CHAPTER 54

Plans

Nessie's POV

Everyone followed the direction I was looking at; Rachel and Kim started to scream, Kim covering Claire's eyes. They knew by the crimson eyes what these people were. "Shut up!" Lottie said through gritted teeth. Rachel slammed her hand to her mouth to stop herself scream and Kim breathed very deeply to control herself.

The figures walked forward, their heads covered with their hoods. The shortest figure took down her hood with their delicate, pale hands to show her angelic, androgynous face. Her hair tied neatly in a knot on the back of her head, her cloak being the deepest grey. "Miss Cullen," she sang. "Aro requires your presence." The tallest, biggest figure was on the left, then one a foot shorter and leaner than him at the far end, the one next to Jane (on the left) was just slightly taller than her and there was another figure that I didn't recognise.

I looked around at everyone who turned to me with wide eyes. I grabbed Lottie's hand. I'll be fine, I'll go, get Dad and Jacob. Lottie nodded, not taking her eyes off the vampires in front of her. "I'll be fine," I said quietly to the girls. Kim handed Claire to Rachel who wrapped her arms around her so tight I wondered if she could breathe, Kim scrambled over the seat to help Emily with her babies who were still crying.

I was still gripping onto Lottie's hand; I felt her thoughts mesh with mine. I can dismember them-

No! The rest of the Volturi will come, we can't risk that.

What about shouting for Jacob and the pack?

No! I don't want them to get hurt, they will act first, think later, it may get them killed.

Then I will protect us the best we can, I can keep you under cover as much as I can. I nodded.

"Miss Cullen, we are not the type to be patient," she reminded. "Aro would also like your human friend, Miss Willets to attend."

"No!" I shouted. "Just me," I went to open the van door when I hit with overwhelming pain; it felt like my brain was exploding into millions of pieces, my nerve endings were burning as if I was on fire. I clutched my head and screamed through gritted teeth.

I realised that I wasn't the only one screaming, we all were; Claire's high pitched scream making my spine crawl as if it was full of ants. The pain suddenly stopped. I took deep breaths to steady myself, my eyes watering from the pain; I looked up at Lottie who nodded her head. She was protecting us all. I looked over at the twins who were screaming harder now, who Emily and Kim were gripping on to for dear life for fear of dropping them. We all experienced Jane's sadistic power, including the twins. Claire took her first look at the five figures in front of her and let out an ear piercing scream; Rachel clamped her hand over her mouth.

"Jane!" I shouted. "You do not need to do that. There are babies and a small child in here."

"Then do as I ask and no one needs to get hurt. You and Miss Willets," she extended her delicate, little hand towards Lottie.

Lottie was still gripping onto my hand, I turned to her. I need to make it look like it's me. Take the focus off you. I thought.

She nodded. I will do everything, just make it look like it's you, be theatrical, use your hands. I can use my power with my eyes shut.

Because if they think it's you-

I won't be coming back alive.

Ok. You need to keep your mouth shut. Only speak when you are spoken too. Keep calm. Hopefully this can blow over if we don't blow our cover. How long can you keep your shield up?

I can keep it around me for days, maybe even a week, around both us…probably days. I could keep it round our heads to block attacks like hers.

Don't worry about me. Keep it around you as much as you can. I can take a bit of pain.

Ok. Gob shut, you do the talking.

I swung open the van door, grabbing our cardigans and stepped out into the darkening road. Lottie keeping a hold of my hand. "No Lottie!" Gemma looked behind her with wide, fearful eyes.

"Stay in the car," Lottie ordered. "Do not move until Nessie tells you to."

We walked forward slowly, taking in the road; then it dawned on me! This had been planned; the 'fallen' tree, the quiet road. The tree was a test to see if one of us did have the power. "Miss Cullen, look how much you have grown," Jane smirked. We stepped in front of the van.

My, what shiny white teeth you have! Lottie thought. I had to stifle a giggle.

"Yes Jane, who else is here to kidnap us?" I demanded.

Jane giggled like a child. "Kidnap is such a strong word!"

"Abduct then," I narrowed my eyes.

Jane continued to smile then flicked her head slightly. The figures un-hooded themselves to show Felix, Alec, Jane, a vampire I didn't know but he had the brightest red eyes I had ever seen, then Demetri. "Like I said Miss Cullen. Aro would like to see you." Felix stared intently at Lottie.

"My friend doesn't need to come."

"She has fascinated my master. He would like to see her also. He thinks she has a power."

"Ha!" I let out a fake laugh. "It's not her with the power, it's me you idiots!" Jane narrowed her eyes and I was ready for the onslaught of pain but it never came.

She's trying, I can feel her at my shield, it's like hard pinpricks, stabs of pressure, it isn't sore. Tell her to stop attacking. Lottie was protecting me. Jane looked behind me and I could see she was trying to target the girls in the van; but nothing. Lottie was protecting them too. "I am the opposite of my Mother. She is a mental shield; I am a physical shield, so please stop attacking us." Jane showed a flicker of anger then it disappeared. I could see the others looking a little intrigued.

