Disclaimer:
I don't own Twilight :( However, this original twist to the plot is original… I hope, so enjoy!
Chapter 36- Full Circle
Rebecca POV:
My hands shook slightly as I laced my old black boots, they were worn… slightly burned and dirty, but they were comfortable and easy to maneuver in. My thoughts raced back to the last time I'd warn them around the Voltrui. It was… what seemed like years ago.
I pulled the loops of the bow to tight and the knot came undone.
A long sigh left me, I wiped my forehead with my sleeve. I quickly re-tied the knot and stood up, looking around my room. It was full of my stuff, jackets, shoes, my few possessions that had made it all the way to Washington with me…
I stared at the tall mirror in the corner, and saw my lavender eyes looking back at me. They were drawn to the abnormally artistic scar on my forearm, the calligraphic 'V' branded onto my skin. I looked around the room again, seeing the locket Heidi gave me for my eight birthday, Luke's sword, my tattered hiking backpack, Savel curled up on the corner of my bed, and the Volturi's Law Book.
I've come full circle, I thought to myself, rubbing the ring on my index finger.
I squeezed my eyes shut and focused hard on the candle that I knew was flickering on the bookshelf to my left. Electricity seared through my veins and leapt into my heart, when I opened my eyes, smoke drifted from the candle's vacant wick. I unfolded my palm and felt lips tug into a slight smirk at the little flickering light in my hand.
I was nervous, but I could hand le this, I assured myself.
I was wearing all black, as I used to wear every day, but I know found it fitting. The colors were serious, the clothing was comfortable and it moved as I did… a pair of loose black pants that had once been mountain-camo that I dyed black while I was in England, a plain black T-Shirt, and my black coat.
At least that was one thing that hadn't changed much.
I patted Savel's head gently. Jacob had agreed to watch her if… something happened. He had actually come to like my little wolf-pup, he found her funny. The first time she saw him in his wolf form, and smelled that he was the same, she barked and wagged her tail. Secretly, I think that Savel thinks that Jacob-wolf is her older brother.
Downstairs, everyone was just about prepared to leave. Dylan took my hand and squeezed it gently,
"Ready?" He asked softly. I quickly drank a 'smoothie' of fruits, vegetables and milk that Carlisle suggested would have enough protein, carbs, sugars and calories to keep my energy up for the entire day.
"As I'll ever be." I muttered.
The clearing itself was the same one the Cullens used to play baseball during stormy weather. It was larger than several football fields, and just as wide. The grass was now submerged in a thick layer of snow, six inches or so deep. Assembled in a fanned out line, we waited anxiously. I heard them long before I saw them, and I'm sure that the others heard them before I did. No matter how calm and prepared I thought I was, the sight of grey cloaks marching into view made me flinch and cower back a half-step.
"You're okay, I won't let them touch you." Dylan said soothingly, wrapping his arms around my torso. I wished Jasper was here. My heart was racing, I forced myself to take deep breaths in an attempt to calm myself. My nightmares flew before my eyes, but now they seemed much more real. Because the Volturi were right there.
"I'm okay." I whispered, swallowing hard… they were close enough for me to see their faces. Felix and Alec walked slightly off to the side, their eyes averted from Aro, Marcus and Cauis in the center, heads slightly bowed. I noticed that Felix's shoulder was crooked, as if had been forced out of place and barely contained a hiss.
My eyes then fell on Heidi, who looked as though she was searching for something. Her eyes then met mine and went wide. A relieved smile graced her lips, but her eyes were sad. I returned a tentative smile, but she quickly looked away. Jane was glaring at her with an expression I could only read as fury, and Demitri smirked openly next to her. I felt my lip curl back over my teeth slightly, their hostility seemed to me both unnecessary and misplaced. We were here because of Renesmee, not because of personal vendettas.
I watched as their ranks halted, and Aro scoured our own ranks, and seemed disappointed.
"He's disappointed Alice isn't here." Edward said through gritted teeth. "Alistar was right, they came to gather and conquer. They've had several plans in place from the beginning, none of which involve leaving Renesmee alive…" He glanced at me, "or Rebecca with us."
"Good thing it's not their choice." I growled lowly, and saw Bella tensing slowly, her muscles coiling with her building anger. Another growl of mine echoed hers.
