Disclaimer: This starts to encroach on Breaking Dawn territory quite a bit. Stephenie Meyer definitely wrote that better than I ever will. I am using her already brilliant idea.

I am in a generous mood this weekend, so intead of getting this part tomorrow, you get it today. Tell me how happy you are? *hinthint* Yes, I realise that's not going to work, but an writer can live in hope, right?


Chapter 10

'Victoria,' Carlisle greeted her; nothing but steel in his voice.

'Cullen. Not so strong now, are you? You brought this on yourselves,' she spat the words.

Against such hatred, Carlisle took the higher road and decided to ignore her venomous tone. 'Of the accusation that we killed her mate: that is valid. That we did so to save a human also will I admit to. You know of the value I place on human life, Aro. I could not stand idly by as James threatened a human. Such enjoyment of the hunt is despicable, even for our kind.'

'Indeed,' Aro agreed. Bella drew in a deep breath, surprised by that. 'Indeed, that sort of pleasure in the kill is too great, even for those of us who prefer the...proper way of living.'

Victoria hissed.

'Enough,' Aro said, turning to her so sharply she took a full step back.

'Indeed, enough of this,' another voice spoke, as cold and clear and old as Aro's. A vampire stepped forward from the group, hair as blonde as Carlisle's. 'We tarry here when there is no need. They do not stand accused of the death of this one's mate,' he glanced at Victoria, clearly uninterested in her issues. 'They stand accused of breaking the law and revealing themselves to humans. And consorting with werewolves!' The blonde, Caius, all but screamed the last word.

Across the field, the guard tensed and the Cullens and Denalis responded. In the forest behind, Bella could pick out the hurried movement of the wolves.

Carlisle's voice was suitably calm when he answered, directing his response only to Aro. 'Of the first accusation, I would clarify that it is only one human and she is my son's mate.'

This obviously raised Aro's surprise. 'Is this so?' he asked; his voice intrigued.

'Yes,' Edward admitted; his voice firm and determined. 'She is my mate and I would not keep secrets from her.'

'Then why do you hesitate? She is still human,' Caius spat. 'Turn her now and be done with it.'

'The law values secrecy above all else,' Carlisle interrupted. 'As you taught me Aro.'

Clearly this did not impress the Volturi to be reminded of the law. 'It is so,' the black haired leader agreed, reluctantly.

'This is a small community; her disappearance would raise questions. We wait only until Bella finishes school and then we will go far away. At that time, her death will be staged and she will be turned. No questions will be left behind us to raise the curiosity of humans.'

Aro seemed to consider that, though Caius made a disgusted noise.

'On those conditions, of this I would agree,' he finally said.

Disgust turned into rage on his blonde brother's face. 'Aro, you cannot take them at their word! They have harboured a human for months!'

'For the sake of secrecy, brother, which we prize above all else: this I would let go.'

Bella let out a sob of relief at that, but beside her Edward did not relax.

'However,' Aro said, red eyes boring directly into Bella's brown ones, 'there is the matter of a much greater accusation. And this one we cannot forget, my friend,' he turned to Carlisle.

'You ally yourself with Children of the Moon, our greatest enemy!' Caius announced for him.

But Carlisle wouldn't budge. 'We ally ourselves with no one other than the Denalis,' he said, turning slightly to nod back towards where Eleazar stood.

'I vouch for this, Aro,' the former guard member spoke.

'And yet, the wolves are right on your doorstep. You mean to tell me you didn't know?' Caius went on, anger growing by the moment. Aro, in contrast, almost looked bored.

Bella wondered where the third member was. Has he stayed in Italy to...rule?

'We have been aware of the presence of the tribe for some time,' Carlisle admitted. A collective gasp of surprise rippled through the Cullen and Denali line. 'Your guard has already smelt them and know they dwell near here.'

'How do you know these things?' Aro wondered aloud, curiosity once more piqued.

'We each of us have our secrets, old friend,' Carlisle said. 'The tribe has been here for many centuries, but they are not what Caius accuses them of. Their form is arbitrary only. Children of the Moon are cursed in their transformation; this tribe is not.'

'Explain,' Aro suggested. Caius looked ready to tear everyone, including his brother, limb from limb.

'There is a legend in their tribe, that centuries ago they were attacked by beings that were not human. To defend the tribe, the chief changed into their clan's totem, a wolf. From that time, the gene has always lain dormant in their blood. Most recently it seems to have activated again. They change freely and remain in control. They are not Children of the Moon,' Carlisle said, voice so low Bella could barely hear it in the wind.

There was a long silence until Aro slowly held out his hand across the distance that still separated the two vampires.

'Aro!' Caius protested.

'I will see if they tell the truth. For want of old friendship,' he clarified.

