Hello! This is the re-write to With Love Comes Sacrifice and I must admit, I prefer this one ten-fold to what I preferred the original. There have been a few plot changes but minus that, it's all pretty much the same. I hope you like the re-write as much as you all liked the original!
Chapter One
(RPOV)
I was sitting in the kitchen watching Esme cook that and me something to eat before school. It smelt absolutely amazing, but everybody in the household knew I preferred blood. It wasn't my fault it tasted better. Nana Esme placed down our breakfast which was fried eggs with omelettes and some sort of French baguette thing, and left the room to give us a little privacy to eat. She'd probably be in the sitting room with everyone else, listening in on this dreadful conversation that I wanted to avoid more than anything right now. I scoffed down my breakfast, burning my throat in the process, and avoided eye contact for at least five seconds.
We finally made eye contact as I finished the last of my omelette and started on my baguette, which I was trying desperately not to choke on. I failed miserably when our eyes met. The mouthful of baguette ended up back on my plate, causing me to put down the last half of it in disgust. Once I was finished near choking to death I glanced back over at Jacob and burst into a half awkward half hysterical laughter. Jacob joined me in the awkward kind of things, but not the hysterical. I was freaking out at the feel of choking which I tended to do often when I was rushing, considering I apparently took after my mother in the uncoordinated side of things. After the laughter subsided we sat there awkwardly in silence for a few minutes before I finally broke it with my ingenious way with words.
"So.." Like I said, ingenious. Jacob nodded his head slowly and made a funny popping sound with his lips. Oh for Pete's sake, do I have to do everything? "Seriously? You're just going to sit in my house and nod like a bloody dog? You are absolutely useless." I threw my arms up in the air in irritation before standing out of my chair and barging past Jacob quickly. Well, I tried to, except his hand flashed out and grabbed at my arm. I flinched away from him, not wanting him to get too close to me. "Don't touch me." I took a side step further away from him before continuing my path towards the sitting room where, unfortunately, my bag was waiting for me.
"Ness, wait. We need to talk. We can't keep avoiding this forever." I sighed and turned slowly to face him. It was time to face the music.
"I know that, Jacob, but avoiding it seems to be the easiest way to go by it." Jacob nodded his head and opened his mouth to speak, but I wasn't finished. "Look, I'm not happy with the way you treated me last Friday. I get it was Seth's birthday, but the way you acted was bang out of order and was completely unnecessary. I was completely embarrassed around my friends from school, and I felt violated after what you tried to do. I'm not going to try and hide it from my family either, so I suppose eventually you'll have to hear around ten separate lectures, except you brought that one on yourself. I just, right now, I don't want anything to do with you, and I'd really love it if you just avoided the house until I'm ready to speak to you again, because this, just being alone with you, makes me feel vulnerable and unsafe, and I won't apologize for being honest." I let out a deep breath as I got everything I needed to say out.
I had to keep it PG-13 because I was at home, but if I were in the forest or elsewhere, where my family were nowhere to be seen, the string of profanities coming out of my mouth would be unbelievable considering I was only fifteen years of age, and yet I was a fully grown half-breed, but my family still treated me like a kid. I suppose technically I am, but I was fully matured at eight years old. It's completely unfair how they molly-coddle me. It angers me a lot, and recently I've been tempted to run away just to have a sense of freedom, although I could never see myself actually doing that. I mean, I'm Renesmee Carlie, not some human kid that's a little peeved at their parents.
I looked at Jacob to see he had said something. "I'm sorry, what?"
Jacob began to smile, but the look on my face stopped him. "I said, I am really sorry for everything that happened Ness. I took things the wrong way, but I won't be staying away. I need to keep you safe, you know that. We never know when the red eyes might return." I ignored his joke and just rolled my eyes with a whatever before walking out of the room. I froze at the sight before my eyes though.
In the sitting room were four guests I hadn't ever expected to see ever again. I didn't particularly want to see them either. I glanced towards Uncle Emmett who was glaring over at the tallest man on the couch. I could see a few similarities between them, not many, but still there were some. Like their height for instance. Emmett had a lot more muscle than this guy though. My gaze shifted from Em to Dad who looked even more solemn than usual. This was not good news. I recognized three of the four figures on the couch, but I couldn't remember exactly when or where I had seen them last. I hated my half-breed memory, it was ten times better than a humans yet not as strong as a vampires, considering they actually can't forget a thing.
I glanced cautiously towards my mother whose gaze was switching between everyone in the room, including the four on the sofa. Before I got the chance to look towards Nana Esme, Mom's gaze snapped to the young female on the sofa, a glare in her eye.
"Keep your talent at bay, Jane, you are in my home, and my entire family is protected. Do not try to harm any of them again." Mom's voice was colder than I had ever heard it. My eyes wide, I began making my way slowly across the room towards the door where my bag was sitting, waiting to be picked up by me.
The Jane girl's next words stopped me mid stride though. "Isabella, what a displeasure to have to witness your sickening love for a lost cause again. We are here to check up on the half-breed as Aro has insisted, much to my displeasure. We also have an offer for your abomination of a daughter." I turned slowly on the spot, the sudden anger inside of me not only surprising me but Jasper too as he was by my side in an instant.
"Renesmee, stay calm. Your father and I have this under control. There is no reason to get upset." I felt a wave of calm wash over my exterior, slowly soaking into my skin, soothing me and making me feel as if there wasn't an obnoxious wench in the room. I nodded my head in silence and watched the scene play out before me.
