Hey everyone!

Sorry this is so late. It was really hard trying to write this chapter but I hope you all enjoy.

xx

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

The guard was obviously uneasy with Bella's choices, a huge wolf and a huge vampire. They hissed but Aro lifted his hand and waved away their protest.

''Interesting company you keep'' Demetri said to Edward

Jacob the wolf growled but Edward didn't respond, he was still staring at me. I looked him straight in the eye and he turned away.

Edward slowly turned around to meet Bella, grasping her hand firmly. For a moment there was complete silence but Felix ended that.

''Hello again, Bella'' Felix grinned, keeping an eye of Jacob's every move.

Bella greeted him without hesitation

''Hey Felix''

''You look good. Immortality suits you.''

''Thanks so much''

''You're welcome. It's too bad…'' But Felix left his sentence unfinished.

Seeming to guess the end of Felix's sentence Bella replied.

''Yes, too bad, isn't it?''

Felix just winked.

Unaware of Felix and Bella's exchange, Aro went on inspecting the child.

''I hear her strange heart, I smell her strange scent,'' Then he turned his attention to Bella ''In truth, young Bella, immortality does become you most extraordinarily, it is as if you were designed for this life.''

Bella nodded

''You liked my gift?'' Aro continued

Bella's hand went to the huge necklace that was sitting at her throat.

''It's beautiful, and very, very generous of you. Thank you. I probably should have sent a note''

Aro laughed. ''It's just a little something I had lying around. I thought it might complement your new face, and so it does.''

He wasn't lying, in the castle back home there was one room that was filled with priceless paintings, furniture and jewelry. Aro had collected it throughout his whole life. Some of the stuff dated back to the early seventeenth century.

I knew Jane wouldn't be happy that Aro had given out a necklace to Bella, so it didn't surprise me when I heard a hiss of disapproval coming from her direction.

Aro couldn't stay away from the main subject for very long, asking Bella if he could greet her daughter.

Bella hesitated but eventually took two slow steps towards Aro. He met her half way beaming with delight.

''But she's exquisite, so like you and Edward. Hello Renesmee'' Aro greeted her cheerfully.

Renesmee, what an unusual name but so appropriate for a child like her.

Renesmee looked up at her mother and then to Aro once Bella had nodded.

''Hello, Aro'' Her high pitched voice was so musical, I could listen to it for hours.

Renesmee was just too cute. No-one was going to lay a hand on her when I was around. There was no possible way that this child could cause anyone pain. She was pure innocence.

Caius hissed from behind ''What is it?''

''Half mortal, half immortal,'' Aro explained '' Conceived so, and carried by this newborn while she was still human.''

''Impossible'' Caius scoffed.

''Do you think they've fooled me, the, brother?'' Aro's expression was greatly amused but Caius' was not.

''Is the heartbeat you hear a trickery as well?'' Aro continued.

Caius scowled.

''Calmly and carefully, brother, I know well how you love your justice, but there is no justice in acting against this unique little one for her parentage. And so much to learn, so much to learn! I know you don't have my enthusiasm for collecting histories, but be tolerant with me, brother, as I add a chapter that stuns me with its improbability. We came expecting only justice and the sadness of false friends, but look what we have gained instead! A new, bright knowledge of ourselves, our possibilities.'' Aro explained.

Aro held out his hand an invitation but Renesmee bypassed his hand, reaching straight towards his face.

Aro's smile widened and he sighed with satisfaction. ''Brilliant'' he whispered.

Renesmee pulled away from Aro, relaxing back into her mother's arms.

''Please?'' She asked in her high pitched voice.

Aro's smile turned gentle.

''Of course I have no desire to harm your loved ones, precious Renesmee''

I saw Edward clench his teeth, obviously reading Aro's true thoughts. Someone behind Bella in the back of their crowd hissed also seeing through his lie.

Aro continued, showing no response to the reaction he received for his last sentence.

''I wonder,'' He said as his eyes moved to the wolf, Jacob.

''It doesn't work that way.'' Edward said, replying to an unspoken question in Aro's mind.

''Just an errant thought''

''They don't belong to us, Aro. They don't follow our commands that way. They're here because they want to be.'' Edward added harshly.

Jacob growled, obviously guessing what Aro was thinking.

'' They seem quite attached to you, though. And your young mate and your … family. Loyal.'' Aro said.

''They're committed to protecting human life, Aro. That makes them able to coexist with us, but hardly with you. Unless you're rethinking your lifestyle.'' Edward said

Aro just laughed at Edward's harsh words. '' Just an errant thought'', he repeated ''You well know how that is. We none of us can entirely control our subconscious desires.''

Edward grimaced. ''I do know how that is. And I also know the difference between that kind of thought and the kind with a purpose behind it. It could never work, Aro.''

Jacob looked over at Edward and whined.

''He's intrigued with the idea of … guard dogs.'' Edward murmured back.

There was one moment of complete silence but then the clearing was filled with furious snarls from the whole pack of wolves that were surrounding the border.

There was one loud bark and the snarls started to decrease until there was silence once again.

''I suppose that answers that question, ''Aro said laughing again. ''This lot has picked its side.''

Edward hissed at Aro and leaned forward slightly. Beside me Felix slipped down into a crouch and when I looked over Demetri was prepared to fight too. Bella pulled on Edward's arm and he backed up slightly. Aro waved off Demetri and Felix and they both straightened up to their former postures.

