The soft piano notes rang throughout the room in a calming tune, the lullaby Edward had written for Bella was a beautiful melody and the entire Cullen family listened on with fond smiles upon their faces. Young Renesmee was a natural, as most vampires were and played the song without trouble, her dainty fingers dancing across the keys with graceful precision.

Katerina was reclined on the sofa in between Alex and Jasper, her brother combing his fingers through her locks while Jasper's arm was snug around her waist. Lillian was sat at the corner of the room, nose deep into a notebook, her writing hand was moving so fast that it was only a blur.

The girl was studying what classes and modules she could take in the colleges she wished to join in the coming years, narrowing down her many options – even more so once Katerina had shown her the family canvas of graduation caps and hinted that the girl could repeat college as many times as she wished to accumulate an impressive repertoire of degrees in all fields.

Suffice to say, the girl had since refused to be pried from her research and Katerina simply let her be, only pausing to press a kiss to the crown of silky curls whenever she passed by.

Both the Clearwater's were also out of the house, though she knew they'd be back soon, having gone out to patrol the borders – something they'd offered to do after insisting that the Cullens had already done too much for them.

As the music continued on, Katerina met Rosalie's gaze from where she stood beside Emmett and sent a warm smile toward her sister, recognising the misty-eyes as Rosalie was lost in her daydreams of having a child of her own, one which she could sit around and teach fine arts to like Renesmee was right now.

'Love you,' Katerina mouthed with soft eyes. Rosalie's own eyes brightened from her fantasies and she sent a rare genuine smile that was filled with both gratefulness and love.

'You too,' the blonde mouthed back.

Carlisle and Esme were watching Edward and Renesmee with evident fondness, likely reminiscing on how different their family was since moving to Forks, with their previously only single child now having a family of his own. It was finally beginning to feel complete for the Cullens.

Alice walked into the room holding a large glass vase that held within it a voluminous bouquet of vanilla orchids, their sweet scent permeated the room and Katerina took in a grateful sniff, holding back a purr of delight at the flowery scent. She truly did love the smell of fresh flowers.

Especially vanilla...She remembered Theodore smelt of vanilla when she'd first met him as a tiny frail human.

The calming lull was suddenly broken with the shattering of glass as Alice unceremoniously dropped the vase which impacted with a smash against the wooden floor. Alex sped over to grab hold of his startled wife while the rest of the family paused in place, eyeing the girl in concern.

"Alice, what's wrong?" Carlisle asked, always the calm one.

Katerina had a sinking feeling in her stomach and being one to always trust her excellent intuition, she knew they weren't going to like what the seer had to say.

"The Volturi," Alice began in an unusually meek voice and that horrible feeling in Katerina's stomach turned to lead upon having her fears proven true. "They're coming for us."

The Cullen family and Jacob could only stare for a moment at Alice's ominous warning and listened in as she continued on, trying to give more context to her sudden declaration.

"Aro, Caius, Marcus, the Guards...and Irina," she said the last name with a complex expression, mixed with confusion, horror and sadness.

Edward had been frozen since the bombshell had dropped, likely searching through all the memories himself. Bella was quick to usher her daughter closer, wanting the girl near after such a revelation.

"But why?" Alex asked in genuine confusion. His arms had settled themselves around Alice's delicate form, comforting his distressed wife.

"What did Irina see in the woods?" Edward asked wanting to get straight to the crux of the problem. If they knew why Irina had taken such offence, then they could figure out a defence to whatever line the other vampire believed they'd crossed in order to involve the Volturi.

"We...we were just walking," Bella said in perplexion, her eyes darting around to the others in the room as though to gauge just what could have caused this situation.

Jacob took over in narrating, his entire body tense at the news of an oncoming threat, especially after having finally found his imprint.

"Nessie was catching snowflakes...nothing too out of the ordinary, other than her high jumping of course...but why would that cause such a scene?"

Edward's eyes brightened in recognition before dimming abruptly in sudden understanding. "Of course..." he whispered hoarsely.

