Part 1 - Chapter 10: Stormclouds
I was swimming in a lake in a familiar land. I couldn't put my finger on anything in particular except for the lake. It was dark out and I was swimming towards a light on a hill that was the only thing bright enough to see. But I didn't look like myself. I had purple hair and tan skin. The smile on my lips was dripping with venom as I stepped onto solid ground. I saw someone creep out of the shadows. The moment I saw the familiar face, I changed into someone different. How I did now. Silver hair and green eyes. Then that familiar person threw the dagger he was holding.
I jerked back to reality the moment the paper smell reached everyone else's noses. Carlisle instructed us to get to the clearing as thunder roared above us. Rain wouldn't yet give way. We all lined up in random formations along the clearing. I saw the ones who had done this before whisper to their mates about how similar this was to the last time. Most stayed with their mates, but I stood alone. Carlisle and Esme headed our straggly line as Renesmee, Edward, and Bella stayed towards the back.
I heard the roar of the werewolves as the walked into the empty windows we'd created. The smell of the 3000 year old vampires startled me as the got closer and closer. I thought to myself for Edward to hear, Diomedes smells quite different than the rest. I turned to him and he nodded before replying in my head, Maybe that signifies his extreme power. I nodded and kept quiet after that. Alice and Jasper were so tightly together, it was a wonder they were actually two different people. Xavier's eyes gleamed with the challenge ahead.
Then they came into view. All of them were wearing the classic robes of the Volturi as they came into view in their straight line. The leaves crunched under their feet as they continued walking until Aro and Caius stopped. Diomedes was exactly as I had drawn him. But you could see more definition in his cheekbones and the robes hugged his arms and small waistline flawlessly. Marcus stood beside him very gracefully as Aro grinned at all of us.
"Preparing for a fight, are we?" he taunted. I hissed and Pierre cautioned me. Aro's eyes darted towards me. "You have several newborns with you, Carlisle. I'm beginning to think you're creating an army." Jasper nearly broke from Alice's hold, but she kept him grounded. Carlisle stepped forward. "What is the reason you have brought your entire guard and witnesses along?" Aro flashed his eyes to Alice. "As you can see, we've added two skilled vampires to our guard. We were hoping we could encourage others to do the same."
My eyes found the other addition besides Diomedes. There was a woman standing beside Jane and Alec. Alec was standing slightly in front of her and seemed awful close. It must be his newfound mate, I figured. She had dark hair and eyes meaning she was thirsty. She seemed very similar to his twin sister, but different in other ways. Jane seemed jealous.
Jane glared at Bella as Bella concentrated hard. I was scanning the group when I locked eyes with Diomedes. He flashed a fluorescent grin at me and I felt the fire in my veins erupt. Aro then spoke again, "It seems that you are reluctant to let your most valuable prizes go. But I hope I can take at least one." His eyes grazed over to Pierre and the flush of his cheeks and heavy jacket. It was cold out. Aro shook his head before finishing the once-over.
"It seems that new evidence supports you aiding a fugitive of the law. And others who don't belong." I saw his gaze land at Lana and Marina clutching for each other with their strangely shaped teeth bared. Carlisle asked with his eyes narrowed, "Who would that be?" Aro chuckled a bit. "Your boy Xavier hasn't had the cleanest record. He's much like you, Edward. But more dangerous. He told his human mate of the supernatural. A crime worthy of punishment."
Xavier let out an ear-splitting shriek. Aro waited until he was done before adding, "I am willing to make a deal, though." We all waited in suspense. The upward curve of Caius's lips frightened and angered me slightly at the same time. Aro then finished with his finale of a closing statement; "We'll clear your entire record of past wrongdoings if..." he paused for dramatic effect, "you hand over one of your gifted members."
