Sulpicia sat on the arm of Aro's chair, gently weaving her fingers through his silky hair. They both wore frowns, though Aro's eyes were closed as he leaned into his mates touch. He had been very tense in response to Caius' restlessness, and Sulpicia was over Athenodora's sulking. She had told the golden haired vampire not to meddle; had told her to just let things stay it's course, but of course, Athenodora hadn't listened.

So now everyone was in a foul mood.

They each heard Heidi's footfalls before she entered. She was with someone, a male Vampire by the smell of him. The door opened and Aro opened his eyes as the pair stepped in. Caius snapped closed the book he had been trying to read and half turned, hoping it was an impromptu beheading. Marcus, ever the stagnant creature, remained slumped on his chair with his chin resting on his palm. The only indication of his interest being the subtle shift of his eyebrow.

The vampire that stood slightly behind Heidi swaggered forward, not the least bit intimidated. He had short dark blonde hair, red eyes, and plump lips that very nearly rivaled Caius'. He wore a black suit jacket over a plain white t shirt, dark jeans, and tennis shoes. Before Caius could inquire about who he was or what the nature of the visit was, the new vampire spoke in a lilting English accent.

"Hello elusive Volturi. I am Niklous, and I have come to relieve your burden of ignorance."

"Such insolence," hissed Caius, thumping his book onto the desk surface and turning around fully to view Niklous. His glare was more heated than usual, promising the violence he had pent up over the past couple days. When was the last time he'd smiled?

Aro stood, holding up his hand to give Caius pause. "Relax, Caius." He walked in front, holding his hand out to Niklous in expectation. "It would be foolishness to approach this coven without valuable information."

The Volturi leader was giving him the benefit of the doubt. Niklous smirked widely but made no move to place his hand in Aro's. "I have one condition."

Aro paused, his brows raising in surprise as he slowly let his hand drop. Caius growled behind him. "What is it that you desire then, Niklous?" Asked Aro with reverence. Even he wasn't sure how to speak with this newcomer. Aro could sense that he was very old, even older than the 3 kings themselves.

Niklous' smirk never left his face. "Simply put: I want to be left alone. I'm going to the America's and I'm taking three of my brothers and my sister with me."

"We cannot promise that," says Caius. "There are laws! We cannot turn a blind eye while you are out slaughtering humans."

"Well, as long as I get what I want, no slaughtering will be required."

"And what is it that you want?"

"That's my own personal agenda. Fret not," says Niklous, his sentence turning more sarcastic by the end. "It's nothing too out of the ordinary. As I've said, I've no intention of revealing us to the masses."

"And your siblings?" Asks Marcus from his chair.

"They are...incapable...I assure you."

"We need more than your word, stranger," says Sulpicia with narrowed eyes. Aro once again offers his hand.

"Allow me to look into your intriguing mind. Perhaps a bargain can be struck from your memories."

This time Niklous allowed Aro to grasp onto his hand. The kings eyes unfocused as he delved into the ancient vampires memories.

He saw a vampire named Arban approach him fresh into his newborn stage. He was angry, violent, what they called a 'Ripper', and the reigning Romanian coven had recruited him not long after he'd awakened. Villages were decimated, entire civilizations drained and dined on.

Aro saw passed loves, he saw a female vampire named Katherine, who angered Niklous like no other. He saw Arban several times, and the vampire stuck out much clearer than the others, as if with intention.

One of Niklous' memories in particular caught Aros attention.

Niklous was fighting like hell beside Arban in Romania. They were in a forested area, secluded from any great population for miles. A group of nuns and priests were dressed finely, holding up symbols and shouting.

Niklous rushed forward, sinking his teeth into a priest and throwing his body away where it wrapped around a tree and thumped to the floor.

"Niklous!" Yelled Arban as he threw back a woman in black. "You must get to Dejanna! She is the way to Hecate!"

"Why must it be I?" Shouted Niklous as he jumped away from a nun with a stake.

Arban didn't get the chance to reply. A priest shoved a long dagger into his leg, causing him to scream and drop to one knee.

"No!" Screamed Niklous. He bolted forward but was stopped by a silver dagger in his side. It burned like a thousand fires licking at the inside of his body. He was helpless as Arbans chest was punctured by the dagger and he fell to the floor, veined and grey. His own body fell soon after, that fire reigniting in his chest as he too, succumbed to the magic embued into the blade.