"Her name is Renesmee, Jane. You may speak with her once you learn to call her by her name. I can also say your distaste is what's to be expected from a heartless woman such as yourself." Mom turned to face me a small smile appearing on her lips. "Renesmee, sweetheart, we'll be out in a minute, why don't you go wait in the car and your father and I will be out there before you know it." I frowned and crossed my arms. I had also picked up my mother's stubbornness as I grew.
"Mom? I am not allowed to hear a conversation in which I am the main subject? Isn't it only fair that I get to have a say? This Jane girl does want to speak to me after all." I heard my dad's chuckle as he walked over to mom.
"She reminds me a lot of you when you were a human, Bella. Plus, you and I both know that she has a valid point. Jane only wants to speak with her. The quicker she does this, the quicker our lives will return back to normal. They wouldn't try anything while they're so outrageously outnumbered anyway." Dad sounded cocky by the end of it, that million dollar grin spreading across his face. Apparently that was the smile that won my mothers heart. I didn't believe that for a second.
I knew love existed, I mean this whole house was proof enough. I'd never seen so much love in one family, and I'd seen many over the years. Mom sighed and looked towards me, then Jane, and then finally my father. They seemed to be having a silent discussion. Maybe it was an argument. Who knows? I glanced over at Jane, trying to suss where I recognized her from. She was staring right back at me. "Who else is with you?" I asked absentmindedly, not realizing I'd been staring at all four of them until the tall intimidating one chuckled quietly. He stepped forward and was the one to speak.
"My name is Felix, Renesmee, the boy to my right is Alec, then you already know Jane, and next to her is a new member to the guard. His name is Thomas, or Tom for short." I smiled lightly at the man and then froze and tensed up on the spot. On the guard?! That was where I recognized most of them. They were part of the red eyes Jacob and I had been speaking of in the kitchen just over ten minutes ago. Wow. We'd been here a long time, even for vampires.
I glanced up at the clock above the pretty mantelpiece and realized if I didn't leave now then I would never make it on time for the first bell. I didn't want to risk getting a detention on the first day back after spring break. Not that it was very sunny. Ottawa was never really sunny. It was in Canada though.
Today was rather dense. There was no snow or rain which was a good thing, but there was plenty of clouds and mist, meaning it would most likely rain at some point during the day. "I have to go. I can't be late on the first day of semester. The principal would go crazy." I heard Emmett's chuckle before I saw him reappear from wherever he had disappeared to.
"Come on then squirt, we'll get you to school." Emmett slung his arm over my shoulder and began steering me in the direction of the door that led to the hall, which also led to the pantry where I kept my coat and shoes. Unfortunately, my school was one that insisted on school uniform, so I couldn't dress eccentrically to school like I was able to in Forks.
We'd moved up from Forks almost four years ago, and it seemed we weren't going back for a while, because nowadays the generation my mother was born in were estimated to live until they're near enough one hundred or more. I don't know how long we planned on staying here, but I liked it. We lived in a peaceful area like Forks, but here, we all lived under the same roof, and only Jacob's pack had followed us up which meant less wolves and a little more freedom, but not a lot.
"Does the half-breed drive her own vehicle?" I glanced over towards the boy next to Jane because he was the one who had spoken. I froze on the spot at the sudden beauty before me. He was beautiful. Brown hair that reached his eyes, his lean body which you knew just had a beautiful permanent six pack underneath, his eyes were even an odd color of burgundy. They were beautiful, and they were staring right at me.
I blushed slightly at being caught ogling this most handsome boy. He looked my age, too. Hm. Snap out of it Renesmee Carlie, he's part of the Volturi which clearly states unavailable.
I knew my inner voice was right, but I couldn't help wondering what it would be like to feel those perfect lips against mine, or what it would feel like to have my hands in his hair or trailing down his body. I bit my lip in an effort to hold back the sigh of contentment and realized everybody was waiting on me to answer. I blinked, instantly feeling guilty for having thoughts quite like those when I was already with another male. Blinking again, I forced myself out of his intoxicating gaze, which had my mind running in directions it had purposely avoided over the years. "Oh, um, yes, said half-breed does have her own car. Is that important?" I finally answered and looked to dad who had a look of concern on his face, but that quickly morphed into anger as he looked over at the four Volturi members.
"Definitely not. I will not have the four of you alone in a small vehicle with my daughter." Jane turned to smile cruelly at my dad.
'Edward, are you such a fool to believe all four of us would accompany the abomination to her school? My brother and I shall go. Felix and Thomas will await at the school for our arrival. Let us go." My dad growled, clearly preparing to argue back. That was until Alice stepped in.
"Edward, let her go. She's fifteen, she'll manage one car trip with two bastardo's. We brought her up to be a Cullen. Remember that." Dad sighed and nodded his head in defeat as we left the Cullen Manor and made our way to the cars parked out front.
I would have to thank Nana and Pops' for setting out all the cars while I ate this morning. Well, I'm assuming it was while I had been eating because that was the only time I had been without them. That and when I got ready in my bedroom. I walked over to the Audi R8 Styler which belonged to me. It was a silvery grey color and uber fast.
It had taken me a whole year to talk my mother and father into letting me get the car. Eventually they had caved in and said yes, next thing I knew, my brand new car was all I could think about. It was beautifully driven, too. I heard a low whistle of appreciation behind me as I stepped inside the vehicle. I smiled and rolled my eyes at whichever guard recognized the sheer beauty of the car. Jane and Alec stepped inside the car, both in the back where I could see both of them in the mirror above and to the right of my head. Starting up the car, I waited until the electronic gates down by the bottom of the drive opened, and left the safety of my home. I knew the others were probably in Dad and Rosalie's cars, but that didn't mean I felt any safer being in the middle of them both.
