Dark Shroud

Volterra

A poisonous void claimed the stone halls of the city. Death had taken up residence. The deafening silence was interfused only with the rumble of boots over stone and the faint moans of those who once ruled. The air pulsed with the deep chill of torment and quivered with agony. All the entrances and exits had been closed, sealed from the inside with powerful electrical charge that would turn living or undead to smoldering ash with a single jolt. Armed guards traversed the stone hallways with ample firepower to take down any captive that might find the will to attempt to escape.

Each member of the Volturi had been subdued, confined, one per room throughout the bowels of the city. Their bodies hung, spread eagle, secured with heavy chains and manacles to the stone walls. The positioning held them stretched and immobilized at a height that prevented contact with the floor. Their voices were silenced with heavy rubber gags normally used for newborns. They all wore thick blindfolds. Densely padded black canvas bags, secured to heavy metal collars at their necks, covered their heads and blotted out all sound. Restraint straps of steel, insulated with thick leather, further immobilized their limbs, locking the joints. Their hands were fitted with stiff splints covered with thick canvas which prevented tampering and removed all tactile ability.

All had been stripped of robes and subjected to multiple rounds of high voltage electrical pulse. The resulting burns had been doused in mind altering oil. Thin linen now only partially covered their exposed, burned frames. The bodies of those that were known to be gifted had been bathed in a concentrated mixture of oils. Their linen garments had also been soaked in the same oils. As the oil slowly leached into flesh, its properties paralyzed muscles and sank them in a continuous semi-conscious stupor. The state limited cognitive function to the point that coherent thought was non-existent thereby completely subduing them and suppressing the gifted.

The only sounds from the rooms were strangled moans. The state of captivity and the taint created unrelenting delirium in response to unbearable agony. Armed guards, two per room, stood watch over the captives. They reapplied the oil regularly. Electrical charge from high voltage stun boxes applied hourly to the temples of the captives via holes cut into the canvas head coverings left their bodies twitching in seizure.

"It is useless to whine and moan. Struggle is futile. You are no longer free to rule but instead you will suffer as captives in your own city until such a time as your existence is no longer useful." The voice rolled over the stone walls like thunder trapped in a cavern. "Now let's see if there is cooperation as I have some questions that require answers."

…

"Lights." Before the word finished rolling over the walls, the lights within the room brightened. "The all-mighty Aro Volturi has fallen." The guards shifted to allow ample space to approach but held a position that would allow them to intervene if necessary. "How does it feel to be a lowly captive in your own domain?" The canvas hood was pulled free to expose the swollen, bruised visage of a fallen ruler. "Too bad you have no ability to answer that question. I'm sure the answer would be simply fascinating." The rubber blindfold was shifted upward so that the captor could assess the state of the captive.

The snap crack as the leather cat-o-nine ripped deep angry lashes across his abdomen only added to the raging agony that tore through the battered, twitching body of the Volturi leader. A strangled moan escaped, the sound more a heavy hissing rather than actual vocalization. Muscles in his face twitched randomly. The inflamed lids of his eyes rose and fell in slow motion as his mind worked to no avail to process the veiled images. Distorted, dilated gaze finally settled on the blurred shape of the figure before him. Bloody drool leaked from the corners of his mouth around the heavy gag as he tried and failed to respond.

Laughter radiated over the space as his captor found his inability to struggle or form coherent response satisfyingly amusing. "You are nothing but a captive to be exterminated when your presence becomes no longer of value." He picked up one of the boxes from a nearby cart and clicked the trigger. A plume of electrical charge crackled from the box into the air. "When the three missing members of this coven are found," The active stun box pressed against his throat. "They will be tortured to termination and you will watch them burn." Pulses of fire arced from the box into his flesh.

Dark blood drained from his nose. Convulsive spasms rolled over his frame as the electricity coursed through his body. His eyes rolled back briefly. A thick wet, strained growl rumbled from his chest as fire pulsed up his spine. His mouth moved, his cheeks twitching as his awareness fluttered between unconsciousness and semi-conscious delirium. Glazed dilated pupils seemed to briefly find the ability to focus. 'F-fucsk-youo!' The mental words slurred into a jumble and disappeared as his cognitive awareness once again drifted into the hammering static of total incoherence.

"Touché" Another click of the stun box and another electrical pulse screamed through flesh. "We shall see how quickly your opinion changes." Clinking echoed over the room as a jar of oil was handed to him by one of the guards. "Soon this coven will be begging for mercy." The lid was removed from the container and red tinged oil was stirred into the mix from a separate beaker that sat on the cart.

Hissing response came as a bevy of fiery hammers pounded within his skull. Abdominal muscles contracted violently. The liquid scalded skin as it was poured over his torso. His spine erupted in bone shattering pain with the influx of taint. He let off a strangled growl of discomfort as a series of harsh ataxic spasms overtook his frame.

