Chapter Two-(Bella)
The Letter:
'That's lovely darling,' I said picking up the piece of paper off the unused dining table and pinned it to the wall. I stepped back to get a better look at the picture. The art work was fantastic, the shading and detail looked so professional. It was hard to believe a six year old child could draw like that. But my Renesmee was a true artist. I looked at the three figures on the sheet of paper. A young girl with curly dark hair and big eyes holding the hands of two people, a tall man with gorgeous topaz eyes pale skin and then there was a woman. Me. Nessie made me look so beautiful, I couldn't possibly look that pretty but I did. I had changed so much since my human life. I was a different woman.
'Bella!' I heard Emmet's voice calling. I followed the sound to the front door. Rosalie stood opposite him. A piece of paper shook in her hand. Until that day I had never seen a vampire shake. Her face was paler than normal and her eyes were wide and I could swear I saw a glint of water rise in the corner of her left eye.
'What's going on?' I managed to say though I could feel a lump in my throat.
'It's the Volturi' said Emmet, 'They want Renesmee to join them'. The words didn't seem to be real. Not a single muscle in my body moved for about four minuets. I was speechless, shocked and terrified.
It wasn't long before the entire family gathered in the hall around the letter. I felt Edward's hand on my shoulder. His hand was shaking too. I finally turned round and looked into his eyes.
'What are we going to do?' I whispered.
'I don't know,' he answered.
'Carlisle?' I stared at him, hoping and praying he had a plan.
'Well, it won't be easy but there might be a way round this. However it is risky,' Carlisle said.
'Mummy?' Renesmee came toddling into the room. I glanced at her little face, her nose wrinkled as she thought hard about what we were all up too. Tears began to build in my eyes.
'Mummy, what's wrong?'
'Nothing Nessie, just go in the other room and draw some pictures or something' Edward said, his voice sharp and harsh.
'But, Dad,' she whimpered.
'Just GO!' he shouted. Nessie looked scared; she'd never heard her Dad shout before.
'Ok let's just calm down' interrupted Esme, 'Come on Nessie, Daddy's just a bit stressed. How 'bout you show me your pretty pictures'. Esme took Nessie by the hand and disappeared into the living room. Edward looked embarrassed. There was a long pause as no one knew what to say.
'So what's the plan?' Jasper broke the silence.
'I have an idea but I will need to think it through some more' Carlisle replied, 'Don't want to get anyone's hopes up. I'll let you know by tomorrow morning'. As quick as a flash he was off to his study where none of us were to disturb him.
'Hey everyone,' Jacob strolled though the front door, we all stared at him. The smile quickly disappeared from his face. 'Who died?' he said sarcastically. No one answered. 'Ok, someone please tell me what is going on? I haven't done anything have I because at the moment I feel like I'm getting the silent treatment?'
'It's not you, it's Nessie', I managed to say.
'What's wrong with her? She's not hurt is she? What's happened? Where is she?'Jacob began to panic.
'It's ok. She's alright', I said, 'for now'.
'What do you mean 'for now'?'
'We received a letter from the Volturi today', Jacob's faced tensed, 'They want Nessie to join them'
'I don't un-, how can-, she's just a child' Jacob stuttered. His breath became faster, his forehead creased as he thought hard, his eyes were wide and his mouth hung open like he wanted to yell something. But nothing came out.
'Have a seat in the living room and we will explain everything' Jasper said.
I sat down beside him. He knew a lot about the Volturi from a couple of years ago when they tried to kill us all. But I told him every detail I could. He just sat there his head nodding to show he understood and shaking in disbelief, deep in thought, shock and horror all over his face as I explained the Volturi further.
'But why Nessie?' he said when I had finished. I shrugged.
'She possesses a gift that the Volturi seemed to be amazed by,' Edward answered 'They want that power on their team.'
'You mean like they want yours and Alice's powers?' I asked. He nodded. 'It's not that bad then, nothing has happened to you or Ali-'
'Yet' Edward interrupted, 'When they need my gift the most, they won't let anything get in their way of getting it. Nessie's gift is greater than mine, more useful to them. I wouldn't surprised if they came to take her away on her 4th birthday. That way she'll be in the body and mind of a 16 year old; old enough to fight along side them'
'But I thought you could refuse to join them?' Jacob interrupted.
'You can but if they need you enough they will do anything. Even kill everyone standing in their way. It could put all our lives in danger.'
I bit my lip. This couldn't be happening.