Chapter twenty two: We all make mistakes.
Seeing the College disappear behind me was saddening, but there was a part of me that was thankful for it. I had been so worried about everything going on at home; I never really got the chance to enjoy it as much as I would have. Don't get me wrong, it was fun... At times.
At other times; it was a pain. Especially the parts involving Alec. This experience was completely different as to what it had been in high school. I never really figured that Alec could have matured more than what he already was; but it was a high possibility that he had. Or, perhaps it was a different scenario completely? At high school; we had been free to do as we wished, and there was no real threat lurking behind any corner. We just had one another, and that was how we liked it. Back then, Aro's duty was to watch over me and keep me company as he went about his investigation. But now... Now Alec's job was much more dangerous than what it had been in the past.
There wasn't that free-feeling that it once had. It was thrilling, and terrifying to know something to happen at any given moment; and to top it all off... To make it all the more scary; I had the freaking Volturi at my house.
Not just the four I had grown accustomed to seeing every now and then throughout my life. The whole Volturi, from what I could get what my father was saying. The only ones Aro had permitted to stay in Volterra were the ones to look after the castle; the city and furthermost more; their wives.
That was saddening. I sorta, kinda wanted to see Sulpicia and Athenodora again.
They had been exceedingly nice towards me when I had been in Volterra; and welcomed me as one of their own. They even taught me the true traditional dance; and not the easy one Alec had run through with me. At least Aro was thinking about their safety, I guessed. I didn't know how dangerous this was going to be; so how could anyone?
Not even Alice could look ahead - despite how much she had been trying, or so Edward says - because whatever it was involved me. She couldn't see anything involving me, to do with me, or based around me. As terrifying as that was; it made me all the more thankful for Alec's little spy.
This Delilah, if it wasn't for her switching sides, then we would still be in the dark. Hell, we could already be dead if it wasn't for her. I owed her that, Alec owed her that. We all did.
And although Alec had already decided what he was going to do with them; I'd made a decision of my own. I was going to talk to him about it; convince him to reconsider her fate. She was basically betraying her family, and putting everything at risk, just to help us. I knew that the Volturi did not give second chances - Ha, boy did I know that, otherwise I'd be back with Alec already - and I knew where they stood on them. They viewed them as weakness and pathetic. But if I could somehow make Alec see... If I could make him understand things from my view; then maybe I could save her life.. Save the ones she wanted to be safe, just as she had done for me.
The moment Edward pulled into our estate, I could see everything was.. Off. Not how I could last remembering seeing it. The trees surrounding the house seemed darker than usual; the flower beds Grandma' Esme joyed herself on were dull looking, and some were even crushed.
Edward's car came to a stop, and Alec was the first out of the car. He was at my side in the blink of an eye; and opening the door for me - offering his hand out for me to take in assistance. In the mirror, I could see my father roll his eyes as he got out himself. I took hold of Alec's hand and stepped out of the car.
The front door opened, and my mother was out in the very same moment my feet met the gravelled floor. My hand was torn from Alec as Bella grabbed hold of me and pulled me into a rib-breakingly hard hug. I couldn't complain. It was good to see them, to know that they were safe and not just have to take Alec's word for it.
My mother was whispering into my hair how much she had missed me, and I tried to hold back the sobs of happiness. Edward was removing my suitcase from the trunk of the car. I tried to peer over my mothers shoulder in search of Alec; but couldn't see him anywhere near where we were.
It wasn't until my mother let me go, and tried to 'have a look' at me that I was able to see him again.
He was at the trees edge, with Jane in his arms. His chin was resting on her head as he held onto her tightly. She had her eyes closed, happily tucked away in his arms.
I realized that this was the most... Normal, content, and happy I'd ever seen Jane be; and yet at the same time... She seemed sad. She broke the hug to look up at him, and her mouth began to move quickly.
I might've been able to hear what she was saying if it wasn't for my mothers voice drowning her out; asking me if I was okay, how the College was, if anything happened, and again... If I was alright.
"I'm fine, mom." I answered, desperately trying to hear what Jane was saying to Alec.
I did manage to hear the last of it, though. Jane was disagreeing with him. Whatever Alec had said in response to her, she didn't agree with it. She had said "I will be here with you through it all."
What the hell did that mean?
