Chapter 13
As the Hamilton's were discussing strategy, the final 3 Cullen's were returning to England. As Carlisle, Esme and Edward entered the house it was approaching midnight. Carlisle spoke, "We do not have much time I am expecting them to come for us in the morning so let's get right down to business."
Rose and Emmett went first. Rose started, "We found most of the girls in the jungles of South America. It almost looked as if they were living in a rustic resort and it appears as if they have no idea the guards are werewolves. There were no blood farms and the girls we saw are not sex slaves; however we still were not able to figure out their purpose. I can't believe they will be allowed to leave alive so they must have some purpose to serve yet."
Emmett continued, "There have be disturbances in Romania and Siberia concerning the wolves and there have been sacrifices at Stonehenge. Even after they set up 24 hour guards the sacrifices have continued, the guards have been knocked out. The most interesting thing about the whole trip was the response we got from covens and nomads we met. Everyone we met had heard about the investigation and while they expressed sympathy, coming from most of them it was not even close to sincere. Wouldn't you agree Rose?"
"I do agree it was given in a way to say 'you are finally getting your comeuppance', it was the weirdest feeling." Rose continued, "Also, at times it felt as if someone was following us, although we couldn't catch them at it and when we returned to this house it had definitely been searched. They didn't really try to hide that fact that they did it."
That seemed to surprise everyone. "Who would do that?" asked Esme. "At this point that doesn't matter." stated Carlisle. "Be it the Guardians or the people framing Emmett, we have nothing to hide so there was nothing to find. When we are done here though I do suggest that we go through and make sure nothing was planted to incriminate us. Jasper, tell us what you and Alice found?"
"At each place we went there were traces of Emmett, just Emmett. Which is odd in itself but the scent was off somehow, almost as if it was stale. Also, the only places we could find his scent was where the girls were taken or had been. There was no random place it was found. It is as if he knew ahead of time, without scouting, exactly where the girls would be and to anyone with a brain that should scream planted evidence. There were other scents also, werewolf and something I couldn't recognize. You were right about New Orleans Carlisle; we ended up being run out by a Voodoo Priestess and were lucky to get out relatively unscathed." Jasper explained.
That comment had everyone raising an eyebrow but Jasper knew if he explained that story Alice would be dressing him in just pink for decades. He simply continued, "You were also right about looking into the types of girl taken. One college it was just athletes, another was molecular biology, girls studying tropical medicine, animal and plant biology, biochemistry and the girls from the prep schools are all virgins."
That last statement got everyone's attention, Carlisle spoke, "The biologist and what they could do concerns me. Are they trying to mix animal and plant DNA or human and animal DNA? And why the virgins to have a so-called 'pure blood' race? We will bring this up with the Guardians and let them sort out what it means. Now let's talk about Italy…" Jasper interrupted, "Before you get to that Carlisle I need to say I know for a fact Alice and I were followed. Alice could never see them clearly and when they would get to close her visions disappeared altogether. Except in New Orleans, there I got the feeling we were the ones operating behind them. Whatever they are they were accepted there."
"OK" Carlisle started, "Edward did you get the sense we were being followed because I did not." "No" Edward said, "I didn't sense anyone paying us attention until we arrived in Volterra. After that, yes I would say we garnered a lot of attention." Carlisle chuckled, "I know we did. Now about our trip."
"When we arrived we were greeted by the brothers and they are very surprised and bewildered by the charges. They also offered to help us in any way possible and that invitation did not come from many of the vampires there. I understand what you mean about the way people react to this situation. I was shocked by the way some of the ones I would consider friends reacted. Edward said he sensed almost glee in their thoughts, correct?" Edward nodded, "Yes, They aren't happy about the attention being brought on vampires but they do feel we are getting what we deserve for our freaky diet and thinking we are better than other vampires. The saying it couldn't happen to a nicer coven was going through most of their minds and not in a sincere way either."
"With that being said, we can't count on help from many in the vampire community" Carlisle spoke again. "I relayed my conversation with the Keeper and Overseer to the brothers, their memories of them have been affected also but not to the degree of mine. I asked about the oldest documents and histories and was given full access to the Volturi library. It is very extensive. As we started looking we found references to them immediately, disputes they had settled and wars they won or help win. Some of this predates the brothers, which puts them at much older than Gabriel said. I can't imagine he would lie about something like that but it is one more question to ask."
"Working backward thru history, in the 13th century they are mentioned along with Dante, Francis of Assisi and Marco Polo. In the 12th it is with Genghis Kahn, the Inca's, King Henry V and the Knights Templar. The 10th century, King Otto being crowned Holy Roman Emperor and England conquering Scotland for the first time and in the 5th century they are with King Arthur and St. Patrick. The First Century there is Claudius, Pompeii and the Christian persecution in Rome. Now we are entering into BC time period, in the
First Century it is Spartacus and King Herod, in the 3rd there is Carthage and the Iron Age. In the 10th century they are mentioned with the Ark of the Covenant, King David and King Solomon. The earliest there is a clear mention of them in the 13th century BC with Queen Nefertiti and the God Aten. Further back than this is either no language or cave drawings making no sense to any one."
