Chapter 21

Jane's POV

I sat there in the Cullen's house, fully fed, watching as they dash around the house, they would be leaving soon. The Cullens had to travel the globe searching out friends and acquaintances so they could convince them to help fight with them against the Volturi, and unfortunately it seemed that unless the other vampire covens agreed to help us, we would all either die or be taken as slaves in this world Aro yearns for. Alec told me that Aro wants to not only reveal are true selves to the humans but to then go as far as breed them for our own nutrition, like they were nothing but livestock. Something the Cullens were completely against, what with their "vegetarian' lifestyle, which was something I now admired about them, to have such strength to feed on animals and interact with humans… it's something someone as weak willed as me could not handle.

The Cullens were now gathered in the dining room with a globe and a couple of maps, I followed to hear what their plan of action was, and where they were going now.

"Alright," Carlisle said. "We need to all split up and search around the globe for any of our friends that will be willing to help us. The Volturi will be coming soon so you're plan is to do anything you can to get them back to the house. Edward," he said seriously. "You'll be staying here with Bella, Nessie and Jane. Edward looked at him shocked.

"What?" he asked.

"Edward," Carlisle pleaded. "We're on a tight schedule I really don't have-" Edward cut him off.

"I know we're on a tight schedule and we would get it done a lot faster if I help too," he argued.

"He is the fastest," Emmett agreed.

"Edward you are helping," Carlisle said ignoring Emmett. "All of us are only getting them to the house, you and Bella will be here to explain why we need their help, and then hopefully get them to understand and accept both Renesmee and Jane. I'm asking you to do because of your ability, it may help when it comes to persuading them, and what we really need is to convince them to help us fight, or we may all die a terrible death."

Edward sighed and Carlisle took that as an agreement.

"Rosalie and Emmet you will be hunting down nomads," he handed them a map. "On the map I highlighted the different area that our nomad friends have been known to circulate through. Jasper and Alice you will be going to South America, I believe you will be able to find Zafrina's Coven right here," he pointed to a place on the globe in the middle of the Amazon River," Alice and Jasper.

"And on the way we will see if we can seek out Peter and Charlotte," Alice said with a confident smile. I had a feeling she may just know where they are.

"And if possible…Maria," Jasper added reluctantly. Most of the few weeks I've spent here were filled with getting to know the Cullens a bit better I had learned quite a bit of their past and the struggles they have toughed out, another reason why I admired them, so the people Alice and Jasper spoke about were not new names to me, Alice had already briefed me. So I could understand his reluctance not only did he not want to danger his good friend Peter but he also doesn't want to danger himself with Maria and the history and temptation that came with her, but this would be another thing he must tough out, because we needed anyone we could get.

Carlisle patted Jasper's shoulder, he too understood.

"Esme and I will be going to Europe and Africa to round up a few more nomads and possibly Amun's coven."

"Benjamin will defiantly be a good ally to have on our side," Edward said.

"Yes," Carlisle said. "But remember the choice is up to him. Now I was able to get in touch with Tanya and they will be coming tomorrow, remember how sensitive they are with both the Volturi and immortal children, even with Eleazar you must try your hardest to convince them."

"Excuse me," I said interrupting. "Did you say Eleazar?" I must have miss heard them, as unlikely as that is. It couldn't be the same person. Not the sweet sensitive guy that Aro used to use. No it couldn't be.

Edward glanced over at me. "Yes it is the same guy. It sounds like you really knew him."

He had always been there for me back in the days he was with the Volturi, though I didn't pay much mind to it at the time. He was always so nice even when he knew Aro was using him. He didn't like to get that involved unless Aro requested it. He always got along with Alec so well, maybe that was the reason he was so caring with me, his friend's sister. If it were anyone else that was nice to me only because of my DNA, I probably would have killed them, but I had always considered Eleazar a friend. I was even saddened the day I heard he was leaving the Volturi with this…Carmen he loved so much. I guess you could say I developed a crush.

I notice as Edward smiled still looking at me. Crap, I would have to get used to living with a mind reader who didn't need to touch me to gain access to my thoughts. Edward turned back to Carlisle, now serious again.

"I'll do what I can," he said.

"Good luck," Carlisle said leaving. Everyone who was around the table had quietly dispersed as Carlisle was give directions, leaving only Edward and I at the table.

