Chapter 4: The Meeting

Bella Pov

I shifted to a small crouch, as I expanded my shield over the group. Renesmee stiffed on my back. To my left Jacob growled. To my right Alice took a step closer to Jasper. In front of me, our small army started to whisper and mumble.

They were coming.

I could hear them run. Feel them move across the ground beneath my feet. Smell their individual sent gets closer by the second. I could hear small padding of feet as they ran though the trees, heading towards us.

I could hear Renesmee's heart beginning to quicken. She had been shaking ever since we step onto the field. I gently pulled her off my back a cradled her in my arms. I looked into her frightened eyes. I saw he lips tremble. I pulled her into a hug.

"Its ok sweetheart," I said smoothly, "I won't let them hurt you. Neither will Jacob, or Alice, Jasper, Grandma, grandpa or the pack. You are the last person that the Voltori are going to get to."

She whimpered slightly. "I don't want them to hurt anyone".

"It's ok, no-one will get hurt".

She cried. Tears started to stream down her beautiful face. I held her tightly. This was so cruel. How can Aro allow this? How could anyone torture little children like this?

Renesmee, who was sobbing, lifted her hand and placed it on my cheek. Images of Edward flooded into my mind. His smile, his perfect face...his golden eyes. I could see how happy he made Renesmee, how wonderful he was to her. She looked up to him like a daughter should look up to their father, more.

The images changed into worry and confusion. Where was daddy? Why isn't he here? With me, with us? The last image I saw was of what Renesmee thought. I saw Edward walking away from her. Renesmee cried for him, but he kept walking away, further and further into the distance until she could no longer see him.

I pulled my face away from her hand. "No," I said quietly, "Renesmee, your daddy loves you very much. He would never want you to think that. Don't ever think that again."

"That's what I dreamed about last night," she sobbed, "it was horrible."

I hugged her again. At the corner of my eye I saw Jacob staring at us. He looked really worried. I gave a weak smile at him. He gave a wolfy grin back. He always tried to lighten the mood of bad situations, but it didn't work this time.

I could feel the tremble of the ground beginning to strengthen. They must be only a couple of miles away.

"Time for you to ride Jacob now," I whispered.

Renesmee's eyes switched to worry. "Can't I ride you?"

"No, sweet heart. Jacob is faster than me any day and if you are to run away, Jacob is the one you need to run with". I emphasised to word need, instead of want instead of need.

She just nodded and I walked over and placed her on Jacobs back. Her eyes were full of sorrow and maybe a little of anger? I wasn't sure. I bent down low so that I was level with Jacob's face.

"Take care of her... and yourself," I added with a sigh. Jacob just tilted his head and gave me a well-duh look. Normally I would have laughed, but tonight was too miserable. So I just smiled...sadly.

I looked up just as the first of the Voltori emerged through the hill.

I snarled and crouched I first saw the first were Jane and Alec. It was obvious that Jane and I loathed each other, but today she was smiling. A evil smile, one that you would give to your enemies knowing that they are going to lose the battle.

I snarled at her. Baring my razor shape teeth. This just made her grin wider. I was just about ready to jump at her, when Alice griped my arm tightly.

"Bad Bella," she whispered sharply.

Demetri, (and 9 other vampires) emerged from the flush forest in front of me. I growled when I saw Demetri. If Edward was here he would insist that he would be the one to challenge Demetri. Edward. AAARRRR...Bella, get a grip, I felt like I needed to stab myself (offcourse that wouldn't work because I'd would break the knife), he's coming... he's coming.

At last Aro, Marcus and Caisus emerged from the trees. I could only stare at them. Why are they doing this? What in their sick minds do they think is right about this...this, 'war'? Wait I saw something in Aro's eyes that confused me. They look hurt, sad and almost tired. How is that possible?

Carlisle walked forward approaching Aro. He walked slowly; I knew he was trying to control his temper. I had never seen Carlisle show his temper, I guess I might see it now.

"Aro," Carlisle said smoothly, narrowing his eyes, "What is the meaning of this?"

"Hello my dear friend Carlisle," Aro said sweetly, "Would you mind If I could have a word with Bella, Edward, Alice and offcourse Renesmee".

I snarled the same time as Jacob, forming a crouch. Renesmee shrank and griped Jacobs fur tightly. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Jasper step, protectively, in front of Alice.

"Ah, I see my dear Edward isn't with us," He said sadly, "What a shame he hasn't come to except my offer".

"And what type of offer are you planning to give?" Carlisle asked coldly.

I noticed Aro's eyes flick to Renesmee, Alice and I before returning to Carlisle. I knew what offer he was planning to give before he even spoke it.

"No," I said through my teeth. My fingers were clawing through the ground. I knew everyone heard me, but only a few looked at me.

"Bella, Alice and Renesmee are to come with us and no-one shall be harmed".

Aro's voice seemed to eco off the trees as the field become silent. I saw Jacob shift his feet, I instantly realised what was happening.

I lunged onto Jacob, before he could lunge at Aro.

"No, Jacob," I said. Renesmee rolled of him as he tried to attack Aro. Jacob, try as he might, couldn't escape my grasp. That didn't make him stop either. "Jacob, think of how much you would hurt Renesmee," I whispered, "It's no use trying to protect her when you just get yourself killed".

Jacob stoped and lowered his head, whimpering. His eyes looked tried; I guess he didn't sleep much that night.

I loosened my grip and stood up. "Good Jacob".

Renesmee walked back over to Jacob, giving him a hug. He, in return, nuzzled her in the stomach. I helped Renesmee climb onto Jacob's back, while the argument between Carlisle and Aro continued.

"We promise that they will come back to your coven. We just would like them to witness an...an experiment," Aro said as a smile grew across his face.

Experiment, I thought, why would he want us to witness an experiment? Jacob growled making Renesmee pat his head lightly.

"No," Alice said from behind Jasper.

All of the vampires and werewolves turned to look at the small pixie. She moved in front of Jasper.

"No Aro, we don't accept the offer," Alice spat the last word as it escaped from her delicate mouth.

Aro purposely sighed. "Ah well, I guess we have no choice, but to kill you. Unless you wish to join us?"

Silence followed his words.

"Does anyone wish to join our coven?" Aro said eagerly.

More Slience.

"Bella?"

I snarled a no. He just sighed sadly and continued.

"How about you Alice? Feel the need to join me in the Voltri".

I notice Jasper physically cringe, But off course, little polite Alice said no thank you.

"How about you Renesmee?" He looked as if he was going to jump over the field to get her.

Both Jacob and I growled. I wasn't going to hand over Renesmee even if she said yes. I could sense that Jacob felt the same way.

"No thank you," whispered Renesmee, holding tightly onto Jacobs back.

"Oh well. Hope you die quickly," Aro said so quietly that I only just heard it. He walked back to the Marcus and Caisus.

I walked over to Carlisle. He just shook his head. "I'm sorry, but there is nothing I can do".

I placed my hand on his shoulder. "You tried, that's good enough".

Carlisle just sighed and walked over to Esme who gave him a warm hug. Edward. I need him now right now, I thought. I opened my mind for a millisecond and shouted.

I LOVE YOU EDWARD!!!