14. Shield
Bella POV
I couldn't bear this, why did I leave her? I should have stayed. She needed me and I wasn't there. I had let my bloodlust take control of me I was a monster. For the first time in my new life, I actually felt like a monster, I had hurt my own daughter because of what I am.
I punched the wall letting all my anger flood through me and fell to the floor sobbing tearless sobs.
"Bella please stop doing this to yourself, it's not your fault," Edward said wrapping his arms around me.
"Whose fault is it then Edward? If I had not of left her, she would be with us now. Don't you dare blame yourself for this, you did everything you could," I spat.
Edward did not reply he just held me in his arms while I sobbed. I could feel Jasper trying to control my emotions but these emotions were stronger than any I had ever felt and no matter what he did, he could not make me feel better now.
"Doe's it really matter whose fault it was? We need to find her we need to save her. I won't let them take Nessie from me," Jake said annoyed.
Jake had phased back to human when he had calmed down enough to phase. Alice had left some clothes for him in one of the empty chambers.
I knew Jake was right, I knew we were wasting time sitting around blaming ourselves but where do we start?
"Alice can you see anything?" Edward asked.
Alice didn't reply she was already searching the future and Edward was quiet as he watched with her.
This reminded me of Alice's reaction when I had told her where Nessie was. Had she seen something?
"What did Alice see before?" I asked Jasper.
"She saw your plan to come here so we got on a plane immediately. Whilst we were in the air Alice saw Nessie standing in front of Aro in a stone building," he replied.
"Aro? But isn't he on his way to Forks?" I asked confused.
"Well that's what we all thought. Alice hasn't seen any more so we don't know for sure," Jasper replied.
"Have you heard from Carlisle or Emmett?" I asked.
"No not yet. Alice saw Rosalie with Zafrina so at least we know they have found them but that's all we know," Jasper said.
"What is it? Can you see her?" Jake asked Alice.
I watched as Alice became more aware. "I just keep seeing the same thing," Alice said. "I can't see where they are but I'll keep looking."
I sighed in frustration. They could be anywhere, we should have tried to track them as soon as we had realised they were missing. It will be so much harder to find them now.
"We need to find her Edward; we need to try to track her. You have done it before, we can find her I know we can," I said pleadingly.
"I don't know that I can Bella. The last time I tried to track someone I got it completely wrong," Edward, confessed.
"But this time is different; you know Nessie's scent just as well as mine. You are attuned to her mind too, if we got close enough she could lead us to her with her thoughts," I encouraged.
"I agree with Bella," Jack said. "We all know Nessie's scent well; if we work together we can find her."
I was happy to hear Jake's confidence, it made me feel confident and that's what I needed. I will never make it through this otherwise.
"Okay," Edward agreed.
"What about the others?" Jasper asked.
I had completely forgotten about Nahuel's sisters but I didn't want to think about them. All I wanted was to have my Nessie back.
"When I spoke to them earlier they said they would be happy to go there own way. They don't want anything to do with the Volturi but they will not help us either. They want to take their babies and run," Edward explained.
"Do you trust them?" Jasper asked.
"Yes there was nothing in their thoughts to suggest otherwise," Edward replied.
"Okay we will let them go and then go and track Nessie," Jasper declared.
We all agreed and headed down to their chamber. I couldn't bear to see any of them or their babies so Jake and I went outside to wait for the others.
The sun had set and the streets were dark and empty. I took a deep breath in through my nose searching for Nessie's scent. Jake was standing beside me doing the same thing; we both turned to the west when we caught Nessie's scent.
I felt pressure on my shoulder but I knew it was Edward. I could smell his delicious scent before I even heard him.
"Do you smell that?" I asked.
"Yes, this may be easier than I first thought," Edward replied.
I took his hand as we all started to race after Nessie's scent. We stayed in the shadows and took to the rooftops following her scent. We were fortunate that the streets were very quiet so we wouldn't be noticed.
We followed Nessie's scent to the far west of Volterra were it suddenly disappeared. We were standing on the last rooftop and all we could see in front of us was the road leading in and out of Volterra and miles and miles of empty landscapes. Where did they go? All my hope vanished again as I scanned the horizon.
