In the early hours of the next morning, I had thought to go back to my room considering, well Vampires apparently didn't sleep and I didn't fancy tempting fate but instead decided to seek out to see one of my mates.

I wandered all of the West wing first, knowing I wouldn't find them in it but needing some time to organise my thoughts. According to the 'family tree' book, there was a lot I had to learn. It wasn't done in the traditional illustrative way, but I supposed there were a fair few more things to consider in Vampire heritage, including sires and the whole non-ageing thing.

I had flipped to my mates first, wanting to know more about them the most, but unfortunately, it hadn't been quite so straightforward. I had to flip back and forth to understand how one person related to another. By one in the morning, I'd managed to get a basic understanding of the coven, my mates were apart of. Coven being sort of the immortal family you choose to join. It was fascinating, I did learn my mates had wives, well Caius and Aro did, although thankful the book did explain the differences between human marriage and a vampiric one.

Athenodora, the woman who had approached me from before was Caius's wife. It was disheartening that I had someone disliking me so much for reasons I didn't even quite fully understand yet, but I had to admit it was also understandable, I knew the term homewrecker, and even reading about Vampire marriages not holding much significance wouldn't erase any heartbreak one could suffer.

I had also noticed a familiar name that I had almost forgotten was connected to the Volturi, Didyme, the reason I had come to Volterra in the first place. I was surprised to learn she was Aro's sister and had been an important part of the coven, but it appeared the Volturi knew as little about her death as I did.

I'd gotten restless after that and finally,, after pacing the West wing, I walked down the staircase which I now realized was how we'd gotten above ground again, and began to go to the library. As I hadn't been told where I could find my mates I figured the library would be a good bet.

The gates were open so I hesitantly poked my head around the wall only to be met with a smirking blond, "Caius?"

"Yes darling?" He quirked an eyebrow and I grinned, stepping through the doorway and walking to the table he was sitting at. He wasn't reading any books but instead had a chess set in front of him.

I stood by the chair opposite him, "Are you playing yourself?"

"I like to have a challenging game." He deadpanned. I gave a startled laugh. It was refreshing for someone to speak their mind and the cockiness was tinged with humour, although I didn't doubt he was serious. "Although," He continued "It would be nice to have a fresh opponent to go against."

"Alright, I've never played before though," I warned him.

"I'll teach you." There was a flash and all the pieces were reset. He gestured to the board and gave a quick rundown of all the pieces and their allowed moves, I retained most of it but Caius seems to think like myself, that the best way to learn, was just by asking questions as I went. As I was white I moved first, pushing my pawn forward two spaces before I began the game. To be honest, I did try to play correctly at first, asking questions when necessary, like how does the bishop move, but Caius was clearly in his element, I was not.

I moved my pawn diagonally across the board taking out his rook, Caius corrected me "Only bishops can move more than one place diagonally,"

"Oh you haven't heard, my pawns are recently indoctrinated they meet Jesus and now they're bishops, that's just too bad for you."I grinned at him and definitely didn't expect to get away with it but he let out a bark of laughter and instead of demanding the piece back, simply kept playing.

Emboldened by the victory I came up with more outlandish reasons for why I should be allowed to do each action. Caius kept playing fairly even after he checkmated me and I declared that we'd had our own french revolution installing a republic, the game played on. Eventually, he did win by simply taking all my pieces one by one, even after 3 pawns slipped the guards. It was the most fun I'd had in ages and was very theatrical on my part.

Once I was well and truly dead I glanced at my watch to see it was 5 AM, meaning we'd played for 4 hours. "Damn."

I was met with a chuckle and a hand extended in front of me to lead me out of the room, "Wow, you're cold!"

"That would be the lack of blood."

"Oh right." I flushed, promptly ignoring the way his eyes followed the red I felt rising, I continued to hold his hand and began to pull him to the exit, having had enough of the library I wanted to explore the castle some more, and Caius could no doubt show me around.

I was shown finally where the Kings quarters were and was surprised to find a bed in Caius's room, "I thought you didn't sleep?"

He smirked, "We don't." Oh

After that I elected to keep my mouth shut for a while, It was true that my mates made me feel things I know I'd never felt before, even the embarrassment was not something I hated. Generally, it was nice being around them, but the fear lingered.

Eventually, it hit lunchtime and Caius took me to the kitchens for some food. I learnt that Bella had gone to the guardians again, I knew she loved nature so I wasn't worried, and Olly with his mates, so, for the time being, I was free to do whatever I wanted. Unfortunately, Caius was called away after that and I felt a twinge when he left. It was annoying and so I went back to my room to dig out my computer.

Once I opened it I found the wifi password and Aro's name signed underneath, which made me laugh, he was quite the eccentric, they all were really. I booted it up and checked my emails to find only one, from the Captain.