"What is it you have to say to me?" I asked coolly. I didn't want them to see they made me feel on edge. I didn't like Jane and Alec. They frightened me. I ignored the uneasy feeling in my stomach and grabbed the steering wheel only slightly tighter.
"Yes half-breed. As you are well aware, Aro has sent us to check up on the strange creature brought into this world. He wanted to make sure you weren't causing havoc for the poor people of Ottawa. Aro was curious to know whether you have reached full maturity also. I have a few things I must ask, and then I shall offer you a one time offer because Aro has requested so and feels, depending on how you answer my questionnaire, that you will take us up on said offer." I nodded my head silently and took the sheet of paper from her which turned out to be double sided. "It is but eleven questions. It will not take long. We will be waiting by your car after school. I expect it to be filled out by then." I kept silent, not wanting to anger the troublesome girl in the back of my car.
Jane was dangerous and one of Aro's favorites. I remembered that from the lessons Jasper had given me on the Volturi, just in case they ever returned. I sighed as we neared the school which really was only a ten minute drive from home. Jane, Alec and I stepped out of the car once I parked in my usual spot. I didn't fail to notice the sunglasses both guard members wore, along with their capes. I didn't comment on how they looked as if they belonged in the nineteenth century.
"You don't speak much, do you?" The Alec boy asked me while glancing over at me behind his shades.
I shook my head.
"I learnt a few years ago it's best to keep quiet. There is no point speaking your mind when your family are consistent on molly-coddling you the rest of your everlasting life." I sighed irritatedly then brushed the look of irritation off of my face and switched it to happiness and giddiness after I spotted my friends. "I'll fill out your form by the end of the school day. I'll see you then. Goodbye Jane, Alec."
I turned and walked away towards my friends, not glancing back at the guard members I knew would cause problems if I didn't hear them out or fill out the dang form. I let out a deep breath as I reached my friends and one-more-than-friend. When our eyes met we smiled widely, and he held his arms out, waiting for me to leap into them, and that was exactly what I did, laughing as he caught me.
"Morning beautiful. Missed me that much huh?" The grin on his face was unbelievably cocky. I simply laughed as he put me back on the ground and pulled me in for a proper hug.
"Like hell," I murmured into his shirt for a minute before looking up at him. He was smiling down at me. My arms traveled up from his waist to the bottom of his neck, where I played with the small hairs there, making it obvious I was going to force him down here if he didn't oblige. He chuckled before leaning down and connecting his lips with mine.
I don't know how he didn't panic at my insane body temperature or how my heart beat faster than anyone else's. He told me I was special, made only for him and my friends, and that I was one of a kind. That much was true. I was one of a kind. I was the only half-breed on the planet that had both of her biological parents who were also frozen in time to live forever.
"Guys, I get you haven't been together in yonks, but seriously, keep it PG-13, there are single ladies around." I pulled away, bursting out laughing and turned around in Connor's arms. He held me in a cradle, his hands resting on my stomach.
"I'm not one of them," I said loudly and confidently. The group laughed at me until Clara said the one thing I'd hoped she wouldn't.
"Have you told him yet, or have I just made it impossible not to tell him?" I glared over at her as Connor's body tensed up on the spot.
"Tell me what?" he asked cautiously. I didn't want him to know about the fiasco on Seth's birthday last Friday.
"Nothing," I muttered at the same time as Clara had said something that could ruin my relationship with Connor completely.
"Carlie cheated." I tensed up and continued to glare over at her. I used my middle name in school because the first one was just such a hassle to say, and I'd forever be correcting students and teachers. Everybody knew it wasn't my first name, but they never were smart enough to work out what that one was.
"I did not!" I spoke with anger in my voice, which was a rare thing to hear coming out of me. It was also rare to see. The guard members were going to have a field day watching me lose control of my anger.
I felt Connor's hands slowly pull away from my stomach and he unwrapped himself from me. I turned to face him, and the look on his face made me feel terrible for not telling him, but I didn't want him to be running over to Jacob's and getting beat up. It was completely rational. Werewolf versus my human boyfriend. We all knew where that one would end.
"You cheated?" My anger washed out of me as I heard the anguish in his voice. I shook my head desperately as a look of pity and worry crossed over my features.
"No. Connor I would never do that." His broken looked switched suddenly to anger, and I could see the storm brewing in his eyes. Oh gosh. Not in front of everyone, Connor. Please. It seems the boy was incapable of hearing my silent pleas.
"Then why the hell would Clara say so?!" I sighed and took a step away from him as he advanced on me. As much as I knew I could take him down in a second, this was school, and at school I was human. Or so it was perceived.
"Clara says so because there was a misunderstanding between Jacob and I on Friday night when we all went out for Seth's birthday. He thought for some bizarre reason that I was interested in him. He made a move on me. More than one, yet I pushed him away and told him this morning I wanted nothing more to do with him. Can we not just leave it at that?" I glanced at Clara warningly, but it seemed she was oblivious to my warning glances as she spoke up anyway.
"You kissed him back Carlie." My gaze shifted away from Connor towards Clara, and then over at the two Volturi guards who were watching the little show intensely. It looked like the way of humans had intrigued them, although Jane's lips were curled as if she were disgusted. I glanced back up at Connor and then around at Hannah.
