"Something Wicked This Way Comes," Jane read aloud staring at the dismembered body. This was a threat, she was sure of it. First the clock tower catching on fire, now this. "What is the meaning of this?" Caius roared as he ran to investigate. No one knew. "I bet he did it," Chelsea pointed to Donovan who immediately backed away, holding his hands up. "Impossible, he was with me all tonight. He wasn't even in the Building when this was done," Jane hissed. Leave it the Chelsea to stick the blame on them. Caius looked dead at Damien. "You!" he sneered. Alec stood in front of his son, "He was with me all tonight. We were watching television. I'm insulted you think he had anything to do with this." No, he hadn't. But Damien had a pooling sense in his gut that the person who did this was very close. He just didn't know who.
"Well who else could have done this?" Caius screeched. "Calm brother, the person responsible may not even be amongst our Coven. Demetri, did you sense any one inside the Building?" Marcus asked. Perhaps the killer of his long dead love had struck again and this was a fresh trail. Demetri shook his head saying he was watching the fireworks for Heidi from the window in his office. Whoever killed Renata and written the bloody message had doused everything in rubbing alcohol, masking any scents. "Did even our new tracker Marina sense anyone?" Caius asked, now nervous. Marina looked down at her hands to not make eye contact as she shook her head, "I did not see the person who did this."
"And just where were you, exactly?" Caius hissed. Maybe she did it? No, that is insane. Marina would never do this. She is a good girl who would never hurt a fly. He quickly dismissed these thoughts.
"I was watching fireworks with Tiago," She stammered. Both blushed, embarrassed they might have been caught alone together. "Very well," he narrowed his eyes at her. Tiago heard Demetri growl behind him, "And just why were you and my daughter alone together?"
"To see the fireworks I swear!" Tiago quickly said. And we might have kissed. "Please stop threatening my son like he's some criminal. If they were alone together, both were responsible. You know he wouldn't force her to stand outside and just watch a bunch of pretty lights for ten minutes. Whoop-de-freaking-doo," Felix puffed out his chest, going toe-to-toe with his best friend. "They are just children and should not go gallivanting on romantic adventures. I'm sorry if me being the only parent here who says 'no' makes me the bad guy," Demetri countered. "Are you calling me a bad parent?" Felix took a step forward. "I have been for the last couple months!" Demetri raised his voice. Chelsea snickered to Afton, "This is getting exciting."
"Can we please pay attention to the dead woman on the floor?" Alec exasperated waving his arms, trying to divert back to the crisis at hand.
"What crisis?" Aro yelled, walking down the hallway. Sulpicia lazily hung off his like an over fed house cat, both clothes were ripped and ruffled from their interrupted moment of privacy. "There has been a murder in our house again," Marcus informed him. This could not be. The two murders that had happened, the only two, had been of his own hand. He was certain he had not killed anyone. Making his way through the morbid spectators, he was stopped by the frightening scene. Although the words on the wall were haunting, the dead body scared him more. Someone had actually gotten through every Guard and killed a member of the most powerful and dangerous families in the world. His own personal body guard and shield lay dismembered at his feet with stars burned into her eyes. The one thing protecting him from not only intruders, but his own family was dead. He was now vulnerable. This was impossible. The only person here who could have gotten through Renata's shield was a mental shield. There were only two shields that he knew of. And one stood not two metres from him.
"You!" Aro lunged at Donovan only to collapse on the ground screaming, his bones and skin melting as he writhed. Jane frowned as she let him go. "We already established that he was out of the Building with me. I'm sure the rest of them will agree with me," Jane gestured half-heartedly to the terror stricken crowd. How dare Jane attack Aro like that? Her own innocent, loving father?
"Stop, Jane. They could execute you for attacking our Masters," Alec whispered quickly, not wanting his sister to get into any more trouble. "So, what are they going to do about it? They are already down two Guards this year. I am pretty sure they need me more than I need them," Jane snorted. Donovan smiled slyly to himself.
"Well what were you and Donovan doing out of the Building?" Aro spat. "On a date," Jane said boldly. "Who said I would allow you to date? You are my daughter and I think you are too young to have a "boyfriend". He will immediately be moved out of your room and to his own. Away from you. It is completely inappropriate for two unwed individuals to be sharing a room in such a manner," Aro lectured.
