Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or any of the characters, I just like playing with them.
(EPOV)
As we descended the stairs, the angry voices of the three Denali sisters reached us from Tanya's bedroom.
"Do you really think the Volturi would leave us alone a second time?" Tanya hissed. "We were innocent to what Sasha had done, but we've known about Bella for a while now. We couldn't risk getting involved. So I cleared our names by being the one to report them. We'll be safe."
"Really Tanya, I don't think you know Caius as well as you think you do." Kate snorted. "You just brought their attention back to us. They wouldn't have found out about Bella at all if it weren't for you, and we'd be much safer. Now they are coming here and what if they think we should have said something sooner? What if they are angry that we kept it from them for too long? Sister, did you really think this through?"
"They killed one of their own kind to protect a human. They ripped Victoria's mate to pieces and burned him. I don't care what Laurent told you about James, he was one of us, and she loved him. Why should he get to keep what he loves, when no one else does!"
"You'd think you'd never been rejected before Tanya. We all know what this is really about. Just because he didn't want you is no reason to turn on Carlisle. I'm ashamed." Irina chided.
"What did you expect to accomplish from this? Did you think he would come running to you if they killed her, do you think he's going to thank you for forcing them to turn her? You obviously don't know anything about Edward if that's the case."
"Come on Kate. We are going out there to spend some time with our friends before things get messy. I'd suggest you keep a low profile, and we'll discuss all this after they leave. I'm disappointed in you sister. If there had been more at stake, I might understand. But jealousy? Hasn't your thousand years of experience taught you anything?"
Irina and Kate come out of the bedroom and headed towards the living room. I guess you heard that? Kate cocked an eyebrow at me and I nodded.
"How is she?" Irina asked.
"As well as can be expected. She's starting to heal and she wants to be turned. Edward explained everything to her, I'm sure you heard it all." Carlisle explained.
"Yes, she's a feisty one. Such a strong spirit. I can't tell you how horribly we feel about what has transpired here."
"Everything will work out. Bella is quite resilient...she's not as breakable as Edward would have you think." Alice laughed dryly. "We've known for a while this day would come."
"She's going to be amazing." Eleazar said softly. "She is already gifted, I cannot wait to see what comes of it after her transformation."
"What do you mean?" I asked him.
"Edward, have you forgotten that she is the one exception to your gift?"
"Of course not, but what does that have to do with anything." It drives me insane not knowing what's going on in her head.
"It indicates that she is some kind of shield. Whereas Kate's gift is an offensive one, Bella's will most likely be defensive...she will be able to block others' powers."
Carlisle and I exchanged a look. It does make sense. Eleazar is seldom wrong. He's always been able to sense the nature of the gifts others possess...the Volturi used him to discover new talents.
Yet another reason for those vultures to be interested in our family. I hoped Tanya wasn't listening or at least that the information didn't register. "I think we should discuss this at a later time." My eyes darted back towards her bedroom.
"Yes, I agree." Carlisle said.
Eleazar nodded and then looked at me meaningfully. I wonder if Bella would allow Kate to test her power on her?
I shook my head emphatically. "Not until she's turned." He shrugged.
Jasper stood up. "Eleazar, I was wondering if maybe we could take a walk and discuss something. Carlisle and Edward, I'd like you to come too."
"Sure." We followed him out of the house and ran for some time before we were sure we'd be out of earshot.
"Eleazar, any ideas on why they would be sending Marcus in particular?" Jasper asked. His history with war was too ingrained. He had a strategic mind and wanted to be sure we'd thought out all the possible scenarios. "It's not in my nature to trust that they have good intentions, knowing how interested they are in our family. Of course, if they were sending Caius, with Jane or Alec, their purpose would be clear. Their choice piques my interest. I am wondering if they have a hidden agenda, despite the fact Marcus may be most sympathetic to our situation."
"It had crossed my mind Jasper. Marcus is the least likely to resort to violence, but he is not without his own gifts. He sees relationships. Not just romantic ones either. He can tell who is tied to who, when those loyalties begin to waver...it can be extremely useful on the battlefield. This may be some kind of investigation to gauge how tightly our two covens are bound. Twelve vampires working together certainly presents a sizable threat to the Volturi, but when you add in the gifts our friends possess, I can see how they might be nervous."
Jasper thought for a moment. "So this would be considered the first wave. Gathering information on the enemy, maybe? They know Tanya has betrayed us, and perhaps they want to see how strongly the rest of us are tied to each other. See if we are still a threat, or if we are crumbling."
Carlisle nodded. "That would make sense, and it's a good time for him to come. If they see how several of the ties between us are weakened at this moment, we will be considered less of a threat, and perhaps left alone. This is a hard time for our family, and our bonds are strained."
"Or they might see it as an opportunity to take us out while we are weak." I considered.
"The Volturi can be quite devious. It is something to keep in the backs of our minds, because there may come a day when they decide we are too much of a threat, or that Aro refuses to be denied you and Alice any longer. For now, I am sure that is not their intention." Carlisle was more trusting than the rest of us, but he had also spent time living with the Volturi, so I respected his opinion.
Eleazar nodded. "We should still be on guard of course, but I agree with Carlisle. Was that all Jasper?"
"For now." He replied.
"While we're out here, shall we hunt?"
"I'm always up for a hunt." Jasper grinned. "Come on Edward, if you catch yours first, I'll buy you that new stereo for your car."
I knew he was just trying to improve my mood, but I'm not sure anything could do that at this point. I just wanted to get back to Bella, to be near her again. Even if she didn't speak to me, just being in the room with her soothed the ache in my chest. Jasper's grin faltered. I've missed you. I'd let everyone down.
Forcing a small smile, I decided to start trying to mend the relationships with my family. "Sure brother." Carlisle allowed himself a glimmer of hope as he watched us race off into the snowy forest.
I was waiting by a tree with the carcass of a lynx when Jasper flew out of the woods with his caribou. Fair enough, you win. He came over and clapped me on the back. I'm glad you're back home Edward, things just haven't been the same without you.
I wasn't sure things could ever be the same, but it was nice to be with my family again. "Same here, Jasper." We waited for Carlisle and Eleazar to join us and then we headed back to the lodge.
As soon as I was close enough to hear Bella's heartbeat, the ache lessened. Jasper noted the change in my mood and flashed me a grin. As we entered the house, my eyes found Bella huddled on the couch in front of the fire. She turned her head as if to see who had come in, but her eyes were empty. Silently, she turned her head back towards the fire, watching the flames intently.
A/N: Thank you to all of you for reading my story and for the reviews! Sorry this one is short, more next time. I love hearing from you, so let me know what you think so far.