Rating/Warning(s)/Note(s): T, Shadows
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Prompt: Boredom

A white-haired vampire broke from the guard, behind the back of the one confronting Aro. Something small was in his hand. He lifted it like a gun and we all gasped when a tongue of white-hot fire shot out from it. The confronting vampire screamed once before he was consumed by the flames.

"Anyone else want to question our authority?" the white-haired vampire asked, flames still sputtering from the device in his hand. He stared down the encircling group before turning on us. "You have broken the rules, exposing us to humans. That one may be changed, but her father was not." He used the hand holding the flame-thrower to wave in my direction, making me gasp and step backward as my now-dead heart clenched.

"Caius, let's not be hasty," Aro said, addressing the man with a too-sweet smile. "The Cullens did change her and her father should be dead in a matter of months."

"So we speed that along," he said, turning to point the device at my father, who was still in Demetri's arms. Demetri threw my father to the ground, who then grunted in pain.

I saw red. Edward's arms grabbed me about my waist, lifting me from my feet before I could run to where Caius was smirking at me. I writhed and growled in his arms. "Let go of me!" I screeched, lashing out with my feet and fists. Another hand touched me, instantly calming almost to the point of lassitude.

"Hold her tight!" Charlie yelled from across the field. "Don't you try to save me, Bella!" A sob built in my chest with the realization I couldn't protect my father from this. The fight drained out of me as I was held in Edward's arms, staring at Charlie, helpless on the ground.

After the burning of the man confronting Aro a few of the others who had circled around ran off. I watched as more began to back away, making for the woods. Cowards who wouldn't face the Volturi. I scanned the group looking for anyone who would help. Most looked away, but one didn't.

His eyes locked with mine despite his apparent boredom with everything going on. "Help us, please," I begged. He blinked and looked away.

"Come now, there's no need for such a fuss," Aro said, walking over to place a hand on Caius' shoulder. "Dear Bella is right, there is no harm in her father knowing." He turned to smile at me. "If she's willing to change him, that is."

"No," Charlie said. "I don't want to be changed."

Aro shook his head as his shoulders sagged. "Tsk, tsk, such a waste." He looked over to the woman who was now cowering, her screams having died with the burning of the vampire. "And you, my dear? Would you like to become one of us? We would be willing to wait until after your child is born. Of course you'd have to give it up."

Voices rumbled among the witnesses. Murmurs of not giving her any real choice mixed with outrage that they were kidnapped in the first place. Caius turned to stare them all down, but it was more than Garrett could handle.

"May I speak?" he asked, walking into the space between our group and theirs. Kate tried to grab his arm but he shook her off.

"Of course, nomad," Aro said with a wave of his hand.

"You came here to condemn this family to death…"

"They needn't die," Caius said, his lips twisting.

"One way or another, at least one must die," Garrett said, pointing at Charlie. "He has chosen to not be changed, and knew about our kind, but his death gains us nothing since he is ill anyway. But these…" He shook his head as he indicated the now sobbing woman, the child that slept on and the dead man on the ground. "They have done nothing wrong but be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Who here would knowingly feed on a pregnant woman? None. Who would feed on the child? It is against our laws to change the child, what do you mean to do with him?

"Murder, is all, just as you have killed the man for nothing. You gained nothing from his sacrifice of blood because one of ours refused to be bullied." He was pacing now, gesticulating to the witnesses. "We have all stood by, watching as our self-proclaimed leaders have violated laws that, while not written down, we all hold sacred. Will you continue to stand by as this madness continues?"

I began to work my warmth around the child. As soon as he was surrounded he began to stir. Sharp stabbing fire began to once again be thrust at different points of my blanket. Aro glanced at Jane when she growled in frustration and turned to me, resulting in the stabs coming in only my direction.

The bored vampire stirred. His eyes met mine again before slowly looking at first Caius and then Aro. "A word," he said to them both, his voice slow, as if even speaking took more energy than he was willing to expend.

Caius and Aro blinked, their mouths slightly agape. "Certainly, brother," Aro said, moving to follow the bored vampire to the side. The stabbing that stopped when he spoke resumed.

"That's Marcus," Edward whispered. "He's one of the three who lead the Volturi, but he never speaks."

"Why not?" I asked.

"He mourns his mate."

We watched as Marcus reached out and took the flame-thrower from Caius. He examined it for a moment, gave a sigh, and turned it on Aro.

Sorry, not as much time today! I hope you enjoy.