Chapter 4: Excogitable memories

Alec watched from his spot next to Jane. The Volturi's newest addition was receiving her cloak. Everyone had speculated about what color cloak she would receive. Even though she had an ability that could be almost as useful as his own, she was still an immortal child; Short tempered and rash little monsters, which could not be controlled by anyone. Even with the short time that he had been with her, Alec could see Calandra's inner struggle with her basic instincts. She was very testy but at times he could see her actual calm personality. That was probably the only positive of her temperament.

Those green eyes could not hide her impish tendencies. She would disrupt the relative peace that he had. It was abominable enough with Aro and his callow acts. Like Marcus, Alec was not fond of Aro drinking alcohol and throwing it up everywhere. She would just add to their problems.

"Wait… you're one of the reasons why she is here!" he reminded himself. His outburst was so unlike him. He couldn't even explain the feeling. A pulling or yearning to save her was the feeling, he guessed. It was probably that need to protect that all Immortal Children used to survive.

Someone grabbed Alec's arm sharply, truncating his thoughts. He looked at Jane who was staring straight ahead. Disgust and hate showed on her face. He followed her angry stares to Calandra who held a black cloak. It was not the dark grey cloak that most had suspected she would receive. Nor was it the same shade of black that he and Jane wore. It was a stygian black like Chelsea's; the closest shade to the pure black of the leaders.

Jane was Aro's preferred ability. Calandra's presence was now a threat to that. He could feel his sister slowly beat herself up for allowing that abomination to the rules live. She was not like him and was susceptible to jealousy. She would find extreme pleasure in destroying Calandra.

Alec watched Calandra slip on the cloak and be jostled around by Aro's jumping. Jane's grip became tighter. She was trying her hardest not to snap. Alec tried to pacify her by patting her hand but it did little.

Afton and Demetri appeared next to Calandra. Alec noted Demetri's familiarity with her. He felt relieved that he would not have to worry about her clinging to him hoping to become friends. Though befriending her would move him to a very good position. If he fell out of favor for any reason, her position would save him. He presumed that she would have her way like Chelsea.

He focused on Calandra's face once again before she was gone. It was like she had almost forgotten how close she was to dying the other day. Her face only filled admiration for Demetri. Aro sat back down on his throne, smiling widely. "She will be a most interesting addition to our family."

Alec raced after Jane who had stormed off as soon as they were dismissed. Jane could not have a tantrum and destroy half the castle again. He followed her down the corridors until they were far away from the earshot of anybody important. Alec grabbed his sister's shoulders, hugging her close in an attempt to pacify her and stop her from escaping. Jane pushed and kicked, trying to get Alec off of her.

"LET GO OF ME ALEC! I DO NOT WANT TO TALK!" Jane shrieked at him. She pushed him against the wall trying to beat him off, but Alec let the mist envelop her. He caught her senseless body as it fell.

"Jane, you really need to calm down," he said to her senseless body. At least in this state, she listened better. He sat her down against the wall, readying him for when his mist would retract and leave a very disconcerted Jane.

He slid down next to her and rested his hand over her mouth. As soon as the mist left, Jane's eyes flicked open, and she began struggling again.

"Alec! Geif foff fove meeffff!" She screeched muffled by his hand. Jane continued to wriggle and scratch at him. He was left with no choice but to sit on top of her.

"Sister, if you would calm down and be the presentable lady that you are, I will get off of you," he explained. Jane continued to struggle, but seeing her brother hold fast made her surrender. They both sat up, and Alec grasped his sister's shoulder, staring straight into her eyes. He knew it was nongermane to ask what was wrong.

"Why did I say anything that day? I don't know what came over me," Jane said shaking. "Look at her. She's going to take everyone's place someday with that stupid "double power". And where did that even come from? It sounds like something from a story."

"Honestly you worry too much. If you feel confident in your position, then she shouldn't be a threat to you. Besides, at least you have some subtle warning if you're going to go on one of your rampages. Immortal children don't have any warning. Aro is probably just keeping her close so he can kill her easier. You should have no problems with that child," Alec stated, gently hitting her head with his palm.

