INHUMAN RAMPAGE

Some Cupid kills with arrows, some with traps

"Thanks very much!" Erica called after the taxi as she gingerly balanced Alyan on her hip. With her free arm, she tossed her bags to Emmett one by one. "I may have too many things. I just got so excited about this trip, you know? We haven't been away in ... well, ever really. It's so kind of you to do this for us, Emmett, it really is."

"Don't fret it. Anyone would think I'm your carrier donkey," Emmett chuckled as he deliberated over that image for a moment. Erica paused to examine the obscenely large man standing easily before her, despite being ladled with many bags; how strange he could hold them all so easily, it wasn't like they were light. Her thoughts were swiftly interrupted as a deep laugh escaped his masculine lips, and Erica couldn't help but think what a lucky lady Rosalie was to have such a husband. From the airport to Volterra it had taken an hour's drive, and Emmett spent the majority of the journey wondering how long it would have taken him to run; less time, definitely less time. And less talking, much less talking.

"Is this it? This is where Rosalie is working?" Erica asked, a little disheartened as a sulky frown formed on her brow. "It looks pretty dull to me! Sorry, I don't mean to be rude it's just ... not what I expected."

Placing Alyan's carrier down on the paved floor beneath her, she stared at the white-washed wall towering up before her. With a heavy sigh she placed one arm on her hip and the other under her chin as she contemplated her darkened surroundings. The fountain was pretty, the large wooden and bolted door before her was not. There was no sun, but then, it was night. She searched the small streets that staggered off in all angles to their unknown destinations. There was no-one around, and she couldn't help but think how unnaturally silent it was here tonight.

"You're right, there's defiantly a lack of wine, pools and grape vines." A smile quirked Emmett's lips as he placed down the many bags Erica had packed. Bags that he knew she wouldn't be needing for quite a while. "That what you were expecting?"

"Well. Yes, actually. Not that I'm complaining, don't get me wrong. It's ... just ... really quiet," Erica mused.

Emmett scanned his sharp eyes around the open square before looking to the baby carrier on the floor. Erica paused for a moment as she watched the amusement and happiness drain from Emmett's face. Suddenly she could see nothing in him she knew; nothing in his eyes that sparked as they usually did. The longer she stared, the further she was drawn into them, finding herself unable to pull away. There was something about this moment that she did not like, something that caused the hairs on the back of her neck to stand on end. Should she go to him? Make sure he was ok? No. Something about his large, muscular physique frightened her now. Gradually becoming more aware that Erica was shuffling uncomfortably next to him, Emmett thought over what he was about to do. There was no guarantee this was going to work. If it failed, could he really live with knowing that he could be responsible for causing the death of two innocent people, of his son?

'Pull it together,' his thoughts screamed at him. He was too close to change his mind now, and there was certainly no way he could explain his change of mind to Erica. He was still unsure how he was planning on telling her the truth anyway.

"I don't usually do this," he said finally, shattering the uncomfortable silence that had built between them. Maybe it would be better if she were to see for herself. Yes, he would show her. Emmett spent a further moment wondering if she were to see who he really was for herself, and by not telling her directly, if he would still be breaking the Volturi's rules.

"Do what?" she quizzed in complete and utter confusion by his misplaced silence. From behind them, Emmett could hear the thuds of two pairs of feet that disturbed his train of thought. His eyes darted to the door... there were no guards. He was sure Carlisle had mentioned the likelihood of there being at least two guards here, particularly at night. Sure enough, two cloaked figures appeared gracefully from the dark alleyways, one much larger than the other. Quickly, and without hesitation, Emmett snatched Alyan in his crib from the ground, barged open the large door and placed him down inside. Hurriedly he returned outside, collected all the suitcases and launched them through the old doorway. Before he allowed Erica to see him again, he drew in one large breath to steady himself. What he was about to do would break the vampiric laws still, he was sure of that. But as he could hear the guards drawing nearer, he knew he had no other choice. Before Erica was even aware what was happening, Emmett had seized her and was charging back inside, silently shutting and bolting the door behind them. Letting Erica go, he pressed his large body against the door to listen to the approaching guards.