"Shut up, Clara. It took Carl a second to realize that Jacob wasn't in fact Connor, but Jacob. You would kiss someone back in the three seconds it took for you to recognize who it was. She didn't cheat. Jacob went home with a sore crotch that night. You were freaking there! Jeez, we should have known you'd tell Connor. Its no secret that you have the hots for him. Even though him and Carl have been dating for like six months but whatever." I smiled appreciatively over at Hannah before glancing back at Connor who was looking down at me, hurt evident on his face.
"You kissed him back?" I looked away guiltily and nodded my head slowly, ignoring his angering tone. I bit my lip, still refusing to look at him.
"I-I thought he was you coming home early to surprise us, and then I realized within the first few seconds it wasn't and pushed him off of me." Connor's hand was suddenly at my chin, forcing me to look up at him. His eyes were dangerously dark.
"I don't care. You kissed him back." His hand tightened around my chin as he pulled me closer with his other hand, wrapping it around my waist.
"Unknowing who said person was," I spoke quietly, watching his every move. I was so wrapped up in Connor and his feelings that I didn't see the two Volturi guards making their way towards my group of friends and I.
Connor bent down and leant in, pausing when he was close to my ear. When I could feel his breath on my ear, I began to freak out. Normal arguing couples don't do this. I didn't react, I kept perfectly still and calm although I was screaming and running in the opposite direction inside.
"I think you kissed him on purpose. You wanted me jealous. You wanted me to know more than I already do that you have boys lusting after you in every direction." I forced myself not to flinch at his words. He was taunting me. Trying to get me to react, not that it would work. I didn't crack easily.
"No Connor. I told the truth when I told you what had happened. I didn't want you to find out, but Clara put me in a sort of predicament." I glared over at Clara before glancing back at Connor who had released my face, thankfully, but as the relief washed over my face something out of the corner of my eye caught my attention.
My head snapped around to see clearly what was happening. Connor's hand was in mid air, another holding it in place. I was shocked when I realized what was happening. Connor had been about to slap me, or that's what it looked like. Alec had stopped him, holding his arm firmly in place.
"Let her go." Alec's voice was dark and menacing and slightly alluring. I was surprised at the turn of events my morning had taken to say the least. I had a Volturi guard member sticking up for me. That was pretty weird, but to make it worse, Connor had gone to hit me. I knew he had a violent past, yet he had promised me he would never hurt me, emotionally or physically.
I sighed in disappointment. Connor's arm twitched around my waist. Connor ignored Alec much to his dismay and turned to face me.
"Is this another one of the boys you've accidentally kissed, huh?" I looked up at him in shock, my jaw dropping. I stood silently for a minute, trying to wriggle out of Connor's hold but it wasn't easy and I was trying to bring coherent thought back to me.
"Connor, this man isn't even considered a friend. He's here on a visit with his companions." I finally managed to get out of Connor's surprisingly strong grasp and took a few steps back. Hannah and the others were nowhere to be found. Even Clara was gone. I looked around the lot to see everyone had disappeared inside.
"He looks more like a boy to me." I smiled lightly at Connor, realizing that Mom and Dad would never let me continue dating him after they heard about this, and no doubt one of them saw it.
"Only in appearance," Alec said quietly, which I could tell completely confused Connor and gave me a chance to whisper my thanks at Alec who just nodded once in my direction.
I noticed Alec still had Connor's arm in his hand. I glanced around, looking for Jane. She was stood a few steps away with a small amused smile on her face. Her smile turned cruel after Connor hooked Alec in the face, and it took me around three seconds to realize they had been arguing quietly while my attention was elsewhere. I let out a little squeal, but before anything else could happen Connor was on the ground writhing and whimpering in pain. My head whipped around to look at Jane. She was advancing with her cruel smile still planted on her face.
"Brother, are you well?" she spoke quietly. Alec chuckled at his sister as I watched in astonishment at Connor's side, trying to soothe him slightly. Before Alec could reply I looked up at Jane.
"Stop hurting him! He's only human!" Jane broke eye contact with Connor and looked towards me. In a way she was a much crueler version of myself. I had a heart and not a frozen ice-land in the shape of a heart. I guess that came out more literal than I expected. "Connor? Are you okay?" He nodded his head slowly as he sat back up. "Where is everyone?" I asked quietly and glanced up at Jane as I helped Connor to stand. As much as I was angry at him, I wouldn't stand back and try to hurt him intentionally.
"We had Felix send them inside. I believe the bell for the start of class is due to go in near ten minutes. We have a little time." I nodded my head silently and let go of Connor the second he was no longer wobbling on his feet. I glanced towards Alec.
"Thank you Alec. Again. Are you okay?" Alec chuckled quietly and nodded before glancing over at his sister.
"I am fine ha- Renesmee." I nodded my head in return before glancing at Connor who was staring between Alec and I, the anger back in his eyes.
"You don't call yourself friends, but you know each others names? And what did he call you? Ren-ez-mee? What is that? Is that your real name? You told him your real name and not me?" I shook my head, knowing what was coming next. "Are you sleeping with him, too? So not only did you make-out with Jake, you have a third guy on the scene whose been close enough to you to know your first name?" I sighed and shook my head.
Mother had warned me of the dangers of getting romantically involved with a human. She had told me I'd end up getting called horrible names because of how judgmental said humans were. I was half human, but it seemed I had missed out on receiving the judgmental gene. "You're a slut, Carlie. Born and true. Just another slut like the rest of them out there."