"Hey there, butterfly!"
I frowned, and looked towards the door. Felix was making his way down the porch steps and towards me. The look he gave Alec on his travel towards me hadn't past my attention. Something was going on here, and I wanted to know what.
"Butterfly?" I stepped around my mother; who finally took the hint and went to give my father a hand. Felix towered over me, just as tall as I could last remember seeing him up close like this. His smile was bright, friendly and goofy looking; but it made him seem all the more approachable.
Not all Volturi guard members were hard-asses like Alec was.
"Something I came up after you left Volterra," he shrugged. "Want to go for a walk, kid? Have a little catch up and let me tell you what's gonna' go down in the next few days?"
Behind Felix; Alec was making his way to the house with Jane following in pursuit stubbornly. Although I wanted to know what Felix had to say; mainly for what was going to come in the next few days of them being here; I couldn't.
"Actually, I kinda just want to go inside and see everyone..."
"Hey, they can come too; after we've caught up a little! Great idea." Felix wrapped his arm around my shoulder and began leading me away from the house.
I kept looking over my shoulder back to the house as Felix rattled on about some of the missions they had been on in the last five months. One by one, my family members began to exit the house and stand at the side of the house.
"Felix, what's going on back there?"
"Don't worry about it." He gently shook my shoulder. "Just routine stuff for us Volturi folk's. Hey, did I ever tell you the time I-"
"Wait." I dug my feet into the floor and peered up at him. "How about we have a race?"
He cocked an eyebrow at me. "If you beat me to the gate; then I'll go for a walk with you. If I win, then we get to do what I want. Deal?"
Felix's lips moved into a large, even more goofier smile. "Oh, you're on kid."
"On the count of three!" I crouched myself down. He copied my actions.
"One... Two... Three!" Felix took off in the direction of the gate at the speed of light. The only sight of him was a blurred outline. I couldn't waste my time on this, however. I couldn't stand in awe at how quickly he could run - besides. My father was quicker. Instead, in that very same second Felix took off towards the gate; I took off in the direction of the house.
"Renesmee, no!" My father tried to get there before I could; but it was too late. I was already through the door and rushing down the hallway; following his scent into the living area.
I burst into the room and automatically froze as the sight before me. Alec was standing in front of Aro with his head turned to the side; and a thin, fine - but deep - crack running up the side of his cheek; and Aro had his hand extended as if he had just...
"Alec..." I let out a breath.
Aro, Marcus and Caius's eyes snapped up to mine; a mixture of annoyance, surprise and boredom reflecting off each of their eyes.
"Miss Cullen..." Aro's lips pulled into a smile.
"Get her out of here." Alec's voice hissed. He turned his head fully, so that I couldn't look at him. But it was too late. I had already seen what I had. There was no undoing that.
Demetri; who had been in the corner of the room beside Jane - who had her back to Alec. Probably because she didn't want to witness what was currently going on either. - came out of nowhere and was trying to lead me out of the room. Using his body and chest as a shield so I could no longer see anything. Just because he was trying to shove me out of the room; didn't mean I was going without a fight; and fight I did.
I tried to move around him. I tried to shove him back too, even if it was failing. "Stop it! Alec!"
"Just go Renesmee." Alec hissed once again.
My body was hoisted up into the air by a large pair of arms. Toned, muscular and dressed in black. I could recognize that smell, the rough yet gentle touch of these arms anywhere. "Put me down!"
"Sorry, kid. Can't do that."
"Put me down!" I kicked at him as I was dragged out of the room. "Don't you touch him! Don't you dare touch him! Put me down!"
"Felix!" Aro's voice boomed over everything and everyone. Felix came to a halt and stepped back into the room; still holding me under his arm by my waist. I felt oddly like a rag doll.
"Master?"
Aro clasped his hands back together and let them rest in front of him. "Leave her be."
"Master." Felix bowed his head, and let me down to my feet. As soon as I had my balance, I rushed over to Alec and took hold of his face. I tried my best to force him to look at me, but he kept fighting back by pulling his face out of my grasp. Somehow, I managed to find the inner strength and forced him to look at me.
There, I could see the now faint line disappearing across his cheek. My finger automatically began to trace over it; and I could feel the granite hard skin all rough and shaken up from where it had split. The crack began at his jaw; and spiralled up towards the bridge of his nose.
