"Everything will be okay," Edward tells me quietly as he slips into his rental car. I nod at him, trying not to feel anything at all, as I sit down in our own car. Jasper closes the door for me and slides in beside me, his gaze full of concern.
"I'm okay." I tell him, giving an unconvincing smile. He sighs and brushes his thumb against the back of my hand comfortingly.
"No, you're not." He looks out of the window and shakes his head, looking determined. "But you will be. Everything will be okay soon, darlin'."
"I hope so." I bite my lip, a bad habit I've never managed to ditch since childhood, and concentrate on hoping that everything goes okay. Edward knows what he's doing, he knows that Cynthia will be trying to get his attention. All he has to do is listen.
The drive to the castle is over relatively quickly, compared to the endless drive on the first day of our trip. I brace myself and then step out of the car into the warm air, looping my arm through Jasper's and letting him guide the way, the way he always does. Edward is already waiting at the castle doors – everyone drives slower when I'm in the car. I'm told that it's hard to concentrate when there's a human heart beat drumming at a hundred beats per minute, which is what mine seems to go up to when they drive so recklessly.
Edward's hand hovers in the air, poised to knock, when the door swings open and the little blonde vampire named Jane stares at us blankly from the other side. "No need to knock. We all know you're here." She turns on her heels and begins to walk away, throwing, "Follow me," over her shoulder to us.
We follow her almost dumbly, no-one saying a word. The only gesture that passes between all of us – that's including Rosalie, Esme, Carlisle, and Bella, plus Jasper, me and Edward – is Jasper squeezing my hand and worried glances all around. The only sound is Rosalie's heels clicking against the cold stone floors, and a sigh of irritation from Jane as she swings open yet another pair of double doors. I see Cynthia almost instantly, her head snapping up from the noise of our entry.
I smile for her, and she beams up at me proudly. I give her a tiny wave and she waves back. I so badly want to go to her and reassure her that everything will be alright, but how can I possibly? She's the one with a plan, after all.
Still gripping Jasper's hand like my only lifeline, I watch the scene unfolding. The Volturi discuss together in hushed voices too quiet for me to hear. I only see the quick movements of their pale lips. I watch Cynthia as she concentrates on her thoughts, unbeknownst to the Volturi members who mutter amongst themselves. Edward nods minutely every now and then, and then turns to face the Volturi, who now face us.
"Welcome, friends," Aro says, a menacing smile fixed on his fake expression. "I'm sure you have made your decision by now. Alice, why don't you tell me your choice?"
I look to Edward. He shakes his head, so I stay silent, simply watching. The room stays quiet like this for about a minute, when a cough is heard at the back of the room. I turn to see the source of the noise, and see Joshua stepping forward. I wonder what he's doing and want to stop him, sure that he's going to sabotage our plan, but Edward puts a hand out in front of me, so I watch the scene unfold.
"If I may show you something…" Joshua says, reaching out a hand to Aro. Aro takes it, somewhat suspiciously, and his eyes light up with joy. I frown, confused, as the two watch each other. Edward smiles at me.
"What a talent!" Aro marvels, clapping his hands together in joy. He turns to the rest of us. "The ability to project thoughts into other people's minds…a reverse of Edward!" I raise my eyebrows at Jasper. A hidden talent, clearly, as none of us had heard of it before now.
"And you're undiscovered…not part of a coven?"
Joshua shakes his head. "I have an offer to make."
"Oh?" Aro asks, trying to sound uninterested. Everyone knows that he's dying to invite Joshua into his coven, and I wonder what this has to do with Cynthia, who stands on the other side of the room on her tiptoes, trying to see what's going on.
"I will willingly join your coven, let you make full use of my power, in exchange for Cynthia being released to her family. Forever, no strings attached." He says, and I'm astounded by his kindness towards a little girl he's only ever said two words to. I look up at Jasper, a look of shock on my face, and he smiles, squeezing my hand gently.
Taking a moment to confer with his coven-mates, Aro turns around. For the time they discuss, I hold my breath. After what seems like an eternity, Aro reaches out a hand. "Offer accepted."
I let out the breath in a huge sigh and Cynthia grins a smile that could match the Cheshire Cat's, running into my arms. "Cindy!" I yell, hugging her tightly to my chest. "I've missed you so much, baby,"
"I'm not a baby!" Cynthia squeaks from my tight hold. She wriggles free and touches my face like she's forgotten what my touch feels like. "I missed you too, Ali. And Auntie Lilly."
"Yeah, I miss her too." I look to Jasper, take one of his hands and one of Cynthia's, and hug them both. "Let's go home. Let me just talk to Joshua first. Then we can leave, okay?"
"Are we going on a plane?" I hear Cynthia ask as I walk away. I almost laugh at the thought of Jasper explaining their mode of transport for going half way across the world and watch the both of them for the whole time I walk away.
Joshua is staring at the floor when I reach him. I hit his arm gently. "Hey," I say. He smiles at me, and looks to Cynthia.
"They're good together." I look back, too. Cynthia is in Jasper's arms, and he's pointing out all the interesting things inside the castle while she watches in awe. I smile.
"He's the best thing that's ever happened to me." I tell Joshua, smiling sadly. "And I never thought anything like it would."
"I think he thinks the same about you." He says earnestly. "He looks at you like you hung the moon and the stars."
"He's bias." I roll my eyes. "Anyway…I wanted to thank you for doing that. You don't know how much it means to me. She's so little, and she needs her family. I need to keep her safe – not that I've done a good job so far."
"I've heard what you've done. You saved another little girl's life. You're doing just fine, Alice. Enjoy your own life. It's too short to worry."
"Not if I have anything to do with it." I counter. Joshua tilts his head.
"He's going to change you?" He asks. I shake my head.
"No, probably not. But one way or another," I say, glancing at Jasper again, "I will spend forever with that boy, if he likes it or not."
A/N:
Hey guys. Hope you like this chapter. Review for a sneak peek of the next chapter.
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