*** This story contains some mild language, suspense, romance, and some frightening images and situations—13 and older, please.

In the Grip of Twilight

By:

Olivia Tannis Moore

Chapter Sixty Six:

The Team

I was growing nervous with all the talk of Edward's absence and Alice's visions. We needed to discuss these things, but only down in the soundproof cavern, which Alice would probably never find on her own without some kind of Cullen breadcrumbs…also we should be leaving soon, I thought to myself as I looked up at the wall clock; it was almost nine o'clock and I'd promised Demetri that we'd try to be out of the castle before noon. Yet, we couldn't leave Alice behind. And then it occurred to me…if Alice had a vision concerning Edward, she surely would have left the castle in search of him. She would have followed her vision. Anyway, it probably wouldn't serve any purpose to go back to the room. I was certain she wouldn't be there. I couldn't see Alice waiting around in an empty room.

Esme looped her arm through Carlisle's and looked up at him. I could tell she was uncomfortable with her family being divided and unaccounted for, especially at a time when the Volturi were flexing their power. I now dreaded telling her what Aro did to his army of vampires in the past. I dreaded telling all of them actually, but it had to be done. They would be safer knowing how treacherous the Volturi really were—past and present.

"We have to go—" I told them, tapping my wristwatch and walking to the door. "We can't stay here and wait."

"What about Alice?" Jasper said. There was a sad desperation in his voice, an anguish that we would leave without waiting for Alice. It tore at my heart.

I understood his pain, yet I couldn't jeopardize everyone by explaining the situation. He would have to wait like the rest until we reached the cavern. Still, I tried to convey why we couldn't stay here and discuss Edward and Alice. I cupped my ear and pointed to the ceiling, hoping he would understand that there were those listening and keeping tabs on us.

He sighed with frustration and clenched his fists, but then fell quiet and followed us out into the hall.

**

I was a little surprised that Carlisle had never been down in the "Temple", as Aro called it. I knew he had spent some time here with the Volturi many years ago, and I expected him to recall the cavern once we were there. But he simply shook his head and mumbled that it must have been a bigger secret then than it was now.

The candles above the staircase and below, near the altar, were lit this time. Probably in preparation of later when my skills as a reformer would be put to use. It felt good knowing that they burned in vain, and that I wouldn't be here for Aro's war games.

They were all silent as we made our way down the endless stairs. Occasionally they looked over at the ghastly wall paintings or the chiseled ceiling. But their faces were unreadable, and if they found it fascinating, they kept it to themselves.

I led them away from the altar where I had spoke with Edward the night before, to the back where the Volturi thrones jutted from the wall. Although the entire cavern was creepy, I preferred staying away from the altar if I could help it.

I addressed everyone's questions about Edward first, since Alice's disappearance was tied to Edward. I told them about Elena turning traitor and Aro's orders for Demetri to kill Edward.

Esme gasped, and would have interrupted me, but I held my hand up and continued until I had finished relating everything, including Demetri's promise to keep Edward from harm.

"So, you see, Jasper," I said, "Alice has probably caught up with Edward and Demetri. Hopefully, they're half way to Muriel's house by now, or better yet, already there."

Jasper nodded. "No doubt about it. If she saw something happen to Edward—she'd probably not want to alarm anyone. It's just like Alice to try and tackle it on her own." He looked at me with his pale amber eyes. "So you really trust this Demetri guy…right? And this Lycan elder, Muriel…"

I tried not to squirm. "Yeah, I do."

"Well then, we'll meet up with them as you proposed," Carlisle said. He looked at the others. "Agreed?"

"Agreed," Rosalie and Emmett said together.

"Of course," Esme said. "The sooner the better."

"Good," I said, glad that part of the discussion was over with

Esme should have been in better spirits now that she had an idea of where her son and daughter had taken off to, but I could tell there was still something that nagged at her.

She looked at me, her eyes soft and worrisome. She lifted her hand and indicated the large cavern. "I have to ask…who in the world would show you such a place?"

"This is where I was changed," I told her soberly.

"Poor thing," Esme said sympathetically, "it's not a very comforting place…" Always the sensitive and perceptive one, Esme had instantly realized the effect the place had on me—I could've hugged her for it.

