Chapter 8 – Out of time and confrontation

As Kaure got off her boat, she secured the line and rushed over to Edward and the others.

"We've just received word that the Volturi are here on the mainland and are arranging a boat to come to the island. We must get you back to the mainland straight away, where we can protect you" she spoke with urgency.

Edward and Bella rushed to gather Jacob and Renesmee and boarded Kaure's boat. As they reached the mainland they were greeted by Pandora, who had arranged transport to take them to the compound as quickly as possible.

"The Volturi are on their way to Isle Esme at the moment. Gustavo and a few others have gone out in a fishing boat, in order to keep an eye on their movements"

Bella grabbed Renesmee and cuddled her tightly.

"Oh Edward" she said, whilst kissing Renesmee's forehead.

"If they have Demetri with them, it will not take them very long to find us" she said in a strained voice.

Kaure moved over to Bella and placed her arm around her shoulder.

"Please Bella, do not worry, I promise you that they will not get past us, they are simply no match for me or my people" Kaure promised.

Over the next hour or so Kaure and the tribeswomen discussed strategies.

It was agreed that Renesmee and Tawémake would be well hidden and guarded by two of the tribeswomen who could shape-shift. Jacob would assist with the fighting, but would help take the children to safety if required.

Once Edward and Bella kissed Renesmee and told her that they loved her, she went with Tawémake and their guards and headed deeper into the compound.

"They will be fine" Kaure said as she saw the anguish on Bella and Edwards face

Edward reached Carlisle by phone and told him that Aro and his brothers were at Isle Esme, but that he, Bella, Jacob and Renesmee were on the mainland with Kaure and her tribe. Carlisle was confused over why they were with Kaure, but Edward had no time to explain it further as suddenly people around him were talking fast and changing positions so that he, Bella and Jacob were behind them.

"I'll call you back later" he promised Carlisle, before snapping the phone shut.

He stood up and moved so he was at the side of Bella and Jacob. He placed his arm around Bella's shoulder and looked to see what was happening.

"There are four vampires approaching, I am guessing they are part of the Volturi" Kaure informed him.

Edward concentrated on the four figures approaching.

"That's Jane, Alec, Demetri and..." he said, before being interrupted by Kaure, who finished his sentence in a harsh voice

"... Felix" she sneered.

Edward and Bella shot her a strained look, but Kaure was too focused on Felix to notice.

Bella lowered her shield long enough to communicate with Edward. "Do you think she'll be able to stop herself from lunging at Felix? If we're to have any chance in a battle with the Volturi, we will need the element of surprise!"

He simply shrugged his shoulders and shook his head.

Once Jane, Alec, Demetri and Felix were just in front of Kaure and the tribeswomen, who were protecting Edward, Bella and Jacob they stopped.

Jane took a small step forward and studied the strange sight in front of her.

"Seriously, do you think a shape shifting mongrel and a group of humans will protect you" she snapped at Edward and Bella.

Jacob shook his head in disgust. "I could take you any day bloodsucker" he snarled.

Jane laughed

"Jacob is right, you are no threat here" insisted Kaure

Jane looked Kaure up and down, then turned to her companions

"Well look here boys, Edward and Bella have found themselves a new bodyguard. It's a pity all that they could muster is a feisty human and her female friends. Perhaps Aro will let us have a few snacks whilst we're here, though I don't think I'll be partaking in the dog, he smells terrible" she snickered at her own words.

Jane suddenly grinned and narrowed her eyes at Jacob and Kaure, attempting to user her powers against them, but nothing happened. She turned to Bella and growled.

"Still using your shield I see" she snapped, annoyed that Bella had spoiled her fun.

Bella shrug her shoulders and smiled sweetly at Jane. Bella was confused though. Her shield only covered herself and Edward at the moment as she hadn't been able to cover the others yet, so she isn't sure why Jane's powers didn't work against Kaure and Jacob. She wasn't about to let Jane know that though.

"Hmmm I can see why Aro is keen to acquire you. I think it will be so much fun, practicing with you, who knows I may be able to cause you some pain along the way." mused Jane

Kaure took a step closer to Jane and shook her head.

"So is that your magical power? The ability to give someone the evil eye!" she teased.

Jane growled.

"Just you be thankful that Bella here is protecting you, my powers could cause you so much pain" she warned not happy that this human was making a fool of her.

"My masters will be very interested in you and your friends. Humans are not supposed to know about our kind. I suggest that you step aside and let us get what we came here for. Then perhaps I can at least promise to make your death quick"

Kaure shook her head and hissed."I don't think so. Why don't you run back to your masters and tell them that you can't have what you want"

Jane was enraged, who the hell was this insignificant human to be squaring up to her like this?

Edward was surprised at the exchange between Kaure and Jane. He could see that Kaure had really angered Jane. He stepped in try to diffuse the situation.

"So Jane, I take it you aren't here for a social call" he enquired.

Jane looked at him, rolled her eyes and clapped her hands, slowly and loudly.

"Well done captain obvious!" she replied sardonically.

Alec, Demetri and Felix all shared laughter in the background, joining in with the mock clapping.

Jane stopped her clapping and put her hand up in the air to signal the others to stop.

"Aro, Marcus and Caius have spent a great deal of time, effort and money to make a trip out here. They want you, Bella and Renesmee to come back to Volterra and join us. In fact they are not prepared to return without you"

Jane scanned the area for signs of Renesmee and was intrigued by her obvious absence.

