NOTHING GOOD EVER LASTS FOREVER
In the early days of war, certain events are always inevitable. And today, one of those events was set in motion.
It started simply enough. My little Ali woke to a beautiful new day and was whisked away for another new outfit laid out by Alice. Then she left to hunt with Rosalie after I had finished braiding her long thick hair.
Carlisle had left for work. Everyone was supposed to be on break from school. Life seemed to be continuing as normal as possible, something the Cullen's were able to make effortless. Emmett and I were playing chess in the living room and Alice suddenly floated in.
"I just had a vision." She said seriously.
Instantly I turned my attention to her, ignoring the game.
"The Volturi are paying us a little visit." She said.
The game was officially over. I leapt to my feet and ran for the phone.
"Call Carlisle," I said over my shoulder, "Get everyone else here!"
"Helena, don't panic!" Alice called after me.
"We're prepared for this, Helena," Jasper said, suddenly appearing in front of me, stopping me in my tracks.
"They're recruiting," Alice added, coming up behind me, "we're not the first ones they've gone to. But thanks to Bella, they can't force us into anything."
"I know this," I said softly, "But we still need everyone here if we want them to continue thinking of you as equals. And I need my daughter back home."
I pushed past them both and headed to the window, scanning the forest as far as I could see as I dialed Rosalie's number. Then Alice let out a little gasp that chilled my heart.
"What is it?" Jasper asked.
"They've disappeared," she breathed.
At that moment, Rosalie raced in.
"Helena I can't find Ali!" she cried desperately.
"What do you mean you can't find her?" I shouted, striding towards her, "How could you lose her?"
"She got away from me, and then I couldn't find her anywhere!"
"Why didn't you stay out there and look for her?" I shrieked, beginning to lunge.
Edward and Emmett grabbed hold of my arms, keeping me back.
"Helena there's no time," Emmett said calmingly, "We need you here."
"They won't harm her," Edward murmured.
"Helena,"
Carlisle strode through and cupped my face in his hands, forcing my attention onto him.
"We need you. And Ali needs you. Focus on that," he murmured.
"They're here," Alice and Edward murmured together, simultaneously turning to face the back window. Everyone followed, moving outside to greet them.
"Welcome, Aro, Marcus and Caius," Carlisle greeted warmly, "Welcome to our home."
The three figures moved from their cover beneath the trees and walked towards us, closely followed by their grey cloaked entourage of warriors. I stood close behind Emmett, unwilling to make eye contact with any of them.
Then Aro spoke.
"Carlisle, my dear friend!" he said charmingly as he walked forward and grasped Carlisle's hand.
I glanced over at Bella; there was no sign in her expression as to whether we were being shielded now; but I could sense that we were not. It made sense; we had nothing to hide.
Aro blinked and let out a surprised laugh.
"Helena!" he exclaimed moving down our line to stand before me. To everyone's surprise and shock, he wrapped his arms around me in an embrace. Several new members of the Guard hissed in outrage as their beloved master lavished affection upon another. I caught Jane's eye; she was as obsessed as ever.
Emmett had moved away from me, as had the rest of the Cullens. And I didn't blame them at all.
I sighed. It was the one piece of my past I had hoped never to share with anyone. I had never felt more exposed.
"Hello Aro," I said softly, "It has been a long time."
"Oh my dear," he said sweetly, pulling back, "Far too long indeed! Truly, Volterra has not been the same without your glowing presence."
"I should imagine not," I murmured.
He sighed with satisfaction.
"Far too long," he repeated, as though he meant every word. I held in another sigh as Marcus spoke up, turning to the Cullens as though he was merely trying to keep them informed.
"There was once a time when Helena was the most... talented member of the guard."
I withheld my scowl... Marcus had never liked me.
"I had my reasons for leaving the way I did," I said calmly, my voice colder, and more calculated then the Cullens thought me capable of. Aro let out a laugh.
"How did you manage to be in the company of my fine friend, Carlisle and his coven?" he asked curiously.
"Like-minded people tend to stick together," I answered cryptically.
"Aro," Carlisle said quickly, "Would you be kind enough to tell us the reason for this visit?"
He tore his gaze from my face long enough to answer him.
