Quote: Stripped of ethical rationalizations and philosophical pretensions, a crime is anything that a group in power chooses to prohibit. --- Freda Adler

Chapter 25: The Veil Removed

Felix and I walked quickly to the familiar black jet that waited for us on the tarmac. Time was up and we would be heading off to meet the others, wherever the hell that was. We had managed to find Grigore, Manuel, Aras and Ileana but no one else as there was just not enough time though Aro seemed content with how many we sent back. As I walked up the short staircase, Felix a step behind me, I went straight for the intercom.

"Excuse but where exactly are we headed?" I asked politely to the captain. I waited for a minute as I heard him shuffle around in the cabin.

"We will first be flying to France, the city of Nantes specifically and there we will refuel. I'm afraid I have not received any information beyond that, have been informed that I will receive a more detailed flight plan regarding our next destination once we land." He said in a monotone voice. I sighed, he wasn't much help.

"Alright, thank you." I said quickly. I did not receive a reply. I sat down on one of the leather chairs and grabbed a magazine, flipping through the pages impatiently as I scanned the articles. Felix sat beside and grabbed my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. I smiled and leaned into his side as I heard the machinery come to life and soon the plane was in the air. After a few moinutes I felt his warm breath on the on the back of my neck.

"You know, there may be a better way to pass the time." He whispered seductively into my ear, placing a kiss just behind it. I could already feel my mind becoming unclear and I concentrated to stay focused.

"Felix, are you trying to seduce me and in a plane no less?!" I said in a scandalous voice. He knew my weakness and while I knew I couldn't resist him for long I was going to have a little fun.

I heard him chuckle, "Hmmm well I don't know, that depends." His arm snaked its way around my waist, pulling me closer ever so slightly.

"Depends on what." I asked calmly. My eyes had not left the article yet I had not managed read a single word of it.

"If its working." He said lightly.

"I don't think it is, you see this magazine has a very interesting article on…" at that moment he pulled me quickly onto his lap, my magazine now on the floor and our faces a mere inch from one another. He was such a cheat and he knew it.

"And now?" He said slowly, his eyes burning into mine as his hand entangled itself in my hair. I found myself unconsciously moving closer to him, my right palm resting on his chest as the other toyed gently with the chain around his neck.

"Hmmm, I still think you need to up your game." I teased but he smelled an easy victory. His lips quickly touched mine, moving urgently yet gently. My arms instantly wrapped around his neck as I brought myself closer to him. I couldn't deny that it was definitely a better way to pass the time.

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"We'll be begin our decent in thirty minutes." Said the captain as his less than enthusiastic voice was expelled through the several speakers. I was sitting in Felix's lap, one hand intertwined with his while the other held the magazine I originally wanted to read.

"Are you enjoying the article." He asked politely but he couldn't fool me, I knew where he was headed.

"I am actually." I replied without looking at him. I wasn't giving in…this time.

"Are you sure." He whispered, pulling me closer. I placed the magazine on my knee so I could smack him lightly on the chest.

"Nice try. We're landing soon so behave yourself." I said sternly though I fought back a grin. He was worse than some hormonal teen on prom night.

"And if I choose not too?" he asked as he started placing kisses along my neck. Man this was tempting but honestly we didn't have time and we would soon be forced into yet another tense and violent situation.

"Is that all you think about?" I asked though it was a rhetorical question. The answer was yes. Felix has always been a very physical being yet I wouldn't change a thing about him. It was part of his charm I guess you could say. Plus it could have its advantages.

"No." he said defiantly but I could hear the subtle lie there. "But it is kind of hard to think of much else with you here. Do you have any idea how irresistible you are?"

"Well if it's too tempting for you maybe I should sit somewhere else." I teased as I went to get up from his lap. A low growl emitted from his chest as he quickly pulled me back. I couldn't help but laugh a little as I placed a quick kiss on his lips before returning to my magazine. He sighed but said no more as he drew random designs along my leg.

Eventually the plane began to slow and I felt it descend as we approached wherever it was that we were going. We were going to be touching the ground in about a minute when I stiffened and a low and angry hiss escaped my lips. "What is it?" he asked concerned.

"It seems they sent Demetri and Heidi to pick us up." I said in a hard voice. I growled deeply as I felt anger built inside me, I wanted to tear Heidi to pieces. My hands were in fists on my lap and as his one hand attempted to smooth them out he used the other to tilt my head so I was facing him.

