Chapter twenty nine: Ashes to ashes.

I was used to what was to come. Walking on the fields of battle, risking our lives for what we viewed was just and right. Our laws were set to keep pace, and we would never back down from a fight if it was needed. Battle, war, execution and English literature were my finest aspects in this world. Words, descriptions of great battles summing up all that we would see.

We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender. - Winston Churchill, 4 June 1940.

Such strong words showing devotion to what he, his people, saw as right. The cost of one life, would not compare to the many others that would fall in replace of sparing this one life. Aro had always taught us that. That if we were unfortunate enough to lose one of our own, it was for a greater cause. In a way, I supposed you could call it 'dying with honor' for you were following Aro. We suffered the chance of losing our lives for the survival of our coven, of other covens alike, because it was the right thing to do.

People may view the Volturi as heartless, cold and unmerciful monsters - and we had no problem with them viewing us like that. Fear did infact make individuals cooperative - but we were not the bad ones. We never had been. We followed the rules to their exact wording, and never once made any exceptions.

Weak leaders were not what this world needed. If we had those, then surely this would all crumble? We would fall, and we'd become the exact thing that the humans believed us to be. Myth's. Extinct. Mere children's horror stories. The history of the vampires - or vampyre as we had once gone by - was a vast majority of terror, hatred for mankind, and quite frankly brutal. The best thing Aro had ever done when he had taken his seat as the 'king' more or less of this world was banish all allowances for human's to know of our kind. To hide back within the coffin, and never come out again.

Ever since then, it had been peaceful. It had been serenity for both species, human and vampire alike. If the Volturi were to stand back and allow this treason to go against them - and god forbid if we were to fall to them - what would become of the world? The Romanian's would almost instantly take their chance at capturing the opportunity to run things again; and all hell would break lose.

Quite literally.

I had seen my fair share of massacres, of bodies littering the streets, of death and destruction. I had seen what it could do to a man, to anyone, and it was not something I would wish on my worst enemy. The things you see within a battle was bad enough, but a immortal battle? The ripping of limbs, the shredding of flesh, the undisguisable sound of snarling, hissing, cries of pain and anguish. It would be enough to break a man who was not trained to deal with those sort of things.

Although Aro had never shown any reason to dislike it when Jane and I showed affection in the midst of a battle, we had always believed he did. That was why we never shown public affection before a battle. Their had only ever been once, when Jane had grown so irritated with not being able to break past Isabella's shield that I had broken our pact and tucked her under my arm.

Yet for some reason, Jane was currently doing so. The air was freezingly cold in it's purest hour of day. The sun had only just awoken the sleeping mortals, who were no doubt beginning to get up and set about their day - completely oblivious to the vampire history about to take place.

The grass below my feet was damp with residue and condensation. A fine layer of fog and mist lingered just above the blades of grass. Jane was in her usual place, right at my side; and she snaked her hand into mine to give it a firm squeeze. I wasn't entirely sure what it was for, but I was thankful for it.

A few feet away from us, Aro stood side by side with Marcus and Caius. Demetri and Felix were flanking us - Jane and I; but we payed no attention. Among us, the Cullen's were littered together in their pairs.

Carlisle with his wife, Esme stood near Heidi and Afton.

Emmett and Rosalie a few feet away from being at the side of Felix.

Alice and Jasper a few feet from Demetri.

Edward and Isabella; standing directly by Aro.

Why wouldn't they? After all; it was their daughter that Lilianna had sworn her hatred for.

Around the countless heads that took up title of Volturi members were the pack. Spread out in the shape of a 'U'.

Although she believed she was ready, I couldn't let her go through with it. No matter how long we had in training, Renesmee would never be ready to witness those sort of things that were likely to come. She was too pure. She was too innocent.

That is why I was thankful for Jane coming to my aid in the dead of the night; when her half of her family had returned from their hunting, allowing the other half to go off and take their place.

A FEW HOURS EARLIER.

The commotion that was going on around us after Renesmee and I had finally allowed the others back in was unbearable. Currently, those who were readying themselves to go out hunting were rushing around to get the things they needed. I was positive I heard one of our members try and convince one of theirs that perhaps tasting the human diet might not be such a bad idea. Obviously he got scolded.

Corin was helping the wolves prepare; since they wanted in on this hunt also. The only ones refusing to go along were... Well, Jacob and Seth. The rest of them were going along with it happily. Probably because Jacob had ordered them too.

The group going out consisted of Emmett and Rosalie; Edward and Bella; Embry, Quil, Paul; and Colin - I think that was what their names were. - and a few of our members. It was no jump to hear that Felix had taken up the opportunity to go. Probably because of how pally he and Emmett had become recently.

Demetri was going along also, but that was probably because Felix had asked him too. I wasn't blind, so I could see full well how uncomfortable he was with the prospect of leaving Jane behind with Seth sitting so close to her.

As if he could be jealous of a mutt. Did he really believe Jane was that low? That she would settle for a pup? Sure, Seth was a somewhat respectable boy; but that did not change what we were and who we were. Jane would never, ever, go for a dog; and if Demetri believed she would - then he clearly didn't know my sister in the slightest.

Aro had made an agreement that he would go out with Carlisle when his turn came around; and I knew that if Aro went - then so would Caius and Marcus. The three leaders were rarely ever seen without one another.

