"WHY DO THE VOLTURI THINK WE ARE A THREAT?"
She gazed into the mind reader's face, her anticipation palpable as she awaited a response. She had attempted to pose that question to several of the Cullens, but the answers were always elusive, as if they were trying to shield her from a dreadful truth.
And Eleanor knew that was indeed the case.
That's why she went straight to the person she knew couldn't lie to her. He could read her mind, know that she was ready for any dreadful truth, or rather, she needed to know the dreadful truth in order to prepare herself.
That was how she had grown up, after all. Renesmee may have grown up in a family that protected her from the very beginning, even before she was born. But Eleanor hadn't, and so, understanding the truth became essential if she wanted to face what lay ahead.
"You are not alone in this Eleanor, we will protect you," the vampire said, delving into her thoughts. Still, Eleanor insisted.
Edward exhaled wearily. It was hard to remember that the half-human half-vampire was only a year old, as her thoughts and reasoning bordered on that of an adult. It was both fascinating and terrifying at the same time.
"You know what immortal children are, right?" Eleanor nodded. Children turned into vampires, charming and tender-hearted, but burdened with an inability to comprehend the rules, which made them extremely dangerous. "Irina Denali saw Renesmee from afar. She saw an infant with all the characteristics that make us vampires. She didn't pause to listen any further. Driven by her respect for the laws of our world, she informed the Volturi about her existence."
"But we're not that," Eleanor frowned. It wasn't fair at all. How could Irina make such accusations without verifying her information first?
"She has a complicated past with this matter in particular," Edward replied. Eleanor thought that still didn't justify her actions. The vampire agreed. "We were searching for evidence to prove her wrong when we came across Thomas. He was doing the same for you, although not for the same reasons. And when he met Renesmee, he knew she was just like you, the little girl hiding in his house."
"Of course, your existence still remains hidden from the Volturi. They only know about Renesmee."
Eleanor tried not to jump to a rushed conclusion, but as always, Edward was already on her mind.
"No, it wouldn't have served any purpose for you to stay hidden. Think about it. If not now, how long do you think it would take for the Volturi to find you? Thomas pondered on this too. From the moment he found us, he knew that you were doomed in the same way. Aro would have discovered your existence through us. And then, after Renesmee, they would have come for you."
"So he thought it would be better to face them all together?"
Edward nodded. "Exactly," he glanced at his family in the distance. Bella and Kate Denali were training, attempting to strengthen the former's apparent gift. "So we came up with the idea that it would be best for you to come here. Fill the house with witnesses so that everyone can see how you and Renesmee grow, how you can coexist peacefully without posing threats to humans."
She followed the direction of his gaze. Emmett had already been shock twice without Bella being able to protect him, causing great frustration in the female vampire. "But... Why then are you preparing for a fight?"
Edward sighed, as if that question haunted him as well. "If things don't go well, if the Volturi decide to ignore our evidence..."
"Renesmee and I will die."
The expression on the vampire's face turned icy, confirming her words. Eleanor felt like she could vomit right there, her stomach and entire body twisting.
No, it couldn't end like that. "We could escape," she whispered, though the mere thought amused her. She and Renesmee, resembling two young girls of 6 and 12, utterly devoid of companionship in the vast expanse of the world.
"It wouldn't be of any use. The Volturi's tracker would find you, eventually."
"Tracker?"
"Just as you've seen that some of us possess special abilities, the Volturi's guard has their own. Some more dangerous than others," he swallowed hard, lost in some memory. "Their tracker has this specific ability to locate anyone across the globe, regardless of the distance."
"So escaping is not an option?"
Edward shook his head. "Not with Demetri around."
Eleanor's expression turned into one of resignation. How could it be that out of all her options, her destiny remained unchanged? Death. Death because her mere existence was a mistake.
Maybe she deserved it, after killing her mother.
"Don't say that," Edward said softly, his brow slightly furrowed. "You can't blame yourself for that."
The girl ignored him. "I'd appreciate it if you weren't on my mind all the time," she turned her gaze back to the vampires practicing in the courtyard. An idea crossed her mind for a second. "How can I learn to do what Bella does?"
"What Bella does?"
"You said she has a mental shield." She had actually overheard it from a private conversation, but what difference did it make? "That you can't read her mind, that others can't harm her with mental tricks. How do I acquire that?"
Perhaps if she learned to defend herself in that way, she had a better chance of surviving the encounter with the Volturi.
Edward smiled, amused. "That's not something you can learn, Eleanor. It's a gift, something natural and individual. Like what I do. What Nessie or Kate do."
She scrunched up her nose, unsatisfied with the answer. Edward was mistaken. She was sure that everything could be learned; it was simply a matter of dedication and time. Or at least that's how she had learned most things. Reading, writing, and surviving in general.
"No," Edward interrupted, hearing her reasoning. "No, Eleanor, it doesn't work that way. It's..."
"Edward," Emmett interrupted. Both Eleanor and the mind reader looked down. "Could you stop hanging out with kids and find some actual friends? Esme says Eleanor has to go eat."