"What are they doing now?" She demanded,
"They're not sure how to proceed. They're weighing options, choosing targets- me, of course, you, Eleazar, Tanya. Marcus is reading the strength in our ties to each other, looking for weak points. The Romains presence… irritates them. They're worried about the faces they don't recognize- Zafrina and Senna especially- and the wolves naturally. They haven't been outnumbered in millennia. Naturally, they are also aggravated by your presence among us, Rebecca." His lips twitched slightly.
Outnumbered, I mused. Interesting, I knew how uncomfortable that must be for Aro.
"Outnumbered?" Tanya whispered incredulously, gazing over the rows upon rows of witnesses.
"They don't count their witnesses." Edward said quickly,
"Because their witnesses won't fight for them. They are… like a jury, but have little power over the final decision. They're mostly for show." I explained to her.
"Should I speak?" Carlisle asked after a pause.
Edward hesitated, I gave him a discrete nod, "This is the only chance you'll get." He said.
Carlisle let out a breath and stood up straighter, like a warrior walking to the lion's den and took several long strides forward. Smartly, he held his arms wide with palms up in a universally peaceful gesture, and spoke clearly, "Aro, my old friend," I saw Aro's eyes twitch slightly, he had yet to see me though he knew I was here and was focused on Carlisle, "It's been centuries."
The entire guard was silent as Aro leaned forward with a skeptic expression. His eyes swept our ranks again and, like a lead weight, finally found me to rest upon. His frown deepened as he turned back to Carlisle, my hands started shaking. Aro stepped forward to the front of the Volturi formation, causing the ever-stressing Renata to worriedly flitter around behind him. Corin hissed at her in annoyance, as he was no doubt trying to focus on Carlisle… he was one-hundred-percent ready to attack, and waiting for a signal. I wished to be standing by Carlisle, protecting him from what I knew was the much more brutal side of the Guard.
Demitri, Corin, Renata and Santiago suddenly found themselves hissing at each other behind and around Aro. I felt my eyes go wide, the guard never… argue. They must be stressed, worried even. Aro caught my expression and knew precisely what I was thinking, his own eyes widened slightly in panic. I'd caught onto to his secret, the guard was not as stable as it once was.
"Peace." He said evenly, and the guard instantly straightened up out of their crouches. He faced Carlisle with a stony expression, "Fair words Carlisle, considering the army you've gathered to kill me, to kill me and my dear ones."
Carlisle held his hand out boldly, but peacefully with a diplomatic expression, "You have but to touch my hand to know that was never my intent."
A glint of delighted victory sparked through Aro's eyes, here comes the accusations, I thought, "It doesn't matter what your intent was, considering what you have done." He said solemnly, though I could see the almost predatory excitement in his eyes.
"I have not committed the crime you are here to punish me for." Carlisle remained respectful.
Aro paused, his head tilting slightly to one side in confusion, "Then step aside, dear friend. Truly, I would like nothing more than to spare your life today, but punishment must be given to those who have broken our laws."
"No one has broken the law, Aro," Carlisle said, I saw Caius lean forward with a scowl, "Let me explain."
"So many unnecessary laws that you make for yourself," Caius snapped impatiently, "Yet you break the one law that defines us all. You see how this is ludicrous? Madness?" He demanded.
"The law was not broken." Carlisle repeated, but Caius cut him off.
"Lies!" He hissed, "We see the child!"
I ground my teeth, of the three masters, Caius had by far been my least favorite. Marcus was reserved, polite even when he wasn't busy acting depressed, and at least Aro feigned some sense of respect and integrity but… Caius was rude, harsh and downright annoying.
"She is not immortal! If you would just give me the opportunity to prove to you, to show to you-" Carlisle spoke with slight irritation.
"Then why have you amassed this army to protect her?" Caius demanded, "If you are truly innocent why have you prepared as though you were guilty?"
"Witnesses." Carlisle said evenly, "I have gathered witnesses, Caius, just as you have." He gestured to the horde of figures beside the guard who were slowly become irritable. To my utter shock, I managed to see a glimpse of two figures as the shuffled in the back row. One of a female with blond hair, the other a dark haired male.
Connie and Annalise Blitz.
"Or," Carlisle offered, "You could just look at her, see the blood in her cheeks, hear her heart beating in her chest."
Caius's nostrils flared in anger, "Artifice!" He snarled, "Where is the informer, bring her here!" He snapped with hostility, and his eyes found the huddling figure of Irina standing behind the wives. "You." He hissed, "Come. Here. Now."
