Chapter 12

"If that's the case, let us bring some help," Edward suggested a moment later.

"What about your family's animosity? You don't want your kind to think you're in liege with creatures they don't even know about. Besides, by actively participating in this, your kind might think you're actually going after the Volturi's position."

"I decided it's not about that any longer. Our kind has the right to know what's going on. They need to know their own government is planning on a dictatorship."

"But I don't think it would be wise to bring in a lot of your kind immediately. If a lot of the coven knows what the Volturi has planned, there will be an outrage. That would only guarantee for a war. Even though I know this Aro wouldn't yield in a diplomatic talk, we still need to give it a shot so we could say we did everything we can before we resulted to the worst case scenario. If you must bring in some of your kind, bring in only the ones you trust the most. What about the Denali coven that Carlisle had suggested?"

I saw Edward nod. "Yes, they would be the best group for now. Until then, it's best we keep it on the down low. I'll talk to Carlisle about this and we can plan something immediately."

They were silent for a while until Edward glanced at his brother, a slight hint of embarrassment disrupting his perfect face. "Rosalie wants you right now."

Emmett broke into a grin when he caught up on what Edward was trying to say. "Well, my lady calls." He stood up and excused himself, using the garage door to exit out of instead of using the back door where I was hidden.

Edward turned to Patch again. "There's something I've been meaning to ask you."

"What is it?"

"How do you kill a Nephil?"

There was a silence, the room suddenly felt tense. I wanted to barge in at that moment. I knew the Cullens couldn't be trusted! Why would they ask a question like that when we're not even the enemies? If they were asking about how they can destroy us, that means they are actually planning on acting on it.

When Patch said nothing, Edward added, "I know it's not the best question to ask especially when we're just forming an alliance but I'm asking to help you. Humans can be easily killed. A strike to the head, a pierce to the heart. They're fragile. But if you know the key components that would immediately kill a human, you'd know what to protect first. It's the same thing with Nephil and fallen angels like yourself. I want to know so we can form strategies and defenses that benefits all. Besides, we'll share without hesitation how you can destroy vampires."

I was still doubtful and perhaps Patch was too. He stood up from his post and started pacing slowly. His face was clear yet there was something heavy in the way he walks. I knew he didn't like the sound of it.

"Very well. But we will talk about it when we start the training," he finally answered. It was vague but diplomatic at the same time.

Edward looked troubled but he agreed nonetheless. He stood up and left without another word, exiting through the garage door like Emmett. But unlike Emmett, he didn't return to the house. Instead, he headed off to the woods in an inhumane speed. A moment later, Patch headed towards the door I was hiding at. I pressed myself against the shadows as he exited.

He stopped in front of me and without looking, spoke. "I know you're there Angel."

I stepped out of the shadows and stared inquiringly at him. "So do you trust him?"

He searched my eyes for something I wasn't sure. He sighed heavily, running his fingers through his hair. "I had my work cut out for me. Basso wasn't kidding at all when he said this is going to be a helluva punishment."

I waited for his answer but he only sighed again. He grabbed my hand and we made our way back inside the house without another word. But before we entered the back door he stopped again.

"For now, trusting them is the only choice we have," he admitted, finally answering my question.

I was running in the forest again. Even though the ground at my feet and the trees surrounding me felt a bit foreign, I knew exactly where I was. I turned west when I reached a pine tree, going completely on another direction. My feet were rushing as I flew past trees. There was a climbing sense of dread and fear building in my chest. I knew I had to get to where I was going before it was too late.

Then I saw it, a few miles away from me. Horror soaked through my skin like sweat. I could see it even though I was certain it was night. Patch's black orb eyes were looking at me, an unfamiliar fear in his eyes sent shivers to my spine. He was crouched on the ground in his fours. A man was standing over him, holding fire in his hand. The flame was a quiet shade of blue licking at something long and black. I realized a millisecond later that on the other hand, the man was holding Patch's black feather. It was coming closer and closer to the flame until I was certain I was beginning to see smoke. I ran, horrified but the forest floor was keeping me from advancing. I slipped and fell but I hadn't gone anywhere near close. I saw a wicked smile forming on the man's lips before he let the flames engulf Patch's feather. Patch's eyes were on me before his whole body was set to flame.