Hey Adams, Just letting you know you may have heard of the Seattle disappearances happening over the last few months. They are too frequent to be the work of one guy, we're thinking of a new gang, I'm telling you because I know you'll get involved in it otherwise. I've set some other detects on the case. I need you to focus on Wonka, he's hit again and if he follows his previous run, it'll be 3 more before he's off the radar again. We need to catch him Blue so I need you working hard on this case. I've attached all the stuff we have, old and new, print it, whatever, do whatever you need to, but give me something.

I looked down and sure enough pages and pages of documents were linked in. Fantastic. I really needed to find a printer. I always worked better with hard copies. Wait. Printer? My mind shot back to Aro, he would definitely have one somewhere.

Ditching my stuff in my room, I ran to where Caius said Aro's was. I knocked on the door and when no one answered ran to the library. I called out first hoping no one else was in there that I would disturb, I needn't have worried, it always seemed unoccupied except for my mates, I wondered why that was.

Entering the library still calling out, it soon became apparent he wasn't there. I decided to leave before I got lost. I went to check the throne room instead, it was shown to be the doors I hadn't entered several days ago.

As I approached the oak doors I hesitated, It was likely they were conducting a trial if they were in there and I didn't really want to burst in on it. I knocked again just to be safe but nothing happened. Sighing I pushed open the doors, which was rather difficult as they were quite heavy. I slipped through and they slowly shut behind me.

I stepped further into the room, which was empty aside from three thrones which sat on raised steps, fascinated I approached them and ran my fingers along with the dark wood. I remembered them, they were from my dream.

The middle one was Aro's eyes carved into the wood speaking for itself. The one to my left had what looked like fine strings of red crossing in various directions from the back to the ground and the ground to the armrests, I assumed it was Marcus's from his gift of fate or bonds. The last one was adorned with what looked like a wolf's head sitting atop the crown with its pelt draped over the back of the throne.

I stepped back and admired them, they were astonishingly beautiful, I could picture each king sitting in them. Marcus would throw his legs over an arm crossed and coming across and disinterested, Caius would sit at an angle as though bored but he would be watching the scene in front of him showing his readiness to pounce his back straight and firm. Aro would have his legs crossed and he would be either leaning back observing everything or leaning forward with interest.

I couldn't picture myself there, I wouldn't even know what my throne would look like If I had one. Probably pictures of goldfish stuck on it, not very menacing.

Deciding I'd had enough with this room I turned to a door to Caius's side of the throne room, it looked like it led to an antechamber. I walked lightly, still wary. I made it to the doorway, which had no door and stood a smile stretching onto my face at the sight.

All the Kings were around a table stacked with books, a glance at the one Caius had just angrily flipped onto the table read the words 'Relationships for dummies', It was unnecessarily sweet, seeing other books, one of food recipes and another on 'interests for the modern woman.' The books were stacked high and they were clearly engrossed in them. I was touched and it helped to see they were clearly just as nervous about the relationship as I was.

I watched them for a moment longer and was about to announce myself when Marcus looked up and gave me a gentle smile. Appearing before me, he took my hands, "Apologies Amore have you sort out company? We thought you would appreciate some time alone?"

Caius and Aro's heads snapped up and they looked worried at Marcus's words as though they had really been trying and now thought that he made the wrong choice. "No. I mean yes, I came looking for you guys, and I do appreciate some separation don't get me wrong but actually I kinda want to spend some more time with you guys if that's alright?"

A blink and Caius and Aro joined Marcus in front of me. "You are always welcome to come to us, Dearest," Marcus brought my hands to his lips and I screwed up my eyes in embarrassment.

"You've got to stop doing things like that," I mumbled

A spark flickered mischievously behind his eyes and he pulled me close so I stumbled into his chest, "Like what Amore?" He faked ignorance and purred the words, sending a subtle vibration through me which caused me to gasp.

Ducking under his arms I made my way to the table, standing at a corner. They joined me, sitting in the seats they had before and it was my turn to smirk, "Sooo," I drawled gesturing to the books. Aro seemed to be looking for something to explain it away and Caius avoided eye contact, "I think it's cute." At Caius'soffended look I became a little more serious, "No, really, it's nice to know I'm not the only one who has no idea what they're doing. Although you guys did have each other."

Marcus nodded, "Yes but we were all Vampires before we got into a relationship, I'm afraid I've quite forgotten how to be human."

I shrugged, "There isn't much to it, you aren't all that different. Definitely not mentally, aside from being the Apex predator and physically different, you're just old." Aro pulled a face and I laughed "Hey you're the one insisting I'm the youngest."

"You are the youngest," Marcus seemed confused.