"Speaking of which, where is the little brat anyway"

Bella let out a guttural snarl and locked eyes with Jane.

"All that you need to know is that she is safe and you won't get anywhere near her" she promised.

Kaure nodded in agreement with Bella.

"That's right. You are not going to lay one hand on that child"

Felix groaned in the background.

"I see you still have the same big mouth Kaure" he snapped.

Several eyes suddenly flitted to Felix, then back to Kaure.

"I see that you are still as self centred as ever" she retorted.

Felix snarled.

"I am so glad that your sister didn't share your personality. I don't think I could have enjoyed bedding your sister if she was cursed with an attitude like yours"

Kaure took a step towards Felix, but Jacob held on to her upper arm to stop her.

"Where is Yula anyway? I could do with a bit of fun whilst I am here. It's been far too long since I was looked after" he goaded her.

Kaure shook her arm free of Jacob and rushed to Felix. She drew back her hand and slapped him across the face. She went to do it a second time, but he held on to her hand to stop her.

"Not a chance, you don't get to do that a second time, you stupid bitch" he snapped.

Felix flexed his jaw and gently rubbed his cheek, it was throbbing.

"How the hell did you manage to cause me pain" he demanded to know.

Kaure shrugged her shoulders and wriggled out of his grasp. She then backed up till she was level with Jacob again.

"Perhaps it's down to the fact that I have been wanting, no needing, to do that for such a long time. Ever since you left Yula without as much as a goodbye, unfortunately she seemed to really care for you and you just disappeared, leaving her desolate."

Felix rolled his eyes and huffed.

"Is that why she is hiding, because I didn't say goodbye? Look she was great in the sack, but I never promised her a long term relationship or anything, besides my... lifestyle... makes it difficult to settle down" he joked.

Jane, Demitri and Alec all shared a laugh. Kaure however was unamused.

"Oh this is priceless, Felix had a fling with a human. So I see that Edward isn't the only vampire who couldn't just mate within his own species. Seriously Felix what were you thinking" she cackled.

Felix was about to answer when Jane raised her hand in front of his face and shook her head.

"It was a rhetorical question dumb ass"

Demitri jabbed Felix in the arm and asked "So what was it like bedding a human, did you have to be all soft and gentle?"

Felix noticed Kaure out of the corner of his eye; her face was turning red with rage.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" he spat

Felix ran his hand through his hair.

"Look if Yula is pissed off with me then tell her to come talk to me, she shouldn't let her uptight sister fight her battles for her!"

Kaure had heard enough, she readied herself to attack, but was held back by Jacob and Edward.

"She's dead you bastard" she yelled out in anguish.

Felix was taken by surprise by this information.

"How?... When?... What happened?" he asked.

Kaure's whole body shook with anger, part of her wanted to shift into a MngWa right now and take Felix out, but she needed to hide her capability in case it is needed during a proper fight.

Felix was feeling quite bad. As much as he enjoyed goading Kaure, he did actually have feelings for Yula. He wanted to say something, do something, but couldn't with Jane, Alec and Demitri present.

Acting quickly in an attempt to avoid any potential problems from Jane and the others, he shrugged his shoulders and let out an over dramatic sigh.

"Oh well, I will have to look for my fun elsewhere then"

He hoped that had appeared suitably indifferent, the amount of flack this could gain him from Aro and his brothers was not a prospect he savoured.

His mind however was filled with sadness and questions he wished he could ask Kaure.

Edward picked up on Felix's thoughts and took the opportunity to speak to Kaure.

"Please try not to pay too much attention to the words that Felix is using. His words may be hurtful, but his thoughts tell me that he is actually upset that your sister has died and he cared for her a lot more than he's letting on"

Kaure let Edwards words sink in and worked at calming herself down. This wasn't to appropriate time, but she hoped to get a chance to find out from Edward more of what he picked up from Felix's thoughts.

She took the chance to glance over at Felix and could see that he looked a little upset. Felix met her gaze and he looked away as quickly as he could, but Kaure could sense that his mind was in turmoil.

She was soon snapped out of her thoughts when Jane became tired of all this distraction going on.

"Enough" she yelled, causing everyone to go quiet and all eyes to fall on her.

She looked directly at Edward and Bella and sighed, she was convinced that they would be nothing but difficult when they came back to Volterra, but she knew better than to challenge Aro and his brothers.

"Edward and Bella you have two hours to return to Isle Esme, with the brat. Aro and his brothers will then make suitable travel arrangements to take you back to Volterra with us and get you settled into your new home. My masters hate to be kept waiting, so make sure you get back in plenty of time." she demanded.

"If we don't come to Isle Esme?" asked Edward.

"Then we'll come and take you by force, but be warned. If we have to do that then we will show no mercy to your... friends here. In fact, we will take great pleasure in ending their miserable little lives slowly and painfully and we will make you and your brat watch every last second of it" she spoke in an icy tone.

Jane turned around and clicked her fingers, expecting Alec, Demitri and Felix to follow on behind.

As they walked away she shouted "Remember! You have two hours!! Or else we come and get you"

Seconds later the four of them had disappeared and Edward, Bella and Jacob were surrounded by Kaure and the tribeswomen, who were all talking to each other and planning their next move.