Volterra
Marina had a sick feeling in her stomach as she left the room. Her masters seemed oddly cheery as they entered the room. She was a terrible sister for leaving Damien defenseless and vulnerable in the room with them. But what could she have done?
Marina located her father in his study. With Heidi. She may have been only a couple months old, but she knew it was best to let those two be alone for a little while. Marina really like Heidi and use to think Heidi was her mother when she was a baby. Marina thought the two of them were cute together and knew her father fancied Heidi. Marina felt guilty that her father devoted so much of his time to her and teaching the other children. It was best to let grown ups be grown ups.
So Marina settles for checking on Tiago. Last night he refused to leave the closest and ended up falling asleep in there. Rolling on to tip toes, she opened the closet to a cringing Tiago, who had grown use to the darkness and did not welcome the intrusion of the light. Jumping back into the far corner, he covered his tear stained face and empty eyes. Sighing and shaking her head, Marina entered the closet and closed the door behind her. She didn't need light to find Tiago. The small girl sat down next to him, rested her shoulder on his head, and waited in the darkness listening to each other's breathing and heart beats.
"You shouldn't blame Felix for this," Marina whispered.
"He could have told me the truth. He didn't have to hide things," Tiago gritted.
"He had his reasons. Felix loves you and wants nothing more than to be the father you deserve. The sooner you forgive him, the sooner you both will be happy," Marina comforted.
Tiago wrapped his arm around her and squeezed her tight, almost crushing her. She was right. He was so happy before last night. It had been the first time anything had shaken him and he needed to learn how to overcome it.
They sat in the closet until the silence and darkness became too dense and suffocated them. Marina sat up, smoothed her dress and offered her hand to Tiago, helping him up. He didn't need the help, but sometimes you just needed the hand of a friend and a little lift from the people you love. And he kept holding onto that and like it was his only lifeline. Maybe it was? The light wasn't so bad with her by his side.
Outside the closet, Marina was able to see all the damage from last night. The claw marks had healed the pink and white lines. His jaw was slightly tie-dyed with blue and green. He wheezed when he breathed and winced every now and then using his right hand. Marina smiled and laughed to herself. "What's so funny?" He laughed with her. "Oh, nothing. You just look like something the cat dragged in," she giggle innocently before bolting down the hallway. "Oh, you are going to get it!". Tiago chased after her, happy to have his friend back.
"NNNNOOOOOOO! STTAAAYYY AAAAWWWWAAAAYYYY FFFFRRRRROOOOOMMMM MMMMMMEEEEE!"
Marina and Tiago stopped. It sounded like Aro screaming. Something was wrong. It sounded like it was coming from Damien's room. They both ran to find Caius blocking the closed door. "Go away! You have no business being here," he growled at them. Marina could sense Demetri, Felix, and several of the other guards running down to investigate. All were turned away and told to mind their own business. They were to be obedient and follow his orders. Warily, the guards left.
Tiago settled for bringing Marina back into the smashed training room. The place felt colder than before. They both tried to ignore the blood stains on the floor, demolished equipment, shredded walls, and the words that had been fired the night before. The place looked like a hurricane had ran its course. Shifting through the chaos Marina tried to find something they could play with. There were still a couple guests up stairs enjoying the Volturi's hospitality and they needed to stay down stairs for just a couple days.
"Here, you two can play with this," a hoarse voice called from the door way. Tiago turned to meet the shattered eyes of the man who he believed was his father. Felix look several years older and for the first time in a while sad? Tired? Regretful? No, not Felix, the unstoppable, ever joyous, confident warrior. That is until now.
In his huge hands he held a sphere with black and white pentagons all over it. It seemed to be made of this shiny plastic fabric and was scuffed here and there. Possibly a couple years old. "This was you father's. Futbol was his favourite sport. Hell, it was practically his life. I can teach you two, if you want?" the last part came out barely a whisper as if he wasn't fully confident in what he was saying. Felix dropped it and lightly kicked it towards Tiago, who picked it up with his hands.
"The first rule of futbol is that you can't ever use your hands," Felix corrected, gaining volume. Tiago dropped it and kicked it lightly to Marina, who returned it. They practiced this exchange as Felix slowly made his way into the circle. They began to get more adventurous, flipping it up into the air with their toes, juggling it off knee caps, using a shoulder or two. It sped up, slowed down, went airborne and slipped though legs. The challenge rose and tension fell. Now hot and sweaty in the training room, things weren't so cold.
This soon became their favourite game and spent the next three days practicing. Each day Felix would teach them a new rule or a new trick hoping to keep them active.
New York
Jane looked in the mirror. Tonight was the night. It could all end tonight and they could be on a flight back to Italy the next. She adjusted her dress, her cape, her shoes, her tights, her hair. Everything. It felt like an eternity since she last wore her guard uniform. Jane had grown use to jeans, T-shirts and jackets. Maybe Aro would let her wear trousers when they returned home? Her hair was in its ritualistic bun. Ever since she joined the guard, she wore her hair up. Aro said it made her look older, rather than the fairy like girl that wore her hair down and free flowing.