"Enjoyable hunt," one of them said grimly. Emmett's eyes flashed over to Erica who was standing rather unsteadily on her feet.

"Certainly. Though being on guard tonight will be pretty dull," the other answered. Emmett relaxed his extremely tense posture, relieved that they had not been seen.

'Some guard,' he thought to himself before regaining focus upon Erica. She stood still. Her face white. Her hands shaking.

"H ... how ... how did you ... how did you do that?" She asked shakily, her eyes wide with fright as she eyed the newly perceived stranger before her. She hardly remembered seeing him move and before she knew it, she had felt his arms take hold of her and then she was indoors. "What did you do? Magic?"

"Magic? No." He shook his head, letting his eyes fall away from her and to the ground. "Sssh, quickly," he whispered, once again collecting Alyan and reaching out for Erica. If she was going to yell at him, then here really was not the best of places. He could hear the guard, which would mean if they were not careful, they would hear them.

"Answer me!" Erica demanded, pulling herself away from his outstretched hand. "Give me Alyan. Now, Emmett."

"Erica, trust me. You've gotta be quiet. There are ... people ... out there that won't like you being here." He tried to be calm and reason with her, unsure of quite how to phrase what he was truly thinking. But Erica was having none of it. She opened her mouth to speak again, but before she had the chance Emmett wrapped his free hand across her mouth, lifted her from the ground and dashed down the corridor and into a room on his right.

"What the hell!" Erica cried out again, even more certain this time that it was him that had moved her. She blinked in horror, as Emmett was then standing before her with all her luggage.

"Rosalie is here, Erica. Just not like I told you." Emmett pressed himself against the stone wall and peered around it to make sure they were definitely alone.

"Liar! I'm getting out of here." She reached out for Alyan but was stopped in her tracks as Emmett flew to her. "This is insane. You can't move like that! You just can't!"

"You can't go, trust me. I'm much faster than you, stronger than you. I'd stop you before you could think about trying. I don't wanna frighten you, honestly, but you have to listen." He silently congratulated himself for frightening her when he needed to calm her. Edward or even Jasper would be much better suited to this task.

"I don't have to listen. I don't want to listen. I want to go, clearly you are either insane or freakishly ... fast ..." she trailed off as her eyes widened and her jaw dropped. Shakily, she reached out one finger to point it accusingly at Emmett. "That night, the one in the mountains, I didn't faint. I knew I didn't ... that blonde woman ... that was Rosalie? She didn't save me! She tried to kill us!"

"It was a mistake, Erica. She's not a bad ..." Erica interrupted him as her mind whirled over the events she believed to be true, and the ones her mind was now telling her were true.

"What the hell are you? She lifted Ben six feet into the air with one arm ... she moved as fast as you!" Each word she spoke was interrupted by the taps of her feet as she began to pace across the room, back and forth, wondering what the heck she had got herself into this time.

"Accident," Emmett replied, bending the truth slightly.

"She stole my child." Erica blinked, outrage causing her cheeks to flush red.

"Bigger accident," he replied sheepishly, half smiling in discomfort, his eyes narrowing at the memories of that night.

"You better start talking, seriously!" Erica's arms flailed around at her sides, frustration taking its harsh, firm grip on her.

"If I told you I'd be killed," Emmett muttered, knowing the sordid truth in that statement, and praying that Rosalie was still alive.

"Wrong. The saying is, 'if I told you, I'd have to kill you'. Don't give me that crap. Talk or I go, stop me if you want. But I'll leave one way or another," she continued to demand.

"Erica, places have royal families, or dictators or governments, right?" Emmett began, thinking carefully how to tell her who he was without her attempting to run for the hills. He couldn't lose her now.

"Right..." she replied, her eyes darting around the room, clearly annoyed and exasperated now.

"This place is kind of where my royal family are. They are pretty powerful, and even by telling you who I am gives them the go ahead to have me killed." He paused to examine Erica once more. She look less than impressed, instead her eyes flitted between the doorway, Alyan and him. "I'm a vampire."

