Disclaimer: All Characters belong to Stephanie Meyer. Plot is all mine.


Volterra …

It was her sanctuary. And yet, it was also her prison. For many centuries she inhabited this desolate fortress, watching the years pass her whilst she remained ageless and unbreakable.

Her only piece of life was going to the balcony in the grand clock tower. Everything was visible from that high vantage while she remained concealed. She could stay there for days, weeks even, simply to gaze at the little soulful critters scurrying away to their mundane and short existence. Living their lives unaware of anything that could threaten their dismal way of life. Living in content and ignorance until the day the earth swallows them and spits out their bones, those were the lucky ones.

The outsiders were the less fortunate, the ones that lived beyond the city walls. They came inside their land, thinking they get to see the marvels of the one and only Volturi castle, but there was one little catch; they could never leave. Their souls perhaps can, but their bodies cannot. Their blood satisfies the thirst, and their bodies perish by mating with the flames. And the world doesn't even know of it.

She had her thirst quenched fourteen moons ago; an adolescent female. The best she had so far, so young and full of vigor. The young blood was considerably warmer than the rest that was brought. It seduced her, so she claimed her stake. The others knew to keep away once she declared something to be hers, unless they wished to mate with the flames as well.

Oh yes … the days when the cattle came were her favorite. She looked forward to them with great anticipation. She always managed to get some of the best in the picks. Aro would have first selection, naturally. And Marcus was humbler with his choices. But Caius, he was a greedy bastard – he would always get more than his fill. She disdained him. He was the only one free to leave these walls, hunt, run and do as he pleased.

Aro spoils him too much. Caius had everything at the tips of his fingers, did anything he desired.

She loathed him with every shred of her being.

She sighed.

'Shame on me.' She thought.

She slapped herself on the wrist. Sitting alone at that tower was her delight, her little piece of sweet solitude. And how did she pass her time? She tarnished it with mucky thoughts of that insolent white serpent.

Alas, her time had to come to an end, for now. She concluded the day with one final look of the vast horizon beyond the city walls, across the valleys of green infinity. The glorious sun that betrays their kind was settling behind the hills.

And … as if the day couldn't be spoiled any further, a certain female thought it would be a wise idea to invade her private piece of Eden.

She turned her back on the view to address her follower whom disturbed her peace. "Couldn't this have waited, Heidi?" She said sharply, arms crossed in front of her. "You simply couldn't have been patient a little longer until I came down myself? –

Prey tell what is so urgent that has lit a fire under you?"

"My apologies." Heidi inclined her head. Her rich mahogany hair cascading over her shoulders, a look of wary on her striking face. "But I am afraid it couldn't be delayed further. You have been here for well over a week. And the palace is in an uproar."

She kept her reaction neutral. 'A week? … Where did the time go?'

She wondered why did she not notice how many times the sun was setting to be replaced by the moon – but it didn't matter. If she was direly needed then she would have been called upon. However, since no one deemed it necessary, she was left to be.

She gazed down on the Fisher in annoyance and clicked her tongue irritably. "Well, out with it." She said.

A sinister yet bewitching smile stretched over Heidi's chiseled cheekbones as she said "We received a new resident in the palace. She was brought here for Master Caius."

A faint look of surprise passed over the other woman's pale face before it morphed into a wicked smirk as well. "Is that so?"


It would have been such an understatement to say that she had never seen such a commotion within the Volturi castle. Servants bustling, guards gossiping, even the Elite protectors were more energetic than usual.

She even heard from word of mouth that Aro has pulled in the Witch Twins to assist him with this … new inhabitant.

She wasn't the most curious of creatures but the strangeness of the behavior that has befallen the entire castle got the best of her. And unlike the obedient person she was (in certain circumstances), and waited for the news to unravel all on its own without having to put her hand in the matter. She decided, instead, to seek the answers fresh and direct from the most trusted source.

As luck would always be, Aro was nowhere in sight, how predictable. Just when she needed him she could never find him. The human secretary said he was last seen in the throne room. Although, now it is completely vacant and his whereabouts are still a mystery – What was the point of hiring that worthless human trash if she couldn't even know where her employer went? They should kill her and get a new one.

She tried tracking his scent but he left fresh trails in several hallways that it was hard to establish where he went last. Not to mention that this was his domain, therefore, his scent was everywhere.

There was always the alternative; go to the next best source. She headed to Marcus's chambers. He was almost always there.

As she approached the chamber entrance, the long and obscenely large mahogany doors inked in black, slowly unlocked. Marcus crept out from between the ajar opening and delicately sealed the doors shut behind him, before he turned around and faced his visitor.

He clasped his hands in front of him and leisurely leaned his head forward as he planted a cold kiss on her high cheekbones.

