A/N Hey everyone, I know a lot of you guys have been waiting for this chapter and I have to just say I'm sorry that it hasn't been as regular recently. I've just got to get into the swing of it again, life gets busy I'm sure you are all aware of that and I've not had the kind of time I've had in the past to write. Though I'm still getting a little done here and now, I'd like to say I'm going to get a chapter up a week but you might just have to bear with me for a little while. Many of you have been incredibly supportive even sending me PM's, that I really need to get to replying. It's really incredibly cool getting not only to read the reviews but the private messages from you guys, Red Dawn has blown up in a way I never expected. Part of that comes down to all of you guys and those behind the scenes who are always a willing ear for me to give ideas too. I know many of you wanted the fighting to start now, believe me I want to get to the violence, the gore and the blood... it's kind of my favourite part :P but for the story certain things have to happen. There has to be a certain amount of things that go down before our guys go running into war. You all know I punish stupid choices (or at least I'd like to think I do) so having the Cullen's rush off into battle without really preparing would have them lose horribly. Training needs to happen, planning and strategy needs to have been decided upon, so stick with me. The wait isn't long now and you'll get what you want believe me you'll get it by the bucket load just a little bit more patients guys ;)

As Always massive thank you to my Beta, RDoster2012.

BETA READER: RDoster2012

Enjoy :)

RED DAWN

SUMMARY: Edward had always warned Bella that the pack was dangerous. They are hostile, volatile, and aggressive by nature. She ignored him, testing even Edward's vampire instinct, by staying friends with his enemy, Jacob. One event will change them all. Bella never truly understood the supernatural world; she didn't understand the aggression that lay dormant even in her controlled mate until it was too late. WARNING: Violence and Character Death.

Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight and all the Characters.


Chapter Twenty-Four

Bella had watched the entire afternoon as her family trained, she watched as Jasper, with the help of the more experienced members of the group pushed them all, almost to the breaking point. She'd listened intently to the wise words and harsh techniques of Eleazar who used his knowledge from his long stay within the Volturi Guard, for all she knew of the power within Volterra it seemed they had their own personal style of fighting that only those within the guard knew. Even though Eleazar had extensive combat knowledge, he often deferred to Jasper, which showed Bella just how impressively talented Jasper was in the art of war. He was quick and precise with each command and fight he set up. It became clear that he'd purposely placed Edward and Kate against each other to knock Kate's confidence. While she'd taken a very violent defeat against the wolves, her ability often made her arrogant in the belief that she was untouchable, simply because touching her usually brought her enemy to their knees.

An opponent like Edward, as all had witnessed, could literally be her end, he'd known her entire arsenal of offensive and defensive style, used the very thoughts from her own mind to predict and react instantly. She had not even been able to touch him, the few times she had she'd been far too distracted with having to defend herself from attack to even apply her charged touch. It was clear for all to see however, that the defeat had brought on the desired reaction from Kate; she'd doubled her efforts, taken to fighting even more seriously. She'd wanted to fight Edward again but Eleazar had been the one to stand in this time, it seemed that Eleazar had specific plans for Edward's own training.

Eleazar targeted Edward with multiple opponents, it was something that had truly scared and brought forth Bella's anger as she'd watched Eleazar direct those against her fiancée and mate. Not only did Edward have to fight Charlotte and Peter, but when Eleazar also directed subtly for Carmen and Tanya to both attack Edward while unprepared, Bella had been ready to yell out. Not only to try and help her mate, but also enraged that Eleazar would have him placed with such unfair odds, she'd learned quickly through witnessing the fights that none of them truly pulled punches. There was never any biting or removing of limbs, but when they connected the entire area heard the collision echo around them. It was fast and brutal with a power that Bella couldn't truly comprehend while still being human. Peter and Charlotte were both worthy opponents and from what Bella had been able to see, Edward had been struggling between the two but had shown to be holding himself well.

It was clear in both nomads style that they'd been trained by Jasper, while not nearly to the same level or standard as the battle scarred warrior she saw as a brother, both had certain aspects that showed Jasper's once influence on them during a time of war. As a mated pair they moved together and used one another to strike and parry Edward, often Peter being the force to block coming attacks leaving Edward open to Charlotte's more striking blows. When Tanya and Carmen had moved into the fray, Edward had been all but overwhelmed by the numbers; Tanya had leapt clear onto his back. The scream had caught in Bella's throat when in one motion she'd believed almost impossible for Edward he'd seemed to twist his body in such an angle barely dodging to the side. Then, savagely slamming Tanya down out of the air to the ground, unfortunately it had left him open to Carmen sweeping his legs at the same time Peter had landed a harsh kick to Edward's chest. It was the first time Bella had ever saw Edward truly knocked from his feet.

Bella had felt compelled to rush to him, even while knowing that he wasn't really hurt, not in the way that he could be, should the fight with the pack not go in their favour. Bella knew that while fighting, that it wasn't the intention of those around her to actually harm Edward but she couldn't bear to watch such unlikely numbers target him. While his mind reading offered much assistance in helping him, she couldn't believe that even he could outlast such numbers. Edward had always warned that the vampire mind moved at a much faster speed than a human one, she was finally seeing that Edward's mind reading ability may also not be able to keep up during the throes of a fight.