''So much to discuss, So much to decide. If you and your furry protector will excuse me, my dear Cullens, I must confer with my brothers''

But Aro did not move back to join Caius and Marcus, he motioned for the whole guard to join him. As soon as they started moving, I saw Edward start to pull Bella and Emmett back so that they were at a safe distance from us.

The whole guard moved around Aro protecting the three conversing leaders. Naturally Aro and Caius were doing most of the talking, well arguing. But I barely listened to them, instead my eyes wandered over to Emmett. There was something about his face that was frighteningly familiar but I just couldn't put my finger on it.

I stood just about two feet away from the protection of the guard's circle. I didn't wish to be a part of their argument, I didn't want to be on their side because they stood for the wrong reasons. The whole guard was created to fulfill Aro and Caius' wishes. Mostly Aro and Caius had the right idea, trying to protect the secret world of vampires but in this particular case, they were just power hungry. They were very old fashioned, and scared of the unknown.

Sure Aro put on a brave face, pretending that he was fascinated with new outcomes, but on the inside he was internally screaming. I knew Caius and Aro would come up with a reason to fight the Cullens even if the reason that they came here in the first place was false.

I continued to stare at Emmett, hoping that I would remember how I knew him. It had to have something to do with my human life, that's all I could come up with. If I had met him in my vampire life I definitely would have remembered him.

Yes, it had to be related with my human life, but how?

As I was internally struggling with my mind, trying to find a memory that was clear enough to establish a link between Emmett and I, Edward looked at me again.

I looked at his face, it was defensive but not totally full of hatred, which was good.

I felt like an idiot trying to have a conversation through my mind with another person but decided to give it a go.

I hope you understand that I am not here to harm Renesmee.

Edward's response was unexpected so when he nodded I continued to communicate.

She is a beautiful child.

His mouth twitched slightly, on the brink of a smile.

I have read all about your family in Aro's journals and I'm sorry that we had to meet this way.

I could tell Edward agreed.

Before, when you were staring at me… was that because you noticed that I recognized Emmett from somewhere?

He nodded so I continued.

I honestly have no idea how I know him but I feel like I do.

Another nod.

Do you know if Emmett and I have met before? Was it when I was human?

Edward nodded but turned to face Bella and with that our conversation was over.

So Edward knew how Emmett and I know each other. Did he know for sure or was he just guessing.

I went back to sorting through my memories, trying to find a connection when Emmett smirked at me. I stared back at him not sure of how I should react. Did he recognize me or was he just picturing how he was going to kill me?

I smiled back as he turned slightly to Edward who was telling him something. I saw him nod and look back at me and smile again. Now I was certain that they knew how we had met. But I knew that I wasn't going to find out today. I had no other way of communicating with them safely.

I couldn't just walk over there and ask a random question. I would most likely get killed by that huge wolf who was now staring at me. He was huge, and could easily squash me with one of his paws. I must have looked scared because his expression seemed to change. Well as much as a wolf's expression could change, but he looked almost smug.

I looked back at Edward then, he was now talking to Carlisle and Esme. They both turned to look at me, just as Demetri grabbed my hand and pulled me to face him.

I must have looked more scared than I thought I did because he was staring at me with his ''what's wrong'' look. I just smiled and reached up to give him a kiss on the side of his mouth, just brushing his lips.

He pushed the hair away from my face and kissed my forehead. I squeezed his hand in return, not wanting to let go. I heard someone hiss and I looked up to see Caius glaring at me. I knew we were breaking the no contact rule but I didn't care.

He turned away when he realized I wasn't fazed by his glare and returned to arguing with Aro.

''How can you abide this infamy? Why do we stand here impotently in the face of such an outrageous crime, covered by such a ridiculous deception?'' Caius' arms were at his sides, his hands curled into claws.

'' Because it's all true, every word of it. See how many witnesses stand ready to give evidence that they have seen this miraculous child grow and mature in just the short time they've known her. That they have felt the warmth of the blood that pulses in her veins.'' Aro gestured from one end of the Cullen's witnesses to the other.

Caius did not reply to Aro's soothing words. He made quick glances to our witnesses and I could have sworn he looked nervous.

I looked at the witnesses myself and they weren't angry anymore. They were all confused, probably as much as the whole guard was. Whispered conversations were happening all through the individual groups of vampires.

Caius now stood with deep wrinkles in his forehead, deep in thought. He was trying to think of another way to punish the Cullens, I could tell.

''The werewolves'' Caius murmured after a couple of seconds.

''Ah, brother…'' Aro answered Caius' statement with a pained look.

''Will you defend that alliance, too, Aro?'' Caius demanded ''The children of the moon have been our bitter enemies from the dawn of time. We have hunted them to near extinction in Europe and Asia. Yet Carlisle encourages a familiar relationship with this enormous infestation -no doubt in an attempt to overthrow us. The better to protect his warped lifestyle.''

Edward cleared his throat loudly and Caius glared at him, Aro placed a hand over his face, as if embarrassed by Caius.

''Caius, it's the middle of the day,'' Edward pointed out, and gestured to the large wolves that surrounded his family and friends. ''These are not children of the moon, clearly. They bear no relation to your enemies on the other side of the world.''

''You breed mutants here'' Caius spit back at him.

