Chapter 40: Captivity Loves Company (Nessie's POV)
Jane kept shooting Amore and I the dirtiest looks. She was jealous because we were Aro’s new pets, I was confident that he wouldn’t hurt us. We were too valuable to him. I worried for Nahuel though; they kept him locked up since he had already betrayed them once by trying to warn us. Amore was terrified and cried tearlessly most of the time. I touched her hand, “Stay strong, my sister. We will be alright.” She looked at me worriedly and held my hand tighter, “I want to go home.” I made sure not to have these silent conversations with her whenever Aro touched one of us, which was unfortunately a frequent event. He was so curious about us; he wanted to learn all that he could. I smiled at Amore sadly. I knew she was worried about Seth; it had looked as though Nahuel had killed him. The memory brought me back to the memory of Jake being held under Jane’s power writhing in pain. I felt Amore stiffen as she picked up the memory I was having. We were sitting in the main room with Aro, Caius, Marcus and the rest of the guard when someone announced, “We have visitors.” Everything was a blur, the doors slammed open as my entire family walked into the room. My father led the way the look on his face was so scary that it caused me to gasp. He was flanked by Uncle Emmett who was also furious and my grandfather on his other side. There were three people with him that I didn’t recognize; they walked right behind them, protecting the rest of the family. The three strangers looked oddly familiar. “Aro,” My grandfather’s voice boomed, “We need to talk.” Aro stood up graciously, “Welcome my friend, I wish that you would have informed me of your impending visit.” Jane stood by smiling wickedly waiting to be called upon for service. “What is the meaning of this, “my father added. “Now, Edward please be calm. Everything is fine.” Aro cooed. Emmett growled, “Let the girls go.” Aro turned his gaze on my Uncle. Amore froze in worry. “I had meant to congratulate you and Rosalie on your beautiful daughter, she is really something,” He said as he gently stroked her cheek, Amore grunted as she cringed and pulled back. My Uncle Emmett growled and stepped forward, but my Aunt Rosalie held him back. Jane stepped forward defensively. My mother hurriedly stepped forward and raised her shield to protect the family. Aro watched the scene unfold and clapped his hands as he chuckled, “My, this is exciting. Really Bella, there is no need for shielding anyone we mean you no harm. We borrowed the girls in order to get you to come for an overdue visit. We knew that you wouldn’t make the time to come otherwise, being that you are all so busy these days.” Aro placed an arm around Amore and I. A series of growls emitted from various members of our family, Amore looked at me worriedly and I turned my face to stone and nodded encouragingly. “What do you want Aro,” my father demanded, he was losing his patience. Aro smiled, but it was a dangerous smile. I hadn’t been around him very long, but I had already learned how deceiving his friendliness was. Aro looked at his brothers and looked back at my father focusing his opaque red eyes on him, “Your family has grown quite a bit Carlisle, and you all for the most part have wonderful attributes that you can offer to the greater good of keeping our kind safe. We want to propose a merger of sorts. We want all of you to join us.” My father’s eyes flashed, “Never.” Aro nodded and smiled widely he was clearly enjoying this, “Very well, then say goodbye to your daughter and niece as they will be joining, I have great plans for them.” My father looked at me with the most heartbreaking look at that moment. I blinked back the tears that were coming. I had to stay strong for him. Aro gestured for one of the guard to get Nahuel, “I have big plans for your daughter, Edward. She will spend an eternity with Nahuel. Did you know that they are the only two of their kind that are left in the world? Imagine the possibilities; the powers that their children will be able to provide us with.” I gasped. My fathers face filled with hatred. Suddenly one of the strange men growled furiously, “Let her go!” I looked at him and suddenly recognized in horror that it was my Jacob, well not exactly my Jacob. But it was Jacob. What had happened to him, he looked different, so pale… his eyes were red. “Oh no,” I gasped. Suddenly Nahuel stumbled forward, “Aro where are my sisters, why would you say that Renesmee and I are the only ones.” Caius smiled