HOME | DD

Description
Soul Seer
Chapter Five

Aro arched a brow at the kneeling guard and his demand to be heard saying,
"Whatever could make you so distressed Demetri?  Come, do show me."  He held out his hand to Demetri in a silent command to know what it was he had seen.  Without hesitation Demetri gave his hand to his master, knowing this way would be much faster then trying to explain what he saw, he wasn't even sure if he could.  Though Demetri held the evidence in his hand of what this girl was capable of, he wanted to know what his master thought of her before drawing his own conclusions.  Aro closed his eyes, seeing every memory and thought Demetri ever had all the way up to what had caused his impromptu demand for an audience.

As the images passed through Aro's mind he became both intrigued and excited at the possibility that a human could posses such a power as to see the past events of a place.  Then he saw Demetri flipping through the sketchbook taking note of its contents, a rough depiction of his sister's last moments in the garden.  The child forced to look on her sparkling beauty when she believed herself to be safe from prying eyes, the swift and violent execution by a guard who had claimed she had willingly broken the law, and at last the slow and painful death of the child for what she had seen under the control of another.  Aro pulled his hand away from Demetri's and quickly took the sketchbook from him to look at the drawings himself.

He flipped through the pages looking for his sister, each picture he beheld depicted horrors that he had only ever known in war, but even that couldn't have prepared him for the cruelties laid out on each page in sickening detail.  It wasn't long before he finally came to the sketches of his sister's last moments.  He watched the story unfold out on the pages of this human girl's book first in pencil then with dried red and black when it came to his sister's death and then the child's.  All of it was planned from the start, made to look as though Didyme had willingly broken their law of secrecy, and all the witnesses to the truth were either dead or well hidden.  For Aro had not touched any who had anything to do with this, even the guard who had executed Didyme had suffered the wrath of Marcus before he could get the full story out of him.  Now, through a human girl he had the truth in his very hands, after over five hundred years of not knowing Aro felt an overwhelming sense of happiness at his sister's innocence.  However, he was also troubled and furious that there was a traitor in there midst, or at least there had been.

After a few long moments of thinking, Caius interrupted his thoughts saying,
"Come come, Aro! Do tell us, what is so important that Demetri couldn't wait to see us?!"  The annoyance and anger in his voice made it clear that Caius was in no mood to be kept waiting 'on the edge of his seat', as Aro called it.  But once Aro turned to face his brothers it was clear that there was to be no playful retort as Aro came to stand at the top of the dais saying,
"We must speak in privet, Brothers."  His voice was in a low hush of a whisper that even a vampire would have trouble hearing if they hadn't truly been listening.  The urgency and sheer shock in Aro's voice was enough to even get Marcus to look at him in confusion, as both he and Caius stood from their thrones and made their way to Aro's study.

(St. Marcus Hospital at the center of Volterra ).................................................................

Amina felt as though she would die from the sorrow she was experiencing as she lay in the emergency ward.  Her hand had been bandaged and the drugs the nurse had given her were enough to relax her body, but not her mind.  The images of that little girl and how she was torn apart refused to leave her mind, coupled with the last bit of a fading conversation as the child bled out.  Whoever had set up that beautiful woman in the garden had done so because she had seen something she shouldn't have.  Something that would cause a war before the conspirators were ready.  But, the most distressing thing was how Amina felt about this long since past tragedy.  It was as if she knew that the woman's murder in the garden was only the beginning of something that was still in motion to this very day.  She could feel it in her bones, that something was going to happen soon.  Even more disturbing was that Amina felt that if she didn't do something, if she didn't warn whoever it was that resided in the Palace, then she would lose everything near and dear to her heart and soul.

It was crazy and Amina was more then willing to admit it, but still the feeling of sheer panic and desperation continued to grow.  To the point that she even tried to leave the hospital in nothing but the gown they had given her, which had resulted in her being strapped down to her bed when she nearly scratched out the doctor's eyes for not letting her go.  They gave her heavy doses of drugs meant to relax her, but it only served to send her into a fitful sleep.  Though her loves were waiting for her with open arms when sleep claimed her, the scene around them had changed again.  Instead of being atop a dais they were in the middle of a field filled with burning body parts and humanoid creatures; fighting and tearing each other apart before tossing the pieces into near by fires.  The sight and sounds of pain and agony caused her to shiver and run to the arms of her loves.  But before she could reach them, she saw a woman with long blond hair and pale skin followed by another with chestnut-brown hair, reaching out to two of her loving protectors.  As they came closer they embraced her loves and then tore them apart.  And before Amina could run to the last of her three protectors, both women grab him and tore him limb from limb and toss the remains onto a fire with his brothers.

