AN: Very sorry. This is late and un-beta'ed as always, so any mistakes are my own. Not especially happy with this chapter, so feel free to offer feedback, critical or otherwise. Still PG, but we may start to earn that tentative M rating soon.
Fury emanated from Aro in almost visible waves. When he had learned of the incident between the two nomads, the younger Cullen and her strange companion Aro had astonished everyone by saying he would investigate personally. What the one called Victoria had shown him whetted his appetite. He had to have the young human. He had known of only one other being whose blood could do what he had seen the young girl do. Three millennia ago as a newborn he had watched as a vampire was destroyed by feeding on a winged creature that was the stuff of legends. If that power was back, he wanted it under his control.
Unfortunately Carlisle and his remaining coven knew nothing. And now that Aro's trip had proven fruitless it would make him appear foolish and weak to his brother Lords back in Volterra. His only consolation was his delight in hearing the desperate sobs of Carlisle's mate as they left. That misery brought a malevolent smile of satisfaction to his pale thin lips.
Still, he remained angry and annoyed. In a fit of pique Aro turned to Felix. "She has wasted my time." He waved dismissively towards the red-head. He no longer needed anything of her and her punishment for the perceived offense would save face. There was no escape for the nomad. Her plea of "My Lord, please" was quickly followed by her screams. They lasted bare seconds before her body was set alight and turned to ash on the wind.
Aro turned to the twins. "I want you to stay in Washington. Something is not right. Alice Cullen was nearby with the human. Perhaps she was heading home to her family, to bring another gifted one into their fold. They are already too powerful. If the human girl is still alive she may still be in the area. Find her."
Flashback, Saturday morning, very early.
Dashiel entered the young vampire's bedroom unnoticed. His mind manipulation gift allowed him to maintain a constant mental barrier against others, but it only worked in close proximity. And it wouldn't help him achieve what he needed to do tonight - convince the little vampire to leave her family and flee along with Bella from the approaching Volturi.
"Alice" he whispered.
The instant Alice became aware of the presence at the entrance to her bedroom she swung herself out from behind and over the top of Bella in a defensive crouch on the bed, the movement so graceful and fast Bella was completely undisturbed.
Dashiel lifted his hands slowly, palms outward, unfurling his wings and spoke softly and calmly. Bella was still asleep. "Please don't scream Alice, I need you to stay calm and in control. My name is Dashiel. I was there after you were attacked two days ago. I'm here to help, but your family can't know."
Alice hesitated, recalling the man and his name from her earlier premonition. Her head was telling her to trust him, her heart was telling her to take no chances.
"If I scream they'll be here in an instant."
"They can't hear us. I have a gift. They aren't even aware that I'm here. Please Alice, I am asking you to trust me for your safety. For the both of you and for your family. The Volturi are coming."
Alice's eyes widened.
"Aro is leading them. He wants Bella. The red-headed nomad alerted them to your fight and to what happened to the other vampire."
Fear streaked across Alice's delicate features at the mention of Aro's name. "If the Volturi are coming I have to stay and face them with my family."
"You don't have to Alice. I can alter their memories, make them believe you've been gone for a year, that you were killed in the fight with the nomads. They wont remember Bella. It's the only way to keep all of you safe, your families included. Bella needs time before she will be ready to defend herself. She needs to be trained and I can help with that. But time is short and she needs to learn quickly. She is facing a danger far worse than the Volturi."
The conversation went on for another 20 minutes, back and forth, with Alice alternating between anger, disbelief, distrust and uncertainty, until finally she reached a state of wary acceptance. She would trust him, for now. "If I find out you're lying, I will destroy you," Alice told him, packing quickly for herself and Bella.
"I wouldn't expect anything less," Dashiel chuckled softly. "You need to wake her now. Gently. But be quick, I can't hide us from your family much longer."
