Chapter 9

"Volterra"

Jacobs POV

The reality that I was a dream walker filled me with a sense of pride, something I'd lost along the way to the darkness that surrounded Renesmee's absence. The first dream lasted only a few moments before I slipped into blackness but even Edward, who had caught up to me when I blacked out and fell into an icy lake claimed he saw visions of me in front of Renesmee. Describing to a T what I remembered myself. The new talent of mine felt like a chance to finally get some answers yet slipping into a zen like state in order to control this talent was extremely difficult. I could only imagine how many years it took Elcries sister to master it and I had less then a week now. Alice's visions hadn't changed and as for now the only way forward was for the three most powerful members of the Cullen Coven to join the Volturi and hope that eventually they would find her. I couldn't let that happen. We need the Volturi's help, that much I understand. but not at the cost of eventually losing Renesmee to them as well. Not only that I have no idea what's become of my child and I'll be damned if they really think they'll ever separate the three of us. I can do this. I just need to sleep.

"Jake?" Seth was in his human form and sounded out of breath from his journey deep into the woods where I sat and practiced my talent in silence.

"Seth." I sighed, "What is it now?"

"Any luck falling asleep?"

"Does it look like it?" My eyes were closed but I made a point to roll them still, what a stupid question.

"Well hey, Uley made you some tea. It's supposed to help with all that, I think."

"Alright, give it." I ordered, willing to try anything at this point.

I opened the thermos and downed the awful tasting tea in seconds, even though it was piping hot as it went down I chose to ignore the pain.

"I know I keep saying this Jake but… God I can't explain it. It's just. Gonna happen, soon too." Seth said with a smile, referring to our reunion with Ness.

"Oh yea? Got an actual timeline on that "intuition" of yours yet?" I replied sarcastically with a small laugh as my mind began to fade.

"Honestly I feel like…. Even if we… Just gotta keep… Jacob? Can you hear me?! Jake?" Seth's voice went in and out as my mind began to fall into a deep sleep.

Whatever Uley put into that tea was strong as hell. It felt good though my body relaxed completely and my mind began to focus on Renesmee once I had fallen completely into a deep sleep. I imagined the room I found her in and in a matter of moments, I was there. However this time the chains where gone, she was standing looking through a small window into the dark of night. As I got closer I realized she was crying quietly and shaking a bit. Without hesitation I wrapped myself around her and to my surprise she screamed and pushed me away.

"Jacob?! Oh my god I'm so sorry! You scared me!" Renesmee's beautiful voice shouted with joy.

"Ow…" I groaned as I stumbled to get back up.

In a flash Ness was nestled back into my arms. I could feel her warmth but I wasn't sure if any of this was real or just a very good dream.

"Ness. I miss you."

"I miss you too."

"We're looking for you, but it's been incredibly hard." I admitted.

"I can only imagine. A secret Kingdom of Werewolves, I doubt that's on anyone's radar." Renesmee whispered.

"What?"

"You're not really here let me just hug you for as long as I can. I don't wanna talk about it."

"Ness, why aren't you pregnant?"

"What? Jacob Jr is 6 months old now. You know this because I know this. Why would you ask me that?"

"Ness where are you?"

"I don't want you to ask me this. What's going on?"

"Elcrie… He taught me how to dream walk-"

"What?"

"I know it sounds impossible but I am really here! You need to tell me everything you can about where you are, quickly. I don't know how long I can hold this."

"I don't understand?"

"I know I don't really understand it myself but please, just trust me."

Renesmee paused, her large brown eyes bewildered as she looked deep into my own. Then after a moment of confused silence, she began to tell me as much as she knew about her location, which was very little but through the window she showed me the outline of the towns that surrounded the castle she was imprisoned within. Through her touch, an idea of her own, we shifted into a different room. This one was much nicer, a room fit for a queen really. She admitted it was her own and showed me its exact location within the castle.

"I don't think I have much time left, Jacob. Really that's all I know. I'm sorry I wish I could tell you more…"

As she spoke I turned and examined the room intent soaking in and remembering as many details as I could. Eventually my eyes fell upon a wooden baby bassinet lined with beige sheets. My heart began to race as I stepped towards it slowly.

"Wait!" Renesmee shouted grabbing my forearm firmly to stop me from moving further, her tone was panicked, "Here, he's here in my arms. Look before I have to go."