The family were all on edge at the boy's expression and tone of voice, Carlisle urging his son to speak out on whatever conclusion he'd come to. Katerina however, had already come to the same horrifying conclusion, as she'd been in this exact position years ago. With a tremble in her voice, the girl spoke up before her brother could.

"Immortal child."

The two words were enough to cause all the vampires within the room – sans Renesmee and Bella – to pause, all coming to the same deadly conclusion she and Edward had.

"Immortal child?" Jacob asked, frowning at their faces. "Why would that cause the Volturi to come?"

"Jacob, think about it for a moment," Katerina said, catching the boys attention. "Vampires are natural predators. They're seductive and dangerous, practically indestructible to the human population. Our only positive is that we retain our rational thinking. We're not animals, we can think about the consequences of our actions."

Jacob was following her explanation, Bella, too.

"So," Jasper picked up from where she'd left off seamlessly. "What is likely to happen when a child – which are known to be temperamental and prone to tantrums – becomes an almost indestructible killing machine fuelled by an insane thirst for blood?" he asked in a sarcastic drawl.

Jacob's eyes dawned in understanding and he subconsciously moved closer to Renesmee, Bella tightening her hold upon her daughter with a mounting expression of dread.

Carlisle steered them towards the crook of the room where Lillian had been sitting – the girl had long since put her pen down and was watching the entire scene with pursed lips and fearful eyes. The man picked out a large tome from the bookshelf and flicked through it, laying it upon the table with the open spread showing drawings of cherubic children, all beautifully illustrated.

"Immortal children are so very beautiful, they're enchanting," Carlisle described with a serious air. "To simply be near them is to cherish them."

"They're intoxicating," Katerina said sternly from the other side of the table, her expression taut with conflicting emotions at discussing such a topic. "You want to protect them with your very life, despite the consequences."

Bella looked up at Katerina and held in a wince, remembering the heart to heart they'd both shared within that coffee shop months ago, where the vampire had revealed some of her past, briefly mentioning the young boy she'd met and soon lost.

"Their age, however," Jasper chimed in again from beside Katerina, his hands gently running through the ends of her hair in a soothing motion. "Is frozen at the point they were turned, resulting in their rather...temperamental attitudes."

"They can't be taught or restrained," Carlisle intoned solemnly. "A single temper tantrum of theirs could ruin an entire city." The man looked down at his next words, sadness evident in his eyes. "The Volturi were forced to become involved, as immortal children cannot keep our secret, they were...destroyed."

"Families were torn apart from wanting to protect them, yet putting them all in danger," Esme spoke quietly, a rare solemnity in her tone and her beautiful face was pinched in sorrow. "Our cousins in Alaska knew this too well."

"So, the Denali's mother made an immortal child?" Bella asked with a frown.

"Yes," Carlisle intoned. "And she paid the price."

"They both did," Katerina muttered sourly, referencing the ruthless killing of the child, alongside the mother.

Bella was shocked and struggled to get out her words without stuttering. "W-Well, Renesmee is nothing like those children," she tried denying fervently. "She was born, not bitten...she grows every day."

The last part was said with an underlying of sadness, as Renesmee's rapid growth was a topic of consternation within the family. The young girl was growing much quicker than humanly possible and the new parents were worried they'd have to watch their child grow and die within the next few years, while they stayed immortal.

"Can't you just explain all of this to the Volturi?" Jacob asked with a deep frown upon his brows.

"If the Volturi were so inclined to listening to those they consider lesser, then we wouldn't have had such issues with them in the past," Katerina said rather sarcastically, unable to hold back her derision for the idea of talking civilly to the vampire royals.

The day the Volturi speak civilly and equally with anybody 'below' them is the day God truly descends onto earth and blesses us cursed immortals.

"Aro will believe he has enough proof from seeing Irina's thoughts," Edward explained.

There was a moment of poignant silence as those around the room took in the rather damning news. Katerina held Lillian's hand in her own, stroking her thumb across the girl's knuckles in a hopefully reassuring matter. All of this talk about the Volturi had gotten Katerina's nerves spiked high and she couldn't help the dreadful thought of snatching up Lillian, Seth and Leah and running as far away as possible.

