Chapter 29

Brick By Boring Brick

"She lives in a fairy tale Somewhere too far for us to find Forgotten the taste and smell Of the world that she's left behind It's all about the exposure the lens I told her The angles were all wrong now She's ripping wings off of butterflies With her feet on the ground And her head in the clouds Well go get your shovel And we'll dig a deep hole To bury the castle, bury the castle Well go get your shovel And we'll dig a deep hole To bury the castle, bury the castle Ba da ba da ba So one day he found her crying Coiled up on the dirty ground Her prince finally came to save her And the rest you can figure out But it was a trick And the clock struck twelve Well make sure to build your house brick by boring brick or the wolf's gonna blow it down Keep your feet on the ground And your head in the clouds Well go get your shovel And we'll dig a deep hole To bury the castle, bury the castle Well go get your shovel And we'll dig a deep hole To bury the castle, bury the castle Well you built up a world of magic Because your real life is tragic Yeah you built up a world of magic If it's not real You can't hold it in your hand You can't feel it with your heart And I won't believe it Well if it's true You can see it with your eyes Even in the dark And that's where I want to be, yeah Go get your shovel We'll dig a deep hole To bury the castle, bury the castle Go get your shovel We'll dig a deep hole To bury the castle, bury the castle Ba da ba da ba…" -Brick By Boring Brick by Paramore

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Twilight or House of Night, sadly.

BPOV

Stark and Edward trailed behind me silently. Stark had his bow strung and at the ready. I could feel Zoey's spirit following as well as the other's affinities. It gave me strength and I trudged deeper into the forest.

I caught the scent of wolves just as I heard a twig snap. Stark tensed and raised his bow while me and Edward relaxed.

"Haley, what are you doing here?" I called out as I saw a hint of white dart through trees. A white wolf peeked it's head around a large oak.

Stark glanced at me uneasily, "Should I shoot?"

I scoffed, "If you shoot her, you'll have a whole pack of werewolves devouring you in less that two minutes. I think the best thing to do is lower your bow."

Edward quirked a crooked smile then looked at Stark, "Actually, Haley says if he shoots her with a bow she'll come over and rip off his head herself."

I rolled my eyes at Edward and watched Stark lower his bow, still tense. "What is that?" He nodded as three very large wolves walked our way. Okay, more like truck-sized wolves.

"Werewolves," I clarified for him. His eyes widened and he took a defensive stance by sliding one foot back a bit and straightening his shoulders. Most wouldn't see that as a fighting stance, but anyone who was accustomed to fighting vampires knew what that gesture meant: back off.

Turning back to Haley I muttered to Stark, "They're not going to hurt you. They're with us." That didn't seem to help his tenseness, but he slid his foot back.

Haley trotted up with Seth and Sam flanking her. My shield that was surrounding Edward and Stark moved out to include the wolves.

Hey Bella!Haley's mouth pulled back at the corners and her tongue lolled out. I smiled and nodded at her.

Seth quirked his head to one side, I get this fuzzy feeling every time you get in my head… Is that normal? He barked a laugh.

Sam only nodded at me.

I glanced at Stark and he seemed to be lost as ever. I concentrated a little bit and smiled when a gasp left his lips. He looked at me with an eyebrow raised. "Now you're not left out," I informed him and turned back to the wolves.

Hello guys. What brings you out here? I asked mentally.

Well, Haley thought while mashing a paw in the dirt, We wanted to know what you three were up too in no man's land.

No man's land? Edward queried.

The space between the good guys and the bad guys. And let me tell you, the bad guys are like… Evil guys. No joke. Haley shivered for emphasis. Seth nodded in agreement while Sam huffed.

Their numbers? I interjected.

Haley 'sighed' as good as she could with a muzzle and nodded at Sam.

Too many. Haley nudged his shoulder and he shook his head. Eighty-one.

I took a sharp breath, Stark staggered a step back and Edward froze shock-still.

That's not all. Haley added. Then there are the 'witnesses.' Well, the ones we termed as the witnesses. They're the ones who aren't practicing or looking at maps and the whole lot of war preparations.

How many are Dark Daughters and Sons? Stark inquired, in his strategic mode.

Haley quirked her head to the side even more, then noticed her faces for the first time. She yelped and jumped back. Oh my! Bella, what happened to you?! Her eyes went to Edward. You too! She growled at Stark. What did you do to them?!

Stark's hands went up. Whoa there, I didn't do anything.

Haley, calm. I raised a hand to silence her ramblings. Sam was tense and Seth seemed a little confused. When Haley stopped mentally chastising Stark, I answered her. We were chosen by Nyx.

And who the hell is Nyx?

She is the Goddess.

Of?

I sighed and rubbed the back of my neck. She is night personified so I guess you could say the Goddess of Night.

Yeah, like that makes a bunch of sense. She scoffed.

Well, it does to us, so stop dogging on it. I laughed quietly at the pun. Haley rolled her big, brown eyes.

