A/ N

Thanks for the constant support!

Chapter 21

Hands shot up everywhere as vampires sought to get the chance to pose a question to Chelsea. Carlisle selected one at a time, calling each out by name to stand and speak their piece. Many had questions about when Chelsea had been turned, how had she discovered her gift and when had she begun using her skill to aid the Volturi, but some just had comments about how upset they were, or how they blamed her for misusing her gift. This happened repeatedly until Carlisle had to interject, halting the trail momentarily.

"This is a trial, not a chance to get your words in about how you personally feel about what has happened. Please, only pertinent questions will be allowed from this moment onward, in order to keep the information relevant. The purpose here is to determine whether Chelsea had a choice in her actions, or if she did what she did because she was in fear for her life, or for reasons yet unknown." At this point Carlisle turned to the jurors.

"I ask you all not to let your thoughts be swayed by petty words, or idle chatter, but to follow the facts. We will continue forward momentarily. Chelsea, are you alright to continue?" Carlisle asked, his thoughts showing his irritation at the constant barrage of non-pertinent speakers. He knew people were angry with the girl, but telling her so did not help anything get resolved.

Chelsea nodded, her thoughts jumbled, she felt such remorse for what she had done.

"Next question please." Carlisle directed, waving arm towards a very stoic looking fellow toward the back of the room. He stood and spoke out.

"At what point did Aro request that you join the guard and use your power to assist the Volturi? Also, in addition to that, what was your response to his request and why?" Finally a question that would help the jury glean some needed insight.

All eyes were on Chelsea when she swallowed before speaking.

"Aro asked that I joined the guard the moment he found out what my gift was. He seemed very excited that it was even more detailed than the gift of his brother, for I could not just see personal connections, but I could make them as well. Aro had me show him over and over initially, using my talents on humans and animals alike, making and breaking bonds for his amusement." Chelsea swallowed and paused briefly, recalling her memories of that fateful day.

"He was very convincing when he asked me to join the guard, because at that time I had just found my mate, Afton. Aro told me that if I did not join the guard and use my gift to do as he said, that I would be condemning my mate to death." The very idea made Chelsea shiver, her memories played over and over through her mind, and I saw her internal view on the entire event.

This declaration brought forth a wave of chatter from the crowd, murmurs as vampires spoke to one another. Mates involuntarily gripped one another closer, or touched one another to gain subconscious comfort. Bella and I inhaled sharply, filling our lungs with one another's scent, both clinging closely to one another. To lose ones mate was basically the same as losing one's life, Carlisle had even glanced wistfully at Esmée, simply needing to rest eyes on her to assure himself that she was close by and safe.

"Aro told me that my gift was a danger, that it had drawn the attention of the local humans around me. Doing as he requested to show him how my gift worked, and that I was not a threat…doing as he ordered, had the nearest humans habitation speaking about witchcraft. Aro said I had exposed our kind by using my gift on the humans, and that by doing so I could be killed, which gave the Volturi the right to kill my mate as well, for my guilt was equally his since our souls were united." Chelsea was practically vibrating in her seat now.

"Aro told me that if I joined the guard, he would not tell the rest of the Volturi that I had broken one of the most sacred rules of our kind, and that he would guarantee my mates safety. I did not deny him at all then. I simply agreed. I love Afton too deeply to see any pain come to him…even now I suffer seeing the pain this has brought to him. It was far better to do this…then to be responsible for his death." Chelsea said with her eyes glistening with venom tears that would never fall.

The crowd had resumed it silenced gazing, staring hard at the centre of the room.

"I would say that anyone here would not have needed much more convincing than a threat to their mates life."

Carlisle raised his hand from where he sat, and everyone fell silent once more, including Chelsea. It was obvious to the entire gallery of vampires that this had shaken up both her and her mate.

"Afton, if you please." Carlisle said, gesturing to Chelsea. "See to your mate for a moment. I am sure you both could use the contact."

"I am calling for a brief intermission, to give everyone a few minutes to gather themselves." Carlisle said as he gestured for the guards to stay close. "Please return within 15 minutes!" He added, gesturing to the doors. It took only seconds for everyone to flutter to the person they wished to find, mates hugging and offering comfort through touches.

Afton was at Chelsea's side in the blink of an eye. They both cried out at finally being able to touch after days apart. Their relief was palpable to all, through Jaspers mind I could feel the sense of peace they felt at reconnecting after being parted for so long.

Esmée slipped to Carlisle's side and their arms instinctively went around one another. It was second nature for mates to touch, and instinctive measure that brought comfort to both sides of the bond. Not a single person spoke, everyone just felt. From Jasper's mind I could feel the intense swell of emotions that surged through him due to his gift. Thoughts explained what everyone was thinking…threatening the life of ones mate was not okay, nor would it ever be. It was unfathomable, for it was nearly impossible to exist without them, the will to exist simply stopped. When ones mate died, a vampire usually chose to end their lives rather than face an eternity of living without the one they loved.

The silence continued until the break was up, and silently, the crowd returned, slipping into their seats, many still clasping hands with their beloveds. With a glance at the crowd, and a final kiss to Chelsea's lips, Afton tore himself from his mate's arms, neither wanting to part. Once everyone had been seated, Carlisle rose from his seat and spoke.

"I cannot, in good conscious, find it within myself to continue this trial. I am sorry if that disappoints you, for many of you travelled great distances to be here. In my mind and heart, I cannot bring myself to condemn this woman for doing what almost any one of us would have done in her circumstances. Her life would have been pointless without her mate, and by threatening to kill her mate, Aro threatened the very fiber of her being. Her actions have been undone, and while many are not happy that it happened, her wrong has been righted." Carlisle spoke loud and clear for all to hear.

"In fact, I feel that the real crime committed was committed by Aro, for the willingness to threaten the sacred bond between mates is one that should never have happened, and I feel that today we should make amends to ensure it never happens again. I ask the jury and all of you in attendance today to sign a pact…a treaty among our kind if you will. That states that from this moment, the greatest crime among our kind besides the killing of another, is the threat of harm against another's mate. So, in turn, if you do the threatening, you know that your own mate will be impacted by your punishment. To see you in pain causes your mate pain, and no one wishes to harm their own true mate." A thrum of whispered responses flowed around the room.

"I also ask that today we come to a consensus to have a diplomatic way of governing our kind. That each continent, or state selects a representative for all of the vampires of that area, to attend and speak for them at regular intervals here in Volterra. This place….this city, has been a Capital for our kind of sorts, and I feel it should remain so, but under a communal power…a power of the people."

With that last word, the room was overcome with applause.