"Oh now you are my father! When it is fucking convenient. For You. You don't get to decide when I'm 'old enough to date' because for one I can't age and two it's none of your bloody business who I love and what I decide to do with them as long as I don't break any of your bloody laws. You can shove the whole 'unwed' bullshit up your marble, sparkly ass because I have killed more people, tortured more souls, and kept more secrets than fucking stars in the sky. For You. You are the last person to judge me on my sex life after Hadley," Jane ranted, venom and bloodlust in her eyes.
Chelsea had to hide her snickering behind her mate. This night was getting better and better. "Who is Hadley?" Sulpicia looked quizzically at her husband. "Oh, no one dear," he cooed to his wife.
"Again, dead body on the floor," Alec said before the fighting could escalate more.
"I still think he's responsible somehow," Aro looked down disgusted at Donovan.
"How do we know you didn't do it?" Jane glared at Aro. The Guards murmured amongst themselves. Aro was the only one she would let her shield down for. And he had been acting quite mad since they lost to the Cullens. Hell, he'd always been a few screws loose. Aro sputtered, lost for words, "How dare you question me, child?" And with that he quickly walked away, leaving his Guard still whispering to themselves.
"Listen, we could point fingers for all eternity. Or we can actually use logic to figure out who did it. This phrase is a key line in Shakespeare's play Macbeth. Let's start with that," Alec spoke up quickly before yet again a fight broke out. They were practically vampire police men, why was no one else trying to actually solve this crime? This should be a Volturi specialty. He turned and left to go the library. He knew they had a copy or two of Macbeth in there somewhere. Damien followed close behind him. Maybe he could help Alec figure out the Messenger.
"Here it is," Damien exclaimed finding the book and turning to the page on the first try, "'Something wicked this way comes.' Act four, scene one, line forty-five. It's spoken by the second witch." Alec flipped through text. The word 'witch' made Alec cringe. Something was clinging to the tip of his tongue. He knew there was a book on analysis of all of Shakespeare's major plays. "The second witch was also known as one of the Wyrd sisters. Wyrd was an Old English word for fate. In the play all three are prophets of some sort or another. They foretell the future and all the grisly things that happen to Macbeth, who was a tyrant leader that no one liked," Alec quickly summarized, madly flipping through pages. Macbeth was by far his favourite play if not story. "So whoever wrote the message in blood was warning us. Saying something is coming?" Damien connected. Something wicked. Witch. Seer of the future. He left Alec flipping through worn dusty pages.
He waited until everyone had left the scene of the crime. He only had a little time before someone, most likely Joan, would be ordered to clean it up. The body had not been touched. The blood was still wet and dripping. It had to have been written mere minutes before it all was found. Placing his hand on the wall, he traced the texture of the stone. Feeling for something. Anything. He found himself tracing the bloody letters. His hands stained with blood. He recognized the handwriting. Images of tests and essays flipped through his mind. All with perfect scores and neatly written. But they blended with images of a knife. He had seen the knife before, he had even held it. He felt it slicing through two different thumbs. One delicate as a flower, another covered in callouses. He felt the smaller one trace the letters with both an index and middle finger. Blood soaked hands. The images changed. He was standing, looking up at a familiar face. Donovan. His neck hurt as it craned to look up at him. Whoever the second person was, they were smaller than him. "I need you to help me with something. To send a message. Then I will teach you," Donovan crouched down looking whoever he was seeing through in the eye with a wicked grin. Something wicked indeed was coming. The person he was experiencing things through spoke up, "This better work. Every year the Guards watch the fireworks show. The show lasts fifteen minutes exactly. I should have enough time. Make sure to mix rubbing alcohol with it so Demetri doesn't know it was us." A sing song innocent voice. "Does Damien know about all of this? Is that why you both have been sneaking around?" Donovan seemed to look straight at him with glowing green eyes.
He feltDamien stumbled away from the wall, panting and waiting for his heart to calm down. There was no way. Donovan AND Marina? And why? He felt like he needed to warn someone, but soon realized the only people he felt he should warn were Jane and Alec. He looked up to Donovan and trusted him. Marina would never do anything like that. There had to be an explanation.