Again I found myself staring at him with my jaw open, waiting for flies to fly in. "I am no slut, Connor. Alec knows the family. We had a run-in a few years ago. It was before I went by my middle name, but if that is truly how you feel, maybe we would be better giving it a break. I told you things might get too much, and I'd want to break it off. I'm feeling like that right now." I shrugged my shoulders, ignoring the amused guards beside me.
"You're breaking up with me?" I bit my lip and nodded slowly. "Fine. I don't really want to be dating a freak of nature anyway." I didn't react to his words, even though they hurt, I just wrapped my arms around my body in a self hug, nodded and walked away.
"Goodbye Connor. Alec, Jane, I suppose I'll see you after school." I could hear they're light, following footsteps fade as they came to a stand still.
"Be careful half-breed," Alec called out as I continued walking to class.
"Aro wishes for you not to be harmed." I nodded my head not listening to Jane either. Right now, I would have preferred to simply go home and spend the rest of the day in bed, except I couldn't. I had class to attend, and I had to be strong because that's the way I was brought up. Never allow your enemies to see your weakness.
Father? Connor and I had a slight misunderstanding, can I sit with the family at lunch, please? I hoped dad was listening in on my thoughts at this very moment as I walked towards English Lit for first hour. I shared the class with my best friend, Chloe, who had a tendency for being late. I walked to class quickly after I realized I didn't have long to get my things together and get to class on time.
I pulled my English folder out of my locker before speed walking to class. I sat down in my chair just as the first bell rang, signalling the start of first hour. Mr Collins stepped inside the class moments later and started the class on the topic of this semester's work. We were reading a list of the classic novels, such as Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, and Romeo and Juliet,which was a play, but still on the set list. At the end of the semester we were to produce an essay on each book we'd read along with a five minute solo talk in front of the class. It wasn't that bad, considering I had read all of these novels several times before. I blamed my mother. We were both suckers for the classics.
Chloe crashed through the door fifteen minutes into the lesson, her ginger hair tied back into a really complicated looking ponytail so it was out of her way. Chloe knew my big secret, along with my first name. Chloe knew I wasn't human and she also knew of vampires, because her brother Jack had been murdered by one when he was living in Seattle almost sixteen years ago. "Sorry sir," Chloe muttered as she made her way over to our desk. I contained my laughter when she almost fell flat on her face half way down the aisle. Chloe looked at me and gave me a don't even dare look. I smiled over at her innocently as she regained her step and took her seat next to me.
"Where did you get off to this morning? You were supposed to meet me by the stairs at eight fifteen." Chloe laughed silently and passed me a piece of paper. I looked at it curiously, wondering what the heck could be on it.
I glanced at the teacher before opening up the note. She must have written it before she even got to class, considering it had been only a minute or so since I spoke. She wouldn't have been able to write a note that quick unless she was a vampire. Which she was not.
I could hear her frantic heartbeat from here. I looked down at the note and read over it quickly.
I know you'll ask, so I've written this before I came to class which took up five minutes which means I'll now be fifteen minutes late you ass! Anyway, Mom's had a major breakthrough in her testing and shit. I know you don't like cussing, but your skinny ass is just gonna have to put up with it. Anyway, as I was saying she made a major breakthrough and had me up till three am helping her. I slept in uber late so I caught the confrontation with you, the freaks, and Connor. From the very start. You should have used your vamp powers to kick his ass and show him who's boss. Wow this is turning into a bible. Ha lol. Anyways, I need to stay at yours tonight to escape from my mom's madness. Please. With fangs on top?
I rolled my eyes after reading the note a second time. Her mom was a scientist and had major breakthroughs a lot around this time of year. Chloe's mother claimed it was the weather and the happiness of the animals that made things easier to discover. I didn't care about the human sciences. They intrigued me and fascinated me, but with the speed they were developing, vampires wouldn't be a secret for much longer and that terrified every vampire on the planet. We needed to stay secret or it would be the burning all over again. It would be much harder to catch us of course, that did not make it impossible though.
"Chloe, you know how much I would want to have you stay the night, but I can't. I literally can't. There are four members of the Volturi in Forks right now, and one human could cause an instant war. I don't doubt for one second that Aro would take whatever chance he could get to hurt and destroy my family. Perhaps tomorrow. I'm sure they'll be gone by then." Chloe's face paled more than I would have thought possible for a human. In fact, she was pale enough to look like a vampire, and I would have thought she was if not for the healthy beating of her heart.
"I understand," she whispered before turning to face the front of the class, the color still missing from her face. I sighed and looked out of the window, only to look away again seconds later.
The four Volturi guards were standing, huddled together, hidden from human eyes, watching this classroom. Aro must have given them awfully strict orders if they are to watch me the entire time they are here. I waited a while before glancing to the front of the class where Connor was sitting. He was looking at me with anger evident in his eyes. I turned to Chloe quickly.
"Since you already know everything going on between Connor and I, you'll know that he now knows my real name and that I really don't trust him not to tell anybody." Chloe nodded silently and I was glad to see that in the last twenty five minutes the color had returned to her cheeks.
I followed Chloe's glare, already knowing where it would land. She was glaring directly at Connor who was now glancing between the both of us. I rolled my eyes before turning away to look out of the window at my four protectors for the day. They were easier to look at than my now ex-boyfriend. My mother was right; humans were nothing but a nuisance when it comes to relationships and love. You get the odd one, such as Chloe, or for mom, Angela who she still kept contact with, even after all of these years of not seeing each other, that were decent people. Mother always told me Angela was the nicest girl you would ever meet. I can argue that point with Chloe. As long as she doesn't get hacked off by you hurting her loved ones then she is fine.
