Victoria's POV
"Bring the ones connected to the Cullens in Samuel," I murmured, not bothering to look up from the paper's scattered before me.
"One of them is rather…tempestuous."
Frowning I raised my gaze to look towards him, "Then have some of the newborns help you."
"Yes of coarse," he said turning back out the door. As it swung back Amelia came into the room.
"So, how did it go? Did you get them?" I asked giving her my full attention.
"Yes, they were in fact very eager to help. They will be arriving at the end of this month."
"Excellent!" I exclaimed pouring back over the maps. "I have another assignment for you now. I have found with the help of my new partner," and at that I motioned towards the temporarily vacant chair, "another group of the rogues."
"Where are they?" Amelia asked standing next to me and letting her hand rest on mine.
I smiled to myself for the contact; Amelia was by far my favorite lieutenant. "You will find them in Romania; they have apparently been holed up there for quite some time. However, my friend tells me they might not be as eager to help us, but still try and persuade them within the best of your ability."
"When should I leave?"
"The sooner the better. But please you look famished, go have a bite first."
"I think I shall," she said nipping at my shoulder seductively.
"Ah no not right now. I'm sorry but I am waiting for a very important phone call."
"Ah well," she said disappointedly. "I suppose I will go get some real sustenance then," And with this she turned and walked towards the door, her ass swaying as she walked.
I chuckled to myself and sat down in the seat to return my attention to the maps of the world. I was looking for a many things and I had not a whole lot of time to find them. My partner had given me a list, stolen from the Volturi's own ancient library, of magical creatures that I could easily persuade to join us. Amelia was the deciding factor in the end. She had a very unique ability, one that I don't think has ever been seen, or understood fully. My little pet was able to persuade people to causes. And not just people, she had a knack and understanding of all the world's creatures. The good, the bad, and the most deadly. In the last two weeks since we had started our campaign here, her power had become invaluable; we had already amassed an army of equitable size, and I knew that over the next month it would more than double.
I have never been able to see the big picture in my life, and that I admit as a flaw. In truth I started this entire process as nothing more than a way to avenge my dead lover. But my new partner had opened my eyes; this was bigger than me…certainly bigger than James. There were new changes to be had in our world, and I with the help of my friend, would usher them in and sit at the throne after the smoke had cleared. And the best part was, no one would see it coming until it happened, their would be the event that would set it all into motion, but even then no one will link it to me.
My mind cleared from my internal monologue when I heard the scuffle of feet behind the door. With a great heave it burst open and Samuel entered, dragging with the help of two newborns, a male vampire who was putting up quite a fight. Behind them another female vampire was brought in as well, flanked by two more newborns.
"So, you are the two nomads I have been looking for."
"What is the meaning of this?" The male yelled lunging forward in his captor's grasps.
"Calm down," I murmured, motioning for Samuel to direct them towards some seats.
"Peter and Charlotte it is correct?" The male jerked his head in a nodded yes. "It is very nice to meet you two, I am very sorry for the force that was used, but I needed to speak to you immediately."
"What could be so important that you would round us up like animals? And why do you only wish to speak to us when you have also captured a half dozen other American nomads?" Peter demanded.
"I wanted to speak to you first about this campaign. There will very soon be a change in power in the magical world. No longer will we hide in the shadows, silently stalking our prey. The golden age of our kind is near my friends."
"You're planning on taking on the Volturi? Are you mad women?"
"Quite, but that is not the point. Yes the Volturi's power will soon be taken, but that is not the real problem. Afterwards there will be a power struggle I am sure, and I am…taking applicants for the side that will win."
"How can you be sure you will win?"
"Let's just say I have some very powerful friends. As do you, which is why I was so eager to talk to you two first."
"I am quite sure I have no ideal who you are talking about."
"Ah your old friend Maria tells me you have a close relationship with the Cullens."
At this a look of understand washed over the pairs face and a deep growl emitted from Peter. "Yes I am close to Jasper, but what does this have to do with him."
"I'm afraid that they will be a nuisance when all is said and done. I wish to know where your loyalties lay in the situation at hand. I am positive that just as I have amassed a group of allies, they will too when push comes to shove, and I cannot live in fear that you will join their ranks."
"I will not fight against them, and I will not fight for you mad woman."
"And that is both of your answers?" I asked turning towards the girl.
"It is," she said quietly.
"That is a shame then. Samuel," I said turning my attention to him. "Take our guests and lock them up somewhere safe out of the way until they come to a better decision."
"You cannot imprison us!" Peter yelled furiously.
"No…I'm sorry stupid boy, I can, and I am." And with that Samuel and the newborns dragged them out of the room to one of the lower floors to be caged. Thirst, I've discovered, is an effective tool when trying to force a vampire's hand.
