In Darkness

by gempire

This is a sequel to Uncertainty, the summary is inside to avoid any spoilers.

25. Chapter 24

Disclaimer: Twilight is the property of Stephenie Meyer

This chapter is dedicated to Noble and Fadewind

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So here I was, driving down to the Res for the first time in fourteen years and the only thing I could think about was the fact that I didn't have a valid licence on me. What if the cops pulled me over? As long as I obeyed the laws of the road I'd be fine.

I felt relieved when I crossed the border and the ocean appeared beyond the trees. Despite the rain I had the windows rolled down and I breathed in the sea air. I felt that sensation of homecoming again and this time it was Miss Wolf who was happy, and ordinary Essie was happy to see the sight she never thought she'd see again. I had to blink away the tears as I entered the village.

The first person I wanted to meet up with was Sammie since she'd actually found a loophole in my edict and had come to see me in Volterra. Since I didn't know where she lived I thought the best place to try was Daphne and Jim's house. If Sammie wasn't there then at least her parents would know where she lived.

I pulled up outside the old house and felt a strange little flutter in my stomach as I made my way to the familiar door. Still painted the same muted red it looked no different from the last time I'd knocked.

It was Daphne who answered the door and it took my mind a moment to adjust to her visage that was ten years older from what I remembered. This had nothing to do with people being older than I remembered fourteen years ago. What you have to remember is that for all my life Daphne's face had never changed. Yet here it was, ten years older, and I was stammered for a moment.

"Essie?" Daphne said in question. "Oh my god Essie! Come in." She said, and I was taken inside while I was still trying to adjust to her slightly older face. "Jim!"

Jim appeared from the kitchen and he had also aged. He had the first signs of grey in his long dark hair and I couldn't quite shake the feeing that there was something perverse about it. Jim and Daphne had seemed as forever young as my own parents, but here they were aging.

"Can I get you a drink?" Daphne asked.

"Orange juice would be nice." I said, since it was rude to turn down hospitality.

"I'll go get it." Daphne said, and disappeared into the kitchen.

"We'd heard you were back." Jim observed. "You back for good?"

I tried to answer, but I couldn't. In that moment and with that innocent enough question I realised the futility of my coming here. I was just teasing myself. Torturing myself with images of the life I could never have. Without warning I burst into tears. I don't even know where they came from. But all of a sudden I was sobbing my eyes out and wiping my nose in my back of my hand since I wasn't wearing long sleeves.

"Here you go." Jim said, handing me a tissue, and I blew my nose noisily.

I still couldn't speak tidy, just sob into my snot soaked tissue. I was lost to this world, why did I torture myself with the things I couldn't have?

"You alright Boss?" Sammie asked as she put her arm around me.

I shook my head still bawling as I buried my face in her shoulder.

"As long as Aro still has a hold of me, I'll never be ok." I said in a broken voice.

"Then don't go back." Sammie said fiercely as she pulled me closer to her in a mom hug.

"If I don't go back Aro will kill the Children of the Moon. No matter what happens he always finds something to hold over me. I'd give anything, I'd pay anything just to be free of him, but he'll always find a way to keep me there. And so what if I flee? There's always two more here with the same powers as me."

"He knows about Hunter and Tina?" Sammie gasped as she still hugged me tight.

"How do you think he got me to join the guard?" I sobbed. "I'd finally had enough of his games and was determined to leave Volterra, but then he told me he knew about Hunter. And Tina. And if I left Volterra then he'd bring them there instead. He made me swear my allegiance and join the guard, or he'd bring Hunter and Tina there in my place."

"I'm so sorry Ess." Sammie whispered.

"Do you wanna know what the worst thing is? If it hadn't been for my carelessness he never would have found out about Hunter or Tina in the first place."

"What do you mean?"

"I saved Mal because his eyes reminded me of Hunter's eyes. They're so green. You remember? I cried out in my mind that Aro wouldn't hurt Hunter as I tackled him off Mal. He heard my cry of Hunter and he saw his image in my mind. It's my fault he found out about Hunter and Tina and my fault I had to take the robes."

"Ess. You have to stop beating yourself up. I don't want my best friend a wreck. I want her to be able to meet my daughter. I brought her here to meet the legendary Essie, but so far she's had to stay in the kitchen with Mom."

"You're daughter?" I asked, sitting up and brushing the tears from my cheeks.

"Yeah. You were one of my best friends, and I hope you still are. Of course I brought my daughter to see you."

I used the remainder of the tissue to wipe away my tears.

"I'd be honoured to meet your daughter." I declared.

"Ok." Sammie said with a nervous smile as she disappeared into the kitchen.

She emerged leading a little girl who looked about six by her hand. She looked more or less like Sammie did at that age, but her hair was copper, just like Max.

"Essie, I'd like you to meet Renee." She declared.

"Hey Renee." I said. "How's it going?"

"Are you my Auntie Essie?" Renee asked.

"Yes." I replied.

"Mommy said I could meet you today."

"And here we are meeting." I replied.

Renee moved close to me and touched my cheek.

"You feel hot. Like Uncle Alex." She observed. "But Mommy said you could be cold too because you're part vampire. But you're a good one."

"And Mommy's right." I stated.

I closed my eyes and pulled down the heat. Then I opened my eyes and Renee gasped.

"They changed colour." She stated. "And your skin."

"That happens when I call on Miss Vampire." I explained. "And now my skin is cold too."

Renee placed her hand to my cheek and gasped again.

"It is cold." She whispered. "Are you a Cold One?"

"Only a very little bit." I replied.

Renee nodded her head.

"So how old are you Renee?"

"Six." She replied.

"Wow. You're a big girl now."

Renee nodded her head smugly.

"Daddy was teaching me how to surf this summer. Proper surfing. But we're not allowed in the water. They even cancelled the competition." She informed me, pouting slightly at the end.

"They did?" I asked in shock, I'd never known the competition to be cancelled.

Renee nodded again.

"We had to come up with something to clear the area of as many people as we could. We made up a story about a suspected sewage leak and the hotel 'closed for renovation'. Not to mention the fact that people have started avoiding the West Coast cause of all the murders." Sammie explained.

"I'm glad. I was wondering what we were going to do about the surf tournament. Guess you already got it covered."

"Well it's not just you vamps who are good at the planning." Sammie said with a smile.

I laughed as I took a sip of my orange juice.

"So was it true what Harry said, about you being in Volturi robes last night?"

I nodded my head.

"Yep. I had to be in them since it was an official gathering." I said with a sigh. "I guess it came as bit of a shock to him last night when he saw me in them."

"I guess actually seeing you in them came as a shock, but he's known for a while that you'd joined the guard." Sammie said as gently as se could.

"He has?" I asked in shock since I obviously hadn't kept this shame as secret as I'd hoped.

"Yeah. Harry told me a couple of years back. He found out from Jake on the pack mind. Harry was really worried about you and wanted to plan an escape. He asked me how I got around the edict and got into Volterra. He wasn't happy when he found out I only managed it because I'd planned to visit you and not rescue you. He even contemplated asking the young ones, you know the ones who weren't wolves when you laid down the law, to spring you. Jake put a stop to that, mostly because there was no way he was sending the youngest most inexperienced members into the Volturi headquarters, but also because your edict was such that he couldn't have ordered them even if he wanted to."

"I wouldn't have left anyway. There are so many people's lives that rest on me staying there."

"I know." Sammie said sadly. "I really hate the Volturi you know that? Why couldn't they just leave us all alone? You weren't hurting anybody."

"I won't be there forever." I said with a brittle smile as I tapped her hand.

"Maybe not. But I'm not gonna be here forever." Sammie said softly. "I already look older than you. If we have to wait even another fourteen years I'll be in my forties and you'll still be in your twenties. I want my friend here with me, or at least know she's safe and well and happy doing whatever she wants to do and not having to obey a sadistic monster. How can you even stand to be near those…those creatures?"

"You just learn to cope." I said looking down at my hands. "As long as I obey most of his commands Aro gives me a little leeway on the things he knows I definitely won't do. Sometimes Caius tries to test me, but most of the time it backfires. If he hadn't tried to get me to kill Laurana so he'd have my guilt to hold over me, then I never would have found out that I can help the Children of the Moon. So the Volturi now have a werewolf regiment at their command, but at least the dog fights have stopped."

"Dog fights?" Sammie asked.

I looked to Renee for a moment and I knew I couldn't say anything in front of her. I held up my hand ready to transfer the info.

"Are you sure you want to know?" I asked.

"Just show me Ess. It can't be any worse than what my imagination is conjuring up right now." Sammie said darkly.

"I'm sorry." I whispered as I placed my hand to her cheek and showed her my memory of the Wolf Festival.

Sammie's face grew pale as I showed her my memory. Her face crumpled in pain as a tear trickled from her eye.

"Those poor people." She whispered. "How could they do that?"

"That's the Volturi for you." I said with a mirthless laugh. "They sure know how to have a good time."

"You can't go back there." Sammie said sternly as she grabbed my hands.

"If I don't they'll come for Hunter or Tina." I countered warily since this was an argument I'd been having with myself over the last couple of days.

"We can protect them." Sammie said firmly. "We can protect you."

"I know. But at a cost of too many lives. And the only way to really make sure the Volturi never bother us again would be to destroy every last one of them." Do you know how much joy the thought of destroying them all brings me? "I would do it in a heartbeat, but the world needs the Volturi. They keep the bad vamps in check."

"Well fat lot of good they've been doing recently." Sammie said angrily. "If they're so great how did they allow this to escalate?"

"I have no idea." I said. "I didn't even know about it until Hunter told me. I'm surprised the watchers didn't pick up on it sooner. Or at least let Aro know what was going on. This thing should have been stopped before they got further than LA. But this is how it could be everywhere if the Volturi weren't so strict about keeping the first law."

"I think the Volturi are losing their edge. They'll need to do something on a grand scale to build their reputation back up." Sammie said firmly.

