A/N: For all of you who were expecting the big confrontation this chapter... not happening! (I'd say 'Psych!' but that would date me.) There is a bit of a confrontation, and it's not my best writing (I'm not that good at the action stuff). It's leading up to the big one. Which, by the way, I have 5000 words written for so far. We're going to have at least one more chapter before that one.
I'm addicted to writing this! I couldn't let it go without updating another day! Enjoy, and please review.
The Cullens were waiting in the clearing, far from town, trying to keep the 'visitors' as far from Forks as possible. Alice had seen ten visitors, and was keeping an eye on them. They were coming quickly, but Hermione and Jacob would easily beat them to the clearing.
They were chatting about strategy when Amir stopped and looked Northeast.
"It's Hermione," he announced. "Five minutes."
"You didn't notice her before that?" Edward asked.
"I noticed one coming, I assumed since they were alone it was her, but it takes me until they're a certain distance for me to know exactly which one she is. The others are still a half hour behind."
"Good," Carlisle nodded.
"Just keep an eye..." Edward started, but he stopped short and looked South in surprise.
"What is it?" Jasper asked.
"The wolves. They're on their way here," he muttered.
"Why are they...?" but he didn't get a chance to finish before a black wolf entered the clearing, keeping well away from the vampires.
"Amir says there's ten coming, and that they'll be about an hour," Edward said towards the wolf, then paused. "He can sense others like us. He says his range is about a hundred miles. What are you doing here?"
Jacob's phased. He says there are a bunch of vampires coming to the area, Sam answered, not bothering to phase and talk to the group of vampires.
"I thought you didn't consider Jacob one of your own anymore," he hissed.
Doesn't mean we want a bunch of vampires running free through the town with only you lot to stop them.
"What, you don't think we can?" he snarled.
I'm not putting my faith into you, that's for damn sure.
That's enough of that! Hermione's voice cut in.
"What the hell?" Edward muttered, looking around, causing the rest of his family to do the same, even though she hadn't heard Hermione's voice.
If we want to win this, we have to put our differences aside and fight together, she kept going.
How are you doing that? Sam growled.
Combination of projected Legilimency style spells. Wandless magic. They only work when I'm in form, because you're minds are already open to that sort of thing.
In form?
At that moment the large russet wolf entered the clearing, followed by the smaller white wolf.
"Hermione?" Edward said, jaw dropping.
She responded by phasing back as she reached her family.
"Awesome," Emmett muttered.
"What's going on?" she asked quickly, disregarding the gaping looks she was getting from her family. They recovered quickly, and Amir filled her in on everything that they knew. The plan was to wait in the clearing, hopefully drawing the oncoming group to them, keeping the fight to the clearing, and getting it over with quickly. The day was cloudy, but there was no storm, no way to cover up the loud noises that would come from a prolonged vampire battle. Between the nine vampires and the wolves it wouldn't be difficult to get it done with, especially with Hermione's wand as their trump card.
They spent their time showing the wolves the most likely strategies the vampires would be using against them. When Amir announced 'two minutes' the wolves hid in the woods as the vampires waited in a line, Hermione's wand at the ready.
"That's odd," Amir muttered.
"What?" Hermione asked.
"One broke off, they're lagging behind."
"Tripped up?"
"Possibly," he said, but he didn't sound confident. However they didn't have time to discuss as several vampires burst out of the trees, hurtling towards them.
Hermione acted first, sending a stunning spell at one of the vampires, knocking them backwards into the trees. Before the vampire had a chance to get back up three wolves lunged at him.
Chaos erupted in the clearing as the rest of the wolves sprang forward, blocking the escape route for the crowd of vampires. Now trapped, the newcomers fought viciously. They did their best to only fight with the Cullens, and the wolves seemed a little loathe to get too close for fear of breaking the treaty. Emmett seemed to be in his element, happily lunging after one of the attackers, taking his arm off in one fluid motion while hurling the rest towards a waiting Rosalie.
