It was a warm day in Volterra, the Italian climate drawing locals and tourists out into the city. The tourists were in awe of the old stone castles, the locals, not so much. The savoury scent of fresh bread and cheeses filled the still air and crystal liquid smoothly rumbled in the centre waterfall. They could feel that something was off. The innate fear that something darker lingered beneath them, though the knowledge passed on by family secrets that they were safe as long as they were residents. The knowledge that the monsters will protect them.

A timely shadow was cast over him as he watched children play. He was more observant than most though. The local street kids had figured out that as soon as a tourist entered the inner walls of the castle, they never returned. They picked their targets much like Heidi would.

A small grin crossed his lips when he remembered being one of them. He remembered chasing unsuspecting targets through the streets of Athens where he unfortunately grew up. They shared stories about the people they crossed, gossip that certain people would pay large sums for. They knew everything, and they knew when to keep their mouths shut about certain things, like vampires living in the city controlling their lives.

His fingers flipped the coin in his hand that belonged to his mate his mind lost to thoughts of her.

Though the scene before him was so serene.

Demetri wasn't aware of the seething master in the tower.

*****

Ruby eyes looked towards the clock tower searching for a familiar form.

As usual he was there. He always was there whenever he had free time. He to people watch, though she suspected he was interested in paying off the street kids for information. He always said they were the best source to go to.

She was aware he was mated now, or would be soon, but that wouldn't stop her from trying. He was one of the most eligible vampires around. They used to have fun, and she hated how much he had changed since meeting that Greek Girl. Andromeda was an issue for her, she didn't like how he no longer reacted to her gifts. She could attract everything. Well everything except for him.

Demetri was a Casanova, she actually think it was Casanova that was taught by the vampire. He was very good at doing what he did, and he didn't have any gifts to improve his talent so it was purely skill. The fact that he resembled Adonis helped as well, so why wouldn't she be attracted to him.

She wasn't the only one though. There were many that pursued the tracker and many that had their hearts broken by him. He always made it clear he would wait a thousand years for his mate.

She made a move towards him her hips swaying as she radiated her gift to the fullest.

Heidi was stopped in her pursuits by a hulking shadow.

*****

He was thirsty.

Well it wasn't that surprising given his eyes were now black. He would have to leave the city to hunt so he nodded to the twins before heading out of the castle.

He remembered when he first met Demetri. He had recently been turned by Aro and his sire had let him out on his first mission. He was only decades old and all he had to do was dispose of a vampire that was causing problems for his Masters. He was on his way back to them when he passed the vampire in Cairo. Something about the stranger drew his attention so he made his acquaintance.

They talked about guy things (hunting) and things that drew their attention (girls). They enjoyed each other's company and seemed to get along quite well. He didn't realise when he returned that Aro would read his mind and decide to collect his new friend. He didn't really have a problem with it. What he had a problem with was the idea that he somehow ousted his new friend.

Demetri later explained that he was looking for a way out for a while. He needed more freedom. Amun had kept him in a tower, and he really only stayed out of respect for his sire.

Felix spotted Heidi making a move and placed himself in Heidi's path with a wide grin. She wasn't getting close to his friend any time soon. He didn't trust the succubus, he only put up with her because she was good for two things, and one of them was food. He could resist her power thanks to hundreds of years of exposure. He smirked at the sneer as her lips quirked in annoyance. He liked Andy, he wasn't about to let Heidi ruin anything.

Felix gave one last look at Demetri who was caught up in his own thoughts, before continuing on his way.

*****

They hated everyone. Or so it would seem.

They watched as Felix left the room in search of something to sink his teeth into with identical smirks.

The twins were so similar, and yet so different. Where one enjoyed hearing the screams of her prey, the other preferred silence. Though with the flick of a switch their personalities could easily switch.

Burning at the stake like witches was something that would remain with them forever. They could vividly remember the smell of the smoke that filled their lungs with every breath. They remember watching their mother die in protest of their sentencing. They were feared among their village. Twins was an odd occurrence at the time. It was uncommon because mothers would rarely survive childbirth. 

The female remembered the pain of burning vividly. It was that pain she wanted everyone to feel as she glared at them. The male on the other hand felt nothing, he was numb to the core. The twins were just lost children lost over the millennia and a half.

Jane and Alec stood dutifully in the chamber by their Master's sides watching as Aro left the room.

*****

In the depths of the cold stone walls he sat in his throne idly watching the strings that hold people together. Since Didyme passed there wasn't much to make him happy anymore. He remembered seeing Demetri's ones not so long ago. His loyalty to the Volturi was thinning, but his bonds with the other guards was still strong. The moment Demetri had first returned from his hunt he went into shock. It was like a long thick golden aura that reminded him so much of his wife. It was almost like seeing her again.

For one blinking second he felt the bond he once had.

He missed her with every fibre of his being.

And he would do anything to return to her side.

There was very little light left in his life.

Which would only be granted in death.

Marcus wished for it every day.

*****

His brother looked more solemn than usual so he decided to pay a visit to his wife. As he walked into the tower a shiver travelled up his spine. Something was wrong, it didn't take an Empath to feel the growing tension in the tower.

He walked into the main room where Athenodora and Caius were having a stare down.

Caius was glaring at her, his right eye twitching as his face morphed into a sneer so vile it could kill a human on sight.

