Chapter 19: Returning Raven

*Two Months Ago*

(Vladimir's POV)

Stefan and I were on our way to Finland from Romania. Fane, one of the leaders of our coven before it was destroyed, asked us to come see him. Stefan and I despised Fane because of what he did in the past, and no matter how hard we try to kill him; he keeps getting away from us.

When our coven was in power there were twelve leaders. Stefan and I ruled over Romania along with Fane, while other leaders were in other countries. When we learned of the Volturi's appearance in Italy, our coven wanted to make an alliance with them. All the leaders of our coven wanted to avoid war with them; all except one, Fane. Fane was determined to start a war with the Volturi to win over their territory. For a couple hundred years Stefan and I were able to stop him from starting a war.

A few years before the war with the Volturi, Fane turned on us. He was able to build up a new born army and within a few weeks he over took the other leaders in different countries. Before Stefan and I could do anything he had burned down our homes and killed our guard including our mates. A month later, he attacked the Volturi. He made his armies talk about Stefan and I like we were their leaders so the Volturi leaders would think we started the war. Because of this the Volturi viewed us as the enemies and constantly tried to kill us while Fane sat back and watched the show. However, the tables turned on Fane when the witch twins joined the Volturi. His army was destroyed within a day causing him to go into hiding while Stefan and I had to run from the Volturi for years.

Since that time Stefan and I have been on the run waiting for a chance to kill Fane. When the Cullen conflict arose, we made an appearance in hopes Fane would show up. However, our plan backfired on us and we were seen as a threat to the Volturi once again.

"What do you think he wants this time?" Stefan asked as we walked up to his small secluded castle.

"I don't know, but if I get the chance to kill him." I growled, "I'm going to take it."

"Welcome my friends," Fane said coming from his castle with two other vampires by his side.

Coward...

Fane was about my height but looked a lot more like Stefan.

"What do you want?" I hissed.

Fane smiled dryly, "I have a way to destroy the Volturi."

"And we care why?" Stefan asked lowly.

"You two are already viewed as their enemies," he said, "so why not help me?"

"Because we," I started.

"Don't want to be their enemies." Stefan finished.

Fane frowned, "at least hear me out," he said, "I can guarantee you that this will work and we can rule again."

"Stefan?" I asked looking at my friend.

"I am curious to learn about his plan," Stefan smirked, "but either way he's going to fail."

"Not this time," Fane gestured to the vampire at his right, "Blake here is a shield. Not only can he block gifts from other vampires, but he can also conceal himself from other vampires. For the past couple weeks he's been hiding in the Volturi castle to learn their weaknesses."

"And this is your plan?" Stefan asked annoyed, "to rely on their weaknesses to destroy them?"

"Not completely," he said, "follow me."

After walking thought the castle he led us to the dungeons.

"This is how I'm going to make the Volturi fall." Fane said as he stopped by a cell. Inside was a very scared and fragile looking vampire. She was curled up in a corner wearing a torn up red renaissance dress. Her eyes were a dark shade of red, indicating that she would need to feed soon.

"What have you done to that girl?!" Stefan demanded.

"Nothing," Fane said, "I'm just using her to get to the Volturi."

"Why?" I asked, "is she some kind of secret weapon like the witch twins."

"Not exactly," Fane said, "but she is the key to bringing down the Volturi."

Stefan and I raised our eyebrows in question, but Fane wouldn't say anything else on the matter.

"So will you join me?" he asked.

"You really think that we will be willing to help you?" I hissed.

"You're the reason why our coven was destroyed. You're nothing but a traitor." Stefan continued. I look back to the caged girl and she looked at me with an understanding look. How could she understand what this was about? I brushed it off and looked back at Fane.

"Whatever you're going to do," I started.

"We're not going to help you." Stefan finished.

With that we left. I felt bad for leaving the girl, but I didn't want to get involved in this. Stefan felt the same way.

*Two Months Later*

Rumors have been flying around the vampire world for a couple months now that the Volturi requested the presence of covens all over the world.

"Maybe Fane attacked them." Stefan said one day, "and they're asking for help."

"I don't see them asking for help on fighting." I replied

"Then what do you think is going on?" he asked, "these rumors have been going around for about two months now."

"I don't know," I said, "but we'll find out."

A day later we cornered a nomad who had just come from Greece. After threatening him a little, he told us what he heard.

"All I know is that someone was kidnapped from the Volturi," he said, "and they're desperate to get her back."

"Her?" Stefan asked.

"Ya," the nomad replied, "apparently it was some girl that was taken."

After a moment we let the nomad go and he ran faster than I thought was possible, even for a vampire.

By the look on Stefan's face I could tell he was thinking the same thing. Fane; that girl he had is probably the one the Volturi is looking for.

"Fane," I growled, "that girl wasn't a weapon."

"This is a new low even for him," Stefan hissed.