widely, “you broke your side of the deal and we broke ours. Your sisters and aunt are no longer with us.” Nahuel howled in rage and suddenly was writhing on he ground as Jane smiled viciously at him. “Ah thank you my child, you bring me such joy.” Aro commended her as she beamed. “Yes master.” She replied gleefully. Aro’s attention was focused on Jacob and the two others who were with him a man and woman, “and who do we have here, Carlisle? Your family seems to get larger by the day.” Aro had removed his hands from us so I took this as my chance to communicate with Amore. I reached behind Aro’s back and found her hand, “It’s Jake. I think that is Seth and Leah with him!” I told her, “What happened to them…they look like one of us” she whispered back in her mind. My grandfather looked at him sternly, “It is no concern of yours Aro. They are family.” Jane spoke up, “Master, the two males are the wolves that we overtook in the woods.” I shot her an evil look and she stuck her tongue out at me. Caius’s eyes narrowed, “werewolves,” he growled. “How dare they set foot here. It is an aberration.” My grandfather looked at Caius, “They are of our kind, Caius. They are vampires.” Amore and I gasped at the same time. Aro smiled and grabbed both of us and led us down to where my family stood, his shield Renata stepped forward and began following closely behind holding onto his back, whimpering. “Amazing,” he commented, “How did they withstand the change, I thought that venom killed their kind.” My grandfather patiently replied, “They never were werewolves.” I looked into Jake’s eyes and I felt the tears welling up. I couldn’t believe what he had done. The look on his face scared me I could feel his pain; his eyes were tortured at how close I was but yet so far away. Amore was looking at Seth in the same way. Aro was distracted by the conversation he was having with my grandfather. It all happened so fast, one moment Aro was holding onto Amore and I and the next Jake ran out from the shield to where we stood, he was completely exposed, “Jacob no!” My grandfather yelled. He grabbed us and ran back to the family, leaving a stunned Aro behind. Jake and I stepped into my mothers shield with Amore behind suddenly she tripped. Jane took advantage of her one moment of weakness, Amore shrieked and fell to the ground writhing I looked over and saw Jane grinning smugly at her. Aunt Rosalie let out a feral snarl and within seconds Jane was on the ground convulsing as Seth picked up a very bewildered Amore and brought her next to Jake and I within the safety of my mother’s shield. Everyone looked at Jane in awe. “NOBODY harms my child,” my Aunt Rosalie growled. At the sound of her voice everyone looked to her in shock. She broke her concentration from Jane and ran to Amore. It was as though she had turned Jane’s power against her, and given her a taste of her own medicine. Alec helped Jane up and she turned to us and growled furiously, as she crouched waiting to attack. Nahuel took advantage of this moment of distraction and ran over to our side. My father growled at him, but I turned to him, “daddy, it’s ok, he’s one of us.” Aunt Rosalie embraced Amore tightly and Uncle Emmett ran to them .My father rushed to my side he held me tightly and kissed my forehead. My mother was distracted with keeping her shield in tact. Aro looked disturbed, “Enough, there is no need for violence on either side.” He turned his attention on my Aunt Rosalie, “Rosalie I had no idea that you were gifted.” She looked at him through narrowed eyes. Aro’s eyes tapered in return.” Unfortunately if you refuse to form an alliance we will not be able to resolve this amicably.” Demetri and Felix stepped forward. Jane and Alec were trying to penetrate my mother’s shield and couldn’t. Just as Demetri stepped forward to attack me Nahuel stepped in front of me and Jake protectively and closed his eyes. Demetri dropped his hand from where it was positioned in front of my throat. He howled in pain and backed away with wide and frightened eyes. Jake threw me behind him and Leah. Aro’s eyes boggled. “Another shield?” He asked in amazement. My grandfather stepped forward, my mother and Nahuel close behind shielding him from any mental or physical attacks. “Aro, we simply want to take the girls and Nahuel and be on our way. We did not intend to cause you any harm. We will be leaving now.” Caius thundered, “That will not be possible.” He stood up and floated down next to his brother. Marcus followed closely behind, looking bored. Aro