At the door, I could see Isabella and Edward kissing their daughter on the head. Although it was only a short amount of time they were stepping out the house, they were treating it as if it were a lifetime goodbye sentence.

"Could you quit it?"

I glanced up from watching the others interaction. Across from me, sitting with her feet up on the sofa; was our very own incubator.

Around her shoulders was a shawl of some sort. The material was very... Rugged looking, full of vibrant colors in different patterns. Evidently, it must've been a tribal thing.

I arched an eyebrow at her in question.

"You're bouncing your leg. It's annoying." Leah snapped.

"Is it making you uncomfortable?"

"Highly."

"Forgive me." I bowed my head. "Perhaps I should take myself elsewhere to give you comfort?"

Yes, I was being sarcastic - but I meant what I had said. I still viewed her as a mutt; pregnant with a litter, but she was still a girl who was indeed pregnant. The last thing she would need was a 'annoying' vampire rowling up her nerves and hormones. Heh, a hormonal pregnant shapeshifter that turned due to anger. Probably wasn't wise to press her buttons.

After all, I was probably the last person she wanted to sit near; or have irritate her. It was because of me she had to out her current situation. I had used her pregnancy as an attempt to keep Renesmee from the battle - which hadn't worked. It had all been pointless, but no matter what; Leah wouldn't be able to take back her announcement.

We all knew now, and we were all very aware of the heartbeat drumming away inside of her.

Leah pulled the shawl around herself tighter. "No matter where you go, you'll bug me."

I wasn't sure if that was an invitation to stay put or not, but either way; I stayed and kept silent. I made sure I kept my 'bouncing leg' still and feet firmly on the floor. Behind me, I listened to Aro conversing with Carlisle on whether or not to involve the Denali's.

There seemed to be a split decision concerning them. Although they didn't hold the same training; one member of their family did; and if we knew Eleazar correctly, he wouldn't have forgotten it. In fact, he might have also taught his new coven a thing or two.

I wasn't so sure; neither did Aro or Carlisle.

Across from me, movement caught my eye. Paul - I knew this one. He was the temperamental one of the wolfie bunch - walked behind Leah and rested a hand onto her shoulder. Under his breath, he was asking if she needed anything before he left.

Leah shook her head and waved him off. Paul walked off, but he didn't fail in giving me a glare as he exited.

The she-wolf must have caught my quizzical gaze following Paul out of the room; for she spoke to me again.

"What?" She looked behind her and then back.

I shook my head. "Nothing. I'm merely pondering what he is to you."

"Paul is nothing to me." She snapped back quickly. I had to fight the urge to smirk.

"Does he know that? He seems awfully protective for someone who means nothing."

Leah grit her teeth and turned her eyes away from me. Again, the shawl was pulled tighter around her. "It's none of your business."

"I know." I nodded. "Thus why I was wondering to myself. What goes on in your wolf lives have no concern to me, nor does the sharing of females."

Okay, I know that comment was a little harsh; but it was evident that she wanted to talk about it. She had all the signs. When a woman was cold and distant, something was bothering her. Clearly no one else had picked up on her demeanor other than me, so she would have to make due.

"We don't share women," she hissed quickly. "It's not like that."

I tilted my head and leant myself back. "Oh? Then what is going on?"

Leah was putting up some restraint, but she gave in. The look upon her face was a cross between 'I-shouldn't-tell-a-leech' -since that is what they called us - and 'does-he-really-care?'

Honestly, no. I didn't. But it would be a hell of a lot more easier to be in this house if she wasn't sitting there scowling at nothing. The Cullen's were already on edge about this, and our members weren't so comfortable with the smell of wet dog constantly around them. We were all at unease. One less moody pregnant wolf could help the situation, I believed.

"Paul imprinted on Rachel, Jacob's sister, some time ago and well... He's taking the protective uncle thing a little too serious. Paul might be a hothead, but he's sorta... Traditional when it comes to pregnancy. He just wants to be there for me, and this... Kid."

Oddly, I could understand where it was coming from. There once was days where a pregnant woman was bestowed upon with grace, thought of as a symbol of hope for she was producing the next generation. Granted, the mother was married - as that was more or less the 'code' to go by - and had her husband to fall back on each night.

I couldn't help but pick out some unspoken worries she must have. The distance in her eyes as she talked to me, almost as if something else had her attention. Hesitation in calling it a child, speaking in a voice where I could easily see doubt in her words of Paul being there for her. She was worried Jacob wouldn't stand up to being a father; and I couldn't help but wonder if it was due to the imprinting thing.

As I can recall Renesmee telling me, she had been desperately in love with Sam - the old Alpha, who was now currently outside on the phone to a woman - but he had imprinted on someone else, resulting in him leaving her. It would be naive of her not to worry about the same thing happening again with Jacob, if Renesmee were to decided she wanted him in her life that way.

With a single glance over my shoulder, I could see exactly what had her attention. Jacob and Renesmee, sitting at the island in the kitchen; laughing and joking about the old times. Reminiscing about their childhood and sharing old stories with one another. It was hard for her to see that; I figured; because it was hard for me too. Watching Renesmee had such a connection with someone other than myself. It must've been twice as troubling for Leah, due to her state and added hormones.

