Carlisle

The moment the piercing red eyes found his, Carlisle knew it was already too late.

It didn't take a mind reader to guess what Aro's focus was now on.

The self-appointed king held out his hand expectantly. His eyes sparkled with curiosity and something else Carlisle didn't want to name.

He knew that there was no point in fighting against hiding his thoughts on Leah or fleeing. The second his pale stone skin met his, Aro would see everything he had tried to hide.

The sound that came out of Aro's throat was so extraordinarily inhuman that he felt a cold shiver on the back of his neck.

Aro was thrilled.

More than trilled.

Carlisle's mind spun in circles.

He had to do something, he couldn't let him have Leah. Suddenly Edward threw his head and stared at him in disbelief.

When Aros looked back and, as Carlisle suspected, was resting on Leah, he had made his decision.

"As you can see now, friend, Renesmee is not an immortal child. She wakes up, she learns, she understands."

Aro's eyes quickly froze.

Immediately he turned back to Carlisle and Edward. It was as if he had forgotten why he was actually here.

As Carlisle had hoped, he had distraced Aro. It was an act that he would never have believed himself capable of and of which he was by no means proud. But he couldn't help but feel validated.

Nobody could expect him to sacrifice Leah. Not even Edward and he thought as loudly as he could to forgive him. He couldn't even look at him.

"May I see her?"

Aro's voice had an unfamiliar undertone, pleading and subdued. Like a child, begging its mother to open some presents on christmas eve.

Carlisle wanted to breathe a sigh of relief.

His maneuver had worked, for now.

He knew that it was only gaining time and nothing more.

Aro wouldn't just give up his interest in wolves, that wasn't his way. It wasn't hard to see that Aro no longer saw wolves as a consolation prize, but as the most precious jewels in his collection.

A variety that was as unnatural as it was natural. A curiosity with which he could surprise even the most experienced guest.

With the possibility of imprinting on vampires - which power emanated from it and how much the thought enraptured him was visible in each of his facial features.

Edward's voice was clear and strong, but he knew it well enough to notice the tremor underneath.

"Bella, bring Renesmee .. and some friends."

His instruction was clear. He knew there was no point hiding her from Aro.

Felix and Demitri immediately appeared next to Aro. Her gigantic figure was so intimidating that Carlisle and Edward took a step back. Behind him he heard Leah whimpering again and Seth was also getting more and more restless. Jacob hissed at both of them and started walking with Bella and Emmett.

The approach of the wolf seemed to cause a little commotion among the guards and especially with Caius. Hissing and growling came from their ranks and Caiu's face twisted into a hateful grimace.

"Peace."

Aro's voice was authoritative and immediately had the desired effect. There was again silence, only Caius hadn't calmed down a bit. Aro did not leave that uncommented. The anticipation to be so close to a wolf and his curiosity about the child was obviously stronger than anything else and he hissed in an unmistakable voice "Brother, think about it."

Caius closed his mouth, but his face did not lose any of the hatred and anger that it exuded so blatantly before.

Aro's gaze wandered back and forth between Jacob and Renesmee, as if he couldn't decide what fascinated him more. Emmett eyed Demitri and Felix as if weighing who to kill first.

Carlisle envied Emmett's confidence and feared for his life. Emmett was perhaps the strongest of them, but he didn't know the Aro guards. He had never seen them fight, he had never seen what they were capable of.

Renesmee's heart was almost drowned out by the strong pounding of Jacobs and Carlisle suddenly felt more secure. The presence of Jacob, his scent brought an intimacy with it that he had longed for. He heard Leah's fear and knew she wanted to come along. He tried to keep his thoughts as clear as possible, so that under no circumstances should she even go near Aro. He tried to tell her that it wasn't about Aro wanting to kill her - much worse. He was fascinated by her. And God knew that was far worse.

Aro exchanged a few fake politeness and now turned completely to Renesmee. Bella lifted her from Jacob's shoulders and brought her closer to him, a gesture for which Carlisle was infinitely grateful.

The less Aro had to do with the wolves, the better.

The silence in the field was oppressive and energetic.

Aro stared at the child and Carlisle could see behind his eyes the thousands of cogs that were turning. Edward's gaze remained focused and stern, he didn't let Aro's thoughts out of focus for a second.

"Well what is she?"

Caiu's voice was impatient and brisk. It was evident that Aro's delays went against the grain.

"She's ... fascinating. Not human. Not vampire."

"She is not an immortal child?"

