Betting on Alice

Edward…

The name shattered through the air like a thousand heartbreaks. I looked wildly around, but I couldn't see him.

Had he burned already?

Were my worst fears—that he would cease to be while I remained—coming true?

"Bella!" Carlisle took me by the shoulders, shaking me. "You must shield!"

I nodded. I focused on Edward's face in my mind's eye.

My shield flickered to life, then died.

And then, almost as if he had felt my failure, Edward cried out in what could only be agony. I flew to where he was, Carlisle behind me.

Edward was lying on the ground, writing as he had that day in Volterra, that day that I had tried so hard to erase from my memory. Jane stood over him, practically laughing with excitement. When she saw me, her deranged smile widened.

She was stepping up her assault on him, knowing that I would try to protect him.

She was right, I thought.

I would protect Edward.

I would build a shield more powerful than I had ever built before.

And then, once I was sure of Edward's safety, I would kill her.

I closed my eyes, sending my shield out away from myself and around Edward. It struggled against Jane's power, growing weaker as it encountered the sharp daggers of her attack. I concentrated harder, sinking to my knees with effort. Finally, I felt the daggers recede. Edward was safe for now, but I wanted more. I wanted to know, beyond absolute certainty, that the sadistic little bitch would harm my husband no more. Newfound strength and energy flowed from me; opening my eyes, I saw Jane's look of fury. Then, she began to back away, taking herself out of the danger, as she had done earlier. Not this time, I thought.

I launched myself at her.

Her shrill scream pierced the air, undoubtedly drawing the Volturi to her aid, but I didn't care. She would never hurt Edward again. Jane's small, lithe body writhed in my hands. Her teeth snapped, and she bit my hands that held her. Suddenly, I felt a dull pain in my abdomen. She had kicked me—hard—and took advantage of my moment of hesitation to wriggle free. Now standing, she faced me, looking like a spoiled child in the midst of a temper tantrum. I smiled.

"Your gift can't help you now, Jane," I said smoothly.

She shrieked loudly, as she sent attack after attack at me, all of which bounced off my shield easily.

"Your brother can't help you either, I'm afraid," I continued. "My brother took care of him earlier," I winced at Emmett's mention—it hurt to think about him.

"And now, little Jane," I said, feeling the venom in my voice. "I am going to take care of you…"

We countered each other; stepping slowly and deliberately, both of our senses as heightened as was physically possible, watching, waiting for any kind of misstep. I held her red-rimmed stare, then, choosing my moment carefully, I jumped, arms outstretched…

And caught nothing but air.

She had moved at the last possible second, out of harm's way.

I swore under my breath, spinning back around, so as not to leave my back open to attack. A small crowd had began to form around us, while beyond that, the vicious battle still waged on. How many more lives had we lost since my shield had failed? I wondered. Zafrina? Garrett? Esme? Were they still alive? Or had they met their deaths because of me, too?

Jane caught me in the split second that my mind wandered. She sprang forward, knocking me back. Her hands fastened themselves around my neck. Quick as lightning, she was pulled off of me by another body. Tanya let out a deathly snarl as she threw Jane to the ground.

"Bella—Edward!" she cried, as she and Jane wrestled furiously.

I jumped up, going over to his side.

Jane had gotten him good—he was just beginning to come to when I crouched beside him.

"Bella," he said, looking around wildly. "Renesmee… where…?"

"She got away with Jake," I replied, touching his face and praying that the words were true.

I heard Tanya scream suddenly, followed by Jane's childish laughter.

"I've got to help her," I said, standing.

Edward nodded, and I flew back into the fray. With Tanya and I working together, Jane knew that she was outnumbered.

"Master!" she cried out, and I knew that she was calling for Aro. "Master—help me!"

From above, I heard Edward's snarl.

"Come, now, Edward," Aro's voice, laced with obvious fear. "This has gone too far. Surely we can be reasonable…"

Edward's snarl deepened.

"Let Jane go… I will take my people back to Volterra…"

Tanya stopped then, pinning Jane firmly to the ground. She motioned for me to stop also; reluctantly, I obeyed.

"You'll leave here, and leave my family alone?" Edward questioned.

"Yes," said Aro, sounding relieved.

"No!" came two voices in unison. "You're not going anywhere alive, Aro!" Vladimir called, approaching fluidly with his friend.

