We walked into the grand room. I saw Aro sitting like the king he was on his throne with Caius and Marcus at his flanks. Alec and Jane stood in the corner beside Caius with perfect smirks on their faces.

I turned to see an unfamiliar face. The face of who must be Philippe. He was tall and slender. He had long auburn hair that came to the middle of his back. He seemed utterly determined at whatever task lied ahead. That frightened me.

I could see someone stirring from behind Alec and Jane.

"Awan? What are you doing here?" Edward said.

"Awan?" I asked.

A medium built Indian, who looked to be about 27 crept from behind Jane and Alec.

"How….how do you know me?" He asked looking at Edward.

Edward wasn't given the opportunity to answer.

"Edward and Bella. It has been too long." Aro seemed to glide towards us from his throne.

"WHERE IS NESSIE!?" I screamed.

Aro ignored my remark. He had eyes only for one vampire. "Alice," he said pleased.

"Aro let us see Renesmee, please!" Alice pleaded.

"Hmmm…" Aro pondered. "My dear Alice. Before I shall reveal your precious niece, I request your hand."

"Why Aro? What future are you looking for?" Caius said.

"I just want to see, my brother. I want to be reassured of her magnificent power."

Alice walked willingly to him. No fear, but I saw Jasper go rigid. Esme was whimpering while Carlisle wrapped one arm around her tightly. Emmett was ready and very willing to pounce at a moment's notice. Rosalie appeared just as volatile.

Alice stretched her hand out to Aro before reaching him. He grabbed her hand gently. He closed his eyes, concentrating hard on whatever Alice had to reveal.

A smile began to form on his face. Then as if no time had passed, his bright red eyes flashed open. He then bent forward and kissed Alice's hand. She remained completely composed. As Jasper, Emmett and Edward all growled.

"What did she show him?" I asked Edward.

Edward didn't turn his head, just whispered too low for even Aro to hear.

"Alice will be taken in exchange for Nessie." Edward said coldly.

"No." I whispered.

"Felix, let our friends see their dear Nessie." Aro exclaimed.

A massive growl ripped through my lips as the thought of this thing calling my daughter's name…..like he knew her.

Edward unleashed his own mighty snarl and tightened his fist around my hand.

"We can't give him what he wants….." Edward said.

Nessie came walking out from behind the tall mahogany doors. She looked like she'd been beaten to death.

Edward and I ran over to her as she fell to the floor.

"ARO! What have you done to my daughter?" Edward screamed brushing her hair from her face. I held her limp body in my arms. There were no visible bruises, but she looked completely passed out. Her hair was disheveled and parts of her clothes torn. If she were fully human, she would surely have been dead.

Emmett and Rosalie knelt down beside her. "She fought back from whatever they did to her." Rosalie said.

Edward was filled with rage; he couldn't take his eyes off of her, but remained steady, not to anger Aro.

"I can't tell what happened with her unconscious." Edward said. "All I see is that she's dreaming of us. Her whole family and Jacob."

"Speaking of this Jacob?" Aro said.

Edward's head snapped up at whatever he saw in Aro's mind.

"NO!' Edward shouted. "How?"

"Felix! Demetri! Please bring out the dogs." Aro responded.

"Dogs?" Alice said.

Suddenly, two vampires walked out from behind the large mahogany doors. Felix was dragging Jacob and Demetri was carrying Leah.

"Leah? Jacob!?" I shouted.

"That's why Leah has been missing." Emmett said.

"And why we could not find Jacob in time to tell him." Carlisle responded.

Felix and Demetri laid them both before Aro. Caius began to cackle excitedly as he watched our bewildered faces. Marcus looked as though he were surprised. He had no idea this was going on. That surprised me.

Jacob and Leah appeared lifeless, until Jacob exhaled a loud breath. He shuddered and then woke up; dazed.

Edward, Esme and I were crouch over Nessie. She began to stir.

"Nessie? Nessie please wake up." I said.

Edward continued brushing hair out of her face.

"She's waking up." Edward said.

"Mom…dad?" She said.

Edward suddenly gasped and jumped to his feet. He went to lunge for Aro.

"Stop him!" I shouted.

Carlisle, Emmett and Jasper forced him back.

"They have forced her to drink human blood. Her body could barely contain the infinite amount." Edward spat through his teeth in disgust.

"No…" I breathed.

"Now. Now. Edward. I merely wanted to see how this half-breed would handle the purity of such a delicacy. She had told me she liked blood." Aro said.

"She drinks animal blood, Aro. We've never given her human blood." I said defiantly.

"And what a shame too! To deprive a half-vampire from deciding whether she wishes to live the life you have chosen for her or whether she might enjoy indulging in our very instincts." He said.

Alice shook her head in grief with Jasper holding on to her desperately. "Aro, it's me you want. Please just release Nessie to her parents. I'll come willingly."
"NO! Jasper shouted." He lunged towards Aro, but was quickly restrained by Emmett and Carlisle.

"Jasper, we'll figure this out. Please you will put her in more peril!" Alice pleaded.

Alice ran over to Jasper and caressed his face. "Jasper, I'm the only way to fix this."

"But you are my life, I will not lose you."

They continued to take each other in; staring longingly into each other's eyes.