Caiu's question hung in the air and everyone here waited eagerly for the answer.

"No."

Relief swept through Carlisle.

He knew that there was no longer a reason to attack them now and he knew the Volturi well enough that they obeyed their laws everywhere. They wouldn't attack for no reason, they couldn't afford that. Not with the amount of witnesses gathered here, and not with the risk of losses that Aro was sure to have in mind.

Aro continued with an enthusiastic voice.

"She was conceived by a human, produced by a vampire."

"Not possible."

Caius snorted contemptuously.

Aro gave him an amused look.

"Do you think they are fooling me, brother? Do you think I don't know what I'm seeing?"

Caius grimaced and remained silent. Aro held out his hand to Renesmee and Jacob growled loudly. Immediately the guards stiffened and Aro waved his hand with a laugh.

"Don't worry, I'm just curious."

His voice was soft and soothing, but he couldn't fool anyone.

He felt Edward's gaze on him and thought that he had to let him go - for the good of all. Finally Edward nodded and Renesemee held out her hand to Aro.

As expected, Aro immediately responded and began to smile. The guards were getting more and more restless and Carlisle sensed the approaching danger, should a word of power not come soon, everything would fly around their ears.

"Fascinating."

Renesmee, in her childlike innocence, asked Aro to spare her family, and Aro couldn't help but appease her and carry out her peculiarity. Edward ground his teeth and Carlisle saw the lie in it too. Aro hadn't made his decision yet, no matter what he said.

Surprisingly, he fixed his gaze on Jacob and raised his eyebrows in delight. This time Edward raised his voice.

"You misunderstand."

Carlisle knew that, like himself, Renesmee must have shown him something that made the wolves even more interesting.

"We don't own them, they are here of their own free will."

A cruel grin spread across Aro's face.

"Voluntarily? Well, there are better words." His gaze shifted briefly to Carlisle. He knew he had seen the addiction, but Carlisle also knew that Aro knew but didn't understand the concept of love.

He saw an addiction in every feeling, no matter how clearly he could see thoughts.

"That would never work, Aro."

Edward's voice was final and Carlisle wondered what Aro was thinking.

"He would like to have .. guard dogs." Edward's whisper made thunder in the back rows and the wolves bared their teeth. The guards flinched, but Aro seemed to like the reaction. He hadn't expected anything else.

Suddenly he clapped his hands and said with joyful words

"So much to tell, so much to think about. Now please excuse me, I have to consult with my brothers. You really gave me a lot to think about."

Carlisle couldn't help but notice that Edward's cancellation hadn't disappointed him. It was as if he hadn't heard it and it worried Carlisle.

Leah

With a fluid wave of his hand, Aro called his troops to him, reducing the distance to them dramatically. Carlisle and the others immediately resigned and Leah felt the relief grow with every step he took in their direction. Carlisle's gaze was illegible, but Leah could also feel his relief when he was back with them.

There was no point in hiding anything anymore and so she pressed her massive head against Carlsile's body. She could feel the warmth that streamed through Carlisle's body and knew that he, too, felt her happiness, which seized her. The gesture was observed by two attentive blood-red eyes and Leah glared at the king. Domestic dogs. What was this spaghetti thinking? That he could come with a collar and leash and they would just go with him? Her anger was shared by the other wolves and she could also feel Sam's pack, which were disgusted and angry at the very idea.

Carlisle gave her an encouraging smile and patted her neck.

An angry voice rose and swept across the field. It was Caius who was more than dissatisfied with developments. Leah saw Edward, who still had his gaze fixed on the group, no doubt he would keep every thought they had in mind.

"How am I supposed to bear it? The shame? How, Aro. Just look how they stand there and laugh at us."

Nobody laughs, Seth thought flatly.

"Because it's the truth, brother. Don't you see it? Don't you hear it? Her heartbeat, her warmth. How can she be an immortal child?"

Aro's words were strangely calm, as if he was used to his brother's outbursts.

"Its a abnormination."

Caius didn't want to give up. Aro's gaze hardened immediately.

"Our entire existence is an abnormination, brother. Just look at the amount of witnesses Carlisle has rounded up. They all tell you that the child is not a threat."

He emphasized the word witness and immediately Caius pressed his lips together. It was the silent sign that he had to change his strategy. Nessie was a dead end, he couldn't win the argument.

Caiu's gaze frantically searched the battlefield and stopped at Sam. Its black imposing shape was highlighted next to the other, younger pack members.

