Chapter 1

"Happy birthday Renesmee!" we all sing in synchronization as my daughter blows out her candles. Edward and I have adjusted quite nicely to being parents but I can't believe that it was already a year ago that I became a mother and a vampire all in one day.

Everyone was here to celebrate anniversary of Renesmee's first birthday (though she already looked like a six year old) Charlie, Billy, Sue, Seth, and even Leah. Though my father Charlie wasn't in on the family secret he didn't seem to notice when half the people in the room excused themselves from a piece of cake, including the birthday girl who'd much rather enjoy a good mountain lion (just like her father). We all made our way to the living room where Charlie and Billy turned on the game, as usual, while the rest of chatted about how much Renesmee has grown. The evening progressed and eventually there were only the members of the household, and Jacob, left.

Edward went to put the sleeping Renesmee in her bed while the rest of us began to clean up. In the middle of our fuss to get the house back together, there was a knock at the door. Carlisle went open it and before I got a chance to see whom it was a low hiss came from one or two people in the room. When the visitor came into view I was not so surprised that one of the hissing vampires was me. The guest wore a long black cloak with the hood covering his face, but I recognized the smell… Felix, of the Volturi.

"Greetings Cullens, I come in peace." He glanced around the room as if making a head check, "Carlisle, where is your other son? I have a message to deliver and I need the whole family to hear it."

At that very second Edward flew through the door and took his place next to me. "I am here, what is the message?" Felix took a step forward and began to explain.

"The Volturi and all of Volterra are in danger, and Aro, Marcus, and Caius request your coven's help to set things straight."

"What is the danger?" Rosalie asked in a tone that was not so friendly. Although Aro and Carlisle were good friends, lately the Volturi have been a problem for our family, especially Renesmee and I.

"The Romanian coven is trying to over throw my masters and reclaim their spot as rulers of our world. They have collected a few special vampires themselves and started to build an army of their own. We need your help to fight back." I looked up at Edward and then over to Carlisle who looked as shocked as I felt. The Volturi, who had people like Jane and Alec on their guard, needing our help to win a war? Something was wrong in this picture, we all knew it, but what?

Carlisle looked around the room, with a sigh he spoke, "We will discuss it."

"Of course, I will be back tomorrow to receive your answer. Farewell Cullens" and then Felix was gone. Edward reached to unravel my arms from around his waist; I didn't realize I was clinging to him so tightly. He gave me a reassuring crooked smile, my favorite, and went to join Carlisle.

"Alright a fight! It's been quiet for way to long! When do we leave?!" I didn't have to look to know it was Emmet, he was always eager for a good brawl. I rolled my eyes and followed Edward to his new position at Carlisle right hand.

"Emmet, we can't just leave, it could be a plot to take us down. Besides, help the Volturi, after all the danger they've put us through in the past two years?" Jasper made a point.

"Well maybe they really need our help. When the Romanians were here they did seem pretty eager to replace the Volturi." Of course Carlisle would like to believe that they were telling the truth, he and Aro go way back, but it still seemed unlikely to me that they would really ask US to help THEM. "Alice, do you see any reason why we shouldn't go?"

Alice's face went blank for a second as she looked through the future for an answer to Carlisle's question. She came back to reality and flashed her pearly whites, "All clear."

"Well, then I don't see any reason why we shouldn't help them" Carlisle said uneasily. I flinched, and clung onto Edward's waist again. He looked down at me and smile, but the smile didn't reach his eyes.

"YES! We're going to Italy!" Of course that was Emmet again.