Present time - mid-morning
Alice and Bella sat on an old couch in the remote cabin in the Canadian wilderness staring warily at the older angel seated across from them in the small room. Alice was struggling for a useful vision, but was limited to simple glimpses of Bella that made little sense, and Dashiel was proving hard to see after the single vision she'd had after waking yesterday. But at least she had seen her family in simple visions. They were grieving but they were safe. The Volturi had visited a couple of hours ago, just as Dashiel had warned, but had left without confrontation. It was frustrating for her, knowing she might have seen their visit if Bella hadn't been by her side most of the week. She hoped the brief glimpses of Bella would continue to improve, as Alice felt defenseless whilst her visions remained erratic.
Upon entering the room Alice had hesitated for a moment, uncertain of the best position to protect her mate. In the end she had opted to place herself between Bella and Dashiel by seating herself on the couch between Bella's legs, her hands resting on Bella's knees, with Bella's arms around her, and Bella's chin resting on Alice's shoulder.
The intimate position was deceptive. Alice's posture gave away her true state. Her body was tense, coiled and ready to attack at the first hint of danger.
Dashiel missed nothing, knowing the small vampire had maneuvered herself into a position to protect her 'weaker' mate and would be easily provoked. Alice's body language was a deliberate display of dominance that was almost primitive in nature. She was silent but for the occasional soft growl, too low and deep for human ears, but both angels could hear it. Bella's fingers traced gentle circles on Alice's hip, trying to keep her calm.
Dashiel understood that the vampire was particularly volatile at the moment, given that the mating bond was incomplete. He was careful to keep his movements slow and purposeful. But at the same time he was trying hard not to smile. He doubted that Alice had any idea that Bella was not passively seated behind her, but was deliberately gripping Alice's waist gently, ready to lift her to safety if needed. Both girls were focused on protecting the other. It was just that the vampire's first instinct when cornered was to attack in defense of her mate, and the angel's was to minimize conflict by pulling her mate to safety. It made for an interesting dynamic.
"I promise you are both safe here."
"Tell us again why we should believe you?" Alice's voice was polite, but cool. Nothing the older angel had told them made sense. Beings from another universe who created angels to protect their world? It was the stuff of children's stories. Alice had growled ominously the moment Dashiel had begun to explain the threat to Bella's existence from those same angels. Bella had the most pure and innocent soul Alice had ever encountered. It was monstrous to think these so-called protectors would seek to harm her. And why should Dashiel expect them to believe he was any different? Alice was normally a kind and friendly creature, even as a vampire she was more likely to see the good in others than any other member of her family, except perhaps Esme. But with Bella's safety on the line she was finding it difficult to contain the aggression and anger that was threatening to break her composure.
Dashiel sighed, his voice almost sounding weary. "I've seen you together. I've seen the bond you are forming and it is clear to me that you wouldn't willingly seek to corrupt her Alice." Alice's face twisted into a mask of anger at the thought, her fingers turning white as she gripped the arm of the couch they were seated on, inadvertently shredding the fabric.
"I would NEVER hurt her!" Alice's snarl would have terrified even most vampires.
"I believe you, but you need to understand. The history of our interaction with your kind is not a happy one. Three thousand years ago an angel like Bella, the first and only one with her powers, lost his way. Our kind was different then. They didn't grow up with human families and they weren't given mates. So they didn't have the chance to form the connections with humanity that we have now. That angel strayed from his path. He was persuaded by a coven of ruling vampires to join with them. They formed an army. There are very few left from the great battles that arose between the angels and vampires. Thousands of humans were killed in the crossfire. There are no human records of those wars as there were none left from those battlefields to write the history. It was complete and utter annihilation. One or two in the Romanian coven may remember, or know of the stories. The Volturi weren't there, but they will have heard stories. Perhaps they are merely legends to them but Aro seems to know something more. It was before my time, but my mentor lived through it and told me the stories. In the end we lost almost the entire company of angels to bring down one fallen angel. But if we hadn't then his actions would have destroyed this world."
"I would never .. never betray my family .. or anyone I love, like that." Bella's eyes were flashing with anger. "Besides, what could I do? I don't have the kinds of powers you are talking about."
"You are destined to be powerful beyond precedence Bella."
"Wh .. what?"