Letting out a deep sigh, I returned my attention back onto Leah. She frowned and quickly looked away. "Not that it's any of your business what's going on in my life."

"You know, Miss Clearwater..." Her eyes snapped back to mine with confusion. I figured she hadn't ever been called that before. What did she expect? For me to jump in straight ahead and speak to her in first-name terms? First names, in my day and upbringing, were used only used between close individuals and friends. It was out of respect that I refused to speak her name. I hoped she picked up on that and didn't view it as offensive. "You and I aren't so different."

The confusion in her eyes only grew, tailing alongside the anger and rage within her deep brown eyes.

"Before you attempt to take my head from my body," I raised a hand in surrender. "Allow me to explain. I know what it is like to love someone, yet not have them return those feelings."

She scoffed, but otherwise said nothing.

She had every right to scoff. To her, I was just another low life 'leech' as they called us. I was worse, actually; because I was part of a royal guard that once wished to destroy each immortal 'vegetarian' in this house, alongside each and everyone of her pack members. The Volturi were not seen as people who 'loved' and 'cared' for others, thus why it must have been quite a stir when the word had spread about Renesmee and myself.

Not that we had cared, anyway. When Renesmee and I had been content with our relationship, we had no interest in what anyone else thought of us. Perhaps that had been our problem in the first place? I wouldn't like to think so, for to this day; I still refused to pay attention to anyone elses thoughts on my coven, or myself.

"In my views, suffering in silence isn't the way to go about things. If there is something bothering you with Jacob, perhaps you should bring it up to him."

Leah frowned towards me hastily. "No."

"Be it on yourself, miss Clearwater; but it is just some advice."

"That'll be the day, taking advice from a leech."

"Indeed, but this leech knows more than what you give him credit for." I quickly quipped, receiving another glare from the pregnant she-wolf. "I have lived your lifetime countless times over, and I understand how some things work."

Leah rolled her eyes and looked away once again, wrapping her arms protectively around herself more so than what they were before.

"Jacob is more understanding than what you give him credit for, Leah." I was just as surprised with my words as she was. It was common knowledge that I wasn't entirely... Team Jacob, however; I was aware of what he had gone through. I was aware of what he was currently going through. After all, she wasn't the only one who pinned after someone who didn't want them in return; only he had it harder than what she did. She didn't imprint on Sam. Jacob did imprint on the one who didn't want him; and I wasted no time in pointing that out.

"He knows exactly what you've gone through, and what you're fearful of going through again; because he's gone through it too. In fact, twice; if I'm not mistaken. He was in love with Isabella, was he not?"

She only bowed her head as an answer.

"Living in the darkness can be suffocating. Take it from a man whose gift and prime purpose in the Volturi is to bring darkness. This child can be your redemption, for there is no love more unconditional than that of the love from a child to it's mother."

From what I could see, Leah was trying to look anywhere but at me.

"And if he doesn't want to be a part of that redemption, that light, then he is the one at loss. Not you. Either way, you will be loved by someone; be it now... Or in nine months time."

Leah didn't respond straight away; but when she did, I wasn't able to hold back a friendly smile. She looked at me with something I hadn't ever seen in her eyes in the few times I had come into contact with this woman. Hope.

"Thank you."

I bowed my head, and watched as she stood up from the seat; keeping the shawl around her shoulders. Before fully exiting, she paused in the doorway.

"You should talk to Renesmee too, Alec." Had I just heard that right? She had said my name; rather than leech? "Anyone here can see that this 'friends' thing really isn't for you guys."

Before I could muster a reply, Leah had left me to the serenity of my own thoughts. Sure, there were others roaming around; but none of them were paying attention to me - thankfully. I idly brought my hand to my lips, savouring the lasting taste I had from her mouth on mine a mere few hours ago. Peering over my shoulder, I watched as Jacob followed after Leah; out to the back no doubt. Renesmee stayed on the island, twisting her seat side to side while she picked at some food.

For a moment, she looked up and let her eyes meet mine. A smile crawled its way across her face, and I returned that smile.

These moments, these idle glances and catching of each other's eyes, reminded me of Forks; when I had gone to her school. Interacting with her friends, and I'd catch her looking at me...

Of course, she never once caught me looking at her, but that didn't mean I wasn't looking. I was forever watching her in awe, in amazement at how someone could be so... Perfect, despite all of these flaws in the world. Renesmee was annoying, and stubborn, and childish at times; but all of those just counted it up to her perfection.

I recalled reading a quote long ago, and to this day I still remembered the words.

"We come to love not by finding the perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly."

And yet here I was, convinced that I was not good enough for Renesmee because of my flaws, because of my past, because of everything that I was. Because I was not good enough for her... If I were to live by that quote, I would be a hypocrite, wouldn't I?

Renesmee looked down; her cheeks a delicate shade of red, but as she looked back up to smile at me again; someone caught her attention. I wasn't able to see who; for a voice stole my own attention also.

"May I have a word, brother?"

My eyes shifted from the delightful view of my sister; to check on Renesmee again, but she was no longer there. All that lay remainders that she had been present in that area was the can of juice, and a plate with some food left on it. With a small nod of my head, I returned my attention back to Jane.

"You may."

Jane took a seat beside me quickly, and took a short look around the room. In the back, I could hear Carlisle on the phone. There were other chattering going on, but it was mostly outside in the front. To the back, there was a deep voice conversing with a lighter tone. Leah must still be discussing things with Jacob.

