Italics - Thinking/Another Language/ETC

Swift steps carried him from the party. Angry steps, purposeful steps. However upon entering the lower wings of the castle, he stopped and slowly grinned. He could smell her, timid and frightened but following nonetheless. He slowed when he approached the rooms, leaving the door open to let his guest in behind him. Walking to the windows that lined the wall, he wondered how brave she truly was.

The door creaked open and closed with a soft click that brought a dark grin to his face. Well this is most unexpected. He already knew that she would be lovely; he would have it no other way. When he slowly turned, he saw her coming towards him, in a trance as expected, her fingers twirling the expensive locket around her neck. A gift, he told her, a gift to welcome her into the coven. He told her it would bring her luck.

"Lovely evening tonight, Alexandria," he told her as he stretched his hand out to her. Dark and dangerous, she was a foolish girl with foolish romantic notions. A foolish heart could be easily swayed; the locket glittered in the moonlight.

He pulled her towards him with a sharp tug once her fingers laced with his, softly kissing her neck while his arms wrapped around her lithe body. There have been many meetings in the darkness with the woman in front of him, some here and some there.

He was slightly pleased to feel the azure silk sheath adorning her body, the rich blue contrasting lovely with her copper spiral curls. The sapphire comb that he gave her looked rather pretty, as well. Yes, she would do nicely for his plans.

Stupid Foolish Child

She tilted her head back when he pressed his cold lips to her rapidly heating skin, perhaps this night would be the last push that she would need. The party was a front for the troubles within the coven; whispers were being gathered about troubles in the states. A large vampire army sent after one little human girl, hunted by a vampire scorned. A wedding was ordered to be soon, a coven possibly becoming strong, too strong in the eyes of the Volturi.

Things were moving quickly. He must be ready, they must be ready.

"It is quite a shame that she would receive the glory for a truly magnificent event such as this," Damien whispered into her ear, his fingers touching the pendant softly. He drugs his lips to her cheek, kissing her freckles gently. "Perhaps they will give her a gift that hasn't been earned. Using her child as a shield for protection, she should be ashamed."

Turning them sharply, he pushed her into the wall beside the windows, allowing his hands to slide down the smooth fabric. A kiss was placed on her right shoulder, before he began once more.

"She must to be put in her place," his words wrapped around her as he gathered her dress, slowly exposing her ivory lace stockings. "There must be a brave and gentle soul to do this, someone who will help those punish them."

Damien allowed his firm hands to slide towards her backside slowly, before forcefully lifting her up while harshly spreading her legs, face to face he stopped abruptly. Kissing the pendant dangling around her neck once more, he waited for her to open her eyes and direct her attention to him.

She watched him in a haze, too lost to notice. "You will help me with this, won't you? Dear Alexandria?" Damien questioned, thrusting his hips between her legs, causing the woman to cry out loudly. "She doesn't deserve your protection, your care."

"Yes, please yes." she cried out as his strong fingers began to slide towards the wet heat that he knew would be waiting him.

"Good, my precious girl." Damien replied, before returning to her body. There were no more words spoken, the sound of clothes rustling and pleasured cries filled the room.

Such a stupid, foolish little girl.

Outside Volterra

Looking over the Italian countryside, they noticed many changes. The mortals settled, unknown of the dangers so close to their homes. Families raised children, the elderly died peacefully, and such has been the way of life. It was sickening to see what is now and to still remember the fear that once was. The old ways were dead; THEY were the reason for that. For this sense of peace, this misplaced justice.

However, things would change, they would make them change. It started small, with the appearance of the human girl within the Olympia Coven. The hatred of the vampire known as Victoria began to shift a balance, a change would be coming.

They would be fools to believe that these events would go unnoticed; it was their sense of pride and false sense of invincibility that caused the past. They would not be in the same place, this time they would be ready. This time they would request help. The humor in this was not lost to them. However, it was pride that destroyed so many things before. It would not happen again.

They would know too late that they allowed their destruction through the front door, welcomed it with open arms. Pride may have been their downfall in the past, but it would be greed to bring them down in the present.

"You are late."

The figure approaching stopped before them, bowing lowly. "It has been done."

A silky drawl questioned, "You were able to sway her, then?" all while, bright crimson eyes looked at the newest addition to their little party.

"There were complications but an alternative has been found."

The speaker bristled, his eyes showing in displeasure as he began to stalk towards the figure. A bored voice stopped him immediately, "Now don't be hasty, it is known what the punishment will be for failing."

No words were spoken, before they left as quickly as the wind blowing through the countryside. The figure was once again left alone, watching the lights of the city twinkle like stars in the night sky.

A half a world away, golden eyes widened as the tiny female body jerked violently while sitting on a plush couch. The movement jolted the man holding her to attention quickly, assessing the dangers quickly before looking down at his lover.

"What have you seen?"

"I don't know, I can't see it but I can feel it. Something is coming,"

"What do you mean, you can't see it?"

"It's odd, almost like a shield but not. I don't know how to explain it."

The two of them watched the windows as the snow began to fall. It would seem that Victoria's newly born army was not the only danger that they needed to be prepared to fight.

Authors Note: Rewrite! MM