Bella's POV-
"I want to talk to the informant," Caius announced abruptly, and turned his glare on
Irina.
Irina wasn't paying attention to Caius and Aro's conversation; her face was twisted in
agony, her eyes locked on her sisters, lined up to die. It was clear on her face that she
knew now her accusation had been totally false.
"Irina," Caius barked, unhappy to have to address her.
She looked up, startled and instantly afraid.
Caius snapped his fingers.
Hesitantly, she moved from the fringes of the Volturi formation to stand in front of
Caius again.
"So you appear to have been quite mistaken in your allegations," Caius began.
Tanya and Kate leaned forward anxiously.
"I'm sorry," Irina whispered. "I should have made sure of what I was seeing. But I had
no idea. . . ." She gestured helplessly in our direction.
"Dear Caius, could you expect her to have guessed in an instant something so strange
and impossible?" Aro asked. "Any of us would have made the same assumption."
Caius flicked his fingers at Aro to silence him.
"We all know you made a mistake," he said brusquely. "I meant to speak of your
motivations."
Irina waited nervously for him to continue, and then repeated, "My motivations?"
"Yes, for coming to spy on them in the first place."
Irina flinched at the word spy.
"You were unhappy with the Cullens, were you not?"
She turned her miserable eyes to Carlisle's face. "I was," she admitted.
"Because...?" Caius prompted.
"Because the werewolves killed my friend," she whispered. "And the Cullens wouldn't
stand aside to let me avenge him."
"The shape-shifters," Aro corrected quietly.
"So the Cullens sided with the shape-shifters against our own kind-against the friend
of a friend, even," Caius summarized.
I heard Edward make a disgusted sound under his breath. Caius was ticking down his
list, looking for an accusation that would stick.
Irina's shoulders stiffened. "That's how I saw it."
Caius waited again and then prompted, "If you'd like to make a formal complaint
against the shape-shifters-and the Cullens for supporting their actions-now would be
the time." He smiled a tiny cruel smile, waiting for Irina to give him his next excuse.
Maybe Caius didn't understand real families-relationships based on love rather than
just the love of power. Maybe he overestimated the potency of vengeance.
Irina's jaw jerked up, her shoulders squared.
"No, I have no complaint against the wolves, or the Cullens. You came here today to
destroy an immortal child. No immortal child exists. This was my mistake, and I take
full responsibility for it. But the Cullens are innocent, and you have no reason to still be
here. I'm so sorry," she said to us, and then she turned her face toward the Volturi
witnesses. "There was no crime. There's no valid reason for you to continue here.
Caius raised his hand as she spoke, and in it was a strange metal object, carved and
ornate.
This was a signal. The response was so fast that we all stared in stunned disbelief while
it happened. Before there was time to react, it was over.
Three of the Volturi soldiers leaped forward, and Irina was completely obscured by their
gray cloaks. In the same instant, a horrible metallic screeching ripped through the
clearing. Caius slithered into the center of the gray melee, and the shocking squealing
sound exploded into a startling upward shower of sparks and tongues of flame. The
soldiers leaped back from the sudden inferno, immediately retaking their places in the
guard's perfectly straight line.
Caius stood alone beside the blazing remains of Irina, the metalobject in his hand still
throwing a thick jet of flame into the pyre.
With a small clicking sound, the fire shooting from Caius's hand disappeared. A gasp
rippled through the mass of witnesses behind the Volturi.
We were too aghast to make any noise at all. It was one thing to know that death was
coming with fierce, unstoppable speed; it was another thing to watch it happen.
Caius smiled coldly. "Now she has taken full responsibility for her actions."
His eyes flashed to our front line, touching swiftly on Tanya's and Kate's frozen forms.
In that second I understood that Caius had never underestimated the ties of a true family.
This was the ploy. He had not wanted Irina's complaint; he had wanted her defiance. His
excuse to destroy her, to ignite the violence that filled the air like a thick, combustible
mist. He had thrown a match.
The strained peace of this summit already teetered more precariously than an elephant
on a tightrope. Once the fight began, there would be no way to stop it. It would only
escalate until one side was entirely extinct. Our side. Caius knew this.
So did Edward.
"Stop them!" Edward cried out, jumping to grab Tanya's arm as she lurched forward
toward the smiling Caius with a maddened cry of pure rage. She couldn't shake Edward
off before Carlisle had his arms locked around her waist.
"It's too late to help her," he reasoned urgently as she struggled. "Don't give him what
he wants!"
Kate was harder to contain. Shrieking wordlessly like Tanya, she broke into the first
stride of the attack that would end with everyone's death. Rosalie was closest to her, but
before Rose could clinch her in a headlock, Kate shocked her so violently that Rose
crumpled to the ground. Emmett caught Kate's arm and threw her down, then staggered
back, his knees giving out. Kate rolled to her feet, and it looked like no one could stop
her.