Jane was no doubt checking to see if anyone was paying attention, and once she got her answer; she began to speak.

"I don't think Renesmee should come."

Well, well, well! What d'you know. Jane does see my side, after all. Here I thought she had signed up to the one way ticket of being on Renesmee's side only. Of course, it made me curious as to what had changed her mind, since Jane had been more than willing to help her out with her training...

Honestly, I presumed it had something to do with the fact she could watch Renesmee be thrown around a field with training, and even more gratifying for her - she was the one who had been able to do exactly that.

No matter how many times may say she was 'fine' with the idea of me and Renesmee, I knew she still was a little bitter at the fact someone else had shared a part of my heart with her. Jane always got her revenge. Be it straight away - which she loved doing - or in a few years time.

I tilted my head for her to continue, which she thankfully did.

"If she were to come, you won't perform to your full abilities."

Well, I believed that I would. Perhaps a little more so, but still. I listened to my sisters ways of thinking, just like I always had.

"I've spoken to her parents-" She spoke to Isabella and Edward? Why wasn't I present for that conversation! Jane hated Isabella with a passion, and she wasn't entirely fond of Edward either! - "and they've agreed with what I've suggested."

"And what did you suggest, sister?"

Jane gave me a sheepish smile as she slipped her hand into mine.

"We leave her behind. Of course, we won't if you don't agree to it brother. But I think it would be in all of our benefits if she stayed with the pregnant wolf. If she was there, you would spend your time worrying for her and thus making you more prone to being struck. With that, it would worry me..."

"But there is no chance that she may stay here."

"I have that thought out. Demetri and Felix are currently 'training' her some more, in hopes to tire her out. She will sleep in, and we will simply not wake her. One of us will stay behind with her, alongside those left watching the house to ensure she stays."

I could see where she was coming from. The last thing Aro needed was two of his most powerful guards distracted. I knew that if we were to leave Renesmee here, she would no doubt be angry and no doubt worry herself. Would it be more of a danger if she were to stay behind with Leah on her own, than what it would be if she were to come along?

Being locked within a house with a hormonal pregnant she-wolf did sound a little... Iffy. But then again, I refused to willingly watch her walk into a battle where there was a chance one of us couldn't come out of it.

With that in mind, I made my choice.

"Thank you, Jane." I nodded. If her parents already agreed to it, I would also. "You really are an evil genius."

Jane's lips curved into a playful, yet genuine smile. "I do try."

PRESENT.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel a little bad about leaving Renesmee behind with Corin, Heidi and Leah as her only inside company. Corin rarely spoke; and when she did... It wasn't much to work with. She was what you could call a 'typical Volturi guard.' Nothing interested her but her coven, the members in her coven, and what would benefit her coven.

Well, from what I knew of her anyway.

I didn't hold any bad thoughts towards Corin, of course not. She was good at what she did; we all were. But I'd never gone out of my way to make a conversation with her.

And as for Heidi... Well, that was for a different time. I could already picture her pacing the floor back and forth worrying about her precious Demetri, and yet the moment he'd walk out of this alive, she would act as if she hadn't worried or batted an eyelid in the slightest. I'd seen that scenario play out multiple times.

She would act uninterested and uncaring, causing Demetri to take some small interest in her again, and we would begin the journey of Heidi being broken down all over again. It was the only close thing to entertainment we got in the castle, and even then... It got tiring.

Jane's grip on my hand was firm, and stern. She gave it a 'gentle' squeeze, though I was sure I felt the palm of my hand crack just a little under the pressure. I glanced down to her in curiosity, but she didn't so much as speak.

All she did was jerk her head back so discreetly that if I hadn't of been looking closely, I might've missed it. I glanced over my shoulder; to our little 'sparrow' as Aro had called her. The bird that flew between our coven and her own. I had no idea why she chose to stand behind our group of four; but none of us had questioned it. Part of me believed it was because, oddly enough, I was the one she trusted the most.

Hilarious to think, since only a few weeks ago I wanted to tear her limb from limb if I were to ever cross her path. Now, here I was standing on a battlefield with her on my side.

What Jane was referring to with the head jerk was the fiddling of her hands. She was picking at the material of her clothes and desperately trying to keep her thoughts occupied and continuously reassuring. How I knew that... Her hushed whispers to herself told me.

'He'll be okay.'

I knew instantly who she was referring to.

"Delilah," I said sharply.

Her eyes snapped to mine; wide, alert and slightly startled.

"Calm yourself down."

She did her best with nodding, but it didn't stop the fiddling of her hands.

"He's fine." I piped in. "Stop worrying yourself. He will be here, and he will be at your side in no time."

Oh, how my words were correct.

For the moment I finished that sentence, the air shifted dramatically. The temperature seemed to drop, the field at our feet seemed to hollow out completely; and the only sound that echoed through this place was the snarl of the wolves.

Jane's hand squeezed tighter onto mine as the figures came into view.

Twenty five of them, all lined up and walking from the mist and shadows of the tree. Twenty six, if you included the ringleader of them all.

There, dressed in white - exactly the same as she had when I had first laid eyes on her again - was Lilianna.

