Renesmee & Jacob: Glowing Horizon

Chapter 7: Prisoner

I couldn't control my tears as I drove down the familiar dark roads of Forks, thinking of my family again and again. Surely Alice's vision had disappeared by now. Had she called Jake? Was he already on his way, searching for me? Was everyone?

I sped up, but accidentally swerved slightly and hit a fairly large rock in my path.

"Woah!" I yelled shakily, and then I was flying off of the vespa, and I was on the ground, my bike lying on my arm. Immediately I felt several pains throughout my half-human body, and I saw blood flowing onto the grass.

Everything went pitch black.

Slowly, reality came back to me. I didn't open my eyes, but I was aware of certain things around me. I was lying on some something comfortable and fluffy, and there were people with unfamiliar voices talking around me.

"She should be waking up any moment now." A young female voice.

"Fantastic! I cannot wait to meet dear Renesmee for the second time." An exuberant male voice.

Who were these people? The one voice sounded familiar, but still…where was I?

I opened my eyes, and let out a scream of shock.

Aro of the Volturi was standing about two feet away from me. Flanked on both of his sides were Alec and Jane, and behind them were Felix, Marcus, and Caius. How did I remember their names? Suddenly, as soon as I saw their faces, all of those memories came flooding back.

An unfamiliar young female that was clearly another vampire stood by me, expressionless. She stared at me for only a moment before walking away. I noticed I was lying on a mattress.

I also noticed that I was in some sort of giant cathedral-style room. Everything was decorated ornately, and I knew I wasn't in Forks anymore.

"Renesmee! How fine it is to finally meet you. You look stunning – you've stopped aging, I presume?" Aro said, smiling.

My mouth hung open, and I couldn't find words. How had I gotten to Italy? And, more importantly, what was the last thing that I remembered? I had talked to my mother on the phone…I spent the night at Jacob's again…My bike…Had I fallen? I couldn't remember much. I rubbed my temples furiously, willing myself to remember.

Aro laughed. "I am guessing that you are a tad confused. Well, not to worry, Renesmee, not to worry. Let's just say…we've been keeping a guard around Forks lately, and when you stumbled so willingly into our path, we had to take you in. Alec assisted, making sure that you were unconscious for the ride home. Renata has fixed up your injuries." He said simply, with a small shrug.

"Where is everyone? Where's my family?" I asked anxiously.

"They're all perfectly fine. For now, that is." He murmured.

"For now? What did you do to them? Where are they?" I stood up, and my voice was slowly rising. When I stood up, I noticed my injuries. I winced slightly, but stood my ground.

"Like I said, not to worry. But before we get to questions…I was wondering…obviously you are aware that I have a talent similar to your father's, except it is only allowed by touch. May I?" He held out his hand.

I figured that I was already too deep in a hole of hopelessness, so I might as well.

I shook his hand, letting him read my mind. He would have taken it by force anyways, I was positive.

A few moments later, he let go.

"Amazing. Brilliant. Wondrous. It shocks me…you surely do enjoy your shape shifter's company quite a lot. A half-vampire, and a werewolf…how strange!" He laughed, absent-mindedly throwing a hand over Alec's shoulders.

"Ah, Alec…it is unwise to have such interest in Renesmee, especially when she is taken by a shape shifter." He spoke to Alec gravely, and my eyes grew wide. Jane growled menacingly in my direction, but I didn't look at her. I was focused on Alec.

Alec dropped his eyes and said nothing, and I immediately felt remorse for him, even though he probably had the power to incapacitate me. I felt a sudden urge to walk over and embrace him. How odd. It was strange, because I had not noticed it until now…Alec was most likely the same age as I was (or the same age as I looked). He was beautiful, his dark hair contrasting well with the pale skin that I knew so well. His crimson eyes were strangely innocent now – or was I just imagining things? Were they trying to play a trick on me?

I said nothing, trying to figure it all out in my head.

Aro sighed. "Well, I suppose I should get to the point. Renesmee, we are extremely fond of your ability here, and we would just love for you to join us."

"Never." I said coldly.

And then I met Jane's gaze – she threw me a beatific, lovely smile that immediately had a sharp, slicing, excruciating pain running through my body. I yelled out, and my knees collapsed. By the time the insane pain had faded, I was lying back on the mattress they had set out for me. I noticed Alec's eyes were narrowed and looking away from me. Jane had a very smug look on her face.

"If you do not agree to join…your family may be in grave danger, I'm afraid." He sighed again. "I know you wouldn't want that to happen, and I'd hate to have to."

Tears filled my eyes. It seemed that I really had absolutely no choice in the matter. Of course I wanted my family to be safe – absolutely safe. I would risk nothing.

I made a snap decision, hoping that there would be a way out of it in time.

"Fine. I'll join you." I whispered, nearly inaudible.

Aro clapped his hands gleefully. "Marvelous! Renata will show you to your living quarters – obviously you will need a place to sleep. Get some rest, dear Renesmee, and we will have a chat tomorrow." He grinned. Felix looked utterly bored, while Caius and Marcus stayed expressionless. This had been a plan long in the making. Jane and Alec both walked away, down a separate hall. Renata showed up right next to me, and she started walking down a hallway in the opposite direction. I assumed I was supposed to follow, so I did.

What a mess. Now I was part of the Volturi – the Volturi! Who would have ever guessed it would have come to this? I was so desperate for a way out – but I couldn't dare think about my family until I was absolutely alone. The tears were coming, I could feel them.

Renata opened a door to her right, and inside was an extremely spacious, ornate bedroom with a fabulous view and a bathroom that I guessed was through the next door.

"Your cloak and any other wardrobe related things that you may need are in the closet. We will feed at noon tomorrow. If you require anything, just call." Renata did not seem pleased that I would be sleeping here. She slammed the door immediately and left me on my own.

On my own.

I threw myself onto the huge king sized bed, hiding my face in the pillows. I wept hard, loud sobs that echoed throughout the room. Soon my pillows were drenched. When I was finally done crying hysterically in shock and pain, I was able to think.

I knew my family. And I knew that if they had any inkling that I was in danger (which they did), they would be doing everything that they could to find me and help me out of this situation. But I had joined – what kind of binding contract did that entail? Would I be stuck here forever, a prisoner to my own sorrow, forced to do things that I did not want to do?

My Jacob. Jacob, Jacob. Where was Jacob right now? What was he doing? I prayed that he was safe, and that he would stay out of harm's way. Aro had not been pleased about the fact that I was dating a werewolf, and it would only make things worse if he tried to throw himself at the Volturi. My family would tell him what to do. They would keep him safe for me, wouldn't they?

Not that it mattered. By the looks of it, even if they were on their way to the rescue, I wasn't getting out of here alive. And tomorrow I would be forced to drink human blood – something I had sworn off of, because of my beliefs that had stemmed from Carlisle and the rest of my family.

Before I could worry about anything else, there was a very quiet rap on my door. I jolted upright, and ran to the door. I placed my ear beside it.

"Who is it?" I asked.

"Alec. Look – you must listen to me." His whisper was urgent.

I opened the door and let him into my room, closing it silently behind him.

"What do you want? Me unconscious again? Or for your sister to torture me?" I asked flatly.

"I'm sorry about that." He said, his eyes on the floor again.

"You're one of them. You are just as bad as Aro, or your wicked sister, Jane. Why should I listen to anything you have to say?" I muttered.

"I understand. I am one of them. But…I don't know why…I have this sudden urge to do something, and you'll need to trust me."

I waited, eyebrows raised.

"I'm going to help you get out of here." He stated.