Aurora Borealis

by Star-Of-Radiance

Bella's 'perfect slice of forever' slowly unravels, piece by piece. Months after the confrontation during Breaking Dawn, all the devastating consequences of crimes, both forgotten and overlooked, reveal themselves, and the criminal trials and sentencing of Edward Cullen and the Volturi unfold- along with its equally devastating aftermath. Think carefully before you choose to act...

31. Unlikely Alliances

"A hundred struggle and drown in the breakers. One discovers the new world. But rather, ten times rather, die in the surf, heralding the way to that new world, than stand idly on the shore."

Florence Nightingale

Castle Corvinus, location of the Old-World Coven, was a place of the likes which none of them had ever imagined, the patriarch of the Cullen family thought. Carved out of the craggy rock of the Carpathians of Transylvania, it was deliberately located on the wrong side of the mountains, according to mortals and for good reason. Sunlight was rarely to reach that particular spot. Before the invention of various items that protected vampires against the deadly rays, this would be a place where they could live freely and comfortably. Throughout the ages, after they returned to the spot where the first vampires underwent the first of the painful metamorphoses into what they became, the castle had been constructed and fortified with more than just magic and against more than just sunlight and their notorious enemies, the werewolves. Built from stone hewn from the native granite quarries along these mountains and into the very cliff-face itself, the fortress had expanded into a citadel for the seat of power of the first vampire species, before being continuously expanded upon throughout the millennia. As one walked through the multiple halls, chambers, corridors and even courtyards throughout the stronghold, a person could easily feel like they were walking through time, Carlisle mused.

They were given some time off, and decided to de-stress and to take their minds off their perpetual pain and worry by having a look around. Yakov, the vampire who had shown them to their rooms the first day, was their guide. As the family explored the castle and underground city, they explored common areas, personal quarters and private suites which were unoccupied as of the moment, libraries, training arenas, armouries, celebratory halls, offices and so forth. Each had their own distinctly different feel and air: from Victorian, French and Italian Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo, Gothic and far older styles, Romanesque and Byzantine, he suspected, for some of the oldest sections of the castle. He spotted Classical architecture too, but also those that might not seem out of place in the Minoan palace at Knossos in Crete or the citadel of Mycenae.

The family watched spellbound as they walked through the Old-World Coven; even Bella had been momentarily jolted from her inner pain and turmoil, though she wished Renesmee were here to see this, as did Rosalie. So much of what once was, what was supposedly lost, seemed to spring to life right before their eyes. Even though there may have also been alterations.

There were labyrinths of corridors and rooms which made Carlisle and his family dizzy and pondered even the idea of a map despite their perfect recall. Some of the more private living areas for certain individuals, like any of the Elders, High or minor, visiting dignitaries like from the wizard nations or representatives from the Vampire High Council for different species, or simply visitors, were heavily protected. He observed being shown a labyrinth of rooms and winding, curving corridors with barely a straight line, lined in torches that spontaneously burst to life. There were booby traps, some magical, others ingeniously engineered with little to no magic. There were crocodile traps, spikes that appeared from the walls or floors when prompted by their guide as a means of demonstration, even optical illusions made out of mirrors. But there were also rooms hung with rich carpets and tapestries of incredible colour and detail with thread-of-gold even, lit by hundreds or thousands of candles and richly furnished. The more private dwellings were forbidden to them, of course, but the common living areas were all accessible. Then they had descended down an elevator similar to the one they'd gone through during their first day. It was then that they saw what seemed to be the most miraculous sight they had ever seen.

A vast network of underground caverns with filled and teeming with life- or the Undead depending on how you saw it. The largest cavern far surpassed an airplane hangar and most astoundingly of all, had crystalline buildings dangling and shaped almost like stalactites, which reminded the Cullens paradoxically of both magical, fairy-like snowflakes but also of grim and foreboding Gothic spires. There were mezzanines and skybridges, but also walkways designed with vampires specifically in mind which would make it difficult, Carlisle supposed, if anybody ever got into the city without their permission to go around without aid. That must have been intentional. He saw individual apartments in the stalactite-like spires, floating balls of light or simply candles and crystal chandeliers floating magically. While many parts may still seem dim to the eyes of humans, to vampires the whole city seemed filled with light. There were indoor and underground gardens and parks set aside for vampires and visitors alike to enjoy, filled with eerie plants that may have been magical or carnivorous- or both-haunting bioluminescent plant-life that could have bloomed underwater like jellyfish or sea anemones, or perhaps they originated from an alien planet, subterranean trees, plant-life and vegetation all mutated or evolved using magic or mundane ones that were rare or yet-undiscovered by non-magical humans, multi-coloured mushrooms that glowed as brightly as neon lights. Some specimens, they were told, were poisonous- at least for humans. And even then, they were more likely to kill non-magical humans as opposed to the magical ones. There were also arrangements of raw and uncut gemstones on what were supposed to have been flower beds like diamonds, rubies, topaz, amethysts, sapphires and emeralds, as well as crystal and glass dangling from trees or shrubs seemed to have been made entirely of them. There may have been hills and parks seemingly hewn and constructed from such gems, in a way that almost seemed natural. Hauntingly beautiful but eerie flowers, some possibly magical in nature, others mutated artificially, bloomed in various shades. He spotted some frosty blue-coloured roses with a sweet scent, delicate silver flowers he couldn't identify and even a few large gold ones on leafy stalks like tulips.

There were even fountains, pools, streams and even rivers and lakes full of underground life which had never seen the light of day, some grotesque but mundane and blind, others magical in nature. He spotted some bioluminescent fish and some colourless white eels which were blind, where some vampires amused themselves with, sitting on stone benches or bending down by the water's edge to feed bits of raw and bloody meat to the snapping jaws lined with razor-sharp teeth. Some such fish even leapt into the air to snatch such morsels and tidbits before splashing down below. Alice grimaced and shuddered, claiming that they were worse than the piranhas she and Jasper saw when seeking the Amazons and Nahuel and Huilen.

Carlisle supposed they had numerous millennia or at least centuries to enjoy the benefits of trade and the exchange of knowledge with wizards and other supernatural beings, as well as each other. Yakov told them in case of times of crises, this was supposed to shelter and hold the entirety of their species, hence its enormous size, to the point of being a small city.

The Cullens spotted the cave where Markus had been bitten and transformed, and where he spirited his wife to safety and turned her as well- and was changed twice. By contrast, it didn't seem like much; even the bats which the Cullens- especially an eager-looking Emmett, Jasper and Alice, along with a more sceptical Rosalie- had wanted and expected to see, had long since disappeared. When Carlisle questioned which species of bat it must have been, since vampire bats were native to the Americas, Yakov explained that the bat that had bitten Markus- if it truly was just a mundane animal- likely came from a species of vampire bat that was now extinct and also found throughout Eurasia. "We spent years keeping its existence a secret from the mundane humans." Yakov admitted. "It was most closely related to the Desmodus Draculae species of vampire bat formerly found in Central and South America, now extinct. Either way, the First Progenitor did not look too closely when he was bitten, not that taxonomy of any kind had been invented back then. He was, of course, preoccupied with attempting to find shelter and thinking of means to seek his brother."

"The first werewolf," Jasper breathed. Yakov nodded.

"How much of this story do you know?" Yakov quirked his head to one side.

"Just the basics," he admitted. Yakov nodded. "Alexander Corvinus, his two immortal sons and his one mortal son."

Jasper and Carlisle both blinked when they heard this. "Ah, yes, Gabrielle did mention that he had one son who wasn't an immortal," Carlisle remembered. "What was his name?"

Yakov shrugged. "I'm afraid I don't know. The names of Alexander, his sons Markus and William, and even his wife Helena were all given to their personas on a much later date. As was the name of their clan: Corvinus or Corvin, which was passed down to their mortal descendants. Their true names are guarded most zealously. Helena's name was posthumously given by her husband and son, but they did not do the same for the third brother."

"Why?" Jasper asked, bewildered. Yakov's brow furrowed. "It may be possible that they wished to protect him and his legacy, as well as his descendants. Of course, there were rumours running around certain circles of Europe that members of the Corvinus Clan were vampires or werewolves, or dabbled in witchcraft, but they have long since been unproven. That was merely the mortal branch although at times, before the Chain, Markus and his father often... presented themselves as figures amidst history. They also kept a watch over their mortal relations, descendants of the third brother."

"I see," Carlisle murmured. "Like Luca." At Bella's quizzical look, he explained, "Luca is a Maltese vampire of our species, who has kept watch and guard over his family and their descendants, ensuring their prosperity for... well, I don't know for how long. As a result, his family were more friendly and amenable towards vampires than the rest, and he is looked upon well, almost like a patron saint by them. Renata was one of his family members and one whom he had transformed after persuasion. She had initially wanted to remain human, like the majority of their family, in order to continue the family line and produce potential new vampires, but because of her unique talent, even as a human, she attracted the Volturi's attention. Realising that this could potentially bring down the Volturi's fury upon them if they refused, Renata agreed to be transformed by her great-uncle Luca." Bella froze, no doubt remembering the vampires she'd seen watching Renata anxiously during the Volturi's trial. "He also transformed Mackenna, another relative who spoke up for us during the New Year's Eve confrontation along with her mate Charles."

