The sky illuminated with brilliant flashes of lighting. Glowing shattered glass in shades of pale gold and pure white leaving the air smelling like ozone and power. The thunder rolled like waves against a ship. Strong and steady. Alec didn't care that he was soaking wet with the summer rain, his small five year old frame shaking and shivering uncontrollably as he hugged his knees to hi chest. His green eyes seemed to glow and spark with every lighting flash. He loved storms. He would stay up all night, sitting on the roof alone in the shadows watching the lighting dance across the sky.
Just a couple minutes. Couple Minutes. Minutes. Minutes. Alec commanded the shadows as he felt every ounce of strength drain away from him slowly. I can't. You have too! Just a couple minutes. Minutes. You can do this! The thoughts rolled like thunder as his vision and focus fogged. Every second his body felt lighter and lighter. Like a cloud. Then why was he on his hands and knees in the snow. Minutes.
"Watch this," Alec's beamed as he and Jane ran through the wheat fields bordering their village. His arms out stretched as he spun in circles, a human wind mill. Jane started laughing at how ridiculous her ten year old brother was acting, until she saw how the wheat waved and danced. It had been a sunny, windless afternoon. Now the wind softly blew over the field in time to Alec's spinning. He went faster and faster and the wind blew harder and harder. "Alec! Stop!" Her voice full of worry. What if someone saw him? They would be burned as witches! "Stop!"
Everything snapped. Something inside him felt like it was being ripped in two. Jane told him to stop didn't she? Every speck of power and strength was gone and his arms buckled and body gave out as he went limp, collapsing in the snow. His body was completely numb. He was floating, flying. Why was flying so cold? Alec tried to get up but his muscles weren't working. Even his lunges had stopped working. Good thing he was a vampire and didn't technically need oxygen to live. Just blood. His body was racked with such a strong hunger his world was tinted red and all he could think about besides being trapped in this frozen shell was ripping some one's veins open with his bare teeth and draining every drop dry over and over. But nothing seemed to work. All Alec could hear was static, like a radio that had cut out. He didn't even have enough energy to close his eyes or even move them. Even as he faded away. Floating.
"Alec! Alec? ALEC!" Jane screamed trying to picking him up off the ground. She watched in horror as her hand went right through him like he was a ghost. Like he was Mist. Jane waved a hand in front of his eyes. They didn't trace it. She snapped her fingers over his ears. Nothing. "He's looks pretty bad," Donovan commented. "No shit!" Jane seethed. "I know someone who might be able to hel-". "NO! I am done with people helping us! If Harper and Echo hadn't gotten in the way, none of this would have happened!" Jane was losing it. "Fine!" Donovan yelled back. "He needs blood," Jane wasn't sure but blood always helps.
Donovan set Moira's body down and pulled out a pocket knife from his worn jeans. "Open his mouth. If dhampir blood doesn't do the trick, I don't know what will," Donovan huffed trying to stay optimistic. Jane reached to try and get Alec's mouth open. Only her hand went through his chin like he was thin air again. She tried again grunting. And again. She was so frustrated and close to crying. No matter how hard she tried, her efforts were futile. She wanted to scream. She was going to lose her brother all because she couldn't handle thin air!
Jane jumped when she saw Donovan cut his palm with the knife. "What they hell are you doing?" she screeched. "Summoning that friend who can help," Donovan dipped his hand in the river of blood and started finger painting a strange mark on the graffitied wall. Jane was sure he lost it. He didn't care, Donovan continued to draw what looked like an upside down star with odd hieroglyphs inside each point. "Witchcraft and voodoo, really? It's not funny anymore," Jane was so DONE. "Who said it was funny to begin with," Donovan smirked, "It can get you killed, you know". He stepped away admiring his work. "She will be here in a minutes or so, I reckon. We just need to sit tight and pray for a miracle," Donovan slumped against the wall.
"Good, that gives us time for you to explain WHAT THE HELL?" Jane flung her arms toward Moira. The corpse didn't complain. "You have your demons, I have mine. That's all there is to it, Princess," Donovan hissed. That answer wasn't good enough for Jane, "You at least own me an explanation as to who and what this person is that you "summoned". I need to know what to write on their tombstone if she ends up screwing us over!" Jane was shaking.
