This one gave me some trouble, but I got it done! Always talking your guys ideas for future chapters.

WARNING: M-rated sexual content ahead

The jet was as extravagant as she had been expecting, slowly starting to adjust to the way that the Volturi held themselves. In company were Demetri, Jane, Alec and Felix, already awaiting inside. Wendy smiled when she remembered that she used to be afraid of flying, before walking up the steps. The chances of dying in a plane crash were now down below zero percent.

Felix was in the pilot's seat, looking at the gauges like he actually knew what he was doing. Alec sat as co-pilot, not that it was needed with a vampire flying. Jane and Demetri sat on the two armchairs, leaving the sofa on the opposite side open for use. There were no seat belts. Wendy smiled again at that, knowing they had to have been spitefully removed at one point. The interior held plenty of windows, with another L-shaped couch and a table beside it. She made sure to feed before getting on, making it through the airport without much difficulty.

Caius had made a comment on her control, something the others seemed to agree with. Although she did want to feed often, it was more of a choice than a necessity. Wendy however didn't think this was entirely to her credit, because there were plenty of occasions she struggled with her emotions or broke things. Then again that might have something to do with the gift she'd yet to tell anyone but Aro about.

Though telling Aro hadn't exactly been her choice. She'd not seen or heard of anyone else with abilities like her own until recently, one of the reasons that her creator had kept a close eye on her. It would have been nice if there had been someone in the guard, but there hadn't been. No one to teach her, and unsure herself exactly how it worked. The person who Aro had told her about, apparently wasn't an option either. Deciding not to fret about it yet again, she sat on the love seat.

Caius immediately followed, sitting close enough they were nearly touching. Not wanting the distance she leaned into him, eyes closed with the desire to sleep. Her pipe dream went on until they were in the sky, his arm wrapped around her shoulders. Forced to accept the fact she'd never sleep another wink for the rest of eternity, Wendy huffed and opened her eyes.

All three of them seemed to understand her dilemma, each reacting in various forms of amusement. The woman just rolled her eyes at the lot, before leaning back. "Well then, what do you all suggest we do?"

Felix opened his mouth like he was going to say something, before closing it again. She could feel his uncertainty, and wondered if it was because of the fact Caius was aboard that made the whole guard so quiet. She'd gotten used to Jane and Alec's playful bickering and her soft conversations with Demetri. Walking the halls was never a quiet affair, there was always someone chatting somewhere.

She waited looking at them, before being interrupted by the soft ding from Caius's cellphone, something he didn't bother to bring unless leaving the grounds. Wendy having never seen the device before was surprised he even had one, curiously peeking at the screen to see a typed out version of the note she'd written for both him and Aro. She smiled at her mate's thoughtfulness, as Aro hadn't had a chance to give him the actual copy.

Caius read it several times over before turning to face her, expression darkening. "I will do whatever it takes to protect you. I do not care about the costs." After that his voice lost it's harshness. "I will however take your words into conference and consider implementing them when your safety is not in question."

She took this as a success considering Caius had spent centuries ruling by fear alone. Besides she would have just as long to change his mind, and she could monitor his actions in the meantime. Unable to really generate an auditory response she just nodded in his direction.

It was unsurprisingly Jane who rose to the challenge of filling the ensuing silence, never having been a coward. "Mistress, would you like to play a game of chess?"

Wendy grinned, glad to have the vampire on her side, before nodding her agreement. Jane stood fetching the board before returning, setting up the pieces with practiced ease. Caius leaned away, pretending to be disinterested. She knew well enough he was more than a little curious on what moves she would choose, even if he wasn't willing to show it. Caius at his core was a tactician, and chess was no doubt something he had spent plenty of time on in the past.

Looking up at Jane they caught eyes, the glimmer of mischief there confirmed that the woman was far more clever than she let on. Letting the other blonde have the first move, Wendy fell into the game making moves as she saw fit with Caius growing more unrestrained as time went on. He was only able to feign indifference until his fascination caught up to him.

