Chapter 12 – An old enemy

Aro and his brothers shared confused glances.

"What do you mean... rusty on our history" enquired Aro.

Kaure crossed her arms and sighed.

"I realise it's been quite a long time since we had active dealings with a group as large as yours, but if I were to say "Guardians of Humanity" would it ring any bells" she asked.

Aro and his brothers shared more confused glances, until Marcus recalled some vague details.

"I have read some old legends about such a group, but that was back when I first became a vampire. Initially they were a feared group. A tribe that could destroy vampires, though the method of how they were destroyed was never clearly recorded. I have to say that I always thought it was based in myth, so i am intrigued as to why you mention that term"

Aro and his brother shared a glance as this was the most animated they had seen their brother in a long time.

Kaure grinned widely and took a theatrical bow.

"Myself and the three tribeswomen you see before you third generation members of the Guardians of Humanity. Whilst your legends would have been based on first generation members, the tribes knowledge and capabilities for destroying your kind has not diminished over time" Kaure explained in a matter of fact tone.

Marcus was most intrigued by this. For a long time he had grown weary of this world. Ever since his wife Didyme was killed by Aro he had longed to end his existence and join her.

"Most interesting" he responded.

Caius shook his head violently.

"Most interesting? Have you lost your mind, this woman claims to be part of an ancient tribe, with the ability to destroy us and you think it's interesting? I smell bullshit" he snarled.

Aro was most surprised by his brothers outburst, whilst his brother had quite the temper, he was usually above the vulgarity of mindless swearing.

"I see, so you are part of some ancient tribe and are able to destroy us." he asked in a mocking tone, quite unwilling to believe this poppycock.

Kaure shook her head and smiled.

"I think we'd much rather show you than tell you" she offered.

Aro was most amused by this turn of events, despite his brother Marcus being so ready to accept this, he was more inclined to side with his brother Caius and assume this was just some sort of ploy to delay the inevitable.

"My memory of the stories of the Guardians of Humanity is very vague, but I am quite sure that it would have taken a lot more than 4 members to dispatch a group of vampires as large as the one I have brought with me." Aro countered.

Kaure turned to Athena and the others and shrugged her shoulders.

"How do you know that there is just the four of us, we could have an army hidden away behind us" she snapped back.

Aro quite admired this human's spunk. He discreetly sniffed the air and did sense a slightly odd smell to her, but couldn't quite place it.

He turned to Edward, Bella and Jacob, who had been remarkably quiet during the proceedings so far.

"So is this what you've put your faith in? A group of women who believe they can take on a large group of vampires and beat them" he asked.

Edward and Bella just sighed and refused to answer, but Jacob let out a growl and shook his head.

"I'm not a betting man, but i would put my money down on Kaure and her friends over you bloodsuckers any day" he quipped.

Aro lifted his hand up to silence everyone.

"I am bored of all this chatter. Edward and Bella I will ask you this only once. Will you willingly come with me and my brothers and join us in Italy" he asked.

Edward placed his arm around Bella and they both nodded to each other.

"No" they both said in unison.

"We refuse to join you Aro, and no matter what you try to do to us, there is no way that you will get your hands on our daughter" Bella added with a snarl.

Aro let out a large sigh.

"Very well, we'll do it the hard way then. We'll be taking the other child too, just for good measure, I am sure young Renesmee will appreciate a young friend"

Kaure turned to her fellow tribeswomen and they shared in her anger at hearing Aro's plan to attempt to take Tawémake with him.

Kaure focused on Aro and took in his appearance. His skin was much paler than Edward and Bella's and his eyes were a crimson red. Not only did his outward appearance differ from Edward and Bella, but he was a much darker person overall. He epitomised the type of Vampire that her tribe had wiped out over the centuries and her distaste for him grew with every passing moment.

"Bella is right. You will not be taking anyone away from here. We did consider allowing you to leave if you agreed to go peacefully and leave our friends home, but as soon as you threatened to take my niece you just made me angry... very angry" Kaure snarled.

Felix was still reeling from the thought he had a daughter with Yula, it was simply beyond his realm of comprehension to take in what Kaure was saying. All the time he had been with Yula he didn't suspect that she was anything other than a simple human girl.

He heard the guttural snarl escaping Aro's lips and knew that this would be bad.