That fear, however suddenly, was forced to the back of her mind as Edward flipped his body back to his feet and moved forward quickly. His speed almost whistled around her ears, it seemed so loud as he burst forward. One moment Carmen had been there the next she'd been all but flung clear across the clearing. Her body barely caught by Emmet, who had been knocked from his feet under the impact of her body being thrown so strongly. Tanya was the next, Edward seemed to blur under Charlotte and Peter to target Tanya. He all but stopped dead in front of her, the look on his face something Bella believed she'd never forget as he slammed his palm into her chest, the metallic shriek and agonized cry that left Tanya's lips had sounded more like a wounded dying animal then anything human. It sent Tanya back a good ten feet from where she'd been standing before both Charlotte and Peter were back on Edward.

Charlotte swiped across Edward's chest, fabric ripping as Peter slipped around Edward, trying to attack him from behind. Once again using their numbers effectively, trying to keep the two attacks at the same time so that even if Edward could stop one, he was left vulnerable to the other. Edward's flared nostrils and black eyes never faltered though, even when Peter raised a knee into the side of Edward's ribs and Charlotte caught the side of his angled jaw with the heel of her hand, causing Edward's head to jerk, the skin of his chin cracking thickly. Bella watched helplessly as both Charlotte and Peter continued to hold Edward within their grasp, Peter driving his knee repeatedly into Edward's side, while Charlotte brought down harsh chops and punches onto Edward's chest and face. It was only then as they seemed frozen, locked together, that Bella felt tears come to her eyes in fear for the man she loved, that she began to see the cracks on his skin, along his face, strange peculiar lines stretched across his face.

Eleazar had held his hand up, preventing anyone from interfering, even Carmen and Tanya who had been ready to move into the fray once again. Eleazar was waiting for something, he'd directed this fight in his own mind, placed it in such a way to target Edward not only physically but mentally. Bella could even see that where the other fights had shown some holding back there was none here, this looked more real than any of the fights she had witnessed before. The exact moment that Bella felt her body lurching forward, she felt Eleazar reach towards her taking her hand in his own.

"No!"

Edward's voice had roared out at the exact moment that Eleazar had taken hold of Bella's hand; she'd at first believed that he'd done so to stop her from doing something foolish. Of course she couldn't hope to offer any assistance in helping Edward but the strange fuelling tightness around her chest demanded something. Forced her body to at least try even if it wasn't supposed to be life threatening to Edward, her mind couldn't remove what she was seeing, couldn't prevent her feelings at seeing him harmed. Eleazar kept Bella at his side, his hand unyielding and colder in her own as he took claim of her hand, and then Bella watched as Edward's previously dark black eyes flashed impossibly red before seeming to drain back to black. She would have missed it had she not been so intently focused on his handsome face, even while enraged. Looking over the cracks of lines seemed to all but vanish slowly over his face. Peter and Charlotte, the effect upon them was instant in the moment that Edward's lips had parted on his cried out roar. Once again Bella knew all too well that her own gift was protecting her from whatever was likely being said within their minds.

Peter and Charlotte dropped soundly to their knees from their positions, where they were once restraining, and striking out against Edward, their hands clinging to their heads as they cried out in pain. This was something Bella had not seen before, she wasn't sure what he could possibly demanding or commanding of them to cause such a reaction. The two however seemed frozen in place, only the gripping of their hands to both sides of their heads gave any movement away.

It almost reminded Bella of Volterra, when Aro had wished to test her mind against that of Jane's gift and how quickly Edward had moved in defence to protect her from the young looking immortal's talent. She'd watched the much smaller cruel vampire bring her strong and powerful mate down to his very knees with a simple look. Even though he'd refused to cry out under Jane's gift, she'd known just from the wild eyed agony deep in his starved eyes how much he was suffering. She'd understood even more when Aro had made mention of Edward enduring Jane's gift in silence and only further being impressed by Carlisle's protégé.

Now however, Bella seeing both nomads in a similar position of agony and pain under Edward's talent made Bella even more curious as to what he was truly capable of. She'd once compared his gift to that of what Sam could do to his pack, the alpha command that could not be denied, she'd been to simplistic in her comparison though now. She could already tell that from the glimpses into Edward's expanding talent, it was far more complex, far more reaching then she could ever believe she'd be able to understand, perhaps that Edward would ever be able to understand.

Being able to turn her gaze away from Edward with both Charlotte and Peter on their knees before him, the steady even breathing as his chest moved with the unnecessary breathing. Bella was able to look between all others within her family, the fight had drawn the attention of the rest of the Cullen family and their friends. They'd made sure to keep a good distance away from the conflict though. Now Bella could see that they'd taken on the likeness of those who had been in the diner, when Edward had been unable to control his building anger in his grief, when it had been like Edward had somehow stopped time in that diner.