She knew it was a selfish wish, but a tiny part of her – that she tried vehemently to push to the furthest corner of her mind – couldn't help but want to point out how it was Bella and Edward's problem that brought this upon them all. It always came back to Isabella Swan.

The selfish and crueller parts of Katerina wanted to rant and rave of how unfair this all was, that she couldn't go through this ordeal yet again. She couldn't survive if another of her children was ripped away from her.

Aro was nothing if not petty and vindictive, and Katerina was sure that despite only coming for Renesmee he wouldn't stop at threatening to destroy Lillian should Katerina refuse to join his service once again. His beady little eyes would soon land on Seth and Leah, too, and the affection she held for them both would be only too obvious for the manipulative immortal.

Aro would be willing to dangle their lives in front of her in sadistic amusement and make Katerina dance to his tune in order to save them all. Not to mention if he somehow got his greedy little hands on Aleksandr or Jasper...

Katerina had been forced to hone her survival instincts the moment she'd awoken inside a statuesque body and an insatiable thirst for blood, and those same survival instincts now screamed at her, banging against every corner and wall of her mind to get the hell away and run, run, RUN.

"Their offensive powers are too powerful," Jasper's words brought her from her thoughts and back to the present. She wasn't sure what had been said whilst she was unaware but she seamlessly pretended like she hadn't been zoned out the entire time.

"How?" Jacob asked sceptically, raking his eyes across both the twins as well as Alice and Edward, knowing that their four powers, in particular, were very impressive in regards to holding an advantage over your enemy.

Carlisle seemed to follow his train of thought, for he sent a genial smile toward Jacob while glancing at both Katerina ad Aleksandr.

"It is true that Kat and Alex are both powerful in their own right, which is why Aro has been so keen on collecting them both – alongside Edward and Alice," he began. "However, Jane has the gift to inflict immeasurable amounts of pain upon anybody she focuses on, and her twin, Alec, has sensory deprivation, a rather terrifying gift that I'm sure you can guess the ability of..." he trailed off.

Jacob sat back with a shocked expression at the description of the imposing abilities described. Attention was brought to Edward as he carried on his father's explanation.

"Aro is prolific in his collecting of powerfully gifted vampires...going against even a couple of them is suicide."

"Not to forget Demetri," Alex spoke up from where he'd previously been silently listening. He felt it was imperative to point out the sometimes-forgotten threat that the Volturi held within their grasp.

"And he is?" Jacob asked.

"Their tracker," Edward answered. "His gift is to track people through the tenors of their mind. As far as we know, nobody has been able to escape the Volturi with him by their side."

"It doesn't matter how long or far you run, they'll eventually find you," Alex intoned. "At the moment you think you're finally safe they'll come from behind and reveal that they'd been easily following your trail all along."

Bella's face had gotten graver the more they spoke, but Katerina felt it was important that the girl understood just what they stood against. Rosalie had taken Renesmee away to the other room sometime early in their conversation and so it was only the remaining adults that stood discussing the matter.

"Then...we need to convince them, somehow," Bella said with mounting anxiety. Edward had moved to comfort her, but his actions didn't amount to much when the girl was fidgeting like a human, her nerves becoming too much.

"They're here to kill us, not talk," Emmett said in an unusually sombre tone, his boyish face was pinched in a serious expression in contrast to his usually goofy grin.

"Bella might be right..." Edward mumbled. His brows were creased in contemplation.

"What? You want us to stage an intervention with vampiric royalty and force them to see the error of their sadistic ways?" Alex drawled sarcastically; his eyes narrowed.

Edward shook his head in denial, attempting to explain his thoughts. "What if they could be convinced by others of the truth? They won't believe us because we're biased, but what if we can get others to testify on our behalf?"

"And who do you believe would be so suicidal as to stand against the Volturi?" Katerina asked, the implied 'for us?' left unsaid.

The Cullens were not un-liked by other vampires. However, their unnatural diet and insistence on acting like humans put off many other vampires who preferred the unrestrained Nomadic lifestyle.

Edward took in her words with an understanding gravity but turned to Carlisle in hopes of gaining some support for his idea. They were grasping at straws by this point and anything was worth considering.

