WHAT CAN WE DO NOW?

Philippe and I led Carmen and Eleazar back to the Cullen house; it seemed this night was determined to never end. And Ali needed her sleep.

"How is Ali?" Carmen asked softly. It made me smile; she had always doted on her, as did everyone else under her spell, including me.

"She is growing very fast," I said softly, "she'll be so excited to see you."

"Does she know?" Eleazar asked. I nodded.

"It's not something that could be hidden for long. After the run in with the Volturi whatever she wasn't told she figured out on her own."

"What happened with the Volturi?"

I sighed. "It's a long story,"

Philippe smirked, chuckling at some private joke of his own. I thought over the events that had happened since that morning so long ago and wanted to hit him.

We continued on in silence and as the house came into view it was clear that the Cullens hadn't moved from their positions when we left. They were still deep in discussion and sometimes heavy argument about what they were going to do. I was certain that no one had a clue; things were not looking good.

They stopped talking when we were about 100 yards away and Carlisle immediately came to the door closely followed by Ali and his family.

"Carmen, Eleazar!" Ali cried happily, running over to them and throwing her arms around one and then the other.

"We'd been told you were with the Romanians?" Emmett asked, jumping straight into business.

Eleazar nodded, suddenly looking drained, even for a vampire.

"What do you know of the situation?" he asked, looking at Carlisle.

"Almost everything," he said honestly, "we would be grateful if you would be willing to fill in the blanks,"

They nodded as one and Ali instantly took Carmen's hand, as an attempt to comfort her friend. Carmen smiled softly.

"Alina why do you smell like a dog?" she asked as we walked inside.

I could barely contain my laughter.

We returned to the living room and Alice and Edward brought them up to speed on what we knew. Ali was resting her head on Embry's shoulder, looking clearly exhausted but refusing point blank to go to bed. She was not going to miss this, no matter what anyone said.

"What do you know of this vampire Vladimir and Stefan have acquired?" Carlisle asked.

Eleazar sighed.

"His name is Kane. He's a fairly young vampire but well past the newborn phase."

"He's a monster," Carmen said vehemently. Eleazar nodded.

"More than what he's capable of doing, he's ruthless, and power hungry. He's not going to be satisfied with just destroying the Volturi."

"We have to find a way to stop him," Carmen added, looking at each of us.

"There's nothing we can do," Edward said suddenly, "none of us are any match for what he's capable of doing."

"Where do Tanya and Kate stand?" Esme asked suddenly.

"They're both bent on this but only so far as vengeance for their sister is won," Eleazar replied with a soft sigh, "Tanya wants to see them all killed, Caius in particular and Kate is the same; though she'd also love the opportunity to take out Jane."

"Of course," Edward muttered.

"But once they have that...they have no reason to stay with them right?" I asked.

Ali looked up at me, suddenly alert.

"What are you thinking?" she asked.

"Is there a way we can get in touch with Kate?" I asked, leaving it open for anyone to answer. Eleazar just shrugged.

"It's not like she's carrying a cellphone," Rosalie muttered.

"What is it?" Philippe murmured.

"This Kane...he's the most powerful vampire we've ever heard of to date. But maybe we don't need to be more powerful; we just need to be smarter. Distract him for an instant and then swoop in when he's none the wiser. He won't be very skilled at fighting, especially not against someone with 100 years experience."

"But how do you plan on distracting him?" Jasper asked seriously.

"Kate," I said simply, "if she can get close enough, which in all likelihood she probably could, she can shock him enough to put him out for a second, and that's all the time Philippe and I need. If you take out Kane, all the rest will follow."

Eleazar was already shaking his head, and Alice was looking frustrated.

"I'm sorry but actually it will be next to impossible for Kate to get close enough him," he said sadly, "she'd die in the attempt."

"Then I'll do it,"

"Leenie no!" Ali said angrily.

"What makes you think you'd have better luck than Kate?" Philippe added coldly.

"I don't have to be near someone to use my gift on them," I pointed out.

"It wouldn't be enough, Helena," Eleazar said reasonably.

"You could blast him back, you could crush his insides with that gift of yours...but I fear it wouldn't be a match for his determination. You'd be reduced to ashes in seconds."

"I'll find a way," I said determinedly, "we don't have any other options!"

"We don't have any other options YET," Edward replied, "we still have the time to think of something else."

"I'm not taking my plan off the table," I said stubbornly, "it will work."

Angrily, Ali stood up and stormed past us all, running up the stairs and slamming the door to her room. I stared after her, feeling my heart sink into my stomach.