"What about them? What about the werewolves? Aren't they a threat to you either? You know what that means!"

There was a trace of fear in his voice that only amused Leah. Aro also seemed amused that his brother was still afraid of them.

"I wouldn't call them harmless, but they're not werewolves, brother."

Caius pursed his lips.

"Look at them!"

"I do. Look at the sky. It is the middle of the day, brother. Whatever they are, they are not children of the moon. Their transformation is not a disease that is passed on through bites. They inherit it like a special gene If we are around, it will be triggered. If the Cullens leave this place, no more wolves will transform. "

Aro's words had something about a scientist who took pride in his accomplishments. He was proud to know what obviously no one else in his ranks knew. Aro was obviously not only collecting talent but also knowledge.

"When none are around. You see how many they are! Carlisle recruited them knowing that they would join him. He even seduced one of them! He is doing everything to underpin his power, to support his deviant lifestyle to protect."

Leah's claws dug into the snow and only Carlisle and Emmett were fast enough, or rather, stood close enough to stop her. She bared her teeth and a dangerous growl exits her throat. Caius took a step back in shock and the pack laughed.

"Leah please, you have to calm down."

Carlisle's words pleaded with her and his thoughts pounded on her too. She couldn't give them any reason to attack. She calmed down and felt Emmett's steel handle lighten. For a moment she wondered if she could have been pulled away if Carlisle hadn't been there.

Aro gave her an amused look. It seemed like anything to do with the wolves would amuse him endlessly.

Especially his brother's fear.

"They know our secret."

Caius was desperate now. He threw himself around in the hope that any one would do for Aro.

"They have their own secret which they have to protect, what use would they have by exposing us? Remain mindful brother, unfounded allegations will not get us any further here."

His last words sounded more like a threat than an advice and Caius fell silent. He was reluctant, but Aro's words had made him think. His eyes flew over the field and the wolves until they came back to Nessie. Jacob's body tensed in anticipation.

"Where is the informant?"

He barked these words again, but this time even more viciously than before.

The shaky creature was dragged forward by two guards and she heard a whimper next to her.

"So you gave us the wrong information."

Caiu's words were full of malice.

"No .. I didn't know .. I couldn't know .. I thought."

Irina's voice broke off after every word.

"Of course you couldn't, how could you recognize something so extraordinary?"

Aro's voice was loving, like speaking to a child.

"But why did you come to us right away? Why didn't you talk to the Cullens?"

His voice became more demanding now and everyone knew that he had known her motives for a long time. He just wanted to hear her out loud. It remained silent until Caius slapped her face again. "Speak!" he barked.

"They have .. the werewolves .. they killed my friend."

"Shapeshifters."

Aro calmly corrected her.

A satisfied grin spread across Aro's face. He enjoyed the deception on the Cullens, he savored every second of it and that's why he wanted Irina to express her motives herself. He wanted the Cullens to know they were being betrayed.

"Go on."

His voice was velvety soft, but behind it was the glee that disgusted Leah.

"Carlisle didn't let me take revenge. He defended them."

"That's why you were upset about them, wasn't it?"

It was quiet again. The rest of their clan were petrified. Nobody could believe it, nobody wanted to believe it.

"Yes."

"The Cullens went against their own kin to defend this monstrosity."

Caius raised his voice again and pointed disparagingly at the pack.

"If you want to blame the shapeshifters and the Cullens here, now is your chance."

It was clear that Aro was looking for additional charges. He wanted her to speak up, he wanted her to turn against Carlisle. He was enjoying the sheer feeling of betrayal of Carlisle.

Irina shook her head and the features that were soft a second ago hardened.

"Well, that's a shame, of course."

Aro turned away from her like a child who was bored of its toys.

Irina was now looking directly at Carlisle.

"I am sorry, I deeply regret my actions and take full responsibility for them."

Carlisle nodded good-naturedly to her and Leah could hear in his mind that he had already forgive her. Carlisle was really too good for this world.

At an invisible signal, the guards rushed at Irina and a deafening metallic groan could be heard. Suddenly a ball of fire lit up and the remains of the vampire blazed. The witnesses behind the Volturi gasped and they too were speechless.

By now it was clear what the Volturi were capable of.

Leah heard a painful hiss and saw from the corner of her eye how the two blonde women wanted to pounce on the Volturi. They could just about be held, but did everything they could to tear themselves away.

"Kate! Tanya!"

