Damien and Didyme talked long into the night in silent whispers. She told him that she had been watching over him. Much to his relief, Didyme explained that he was not crazy and that much of what Damien had 'seen' or 'heard' was indeed true. Aro was the one who killed her, along with Santiago. She wasn't sure whether Jane or Alec were dead, but she would ask around in whatever spirit world she existed in. Damien asked about the over voices and if they were like her? Didyme said that in time and practice he would be able to see them, like he was able to now see her. While Damien wanted to know more of why he could now see her, she also wanted to know how Marcus was doing. "Its torturous to day after day see the one you love the most suffer so much. It's even more painful when no matter how much you try to make contact with them century after century and nothing ever works. You are the first living person I have talked to ever since I was murdered," she looked like she was about to cry, if ghosts could cry, "Could you please sometime soon tell him that I love him and that what would make me happier than anything in the world is for him stop blaming himself for my death and for HIM to be happy. Tell him, and only him, what you can do now. He is the only one in that building that you can trust." \
"But how will he believe me? I can't just go up to him and say 'Guess what I see dead people'. Already people think I'm crazy!" Damien argued. "Describe to him what I was wearing. If he doesn't believe you, tell him that the places we were planning to run away to was Crete and then Canaan," She begged. Finally Damien agreed. He just hoped Marcus believed him. It was a great relief to at least get more of an idea of whatever this weird power he had was. Maybe it wasn't so bad. "If I can see and hear ghosts, then why do I see other things? I'm guessing the subway bombing, the pictures moving, the sketches of the ravens in my book, hearing languages and unconsciously drawing things without realizing it are connected but I don't see how," Damien just wanted answers.
"They are. Trust me," was all she said smiling. It wasn't cold, dead nor cruel. Just warm and assuring. "I've been watching my tyrant of an older brother and he has arranged for Eleazar to visit and meet you and the others after the Winter Ball. I think he would be more fit to explain things," she finished. They talked a while longer about random trivial stuff. Mainly because Didyme missed talking to a living person. Apparently ghosts and the dead were boring and depressing. Damien personally didn't think he was all that interesting, but Didyme mainly enjoyed that he was good at listening and was able to see and hear her.
Eventually the sky started to bleach itself from a black to a navy and then royal blue. Damien needed to go back inside before Marina came to wake him up so that no one would know he snuck out. He was already into much trouble. By the time he found himself under the covers, he realized he had maybe half an hour until Marina would come. Sitting up, he placed his notepad on his lap and decided to doodle. That night had been a strange one, leaving his mind to noisy for sleep. First with the weird vision of Marcus with this odd yellow bundle, then finding out he can see ghosts. At least Didyme was friendly and not some evil spirit he had seen in movie. She made Casper the friendly ghost seem like Poltergeist.
Drawing relaxed him and made things seem more real, like he wasn't going to wake up and discover his whole life was a dream. It was in his own way proof. Slowly the sleepless night started to weigh on him. He slowly lost focus as to what he was drawing as he battled not falling asleep. Damien's head lobbed to the side, feeling heavy as a sack of boulders. Right before he closed his eyes, something shook him awake. "Damien," a small voice called. "Good Morning, Marina," he groaned cracking his back and neck. "Why were you in the garden last night?" her wide blue eyes asked, filled to the brim with curiosity. She wasn't snooping, she was just curious. "Does Mr. Demetri know I snuck out?" Damien also was curious. She shook her head, "I just felt you leave and I was worried you wouldn't come back. I know something bad happened between you, Master Caius and Master Aro. Father thinks so too, but won't say it," her eyes were full of concern with a smidge of sisterly love. She truly was scared he had run away, until she traced that he stopped in the back of the garden and didn't move from there all night long. "No, I wouldn't leave you to fight off Olivia all by yourself. I was just feeling claustrophobic and wanted some fresh air," Damien felt bad lying to her, but it was also partially true.