"And I'm the Queen of Sheba," Erica chimed in a ridiculous, patronizing tone. Emmett didn't answer, instead waited for the moment that every human has when they realise the vampire before them isn't lying. He watched as Erica's emotions manifested from anger, to annoyance, to confusion, to disbelief and finally, amidst splutters of nonsense and stamping of her feet, she came to shock and horror.

"You have to be kidding me ..." she finally whispered breathlessly. Her voice caught in her throat. "Vampires are myth, legend, and fantasy! They are not real! You're ... you're lying ..."

"I'm not. I did move fast, I can move really fast." He paused again as he listened to the erratic thumping of her heart. "One time I ran along a runway with a plane and I was ..."

"I get it! Just ... I can't believe it. I can't." Her hands flew to her mouth as tears welled in her shimmery blue eyes. "Why did you lie to me?"

"Because I love my wife." The answer was simple. Erica calmed instantly as she examined the truth in his eyes. Her breathing steadied as she fell back against the wall behind her.

"That I can understand," she answered again in a soft whisper. She loved her partner, Ben, but he had a terrible temper, one that he found hard to control and it scared her; scared her to the point of wanting to be free of him ... for Alyan to be free of him.

"I'm sorry I had to do this. But I have to get Rose back." Emmett knelt down and reached out a single finger to Alyan who was beginning to stir from his sleep. "She is my world, Erica."

"Then tell me, honestly, what happened to her?" She pulled herself away from the wall and cautiously moved over to Emmett's side and knelt beside him. "What is so bad that you have to lie to me and my ... your son to get us here. What possible help can I offer you?"

"More than you know. It was Rosalie that night in the mountains. She's passionate, feisty and sometimes I don't think she sees beyond herself. But, being as we are we can't have kids. Rosalie can't change, so she can't get pregnant. Kids is all she wants now, she's not exactly a fan of this life 'cause it stops her getting the one thing she wants now. Part of me wonders if she still wants me, if I'm enough for her now." Emmett leant down to pick Alyan up, lost in the new self-pity he had uncovered.

"Fine. So she was trying to kill me. That's just peachy. Wait ... you think that I wouldn't give you Alyan if I knew?" Erica pieced together the puzzle that circled and scattered in her mind. Slowly, she stood and once again backed away from this stranger.

"That and the rest," Emmett sighed.

"You're right, I wouldn't. Damn right I wouldn't! What has this got to do with me now then? We can put that behind us for now, everyone makes mistakes," Erica reached out to Emmett, her eyes focused solely on him. Understanding her movements instantly, her lack of trust in him was understandable, he unwillingly handed back her baby. It took a few minutes longer for him to explain everything that he knew, pausing every now and then to check Erica had understood him. She nodded every now and then, a permanent crease on her brow as she struggled to believe what he was telling her.

"... so that's it." Emmett finally concluded. His large hands ran through his curly hair before settling across his broad chest.

"Can't lie, I'm in shock ... disbelief ... You led me here, lied to me. Do you understand that I. Hate. You, right now?" As she spoke those three words, 'I hate you', Emmett couldn't help but be drawn back to that night in the mountains above Forks. The night Rosalie had betrayed them all and nearly damaged everything they had worked hard for. And it stung. Emmett felt himself swallow hard as the clear images played in his mind:

"You left me no other option Rose." His tone was deep, almost regretful. "You know this wasn't going to end any differently." He sighed, pressing his palms to his temples.

"I. Hate. You." Her head was lowered, allowing him only to see her black eyes. Letting his arms fall to his sides, he shook his head before tilting it slightly to look directly at her.

"No, you don't." He challenged her, knowing they could get through this. Even if no-one else did, he still had faith in her.

Erica continued to degrade him further, only partly aware that he was not listening, and gradually her words became harsher as once again her anger bubbled to the surface.

"You can't expect me to give my son to you now? You bring me here into a pit of vampires that you say may or may not fancy killing me! To kill my baby! You're evil, hell is too good for you! YOU WILL LET ME GO!" Erica roared. Her echo rang through the room and out into the corridor. It was only then that Emmett snapped back to reality. Panic flooded though him as he became aware of her dangerously raised voice.

"Erica," he hissed, lunging towards her as his muscles tensed.