"We certainly have our work cut out for us," Edward sighed getting up. "But I have to say that when it's time to fight, I'm glad you're on our team." With that Edward left, going to wish his family luck on their missions when really it would seem he would need it if he were to ever get them to ignore my past.

Felix's POV

One week later

I was ordered to gather all the members and volunteers in the main chamber by a rather anxious Aro. I knew without a doubt what was going to happen. Today was the day we would leave to battle the Cullens. Something Aro had been looking forward to for years. Something we should all feel excited about but something in me felt… wrong. I'm not sure if it was the fact that we would be slaughtering a coven just because of their abilities or if it was that I would be fighting an old friend. Very few could say they got close to Jane, and even less could say that she and they were friends but I was able to say both, I was able to say she was one of my best friends even, she didn't mind it. Now it seemed I would have to kill her, she betrayed the Volturi, it's my duty. However Jessie had a different reason for my tension and uneasiness.

"You really don't have to worry about me. I can defend myself. If anyone takes as much as steps in my direction, or even yours, I'll burn them down to ashes," she said trying to comfort me as we walked together to the main chamber. She didn't quite get that it wasn't her that worried me, although it have should been. Jessie continued to babble on about why I should relax while I just spaced out. We are the Volturi we shouldn't be afraid of…losing. We've never lost not during the English uprising, not during the underground vampire wars, not even when the Romanian bastards try to reclaim their thrown. We have been spreading justice for decades, so why does this mission bother me? It's not the first time we have killed a member of the Volturi, and it is usually for these reasons too, to make room for an even better ability. Plus we all knew Jane would have gone a killing spree when she found out, we were trying to prevent crime and now she has sided with our enemy, so she is criminal, she has betrayed her family, and for that she should die. The Cullens have also been plotting to destroy us for years, why else do they have so many ties with other powerful covens, they want to destroy us and force all vampires into their bizarre lifestyle, and for that they should die as well. It seems like I should feel confident about the battle but I still feel unsure… I feel like I'm missing something important.

Aro cleared his throat trying to get everyone to settle down. I looked around, Jessie and I were now in the main chamber, I hadn't even noticed. The room was filled with a crowd of familiar and unfamiliar faces. Jessie was next to me, her eyes glowing with anticipation as she waited to hear what Aro had to say. I thought about asking her what that was about but I thought against it. Lately everything had seem to become all about Aro and her, no way did I need her think that I was jealous because of how much she looked up to him. But it still was kind of disturbing at how much she now obsessed over him.

"Attention! I have an announcement. What we have been planning for, the reason I have brought you here, is now in action! Tonight we march in to battle!" everyone in the room cheered and shouted except for me and an onyx-haired girl next to me. I noticed she wore the Volturi hood and crest; she must be a new member.

"Excuse me!" she shouted. "I have a question about this whole plan!" everyone turned to look at her, some with straight up daggers and others with looks that said that they also wanted to know more. Aro just smile.

"I'd be happy to answer any questions, young Raven," he said.

"Sure you would," she said under her breath, so low that I almost didn't hear her. She adjusted her Volturi robe and then spoke. "Why exactly are we fighting? If the entire problem is just a single coven that has a different diet who wants to try and preach their belief, then why are we going to battle where we could be either hurt or possibly killed?"

Jessica on my other side turned and glared at her.

"How dare you doubt our leader!" she growled. "And you call yourself a member of the guard? Any member of the guard would lay their life down in heartbeat just to please their masters!" Jessie hissed, her words dripping in venom.

"Well maybe I didn't even want to be part of the guard," this Raven girl argued back "It's not like I joined willingly. I was offered either this or death, I think you know the one I picked, not that it changed much now we'll all be dying a painful death without any honor at all!" Raven hissed back.

"Then why don't I just quicken the process for you," she said in a hiss. She glared at the girl while a huge smile wiped across her face. Raven's eyes became wide and the she fell to the floor screaming in pain. "I don't intend on showing you mercy," Jessie said in a quite grim voice that sounded like the dark whispers of death. I watched as the girl twitched on the floor in pure agony. This had to stop. I stepped between Jessie and the screaming girl.

"Jessie, you must stop this now!" I said putting both of my hands on her shoulders. For a second she stopped glaring at the Raven, she looked up at me with sad innocent eyes. She gazed into my eyes as if she was finally seeing the light. Until suddenly her face became sour as she now glared at me. She pushed me. She still had her newborn strength so it was pretty strong, but mix that with the anger I saw in her eyes, and it got too strong for me to handle, too strong for anyone to handle. I was knocked into Alec who was right behind me and then both of us crashed in to a wall; I saw that Raven had moved from where she was on the floor just before she got hit.

