A/N: Surprise! Happy Halloween :)

Carina willed her body to move faster as the hybrid chased her around the valley. He had caught her sweet scent the moment she had stepped into the battle and craved her. The hybrid had made a promise to himself he would devour the little vampire before the end of the night.

She ducked just as the hybrid's claws sliced through the air trying to grasp her.

"Won't you fight little princess?" The creature snarled out in a taunting voice as he followed her.

"Ever heard of a breath mint, because darling you are in desperate need of one." Came her retort as she rolled under his other set of claws.

"Oh I'm going to enjoy this." He gave her a toothy grin and he lunged his teeth narrowly missing her neck as she slid out of the way. Their fight drew a little attention as other Volturi members tried to assist their coven mate only to be struck down by the hybrid.

She didn't know how much longer she could keep up with the creature, dodging every single one of his attacks. He was too fast and strong for her to take on alone. She was hopelessly out-gunned as she fought for survival.

*****

Silence fell around them as a terrified and pained scream filled the air. It caused chills to travel the length of Carina's spine as she spotted Andromeda enduring the most painful torture imaginable. She lost her concentration, her gaze now focused on her sire and his mate.

Carina barely recognised the hybrid's grip on her waist until it was too late. He flung her small form like a rag doll into some nearby rocks, and didn't give her the chance to get up before he tossed her again.

He lowered his forearms to the ground stalking his prey as she struggled to her feet. He snarled and lunged, his paw hitting her side and knocking her down onto the cold and damp moss in the centre of the valley. The hybrid moved over her small form ready to slice into his prey as she lay still, waiting for the end to come.

*****

Andromeda understood the need to protect what was yours. It came naturally to vampires and she'd been on the receiving end in the past. Athenodora was her sire, a mother of sorts, and it was her duty to teach Andy how to survive this life. The bond between vampires that shared venom was almost as strong as a mate bond.

It was the main reason she never sired any vampires herself. She didn't want to become attached to someone and then loose them like she did her own coven. It was why the decision to take in Bree, Diego and Fred was not a light one.

Andy crouched low as she watched her mate shield Carina with his form. She and the witch twins were the first to react to the sight, charging full steam at the beast. The one thing that they did not anticipate was Carina's gifts coming into play.

*****

Carina closed her eyes and clung tightly to the larger body that shielded hers from the deadly blow. All she wanted was to get out of there, away from the creature and be safe with her family again. She recognised Demetri's scent the moment he appeared by her side to keep his promise and protect her. She didn't think he would risk his own life in the process.

The small vampire didn't know what came over her, all she knew was that her family was in danger and they needed to get out. Her gift instinctively searched the field against her will for talents that may help in this situation and latched on to one.

Mimicking that ability, she tightened her hold and pictured the empty space on the other side of the valley, teleporting them out of danger.

*****

Alec's steps slowed slightly, his eyes widening in surprise as Carina disappeared with Demetri in tow. He had to give Andy credit as she didn't even flinch or act phased by Carina's gifts.

His own toxic smoke surrounded the hybrid as he wrestled with the leader of the Greek coven. She barely came up to his chest and only had a quarter of its mass, but she knew how to fight and used the creature's size against him.

Soon a wave of black cloaks joined the fight, led by Felix, each taking turns to tear the hybrid apart.

*****

Andy threw all remaining caution to the wind and teleported to Carina and Demetri's side, checking the little vampire for signs of life.

"Carina," Alec gasped out appearing next to her.

"She'll be okay," Andy told him as he lifted her into his arms, "she will need to feed though. My gift consumes a lot of energy." He nodded to her and moved away leaving Andy alone with her mate.

"Are you alright?" Demetri rasped out, his throat dry and parched as he gave his mate a relieved look.

"I should be asking you that." She gave him a tight smile taking a seat in the dirt beside him. Their fingers laced as she placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. "I'm glad that's over."

"I'm glad you're safe." His forehead leant against hers as they relaxed against each other's form, tired but completely content.

She released a sigh of relief as she spotted Fred, Diego and Bree exit the caves.

They were finally safe from harm.

*****

*****

*****

It had been a week since the attack, an entire week since she had seen him and it was driving her nuts. She didn't realise how much she relied on him to play her games, how much she needed him to be there, until he was gone again.

"Are you going to continue to chase me?" She asked staring up at the great walls of Volterra her voice soft as she spoke. "If I stop, will you lose interest and just leave me?"

"I couldn't leave you if I tried Andromeda." He said appearing beside her. "I know why you're here."

"He just wants to meet with me." She spoke and he nodded.

"I think it's pretty clear you won't be joining." Demetri offered her his hand.

She placed her smaller one in his lacing their fingers together. "I want you to come with me." She stated as he led her into the castle and she felt him tense slightly. "You don't have to; it was just a thought."

"I want to go with you Andy, I do." He replied though there was a furrow in his brow. "I just don't know how this will work."

"We'll find a way." She replied glancing around the Italian castle. "This place is very, gothic."

Demetri snorted at that, "we're vampires, got to keep up the image."

"Yes but there are other colours besides red and black." She stated simply indicating to her blue jacket.

"I agree it is rather drab," came a familiar soft voice from above them. Andy's eyes shot to the rafters where a petite female was seated her legs swinging back and forth as she grinned at the older vampires.

"What are you doing up there?" Demetri asked with a raised brow.

"Hiding from the twins," she said with a grin.

"What'd you do this time?" He asked then quickly cut her off changing his mind, "actually I don't want to know."

