Penance ↠ Volturi Kings {2} ✓

04

"So it's worse than what we thought?" Santiago asked, a deep frown etched across his features.

"Much worse. They've been working on this quiet for over half a year now," Demetri said. "They've learned since last time, that's how they've been getting away with creating an army practically under our noses without us even noticing."

"How big of an army are we talking?" I asked.

"Hard to give an exact number, but I picked up at least a hundred unique scents. They're not just going for numbers this time, otherwise there would be more," Demetri said.

"We think they're training them. Not that we were able to get close. Got within about a mile of their sorry excuse for a castle before we had to run out; they keep the place well guarded and I prefer my head attached to my body," Felix said.

"We're looking at full-fledged war at this stage. If we had caught this even three months ago we probably could have put a stop to it, but not anymore. We're well past the point of no return," Demetri said.

"War? You're absolutely certain?" Afton asked.

"A hundred percent. This isn't some twenty-man force, this is shaping up to be a trained, deadly army," Felix said. "We think they're gift-hunting, too, though we weren't able to get close enough to confirm the theory. But, if they want to stand against Jane and Alec, we're assuming that they have to be."

"I need to speak to Caius," I said.

"You do realize he's going to be pissed we told you all of this, right?" Demetri asked.

"From what I'm hearing, he's already pissed most of the time anyway. I'll talk him down. But I have to see him," I said.

"He's in his study," Demetri said, sounding reluctant.

"Thanks, Demetri. I'm glad you guys got back safely. Get some rest, I'll see you soon," I said, walking out with Santiago and Afton at my heels.

"What are you thinking, queenliness?" Santiago asked.

My mind was running a mile a minute. "I'm trying to figure out how the hell we're supposed to get out of this one."

"We're the Volturi. Even with trained vampires, most of them are still just newborns. We've been doing this for centuries. Everything will be fine, kid," Santiago assured me.

"Never underestimate your enemy," I said, quoting one of Jasper's many battle adages. "Even with Demetri and Felix's report, we still don't have the full picture of what we're dealing with. Just because the Volturi has won against the Romanians in the past does not mean that we are guaranteed to win again in the future."

"You're spouting some serious wisdom there, kid," Santiago said. "I guess that's just what tends to happen when you hang around me."

"Santiago, you are an arrogant ass," I said, rolling my eyes. "Any wisdom I have I certainly did not get from you."

"And here I was thinking we were friends," Santiago quipped.

"Yeah, whatever," I said, well accustomed to his dramatics. We stopped outside Caius' quarters. "See you in a bit."

I entered Caius' quarters, headed straight for his study. The time not spent in court Caius spent in his study, but usually I abstained from visiting as it distracted from work that, without the help of Aro and Marcus, he was always behind on.

"Amore," Caius said, looking surprised but not displeased when I entered. He stood to greet me and I noted with displeasure that his eyes were still black; Demetri and Felix had been gone during the last feeding and clearly Caius had forgotten to take care of himself. Again.