JUDGE, JURY, AND EXECUTIONER

"ARO! Get out here we need to get to the great hall!" Caius pounded on Aro's chamber door as he bellowed his order.

Aro steeled himself for what was to come - even though it was all through his own orchestration. One slip-up from the few he had instructed could bring the downfall of his coven. Play it cool, play it cool, Aro repeated in his mind as he opened the door to his brother in arms.

"Caius," he said respectfully without reacting to the man's state of urgency, "what can I do for you?"

Caius looked flustered. "Magnus has totally lost it, he's trying to rip Antonio's throat out! It's taken all the newborns to hold him down - we need to get to the throne room, NOW!" Caius turned on his heel and flashed from the stairwell.

Aro looked back to the window as the first rays of dawn threw light into his chambers.

Sulpicia stepped into the room. She'd been watching the skies all night, waiting for the sun to rise and hell to begin.

"Wake them, bring them to the hall, quickly." Aro said as he left their private suite to follow Caius.

Sulpicia ran a delicate hand down her face. Aro had told her and the children his plans. I hope you are right about this, my love.We are dancing very close to the fire again, she thought as she went to wake her vampire children from their short slumber.

"Come along, we need to hurry!" she told Jane and Felix as they stumbled around their room gathering clothes and getting ready. "Felix are you up to this? We could keep you hidden?" she offered her eldest boy.

His face was still healing from Antonio's powerful punch at the start of the guard party and he'd only been in bed two hours so he was certainly not well rested. "I'll be fine, don't worry, I can take that jackass on!" Felix boasted.

Though he had always believed he was the stronger of the two, after that thump last night he was questioning himself. It's okay, Aro said Magnus would be taking care of it all anyway, it's unlikely I will have to actually fight him, he thought hopefully.

Sulpicia was less than convinced of the whole sordid plan, and she was severely pissed at Aro for using Felix last night to goad Antonio. To be fair to Aro, he hadn't instructed Felix to goad him, it was just a natural consequence of them being in the same room!

"If you are sure, then you must hurry!" she said softly as she left to check on Demetri and Alec.

It didn't take long for Aro to catch up with Caius and the scene that awaited him in the throne room. Magnus looked like a rabid dog, snapping at the air and growling ferociously as he was pinned to the floor by a good ten newborns sitting on top of him.

This is going to work wonderfully well, Aro thought. It was all he could do to retain a stern pose and not allow the delight to show on his face.

Antonio stood at the other side of the room, alone. Not even his mate accompanied him. Renata, like most of the female members of the guard, was with Freyr behind the raging Magnus.

Yes, this is all playing out brilliantly so far, Aro thought. His only worry now was the other masters.

He chanced a look to Marcus who seemed more animated than usual. The breaking of bonds between Antonio and his crew, and certainly Renata was playing havoc with his gift but he didn't look suspicious, nor call for Aro to speak with him as Aro would have expected if indeed Marcus did suspect foul play.

Caius looked frantic. His favourite guard's life was on the line ... but will you believe Magnus and Freyr over Antonio, Brother? Aro wondered.

The reason Aro had selected Magnus and Freyr for the task is precisely because the mated pair held so much sway with the other guards. They were the oldest guards for a start and acted as parental figures for some of the younger ones, helping the newer guards to settle in, and the like. Many guards sought their counsel and even the masters had used Magnus to help settle guard quarrels. They were also the only guards, other than Aro's high guard, that Caius hadn't had submit to him. Aro had wondered why that was a good many times. He hoped a mixture of fear and respect had kept him away and that he could use those emotions now to rid his coven of Antonio.

Aro walked around the great hall as Caius took his throne. Magnus snapped at his feet as he passed and Aro caught the quick wink he offered as he stepped back.

Oh I am so proud of you, my friend, he thought as he continued around the room.

When he reached the double door entrance, where Antonio stood, he came to a brief stop. Looking the lonely guard up and down he asked him slyly, "And where are your crew now, Antonio?"

Antonio looked frantically to Caius who held his head in his hands as though weighed down with stress.

Sulpicia and her children entered the throne room before Aro had completed his circle. "Take my throne, my queen. Felix, Demetri," Aro gestured to his sons, "hold him!" he pointed to Antonio and the two young guards quickly flashed to his sides and held Antonio steady.