I watched Edward closely, his jaw clenched and unclenched before he answered.

''They aren't even werewolves. Aro can tell you all about it if you don't believe me.''

I saw the confusion in everyone's faces, especially the Cullen family.

''Dear Caius, I would have warned you not to press this point if you had told me your thoughts, though the creatures think of themselves as werewolves, they are not. The more accurate name for them would be shape-shifters. The choice of a wolf form was purely chance. It could have been a bear or a hawk or a panther when the first chance was made. These creatures truly have nothing to do with the Children of the Moon. They have merely inherited this skill from their fathers. It's genetic- they do not continue their species by infecting others the way true werewolves do.'' Aro pressed.

Caius glared at Aro.

''They know our secret.'' He said flatly.

''They are creatures of our supernatural world, brother. Perhaps even more dependent upon secrecy than we are; they can hardly expose us. Carefully, Caius. Specious allegations get us nowhere.'' Aro answered.

Caius took in a deep breath and nodded at Aro. They exchanged a long and significant glance. Aro was warning Caius to not make a spectacle in front of the witnesses. I knew that look. It only happened when Aro wanted absolute control.

''I want to talk to the informant'' Caius announced abruptly and turned to glared at Irina.

Irina wasn't paying attention to Caius and Aro's conversation, her eyes were locked on the Cullen clan and a few women that stood with them, I was assuming them to be Irina's sisters.

''Irina'' Caius barked.

Irina looked up, startled and afraid when she locked eyes with Caius.

He snapped his fingers once and Irina began to move. Slowly she made her way from the fringes of our formation to stand in front of Caius.

''So you appear to have been quite mistaken in your allegations,'' Caius began.

''I'm sorry'' Irina whispered. ''I should have made sure of what I was seeing. But I had no idea…'' Irina gestured to the Cullens

''Dear Caius, could you expect her to have guessed in an instant something so strange and impossible?'' Aro asked ''any of us would have made the same assumption''

Caius flicked his finger at Aro to silence him. I immediately looked at Aro's face to find one hint of anger but there was none. Just acceptance. In any ordinary situation Aro would not have accepted Caius' behavior. He would not have backed down if Caius had challenged an order like that. It was at that moment that I knew it was staged. Aro knew what Caius had in mind and he wasn't going to stop it. It was all a show.

''We all know you made a mistake, I meant to speak of your motivations.'' Caius said abruptly.

Irina waited for Caius to continue, obviously choosing her words carefully because she knew she was treading on ice with Caius.

''My motivations?'' She spoke just above a whisper.

''Yes, for coming to spy on the in the first place''

Irina flinched at the word spy.

''You were unhappy with the Cullens, were you not?''

Irina turned to face Carlisle. ''I was'' she admitted

''Because..?'' Caius prompted.

''Because the werewolves killed my friend,'' she whispered ''And the Cullens wouldn't stand aside to let me avenge him''

''The shape-shifters'' Aro corrected quietly

''So the Cullens sided with the shape-shifters against our own kind - against the friend of a friend, even'' Caius summarized.

I could tell Caius was trying to stick an accusation onto the Cullens.

Irina's shoulders stiffened. ''That's how I saw it.''

Caius waited again and then prompted. ''If you'd like to make a formal complaint against the shape-shifters - and the Cullen's for supporting their actions- now would be the time.'' He smiled a tiny cruel smile.

Irina's jaw jerked up, her shoulders squared.

''No, I have no complaint against the wolves, or the Cullens. You came here today to destroy an immortal child. No immortal child exists. This was my mistake, and I take full responsibility for it. But the Cullen's are innocent, and you have no reason to still be here. I'm so sorry'' She spoke to the Cullens but then turned to our witnesses. ''There was no crime. There's no valid reason for you to continue here.''

Caius raised his hand as she spoke, and in it was a small metal object. I took a step forward, totally aware of what Caius was about to do. He was going to kill Irina. I tried to stop him but was instantly pulled back by Demetri. It was only a slight movement, no-one except Demetri and Felix noticed it.

I stood stunned as three of our soldiers leapt forward, covering Irina with their grey cloaks. Caius stepped into the middle and the same horrible metallic screeching sound I knew all too well started. Sparks flew and soon there was flame. The three soldiers moved back into place which left Caius who was standing next to the blazing remains of Irina. All I could think of was that she had gone quickly. It wasn't as painful as some of Caius' methods. She didn't go through too much pain. I looked at Edward and he nodded slightly. Acknowledging my thoughts.

Gasps came from all of our witnesses. Everyone was shocked with what had just happened.

''Now she has taken full responsibility for her actions.'' Caius smiled callously.

''Stop them!'' Edward yelled. I turned to see him grab a women's arm who tried to leap out and attack Caius. Obviously she was one of Irina's sisters.

Carlisle put a restraining hand around her waist. ''It's too late to help her, don't give him what he wants!'' He reasoned urgently.

Another woman leapt forward, shrieking with anger. Rosalie tried to grab onto her but as soon as she touched the women's skin she crumpled to the ground. Emmett caught the woman's arm and threw her to the ground and was able to take one step before his knees gave out underneath him.

Another large man flung himself at her, locking his arms around her body, knocking them both to the ground. I saw his body spasm and his eyes roll back into his head but he did not loosen his grip.

''Zafrina'' Edward shouted.