Amir particularly seemed thrilled at the opportunity to deal a blow to the Volturi. He happily wrestled with one of them, snarling, snapping, ripping at anything he could reach as the vampire struggled against his grip.
"Victoria," Edward hissed next to Hermione, hurtling himself at the red-headed vampire. She ducked him, but was immediately struck by a Stunning spell hurtled by Hermione. They both launched themselves forward, but she ducked into the woods. They rushed forward, and were joined by Sam, who had seen her running towards the reservation, and Alice, who seemed to be fighting a vision.
Even Edward, who was the quickest of the three, couldn't catch up to Victoria, who was uprooting trees on her trek through the woods, causing them to lose precious seconds ducking the falling or fallen limbs.
"She's going to make it to La Push," Alice said loudly. "She knows we can't follow."
"Sam says he'll get her," Edward replied, though it didn't stop him from continuing his trek.
"No," Alice shouted. "It's Emily!" she looked in horror at Sam.
Sam whined and launched himself through the branches of a fallen tree, redoubling his effort to get to Victoria.
"I can get her!" Hermione shouted. "But I need to cross the line!"
Sam looked at her, then back towards La Push.
"Only you!" Edward relayed. "Emily's house. Go!"
"Think of it!" Hermione cast a quick Legilimency charm on Sam, then twisted mid-stride and disappeared. She re-appeared in the backyard of Emily's house. Emily, Kim, Rachel, Claire, and Claire's mother were all standing in the yard, barbecuing.
"Hermione?" Rachel shouted in surprise.
"Get inside!" she shouted back, but she didn't have time to elaborate as she saw red hair coming through the trees. She cast a Stunning spell towards Victoria, but she ducked behind a tree. Without stopping her wand motion she cast another, but Victoria stopped dead and Hermione's Stunner flew in front of her, where she had expected the red-head to be.
"That wand is not going to get me!" Victoria shrieked in laughter, reminding Hermione of Bellatrix, causing a quick wave of panic to flow down her spine. She hesitated for a moment, and that was all it took. Victoria launched herself at the group of Quileute women, none of whom had made any motion to go inside, all of whom were watching in mute horror at the scene in front of them. She was on a collision course for a screaming Emily.
"Avada Kedavra!" Hermione screamed, green light erupting from her wand, traveling lightning-fast towards Victoria. It collided with her feet from the group of women, and with a shriek Victoria was burned from the inside out, falling as a pile of ash at the feet of the stunned women.
"Are you alright?" Hermione asked, stashing her wand in her jeans and holding her hands in front of her.
"Yeah," Rachel was the only one who could answer, the others were still in shock.
Hermione's bizarre behavior with her hands was answered moments later as two large wolves emerged from the woods, hurtling towards her. Sam and Paul were running towards her, Paul looking livid.
"Wait!" Rachel said, rushing forward to stand next to Hermione. "She just killed that other vampire! Her ashes are right over there," she pointed frantically towards Emily's feet, where the remains of Victoria were scattering gently in the wind.
Sam looked from the ashes to Hermione.
"I'll leave right now," Hermione said slowly. "I just wanted to make sure they were okay."
Before anyone could say anything there was a crashing through the woods, and Jacob emerged, sliding between Sam, Paul, and Hermione, growling protectively.
"Wait, Jake," Hermione said, touching his shoulder gently, causing him to calm slightly, but still remain ready to pounce. "I had to take care of Victoria, I did, and I know I'm not welcome here. It's time for me to go." She turned towards the woods, and Jacob turned to follow.
"Now wait a minute!" Emily said, striding forward, not looking nearly as brave as her words came across. "Can we talk as humans? Please."
Sam shot her a look before stepping into the woods, Paul at his heels. Jacob phased on the spot and placed an arm protectively around Hermione.
"The others?" she asked quickly, under her breath.
"We got all of them except the one who lagged behind. They apparently turned around and bolted before they got to the clearing. They're on their way back to Seattle. Coward."
