Chapter 36

(Renesmee)

Nadine only woke up three times in the short time we slept. The third time, it was already five in the morning so I let her go back to sleep and I got up.

Mikkel, Sheila, Victoria, Elizabeth, and Nahuel are all sitting at the dining room table. Everyone has a mug and are drinking out of it. Even Mikkel.

Sheila notices me standing in the doorway and gets up, making me a drink.

"What's in the drink, Sheila? I mean Mama? " I ask, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. She smiles tightly and answers, "Blood. It's something everyone in the family can drink together."

I raise my eyebrow. "Animal, right?"

"Of course." She says with another tight smile. I grab the cup eagerly and start gulping it down. It had been a while since I'd been hunting.

They all laugh and resume talking. I settle myself into an empty seat and listen in.

"Well, I guess we can talk to you now. So, how do you want to start training? Physically or mentally." Mikkel asks.

I mull it over and decide, "We should probably start with their powers first. If they're up to it, I'll take Victoria and Elizabeth right now and we can practice."

Elizabeth gives me a weird look. "My power won't really help, Ness."

I grin and reply, "If we can get your power to where you can see a person's past without touch, you can use that information to throw them off guard."

She smiles and nods; happy her gift could be helpful. The two girls and I head outside to work.

"Okay Victoria, tell Elizabeth to pick up that rock. And Elizabeth; resist the compulsion as hard as you can."

They nod and face each other. "Pick up the rock Eliza." Victoria's voice changes somehow; more deep and husky.

Elizabeth's hand twitches as she fights the spell. "Come on Liz, pick up the rock. You know you want to."

Eliza's hand clenches into a fist and her arm shakes in restraint. "Pick it up Eliza! Do it! You have to pick it up; right now!" Victoria's voice grows louder, more demanding.

Sweat pours down Eliza's face and she gnashes her teeth together. Her knee's buckle. She falls to the ground and lifts the rock. Victoria grins in triumph.

"Great job, Victoria. Now, come here." She comes over and I grip her arm, projecting. I need you to convince her that Nadine is not her sister. I'll go get Nadine, keep practicing picking the rock up.

She nods and I run to the house. Nadine is awake and watching through the window. "Come on; you are going to help us."

She follows me and I motion for Victoria to start. "Nadine is not your sister, Elizabeth."

Elizabeth shoots her an incredulous look. "Yeah, she is."

Victoria shakes her head. "No, Nadine is not your sister, she looks nothing like you. How could she be your sister; your powers are nothing alike."

Elizabeth stares at Nadine, her eyes unfocused slightly. "You are not my sister." She says in a trance like state.

Nadine protests. "I am! Eliza, I am your sister! We look a lot alike!"

"No; she's not your sister, Elizabeth. You know that she's not. Why are you lying to yourself?" Victoria presses.

Elizabeth nods in acceptance. "You're not my sister, Nadine; I'm sorry."

"Enough Victoria." I command. She drops her eyes and Elizabeth turns back to normal. She looks at Nadine with sorry eyes. "I'm sorry, Nadine. You are my sister; it was Victoria's power!"

I send the three of them in and ask them to bring out Hailey and Olivia. I work on their shields for a little while. Then I bring out everyone and work on all of their powers.

We do that for a month; working on their powers. We make a lot of progress, but I'm not entirely convinced that we will beat the Volturi without any casualties.

On the day of the battle, we head up to a clearing before the sun comes up. They will be coming around noon.

I walk around the perimeter of the clearing, anxious for the Volturi's arrival. Natalia holds Nadine in a comforting hug. All of the children in this family have someone standing with them; someone who they know can comfort them. It reminds me of the Cullens.

I wrap my arms around myself. I am independent; I can comfort myself.

Hours go by. We all start to huddle closer to each other. "It's time." Mikkel whispers.

Mikkel and Sheila stand up front, closest to the Volturi. Behind them are Elizabeth, Nahuel, and Victoria. Directly behind Nahuel are Sophia and Nathaniel. Directly behind Victoria are James and Natalia. Behind them are Olivia, Hailey, and Logan. Logan stands hand in hand with Hailey and Olivia so he can boost their powers. Behind that trio stand Nadine, Cody, and me.

Nadine holds Cody in one arm and her other is wrapped around my shoulders. Over the last month I had aged and I looked about twelve. Nadine was fifteen and Cody was six.

There is no sound, no smell. But I know that they are here. The air grows cold and the trees still. I press myself into my big sister's side and whisper, "Keep him safe, no matter what you do."

She nods and tightens her hold on me. I see the black coats from a distance, and my heart skips a beat. This is the exact same image as when I was younger. The same image that haunts me in my dreams is now in front of me again.

There are more black coats now; and people that are dressed in normal clothing. I turn and press my face into Nadine's shoulder. Cody's face is resting on her neck and tears are forming in his eyes.

I don't want to see them. I don't want to see the face that terrifies me.

"Renesmee!" A scream calls me. I whip my head around and see the people who I left on my birthday. Rosalie called my name, and they all look like they're about to run to me.

The Cullens are here, and we stand at opposite of the battle field. I have to fight my family.