.:Bella's POV:.

"The Volturi," Kate muttered through unmoving lips, as our guests advanced forward in perfect synchronization.

Across the organized line of cloaks was nothing but intimidation. All their faces were shadowed by their hoods, yet with my eyesight it was easy to see they carried no emotional expressions. The vampire in front, leading the rest, was much smaller than the others, and their cloak was the darkest among the group, almost pitch black. It was eerie to watch these silent, deadly bunch march into the clearing.

"What are the Volturi?" Eric asked in a whisper.

"They are a very powerful family of vampires." I was about to continue but, noticing the (irritated) glances from my friends, I decided against it. "Um, that's all I really know about them," I lied. It was almost the truth anyway. I had only heard about them twice. Once while briefly learning about Carlisle's history; the second time was when Edward spoke of his contingency plans if something were to happen to me. Remembering that made me shudder. Even now, I couldn't think of a world where Edward ceased to exist.

"They govern our world, protect it from immortals who threaten to break the law, and therefore the peace," Eleazar explained expressionlessly. He kind of reminded me of a member of the Volturi with that blank look on his face. "If a vampire succeeds in breaking the law, it is then the Volturi's job to punish. They keep balance in our world."

"There are laws?" I was shocked. Here was something I actually had no idea about. Why hadn't anyone told me this before? I mean, at one point I wanted to become one of them... Someone should have mentioned something!

"Only one," Kate said, like it was obvious what it was. After moments of thinking, I still failed to understand what that one law could be.

"Exposure," Carmen answered softly, seeing the incomprehension on my face. "We are forbidden to expose what we are to humans."

Oh.

Well, that made sense.

"They must be powerful..." Angela commented quietly.

Carmen nodded.

"No one messes with the Volturi," Kate stated seriously. Then added doubtfully, "Unless they're asking for a death sentence."

From a distant memory, I remembered Edward's similar words.

You don't irritate the Volturi. Not unless you want to die.

Mike's brave stance faltered. He glared ahead of us. There was a bit of resentment in his voice when he asked, "What makes them so strong?"

Eleazar seemed reluctant to answer. "The Volturi choose their members for their talent. Each member carries an impressive, if not intimidating, gift. All very powerful." He didn't go further into explanation. He had no need to, really. We were badly outnumbered; there must have been at least fifteen of them and only nine of us.

But we had done nothing wrong! So it made no sense to assume the Volturi sought us out. And even if they did, we were innocent - so why were the Denalis so fearful?

Perhaps, I reasoned, it was just their presence alone that brought about the nerves. The Volturi had an air to them that made one feel submissive. They were a terrifying band of monsters, even if they were technically the "Good Guys".

The procession of ghostly figures halted fifty yards away. Then there was dead silence. Irked by the unsettling stillness, I contracted my shield as far out as I could manage, stretching it with all the might I could muster, until my companions were all fully covered and under my protection, something I barely managed to do. What these Volturi members could do was beyond my knowledge, but I hoped my nebulous shield could be of some use. Not that I actually thought we would be attacked - we committed no crime, so there was no reason we should be in trouble. But as I thought before, just their presence made you feel on edge.

"Hmm," a high, deadly voice hummed. The little one in the front looked up at us, letting her hood fall back slightly. The angelic features of her face were now visible. She appeared so childlike with her pale brown hair cropped short, framing her round face. Her transformation must have taken place at an early human age.

"It's not what you think, Jane."

"Ah, you're a mind reader now, Eleazar?" Jane answered back sweetly, her voice somehow filled with disinterest at the same time. Sweet and apathetic - a strange combination.

I was surprised they knew each other, though. It was like they were old friends. Or maybe acquaintances would be the more appropriate word.

"I have no need to be. Your orders are quite obvious considering what has happened in Washington State," Eleazar answered in the same passive tone.

Jane's eyes narrowed. Cocking her head to the side expectantly, she asked, "And you dare stop me from my duty?"