"NO! You let me out of here. NEVER, I mean it! NEVER touch us, or see us again!" she continued, oblivious to the imminent danger that she was likely to be drawing towards them. Emmett hissed as he desperately tried to find a way to silence her without hurting her or scaring her any further. Every step he made towards Erica, forced her to dart further away. Her eyes kept returning to the door as she foolishly attempted to find a way past this monster.

"Please, shut it. You'll draw them to us." His posture was tensed as he tried to listen out for any sign of the Volturi, but at the same time trying to calm Erica. From her reaction, he quickly realised how animalistic his posture had become so quickly straightened himself up.

"WHO?" Erica continued to shout, "Draw who to us?"

"I told you that we only eat animal, but not all of us are like that. Not many at all, most live on human and the ones here definitely do!" Emmett informed her, almost begging her to be quiet now.

"WHAT! This Voltie ... Vol-try, or whatever they are, live on human? Well great, freaking great. Thanks Emmett, thanks for NOTHING!" As Emmett's hands flew to his temples in frustration, Erica saw her moment to flee. But Emmett had already seen the subconscious movements she was making, every human made them as they would think about moving, and he darted to intercept her. As he reached out and took hold of her arms that cradled Alyan, she screamed out in fear of him. As quickly as he could, he wrapped one hand over her mouth to muffle the sound as he pulled them further into the shadows of the room. Erica squirmed to get free of him only causing Alyan to begin to cry too.

"Bloody hell," he muttered under his breath. He expected things to take a turn for the worst, but not like this, not so soon. He bent his head down so his lips were level with her dainty human ear. "Listen to me, they will kill you. I won't. I'm trying to help but you gotta let me. I can't let you stop me getting Rosalie back."

He hesitated as he felt Erica's struggles begin to slow. He could hear and smell her blood rushing through her body, in and out of her warm, pulsating heart. He could see it as it rose to the surfaces of her flushing cheeks. How he would just love a taste, one taste, that's all he would need.

"NO," he suddenly called out, his arms releasing Erica and pushing her forwards and away from him. It had been a while since he had fed now too; all this excitement was certainly thirsty work.

Erica stumbled a few steps before tripping over a slightly lose slab on the ground, before she knew it, she began to tumble towards the ground as she grasped fiercely onto Alyan. Seeing her trip Emmett shot forwards, instantly forgetting his thirst, catching her only inches before she were to collide with the ground below. But Erica didn't have time to be thankful.

"Well, isn't this just a touching scene?" a small voice floated in from the doorway. Emmett stiffened and froze. He quickly pulled himself upright, still holding Erica closely, as his eyes fell upon his enemy.

"Jane," he greeted her solemnly, bitterly. Erica quickly scanned over the child-like figure before them. She was only a child, yet she could sense the fear her presence held for even one such as Emmett. She gasped as she saw how crimson the child's eyes were, how white and smooth her skin was. Several other people with similar appearances appeared behind her, completely blocking their way out of the room. He wasn't lying, they were different here.

"Emmett Cullen, you've taken your time. We expected you much sooner than this," Jane smiled angelically as her sight fell upon the two humans pressed securely between his arms and chest. "You brought lunch, how kind. I'm sure Aro will appreciate the offering."

"They're not lunch," he spat in response as Erica swivelled her head up towards him, panic etched into her features. As much as she feared him, she now feared the pale, red-eyed child more.

"Then what reason have you for bringing humans into our home?" Jane quizzed tauntingly.

"Don't tell me you're ..." Demetri laughed sourly. "Poor Rosalie, she will be disappointed. I see this going a similar way as with Edward's little human flame."

"Demetri, you don't think ... these two?" Jane's tone darkened and twisted, mirroring her expression.

"Wrong again," Emmett replied defensively. "Rosalie's alive?"

"For the time being. Her sentence has been passed," Jane grinned again, delighted by the wild range of emotions in Emmett's eyes. "You won't miss the execution, don't worry about that."

"Execution? You can't do that! Let me see her, Jane," Emmett growled. Erica shuffled uncomfortably at the rumbling in her captor's chest.

"Front row seats for relatives," Alec said a little uninterested. This was nothing new for them, relatives whinging and begging for their partners to be released was an everyday occurrence.