When he moved back he calmly said "To what do I owe this unexpected visit?"

"Surely even you, with less to care for, must have noticed the thrill of the occupants around our home." Arching a perfect brow, she looked at Marcus with a sly demeanor.

Marcus tipped his head. "Yes, as one of the leaders, I must be well apprised with the events that transpire within these walls – For the sake of my brother, of course."

"Yes, yes … how else would you occupy your free time. I am sure pleasing Aro is a delight to you." As the words left her mouth ever so sarcastically, she managed to receive a rare response from Marcus. A slight chuckle that could have almost been mistaken for a faint grunt. But just as it came it quickly went away as Marcus became dispassionate once more.

As much as she enjoyed bullying him, she refocused on her reason for coming to him. Witty taunting and verbal abuse would have to wait for another day.

"On a serious matter; I wished to know what is all the excitement about? Seldom do the people in this castle behave in such a near frantic manner unless it was feeding day. Though, last I recall, Heidi is still here – Tell me what you know of this."

There was a vague hint of reluctance shimmering in Marcus's eyes as he pondered if he should speak or hold his tongue on the recent issue. However, he knew that the woman in front of him wouldn't give up once she has set her mind to a purpose.

So he told her, as she was going to find out sooner or later. "As we speak, the human girl is within these walls. Rosy flesh, beating heart, and all …" he spoke with a rusty voice.

"Human girl? What human girl?" she frowned. 'Surely he doesn't mean whom I think he means.'

Marcus nodded his head as though he heard her thoughts, and the flicker of recognition passed her features. "The young girl that came to save the Cullen boy several weeks ago. It is her indeed." Marcus confirmed.

She pursed her lips. "Isabella Swan."

Marcus's mouth twitched. "You know her name … You seem more informed than you let on." His tone was purely stating facts.

"How can such details elude me when she and the Cullens are all that Aro ever talk about since they came and went. But I didn't think he would hasten his plans. It is so unlike Aro to handle matters prematurely." She said with a frown.

"He had to do what he had to do – as another's will forced Aro's hand to the cause."

She placed an elegant hand on her hip challengingly. "And who might that be?" she asked. No one commanded Aro. He was the King, the Superior, the Master, the Ruler and Emperor of all. He was the highest supreme creature to ever reign on the supernatural word.

However, Marcus's next words faltered her confidence as he said; "Our one and only brother."

Her blood red eyes marginally widened. "Caius?" This had to have been Marcus's sad attempt at humor. "Impossible! Just the thought of it is ludicrous." She laughed.

Marcus shook his head, dispelling her misbelief. "I am afraid that it is indeed the truth. Caius wanted her, and by Aro's command, she was brought to him."

She stopped laughing and immediately sobered at how the passive leader spoke roughly. "Is she the reason why he killed Athenadora?"

If Marcus's words echoed truth, then it would make great sense. Tired of the old toy? Get a new one.

She felt entirely no sorrow for the loss of a "sister". And she only ever got along with Athenadora for the sake of public appearances. As the deceased woman held no special mean in her black heart at all.

Marcus slowly blinked. "You appear to be confusing me with Aro, dear. I do not know what Caius's true intentions are, nor of what their nature may be. However, if you are so curious for answers then Aro is the man you should direct your questions towards,"

Then his milky red eyes shifted. "Or …"

"Or?" She probed.

"You can venture into the den of the beast and ask the source directly."

She suddenly burst into laughter. "Do you take me for a fool, Marcus? It may come as a shocking revelation to you, but I happen to prefer my head attached to my body."

Marcus inclined his head. "I never seemed to recall you as being timid of Caius – Did Athenadora's death strike fear into your heart?" had he been smiling; it would have come off as an insult to her. But he said it in a way that showed he was genuinely inquiring.

She scoffed. "Do not mistake my words for fear, Marcus. A coward I most certainly am not! –

"Although, returning to the matter of the mortal girl ... I assumed she was mated to the telepathic Cullen boy."

Marcus tapped his fingers on his other hand. "From what I have seen and gleaned, she did not seem to be handling her arrival too well."

His response did not satisfy her curiosity as it did not answer her question regarding being already mated to another immortal. Yet she still smirked as she said "With Aro's growing fondness to her abilities, she should adjust quite well to her living arrangements. After all," she paused to shrug. "anyone would only dream to live our privileged life."

Marcus lowered his eyes. "That is, if she even lasts long enough."

"Oh she will last long enough, I assure you. I shall see to that."

"Why do you care if the girl lives or dies?" Marcus asked.

"Caring for that fragile pathetic creature is hardly my reason. But she intrigues Aro, and I aim to please him." She stated indifferently.