Sam and Paul were back within seconds, and Emily seemed much braver talking to humans rather than wolves.
"What is it?" Sam growled towards Emily.
"That vampire was coming after me," she told him, head held high. "And she shot some sort of green light at her, and she burst into flame. She saved my life, then she put the wand away and asked if we were alright. And now that she's done that you're kicking her out?"
"She's still a vampire!" Paul shouted.
"And she's practically my sister," Rachel retorted.
Sam looked lost in thought for a moment.
"Please, Sam," Emily whispered, reaching up and turning his head so she could look into his eyes. "She's a wolf's girl, just like the rest of us. Give her a chance."
Sam slowly turned towards Hermione, looking pained. "Thank you," he whispered, "for stopping her before she got to Emily. And, under the circumstances, I think it would be appropriate for us to relax the restrictions. But only for you, and only as long as you and all of your family behave."
"Really?" Hermione asked in shock.
"You are a wolf's girl," he said, looking at Jacob, who was beaming.
"Oh!" Rachel squealed, grabbing Hermione's hand and pulling her towards the other girls, who were looking excited and nervous at the same time. Kim was looking terrified, but Emily stepped forward to give Hermione a cautious hug.
"Thank you," she muttered, before pulling back. "I'm so used to hugging someone warm, it's kind of weird hugging you."
Hermione chuckled. "You just hugged a vampire witch, and you're going on about my body temperature?"
"Rachel and Jacob trust you, and that means I trust you." Behind her Kim nodded once.
"Can you do more magic?" Claire asked.
Hermione smiled, flicked her wand, and a bouquet of wildflowers erupted from the tip. She plucked the flowers from her wand and held them out for a smiling Claire. "Beautiful flowers for a beautiful little girl."
Claire inched forward, snatched the flowers, and returned to her mother's side with a small "Thank you."
Rachel held her arm out, showing her own carved wolf on a simple cord bracelet. "Let's see them, girls," she smiled at Hermione.
Hermione, Kim, Emily, and Claire all held out their wrists, each held the bracelets, which would be identical except each of the wolves had been painted a different color or made from a different color of wood.
"A true wolf's girl," Rachel smiled.
Hermione's phone rang, and in a quick motion she picked it up. "How is everyone?" she asked, knowing Alice didn't need a greeting. Within a second her face went even paler, and she was looking shocked. Terror in her eyes she looked as Jacob as she muttered, "We'll be right there."
"What's going on?" Jacob asked, feeling his stomach drop. Had one of her family not made it through the battle.
"That rogue vampire. The one that broke away. They weren't here to fight. The objective of this was not to capture me. They managed to do what they were here to do."
"What's going on?" he asked in surprise.
"They've got Bella."
"What?" Jacob and Sam shouted in unison.
"They knew it would be too hard to get me. They've taken her, thinking she's close enough to our family that we'd follow."
"We need to talk to your family," Jacob said, then he phased. They ran into the woods, and Hermione was surprised to see Sam and Paul following close behind.
You guys don't need to come, Jacob said.
One of those Bloodsuckers kidnapped a girl, we're there. Especially since it's Chief Swan's daughter, Sam replied.
Charlie! Jacob groaned. How are we going to tell him?
We'll get Billy on the way when we figure everything out.
They came across the clearing with Hermione in the lead. The vampires were talking quickly with the pack, who were all in human form. Sam, Jacob, and Paul phased as they reached the group.
"What the hell happened?" Hermione demanded.
"I'm sorry," Amir said, looking upset. "I stopped paying attention to where the rogue was during the fight. They must have left their group to grab Bella, and are now halfway back to Seattle. I'm having a difficult time picking them up."
"Where?" Hermione asked, spinning to look at Alice.
"I can't... I can't tell..." she said nervously. "Whoever it is must have some sort of shield ability."
"Renata," Carlisle and Amir muttered with looks towards each other.
