I only own Michael, Henry, Annabelle, Isaac, and Erica.
This chapter is dedicated to… Hawkins!!! They gave me the inspiration/motivation for the creation (lol) of this chapter! I don't think this is really what they really meant by their message, but whatever. The chapter is still dedicated to them. Thanks so much, Hawkins!
I apologize for the lack of an update (yes, yes, two months is a long time, and I'm sorry).
One Month Earlier…
"Aro, you need to tell Caius and I what is going through your mind." Marcus said it quickly as he walked into the room, not bothering with a greeting. "I have always accepted the fact that you hold the most power in our triumvirate here, but that does not mean that you can keep things from us. That could be a disaster; secrets have divided governments since the beginning of time, leaving it easier for an outsider to come along and conquer."
Aro looked up, not particularly surprised. Marcus was always to the point. "I only wished to figure out my own thoughts before attempting to communicate them to you and Caius. But if you insist. Felix, find Caius. Tell him Marcus and I wish to… discuss the problems presented by Carlisle's coven."
As Felix hurried off, Marcus said, "So this is what you've been dwelling on, Aro. I should have known."
Minutes passed, and finally Caius swept into the room, closely followed by Felix, Jane, Alec, and Demetri, members of the guard usually included in meetings. Aro frowned before waving the last four away. Jane scowled; it was not often Caius and Marcus were the only two allowed into one of Aro's meetings. Although displeased, she followed his instructions, still scowling, following the others out of the room.
When he was sure they were out of earshot, and the three were alone, Aro looked at the other two saying, "I want Alice, Edward, and Bella. But the reason I want Alice is also the reason I fear I shan't be able to attain them. Alice would see us coming. However, Marcus just made me realize that to divide and conquer is the best way to defeat that coven. I have also decided that it would be… advantageous to also have Jasper and Bella's daughter Renesmee. I believe Alice, Edward, and Bella will be more willing to join us if those two are offered a place among us as well. They also have their own advantages; from Renesmee's thoughts I gathered that not even Bella's shield can keep her out. Also, she has a strange pull that makes you want to believe whatever it is that she is sending you. Convenient, no? Jasper could manipulate emotions in our favor. What say you to getting those five to join our guard?"
"I do believe the benefits outweigh the risks," Marcus began slowly, "although it will be safest to keep Bella and Jane as separate as possible; I've noticed Jane doesn't take to kindly to having her ability thwarted, and Bella doesn't like Jane too much after her display in here with Edward that one time. Then again, I felt the relationship between Renesmee and that shape shifter; the only bond I have ever felt that was stronger than that one is the one between Bella and Edward."
"Hmmm…" Aro muttered thoughtfully, "That could be a problem. Caius, what are your thoughts on the matter?"
"Convenient though their talents may be, I still believe them to be more of a threat. Think, Aro. Those are the five most talented… creatures in their coven. And they will always be more loyal to Carlisle than to us. And who knows what will happen with the half-vampire child?"
"Hmmm… interesting arguments, Caius. But surely having Renesmee close, watched by us is the safest thing in regards to her?"
"Yes," he admitted reluctantly. "As for Carlisle… If you ask me, it is difficult to rally around someone who is dead."
"No, Caius," Aro said sharply. "To kill Carlisle would only alienate them more, and make it more difficult to bring them to us. We must… as I mentioned earlier, divide and conquer."
"Perhaps we send a member of the guard with a request to meet those five here in Volterra?" Marcus suggested.
"No, no," Aro said, fluttering his hand in the air, as if to wave away the idea. "I am thinking that we manipulate their most problematic talent in our favor. Alice's visions don't tell her what decisions were made, only the results of those decisions. So here is my plan: we merely decide we want them her, and we wait. Alice will see that our plan, whatever it is, succeeds and they are in Volterra. Hopefully, she will attempt to take us by surprise and come before we send anyone there. If not, we'll send some of our guard to collect them."
"Brilliant, Aro. Using the enemy's gifts to manipulate them." Caius said.
"Don't you think?" Aro asked, "Let the dividing begin."
Little did the Cullens know that by traveling to Volterra before Aro resorted to force, they were playing right into his hands.
Luckily, they had an ace up their sleeve. Or rather, six aces. Angela, Michael, Henry, Annabelle, Isaac, and Erica were sure to surprise the Volturi.
