While the Guardians were out gathering information Isabelle was in the suite forming a strategy for the actual meeting. She received a text from Michael, the wolves in Romania were no longer a threat and they were on their way to Nevada. She had picked up some thoughts from Gabriel and he was worried. He was keeping the specifics from her but she was sure it had to do with the numbers they would be up against. She sent messages to Michael & Leif to not come to the mansion but to find their father and help him once they landed.
She glanced at the cuff on her right wrist and it was starting to darken. Someone had found something and it was not good. Her phone beeped, Ingram & Keldan were on their way from New Orleans. There had been problems but the situation was handled and she replied back to them to find Gabriel upon landing in Vegas. She was just standing to find the girls when Kate walked in with the Edward, Jasper & Alice. She could tell by the looks on their faces things were not as good as they had hoped. Isabelle sent messages to the rest of the Guardians to return to the suite, the meeting would be starting in one hour.
Once everyone had assembled Kate explain what they had found surrounding the mansion and the order that the different clans would be attacked. "Did you do the circle and give them the blood?" Isabelle asked. "Yes I did." Kate answered. "Gabriel was shocked but it is the best chance we can give them until some of us can go help. I don't think they will need it until the Druids. They should be able to handle the other two without a problem." "Well the rest of the boys are on their way. Ingram & Keldan may get here in time to help. I do not think the others will arrive until the fighting is underway." Isabelle responded.
"Elisabeth, were you able to get anything from the Volturi about the Romanians?" Isabelle questioned. "Aro said it had been taken care of. I did see Vladimir in the halls and he had 3 other vampires with him. According to Aro the most anyone has seen him with is 5, so they should be easy to pick off. The Volturi want to do that personally. Aro plans on having some of his guards close to them at all times so when it starts they will immediately deal with them." Elisabeth answered. "Good. Then we don't have to worry about the vampires, they will take care of themselves. Catherine, what about the Lycans? Kate said the group outside the mansion is Russian. Is there any reason to believe Jean-Luc is in on it as well?"
"No, as far as I can tell it is just the Russians. Nikolas has brought as many lycans inside as he is allowed - 25. He plans on having 6 inside the council chamber with him. Again the max number he is allowed. I did pick up on whisperings of the secret tunnels. I am guessing that is how he plans on bringing more in and the wolves of course." Catherine answered. "Judging by our welcoming committee there is no reason to approach Gregory." Isabelle started. "He is not going to believe anything we say so we say nothing and hope he doesn't get involved when the fighting starts. Besides he only has his normal guard of 7 with him. Ruth, Heidi, tell me what you could get from the Druids?"
Heidi answered, "Thomas is feeling very proud and full of himself. He has also brought in the maximum allowed at 25 will be taking 6 into the chamber with him. On one hand it is hard to believe that he truly thinks we are unable to figure everything out but on the other I think they are getting their attitude from the Brude's who have always had a low opinion of women. They also plan on using the tunnels to get more people in the mansion." Isabelle thought for a moment, "On some level they think we have solved some of the puzzle. Magic is humming in the air and I assume they have put some sort of protection on their clan, to bad it won't save them. Jillian, were you able to..."
Isabelle stopped with a gasp and grabbed her right shoulder, "Gabriel!" she almost whispered. "It is starting, they are fighting the vampires. We must leave soon for the meeting. Jillian what did you find out?" "The lesser clans have sensed that something is happening. Only an idiot wouldn't feel the tension in the air but from what I heard being discussed they plan on stepping back and just observing what will happen." Jillian continued, "When the fighting starts in the chamber I believe they will step aside and not enter into it." "Good. That is very good and less to worry about." Isabelle's head snapped to look at Kate, "Did you feel that?" Kate nodded her yes. "Ingram & Keldan are close. They will be able to help with the wolves and druids." Isabelle continued, "Now we don't have much time before they come for us and I need to tell you what will happen in the meeting."
"It is important that everyone remain calm no matter what filth spews out of their mouths. Believe me they need to discredit all of us for their plan to work, do not fall into their trap. First the charges will be read and then they will ask about the investigation. When it becomes clear that we are not going to find the Cullen's guilty is when I expect the triggers to be said. The trigger for all of you on this matter is the same, it is awaken. It has to be spoken aloud so when you hear it, the attack is 30-60 seconds from happening depending on how quickly they react. Be prepared for it. We will all wear weapons into the council chamber but they will not be visible to anyone. The spell is set up so that they become visible when your hand wraps around the hilt. You will be able to feel the weight of them and know they are there. Once they strike the Cullen's go after the wolves and druids, as will Heidi, Ruth and Jillian. The rest of us will go after the Lycans first since we know which ones are a part of Nikolas's group. After they are gone we will help with the others. However, if you are attacked by any of them defend yourself, regardless of the clan they belong to. I can not stress enough, you must be fast and mercy is not an option. We are outnumbered and the number 1 goal is to survive. No mercy and no prisoners." With that said they went to claim their weapons and wait for the summons.