So, please tell, why are you out here?

We're going to talk to the Volturi. Our only chance of stopping this battle.

Haley nodded solemnly. Well, you should probably go with at least one wolf. JACOB!

A russet wolf trotted out from behind a bush where he must have been standing guard. 'You rang?'

Go with Bella, Edward, and, she gave Stark a skeptical look, that guy.

'Yes ma'am.' Jacob moved so he was flanking Edward's right side.

We should go, I admitted.

Haley nodded, Jacob will send the signal if you need help. Later! She took off into the woods with Seth and Sam.

I sighed. Ready Jacob? He barked in reply so we set off ourselves. Not knowing what we were walking into.

---

I sensed the camp a few yards before a person jumped down from a tree. Glancing up, I noticed there were three others in the trees.

"Ciao Isabella. Glad you could come," Ambrosine smiled as we approached her. We stopped walking with a yard between us.

All three of our hoods were up but I'm sure she remembered my frame and smell from our last encounter.

Keeping my hood on, I replied, "Ambrosine, ciao! We've come to see Aro."

Her smile didn't falter as she denied my request. "I'm sorry Isabella, but he is busy. We have much to do you know." Ambrosine's eyes were daring as she spoke the last sentence.

"Well, I'm sure he'll find time to see me." I continued moving forward and two others dropped down from the trees. One had their hand back, ready to strike while the other looked calm. I noticed the calm one had the mark of Nyx on their forehead.

I didn't step back, but I did stop. The others had moved forward with me. Jacob's hair was standing up and he was crouched slightly. Stark's bow was at the ready, his knuckles were white against the wood of his bow. The corners of Edward's mouth fell and he was thinking of mental attacks he could do to them.

"Now, now, we don't need trouble here," Ambrosine tisked.

"I said I was hear to see Aro."

"And I said he was busy," her thick Italian accent sneered back.

"Ladies," said a voice I noticed.

"Demetri," I smiled at him as he approached our group.

"Isabella! Always a pleasure to see you," he stepped around Ambrosine and gave me a small hug.

Though we were enemies now, it was nice to see Demetri. I hugged back and could tell the guys behind me did not like it. Stark and Jacob for the fact he was the enemy, and Edward for the obvious reason I was hugging a guy.

"So, what are you doing here?" Demetri asked as he pulled away and took a step back. His eyes flickered over the two cloaked figures and wolf at my sides, studying them to see if they were a threat.

"I'm here to see Aro," I answered, relentless to my cause.

He nodded, as if I had confirmed his thoughts. "Wait here and I'll see if I can't get you in. I owe you that much." Demetri's smile was soft and it told me that I had one friend among enemies.

"Okay," I agreed with my own small smile. Demetri nodded and disappeared.

"Well, wasn't that just touching," Ambrosine spat the last word with venom.

My jaw clenched and my hands fisted. She was starting to get really annoying.

"Did you know," Ambrosine mentioned as she walked around us. Jacob turned with her, Stark's head followed her while his eyes flickered around and Edward watched the other two threats. I stood with my back tense. I didn't like her standing behind me.

"That when this is all over and your little 'army,'" she laughed lightly, "is extinguished, we'll be the new guard. The old guard is so, old." Ambrosine grimaced at the thought.

While she rambled on, my group was silent and alert. I could detect Zoey's Spirit, Stevie Rae's movement in the trees, Damien's breeze, Shaunee's warmth, and Erin's dew was accumulating on the forest floor. All of this went unnoticed by the three vampires in front of us. Except the traitor Son of Erebus. He looked very uneasy. He must have sensed their presence.

"You see, our abilities, I mean the secret guard and myself, are much more… powerful than the old.. Oh, here comes that tracker." Ambrosine sneered and stepped aside as Demetri returned with Heidi by his side.

"Isabella," her smile was tight as she embraced me stiffly.

"Heidi," I returned the gesture with my own stiff posture.

Demetri must have noticed the tension between the two of us and he wrapped an arm around Heidi's waste, pulling her to him. I wonder when that happened…

I shrugged it off as Demetri addressed us. "Aro will see you now. Though, he's not in a good mood." His mouth quirked with the last sentence and he stalked off with Heidi who was laughing at some inside joke.

Rolling my eyes, I took a step forward. Ambrosine flinched and I gave her a look with an eyebrow raised. I dared her with my eyes. Jacob growled. She sniveled her nose and stepped back.

"You really shouldn't keep mutts in your company, they stink."

"Thanks for the tip, but I'll take my chances." I patted Jacob on the head and he stopped growling then gave me an odd look. I shrugged and we trudged passed the three watch guards.

Entering the camp, I took in the surroundings with acute detail. It wasn't much. A few tents here and there for those who wanted privacy. Others just stood around because they didn't have anything to prepare for; the witnesses I inferred. Those who were moving about the camp with some urgency or purpose paused when they observed us and some even had the nerve to growl.