"They must have had a car waiting," Jasper said.
How could this be happening, they could be miles away now. I looked towards Edward and saw all the pain in my eyes reflected in his. How would we find our baby now?
"Do you have a car?" Jake asked Jasper.
"No but I can get one. What are you thinking?" Jasper asked.
"Not bad," Edward mumbled unable to show much enthusiasm.
"There is only one road leading out of this city, lets see where it takes us," Jake said.
"Which way do we go though?" I asked.
"Alice and I will go north," Jasper said.
"We will continue south west," Edward said. "Let us know if you find anything."
"You too," Jasper said before taking Alice's hand and running back towards Volterra.
Edward took my hand and we too ran back into Volterra.
"Do you think the car will still be there?" I asked.
"I hope so," Edward replied. "It will be difficult to find a faster car than that around here."
As we approached the street we had abandoned the car in I was surprised and relieved to see it was still there. Jake climbed into the back of the car and Edward and I slipped into the front.
We sped through the streets of Volterra and through the iron gates. We did not look back as we left Volterra behind us.
Renesmee's POV
"How delighted I am to see you again young Renesmee and your dear friend Brooke," Aro said in his feathery voice.
"What do you want with us?" I asked unable to stop myself.
I knew all too well the games Aro liked to play; I had seen him in action. Although I was very young at the time I still remember it clearly, I remember touching his powdery looking skin and asking him not to harm my family. I then watched as he tried to find a reason to do exactly that.
"I merely only wish to speak with you dear Renesmee," Aro replied.
I looked around the room from guard to guard there were eight of them. I couldn't see anyone else so assumed they were on their way to Forks like we thought they all were. There was a man standing next to Aro whom I did not recognise. He was very tall with short dark hair. He was wearing tan pants and a white button down shirt. His eyes were blood red and they were boring into my chocolate brown eyes.
Aro saw my distraction and shifted his body towards the man.
"Oh I do apologise Renesmee. This is Joham, he has very kindly been helping me with my investigations," Aro said gesturing towards the man.
So this was Nahuel's father. The vampire that considered himself a scientist.
"What investigations?" I asked.
"My dear Renesmee you do not truly expect me to devour such information to you, do you?" Aro replied in a slightly mocking manner.
"Well if that isn't what you wish to discuss, what is?" I asked becoming more annoyed.
I was surprised by the way, I felt so calm, I was in a room full of vampires and any one of them could kill me in a second yet I was not scared of that.
"I was hoping you would also be able to assist me with my investigations," Aro said.
This confused me, how could I possibly help with his so-called investigations?
"Assist how?" I asked wearily.
"Well you see young Renesmee, you are one of a kind therefore you are the only one whom can assist me with this particular investigation."
"You know as well as I do that I am not one of a kind. Joham made sure of that," I spat.
"Oh but you are wrong about that Renesmee. You may not be the only Halfling but you do posses something the others of your kind do not."
What is he talking about? I am no different to the rest of them. If anything Nahuel is the one that is different as he is venomous.
"I don't understand," I admitted.
"Oh Renesmee you are such a modest person, just like your father. He doesn't realise how truly special he is either."
I was starting to get really annoyed, could Aro not give a straight answer. He is so infuriating. Aro noticed the change in my expression.
"Your gift makes you one of a kind dear Renesmee and a very special person indeed. I am hoping that very soon you will not be the only gifted Halfling but you are the only one old enough to help with my investigation," he insisted.
Everything fell in to place at that moment, I knew what Aro wantd with me and I also knew what he had done to Brooke. I will not let him get away with either I would rather die.
"You are the father of Brooke's child. You wanted to pass your gift on so you have used Brooke in order to achieve this. What is wrong with you? How could you do this to her? She's just a girl," I wailed.
Although I was not a full vampire, I felt the bloodlust rising inside of me. I wanted to tear Aro apart and watch as he burnt to death. I took a deep breath to calm myself. There was no use in me feeling this way, it would only get us both killed and I had to try to save Brooke.
"Yes she is just a girl, an insignificant human girl whom would have only been lunch if I had not decided to use her, as you put it. You should be grateful that your friend is still alive Renesmee, I have spared her from death."