"Then this should do the trick." I said, "Taking down these rogue vamps. And working with the Cullens and the Quileute will earn them points amongst the veggies. They lost a lot of trust after the whole thing with Renesmee and then with me. This will make up for a lot of their recent sins."

"You know, there is another way you can make sure they don't come after you." Sammie said.

"Didn't we go over this? It won't work on them." I said angrily since I really didn't want to entertain the hope even for a second since I knew it was pointless.

"But how can you be sure until you try?" Sammie demanded.

"It's just not worth the risk." I said warily. "I'm quite happy to remain in Volterra if it's keeping everyone safe. I don't wanna upset the apple cart and try something I just know won't work just for my own freedom. That would be selfish. I'm not worth the risk to everyone else."

"You wouldn't risk it for Tobias?" Sammie asked.

"He understands why I'm doing this and he knows it's not forever. As long as we have each other we can weather Volterra and whatever they throw at us. One day Aro will grow bored enough of me that he'll let me go, but he won't if he thinks I might have power over him." I explained.

"I think you should just alpha them. It will work." Sammie stated.

"I will, only when I'm one hundred percent certain it will work and I'm fighting for more than just my freedom." I said sadly, but with certainty.

Sammie sighed, knowing she wouldn't change my mind on this matter.

I looked up just before the front door opened and closed and I felt the buzz of Max' mind.

"Essie! You are here." He said happily as he hugged me.

"Hey Max. How are you?" I said, hugging him back.

"Just great." He replied, standing back from me. "You're looking skinny." He said with a frown.

"Am I?" I asked in confusion.

"Food in Volterra not as good as on the Res?" He asked.

"I guess." I said unsurely.

"Have you met Hunter yet?"

"Yeah. And Tina too. I can't believe how big they both are. I sure have missed a lot of time. You don't really think about it much in never changing Volterra. I mean, you notice the passage of time, but not what it means to the outside world." I tried to explain as best I could.

"The place really as bad as that?" Max asked.

I nodded my head.

"Then don't go back there." Max said with a shrug.

"It's not as simple as that." I replied.

"I think we should go visit Harry." Sammie said, cutting in before I got dragged into the argument again. "We may as well all head over there now. It'll be just like old times."

"Sounds great." I said, shooting to my feet.

"Go say bye to Gran and Gramps, we're going over the Uncle Harry's." Sammie said to Renee.

Renee looked thrilled as she jumped to her feet and ran into the kitchen. Daphne and Jim came out to say goodbye and we left the house together.

It felt like a strange time distortion, walking across the Res with Sammie and Max, it was almost like it was fourteen years ago, but there were differences. Sammie and Max were older for a start and of course Renee was with us. Susie wasn't here, having moved back to Hawaii with Tuck. It would have been nice to meet her kids too, but she was also better off out of La Push at the moment with the threat of these rogue vamps looming.

The Res itself hadn't changed in any major way, but I sure noticed the small changes. Things like a different truck parked in someone's yard, new flowers planted, a motorbike where a kid's tricycle used to be. The Res had moved on, my friends had moved on, but I was stuck on hold while I was a guest of the Volturi. I didn't have room to grow in Volterra and it was only coming home that the full extent of it hit me. I suppressed the sudden wave of emotion that threatened to sweep me away. I had to keep it together while I was here.

Harry's house wasn't far from where his parents lived and I felt a little strange walking up to the door. There was a swing set and climbing frame/slide combo to the side of the house on which a group of boys were playing. Renee pulled at Sammie's hand and pointed.

"Go on then." She said with a smile, and Renee went to join the shouting boys who greeted her happily.

I went to knock on the door but it was opened by a girl in her twenties before I could. Her brown hair was pulled into a bun and it took me a moment to realise it was Nikki. But she hadn't aged a day since the last time I'd seen her.

She looked at me for a moment, then smiled as she dried her hands in the tea towel she was holding.

"Essie." She said happily and hugged me. "Come inside. And how are you guys?" She directed toward Sammie and Max as she ushered us all in. "Sorry about the mess but it's baking day."

We'd stepped directly into the kitchen and one work surface was full of flour. There were pies cooling and pies ready to go in the oven and two pies baking at that very moment. The scent in the kitchen was delightful and I didn't find it messy. It was busy and homely, just like Mama's kitchen in Volterra.

"I know it's weird now to have baking days, but my boys do like to eat, and if I didn't do it this way I'd be cooking constantly throughout the week. Eight mouths are hard to cater for, especially when the oldest have appetites just like their dad." Nikki rambled on happily as she began to mix ingredients in a bowl.

"Those are all your kids?" I gasped.

"Not quite." Nikki said as she rubbed at her apron and I noticed that her stomach was quite round beneath it. "I'm hoping it's a girl this time. I'm outnumbered enough as it is." She added with a laugh.

"Would you like to know?" I offered holding up my hand, since I'd been able to tell that Hunter was a boy and Tina was a girl that way.

"Oh no. I'd rather be surprised." Nikki said with a grin. "And as long as the baby's healthy, I don't really care. Besides, I'll know for sure in a few weeks time."

"And hopefully she won't be a big bruiser like the last one." Sammie observed.

"I know." Nikki said, "Eleven pounds eight ounces." She let out a sharp breath. "I don't want to go there again."

"So how come you didn't tell me you had one kid, never mind six?" I asked.

"Because it's better if the Volturi don't find out I have any children. I never trusted them not to read any of your correspondence so I never told you." She replied as she started to share the batter between paper cases placed into the holes of a metal cake tray.

"Why can't they find out you have kids?" I asked.

"Because if they did then they'd want them." Nikki said firmly and without a hint of a joke.

"But why? Why would they want them any more than the other kids here on the Res?" I asked.

"Because of what I am." Nikki said simply as she placed the tray ready for the oven.

"I know you're not a half vampire. You don't smell like one." I said, "Actually you don't have much of a scent at all."

"It's a defensive mechanism so vampires won't want to drink my blood." She replied as she came to sit with us at the table.

"So are you human?" I asked.

"In this life I am." Nikki replied and I frowned.

Nikki looked thoughtful for a moment.

"Aunt Ariana calls us True Immortals. I don't really understand what it means yet. Ariana says I'll know once I've transcended but once I've done that I can never return to this body because it's my first one. Since I actually enjoy being Nikki I think I'll put off the dying thing for a little while yet."

"So what do you know about what you are?" I asked.

"Well as far as I see it, the True Immortals are creatures of pure energy who like to become corporeal to screw with the living. And also to screw the living since it gives them some kind of life energy. I don't really know what it is, but I can feel it passing between Harry and me after sex." She said openly.

"Kind of like a succubus?" I asked.

Nikki shrugged. "The True Immortals pose as a lot of things since they can take on any form they choose. They can have as much fun on any world they want provided it's only for the energy that they do it."

"So they're not supposed to…" I prompted.

"They're not supposed to mix their blood with mortals of any kind, but my mother did. So I am half human and luckily I'd come of age before they managed to find me. If I'd been found before my eighteenth birthday then they would have killed me. But after I was eighteen my power was manifest and if they kill me now I just transcend and become one of them so it makes their action rather redundant." Nikki said happily.

"But if True Immortals are not allowed to mix their blood with mortals, aren't your kids at risk from them?"

"Nah. It's perfectly fine for me to have as many kids as I want in my first body. They're perfectly human and so they're no threat to the True Immortals." Nikki explained. "They may have the odd quirk, like Gabe is an empath and I'm pretty sure Rupert can move things with his mind."

"Move things with his mind!" I gasped cutting her off.

"I know! Hard to imagine huh?" She said with a laugh.

"No. I promised Mal I'd help him with something this morning!" I exclaimed. "Oh no. I have to go." I said, rising to my feet. "Tell Harry that I'm sorry I missed him and I'll catch up with him tomorrow." I said, heading to the door.

"Are you sure you can't stay a bit longer? He's not going to be long." Nikki said.

"I promised Mal I'd help him. He's got an idea that he wants to try out that might help us in the battle. I got to go."

I said a quick goodbye, then ran back to Daphne's house to retrieve Edward's car. I tried not to speed as I headed back up to the House, but it was hard not to. I parked on the gravel, not patient enough to park up properly in the garage. I ghosted through the door as I sent my mind searching for Malachite. He was out in the back yard.

I frittered through the House and found Malachite sitting at the old picnic table, picking at the wood. He was looking bored and a little upset.

"I'm sorry." I said a little out of breath.

Malachite looked up at me and frowned.

"For what?" He asked.

"I promised I'd help you this morning and I went down to the Res instead. I completely forgot."

Malachite shrugged and looked back down at the table.

"It's probably a stupid idea anyway." He mumbled.

"I doubt it." I said, sitting opposite him and placing my hand on his. "Come on, you know you can tell me."

Malachite looked up for a moment but shook his head.

If you don't want the others to hear you can always tell me in mind speak. I pointed out.

But Edward and Masen will still hear. Malachite countered.

Hold on a moment.

I closed my eyes and did something I hadn't had to do in a long time since it was so automatic now. I strengthened my shield to block out the other telepaths before stretched it to cover Malachite as well.

There we go. No one can hear us now. I've put my shield up. I informed him.

Funny enough that's kind of my plan. He said with a sad smile.

What is?

That I might be able to create a shield. Well I can pick people up with my telekinesis, why can't I hold them back? He asked, looking up at me.

That's a great idea! I exclaimed with a wide smile. Why didn't you mention it earlier?

Just in case I'm not powerful enough. That's what I want you to help me with. He said sadly.

"Come on." I said, rising to my feet and holding out my hand.

"Where are we going?" He asked.

"Somewhere to practice."

"Ok." He said, standing up and taking my hand.

"Are you ready to do some proper running, not that crap we do in Volterra?" I declared.

"Yeah." Malachite replied with a smile.