But poor Irina seemed in a trance, and my heart went out to her. She seemed like a terrified rabbit a den of lions. Santiago impatiently shoved her forward, while her gaze was transfixed on her sisters, towards Caius. I saw him draw his hand back like a viper and angrily slap her across the face. Her gasp rang out at the same time as the twin indignant hisses of her sisters. She put one hand to her cheek and stared at Caius, in utter shock.
"C'mon," I whispered through my teeth, "Say something, defend yourself." I pleaded her to hear me though I dared not talk that loud. She was at the mercy of Caius's temper, and though the law forbade him from killing a messenger (I had just read it) I would not put it past him in this situation.
He pointed toward Renesmee, who was still on Bella's back, clinging to the fur of Jacob who was in wolf form. Bella tensed protectively for her child.
"This," Caius spit at Irina, "is the child you saw? The one who is obviously more than human?" He demanded. Irina's expression was one of utter confusion as she struggled for words, "Well?" Caius pressed impatiently.
"I-I'm… I'm not sure." She stammered, trying to take in Renesmee who had obviously grown.
I thought Caius was going to strike her again but he did not, instead he forced her through stammering breathes to admit that the child had grown since she had last seen her. Caius was furious, and he bared his teeth at Irina, cutting off her speech and making her cower back. Aro stepped forward quickly, lips pursed.
"Be composed brother," He said, maintaining the image, "Now, child," His voice turned sickly sweet, I saw Irina relax under this false pre-tense, "Show me what you are trying to say."
And Irina touched his palm. I knew he would be quick, and indeed he took less than a few of my heartbeats to sort through Irina's thoughts. "Ah… I see now. You see Caius, it's just a simple matter of calmly getting what we want." He smiled at his 'brother' who replied with a low snarl, childishly turning his back to Irina. "It appears we have a mystery… the first memory was clearly that of an immortal child, but I see now that she has grown." His eyes twinkled with a curiosity I had come to fear.
"That's what I've been trying to explain." Carlisle said.
"I'd rather hear the story from someone closer to the child, more central to the story." He briefly licked his lips, "As I see the child clings to the young newborn mate of your son," Bella trembled with fury at his comment, "I presume that Edward is involved."
Bella froze, her expression a mix of shattered control, fear and terror. I quickly clung to Dylan's hand, knowing that the pain of having him speak alone to Aro would harm me, and that Bella was about to experience such pain, and anxiety. Edward's expression hardened as he kissed the forehead's of both his mate and daughter, before walking out to the center of the field. He clapped a hand on his father's back, and seeing the two of them alone out there made me shiver.
I heard Esme whimper in fear and felt my heart throb for her, her fear for her family was pure motherly love. My heart shot up to my throat as I saw Edward stepping closer to Aro and Jane smile sadistically. She wouldn't, I prayed she wouldn't. But Edward kept walking, and held his chin high, extending his hand as though Aro were receiving an honor. I admired his courage.
Jane was poised to attack as Aro stepped away from his personal guard Renata, to grasp Edward's hand. After less than a second Bella hissed in sudden frustration. Was she crazy? Did she not realize how delicate this situation was?
"Easy, Bella." Zafrina steadied her.
I waited tensely, feeling my nerves build to the same tempo as the rest of the guard, as we knew exactly the same that Aro never listened for this long. They began to murmur uneasily until Caius barked a sharp, "Silenzio!"
Instinctively, I pressed my lips together tightly and dropped my head infinitesimally.
"You see?" Edward said as Aro withdrew.
"Yes… you have given me much to ponder young friend." He gazed at Renesmee, breaking his stare briefly to glance at me. "Much to consider indeed… may I meet her?" He asked.
"What is the meaning of this?" Caius snapped.
"Peace. You think they have me fooled brother? That her scent and appearance is a ploy? Consider, briefly that the justice we came here to deliver is no longer necessary, that this magnificent creature is something never before seen." He said, voice thick with mystification, "Perhaps we were wrong in our seeking of justice," He then cast his gaze upon me again, and smiled, "or at least… most of it."
It was a threat.
I heard Dylan growl next to me and squeezed his hand reassuringly. Aro and Edward quickly decided that before Bella brought Renesmee to him to 'speak with', for the benefit of the nervous Renata, he should take two of his guard with him, and Bella two friends.