Both of the women stopped struggling instantly.

''Give me my sight back!'' The woman that was being held by Edward hissed.

The man that was holding the other woman got up, pinning her to the ground.

''If I let you up, will you knock me back down again, Katie?'''He whispered

She snarled in response, still thrashing blindly.

''Listen to me, Tanya, Kate'' Carlisle said in a low but intense whisper. '' Vengeance doesn't help her now. Irina wouldn't want you to waste your lives this way. Think about what you're doing. If you attack them, we all die.''

The two women stopped thrashing, but sunk their shoulders with grief instead.

The whole guard was on full alert, watching the Cullens ordeal. They were powerful. Possibly more powerful than anything that we had ever come up against. The Volturi weren't used to fighting fair fights. They liked the odds to be stacked way in their favor. So they didn't like this situation at all.

Aro glanced back at our witnesses, a look of displeasure on his face.

''Irina has been punished for bearing false witness against this child, perhaps we should return to the matter at hand?''

Caius stiffened, his face turning expressionless.

Aro shifted forward slightly. Naturally Demetri, Felix and I had to move with him.

''Just to be thorough, I'd like to speak with a few of your witnesses. Procedure, you know.'' Aro waved his hand dismissively.

Caius' tiny cruel smile returned as he looked at Aro. He had come up with another plan.

We followed Aro to the far side of the Cullen's witnesses. Demetri was sure to put me the farthest away from both the witnesses and the wolves that rimmed the clearing.

''Ah, Amun, my southern neighbor!'' Aro said warmly. '' It has been so long since you've visited me.''

''Time means little; I never notice its passing'' Amun said through unmoving lips.

''So true'' Aro agreed '' But maybe you had another reason to stay away?''

Amun said nothing.

''It can be terribly time-consuming to organize newcomers into a coven. I know that well! I'm grateful I have other to deal with the tedium. I'm glad your new additions have fit in so well. I would have loved to have been introduced. I'm sure you were meaning to come to see me soon.''

''Of course'' Amun said, his tone emotionless

''Oh well, we're all together now! Isn't it lovely?''

Amun nodded his head, his face blank.

It had always amused me how Aro could act so oblivious to the fact that people hated him.

"But the reason for your presence here is not as pleasant, unfortunately. Carlisle called on you to witness?"

"Yes." Amun said

"And what did you witness for him?"

Amun spoke with the same cold lack of emotion. "I've observed the child in question. It was evident almost immediately that she was not an immortal child— "

"Perhaps we should define our terminology," Aro interrupted, "now that there seems to be new classifications. By immortal child, you mean of course a human child who had been bitten and thus transformed into a vampire."

"Yes, that's what I meant."

"What else did you observe about the child?" Aro questioned.

"The same things that you surely saw in Edward's mind. That the child is his biologically. That she grows. That she learns."

"Yes, yes," Aro said, a hint of impatience in his tone. "But specifically in your few weeks here, what did you see?"

Amun was scraping for words.

"That she grows… quickly."

Aro smiled. ''And do you believe that she should be allowed to live?"

I heard almost all of the Cullen's hiss. I'm sure my expression showed outrage as well.

Aro was not concerned with the noise but Amun looked around uneasily.

''I did not come to make judgments''

Aro laughed lightly. "Just your opinion."

Amun's chin lifted. "I see no danger in the child. She learns even more swiftly than she grows."

Aro nodded, considering. After a moment, he turned away and we followed.

"Aro?" Amun called.

Aro whirled back. "Yes, friend?"

"I gave my witness. I have no more business here. My mate and I would like to take our leave now."

Aro smiled warmly. "Of course. I'm so glad we were able to chat for a bit. And I'm sure we'll see each other again soon."

Amun kept his expression solemn, acknowledging the barely concealed threat. He touched his mates arm and the two of them took off running into the woods. They wouldn't stop running for days, I knew that.

Aro turned around, following the line of the Cullen's witnesses. Demetri and Felix were both tense, I was just watching.

Aro stopped suddenly and turned to a woman named Siobhan.

"Hello, dear Siobhan. You are as lovely as ever."

She just inclined her head, waiting.

"And you?" he asked. "Would you answer my questions the same way Amun has?"

"I would," Siobhan said. "But I would perhaps add a little more. Renesmee understands the limitations. She's no danger to humans—she blends in better than we do. She poses no threat of exposure."

"Can you think of none?" Aro asked soberly.

Edward growled and I saw Caius' eyes brighten. Many reacted, preparing for a fight.

Siobhan answered slowly, "I don't think Ifollow you."

Aro slowly backed away, taking us with him back to our formation.

"There is no broken law, however, does it follow then that there is no danger? No." He shook his head gently. "That is a separate issue."

Many people hissed at Aro's words.

Aro was pacing back and forth, every step taking him further away from the Cullen's.

"She is unique…utterly, impossibly unique. Such a waste it would be, to destroy something so lovely. Especially when we could learn so much . . . but there is danger, danger that cannot simply be ignored."

"How ironic it is that as the humans advance, as their faith in science grows and controls their world, the more free we are from discovery. Yet, as we become ever more uninhibited by their disbelief in the supernatural, they become strong enough in their technologies that, if they wished, they could actually pose a threat to us, even destroy some of us.

