As the snow fell gracefully from the sky, the only sound present in the field was that of snow crunching under the weight of feet. All together, vampires from each corner of the world stood as one on one side of the snow-blanketed clearing. The Volturi advanced a little after the Cullens and their witnesses had stopped to wait for them. After a quick count through the fog of winter, it was obvious that they were greatly outnumbered. It was to be expected, the Volturi always made sure to be greater in number than all other vampire covens combined. This was how they retained their superiority.
Cara clenched her fists tight underneath her all-too-familiar black cloak. She spied around her a few others who were there unwillingly. Not from their stern faces, but from their thoughts.
The child does not look immortal, her eyes are not red.
I can hear a heartbeat from where I stand, I do not want to risk my life for a misunderstanding.
The only one who is right to die is the liar who reported this child.
No child I've seen has ever been a threat, just annoying.
If only Aro's thoughts were as sensible. The silence was broken by the sound of much larger footsteps approaching and then a great howl which shook Cara to her bones. She'd merely heard of the wrath of wolves in passing. She'd never actually seen one. What a god awful first. There were so many of them so quickly. They snarled and showed their teeth, instilling fear in even Aro. Still, they continued on with the façade of unwavering courage and determination. After a pregnant pause, Carlisle stepped forward, humility and gentleness in his thoughts.
"Aro… let us discuss things as we used to: in a civilized manner." Carlisle's voice was soft but stern. As a doctor, he had to at least try to save lives.
"Fair words, Carlisle—but a little out of place considering the battalion you've assembled against us."
"I can promise you—that was never my intent. No laws have been broken."
"We see the child! Do not treat us as fools!"
"She is not an immortal!" Carlisle piped up with strength in his tone, "These witnesses can attest to that… or you can look. See the flush of human blood in her cheeks—"
"Artifice!"
"I will collect every facet of the truth." Aro said, raising his hand to silence his brother, "but from someone more central to the story…" he looked at Edward, "Edward." He said as if recognizing an old friend, "As the child clings to your newborn mate—I assume you were involved." Edward touched the child's head tenderly and shot a look to Bella. Cara couldn't help but cringe seeing her once more. As Edward walked off, the child walked around Bella and sought refuge, instead in a wolf standing close by. They, too, shared a look, the feeling between them could only be described as unconditional love. Astounding.
Aro hungrily took Edward's hand, reviewing over his life once more. He enjoyed the early years of Cara and Edward, he enjoyed watching the nights they shared. Edward and Cara gave him disgusted looks. Aro enjoyed even more watching Bella and Edward's faulty intimacy whilst she was human. It disgusted them. Cara sighed quietly as she saw the child's birth. They called her Renesmee.
"I'd like to meet her." Aro admitted softly, looking back at the child. Edward looked unwillingly at him, still disgusted by his obvious enjoyment over Edward's sex life. He gave a look to Bella whom then began approaching, Renesmee and the wolf following suit. She stopped for a moment and looked at the man Cara saw at the bonfire in the 30's. They'd planned this earlier—since he was the strongest she wanted his ability to protect her. They walked to Aro, the tension building.
"Ahhh, young Bella," he said her name peusdo-seductively, more for the meaning of the word than her name. Cara knew the feeling, "Immortality becomes you," he said with a boyish smile. His smile grew wider as he looked at the child, her heartbeat was louder than 1000 marching bands, it nearly drowned out Aro's horridly girlish cry of excitement, "I hear a strange heart." Aro held out his hand, expectantly as Renesmee inched nearer.
"Hello, Aro." Renesmee said calmly. Her voice stunned Cara. Not only did the child look like her when she was young, but also sounded just as she did. Renesmee looked at Aro's hand and up at his face. She shocked him as her hand inched up to his cheek and rested upon it. Cara paid close attention to his mind. It was nota thought nor sight that she transferred through her touch. Only an understanding. It was stronger than any pain Jane could inflict, it was trust. Aro's eyes widened, "Magnifico." He said slowly, "half mortal, half immortal." Aro announced with confidence as Bella pulled her kin close to her side protectively, "Conceived and carried by this… newborn… while she was still human."
"Impossible." Caius muttered a little too loudly. Aro whipped around, his anger rising.
"Do you think they fooled me, brother?" A long growl accompanied the growing tension as Aro advanced. Caius was speechless and afraid as Aro glanced at the wolf before it walked off. For a moment, Aro entertained the idea of coaxing one of the wolves to join the coven, but soon thought against it.
"Bring the informer forward." Caius said, never taking his eyes off Aro. A blonde vampire trudged forward, fearing the coming of her execution before her sisters, "Is that the child you saw?" Caius said with anger as the guards gathered around them. The fearful vampire looked over at Renesmee and down to the ground.
"I'm not sure," she admitted.
"Jane?"
"She's changed! This child is bigger!"
"Then your allegations were false."
"The Cullens are innocent. I take full responsibility for my mistake." She looked over to her sisters, the sadness audible in her shaky voice, "I'm sorry."