"Carlisle, you know many around the world. People you consider friends, can none of them stand behind us?"

"I won't ask them to fight," he said regretfully, unable to give up his morals even in such a situation.

"Not fight," Edward argued. "Just stand witness. Support us when we tell them that Renesmee will cause no harm. That she isn't an immortal child."

"If enough people know the truth then maybe we could get them to listen," Bella finished off her husband's words, desperate for any semblance of a plan that could work.

"Surely we can ask this of our friends," Esme said softly, taking Carlisle's hand in hers. "You have done much for them, it is not selfish to ask this in return."

Carlisle stared at his wife before turning sombre eyes to the rest of his family that stood around the room, taking in their grave and determined expressions. He nodded his head, ready to tackle this situation with the responsibility of clan leader and most importantly, a father.


Later that night, Katerina was packing a bag for herself and Lillian when her phone chimed from its place upon her bed. Picking up the device, she read the simple message and frowned in concern.

With a deceptively calm expression, she erased the text and put the phone back down and gracefully made her way to the balcony where she jumped out and landed upon the ground outside. She swiftly sped through the pitch-black forest and came upon a small clearing far away enough from the house that conversation wouldn't be overheard.

Spotting the two figures Katerina soon appeared in front of them both, staring at their matching expressions. She felt a leaden sensation in her gut, the same one that had forewarned her only moments before Alice had revealed the Volturi's impending arrival.

"What's with this impromptu meeting? You've never been one to be ashamed of his secrets," she said looking towards her brother.

Alex was wearing an expression that was a perfect mixture of sadness and determination, his jaw tense and his lips pursed. It was the same expression Katerina had seen many times before, especially in their earlier years of immortality when the boy had been childish and adamant on acting however he wished.

Acknowledging the tense atmosphere and Alice's upset expression, Katerina decided to get straight to the point. "What's going on?"

"We can't tell you. Please understand, Kat, we would if we thought the truth would be safe."

The implied hint towards Aro's ability didn't go unnoticed and Katerina's eyes narrowed in shrewd understanding.

"Okay," she began calmly. "So you cannot tell me the truth, yet I'm sure you can tell me exactly why I seem to be the only one invited to this secret gathering?"

"We're going away for a while, we can't explain why...but Kat, we're going to be going somewhere that will allow us to possibly help this entire situation."

Alex's explanation was rather lacking but Katerina knew her twin best, she knew he wouldn't do something this rash and impulsive if he wasn't in the belief that it was for the best. "You're the only one here because...well, I couldn't bear the thought of leaving without telling you, at least."

Katerina looked toward Alice, who's eyes were drooped in sadness and her shoulders seemingly holding upon them great weight. Katerina walked toward them both and enveloped them in a hug, pressing kisses to both of their heads, pulling down Alex's considerable height in order to do so, getting a chuckle from them both.

"I trust you both," she mumbled from within their group hug. "I trust you as much as I trust myself," she spoke directly toward Alex. "You're my other half and I trust in whatever you believe is the right thing." She addressed Alice next. "And I trust that you'd always do the right thing in regards to this family. I trust that you'll keep my idiot brother safe because you love him more than anything else."

She pulled back from their embrace and faced them both with a confident gaze. "I trust you both for whatever reason you're deciding to do this. You don't need to tell me anything, ok? But just promise me one thing," she said seriously.

"Anything," Alex said without hesitation, Alice nodding along beside him.

"Promise to stay safe and come back to me."

"We promise," Alex and Alice said in unison, their eyes holding only the absolute truth.

"Okay," Katerina said with a subdued yet resolute smile. "I believe you."


The entire Cullen family had split up in their searches for allies in the upcoming confrontation between themselves and the Volturi. Deciding that their time should be used wisely, Carlisle had wisely set each of their sights on a particular Nomad that would be a possible help and so their individual groups had set forth.

However, before their journeys could even begin, the family had been met with a rather surprising and upsetting knockback in the disappearance of Alice and Aleksandr.

"They're what?!" Rosalie said in utter betrayal. Emmett stood beside her with his arms crossed, his face pinched in sadness at the abrupt news.