Half way through the match, he was attached at the hip, one arm thrown over her shoulder as he watched the board; memorizing the decisions she chose and what that meant toward her own tactical mind. She wasn't as good as him, but he'd been around when the game was invented, so he didn't fault his mate for that. Jane ended up winning, but Wendy was holding her own for a little while.

Caius reached forward setting up the board again and moving his first piece looking pointedly at Jane to begin a counter move. The little blonde froze for half a second before shifting into action. From there Caius casually explained the different moves that he did for Wendy, teaching her different play styles and patterns he'd not seen her attempt. She didn't seem offended by this, instead resting her chin on his shoulder as she listened.

This only riled him further, so they spent hours playing chess, everyone trading places after each match. The guard seemed surprised when he gave them pointers and corrections, for the first time for all of the members in attendance, the terrifying king wasn't so unapproachable. Felix even went so far as to ask Caius's advice on a move's success rate. When they touched down at the airport everyone was in a good mood. That mood continued if only slightly subdued as they left the jet into the just faded sun.

It was like many of the Volturi's things sleek black with darkened windshields and perfectly shined rims. Felix drove, with Demetri in the passenger seat. Caius and Wendy took the middle row with Jane and Alec in the back. This seemed to be a common formation, one she'd seen done when they were walking as well. It warmed her heart to know that she had such caring protectors so vigilant all the time.

She promised herself she would thank them soon for their persistence, as the car left the airport. It was hazy, but she recognized this place. Not well, she must not have come to the airport often, but enough it was vaguely familiar. As they drove she stared out the window, watching as rural hills turned into the start of a city. The outskirts looked significantly more familiar. She watched as they approached toward a red brick building and she let out a hum of surprise.

"My school." She explained as Caius turned to look at it while they passed. It was an unassuming little thing, cheap brick and cracking pavement. A community college.

He let out a huff of disapproval. "If you choose to further your education, we will have more refined teachers for you." As expected he was dismissive of the property, but Wendy had fond memories of this place. Teachers she'd liked, classes she'd found fascinating. She couldn't remember their names or what her major was, but it was fond enough.

She felt enough toward it to feel the need to defend the small place. They passed a courtyard with a few stick thin trees and picnic tables. Pointing to one next to one of the brick walls she whispered, "Ate lunch there." Regardless of his dismissal, Caius still listened with rapt attention as she pointed to things as they passed. Every place desperately given title, to cement them further into her memory. Wendy knew this would be the last time she ever entered this unassuming town.

Felix took a left, causing the nostalgia to hit her instantly. Wendy sucked in a breath, eyes raking over the familiar homes. Late night walks and childhood memories of bike rides flitted through her head, until they pulled up in front of a beige house. It wasn't anything special, the stairs leading to the small porch were slightly sunken and crooked. The grass was long at least knee length, and there was a sign posted in the yard to have it cut or be fined. The weeds running up the driveway were overgrown.

Jane and Alex left first running a quick perimeter, before returning and giving the go ahead. It was Wendy who left first, walking up the driveway to the back door. The fenced in backyard was the same length as the front, she could hear a group of rabbits hiding in the bushes along the fence. Caius stayed close, not touching her but very clearly ready for whatever reaction she may have.

Wendy grabbed the key from underneath her now long dead potted plant and opened the door. It creaked as always when it slid inward, but she could have counted the dust particles in the air now. It felt strange to see this place with her new perception, seeing the slight stains in the kitchen's green wallpaper. Not bothering to try the lights she went inside.

There were dirty dishes in the sink, a smell coming from the fridge due to the power having been shut off. She's not been there to pay the electric bill. Ignoring the strong scent of decay, she continued further into the living room. Caius continued to stay close, just behind her like a constant guard. The others stayed in the kitchen as she wandered further in. It was clear they didn't really know how to address the situation.

