The first time I was in Italy, I only had one person in mind—Edward. I risked my life for his and walked out of Volterra alive. Now, more was at stack—my whole family. I lost Mom and Charlie; I couldn't lose the rest of my family. As we stepped onto Italian soil, I immediately spread my shield to cover the six of us. Alike in Maine, two dark SUVs picked us up, and we were en route to Volturra. I couldn't shield Carlisle and Edward—being in a different vehicle, so the four of us kept an eagle's eye for any clues of betrayal.
Italian time was eleven hours ahead of Maine, so the streets of Volterra were bare—scary bare. Instead of parking above ground, the drivers went to an underground garage.
Some of the guards greeted us. Each door was opened from the outside, and a polite hand helped us out of the car. I know this is a formality. You know, we'll treat you as a guest until we decide to kill you.
The Volturi appeared just as I remembered. Time didn't resonate, and it seems as if the Renaissance culture created this structure and the clock stopped. Some of the greatest artists had been framed and displayed—Renoir, Rembrandt, and Michelangelo. No reproductions here—they were works of art that human eyes have not seen and survived—until I came around. The Volturi had appreciated the arts, music, literature, and science that humans created, but their thirst separated the humans from equals to meals on feet.
Rosalie, Alice, and I surrounded Melinda, so one of us was prepared if one of the guards decided to strike. Edward and Carlisle were steps ahead of us; they were whispering so quietly that not even vampire hearing could not pick up. Most likely, Edward was telling Carlisle what Demetrius and the guards were thinking as we entered the chamber room.
The damage Edward and the guards created could not be seen. It was repaired to look exactly how it was. This was the Volturi way. Aro, Caius, and Marcus were planted exactly where were for a millennium. The royalty of the vampires was more powerful than any king or queen could even imagine.
"Ah, Carlisle, it's been too long," Aro welcomed him. "Demetrius said you would like an audience with us. Now, what can we do for you?" Aro already knew; his clairvoyant had spoken her visions as Alice had.
"It deals with the human's journal. Demetrius wanted us to retrieve it for you."
"I did. It is a vulnerability we cannot have, and I see you have brought the human with you. Knowledge of vampire life cannot be shared amongst the humans, my friend. So, you have it, then?"
"We have a request."
"Yes?"
"We would like you to spare the human's life. The evidence would be here, so the actual threat has been taken care of."
"Carlisle," Caius spoke, "we spared Bella's life, because we knew she soon would become one of us. We didn't slaughter the vampires and werewolves who protected the half human-half vampire child. If not for your informant who spoke of his growth, we would not have let you live, so I think your favors have been spent."
"I agree with Caius," Marcus nodded. "The Cullens have received too much of our grace than any other coven. We cannot and will not guarantee the safety of the human."
"I understand," Carlisle replied."Perhaps there is an incentive?"
Aro laughed, "There is nothing you could give us that would tempt us."
"Not even the destruction of a hatred rivalry?"
Marcus sate stoned face. "The Romanians are dying out. They kind will be extinguished from this Earth in due time."
"We weren't the first who broke vampire law. This book is dated 1584."
"What book?" questioned Aro.
"A recollection of a Romanian vampire who dictated this to a human. This human was entrusted to keep this book and not to fall into enemy's hands. Which would be you, correct?"
"Who is this traitor?"
"Rafael."
"The same Rafael who tried to burn Volterra? We dealt with him."
"But it was he who created an insurance policy. If he told the human to release his writings, the vampire truth would have spread like wildfire. If a human can be trusted with this critical document, why can't you let Melinda live?"
"The Romanians have betrayed us, and we will deal with them later. As for your human, she is still a liability."
"We will give you both the human and vampire journals in trade for her life."
"What guarantee do we have that the human will not speak?" Caius argued.
Carlisle was cut off from a voice behind him. "I will give my life if she speaks."
"And you are?"
"Rosalie. This is my niece. She and my whole human family risked everything to find me, and I must do the same."
"I, too," Alice added, "or if you prefer, I would join the guard and serve you."
"I must agree," Edward stood proudly. "I will sacrifice my life or join the guard."
It was my turn, "I would agree as well. If you should attack the Romanians, wouldn't you want all the shields you can get?"
"Besides," Carlisle added, "she is a witch. Her secret is just as important as ours. No matter witches or vampires, the human in fear will destroy themselves as well as some of us. I know of my family's wishes—and we would sacrifice our lives and our immortality for a member of our family—human or not."
Aro, Caius, and Marcus were silent. A petite brunette came from behind Aro's chair. She whispered into her master's ear. He nodded and returned to her spot.
"Rachel has told me that the secret will be kept and for us, it is a win-win situation. If you so swear by your word, we will grant your request."
Carlisle nodded and handed both Melinda's journal and the Romanian book to Aro. "We will leave now."
"Farewell, my friends—until we meet again." I wasn't sure if Aro was going to keep his word, and this was an excuse for killing every one of us.
I asked, "Carlisle, will the Volturi keep their word?"
"The Volturi are bound with keeping peace. If they betray the trust, the Volturi would crumble."
"The Romanians?"
"I have already warned them. They will prepare in case the Volturi attack. Telling them cleared my conscience and kept them allies instead of enemies. They understood why we had to give the journal, and what we were willing to sacrifice." Carlisle may not look like a sage, but he is the wisest man I've ever known.
The SUVs that transported us picked us up. We weren't out of danger yet.
"Will you miss the journal?" Rosalie asked Melinda on the plane.
"No, you were right. I found you when so many of our family failed to do so. Your family risked their lives for me?"
"Our family," Rosalie corrected her. "We protect our family." Rosalie hugged her niece, and for so long as I've known Rosalie, she looked relaxed. The ice wall had been melted when Renesmee was born and grew up, but her niece made her feel well-loved. She feared when she left, no one would care. She didn't know until just recently that for generations, her family wanted to find her.
"Rose?" asked Melinda.
"Yes?"
"I will never be able to repay you for your loyalty." Rose tried to interrupt, "but maybe I can bring peace to you and the rest of our family."
Rose and Melinda continued to talk, but it felt like I was intruding—listening to their conversation. I placed my head on Edward's shoulder while we flew back to Maine.