She was alone in her world now, with nothing but the gathering darkness and the knowledge of betrayal in her heart.  Amina ran looking for something anything to relieve her fear and pain at the loss of her lovers.  They couldn't be gone, they couldn't be lost to her, she had to find some way to bring them back to her.  For Amina knew if she didn't, the constant weight of her gift and the pain of their loss would surely destroy her body and soul.
'Please!!  Someone help me!!' she cried in her dreams, not knowing what would be waiting for her when she woke, but hoping she would find her soul mates soon.  If she didn't then she would loose them forever.

(Back at the Palace in Aro's Study)...............................................................................

"Surely you can't be serious, Aro!!" said Caius in shock to what Aro had told them, but Aro shook his head saying,
"I assure you I am completely serious, Brother.  You have seen the drawings yourself, and I have told you everything down to the last detail of what Demetri saw.  Surely you wouldn't want her wondering around after she's released from the hospital after having seen one of our kind murdered."
"No I would want her dead, she knows too much Aro!  We already have enough to worry about with the Cullen's pet human, there is no need for another!" shouted Caius.  But Aro wouldn't have it as he said,
"It is not your decision to make alone, Caius.  Marcus has yet to speak on the matter."  Both looked to their brother, who sat clutching the beat-up sketch book as he lovingly stroked the only page to depict his Didyme alive and well with a smile on her face.  It amazed both the others that even after having his connection with her severed, Marcus still morned Didyme.  However, Caius sobered himself and called to their brother, saying,
"Well Marcus, what say you to this madness?"  Aro ignored the venom in Caius' voice and looked to Marcus for an answer, genuinely curious as to what he would say.

Marcus sat in silence for a few moments and both Aro and Caius waited patiently for his answer.  Finally Marcus put the book down and with one last look at his beloved Didyme he then turned to his brothers and said in a deep voice filled with melancholy,
"I wish to meet this girl before we make a final decision."  He looked to Aro then and said,
"Perhaps reading her memories will provide us with the answer as to her abilities and if she could possibly be of use to us."  Marcus turned to Caius as he continued,
"If nothing else she could help us to find out who betrayed my beloved and in turn betrayed us all."  Both Aro and Caius were surprised, for Marcus hadn't spoken this much at one time for centuries.  In fact he could just of easily let Aro read his thoughts and pass them on, but this was not just a serious matter, it was one that involved Didyme.  That in itself warranted Marcus' full attention and consideration.

At long last Aro clapped his hands and said,
"Marvelous!  I will send Felix, Demetri and Heidi to fetch her from the hospital and we'll see for ourselves what kind of power she possesses."  Both his brothers nodded their agreement, though Caius did so begrudgingly, as Aro summoned the guard and relayed his instructions that the girl was to be brought to the Palace under the story of being a guest, and that she would be cared for by the Palace staff Doctor.  After which Aro pulled Demetri to the side and said,
"If there is anything you can remember about what you saw that may come in handy in convincing her to come with you should she refuse, use it."  Demetri nodded obediently and headed out with the others close behind.

(St. Marcus Hospital).................................................................................................

It was almost laughable how easy it was to convince the Doctor to allow them to take the girl back with them.  Apparently she had caused quite a stir with her little display on the wall walkway, as well as trying to leave the hospital without any of her personal effects.  Though the last puzzled Demetri, he was determined to bring the girl, who he now knew to be Amina Clare Evens, back to his masters.  He entered the last room at the end of the hall and was surprised not only to see Amina strapped down, but on a drop-feed to keep her asleep.  No doubt to keep her calm.  However, on closer inspection Demetri could see the tension in her body and her eyes moving under their lids in a restless manner.  He once again felt sorry for her, remembering the scream that had torn itself from her only a few hours ago.

Soon Felix entered the room saying that the paper work had been finished and approved, and they were free to take her now.  But, as Felix reached down to unstrap Amina's arms Demetri remembered the gloves and how Amina had seemed hesitant to touch anything directly, and stopped him before Felix could touch her, saying,
"Cover her skin first."  Felix looked at his friend and fellow guard in confusion.
"What are you talking about?" he asked.  To which Demetri just shook his head saying,
"Just cover her skin before you touch her, I have a suspicion that her gift is triggered by touch, and I don't want to take the chance of sending her into another episode."  Though he was still confused, Felix did as he was told and carefully removed the restraints from Amina with no direct contact.  Then he and Demetri wrapped her in a hospital blanket to keep her from any accidental contact with others.  Heidi came out to meet them once they got to the back entrance which was reserved for emergencies, and they all made their way quickly to the Palace with more then a few curious looks from passers by.

