Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any Characters. I simply write for the love of it and take no ownership of any further media movie franchise
Chapter 2
The old stone castle sat upon the hill, magnificently burnt from the Tuscany heat for over a thousand of years and now stood like a bright light for all those who called it home. A jewel and historical importance to the people who live on the top of the slopping hill. But, a sacred secret was hidden deeply among her ancient stone. Deep within the depths she held beings of ancient pedigree outdating the very stone she guarded in her tight embrace. This secret was well kept by Volterra Castle and in turn protected by the people that kept these ancients from discovery.
Down below the castle clicking heels sounded on the stone floor as a petite brunette woman with almond eyes carried a tray that slightly shook in her well manicured hands. She was scared at of her wits to handle the news that she personally handwritten down on clean parchment from the ever viscous Jane. Word for word was repeated with anger frequently until she go it right for the masters.
Her breath rattled in her chest and her thumbing heart could be heard by all over the castle, bringing curious minds to the great hall. She was nervous as she walked the hall and her mind started replaying memories of her life as if she knew that this was to be her finale end.
She was barley twenty three she thought to herself with a shudder before she knocked hard on the ancient door with the beautiful sculptured handles waiting silently. She did not wait long before the great doors opened and allowed the highly nervous secretary into its depths. She kept her head lowered and tried not to think on how her heart beat encourage the room full to the rim of Vampires as she hurried to the steps, stopping with as much grace as she could as she slipped into a curtsy while lifting her tray up to the three ancient leaders.
Aro sat with poise, one leg crossed over the other with his hands joined in his lap in a reverse pray position. He was still as a statue but his mind was anything but.
The reports out of the America's were disturbing now even hours after receiving that frantic call from Eleazar who informed him on young Alice's phone call to him in what was moments before an attack on the Cullen Coven.
Of course Aro, upon hearing such news sent his best guards who were then cleaning up a problem in Cuba swiftly to the Cullens residence. And now he sat in great anticipation for who would be powerful, confident and daring enough to get around dear Alice's unique visions only to then confront beautiful Isabella and her magnificent shield. Truly! He should not be concerned but the dread he was feeling had his instincts aflame and he was worried for his old friend Carlisle and his very talented coven.
'My Master' a soft voice stuttered from the meek human holding her service tray up and all proprietary left Aro as he swept off his throne and snatched the rolled parchment with all the eagerness of young man, which he was not.
Every curious eye was on Aro as he rolled open the scroll and allowed greedy eyes to fall upon the words before his startled emotions got the best of him.
'No' he sounded in disbelief while his expression crumbled in grief, eyes and hands scrolling for any good news and finding immense relief for just a moment, she was safe at least. Reading on he found a fury building in him to the point his red eyes turned a viscous black, his hands shaking he ripped the scroll apart, breathing heavily.
Caius now alarmed leaned from his seat. "Aro, what is the matter with you? what news from Jane?"
Aro became aware of the eyes on him at his brothers voice before he took a single breath allowing a calm to wash over his features before addressing the room.
"The attack on the Cullens was both real and coordinated as Eleazar was informed from Alice in the moment before an invasion that was successful on most accounts" Aro announced coldly.
"Meaning what Aro!" Caius sharply counted, sitting ram straight and interested in spit himself.
Aro hands threw the destroyed parchment away and started to pace as he repeated the report for the others in the room who have awaited many hours for news on the Cullens, some of course were eager for their demise but Carlisle's time here had most empathetic and fearful on who would attack such a powerful coven.
"Demetri reports that after successfully back tracking the Cullens movements he has come to the conclusion without doubt that a premeditated attack was used against the coven, using the absence of Isabella and her shield to defend. Demetri has determined that both she and the very experienced tactician and fighter Jasper where out on a hunt, many miles away at the time of the attack."
He paused thinking once again of Carlisle his old friend and once enemy for all the wrong reasons. Oh, how he wishes now for one more moment to confer with such a unique individual, to perhaps even earn his forgiveness.
That last thought left a bitter taste in his mouth for it would never be. Aro breathed unexpectedly once more before continuing to his audience. "By our time six hours ago from Eleazar's very frantic call a most violent and coordinated attack has occurred on the Cullen Coven. We knew this was going to happen but now finally my friends we have the answers to why this travesty occurred.
With utter ruthlessness and against our scared laws of stealing another's coven member. These barbarians infiltrated this coven with malicious purpose in their mind as they lead a small army against the second most powerful coven in our world. Using their overwhelming and most likely strongly gifted numbers ended the life of not only my old friend Carlisle but his mate Esme as well as the talented mind reader Edward and his mated siblings Emmet and Rosalie.
And why my friends would an advancing army attack this particular coven who have always been peaceful even when they stood in many a number in defence for their half vampiric daughter Renesmee!
And who again I ask were the entrepreneurs of that peace five years ago."
"The shield" Heidi announced.
"The seer" came at the same time from Santiago. And many started to shout their agreement as the likeliest of the Cullens for poaching against Volturi Law.
Aro lifted his hand and all was silent. "Yes both are as equally important but no, it was not beautiful Isabella or Alice's mate the southern so called God of War Jasper. It was Alice and her gift that was convoluted enough to lay death to this inspiring coven.
But No! By their very next actions these attackers may even still want Isabella and her magnificent shield and indeed this attack was clearly made in preparation for her absence. Knowing that if they went after her later when she was without her covens protection she would be devastatingly vulnerable. Finding her will be our first priority for we know if this new enemy were to have both Alice and Isabella. They could easy be used against us effectively.