They all stood around, facial expressions blank and vacant, like some kind of switch had been set and left them all on standby until Edward felt the need to do something about them. It was clear the only ones that were different however were both Charlotte and Peter, and of course she. Bella already knew that just like Edward's mind reading from the beginning this expansion of his talent was also incapable of touching her. She couldn't have been happier about that too, not that she believed he'd ever use it against her but Bella knew he'd feel less guilt with his misfiring talent knowing it didn't touch her.

Bella knew that Edward had to somehow take the time to learn and train this part of his talent. She also knew he would have been less likely to try had his gift in any way worked on her. She knew Edward all too well, her immunity to him was certainly something that could be seen as a good thing, and it was also a more physical showing that she was truly made to be his. That her gift even as human seemed to show no weakness against his talent, she'd often believed that the fact he couldn't hear her mind had helped in allowing Edward to truly fall in love with her.

What did shock Bella however, was when her eyes turned to Eleazar, and while still openly viewing the scene around him, much like that of the rest of the frozen members of the group, he was not frozen in place like the rest of them, his face turned towards Bella, at the same time as she went from looking at the scene in front of her to him. The hand he had placed on hers seemed to loosen before letting go. He paused once breaking contact with Bella and looked down over himself briefly before turning his gaze to Bella's as if he was contemplating something that he'd believed he'd solved somehow. She couldn't understand how he'd possibly not been affected by Edward's gift but before she could even question it Eleazar was closing the distance between himself and Edward. Bella found herself watching intently, Edward all but unaware that he'd not captured all under his ability as Eleazar finally stopped just an arm's length away from Edward. Close enough that Peter seemed to recoil and claw at the ground near Eleazar's feet sensing that someone was close by and wishing in his agony for someone to put a stop to whatever was being done to him.

"You need to calm yourself Edward. Pull back from what you have entered. Your mind has drifted deeply into Peter and Charlotte's mind, but they are not the enemy here. None of us are your enemy; I need for you to control this now. To stop whatever it is that you are unleashing upon your friends, those who have come to help defend your family Edward." Eleazar said calmly but in a firm authoritative tone as Edward's dark onyx eyes turned to meet his gaze, swallowing thickly against the build up of venom. He couldn't even hear Eleazar's mind now, he was too focused on the torment that was soaking through Peter and Charlotte.

He'd forced so much torment into their shared mind's, played with it in a way he'd barely known against the new born that had almost ended him, this had been more controlled. He just didn't wish to admit it, didn't wish to admit that he'd seen the game that Eleazar had played, the scheme he'd set up to try Edward's own tolerance and patience. They'd goaded his gift and then he'd snapped under the attack and then felt a seductive justification in punishing both Peter and Charlotte for willingly going along with Eleazar's planned schemes.

He'd felt the darker parts of him cling on to their minds, instinctively targeting those who had physical contact with him. Edward was quickly beginning to see that he had a much far greater grasp of what his mind could force to another's, simply by contact. Like with the new born, with Sue Clearwater, with Peter and Charlotte...With Esme.

Simply thinking of his mother, made Edward recoil back, the very sounds of all the minds crashing in around him as he released whatever strange hold he'd kept on both Peter and Charlotte. For a moment almost sending him back to that first day awakening to this life, the madness he'd believed had claimed him at so many voices crammed into his mind. Like he'd forever be unable to find peace ever again. Edward stepped back instantly feeling himself come around as if from a trance like state, all the minds around him surprised and very curious. Peter and Charlotte both still on the ground trying to gain some composure, their minds still holding a strange lethargy to whatever had been done to them. They were confused, scared even of what Edward had done, his voice in their minds had sounded almost demonic to them, like his very voice and words could shatter them. He'd instilled a fear inside of them that Edward wasn't even sure he would know how to replicate if he was asked too. His gift while Eleazar believed it of much good, Edward believed in that moment that it was clearly thriving more so on his darker instincts that had been awoken in these times of conflict and war.

"You shouldn't have done that." Edward said firmly then turning his eyes to Eleazar, his mind was moving fast thinking over what he had seen, ways in which he could help Edward. But also the sight of Bella's face in Eleazar's mind was very loudly and clear, whatever Eleazar had been doing to test Edward's reaction and his natural instinct with his expanding talent had also factored in something with Bella too. Edward was beginning to see that whatever it was Eleazar believed he'd found out in them both had only furthered and proved that not only was Edward in much need of guidance but that Bella's need would be even more vital once she was turned, so that she would be able to master the gift that was already present within her. Two words continued to float through his mind on a loop as Eleazar focused on the image of both Edward and Bella in each other's arms.

"Unstoppable force."

Edward didn't know how he was supposed to feel about that when Eleazar was coining such a term that was also linked to his beautiful human mate. Eleazar had looked upon many gifted immortals, and viewed them, and judged in his own mind of how powerful they were. Even with mated pairs such as Alice and Jasper and all they were capable of together and apart, Edward had never seen such impressed awe before in the former Volturi guard. Eleazar did not even think in such a manor when he spoke of the talents that were held in Volterra under Aro's control, not of Chelsea, not of Jane, or even Alec.