Carlisle paced forward without any hesitation, though Edward clearly thought it was a bad idea. He took a full step forward, away from Bella, before Jasper's hissed protest stopped him.

Bella watched, fascinated, as Carlisle took Aro's hand. Nothing seemed to happen. Besides the noise of the wind, there was no other sound for several minutes.

Finally, Aro drew back, though he did not release the hand he held. 'Ah, what strange times we live in.' He glanced sideways at his brother. 'He speaks the truth, Caius. They are not Children of the Moon.'

Caius screamed in anger and lashed out at the nearest thing, which happened to be Victoria. She was in pieces before the shock of it even registered around the field.

Aro gave him a placid expression. 'It seems your accuser is dead,' he told Carlisle. 'And it seems we have come for nothing.'

'No!' Caius said, stepping between them and forcing Carlisle back. 'They have broken the law, no matter their excuses. And they allow these creatures to live! They are a threat to us, no matter if they bear the curse or not! Too long have we stood by in Volterra while others make their own rules. We are the law,' he screeched.

Aro levelled a look at this brother that was very similar to how Edward looked at Emmett, every time he said something stupid. Thousands of years together had clearly only made it worse. 'Do you propose we fight them then, Caius?'

'Yes!' a high female voice called out from behind. The figure that stepped forward to lower their hood was tiny; smaller even than Alice, with red eyes and blond hair. She could have been Caius' daughter, if such a thing was possible. 'They flaunt our control in our faces, Masters. They consort with humans and werewolves and we should not suffer them to live!'

Aro's eyes were shinning with what Bella thought was humour. 'Thank you Jane, for that insight,' he said, indulgence clear in his voice. 'However, it seems we have a complication. You see, we are almost evenly matched in numbers, but dear Carlisle has shown me something more.'

'What, pray tell, is that?' Caius asked.

Aro smiled. It made Bella's stomach roll. Around her she could hear vampires shifting, clearly put off by it as well. 'We are nearly surrounded by your werewolves!' he explained, almost laughing.

Caius did not laugh. He looked even more enraged, if that was even possible. If Victoria had still been in one piece, he probably would have torn her apart right then. 'So they do ally themselves.'

'No; the wolves seem to be here for their own survival and care nothing for the coven. Strange,' Aro said, head slightly cocked. 'In all my centuries, I have never seen the like. No, Caius; we will not fight.'

That made an impression. The guard shifted uncomfortably and the little blonde one, Jane, let out an annoyed scream, so high it hurt Bella's ears. The Cullens and Denalis, on the other hand, relaxed ever so slightly.

'You cannot be serious, Aro,' Caius stated, clearly disbelieving.

Carlisle had taken the opportunity afforded by the brothers conversing to take several steps back towards his family.

'I am quite serious, brother. Marcus would agree with me, I am certain. There will be no battle today. However,' Aro started, eyes boring right into Carlisle's across the distance now between them. 'However; you have made promises today that I expect to be kept, as you showed me. Also, these wolves are now your concern. If word should reach us of the destruction of a single vampire at their...paws,' he smirked, 'you will be held accountable. They are your neighbours now, old friend, and your responsibility.'

Carlisle inclined his head. 'Very well.'

'Wonderful!' Aro said, clapping excitedly, suddenly very much an eager child than a millennia old vampire. 'Well, it seems a wasted trip, but it was good to see you, my old friend. And you are welcome in Volterra. Indeed, I insist; when that one,' he pointed towards Bella, 'is ready, we invite you all to attend on us there.'

Though it was clear Carlisle was loath to do so, he nodded. 'As you wish.'

'I do wish,' Aro said, humour now gone from his voice. 'And I do wish you to bring your entire family,' he smiled, no longer polite.

Bella wasn't certain what he meant, but beside her Edward stiffed more than ever, and let a low hiss escape through his teeth. Aro smiled wider, as if in promise.

'Until then,' the Volturi leader said, inclining his head in farewell. 'Come Caius; it has been so long since we left the city and I would enjoy the countryside for a while. Of course, we will refrain from feeding nearby,' he added to Carlisle as they turned away. 'Farewell, friends, for a short while!'

And with that, the black robbed figures dissolved back into the trees until there was only silence in the field. Overhead the clouds opened up and the rain poured down so suddenly it made Bella shriek.

Uncharacteristically, Edward laughed. 'Come on,' he said, pulling her onto his back. 'Let's get back to the house!' And off they ran, the others following behind.

It was only when they reached the dry warmth of the Cullen house and had all piled inside to dry off that the full weight of what had happened sunk in. In seconds Bella was in tears in Edward's arms, cuddled up on the white sofa in their wet clothes. He just held her tightly as she sobbed her relief, whispering 'it's over, you're safe' again and again into her ear as the others looked on.


One more chapter and then there's an epilogue too!