"NO!" I wanted to scream but my voice never made it. Something blocked my voice. My throat felt thick with liquid and I tried spitting it out but couldn't. I tried screaming again but even my thoughts felt incoherent and groggy. It was then I felt the flame in my chest that began to crawl towards every inch of my skin. I looked down and saw a blade glowing faint blue pierced halfway through my heart. I recognized the hilt immediately and knew this is Dante's sword. I opened my mouth again but only the warm liquid in my throat spilled out. I realized it was blood. The man's head whipped towards me as he smelled the blood. He smiled again but this time, I saw fangs. He pounced and everything went black.

I gasped, my lungs expanding suddenly as if I had refused to take in a breath for a while. I sat up, drenched in sweat. I placed my face on my palms, trying to calm my heart rate. I sank back in my sheets once my pulse was at a reasonable pace. But after thirty minutes of endless tossing and turning, I decided to give up on sleep. There was something about the nightmare, though I couldn't remember now, that felt like it was foreshadowing what is about to happen.

A gentle knock on the door brought me out of my thoughts. I looked up to see Esme peeking through, the light from the hallway shining behind her, making her look like an angel.

"Nora?" she asked hesitantly. Her eyes didn't need to adjust to the darkness as she glanced at me.

"Yeah," I answered, sitting up and brushing my hair back off my face.

"Breakfast is ready outside, if you like."

"I'll be right out."

I grabbed my clothes from my luggage and got dressed. A few minutes later, I was heading towards the Cullens' dining area. Everyone was already seated on the table. The vampires had no plates on their places. Instead, they sat still like statues. In front of Patch and Vee, however, were served eggs and ham with orange juice and coffee. A vacant seat was saved for me with the same meal already prepared.

"My family and I had been discussing our predicament," Carlisle said the moment I settled down on my seat. "I know this is a difficult challenge for all of us and I believe it is in our best interest to come up with a good strategy. It's not only our own family's safety on the line but also our kind's. So we decided it is more important for our kind to know about what the Volturi is doing rather than our preference to stay out of any conflict."

"So you're bringing in allies," Patch stared at him, his face blank.

Carlisle stared back at him for a few seconds before slowly nodding.

I fought the urge to say anything. I still didn't like the sound of bringing in more vampires into a fight that has Nephil written all over it. I wasn't sure how the others of my kind would react to recruiting the help of several vampires. I know we can go against any vampire coven with our power and our numbers. Besides, I was still not convinced that the Cullens did not have a hidden agenda behind all of this. But if I reacted right now, Edward would know and it wouldn't help the fragile trust we're trying to build. I actively avoided any thoughts about this. Instead, as silence fell over everyone, I silently invaded their minds to hear their thoughts in hopes that maybe I can form at least an opinion about it.

"I know the Denali coven would help us the most," Edward was thinking. "It's also safer to bring them in since they can just hunt the wild animals around the forest. Though their presence would definitely trigger some of the younger Quileute tribe members to turn into wolves. I was hoping things might be a little easier for Jake."

Without detecting anything deceitful, I wandered away from his thoughts and focused my web to the vampire next to him.

"This is getting more and more complicated. I don't like having to fight our own kind but from what we have found out, this is serious," Carlisle thought as he frowned. "I'm not surprised Aro would do something like this to make sure he stays in power but I don't know why he's not hesitating. Conjuring Devilcraft is a little risky. Maybe there's still hope. I know Patch and Edward are certain there will be a war but maybe we can talk to them."

I wandered away again, focusing on Emmett this time.

"I wonder what kind of strength this fallen has," he eyed Patch steadily, estimating him. "Tall blondie and red should be easier physically. They had trouble with me, that's for sure. But they do have those freaky mind controlling things. I better steer clear from them."

"I can't see anything again! Is it Jacob? Ugh, the pack is near," Alice placed two fingers on each of her temple, massaging it. She was focusing on a scent that seemed very repulsive to her. It was some kind of wet dog smell that she associated with the wolves. Funny, I never even had caught a whiff of anything like that around the wolves. It must be a vampire thing.

"Who do you plan on bringing in?" Patch asked, taking me away from the others' thoughts.