I looked towards Brooke as Aro spoke these words. I was surprised at how calm she was. Her expression was one of disgust and anger; I could not see any fear in her features at all.
"This thing inside me is half you?" Brooke spat shocking everyone in the room.
I couldn't believe she had spoken to Aro like that. Most vampires were too scared to talk to him like that and here is Brooke a fragile human girl fighting her own back.
I was just as surprised when Aro started to laugh.
"Ah how glad I am that I chose you young Brooke. Your moral fibre and strength are definitely attributes I would like my son to have," Aro confessed.
If I hadn't of known better, I would have thought Brooke was a vampire. A low snarl came from her chest as she lunged for Aro. Fortunately, I had seen what was coming and was able to restrain her before any of the guards could.
"Brooke this won't help, please calm down," I whispered holding her tightly in my arms.
Aro's amused laughter echoed throughout the room. All the guards looked towards him confused, as did I. Brooke stopped struggling and fell to the floor sobbing.
"Just let her go," I pleaded. "I will do whatever you want just please don't hurt her anymore."
"I will never understand the attraction mere humans hold for you Cullen's. It amazes me how you will sacrifice your own lives so freely in order to save the life of a human. Your mother and father have always interested me. The first time your father came to me, he asked for my permission to die, as he believed your mother was dead and did not want to live without her. Your mother was also willing to sacrifice her life in order to have you even though your father was against the idea…"
I wasn't listening anymore; did he just say that dad didn't want me? I know I'm different but it doesn't make sense. Dad has always been protective of me. I remember him talking to me before I was even born, he wouldn't have done that if he didn't want me, would he. No, it is not true Aro is lying.
"Ops have I said too much?"
I adjusted my features and took a deep breath, "You have me here now so just let her go," I said.
"I am afraid I can not do that Renesmee. You se Brooke is carrying my child and I cannot just let her leave. She could destroy him and there would be no one to protect him. Do you want your friend to die alone?" Aro asked.
"She will not die and she will not be alone. My dad will find us and he will save Brooke just like he saved my mom," I vowed.
Aro's amused laughter filled the room again and this time the guards joined him. What is funny about that?
"You have high regards for your father indeed young Renesmee, as do I but he will never find us here. This building is protected by a shield very similar to your mothers I believe. I'm sure this means more to you than me but I do believe that anything inside of the shield will be protected form anything outside, including our thoughts."
What? How? I thought Aro could only read minds. How can he create a shield around the building?
"You are wrong, you are just trying to scare us," I declared.
"We will see," Aro said as he drifted out of the room clicking his fingers twice.
I immediately felt one of the guards grab my arm. I shrugged him off and helped Brooke to her feet.
"We are quite capable of walking on our own," I informed the guard.
I followed the guard out of the room into a long hall. The building reminded me of a church with its high ceilings and stonewalls. I didn't know where we were as we were blindfolded when we were thrown into the car. The journey did not take long so I assumed we were still in Italy somewhere.
The guard led us to a small windowless room with a small bed inside. I sat Brooke down on the bed as the guard locked the door behind us.
Bella's POV
We travelled south out of Volterra down Vaile dei Ponti; this was the only road in and out of Volterra. We proceeded to travel southwest along the ss68.
I looked out of the car window into the deserted fields that seemed to stretch on for miles. Where could they have gone? I hated to think of what Aro would do to them and I worried that they would be alone and scared. How could I have been so selfish?
Edward was very quiet and I knew he was trying to reach Nessie through her thoughts. I could see the frustration on his face and I took his hand in mine.
"We will find her Edward."
"Why can't I hear her? Why didn't I hear her when she was taken?" Edward said letting his frustration out.
"Maybe we are not close enough yet," I suggested.
"That still doesn't explain why I didn't hear her before. I remember hearing her wish I were with her so I could tell her what Brooke was thinking. So why wouldn't I have heard her warn me about the guards?"
I didn't know what to say, I had no answers. I was just as confused as Edward was. Then it came to me, had I been the one to stop Nessie's thoughts from getting through? Could my shield stop Edward from hearing anyone else when he was listening to my thoughts?
"What is it?" Edward asked seeing my expression change.
"It was me, it's all my fault," I whispered.
