Edward urged me to search for more visions during the next few days. I would spend hours at a time, alone in a room, pushing my power to its limit. I would get some useful images, all showing positive things- which was relieving.

However, most of the time, I got useless little flashes- an outfit I was going to buy soon, a rare sunny day in Forks. Nothing that would help in our mission.

"It's because you're pushing yourself too much," said Jasper one afternoon as I ranted to him about my frustration while nervously unpacking and repacking my bags, all set for the trip to Volterra. Not that I needed to tell him for him to know, of course. "Stop letting Edward tell you what to do," he said. "Just take a day off. Relax." As his words left his mouth, a soothing aura spread throughout the room.

"I don't have time for that," I murmured, but I could feel myself giving in to his power.

"Edward's just worried about Bella," replied Jasper. "We all know she's going to be fine, but he refuses to accept it. Let that be his problem. I'm worried about you."

"But I want to help," I insisted.

"Then help," said Jasper. "But trust me, Alice, you're going to get nowhere like this. You need to relax. Let the visions come as they may."

I sighed and dropped the shirt I'd been clutching as I let the calm take over me. I sagged against Jasper in defeat. "Let's talk about something else," I suggested wearily. If I were still human, this would be a great time to take a nap.

His hand softly stroked my hair. "How are you liking being a vampire so far?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his tone.

I sighed and closed my eyes. "I like it, I guess. There's just been so much going on, I haven't had time to absorb it all, you know?" I paused. "It's ironic, in a way, I suppose. When I told my father about my power when I was still human, he saw me as a freak. And now, it's like...an invaluable tool."

"Don't worry," he said soothingly. "This will all be over soon, then we have all of eternity to do whatever you want."

Whatever I want. I opened my eyes and stared into his, red and gold, blood and topaz. "I want you," I whispered.

His hand, softly petting my hair, froze for a moment before continuing. Jasper was silent for a long time. "Not now," he murmured.

"Jasper...I don't know if I'm even going to survive this. I-"

"You will make it back," he said, swiftly cutting me off. "I'm sure of it. And when you do, we have all the time in the world. There's no need to rush."

I sighed, accepting of his words. "You shouldn't be so sure, though," I said quietly.

"Hmm?" he replied, distracted.

"Of me coming back alive."

"Why not?" he asked. "You and Bella are both extremely talented vampires, both with your powers and your minds. There's no reason to believe otherwise. And Alice?"

"Yes?"

"You're not a freak or a tool," he said, referring back to earlier in the conversation. "You're Alice," he said, a small smile spreading across his face.

I couldn't help but laugh, but abruptly stopped when I was once again reminded that this was one of our last days together for a few weeks- maybe even months. Possibly even forever. The prospect saddened me, but I didn't dwell on it- I wanted to focus on now and here.

That didn't last for long, though, as I was hit with another vision. A young blond female vampire, maybe about fifteen or sixteen, grinned sadistically as a much, much larger vampire writhed in pain on the floor at her feet. Her blood-red eyes swayed from his figure to me, and I gasped before it faded away.

Jasper's voice suddenly came through to me. "What was it? What did you see?" he asked sharply.

"Nothing relevant," I stammered. "It didn't involve Bella or me." That was true, but I was still terrified at what I had seen- I had underestimated the power of the Volturi. If its smallest members could have a vampire on the floor, begging for mercy, I didn't want to know what the rest could do.

Jasper still insisted that I told him, so slowly, I did. He looked thoughtful afterwards. "The smaller girl who was torturing him was definitely Jane- you don't have to worry about her. She can't get through Bella's shield. As for the larger one…" he didn't get to finish. The door was suddenly roughly pushed open- it barely stayed attached to the doorframe. Rosalie's face greeted us, her eyes frantic. She opened her mouth, gasping like she'd just completed a marathon.

"They're here."


A/N: The poll from last time is tied, so if you haven't voted yet, please go ahead and do.