"No," I corrected "You're the youngest, I'm the second oldest."

"Darling" Marcus purred "I'm older than the Anchor."

"Wait what?" I turned to Aro excited, "Really?"

Caius appeared on my side, "And the Mirror."

My jaw dropped, "That's crazy. Okay you win, you're old." The thought hit me, "So you were never able to see your reflection in a mirror, that's a little sad."

Aro grinned, "I think some information you may believe about Vampires, isn't entirely correct Blue dear."

I narrowed my eyes and allowed Caius to pull me onto his lap. I was tense but relaxed far quicker than I thought once he started gently purring. "-Um, what about Garlic?"

"Delicious," Marcus smirked at Caius's antics

"Killed by stakes?"

Aro shook his head, "Only being pulled apart and set aflame can kill a vampire."

Caius added on "And only a Vampire can pull apart another, as we are practically indestructible it takes a great deal of force."

"Right… So no metal allergies?" I questioned

"No." Aro denied, "Nore do we perish in sunlight, it does, however, have a peculiar effect on our skin. It makes us glisten and would reveal we are not human so we tend to stick in the shade or inside."

"Okay, that's fine, one last question." Marcus gave a go-ahead gesture, "Do you turn into bats?"

Caius gave a wounded sound behind me while Aro shot a look of annoyance at Marcus who was grinning rather humorously. "You will find," Breezed Aro, "That Marcus enjoys adding to the legends of our race and has an affinity for pranks, unfortunately, due to most's perception of him he is never suspected."

At that Marcus's grin vanished and he examined his nails in mock innocence, "I don't know what you're talking about Aro."

I slumped against Caius enjoying the banter that surrounded me, it had only been a few days and yet I already felt more comfortable here than I had in Seattle for 10 years.

The rest of the day I spent mucking about with my mates, I even let Marcus take me for a run on his back, unfortunately, I didn't realise until I had jumped up and Aro cheerfully informed me he was 'quite' fast, just what a mistake I had made.

Despite my aversion to the speed, it was more the blurring of everything I didn't like so, as long as I kept my head buried into his neck I was fine, and he didn't seem to mind.

I eventually got around to asking Aro for the printer and took some time explaining my job to them, which was nice. I liked my job and it feels good to share a piece of my life with them.

It had been a good day and by the time I had finished dinner, I was worn out enough to retire to my room. I had planned on printing the documents already having left it long enough but I found myself crawling under the obsidian sheets and fast asleep within minutes.

-IMMORTAL-

The Cullens were due to arrive today, two days before the Ball. Aro had come to tell Bella and myself when we were chatting in the gardens, we were invited to watch the trial but I wasn't sure. I didn't know the Cullens but I also didn't know how I would react to witnessing my mates in their judge, jury, executioner setting. When Bella said she was going I figured if my mates were willing to let me see them in what was essentially their workplace, I would do them the courtesy of being there.

We stood waiting, hand in hand, I wasn't sure if it was for comfort or restraint, judging by Bella's look of stone, I hoped for Edward's sake I was wrong about him. We had positioned ourselves in the corner of the big room, Felix was closer to the door in front of us and Demetri was close to the thrones on our side. Jane, Alec and Olly weren't watching, Olly having no interest, and Aro had told the twins to spend the day with their mate. I would need to check up on him later.

I was a little concerned with how there were only two guards were in the room and neither of them was on Caius's side but they didn't look worried, so, for now, I said nothing. I was pleased to see the Kings did grace their thrones the way I had envisioned, aside from Aro who was standing at the top of the steeps, waiting.

We didn't have too long before a woman I hadn't met yet, dressed in a vibrant red, pushed the doors open and led through 7 individuals, I recognise 6 of them, the last one I assumed was Esme, Bella had said she was Carlisle's wife.

Red dress disappeared and shut the doors behind her, while Aro gave a cheerful greeting, not fake, but his eyes held the promise of darker things. "Hello, my dear Cullens. I've not had the pleasure of meeting you all yet, although this is a rather unfortunate circumstance for introductions…"

I had watched as Edward had honed in on Bella the minute he entered the room, for the moment he was just staring at us, but when he caught my eye his lip curled in a snarl. Apparently, he blamed me for their presence here, or maybe he blamed me for Bella's, that would be more accurate.

Carlisle bowed his head respectfully to Aro. "Aro, Caius, Marcus, it is good to see you again, no matter the circumstances. This is my family, Rosalie, Emmet, Jasper, Alice, My wife Esme and Edward." Each one bowed their head when he introduced them although Edward's was clearly done with gritted teeth.