Aro pulled away from him, looking lost. "What were those weapons?" He asked, flabbergasted that humans could wield such an item.

"Daggers produced by a coven of witches that have recently become extinct," says Niklous with a low, unimpressed snarl.

"How marvelous. You've survived, even with the magic in the daggers. Do explain."

"Essentially they put a creature into an unending sleep. But that is all they do. They don't stop the hunger. It builds, and builds, and builds until there's nothing left but the craving for blood."

"I should like to get my hands on one. How many are there?"

Niklous scoffs and takes a step away from Aro, who's eyes have turned greedy.

"Your word, Master Aro, or I'll not utter another syllable. "

Caius had just about had it with this smug vampire. He rounded his brother and the newcomer like a predator circling his prey. Aro's eyes briefly glanced over to Caius and pleaded for patience.

"So long as you do not bring unnecessary attention to our kind, you and your family may do as you please," promised Aro. "I'll have Heidi write up a contract, if my word is not to your standard."

"That won't be necessary," quips Niklous quite pleasantly. "There are fifteen. I have mine put away should I need it later. My siblings are still unfortunately burdened with theirs. The others are all fair game. Good luck to you," he ends and turns on his heel to walk away.

"Wait," stresses Aro, not yet satisfied. He had seen the moment Niklous had awakened in his coffin and pulled out by a red headed human boy. He'd heard the conversation, inviting him to a specific location in Scotland. "This...Arban. He mentioned a name."

Niklous grinned, not the least bit concerned over being caught with such information. "Oh yes, that Dejanna is something of a plaything for you, isnt she?" He had the nerve to look directly at Caius as the blonde froze in his spot. "You'd better get to her first."

And then Niklous let himself out.

"I am going to get her," spits Caius from between clenched teeth, eyes darker than pools of ink.

"Do not be rash, brother," says Aro as he crosses back to his wife. "There are still many things to consider. One, for instance, is an entity known as Hecate."

"What do I care of mythical entities?" Growled Caius.

"You should care, Caius, because I saw her in our new friends memories. She is not mythical, but as much real as you and I. A witch who may have the power to reverse your curse."

Caius' face fell blank as he registered Aro's words. After all this time, someone had come and offered a solution to his pain. He didn't trust it. It was highly suspicious, and his paranoia wanted to blame Athenodora. What if she had sent this Niklous with false promises?

What did she have to gain from that?

His mind whirled but he couldn't stop himself from thinking about having Dean back within these walls. Back here with him where he could protect her...love her...properly. Caius barely spared his brothers a glance as he walked passed them, didn't acknowledge Heidi's presence at all even, when Marcus called out

"You are playing such a dangerous game, Caius. Do take care."

Caius stared back at Marcus in quiet bewilderment, that melded into understanding. Heated words and jealousy had been thrown between them countless times throughout the years, but in the end it was all the same. The root of Marcus' pain had never been with Dean, and he had once loved the girl like a sister. He'd wanted them to be happy, and it still held true, even through the battlefield of broken hearts. Caius turned away and began his preparations to travel to the convent.

Dean had gone through all her resources on Hecate, and myths. She'd long since abandoned books, feeling frustrated by how long it took to find information. Reverend Mother's computer was more up to date than she'd initially thought it would be, yet it was still hard to decipher fact from fiction. Even when she searched angels, it was the same.

She'd been so distracted when she wasn't researching, that she'd unwittingly lost focus in the class that she'd been assisting in. The topic had been The Last Supper, and Judas, the man who had betrayed Jesus. A knock at the door beside her had her turn her head sharply, pulling her out of her musings. Nobody was there, that she could see, through the tiny glass window. Her palms sweat, nervous for unknown reasons as she lifted herself from her chair and opened the door.

Gabriel was standing in the shadows, a lazy grin on his face. She quickly stepped out into the hall and closed the door. "You know...if Jesus is the lamb of god...that means Mary had a little lamb."

Dean couldn't find it within herself to laugh. She crossed her arms over her chest and stared at him as if fearing that when she blinked, he would disappear. Gabriels grin died, slowly being replaced with a sheepish frown. She still was having a hard time believing that he was real.

"Dean..."

"This isn't funny," she says.

"I'm not playing games," sighs Gabriel. "Look, if I thought it would have saved you, I never would have let you go."