Garrett flung himself at her, knocking her to the ground again. He bound his arms
around hers, locking his hands around his own wrists. I saw his body spasm as she
shocked him. His eyes rolled back in his head, but his hold did not break.
"Tanya, Kate. Stop. " Said an all too familiar voice
Silence was all that was heard.
One.
Two.
Three.
Three seconds was all that took to throw the snow covered field into complete pandemonium.
"Irina!" Shrieked Kate and Tanya together. Carmen and Eleazer were quickly by her side and pulling her within my shield and I quickly covered it around her. She was pulled deep into the throng of vampires and after Garrett and Edward let them go, she was tackled into a very hug (which sounded three stone bricks colliding each other) by Tanya and Kate.
The Volturi underwent a silent uproar but looked slightly shaken. The wives moved in closer to support the higher trio. Aro looked incredulous. Marcus looked bored as always. But it was Caius expression that said it all. Saying he was furious was an understatement. His eyes were bulging out, his teeth grinding causing the whole field to be filled with soft but sharp sounds of metal shrieking.
"She escapes judgement." Caius began "Aro, she dares…"
"She dares to what… Caius?" said a deep voice said from my left. He had a slight British accent.
Second time today within two minutes I heard complete silence on the field. We all turned to face a tall, thin shrouded figure covered completely in black. He was wearing a long black cloak complete with a hoodie which he used to cover his head, wearing black gloves, a grey woolen scarf, dark jeans and black boots. He was walking towards us but still facing Caius as he continued speaking.
"So eager Caius… to take an innocent life…again. I thought you would learn after the first time you crossed me, not that I have forgiven you for it."
He stopped a few feet in front of me. "Isabella," he whispered looking straight at me.
Edward moved in front of me looking confused slightly. "You are human," Edward said. "I can smell your blood"
That's when I noticed it too. Being so focused about the new piece that appeared on the chessboard, I didn't hear the distinct flow of blood through his veins.
The man gave out a light chuckle. "Yes" He said. "But I am also something more….aren't I Aro, Marcus….Caius?"
Caius let out a small gasp and he started trembling. And for the first time I saw Caius Volturi trembling in fear. Aro looked apprehensive. Marcus…he still had the bored expression but something was different. He looked pleasantly surprised (slightly).
Sensing danger the Volturi tried to step forward. They took two steps forward before they froze.
Literally, they froze.
I turned to tell Edward about it but found that I couldn't speak. And I couldn't move any part of my body besides my head.
"Not so fast Caius," The man continued. "For two years I have been searching for you. You will FIND the patience to wait for a few moments before I pass my JUDGEMENT on you. Wait while I talk to this enchanting young lady over here."He gestured towards Renesemee.
And he walked towards her. I tried to move in front of her but I was stuck and it seemed so were the others. In fact the only people moving were the strange man and Renesemee who was looking curiously at the man. I heard Jacob growling down the back of his throat. The man stopped and turned towards him.
"Peace, noble creature" He said. "I merely wish to talk to her for a few minutes. She will not be harmed sir, I assure you." The growling didn't stop but its intensity reduced. He beckoned Renesmee towards him and she walked towards him standing in front of Edward. He knelt before her beside my husband and removed his hoodie and scarf.
Jet black hair was the thing that I saw first which was unkempt and very long but it suited the face of the young man who had it. He had a strong jawline and a war-ridden face. But his eyes which were like small emerald orbs was his most captivating feature. It showed many emotions varying from sad to happiness, anger to relief. He looked no older than nineteen. I heard a soft gasp from one of the wolves behind me but the man payed no attention.
"Hello" he said with a small smile." What is your name, child?"
"Renesemee Cullen" my daughter replied back without hesitation "And what is yours?"
He looked pleasantly surprised. "How very rude of me." He replied "My name is Harry Potter."
At this revelation Caius, Aro and all of Volturi except for Marcus suck in a breath, but again he didn't pay attention to it.
"So Renesemee…quite a mouthful" He chuckled. "But it's a very beautiful name for a very beautiful young lady."
Renesemee smiled at this and held up her hand to press it against her cheek.
"Oh" Harry said slightly surprised but gave in to her vision. After a few minutes his eyes came back into focus this time focusing on me. He then smiled. "Your mother loves you very much" He said.
Renesemee smiled again.
"You have your grandfather's eyes but your dark reddish hair you get from your grandmother. And so does your curiosity" He said with a smile.
I started growling. This man had been near Renee and Charlie. Dread started filling me up so quickly that-
"Don't lose your concentration, Isabella" He said sharply. "You do not want your family subjected to any mental attacks from them" He gestured the Volturi with his head. "And do not fear for your parents, I have done nothing to them, you can call them up and check up on them if you would like after we are done here."
It didn't appease me much but something about him made me want to trust him so I nodded and continued concentrating on the shield. He then turned back to Nessie.
"Now Renesemee; do not worry. You family will be quite safe here with me. Now tell me, which of the shape-shifters here is Jacob" he asked?