Carlisle leapt towards Kate and held her tightly. Suddenly Kate electrocuted and Carlisle gasped. Leah could feel him and winced, immediately she ran over to it and threw Kate to the ground. She yelped, the shock was so painful that she couldn't breathe.

"Don't do what he wants, Kate. You're killing us all!"

Carlisle's voice no longer had the calm tone it had before, it was twisted in pain and growling. Leah was rudely pushed off by Kate and before she could throw herself on her again, another vampire came and held Kate clutched.

Leah still felt the pain Carlisle had to endure and became more and more desperate. She was thinking of just ripping off Kate's head to put an end to it when it suddenly stopped.

Next to her, Rosalie and Emmett fought with Tanya, who was easier to control. Rosalie eagerly whispered soothing words in Tanya's ear, which showed their effect. Leah was slightly surprised, she hadn't assessed Rosalie that way, but apparently there was a little more hidden behind the abnormal facade than first assumed.

Or maybe not, thought Jacob spitefully.

Aro and Caius watched with amusement and seemed disappointed that the two didn't make it.

Kate groaned and leaned on Garrett and Carlisle. Her pain was understandable and yet Leah never let her out of sight. Should she hurt Carlisle again, she would not hesitate and sink her teeth in that cold body.

The guards were still crouched, ready to attack at any time. The witnesses hiding behind the guards in the background now wore confused expressions. It was obvious that I asked a few what Irina had done to deserve an end. The distrust was not hidden from Aro, he turned around uncertainly.

Leah saw in Seth's mind that Caius had expected an attack. He wanted to use it as an excuse, but now that this failed, he had no further reason to end the whole thing prematurely - no matter how much he wanted that. The real reason for Irina's death was not her delusion or her lust for revenge - it was an incidental loss that the Volturi gladly accepted in order to achieve what they wanted.

Carlisle had told her that the Draculas believed Aro wanted to be the good guy at all costs. As if he wanted to demonstrate that he was just and fair and that anyone who obeyed his rules had nothing to fear. If he attacked now, it would cost him quite a bit of image, a price he was not prepared to pay.

Kate went back to the group and leaned against Garrett, she sobbed for comfort that she would probably never find. Carlisle returned to her and eyed her with a wary eye, she knew that he was looking for injuries and sent him in her mind everything is fine.

He smiled at her and touched her furry cheek with his hand. Satisfied, she pressed her skull against his hand and took a deep breath. The feeling began to re-form and when Leah concentrated she could feel the warmth as it slowly spread into Carlisle's body. It was like a campfire where tired and frozen hikers warmed themselves.

Something else caught her eye.

It was the third of the brothers. Marcus, if she remembered correctly. He stared at her and Carlisle with an expression that was almost comical given the fact that he was always showing off his boredom. A fleeting expression crossed his face, it had disappeared so quickly that Leah couldn't grab it. He looked wistful. As if he would do anything in the world to be in Leah's or Carlisle's place.

Did he know about the warmth? Before Leah could consider the thought, Aro raised his voice.

Bella

"Well, let's get back to the real business. You brought many witnesses with you, a great many. I wonder what you think of the matter?" His voice sounded casual but Bella knew exactly what he was up to. He wanted to intimidate them , he wanted to convince them to change sides, or at least to leave.

She focused on her power, she would need it soon, that much was certain. Interestingly enough, she had everyone in her protective debt, all she had to do was protect the lead wolves. Apparently the protection automatically extended to the others. And Carlisle.

Carlisle and Leah were a story of their own. Leah was also protected by Jacob, but even if she only included Carlisle, a dim light appeared around the gray wolf. Her bond was different, she hadn't noticed it before but through her strength she could feel it. Marcus gaze was not hidden from her either. He recognized it too. It must be unique for even the stoic vampire to show his interest.

Aro walked through the rows and all eyes were fixed on him. He was flanked by Demitri and Felix, who watched his every step. He raised his velvety clear voice and opened a kind of plea, like in a courtroom. He presented his concerns and emphasized again and again that he would be no further than being unjust. Bella heard a puff.

As if.

Aro ignored it and continued speaking, he asked a couple of witnesses who immediately started the retreat. It was ridiculous because if Aro decided to attack them, he wouldn't let anyone live who stood on the wrong side. Felix would track down every single one of them and destroy them. Bella couldn't blame them after all. They were cowards but they wanted to protect their mate.

"No law was broken. But does that also mean that there is no danger?"

He waved his gaze around and clasped his hands aristocratically behind his back.