Bella's eyes were massive, as were Emmett and Rosalie's. Esme's brow furrowed and Alice blinked. Jasper stood stoic, but obviously this was new information to him.

"You call them 'mates'?" Yakov cocked his head to one side. "Not spouses? Husbands or wives? Or even partners?"

Carlisle struggled to speak. "Well... we were mostly a separated society isolated from, well, not only the Confederation and any other supernatural being, but each other and also the human world. Some like those of our family do practice legally binding matrimony, but we would have to live among or at least be close to and blend in with humans in order to get married. The Volturi have no laws apart from the prohibitions against the creation of Immortal Children-" at this Yakov nodded gravely, fully understanding. "-the risks of exposure... there were not many laws. There were no laws, unlike for within the Confederation, that prevented our vampires from even killing each other, much less humans of course, which was why covens as large as ours are relatively rare or even unheard of by many. We are known to either be very territorial or nomadic, and the competitive drive for more prey to feed upon and hunting territories certainly is a root cause. There certainly were no laws regarding the nuptials of our species, and I cannot imagine Aro or Caius ever concerning themselves with such details, let alone their guard. As a matter of fact, I am uncertain on whether or not any of the Volturi were themselves ever legally bound in marriage, although we referred to Sulpicia, Athenodora and, when she was alive, Didyme, as their wives. Like many mated couples, they would likely have sworn vows to each other, but not in an official capacity."

Yakov nodded, accepting this. He didn't look down on them as crude and brutish animals, Carlisle thought, mildly impressed. For that he was grateful. He didn't need anyone sneering or acting all condescending towards them.

"David son of Amelia and Ruxandra daughter of Markus are to be wed soon," Yakov remarked casually. "Our ceremonies are different from those of mortals. I wonder just how different our species are from one another. Ours are monogamous; once they form an emotional attachment, such as falling in love, that feeling lasts forever." He winced, glancing towards Bella's direction. "My apologies, I did not mean to-"

But Bella shook her head fervently. "It's fine." She looked back insistently towards Carlisle, as if pushing him to continue with the conversation as if nothing had happened.

"Uh, yes, our species are monogamous," Carlisle confirmed. "Only the bond between mates is strong enough to survive the competitive drive for blood. We would never have thought about living in a settlement as large as this. And I suspect that without Chelsea and Corin and the... persuasiveness of Aro and the rest of the guard, the Volturi would not have lasted for as long the way they did."

Yakov hummed thoughtfully. "Our forebears learned early on that we are different from humanity, more than we initially suspected. After the death of his wife Helena, Alexander the Father of Immortals never remarried, nor formed any sort of attachment in a similar manner. His son, Markus was certainly driven to the lengths he did for his own bride when he feared losing her the way his father had lost his mother not long after their son's marriage. Before vampirism, he had attempted to turn her immortal by secretly feeding her doses of his blood without her knowledge and awareness. I don't know whether it would have worked, but in the end, he managed to turn her, although only after he became a vampire." Yakov looked around the cave.

"A lot of vampires come to visit this place," he mused. "Although it's largely closed off to non-vampires. It's a sacred space. Including for lovers or those seeking a love like theirs. Vampires are not typically superstitious, but perhaps... there is such a thing as longing for a different turn of fate." He gave a poignant but brief look towards Bella.

Bella could only blink.

Eventually, they made their way to the oldest parts of the original fortress. This had an entirely different feel and atmosphere to it than all the rest of the coven.

Yakov escorted them there, saying that the ceremonial ritual was about to begin. Unlike the other places which had filled the Cullens with wonder, this one could only be described as emanating the feeling of complete dread.

This was not the hall where the vampires had gathered to greet Markus once he had awoken, or to be introduced to him, but this was the most ancient Gathering Hall of the fortress and citadel where the vampires used to congregate and shelter in before the fortress and citadel expanded further. Yakov told them that this Great Hall was solely Viktor's now, for whenever his turn to reign came and he congregated members of the court, government, met with diplomats and foreign dignitaries, held festivities and important ceremonies and traditional rituals, or, in the past- which to be fair was when Viktor was in power- where he executed the condemned from time to time.

While Markus and, according to Yakov, Amelia's Gathering Halls were more welcoming and elegant, Viktor's Gathering Hall seemed to be a place of perpetual gloom and utter grimness. It seemed more like a mausoleum, or something incredibly foreboding like in a horror thriller. The vast chamber looked as if it might not have been constructed artificially, at least initially, nor even chiselled and carved out of the rock of the mountains. The walls, floor and granite columns were all greyish-black and looked as if they were barely treated by artifice, barely carved or polished although they were fine and not crudely hewn upon closer inspection. The stone floor looked naturally connected to and formed out of the same granite rock as the walls and ceiling like they were in a natural hollow within the mountain. The whole area seemed to be a cross between a foreboding and threatening underground cavern and a grim and cheerless mausoleum. Ponderous granite pillars forming Byzantine arches supported the high vaulted ceiling, while arched doorways led off to murky passageways lit by racks of torches. Wrought-iron chandeliers hung from the ceiling, holding arrays of beeswax candles. Wrought-iron chains and manacles dangled from the pillars like decorative festoons, garlands and banners, as grim reminders of, or perhaps tributes to, a darker, more violent and desperate era. Sculpted grotesques, in the shape of writhing plague victims, seemingly moulded or grown from the granite, were carved, positioned like they had been mounted on at least two of the pillars on one end of the hall near the entrance and flanking the Elder's throne, as if they were guarding or reminding audiences whom they stood before. Well, they could have easily been plague victims or Grim Reapers... or a representative cross between both.

Grown from the living rock, Carlisle mused both fascinated and disturbed. His children were similarly creeped out. Esme clutched his hand, unnerved as her breathtakingly lovely honey-brown eyes, the warmest thing in such a hall, scanned and darted about her surroundings nervously.

Vaguely Romanesque in style; Carlisle noted the arches between pillars that were reminiscent of the Byzantine Empire. Yet more than anything, this hall, not as large as many of the more ornate and later ones, could have been formed naturally within the mountain rock before all the more intricate details had been chiselled out, although much of the fine details also seemed like they were moulded from the natural-dug granite. It was undoubtedly underground deep within the mountain and felt like it totally belonged, at home and one with the mountain range. Yet at the same time, it still felt like a mausoleum and just as grim.

The raised dais at the end held an elaborate throne in its centre, seemingly grown from the rock itself. Undoubtedly, only one of the three High Elders could be seated in such an illustrious position. It was less ornate and elegant than the Volturi's thrones in their citadel, yet it felt more... frightening and grim. Foreboding and powerful. It filled Carlisle with a sense of dread and yet, at the same time, awe. It was the place of a real vampire king or queen.

The Volturi in their citadel seemed more hopelessly childish and laughably presumptuous by comparison. Here, even if there were any to begin with, there could be no doubt the instant one laid eyes on such a seat. It didn't look like much, but it chilled Carlisle in a way that even vampires were not used to.

This, he thought, is a place where vampires could have come from. They were certainly comfortable here, he thought, eyeing the various elegantly dressed individuals seated around upon richly upholstered chairs and divans. Wrought-iron braziers were arranged about the hall, burning with merry but wicked-seeming flames. He could imagine Hollywood film producers sighing with longing to film a horror thriller about vampires in a place like this. Not like us, Carlisle thought, amused. Who could imagine vampires sparkling? Even if they had crimson eyes and preternatural strength? Just how far removed and evolved were their species from the original ones? Yakov whispered that this hall was actually Viktor's, where he received members of the coven after his Awakening, and where celebrations, official ceremonies and- during the past when the time came for him to rule- executions were performed. Not for the first time, Carlisle was thankfully due to the Confederation's laws, that this Viktor would have no authority over them once he had risen from the earth.

The hall that Markus had greeted the coven in after two hundred years of absence seemed less... grim and creepy by comparison. Carlisle thought it would seem a more fitting place if one wanted a feel of optimism, awe and respect for their official entry and union with the other species of their kind. But this was the most ancient of the halls, and even though Markus himself never used it during his turn to reign, this would be the most fitting place for such a beginning. However much anyone disliked it.

"Hollywood would sure love this place," Emmett remarked wistfully. Jasper's lips twitched and Rosalie hid a smirk. The cold stone floor reminded him of the ground of an old London street after it had rained. To fit the atmosphere further, the vampires were mostly dressed in dark colours, with black seemingly being a favourite. Is this ceremonial wear?

More vampires from various species started to arrive and congregate. Many took seats. Carlisle suppressed the urge to wince, although he may not have been successful, when he saw Siobhan, Liam and Maggie appear, along with Charles, Mackenna and Luca. Zafrina, Senna and Kachiri appeared with Randall, Peter and Charlotte, with Alistair not far behind. He seemed to be looking towards the direction of a particular female who headed off into the opposite direction. There definitely was longing in his eyes. Garrett and Kate, Carmen and Eleazar were led by Tanya who held her head high. Amun also appeared with Kebi, and while Benjamin and Tia looked more curious and inquisitive, concerned even, Amun still had that perpetually frosty glower that informed Carlisle he undoubtedly blamed him for what Edward was supposed to have done and all the attention and scrutiny it had brought them. Kebi was still and silent as a shadow, but no less cold.