As Isabelle was explaining things inside the mansion, the Executioners and the Denali's made their way west toward the Romanians. When they reached the camp Gabriel counted 60 of them. Once they had circled the camp so that none would escape he gave the order to attack. Things almost went very wrong in the beginning. The Denali's paused in their attack when they saw Gabriel, Soren and Haldor actually grow from the rage of berserkergang. They recovered quickly when Irina almost had an arm torn off and decided to ask their questions later. The only other injury came when Gabriel was fighting two vampires and Vladimir attacked from behind, he managed to sink his teeth into Gabriel's right should before he could be shaken off. Gabriel heard Isabelle whisper his name in his mind and that was all it took for him to refocus and kill Vladimir.
As they were burning the bodies Tanya approached Gabriel, "What exactly are the 3 of you?" "How much did Carlisle tell you when he asked for help?" Gabriel countered. "Just that they had been charged unfairly, the Guardians were investigating and they had to face the Council." Tanya responded. Gabriel laughed, "I see he kept it pretty vague. We are at least part berserker."
"Odin's chosen warriors?" Tanya asked in awe. Gabriel nodded as he collected more body parts. Tanya swayed her hips as she approached him, "I have never actually met one before. I bet you have a lot of stamina." As she ran her hand up his back he turned and pushed her away in a move so fast she couldn't see it. "I should warn you I am happily mated and have been for close to 3,000 years. My wife is a very jealous woman and does not take well to females touching me. If you want to keep your head attached to your body I do not suggest you try that again. My sons are also married so I don't think you should try anything with them either. Trust me you will regret it. Thorne stay here and make sure nothing is going to escape the fire then meet up with us at the lycan camp. The rest of you we head north to the lycans."
They had reached the lycan camp and were waiting for Thorne to arrive when Tanya decided to tempt fate and try again. "You know your wife would never have to know." With that statement Gabriel and his sons started laughing, "You obviously have no idea who my wife is or the connection we share. Trust me not only would she know but she probably has already sensed that you are hitting on me and you will have to answer to her for that. Trust me Tanya quit while you still have your head."
"But I still don't see how..." Tanya started speaking when she suddenly felt teeth at her neck and her arms where pinned behind her back. "Then allow me to explain exactly who I am to you." Tanya was spun around and looking into the eyes of a very pissed Keeper. "Have you ever heard of the Keeper and the Overseer?" Tanya nodded her head with her eyes wide. "I am the Keeper and that is my mate you are trying to seduce, the Overseer. This is not the time for your slutty ways Tanya and I will deal with you when this is over. I think a few days in the dungeons should teach you a lesson. Gabriel was right I did sense this and he would have told me anyway. Know this for each time you try again or touch him I will add time to your punishment. Do not push me on this I have no patience with women like you and I am not known for leniency." Isabelle said to a stunned Tanya. Isabella pushed her away and went to Gabriel, "I only have a few seconds, has your shoulder healed?" "Yes, it has. I love you and be safe." he said hugging her to him. "Be safe and I love you. Come back to me." she said right before she disappeared.
Before Tanya could speak again Thorne sifted in causing her to jump saying, "The vampires are done. Ingram and Keldan are close too." When they arrived Gabriel said, "Remember the lycans will be harder to kill so use your weapons instead of hand to hand combat. The wolves should be easy, even though it is a full moon cycle it is not nighttime. Once again - no mercy." With those instructions they fanned out to enclose the lycan camp and attacked. The berserkers went immediately for the lycans as they would be more evenly matched against them than the vampires. The wolves were easily disposed of but not without some injuries. Kate Denali had received a bite on her thigh but due to the blood and spell Kate Hamilton had done it would take her a couple of hours to recover but she would live. The lycans were harder to kill and the Hamilton's were fighting them 2 at a time. Gabriel had just beheaded Peter, the lycan second in command, when he saw Haldor take a claw swipe to the chest and the cuts were deep. One of them had touched his heart; he needed medical attention that couldn't be provided in the field. Soren stepped in and dismembered the lycan while he was still alive, death would not be easy for him they would leave him to bleed out before burning him. Gabriel called, "Thorne quickly sift Haldor directly to the medical suites at the castle so he can be treated and return immediately." Thorne quickly did as he was told and was back in less than a minute.