The two were followed by Garrett. "The time of tyranny is over, Aro. We will no longer subject ourselves to your authority!" he said fiercely.

Edward hesitated.

"Leave him to us, Edward," Stefan said. "We'll finish him. The world would best be rid of him."

"Edward," Aro said again, his voice imploring. "So like Carlisle, you are… so just. You don't want to see unnecessary blood shed…"

"There has been much blood shed unnecessarily over your sense of justice, Aro," Edward said flatly. "Now, I leave you up to theirs."

He turned his back, and Aro disappeared beneath the hulking bodies of the three vampires.

Meanwhile, Tanya and I needed no further encouragement. Jane struggled and cried, but together, we tore her demon body to pieces. As I watched her burn, I felt beautiful vengeance flowing through me.

I turned to Tanya. "Thanks," I said, exhaling deeply.

She smiled, and said nothing, but a feeling of understanding passed between us.

There was suddenly more snarling from the Volturi witnesses, who had just seen Aro's death. While most of them had not joined in the fight, they now looked menacingly at us. They were, I suspected, none too happy about the unfortunate deaths of their leaders.

Edward held up his hands. "Peace," he said suddenly. "We wish to harm no more of you here today."

I stared at Edward like he had sprouted a second head. He was going to try to talk them out of fighting with us?

"You have killed Aro and Caius!" one of them shouted. "You have declared war on all of us!"

"Peace, I beg you," said Edward. "I mourn the blood that was shed here today. I deeply wish that it could have been prevented. I ask for you to hear me out now."

The remaining Volturi were silent.

"Why don't you join us, Alice?" Edward called loudly.

"Alice," Esme whispered in shock.

Alice!

Alice, Alice, Alice!

"Alice! Alice!" other voices murmured around me. Even the remaining Volturi looked around expectantly; clearly they knew who Alice was. Aro must have talk about her often.

And then I heard them running through the forest, flying, closing the distance as quickly as they could with no slowing effort at silence.

Both sides were motionless in expectation. The remaining Volturi witnesses scowled in fresh confusion.

Then Alice danced into the clearing from the southwest, and I felt like the bliss of seeing her face again might knock me off my feet. Jasper was only inches behind her, his sharp eyes fierce. Close after them ran three strangers; the first was a tall, muscular female with wild dark hair—obviously Kachiri. She had the same elongated limbs and features as the other Amazons, even more pronounced in her case.

The next was a small olive-toned female vampire with a long braid of black hair bobbing against her back. Her deep burgundy eyes flitted nervously around the confrontation before her.

And the last was a young man… not quite as fast nor quite as fluid in his run. His skin was an impossible rich, dark brown. His wary eyes flashed across the gathering, and they were the color of warm teak. His hair was black and braided, too, like the woman's, though not as long. He was beautiful.

As he neared us, a new sound sent shock waves through the watching crowd—the sound of another heartbeat, accelerated with exertion.

Alice leaped lightly over the edges of the dissipating mist that lapped at my shield and came to a sinuous stop at Edward's side. I reached to touch her arm, and so did Edward, Esme, Carlisle. All of us stood together now, facing the Volturi.

The remaining guard watched, speculation in their eyes at the newcomers.

Edward addressed them. "Alice has been searching for her own witnesses these last weeks," he said loudly. "And she does not come back empty handed. Alice, why don't you introduce the witnesses you've brought?"

Alice stepped forward lightly and introduced the strangers. "This is Huilen and her nephew, Nahuel."

Hearing her voice… it was like she'd never left.

Murmurs arose from the small flock of the Volturi when Alice described the relationship of the newcomers. The vampire world was changing, and everyone could feel it.

"Speak, Huilen," came a voice suddenly, and the Volturi crowd parted. Marcus came forward, still looking bored, though there was an odd expression on his face that hinted of intrigue. I scowled. He hadn't been killed… which meant that the Volturi still had a leader.

Marcus continued. "Give us the witness you were brought to bear."

The slight woman looked to Alice nervously. Alice nodded in encouragement, and Kachiri put her long hand on the little vampire's shoulder.