Soul Seer
Chapter Six

Amina was placed in a room at the far end of the Palace so other members of the guard wouldn't be tempted by her presence.  Demetri placed her on the bed and made sure that she was covered before turning to Felix and Heidi saying,
"We'll need to bring her things from her hotel, so Felix look through her purse and see if you can find a card or recite for a room, and Heidi I need you to go tell the masters she has arrived."  Both guards nodded and headed out without another word, Demetri was left alone to watch over Amina as she slept.  From what he could tell what the Doctor had given her was fairly strong and she wouldn't wake up for a while, but she tossed and turned as if she were in a nightmare.

Normally unaffected by such things, having seen pain, death and tears practically every day do to the Volturi's feeding habits, it confounded Demetri that he could be so worried about this girl, a human at that.  Something about what she was able to see and how she had cried out in the walkway earlier that day seemed to have struck a cord with him.  How or why was a mystery, but all Demetri knew was that she was suffering even in her sleep and it troubled him.  At one point it even looked as if she would startle herself awake from all the thrashing, but before he could move to try and wake her his masters entered the room with Heidi.

As soon as he saw them Demetri bowed his head and moved off to the side to allow the Kings a full view of Amina.  Aro seemed intrigued as did Caius, but the look on Marcus' face was one that Demetri had never thought, in the six hundred years had served the Volturi, he would ever see.  Marcus' eyes were wide, his jaw slightly open ,with the barest hint of a smile starting to form as he rushed forward and knelt beside Amina.  Both Aro and Caius stared on confused at their Brother's behavior, but they too felt a pull to her.  And though neither of them could understand why they felt this pull or what it meant, they pushed the feeling aside and focused on Marcus waiting for an explanation.  When none came and Marcus merrily sat staring at Amina as if she would disappear at any minute, Caius finally spoke up, saying,
"Brother, what has gotten into you?!  She is but a human, what could possibly have you so fascinated by her?!"

Aro looked to Marcus expecting an audible answer, but he simply held out his hand for Aro.  As soon as Aro touched his brother's hand he felt the flood of memories and thoughts, and in a bright flash of light he sees the connection between Marcus and this human.  Their connection was not only strong it was solid and sure.  Aro pulled away with a look of shock and pleasant surprise on his face as he turned to an impatient Caius and said,
"She's his mate."  Caius looked on in disbelief as Marcus started to reach out to touch Amina, when Demetri stepped forward saying,
"Master Marcus, I wouldn't touch her skin."  All eyes turn to him, as if to say 'explain', so he went on.
"When I watched her in the alley before, she was wearing gloves and seemed very conscious about touching anything.  Though I can't be sure, I believe her gift is triggered by touch."  Marcus drew his hand back, though a bit reluctantly, wanting nothing more then to touch his mate, to be close to her.

Amina in her drug induced sleep could feel something, like a great weight had been lifted off of her chest and she could breath again.  The darkness seemed to fade away and in her mind's eye she saw the field that had once been full of pain, death and bodies was now clear and green with a clear blue sky overhead.  A light warm breeze rustled through the grass and Amina smiled as she smelt the scent of fresh rain soaked earth with pine and honey.  Turning around into the breeze she saw three figures standing before her, all of them dressed in white robes, reaching out to her.  The familiar feeling of warmth, acceptance, comfort and love poured over her, but with such an intensity as she had never felt before.  She was breathless when she made it to them, their arms embracing her with gentle strength and finality, and in that moment Amina knew she was home.

(The Garden sitting room, near the Palace garden wall).........................................................

It was a very sunny day and Athenodora along with her sister Sulpicia sat in companionable silence in a large stone and glass room just at the edge of the gardens near the Palace wall.  Sulpicia typing away on her new apple laptop and Athenodora, preferring the feel and small of paper and old leather to cold keys and mousepad, held a great tomb on her lap with a smile on her face as she read.  All in all it was a good day to be Queens of the Vampire world, and both women took great pride in their station.  They took every opportunity to use their husband's as a means to get what they wanted, and their spouses were more then happy to give them anything.  A fact that both used to their advantage as time went on, for their marriage to the two Kings, Aro and Caius gave them a front row seat to all the goings on in the Vampire community.  This gave them the ability to blend in and be above suspicion, which was exactly what they wanted and needed.

