Chapter twenty: believing

'Why the Volturi?' I murmured angrily to my myself as I packed my bag. 'Always the Volturi. Volturi this, Volturi that. Screw them.'

'Rose, aren't you exciting?' Alice asked. I didn't hear her coming into my closet.

I turned to look furiously at my sister. 'Are you seriously asking me that?' That was so not Alice. She cared a lot for Emmet and why would she be excited when we were going to meet the Volturi? To face Death again? I was pissed off and Alice wasn't helping.

'Yes, when Aro touches Emmett we can know which day and turn him back! Aren't you extremely relieved that we finally know how we can turn him back? And maybe they even did research and maybe they can tell us more. I can't wait!'

'Shut up, Alice,' I growled. 'You know what happened last time. How could you ever be relieved when you don't know if the Volturi are going to attack us or not.'

Alice frowned. 'Nothing is going to happen, we are going to be fine. You know I'm searching into the future.'

'Yes, but last time you said the same and the Volturi did attack us!' I hissed. I regret my outburst on Alice immediately. 'I'm sorry, Alice,' I whispered. Suddenly I felt two arms wrap around me. 'I can't be excited. What if Emmett is not right? What if we are too late?'

'There's no way we are too late,' Alice murmured. 'You heard Mary and Arilyn, they told you and Emmett to hurry up and find out which day. Not to give up hope. Do you remember the time that we all lost hope? That we all thought that we were going to die? That our time with Nessie and Bella as vampire was cut short? Yes, we did give up hope, but we won. We won, Rosalie. There's no way that we are going to give up now again, there is hope.'

'But every time they're looking for an excuse to kill us,' I whispered. 'I'm losing all the hope. And Emmett,' I shook my head. 'He's getting weaker and he's never hungry. He is suffering, Al. The only thing that's relieving me are his eyes who are getting better.'

'I know, I'm worried too. But I know that we are going to win. Come on, do it for Emmett. He hates to see you angry or upset. We know you're having a hard time but Emmett isn't going to get better if you're upset. You know it will upsets him too,' Alice sighed. 'Emmett knows you better than anyone. Do you really think he is that stupid? He sees right through you, Rose. It's not like he doesn't know how much you're suffering with him.'

'What?' I looked surprised at Alice. 'Does he...?'

Alice nodded. 'You know how much he's in pain physically, but he knows how much you are in pain mentally. Hey, don't look at me like that,' Alice chuckled. 'You underestimate him, Lie-lie.'

'Lie-lie?'

'Yeah, you know, Rosalie,' Alice explained.

I laughed. 'You're such a goof.'

'But I'm still you're sister and I love you and I don't want to see you upset. The end is coming soon and I know we are going succeed. No matter what. Do you remember what Emmett once said to Tyler Crowley when he was hitting on you? You refused and he started to call you names.'

I chuckled at the memory. 'Emmett got extremely angry and he punched him. He ended up with a black eye, bruises all over his face, a scar and a broken nose. Emmett got detention but he didn't regret it at all.' I must say, I love it when Emmett plays the tough, aggressive guy. 'But before he punched him he said: "Nobody messes with my girl".'

'Yes,' Alice agreed.

'But what has that to do with this situation? I don't get it.'

'Well, nobody messes with a Cullen. Nor Tyler Crowley, nor the Volturi. My point is, we are a family. And not just a family, we are a powerful family. The Volturi are afraid of us. Alec and Jane's power don't work on us due to Bella shield. I can see the future and Jasper can mess with their emotions. Edward can read their thoughts and you are a good fighter. They don't stand a chance against us. Emmett is the strongest of us so he is quit a competition.'

'But Emmett isn't even a vampire,' I protested. 'So that doesn't even count.'

'No, but we are still a powerful family. We might be in the minority but our gifts are so powerful. The Volturi would do anything to have them in their guard.'

'They would do anything to have you, Edward, Bella and Jasper in their guard. Especially you,' I growled at the thought of Alice as a Volturi guard. She was way to kind and loving to be in such a cruel coven. I thought about Alec and Jane. Edward once told me they were thirteen. Sometimes, sometimes I did feel pity for them. Yes, they were cruel and sadistic, but they were just children. I wondered why Aro changed them when he's so against children being vampires. Edward told me he had no choice, something with their pasts. I had shrugged and didn't care to ask more.

'I know.' it was quiet for a moment. 'But that's just how Aro is. He even wanted Emmett as one of his guards.'