"Is the reason Master Caius and Master Aro are mad at you because you went outside the garden? I sensed you did that one day and then you did it again with Joan. Something happened that you're not telling me," Marina was worried now. She knew he was hiding something. "I did leave the building but it was an experiment that both knew about. It's nothing to worry about," He was doing this for her own good. The less she knew, the safer she was. The less any of the Guard knew the safer they were. Marina had a feeling she wasn't going to accomplish anything, but make both of them late to class and in more trouble. Before she left she turned and looked him dead in the eyes, lapis lazuli blue struck vibrant green. "Just remember that we are all in this together. We are all test subject part of one giant experiment. Whatever one of us does affects the others. If the three Masters see any reason that were are unfit as guards or a potential threat in any way, they will terminate us all. Just remember that," and with that she left.
Now alone he changed into his school uniform. Looking in the mirror, he was happy to see that almost all the bruises had healed and disappeared. Making his way upstairs to the library, he turned in his homework, tried to pay attention to Demetri's lectures, and answered a couple questions even. He tried to act as if nothing was out of the ordinary. It wasn't helpful that Marina was ignoring him and refusing to look at him. This continued all day long.
Eventually everyone was dismissed after combat training. As usual Marina finished her homework upstairs before meeting her father back downstairs again for their private lessons. Tonight Demetri was curious if she could still hit the targets blindfolded. He expected it to watch her miss & he even prepared to duck if she threw a knife his direction. Marina hit the target with all ten knives. Demetri had her try again. This time, after he blindfolded her, he moved the target by a couple feet. She hit it dead on every time. Even Demetri himself would have missed the first couple times trying to find the target. Finally he tried spinning her around, like she was a five year old at a birthday party about to attack a piñata, before purposely having her face the wrong direction. She turned about seventy-five degrees to the left before throwing the knives. Again Demetri was amazed at her hitting it every time. At this point he was questioning how this was possible. The only way this could even be conceivable is if…
Demetri had an idea to test his new theory. He had Marina go outside the training room and wait until he called her. Quickly and quietly as possible he grabbed random weapons, boxes, furniture, punching bags, and any other objects he could use an obstacle. Blindfolding her, he led her back to the door way of the room. On the opposite side of the room, he had placed the target hanging ten feet off the ground.
"Marina, I want you to walk across the room and touch the target with your hand," was all he said. He wanted to know if she could on her own sense the objects on the floor. At first she started out slow and hesitant. "Why is there stuff all over the floor?" she asked halfway. Demetri was thrilled. Now understanding the test more, she went faster. At the end she jumped up, tagging the target before landing and taking off the blind fold. "How did you know there were obstacles on the floor?" Demetri was trying to hide his joy. "I'm not sure. It felt different than before where I could just tell where a person was," she shrugged.
"I just want to try one last thing. Let's go outside," Demetri suggested. He told her to close her eyes as he led her to the centre of the garden. "Do you know where we are?" He asked. Marina nodded, breathing deeply trying to concentrate. She felt this strange buzz hum inside her, her palms felt sweaty and head throbbed. She tried to search around her, feeling her way around in her mind. She envisioned how it would look if there was a blue print of the garden. Demetri took off his watch and threw it in a random direction over his shoulder. "Marina, we are going to play a little game. My watch is now hidden somewhere in the garden. If you find it first, I will begin to teach you fencing tomorrow night. If I find it first you will be doing pushups for the rest of the week instead of mastering weapons, and I'll let Olivia watch. Now remember you must keep your eyes closed and no peeking," Demetri smiled devilishly, even though his daughter couldn't see. She felt the smile though and she smiled also. She knew where the watch was.
Demetri counted down from three. Once he said zero, they both bolted into the garden. Demetri had a general idea where it was, but Marina B-lined straight for it. She made sure to turn off her tenor so her father wouldn't know her exact location. Ducking below branches, jumping over rocks and dodging statues she sprinted to where the watch was lying in the over grown grass. "Found it!" she glowed victoriously. Breathing hard and cheeks flushed in the November air, she walked over to her father holding the gold watch in hand.
"How are you doing this?" Demetri was aghast. "It's not exactly like seeing. I can sense where things are, the birds hiding in the trees, the insects crawling on the ground, everything, thousands of things around e even when I have my eyes closed," Marina didn't know how to describe it, but that was the closest she could figure. It just felt weird ad normal at the same time.