It is known now that Isabella and Jasper arrived back from their hunt no more then half an hour after the attack to find devastation of their coven members but for all the misery they did not linger and pursued the trail of Alice to only find that she had obviously been air lifted on top of the nearest peak. Jane was able to discern where they next would be from a voice message saved on the receiver. Renesmee called to tell her family that her mate the shapeshifting wolf Jacob had extended his own hunting trip with his pack beyond the area of La Push where she was staying with the mutt's father.
Upon the arrival of the Volturi into the lands of the wolves there was no resistance of any kind as they followed the land up to the community of La Push to be only meet with a bloodbath of the entire reserve. This was clearly a coordinated attack in time with the Cullens but the most disturbing manor in which it was done was something else".
Aro turned to take a quick look to Caius before continuing knowing this knowledge most of all would upset him. "Jane reports all though hard to discern the difference between shape shifter and the smell of werewolf there was still enough difference for her and Demetri to conclude that at least two or more large packs of werewolves had lay waste to the entire community".
Caius hissed and stood from his chair. "If what you say is true, then we are facing a enemy who has not only broken coven law but have joined with those abdominal beasts." He turned the awaiting vampires in room. "I have heard enough! Go and gather yourselves quickly for we leave for the new world immediately" he spat out quickly. He had no care for Carlisle or his dangerous coven but anything that could defeat them and worked with werewolves became a immediate enemy of his.
Aro calmly put his arm on Caius and turned to his Volturi. "You have until the bell tower struck the hour to be back here and ready to leave." All were quick to file out with eagerness to be on the hunt for these criminals, while the human secretary smiled to herself in relief that she was equally ignored and left.
Marcus shifted for the first time that day when the great hall shut and turned and stood with his brother speaking in a soft gravelling voice. "The hybrid still lives Aro but I can no longer sense her bond with young Isabella nor Isabella herself. It is strange" he said holding his palm out for Aro who took it quietly with a thoughtful frown.
"Perhaps her power has grown, she was just a newborn when we saw her last but it matters not for she lives Marcus. Demetri confirms her scent in La Push trailing after the older scent of werewolves. They believe Renesmee and the Quileute imprints of the Wolves were drugged and taken on foot by the attacking werewolves leading Isabella and Jasper on a chase across America."
Caius seethed. "It is a good diversion while the get the seer away. She just lost her mate and now her daughter has been deliberately taken as bait to keep her and the empath away. This is the work of someone not only familiar with the coven but has the intelligence and skill of strategy to use their weekness against them.
"Where is Stephan and Vladimir" Marcus asked remembering the two of them standing with the Cullens ready to battle but with no real ties to the animal drinkers. Out of all her stood witness to young Isabella's power and usefulness of Alice he could see how they would gain from such a ploy and said as much.
Caius just scoffed "This is not the work of those fools as they are currently treating Croatia as feeding holiday. I have already had to send Mariska to deal with them just two days past."
Aro allowed his thoughts to drift while his brothers bickered on the who's and how. He would not have imagine five years ago to feel this much sadness at the loss of his true friend Carlisle. But back then he was enraptured by the unique human turned vampire Isabella and let his craving for her mixed with his greedy feelings for Alice bewitched him to nearly leading the Volturi to their death as a consequence.
Perhaps he learnt a truth that day about the strength of the Cullens. But, in his mind he liked to think that it was Isabella's face so full of hurt and anguish as she brought fire to him in Alice's vision that halted his desperation and gave him the very warning he failed to understand.
She was beautiful the second time they met as she stood in defiance against him and more stunning then Alice's vision gave her credit for. He was enamoured straight away and was quick to take her hand under the disguise of reading her mind to pull her closer and smell her sweet scent. When she caught his eye he held it with rapture for she did not look away, it did disturbing things, her effect on him and yet he was almost sure in that moment that he may of not been the only one effected for considering the time and place she too shared that blissful moment with him, only pulling away at Edwards possessive growl.
Agh but it has been centuries since he has felt these feelings, the mating bond he held with Supulcia feeling all but null and void. But, most unfortunately for him Isabella was married and had chosen in his mind the weakest of all vampires. He had hope to convince her before arriving of how much Edward and her coven had failed her in her ill begotten choice at making a immortal child, but of course he had instead been left floundering at the miracle child that was Renesmee.
And she was a miracle as he found out in more ways then one. Her gift so selfless and warm in his mind, like a fresh summer wind. Plans were altered immediately for Aro could not remember a time when he felt so desperately greedy for the outcome he traveled so far into the new world for.
Perhaps if he had gotten his way they would all be here instead of dead or running. At least then Isabella and her unique daughter would be safe, Edward could of been eventually dealt with for he was sure the weakness in him would no doubt be the cause. Of course,Carlisle would be alive and dear little Alice would of never left the castle to be kidnapped in the first place.
As if it was all so simple Aro sighed. Such thoughts were not productive if he was to lead his coven to bring justice as per Volturi law to this complete travesty. He will find Isabella and give her the sanctuary she is need of while providing his extensive resources at finding both her daughter and Alice.
He might not of gotten what he desired five years ago but this new enemy may of unexpectedly given him a new chance with the object of his desire and Aro was too much of an opportunist to not see the advantage of this, mating bond to Edward or not. He was convinced there was more to Isabella. She was too strong to allow Edward's death to destroy her, not when she has something so important to live on and fight for. Her miracle child – in more ways then one.
A slow smile spread across his face as his guard rejoined them. 'I-s-a-b-e-l-l-a' Aro thought with care as his smile widens even further because it was all so clear now to him. He would lead his guard to victory, punish those who dared flout Volturi law to a viscous end that would be felt around the world for years to come whilst insuring him that of his greatest prize yet. The lovely Isabella and her sister Alice.
'Such a Prize' he thought with relish.
A/N: I hope you like my Aro.