"Take me to Aro, he needs to hear what I know," Emmett demanded, which irritated Jane.

"You will do as we instruct you to do. We are rather parched, they will do for an appetizer," Jane pointed towards Erica. Instantly Emmett pulled Erica behind him, standing firmly in front of her. It was in this moment that Erica realised that Emmett was protecting her, maybe he had not brought her here to die. Maybe he was the good in all of this.

"Leave them Jane. Let me see Rosalie, just let me see her once," he asked again, a little more impatiently.

"ENOUGH! You do not give the orders here, Emmett," Jane spat out his name as though it was laced with poison. "Get them, and follow me."

Erica let out a little squeal as Demetri, Felix and Alec marched towards them.

"Stay close to me," Emmett whispered quickly to Erica as he began to follow Jane out into the corridor. Erica hurried alongside Emmett, keeping close to his side as he had asked, Alyan drawn tightly into her chest.

It wasn't long before Jane was marching them into the grand hall, and into the pits of hell. Marcus sat rather unenthusiastically slumped in his throne, his eyes lightening slightly at the sight, and smell, of Erica. Caius hovered to the left of his throne, showing his annoyance at being so abruptly interrupted. And then there was Aro. His long black cape flowed elegantly down his back, his arms folded in front of his chest as he faced away from them to his own centred throne.

"Well, well. We didn't expect you to be alone, Emmett," Aro mused as he turned slowly to face them. Demetri, Felix and Alec ushered Erica and Emmett into the centre of the large room before dispersing to the sides. "What is the pleasure of your visit?"

"You know why I'm here," Emmett hissed as he quickly scanned the room, taking in the positions of each member of the guard.

"Yes, Rosalie. Shame that you are too late," Aro sneered, taking great delight in the moment he had waited far too long for. "Her sentence is passed."

Emmett growled loudly but held his position. He knew they were only playing with him. He was sure that Rosalie was still alive, Jane would have already had the delight in telling him if she were not.

"Let's not be too hasty, Emmett."Aro entwined his fingers together as he brought them up to his chin.

"Let me see her," Emmett demanded once more, his fists tightening into potentially destructive balls at his sides.

"Why is it that you want?" Aro's eyes narrowed as he contemplated if he should ask to touch Emmett, although that was usually quicker he knew this one would be trouble. He was their fighter, their protector and would not give in easily.

"Thought that would be obvious. Rosalie didn't expose us. I've brought ... the girl so you can see for yourself." Emmett began, quickly deciding it would be best not to give away any knowledge he had of Erica. It would be safer for her that way. "Touch her, nothing more and you'll know too."

"Smart. But I already know what Rosalie has done. I have touched her and seen for myself."Emmett winced slightly at the thought of Aro getting his hands on his wife. "It is irrelevant that this human did not know, but a fact that Rosalie's let her live. Humanity is a poor quality in you Cullen's ... sadly also in Carlisle."

Emmett's teeth clenched tightly together. There was no need to bring the rest of his family into this, especially Carlisle. He was nothing but good, if Rosalie was his angel, then Carlisle was some kind of God. As Emmett concentrated hard on not charging at Aro's throat, it dawned upon him the enormous mistake he had made. He had forgotten entirely that Aro would have touched Rosalie. He would know more about what Rosalie had ever done past and present now, than Emmett would ever know.

"Let him see her, Aro." Marcus mumbled slowly. The dull tone of his voice came as a surprise to Emmett, and brought him back into the room.

"Yes. I agree." Caius added decisively.

"You think that would be wise?" Aro questioned with intrigue in his tone. His eyes searched over Emmett's large physique; he really would be a wonderful asset to his guard.

"He should say goodbye to her, at least for now. He is not here to save her, and they are not here to be punished." Marcus continued.

"We need him on our side if you intend for him to be in our Guard. If it will put his mind at ease that she is alive, then we should allow it," Caius reminded Aro.

"Quite right ..." Aro began, sighing heavily in content.

"Bullshit," Emmett spat, every inch of his body suddenly burning with anger and hatred. "I'm not joining your guard. Forget it."