A rash of well-aimed punches to the face and chest seemed to provide ample amusement. "The torment will continue until I get what I want. Then you and the rest of your measly band will suffer a most violent and agonizing termination."

The blows left dark bruises over his jawline and blackened his eyes. Drool dampened his chin and ran in fine streams downward onto his chest. His motor control was so weakened by the taint that even with effort no resistance came. Oil leftover in the other container was heated to a simmer then roughly spread using a course bristled brush over his face and exposed limbs. The canvas hood, lined with dense insulated padding, was soaked in another heavier, pungent scented oil. The insulated pads of the rubber blind were doused with powder before being placed over his eyes. The oil soaked hood was gruffly pulled down over his head and secured to the metal collar at his neck. Sight and sound instantly disappeared into deathly hush and the torment multiplied tenfold.

(Florence Italy)

"Servizio in camera," There came a polite but firm knock at the door.

The sound was enough to startle Demetri out of his train of thought. He gave the locked door a hard glare then turned his attention briefly to Felix. His comrade was resting and seemed to be at least comfortable for as long as the properties of the oil would last. He didn't expect Felix to feel up to feeding but he had ordered enough sustenance for both of them. "Un momento, Signore." He called as he threw one of the lighter blankets over Felix and checked the state of his wounds before moving to the door.

"Servizio in camera," The voice called again. "Certo, niente fretta." The tone came across as impatient even though the statement had claimed otherwise.

Planting his foot against the base of the door, he peered through the peep-hole to check the identity of whomever was behind it. He was far from truly paranoid. It was more that he was taking no chances. With a firm tug, he jerked it open with just enough force to be able to control the outcome should the one beyond not be who they claimed to be.

"Signore, Il tuo ordine. Ci sarà qualcos'altro?" The young man stepped back as he pushed the loaded room service cart forward. His expression was one of curious surprise mixed with calm cordialness.

"No," Demetri took the cart. "If there's anything further I'll let the desk know. Until then, we are not to be disturbed unless the reason is dire." Tipping the man, he pulled the cart into the room and closed the door. He took one final glance through the peep-hole to make sure that the unspoken message had been properly received before securing the dead-bolt and chain.

"Demetri," Felix's voice barely cracked a whisper but it was enough to catch attention. "Who-?" The rest of his thought faded into nothing as his weary gaze shifted to focus on the one who was now sitting nearby, phone in hand.

"Room service." He studied Felix. "You need to feed again. Do you feel up to it?" He could see the dark circles that had formed beneath his eyes and the ashen hue of his skin. His face had grown gaunt and it was obvious that the majority of his strength had been sapped just from the recent journey.

Felix gave a weak shake of his head, "No, but I haven't much choice if I'm going to continue this trip." He shivered as just the thought of sustenance twisted his guts and stomach into painful knots.

"I'll give you that one." Demetri retrieved Felix a goblet of sustenance from the cart. He knew well enough it wasn't the way in which his friend would prefer to feed but there wasn't much choice. He set the goblet down on the nightstand and carefully helped Felix into a slightly more upright position so that he could take in sustenance without risk. "Here. Don't down it. But try to at least finish it." He handed him the goblet watching to be certain that he was able to safely handle it and drink without complication as the dose of oil would still be active in his system.

Felix did as Demetri suggested, taking in the sustenance a little at a time. The influx of fresh blood even though it wasn't his preferred feeding style, immediately eased the cramps in his stomach. He watched tiredly as Demetri took his own goblet from the cart and sat down.

He took a long sip of his drink before setting the goblet down on the desk and activating the screen on his phone. It was time to begin the task of getting them out of the country. The longer they remained here, even with his proactive action with not only his gift but also the precautions he'd taken to keep their presence mostly unnoticed, the greater the risk of being found by whatever force had overtaken Volterra. He scrolled through the contacts list once more and prepared to make what might be the two most important calls he'd ever had to make…

"Cullen residence, this is Carlisle." The customary greeting when it was a number that the head of the Olympic Coven didn't initially recognize.

He paused for the span of time it took the static to vacate the connection. "Carlisle, it's good to hear a somewhat familiar voice." In the back of his mind, he slapped himself for coming across so aloof and fake. His gut gave a twist. He wasn't even certain that Carlisle recognized his voice much less whether he was still one of the few Volturi that the leader of the Olympic Coven would consider even remotely trustworthy.

"Demetri?" There was the slightest hint of suspicious hesitation in the tone. "It has been a long time." The suspicion grew into curious concern. "What sort of business has you calling here?"

"A situation that has spiraled out of control. Felix and I are currently at a secret location in Florence. There's trouble-." He had never felt overwhelmed by any problem that he had previously faced until now. He instantly hated the feeling. The sudden rush of strange emotions he forced back into a deep corner of his mind and locked them away for a later time.
"Explain it to me." Carlisle's voice came through the static calm, steady and it had the same effect on him. "What situation spiraled out of control?"