"I don't need holding, I haven't done anything wrong!" the bruin complained loudly.

Aro spun on his heel, "That really isn't up to you to decide now, is it?"

Antonio saw the smile Aro wore, "You! You planned this! You have done this to me! Because I won't stand for your juvenile guards setting themselves above the rest of us, you have done this and I won't get a fair trial with you as judge, jury and executioner!" Antonio screamed out his complaint, much to Aro's delight.

Both Felix and Demetri felt very uncomfortable, but they were careful to not let it show on their faces. Aro had briefed them all after the guard party that whatever was said, they were to be impassive and let Aro take the reins.

Aro turned to the throne and addressed Caius and Marcus in his best, hurt tone, "Brothers, I must say I am deeply apologetic that this ingrate, our subordinate, believes it is I who run these proceedings alone. I cannot understand why he would accuse me of this, but Antonio appears to be questioning your status in this coven, brothers."

Marcus looked sternly to the offender but didn't comment. Caius, however, blew up!

"What on earth gives you the impression that I am not seated at the same helm as Aro?" he roared from his seat.

Antonio's eyes widened, no no no - Caius is my only hope of surviving this whole thing, he thought.

Aro continued to stir the metaphorical spoon.

"Last night in the guard hall Antonio said you felt threatened by Felix and Demetri. I told him such a thing was preposterous of course ... " Aro allowed his words trail off as Caius blew up again.

"You told him what? You think I am threatened by Aro's high guard? In what way? For what reason? And since when do you speak for me?!" Caius looked ready to end Antonio now.

This may be easier than I thought, Aro said to himself.

"My lord, please, please hear me out! Aro's brats are calling themselves the princes of Volterra! Aro has taken them on as his sons! You cannot allow this to happen master!" Antonio implored Caius to see his side.

Aro focussed on the floor, he had to in order to hide his growing smile. Antonio had played straight in to Aro's hands and Caius now had a choice - he could argue with Aro about his 'sons' which he would have under any other circumstances, but this would prove that Caius was threatened by Felix and Demetri and their rise in status ... Caius would rather chew off his own arms than allow such a thing to blight his character. Or, he could prove he wasn't threatened by Aro's 'new sons' and dismiss Antonio's concerns.

Aro could feel Caius' eyes boring into his head. He looked up to be faced with his furious co-master. Marcus offered him a warm, genuine smile though.

"Caius ... " Aro started but Caius cut him off.

"Is that true?" Caius asked in surprise.

"Well, like I told Antonio, you aren't threatened by my high guard so it really doesn't matter what ... "

"You're right, Aro, of course." Caius cut in again, deciding to have this out with Aro in private rather than in front of every member of their coven.

Antonio's panic was rising. Caius was his only way out of this whole charade and now Caius was siding with Aro! I am going to die! They are going to kill me!

Antonio had one last way out. Often in trials involving the guards, the guilty guard would select one of the masters to hear their case. It's my last chance, he thought to himself.

"Master Caius, please, I would like you to hear this case." Antonio asked, though he didn't dare face anyone else in the room.

Felix and Demetri laughed lightly under their breath. Antonio heard them, though he didn't understand the cause for their humour. They, naturally, knew that part of Aro's plan was having Caius condemn Antonio to death to save repercussions, and Antonio had just done all the hard work for him.

"Whilst I am offended, Antonio, and can assure you of my impartiality, I will of course step aside so Caius can command the proceedings." Aro bowed lightly to Caius as he approached Sulpicia, who stood enough to allow Aro to sit and then took position in his lap.

Caius fumed next to Aro's throne. "We will need to talk, Aro." he said sternly.

"Of course, brother. As soon as you have decided Antonio's fate." Aro sang out whilst inspecting the rings on his free hand, the other hand squeezing his wife who was about to burst into a fit of giggles.

"Fine!" Caius ground out as he took centre stage. With one last look to Antonio, Caius shook his head and turned to the still frothing Magnus.

"You need to get yourself under control if you want justice, my friend." Caius told Magnus, sternly.

'My friend', Aro repeated to himself. Wonderful, you do respect Magnus as much as I had hoped. Aro was pleased, so far everything was going according to his plans.

Everyone watched intently as Magnus got himself under control. Slowly, and one by one, the newborns extracted themselves from their joint effort in holding him down.

