Come on and we'll sing, like we were free

Push the pedal down watch the world around fly by us

Come on and we'll try, one last time

I'm off the floor one more time to find you

And here we go, there's nothing left to choose

And here we go, there's nothing left to lose

"Nothing left to lose"

-Mat Kearney

Chapter 59:

Looks like I'll get some action after all

No one even noticed when I took off. They were all to busy celebrating to pay attention to the angry werewolf. The only one who cared enough to follow me was Embry. Of course he would follow me.

He didn't say anything. He just ran with me. He knew enough to know that when I was really ticked off, talking to me did no good. Because when I was angry I didn't listen to anyone. Trying to talk sense into me when I was pissed was like trying to talk to a brick wall…who punched.

Seth was the first one to notice Embry and I weren't in the clearing anymore.

Hey, where are you going?

None of your business. Go home and tell mom that we aren't dead.

My brother didn't deserve my hostility. I knew that. But I was rarely rational when my head was clouded with fury. I would apologize to him later.

Whatever. Seth wasn't bothered by my short temper. He had lived with me for twenty years. He had learned to take my attitude in stride.

I could see through Jacob's eyes that they were heading back to the Cullen's place now.

What's your problem, Leah? We survived. Jacob shrugged.

And that was exactly my problem. I had spent so long preparing for the other outcome that I hadn't thought to prepare myself for being alive after today. Now instead of facing an army of vampires, I had to face my own demons. It would have been so much easier to die in battle.

I pushed myself forward. Running was the only thing I could think to do. It's all I ever did when life got to be too much for me. For some reason it calmed me. I guess it was a better stress reliever than drugs and alcohol. I'd rather be doing something productive than drowning my sorrows by doing shots of Tequila, hugging random strangers in a bar, and dancing on a table for chicken wings.

I'd pay to see that. Embry couldn't ignore that comment.

After about half an hour, I had slowed my run to a trot. I felt a little better, but I still was not satisfied that we had just let the Volturi walk away. In order to keep the anger at bay, I tried to focus on the fact that this is the ending that everyone wanted. Seth and Quil were still running around as wolves. Jacob was getting ready to phase back to be with Nessie.

You guys were really awesome this morning. I couldn't ask for a better pack. Jacob praised us.

Knock it off with the chipper attitude. You're ruining my pissy one, I grumbled.

Jacob was in too good of a mood to be irritated by my temper tantrum. He told us we were free to do whatever we wanted now and then he phased out. I suggested again for Seth to go home and tell mom that we were okay. He started on his way back home. Quil followed him. He was going to see Claire.

What do people do after they've saved the world? Quil questioned.

Karaoke? Seth suggested.

I've been subjected to enough torture today. I shook my head. The last thing I want to do is hear you rejects try and sing Queen's greatest hits.

That's weird. Embry stopped in his tracks. I turned my attention to him.

Why'd you stop? I slowed down as well. He was only about a hundred yards in front of me. I crept up behind him.

My nose started to burn, which didn't surprise me consider the number of vampires that were in town right now. Although I believe most of them had left after the non-battle.

I glanced into a clearing and saw three hooded figures hovering around one another. Their faces were turned away from us so I couldn't see them, but I recognized the voices immediately.

"Come on, don't tell me that they don't deserve a good lashing." The high-pitched shrill voice of Jane carried quite easily across to where Embry and I stood.

"Aro's instructions were merely to observe the situation for the time being. Make sure they all disperse. He never said anything about attacking." Demetri tried to calm Jane down.

"Aro is an old fool," Jane hissed. "Besides, I highly doubt we'll be punished for following through on what we originally intended to do today."

The rest of the Volturi was no where in sight. I guess these three were going to take it upon themselves to take their stupid laws into their own little claw-like hands.

We should probably go. Embry frowned. They're going to smell us standing here.

I paused and thought for a moment. Even if they did smell us, so what? I wasn't afraid of them. I thought about the situation logically. If these three were planning what I thought they were planning, we had a reason to kill them. I grinned.

"I'm inclined to agree with Jane." Alec nodded. Their arrogance really bothered me. Unfortunately, they had a reason to be cocky. With their combined gifts it wouldn't take much effort on their part to destroy the Cullens.

Embry backed up. He really didn't want the vampires to know we were listening.

I highly doubt they care about our presence. I frowned.

They know we'll warn the Cullens. Seth had already changed his path to meet Embry and me. Quil was right behind him.

As soon as they realize that we're here they'll probably attack us. If this turns in to a fight, I'm behind you all the way, Leah, Embry said quietly. We were doing our best to stay hidden for now. I just had to hope that we had enough time to strategize a plan before the leeches smelled us. I glanced at Demetri. For a tracker, he obviously didn't have the best nose in the world.