Carlisle sighed, shoulders slumping briefly as he remembered he had the monumental task of giving the explanations owed to all their friends, allies and acquaintances who spoke up for their defence and even agreed to fight for them during the New Year's Eve standoff with the Volturi. Even if they forgave them after this, he was certain they wouldn't forgive Edward, much less look kindly upon him. No matter the benefits joining the Confederation, and the High Council had brought them.

---

"We all have secrets. Most are guilty, a few are wretched and some are too precious to share."

C.L Taylor

Gabrielle's heart pounded and she hoped that no vampire could pick it up. Fortunately, this hall was relatively isolated.

The wind blew an eerie whistle through the corridors, despite them being largely shut from the elements outside, particularly during the day which was when vampires typically slept. It was drafty but not stuffy, as was the intention of the cunning system of air vents. Although vampires needed less air than humans, it was still appreciated for fear that the air would become stale and congested, even rank, due to lack of exposure to the fresh air and sun.

Although it was cool, Gabrielle's Vila heritage prevented her from feeling cold. Even if she was partially human, she could always cast a warming charm anyway. The temperature was not her concern, anymore than it was a concern to literally-cold-blooded vampires who would find it normal.

Muted tapestries hung upon the hallway walls, as if in hopes of keeping out the chill of the night or cheering up such a grim place. Decorative suits of armors stood silent vigil. Mounted torches held sputtering flames. The hallway was narrow and cold, made of the same stone as the most ancient Gathering Hall which the majority of the vampires now congregated. This place was equally ancient, only having been recently renovated in the Medieval era or the prior Dark Ages when vampires most thrived. Gabrielle felt terribly uneasy and highly uncomfortable. She shouldn't be here. She knew she shouldn't.

And yet her heart beat a pounding drum as she continued onwards. She had to continue.

The Elders' tower housed the living quarters and private living area of the each of the High Elders along with their families, which were used only by one of them and their respective families when their turn to rule came. The apartments would be emptied, cleaned and sealed when they returned to the earth, same as those of their family members. They would then be reopened, cleaned, aired, prepared and, if necessary, refurbished the way they liked them whenever the time approached for them to rise and take up residence in this tower once more. Whenever each Elder was interred in the crypt, their family members, with the exception of Radu who was the regent of the Old-World Coven and thus entitled to stay here on a permanent basis, would leave Castle Corvinus to go to hold other seats of power like ancient manors, castles or strongholds scattered throughout the continent, or other covens which were founded by or in the name of either of the three High Elders or their supporters. As a matter of fact, Amelia had founded a coven in New York, she believed. The New World Coven, as it was known, was the largest in the Americas, and the High Elder Amelia resided there for a good part of her century-long reign. All except for the Lady Progenitor who was imprisoned controversially within her own tower within the castle, upon Viktor's insistence, whenever her husband was buried beneath the earth in order to curb the couple's power and influence. Gabrielle shuddered at the thought of having to spend two hundred years locked in a tower, even if one could astral-project and use foresight to see the world outside. Gabrielle also suspected that no non-vampire had ever walked these halls ever since the Lycans were their slaves- or even then, they wouldn't have dared approach. Attendants such as ladies-in-waiting held close personal suites of their own, near enough to the mistress they worked for, but not in this level. Was she the first non-vampire or non-family member of the High Elders since this tower, or this fortress and citadel, was even built?

Gabrielle didn't know. Only that she was taking a great risk. She froze when she saw three sets of grand double doors, each made of mahogany, oak and ebony, forming a semi-circle at the other end of the hall. Illuminated by mounted torches on iron sconces, despite the fact that the other end of the corridor where they were located was currently dark, Gabrielle could make out with her preternatural vision, which rivalled that of any vampire or werewolf, that each of the double doors had an ornate initial letter carved directly into the wood and embossed, chased with metallic finishings. She could make out a V for Viktor (her heart thudded. Although they had never met, he was notorious enough to make her shiver knowing what he would have done if he knew she were here) on the oaken doors, M for Markus above the mahogany ones, and A for Amelia above the ebony doors.

The Elders' living quarters were not her final destination, however. There were more sets of double doors apart from the Elders'. A rosewood pair held Lady Laima's adjacent personal chambers outside of her usual tower residence which was her home- or prison- for every two centuries whenever her husband was in hibernation. Gabrielle recognised the Corvinus crest entwined with her own personal emblem. There were more doors, presumably belonging to members of the families of the three High Elders. There were more sets: one made of cherrywood, another of pine, another of cedar and... she paused.

He had shown her his memories. He wanted her to go to this one.

Hesitantly, she stopped at a closer set of doors. Made of thick teakwood, the doors were grand and imposing enough to leave little room for doubt that a High Elder's offspring resided within. She wondered who dwelt inside the grand medieval suite. Surely, he wouldn't go this far. I made my wishes perfectly clear!

Surely he wouldn't... It was bad enough she felt like she was intruding here... which she was, only with permission.

Gabrielle knocked on the one door gently. To her surprise, it swung open of its own accord. She swallowed. Gabrielle fought the urge to shiver.

Inside was a large room. A bedroom suite, she recognised. It was dark, though well-lit for vampires and Vila, even part-Vila, like herself. But apart from the darkness, the cold grandeur of the opulent chamber made it look like the bedroom of a medieval royal. A canopied four-poster bed, grand and luxurious, was hung with silk curtains and filled with a feather mattress, piled high with pillows and fine linens. Dried sprigs of lavender were sprinkled between the fabrics to sweeten the sheets and to keep away fleas. A rich velvet counterpane in purple and an eiderdown lay on top. The space above the headboard was adorned with a brass ornamental disk of concentric circular rings.

A hand basin, jewellery box, and other feminine trinkets littered the top of a mahogany dressing table. Moonlight filtered through green stained-glass windows. Lavender and tansy freshened the air. A large bronze-framed mirror, mounted on the wall above the vanity, disproved of the myth that vampires cast no reflections (unless they sought to hide them using magical illusions). A polished suit of armour was mounted upon a rack. Unlit kindling was piled in the fireplace. Antique Persian carpets and fur rugs were thrown across the cold stone floor. An antique, elaborately carved mahogany armoire likely held someone's extensive wardrobe within. Matching bedside tables and bureaus held many beeswax candles which flickered and danced with life. An iron chandelier, not crystal or glass, held similar candles, as did a few candelabras which cast flickering light upon the intricate runes carved into the grimly formal stone walls that were left uncovered by the rich velvet tapestries.

Gabrielle gazed bewildered about the room. The grand chamber held not a trace of a living soul- well, an Undead one. Not even her preternatural vision could make out another person. Was he lying? Perhaps the occupant, possibly his sister, was down with the others, awaiting the commencement of the ritual ceremony?

She stepped inside and looked about the place. Yes, this room looked as if it had been occupied, or maybe it was waiting an occupant. The occupant was clearly a woman; a woman who was unlikely to welcome her intrusion and trespass. Possibly this was even Ruxandra's bedchamber! She gritted her teeth in frustration. He was risking her life or her reputation! Or both.

She looked around. The doors were ornately carved and adorned with embossed metal disks and studs. Two stone plinths flanked the entryway holding more lit candles. The bed was grand and intricately carved with an interlocking square-and-pyramid pattern, yet it was not overly ornate despite its richness, same as the rest of the furniture. Gabrielle cast her eyes onto the dressing table. The jewellery box, glass perfume bottles, combs and hairpins that were arrayed atop it looked... antique. That itself was nothing unexpected, but Gabrielle looked towards the hand basin also present with its awaiting pitcher. It was empty, but the presence of it suggested that this suite had not be renovated and refurbished in any way to fit with more modern times. While vampires did not need the toilet, she would have thought that there would be an adjacent bathroom nearby for hygiene purposes. Instead, this room could have more likely seen the usage of a wooden tub lined with linen sheets for the occupant's baths. There was no door to suggest an adjoining ensuite bathroom, and she knew that high-ranking vampires like Ruxandra, the daughter of the Progenitors, would not have gone to a communal bathing area. Even the Death Dealers and clerks had their own bathrooms.

She knew that some, even wizards, found it comfortable to live in rooms that were decorated in such antiquated styles, at least from time to time. Yet even the ancient immortals would surely have appreciated the uses of running water and plumbing. Maybe it was a tradition whenever the occupant was in Castle Corvinus for her- it must have been a female vampire- father or mother's Awakening and throughout the duration of their reign, to live under such outdated circumstances. But it was hardly convenient.