"I am Huilen," the woman announced in clear but strangely accented English. As she continued, it was apparent that she had prepared herself to tell this story, that she had practiced. It flowed like a well-known nursery rhyme. "A century and a half ago, I lived with my people, the Mapuche. My sister was Pire. Our parents named her after the snow on the mountains because of her fair skin. And she was very beautiful—too beautiful. She came to me one day in secret and told me of the angel that found her in the woods, that visited her by night. I warned her." Huilen shook her head mournfully. "As if the bruises on her skin were not warning enough. I knew it was the Libishomen of our legends, but she would not listen. She was bewitched.

"She told me when she was sure her dark angel's child was growing inside her. I didn't try to discourage her from her plan to run away—I knew even our father and mother would agree that the child must be destroyed, Pire with it. I went with her into the deepest parts of the forest. She searched for her demon angel but found nothing. I cared for her, hunted for her when her strength failed. She ate the animals raw, drinking their blood. I needed no more confirmation of what she carried in her womb. I hoped to save her life before I killed the monster.

"But she loved the child inside her. She called him Nahuel, after the jungle cat, when he grew strong and broke her bones—and loved him still.

"I could not save her. The child ripped his way free of her, and she died quickly, begging all the while that I would care for her Nahuel. Her dying wish—and I agreed.

"He bit me, though, when I tried to lift him from her body. I crawled away into the jungle to die. I didn't get far-- the pain was too much. But he found me; the newborn child struggled through the underbrush to my side and waited for me. When the pain ended, he was curled against my side, sleeping.

"I cared for him until he was able to hunt for himself. We hunted the villages around our forest, staying to ourselves. We have never come so far from our home, but Nahuel wished to see the child here."

Huilen bowed her head when she was finished and moved back so she was partially hidden behind Kachiri.

Marcus's lips were pursed. He stared at the dark-skinned youth. "Nahuel, you are one hundred and fifty years old?" he questioned.

"Five or take a decade," he answered in a clear, beautifully warm voice. His accent was barely noticeable. "We don't keep track."

"And you reached maturity at what age?"

"About seven years after my birth, more or less, I was fully grown."

"You have not changed since then?"

Nahuel shrugged. "Not that I've noticed."

"And your diet?" Marcus pressed. Curiosity seemed to have replaced his boredom.

"Mostly blood, but some human food, too. I can survive on either."

"You were able to create an immortal?"

"Yes, but none of the rest can."

A shocked murmur came from both sides.

Marcus showed little reaction, other than a slightly raised eyebrow. "The rest?"

"My sisters," Nahuel shrugged again.

"Perhaps you would tell us the rest of your story, for their seems to be more," Marcus suggested.

Nahuel frowned.

"My father came looking for me a few years after my mother's death." His handsome face distorted slightly. "He was pleased to find me." Nahuel's tone suggested the feeling was not mutual. "He had two daughters, but no sons. He expected me to join him, as my sisters had.

"He was surprised I was not alone. My sisters are not venomous, but whether that's due to gender or a random chance… who knows? I already had my family with Huilen, and I was not interested"—he twisted the word—"in making a change. I see him from time to time. I have a new sister; she reached maturity about ten years back."

"Your father's name?"

"Joham," Nahuel answered. "He considers himself a scientist. He thinks he's creating a new super-race." He made no attempt to disguise the disgust in his tone.

Marcus looked at me thoughtfully. "Your daughter, is she venomous?"

"No," I responded. Nahuel's head snapped up at the question, and his teak eyes turned to bore into my face.

Marcus nodded, stroking his chin with a withered finger in contemplation. Then, he turned to address the Volturi. "There appears to be no danger. This is, without doubt, an unusual development, but after hearing the testimonies of these witnesses, I see no threat. These half-vampire children are much like us, it seems."

Marcus turned to Edward. "I, too, regret the blood that has been spilled here. But I cannot either overlook the slaughtering of our ruling order." There was an edge to his voice. I crouched defensively, should he decide to spring.

A voice suddenly rang out from the crowd.