Edward ignored his brother's joke, rolling his eyes briefly. He took Eleanor in his arms, preparing to descend. She didn't protest because climbing alone to the highest branches of the tree had left her feeling tired, almost breathless. It was embarrassing to admit, and she was beginning to think that maybe Thomas was right. Her strength and senses paled in comparison to those of Renesmee, whose diet consisted mostly of blood.
Still, the mere thought of the red liquid made her feel nauseous.
⸻
The Cullen house was crowded.
As the days passed, more vampires arrived. Some alone, others in covens. Eleanor had become accustomed to the routine. Initially, the vampires would cast alarmed glances their way, careful not to come too close. However, as soon as they heard the rhythmic beats of their hearts, their wariness faded away. Renesmee's unique gift played a significant role, as the vivid images of her birth conveyed a message more powerful than any words could express.
While Carlisle had sent friends from Ireland and Egypt, Thomas had sent mostly nomads. Eleanor could recognize a few names from so many stories the vampire had told her.
"So, you're the reason why my friend became a softie," Garrett, a vampire sent by Thomas, said upon meeting her. "Can't say I didn't see it coming. If it wasn't for you, he probably would have ended up adopting a cat, that bastard," he added, laughing.
Eleanor raised an eyebrow, unsure of what the vampire with vibrant red eyes was referring to.
But out of all the visitors, Eleanor found Benjamin the most fascinating.
How could she not? He seemed to defy every natural order, every possible reality.
"How do you do it?" she asked astonished, as he effortlessly commanded the flames to spin with a single, graceful gesture of his hand.
"It comes naturally, my beautiful girl," he said, a smile gracing his face. With a flick of his fingers, a gentle breeze swept towards her. Eleanor's hair began to sway and twirl, blending harmoniously with the surrounding air and the rustling leaves. Benjamin's laughter filled the air. She joined him, momentarily forgetting the primary purpose of the vampire's presence.
But demonstrations of his power, Kate's or Zafrina's, only increased her concern. How could she defend herself if she had nothing to rely on? She had no magical fire or the ability to shock anyone.
And it seemed she couldn't escape either, as this Volturi guard could track her wherever she went.
She sighed.
It was nighttime, and Eleanor was at Bella and Edward's house, where they had set up a bed for her in Renesmee's room.
With so many vampires in the main house, the Cullens had decided it was best for her to stay there, as both she and Renesmee were still part human, with blood coursing through their veins. Nobody wanted to test the theory of what would happen if they were surrounded by hungry vampires for too long.
"Bella?" she asked as she saw the woman pass by the door. "Can I ask you something?"
"Of course Eleanor," she smiled, sitting down at the end of her bed. She looked really tired, Eleanor thought. And the irony was that vampires couldn't feel tired. But clearly, her tiredness wasn't physical.
"What do you do to have your shield?"
Bella froze for a few seconds. Then a faint crease formed on her forehead, as if she had anticipated any inquiry except this particular one.
"How do I...?" she paused, deliberating once more. Then she continued. "It comes naturally, Ellie."
Naturally. There was that word again.
"But you must do something," she insisted. "Think of something, or focus on something."
"No, Ellie, I'm sorry," Bella looked at her empathetically. "It's not something I've learned. It's something I've had with me since I was human. And you've seen that I still try to control it."
Eleanor nibbled on her lip. It couldn't be. There had to be something, a pattern, something she could learn or imitate.
"When you tried to protect Emmett from Kate's powers the other day during practice... What were you thinking?"
Bella seemed hesitant to respond, convinced that her response would offer no assistance to the young girl. Nevertheless, she decided to reply. "I focused on my desire to defend those I love."
"Thank you, Bella."
The vampire smiled warmly at her. She checked on Renesmee once more before leaving, planting a gentle kiss on the head of the sleeping child.
A wave of yearning washed over Eleanor in response to that simple exchange, tugging at her heart. Yet, she remained resolute, not allowing it to divert her from her thoughts.
She would learn to have Bella's shield.
She was certain.
⸻
Thomas had arrived a few days later than the others, bringing with him one final witness. Genevieve was a striking vampire whose mere presence commanded attention. Tall and serious, she possessed a cascade of fiery red locks that flawlessly complemented her piercing red irises.
Eleanor thought it odd that she had never heard her name.
"When did you meet her? You never mentioned her to me," she said to him. After his arrival, they had decided to take a walk through the forest, seeking a break from the bustling gathering inside the house.
A subtle smile graced Thomas's lips. "Genevieve was my creator, actually."
Eleanor's eyes widened. "What?"
"She found me, dying of fever in a bed, and took pity on me. A wretched man hallucinating about seeing his wife and daughter again. Of course, she didn't know they were already dead."
She glanced at the vampire out of the corner of her eye, wondering if he was aware that she had never heard this story before. Eleanor had always assumed that Thomas had a family or at least he had desired one, judging by the ruined cradle in the abandoned house. However, the vampire had never opened up enough to share that with her.
"So she turned you so you could see your family again but...?"
