Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Chapter 12
Rose POV
"Well shit." I muttered. "Alchemists have kept it from the other humans but if they were to get wind of this it could cause a preverbal witch hunt for all immortals." I sighed. "Aro there is something else not related to this particular matter but it does concern you." I said.
"What is it my dear?" he asked warily.
"I won't say who gave me the information for their safety, but I was told by a very trusted source that you have a traitor in your midst."
"Are you certain Rose?" Aro asked.
"My source had absolutely never been wrong." I said and I heard him sigh on the other end of the line. I thought for a minute. What if the two thing are related? Caius has a known hatred for the children of the moon. Maybe the traitor is in league with them to cause exposure. "Aro, I just thought of something. What are the chances that a traitor would be in league with the werewolves somehow?" I asked.
"That is a valid point I suppose, although it would have to be someone who could bypass my gift." He mused. Another very important observation came to mind as I reviewed all the things that have been explained to me in relation to their gifts.
"Do you have someone there that can manipulate bonds Aro?" I asked.
"Yes, but Marcus would be able to see the bonds change with his gift." Aro defended, knowing where I was going with this.
"Aro this person could have been in place for centuries. If they showed strong bond to the Volturi through Marcus' gift, you wouldn't suspect them, thus bypassing your gift." I mentioned. He was silent for a moment.
"Perhaps you are correct in your assumptions. I will keep this to myself for now. In the meantime I will try and get to the root of the issue." He said. "You must pay us a visit soon my dear. My brothers and I would love to talk to you once again."
"I'll see what I can do Aro. I will let you know if there is anything else I can discover."
"Thank you my dear." He said and we ended the call. I looked up and Carlisle and Jasper were giving me strange looks.
"What's the matter you two?" I asked and they shook themselves from their stupor.
"Nothing Rose. It's just that you handled that beautifully and rather diplomatically. Never really figured you the type." Jasper said with a smirk and I rolled my eyes. I looked at Carlisle's phone still in my hand and I had a thought.
"Carlisle, do you care if I make another call or two real quick?"
"Go right ahead Rose." He said with a kind smile. I dialed the all too familiar number.
"Hello." Olena answered.
"Olena, I'm sorry to bother you but might I speak to Yeva for a minute. It is rather urgent." I said.
"Of course dear. Hold on a moment." She said and Yeva answered.
"Yeva, there is an issue in Italy and Lissa is to travel there. I want to know if it is safe for her to go there right now?" I asked.
"Yes it will be safe for her for now. Avoid the full moon. If you are there for the full moon, stay in the castle where she will be protected. The traitor is close to being discovered now and has no use for Vasilisa." She replied.
"Thank you Yeva. I hated to ask but I had to be sure about her safety." I said.
"Don't worry granddaughter. Everything will work itself out soon." She said and we said our goodbyes and I hung up the phone and placed a final call to my father.
"Mazur." He answered.
"Baba, where are you right now?" I asked.
"I happen to be close by in Seattle for some minor business ventures. Is something wrong?" He asked, concern evident in his voice.
"Nothing is wrong, I was wondering if we might be able to have a private chat in person as soon as you could manage." I said.
"Of course Kiz, I'm just wrapping up here and I could meet you as soon as this afternoon. I assume you are still with the Cullens?" he asked.
"Yes, and this afternoon is fine. Are Pavel and Sergei with you?" I asked.
"Yes Rose they are. Do I need them with me or is this a private matter?" He asked.
"That is for you to decide dad. If you trust them then so do I, but whatever they discover here is of course never to be spoken of to anyone. It had to be complete secrecy you understand of course." I said.
"Alright Rose I will see you soon." He said.
"Thanks dad." I said and we hung up. With my calls made, I handed the phone back to Carlisle.
I looked over at Jasper and Carlisle who still wore proud expressions on their faces and I was confused. What had I done that was all that special?
Aro POV
Since we had returned from Forks I have been confused with the outcome of the mission there. It was obvious that the child grows and is not an immortal child, but the discovery of Rose Hathaway was certainly unexpected. She was a strong young woman and had endured so much in her relatively short life. I admired her strength both physically and the strength of her character. I didn't know what to make of the girls as she explained all those events of her life. Even greater still was her power and she knew how to use it without gaining an ego to match. She was inquisitive, calculating and level headed for a girl her age.