"Caius, no!" Edward shouted, but it was done.
"IRINA!" the scream was ear-splitting as the two sisters ran forward, some vampires on their side grabbing them immediately. In their struggle, the child was lifted on to the wolf she so loved.
"Blind them." Edward said maintaining composure and going to one of them, talking quickly, "Tanya—this is what they want, if you attack now, we'll all die." The one called Tanya reasoned this and relaxed. A few guards gathered around Aro protectively. Edward walked over to his daughter and fell to the ground upon Jane's glance.
"Pain." She whispered before he writhed in the snow. Jane enjoyed watching her victims squirm. She felt like a god. Cara breathed heavily and watched as Bella attempted to project a shield. It failed. Cara closed her eyes and projected her own shield around them. Jane looked frantically at the others, wanting her sense of power again. Cara's shield was impenetrable.
"It's working." Edward whispered, taking his place near his wife. Jane stared at Bella angrily, thinking it was, indeed, Bella's shield. Aro looked back straight at Cara, knowing it had to be her. He glared at her, imagining him ripping her head off her shoulders for betraying him. Cara didn't bat an eyelash. Alec opened his palms, emitting a dark cloud, Aro put up his hand, keeping his eyes on Bella. He didn't want to keep seeing Cara protect the Cullens.
"Aro, you see there's no law broken here."
"Agreed." Aro stepped closer, "But, does it then follow that there is no danger? For the first time in our history, humans pose a threat to our kind. Their modern technology has given birth to weapins that could destroy us. Maintaining our secret has never become so imperitive… in such perilous times. Only the known is safe. Only the known is tolerable. And we know nothing of what this child will become. Can we live with such uncertainty? Spare ourselves a fight today… only to die tomorrow." Some faithful guards held on each word, gasping and letting out concerned 'oh no's' Chelsea and I shared a look and then back at Aro. It was silent for a few moments then Aro gasped, looking at the trees.
"Alice."
"Alice!"
Alice walked through the snowy ground, Jasper following closely. He looked up at Cara surprised and then looked at Aro. Cara was ashamed by the inky cloak hanging on her shoulders. Demetri walked up to them and pushed them back, Felix coming forward to help Demetri restrain Jasper.
"My dear, dear Alice, we're so glad to see you here after all."
"I have evidence that the child won't be a risk to our kind… let me show you."
"Brother," Demetri loosened his grip on Alice's chest. She walked by him, hitting his arm hard in the process. Jasper looked at Cara once more.
You're one of them? He thought sadly.
I had no choice.
Demetri followed his gaze and slapped Jasper hard. Cara looked down as Jasper struggled in an attempt to return the blow. Chelsea looked at Cara with concern and both their heads sprang up when Alice spoke.
"It doesn't matter what I show you! Even when you see—" she venomously whips her hand out of his, "You still won't change your decision!" she turned slowly and said a low, slow 'now' to Bella.
"Take care of my daughter." Bella whispered to the wolf as he ran off into the woods with her on his back like a horse from hell.
"Get them." Caius ordered as the hell of Alice's boot met Aro's chin. The world stopped as the first blow of the battle was delivered.
"Take her away."
"Let her go!" Carlisle rushed towards Alice, pushing away the guards that ran to stop him. There was a clash in the air and in a moment, Aro smiled his most devious smile and dropped Carlisle's head to the ground. Cara might have fallen to her knees if Chelsea had not held her up. It was personal now, Aro would not leave this clearing alive. Aro raised his arms as many of the guard rushed around him to attack the Cullens. Cara rushed over while Aro's back was turned, her hands outstretched, ready to end this bloodthirsty monster that Aro was. In an instant, he turned to Cara, catching her by her hair. She let out a cry of anguish.
"And just where do you think you're going? Hm?" He pushed her back as Marcus and Caius stood beside Aro, "We cannot risk you losing your head in a brawl with your lover, now can we? No, no, no, no, my cara…" he stroked her cheek and then held her neck tight, you will stay here… where I can be sure that you are protecting us, not fighting us." Aro released her, holding her behind him. She looked around wildly for anyone she could project a shield upon, her eyes immediately staying on Jasper. She projected her shield which combined with Bella's. Cara smiled until a strong hand across her cheek broke her concentration.
"Who are you to keep Jane from restoring peace in this world? Can't you see she loves to use her powers?" Aro scolded. Cara desperately looked over Aro's shoulder in time to watch as Demetri chop his head from his shoulders. Alice's scream was worse than Esme's. Cara shook her head, feeling the tears of rage forming as Chelsea slapped her hand.
Stop protecting them, you'll be murdered!
Aro cannot kill me here… not in front of everyone. It is a sign of weakness. Chelsea was taken aback, not expecting a response to her thoughts. She looked at her sadly, her next thought a desperate whisper.
I won't lose my best friend
Cara looked up at her and grabbed her hand, squeezing it tight. Cara looked back into the crowd and saw Edward who met eyes with Demetri. Demetri grind his teeth when he saw Edward, knowing the history between him and Cara—it was apparently being told to any guard Aro saw fit to tell—Edward did the same, knowing the history between Demetri and Cara as well, they charged at each other, thoughts racing.