Only moments ago, Sam had crossed into their territory and handed over a ripped sheet of paper taken from a novel, with their sister's handwriting upon it. The brief note had only told of how the couple would be leaving and that they were sorry. It was so blunt and to the point that it left the rest of the family baffled.

There had been searching looks sent Katerina's way at her obviously unaffected attitude toward the departure, but she had remained resolutely tight-lipped and had begun thinking solely in Russian within her own mind, not even allowing Edward a peek inside.

Of course, this wouldn't stop Aro who was prolific in languages of all kinds, but that was the sole reason Katerina hadn't pushed the pair further in explaining their plan. Only trusting in their promise that they would return eventually.

The rest of the family were predictably shaken up; with Esme having to be consoled by Carlisle and Bella only blinking in shock, housing a mixture of guilt and sorrow at believing that she'd brought upon the cause of their split.

Jasper had taken her word with a simple nod, trusting his wife in her opinion on the matter. If anybody was worried about their disappearance then it would be her, and feeling her calm and resolute emotions put Jasper at ease. Lillian was much the same, simply taking her word for it and only voicing her wish for their safe return.

Carlisle had told them all to put this issue aside for now, that they couldn't afford to dwell upon it as their time was already running out. They had taken it with pinched expressions, unhappy at having to simply ignore the rather personal blow but knowing he was ultimately right; their time now was precious.

Edward and Bella had been tasked with confronting the Denali coven alongside Jacob and Renesmee, knowing that they would be the hardest to convince of supporting a supposed immortal child, considering their history. Carlisle believed that for the sisters to see Renesmee in person would be the only way to gain their support.

Jasper had obviously taken upon himself to find his old friends, Peter and Charlotte, and while Katerina would have normally followed suit, Carlisle thought it best if Katerina was the one to go convince the Nomad Amun and his Egyptian coven.

This was something he felt only Katerina could accomplish, as he thought that Benjamin would be taken with her gifts and wish to come aid them, something Amun would undoubtedly follow if so. He'd confided that he'd wished to initially send both twins, as Alex's pyrokinesis was likely to fascinate Benjamin, however Katerina's ergokinesis would work just as well.

Their ability to wield and manipulate matter of any sort was rare and the boy would likely jump at the chance to interact and learn from someone with a similar gift.

Let it not be unsaid that Amun was a strict and possessive sire, unwilling to relinquish his hold upon Benjamin. Katerina's natural stubbornness and unyielding personality would be tantamount in combatting this block.

And so, the pair had split, with Katerina kissing her mate passionately and wishing him luck, confidant in his abilities to protect himself and happy knowing he was about to be reunited with his best friends.

The rest of the Cullens had taken to finding the other covens between them, knowing that they would be much easier to convince, with some even likely to tell others they trusted about the situation, which would only further their message to those they could not find or reach.

Katerina had reassured the Clearwater's that they'd soon return, both siblings anxious about the storm brewing ahead. She'd tried convincing them not to join their cause, believing that much like Lillian, they were simply too young to have such a part in these matters, wishing for them to stay out of harm's way. However, in true stubborn fashion, both had declined. They believed it was their destiny and right to be a part of this fight, and that it was within their very blood to protect those that needed it.

Katerina couldn't argue with their determination and swore to herself that she'd ensure they all survive this confrontation, even if she had to give her own life in exchange.

It was with this that Katerina found herself sat upon a plane with Lillian by her side, their destination; Egypt.

"I know this isn't the time for tourism but I'm so excited we're actually going to Egypt!" Lillian whispered excitedly, wiggling in her seat with a grin on her face.

Katerina didn't have the heart to tell the girl that now wasn't the time for excitement and was only glad that she could still find a semblance of happiness within these stressful moments.

"I promise to take you here again once all of this is over," she said, ignoring the small part of her brain that snidely pondered whether she'd even be alive to take the girl at all.

"Really? Woo! Thanks, Mum," she cheered happily, the term of endearment slipping from her lips without effort.

