Author's Note: This chapter may seem a little slower than some of the others, but it is necessary for the rest of the story. Having said that it is one of my favourites in that it explores Ercole's character more fully. Anyway, I'd love to know your thoughts on it. Reviews do make me update quicker.

Warnings: Supernatural violence.

Disclaimer: Twilight does... oh I give up. It's not mine.

Chapter Ten

An Introduction

'Ignorance has always been the weapon of tyrants; enlightenment the salvation of the free'

Bill Richardson

The nine vampires left at the camp find various ways to keep themselves amused while they await the return of Jasper, Bella, Kate and Eleazar. Carlisle busies himself with a new medical journal, his vampire eyes having no trouble with reading in darkness, his blond hair falling over his eyes – messier and more disheveled than he would ever have allowed it to become in Forks. It makes him look younger. Dressed in simple torn jeans and Alice's ensemble he finally looks the twenty-three years of age he actually is. Esme had grabbed the new journal before she left the house with the rest of the family... it had arrived the morning of Carlisle's disappearance and he hadn't had a chance to read it.

Esme is humming to herself as she sketches some flowers growing at the edge of the clearing on a scrap of paper. Rosalie has finally taken off her makeshift sling and the bandage and is now carefully rubbing some sort of skin lotion onto her arm, pausing every second or so to examine the flawless flesh for any tell-tale marks of the break. Emmett stands by himself near the trees, lunging and throwing jabs and punches at an imaginary foe. Knowing Emmett he is probably imagining fighting off the entire Volturi single-handed.

Tanya, Carmen and Garrett are sitting with Edward and Alice, all of them talking and laughing quietly amongst themselves.

All of them look relaxed, but there is a definite air of tension as they anxiously await the return of their four companions. Simply walking into Volterra, even for a stealth mission, after all that has happened is an incredibly dangerous task.

'How long have they been gone now?' Carmen asks, a small frown line appearing on her brow. Carlisle glances up from his journal to look at her.

'Only about an hour, maybe two. Volterra is quite a way from here... I'm sure they are fine. Jasper's training in the South will keep them safe.'

He falls back into concentrating on his journal, only a slight tapping of his fingers on the earth beneath him betraying his own anxiety. Esme wanders over to her husband's side, twirling a flower between her fingers.

'What are you up to? Any radical developments in the field of medicine?'

Carlisle glances up at her and smiles. 'Yes, actually. I'm just reading about the most recent stem-cell research... it could potentially significantly aid patients with spinal cord injuries. The medical university in Sweden, Karolinska Institutet, have made great progress...' Carlisle carries on enthusiastically in this vein for quite a while before noticing the slightly glazed expression on Esme's beautiful face. Sighing he concludes, '... it's very interesting, but perhaps a little long-winded.'

'Guys!' Alice's wind-chime voice tinkles across the clearing. All eyes turned to look at the tiny figure sitting with Edward, Garrett, Carmen and Tanya. Her face is alight and excited. Next to her Edward's face almost mirrors her expression.

'What is it?' Rosalie stops rubbing lotion into her arm, turning to her sister with questions in her eyes. 'What is it, Alice?'

'I can see! I can see the Volturi again!'

'That must mean their mission was successful? Right?' Emmett booms, scooting over to his wife.

'Can you see Eleazar, Alice?' Carmen's voice is excited but a little anxious.

'No... he's disappeared. So have Jazz, Bella and Kate.'

'This must be a good thing,' Carlisle murmurs, putting his journal to one side. 'It must mean that they have found whatever or whoever is blocking Alice's visions if she can't see them but she can see the Volturi.'

'Can you guys smell that?' Garrett says, getting to his feet, his rangy form twisting toward the easterly side of the clearing.

'It's Eleazar and the others,' Carmen says excitedly, getting to her feet. 'But... there's another scent. I don't recognize it.'

Edward's features are narrowed in intense concentration as he tries to focus. 'There's someone else with them... a man. He's very difficult to read.'

'Someone else?' Esme asks, confused. 'Why would there be...' Her eyes widen and a hand flies to her mouth.

Emmett growls and draws Rosalie behind his back automatically. Carlisle holds up a hand.