Turning towards the papers, I made to return my attention to them when my phone began to ring. Looking at the caller i.d. I smiled widely.
"Hello my friend."
"Hello Victoria, how are things on your end?"
"They are going marvelously."
"That is pleasing to hear. I do believe that I am going to have to move our plans forwards a tiny bit."
"How come," I asked now slightly worried.
"Well you see I find myself in a predicament. I am currently seated upon Aro's body with the help of my allies, he was starting to suspect something I suppose and decided to have a peak around my head."
"I see," I said clicking my tongue in irritation.
"Oh now don't be like that," she said gleefully. "This will not derail our plans in the least. They must only be changed a bit. I will take care of him and the rest of the guard ahead of time and take the other allies to meet there with you quietly. I already know that no one will link it together."
"You are sure?"
"Of course I am sure. Just be ready for me and my group in the next few days. Oh and Victoria," she asked as I heard the sound of granite breaking close to the phone.
"Yes," I said rubbing my temple.
"Do calm down, have I led you wrong yet?"
"No you haven't," I chuckled to myself. "I am sorry for doubting you."
"I will see you soon."
And with that the line went dead. Blowing out an exasperated breath I called Samuel to the room. He arrived at the door seconds later. "Jane will be arriving at the end of the week with her allies. Please ready some living areas for them."
"Yes ma'am," he said bowing out of the room.
Edward's POV
Turning up the drive I was rewarded with the view of everyone's vehicles sitting the driveway. I was not really surprised; I figured the family would come back to Forks now that Bella was gone. I was very happy to see Alice's car sitting along with them. I knew she would not have left it, so that meant she had not followed Bella to Europe.
Getting out of the car I listened quietly to my mind's eye. The house was silent. They must all be out hunting I thought to myself and started to walk towards the front porch. I stopped in my tracks when the wind changed and I was hit with the smell of my family. They were to close to be hunting…they had to be in the house. But why couldn't I hear them?
Putting my hand on the door I gently made to push it open, but it swung out to me instead. Carlisle stepped out onto the porch followed by Esme, Emmett, and Jasper. Stepping back I looked at them all warily. I was confused and the confusion made me angry. They were standing here right in front of me, but I could not hear a thing in their heads at all. I could hear a random stranger drive his truck down the road a mile away, but I couldn't hear them.
"Edward…we heard you drive up."
"Why can't I hear your thoughts," I asked bluntly.
"Son, I think it would be best to sit down for a second. We did not know you were coming." Carlisle said motioning towards a porch chair. I stood firmly.
"Well I was going slowly, but I thought for sure Alice would have seen me coming…why can't I hear your thoughts," I demanded again.
"What is going on?" Rose asked stepping out of the house. When she did I picked up on a scent that I had missed when I had been preoccupied with my inability to hear them.
Roaring furiously I pushed past them and flew up the stairs towards Alice's room, taking five at a time. Bursting through the door I flung myself towards Alice, who stood in front on the mirror examining a shirt. She looked at me in shock and I closed my fist around her throat and slammed her into the mirror, turning it into a fine dust from the force.
"WHERE IS SHE?!" I bellowed in anger.
Before Alice could respond I felt a sharp pain in my back as I was ripped away from her and flung across the room, shattering the window and falling three stories. Slamming my fist into the ground I sprung back up and grabbed onto the window ledge pulling myself in.
Looking up I expected to see Emmett or Jasper from the way I had been thrown. But no…who I saw stopped me in my tracks.
Bella stood before seething in anger, her eyes gold tinged with only the slightest bit of blood red left to the outer rim of them. She stood in front of Alice protectively, her body shaking in fury. She was utterly breath taking.
"Oh god," I moaned falling to my knees. "Why Bella…what have you done."
"Get off the floor you pathetic asshole!" She screamed reaching forwards and dragging me up by my color. Turning around she slammed me into the wall, holding me up a couple of inches off the ground till we were eye level. "I have made my own decision Edward! I love Alice and I decided to spend eternity with her." She spewed out her words venomously and I couldn't help but flinch. Even furious her voice sounded rich and amazing.
My mind was a jumble of confusion and emotion. I couldn't think. My Bella. She was a vampire now. She was damned to all eternity.
"What about me," I choked out.
Bella's eyes softened and she sat me down on the floor, but kept a steel lock on my collar still. "I'm sorry Edward you left. I tried to love you, I tried to be sorry you were gone, but all I could be was mad. Mad that you had taken Alice. I love her."
"But I left to protect you from this."
"This was never your choice."
"And now?"
"What now," she asked severely.
"We could be together," I mumbled out desperately.