Chloe had a major problem with my family and I when we first moved up here as we were vampires, and a vicious vampire had killed her brother. Eventually, after six months of convincing and proving our point, Chloe realized that we were in fact not evil but kind and 'vegetarians.' Not that any of us would ever let her see that. I worried for her as the Volturi would kill her if they ever heard that we had let yet another human know our darkest secret. Even though it was not actually us to destroy Chloe's life, missing her other half. She told me how her and her brother had been so close you would have thought they were twins, if not for the five year age gap.
I sighed and looked away from the vicious vampires outside and focused back on the classroom where I could now see Connor and Chloe were arguing quietly. Could they not have waited to have this conversation elsewhere? Perhaps in a cupboard at lunch hour or on the way to the parking lot at the end of the day? I shook my head as the bell rang, signalling the end of first hour. Chloe and I have government next. I basically had to drag Chloe out of the room and down the corridor, away from Connor, who had Spanish this hour. "Did I do the right thing in ending things with him do you think?" I asked Chloe quietly as we took our seats in government.
Chloe shrugged and nodded her head at the same time. "Yes. I think it was the right thing to do. He always treated you like bull-poopie whenever other people were around, I don't know what he was like when you guys were alone but he was uber controlling like all the time. It's about time you got rid of him. I've never liked him, being honest." I sighed inwardly and looked away from Chloe and around the classroom.
I had never noticed how bland this room was. It was a cream color like every other classroom in the government department, except most of the other rooms have posters or drawings and sculptures to make the room a little more comforting to be in whereas this one had nothing to spice it up. The only thing that was an add on in this room was the little teddy bear on the teachers desk, and that wasn't very big. The size of the palm of my hand if we were pushing it maybe.
"I never really noticed it, but I believe you." I couldn't bring myself to have more to say; my mind was preoccupied with thoughts of travelling the world one day and having a sense of true freedom. Government always brought the more courageous side out of me, considering with government other countries that would be amazing to visit and discover were involved. All by myself, without a family member shadowing me and protecting me in places I didn't need protecting.
I had a feeling I was about to get the opportunity to do so, although I never knew how it would be possible if it did not include running away, which I could never bring myself to do. It would break each and every dead heart in my family and I couldn't do that to them. They would think I did not like them anymore. I did. I loved them. I just wanted a chance of freedom from the confines of home.
Mr. Marson walked into the class then, several sheets of paper in his hand. The whole class, including myself groaned and moaned when he told us we were taking a surprise quiz. I took a look down as I remembered the personal quiz Jane and Alec had told me to take and fill out. I suppose I could do that while everybody else worked on the class quiz. It would only take me a few moments to figure out all of the answers to the questions on the class quiz. My whole family knew many different continents and had traveled there themselves. It made me insanely jealous to think they had all been to exotic places at one point or the other. Even my mother, who had gone to Isle Esme for her honeymoon with father. Isle Esme, the land in which I was conceived is how they always described it. I chuckled to myself as I pulled out the personal quiz and placed it on my desk, removing the Gov quiz.
I had a feeling the questions Aro had come up with would be fairly easy to answer. Glancing out the window across the room I saw something I hadn't expected to see this early in the year. A robin was perched on the window ledge and was peering in. Directly at me. How odd. I smiled at the bird and looked down at the questionnaire which was waiting for me to get started. The robin had made me feel a lot better considering they were my favorite birds, and reminded me that one day, everything will be the way you want it to be. Patience is the key. Zafrina's sister, Senna, had a fascination with birds, and so taught me all about them on her visits. I loved the Amazon sisters, they had so much knowledge about the world and had that ragged traveler look I longed for. The three sisters had been all over the world, many times, gathering new knowledge every time they went. I aspired to be like them. Shaking my head, I pulled myself out of my reverie and focused on the words on the page.
There was a small note at the top in delicate, ancient handwriting.
Hello Renesmee,
You should be receiving this form. as of, well, around about now. I have asked Jane to read this out to you, but I highly doubt she will give it a second glance. I do apologize if they are rude, we do not wish for an imbalance throughout our covens. We wish for peace and perhaps even friendship. This small questionnaire is only to update me on your progress, and if I am correct you should be mid-way through your fifteenth year. Please feel free to write back.
Aro.
I wasn't going to write back. I didn't want to. Nor did I want friendship with a coven that wanted to kill my family and I. I wouldn't be at all surprised if they still do. If I just quickly filled this out and got it over with so I never had to set sights on any Volturi member again, it would make my miserable day that little bit brighter. I continued down onto the first question.
We know your name is Renesmee but we were wondering if you had picked up any nicknames over the years? The answer was simple for that one. The nicknames I preferred and then the one I hated, given to me by Jacob himself. I wrote down the few I had quickly, leaving out 'Nessie.'
Nessa, Ness, Carlie, Carl, Rez.
I moved quickly onto the next question.
You're sixteen this year, what do you expect to be doing on your birthday?
I sighed and was about to put down what I longed to be doing by the time I finally turned sixteen. It was only May. I glanced at Chloe who was scanning down my list.
"Who the heck wrote that?" she asked incredulously. I glanced outside before looking back at her.