"Demitri, Felix," Aro snapped his fingers with a harsh glare in Felix's direction. Demitri was immediately at his side, chest out in pride with a aura of power about him. Felix hung his head slightly and seemed like a submissive dog who had just endured a lashing by its owner. My heart went out to my poor brother, and furious hiss escaped me as I put their two appearances together.
"What?" Dylan whispered.
"Demitri was given the… honor," I sneered, "The assignment of punishing the one who defied Aro." My hands clenched into tight fists, nails digging into my palms, "He beat and tortured my brother."
Dylan's eyes widened slightly, "They… they do that to each other?"
"Quite often." I spit out through gritted teeth as I watched Jacob and Emmett join Bella. The guard seemed perturbed by the choice of our wolf friend.
"Interesting company you keep." Demitri remarked to Edward with narrowed eyes and an accusatory tone, to my pleasure Edward did not dignify him with a response.
Felix looked up and met my eyes with a tiny smile, "Hello again, Bella." He said, addressing her warmly. She seemed slightly taken aback, I'd informed her of what he'd done for me but I think she didn't expect him to be friendly. Felix had always been the most outgoing of the Volturi.
"Hello, Felix." She replied, and he complemented her with the tiniest flicker of a smirk, but he uncharacteristically did not follow this with a threat as he usually did, like "A pity I'll have to rip you're new pretty head off your shoulders." He made no threats.
Meanwhile, Aro seemed intoxicated with Renesmee. It made me sick. He remarked to himself in awe about her heart, her scent, her appearance and requested to greet her.
"So exquisite," He breathed, "Hello, Renesmee."
"Hello, Aro." The wonderfully calm child replied, casing Caius to hiss impatiently.
"What is it?" He demanded. It. Not her, it. He was treating Renesmee the same way that he had treated and dealt with me what seemed like years ago.
"Half mortal, half immortal." Aro replied, then delightedly delved into an explanation. Caius replied with a hissed curse under his breath, "Patience," Aro scolded him like a child, only irritating him further, "I know you love justice, but consider the possibilities! So much to learn, so much to learn!" He was all but drunk off this new discovery.
Renesmee leaned forward and pressed her fingertips to Aro's face. I wanted to rip her away from the monster, but knew that would be the worst thing to do.
"I have no desire to harm your loved ones, dear Renesmee." Aro lied sweetly, and I saw those around me relax at his lie. I was accustomed to such mind tricks, and was not surprised when Maggie, who could sense non-truths, hissed furiously at this bold face lie.
"Let us deliberate." Marcus's wispy voice came from the lines of the Guard. Aro nodded, and instead of retreating, just waved the rest of the Volturi up to meet him, Bella, Edward, Renesmee, Emmett and Jacob retreated quickly back to our line.
"Holding up, Italy?" Emmett whispered casually with a smirk as he passed me. I rolled my eyes and smiled at him,
"As always."
I could not well hear their conversation, thought every other vampire could. Finally, I heard Caius raise his voice and cry out something about the wolves being children of the moon. Aro sighed and covered his face with his hand in embarrassment, Edward cleared his throat and I tried to suppress a hysterical laugh.
"Caius… it's the middle of the day. These are shape shifters, not Children of the Moon." Edward pointed out. Caius's embarrassment only fueled his anger further.
"You breed mutants here!" He spat, and then turned to glower so harshly at me that I heard both Dylan and Emmett growl, "And you, you vile creature," He snarled, raising a finger to point. I saw Connie and Annalise's jaws drop in shock as they finally recognized me, "breaking your loyalties! Turning your back on those who raised you! You should have been thankful we allowed a creature such as you to live among us and not simply have killed you for sustenance, you imbecilic traitor! You are absolute garbage, nothing! Worse than an annoying human, how dare you stand with them, defying you masters?" His teeth we barred.
I was slack-jawed, and had stumbled back a half-step in utter disbelief. Physical attacks I'd had much experience with, but this verbal attack was both unexpected and deeply wounding. He knew I'd always had my insecurities about what I was, and he prayed on them now gleefully.
"Enough, brother." Aro murmured quietly, turning Caius away, leaving me rooted to my spot with a pain throbbing in my chest.
"Where is the informant, I want to talk to her!" Caius snapped, now turning his gaze on Irina.
