We all stayed in the living room, waiting for the werewolves' phone call. The tension was killing me, and I kept my head buried into Edward's shoulder, inhaling his sweet, musky scent to calm my nerves.
Alice seemed the most uncomfortable out of all of us. The werewolves' immunity to her foresight was leaving her very uptight; Alice hated being blind. I know that my private mind also put her on edge.
The outcome of the battle was totally dependent on the decision that the werewolves would make to fight or flight. If they fought, we'd have a much better chance of victory. If they didn't, all of us would die.
I clutched Edward tighter at the thought.
I seemed to sense that the phone was going to ring before it actually did, and as soon as the first tone came, I snatched it off of the hook, answering with a flustered, 'Jake?'
'Bella?' this voice was deeper, calmer and much more authoritative – Sam.
'Sam', I acknowledged.
'Bella, we have discussed your request with the pack and the elders, and we have decided that we will come to your aid-'
'Oh, Sam! Thank you! Now both of our families will be sa-'
'-On one condition', he continued.
I waited with baited breath, 'that you never return to Washington'.
I gasped; I had never thought of a compromise. Of course, the werewolves would never do anything without payment; they were not as honourable as vampires, I think. Although werewolves would do the utmost to prevent any harm coming to their tribe, anything outside their territory wasn't their business.
'Um, Sam, could I possibly pass you to Carlisle?'
'Of course'.
I threw the phone to Carlisle, who caught it effortlessly.
The conversation between the two leaders was quiet, and I couldn't hear it from where I was sitting. Carlisle kept acknowledging what Sam was saying with small 'mm' sounds, but apart from that, there was nothing happening.
We only knew that the conversation was over when Carlisle set the phone back down onto the receiver.
'Well, they're going to help'.
Immediately, some of the tension in the room ceased. There was a more relaxed air, a positive attitude. Whether that was fuelled by Jasper, I didn't know. Whatever it was, it gave me hope.
'But, we can never return to Forks again'.
Everybody looked at me, expecting a reaction, but they didn't get one. They obviously thought that I had kept my ties to the place. Of course I did – it was where I met, fell in love with and married Edward. Apart from that, it held only negative memories of James, Victoria and Laurent. I missed Charlie and Renee, of course, but the pain of remembering them was too much, so I simply stored it in the back of my mind, saving it for a time that I was ready to deal.
That day was not today, however.
'Everybody should hunt' Carlisle announced, 'build up your strength. We will discuss tactics later. The Volturi shouldn't be aware of the werewolves, so we will have the element of surprise as our advantage', he finished with a note of finality, and everybody stood up.
We all filed out of the door in procession, a sombre mood hanging over us like a heavy storm cloud. Even running didn't cheer me up. The four goats I had didn't do anything for me, either. This was an obligatory hunt, preparing us for war, full of anticipation. It certainly wasn't pleasurable.
I was strangely glad that the Volturi were coming, although definitely not for the desired purpose. I knew that we would have to deal with them at some point, and now seemed like the ideal time; I was changed, and had enough control to not immediately manipulate my brute strength – I knew how to fight, not just to defend.
I was also glad that this time, this battle, I could contribute. As a human, I was sick of always sitting on the sidelines, itching to go and fight for the people I loved. This time, however, I could help defend my loved ones. I could defend the beliefs I stood for.
We all returned back to the house together. It was comforting, knowing that we stood as such a united force: all eight of us, standing against an evil that threatened our happiness.
Carlisle ordered us back into the living room to discuss tactics. He was sad, I knew; Carlisle hated violence, preferred to sort things out through words of honour. I knew he had conformed himself from that, knew that, this time, violence was the only way.
'Emmett, I hope that you can take on Felix. You are the only one who can match his size and strength. Sam told me that Quil and Paul will help you'.
'Quil's nice, Em, you'll like him. And Paul… he's, um, interesting', I added, totally unhelpful.
