13th chapter

"My dear, dear Alice, we're so glad to see you here after all", the strangely happy and relieved voice of Aro got Minna's attention. Apparently, Edward was right back then, the Volturi, or more precisely Aro, were looking for his sister Alice. The German still didn't know what ability Alice had but she was sure, she would know soon.

"I have evidence, the child won't be a risk to our kind," Alice started and held her hand out over the guard's shoulder. "Let me show you." It was obvious that Aro would want to see what Alice offered, despite the mistrust of his brother, who got ignored completely. Aro waved her over to him eagerly and the guard let her pass, but held her companion in check.

The seconds in which Aro was deep in Alice's mind felt like hours. Some shifted uncomfortably, no matter on which side they were. Minna looked from one to another, it took all of her self-control to not turn around and run as fast as she could. She looked over at Edward who seemed to follow Aro's thoughts, but she couldn't quite read his changing expressions. Maggie squeezed Minna's hand slightly, a comforting smile on her face. Minna returned the smile when she looked at her friend. She finally started to breath calmly again.

"Now you know, that's your future. Unless you decide on another course", Alice's words were sincere and by the look on Aro's face, Minna wondered if that woman just changed the potential outcome. The leader of the Volturi seemed confused, speechless and shocked about whatever he saw. Minna wondered what happened there, she heard Caius talking to him but she didn't pay enough attention to his words.

"But what if you were sure, she could remain concealed from the human world. Could we live in peace?", Edwards voice held hope in it. He must know something, the others didn't. "Of course, but that cannot be known," Caius answered, clearly done with the whole debate. Whenever he rose his voice, Minna shuddered instantly. She knew what he was known for and the lack of an ability made him only more dangerous. If it were up to him, they all were long gone. They were mere peasants in his eyes, a nuisance to be dealt with. Minna gulped under his hateful glance.

"Actually, it can." Edwards words let Minna turn to him in confusion, she felt completely left out at the moment, her eyes switched to her friends, but they seemed as surprised as her. Suddenly they heard footsteps, two others came into view, their clothes resembled a connection with Amazon coven. But something about the man seemed different. The Cullens and their witnesses watched the newly arrived people in silence, as they made their way in the direction of the Volturi. When they came to a hold close to Alice, the latter turned to the Volturi once more.

"I've been searching for witnesses on my own, among the Ticuna tribes in Brazil," Alice started. "We have enough witnesses." Caius sounded clearly annoyed by the delay of the fight he was eager to begin. "Let him speak, brother," Aro interrupted Caius and looked inquiringly at the man in front of him.

"I am half-human, half-vampire. Like the child. A vampire seduced my mother, who died giving birth to me. My aunt, Huilen, raised me as her own. I made her immortal." The man spoke calmly, he clearly knew what was expected of his appearance. "How old are you?", Bella looked at him, hope shining in her eyes. Her motherly instinct came over her, she needed to know what would happen to her child. "150 years," he answered while looking at her. Minna could see the relief in her whole posture. A smile spread on her face as she looked back at her daughter, who returned the smile eagerly.

"At what age did you reach maturity?", Aro was beyond curious about this new species. "I became full-grown seven years after my birth. I have not changed since then." He sounded eager to explain all of his nature and Minna admired his bravery to come all the way here to speak in front of the Volturi about his race to protect a child he didn't even know, while risking his own life in the process. "And your diet?", Aro asked. "Blood, human food. I can survive on either."

Aro's mind seemed to race, trying to get all the new information in order. The hope of Bella and Edward seemed to radiate of their group of witnesses. Minna could feel it, whatever Alice did, she saved their lives, Minna was sure. She took a quick glance at the Romanians but she couldn't read their faces. She wasn't sure if they were angry that a promised fight maybe won't happen or not. Minna turned her attention back to the Volturi.

"These children are much like us." It was the first time that Minna heard Marcus' voice, she wondered why he sounded relieved at his statement. Maybe he was the only one of the three leaders, that actually wanted a peaceful solution. "Regardless, the Cullens have been consorting with werewolves. Our natural enemies." Caius glared at Aro, his anger couldn't be overseen and he tried his best to manipulate Aro into initiating the fight, he longed for so desperately.

Aro finally moved and turned around to his coven and witnesses. "Dear ones, there is no danger here. We will not fight, today." The way he said the last word let Minna know, that for the Volturi it wasn't over. One day they would come back for the Cullens, maybe even for some witnesses. She gulped at the thought of the guards chasing her and forcing her to join them. She squeezed Maggie's hand once more. Within the blink of an eye, the Volturi disappeared from the field and left the Cullens and their witnesses back in relief.

