Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, I merely play in the sandbox. I do lay claim to my original characters and the inclusion of the Fey world created.

AN: Having gone through so many edits of this chapter, still not sure on how I feel about it. Laurent was a necessity to drive the story forward but maybe he deserved more? ~Hannah

Chapter Sixty – The Death of Laurent

The days turned into months and soon the sun had disappeared completely from Forks and the snow had come. With the snow came the cold temperatures, the grumpy people and the increase of school homework. The winter brought Christmas, a time of merriment, gift giving, family and remembering where one came from. Christmas was always a big event in the Swan household. This year would be the first with Christine and Angela in included. Christmas had all but exploded since the Cullen's had come on the scene. It was hard to have a small Christmas with the gifts the Cullen's gifted. I guess having so much money came in handy. Dad had tried halfheartedly to return his presents but Alice wasn't having it.

I'd learnt from the previous year to just accept whatever was given. This year Alec and Jane went overboard with presents as well. I was surprised that the Volturi Kings had let Alec and Jane stay with us for so long. From what I understood, they were both members of the Elite Guard, so lending them out for so long was probably costing them. Then again, Alec had met his mate in Lauren, so perhaps they had been given extra leave to sort that out.

The end of the Christmas period just brought doom and gloom to Forks. Most people experience depression in January, in the aftermath of Christmas. Everyone walking around Forks looked like they'd swallowed a bee, their attitudes were as unpleasant as their faces. Dad had already been called out to handle several disputes between surly neighbours.

There was a fowl voice on the wind that urged everyone to get their ducks in a row. Adrian spent his time split between Bella and the Fey world, his main concern, organising an army that could be despatched at a moment's notice. None of us, in fact, had been idle. Everyone had pulled their weight in trying to ensure that we were ready for whatever came our way.

I still had uncertain feelings towards Laurent and what he was planning. I think the worst thing was that Alice couldn't see him. Whatever he was planning or whomever he was associated with, something was blocking Alice's vision of him. I didn't like being so unprepared. I knew there were going to be arguments to hide away Bella, Lauren and myself from the coming battle. Argues of our human status were sure to be brewing on the horizon. It wasn't that I wanted to be vulnerable, but that I thought we'd be in more danger if we were separated from the protection of those residing in the supernatural world.

"Alice saw something."

"What?"

Emmett practically dragged me to the Cullen's sitting room, like an excited puppy with a chew toy, my arm was almost pulled from the socket. Everyone was gathered, we tended to use the Cullen's house as a meeting point but often used mine for smaller meetings. Everyone was here and I mean everyone, Dad was standing in his Chief of Police uniform.

"It's not much but I saw something."

"What was it?"

"Flashes of missing persons from all over America. It's like he's trying to not leave a pattern in his kills."

"He's definitely killing these people?"

"What else would he do with them?"

"He could be building an army," said Jasper.

"An army of newborns? That's risky business."

"Maybe he thinks they will fight the battle for him."

"Do we know for definite that Laurent is the one behind this? What exactly did you see Alice?" I asked.

"I saw his dreadlocks, so I assumed it was him. I usually don't get visions of people who aren't directly involved with our family. He tries to kill without showing his face, which makes me think he knows about my power and is trying to stop me from seeing him. I would put it down to his hunger were it not for the number killed in such a short time frame."

"Why would he want to create an army? What does he gain from it?"

"He gains whatever the 'Master' has promised him. Let's face it, he's not the sort of person who could think this up himself. We already knew he was working with this 'Master' and that this 'Master' doesn't like to do the dirty work himself. I'm guessing that this battle will be used to pick us off one by one. I don't know whether I'm still the focus of the 'Master's' hatred or whether he's more focused on Adrian but if I had such a concentrated group of enemies, my move would be to take them all out in one swift move," I said.

"When is this army coming?"

"I don't know, soon, I should think."

"Shouldn't we prepare for it? If we start now we might be able to influence where it takes place."

"That's a solid plan. If Adrian, Jasper, Alice, Jane and Alec start strategically planning we might stand a chance."

"Demetri might be able to track him if you saw where Laurent last was."