"Prove it!" she demanded like an insolent child.

I went with my gut instinct and snapped my arm out, splaying my fingers; Jane shrieked as she flew back ten feet onto her ass. The others got into a crouching stance but I could see Felix was trying to suppress a smile. Alec ran over to her to help her up but she batted him away in disgust and she flashed back to her place. "See," I said nonchalantly.

"I should kill you right now," she looked up at me through her eyelashes, meaning every word.

"I don't think Aro would be too impressed, would he? So you don't need my friend then, do you?" I could see Jane debating it in her head. Felix reverted his gaze back to Lottie. The other one with bright red eyes was a little twitchy and I just realised something. "I also don't think the new recruit would be able to contain himself, you know being a newborn and all."

"Kyle will be fine," Demetri said smoothly. I smirked a little as I noticed he was wearing a scarf around his neck. Rose had left her mark a few weeks ago.

"Doesn't look so fine to me."

"Then choose a friend you would like him to feed on," he waved his hand over to the van.

"No chance. That is not happening."

"Then you will have to take that chance on the flight to Italy," he replied.

"Aro would be furious if he fed on us," I stated. Demetri's false smile flickered. This had been planned for a while; Aro was desperate to get us there. We could be used as a bargaining chip for Aro to 'collect' Alice, Mom and Dad, possibly Ben as well. Or he just wanted 'me' with my power. "So I take it Kyle has a gift?"

Kyle's head jerked up at his name or the fact he was being talked about. His cloak was the lightest grey so I had presumed he only recently joined the Volturi Guard. "Maybe," Demetri kept his smile.

"That is how you have been able to hide," I started. "The scent, hiding from Alice, Dad, but the wolves could still follow your tracks."

"Busted," Felix flashed his shiny white teeth, but he was still staring at Lottie; why was he staring?

"Felix!" Jane said cuttingly.

"She isn't stupid Jane, very like Bella," he smiled at me. From what I gathered he liked Mom, although he was pegged to kill her in the field all those years ago. "We watched you," he looked at Lottie and continued, "take down some human's last night," he looked rather impressed. So they had been in the forest last night.

Jane looked at him and arched his back, clutching his head, the corner of Jane's mouth turned up as she let it go on longer than necessary, Lottie and I flinched watching this I thought Felix's back was going to snap in half; he fell to the ground, Jane turned her head towards Lottie and me. Felix laid both hands on the ground and shook his head then he was on his feet in a flash as if nothing had happened. You could tell he was mighty pissed. "Now, where were we?" Jane pretended to have a lost look on her face. "Oh yes. We are going to take a flight to Italy. We have a private plane waiting thirty minutes from here."

"How do I know that I am not just food for the flight?" Lottie spoke up.

"You don't," Demetri's mouth twitched.

"Do you know what? The longer we are here, the more chances we are going to be found by some wolves and my family. And you know that you will lose," I narrowed my eyes.

"They would need to find us first!" Kyle spoke in a surprisingly deep voice. He was beautiful of course, he had cropped blond hair and he spoke with a French accent. His body was slight and he had an angular jaw, he looked no older than sixteen. He reminded me of a boy who had his toy taken off him.

"We should have been back by now," I retorted.

Jane rolled her eyes. "Your friend won't be a meal."

"I have your word?"

"You have my word. I am getting tired of this so if we don't go now I will just kill all of you. Including the babies."

"I am partial to a baby," Demetri said, his smile waning from his face.

We need to go with them, we can't risk them killing them or anyone in Forks, Lottie thought.

Are you sure?

Yes. I am with you, we will be fine. Keep the pretence up that it's you with the power.

Ok. Here goes. It had looked like we had been shocked by what Demetri had said and I was also mindful that they weren't fully aware of the actual extent of my 'power' and my actual power and what I could do with it. "Ok. We go with you, see Aro then you bring us back."

Jane stared at me intently. "We never said anything about bringing you back here."

"My family will come."

"Aro is counting on it." So it was a trap, I was hoping that the girls in the van could hear what was taking place. I gave Lottie her cardigan which she put on and I followed suit.

"NO!" Gemma slammed her hand on the cracked windscreen.

I kept my eyes on the Volturi guard, Lottie turned around. "Gemma, we have too. We don't, they will kill you."

"But!"

"I'll be fine," she tried to reassure. Make them wait and let them go.

"Wait!" I shouted making the Volturi stop. "Let them go first."

"No, we go now," Jane demanded

"WAIT!" I held my hand up and the five figures froze, Lottie was good. "We are going with you, so you should be compromising."

"Why can't we move?" Alec sounded worried.

"That would be me," I growled. "You will wait and let them go. Gemma, get out of here! Go to the garage!"

They are fighting it!

Are they winning?