I gasped. 'What? Why? Emmett doesn't have a gift!'

'True,' Alice agreed. 'And of course he wants me, Jasper, Edward and Bella more. The only reason was because he is strong and a good fighter. He thought that he could be his personal guard. Seriously, the man got some issues,' Alice shook her head in disbelieve.

'Screw him,' I murmured. I sighed. 'Are you done with packing?' I changed the subject, not wanting to think about Aro or his cruel guard., even if we are going to meet them in less then two days.

Alice nodded. 'Here, let me help you,' Alice offered.

I smiled slightly. 'Thank you, Alice,' I whispered. 'I love you too.'

O~O~O~O~O~O

'Does your head hurt bad?' I whispered softly to my Emmett. We were in the plane and Emmett wasn't feeling very good. Not only his head hurt but his stomach didn't feel good either. The only good thing was that his sight was definitely getting better. I stroked his curls softly from his face as I studied his perfection. It was three weeks since our last kiss and my lips were burning fiercely when my eyes fell on his perfect kissable lips. Emmett and I weren't used [i]not[/i] tot touch each other. I peeked at his lips and for a moment I thought maybe I could do it... Maybe I could control myself and kiss him...

'Just a little,' Emmett's hoarse voice woke me up from my thoughts. He smiled slightly as he opened his eyes and looked at me. 'I'm so glad my view is getting better. I can't imagine going blind and not see the most precious thing in my life anymore,' he winked at me.

If I were human I would've blushed furiously. Sometimes Emmett really could surprise me with his sweet and gentle words. I looked at him and I knew I could do it. So I leaned closer. Emmett looked for a moment surprised but I squeezed his hand gentle as I leaned closer and closer... Emmett didn't move an inch as he waited to let my lips meet his. I was just about to close the gap between us when I heard Edward from the seat he shared with Bella behind me.

'Hey, lovebirds, we're going to land,' he said in a teasing voice and I knew he had to keep himself from bursting out into laughter.

I turned my head to glare at my brother. 'Way to ruin the moment, Edward,' I hissed before turning back and crossing my arms against my chest. Sometimes Edward could really irritated me. Well... sometimes isn't even the right word.

'Why, thank you, my dear sister,' Edward snickered from behind me. I heard a slap. 'Ouch... love, where was that for?'

I turned to smile at Bella who glared at Edward before shooting an apologetically smile at me. When I turned back again I looked over at Emmett who was staring out of the window. His brown eyes seemed here and somewhere else. He seemed sad and I wanted to cry.

'Hey, is there something?' I whispered, afraid to higher my voice.

Suddenly Emmett was snapped back to reality and he looked bewildered at me. 'Huh? Did you say something, sweetie?'

I hesitated for a moment but finally shook my head. 'No,' I smiled slightly. 'I didn't say anything important.'

O~O~O~O~O~O

'Ah! My dear friend,' Aro smiled, stood up of his throne and spread his arms as if he was going to hug Carlisle. 'You've never ceased to surprise me with your unexpected visits.'

We've finally arrived in Volterra. The Volturi castle never ceased to amaze me and I looked around as I studied the marble walls and the big thrones of Aro, Marcus and Caius. I peeked at the three men. Aro seemed delighted and surprised, Caius seemed angry and was glaring at us and Marcus seemed bored. I wondered where the Volturi guards where. I only saw Renata, Aro's personal bodyguard.

'Aro,' Carlisle nodded. 'I know,' he sighed. 'But we need your help.'

'Again?' Caius sneered. 'Didn't we help you enough the last time you decided to come here?'

'Caius, brother,' Aro said softly. 'They are not here to come and fight with us. Calm down, brother.' Aro turned back to us and smiled fake. He seemed to be distracted by something and I tried to figure out about what when I realized his eyes where focused on something. Or should I say someone? I hissed and Edward and Jasper immediately moved in front of me and Emmett.

'Rosalie,' Esme warned softly from behind me.

Aro sighed and stepped closer. 'My dear Rosalie,' he murmured. 'What a lovely surprise to see you and...' Aro seemed to think about how we could describe Emmett. 'Your wonderful smelling husband,' he finally finished what caused a hiss from not only me but from the rest of the family. Aro held out his hands out of defensive. 'Calm down, my friends,' he cooed. 'Like I said before, you're not here to fight, are you?' he said a little bit too sweetly.

'No, we aren't,' Carlisle answered. 'Like I said before, we came here for your help.'

'Why would we help you?' Caius glared at us.