Gabrielle's eyes were drawn to the suit of armour, mounted upon its rack. She recognised the armour of the Death Dealers of the Dark Ages, although in more modern times they had certainly changed their official gear. Had the occupant kept it as a symbol of the honour and pride she took of her warrior past if she had a long history of being a soldier? Yes, this was certainly a woman's suit of armour, the cuirass moulded to fit a woman's torso and bosom, although for a svelte figure. It was black, like the night and the death that they continuously defied, dealt and played with. The Death Dealers had refused to change their name despite the rise of Voldemort's followers and their mutual distaste for each other. Well, why should they change it even to avoid offending some mortal sensibilities, despite the fact that only a fool would not notice the obvious differences in terminology and spelling? Besides, the elite vampire warriors had been calling themselves that name long before Voldemort had ever existed. The Death Dealers had a reputation for dread and lethal effectiveness, even amongst wizarding circles.

Gabrielle examined the intricate runes adorning the finely made onyx-black armour. The Corinthian-style helmet came from an earlier era than the Middle Ages. It was well-maintained, she thought. But she was uncertain of whether Ruxandra had ever been a Death Dealer, much less a prolific one. According to Ruxandra herself, she preferred the sciences and arts. So who could this chamber have belonged to if not that vampire princess? Amelia did not have a living daughter, and this was not her chambers...

Gabrielle's eyes widened as she came to the realisation: Viktor. This must be the room of his daughter, Sonja, the one who went missing! Is he mad?!

She was stunned. Why...

A sudden movement made her whirl. Her hand flew to her wand as she turned around, prepared upon instinct to defend herself-

Radu stood calmly before her, dressed all in black, his head quirked to one side. His hair gleamed copper with golden glints in the candlelight.

Gabrielle was breathless. He smirked slightly.

"Why?" She breathed.

Slowly, he stepped forwards. "You know why."

Gabrielle managed to swallow. "Sonja's bedchamber?" She whispered.

"Why did you ask to meet me here, of all places? In your father's tower? The Tower of the Elders? When he could unexpectedly show up- or perhaps your mother could, if not in person, then certainly by astral projection-"

"The ceremony may be short and on-point, but the festivities and congratulations afterwards will certainly take a while," Radu assured her. Gabrielle sighed.

Her violet-blue eyes met his. "Why here then? Why in Sonja's bedchamber?" She was aghast. Gabrielle knew that Sonja had been missing for centuries now but she highly doubted that the vampires, especially the ones who knew her, would appreciate her entering the personal suite of a High Elder's daughter.

By the saddened smile on her face, he knew she would figure it out.

"My mother kept this bedchamber in its condition prior to Sonja's disappearance," he confessed. He strode over to face the vanity, standing beside her. Their reflections were lit by the candles reflecting in the bronze of the mirror frame. "She was a good friend of mine. I never loved her, not in the way that Viktor wanted, and she never loved me either. If we were mortal, he assuredly would have pushed for an arranged marriage, if only to ensure that my parents weren't trying to overthrow him and Amelia and put me and my sister in their places. He need not have worried." His eyes softened. "But he certainly grew resentful and worried about my popularity and the reverence our people held for my parents. Still, he hoped."

"But vampires don't fall in love more than once." Gabrielle murmured. Her mind flashed to Edward and Bella. "If the feelings are true and strong enough. So they have free reign over who they marry... for the most part." She doubted that parents wouldn't have any kind of influence, even though their child would have the final say.

Radu nodded. "This place was kept by my mother the way it was when she last left. Perhaps she was hoping that Sonja would be found and come home someday. Or else... well, that was almost nine centuries ago. This is now treated as a shrine to Sonja by both my mother and Viktor." He explained, eyes searching the room, scanning it almost, while sounding strained. "She loved Sonja. And her mother Ilona. After the latter was treacherously slain, my mother took her daughter under her wing. She had delivered Sonja and helped save both her and Ilona's lives during the former's birth." He paused, turning his gaze from their reflections in the mirror, to Gabrielle. Silence reigned between them both as Gabrielle remembered and thought about the implications.

Pure-born vampire births were more perilous and violently dangerous than human pregnancies, Gabrielle remembered. This Ilona, Viktor's wife, was carrying the pure-born child of an Elder no less, stronger than most vampires. She also remembered learning from Radu that Viktor's wife Ilona had been murdered while she rested during the daytime hours in a keep used as a waystation and stopping point for vampires to travel before the days when they had come up with new means to prevent being burned to a crisp by the sun. During that fateful journey to Castle Corvinus for Viktor's Awakening during the thirteenth century, a crazed mob of supernatural-hunting peasants led, riled up and barely, though slightly adequately, trained by a fanatical monk had all sought misdirected vengeance since their home village had been attacked and some family members and friends previously slaughtered by a pack of werewolves. These completely mundane human peasants would not have normally stood a chance, even with training and weapons, both of which were barely adequate enough to begin with, let alone against the supernaturally strong, as well as having possessed largely unfounded superstitions about talismans and other items which were supposed to have but would not have actually stopped a vampire- or a werewolf. Yet they nonetheless possessed some minor strategic cunning.

The fanatical mob had managed to infiltrate the keep but somehow successfully hid underground in the tunnels, waited until after the sun was down and Lady Ilona's entourage had arrived, and then again after the vampires had retired for the daylight hours and the sun had finally risen. They would never have managed to get to her, especially since she was not only a skilled Death Dealer but a high-status vampire lady and the wife of an Elder, had the party not been in such an eager rush to get to Castle Corvinus in time for the ceremony that they were careless with their security, especially whilst they slept and were vulnerable. Ilona had been burned alive by the rays of the rising sun, she and her entourage the victims of a sneak-attack when the mortals had thrown open the shutters, curtains and draperies as well as the false walls they had previously erected upon capturing the keep and knocking the real ones down. The entire party had been exposed to sunlight. It was a painful and grisly death. Only the couple's daughter had escaped, the intruders having missed her personal chambers, since she slept in the room she used to occupy as a child which adjoined to her mother and was concealed behind another false wall. Sonja had awoken to the screams of her entourage and her mother, whom she had been unable to save, before barely escaping, only to disappear mysteriously barely a decade after. To this day, no one had ever discovered what became of her.

At times like this, Gabrielle had pitied the even the tyrannical vampire Elder. These were not blows she would wish upon her worst enemies. But Viktor's reported reaction had made her shudder. Once he had been fully Awakened with the full knowledge of Markus' memories whilst hearing the report, the newly resurrected High Elder tracked down the mortal mob, right down to the monk who had stirred, armed and planned the assault, to their home village of Strasba. Then, for that night and that night alone, the prohibition against the consumption of human blood had been rescinded upon Viktor's order. He and his army had slaughtered the entire village right down to the last child. Radu had observed the massacre, then a captain in the Death Dealers' army, but not even another High Elder was capable of overturning a High Elder's decree. It was something that they had agreed upon before the beginning of the Chain in order to force all three to cooperate and work together. Even though it likely meant that another High Elder, and possibly the third, would have to clean up the mess and deal with the fall-out of the previously-reigning one once they had awoken from their two-centuries-long buried slumber. None of the three easily agreed with and truly trusted each other, hence the Chain they had all agreed upon for the sake of peace and stability within them. Radu had been powerless and beyond horrified at the monstrosity that his comrades, fellow Death Dealers, had shown that night. He claimed to have seen one of his comrades, named Vayer, throw an elderly woman from an upstairs window and onto her death, while two more vampires preyed upon a young mother and a third snatched up her wailing infant before draining it dry.

When he had pointed out to Viktor the lack of involvement that infant had in Ilona's murder and Sonja's near brush with death, Viktor had not cared to listen. He simply, politely but coolly informed Markus' heir that this was what it meant to rule, to make an example and to remind these mortals of why they should be feared. Besides, there should be no witnesses to spread word about what truly happened that night. The rest of these lowly mortals had likely encouraged, cheered and prayed for the mob that laid siege to the poorly defended keep and slain Ilona and her entourage whilst she rested, endangering his daughter.

Markus' firstborn had been unable to convince the Elder that the infant was not only innocent, unaware and completely uninvolved, but would not even remember what had happened this night. Viktor had then dared Radu to challenge his authority if so, but Radu was no fool. It didn't matter if not everyone in this pathetic settlement had been guilty of the crimes against Ilona, Sonja and the rest of their entourage. He did not have the power and authority to challenge Viktor, even as the Progenitors' son and grandson, even as the offspring of another High Elder. It would have been a futile endeavour, one which would have threatened the stability of their species as well. More likely the perpetually paranoid Viktor would act as if Markus himself was openly going against him against the laws of the covenant, since the latter's son and heir was openly defiant. This would then enable Viktor to seize even more control and power to challenge Markus, and possibly Amelia. And then who or what could possibly ever stop Viktor? After all, in accordance with the covenant, the law of their species, Viktor as the current reigning Elder held overall command and could not be challenged. So, the heir of the first and most powerful vampire had been forced to realise that he had no choice but to back down. Yet Gabrielle strongly suspected, even though Radu himself had not explicitly said anything, when Radu had told her this story, that he had secretly started to scheme to remove Viktor from power since that very night. He had bowed his head and begged for the reigning Elder's forgiveness, but inside he had likely started to plot to curb Viktor's power- or even his demise. Or so Gabrielle believed. But she had a good reason to suspect this.

