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Chapter 59

Rescue Operation

Bella

"Oh ... I just saw that Rose and Edward will be there too," Alice said after we started running.

I was so angry that I was really happy that they were going to be there. I wanted to make them pay for what they had done to Esmé and Carlisle and the whole family. I was going to use my full newborn strength to kick Edward's ass with all my might.

"No Bella," Alice said.

Of course, she had seen my plan. But what did she have against it?

"You are immune to Corin. You have to take she over," she continued talking.

I would have much rather taken Rose or Edward, but I knew she was right.

I nodded.

We passed a sign.

Coal Creek was on it and shortly after that the forest opened up a bit and a forester's lodge was in front of us.

Rose and Edward were standing in front of it.

"What are you guys doing here? I'm sure, Alice, you saw that we would never hurt Esmé and would bring her back in three days," Rose said.

"HOW CAN YOU DO THIS TO OUR FAMILY?" Alice shouted angrily and rushed at Rose.

With her visions, Alice had a distinct advantage.

Jasper and Emmett attacked Edward and cleared the way for me.

I went into the house and outside I heard stone hitting stone. In the second room I saw Corin. She was absolutely calm and looked at me kindly.

Behind her was Esmé. She was lying on a sofa and - like Rosalie at that time in Corin's presence - looked absolutely content and happy.

"Oh, hello, you must be Bella. Wouldn't you like to join us?", Corin asked sweetly and happily.

Apparently, she did not notice that her gift was not working.

"No, thank you. I'm here to get Esmé back. And if you don't move away from here voluntarily, I'm afraid I'll have to get you out of the way first," I threatened her.

I was getting on my nerves with their fake happiness.

"Oh, that's right, you're immune. What a boring gift, a shield," she said, laughing bright as a bell.

Esmé didn't seem to notice much of our conversation. She was happily playing with her caramel-colored hair.

"If you think it's boring to protect your thoughts from Aro, to avoid the torment of Jane, or to be immune to your little 'the world is so beautiful' gift, that's your opinion. I think it's pretty handy. Now, let Esmé come to me, and I won't hurt you. As you may know, I haven't been in this life that long and I certainly possess more strength than you."

In the end, I hissed more than I spoke.

She hissed back, threw her black hair back into her neck and stood in front of Esmé.

"Rosie asked me not to let you get to her," she said, getting into attack position.

"Rosie? Why are you doing this for her?", I asked.

Why did she use a nickname for Rosalie? Like ... as if they had known each other forever.

"We both got along very well when she was with us. And if she asks me for a favor, why should I refuse. She will be with me again soon ..." she said happily like a little child.

"What do you mean by that?"

Why would Rose be with Corin? Corin would return to the Volturi, wouldn't he?

Outside I heard the two fights, and it reminded me what I actually had to do. I was just wasting time talking.

Corin opened her mouth to tell, but I already slammed against her and threw her out the window. The glass didn't even leave a scratch on our skin.

We were on the other side of the house, and I couldn't see the others.

Corin took the chance when I was looking for the others and rammed her knee against my chin. I heard a strange sound, like stone splintering, and fell backwards onto the floor. She turned around and wanted to run back to Esmé, but I was faster, grabbed her by the arm and flung her sixty yards away.

"Jasper!" I shouted when I had Corin far enough away from the house.

We had agreed that Jasper would get Esmé to calm her down once she realized what situation she was in and then take her back to the car.

Corin's remark came back to my mind, and I nailed her to a tree with my elbow on her neck so that she could no longer move. I was clearly stronger than her.

"What did you mean about Rose being back with you soon?", I asked.

I heard Jasper leave with Esmé and had a moment for small talk.

"Edward and Rosie have decided to join us," she said happily.

How could she still be in such a happy mood, while I could tear her to pieces the next moment. And I was sure I would have enough strength for that.

"They want what?"

I couldn't believe it. After we brought them back from the Volturi a few months ago, they are now going there voluntarily?

"Rose liked it with us. We're not as bad as many people think. Not only did I make fast friends with Rosie, but Heidi got along well with her. And Aro is very happy that Edward will come to us. Of course, we still have to change her mind about her diet. But I think that will not take long."