Jane cringed and slapped it out of her way. "Watch it! Just because we're related does not mean I won't kill you," she snapped.

Alec got up and hit her on her forehead again. "I'd like to see you try. We all know I'm the stronger one," he proclaimed haughtily. "You wouldn't dare hurt me anyway."

Jane rubbed her head in pain. Even though she was scowling he could tell her mood had lightened and was no longer in danger of turning into a full out tantrum. He laughed silently at his sister.

Jane got up and jumped onto Alec's back sending him stumbling. Regaining his balance, he looked at his sister whose scowl was now replaced with her sadistic smile. There was not much for him to do about the situation. He had successfully distracted her from jealous thoughts. It was really the only way to make her feel better.

"Brother, let's go torture those idiotic animals."

()()()()()()()()()()()()

A fire crackled and flicked its tongues, hoping to catch a more combustible item. Sadly, today it had been left unfed and neglected. The poor fire scrambled to snatch up the still useful pieces of wood in the ashes. It whimpered sorrowfully as another piece of wood disintegrated under its grasp. Usually, it was more than filled with scrunched and discarded parchment, but recently, there had been a lack of activity in the study.

The sound of rustling cloaks and hushed livid voices perked it up. Angry voices meant the tossing of papers and other delicious items. It grew more excited at seeing Aro and Caius enter. They had always been the most kind to the fire. It remembered fondly of the time when Caius tossed a small bookshelf into its home in his rage at Aro.

"Aro! I still do not understand why you insist on keeping that atrocity alive." Caius said.

"It's all in the grander scheme of things Caius." Aro said childishly. Furious with Aro's answer Caius whispered crossly "That's what you have been saying all this time. Aro, do you even know the consequences of this? You're just going to disregard your own rules because of a simple whim of Alec and Marcus?" An amused look appeared on Aro's face. He leaned against the side of the fireplace, eyeing Caius. Aro grabbed a sheet of parchment off of the mantle and started ripping tiny pieces off and tossed it to the fire. Greedily, the fire gobbled up the little pieces, begging and reaching out for more.

"Caius, you really think I would let someone else change my mind? I'm offended to think that I'd be such a pushover," Aro said dramatically. He started pacing in front of the fire. "No, every once in a while, it is good to test your best players. With their weakness already in our control, they become invincible."

"So you take in an immortal child?" Caius asked flabbergasted at Aro's gall. He slumped into one of the two chairs in the room. His hands flew up, trying to express his exasperation, but there was nothing he could do to express the extreme frustration he felt. "Think about how many retaliated when we destroyed the others. If the covens found out we have our own immortal child, there will be rebellions. These are our laws Aro. We must uphold them. I don't care how she has two abilities. Giving up peace for a once in a lifetime power is not worth it."

Aro came close to Caius and whispered in his ear: "What if they don't know she is an immortal child?" He pulled back and returned to the greedy fire. "Why do you think I put her with Afton? All she has to do is stay invisible and cling to his back. No one would know that she existed. Besides, having two powers is not anything new. The one that changed me had two." Aro receded and started wandering around the study.

"But why have most of us never seen this before? Even Elezear didn't know exactly what he was looking at." Caius said pointing out everyone else's ignorance on the subject.

Aro pulled an old journal from the drawer in his desk. He flipped through it before stopping at a certain page. He cleared his thoughts and said "My turner told me of his accounts of studying these people. Every decade there is a human born that has the potential to develop a second ability. The thing that makes it so rare is the stages to get to that point."

He paused allowing Caius time to take in the information.

"How they live their human life, how they are changed, and how their vampire life unfolds are taken into account. It's different for each person. Not all are going to become a vampire. So taking in a century worth of these humans, Maybe if you're lucky ten will be turned. Five of them will have fulfilled the requirement in their human life allowing them to have their predisposition ability. Only two of them will be able to develop the second ability. That is if they're able to survive to that point. "

Caius sat there dumb-founded. He could only ask, "How did this happen?"

Aro shrugged and tossed the book carelessly to the ground. "Gene mutations? I really don't know." he speculated. He again started his wandering.

