"Chelsea is trying to break through and remove our bindings." I whispered as I felt the pressure on my shield as she tried again. 

"But she can't find them... she can't feel us here?" Edward's words were drawn out showing his confusion. His eyes shot down to Bella and me. "Are you two doing that?" 

"We figured it out." I shrugged, trying to focus. 

"We've got this. Aria is the main line of defence as she's better at controlling it than I am. We're acting as each other's back up." Bella smiled grimly as she explained the situation. 

Then suddenly - instinctively - Edward leaped forward towards Carlisle. Jane, the Volturi's most viscous weapon, had begun her offensive attack and directed it at Carlisle. The film of my shield that surrounded him took the sharp jab, but left Carlisle concealed. He felt nothing. The attack on my shield wasn't painful, it was just uncomfortable. 

"Carlisle? Are you alright?" Edward gasped frantically.  

"Yes. Why?" 

"Jane," Edward answered. 

"Edward, you need to have more confidence in us." I said, not even turning my head to look at him, my gaze focused totally on the little, angelic demon. 

Then on cue, it was expected really, Jane fired at least a dozen more jabs at my shield, directed at both wolves and vampires. Bella flexed, checking her shield was still intact. I didn't need to do this; I could already tell that there was no way in hell anyone would be getting through us. 

"Incredible," Edward said. 

"Why aren't they waiting for the decision?" Tanya hissed. 

"Normal procedure," Edward answered, annoyed. "They usually incapacitate those on trial so they can't escape." 

Jane looked ready to scream out in anger. If she was still human, she would be crimson with rage. No one before Bella and I had defied her gift, and now there were more than forty, standing proud and out of her fiery reach. 

It had been proven now, though only Aro knew of the gift, that Bella and I's capabilities were much more advanced than everyone had initially first thought. The secret didn't matter much now. So, just to rub it in, I winked and then smiled smugly at Jane. 

I heard Bella laugh quietly beside me and then Jane narrowed her eyes at us, and our shields took on another massive stab of pressure. This time she directed all the force at Bella and me. 

I smiled wider, showing my teeth, and I knew that Bella was doing the same. 

Jane screamed out a shrilling, high-pitched snarl. The sound made everyone jump, even the disciplined guard surrounding her. Everyone moved but the ancients, the three of them didn't even glance up at her. Alec caught her arm to stop her as she prepared herself to spring... she'd be no good in a fight anyway. Bella would keep the shield in place whilst I teared her apart in mere seconds. 

The Romanians started chuckling to themselves in sheer happiness. "I told you this was our time," Vladimir said to Stefan. 

"Just look at the witch's face," Stefan chortled. 

Alec consoled his twin, patting her shoulder soothingly, and then he tucked her under his arm and hugged her to his body. Then he looked up, his face eerily calm. 

His gift wasn't what I expected, there was no stabbing against my shield, or tremendous pressure like what Jane had exerted. Instead, his gift came in the form of a clear, hazy mist. Tumbling over the snow in light waves. 

"Are you okay?" Bella choked out, grasping Edward's hand tightly. She didn't know if Alec was using his gift or not. 

"Yes," he whispered.

"Is Alec trying?"

Edward nodded. "His gift is slower than Jane's. It creeps. It will touch us in a few seconds."

I assumed that it wouldn't be able to break through our shields. It was a mental based gift, and Bella and I had repelled everything remotely similar so far. 

I let Bella keep the tight hold around everyone else and pushed my shield out, creating a dome over the top of everyone on our side. Suddenly, a low rumbling shook the ground under our feet, and a dramatic gust of wind blew the snow up from the ground and sent the flurries hurtling down to push the oozing mist away from us. Unfortunately, the mist carried on rolling forward, the wind wouldn't stop it. 

Benjamin's fear then got the better of him. He threw himself to the ground, his fist colliding with the snow-covered ground, and then with a terrifying groan, a deep but narrow crack opened up in the earth in a long zigzag across the clearing between us and the Volturi. 