"You have been reluctant to begin training with the talent that you have and yet it's becoming clearer with each passing day that it is demanding your attention. Perhaps my methods are lacking but I had much that I needed to understand. I can only apologise for manipulating the situation." Eleazar said, and yet, while Edward could see he was genuine in his apology for forcing this to happen, Eleazar felt it was needed and did not feel sorry for wishing to force this to light. Eleazar suspected that there was much more being kept from the other's knowledge and of course Edward knew that Eleazar was correct in his assumptions.

"Maybe you should have warned old Peter and Charlotte here before unleashing the mind zinger on them though." Xavier said, he was the first to break forward from the group to offer a hand to Charlotte, as Jasper moved forward then, to pull Peter up also. The two looked slightly paler in skin tone even considering their natural alabaster skin from being what they were, the purple bags under their eyes resembled more of two starving vampire's then that of what they'd appeared to be before Edward had unleashed his talent upon them in defence of himself.

"With all due respect I have to agree. While I'm sure you had made some type of arrangement, you shouldn't have tested it in such a way. At least not without bringing me forward into the discussion, this could have ended more violently then what we may have been able to stop. We plan to move tonight upon the pack and making such plans, pushing boundaries could have cost us fighters and also the will to fight." Jasper said with a tone that showed his clear disapproval of whatever Eleazar had planned. While he'd seen the great lengths of change in Edward, he had to respect that in the past, had Edward lost control he would have pulled into himself. It was still something Jasper was concerned over when he looked to Edward, also the fact that his two friends from outside of the bonds he had in his family couldn't have possibly known the truth behind Edward's talent, none of them knew that. Not even Eleazar seemed all too confident in what it was that Edward was capable of.

"It's okay Jasper, we knew what we were agreeing to had the potential to end a little rougher then we would have wanted. I can't say I was all that pleased with what happened, it certainly isn't something I'd wish to repeat." Peter said, placing a hand on Jasper's shoulder to try and dispel any tension that this private plan had caused, all had deferred to Jasper's teachings here. For Peter this was an old hat from the beginning of his life as a vampire, he'd learnt everything he knew of how to be a vampire from the man, and owed Jasper much. It was the look that Peter glanced as subtly as he could towards Edward, cautious and somewhat uneasy of the immortal he'd always considered very strange in the past. Even more so with much of the stories he'd learnt of the mind reading member of Jasper's family, the mental anguish he'd just suffered. He couldn't be sure if he'd been given an insight to some of the man's torment or he'd simply been able to conjure it, the same way Jasper did emotions, but he never wanted to feel that brand of power ever again. He never wished to see himself helpless at another's feet from nothing more than a thought and watch helplessly as his mate suffered along with him.

"What did you find out? Did we offer any help at all? I can't imagine you gained much from us cowering like children at his feet." Charlotte said, somewhat a little meekly as she took to Peter's side, slipping her arm around him but also not daring to meet Edward's gaze as he'd fallen silent.

"Yes Eleazar you have much to share." Edward said in his flat tone, begrudgingly he accepted that much of what Eleazar had said was correct. Also, he knew that the way in which he had brought about this entire scenario had played out perfectly. However, Edward still couldn't stop the bitter resentful pill of being manipulated and played.

"I would believe it in our best interest to allow your mate, Bella to be a more present party to this conversation, as I'm sure you have taken from my thoughts, that it was not only you I was testing. It was not only you that I was hoping to reveal more of in that of the talent you posses. You aren't opposed to her joining us?" Eleazar asked, this time knowing that he would do much better in talking with Edward first before speaking of his mate's talent openly, also Eleazar was no fool to the calming influence that Bella held over Edward. It seemed now with more proof and evidence that the two truly were a match made perfectly, that it could only be further improved once both were immortal tying the final binds of immortality together.

Bella had already been inching closer towards Edward, during the conversation while not able to directly hear parts of what was being said, she had clearly felt that she was being spoken of. The only invitation Bella needed to stand at Edward's side was when he made eye contact with her. It was the first time he looked towards her since he began sparring. Bella moved to Edward's side and he'd welcomed her readily into the side of his body, his strong arm slipping around her waist, and revelling in the warmth of her touch, as she tucked herself into his side. His lips tenderly pressing to her hairline, taking in her floral fragrance that was distinctly her and now even those subtle but clear traces of his own scent upon her. He could already feel the calm slowly ease over every inch of his body and mind, as if Jasper had unleashed the more powerful areas of his own ability but knew this wasn't a talent. This sense of control on his emotions that came with Bella being so close to him, where he could simply hold her and embrace her in any way he desired had a much natural ability to calm him unlike anything else.

"Are you okay?" Bella whispered softly, but knew that it was of no use trying to hold any kind of private conversation amongst so many of her family's kind.

"I'm fine love, while not best pleased with the method, I understand why it was done in this way. You warned me to start talking to them sooner, of what I've done. It seems Eleazar came to some assumptions that perhaps I'd been using it instinctively and not telling them outside of the times they witnessed it first hand." Edward explained to Bella, but wasn't sure completely how best to explain the snippets of words that Eleazar had been thinking with the image of Bella in his mind.