"Shouldn't we do everything in our power to protect ourselves. To stop what is different? What is dangerous? What could harm us?"

Aro spoke as if he were bringing his own thoughts to himself. He had now changed his tactics. He tried sensible to find a reason to attack her, he tried to justify it.

"This child may be just a child, but if we don't act, then when? How many more violations should we watch until our secret is uncovered? For millennia we have been trying to protect ourselves and all of you. From something, that may seem now weak as we feed on them, but that has been getting stronger and stronger in the last few centuries. They have already developed weapons of such violence and strength that it won't take long until they are dangerous for us. Do we really want to risk that? "

He looked into every single face.

"Do we really want to risk our existence for a child, an experiment?"

Aro pointed to the wolves.

"How long would it take before they look for reinforcement in people. Until they reveal our secret? No. I'll stick with it, the unknown is a weak point. A weak point that could destroy us all."

He screwed up his eyes as if the statement hurt and shook his head.

Carlisle's voice rose and he sounded like he had to pull himself together not to growl.

"This is all just speculation, Aro. There is no certainty for anything, not even for us. The immortal children were the proof of that."

Aro didn't seem upset by this. He nodded silently and pressed his lips together.

"True, old friend. True. But we have mastered this situation too, haven't we?"

He went on to make an argument and, contrary to expectations, met with resistance. Garrett gave a dramatic speech on free will and other witnesses insisted that they could find no wrong here.

Aro clapped his hands together in a business-like manner and turned around.

"Very well. Again you gave us a lot to think about. Brothers, come."

Marcus agreed, bored, and tore his gaze away from Leah and Carlisle. This time Aro didn't touch him and Bella was glad of that. Aro had already seen everything in Carlisle's mind, but she still had the feeling that not even Carlisle himself knew how strong his bond with Leah was.

One look on Edward's face was enough. She picked up Renesmee and placed her carefully on Jacob's back. The gesture was enough to break her heart. She would never have thought that she could love anything in this world so much. Especially not after Edward. He was her anchor. He was what kept her on the ground and made her fly at the same time.

Jacob looked at her with sad eyes. Bella took a deep breath, his stench had become a habit and now she couldn't imagine her life without him anymore. She pressed her forehead to his and whispered it as softly as she could.

"I wouldn't have entrusted them to anyone else, Jake. No one. But you will manage it. Remember what I said. Don't look back, no matter what you hear and see. I love you Jake. You are and will always be my best friend."

A whimper came from Jake's throat and she felt a pain in her heart that shouldn't be there. She looked sadly after the gigantic wolf as it disappeared into the forest. She would buy him as much time as she could and one look at Seth and Leah confirmed it. They would do it, they had to.

Carlisle hugged Leah's fur again and took a deep breath. It was now time to say goodbye and the couples whispered declarations of love and courage. Garrett glanced at Carlisle, his arm tightly around Kate, who was wearing a blank expression. Bella knew that there was only a desire for revenge in her. The Volturi had already killed two members of their family and they were probably not the last. But if she left this world, she would take as many as possible with her.

"Carlisle, I think that's it. I think your God woud object me visiting you in heaven."

His voice was firm and joyful, as if danger were his redemption and yet it carried repentance with it. He regretted finding Kate only now. He didn't regret doing anything before. But now was not the time to regret things that can no longer be changed.

Carlisle gave him a weak smile. "I'm sorry to have dragged you into this, Garrett."

The man waved his hand casually.

"At some point it would have happened anyway. And if, contrary to expectations, we survive - then I'll follow you everywhere, woman."

"He's telling me that now."

Kate's dry reply brought some relief, if only for a short time.

Suddenly Bella felt a pressure. She couldn't say exactly where it came from, but apparently the sign that she had stretched was tested. She searched the ranks of the guards and saw two red eyes wandering around helplessly. Apparently they checked how far the shield went and how strong it was. Suddenly something twitched. Bella's eyes immediately found Carlisle, who was still leaning against Leah and stroking her fur.

"Carlisle ?! Are you okay?"

Edward's voice was high-pitched and he winced.

"Yes, why?"

Edward looked at me in shock. One look at Jane was enough to confirm my theory. The death witch stared at me, stunned and angry. She had focused on Carlisle and was initially shocked that he showed no reaction. Only after a few seconds did she realize why. It wasn't that her ability wasn't working, but rather the fact that Bella's ability was apparently growing.

