Disclaimer: All things Twilight belong to Stephenie Meyer.
Is it just me, or are these chapters getting longer? Bleh, I didn't say I was consistent...
Thanks for all the support from everyone reading this story. CĂara, Rose, Nikki, Jenna, Tiffani, Theresa, Lyndsi, Alfie, Katherine...you are all brilliant. The best friends I could ever have.
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Chapter 9 - The New Arrangement
EPOV
"They have come to a new arrangement."
"But how do you know?" Carlisle asked, showing concern in his mind. He was worried that the Volturi were tricking us in some way. Even though they were the masters of the undead, it seemed a little far-fetched that they could change their minds without changing their minds.
"How am I supposed to know? I only see the visions, I don't know how they are made, or why." Alice seemed quite testy, it was like the Alice when shopping for a particular pair of shoes, but there not being her size in the colour she wants. Of course, she always fixed those types of problems. Money could see to that.
I glanced around at the rest of my family, all thoughts were full of concern for Bella, even Rosalie's thoughts. It seemed astounding that, less than a year ago, Rosalie's thoughts were full of pure hatred towards Bella. To think she actually wanted to kill Bella in her spite and worry for the family. "So much fuss for a simple human." she had once said. But now, said simple human is almost a sister to her, and she would do almost anything for Bella, but not as much as Alice would, or I.
Jasper's thoughts had also changed significantly. From wanting to murder her to make it easier for him to live, (not just because of her blood, but also the emotions surrounding the family. They ranged from tension to anguish to love to bitterness...all difficult for Jasper, who not only controlled emotion, but unfortunately, was subject to them also), to friendliness and concern with the nomad situation; to guilt when he almost killed her, which was unnecessary, he hadn't hurt her; to yet more guilt and pain when we left, and he blamed himself for my suicide attempt. Finally, now, he felt love towards her. His brotherly love wasn't as strong as that from Emmett or the love felt by Esme or Carlisle, but it was more a type of love for what she has done. She has made his misunderstood brother happy, has filled a hole in Alice's existence, has completed the family. And that is why he felt love towards her. She had earned it.
Esme was worrying for Bella significantly, the loss making her remember the feelings she felt when her son died. I could never feel as sorry as I did in that moment, when I saw Esme's eyes, wretched and helpless. I could almost see the tears falling from her eyelids. Almost taste the salt from the invisible tears. I wish she could cry. Let out the anguish.
Alice and Carlisle were unreadable. They had 'blocking' me down to a fine art. Of course, not all the time could they control their thoughts, and I usually picked up hints when they were doing pointless reciting in their minds to keep me out. No one had it down to the level that Bella had however. She was completely closed to me, even in unconsciousness. She didn't have to be aware of it. Strong. She would be a strong vampire.
I shook my head to try to remove the vision of the 'Alice Vampire Bella' out of my mind. I was aware that it was closer to happening, or I was closer to deciding. Either way, I could see vampire Bella more clearly, and I could allow myself to think about Bella as a vampire, although I didn't want to.
I had doubts about the soul issue still, but the more I looked to the faces of my family, I knew they had pure souls. I knew that, if there was a God, and a Heaven, and even a Hell, then their souls would be going to Heaven. Even Jasper, maybe. God forgives.
I took a fleeting glance into Emmett's thoughts. It usually unnerved me, because I was unsure of what I would find. His perverted thoughts were at bay, for now. He was thinking about a rescue mission and caught me looking at him. He grinned. Hey Bro, I thought we could go in there like Hancock and bring the place down! I want a piece of that Felix dude, you know--
And cut. I raised my eyebrows and had to hold back a laugh. This wasn't the time or place. And since when did we start flying?
Esme spoke up, "OK Alice, calm down. What did you see?" Alice frowned but didn't let any of her thoughts through to me. I'd just have to wait, like everyone else. I hated waiting.
"They must have got rid of the dog, or it has escaped, either way, they have no dog. They have to be very careful with their thoughts now, and I have a feeling they didn't see the risk of this happening."
"Alice, what the hell are you talking about?" Jasper asked, and then smiled. What ever emotion was coming from Alice, it was a good one.
"They have lost the dog. I see it now. They didn't get rid of it, they lost it. They don't realise it yet, that's why I can see!" Alice started jumping up and down, barely able to contain her excitement. I suppose she didn't feel like a loose piece of thread now. She could help get her sister back.
"What about Bella?" I asked. I didn't care about the Volturi not knowing the whereabouts of their pet. I wanted to know if Bella was safe.
"I can't see her anymore." She looked puzzled, then looked to Carlisle. She never looked in my direction.
"What?! Where is she? Alice!" I lost control and smashed up Esme's coffee table without even realising it. No pain, no pressure, no nothing. Rage wasn't the best emotion for fighting or doing anything. Neither was despair.
