Chapter 16 – Late to the party
As soon as they reached the boat launch Emmett and Sam flew off the boat. For the latter part of the journey they had been bickering over whether the Cullens or the Pack should take the lead and neither would back down.
It was in a fit of desperation for some peace and quiet that Carlisle suggested that Emmett and Sam should take the lead, representing both parties and that everyone else would follow them at a slight distance to keep up the element of surprise.
Emmett and Sam, who had phased onto wolf form both ran through the compound listening out for sounds of battling, but they heard nothing. Eventually as they reached the centre of the compound they heard noises.
They shared a confused look as they heard what sounded like music and laughter. As the thought of the Volturi celebrating their victory Emmett and Sam were enraged. Emmett patted Sam on the head to get his attention then whispered into his ear.
"On the count of three we charge in there and take out whoever we can"
Sam nodded and settled down onto his back haunches in preparation to attack.
"One… two… three.." whispered Emmett before running at full speed. He almost ran straight into one of the fires, before managing to stop himself. Sam was by his side snarling at first then utterly silent.
The pair of them stood with mouths agape at the scene in front of them. Edward and Bella was stood watching Jacob and Renesmee dancing to some tribal music that Gustavo and two others were playing.
Meanwhile Felix was sharing a dance with Tawémake and everyone was smiling and laughing.
"Excuse my language everyone, especially the children present but what the fuck is happening" Emmett shouted out.
The music halted and all eyes turned to Emmett and Sam.
"What took you so long?" goaded Edward flashing Emmett a big grin.
Suddenly Carlisle, Esme, Alice, Jasper, Rosalie and the pack all appeared in the clearing and a look of confusion filled all of their faces.
Sam and the rest of the pack all exchanged glances after having a telepathic conversation where effectively they all wondered what the hell was going on. They all ran off and disappeared for a few moments before reappearing back in human form.
Sam looked over to Jacob and crossed his arms.
"We race halfway across the world to come and save you and we find you all dancing and laughing." He accused playfully.
Jacob let out a husky laugh and looked over to Edward and Bella.
"Looks like we have a lot of explaining to do" he said with a grin.
Emmett, who was smarting at missing out on the action sighed.
"How about you start off with where Aro is" he asked sharply.
Edward, Bella and Jacob began to laugh.
Emmett crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes at them.
"What is so funny" he demanded.
Bella and Jacob were still in fits of giggles, but Edward managed to compose himself.
"I'm sorry Emmett. We're really not trying to upset you here, it's just things were very tense here for a while and I guess everyone is trying to relax." Edward began.
Edward raked his hand through his hair and looked down at Emmett's feet.
"Oh by the way, you asked where Aro is. Well you're standing in him"
Emmett looked down to his feet and saw he was standing on a pile of ashes.
"Eughhh! That is disgusting" complained Emmett
He hastily stepped to a clear spot and tapped his feet a few times to dislodge the ash that coated the base of his shoes.
"Wait a minute, did you just say I was standing in Aro" he asked.
The Cullens and the pack all surveyed the floor and found several piles of dust. Their faces were a mix of fascination and disgust.
Carlisle wasn't quite sure how to take this turn of events. He had spent the last couple of days fearing he would never see his son, daughter and granddaughter again. He never once considered arriving to find Aro and his brothers as little more than piles of dust.
"I am so very glad that you are all okay, but would it be possible to fill us all in." he asked, looking at Kaure, who he suspected had played a much bigger hand in this than he first thought.
Kaure, Edward, Bella and Jacob began to fill everyone in on what had happened. Carlisle was fascinated when he learned more about Kaure's tribe and their abilities. He was thunderstruck when they explained about the battle and how easily Aro and the others were destroyed.
As they explained about Felix and Tawémake and how Felix wished to follow their diet he agreed to give all the help that he could.
Carlisle and Esme embraced as they watched their family enjoying the company of Kaure's tribe. They had learnt so much over the past few hours, they were happy to just take a break and enjoy everyone's company.
"You know. I can't say I would ever want to repeat the feeling of dread that filled me these last few days, but I am most glad that all of this happened." Esme murmured.
Carlisle rubbed her arm and nodded in agreement.
Emmett was sat on the floor with Renesmee bouncing on his knee. Renesmee was happily replaying the day's events to Rosalie using her powers. They were also joined by Felix and Tawémake, who was showing them her power of bringing life back to flowers and insects.
Alice and Jasper shared a cuddle and chatted happily to Pandora, Athena and Grace who were happily explaining more about their tribe's history and the trilet pendant. Alice was absent-mindedly playing with a trilet on her hand. She was trying to come to terms with the fact that although this was harmless to them, it would mean destruction for vampires who feasted on human blood.
Jacob, Sam and the rest of the pack were with a group of tribeswomen, they were taking it in turns to phase into wolves and MngWa's and comparing strengths and abilities.
Edward and Bella meanwhile took a few moments to wander off together and reflect on all that had happened.
"It feels oddly strange, not to be worried" said Edward.
Bella put her arms around him and snuggled her head into his neck.
"I know what you mean." she replied.
As they held each other Bella dropped her shield to let Edward into her mind.
