Disclaimer: I do not own twilight or any of its characters
Sara laughed suspiciously. "What do you mean?"
"It's not exactly a standard trait to be able to know that." Carlisle said simply.
"Oh." Sara replied, genuine shock on her face. "So, what? This is an ability? To know when people are using their powers?"
"It would appear so." Carlisle replied, smiling.
Edward shook his head, pursing his lips. "It's more than that Carlisle... Jasper and I... we don't use our abilities. They are a part of us. They don't stop and start."
"But – and tell me if I'm wrong –you are both able to focus more on a certain being, as well as those around you. In your case, listen intently. And in Jasper's case, concentrate on an individual specifically."
"As if she knows when she's being... manipulated." Jasper suggested. Ha, ironic he thought.
"That'd make sense." Sara said. "It's like... I know that Edward and Jasper are always aware of me, but I put that down to already knowing about them. It just becomes more obvious when they're really paying attention... almost as if they're telling me. But with Bella, it was as if at one point I just knew that she had her shield up, and then I knew she didn't. I didn't even need to question it – in my mind, it was just obvious... But, Carlisle, where did this come from?"
"Well, if my theory is correct then I would assume that it arose as a result of you being in the know about our species while you were human. You knew everything about us and were very aware of every aspect of a vampire's thought process, abilities and traits. It would be similar to how Elezar's ability came about... He was an employee of the Volturi when he was human, but his intelligence and understanding of our species made him a good candidate to be changed."
"Aro will be wanting you back now." Edward said darkly.
"NO!" Sara almost screamed, taking everyone by suprise. "I don't want to go back! I'm not going back."
Jasper stepped forward. She's panicking, Toby! She's still a newborn remember. He calmed her down carefully.
She looked his way and mouthed 'thank you'.
"Sara, you are part of our family now... we will all protect you. No one will take you away or make you do anything that you don't want to do." Carlisle said softly, rubbing Sara's back.
"Carlisle." Esme said delicately from the doorway, like Emmett she too had two back-packs in her hand. "We need to get going if we're going to make the earlier flight... and you need to let Sara hunt. You must be starving dear."
"It's alright, Esme. We'll be leaving soon." Alice said, standing behind Sara.
Carlisle stood up and spoke to Edward. "We'll be back within the week. I'll let you know of any changes."
Edward nodded in reply. "As will I."
Esme made her way around the rest of my family, giving each of them a hug. Bella, Edward, Alice, Jasper, myself and finally, Sara. "Lovely to have you back." She whispered in her ear before she left with Carlisle.
"We better go." Jasper said. He was worried about Sara's thirst and didn't want her to get out of hand when our numbers were so low. "Edward, are you and Bella coming?"
"No, we were going to stay in case someone contacts us at home. We don't want to miss the opportunity for others to join us. I'll try some of those numbers as well, Toby." He added offering his hand.
I passed him the paper that Carlisle had given to me. He took one look at it that lasted no longer than two seconds and then handed me it back, his extraordinary mind memorising them all.
"We'll hunt tomorrow, Jasper." Bella added as we all turned to leave. "Sara..." She whispered. Sara turned to face Bella who looked some-what guilty. "I am sorry... about before." She stuttered.
"Please, don't worry about it... I'm happy just to be even allowed in your home again." She smiled awkwardly. "I'll see you later."
I held on to Sara's hand as the four of us ran towards the forest.
***
"Ergh." Sara sighed as she drained her second elk. "It's really not that nice is it?"
Jasper laughed loudly, lifting a large tree and burying the six empty carcasses of the herd we had just help ourselves to. "Tell me about it!"
"Sorry, Sara." I said, "Herbivores aren't exactly that appetizing. Alice... any chance of a grizzly?"
Alice closed her eyes for no more than two seconds, her brow creased. "Sorry, I don't see us catching up with any carnivores today. But we'll go further afield on the days leading up to our visitors arriving... we'll find some proper game."
"How are you feeling Sara?" Jasper asked. "Do you need to feed some more or are you ok?"
Before Sara had time to reply, all of our attention was suddenly directed at Alice who had just inhaled deeply with her eyes were wide.
"Alice?" Jasper asked.
Alice took off running in the direction of home. "We need to get back, quickly."
We all ran with her... though I was slower than the rest of them. The only real disadvantage I had from some aspect of the few human genes that made me.
"Alice, what is happening?" Jasper asked, running alongside her. "Are we being attacked?" He wasn't thinking about us... his thoughts were concerned with the unprotected and terribly small groups of our family – currently scattered across the country.
"No, sorry, it's nothing like that. Edward will be getting a phone call in the next few seconds... I think we'll need to hear it. It's coming from Volterra."
That was the last I heard as the three of them ran from my hearing range.
***
I was in the living room no more than thirty seconds later. I didn't even realise how close we were to home.
I got into the living room to see Edward on the phone, Alice standing closely next to him, looking up, Jasper and Sara standing close by. Jasper, never taking his eyes away from Alice.
As I approached the tight group, I was able to hear the voice on the other end of the phone.
"... Please see this as your last invitation..."
"Our last warning, you mean." Edward replied.
"If that is how you see it... either way, if you do not wish to join us when we arrive, then your case will be closed and you will perish – no matter the waste."
"That will not be the case."
"It would be such a shame. We have so much space here for yourself, Bella, Renesmee, young Toby and Alice. Can't you see it, Edward? You would all become Gods."
Edward laughed darkly. "Is that how you see yourself, Aro?" He laughed again. "What am I saying? Of course it is. You are no god, Aro... you are a monster, a power hungry monster. When will you see that we are not interested in your promises? You live in a world where bloodlust, intimidation and authority control your every thought, while we live in one full of love, compassion and devotion. Which one do you think we would rather be a part of? Come on Aro, you are a smart man."
Sara smiled widely, knowing which world she would - and did - choose.
"You have chosen your fate, Edward."
"No, I have chosen my family."
"Very well. Farewell, young man."
"Goodbye." Edward said coldly as he hung up the phone.
"What did I miss?" I asked.
"I think you heard the gist of it." Edward replied.
"Aro was offering a chance for some of us to be saved from the up and coming battle." Alice answered for him. "All 'hush-hush' of course, 'between me and you' he said. He still believes that we do not have a fighting chance if it comes to a fight – and he has no doubt that it will."
"Of course, we will prove him wrong." Jasper projected. "Let's see how he feels when he hears about how his best fighters were incapacitated by the 'yellow-eyes' so easily."
Despite Jasper's confident tone, a cold, thick atmosphere hung over each one of us as we all thought about our impending struggles.