Edward was trying hard to unlock what Eleazar was trying his absolute best to keep hidden. While there were fractions of slips, Edward knew that it was only a matter of time before he found whatever it was that Eleazar was doing his best to hide. It seemed Eleazar had much more control over his mind then he'd ever allowed to be known in the past, it was something that Edward found only more curious, that with all the decades they'd known each other, only now did it seem he had a means to knowing at least how to hinder what Edward saw in his mind. Only Carlisle had ever truly managed such a feat during the century they'd shared and Carlisle had been given insight on how to from Edward himself.

"It didn't work on Eleazar though. Does that mean there are holes in your gift, those who you can't use it on?" Bella asked, concerned now, she'd not wanted to openly admit to how reliving his new ability was to her. How watching him come so close to harm he seemed to be able to reach deeper into his ability, and stop any harm being truly inflicted on him, made the idea of him fighting more bearable in her mind.

"Not holes Bella." Eleazar said, then taking her attention away from Edward as the rest of the group once again set their own attention on Eleazar and what he had discovered from his test. Even Jasper, who too had been irritated by such a blatant move behind his own planning, was intrigued by what Eleazar might have discovered. Edward's ability was the secret weapon that could potentially end this fight long before it began. It could be not only the packs end, but any enemy that should ever come for them.

"Only one has ever managed to evade Edward's gift, and I truly believe only one shall ever be able to in such the way that has been shown. That however does not mean all cannot be allowed to evade his talent under the right protection." Eleazar grinned proudly, then his hands one immortal the other prosthetic coming together in front of him as he looked between Edward and Bella, both so tightly bound together. Even then, Eleazar had to pause to recognise just what he was looking at before him, even now with one half still human and vulnerable, but still even in their vulnerability so much power and potential.

"I was not simply testing Edward, I was also testing you Bella. I was testing something I've been curious about, many of the talented in our family have commented on moments of feeling unfocussed in their power. Edward in the past has even referred to times where he's felt as if all thoughts fade away around you, as if by focussing on your silent mind he can tune all others out. Jasper has always been honest in his lack of true effect he's had on you, while perhaps due to him restraining himself, but never the less, he too has never held complete control. Even Alice has always made mention of the visions she sees of you being blurred, never concrete. Then I myself tried to use my gift on you Bella, and while I could instantly tell that you were special, a shield, it too was not completely clear, only when I tried to read upon others with you close by did I see that you blurred the lines. Don't you see Edward?" Eleazar stopped finally turning his wide smiled expression from Bella's confused one, to her serious mate, who was silently analysing every memory or thought that Eleazar left open in his mind for him to see.

"She isn't just a shield." Edward said, barely louder than a whisper as he turned to look down at Bella in his arms, somewhat awed in fascination in what he had not noticed before. So deeply in love and willing to believe that it had simply been her silent mind and his attention focussed on her had he believed he'd found some kind of peace amongst the sounds of other minds. It hadn't been though, she'd unknowingly helped him in those rare moments. In those intimate moments when she, on some instinctive level knew to give Edward what no other in this world could, it was so subtle in its power that none of them had noticed. Eleazar had even missed it until he'd seen Jasper come to life in that moment in the living room when Edward had used his gift. Just Bella passing by had seemed to loosen the control Edward had taken from them and she'd freed him to help Edward gain control of his own anger that had been spiralling.

"What do you mean?" Bella asked, and while she'd heard this all before, the comments on her ability to protect her mind from others within the immortal world when it came to the talents they held. Now she was uncomfortably aware that it hadn't just been Edward on show for testing under Eleazar's influence it had been her. The reason he'd ensured she was at his side. Why he had grabbed her at that last possible second when she'd not been able to sit by and watch Edward being attacked any longer, when her mate had used his gift to protect and defend himself.

"You, Bella, are a shield that is true, and I believe it is your focussed talent. But your gift is protection. It is protection from talents of the mind. It isn't just protection, I believe you are a drainer of the gifts around you, perhaps it's an incorrect way of describing such a gift. You'll have to forgive me but you truly are a first to my knowledge, your ability even now has the potential to weaken, or at least hinder the talents around you. It's barely even there, it is subtle, as you saw I was able to make contact with you, and your ability that protects you without thought extended that protection to me. Edward was not able to force his will upon me even though I could still hear him; you weakened it to some effect. As you have before with Jasper, he was released from Edward's hold and yet Edward did not do that. Your presence did." Eleazar said, and it was now more clear to all just how truly impressed Eleazar was by the abilities that he was finally beginning to grasp, not only in Edward but his human mate.

"I thought you were testing Edward's ability?" Jasper spoke up, now confused, while it was certainly needed information to know, especially with Bella's upcoming change in the future. It was Edward's ability that they needed to understand, and that they needed for Edward to be able to control, they were walking into a battle this evening and Bella's ability would not be present even in its subtle unknown quality. She was human and would never be placed in such a life-threatening situation, especially with all knowing how distracted that would leave Edward, who Jasper honestly believed was their true means to victory in this fight. Edward was the ace up his sleeve in the coming fight, he held no secret to that opinion either.