Emmett and Jasper had a firm grip on either side of me, and Esme just looked extremely surprised. She probably thought I was emotionally unstable at this point. I agreed with her.
Carlisle was suddenly in front of me. His thoughts open, for me to hear. Son, if the werewolf has escaped, and we can't see Bella, then we know that the werewolf is with Bella. Why did that make him feel calmer? Why was Alice not concerned? Werewolves are killers.
I struggled. Much good it would do. Emmett had a death grip on me, and despite me being able to see into either of their thoughts, I was outnumbered.
"Edward, we'll find Bella. We promise. You want her to be OK, don't you?" I looked at my sister with black eyes. I would get a crick in my neck if I was human, well, I'd be crushed to pulp if I was human. I sagged slightly in my brother's hold. I wanted Bella to be OK. I'd prefer her to be absolutely brilliant, but with the Volturi, OK is the best I can wish for.
I nodded and the arms holding me like a pair of vices slackened and then moved away. I decided to listen, rather than intrude now. It was the least I could do.
"Alice," Carlisle stated, which led Alice back into her thoughts.
"The Volturi have lost the dog, but they won't realise for another five minutes."
"When did they lose the dog, Alice?" Carlisle asked again.
"An hour ago. I didn't see it, because I can't see the dog. I only noticed because of the Volturi's change of plan, or should I say Aro's."
"Explain." Carlisle looked concerned, interested.
"Caius has agreed, purely because of entertainment value." Alice cringed after that statement. I wanted into her mind, but I couldn't get passed her mental block.
"Marcus?" Carlisle asked.
"He'd rather have no part of any of this, he says yes and no to things, but he doesn't really clearly decide. Bitterness and hatred can be a pair of mother fuckers."
"Alice!" Esme scolded.
Alice looked at the floor and bit her lip. Emmett was laughing his head off. "Sorry, Esme. I've been spending too much time with Emmett and movies."
Esme nodded but I noticed she was planning on bombarding the both of them with house work when all of this was over. The joys of reading minds.
"So, the plan is going ahead regardless. They are going to take us by force at dusk. We have nine hours."
I noticed Emmett cracked his knuckles in anticipation. Jasper paced the room and Alice sat on the sofa furthest from me. She was thinking through something, something to do with the arrival of the Volturi, but that was all I could tell. And she was definitely spending too much time with Emmett, reciting 'Fast and Furious' at lightening speed was evidence enough.
I looked towards Esme, she smiled gently, we'll get her back, Edward. I nodded, more out of acknowledgement than hope. But Esme's eyes brightened slightly. Her thoughts were probably doubtful, but I had sealed them with a simple nod.
"Shit!" Alice almost shouted. I was crouched in front of her before even Jasper reached her shoulder.
"Alice?" I asked. I tried to get eye contact, but she wouldn't face me. Instead, her eyes shot up to Carlisle behind me.
"They have realised now that their plans may be foiled. They were going to split up to find the dog, but now, they are coming to take us." She looked swallowed in grief.
"But we knew they were coming Alice, what's changed?"
"In this vision, you die." Her eyes slowly found mine and I could see her thoughts. Immediately, Jasper spoke up.
"Maybe we can change that?"
"Jasper, if we try to run, they'll kill us all." Alice was stopping every single plan. There seemed to be no hope.
"Why don't we go back to our original plan then? Demetri will be on less guard now, let's go to Volterra whilst they come here," Emmett spoke, but it was less of a statement and more a question.
"Alice?" Carlisle asked. It seemed that Emmett's plan was being considered. Alice had the deciding vote, we needed to know if it was safer.
"We can get there safely if we travel in pairs. No cars."
"So we run to the airport?" I asked in astonishment.
"Why, of course." Alice was finally grinning. The plan was ridiculous, but it stopped us from getting killed. Run to the airport, get on a plane to Italy, rescue Bella, then what?
"What about later?" I asked suddenly. I wish I hadn't.
"Bella should be changed Edward. You know as well as I do. If she is a vampire, the Volturi have no reason to come after us, well, unless we kill one of them getting Bella out. It will look very bad to the vampire world if they started on us without any reason."
Of course. They wouldn't let news of an escaped human spread, so they would really have no reason to attack us.
"Emmett, you're a genius." I couldn't believe I was putting 'Emmett' and 'genius' in the same sentence. Then again, I couldn't believe that the Volturi would have a dog. The last twenty four hours had brought about many firsts. I just didn't want any more. Would I get what I want?
Yeah, right.
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A/N: Read and review. I love Emmett. Some of the references here were for my lil sister. Not that she deserves them...
Next chapter we continue with Edward's POV. I have a feeling they are in trouble...