Since they were turned both women had been loyal to one man and one man only, and it was his great plan of having Athenodora and Sulpicia marry into the Volturi royal family, that gave them the freedom to help him take over the kingdom.  Vlad of the Romanian clan was ambitious, but patient, for he knew should his plan unfold too quickly the Volturi would become suspicious.  So with careful planning and constant visits from his lovely spies, Vlad began the long tedious process of ushering in the destruction of the Volturi coven.  It was during one of these meetings, however, that these plans were almost exposed by none other then Aro's sister, Didyme.  Not wanting to believe her sister Queens were involved in anything other then visiting with friends from their homeland.  Didyme had planned only to tell her brother that some of these friends looked suspicious and that he and Caius should make sure their wives were safe.  But her innocent concern ultimately brought about her death, as Athenodora and Sulpicia couldn't be sure as to how much she knew.

In the end it was decided that they would have to be rid of Didyme, and planned her demise using the law as their cover.  Athenodora thought it a truly fitting end to what Aro held so dear, to be executed by order of his own law.  She smiled to herself remembering how Aro had wept for weeks with no tears to shed, and though she had enjoyed the pain it caused him she wasn't overly found of how clingy he became afterwards.  Hence she and Sulpicia took their ten year vacations around the world, seeing how things progressed and checking in on their Lord every so often.  It was truly a wonder that no one had caught on to their scheme, but beneath the pale flawless skin and dazzling smiles, both women held a secret.

It was well known how much Aro cherished Vampires who possessed gifts, talents in every form and intensity.  But if he knew of the Queen's gifts, both he and Caius might have been far more particular in their choice of wives.  Athenodora possessed the power of spontaneous memory replacement, any memory that someone, including herself, possessed could be replaced with another.  And Sulpicia, held the power of illusion and suggestion, making something seem so real that you would swear that what you saw was real.  Thus both Aro and Caius lived under the illusion that their wives were without talent and, with a little help from Vlad's alchemists, they also believed these women to be their mates, the other half of their souls.  Gifts that made both women not only perfect in their husband's eyes, but also harmless, as a true soul mate could never intentionally hurt another.

Under this false impression of wedded bliss, both Aro and Caius continued on with their rule with Marcus none the wiser and both women couldn't help but bask in the glow of their success.  Their blissful day of memories and plotting was cut short, however, when they both smelled something new on the air.  A girl, a human, in great distress being taken to a room at the far end of the Palace.  Though it was quite normal for one of the guard to take a human for a night of fun before feeding, this one seemed to already be in a state of panic.  And if there was anything that both women loved more then time to themselves to think on their plans, it was watching others in pain.  So placing their things down both of them made their way inside, hoping to catch a good show with plenty of suffering and blood.

(Back in Amina's room).................................................................................................

Felix had returned with Amina's things and set about putting things away in there proper place while Aro, Marcus and Caius stood in the corner talking in hushed tones.
"How is it possible, I thought Didyme had been your mate?!" hissed Caius as he looked over at Amina in slight disgust.  Aro shrugged his shoulders saying,
"So did I Caius, but remember Didyme did have the gift of happiness, so it may have just been a case of mistaken identity.  After all, they say that the classic symptoms of finding one's mate is to have a sudden feeling of being outrageously happy and content in their presence.  Perhaps that's what happened, and Marcus just became very attached to her.  What say you, Brother?"  Both of them looked at Marcus for a response to which Marcus said,
"She is the one...my mate, she is part of me, but there is something else, Aro."  Both of his brothers leaned in a bit closer as he went on.
"There seems to be two more connected to both she and I, but for some reason I can not fellow their lines.  It's as if they are...blurred and I can not see who is at the other end."

Caius through up his hands as if in defeat saying,
"Oh this is just wonderful, just wonderful, Aro!  We should never have brought her here!"  Marcus growled deep in his throat at Caius and what he was implying, but Aro placed a calming hand on his shoulder saying,
"Come now, Caius.  Would you really have denied our Brother the chance to be happy, truly happy.  We know what it is to have a mate, let Marcus enjoy the mate he has before him and give him the freedom to at least search for the other two.  Quite frankly I'm absolutely floored by the fact that such a thing is possible."  Caius rolled his eyes saying,
"We don't know if such a thing is possible!"  Aro shook his head as he replied with,
"Have you ever known Marcus to be wrong in what he can see?  If he says there are two more, then there are two more."  Still unconvinced, Caius crossed his arms over his chest as he watched Marcus sit down next to the human, and said,
"I'll believe it when I see it."

