Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

23. Magic and Mystery

Once Huilen was shown to the rooms she would share with Katya, she set to work putting her things in order. Her clothes were all neatly hung and folded in an instant, then she pulled out her trunk and opened it to reveal a basic traveling apothecary. Even though it would have been difficult for two large human males to manage it, Huilen lifted it easily onto the dresser and pushed it gently back against the wall creating a kind of instant shelving system. She quickly pulled out three containers and a yellowing stack of papers that had been neatly folded into the side of the case.

"Katya?"

"Yes, Auntie?" the beautifully exotic half breed was instantly at her side.

"Would you take a look around the grounds and see if you can find a plant that looks like this for me?" The vampires pointed to an expertly rendered plant detailed to the vein and stamen.

"Sure, do you know what it's called?"

"Sadly, no, not here at least," Huilen separated out the piece of paper and handed her the rendering, "Take this, it might help. If you do find it, don't touch it. Just come get me and we'll collect it together."

"Sure, um… how much do you need? Will one plant be enough?"

Huilen laughed, "One plant will do just fine for starters. Why don't you get that handsome specimen Mr. Peridot to help you?"

Katya giggled along with her, "Sounds like a great idea, Auntie!" with that, she turned to go. Dominic's room was next to theirs, so it was no time before they were both strolling around the Villa with the rendering tucked safely away in Dom's pocket.

"What is your Aunt making, do you know?" Dom asked idly, watching Katya's every movement with great interest.

"No idea, but her talent with herbs and potions is legendary where we come from. Whatever she's doing, I trust that it will be most useful for all of us." Katya smiled back at him appreciatively. "I wasn't sure I'd ever see you again, Dom." Her expression changed a bit as the memories came back to her.

Dom gently grabbed her hand and pulled her closer as they walked, "Neither was I, Katya." The scent of freshly fallen rain on the rolling hills of grain wafted up to them on the breeze. The sun had already sunk just below the horizon and a warm, clear evening loomed ahead of them. "Worse than that, I wasn't certain you'd want to see me again."

Katya scoffed at him, "Nonsense! The best tango partner I've had in centuries? I never gave up and waited for your return to New York with baited breath for many, many decades!"

He laughed, "We did have a good time that night, didn't we?"

She joined his mirth, "That place never saw the likes of us before or since!

He forcefully pulled her body against his and grabbed her right hand with his left, easily stepping into a tango as he hummed the melody to her. She merrily picked up her que, and danced with him measuring her steps and responses with her body against his. Finally, Dom seemed to grab a long stemmed rose out of thin air and dipped her body backwards, passing it between them with a kiss. Holding her steady as his face drew away from hers and slowly sketched a path down her neck to her bosom, he breathed in her scent deeply, before allowing her to stand once more on her own.

She steadied herself with her hands on his shoulders, smiling around the long stemmed rose between her teeth and looked up at him through her dark lashes. Once she Dominic allowed her to regain her own footing she pulled the flower from her smile and sighed truthfully, "I'm glad you came looking for me."

Dominic looked down at her, so lovely so irresistible, he didn't pause to think as his lips found hers and gently pressed them open. Much to his delight, she responded to his advance, her hands found purchase against the back of his neck and in his hair. The delicious heat of her breath was intoxicating as he pushed his cool tongue against hers, brushing and teasing her with a methodical rhythm as hypnotic as the tango. His body still pressed tightly against hers moved in tandem as his hands moved against her back, above and below her waistline, encouraging her to move closer, press harder. He felt her heart beat speed up and the sound of viscous liquid that flowed through her veins made her scent surround him completely dominating his thoughts and motions.

He felt her suckling his tongue and realized she too wanted more, his hands found her cheeks and used them to press her hips forward hard into his, making certain she was well aware of his throbbing need for her. Dominic pulled his lips away from hers to whisper in her ear, "Perhaps…"

"Ahem," coughed the dark, towering figure coming around the corner. They immediately sensed he could only be one species as their noses wrinkled in distaste.

They straightened up at his approach, but Dominic kept Katya held close against himself.

"Good evening, folks."

"Hello, Sam."

"Sorry to interrupt, but we keep a 24 hour surveillance around the entire perimeter of the villa for security purposes," Sam tried to keep a reasonable distance from the couple. "Just making sure everything is peaceful."

Katya moved to turn toward him within Dom's embrace, "Of course, Sam. Despite appearances," she felt Dominic chuckle against her back, so she swiftly sent him a nudge with her elbow from which she received an imperceptible 'Ooof' from him, "we're actually looking for a plant, perhaps you can help us?"

"Plant?"

Dom reached into his pocket and produced the rendering for his inspection, while she continued, "Yes, my aunt is a rather talented and knowledgeable potion master and she's asked us to find a local ingredient for her. Have you seen anything that looks like this on or near the grounds?"

Sam reached out to take a look at the paper, "Potion Master? You don't say?" he mumbled thoughtfully as he looked down at the rendering they'd handed him, "I've actually been experimenting with some old shaman recipes myself lately. I think I know where to find this, do you want me to get some for your Aunt?"

Katya smiled, "No, but that's great! She wanted us to take her to the plant, not the other way around so, we need to go get her."

Huilen appeared at her side suddenly, "No need." She turned to Sam, "You know where to find this? Yes?" She said to Sam in her slightly accented English.

He responded to Huilen affirmatively with an almost imperceptible nod.

"Take me, yes?" They smiled at Dom and Katya as they took their leave back from the direction in which Sam had first appeared.

"Wow, that was easy." Dom said.

