Author's Note: Action and battle aren't my strong suits, so beyond it taking awhile to write something I'm remotely happy with, all mistakes and errors are mine. Once again, I do not own the character, but play with them... consensually. Enjoy!

Last Time...

Her captive audience nodded for her to continue. "When I was overtaken I was not myself... I believe I was experiencing what was happening to Krystoph through his eyes."

"Are you certain?" Caius asked with a deadly serious expression.

"My vision was blurred, but I could sense the snow and the rock around me. I may not be well versed when it comes to surrounding Europe, but I do know few places are tundras this time of year... I also felt the weight of the Volturi crest against my chest."

Felix spoke next. "Krystoph last reported before he entered Russia. It must be him."

"He... was in agony. The venom was drained and then... It felt as if I was warring against myself- pure acid was poured into each vein and vessel. So much worse than the change." She shuddered, squeezing Aro's hand for comfort. "And... the smell. Sickly sweet, yet foul... like nothing I've ever encountered. I had to be sure before I came to tell you, but... whoever they are. Whatever they are, they carry Sulpicia's scent."

Chapter 19

Once the words were uttered, four things happened simultaneously.

Felix muttered, "Oh shit."

Athendora gasped. Caius growled defiantly at the vile harpy's name, whilst Isabella growled back instantaneously. Though she was rather composed in this new immortal life, even she had limits to how much bullshit she would take from the often sneering, pale haired snob. The sound challenged Caius to question her further. "Enough. Your questioning and malice will only hold us back in taking proper action." The words bit out through gritted teeth. The classical sneering expression morphed into a childish sulking with a subtle hint of remorse. "Are you quite finished?" It was a rather no nonsense statement as Isabella folded her arms, waiting with time they certainly didn't have. He gave his assent with a brisk nod, Isabella's eyes threatening to roll into the back of her head in irritation, never to return.

"I need not affirm truth in my mate's words, but for our skeptical counterparts- what Isabella says is true. Any further questioning and malice will result in one's head removed from their shoulders." Aro snarled, his gaze daring the blonde brother to challenge the mighty pair.

"Tell us more, Isabella." Marcus cued softly, not seeking to exacerbate the reactive emotions in the room further.

Aro looked to Isabella as she gently grasped his hand, with this, Aro visibly relaxed, moving again to just behind Isabella's seated position; the only thing different from before was the soothing circles she rubbed into his palm at her shoulder- a method to soothe the protective beast inside of him.

Isabella nodded minutely as she began. "I have been able to work around my gift so that Aro may access specific thoughts and memories by touch. This has allowed him to see what I experienced just hours prior. After I confirmed it for myself," she spoke, glancing down to the particles of ash on her fingers "I revealed my memories to Aro. There was no doubt."

"The scent has been morphed and worsened. I can only assume that these creatures are a type of hybrid we have never encountered. With Sulpicia as their creator." Aro supplemented. "Furthermore, we must move quickly."

The group began with a start, Aro offering his hand to Isabella out of noble formality, rather than an act of assisting her to her feet. Stirrings of panic began in Isabella's belly as she schooled her expression into that of false calm. Losing it now would be detrimental for many, though she questioned how her life had come to this. She knew she would always be within this world, but not at the very crux of a crumbling, millenias old structure under fire.

Time seemed to accelerate, yet draw back to a standstill in her mind's eye as they moved with quick precision and grace through the castle. Aro had once again adopted the role of authoritarian and leader automatically, his arm anchoring her to his side, and to the current reality.

Jasper's posture was straight and rigid, Alice on one side with her hand on his lower back- a small calming gesture. His eyes had slipped from their honey-amber to deep onyx with tactical, concentrated focus. "Strategy is key now. We have only two days at most to intercept them." The creatures had surely been on the move since cornering the Volturi scout in Russia.

"How many are fully prepared for combat?" Caius retorted from his position on Jasper's other side- the typical vantage person for Volturi combat.

"280 with Volturi and external allied covens combined." Jasper responded shortly. Caius responded to the figure in a hushed tone, something that practically fell on deaf ears for Isabella. They had just entered the secure room of her change when Isabella became engrossed with her mate's behavior.

Aro had started to silently pace against the fire's dramatic backdrop, hands folded like a prayer with his index fingers poised at his lips. Small bouts of whispered Italian were hardly discernable as his mind worked fervently. "The majority of our forces must remain in Volterra for our protection. Separating the elite guard from Volterra is far too risky, and we should not move unless our circumstances become dire." More murmuring in Italian was exchanged like lightning between the three brothers before Aro spoke again. "Send 100 of our lower and intermediate guard towards our enemy. Many do not possess gifts, but brute strength and battle strategy. Felix, alert the elite guard and redouble our efforts with the remaining intermediate guard to secure Volterra. Then get in touch with our allied worldly contacts. Have the houses prepared, should the need to move become apparent. Cease expeditions into town and beyond. It makes us vulnerable. Disseminate this information to the rest of the guard and bring them here."