The strangest part had to be when she explained her powers and the ability to phase. She was a beautiful young soul and equally beautiful in her wolf form. Her being Ibrahim's and Janine's daughter was also a major shock. I remember when he first met Janine and started to court her. He was head over heels for her, and it seemed that she mirrored that feeling, but why they didn't stay together I don't know.
Marcus had explained to me that the man in her stories as her mentor and lover had very strong bonds to her, and she to him. Marcus said they were the brightest and most pure that he had ever seen, brighter than his had been to my dear sister before her death. He had never seen bonds so strong as what they shared. I would like to meet the man that she deemed worth of practically moving heaven and earth to save from a worse fate than our own. I was broken from my musings when Gianna announced that there was a call coming in from Carlisle.
Carlisle soon handed off the phone to Rose and she began to explain that she had been made aware of some attacks nearby us. I must admit that their alchemists were good at concealing things from other humans and apparently our kind as well. Rose went of her ideas on the attacks and it made some sense, but I was appalled when we discussed the high possibilities that it was werewolves that had taken part in the attacks. Rose did find that the attack had in fact taken place during a full moon.
She also revealed that there was a traitor here in the Volturi and I was skeptical at first because of my own gift, but she did make some very valid points. I hated to think that Chelsea would have been able to cause such deceptions and I did wonder as Rose did whether she was in fact in league with the Children of the moon. I would have to discuss these things with my brothers soon, but I would keep this secret for now to avoid suspicions from the guard members who might be capable of such treachery. Rose ended the call soon after with a promise to see if there was more information she could gather.
Rose POV
"Well we need to reveal our findings on this attack, but I would like to wait until dad arrives. I only want to go through this once." I told Carlisle and Jasper. "Jasper, can you get Edward in here for a minute, I don't want him blurting things out once he reads our thoughts." Jasper nodded and returned with Edward quickly.
"What's the matter Rose?" Edward asked.
"Edward, I need for you to keep any thoughts on what was discussed in here to yourself for now. I will explain everything we have discussed when my dad arrives this afternoon. I don't want Lissa to go into a panic right now and I will need dad's opinions on the matter. So anything you hear regarding a traitor in the Volturi or children of the moon should not be spoken." I said and he didn't like it at all but he finally agreed.
We compiled the photos and the reports of the attack back into the file and entered the main room where everyone waited. I knew that they wanted an explanation but they would have to wait.
"I understand that you are all curious but I would like to get some opinions from my father before I clue everyone in. Jake, do you think that Billy would meet with me really quick? I need to cover all of my bases on this." I said
"Yeah I wouldn't see why not." Jake said and I nodded and turned to the others in the room.
"I'll be back real soon and I promise that when dad gets here everything will be explained." I told them and left the Cullen house headed towards La Push with Jake. I had never been to his home before and I wondered if he was like a normal teenager as long as the fur was recessed. It didn't take us long to get there and we entered the house to find Billy sat watching some sports channel. Jake announce he was home and Billy turned his chair to him.
"Dad you remember Rose. She has come to ask you something, although she has kept the rest of us in the dark for now." Jake said.
"Of course Rose, what can I do for you?" He asked smiling politely.
"This is going to sound really strange but I promise that there is a purpose for it. What do you know of the Children of the Moon?" I asked and he widened his eyes.
"They are vicious creatures and they lose all control during the dull moon. Why do you ask?" He said.
"There had been an attack in Italy that looks like their work. In the single attack, there were over 30 people killed and ripped apart. I need to know if this is a part of the immortal evil that I am supposed to rid the world of and I need to know how to fight them if that is the case." I said truthfully.
"It seems that you have accepted your destiny Rose and I am proud that you have. They are much harder to kill that the cold ones or the Strigoi that you know to kill. Silver works the best on them but I would suggest silver stakes and then decapitation to be absolutely sure. It is very easy to miss the mark and not fully pierce their heart." Didn't I know the truth of that statement.
