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Chapter 8

"They're coming." I said and we all went on guard. I was still in human form while the rest of the wolves hung back and had already phased. Carlisle had told me about the Volturi and what they do. I didn't really think that they were evil or anything, but then again I had never met them. Sure their ways seemed a little harsh but even the Moroi government was guilty of that from time to time. I blocked all my thoughts and waited for it to start. The three kings and two of their wives were there with what seemed to be a large gathering of vampires besides the guard. I guessed that this was a trial of sorts.

"Carlisle my friend, it has been too long." Aro I assumed, spoke. Wow talk about a kiss ass.

"Indeed it has Aro. May I ask why you have amassed such a gathering?" Carlisle replied. Aro smiled, well kind of.

"Yes Carlisle well, word had reached us that you had an immortal child in your midst, but I also see that you have yet another human pet." Aro said and I of course had to say something.

"I am no one's pet!" I said proudly and surprisingly without fear. I wished to hear his thoughts. He wasn't convinced.

"Watch your tone human." One of the guard members said.

"I am only here to prove that Renesmee is in fact NOT an immortal child." I stated. I got ready and blocked everything related to the wolves and my powers, only keeping the thoughts of Renesmee and how she constantly grew and had a heartbeat. I knew he wanted to see my thoughts.

"Strangely brave for one so young. Please step forward and let me see what you mean." Aro said and I started forward but Edward stopped me.

"It's okay Edward. He won't do anything to hurt me." I said confidently while the guard snickered. I had my mental blocks up enough to prevent an attack from Jane or Alec. I walked straight to Aro, who held out his hand for me to take. He stood there several short minutes holding my hand. Finally he released me.

"Very well then my dear, but if I may ask what is she and what are you?" Aro asked curiously. I smiled at having one up on him.

"Renesmee is half human and half immortal vampire. She takes blood like the Cullens. I am half human and half Moroi or Mortal vampire." I said and they all gasped in shock.

"There are no such thing as mortal vampires. You lie!" Jane shouted and glared at me. I laughed as her glare faltered as her power was useless on me.

"Jane dear, be calm. She is actually being truthful although I never met many of them but they do in fact exist. I haven't seen all that many Damphirs though. Would you care to explain the differences my dear?" He said.

"Sure Moroi are of course mortal vampires that are born into that role. They live and age like humans do, but aren't affected by sickness like humans are. They have magic in their blood that is drawn from earth's elements. Damphirs are half Moroi and half human, although nowadays a Moroi with a human is considered taboo. My father is Moroi and my mother is a Damphir like I am. Strigoi are immortal, created when a Moroi drains a person or a Damphir or Moroi is turned against their will." I gave the cliff notes version hoping that would appease their curiosity.

"What is the difference between your kind and the child?" Caius asked with a sneer.

"She grows at an accelerated rate while we grow as a human would. We don't partake in blood while Ness does, but she occasionally desires human food." I shrugged. "Those are the most noticeable differences."

"I see." Aro said and he was pondering the possibilities in his head.

"What about these Strigoi you mentioned? And what of the Moroi ruler? I'll admit that I haven't spoken to Tatiana in many years. How is she?" He asked. Well hell this will be fun.

"Strigoi are immortal like your kind but far with far less human characteristics. They are driven by power and greed for blood, devoid of any human emotions that they once possessed. They are much easier to kill than you kind thankfully but have managed to grow in numbers. Think of them as lifetime newborns, messy and drawing lots of attention." I said and sighed. "I do regret to inform you Aro that Tatiana is no longer the Moroi ruler as she was recently murdered." His eyes widened.

"What?" He shouted. "Surely you can't be serious?" The other two rulers looked dejected at this news as well. Apparently they were quite fond of Tatiana.

"I'm afraid so Aro. Her murderer had been brought to justice I assure you, thanks to a little help from me." I stated proudly. Aro's eyes widened a little at the revelation.

"Please tell me who is their new leader? I know a few of their royals but I haven't heard from any of their kind in many years." He asked and I smiled.

"Their new queen is Vasilisa Dragomir." I stated and his eyes widened a little.

"Eric's daughter? But I thought that the Dragomir line died out." Aro said.