Mirror, Mirror on the wall. Who's the fairest of them all?
Alec tied his necktie and looked in the mirror at their reflections. Hard to think they had once been just a brother and a sister in a small town of England. Now they were immortals arming for battle. At only fifteen years old. They had been told that they could wear street clothes to help them blend in with the other kids, but decided against it. They were the Volturi. They were to represent their family and the law.
When they were done changing, Alec let Donovan back into the room.
"Lighter?" Donovan asked.
"Check," Jane touched her pocket.
"Extra matches?"
"Check."
"Garlic and holy water?"
"Shut the hell up, you idiot."
They hugged and he kissed the top of her head. What happened in the snow was between them. Alec, sensing he should say something, reached into his pocket and pulled out a silver necklace with a V shaped crest on it. The crest of the Volturi.
"I found an extra in our valiantly helped my sister and I. We herby "deputize" you for the time being. If you wish, I am sure our masters would be more than willing to offer you an official place among the guard, given your ability." And your new interest in my sister, you assbutt. Alec didn't say it out loud, but he sure was thinking it. The necklace was cold and heavy in Donovan's hands. It felt as though it was strangling him, even though it dangled from his neck. He too had donned a black dress shirt and black trousers, even though the knees were shredded. Jane made him comb his hair, shave, and even shower.
The entire underground compound had been training. Jane and Alec even joined, learning new combat tricks such as potentially being able to use weapons. Fighting dhampirs was much different than fighting vampires. They bled and could have their bones broken, but could also heal. There had been cases of a dhampirs heart being ripped out completely and healing once placed back inside their chest cavities. In theory they seemed easier to kill, but in reality could be tricky. The twins were just going to pray the old school "decapitation and burning the body" worked.
Jane and Alec marched along side General Grigsby. The petite girl wore her usual grey uniform, hair tied back tight. In a way it reminded them of and American Confederacy uniform from the Civil War. She was armed with a pistol that was strapped to her hip, dagger to her shin, and a scowl that scare the toughest biker. Didn't matter that she was under 110 lbs. She was just as ready as the twins to finish this. Her army was 24 kids would be casualties, but that was to be expected. Everybody was going to die at some point, some were just a hell of a lot luckier than others.
Finally they reached the man hole cover closest to the meeting point. They split up, half going on way, half another. Grigsby, the twins, and Donovan formed a diamond and stood their ground waiting for their enemies. Alec hated how out in the open they were. This was one of the most famous parks in the country and there wasn't a single soul to be found. This should be good. But the chances of being caught by the humans was a huge risk. It just seemed too easy to walk up and find their enemies.
Finally figures appeared through the snowy night, possibly 14 or so. Most looked around thirteen years old, some older, some scarily younger. These kids should be tucked in bed, with a curfew, or perhaps staying up past it because their mother said they could because it was Christmas break from school where they were doing well in. Here they were in scrappy jeans and stained hoodies with all too alert eyes who had grown up watching the dark sides of this sad thing called living, scraping blood out from under their small pale finger nails just hoping to get a meal to stop the ever aching burn in their throats of which they had been born with. Alec had seen how some of the kids had grown up down in the sewer barrack and those were the lucky ones. Almost all of the kids had no idea who their parents were, never met their dad, who which very well not even realize they had a child, and just remembered existing. The whole reason the Old Pete had attacked them, as General Grigsby had informed him fire, anger, and agony in her own eyes, was out of anger and jealousy. Her own father had been a leader of a new born army of the south. When she was finally able to track him down, he abused her terribly. She was a joke to him and an easy target. Yet here she was strong and steady, a leader amongst her own people. They dhampirs were born forsaken and alone, confused at to what was happening to them. They saw an opportunity to strike, even if there was no personal reason. They wanted to be feared and more than that respected.
Now they stood. A cluster of Halflings and misfits against another ragtag one. Alec looked to his left, then to his right. He caught a familiar scent. Harper. Godammit! He thought he told her to run. Why was she here?
Jane wove her hand around Donovan's. His felt like it was on fire against hers. He squeezed it lightly, trying to calm her down and keep her focused. Everything was to go as planned. He had his shield up around the whole army. It was a strain to have it around so many people, but hopefully the confrontation wouldn't last long. Alec would release his Mist and incapacitate the others. Then God would sort out who were innocent while they burned one way or another. It would be over. Everything would go according to plan. No one would die from their ranks. She wouldn't lose Donovan and she wouldn't lose Alec. More importantly she hopes she wouldn't lose herself. She was here to represent the most powerful family in the world and uphold their laws. Nothing more.
Alec was ready. Eyes scanned their movements as they walked closer. When they got in range, he would paralyze them all. Then Grigsby's forces would help dispatch them. All done before dawn and on their merry way without a trace.