It must've taken a real hard crack to cause this...
His ferocious red eyes didn't leave mine, even while I was busy examining his face.
When I finally let my eyes return to his, he frowned more and pulled his face out of my hands. "Are you finished?"
"Alec, I-"
"Miss Cullen."
My lips moved into a thin line as I turned to face Aro. He was smiling at me. How could he actually smile at me after what he had just obviously just done?! I knew the Volturi were strict, but I never once imagined that they would go this far! Especially Aro; who I originally viewed as being a respectable leader and one I was sure treated Alec right.
"How dare you!" I pointed a finger at him. "Just who do you think you are?!"
"Renesmee.." Alec's hand brushed over my arm to try stop me, but I shrugged myself out of it.
Jane had moved also to her brothers side, and pulled him away from me.
Was she... Taking my side on this? She was siding with me, and telling Alec to hush; instead of me. I would have most likely stared at her in awe; if I wasn't currently overthrown with adrenaline. I hadn't even noticed each and every single member of my family entering the room and crowding together at the doorway.
"All he has ever done is serve you, and he makes one simple mistake and you punish him?!" I snapped; practically wiggling my finger in his face as if I were disciplining a child. In the reflection of the mirror behind Aro, I could see my mother move to come to my side. My father stopped her however, by putting his hand onto her shoulder.
"Why you insolent little-" Caius began, but Aro raised a hand; silencing him completely. A cross of confusion and anger flared over his immaculate features; but he did was he was told. He kept quiet; and sulked at Aro's side.
"Miss Cullen," Aro addressed me again. "May I?"
He offered out his hand for me.
It wasn't a question. It was more of an order.
Although I felt like telling him to shove off, and I almost did, Alec's stiff presence at my side reminded me that I had to respect this man; otherwise I would be putting everyone in a situation much more dire than what we currently were in. Reluctantly, I let my hand take hold of Aro's.
His eyes snapped close automatically.
I could feel him rummaging through my mind. Seeing things that no one else had ever seen; and I knew for a fact my father was watching also. If he was, he didn't let it show.
It only took a matter of seconds for Aro's eyes to open again, and he let his other hand place itself on top of ours; somewhat sandwiching my hand in between both of his.
"As I expected..." He sighed, and pursed his lips - giving him the appearance that he was pouting in sympathy to me. His eyes then moved to Alec. "You haven't let her in on the reason for this, have you?"
I looked between Aro and Alec; confusion writing itself all over my face. What the hell did he mean by that? Of course I knew what the reason for all this was. It was because he couldn't deal with Lilianna alone. What was so wrong with that?!
With my hand still in Aro's, he was able to hear that thought. He sighed again, and gently patted my hand. "Sweet, sweet Reny..." I had to stop myself from cringing hearing him say that. It wasn't as... Nice coming from his lips. It wasn't the same as it was when it came from Alec. "Alec hasn't told you everything... Have you, my boy?"
I looked to Alec, and frowned in confusion. "Alec?"
"It doesn't hold importance to her." Alec stated flatly. "Master, don't do this."
"But I must, Alec." Aro sighed again. What was it with this guy and sighing?! "Otherwise she will think of me as the monster, when I am nothing of the sort. Renesmee, my dear.."
He looked back to me; and held my eyes with such great intensity I could feel my insides twist in fear of what he was about to say.
"Alec had the chance to deal with Lilianna before she threatened you and tore you both apart; despite knowing how dangerous she could eventually become... And even then he still chose to let her go. He chose to let this go on, and let her live; when he knew there was a great chance she would cause a problem. He chose to hide this from me... From us all. It is only now that I am finding this out, as are you."
... Alec... Alec chose to let her live?
No, no. That couldn't be true. Alec would never do that. Alec was loyal to his coven. He wouldn't hide anything from Aro. He wouldn't hide something like that from me... Would he?
"Alec?" I turned to look at him for some guidance, for some reasoning that this wasn't true. That what he was saying; that he had basically let Lilianna destroy us wasn't real. Alec turned his eyes away from me, and glanced more so down to his sister.
"That is why I was punishing him, my dear." Aro squeezed my hand again. "Despite knowing this would come, he still chose to hide it from you."