I grinned back then started running fast, although not at my top speed. It seemed there weren't many people who could keep up with Tobias and me. I led Malachite to a clearing that was some distance from the House and I stopped.

"This should be far enough." I said. "Ok. How do you want to do this?"

Malachite shrugged.

"How about you try creating a force field in front of me and I'll try walking through it." I suggested.

Malachite nodded.

He stood back from me and closed his eyes. He moved his hands, frowned, then moved his hands again. He opened his eyes and shook his head.

"It's no good. I can't use my powers on you. You told me not to and it still stops me."

"Ah yeah." I said, biting my lip. "Well that's no problem. All I have to do is say I give you permission to use your powers on me when we're training and that should do the trick. Go on, try it now."

Malachite nodded again and lifted his hands. I felt me feet leave the ground and I was suspended three feet in the air. Malachite grinned as he lowered me carefully back down.

"Ok. Let's try this." He declared, rubbing his hands together.

He moved his hands in a circle in front of his face with his palms pointed at me. I could feel the charge of the air particles as he manipulated them. You could almost taste it in the air.

"Try stepping forward." Malachite said, his eyes focused on thin air.

I stepped forward a step or two, but then the air became thick and hard to walk through. Just as it started to get really difficult to move and I put all my effort into trying to break through, the field collapsed and I fell on my face.

"Oh god! I'm so sorry." Malachite said, as he came to help me up.

"I'm ok." I said, wiping my hand across my nose.

Malachite made a strangled sound and was looking at me with worry. I looked down and saw the blood, crimson on the back of my hand.

"It'll heal in a moment." I said, placing my hand under my nose.

I searched in my pocket and found the much-mangled tissue from earlier. I stuck it beneath my streaming nostril as I held my nose in place so it wouldn't heal crooked. I could already feel the warmth of rapid healing and I knew the blood was drying up.

"Are you sure you're ok?" Malachite asked looking mortified.

"It's just a nose bleed Mal." I said, my voice a little distorted since I was covering my nose. I was sure the cartilage had healed and so I moved the tissue away. "See. It's stopped bleeding." I said, resisting the urge to sniff. "I heal quickly."

"I'm sorry. I know it's ironic, a vampire getting freaked out by blood, but the last time I saw you bleeding you nearly died." He explained apologetically.

I frowned, trying to think what he was referring to.

"You mean when I fought Darius?" I asked.

Malachite nodded.

"Mal. It wasn't the bleeding that was threatening me there. Believe me I've had worse injuries than that." I said, my hand going automatically to my left shoulder. "The reason I nearly died was because his venom was poisoning me. I thought you knew that."

"I do. But it was just the sight of you bleeding. I'm not used to seeing you bleed. I guess I have this vision of you as some mythological, invincible being, but when I see you bleed it reminds me how vulnerable you are. How vulnerable I am. We could be dead by Tuesday. I don't want you to die."

"Oh Mal." I said, hugging him. "Yes we're vulnerable, but we're not defenceless. We've got a real good strategy going and I think your idea is fantastic. I think you'll be a great help if you can pull this off."

"You do?"

"Would I lie about something like this?" I asked seriously, pushing him away so I could look him in the eye as I said it.

Malachite shook his head.

"Then let's get practicing." I said, stepping away from him and smiling.

"Ok." He said, managing to smile, although there were tear tracks on his cheeks.

"Good." I went back to where I was standing. "This time I'll use my hands if I fall." I promised him as I wiggled my fingers in the air.

Malachite nodded and wiped at his cheeks.

"Plus I'll go Miss Vampire. I'm a bit more durable that way." I said, pulling down the heat. "Are you ready?"

Malachite nodded.

He moved his hands again and I walked forward. This time the shield felt more solid from the word go, and it was hard to try and go through it. I stopped and moved my hand across it. It felt like there was a wall there when clearly there wasn't.

I looked around for something light to throw and grabbed a handful of pine needles. I threw them and they hit the field and fell to the floor a few feet from Malachite. I found that interesting, so it was an actual physical field, and not something that messed with your head to make you think there was one there.

It was actually cool and if Malachite could keep this up and extend the shield then he'd be one of the key players in the battle. I didn't think he should go on the south border though. I thought that if he could extend the shield enough, then he should be in the village and he could create the shield there to hold off the rogue vamps long enough for the rest of us to get there if that was the place they decided to attack.

The shield faltered again, but I realised with a bit of practice Malachite would be able to hold it in place long enough for back up to arrive.

"You're doing great Mal." I said with a smile. "I think you're gonna be the most useful of us all."

Mal shook his head.

"Do you know how awesome that shield will be? You can protect the village long enough for the fighters to get there if the rogues come in from the ocean. We might just all make it through this after all." I said in encouragement.

"But I don't know if I could have other people inside my force field, or even if I could stretch it that far." Malachite said sadly.

"Well, see if you can do it around me." I said, stepping closer. "Set it down behind me."

Malachite closed his eyes this time and he seemed to be counting as he moved his hands as if guiding something around me. I felt the tingle at my back of the telekinetic energy. I turned and ran my hand over it. I could feel it, but it wasn't solid. It was like running your hands over the surface of water.

I stepped through with little resistance and the wave flowed around me. I turned around to the shield and placed my hand against it. It was solid again.

"That's strange." Malachite whispered. "I know it's you touching the shield now, and I can tell that bird just whacked into it and is now fluttering at it furiously."

I looked up and there was a bird fluttering at the shield as if it was trying to get through a closed window.

"I want to try something." Mal said, "Keep touching the shield."

I placed my hand to the shield and it staid solid, although I felt a strange flutter through it. The bird flew through but the shield seemed to hold where I was, then I found myself sinking through it until I was on the inside with Mal.

"I pulled you in then I did." He said, without opening his eyes. "I thought I had to see what I was doing, but the shield works much better if I close my eyes."

"So you're saying you can let us through but keep the rogue vamps out."

"Maybe." He said and opened his eyes.

I felt the shield disintegrate behind me.

"I'll need to practice with some more people. Vampires are probably better since it's them I'll be trying to keep out."

"We'll see who's available tomorrow." I said.

"Yeah. I'm feeling a little tired now anyway. I think I'll have to make sure I feed well before the battle."

"We all will." I stated. "The more blood we drink the more power we have."

"I hope I have enough power to pull this off." He said.

"Of course you will Mal. Now come on, let's head back."

I decided to walk for a while since Malachite felt tired and I didn't want to exhaust him too much. As we were walking along I suddenly became aware of somebody tracking us. I extended all my senses and I could hear the thrumming of Malachite's heart, my own heartbeat that was a slow thud at the moment since I was Miss Vampire, and a third heartbeat that was faster than human but slower than a half vampire. The scent was familiar too and so were the mind patterns and suddenly he was standing in our path leaning casually against a tree.

"You trying to avoid me Ess?" He asked.

"Harry!" I exclaimed happily as I threw my arms around him. "Oh my god! It's so good to finally get to talk to you."

"I was about to say the same thing." He said with a chuckle as he hugged me.

"Hey, look at you a father of six." I said, standing back and socking him in the arm. "Who'd have thought it?"

"What can I say? Nikki finds me hard to resist." He said with a grin.

"Still big headed I see." I teased.

"I learned from the best." He chuckled and nudged me. "So is this the guy you stood me up for?" He asked, pointing at Malachite with his thumb.

"Yeah. This is my protégé Mal." I said proudly.

"Protégé?" Harry asked with a chuckle.

"Cool huh? I got to train him. And he's my friend too, which I think is even better than the whole protégé thing. Mal, this is my Beta, Harry."

"I thought Laurana was your Beta." Malachite said with a frown.

"You replaced me Ess?" Harry asked in a mock hurt voice.

"Laurana's not really my Beta." I murmured. "She's Alpha of the Children of the Moon. I'm just like the honorary leader. Remember what I was saying about us being different kinds of wolf. Well it's true. They follow me because I'm bigger and stronger than them, but I know I'm not one of them. I have my own pack here and I know I belong with them because we are the same type of wolf. My being bigger than the werewolves is no fluke either, we're all that big here."

"You are?" Malachite asked in wonder.

"Care to give the kid a demo Har? Come run with me again?" I asked hopefully.

"I guess we have a little time before we're due at the meeting." Harry conceded with a shrug.

"Then let's go." I declared joyfully.

"You want me to do it right here?" Harry demanded.

"Find some cover first." I said with a snort. "Mal wait here. I won't be long."

Malachite nodded and I darted into the nearest bushes and quickly removed my clothes. I allowed the heat to burst through me and I felt it sing through my body since I was back in my homeland. What's more I could feel Harry on the pack mind.

I thought you'd joined Jake's pack. I observed.

I did. Harry replied with a surprised laugh. Guess once we've joined to you we can't un-join. Guess that's why Sammie found it so easy to link to you in Italy. We decided to join with Jake after Susie stopped phasing since it would put the town at risk on the nights we were on patrol. It was stupid being separate from the main pack when we didn't even have our leader with us.

I'm not mad that you did join with Jake's pack. It makes perfect sense that you did. I can't believe I didn't read that off Sammie. I mused.

"Er…Essie? Harry?" Malachite called from the clearing.

Guess we'd better get back to the kid. Harry observed.

Don't worry Mal. I'm right here. I thought toward him.

Malachite turned to me as I emerged from the bushes. He smiled at me and patted my shoulder as I drew near. I turned my head toward Harry as he entered the clearing and I heard Malachite gasp.

"You're right." He stated. "You are all big. This is amazing." He said as he stepped closer to Harry. "May I?" He asked reaching his hand out to Harry.

Harry shrugged his big wolf shoulders and Mal placed his hand against Harry's head and stroked his fur.

Yeah kid. That's ok just don't go and…

Mal scratched behind Harry's ear and Harry seemed to go a bit mesmerised, just like a dog.

I laughed into Harry's head as I butted Mal gently away.

I prefer my Beta able to think. I said with a laugh.