'Because we're your friends, aren't we?' Carlisle answered politely but bitterly at the same time as he eyed Aro carefully.

Aro seemed impressed by Carlisle's answer. 'Of course we are,' he said. Suddenly a door flew open and the powerful Volturi twins walked hand-in-hand in. 'Alec, Jane, darlings,' Aro smiled at the twins. They returned the smile before shooting glares to our directions.

'Felix and Demetri warned us that there were some... complications,' Alec said as he glared at us, though not as fiercely as his sister Jane. He seemed more calmer then Jane, he always seemed the least sadistic one and the calmest from the two. And for some reason he creeped me out the most. Maybe because of his awful and sadistic gift. Right after he finished Demetri and Felix walked in. Suddenly he smirked. 'Oh, I smell it.' Jane next to him giggled softly and evilly at the same time what made me want to rip their heads off.

Aro ignored Alec's last command and stepped closer to the twins and laid a hand on Alec's cheek. It reminded me of a father who was proud at his son as touched him tenderly. But I knew that Aro wanted to see Alec's thoughts. A feeling of pity overwhelmed me. Alec and Jane where just children... But the feeling disappeared very quickly as I caught Jane glaring at me when she caught me for peeking at her brother.

'Ah, I see,' Aro removed his hand again and looked at Demetri and Felix. 'Thank you,' he said before turning back to us. 'Carlisle,' he began. 'Tell me, what do you need?'

'The only thing I need is your gift Aro,' Aro frowned but Carlisle held out his hands. 'Please, Aro, just look and you'll understand,' Carlisle pleaded, still holding out his hands.

Aro seemed to give in when Caius interrupted.

'Why, oh dear Carlisle?' he sneered. 'Are you planning something?'

'Of course not,' Carlisle shook his head. 'I'm only asking for your understanding and your patient. Give me one reason why we would ever planning on causing you harm,' Carlisle tried to stay as polite as he could, be I knew he was starting to get irritated. Because every moment here, every second, could be Emmett's last. I took a deep breath and concentrated on Emmett's heartbeat next to me.

'Why would we give your our understanding? Our patient?' Caius kept going, ignoring Carlisle's last comment.

Suddenly Carlisle laughed humorless. Everyone, even Aro and the twins, seemed to be caught off guard by Carlisle's behavior. 'Oh dear Caius.' Carlisle started as he chuckled. Carlisle's behavior started to creep me out. I mean dear Caius? 'I must say that you're not as smart as I thought you would be.'

What is he doing? I gasped and I felt my family around me tense up as Caius looked surprised and angry at the same time at Carlisle. I looked at Carlisle and he didn't even flinch at the reactions from his surroundings. In fact, he looked smug as he heard our reactions. I knew I could and must trust my father, but he was freaking me out right now as I couldn't understand what he was trying to do.

'May I ask why?' Caius growled through gritted teeth. I could feel waved of calmness radiating from Jasper and Caius seemed to calm down, but he still waited for an answer as he glared at Carlisle. His blood red eyes looked murderous, even if he was calmed down due to Jasper.

'Well,' Carlisle sighed. 'You clearly underestimate me and my family. Do you really think that I'm that stupid to plan an attack on you?' Carlisle chuckled again, it sounded bitterly and cold. So not Carlisle. 'Do you really think that I would put my family, my human son, in danger?' Carlisle shook his head and sighed. 'I'm clearly disappointed in you.'

I had to keep myself to clap my hands and cheer at my smart father. Carlisle was such a smart man. I felt guilty and ashamed for even thinking those thoughts. I swore to myself that I would never doubt my father again and I saw Bella next to Emmett - who was shielding us all by the way - grinning smugly.

'No, of course not,' Caius clenched his teeth together.

'Then why can't Aro touch me? If I would planning an attack on you, I repeat if, Aro would hear it, wouldn't he?' Carlisle kept going. Caius remained to sit still and didn't replied as he stuck his nose arrogantly in the air.

'Of course you're not planning to cause us any harm, my friend,' Aro cooed. 'Caius is just worried, aren't you?' he glared at Caius, though he tried to keep his calm face. Caius just grumbled something and didn't say anything.

'Why are you here anyways?' Jane suddenly spoke. I saw Alec squeezing her hand softly.

