Betrayal

"She was right there," Seth muttered when they flew into the suite where everyone was. "She was touching me; I could've just grabbed her and ran..."

"What happened?" Rosalie asked.

"Sage is here. She talked to Seth," Edward explained. Everyone's faced melted into shock. "She's being controlled by someone."

"Controlled?" Esme gasped. Edward nodded.

"She doesn't remember anything when they take over; she wasn't even aware what was happening until she heard their thoughts while talking to Seth tonight before the vampire blacked her out."

"Do we know who?" Carlisle asked.

"I only recognized Demetri among those she had seen."

"And Demetri just happened to not be there we we showed up," Renesmee reminded everyone.

"Could Caius be doing his own recruiting?" Bella suggested.

"Sage did say whoever she was with was building an army and recruiting from small covens."

"Sounds very much like what the Volturi would do," Carlisle added.

"Caius, isn't he the one so bent on killing Renesmee? Even killed one of your cousins to make us make a move," Jacob asked.

"He wouldn't turn on Aro like that, would he?" Bella asked.

"There relationship is not of kin," Edward answered. "If Caius had reason for mutiny, there is nothing to stop himself but his own will."

"But could he keep something like that from Aro?" Alice brought up.

"Only by refusing to touch him," Carlisle said.

"Not to ruin your Sherlock Holmes moment," Emmett spoke up, "but exactly how are we getting Sage back?"

"It seems our only lead is Alice's vision, or lack thereof, tomorrow night," Carlisle answered after a moment's thought. "If Sage is the one making the visions disappear, we'll get her. If not, we can at least warn Aro of our suspicions."

"So we're fighting for the Volturi?" Jacob asked disgusted. Everyone was quiet. They weren't prepared for a fight.

"If Caius is left to rule the Volturi, he will take and destroy what he wants. Aro was always the more level-headed of the group."

"We should go ahead early then if there is anything to warn Aro about," Edward said.

"We'll all have to go," Alice said. Edward started to object but Alice already said his argument. "If it's only a few of us, especially Edward or Carlisle, he'll think we're trying to turn the Volturi against itself, even if we don't think we are. We'll need everyone to go so he'll know we're backing up this warning and not plotting against him." Edward threw her an almost hateful look. "We should be able to give the message and get everyone out who shouldn't be there," she added. Edward wasn't happy, but there was little he could do about it.

Felix stared at the visitors with a suspicious gaze, but said nothing as he escorted them through Volterra where they had requested a private audience with Aro. Jane was quick to join them, no doubt under Felix's uncharacteristic feeling of intimidation. Alec waited outside of the main room where Aro was, also prepared.

"My dear friends," Aro welcomed them genuinely. "I am glad you have not stayed away long, and am most curious of your choice of company." Aro stared at the tall half naked men, whom Carlisle had to insist that Jacob and Seth appear in their human form in order to tag along.

"I wish that we'd come under better circumstances, but I'm afraid that we have something of importance to discuss with you in private," Carlisle said. Aro's protective guards hissed and growled, but simply Aro simply lifted a finger to silence them.

"I'm sure if it is as important as you say, you'd be able to share in the presence of my comrades." Edward extended his hand, Jane standing close behind him with a slight curl at her lips. Aro approached Edward, smiling and took his hand. He stared into Edward's eyes as he absorbed the information.

"It is all right, my friends, they mean no harm. Perhaps, Carlisle, you would like to take a walk?"

"I would enjoy that very much," he replied. The two left the others in the room and walked out. Bella gave Edward a worried look.

"It'll be okay," he said, taking Bella's hand. Alec made no attempt to hide his distaste for the wolf's smell and the others backed away from them as well. Jane gave Resnesmee a cryptic smile, reminding Bella to throw out her shield, just in case.

"I am grateful for your concern though I don't find any need for your suspicions," Aro said while walking with Carlisle through an elaborately decorated hallway. "It is true that Caius and I rarely agree in what action to take in extreme situations, but he is hardly a traitor."

"You're right that we have little to back up our theory and we mean no treason to turn the Volturi against itself. We only wished to retrieve our family if there was a chance she would be here."

"You are more than welcome to stay in Volterra to see for yourself that she will not come. But I advise you that you discuss your opinions inwardly. These walls have more ears than most."

"What do you see, Alice?" Rosalie demanded. The vampires didn't move from their original spots in the center of the room, while the wolves grew restless and took a spot on the cold floor against the wall. Renesmee was sitting beside Jacob, leaning on his strong arm. Alice was getting frustrated with herself and kept recalling the vision in vain.

"Uh! What am I not seeing?" she exclaimed rubbing her temples. Jasper rubbed the small of her back. "You three!" Alice cried pointing at the group on the floor who looked up in surprise. "Go sit in the corner!"

"I thought you said this was far enough, Aunt Alice!" Renesmee whined. Jacob quickly covered her mouth and scrambled himself and the others to the corner, giving Alice a grimace to counter her murderous look. Aro and Carlisle finally rejoined them.

"I trust that you have made yourselves comfortable," Aro said cheerfully. He glided over to Renesmee and the guys in the corner.

"So, you are the mysterious wolves who stood by Renesmee so many years ago?" he asked inquisitively. Jacob glared at him untrustingly pulling Renesmee to him tighter, while Seth simply nodded. "May I?" Aro held out his hand for Seth to take. Seth had heard of Aro enough times to know what he did and looked over at Carlisle who gave him a nod. Seth took his hand. Aro smiled at the contact as he searched through Seth's memories and thoughts and those of the wolves. "A most intriguing mind," he whispered letting go. He looked over at Jacob, "You consider us enemies, and yet here you are."

"We feel things like that," Jacob spoke up harshly. "Love, family, loyalty."

"And so you do. Your mind works so differently. You could fit in well in Volterra, if we were brave enough to stand the smell." Jacob growled as Aro straightened up and walked over to Carlisle.

"Is it not like the old days, old friend, when we were free to learn and explore creatures of our own and others?"

"We appreciate your ear," Edward said, "but a few of us will need to leave, in case of any conflicts that may arise."

"Of course. You will be missed." At that, Alice's face dropped as she gasped, her mind somewhere else.

"It's too late," she said. "They've changed their minds. They're coming. Now."