The bonfire had been built and they were collecting the bodies when Gabriel suddenly stopped and appeared to be listening to something. "The meeting has started and the druids are on their way to the mansion. Your brothers have landed and we will meet up with them at the mansion. We will be fighting our way in while your mother and the others fight their way out. Let's move out, we head east." With that order they took off running east and hopefully to the final battle.
Back in the Guardian suite of the mansion everyone had claimed their weapons and was ready to go when suddenly Isabelle stood up saying, "that bitch has no idea who she is messing with." She turned to the girls and said, "I will be right back do not leave without me." and then she disappeared. The Cullen's looked confused. "Where did she just go?" Kate answered, "She sifted, I am guessing to wherever Gabriel is. I think one of the Denali women has overstepped her bounds." Carlisle frowned, "Tanya." he said like a curse. Kate laughed, "That would be my guess but for Isabelle to actually go there she must have tried more than once and been warned about the consequences. It shouldn't take her long to sort it out." the words had no sooner left her mouth and Isabelle appeared again. Turning to Catherine she said, "Tanya Denali will be accompanying us back to the castle and spending a few days in the dungeon. I would like you to personally oversee her stay there and it shouldn't be pleasant. She needs to learn a lesson, fucking succubus."
There was a knock on the door before it swung open "They are ready for you" said the lycan. "Here we go" Isabelle said as she led the procession out to the Council Chamber. The Chamber was full. The Council was on the dais with their guards behind them and standing around the other walls 4 people deep were the lesser clan council members and their guards. The tension in the room was almost unbearable. Thomas spoke first calling the Cullen's forth and explaining the charges that had been brought against them. When the charges were read there was a gasp that brought silence to the room. Everyone knew if found guilty death was the punishment and it would be carried out immediately.
Gregory called Isabelle forward to explain the findings of the investigation. "We have investigated the Cullen's thoroughly, from their human time to the present day. We have looked into them individually and as a coven. With the evidence we have collected I can say without a doubt that the Cullen's are innocent and we have proof that they were specifically framed for this crime." As she finished speaking in the stillness of the room "awaken" was whispered as Thomas stood to speak again Isabelle switched her cuff from her right wrist to her left and the stone was black. "Why am I not surprised that you found them innocent? Should we tell everyone about the relationship you had with them as a human or more to the point with Edward? Or maybe we should just ask Emmett if he committed these crimes? So did you Emmett?"
"No, some of the places I have not even been to. It was not me" Emmett answered in a strong voice.
As Thomas stood to speak again Isabelle said, "Perhaps we should tell them the story of how you, Thomas, tried to frame the Cullen's in your plot to take over the Council and release the Brude's. Let's talk about that."
"Attack!!" Thomas yelled and then all hell broke loose. The druids and lycans were surprised to hear the attack order; the Hamilton's & Cullen's were not. Isabelle immediately unsheathed her sword and beheaded Thomas and Nikolas. Jasper & Emmett took care of most of the druids in the room, the Volturi took care of the Romanians, the Guardians had the lycans and the rest of the Cullen's moved to the hallway to prevent more creatures from coming in through the secret passages.
Once the Druids in the passages realized what was happening in the mansion they turned to retreat out of the tunnels and ran right into the Denali's and Executioners. The creatures left to eliminate were trapped and they knew it. As soon as Kate & Mary stepped from the tunnel into the field they yelled "Brudes! Four of them." Isabelle spotted them at the same time the males realized Brude women were not extinct - the last 2 were actually Hamilton's.
"Thorne" Isabelle called, "the sword. Protect Kate & Mary, take them home." Thorne sifted and drew the Sword of Light at the same time. He appeared in front of Kate & Mary as they were about to be grabbed and swinging the sword cut down the 2 Brudes, grabbed onto the girls and sifted to the dance by Hamilton Castle.
Leif & Ingram seeing their mates made vulnerable by one of only 2 things that could easily kill them broke ranks to protect them. The 2 remaining Brudes decide to retreat to the underworld upon seeing the Sword of Light. They needed to regroup and they needed a bargaining chip. Not caring who they were taking they said the spell to open a port to the underworld, grabbed the Executioner nearest to them and vanished with the remaining druids and hybrids.
As soon as the port closed Isabelle fell to her knees screaming with pain "Gabriel!"
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or its characters.
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