"For thousands and thousands of years, our secrecy has been more a matter of convenience, of ease, than of actual safety. This last raw, angry century has given birth to weapons of such power that they endanger even immortals. Now our status as mere myth in truth protects us from these weak creatures we hunt.

''This amazing child'' He lifted his hand, trying to reach out to Renesmee even though he was at least forty yards away from her. ''If we could but know her potential—know with absolute certainty that she could always remain shrouded within the obscurity that protects us. But we know nothing of what she will become! Her own parents are plagued by fears of her future. We cannot know what she will grow to be.'' Aro paused, for impact I was assuming. He looked at all of our witnesses, trying to convince them that he was doing the right thing to protect all of us.

''Only the known is safe. Only the known is tolerable. The unknown is … a vulnerability.''

I saw Caius' smile widen to a sneer.

''You're reaching, Aro'' Carlisle said in a bleak voice.

''Peace, friend.'' Aro smiled, putting on his most pleasant face. ''Let us not be hasty. Let us look at this from every side.''

The man that had restrained one of Irina's sisters stepped forward. "May I offer a side to be considered?"

Aro nodded his permission. ''Nomad.''

The man's chin lifted, his eyes and voice directed to our many witnesses.

"I came here at Carlisle's request, as the others, to witness," he said. "That is certainly no longer necessary, with regard to the child. We all see what she is.

"I stayed to witness something else. You." He jabbed his finger toward the wary vampires. "Two of you I know—Makenna, Charles—and I can see that many of you others are also wanderers, roamers like myself. Answering to no-one. Think carefully on what I tell you now.''

I could see Caius' outrage increase with each of these man's words.

"These ancient ones did not come here for justice as they told you. We suspected as much, and now it has been proved. They came, mislead, but with a valid excuse for their action. Witness now as they seek flimsy excuses to continue their true mission. Witness them struggle to find a justification for their true purpose—to destroy this family here." He gestured toward the Cullens.

"The Volturi come to erase what they perceive as the competition. Perhaps, like me, you look at this clan's golden eyes and marvel. They are difficult to understand, it's true. But the ancient ones look and see something besides their strange choice. They see power.

"I have witnessed the bonds within this family—I say family and not coven. These strange golden-eyed ones deny their very natures. But in return have they found something worth even more, perhaps, than mere gratification of desire? I've made a little study of them in my time here, and it seems to me that intrinsic to this intense family binding—that which makes them possible at all—is the peaceful character of this life of sacrifice. There is no aggression here like we all saw in the large southern clans that grew and diminished so quickly in their wild feuds. There is no thought for domination. And Aro knows this better than I do."

Aro's expression was only slightly irritated. He was putting on a brave face.

The man continued.

"Carlisle assured us all, when he told us what was coming, that he did not call us here to fight. These witnesses"—he pointed to the other Cullen witnesses-"agreed to give evidence, to slow the Volturi advance with their presence so that Carlisle would get the chance to present his case.

"But some of us wondered if Carlisle having truth on his side would be enough to stop the so-called justice. Are the Volturi here to protect the safety of our secrecy, or to protect their own power? Did they come to destroy an illegal creation, or a way of life? Could they be satisfied when the danger turned out to be no more than a misunderstanding? Or would they push the issue without the excuse of justice?

"We have the answer to all these questions. We heard it in Aro's lying words—we have one with a gift of knowing such things for certain—and we see it now in Caius's eager smile. Their guard is just a mindless weapon, a tool in their masters' quest for domination.''

I didn't like hearing that, I was not a mindless tool. But when I thought about it, I was. I killed people when I was ordered to by Aro and Caius. None of us ever questioned anything, most of us too afraid of the consequences to step out of line. I guess that made us mindless tools.

"So now there are more questions, questions that you must answer. Who rules you, nomads? Do you answer to someone's will besides your own? Are you free to choose your path, or will the Volturi decide how you will live?

"I came to witness. I stay to fight. The Volturi care nothing for the death of the child. They seek the death of our free will."

He turned to face Aro and Caius. "So come, I say! Let's hear no more lying rationalizations. Be honest in your intents as we will be honest in ours. We will defend our freedom. You will or will not attack it. Choose now, and let these witnesses see the true issue debated here."

Once again he turned towards our witnesses.

"You might consider joining us. If you think the Volturi will let you live to tell this tale, you are mistaken. We may all be destroyed"—he shrugged—"but then again, maybe not. Perhaps we are on more equal footing than they know. Perhaps the Volturi have finally met their match. I promise you this, though—if we fall, so doyou."

He finished his speech and stepped back next to Irina's sister, Kate. He slid down into a half-crouch prepared for the fight.

Aro smiled. "A very pretty speech, my revolutionary friend."

The man remained poised for attack. "Revolutionary?" he growled. "Who am I revolting against, might I ask? Are you my king? Do you wish me to call you master, too, like your sycophantic guard?"

"Peace, Garrett," Aro said tolerantly. "I meant only to refer to your time of birth. Still a patriot, I see."

Garrett glared back furiously.

"Let us ask our witnesses," Aro suggested. "Let us hear their thoughts before we make our decision. Tell us, friends"—and he turned his back on the Cullens, moving a few yards toward our nervous witnesses—"what do you think of all this? I can assure you the child is not what we feared. Do we take the risk and let the child live? Do we put our world in jeopardy to preserve their family intact? Or does earnest Garrett have the right of it? Will you join them in a fight against our sudden quest for dominion?"