"You're not going to try a kill her are you." He asked seriously but I could see a smirk playing along his lips. Try nothing, she wouldn't stand a chance.

"I'm seriously considering it." I said darkly.

"You know you can't." I gave him a skeptical look. "I'm not saying she doesn't deserve it but honestly it's not worth it." He said calmly.

"If our roles were reversed what would you do?" I asked but once again it was a rhetorical question. He would rip the guy to shreds in a second. I could see he was going to deny it until I gave him a knowing look, he knew I wouldn't buy any of his lies.

His eyes narrowed slightly, "That's not the same thing."

"Chauvinistic much, how it any different?" I asked annoyed. He began laughing loudly though I couldn't see what was so funny.

"Anna, I'm in love with probably one of the strongest vampires on this planet, very sexy by the way." I rolled my eyes. "How am I chauvinist when I fully acknowledge that you can, if you wanted, easily bury me?" His tone was light and his arms tightened around me. I put my head at the crook in his neck and smiled, feeling a little smug I'll admit. He didn't answer my question but I didn't care, I didn't want to get angry with him over something so trivial. Besides, my anger was being reserved for someone else.

The plane jolted as it touched down on the ground. My breath came out in a huff. "Fine, I won't kill her…yet." I thought for a second and huge grin appeared on my face. "Actually I have a better idea." He pulled back and looked at my face.

"Which is?" he asked, both curious and wary.

"You'll see. I'll need your assistance for the second part." I said cryptically. He looked at me questioningly, impatience in his eyes but I shook my head. The plane came to a complete stop and once the door was thrown open I threw my magazine onto the chair and stood up. We left the plane, hand in hand, and walked towards a small brick building where the car and other two waited. Snow stuck to the ground in the distance though only a small dusting was present around us. As we came closer I saw Heidi's eyes narrow slightly and I fought back a triumphant smile.

Demetri came up to us and while his eyes looked back a forth between us for a second, his gaze linguring on our hands, he addressed Felix. "Good job, you two did well." He clasped a hand on Felix's shoulder as he gave me a smile, which I did not return. There was something in his eyes though, hidden, when he looked at me and for some reason it sent shivers down my spine. I looked away my eyes meeting Heidi's and I decided to leave it for a moment while I put the first part of my plan into action.

"If you will excuse me I need to speak with Heidi." I said, my tone light and conversational. Felix seemed hesitant but after a quick squeeze he released my hand. As I walked quickly to her side I could feel their eyes on us.

"What?" she said calmly but I could detect to anger and bitterness in her voice. I quickly pinned her to the wall with my hands and dust emitted from the bricks on impact. I didn't use my 'ability' because I wanted to make it clear that I wouldn't need it to turn her to ash. I tightened my grip and she flinched slightly. Our faces were only a few centimeters from one another and I looked deeply into her eyes, claiming every ounce of attention from her. She was going to listen or else.

"If you ever go near Felix again, look at him in a way I don't like, speak of him or if you so much as think about him I will kill you. Do you understand me?" I said in a deadly and low voice. I would not allow her to come between him and I ever again and if she tried she would regret it. She was lucky to be alive now.

Her eyes were filled with fear but she tried to make her voice strong. "I would like to see you try. They would never allow it." She said quickly and I almost laughed.

"I would like to see them try and stop me," honestly it didn't sound like a bad idea. I was fairly sure my survival instincts would trump any bond Chelsea created allowing me to do away with them once and for all. "Besides, who do you think they would be more reluctant to destroy? Me or you?" Her eyes widened as she realized the truth of my words. While I hated to admit it I was far more valuable to Aro than she was. "That's what I thought."

I released her and quickly walked back to Felix. Both him and Demetri were watching me with mixed expressions; awe, surprise, confusion and even humor. I put part B into action as I instantly pulled Felix towards me and kissed him passionately, which he returned just as quickly as his hands once again wound around my waist.

After about a minute Demetri coughed a few times, trying to get our attention. "Shut up." We both mumbled at the same time and I couldn't help but smile before turning my attention back to Felix. I doubt this need I have for him will ever subside, not that I want it to.