Also that night Damien help Joan wash the dishes before excusing himself. Instead of making his way to his room like normal, he ventures through the labyrinths of the many wings of the Building. Knocking lightly on the door to Marcus' room, he waiting trying to think of how he was going to tell his that he had seen his dead late wife. Marcus would just think he was crazy, hell Damien even thought he was crazy. Damien wanted to talk to Marcus not only because he promised Didyme he would, but because he wanted to ask what the yellow bundle he buried was. Who was Jonathan Sangnoir?
"Come in?" a voice croaked. Damien creaked the door open, peering inside. Marcus was sitting on the side of an un-used bed holding an ancient looking lyre. Damien quietly padded into the room. "What do you want," Marcus didn't mean to sound cold, but it came across more frigid than the North Pole. "I saw Didyme," Damien began. "There are dozens of paintings of her haunting me every day. Of course you have seen her," Marcus huffed.
Damien took a deep breath, "This may sound insane, but I actually saw her. As in an apparition or spirit" Or a ghost. Marcus laughed a dead laughter full of sorrow. "She was wearing a white robe with a gold belt that glowed like the sun. She was barefoot. She had wine dark ringlets down to her waist. Around her neck was a gold and diamond necklace in the shape of a dove that you gave her for your first anniversary, on her right hand a silver braided ring," Damien spoke quickly trying to convince Marcus. The elder was silent in shock. "That is impossible," was all he said.
"You two were planning to run away together. Neither of you wanted to be part of the Volturi. You bother were to sail to Crete and then Canaan before disappearing completely." Damien burst out. He wanted to tell Marcus the whole truth of Aro killing her, but she had told him the time wasn't right. Marcus stood up and walked around before sitting down again. From there strangled dry sobs broke their way from his throat. "She told me to tell you it wasn't your fault she died. She just wants you to be happy and continue to live your life knowing that she loves you," Damien whispered trying to comfort the old man. He should never have come here. "Thank you, Damien," Didyme's voice whispered from far away. "You're welcome," he said to the thin air.
Marcus looked at him in a weird way. "Can you here her now?" Damien nodded. "Tell her I love her with all my heart," was all he said.
New York
The following night, the three of them slunk their way towards the warehouse. All the while Alec swore someone was following them. He kept catching the scent of dhampirs and hearing their weird heartbeats. "Relax, you're probably just scared," Donovan teased. "I just think it's better to ere on the side of caution. I just think that we are missing something. If the one's behind plotting the bomb were so meticulous about placing bodies and choosing where the gas pipes and electrical chords would be and what time to set it to, they must have had a contingency plan of some sorts in case it fell short like it did. Something isn't right. Call it a gut feeling," Alec was indeed strung-up. They were trusting total strangers they met a week ago to fight one of their biggest threats, who happened to nearly kill them, and they had no back up or official plan other than hopscotch across one of the craziest cities on earth hoping to find one person who may or may not be the key to shutting down the threat. No pressure.
Glancing over his shoulder he caught site of a flash of blonde hair and jeans. He pretended not to notice, hoping to fake the person tailing them out. Checking again he saw a different figure, slightly taller with a blonde ponytail. Taking a deep breath, he caught a familiar scent. "Harper, I know you are following us," he called her out. "God Dammit, Xander. Or should I say Alec Volturi?" she arched a thin blonde eyebrow at him. The small pre-teen blonde boy emerged from the shadows behind her. Alec remembered her saying his name was Echo. Shit, they knew their secret. "We haven't the slightest clue what you are talking about," Jane smiled a dangerous smile. "Cut the crap, Jane. We want in," Harper challenged before collapsing to the ground screaming. It only lasted five seconds. "That wasn't very nice," Donovan joked. "They are just more liabilities. Unless you two have some sort of magical kickass powers, I suggest you two kids get as far away from here as possible and tell no one anything. Do I make myself clear," Jane threatened. Harper crossed her arms, standing toe to toe, glaring down at Jane. "And what if we did have some sort of magical kickass powers, kid," Harper questioned. "Prove it," Jane glared back ready to deliver a second course of agony and torture.
"Prove it," a small voice said. It sounded exactly like Jane's voice. "Who said that?" Alec asked. "Who said that?" the voice replied sounding exactly like Alec this time. The blonde boy started laughing mischievously. "Echo, cut it out," Harper scolded. Alec watched the kid this time as his lips moved. "Echo, cut it out," he repeated copying his older sister perfectly. "Dorian isn't the only one in our family with a gift," Echo said, this time it was his own voice.