Marcus gazed at the woman as she casually examined her finely trimmed nails. "It would seem that Aro has tamed those wild claws of yours."

She looked back at him and his attempt at sarcasm, and shot back "Au contraire, they are as steel. Hardened to purpose – Care to sample them?" she offered demurely. Tone laced with a gentle threat.

"I would prefer them to remain absent, unworthy entanglement." He declined with a raise of his palm towards her.

She grinned widely. And steered the focus of her interest back on topic. "So … where does the human reside at the moment?"

"The green room in the west quarters. Why do you ask?"

"Oh, no reason – I simply thought I would head over to her and finally meet the little creature everyone has been raving about." She said faux-innocently.

"Perhaps you are to remain patient and visit the girl at another time."

She retorted in displeasure. "And why would I do that?"

"The girl was brought here for Caius. If he should find you with her it would only result in a calamity." Marcus replied.

She growled lowly. "He doesn't scare me!"

She then turned around gracefully and made her way to the west part of the palace.

"You forget your place, dear." Marcus spoke to her retreating form.

She paused and glared at the leader over her shoulder. "No, brother – I secure it!"

She disappeared down the hall, making her way to the intended destination. As she gracefully glided down the corridor, she felt a presence trailing behind her. She sensed and knew immediately it was Heidi, who caught up to her and was currently sprinting beside her lady.

"Where are we going, Mistress?" Heidi asked.

"why, to acquaint myself with the new human, of course."

Heidi did not bother to hide her shock at hearing that. "But … Master Caius," she held her tongue when the other woman glowered at her threateningly.

'Since when did Caius become more intimidating than me?' she thought sourly. But replied snidely. "Your Master Caius is irrelevant to me … or has your loyalties shifted, Heidi?"

Heidi shook her head frantically. "No! Never, Mistress! I will forever be your and Master Aro's humble servant."

"Good." She replied as she stared ahead.

As the door to the green guestroom appeared in her sight, she spotted the Witch Twins standing in front of it in a way she could only assume they were standing to watch over it. They sensed the presence of the approaching women immediately, and shared between them a look of bewilderment. But then schooled their features as they bowed their head when their Mistress stopped in front of them.

She motioned for them to move out of the way. And the Twins shared another hesitant look between them before they stepped aside to grant the woman access to the guestroom.

Their mistress smiled as she internally knew that while Caius may have been a deadly snake, he was nothing compared to her volatile destructive prowess.

She leisurely stepped closer to the door, prepared to grasp the handle and enter the room. But her elegant pearly hand froze midair when she heard from behind the closed door a faint rumbling growl, which was nothing compared to the rapid drum-roll beats that pumped a mortal heart.

Her jaw clenched when venom pooled in her mouth and threatened to drool from her scarlet tinted lips. She swallowed the venom down and took an undesired, redundant inhale before donning on her wicked mask.

Her lips stretched into a malicious grin as she twisted the handle and pushed the door with a force she hadn't intended to exude, but otherwise did in her excitement. However, the end justified the means, as when the door swung open it collided into the back of the wall with a loud bang that gave a more dramatic appeal to her entrance.

The loud sound caused the two occupants in the beautifully emerald decorated room to shift their attention to the woman standing at the door.

Instead of having them gawk at her, it was her eyes that blazed wide when she took in the scandalous sight before her – The little mortal was laid on the edge of the beautiful bed as the dirty blonde man pinned her by the wrists to the gold embroidered dark green sheets.

The bastard's body was pressed to the mortal's slender form. And the woman could see that Caius spared no time in making the girl feel completely comfortable and welcomed to her new domicile; judging by their position. And the fact that she interrupted them proved her suspicions when the blonde demon growled like a wild, raging monster.

However, what threw the woman off the entire scene is when she noticed the anger in the girl's features before fear carved its way onto her face when Caius growled menacingly at the unexpected intrusion – it didn't quite fit the atmosphere if she was interrupting their little tryst.

With her cunning smile back in its place, she said "Did I come at a bad time?" in a mock innocent tone. But the glorious smirk on her face showed that her actions weren't accidental in the least as her eyes glittered with malice.

The woman's ruby eyes fell on the form of the little brunette human. And for an inkling of a second, the female immortal felt pity for the girl as she had no idea just what sort of person this woman was, and all the devilish deceptions she intends to plant in the human's gullible mind.

Because Sulpicia already planned to have a little fun sabotaging Caius's little treat of a girl from the moment she knew how possessive he was going to be of her.

Because Sulpicia hated Caius so much, she was eager to ruin anything he desired. Including the human that laid sprawled under him like a sacrifice.

Because, at the end of the day, Sulpicia was always up to no good.