"Hi Andy," she waved slightly.

"Carina, good to see you again." The older female replied with a small grin.

"You staying long?"

"Just passing through."

*****

"Hello Felix," her entire attitude brightened at the sight of the not-so-gentle giant. She liked him, he was playful and kind, a rare side of him that not many got to witness. Felix stood by the entrance patiently awaiting their arrival.

"Little Andy. Been causing much trouble?" He patted her head and she swatted his hand away.

"Always." She replied grinning her pearly white teeth at him.

He smirked in response and placed his hand on the heavy stone doors. With a gentle nudge, they swung open revealing the throne room of the Volturi masters.

"What is it you want?" Caius hissed almost immediately as the trio made their way into the room his eyes focused solely on Andromeda.

"I was invited Caius." Andy sang pulling a letter from her inside pocket. She internally rolled her eyes searching the room for Athenodora. Not finding her sire she turned her attention back to the Volturi lords figuring that Dora would be safely locked away in her tower.

"Yes of course." Aro spoke up rising from his seat his hands clasped together in front of him.

"I'm sure your brother will relay my wishes." Andy informed placing her hand in Aro's.

"She wants territory." Aro spoke his expression blank.

"That preposterous." Caius hissed.

"I want what was formally mine." Andy replied her voice level as her hand tightened in her mate's grasp.

"Which territory?"

"Crete." Aro answered for her. "You want to rebuild your home."

"It was once your home as well." Andromeda spoke calmly.

"Funny how Aegeus never mentioned of you." Aro mused. "I see why he kept you hidden."

"He knew what you were like at the time. Though I do believe you have changed." Andy looked between the lords. "I'm offering an agreement of sorts. The same one Aegeus did."

"Aegeus was a fool that nearly got my mate killed." Caius growled.

"It is true that he was too trusting in his own brother, but Aegeus was no fool."

"What else?" Marcus asked finally speaking up.

"She wants her mate." Aro replied slowly.

"No." Caius said with a satisfied smirk.

"If I may?" They nod at Demetri to continue, "I will still do my job, I rather like my job and Andy has agreed to help." Andy snorted at that and crossed her arms, she hated people telling her what to do. "Well, when she feels like it that is." He amends. "My permanent residence will just be there and not here."

"But-"

"It's not like he spends that much time here anyway." Andy spoke up. "You'll still have your tracker, so I don't see what the big deal is."

"I'll make a counter offer, you and your coven could reside with us." Aro asks hopefully.

"I'm not into the whole gothic thing you've got going on here." She shrugged. "I'm sure the rest of my coven would agree."

"Carina is more than ready to take my place; she is a natural tracker." Demetri spoke trying to help convince them to let him go.

"She not nearly as powerful as you, nor does she have the same physical training." Aro said frowning slightly at thought of sending the little vampire out into the field.

"She is more than ready for it. She has taken to this life so well, and I trust the twins to protect her." He glanced to the door where he knew the little vampire would be eaves dropping. "I will help if you need it, I will even continue to train her, I'm just asking that you let me live with my mate."

"I-" Aro began.

"We owe this to our brother Aro." Marcus spoke his words droning. "The alliances of old between our two covens still stands, let him go." There was finality in his tone as he looked between the vampires in front of him.

Aro sighed and brought his fingers together. "It is a sadness," his voice was barely above a whisper as he nodded to Marcus in acknowledgement. "But I do not see the harm in it, as long, as the alliances stand as they once did." The mated pair shared a relieved look, "Demetri you are free to go, but we expect you to visit."

"Of course," he said shaking his former Master's hand.

Demetri happily led his mate from the room sharing a look with Felix who followed behind the pair.

"You're leaving." He heard the small voice come from the shadows of the castle that caused his steps to falter. "Can I come?"

"Not this time." He replied turning to face the little brunette.

"But-"

"You can't bring Alec with you either, you know he's tied too deeply to this coven, he will never leave." Demetri pulled Carina into a hug, "I'll come back to train you, and I'm sure they won't object to you coming to visit us on the island." He pulled away removing the gold crest from around his neck and placed it in the palm of her hand.

"Okay," she replied solemnly then looked to Andy her face morphing into a glare that wouldn't scare a kitten let alone a thousand-year-old vampire. "I don't care if you're his mate, if you hurt my Dad I'll come after you."

"If that ever happens I'll gladly let you catch me." She replied seriously.

"Huh, I could catch you. I am better than him." Carina huffed crossing her arms like a disgruntled child.

"Maybe in a few years." Andy smirked playfully.

"I suppose this is goodbye Felix," Demetri told his oldest friend craning his neck slightly to look the giant in the eyes.

"I'm sure we'll see each other soon, and someone has to escort little Carina to the island." He grinned and clapped Demetri on the back. "Besides who will make sure you're not screwing up."

"I think I'll be fine." Carina shared a look with Felix and giggled at his response.

"Don't forget to say bye to the twins before you leave." Felix grins as Demetri's face morphed into grin at the thought of giving Alec another piece of his mind before he went to Greece.

*****

Andy stood on the outskirts of the city watching the dawn break on the horizon. She was letting him pack and say his farewells to his coven in private. It was only fair; he had been with them for eight hundred years. She was brought from her thoughts as a sleek black car pulled up beside her and the passenger window slid down.

"Need a lift?" Demetri asked with a grin on his lips, his red eyes shining with amusement and joy.

She returned his smile and slid into the passenger seat.