She chuckled happily and I pressed my ulna harder against her neck.

Her happy giggling got on my nerves so much.

Why did the two of them voluntarily go to the Volturis? I didn't want to imagine how disappointed Carlisle would be in them when he learned that they would no longer be vegetarians.

Jasper was probably already at the car, so I hurled Corin furiously against the forester's house. The wood snapped like a match under the force, and she flew through two walls.

"Cori?", I heard Rose's voice call out in concern.

"Bella, Emmett, let's go," shouted Alice, who had fleet-footedly dodged Rose.

Presumably Alice had seen that they would not follow us.

So I jumped to her and Emmett, who let go of Edward. I ran towards the car without looking back.

If that was to be their decision, then I would never be able to forgive them again.

The other two were behind me when we arrived at the car.

Esmé jumped toward us and hugged Alice and me at the same time, followed by Emmett.

"Thank you, my dear children! Jasper just told me everything. I couldn't help it, I felt so happy with her. And suddenly all other thoughts and worries disappeared, and I was just happy to be with her," she tried to explain.

"Mom, it's not your fault. You don't have to justify yourself. Corin's gift is just very strong," Alice said, hugging her again.

We got into the car and drove home in silence.

I didn't know if the others knew that Edward and Rosalie were going to the Volturi. At least Alice had to know, but like me, she probably decided not to tell until we were home and Carlisle was present. Before today, I always thought that eventually - in a few decades - the dust would settle. I thought eventually all the Cullens would be together again, and we could forgive them for their behavior. But after today, after they kidnapped Esmé to prevent our wedding, and after I learned that they had chosen the Volturi, I no longer saw that possibility. I would no longer forgive them for that.

We arrived at our - Emmett told me to finally think of it as my own home, too - house.

The car hadn't stopped yet, and Esmé was already outside hugging and kissing Carlisle.

He lifted her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist.

Carlisle looked over her shoulder at us and said softly, "Thank you."

His eyes glittered happily and turned black when Esmé began kissing him on the neck and stroking over his chest. By then they had disappeared and were now most likely in their bedroom on the top floor.

I chuckled softly.

"So much for 'Esmé and I can manage three days without each other,'" I quoted Carlisle.

The others laughed and got out.

I let the boys go ahead and held Alice by the arm for a moment.

"You know, right?" I asked her, and she nodded.

"Yes, I saw it earlier, but decided not to say anything yet until we have Esmé back," she said.

We went inside and joined Emmett and Jasper. We both sat down on our sweethearts' laps and watched TV with them.

Of course, the sound of the TV couldn't drown out Esmé and Carlisle, but I was getting used to it. It was something that just inevitably came with living in a house with three vampire couples. The cooking show at least distracted all of our thoughts a bit.

Two hours later, the two came back down.

Carlisle looked at Esmé in love.

"I'd say I'm sorry, but honestly, I'd be lying," Carlisle said with a laugh, and we happily joined in.

I'm sure any of us would have reacted the same way.

"I want to thank you again for bringing my Esmé back to me. I'm so happy to have you guys," Carlisle said, sitting down on the couch with Esmé.

Alice looked me in the eye, and I knew what she meant.

It was time to tell the others.

"So ...", Alice started and looked to me.

"When I was fighting with Corin earlier, she said something about Rose and Edward. Alice has already seen it too, but I wanted to wait until we were together to say it," I continued.

Fortunately, the other four now turned their attention to Alice after I mentioned her vision.

"Edward and Rosalie have decided to go to the Volturis and live with them," said Alice.

Esmé slapped her hands over her mouth in shock and the others stared from me to Alice in confusion.

I nodded my head.

"Corin said it. Apparently Rose found good friends there and ... well ... I don't really know why they do that either."

Jasper put a hand on Esmés, but he himself was overwhelmed by his feelings and ours, so he could not calm her well.

"However ...", Alice began.

However? What else did she see?

"However ... as far as I can see, they refuse to drink human blood. Their eyes will remain golden. At least as far as I can see into their future," she continued.

At least that. At least they stuck to their principles.