I had no idea whether or not she was doing this to be mocking, but it seemed so. Her hair, sun kissed and usually hanging by her shoulders, was tied up in a firm bun; almost identical to Janes. Her usual pale pink lips were a vibrant red, obviously the help of cosmetics. And her eyes... Vivid red, daring and dangerous.

She must've fed well. In fact, they all must have. Each and every single one of them there had a mixture of fierce red, a placid crimson eyes.

The row of delinquents, I'd decided to call them - for that is what they were. Children who did not know how to follow the rules - came to a halt the moment Lilianna had. Her lips were curved up into a sneer, and from what I could tell it was directly towards Jane and myself.

It wasn't until she spoke that I realized it wasn't entirely at us she was scowling at. But the little sparrow behind us.

"You lied Delilah," her voice was laced with venom. "You said it would be Tuesday. I expected it to be nightfall you'd make your move."

Behind me, I felt Delilah tremble. It wasn't for her words however. It was because of the head to the left of Lilianna - who stood a few yards in front of her 'army'. The group of Lilianna's evident favorites stood together; shoulder to shoulder. Ryan, Damien and Scott. There were two females close by each of them. A small girl, who I already knew the name of.

Mary. The young girl who was raised in the same town as Renesmee, who had her family ripped apart from this girl in white; and yet she seemed to share the same amount of hatred in her eyes as what Lilianna had.

Was it because Ryan hadn't moved to take his place beside Delilah that made her tremble, or because the young girl she had grown to love as a sister was staring at us with resentment?

Either way, I decided to take the attention from her before Aro could speak.

"Thats because you're too predictable, Lilianna. Even I was aware you'd try to use the element of surprise." I spat back quickly; causing her eyes to snap to mine. "You've done it that many times now, it's almost pathetically seeable."

I wasn't aware what flashed within her eyes. Be it hate, anger, lust, affection... Either way, I couldn't care less. I had given her a chance, and I had paid for it. Now she had made her grave, it was time for her to finally live within it.

I glanced towards Aro, who smiled in my direction and nodded his head. He was giving the all clear for me to take over, and be the spokesperson. Odd, since I was positive being the one who spoke made Aro feel all the more powerful.

I slipped my hand out of Janes and stepped a little forward. My place was taken by Demetri; sidestepping closer to Jane. Never once did I take my eyes from Lilianna as I walked further out into the field. Ahead of me, behind Lilianna, I could see a few of them stiffening and quivering as I drew slightly closer.

Lilianna's lips were curved, however.

"Well, let us hear it Aleczander. I'm sure you've prepared a wondrous speech. Though, should we wait until your beloved half-breed comes along? I'm sure she wouldn't want to miss this."

I ignored her comments and focused my eyes on her; and then finally across the faces. Starting with the ones I knew.

"The path you are on currently isn't one you wish to be on. It has nothing but death awaiting you; something which she does not care if any of you meet. Aro may not approve, but I am giving you one chance to trade in your ties with her and come with us. Then, perhaps your lives will be spared."

There were a few sniggers from the group of newborns, while Lilianna herself smirked also.

"You don't expect that to work, do you Alec?" She scoffed. "I'd have expected better from yo-"

Her words were cut off as a figure emerged from the line and crossed over; ignoring Lilianna completely. He wasn't even looking at me as he crossed over the clearing and passed me completely. There was only one place he wanted to be, and it wasn't on the side he had been on; nor was it to be looking at me.

"Ryan, what are you doing?!" Lilianna screeched. He ignored her as he closed in on Delilah, and automatically let his arms ingulf her.

I peered over my shoulder, to witness the Cullen's praising him; from simple handshakes to shoulder patting. I was even lucky enough to witness Bella give his cheek a gentle stroke. I glanced back the towards Lilianna as disbelief wrote itself across her face. One by one, others began to follow. It wasn't many, but it was enough to make her angry. It was her favorites, after all.

Damien, walking carelessly across the clearing to take his place beside Ryan and Delilah. They too shared a hug and a small greeting. Following him, was another young girl who kept her eyes on the floor. She walked quicker than the other two, and quickly hid herself beside Damien.

My eyes met Scott's, who seemed to be in a war with himself. He gulped down whatever had been clogging his throat, and eventually; he stepped forward.

The look of disbelief that crossed over Lilianna's, and Mary's face, had been indescribable. He was at Delilahs, Ryan's, Damien's and the girl I had no idea who's name wa- No, I do know her name. I remembered going over her file. Shay...

The little mute girl.

"Scotty?" Mary whimpered, her eyes wide with terror.

"You can come too, Mary... You can still be with us." Scott said back, while I contently stood rather smugly; taking in Lilianna's face.

The realization that all of the ones she believed to be most loyal to her had traded sides. That she indeed had no one.

"But... Bu-"

"Don't listen to them, Mary. You know what the Volturi are capable of. They've tricked them." Lilianna hissed. "You're mine, remember? Forever. We're family. All of us... Even them. The betrayers; but we'll get them back. Don't let them trick you too."

Mary looked so confused; between Lilianna and I, she shared countless takes over.

She must have come to her decision; for when she looked back at me, her teeth were bared.

I felt sorry for Scott, who now stood on the side that his mate didn't. But whatever was going through his mind, he didn't switch sides again. Instead, he stood his ground with his original decision.

"You might as well give up now, Lily." The use of that nickname caused her eyes to flare with pain. "You've already lost all those you care about..."