Aro, seemingly spirits lifted at the words from his old friend, came down the stairs to be on the same level as the Cullens. "Carlisle, you've been summoned here today as it has come to our attention, you may have knowingly left alive one who learned of our existence-"

Edward interrupted "-There is no law against that. The law is we must not expose ourselves to the humans, none of us did that, Bella figured it out on her own." Carlisle shot his son a sharp look which was ignored.

"Ahh-" Aro wandered closer to Edward, who had faced the Volturi fully now, "That is true, dear Bella did inform us of this, however, I wasn't finished. I'll need to have proof obviously, as Bella was able to block me from her thoughts, remarkable really." He said the last bit with a glance to us, shooting a wink at Bella, who relaxed, I gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

Carlisle took the lead again, "I'm not aware we could have done anything else wrong, Aro?"

Aro seemed to get a bit more serious "We as Vampires, have laws created by us the Volturi to ensure and protect our existence. However -" He hissed the last word "Even before we came to rule there were things understood, unspoken laws of our people, of mates."

Carlisle opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted by a loud snarl from Caius "Silence!"

Aro continued on as though nothing had happened, "One's mate is the most sacred bond a Vampire could ever have, you know this Carlisle, and as apparently do most of your coven, apart from Edward it would seem."

Edward snarled "I've found my mate!"

I saw Marcus raise a lazy eyebrow in his direction and suddenly Edward lunged "You lier!"

Before I even knew what was happening Felix had restrained Edward and Aro was tutting. I turned to Bell, "What?"

"Edward can read minds, but only surface thoughts, he must have heard Marcus saying I wasn't his mate. I don't think he liked it." She whispered to me.

Huh, well how 'bout that.

"Carlisle," Aro mocked electing to ignore the thrashing and muffled Edward for the moment, "It appears that animal blood had affected your smell, Bella is not Edward's mate. Luckily for all of you, as if she had been, the abandoning of her would have been a grave sin on your part."

"Not that it wasn't" I muttered to her, giving her hand another gentle squeeze.

Surprisingly it was the one called Rosalie who had an outburst next, She turned to Carlisle with a look of rage, "She wasn't even his mate?!"

"Rosalie-" He tried to calm her but she wasn't having any of it.

"No! I told you, I said she was a danger to our family, that we were risking everything by letting her into our lives, and then when Edward deemed her suddenly a risk we all had to up and leave!"

Aro was watching the exchange almost amused.

"Rosalie, it wasn't like that and you know it, we did think Bella was his mate and keeping them apart would have been a crime-"

Rosalie snarled and to my shock, as well as Bella's, she turned to us and spoke directly to Bella. "Bella I'm sorry. You know I never liked you, and I won't pretend I did, but I never wanted this life for you, I'm sorry we let you in and then shut you out."

There were a few nods of agreement and apologies from the others before Bella responded, "It's alright, I thought he was my mate too."

Caius scoffed "Yes but you do not have the advantage of being able to smell if he is or isn't"

Aro resumed centre stage. "Carlisle you mentioned an important point. It is a crime to knowingly participate in the obstruction of a mates union, should they be of age. I wonder then, why my mate has knowledge of you and yet you told us nothing of her existence?"

I winced, I really didn't want to get anyone in trouble, but I didn't know the laws and so I would remain objective on it, taking the experience as a learning one hopefully rather than a personal one.

Aro extended his hand and Carlisle took it, not wasting time but obviously a bit resigned. There was a moment of tense silence when all the Cullens waited with bated breath, even Edward seemed to have stopped struggling.

Aro pulled away and his face wasn't happy but he didn't look angry either so I figured it was an alright sign. Aro brought his hands to his lips in a prayer-like motion, I noticed Marcus narrow his eyes and would have missed it if I hadn't been looking, it was almost as if they were talking to each other.

Finally reaching a decision, Aro spread his arms, "You are free to go Cullens." His voice dropped into the unmistakable tone of a threat "Carlisle you are very lucky that I read your intentions and your ignorance, that Animal blood really had done a number on your senses, although you suspected you did not actively hide her from us and as such you have broken no laws."

"Thank you Aro-"

"-As for the other one, you are very lucky, very lucky indeed." I frowned, another one, there was someone else Carlisle had tried to keep from their mate, I wondered what his problem was with the concept.

The Cullens begin to exit and Felix released Edward, who snarled at Aro, "And what of Bella?"

Aro cocked his head to the side "What of her?"

"She isn't your mate, we will take her home-"

"Ah ha ha ha." I snarled at him, "In your dreams mate, you'll have to get through me first!"

I stepped in front of her, my mind flashing to all the pain Bella had experienced at his expense, hoping he saw all of it, he went to step towards me but was blocked within a blink by Marcus. Jesus, he was fast.

There was a moment of tension before Edward tried talking directly to Bella. "Bella, come back with us."

"Why would I?" Bella stated coldly.