"Friends!" Garrett cried out, coming to stand next to Edward. He spoke not just to our side now, but to all who stood listening. "The blood that has been shed today is without a doubt tragic—both of our sides have felt the losses of our comrades and friends. But this fight here today… this fight could not have been avoided for much longer. The Volturi has much to answer for… the crimes that they committed against innocent vampires over the centuries were grave indeed—crimes wearing the guise of justice!" There were murmurs along the Volturi side, but no one said anything out loud. Marcus stood listening, looking relatively impassive and disinterested. Garrett continued. "You all have seen the proof today—the world of the vampire is changing. Our old ways of thinking, our old principles, our old beliefs… they no longer hold up. Nor," he said, looking into the eyes of the Volturi, "does our old system of law and order. Times have changed. Now, things must change. We must change. Let us fight with each other no longer—let us join together, here, on this day, let us step out of the darkness of our old ways, into the breaking dawn of a new age. An age where we are governed fairly, an age where we are free to live without fear of oppression or tyranny. An age of peace…" he finished, head held high as he looked at Marcus for a reaction. Kate quietly moved to stand beside him, entwining her hand and her destiny with his.

Marcus nodded his head slowly. "You speak with passion, young one," he said. "Brothers of the Volturi," he said, raising his voice. "Perhaps the time has finally come… to change the ways of old. What say you?"

A low murmur of assent followed.

Much of the crowd still looked hostile, but after seeing Marcus's agreement, none were willing to defy it.

Marcus extended his hand to Edward. "It seems as if we are entering a new era," he said coolly. "I commit myself to it."

"As do I," Edward responded, clasping his hand firmly.

"And I as well," came another voice. Felix stepped from the crowd, one of the few surviving members of the guard. His face was grave, he displayed no pleasant emotion as he also shook hands with Edward. It would be a long road to reconciliation, I knew—everyone knew—but it was a start.

Vladimir and Stefan came forward. "It's time we do things the right way," Vladimir said. "We seek to quarrel with the Volturi no longer."

Carlisle came forward. "Marcus, I speak for my whole coven when I say that we will assist in whatever way we can."

The other coven leaders nodded in agreement.

"We could use you in the coming days," Marcus replied thoughtfully. "If the laws of our world are to change, we must seek to council with vampires from all corners of the earth. I suggest that as many as are willing convene in Volterra to council."

Carlisle nodded. "We will be happy to assist in spreading the word," he said. "But first… I believe that our families need a little time to grieve for our fallen ones."

At his words, I felt people begin to look around, to search. We hadn't really had time, in the course of the battle, to see just how much we had lost. I felt a hollowness beginning to grow in the depth of my chest. It was a hollowness that Emmett's and Rosalie's presence had once filled, and one that I knew would never be completely healed again.

Marcus nodded in understanding. "In two weeks' time, then," he declared. "We will meet." Looking at the rest of the Volturi, he said, "We will take our leave now, Carlisle. Rest assured that we will harm no more of your coven."

"Leave in peace," Carlisle said. "Please remember that we still have our anonymity to protect here, and keep your group from hunting in this region."

Marcus inclined his head in a short bow. "We shall, Carlisle, my friend. Goodbye."

"Goodbye," Carlisle responded.

Marcus turned, gesturing for the rest to follow him. In a matter of moments, the Volturi had left the clearing, like mist evaporating from the earth.

I watched them fade into the tree line, my gaze faraway. They were gone… it was over.

I could keep my Renesmee forever.

And Edward…

"Edward," I whispered. His hand found mine.

"I'm right here, my love," he said, pulling me against his chest.

"Is it really over?" I whispered, wanting to hear him say it.

I felt him smile against my hair. "Yes… It's over."

I heard a soft, strangled noise from behind me. Turning, I saw Carlisle comforting Esme, holding her to him gently. Alice and Jasper looked on, their faces filled with incredulity and grief. I knew instantly who they were grieving for. I thought of Emmett's smiling face, his inappropriate jokes, and Rosalie's fierce, maternal devotion as she defended Renesmee. I owed them both more than my life was worth. I closed my eyes as Edward held me.

"Shhh…" he stroked my hair. "It will be all right." But even his voice was tight with emotion.

I looked up. There was one more thing I had to know.

"Can you hear… can you hear Jacob? And Renesmee?" I asked him.

He concentrated for a moment. "They're very faint," he said. "But yes. I can hear them. They got away."

Relief washed over me.

"Come," I heard Carlisle say. "…back to the house."

We didn't run… we walked, all of us together—vampires and werewolves. We walked in silence, as if we were part of a funeral procession, all the while thinking about the sacrifices that those we loved had made.