I turned and found him lying asleep in her arms. A tan little boy whose features mirrored my own. His hair, long, full and black as the night. His cheeks dimpled as a smile sat upon his lip. He was happy, I was at a loss for words. Renesmee was a beautiful baby, perfect really but this perfection, my son's perfection was something entirely unexpected and special. My body filled with emotions that were hard to push down, I had to force myself to look away for a moment as I began to feel myself slip from the dream as my focus shifted from Renesmee to this perfect little boy. I'd known him for moments and already I missed him equally as much as I missed Renesmee, if I'm being honest perhaps even more.

"Renesmee he's… God he's amazing…" My eyes flooded with tears as I struggled to manage my emotions.

"I know… He's what's been keeping me going." Renesmee said as she kissed Jacob Jr's forehead gently. "He knows you, I share memories of you with him every single day."

As she spoke tears of happiness filled my eyes I wished more than anything that I could hold him in that moment, in fact I was immediately jealous of Renesmee. I'd never felt that before nor did I think I ever would. My mind slipped further and I could tell our time together was coming to an end so I needed to refocus the both of us and collect as much information as I could.

"Renesmee, I need names. Who took you?"

"His name is Dane, that's all I know. He rules this Underground Kingdom."

"Why did they take you? What do they want?" I asked in a hurry for answers.

Renesmee turned from me when I asked that question and went silent for a moment. I wasn't sure if I should be even more worried then I already was or not, but I didn't have time for her silence.

"Are they hurting you? Did they hurt you?" Two questions I dreaded asking but knew I needed to know the answers too.

"There's three days Jacob. Three days before the Werewolves come out of their slumber. Their defenses are weak now if there was ever a time to find me, to save me, it's now." She whispered still not turning to face me.

Just then a noise behind me began to cry loudly. An infant. Jacob perhaps? No. He was still nestled in Renesmee's arms, content. I turned and began to walk towards the bassinet again filled with curiosity but Renesmee stopped me once again.

"Is that Jacob?" I asked.

"I have to go. I'm sorry."

"Ness wait! I can hold on a little longer, is Jacob okay?!"

"He's fine, he's perfect." Renesmee said looking at him with a smile then towards the bassinet with a worried look, "Three days Jacob."

"We'll go to Volturi, they have to know something! We'll find you! I love you, both of you!"

I watched as Renesmee began to fade as she walked towards the bassinet like a ghost.

"Wait!" Renesmee shouted though I was already falling out of my dream state, "If you bring Volturi there's more you need to know! Jacob!"

"I'll be back! I'm sorry I can't control it!"

"Jacob!"

"Renesmee!"

It felt like the soul was being ripped from my body as I began to wake up rapidly.

"Jake wake up!" A mans voice rang through my ears, Harry.

"I can't believe you two would do this! How dare you use my name to drug Jacob!" Uley shouted at two thin silhouettes, who I quickly realized were Edward and Bella.

"We're running out of time! Alice's visions aren't changing, we need answers now!" Edward shouted back.

"You'll destroy his ability to control his talent! More than that the ability for the pack to ever trust a Cullen!" Uley continued.

"Shut up! Everyone shut up!" I shouted as I pushed Harry off my body. "Edward, we need to leave for Volturi now, while this is all fresh in my head." I said, struggling to get to my feet.

"See it worked." Bella pleaded.

"Or it didn't and he-" Uley began.

"It worked! I know it did. I've had enough dreams about Renesmee to know this one was different. We need to go." I said looking into Edwards eyes as Bella held me up straight.

"We'll leave within the hour." Edward nodded as he took off towards the family compound.

"I'm sorry Uley. We had to do something…" Bella whispered.

"Don't think we'll ever forget this." Uley said before leaving with Harry and Bear at her heels.

"Are you okay?" Bella asked once we were alone.

"It's a boy." I let out as tears began to flow, "The baby. It's a boy. Bella, he is so perfect, fat and still a baby which is refreshing." I said with pride and relief.

"Is Ness safe? Did she look healthy? Is she okay?" Bella questioned her eyes beginning to lighten up.

"She was perfect too. Chunky even, some of the baby weight must have stayed on her body. I wish I could show you." I replied.

"You've done more than I could ever have asked for. I'm sorry for drugging you… It wasn't entirely my idea and I know everyone going to be disappointed-"

"We don't have time for this, I forgive you. It worked, that's all that matters to me. Honestly I just wish I had thought of it first." I joked.

Bella half smiled and helped me walk back to the compound where a small village of Vampires and Shape Shifters eagerly awaited my return. I shared with the pack first what I could recall and they all rejoiced with me at the news that Renesmee was not only alive and well but that our son was too. It truly is a miracle, not that I ever had any doubt she wasn't alive but to see her and Jacob Jr for the first time in over 6 months was exactly what we all needed to continue this rescue journey together. Seth, Uley, Bear and Harry had separated themselves from the group not wanting to dampen the pack's happiness with their own anger towards Edward and Bella and whoever else was involved in drugging me. I wished they'd get over it but I knew this would unfortunately create a division moving forward. Edward and Bella would have to work hard to ever gain their trust back.