"Because of Charlie? He's your father."

"He thinks we're on Holiday, which I guess we still are."

Edward seemed to restrain himself from rolling his eyes, "Bella look around you, they won't let you leave."

"Yes, they will." My voice left no room for debate, and a quick glance at Aro and Caius faces showed they weren't about to argue.

Carlisle broke the stalemate, "Edward, come on, Bella has made her decision." Gritting his teeth he walked to the doors.

Aro called out before they left "East wing, Cullens, the Ball is in two days, if you wish to purchase appropriate clothing wear there is a fantastic shop within the city, Demetri is quite fond of it, he will show you if you ask."

Once the door was shut again Aro was in front of me and gazing intently into my eyes, I felt Bella let go of my hand and saw Demetri and Felix lead her away. Caius joined Aro and I felt another hand pull my hair away from my neck, Marcus.

"You gotta stop doing the whole supper speed thing, I can't keep up," I complained with a nervous laugh.

Caius' eyes fluttered as he took a deep breath in, as though my very scent calmed him. "We'll carry you if you need."

"That doesn't make much se- Whoa!" I clutched Caius tight as he picked me up and lifted me above his head spinning me around. I shut my eyes and chanted 'Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god."

He finally put me down and I stumbled into him and the smart ass muttered "Not quite."

Aro grinned, "So Amore, what did you think? I have to say it was rather tame." He almost seemed disappointed by that which I wasn't sure how that made me feel.

"You do this thing where you go from serious to delighted, like a yo-yo and it's... nice" I finished lamely unable to bring myself to say hot out loud to vampires who predated Shakespeare by a very long time. He seemed to know what I meant though because his eyes darkened and he stepped forward causing me to stumble into Marcus who wrapped his arms around me with a chuckle.

"That isn't quite what I meant Amore." Aro purred, taking another predatory step forward. I cursed myself for forgetting the question and tried desperately to remember it as he took another step. Oh yeah "I thought your gift is exceptionally handy in the courtroom, especially for a fair trial."

Aro seemed to lose his demeanour at that appearing solum, stepping back a fraction. I frowned, wanting to tell him he could touch me but fearful, Athenodora's words coming back to me, Aro could feel the pain of those he touched, it rang in my head and I thought of asking if it was true but the same stab of fear shot through me, I couldn't, I couldn't. "I want to touch you Aro but-"

"But you wish to tell us your thoughts and memories in your own time?"

I nodded falling to look at the floor disheartened, "We can still touch without my gift Amore. If you trust that I will not invade your mind without permission."

I looked up "Really?" I couldn't help the smile

"Yes Blue, I promise I will not betray your trust-"

Wasting no more time walking forward I shot him a grin before throwing myself into his arms and nuzzling his neck. "Aro!"

His laugh cut into a pained groan as I wrapped my legs around him, I pulled back still clinging to him, trying to figure out what was wrong. I thought humans couldn't hurt Vampires. The dark look in his eyes was back and I felt heat shoot through me as I realised what had happened.

I now had to make a decision, jump down, or not? It was taken from me when Caius sidled up behind me purring.

"Fuck," I hissed. A deep chuckle to the right meant Marcus had joined as well. I saw his hand reach to bury in my hair and I grabbed it bringing it to my mouth, repeating his actions from yesterday, he sucked in air through his teeth which I was pretty sure he didn't need.

I squeezed my thighs around Aro's hips, he hissed, but I pushed up settling higher so I was leaning down to touch his forehead with mine, landing a kiss on his nose I abruptly released and dropped to the floor. Turning on my heels to jump, press a kiss to Caius's cheek before striding past them to the exit with a call over my shoulders. "I also have a job to do, sorry guys." With a finally cheeky wave to their slightly stunned but amused faces, I headed back to my room.

-IMMORTAL-

"Why is it so hard to be nice to you?" I nearly sniggered as I walked into a conversation between Felix and Demetri.

The flamboyant Italian responded in a peculiar fashion "Oh do tell me more."

"No," Felix huffed "This is not- I'm not seducing you. You're annoying."

Demitri gave a fake gasp.

Felix narrowed his eyes, "Die."

"I'm alre-"

"I know! I know! Dear god I know!" He clearly regretted saying it instantly.

Deciding to intervene while I could, I spoke up "Um Felix or Demetri?"

They turned at the same time and I saw Demitri split into what I assumed was his grin but looked an awful lot like a smirk, while Felix gave a slight smile.

"Yes, milady?" Demetri answered

"I was wondering if you would be able to tell the kings I'll be busy for the next few days?" I hurried to add on, "I'm not trying to tell you what to do, I just thought by the time I made it back to the throne room they might have super speed away…"

He gave a laugh waving me off, while Felix raised his eyebrows in amusement, "Milady, you are perfectly within your rights to order us around, you are the queen."

