the other guards that he was a greater fighter than Felix ... stronger, higher skilled. Luckily the arrogant arsehole lacked a vital ingredient for leadership on any scale - charisma. Most of the guards disliked Antonio because he simply was an insufferable cock. But he was out and out trying to remove support for Aro's sons and Aro wasn't letting that stand any longer.
Felix had remained silent since the thump in his face, Demetri had long since left centre stage to sit with Sulpicia, who draped her arm protectively around his shoulders.
Aro moved over to his boy and took his face in his right hand. Gripping his jaw gently, he turned Felix's face to see the extent of the damage.
"You have broken his face, Antonio. And forgive me, but I didn't see Felix attack you, or even defend himself ... anyone else?" he asked the surrounding guards, all of whom shook their heads.
"Afton, you were close by, did you see Felix defend himself?"
Afton looked to Antonio. They had been close friends for many years, but he had warned Antonio time and time again that this quarry he had with Felix would be his downfall - he wasn't going down with him!
"No, my lord."
Aro nodded to himself, pleased that Afton had been truthful.
"Is there anything you would like to offer in your coven mate's defence?" Aro asked.
Afton sighed, "I believe hearing Felix and Demetri had been taken on as your sons may have caused Antonio to react irrationally, master."
Aro nodded again.
"So it is true?" Afton asked in shock, clasping a hand to his mouth at his outburst.
Aro took his time ... looking first to Felix and then to Demetri. Smiling to them both, he turned back to Afton and smirked, "I never get involved in the Volturi rumour mill, you all know that." Though he fleetingly questioned what Caius, or indeed Basileus would have to say on the matter, Aro enjoyed the hurried whispers spreading through the guards.
Pointing to Felix he said, "You had better come with me and we will see if we can fix your face. Antonio, you need to go down to the dungeons for the rest of the night - I'll decide on your fate tomorrow."
Felix laughed under his breath as he passed the doomed guard, knocking his shoulder into him purposefully as he passed. "Sucks to be you!" he said quietly, and was rewarded with a rumbling growl from the man. If Aro heard either of them, he let it go.
Catching Magnus' eye, Aro silently asked the man if he was ready by raising his eyebrows questioningly. Magnus nodded curtly. Aro smiled to himself.
"Freyr!" he announced.
The tall, muscular woman stepped forward.
"As your mate is on barrel duty, would you be so kind as to accompany Antonio to the dungeons and find him a cell for the night?" Freyr smiled to Aro.
Great, Magnus has explained, wonderful, Aro thought.
"Of course, master." she replied as she made her way to the guilty guard and escorted him from the hall.
"Restart the music, refill your cups!" Aro announced, much to the guards' delight.
Aro retook his seat and pulled Felix close. Now that the music had restarted and the guards were once again cheering, the low din created cast a shadow over their voices so they could talk.
"Come here, then." Aro told his boy, ready to set his nose and jaw to the correct position.
Felix threw both hands up to his face, "No, no it's fine!"
Aro laughed as he tapped Eleazar, "You better hold him still, brother." he said, and Eleazar flashed behind Felix, holding him tightly and pushing him towards Aro.
"No, no it's fine, I said it's fine!" Felix whined as he cradled his face, wincing as he spoke.
"Here young one, knock this back, it will help." Magnus passed the boy a goblet brimming with bloodwine.
Felix took the cup and drank it down greedily. When he removed the glass from his mouth, without any warning Aro snapped his nose back into place.
"Ahhhh!" Felix roared in pain at the intrusion.
"Now for your jaw." Aro said matter of fact.
Felix whimpered as Eleazar held his head in a vice like grip. Cocking his head to the side, Aro tried to assess just how out of place his son's jaw was. He's made a right mess of you, and that was just one punch. What if Antonio is stronger than Felix, what will I do then. This plan is risky. Too risky, damn it! Aro thought to himself as he made short work of tugging his son's jawline into place.
"You look a state!" Aro told him sternly, "Don't let him get one over on you again, understand?"
Felix looked confused. "Are you saying I should get a punch in first? Can I do that?"
Aro nodded and pulled the boy close, so close Felix could feel his father breathing on his neck as he spoke.
"I am saying that Antonio has reached the end of his career in my coven. If he comes for you again, and he will, you will fight him - to the death." Aro stopped as he felt Felix stiffen beneath him at his words. "You can beat him, yes?" Aro asked tentatively.
"Yeah, yeah, course I can." Felix said, though his nerves betrayed him and Aro could tell from his tone he was considerably less sure of himself than Aro would like. Felix had wanted the opportunity to take Antonio down for years and had bucked against Aro holding him back a good many times ... but now that the chance presented itself, Felix was suddenly questioning whether he actually could.
"Hey, hey!" Aro said as he shook the boy from the beginnings of his brooding. "You CAN take Antonio down. One on one you are stronger, you are faster, and I trained you myself so I know you are far more skilled than he. You can do this. Yes?"
Felix felt his pride bolstered by Aro's words and he smiled quietly to himself. "I can do it." Felix replied, far more confidently.
"With a little luck, you won't have to. I just want you to be prepared. Chivalry is dead, take him down!" Aro patted his son's shoulder before pushing him gently towards the rest of the guards.
Felix puffed the air from his cheeks as Aro released him and he went to search out Demetri.
This sounds serious, what the hell is going on around here, he thought, hoping Aro would lay things out clearly when they returned to the privacy of their tower.
Aro watched his sons moving through the delighted guards who all looked so pleased to see the pair of them - even some of Antonio's supporters were welcoming them with open arms now that Antonio was out of the hall. He felt so proud as he watched them.
"Master, when should I raise the hue?" Magnus asked Aro, bringing him from his thoughts.
Aro rolled his empty goblet between his hands. "Wait until the barrel is empty, let everyone have their fill – if you could drag it out until dawn I would be grateful. I must apologise for this whole thing Magnus, I truly didn't intend for you or Freyr to get caught up in this, let alone miss out on the night's full festivities."
Magnus waved Aro's apologies away with his hand, "Think nothing of it, my lord. Freyr is just as willing as I to see the back of that brute."
Aro filled his goblet and took Magnus' to do the same before returning it. "And Freyr knows what to do?"
Magnus nodded.
"If we are successful, my friend, I will repay you properly for the great deed you are doing."
Magnus looked quizzically to Aro.
"It's something I should have thought of a long time ago, Magnus. Nothing more."
With that, Aro departed to mix with his guards and enjoy a good drink, knowing that morning would be bringing a whole host of troubles to his door.