"Excuse me," I muttered, making my way over to the stairs when none other than Embry stopped me.

"No offence Helena, but that's not a good idea," he said confidently, "I may not know her as well as you do, but I do know that you're the last person she wants to see right now."

"And what makes you think she wants to see you?" I retorted softly.

He shrugged.

"I don't know if she does. But if anyone can calm her down other than you, it'd be me."

I sighed and he took that to be permission. Without a word he ran up the stairs after her, leaving me to deal with the Cullens. Carmen and Eleazar were both staring at me.

"You are going to explain all that, right?" Eleazar asked.

I rolled my eyes.

"I hardly know where to begin,"

(Alina's Perspective)

"Ali, can I come in?"

Embry's voice was not what I was expecting to hear. Leenie usually came straight to me if I were ever upset.

"Yes, okay," I called.

He smiled as he walked in, coming straight over to the bed and leaping on it, making it bounce and earning a smile from me.

"So, are you having fun up here?" he asked brightly. I ignored that, pulling myself up into a sitting position as he crossed his legs and faced me from the other end of the bed.

"She's trying to get herself killed," I muttered.

Embry only looked at me with an intrigued expression on his face.

"What?"

"I'm just surprised. I didn't know you could see the future, I thought only Alice could do that!" he replied, smiling at me mischievously.

"Don't tease!" I said, trying to be angry as I lightly hit him but I couldn't help the smile that formed.

He laughed but sobered up quickly.

"Come on Ali, you can't say what will happen," he said honestly, "Helena's plan is just a plan."

"Yeah; a plan to kill herself!"

"She's not going to die, Ali calm down!" he said in exasperation, "If it becomes THE plan there is a chance it could work. And if it means that you get to live to see your future then she'd take it, just like I would."

I didn't want to listen to him but it was obvious he was right. And that meant only one thing.

"I'm scared Embry," I whispered, unable to look at him.

He was silent for a moment and then suddenly he reached for me, pulling me effortlessly onto his lap, holding me close. It felt so comfortable to be there; I rested my head against his shoulder and wrapped my arms around his neck.

"I am too," he admitted softly.

I couldn't say how long we sat there like that but eventually he pressed a kiss to my forehead and sat up a little straighter.

"Everyone else down there is scared too," he said casually, "that's why we've gotta stick together, rather than run away to go moping about in our rooms."

"Okay you've made your point," I replied, already feeling better, "Thank you,"

And with that I leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek. If his skin wasn't so brown I swear he would have blushed.

"You're welcome," he murmured.

The next day I decided to apologize to Leenie; I still didn't like her plan, but she was only trying to do what she thought was best. She was trying to ensure our survival and I wasn't going to begrudge her that. But I was determined to hold out for another plan that did not risk my sister's life.

However, when I made it to the bottom of the stairs...the house was clearly empty. All save for one vampire, who was calmly flicking through the television channels in the vain hope of something interesting to watch.

"Good morning Philippe," I said, unable to keep the surprise out of my voice.

"Good morning, Alina," he replied politely.

"Where is everyone?"

"Hunting...or shopping I think,"

"Oh,"

Awkwardly, I took a seat next to him on the couch, and stared at the TV.

"So...why don't you tell me about yourself?" he asked.

"How do I know you won't rush back to the Volturi with all you learn?"

He laughed.

"Are you a threat to their existence?" he asked. Smiling, I shook my head.

"Then your safe from them," he promised, "in any case...Helena broke my phone."

That made me laugh.

"You must have made her mad," I commented. He just shrugged.

"No more than usual,"

We sat in silence again for a minute before he nudged my elbow.

"So...tell me about your self," he prompted. I smiled.

"I don't know where to start," I admitted. He thought for a second, then switched off the TV and turned to face me.

"Okay, I'll start with what I know," he said, "Helena adopted you; you're a half human, half vampire creature who now has a werewolf tied to her for life....that's all I have so far,"

"That's not bad," I allowed, "but how about this; just like Edward can hear thoughts I can know a person's opinion just by being near them. Pick a topic, or a thing; I'll know the way you feel about it. Like right now; I know you've been in love with Helena ever since you met her, and that your loyalty is tied to the Volturi because it has nowhere else to go...Also, technically, I'm only four years old."

It was funny to watch the shock register on his face; watch him to try process everything I'd just told him, particularly the things I'd revealed. In that instant I knew he was glad we were alone in the house; I could already see what Emmett would do if he saw me telling this Volturi Guard my secrets.