"Sorry Ess." Malachite said with a chuckle as he stepped away.

Harry shook his head as if trying to rouse himself.

So how about this run Harry? I asked.

Sounds great so long as the kid doesn't try that again. Tell you what Mal; if I ever have insomnia I know where to go. Harry said and he laughed.

Very funny Har, but he can't hear you. I pointed out.

Well link us up already. Harry replied simply.

I don't know. I haven't tried this in ages. I said a little hesitantly.

"Tried what?" Malachite asked as Harry said, Ok, who are you and what have you done with the real Essie Black.

What do you mean? I demanded.

"What haven't you tried in ages?" Malachite said in a careful voice as Harry said, The Essie I knew wasn't afraid of anything and never let doubt get in the way. She would have been here in a flash linking me to whoever just to prove everyone else wrong. But I can understand if you can't do it. You've lost your touch.

I haven't lost my touch! I snapped as I growled at Harry, displaying my teeth.

"You're not gonna fight are you?" Malachite asked in a desperate voice.

I relaxed out of offensive mode.

No Mal. I thought toward him. Harry was just goading me into doing something I should have done ten minuets ago.

"What?" Malachite asked, sounding nervous.

This. I replied and it seemed so easy to route Malachite's mind through mine and into Harry's and vice versa. Can you guys hear each other? I asked.

Hey kid, how's it going? Harry asked.

Wow! I can hear you. Mal declared.

Good. So we can all hear each other. Now how's about that run?

Sure Boss. Harry said joyfully.

Come on Mal. Hop on. I said as I lay on the floor. Let me show you the real running I could never show you in Volterra. This is how you really run with wolves.

Malachite scrambled onto my back and once I was sure he was in place Harry and me took off running through the trees. Malachite pressed himself closer to my back so that he was lying flat. His breath came in frightened gasps in my ear, but I knew he had his eyes open and he was marvelling at the trees whipping by as we bounded through the forest. We leapt a stream with ease, but Malachite held his breath the whole time I was sailing through the air.

We going all the way to Canada Boss? Harry asked with a laugh as he danced in front of me.

Course not. I replied. Next clearing we come to we'll stop for a while and then we'll head back.

The clearing we came to was fairly big and it was almost meadow like with the grass and the flowers. I circled for a moment until I found a comfortable spot, then I dropped to the ground, lying with my jaw on my front paws. It was very comfortable.

Harry dropped down next to me panting. He was out of breath but he was elated.

Got to hand it to you Boss, that's the best run I've had in ages. He observed.

Tell me about it. I miss these wide-open spaces. I said happily, revelling in the forest scents around me.

Malachite sighed and slid off my back before lying in the grass between Harry and me.

Oh my god! He thought as he looked up at the cloud white sky. You guys are fast. You're nothing like the Children of the Moon. You're so much bigger and faster and better. And you smell like Sheba. He directed at me.

Sheba? I asked.

My sheepdog. He said happily.

You're saying I smell like your dog? I demanded, raising my head as Harry sniggered.

"Oh no, no. Not in a bad way. Sheba was a good honest working dog, but she was also clean. She smelt of home and family, especially when her fur was warmed by the sun or before the open fire. She was more or less the same age as me, and Mam and Dad bought her as my companion on the farm. She had a nice scent and you smell like her."

A good, honest, hardworking but clean dog? I asked.

Malachite nodded.

I can live with that. I conceded. Guess it's better than the usual wet dog reference.

Or feral dog. Harry put in. Or zoo cesspit.

The vamps sure make some nasty remarks about you. Malachite thought angrily. You just smell nice to me. Like dogs should smell.

Where's Sheba now? I asked.

Probably dead. Malachite said sadly. I am sixteen after all and most dogs don't live much past fourteen. I wanted to bring her with me, but then I realised it would be cruel to a working dog like Sheba. She was never happier than when she was rounding up the sheep. So I gave her to the Jones' Farm. They had a little boy who was about eight, which was the same age as I really was at the time, and I thought he'd look after her well. "It was the best thing to do. Right?" Malachite asked uncertainly.

Of course it was. I replied.

Dogs are happier doing what they were trained to do. Harry put in. If you'd taken Sheba travelling she wouldn't have been happy. That's more the life of a Pomeranian than a border collie.

That's what I thought. Malachite observed. I know she was never happier than when she was chasing the sheep on the common, and I bet she's up there now, rounding up the clouds.

That's a nice thought. Harry said, looking up at the cloud white sky. And Marlin is now her shepherdess.

Malachite was confused.

Did you meet Marlin this morning? I asked.

Tobias' sister? Well briefly, but I figured they had a lot to catch up on. Malachite replied.

That's what I figured too and that's why I took the opportunity to head down to the Res. Anyway, Marlin can control the weather. I mean properly control the weather. Like you can move stuff with your mind, Marlin can move the clouds and if she's been in an area long enough, make them sit up and beg.

Wait. Wait. Wait. Harry declared, looking at Malachite with interest. You can move things with your mind?

Malachite was unsure if he should answer or not.

Yes he can. I said firmly. Go on. Show Harry.

"Well I'm a little tired, but I'll see what I can do." Malachite said softly.

He sat up and held his hand out in front of him. A branch that had been lying on the floor across the clearing flew through the air and into his hand.

Oh my god! You actually did it! Harry exclaimed shooting to his feet. Do you think you could talk to my kid Rupert? I think he can do this. Nikki is certain he can, but we're having trouble getting him to admit it.

"I'll talk to him if you want me to." Malachite said softly. "He probably won't admit it yet. But he might if I show him what I can do."

I'd be really grateful if you could do that Mal. I'll even stop calling you kid. Harry observed as he let out a snort of wolfy laughter and lay back down.

"For that reason alone I'll help Rupert." Malachite retorted.

I like you Mal. Harry observed with a chuckle. You have the right sense of humour to fit in here.

Well I did pick it up from the best. Malachite observed.

Yeah. Essie sure has one wicked sense of humour. Harry declared.

I didn't really know how to respond to this so I laid my snout on my paws again feeling pleased.

Malachite lay his back against my side and rested his feet up on Harry. Harry didn't seem to complain and it was a nice peaceful moment with the three of us just relaxing. Actually I felt safe enough to go to sleep there in the company of two of my favourite boys.

Suddenly Harry lifted his head, alert.

I raised my head, but not in such urgency.

It's only Tobias. I pointed out as Tobias ghosted into the clearing and stopped.

"Here you are." He said with a smile.

Tobias, come join us. I said happily, still feeling lethargic.

Tobias dropped on his knees before me and ran his fingers through the soft fur of my cheeks that faded into the fur of my neck. I made a deep rumbling of affection as I rubbed my warm furry cheek against his smooth cold one. Tobias wrapped his arms around my neck and began stroking my mane with both hands down between my shoulder blades. It was so relaxing and I found myself a little entranced as I licked at his ear.

"You do realise we're still here?" Malachite asked with a laugh.

Don't kill my buzz Mal. I thought as I settled my head on Tobias' shoulder as he ran his hands through my fur, feeling I could go to sleep right now. I haven't felt this relaxed in ages. All my boys around me. If only my girls could be here too.

"Will Marlin and Layla suffice?" Tobias asked in a slightly dreaming voice. "They insisted on accompanying me, but wanted your permission to enter the clearing."

Why didn't you say earlier? I demanded as I raised my head. Marlin, Layla, come in by all means.

Marlin and Layla ghosted into the clearing and I stood up, bringing Tobias with me while Malachite fell flat on his back. But he was soon to recover and was on his feet by the time Layla had ghosted up to me to hug me around my neck.

"Sister you return." She said as she tightened her embrace. "I'm glad they did not erase you."

Me too Layla. I thought back to her.

"Hello Essie." Marlin said in a subdued tone. "I guess you were right. Tobias was still alive. I should have had more faith."

Hey! I said as I padded up to Marlin. I placed my paw on her shoulder and she looked up at me. You weren't to know. All the evidence pointed to him being dead. That's what the Fire Bitches wanted. To make it look like I was mad. Or maybe just to make me feel grief, but they didn't count on the imprint connection and that I would know if Tobias was dead.

"I'll never doubt it again." Marlin promised as she placed her hand on my shoulder. "It's good to see you again my sister Essie." She cried as she hugged around my neck. "It's good to see you as yourself and not the wraith we met in Volterra."

In Volterra I'm a wraith because it protects me from whatever callous whim they choose to place upon me. Here I can be me. And I will be me. I stated firmly.

"And I can see that my sister. I just wish it was for good."

Let's not speak of it here. I said, shielding my thoughts. We'll talk about this later. Right now I want to feel the peace. You understand?

"Yes sister." Marlin murmured as she hugged me thoroughly.

By the way, you were quite a badass druid when you were human. I observed.

You saw that? Marlin asked in surprise.

When I was helping Tobias get his memory back. I informed her. He didn't show me intentionally.

I wouldn't have cared if he had. Marlin stated. You're my sister. You deserve to know.

Thank you. I said gratefully. And you were a great leader.

I hope I was. Marlin said sadly.

Of course you were. And you'll prove it again this week. I stated. Now let's forget about battles and the past for half hour and just chill.

"That sounds great." Layla observed.

Do you think you could link us all up though Ess? I'm not up to much miming at the moment. Harry observed.

I'll try. I replied as I lay back down in my previous spot.

It was actually quite easy to link them all. I think it was because I'd linked to all their minds at some point or other and it was only matter of streaming it through myself for them to all hear each other. What's more, I could do this and keep my own thoughts hidden. It was just like talking normally, but with our minds instead.

We spent the rest of the afternoon lying in the meadow as we talked about nothing much in particular. It was a nice moment of tranquillity in a world that was about to get very busy indeed.

We headed back to the House around four, although we had to stop off at the original clearing so I could retrieve my clothes. I decided to phase back there, but Harry wanted to remain a wolf for a little bit longer.

