The moment Edward and Demetri stepped through the grand doors of the Volturi castle, Edward's senses were already reaching out, seeking the presence he craved the most.
Isabella.
She wasn't here.
His mind sharpened, scanning Aro's thoughts even before the ancient vampire turned to greet him. The visions came in flashes. Alice's light footsteps. Rosalie's golden hair catching the sun. A quaint street in Tuscany lined with designer boutiques.
Edward's jaw clenched. They had taken her out.
Alice, Rosalie, and Isabella.
It was meant to be harmless. A day out for Bella. Unaware of the war brewing in the shadows.
Demetri, at Edward's side, sensed the shift in his stance. "She's safe," he murmured, though Edward remained tense.
For now.
He forced himself to push the worry aside. There were greater matters at hand.
He lifted his head, his golden gaze sweeping across the gathered vampires in the grand chamber. Aro, Caius, and Marcus stood at their thrones. The guards were assembled, their expressions sharp with attention.
This was not just a routine briefing. This was war.
Edward wasted no time. His voice was calm, but unyielding.
"They have four gifted members that I'm quite sure of," he began, his tone carrying through the chamber.
"One is the tracker you disposed of, Demetri."
Demetri nodded, his expression unreadable.
"Siren. Her name is fitting. She can emit sounds so loud they leave us disoriented, incapacitated."
The guards stiffened at this revelation.
"Viktor." Edward's gaze flickered toward Emmett and Felix, the two strongest among them. "He possesses immense strength—far beyond what we've encountered before."
Felix's smirk was razor-sharp. "Let me guess, you want me to break him?"
Edward didn't return the humor. "Emmett and Jasper will handle him."
At Jasper's name, the southern vampire straightened, already assessing the battle ahead.
Edward's tone turned colder.
"Xavier." His mind returned to the letters, the human messenger, the manipulation. His fingers curled into fists. "He's the one who twisted the mind of the human messenger. He was responsible for those letters, for the threats toward Isabella."
Silence filled the chamber.
And then, Demetri stepped forward.
"That's not all," he added. His sharp eyes swept across the room, his voice laced with something deadly.
"They're building a newborn army."
The reaction was instant.
"This is preposterous!" Caius surged forward, his crimson eyes blazing with fury. "I told you so, Aro! I told you so!"
Aro, for once, did not respond. His mind was already moving, his expression unreadable.
"What's the use of that now, Caius?" Marcus murmured, ever the calm among them. "We must act."
Edward glanced at him. Marcus, who had seen kingdoms rise and fall, who had lost what mattered most. His agreement carried weight.
And now, they had a decision to make.
Aro turned toward Edward and Demetri. "They think they are hidden from us." A small, dark smile ghosted his lips. "Let us prove them wrong."
Jasper stepped forward, his sharp mind already calculating. "If they're building an army, we cannot hesitate. We strike first."
"They will not be expecting an attack," Edward confirmed. "We must use that to our advantage."
Caius' hands twitched at his sides. "Burn them all."
Felix let out a low chuckle. "Gladly."
Edward did not smile. "We must be strategic."
Jasper nodded. "Emmett and I will take Viktor." His eyes were calculating. "If he relies on brute strength, he won't be as accustomed to tactical combat. We can use that."
Edward turned his gaze to Jane and Alec.
"Siren will be yours."
Jane's lips curled into something cold and satisfied. "She won't even have time to scream."
Alec's expression was eerily calm. "She won't feel a thing."
Edward's gaze darkened. "Xavier dies first."
Silence settled.
Jasper studied him. "You're certain?"
Edward's voice was deadly quiet. "I won't risk him getting to Jane or Alec. He could turn our offensive guards against us." His golden eyes sharpened. "I'll kill him myself."
Aro watched, his expression unreadable. But in his mind, Edward saw the approval.
"They have no idea we know," Marcus said softly. "Let us keep it that way."
Aro inclined his head. "We move two nights hence."
Felix grinned. "Perfect."
Edward's gaze flickered toward the entrance of the chamber. His mind stretched outward again, seeking one presence before he could fully focus.
She was still out. Still shopping.
A part of him ached to go after her. To see her safe with his own eyes.
But he couldn't. Not yet.
He turned to Aro. "Isabella remains here."