Irina's gaze was locked on her sisters in disbelief and guilt, knowing now she had been wrong and put her sisters lives in danger.
"Irina!" Caius snapped, seeming unhappy he had to stoop so low as to address her, he snapped his fingers and she stepped forward hesitantly, fearfully. "You were incorrect in your accusations." He said shortly.
"I-I'm s-sorry, I should've made sure of what I was seeing-" She stammered,
"Yes, yes, you've made a mistake," Caius interrupted her, "Is what I'm sure you're going to tell me. But rather, I believe you had other motivations, what were they?"
"W-what?" Irina spluttered.
"Oh," Caius grinned wickedly, "Come now, did you not loathe the wolves? They did after all kill your mate, and the Cullens would not let you avenge him. This must have upset you."
Don't say anything, I silently pleaded her, please, please he's tricking you!
"It did." She whispered.
"If you'd like to make a formal complaint against the… shape-shifters- and the Cullens for supporting their actions, now would be the time." He remarked patiently, waiting for Irina to continue pleading, waiting for her to give his next bit of information that he could turn against her. Like poison.
"No." She said firmly, holding her head up slightly, "I have no complaint against the wolves, or the Cullens. You came here to destroy an immortal child, and none exists. This is my mistake, and I take full responsibility for this." She said, then turned to face the guard, "I'm so sorry for this mess, there was no crime… and no valid reason for you to continue." She said with regret.
"No!" I cried out as I saw Caius smile in satisfaction, raising his hand and holding a small metal orb in his hand, the Morte Segno. The signal for death. Corin, Demitri, Santiago and Afton leapt forward in a blur, and Irina was lost in a swarm of grey cloaks. Gasps rang out from our line.
Caius stepped forward, the Morte Segno in hand.
My heart skipped a beat as he clicked the tiny switch on the orb. Flames erupted in a shower of sparks.
"Fermarti!" I shouted, raising my right hand into the air and closing my fist tightly. A jolt of electricity immediately shot from my fist down to my shoulder, connecting me to the fire spewing towards Irina… or the pieces of her.
And everything froze.
Corin and the other assassins had leapt away so as not to be burned, Caius still had the Morte Segno in hand, fire exploding forward but only reaching a foot into the air before halting.
My air seared in pain, repressing fire was always my weakness, because the energy from the fire had to be channeled through my body. The size of the fire I could repress depended on how much of the pain I could bear. I gritted my teeth, holding both my arms out slightly in front of me, so the burning energy was split between the two.
"What is the meaning of this?" Caius screeched, whirling to see what had gone wrong. His eyes darkened when he realized what I was doing, and he crouched like he would attack me himself. I felt my arms trembling, my heart speeding as energy I diverted into my body slammed through my veins like it could burst through my skin and re-ignite.
"You… malfatorre cattiva e non vale niente!" He shrieked at me while still holding the orb, fire still spewing from it. "Worthless wretch!"
"How is she doing that?" Kate whispered, I realized to some extent the two sisters were behind me with their hands on my shoulders, encouraging me, pleading. Their sister could be pieced back together from her state… she was still alive, but if she turned to ash there was no hope for her.
"Treason!" Caius snarled, "I'll have you-"
"Enough!" Aro shouted suddenly. "Stop, brother, you're anger is misplaced and your actions unnecessary."
Caius gritted his teeth and finally dropped the Morte Segno.
I gasped as the burning evaporated from my body, and my knees buckled. Kate and Tanya caught my, holding my by my arms and keeping me steady while Dylan stood beside me in worry, crouching protectively, aimed towards any who stepped forward.
"Brave," Aro murmured as I tried to regain my breath, my arms felt as though they had been liquefied, "Very brave indeed."
"Emendamento quattordici," I gasped out, amendment 14 to the law. I recited it with ease, "If a witness bears evidence against a man or group, and this group is found innocent by the witness bearing a false testament then the group shall be found innocent because of a lack of evidence, and the bringer of this witness shall be released without punishment for their mistake as it is encouraged to inform the guard if one thinks a law is broken. From hereforth, it is forbidden to kill a witness no matter the grounds of their mistake. Breaking of this law will result in the killer being stripped of their rank among the guard." I breathed out, my hair falling in my face as I glowered defiantly at Aro.
He was silent.