"That's cute and all but how exactly is that going to help us in a fight," Jane pointed out. "I'm not planning on being a fighter, I plan on being a spy. You two still stick out too much. If two brand new faces pop up, poking around everywhere, people are going to notice. The higher ups aren't stupid. I know the warehouse and people see me hanging around all the time. No one would suspect me. I sneak in, hear what is going on, and relay it back," Echo quickly said at a hamster speed while rocking back and forth between his heels and toes. It wasn't a bad idea. Except everyone would be relying on what Echo says. Great. The more strangers the merrier, Alec thought sarcastically. In Alec's mind they had enough as it was with just Jane, Donovan, and himself. Once they got to the warehouse, Alec would trap the entire place in the Mist. Donovan would shield the three of them as they went through picking through everyone they met. Donovan would tell them who the leader is and who was responsible for the bombing. Once they found the leader Jane would torture the info out of him until they were satisfied. Finally after painfully executing the guilty they would return home in time for Christmas. Easy Peasy.
But no. They now had THREE people know their real identities and that they were still alive. "Fine you can come," Jane sighed. Better to keep them close and make sure they didn't tell anyone else. "But if God so help me you turn traitor, argue against the plan, or get in the way even the teeniest amount. I. WILL. END. YOU. Clear?" Jane growled. "As daylight," Harper agreed shaking Jane's petite hand.
"Let's go. Let's go. Let's go," Echo cheered speeding down the pavement like a bullet. "ECHO! Human speed, remember," Harper nagged following her little brother. Rolling their eyes, the twins raced after the two halflings with Donovan in tow. "So right now we are in times square. We need to get to the lower east side," Donovan informed as they climbed up a fire escape after Echo and Harper. It would be faster to hop across roof tops than traveling at a human's snail pace on the streets. Flying over the concrete jungle, Jane had to admit wearing was much easy than a skirt or dress. If they weren't on a time sensitive life or death mission, she could have sworn this was amazing. She felt so free. Flitting over the roof tops, she felt something cold brush her cheek. A snowflake. Several more fell, twinkling with the bright city lights. Looking around she saw that many places were putting up Christmas decorations along with signs saying "Black Friday Savings Tomorrow". It dawned on her that tonight was an American Holiday that was devoted to over eating and football. It was Thanksgiving Night. Maybe Alec and her could do something as a family. Too bad her nephew wasn't with them.
"We are almost there. There will be lookouts posted on the nearby roof tops. Alec and I will be hiding close to the building ready to attack if Echo needs help. Harper and Jane will go to the North and wait for the signal if we need back up. All set?" Donovan ordered. Echo nodded, "So I find out if The Old Pete is in there. Figure out who his main helpers are and if they are in there. Then find out if they have any more plans for attacking the Volturi or other bright ideas."
He jogged, eyes lit up with excitement. Alec rubbed his face with frustration when he swore he could hear Echo mimicking the Mission Impossible theme song and the pre-teen ninja rolled across the alley way. He was just happy Jane was going to be with another girl and not alone with Donovan. He just still wished it was just the two of them, or even the two of them with Demetri and Felix wasn't half bad.
"So part of the reason I had Jane go with Harper is that I wanted to talk to you amigo to amigo, comprede?" Donovan sighed as they both ducked behind a dumpster. "Well as you can tell I'm an open book," Alec grumbled sarcastically. "Good one," Donovan half-laughed, "But seriously. I just wanted to ask if you know if Jane likes me." Alec's entire body cringed like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. "Thought I'd ask you since you two do this weird eye contact telepathy thing. You prob know here better than I do sooooo," Donovan was expecting Alec to say something or react. Alec instead had gone catatonic and had even quit breathing he was so still. "So what's Echo, Dorian, and Harper's story? They stay in touch with their father at all or just street kids?" Alec tried changing the subject. "According to Harper their dad is some music crazed nomad. Dorian and him never saw eye to eye and were always fighting. When Harper came around things got worse. Harper was closer to their dad though and I know she misses him. Once they found out about Echo all three of them ran away once he was born and have been living here ever since," Donovan told shrugging. "So what's your story? You said you were about a hundred fifty?" Alec was really curious. "None of ya' damn business. I'll tell mine once you tell yours. I know you especially are hiding something. When we first met, you were too calm when you found out what I was. Like you were accustom to our kind, not only seen one far away a year ago. I caught a strong scent of one on your clothes when we first met, but one I've never met. Mind telling me who that is?"