"Never." She hissed darkly.

At that, I was met with the uproar of twenty three immortals rushing forward to battle it out to the death. Behind me, the retaliation was instant. Bodies swiftly swung past me and collided with that of the newborns. To my right, Jane had already removed a head and tossed it to the other side of the field.

She always did enjoy holding her own. The rules for this battle were simple. We couldn't use our gifts on them; or more so Lilianna, for she'd merely reflect it back onto it's user. Wherever he was, I hoped Edward was keeping his mind reading skills to himself.

A solid pair of arms wrapped themselves around me, and before they could even dare squeeze, I'd flipped them over and slammed the body to the ground. The dark red eyes that glared back at me fell dull as I brought my hand down to their throat; completely removing it within one motion.

The cries, the yells, the snarling of dogs, the ripping of limbs were all in swing. Smoke was already beginning to build up, for one of our kind - most likely Demetri - had flicked off a fire, setting one of the bodies aflame.

All around me the sound of death was happening, yet I couldn't come to care less; for there was a distinct scent within the air that made everything else around me seem moot. A cascading waterfall of peppermint and grass.

I knew that smell. I could still vividly remember the many times I'd sit close, just to smell her. In my thoughts, I'd managed to miss the speeding immortal racing towards me. If it wasn't for Jacob's solid russet brown furred form leaping over my head and taking it down, I might not have noticed until the very last moment.

The look he gave me through those onyx dark brown eyes said it all.

'Watch yourself.'

I nodded my head, though I couldn't quite put my hand on the reason I could smell her. I could smell Grace.

Pushing all that to the side, I slipped into the battle; making sure to keep close to my sister. It was what we always did, if we weren't ordered otherwise. We kept an eye out for one another, and worked hastily and quickly. Jane was like a machine as she tore through one by one. For a girl who stood back and let her power have all the fun, she was very talented at her combat.

In fact, she seemed to be enjoying this more than what she would just by using her gift. Perhaps it was because she was managing to get her hands dirty. She was the one ripping people limb from limb, she was causing them to shriek in pain by her hand rather than her gift.

I might've wept at the beauty of my sister, if it were possible. As a team, Jane pulled the arms back of an immortal; causing him to fall to his knees. In that instance, his arms were ripped from his torso; while I proceeded to tear his skull from his spine. The satisfying rip and shatter caused Jane's lips to curve in serenity. She was always in her best of moods during an execution; and today... She was getting to witness the one of many.

To my right, I could see an intense wildfire of moving bodies. I hated to admit it but Lilianna's little army was holding their own. They were using tactics that I had only ever seen the Volturi use; which lead me to believe perhaps Lilianna had been watching me, paying attention to everything I surrounded myself in - so much so, that she too had picked up a few battle techniques Aro taught.

With the thought of Lilianna in my head, my eyes managed to find her in the storm surrounding me. Through the plague of bodies being thrown around, limbs ripped from ones body, she was there; grinning as she fought fiercely with... Natalia?

When had she become a member of our coven? Surely Aro wouldn't have turned her in our absence? Evidently he had, for she was as elegant as ever, eyes vivid shade of crimson and using her newborn speed and strength to her advantage. Except, everything Natalia threw at Lilianna, Lilianna counteracted it.

Oddly, the last thing I wanted was for Natalia to die at the hands of Lilianna. After waiting this long to join our world, she didn't deserve to die so soon.

"Can you handle this on your own for now?" I called towards Jane, who answered by kicking a young blonde to the floor and yanking her head up with a firm fist of her hair.

I nodded at her smirk, and found myself beside Natalia in that instant; hastily twisting her arm away so that she landed directly behind me. She caught the message and vanished; leaving Lilianna glaring up at me with wide, amused eyes.

"Are we going to dance again, love?"

I sneered in her direction and began to circle around her; while she did the exact same.

"The only place you'll be dancing, will be on your way to hell."

Lilianna laughed darkly. "Such a way with word, Aleczander. You never fail to amuse me."

"You think this is funny?" I spat towards her. "What you're doing to these people?"

"They mean nothing." She hissed back. "I told you, if I can't have you no one can."

"Listen to yourself. You sound like a spoiled brat."

Lilianna's eyes flared a vibrant red as she lunged forward towards me, I hastily grabbed hold of her arm and tried to twist it around; only she grabbed hold of my arm and did the same; sending me across the field. I was on my feet automatically, crouched and ready to take her head on this time. She too was crouched, eyes glued onto my face.

Her lips parted, but I was unable to hear what she said; for a sucklant smell broke through the smoke and stench of woodland. It wasn't the peppermint I'd smelt earlier - which turned out to be Lilianna, who was obviously wearing something just to taunt me - but it was lavender and honeysuckle.

I'd tasted that sweet scent so many times, I could recognise it in death.

Renesmee.

The moment I realized she was here, so did Lilianna. Her lips curved into a sinister smile. I produced a large snarl of hatred and warning before lunging forward to get her. To my failure, Lilianna vanished from my grips and was gone within the bodies and crowds of fighting immortals.

Automatically, I began to look around for her. I needed to keep her away from Renesmee; and it seemed as though everyone else was under the same impression; for I wasn't the only one beginning to look around.