"Where were we?" Katya grinned as she turned back to him and seductively found his eyes with hers once more…

Emmet grabbed Rosalie and swung her around himself in a circle so hard, her legs fanned out away from them as they giggled together with joy. "She's alive!" Emmet stopped twirling to hug Rose into himself tighter and swayed themselves back and forth for a few moments while Sienna, Kachiri and Zafrina looked on with shared approval.

"Thank the Gods!"

"Amen to that!" He agreed.

Rosalies' eyes closed as she attempted to gather some composure, while held tightly against Emmet's massive chest that she noticed was stuttering slightly with emotion as he breathed. She held the cell phone back up to her lips,

"Thank you for calling, Carlisle. Tell us how you found out?"

They all heard him clear his throat, "It seems Tanya has a new… friend just recently released from the Volturi Guard who witnessed her transfer planes in New York before the explosion. They called from Denali with Marcus and Alistair. They've confirmed that it's a completely reliable sighting."

"We still have a chance to rescue her, Zafrina! Please come to Italy with us?" Emmet pleaded as Carlisle listened.

"For my little friend, Renesmee? There is no question, of course I will go," she turned to her sisters with the question still on her lips they nodded in agreement. "We will all go."

"Excellent!" Carlisle said, "We heartily appreciate the support of the Amazons, Zafrina! We will see you soon at the Villa!" he confirmed. Carlisle hung up, leaving the travel details in Rosalie's capable hands.

"I knew the Amazons would come," Esme sighed, wrapping her arms around Carlisle. He kissed the top of her head and nodded in agreement.

"Yes, it seems our little darling has miraculously endeared herself to even some of the most distant and stalwart immortals in our world, I wonder..."

Esme huffed as she pulled slightly away from his chest, "She's not a specimen, Carlisle! She's your grand daughter and I'll thank you to remember that!"

"Of course, my dear! I would never…"

She tucked herself back tightly into his arms as she chuckled lightly, "I know, just reminding you… We'll get her back." She said resolutely.

"You bet!" he agreed as they swayed in each other's arms, "Although Jasper was clearly elated to hear the news, I could have sworn there was just the slightest hint of regret in his tone when he realized they wouldn't be razing Volterra to the ground," Carlisle hesitated, "At least, not at the moment."

Esme sighed, "Jake will find her, I know he will."

"No better tracker in the world… speaking of. I wonder where Demitri has gotten off to? It wouldn't hurt to talk with Alistair either," He already had his cell phone out.

"Hello Carlisle."

"Marcus," Carlisle cleared his throat, "is Al there?"

"I'm here, what is it now?" Alistair groused.

Carlisle knew Alistair well enough to realize his mood and thought getting right to the point would serve them better, "I'm wondering if you could help me find Demitri? I'm sure you realize now that we're aware Renesmee is alive, we must locate her before we take any further action."

Marcus cleared his throat, "If the object is to find Renesmee, I think it would more expedient to assume Aro is holding her at his villa, as he did with his previous guinea pig."

It was Alistairs' turn to clear his throat, "Marcus is right, Carlisle. Demetri was the first to disappear after Chelsea, he's no doubt in deep cover by now with Renata, and while I suppose I could find him eventually, it would be a waste of precious time. As long as Aro is unaware how immediately he's being challenged, there's little doubt he'll use the same facilities he developed under the care of his previous specimen."

Esme felt Carlisle's chest rumble, "She's my grand daughter."

"Sorry," Marcus said in a somewhat abashed tone.

Alistair chuckled nervously, "Of course."

"What's our best approach?" Carlisle asked.

"The tunnels," both brothers chimed in unison.

"The world has changed and our supernatural existence will never be the same, but that's not necessarily a bad thing," Edward agreed with Vladimir as they all stood around the fireplace in their favorite den. "Still, I hope you will consider that a dictatorship, no matter how benevolent the original intent, will no longer be a successful governmental structure, given the nature of immortals today. They've had enough of the oppression that comes with that ancient feudal system." Edward loosed Bella from his hold and turned to Stefan, who was puffing on a cigar. "I must agree here with Lord Acton, Absolute power corrupts absolutely."

"What is your intent then, American Democracy?" Stefan sniffed in support of his father's objections.

"Something like that." Edward said.

"We can hash out the details once we've taken Caius and Aro out," Bella said gently, moving towards Chelsea who readily pulled her into her arms. Carlisle's call had been met with jubilation and the women were happy to share their relief.

Vladimir watched Chelsea cuddle Bella in her arms as a mother would her daughter and smiled. It was time to remember his vow to listen to her words of wisdom, she returned his gaze over Bella's shoulder with an upturned eyebrow clearly challenging him to remember his promise.

"She's right," Chelsea chimed, smiling her approval back at her mate, "first things first my loves. It's past time to rid ourselves of those Italian pigs," she squeezed Bella lightly, and pulled back to smile directly into her eyes, "What say you and I get out of this smelly, smoky room and make some travel arrangements?" With that, the women glided out of the room and closed the door behind them, giving them the illusion of privacy.

"There you have it, gentlemen," Vladimir grinned, "Our guiding star has spoken, we're in." he looked over at his son who was shifting nervously. "Stefan, my son… we would be foolish to go against your mother's wishes. Especially now that she wears the stone, trust her she knows what's best."

Merek raised his eyebrow at Stefan who answered, "As I told you, the stones are embued with an old magic that infuses the wearer with its power. As long as mother wears the stone, her decisions are graced with wisdom that transcends all knowledge. We would be foolish to ignore that gift," he said turning back to his father, "again."
Vladimir sighed, "Trust me, I won't be making that mistake ever again… no matter how silly her advice may seem, in the long run… she's always right."

Edward smiled, "Of course she is, but then again…so is every wife!"

AN: Please take a moment to use the "Review This Chapter" button below!
Thank you for reading