Caius barked at one to begin cleaning the kitchen, and it was Demetri that moved to do it. She stood in the living room, there'd never been much of it to begin with. An old faded blue sofa she'd gotten with the house, a basic entertainment system and older TV model. There were a couple of photos on the wall leading up the stairs though, which Caius was immediately drawn to.

He stood in front of the three photographs, all in cheap plastic frames. One was of Wendy as a child perhaps around four with a large stuffed lamb clung to her chest, one of her parent's wedding, and the last of all three of them together when she was around ten, standing in the kitchen in front of a birthday cake. He reached out to touch them, "I don't have anything from my youth. It's all gone." He hummed, contemplative. "Don't worry about amounts, we can take everything in the house if you'd like."

She smiled at him, leaning up on her tiptoes to gently kiss his lips before settling back down, leading him by the hand up the stairs. It wasn't a massive home, just two bedrooms and a bathroom. The bathroom door was open leading into faded tiles, with orange rugs. Wendy was more interested in her bedroom.

The other room had been turned into an office, but she'd get there afterward. Opening up the door, she walked into the familiar space. She had a full bed, unmade on a plain metal frame. He searched for further picture frames, but found none but a painting of some flowers. There didn't seem to be anyone else in Wendy's life, for that he was grateful. Caius had never been one to know how to control his possessive nature, Aro was better at those things, confident in what belonged to him.

Walking through the room he watched as she touched things, a necklace here, a pair of socks next. He could see the memories running through her head. Nodding as if to herself she turned and walked from the space into the room next to it. This one held a white pine desk and computer system as well as two bookcases. One of the shelves interested him, large scrapbooks lining the worn wood.

He immediately reached for it, pushing open the cover to hold it in one hand. She seemed slightly worried, but didn't stop him. The blonde focused on turning to the task at hand instead of the way she was worrying at her lip with sharp teeth. Inside were photographs, various people she must have known and next to them was a single picked and pressed flower. Her voice was soft in explanation, "I like to compare people to flowers."

Caius turned to look at her, slowly closing the book and setting it back down in its dust free space. "What kind of flower am I?"

Wendy shook her head, "Dunno yet." Walking into the connected closet in this room, she grabbed a large stack of disconnected boxes. She reached into a desk drawer pulling free tape and began to carefully work on putting the boxes back together. As she started the second, Caius reached out to stop her.

"We brought boxes, pet. Ones more sturdy than this. We just need to know what you would like to take." At this she nodded a second time and set the tape down, standing.

Feeling overwhelmed from being home, Wendy found herself forgetting how to speak again. She opened her mouth to tell him, but the words froze in her throat like ice. Her eyes filled with venom, as she looked around. It wasn't like she was leaving anything behind, everyone she had ever been close to was already gone, had been gone for a long time. Yet the blood was still there in her mind, such a fragile thing.

No one would guess that cars could crush like tin cans. She'd been called from school, rushed to the hospital. Wendy had been encouraged by thin lipped nurses to go inside and say goodbye while she still could. The little courage the girl had had abandoned her, standing there in stunned silence as she watched her parents die. Her mother first and then her father, whispering soft loving words to his wife's stiff frame. They hadn't known she was there.

Since then, words didn't seem so important anymore. Seeing all of this reminded her of why she'd lost her words in the first place. Moving back into this house at eighteen, it had helped, but now it seemed to be doing the opposite. Wendy dragged each word out of her mouth, like pulling knives up her throat. "The pictures, my books, and my computer."

Immediately Jane was there with a thick plastic container, she could hear Felix begin to collect things from downstairs. After everyone had their missions, Wendy collected the more miscellaneous items: a locket, a hairbrush, a wooden spoon, and a stuffed lamb. Leaving Caius in her office to pack up the books, she wandered down to Demetri. She stood on her tiptoes to whisper in his ear as he leaned down to accommodate her with a subtle smile.

She trusted him to listen to her request, one word echoing just between the two of them. "Gasoline." He looked at her long and hard for a moment before disappearing out of the door and into the car. No one said anything about his leaving, finishing up the packing and bringing the two containers outside. They stood in the long grass for several minutes all in silence, like beautiful gargoyles.