Beneath our feet the ground shook and grumbled in complaint, and finally that was enough to make the three ancients look up from their conference. The drifts of snow plummeted into the hole, but the mist continued to move forward, acting as if the hole was never even there. 

Aro and Caius marvelled at Benjamin's gift with wide, greedy eyes, whereas Marcus looked on with the same lack of emotion on his face as always. Not one of them spoke, instead they waited for the deathly mist to reach us too. Jane was smiling with anticipation. 

And then the mist hit my wall. 

It didn't stab at me like Jane and Chelsea's attacks, instead it had a numbing taste to it. It was sweet, but it still had no effect on me, and it appeared to not affect anyone else under the shield either. 

The mist then swirled upwards, curving over the top of my shield as it tried to search for a way in. The mist branched off into different directions, twisting and turning all around us, trying for any sign of a weakness. It found none. 

On both sides of the abyss that Benjamin created, gasps were heard all around. 

"Well done, Aria!" Benjamin cheered in a low voice, clapping a hand down onto my shoulder in praise and my smile returned. 

Alec's eyes narrowed at me, the shock clear on his face as he realised he wouldn't be able to get to us, as he realised that I had defied him, that I was untouchable. 

Well untouchable until I became the number one target when the battle begins. "I have a plan." I began, I didn't want to miss any of the action. I was one of the best fighters here, the strongest and fastest vampire, they couldn't lose me in the fight. 

"Go on." Carlisle prompted. 

"You need me in the fight. Bella is just as good at this as I am, I can feel her shield around us all." I looked to Bella, and she smiled as I felt her push her shield out past mine, repelling the mist even more, before snapping it back tightly around each individual. 

"I'm going to have to concentrate," Bella began. "When it comes to hand to hand, it's going to be harder to keep the shield around the right people, it's better Aria being out there rather than me." 

"I'll stay here with you." Edward said quickly and Bella shook her head. 

"No. You have to get to Demetri. Zafrina will keep them away from me." 

Zafrina nodded solemnly. "No one will touch this young one," she promised Edward. 

"I'll stay close too." I stated surely. "I can fight them off and act as a second shield if needed. However, I would have liked to have gotten a go at Jane or Alec myself." 

"At least I'll be able to know where you are at all times." Jacob cut in, he tried to be lighthearted but I could hear the heaviness of worry in his voice.

"I said I'd be close, not stuck to her side." I said with a light smile, and he rolled his giant brown eyes. 

"Jane's mine," Kate hissed. "She needs a taste of her own medicine." I smiled at her demand; I thought it was a good idea. 

"And Alec owes me many lives, but I will settle for his," Vladimir growled from the other side of our group. "He's mine." 

"I just want Caius," Tanya said evenly, and she was welcomed to him for destroying Irina. 

Everyone began choosing their opponents to take on, and I thought about who I wanted. Jane and Alec were gone and so was Caius. There was Aro, though I suspected Carlisle would want him or even Bella. Despite the promise Jake made to me I would take Aro head on if I could, might as well destroy the Volturi once and for all. 

Aro interrupted our whispers with a clear-cut voice. "Before we vote," he began pointlessly, we all knew how this was going to end. "Let me remind you," Aro continued, "whatever the council's decision, there need be no violence here." 

Strangely in-sync with each other Edward and I laughed sarcastically. How could they lie when they knew we could read their minds? 

Aro stared at us sadly. "It will be a regrettable waste to our kind to lose any of you. But you especially, young Edward, and your newborn mate and of course the wondrous Aria." He sighed as Caius growled at the mention of my name. "Please Caius you cannot deny her abilities, she'd be a marvellous project to learn about. The Volturi would be glad to welcome many of you into our ranks. Bella, Benjamin, Zafrina, Kate. There are many choices before you. Consider them." 

Chelsea then used her gift to try and sway us gifted vampires to the Volturi's side, but of course, Bella and I's shields rejected her. Aro looked over us, searching for any sign that one of us were tempted but he came out empty handed. 