That night after Viktor had forced a mortal to surrender the whereabouts of the monk who led the mob, murdered the terrified and frantic man, he found a way to the church and slaughtered the monk responsible for Ilona's murder. While Radu felt neither regret nor sorrow over that belligerent fanatic's death, the horrific sights of one Death Dealer hurling an old lady, who was another less likely individual to have taken part in Ilona's death and Sonja's near-demise, two more Death Dealers slaughtering a helpless and defenceless mother trying to protect her child, while a third feasted on her baby- which could not have offered much blood to begin with anyway- made him feel utterly repulsed by the Elder and his followers. Since that night, Radu had wanted absolutely nothing to do with Viktor and did not trust any of the Death Dealers who had taken part in the carnage, although they were protected by the Elder. All of whom had been his trusted comrades, but ever since, despite a period of keeping his head bowed and pretending to be nothing short of dutiful and obedient to the tyrannical Elder to regain his trust and dissipate any suspicions that Viktor may possess regarding his sense of duty and loyalty (even to the point of following every single order to the letter with an outwardly formal and detached manner, including when Viktor openly questioned or tested his loyalty and obedience), Radu had secretly built up and trained the Death Dealers personally.

Ostensibly, this had been done under Viktor's orders and with his permission, although he later gained Amelia and his father's consent for this endeavour (though Radu had made certain to propose this idea to Viktor first to lower the High Elder's guard) but these were men and women whom he had inspected, selected, approved of, trained and led personally. They may pay lip service to Viktor, but they were all loyal to his father or to Amelia. The two High Elders whom he trusted would never order nor personally commit such horrific acts. Of course, he had to keep a selected portion that Viktor personally liked or wanted, or would have wanted and liked, in order to keep up the pretence and not raise the Elder's suspicions. Besides, Viktor was also arrogant, and arrogance could often blind many to potential risks, even if they possessed paranoia in abundance. And he would convince Amelia of his own family's goodwill and lack of harm, all the while turning her and her son slowly against Viktor, which wasn't hard even if David hadn't fallen in love with Ruxandra. He had been another disgusted with Viktor's methods of wielding power.

Not everyone had been pleased with the results of Viktor's massacre and destruction of Strasba. There was a reason why preying upon humans had been explicitly forbidden under the laws of the covenant even during the Dark Ages; while angry mobs of crazed peasants bearing pitchforks and torches were, at the very most, an inconvenient but minor nuisance, this could nonetheless give rise to greater and more dangerous threats and far too much attention. They did not wish for the entirety of Europe and, later, the rest of the world's armies to come together and go against vampire-kind, nor for them to find newer and more effective means to slay them. This was the reason why they easily accepted the wizards' terms in their treaty, as well as their aid in remaining secret from the mundane humans. Besides, the great majority of vampires, including the Death Dealers, were human once. Which made it all the more tragically ironic, Gabrielle thought, and disappointing that the only one who showed empathy and compassion to the helpless, doomed souls of Strasba that night was a pure-born vampire prince, one born into highest of privileges, a son of the creators of their kind and who had never even known a human existence! The majority of Death Dealers, she was certain, had been human prior to being selected and willingly consenting for transformation. Yet apart from Radu, no one batted an eyelash that night during the massacre and sacking of Strasba.

Needless to say, both Amelia and Markus were quite disgusted, outraged and frustrated with Viktor for his excessive iron-fisting when their respective times came to rise again, but it was too late. Besides, they knew the truth: the emotional bonds forged by vampires were not like those of the short-lived mortals; they lasted for eternity. After all, how unbearably sad and lonely would one become if one had to walk the earth for aeons on one's own? It wasn't as if immortals needed to procreate often and as much as possible for their kind to continue, even after being widowed, unlike humans. Therefore, such strong ties of love and loyalty were a natural part of their emotional and mental psyche; relationships which were not only unending, but also indescribably strong and unbreakable. It was not unknown, Gabrielle thought with dread, for vampires to fall into outright insanity should their spouses be killed, as well as their offspring if they were fortunate enough to have them. One could not expect them to listen to reason. Victoria, the vampiress whose mate had been killed by Edward's family to save Bella, had responded with the creation of an undead army to attack the Cullens- or rather, to hold them in place so they would be distracted, while she would murder Bella to inflict her own personal pain upon Edward. Marcus of the Volturi had lost his mate Didyme around 1000 B.C, a victim of her own brother Aro's treachery and love of power, and he had become perpetually empty and broken ever since, especially when he was deprived of his freedom to seek revenge. It didn't matter which species they came from: immortals all loved the same. If they truly ever fell in love that is.

So what do I think I'm doing? What in the name of the Valar and Merlin am I thinking?!

"Either way, they respect and revere this space, but this is highly unlikely to be entered by anyone, save for Viktor who is slumbering, or my mother who is occupied as of this moment. This is the only place where they won't look," Radu assured her, breaking the silence. "The last place where they will expect us to be. And I've shielded this room from all magical gazes, including astral-projection and foresight." She stepped back.

"We are alone. No one will look for us."

Gabrielle said nothing. She was still until Radu took the first step forward.

The searing kiss almost caught her off guard and she staggered and would have fallen had Radu not kept her up, long-fingered hands pulling her face closer to his as he kissed Gabrielle passionately.

Then, against her better judgement, she started kissing him just as fiercely. She clasped him closer to her. He moaned against her lips. She caressed his form, as he gently did the same to her face. Gabrielle felt so content, so blissful, that she knew it was almost impossible to stop as she expressed passion for and cherished the man whom she had admired and grown increasingly close to, despite their differences, over quite some time. For a moment, nothing else mattered apart from the other. If only for a moment.

Beside the vast shadow and certain threat of the last remaining vampire Elder, even as he slumbered beneath the ground in his crypt, nothing could threaten them in this moment. Even as a buried corpse, Viktor would certainly harm them both if he ever knew.

---

"You must learn from the mistakes of others. You can't possibly live long enough to make them all yourself."

Samuel Levenson

Jasper looked pityingly towards Bella who stood apart from the rest of their family and whom the other vampires were steering clear of. They kept a wary distance, and while some merely did this in accordance with the court's decree, as Bella had yet to testify during Edward's trial, others kept a wide berth out of suspicion of her personal involvement in Edward's suspected crimes, and some still out of resentment for nearly exposing and endangering their species- along with the rest of their kind and the supernatural world. Others, Jasper noted, giggled and smirked behind jewelled and manicured hands and glasses of blood, whispering to one another, no doubt trading sordid stories and vile rumours about the couple's personal life or mocking them. He noted though, that the vampiress who most resembled the Lady Laima, whom Yakov had informed was Ruxandra, the progenitors' own pure-born daughter and twin to Radu, looked at Bella with sympathy. She seems kind-hearted, Jasper thought. Was her mother the same? Would she grant Edward a small measure of mercy, a chance at redemption?

Then Jasper remembered what Gabrielle said back in their house when she first explained this whole world to them: Lady Laima was more concerned with the overall greater good and well-fare of the masses. Despite any personal feelings or sympathies, if she felt or foresaw that Edward would pose a threat to anyone's existence or was guilty of enough crimes whatever the reason, she would make sure that he was punished, even, Jasper thought with a rising dread that made his heart feel like it was sinking into frigid and murky waters, if it meant removing Edward for good.

Execution was something they hoped to avoid for Edward. But Jasper wasn't certain that being imprisoned for centuries or millennia was any better.

More vampires flocked into the creepy, evil-looking ancient hall. Jasper examined the stone throne on the dais. It was engraved with intricate, interlocking Celtic-like circles around the edge of the head and square-diamond-like ones below it. The middle of the head held an initial: a bold capital V, like the upraised wings of a bat in flight. It looked truly evil. Unlike himself, Jasper somehow sensed that this Viktor had little to no remorse over his enslavement of werewolves long ago and starting the war, as Yakov had informed them when he and Carlisle asked about their species' and their entire kind's overall history.

He was rather glad they would never have to live under this Viktor's thumb, and that no one would be seeing him for another century. It was a shame he couldn't stay buried forever. It was the story about William Corvinus that intrigued Jasper. Where he was no one knew, only that the three Elders and the Death Dealers had managed to stop him. Jasper suspected that William still lived, primarily because werewolves did not die out with him, but that could just be conjecture. For all he knew, the unique connection that all vampires had with their progenitors, including William's brother, might have been because of Lady Laima, not Markus.

Somehow, he didn't think it would be sensible or polite to ask. A gaunt, epicene vampire with sleeked brown hair, a goatee and blue eyes, wearing a red silk sash across the front of his tuxedo, whom Yakov had pointed out as being Dmitri the head of their species' coven in Saint Petersburg, looked politely bored as he took his seat. Jasper found it impossible to distinguish who was a pure-born vampire and who wasn't, unless he knew for certain they came from his own species, in which case they could only have been turned. But when he had asked Yakov, Yakov admitted that there wasn't much of a difference, unless the pure-born in question was unquestionably a child. Only one thing came to mind: the youthful appearances of adult pure-born vampires, since none looked older than humans in their mid-twenties at the very least. This Dmitri, an ally and envoy of the High Elder Amelia, looked like he was in his mid-to-late forties, so he must have been a turned one. Amusedly, Jasper noted that Dmitri did not care much for this hall either, eyeing his surroundings with discomfort, but obviously trying to curb any feelings of distaste that might show. At the very least, vampires of all species could respect history, including in this place which had undeniably been the heart, seat and foundations of vampire power since the beginning. This Great Hall was apparently the first to have been built in this place, but it certainly wasn't the most popular.