I leaned against the alley wall, "So what now?" I asked looking at him, "Even if we told them, they wouldn't believe us. Do we just ignore this?"

Stefan thought for a minute than then shook his head, "no matter what the outcome is," he said, "I think we should get her back to where she belongs." I agreed.

A day later we arrived back at Fane's castle. The idiot was so confident in his plan that he didn't keep the castle heavily guarded. Stefan and I were able to easily kill Black and the couple other vampires there.

"I'll go after Fane," Stefan said, "You go get the girl." I nodded and left to the dungeon.

When I reached the cell, the girl was curled up on the floor. As I walked in she sat up and looked at me. Her eyes were pitch black and she looked extremely tired. That damn Fane did the worst thing you could do to a vampire. He was clearly starving the girl. I instantly regretted leaving her two month ago.

"Are you ok child?" I asked walking to her. She scooted away coughing from the lack of blood.

Stefan came running up to me, "Fane got away, but he set the castle on fire. We have to go." I nodded and knelt down to the girl.

"It's ok you can trust us." I said, "we're going to take you home, to the Volturi." At the mention of her coven's name she relaxed and allowed me to pick her up bridal style. We got out of the castle just in time and ran straight to the Gulf of Finland. When we stopped and boarded a 'borrowed' yacht Raven coughed again.

"We need to get her some blood before we leave." I said laying her on the bed in the yacht bedroom. Stefan nodded and left to get us blood. A couple hours later he returned with some blood packs.

"Where did you get those?" I asked him pouring a glass of blood for her.

"The hospitable blood bank." He smirked

"Well I guess that will give the humans something to think about." I said handing the girl the glass. She had sat up a little and leaned against the wall.

Stefan left and sailed us towards Germany, at the speed he was going we would be there in twelve hours.

The girl finished her glass of blood in seconds and smiled at me a little. Her eyes were no longer back, but they only turned to a dark shade of red. However it was enough to make her look and probably feel better.

"Thank you," she whispered, "for your help I mean."

I nodded, "I would prefer to know who I'm helping though." I said.

"Raven," she said, "my name is Raven."

"So tell me Raven why is the Volturi so desperate to find you?" I asked curiously.

She hesitated for a moment before she spoke, "I'm Caius's adopted daughter."

"When did he adopt you?" I asked shocked.

"When I was a baby." She said.

"Caius?" I asked completely shocked. I've never met him, but I've heard enough.

She laughed a little then coughed.

"I'll let you rest." I said leaving the room to go tell Stefan what I learned. He was as shocked as I was.

It took another day and a half to run to Volterra from Germany and I carried Raven the whole way there. I had to admit that I was growing fond of this girl. By the time we reached the Volturi castle it was night time. When Stefan and I hesitated at the entrance of the castle Raven spoke.

"I won't let you get hurt." She said, "I'll show Aro the truth."

"What do you mean?" Stefan asked looking at her.

"My gift," she sighed, "I can see past, present and, future."

"So is that why you trusted us so easily?" I asked. Raven nodded.

When we got closer to the throne room we could hear voices and knew that other covens were there like the rumors said. I could also tell that the Cullens were there because of the heart beat from their half breed child.

"I'll go in first," Stefan mumbled, "to see how they will react." I nodded.

When he entered the throne room there was a beat of tense silence. I started to worry about my only friend, but Aro's voice made me relax a little.

"Stefan," he said, "what are you and Vladimir doing here?" I took this as my cue to enter.

"I believe you lost something." I said when I walked into the room. Within a second Caius was in front of me reaching for his daughter. I handed Raven over to him without hesitation. This situation was already tense enough.
"Why do you have my daughter?" he hissed once Raven was in his arms, "what did you do to her?"

Before I could respond, Raven spoke; "Father they helped me." The shock on everyone's faces would have made me laugh had the situation been different.

Aro came up and took Raven's hand. When he let go confusion was written all over his face. I sighed; this was going to be a long evening, but finally, Stefan and I could tell them the truth about what happened.

"Alec," Marcus said standing up, "can you take Raven to her room and stay with her. Also get her some blood." I glanced over at the famous vampire I've heard so much about. The boy was staring at Raven with relief written all over his face. I wondered how long he's been in love with her.

When Alec walked forward I could see the Cullen's child clutching onto his cloak walking with him. I pictured that boy doing a lot of things from what I heard about him; but babysitting wasn't one of them. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Edward chuckle then nod at his daughter; answering an unspoken question from her. Alec took Raven from Caius and walked out with the child still clutching his cloak. The girl smiled a little at Stefan and me when they passed.

"So," Aro said looking back at us, "I suppose we have a lot to discuss."

"I suppose we do." I said looking at Stefan, who looked greatly relieved.

Author's Note:

Not a very long and good chapter I know, but I had to add it in ther.

Guess what, Nessie is finally going to meet Raven. :)

Review Please.