Hey all! My apologies for this taking so long, I had no idea how to rewrite this and ended up just redoing it over and over. I decided to invest in Grammarly, so hopefully my chapters are easier to read now. Anyways, enjoy this chapter! Or don't, it's up to you.
-PancakeSatan
Tanya's mind reeled after the discussion with Carlisle. It was not the first time she'd seen differences in this timeline. Despite the familiar surroundings of her living room, everything felt off. The warm-toned walls and wooden floors once provided comfort, reminding the blonde of where she came from. Attempting to put herself at ease, she allowed herself to think back to when they built the house, putting down the bear rug, Kate putting her woodworking skills to the test and making their carved structure beams. Tanya felt a small smile tugging at her lips as Irina worked on their decorative paintings, memories of their human life. The platinum blonde had painted grand battles and scenes from before their turning. The picture the sisters adored the most was of their mother, Sasha. While Tanya did miss her, she knew she was happy where she was, reunited with her other children and mate in the afterlife. Tanya's sad thoughts brought her back to the present, her mind jumping back to the current predicament. These oddities had been happening for a while; however, they've never been so apparent. First, Alice gets migraines and weird visions, and now Esme's aura is off. The blonde felt uneasy, her eyes squinting in concentration, letting out a worried breath as her sisters entered the room.
Kate looked at her older sister, noting the worry on her face. Her eyes lock with Irina's, both of them nodding. Irina stepped forward, her frown evident.
"You're worried about the resets, aren't you?" The platinum blonde asked, concerned for her older sibling.
"Not just that," Tanya stated.
"Am I the only one that has noticed these odd differences? Esme's aura was off; usually, it was gentle and calming; now, it's feral and untamed. Nearly ravenous in its rage. Somehow, it feels alive." Tanya said.
Kate nodded at her sister's words.
"You're not wrong, Tanya; her energy has been off. Every time the world seems to reset, Esme's energy has become more unstable. The only ones who haven't changed are the other Cullens." Kate said, for once serious in tone.
Irina seemed quiet, too quiet.
"Have either of you gotten a read on Bella's energy? It also seemed odd, almost trapped and contained. Like Bella was holding herself back." The platinum blonde chimed in, her hand scratching her neck. The trio remained silent, never seeing the world slip out of its predetermined path before.
Tanya's mind slipped back to the vision Alice had. Her mind connected a few events as her eyes lit up in recognition. 'Of course', she thought to herself. The strawberry blonde berating herself for forgetting, her eyes turning to her sister, an idea blossoming.
"Hey 'Rina?" She asked, her tone shifting.
The other Blonde turned her head, humming in response.
"Do you still have the records of what Alice told you about her vision? All of the records?"
Irina raised an eyebrow and nodded slowly before her eyes widened.
"You don't think.." Irina stopped herself.
Tanya nodded slowly; Kate's eyes widened as she picked up what the other two were referring to.
"Alice's vision wasn't an odd one-off. It was a warning. A warning she didn't take." Kate said slowly.
Irina rushed to her office, rooting through files until she came across Alice's file. Speeding back, she opened the folder, written accounts, pictures, and a USB drive sat inside.
"Kate, can I borrow your laptop?" Irina asked.
Kate nodded and handed a small laptop over, the platinum blonde opening it and typing in the password. Irina flipped open the USB and plugged it in, pulling it up in the files folder.
"Let's see, vision description ... .symbols in vision…. Ah! Here we go!"
The two sisters looked at Irina with a raised eyebrow.
"Alice's full vision! She had come to me because these flashes were becoming more apparent, and then she went into a vision in my office. She even started speaking her vision out loud, which she hadn't done for decades! This vision was powerful, so much so she seemed to pass out afterwards, which Carlisle didn't think was possible anymore."
Now, their curiosity was piqued.
"And why didn't you mention this at the time?" Tanya asked.
Irina raised an eyebrow sassily.
"There is this thing called doctor-patient confidentiality, but after she hadn't experienced anything, she told me to do with her file as I wished, and that is what I am doing!" Irina said, beaming at Tanya cheekily.
Kate laughed at the sass while Tanya looked unamused.
"Anyway, here is the recording."
Irina quickly hit the play button on an audio file.