"I see no reason to;" he said sweetly, "charming young Alice here has undoubtedly divined our purpose."
"Our world faces a new threat," Caius said darkly, "There are vampires seeking to expose us, overthrow all which we have fought to protect. We have to stop this threat in its tracks."
"Though I regret that this visit could not be only for pleasantry's sake, we have come to ask if you would be willing to assist us as witnesses." Aro added.
"You know already where we stand," Carlisle said softly, "You know what my answer must be. I have no wish to endanger my family. I'm afraid we must refuse."
I looked over at the Guards; gauging their reactions to his response. I was not disappointed; they had expected nothing less. This meant that they still had a couple leverage cards up their sleeves which they intended to play.
Aro accepted Carlisle's answer with about as much grace as he was capable of showing. But he was also persistent.
"I am saddened to hear that from you, my friend. I implore you; won't you reconsider? I can assure you, that you and your coven would be entirely safe. I would no sooner risk their lives than I would risk my own loved ones."
Carlisle inclined his head.
"That is not something you can promise, Aro," Edward said suddenly.
Aro glanced at him.
"Certainly not without your assistance," he replied, edging closer to Edward and Bella. Renesmee clung to her mother's hand tightly.
"Without the help of your family, nothing can be certain, Edward," he said softly, "Not to say that I doubt my dear ones;" he gestured grandly behind him, "I know that they will be sure to deliver justice upon those that threaten us. But…with the help of your…family I feel I can guarantee a victory."
Edward stared at him for a long moment.
"I'm afraid we must still decline, Aro,"
"If you are not with us, then you are against us!" Caius declared angrily.
"Control Caius," the old phrase fell out of my mouth unwittingly, almost as a reflex reaction. I looked at him.
"Remember?"
Caius glanced at me, almost brushing my comment aside with his hand. I turned back to Aro.
"What's the angle Aro?"
He laughed.
"You always were able to read me much too well!"
"Your ego is written all over your face sir," I retorted, "It was never difficult."
Aro laughed again, before smiling sweetly at Carlisle.
"It seems I have something that may belong to you."
Aro snapped his fingers twice and the rows of the Guard parted to let one of their own through. It was a very handsome vampire with dark curly hair and deep crimson eyes; his name was Philippe. And being towed alongside him...was little Ali.
Rosalie and Emmett hissed in anger, sinking automatically into their hunting crouches.
The Guard leapt into action moving forward to protect their masters who remained unmoved.
"Give her back," Emmett growled.
"Emmett, Rosalie!" Carlisle said loudly, grabbing their arms.
"Peace, my dear ones," Aro said, raising a hand to restrain his Guards. Marcus retained his bored expression but Caius was looking disappointed; as though his favourite game was interrupted. Jane looked like she tasted bile but she obeyed.
I gazed at my little Ali suddenly unable to move. It was as if some impenetrable force had rooted me to the spot, so much that I barely even noticed Emmett and Rosalie's reactions. A fierce anger welled within me and without any conscious command, my hands curled into fists by my sides.
"Have you been keeping another secret from me?" asked Aro.
"She is not their secret," I murmured, my voice dangerously low.
Aro turned his attention back to me in surprise, making the connection in his head.
"She is yours my dear?" he asked, smilingly, "How? Surely not by blood,"
"I found her alone in the forest hours after her birth. She is mine; more so than the beast who created and then abandoned her." I replied tonelessly.
Aro heard this, nodding to himself. For some reason, Caius looked utterly furious.
Aro then surprised them by turning back, walking over to her and holding out his hand. I longed to place myself between them; keep him away from her but all I could do was watch.
She gazed at it for a long time without moving.
"No, thank you," she said softly, "I will not take your hand. There'd be no point."
Aro frowned a little but nodded as though he expected her answer. I wanted to laugh.
"Ali, have your friends over there told me the truth?" he asked gently, as though he were speaking to a child.
"Yes," she said confidently, "And Lee- Helena did find me in the forests of South America. I remember it."
He nodded again and I could not tell by his expression whether he was disappointed or bored.
"Why are you so possessive?' she suddenly asked.
Aro raised his eyebrows in surprise and smiled.