He was desperately clinging onto the hope that Edward, Bella and I would join him, and in that any other gifted members from our side would follow. But he knew he had to destroy us, because the Volturi wouldn't win if Bella and I were alive. 

"Let us vote, then," he said reluctantly. 

Caius spoke with eager haste, ready for the slaughter to begin. "The child is an unknown quantity. There is no reason to allow such a risk to exist. It must be destroyed, along with all who protect it." He smiled cruelly as his eye settled on Renesmee.  

Marcus lifted his glazed eyes to look at us as he spoke. "I see no immediate danger. The child is safe enough for now. We can always reevaluate later. Let us leave in peace." I felt like I had to strain my ears to hear his delicate voice, but I valued his vote. He wanted no trouble and just wanted to go home. 

But his words meant nothing, because Aro was still determined to take us all out. "I must make the deciding vote, it seems," Aro mused. 

As I fought back my growl there was a whispering in the back of my head. It was a familiar voice, along with another I knew and a few others that I did not recognise. They were so far away it was hard to make out who was talking. They were moving fast... humans in a car perhaps? Wait, no, there was no roads nearby... 

"I'm coming! Don't worry, I'll be there soon!" 

The voice was light but so warming, I had to be hallucinating... it couldn't be! 

"I'm here! I have a plan!" 

The voice gained volume as it got closer and now, I knew it was real. That she was really here.

Alice had come back for us. 

I let out a shocked, disbelieving laugh. She had a plan! She could save us! Oh my god, Alice! She hadn't abandoned us! But, oh I was going to kill her for not telling me the whole truth! 

Alice, Jasper and then the three strangers' thoughts then moved closer into Edward's range. I smiled awaiting his reaction, glancing up at him. "Yes!" he hissed. He looked at me excitedly as we read more into Alice and Jasper's thoughts. 

They had brought with them the ultimate evidence, as well as the missing member from the Amazonian coven. There was an uneasy reaction from the guard as they became confused by Edward and I's sudden excitement. 

The evidence was a half human, half vampire hybrid. A man who was living proof that his parentage has been concealed from the human world, he had made his aunt into a vampire. 

"Aro?" I called out, loudly, not hiding the satisfaction in my voice. 

Aro paused to evaluate my new mood, but he answered me anyway. "Yes, my dear? You have something further to add?" 

"I do, yes." I said with a polite smile. "May I clarify one thing though?" 

"What's going on?" Jacob asked, stepping closer to me. I placed my hand to his cheek so I could explain it to him silently. 

Aro raised his eyebrows curiously and kept his tone polite because he was genuinely interested. "Certainly." He breathed. 

"Edward?" I began, it would only be fair that he would get to argue this point, it was his daughter we were here for. "Would you like to proceed?" 

He looked at me gratefully and then focused his eyes on Aro to address him. "The dangers you foresee from my daughter - these stems entirely from our inability to guess how she will develop. That is the crux of the matter?"  

"Yes, my dear Edward," Aro agreed. "If we could but be positive... be sure that, as she grows, she will be able to stay concealed from the human world - not endanger the safety of our obscurity..." He trailed off, shrugging. 

"So, if we could only know for sure," Edward suggested, "exactly what she will become... then there would be no need for a council at all?" 

"If there was some way to be absolutely sure," Aro agreed, the lightness of his voice growing heavier with concern. He didn't know where our interruption was leading. "Then, yes, there would be no question to debate." 

"And we would part in peace, good friends once again?" Edward asked not even masking the happiness in his voice. 

Aro's voice peaked. "Of course, my young friend. Nothing would please me more." He said almost through gritted teeth. 

Edward looked down at me and smiled and I reached forward and took his hand, squeezing it. "Then we do have something more to offer." I concluded for the both of us, leaving everyone on both sides confused but intrigued. 

Aro's eyes narrowed. "She is absolutely unique. Her future can only be guessed at." 

"Not absolutely unique," I pointed out in disagreement. "Rare, certainly, but not one of a kind. Like and unlike myself in so many ways." 