His head spun as he reached down to examine the body. The limbs had not been torn off by hand, but rather cut cleanly and evenly. The bloodless body reminded him of Dexter. He nearly threw up when he touched her cold, dead forehead. Not because it was a dead body because vampires were technically dead to begin with and there was no rotting. Come to think of it, the actual murder could have happened days ago. The reason he nearly puked was that it was the first time he had used his ability on a dead body. Damien felt the last glimpses of her life. She had been making her way to her chambers when she had heard a voice. Renata turned and in her sight was a cloaked figure, not unlike the one Damien had seen in his vision of Marina being watched while she danced, holding a silver dagger. Metal did not hurt vampires as did anything due to her shield. But somehow she felt she was going to die. The figure ran towards her. He broke through her shield. She screamed as he tackled her to the ground, his hand silencing her screams as he crushed her vocal chords and unneeded air supply. He raised his blade as he made the first slice over her right eye. Damien screamed feeling the knife slice through his brown line, through his paper thin eyelid, hot liquid spurting out as he went blind. Another than another than another than another was made before the attackers slowly took his time and moved onto the next one. He wanted to pass out or at least die like Renata, but his mind was trapped.
He felt the killer stroke his arms before pressing the blade. The metal burned white hot against his skin as he lost his left arm. Focus this is just a dream. The blade is in his left hand, the killer is left-handed. This thought was lost when Damien felt Renata lose her right arm than her left leg before her final limb. Blindly, he felt the killer's hot breath whisper in his ear seductively, "They call me The Fox." Then off with his head.
Damien found himself shivering on the cold tile floor, staring at the ceiling. His nose had started bleeding again, but at least it had all been a vision. He was too tired and disoriented with the sudden change in sensory to move. The dead body was pleasant, quiet company as he fell asleep.
Jane went off to find Alec. Her head was spinning. First the tower fire now this. Someone was targeting their family for sure. Her twin was rushing between books and scripts, reading each with a critical eye. Something was itching in the back of his mind and it was killing him. On pieces of paper he scribbled key notes hoping to make things connect in his busy mind. His hands often rubbed his face in frustration as thin finger scratched and tugged at his hair, mad as a hatter. Rubbing his face with his hand. Someone use to do that.
"The date went alright if you were wondering," Jane spoke up making him pause. "That's great. What did you two do?" he asked not looking up. "I gave him a tour of Volterra then we escaped to Venice and took a Gondola ride. We came back to watch the fireworks when…" her voice trailed off. The room had quickly caught on fire. Only the area she and Donovan were in. It had been a heated moment. The last time anything had caught on fire randomly without reason was when…she was human. If only your mother told you, Josephine's voice cackled in her mind. The way Donovan hadn't seemed worried or panicked when they were surrounded in flames. If anything he looked conflicted. His eyes switching colors, occasionally settling on a familiar green. The same green as Josephine, Moira and now Damien. The green her mother's, Alec's, and hers had been. She was missing something key here. Jane absent mindedly flipped through the freshly highlighted pages. Second witch and Prophecy, were scrolled in her brother's calligraphy. Donovan's sister was a gifted human who could see the future. A human who was burned at the stake. Like a witch. Donovan, who seemed so sure about what was yet to come. Her nephew, Damien, the son of one of the infamous 'witch twins', who could sense the future. Why did these three have so much in common? And what exactly was it?
"When what?" Alec looked at her worried. She had been quiet for a while, trapped at the end of her sentence. "Oh, nothing," Jane brushed off still staring of distantly, "I was just having strange thoughts again." Alec smiled to himself, "Do tell?"
"About why Aro chose us. He said he saved us out of mercy. But I was wondering why us, out of all the unfortunate children in the world. Why us? He said it was because he partially thought we might just be witches, but that was proved wrong," Jane was still trying to piece everything, "Remember how when we were little, weird things kept happening to us?" Foggy human memories of how the priest's wife's apron caught on fire after she slapped Jane for 'seducing her husband', as did many things whenever Jane was angry or scared. Images of it hailing so hard it destroyed everyone's crops as bullies pushed Alec around kicking him to the ground. All these things stopped as soon as they became vampires. The tower was the first instance of anything happening like this in over nine hundred years. But what if she wasn't the one to cause it?