looked at Caius unable to mask his uncertainty. My grandfather’s forehead became lined. Ironically he looked as though he had aged over the past few days, “I was afraid that you might say that, I had truly hoped that it wouldn’t come to this.” The doors slammed open again, Amore and I as well as the Volturi and their guard looked on in shock. My father and grandfather had assembled all of the covens who had defended me years ago. Tanya led the way. Aro seemingly shaken tried to regain his composure, “Tanya, how nice of you to join us.” She looked at him through narrowed slits and snarled. She and Kate were still mourning their fallen sister whom the Volturi had executed 7 years ago. “We aren’t here for a social visit Aro, enough is enough. Release them. We do not want to fight but are prepared to.” I had to smile to myself. There was nothing that the Volturi could do. They were cornered. Although we were on their turf they were grossly outnumbered, and dangerously close to being overthrown. Even if the numbers were even, our side had far greater gifts than theirs did. We had two shields so all of their attacks were useless. My aunt Rosalie seemed able to turn a person’s power on them, not to mention all of the gifts of the other covens. I was so proud of my grandfather; he was brilliant. Jake grasped my hand as we awaited the verdict. Aro was in counsel with his two brothers. He turned back to us, “You are all free to go. We are sorry that things took such a bad turn. We never intended to hurt your granddaughters Carlisle.” My grandfather looked at him skeptically. My father growled at Aro’s thoughts. “Oh, and Carlisle. Do not ever set foot in Volterra again.” His eyes darkened, “there will not be any exceptions the next time. Your family is no longer welcome here.” My grandfather nodded. “Fair enough, as long as you stay out of my territory, and those of the covens that stand with me.” Growls erupted from the Volturi guard. They were not used to being dealt ultimatums. Aro’s eyes became very dull, “Good bye my old friend. May our paths cease to meet again.” Everyone started to back out slowly, my mother and Nahuel kept their shields up for the entire duration. They didn’t drop the shields until well after we were on the plane and even then they were guarded.
Jane kept shooting Amore and I the dirtiest looks. She was jealous because we were Aro’s new pets, I was confident that he wouldn’t hurt us. We were too valuable to him. I worried for Nahuel though; they kept him locked up since he had already betrayed them once by trying to warn us. Amore was terrified and cried tearlessly most of the time. I touched her hand, “Stay strong, my sister. We will be alright.” She looked at me worriedly and held my hand tighter, “I want to go home.” I made sure not to have these silent conversations with her whenever Aro touched one of us, which was unfortunately a frequent event. He was so curious about us; he wanted to learn all that he could. I smiled at Amore sadly. I knew she was worried about Seth; it had looked as though Nahuel had killed him. The memory brought me back to the memory of Jake being held under Jane’s power writhing in pain. I felt Amore stiffen as she picked up the memory I was having. We were sitting in the main room with Aro, Caius, Marcus and the rest of the guard when someone announced, “We have visitors.” Everything was a blur, the doors slammed open as my entire family walked into the room. My father led the way the look on his face was so scary that it caused me to gasp. He was flanked by Uncle Emmett who was also furious and my grandfather on his other side. There were three people with him that I didn’t recognize; they walked right behind them, protecting the rest of the family. The three strangers looked oddly familiar. “Aro,” My grandfather’s voice boomed, “We need to talk.” Aro stood up graciously, “Welcome my friend, I wish that you would have informed me of your impending visit.” Jane stood by smiling wickedly waiting to be called upon for service. “What is the meaning of this, “my father added. “Now, Edward please be calm. Everything is fine.” Aro cooed. Emmett growled, “Let the girls go.” Aro turned his gaze on my Uncle. Amore froze in worry. “I had meant to congratulate you and Rosalie on your beautiful daughter, she is really something,” He said as he gently stroked her cheek, Amore grunted as she cringed and pulled back. My Uncle Emmett growled and stepped forward, but my Aunt Rosalie held him back. Jane stepped forward defensively. My mother