"Of course not," Eleazar reassured. "I am just as obedient to the rules as any of you." He gestured to the collection of gray and black cloaks. Jane smirked, along with a few others whose faces I could slightly see.

"That may be true," said another shadowed body in a smoky gray cloak. His voice was soothing; I liked it much better than Jane's. "However, you no longer carry an obligation to bring justice among those who are not so compliant." His head turned toward Jessica and Eric, who were the farthest away, and then over Mike, Angela, Ben, and me.

"Can I not freely choose to help keep peace?"

"You can." The soothing voice sighed, letting his hood fall back. "You're not choosing that now."

"Am I not?"

"You impugn on our duty then."

"They played no part in the massacre, Demetri, I can assure you-"

"That is irrelevant," Jane interrupted.

"How so?" I demanded.

Eleazar stiffened. Carmen and Kate threw quick warning glances in my direction. I didn't understand their reactions. Was I not allowed to speak up on my behalf? I mean, I finally understood why the Volturi would be concerned with us. Six of us were newborns coming from Forks, where there was recently a great threat of exposure from newborns just like us. I easily placed the pieces together, realized the misunderstanding, and merely wished to fix it.

Jane rested her dull red irises on me. I shrank back, away from the intensity of her stare. I heard a low growl coming from somewhere next to me; it might have been Mike, possibly Eric.

Eleazar glanced at me. His face was smooth, but his eyes were expectant. As he looked from my face to Jane's, I saw him nod slightly to himself, as if his suspicions of something had been confirmed.

Jane was full on glaring at me now. I had no idea what I had done. Maybe I should have stayed quiet, after all. And I kind of wished I had - my little question broke my concentration, and I struggled to maintain my shield around the bodies of my friends. It took a lot of energy out of me.

The one named Demetri looked from me to Eleazar. "They can't be innocent. I followed their scent from Forks." Somehow, he seemed much kinder than Jane; yet I could still note the dangerous air to him. "There is no other explanation as to why they would have come from there."

"But there is," Eleazar stated.

"You can't possibly be telling me it was coincidence-"

"No, no. Not a coincidence. More like a- a consequence."

Demetri rose an eyebrow at Eleazar. "How do you mean?"

"Irrelevant," Jane sneered, her eyes piercing at me in a blaze of evident fury.

What had I done? As I tried to contemplate what exactly I did to make her so hostile toward me, that was when I felt it. Tiny little jabs against my shield, all aimed at me.

I began to panic.

What was happening? What was hitting me? I wondered a moment if there was something wrong with me, but then I realized, as it shifted from me to Ben, then to Angela, then Mike, that someone was attacking us. And failing, thanks to me.

I held my breath - not that I needed it anyway - as I focused intently on my invisible power. My body felt like it would collapse from all the strength I was applying to it.

Jane leaned forward. Her upper lip curled back, displaying her venomous teeth. Her dark eyes stabbed relentlessly at me, along with whatever my shield was protecting us against.

"Jane?" Demetri cautiously asked. The shadowy Volturi members murmured their uncertainty at their leader's unexpected rage.

Snarls erupted simultaneously from next to me. My friends were reacting defensively against Jane. If I wasn't fixated primarily on protecting those said friends, I might have joined them. But as it was, I did not trust myself enough to move even the slightest bit. A small growl was growing in my chest, and that was the best I could manage. If I was human, I would be sweating and out of breath by now, from all the exertion.

Loud rumbling began to roll off the gathered Volturi members - they were growling back at us, I realized.

Kate stood motionless, her arms folded tightly over her chest, her jaw tight.

Carmen looked frantically at her mate, who had taken her hand in his. Eleazar had a knowing gleam in his eye. Did he understand what was wrong?

He opened his mouth to speak, but before any sound could escape him, Jane hopped forward, her sharp teeth bared. She crouched low, just about to launch herself at us, at her target, at me.

.:Jasper's POV:.

We were close. Very close. Their scents were growing stronger.