The pressure and stabbing from the witch twins continued against Bella and I's shields, directed only at Bella and me. 

"Aro, would you ask Jane and Alec to stop mentally attacking Bella and I." I asked politely, refraining from glaring at the jealous twins. "We are still discussing what evidence we have." 

Aro raised one hand. "Peace, dear ones. Let us hear them out." 

The attack ceased and Jane bared her teeth at us. I let Bella deal with that response, and she did so by grinning back at her. 

Edward smiled at me once again, winking, and then called out loudly. "Why don't you join us, Alice?" 

"Alice," Esme whispered in shock and I grinned widely as the mutters of my adoptive sister's name echoed around the meadow. 

"Alice," Aro breathed, his plan alighting again inside his mind. What he most craved in the world, he felt, had now been handed to him on a silver platter. 

I physically felt the relief wash over my family as Alice and Jasper's fast footfalls whispered through the trees behind us. They took note of the other three pairs and took that as the evidence Edward, and I had mentioned. 

We stood silent and motionless as we waited for our missing siblings to make their appearance. The other three vampires running with them began to slow and drop back. Alice had instructed for them to remain as concealed as possible until she called them forward. 

Then Alice slipped through the trees behind us, her face the image of hope and joy as we all laid eyes on her. I felt like I could cry with happiness just from seeing her face. I hadn't realised how angry I had been before, knowing she had left us despite her clue, but seeing her just lifted the weight completely. Jasper appeared a second after her and my smile widened. He could be awkward at times, but he was still one of my brothers, protective and strong-willed just like the rest of them. God, I had missed them so much. 

Alice and Jasper leaped over the edges of what remained of Alec's mist, becoming enclosed in the safety of Bella and I's shields. Alice came to a stop between Edward and I, and I reached beside me touched her arm, and then so did Edward and Bella and the rest of the family, even Jacob gave her a little nudge. We didn't have time for any other greeting or welcoming back, she had to give her proof. 

The Volturi guard's eyes were suddenly focused and hopeful again as they settled on Bella and me. Alice and Jasper had walked straight into our boundary with ease, merely stepping over the mist. The guard had not been sure as to what Bella and I could repel, but now they could see that you could just walk straight through it. They knew we couldn't stop a physical attack, and their mission had now become to destroy Bella and myself. 

I had had enough of their bloodthirsty thoughts, so I decided to speak up. "Alice has been searching for her own witnesses these last few weeks." I explained to Aro, whose eyes were glowing with excitement, if he smiled any wider it looked as if his face might crack. "She would like to show you what she's found." 

Alice had a vision, but she was keeping it locked up inside her mind. She had seen Aro's end, but she wanted Edward and I to watch it as he did himself. 

Caius snarled. "The time for excuses is past! Cast your vote, Aro!" 

Aro raised one skinny, pale finger to silence his brother, his eyes only focused on Alice's face. "My dear, dear Alice, we're so glad to see you here, after all." He clapped his hands together and sighed in content. I clenched my teeth as his thoughts of claiming her erupted into fireworks inside his mind. 

Jasper and Alice then moved past us and continued forward into no man's land. Swiftly, they jumped over both the mist and the crevice that Benjamin had created, but as soon as their feet hit the snow on the other side, four Volturi guards rushed forward to restrain them. 

Our family members all took one step forward unsure as to what one of the ancients would command their soldiers to do next. Alice and Jasper tried to shake off the restraining hands but stopped when they realised there was no point, they could provoke something. 

Alice pried her hand free and held it out towards Aro. "I have evidence the child won't be a risk to our kind." Aro looked at her a little unsurely, but he was eager to see the capabilities of her gift once again. "Let me show you." Alice extended her hand further over the shoulders of the guards. 

Aro flicked his hand up, motioning for the guards to release only Alice. She walked forward with purpose until Aro grew impatient with his own excitement and met her halfway, greedily taking her hand in his own. 

The vision then began to flow through into his mind, and I closed my eyes to concentrate on what Aro was watching... 