I stared back at Jessie stunned. I felt pain in my chest, and broke the gaze to look down. There was a hand mark burned through my clothes to my chest which seemed to be now missing a layer of skin. I looked back at Jessie she seemed unfazed by what happened to me and was now holding the girl by her hair. She was burning her with her hand rather than using her mind.

"Jessie, please stop this!" I shouted. She ignored me.

"Jessie, stop this now!" Aro shouted. "As your master I command you!"

Jessie continued to glare at the girl for a few seconds, but eventually turned to look at Aro, at first I was a little worried that she would start attacking Aro but she then looked away and did as she was told. The girl on the floor was gasping for air. I got up. I looked next to me Alec was still on the floor shocked by what just happened. I helped him up. He said nothing; he just had a worried expression. I watched as he walked over to where Marcus was. I would have followed to ask if he was alright but, the black haired girl, Raven, walked past me out of the room. I followed her instead. She stood in the hallway not facing me, but I knew she knew I was there.

"This is not what should be happening," she said. "We shouldn't have to follow leaders like this, leaders who will kill anyone who gains the slightest amount of power, leaders who will collect power only for the purpose of becoming invincible," she ranted.

"That's not what they are doing. They are helping us, keeping us from being destroyed by a coven that performs unnatural acts daily. Dating humans, drinking animal blood? Could you imagine it, it's so unnatural and disgusting"

"They have you thinking, just the way they want you to," she said. "Just because something is different doesn't make it unnatural, or wrong, as long as it's not hurting anybody then it isn't really that bad, and as far as I have seen I have not been attacked by someone with gold eyes trying to convert me. But I have been attacked by an insane man who calls himself the king of vampires and threatened to kill me."

"Is that really the only reason why you joined the Volturi, to save your life?"

"Yes," she answered. "Not that I deserved to live, I guess I just have a problem with dying."

"Well if you ask me, I'm afraid of dying too," I said trying to reassure her.

"Well you have so much to live for, like a bitch girlfriend for one thing."

"Ah, her," I said shaking my head thinking of Jessie.

"So you admit she's a bitch," she laughed.

"I feel like I don't know her anymore," I said. "Feel like for the whole month that I have been in love with her she has been slipping away from me and closer to Aro, she practically drools over him every time she sees him, and it really scares me."

"Well break up with her then?" she said as if the answer were that easy.

"It's not that easy, well first off I changed her, so that will be awkward and won't be too good when Aro finds out because it was a lot of my begging on her behalf that allowed her to stay. Second, doesn't exactly listen to my anymore and I'm sure the answer I'm looking for is not 'uh huh okay', and third back to the point I made earlier, I have a fear of dying and I have a feeling she will burn me where I stand."

"Well then you know what you need right now, an affair," she said with an evil grin.

"Thanks but no thanks, again I don't wanna be killed, so I'll pass."

"Well, being that's she's obsessed with Aro she won't really notice, plus I'm sure it gets lonely what with Jessie with Aro the whole time," she said.

"Well…I don't know?" I said flustered she was completely right, but I was kind of weirded out by where the conversation went and the response I just gave.

"C'mon Felix, I'm trying to make you feel better, it's not like I'm making a move on you or anything, no need to get flustered," she said.

"I don't know, I guess maybe after this whole war thing? If we survive?" I said.

"I know a way of strengthening our chances of surviving," she said. "But you can't tell Jessie."

"Alright," I said not knowing why I agreed."

"Someone started a resistance, and I think we should join," she said.

"A resistance? What do you mean? How'd you hear about it?" I asked.

"I have an ability where I can hear a person's secrets just by looking at them, hence how I knew you were dating Jessie, but that is beside the point, basically the resistance is going to get all of the members who don't want to fight, and then when we meet up with this coven and Aro is talking, we will switch sides encouraging anyone else who feels the same way, we don't have to join the Resistance per say but I think when they encourage us to switch sides."

I thought about it. It was against everything I vowed to when I joined the Volturi, but then again at the moment it sounded a lot safer than say fighting with Aro and possibly getting killed, plus something I'm gut said it was the best choice.

"Alright," I said. "But only because I've had a bad feeling about this entire fight.