A while back we had caught the familiar smells of our good friends the Denalis, and Alice had explained they were miraculously helping Bella and the other five newborns from our old high school. It was incredibly lucky they found them. I hoped that with Eleazar there the Volturi would stop and listen to their story. Although, if they didn't listen, Eleazar, Carmen, and Kate were as doomed as Bella was now that they had helped her.

Alice stopped abruptly, gripped my arm, and pulled me back. I stared at her, confused.

"Alice, we have no time-"

"You're right, we don't," she gasped.

My eyes widened, as did Carlisle's.

We were too late. It was over for Bella now, over for the Denalis, and if we continued moving forward, we would just be throwing ourselves into the Volturi's grasp. We had failed our friends. We had failed Bella. We had failed Edward. All our efforts had been for nothing. It was clear that Carlisle was thinking the same.

"No!" Alice shouted at us, suddenly furious. She shook her head as she read our faces. "Bella is still alive. Don't you dare think we've lost her!" She glared at me specifically, and I blinked at her. Her voice lowered. "Jasper... I'm not sure I want you to come with us." Before I could protest, she changed her words, "You can't come with us. You have to stay behind."

"What are you talking about, Alice? I'm not letting you go alone." Just the thought of not being with her tormented me.

"I won't be alone - I'll have Carlisle," she countered.

She saw the refusal in my face.

"Please, Jasper."

"I am not letting you go alone," I repeated slowly, much fiercer than before. I knew my wife; if she was keeping me away from something, it was because she didn't want me getting hurt. I understood where she was coming from, no doubt, but if whatever she saw was the result of me protecting her from harm, then I had to go. My life meant little when compared to hers.

Alice bounced impatiently on the balls of her feet, an unusual action for a vampire (though Alice had always been charmingly odd). She stared at me, pleadingly, trying to change my mind and have me trust her. But I just couldn't. I loved her too much to let her leave my side when events have turned this desperate. She could see that, and defeat slowly but surely crept into her eyes and emotions. She turned away from me then, sliding her hand into mine and squeezing it with a strong possessiveness. Her jaw was clenched, her face covered in anxiety, her inner thoughts struggling to find ideas, answers, anything that would help her or me. I attempted to ease her, but she shook her head sharply at me, the flips of her midnight hair bouncing in the same movement.

"Don't, Jasper." Then she hesitated, keeping her eyes locked ahead of us. "I can't let you come. I won't let you."

"Alice-"

"Don't!" she ordered again. She was attempting to calm herself. On the surface, she was succeeding. But I still felt her true emotions seething on the inside; the feelings that, no matter how hard she fought with them, she could not ease. Then, before I could say anything, a vision hit her, and something shifted in her mood. Was it hope?

It was.

It passed quickly, but a faint trace of it continued to linger in her. She took a deep breath and pulled me around her, to stand on the other side of her.

"This is better," she whispered to herself, no form of relief in her voice. "Just bear it for a few moments then. This is better."

She managed a pained glance at me, and then we began moving forward again.

I didn't know what to make of her words. My coming along obviously did not please her, but her new plan was better than the last, apparently. Although the tension rippling off her was nowhere near calmed. I wondered why it mattered what side of her I was on. Was she on the side of the danger now? Would she be in the direct path of what was coming, instead of me? Did she honestly believe I would let her take my place? No, of course she didn't. But would that stop her from trying?

I sighed. Sometimes it felt more difficult to protect her than Bella.

My mind played back Alice's words. She said she would have to bear it for a few moments, but bear what? Maybe she had succeeded in protecting me and doomed herself in order to do it. It was the only thought I could think of that made sense, that sounded like Alice. Except... I would not allow that. Not my Alice.

As we ran, I shifted my body closer to her. She didn't miss the move - I wasn't subtle about it. My senses were more alert now, my eyes scanned the area all around us. I wouldn't let anything slip by me. Nothing would ever get near this delicate, extraordinary woman at my side.

.:Bella's POV:.