I will help you as best as I can, Edward.
In that moment, Demetri gained the advantage, getting on top of Edward and punching him rapidly. Cara looked around for anything that may give Edward when the earth split. Edward fell through the divide in a moment. Cara quickly focused on suspending a sheet of rocks, giving him ground to stand upon and to shield him. Demetri walked away, feeling satisfied before Edward jumped over the rocks and tore Demetri's head off, throwing his body across the tear at Jane's side. Cara fixed on Aro, his eyes full of fear as his precious Jane was pursued by a vengeful Alice. When the wolf tore off Jane's head and flung it to the side, it became personal for Aro. The blonde vampires killed Caius, poor Marcus following suit. Cara gave a small smile, she knew the poor man was happier dead, this was no life for him. Aro stepped forward into the fight.
If Aro is harmed, we must attack.
I will not kill a loved one for such a brute.
They may not feel as compassionate.
Cara turned to Edward, watching him struggle with Aro holding his arms.
Jump on him. Pull off his head.Cara projected into Bella's mind.
Bella took the advice unquestioningly. Cara melted the snow beneath Aro, allowing a finer slip. As Aro's head tumbled onto the snow, the guards ran past her, attacking Bella and Edward. Cara undid her cloak and ran to fight off the guards when a large black wolf engulfed her view. She felt its teeth around her neck as she heard from a distance her name being screamed. It was Edward.
As Aro let go of Alice's hand, Cara looked up from the snowy ground. She stared at the burned body of the girl called Irina, the smell of fiery hair wafting through the crowd. Cara looked at Edward with a deep sadness, his look was only that of satisfaction.
He will not harm any of us, Cara.
I'm not sure…
Cara searched Edward and Alice's mind for the source of their confidence. It was another hybrid. Somehow, such a thing is possible.
He will kill you for what you showed him. Maybe not today, but such a day will come… Cara stifled a cringe and looked towards the trees. I refuse to watch you die, Edward. Not today, not ever. I love you far too much.
He will not kill me.
He will… you have not seen the things he has done, Edward. You are not as afraid of him as you rightfully should be. She looked at Edward then closed her eyes, projecting to him a vision of Aro's head popping off his neck and then Cara appearing beside him, holding the severed head like a trophy. I must end him before he can bring harm to you. She disappeared and stayed invisible as she silently made her way over the crowd and next to Aro.
"But what if you were sure she could remain concealed from the human world? Could we leave in peace?" Edward called over, hoping Cara knew to stop.
"Of course, but that cannot be known."
"Actually, it can." Edward said grinning at Alice. Cara read her thoughts as well, seeing the man before he walked through the snow. Astonishing. She returned to her place next to Chelsea, remaining undetected by the others. As the hybrid spoke, Cara's breathing calmed slightly as she turned visible, reading Aro's thoughts. Now, it mattered not what this half human said, he just wanted to leave the bloodied clearing.
"Dear ones…" Aro began, turning away from the hybrid and allowing fear to drip from his words, "There is no danger here…" Aro looked at Cara, not forgetting her betrayal of the Volturi, even in a future that no longer existed, "We will not fight… today." As a few members turned to leave, Cara stayed, watching Edward's face go from triumphant to worried as he read Aro's thoughts.
Get away from them, Cara… They will kill you well before they kill me.
Will you protect me if they try?
She watched his face as he looked down, ashamed, I can't.
Cara bit her lip, holding back tears and turning, walking next to Chelsea, Goodbye, Edward. Cara put her shield back up and ran with the others. Chelsea helped her get off the course and hide away until the others were long gone so she could escape again.
...
Hello, all of my lovelies! Yes, this chapter was meant to be posted Monday but I felt lazy and didn't want to transcribe the fight scene, but yesterday I did because I thought isn't it silly that I'm procrastinating on a chapter that's basically already written for me? So, today, almost our last Wednesday together for this story, I give you three chapter, this being the first of them. Today I will post the near end of part two and next week I will post the end and our final goodbye. But, hold your tears back, my darlings. After a short, well-deserved break I shall dive into a bit of research and begin plotting my next story which shall be published on FictionPress. I may publish a few poems so you know I haven't died in the interim but do watch for my posting there. Anyway, as I've told you last chapter, the bold italics are Cara projecting thoughts in other's mind while the italics are just thoughts, unspecific to whose thoughts but I have mentioned who thought it so I believe it flows well. This is a long one since I didn't cut much out. But all credit to 80% of the dialogue goes to Summit films, Stephanie Meyer, Twilights Best youtube channel and the like. I feel its also important to say that, as many already know, in Italian, bella means beautiful, which I think is why Aro goes a notch above creepy when he says her name. Also, cara in Italian means dear (which you may not know... unless you speak Italian). So, ya, I think that's just about everything. The next two chapters are coming shortly. Cheers!