"Like what I had said before, the Denali coven are our safest bet. They are our family and they live the same way we do. I could count on their help," Edward replied.

"Oh, Edward, you can't expect the Denali to be okay to face the Volturi, not easily after they had lost their mother and their sister to them," Esme whispered softly as if feeling the Denali's pain. "I can't imagine if they would take this easily."

"She's right. It would be either they are so aggressive they'd want to fight the Volturi without reason or they wouldn't want to have anything to do with our predicament," Alice agreed to her.

"But they are our safest bet. I don't trust the Roman coven. They're behind all the coup plots," Bella reasoned. "If we want to make it clear to our kind we don't want any part of the Volturi's power and position, the Roman coven isn't the ally we should get. They're just looking for a reason to avenge their past. Furthermore, if we tell them we don't want the power but still go to war with the Volturi to stop their plans, the Roman coven might catch that opportunity. I wouldn't put it past them to want to harness the Devilcraft just to make sure they stay in power forever."

"What would the Denali coven's participation be if they were invited?" Patch turned his attention to Carlisle.

He ran his fingers through his hair wearily. The humanity of the movement surprised me. I didn't expect these perfectly molded creatures to actually look worried. "I suppose they could testify to our cause."

I shook my head as I spoke up. "That wouldn't be enough. The Volturi would see we're just recreating what you did the last time you faced them. They would find some kind of loophole. They could say they're doing this for your kind so no creature like Nephilim or fallen angels could enslave you. Don't give them the chance to brainwash or even persuade your allies into their own side."

"So what do you suppose we do?" Rosalie raised her eyebrows, crossing her arms. "Like you said, you want this to be as peaceful as it could come. It's the only peaceful resolution we could think of."

"I…guess it would be better if they stay behind the pictures. We tell them what's going on, sure, so we could have them behind us. But it's better if it's only your coven and the three of us who talk to the Volturi. They wouldn't have anyone to brainwash or persuade. They would be our backup. They would fight if needed, like our Nephilim army."

I looked at each vampire. "Of course, your coven could stay only for diplomatic talks. If a war occurs, you can leave."

Bella shook her head. "No. Once the Volturi sees us together, they wouldn't hesitate to say we had an alliance and our family had a part on the war. They wouldn't stop to think we are just like ambassadors. Besides, we were involved the moment Jane walked inside our home. Whatever happens, we would be there standing beside you for the sake of our kind."

At that moment, Jacob's pack came in the huge dining room. I immediately caught Seth's eye but he looked away just as fast. However, I kept my eyes on them as they all piled inside, near the entrance.

"What's the werewolves role?" I asked, briefly flickering my gaze to Jacob. If I didn't trust the vampires easily, I completely didn't trust the werewolves. Seth had tried to get information (though it was for the vampires) through trying to befriend me and Jacob looks way too much like Dante for me to even think of trusting him.

"We're willing to fight beside you," he replied, matching my glare. "My pack is where my family is."

"I think it's better if for this one, you don't directly interfere," Patch spoke, gazing at them with crossed arms.

Paul opened his mouth in protest and my eyes glared at him as I remembered that night at the alley behind the Devil's Handbag. The anger surged inside me and the level of distrust increased. I opened my mouth to say something but the words never came. In the corner of my eyes, I saw Edward turn towards Jasper. I didn't think any of it, not until I suddenly felt forced into a calm.

"You can't force us to sit this one out," Paul protested, placing his hands up in disbelief. "We've been fighting beside the Cullens for years now. This is our land and we're affected as much as they are."

"We're not asking you not to fight," Patch replied patiently as if he was explaining something simple to an impatient child. "On the contrary, we want you to fight when the time is right. But during whatever diplomatic talk we can pursue, we want you to standby along the other vampires and our own Nephilim army."

"Besides, if something happens to us, I want your pack to be safe for my daughter's sake," Bella added earnestly, staring directly at Jacob. I wasn't sure why Bella was leaving her daughter's safety to him. What did he have to do with it? "Jake, this is like the last time. We don't know if Aro will listen to us. I want you to take Nessie and run if it's necessary."

"You're going to ensure my daughter isn't involved in this, of course. She has nothing to do with this conflict this time," Edward turned to Patch with intensity I have never seen in the short period I have known him.