These vampires really hated us, I realized, a little stunned. They were preparing to die, though it was unlikely in their mind, just to kill one kid. Yes, I know it's a big deal in our culture that there are no vampire children, but really? Is it that important to raise an army?

I shrugged off the feeling like there was more behind just getting rid of an immortal child and moved on with my group towards the large black tent in the middle where the Volturi emblem was sparkling in the sun.

Keeping my head bent and my hood up, I felt pretty bad ass. I know it wasn't the time to be elaborating on my feelings, but it felt awesome. Like I was a ninja-warrior, or something.

A smirk was pulling at the corners of my lips when we reached the tent in under five seconds. It felt like it had taken longer to get there, but I figure it was due to the stares and everything feeling as though time had slowed down.

One curtain of the tent slipped back with a pale hand grasping it. Felix smiled wickedly at us as we entered. I noticed his nostrils flared when Jacob stepped in with the hairs on his back standing on end.

The three makeshift thrones set up on the other side of the tent caught my eye and I had to control the urge to turn and leave. Caius, my least favorite Volturi member, was standing at a table to the right. His blood red eyes were on us as we moved a few steps forward then stopped. Marcus, the more favorable Elder because he kept to himself, was sitting on his chair to the left looking bored as usual. And Aro, who I had mixed feelings for because he was trying to kill my family and myself, was standing in front of his own chair with his hands clasped, a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

"Isabella," his smile grew minutely and he held his hands out. Eh. I stepped into to the small hug, keeping my head down and barely touching him. He grasped my hands in his and looked at them. "Nothing. Still nothing." My mouth quirked at this.

Of course there is nothing, you fool; I wanted to say, but didn't. What I did say though, "Aro, always the pleasure."

Aro's smile fell. "Ah, but you see, it's not a pleasure what brings you here today. Well, what brings us here."

I stepped back into the safety of my group and tilted my head to the side for Aro to explain, though I knew what he meant.

"I gave you a chance Isabella, and you threw it away. You could be with us now, with this," he opened his arms to include the entire camp. "You could be on the winning side."

"Aro, I am on the winning side. I have my family and friends with me. That and the truth is the winning side." With that, I let my hood fall back and I jutted my chin out confidently. My brown eyes pierced Aro's red ones.

A gasp left his lips, Marcus sat up straight in his chair, and Caius dropped his papers, well, slammed them down.

"A Dark Daughter?" Aro inquired, his voice filled with disbelief.

I nodded and Stark and Edward pulled their hoods back. Aro's eyes widen in shock.

"When did you become a Dark Daughter?" Anger crept into Caius' voice.

"Recently. But this is not why I am here."

Aro raised a brow, though he was more curious as to how he could attain knowledge to my ability. "And why are you here, my dear?"

"I am here because I have explanations for the reasons to why you are here."

Taking a step back, Aro sat rigid in his chair. Caius moved to his throne as well, intrigued by the conversation. "What is you excuse?" Caius seemed to accuse.

With the support of my friends behind me I quickly explained the past few months. This didn't seem to satisfy Caius.

"Lies!" He cried as he stood up straight.

Aro flicked a wrist towards him to sit down, and he did. "Is this the truth?"

"Yes, you can see for yourself," I mused.

This seemed to catch his interest. "How is that?"

My eyes flickered to Reneta, who was positioned behind Aro's throne. "Would she allow me to move my shield around you?"

"Shield?" Aro's eyebrows shot to his hair line.

A smirk appeared on my face. "Yes, a shield."

"How long have you had this shield?"

"Before being marked. But since becoming a true Daughter of Nyx, my ability has enhanced tenfold," I admitted nonchalantly.

"Demonstrate," he commanded.

I shrugged, deciding not to give all of my gift away, I pushed my shield out and around Aro.

Hello.

Aro jolted with shock. "Did you just speak to me?"

Yes, I did. Think a question.

"Hm…" What else can you do?

Much, much more. But I'm not going to reveal all my secrets today. I quirked a smile at him.

"Ha, well then." Aro was slightly thrown off at my refusal to gloat. "Show me your explanation for this mess."

I was about to project the memories when a scream echoed through the woods.

"ZOEY!" Stark cried and bolted from the tent.

A/N: PLEASE DON'T KILL ME FOR THE LONG WAIT! My laptop broke shortly after I quit one of my Pre-AP classes so I could have time to write. Money problems, so no new laptop. (or phone...)

Anyways. I love you all for sticking in there. Please review and tell me what you think about the come-back chapter :)

Lyrics Game: Um... Yeah. I have long since lost the emails... And it's late. I don't have time to go through reviews. So please forgive me :) Last chapter's song was Weightless by All Time Low. I think...

This Chapter's Lyric Excerpt:

I want your horror, I want your design.

'Cause your a criminal as long as your mine.

I want your love. Love, love, love.

I want your love.

I want your psycho, your vertical stick.

Want you in my room when your baby is sick.

I want your love. Love, love, love.

I want your love.