"Yes, Master." Felix inclined his head, and then he was gone.

Jasper was conversing quietly with Caius now, discussing strategies before he also left to prepare the lower guard that would leave within the hour. Alice, Athendora, and Isabella seemed to gravitate towards one another, all feeling a bit distressed at their mate's involvement in this chaos, as well as their own. This was unspoken as they kept quiet company on the large sofa, observing each conversation with keen ears and interjecting where it was needed.

Isabella was happy to see that the Cullens arrived only minutes later. Carlisle, who had been conversing with Marcus, immediately excused himself to move to Esme's side to both their relief.

There were noticeable additions to the rather barren room Isabella distantly remembered from her change. The large oval table was covered once more with scrolls and maps with 10 chairs pulled around it. Other seating had been placed in the form of couches and loveseats. Coffee tables were stacked high with books, a few packs of cards, and a chess board. A television had been mounted to the wall in the new sitting area set-up, though to Emmett's sadness there was no videogame setup present. Something about the three brothers now hardly tolerating television as it was. Lamps illuminated the windowless room. In the far corner was a sleek, black, rectangular box, humming quietly. One sniff of the air allowed Isabella to realize it was stocked with blood- animal and human alike. All the things combined signaled that they may very well be here for awhile.

Again, Isabella scolded herself as she should have been prepared for this turn of events. It still jarred her, however, as she observed each immortal's stoic visage from their respective spots in the room. Carlisle and Esme sat on one of the love seats, their hands intertwined with the other while Carlisle soothed his mate in a low whisper. Rosalie and Emmett occupied a near couch to the right side, Emmett masking any worry with looking through the channels. Alec leaned against the couch arm to Emmett's right, engrossed as well. Jane monitored the room skeptically next to her brother while Demitri and Felix relayed information in hushed tones to Chelsea, Renata, Heidi, and Afton; curiously, Edward was in close proximity to Renata- so much so that they were nearly touching in relaxed postures. The brothers conferred around the large oak table, Isabella and Athendora seated next to their mates. Alice accompanied the group just to Isabella's right, leaving a seat open for her mate when he returned. Isabella had taken her hand under the table, giving a squeeze whenever Alice's expression drifted to worry or Marcus played peace keeper, seated between Aro and Caius to provide some calm with their residual tension from before.

A large map of the world was unfurled across the majority of the surface of the table. Each fallen Volutri scout's positions were marked across the map- Canada, Tokyo, Spain, Sweden, and most noteably a large red X near Moscow, Russia.

"They have been picking off our coven around us, almost toying with us without our knowledge." Marcus spoke grimly. "Isabella speaks of a congregation of these hybrids in Kristoph's last location in Russia. If our forces are unsuccessful, we will have a matter of hours while they cross through Ukraine, Slovakia, Vienna, and lastly puncture the Italian border. We must be prepared for the reality that they may be upon us." Switching to blue ink, Marcus noted Denmark, Alaska, Argentina and South Africa. "It is too great a risk to access our safe houses in most of Europe. These four will be prepared for sudden departure if fighting is not a feasible option."

"What weighs on feasibility of battle?" Isabella asked as a point of clarification.

"The likelihood to survive, cara." Aro answered, his expression morose. "It is not an avenue we expect, but must be prepared for." Isabella nodded grimly.

Time passed by with logistical planning. The Volturi leaders, most coveted family, and elite members would travel to one location with some of the intermediate guard. This would total nearly 40 members. The rest of the remaining coven, if it came to that, along with the allied external covens would be hidden in the remaining three secure houses of allied covens. These houses, in truth, were inconspicuously all over the world. With many millennia, the Volturi had gained many allies... and enemies.

Jasper returned shortly after the emergency route had been planned, confirming that one hundred of the Volturi guard had left. A silence fell over the room after his return- the atmosphere quite morbid.

Alice eventually gave Isabella a particular look, glancing from the ring she still twirled in her hands, and then back to her eyes. Isabella sighed a bit tiredly, rubbing her temples exasperatedly.

"Vampire ESPN back in session." She muttered, slipping the engagement ring back on and waiting for chaos to ensue.

Hours passed this way- many of the immortals present seeming to distract themselves enough so they did not wait with metaphorical bated breath. Isabella, however, did just that, as did her mate and his brothers.

Isabella had memorized the pattern of fibers in the sliver of the oak table she had studied for hours. Though dull, counting each fiber and deviation in pattern and color eased her worried mind. It also distracted her from the dread and anticipation of whatever she might see...or feel.