'It's okay Emmett. I'm sure Jasper and the others know what they are doing. I don't think there is any danger.'

There is absolute silence for about a minute, and then Eleazar enters the clearing. Right behind him is a man none of the other vampires recognize and he is flanked by Kate and Bella. Jasper is bringing up the rear, honey eyes narrowed as he keeps an eye on the brown-haired vampire.

Alice darts immediately to her husband's side, keeping her gaze fixed on the unknown man.

'Jazz? Who's this?'

The group pause in the middle of the clearing and the stranger stands stock-still, carefully keeping his posture open and non-threatening. His ruby eyes dart around the clearing, taking stock of where everyone is.

'I'll let him do the explaining. No funny moves.' Jasper backs away slightly, wrapping an arm around Alice's slender waist.

'My name is Ercole. I was a member of the Volturi Guard, they found me useful for blocking Alice's visions.' The crimson gaze moves again, clearly wondering which of the strange golden eyed vampires is Alice. 'I came here because I want my freedom. I have no loyalty to the Volturi.'

'This is when having Maggie here would have been useful,' Esme murmurs to Carlisle, her eyes not leaving Ercole. Carlisle squeezes his wife's wrist gently before taking a step foward.

'You are welcome here, Ercole. You must forgive our slightly tense attitude toward you... we have to be very careful about who we trust. I am Carlisle.'

Ercole's gaze lands on him. 'I know who you are. I was... with the Volturi when we took you. Maybe you don't remember me.'

Carlisle frowns as he recalls the unknown vampire who had been with Aro and his Guard that night just beyond Esme's garden. Beside him his wife growls softly.

'I do remember you... and I forgive you for what you did. Aro is not the easiest person to defy. This is my wife, Esme.' He gestures slightly to her and then waves his arm around the clearing. 'I'll try to make the introductions as easy as possible. These are my children, for all intents and purposes. Emmett and Rosalie...' Rosalie's stony face doesn't change as she gazes at Ercole. 'Bella you've met, as well as Jasper.' Ercole's eyes flicker to the dark-haired beauty still at his side and then the dangerous, scarred blond who could have killed him. 'Edward is Bella's husband and Alice is Jasper's wife.' The assembled Cullens and Denalis see Ercole gaze at pixie-like Alice with interest, knowing that she is the reason why the Volturi let him live. 'The others here are our extended family, our cousins if you will. Kate and Garrett, Carmen and Eleazar and Tanya.'

'It's a pleasure to meet you all,' Ercole announces after a moment of silence. He is staring at Tanya intently, and she gazes coolly back, flicking her strawberry-blond curls off her shoulders. 'And Tanya's mate?'

From somewhere to Carlisle's left Edward snickers slightly at an unknown thought. Tanya's expression doesn't waver but her eyes grow noticably colder.

'I don't have a mate. I'm somewhat of an anomaly amongst the rest of my family.' Ercole looks genuinely confused for a second and then his expression clears. He nods toward her in a strangely old-fashioned gesture.

'It's a pleasure to meet you, miss.' Tanya narrows her golden eyes and stares at him, clearly wondering if he's being serious.

'I'm reserving judgement,' she says finally. Kate laughs softly to herself.

'Okay, okay. Enough with the introductions. We have to get moving!' Emmett strides toward the centre of the clearing, rubbing his hand over his short hair in frustration. Ercole turns to look at him.

'It's Emmett... right?'

Emmett nods curtly, not quite meeting Ercole's eyes, clearly still suspicious of him.

'Well, Emmett, I have to say. I don't think you're ready for this fight yet. The Volturi are just about spitting blood and Aro's dead-set on eliminating the whole lot of you. You injured his pride when you broke Carlisle out of Volterra. He's going to come for you with everything he has.'

'I can see him now, I can see what their decisions will be,' Alice speaks up from Jasper's embrace. Ercole turns toward her.

'I don't doubt your gift is powerful, miss. But Aro will soon realize that I'm gone. When he realizes that, he will know that you can see what he's planning. He'll try and play with your visions.'

'I think the best thing to do will be to travel back to Forks... we'll be on familiar territory. We can regroup there and then lure the Volturi to a place of our choosing, out of the way of any humans,' Carlise murmurs, his face tense and anxious.