hurriedly stepped forward and raised her shield to protect the family. Aro watched the scene unfold and clapped his hands as he chuckled, “My, this is exciting. Really Bella, there is no need for shielding anyone we mean you no harm. We borrowed the girls in order to get you to come for an overdue visit. We knew that you wouldn’t make the time to come otherwise, being that you are all so busy these days.” Aro placed an arm around Amore and I. A series of growls emitted from various members of our family, Amore looked at me worriedly and I turned my face to stone and nodded encouragingly. “What do you want Aro,” my father demanded, he was losing his patience. Aro smiled, but it was a dangerous smile. I hadn’t been around him very long, but I had already learned how deceiving his friendliness was. Aro looked at his brothers and looked back at my father focusing his opaque red eyes on him, “Your family has grown quite a bit Carlisle, and you all for the most part have wonderful attributes that you can offer to the greater good of keeping our kind safe. We want to propose a merger of sorts. We want all of you to join us.” My father’s eyes flashed, “Never.” Aro nodded and smiled widely he was clearly enjoying this, “Very well, then say goodbye to your daughter and niece as they will be joining, I have great plans for them.” My father looked at me with the most heartbreaking look at that moment. I blinked back the tears that were coming. I had to stay strong for him. Aro gestured for one of the guard to get Nahuel, “I have big plans for your daughter, Edward. She will spend an eternity with Nahuel. Did you know that they are the only two of their kind that are left in the world? Imagine the possibilities; the powers that their children will be able to provide us with.” I gasped. My fathers face filled with hatred. Suddenly one of the strange men growled furiously, “Let her go!” I looked at him and suddenly recognized in horror that it was my Jacob, well not exactly my Jacob. But it was Jacob. What had happened to him, he looked different, so pale… his eyes were red. “Oh no,” I gasped. Suddenly Nahuel stumbled forward, “Aro where are my sisters, why would you say that Renesmee and I are the only ones.” Caius smiled widely, “you broke your side of the deal and we broke ours. Your sisters and aunt are no longer with us.” Nahuel howled in rage and suddenly was writhing on he ground as Jane smiled viciously at him. “Ah thank you my child, you bring me such joy.” Aro commended her as she beamed. “Yes master.” She replied gleefully. Aro’s attention was focused on Jacob and the two others who were with him a man and woman, “and who do we have here, Carlisle? Your family seems to get larger by the day.” Aro had removed his hands from us so I took this as my chance to communicate with Amore. I reached behind Aro’s back and found her hand, “It’s Jake. I think that is Seth and Leah with him!” I told her, “What happened to them…they look like one of us” she whispered back in her mind. My grandfather looked at him sternly, “It is no concern of yours Aro. They are family.” Jane spoke up, “Master, the two males are the wolves that we overtook in the woods.” I shot her an evil look and she stuck her tongue out at me. Caius’s eyes narrowed, “werewolves,” he growled. “How dare they set foot here. It is an aberration.” My grandfather looked at Caius, “They are of our kind, Caius. They are vampires.” Amore and I gasped at the same time. Aro smiled and grabbed both of us and led us down to where my family stood, his shield Renata stepped forward and began following closely behind holding onto his back, whimpering. “Amazing,” he commented, “How did they withstand the change, I thought that venom killed their kind.” My grandfather patiently replied, “They never were werewolves.” I looked into Jake’s eyes and I felt the tears welling up. I couldn’t believe what he had done. The look on his face scared me I could feel his pain; his eyes were tortured at how close I was but yet so far away. Amore was looking at Seth in the same way. Aro was distracted by the conversation he was having with my grandfather. It all happened so fast, one moment Aro was holding onto Amore and I and the next Jake ran out from the shield to where we stood, he was completely exposed, “Jacob no!” My grandfather yelled. He grabbed us and ran back to the family, leaving a stunned Aro behind. Jake and I stepped into my mothers shield with Amore behind suddenly she tripped. Jane took advantage of her one moment of weakness, Amore