Emmett chuckled, 'thanks, Squirt'.
'Rosalie?' Carlisle asked.
Her eyes snapped to his. 'You will take on Heidi with the aid of Leah'. Rosalie nodded, her eyes dark.
'Alice and Jasper, you will have to fight Caius. I know him well; he is not that strong or quick, but is a seasoned fighter'.
'Esme, dear', Carlisle's voice softened at her name, 'you will work with Jared to bring down Demetri. Sam thought you were the only person who could work with an anomaly such as he'.
Esme smiled warmly, 'whatever you wish, darling'.
I felt Edward stiffen next to me.
'You will fight Alec, alongside Jacob and Embry'.
Edward jerked his head in acknowledgement. I knew that I wasn't my problem, and Sam and Carlisle had worked out the arrangements, but I was worried even so. Jacob still hadn't forgiven Edward for leaving me, and Edward still hadn't forgiven Jacob for manipulating my feelings during the fight against the newborns.
I hoped, prayed, that they could sort out their differences. If Jacob… got hurt, I could never forgive myself for doing that to Alexandra. If Edward died, my eyes filled with tears as I snuggled closer to him, I would ask to be destroyed, if not by the Volturi, by my own family or even the werewolves. I would not, could not live without him.
'Bella', my eyes whipped around to meet Carlisle's, 'I am afraid that you are the only person capable of fighting Jane. You will have to do it alone – she will simply use her powers against your ally. I'm sorry'.
I had seen it coming already, of course. I was simply the only person who could defeat her. And that scared me; the familiar doubts started creeping back.
'I will fight with Sam against Aro. He thought it was only fit if the allied leaders fought against the enemy's head'
Just as Carlisle finished, a slight gasp from Alice caused everybody to turn and look at her. Her eyes were blank, her mouth open. We waited with baited breath to hear what she had seen.
'The Volturi are coming. Now'.
Everybody looked to Carlisle – they were coming sooner than expected. The werewolves weren't here yet – what should we do? The question was clear in our eyes.
'We must face them with pride and honour and glory' Carlisle started his pep talk. 'We may lose some, but I have enough trust in all of you to protect yourselves and not do anything rash or stupid. This is not play. This is not wrestling in the woods. This unfortunate spat has now turned to violence. We have only one chance – we have to seize it. We have only one battle in order to win the war'.
Carlisle's words were cheesy and clichéd, I knew that, but they still instilled hope in me, in all of us. I watched the transformation around the room as each vampire, who had been seated with their couple, tender and soft in their separate embraces, now turned into warriors. Jaws were set, eyes darkened, nostrils flared as we gave over to our instincts.
We stood up as one and walked out of the house, running to the meadow that Alice had seen the fight-taking place.
They were waiting for us.
Impossibly intimidating in the long, black cloaks, they stood in a 'v' formation with Aro at the front, still creepily cheery despite the situation.
We arranged ourselves in a similar fashion, Carlisle at the head, greeting Aro with a nod of his head.
'Aro' Carlisle's voice was wary, eerily calm with underlying tones of aggression.
'Why, Carlisle! Why the hostility?' Aro's voice was ever jovial as he opened his arms, expecting an embrace of sorts.
'We know this is not a trip taken in leisure, Aro. Would you please tell us why you came'.
'Ah, now, Carlisle, that is a delicate matter. Why don't we sit down?'
'We'd rather stand' Edward snarled.
'Oh, Edward! I didn't quite see you there, and is your lovely Bella…? Why, yes! And how lovely she is, too! Any interesting gifts there, my dear?'
'No' I replied through gritted teeth, 'nothing of interest'.
'Ah, what a shame' Aro said, and he truly did seem disappointed, 'I think you would have enjoyed life at Volterra, Bella'.
'I disagree', I replied quietly.
'Well, Carlisle, should we get down to business matters?'
Carlisle nodded stiffly.