Just as Jane was crouched, ready to spring, the shifting of snow caught my attention.

Footsteps. They were nearing, fast. Everybody seemingly froze for a split second, before heads turned to face the east. And just as quickly as they were heard, they appeared, and my un-beating heart flipped with a mixture of emotions.

Carlisle, Alice, and Jasper leaped out from the trees, gliding silently toward us, tense and alert, yet bold. One-by-one their eyes met mine. I wanted to look away, but it was like my body forbade me from doing such a thing. I was hooked on their faces, more dazzling than my human eyes could have possibly witnessed. My memory of them was much too faded anyway, and now that I was one of them it was like seeing them for the first time all over again.

Carlisle and Jasper seemed shocked at the additions beside me; Alice looked worried about something else entirely, not showing an ounce of emotion except a faint relief when her eyes hit me and grief when she peered across the field at the Volturi and back at Jasper.

Of course, I thought. Alice must have seen this coming. How else would they have known where to come?

Mike and the others were gaping at the Cullens. I realized it was because they were seeing them through new eyes, both figuratively and literally.

Jane turned toward Carlisle with a delightful smile, every trace of frustration and anger gone. I wondered if she was actually truly pleased to see the Cullens or if she was just a very skilled actress.

Carlisle gracefully stopped a few feet away from the Denalis, who were closest to the part of the forest where they had emerged from. Jasper took a spot quietly next to Carlisle, Alice at his side, her face growing more and more terrified for some reason.

Before anyone had any chance to know what was going on, Jasper let out an agonized yell and hit the ground.

Shocked and fearful, my eyes shot wide. Jessica and Angela gasped. Jasper writhed in obvious pain, while the rest of us stared, horror-struck.

Alice's teeth snapped together. She had her tiny hands balled into tight fists - so tight, it looked like her knuckles would tear straight through her thin, pale skin. She refused to look down at her mate. She stared straight ahead, eyes clouded with agony at having to endure this.

Carlisle and the Denalis made no move to pay attention to Jasper, either, though all seemed just as stressed as Alice. Well, maybe not as stressed as Alice; I didn't think anyone could look more strained than her right now except Jasper himself.

I wondered why no one tried to help him, until I realized, with dismay, that maybe there was nothing anybody could do.

Impressive, intimidating, powerful gifts - that's what made the Volturi so terrifying and unbeatable. That's what made all other immortals helpless when it came to defending against them. And that's what made the vampires around me remain silent and still despite the suffering of someone they cared for.

Jane was smiling brightly at Jasper, seeming pleased at the sight of him. Jasper's teeth clamped tightly together, holding back whatever noise threatened to escape between them, as he trembled uncontrollably against the cool, wet snow. I'd never seen Jasper look so vulnerable before, so defeated and weak. I could never have imagined the sight of Jasper, one of the most frightening looking vampires I knew, being in a situation that caused him so much physical distress. I still couldn't imagine it, and the real thing was right in front of me. My head felt ready to burst as I watched this, as I observed the torment on the faces of my once almost-family.

Jane's smug little face created a flurry of anger inside me.

This must be her fault, her doing. It was her gift. Creating such torture to a person. And to do it to Jasper, who had barely just got here and had done nothing! It was wrong causing him to suffer like this. I couldn't stand it! I needed to help him, to help Alice, because if that was Edward instead of Jasper...

I couldn't allow them to hurt. I had to help the people I still cared for and loved despite everything.

My muscles tightened, and around me a faint reddish glow highlighted the figures before me. At that moment, I acted without a thought. Instinct drove me, because I knew that I wasn't as helpless as I was the last time someone I cared for was in trouble. I remembered that I had the power to end Jasper's suffering, which must have been why Jane was so frustrated before. It was her who had attempted to attack us, and failed, something that she had probably never encountered until now, and now she was taking out her frustration on Jasper. Well, I planned to wipe that disgusting smirk off Jane's face.