Alec wasn't ready. He couldn't see them anymore. Right before they got in range. The entire group disappeared. Vanishing without a trace into thin air. Did they retreat? Although disappointing, Alec breathed a sigh of relief. Jane cheered.
"SHIT!" Grigsby screamed, "I didn't know Sarai was with them. I thought she was on our side!" Jane and Alec wanted her to explain. But they were cut off by the feeling of being grabbed by invisible forces. A boy screamed as he was stabbed by an unknown enemy. A girl's hair was lit on fire. It was an ambush! A trap! There was not way to see their attackers.
Jane hated being powerless. She couldn't use her power. She had no idea who to aim for, or where even. Donovan's shield wouldn't protect them, given it was a physical ability not a mental ability. The ability to turn yourself and other's invisible.
Alec broke free and stood up amongst the chaos. Already five of their kids lay in the snow dead. He spotted Harper on her back kicking at an unseen foe. Guessing at where the blows were coming from, he tackled the kid into the snow. "Thanks," she coughed up blood. "You said you might have kickass powers. Now's the times to prove it," he huffed, searching for Jane who he found punching an invisible kid in the face, breaking their jaw clean off. "Tell your sister and Donovan to cover their ears," she smirked.
Alec ran and stood back to back with Jane, whispering Harper's warning. Across the park, the blonde dhampir gave him a thumbs up before taking a deep breath.
The most terrible sound clawed it's way through the mob. It was the sound of dragon claws on a chalk bored, the loudest siren blaring, and a banshee shrieking. Alec and Jane Grabbed their ears trying to block it out as much as possible. The terrible sound made their hair stand on end and muscles curl and they lay on the ground waiting for it to end. Jane watched as blood gushed from several of the kids ears. Bodies appeared one by one, their enemies now exposed. Their screams added to Harper's. It didn't matter what side you were on, everything with hearing was on the ground curled up and crying for mercy, trying to make the sound stop. The lucky ones had already lost consciousness.
A move needed to be made. Soon she was going to run out of air and stop. Alec forced his eyes open and scraped together whatever sort of focus he could muster. Dwindling and painfully, it started to form, seeping through the battle like black ink coating everyone. Eventually Harper's gifted screaming ended. Alec pulled his hands away from his ears.
Silence. Finally.
Taking a deep breath. He look around at the statued bodies. No one was in pain any more. Just frozen in the snow, sleeping. It was almost peaceful. Alec looked over to where he found Donovan panting in the snow, blood dripping from his ears and eyes slightly dazed. What surprised him the most was that he was curled around Jane with his jacket wrapped around her head for added protection in blocking Harper's defense. Donovan protected Jane. Alec helped him up to a sitting position. Alec tried to tell him to put a shield around the three of them, but Donovan shook his head confused. Finally he gestured to his ear shaking his head. Donovan's hearing was gone. It had been wrecked when Harper stared screaming. Alec had forgotten to warn Donovan. Plunging the pang of guilt down, Alec then drew in the snow three dots and then a circle around them. Donovan understood. Jane snapped awake, wide eyed and dazed.
The three of them knew they needed to work quick. Humans would be drawn to the noise and commotion. Swiftly Jane and Alec, with the help of Donovan, tore through the cluster trapped in the Mist, ripping of head, tearing out hearts, burning corpses. Donovan was able to identify which ones were the enemy. The job was messy and bloody. Jane soon realized how much she loved executing vampires than these...children. Glass eyed china dolls with rosy round cheeks, pitter patter of heart beats, young and beautiful. And most of all messy. They bled like humans, horrifying broken corpses gushing blood and guts. Their shaky hands were hot and slick with the disgusting blood of nameless children. At least Alec made it so they felt nothing. It was rather quick really. A mercy.
"Stop," Donovan whispered, pointing at a dark haired boy, who looked around sixteen and lay collapsed in the snow. "That's him, the Old Pete." Alec swore he had seen this kid before. he looked so familiar.
"We'll save him for later. He deserves a different fate than the others," Jane growled with ice in her voice. She glared at him, wanting to hurt him so badly. But why did he look like someone she knew? Finally, when the fires died down and evidence destroyed, Alec lifted the Mist around everyone as the three of them ran carrying a frozen body. Everyone but the dark haired boy that they were taking to demonstrate what happens when you attempt to assassinate two members of the Volturi.
It was perfect. This section of the sewer had been shut down for years, red flagged by the city so humans would not trespass. Grigsby and one of two of the other kids were the only ones who knew about it. It was sound proof with only one exit, if he foolishly tried to escape.
Donovan suggested tying him up, but Jane didn't want to restrict the movements of him thrashing and begging for him life pitifully as she channeled her gift. "Just be careful. He's as sneaky as the devil himself. He has a gift for reading minds. As long as he doesn't touch you, you should be safe. Just stay a couple of metres away from him at all times," Donovan warned as Alec began to lift the Mist.