"Go where? With Fathar Karras? Into Volterra?"

Anger was burning in her now, her voice raising an octave. Gabriel winced and gently pulled her by her arm into an empty classroom. Gabriel quickly flicked off the lights and locked the door, blanketing them in silent darkness.

"I understand you're angry," he whispered. Dean rolled her eyes passive aggressively.

"You left me thinking you'd died, Gabriel! I mourned you! And now you just show up and tell me I'm part of some elaborate game some petty witch has had going for centuries?"

"You figured it out, huh?"

"It wasn't hard to put the pieces together. I just..." Dean deflated, not sure how to continue. Her lip quivered as her emotions began to overwhelm her. Gabriel pulled her in for a hug and she sniffled into his chest, tentatively wrapping her arms around him.

"I know..." Gabriel whispers lowly, placing his chin on top of her head and rocking her slowly.

Dean pulled back, her eyes still wet with unshed tears. "If I'm the girl from your story...then who...?"

Gabriel gave her a look that made her pause. She raked her brain, first thinking it was Gabriel, as he seemed the most obvious choice. But he never showed any particular interest in her outside of friendship. She thought of father Karras, but that didn't make sense, either.

But there was a blonde, moody king who always seemed to be around. Whether she was awake or asleep, he was there, giving her mixed signals. There was the way his wife acted around her, and in turn how Sulpicia acted like she was encroaching on their territory. But she couldn't deny the way she never pulled away from him, or the way she wanted him around her, even when she was angry and confused.

The way she had basically been hand delivered to that castle. She couldn't deny the way she had considered returning to Volterra because she missed him. She let out a small gasp, locking eyes with her best friend. "Caius?

Gabriel let out a long puff of air and gave a disheartened chuckle. "You're certainly quick, I'll give you that."

"But...but he has a wife!"

"He's had a wife nearly every time you've come around."

Dean laughed in disbelief, a miserable, heartbreaking sound. Imagining what that must be like for her. For them all. She could hardly wrap her brain around reincarnation, but she remembered the way Aro had looked at her when he noticed her that first day. The way Caius had looked so tired and animalistic. His words.

"What are you doing here?"

He hadn't asked who she was...none of them had. Not even Jane. The room began to spin and her breath caught in her throat, her stomach clenched and she thought she might throw up.

"Whoa, hey!" Gabriel exclaimed, catching her before she fell over. Dean was hyperventilating, darkness creeping in on her vision and she couldn't breathe despite how rapidly her chest was rising and falling. Her heart was beating so fast that it physically hurt. "Dean! You'll be okay! I'm here, I'm here!"

Gabriel picked up her hand but she yanked it away, pulling her entire body away from him as his heat had begun to feel suffocating. She pulled so hard that she fell back against a desk, causing the chair to topple over and the chair legs to screech on the floor. Her friend held out his hands, palms up, in surrender as Dean faught off the buzzing bees in her brain.

Gabriel could only look on and wait for the panic attack to pass. He wasn't qualified for this. He hadn't wanted this job to begin with. He was the angel of communication, but Dean had become more than just an assignment to him, and he didn't know how to help her out of this one. He began to help her count out different things she could see, hear, touch, and taste until finally, she began to simmer down.

"Why are you here?" She finally asked.

"To look after you," he answered guiltily. "To make sure you follow God's plan."

"You're my babysitter? You move the chess pieces?" She was angry again, and a sobering part of him realized he much preferred her angry to the miserable pit she had just pulled herself out of.

"I'm sorry," he said, not adding on that it had never been his choice. He was just doing what he was told. He really was sorry, regardless of whose fault it was.

"Then take me to Hecate! Get her to end this!"

"I can't, Dean! You don't understand! If we try to push her, she will push back and make things worse! And God wants-"

"I don't care what God wants!" Her words are shouted, echoing off the walls for the whole world to hear. "My life is not a board game! Why is everyone so obsessed with me? There's 7 billion other people on this planet! I decide who I love. I decide!"

"It's not that God is obsessed with you. He loves all his creations, and this...whatever it is with the vampire is your brief happiness in this world. Of you don't fall for him, we don't know what will happen to you. His plan for you was derailed thousands of years ago. It's out of even His hands."

"Bullshit," she said, shocking herself with how easily it came. She marched to the door, sparing him one last glance. "It's all bullshit."

The door snapped closed behind her.