Ercole frowns. 'Oh yes, that's right. You don't feed on humans do you? You live as... vegetarians?... I think that's how Aro described you.'

'Yes, we don't feed on humans. We choose to live a life as close to humanity as we can... as morally as we can.'

Ercole shifts uncomfortably. 'I must confess I have never even considered it. How can you deny what you are so consistently?'

'Carlisle showed us a different way, a way we don't have to be monsters.' Tanya answers Ercole, again her voice is icy as she addresses him. He picks up on her tone but doesn't seem offended.

'I am happy it works for you, miss. I'm not sure I could ever do it though.' Tanya grins mirthlessly.

'Yes, well. Perhaps you do not possess the necessary mental strength.' Kate frowns across the clearing at her sister and Carmen rests a hand gently on Tanya's shoulder. Ercole looks confused and his gaze holds Tanya's for a second before wavering and falling back to Carlisle, who is speaking again.

'Everyone can do it, it is simply a matter of will and a general respect of human life. It is difficult, there are always times when we are tempted, but we support each other.'

Ercole gazes at him. 'I heard in Volterra that you work as a doctor. Amongst humans, in a hospital.'

Carlisle stares back calmly, not answering but not needing to. Ercole virtually gasps.

'I thought they were joking!' Again there is no response. The brunette peers closer at Carlisle. 'I have never even dreamt of a vampire like you. How do you do it? Resist the blood... even thinking about it...' Ercole's pointed tongue involuntarily flicks over his lips.

'Years and years of practice,' Carlisle replies, and Bella smiles slightly, remembering an instance long ago when Carlisle had said the exact same words to her in response to the same question.

Ercole continues looking at Carlisle for another few seconds and then switches his attention to Eleazar.

'You told me back in Volterra that you know something about my talent. What is it? As far as I'm concerned all I'm good for is blocking visions. Is there anything else? And how do you know anyway?'

Eleazar frowns at the ground for a moment, deep in thought. Finally he lifts his dark head and prepares to speak.

'My talent is spotting talents in other vampires. I was with the Volturi for awhile until I found Carmen. They used me as a scout. I sense that you have a similar gift to Bella here. A shield. But what you do is different.' He pauses again but no-one speaks, everyone in the clearing's attention is totally fixated on what he is saying. 'As far as I can tell... your shield is also physical. You block mental abilities yes, but you don't protect yourself. Edward can read your mind, even though he finds it hard to do so...' Ercole starts and looks around the clearing until his gaze rests on the bronze-haired vampire whom he clearly vaguely recognizes Carlisle introducing as Edward. Edward gives him a wry smile. 'You can block Alice's visions if you're around anyone else... but I would imagine that she can still see your future. Am I wrong, Alice?'

Alice shifts from foot to foot, her eyes tense with concentration. 'No, you're not wrong. I can see Ercole's future, although it's very hazy and undecided.'

'Well, then. But you also have a physical ability. Bella can mentally shield herself and everyone around her from mental attacks. But she cannot do a thing to physically protect herself and others. You can. I think.'

Ercole tugs at a strand of his thick, chocolate brown hair which is hanging over his eyes. 'A physical shield? You mean I can stop other people from getting hurt?'

'Yes. Concentrate for a moment. Focus all your energy on protecting...' Eleazar pauses, waiting for a volunteer. No-one moves.

'Come on... it'll only be a scratch. I'm not asking anyone to sacrifice their life for this experiment.' The clearing is silent still. Finally Garrett moves forward, his blond hair swinging in its ponytail behind him. Kate reaches out as if to stop him, but then lets her hand drop back by her side. Eleazar beams.

'Garrett, perfect. Okay, Ercole. Focus everything on protecting Garrett here.' Ercole looks worried for a moment before screwing up his perfect stone features in concentration.

'Any volunteers to scratch Garrett?'

Kate shudders slightly and a small growl attempts to force itself through her full, rosy lips. Eleazar turns to her with a smile.

'He won't be seriously hurt, and his face will heal itself within a few minutes should Ercole fail to protect him.'

'I'll do it,' Jasper volunteers, his face hard and set. 'Don't shock me, Kate.'

