Oo... the climax is coming!

Italy

They managed to get a red eye flight out for everyone which was as good as anyone could've hoped for. Less than 24 hours later, they stepped into a large hotel suite. Seth had barely been able to sleep on the plane and was utterly exhausted but he came to Italy with an agenda and wasn't about to miss any plans being made about getting Sage back.

"If we walk into Volterra with our numbers, they'll see it as an offense," Carlisle discussed.

"I'll go," Bella volunteered. "There isn't any reason we should give Aro a reason to find Sage if he hasn't already."

"I'm going with you," Edward insisted.

"Edward, if he touches, you.." Bella began to protest.

"You will shield me and we'll simply explain that we prefer to offer our thoughts when we choose to. But don't ask me to wait for you to return from Volterra, my love. I will never forgive myself for having you set foot in that place once already.

"I wanna come too," Seth spoke up. Even as he said it, he knew they'd object.

"I'm afraid there'd be no friendly approach if you were to come, Seth," Carlisle said. "We will need to meet them amicably if we're going to find out where Sage is."

"In that case, Carlisle, you should go to insure that, since your last meeting with Aro didn't seem to end on an amiable note," Jasper pointed out.

"He'll ask about me too," Renesmee pointed out. Jacob and Edward objected to Renesmee's involvement, but in the end it seemed the best way to create a non-threatening atmosphere when approaching the Volturi. It was already well after midnight, so they decided to leave as soon as possible to make the most of their time there, as well as get Renesmee back before she got too tired.

Felix led the four Cullens through the hallway and into the intimidating, yet mostly vacant room through the heavy double doors. Renesmee drew in a breath and almost held it when her eyes fell on the vampire who had only slightly decided her fate so many years ago. Bella shuddered at the sight of the room, seeing it for the first time since becoming immortal. Aro was in conversation with Marcus with Jane, Alec, and Chelsea not too far away. Caius, though usually found with the other two, was not present.

"Carlisle," Aro exclaimed quiet as he approached them. "Not to worry, my friends," he addressed those around him. "There is no enmity here." He extended his hand, which Carlisle took under Bella's shield.

"Aro," Carlisle greeted with a polite smile.

"It has been too long, my friend," Aro said smiling, noting Bella's shield. Carlisle simply nodded in reply. "My dear, Bella," he said looking past Carlisle. "My memory has failed me of your beauty." He turned to her husband.

"Edward, you have a most beautiful family." Edward nodded and gave a smile similar to Carlisle's. "Renesmee, my you have blossomed. I am most pleased things have turned out they way they have." He took her hand before gently kissing it. "I trust you have kept your family out of misfortune. It is so very good to see you under much better circumstances." Renesmee nodded, noting that Aro was still holding her hand. Edward heard her thoughts.

"Actually, Aro," Edward cut in, giving Renesmee a chance to take back her hand. "We are looking for a certain immortal, a hybrid like my daughter. Her name is Sage." Renesmee raised her hand to show Aro Sage's face, still protected by Bella so that only that was disclosed. "She had been under our care, but abruptly left our home. We have reason to believe that she has been taken against her will."

"I'm afraid, my friends, that I know of no such creature. And it has been some time since we have had need for our own conquests."

"Aro," Carlisle started, "nine years ago, you expressed interest in finding Joham, Nahuel's father. Did you ever?"

"Fascinating man, he is," Aro answered. "An incubus, yet also a scientist. Of course we couldn't allow his research to lead to knowledge of our existence, such waste."

"What of his daughters?"

"There only two that I found, both living with him. Nothing of interest to me, however sweet-smelling they were." Renesmee's face looked at her father, but it was clear that he wasn't discovering anything of use.

"I apologize that I am not more helpful. Carlisle, I do hope my honesty has repaid my debt for our wrong against you."

"If your word is true, then so is our friendship," Carlisle said shaking Aro's hand again.

"What about Demetri?" Bella brought up. "Would he be able to help us find her?"

"Unfortunately, my dear, Demetri has taken a short leave to find his brother." He looked somewhat apologetic before recovering himself. "I do hope you intend to stay close. It has been too long."