"I was, I wanted to watch it awaken. It seems to become more present when he's angered or threatened. It's the natural instinct to protect himself, that he is able to unleash its raw power. Edward's ability is focussed in his will to control, or his will to survive as it were." Eleazar explained, and this time Xavier stepped away from his own mate to look between Edward and Eleazar.

"Will? What do you mean by that exactly, I get he isn't just a mind reader but I'm not understanding this whole focussed in his will stuff, you've mentioned before when he's not been around." Xavier was never one to beat around the bush when it came to speaking his mind and he was interested, he wanted to understand what it was that his dear and likely only friend in this existence was capable of. Edward had always been this life brooding tormented savoir to Xavier; Edward had saved his life countless times and even saved his very soul. Xavier still to this day believed the diet Edward had introduced him to, now so many decades ago had given him something to truly do in this life. To bring justice in the human world was like his personal life goal, like by finding that way of feeding, Edward had bestowed on him a life with meaning beyond being a killer just to satiate his thirst.

"It's his will that he's forcing into the minds of others. It's by simple power of his mind that he can send a command, except; I don't believe it can be so simply put. His will as I have stated makes me believe that Edward can force his own will to be done by others. That he is not limited to simply causing people pain or by forcing those around him to stop completely." Eleazar explained further, as Bella looked to Edward, remembering those moments shared after love making as she'd comforted him about what had happened with Esme. The heart breaking beauty behind his final gift to the woman he'd loved as a mother and the sign that his ability was not only something that came from his aggression and that it had come forward more controlled and gentle than ever before to ease Esme in her time of suffering and acceptance of her life ending.

"Like with Esme." Bella said, and then felt her mouth close abruptly at the sound of the hiss that Rose directed towards both Edward and Bella, Edward darkly glaring at his sister.

"With Esme?" Rosalie questioned, then moving to step forward but once again, Emmett stepping in and acting as a restraint against his mate and her reacting against Edward. None of them were happy that Esme had been lost, none had wanted to swallow the bitter pill of reality that she had made her choice and that to deny her would be to force her to suffer. While all others understood what Edward had done, had been at the request and desire of Esme, they all knew that Rosalie now had all she needed for her once before strong held disdain for Edward to once again fester. A relationship that had once been blooming in these times, had once again fallen to broken shards, Rose would always resent Edward. Where in the past he'd been accepting of that, though many doubted this new Edward would so simply swallow her hate and taunting words verbally and mentally. Many were unsure of how that would leave them all now.

"She was scared. In the last moments of her life she was determined in her choice, but yet, she feared what would come. I seemed... well, I felt that I could take away that fear. That I could somehow offer her the peaceful end that she deserved. I was able to send her mind away from her, as if placing her in a trance of dream like state. She died not knowing I was even there, her only thoughts were of her and Carlisle together again, free from conflict and she was happy. It's the first time I've ever really felt any control over what I was doing." Edward explained to the others, only Bella's gentle warm hand reaching up to caress his cheek was able to keep him strong enough to reveal those final moments, but it was then that Edward became clearly aware that Alice had seen. As his words were spoken, he saw the vision in which she'd had when he'd been with Esme in her last moments of life. He watched as she shuddered through the memory of the vision of Edward moving so fast he almost blurred to even her visions sight over a smiling content Esme. Her eyes closed to what was happening as he removed her head and then limbs, quick and lethal and yet the broken look in his own face as he began the flames that would burn his mother to nothing but ash.

"I'm so sorry Edward." Alice tried hard to force away the memory that had left her closed off since she'd seen the vision, only Jasper had been able to garner just the brief information of what Alice had managed to see. Even then though as Edward was tormented with the reality of what he had to do, what his choices had lead his family to, he couldn't understand how Alice had seen anything. How it was that she was blind and yet seemed to be able to see around the blackness that was their future because of the wolves.

"Another clear sign that the talent that you have, potentially holds within it so many deep branches of possibilities. Carlisle, for years made mention of believing Siobhan had the ability to somehow manipulate any given situation by her concentration on an outcome she preferred. For so long she's refused me the chance to see if there was truth, I believe her reluctance lay in knowing my former station in Volterra. Such a gift to will any given situation in her favour would make her possibly the strongest immortal in existence, if I were to believe her gift is true then I would have to make the claim that you Edward, too have an ability that is in line with that of Siobhan. That your ability stems from the strength of will you hold within you, where she can will a situation to happen a certain way. Your will can manipulate more bluntly and clearly in matters of everything around you. It's fascinating." Eleazar said, almost losing himself in theories, as Edward found himself running along with the faster speed in which his mind seemed to be firing from different points of interactions during his existence. Even memories of tales told to him about abilities that had been possessed in the past by other vampires, tales of abilities that once seemed far too powerful to have been lost, but now seeing perhaps that all had been true. Eleazar already seeing the clear weakness in Edward's power, in Bella his mate, if Edward was powerful against all others, with Bella he could be left completely helpless. Not that Eleazar ever believed a time would come that the two would have need to turn gifts on one another, once again Eleazar believing them very fortunate to have found each other and that their gifts worked so well towards each other.

