Chapter XVII
The Clearing and Waiting

Edward was suddenly beside me again. He took the phone back and pulled me close to him. "It will be fine Bella." he said. I leaned my head against his chest, and sighed. "It doesn't change the fact that I'm back to being crazy with worry for all the people I love though."

Edward curled a finger under my chin and lifted my face to his. He leaned down and pressed his lips gently against mine, then wrapped both arms tighter around me. His kiss became more urgent, more possessive. As usual, the moment I began to consider the endless possibilities of his kiss, Edward pulled his lips away from mine. I was disappointed but aware that time was everything, and we had so little.

"You need some sleep before we meet the pack my love." He said, and to punctuate his words, he lifted me into his arms and carried me inside, we paused to let the family know the pack had been informed, and I was upstairs in my favorite place by Edward's side in no time at all.

I wondered to myself, as I stepped into the clearing with Edward, if I was destined to visit this place annually for the rest of my life. First meeting James and his coven, then to watch the people I loved prepare to defend me against Victoria and her army of newborns. Now here I was, watching again, as all of my family sat, or stood in the various places. All waiting to comprehend the new dangers presented by the most recent threat to the happiness, and health of my world. I really had become the danger magnet Edward had accused me of being.

I looked at Edward as he stood watching his brothers and sisters talk in subdued tones. Seven vampires and eight werewolves. It was an impressive party, even incomplete as it was at that moment. Edward tensed suddenly, alerting his family, and all eyes fell on a recessed portion of the forest in the south. I narrowed my eyes trying to focus on what I wasn't able to see with my human eyes yet.

Soon though, I recognized two enormous wolves. One all black, the other reddish brown. They approached at a run and were very quick. Jake trotted up to me and gave me one of his wolfish grins, with his tongue hanging out of the side of his mouth.

Edward laughed next to me, I looked at him, then turned to find Jacob face to face with Edward, his jaw was now tightly closed. Edward answered whatever Jake was thinking, "No, not at all. I was just wondering what other tricks you know?" he said, laughing again, lightly.

Jacob growled. I gasped when Jacob turned to join the rest of the pack, and I realized they'd all responded to his growl by standing together shoulder to shoulder.

All of my family tensed, but it was Edward who stepped forward, hands up with his palms forward. "I'm sorry, no threat or offense was meant, honestly. Jacob and I just tend to tease one another over anything we don't see eye to eye about, namely Bella."

Nine wolves looked from me, to Jacob and then dropped back to ground. My family relaxed again as the wolves did.

Jasper stepped forward. "Thank you for coming, and welcome. I will go over the common ways the Volturi handle things. It's your choice but not all of my training will be related to their physical attack styles, some of it will be explaining various mental defense systems the volturi use. You may want to be in human form for that part, but for now I will begin with the physical tactics they use."

"Frankly, the most important thing to remember against them is that comparatively speaking, the newborns completely lacked worthwhile intelligence. They were new, raw...fresh. The Volturi are seasoned veterans. They have been dominating through power for thousands of years."

"They've become accustomed to winning against their adversaries because of their prior conquests, and the subsequent stories which circulate and instill other nomads and covens with fear. It's important to note that their perfect and unchallenged record of victories has made them complacent. Don't let this knowledge make you underestimate their skill however. They are cunning, brilliant, intelligent, and successful."

"We were well matched against Victoria's newborns, so much so that there truly hadn't been any real danger to any of us. In fact, it was only when Jacob was distracted by trying to protect Leah that he was able to be injured. This time I'm sorry to say that we will be facing an adversary who is above and beyond our skill level, as well as our preparedness."

"Aro knows of my wife's abilities and it is my belief that he is counting on our lack of time to prepare ourselves to assist them in their strike. Also, although they are aware of your ability to block Alice's vision, they may not be aware that you're willing to fight beside us, against a common enemy. This will be something I'd like to use to our advantage. I request that the pack approach just after the Volturi's arrival. Hearing, and..." Jasper looked around apologetically. "if you'll forgive me, smelling your approach will put them on alert. We will make a pretense of going on alert ourselves, and foster their concern over your arrival. I'm hopeful they won't realize our alliance until it's too late to change their tactics. In an uneven fight, surprise is a distinct advantage."

"Now, I'm going to give you a quick rundown on each of the Volturi's various strengths, abilities and the specific threat we believe they may present. Aro. Aro is the head of the original Volturi coven, his ability is similar to Edward's, which is that he can read minds. Unlike Edward, he must have physical contact and absolute concentration to divine it. Once he has his hands on you however, he is able to access everything you have ever known. Every memory, like and dislike. He will likely try and touch you to discover a weakness, or weaknesses in your past. Natural instinct may guard you against him, I don't believe he'll respond well to the presence of werewolves. Especially for fighting alongside those they've come to exterminate. Be cautious around Aro, and do not let his weak appearance fool you. He is ultimately diabolical."

"Next in line of the Volture coven is Caius. He was born to his vampire life having already been trained heavily in battle. He brought an infinite understanding of military tactics and field combat. He is a military genius, and exceptionally dangerous. To the best of my knowledge Caius does not have any vampire powers."

"Marcus, the third part of the coven is able to divine relationships, it is to our very great benefit that Aro has insisted Marcus remain behind."

"So, there are only two more of the elite guard that bear specific mention. The twins; Jane and Alex. Jane is ruthless, but entirely at Aro's beckon call. If Aro wishes any vampire to respond to his instruction, all it takes is one open smile from Jane to send any of our kind to the floor, screaming and writhing in pain. Having experienced it first hand, I can say with absolute authority it is singularly the most horrific experience possible. It is rumored that Alex's ability is similar to his sisters, but that he's able to use it on a wider group of people, as opposed to a single person alone, the way Jane works."