"Ah, but you will if you want Rosalie to live. I suppose we could postpone her death, but she would remain here as long as you served us. You should be grateful we are offering you this change to save your mate. Many are not given that chance, Emmett." Aro sounded almost remorseful, though he was not.

"My wife," Emmett made sure to emphasis what Rosalie was to him. Aro's eyes flashed with anger. For someone as civilised as he believed himself to be, Emmett had hit a point that was difficult for him. Civilised or not, he was still more of an animal than Emmett. Seeing his reaction, Emmett's lips twisted into a winning smile.

"You're nuts if you think I'd leave Rose, but I won't join you." Emmett thought carefully over his options; there had to be another way out of this. "You wanna fight or what? I mean, seriously, what's your plan if I don't join you?"

"Fight?" Aro's tone was curious, if not a little confused as he shuffled awkwardly where he stood, still reeling from Emmett's last dig; he was not so accustomed to personal insults. He had another plan, but that one would be such a shame. Such a waste if they had to be ended.

"You wanna fight you can have one. Either way I'm getting Rosalie." Emmett pushed Aro further.

"We do not want to fight," Caius glared into Emmett's darkening eyes as he slid himself gracefully back into his throne. "At any rate ... you ... would lose."

Emmett scoffed bitterly, lose a fight? Him? Nope, not likely.

"Then Rosalie will die," Aro said in nothing more than a whisper. But it did not escape Emmett's keen ears. That was it. Emmett had had enough. His lips pulled back to reveal his sharp, dagger like teeth. Growls and snarls escaped his lips as every muscle in his body tensed in preparation for battle. But as soon as the first snarl had left him, a line of guards appeared before him, blocking his path to Aro. In the centre of the defensive line stood Felix, his eyes glinting at the possibility of fighting Emmett, the husband of the vampire he so desired.

"What about me?" Erica suddenly interrupted in a small squeak that seemed to get lost in the space between her throat and lips. She quickly took a small step back as all the crimson eyes in the room fell upon her. She had meant that to sound a lot more definite than it had actually come out. Emmett felt his body relax slightly, but his eyes had locked tightly with Felix's, he could see something in them that he feared to know. Something ... no ... not Rosalie. Surely it was nothing to do with Rosalie.

Aro almost appeared to skip as he heard the small human speak at last; he had not forgotten her. His sharp eyes darted between the guards, passing Emmett and settling upon the weak little girl and the bundle in her arms. Young blood was always much more appetising, sweeter.

"She'll keep quiet." Emmett defended Erica, taking a few steps back to close the gap between them. "Take me to Rosalie, Erica comes with me."

Aro paused for a moment.

"The human stays here, and she will be unharmed until you return. We will discuss your future, and hers then. Jane escort our ... visitor to the chamber." Aro instructed feeling a step closer to his goal.

"But ..." Jane began to protest, angry that Emmett seemed to be getting his own way. Was Aro weakening? Surely not ... this must be part of his plan that they were not privy to.

"Do as I say, Jane." Aro's teeth pressed together at her defiance. If Emmett were to be allowed this one favour, he would be indebted to them, and that debt could be repaid by him joining their guard, while he remained assured that Rosalie was still alive and nearby.

Jane blinked several times before lifting her head into the air as though there was a bad smell beneath her. Without another word she strode towards the doorway that concealed the corridor to which Rosalie was locked in.

"Emmett?" Erica called to him, sounding terrified as well as betrayed. He turned to her, smiling softly.

"Don't freak. I'll be back for you. They won't break their promise not to hurt you. Okay?" Emmett leant forwards slightly towards her, offering her encouragement that she so desperately desired. She searched his eyes for any hint of a lie, and once she forced herself to believe him, she nodded shakily and recoiled towards the wall behind her, unchallenged. Jane swung open the door loudly indicating to Emmett that he was to leave her now. In only a few strides, he stood beside Jane before following her into the darkened corridor. Emmett felt his heart leap as he drew in the scent of his wife. She was close. This was it. He had her.

A/N: Ooooh yeah! Finally managed to bring it to an end! This is the longest chapter yet, so I hope you enjoy! Yey to Rosalie and Emmett finally together again, don't think I could take much longer of them being apart to be honest! Please review as I'm rather proud of this chapter, thanks!