"I'm not sure why this helps us at all with fighting the pack. Of course if Edward had any control over his gift it be ended instantly, but from what I can see it happens to all around him. Except for Bella, we all know there isn't a chance that we'd risk her being out in the open like that so why bring it up?" Kate stepped forward to Eleazar then, it was far too short a time to expect Edward to be able to gain any true solid control over his gift. It had taken her decades of hard pushing and concentration to be able to better and extend her own ability from just the palm of her hands.

"When he touches..." Bella spoke up then, but found herself falling somewhat silent when all eyes turned to her, she'd been remembering the scene in the diner. How while all others had looked blank or vacant in their facial expressions the touch of his fingertip on Sue had left her eyes wild and fearful as she'd choked on her words. Then also hearing about the way he'd held Esme, as he'd tried to give her comfort through her fear, how the touch had seemed to give him some sense of direction or something to tether himself too.

"What is it Bella? Have you noticed something, of all of us you've seen him in the most unhindered view while using his ability. It's effect may likely hide something from us that it does not hide from you." Eleazar pushed eagerly, as Bella turned to look up into her handsome fiancée eyes, while she knew his ability concerned him, he was smiling down at her reassuringly. Whatever she had to say, he was okay with her speaking it aloud to the rest of the family.

"I'm not sure, but whenever he has physical contact, it seems to me at least the person is more aware... in the eyes. Edward even said he'd felt completely in control while touching Esme's neck as he'd helped her see what he wanted. When he's caused pain, those who have been in contact with him have felt it, but everyone else didn't feel the pain. Though he did cause everyone to stop." Bella said somewhat timidly, not completely sure she knew what she was trying to say, the unblinking, unwavering gaze of Eleazar on her didn't help the matter any as her cheeks flamed and he slowly nodded his head.

"You've given commands while in contact with people? Ones that were not followed by others?" Eleazar asked directly of Edward then his face turning from Bella to meet Edward's, seeing a simple nod. Edward knew he'd forced a command upon Sue Clearwater, all while the entire diner had remained frozen still and unaffected by the command he'd forced to her mentally. Not that he'd intended to do so, he had wished for her to stop and yet the entire diner had and then he'd given her the command to never insult Bella. He'd watched that sink into her very thoughts before he had broken contact. Everyone else had not heard the command that had alone been heard by Sue, he'd been fortunate then, as Bella had also said. Edward knew then, that given the situation they had been in and still were, he likely should have approached Eleazar sooner than he had, and now could see the benefits of Eleazar forcing this to the forefront, before he was to engage in a war with another species that wanted not only him but his entire family dead.

"Perhaps a gift to channel it more directly through touch? Edward, we must push your limits, we have to be sure you can contain this gift. One burst of your talent could likely leave..." Eleazar said more urgently then, the raw power of this untrained gift was exceptional, something he'd have most likely spoken to with Aro in his former life for weeks at a time, as both men tried to unlock the secrets of such a talent. Eleazar was almost certain that within Edward's control may lay the most devastating offensive talent this world has ever known, and beside him, his mate is the most powerful defensive gift just at the beginning of showing any true potential while still human.

"I know I'll have to push myself." Edward cut in, understanding and seeing plans formulate in Eleazar's mind as Edward squeezed Bella's side reassuringly, and looking down at his mate. He knew what was about to begin. And what he was willingly going to endure would not be easy for her to bear witness to. Should she need to be away he'd understand, part of him not only wanting to protect Bella but also not wanting her to see him broken down in the way he knew Eleazar would approach this brutal method of controlling his gift. Edward reacted best with his talent when it came to pain and anger, they had two who could specifically target such emotions and bring them out of him.

"If you feel you can't stay and watch Bella, I'd understand. This won't be easy, for any of us." Edward paused slightly, looking between Eleazar, Kate and then Jasper, already knowing that they would be most likely the ones most affected by what was needed. He needed to be positive that he wouldn't place his family at risk, to do that he had to learn to control it when his gift reacted most strongly.

"I'm not going anywhere Edward. Not until..." the silence in the pause of her sentence hung heavy, both knowing that there would be a point in which Bella could not follow. There would come a time this evening when Bella would be returned to her home, where she would have to explain to Charlie about her leaving on a trip with Edward. That while she was convincing her father that she was going away for a while that all those that she cared for in the world would be running into a war between an enemy that had already taken so much from them. Bella wouldn't be able to help them, she wouldn't be able to know what would happen until either Edward returned to her or he didn't. The thought was terrifying, but she would have to bear her burden in being left behind. For now she couldn't defend her friends and family but soon, so very soon now she would be one of them and then she would take her place beside Edward. She would soon enough be his equal completely, and able to stand by his side no matter the enemy or the challenge before them.