Some chattering briefly distracted Jasper from his musings, along with some childish giggles. The pure-born children whom they had seen being introduced to Markus in the other warmer and more welcoming great hall chased each other, playing happily without a care in the world. They seemed so light-hearted and innocent, they were a refreshing, invigorating and welcome sight in such a place, Jasper thought wistfully. It was hard to believe that they were actually the same age as many of the adults he'd met in the human world. He could see many of the adults eyeing them with wistful longing, some no doubt wanting a child of their own, others perhaps wistfully reminded of long-gone days of carefree youth and freedom from the burden of responsibilities and the weariness of immortality. They were as beautiful and endearing as the Immortal Children he'd seen in Volterra, Carlisle admitted. Perhaps, more so and certainly beautiful enough to stop even a vampire's breath. But there was something different about them that set them apart from children bitten by vampires and transformed. These children seemed to have much more control over themselves. They seemed more alert and aware, quick and eager to absorb new information and did not seem as volatile, impatient and prone to tantrums that wreaked destruction or uncontrollable thirst. Carlisle suspected that this may be because, despite their slow growth, they were still able to develop and grow, including intellectually as well as psychologically. But he would have to ask or do research in order to find out more. Jasper couldn't help but agree that they seemed calmer and happier than he would expect, as well as more careful and measured, despite their carefree and happy manner. Of course, he had never seen an Immortal Child, but he had seen plenty of human children with whom he could compare these pure-born vampire ones to.

Another known pure-born appeared, although this one was an adult. Yakov had pointed this as being David, Amelia's son. He put his hand around Ruxandra's waist and teasingly whispered something in her ear while she smiled. Apparently, they were going to be married soon after. Jasper eyed them with interest.

The wedding date, Radu had informed them with regret in his eyes, could not be postponed even for the trial, as much as they wished not to salt the open wounds of Edward's family and friends, or even the Volturi's, as they had already delayed Amelia's impending two-centuries-long interment for the wedding itself, as she was the mother of the groom. Delaying the continuation of the Chain, and therefore the agreement between the three upon which it had been founded, may prove risky and unstable enough considering that Viktor would likely already be displeased with this union once he awoke. Though he was, at present, hibernating below the earth, many of his followers were still very much awake and would likely see this wedding commemorating the union between Amelia's son to Markus'- and Lady Laima's- daughter as a threat to Viktor's power, a sign that the two High Elders were allying themselves against him to either curb his power and influence or to depose him outright.

This had been another reason why they had to hold this wedding as quickly as possible, before Viktor's followers had a chance to sabotage or attempt harm to the couple or their families, friends and allies or even acquaintances. It helped that vampire weddings were traditionally held in secret and in haste, a tradition harking back to times of conflict and danger, particularly with the werewolves, including, ironically, the union of Viktor and Ilona, his deceased wife. But the celebrations would not be a secret and, while in theory vampire wedding ceremonies were still held in secret, more recently in times of peace, especially with such a union of two important individuals like offspring of the Elders, spectators who were not among the few officially invited to observe and witness the union were typically allowed, as a sign of goodwill and fairness to all, to observe by 'spying' or 'eavesdropping' on the ceremony, provided that they stayed discreet, even hidden. Any departure from this tradition would signal to Viktor and his followers that this was an outright sign or even a declaration of impending war, and that the other two High Elders had indeed allied themselves to rise against and overthrow him. "He may still not be happy when he wakes," Yakov had admitted to the Cullens. "But, for a while at least, he will not harm anyone."

No, Viktor did not sound at all pleasant, Jasper agreed uneasily with himself. He prayed that they would see as little of him as possible during the centuries to come. While the High Elders showed signs of being more... disunited than the Volturi leaders had been when they were in power, at least, Jasper thought, every single one of them willingly agreed to rule separately and to work as a team, albeit in a limited manner.

While their family was prominent among their species, Jasper supposed that, for the moment at least, and perhaps unofficially, the Cullens were in disgrace. While some looked their way and seemed a trifle concerned, even sympathetic, they still kept a wide berth around them. This might also have something to do with the fact that under the official orders of the vampire high court, they were still not permitted to speak to any of the Cullens for fear that it may influence their impending testimonies during Edward's trial. Once it was given, Jasper suspected that some might show concern and others would be less... forgiving, if Amun and Kebi's expressions were any indication. No doubt, the one thing in common that all their friends and acquaintances had was their desire for a good explanation as to what they and Edward had been doing and why.

Jasper sighed briefly as he watched more vampires pour in the hall. He didn't see Gabrielle or any witch or wizard, so he assumed that this was a vampire affair. Not that he could blame her, he thought, eyeing the evil-looking hall. Why anyone would ever think chains and manacles made of iron would be a good decoration, even during the Middle Ages, was beyond him. Yet here they were draped like garlands and banners from the pillars. As if the sculpted grotesques with their tortured, agonised expressions weren't enough, Jasper thought. Or the creepy throne.

Suddenly everybody stood at attention and Jasper's own head snapped towards the direction of the entrance as the doors swung open. Markus entered the hall. There was no fanfare, no pomp and ostentatious ceremony in his arrival, or his wife's who glided a step behind him. It seemed Lady Laima was careful not to overstep her boundaries and authority, Jasper mused, even though technically, she could have been just as powerful, if not more so, than the other two High Elders. Instead, they strode simply, followed by a crowd of officials and dignitaries, coven-heads or lesser elders and members of the High Council, judging by the fact that they seemed to have come from different species. Although many of these vampires seemed to be as equally beautiful as each other well... Jasper squinted. It was hard to describe, but he could easily tell if someone came from his species, or another, or yet an entirely different one altogether. Apart from minor physical details, like the fact that their species sparkled due to their natural crystalline carapace, there would be no distinction in the eyes of a human. But somehow Jasper could tell. And it wasn't because of scent. But... how? Even he was hard-pressed to pin-point exactly how and why they all seemed so different, to stand apart so separately.

His frustrated musings were cut short by the shimmering of the air in front of them. Jasper- like so many others- took a hasty step back and let out a startled intake of breath upon the materialisation of a table before them. Made of dark, polished ebony, it seemingly glowed like obsidian.

"So much for cheerier climes," the first vampire said, dryly. He eyed the surrounding hall along with the vampires present. The lips of the world's first vampire twitched in amusement. "No need to be shy, I can see your apprehension. Do forgive us, I would have also preferred another hall. Although this was the first built in this fortress and citadel, which bears my name and that of my father's, it was never used by Amelia nor I for our respective courts. Viktor has long-since claimed it, but due to the fact that this was the first-" he gave some council members, most notably Coloman whom Jasper recognised, a weary look "-gathering space built for the first coven of vampires, it has become tradition to welcome members of the Confederation and the High Council when they first arrive, as well as the exact place to induct new members of both." Markus paused.

"Have you agreed upon and selected amongst yourselves as to who would be your representatives on the High Council? Or any members of your incoming government?"

Hesitantly, nervously even, the vampires of their species looked at one another, bewildered. An awkward silence ensued. Somebody tittered.

"I take it that has yet to happen," Markus said dryly.

Suddenly, someone stepped forward. To Jasper's surprise, and undoubtedly that of many others, including his own family, it was Amun.

He cleared his throat. More out of nerves than anything, Amun spoke:

"Lord Markus," he said, with a surprising smoothness which also surprised both Benjamin and Tia. Markus gazed at him with an unreadable expression. "If I may inquire..." he paused before Markus inclined his head. "Where is Marcus of the Volturi? Or the two consorts of Aro and Caius, Sulpicia and Athenodora?" He paused. "They are innocent victims of such personal treachery, but they are the likeliest to be the most experienced in matters of government."

Jasper thought, judging by what he had seen and heard about from the other vampire species and the wizards and witches, that 'matters of government', was an overly generous term for anything the Volturi might have done, or their predecessors, the Romanians. Compared to just about everybody else they'd seen in the supernatural world, the Volturi didn't seem to do much. They didn't seem to think that they needed to do much; apart from retaining total control, seeking out new talent, luring prey and feeding, and acting like heavy-weight thugs by using violence whenever they wanted to do something or put someone in their place. The latter of which was commonplace whenever someone was suspected of exposing their species, if a true werewolf was spotted, if anyone showed signs of an uprising against their rule, if there was a special talent that another coven had, or if, like the Cullens, they were suspected of creating an Immortal Child. That was it. There was a reason why their skin seemed so different in texture, although no less fragile as they may appear; neither the Volturi nor the Romanians had been active for a very long time. In anything. The trip to Forks was the longest and biggest endeavour the entire coven had taken since they consolidated their hold on power.