Athenodora on the other hand looked unashamed of her actions, if anything she stood up to her mate.

"What's going on here?" Aro asked looking between the pair while making his way to his brother's side. Caius silently offered his hand which Aro took. His eyes showed confusion as he frowned slightly reading the blonde's mind. It then morphed into pure shock as he turned to face Athenodora.

"Her sire." He stated simply looking down his nose at her.

If she could her cheeks would've flushed with blood but instead she held the Master's gaze like the Volturi Queen she was. "Yes," her answer was simple and to the point.

"Your hand," he ushered her closer and she sighed placing her hand in his.

"Your walls are strong but not strong enough." Aegeus informed his child. "I don't want anyone coming for her, as a favour to my brother Andromeda is not to be touched."

"What do you want me to do?" Athenodora questioned her head tilting to the side.

"You're to marry your mate, that is fine, but I want you to keep her existence a secret. Because if the Volturi find out, then they will find out, and we cannot have that."

"Then how do I get stronger. Andy is mine, I will protect her with my life if need be." The younger vampire hissed possessively.

"Practise, Dora. You need to practise."

~~~~~

The thick rusty scent of blood filled the air as she made her way to the beach mid hunt. Her senses were driving her wild pulling her to the source. She noticed the blood first. Thick red liquid pouring from the wound on the human female's head and staining the sand. She wanted to lunge and taste the sweet smell, but something held her back. She approached the body with steady steps her toes sinking into the golden sand that almost matched the human's damp hair. Dora gently rolled the woman over to see her features. Her face was familiar.

As her skin made contact she noted that the body was still warm and pulsing blood. Unable to resist the urge she sank her teeth into the woman's neck and begun to feed.

A feeling in her gut made her stop.

She didn't want to kill this one.

The human's heart was still beating as she lifted her into her arms.

~~~~~

"What have you done?" Aegeus growled as he spotted Athenodora dragging a transitioning female into the room.

"I don't know." Came her reply, "I just couldn't kill her."

Aegeus and Thalia approached the human as Dora wiped away the blood and sand marring her features.

"Her name is Andromeda." Aegeus spoke up. "The Lady Andromeda of Sparta, and resident of Thebes, she was to be wed in Athens mere days ago."

"How do you know this?"

"You could've picked someone that wasn't so high profile." He told Dora and his mate rolled her eyes.

"They will eventually forget, we will just keep her hidden for a few decades." Thalia informed deciding to accept the girl into the coven. Aegeus reluctantly agreed and left the woman to clean her up.

~~~~~

The newborn's eyes opened violently as she gasped awake in surprise.

"Hello." Athenodora's voice echoed around them.

"Um hello," the newborn repeated getting easily distracted by her new vision.

"I'm Athenodora," The silver haired woman informed. "I found you unconscious on the beach."

"What was I doing there?"

"I was hoping you could tell me. What do you remember?"

The newborn concentrated her forehead creasing slightly as she tried to remember. "Nothing." A confused expression crossed her features, "why do I not remember anything?"

"You hit your head quite hard on the rocks."

"Do you know me?" The newborn asked her eyes lighting up a little and Dora looked over her to her sire. Aegeus subtly shook his head and Athenodora sighed.

"No." The vampire stated. "But you were slightly coherent when we found you, we think your name is Andromeda."

"Andromeda," she tested, "I think I like it, but I think Andy suits better."

"Very well. How do you feel?"

"I-" The newborn paused her hands going to her throat in surprise. The burning would not cease as she looked around frantically for a drink.

"Come, we'll hunt first and you can meet everyone when we return." Dora gently pried the newborn's hands from her throat and led her to the nearest civilisation to feed.

~~~~~

As it turns out, keeping Andy distracted from all the news coming out of Athens about her was quite easy. She had a child-like nature that Athenodora found charming. She preferred to play games, and dance around their home. Once her human relatives, friends and acquaintances had died off they planned to make Andy a known member of the coven.

Dora walked into the younger vampire's room to find her draining a human with a wide grin on her lips.

"Guess what Dora," she exclaimed excitedly.

"I'm guessing by I have a feeling they're all incorrect guesses."

"Yeah, they probably are," the golden haired vampiress smiled widely at her sire. "Watch."

Shock filled her system as she watched the newborn disappear and reappear on the other side of the room. Dora was excited by this development so much so that she turned and headed back to Aegeus. He knew more about this sort of thing than Dora did.

~~~~~

She watched as Aegeus and Mathias verbally exchanged insults. Mathias was searching for Andromeda. Apparently he was trying to protect her while she was still human as a favour to his blood singer. Obviously he screwed up, or this would not have happened. Mathias wanted to take her with him and Aegeus refused.

"I am her sire she will stay with me." Dora snapped at the pair unhappily.

~~~~~

"So it seems my brother Aegeus had been teaching ways to shield from my gifts, how interesting." Aro mused. "Your darling wife has been hiding things."

"I am aware." Caius hissed at the other Volturi master.

"I kept those secrets out of respect for my sire and my coven." She growled. "I would break that vow if this coven was threatened, but it is not being threatened by her. The political ties of our covens still stand as long as we both still live. Andromeda is my responsibility. She's mine!"

"Someone summon Demetri and Athenodora to the throne room." Aro spoke calmly as though he wasn't silently seething. "Now."