As the hour began to fade I returned to the main house to speak to my next audience, the Vampires. I told them what little I had gathered from Renesmee and of course no one had ever heard of the Kingdom. I could tell most had trouble believing it entirely. However I wasn't gonna let a bunch of bloodsucker kill my mood. I finally had something and no one was gonna take that from me.

"Jacob. I know you're-excited, but are you confident this wasn't just a drug induced state of psychosis? Uley mentioned-" Carlisle cautiously began as he looked over to Edward who cowered from his creator's eyes now.

"Carlisle if anyone would know about any of this. It's Volturi. Tell me I'm wrong and we all just stay here and keep doing what we've been doing." I countered.

"I agree. I just-" Carlisle continued."

"It's been an hour, let's go, you two." I ordered Bella and Edward who followed my lead without hesitation as they badly needed to prove what they had done was justified.

"The baby?" Rosalie asked softly.

I froze for a moment contemplating whether or not to get anyone's hope up then decided 'hope' is exactly what we all need to continue on with this rescue mission "It is a boy…" I said softly after Edward nodded in agreement with my thoughts.

Just then Alice took a deep breath that I knew meant she had seen something. I paused and turned as we all looked at her for answers.

"It's a boy… I can see him… Wow…" Alice let out, sighs of relief and joy filled the room.

Edward smiled, something I hadn't seen in a long time. "Let's go."

Bella quickly hugged her squealing sisters. Alice kissed Jasper goodbye as she decided she needed to come with us in case she were to see anything else that might help the Volturi negotiations and the four of us were on our way to Volterra with a bit of extra excitement in our veins and a much stronger sense of urgency as our time line was closing in quickly.

Time needed to move quicker now, I knew we had a deadline and the longer it took to get anywhere the angrier it made me. Alice did her best to shorten any inconvenient stops which helped but still I couldn't help but lose it if we so much as had to stop at a red light on the way to Carlisle Private Jet. It's a wonder I didn't shift a few times. As we approached Volterra my heart raced as I ran my mind through my memories over and over to make sure I remembered them as they were trying my best to not forget a thing Renesmee said.

"What will they think of the baby?" Bella asked Edward under her breath.

"He seems mostly human. If he's a Shape Shifter like Jacob they'll have no quarrel with our grandson." Edward reassured her, well us both really.

Bella's question provoked something within me that I hadn't thought of. Sharing Renesmee with Aro involved briefly sharing Jacob Jr with him as well. Inf act Jacob Jr was the clearest of my memories no matter what I thought of he was always at the front of my mind clear, and beautiful. I felt the urge to sleep then and Edward assured me we had another 2 hours before we'd be at our landing spot. I decided being rested wouldn't be terrible in fact maybe I could reach out to Renesmee once more it had already been 8 hours since we left so perhaps she was asleep once more. As I drifted I did my best to keep my mind set on Renesmee but it was impossible to not allow my son to take her place. Soon everything was dark and I couldn't tell if my talent was working but soon I was holding him in my arms in the room I had last seen him and his mother. A part of me knew it was wrong to hold on to him but his smiles and his large brown eyes that mirrored his mothers locked me in and I couldn't leave him alone. He knew me, that much was clear. Ness really did share memories enough to where without ever knowing my touch he was still delighted by my presence as I was his. I wished I could hug and kiss him in real life and I promised him we'd be together soon. I noticed the bassinet that was in Renesmee's room was gone this time, perhaps it wasn't something Jacob Jr was used to being in much. I decided it didn't matter as I sat down with him and played.

"Well, well. I was wondering why he was taking such a long nap." Renesmee's voice began, Jacob Jr and I turned to her at the same time and he reached his little arms out towards her with a large smile on his face.

"How did you get into his dream?" I asked, jealous as she took Jacob Jr into her arms.

"We seem to have a mental link, it's hard to explain. Jacob I'm glad you're here we need to talk." Renesmee's face grew dark as she reached out to my forehead.

In a flash we were transported to a dimly lit town filled with people. Shock ran through me, I never expected this many people to live down here.

"There all werewolves?" I said, horrified as I realized the odds of a successful rescue were slimmer than I thought.

"No, they're mostly humans. Kids, babies, innocent men and women who live alongside and carry the genes to produce werewolves. Jacob-" Renesmee stopped in her path,"If you bring Volturi here, they'll kill every last one of them. There has to be another way."