She narrows her eyes at him, but allows him to approach her mate who is standing with his fists clenched at his sides.

'Are you focused, Ercole?' Eleazar asks. Ercole does not reply, he merely nods, clearly focusing all his attention on Garrett.

'Okay... go ahead Jasper.'

Jasper hesitantly steps foward, hand outstretched. To his credit, Garrett neither moves back nor growls, however he does flinch slightly as Jasper's hand moves closer to his face. Suddenly there is a loud screeching noise and Jasper hurriedly removes his hand, backing away. A deep gash is evident in Garrett's granite skin. Kate dashes over to him, holding a slender hand up to his cheek, examining the injury.

'He will be all right, Kate. Eleazar is right... he will heal himself within a few minutes.' Carlisle's voice calms the tense atmosphere, helped with a soothing balm from Jasper's ability. Ercole hangs his head. Bella rests a hand on his shoulder.

'It's okay, Ercole. I had exactly the same trouble as you when I tried to perfect my gift. It took a while, but I got there eventually. Everyone here helped me, and they'll help you too.' Ercole lifts his head.

'Could I see a demonstration of what you can do, miss?' Bella pauses.

'Well, you could... but we'll need Kate. She'll have to show you what she can do first, and then I can protect you.'

Kate grins, her lips turning upward into a predatory smile. She clearly hasn't forgiven Ercole for failing to protect her mate from Jasper's attack.

'It would be my pleasure,' she growls, advancing toward Ercole stealthily. Carlisle sighs deeply.

'I think the theatrics are a little unnecessary, Kate.' She frowns but straightens into a more normal posture. Ercole looks distinctly apprehensive.

'What is your talent, miss?' he asks, staring as she approaches.

'You know what Jane can do?' she asks. He nods warily. 'Well, it's similar to that, only I can only use it when I physically touch people. It's like an electric current I can run all over my skin.'

Ercole backs away slightly. 'Don't worry,' she smiles. 'It'll only hurt for a moment.' She reaches out one delicate hand and gently taps him on his finger. He drops like a stone, face contorted in pain. Tanya starts forward slightly, appears to realize what she is doing, and stops, glancing around almost guiltily. Her stunning face is creased slightly in concern although she tries her best to mask it. After a few seconds Ercole recovers himself slightly and heaves himself up from the ground in one fluid motion, one hand smoothing his tousled hair. His boyish face grins.

'Wow. That's quite some power you got there, miss.' Kate smiles.

'Are you okay? It was only quite a low level pain I gave you.'

'Oh, I'm sure I'll be all right.' For the briefest of moments his gaze flickers to Tanya, who pretends not to notice and stares loftily into the canopy of the forest.

Bella steps foward. 'Okay, Kate. Give Ercole here the highest pain level you can.' She squints slightly and then her face clears, relaxing into an expression of pure confidence. Ercole gulps slightly but bravely holds out his hand. Kate glances once at Bella, who nods slightly. She taps Ercole's hand again. He blinks.

'Were you doing it, miss?' he asks.

'I was. Bella can protect anyone within about a fifty metre radius.' Ercole's eyes widen.

'Does this mean that she can protect us from Jane?'

Edward nods proudly. 'It took awhile, but she got there in the end. Without my Bella we'd have all died the first time the Volturi came to take us down.'

Ercole shakes his head, his eyes panicked.

'Wait a minute. The Volturi have come for you before? And you're still alive?'

Carlisle nods. 'We had an incident about four years ago. Bella and Edward's daughter sparked it off, although we have reason to believe, even more so now, that Renesmee was just an excuse.'

'Their daughter? You can't actually mean...'

Edward smiles slightly, reading the thoughts in Ercole's head. 'Yes, Renesmee is our biological daughter. She was born while Bella was still human, which makes her a vampire, human hybrid. She's not the only one of her kind, although they are very rare. We've left her at home in Forks... she's still too young to face this kind of danger.'

Ercole collapses onto a fallen tree trunk near the edge of the clearing, hair hanging down over his face. Carmen moves to go and comfort him, but Eleazar puts a hand on his mate's shoulder.