Not a chance in hell! Jane is trying to use her power but she can't, we are protected. Lottie giggled inside her head. She turned to her stepsister. "GO!" Gemma tried starting the van and the engine ticked over. I prayed to god that it was going to start. She tried again and the van roared to life but protested at being started, Gemma slowly accelerated forward and all the girls stared wide eyed with worry and fear as they passed us and stared at the five vampires that were frozen in place. A hazy mist came towards us as Alec stared intently in our direction.

Alec is using his power. I explained to Lottie. The haze hit us but nothing happened.

Ugh, I feel like I've just been to the dentist.

What?

Lignocaine? They use that as a local anaesthetic. I can taste it very slightly on my tongue.

Mom said that to me years ago, what it felt like but how come you can feel it?

I can feel anything that happens to my shield. Doesn't hurt, I am just aware of it.

Like Mom.

Yeah, I think so. Like when Emmett and Jasper were banging on the bubble during practice? I could feel them but it felt like a fly hitting me. When we put out the fire, I felt warm instead of burning.

I get you now, that helps a bit when I am pretending. So the gunshots felt like a fly hitting you?

Yeah. More like a tickle. I think it's my mind's way of letting me know something is there, you know? Lottie waited until the van was out of sight; she let the vampires go but kept the shield around us. They were pissed off now as they suddenly surrounded us. Jane looked up at me. "You will not do that again or I will kill your friend."

"I had to make sure that they were allowed to go. I won't do it again." I lied, or rather, Lottie lied. I saw Alec in the corner of my eye and he looked annoyed.

"It was interesting though," Felix smiled. He towered over us, but I reckoned he was shorter than Jacob.

"I did not like it," Alec surmised. "We need to get to the plane," he said to Jane.

"Yes brother. We need to go."

Felix and Demetri was behind us, they pushed us forward but Lottie kept a tight grip on my hand. Alec and Kyle had disappeared into the distance; I just hoped that Gemma was flooring it home. We all walked in silence when a limousine appeared at the end of the road, driving towards us. I knew it was Alec and Kyle as it skidded to a stop in front of us. "Get in," Demetri said smoothly. We did as instructed and sat at the back, the vampires getting in and sitting near the front. I noticed Kyle was sitting with Alec in the front seat and I got the impression that Kyle wasn't to be trusted with himself.

Ness….If I fall asleep-

I have your back. They are not going to do anything, we are too valuable. I think that they think that I have the power but Aro's suspicions of you have been raised. We will take it turns to sleep.

I am shitting myself. Lottie admitted.

I know! I can hear how fast your heart is going.

That big one is still staring at me. What the fuck is that about?

I have no idea, it is a little freaky. I looked at Felix who was giving Lottie a curious look now. For a moment I thought it looked like admiration. I shuddered. I had a thought. Do you think Aro saw the news reports?

More than likely, especially seeing as that photographer took pictures of us all the day we played the Trojans. Lottie thought. She stared straight ahead so not to arise suspicion of our way of communication. As far as they were aware; all I could do was projecting my memories and thoughts. It's done with now. Like you said, keep calm. I won't let them change or kill us.

I know you won't.

I stared at Jane who was looking out the window. She liked to be in charge and her taking Felix down before was her way of showing it. None of them spoke; they were like cold, hard, beautiful, deadly statues. They are a little freaky. Lottie thought. I must be projecting. You are, I don't mind. Keeps me from freaking out!

Scared?

Hell yeah. Have you tried shouting for someone?

No, I don't want them to die if they come without help, I said gravely.

I understand, I would rather they form a plan…..I hope the girls got back to the garage in time.

Me too.


Jacob's POV

"Seth! Stop being such a tool!"

"But they are meant to be back by now; it's dark and almost six."

"They are fine, Ness texted me a while back. So finish the exhaust."

"Yes Chief!" he saluted and slid back under the car.

The phone rang again but ignored it, it was past five and we were meant to be shut, we still had to fit an exhaust, which Seth was doing now, and the last car needed an oil change which I was finishing. Embry was changing the bald tyres on the car at the far end; I had sent Colin and Embry home so they could get some kip for patrolling tonight. In all we were pretty organised. "Oh fuck!" Embry cursed. He grabbed a rag and pressed it to his hand as blood dripped down, he looked underneath the bloodied rag and the large cut had healed already.

"You need to be more careful," I shook my head, chuckling.

"Yeah, caught it," he replied sheepishly, throwing the rag into the trash then continued to screw on the last wheel nut. "Done!" he shouted.

"Cool, shut that side up and get yourself inside," I shouted from the engine I was working on, I finally fitted the fiddly oil filter and finished up. I felt a little strange but I put it down to hunger as I hadn't had time to stop since this morning. Seth and I finally finished up, and we set up for the morning. We were shutting the double doors; I heard something screech down the road. Seth and I looked at each other as Gemma's minivan that had been crushed at the front reached us at breakneck speed; screeching to a halt as it reached the house.