"Uh-huh. Right, well, please do it then?" I wasn't sure how I felt about being a 'queen' didn't really suit me. Demetri gave a bow and Felix gave a sigh at the other Italian, before they left and I went to my room, finally printing my reports and getting started, the killer wasn't working on my schedule and as much as I wanted to spend more time with my mates, who were turning out to be quite fun, I had work to do.

-IMMORTAL-

"Hello." I looked up from the ground, a habit I had yet to break when walking, and saw two of the Cullens, Alice and Jasper if I remembered correctly.

"Hi." The pixie one extended her hand in greeting and I took it, deciding to introduce myself realising they probably didn't know my name. "I'm Blue."

The male gave a slight bow, "I'm Jasper ma'am and this is my wife Alice."

"Blue, that's a pretty name. I was wondering, well, we were wondering if you'd let us see Bella, we wanted to apologise. Especially me, because… well, we were friends and-"

I nodded cutting her off. I'd heard from Bella that she was close with Alice, and if Bella hadn't been so distraught with Edward leaving I think Alice's departure might have put her in a similar state, "Sure, I mean I'm not her keeper, but I reckon Bella needs a good scream." With that, I turned on my heels and began to lead them to the gardens, where Bella seemed to always be found.

After I dumped them in Bella's lap with a snarky 'good luck' I returned back to my original destination of food, heading for the kitchens.

Walking into the kitchens I was rather surprised to find, Demetri, Felix, Olly, Jane and Alec, who made a space for me at their table not stoping their discussion. I grabbed some bread and made a sandwich before sitting myself into the space on the kitchen stool, and listened I ate.

Olly always a delight seemed to be spouting absolute nonsense which his mates were trying back him up on. "-Cops are ghosts, that's why they can't climb."

Felix looked exasperated, "Ghosts aren't real."

"But if they were, they wouldn't be able to climb," Alec pointed out.

Jane nodded "They'd fall through the stairs."

Demetri narrowed his eye "Why just the stairs, why not the ground?"

"No," Olly snaped "You climb onto roofs by the outside walls. No stairs. Police can't climb walls, so they are ghosts, cause ghosts fall through walls." He seemed rather proud of himself for his analysis and the smug look the twins were wearing was rather adorable.

"Hey,' I frowned at him "I'm a cop."

He folded his arms in mock annoyance, "No silly you're a detective."

Felix raised an eyebrow "That is a cop."

Olly shook his head refusing to believe it, probably as he'd seen me scale a wall before when I'd left the key in our apartment.

Demetri abruptly stood drawing all eyes to him. "Oliver. Come with me we must be gone."

Jane narrowed her eyes at his outstretched hand and suddenly he let out a yep and withdrew it. "Why?" Demanded Alec.

Demetri shot a pleading look to Felix who simply picked Olly up and sat him on his shoulders, much to the twin's protest. "Because the masters want him dressed nicely for the ball, we have to get his measurements taken, I'm afraid we'll have to steal him for a while."

Olly seemed delighted and proceeded to squeeze his legs around Felix's neck like a horse shouting "Away!" as he went.

Seeing the twins grudgingly allow it, they sped off and I noticed Demetri bolt after them with excitement in his eyes, I didn't envy the kid.

I found myself alone eating my sandwich with two kids who were probably hundreds of years older than myself who were somehow involved with my kid. I narrowed my eyes at them deciding to get some answers from someone other than my mates.

"As Olly and myself are rather new to this whole mate thing, you want to fill me in on some of the aspects, because I for one, am a little confused at your relationship." I gestured between the both of them.

Jane answered me first, "We are biological siblings, yes, however, the stigma that surrounds a family relationship centres around the offspring it would create, as we are Vampires and therefore infertile the stigma tends to lose it's meaning." You know... that made sense, in a way there really was no reason for them not to be together, if they loved each other like that.

Alec took over "My sister and I found out we were mates after we were turned, we were always close which was another reason our village tried to burn us-"

"-Say what?" I gave them a horrified look, "Burn you."

Jane gave a grin, "Yes, for witchcraft, they always thought we were rather strange, but master Aro found us and turned us before we were killed." Huh, guess that explained the nickname 'witch twins'.

Alec continued, "Master Marcus told us we had another in our bond but as they were not a vampire we could not tell who they were until we meet them. We are thankful you brought Oliver to us, and he told us that you saved him from his own hell as well."

I gave a sad smile "I didn't really do much in bringing him here, he rather goes where he pleases."

"Yes, we've noticed" Jane muttered

That made me laugh, I could imagine the stress they had been under as Vampires used to being the fasts thing on earth and yet Olly could disappear within a blink, probably giving their hundred-year-old selves multiple heart attacks." I was glad he had them, they clearly cared for his wellbeing which was all I wanted for him.