Jane's anger was immediately palpable. Countless attacks crackled down on Bella's shield, but none got through. Jane gasped. Bella thought with satisfaction that she was probably the first to withstand Jane's attack.

"What are they doing? Why don't they just attack?"

"They test. First they want to stun us so that we cannot escape. But apparently it does not work as they had imagined." Edward's velvety voice had something joyful in it for the first time in weeks. As if he were having a great time enjoying Jane's anger. Bella could only agree with him.

The crowd behind her had also noticed the spectacle.

"Just look at her face, it's lovely."

"Finally, our time has come. They didn't expect that."

Jane's twin joined her and tried to calm her down. His power took longer than hers, it came creeping but no less strong. Like a creeping mist it came closer and closer and bounced off the shield. It kept trying to find a gap, but Bella was faster. She concentrated as best she could and successfully fended him off. She knew she wouldn't make it for long. Once there was movement, it would be a lot more difficult to protect everyone.

"Sam. Leah, you have to stay close to me. If I protect you, the shield will carry over to the pack and Carlisle. Edward, I have to concentrate. As soon as it starts, I won't be able to do it."

Bella's voice was firm and clear, she was a little surprised that neither Sam nor Leah protested. But they also had no choice, Sam would not risk a single life in his pack for his own arrogance and Leah's priority was Carlisle and Seth, she would do anything to protect them, Bella was sure as soon as Carlisle was in acute danger Leaht would dash.

"I keep them away from you."

Edward's voice was firm.

"No, you have to fight. I will defend her, no one will touch you Bella."

Zafrina's voice came from behind her with so much confidence and assurance that Bella was only too happy to hold on to it.

"Caius is mine."

Tanya's voice was toneless and carried something terrible with it, Bella never hoped to hear it in her direction.

Now the main figues have been split up, with most of the discussions going on about the twins. Apparently they hadn't made many fans.

"My friends."

Aro's voice echoed to them from the field, interrupting the banter. Bella's shield had not escaped him and she was curious to see which trump card he would pull out of his sleeve.

"Even if convicted, there doesn't have to be violence. There are other ways."

Edward let out a gasp. The only reason the Aro interrupted was that he apparently knew exactly they were doomed to death anyway.

"He wants to recruit us. Those with skills. He doesn't need the rest, he kills the rest."

There was a rumble and teeth were bared.

Aro seemed unimpressed and cocked his head.

"Young ardent Edward, your gift is one step ahead of me as always. But remember, the choice is yours."

He searched the faces for uncertainties and looked disappointed when he found none. Aro didn't give up on life or kindness - but he respected ability. For him it was a terrible waste, so many extraordinary powers would be lost forever.

"All right. Let's vote."

Sullenly, he turned to Caius and Marcus.

Caiu's mouth almost foamed when he conjured up the danger of Renesemee and that of the wolves. At the latter he sent a hateful look at Leah and Seth, it was clear that he wanted to see them dead.

Marcus sighed softly and averted his gaze from Carlisle. He spoke so gently that they almost didn't understand him. He saw no threat, the whole thing bored him and he wanted to leave.

Neither Caius nor the guards behind seemed impressed because they didn't change their posture. They were still ready to attack anytime.

Aro sighed theatrically. "Well, then it stays with me, as is so often the case."

He let his gaze wander through the rows, out of the corner of my eye I could see Edward's face, studying him intently.

Edward

The thoughts were as loud as if she were standing next to him.

"STOP!" Edward's voice rang out and Aro stopped. He eyed Edward with an expression of interest.

"Do you have anything else to add?"

"Enough with questioning, you had your chance!"

Caius hissed impatiently and gave him an angry look.

"Hush, brother." Aro raised his hand and Caius fell silent.

"You surely don't want to make your decision without talking to her first."

Aro raised his eyebrows in interest and let his gaze wander.

"With whom, young friend?"

"Alice!"

Esme's voice was bright and clear, the relief from it clouding her.

Immediately a wild whisper broke out. Alice was here. She had returned.

Aro's face lit up suddenly and his gaze was automatically fixed on the edge of the forest. Several figures emerged from it, but Aro's thoughts were only fixated on Alice.

Alice had tracked down a half-vampire and brought it here. She explained to Aro, but Edward quickly realized he didn't care. Aro had already made his decision, it was pointless to inform him about the harmlessness of Renesmee's existence, when his interest lay elsewhere.

Carlisle.

Carlisle had to die. Aro had already had this thought in Italy when he saw why Edward stayed with the older vampire.