"Felix, update the Kings on what is happening, they'll want to know."

The impromptu meeting broke up then. Adrian, after kissing Bella left for the Fey world. Dad headed back to work, giving a lift to Christine. Jasper, Alice, Jane and Alec disappeared off somewhere with Carlisle, presumably to start planning. The Cullen's dispersed through the house. Bella and Angela settled with Lauren, leaving Edward to wrap his arms around me.

"How are you feeling?"

"Uncertain."

"Everything will be alright Ella."

"You can't promise that Edward but I appreciate you trying. I just want to know when it will all end. Being involved in the supernatural world doesn't come without it's trials but this is ridiculous. I just want to be able to live my life with the people I love and now we're talking about going to battle."

"Well, you won't actually be in the battle."

"Stop right there Edward, I've had the same discussion with Bella and Lauren and the three of us will be at the battle."

"It's not safe."

"It's far safer to be with all of you than it is to be hidden away somewhere. If someone comes looking for us we'd be defenceless and with the rest of you so involved you might not see the added danger coming towards us. We won't get in the way, we won't do anything reckless but remaining with everyone else is the safest place for us humans."

"Agree to disagree but I don't want to fight with you Ella."

"I don't want to fight with you either. When did life get so messy?"

"Life has always been messy, so let's prove to life that we can handle any shit it throws at us."

"Edward be serious."

"I am being serious. I love you Ella and I know life has been a bit difficult recently but we will get through this trial and any other trial that is sent our way."

"How do you know that?"

"I believe it."

[x]

Contrary to popular belief – the opinions of Forks – I was not a hermit suffering from the woes and mental issues of last summer. I was, for all intents and purposes, a healthy young woman finishing her last year of school and acting accordingly. It still surprised me that going out to shop in Port Angeles made people give me a second glance as they walked past.

I'll admit, at first it was hard coming here but after time had passed I realised I couldn't be frightened of going out and living my life. Marco had taken but a few months of my life from me and I wasn't going to let him affect my life from the grave.

Thus, here I was, shopping in Port Angeles alone. Well, not truly alone as I knew Edward was lurking somewhere in his car, just making sure I was safe. Also, I was shopping with Rose, she just wasn't currently standing right next to me. I was, like my sister, a little obsessed with books and Rose knew to leave me to wander until I was done. She had, after all, mentioned something about cars before I'd sped walked to the shop to escape. Cars, bleurgh. Couldn't think of anything more boring.

Safe as I was, I was still unprepared for the blur that stopped before me once I departed from the shop. The blood crimson eyes were a dead giveaway that a vampire stood before me. The ragged clothes and the slightly panicked eyes were a little worrying but in such a public area, I was semi-confident that I wasn't about to be eaten.

"It's soon, be ready."

They departed before I could ask what they meant but I had a pretty good idea. There was only one thing we were waiting for after all…

Alice had not phoned me, so I was in no immediate danger. Edward hadn't come speeding around the corner, so nothing untoward was about to happen. Rose was but a hundred yards from me in another shop. I could make it there without having a complete breakdown.

"We're coming for you."

I jumped, turning in time to see another red eyed vampire blur across my vision.

"What do you want?" I asked, quiet enough to not look like a crazy person, but loud enough to be heard by a vampire.

"Death is coming."

I didn't need to turn to know another vampire had sneaked up on me. Honestly, how many vampires were going to accost me as I walked down the street! Wasn't this tempting the fate? Wasn't this giving them away? I understood teasing the enemy but they could get caught with this kind of behaviour and then we'd have the upper hand once more.

I stopped as if struck by lightning, a mere twenty yards from where Rose was. Standing as though innocently gazing at the sky, stood Laurent, a smirk on his face to rival that baddest of boys.

"Two weeks," he said.

I was rooted to the stop long after he had disappeared. Part of me was rocked with fear that a battle was coming and coming soon. The other part of me was shocked at the ballsy move. How could he be confident enough to come to the enemy camp and not be worried about getting caught.

"Ella, are you alright? You're as white as a sheet, has something happened?"