That explained things. The reason he was at the window... He must've been talking to Felix, for Felix had been adamant on keeping me out of the house. He was dead set on... Distracting me while Alec went through this. If it wasn't for me tricking Felix and going into the house, if it wasn't for me knowing something was wrong here, it was most likely I would never have found this out.
I would never have known that Alec had... Let her live.
But that was then, and this was now.
Alec wanted her dead. He said it himself. He believed that she deserved to die, and he had said he was going to stop at nothing. Was this the 'wrong' he was always dead set on fixing? The mistake he wanted to fix, that he said he wanted to fix, wasn't to do with us at all.
It was to do with her. He wanted to do what he should have done to Lilianna back when he had the chance, and end this finally.
I slowly pulled my hand out of Aro's and took in a sharp breath.
"Even so," I caught Aro by surprise. I caught Alec and Jane by surprise. "You shouldn't punish him. We all make mistakes once in a while. Even... Volturi guard members."
Caius scowled at me, while Marcus was dazing off towards a vase of flowers. Aro, however; was smiling again. As each seconds ticked by, and the silence dragged on, his smile grew until a light, infectious and completely insane laugh left his lips.
"My, she is still quite remarkable, isn't she?" He turned his head to his fellow leaders. Caius rolled his eyes, but Marcus still payed no attention. "Not only does she have bravery to stand up to you, Alec; but to me also."
Alec bowed his head towards his master, while Jane squeezed tightly onto his hand.
She was looking at me; but I couldn't tell what in. If it was in thanks, or gratitude, or hate, or what?! All I knew, it wasn't the usual glare she'd look at me in. This time she was actually looking at me as a person, rather than a... Half-breed.
"You have raised yourself quite an amazing miracle, Isabella... Edward. She is truly something."
I was just about to speak up, and comment that 'she is right here, and can hear you' when Jane interfered. Her hand tore itself from Alec's as she stepped forward in front of me; practically pushing me back to stand beside Alec.
"Aro, could you please excuse and overlook any further punishment for my brother? Having to endure this is punishment enough for him; don't you think?"
I don't know what she was getting at, but I was thankful for it. I don't think I'd be able to stand back and watch him be... Punished like she had, and truthfully; I don't think she had it in her to stand back and watch it anymore. Aro had said I was brave, but Jane was the brave one.
"Someone's approaching," a voice in the back said; and before I knew it; Carlisle was already answering the door and stepping out. Slowly, one by one of my family began to go and look. I turned to Alec, and once again made him look at me by guiding his face with my hands. The line was gone now, thank god, but he had that... Emotionless, impassive look back on his face, and in his eyes.
"You shouldn't have done that," Alec whispered.
"Hey, I'm Renesmee. I do crazy shit."
Alec's lips twitched and eventually quirked into a smile. "Language."
"Right, sorry."
"Where's Alec?" Alec turned his head, still being held with my hands, towards the door. "And Jane? Where are the twins?"
I let my hands fall from his face, and nodded my head for him to go when he looked at me for permission. He took on out the door; with Jane slowly following out after him.
She paused in the doorway and looked at me again. In the exact same way she had just moments before.
"Renesmee..." I held my breath, waiting for some sort of insult to come.
"Yes?"
"... Thank you."
The breath I was holding left me, and I stared at her.
She only held my gaze for a matter of moments after that before finally turning and following after Alec; who was now outside; conversing with someone. Jane wasn't the only one who left the room after Alec. Following after her was the three leaders of the Volturi; elegantly, in their own way, vanishing on out of the door.
Wait a minute.
Was this the girl? The spy?
"Delilah, may I introduce my master... Aro."
It was! It was her!
My family had all moved themselves back into the room again; taking full ownership of a room that rightfully belonged to them. Aunt Rose sat herself down onto 'her' sofa, while Uncle Emmett towered behind her; doubled over so that his head was level with hers.
Aunt Alice and Uncle Jaz stood where Aro had; by the fireplace with the mirror above it. Mom and Dad? Well, they were at me; of course. Trying to convince me to come away from the window.
When had I moved to look out the window; I have no idea. But I had, and I could see them. I could see them all. There were four of them. Three boys, and one... Hey, wait a minute! I know that guy!
"Now, I know I'm not as good as your father, or yourself. But I'm not half bad, eh?"
I couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm. For a first timer, he had done really well!
"It was amazing. Just a few minor mistakes here or there, but otherwise great!" I praised him with a gentle nudge of my shoulder against his.
"Couldn't have done it without you," the male winked at me. But the smile that was on his face fell, and was replaced with total awe. He wasn't looking at me anymore. In fact, he was looking... Through me, practically. I turned to see what the hype was all about; and the moment my eyes landed on Alec, I understood. I smiled at him eagerly.
"I was just teaching my new friend a song."
"How nice of you," Alec praised rather boredly sounding.
The boy at my side stood up quickly, and began to stutter rapidly.
"You're... You're A-A..."
"Alec." He finished for him, in the very way Alec would do it. I guessed Alec wasn't the type to stand for stuttering messes.
"This is Scott." I said, since Scott seemed to be in a state of awe; and unable to talk. "He's here with his sisters."
"Ah," he nodded. Alec offered out his hand; and Scott slowly took a hold of it; after doing a double take from Alec to his extended hand.
"You're Jane's brother..."
Alec let Scott's hand go while nodding. "Indeed."
"Is she... H-h-here too?"
"Somewhere. Showing other guests to their room. She does reside here, after all." I frowned towards Alec. That wasn't very nice of him! Scott was just trying to be nice!
Alec didn't seem the slightest bit phased.
"Is she as... how people say she is?"
"That would depend. What do people say she is?" Alec was playing with him now. He was playing with him like he would play with his food. Taunting it. Making it sweat under the collar, before he went for the kill.
"I would not go looking for her, if that is what you are meaning."
Scott nodded his head quickly, then looked to me. All I could do was smile at him before he returned his eyes to Alec.
"It was a pleasure meeting you. Really." He said almost too intensly. Was it really all that great to meet Alec? Here I thought Alec was one of the reasons for fear in our world; and yet here he was with a freaking fan! "I'll let you two be. Have a great day. See you around, maybe? Or maybe not... Hopefully though."
I watched as Scott rambled to us as he walked to the door backwards. He pulled it open, and just as he pulled it closed; I heard him sigh to himself 'Wow. I met Alec, freaking hell.'
Yep. He certainly was one on Team Alec, apparently.
I began to poke at the glass, while my father peered out beside me; probably wondering what I was looking at. "That's Scott! That's him! I know him!"
"You know him?" Edward frowned and looked to me. "How?"
"I played the piano with him. I know him! I was alone with him! He can't be one of the bad ones, dad. He was so nice... He was with his sist- Oh."
It made sense now. His sisters... They were the ones in on this; and one of them was... Lilianna.
Edward sighed and put his arm around me while I stared out at the talking group. I couldn't help but feel... Used. I had befriended that boy. I had shared little secrets in playing the piano with him. I had even taught him my favorite freakin' song; and the whole time he was part of a coven that wanted mine dead?!
"He doesn't want you dead, sweetie." My father tried to sooth me. "He's on our side."
He was? Well, I'd feel a lot better hearing that from him!
Above me, I felt my father's head turn and look towards my mother. He loosened his grip on me, and nodded his head. "Then go ask him."
"Edward!"
But it was too late. With my fathers permission, I rushed on out of the house; quickly walking over the threshold of the front door and into the open.
It took a moment for my eyes to readjust to the light, but once they did; they landed directly onto Scott. He was looking at his feet, while Aro seemed to be talking to him... To them all.
In quick steps; I raced down the porch steps and made my way over to the group.
Felix and Demetri were the first to notice my approach; and sent me a cautious look; but other than that, they didn't move a muscle.
Just as I was about to pass Alec, his hand caught hold of my wrist. Securing me to his side, and not letting go.
"Don't." He whispered sternly under his breath.
"Don't what?" I frowned in return.
"Whatever you're planning on doing... Don't."
Well that was hardly fair! I wanted to ask Scott what the hell was going on; and why he was in on this! He was such a nice guy. Unless... That had all been a lie? Had he been playing me the whole time? That small session in the piano room; where he walked in seeming lost, and interested in what I was doing. It must've been... That was the only reasonable explanation behind it.
"Go back inside." Alec ordered me, and let go of my wrist. "Now."
"Erm..." I frowned towards him. "No?"
"Renesmee, must you always stick your nose in where it is not needed?"