Well, I did want to kick some ass today. Quil agreed that he wanted to fight as well.

Count me in, too, Seth said eagerly.

I grumbled, Thought I told you to go home, kid.

I ignore orders. Seth shrugged.

Who taught you to do that? I laughed.

My sister.

She sounds like a real bitch. I joked.

Oh, she is, he said. But she's usually right.

Then why don't you go home like I asked you to? I questioned. Mom's probably freaking out right now.

Relax. I had Jake call her. He told her we were spending the day at the Cullen's place. She bought it.

Wow, disobeying me and lying to mom. I taught you well. I'm so proud.

Did you really think I was going to let you have all the fun? Seth asked.

My attention turned from my brother back to the three vampires plotting something evil. I hated evildoers.

"They won't even see it coming." Jane grinned.

"What about Alice?" Alec questioned. That's right. Alice was back in town. And she would definitely be able to see this attack coming.

"She's so preoccupied by everything that's going on right now that she's not paying attention to the future." Jane laughed. "This is going to be the quickest battle in the history of battles. I don't even know if we could call it a fight. After you blind them, all that's left for us to do is tear them apart."

They wanted to commit a sneak assault? That was wrong. Even though I had never seen eye to eye with the vegetarian leeches, I don't think they deserved to die. That would hurt Jake and Seth. Plus, Carlisle and Esme had been surprisingly nurturing…for vampires. I couldn't let Jane and Alec destroy them. I had to take this bunch of snotty bloodsuckers out. I at least owed the Cullens that much.

Seth and Quil were less than a mile away. We started to think about tactics. I remembered something from Jake's thoughts about how Alec and Jane weren't very strong fighters because they relied so much on their abilities.

Demetri would be a different story. He might take more effort.

I'll help Quil rip him up. Seth nodded.

Alec is the first one we need to take out, I suggested. He's the one who can deaden our senses. The last thing we need to do is willingly go in to a slaughter.

Do their powers even work on us? Seth questioned. It was a legitimate question. Since Bella had been able to get her shield to work, we never did find out if their magic mojo worked on us. Chances are, they did. Jasper was able to control our emotions and Edward could hear our thoughts. We weren't completely immune to vampires with abilities.

I shook my head. I don't know for sure, but I don't want to be Anesthesiologist Dr. Doom's Guinea Pig.

Jane pointed her nose in the air at about the time Quil and Seth reached us. I'm sure she'd caught our scent.

So, Alec first, Quil said.

You can focus on Demetri, Embry assured them. I'll take care of Alec. He glanced at me. Is that okay? I know you said you wanted Jane.

This is going to be fun. I couldn't wait to bite into that little demon elf. I looked at the three wolves sitting around me. Are you guys sure about this?

We're werewolves. It's what we do. Seth didn't hesitate to answer.

Jane turned in our direction. Alec and Demetri did as well. Our presence was no longer a secret. I decided to strut over to them.

"Ah, we're no longer alone." Jane saw me walking forward.

Both Alec and Demetri had the same look on their faces. They glanced at Jane sideways, as if they were saying "Thank you for stating the obvious."

Jane snarled at me. I didn't respond.

Sneak around behind them to get to Alec, I suggested.

"So, shape-shifter…" Alec glanced at me.

I'm about to shift my shape into the form a foot so I can put it in your ass. I stopped a couple of yards from them. I stared at them, trying to keep them focused on me so the boys could get around to the other side.

I saw through their eyes that they were now in the trees behind Demetri and Alec. All I had to do was make sure that they stayed focused on me for just a few more seconds…

"Why have you come here?" Demetri asked curiously.

To kill you, I answered honestly. It's not like they understood what I was saying anyway.

Jane rolled her eyes and looked at Alec and Demetri.

"Let's just kill her."

Before the leeches could move forward with their plan to annihilate me, the boys made their move. They lunged out of the trees.

Seth and Embry both managed to tear off Alec's legs, sending him toppling to the ground. Demetri let out a low grumble and raced towards them in a rage. Quil hit him head on, and Seth joined Quil in that battle. Embry was able to tear off one of Alec's arms.

Jane spun around to try and help Alec, but I sunk my teeth into her right arm, pulling it off. She growled at me,

"You! You're going to regret the day you were born! I'm going to cause you so much pain!"

I looked at her and shrugged. I'm used to pain. Been dealing with it my whole life. Bring it on.

We both glanced to see how our teammates were doing. I was pleased to see that the vampires were losing. This wasn't the most well thought out plan, but it was working. Seth and Quil had Demetri under control. And Embry had Alec completely unassembled.