'Jane, dear, they're trying to explain us,' Aro said as he walked, what seemed more like floating, to us. 'Carlisle,' he said as he reached out to touch him. Carlisle took carefully a step closer and Aro grabbed his hand. Everyone of my family, including me, felt worried as he stepped out of Bella's shield. They could hurt him in so many ways... Alec cutting of his senses... Jane torturing him... I swallowed uncomfortable. Aro seemed to be in a different world as he read Carlisle's thoughts. It was quiet for a moment.

'And?' Caius asked impatient, still irritated.

'Fascinating,' Aro whispered. Suddenly he looked at me and Emmett. 'Guardian Angels,' he whispered. 'I've never heard about that. What... What a story,' he shook his head. 'I've never thought about them. Why would vampires need them?'

'Guardian Angels?' Alec asked incredulous. It was Jane's turn to squeeze her brother's hand but Alec seemed to ignore it. He took a step closer, forcing Jane to go with him as his hand was still wrapped around hers. 'Are you saying that we got guardian Angels?' he asked again at the same tone. He didn't wait for an answer as he burst out into laughter, Jane couldn't take it anymore either and joined her brother.

'Enough!' Aro suddenly yelled. It was immediately quiet. 'Alec, Jane, would you be quiet for a moment?' Aro's voice was calm again, but lightly stern at the same time.

'Yes, master,' Alec and Jane murmured at the same time as they stepped back. That's what creeped me out the most, everything they did was together. They moved together, talked together, they did everything together. I remembered how Vladimir and Stefan, the Romanian vampires, called them the Witch Twins. They were incredibly powerful but they seemed so innocent. I almost shivered.

Aro turned to me and smiled sweetly. 'Beautiful Rosalie,' he murmured. 'You've got a guardian Angel, called Mary. Rosalie, would you let me see her?' he asked as sweet as he could as he reached his hand as sign for me to step closer. I hesitated.

'No.'

We all looked surprised at Emmett. His voice was stern and deadly cold as he narrowed his eyes. To be honest, I forgot about him being human next to me. His warm, soft, breakable hand in my cold, stony one. I forgot that we were in a castle full of vampires who drunk nothing more than human blood.

Aro finally let go of Carlisle's hand and Carlisle stepped back into Bella's shield.

'Emmett, Emmett, Emmett,' Aro seemed impressed by my husband's bravery. 'Being an innocent, breakable and weak human and still being brave, I must say, I'm impressed,' Aro clapped his hands together and sighed. 'It's all about you, isn't it?'

'Yes,' Emmett answered politely.

'And your guardian Angel is named Arilyn?' Aro didn't wait for an answer as he continued. 'She warned you several times, Emmett,' Aro pursed his lips. 'And you finally decided to come? How brave of you.'

'Yes, she is named Arilyn and yes, she called me up several times. But what can you do if bad luck follows you huh? I'm still lucky though, the plane could've crashed with me in it. I could've had a heart attack on my way to you. But I'm here, alive,' Emmett said.

'Maybe you won't be that lucky on your way back,' Felix said. Though he didn't seemed to mean it in a bad way, I hissed at him.

'Rose,' Esme, of course, warned me for the second time.

'Oh Emmett,' Aro murmured as he shook his head. 'And of course, with my precious gift, I would be the only one who could find out which day. With one touch I can change your future forever,' Aro pursed his lips. 'What should I do?'

'No,' Caius shook his head. 'Do you remember the book? Well, this might be their punishment!'

'No!' I screeched. Everyone, including me, seemed surprised by my outburst. 'Emmett had nothing to do with that stupid book. He didn't ask for this, neither did we. If Carlisle hadn't showed us that book that they we would've come so far. Please Aro, you can do whatever you want, but don't drag Emmett with you. He didn't wanted this and he suffered so much. Please?'

It was quiet for a moment, Marcus decided to end the awkward silence.

'I think you should do it, Aro,' he said. 'The girl is right, it's only a stupid book anyways.' I knew I liked that guy for a reason.

Aro seemed to hesitate and he opened his mouth to speak when suddenly a door flew open, followed by a few vampires. I recognized a few from the guards but one of them was completely strange for me. It was a woman. She had long black hair and she was tall. She caught my eye and I couldn't look away from her. At first I thought it was because she was so bewildered. I cocked my head to the side and eyed her carefully. And then it hit, she was a newborn. Her blood red eyes looked hungrily at Emmett and then she lunged for his throat.

-
Sooo that was chapter twenty already! I love to write meetings with the Volturi! They can be so evil gheghe :P
I would love to hear your opinion about it, and I hope you liked this chapter!

Thank you.