"Yes," Patch didn't blink. Instead he stared at Edward with the same intensity. "You're daughter will stay out. She is protected by the Archangels since she is partly human."

"I understand what I have to do," Jacob said, staring at Bella.

I frowned. "You should be with your pack. Isn't that your main objective? You are their alpha and you should take responsibility to them. They might be the help we need."

The pack all looked at me like I was crazy. Edward sighed loudly. "Nora, you are right. Jacob is responsible for his pack. However, since Renesmee, our daughter, is the girl Jacob imprinted on, it is also his responsibility to make sure she is safe."

"That means he can leave the moment he feels Renesmee is endangered," to my surprise, it was Seth who spoke.

I turned to him glaringly, annoyed nothing was making any sense. "I don't understand. What do you mean by 'imprinted on'?"

"It's when a werewolf chooses their mate," Seth replied again.

My eyes widened and my lips twisted in disgust. "Wait, I thought Renesmee is only six? How can you agree to that?"

"You don't understand. I don't even know why we're bothering to explain it," Jacob's lips thinned. "It goes beyond that. For now, I'm not even thinking about that. All I want is to protect her and make sure she's happy."

"So Jacob will make sure Renesmee is safe, away from the potential fight," Edward pressed on. "But the pack will fight with us along with the Denali coven and your Nephilim army if the time comes."

Carlisle rose to his feet. He had been silent for a few minutes. Apparently, it was because he was still thinking of the impending war. "Perhaps we should convene with other covens."

"Why? I thought you want this to be as low profiled as possible?"

"What if the Denali coven doesn't want to participate? There's a danger that the Volturi would know we're convening with covens and that would certainly provoke an attack. If we cover several covens at once, at least one of them might agree to our plans."

Patch was frowning full on. I knew he had bargained for one coven. I knew that one coven was for the Cullens' assurance that we trust them. I didn't like having more vampires than we really can afford. I hate thinking there are things that could harm my army out there with them in the field.

"How many covens do you plan on talking to?"

"Including our Denali brother and sisters, three."

I exchanged a glance with Patch. "That's two more than we bargained for, Carlisle," Patch told him.

"I know but it's the only solution I can see as of right now. We don't know what the Denali's position is with the Volturi but if we make sure we have backup, then we might still have a chance."

"We'll have to talk about this," Patch said after a few minutes of tensed silence. He stood up and walked out of the room. I followed suit with Vee on my heels. We followed him away from their house to the middle of the forest. When he stopped, I felt a sudden buzz in the air. I knew his shield was up and I automatically placed mine too.

"I don't like the sound of this." It was Vee who spoke first. She had remained surprisingly quiet the whole time. But I knew she was thinking of a way to get us out too.

"I know," Patch agreed, placing his hand on his chin. "I don't like the idea of having ourselves surrounded by vampires. They've taken us readily but we don't know if others would do the same. We can fend for ourselves, that's for sure but we can only do it as long as we have enough sustenance and rest. They can't finish us off but they can do a lot of damage once we're disabled."

But we all knew there was nothing we could do about it. In the end, we needed the Cullens' participation in this and if they need others, then there was no doubt we would have to agree. We all knew that even if we did not like it at all.

I opened my mouth to say what we were all thinking about but Patch held out his hand, frowning as if he was listening hard to something. He stayed still for a couple of minutes before nodding slowly.

"They'll reveal the way to kill them if we agree to it," he finally said.

"They could be lying," Vee pointed out.

He nodded. "But they agreed to keep Bella's shield away from this. They're confident and maybe even a little desperate for help if they're willing to go to as much length as disabling their only shield against us."

I inhaled sharply. "Fine, let's just get this over with. Let's agree to what they want."

"I don't like taking Christmas away from Charlie," Bella was explaining when we came back inside the house. They were all gathered in the living room with the big glass window. Edward sat on the piano, playing a very solemn piece. If I haven't been so wound up about this Devilcraft business, I would have listened to him playing. I could already tell it was beautiful but I was too distracted to really focus on every note. Instead, his song became background music, loud enough to know it's there but subtle enough that it doesn't take away any part of our conversation.