"Bella we've been through this, it was not your fault."
"No Edward you don't understand. It's my shield," I insisted.
"What do you mean it was your shield? You weren't shielding Nessie were you?"
"No no." I shook my head trying to piece the words together. "When I released my shield so you could hear my thoughts it must have blocked Nessie's thoughts out."
As I said the words, I knew it was true. My shield didn't disappear when I pushed it away from myself it encased Edward shielding his mind from everything except my thoughts because it was my shield.
"How can you be sure?" Edward asked confused.
I pushed my shield away from myself 'can you hear Jake?'
"No but Jake might not be thinking anything," Edward replied.
"Oh I'm thinking something alright. I'm thinking your gifts are not as useful as we all thought," Jacob said.
Edward growled and turned to face Jacob.
"No Edward, Jake is right. Don't be angry at him, be angry at me," I said pulling his face around to look at me.
"How can I be angry at you? You didn't know this, but I should have. I can't believe I have never noticed this before."
"Please don't blame yourself Edward, I can't bear it." I pleaded.
"Its okay love, at least we know now. There is nothing we can do to change it now, we are just going to have to be more careful," Edward replied.
I had heard Edward say those words many times but never since, I became a vampire. I thought our life together would be so much easier if I was a vampire but its not. Would we ever be able to have a happy life together without worrying about getting our family hurt?
Edward suddenly froze beside me.
"What is it?" I asked. Jake lent forward eager to hear some good news.
"I hear Brooke," Edward replied.
"Where?"
Edward didn't answer; he made a sharp turn to the right heading north towards Il Giardino.
"Can you hear Nessie?" Jake asked.
"No only Brooke," Edward replied.
"That is strange, what is she thinking? Do you know where they are?" I asked.
"They don't know where they are. They are in a stone building possibly a church. Brooke is carrying Aro's child she is scared and angry. They are both fine but Brooke is scared for Nessie."
"Why is Brooke scared for Nessie?" Jake asked. "What are they going to do to her?"
"I don't know something to do with Nessie helping Aro with an investigation…NO!"
"What? What is it?" I asked panicked.
"Nessie knows," Edward whispered.
"Knows what?"
"That I didn't want you to have her, Aro told her that you had sacrificed your life to have Nessie against my wishes," Edward whispered as the pain spread across his perfect face.
"Why would he do that?" I whispered more to myself than Edward.
"Does she know about me?" Jake asked panicked.
"I don't know," Edward replied in a dull monotone.
"Don't worry about that now, I'm sure Nessie will understand," I said trying to sooth both Edward and Jake.
This was the one thing we never wanted Nessie to know but now she does. The car was very quiet, as we, all got lost in our own thoughts. As we approached Il Giardino, I broke the silence.
"Do you think they are here?" I asked.
"I don't know. Brooke's thoughts are very clear but I still can't hear Nessie or any of the Volturi," Edward replied.
This didn't make any sense at all. Had the Volturi found a shield of their own? Even if they had how can Edward still hear Brooke?
I looked out into the streets of Il Giardino; it was very quiet and dark. We circled the small town looking for any sign of the Volturi and a building that looked like a church. We found nothing so continued to head north. A few minutes later Edwards cell phone vibrated in his pocket.
"Alice, where are you?" Edward asked.
I could hear Alice's voice on the other end of the phone. "We have just turned west to meet you. You are very close they are in Rosignano Marittimo. Edward you need to hurry."
Edward immediately slammed his foot down on the accelerator causing Jake to fall back into his seat.
"What do you see?" Edward asked.
I froze hearing Alice's reply and preyed Jake could not hear it. "They are going to impregnate her."
Edward snapped the phone shut nearly crushing it under the force. I placed my hand over his and took the cell from him. He gripped the steering wheel and stared out the windshield. I could feel the anger emancipating from him as we flew up the road towards Rosignano Marittimo.
"What did Alice see?" Jake asked.
I glanced towards Edward before replying, "We know where they are, Alice and Jasper are going to meet us there. We should be there in a couple of minutes."
I willed the car to go faster; we could not let this happen it would destroy Nessie and Jake.
I felt hope as we entered Rosignano Marittimo but where are they?