Over Bella's shoulder I heard Alice give a sharp pained breath. The look on her face told me, without needing to hear her thoughts that she feared Bella's answer.
"No Edward." She said simply. Releasing my shirt she put her hand to her temple and rubbed it slightly. "I'm going to make you understand."
Backing up she took Alice's hand and I squeezed it softly. Suddenly I was hit with everyone's thoughts again like a brick wall. Behind the door I could hear the rest of my family waiting to come to Alice and Bella's aid if need be. Pushing them to the side I found Alice in my head. The love she felt for Bella had not changed in the least since the day we met her and I was not surprised. I saw everything there, her watching Bella silently for all those months, her saving Bella from the frigid waters that Bella had jumped into to, and finally Alice changing Bella. It was all too much. I could see all my mistakes flying past my eyes in Technicolor through Alice's memories.
Sitting down on the edge of the bed I put my hand into head and moaned into them. Suddenly it felt as if a rubber band was being stretched tightly around my head, whipping my eyes up I met Bella who kneeled before me, staring intently into my eyes. I felt the rubber band snap and I fell back onto the bed as I was bombarded with all the things in Bella's mind.
"Bella…I can hear you."
"I know," she said quietly. "Then listen."
"Oh god," I moaned as Bella's memories started playing for me. She had loved me. But now I could see she had never loved me like she had loved Alice. From the first day she had wanted her. She had said her name first to begin with. "It's too much," I groaned in emotional agony. I could feel her pain when she realized that I had left her. But the agony she felt when she realized Alice was gone was too much to bear. I saw those months she had been catatonic through her eyes. I was forced under the water with her as she tried desperately to hear Alice in her mind. "Please no more," I cried. And then we were saved by Alice and brought here.
Forcing myself up I gasped for unneeded air. I knew then that all I had ever done was foolish and pointless. Bella wanted to be changed before she knew what that meant. And she had wanted Alice before she even knew her.
I felt Bella's hand reach forwards and rest softly in my hair. As she petted I felt the pinching feeling again and then Bella's thoughts retracted from my mind. "I'm sorry," she murmured softly.
"I know," I said standing up and looking out the smashed window. Sighing I turned towards her. "I'm sorry for all I have done."
"I know," Bella replied softly.
I shifted my glaze towards Alice and ran my hand through my hair. "I'm very sorry Alice."
"I am too," she said softly, stepping forwards she laced her hand through Bella's. "Are you going to leave?" She asked, worry evident in my voice.
I sighed at the question. "Not for good…I just need to go and think. Please tell Carlisle I will be back in a few hours."
"Of course," Alice said.
Turning away from them I jumped swiftly through the window and hit the ground running. I ran aimlessly for more than a few miles before I realized I was closing in on the border with the Quileute reservation. Searching through the memories I had received from Alice I gathered that they had reworked the treaty to allow us on in times of need. I don't know if this counted as a time of need, but I wanted to see the cliff where Bella had jumped. I needed to think.
I found it with ease thankfully and ran to the top of it. Roaring in pent up frustration I slammed my fist against the side of the cliff face, sending rocks flying through the air to the water below. I was not angry at Bella. I couldn't even force myself to be angry at Alice. I was furious with myself. I sat their for an hour thinking about all the decision I had made. Trying to find the one point where I could have reacted differently. Now that Bella was what I had so desperately wish she would never become, I found myself distraught to discover it was exactly what I had needed. I had let my own eternity pass me by.
The sound of running brought me out of my reverie and I could hear the sound of Jacob Black phasing behind me.
"Oh…it's you," he muttered walking slowly towards me.
"I'm sorry," I said standing up and rubbing my eyes. "I needed to see this place."
"Yah I figured," the fake anger tried to no avail to cover up the understanding in his voice.
"You loved her too?" I asked simply.
"Bella had that affect on people."
"That she does," I chuckled.
"Did you find what you needed here?"
"No…I don't think I ever will."
We stood in silence for a few minutes, both of us lost in our own thoughts before Jacob broke it. "So what do you plan to do now?"
"I'm not sure. I guess try to get by the best I can. I know that I'm staying here for a while. I'm tired of wandering."
"You don't suppose that will be slightly awkward? What with Bella and
Alice wandering around like they are on the Love Boat?"
I couldn't help but to chuckle at the quip. "I suppose it will be, but I guess I will have to learn to live with this. I do have eternity ahead of me after all."
"Are you heading back to the house right now?"
"I was planning on it. Why?"
"I need to go over and talk to Dr. Cullen about Aniella. We are trying to discover more about her kind."
"Well in that case let's go dog."
"Hey leech I'll race you there if we're gonna be like that."
"You're on," I said, welcoming the distraction from my own mind. And with that we took off towards the house racing.