"Volterra has been overtaken by a hostile force. Felix and I managed to escape. Felix is injured. I don't know much but I know the situation isn't good." He felt a reflexive shiver creep down his spine as the gravity of the moment hit him all at once.

"What sort of force?" Carlisle's tone grew wary.

"I don't know. I've never experienced anything like it. There was no time for even futile resistance. I can't be sure any of those that were taken survived. If they did, even briefly, they may not be alive now." His voice cracked and he had to clear his throat just to finish his thought. "We can't go back, not now. It's not safe and I wouldn't go back if someone paid me, not without significant back-up."

"Demetri, who is in control of Volterra?"

"The hostile force. All of the coven, with the exception of myself and Felix have been taken captive or maybe terminated." He pushed the emotion back into its corner. Now was not the time. "Marcus-," His thought seemed to stall as the recent events played like a horror film in his mind. "Marcus is away on business. Top secret mission, he didn't leave a forwarding address. He's been away from Volterra for months. No contact- but if something had happened to him—I would know. He's not captive and he doesn't know-."

"Marcus has always had an uncanny sense for where his focus is most useful. Whether it's languishing in that damn throne room or in his quarters. He likely had good reasons for leaving Volterra. The fact that he has not made contact for an extended period of time, however, is concerning. Have you tried to get contact with him?"

By the tone, Demetri knew that Carlisle's concerned ire wasn't truly directed at Marcus. "You were my first call. Felix needs medical treatment. His injuries are more than what field medicine can handle." He held back the fact that he too was feeling the drain of injury.

"Are you and Felix in immediate danger, other than the need for medical aid? It was the loaded question he'd expected sooner from Carlisle. "And, Demetri, are you injured as well?"

"We're at risk of being hunted down by this hostile force if we remain in the country. It's just a feeling I have. As for the other, I'll manage until our situation is more secure." He knew that the answer wouldn't fully satisfy Carlisle but at this point, his current health status was not at the top of the priority list.

There was an extended silence. It was a tempered quiet that Demetri knew all too well. Carlisle was processing the information and formulating how to best respond to what was a veiled plea for help. The fact that the plea came from someone who could be considered a hostile under normal circumstances only made the final decision carry more weight. He could understand. Carlisle had a family to consider. The Cullen patriarch wouldn't take chances with the survival of those he considered family in any case. It was just one of the many principles that Demetri had found admirable about the leader of the Olympic Coven.

"Demetri, is Felix able to travel?" Carlisle let the concern for their safety and Felix's current status color his tone. "The safety of you and Felix is what is paramount at this point. If that means that you need to leave the country then that is what must be done." He paused to further coalesce his thoughts. "Are you able to see that you and Felix make the voyage safely to my home or do I need to see about further aid?"

"Felix isn't really able to travel but he's managed to this point. I can manage for now but a back-up plan might be a wise option just in case we run into trouble or one of us becomes physically unable to continue without aid." The uncertainty and trepidation rang loud and clear in his voice even though he did his level best to hide it. "About Volterra and the others—what-?"

"All in time, Demetri. The first priority is to get you and Felix out of Italy and safely to my home. We will work on the current situation in regards to the takeover of Volterra once you and Felix are safe." There was a pause and Demetri could hear conversation in the background as Carlisle gave details and then instruction to Edward. "Demetri, do you feel comfortable making contact with Theron? He will need to know about this current situation as it pertains to Volterra and the hostile invasion? If not, then I will see to it that he receives the news."

"If there's a way for him to contact me then I'd feel better about it. He and I don't have the same sort of previous relationship that you and I have as far as past encounters. He might find it real suspicious that a ranking member of the Volturi Guard would be just outright calling him on a private number out of the blue."

"You have a valid point. I will let him know to contact you. For now, until I contact you again with further details in regards to your travel plan, you and Felix just keep a low profile and try to get some rest. Is Felix's condition medically stable at least temporarily?"

"He's weak and in pain but for now his condition is relatively stable. I managed to splint his leg enough to stabilize a compound fracture and field treat the injury to his shoulder. I am almost certain that the shoulder wound was tainted with some sort of slow acting toxin but so far it hasn't really caused detriment to his overall condition." He knew better, from past experience, than to hide information of that nature from Carlisle. "I'll keep the phone close at hand. I just want to get out of this country and then figure out how to retake Volterra—if there's anything left to retake."

"Just keep Felix comfortable and minimize any bleeding. Try to keep the wounds clean as best as possible. I will be in contact again soon. And Demetri, try not to stress. We, as a unified front will handle this situation. Stay safe and keep the phone close." They spoke minor details before the call ended with cordial regards. He set the phone down next to his drink on the desk and allowed some of the weight to lift from his shoulders. 'All in time,' Carlisle's calm tone echoed with confidence in his mind.