My eyes found her; and to my horror; Lilianna was going right for the hybrid. As quickly as my feet could take me, I rushed forward to get her. I wouldn't allow Lilianna to live if she dared laid a hand on her. I wouldn't stop until I had her in a burning pile of ash at my feet.

To my amazement, Scott managed to get there before me and practically tossed Renesmee out of the way and into my arms; saving her from the blow. Scott was thrown to the floor; with Lilianna on top. I didn't falter in pulling Renesmee from the fighting as quickly as I could. Winding my way through the wolves, the vampire's and the newborns.

"You shouldn't have come, Renesmee!" I hissed darkly while coming to a stop to take care of one male coming towards us. Renesmee seemed to have the same idea, for she kept her back to mine. I wouldn't let her fight, however. Anyone who came near us was obviously after her - for she seemed like the easiest target. Half alive, thus obviously not as fast.

I kept moving in a circle, keeping her back to mine.

"You left without me!" Renesmee hissed back. "You're a jerk, you know that?"

"I'll put make sure to put that on my résumé; but for now I'm sorta busy."

"Then let me help!" She nudged her elbow into my back; causing me to spin quickly and focusing on a young girl rushing hastily over.

"Fine. You take her, I'll take this one!"

Renesmee nodded her head, and did as she was told; keeping close to me.

I gripped tightly onto the shoulders of the young teenager I'd read the file of; and quickly threw him over my shoulders and to the floor. I used my hands to wrap themselves around his throat and hastily pushed down as tightly as I could.

The granite hard skin under my hands cracked and turned to rubble.

As I stood up, my eyes met that of a scene I didn't think I'd have seen.

Lilianna was going for Mary. The only one of her favorites that stood by her side; and Scott was being held down. He was being forced to watch...

—xXx—

Delilah had always known that this was how things would end. That it would end in burning, crashing and falling. They all had; but being within the middle of it was a totally different story. Everywhere around them, death was cascading around.

At this rate, with the Volturi and the Cullen's combined, Lilianna and her coven didn't stand a chance. They could all see the sense of panic taking over the blonde haired vixen as she watched her family fall like flies around her.

Her numbers were drastically falling; and yet none of theirs seemed to be subcoming to death. Oh, no. That was wrong.

One, a faceless hooded figure of the Volturi fell at the hands of Veronica. Keeping her alive after she had killed that child had been one of Lilianna's greatest decisions.

Her crimson eyes weren't the only ones who witnessed the falling of this Volturi guard. Delilah had saw it also, and automatically felt the rage filling throughout her. This was the one that killed Belle, causing Renesmee and her friends even more heartache than what she should have gone through. She couldn't stop herself, despite her nature in keeping away from danger and attention. Delilah raced forward; managing to use the back of Felix as a start kick for this girl.

Veronica didn't even get a single chance at standing herself up before her body was thrown to the floor by the purple banged Delilah. She wasn't even able to take in a breath of surprise before Delilah had hastily slammed her hands down onto the girls throat and began to squeeze desperately tight.

Ryan watched in awe, and in adoration as the girl he once knew as an anxious, shy mess became an independent, terrifying vampire. He had no idea who that Volturi member had been, he wasn't even sure if Delilah knew who it had been; but she was taking revenge not only for that fallen member - but for Belle also.

To Ryan's right, Damien and Shay were working as a team; much like what Alec and Jane were doing. Using each others bodies, moving in sync with one another. Damien kept his face impassive, and the resemblance with the 'emotionless' look between him and Alec were almost impossible to point out. Of course, Alec had more experience, but Damien would catch up soon. He just needed to get a hold of his grimacing every time a limb was ripped from someones body.

Ryan's eyes flicked towards Scott; who was desperately trying to keep Mary safe; despite her trying to get close to... What was the white haired leader called again? Caius. That was it.

And then... Fredrick, one of the oldest of Lilianna's newborns pinned Scott to the floor and his head positioned in the direction of Mary. Of course, Scott was struggling. He was struggling severely. Ryan's limbs locked themselves up as he braced himself to rush to his 'brothers' aid, when the sight of Lilianna closing in on Mary caused panic to race through his immortal body.

Across the field, flashes of purple hair was rushing towards him; and to the back of Lilianna. Ryan didn't have to blink once to know who it was. He followed in her footsteps, knowing exactly who she was going for. Thankfully, Damien had taken the hint and rushed to Scott's aid. He wasn't entirely sure where Shay had gone, but those matters could be taken care of in due time. For now, he needed to help the ones in danger.

Delilah slammed into Lilianna's back, forcing her to be shaken from her attempt at grabbing Mary from the back of her head; while Ryan managed to wind his arm around Mary's waist and slide her at a great speed across the floor.

"D-Delilah just saved m-"

Her words were cut off as she looked up.

Both their eyes grew in horror as they watched Lilianna finish Delilah off by turning her into a mess of body parts at her feet.

The sound that game from Ryan was one that Mary had never heard before, but she knew to be intense pain and torment. The sound that came from her own mouth was one of whimpering and torture. She couldn't move, she couldn't breathe. Neither of them could.

What a place to freeze over completely... In the middle of a battlefield, but neither of them could help it. Lilianna had tried to kill Mary, the one who was most loyal to her out of them all; and Delilah had saved her.

But now...

Now Delilah was dead. Lilianna, their sister, killed her.