When Demetri returned they could all smell it. Caius turned and looked at her in surprise, before a small smile made its way on his face, before it disappeared behind his bravado. Wendy didn't give the order instead took the first red can and then gave the house enough of the flammable liquid for it to have water damage. Demetri had understood what she needed, she wanted it to burn to ash.

With preparations made, each of the five was handed a single match. Wendy went to the front looking at her childhood home and lit the match throwing it through the open front door. At the scratch of her strike, four identical sounds could be heard. The fire was immediate, swallowing the house whole in seconds, a giant blaze that was so much bigger than her. She felt the heat, felt Caius's hand touch her waist holding her in support, that she didn't feel she needed.

The woman smiled, watching everything go up in smoke. They stayed until she could hear the fire engine, before they all loaded into the car and were gone. Wendy watched out the window until the swirling reds were out of sight. Wendy didn't feel sad to see the one thing tying her to her parents fade away into nothing, because whether she had burned it to the ground or left it to rot it would have turned to ashes all the same in her lifetime.

Regardless she entwined her fingers with Caius's, more to reassure him than anything that she was okay. As they approached the next turn Wendy found her voice again, speaking softly into the car, "Take a right."

Felix didn't argue instantly doing as asked, listening to her other instructions as she led them somewhere that wasn't back toward the airport. Caius gave her a n interested look, but didn't seem against it, just coming along for the ride. They ended up pulling into the parking lot of a wood trail, a massive state park just outside town. She remembered hiking here a thousand times, always finding her way to it when she was upset.

Caius looked at the sign and then to her, "Would you like to take a walk with me?"

Wendy smiled at him before nodding and stepping out of the car. He met her at the door, instantly crooking his arm for her to take and then they were off, strolling through a path she knew intimately into the darkened night. They walked for several minutes before Caius broke the silence, "The guard has stayed behind to give us privacy." It was his subtle way of telling her it was okay to feel whatever she wanted to.

Wendy could feel his concern, and overlying protectiveness as they walked in the darkness. granted it wasn't dark for them, clear as summertime sunshine would have been. Her hand tightened on his arm for a moment before relaxing so she wouldn't hurt him. "I want you to teach me more about fighting our kind when we return."

He grinned at her request, letting his arm fall away so that it could wrap around her shoulders like teenagers headed to prom. Caius looked good in the darkness, the moonlight highlighting the masculine curves of his face and ruby eyes. "I would love that."

Leaning into his side she began to speak as they crested the hill, "Aro never told you about my gift?"

Caius hummed a no, before she continued. "To make it simple, he said I had a gift similar to a vampire named Jasper Whitlock."

Her mate looked at her in surprise at the knowledge, he'd seen nothing that would have hinted at an empathic ability, but without Eleazar in the coven it was harder to tell. "You can feel what I feel?"

She smiled at him, "Confusion. Happiness. Love." Stopping she reached up to stroke his cheek. "I can only feel it from one person at a time, I have to focus on someone to notice how they feel. He said Whitlock could manipulate moods, I can't do that. Though this Jasper sounds like an interesting man." At that she noticed Caius's instant jealousy and gave him a teasing grin. "Perhaps I should seek him out to learn more."

She'd seen Aro's unreserved side, she wanted desperately to experience something similar with Caius. Despite his temper it seemed he was the harder nut to crack, so instead she pushed him with that same teasing smile. "Is he attractive?"

This time Caius growled, a deep long noise in the back of his throat the most animalistic she'd seen him, eyes narrowing in her direction. He backed her up, hands on each side of her waist as her shoulders collided with a thick old tree. The grin widened before she ducked out of his hold and ran for it. A giggle leaving her throat as he gave chase weaving through the woods.