'I'd leave him alone for a bit. I think it'll take him awhile to process all this information. Once he's recovered I think we should have another practice and try and make a decision about where we are going to go. Sound good?'

Jasper nods, kissing Alice gently on the cheek. 'Now that Alice has her visions of the Volturi back, it shouldn't really matter where we go. We'll have forewarning when they're coming for us.'

Two Hours Later

'I think I should go and talk to Ercole, honey. He's been sitting on that log for about two hours now and he hasn't moved. He looks so young, he can't be more than twenty at the most.'

Carlisle smoothes a stray curl away from his wife's face and kisses the tip of her nose. 'Okay. Go and make sure he's all right. I'm not sure what he's going to do about hunting, though. I doubt there's any humans anywhere near here.' Carlisle's face scrunches slightly in distaste, no matter how much he tries to mask it.

'We'll see what we can do. Perhaps he wouldn't mind giving vegetarian living a try for awhile. Is it just me, or is there something going on with him and Tanya?' Carlisle smiles broadly.

'I think they definitely like each other. Tanya's been on her own for so long, though. I think she's built up some kind of defense mechanism whenever anyone shows even the slightest interest in her.'

Esme smiles slightly and kisses Carlisle lightly on the lips. 'I'll be right back.' Quick as a flash she has crossed the clearing and perches next to Ercole.

'Are you all right? Did you need to hunt soon?' Ercole doesn't move or respond. Esme frowns, trying to think how to best proceed. 'I know this is a lot to take in. We're not exactly your normal kind of vampires.'

Finally Ercole looks at her, taking in her kind and accepting expression. He sighs deeply and turns to stare at the trees.

'I just... it's so hard. Eleazar and Bella make it sound so easy. But up until a couple of hours ago I didn't even know I had this physical shield thing. I didn't have to do anything when I was with the Volturi. My mere presence was enough.' He lapses into silence again. Esme carefully reaches out and touches his shoulder.

'I know it can't be easy for you. But Bella did have an enormous amount of trouble mastering her talent, believe me.'

'Now that Eleazar has told me about it, I can kind of feel it within me. I felt it there when I was trying to protect Garrett. It's like something inside which is hidden.' He pauses again and then bursts. 'I don't even understand what I'm doing here! All I wanted was a quiet life. The Volturi arrested me for feeding within the town... I didn't know that was against the law! No-one ever told me that was illegal. I don't even know who my creator was. You and your family, you are lucky. You have Carlisle to guide you.' His tone has turned wistful as he glances swiftly toward where Carlisle has settled back down with a book, his back against a tree. 'He's so... admirable. And yet so naïve. Forgive me, I know he's your mate.'

Esme hesitates. 'He's more than just my mate, Ercole. I firmly believe our... unusual... diet has allowed us to form deeper bonds of love than any other coven. It's perhaps why we are all married... legally. And we are all incredibly lucky to have Carlisle. When he was taken, it was the darkest period of my life... I almost literally didn't know how I could carry on.' Ercole shifts awkwardly on the log.

'Esme... I'm so sorry for my part in that. I didn't know any better, Aro made him sound like a criminal.'

Esme gives him a warm smile. 'I can't deny that I was angry when I first realized you were among the party who took him. But I understand, as Carlisle does. Now I am just thankful that Jasper didn't kill you when he met you in Volterra. I think you have a really good heart, Ercole.'

There is silence between the two of them for a moment. Ercole appears to be thinking. Finally he glances around the clearing, assuring himself that their conversation is private.

'Can I ask you something?'

'Of course.'

'Tanya... it puzzles me that she has no mate. Especially seeing as all the rest of you are so happily... married, you say. A lady as beautiful as she should not be destined to spend her life alone.'

Ercole is not looking at Esme, and so doesn't see the large smile blossom across her face. 'Tanya has not ever seen the need for a mate. Years and years ago she had an interest in Edward.' Esme notes the slight facial twitch in Ercole's stone face and the hand resting on the log clenching into a fist with a certain satisfaction. A satisfaction in a hunch verified. 'Edward never returned her feelings... and about twenty years later he found Bella. I believe that Tanya's feelings toward Edward have waned into mere friendship... but she has found it difficult to open herself up to anyone since then.'