Felix watched too; there was something on his mind, over and above the rest of the proceedings and Aro's plan. If Magnus kills Antonio, he will be the strongest in the coven and everyone will then assess him by his strength not his gift ... and that makes me second strongest...

As Magnus nudged off the last two newborns holding his arms, Felix gulped. Fuck, Magnus is fucking huge.

"Sucks to be you, Antonio!" Felix whispered. The guard was so frazzled he didn't even react, his eyes were trained on the colossal Magnus standing at full, imposing height across the room.

Caius approached the accuser warily, ensuring he made eye contact with Magnus so he could gauge his emotional state.

"Magnus, what is it you accuse Antonio of, exactly?" Caius asked tentatively.

"HE RAPED MY WIFE!" Magnus roared to the room. Hisses came from behind him directed at Antonio by the women surrounding Freyr.

"She's a lying bitch! I never touched her! The old hag!" Antonio's brave, if somewhat stupid defence had Magnus growling again. Caius directed the closest newborns to hold him back once again.

Once he was sure Magnus wasn't going to break away from the newborns, Caius flashed to Antonio and whipped the back of his hand hard across his face, accidentally catching Demetri in the process.

"I suggest you keep your mouth shut until you are asked for your response!" he ordered his doomed favourite. He nodded to Demetri as he left the three of them.

I suppose that's as much of an apology as I can expect, huh? Demetri thought, moodily.

"Will any witnesses step forward?" Caius asked the crowd of guards.

No one did, they all huddled together around Freyr to show their support though.

"No witnesses then ... " Caius trailed off and turned to Aro. "There are no witnesses, brother. Just one man's word against another. Antonio accused Felix of the same thing and was asked to forgive Felix ... should we ask Magnus to forgive Antonio?" Caius asked quickly and quietly, though every vampire in the room heard the exchange.

Before Aro had chance to answer, Magnus took over again, "Renata was willing! My mate is true to me, she returned with her clothes torn and her arm broken, her body is covered in bruises! You cannot see the situations the same! I WANT HIS FUCKING HEAD!" Magnus roared again, the floor shaking with his ferocity.

Freyr collapsed into a heap behind her mate.

"I have to agree with him, brother." Aro said darkly as he clutched Sulpicia close.

"I haven't touched his fucking mate! I was locked in the dungeons, she was sat outside my cell, I haven't touched her!" Antonio was pulling at his arms but Felix and Demetri held him still. Demetri's side wrangled a little further into the room - he wasn't anywhere near as strong as either Felix or Antonio.

Magnus roared again, "I'm going to tear you to fucking pieces, you ingrate scum!"

The guards soon joined in with Magnus and accused Antonio of all sorts of slights over the years - they became a baying mob thirsty for his death. Even Renata, who stood protectively over Freyr, called for his head.

Caius called for order and the room eventually fell into fuming whispers rather than out and out shouting. That was the best Caius could hope for under the circumstances.

"Do we have any evidence of the claim?" Caius asked hopefully. If he had to be the one to let the axe fall, so to speak, he wanted proof to ease his guilt.

Marcus offered his counsel, and Aro's heart dropped into his stomach as he did so. "We have the dress ... what's left of it. We could also check Freyr for the breaks and bruises Magnus claims?"

Caius clapped his hands together, relieved to have some guidance.

"Perfect, let's do that. Freyr, you will come with me." Caius stood and waited for a frightened Freyr to join him.

The usually steadfast woman emerged skittishly from her protectorate.

Aro started to panic. Fuck, she won't have any bruises, fuck! Fuck! Fuck!

"Brother, after all Freyr has been through we cannot ask her to expose herself to you now, that would be most unbecoming. It's an unreasonable request, Caius!"

"We don't know what has happened yet, brother, it's an allegation - nothing more. You have agreed to sit this one out, yes?"

Aro nodded curtly. FUCK, his mind screamed at him.

"Although you are right, if the allegations are true I wish to cause Freyr no further pain. Sulpicia, would you accompany us to act as chaperone?"

Sulpicia rose from Aro's lap and joined the fretful woman at her side. "All will be well, my dear. Come along." she told Freyr as she guided her from the throne room with Caius following behind.

Aro looked to Magnus. He doesn't seem worried, why isn't he worried? Aro thought, wishing he had his father's gift to read minds without contact.

