10th chapter
It's been two days since the incident on the cliff. Minna could hide it from her friends successfully so far. She didn't want them to feel any more concerned, than they already were. She also tried not to think about it too much, considering there was a mind reader present.
Minna couldn't describe it, but everyone acted somehow tensed, like everyone was on their edge. She didn't know why, but the feeling fueled her as well. It couldn't be long until the confrontation. She looked out of the window, following the fall of thick snowflakes. The German loved snow, she always did and since she was one with the cold even more. She stood close to the window, her nose almost touching the glass and her eyes glistening with joy. It was a rare sight. Next to her was the Christmas tree, blinking in all different colors and for a moment Minna forgot the nagging feeling inside her. She felt happy and carefree.
Most of the Cullens were out to hunt, as well as some nomads, leaving her with only a few other people in the room. She heard some of them discussing who could pick up a fight with whom from the Volturi. She didn't mind them too much until her name got mentioned. Minna didn't turn around but paid more attention to their discussion. Apparently, they thought she'd be best to go against a brute due to her gift. She heard the name 'Felix' being mentioned, to not give him a physical advantage.
A shiver went down her spine by the thought, if it came to a fight, those people would probably be relying on her success. She was no fighter, what if she would run as soon as the fight would start. Suddenly she felt cold, she needed to be brave, like everyone else. She needed to put all her hope in Carlisle and his negotiation skills. The woman tried to breath, closing her eyes for a moment, before she switched her attention back to snowflakes outside. It was just cold enough for the snow to stick; it couldn't take long for the ground to appear in a white blanket.
Minna let her mind wander; she didn't realize she got company until she saw that person out of the corner of her eye. Siobhan's eyes laid on the forest, she remained silent and both women enjoyed their peaceful quietness. The Irish switched to her left leg and her posture became a bit more uncomfortable as if she wanted to get something off her mind.
After a few minutes in silence, Siobhan finally spoke up, her eyes trained on the German. "I know that look." Minna blinked a few times before she turned to her friend, a frown on her face. "What do you mean?" Siobhan looked back outside the window and sighed slightly. "Your mind wanders off, that longing look into the distance", she looked back at Minna, "you want to be close to someone and you're way more talkative than I've ever seen you." The women looked at each other, Minna didn't quite understand what Siobhan wanted to tell her. Did she really had that look in her eyes, was she more social than before? Minna had absolutely no clue what her friend was up to.
Siobhan frowned as well, not sure if Minna was just shy or really didn't know what she meant. After a while, she looked back outside again. "You like him, don't you?" She tried to make her statement more obvious, while her voice was low, only for the both of them to hear. Minna needed another few seconds until she realized what Siobhan was talking about. She gasped, thankful that she couldn't blush anymore, her eyes shot quickly outside to avoid any contact. "Oh", she mouthed and began to play with her hair nervously. "I don't know", she said shyly.
Siobhan sighed and closed her eyes for a moment. She laid a hand around Minna's shoulders in a reassuring manner. She wasn't here to judge. "I know we told you already to be careful", the Irish started, "we don't want you to get hurt." Minna looked around, checking if anyone paid attention to them. "Look", she said lowly, "I don't even know what I feel, that's all new to me. I", she stopped not sure if she was ready to openly admit it by now, "I do like him, but that's probably a one-way-road anyway. I already try to shut those feelings off." She took a deep breath, sadness and resignation in her eyes. "I mean, look at me. Who would want this?" Minna scoffed bitterly, trying to cover her insecurities.
Siobhan's eyes hardened. "Don't speak so low of yourself, dear. You are an amazing being, don't act like you or your opinion wouldn't matter." The Irish turned to her friend, laying her hands on her shoulders and looked distinctively in her eyes. "We are your friends, Minna. We care for you, we love you. Please don't forget that." Minna looked down and breathed calmly, before she hugged her friend dearly. Siobhan hugged her back, gently patting her head in a motherly way. "I'd never tell you what to do and what not, all I want for you is to be happy. Don't try to bite back your feelings, they're precious, all of them. Cherish them, share them but where it leads you, only time can tell." Minna pulled back, a smile on her face and a thankful glance in her eyes. Siobhan nodded in silent understanding. "I'll go back to Liam and Maggie; you want to join us?" The German shook her head and Siobhan left her.