When we arrived back at the House it was fairly late. Malachite and I grabbed some dinner while Harry said he had to head back down to the Res. He had some stuff to do before the meeting tonight.

After eating I returned to my room where I changed into the dread robes along with Tobias. We went to join with the Volturi and as soon as I saw Jane's sombre face any relaxation I'd felt that afternoon was soon lost. I hated being here on behalf of the Volturi. I just wanted my old life back.

I realised I had to be careful about my thoughts as I lead the procession. We glided across the river in eerie formation and I hated to be in synch with these monsters. I shouldn't be with the Volturi, I should be sitting with my family, be they wolf or vampire, wondering if we really could trust the Volturi in this alliance. I shouldn't be the one advocating it.

Since the Hannigan information relied a great deal on presentation we had to go inside. The furniture had been moved out of the main room, which meant we had to stand or sit on the floor. I opted to sit on the floor, lotus position with my back held straight. Tobias sat beside me and took my hand under the concealment of our robes.

The other Volturi sat around us and I felt a little annoyed that Jane hadn't left room for Malachite. She may be my secondary counsel, but Malachite was my protégé and I felt he should sit higher than her in this ranking system.

When Malachite entered he chose to sit slightly in front of me, in the imaginary gap between Jane and me. I smiled slightly as I reminded myself to thank him later. I was proud of him for finding a way to piss Jane off when she couldn't do anything about it. But just in case I made sure his mind was shielded.

There wasn't the clearly defined grouping that night, apart from the Volturi of course. Everyone else sat mingled and then there was this big clump of darkness in the corner. I wanted to go sit by Harry, or maybe with Tina and Hunter, but I'd promised Jane professionalism at the meetings in exchange for my freedom at other times.

Masen was leading the meeting although Layla, Marlin and Will were on hand to put in their findings.

"We found some CCTV footage from a warehouse in LA." Masen said cutting to the chase. "It's not pretty but I think you need to see it to believe it."

He hit a button on his laptop and we all turned our attention to the big screen TV on the wall. A grainy monochrome image of shelves of crates came up. The camera was focused on a walkway with a door at the end. The door smashed open and a man crashed through, running for his life toward the camera. Just as he ran off camera there was a flash behind him. Humans would have picked it up as a flicker of static but it was a vampire who flittered up the aisle and off camera too.

The image changed to an open area in amongst the shelves where there were forklifts, silent for the night. It must have picked up from the moment the man ran from the first walk way because he appeared from around the corner and ran across the open area. And then for no apparent reason he fell to the floor. At least from a human perspective, we could clearly see the vampire ghost past him and grab his arm before moving out of shot again. The man was clutching at his arm and his mouth was open in a silent scream. The camera hadn't recorded any sound and it made this sequence all the more scary as he tried to struggle to his feet, but then his leg collapsed beneath him. It literally collapsed, the bone snapping and protruding through his pants as the vampire made another pass through the scene.

I looked over to Tina and Hunter, wondering if they should be watching this. They were watching it and they had haunted looks on their faces, but I could feel the determination settle into their minds. They would help stop these vampires. Nobody in La Push would suffer like this.

The vampire broke the man's other leg and he must have been really in pain by this point as he was forced to lie back on floor by the vampire who was suddenly sitting on top of him. The vampire looked Asian, possibly Chinese judging by the traditional costume he wore. The vampire broke the man's other arm, and then he stood up and lifted the man by his neck. The man was still struggling, but his broken limbs were useless and they flopped like spaghetti as the vampire threw him through the air and he landed hard against a forklift truck. It was weird thought, but I hoped that had killed him, stopped his suffering. But the man was still trying to move as the vampire ghosted up to him and lifted the man by his neck once more. Then in clear view of the camera he bit the man drinking his blood.

The vampire drank the man dry before discarding the body as if it was nothing more than a rag doll. It faced the camera and spoke directly at it, but I couldn't read lips and even if I could I didn't know the language.

" 'This is how the Chiang-Shih feed. This is the true way.' " Tobias muttered. "That is what he said. Three times."

We looked at Tobias then back to the vampire grimacing at the screen, his chin dark with blood, before he began to arrange the body out on the floor and wrote a few characters around it in chalk. Then he ghosted off.

"This has really interested the FBI. The humans are ninety-nine percent convinced that this video is faked somehow, but all their tests prove it hasn't been edited or altered in any way." Masen explained as he pressed a button on his laptop and the grisly scene on the screen disappeared. "They can't believe that this is real because nobody moves that fast. So far they're willing to accept that the guy is crazy and he's a human 'vampire'. Like you get cannibals and so on. This is good since the humans are making up their own cover for us. I made a mock up of the disc and switched it. It may take them a week or two, but they will eventually find that it was faked." He said with humble certainty.

"Good." Jane said. "This is unacceptable. What if the humans had believed it?"

"We should have been more efficient and nipped this thing in the bud before it got this far." I said flatly.

I felt Jane's glare, but I knew I was right. The Volturi were supposed to police the vampire world to stop stuff like this getting out. They were the ones so big on secrecy so why hadn't they done their job? Why had it taken Hunter contacting me before they did anything?

"We are not omnipotent." Jane said darkly. "And with the progression of the vegetarians in America it was felt that your value for human life was enough to keep this area peaceful, but obviously not. The Volturi will have to take much more of an interest from now on."

I had to hold back the words fighting to get to my mouth. You were quick enough coming for me.

"Nobody is to blame but the vampires perpetrating these crimes." Carlisle said softly. "We have to work together in order to stop them before this goes any further."

We all nodded and I felt a little ashamed for taking a cheap shot at the Volturi when I was supposed to be representing them. That was one good way to piss Jane off in the wrong way and I had to remember that she was the one keeping the others in check right now. If she turned against me the others would.

"One thing we have gleaned from this video is that the vampires who are coming here are vicious and are not concerned with being exposed. This will make our job that much more difficult since we'll be trying to stop any attention being drawn to us." Carlisle continued.

"We will have to meet them outside the village." Jane stated.

"If they're coming over land then we can guarantee this." I said, "But they might come in from the ocean and then there won't be much we can do about stopping them getting to the village. We just have to hope to get rid of them quickly and hope for the best."

"We should seek them out now." Jane stated. "Destroy them before they get to us."

"They don't travel together." Masen said. "We did track their scents but they split up ten miles north of the town they've just attacked and then come back together when they're about to attack the next one."

"They are split up. All the better." Jane said with a grin. "We can pick them off one by one."

"We won't have time." I said. "We don't know how far south they still are. We'd have to split up ourselves in order to locate all of them before Tuesday. We have to stay here and wait for them."

"Jane. When you decided to go after the vampires, the village became clear again." Alice stated.

"Then we definitely won't have time to round them all up. Even if just one of them got here when we were elsewhere they'd cause a lot of damage." I pointed out.

"Then we take the home ground." Jane stated. "Do we know how many they number?"

"We're not exactly trackers, and their scents were all mixed up." Masen replied. "But I could pick out at least twenty, maybe more. Marlin thought it may be ten while, Will said around thirty, scent-wise we don't know. But we did take this off the CCTV in Shipton, that little fishing village they destroyed."

The image was very grainy and distorted slightly by what looked like rain drops on the lens, but it covered a town square where a large group of vampires stood in disciplined rank facing a vampire with long white hair who looked like a venerable old man.

"I count forty there. You get that impression from this camera." Masen said as he pressed the button and the image taken from a camera behind the white haired man clearly showed the impassive faces of the Chinese vampires. The Chiang-Shih.

I felt a shiver run down my spine at the very thought of a clan as big as that, who all appeared to work together. They were like the Volturi, only on a grander scale. Jane didn't like it either and I had the impression she was trying to burn the leader even from this distance.

"The FBI got this from someone's camera. It got dropped in all the commotion. They were interested in the sounds of carnage at the start of the clip. I guess they couldn't make out the vamps talking since they're using vamp speed."

Masen clicked on his laptop again.

On the screen was the edge of a dumpster and what looked like an old newspaper. Masen had to turn the volume right up for us to hear anything, but then there was the clear whisper of a reedy voice that sounded as if it was speaking Chinese but I couldn't make out a single word.

I watched Tobias face instead. It was more interesting to see the look of mild concentration on his face become a look of determination, and then he smiled slightly.

"I think I have it." He said. "Take it back to the beginning and I will translate."

Masen obeyed and the clip began again.

" 'We the Chiang-Shih are many and mighty. We will show the demons of the west our true might. Too long we have stayed our ground but now we look to expand. This great land that the western demons call the New World will soon be ours. We will work slowly but steadily; taking one town at a time until the whole of this land mass is ours. First along this coast from the warm south to the white wastelands of the north we will lay our claim and any who face us we will destroy. It is time the Chiang-Shih expanded the hunting range and here we can feast. There is no clan greater than the Chiang-Shih and soon the west will know.' The rest is merely cheering and chanting along the same lines. Then he gave them the order to move out." Tobias stated.

"Outrageous!" Jane exclaimed. "There are none mightier than the Volturi. We will make these…Chiang-Shih know this as we tear them asunder and burn the pieces. When there are no more of them they will know the might of the Volturi." She snarled as she shot to her feet and clawed her fingers.

"We'll show them." I said softly, hoping to calm her somewhat.

"I will take great delight in burning the white haired leader for his remarks." Jane stated, pointing at the screen. "He will know pain before he is no more and in his final moments he will know that you do not cross the Volturi without dire consequences."

"They weren't trying to call the Volturi out." I said as calmly as I could manage. "They probably haven't even heard of the Volturi. They do come from beyond the wall. It was just a rallying speech. Your typical 'we're better than everyone' call to war type of thing."

"It may not have been a direct challenge to the Volturi but it was a challenge to all vampires in the west. We will show them how strong we are. They do not stand a chance."

"Sure. But we're really gonna have to tighten up any holes we might have in our plan. If there really are forty of them then this is gonna be a close call." I stated.