As her smile widened, becoming more sadistic, I set my shield free from my mind, throwing it toward the Cullens. Instead of pressing against it, trying to hold onto it and control it, I simply just let it go.

It shot out of me like a net, encasing all my friends, all those I considered family. Wrapping them securely in the elastic force that pulsed like it was a living creature. It did not recoil. It did not disappear. It remained strong and solid, easy to manipulate and mold around me and the others. I could feel it perfectly, like it was a part of me, just another muscle that my brain controlled subconsciously. Every life force I was protecting was visible to me, and I could feel them, taste them - they were all most potent now than before. I exhaled with relief when I felt Jasper within my protective, unbreakable sheet. He would be safe now. I was sure of that. This burst of power in me boosted my confidence greatly. I have never felt so exuberant and powerful before.

Jasper went still.

I watched Jane carefully. Her cruel smile faded instantly, and a furious hiss broke out from between her curling lips.

Eleazar quickly interrupted her moment of fury. "I don't believe your responsibility to the world is to torture the innocent, Jane," he said sharply, yet cautiously, earning a death glare from the tiny vampire.

Demetri placed a hand on his companion's shoulder. "Easy, Jane. I do not want to upset Aro," he sighed. His eyes flickered from Eleazar to Carlisle in consternation.

Jasper leaped up from off his back and took his place next to Alice, who intertwined her fingers with his, her eyes never leaving the Volturi. Jasper gazed down at his small mate for a quick second, before taking his eyes off her and lifting his head high. He was once again the cool, calm, frightening Jasper I remembered, and I was glad.

Carlisle and Eleazar shared a look. Carlisle's face was very smooth as he turned his attention back to the Volturi.

Demetri's voice was skeptical as he spoke. "Carlisle. I didn't think we would be running into you here."

Neither did I, I thought.

"It is a surprise. I wasn't expecting you either," Carlisle answered mildly.

"I'm sure you know why we're here."

"Of course. But what brings you so far out from Forks?" Carlisle asked carefully, hinting that he was on our side.

Demetri and another shadow exchanged a quick look.

"You plan on protecting these newborns as Eleazar does?" Jane asked in a hard voice. She still didn't appear stable enough to say she was back to her normal, apathetic self.

"Aro is greatly fond of you, Carlisle. I would hate to upset him; however, if you continue to impeded us of our job, then I am afraid the law will claim you as well." Demetri's eyes were flashing from Jane to Carlisle uncertainly as he spoke. Clearly, the thought of punishing Carlisle did not sit well with him.

It was obvious why they wouldn't want to harm him, I figured. Carlisle spent time in Volterra with Aro, Marcus, and Caius. My mind wandered to the large painting that hung in his office... Like Demetri had said, Aro was fond of Carlisle. If there was anyone who could help convince the Volturi that we were innocent, it was him.

Suddenly, a thought hit me.

Maybe Carlisle wasn't the only person we could use. Why hadn't I thought of it before? Oh, that's right, I was worrying over the tiny vampire who was set on shooting us to the ground in excruciating pain. Fortunately, though, we had the power to persuade the Volturi on our own. All they had to do was hear her out. That might prove difficult if they constantly interrupt her, but it would work flawlessly if she got to tell our story.

Alice flashed her honey-colored eyes in my direction, then to Angela. Had she seen my plan work? Or fail? Her face was too empty to tell.

"These newborns have not committed the crime you are here to punish them for," Carlisle responded truthfully.

"You have proof of this?" Jane asked in a mixture of disbelief and irritation.

Carlisle's eyes tightened. For the first time, he seemed unsure of what to say. To me, it looked like he did have some proof, but was debating whether to mention it to the Volturi. I couldn't imagine why he would want to keep something from them, unless it would just bring more trouble in the long-run. I trusted Carlisle fully. Whatever he decided to do or not do was what I will go with.

"I didn't think so," Jane whispered menacingly, misunderstanding Carlisle's silence.

"I am short on physical evidence," Carlisle said unwillingly. "But there are witnesses."

