Chapter 4 - Done All Wrong

- We're doing wrong, we've all done wrong

If we do no wrong, I'm sure we would be gone


Two Weeks later…

Gianna paced back and forth in front of her ornate mahogany desk in the main lobby of the compound – or the "façade" as she called it. The latte she had purchased for Dominic was cooling rapidly. It made her anxious. He was usually in his workshop by this time of the morning. She was amazed how quickly their routine had become a predictable rhythm, making his lateness a cause for alarm.

Typcially, Gianna would greet Dominic in his workshop with coffee and pastry at 8am sharp. She would watch him eat and then return to her station down the hall and a floor above Dominic's workshop.

At noon, she would again return to the workshop. Dominic would show her his progress, his plans, and ask her opinion on colors or hand her a list of needed materials. They would eat lunch together, either walking to the osteria across the street or Gianna would pack a light lunch of fruit, cheeses, crackers, and deli meats.

At the end of the day, if Aro didn't require her presence for other purposes, Dominic would walk her home. They would usually meet again around 7pm for dinner. Gianna found her favorite nights were the ones when Dominic came to her apartment and she cooked for him.

She began to pace. Again she looked out the window hoping to catch Dominic's arrival.

This time, she was not disappointed. Gianna scurried toward the corridor that held the stairs leading to Dominic's workshop. She clutched at the nerves fluttering in the pit of her stomach at the sight of him walking up the street…

Above Gianna's station, concealed behind a large one-way mirror, Aro grinned.

His plan appeared to be moving forward flawlessly. Silently, Caius glided into the room and stood beside Aro. However, his silence only lasted for a moment…

"She's going to fall for him. In the end, she won't follow through with the plan," he stated flatly.

Aro rolled his ancient eyes. "Such the pessimist, my dear friend. Gianna knows what she wants – to join us in the magnificence of immortality. Fear not, she is highly motivated to reach that goal."

"How can you be so sure?" Caius questioned.

"Because she also knows the consequence of her failure." Aro slid his tongue over his perfect teeth.

"Too bad," Caius feigned regret. "It appears, either way, we will lose a loyal servant."

"Ah, but that is the beauty of my plan! Either way, we will be nourished by Gianna's delicious, Volturi-subsidized blood."

Aro delighted in his titillating craving to uncork her carefully-groomed vintage. He had taken a personal interest in Gianna's diet and care since her arrival with Marcus a few years ago. Caius swallowed back venom as Gianna hurried from sight.

"Still," he moaned, thinking of the pleasure her rich blood would bring him, "I think you are putting too much time into this plan, brother. Can't we just do another end-around the future seer and destroy the Cullens? A quick hit this time. Your drawn out strategy is ripe with opportunities for error."

Aro tisked, "Patience is a virtue."

"When will the change happen? I want to see it for myself," Caius insisted as his curiosity over the new visitor piqued.

"I've got Alice and Edward's theories." He tapped his temple with his index finger. "I'm working through them now. Having Dominic toil daily with dozens of vampires just below his feet may be all it takes."

"May be?"

"Give it time, brother."

Aro smirked at Caius's impatience, though, at times, it wore on Aro's last nerve. Of course, it was only a reflection of Caius's human personality brought forth into this existence. Caius had always demanded results, and preferred to be the one in control of the outcome – one of the reasons Aro had chosen him to join his coven destined for domination. That plan, too, had taken time to bring to fruition, yet it was time well spent.

Aro's thought deviated d from current events, and a smile slithered across Aro's face as he remembered with satisfying clarity his perfect plan that had led to his acquisition of Caius…

(~*~)

Even as a human Caius was an egotistical bastard, granted he had every reason to be. Even at a young age, Caius showed promise by climbing in command and social position faster than any other man in Etruscan history. Problem was, it only taught him the wrong lesson: that he could obtain anything he desired. Whether he should have it or not was of no consequence. He conquered and the spoils belonged to him and his men. Success had made him rich and cocky.

Shortly after a bloody battle defending Perusia, Caius had met another ambitious military man, Velthur, whose sites were set on the rank of general. Velthur was haughty and loud, boasting whenever he had an audience. Although fighting on the same side, Caius found the man to be a potential threat to his own rapid rise in importance and recognition.

However, one thing his rival did possess worthy of boasting was a flawless beauty for a wife. Her skin was like milk and honey, smooth and inviting. Caius was intrigued on a most carnal level with her provocative wardrobe and coquettish flirtations. He fancied her generous curves beckoning for his touch. It wasn't long before Caius decided he would have the desirable Athenodora to warm his bed.

Caius found seducing her was effortless – she was attracted to his intellect and command. Their affair was all-consuming, aggressive, and their lovemaking often bordered on sadistic.