Jasper's paused and his eyes briefly glanced to Carlisle, who was looking over the werewolves bemusedly and didn't notice. "These four; Aro, Caius, Jane and Alex represent the greatest danger in this battle and must be destroyed as quickly as possible."

Carlisle's exclamation turned all eyes in his direction. "Jasper! I don't believe destroying them is necessary." His expression was horrified.

Jasper looked back at Carlisle, his eyebrows furrowed, but his face otherwise unreadable. "I'm sorry Father, I know your abhorrence of violence, but please don't underestimate their intent, and the threat that we represent to them. Tomorrow will give them full knowledge of how large our family has become, as well as our alliance." Jasper gestured towards the wolves. "I'm certain the treaty is one of a kind, as are the pack of La Push. We need to consider removing the threat of future retribution. The Volturi will not ignore us after tomorrow, if we should survive."

Carlisle's lip was a thin line across his face. He didn't want things to come to such violence, but obviously recognized the need behind the threat. Jasper turned, and continued, "I'm certain there will be many of the Volturi guard with them, soldiers if you will. I'm sorry to say I can give you no information on them, or their abilities." Jasper turned back to Carlisle.

"Father, you've witnessed Volturi guard attacks first hand, would you demonstrate their style?"

As Carlisle stepped forward he frowned deeply. He used Jasper to begin a presentation of their complex attack styles, Edward whispered into my ear, "Let's sit, you can put your head in my lap and rest." I was feeling tired and had no sooner done as Edward had suggested, before I fell asleep.

I awoke in Edward's arms, being carried across the clearing around the house as the sun was just beginning to lighten the sky. Edward carried me upstairs and laid me in our bed. "Sleep love." He said, and leaned down to kiss me softly on the lips. As my heart beat sped up and my breathing became erratic, I giggled. Edward pulled away smiling.

"What's funny?" he asked.

"Kissing me is no way to convince me to sleep, that's all."

Edward chuckled, though it didn't really reach is eyes, and slid next to me on the bed.

"How did it go?" I asked him.

"We're as ready as we're going to be. It was..." he paused and seemed frustrated for a moment, "unpleasant, watching Carlisle training. He was very uncomfortable although I doubt the wolves realized it."

I sat up, "Edward, I don't think I can sleep. Today is so important, and everyone I love will be in grave danger. Will there be protection set up like there was last time for Charlie, and Forks." My concern for Charlie made my throat constrict.

Edward's face softened, "Charlie is safe Bella, the Volturi have a singular purpose in their visit this time. Alice has seen them arriving late afternoon but now that the wolves are involved, everyting has gone blank for her of course."

"Where will we meet them?" I asked. Edward looked out the door of his room as Rosalie and Emmett passed, each pausing to look into Edward's eyes for a moment. Edward's eyes closed and his jaw tightened. "We're not meeting them anywhere. They're coming here."

I gasped, "To the house?" Edward opened his eyes and turned to me. His eyes were full of sadness.

"Yes." He said simply.

Later, when Edward and I went downstairs, the family was in the living room. Emmett and Rosalie were on the couch, as well as Esme. Carlisle leaned against the back of it. Alice was standing at the window, and Jasper was pacing the front porch. Every face looked serene but the tension in the room was thick.

Edward squeezed my hand and released it, kissing me on the cheek before going out on the porch to join Jasper. I could see their lips moving quickly, knowing they were speaking. I walked over and stood next to Alice whose expression was a picture of frustration. She looked at me as I walked up. "I can't see anyting. I hate this."

We both faced forward again. As I watched Alice looking at Jasper, her eyebrows deeply rippled in concern, it occurred to me that I was in a house of soulmates as well as family. Each member an important half of a private and personal whole. The very real possibility that any one of these whole's could be destroyed struck me suddenly. My stomach clenched and I gripped the window ledge in fear. Alice saw the movement and whipped her eyes to my face. I knew I was probably pale. I could see that Jasper and Edward were suddenly looking at me through the glass. I forced myself to release the window ledge, lifting my hand to wave them off as I shook my head and said, "I'm fine. Just nerves."

I closed my eyes and turned away from them. After several gulping breaths, I opened my eyes again to find I was looking directly into Carlisle's, and he was looking back at me. A moment of deeper understanding passed between us. Carlisle worried for the family he'd had, I worried for the family I would have. Opposite sides of the same dilemma, and though I hadn't made a clear decision to do anything, I found myself walking towards Carlisle at the same moment he took a slow, cautious step in my direction. I reached him and wrapped my arms around his shoulders, his arms raising around my back.

We embraced for a moment, and as he stepped back, he lifted a hand to my cheek, "Bella, whatever today may bring, I want you to know that you have been a member of this family since the first time you walked through our front door. What happens today will never change that." I felt tears begin falling, and turned to find the eyes of the rest of my family, even Rosalie's and Emmett's from the top of the stairs, looking at me. Their agreement with Carlisle's words in each pair of eyes looking back at me. Even Rosalie's were filled with acceptance, as she and Emmett began coming down the stairs. Jasper and Edward had stepped just inside the front door.

I opened my mouth to tell them how I loved them all, when Edward and Jasper hissed from the doorway. I turned around to look out the window and Carlisle said in a quiet, worried voice from behind me, "They're here."