"The watchers never wanted to return that kind of power to this world. Compared to their world our planet is still in its infancy and they were horrified with what happened when they gave that power to one who wasn't ready for it. But their world is dying and they are dying with it. Their connection to us within decades, or perhaps even sooner. Our years are mere moments to them. Soon they will no longer be able to look over us, steer humanity to evolve, to be better. You are the last angel they will ever create. There is no more time for them to ensure the protection of this world or any of the others they have been watching over. So they chose you Bella, created you. Gave you the greatest power of all. Other angels have one of the four traditional elemental powers, earth, water, fire or wind. Because of your one great gift you have the ability to harness each of those powers. But that is not where your true strength lies. You have been given the power of the void, the gift of pure creative energy. It is the closest thing to magic you can imagine, the ability to connect to the creative energy of the world, to attune to your physical surroundings without even thinking and .. simply create. It is not infinite, and only time will tell what it will allow you to do and how well you master it. Still, it is a gift beyond any other. But what they didn't plan for, was … Alice."
If Alice had blood flowing through her veins she would have paled. "I .. I've put her in danger?"
Dashiel gave her a sympathetic look. "Only because they hadn't planned for your bond. Bella wasn't supposed to be given a mate for decades. But she found her own. Or you found her." Both girls stiffened at that, they had barely begun to acknowledge to themselves what they were experiencing and here was an outsider naming it for them.
The thought of another mate being created for Bella made Alice's anger rise to the surface. Bella sensed the change in the young vampire and moved to calm her, placing her lips against the side of Alice's neck, gently caressing and nibbling Alice's skin, whilst humming softly.
The distraction seemed to work. Alice relaxed, a soft purr rumbling from the back of her throat. The sound made Bella's core ignite, and without being conscious of it, it triggered another reaction in her, one which neither girl was prepared for. It felt like a gentle tickling to Alice, something caressing her skin in a gentle wave. It was nothing like the release of a vampire's pheromones, which was like thick waves that could bludgeon emotions and demand the desired response. This felt alive and moving, like a sentient being exploring Alice's body, touching, dipping, teasing. Oh gods .. teasing at her most intimate places. Alice felt herself responding, moisture gathering between her legs. At first Bella wasn't even aware of it, though she felt Alice begin to squirm. Then she felt the connection between her thrall and Alice's physical response, and the moment she registered the intense reaction it was triggering in Alice the shock of it caused her thrall to snap back at her, severing the link, making Alice groan softly at the loss of it.
Dashiel chose to ignore what had just happened, though he had felt Bella's immature thrall exploring and could sense the arousal of both girls. He would have to speak to Bella about getting her emotions and body under control. She couldn't keep doing that to a century old vampire and not expect … consequences.
"I fear that if we do not act quickly you may not be given the time you need to prove you won't harm Bella, or lead her away from her destiny."
"Her destiny? You say it like she has no choice. She isn't a slave!" Alice was still feeling the after-effects of the withdrawal of Bella's thrall and she winced, realizing her reply sounded angrier than she intended. Bella said nothing, as she remained practically mute from embarrassment.
"Of course not. None of us are. We all have free will. We don't serve the Watchers blindly, we willingly take their instruction but we serve this world. We do not seek to control humanity. We intervene only where it is absolutely essential, or where the impact is isolated to a few lives. It is a delicate balance, protecting without controlling, guiding without ruling, and the first thing we are taught is that we are not gods or divine beings. We have no more right to exist in this world than any other sentient creature. That is where we differ from most vampires, some of whom believe they are at the top of the food chain and that humans are cattle. Our existence is a privilege. Each of us grow up with human parents to connect us to this world. We have been given great power and we choose to use it to protect humanity because we love, so very much. More deeply than humans can even begin to understand. So much that my brothers and sisters will put that love ahead of anything, even Bella, if they think she is a risk. And at the moment the Watchers think she is. We need to keep her safe until we can prove they have misjudged you both."
"How do we do that?" Bella finally managed to croak a hoarsely worded question.
"By teaching you how to use your gift. If our kind is to be true to our nature we have to allow you to be free to decide whether you wish to serve this world or make it serve you."
"What if we decide we don't want your help?"
"You can both leave at any time. I won't stop you. You are my guests, not my prisoners, so I can only ask you for your own safety to please stay. But leaving now, before Bella begins to understand her powers, will put you and your family in danger. I can't help you unless you let me."