Description
Soul Seer
Chapter Five

Aro arched a brow at the kneeling guard and his demand to be heard saying,
"Whatever could make you so distressed Demetri?  Come, do show me."  He held out his hand to Demetri in a silent command to know what it was he had seen.  Without hesitation Demetri gave his hand to his master, knowing this way would be much faster then trying to explain what he saw, he wasn't even sure if he could.  Though Demetri held the evidence in his hand of what this girl was capable of, he wanted to know what his master thought of her before drawing his own conclusions.  Aro closed his eyes, seeing every memory and thought Demetri ever had all the way up to what had caused his impromptu demand for an audience.

As the images passed through Aro's mind he became both intrigued and excited at the possibility that a human could posses such a power as to see the past events of a place.  Then he saw Demetri flipping through the sketchbook taking note of its contents, a rough depiction of his sister's last moments in the garden.  The child forced to look on her sparkling beauty when she believed herself to be safe from prying eyes, the swift and violent execution by a guard who had claimed she had willingly broken the law, and at last the slow and painful death of the child for what she had seen under the control of another.  Aro pulled his hand away from Demetri's and quickly took the sketchbook from him to look at the drawings himself.

He flipped through the pages looking for his sister, each picture he beheld depicted horrors that he had only ever known in war, but even that couldn't have prepared him for the cruelties laid out on each page in sickening detail.  It wasn't long before he finally came to the sketches of his sister's last moments.  He watched the story unfold out on the pages of this human girl's book first in pencil then with dried red and black when it came to his sister's death and then the child's.  All of it was planned from the start, made to look as though Didyme had willingly broken their law of secrecy, and all the witnesses to the truth were either dead or well hidden.  For Aro had not touched any who had anything to do with this, even the guard who had executed Didyme had suffered the wrath of Marcus before he could get the full story out of him.  Now, through a human girl he had the truth in his very hands, after over five hundred years of not knowing Aro felt an overwhelming sense of happiness at his sister's innocence.  However, he was also troubled and furious that there was a traitor in there midst, or at least there had been.

After a few long moments of thinking, Caius interrupted his thoughts saying,
"Come come, Aro! Do tell us, what is so important that Demetri couldn't wait to see us?!"  The annoyance and anger in his voice made it clear that Caius was in no mood to be kept waiting 'on the edge of his seat', as Aro called it.  But once Aro turned to face his brothers it was clear that there was to be no playful retort as Aro came to stand at the top of the dais saying,
"We must speak in privet, Brothers."  His voice was in a low hush of a whisper that even a vampire would have trouble hearing if they hadn't truly been listening.  The urgency and sheer shock in Aro's voice was enough to even get Marcus to look at him in confusion, as both he and Caius stood from their thrones and made their way to Aro's study.

(St. Marcus Hospital at the center of Volterra ).................................................................

Amina felt as though she would die from the sorrow she was experiencing as she lay in the emergency ward.  Her hand had been bandaged and the drugs the nurse had given her were enough to relax her body, but not her mind.  The images of that little girl and how she was torn apart refused to leave her mind, coupled with the last bit of a fading conversation as the child bled out.  Whoever had set up that beautiful woman in the garden had done so because she had seen something she shouldn't have.  Something that would cause a war before the conspirators were ready.  But, the most distressing thing was how Amina felt about this long since past tragedy.  It was as if she knew that the woman's murder in the garden was only the beginning of something that was still in motion to this very day.  She could feel it in her bones, that something was going to happen soon.  Even more disturbing was that Amina felt that if she didn't do something, if she didn't warn whoever it was that resided in the Palace, then she would lose everything near and dear to her heart and soul.

It was crazy and Amina was more then willing to admit it, but still the feeling of sheer panic and desperation continued to grow.  To the point that she even tried to leave the hospital in nothing but the gown they had given her, which had resulted in her being strapped down to her bed when she nearly scratched out the doctor's eyes for not letting her go.  They gave her heavy doses of drugs meant to relax her, but it only served to send her into a fitful sleep.  Though her loves were waiting for her with open arms when sleep claimed her, the scene around them had changed again.  Instead of being atop a dais they were in the middle of a field filled with burning body parts and humanoid creatures; fighting and tearing each other apart before tossing the pieces into near by fires.  The sight and sounds of pain and agony caused her to shiver and run to the arms of her loves.  But before she could reach them, she saw a woman with long blond hair and pale skin followed by another with chestnut-brown hair, reaching out to two of her loving protectors.  As they came closer they embraced her loves and then tore them apart.  And before Amina could run to the last of her three protectors, both women grab him and tore him limb from limb and toss the remains onto a fire with his brothers.