"So what do you suppose?"

"We'll travel after Christmas. "

"But what if the Volturi already got a wind of our plans?" Rosalie asked.

Edward shook his head. "They haven't had the chance to see any of our plans. Besides Bella and Patch had protected our thoughts from any unwanted eavesdropping from them."

The fact that Patch was actively participating for their protection came as a surprise. The others glanced towards Patch but he remained silent and indifferent. I turned my attention to Carlisle.

"We're in. What's the plan now?"

"We'll wait after Christmas before we do any training." He hesitated, looking at the three of us. "But if we want to keep an edge, we would have to get the other covens at the same time. We plan to travel and we'd like for you to join us. Patch can join Esme and I to talk to the Egyptian coven. Vee can go with Alice and Jasper to the Amazon coven. Nora can accompany Bella and Edward to our sisters and brother, the Denali coven."

"You want to split us up?" Vee snarled. I didn't agree to the plan either. Two against however many the covens we were going to visit is a bit of a disadvantage on our side.

"Vee," Rosalie turned to her, attempting to sound patient but ended up sounding like she was patronizing her. Vee's snarl only deepened in response but Rosalie ignored it. "If we would want to corner you, we wouldn't have waited to take you out of the country for that. Three against all of us and the pack is a little overwhelming. If we wanted you dead, we would have killed you already so please stop with all the suspicions and doubts. It's not going to help us."

Vee scoffed. "What makes you think we're going to sit still and let you kill us?"

Carlisle ignored her comment. "Even though our family does not kill, it would have to do what it has to in order to survive and killing you isn't it. Trust us. Nothing will happen to you. The Volturi will only win if you cannot trust us."

"Fine, when do we leave?"

"After Christmas."

I saw Edward glance at Alice before nodding. "I don't think the Egyptian coven will be on board if they meet creatures that could potentially be dangerous to them."

"Wait you told us trust is essential for this mission but now you're saying you can't introduce us to some of your kind because they might think we're dangerous?" Vee pointed out.

"We need to persuade them," Carlisle replied calmly. "You know nothing is for certain yet. Amun was very unhappy to stand by our side when we faced the Volturi the last time. If Patch comes along with us, I am certain he will shut off before we could even get a word in. If it was only Esme and myself, he may be very hesitant but at least he wouldn't attack. We might also get Benjamin on board if we get to talk to him. He might even persuade Amun for us."

"What about the Irish coven? It's likely only Benjamin and Tia agree in joining us. If we have Siobhan, Liam, and Maggie, we might actually stand a chance," Edward said.

"Wait, more covens?" I asked, holding my hands up. This is going way past what we agreed on.

Carlisle nodded. "It is a lot more than you had bargained for, I understand. But if we go to Egypt, we are risking Amun telling the Volturi about our plans. But we need to talk to Benjamin. He is powerful and was willing to join us the last time we faced the Volturi. The Irish coven also has powers that could be useful to us. We need them.

"Patch can accompany Nora with Edward and Bella. Alice and Jasper will go to Brazil with Vee. Esme and I will travel to Egypt and Ireland. Rosalie, Emmett, and Renesmee will stay with the pack just so we're not completely defenseless."

The Cullens waited for our reply. I glanced at Vee before we both looked at Patch. Finally after a few minutes of silence, he nodded.

Carlisle explained it would be possible that the other vampire covens wouldn't help us. It was an impossible mission centered on a powerful ruling coven. Most of their kind were afraid of the Volturi and for good reason. If the covens he wanted as allies were to join us, they needed to be as prepared for the Volturi as we are, though they have the upper hand because they know how to destroy each other.

During Christmas Eve, snow began to pile outside. Coupled with the howling wind, it couldn't have been any less than a blizzard. However, the others didn't seem to mind it a bit. The wolves continued their patrols and the Cullens hunted whenever the snow cleared enough for some animals to come out. By Christmas day, there was at least four feet of snow on the ground.

"I don't think we would be able to train with this snow," Patch told me as he approached me. I looked out of the window, over the white ground in front of me. He gently touched my shoulder as he entered and read my thoughts.

"I'm worried too. But I have to believe we could get through this."

"Things aren't getting better. How do we know if we could trust these other covens when we can barely trust the Cullens?"