"The head of the Volturi. His name is Aro, and he's ruthless. Aro will destroy a coven and any of those who combine with it to take the talented ones of said coven. He tried to take away the talented ones in my family. In the end, we gathered up thirty witnesses to prove I wasn't a threat and Aro was scared off. All of the talent that was there that night would be unbelievable if I told you. I'll tell you the story some other time, okay?" Chloe nodded excitedly, not trying to mask any of her excitement which had me biting back a laugh of amusement. I looked back down at the paper and wrote in my second answer of the eleven questions. After that, I sped through the questions.
I hope to be travelling the world by the time I am sixteen, although that is very unlikely, it is what I would like to do.
Has your talent developed?
Yes. I can place my thoughts into others minds without touch. Also, I can still tell a story with the touch of skin on skin as you very well know. I also have an affinity with animals, either that or they all seem to have taken a liking to me. I can also make people think things they wouldn't normally think, although I have to stay on topic with their thoughts, which I can get a glimpse of through skin on skin.
Have you ever tasted human blood?
Not fresh, no. Pops' always keeps human blood in his refrigerator in his Medical Room in case of an emergency for me or them.
Would you ever harm a human?
I am part human. I couldn't do that to another living, breathing creature. I find hunting animals hard because I care for life in every form it is given.
How many times a week do you feed?
I normally hunt once or twice a week. If we have a human visitor, my family hunt more and I tend to go with them. Especially when they head up the mountains, it's beautiful up there.
Who do you fear the most?
Hm.. that is a tricky question but honestly, it would be Zafrina if we were not friends. She is terrifying when she gets mad.
Which coven member do you argue with the most?
I don't really argue with the family, but when I do it's Alice. We argue over clothes a lot.
Would you ever leave your coven to join another coven?
Is that a trick question? No.
What is your favorite meal?
Chicken Pie or Snow Leopards.
Finally, would you ever consider becoming allies with the Volturi?
No. It is not for me to make the decision. Pops', Nana, Father and Mother are the decision makers for this family.
I glanced up at the clock and was surprised to see the entire questionnaire had only taken me fifteen minutes to write up and answer. It asked me to sign at the bottom just to be sure it had really been Renesmee Carlie answering the questions and not somebody posing as me. I decided to show Chloe, asking whether I answered all of them appropriately. She said I answered them fine, but if it were her she would not have filled in the 'damn thing' at all. I did not want to risk a quarrel with the Volturi guard. It was too risky when there were so few of us. We did still outnumber them, but not by many. I would not be allowed to fight for a start.
I wasn't sure if the wolves would still fight considering Jacob and I were at an impasse. I sighed and put the filled out questionnaire in my bag before making a start on the class quiz. I finished not too long before the bell, signalling for us to make our way to third hour. For me that was Drama. Chloe had art. She was quite the artist. In fact, Pops' had once commented on how she would make quite the artistic vampire. I blushed and had mother tell him to be quiet before he went out giving Chloe the wrong idea. Vampirism was not the best life to choose. I had heard the lecture many times from my father and Aunt Rosalie.
Classes went by rather quickly after that. I ignored Connor at lunch and in Chemistry and Gym, which I shared with him. Chloe and I had a lot of fun in Italian, which right now, I felt was an unlucky coincidence to be taking the same language as the 'red-eyes' as Jacob had put them. I didn't doubt for a second that they spoke Italian. I was just glad if I ever heard them, perhaps I would be able to understand exactly what it was they were saying. I certainly hoped they wouldn't stick around long enough for me to hear them speaking Italian. I knew they would stay as long as Aro had requested them to, and I knew I could do nothing to change that. It was disappointing there was nothing any of us could do to send them off back to Italy.
Not one of us wanted any of those Volturi within two hundred feet of us, I could assure you that. At the end of chemistry, I left the room rather quickly, not wanting to have yet another run in with Connor. I had collided with him on the way to class. Doing the same again on the way out would be embarrassing ten fold what it was the first time. I speed-walked as fast as I could at a human pace to my locker where I would place my Chem folder and grab my bag where I had left it after lunch as I had gym sixth hour. I made a quick retreat to my car after gathering up my things. I had completely forgotten two of the most terrifying vampires known to our race would be waiting to take my questionnaire off of me and then offer me something that, being completely honest, I didn't want to know.
I almost bumped into them when I reached my car. It was slightly embarrassing as I squealed in shock when I missed Alec by an inch. I fell into the bonnet of my car, which was surprisingly warm considering it was a rather cloudy day today. I made a quick recovery to search my bag for the questionnaire. I found it after a while, slightly crumpled, but it was there. I felt a pair of eyes on my back as I handed over the sheet of paper. "I filled out everything. I also signed it at the bottom. Tell Aro I feel I do not need watched over or checked up on by his pets, it would be much appreciated. It was a surprising visit. Thank you for saving me from my awful ex-boyfriend. Goodbye." I started to make my way around the car except a hand flashed out and caught my arm, holding me in place. I glanced up at the male twin in surprise.
"Half-breed, wait. My sister and I have a proposal to make." I glanced down at my arm, directly where his hand was, telling him with my talent I wanted him to let go of me.
When my eyes made contact with his, he looked surprised and even slightly disgusted. It was then I decided I would use my talent simply because I was curious, not for a good cause, although in a way it was. It shed some light on my curiosity and exactly what these twins thought of me. At least one of them.