Edward got restless. But there he was. The one thought. A vision Alice had, new and fresh. The only thing Aro could stop now.

"Show it to him, Alice."

Edward's voice was firm when he interrupted her and Aro's head turned to him. His face lit up when Alice took a step towards him and held out her hand. Jasper was always by her side, as were Demitri and Felix Aros' shadows.

Aro laughed in delight and grabbed her hand greedily. What a price, he thought to himself, but suddenly his thoughts were silent. His face deteriorated and he stared at Alice with wide eyes.

Carlisle

What happened next surprised not only him. He heard the gasp behind him and felt Leah's confusion.

"My verdict has been passed. Obviously there is no danger. Justice has been done, the hoax has been cleared up and punished. There is no reason to oppose our own behavior."

Caius was beside himself.

"Brother! You can't be serious."

"QUIET!"

Aro's voice rose for the first time. Immediately, Caius slumped as if he'd been hit.

"Carlisle, old friend. I hope you can forgive me. I'm sure you know about the heavy burden we carry. The laws serve us all, my friend."

Carlisle stared at him wordlessly. It had not escaped him that Aro's gaze wandered briefly to Leah and found his eyes again.

"I want peace Aro."

"Of course, peace. As in the old days."

Carlisle nodded curtly and said nothing. He didn't dare to stir up the deceptive calm but in his mind one thing was clear, he would never set foot in Volterra again.

"We'll see if you turn out to be a friend again, Aro."

Aro nodded and seemed pleased with the answer. It seemed as if he was in a particularly hurry to leave the place. Carlisle knew Aro well, there was only one thing that upset him. He must have seen something in Alice's visions that disturbed him deeply. And with Aro's past, that could only be one thing - his death.

Aro would sacrifice anyone without blinking an eye. But his own life wasn't one of them and he didn't take the risk.

As fast as the Volturi came, just as quickly did they disappear again. Silently, the last cloak disappeared into the woods and when the last footsteps fell silent, a relieved cheer went through the crowd.

His way was straight to Leah and he closed the huge wolf in a tight hug. He would do nothing better than to cover her with thousands of kisses, but for now he had to be content with the contact. At least he could feel her relief and love, which was a big plus.

Seth hopped from one paw to the other and threw himself at Carlisle and Leah. He pressed his body against him and Carlisle laughed. It was the first laugh in his long time and he felt light.

It was as if all the burden that had almost crushed him for the past few weeks had fallen off his shoulders. He inhaled the trusting, earthy scent of the two and closed his eyes. He had hoped to the last that they would get a chance, but he hadn't believed it himself. But now everything was different.

The witnesses said goodbye, some more quickly, some less. Carlisle was pleased that the encounter had apparently created connections unrelated to him. Nessie wrapped pretty much everyone around her finger, and Benjamin and his mate were eager to visit them again soon.

Tanya and Kate were relieved, but the pain caused by the loss of their sister was still too deep to be happy. Carlisle hugged both women tightly and offered his sympathy and apologized. Tanya cut him off immediately.

"If Irina hadn't been so blind with vengeance, none of this would have happened. We have to apologize, Carlisle. We're sorry we couldn't control our sister better." Carlisle put a heavy hand on her narrow shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. His gaze was gentle and he emphasized once again that they weren't the only ones mourning the loss - no matter what they had done.

The house felt empty and quiet after so many vampires had left. A calm returned that Carlisle could finally enjoy.

"Why did they give up?"

There was a slight hint of disappointment in Emmett's question, although glad that nothing had happened to his family, a small part of him had been looking forward to the fight. Edwards rolled his eyes. He loved his brother but inside he was still a kid.

All eyes were on Edward, he was the only one who had heard Aro's motivation.

Carlisle sat down next to Leah on the couch, who just gave Seth a swipe. Esme evidently believed that the wolves had starved during the exertions - which was not true, since she cooked several times a day for them and especially mothered Seth, and Seth gulped down the third portion with a loud smack.

"The wolves made him insecure."

Jacob nodded proudly and grew a little taller, Leah rolled her eyes.

"Yes, but only after you've left." Her tone was dry and did not fail to have its effect, Jacob slumped a little.

Carlisle put an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close, the touch crackling electrically and sending a wave of warmth through him. Even now he felt a coldness in her absence that he still did not understand.

"Then it was Bella. Aro had grossly underestimated her."

With the words he stroked her cheek lovingly and she grinned mischievously.

Carlisle's voice was clear and kind.