Rose, Rose was here? How long had I been standing gormlessly on the street? People would definitely think I was crazy now.

"Laurent was here."

"WHAT!"

"He was standing just over there," I pointed across the street, "he didn't come alone. There were others, all with messages. They're toying with us, over confident. We should…we should tell the others."

"We're going home, now!"

"Edward."

"He's coming."

Sitting in the back of the car, tucked in Edward's embrace as Rose drove us back to the Cullen's was the safest place for me. He immediately calmed my fears and my worries. I felt relaxed and loved with his arms around me.

I felt the oddest sense of calm wash over me. As alarming as seeing Laurent and newly turned members of his army was, the rush of relief I felt was overwhelming. I didn't know what Laurent was playing at telling me he would be coming in two weeks. Whether his words were a trap or not I couldn't understand but just knowing something about what would occur settled the churning in my stomach.

Everyone was gathered in the Cullen's sitting room by the time we arrived. We were a well-oiled machine. If there was a prize for the quickest family response time, we'd sure to win it.

"What happened? You had us worried on the phone," said Carlisle.

"Ella saw Laurent."

I found myself engulfed in a 'Dad' hug at this news. It was comforting. From Dad, I was passed around to several others, almost like they wanted to reassure themselves that I was still there. I understood the worry but didn't want them to use this encounter as an excuse to molly-coddle me.

"What happened?"

"I was coming out of the bookshop and a vampire approached me. He looked like a hobo in disguise and had the paranoia of someone who was being stalked, he told me that things would be happening soon. He disappeared and I walked a little further before another vampire, female this time appeared and told me they were coming for me. A little unnerved by this point, I held my neutral mask in place and kept walking toward the shop where Rose was. I'm concerned as to why Rose didn't hear them or why Edward didn't hear their thoughts but another vampire appeared to tell me death was coming. From here I was just twenty yards from Rose when I saw Laurent. He was smug, standing just across the road from me. He looked like a tourist, simply taking in the scenery but his eyes told a different story. He was rubbing his successful evasion in my face but I don't know why he decided to reveal himself. He told me two words 'two weeks' before vanishing. The thing is, I can't decide whether his words were real or just a plot to confuse us. Does it mean the battle will take place in two weeks or is he going to surprise us with his coming next week instead?"

"Do you think Laurent has enough brain power to think up a plan that good?"

"We don't really know him that well. We're all assuming, that the 'Master' is pulling the strings as far as Laurent is concerned but is that the right approach to have? Laurent is obviously acting this way for reasons of his own, yes he's been influenced by the 'Master' but people don't just decide to raise an army without reason."

"But if we think of things that way then we're opening ourselves up to hundreds of possibilities instead of narrowing things down. I understand your concerns and points Ella but I think what you're saying is the reaction Laurent was looking for," said Jasper.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, since catching a glimpse of him, you've been going over in your mind all the possibilities his actions could mean. In getting obsessed over knowing what the reasons behind his actions are, you're going to stretch yourself thin trying to put your hands in multiple pots. I think that's what he wants, to keep you guessing at what his actions mean so we are less prepared in two weeks."

"Also, he gets the knowledge of knowing he rattled you. Don't let him rattle you, this is just a battle distraction technique and he should know that isn't going to work with us. We're a little harder to crack," added Alice.

"It seems silly to just disregard what he has said though," I said.

"We haven't disregarded it, we just aren't going to waste time overthinking things."

I felt like my voice wasn't being heard yet again. How could the people in this room dismiss what I was saying and what I had witness as if it was nothing more than an ant shouting from the ground. Anger boiled through my veins at the easy dismissal of my concerns. I walked from the room without a backwards glance, uncaring of how rude it seemed, I didn't want to stay and risk saying something I regretted. I didn't even realise I was crying until I'd made my way all the way to the edge of the Cullen property.

It was a stupid thing to cry about, I knew but I couldn't help it. I felt as if I'd been treated like a child, told that my fears weren't important. Didn't they understand that I was just worried for everyone involved? Didn't they realise that I had experience with people saying one thing but doing another. Had the summer with Marco taught them nothing? They were very quick to make sure all their voices were heard, so why not mine? Was it simply because I was human? Was I justified in walking out on them or had I overreacted?