Seth and I stood there in shock, Gemma and Adeline, pale and scared. I took a deep breath in through my nose and I listened hard, my Nessie wasn't there. Embry ran out the house, stopping at the stairs as he checked out the van. The left windows on its left side were smashed, some gone. "What's happened?" I stepped forward. Gemma was shaking so Seth stepped forward, opened the door which fell off in his hand and letting it clatter to the ground.

"Gemma," he said tentatively. "What happened?" He reached over to her white knuckles that looked as if they were welded onto the steering wheel. He gently pried her fingers from it. "Gemz?"

I realised that the babies were screaming, and from the sound of them had been screaming for a while. I joined Seth and I opened the sliding doors which took a bit of doing as they were bent and bashed; Rachel was clinging onto Claire for dear life, Claire's fingers had gone white as she clung onto Rachel, there were sealed boxes strewn across the floor, Lottie and Nessie's handbags scattered along with them, Kim and Emily trying to sooth two screaming, tear stained, red faced babies. I took a deep breath; Lottie and Nessie's scent lingered in the air. "They came…" Gemma whimpered. "Took them…"

My heart missed a beat. I moved Seth out the way a bit harder than necessary. "Who?" Gemma turned her head slowly, a tear rolling down her face, her mouth opened and shut like a goldfish. I grabbed her by the tops of her hands, shaking her hard, and her head rolling back and forth. "WHO?" I barked.

"Jake!" Seth yelled. "You are hurting her!" He grabbed my hands, I could feel two of my fingers break under his grip as he pulled my hands from Gemma.

"Sorry man," I grabbed my fingers and straighten them out, feeling them heal instantly. "Gemma?" I asked softly this time. "Who took Nessie and Lottie?"

"Vampires," she said in barely a whisper.

I snapped my head to Embry. "Call the Cullen's," I ordered; he turned on the spot. "And the rest of the pack," Embry disappeared. I looked back to Gemma. "Why didn't you try to phone?"

Adeline pulled out two little wrecks, I looked down by her feet and realised her legs were trapped; how the van managed to start…

"Gemma. Can you move?" Seth asked and she nodded. "Let's get you all inside," Seth helped Gemma out and I went to the other side, grabbed a large piece of the metal keeping Adeline there and pulled it back, freeing her. I quickly checked her over and she had bad bruising but no cuts, I helped her out and she ran inside to join her imprint. In the meantime I helped Emily and Kim out who were shaking so hard with fear. I was quivering; trying hard not to phase myself but I needed to stay strong for everyone even though I was dying inside. I scooped Rachel and Claire out from their seats, ran inside and put them on one of the sofas. I decided to wait and get the information from the girls so they just needed to tell it once.

But the waiting was killing me.

I knew there and then running after them would not be a good idea. I had to be the leader, we had to form a plan. Each second; hope was drifting away from me. I left the room, going upstairs to mine, shutting the door and in two strides I reach under the pillow to get the little purple t-shirt that Ness wore when she slept over last time. I brought it to my nose, inhaled its beautiful scent of strawberries like her Mom used to smell like and her favourite perfume called 'Belle de Nuit' that had come from France. She told me one time it meant 'Beautiful night'. Her other favourite was 'Juste un Baiser,': 'Just a Kiss'. Just smelling that t-shirt made me feel as if she was right there, sitting with me. I could hear movement downstairs as the door opened and shut many times while I stayed in my hole. All I wanted to do was to chase her scent, track her down and rescue her from her abductors, but I knew ploughing in without a plan would us all killed. We had to do this sensibly and logically.

I felt my eyes water, something that they hadn't done in a very long time. After the last meeting with the Volturi and their guard years ago, I knew how ruthless and desperate they could be and that thought made my heart darken. Tears strolled down my face, I tried to fight them but it was inevitable, they came and there was nothing I could do to stop them.

The door slammed downstairs, knowing that the last person arrived; I shot up from the bed. I carefully placed my precious t-shirt back in its place, wiped my face with the back of my hands and I raced downstairs to find everyone there; worried. I could tell that Edward already knew the whole story from the girls' thoughts and was gripping onto Bella so hard I thought he was going to snap her clean in half. "Jake. What happened?" Carlisle asked over the screaming babies that he was examining carefully, which I had managed to drown out. Sam was cradling them both as Emily finally broke down. Paul had Rachel on his lap, comforting her, Quil was stroking Claire's hair, Claire clinging to him and not wanting to let go, Jared wrapping his arms around Kim, Embry rubbing Adeline's bruised legs.

"Gemma will need to tell you," I sat on the stairs, away from them all. Rosalie walked over to me and patted me on the shoulder, before she let go I took her hand. "Thank you." She smiled and found Emmett's arms. I forgot how close Lottie and Emmett had become; he regarded her like a sister, he looked devastated at the loss of his human sister and his niece.

"Edward?" Carlisle asked.