"Don't we outnumber them?" One of the younger wolves who it took me a moment to realise was Joe Call asked.

"Well yeah we do. But we also have to remember we have the lookouts. We're gonna have to be real quick with getting the back up to where we need it. And the main team will have to prepare to move fast too if it's not directly from the south that they come."

"Oh." Joe said sadly.

"Did you find out if any of them have powers?" Eleazar asked.

"Not so far." Marlin replied. "Their vast number seems to be their biggest advantage at the moment, but we can't rule out the possibility of gifts."

"Perhaps we should call in re-enforcements from Volterra." Tabetha said in a quiet voice, as if she were afraid to speak.

"And have Aro think us weak?" Jane demanded. "We can handle this. Masen, have you more of these videos? I want anything you have that depicts the movement of these Chiang-Shih. We will study them thoroughly in order to devise the best method to fight them."

"I'm still going through them myself, but I can have copies of everything for you within three hours. Can't guarantee it'll be all fighting, but we haven't worked through everything yet." Masen replied.

"We will view everything and determine what we deem relevant ourselves." Jane said flatly. "Will you deliver the copies to us in two hours. For now we must discus what we have heard so far."

"Of course." Masen said adopting her flat tones.

"Then we must away to confer." Jane said in tones that made it clear that Tobias and I were included in this too.

I managed to suppress the sigh as I rose to my feet with the rest of the Volturi and returned to the cottage. I just let them get on with their talking since there wasn't much I wanted to contribute at that point in time. I was just waiting for my chance to escape for the night, although it didn't look likely within the next two hours.

I almost bolted to my feet when Masen knocked on the door, but before I had chance to move Alaya had answered it to take all the discs and flash drives off him. I repressed a groan as I realised Jane expected me to be here through this too, did she forget that I needed to sleep?

Tobias noticed my agitation and he smiled at me, tapping my hand. I found the strength I needed. After all there was only so much I could do to placate Jane and I was the leader of this mission.

"Well you guys have fun tonight." I declared, rising to my feet and pulling Tobias with me.

"Excuse me?" Jane demanded.

"Did Aro appoint me leader on this assignment?" I asked.

"Yes." Jane said.

"The way I see it, a good leader knows how to delegate. Which is what I'm gonna do now. You lot can go through all the footage tonight and then you can gather together everything you think is relevant and then I'll view it tomorrow." I said in a pleasant, dangerous voice.

"Before the meeting with the others so that we may form a plan of attack to offer to the others?" Jane asked.

"Of course." I said. "I'll come over about three tomorrow afternoon then I'll watch all that you think I should then we'll discuss it before the meeting. But the point is, if I miss too much sleep I'm not gonna be of much use in the battle."

"I can not argue with that." Jane conceded. "We will go through the footage and have a sufficient presentation for you by three o'clock tomorrow afternoon. Please ensure that you arrive on time."

"I will." I promised.

We exchanged goodnights since I thought it would be the best thing to do under the circumstances and then Tobias and I returned to the House.

"So you escaped." Marlin commented as we shut the door behind us.

"Just about." I said. "I had to pull rank on Jane."

"You outrank Jane?" Marlin stated incredulously.

"While we are here, yes." Tobias replied. "Aro made Essie the leader since she knows the area well and can liase with the local populace. Jane is merely an advisor."

"Oh boy. I bet she didn't like that much." Marlin chuckled.

"She was actually ok with it in Volterra." I explained. "She even vouched for me when Felix kicked up a fuss about having to follow my orders. Guess it's a little different now that we're actually here and she doesn't think I'm behaving like a Volturi should."

"That's her problem." Marlin said with a shrug. "So long as you conduct yourself with decorum during official business then there's nothing she can say."

"That's what I told her." I said happily.

Marlin grinned.

"I just thought of something." I said with a frown. "Where's Ebony? Or are you keeping her away so she stays off the Volturi radar?"

"Well there's that of course. But technically she's not part of our clan anymore." Marlin said with a sad smile.

"She abandoned you?" I gasped.

"More flew the nest." Marlin said. "And I can't blame her, being the only single in a clan of couples. Of course she could have stayed with us and her young man join our clan, but she's having much more fun down in South America."

"She's finally hooked up with Nahuel?" I asked.

"Whether it's permanent or not, I have no idea. But for the time being they are a couple." Marlin stated.

"That's nice." I said happily.

"Indeed." Tobias agreed. "I hope they are very happy together."

"As far as I can tell they are." Marlin stated. "And of course there are all his sisters. It's a whole village of half bloods. More or less."

"Maybe Mal should go pay them a visit next time he goes travelling." I observed. "It'd be nice for him to get to know some other half bloods."

"Other than your mother and Tish?" Marlin inquired.

"But they're moms." I pointed out. "They're not living in a cycle of perpetual youth like Nahuel and his sisters."

"You have a point. Even if they are all older than your mother."

"Yeah. But the point is they haven't made that step toward the next stage in their life. It's like you at the moment, you're living like a young twenty something with your long-term boyfriend. You both have well paying jobs and have a healthy social life with a circle of friends that have sprung up around you and your sister. You're at stage three of what you can pretend to be. But you could go back to stage one tomorrow and go back to high school and all it would take is a change in your mind set."

Marlin nodded and I was sure she was following me.

"And Ebony probably has an older mind set than Nahuel's sisters since she did school and college and actually worked as a teacher for a couple of years."

"I get your point." Marlin said with a smile.

I smiled back, feeling a little embarrassed as I realised I'd probably gone on a little bit too long with that whole subject.

"Well, I guess I should go get some sleep before I rabbit on anymore tonight." I said with a chuckle.

Tobias and I said our goodnights to Marlin before making our way up to bed.

As soon as we were alone in the room together I could feel the energy thrum between us once more. It was almost unbearable and I had to stop myself from just tearing his clothes off, and throwing him down on the bed. It didn't help that he was fighting the same urges and I could hear them clamour in his brain as he tried to fight them too. I tried to force my shield between us, but it wouldn't work. I wasn't able to shut off this link of pure passion between us.

Tobias had his arms around me before I could blink and my head was on the pillows as his cold tongue danced with mine. He was opening my robes, pushing them off me. I didn't mind, I was happy to be rid of them and I wriggled out of them as he sat up to remove his own. The robes were discarded on the floor. I secretly wished they'd landed in the wastepaper basket, but no such luck.

Tobias was pressed against me once more and the heat was flashing through me now, along with the tingles. I needed to bring this to fruition; I would burst if I didn't. I wondered if there were still some pills left here from before we went to Volterra and if they would still work now. Had we kept any here or were they all in Seattle? Was our house in Seattle even there anymore?

I employed a caretaker. Tobias thought as nuzzled at my neck and moved his hand gently down my side. When we return from Volterra it will be there waiting for us.

So are you always this prepared? I teased.

"For every eventuality Miss Esther." He whispered in my ear and I shivered in delight.

I met his lips again, the rush was strong now, but it was just building and I knew unless we actually did something it wouldn't come to anything except more frustration.

I realised that I'd reached a point where I didn't care about the fact that my family were in the house. They were probably occupying themselves in the same manner. I was a grown woman now, not a kid. I had been with my fiancée for nearly fifteen years. That was longer than a lot of marriages. We could do whatever the hell we liked, and to hell with sensitive hearing!

But then I'd have to shower. Half hour of watching the blood flow from me as Tobias held me. The downside of feeling the high. I didn't want to go through that tonight. Why did I have to be such a freak of nature when something as simple as making love turned into a military operation?

Tobias sighed and rolled off me. He lay beside me and drew me onto his chest as I still felt the waves of heat flow through me.

We will wait until after the battle. He thought toward me. It's our only option.

I think I'm going to burst into flame soon if I don't get some. I grouched.

The feeling is mutual. Tobias replied with a laugh. But you would feel uncomfortable after and perhaps it is for the best that we leave it for now. The Chiang-Shih may arrive earlier than anticipated.

They may travel slowly but they work quickly once they arrive somewhere. I observed. If there's no more village by the end Tuesday then they won't be here sooner than Tuesday evening. I stated.

They may send scouts ahead. Tobias pointed out a thought I'd already had.

If they do it's probably better that we let them return thinking La Push is unprotected. I replied.

An ambush?

Well we'll catch them flat-footed. That's bound to gain us some advantage.

That is a valid point.

Yeah. I thought, snuggling up to Tobias now that my body was starting to settle down a little. Talking of advantages, do you know what Mal wanted help with?

No. Tobias replied.

This. I said and then showed him my attempts to help Malachite with his shield.

That would be advantageous. Tobias agreed.

Yeah. So you wanna help in the morning? Although I think we should introduce people to the idea one at a time. Mal's still a little shy about the idea. He needs to be one hundred percent certain before he'll put the idea to everyone else.

Of course I'll help. Tobias stated and kissed my forehead.

Thanks. I replied with a smile. I think I should go asleep now. I mused. While I feel tired. Before we get worked up again.

Tobias chuckled and I closed my eyes and settled down, allowing sleep to steal me before anything else was re-ignited.

I had another dreamless sleep and I felt refreshed and much, much better than I had in a long time. It was doing a lot for my health being back here and it made me dread returning to Volterra all the more. Would my dreams come back to haunt me tenfold?

It was better not to think about it. Besides, with one day to go and my promise that this afternoon I'd be at Jane's beck and call I thought it was better to get on with helping Malachite. It didn't take long for Tobias and me to find him and we went to the clearing we'd used for training yesterday.

Malachite was very good at this shield thing and within half an hour it was clear that he needed to practice with more than just Tobias and myself. We went back to the House and gathered everyone we could find into the backyard, all the Volturi beside Barry and Tabetha were busy viewing the video footage, and we tested him further.

It really did look as if Malachite could give us some advantage if the Chiang-Shih decided to attack the village from the ocean. We'd have to get everyone together some how to ensure that the area he had to protect was smaller. He probably could stretch his shield to encompass the whole of La Push, but it seemed that his shield worked better when it wasn't stretched too much. I guess that kind of made sense.