"Her name is Josephine. She is the temporary leader of the New Orleans Coven," Donovan sighed. "There is no such thing as a New Orleans Coven," Jane doubted. She knew every single coven in the world and all their members. New Orleans was no man's land. Or rather Dead man's land. It was a constant battle ground for New Born Armies and was always shifting in "ownership". "There is no such thing as a VAMPIRE New Orleans Coven," Donovan corrected. Jane was so confused. "Get ready to get your voodoo on!" Donovan smiled his cold Cheshire cat smile.
"Donovan O'Malley. I thought I told you to never call me unless it was a matter of life or death, you filthy-blooded, Halfling, abomination?" a female voice called from the shadows, materializing at the end of the alley way. Both snapped up to find a young woman, most likely twenty, with dark caramel skin, espresso curly hair, glowing green eyes, slight Caribbean accent, long brown dress and cloak, purple paisley satchel and maroon turban decorated with gold coins. But her scent and heart beat indicated she was human. "Josi, it really has been too long. Eighty-five years?" Donovan gave her a quick side hug. Eighty five? She didn't look a day over twenty three AND she was human? Josephine spit in his face, "Moira is dead because of you. Because she helped your kind. You put me in grave danger just by talking to me. We made it very clear that we servants of nature were to remain neutral. I refuse to help another vampire!"
"Oh, you are going to help this one," Donovan hinted a threat. Josephine looked down at Alec as her brow furrowed in contemplation. But her eyes hinted in recognition, like seeing a long lost friend. "Alexander? An interesting case. Soul's barely holding on. Bare threads, left in stitches. Never been able to see one of us channel like that," Josephine muttered to herself as she walked slowly around him, rubbing her chin with her thumb. "One of us? We're are nothing like you," Jane just wanted her to help, if that was what she really was here for. The strange woman laughed to herself like Jane had told her a dirty joke, completely mad. "Exactly. You ARE NOW nothing like us," Josephine smirked, "If only your mother told you". "Stop speaking in riddles, you stale old fortune cookie! My mother is dead!" Jane yelled. "Yes and no. But enough of that chit chat," Josephine opened her satchel, pulling out white candles and odd dried herbs. Kneeing on the ground she drew a circle in the snow, lining it with candles. Snapping her fingers, the candles lit at once. Jane gasped. Once the candles were lit, Jane also noticed Alec had stopped evaporating or smoking or whatever. Josephine began mumbling words and nonsensical phrases to herself while rubbing her hands with some of the dried herbs. Reaching over the ring of candles, she rested her hand on Alec's chest. She chanted another weird saying before her hand glowed the odd dark blueish purple hue. Slowly she lowered her hand, penetrating Alec's chest. The weird glow spread to his entire body as he convulsed, like he had been electrocuted. The flames of the candles shot up to be nearly 30 centimetres tall! Then they died back down.
"There. Try feeding him blood know," Josephine ordered quickly removing her hand. This time Jane was able to tangibly grab Alec's chin and open his mouth. Donovan re-cut his palm, since he had already healed, and let his blood pour into Alec's mouth. Coughing at first, he swallowed it snapping to life. He needed more! He was so thirsty and weak. But at least he could move now. One crisis at a time.
Jane hugged her brother tight, thankful he was now in solid form. She had so many questions for Josephine and even more for Donovan, but she was temporarily content just holding Alec. "Blood," was all he panted hinting he needed to feed more and wasn't close to recovered. Jane and Alec left for find someone to drink, much to Josephine's dismay.
"Thank you," Donovan whispered to Josephine. "You shouldn't be thanking me. All magic especially dark magic like this, comes at a great price. And I didn't do it for you, I did it for the twins. And of course my own morbid curiosity. I see problems like this every day amongst us witches. It's what I signed up for what I chose to specialize in necromancy. Giving souls a jump start or a kick back into place is what I do. Everyone pushes their absolute limit at one point. But one of us who has been turned in to a vampire? My grandmother must be rolling in her grave! Keep a close eye on them, especially Alexander. Something shattered inside that boy. A mental floodgate that I was only able to temporarily patch up. It's not natural, that's for sure."