Why do I torture myself? This abomination has intrigued me. It is not because she should not exist, but because her speech is much more old fashioned than the speech of those in this century. Her answers on her quiz are curious, yet I cannot bring myself to not feel disgusted by touching this creature. I could have called out to her. Would she have stopped? Probably not. This is not right. A creature like this, like her, should not exist. It should have been killed fifteen years ago when we came to destroy her and her precious little coven. Aro is now terrified of being overthrown. Perhaps I will commit mutiny and kill the half-breed myself.
Let me go Alec. I wish not to be touched. Take your hand off of me.
Did she just speak to my mind? How is that humanly possible?
My talent. I can speak to your mind and hear your train of thought, also communicate with you as long as you and I have skin on skin contact. Now let me go.
Now that is intriguing.
The connection cut off at that point as Alec had let go of my arm. I was thankful because I did not want to hear anymore. The Volturi wanted to kill me. I knew this, but the reminder shocked me a lot. I kept silent as I waited for Jane to read over my questionnaire. She shrugged and folded it in half, placing it under her cloak. It was peculiar. Her cloak had pockets. I would never have guessed had I not seen her remove her hand a second later, the sheet of paper gone.
"It seems your talent has grown and expanded. Aro will be happy to hear so. Now, our proposal, offered by Aro and the rest of the Volturi coven, do not interrupt. After reading your answers, I am not sure whether or not a creature quite as vile as you will accept or not, but you say you wish to travel. All of us are offering for you to come stay with us in our home for a few months to see what it is like to live without parents and to live the lives of the keepers of the law. It is a difficult job. We are willing to have you and one human friend come and stay for a period of time. You will get to join us on missions as we deal with the law breakers and mischief makers throughout the world. You will travel. Will you take us up on our offer or return home for the rest of your existence? We promise you that you will and can return to Ottawa whenever you feel like you have seen enough or are ready to leave." It was silent as I stood there, my mouth wide open in shock.
I had the chance to travel, but I could not leave my family and go to the one coven where they would least want me. Mother and father would never allow it. Aunt Alice and uncle Jasper would never allow it. Aunt Rosalie and uncle Emmett would never allow it. Nana Esme and Poppa Carlisle would never allow it. Heck even the wolves would never allow it. I would never have the chance to travel, even if it were to Italy. I bit my lip, contemplating on what I would say. Would I say yes and not even ask permission? I couldn't. That would count as running away.
My frown deepened as I looked between the two Volturi guards. I glanced around the parking lot to see we were mostly alone. Apart from Connor, who was watching this conversation like a hawk, and a few random teachers and students. All of them were too far away to hear what was being said. I looked back over towards the twins, ignoring the look of impatience on Jane's face. I wished like heck I could go with them, but it would be a miracle to get permission to go. I sighed deeply before finally answering their offer.
"As much as I would love to travel and see how you're coven works I have to decline your offer. I cannot and will not go stay with a coven that came to destroy my family and their friends when I was a mere child. I also could not risk Chloe's life, taking her to a place full of vampires. She is human with blood pumping in her veins. My mother and father are more likely to give me permission to get on an aircraft to the moon than to go to Volterra. I apologize for your wasted visit." I felt that was a good enough excuse to decline their offer and not begin an argument in the middle of the school parking lot. It was near empty minus the few still lingering, such as Connor.
Jane shrugged and raised her hand, making a gesture for someone to come forward. Felix and Thomas suddenly and unexpectedly appeared beside Jane and Alec. "Oh," I breathed in surprise. I could hear the shocked gasp from where I was stood, and knew Connor was still watching us and had just seen the two men appear out of thin air. "Hello Felix, Thomas." Both men nodded at me silently and looked over at Jane.
"She declined, just like I told master she would. Let us go home, I am tired of this. Aro will be displeased. Ciao half-breed, may we never meet again. Next time, I might just kill you." Her monotonous laughter made my skin crawl. It was horrible as her eyes sparkled in excitement.
I stood still as stone as the four Volturi guards took off at vampire speed, leaving a comfortable wind behind them. I let the cool breeze pull away my anger at the dangerous vampire. I turned with a sigh and finally stepped inside my car, ready to go home and complain on the phone to Chloe for most of the night. The regret I felt inside of me as I made my way home was not pleasurable at all.
I had thrown away my only chance at having a true feel of freedom and maybe I'd even find who and what I was while I was out there. I knew I was half human, half vampire but I did not know much of my kind. Mother and father had insisted I stop my friendship with Nahuel when he admitted to my mother that he liked me more than he should. I was unique, and according to him the way I thought, my personality, and the way my mind worked bemused him and made him want to have more than friendship with me. It was around then my mother banned him from seeing or speaking to me again. I was only seven but had the mind and body of an adolescent.
We had only spoken once since then and that was on my eighth birthday where he came to apologise and give me a gift. I never got to find out what that gift was. Again, mother went crazy and told him if he wanted to carry on existing not to come here again. I was outraged my mother had acted so cruelly. I think that was the last time we had argued properly. A full week the argument lasted. Neither of us were willing to admit we were wrong, but in the end she had and I gained an apology and permission to speak with Nahuel. He never answered when I called him, and by the time I was ten I had stopped trying to contact him and given up.
I growled quietly when I realized I had let my mind wander onto a completely off-topic topic. It irritated me as I pulled into the driveway where everybody else's cars were parked having beat me home. As I took a look around my home I decided in that instant, I would not live to regret my decision. I was going to change it. I would go to Italy and I sure as heck would get permission for it. I wouldn't stop until I had my bags packed and I was on a flight to Rome.
Ready or not, fierce Renesmee Carlie was going to make her first appearance after a long time of hiding in the shadows.