It was agreed that Malachite would take up position in the village now and we'd try and think of something to get everyone all in one place safely. Maybe they could all bed down in the hotel for the night since it was empty of all visitors. I know it would make them an easy target, but it would also make our job easier in keeping the Chiang-Shih away from them if we knew where everyone would be.

I put this idea forth and, well the vamps agreed but we'd have to see what the wolves thought about it. As far as I was concerned it was a good idea and made the most sense. I just hoped there was enough time to put this plan into action now.

I grabbed some food along with Malachite and then it was half two and I knew I had no choice but to go to Jane.

She didn't seem too happy when Tobias and I entered at quarter to three in our robes.

"These images are of no use. They do not depict them fighting other immortals, merely endless clips of them feeding. There is nothing we can glean from them other than these Chiang-Shih are messy eaters."

"So we'll have to learn on the hop." I said with a shrug.

"Yes." Jane agreed. "And now I feel a little agitated that I demanded so much of your time when there is obviously no need to."

"So I'm free for the afternoon?" I stated hopefully.

"There is not much more we can do before the battle. Other than feed of course. But it will be better if we do so tomorrow." Jane said a little grouchy.

"Well I guess there's not much more to say. I'll see you all tonight at the meeting." I declared and pulled Tobias out of there before Jane had chance to change her mind.

"What do you plan to do with your new-found spare time?" Tobias asked.

"I know exactly what I'm gonna do." I said with a smile as I removed my robes…

"Feels kinda weird being back in here." I observed as I sat down on the old settee that was still in the garage. "So you found this place even though Jake and Renesmee let the plants grow over it?"

"Yeah." Hunter replied looking at me in shock. "It was after the first time I fed. It kinda called to me."

"It was the same with that room in the Cullen house." Tina added giving me a similar look to Hunter. "It's as if you left behind psychic markers and we picked up on them because we're on the same wavelength as you."

"Like the places I really loved I left part of myself there and that called out to you?"

"Yeah. Or I could have just been remembering from when I was a baby." Hunter said with a shrug.

"Then how did I have such a strong pull to the house?" Tina demanded.

"We were in each other's heads at the time. Maybe you were just feeling my pull." Hunter pointed out.

Tina shook her head.

"Anyway." I cut in; knowing these kinds of arguments could go on for hours. "The reason I came to find you guys is because I know you've been dying to get me on my own since I got here. So here I am. I'm all yours."

They both gave me an uncertain look.

"Am I really that scary?" I asked.

"No." Hunter replied.

"We just thought we'd have to come up with some elaborate plan to get you alone since there's so much to do." Tina added.

"Or wait 'til after the battle." Hunter stated.

"Well the way I see it is like this. These Chiang-Shih, whoever they are, they're not gonna be here for another day. We've planned as much as we're gonna plan and I've had it up to here with training. I'd rather be in here getting to know you two than fretting. I have the chance to get to know the only two other people like me in the world. Get to know the uncertainties or fret about the Chiang-Shih? I think I'll stick with the uncertainties." I said with a smile.

"Werepires." Hunter corrected.

"Wampires." Tina countered.

I chuckled.

"I never could think of a good name for what I am either. I used uncertainty because it suited me at the time. I was the first and only one of my kind and nobody knew what I'd become. I guess it doesn't really apply to you two since for the most part you seem to be developing along the same lines as I did. And I guess I'm not so much of an uncertainty myself anymore." I said with a grin.

Hunter and Tina returned my smile.

I let out a small embarrassed laugh.

"The other name I used to call myself was the vamp-wolf brat. Actually I still use that sometimes. Hey, I'm Essie Black, the vamp-wolf brat and I don't take messing from no one."

"But I'm not a brat." Hunter protested.

Tina gave a derisive snort.

"Like you can talk." Hunter shot back.

Tina poked her tongue out at him.

"Ain't nothing wrong with being a brat." I declared, folding my arms across my chest. "So long as you acknowledge it."

They both laughed.

"Did you really get expelled for messing about with your friends?" Tina asked.

"Now technically I wasn't expelled." I stated. "Miss Pikehunter merely suggested to my parents that perhaps it would be to my advantage that I change schools."

"How bad were you?" Tina asked aghast.

"In case you haven't noticed Tina loves school. If she had her way we wouldn't have any vacations at all." Hunter said flatly.

Tina scowled at him.

"I guess I kinda liked school too, but I never found it challenging enough. I'd get bored and then I'd play up. Probably shouldn't have encouraged my friends to do it though." I conceded.

"Sometimes I get bored too. But then I just find something else to get on with." Tina observed.

"Now that's the sensible thing to do. But I was never sensible. I'm still not." I said with a laugh. "Anyway, I didn't come here to talk about school, I came to get to know you guys and to answer any questions you might have about me."

Tina and Hunter looked at each other before they looked back at me.

"Why did you want me to forget you?" Hunter asked.

"Start with the hard one hey kid." I said with a grin. "Anyway I already answered that one."

"You showed me why, but did you really think it was a good idea?"

"It seemed like the best option at the time. You were hurting so bad and how do you explain to a one year old you can never come back? And the link between us was just too damn strong. If you could reach me like that without effort and I could see your dreams there was a chance you could see me dreams. There's too many dark things going on in Volterra for a kid to see."

"Like spiky-haired blonds who bite you in an arena?" Tina asked.

"Yes. And what?"

"When I was little, I mean really little I used to have bad dreams. There was the spiky-haired man in the Arena. Having these weird red-haired twins mess with my mind. The werewolf in the tower with the drip-drip-drip. The demon in the dark. They were always worse after I'd just fed." Tina explained. "I mean after I started feeding. They had stopped for a while before that."

"I'm sorry Tina." I said, hugging her to me. "I didn't mean to give you my bad memories."

"Those were all real?" She asked with a gasp.

"Yeah." I said. "All those things really happened."

"You really went through all that?"

"They weren't quite as bad as they were in your dreams." I said as I got a flash of them from her memory. "I defeated Darius. The twins are gone now. The werewolf in the tower was Laurana and I managed to tame her and she's one of my best friends in Volterra and the demon in the dark. The demon in the dark was my mind getting confused over what I was receiving from Tobias at the time. The red haired twins had locked him away in a tower and stripped away his memories. When I tried searching for his mind I kept getting the image of that demon."

"He was the demon." Hunter stated without a hint of question.

"Only because he couldn't remember himself and they'd stuck this helmet on him that stopped him from being able to see or hear. He was lost in the silent darkness with only scent to guide him. If he'd been able to see and hear he never would have…" I trailed off, realising I was saying too much, but it was hard not to spill my guts to the only two beings like me in the world.

"Oh." Tina sobbed. "Oh god."

"How could you forgive him?" Hunter demanded.

"Because it wasn't Tobias." I said firmly. "It was a vampire with only his sense of smell to work with and no idea who he was or even what the heat and the scent and the warm glow of liquid was in the dark. All he knew was that it was an end to the fire in his throat and a flicker of warmth in the cold. As soon as he learned it was humans he'd killed he felt devastated, even before he started getting his memories back."

"But what about before he became a veggie. He killed a lot of people before that." Hunter pointed out.

"Yeah. And he's tried to make up for it ever since." I replied.

"He's how old?" Hunter gasped as he got the figure direct from my head. "Nearly three thousand?"

"And?" I demanded.

"And you were worried about the age gap between you and Portia." Tina said with a snigger.

"Hey." Hunter complained as his cheeks darkened with embarrassment.

I chuckled as I caught one of Tina's memories from a few days a go.

"Those Clearwaters sure know how to work their magic on us Blacks." I said with a chuckle.

"So you really did have a crush on Harry." Tina said happily. "I told you." She directed at Hunter who shrugged since he hadn't really commented on the point.

"Yeah. But that all went to the wayside when I imprinted on Tobias." I explained.

"The guy who was born before Jesus." Hunter stated.

"Look, he may be ancient, but he's not like a lot of other vampires his age. Since he and Marlin remained active all their vampire life they're not all papery and dusty like a lot of ancients who decide to settle. Now if one of the brothers had taken a shine to me I could never…" I shook my head at the thought. "Even if I wasn't imprinted it would just be too…"

"And not to mention their very much carnivores and won't try the veggie way." Tina added helpfully.

"Exactly. They're monsters, even the ones who seem nice." I concluded. "I prefer the obvious ones like Jane. At least you know where you stand with her."

"I couldn't believe that was her." Tina said. "I didn't recognise her from Alex' memory until she started speaking about burning people. She really does take pleasure in it."

"Yep."

Tina shivered.

"And you wouldn't think it to look at her." Hunter stated. "Well apart from the eyes."

"She may not look it, but you only have to be around her a few hours to realise she's a girl of simple pleasures, but then again she's just what the Volturi crafted her to be."

"Has she ever used her power on you?" Hunter asked.

"Once. But I was attacking Aro at the time. Not that it had much effect on me. I could feel something but it was only a flutter of warmth, nothing more."

"Isn't Aro their boss?" Tina asked.

"Yep."

"And you attacked him!" Hunter exclaimed.

"He was about to kill Mal and in my head he was killing you." I informed Hunter.

"Me?"

"You've seen Mal's eyes right? They're almost the same green as yours. I didn't see Aro attacking a mousy haired white boy, but my little brother and I had to protect you. The ironic thing is it led to Aro finding out about you." I said, disgusted with myself once more.

Tina and Hunter looked at each other then I felt them each place a hand on mine.

"He would have found out about us anyway." Tina said.

"At least this way we can keep in contact without worrying about him finding out about us." Hunter added.

"Thanks for trying to make me feel better, but I mucked up in my role as protector."

"Do you think that maybe we're supposed to work together and protect each other rather than you protecting us all the time?" Hunter asked.