shrieked and fell to the ground writhing I looked over and saw Jane grinning smugly at her. Aunt Rosalie let out a feral snarl and within seconds Jane was on the ground convulsing as Seth picked up a very bewildered Amore and brought her next to Jake and I within the safety of my mother’s shield. Everyone looked at Jane in awe. “NOBODY harms my child,” my Aunt Rosalie growled. At the sound of her voice everyone looked to her in shock. She broke her concentration from Jane and ran to Amore. It was as though she had turned Jane’s power against her, and given her a taste of her own medicine. Alec helped Jane up and she turned to us and growled furiously, as she crouched waiting to attack. Nahuel took advantage of this moment of distraction and ran over to our side. My father growled at him, but I turned to him, “daddy, it’s ok, he’s one of us.” Aunt Rosalie embraced Amore tightly and Uncle Emmett ran to them .My father rushed to my side he held me tightly and kissed my forehead. My mother was distracted with keeping her shield in tact. Aro looked disturbed, “Enough, there is no need for violence on either side.” He turned his attention on my Aunt Rosalie, “Rosalie I had no idea that you were gifted.” She looked at him through narrowed eyes. Aro’s eyes tapered in return.” Unfortunately if you refuse to form an alliance we will not be able to resolve this amicably.” Demetri and Felix stepped forward. Jane and Alec were trying to penetrate my mother’s shield and couldn’t. Just as Demetri stepped forward to attack me Nahuel stepped in front of me and Jake protectively and closed his eyes. Demetri dropped his hand from where it was positioned in front of my throat. He howled in pain and backed away with wide and frightened eyes. Jake threw me behind him and Leah. Aro’s eyes boggled. “Another shield?” He asked in amazement. My grandfather stepped forward, my mother and Nahuel close behind shielding him from any mental or physical attacks. “Aro, we simply want to take the girls and Nahuel and be on our way. We did not intend to cause you any harm. We will be leaving now.” Caius thundered, “That will not be possible.” He stood up and floated down next to his brother. Marcus followed closely behind, looking bored. Aro looked at Caius unable to mask his uncertainty. My grandfather’s forehead became lined. Ironically he looked as though he had aged over the past few days, “I was afraid that you might say that, I had truly hoped that it wouldn’t come to this.” The doors slammed open again, Amore and I as well as the Volturi and their guard looked on in shock. My father and grandfather had assembled all of the covens who had defended me years ago. Tanya led the way. Aro seemingly shaken tried to regain his composure, “Tanya, how nice of you to join us.” She looked at him through narrowed slits and snarled. She and Kate were still mourning their fallen sister whom the Volturi had executed 7 years ago. “We aren’t here for a social visit Aro, enough is enough. Release them. We do not want to fight but are prepared to.” I had to smile to myself. There was nothing that the Volturi could do. They were cornered. Although we were on their turf they were grossly outnumbered, and dangerously close to being overthrown. Even if the numbers were even, our side had far greater gifts than theirs did. We had two shields so all of their attacks were useless. My aunt Rosalie seemed able to turn a person’s power on them, not to mention all of the gifts of the other covens. I was so proud of my grandfather; he was brilliant. Jake grasped my hand as we awaited the verdict. Aro was in counsel with his two brothers. He turned back to us, “You are all free to go. We are sorry that things took such a bad turn. We never intended to hurt your granddaughters Carlisle.” My grandfather looked at him skeptically. My father growled at Aro’s thoughts. “Oh, and Carlisle. Do not ever set foot in Volterra again.” His eyes darkened, “there will not be any exceptions the next time. Your family is no longer welcome here.” My grandfather nodded. “Fair enough, as long as you stay out of my territory, and those of the covens that stand with me.” Growls erupted from the Volturi guard. They were not used to being dealt ultimatums. Aro’s eyes became very dull, “Good bye my old friend. May our paths cease to meet again.” Everyone started to back out slowly, my mother and Nahuel kept their shields up for the entire duration. They didn’t drop the shields until well after we were on the plane and even then they were guarded.
