"Take a moment to ponder, for the justice we intended to deliver no longer applies."
Caius hissed indignantly. Aro cautioned him once again, and between them, a silent message passed that sent a chill right through me. I was more certain than ever that Edward and Garrett, amongst others, had been correct. The Volturi were going to dig deep to start a fight: 'ponder' what we had already said, already given away, that could be used instead of the intended trigger. We were being made to think we were in the clear, so that our barriers would come down and someone would reveal something that the Volturi could twist into a crime.
I'm not fooled, I warned Edward - and Aro, who was still holding his hand. Edward's back muscles tightened, but Aro's confidence did not waver. I could not speak aloud without causing a disruption, and both of us knew it.
"Will you introduce me to your daughter?" Aro asked again.
Chapter Eighty: Specious Allegations
Even with Emmett and Jacob by her sides, it took all of Bella's willpower – and unsurprisingly so – for her take those two steps forward and offer up her daughter. I was now between her and the rest of the family. I glanced towards Esme, and saw the same look of desperation and difficulty that Bella was trying to hide.
"But she's exquisite," Aro murmured, attention having returned to Renesmee. "So like you and Edward." A little louder, he added: "Hello Renesmee."
"Hello, Aro," Renesmee greeted in her educated voice. Aro seemed perplexed, but his fascination had not dimmed.
"What is it?" Caius hissed. Clearly, his nerves were not cooling.
"Half mortal, half immortal," Aro explained. "Conceived so, and carried by this newborn while she was still human.
"Impossible," Caius scoffed.
"Do you think they've fooled me then, brother?" Aro asked, an edge to his amicable tone betraying confidence that Caius did not truly seek to challenge him. "Is the heartbeat you hear a trickery as well?"
Caius scowled, which appeared to amuse Aro.
"Calmly and carefully, brother," Aro cautioned, still keeping a light tone, his eyes still on Renesmee. "I know how well you love your justice, but there is no justice in acting against this unique little one for her parentage. And so much to learn, so much to learn! I know you don't have my enthusiasm for collecting histories, but be tolerant with me, brother, as I add a chapter that stuns me with its improbability. We came expecting only justice and the sadness of false friends, but look what we have gained instead! A new, bright knowledge of ourselves, our possibilities."
Aro held his hand out to Renesmee, but she reached up for his face. Aro didn't so much as flinch; he had come to expect this from the thoughts and memories he had seen through his conversation of sorts with Edward.
"Brilliant," he whispered. Renesmee settled back into Bella's arms, and looked at Aro with the most solemn eyes her childlike face could muster.
"Please?" she asked him.
"Of course I have no desire to harm your loved ones, precious Renesmee," Aro replied with a gentle smile. He seemed well and truly smitten with her; perhaps we were safer than I had thought - then again, perhaps not. Maggie hissed bitterly. I saw surprise flash across Esme's face, and then realisation: she had been lulled into the false sense of security too. But now, Aro's secret was blown: everyone trusted Maggie. With all of us on our toes now, I wondered what Aro would do. He seemed ignorant, however, of the disturbance.
"I wonder..." he mused. His eyes shifted to Jacob, who steadily stared him down. Unlike the rest of the guard, Aro regarded the wolf with a sort of longing.
"It doesn't work that way," Edward interrupted whatever Aro was contemplating.
"It was just an errant thought," Aro shrugged unconvincingly. His focus shifted to the back row of our would-be fighters. He examined each of the wolves on the left, and then dragged across Esme and the others before observing the wolves on the other side.
"They don't belong to us, Aro," Edward insisted. "They don't follow our orders. They're here because they want to be."
Jacob growled menacingly to emphasise Edward's point.
"They seem quite attached to you, though," Aro said, thinking aloud. "And your young mate and your...family. Loyal." His eyes flickered across the ranks again; the faces of the wolves now mirroring the fierce determination of their vampire companions. Even Leah was there, looking the fiercest of all but Jacob.