"What?! No there isn't! We don't even know where the hell you actually are. This-" I motioned to the town and black cave like top,"Gives us 0 information. We're nearly to Volturi now there's no going back. We're coming for you."

"How can I live comfortably knowing all these people are going to die for something their King has done?"

"I asked you before if they hurt you in anyway, you avoided the question." I replied not letting up.

Renesmee turned around and I couldn't help but to get angry.

"For better or for worse Renesmee." I whispered as gently as I could.

"I can't save anyone… I see that now…" Renesmee whispered turned away from me still.

"I know it's hard but we will get through all of this. Together."

"When you come. There is two humans I have to get out of here safely, if they survive I will."

"Ness I can't promise-"

"Yes you can! Promise me! Two of 210 that's all I need! Please!" Renesmee said, her eyes filling with tears.

"Alright. Show me."

Renesmee closed her eyes and beside her appeared a young girl and a man who looked like a buffer Carlisle.

"How do you know them?"

"This is Stella, she helps me with Jacob Jr and her Father Killian Cook, he's - well - sort of been a surrogate father and a wonderful physician. Without him I wouldn't have made it this far."

"Why do you say that?" I poked again hoping she'd talk.

"Just show my father their faces and commit them to memory." Renesmee ordered.

"Done." I replied.

I held the two of them for a short while and we discussed more about Killian and Stella and how important they where to her and Jacob Jr. As much as I wanted to stay longer eventually I slipped from my dream walk state. When I woke up Edward was across from me staring deep into my eyes with Bella hovering behind him. I jumped at their closeness, Edward might as well have been kissing me with how close his face was to mine.

"We're here." Bella said once my eyes fully opened.

"Killian and Stella Cook. We got it." Edward confirmed.

"Did you get the other stuff?" I asked.

"Yes Edward told us as you were dreaming what was going on." Bella replied. "This King of theirs, Dane, sealed the fate of his people the moment they stole our daughter. That's not on us."

"Still, we should let it be their decision, massacring a civilization no matter the size isn't exactly what any of us signed up for." I replied, however both of them stayed silent and made not even the slightest motion to respond in any way. "If you don't tell them, I will." Still nothing from either of them.

"Renesmee is holding something back…" I said to Edward alone as we exited the jet. "I'm afraid to find out what it is. There's only so many things that could be bad enough-"

Edward put his hand on my shoulder to signal me to stop, so I did. He was right we needed to focus on what we could do not what had already happened, there would be time for that later.

Alice let us know discreetly as we approached the gates that they were in fact expecting us. As sure as I was about this, being in a room full of Bloodsuckers without my pack by my side certainly left me feeling uneasy. It was just as creepy and dark and dreary as I had imagined it to be. Ghost wearing black cloaks gliding down the halls and not looking at us directly as they passed by. The girl and boy were nowhere to be found yet their body guard Felix, I think, guided us to a throne room where Aro, Caius and Marcus awaited our arrival. There was a pile of dead bodies sitting idly to the side, blood still spilling from one. I noticed that Alice, Edward and Bella kept their eyes off of it, purposefully I'm sure, but I couldn't help but stare for a moment. I knew this world existed for a real long time now but the lack of decency alone for their guests was disturbing.

"Ah! Alice my dear! How wonderful to see you again. I was beginning to think you'd solved this case without us." Aro said, sounding like a schoolgirl greeting his crush.

"Why the tall man who smells like a dog?" A long white haired young man who was staring me down asked.

"Caius, right? The one who's scared of us wolves?" I thought to Edward who moved his eyebrow just slightly enough to signal "yes" discreetly.

"That is Jacob? No? He hasn't changed much over the last fifty years I see, how curious." Aro smiled.

"Jacob? The shifter boy who was in love with Isabella and then her baby?" Caius asked Aro, who ignored him.

"Hello, Aro. Caius. We brought Jacob, who is now Renesmee's partner. He has some information he'd like to share with you that might further entice you to help our cause as we have discovered a common enemy has possession of our Renesmee." Edward began motioning for me to come forward, which I did with pride.

I wouldn't let these freaks think their dead bodies were gonna scare me.

"What is it then, dog?" Caius asked, he was clearly trying to provoke me and I wished it wasn't working so well.

"It's easier if I show you." I said facing Aro and ignoring Caius completely.

"Ha! You think we're coming anywhere near you hound?" Caius shouted.

"You have nothing to be afraid of, I'm here because I need your help." I replied as calmly as I could.