"Don't think that around the Volturi." I warned. "When I first started phasing my powers were all over the place and now and again I'd project my thoughts without realising it. The Volturi can't be allowed to think we'd work well together. In fact, it'll be a lot better if they think we're detrimental to each other. Like we get feedback if we're too close to each other or something."

"Why?" Hunter asked.

"Because if Aro or Caius gets one hint that we work better as a team then they'd have you shipped to Volterra faster than you can say Volturi and they'd find some way to get us to work for them. Aro learnt long ago there was no point in threatening me, but to threaten the ones I love to get me to comply. I'd like to think they're hollow threats, but they're not. Aro wouldn't think twice about hurting either of you to teach me a lesson. He leaves you unharmed for now because it keeps me happy and willing to work for him. But I know he'd kill you without a second thought if I stepped too far out of line and if you're there in Volterra it makes it all the easier."

"Wow! It's really that bad." Tina murmured in a strangled gasp. "You shouldn't have to go through that for us." She stated as she hugged me tightly.

"You shouldn't have to go through that for anyone." Hunter said firmly as he hugged me too.

"If it has to be any of us, it's better if it's me. I've already had my childhood and I can put my adult life on hold until I return to the real world. You two have so much more to experience. Much more than the inner workings of Volterra, which is something you should never experience."

Tina and Hunter said nothing as they continued to hug me. I felt Tina frown against me and then she sat up and placed her hand on my left shoulder. I felt a slight twinge and resisted the urge to push her hand away.

"This is where he, my father I mean. This is where he bit you." She whispered, her eyes wide with horror.

I looked at her solemnly for a moment before nodding my head.

Tina looked a little anxious but then she slid her hand beneath my t-shirt at the neckline and put her hand against the scar on my shoulder. She closed her eyes and I saw pain flash across her face before she pulled her hand away.

"It really is really true." She stated. "He really did try to kill you."

"I wish I could say no." I replied sadly.

"He hated you because of what you are. Because what I am! He hated me!" She exclaimed in distress.

"No! Tina he didn't hate you. He was so looking forward to you. To living here on the Res with you and Tish. He'd finally got over himself enough to realise I wasn't the enemy. That there could be good vampires out there if he just gave them a chance."

"But how could you kill someone you claim to love?" Tina demanded. "Cause that's what he told you. He did it cause he loved you."

"Yeah. But he also hated that fact. He hated himself for loving me because I was part vampire and then I imprinted on a vampire. I can kinda understand why that would send him berserk. He would have made up for it given the chance, but the week he returned to the Res was when I found out the Volturi were coming for me. I was in no mood for reconciliation I was too worried about my future and the future of my family. The Volturi have wiped out entire clans in the past you know. I was so pissed at him for linking himself to me and my pack when he shouldn't have even been phasing anyway, even though he had to keep phasing to stay young like Tish. I told him to stay in the village, that he wasn't needed for the battle, but I didn't Alpha him. God I wish I had. If only for your sake."

"If you were his alpha why didn't you hear in his mind what he was planning before it was too late?" Tina asked.

"Because I wasn't in wolf form that day. It worked better if I started off in my human form to speak to the Volturi and I could phase later if I needed to. I didn't hear his intentions, and neither did Harry or the Twins. I think he must have travelled in human form and then phased on the fly as he attacked Darius. It was too late to save him by then, but at least I stopped Darius from taking his trophy."

"Why did he do it?" Tina asked.

"Guess he figured he was helping."

Tina sighed and looked down sadly.

I took her hand and concentrated on a memory. It was the time Timmy called me down to Port Angeles and how he'd asked me to help him. I showed her the fondness that he'd used when he spoke of Tish and their baby. I showed Tina how her parents had interacted and how I'd connected with her before she was even born. I showed her how Timmy had allowed Jake to wale on him in the cage and inadvertently how my alpha voice worked on everyone in the bar. I showed her how Timmy had truly changed and it was all for Tish and for her.

"Thank you." She whispered.

I tapped her hand gently as we fell into a subdued silence. It was starting to become uncomfortable.

"So what do you kids do for fun around here?" I asked.

They both looked at me as if I'd gone mad.

"Is it really that weird a question?" I asked with a laugh.

Hunter shook his head. "Just unexpected."

"So what so you do for fun?"

"Whatever we want." Hunter declared with a grin and I chuckled.

"Hang out at the beach usually." Tina replied. "But what with all this vamp trouble we have to stay away so that the other kids will."

"You have to set an example." I said with a snort.

"Yep."

"I guess there was an advantage to being a known trouble maker then." I said with a wide grin. "Nobody expects you to set an example."

Both Hunter and Tina laughed at me.

"Although I'm glad you're better behaved then I was. Guess you can't really be called vamp-wolf brats like me."

"I'm sure you weren't that bad." Tina said kindly. "Just misunderstood."

"Possibly." I conceded.

I felt the conversation had run dry. We hadn't exactly run out of things to talk about, but there was too much and not enough time to cover even a fraction of it. It was better to just let the conversation die off at this natural point and then we could really get to know each other at some point in the future when I was no longer subject to Aro.

"I guess I'd better go now." I observed. "We're gonna be having a late night tomorrow and we really should be getting some sleep."

"Yeah." They both said subdued.

"Don't worry you guys. We'll beat these Chinese vamps and I'm bound to have a day or two afterwards while we clean up here." I pointed out.

"I don't think Jane will go for that." Hunter said flatly. "She'll make you go back to Volterra."

"I won't be there forever." I promised as I hugged him. "One day I'll be free and then I can get to know both of you properly and we'll be uncertainties together, strong in our union." I added as Tina joined in the hug.

"Don't make me forget you again." Hunter said firmly.

"I don't think I could even if I wanted to." I stated. "I'll see you both tomorrow guys."

We said our goodbyes and I left the garage.

I dropped into the house to say goodbye to Renesmee and Jake before I headed back to the House. But half way there I found myself changing direction and I realised that I was heading to the lake for reasons I wasn't quite sure of.

I stood on the shore and looked out across the water. My memories were dancing through my mind, and it was a contrast to the calmness I saw now. I would have thought my last night here with Tobias would have been the foremost in my mind, but I was remembering all the fun we'd had before I even knew he was my imprint.

I thought about the fact that I'd been able to relax and have fun then despite the fact that I was worried about a lot of things. I was amongst friends and I could relax in the presence of the Hannigans since they knew I was part vampire. I remembered Tobias taking me hunting and the childish race on the way back. I wanted that carefree spirit back, but I didn't know where to find it.

The last time I was here I was far from carefree with the possibility of death the following day, but then death could have been a freedom. Now even that was off the cards since Aro would just recruit Hunter or Tina in my place. Not that I would choose death, but it was an example of another choice the Volturi had taken from me. It was hard to be upbeat about the outcome of tomorrow's battle when I'd be taken back to Volterra if we won.

Suddenly Tobias was at my side and he took my hand silently. We stood for a long time in silence as the sun set.

Being back home made one thing clear. I missed carefree Essie and I wanted to find her again. I now knew that I had to do everything in my power to escape Volterra and the poison they'd been slowly incapacitating me with.

Well I had to start somewhere.

I turned to Tobias and he turned to me. I placed my hand to his cheek and crushed my lips to his. His arms were around me in a shot and our kissing became more intense. Tobias lifted me and I wrapped my legs around his waist as he backed me carefully against a tree. I tangled my fingers in his hair and he growled lowly as his lips moved to my throat.

I tightened my legs around him as I began to nibble on his ear. I could feel the rush begin, but we needed to be naked. We needed to just let go. We had to give in to the feelings rushing through us. We would burst soon if we didn't, and what better place than this lake that had seemed so magical that night.

"Did you bring any precautions?" I whispered as I felt a particularly pleasant tingle deep inside.

"No." Tobias replied. "Did you?"

"I didn't think I'd be coming here." I admitted sadly.

Tobias continued to kiss at my throat.

"We have to stop." I said, pushing at him ineffectually since I wanted him to continue. "Oh god, why didn't I think to bring them." I gasped as I felt another wave wash through me, I couldn't take just stopping again. "But we can't, not without…" But I wasn't even convincing myself; I had to go all the way and to hell with the consequences. "Oh I don't care, let's just do it." I growled and started kissing at his neck as I pulled at his shirt.

Tobias seemed to find encouragement from my words and for a moment I thought he was really gonna go through with it. Well I'd lost my will and I wouldn't have stopped him if he had, but then I was lowered to the ground before he turned away from me swearing quite colourfully in a host of different languages.

"I'm sorry for leading you on?" I hazarded.

"You have nothing to apologise for." He said, turning back to me. "If I hadn't been caught up in my own self loathing all these years we wouldn't be at this point of near bursting. You were right the other day when you said I would choose now to get my libido back. I had never truly lost it, I was merely wary that you would reject me knowing my recent sins. Knowing you didn't find me repulsive, however, and that you thought I had been neglecting you changed something within me. I wanted to prove myself to you and make you feel loved. I picked the wrong time to become amorous once more."

"Well I could have communicated more with you. Anyway, I think it's being back here. All this stirring up old memories and the ghosts of passions past, that's not really helping." I said with a sad chuckle.

"I think it is the culmination of all these factors. I hope we survive the battle tomorrow if only so I have the opportunity to scale that mountain with you one last time and bask in the pleasure that has been building over the last several days."

"That's something to look forward to." I said, and kissed his cheek.

Tobias gasped and shivered slightly.

"Perhaps we should hold off from any form of affection for the time being." He said. "At least until I've had time to regain control of myself."

"Let me know when you have." I replied. "So shall we head back now?"

"I think it's our best option this night."

We ran back to the House. We were close to each other, but we didn't run hand in hand. Tobias had been right about keeping the touching to a minimum right now. I felt fit to burst and I would have liked nothing more than to just take off with him that night and forget that the rest of the world existed. But I couldn't do that. Too many people relied on me returning to the House and leading the Volturi to battle.

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