All of the witnesses met his gaze with careful faces. One, a small woman with black hair looked at her partner beside her before turning to Aro.

"Are those our only choices?" she asked suddenly. "Agree with you, or fight against you?"

"Of course not, most charming Makenna," Aro said, appearing horrified that anyone could come to that conclusion.

"You may go in peace, of course, as Amun did, even if you disagree with the council's decision."

Makenna looked at her mate's face again, and he nodded slightly.

"We did not come here for a fight." She paused, exhaled, then said, "We came here to witness. And our witness is that this condemned family is innocent. Everything that Garrett claimed is the truth."

"Ah," Aro said sadly. "I'm sorry you see us in that way. But such is the nature of our work."

"It is not what I see, but what I feel," Makenna's mate spoke in a high, nervous voice. He glanced at Garrett. "Garrett said they have ways of knowing lies. I, too, know when I am hearing the truth, and when I am not." With frightened eyes he moved closer to his mate, waiting for Aro's reaction.

"Do not fear us, friend Charles. No doubt the patriot truly believes what he says,"

Aro chuckled lightly, and Charles's eyes narrowed.

"That is our witness," Makenna said. "We're leaving now."

She and Charles backed away slowly, not turning before they were lost from view in the trees. One other stranger began to retreat the same way, then three more darted after him. Soon we only had thirty-seven vampires witnessing for us.

A few of them appeared just too confused to make a decision. But the majority of them seemed aware of the direction this confrontation had taken. I guessed that they were giving up a head start in favor of knowing exactly who would be chasing after them. Demetri.

Aro turned and walked back to stand in front of us.

"We are outnumbered, dearest ones," he said. "We can expect no outside help. Should we leave this question undecided to save ourselves?"

"No, master," everyone whispered at the same time, I didn't. I wanted to leave.

"Is the protection of our world worth perhaps the loss of some of our number?"

"Yes," they breathed. "We are not afraid."

But I was, I was very afraid. I didn't want to fight and I didn't want to lose any of our members. Especially Demetri, Felix or Marcus. If it came down to a fight I knew the Cullens would go for Demetri and Felix first. They were some of the most powerful Volturi members. But I had a feeling that everyone would want Demetri dead. If he was gone everyone that escaped today would have a chance at surviving.

Aro smiled and turned to Caius and Marcus.

"Brothers," Aro said somberly, "there is much to consider here."

"Let us counsel," Caius said eagerly.

"Let us counsel," Marcus repeated in an uninterested tone.

Aro turned his back to us again. The three leaders joined hands to form a black-shrouded triangle.

As soon as Aro's attention was engaged in the silent counsel, two more of our witnesses disappeared silently into the forest. I knew they wouldn't go unnoticed.

Marcus was not as involved in the conversation, Caius was the main talker. He wanted the Cullens dead.

I decided to try and help the Cullens. Try and do something to protect them. I focused and copied Aro's power and gave it to Marcus. I gently touched Marcus' back. No-one would notice.

I showed him how the Cullens weren't guilty. How they needed to be saved. How he needed to help them. I pulled my hand back and waited, when Marcus didn't react I thought that it hadn't worked. But then he started joining into the conversation.

He was actually standing up for the Cullens, saying that they hadn't done anything wrong so the guard should go home. Marcus was trying to play it off as being out of boredom but I knew better. He was doing this for me! Hopefully it would work.

I was trying to listen into the conversation when Jane let out a high pitched scream. I jumped, I had only heard her scream like that when I had taken away her power, that one time. I looked up and saw her baring her teeth at Bella, who was smiling smugly.

Alec padded his sister's shoulder, trying to calm her down so that she wouldn't try to start an attack on the Cullens. Alec turned his attention fully to the Cullens.

With his hand still wrapped around his sister he started his gift. I saw the mist appear and slowly creep forward towards our enemy. Others saw it too because the next thing I knew there was a huge gust of wind that sent huge amounts of snow into the air, trying to stop the travelling mist. It didn't work, the mist just kept on moving forward.

All of a sudden there was a deep groan and the earth started to separate. For a moment the Earth was moving under my feet. A deep narrow crack opened in a long zigzag across the middle of the clearing. But Alec's gift just went straight over the gaping hole.

Our elders broke out of their conversation and watched as the ground opened up. Aro and Caius were shocked but Marcus looked on without emotion.

No-one spoke, we just waited as the mist approached the Cullens. The wind shrieked louder but didn't change the course of the mist. Jane was smiling now.

And then the mist hit a wall! I was astounded, I had never seen anything like this before. The mist was crawling over a huge invisible wall. Trying to get through. But it was no use, the Cullen's were untouchable, fully protected.

The mist curled upward, seeking a breach, a weakness. It found none. The fingers of searching haze twisted upward and around, trying to find a way in, and in the process illustrating the astonishing size of the protective screen.

I was internally smiling, but put on a face for my peers.

I looked at Bella's face, it was her, she was controlling the wall, her power was a shield.

I listened more intently to their conversation now, trying to see how hopeful they were.

Bella was talking."I'm going to have to concentrate," She whispered to Edward. "When it comes to hand to hand, it's going to be harder to keep the shield around the right people."

"I'll keep them off you." Edward said.

But her next words terrified me.

