“Volturi?! Volturi?!” Bella choked as she stared at me with horrified astonishment. I winced; her chocolate brown eyes were very much like Renesmee’s lovely eyes. Would her eyes hold the same horrified expression when she found out I was her sworn enemy? Growls emanated yet again from the dangerous duo, Emmett and Jasper. Rosalie hissed. Carlisle shook his head in disbelief. Jacob cussed vehemently and advanced towards me.

“I ought to wring your neck.” He snarled. If I wasn’t facing the rest of the Cullens, I would have found his anger amusing. I would have taunted him arrogantly then snap his body in two with just a single command to my beloved tree roots.

Edward hissed. I shook my head to clear the thoughts away. I caught Alice staring long and hard at me, her expression unreadable.

“You see, I was perfect for the plan. You couldn’t see me in your visions.” I told her softly. Greatly annoyed, she smiled in a way that made her pixie face vicious.

“We don’t have time for this, Edward! We now know the Volturi are involved. I’m sure they took Nessie.” Jacob said in frustration.

Bella was before me in a fraction of a second, her eyes pleading. “V-vincent…Vincent right?” though her words came out stuttered because she was choking, her voice was as lovely as a soft morning breeze. “D-did the Volturi kidnap N-nessie?”

I looked into her beautiful eyes and nodded gravely, that seemed to be the only explanation to Nessie’s absence. Could vampires stagger? Looked like she just did. Edward was right beside her immediately and held her by the waist.

“No. No. No.” She moaned.

Alice spoke for the first time. “You mentioned a plan, tell us about it.” She grimaced. It was evident how she loathed being the one asking rather than the one giving answers. I leaned on the wall though most of them retained their hostile stance – Jasper and Emmett still crouched. Rosalie’s fists clenched tight, her eyes blazing with fury and Jacob was still trembling from head to toe.

I decided to talk directly to their gentle leader. Carlisle seemed the only one who has an open mind. Edward hissed. I smiled wryly.

“I am born to a human mother and a vampire father.”

“Your father happens to be…” Carlisle prompted. Edward’s teeth immediately gnashed.

“Alec.” He said darkly.

Carlisle nodded. “Explains the resemblance…” he murmured.

“Alec? He’s just a boy.” Bella said incredulously.

“I was not surprised to know it was Alec. He would be the only one who has the ability to retrain himself from..from…” Carlisle couldn't continue.

“From killing my mother before he was sure she’s carrying his child.” I finished for him flatly.

“Where’s your mother?” Bella inquired softly.

I shrugged. “Her story didn’t end with a happily ever after like yours did. She was discarded after giving birth.” She lowered her eyes as if ashamed of being lucky, of having a complete happy family.

She has no reason to be. I know Nessie wouldn’t be the woman I love without her. I lessened her feeling of shame and guilt. Edward narrowed his eyes while Jasper studied me even more closely, no doubt feeling the gradual change in Bella’s emotions.

“You’re gifted, I see.” Jasper said.

I nodded. “I was treasured for my gifts.”

“Gifts?” Alice inquired incredulously.

“Aro was deeply satisfied to find out how potent my mother’s talent was. I have inherited her gift with plants. I can manipulate every branch, every root, and every leaf. They followed my every bidding. Jane was thrilled – finally, someone who could penetrate Bella’s shield from a safe distance.”

Edward’s face was dark as he said. “No doubt she would be thrilled.”

“Your gift with emotions, the one you just did with Bella, that was something you got from Alec, no doubt.” Jasper said.

I nodded. “He wished I had inherited something more powerful from him, though.”

“Causing someone phobia, if you wish to, isn’t good enough for him?” Edward asked sarcastically.

I shrugged and continued my story. “I was trained well. I was skilled in hand to hand combat. They prepared me well for Jasper and Emmett's possible attacks. Aro saw the way they moved in your mind." I nodded towards Edward. "We studied your strengths talents, fighting skills and searched for possible flaws. Of course, Bella would be my topmost priority. Wipe her out of a fight and they were sure they could take down any one of you with Jane and my father around.”

Nobody uttered a word. They were too still. Even Jacob was hardly breathing.

“As I’ve said I was treasured for my gifts. I couldn’t say the same for Vivienne. I would do everything to protect her. Anything.” I said this almost vehemently, my eyes blazing – hoping they would understand my dilemma.

“Who is Vivienne?” Carlisle asked.

“Vivienne is my twin sister.” I said softly.