"Even if we do let her grow up to a normal age, how do you plan to control her? You can't use Chelsea or Corin to keep her here. Her power could change to some type of nullify ability and cancel out theirs. Do you know how dangerous any type of nullification ability is? Then you have one angry and deranged immortal child. Once the fire is lit, it will devour everything. Is anybody in this castle sane?" Caius grabbed a book off the table, ripping it to shreds. Aro ignored him and started rustling through the cabinets taking out a canister of water and a bottle of liquor.

"I am surprised you hate her so much, Caius. After all, she is almost just as ruthless as you. I thought you both would mesh well. But that is where her problems are I guess." Aro poured out a glass of alcohol. He walked back over to the fire sitting in his chair. "You know the funny thing about immortal children, Caius? They're like fires. Some are lit purposefully and some on accident." Aro threw the alcohol at the fire. The fire roared at the adding of the fuel. It greedily ate up the precious liquid and followed the path on the floor. "But once they are started they will continue to burn. It doesn't matter who or what it destroys. It only lives to survive."

The fire had now traveled closer to the edge of the fireplace ready to devour the rug in front of it. Its tongues licked at the carpet in excitement. A gaping fiery mouth clamped down on the carpet.

"But-

Splash

Black marks were left where the fire had been. Aro dropped the glass container of water on the ground, letting it shatter. He looked to Caius and said continuing his sentence "- you can always get rid of them. That is Calandra's fatal flaw. She is a fire who won't stop to destroy the ones she wants dead even if the one she loves most are in the way. She is useful until her past comes back. Knowing the past, it always comes back besides with her dead no one can use her power. "Aro walked confidently out of the room. Caius sat perfectly, still soaking in Aro's statements. His mouth gaped when he finally understood. Aro had outdone himself.

()()()()()()()()

Splish

Calandra looked up at the sky, wondering where the water droplet had fallen from. The sky had turned overcast while they were out on their patrol. Now dark clouds threatened to release their water bombs on the Italian city.

She shifted her cloak over her exposed leg, not wanting to get wet. It's not that she hated water; there was just something about it pouring down on her that bothered her. She began munching again on her loaf of bread, swinging her short, stubby legs slightly. Afton leaned against the archway, trying not to make eye-contact with her. He was being more childish about the situation than her. Both of them were waiting for Demetri's return.

He had left them for a few seconds saying that he needed to do things. After he left Afton scoffed "he really thinks that leaving us alone together will make us instant best friends." He started to settle in the spot farthest away from her. Calandra perkily exclaimed, "It's 'because we don't have water! You need water to make instant friends!"

"Shut up and sit down. Eat your bread before it goes cold. I paid for that so you better eat it," Afton snapped at her. Calandra sat down with a humph and started mocking Afton under her breath.

"Shut up and sit down… humph. It was cold when we got it…" Calandra made exaggerated faces while scarfing down her bread. The rest of the time was silent.

She looked glumly down in her lap where only leftover crumbs lay. Looking around bored she spotted a tall silhouette walking toward them through the fog. Calandra jumped up from the step happy to see Demetri come back.

"Did you get your things?" Afton asked.

"Yes sorry for making you both wait so long." Demetri apologized. They all put on their hoods and started walking. Follonica was like Volterra with the compressed buildings and cobblestone streets. Demetri and Afton lowered their heads avoiding anyone's gaze. Calandra on the other hand looked everywhere with her moss green eyes wide with wonder.

The city had become busier as they passed the harbors. Burly sailors and busy workers milled about. Children her age ran past her looking uncared for. A little girl covered with soot and her short blonde hair in a dirty tangled messed stopped and stared at Calandra.

Calandra slowed down her pace and looked back at the street urchin. Even though the urchin smiled she seemed despondent. Calandra wanted to stop but Demetri grabbed her hand pulling her close. The urchin continued to stand there watching after the beautiful vampires not knowing what she was looking at. Demetri nudged her again getting Calandra to move faster but gave up and piggybacked her.

At the edge of town the rain started. It began as a light mist but soon turned into a light drizzle.

"There's your water kid. Go make your instant friendship," Afton muttered.

"Instant friendship?" Demetri asked. He was trying to stifle his laughter to be polite but it was too hard.