"Bella come stand with me and Tanya. Better we place some distance between you and what my mate has planned." Carmen moved forward, and extended a hand to Bella as she reluctantly looked between Edward and Carmen, catching sight of Eleazar talking in a hushed tone between Kate and Jasper. Though the others were too close by listening in, she could see.

"It's going to be okay Bella. Just be strong love, if you falter so will I, and I can't falter now. I need to be sure I won't be the reason my family are hurt." Edward said, and Bella could see the deep vulnerability in his eyes, already knowing that he took on so much blame for what had already happened to them. For the losses that had already been inflicted on them, and the injuries, and strained relationships they had suffered because he'd decided to fight to save her, so many mistakes and she knew no matter what she did, one day he'd take on every part of the blame. She knew that while he held himself so impossibly strong now, one day he may not always be able to push it down or away. If all he needed was for her to be strong then she'd be as strong as she possibly could, she wouldn't fail him now, wouldn't let him cast another stone on the future scales of his conscious and blame.

"Take care of her Carmen." Edward said, his voice sounding strange to Bella, then as he looked at her firmly and Carmen who was now at Bella's side wrapped her arm tenderly around Bella. Bella couldn't help but feel a foreboding twist her stomach; she wasn't sure what could really help Edward to make sure he learnt control so quickly. All she could remember was how Eleazar had forced Edward's ability to activate by having the odds so dramatically stacked against Edward, she couldn't help but wonder if perhaps this would be far beyond even her own strength of will.

"Edward." Eleazar called, as Bella was finally broken from her sight of Edward's face as he turned to look towards Eleazar, flanked by both Kate and Jasper.

"You believe that this will work, that this method will help me?" Edward asked evenly, his voice far too calm considering what he knew he was subjecting himself to. In many respects this was a test of fire, he'd heard stories from Carlisle and seen from memories some of the more cruel and barbaric ways in which Aro and the Volturi forced those within to learn control. How new-borns brought into the guard were sometimes subjected to endless torment under Jane's talent, around the scent of fresh blood, somewhat brainwashing the new born to expect a searing agony with exposed blood. It was an attempt to help along a new guard member's control, not that it always had the desired affect, many times it had only fuelled the new-born's rage and instincts more. It was an unpredictable test, one Eleazar was using as a last resort, one that Edward couldn't help but agree to. He needed to know he had some sense of control of his gift, he knew his anger and rage would likely become too strong when faced with the reason for so much of his families suffering. He needed to know he wouldn't leave his family defenceless.

Edward refused to be the weak link, for now he'd learn to suppress his gift, then he'd take the time as he should have done sooner, to fully grasp control of his ability.

"It's a temporary solution, one that could likely help in aiding you to find the strength to restrain while feeling the high levels of emotions that have activated your gift in the past." Eleazar said, and even though his words were sure and confident, Edward could also see in his thoughts the lingering concern for what they were about to attempt. How there was a small chance that this could end badly, that it could cause some type of hindrance in Edward's talent's development in the future.

"Let's do this. We need to be ready. The pack is not our only enemy, and I refuse to allow us to sit like children hiding until they see fit to take more from me." Edward said, and he could feel the moment in which Jasper heightened his own determination as the two shared a look, knowing that they would be there for each other. The two had grown exceptionally close during these trying times, both being turned to more for guidance and help, they'd found themselves forced together more openly then they had in the past.

Edward slowly moved forward, facing Eleazar as his ancient mentor in these methods he knew little of, and the closest thing he now had to an elder in this world, now his own father was gone. Eleazar, stepping aside as he pointed towards Peter and Xavier and then pointed to Edward. Edward standing between both Kate and Jasper, both looking increasingly uncomfortable as he slowly lowered himself to his knees. Jasper lowered himself onto his knees as well on the left side of Edward, firmly moving his hand to grip hold of and restrain Edward's left arm, Xavier moving to take purchase of Edward's right side, as Peter moved behind Edward and locked his feet tightly together as he kneeled. The final member of this group, Emmet, finally moving to kneel in front of Edward facing him, both of them sharing a reassuring smile as Emmet wrapped his incredibly strong arms around Edward's torso locking his arms together around his back. The grips on Edward's body were almost impossibly tight now. Rosalie, Rochelle, Charlotte, and Alice all positioned themselves behind their mates to help them hold Edward securely for when the struggle began, and all knew that it would, as Eleazar slowly gave Jasper a nod and then the deep sickening fear and rage seemed to ooze into Edward's every fibre. Almost to the level that he felt he could feel his very skin tingle and vibrate under the surface, this only heightened more by the sheer number of bodies holding him down in this position. The need to escape becoming almost unbearable as he gritted his teeth, both in need to fight and run, while both contrasting, he felt so completely overwhelmed that he'd almost missed the nod of Eleazar's head to Kate.

Edward had briefly in his fear and anger seen the eyes of his beautiful mate in the arms of another vampire, as two hands had taken hold of either side of his head. As two female hands locked his face in place and then he'd felt the beginnings of an agonizing electrical current run through every sensitive and living nerve in his body. All Edward could hear was the sound of a human heartbeat stutter, and the sound of his own agonized cries.