'Now, over the years, I have realised that you have accumulated quite the bunch, Carlisle, all with spectacularly unique powers. The thing is' Aro squinted, looking up at the sky in thought, 'we don't really like how unique the powers are. Not when they aren't under our power', his voice was suddenly menacing and deadly serious.
'I spoke with Marcus and Caius here, and they both agreed with me, that your dear little coven here is simply too big. I have brought my little guard here to offer to do you a favour, as such – a bit of 'spring cleaning', perhaps?'
'I am afraid that we will not accept your offer to 'spring clean' our family, Aro' Carlisle spoke calmly, although I could tell that his jaw was clenched shut.
'Ah, that is another shame, Carlisle – you are disappointing me tonight! Well then, we have no other choice!'
Each member of the Volturi guard crouched down in one, rehearsed movement, growling loudly, letting loose random snarls.
I slowly gave over to my instincts, letting myself feel more than I ever had before.
The wind rustling my hair, rippling the grass below me; the sound of my family's growls around me; the aggressive snarls ripping from our enemy's chests.
I knew that I would fight to the death to prevent any harm coming to us.
Carlisle was the first to move; streaking towards Aro in a movement so fast I barely even saw it. Aro stepped out of the way, but Carlisle almost seemed to know what was happening and spun around at the last moment, snapping at Aros' neck.
It was then that all hell broke loose. Each vampire streaked towards the other.
I stayed focused on my target; I knew that Jane would avoid me, as I was the only person impenetrable to her cruel mind game, but had to engage her in battle – it was the only way.
She was fighting, at the moment, with her twin, Alec against Edward. Rage bubbled up inside me as I watched them corner him. His face was screwed up in beautiful concentration as he tried to read both of their minds simultaneously.
I pushed off of a tree to my left and sprinted over to them, snapping at Jane's neck as I did so. Her head spun around, acknowledging my presence, and she dropped into a crouch, ready to defend her family.
I let loose a guttural snarl, my nostrils flared and my lips pulled over my teeth in a menacing expression.
I knew that she was trying to manipulate my emotions, trying to make me feel the pain through her powerful sight, but it wasn't working. Triumph electrified my bones as I saw her becoming more and more agitated.
Once she knew that her power was futile against me, her confidence fell. She became more aggressive to compensate for the loss of her gift.
She came streaking at me, but I dodged her blow, sending her off balance, careening into the border of trees.
I smirked triumphantly, but realised what she was doing. Jane gripped the tree trunk with both hands, crouched against it sideways and then pushed off, catapulting herself towards me at a ferocious speed.
We collided with a giant 'crack' like splitting marble, hurtling into a giant chestnut, with broke on the impact.
I snarled and leapt back up, unscathed.
I knew that I couldn't go straight in for the kill, and had to begin to wear her down bit by bit.
Crouching down, I coiled myself ready to spring; I jumped, but slower than I was capable of. Jane smirked at my slowness, but realisation hit her slowly as I rebounded off of a tree, hurtling towards her at a much higher speed. I managed to rip half of her hand off with my teeth.
She screamed in agony, her eyes facing up to the skies, and I took the chance to strike again.
I only realised she was faking her pain when she projected me across the field with a brutal blow to the chest.
I jumped back up again, but slower this time. My chest hurt with every breath I took, and I had to resign myself to cutting off my air supply, waiting for my shattered ribs to heal.
She was already on me, pushing me back down again. She had me on my back, my arm twisted painfully around, and was getting ready to tear it off when—
A wolf howled.
Jane's head swivelled around, trying to find the source of the sound.
A triumphant roar burst from my lips and I found an extra burst of strength as I freed myself from her grasp, cuffing her mightily around the head.
I heard the snap of her neck breaking, and gaped in horror as she simply jerked her shoulders to the right, bringing her head back to the right place.
I couldn't let that stop me, and launched myself at her again. I felt like I had retractable claws and scratched her down her face, causing four gaping, white wounds to appear over her eye.