"What do you mean, young one?" he asked.
"Things don't have any value to you, until you determine a use for them. Then you simply must have them, and must keep them close even against their will. It's...scary," she said honestly.
I could not help staring though I schooled my expression to calmness. My little girl was growing up; she had read his nature and not been drawn by it; did not take it on as her own.
Aro suddenly seemed nervous.
"You may rejoin your family, little Alina," he murmured, abruptly turning away from her.
She watched him rejoin Marcus and Caius and then glanced at the vampire next to her.
"Thank you," she said politely, before pulling her hand out of his grasp and running back to me. I held her in my arms for just a moment, and then pushed her behind me. I felt Rosalie and Emmett shift closer, to be near her.
"Is there anything further you might request of us, Aro?" Edward asked, his eyes calculating.
Aro merely smiled.
"What do you think, Edward?"
"I don't see how the situation necessitates your plan," he said calmly, "but I do see that there may be no other way around it that would suit you."
"Then we are agreed?"He asked.
"Edward?"
Carlisle glanced at his eldest son questioningly.
"Aro wishes to post one of his Guards with us for the duration of their time here," Edward explained, "for our...protection."
Carlisle looked back at Aro.
"Well, that's truly a generous offer," he said graciously, "but completely unnecessary, I assure you. If the need arises, we are able to defend ourselves."
"It is no mere offer my friend," Aro countered, "we do insist upon it. Please Carlisle; won't you let us do this much for you and your family?"
Carlisle glanced over at Edward.
"It seems we must accept." He said finally.
"Marvellous!" Aro exclaimed, clapping his hands for joy.
"Aro, I must ask that whomever you choose, they respect our need for privacy among the neighbouring towns?" Carlisle called insistently.
Aro inclined his head.
"It seems we must now depart," he said sadly, "I am sorry that we could not persuade you to help us in this hour of need."
Before Carlisle could reply, a ferocious growl resounded through the trees and five wolves appeared, walking to stand alongside us from the other side of the house. I recognised Jacob among them; he'd moved to stand near Edward and Bella. Renesmee moved slightly and grabbed a handful of his fur.
The atmosphere among the Guard shifted as they grew increasingly wary about the wolves. Caius glared angrily and I couldn't help smirking; he was always such a coward.
"I wish you well on your way," Carlisle said finally, "be sure to send your Guard along whenever you're ready."
Aro nodded.
"Helena," he called. I looked back at him, expressionless.
"There will always be a place for you here with us, should you ever wish to return." He said sweetly.
I smiled.
"Forgive me for being rude, Aro, but...over my dismembered, burning parts." I replied, just as sweetly.
He held my gaze for a moment longer then turned his back on us.
"Let us go, my dears," he murmured.
The Guard moved forward and the Volturi merged amongst them, almost disappearing into the fog of grey cloaks. In moments, they were all gone.
Emmett let out a huff.
"Well, that was interesting," he muttered sarcastically.
"Helena, could you please explain to us how you were connected with the Volturi?" Carlisle asked.
The Cullens had all gone inside in the aftermath of the encounter. The wolves had left to run a sweep of the surrounding woods, ensuring that the Volturi would keep their word. And now we could think of nothing else to do but wait for Aro's appointed guard and try to decide our next move.
Ali looked up at me from her seat in-between Emmett and Rosalie. Once it was certain that we were safe again, they'd latched themselves onto her and refused to leave her side, even when she assured them that she was perfectly fine. So, I perched myself on a stool behind the couch, right behind Ali's seat.
"Marcus explained it clearly enough," I muttered, "I used to serve among the Guard. Then I left of my own accord."
"And you didn't think it was worth mentioning?" Jasper asked.
"No one asked so I didn't answer," I retorted, "It's not a part of my life I like to remember."
"So you chose to ignore it rather than use it to help us?" he retorted.
"I was helping you and this family Jasper!" I argued, "And before you get all self-righteous over me, don't think I don't know that your own beginning was far from sunshine and daisies!"
"I never kept my past a secret!"
"It wouldn't have changed anything if I had told you!" I persisted.
"Stop it, both of you," Esme said calmingly.