The guards were growing rowdy again, Aro left them to it, he was far more concerned about coming up with a backup plan to save Magnus and Freyr when their lies were discovered.

Caius returned to the throne room first, quickly followed by Sulpicia leading Freyr to Aro's throne.

"She needs a seat, Aro!" Sulpicia said, far more forcefully than she would ever usually dare, in public at least.

Aro eyed both women suspiciously but moved from his throne all the same and offered it to Freyr. Freyr couldn't make eye contact with him, but thanked him politely as she grimaced trying to settle into the master's chair.

Aro caught Sulpicia's wrist for a moment and read her thoughts. He saw Freyr turning naked in front of his wife and Caius. She's black and blue! Her arm is broken, ribs too. Someone has beaten her badly! Magnus? No! No way would Magnus do that to his mate! Aro's thoughts trailed off as he realised he had put Magnus in an impossible position, and more than that, Aro knew he hadn't thought through his plans well enough either. Thank god Magnus saw this coming, thank god he ... Aro's thoughts stuttered as he realised he was thanking the gods that Magnus had beaten Freyr bloody - for him.

Aro looked to Magnus, but the man turned away in shame. I will make this up to you, my friend. Aro willed Magnus to hear his thoughts but, of course, there was no way he could.

"Caius, I have read Sulpicia's thoughts, I have seen what you have seen. What's your decree?" Aro asked his coven mate, feeling much less self-assured than he usually did.

Caius was visibly upset as he approached Antonio. "I have no choice." he said to him sadly as he embraced the doomed vampire.

"No, no, Caius, please!" Antonio's sobs were muffled by Caius' shoulder, but he knew it was too late. Caius ordered Felix and Demetri to release his favourite guard.

They did and flashed to the throne floor to stand behind Aro's throne with the twins. Jane looked to Felix and offered a nervous smile as he put his strong arm around her. Alec leaned back into Demetri.

"Don't watch." Demetri told his little brother kindly. It wasn't that Alec and Jane, or anyone else in the coven for that matter, were particularly sensitive to seeing the death of a vampire, but there was always an awkwardness seeing a fellow guard meet their end. Antonio was an insufferable cock and he had managed to piss off every single member of the coven at one time or another, but he was still a fellow guard - many had fought alongside the vampire and even with all the bad memories of him there were many good ones too.

Caius waited until he was safely on the throne platform before he ordered the newborns holding Magnus back to release him.

Magnus approached slowly. No one else would know, but he was taking as many steadying breaths as he could to give him the strength to go through with the task at hand.

Antonio considered his options; a fight to the death was guaranteed now, and there was a vanishingly slim chance he could win against Magnus. He had a greater chance against Felix, and he wanted the chance to take the brat down before he died.

"WAIT" Antonio called out, though Magnus didn't stop his approach. "I revoke my forgiveness for Felix, I want to take him on one-on-one first!" Antonio called out to Caius.

Caius was unsure of protocol for such a request and turned to Aro with a shrug.

Aro looked behind him to Felix, "I see no reason why not, but if Felix wins you can drag Magnus back when he loses his chance for retribution, brother."

Aro spoke plainly, but he hoped Caius would see sense and allow Magnus to fight Antonio instead. His insides twisted in agitation whilst Caius considered his words – how he kept the panic from his face was anyone's guess.

Eventually, Caius nodded and looked back to Magnus, the great hulking bear of a man appeared menacing. There was no way in hell Caius was putting himself in front of that juggernaut. Looking back to Antonio, Caius shook his head sadly.

That was it, his last chance of reprieve was over, all that was left now was to fight!

Magnus started to circle Antonio. Fighting wasn't his natural state of play, he was much like Eleazar - the placid mediator. But that didn't mean he couldn't fight, he had trained just as hard as every other guard in the coven, he knew what he was doing.

Antonio though, he was famed for his warrior prowess. He wasn't just another Volturi guard, he was used to being sent into battles before the other guards and taking down twice as many vampires as any other could. His death toll loomed in the tens of thousands through his career in the Volturi.

This wasn't going to be an easy kill for either vampire.

Magnus took one last look back to his mate. Freyr offered him a broad smile that hid all of the angst she felt. If this is the last time you see me, my love, remember how much I loved you.