"So, that didn't show us in our best light."

"They elect you to come and talk to me Carlisle?"

"I am the most…level headed of us and I actually agree with you. Sometimes my children forget that there are other routes to travel down. They focus on the most obvious path presented to them and do not waver from it. We are dealing with unstable people, disregarding this 'Master' and whatever involvement he might have, Laurent is a loose cannon. We do not know his motives behind raising an army and therefore we do not know if he is toying with us by appearing or not."

"I just wanted them to understand that. They are so sure that things are black and white in the world yet I don't understand how they can't see that isn't true. If the world was black and white, members of the Volturi surely wouldn't be standing by our sides, I certainly wouldn't have befriended Lauren and Edward and I probably would have parted ways after he left to pursue Laurent. How can they be so open about one thing and yet so closed about another?"

"I'm afraid that might be my fault. I taught each of my children that the sky is limitless when it comes to their own pursuits and dreams but I never thought to include what would happen when others were involved when I taught them. We do not associate with humans though we live in their world and I never thought we would become as wrapped in the human world as we are now. Each of my children are used to getting their own way without opposition. That you can stand there and call out their behaviour brings out the close-minded attitude you mentioned because they don't fully understand the meaning of the word 'no'."

"But they were human once Carlisle, surely they can't have forgotten common curtesy?"

"Yes, they were human once but they have been vampires for much longer. It was always my dream to become a Doctor, and as such my interaction with the human world has kept me open to change. Esme too has always wanted to be a Mother, so uses the human world to better herself in that regard. Though all my children attend human school, they never associate with their classmates, preferring to stick to themselves and not get involved. They've had centuries of ignoring humans and human emotions. They've forgotten that other opinions matter but since we came to Forks and since we met you, they're learning."

"Not fast enough."

"I don't know about that, you've changed the outlook of Rose pretty quickly. I've never seen her happier and that's all because of you. She always wanted children and being a vampire takes away that choice, that you were so willing to let her play that role in her life has changed her from the person I knew to the full of life person we see now. Emmett is happier because of Rose but you've made him more confident. Jasper has become more relaxed and you have opened his protective nature. Jasper finds it the hardest to associate with humans but you have changed his perception, Alice has found the friend she always wished for and Edward has found his mate. My dear Edward, always knew something was missing but never believed he'd find his mate, he I believe, has changed the most. You've bought the light back into his life."

"But I didn't do anything Carlisle, I'm nothing special."

"Alec said you didn't believe in your own greatness but I didn't believe him until now. You, have the ability to change people's outlook on life just by being you, don't you realise how special that is? Even Alec and Jane have calmed in your presence. The Volturi are a force to be reckoned with if you get on their bad side but our community often view them distastefully because of their strict hand. Did Edward ever tell you I lived with them for a time?"

"No."

"Well I did and while they tried to change my diet, they never force me to change my lifestyle. The rules they put in place are to keep us all in place, they can be mean and vicious but they can also be kind and forgiving. I suppose the analogy to use here would be that the Volturi are like your preferences on Marmite. Some people love it and some people hate it."

"This is just a situation I'm just going to have to let go aren't I?"

"It won't be forgotten, we might be out in the garden but you know they'll all have been listening. Give them time to change decades of opinions."

"I'm not mad Carlisle, not anymore, just hurt that I was so easily dismissed."

"Somehow I don't think that will make them feel any better but perhaps it will urge them to think twice before they act again."

[x]

Two weeks from when I saw Laurent was a Wednesday and all of us who should have been in school were pulled out for the rest of the week. Using the Cullen's excuse of a hiking trip was useful especially since there was a 5% chance of sun. Dad's continual references to the trip in the week leading up to it put any Forks naysayers to rest.

It was a white day. The sky was white. The ground was white. Everyone was feeling white. It was cold. Cold enough to wear thermals below clothes, to don hats and scarf, to wrap fingers in gloves and drink hot beverages.