"Would you really break your own laws, Aro? They were written to maintain peace and order so that tyranny may not be imposed on the innocent." I managed between gasps, my chest heaving.
"Caius acted irrationally," Aro finally muttered, shock written across his face, "It… is such an old law, I've almost forgotten…"
"Convenient you forget the laws that you write, isn't it?" I snapped at him harshly, "Forgetting the ones that keep you from force the result you want, so you can now silence any voice but your own."
Edward gripped my shoulder tightly, "Easy, Bex." He muttered. I shrugged myself gently out of Tanya and Kate's helpful support, and met Edward's eyes with a slight glower.
"They're manipulating their laws." I growled.
"Perhaps if we don't irritate them further they'll leave in peace then." He remarked calmly. I nodded solemnly and looked up to see the witnesses of the Volturi murmuring uncomfortably among themselves. Caius had been banking on Tanya and Kate attacking out of fury for their dead sister, but because I had prevented the fire the witnesses were left questioning what was really going on.
"Irina… is innocent of any crimes," Aro said, clearing his throat in obvious discomfort, "Thank you for… preventing Caius from committing a crime, Ms. Medachi." He added coolly. He then turned to Eleazar, "I am sorry for this misunderstanding, old comrade, Irina will be returned to you. She will heal."
Eleazar nodded stiffly.
"Perhaps for clarification on the situation at hand," He said, "we would like to speak with your witnesses, procedure you know. Keeping up with our laws."
Edward hissed, his fists clenching tightly and I groaned. I'd just given Aro a new strategy, stick exactly to his white-hate procedure, and slowly discount our witnesses one by one on ridiculous claims. Regardless of what was witnessed, we would still be found guilty.
Aro ghosted towards our line, stopping at the far west and ten yards from Amun and Kebi, the wolves bristled in aggravation.
"Ah, Amun, my southern neighbor!" He said pleasantly, "It's been so long since you've visited me."
Amun gulped and gave a small excuse, to which Aro countered that he knew that Amun was trying to hide Benjamin from him, then remarking it was 'pleasant' to see him again.
"But the reason you are here is not so pleasant is it? Carlisle called on you to witness?" Aro's voice was cold and lacked emotion.
Amun glanced at me, I knew that deep inside he was a lover of justice to. He was amazed that I had escaped the path of my siblings, and tried to make something positive of my life. His eyes darkened as he gazed at me, angered by what I had done to stop Caius, that I had been in pain. Though he would not admit it, Amun and I were friends.
"No, actually," He replied just as coldly, turning back to Aro, "Rebecca asked me."
"Oh? Interesting." Aro remarked, glancing at me, "And what… exactly did you witness, then?"
"I observed almost immediately that the child was not immortal, that she grew both physically and mentally, that she is intelligent and capable of learning."
"Yes, yes," Aro's tone was slightly impatient, "Be specific, in your few weeks here what did you see?"
"That she grows… quickly."
"And do you believe she should live?" Aro asked with a smile. Hisses rang out from our line, mine one of them, and even Volturi witnesses, Connie and Anna in particular looked livid.
Amun twitched uneasily, "I did not come here to make judgments, however," He paused when Aro chuckled quietly, "I see no danger in the child, she learns swifter than she grows… why further trample your laws and destroy innocent families?" He tacked on the last part with venom.
"I have offered my witness, as your law states," Amun winked at me, "I'll now be leaving with my mate." He turned and disappeared into the trees.
"Of course." Aro murmured with a frown, he turned to another, "Siobhan, would you answer my question?"
"Yes, and perhaps a little more than Amun has. Renesmee understands limitations, she blends in better with humans than we do and she is no threat to them… nor does she threaten exposure of our kind."
Aro paced slightly, "No broken law," He spoke, "No broken law, but that does not mean no danger! The child is unique… it would be such a waste, a terrible waste to destroy something so lovely, but there is danger. Danger that cannot simply be ignored. We cannot know exactly what she will grow to be, nor can we predict her potential. We cannot know with certainty, and this… this is risk."
He turned to his own witnesses, "Only the known is safe, only the known is tolerable. The unknown is… a vulnerability. To us all."
"You're reaching, Aro." Carlisle said bleakly.
"I would like to offer a witness." Garrett stepped forward suddenly.
"Nomad," Aro nodded to him.
