21. Strangers

The strangers came, moving slowly and with precision. They reminded me of an army or a flock of birds. There were thirty-two, all in long cloaks, ranging from grey to deep black. It was obvious that the darker ones were the most important ones, because they were leading the advance.

Their faces were all blank, no surprise or anger. They were trained to be like this, and they had probably done this before. Their calm sent panic up my throat and I had to dig my heels in to keep from running. Carlisle squeezed my shoulder, as if sensing my discomfort.

The dark clothed ones moved forward and the grey ones moved to the flanks, but they didn't seem to be charging us. It was like they had a plan and thought what was happening was unenviable. They were going to kill us without thinking.

"The redcoats are coming; the redcoats are coming," someone on our side muttered darkly.

I couldn't but think that it would have been funnier if the cloaks had been shades of red or if he said 'the dark cloaks'. The comparison made sense though. The Volturi were a ruling a class from the other side of the world and didn't understand those who were different. They had come all the way here with the intent to squash an uprising.

It was funny that I had spent most of my time trying to rebel from the family while the family was rebelling from the society. I wish I had known that before. I would have tried to behave better.

There was a decent group of other vampires behind the majestic Volturi. They were normal vampires and looked blood thirsty. We were criminals and criminals needed to die. If the Volturi didn't kill us, the forty plus ragged creatures would; I was sure of it.

We were hopelessly out numbered and we were going to lose. I was going to die, despite my attempts over the past six months to not. I guess I wasn't as ready to die as I thought I was minutes before. I was scared and the panic was back.

I was going die, I was sure of it, but this time I was going to fight. The venom welled up in my teeth. The Volturi would regret messing with Bree Wilson this time.

Just as I locked in my determination, Embry came up beside me in his wolf form. He butted his muzzle against my back. I turned and stood on the tip of my toes to pat the top of his head, but I couldn't quite reach it. His eyes showed faint amusement, but he didn't make a sound.

"Should I speak?" Carlisle asked Edward.

Edward hesitated and then nodded. "This is the only chance you'll get."

Carlisle squared his shoulders and stepped forward, standing alone. I wanted to go up with him, because he was unprotected. He was holding his arms in a symbol of welcome. "Aro, my old friend. It's been centuries."

It felt like even the white coated ground didn't even dare make a sound. I tensed, waiting for some sign that it was safe. Tangling my fingers in Embry's fur, I tried to ignore the growing tension.

One of the Volturi leaders stepped forward and grey cloaked members finally showed some emotion. They looked like they were going to strike if anyone messed up. It reminded me of Jasper the day I met him. They were predators. "Peace," the man said, holding his hand up.

Embry moved back into the edge of the group of vampires, hair on end. His face was all wrinkled from the smell of vampire. I didn't blame him for stepping back; I was starting to think about running out of there again.

Although he was still at a distance, he spoke to Carlisle. "Fair worlds, Carlisle," he breathed in a thin voice. "They seem out of place, considering the army you have assembled to kill me, and to kill my dear ones."

As if they weren't several hundred feet apart, Carlisle reached out a hand. "You have but to touch my hand to know that that was never my intent."

This was undoubtedly was Aro's extra talent. It was almost like Edward, I figured out quickly. Aro could see thoughts with a touch. It was a scary thought. Edward was one of my brothers; I was comfortable with him knowing what was on my mind. The Volturi were evil strangers, set out to kill us. I was not going to let any one of them lay a hand on me.

"But how can your intent possibly matter in the face of what you have done?" He looked sad, but I couldn't tell if he meant it.

"I have not committed the crime you are her to punish me for."

"Then step aside and let us punish those responsible. Truly, Carlisle, nothing would please me more than to preserve your life today."

"No one has broken the law, Aro. Let me explain." Carlisle offered his hand again.

Before Aro could answer, another one of the black clad red eyes came forward. "So many pointless rules," the white haired, thin skin man hissed. "So many unnecessary laws you create for yourself, Carlisle. How is it possible that you defend the breaking of one that truly matters?"

"The law is not broken. If you would listen—"

"We see the child, Carlisle," he snarled back. "Do not treat us as fools."

"She is not an immortal. She is not a vampire. I can easily prove this with just a few moments—"

"If she is not one of the forbidden, when why have you massed a battalion to protect her?" he interrupted.