"We appreciate your time, and that is all we can ask of you," Edward answered. "But we should take our daughter back to get some rest."

"Of course, I did not realize how human she is. Do not stay away long. You are always welcome here." He shook and kissed their hands and sent their Cullens on their way back to the hotel.

"They don't know where she is," Edward reported back at the hotel. "At least not the ones we encountered."

"What about anyone you didn't meet?" Rosalie questioned.

"Demetri wasn't there," Bella said.

"Or Caius," Renesmee said. She remembered him all too well.

"Either way, I can see the Volturi now, so she's not there," Alice said after another attempt.

"Yet," Seth added.

"They disappear after two days." Seth looked up at to see Rosalie's glamorous face distorted with worry with Emmett holding her waist and shoulders close to him. Two days, he hoped Two days, I'll see her again.

Renesmee had her own room and Seth and Jacob shared another while everyone else stayed in the living room of the suite. The weather, of course, was bright and sunny as it is in the summer. During the day, Jacob and Renesmee managed to drag Seth out to keep him from going crazy for the next two days.

After twilight, everyone spread out to explore a little bit of Italy. Edward, Renesmee Jacob, and Seth found an outdoor market-type tourist spot where people were selling books, music, clothes, and sunglasses. Seth tried to distract himself from the pain of waiting. He didn't notice Edward stiffen up before slowly approaching him.

"Seth, do not move and do not react, do you understand me?" Edward ordered discreetly in his ear. Shock, confused, and a little defensive, Seth simply nodded his head and watched Edward lead Resnemee away, yet lingered near.

Sage barely knew where she was or figured out what was happening before she blacked out and woke up with the same feeling. She occasionally heard conversation, but nothing made much sense. She finally figured out who was causing her blackouts, but she wasn't able to mimic the gift; she didn't understand what it did exactly. Her captors often left her conscious when they weren't planning. Now, she found herself outside at night somewhere in the middle of Italy in a very crowded tourist marketplace. At first she thought the familiar voices she heard were a manifestation of her greatest desires, but she realized that she was hearing her family's thoughts. She composed her face to not give away her plan.

Edward! Can you hear me? Please! she thought.

Sage? Edward responded.

Please don't react. Act like nothing is happening.

Where are you?

Not far. Seth. I need to speak with him.

I'll warn him.

Please stay within range with Renesmee so I can talk to him.

She pretended to be interested in the market things. She looked up and saw him. She saw his confused look after Edward spoke with him and hoped she'd have her chance before they discovered her and blacked her out. Her beloved stood meters from her and she couldn't embrace him like she wanted to. She prayed that her watcher wouldn't distinguish the pounding of her heart from the others. Edward left his side and pulled Renesmee away. She casually wandered over to grab a book on the table. Renesmee only touched people's faces to communicate to them. Sage would never get away with that. She hoped with her heart and soul that Renesmee's gift was more developed than she realized.

Seth thought his mind was tricking him when breathed in her scent. Whether out of obedience or shock, Seth didn't move when he felt her arm casually lean against his as she grabbed a book and pretended to flip through the pages.

Seth?

Sage?

Please don't move. They're watching me.

Who? The Volturi?

I don't know, but I've heard that word before when they talk. Seth wanted to ask her so many questions, but he couldn't utter a single word. Sage tried to answer as many as she could and any other information she could give about her captors, from the vision of Renesmee to being found on the beach and the flashes of conversation.

They're preparing some kind of army. They destroy small covens and recruit vampires. She shifted her position and grabbed another photography book.

I miss you... so much.

I miss you too. Sage closed her eyes to force the tears back.

I will find you. I'll bring you home.

I'm sorry, my love, but I'm sure my story ends here. I'm sorry for what I've put you through.

Sage -

You must stay alive Seth. No matter what happens, promise me that you will be okay.

I promise.

I love - Sage's skin broke contact with his and her face went completely blank, as if all emotion fled her soul. She turned her back on him and marched off. Edward was in front of him in a flash and with some effort pulled him away and they all headed back to the hotel. Seth was growling and shaking, holding back something fierce.

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