"You know those things instantly?" he asked softly.

I nodded.

"I feel it as if it were my own," I replied, "it used to be very confusing. But these days I'm finding it easier to tell the difference. Uncle Jazz thinks it's a good sign."

"Why?"

"He thinks my ability to use my gift is tied in to my own maturity. He believes that one day I'll be able to influence the way people think. I prefer to disagree," I hid a shudder. I didn't like to think about that possibility; it implied far too much.

"You could change the way people think," he muttered, though he wasn't really talking to me now. He was staring off into the distance, lost in his own thoughts. I realised this was my cue to leave. I stood up and made my way to the back sliding door.

"You know...I trust you because Helena trusts you," I said over my shoulder, "please don't let us down."

(Helena's Perspective)

As soon as we got back from hunting, Alina ran straight over to me, her waist-length hair whipping around in the wind. She apologized profusely for the night before and instantly demanded that I braid her hair. It made me laugh to see that in some little ways she was still my little girl. Renesmee sat by my side, curious as to how the whole hair braiding business was done while Edward and Bella watched from their seats at the piano.

"Helena I need to talk to you," Philippe said, coming over and taking a seat near us.

"Can it wait till we're alone?" I asked keeping my eyes focused on the first braid.

"No it can't," he retorted.

"Well, what is it? Do I have to force it out of you?"

"All right, just listen for now. I think there is another way we can take on Kane."

The room instantly fell silent and everyone turned their attention to him; some more subtle than others. Philippe chose to ignore them.

"With your plan I agree with you; if we play it smart we can take him out. But first we need a distraction, if only for a second. Your friend Kate's way is too dangerous because she has to be able to touch him, your way doesn't guarantee he won't obliterate you. But what if for a second...you could change the way he thinks?"

Ali's head snapped up in surprise.

"Stay still sweetie," I murmured, turning her head back. "Philippe, please explain how you plan on achieving that."

"Well...you need a vampire that is gifted in that sort of thing; who possesses the ability to alter anyone's opinion or perspective on anything. This vampire could, in theory, make Kane less power-hungry, less monstrous, possibly even give him a conscience for a moment long enough to make a lasting impact on him. In that moment...we attack."

My hands stilled as I digested this plan of his. It had a very familiar edge that I could not quite put my finger on; it was something that I was not going to like at all.

"And you've...found this vampire somewhere?" I asked softly.

He nodded.

"I think Ali here can do it," he said simply.

There was a moment's pause...and then I burst out laughing.

"I'm serious Helena," he said patiently.

"There is...no way you're serious!" I gasped, still laughing, "Ali can't do anything like that! Tell him Ali!"

Ali hesitated for a moment too long, looking up at me from where she sat. My laughter died away to slowly be replaced by shock...and fury.

"Ali?" I prompted.

"It's possible Leenie," she murmured, "I haven't managed it yet; but it is possible."

"This is some kind of joke right?" I asked, all humour now entirely gone from my voice. They both just stared right back at me.

"Ali...you've never been able to do that sort of thing, never since you were born! You've only ever been able to sense the way people feel about things you've never been able to manipulate them!"

"Leenie, I never tried before," she said reasonably, "I don't know if I can but it is possible, Jasper says so!"

"I don't care what Jasper says; you are not going to participate in this, I will not have you risk your life, I will not see you try to take on that monster!"

"So you expect me to sit by and watch while you try to do it?" she retorted.

"That's different,"

"How is it?"

"I'm not a child," I retorted. "And I've lived my fair share of lifetimes. I won't have you missing out on yours."

"Calm down you two!" Philippe said quickly, putting one hand on my shoulder and one hand on Ali's.

Ali angrily shrugged out of his hold, rising to her feet.

"I'm not a child anymore Leenie," she said softly, "I know you're only trying to look out for me, to protect me from all of this and I love you for it. But I'm not a child anymore. I'm not an adult either...I'm just not a child,"

And with that she left the room, ignoring the fact that her hair was now only half done. Renesmee quickly ran out after her, trying to remember the correct braid.

I glared over at Philippe for a moment.

"Your plan...was to use my daughter to get to Kane?" I asked softly, "You would rather risk her life over your own or mine?"

"It's not personal Helena," he said defensively, "I'm a warrior and I'm being practical in a time of war. There's a chance it could work."

"Not enough of one to ever induce me to consider it;" I retorted, "She's MY child, Philippe! She's the only family I have. I'm not going to endanger her life, end of discussion!"