Chapter 16

William and Madison sat at the edge of a long dock that outstretched into a beautiful, crystal lake. They let their feet dangle in the murky, blue water, both protected by the shade the trees around them provided. The sun was still out in full force, yet they had managed to stay somewhat hidden for most of the afternoon. Occasional kyakers and a few local fishermen passed by in front of them but the place was fairly remote.

"It really kind of sucks that we can't go out in the sun," Madison said, pulling her strawberry blonde hair into a ponytail.

William leaned back on his hands, clad only in a pair of swim trunks in the warm, spring air, "Yep. Sure does. I don't mind it much though."

"If it wasn't for the weather, I'd suggest a race across the lake and back." She playfully nudged his bare foot with hers.

He grinned, "We can make it an underwater race."

"I don't want to scare the fishermen."

"I think you're just scared to lose."

Madison had a lot of fight in her personality, something she picked up from both of her parents. She was about to use her shock on William, but remembered his painful counteract from last time.

"That's right, put that gift back in your pocket."

"Oh, hush," she told him, "Let's race then."

"Fine," he stood up on the edge of the dock and pointed across the way, "Touch the other dock over there and come back. Whoever gets back first wins."

"What does the winner get?" Madison asked.

"What does the winner want?" William grinned, twirled a stray piece of her hair in his fingers.

She smiled, "I think the terms should be made following the race."

"Hmm..."

"Or if that scares you..." Her voice trailed off, noticing the playful arrogance that crossed his face.

William crouched and got ready to make his leap into the water, "Ready."

"Set... go!" Madison called, jumping from the dock a second before him. She cruised through the water, hearing his body crash below the surface just after her.

Their bodies sailed through the water, more agile than dolphins as they chased after one another toward the dock. Light ripples decorated the surface just slightly, sending a small fishing boat bobbing up and down.

William looked up as he paddled fiercely, noticing the shadows of boats and the glow of the sunrays as they danced off the water. He glanced back ahead, seeing Madison's flawless body flip around as she reached the wooden pole that made up the dock's underwater stability. She let a hand out to the side and drew her fingers along his abdomen as she passed by with a playful wink.

As much as he wanted to end the race right there and pull her to him, William continued on, still just competitive enough to want to beat her back to the other side. He took a few long strokes with his strong arms and hit the dock, causing it to shake slightly as he pushed himself away. In the distance, he could faintly see his counterpart as she kicked along in a quick, careless motion. Her perfectly pedicured toes cruised through the water, sending little swirls in all directions.

At that moment, William backed off and watched the distance between them grow slightly. His heart got the better of him and he decided to bow out and let her have the victory.

The second they were both back in the shade, Madison popped up from the water with her arms raised as she cheered, "Beat ya!"

William cruised in that last few feet slowly and pinned her against the dock, "So what does the winner want?"

Madison smiled and was about to place her lips to his.

"You're both disqualified," a cold, hard voice came from somewhere close by.

Alarmed, William and Madison both hopped up onto the dock and looked around. Deep in the shadows of the woods, a familiar figure stood with his arms folded and a scowl on his face. It was someone they'd both only seen in pictures, though they knew who he was. Aro.

William and Madison looked like two kids caught for skipping class, or breaking curfew. They stood by the edge of the woods in Forks and waited as Emmett, Rosalie and Carlisle marched in their direction.

"What happened?" Carlisle asked, eager to know the details upon the Volturi leader's call for him.

"You are all very lucky that I've grown just a tad softer, and that you're on my good graces," Aro started, "I must sound repetitive, but if it weren't for my daughter, these two would not have come out unscathed from what I just witnessed."

Rosalie glared at William, who made brief moments of eye contact with her before shifting his eyes elsewhere.

"These two were dangerously close to revealing what we've managed to protect for centuries," he continued, "Frolicking in the lake with humans so close by on the brightest and sunniest of days." Aro turned angrily to the two of them, "Were you even aware that you could be seen beneath the surface. Your skin was shimmering beneath the open water. I'm surprised the fishermen didn't fall from their boats."

"We didn't know," William told him.

"Quiet William," Rosalie instructed firmly.

"Now, I didn't feel as though you needed us to steer you on the correct path," Aro went on, "But if something like this occurs again, I will send my brother out here to deal with. Caius would not be quite as generous as I've been today."

"I apologize," Carlisle told him.

"You better keep your family in check Carlisle," he warned, "As much as I've begun to tolerate you all, do not think you are an exception to any of the rules. If Caius had been the one to witness this, I assure you things would have ended in a more drastic fashion, and immediately at that."

"We-" Emmett started, but was quickly silenced by Aro.

"There is no room for a discussion here. Are we clear?"

"Yes," Emmett said, followed by Rosalie and Carlisle.

Aro turned to William and Madison, "Are we clear my children?"

"Yes," they told him.

"Now, send Luciana to me. I was in the neighborhood to check up on her and stumbled across this travesty on my travels."

Luciana had apparently been close enough to hear their conversation and was already on her way out to see her father. His face lighted up immediately as she approached.

"Be on your way now," Aro told the rest of them.

Luciana flashed an awkward smile at the Cullens, particularly William and Maddy as they passed. She wanted to attempt to mouth the word, 'sorry', though knew it would cause backlash from Aro and decided against it, knowing she'd be able to talk with them later.

"It's always so nice to see you, my daughter," he said with a smile.

"It's nice to see you, too, Dad." She gave him a hug and the two of them made their way away from the rest of them.

As everyone else got closer to the house, Rosalie grabbed her son by the arm and pulled him to the side, "What happened?" she demanded. Emmett stood close behind with his hands on his hips and a stern expression.

"We were just swimming around," he told her.

"In the sunlight?" she asked, though phrased it as a statement with emphasis on the word.

"Well, no, not really. We were in the shade."

"So how did Aro see you sparkling?" Emmett asked firmly.

"I don't know," he claimed, "We were under the water..."

"Damn it William. You don't go out in the sunlight, period," his father told him, "I don't care how safe you think it is."

"It was my fault," Madison told them, "I wanted to race him to the other side."

"You're both absent minded," Rosalie said, still scowling, "Do you know how many people he's killed for less?"

"Much less," Emmett chimed in.

"I'm sorry," William told them, "I'm really sorry."

"You have no idea what it would do to me... do it us," Rosalie corrected, pointed a finger at him, "If something happened to you. You too Madison. Your parents are going to have a fit. You don't know what they've been through with the Volturi."

They all stood silently for a few minutes.

"Call the Denalis," Rosalie asked Emmett, "Please."

"Okay," he agreed.

"Get inside the house now.. I have yet to decide what to do with you, but just know that Aro will seem like nothing once I've made up my mind on a consequence."