"I am going to go there and kill them all," he growled.

"NO!" Gemma shouted. "They want you to go there."

Seth got onto his knees and took Gemma's hand in his. "You need to tell us what happened….please," he begged.

Tears flooded down her cheeks. "We were driving and suddenly a tree fell onto the road, I tried to brake but the van wouldn't stop and we crashed into it, the front of the van hit it, crushing us into the engine, it flipped over and we were in the air, upside down and then on our sides. I thought we were going to die but we stopped in mid-air and we safely got back to the ground and that's when we saw them."

"Lottie stopped the van?" Emmett asked. Gemma nodded.

"Saw who?" Carlisle asked. I knew that he knew that Edward knew but he wanted to hear it for himself.

"There were five cloaked figures…vampires….with crimson eyes, one with bright red eyes."

"It was Felix, Alec, Jane, Demetri and one other," Edward said quietly.

"The other one was called Kyle," Adeline interrupted.

"Jane, the small girl, she called for Nessie to come out, that Aro 'required her presence'," she quoted. "I could see Ness and Lottie speaking with each other through Nessie's gift. Jane called her again then told her that Lottie was to go too. Ness shouted 'No!' then the pain came," Gemma winced at the memory.

Everyone's head snapped to Gemma. "Pain?" Carlisle knew what was coming next and I thought I was going to throw up. Claire buried her head into Quil's chest.

"I have never experience pain like that before. Ever. We all went through it; the babies haven't stopped crying since and Claire has just gone quiet. They actually started to cry before the tree came down."

"Emily, I think we need to take them to hospital," Sam looked at his babies in shock.

"I'll take you," Esme offered. "I have my car; we'll get them in there. Carlisle?"

"They were strapped in well when the van went over, I think they will be ok but I also think you should get them checked over. Just to be on the safe side.

"I don't think that they are in physical pain from crashing into the tree, I think they are more shocked at what Jane did," Edward said. "That is what I am getting from them," Edward winced as if he was going through the pain.

"Sam, Emily, go. Quil, take Claire." Carlisle instructed. "We will fill you in later," he took Emily's hand. "I think they will be ok, babies are very resilient," he reassured and she nodded. Quil stood up with Claire in his arms and followed them. Carlisle turned to us all as they left. "I can't believe Jane would do that to the babies and a small child."

"She knew they were there," Adeline said. "She looked right past us when she saw us the first time."

"What happened next?" Rosalie asked.

"It suddenly stopped and we knew Lottie had taken control, it was her that noticed them first…I think the shock lowered her guard," Adeline continued.

"But she protected you all," Emmett whispered. "She stopped the van. Was it a test?" he said more to himself.

"Ness and Lottie went out, Lottie ordering us to stay in the car. Then Jane was trying to be 'nice' when Ness said something about kidnapping them. Ness tried to not let Lottie come but they insisted saying that Aro was 'fascinated' that she had a power. Now I don't know what Lottie and Ness 'talked' about but Ness-"

Edward rolled his eyes and it dawned on me. "She wanted them to think she had the power," we both said at the same time.

"That's what Nessie did. She said it wasn't 'Lottie with the power, it's me, I am the opposite of my Mother, she is a mental shield, I am a physical shield so please stop attacking us' and I could tell Jane was trying to get us again, I think we all prepared for it but it never came which made her angry. Jane said 'prove it' and Ness threw her arm out, Lottie was standing behind her, holding her hand and Jane flew back and landed on her ass."

Emmett smiled. "That's my girls," he muttered.

"The one that looked like her, tried to help her up and Jane threatened Ness but she held her own and said that 'Aro wouldn't be too impressed' and tried to get Lottie out of it again. Ness said something about Kyle being a newborn and not being able to 'contain himself'. Then Demetri said he could feed on one of us which of course Ness refused and Demetri said Kyle would be fine. Ness said something about Kyle having a gift."

"Gift?" Carlisle asked again.

"Yeah and Demetri said 'maybe' and Ness said; 'that's how you have been able to hide, the scent, hiding from Alice, Dad' and Felix said 'busted'."

Everyone took a collective breath. "So they have found a way from hiding, Ness was right," Jasper shook his head.

"Then Felix complimented her and Bella and said something to Lottie about what happened last night; they had been watching them." I could see Edward shake his head. "But he kept his eyes on Lottie the entire time. I don't know why, but Jane floored him when she didn't like what he said."

"She has never liked Bella. Jealous," Edward muttered.

"Go on," Jasper encouraged.

Adeline took a deep breath. "She said something about getting on a flight to Italy, thirty minutes from where they were. Ness made a point of saying to them that if they hung about much longer that you would come and Kyle boasted about not being able to find them at all. Lottie was worried about becoming a meal on the plane but Jane assured that she wouldn't be but then she got impatient and said she would kill us all including the babies," Gemma shuddered and I had to stop myself from phasing there and then. Gemma took a deep breath. "Ness said 'We go with you, see Aro then you bring us back', Jane said 'We never said anything about bringing you back here' and Ness replied 'My family will come' and Jane retaliated by saying 'Aro is counting on it."

