Hello, lovely people!

I hope you enjoy this chapter - there is a lot to cover, including a different perspective from a familiar scene.

WARNING: Some strong language is ahead.

LookAliveSunshine03

Chapter 5:

Blasts from the past

11th February 2012

Edward played a mellow tune on the piano. Esme had insisted on bringing it with them to Denali from Forks. Not only did it give her son and daughter-in-law an excuse to visit (as if they needed one!), but it meant Esme could listen to something beautiful while she designed another house, another home.

But with every creative idea, Esme's thoughts sparked with worry. It's been so long since we heard from Beth. What do the Volturi want with her? There must be something we can do.

The family were at peace together, apart. After talking to Renesmee on the phone for two hours, they had resumed their separate activities around the large cabin. Bella sat beside Edward, following his fingers on the piano with a faint, blissful smile. Rosalie and Emmett had started watching a documentary in the lounge but were too distracted by each other to pay any attention to it. Alice and Jasper tucked themselves away in the neighbouring study, wrapped in Steinbeck, Woolf, and each other. Edward sounded them out by changing the melody.

Two things happened in the next moment. Carlisle's phone began to ring, brittle in the wooden panels of his office upstairs. Edward kept playing just as, like light catching the facets of a diamond, another of Alice's visions winked in and out of view.

A piercing pink flash of neon snatched Edward's attention. The sharp toll of a reception bell made him frown again. "What does it mean, Alice?"

Everyone stopped, suddenly curious and tense. Alice didn't answer, but Edward could see her steepling fingers under her chin to concentrate through Jasper's eyes as her husband assessed the emotions that ran through her like a busy current. Anticipation, some disquiet.

"Nothing for us to be concerned about yet," said Jasper cautiously.

Bella sighed, laying her head on Edward's shoulder. "She's had these visions for weeks, Jasper. It means something, so I speak for everyone when I say we're all concerned."

"The Hotel Bohemia," Alice breathed. She scrambled to join the rest of the family with Jasper on her heels.

Edward stopped playing. He had heard that name before.

"Where's that?" Bella's face was taut with anxiety.

"Prague," Edward answered, as Carlisle picked up the call.

He sounded confused. "Amun?"

Amun is calling us? Esme's thoughts were dark with foreboding. Oh, no, what if…?

Sure enough, Carlisle's were shocked. Benjamin and Tia, gone? What has brought this on? Amun has always been protective of his son, but…

"Benjamin and Tia have left Egypt," Edward translated. "It doesn't sound like they are in danger, but Amun is frantic."

No surprise, Jasper thought, gazing at Edward. "He's tried to hide Benjamin for years," he said. "The Volturi –"

"Do we know where they've gone?" Rosalie and Emmett appeared at the hall doorway. Rosalie's thoughts were frightened. What does this mean?

Good for Benjamin. Surprised he's lasted this long, Emmett thought, not unkindly.

"We don't know where they are," Edward replied, "Carlisle is trying to gauge the situation."

Something must be wrong. Benjamin wouldn't leave without reason; he knows the risks. Carlisle sighed. It won't be long before the Volturi gets word of this. Then, of course, Alice would know if that happened. Although her visions have been so…fixated lately.

"What does Amun want from us?" Bella said softly. "None of us are trackers. How can we help?"

"I can answer that!" Alice piped up. She beamed at Edward, bouncing on her heels. "Amun was right to call. I know exactly where Benjamin and Tia have gone."

Their faces were clear in her mind. Laughing, giddy with their newfound freedom, Amun and Tia wore matching yellow raincoats and toasted one another with champagne flutes of warm blood at a bar. They were, however, not alone.

The girl who sat in a dark, nearby corner was unmistakable. Small, even when standing, she moved damp red hair out of her eyes. Beth stood beside an unkempt man who seemed to shrink in his faded t-shirt.

Edward was stunned. He hadn't seen that face in over six years, yet the look of fear was the same then as it was now.

31st December 2006

Michael peered out of the side of his hood, watching the spasm of unease pass over the other witnesses. Many of them had come to this clearing expecting a serious crime. Their needs struck Michael on all sides: proof, justice, reassurance, like targeted winds. He fidgeted, scuffing snow back and forth with the side of his boot.

You should leave now, Julia said. Get out while you still can - we all know you're shit at fighting.

Hey! Don't be like that, Hazel argued. Mikey isn't entirely awful. 'Sides, it might not come to that. Doctor Cullen is a bloody pacifist.

