Chapter 2
The Engagement
Leah Clearwater could feel a headache coming on. Each pound of the drums seemed to strike directly into her mind.
She had been fine only minutes before, at ease. The thought made her snort with derision.
So this is what it's come to, she thought, bloodsuckers put me at ease now. She watched their bodies move around the fire. The large one, Emmett, threw his beautiful, blond mate into the air, a little too far into the air, attracting the attention of the surrounding humans.
Meanwhile, Bella, Edward and their pretty little daughter danced around hands joined. Leah's eyes moved swiftly to track the progress of the newcomers, the leeches she knew much less than the Cullens.
There were two blond sisters, Tanya and Kate, along with a pair of older vampires whose names she had not yet memorized. Waltzing with Kate was a tall, rugged vampire named Garret. He was only one year clean of human blood and his presence particularly made Leah nervous.
But it wasn't Garret who caused her headache, it was her own brother, Seth. He had spent the majority of the night following around Tanya and, now, commenced to dance with her, grinning like an idiot.
Leah grinded her teeth together eyes locked on her brother willing him to look her way. The fool always took things a step too far. Always. Ok, so he had been right about the Cullens they weren't all bad. In fact, Leah found the whole drinking animal blood instead of hunting humans thing rather noble. After her encounter with the blood-eyed Volturi, how could she not?
Since the battle, she allowed herself to grow closer with the Cullens. It wasn't a friendship, Leah refused to recognize it as such, she viewed it more like a mutual alliance. She would fight for them and they would fight for her. They had each other's backs, case closed. But, Seth, no Seth didn't just want an alliance, he didn't even just want a friendship, he wanted to be part of their family. Every time Jake was there, Seth wanted to be there. When he had free time, he visited the Cullens. When he was supposed to be patrolling, he stopped by the Cullen's. It was ridiculous.
And now he had moved on to their friends. Their friends who he didn't even know. Tanya was smirking as Seth chattered away eyes smoldered over, blind to everything other than her. He almost looked as though he had imprinted.
Leah shuddered and had to put her head in her hand.
"If there's a God then please, please prove yourself now and don't let my brother imprint on a vampire," she muttered to herself. A chuckle made her jerk her head upwards.
"I didn't know you were the praying type, Leah?" said Carlisle Cullen.
Leah shrugged. She liked Carlisle Cullen enough, he may even have been her favorite, but she wasn't about to share any more private thoughts with him.
"Excuse me, but this place is giving me a headache," muttered Leah beginning to rise so she could take her leave.
Just then the music stopped and the mike screeched loudly.
"Ooops, sorry," Quil laughed into the mike. "Ok, folks, we have a couple people who would like to make an announcement so just sit tight."
The words seemed to be directed towards her and Leah, reluctantly, retook her seat. She watched Charlie Swan and her mother, Sue, mount the stage. She had been hoping to avoid this part of the night and planned to leave long before it, but, up until Seth's dance with death, she had been enjoying herself and forgotten.
Charlie put one hand around Sue's waist and the other on the mike. "Um well, hello everyone. I just want to say that this has been a fantastic night great music, food-"
"-and company!" Sue interjected to answering cheers.
"Yes, of course, said Charlie smiling, and great company. I would especially like to address my daughter, Bella, my son-in-law Edward and my beautiful granddaughter Renesmee. Also, I would like to thank my longtime friend, Renee and her husband, Phil Dwyer for traveling all the way to our small, rainy corner of the world to celebrate tonight with us."
Leah observed a human woman who greatly resembled Bella, but without the leechy pale skin and with dreamy, brown eyes instead of piercing tawny ones. A man sat holding her hand beside her.
Ugh, couples...Leah wrinkled her nose.
Charlie took a deep breathe, "I've watched my daughter as a married woman for some time. I've seen the way she looks at her family and, I will admit, it made me a bit sad to see in her possession what I no longer had. But then, I turned around, and there was a beautiful woman," he tightened his arm around Sue and smiled down at her, "and I saw my eyes reflected in her own and, seeing myself reflected by her, I realized I loved her. And, so, a week later, I asked her to marry me."
There were murmurs around the crowd, mostly from the humans and the wolves. Leah rolled her eyes, they were idiots if they hand't seen this coming.
Sue took the mike smiling up at Charlie, "and I said yes."
Cheers erupted, Emmett stamped his feet and the wolves pumped their fists in the air. Leah forced a smile and clapped politely.
It wasn't that she didn't want Sue to marry Charlie. She was happy for her mother, she truly was, but she couldn't help, but feel like it had all been too rushed. Still every morning when she woke up there was a moment she believed Harry was still alive, a moment of bliss, and then the world would come crashing down on her again. At least, Charlie had talked to Seth and her before his proposal, but, somehow, the announcement made it infinitely more real. And it wasn't only the engagement itself that was making Leah uncomfortable.