I would have retaliated back. Argued with him, maybe; if I hadn't noticed the sudden change in the atmosphere. There wasn't talking anymore. It was just dead silence. I turned my head away from Alec to find Aro looking at me with his eyebrow arched.
"Sorry." I bowed my head.
"You're perfectly alright, my dear." Aro smiled. "I was just about finished here anyhow. Can you wait one more moment before continuing your conversation with Alec?"
Sheepishly, and with a blush; I nodded.
Aro turned back around to face the four of them. Their attentions flicked between all of us, and for a moment; I felt Delilah's eyes linger on me for a second. A cold, hard shiver ran down my spine. I think it was something to do with the fact... I guess it was because it was like having a ghost look at me. Alec had said he planned on destroying her alongside the others, even though they were helping us.
"You shouldn't have come out here, Renesmee."
It wasn't Alec who whispered to me this time. It was Jane.
I turned my head to look at her this time, and parted my lips to ask why; when Aro's words caught my attention.
"And so I suggest... That you four join us in training. If you are to indeed fight alongside us, it is only fair that you are trained alongside the Cullen's to fit among the best."
Wait, what? We were getting trained?! My head snapped around to Alec, while a smile grew onto my face. From what I had heard in stories, or legends more like, the Volturi were ruthless. They were quick, and they were brutal. But alongside that, their fighting techniques were among the best the vampire world had ever seen. They intertwined fatality and elegance together perfectly; and I was going to be like them? We were going to train like them?
"No." Alec answered my unspoken thoughts. "You're not being a part of this."
I didn't care if Aro, or anyone was listening anymore.
"What? Why not?"
"Because I don't intend for you to be on the battlefield, Renesmee. It's simply far too dangerous."
Was he kidding me? Life was dangerous these days; but that didn't stop me living it.
"This involves me too. I wanna help. I can help you.."
"Alec, she has a point." Jane seemed to be on my side... Odd. But I wasn't going to question a good thing. I would roll with it.
"See, Jane understands it!"
"I said no, Renesmee. Your family will stand with me on this."
"That isn't fair."
"Life isn't fair." He spat back.
"Alec, don't be unreasonable."
"Jane, stay out of this."
We had created quite an audience for ourselves. The three of us openly arguing in the middle of our driveway; yet none of us seemed to care. If I didn't win on this, at least I could say I had Jane on my side. That was more than what anyone could ever say.
"Alec," Jane continued; even when Alec had told her to stop. "Think of it this way. You can either train her yourself, or one of us will. Either way, she is going to learn."
Despite the fact Alec seemed to be dead set on me not fighting, he had come to a stop on that one. His teeth were clenched, as were his fists at his side. Reluctantly, he nodded his head and swallowed a pool of venom that had most probably built up inside of his mouth.
"Fine. I will teach you," he gave in. Inside my head, I was doing a victory dance with Jane. "But that is it. If you don't meet my standards; then you are not going to be a part of this."
I didn't think Alec would let me fight, even if I did meet his standards. He would just say I didn't anyway. Never the less, it didn't mean I wasn't going to try! Besides, Aro was here - and if he thought I was good, then he overpowered everyone, and if he said I could fight, then I would and there was nothing nobody could do about it.
Yep. If Alec said no, I'd run to his daddy.
"Great! So when do we start?" I jumped with giddiness.
Jane wasn't looking at me kindly anymore. It was more out of confusion and... Repulse. As if she were looking at a child, which I sorta felt like. I mean, who the hell jumped for joy anymore?! Mentally, I kicked myself but kept my large smile.
"We start now." Aro was the one who answered me as he joined our little circle. "Lets move somewhere a little more practical for this."
"I know just the place," Carlisle emerged from the doorway; followed by my family.
Oh yes! I was going to train... Volturi style!
—xXx—
My chest hurt. My legs hurt. Hell, everything freaking hurt!
I was positive I had at least broken my face twice now; by the amount of times I had my face down in the dirt. Currently, that was where I lay; with Jane's foot pressed into the crook of the back of my neck.
Grandpa had lead us all to a large abandoned field just outside of the city. All in all, it took approximately five minutes running to get there. The perimeter of the field was lined with Volturi members; all shoulder to shoulder. Further out, there were scouts roaming around; watching and waiting for any unwanted interferences.