It was well-known Athenodora was attracted to power, and since she was not born of nobility nor did she own land of her own, she found her wanton sexuality a means to an end. Caius, in return, eagerly took what she willingly gave and longed for the day she would chose him, then Caius would deal a most crushing blow to Velthur's rapidly rising status.

The affair lasted many months, but the selfish lovers' secret was not to remain a secret for much longer. Its discovery would prove to be Caius' human downfall – and Aro's window of opportunity.

Unknown to Caius, Aro had been watching him for months. He saw what a brilliant strategist Caius had become, skillfully deceiving his advisories. While at the same time, he proved to be clever – cautious - never fully trusting anyone. But, most wisely, Caius always played by the rules. This steadfastness had won him the unwavering trust of his overseers, who would generously fund his ambitious campaigns.

Caius rewarded his faithful and punished any traitors and enemies swiftly and without mercy.

Yes, he was a very callous man who believed in his own piety.

He was perfect.

Aro would have him.

Aro had an unquenchable, unstoppable thirst for power, as evidenced by the murder and seizure of his Sire's lands, but he lacked certain skills. In order to build the empire Aro wanted, he needed to defeat and absorb other covens. The drive for power and control alone was not enough. He knew he needed someone who could make it happen. He needed Caius' cunning and ruthlessness.

Aro would make him an offer he could not refuse – power over men and over death.

And Caius' inability to refuse a married woman's charms provided Aro the perfect catalyst for his offer.

Truth be told, it was through Aro that Athenodora's husband discovered out she was making a mockery of him, cavorting openly with a colleague - something that a man of Velthur's rising status could not allow to continue...

Etruscan Military Encampment, not far from the Umbria border -

"General!" A young soldier burst through the loosely closed flaps of General Caius' private tent. "I regret to wake you at this time of night, but an urgent message has just arrived that demands your immediate attention."

"Then give it to me, man. Do not linger in the shadows!"

The soldier dropped his head and approached. Caius sat up in his bed, snatching the message from the man's hand. Through blurry eyes, his attention poured into the document, but it was too difficult to read - the writing was smudged.

"What goat's ass wrote this…"

Caius never finished the sentence. The words were cut off before they could exit his mouth. Confused, he looked up and immediately recognized the reason in the face of the man before him. The messenger wore a look of … accomplishment.

The dagger the stranger held in his left hand dripped blood silently on the fur-covered floor of the tent.

"Who are you?" Caius croaked in disbelief. He had been betrayed.

"General Velthur disapproves of your bedding of his wife. He sent me to deliver this message to you."

"Velthur is not a general!" Caius spat a mouthful of blood in his assassin's direction.

The man laughed so wickedly, it chilled Caius to the bone – or was his body cooling from the loss of blood which spilled from his open gut?

The man lunged for Caius and grabbed the letter from his weakening hand before wiping the dagger clean on Caius' hunched shoulder.

"With your death, he will be general. Farewell to you."

The man turned and strode out of the dying general's plush quarters.

Adrenaline was no longer enough to keep Caius in an upright position. He slumped forward, tumbling from the side of his cot onto the floor and into the growing pool of his own blood.

"Guard!" he called feebly.

No one heard except the cloaked figure who stood in waiting to present himself as Caius' savior.

Caius clutched his wound hoping to stem the flow of blood. He was unable to stand, and tried in vain to crawl toward the tent opening on his elbows and knees. Pain screamed through his body with every move.

Caius fell again, face down on the floor. Humiliation and helplessness jabbed at him, provoking outrage.

"This is how I am to die!" he angrily flung the words as far as his perishing body would throw them.

As Caius laid there, life ebbing away, two sandaled feet appeared before his eyes.

"Help me!" he cried out unable to move.

"It seems you have miscalculated," the disembodied voice replied.

"Have you come to describe the obvious or lend assistance?"

"Neither."

"Then leave me. Let me die alone with dignity."

"Death. I imagine it is the only thing you fear," the dispassionate voice inquired.

"It is not the act of dying I fear; it is the death of my name and my legacy. They will crumble to dust as will my dried bones. So much yet I was destined to accomplish. My name was to be remembered!"

"And it still can be! You have ruled over men. But there are those more gifted and powerful than men. You can stand at my side and reign over all!"

"You speak nonsense, man. You are norhing but a hallucination of a dying man," Caius sputtered, spitting out the blood that attempted to choke off his words. Weakening rapidly and unable to lift his head, the growing pool of blood threatened to drown him.

Aro turned Caius over to his back and bent close to his paling face.

"As you can see, I am no man."

Caius's eyes widened as the ghostly, red-eyed demon stared into his face. "You are charontes!"

Aro scoffed, "I am not your misguided religion's demon of death. I am the giver of life – a new life! Born of fire and pain. Join me and you will walk through death and become immortal - like a god! Together, we will rule."

"What is the price you ask for this power over death?"

"Your loyalty. Swear it and I will give you what you wish. Our kind will bow to you and the hands of men will never be able to destroy you."