These thoughts seemed to stir something deep inside Alec. Images of odd designs and words that were nonsense all through foggy human eyes. Of pentagrams not unlike the ones craved into Renata's eyes. Jane was right. Odd things had happened to them as humans. It almost reached the point where he himself was convinced he was indeed a witch. That maybe they weren't as innocent as they once thought? He continued to flip through everything. Why this certain passage? Sure, the person who wrote this could feel Aro was much like Macbeth. Aro lately has been acting very odd, almost like Macbeth at the end of the play. Claiming to see the ghost of the man he had killed, who had been like a brother to him. Aro kept claiming to see Didyme everywhere, but he hadn't killed her. Perhaps this was the dreaded murderer of Didyme and now Santiago? Alec almost forgot about him. But why so easily? Like how easily he forgot his own first born son. As if a haze was constantly over all thoughts towards them. A barrier forcing him not to care about them.
Throughout the following days, all of the children had been instructed to stay inside the Building and be supervised at all times or be with a buddy. It was for their own protection. Not to mention Aro's crippling paranoia and belief that the hybrids had been behind it. No one else was convinced. "There is only so long you can cry wolf, Aro," Didyme whispered to herself, savoring her killer's torment.
"I don't see why you are so emotional about this? She was supposed to be a shared shield," Caius yawned bored. "She was the one thing protecting me," Aro muttered. "Protecting us," Caius corrected, "She was protecting us. Why would you need a personal shield?"
"Because I am of value," Aro snapped. "Are you implying you are more important than the two of us?" Marcus asked through narrowed eyes, "Last time I checked, we were not a monarchy. We are to be three influential individuals dedicated to moderating the vampire populace and enforcing laws key to our existence. Do you think this has changed in any way, brother?" Aro clenched his jaw, pouting like a child. The three Masters went their own ways in the Building, avoiding eachother.
Classes resumed. Marina had been tutoring Tiago and for the first time he had gotten a perfect score on all his tests. He was now at the level of Damien and Marina and able to enjoy learning more. Reading and math were still a struggle, but Demetri was proud of him for trying. His efforts had paid off splendidly. But he still kept his eye on him. "Just watch yourself," Demetri snarled, "Next time you sneak off with my daughter-." The threat was never finished, but rather open to imagination. Olivia on the other hand was still stubbornly refusing to do homework. "Why should I? We should be learning vampire things. Not stupid human things," she huffed, crossing her legs as she rested her feet on the desk, "Teach us how to, I don't know, hunt humans? I am getting real sick of bagged blood. I want to try the real thing."
"You can when we say you can. If you had actually been able to defend yourself against a thirsty vampire, I would consider it. But until then, our answer is no," Demetri answered not even looking at her. "What if Donovan fed with you guys? Then you could see if you went all feeding frenzy on him and if we would even be in danger," she scoffed, examining her nails. Damien could tell that the only reason she was acting this bratty is that she was indeed very Thirsty. Even thought she had been feeding more on the blood bags, she still starving. The Thirst was driving her crazy. Damien was happy in a weird way that he wasn't the only one who had been feeling the constant burn in the back of his throat, aching for more blood. The thought sickened him. He didn't want to hurt or kill anyone. Joan had taught him it was wrong to hurt humans. To control his urges.
The idea of Donovan being a test dummy also worried him. He hadn't gotten a chance to speak to him alone and confirm that Donovan and Marina had been the ones to write the message on the wall and potentially kill Renata. Partially because he was worried he would be right and partially he knew that he needed to wait for things to cool down before he tried sneaking off somewhere. Any unusual behavior would trigger everyone's alarm bells. But through all that he still didn't want anything bad to happen to Donovan. He had been the only one to explain everything to him and was the one who understood not wanting to be part of the Guard. Donovan had been teaching him useful things, which put him at ease. He wasn't some psycho with Donovan. He wasn't weak.
Damien was alarmed how much stronger of a fighter Marina seemed to be suddenly. Like she wasn't holding back. She now never hesitated and was more forceful in her attacks. She seemed stronger and surer of herself. But he too was confident in his ability to perceive her moves before she made them, dodge and counter attacking. Felix was very impressed with them. He even offered to keep the room set up for them after class if they wanted to keep training. Marina said she wanted to work on homework, but Damien decided to stay. "I'll stay too," Tiago said quickly. Everyone left the room to do their many afternoon ventures and activities.