Garrett quickly dove into a speech, directed towards only the Voltrui witnesses. Pointing out that not only was no law broken by us, but the Volturi were breaking their own laws. "They have come to erase what they see as a threat! They come to break apart this coven, no, this family, with ill-justice and greed. This family is not seeking power like the large clans of the south. There is no thought for domination here, but love!"
He went on to a moving accusation against the Volturi's so called justice, and he sounded like a true revolutionary. When Aro pointed this out, he reeled indignantly, demanding to know if Aro thought that he was his 'king', if he should bow before Aro's feet and call him master as well.
One by one the Volturi's witnesses attested to our innocence and condemned the misguided actions of the Guard. Most then left, but Connie and Anna, surprising all of us remained.
"I have long disagreed with the actions of the guard," Connie said stubbornly, "and having personally been affected by their tyranny and oppressive reign," His spit the words out like physical blows, "I believe that they have come here to conquer, not look for peace. The Volturi do not deserve to be the rulers they are now. They fancy themselves dictators, not peace-keepers." He growled.
"We will remain with the Cullens, and stand by them." Annalise said strongly, and they crossed the field together, leaving many among our witnesses gaping.
"Hey, Becca." Anna nudged me with her elbow when she stopped by my side. I smiled at her brightly.
"Well then, it seems we have a decision to make." Aro muttered, turning to walk back to his guard.
"Wait." In a split-second decision I stepped forward, Aro turned with a coy smile on his face. He'd wanted me to do this, I thought, and I'll make him wish I hadn't. "I have a witness to give."
Dylan tensed at the same time that Caius snarled again.
"Step back, half-breed mutant! You're opinion is void!" Caius spat. Growls rang out from witnesses on both sides.
"I'll let her speak, brother." Aro said coolly, "My dear Rebecca…" He stepped towards me so he was he was only five yards away, "it's been quite a while. What happened to you?" He asked gently, with a smirk, pointing to his own cheek implying the scars on mine.
"Life." I said shortly, "But that is not what I am here to witness."
He smirked at me, toying with my nerves, "Oh, I suppose not. Of course you're now tied to the Cullens since you've gone and found yourself a mate." He glanced at Dylan. "Pity, really."
I stepped slightly in front of Dylan, "He has nothing to do with this, and since he has not spoken and bore no witness, nor played any part in this event besides standing by his family you'll understand he is completely innocent and therefore protected by your laws from attack." I said, narrowing my eyes. Aro matched my expression and answered coldly,
"Of course, my dear. What is your witness then?"
"My witness is that Renesmee is incredibly intelligent, she within three days of her birth could control her thirst better than Demitri has even been able to." I remarked casually, "Now, youths do not progress backwards, Aro, and she will not mysteriously become a crazed newborn. This I am certain of. What I am also certain of is your intentions here today."
Aro scowled.
"You've come here to destroy and collect, which violates at least three of your cardinal laws at once. Up until right now, you've only demonstrated that you are manipulative, cruel and cunning with a thirst for power. To me it seems obvious that Renesmee is not dangerous, what is unclear to me is why you are still here." I said smugly, folding my arms over my chest.
"You ought to tread more lightly, Rebecca." He said coldly. "Since you are so keen on the upholding of law, I was wondering if you had read the last section of our wonderful old book." He smiled, but it wasn't a kind smile, it was a predatory smile.
I could feel the blood draining from my face.
"T-that has nothing to do with the case at hand." My voice wavered traitorously. Edward who was no doubt reading Aro's thoughts hissed angrily.
"Aro, this is about proving my daughter is safe, not your personal vendettas!" He growled lowly.
"Amendment twenty, separate cases are to be tried separately, on separate dates with only the parties involved present." I recited quickly, thanking God for Felix and Alec, and for their gift to me.
"Amendment seventy-four, regarding treason." Aro shot back at me, "Treason, as defined by the breaking of loyalties without explanation or proper excuse, by a member of the Volturi Guard is a crime and hereforth an illegal act." He said smugly, "Treason is punishable by eternal service to the guard until or if death occurs."
I felt myself tremble slightly, "Amendment twenty takes precedence." I said quietly.
"Incorrect." Aro said softly, "My dear, you're confused. Laws regarding the actions of a guard member always take precedence when it is a member of the guard who committed a crime."
There was a long silence. I was dumb-struck. How had I overlooked that law? Of course Aro would remember that one, I mentally kicked myself. No, this wasn't happening… this… it couldn't be, it just couldn't. I hadn't broken a law! Cazzo!