"We will be wed on the coming 4th of February at Florence, Italy. We know it's a long travel and short notice, but we hope most of you will be able to make it, of course, we entirely understand if you cannot." Sue smiled down at the crowd where the wolves and the vampires responded to her announcement less enthusiastically than the first.
Leah knew they were all thinking the same as her. Italy was the home of the Volturi.
Why the hell would they choose Italy of all places!? Jacob demanded sending the question across to her mind forcefully.
They were trotting around the exterior of their territory before visiting the Cullens to discuss the announcement.
Don't ask me, Jake. Sue has always loved Italy. She thinks it's romantic. I think it's as stupid as you, believe me. She knew he would too because he could feel her emotions between the bond their minds shared.
There's no way they will just leave us be...The thought was rhetorical and so she chose not to answer. They were already in agreement anyways.
The smell of vampires nearly overpowered her senses as they approached the Cullen household. Jacob and her split in different directions so they could transform and change. Leah pulled on sweatpants and a baggy long sleeve shirt. She didn't feel the need to dress nicely for a coven of bloodsuckers, even though she kind of did like them.
The Cullens were arguing loudly over the announcements of the night when Leah walked in.
"They just simply have to change location. I'll pay Charlie a visit tomorrow and convince him." Said Bella with dangerous, flashing eyes.
"I don't like this, only because it makes it seem like we are afraid of them, hiding almost." Said Esme uneasily. "We have always lived in peace under the Volturi, of course, they did lose my trust last year, but I don't identify Aro as a fool and I believe they will not harm us."
Edward shook his head, "They want revenge. I heard it in all of their heads last year. We humiliated them. Going to Italy now would make it appear as though we were taunting them."
Jacob snorted, "Let them feel taunted then. Even if they do decide to come for a visit we can just send them back with their tails between their legs like last time."
"There are going to be way less of us this time, Jacob!" Bella replied harshly, "and if they come to fight I expect it will be all of them. They won't take any chances."
"Dr. Cullen, what do you think?" Asked Jacob looking towards the eldest of the vampire coven.
Carlisle had, all the while, been gazing thoughtfully out the window. He took a few minutes before speaking. "If we allow Sue and Charlie to wed in Italy, then it must be with the permission of the Volturi. I would propose a few of us go ahead of Sue and Charlie and seek counsel with Aro. Depending on his...thoughts we proceed from there."
The group sat quietly as they considered. Leah struggled to decide which side in the argument she would take. On one hand, she loathed the idea of avoiding a country only for fear of a gang of leeches, but on the other, she feared for the safety of her family and friends.
"The group would have to stay and watch over Charlie and Sue as they prepare for the wedding," Alice added.
"You think counsel with Aro is a good idea?" Asked Bella sharply.
"I foresee no major issues growing out of counsel with Aro. Of course, I wouldn't be able to join you on that part. My presence would only tempt Aro to plot against us." Alice said as she gazed thoughtfully out the window.
"Who do you think we should send?" Asked Carlisle calmly.
"You, Carlisle, the Volturi have a great amount of respect for you and Edward in order to discourage Aro from hostile thoughts." Alice stated eyes snapping back to attention.
"I will join Edward and Carlisle," Bella stated moving to stand beside her husband.
"Jake, would you stay and watch Renesmee?"
Jake shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot, "I feel like I would do more to ensure her safety by accompanying you to Italy than back here."
"I agree," said Alice, "the Volturi will be intimidated when they see Jake. It will frustrate them to know our alliance with the wolves has only grown stronger."
"I'll go too," said Leah without thinking.
"Absolutely not," Jake snapped, "only me I wouldn't endanger our pack like that."
Carlisle gave him a strange look, "I think it would be wiser if you brought a few members of your pack, Jake. The Volturi will want time to, well study you to be frank, before airplanes of you start arriving on their shores."
"Very true," Alice noted.
"Ok, so Jake goes and takes his pack and Alice, Jasper, Emmett and I will take care of Renesmee while you are all gone." Said Rosalie.
"What! No way, love, I'm going over to Italy," said Emmett eying Rosalie cautiously, but she only shrugged and smiled a little bit.
"More Renesmee time for me then."
"We will accompany you, as well," said Garret with his arm around Kate.
"Two more bodies couldn't hurt," said Emmett.
"We don't want to look like we're planning on causing trouble either, though," Edward cautioned.
"I will stay home," Esme announced, "then you will have 11 assuming Jake's pack all go."
After a few more small arguments, the group was settled. Carlisle, Edward, Bella, Emmett, Garret, Kate, Jake, Seth, Quil, Embry and Leah would be going to Italy in two weeks' time to speak with the Volturi.
The prospect both thrilled and frightened Leah. She knew the whole goal of the mission was peace and, yet, she couldn't help, but hope she would have the chance to tear a few vampire heads off.