"Felix we need to go, the others are waiting for us." He said impatiently. Felix grumbled and reluctantly began to release me. I give him a knowing look indicating we'll pick up later and he smiled. As we head towards the car I see Heidi in the front passenger seat already, looking in the opposite direction. Hopefully she got the message though I would be more than willing to convey it again if not. Demetri jumped into the driver's seat while Felix and I sat at the back. As we pulled away I began to pay attention to my surroundings and I stiffened when I saw the sign indicating to our location.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

My memories were unclear but I remembered my time here, I also knew its proximity to other towns. "Where exactly are we going?" I said shakily. We were remarkably close to Forks and I felt a pit in my stomach. Please god tell me that is not where we were headed, surely this must be a coincidence. My thoughts drifted to the Cullen's as my mind tried to rationalize the situation. They would never create an immortal child that much I knew so we couldn't be confronting them. Yet a small voice in the back of my mind told me something was wrong.

"Not far, we'll be hiding the car as soon as we hit a more secluded area and proceeding on foot from there." Demetri said quickly but once again something was hidden in his eyes as he glanced in the rear view mirror. I was on edge and Felix could tell as his thumb rubbed the back of my hand soothingly though it wasn't working.

As the city disappeared behind us a more rustic scenery began to encroach in its place. We only drove for under an hour before he turned onto an abandoned dirt road deeply hidden in the trees. The main road soon disappeared behind us and we came to a stop as the road ended, blocked by a fallen spruce. We exited the vehicle swiftly and before I could say another word Demetri took off into the trees, using his ability to follow a trail I could not. I sighed deeply but followed quickly after though I stayed a fair distance behind, barely looking ahead as my mind raced with a million thoughts.

We were running for almost an hour when he began to slow and I felt the massive gathering ahead of us. I recognized most though I was pretty sure there were more witnesses than who Felix and I gathered. I guessed that Aro sent others to find more. Eventually we burst into a small clearing, a clear separation between the guard and those who were merely here to witness the massacre. The guard was composed, calm, organized and silent while the others were scattered and speaking quietly to one another.

"Ahhh, Felix, Anna. Welcome, you have done well." Aro said enthusiastically. Aro extended his hand towards Felix, an invitation. As Felix went to grasp it, allowing access to his memories, I felt a wave of annoyance. Every moment we've had together will now be in his mind and to be honest it made me a little sick. He had no right.

I turned away from the two of them, needing a distraction, as I surveyed those around me. I caught bits and pieces of their whispered conversations, all revolving around to coming event though none of it hinted as to what was really going on. I felt Felix approaching me once again when something caught my eye. A pair of hollow and anguished amber eyes moved around frantically as the owner stood far away from everyone else. This was the informant, I could tell by her aura and once again that shiver ran down my back. The only people I knew who had eyes like that were the Cullen's and the Denali's whom I met, yet I did not recognize her. That's when I remembered that one of them was absent the day of the wedding. No…

"Anna…" Felix began but I ignored him as I quickly made my way to her, mentally moving others out of my way when they got in the way. I paid no attention to their protests or angry words, my eyes set on the one woman. She saw me coming and shrank back further, clearly confused as to why I was coming towards her so aggressively.

"Your name?" I said harshly, I didn't have it in me to be polite. I needed confirmation of my fear and nothing was going to stop me from doing so.

"I…" she looked at me, her eyes wide with fear.

"I said what is your name." I said impatiently, she was already getting on my last nerve. I was aware people were most likely watching us but I couldn't care less.

"Irina."

"Do you belong to the Denalit coven?" I asked quickly.

"How…how did you know?" She said quietly, her voice shaky. I was clearly scaring the crap out of her.

"Who did you say created the immortal child?" I was feeling more and more tense by the second. I think deep down I knew who but I needed to hear it…but also didn't. She didn't seem capable of answering, she opened her mouth a few times but nothing came out. My frustration got the better of me and I slammed her in a tree as I approached her. I felt Felix's hand on my shoulder as he tried to hold me back.

"Anna." He said into my ear, clearly concerned. I ignored him.

"The Cullen's?" I asked desperately.

"Yes." Her voice was almost inaudible and her eyes shown with shame, as they should. She was supposed to be like family to them, how could she betray them like this? Though it wasn't the first time she did so.

"You're wrong." I was talking mostly to myself. They would never, this was a mistake and I didn't believe it for a second.

I felt Aro's draw closer, he had clearly been watching my confrontation. "She is not wrong Anna, I've seen it in her thoughts. They is no disputing the evidence." He said calmly though his voice held a tone of authority.