"Do you think it's safe to tell them the truth? Jane saw what you did. But, I don't want to endanger you anymore," Donovan asked.
"Oh, about your half-sister? About your mother? Both are rolling in their graves I tell you. Back flips and somersaults. Except your half-sister doesn't have a grave, not a proper one that is."
"I'll see to it. We have family in Loxwood. She would want to be buried there, in the woods I imagine. Return to the earth and all."
"Good. By the way, I sensed Alexander has been in contact with another witch? One I have never sensed before? Please do keep an eye on Alexander and Jane Marie and see if you can figure out who the new witch might be."
"I think I have a hunch. But I'm not sure. You did say it was passed on hereditarily, to the next LIVING descendant?"
"For the most part. You are proof of that. Until we meet again?" And just as mysteriously as she had appeared, she departed into the shadows. Shaking his head, he retraced his steps to where he last caught scent of The Old Pete. The sky had begun to turn rosy, indicating dawn was on its way. Donovan's eyes were heavy from constantly having his shield up, his palms sweaty, heart beating faster than normal, head aching, and even though it must have been well below freezing he felt over heated, like his motor was about to crap out any minute. Donovan fought the temptation to strip off his hoodie and t-shirt, his body felt like it was burning from the inside out, but that would arouse suspicion. He didn't want the twins to get too worked up, they had enough on their plate as it is. Nothing sleep, blood, and Budweiser couldn't solve.
Finally Alec and Jane returned, blood dripping down Alec's chin and stained down the front of his sweatshirt indicating the feed had been more rushed and messy than normal. His eyes were a dark burgundy, not quite red but close. He had killed five homeless people and still he was wild with thirst. But it would have to do, the sun was up and it would be dangerous to hunt more in such a small radius. Nearby was a self-storage facility. Ducking into a storage locker, they figured that would be their shelter for the day. Jane was still giving Donovan cold looks. What the Hell happened?
"The trail leads toward Central Park. We will scout that out tomorrow night. But until then I'm going catch a little shut eye," Donovan was out cold before his head even hit the make shift bed of flattened cardboard boxes. Jane just sat in the darkness silently contemplating everything Josephine had said. If only your mother told you? Never been able to see one of us channel like that, these words haunted her. One of us, like Alec was one of her or whatever the hell she was. And how did she know his name? They had never met before, yet she called him Alexander? Nothing made sense! "You alright?" Alec asked wrapping his arm around her. "Me!? I should be asking you the same thing? What happened to you back there?"
"What I had to. Are you really okay? You looked spooked. Did something happen while you were in the warehouse? Did Donovan hurt you or something? 'Cause if so, that son of a bitch ain't waking back up!" Alec jumped to his feet only to get yanked back down by his twin. "No, yah, it's complicated," Jane grumbled, wrapping her arms around her knees while hiding her face in the crook of her arms like a small child. Now the dust had settled, she had time to think. Which worried her. Thinking things through and brooding was Alec's job…Not her's.
"Do you remember anything that happened?" Jane was curious if Alec remembered anything. "It was weird, I kept having these weird hallucinations. One I was watching a thunderstorm. Another, we were both playing in a field. Then everything got all weird, red and distorted. The world seemed to freeze. Next thing I know, all I can think about is blood. I even tasted it. But it was just Donovan feeding me his. Not much more than that," Alec shrugged. "And Josephine?" Jane asked. Alec had no idea who Josephine was. He had never met a Josephine.
A blood curdling scream broke the twins' conversation. Both heads snapped to see Donovan kicking and thrashing in his sleep, gasping for breath like a man who had just been saved from drowning. Jane ran over, shaking him, trying to get him to wake up from his night terror. He fought her, howling like a mad man. Jane slapped him hard, jerking him awake. His face felt like it was on fire and was completely flushed, eyes glassy, pulse fast and weak. "Jane Marie Sangnoir, child of fire! Eldest daughter of Lila, child of the earth! Long live the Phoenix!" he gasped before blacking out. The storage locker was so quiet you could hear a pin drop from China.
"What the fuck!?" Alec broke the silence.