"Would the silver have to be charmed like what we use for Strigoi with the four elements?" I asked. I wanted to have all the info before I went on a killing spree with the werewolves.
"It's not necessary, but I do not know what effect that would have on them." He stated.
"So they have to be pierced in the heart with silver." I mused. "Would silver bullets work?" I asked as an afterthought. He looked thoughtful for a moment and smiled.
"If you use enough silver then I suppose that would work." I smirked. "What did you have in mind?"
"My dad as you know is a kind of mobster of sorts. I may be able to fashion something that would be easy to use while having the same effect as staking them in the heart, so long as my aim is correct." I said and Jake and Billy both smiled widely.
"You may be onto something Rose, but I would talk to someone who might have firsthand experience with them. Maybe Carlisle knows someone." He said and I had the perfect person to ask just as long as Aro was able to keep him mildly calmed down. Thankfully Carlisle had given me Aro's contact information and I pulled out my phone which I had finally remembered to bring with me and dialed the number. A woman answered the phone and I assumed that it was the receptionist.
"My name is Rose and I need to speak to Aro Volturi please concerning a very important matter." I said.
"He did say that he would be expecting a call from you. Please hold for a moment." She said politely with a heavy Italian accent. Several minutes later I heard Aro speak over the phone.
"Rose, I must say I didn't expect a call from you again so soon. What can I do for you?" He asked.
"Aro, it has come to my attention after speaking with some of the shifters that the children of the moon are somewhat difficult to destroy. They suggested that I speak with someone who had personal knowledge fighting them. I am sure that you know where I am going with this and I need to speak with Caius on this matter since he seems to be the most familiar with the subject." I said.
"Indeed he is Rose. Hold on a moment and I will get him and Marcus both in my private office to discuss the matter. Don't worry my dear it is completely soundproof." He said and I waited for him to return to the phone, finally hearing Caius and Marcus in the background.
"We are all here Rose. You may begin." Aro said
"Okay Caius, Marcus, I am not sure if Aro informed you yet of our conversation earlier but I have been made aware that there was an attack near you and it appears to be the work of Werewolves." I said and I heard a feral growl over the line. "Calm down Caius. I know that you have some experience with them and I wanted to know the best way to kill them. I have talked to some of the shifters and devised a plan that could work, but I would like to hear your thoughts." I said and Caius spoke with a growl.
"They aren't easy to kill and it takes a certain amount of silver, charmed or uncharmed, to pierce the heart. Most decapitate them as well for good measure." He said.
"Does charmed silver have more of an effect?" I asked.
"I suppose it does since it increases the burn of the silver, why do you ask?" He said and I smiled widely.
"Well I plan to be ready for them in the event I come across their kind. I was thinking of fashioning a weapon with charmed silver bullets. So long as there is enough silver in them and the aim is correct it should do the trick right?" I asked and he was silent for a few seconds before he answered.
"It seems like a plausible plan and if that didn't work, fire works wonders as well. Again I would still decapitate for good measure." He said.
"Perfect. Aro will brief you both on what we discussed but I would advise to keep this between you three and include no one else for now. I have to go and meet Abe so I will see you all soon. Goodbye."
"Goodbye my dear and be safe." Aro said and I laughed a little but froze once the words sunk in. He sounded genuinely concerned. I hung up the phone and looked at Billy and Jake. Jake wore a shit-eating grin and Billy looked amazed.
"What I can be diplomatic and charming when I want to be." I said with a smirk and they both laughed. "Come on Mutt, we got to get back so I can meet my father." Jake nodded and we took off back to the Cullen house. As we approached the house I noticed an unfamiliar car in the drive, but Sergei was standing outside the door and smiled at me. I gave his a smile and nodded my thanks as he opened the door for me. I walked into the living room and they were all here waiting. The Denali's were sitting on the long couch while Lissa and Christian took the loveseat and Eddie stood close by against the wall with Dimitri. Mia sat on the floor with Adrian just in front of Lissa and Christian. The Cullens were standing in various spots around the room along with Peter and Charlotte. I didn't see dad anywhere and I started to ask when he came through from the Kitchen and smiled at me.
