𝐃𝐀𝐇𝐋𝐈𝐀 | volturi kings

chapter five | when shadows kneel

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the air hung thick with a sulfurous, acrid aroma, the stench of burnt flesh and hair searing into caius' nose. his lips twitch in delight as aro drags on his theatrics, reveling in the moon children's suffering. "i'll give you two the credit you deserve," he sneers, "you certainly made a bold statement."

heated chains cling to their blistering skin as they writhe in agony. caius smirks, stabbing the woman over and over, ghastly screeches filling the illuminated cave. flames swirl and crack beneath their sizzling feet, casting shadows along the volturi's amused faces. the werewolves groan and whimper, skin melting and oozing blood from every pore.

"now," aro taunts, his voice dripping in contempt, "do tell me how you and your little mate managed to sneak past our borders so effortlessly. i must admit, i'm both embarrassed and impressed." a sharp chill shoots down the werewolves' spines as aro giggles manically. with swift, he snatches the bloody, searing hand of the wereman and peers through his mind. his ruby red irises widen, revealing glints of understanding, and his lips stretch.

"i see," he whispers.

the two quiver and ache as the flame's envelope them. aro eyes his quietly observing brother then back to the rogue beasts. "i'd like to offer you my gratitude, moon children. you've given me information worth the mess you've made. your death will be granted quicker for that."

caius snarls at the ravenette, displeased with the verdict. aro waves his hand, "come now, brother. we don't have the time to waste playing with mutts." the blond continues his sharp glare as he beheads and stabs the wolves, cursing their existence. marcus ignores the temper tantrum, focusing on his scheming brother, "what did you see, aro?"

he turns smug with a sparkling gleam in his eyes, "the romanians are behind this act." caius snaps his attention, "impossible! those fools hold no power!"

"on the contrary, brother." aro grins, relishing the anger caius radiates. "the romanians and children of the moon have a common foe, and it seems they were bold enough to make their move."

aro admits, he wasn't expecting vladimir and stefan to be as brazen as sending children of the moon to do their dirty work. he'll have demitri track those two down, but, for now, "demitri," he calls giddily, watching the wolves skin bubble and peel in the flames, "i think it's time we meet our little lamb."

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it's a cold spring night and the rolling landscape lies in pitch black silence. the stars sparkle brilliantly in their absolute glory with little moon to outshine them. beneath the radiant abyss, a young girl lies asleep.

the hem of her white nightgown and her bare feet stained with blood. unconscious, she twitches and trembles, trapped in her nightmares.

the wind howls through the hills. trees sway, leaves rustle, and from the shadows emerges a soft crunch of footsteps treading slowly toward her. a pair of sharp red eyes glint in the dark, watching her closely.

she's human, asleep, and wounded. his brow furrows at the sight.

a bible lies by her side, her bloodied hand resting on its cover. he picks it up carefully. the scent of werewolf is faint—but present. his eyes return to the trembling girl. she doesn't appear to be infected, he would smell it if she were.

this has to be the survivor. but what is she doing out here?

he pockets the book and lifts her in his arms, cradling her like a bride, and vanishes into the night without a trace.

within minutes, the esteemed tracker enters the throne room, presenting the unconscious girl. he holds her securely in front of the three.

aro's manic eyes widen as he focuses on the brunette. his footsteps echo sharply as he approaches. "is this our little survivor, demitri?" he asks, though the answer is already known. "how delightful," he coos.

his gaze lingers over her sleeping form. there's something alluring about this child. her scent is... strange. unplaceable. he studies her with fascination.

caius growls impatiently. "i thought we agreed not to waste time, aro."

the raven-haired leader ignores him, eyes locked on the girl. there is something spectacularly special about you. a giddy sensation washes over him, and a sly smile curls his lips. "let's wait."

caius bares his teeth. "wait for what?! the human is tainted! let's be done with her!" ari pays him no mind. "not yet, brother. this child was spared for a reason. i want to know why."

caius rolls his eyes. "then violate her evocation and finish this nonsense." ari turns sharply. "where's the fun in that?" he smirks.

"you're absurd," caius spits. "there's nothing impressive about humans."

aro fixated on her face—muddy, bloodied, tear-streaked, and worn by war. he finds in it a daunting beauty, carved from sorrow and ash.

meanwhile, marcus can't tear his eyes away from the girl—silent and transfixed. he wasn't listening to the mindless quarrels. all he sees is the girl with the golden strands linking him and his soul brothers together. he freezes, trying to make sense of this revelation.

the golden string is sacred. rare. how could this little child possess such a divine bond with them? a harsh wave of unease passes through him.

how can this be?

"marcus?" aro's voice cuts through the stillness.

the awe-struck man snaps out of his trance and turns his attention to aro.

the throne room falls deathly silent. only the girl's soft snores and her calm, rhythmic heartbeat fill the space. "what are you seeing, brother?" aro asks, voice a whisper. he loathes the secrets marcus holds.

marcus's eyes flicker back to the girl, asking himself the same question. what am i seeing? golden threads and reserved for soulmates. could it be? truly? or is this some cruel mistake.

even among immortals, this bond is exceedingly rare. but this child... and not just to one of them—but all three?

he clenches his jaw. "i'm not sure," he murmurs, disbelief heavy in his tone.

aro's intrigue festers by the second, drawn deeper into the mystery of the girl who was spared.

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