I took my moment of advantage to look around me to see how the others were doing. The werewolves had flung themselves into battle, organised into formation, attacking their assigned opponent.
I was glad to see Demetri looking fairly devoid of fingers and limbs, a triumphant, terrifying Emmett standing over him, ready to deliver the fatal blow. A fearsome grey wolf stood over Demetri, pinning him down while the other danced around, pulling off limbs with a horrible screeching noise.
Rosalie and Leah were making easy work of Heidi; the mahogany-haired goddess didn't stand a chance against these two ferocious females. She was pinned against a tree, a terrified expression on her face as Rosalie and Leah closed in on her.
To my alarm, Esme was limping, although Demetri looked in much worse shape than her. He was missing half of his left arm, and a large chunk seemed to be torn out of his side.
Jasper and Alice were fighting Caius. Carlisle was right: they did make a lethal pair. Alice was predicting every move he would make, and Jasper was manipulating his emotions, presumably making Caius feel helpless, alone and desperate.
Carlisle was now fighting alongside a giant midnight black wolf that was moving around fairly quickly for such a large animal. Aro looked bewildered, distressed and horribly confused at the appearance of these new creatures. He was quickly losing hope.
The next fighting scene caused a dagger to go through my heart. Edward was fighting the tiny, beautiful, evil boy Alec. Alec was said to have the horrible power that made the Volturi invincible; whatever that was, Edward couldn't beat it, despite his gift. He was looking tired, although the fire in his eyes was still kindling. Alec was gleeful, obviously delirious at such an easy victory. He obviously didn't notice the two enormous wolves in the background, waiting to pounce.
I was captivated as they leaped, over Edward onto Alec, ravaging him, ripping him apart. Wails of pain echoed around the clearing as pieces of white marble flew through the air. Obviously Alec's 'indestructible power' was not so indestructible – he would be no more after Jacob and Edward had finished with him.
In my moment of distraction, Jane took the advantage. She leapt onto me, and got me into a headlock.
Impulsively, I grabbed her forearm and whipped her over so that she was on the floor.
She still had hold of my arm, though, and wrenched my arm.
Before I knew what was happening, a flash of bronze flew past me, bellowing 'NO!'
'Edward!' I screamed, sheer panic gripping my every cell.
I expected him to be writhing on the floor in pain, causing me to sob and weep and beg for Jane to stop, that I would sacrifice myself, just to see him out of the agony.
What actually happened was very different. While Edward was on the floor, Jane leaped at him, obviously trying to finish him while he was down.
My instincts ruled me and I dove in front of him, protecting him from her evil gaze.
Jane seemed to bounce off me, flying into a tree some fifty metres back.
Edward looked at me in amazement, still panting, trying to recover from the agony.
Jane streaked back to us, though, and I knew that I had no time to react. I leapt at her, jumping almost clean over her, except I planted my feet on her shoulders and grabbed her short hair, pulling with all my might.
The horrible ripping sound made me want to put my hands over my ears, but I knew, instinctively, that if I did, we would still be in danger. The awful splitting sound broke off, replaced with a split second of high-pitched screech.
Jane's head was dangling from my hands, tragically beautiful despite being separated from her body.
I broke down then. I was having an emotional overload.
The fear, the panic, the nerves were all relieved in one, quick movement.
I dropped to my knees, throwing Jane's head away, my head in my hands.
I was faintly aware that Edward was doing the rest of the job for me, and I was totally grateful. I couldn't have done that, even with a mind of steel.
My mind was dragged away from the horrible sight by the huge, hulking russet brown wolf nuzzling my neck in a comforting gesture.
The air was heavy with the putrid smoke of the seven vampires that were no more.
YAY! No one (we like) is dead and the Volturi are conquered! Yayyy!! It's now 04:36 and I still have two more chapters. Oh my god. LionsLamb