Everyone looked at each other and I realised their plan. "It's a trap," I spoke up. "They want you. The whole thing was an elaborate trap."

"They want you too," Jasper held onto Alice.

"The tree on the road, they had been scoping out the place for weeks, looking for the right time," I finished.

"Oh my god!" Adeline's head fell into her hands. "Clynt asked Lottie what she was up to at the weekend and she said she was going with friends to get her wedding dress. That was aired on TV."

"They want Edward, Bella and Alice to go to Volterra. They want to acquire," Jasper surmised. "Have Ness for good measure. Aro doesn't know who has the telekinetic power so he wanted both of them. The shooting was all over the world but there was no way a 'freak wind' put out that fire and Aro is not stupid."

"Does this mean they will kill her," Keith was leaning against the back wall.

"I don't know. Technically she knows about us but with Bella, they demanded change or death. But there is a loophole," Jasper explained.

"If Ness is tricking them into thinking that she is the one with the power, they may just get away with it. If somehow they do find out, I think Lottie and Ness will be able to take care of themselves," Emmett said confidently.

"We can't take that chance though," Keith stood up and folded his arms.

"No, we go to Italy. We kill them all," I growled.

"NO!" Carlisle stood up with a worried look. "We do that, we invite a massacre here. We need to make a plan."

I halted my momentum. The doc wouldn't say that unless he thought that would happen. "I'm listening."

"We go to Italy and we bring them home. Diplomatically. Aro knows what he has done is wrong but I have a lot of faith in Renesmee and Charlotte. They are two powerful girls. We go to take them home. We make a point of telling them that we will let people know what they did, hopefully that will make them back off. Edward, Bella; you will need to come, your gifts will come in handy. Alice; you need to stay here; we are not giving him what he wants. Jake, Keith you are welcome to come as are Jasper and Emmett. I will contact Eleazar and Kate. Ben will have to stay, he is someone Aro would want."

"I want to come," Alice said quietly.

Edward shook his head. "You are the one he wants the most, Bella is next on that list. If he thinks Ness has the power, it's her. If for some way that they find out its Lottie, he will want her the most," Edward summarised. "Ultimate protection."

"What about the rest of the pack?"

Bella spoke for the first time. "If you all go, you may not come back. Jacob, Keith, there is no way we could not ask you to come, but the rest should stay should we be killed."

I thought for moment. "Seth, you are in charge, who else is staying?"

"Rose, Alice and Esme. Ben and Tia will stay, I need to update them on what's happened and I am sure the Denali coven will come for a few days."

"Even the long haired one?" Keith asked uncertain.

"We will come to an arrangement. Garrett will not pose a problem," Carlisle was sure. They all made a good point.

"Ok. Its done. Pack a small bag and meet back here in an hour," Edward instructed. "I'm going to sort out flights and cars. Keith, you need Lottie's passport."

Gemma snapped her head up. "It's in her safe in the back of the closet, it's locked though."

"Won't be a problem," Keith stormed out the front door.

"Carlisle?" Edward asked.

"I need to go the hospital to get the merc and say goodbye," he looked sad for a moment. I then looked at Alice and Rose who looked devastated. I suddenly realised they were going to be parted from their loved ones, not knowing if they were coming back.

I knew how they felt.


Nessie's POV

I ascended the stairs to the small private plane, getting the feeling of entrapment and enclosure; it wasn't a nice feeling. Lottie hadn't spoken since she told Gemma she would be fine and we kept close to each other at all times. The plane was small inside, there were human air hostesses and pilots, so either they were just plain oblivious or they were under the pay of the Volturi. The inside of the plane was deep red, the seats were leather and instead of the seats being one behind the other, the seats were around the plane like a rectangle, the carpet was a plush deep burgundy. I imagine that is so that if the three Volturi brothers did fly with their guard, that they would be able to see everyone, cos I was sure that although Aro had his guard, there was bound to be some members he didn't trust. I picked the three seats that were at the back of the plane, nearest to the toilet and the air hostesses' cabins. Lottie and I sat down and we watched the five vampires sit at the other end of the plane, as far from us as possible; which I was glad.

I really need to pee. Lottie thought. I had to stifle a giggle, of all the things to need, she needed that.

I turned to the five who were looking at anywhere but each other. "Um…Jane?" Her head turned slowly, her unblinking, crimson eyes boring into me as if I was an annoying fly that she wanted to swat. She didn't speak so I carried on. "I think we both need to use the bathroom facilities," Jane pulled a face of disgust. "We are human," I had to remind her. "We are going in together."

"One at a time," she said fluidly in her babyish voice.

"No. Together and we need food."

"Food?" Jane spat, perturbed.

Felix was openly smiling. "How human."