"Faith, I guess. They can't kill us but can paralyze us greatly, yes. But I would want to think the Archangels would hold up their end before any of their kind gets hold of the Devilcraft."

"That would mean you'll be sent to hell."

"I know. But as long as they're not getting that power and as long as I know you'll be safe, I'll be fine. Besides, don't you think I can't get back to you?"

I stared at him fully. "You're not supposed to make that a habit."

He threw his head back and laughed. "I know. But it's a challenge I want to say I enjoy especially if the motivation is you."

Esme approached us carefully, looking wary at the both of us. Compared to the others, she looked the least intimidating. I had the immediate impression of a caring mother that was only reinforced during my stay here with her family. She seemed warm and compassionate and if there was someone I would hesitate to hurt, it would be her. But that doesn't mean I trusted her more than the others.

"Excuse me," she said in a small, barely audible voice. We both turned our attention to her. "If you would like, both of you and Vee could stay here for Christmas. Bella, Edward, Renesmee, Jacob, Leah, and Seth are all going to the Swans' house to spend most of today there but they would be returning tonight. It would mean a lot to my family if you share Christmas with us."

Patch smiled kindly, which seemed to encourage her as her face lit up a little. "We would like that, seeing we really don't have anywhere else to go to. Besides, we don't know a lot of people here besides your family. It would be our pleasure to spend Christmas with you."

She seemed delighted. She grinned widely before turning away and retreating to another room. I turned my gaze back to Patch knowingly. He shrugged, turning back towards the window.

"I don't want to break her heart. She is kind, that I know. I mean, all of them are kind enough to us. Maybe spending Christmas with them is what we need."

"What we need?" I echoed his words.

He nodded. "Yeah, though I'm not sure what it is yet. Maybe we need a reason to trust them or a reason to destroy them. We just need a reason so we could make up our minds about their family, that much is true. If we spend a day where we aren't supposedly on guard for any throat ripping, maybe we'll see what they truly want from us and if they fit what we need."

Christmas was, just like everything about their house, extravagant. I didn't know where they found the time to decorate the house but there it was, well light and brightly decorated. The glittering Christmas tree reached for the ceiling, though it never quite made it. It was adorned with gold and red baubles. Wrapped around it were garland with the same color and lights that lit up the whole trunk. On top was a delicate blonde angel dressed in white and gold. Patch smirked when he saw this. I suppose it was the Cullens' joking jab at him. At the bottom of the tree were several wrapped boxes. I didn't want to assume but I was hoping it wasn't for us. I hope it was for decoration's sake. Mistletoes hung in a lot of parts in the ceiling. Later that morning, I had the misfortune to be standing under one with Seth nearby. . I spent a whole minute dodging awkward glances with him. I was saved by Edward who called for him when they were ready to go. Since then, I spent the whole day looking up just to make sure I wasn't unknowingly standing under one again.

Despite they did not need to eat, the Cullens prepared a delicious Christmas dinner. The table looked like it was taken from one of those Christmas greeting cards. There was a whole turkey, mashed potatoes, baked macaroni, fruit cake, cranberry sauce and gravy, different types of fruits, an apple pie, ham, and even red wine. All of it looked so nice that even the Cullens smiled. I saw Carlisle's face light up with pride as he announced that it was Esme who cooked all of it.

"Of course you have to eat all of it," Emmett grinned at us. "Esme will be heartbroken if any of it goes to waste."

Patch's face lit up as if enjoying a private joke. "All of this? Why don't you all join us? I dare you to eat with us like we are a family."

Emmett's grin faded away while the others all looked at us expectantly. Patch's grin widened. "I dare all of you to eat with us mortals."

"Well, I think it would be rude of us not to show our guests some entertainment, don't you?" Edward said, sitting down. He kept his eyes on us, grabbing the bowl of mash potatoes and dumping some in his plate. He scooped some up, brought it to his smiling lips, and then ate it. This brought laughter to the table as we all settled down. Our spirits were lifted and the dinner became relatively enjoyable. Even Vee was smiling throughout. Who knew just one dinner would bring us closer to them. By the end of the night, with spirits running high and stomachs full, I felt confident enough to say they had become our allies.