I was about to take my leave when I remembered the question I kept forgetting to ask, "Oh you guys wouldn't happen to know if a Vampire is able to influence a human into thinking that they are mates? Because I've been told people act illogically infatuated with their mates, to an extent, but Bella-"

"She was most likely dazzled by the Cullen boy." I paused feeling a little weirded out that Jane who looked very young, was calling someone boy.

"Dazzled?"

Alec nodded, "Vampires can use a dazzling effect on humans to make them 'dazzled' into going with them into a dark ally or someplace the Vampire can feed on them, it's possible Cullen did so without his knowledge, however, a prolonged effect of it can lead to dependant actions on both sides. Not that it's been studied much, but Master Aro likes to know as much as he can about everything so anything more you want to know, I would ask him."

I thanked them and walked back to my room, mind buzzing. It sounded right, and it fit the situation, everyone thought they were mates because they were acting like mates, Bella was thrown into a sort of withdrawal once he left, which also aligned with the hypnosis connections found in her brain. It was troubling to realise Vampire had such power over humans, let alone the super-strength, speed and pretty much everything else.

One I made it to my room, I pulled open the two books given to me and began to look through them, trying to find more on Vampire history rather than personal connections between Vampires, or history of the castle I was living in. I gave up once it became apparent there was nothing like what I was looking for and went back to my work.

-IMMORTAL-

Some point later on during the night I grinned triumphantly as I pressed call on the Captain number, having reached a conclusion on the case.

"-Come on Captain you've gotta trust me on this."

"I do trust you Blue, but you know the court is never going to sanction that. You need proof then you can get the medical records, there absolutely zero chance they would allow you reports from multiple people, let alone hospitals."

I sighed. It had been a long shot but I also knew it was our only lead so far. It had occurred to me that based on my profiling of the killer, he was either a schizophrenic or mentally challenged in some significant way. Which I believed was caused by a physical injury, due to the sudden decision of murder. It was obviously nothing to go on, but adding in his delusion which I believed occurred during his recovery, be it recovery for the already active schizophrenia, or from a physical injury, most likely in the brain. Theoretically, we could cross-reference patients that had been seen within the last three years for a brain injury and see which hospitals within Washington, specifically the dodgy suburbs where he killed, had played Charlie and the Chocolate factory for a 'movie night' or something along those lines.

"Blue it's just never going to work, most hospitals leave the patients watching a channel on a Tv station, the killer very well could have seen the name of the movie and hooked on to that."

"Sir if you could send some officers to just question the hospitals in the -"

"No Blue. My officers are already spread thin with the changes being made around, here. I'm afraid you are going to have to find another lead."

He hung up and I swore, letting the phone fall onto my bed and shoving my face in my hands. I knew it was a terrible lead but it truly was the only one we had, forensics had found nothing of value which was practically unheard of, the guy was a ghost.

I knew the answer lay somewhere in the hospitals. He had been in one, at some point I knew it, the problem was there were 108 hospital or medical care facilities in Washington, and I had nothing to narrow them down.

Forensics found nothing, that was another thing that was bothering me. How could forensics find nothing, Wonka was prepared, methodical but also passionate in his crimes, how did he not make mistakes, not just a lack of mistakes but purposefully misleading us? There had been fingerprints found on all the victims, all different and the police had checked them out, most had alibis and the ones that didn't, were in custody when Wonka hit again.

I pulled up the forensics reports on all the prints again and spread them out on the floor side by side. I jumped up onto my bed so I could see them together from a height. Hoping down I got to work printing out a map and sticking it to the wall, from then I marked each location the fingerprint victims lived, in another colour, I marked where all the victims from Wonka's kills had been found and drew a line to their homes.

I stood back and looked at the image, it was lateral, it branched out from a space where there were no murders, I'd done something previously with only the murdered victims, but adding in the fingerprints he'd stolen provided fewer gaps and eliminated the need to wait for more bodies to show up. I let my finger brush the town it all branched from; Davenport. Davenport only had one hospital, Lincoln Hospital.

I picked up the phone from my bed and punched in the hospital's number.

"Hello you've reached Lincoln Hospital, how can I help you?"

"Um, no one's hurt-" I thought I'd better mention that first, "I'm actually detective Adams from Seattle Police department, I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions?"

"I'm afraid we aren't able to give out patients files without a signed warrant from a judge."

"Yes I know, I actually wanted to talk about the daily routines staff employ for patients that have less than fully functioning abilities, more specifically head or brain trauma?"