"Aro must really have thought this would work to risk her," Amir said.
"So, they must be going to the airport in Seattle, right?" Hermione asked. "If I Apparate there I can stop them before they get on a plane."
"They might not even be going to Seattle," he replied slowly.
"What do you mean?"
"As I said, I'm having a hard time picking them up. She may be sending false signals, confusing me. Her signature goes from halfway to Seattle, to towards Spokane, to towards Portland. I'm not sure which to believe."
"Aren't there any tracking spells you could use?" Edward asked.
"No, there are tracking spells that detect the Trace on underage witches and wizards, and there are spells that help detect residual magic, but nothing to track a vampire who kidnapped a girl," she informed him, biting her lip.
"We could try the old fashioned way. Scent her," Carlisle suggested.
"That would probably only help us figure out which airport she left from," Sam growled.
"Why are they doing this?" Rosalie asked.
"Because Bella is the easiest of all of us to capture," Amir told her. "She's human, can't run, can't fight back. Her ties to Edward will make her go quietly, all they'll have to do is threaten him and she'll do as she's told. They're counting on that connection to draw the rest of us to Italy. They want you to come to them. They feel it's much safer to do 'business' on their grounds."
"Home-field advantage," Emmett growled.
"Exactly. It is not playing fair, but it worked quite well for us when I was a member of the guard. They have probably gotten a copy of that book, and know that you are loathe to let any creature's life go to waste if you can help it," he added, looking towards Hermione sadly.
Suddenly everyone was looking at Hermione, as if they expected her to tell them what to do next. And she wasn't sure what she should do. Walking into Volterra was what they expected, and it would put her family and Jacob into great danger should they go. But she was saved from having to respond by Alice going into a trance.
"We should go to Bella's house," Alice muttered as she came out of it. "I'm seeing a piece of paper we should look at."
"You, Edward, Amir, Jacob and I will go," Hermione said. "The rest of you, get whatever you might want together, in case we have to make a quick exit. Meet in the woods behind Bella's house as quickly as you can."
The group broke apart without any objection, and Hermione's small group ran into the town. It was dark out, so they could move easily, and before long they were outside the Swan's house.
"Does he know?" Hermione asked, eying the cruiser in the driveway.
"Not yet," he shook his head.
"Sam was saying that he's sending Billy over," Jacob said. "For support, and to buy us some time before he freaks out and calls the higher-ups."
"And what is Billy going to tell him?" Hermione asked. "That she ran off with Edward?"
"That might work well," Amir said.
"Charlie would still put out an APB," Jacob said grimly. "But it might buy us a little time."
"Maybe it's time to clue Charlie in to what's really going on in his town," Alice suggested softly.
"No," Edward said firmly. "We'd be putting him in danger if he knows."
"There' a good chance his daughter isn't going to survive this, in one way or another," Amir said. "He should be prepared for that probability."
"Hermione has her antivenin. I trust it to work."
"You're putting a lot of stock into something that hasn't been tested yet," Hermione hissed. "He should know what's happening, otherwise I doubt even Billy can stop him from calling in reinforcements for the time we'll need. You don't think it's the least bit suspicious that you haven't been talking to her, and all of a sudden she runs away with you?"
"You don't know Bella's feelings for me," he replied glumly.
"Still. It might be best to be upfront with him. I'd be surprised if he doesn't have a bit of a suspicion, at least deep down. I can always Obliviate him later, if we get Bella home okay."
"And if we don't?"
"He has a right to know what killed his daughter," she said quietly.
"On the same token your parents have a right to know what happened to you," he shot back.
Her jaw set as she shot him a look of anger. "It's up to a vote. Do we tell him?"
"It might be for the best," Jacob muttered. "It would give us a clear chance at getting out of the country without being stopped."
"The alternative is breaking out of jail, which is difficult to do without exposing us or killing someone, and then we would have to get into the debate on how many lives Bella's is worth," Amir added.
"I hate to agree, but..." Alice started, with an apologetic look.