"There'll be some pretty hefty changes coming up. I mean someone will want to rule the vampire world, what if we end up with someone like the Romanians, who are just as greedy for power as Aro and his brothers were"
Edward stroked her hair away from her face and kissed her forehead.
"I don't think the Romanians will be a problem. Once word spreads that the Cullens brought down the Volturi, I can't imagine any particular group wanting to rush into power." Edward replied.
Bella narrowed her eyes in confusion.
"Do you think Kaure and her tribe will be safe? What if others of our kind try to seek them out and destroy them" she asked.
Edward didn't much like the thought of that, but had a sudden realisation.
"We don't need to worry about that either. No-one knows of their existence but us. Most of our kind, like Aro and his brothers treat stories of their existence as little more than old legends, so we don't fill them in. We spread the word that we dealt with them instead."
Bella chuckled at the prospect of the entire vampire race being fearful of a family of vampires who were among the kindest of people, living and not that she knew.
Edward and Bella returned to the others and filled them in with what they discussed. Carlisle and the others agreed that keeping the secret of Kaure's tribe would be a good idea and Kaure thanked them.
Over the next few hours everyone just enjoyed each other's company. Renesmee and Tawémake played well together and everyone loved watching how they interacted.
As the night wore on Bella and Felix put their daughters down to rest for the night.
"I never considered I would ever be a dad" Felix mused.
Bella smiled at him.
"I never considered I would be a mum, but I promise you this, there is no job as rewarding as watching your child grow."
Felix, who wasn't usually one for his emotions found himself unable to come up with a response to that, he simply nodded and smiled down at his daughter who was resting soundly.
"Is it always like this" he asked
Bella took her eyes away from Renesmee and looked back at Felix.
"what did you say" she asked
Felix chuckled.
"Is it always so complex, this feeling human lark. I mean I have spent so many years doing the bidding of Aro and his brothers that I forgot what it is like to be human. When I met Yula, Tawémake's mum I felt something then, but I didn't quite understand the feeling until I had to leave her. I just ploughed myself back into being a yes man for Aro and forced myself not to feel again, but I think I like it. I think I like … feeling"
Bella patted Felix on the shoulder and couldn't help but remark on how much his features had softened. She then looked down at his Volturi outfit and shook her head.
"Come with me" she requested and dragged Felix along with her.
They found Alice with Jasper quietly discussing something. As they approached Alice stopped talking and turned to greet them.
"Of course Bella, I have just the thing" she said.
Felix face contorted to reflect the utter confusion he felt. Jasper couldn't help but let out a laugh and he patted him on the shoulder.
"Try being married to someone who has visions of the future and that will really blow your mind" he quipped.
Felix suddenly realised that whatever it was that was on Bella's mind to ask Alice had already been forseen.
He was about to ask Bella what was going on when Alice appeared with some neatly folded clothes draped on her ams.
"You, in there and change into these" she commanded.
Felix didn't dare argue and dutifully went inside the hut and took the clothes in with him. As he changed out of his Volturi clothing and into the clothes that Alice provided him, he noticed a distinct absence of mirrors in the room. He didn't know how he looked in the blue denim jeans and pale yellow fitted top, with black patent leather shoes that Alice had provided, but he realised anything had to be better than what he had on.
As he left the hut he found Alice to be jumping up and down and clapping excitedly.
"Perfect, Perfect" she said.
Felix felt a little uncomfortable being on a fashion parade like this.
"Is she always so excitable" he muttered
Jasper shook his head and chuckled.
"You have no idea!" he responded.
Felix then noticed that there was something tall next to Alice, with a cover over it. His jaw dropped as she took off the cover to reveal a full length mirror. Felix decided not to ask how the hell she got a hold of it, but was too distracted by his appearance in the mirror.
Aside from some clothes stolen from one of the humans he killed when he was last in the area he hadn't warn anything other than his Volturi robes in so long.
"I look so different" he said in a strained voice.
Bella and Alice smiled at each other.
"You look great, much better now you don't look like a Volturi guardsman" they both said at the same time.
After Felix grew accustomed to his new look he was escorted back to Kaure and the others. As Kaure saw the new look she clapped. He looked so much more like the person that made her sister so happy.
"You look so much better" she mused.
Felix felt like his cheeks where on fire, but he knew that they would just be as pale as ever. He sat down next to Kaure and smiled.
"Do you think Tawémake will like it" he asked a little hesitantly.
Kaure patted his leg.
"I think Tawémake likes you whichever way you come. She knows you're her daddy, she always has, you just need to fill the role now" she responded warmly.
Felix swallowed hard. Could he really be a daddy, after so many years of doing vile things for his masters could he learn to be good? What if he ever lost control of himself around Tawémake?
Kaure picked up on his down mood and could sense he was struggling a little.
"Don't worry. You won't mess up. I'm here to help and Tawémake has several pairs of eyes keeping a close eye on her…. And you"
Felix felt oddly comforted by Kaure's words. He knew that they would never let him lose control and although he may make mistakes along the way, he was determined to give it a go.
"Thank you" he replied and felt a sense of belonging.
"No problem" replied Kaure and they sat side by side with a new found respect for each other and joined in with the evenings festivities.