Forks
The Denali's had driven down from Alaska the day after thanksgiving. "Sorry, we would have gotten here sooner but all the mountain passes were shut down. A huge storm rolled through unexpectedly," Carmen apologized. "Nonsense, we are just happy to spend time with our dear cousins," Carlise opened the door for his guests, shaking hands welcoming them to their home. "Auntie Tanya! Auntie Kate! Tía Carmen, Tío Eleazar!" Renesmee called as she ran down the stairs.
"You forgot one, kiddo!" Garret joked, his new gold eyes shiny as the young girl jumped into his arms for a hug. Swinging her around he laughed, "Gross you smell like mutt and motor oil".
"And you smell like Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory from Hell," Jacob laughed as he watched a hockey game with Emmett. Kate and Tanya stiffened, but did well to hide their malice for the werewolf.
"Jake has been teaching me about cars and how engines work," Renesmee beamed as Garrett set her down. Much to Alice's dismay, she was wearing faded blue jeans and a plaid flannel shirt that was stained with WD-40, oil, gasoline, rust, fuel stabilizer, and whatever else went into and out of a car. Her long bronze curls were tied up in a messy bun. Alice, Esme, and Edward missed having her constantly wearing pink and dressing her up in the latest styles. But Bella, and eventually Emmett and Rose, argued that she could be whatever she wanted, dress as she liked, and love doing what made her happy. As long as it was within reason, not harmful, and legal. If being a tomboy and working on cars was what she liked doing, Bella saw no problem. Plus it was a more helpful skill than Ballet or modeling, like Alice always wished.
"Ness, go up and change into clean clothes. We have guests," Esme scolded. "Yes, Grandma," Nessie ran back upstairs and came back down in less than a minutes wearing black skinny jeans, silver ballet flats, and a green cashmere sweater that made the red in her hair stand out.
When she got downstairs, Emmett and Jasper had just finished helping the Denalis bring their luggage into the house, Tanya, Bella and Rosie were hugging while saying their 'hellos', Edward was telling Jacob and Seth to get their feet off the sofas with Esme giving them the 'Mom' look, Kate and Garrett were whispering to each other as Garrett wrapped his arms around her waist, kissing her ear. But Eleazer and Grandpa Carlisle had disappeared. Taking a deep breath, she remembered what Daddy had taught her about using her heighten hearing. "I got a call from Aro three days ago," Eleazer whispered. Judging by the sound of his voice, they were in Carlisle's office. He mentioned Aro. Now she was curious!
Creeping down the stairs, she tip toed stealthily into the hallway outside the office.
"What about?" Carlisle asked.
"He wants me to attend the Winter Ball in a few weeks. He said he has some special guests he wants me to meet."
"Oh? Did he give you more detail?"
"No. If anything he seemed anxious and wanted me to know as little as possible."
"How peculiar of Aro? I hope it is nothing dangerous. It's been almost a year since our last encounter with the Volturi. But we have been trying to keep tabs on them. Did you see the news? The bombing in New York?"
"Terrorism isn't the Volturi's style. They wouldn't risk making spectacles of themselves. I know it looked like Jane and Alec, but it could just be a hoax or a wrong place at wrong time scenario."
"Alice has also been watching Aro. Or at least trying…"
"Trying? Is something wrong my old friend?"
"They have been blocked from her visions for months now. Except she got a glimpse of Caius and Aro discussing an experiment of some sorts. I wonder if that is the special guests of whom he wants you to meet?"
"Someone who can block Alice? Only hybrids and werewolves can do that!"
"Exactly. Just be safe when you travel. Even if they find some way to ensnare you to help them, I won't hold anything against you. It pains me to say, but I fear the peace of last winter will be short lived. I will in time have to protect your coven and you yours. Even from sly eavesdroppers such as my granddaughter…."
Oh no! Renesmee tried to duck into the music room and hide under the piano. "Renesmee, please join us in my office," the door swung open and Carlisle calmly stepped inside the room. Drat! Climbing out from her hiding place, she skulked into the office.
"I'm sorry," Nessie blushed. Neither of them seemed mad, just wary. "You understand this conversation is not to leave the three of us?" Eleazer warned. Nessie nodded. "Is she in any danger knowing any of this," Carlisle asked. Eleazer studied her long and hard, "No. Oddly enough her gifts have molded with time and age. On her own, she has been experimenting with her powers and has found ways to shield herself when the time calls it to. Interesting. I am curious if her gifts will grow and change past her reaching maturity?"