"Also it is odd that going forward from the 13th century AD the references are very vague and hard to pin down to them. We did find one very interesting piece of information, it is in the most ancient of languages and credit is given to a fae seer. It is a prophecy." Carlisle read the prophecy: In a time of great upheaval
When the veil between worlds is crumbling
One will be born to rebuild the walls and restore the balance.
She will be the Keeper
She will come from the most ancient of bloodlines
A mix – vampire, lycan, fae, druid and berserker
With her mate (the Overseer) order and peace will prevail.
Her fate is set – her mate is not
A choice to be made –
Some she will reject – some will reject her
One will reject and regret -- one will be chosen
She will be born of humans and much more than she appears
The process begins on her 18th birthday but
She has always been special if one looks closely enough
The one who sees wins her love and conquers all.
"The note with the prophecy says that a copy was given to each of the clans so they could know she was coming" Carlisle continued. "The brothers had never heard of the prophecy. But given how they came to power, why would the Romanians tell them about it. We have to go on the assumption the other clans know about it, since she didn't choose one of them then we would make the perfect target to discredit her if they know about human Bella and Edward. There are more people involved and against us then we think, that is what we needed to find on our own."
Alice was the first to speak, "Edward is the one who rejected her and regrets it. Those years we thought she was searching for him, she was searching for her mate and didn't look for Edward because he had already been given his chance. Why didn't I see anything or any of us sense something from her about this?"
Edward spoke then, "The prophecy says it begins on her 18th birthday, my guess is had things been different we would have found out very soon about all of it. It explains some of the things she said in her sleep though. She would sleep fitfully and speak of vampires, fairies and werewolves. I thought she was just working things out in her mind and she never remembered them clearly in the morning."
He continued angrily, "If I had known this it would have changed so many things. I saw her clearly. She would be MINE now, not his."
"Edward, STOP THIS," shouted Carlisle. "We discussed this on the plane, she is not yours and even knowing about the prophecy it would not have changed any thing. I will not allow you to cause problems. You MUST get yourself under control before you see her."
A knocked at the door caused everyone to be quiet. "Is it time already?" questioned Esme. The door opened as the 4 highlanders entered. Michael spoke, "Actually we were going to give you a few more hours but with the turn the conversation was taking I felt it was necessary to alert you to our presence. You will not be allowed to cause problems Mr. Cullen," he stated looking at Edward. "I suggest your take that warning to heart, it is the only one we will give you." Looking at the entire group Michael said, "Gather your things we will wait by the cars."
As the Cullen's approached the cars they noticed Michael on the phone and the green eyed one from the first visit spoke to them. "I am Leif, my brothers are Michael on the phone, Keldan with the topaz eyes and Haldor with hazel eyes. We will be your escort to Hamilton Castle, we will not be stopping along the way. Everyone but Emmett may choose which car to ride in. Emmett needs to ride in my car since his mark is gone I can safely get him pass the wards."
As Michael shut his phone he turned to the group, "There have been some incidents in the last few days. We need to get home and the Cullen's to safety quickly. Everyone into a car and I will explain on the way." Emmett, Rosalie, Carlisle and Esme rode in one car with Leif and Haldor. Alice, Jasper and Edward slid into the car with Michael and Keldan, as soon as the doors shut they sped off.
They drove in silence until mid-afternoon when the phone rang in Leif's car. It was Michael and on speakerphone he gave a general run down of what had been happening at the castle and the need to strengthen the wards. The Cullen's (in both cars) knew it was not good when the escort visibly tensed and had no idea what to think when the highlander's swords seemed to appear out of nowhere in between the front seats of the cars. Near Drumberg Carlisle noticed Leif reach back and take Emmett's hand as he said the same words as before and then the shimmer passed thru the car.
Leif and Michael explained the situation to their passengers. "After we pass thru the gates they need to strengthen the protection around the castle. The cars will continue to the castle, do not be alarmed by anything you see it will all be explained later. You will immediately go into the castle where your tattoos will be checked and reapplied if necessary. You will then be escorted to your suite of rooms. You must remain in the suite until someone comes for you. Do you understand? Everyone nodded they did.
When the car turned into the castle drive the wind picked up. Michael turned to Keldan and said, "It's starting." As the castle came into view Edward looked at the woman walking the wall above the gate. She was all he saw, the wind was causing her hair to whip around her face but he would know her anywhere, she was beautiful and all of the emotions he had been holding at bay came back.
Jasper doubled over in pain. Alice turned to Edward and said, "Don't do anything stupid." As the car raced on to the castle every fiber in Edward's body said MINE and he wanted to jump from the car and claim her as his mate. What he said as he turned to Alice was, "I have to get her back Alice, she is my life."
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or its characters.
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