The thought that her gift may not be working or responding as it typically did flitted across her subconcious every so often. Even Emmett made a point of directing the TV remote at her and pushing a few buttons. "Can't seem to get the channel." He jested, followed by a sharp smack to the back of the head by Rose. Even better, he did not feel remotely sorry for it. And it caused Isabella to crack a small smile, so no harm, no foul.

Demitri had given occasional updates of the guard's position, communicated to him through his key contact, Santiago, via cellphone. An hour prior, Demitri was informed that the dispatched Volturi were nearing the Russian border with no sightings as of yet. Since then, Isabella had been tense with anticipation on whether she might see into the chaos, or even Kristoph's actions in his new state.

Still, nothing occurred in her near meditative state for some time... well, until the fingers she previously tapped gently against the oak pulverized the wood beneath with a dull groan.

Isabella's POV

The air was foul- sickly sweet and laced with putrid must. The slight convulsions of her shoulders- well, whosever mind she occupied- was a telltale sign that the body rejected even breathing it in...

It was pitch black- partially due to the evening sky, while also composed of the swirling, black and grey cloaked bodies of Volturi. It was chaos. Feet pounding against the earth, the body ran through the darkness, only to be gripped by sharp talons from behind. They sliced through the cloak and plunged into the skin, the immortal keening in outright, foreign pain.

A strong pulling sensation drifted her to another. This Volturi blurred across the battlefield, boots crunching over sickly sweet tendons and bones- nearly pulverized and utterly unrecognizable in the carnage. A crunch sounded from behind, and swiveling too late- an inhuman arm protruded from their chest- silver venom oozing from the wound. The other arm, just a dark shadow in the pained immortal's mind, came around the body. The talons scraped against the cheekbones and browbones before finding purchase in the eyes. They dug in mercilessly, the white hot pain overriding all senses as she felt the metallic disconnect of the eyes from their sockets.

"It isn't real..." came a soft voice, barely audible in the screams that echoed in her mind in the blackness. "Isabella, it isn't real." She held fervently to the voice in the darkness as she flitted to another, face down in dying grass as the arms were first bitten with acidic teeth before being ripped from the body. The same pained sensation followed as the head was drawn up, bringing the eyes level with the ground- seemingly purposeful in drawing out the agony of helplessness for the poor Volturi member. Laughter filled the ears as the head was ripped from the shoulders. Even as immortals could feel, and in this case see, with the head detached from the body, any sight Isabella may have hoped of the perpetrator vanished at the sensation of the head being smashed to metallic pieces. Fire crawled up then, lacing the body in flames as her mind screamed at the sensation.

"It isn't real." A second voice, like a caress followed as her vision blurred as another Volturi- the essence of the venom being slowly drained from the body with greedy sucks and bites. "Isabella...

She felt so disconnected from her body, trapped in this dark void of pain the she felt in every fiber of her immortal being. Sensations and sounds from the safe room were a distant memory. If she concentrated hard enough, she could feel gentle strokes across the surface of her arms rather than talons, venom, and flames. Her limbs twitched with considerable concentration, her hands distantly encountering warmth and tactile electricity like small sparks along the skin. Aro

The sensation of her mate's fingers and words brought her true reality back with increasing clarity. "There she is..." Came her sister's voice, the clever pixie.

Isabella's shoulders were hunched, the body caved in on itself as she shook microscopically. Her hands had flown to cover her eyes- which she lifted with gentle coaxing. Blinking, the room before her came back to her vision. A shaky exhale and dry swallow followed before she focused on him. Though he hid his distress well behind the cool, authoritative persona, it lingered in his eyes. Offering a small, strained smile, she focused on regaining her bearings with her remaining energy. Now was not the time to crumble. Beyond the current dire circumstances, any aspiration to lead as Aro had done for millenia would not be accomplished with such public vulnerability.

Steeling herself, she silently accepted the goblet that Aro offered. She thanked the stars that she had been pulled back to reality, knowing full well that Jasper was in no place to induce mental recharge in his mililtary-esque state. Then, as she regained a semblance of her bearings, they waited.

Twenty minutes had passed when Demitri's phone began to ring from his pocket. The room was quiet for a beat before he silently answered, placing the phone to his ear.

"The enemy has been defeated." Sighs of relief sounded at Santiago's statement from the device, audible to each vampire in the room.

"How many have been lost to us?" Demitri questioned.

"Seventeen. It was a difficult battle with these... creatures. There were sixty five enemies."

"Very good. Salvage what you may, and return to Volterra." The phone snapped closed.

Author's Note: So, what did you think of Vampire ESPN? Reviews are love 3