"Why do you want to help us when your Watchers won't?" Bella's voice was still thick, and a slight tremble betrayed her anxiety. She wanted to trust him. It was in her nature. But first she needed to be confidant he wouldn't harm Alice.
"We are protectors Bella, you and I. It is in our nature, and I have been watching you longer than the others. I have much to tell you. Things are happening around us that mean you are not safe at the moment. But there isn't time for me to explain everything. I have to leave for a while."
Dashiel gestured to Alice, "I've protected your family as best I can, but I still have things to do in Forks to hide your existence. Bella is young and she needs to be in control of her emotions if she is going to master her gifts. That's why her parents will be joining us. They can ground her. She was supposed to have twenty to thirty years with them, connecting with her humanity, before coming into her powers. That won't happen now you've found each other. Bella needs the love and security of her family to give her the grounding she needs to find a way to her tap into her powers."
Bella's eyes shone with relief at the thought of seeing Charlie and Renee. "They are coming here?"
"The day after tomorrow. I have told them almost everything." He looked pointedly at Alice when he said that and she knew he hadn't revealed her family's secret. That, along with the knowledge that he was the angel who had helped them after they were attacked, calmed her in spite of her fears for Bella's safety.
"My family is Bella's family too. I want to call them." Alice hated that her family believed she was dead. She would never willingly visit that kind of pain on them.
Dashiel sighed. "Please Alice, I don't disagree that there is a familial connection developing between your family and Bella. But it is too dangerous right now. You need to stay completely hidden for at least for a couple of weeks. The Volturi are looking for Bella, but they don't know what she is and for now they believe you are dead and Bella's identity remains hidden. It wont be for much longer, but if you let you know your family you are alive the chances of the Volturi finding out about Bella increase, and for the time being she can't protect herself or you."
"I can protect her." Bella huffed when Alice said that, hating the thought that Alice would again put herself in danger for her.
"Not from what is coming. Not yet. You couldn't even protect each other from me if it came to that. You need time. You need training. I can help with that."
Forks
Alice's family were struggling to cope with their loss. Esme wouldn't even leave her room but it was Emmett's response that was particularly odd. He seemed strangely bereft, incapable of finding consolation even in Rosalie's arms. The loss of Alice was devastating, but he felt as though something else had been taken from him, and it haunted him as he tried to work out where that phantom emotion was coming from. Rose struggled with being unable to console her lover, and finally sent him out to feed, realizing he wanted to be alone, even though she was grieving and needed him too.
Once he was in the forest Emmett decided to go looking for the site where Alice was killed. Aro mentioned that it had happened somewhere up in the mountains about 100 miles away. Deep down Emmett knew searching was pointless, the general direction was clear but the search area was enormous. He could never search that area in time before the weather blew away any traces of the conflict. But he needed ... something, some sense of closure.
He'd been searching for hours when a little bird started annoying him. Black and yellow and overly cheerful, flying in circles around Emmett's head and repeatedly dive-bombing him, making Em almost homicidal. He was going to get that little bastard if it killed him, and when the bird began to fly away in short bursts before landing and chirping again at Em he took off in pursuit. He ignored his inner voice, telling him how ridiculous it was, a vampire with his strength chasing a tiny finch, but it was a distraction and he needed anything to take his mind of the hollowness that was eating away at him.
He was almost ready to give up when the bird landed on a log just in front of Emmett and the huge vampire crouched, ready to leap and crush the life out of it when he paused, looking around to find himself on the edge of a small clearing overlooking a high cliff with a magnificent view of the national park. As he glanced around a scorch mark caught his eye. It was just an irregular burnt circle in the grass, with a few traces of ash that hadn't yet blown away. Further away across the clearing he caught sight of a dark patch of brown. As he approached he recognized the scent. At first he ignored the blood, because underneath it he found Alice's sweet pure scent. Overlaying it was the strong coppery smell of blood. A couple of days old but it was still distinct and strangely familiar. An image of brown doe eyes flashed briefly in his mind as the bird flitted around him, chirping manically.