"No. You have to get to Demetri. Zafrina will keep them away from me." Bella said.

No, he couldn't. Edward couldn't do that, wouldn't do that.

I was devastated as my hopes came crashing down. If Edward went after Demetri I would protect him. I wasn't going to choose anyone over Demetri but I hated that I was going to have to hurt Edward to protect the one I love.

I looked at Edward and then at the rest of his family. They were all divvying out who they wanted to fight. Kate was going after Jane, I didn't really care about that, I hoped that Kate would win but Alec was going to be challenged by some Romanian guy. Tanya wanted Caius, revenge for him killing her sister.

I had to do something, today I was going to lose people that I loved. I had to try and do something.

Edward!

Edward! Look at me!

When he looked up I started talking again.

You can not kill Demetri! I'll get him to not attack you. Please. You can't. You have to let him go.

If this comes to a fight and Demetri is attacked I will have to help him. He is my mate. I won't let anything happen to him.

Edward looked sad but I knew he wanted to protect his family. But I had to try and explain.

But I had no idea how to. If I went up to a vampire on their side, they would try and kill me. They would have no idea that I was trying to help them. They would kill me before I could even open my mouth.

I know you can't tell your family now but I would like to be able to walk away from this fight with Demetri. I don't care if I have to turn on Caius. I hate him. All I want is mine and Demetri's lives, to be safe.

If we start fighting will you stop your family from killing me and Demetri?

Edward looked down.

Will you?

He just turned away and rested his hand on Bella. Then I understood. He would protect his family, make sure they were all safe before he worried about mine or Demetri's safety.

Then he nodded slightly and I couldn't blame him. I would do the same if I had a child to protect, if I had a family I would do anything to protect them too.

Aro, who was staring calmly at Alec's mist, finally spoke.

"Before we vote," he began."Let me remind you, whatever the council's decision, there need be no violence here." Aro was worried, I could tell.

"It will be a regrettable waste to our kind to lose any of you. But you especially, young Edward, and your newborn mate. The Volturi would be glad to welcome many of you into our ranks. Bella, Benjamin, Zafrina, Kate. There are many choices before you. Consider them."

"Let us vote, then," he said with apparent reluctance.

Caius spoke first. "The child is an unknown quantity. There is no reason to allow such a risk to exist. It must be destroyed, along with all who protect it." He smiled in expectation.

Then it was Marcus' turn. "I see no immediate danger. The child is safe enough for now. We can always reevaluate later. Let us leave in peace."

I smirked at his sentence. Maybe we wouldn't have to fight today.

Then it was Aro's vote, the one that would decide it all.

"I must make the deciding vote, it seems," Aro mused.

"Aro?" Edward called nearly shouted, undisguised victory in his voice.

Aro hesitated for a second, assessing Edward's new found confidence before he answered.

"Yes, Edward? You have something further...?"

"Perhaps," Edward said pleasantly, controlling his unexplained excitement. "First, if I could clarify one point?"

"Certainly," Aro said, raising his eyebrows, nothing now but polite interest in his tone.

"The danger you foresee from my daughter- this stems entirely from our inability to guess how she will develop? That is the crux of the matter?"

"Yes, friend Edward," Aro agreed. "If we could but be positive... be sure that, as she grows, she will be able to stay concealed from the human world- not endanger the safety of our obscurity . . ." He trailed off, shrugging.

"So, if we could only know for sure," Edward suggested, "exactly what she will become ...then there would be no need for a council at all?"

"If there was some way to be absolutely sure," Aro agreed, his feathery voice slightly more shrill. He couldn't see where Edward was leading him. Neither could I. "Then, yes, there would be no question to debate."

"And we would part in peace, good friends once again?" Edward asked with a hint of irony.

Even more shrill. "Of course, my young friend. Nothing would please me more."

Edward chuckled. "Then I do have something more to offer."

Aro's eyes narrowed. "She is absolutely unique. Her future can only be guessed at."

"Not absolutely unique," Edward disagreed. "Rare, certainly, but not one of a kind."

"Aro, would you ask Jane to stop attacking my wife?" Edward asked courteously. "We are still discussing evidence."

Aro raised one hand. "Peace, dear ones. Let us hear him out."

I smirked at Jane who was baring her teeth at Bella. I loved it when Jane was pissed off.

"Why don't you join us, Alice?" Edward called loudly.

"Alice," Aro breathed.

Everyone was murmuring Alice's name. Alice was the short black haired Cullen that came to Italy with Bella.

Hopefully she would be able to stop the fight.

Then Alice danced into the clearing from the southwest, her mate Jasper was only inches behind her, his sharp eyes fierce.

Close after them ran three strangers; the first was a tall, muscular female with wild dark hair.

The next was a small olive-toned female vampire with a long braid of black hair bobbing against her back. Her deep burgundy eyes flitted nervously around the confrontation before her.

And the last was a young man... not quite as fast or quite as fluid in his run. His skin was an impossible rich, dark brown. His wary eyes flashed across the gathering, and they were the color of warm teak. His hair was black and braided, too, like the woman's, though not as long. He was beautiful.

"Alice has been searching for her own witnesses these last weeks," he said to the ancient. "And she does not come back empty-handed. Alice, why don't you introduce the witnesses you've brought?"

Caius snarled. "The time for witnesses is past! Cast your vote, Aro!"