Alec was swearing in his head as he tried to think up a good cover story. He couldn't tell Donovan about his son. "No clue. Maybe we ran into him while traveling," Alec tried to keep his voice detached like he didn't care about who he was talking about. "I never said it was a he," Donovan smirked. Shit. Well he was going to find out eventually since Jane was probably going to ask this stray to live with them. "Fine, you probably would have met him eventually. But no matter what you are not to tell anyone what I am about to tell you. Your shield won't protect you from what I do to you if you so much breathe a syllable to someone other than Jane and I," Alec grabbed Donovan sweatshirt pulling him eye level, hissing. Donovan made a theatrical motion of zipping his lips shut and throwing away an imaginary key. "He's my son," Alec whispered as quietly as possible. Donovan's eyes seemed to double as his jaw fell to the side walk in shock. "You mean you actually slept with a girl," Donovan teased, "Right on." He held his hand up for a high-five which Alec glared murderously at. He wasn't in a joking mood. "How old is he?" Donovan tried to make conversation to ease the tension. "Almost six months. Looked about five years old last I saw him," Alec replied. "Wow he must be really small for his age. Most of us look about eight by then. Wonder where he got that from?" Donovan joked. Alec held back from punching Donovan in the face, no matter how tempting. Alec hated being called small.
Meanwhile Jane crouched down on the roof top waiting for the signal. "Are those my clothes?" Harper broke the silence. Jane looked at her jeans, blue flannel, grey v-neck and leather boots. Jane figured Donovan had jumped a human couple. Instead she was wearing the clothes of a girl who had been hitting on her brother not to log ago. Next she was probably going to say she was Donovan's mate of something. Oh flipping fantastic. "Yeah, I'd give them back right now but I don't want to give Donovan the satisfaction of seeing me naked," Jane snorted. "Or Alec," Harper joked wiggling her eyebrows. Jane nearly fell off the ledge she was perching on and catching snowflakes on her tongue. Coughing she gasped, "Sorry choked on a snowflake. Did you say Alec? As in my baby twin brother? Did I mention is my TWIN?"
"Puuulllease! You two do this weird eye contact thing. The only times people make eye contact like that is before they try to slit each other's throats or fuck the daylights out each other. So which is it?" Harper laughed. "You know what, I am done talking. This is a completely inappropriate subject. I don't go around asking if you've knocked boots with Echo now have I?" If vampires could blush, Jane would be a walking strawberry.
Instead she glared fiery daggers into the other girl. Jane released her gift for just a split second, enough to jerk Harper but not enough to get her to scream revealing their location. "So I see Donovan has his eyes on you?" Harper smirked. "He does? All he ever talks about is his dead girl friend or is making fun of Alec or teasing me?" Jane rolled her eyes. Boys never liked her. Jane looked young for fifteen, had about as much curve as a chopstick, and if they were to choose a word to compliment her appearance they chose CUTE or PETITE or ADORABLE. Not hot, sexy or gorgeous. Or beautiful. Instead she was deadly, destructive, powerful, and too threatening. People feared her gift. Anytime a boy caught their eye on her, it was before they knew the REAL her. It was flattering that Donovan seemed so interested in her and paid her the slightest bit of attention. It had been a long time since someone had even tried flirting with her. He probably did that with every girl he met.
Harper shrugged, "Maybe I'm right, but maybe I'm wrong."
"Harper, for your own personal safety, please shut up," Jane rubbed her face in frustration before catching sight of two figures walking out of the main doorway. One looked to be a taller guy while the other was much smaller and was getting dragged out. Jane took a closer look. It was Echo being dragged out by his throat. What was more frightening was watching the boy be forced to his knees and the older one take what looked like a gun and point it to Echo's head. Tears and blood flooded down the blondes face. The taller figure shouted into the air, "Donovan and Harper, you have ten seconds to surrender and declare yourselves or this gun is going to be one bullet lighter. Chose wisely!"