"Kiz, I brought you and your friends some dinner, well the ones that actually eat anyway." He laughed and I rolled my eyes. Jake hearing about food raced to the kitchen. "So what is it that was so important that I hear it in person?" He asked.
"Well I need to explain this to the others too since they are mostly as in the dark as you are." He nodded for me to continue. "Okay, some of you may remember how I asked to see the file on the attacks that took place in Italy since she would have to go there. I looked at everything in the file and it was too messy for either type of vampire. Newborns aren't even as vicious as the attack was. This left me with an idea and when I checked on the date of the attack, I was right. It was during the last full moon. That attack was covered closely by the alchemists but I believe it was in fact caused by the Children of the Moon." Gasps erupted through the room.
"Children of the Moon?" Eddie asked.
"Yes, more commonly known as werewolves." I stated and his eyes widened a little. "I contacted Aro and alerted him since the alchemists did such a good job at covering the scene. I also discussed this with Billy on the Reservation and he and Caius told me how to deal with them. I have an idea but I am not sure if it will work and that is where Abe comes in." I was about to continue when two voices shouted.
"No!" Abe and Dimitri yelled at the same time.
"Guys this is what I am supposed to do. As a guardian I already kill immortal evils so what is the difference?" I said.
"Roza werewolves are very dangerous and I won't allow you to seek them out and destroy them. If we encounter them we will deal with them but I won't allow you to put yourself in this type of danger." Dimitri said.
"Rose as your father I simply can't stand aside and allow you to do this." Abe said.
"You don't understand that this is what I was meant to do. I won't go in blind but I can't just let this slide. The reason I asked Abe here was to try and convince him to commission some type of weapons that I can use against them. They cannot stand silver similar to the Strigoi and based on what I have gathered this will work. You all know that I am capable of taking on vampires. Normally I would agree with you both that one person wouldn't be able to defend against them, but when had my life ever been normal." I said and although dad didn't like it he commissioned the weapons and I looked over to see Peter grinning from ear to ear. I rolled my eyes at him and went to the kitchen where I managed to get some of the food Abe brought before Jake ate it all. Peter came into the kitchen and smiled.
"Your plan will work Rose. I just KNOW it." He said emphasizing the word 'know' and I smiled at him.
"Well Lissa has to be in Italy in a few days so I just hope that everything gets done by that time." I said and Lissa came into the room with Christian and the others following close behind. They still weren't completely comfortable with the other vampires in the house. Dad had just left to get the weapons commissioned and the Cullens were out hunting. Jake finished stuffing his face and went to spend some time with Renesmee.
"Liss, when are they expecting us in Italy?" I asked.
In two days so we will have to leave here no later than tomorrow to get settled before heading to the meeting. Rose I don't like the idea of you going after these things but I have never doubted that you would keep me safe so if you are confident that this would work then I trust you." Lissa said and I smiled.
"Thanks Liss. Who is going with us?" I asked although I was certain that the others wanted to go too.
"We all are." She answered.
"Okay, I know that you guys are uncomfortable with the others in the house but they won't harm you guys and while we are there I will have to speak to the Volturi." I said. I had a sudden thought and ran to the computer to check when the next full moon would be. "Damn" I muttered. We would definitely be there during the full moon. I needed to speak to Aro again about staying at the castle. I didn't like it with the having a traitor in their midst but Yeva did tell me that we would be fine there. I called Aro and he assured me that the traitor had been taken care of and was no longer an issue. Apparently I was right in my thinking and the member they called Chelsea was the culprit. He was also thrilled at the idea of meeting Liss and the others. Just to be sure there wouldn't be any trouble, I asked Peter and Char to go with us as well. Jasper and Alice decided to go as well.
So we packed up what we needed and we left the Cullen house headed for Lissa's private jet. We stowed our bags and got ready for the jet to take off. Peter, Charlotte, Jasper and Alice were amazed at our usual form of travel and I just rolled my eyes at them. I curled into Dimitri, wanting to make the most of the time I spent with everyone from court but specifically him. Dad caught us before we took off and handed me a large case that contained the silver bullets I had requested and the gun. There was also a charmed silver blade in the case and he said I might find it useful for decapitation. We finally taxied down the runway on our way to Volterra Italy.