"Nobody is allowed to touch Alice."
Auryon looked at the vampire in front of her, her eyes not moving before she jumped off Felix to stand in front of Alice. Aro nodded and held his hands in a gesture of peace, causing Demetri and Felix to return to their positions in the guard. Aro asked for her name while holding his hand out to her.
"My name is Auryon and I shall keep my thoughts to myself, thank you." There was a hiss of anger from Caius and Auryon locked eyes with him, interrupting him before he could speak. "You are wrong, I am not insolent nor am I ungrateful. I simply know what I am and what I am worth to the Volturi."
Caius looked shocked before remembering that she was probably reading his mind.
The woman turned her gaze back to Aro's, getting lost in his blood red eyes for a moment before speaking again.
"I have an offer for you, if you're willing to listen to it." The vampire nodded and stepped toward Auryon, leaving his guard behind. "Alice, Jasper, why don't you all go join Bella? I'm sure she's dying to see you."
Sarcasm dripped from the woman's voice and Alice nodded quickly. Caius made a motion to grab Alice but was stopped by the ferocious snarl emanating from Auryon's throat. Aro motioned for Caius to stand back before smiling at Auryon apologetically.
"My sincere apologies my dear, but you see Alice is a prize that I have greatly desired for some time now." Auryon smiled and nodded slowly
"Alice would be wonderful addition to your collection but like I said, I have an offer for you." Aro looked slightly suspicious and to everyone's surprise, Marcus was the one to speak next.
"What can you offer us and what would you like in return?" Turning to address him, the woman's voice became kinder and less demanding. She didn't have any quarrel with Marcus as he seemed to be the least interested in this fight.
"It's simple really; the Volturi and their witnesses leave and the Cullen's live their immortal lives in peace. In return, I'll join your ranks as a member of the guard." There was a collective gasp from the entire field but Auryon only had eyes for the three leaders. Esme took a step forward but Carlisle wrapped his arm around her waist to keep her in place. Bella looked smug, seemingly happy with herself that she would keep her entire family. Alice however, was distraught and Jasper's iron grip around her waist was the only thing keeping her on that side of the field.
"Auryon no! Please don't do this! We'll figure something else out! Please!" Alice continued pleading but the beautiful blonde in front of the Volturi ignored her.
"I need an answer Aro. If you don't agree, I'll happily wipe out your entire coven and find another place where my gifts would be welcomed. I hear the Romanian coven is recruiting." At her words, Vladimir and Stefan smirked viciously. This caused Jane to hiss softly, heightening the tension even more. Caius stepped toward Aro and took his hand, communicating silently. Nobody, including Auryon, wanted the Romanian coven to get their hands on a Collector. This meant that the Volturi had no choice but to accept.
"My dear, we could be overjoyed to have you join our coven. We will leave the Cullen family alone of course." Auryon raised her eyebrow and Aro huffed before continuing on. "All their witnesses will be left to their own devices as well."
The woman nodded and ran her eyes slowly over the vampires that now made up her new coven. Well, at least things will be interesting. She motioned for Aro to wait then turned and jogged to the Cullen side of the field. Alice was the first to grab her, hugging the woman tight with no intention of letting go.
"I won't let them take you. They can't have you. You're my best friend." Auryon pulled Alice away and handed her to Jasper but kept her hand attached to Alice's.
"They aren't taking me Alice. I'm going with them. I don't fit in with this family, I never have. I was made for killing people and it's something I thoroughly enjoy. I'm going to be happy and I'm going to make some wonderful friends. Isn't that what you want for me? Or do you want to keep me in a cage like a bird of prey? Hooded and desolate?" Alice turned into Jasper's chest and sobbed softly, knowing her friend was right. Auryon nodded to everyone in turn before walking up to Renesmee. She bent down to the girl's height and stared into her intelligent eyes.
"I promise that I will see you again Renesmee. When they send someone to check in on you, and I know they will, I will always be the first to volunteer." The young girl nodded solemnly before hugging Auryon tightly. The two had liked each other though their interactions had been limited.
Her goodbyes complete, Auryon turned and walked back to the other side of the field. Her face was a blank mask and once she passed the leaders, a nearly black cloak covered her shoulders. It was the same color that Chelsea, Jane, and Alec were wearing, letting the world know that they were the most important of the guard. Turning as one and leaving, Auryon walked away from the vampires she would always consider friends and towards what she hoped would be her new family. Suddenly a tiny hand grasped hers and without looking she knew it was Jane. The girl appeared on her left side while her twin flanked her right.
"That move, the one you first used to attack Felix. You must show me." Her face was as blank as Auryon's but her voice held a hint of curiosity that almost made Auryon smile. Instead, she nodded once and held the girl's hand tighter. A sense of quick friendship erupted between the two and Auryon didn't notice Alec's smirk of victory.