"You did a great job Bella, we are all forever indebted to you."

She was obviously uncomfortable and immediately waved it off.

"But in the end it was Alice and her vision."

Now all pairs of eyes turned to Alice, who sat casually on the other end of the couch and leaned against Jasper.

"What did you show him Alice?"

Alice looked unimpressed.

"Just his future."

She shrugged as if she hadn't just saved two dozen lives.

Edward winced slightly and it was clear that she was thinking of the vision again. Carlisle didn't want to know how close they had escaped death.

"Better said, its end."

There was no trace of joy on either her or Edward's face, but that made it clear that what they had seen wasn't just his end.

Carlisle sighed and leaned against Leah. So often had he wondered how his life would be and so often had he been wrong.

"At least they're gone."

Bella's voice was muffled by Renesmee's hair.

"For now."

Edward's voice was hoarse as he expressed Carlisle's thoughts out loud. Although Carlisle didn't know Aro's thoughts, it wasn't difficult to see what his intentions were. Carlisle was a thorn in his side, now more than ever. The withdrawal from them had hit her hard and Carlisle feared that he would soon get even more insight through Marcus. The wolves awakened something in him that was difficult to ignore.

Carlisle feared Aro wouldn't rest until he got what he wanted.

Edward found his gaze and nodded darkly.

They had negotiated a temporary truce with the Witnesses and the allies, the wolves and their abilities, nothing more. Carlisle was sure that their next step would be to meet them individually.

"Alice will see them and warn us. They have no chance."

Edward's voice was only for Carlisle and Carlisle nodded silently. The rest of the family had become used to the half-conversations and didn't comment on it any further.

Carlisle felt a slight pressure on his side. Leah leaned against him and sighed silently. In her hands she held a bowl of Esme's risotto, at least the leftovers Jacob and Seth had left. Carlisle watched her and couldn't help but notice his luck. Maybe he wasn't damned after all, maybe he had convinced God that there was good in him. Otherwise he couldn't explain how he still existed around next to his soulmate, their satisfied chewing in their ears and their warmth on the side, surrounded by his family.

They were safe for now. That had to be enough.

Edward

Bella's melodious voice echoed from the next room, a story he had heard so often and which his daughter could never get enough of. Bella always invented something new, mostly Renesmee liked it and every now and then she invented a few details herself. The even voice didn't just calm the child. Edward also noticed how his mind settled after the exertions of the day.

But he couldn't be as carefree as Emmett or Bella.

Not after what he'd heard in Aro's mind.

A temporary peace was no peace at all. It was a long wait for the executioner, who would come sooner or later. And if there was one thing Edward knew after today, it was that he couldn't put his family at risk again.

Something unpredictable had happened in the middle of the hustle and bustle. Something that even Alice couldn't foresee.

The bond between Carlisle and Leah irritated Marcus, he saw something in front of him that he wanted so dearly for himself again. His mate was dead, there was nothing to comfort him. Every day he went through the same torments of loss, over and over again. But it wasn't just Bella and Edward who noticed Marcus's interest. Aro himself noticed his brother's look. And then it happened. He was getting cocky, he was getting careless.

The images flashing through Edward's head were cruel and barbaric and for a moment he doubted the authenticity of the images. Was it possible?

He was hiding his thoughts from Carlisle himself, too unsure of what to do with them, and thank god he was the only mind reader in the family. This knowledge was not intended for anyone, not even himself.

The rats had returned to their nest, it was indestructible. Volterra was full of guards, powers, monsters and cruelty, there was no army that could get through to Aro. But maybe it didn't need an army either. Maybe one thought was enough. A spear, right in the heart of the Volturi.

He watched his daughter and was struck by a wave of affection.

Once again his decision was strengthened in his thoughts.

Edward had to act before it was too late. Before Aro invented a new reason to get them, before they could think of a new strategy for getting what he wanted.

And so he went to the desk. The pen only scratched the paper briefly, Edward only needed a few words. He was sure that the recipient would understand.

On the envelope he wrote Marcus in the finest handwriting.

It was Aro.

He signed his name and it almost felt like he was signing his own death warrant. But he was confident. The pain in Marcus' mind was too fresh for him to simply dismiss the message.

Marcus would attack Aro and die. He was sure of it. But they were weakened by it, massively weakened. Aro was dependent on Marcus, so much so that he killed his own sister just to make sure he was always by his side.

Aro had nearly destroyed Edward's family. And now Edward would destroy his.

END

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