'She seems so cold... and yet I believe she is capable of great love,' Ercole murmurs, his eyes faraway. 'I would give her everything she wants.'

'I believe you,' Esme murmurs gently. 'Perhaps you should tell her how you feel.' Ercole snorts in derision.

'She hates me. It's fairly obvious. I don't know why... perhaps she still doesn't trust me.' Esme smiles slightly.

'I don't know. Things have a way of turning out right most of the time. If you need to hunt Carlisle and I are going to be heading off in awhile.'

He glances at her. 'Hunting... animals?' She nods slightly, examining his face. He pauses and then shrugs.

'Why not? It'll be a new experience, and we are in the middle of nowhere here. Animals would probably be easier.'

Esme beams and jumps off the log.

'Honey?' she calls. Carlisle glances up from his book, eyes twinkling. 'Ercole's going to come hunting with us.'

He gets languidly to his feet, brushing dirt off his jeans. 'Great. Shall we head off now?' Esme glances at Ercole who nods.

'Okay. Let's go.'

In Volterra

'The hunting party went well, Chelsea and Heidi. You are to be congratulated,' Aro mumurs. He wipes the last spot of blood off the corner of his lips delicately. Heidi and Chelsea beam from where they are standing in front of the thrones. 'By the way... did Ercole ever deliver my message to you?'

They hesitate, glancing at each other. 'Yes... we met him by the Palazzo Minucci-Solaini. He was going to head straight back to the Fortress.'

Aro frowns. 'He never reported back.' His crimson eyes are lost in thought. After a second or two he snaps his fingers. 'Santiago!' A blond vampire steps forward, head bowed slightly in supplication.

'Master?'

'Go and find Ercole. Tell him he'd better have a good explanation for not reporting back to me.'

'Yes, Master.' Santiago bows and hurriedly exits the throne room. Every vampire in the room is tense, watching as Aro taps his fingers on the arm of his throne. Marcus slumps as usual in his chair, his milky eyes glazed with indifference. A couple of minutes pass. Finally the doors are flung open again. Aro straightens in his chair. Santiago enters alone, his red eyes fearful and worried.

'I can't find Ercole, Master. I have looked everywhere. No-one has seen him.'

'What?' Aro screeches, launching himself to his feet. As one the entire Volturi Guard shrink backward. 'Find him! Without him the Cullens will be able to see our every decision!'

Santiago swallows but manages to find the courage to speak. 'I don't think that will do any good Master. Ercole is gone.'

'No! It isn't possible!' The Guard watch as Aro rants and raves, striding back and forth across the throne room, his dark robe billowing out behind him. 'You bunch of incompetent idiots! Sciocchi! How could you let this happen? Chelsea! Heidi!'

The two female vampires cringe toward the floor in the face of Aro's wrath.

'We are sorry, Master.'

'How could you not hear anything? Are you deaf as well as stupid?' The duo wisely decide not to answer this clearly rhetorical question. Aro jerks his head at Jane. Chelsea watches horrified as Heidi twists and contorts beside her, screaming in agony. After a few minutes Aro jerks his head again and it is Chelsea's turn. The assembled vampires watch, knowing better than to betray any sign of their agitation at seeing their fellows tortured.

'Enough. We must move swiftly. I want all the Cullens exterminated. We'll need to create a stronger force. Santiago and Afton. I'm charging you with the task of creating more members of the Guard. I want you to search out humans with experience in battle. Control them and bring them back to Volterra. Chelsea, you have a chance to redeem yourself now. Bind them to the Volturi as swiftly as you are able. We will create a force that even the talented Cullens,' the words are spat from his lips, 'cannot withstand. I will not tolerate their insubordination any longer.'

Without saying anything more he sweeps from the room, crumbling a portion of his throne into dust with his fist as he does so.'

'You heard our Master. Move. Now.' Jane's angelic voice is bland, but her eyes flicker with a sadistic fire. Her twin Alec smiles wickedly beside her.

'Time to play.'

Hope you enjoyed this chapter. The tension is mounting once again. I'd also love to hear your thoughts on Ercole. I tried my best to round him out as a character in this chapter as I see him becoming a bigger part of the story. Review... please? xxxx