Katerina's chest ached at the form of address and she quietly took in the girl's cheery person. Her vibrant strawberry-blonde curls were as lively as ever, the silky locks framing her heart-shaped face. The girl's golden eyes were taking in everything going on around her even without her knowing, travelling across the other passengers in curiosity, not once showing a need or want for their blood.

Katerina had never been so proud of the girl and it was with a bitterness that she decided to speak about their true reason for coming, wishing that she could pretend they were simply on holiday for a moment longer.

"Lills, listen to me for a moment, okay?" she said quietly, wanting the girl to listen to her seriously. Lillian nodded her head, leaning in closer to take in her words.

"The man we're going to see is a tough one. He lives with his mate and has a Childe he turned called Benjamin. He's very possessive of them both and will likely try his hardest to deny our wishes for them to stand witness."

Lillian was frowning, "Why would he not want to help us?"

"Because he's smart and knows that joining us only paints a large target upon his back," she said honestly.

Katerina couldn't fault Amun for his inevitable denial and knew she'd have to manipulate the situation to her advantage in order to gain their support, something she loathed to do but she would take this responsibility upon her shoulders in order to save her family.

From one selfish individual to another, Katerina could empathise with Amun's plight.

Not that that would stop her.

"Are you scared?" Lillian whispered softly, looking at Katerina from beneath thick lashes. Her eyes were filled with love and affection and Katerina smiled as she tucked back a stray lock of hair behind the girl's ear.

"Yes," she answered honestly, unwilling to lie to the girl anymore. "I'm terrified. Not for myself, but for you. For you and Seth and Leah. For Jasper and Aleksandr. For my family." Katerina took a moment to stare at Lillian with despairing eyes. "There hasn't been a moment where I've been terrified of losing my own life since this has begun, only my fear of losing all of you."

"But...if you die, won't you still be losing us?" Lillian asked in sadness.

"I would die with the knowledge that you would all live on in safety. I couldn't think of being blessed any more than that."

"What about nobody dies and we all live safely?" the girl said petulantly.

Katerina tucked the girl's head into the crook of her neck, patting down the lively curls with a soothing hand.

"Come now, Shortcake. I know there's an impressively large brain inside that pretty little head of yours," she chided. "Let us face reality with a calm mind. It is likely that many people may die in this confrontation, regardless of what Carlisle and Edward would like to believe. The Volturi do not listen to reason and I have full confidence that this will result in a fight."

Lillian tried to move back but Katerina held on tightly, unwilling to relinquish the comfort holding the girl brought.

"That's not to say that I'll allow anybody I care for to die. I refuse to let that happen, so you don't have to worry about dying, little one." She pressed a kiss to the crown of her head, feeling the softness of her hair against her lips.

"I'll protect you all with all my strength. Every single part of my body and soul will be hellbent on your protection."

"I want to protect you, too."

"You'll protect me by protecting yourself," Katerina said softly. "Keeping yourself out of harm's way will ensure I can focus on surviving myself and fighting who I must. It is when my attention is split between both fighting and protecting when I'm at a disadvantage. Do not mistake the Volturi for those who care for others, they are more than willing to sacrifice to safe themselves, something we do not have to advantage of doing ourselves."

"How sad," Lillian whispered. "Do they not care for anybody? Truly?"

"Perhaps they believe they care for those around them, but I doubt they are willing to sacrifice themselves to death's embrace for those same people."

Katerina wondered whether the infamous Jane would offer her own life in order to protect her twin, something Katerina would do without question. Had the girl's morality fallen so low that she could not feel the deep bond that connected herself and Alec? Vampiric twins held a bond so deeply intertwined that it could rival even a mate bond in its strength and impact on the individuals.

"That's just..." Lillian trailed off.

"Pitiful," Katerina finished the girl's sentence.

"Pitiful," Lillian repeated solemnly, staring out of the plane window as they flew over the ocean.

The glistening blue waters were mesmerising from above and the sight held the teen's attention, helping to avert the depressing thoughts swirling around in her head; curiosity sparkling within her honey eyes.

Both women watched the scenery below and could only wait until they arrived at their destination and prepare for whatever reception they would receive.