"The Crown listens to the False Lion too much, a wedge driven between a group of five. Roses piercing through one who's never noticed when needed, their body fails as the vines ensnare their heart. Doubt fills them, spreading through the group like poison. The one associated with the Crystal Ball sees the plight of the remaining four, watching as a Bear becomes damaged from his family's negligence. Ripped from his only remaining treasure, the Bear lost what once was held dear. A Major dulled from years of indulgence sees the fate of those he holds dear far too late. A Lion, an emaciated and pathetic thing. Clinging to his meal as if it were his love, he tries to change his fate, not knowing it is too late. "
"A Tiger in Lamb's clothing stalks, righting the wrongs done by a delirious Lion. A guardian providing the Tiger and wilted Rose with care, revitalising what once was thought to be lost. A group once consisting of five dropped to four, desperately clinging to what once was theirs. Actions taken shatter what held the group together, swift claws tearing at their carefully crafted mask, bringing to light the lies woven into their souls. The Dragon threatens those she once held dear, protecting what they fear."
"I warn, an end is near. For all you have is consumed by fear." Alice's voice finished, an odd wispy quality shown throughout the recording.
Tanya sat still, her mind quickly putting together the meaning.
"The Crown is Carlisle; that much is clear. He is the supposed leader and ruler over his coven. I would think the Lion to be Edward. Didn't he often describe himself as such to Bella?" Tanya asked, looking at Kate.
Kate nodded slowly.
"Yes, he once called Bella his little Lamb as well. I'd assume Bella is the Tiger in Lambs clothing; her attitude would match it. The Major has to be Jasper, as Alice's vision said he's dulled due to inactivity and laziness." Kate chimed in, clearly thinking about the Cullen's mannerisms.
Tanya nodded, agreeing with the inactivity dulling Jasper's abilities. She furrowed her brow.
"The Crystal Ball is Alice. The description of her ignoring the plight of others sounds about right. It seems this behaviour has only gotten worse over time." Tanya said.
"Have we missed anyone?" She asked her sisters.
"The Bear and the Rose, but it is obvious who they are," Irina said.
"Rosalie and Emmet," Kate responded, her tone low.
"I remember both of their auras being strange. They have a bond. A maker's bond, leaning on a chosen mate bond. It is not a proper mate bond; if it is, they should be more in sync." Kate said, in a rare showing of seriousness. The caramel-toned blonde huffed.
"As much as I hate to say it, we may have to ask her," Kate said, regretting her decision.
"Not her!" Tanya said, appalled at her sister's thought process.
Irina thought about it for a moment, humming. The platinum blonde looked at her sister.
"I can't believe I am saying this… But Kate is-" Irina stopped herself, grimacing.
"Kate is r-. Kate is not wrong." Irina finished.
"Is it that hard to admit that I am right?" Kate said, looking at Irina mirthfully.
Irina grimaced at her sister's sass, flipping her off discreetly.
Tanya rolled her eyes at both of them, pinching the bridge of her nose out of habit. 'They are over a thousand years old, yet they continue to egg each other on.'
Standing up, the coven leader exited the room, letting her sisters fight. Her mind wandered again, thinking about calling her. As much as Tanya hated the idea, it might be the only way to figure it out. Tanya huffed, stepping into her sparsely decorated room and moving to the balcony. The blonde opened the sliding door and closed it behind her, putting her hand in her vest pocket. Her fingers routed through her vest pocket, searching for something. She clicked her tongue lightly when she found what she was looking for. She pulled out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. Putting one to her lips, she let it hang loosely and sparked the flint, a fire spouting out of the hole. Her eyes focused on the tip of the cancer stick as it glowed orange in colour.
Sucking a breath in, she pulled the cigarette out with two fingers, exhaling a large cloud of smoke. A sigh followed the exhale, weary yellow eyes scanning the landscape she had memorised a thousand times.
'I guess it wouldn't hurt to call her. I just don't want to.' Tanya thought to herself.
Yellow eyes trail back to the cigarette in her hand, the smoke wafting off the end entrancing her. Her mind drifted back to the memory of her mother's body burning. The sound of her head ripping away from her beaten and battered body. Tanya's eyes shut in pain, the feeling of tears welling up as she saw a gleeful Volturi member toss a torch on a pile of straw. The coven leader felt a pang of guilt before opening her eyes and steadying herself.
'I need to call her before I lose the nerve.' Tanya thought, taking another drag of her cigarette.
Reaching into her pocket, she pulled a phone out and flipped it open. Her fingers tapped at the number keys, entering a familiar number. Her fingers stopped at the last digit, hesitance showing. Pushing through her momentary doubt, she finished dialling the number, a ringing tone focusing her attention. Tanya steeled herself when someone answered her call, a familiar voice greeting her.
"Volturi front desk, Gianna speaking. How may I help you?" The receptionist answered.
"Gianna, this is Tanya from Alaskan coven 1A. I would like to speak to Didyme and Sulpicia, please."