Then chaos broke loose

I sensed the unease between us all as the Volturi broke out of their consultation. Aro had a composed expression, but it was regretful and grave. I felt my stomach churn. What decision had they come to? Was their going to be a fight? I pressed and moulded my shield even tighter around my family and friends. I couldn't leave one hole in my shield or Jane could incapacitate all my loved ones. I smiled as the shield easily fit tighter against the ones around me. Then Edward grabbed my wrist.

I turned sharply to see his expression of horror, misery and fury all car crash into one.

"Bella…" He whispered.

It was pained and I could see the agony slowly form on his face. My hopes dropped. He'd read Aro's mind and the decision had been made. My eyes pricked and I caught a look off Jacob who was backing away slowly. Renesmee looked down at me and I tried to smile, tried to reassure her everything would be okay in that one look. But I couldn't form the smile right. It felt crooked and out of place. I could feel it linger on my face and eventually crumple into a distraught frown. Renesmee clutched the fur around the ruff of Jacob's neck and I saw her eyes water daintily.

"Mom…what's happening?" She whispered.

Jacob nuzzled her foot and backed up again. I threw her a farewell glance before I could not bear to see her sadness anymore. It was worse than any physical torture. I would endure any physical pain possible to replace that frown with a smile. A grin of happy, shining white teeth from my little Renesmee. Sadly I probably wouldn't see her smile again.

Edward squeezed my hand as Aro opened his mouth to speak.

"Unfortunately, to my great displeasure and regret, I ensure you, we must go fourth with the execution of the girl. She is a vulnerability and proves no asset to offer her a pardon with us" He spoke formally.

I growled under my breath, viciously. How could he say that! She was worth fifty lots of them, maybe a hundred!

"Anyone wishing to depart in peace do so now" Caius said sharply.

Obviously they had to honour some form of mercy. Everyone stayed still and I felt overwhelming gratitude. So many people would die for my daughter. I would never be able to thank them enough.

Edward leaned in to whisper.

"It's beginning."

Then the Volturi guard slipped into a crouch, in turn, and a bloodthirsty snarl erupted from every Vampire in the field.

I love you all. I thought.

Then, the first attack was sprung.

The field was a war zone. Vampires roared and snarled, growled and hollered at each other defensively and metal tearing was echoing across the snowy surroundings. I was frozen in spot, intent on disabling all the offensive powers of the Volturi guard and preventing Renata from using her shield. I smiled to myself as the pressure of Jane's ability stabbed violently at the elastic sheet of my mental shield. She was getting through. But other than feeling smug as the Volturi fought to use their gifts, I felt terrified. I attempted to keep tabs on everyone at the same time. I mainly watched Edward. He was in front of my, smacking away potential attackers, keeping them as far away from me as possible. I wanted him to sae himself, run, hide whatever, let me fight for myself so if he got hurt it wouldn't be because he was protecting me for the millionth time. An arm flew past my head, it's fingers twitching. It was the arm of a female. It landed in the snow, camouflage. I heard a triumphant snarl of joy and I turned to see Kate knock Jane to the floor as soon as Jane's finger brushed her exposed arm. I sniggered.

Suddenly, I sensed a presence to my right and saw Caius staring me down with intent, ferocious eyes. He lunged for me and, using my extra strength, I swung a fist into his gut, sending him flying into Tanya who caught him in a head lock. My shield hadn't wavered. I was good at this.

Maybe everything would work out fine for us? Maybe we could, impossible as it may have seemed, beat the Volturi and reunite with Renesmee and Jacob?

Sam leapt over me and nailed Alec, tearing off his left wrist. My eyes flitted around as I tried to watch everyone. Carlisle managed to dodge a swipe from Marcus and Esme did an incredibly beautiful leap over Jane who was still trying to attack Kate, failing every time she made contact. Emmett grabbed Felix and tore a chunk off his right shoulder before Felix could attack his legs. Jasper tore past me and easily grasped Demetri. Wait! Jasper? That's when I saw Alice flit past Alec and flip over Aro who threw a punch at Edward. I snarled but inside I was glowing. Alice and Jasper came back. Just in time to die. Because that was when a head rolled towards my foot. The head of Carlisle.