"You will have my loyalty – once you meet my price."

Aro laughed. "You are in no position to negotiate, my friend. Do you wish live or die a forgotten man on his dirt floor?"

"You want me for a reason. You want my loyalty - not just my existence. I am no fool in this life or any other. Grant my price or your time has been wasted."

Aro's smirk left his face.

Caius saw the displeasure in the demon's eyes. "Decide, for you see, my time is running out," Caius stated, removing his hands from his wound. The blood again ran freely from his body.

Aro's nostrils flared and he fought the urge to lap from the man's overflowing cornucopia of life-giving fluid. Caius was no good to him dead!

"What is it you want?"

"I want Athenodora."

"You have had her, many times. Is your lust not quenched?"

"I want her to join us in this immortal rule."

"Your love for her touches my heart," Aro mocked.

"I love her not. She pleases me and I please her. But Velthur will pay - she will NEVER bring pleasure to him again."

"Ah, revenge." The smile returned to Aro's face. "It has its place, my friend. I will grant your wish. She will become like you and take her place at your side. Now, do we have a deal?"

"Yes." Caius swore his allegiance with his dying breath.

Aro whisked Caius from his tent into the dark cover of night.

His blood bitter. His screams defiant and deafening.

(~*~)

Downstairs, Gianna arrived at the door leading to Dominic's workshop. She took a moment to compose herself, smoothing her skirt and taking a deep breath before entering the room.

She was shocked by what she saw.

"Dominic! Are you unwell?"

She rushed to his side as he leaned over his equpment for support, sliding the cold cup of coffee across one of his workbenches in her haste.

"You're flushed." She placed a hand against his forehead. "And burning up! You must go home."

"I can't," Dominic replied turning away from her. "I've got too much that needs to get done in time for the festival."

"Nonsense!" Gianna reprimanded. "You cannot work when you're this sick. You need to be in bed. Come, I'll take you home."

Dominic rarely ever got sick. His mom always said he had the constitution of a draft horse. And when he did become ill, he usually just worked through it. But this was different. He felt like every cell in his body was turning inside out! Everything hurt. This wasn't a typical illness.

"Maybe I need to see a doctor."

"Let's just get you home. A good sleep will do wonders," Gianna insisted, pushing him toward the door leading to the street.

"Maybe you're right." He began to relent to her requests. "Besides, I don't think I can handle that smell today. It is too sickly sweet, Gianna," Dominic mumbled in his miserable stupor. "I just can't stand it anymore!"

Gianna wrapped Dominic's arm around her shoulders and guided him out the door, not bothering to lock it behind them.

In a voice she couldn't hear, Aro's gushed, "Ah, my brothers, I believe it is starting!" He spoke seemingly to no one, yet knowing his followers would hear his joyous words. "Soon. Very soon. We drink tonight in celebration!"

Thankful for the short drive to his apartment, Gianna guided Dominic to the couch where he collapsed and curled into a fetal position.

"Thank you. Please tell Fr. Aro I will be back tomorrow," Dominic said apologetically.

"Don't you worry," Gianna responded, pulling a blanket from the back of the couch to cover him.

"You go. Go back to work," he insisted.

She ignored his directive. "Do you have a...what do you call it, termonetro...a thermometer?"

He chuckled dryly, "I'm a guy. What do you think?"

Gianna instead retrieved a cold cloth from his bathroom placing it on his fiery forehead.

Unable to fight off his overwhelming fatigue, Dominic fell asleep. For some time, Gianna sat on the floor next to him, pressing the now warm cloth to his head. Guilt plucked at her edges. He had no clue what was going to happen to him - but she did. She couldn't hide from the fact she was in part to blame for his misery.

At the same time, this was what they - she - wanted. This is what had to happen.

Suddenly his body began to spasm, as if gripped by a seizure. He awoke confused.

"Gianna? You're still here?"

His whole body hurt and he missed his bed. His home. His mother. Although he felt he was imposing on her, he was glad Gianna remained. To show his appreciation, he sought her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. The coldness of her skin shocked him.

"G, you're so cold," he mumbled, before drifting again into unconsciousness.

She half-smiled at his delirious abbreviation of her name. She squeezed his hand in return, even though the extreme heat of it made her uncomfortable.

"So cold," he muttered.

"You have no idea..." she responded to his fitful sleeping form.


A/N: Hmmm, seems something is up with Dominic...

For you purists who have read SM's Guide, you are aware the backstory I gave to Caius's creation is not SM's version. Sorry. I wrote this chapter before the guide came out, and actually, I thought my verison was a bit more fun - so I left it. What do you think?

Thank you to my team: RosaBella75, RowanMoon and Ashling92. You all rock!

New chapter next week. Check the FI Blog at www(dot)twiliteaddict(dot)tumblr(dot)com for Thursday Teasers.