She was alone in her world now, with nothing but the gathering darkness and the knowledge of betrayal in her heart.  Amina ran looking for something anything to relieve her fear and pain at the loss of her lovers.  They couldn't be gone, they couldn't be lost to her, she had to find some way to bring them back to her.  For Amina knew if she didn't, the constant weight of her gift and the pain of their loss would surely destroy her body and soul.
'Please!!  Someone help me!!' she cried in her dreams, not knowing what would be waiting for her when she woke, but hoping she would find her soul mates soon.  If she didn't then she would loose them forever.

(Back at the Palace in Aro's Study)...............................................................................

"Surely you can't be serious, Aro!!" said Caius in shock to what Aro had told them, but Aro shook his head saying,
"I assure you I am completely serious, Brother.  You have seen the drawings yourself, and I have told you everything down to the last detail of what Demetri saw.  Surely you wouldn't want her wondering around after she's released from the hospital after having seen one of our kind murdered."
"No I would want her dead, she knows too much Aro!  We already have enough to worry about with the Cullen's pet human, there is no need for another!" shouted Caius.  But Aro wouldn't have it as he said,
"It is not your decision to make alone, Caius.  Marcus has yet to speak on the matter."  Both looked to their brother, who sat clutching the beat-up sketch book as he lovingly stroked the only page to depict his Didyme alive and well with a smile on her face.  It amazed both the others that even after having his connection with her severed, Marcus still morned Didyme.  However, Caius sobered himself and called to their brother, saying,
"Well Marcus, what say you to this madness?"  Aro ignored the venom in Caius' voice and looked to Marcus for an answer, genuinely curious as to what he would say.

Marcus sat in silence for a few moments and both Aro and Caius waited patiently for his answer.  Finally Marcus put the book down and with one last look at his beloved Didyme he then turned to his brothers and said in a deep voice filled with melancholy,
"I wish to meet this girl before we make a final decision."  He looked to Aro then and said,
"Perhaps reading her memories will provide us with the answer as to her abilities and if she could possibly be of use to us."  Marcus turned to Caius as he continued,
"If nothing else she could help us to find out who betrayed my beloved and in turn betrayed us all."  Both Aro and Caius were surprised, for Marcus hadn't spoken this much at one time for centuries.  In fact he could just of easily let Aro read his thoughts and pass them on, but this was not just a serious matter, it was one that involved Didyme.  That in itself warranted Marcus' full attention and consideration.

At long last Aro clapped his hands and said,
"Marvelous!  I will send Felix, Demetri and Heidi to fetch her from the hospital and we'll see for ourselves what kind of power she possesses."  Both his brothers nodded their agreement, though Caius did so begrudgingly, as Aro summoned the guard and relayed his instructions that the girl was to be brought to the Palace under the story of being a guest, and that she would be cared for by the Palace staff Doctor.  After which Aro pulled Demetri to the side and said,
"If there is anything you can remember about what you saw that may come in handy in convincing her to come with you should she refuse, use it."  Demetri nodded obediently and headed out with the others close behind.

(St. Marcus Hospital).................................................................................................

It was almost laughable how easy it was to convince the Doctor to allow them to take the girl back with them.  Apparently she had caused quite a stir with her little display on the wall walkway, as well as trying to leave the hospital without any of her personal effects.  Though the last puzzled Demetri, he was determined to bring the girl, who he now knew to be Amina Clare Evens, back to his masters.  He entered the last room at the end of the hall and was surprised not only to see Amina strapped down, but on a drop-feed to keep her asleep.  No doubt to keep her calm.  However, on closer inspection Demetri could see the tension in her body and her eyes moving under their lids in a restless manner.  He once again felt sorry for her, remembering the scream that had torn itself from her only a few hours ago.

Soon Felix entered the room saying that the paper work had been finished and approved, and they were free to take her now.  But, as Felix reached down to unstrap Amina's arms Demetri remembered the gloves and how Amina had seemed hesitant to touch anything directly, and stopped him before Felix could touch her, saying,
"Cover her skin first."  Felix looked at his friend and fellow guard in confusion.
"What are you talking about?" he asked.  To which Demetri just shook his head saying,
"Just cover her skin before you touch her, I have a suspicion that her gift is triggered by touch, and I don't want to take the chance of sending her into another episode."  Though he was still confused, Felix did as he was told and carefully removed the restraints from Amina with no direct contact.  Then he and Demetri wrapped her in a hospital blanket to keep her from any accidental contact with others.  Heidi came out to meet them once they got to the back entrance which was reserved for emergencies, and they all made their way quickly to the Palace with more then a few curious looks from passers by.