"Not at all," I agreed. "But I had no choice in the matter. Aro has his rituals…"

Esme nodded her head slowly. "We won't stay a minute longer than necessary."

"Good," Rosalie said, and I noticed that she had wrapped her arms around herself, her eyes a little wider than usual.

"You're not cold…" Emmett said looking at his wife with wonder.

Rosalie shook her head. "No…not cold. Something else…it's like this place doesn't feel right…I don't know exactly what it is…everything about it, maybe."

Emmett pulled her to his side; his forehead creased. It seemed to unnerve him to hear Rosalie talk this way. She was usually cool and composed, nearly unflappable. He looked at the walls, and then at the narrow ledge above, as if trying to discern for himself what troubled Rosalie.

"Alice would know," Jasper said wistfully. "I think something bad happened down here. It must've happened eons ago…but there are still traces of it, like it got absorbed into the walls or something."

"Aw, come on, Jasper," Emmett grumbled. "You don't really believe that whatever happened here is somehow still here–and even if you do, stop it." He was looking at Rosalie out of the corner of his eye, his arms tightening about her protectively.

"The blood paintings…" Jasper started to say.

"Jasper, please," Carlisle interrupted. "Let's listen to what Bella has to say so we can leave this place."

They weren't making it any easier for me…not when I had to talk about dark things like fallen angels and bloodlust.

I took a deep breath and started from the beginning, just as I had with Edward. I told them of The Vampires' origin, the Lycans' origin and The Forgotten…and the ageless war between them…and how Aro had once destroyed most of the vampires and would probably attempt to do so again if he couldn't win the war once and for all. And at last, I told them why we had to escape to Muriel's house…to evade the Volturi's attempts to use me to strengthen their army in the Lycan invasion that Demetri seemed to think was coming soon.

And when I'd finished, the silence was deafening, and in their faces, more than a little skepticism. By now, though, it was to be expected.

I nodded, knowing they would need the same proof that Edward had required. "Carlisle, if you'll read the last few entries in Thaddeus' book…"

He sat down on the center throne and opened the book. It didn't take him long to read the passages.

"Whew," he said, and passed the book to Esme. And after she had read the entries, she passed it to Rosalie. And so it was passed around until everyone had read it.

And still, no one said anything and the heavy silence lingered until I felt compelled to say something to break it.

"I suppose I should put it back in the bookcase, now that everyone has read it," I said.

"Bella…" Carlisle stood up and shook his head. "We can't put the book back now. It's too late. It may have been a foolish thing to do, taking the book as you did…but it was a courageous thing to do. And now it can't be undone, do you understand what I'm trying to say?"

"I think I do…" I said. There was a part of me that was quivering with relief. I didn't want to give the book back to Aro. After I had taken the book, I felt as if I were liberating Thaddeus after all he went through in his efforts to liberate the vampires.

"This is monumental," he said. "We've uncovered a truth that will forever change who we are…and we have a responsibility to that truth." He sighed and looked down at the book in my hands. "We can't walk away and go back to the lie. At least, I can't."

"I can't, either," Esme admitted. And then they were all shaking their heads and agreeing with Carlisle in unison. I admired their bravery. We were risking everything in order to bring out the truth.

I smiled at Carlisle. "We knew you'd know what to do," I said, thinking how reluctant Edward was about relinquishing the book back to the bookcase, and how indecisive he was as he weighed the risk with my safety.

"I wouldn't blame anyone if they don't wish to get involved…" he said, looking specifically at me, and then Jasper; I knew he was referring to Edward and Alice who weren't there to give their vote. But I thought I knew what Edward's answer would be. It was the same answer that brought all of them to Volterra and my aid. They were a family and a team—and you didn't mess with one without riling the rest of the Cullens. At least when Aro came calling we would all stand against him—and I had no doubt that eventually the Volturi would find Thaddeus' book missing.

Carlisle shook his head in wonder. "It looks like our mission has changed a bit…it's now imperative that we get Thaddeus' book out of here."

He placed his hand on my shoulder and squeezed lightly. "Okay, Bella, take us to Muriel."

***

(No cliffie for the weekend—also a longer chapter than usual. See you next week. Thanks for reading. OTM)