Jane screamed out angrily as she watched Embry remove the last limb from her freaky twin. She squinted her eyes at Embry and I saw him fall to the ground. So apparently her current worked on us. Who knew that werewolves were good at conducting electricity? The shock she delivered nearly knocked me off of my feet...and that was just through Embry's thoughts.

Son of a whore! Embry screamed. Jesus! Well, he wasn't as creative as me when he was in pain.

Feeling Embry's pain enraged me.

Hey, shortstack...don't mess with my pack! I grabbed one of her feet. It caused her to lose her balance, but she didn't fall over.

An agonizing ripple of pain shot through my body. No wonder Edward was so afraid of her. She was like a huge electrical wire. It felt like I was sticking a giant fork into a light-socket while standing in water.

Leah! I heard Seth cry.

I'm fine. I'm good. I lied. It hurt like a son of a bitch. I tried to push through the pain. By the time I was able to regain my footing, Jane was over by Alec's body parts, scanning the ground anxiously. When she realized that Demetri had been torn apart, too, she surveyed the area around her. It looked like she was getting ready to run. Seth stood in her path, growling.

Jane growled back at my brother and got that look that she was about to shock him.

I took a step forward and barked loudly at her.

Step the fuck off, bitch, I snarled.

She tried to race around my brother, but he was two steps ahead of her. When he lunged at her she burned him with her thoughts and he fell to the ground twitching like crazy.

Holy fuck, that hurt. Seth shook. I rarely heard Seth say that word. It stunned me a little. Seth got to his feet. I saw Embry and Quil closing in on Jane.

Don't let her get away! Quil cried.

I had to be the distraction again.

Hey, shorty… I growled as loudly as I could. It worked as I gained her attention. Jane glanced at me. I grinned at her as Embry, Quil, and Seth all lunged at her from behind, ...made you look.

The boys managed to decapitate the little freak. I felt a certain sense of satisfaction as my pack and I gathered around the scattered arms and legs. Had we really just done that? It just felt too easy.

Holy crap, we did it. Seth was surprised.

Anyone have a match? I questioned. I wanted to watch them go up in flames.

Are you sure we should do that? What if the others are close by? They'll see the smoke. Seth looked around.

I had a feeling the others were already gone. Aro had just left behind his little disciples because he knew how much they hated the Cullens. And he knew that he could always explain to the witnesses later that Jane, Alec, and Demetri had acted against his orders. Of course, he wouldn't blame the three of them. He would tell the guard that he simply left them behind to keep an eye on things and then something had happened that had gotten out of hand.

They aren't around, Quil said to Seth surely. You and I would have picked up on their scents on the way out here.

He had a point. My best guess was that the army of vampires was long gone. These three had volunteered to stay behind. It's not like they knew they were going to lose a suicide mission against four wolves.

I felt the smug confidence radiating throughout our pack. We had just destroyed the Volturi's greatest assets. I saw Jane's finger twitch and decided rather quickly that we needed a fire.

A foul smell leaked into my nose and something rushed through the trees. It was another vampire.

Two of them. Seth was certain.

Crap. Did they set us up? Quil questioned.

We need to get these three burning…now… I frowned.

I tensed up as the vampire came rushing into the clearing. Was this a friend of the Volturi? We were screwed if it was. I watched as he assessed the damage.

The tall dark-haired vampire stepped forward. He didn't look aggressive. He was just taking in the scene. With a quick motion of his arms he tossed a flaming pyre on to the piles of body parts. We watched as the three strongest members of the Volturi went up in flames.

I wonder if he realizes who he just set on fire. Embry looked at the leech.

"Let me be the first to say…" The vampire looked at us curiously, "...thank you for what you have done here today."

Wait, what? Seth was confused.

"For too many years my mate and I were forced to live under Aro and Caius's rule. Today I saw that every one of those rules were based on lies. But we were trapped." He waved for his mate to come out and join us. She was a petite little thing, but she didn't look afraid. "Demetri would find us if we ran. And I don't even want to think of what could happen if Alec and Jane came after us..."

Yeah, that current's a bitch, I agreed.

"Yes, she is very skilled at using her damn electricity."

Hold on, had he just read my thoughts?

"I did," the vampire admitted. "My name is Robert. I'm sorry, I should have introduced myself earlier." He paused. "Like the vampire you call Edward, I can read minds as well." He grinned. I thought about how he had heard all of our hostile thoughts towards the Volturi earlier today. "Ah, yes. Your pack certainly keeps things interesting. I must admit, it was hard to keep from laughing at some of the things that were thought on the battlefield today." Great...now we were stand up comedians.