"They had succumbed to the same illness I had, days before." His smile disappeared for a moment. "Genevieve sincerely regretted her actions. But what was done was done. I was a vampire, with an eternity ahead of me."
She gazed at the vampire with eyes filled with concern. A longing to reach out and grasp his hand surged within her, yet she exercised restraint, holding herself back. "That's... Sad. I'm sorry, Thomas," she apologized.
"Don't be sorry, kid. It happened ages ago. And the intriguing aspect of memories is their tendency to blur and fade," he playfully remarked, yet Eleanor discerned the absence of mirth in his gaze. "But that's not the reason I wish for you to meet Genevieve. Listen..."
He stopped in his steps, causing Eleanor to come to a standstill as well. He knelt down to her level, and Eleanor sensed that whatever he was about to say wouldn't please her.
"If circumstances take a turn for the worsen with the Volturi, Genevieve has a task," he exhaled, conscious that his next words would undoubtedly disturb the girl. "To ensure your escape from there and take you far away, where you can't be found. She owes me that."
Eleanor shook her head. "No... No, no," a lump formed in her throat. "You can't ask her that! I won't leave you there. What about Renesmee? What about the others? Edward said we can't escape, that... That the Volturi have this tracker who will find us!"
Her words tumbled out clumsily, jumbled and nonsensical. Tears flowed down her cheeks, leaving glistening trails in their wake. Thomas gently reached for her trembling hands, offering a comforting touch.
"It's not like there's any other choice, kid. If the Volturi decide to ignore us, they will not only sentence you to death, but all of us," he gently stroked her cheek, brushing away a few tears. "So if it comes to that, if it comes to a battle, Genevieve will be prepared to escort you to safety and take care of you. And I trust her for that. After all, it's the redemption she seeks for what she did to me."
"Why her and not you?" she asked in a hurt tone.
"You said it yourself, you can't escape completely if there's someone looking for you," he lifted the corner of his lips slightly. "I'll make sure to kill Demetri myself. That's the only way for you to be safe."
A wave of dizziness washed over her, threatening to consume her senses. The notion of Thomas taking someone's life... The thought of the Cullens, who emanated nothing but goodness, engaged in battle... Could someone gentle as Esme ever commit such an act?
Yet, buried beneath her conflicted emotions, there was an even darker realization that she hesitated to acknowledge. There was something even more terrifying than the prospect of bloodshed.
The realization that one of them could die in the attempt.
It felt haunting. "What about Renesmee?" she asked in an almost inaudible whisper.
"I think they already have a plan B for her in case something goes wrong," he said, looking to the side. Eleanor followed his gaze and found the large figure of a reddish wolf. Jacob. She had been so focused on their conversation that she hadn't even heard the wolf arrive.
So that's how it ended? Was this the fate that awaited them? Her escaping alongside Genevieve, Renesmee with Jacob, while the rest valiantly sacrificed themselves on a battlefield.
"You can leave," Eleanor murmured. It was a desperate plea, but one worth trying. "Go. I told you I don't need you. Go, and you'll stay alive."
Thomas shook his head. "What makes you think I believed it the first time you said it? You stubborn kid," he smiled warmly. "I lost a daughter once. It won't happen again. I will make sure you're safe. I promise you that."
Eleanor wanted to scream. She wanted to escape from there. To turn the past back, undo the moment she set foot outside Lucy's house.
That way she would never have crossed paths with Thomas, who was now basically sentenced to death because of her.
Thomas, who had let her into his house without questioning her. Thomas, who had taken care of her, provided her with food and clothing, taught her about their world, taught her how to defend herself. Thomas, who had sought answers for her without even telling her. Thomas, who now placed her in the same position as his daughter, his real daughter.
She wanted to protect him. She needed to protect him. That's all she could offer in return.
She wanted to protect Renesmee too, who was nothing but good. Protect Edward, because even though he annoyed her by constantly messing with her mind, he had always been honest and understanding with her. Protect sweet Esme, who always waited for her in her room at night to brush her hair before bedtime.
Only if she could learn, only if...
"Eleanor?" Thomas inquired worriedly. "What's wrong?"
She thought her expression must have looked bad, because Thomas rarely addressed her by name. However, she found herself unable to confide in him about her affliction. A searing, agonizing pain had taken hold of her head, causing her to tightly shut her eyes in an attempt to alleviate the torment.
She had never experienced such pain. Not even when she had been intoxicated by drinking blood. She almost fell to her knees, but Thomas was quick to grab her.
"Ellie? Pleae don't scare me kid."
"Eleanor," a new voice spoke. She narrowed her eyes painfully, just long enough to watch Edward approaching.
"I don't know what's wrong. We were talking and..."
Edward hushed him to be silent. His eyes slowly widened as he fixated on the girl cradled in his arms.
His words left his lips tinged with deep astonishment.
"Eleanor... I can't hear your thoughts."
⸻
Hi, how do you see the fic so far? Interesting things happened in this chapter, let's wait to see what happens in the next one!
See you!