She seemed to be thinking it over and I heard a sound of movement before she was a little clearer, apparently taking the conversation somewhere more private, "Yes I'm, able to do that. Generally, we give patients set meal times as much as we can, routine is fairly important to us."

"Right and are you routine with entertainment? For example, would a bedridden patient be allowed to watch a movie or television at certain times?"

"The patients are able to choose when they watch and what they watch, however those who are unable to choose will often have the screen left on."

I thought my next question over carefully, "Without divulging any patients privacy are you able to tell me if within the last three years there has been a single patient that either themselves, watched a movie repeatedly or had the same one on repeat playing for them, specifically the movie "Charlie and the Chocolate factory?"

"We have a policy that, repetition is not allowed to occur, patients may watch a movie a few times but watching the same thing consistently especially in a brain-damaged state could cause harm."

"Right-"

"However, I wouldn't have thought of it before, but there was a patient would request the book be read to him every night, I hadn't thought it strange at the time, I never did it myself not my ward, but Allison would talk about how she always had to read the same book to that patient."

"Thank you so much-"

She interrupted with a warning in her voice, "If you are going to get a warrant, know this, the patient was not in the ward for brain trauma or injuries."

I paused feeling thrown "Were they in the mental health facility?"

"I cannot say."

"Well I appreciate what you've done for me, hopefully, we can acquire a warrant and get the answers we need."

"Good luck detective."

"You as well ma'am."

I hung up and a quick google search up brought the hospital website, I went onto the page and clicked on staff, Immediately finding a girl called Allison, seeing she was working at the hospital from before 3 years ago I clicked on her, hoping to see if there were any patient recovery stories. There wasn't, but a look at her special qualifications and area of nursing answered quite a few questions. The Burns Ward.

So that was why forensics had a hard time, the culprit likely had no hair, and if enough of the body had been burn, skin graphs might have had to come from someone else, which explained the skin particles found on the bodies not matching our killer, I had thought he left them purposefully like the fingerprints, scattered red herrings everywhere… but it was his skin, just from someone else.

My eyes lit up. The skin can't have been much different though, skin graphs were like organ transplants they needed to match in some way otherwise the body will reject the tissue and destroy it. Fascinating and thankfully creating another lead.

I pulled my emails up and sent one off the Depika, I hadn't been given the information on the DNA match as it had been declared a dead end, but if we managed to get the donor to give their medical records, we could potentially narrow down the skin colour, and genetic makeup of our killer, along with the medical records from Lincoln Hospital, we just might catch them before they kill again.

Once telling Depika to forward me all the stuff on the DNA match I closed the computer and took a breath before calling Derek again.

"Adams you better not be ringing too-"

I interrupted him, "I found a lead the court will sign."

"Oh?"

"Yes, I know the place he's residing, a place he feels comfortable and safe, he's venturing out and killing-"

"I thought we already tried mapping the bodies, there weren't enough to show anything?"

"Yes, that's what we thought, but I added in the fingerprint, the red herrings, he left for us, he had to go and get the fingerprints right?"

"I'm impressed Blue."

"There's more," I hurred on "It's Devenport, and the only hospital in Devenport is Lincoln Hospital-"

"Please tell me you didn't call."

"I called-"

"Damn it Blue!"

"Have a little faith Captin-" I snapped "I was only following up on entertainment procedures with all extreme care patients, and inquired about any oddities associated with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory."

"You found something I presume."

"Yes, apparently there was a patient that fit the time frame who requested the book be read to him 'all the time', she mentioned he wasn't in the head trauma care ward, so I did some more digging, the lady she named as the one who had been requested to read the book, works in the severe burns unit. I'm thinking our guy fooled forensics with his lack of own DNA, but skin graphs have-"

"-To be a match." He breathed out in awe "Alright Blue, good job, I'll get Depika on it, or have you already don that?"

"Yes sir, already sent."

"Should have known. I'll send out for the Warrant, you write your report with the evidence and send it over, hopefully, it'll be enough for the judge."

"Thank you, Sir."

"Blue."

"Yes, Captin?"

"I don't want that report before Tomorrow you here me?"

"Captian-" I gave a week protest,

"No Blue, do you know what godforsaken hour this is?" I glanced at my watch and held in my shock, it was the morning, nearly 5, I didn't realise how late I'd gone, not that it wasn't normal but I'd called that poor nurse. "Not till tomorrow Adams, get some sleep, rest. The judge will have to process my request before they need the report, so no one is waiting on you."

"Alright, thanks, Captain."

We hung up and I stretched, not wanting to sleep, but feeling a little better since Derek said they wouldn't be waiting on me. I wrote the report anyway. A reminder of all the children killed spread across my floor, it wasn't like I had anything better to do, and I set the email to send the minute it switched over from midnight, not wanting to be the reason another child never came home.