"Then you both are mistaken." I said through my teeth. Every eye was on me at this moment as my glare bounced back and forth between Aro and Irina. The veil that had been placed over my eyes had been removed at last revealing the horrific truth. How could I be so blind? Aro sending Felix and I away with little to no information, the look I saw in Demetri's eyes, the secrecy. I knew something was up but I was too foolish to see it before it was too late. And I contributed to it...I sought the very people that were to witness the destruction of those I loved. No matter how unwilling I was or how manipulated I was I played a role and the guilt crashed into me.

"I assure you I am not wrong. She clearly saw an immortal child with young Bella." It surprised me how much pain it caused me hearing her name spoken so coldly through his lips. "There are no exceptions to the law. They have comitted a serious crime against us all and will not recieve a reprieve." He said sternly. The witnesses shot out words of agreement.

"Thats right!"

"No mercy!"

"They should be punished for what they have done."

"Unforgiveable!"

"Monstrocity!"

"Burn them all to ash!"

I couldn't take it anymore. "Shut up! You have no idea who or what you are talking about. They did not commit this crime, there has been a mistake." I said desperatley and loudly. I heard their low growls at my words and I growled back. These people were just a stupid, moronic, blood thirstyand blind mob...a mob I help create.

Caius stepped forward, anger in his eyes as he glared at me. "Enough! Anna you will hold your tongue. You will accompany and assist in this matter do you understand me. I will not have you embarrass us further." he said viciously. I felt his words lash violently against my will as this artificial bond reared its head once again. My hands clenched into fists at my sides.

"Yes…master." I said quietly, the words burning painfully in my mouth. The two of them, Aro with a look of satisfaction and Caius with a one of annoyance, turned their backs on me to walked back to the others as they made the last minute preparations. I dashed a little ways into the forest trying to calm my rapid breathing, slamming my fist into a nearby tree causing it to crash to the ground. Could vampires have panic attacks? It sure felt like I was about to. I stopped, my whole body shaking as the snow dampened my cloak. I felt Felix's arms wrap protectively around me and I immediately turned into his chest, clutching his rope desperately. Sobs threatened to leave my chest.

"Shhhh. It's going to be ok." He whispered reassuringly into my ear as he stroked my back. A tsunami of emotions flooded through me threatening to drown me in its waves. I felt like I was about to fall apart at the seams and the only thing keeping me together were his arms. I inhaled deeply but his scent was unable to calm me as it always had in the past.

"Felix…they're family to me. I can't do this, I can't watch them die. They're innocent I can feel it, I…" I couldn't go on, my voice strangled. Why was this happening? I would gladly spend eternity with the Volturi if we left them in peace this second but I knew that wasn't going to happen.

"I know, I am so sorry." His voice was pained, I could tell he hated seeing me like this. I haven't felt this week and powerless in so long and it scared me to death. It brought back the painful memories of my father's death. Those memories alone seemed immune to the haze that came with the transformation. By what cruel twist of fate must I watch more people I love die before my eyes? I have I not endured enough?

"What am I going to do? I can't harm them, I won't." I willed it to be true. That I could resist any command to harm them. Yet not doing anything to help them would be just as horrible as taking part. I couldn't win.

I felt his lips on the top of my head. "I don't know but you won't have to do anything, I'll make sure of it and" he paused, "either will I." I looked up at his face. His eyes bore deeply into mine and I could see the resolve there. He knew he couldn't stop them but he would not kill those I love knowing the pain it would cause me. My love for him swelled in my chest, giving it a temporary relief from the grief.

I closed my eyes, "Thank you." I whispered. He placed a chaste kiss on my lips.

"Anything." He replied softly. I stood there in his arms as the seconds slowly counted down and the dread in my heart increased. I was never a religious person but I found myself silently praying to some higher power or powers out there that they would be spared, that I could escape this living hell. Suddenly I heard Aro's voice indicating that we were to depart and I clutched tighter to Felix as we slowly made our way back.

Time was up…

~~~REVIEW~~~

Sooooo, what did ya think? I know it was a bit short. Hopefully the next one will be a bit longer. I'd like to get at least 5 reviews, plz!!!!! I'll update sooner, promise.

Neone else see Harry Potter 6? Personally I was disappointed. Sorry, random I know.