Chapter 18

Gabriel's POV:

They came with all their wicked intentions, bent on killing my wife and son. They stood in the center of the clearing, Aro's most treasured talents, standing behind him ready for signal. To my left stood Jasper and Emmet, and to my right, Edward, who had followed me the minute I vanished.

"This is not your war, boys. Stay inside" said but they didn't listen.

Aro's eyes gleamed as his lips stretched into an evil grin.

"Alas, my brother! We meet again. My warmest congrats on the birth of your son. Our father would have been proud."

I stared back him, seething in hate.

"I commend you in your remarkable escape. You have eluded me for ten centuries. I was beginning to think I never really had a brother that such a person didn't exist. But alas, here you are!"

"And Edward," he said turning now to look at him. "It's so nice to see you again and such a surprise to see you stand by the one who took your most precious treasure away. Tell me, you being a mind reader and all, were you able to hear her moan like the whore she is when my brother fucked her?"

Edward was half way there when I made the air push him back to me. Aro roared in laughter.

"Brava, Brava! What an excellent trick, Gabriel. I've always envied your talents. What a waste, though. You would have made an excellent leader had you not turned from your kingdom."

"Because of you, my kingdom killed my wife" I seethed.

"Ah, yes. Yes, it's true indeed. However, we never really killed her, did we?" he said, tilting his head to the side curiously. "Somehow, she returned, making our job incomplete. Gentlemen" he said, and I could see the Cullens crouching low, ready to spring.

"Everyone, stay back" I ordered. "They will not attack."

Aro raised his eyes in surprise. "Is that so? Well, let me start you off easy then. Jane?"

A small girl, no more than nine years old, stepped in front of him, her face cherubically innocent, although, her smile was wicked.

Careful with this one. She's stronger than she seems, warned Edward.

"She will not hurt anyone" I assured him as I watched her carefully.

She stared at me, smiling as her gaze grew more intense and her smile began to melt away, revealing anger.

"Have you forgotten of my ability, Aro? I had thought you smarter than that."

He frowned at me and looked at Jane who could kill me with her eyes if she could.

"A good friend of yours taught me how to cut off your defenses. I knew it would come in handy someday."

Aro's face trembled in rage. I could see the others try to formulate their attacks on me but they couldn't. They were stripped away from any ability. I shook my head in disappointment.

"And here I thought this was going to be fun. Instead, you bring children in place of men."

I pulled all my thought, all my strength, all my anger together, feeling the ground tremble beneath my feet and raised my arms by my side, lifting earth all around, huge rocks suspended in air and with a flick of my hands, they all came crashing down on his guard, immediately engulfing in flames. I made sure Aro was unharmed and not because I cared but because I needed to keep him alive … just a little longer.

The last of Bella's shield was loosening around me. I was amazed at her strength, on how she had survived this long, but it was almost over now. Even through the burning fires, I could hear her heart slowing. God, I will miss her and everything about her. Her smile, her eyes, her skin, and the way her chestnut hair dances in the breeze. I will miss her more than I had when she was first taken away from me. It would hurt most now, because this time, it was I that brought her to her death.

I waited. Any second now. I could already see Aro's eyes focus on me, his teeth bared as he began to run towards me. Almost. I could hear the final beats of her heart, beating like soft drum. And then it came, her final breath. It took with her the last thread of her shield, leaving me unprotected. This was it. What I've waited for.

I took a step forward and in my final act, my final deed, I vanished only to appear chest to chest with my brother, stunning him with my proximity. I reached back behind my shoulders, and pulled out two swords that I had kept since the night we both fought side by side. His sword and mine and I stretched my arms wide, embracing him in my arms as I plunged the swords into his back and out through mine. Blood gurgled out his mouth as his red wide eyes stared into mine.

"This is for my wife" I said, and before he could move, I let the fire consume us.

****

At the final moment of Gabriel's sacrifice, Carlisle took the syringe he had given him and plunged it into Bella's heart, pushing the last of Gabriel's blood into it. Almost immediately, her heart took its first beat.

Not finished yet!

More to follow soon...

;)