The Denali coven had arrived back over the weekend, Kate, the one with electric powers would be shadowing Bella. Alec and Jane would respectively be shadowing Lauren and I, though with Rose, Emmett and Jasper surrounding me, I felt triply defended. Felix had come back with the words 'eradicate the problem, leave no survivors' from his conversation with the Volturi Kings. Everyone had been taking lessons from Jasper in how to deal with newborns as he had the most experience. Hearing of his past made me sad but also made me realise how strong Jasper was, telling him such made him light up with pride.

Being ready and being ready were two different things. I felt ready but standing on the clearing we'd chosen didn't make me feel ready. It made me feel small and insignificant, like an ant about to be crushed by a boot. I could hardly comprehend that this was actually happening, that we were all gathered here waiting for a fight to happen. It made everything else seem unimportant. School, work, life, what was it worth?

"They're coming, I can hear them," said Jasper.

I felt the blood in my veins freeze, suddenly I wasn't sure whether being here was the right thing. I wanted to run away and lock myself up somewhere safe but I knew it wouldn't make a difference, what will be will be. I shared a glance with Lauren, her face reflected my own feelings, but there was no going back now we were here.

'I love you,' I mouthed to Edward when he glanced at me.

Watching his mouth move to repeat the words back to me, warmed my heart but didn't calm my nerves.

Laurent came first, alone, walking with swagger and a smugness that made me sick. In the centre of the clearing, equal distance from us and the treeline, he stopped and smirked at us. I wanted to knock that smirk right off his face but reminded myself not to move. He was making a play, a play we wouldn't fall for.

The rest came but five minutes later. Silently they appeared from the treeline like ghosts walking from the beyond. As a united front, they moved with purpose, their crazed eyes darting around and their hands twitching with unconcealed angst. Ruffled and dirtied, they looked like a group of ragamuffins, but we knew we were facing a group of newly made warriors. Newborns were at their strongest and violent within the first months of being turned, they were unpredictable…it was scary to see them face to face.

There were less than I expected, about twenty-five in total. We greatly outnumbered them but that didn't mean this would be an easy win. Any one of those twenty-five vampires could have gifts that could hinder us.

"Why don't you give up while you still have the chance Carlisle?" asked Laurent from across the field.

His voice had changed since I last saw him, it had taken on a rougher edge and grinded like a blunt axe being sharpened. Laurent was surprised, I could tell though he masked it well. Clearly the presence of Adrian and the ten warriors he'd bought, Christine, Angela and Ben with his family, unnerved him. Perhaps he had been expecting an easy fight, he should have expected that we wouldn't go down without a fight.

"I could ask you to do the same thing but I will not Laurent. We are both here for our own reasons and while I would like there to be no bloodshed, I doubt you will simply walk away from this."

"Excessive use of words as always Carlisle, you could have just said no."

"You realise we have orders to kill you right?"

"The Volturi? I must say, it makes me quite proud to know my efforts have reached your ears."

The conversation was making me sick to my teeth, it was just a distraction technique after all but one I wanted to be over and done with.

"Is this going to be a battle of words? How exciting," said Alice.

"Foolish girl! Let it be known that I gave you a chance to surrender."

The talking it seemed, was done. With a flick of his hand, the newborns began advancing while Laurent took a step back to observe. I was flung back by Jane, for my protection but it still hurt to be flung by a vampire and the battle started.

Half of me wanted to call what was happening magnificent, I could hardly make out what was happening as they were moving too fast but it looked like a beautiful painting come alive. The other half of me, the half that was scared out of its mind, worried what the hell I was doing on the battlefield when I couldn't protect myself from any of the elements present. The occasional roars and screams coming from those in my family frightened, me as I couldn't tell whether they were harmed or merely angry. Everything was happening too quickly and it made me dizzy.

From where I stood, I heard snippets of conversation and it only increased my panic.

"Is that all you got?"

"That's my husband you bitch."

"Get your hands off me."

"Jane, to your left."

"Look out Jasper."

Lauren had caught my hand one moment and in the next she was gone. I caught a glimpse of Bella before she too left my vision. I was constantly pushed from side to side as various people pushed me from harm's way. I'd thought perhaps that we would have the advantage, or that things would be over quickly but I had underestimated the determination of both sides.

