CHAPTER 18

The clearing was riddled with torn apart bodies piled up burning. I tried not to stare too long at the bodies. The Cullen's had gathered around jabbering when someone started screaming and the sound of ripping limbs. We all ran over to where Jacob laid, rolling in pain as Carlisle carefully examined his body.

"The bones on the right side of his body are shattered. I need to reset them before they start healing."

"Carlisle, the pack needs to leave. The Volturi won't honor a truce with the pack."

Hiding my excitement at the mention of the Volturi I went and stood next to Bella and Edward as the Cullen's gathered together. I felt my heart rate spike in excitement as I saw Alec and the rest of the guards come out of the tree line and make their way toward us. They stopped a few feet from us before dropping their hoods in a synchronized motion. I couldn't help but notice the coat that Alec wore was the same coat that had been on my bedroom floor the night he visited me.

"Impressive, I've never seen a coven survive an attack of this magnitude, intact."

"We were lucky."

"I doubt that."

My eyes stayed on Jane as she was the only one to speak to the Cullens, she had a look of indifference on her face but I knew the truth of her wods, she was not happy at the outcome of the fight. My eyes trailed to Alec as he finally spoke up.

"It appears we missed an entertaining fight."

"Yes, it isn't often we are rendered unnecessary."

Edward hada sneer on his face as he responded to Jane. He was obviously trying to pick a fight.

"If you would have arrived a half-hour ago, you would have fulfilled your purpose. Maybe even saved Cecilia from being injured."

I watched Alec's eyes look me up and down before settling on my hand that was wrapped in cloth. Jane glared at Edward before dropping him to the ground as she used her gift on him.

"Pity."

Jane held Edward under her gift for a second longer before releasing him and turning her gaze to the new vampire at the back of the group. Seeing a new target brought a small smile to Jane's face.

"You missed one."

Everyone turned to look at the new vampire, Carlisle spoke up, wanting to save her life.

"We offered her asylum in exchange for her surrender."

"That wasn't yours to offer."

Turning her focus back to the new vampire, Jane went straight into interrogating her.

"Why did you come?"

Jane didn't even give the girl a chance to answer before she was dropped to the ground, screaming. The poor girl was curled into a fetal position as Jane continued to ask questions, never letting up on her gift as the girl continued to scream. I was thankful that Esme spoke up for the poor girl.

"You don't need to do that. She will tell you anything you want to know."

Jane finally stopped her gift and so the girls screams stopped. The girl was sucking in air as she tried to stutter her way through answers for Jane.

"I-I don't know, Riley wouldn't tell us. He said our thoughts weren't safe."

"Her name was Victoria. Perhaps you knew her."

I glared at Edward, he was calling Jane out on knowing about the army, which was true, but he had no right to question her, and it would only cause her hatred for him to grow. Jane looked ready to drop Edward again but Carlisle spoke up, saving Edward.

"Edward. If the Volturi had knowledge of Victoria, they would have stopped her, especially with her targeting Cecilia along with Bella. Isn't that right, Jane?"

"Of course, Felix."

Felix started forward, but Esme's plea caused Jane to hold out her arm, stopping Felix from going forward.

"She didn't know what she was doing! We will take responsibility for her."

"Give her a chance."

I felt sorry for Carlisle and Esme, I knew Jane would not let the girl live. Jane wanted someone to die and the poor girl would be the scapegoat.

"You have already failed in your responsibilities twice now when it comes to Cecilia. And besides, we don't give second chances. It's bad for our reputation. Which reminds me… Caius will be so interested to hear that you're still human, Bella. Perhaps he'll decide to visit."

"The date is set."

Bella's small voice just barely reached me as Edward's voice followed close behind.

"And what of Alec and Cecilia."

My heart skipped a beat. Jane gave Edward a warning look but he ignored it.

"I figured that such a high-ranking Volturi guard member like Alec would be held to a higher standard, like you said, your reputation matters. Shouldn't there be some reprimand for said high-ranking guard fucking a human."

I wished in that moment the Earth would open up and swallow me as the Cullen's and Bella gave me all horrified looks.

"I'm telling dad."

I rolled my eyes at Bella.

"Bella. I don't care. You are just a big fucking hypocrite. You judge and condemn me while you do the exact same thing. Alec and I are not hurting anyone. While you and Edward have hurt countless people. How many dead bodies lay at your feet, all for the sake of your humanity that has an expiration date. Look around you Bella!"

I pointed a finger at the new vampire, she was now standing but still looked terrified.

"Look her in the eyes and tell her she will die because of you. Why don't you apologize for all the death you have caused."

I could tell I hurt Bella with what I said as she shrunk back into Edward. Luckily Jane came to the rescue, not wanting Edward to have the last word.

"You only survived Italy because of Aro. Aro is not here. I am. I have the authority to sentence all of you to death. Shall I remedy all the rule breaking by killing Bella and turning Cecilia?"

No one responded, Edward had lost his self-righteous facade. They all knew Jane would follow through with her threat if pushed. I watched Alec, his face gave nothing away but he was watching me, so was Bella and Edward. I knew I was about to cross the invisible battle lines but I didn't care. This wasn't my fight, and the Cullens were not my family. Jane and Alec are my family like the Cullens are Bella's. My decision final, I left the Cullens side and went to Alec, showing everyone where my loyalties lay.

Alec gave me a nod of approval, I knew he couldn't embrace me like I wanted, he did have a reputation to uphold so I accepted my place next to him, his hand brushed against mine. Jane dropped her arm, signaling for Felix to move forward with his order, the Cullens moved out of his way, giving him a clear path to the girl. Sparing a glance at Edward and Bella I saw Edward had shielded her view of Felix and the girl. For the first time, I felt hatred for my sister bubble in my chest. She caused all this chaos, all this death and yet Edward still shields her from it all. There are no consequences for her actions.

Turning my gaze away from my weak sister I watch Felix, I don't flinch or look away as her screams die in the air and her pleas for life fall on deaf ears as Felix rips her apart before throwing her in the fire.