He was close, but she still had old blood in her system fueling her speed as they flew past animals and trees. She caught the heartbeat of a human for a moment before they were gone again, she was two steps from launching herself off a cliff side to the trees below when he launched forward from the side. They collided into the dirt rolling for several feet before they came to a stop with Caius on top of her.

Even with leaves in his hair and teeth bared playfully, she was in love. Wendy let out a sigh of contentment reaching up one hand to begin to pick the small dried leaves from his tousled hair. It was so obvious, his warm caring and fierce protection. She could feel his own love curling with hers. Wendy lifted her head up to kiss him. The blonde took his time kissing her, minutes of careful exploration before his tongue slipped to glide along her own.

Wendy moaned low as Caius's hand came to slide up her bunched shirt, fingers twisting over her bra. His mouth pulled away from hers, to come to hover by her ear. "If you want me to stop, best you tell me now, dynan, before you throw my self control to Zeus."

At the cleverly worded statement she arched her back to press up against him. At that Caius groaned, lips trailing to her neck nibbling the skin as the hand under her shirt changed directions. His fingers swirled in little circles at the waistband of her pants before finally slipping past the material to find the satin of the garment underneath. Wendy's eyes closed, feeling her own desire like being doused with warm water.

She lost herself in each sensation as he came to the last band between her bare skin. He waited a breath longer for any hint of hesitation before he bypassed that. They both let out a noise as his hand came to the wet heat between her legs, Wendy's face scrunching up in a way that had him staring in fascination. Unable to slow down, listening to the unconstrained mewl that left her lips.

Needing better access, he carefully pulled the fabric in the way down to her knees. Watching curiously at the way her hips rose to meet his fingers, moving in just the right way that her mouth parted to drag in gasping breaths. Everything seemed to blur in pleasure, Wendy's fingers dug into his jacket sleeve, the fabric tearing to shreds. He didn't seem to complain though, just shifted closer to tease her further with perfect fingers.

A hurricane could have come above them, and she wouldn't have noticed. Too completely consumed by the pace he set, faster and faster to raise Wendy higher. Caius teased her with a thousand years of experience, lips leaning down to kiss the top of her thigh. She could hear him breathe, the air ghosting along the sensitive skin. Wendy whimpered as he continued, head tilting back.

The human heartbeat she heard before suddenly became more obvious, coming closer. Caius noticed it too, head tilted in the direction able to make out the young man and his hiker's backpack. It was clear he had no idea they were there, twirled up in each other. She saw the way Caius's eyes darkened as he pulled his hand away. In a blink he was gone before returning.

The man was forced onto his stomach, everything happening so fast he didn't have time to scream. Caius held him down easily with one hand to the back of his neck, the boy's arms flailing as he tried to right himself. His hand came near Wendy's face, the same time Caius's hand returned at a rapid and steady pace. She moaned, fingers coming to clasp onto the stranger's wrist.

Teeth slid through fabric into skin until the beautiful ambrosia filled her mouth. Caius twisted his body until he was on the side with the growing limp boy. Fingers still inside her the man leaned down and bit into the boy's shoulder to drink with her. With the overwhelming taste of fresh blood, Caius's scent and his ministrations she came hard enough that her whole body shook like a leaf in a windstorm.

She felt teeth scrape bone as he went dry. Pulling away with blood coating her mouth, not as elegant as she usually was. Caius pulled himself above her, kissing her hard until her mouth came away clean. Wendy let out a shaky breath, as she reached down to pull her pants back up. Caius didn't even look remotely ashamed by his actions grabbing the boy by his backpack, before tossing him over the edge of the cliff like a used soda can.

After that he helped her politely to her shaking feet and began to brush the leaves and dirt off of her. Wendy leaned into his chest, still flying high from the treatment. She'd heard it was good with mates, but if it was always like that she would never leave the bedroom. Her voice was soft, even slightly embarrassed, "What about you?"

Caius just grinned from ear to ear, shoulders straightening in pride. "Don't worry, pet, I will take my pound of flesh in due time."

Dynan - Little woman, wretch (Welsh)

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