She pointed out Jacob who was out of my line of vision. He lifted his hand and suddenly I heard a yelp, a whine and a smothered shout and saw Jacob in his human form levitating through the air. We all saw in amazement as he was set down by this man.
"I am now going to release you of your body's restrictions. I won't let you speak though." He said to Jacob. He then turned to Renesemee. "I know that you just met me lovely Renesemee. But do me a favor. Go with Jacob. Stay at his place for a while. There are going to be some things going to happen here which is not for your lovely eyes to bear witness to."
Renesemee looked like she wanted to protest but Harry gave her a look that said "NO ARGUMENTS"
He then nodded at Jacob, lifted Nessie up gave her a hug and whispered in her ear. "Do not fret, child. I gave you my word for your family's safety. Now go with him."
She pouted a bit but still went to Jacob when Harry gave her to him. "Once you're out of hearing range from this place, you will get your voice back" Harry said to Jacob.
Jacob looked at Harry with such a fierce expression that I was surprised that he didn't flinch. He then gestured us as if to say "What about them?"
"Like I said to Renesemee here, you do not have to worry. Nobody is going to be harmed on the field… at least the people on your side anyways" He said with a small smirk.
Jacob looked from Renesemee to Harry frowning slightly. He then nodded at Harry which he returned and left with Renesemee.
After the sound made by Jacob's feet disappeared. He then turned to the Volturi.
"Now" He began his arms spreading wide open and grinning widely. "Where were we Caius?"
He began walking towards them. As soon as he reached just outside my shield he faltered for a bit but then he grinned.
"Lovely Jane and your twin Alec" He said turning towards them. Jane and Alec looked incredulous. It looked like her powers were not working against him. He was also some kind of shield I figured.
Suddenly Jane fell to the floor screaming clutching her head and started shivering all over.
"How does it feel Jane to feel the pain you forced on others?" Harry whispered. "And that is barely a-tenth of your power and look at you crying like the bitch you are. Lack of pain has caused your mind and body to have a very low tolerance to pain Jane."
"Now listen hear Jane, if I find you are using your powers on any more innocents, I'll find you and I'll kill you…slowly."
Jane then stopped screaming but was still lying on the ground shivering.
"Alec, the same goes for you too" He said turning to Alec who was looking at his sister wide-eyed.
He then faced Caius. "I am going to give you five seconds. You can do whatever you want besides harm the people behind me. You can plead guilty to your offence against me or not guilty. You could run." He withdrew a knife from his pocket and held it to his left hand. As he did it I noticed faint scars on the back of his right hand which looked like words. "You can drink my blood. But know this Caius Volturi-YOU WILL DIE TODAY."
"Your time begins…now"
"Lord Potter please I beg of you…"Caius began
"One."
"Please my lord I didn't know she was your lover…"
"Two."
Caius disappeared.
"Three" Harry snorted "They always run in the end"
"Four"
"Five"
Harry disappeared with a pop only to appear back instantly at the same place with Caius.
"Please" screamed Caius. "I'll give you anything. Money- "
"I don't want your money you can keep it. Besides I got way too much money already"
"If you don't release me, I'll- "
"You'll what Caius? Resorting to empty threats are we now? As you can see you are completely on your own here. Nobody besides your mate Athenodora, who I shall also kill, will stand up for you even if I release them.
"Please" implored Caius. "I beg of you-"
"Beg?" Harry started as he levitated another Volturi member and made her stand next to Caius.
"Do you remember how you caused Ginny Weasley to beg for her life? She pleaded with you at least to end the pain but you played around with her. Molested her. She screamed and begged the two of you to stop but you didn't listen. Me being me will not do the same thing to Athenodora here" He gestured at the Volturi guard next to Caius "But you WILL watch her DIE before your eyes after I tortured you both in front of each other. You both shall no pain like none you have ever felt and like how you broke my Ginny I will break you" he said softly.
Caius and his mate dropped to the ground like a sack of potatoes and started screaming and shivering-even harder than Jane had. Harry had a feral smile on his face which gave me no doubt that he was using a lot more power into the pain than he did to Jane. As I saw this I was glad about one thing, I was happy that Harry sent Nessie away with Jacob. I didn't want her to see this.
He then suddenly turned and barked. "Kreacher."
A small creature which had a thin frame covered by a black wooly sweater and tea cosy with a crest on them both appeared out of thin air. The creature wasn't human. It was kneeling on its knees in front of the boy and asked "Yes master?"
"Take these two the special chambers I made for them. Put them in separate containers. Put the temperature at seventy five degrees Celsius. I'll come back and join you later"
The creature 'Kreacher' nodded and said "Yes master", went to the two still screaming and shivering vampires, took hold of them and disappeared.
"Now." Harry said putting back his small smile on his face, "Back to business."
He snapped his fingers and we were all freed.
First fanfiction ever published. Be straight with me.