"She has a point, Jasper," Alice said softly, taking his hand, "It wouldn't have changed how the events today played out."
Edward looked as if he was about to say something when suddenly, Ali spoke up.
"It doesn't matter what she says; none of you are going to believe a word of it," she murmured, "You don't trust her anymore; none of you do."
"That's not true, Ali," Carlisle said quickly.
"So I'm wrong then?" she retorted.
No one was able to answer; we were all too stunned. Ali had never gotten truly angry before; I'd always thought she was entirely bereft of a temper. And yet here she was, arms folded and face set in the sternest glare she'd ever given in her short life.
"Leenie has only ever tried to help you guys," she declared, "Ripping her head off over one insignificant secret is not my idea of gratitude. Eleazar used to be with the Volturi, I don't see you jumping down his throat. The important thing is that she left them and she's with us now, right Leenie?"
She turned to me and I nodded.
"Very right, Ali," I murmured, and she smiled at me. Though it did help, some of what she said struck home to me. As much as I hated to admit it, I had grown... attached to the Cullen family and the thought of losing their trust... somehow... hurt. I decided to be more forthcoming than was my custom, and tell them about my past.
"Look, I was 16 when I was turned. Like most of my kind I went nomad, hunting when I needed to. One day I was passing through Europe and stumbled onto the Volturi. Aro welcomed me and gave me a place in the Guard where I was trained as a warrior. And you know it was nice being able to serve a purpose instead of just existing. But any person with half a brain could see the monster Aro truly was. And one vampire against the entire Volturi Guard is suicidal. So I washed my hands of them and left. Fifty years later, Ali found me and the rest is history. So do with it what you will."
Edward stared at me, his eyes wide. It was then I realised I had let down my guard, and he had read my thoughts. Jasper too was staring at me.
"You miss it... you miss... something?"
I stood; my expression was once again cool, and calm.
"I have told you all you need to know. It is your choice what you do with the information."
I left the room, closely followed by Edward.
"You never told him?" he asked me. I glanced down, my mind drifting back, that perfect face reappearing in my mind again, though I had never truly stopped thinking about him.
"It would not have bided well for Aro to find out the feelings were reciprocated," I replied.
Edward would have said more if the distant tone of a wolf's howl didn't grab his attention. It meant that the wolves were bringing in the Guard assigned to us by Aro and to be on-guard. I was ready for today to be over but I followed him back into the living room. The moment I entered, I regretted it instantly.
Four of the wolves including Jacob had retaken their human form in order to escort the vampire inside; if anything they looked like they were leading a man to the chair, ensuring there was no chance for him to escape. I felt his eyes settle on me, though I could not meet his gaze.
"Hello Helena,"
It was Philippe. It had been more than fifty years since we had seen each other last and now twice in the same day. All of this served to impress one fact upon my mind; nothing had changed.
Unable to speak I nodded in reply.
"It appears you know each other?" Carlisle asked, glancing between us.
I expected Edward to say something; he wouldn't have been able to help himself now he was in possession of one of my secrets. But he didn't. Following his gaze I realized that he was staring at Alina, who was in turn, staring fixedly back at the wolves with an expression of complete shock plastered on her face.
Ignoring Carlisle and his obvious confusion, I flitted to Ali's side, grabbing her hands, her face, trying to get her attention.
"Ali, sweetie, what is it?" I asked quickly, "What's wrong? Talk to me."
She ignored me completely, still staring fixedly at the wolves.
"What are you doing to my daughter?" I yelled at them, stepping forward.
"We didn't do anything!" Jacob retorted, striding toward me.
"Helena now is a good time to calm down," Edward said quickly, joining Jacob in front of me.
"Don't tell me to calm down!" I threw back at him, "You tell me what's happening to Ali!"
"It's not happening to Ali," Jacob said defensively.
"Oh no," Edward murmured, "She's feeling it as it's happening to him."
"WHAT is happening to WHOM?" I yelled, "Edward, so help me if you don't tell me what is going on I will cheerfully rip you to shreds!"
"I'm sorry Helena but Embry's just imprinted on Alina," Edward replied, holding out his hands as though preparing to hold me back.
It took only a moment for my mind to register the meaning of his words.
I snapped.