Marina started to walk faster when she realized Olivia was following her. The urge to reach down and grab the small knife hiding in her stocking was overly tempting. Olivia was a bully and Marina was sick of her treating her like crap. "Hey I just wanted to say thank you for saving my life," Olivia shouted as Marina tried to run, "I know I have been an enormous bitch to you and if I were in your shoes I might have just left you for dead." Marina laughed, "If this is your idea of an apology." Olivia scowled, "Let me finish. I do want to apologize for picking on you. Part of why I do it is it's what the wives and Chelsea do to everyone else and I was hoping if I did it too, they would like me. But recently, all it's done is make me feel worse about myself. You have never done anything mean to me and at the end of the day, I am still the same shallow, self-centered bitch."
"So what now?" Marina was surprised by Olivia's apology. "I know I really should not be asking things from you. And if anything I owe you. But how about a fresh start?" Olivia smiled, for once it was warm and friendly.
Both boys positioned to spar, but Damien could tell from Tiago's relaxed stance it wouldn't be a serious fight. "I have a couple questions for you," Tiago said flatly. "If you think I wrote the message, you have the wrong guy," Damien sighed, blocking a right hook. "I wanted to ask you about Marina," Tiago panted as Damien kicked him in the ribs. Damien was now confused. Marina and Tiago were best friends, only a couple days apart age wise and had been close friends since they were born. They must tell each other everything. Maybe he knew of her involvement?
"I want to know if you could do your freaky soul reading thing?" Tiago stammered. Damien took advantage of the hesitance and tackled him to the ground. Tiago gracefully rolled and was on his feet quickly. "New Year's Eve. She popped up out of nowhere, looking all pretty. She was wearing make-up, which was weird 'cause she never wears make-up. Then she invites me to go sneak off with her to watch the fireworks. 'As a friend'," Tiago stepped away so he could add air quotes, "But then we sneak out there. Totally scared Demetri would catch me and kill me and stuff. The fireworks start to go off. And then she kisses me." Damien paused and so did Tiago. "She what?" Damien was not expecting this. "Kissed me. Like this," Tiago demonstrated jokingly as Damien pushed him away. "That's gross. No homo," Damien laughed. This was a weird conversation. Tiago sighed, "Yeah, just like a little peck. Then she got all blushy and ran off suddenly. She's been avoiding me ever since."
Damien now knew where this conversation was going. He personally felt like they were too young to have this conversation. Tiago looked about eleven of twelve, but he was very big for his age. And marina looked about eight or nine, but she was extremely small for her age. Damien himself had always felt older than his age, but then again most children under the age of one couldn't even sit up right. But then again, maybe it was the same for them. He himself felt like a broody teenager trapped in a child's body. Why not them as well?
"So do you know if Marina likes me?" Tiago whispered, nervous as a baby fawn. He had to know. He really liked her. But if she liked him, then why did she run off. Was he a bad kisser? Or worse, was he only a best friend?
Damien shrugged, "I don't know what to tell you. I could try and see. But I think the best thing to do is to talk to her yourself." Both boys squared up for another round. The physical motions of sparing and working out were helping them think and relax. "Thanks and one more thing," Tiago made the first move, but Damien tripped him while Tiago pulled him on the ground. Tiago panted, "I was curious if you knew who wrote the bloody message? I kind of think it was the same asshole who killed my real dad, but I'm not sure."
"Maybe," Damien half lied. It was better than saying the girl he loved might have been guilty. "Oh, ok," Tiago said. He was happy with the answer. If it was, then it meant the guy who murdered his father was still out there, ready for Tiago to kill one day.
Damien knew he should stay in bed. There had been a strict curfew not enforced. The whole Building seemed to be on lockdown. But he couldn't sleep. He felt like he was being suffocated. He needed to go outside and get some fresh air. His bare feet made no sound as he slowly snuck outside. Damien heard breathing and a heartbeat as he neared the farthest reaches of the Courtyard. He found Donovan sitting cross-legged, barefoot as well. The older boy was staring at the tombstone of his dead brother. "I didn't realize Alec had another kid," Donovan whispered. "I didn't realize you were a stone cold killer," Damien whispered back, "But I guess both of us are surprised."