I stood up; Felix and Demetri were on their feet before I rose to full height, I was deliberately taking my time. "We don't need escorts."

"We will stand by the door as you two do your business. It will be a long flight after all," Demetri said smoothly.

I grabbed Lottie's hand and we rushed over to the toilet (which I was surprised they had) and squished ourselves in. There was one thing I had never done in front of anyone and that was using the toilet; I suppose there was a first time for everything. "They are going to hear every tinkle and sound coming from here, how embarrassing," Lottie snorted. She unzipped her jeans and squatted over the toilet to do her thing. I tried to look everywhere but at Lottie and I shoved my hands into my pockets to find; MY PHONE!

I tapped Lottie on the head, she looked up and I brought my finger to my lips and I slowly brought out my iPhone. I touched Lottie on her forehead. You need to make as much noise as you can. I will send a message and then turn it off. They are going to know where we are going anywhere.

I'll try and squeeze one out! Lottie smiled as she coughed and made more noise than necessary, I didn't even want to think about it. I pressed the 'home' button as quietly as I could and I unlocked the phone. First thing I did was switch off the vibrate mode then I sent a text to Dad and Jacob, making sure that only the pads of my fingers were touching the screen as my nails would make a noise against the screen.

Dad, Jacob- by now you know what's happened, it's a trap. Aro wants you, Mom and Alice. They don't know who has the telekinetic power so we are pretending its me. I know you will come, there is no point in telling you not to. I need to switch this off but I will check in when I can. Please hurry. I love you all; more than my own life.

Lottie grabbed my hand. Tell Keith I love him. I nodded.

Ps. Lottie wants Keith to know that she loves him. I watched the message go, I touched Lottie again. I need to switch this off, make some noise. Lottie did her thing, pulled up her trousers and flushed the toilet, I pressed the button at the top, switching the phone off and put it back in my pocket, I was grateful that my top was long enough to hide the bump it made. Lottie washed her hands as I quickly used the toilet, I flushed then I washed mine.

I opened the door to find Demetri right there, in our faces, suspicious eyes looking us up and down. "Finished?"

"Yes, thank you," I replied. I thought I had better be polite, given the situation. This was some fucked up seventeen year old with a gun. Demetri moved back to let us pass and we moved quickly back to our seats to find chicken and bacon baguettes, crisps (AN-for the folks over the water, I think I mean chips), juice cartons and chocolate. I was actually quite grateful as I was hungry and I could hear from Lottie's stomach that she was feeling the same. "Thank you," I said to no one in particular.

Lottie looked uncertainly at the food and as we both sat down, Lottie touching my hand. Is the food drugged? I hadn't thought of that. I took a deep breath in through my nose and I tried to smell out any drugs that might have been used, but nothing.

No, I can't smell anything. I think its ok. I picked up my baguette and took a bite first, chewing it in my mouth then swallowing. It tasted fine to me so Lottie took a generous bite from hers. We ended up demolishing everything as we were so hungry, I took a sneaky look at Jane who was watching us with another disgusted look, Felix watching Lottie with fascination. I imagined that it was a long time since they had tasted actual food and I reckoned that watching us demolish the food was maybe interesting to them. We were carrying out a basic human act and they were watching us like we watched animals on the discovery channels.

I estimated that we had spent about an hour on the plane and I was getting bored. Lottie was relaxing a little but I could sense she was getting tired. The vampires not speaking or even looking at each other the entire time. I wondered if they did anything on their own time like shopping or watching TV.

Nah!

Felix turned in his chair towards us, leaning his elbows on his thighs, clasping his hands. "You girls are not saying much."

The other vampires turned their heads in our direction. "There isn't much to say," I replied looked straight ahead.

"Come now, the other night you both had plenty to say on TV," he ribbed.

"So that's how you knew we were going to Seattle," I muttered.

"Yes, we followed the van."

"Felix!" Jane hissed.

"What?" Felix shrugged. "They have probably figured it out," he turned his head back to us. "They are not stupid. Why so quiet?"

"I don't know. Being under threat makes you think about a few things," I replied.

"Like escaping?" Jane smiled smugly. I remembered that smile from years ago, it riled my Mother and it certainly did nothing for me. She will get what's coming to her one day.

She bloody will if she starts her crap. Lottie threatened.

"Jane, we will be leaving Italy one way or another, that you can count on," I threatened.

"Oh good!" Felix clapped his hands together, making Lottie jump behind me. "I love a good fight."

"There will be no fighting," I said resoundly. "I can also guarantee you that."

"We'll see," Felix flashed me his white teeth as a warning. Lottie shuddered.

"So, what's the plan?" I asked.

"Excuse me?" Jane replied tartly.

"Do we meet Aro when we arrive?"

"No, you will get some rest; Aro would like it so that you are not jetlagged."

I nodded at her admittance. Lottie, we can get some sleep there, we had best try not sleep on the plane.

Ok. It's going to be a long flight.

