GUESTS
A heated emotional undertone filled the air as each member of the Cullen family and Jake wordlessly prepared themselves. Within seconds Aro, Caius and Marcus descended closer as silently as they had approached while a few members of their guard flanked them. I recognized Jane and Alec right away; their dramatically beautiful faces and calm demeanor had struck a chord with me at our last confrontation. Aro's main trackers were of course also in silent attendance, but there were few that I had never seen or smelled before.
"Carlisle, old friend! As always, it is a pleasure to see you and your beautiful family." Aro exclaimed as his eyes scanned hungrily over the Cullens, pausing briefly to take in Renesmee. "Isn't she extraordinary?" He breathed.
"Welcome friends" Carlisle replied, his face a perfect plane of icy calm. The air around us was filled with tense anger and confusion but Carlisle's voice never faltered, "Excuse our surprise, had we known you were coming we would have included you in our festivities."
"No need for formalities Carlisle, we're all friends here." Aro's mouth curled into a disingenuous smile that made the muscles in my stomach involuntarily twitch and knot into a sickening stich. From behind me Edward released a low growl, undoubtedly he had read whatever was on Aro's mind that had motivated this visit, I wondered if he could see just what it was that blocked the Volturi from Alice's visions.
"We were just passing through Forks on our way up to Alaska, we have some unfinished business up there that Marcus has been keen to see to. And I of course, wanted to see how the latest additions to your family have been getting along since our last meeting." Aro's eyes found me and his expression changed immediately. "Ah! Is this the young man that is responsible for your survival?"
"Yes." Edward responded. He was now at Carlisle's side, his voice cold and forceful. "Why don't you tell them why you're really here, Aro?"
"All in good time." Aro replied coolly, the sickening smile returning to his face. "I didn't get the chance to be properly introduced to you, Nahuel." His hand stretched out to me and I immediately understood that I was being invited to 'talk' to Aro. Instinctively I looked to Edward who nodded his head only slightly to indicate that it was safe to have Aro read my mind. The knot in my stomach twisted ever so slightly as I stepped forward to receive Aro's hand.
The feeling of having your thoughts and memories violated by someone whose dark motives were unclear, was disgusting. Without any provocation my stomach lurched as Aro's eyes burrowed into mine. I somehow felt that I had betrayed the Cullen's trust as Aro searched and from the corner of my eye I noticed Edward step forward as if to warn Aro that our time was up,
"Absolutely captivating this one is." He sighed. "I can see now why you wanted to study this boy Carlisle, he is a treasure." Aro's eyes once again met mine, "You shall come to visit us Nahuel, I think you will enjoy Italy and I will enjoy getting to know you."
From somewhere inside my bones I could feel something wrong with his statement, but I knew that in the case of the Volturi it was best to remain amicable. "Thank you for your kind offer, Aro. I have always wanted to see Italy."
"What is taking you to Alaska my friends?" Asked Carlisle.
"We're hunting" Mumbled Markus.
"You must forgive Markus," Aro crooned. "Travel makes him cranky. We're trying to locate some individuals who have been causing something of a disturbance in the North West. As you know, it is our job to keep the peace."
"Peace has nothing to do with this." Snarled Edward, his lips curling back over his teeth. "Aro was testing out his latest toy."
"I am not a toy!" Came a familiar female voice from behind one of the robes of the Volturi's guard.
"TRAITOR!" The loud scream ripped from behind me and the enormous hairy body of a wolf sailed over my head towards the owner of the female voice, Lea Clearwater.