Emmett was thrown across the sky, felling a tree but he got up quickly and re-joined the fight. People were dropping like flies and then getting back up again. It made it really hard to focus on who was winning.

"They have a shielder but they're weak, take them out Emmett," I heard Jasper call.

"They're using a diamond formation pattern, the man with the red hair is the leader, take him," shouted Edward.

"Take that you fucker!" I heard Kate call out repeatedly as she used her gift.

I had been so focused on what was happening around me, so focused on trying to work out if anyone I cared about was hurt and so presumptuous of the fact that I was safe because of those around me that I didn't sense the danger until it clamped down on my upper arm.

Teared so un-ceremonially from the safety of the others, my attacker had sneaked around the back of our group and snatched me when no one was looking.

Considering the eyes of my attacker, I saw the face of the vampire who told me death was coming.

"You don't have to do this you know."

"Shut up, I need to concentrate or they'll see me."

Concentrate? Does he have a gift that is keeping him invisible?

"What has he promised you? Laurent? You know his way isn't the only way. He is sentenced for death, do you really want to follow him knowing that you share the same fate?"

"Didn't I tell you to be quiet. You know nothing."

"I know more than you, whatever he's promised you is a lie."

"Look, this is nothing personal, we just need to kill your coven to take ownership of this land."

"That's not why you're here."

"Yes, it is. Laurent told us."

"You've been fooled."

"Why would he lie?"

"Why would he create an army of newborns when he knows that act is illegal within the vampire community?"

"My job isn't to question Laurent, it's just to bring you to him."

"Help, somebody help!" I yelled.

No one heard me of course, and the vampire holding me only chuckled at my distress. The fighting was too loud for anything else to be heard.

As we travelled across the field to the enemy side, I noticed something that made my heart lift slightly, their numbers were falling. More than half of the newborns lay decapitated on the ground, those of my family were still fighting but none had been felled.

"Here she is, as requested."

I was thrown from the unknown vampire's arms and into Laurent's and with that I became visible again.

The shouts of outrage I heard from across the field let me know that my change of position had been noted by my family at last. With half a dozen vampires left to defeat, I saw their determination double in their effort to get to me.

"Isn't it sweet, all that determination just to save little old you."

"What do you want Laurent? I doubt you staged all this just to talk to me."

"Feisty one aren't you and here I thought Marco knocked that out of you."

"Really? You're going to try and use that name to bring me down. I've got news for you, I'm not scared of Marco anymore."

"But you do fear the Master."

"Hard to fear something you don't know."

"You'll know him in time, he has big plans for you."

"What plans?"

"Everyone needs a sacrificial lamb."

"No one is sacrificing me thank you very much."

"I doubt you have much choice in the matter sweetheart."

"What about you Laurent? What's your plan?"

"I have many."

"Care to enlighten me? After all, from your attitude, you don't think you're going to lose this battle."

"You aren't going to trick me into giving up my secrets."

"I'm not trying to, just making conversation."

"Do you think me a fool?"

"For following a madman? Yes."

"Madman the Master is not, he is a genius with unlimited power. He will grant me my deepest desire and all for delivering you to his door."

"Everyone has limits."

"Not the Master."

"He really has you brainwashed doesn't he."

"You speak ill of him but you don't know him. He will unite us all and lead us into a new age. An age where we don't have to hide or cower but where we can put our best foot forward and rule the humans as they should be."

"Utterly mad."

"Oi, Laurent! You have something precious of ours that we would like back," shouted Edward.

I used the opening to look at my surroundings while subtly trying to back away. All but three of Laurent's newborns and Laurent himself, were dead. It seemed we'd suffered a few casualties from Adrian's warriors but no one on our side was dead.

Laurent made a quick move to capture me once more, but surprising myself I managed to duck to the ground just as Emmett launched himself at Laurent. I stayed lying on the ground, hands over my head until I felt Edward helping me up.

"Is it over?"

"Almost."

"What do you mean Almost?"

"What do we do about him?" asked Edward, pointing to a thoroughly restrained Laurent.