Minna thought about Siobhan's words. She did like him in a way. Something about him made her feel safe, as awkward as it sounded to her. She felt like she could let her guard down whenever he was around, which was completely unusual for her. Minna sighed and looked back out again, reminiscing whatever it was, she felt for him. Her eyes followed the snowflakes again and by now the ground slowly appeared in a faint white. She smiled again, trying not to overthink the future.
Minna didn't realize how long she watched the falling snow, but when the landscape was hidden under a thick white blanket, she heard Carlisle calling everyone in the living room. She turned around only to be met by the sight of almost all witnesses. The last few came in and Carlisle looked around with an unreadable expression on his face.
The German put a hand on the window frame next to her, her eyes scanning for her friends. She saw them standing on the other side of the room, their faces full of worry and the concerned eyes of Siobhan met hers.
"Thank you for coming", Carlisle started in his calm voice and everyone's eyes laid on him. He breathed for a moment, looking at his wife and finally at Edward. "It is time. Tonight, we'll leave to prepare and tomorrow we'll meet the Volturi." His voice sounded calm but the nervousness could be heard if you just listened close enough. Indistinct chatter started throughout the crowd and Minna only then realized that she was holding her breath during his speech. She let herself rest against the window, her mind racing and once again she exchanged a quick look with the Irish.
"We will leave at 6pm, please prepare if you must", Carlisle finished and the Cullens left the room as a union. Most vampires left the room as well and Minna carefully made her way to her friends. They looked at each other, worried and frightened looks were sent from one to another. Liam put an arm around Siobhan and pressed her slightly to his side for comfort.
The German took a quick glance at the clock and realized she had another two hours before they would leave. "I'll be outside", Minna's voice was low, almost a whisper and Maggie just nodded at her with a small smile on her lips.
As soon as the cold air hit Minna's face, she let out a shaky sigh. Her eyes wandered, some witnesses were waiting outside as well, some seemed to be off for a quick snack and then she noticed the Romanians next to some trees. Their eyes filled with anticipation and a grin that could hardly be matched. She could understand their behavior from their point of view, she, on the other hand, was just scared. With slow and insecure steps, she walked over to them. The snow crunched softly under her feet and the falling snowflakes danced around her face.
The men watched her as she approached, they turned slightly, taking in her frightened form. She didn't say a word, her eyes switched from one to another not sure if she interrupted them or if she was even welcome. The men stood unfazed, exchanging quick words in their mother tongue but kept their posture open so Minna stayed. She rested her back against the tree behind her as she looked aimlessly into the forest. It was getting darker already, the nomads who left after Carlisle's speech were back and waited patiently in small groups.
Minna saw the Denali coven walking out of the house, Garret was next to Kate and gave her the feeling of support. One light after another went dark in the house and the German knew that they would leave soon. She rubbed with her right hand over her left arm and let out another nervous sigh as the Irish coven left the house as well. "Afraid?" Minna switched her attention back to the men in front of her, but she couldn't look at them. She felt small, insecure and frightened beyond comparison. "Yes", the word came out in a whisper, trembling under her mental condition. "Stay strong, dragă." Minna finally looked up and met the intense but also supporting glance of Vladimir, he stood close to her and she calmed down a bit, feeling a wave of safety washing over her. Stefan was right next to him, his serious gaze wandered over the other vampires.
"Let's go", with these words the witnesses started moving. They walked slowly, Bella and her child were up front with the shapeshifter who tried to cheer up the kid whenever possible. Minna brought up the rear in their loose formation, she spotted the Irish a few metres ahead as Maggie glanced back at her a few times with a reassuring smile on her face.
They didn't march long, when they arrived at a clearing some vampires gathered twigs and logs and put them together on a pile. Others carried a few trunks and laid them around to sit on. Minna watched the others actions but remained in the back, but Benjamin quickly got her attention when he set the logs on fire. She looked at him in awe, totally mesmerized by his gift. The first few people sat down on the trunks, even Liam, Siobhan and Maggie joined them, talking about the past wars. That's when Minna decided to take a seat as well. She stared into the fire and listened to their stories, successfully distracting her mind about tomorrow's actions.