Chapter Twenty-One
Max's POV
"Okay guys," I said, addressing my Flock. "Alice said that we aren't to start fighting until the Volturi makes the first move." "We're like secret weapons, right Max?" Gazzy asked and I nodded. Secret weapons that smell appetizing to our enemy.
"The Volturi won't be expecting to see us so hopefully we'll catch them off guard long enough for the Cullens and wolves to get the upper leg." I said, glancing at the battlefield below us.
We were hidden in the trees behind where the wolves were positioned to mask our scent a little bit (mostly human but smelling like bird). The vampires were up in front, with Nessie and Bex at the back of their line, heavily guarded.
"I don't see why we can't just be in the front with everybody else." Iggy grumbled and I shot him a look that was wasted on him. We've been over this plan a million times in the last twenty-four hours.
"We don't want to add pressure to the Cullens. If the Volturi decide not to fight like they did when Renesme was born, then we would have given them another reason to provoke the Cullens." I said matter-of-factly.
"Shh…its almost time." Fang whispered from my right hand side and I motioned for the rest of the Flock to be quiet as well.
Suddenly, I could see figures walking through the tree line on the far side of the baseball field that Alice had positioned us at. There were too many of them for me to count but I could pick out the main three by their papery looking skin. There were two females that looked just about as old and I frowned. Alice hadn't been sure that the wives would come or not.
There were thirty-two Volturi guard, including the seven that were more of a threat than the others, plus Aro, Caius, Marcus, (the rulers) Sulpicia, and Athenodora (the wives). That left the running total at thirty-seven.
On our side we had four wolves (Jake, Seth, Leah, Embry), six birdkids, thirteen vampires, with Nessie and Bex on the sidelines if at all possible. Twenty-three fighters wasn't exactly a fair match.
"Good to see you again Carlisle." The center vampire, Aro by the way the tall female vampire behind him was standing protectively, said kindly. That must be Renata, the physical shield..
Edward had given us a description of all of the guard members, their powers, and even a few hidden secrets about them so that we would all be prepared.
I spotted a young looking pair in the center of the guard and sighed. Jane and Alec were by far the most powerful members, and definitely the ones to look out for in the fight. Bella can shield us mentally but only if we stay in range. I wouldn't want to chance that against Jane's burning illusions or Alec's ability to cut off all of your senses.
Marcus was looking around the field, pointing out to Chelsea which of us had weaker bonds than others did. He can sense bonds while she can manipulate them. I've heard that she can convince whole Covens to dismantle and tear each other apart without the Volturi having to even lift a finger.
Heidi, Demitri, and Felix were each leading a group of about five guard members as they were some of the strongest fighters. Though Demitri was also a tracker, that didn't seem to be that relevant seeing as we were all standing right in front of them.
"Its been six years, Aro," Emmett practically growled. "you can cut the act. We haven't forgotten your last visit."
"Em, quiet please," Carlisle said, going through the script we'd come up with. "Excuse my son, he has a temper, as you recall."
Aro smiled and gestured for someone to relay all of our secrets with just the touch of his hand. When no one stepped up, he spoke up. "I merely wish to find out how this child," he gestured towards Bex who was resting on Nessie's hip, "came to be."
"You should know, Aro." Edward seethed, letting out an unplanned hiss. "You were the one who sent Nauhel here for that very reason."
"How is our young male hybrid?" Aro asked, noticing how it baited Edward. That was the cowardly Volturi way; wait until the opponent looses their cool and makes the first attack and then completely destroy them while they're emotional.
"Dead." Edward responded, more in control of himself than he had been before. "We took care of Huilen and Nauhel when we found out about what they'd done to Nessie."
"Are you suggesting that we had any part in the creation of a double hybrid?" (AN: my name for Bex's species) Aro asked, trying to look appalled even though Jane was smirking.
"Enough of this!" Caius exclaimed and motioned for the fighters to get ready. "It is quite clear that the Cullens are looking for a fight…might as well give it to them."
"But what about the girl?" Marcus asked. "We need to confiscate her so that she will not be a threat to anyone." He said matter-of-factly. This was how they were going to try and trick the vampires into not fighting.
"Yes, but such a shame to waste the rest of her family." Aro spoke up, his voice sounding happy again. "Edward, Bella, Renesme, Alice, Jasper, any chance I can persuade you to save yourselves from the fate of the others? Join me and you shall have power!"
Everyone stayed where they were while Nessie, with Bex still on her hip, started moving behind the wolves so that they were just under our trees. We were supposed to help protect the two of them while our stronger fighters took out the guard.
"No takers?" Aro asked, bemused. "Well then; lets start this party." With one final glance at his power 'brothers,' he yelled, "Attack!"