Chapter 93

Carlisle threw himself in front of the group of vampires that had come to support him and his family. Next to him, Alice nervously glanced at him over and over out of the corner of her eye. He finally turned to her and she quickly looked away, facing the incoming parade of Volturi members.

For the first time, they laid on eyes on another naturally conceived vampire child, as she walked with her chin held high next to Aro. Her age looked of about twelve, though she held her head high with all the confidence of the rest of their group, who had been alive for centuries. A plether of other new faces stood across from them, and Aro smirked as he saw Carlisle and Esme's eyes fix on his Charles look-a-like. They turned and glanced at each other briefly, before returning their stare to the enemy line before them.

"Happy new year!" Aro bellowed in a friendly tone as he approached them, "I hope you all got a chance to watch the ball drop, and shared a few kisses at midnight." The happiness that poured out of him made everyone more uneasy. He smiled wide and looked at Alice, "I know you were probably expecting us."

"It doesn't have to be this way," Carlisle told him.

Aro pretended to be confused, "And what way is that?"

"You've traveled so far to come here with all of your alliances," he said, "And it's been said that you've changed your mind about your feelings regarding Masen."

"Is this your dear son next to you?" Aro asked, "My, he's gotten so big. They grow up so fast."

Masen looked over at his father, and felt the eyes of the Volturi on him who had not yet seen him. Even Felix and Demetri stared, having not seen him since he looked a bit younger.

"Who's the young girl next to you?" Edward asked, evening himself with Carlisle.

"She's one of our many newborns," Aro lied, knowing Edward could see through him.

Maggie stepped forward, "That's a lie." Siobhan and Liam each stepped forward protectively around her, knowing very well of their littlest member's gift.

"My dear, Maggie is it?" Aro asked.

"She's your daughter, Aro," Edward went on, "Everyone knows it."

"Figuratively speaking, yes," he explained, "Just as Carlisle is your father."

"No," Edward said, "You conceived that child with your mistress Gianna."

"Gianna?" Aro asked, looking at a smiling Caius.

Carlisle walked a few steps toward Aro, "Aro, we don't want to fight. I don't want to see any of my family, or yours for that matter, die here today. You've set the rules for our kind for centuries with much success. You have to know this could lead to an adjustified battle."

"I do still consider you a dear friend, Carlisle," he explained, "But you see, you've changed the rulebook, whether by accident or not. I must keep order the best way I know how."

"I understand, you're very successful because you've always picked your battles wisely. We're not a threat to anyone. Losses on both sides could throw all law and order we have into a tailspin. We live here quietly, alone. You maintain justice in Italy, and everyone knows that each one of you is an asset to that. Why risk any lives for something that isn't an issue?"

"This is our method for keeping law and order," Caius chimed in, "Without consequences, there is no order."

"Consequences for what?" Edward asked.

"Do you know for certain that all born vampire children will come into the world with the tame mentality that Carlisle and Esme's child has?" Caius asked.

"If a child is produced by two vegitarian vampires, then we're pretty sure-"

"Pretty sure isn't good enough, Edward."

"Well, no one else is in the process of having a child."

Aro silenced Caius and looked toward Rosalie and Emmett, "Word travels fast," Aro said, "And people of everywhere have heard of what Carlisle and Esme were able to do."

"Because you told everyone,"Edward argued coldly, "We haven't said a thing until we were approached with the question."

"So there are no more children in the process?"

"No."

Aro continued to look at Rosalie, "Dear Rosalie Hale," he smiled, "Would you mind stepping forward to allow me to take a look into your mind for a moment?"

She stared sternly back, and Emmett couldn't help but let a growl escape his throat.

"Emmett, you could step forward, too, if you'd like."

The two of them approached Aro. Masen watched nervously when he took Rosalie's hand within his own, as Emmett stood dangerously close to her, surely wanting to rip Aro's head clean off.

"So," the Volturi leader spoke, "It is true that the two of you have tried, and will continue to try for a baby of your own."

"Aro, if they decided-" Carlisle started.

"No one knows for certain how these children will pan out," Aro argued, "And unless my abilities are off, it appears as though Rosalie and Emmett are set on continuing for their own little bundle of joy."

"This isn't a bad thing," Garrett barked, "It truly is a miracle. It's given us all hope."

"So you've been hoping for blood lusting uncontrollable creatures?" Jane asked saracastically.

"Well, you're here," Garrett shot back, "So we already have blood lusting uncontrollable creatures."

Jane eyed him and within a second, he dropped to his knees in pain. Kate was about to use her forces against Jane, but Masen darted over to Garrett and placed his hand on his shoulder, easing the pain immediately.

Aro laughed out loud and looked at Jane, who was visibly angry.

"We don't have to go through with any of this," Esme said, noticing Aro still lingered around Rosalie and Emmett, "If they decided to have a child, we would raise him or her the same way as Masen. There is no danger. You already determined that last time you were here."

"We've been made a mockery of for too long," Caius said, overly eager to speak up.

Aro took Rosalie's arm, and Emmett moved in their direction, only to have a hard hand placed on his chest.

"Emmett," Rosalie said, with a hint of panic in her voice.

Caius was quickly at Aro's side, taking Rosalie from him. He smiled at Emmett coldly, and the look in his eyes was nothing but evil as he turned his back, pulling Rosalie roughly with him.

"Emmett!" she called again, this time more frantically.

Emmett looked over at Carlisle, and went with his gut. He had to protect Rosalie. Without warning, he spun himself away from Aro, who's hand had still lingered firmly on his chest, heading strait for Caius and Rosalie.

She looked back helplessly, still screaming his name. All at once, looks of panic crossed the faces of the Volturi and those on the side of Cullens. Aro looked in shock at Emmett's bold move to cross him and could only stare as he headed strait for Caius.

Felix moved swifty in an attempt to intercept, but Carlisle ran full speed and plunged his shoulder into Felix's mid section, landing them both hard onto the icy bed of snow. Masen followed after his father, and glanced over in time to see Emmett's hands clutch around Caius's neck, freeing Rosalie in the process.

Aro stared in horror, and look of panic crossed his face and Emmett's strong grip twisted with unbelievable force, sending Caius's head rolling across the ground.