"So, you see," Aro retreated with a smile back to his ranks, "As far as I see it, we have no proof Renesmee is safe, and your witness is void because I find you in violation of our laws." I was about to object before he turned on me again, "Amendment thirteen! Before you protest, I would like to point out that this particular law states that any witness found in violation of any of the laws of the Volturi will have their testimony found void, and will be treated as hostile."
I felt my hands start to go numb.
Edward stiffened, and looked towards the woods. A wild grin broke out on his face, "What if I could tell you what Renesmee will be like years from now?" He asked suddenly,
Aro turned to him, "Then we would leave your family peacefully."
"And Rebecca?" Dylan asked sharply.
Aro gave him an odd look, "I may… consider a bit of leniency."
"Alice, why don't you join us?" Edward called out.
Alice?
Alice.
Alice!
Alice streaked out of the woods with two figures following behind her, and finally Jasper. The boy had a heartbeat. He was a hybrid.
His name was Nahuel, and he and his adoptive mother presented their story. Nahuel's mother had been seduced by a vampire, and was the exact same kind of hybrid as Renesmee.
"Fascinating…" Aro breathed.
"What is it now?" Caius spit,
"Truly, I see now. Young Renesmee will grow to be a fascinating creature, how wonderful." He smiled, "And then live an eternity with her family, exquisite."
Nahuel nodded stiffly, glancing around at our ranks, his expression contorting to confusion when he saw me.
"Is she… like me?" He mouthed to Alice, who was about to answer until Aro interrupted him.
"Not exactly," He smiled at Nahuel, "Both her parents were human, but her mother was bitten before giving birth to her, so the venom was frozen in her system part-way through a true change. She is relatively strong and fast, but has no vamparic thirst as you do, isn't that right, Rebecca?" He asked.
My heart skipped a beat before I lied, "Of course."
Aro paused, I flinched in fear, my heart beating rapidly, traitorously.
"Is there… something you're not telling me?" He asked slowly.
"It doesn't matter," Carlisle said smoothly, "It has nothing to do with the case at hand."
"Nonsense!" Aro said cheerfully, "Rebecca was like a daughter to me, I raised her and therefore I am concerned with how she grew."
Maggie snarled furiously, but I didn't need her to tell me he was lying.
"Come here, Rebecca." Aro said, Jasper, Alice, Nahuel and his adoptive mother looked at me with concerned eyes, still standing with Aro across the field.
I glanced at Carlisle in a panic, should I? He breathed a deep sigh of regret and nodded. We weren't in a position to argue with them or deny them. I turned to Dylan who looked like he was trying to contain his anger. His eyes were blazing, coal black. I pressed my lips against his gently, and his arms held me. It was far too short, but when he pulled back he placed his hands on either side of my face and said,
"I'm sorry. I… I feel like I've failed you."
I smiled at him weakly, "You haven't."
"I love you." He pressed his forehead against mine, closing his eyes tightly.
"Ti amo." I replied and took a deep breath before stepping away from his embrace. It physically hurt to do so. I was five feet away from our line when I stopped and gritted my teeth. I can do this, I know how to. He won't win. I'll do anything. I opened my eyes and glared out towards the Volturi assembly, sticking my chin out as I approached them.
"It's been a very long time, my dear." Aro said pleasantly.
"Not long enough." I said tightly.
"I believe… you turned seventeen in March?" He questioned me, and I nodded. "Well then, just more than a year and a half."
"Indeed." I muttered, rather irked by his constant small talk.
His lips twitched in another fake smile, he held out his hand. "May I?"
"Why are you even asking? You know I can really only give you one answer." I shot back, holding my hand out. My sleeve pulled away as I did so, the swirling burns on my hand threw the slight sunlight that broke the clouds around me. Aro hesitated for a moment, looking at the scars, before finally grasping my hand in his own.
His shoulders hunched in concentration…
And so it begun.
Well, sorry for the long delay. I has a pretty bad crash during ski training and was told not to use a computer for a week. And since this was an important chapter I didn't want to write it half-brain-damaged. So, hope you guys can forgive me! Thanks to all my reviewers, my loyal followers and those who have just found this story. I'm glad you like it. Give me your feedback! Comments, constructive criticism or whatever.
Please review!
-Zeri