Soul Seer
Chapter Six

Amina was placed in a room at the far end of the Palace so other members of the guard wouldn't be tempted by her presence.  Demetri placed her on the bed and made sure that she was covered before turning to Felix and Heidi saying,
"We'll need to bring her things from her hotel, so Felix look through her purse and see if you can find a card or recite for a room, and Heidi I need you to go tell the masters she has arrived."  Both guards nodded and headed out without another word, Demetri was left alone to watch over Amina as she slept.  From what he could tell what the Doctor had given her was fairly strong and she wouldn't wake up for a while, but she tossed and turned as if she were in a nightmare.

Normally unaffected by such things, having seen pain, death and tears practically every day do to the Volturi's feeding habits, it confounded Demetri that he could be so worried about this girl, a human at that.  Something about what she was able to see and how she had cried out in the walkway earlier that day seemed to have struck a cord with him.  How or why was a mystery, but all Demetri knew was that she was suffering even in her sleep and it troubled him.  At one point it even looked as if she would startle herself awake from all the thrashing, but before he could move to try and wake her his masters entered the room with Heidi.

As soon as he saw them Demetri bowed his head and moved off to the side to allow the Kings a full view of Amina.  Aro seemed intrigued as did Caius, but the look on Marcus' face was one that Demetri had never thought, in the six hundred years had served the Volturi, he would ever see.  Marcus' eyes were wide, his jaw slightly open ,with the barest hint of a smile starting to form as he rushed forward and knelt beside Amina.  Both Aro and Caius stared on confused at their Brother's behavior, but they too felt a pull to her.  And though neither of them could understand why they felt this pull or what it meant, they pushed the feeling aside and focused on Marcus waiting for an explanation.  When none came and Marcus merrily sat staring at Amina as if she would disappear at any minute, Caius finally spoke up, saying,
"Brother, what has gotten into you?!  She is but a human, what could possibly have you so fascinated by her?!"

Aro looked to Marcus expecting an audible answer, but he simply held out his hand for Aro.  As soon as Aro touched his brother's hand he felt the flood of memories and thoughts, and in a bright flash of light he sees the connection between Marcus and this human.  Their connection was not only strong it was solid and sure.  Aro pulled away with a look of shock and pleasant surprise on his face as he turned to an impatient Caius and said,
"She's his mate."  Caius looked on in disbelief as Marcus started to reach out to touch Amina, when Demetri stepped forward saying,
"Master Marcus, I wouldn't touch her skin."  All eyes turn to him, as if to say 'explain', so he went on.
"When I watched her in the alley before, she was wearing gloves and seemed very conscious about touching anything.  Though I can't be sure, I believe her gift is triggered by touch."  Marcus drew his hand back, though a bit reluctantly, wanting nothing more then to touch his mate, to be close to her.

Amina in her drug induced sleep could feel something, like a great weight had been lifted off of her chest and she could breath again.  The darkness seemed to fade away and in her mind's eye she saw the field that had once been full of pain, death and bodies was now clear and green with a clear blue sky overhead.  A light warm breeze rustled through the grass and Amina smiled as she smelt the scent of fresh rain soaked earth with pine and honey.  Turning around into the breeze she saw three figures standing before her, all of them dressed in white robes, reaching out to her.  The familiar feeling of warmth, acceptance, comfort and love poured over her, but with such an intensity as she had never felt before.  She was breathless when she made it to them, their arms embracing her with gentle strength and finality, and in that moment Amina knew she was home.

(The Garden sitting room, near the Palace garden wall).........................................................

It was a very sunny day and Athenodora along with her sister Sulpicia sat in companionable silence in a large stone and glass room just at the edge of the gardens near the Palace wall.  Sulpicia typing away on her new apple laptop and Athenodora, preferring the feel and small of paper and old leather to cold keys and mousepad, held a great tomb on her lap with a smile on her face as she read.  All in all it was a good day to be Queens of the Vampire world, and both women took great pride in their station.  They took every opportunity to use their husband's as a means to get what they wanted, and their spouses were more then happy to give them anything.  A fact that both used to their advantage as time went on, for their marriage to the two Kings, Aro and Caius gave them a front row seat to all the goings on in the Vampire community.  This gave them the ability to blend in and be above suspicion, which was exactly what they wanted and needed.