"Fine," Edward huffed. "Who tells him?"
"I think it would be best if Alice and Jacob does it," Hermione said.
"Why us?" Jacob asked.
"Alice has the best rapport with all our family with him, and you're like the son he's never had, Jake."
"Can we just do this?" Edward said, growing visibly impatient.
"Fine. Alice, Jacob, go," Hermione said. "As soon as Billy gets here, let him take over. We'll meet you back outside."
With nods Jacob and Alice rushed to the front door. Hermione, Edward, and Amir rounded the back of the house, and when they heard Charlie answer the front door they vaulted up to Bella's open window. Her room showed signs of a small struggle, Bella must have been startled and fought her intruder, but was probably quickly overpowered.
"Definitely Renata," Amir muttered, sniffing the room.
"Her backpack is gone," Edward said, eyes scanning the room quickly. "Some of her clothes and things as well."
"This must be the piece of paper Alice was talking about," Hermione said, picking up a folded sheet of notebook paper which was sitting atop the dresser. "It's addressed to you," she said, holding it out to Edward. He unfolded it quickly and read aloud:
Edward,
I'm sorry. For everything. Please tell Hermione and Jacob that I'm very sorry, too. I miss Jake's friendship more than he knows.
Please don't follow me. I think it's what she wants. I love you.
Bella
"Underneath that there's a note not in her writing," Edward said.
"What's it say?" she asked.
"'You have four days. You know where to go.' Signed by Renata."
There was a ripping sound from below them, and they all looked down to the floor.
"Charlie challenged Jacob to 'Prove it'," Edward muttered. "He's not suffering from a heart attack, but he's close to passing out. Billy is a minute away."
"What are we going to do?" Amir asked.
"We're going to have to settle this, one way or another," Hermione whispered, looking up at each of them in turn. "Of course, I can't ask you to come with. They want me. I'll go, see if I can get her back, or at least out of there before..."
"I'm coming," Amir announced firmly. "I owe our dear friends a visit."
"I'm going," Edward nodded. "Alice and Jacob are telling Charlie right now that they're going to Italy to try to get Bella back, so they're in."
She bit her lip, but decided not to fight. "Let's go," she muttered, jumping out the window.
They were joined in the backyard by Alice and Jacob, who were both looking saddened and exhausted.
"He didn't believe us at first, but Jacob proved our story quite pointedly," Alice told them as they started running through the woods. "Billy's not happy we spilled the beans, but we don't have time to debate it with him. Charlie says he won't call anyone, and Billy's going to camp out here until we figure out what's going on."
When they reached the house they found all the Cullens, as well as all the wolf pack, all surrounded by small bags. Embry, Esme, and Carlisle were on the phones, each chatting quickly.
"You're coming?" Jacob asked Sam.
"She saved Emily, I owe her. I gave everyone the choice, and they're all coming. Embry is telling Leah and Seth what is going on, they're saying they want to come, too."
"We protect our own," Quil said. "And those they imprinted on," he added.
Jacob looked over the men who had kicked him off his tribe's land just a few months before, but shrugged and held a hand out to Sam, who shook it once.
"They're using the 'emergency stash' you left them to get to London as fast as possible," Embry announced, closing the phone.
"Our Denali friends are going to join us in London as well," Esme added before returning to the phone.
"I have a flight for all of us leaving in four hours," Carlisle said, nodding towards his phone. "It's the earliest I could get."
"I'm going ahead," Hermione said loudly. "I'm going to go talk to Harry and Ron."
"Can I come with?" Jacob asked.
"It's a several jump Apparation," she said. "It's going to be very exhausting."
"I'm up for it. I don't want to leave you," he said, snatching her hand as if he was afraid she'd leave without him.
"We'll meet you in London, then," she said, looking around.
"We'll meet you there," Edward said, and Sam nodded in agreement.
"See you soon," she nodded, wrapping herself around Jacob and disappearing.