"You are only a stone cold killer if the person you kill is innocent and there are maybe only a couple innocent souls in that building," Donovan finally looked at him, face without emotion. Damien felt himself agreeing. Every day he could feel the terrible things every single one of them had done. Jane and Alec included. "Why?" Damien asked simply. "Because," Donovan said, "Because the Volturi are a monster that needs to be slain at the head. They are a danger to everyone."
Damien noticed the way Donovan spoke using 'They' as if they both were removed from the subject. "That is why I did what I did," Donovan concluded, "Marina did what she did for her reasons. You may do things for yours as well."
"And why might I just do these terrible things?" Damien asked, very disturbed.
"The same reasons you haven't told anyone. Because you don't feel sorry she died, just the pain of her dying. You might even be happy Aro is now vulnerable. You hate existing and serving here, when you know you could be living somewhere else. Somewhere freer where you won't be forced to do anything you hate. You know Aro won't stop until he is satisfied, and that will only be temporary. He will not be satisfied even if you are begging for death, writing and bleeding, screaming because you are in Hell. There is no real future for you here. There is no future for Alec. There is no future for Jane. Not with Aro alive," Donovan explained, "You could be so much more. Your own person making your own decisions. When this place comes burning down, we dhampirs can protect you and Marina and even Jane and Alec. Full immunity. That is what I have to offer. What does Aro have?"
Damien didn't know what to say. Everything Donovan said was completely true. Mulling over everything he had said, Damien slowly sat down next to Donovan. "Why are you so interested in him?" Damien asked pointing at the tombstone. "I just wanted to pay my respects. Family and all," Donovan answered.
"I wasn't aware we were family. I'm guessing you are then intending to marry Jane?" Damien asked. He really hoped Donovan was not using Jane to infiltrate the Volturi. Jane deserved someone to love her, to kiss her, and to make her happy. "As surprising as it sounds, I do in fact love Jane and hope to spend the rest of my life with her. I have been planning this whole 'Guy Fawkes' thing for years, but the one of the things I never planned for was falling in love with your Aunt. But we were family before all of that," he sighed, "As freaky as it sounds, you are I are actually cousins. About eight or so generations apart, but still cousins. Your Uncle Daniel is my great-something-or-other-grandfather. I am not sure if that counts as incest with Jane and me, but I really hope there isn't a law somewhere saying that two people eight generations apart can't marry."
This made Damien feel worlds better. Jane wasn't just being strung along as some sick instrument in some twisted plan. "Well I wish you two the best of luck. She's been through more than you can imagine, as you have I am guessing. You two both make each other happy."
"Thanks. I was just out here thinking what I am going to do about her. Being outside in nature has always helped me clear my brain. Stumbled on this little thing and remembered a conversation I had with your daddy," Donovan said wistfully.
"What did Alec say?" Damien was curious.
Donovan gave him a weird look, "He talked about how he lost one son and how he doesn't want to lose you too. He really loves you, you know. I am jealous really since my father and I never got along. The entire time he was in New York he was constantly worrying about you and wanting to run home to see you. I know you both have a weird relationship, but cut him some slack. Make an effort to have real conversations and open up. You only got one dad," Donovan leaned back, admiring the stars. It wasn't a lecture, but rather advice from a friend. Damien didn't question Donovan's use of the past tense when he briefly mentioned his father.
Reflecting on what Donovan had said, Damien began drawing in the dirt that was his brother's grave. Jonathan Sangnoir. The Angel. The dirt was cold and lifeless below his sensitive fingers. He paused. Someone had been here. The dirt was shifted from when he had last been here. Looking around he noticed something odd. A small child's foot print walking away from them. It wasn't the size of any of the children in the Building. As he felt the ground with his hand, the earth felt vacant below.
Pin pricks in his mind, he started clawing at the dirt. "What are you doing?" Donovan asked, concerned about the mad child digging and clawing at the grave with his two bare hands. "Just help me," Damien ordered. They both frantically dug. They dug until they found a lone rubber ducky yellow bath towel.
The Grave was empty.