I stared at him, wondering who he meant.

Jane shook her head. "This is not a trial. If you have no physical proof right here, right now, then those newborns are condemned," she hissed. Impulsively, I let loose the growl that was building in my chest. She snarled sharply at me, the crimson hues of her eyes darkening in anger.

"I'm afraid Jane is right," Demetri said, staring curiously at me.

"Their story is proof," Alice spoke up suddenly, all eyes moving to her. Jasper tensed. "You should listen to them. Right, Angela?" Alice turned her head to Angela, pleading with her eyes, wanting her to answer quickly. Angela blinked and nodded. This only made Alice furrow her eyebrows. She did not look away from my shy friend, as if waiting for her to say it out loud. But Angela wasn't understanding.

"Yeah, we're innocent," I blurted. "Right, Angela?"

Angela swallowed, clearly feeling put on the spot. But, thankfully, she finally understood what we were doing. "Yes. We're innocent," she said. And I believed her wholeheartedly.

Alice closed her eyes gently, and sighed in relief while turning back to the Volturi.

Jane and Demetri both looked confused for a minute. Others were exchanging looks and murmuring amongst themselves.

"Quiet," Jane ordered them fiercely, her eyes on Angela. I checked my shield; it was still strong and sound. I was pleased at how much easier it was to manipulate it and keep it secure and permanent.

"If you were innocent," Jane demanded, "then explain how you happen to be newborns who just happened to come from Forks."

Angela looked at me for guidance. I smiled reassuringly at her. Ben squeezed her hand in encouragement.

"I remember...the vampires attacking our school, and Bella knew we had to get out, so we ran to the trees. Not all of us made it that far..." Her eyes were downcast as she remembered our last few minutes of being human. "I remember the fire." I flinched at my own memory of transformation. "And when I woke up, Bella had explained what had happened." She gestured to me. "Then, when the others woke up, we decided to go to Alaska for now. That's when we ran into the other newborns... We escaped them, thanks to Ben, but they followed us. Luckily we ran into Eleazar, Carmen, and Kate first, who helped us, and had us follow them here."

Angela looked up once she was finished. There was no way anyone could deny she was lying. I smiled to myself. I knew Angela would be helpful for getting out of trouble.

There was a buzz of talk among the Volturi again. Demetri stared at us.

"They were victims," he breathed. "Consequences of the attack," he added, his eyes going to Eleazar, who nodded. "I see."

Jane was calculating our story in her own way.

"Bella explained what had happened to you?" she asked, her eyes going to me. "And you are Bella?"

"Yes," I answered indifferently.

"How did you know what happened?"

I opened my mouth to speak, but hesitated, deciding on what to say.

"She had a note," Angela said for me. My eyebrows rose in pleasant realization.

My note! It explained perfectly what had happened. It was physical evidence. It was what they wanted to see. It would free us from the Volturi's suspicions.

"That's right," I said. I shoved my hand in my pants pocket and dug out the note from Jacob. "This is the proof you wanted, right?" I eyed Jane knowingly. She glared back; apparently, she did not like to be mocked.

"Bring it forth then," she commanded.

Automatically, I took an infinitesimal step back. A grin appeared on Jane's face at my hesitation. I looked at Carlisle; he nodded reassuringly, though I saw the slight wariness in his eyes. I took a deep breath and began making my way across the clearing alone.

I didn't feel the slightest bit good about this. I didn't trust the Volturi. They could easily try something and I didn't have the fighting skills or experience to defend against them. Defending against mental attacks were no problem, but other than that I was screwed. I just had to make sure I didn't provoke them, especially Jane. I'd just show them the note and then get out of there.

Yeah. Easier said than done.

The stabbing at my shield caught my immediate attention. It was directed at me. My eyes met Jane, who was scowling at me.

I heard Eleazar shift uncomfortably behind me. "No matter how hard you glare at her, it will not work, Jane."

Jane's dangerous gaze darted to Eleazar. She growled at him to explain.