Since they were turned both women had been loyal to one man and one man only, and it was his great plan of having Athenodora and Sulpicia marry into the Volturi royal family, that gave them the freedom to help him take over the kingdom.  Vlad of the Romanian clan was ambitious, but patient, for he knew should his plan unfold too quickly the Volturi would become suspicious.  So with careful planning and constant visits from his lovely spies, Vlad began the long tedious process of ushering in the destruction of the Volturi coven.  It was during one of these meetings, however, that these plans were almost exposed by none other then Aro's sister, Didyme.  Not wanting to believe her sister Queens were involved in anything other then visiting with friends from their homeland.  Didyme had planned only to tell her brother that some of these friends looked suspicious and that he and Caius should make sure their wives were safe.  But her innocent concern ultimately brought about her death, as Athenodora and Sulpicia couldn't be sure as to how much she knew.

In the end it was decided that they would have to be rid of Didyme, and planned her demise using the law as their cover.  Athenodora thought it a truly fitting end to what Aro held so dear, to be executed by order of his own law.  She smiled to herself remembering how Aro had wept for weeks with no tears to shed, and though she had enjoyed the pain it caused him she wasn't overly found of how clingy he became afterwards.  Hence she and Sulpicia took their ten year vacations around the world, seeing how things progressed and checking in on their Lord every so often.  It was truly a wonder that no one had caught on to their scheme, but beneath the pale flawless skin and dazzling smiles, both women held a secret.

It was well known how much Aro cherished Vampires who possessed gifts, talents in every form and intensity.  But if he knew of the Queen's gifts, both he and Caius might have been far more particular in their choice of wives.  Athenodora possessed the power of spontaneous memory replacement, any memory that someone, including herself, possessed could be replaced with another.  And Sulpicia, held the power of illusion and suggestion, making something seem so real that you would swear that what you saw was real.  Thus both Aro and Caius lived under the illusion that their wives were without talent and, with a little help from Vlad's alchemists, they also believed these women to be their mates, the other half of their souls.  Gifts that made both women not only perfect in their husband's eyes, but also harmless, as a true soul mate could never intentionally hurt another.

Under this false impression of wedded bliss, both Aro and Caius continued on with their rule with Marcus none the wiser and both women couldn't help but bask in the glow of their success.  Their blissful day of memories and plotting was cut short, however, when they both smelled something new on the air.  A girl, a human, in great distress being taken to a room at the far end of the Palace.  Though it was quite normal for one of the guard to take a human for a night of fun before feeding, this one seemed to already be in a state of panic.  And if there was anything that both women loved more then time to themselves to think on their plans, it was watching others in pain.  So placing their things down both of them made their way inside, hoping to catch a good show with plenty of suffering and blood.

(Back in Amina's room).................................................................................................

Felix had returned with Amina's things and set about putting things away in there proper place while Aro, Marcus and Caius stood in the corner talking in hushed tones.
"How is it possible, I thought Didyme had been your mate?!" hissed Caius as he looked over at Amina in slight disgust.  Aro shrugged his shoulders saying,
"So did I Caius, but remember Didyme did have the gift of happiness, so it may have just been a case of mistaken identity.  After all, they say that the classic symptoms of finding one's mate is to have a sudden feeling of being outrageously happy and content in their presence.  Perhaps that's what happened, and Marcus just became very attached to her.  What say you, Brother?"  Both of them looked at Marcus for a response to which Marcus said,
"She is the one...my mate, she is part of me, but there is something else, Aro."  Both of his brothers leaned in a bit closer as he went on.
"There seems to be two more connected to both she and I, but for some reason I can not fellow their lines.  It's as if they are...blurred and I can not see who is at the other end."

Caius through up his hands as if in defeat saying,
"Oh this is just wonderful, just wonderful, Aro!  We should never have brought her here!"  Marcus growled deep in his throat at Caius and what he was implying, but Aro placed a calming hand on his shoulder saying,
"Come now, Caius.  Would you really have denied our Brother the chance to be happy, truly happy.  We know what it is to have a mate, let Marcus enjoy the mate he has before him and give him the freedom to at least search for the other two.  Quite frankly I'm absolutely floored by the fact that such a thing is possible."  Caius rolled his eyes saying,
"We don't know if such a thing is possible!"  Aro shook his head as he replied with,
"Have you ever known Marcus to be wrong in what he can see?  If he says there are two more, then there are two more."  Still unconvinced, Caius crossed his arms over his chest as he watched Marcus sit down next to the human, and said,
"I'll believe it when I see it."