Carlisle gave her an odd look. Was he mad? Worried? Disappointed? Please, don't be disappointed in me! Sure she had been trying on her own for months to shield her Dad against her thoughts. The only problem was that she could never tell if it worked or not. Apparently it did.
The three of them left the office and rejoined the rest of the group. Garret smiling, signaled everyone for their attention, "Kate and I have an announcement!"
Everyone looked toward them curious. "We're getting married!" Kate exclaimed, full of joy as she showed everyone her engagement ring. Alice ran squealing, nearly tackling the couple in hugs and affection. "Dibs on being the wedding planner!" Rosalie called as Emmett congratulated Garrett for 'getting it on'. Jasper tried to calm his mate down. Ness walked over to Jacob, who was sitting on the couch, watching everything happen. He smiled when he saw his Ness wearing the promise bracelet. Someday their day would come. One six more years.
Volterra
The last time Damien was in the throne room with Aro his jaw was swollen for days. He didn't want to go anywhere near the throne room! But his instincts told him he wasn't currently in trouble and Aro's intent was not to harm him. Just in case, he told Claudia to help him out if things got nasty. Sven saluted him, saying he would do anything to protect his new friend. Damien highly doubted the ghost could do anything, but went along with it. He liked giving the dead hope.
The heavy doors creaked and every foot step echoed as he walked into the throne room. Aro sat alone in the centre thrown, hands folded like movie villain. Damien stepped forward in front of him before stopping at the three small steps leading up to the apse containing the three thrones. Behind Aro, stood Renata his personal body guard. Damien was confused. He only had her guard him when Aro felt endangered. "Kneel," Aro commanded. Damien glared at him squinting. Aro waiting stone faced. After several minutes it became apparent that it was a game of who would crack first. Given, Damien did not want to end up with more bruises for not doing anything wrong, he sighed. He went down on one knee, bowing his head respectfully.
"There. That wasn't so painful, now was it, my dear grandson?" Aro purred, "Next time you will do it BEFORE I have to remind you of where your place is." Damien bit his tongue, even though he wanted to tell Aro how ridiculous he was acting. And why was he addressing him as his grandson?
"What's this all about?" Damien snapped.
"What IS this all about, MASTER? You will address me with proper grammar and title! Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, master," Damien hissed through barred teeth.
"See? Progress already!" Aro commented to the empty thrones. Damien rolled his eyes.
Aro finally continued, "I have a proposition to make. You have something I want, and there is something you want that I will privilege you with IF you keep up your end of the bargain up to my satisfaction." Damien felt a weird sensation of dread in the pit of his stomach. It made him want to puke and run at the same time. The door was only fifty metres away!
"You have expressed the deep, yet confusing desire to explore the mortal world," Aro hummed. Now he had Damien's attention. What was Aro playing at?
"If you agree to my deal, you will be allowed to once a week venture outside the Building. As long as you remain within the city's walls and blend in inconspicuously with the humans, you will be allowed to talk to, socialize, or whatever with anyone you wish. Just as long as they know NOTHING regarding your true identity. You must also agree that you must be able to leave these humans at a moment's notice forever, if ordered. Do I make myself clear?" Aro offered.
It was an amazing offer. Damien almost leaped to agree to it. He could see Enzo! He could explore! But such a deal must come with a heavy price…
"It depends what I must do in exchange for this new freedom, master," Damien kept his tone and face neutral. He couldn't let Aro know how much he wanted this.
"In exchange, you must also once a week, devote an entire day to practicing your gift. I will be your private tutor and together we will work to reach your full potential," Aro explained, "You must also show outstanding loyalty and devotion, so I know I can trust you when I allow you to leave the building. That means doing what you are told, showing the utmost respect for your superiors, being a good example for your coven siblings, behaving in a way a future Guard member should. Since the death of Jane and Alec, two spots are now open. Two cloaks to be worn, two seats to fill. You would make an outstanding replacement for your father! Don't worry, you won't be an official Guard member, not until you are of age of course. Perhaps a Guard-in-Training or an Apprentice Guard member? Do we have a deal?"
Who thinks Damien should say Yes? How about No? Message your vote!