"They're committed to protecting human life, Aro," Edward explained. "That makes them able to coexist with us, but hardly with you...unless you're rethinking your lifestyle."
Aro simply laughed that idea off.
"Just an errant thought," he repeated. "You well know how that is. We none of us can entirely control our subconscious desires."
Edward grimaced.
"I do know how that is," he agreed, "but I also know the difference between that kind of thought and the kind with a purpose behind it. It could never work, Aro."
Jacob looked to Edward for an explanation, a whine escaping his teeth.
"He's intrigued by the idea of...guard dogs," Edward explained reluctantly. This was met by an uproar of furious growls and snarls from the other pack members. Sam gave a loud bark, enforcing control, and they reluctantly settled, sending the clearing back into silence.
"Well, I suppose that answers that question," Aro said. "This lot has picked its side."
Edward hissed and leaned forward, and a panic-stricken Bella clutched his arm. Felix and Demetri also shifted into crouches, but Aro waved his hand and all three returned to their original posture.
"So much to discuss," Aro mused, his eyes flickering to Nessie and then to me before returning to Edward's face. "So much to decide. If you and your furry protector will excuse me, my dear Cullens, I must confer with my brothers."
.o.o.o.
Esme:
Edward dragged the others back to the front line, but Carlisle only took a few steps back towards us. His eyes anxiously watched the Volturi as they discussed our fate.
"How can you abide this infamy?" Caius hissed at Aro, his arms tensed at his sides. "Why do we stand here impotently in the face of such an outrageous crime, covered by such a ridiculous deception?"
"Because it's all true, every word of it," Aro replied, calm in contrast with the other elder's fury. "See how many witness stand ready to give evidence that they have seen this child grow and mature in just the short time they've known her. They have felt the warmth of the blood that flows through her veins."
At least someone was on our side - or seemed so. I scrutinised Aro's every word for a double meaning, but couldn't find one. He was truly willing to let us go! To let Renesmee go! Oh, happy day!.
"The werewolves," Caius muttered. My euphoric hope flickered.
"Ah, brother..." Aro murmured a pained expression on his face. On my toes with anticipation, I was poised for Aro's reply; I silently pleaded he would not bring my hopes crashing down.
"Will you defend that alliance too, Aro?" Caius demanded. "The Children of the Moon have been our bitter enemies from the dawn of time. We have hunted them to near extinction in Europe and Asia. Yet Carlisle encourages a familiar relationship with this enormous infestation - no doubt in an attempt to overthrow us. The better to protect his warped lifestyle."
Edward cleared his throat loudly, and Caius whipped around and glared at him. My anger was put on hold as I silently implored Caius not to hurt my son.
"Caius, it's the middle of the day," Edward pointed out, gesturing to Jacob. "These are not Children of the Moon, clearly. They bear no relation to your enemies on the other side of the world."
"You breed mutants here," Caius spat. Edward stiffened slightly, but then recovered and answered smoothly;
"They aren't even werewolves. Aro can tell you if you don't believe me." Both of them turned to face Aro; Edward confidently and Caius indignantly. Of course Aro cleared up the matter in a few seconds, gently scolding his brother. Aro's calm demeanour only seemed to enrage Caius further.
"They know our secret," he snapped, changing tactic slightly.
"They are creatures of our supernatural world, brother," Aro reasoned. "Perhaps even more dependant on secrecy than we are - they can hardly expose us. Carefully, Caius. Specious allegations get us nowhere."
My fragile hopes, hovering so delicately all this time, came crashing down around me when I heard the second meaning behind Aro's words. Specious allegations would get them nowhere, certainly: he was instructing Caius to move onto the next topic. Eventually they would find one reason solid enough to start a fight. All they had to do was convince the witnesses that we were criminals. Taking his brother's undercover advice, Caius announced a sudden change of topic.
"I want to talk to the informant."