Minna turned to her Irish friends and pulled Maggie in a hug. Liam and Siobhan embraced each other tenderly. They were glad that all went well. Warm smiles spread over their faces as they exchanged relieved hugs with the two others.

"We have them on the run. Now is the time to attack!" Minna turned around when she heard Vladimir's voice. He stood next to Carlisle, eager to start the fight they were here for. Carlisle turned to the Romanian, an almost apologetical smile on his face. "Not today," he stated calmly. The disbelief in Vladimir's eyes were clear to be seen. Stefan appeared next to him. "You're all fools! The Volturi might be gone, but they will never forgive what happened here." His booming voice filled the field, but the others didn't pay any attention to their words. The Romanians looked at each other, disbelief and disappointment were written all over their faces. Minna felt sorry for them, as all others seemed to not take them seriously.

In the following few seconds, Minna's world appeared to tremble and shatter. Without looking back once, the Romanians sprinted off and left the Cullens and the other witnesses. For the German, it felt as if the time had stopped, she heard the indistinct chatter and laughs of the others, but her eyes were trained in the direction the Romanians disappeared into. Her mind was blank in disbelief. Sadness spread in her, as well as resignation. Why did she allow herself to grow feelings? If she still could, she would be crying by now, out of sadness, out of self-hate and countless more reasons. She should have known, that no one wanted this. No one wanted her, she was just a nuisance, a bother, someone you can tell whatever is bothering you, so that you feel better after. Nothing more. She felt stupid, oh so stupid for letting her feelings take over and not her mind.

It took her some time to remember that she was still on the field with her friends and others. Minna blinked a few times. Desperately trying to swallow all the upcoming emotions and forced a smile that never reached her eyes. Liam turned to her with a frown, he didn't realize that the Romanians were already gone. When he noticed why Minna was forcing to be happy, he put a hand on her shoulder in a reassuring manner. An honest smile on his face and a knowing look in his eyes.

Shortly after Carlisle announced that they would go back to their house and invited all witnesses to stay a bit longer. Slowly the vampires made their way back, Minna was still deep in her thoughts, biting back the nagging feeling in her mind.

Once they were back at the Cullen's house, the first few nomads left already. Some exchanged quick words with others before disappearing. Naturally, Bella and Edward had a long discussion with the half-breed, Nahuel. They were eager to hear his experience. Minna sat on a branch of a tall tree in front of the house. Her eyes observing the others, but her mind was still off. Her back rested against the trunk and she drew mindless circles with her right hand on her left arm. Her friends wanted to stay a bit longer and Minna decided to leave together.

The German sat there with a blank expression and lifeless eyes for a whole day. She didn't notice that coven after coven left, the only ones still staying were the Irish and the Denali. Of course, she realized the glances she got from her friends, but they didn't speak to her, they gave her the time and space she needed.

Minna thought about her time in America, about what she has learned, Siobhan's words and of course about a certain Romanian. Given the reaction of her body and soul, she couldn't deny the fact that she indeed loved him. Another wave of deep sadness and regret washed over her. She scolded herself for being so naïve and stupid, she looked down at her body. Minna didn't know what she was thinking in the first place. She was a nobody, nothing, a mere newborn in comparison. His words haunted her mind. She shook her head eagerly. She needed to move on, she had to go her own way, but deep down she knew, she would be thinking of him every step of the way.

Minna let out a deep sigh. All she would take back home with her were bittersweet memories and imagines of what could have been. Given everything she learned about the Romanians and what they told her, she knew in the depth of her heart that she was definitely not what he needed. All he had in the last 1500 years were thoughts about hate and revenge, carefully theorized and planned with Stefan. He told her he lost his wife all those years ago, he didn't need her.

Another shaky sigh left her lips and she closed her eyes for a moment. She tilted her head to the sky, taking in the countless stars in that cloudless night. It wasn't his fault, she felt that way. After all she hoped he would find peace and could finally live in joy and happiness again, maybe even in love with someone he deemed worthy. Maybe someone who was more like his wife, or maybe he would even find his mate. Minna needed to let go, she knew she was the one to blame, she engulfed in her emotions, she basically lost control. Her mind tried to intervene, but she was too focused on those new occurring and very thrilling feelings.

The woman finally stood up and jumped down from the tree. She remained still for a moment, reminding herself that she needed to move on and just never let her emotions overwhelm her again. It was a happening of weeks and she still had an eternity ahead. Minna exhaled deeply, trying to look into the future with more hope and maybe even considering joining her friends' coven once she would be back home and could think that through. She calmed slowly and made her way to the house silently. The door wasn't locked and she went in, she made her way to the living room, where the remaining vampires waited. They all looked at her and when Minna's eyes met Siobhan's, she smiled instantly and that time it was true again.