I know.


Jacob's POV

"The next flight leaves from Seattle airport in five hours, that takes us straight to Volterra then we drive from there," Edward confirmed.

"Five hours?" I threw my hands up in frustration. I wanted to go now! I was getting itchy feet.

"That is the best he can do Jake," Bella said softly. "It's the best he can do for all of us."

"How long is the flight?"

"Eight hours, give or take. Are you ready to go?"

"Yes," I picked up my backpack to show Edward; Keith had his, some clothes and toiletries for Lottie along with her passport. He had retrieved her phone and purse from her bag in the van. Nessie's phone wasn't there. Bella had packed a bag for Nessie.

I looked over to see Alice and Jasper silently holding each other, they were saying goodbye in their own way. Rose and Emmett had gone into the forest, no doubt getting their end away; I suppose that was their way of saying goodbye. I couldn't blame them really. I had just gotten back from seeing Dad. I had explained what had happened as I kneeled down next to him.

"Son, you have to do what is best, you have to get her back."

"I know Dad, but I might not come back."

Dad took my hands in his old weathered ones. "I know. I am not going to say goodbye as I have every faith that you will be back."

I bowed my head into our hands and I could feel Dad lay his free hand on my head. "I'm worried," I confessed.

"You have every right to be."

"If I don't come back, there could be an onslaught here."

"If they come?"

"If they come."

"My advice to you my son; don't be so hot headed. When it comes to fights and battles, you win them every time, when it comes to talking things out; you had best leave that to Carlisle and Edward."

"I completely agree," I snorted. "Dad…" I said soberly

"No, you will be back," he patted my hand.

"But-"

"I have every faith in you all. I know you will bring them all back."

I was brought back to reality as Emmett and Rose ran back into my house, they kissed each other passionately before parting hands as Emmett joined Edward and Jasper let Alice go with a pained look (more pained than normal). Carlisle let himself in with Esme who ran over to Rose and Alice to comfort them. I found Seth and laid my hand on his shoulder. "If I don't come back-"

"You will Chief," he believed what he said.

"But if I don't."

"Then I will take charge. Not the way to earn the Alpha."

"But you would make a brilliant Alpha; I know you will protect them all."

"I will. To the death."

"To the death." I pulled Seth into my arm as we pounded each other on the back, manly of course and I let him go. "Take care."

"You too. All of you," Seth said to the group. He walked over to Edward and pulled him in for an embrace.

"Thank you Seth," Edward mumbled. "Ok. We need to go."

We left the house in a sombre mood to find another set of vampires standing outside. "Hello Carlisle," Eleazar inclined his head towards him. The Denali coven was here, true to their word with Ben and Tia behind them. "Let's get them back," he said resolutely."

"Thank you my friend," Carlisle placed his arm around Eleazar. "Thank you for coming so quickly."

"Not at all Carlisle. We took a few things and we just ran here."

Tanya, Carmen, Ben, Tia and Garrett went inside. "Esme, Rose and Alice are going back to the main house," Edward said to them as they went inside. "We will make that our base."

They nodded, passing their thoughts to Edward and Bella as they passed. We had to get a move on now. Keith, Emmett, Jasper and Eleazar got into Carlisle's Mercedes and I followed Bella, Edward and Kate into Edward's Volvo; setting a very fast pace to Seattle airport.

"I took the liberty in contacting the Irish coven Edward, Jacob. I told them what had happened; they are willing to meet us if we need them."

"Tell them thank you but we don't need to get any more people killed. The fact that they know about what has taken place is good enough for me," Edward replied.

Kate nodded. "I thought you would say that. They are ready at a moment's notice."

"I appreciate that. The fact you are here means a lot to us."

"We are here to fight for someone so precious. We won't let those bastards harm a hair on those girls' heads," Kate said with passion.

"But I will rip each and every one of them to shreds of they do," I said darkly.

"We are counting on it Jake," Bells turned in her seat to smile weakly at me.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. I sat forward in my seat when I saw who sent the message. "Holy shit, it's Ness!" Edward reached into his pocket and fished out his phone.

"What does it say?" Bella asked.

I recited out the text: "Dad, Jacob- by now you know what's happened, it's a trap. Aro wants you, Mom and Alice. They don't know who has the telekinetic power so we are pretending it's me. I know you will come, there is no point in telling you not to. I need to switch this off but I will check in when I can. Please hurry. I love you all; more than my own life. Ps. Lottie wants Keith to know that she loves him."

"They are keeping them alive," Bella whispered.

"For now," Edward said grimly. He pressed down harder on the accelerator.


AN- What do you think is going to happen? What you readers thinking? let me know! Posting a day early cos I am at work tomorrow.

PPS - I am planning on writing a follow up to this so if you add me as your fav author, you will get a notification when a new story is written - just so you can get your Nessie/Jake fix! x

COME ON FOLKS! I NEED SOME MORE REVIEWS!