"Ask your little buddy," Afton said harshly. Before Demetri could slightly turn his face to ask her, Calandra slammed her tiny hands on the side of his head preventing him from turning. Her pale pink cheeks grew red with mortification.

"Calandra, what on earth is he talking about?" Demetri softly asked. She could tell that he was smiling ear to ear now. Her hands flew up in frustration.

"Instant friendship, just add water! Honestly it's nothing Demetri," she clamped her arms around his neck and nestled her head into his back. Demetri now laughed openly at the situation. She wished that she could take back her childish babble. It was becoming harder and harder not to act her physical age.

She tried to fall asleep on Demetri's back in order to avoid any more conversations about her, but the heavy down pour made it impossible. If only there was some type of-

The rain stopped around them. Everyone looked up to see the water being dispersed away from them. It was like there was a large umbrella over them.

"Thank you." Calandra said quietly to her body. Now without the rain she could enjoy the woods. While she was watching the trees rush by she overheard Demetri talking to Afton.

"See she's not a horrible little monster," Demetri said to him.

"She's not as bad as I thought she was going to be." Afton said finally agreeing somewhat with Demetri. Calandra turned to look at Afton giving him her biggest smile. Seeing her happiness he immediately said "You're still annoying though."

()()()()()()()()()()()()

Calandra walked along the other hallway that branched off the fireplace room. It was like the other one with doors to the other guard member's rooms. She learned that there were many vampires in the Volturi. Though, most of them were just there for numbers. Only twenty of them made up the entire guard and six made up the higher level including her.

This time the hallway did not run into a dead end but took a sharp right. Calandra was delighted to see a chess set sitting in this brighter hallway. She waddled over to the board scared to touch it. She thought that she would be resigned to a life of reading books and getting into fights with Felix as her only form of entertainment. Not many people wanted to really stay around her. She didn't blame them. She was a pox to the vampire kind.

She picked up the Onyx queen in her hand. Chess was a game for two not one lonely girl. Maybe she could play against herself? Demetri was nice to be friends with but he was too polite and only knowing him for a week she already knew he would throw a game. Marcus was very hard to keep interested. Even though he was trying harder to be less apathetic, it was very difficult to gain his attention. He was more of a hands-off father. The type that expects kids not to do stupid things like stick their hand in a fire, but if they do they learn not to do it again. Adede always moved so fast and in every way on a higher level than Calandra.

The castle was not outfitted with things to keep children content. It only sated one's curiosity and imagination. She wished that she could go outside again but Caius had made it clear to her that she could not go without a chaperone.

"Are you there?" she asked hoping to rouse the voices.

Nothing.

It was unusual for them not to respond. Usually their bickering and commentaries were never ending. Over the years, she was able to tune it out enough so their voices became a low buzz in the background. Now that she thought of it there was no low hum or anything at all. They had been silent since her first meeting with Demetri.

"Hello?"

Noth-

Tap Tap Tap

Calandra looked at the source of the sound. At the tall window with a stain glass border, an ebony crow pecked at the lock of the window. She came over standing up on her tippy toes just too barely see over the ridge. A flurry of black feathers was the only things she could view. She needed to get a boost. After giving the chess table a few tugs she was able to scoot it up against the wall. She jumped up easily on to the table leaving the chess pieces undisturbed. Calandra crawled up onto the sill and started to watch the bird. It noticed her and hopped sportively over to her. Its beady eyes looked at her in a similar fashion as her. It squawked at her a bit but then hopped back to the lock. Taking a liking to the silly bird, she opened the window. A cold breeze pushed back her hair and began to infiltrate the castle. The Crow did not jump in but stayed on the ledge. It turned away from her squawking at the town below. Satisfied with its call it turned back and hopped in. Calandra closed the window and slid off onto the ground. The crow followed her and landed onto the chess table as she put it back in its place. The crow started ruffling its feather shaking of a flaky substance on it. Some landed on Calandra. It was silver flake.

"Sorry I didn't mean to kill your tree." The crow stopped and bowed its head in response.

"Can you play chess?" She asked rhetorically. The bird snatched up a pawn in its mouth and started gnawing on it.

"Good enough."

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