Sulpicia, who had been silent, finally spoke. "She will be safe." Her tone was firm. Unyielding. "The guards and I will ensure that."
Edward met her gaze, and after a moment, nodded. He believed her. But believing wasn't enough.
Bella would need to understand what was coming.
They all would.
Aro steepled his fingers, his crimson gaze flickering between Edward and Demetri. "Then it is decided. We strike soon, but not tonight."
Jasper, ever the strategist, gave a sharp nod. "We need to prepare."
Caius exhaled sharply, his patience wearing thin. "Too much waiting will cost us."
Aro's lips curled faintly. "Not if we use the time wisely."
Edward exhaled slowly. He would tell Bella tonight. She deserved to know.
Felix stretched lazily, his grin sharp as a blade. "Fine. But when the time comes…" His crimson eyes gleamed. "We make sure they never see it coming."
--
Alice had been getting glimpses of Edward throughout the day—brief flashes that reassured her he would return safe and with the information they needed. It was why she had insisted on taking Bella out. The shopping trip wasn't just to indulge the child's curiosity or distract her with pretty clothes. It was strategic.
If Bella stayed in the castle, Edward would worry. His mind, always so meticulously controlled, would be divided between the planning and Bella. But if she was out, preoccupied, then everyone—especially Edward—could focus on the task at hand.
Still, as she guided Bella through the bustling shops of Tuscany, Alice couldn't ignore the flickers of battle intruding upon her visions. They were incomplete, fractured, as if the future itself was in flux.
One thing remained constant: the Volturi would fight.
And Bella would stay with Sulpicia.
During their short stay in Volterra, Alice had done exactly what Edward suggested—testing her visions, focusing on the people around Bella rather than Bella herself. And, to her frustration and Edward's vindication, his theory had been correct.
She still couldn't see Bella. But she could see Sulpicia. She could see Gianna. And if their decisions revolved around Bella, then Alice could predict where the child would be.
It was a loophole. A frustrating, imprecise loophole. But a loophole nonetheless.
It meant that once they went into battle, Alice wouldn't be blind. She would still be able to watch over Bella, as long as Sulpicia or Gianna were near her.
That thought settled something in her.
The day stretched long, and Bella—who had been bursting with energy earlier—eventually started to show signs of exhaustion. Alice had been fascinated by how much stamina the girl had. She was undeniably stronger and faster than an ordinary human child. Yet, at her core, she was still vulnerable in a way that sent an uncomfortable twist through Alice's chest.
By the time night fell, it was well past her bedtime. Even Alice had to admit it was time to go home, as much as she adored shopping.
The return to the castle was quiet. Isabella had fallen asleep in Rosalie's arms somewhere between the car ride and the walk through Volterra's grand halls.
Gianna was already waiting for them, along with Edward.
Alice barely had time to take in his presence before Rosalie and Gianna silently carried Bella to her room, likely to change her clothes and tuck her in.
Alice didn't miss the way Edward's eyes followed her until she disappeared from sight.
Then, he turned to Alice.
She didn't speak. She didn't need to. Instead, she opened her mind, letting him see the day's events as she had seen them—Bella laughing as she made Rosalie model dresses, her wide-eyed fascination with every little trinket, the way she yawned and tried to fight her own exhaustion toward the end.
Edward exhaled softly, nodding once before rolling his eyes. "At least you didn't let her buy the entire city."
Alice smirked. "I was tempted."
Then, she sobered. "You were right. I can't see her, but right now, I can see Gianna and Rosalie tucking her into bed. As long as someone around her is making decisions with her in mind, I can track her."
Edward nodded, absorbing the information.
"You haven't seen the outcome yet?" he asked after a pause.
Alice's expression tightened.
"No."
It was rare for her to admit uncertainty. Rarer still for her to not see the path ahead.
Edward's jaw clenched, his golden eyes darkening with thought.
Uncertainty in Alice's visions meant one thing: the battle was not set in stone.
And that meant there were still pieces moving in the dark—unknowns they hadn't accounted for.
Hello everyone! It's my birthday!! And as a little gift to you, here's a new chapter/update. I hope you enjoy it! Your support means the world to me, so if you have a moment, please leave a review—it would make my day even more special!
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