Alec had been instructed to take on the newborns, meaning I didn't get to be taught by him. But watching him train Delilah, Scott and the other two - whose names I was still trying to learn - was amazing. This was the first time I had actually seen him... Working. Doing what he did best. In the act of combat. He was going through techniques for them all; and using the boy with black hair - and a t-shirt that just said 'this is a t-shirt' on - as a demonstration.
Aro was at the sidelines with Carlisle, speaking things through. Marcus and Caius were there too; but they weren't really paying attention. Felix and Demetri? Well, they were with my family. Heidi was there too, helping out when she could.
It was weird to think that she and Demetri had a fling... I was positive Demetri had feelings for Jane! I mean, just look at the way he looks at her! Though, I couldn't really look at anything at this precise moment. My face was in the dirt; and I had her foot at the back of my head pinning me there.
"Again, you'd be dead." She said bitterly and removed her foot from me. "Perhaps it isn't a good idea for you to come along."
I rolled over onto my back and brushed the dirt from my stomach.
"No, no! I can do it; I swear."
Jane sighed in annoyance and put out a hand. I took it, and she pulled me up to my feet.
"Remember what I said. Always look for their weakness."
Jane began to move back from me, while I stood there; crouching myself and carefully watching. She lowered herself to the floor, and took off running for me.
I had to remind myself... Don't panic. Don't panic. Don't panic...
But it was hard not too! Anyone who had a brain would panic when they had Jane of the freaking Volturi coming at them!
Okay, okay, Renesmee. Look for a weakness...
Jane looked to push off with her left foot; meaning her right must've been a little more vulnerable than the other. When she comes forward; she always takes a final step before she makes a blow.
Automatically, I ducked down as she appeared in front of my face and swung my foot around. It collided with Jane's ankle and through her off for a moment; but she was quick to recover. She kicked off the floor completely and used her foot to knock against the side of my shoulder.
I fell to the floor, obviously, onto my back and like the many times before; Jane was above me with her hand on my throat. Her ruby eyes were seeping into mine, and I was left frozen.
"Better." She... Almost praised. "That was better."
She pushed herself up off me, and offered out her hand yet again.
"Try to think bigger, Renesmee. Stop trying to stay in the one place. Don't be scared to move around."
I nodded my head quickly. "Move around, got it."
"Here, I'll give you motivation. Think of me as Lilianna." Wait... What?! "If you don't take me down, then I'm going for Alec."
Was she crazy?! I couldn't... I couldn't do that!
"Because there is a high chance that you will cross her on that battlefield, Renesmee. And she isn't going to let you up after she drops you. Do you want to let Alec witness that?"
I looked over to where Alec was. He had switched his partner from the t-shirt guy, to Scott. Seemed like he was taking on a bigger opposer; which meant they must've been on the topic of what to do when someone bigger comes at you.
Wait, what did you do when a bigger person came at you?!
"Do you want your family to see that?"
Automatically, I looked towards my family. Jasper was fighting against my father. My mother with Alice. Rosalie with Esme. And Emmett against... Felix?! They stood out among them all. It wasn't like they were training at all. In fact, it looked as though they were... Play fighting. Both of them were laughing, and desperately trying to tackle one another to the floor.
Demetri was walking through the pairs; ordering them on what to do, how to do it. He was basically ignoring Felix and Emmett.
I turned my eyes back to Jane, and frowned. "They're not going to see that."
"Then prove it."
Jane gave me a sadistic smile, and I didn't wait. Instead of letting her take charge and come at me; I rushed towards her with all the speed I could muster. Jane moved into a blur, as did I; and every hit or kick or punch or grab she made at me, I counteracted with a deflect and a jab of my own.
I had to do this. I had to prove myself. For my family. For the Volturi. For Alec.
I wasn't letting Lilianna win this time.
Or so I had hoped.
A solid, hard knock to the side of my head sent me flying out of the air and skidding across the floor on my butt. Surprisingly though, Jane did the exact same but in the opposite direction. She took a moment to sit herself up and shake her head; which caused the bun in her hair to fall out, and her golden locks to fan out over her shoulders. Jane's hair was... Long, and smooth looking, and severely beautiful. She looked like an angel, covered in dirt.