"It's the child's gift. She is immune to powers like yours."

Jane seemed aggravated at this information, but made no further comment.

Demetri looked surprised by this revelation. Again, he placed a hand on Jane's shoulder to easy her. She shrugged him off, grimacing at him. He didn't look at her - afraid to, maybe.

I continued my steady pace down the field, though my body very much would have liked to retreat.

As I came closer, Jane held her hand out for the note. I handed it to her without saying a word.

Show them the note, and get out of here. Show them the note, and get out of here, I chanted in my head.

Both Jane and Demetri read the note quietly for half a second. Then their eyes returned to me, both faces blank.

"Who is Jacob Black? How does he know of us?" Jane inquired.

I gulped. Would this get him into trouble? After everything he has done for me, I couldn't allow that.

"Jacob Black is a werewolf; or a shape-shifter, to be more precise," Carlisle answered behind me. I turned to him, shocked. "It was his pack that defeated the newborns in Forks. They're job is to preserve human life. He was a friend of Bella's while she was still human. His kind are just as bound by our laws as we are."

I sighed. Thank you, Carlisle.

After one long penetrating glare, Jane handed me the note back and I went back-pedaling away, my eyes never leaving the fearsome group of vampires. No one said a word until I got back in my original spot, between Carmen and Ben.

"One more question," Jane said, her voice sounding strained to stay in control. She looked back to Angela, who stiffened. "Earlier you had mentioned you ran into other newborns, yet in the note it said you six were the only survivors, bit or otherwise. Where did those newborns come from?"

Angela told her about our encounter with Riley and the other four, also mentioning what Riley had said about their creator wanting me dead.

My eyes moved to Alice, who was now staring at me, horrified. She looked like she wanted to say something but decided against it. Carlisle caught this exchange between us. Clearly, he understood, just like I had, who their creator was. "Her name is Victoria," he said calmly, answering Jane's question if I knew who exactly wanted me dead (although, Jane kind of seemed willing to let whoever wanted me have me).

As I thought about the fiery, vengeful vampire out to get me, I figured that maybe some good will come from this little meeting with the Volturi after all. They were now obviously set on finding Victoria and the newborns who escaped the werewolves' grasp. Once found, Victoria wouldn't stand a chance, and she would be punished for what she's done. Then I would be forever free from her and her murderous plots against me. My friends would no longer be in danger by being with me, either. It would be the first time in months I wouldn't have to worry over some crazy vampire trying to kill me - I hoped.

"Very well then. Your innocence has been proven for now."

I scowled at Jane. For now? What did that mean?

"We will head back to Forks in search for the five newborns and this Victoria. Carlisle. Eleazar." Jane bowed her head in a polite farewell, though her eyes were filled with extreme loathing and her lips were pulled down in a tight grimace. Demetri followed suit, only he actually seemed more satisfied.

Jane snapped her fingers and spun to face her shadowed companions. Instantaneously, the formation of dark cloaks turned on their heels at the same time, parading back through the trees from which they came.

The clearing was still and motionless for minutes upon minutes as we stared, relieved and a little anxious still, at the south end of the clearing, where the Volturi's spectral figures disappeared.

Then, suddenly, unexpectedly, I was locked in someone's tight embrace.

"Oh, Bella, we've found you at last!" Alice squealed delightfully. I hugged her back, all anxiety from our previous encounter now gone. It was amazingly wonderful to see her again. Her scent was just as good and sweet as I remembered, perhaps better. Her smiling face I had missed so much.

She let go of me and patted my arms. "Carefully, Bella. Ow." I pulled away from her, remembering my strength surpassed hers for the time being.

"Sorry," I apologized. Jasper and Carlisle both chuckled. "It's just... I missed you so much. I thought I would never see any of you again."

Alice pulled me into her arms again, and this time I gently wrapped my arms around her. Jasper was at our side. He grinned at me; I smiled back at him. There were no words to describe how overjoyed I was to see them again.