"Witnesses, Caius, just as you have brought." Carlisle motioned to the red eyes behind the Volturi. The dudes that really want to kill us. "Any one of these friends can tell you the truth about the child. Or you could just look at her, Caius. See the flush of human blood in her cheeks."

"Artifice! Where is the informer?" Caius demanded. "Let her come forward!" He looked back to a woman standing behind the far part of the guard and the Volturi witnesses. "You! Come!"

She looked spooked, but not entirely awake. I knew she was a vampire, so she couldn't sleep, but it reminded me when I was in one of my fogs. She knew something was wrong, but she didn't seem to know the seriousness of the situation. Caius snapped his fingers and in the informer moved forward, still several yards away.

He closed the distance and slapped her. At the loud sound of it, I hid my face in Esme's arm. I knew it didn't hurt her, but I imagined that if anyone could case pain, it would be an ancient. Esme patted the back of my head gently, but didn't speak. Two distinct hisses came from down our line.

I didn't want to look up, but I had to. Caius was pointing at Nessie with a claw-like finger. "This is the child you saw? The one that was obviously more than human?"

The informant was looking at Nessie, eyes wide. Her head tilted a little and the confusion materialized.

"Well," Caius demanded again.

"I…" She was confused enough that she couldn't speak straight. "I'm not sure."

I flinched, expecting another slap for the poor woman. "What do you mean?" Caius' whisper was hard and cold.

"She not the same, but I think it's the same child. What I mean is, she's changed. This child is bigger than the one I saw, but—"

Caius gasped furiously and bared his teeth. He looked ready to rip the informant's head off, so she didn't finish her sentence. Aro quickly moved to Caius' side. "Be composed, brother. We have time to sort this out. No need to be hasty."

I stopped listening and naturally stepped to the fringes of the group. The entire time I was on the verge of having a panic attack. No matter what I told myself, I couldn't stay still or up in the front. I prayed that Esme and Carlisle would understand why I was antsy.

I sat on the ground, stopped breathing, and rolled a small snow ball. All I need to do was do something with my hands. Smashing it with the heel of my hand, I stood and wiped my hands on my jeans. I jammed my fingers into my back pockets and put my thumbs in the belt loops.

I had to act like I didn't care. False apathy kept me sane. Moving the snow with my feet, I started to feel like Jasper was right in keeping me in the dark. I was a liability because no matter how mad I got, I still wouldn't fight. The hands in my pockets were acting like an anchor, keeping me from floating around in another one of my fogs. I looked forward, keeping my expression blank.

Edward was crossing no man's land, head held high. Aro seemed delighted with Edward's attitude but Bella looked very uncomfortable, especially once Edward crossed the midpoint. A Volturi behind Aro steady grew more nervous. She looked like me, not a fighter in the least, but she appeared to be someone important. Maybe she could control a shield of some sort.

Aro and Edward clasped hands and Edward's neck muscles tensed. This silent conversation seemed to be hard on my brother and even Aro's shoulders were hunched. I quickly discovered that Aro did more then just see a current thought, he could see everything.

That means Aro wouldn't have to touch me to see my thoughts. Edward always seemed to be keeping my mind on his mind and knew when I needed help. Not to mention the other moments in our family. Every conversation, fight, meltdown. Every school lesson, arrival, red eye, gold eye.

Both mind readers' muscle relaxed slightly, but Aro didn't drop Edward's hand. "You see?" Edward asked in a calm tone.

"Yes, I see indeed," Aro replied his tone slightly amused. "I doubt any two among gods or mortals have ever seen quite so clearly."

What? I thought. The Volturi didn't seem to be the type to forgive that easily. Judging by the look on the faces of the lower ranking members, I was right.

"You have given me much to ponder, young friend," Aro continued. "Much more then I expected. May I meet her?" He was practically begging Edward. "I have never dreamed of the existence of such a thing in all my centuries. What an addition to our histories!"

"What is this about?" Caius snapped.

"Something you have never dreamed of, my practical friend. Take a moment to ponder, for the justice we intend to deliver no long applies."

I had been waiting for those words, but there was something wrong…

Okay, so I'm begging again. I am a begger. For reviews! Of any sort! On any story!!! Please, go read my true werewolf tales!!!! Before I go crazy!!!!! (WHICH ALREADY MAY HAVE ACCURED!)

Also, I will be adding thing to my fav list. Read them too!!!! and review. You are amazing! Keep reading! I can't spell!

KL