Aro raised one finger to silence him, his eyes glued to Alice's face.

Alice stepped forward lightly and introduced the strangers. "This is Huilen and her nephew, Nahuel."

"Speak, Huilen," Aro commanded. "Give us the witness you were brought to bear."

The slight woman looked to Alice nervously. Alice nodded in encouragement.

"I am Huilen," the woman announced in clear but strangely accented English.

"A century and a half ago, I lived with my people, the Mapuche. My sister was Pire. Our parents named her after the snow on the mountains because of her fair skin. And she was very beautiful- too beautiful. She came to me one day in secret and told me of the angel that found her in the woods, that visited her by night. I warned her." Huilen shook her head mournfully. "As if the bruises on her skin were not warning enough. I knew it was the Libishomen of our legends, but she would not listen. She was bewitched.

"She told me when she was sure her dark angel's child was growing inside her. I didn't try to discourage her from her plan to run away- I knew even our father and mother would agree that the child must be destroyed, Pire with it. I went with her into the deepest parts of the forest. She searched for her demon angel but found nothing. I cared for her, hunted for her when her strength failed. She ate the animals raw, drinking their blood. I needed no more confirmation of what she carried in her womb. I hoped to save her life before I killed the monster.

"But she loved the child inside her. She called him Nahuel, after the jungle cat, when he grew strong and broke her bones- and loved him still.

"I could not save her. The child ripped his way free of her, and she died quickly, begging all the while that I would care for her Nahuel. Her dying wish- and I agreed.

"He bit me, though, when I tried to lift him from her body. I crawled away into the jungle to die. I didn't get far- the pain was too much. But he found me; the newborn child struggled through the underbrush to my side and waited for me. When the pain ended, he was curled against my side, sleeping.

"I cared for him until he was able to hunt for himself. We hunted the villages around our forest, staying to ourselves. We have never come so far from our home, but Nahuel wished to see the child here."

Aro's lips were pursed. He stared at the dark-skinned man.

"Nahuel, you are one hundred and fifty years old?" he questioned.

"Give or take a decade," he answered in a clear, beautifully warm voice. His accent was barely noticeable. "We don't keep track."

"And you reached maturity at what age?"

"About seven years after my birth, more or less, I was full grown."

"You have not changed since then?"

Nahuel shrugged. "Not that I've noticed."

"And your diet?" Aro pressed, seeming interested in spite of himself.

"Mostly blood, but some human food, too. I can survive on either."

"You were able to create an immortal?" As Aro gestured to Huilen.

"Yes, but none of the rest can."

Everyone was shocked at that. There were more hybrids.

Aro's eyebrows shot up. "The rest?"

"My sisters." Nahuel shrugged again.

Aro stared wildly for a moment before composing his face.

"Perhaps you would tell us the rest of your story, for there seems to be more."

Nahuel frowned.

"My father came looking for me a few years after my mother's death." His handsome face distorted slightly. "He was pleased to find me." Nahuel's tone suggested the feeling was not mutual. "He had two daughters, but no sons. He expected me to join him, as my sisters had.

"He was surprised I was not alone. My sisters are not venomous, but whether that's due to gender or a random chance... who knows? I already had my family with Huilen, and I was not interested. I see him from time to time. I have a new sister; she reached maturity about ten years back."

"Your father's name?" Caius asked through gritted teeth.

"Joham," Nahuel answered. "He considers himself a scientist. He thinks he's creating a new super-race." He made no attempt to disguise the disgust in his tone.

Caius looked at Bella "Your daughter, is she venomous?" he demanded harshly.

"No," She responded.

Caius looked to Aro for confirmation, but Aro was absorbed in his own thoughts.

He pursed his lips and stared at Carlisle, and then Edward, and at last his eyes rested on Bella.

Caius growled. "We take care of the aberration here, and then follow it south," he urged Aro.

"Brother," he said softly to Caius. "There appears to be no danger. This is an unusual development, but I see no threat. These half-vampire children are much like us, it appears."

"Is that your vote?" Caius demanded.

"It is."

I nearly jumped!

Caius scowled. "And this Joham? This immortal so fond of experimentation?"

"Perhaps we should speak with him," Aro agreed.

"Stop Joham if you will," Nahuel said flatly. "But leave my sisters be. They are innocent."

Aro nodded, his expression solemn. And then he turned back toward us with a warm smile.

"Dear ones," he called. "We do not fight today."

We all nodded and turned to walk away. But I stayed back slightly.

"I'm so glad this could be resolved without violence," Aro said sweetly.

"My friend, Carlisle- how pleased I am to call you friend again! I hope there are no hard feelings. I know you understand the strict burden that our duty places on our shoulders."

"Leave in peace, Aro," Carlisle said stiffly. "Please remember that we still have our anonymity to protect here, and keep your guard from hunting in this region."

"Of course, Carlisle," Aro assured him. "I am sorry to earn your disapproval, my dear friend. Perhaps, in time, you will forgive me."

"Perhaps, in time, if you prove a friend to us again."

Aro bowed his head, the picture of remorse, and drifted backward for a moment before he turned around.

I stayed back after Aro turned around to leave. I smiled at the Cullen's happy faces. But they were still wary because I was still there. I nodded my head towards Edward and turned around to leave.

I grabbed Demetri's hand and started walking home. Yay we didn't have to fight today.

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