Chapter 34

(Mikkel)

The days flew by fast. At first, Nadine wasn't coming up with anything that was alarming. Then, on the third night of waiting, a scream broke through the night. Everyone was asleep and I was sitting in bed while my wife snuggled to my side.

The scream jolted her out of sleep and we rushed to Nadine's room that she shared with Natalia. All of our children were already there, including Renesmee.

Nadine was sitting up in her bed with the covers still drawn to her waist. She had heavy tears pouring down her face and was shaking uncontrollably. It killed me to see my daughter in so much pain.

"Back away from her." I order in a firm voice. They obey and I kneel next to my frightened daughter's bed.

"What did you see, Neonata? What has frightened you so much?"

"Oh, Papa! It was s-so ho-horrible!" She stammers. I motion for my youngest son and he toddles over and grabs her hand. His eyes widen and he projects her visions to everyone.

Everyone stands in a clearing, waiting, watching. Mikkel's head jerks suddenly upwards and everyone tenses, prepared for a battle. The come in a beautiful formation, if a lion hunting its prey can be described as beautiful. But there are more people with them; people not dressed in the dark cloaks that symbol great power. The faces are blurry; unrecognizable. Faded words are spoken from both sides, then, by some hand movement, the vision blurs and war breaks out. People drop on all sides and the unmistakable screams of Renesmee ring through their ears and everyone drops; the vision fading.

My eyes refocus and I take in my family, some crying, some shaking their heads. Leaving them in their thoughts, I stalk out of the room, my wife following me.

"Why, Mikkel? Why must they come? We have done nothing wrong!" Sheila exclaims.

I look at her with a determined face. "I will not let them hurt my family. They are here because they have found out about our powers and want us dead. They believe we are too powerful to live. We are even more powerful than the Cullens!"

I did not know how we were going to get out of this one, but I would not let my family be destroyed, even if it meant I was putting my life on the line.

(Renesmee)
this couldn't be happening. I couldn't go through that again. I thought the threat from the Volturi was over, but it's not. The figures that haunt my nightmares would come again, with no intent of stopping to listen.

I run, not caring where I go. I run as fast and hard as I can, until I crash into something and sag against the ground. The rough texture beneath my hand tells me it must be a tree. I curl into a ball and cry.

Unlike all the other times I've cried lately, these tears are tears of fear. Not sadness or anger. I am scared for this family I am part of now; this family with the dark fate ahead of them.

After a while-I don't know how long-I struggle to my shaky feet. Following my scent, I make my way back to the house. It seems that everyone is in the living room, having a meeting of some sort.

"… start training." Mikkel is saying. He nods to me when I walk into the room and sit on the floor in the doorway. Sheila gives me a sympathetic smile.

"Now, only Nahuel, Victoria, and I have come in contact with the Volturi. I do not think that they will stop to listen. They have come to terminate the coven that is so powerful." He continues.

"I don't see why they want to kill us. We don't even know how to use our powers." Logan muses.

"They don't know that though. We don't even know what to expect, guys. I don't know what to do."

"I do." I say in a strong voice. Their heads swivel in my direction. Nadine scoffs and I glare at her.

"I've had experience with the Volturi. I know how to prepare for their arrival." I insist. Nadine rolls her eyes and whispers, "Sure she does."
"I have had enough of you!" I shout at her. Nadine's eyes widen at my outburst. "I have had a run in with the Volturi. I touched Aro's face. So don't you dare try to say what I did and didn't do when you didn't even know I existed. I get that you're jealous of me being here, but I'm trying to save you and your family. If you want me to, I can just pretend I don't know what to do and let your entire family die, is that what you want?" I growl at her. She stares at me with no expression.

I turn my eyes to the other statues, about to apologize. All of the sudden, Nadine shifts and I feel a stinging on my face.

"Nadine! She is family! We do not hit family!" Mikkel shouts. I hiss and spin on her.

"I am sick of people like you! The people who only think of themselves. I'm done." I snap as I shove past her.

(A/N Sorry it's been taking so long to get things posted. I've had some things going on in my life that I need to focus on. I'll try harder to get it up. Please review!)