Markus inclined his head. "That may be, but my wife has informed me that they are currently... unwell." His brow furrowed.

A ripple of surprise and amazement fell across the audience. Jasper felt himself nearly taking a step back.

Markus sighed. "Chelsea's gift and Corin's have apparently come at a cost. Once the magical inhibitor was placed upon Chelsea, formerly known as Charmion, the ones who had been under her spell became... disorientated and confused. Bewildered, as a matter of fact." Jasper felt his own eyes widened as shock and unease ripped through the crowd. "They are still feeling the effects. As for Corin, her gift is the ability to make others feel content, but it is what you would describe as addictive. Due to the fact that Sulpicia and Athenodora, along with the others and even Chelsea herself, have been under this enchantment for so long, they are suffering from what some during this age I believe refer to as 'Withdrawal Symptoms.'" Carlisle's jaw dropped and his own eyes became massive. So did many of the others'. Tanya let out a little gasp, as did Carmen. Eleazar looked aghast, and possibly even anguished. Every person in the hall was horrified. Liam and Garrett both looked disgusted and disturbed. Esme's hand had flown to her mouth and Rosalie was stricken. Siobhan and Maggie both looked ill and Alice was paler than normal. Jasper could feel the shock and horror radiating from her, and he gently grabbed a hand to give it a reassuring squeeze whilst sending comforting and soothing warm emotions towards her and the rest of his family's direction. Just this once the magical inhibitors had been removed. But Jasper doubted very much that the other vampires would appreciate him using his ability on them- especially after hearing about this.

It sounded like a drug withdrawal.

"Yes," Markus nodded. "This is quite concerning, and therefore each Volturi member are currently in the infirmary being examined and aided upon by each of our healers. Of course they are kept under strict guard. Evidently, all those who have been exposed to Corin's ability for an extended period of time- let alone for the three thousand years that the ladies Sulpicia and Athenodora have been kept subjugated for- suffer... disturbing effects and feel, not so much as uneasy, but a crazed desperation without it present. It could and already has seriously impeded their own natural abilities to feel anything including contentment or satisfaction of their own accord. And they are crazed with desperation to return back under its spell."

Every vampire looked at one another, aghast. Jasper could see Bella turning paler and paler, more than even the vampire norm. Even without Edward's ability, disregarding the presence of Bella's shield, Jasper could practically hear what she was thinking: Aro and Caius... they did this? To their own wives?

Evidently, they loved Sulpicia and Athenodora enough to keep them with them forever. Also evidently, they cared little for what their wives truly may feel or wish for, or their overall well-fare.

Even more sickeningly, catching a glimpse of his beloved wife's face as she realised and suddenly understood the implications of what their brother had done, Alice undoubtedly remembered all the times Edward had used her to keep Bella from going somewhere, to keep Bella in one place; including the sleepover she'd orchestrated and used in an attempt to stop Bella from leaving to go see Jacob. And before that, when upon her alerting Edward that Bella's future had disappeared, Edward had immediately gone to the Swans' house and disabled Bella's truck, removing its battery. How many other times had Edward used her, either as an excuse or as a means of tracking Bella down and keeping her in place, and not just with her ability, but her friendly, helpful, sweet and amiable nature? For the first time since he'd become increasingly disturbed by his lifestyle of preying upon humans, Jasper felt queasy.

Jasper also felt sick to his stomach, knowing full well that his power was much more extensive than Corin's and that he would have been a better bodyguard for the Volturi- or their wives, had the Volturi succeeded in acquiring him and Alice. He also remembered the guilt that had plagued him during Bella's eighteenth birthday party, the one which she had never wanted or wished to attend, anyway. It wasn't hard for Edward to convince him to take his side of the argument for the whole family to leave after that. And he distinctly remembered all the times when Edward had, in an off-hand, impartial or just factual manner, subtly nudged, asked or insisted that Jasper use his gift... on Bella. Like to make her feel welcome, happy, calm or relaxed... or content.

For whatever reason. Some may have been to keep her from panicking and freaking out, breaking down or doing something reckless that could potentially hurt her but not save the people she cared about, like during Victoria's newborn army's invasion, but the others... Edward had been angsty, anxious, and generally worried and upset about her potentially leaving and getting herself in danger or putting herself in harm's way- or seeing Jacob. He often used Alice's lack of vision around the Wolves and Emily's scars as a means of persuading Alice to be complicit with his plans, like to alert him to whenever Bella had disappeared during Alice's visions, meaning she was hanging around Jacob, either because he was at their house or she was going to his, or to La Push, in general. And that had, according to Bella, resulted in him disabling her truck so she couldn't go anywhere without his say so at one point, and during another it had seen Alice ushering a reluctant Bella over for a sleepover at their house, which Bella clearly did not want but could not bring herself to stand her ground and to stand up to either Alice or Edward- nor to hurt anybody's feelings- since when Jacob appeared, she made a run for it, despite Alice's admitted emotional blackmail about hurting her when Edward would take back her new yellow Porsche.

His stomach churned. If Alice's willingness to play matchmaker and her bubbly, helpful and easygoing nature, as well as her gift of foresight had been used by Edward to keep Bella under his control and caged, without her realising what she was actually doing, what could Edward have done with Jasper's gift?

Jasper suddenly remembered Renesmee. But Jasper had, thankfully, put his foot down after the time when Nes- Renesmee once confronted him about not being allowed to see anyone and to make friends. He had never done that afterwards, no matter how much Edward insisted and got angry when he refused to see reason, accusing Jasper of the same thing and not seeing sense in the very real dangers out there for Renesmee.

"Don't make me bring your uncle Jasper over," Edward once said threateningly to his scowling daughter. Renesmee would later confront Jasper and show him her memory of this event and plead with him to make him stop. It was bad enough she had her father making her feel guilty every time she wanted something, like to go out to the park without Jacob or one of the family. Or the pack. Or to accept an invite from the mother of a friend she'd made and chatted with in a public place, to come over to their house. At least allow her to feel whatever she felt naturally, Renesmee had begged.

That had been the last time he had ever used his power on Renesmee, much to her gratitude. Jasper too, felt guilt for not knowing what he was doing to her at that time, but at least Edward didn't use him to make his young daughter feel guilty or afraid of him. Besides, Edward had only wanted to protect Renesmee. So, Jasper hadn't thought too much about it at that time.

Previously, during another argument, Edward sighed and gave Jasper a long, weary look, turning away from his angry daughter, his wife visibly upset by his side. Edward didn't say anything, but Jasper had seen that look too many times. He got the message: his young daughter was too angry to see reason and sense. She needed to calm down.

Jasper reeled, jerking back openly in horror and shock. Beside him, he felt Alice stiffen as she gazed up to see the expression on his face. His silence told her all that she needed to know. He was sure that if he were a human, his face would have been bloodless. Like her, he was remembering, mentally recounting all the times he had used his gift at Edward's behest on Bella and Renesmee- or anybody else. And most of all, with an awful, horrifying feeling, he was starting to look back and pick apart Edward's reasons as to why he would ask Jasper to do what he did precisely when he asked for it.

Markus sighed, bringing him back to the present. "Yes." The vampire progenitor and patriarch admitted. Jasper swallowed down his revulsion and horror at his own actions and returned his attention to the matter at hand. He could and would have to think about all that later. "They wanted to see for themselves if this was the truth and that their husbands were responsible for this, hence their brief appearance at the trial. But they could not last long. They are currently being sedated and treated in order to... enable them to regain their normal functions and faculties."

Carlisle and Esme shifted uneasily, looking aghast at each other. Rosalie grabbed Emmett's hand, and they both squeezed each other's. Alice shivered and buried herself in Jasper's shirt trying to stem and stifle her sobs. Thankfully, no one seemed to notice, or at least they had the good graces to ignore this. But Jasper sent soothing, calm and reassuring warm emotions towards his own family, while glancing nervously towards Bella who stood frozen, undoubtedly remembering and recounting the same things as she too took a nauseating trip down memory lane.

"Hopefully, we shall be able to find a solution soon," Markus stated. "Any who wishes to visit them in the infirmary to ensure of their well-being and care are welcome to do so, so long as they do not disturb them. But for now," he repeated "they are indisposed and will require both rest and recovery. Do you have any candidates for the job?"

Silence. After a while, Amun stepped forwards. He held his hands outstretched while Kebi straightened behind him, moving behind and closer for support. "My lord, if I may?" He inquired. "Before the Volturi's ascension, before even their rivals, the coven in Romania, I joined forces with many others, and we grew to dominate the Valley of the Nile. Although we did not get along with the Romanians, and in fact, we may have wrestled covertly for control and in subtle manoeuvres, we nonetheless saw wisdom in remaining cordial with them, barbaric as their coven was in their mistreatment of those whom they considered beneath them. We freely and unanimously came together and built ourselves further as a response to their territorial expansion, just in case they came to darken our doorstep, but sought no aggression and maintained cordial and diplomatic relations with them. We did not, however, form a subordinate guard in an attempt to overthrow other covens in the area, much less keep them enslaved under enchantment, nor did we establish a world-wide empire." He scoffed seemingly at the idea.