You can hear our thoughts? I asked Robert. Well, that was a stupid question. I already knew that he could. Instead of calling me a moron for asking him that, Robert nodded.

"But my capabilities don't even hold a candle to what my dear wife Rita is capable of. We were part of the witnesses to the Volturi, but we went our separate way after seeing what happened today."

I glanced at Rita. What's she do?

Robert smiled at Rita and flashed her a subtle hint that I didn't see. She picked up on it rather quickly.

"You want to know what I do?" She glanced at us. We nodded. "I am able to create memories that aren't really there." Rita smiled proudly.

So…lying is her special power? I asked Robert.

"It's a bit more complex than that," Robert explained. "She will create a memory and show it to you through your thoughts. And while you peer into her thoughts she wills you to see the memory as true...even if it's not. She manipulates things to go as she wants them to go." That sounded an awful lot like Siobhan's ability to wish for things to happen a certain way. Siobhan didn't believe it herself, but Carlisle always suspected there was a subtle gift there.

Great, a lying manipulator. Like our town doesn't already have enough of those, I sighed.

"Give us a chance to prove that we are truly on your side," Robert pleaded.

"Yes, I will go to the Volturi. Tell them that these three," She looked at the piles of ashes, "have decided to go their separate ways. I'll show Aro. Tell him that after they saw the way the Cullens were living, it made them naturally curious as to what they can do in their own lives."

How will that work? Don't they keep records on all of their little gifted vampires? They could easily accuse you of lying to them. I was uncertain.

"Caius and Marcus know nothing of her ability," Robert explained. "No one else knows. Eleazar knew, but I pleaded with him not to say anything and he graciously kept his mouth shut. We spent a majority of our time hanging out in the back of the guard trying to blend it. It worked for a while. Until we came here today and saw what the Volturi is really all about."

Why are you helping us? I asked suspiciously.

Robert fielded the question. "As we stood to witness for the Volturi, I heard everyone's thoughts. In particular, I was impressed at the loyalty your pack showed to the Cullens…given that you generally kill our kind."

The Cullens are different, Seth explained. They're good…

"Indeed. We witnessed the love they shared for each other today. As well as their fondness for you."

I gagged when I realized how attached the vampires had become to us.

"My mate and I have seen that it is possible to coexist with all life-forms. We want to have that kind of life. To exist peacefully with others. You and the Cullens have shown us that possibility and we are grateful. So we will make sure the Volturi stays out of this town in the future. They shall not come to seek revenge. After my discussion with them, they will have no other reason but to believe that Jane, Alec, and Demetri abandoned them."

What if Aro doesn't buy your little fib? Quil asked.

"She is quite talented in what she does," Robert said surely. "They're afraid Aro won't believe you." He nodded his head at Rita. She let out a grin.

"Oh, he'll believe me. I've done it several times before and he never caught on." She laughed. "I had him believe that communism was my idea and that I once had a luncheon with Sadaam Hussien."

Robert chuckled. "I think Aro might be a little bit afraid of her."

I stepped back. I was a little afraid of her.

"I must go alone, Robert," Rita said sadly. He looked like he didn't like that idea. "I know, my love, but Aro must read my thoughts and only mine. I can show him how Jane, Alec, and Demetri argued amongst themselves about starting a new coven...somewhere completely new. I can't risk Aro taking your thoughts as well. Then he'll know about the ruse."

"Whatever you wish." Robert followed Rita as they ran out of the clearing. Robert stopped at the edge of the trees. "Thank you again for freeing us." Then he zipped out of sight.

I just shrugged and laughed.

Hell, thanks for letting us rip apart three of your little friends and set them on fire. The thick smoke filled the air. I just hoped that it was cloudy enough today that no one would notice it through the trees.

You think we can trust them? Seth questioned.

I'll never trust vampires. I shook my head. But what other choice do we have? I mean, they didn't try to fight with us. Plus they're the ones who set the wonder-twins and the Bloodhound on fire.

Well, if the Volturi doesn't come looking to rip us to shreds then we know they were telling the truth. Embry nodded.

And if they do come looking, we'll kick their asses, too, Quil said certainly.

As we left the pile of ashes, the pack was stoked that we had gotten to fight after all. I didn't have a word to describe how I was feeling. We had just successfully killed three vampires, which made me incredibly ecstatic. But I was also nervous about how my mom was doing. She knew something was going on today. I hope Seth and I hadn't caused her anxiety level to jump too high. Then there was Sam. We had talked about a lot of different issues, but we still weren't done. I was reminded that his wedding was in three weeks. I suddenly started cussing at myself. I wonder if I could reassemble Demetri just so I could beg him to rip my limbs off so I didn't have to wear a stupid-ass fluffy dress.