"Perhaps we should discuss this once we reach an agreement of little Renesmee's fate? That is a very long story." I said raising an eyebrow in question. Aro cleared his throat unnecessarily and got back to the topic. I looked back at Ness. "Ness would you like to come here and show Aro your gift?" She looked at both Bella and Edward before running towards me. I took her in my arms keeping my thoughts blocked. She placed her hand on his face and I saw the wonder in his eyes as she played out her birth and the events after.

"She is a remarkable child, but I do not believe that she is an immortal child." Aro said.

"Immortal child or not, we don't know what she will become or if she would cause exposure." Caius said.

"If I may Caius?" He nodded. "I have been watching her just as the others have for weeks. She has exceptional control just as Bella did when she awoke as an immortal. Her gift does not lie and I have never seen anything like her before, and believe me, I have seen some rather…unnatural and disturbing things." I was cut off by bigmouth Caius.

"What have you seen? You're what, eighteen?" I sighed hard and pulled the memories of court and Strigoi attacks, the Badica house, basically everything since I was about 14 and locked my other memories up tight and held my hand out to Aro. He looked pained as he saw some of the memories and when he released my hand he looked at his brothers.

"Caius, brother do not doubt her for she has seen more in the past few years than I would have thought possible." Aro said while I heard the little Jane girl snort in laughter. I whipped my head over in her direction. My sarcasm decided it was time to rear its ugly head at that moment.

"Is there a problem little girl? Don't you know to be quiet when the adults are talking?" I said smirking while the guard and surprising the three brothers laughed. Jane fumed and glared holes in me but I just smiled. "Looks like Bella isn't the only one immune to your childish attacks." I stated. Thankfully I wished for a physical and mental shield and had it over Ness who was still in my arms. I looked at Ness and whispered to her to go back to Jake and Bella. I turned and put her down. As she started for Bella and Jake I felt several pings in my shield. I turned around and Jane was trying to physically attack me. I glared towards her and lifted an annoyed look towards Aro.

"Jane, stop that now." Aro ordered. She slunk back into the ranks and I smiled. Aro turned to the Cullens in the field and spoke. "Carlisle my friend you have interesting friends." He stated.

"Yes indeed Aro, it seems so." Carlisle responded, both of them looking at me.

"I believe that he child isn't an immortal child and there will be no action taken today. You do understand Carlisle if she become a problem what we must do." Aro said sadly and Carlisle nodded. "Now that that is settled, I would like to speak to you about this Moroi ruler. I don't believe however that I caught your name my dear."

"Rosemarie Hathaway, but I prefer Rose." Their eyes widened minutely but I don't think they thought I had noticed.

"Yes well Rose, might we take this conversation to a more private location?" Aro asked and I nodded. I heard some of the others growl and I turned towards them.

"I'm fine guys, in fact I can take care of myself don't you think?" I said and they were silenced pretty quickly. "There is a small cabin just east of here that would be perfect for our little discussion, of course your audience might not exactly fit." I said with a questioning smirk. Aro merely smiled and told his little audience that they were free to go home. Aro hurried to get things accomplished and made a beeline towards the cabin for the little talk. Apparently, they were very genuine in their desire for knowledge especially when it comes to Moroi and they seemed to have a fondness for the Moroi. I hurried out to the cabin and I wasn't surprised to see they were already there. I was ushered in by the burly looking guard who smiled just slightly at me.

Jasper POV

Rose handled things in the clearing beautifully and I had a deep respect for her. The whole family loved her dearly and would do anything to see her happy. She had become an extension of our family. I knew that Edward was a little worried that Ness would be harmed while Rose held her, but she was fiercely protective of those she loved and cared for. After several minutes of badgering from the family, I followed her to the cabin and stood outside just far enough away to hear her story but not be detected. I couldn't believe some of the things I heard and I was astonished that she had survived so much. I listened to the questions and explanations, gaining an idea of why she had kept all these things from us. Not even with my past experiences with Maria and the Newborn wars had I heard such insane stories and the fact she survived it was equally unbelievable. After most of her explanations were over, she detected me and I made my way inside. I gave her as much comfort as I could but I could still see the pain in her eyes.