"We came together freely," Amun insisted. "United as one."

Garrett scoffed. "Until you and your mate defected when the Volturi were the ones to darken your doorstep." A few titters and scoffs rang throughout the crowd. Tanya and Kate smirked. Zafrina, Senna and Kachiri's eyes all held a glint of amusement. Liam snickered and Siobhan and Maggie both nodded firmly.

Amun turned towards him with a murderous glare. Kebi echoed his with an icy one of her own. Jasper struggled to hide his own smirk. Eleazar was also amused, apparently. Emmett was openly grinning.

When he spoke next, Amun's teeth were gritted. "We would never have left if the rest of the coven had listened to reason, and my argument, which was proven right, that the Volturi- who had already overthrown and destroyed all but two members of the Romanian coven by then- were just as likely to wipe us out. I could not allow Kebi to fall to destruction," he snarled, his eyes blazing with fury "and what could anyone do if the others refused to negotiate or even, alternatively, to build up an army of our own to defend ourselves? I insisted and presented my coven-mates with the options of either surrendering, negotiating, or even fighting, but they refused. They were complacent; stagnant. Grown too easy on power, status and luxury, same as the Romanians and now, as it turned out, the Volturi themselves." He smiled grimly as he said this. "They never imagined that they could be overthrown, or even that the Volturi would wish to destroy them and that they would be merciless.

"Until my coven and I were confronted by the Volturi, we lived peacefully." He reiterated. "We fought no wars. We sought no expansion. We sought neither conflict nor enslavement of our own kind. And we were always discreet. While we preyed upon humans, we felt it was a necessity, as animal blood did not... do much to curb our thirst and temptation but we never took more than what we needed, and never from those who would be missed or did not deserve to die." He nodded firmly. "Even in Egypt in the days of old, there were criminals who were either already condemned, or would be sentenced to death anyway. The humans respected us for a reason. Not simply because our appearances might have seemed to be that of gods made into human form."

Everyone fell silent, as they, grudgingly in many cases, admitted this to be true. The Egyptian coven was not like the Volturi or worse, their rivals the Romanians. Jasper had no idea of what had happened to Stefan and Vladimir, as he hadn't seen them around here or during the Volturi's trial, but he was glad they weren't present. They had been worse than Aro and Caius, more brutal, tyrannical and sadistic. Maggie sighed and gave Siobhan, Liam and the Progenitors a poignant look.

"If you wish for a permanent position, I am afraid you shall have to plead your case to the rest of your people, but for now," Markus nodded, thoughtfully. He shrugged, extending his hands. "Why not? I sense you are the oldest, and likely, the most experienced among them."

Amun beamed. Kebi's eyes glinted with pride. Benjamin smiled benignly but Tia... Tia rolled her eyes, Jasper was interested to see. Apparently, she had been expecting this, he mused. For Amun to make his own play to rise to power once the Volturi were safely out of the picture. Amun did speak truly, he did dominate the Nile River valley and his coven consisted of vampires, including couples as much as individuals, who came together peacefully and did not seek to dominate and expand to other territories nor to subjugate and keep a guard. As much as Jasper hated to admit, in their day, Amun and his coven hadn't been so bad. In fact, they seemed ideal were it not for their incapability of holding their ground and fighting against the Volturi.

But Amun had left as soon as the Volturi came and defected along with Kebi. Kebi whom, Jasper had to admit, seemed more obedient to his will than anything. He knew that she had once been a human slave whom Amun spotted, took a liking to and noted for her beauty and unquestioning obedience and loyalty towards her master. When he'd defected and surrendered to the Volturi, leaving the others, Kebi accepted his decision and faithfully followed him without question, the two of them leaving their coven-mates to be slaughtered mercilessly.

Not that the rest of their coven had put up much of a fight, Jasper admitted. The Egyptians had been pacifists. The only reason, Jasper suspected, that Aro let Amun and Kebi live, was to set an example of the Volturi's mercy to make their path to world domination quicker and easier. Aro was fully aware of Amun's secret resentment and his desire to return to his former status. And now he'd been handed the perfect opportunity.

"A noble sentiment," Lady Laima murmured, nodding gracefully. Amun was glowing with praise. Jasper could see Siobhan and Maggie rolling their eyes, and he doubted they were the only ones, even if many chose to do it internally. He doubted that Lady Laima, of all people, could not see through Amun's intentions. "However, one alone is not enough. You will require others as members of an interim government and representatives on the Vampire High Council. May I suggest your coven-mate Benjamin?" Benjamin's eyes widened as all eyes turned towards him. "I both sense and foresee that he will do great things for your species."

Amun's eyes widened, and his grin broadened. Benjamin looked astonished. Whispers rang throughout the crowd. Interestingly enough, Jasper noted, Kebi, or at least the expression in her eyes as opposed to the rest of her inscrutable face, did not look happy. But it was Tia's turn to beam with pride.

A pause. "There must be more," Lady Laima warned. "Preferably from different coven-groups," the Lady remarked, turning her eyes towards... Siobhan and Maggie.

Their eyes popped. Eleazar let out a huff that sounded like laughter. Liam grinned and Garrett smirked. Amun's smile seemed to freeze.

"Would the two of you be willing to accept?" the High Elder questioned the two Irish vampires.

They straightened and Maggie's eyes brightened. "We accept." Siobhan intoned solemnly. Now it was Liam's turn to glow and straighten with pride.

Amun's face slipped into a scowl for the barest minimum of time which was enough for most vampires to miss it. Lady Laima scanned her eyes across their species.

"Kachiri, Zafrina and Senna," Lady Laima intoned suddenly. She looked towards the three Amazons. "The three of you seem to have the necessary qualities for leadership."

The Amazon trio looked surprised. After a few seconds, Kachiri bowed her head. Zafrina and Senna did the same.

"We accept," the three sisters all spoke as one.

"Charles and Mackenna," the Vampire Queen spoke again. She turned towards the pair. "You stood up and vouched for the Cullens' innocence on New Year's Eve, despite the fear you held for the Volturi and their determination to put an end to the coven once and for all. Why should you hesitate now?"

The duo looked as if they were kids who had been handed a real, live unicorn for Christmas, Jasper noted. Slowly, jerkily, they nodded, still looking as if they could not believe their luck.

"We accept," Charles managed, Mackenna nodding fervently.

The Vampire Queen roamed the length of the crowd. She glided effortlessly, ancient eyes seeming to scan their entire souls- which Jasper somehow suspected that she very well could. She certainly would have been capable of seeing the past, present and future of all vampires.

Which made him wonder why the Confederation never made an attempt to contact any of them before, much less induct them into their ranks? It would certainly have saved everyone a great deal of pain and trouble.

Suddenly, the Vampire Queen froze. She stood right in front of the Cullens.

"Carlisle and Esme," she spoke unexpectedly, causing everybody to freeze.

---

So, how do you all like these new developments?

I didn't make Radu and Gabrielle's scene and relationship for no reason. It has a purpose. As does Lady Laima's request and manouvering to ensure that Gabrielle went to Forks, although it remains to be seen on whether she is aware that her son is conducting an illicit relationship with her (take a guess, no spoilers).

The death of Ilona, wife of Viktor, has similarities with her demise in the non-canon novel Underworld: Blood Enemy by Greg Cox. Only I made it much more likely as to how a group of superstitious peasants armed with garlic, pitchforks, steel axes, bows and arrows, wooden or silver stakes and torches are able to take down actual vampires, including a skilled Death Dealer like Ilona, and sent Soren- a coward but a preternaturally strong vampire- running for his life, along with Sonja and Lucian. There was no way such a mob could have taken down a well-armed contingent of vampire soldiers in their own keep and decapitate a high-ranking one and a skilled Death Dealer like Ilona. Sonja's fate in this story is also kinder than it was in that novel or in the films.

The description of Viktor's revenge is also pretty much the same as in Blood Enemy, except that Markus' son in the novel, Nicolae, enjoyed and took part in the carnage along with the Death Dealers. Here, his son Radu does not. At first, I thought to include Nicolae in the plot, but it seemed less likely that vampires would have more than one child, and twins would have been rare and a blessing enough for any immortals, even ones who could procreate naturally. It was mentioned in the Underworld: Rise of the Lycans novelisation that pure-born vampire children were rare and a cause for much rejoicing (although that was probably because Lucian, the narrator, had been referring to Sonja, the daughter of an Elder). Both Radu and his sister Ruxandra are important in this wider storyline, and Markus was himself the twin brother of William, the first werewolf, meaning that despite their immortality, twins are not impossible or highly unlikely in their family. Ilona is not mentioned by name in the films, only the novels, and in the Rise of the Lycans film, Viktor mentioned that his wife had died giving birth to Sonja. Yet Ilona was an immortal with incredible regenerative capabilities, so this must mean that vampire births were more perilous than human ones (here Ilona survives the birth to raise her daughter, thanks to Lady Laima). It would certainly explain why humans such as Bella and Pire would have a tough time carrying a child sired by a vampire. So, two children would have been the very rare majority, and most would have only one child, like David for Amelia and Thomas, and Sonja for Viktor and Ilona.