Jane pulled herself up off the floor. It took a second for my eyes to register what was happening, but when I did; I was stunned. Jane was smiling at me.
I quickly pushed myself up off the floor too, and stood just like she was.
"That was good." She nodded. "Very, very good."
I might've jumped for joy again, if I hadn't already experienced her looking at me in repulse due to that. I couldn't get too excited. This wasn't supposed to be fun; this was training for a war.
Though, it was kinda... Really, really fun.
"Mind if I cut in?" Alec asked from behind me, forcing me to turn slowly.
"Alec! Did you see that? Jane said it was good!"
He smiled down towards me and nodded his head gently. "I did. Highly impressive."
I blushed. Couldn't help it. Any compliment I received from Alec always seemed to leave me red and flustered.
He moved his attention to Jane, and smiled just as tenderly. "Do you mind taking my group for a while? I wish to test Renesmee myself."
Jane grinned back and walked forward. "But of course."
Her eyes met with mine as she brushed past us both and made her way over to Delilah and the other three. I watched her go, and didn't take my eyes off her until she had finally made it to Delilah's side.
Looking up towards Alec, I giggled gently. "So, you wanna have a go now?"
Alec winked, and began to pull the cloak from over his head.
I stepped back, and tried to get a hold of my thoughts. But it was hard. Boy was it hard. There was only so much I could take when he was basically stripping infront of me!
He tossed his cloak to the side, and crouched himself down.
"Ready?" He asked.
I crouched myself down also and nodded. "Ready."
Alec didn't count down. He went straight for it and was behind me in a blink of an eye. A hand swiftly found itself around my waist, while the other held my throat.
"If this was real, I would have removed your head already."
"Good thing it isn't real..." I breathed, trying desperately to catch my breath and ignore the fact his hands were around me again.
"You're letting lust get the better of you, Reny..." He whispered into my ear, his lips brushing over my ear. I shivered, and let my eyes fall to a close.
He was right. I was letting lust get in the way of it, and I couldn't afford that. Even though it was Alec holding me, I couldn't think of that right now. If this were real, Alec would be fighting someone else; and worrying about me. I had to view him as a threat right now, and I had to give it my all.
Look for the weakness.
"So are you." I said back quickly, and swiftly turned my body around; and with a hard shove, I sent him away from me. While he tumbled backward, and recovered quickly, I didn't wait to see if he was alright. I was on him in seconds, using my foot to sweep his legs out from under him - which worked, for again, he recovered quickly - and used his hands to grab hold of my leg. I felt as though I was flying through the air as he swung my body around.
I felt my back hit against the hard ground, and his posture towered over me. I was pinned to the floor; hands above my head, and his eyes on mine. His lips inches from mine.
I let out my breath, and looked to the necklace dangling from his throat.
Of course he would be good. He was a high ranking Volturi member.
"Good," Alec whispered in a parise. "But not good enough."
"I'll have you on your back, Alec." I grinned up at him. He let out a chuckle, and I could taste his breath. I was suffocating in the scent, the taste, and the feeling of Alec all around me.
"I'd like to see that happen."
"Have you forgotten? I've done it in the past already."
Recollection flicked across his face, and a dirty sinister smile took over his features. "That isn't the same as this, Reny dear."
"Isn't it?" Just to prove my point, I used all my strength, everything I had left to quickly switch our positions. It worked. It actually freaking worked. Alec was pinned to the floor with me straddling his waist. I held his hand above his head, and I was the one glaring down into his eyes.
Leaning a little closer to his lips, I let my nose brush against his. "Told you."
Alec sucked in a deep, sharp breath; and I was positive he was just about to close the space between us. He had that look in his eye... The look he got before lust took over him, and he'd kiss me. He was just about to kiss me again, in front of everyone; making it apparent that whatever he had once had still stood a chance, when a voice boomed over the field and caused everyone to come to a stop, and look into the direction.
Both Alec and I turned out hears, but didn't move out position to look.
Coming into the clearing was a mass of russet skinned men, ripe with muscles and cropped dark hair.
"You didn't start the party without us, did you?!"
I couldn't hold it in. I couldn't. I kicked myself up off Alec and raced towards them.
"JACOB!"
Large, warm, welcoming arms wrapped themselves around me; and I was reminded of the sweet smell of La Push. Of home.