"Afraid! You think we are afraid of you?!" Caius laughed maniacally until Aro got up out of his chair and walked to greet me, then he and Marcus both tensed up slightly and stayed still and silent as Aro took my hand.

"If there is truly a common enemy at play, we must take this seriously brother." Aro said before taking my palm.

His talent was strange. I could feel him inside my head as he poked around it was uncomfortable, like someone petting my brain. As badly as I wanted to pull away I held out as I tried to focus on making sure he got as much information as he needed to make his decision.

Aro paused and dropped my hand once he had gathered everything I suppose he decided he needed. "I can't help but notice she did not say how many."

"No, but we have an army and if you can find them, we'll fight and kill as many as we have too." I replied.

"Hmmmm…" Aro mumbled as he paced slowly back and forth as his brother curiously awaited his next words.

"You've heard of it-" Edward began.

"Choose your words carefully Edward, I've not made a decision yet." Aro snapped.

"Do you know where it is?" I asked.

"I know… Where it might be." Aro whispered as he sat down next to his brothers.

"So? What is it then brother? This common enemy?" Caius asked, exhausted from the waiting.

Aro hesitated a moment longer before finally replying, "Werewolves. They found information… Dare I say proof of the Kingdom of The Underground. The home of the Lycian King Dane and the last of the elder blood of the Werewolf kind."

Caius froze and Marcus shook his head slightly, as if he was annoyed. The reactions confused me from what I understood Werewolves were their arch nemesis. Shouldn't they be rallying the soldiers like I did and preparing for war at the mere mention of such creatures?

Caius then in a flash was before me and Bella and Edward pulled me behind them, it all happened so fast if it wasn't for Alice holding me up I would have fallen directly on my ass.

"Don't." Bella warned Caius who smiled as he stared me down through their shoulders.

"It's alright Bella, he's just excited. He's heard rumors about King Dane-"

"I can speak for myself boy!" Caius shouted at Edward, "Apologies. You're right I am excited. For the first time in 400 years we have proof he is still alive. I told Aro when he was released that he would cause trouble and well, now here we are."

"Wait, you knew Dane?" Bella asked.

"Yes, he was VERY hard to catch that retched wolf, but a prize worth the wait nonetheless. However, containing and killing him, even with the twins' talents proved… Impossible." Caius replied. "So we poisoned him by injecting my Venom into his body hoping that would weaken him over time, however it didn't seem to have much of an effect at all outside of weakening those within his bloodline curiously enough. So Aro decided it would be easier to slaughter his family and let him go after he agreed to go into hiding and never return to the daylight again. He was sent to what is now known as the Quang Binh Province in Vietnam and left alone for centuries as we whipped out the population of Werewolves all throughout the world. Though he never interrupted while we slaughtered his people across the globe I knew it was only a matter of time before the last of the Elder blood became a problem for the surface world once more. Stealing an innocent young woman like their precious Rapunzel, how could we let this happen?"

"It's Renesmee and you know that." Edward muttered under his breath angrily.

"Yes, well whatever. Aro, brother. What say you? Carlisle had been your pe - friend for all these years, should we not help extinguish this problem once and for all? Perhaps with the human wolves on our side and the talents the Cullen's and their friends offer we might finally have a chance to end Dane once and for all."

"Think of all we have to lose." Aro replied quietly. "Alice, can't see a thing. Or so I presume, given your silence."

"I-I can see their son, Resnesmee's and Jacobs." Alice replied sheepishly, wishing she had something better to offer I'm sure.

"What is with you people and your obsession with cross breeding?" Caius said, shaking his head, mine and Bella's fist balled up at his words,"I vote we leave immediately. Time is of the essence."

"We have no idea what we are walking into." Aro reminded him. "We have a duty to uphold, we cannot just go out and walk into danger blindly."

"A danger, you set free into this world. A danger we have an obligation to obliterate. If you will not walk with me brother, I will walk alone." Caius replied, not letting up.

Aro put his hands on Marcus's and looked at Edward who nodded. He must have asked something of him, a contingency plan I assume.

"We will gather our family and friends. Cullen's have your family ready and we'll meet in Vietnam by tomorrow if you can arrange that." Aro said unhappily.

"They're on their way there as we speak." Alice replied to my surprise.

"Hm. I suppose I had already decided then?" Aro asked.

"No, but we would all fight to the death regardless, for Renesmee alone." Alice replied.

With that we were done. Aro gave what little information he had collected of the exact location of Dane's last known whereabouts to Edward and Bella while Alice and I waited outside for the two of them and finally, we were on our way. I couldn't believe after over half a year we were finally on our way to being reunited with Renesmee. It almost doesn't feel real.