Yeah. Luckily for our brother, Julia scoffed.

Michael growled in his throat. If you must talk about me like I'm not here, please don't broadcast it in my head!

Sorry, Mikey, they chorused. Hazel sounded contrite, but Julia was amused.

By Master Aro's word, they were harmless. If you ignored their large number and enviable gifts. However, the shocking report from the Irina woman was the touch paper Master Aro needed. The Volturi was a solid, black wall. Except this so-called threat was hardly a rabble of frightened men and women; instead, they stood as comrades, a startling mix of red- and golden-eyed couples. Tall and slight, fearful and fierce; some had olive skin, while some appeared as pale as the winter sky.

There were wolves, for heaven's sake! With eyes as big as Michael's fists, their gazes flicked from face to face. Could animals…strategize? Their needs were complicated, almost human, begging for peace and safety, and Michael struggled to maintain his composure. Fascinating!

Across the expanse of land, he locked eyes with a wolf with copper fur. It growled, and the little heartbeat fluttered behind it. At the wolf's side stood Isabella Cullen, the newborn with fantastic hair.

Her direct gaze reminded Michael of Julia's on a good day, watchful and tense. Something about Isabella caused the air to ripple with some extraordinary forcefield. She gripped the hand of her mate.

What a power couple…

Although Edward's film-star-perfect face remained carefully blank, Michael felt his desperation and determination like a personal attack. Protect my family.

Alice. Master Aro's need for answers shook through Michael's awe. Where was Alice?

Seeing Carlisle Cullen – Doctor Cullen – was like meeting a celebrity. Master Aro had collected a considerable variety of sources over the centuries, tracking Cullen's long life. Artists had painted him, and all had failed to capture his beauty completely, though his loneliness shone through those lovely eyes right up until the early twentieth century. Then black and white photographs had rendered Esme and Edward his beautiful family, their unnatural perfection, and on and on, the coven grew with magnificent Rosalie, boyish Emmett, roguish Jasper…all living in secret.

For all their longevity and flawless features, they were…a family trying to live in peace, in harmony with the humans.

Marcus might have bound Michael and his sisters to the Volturi, but Michael knew when he was on the wrong side.

18th February 2012

"But you're still working for them," Beth said hesitantly. "You didn't leave like Julia wanted you to. Sorry if I sound rude, but what stopped you?"

Michael smiled ruefully. "We joined the Volturi in the seventies, Beth. We were desperate for guidance and purpose, so we promised to serve them for a hundred years."

"Oh." Beth's face collapsed in a deep, troubled frown. "Oh, shit."

"That's one way of describing it, yes." Michael sipped his second drink. "By your expression, I take it you're still new to it."

"Yup. Not even two years - but I didn't take the vows," Beth's said firmly. To Michael, it sounded like a mantra.

Perhaps it is the only thing keeping her sane in all of this. It almost broke Michael's heart to tell her. "The vows aren't important, Beth. If Aro has use of you, you're not going anywhere."

"No." Her chin jerked angrily. "Don't say that. I'm – I'm not doing this for him."

"I know." Michael touched her arm. He had spoken with her long enough to know she didn't shy from careful physical contact. "I'm sorry, Beth, but your sister –"

"You don't know her." She shook him off, rubbing at her eyes. "Sorry."

"For what?" Michael asked gently. "You have every right to be angry."

"I just…need to get out of this fucking bar." Beth frowned at the series of soft taps from Demetri. "Oh, fuck off, you…"

"What's the matter?" Michael said.

"Nothing." Beth stood up. "Can we go somewhere else to talk? Outside? Please?"

"Yes, we can." Michael finished his drink.

As they turned to leave, a flash of yellow stopped him in his tracks. The couple in their matching raincoats were heading out, too. The woman, her small face framed by heavy hair down her shoulders, laughed with her mate. He smiled brightly, like an excited boy. His eyes caught Beth walking past, registering his surprise.

Michael hurried after Beth. Hazel, he felt winded. Was that…?

From the snowy woods? Quite possibly. Hazel sighed. He might not recognise you.

"Are…you okay?" Looking back up, Michael saw Beth watching him. She twisted her lip. "Michael?"

"Yes. Yes." He tried to smile and failed. Unlike Hazel, he had never been very good at pretending. "Come on. The night is young, and you look like you need it."

Beth snorted. "Well, thanks."

They left together with Demetri behind Beth. Michael could feel eyes following him out.

To be continued...