INTERLUDE 4
I didn't want to let Katie go, even after the pain had subsided. I could feel her in my arms, and it felt right in a way nothing else had in well over a century. But she was still angry, and we still had a fight to win. I released her, but stayed close.
"Irina has been punished for bearing false witness against this child," Aro declared, and I felt Katie flinch in my arms. Lying bastard. Aro proceeded with a different tactic, and approached our group again to speak to our witnesses.
I couldn't help but glance at Mary, wondering how she would react if Aro questioned her. But her face told me everything. Mary was a consummate survivor, but I didn't see any sign that she was ready to leave. I almost felt proud that she was my sire. She had no investment in this, after all. Except the future of our species.
With every word that Aro said, he disgusted me more, creating an illusion of horror that did not truly exist. His lies sounded close to truths, except that I knew the Cullens, knew what the truth really was. Someone had to explain it to the nomads in the clearing.
I was suddenly struck with memories of Yorktown and every other battle I'd been a part of. I hoped someone on our side was ready to make a speech. God, I loved a good speech. And we needed one.