And as Lilianna's army fell around them, while they sat there frozen in pain and sorrow, Lilianna made the biggest mistake of them all. Having finished with her own 'sister' she moved onto the sister of the man she supposedly loved.

Jane; tossing the remains of her latest victim to the side, and short look around for her brother, was none the wiser to the solid kick to the back she received. Due to her ignorance in trying to find her brother, Lilianna had caught her off guard; and that had resulted in Jane to become pinned to the floor.

Across the clearing, Alec stood himself up from his own mess of bodies and his eyes widened. Mary had thought the sound that came from them while witnessing their sister being killed was heartbreaking enough; but that had been nothing compared to the sound that came from Alec.

Ryan could remember a rule that the Volturi had set in place because of what Lilianna could do. There would be no use of gifts whatsoever; even Bella's would be considered dangerous. None of them truly knew what Lilianna could do, and the last thing they wanted was for her to use Isabella's shield for her own malicious greed. But Alec broke that rule.

All around them, what was left of Lilianna's army, the Cullen's, Volturi members and wolves fell like flies. The only ones who failed in falling were...

Lilianna... Ryan and Mary.

Whatever Alec had produced, that was enough to cause the whole battle to come to a standstill, was being projected straight back at him. Oddly, he wasn't unconscious. Ryan kept his arm around Mary as he pulled her to the floor; and whispered quietly for her to keep low and quiet.

Across from them, they watched as Lilianna walked from Jane lying on the floor to where Alec lay.

—xXx—

I had never wondered what it would be like to be under my own gift; but now I was currently doing exactly that; and yet I was still very much aware of where I was. I just... Couldn't move anything but my face.

I could hear silence, I could smell smoke, I could see bodies scattered around the field, but I couldn't feel anything.

Aro, Caius, Marcus, the Cullen's; the wolves all slumped like huge balls of fur, and on one was the girl I had promised to protect. Renesmee too was under the paralysis I was projecting, and getting projected back at me. It wasn't enough for me to break when I had watched Lilianna go for the girl I loved; it should have been I supposed. But... Nothing would compare to the loss I'd feel if I lost Jane.

Jane had been there with me for everything. She was the other part of me. Life would never be the same without my wicked, dark, challenging, sadistic little sister. I needed her; I needed her like a human needed a heartbeat. Without Jane, I would be nothing. We were the witch twins. We were always together, until death. A life without Renesmee would be unlivable, but a life without my sister... That would be unbearable.

I could probably turn it off to get my motor skills back, but I refused too. I wanted to break her. I wanted to watch as I took everything from her, just as she had tried with me.

I would break her... I would get to her if I just tried hard enough...

"All I ever wanted was you, Alec!" Lilianna half cried, half screeched. "You could have just come with me! We could have been happy!"

With everything I had, I chuckled. "You don't know the meaning of happiness."

"I would have if you came with me!"

"You think," despite knowing it was futile, I tried to lift up my head. Of course, I failed. "I will come with you after this? After you attempting to kill my family? The girl I love, the girl I will always love? After trying to kill my sister? You must be more crazy than what I thought you were."

I laughed again while she stormed closer. "I'll make you love me. I'll make you see me how I have always seen you."

"I'll never look at you the way I look at Renesmee."

"Then I'll kill her and take you with me."

"And I will spend every single day trying to get away from you and end my life to be with her."

Her eyes flared with anger and hurt. She was now directly over me; with her hands clenched at her sides.

"Did you ever love me..." She whispered, her bottom lip quivering.

"Truthfully... No."

Lilianna looked as though her world had just come crashing down on her. Her lip, her whole body in fact, began to tremble. Her eyes were wide with a mixture of hurt and anguish within them. I could understand that look. The heartbreak she was evidently going through. I had used that look quite a few times, every time I stepped out of my shack and watched as Grace was surrounded by boys who were better for her than what I ever had been.

Grace hadn't loved me like I wanted her too; but I was thankful for it, for if she had - things might've been different. I might never had willingly joined the Volturi, I might have gone through with this life for my sisters sake, but I might never have had the pleasure of falling in love with someone better than my Grace.

"I had always loved Grace, it was always her." I glared directly into her eyes. "Even now, I would choose her over you. I'd have chosen Delilah over you."

The hurt seemed to be gone in that instant and replaced by anger and hate. Lilianna was looking at me with a rage I'd never seen before. There was a fire burning dangerously inside of her.

"I'll kill you, and then I'll kill her."

Again, I laughed.

"The moment you kill me, Lilianna... They'll all be on you before you can blink."

She gritted her teeth as she lowered herself to me; her hands finding my throat. I took one large inhale of breath as she began to squeeze tightly.

"Then I'll see you in hell for that dan-"

Her words didn't stop. Instead, a loud cracking noise echoed through the field and Lilianna's face fell blank. Her eyes dulled and her lips fell from their smirk into a line. Her hands went limp around my throat.

A fine line of cracks appeared around her own throat before her body concaved completely from under her head and fell directly onto me.

A hand either side of the head held it up before quickly dropping it; and above me, I stared in awe at the face that removed Lilianna's head.

Letting out the breath I had taken for my last breath alive, I whispered her name.

"Mary..."

"I... I did it. It's actually... Over."

She was right. It was over. Lilianna was finally gone.