Bella

I watch from the cottage window while my daughter laughs and tries to wrestle both Jacob and Emmett to the ground out in the front yard.

I try my hardest not to dwell on today's date, but the memories of what could have been, don't allow me to let it go that easily. As of this morning, it is the "first anniversary" of our triumph to keep Renesmee alive. Yes, exactly a year ago the Volturi and our allies had lined up on that vast frozen ice patch, almost engaging in a fatal battle to the last man standing.

Naturally, Edward knew more details of the vision Alice had shown to Aro than I did, and of course neither of them were too keen on sharing with the rest of us. They just wanted to forget it if possible. It must have been really, really bad.

But, even though Aro swore his intrusion was over and everything now has shifted back to normal without hindrance, the little information that I did hear from Edward, continues to swim through the back of my mind—and most of it involves Jane.

Although I will never want to say it out loud willingly, out of the Volturi Coven, she haunts my thoughts more than anyone.

Alice had briefly mentioned once that Jane had killed the alternate-Seth and she had tortured the alternate-Jasper to the brink of immortal death as well. And despite none of that had come to pass, my disbelief and hate for her has jumped to a new level since then.

But it wasn't too much longer until I heard Edward walk up behind me, kissing my cheek. "You're not thinking about the anniversary, as you call it, are you?"

"Not really," I adlib quickly. Since I haven't let down my shield down yet today, my darkest thoughts were safe for now. "I was thinking how lucky we were, actually. I'm glad things worked out the way they did, and I'm glad that I didn't have to put up with Jane any more than I had to."

"And if Jane knew what Alice saw, I think she'd be feeling the same way right about now. Maybe even more so."

I reconsider his comment. "...Do you think she'd ever find a way to get back at us?"

"I don't know; I doubt Aro would let her try anything too reckless." Edward pauses. "But her thoughts, Bella...whenever I see her...they're deep, complex. So much pain and suffering she has faced in the past. You don't know her story as well as you think you do. I mean, hearing about it is one thing, but actually living through all of that...it's no wonder. She's the outcome of a persistent and ill-treated girl, who by now has very little left to lose. And because of that, she has less limits and would be capable of pretty much anything. That's why Aro keeps her in close-range. He subconsciously fears that she will turn on him some day. But, that's all beside the point. How far would you be willing to go with her?"

I scoff openly at the idea of starting a private war with Jane somewhere in the future. I try to cover up the silly smile that is forming on my lips. "If I ever get back at Jane for anything, I would probably have to kill Aro. That'd be the best way to bring her to the breaking point, right?"

"No, Bella," Edward says to me. "If you ever have to get back at a Witch Twin for real, you need to go for the other twin."