Alice's mind turned hostile, and she snatched her hand back out of his grasp. "It doesn't matter what I show you. Even when you see. You still won't change your decision." Alice suddenly whipped her head round to look at Bella and I, regret in her eyes. "Now!" She whispered urgently. I looked up at Renesmee and Seth and then to Bella as she swallowed the lump in her throat. 

Bella gave one final longing look to Renesmee, and then moved forward to address Seth. "Take care of my daughter." She ordered protectively. Seth nodded once and turned, brushed himself along Jake and then took off, brushing past Leah as well. 

As his huge body disappeared into the woods, Caius growled furiously. "Get them!" He snarled, ordering two random guards to take off after Seth. I just hoped he was fast enough and strong enough to fight the both of them off. 

Suddenly, Alice whipped back around, lifting her leg as high as she could before forcing it up and into Aro's chin, sending him hurtling backward towards the trees on the other side of the clearing. Gasps sounded from both sides as Aro regained control of his body and landed without difficulty behind his troops. 

Aro, moving the fastest I had ever seen an ancient move, blurred back towards the front of the group, the grim words "take her away," seeping out of his mouth. All of us stumbled forward once again, the venom building up in my throat as I readied myself for battle, leaning forward in a defensive crouch. 

The guards wrapped their restraining arms around Alice and dragged her toward the back on the group and out of sight. Carlisle, being the closest, called out across the clearing. "Let her go!" 

Carlisle lurched forward, beginning the attack, for fear his daughter would be executed just like Irina. He sprinted across the field, snow churning up under his feet, then suddenly he leapt into the air to clear the ravine. Aro grinned, predicting this and leapt up as well, meeting Carlisle mid-air and they began to struggle.   

Carlisle's body hit the floor first, remaining motionless as the Volturi positioned themselves in a wide arc around him. A split second later Aro landed perfectly, a smug, devilish grin on his face as he brought his arm out from under his cloak, and in his hand was the head that belonged to my adoptive father. 

I felt numb, my expression just showing nothing but shock. Esme's shrill scream rang through my ears as I felt a newfound rage begin to pour out from my core. The edges of my vision tinted red, and the venom pooled within my mouth again. Then, from out of nowhere a flame burned bright above Carlisle, and Caius's leering smile was the cue for the guards to set Carlisle alight. 

The red in my vision expanded and before I could stop myself, I threw my body forward, running as fast as I could to take as many of the Volturi down as I could... to hell with the plan. 

Instantly, the ground vibrated with the footsteps of the rest of the family, the wolves and our witnesses. The Volturi then launched into their counterattack, leaving behind the ancients and their wives. I didn't know what the plan was now, I just knew that I needed to kill and do it quickly and keep everyone else protected. 

Heading straight for me was a vampire named Afton, he was gifted and believed that he could get through my shield because nothing had defied him before... but nothing had defied Jane or Alec either. His gift was mental invisibility, he didn't disappear, he just made those around him believe he wasn't there. But I could see him, and he was going to die. 

It was only too late for him when he realised I could see him. His eyes widened in fear and the emotion on his face drained into a dark numbness. I caught him around the throat and slammed his body down into the snow-covered earth. His neck crunched under the pressure my fingers exerted as he gasped, trying to scream out for help. With my free hand I grabbed a fist full of his hair and began to pull his head away from his body, all the while keeping the crushing pressure on his neck. 

A shriek of aching pain tore the air in two just as I ripped the man's head from his body and tossed it across the field. Yet, the scream carried on sounding, and I realised it wasn't from him, but his mate who was watching a few hundred yards away. 

Relentlessly, the girl charged, all the while screaming tearless cries as I prepared myself by leaning into a defensive crouched. I bared my teeth and hissed at her just as she got into range, but as she reached out to grab me, she was torn away from my sight by Jacob. He caught her around the throat and snapped his jaw shut, there was crunch and her head rolled away from her body, towards the remains of her mate.  

I scanned the area quickly, seeing my family members take down their own attackers, but then my eyes caught something interesting. Aro was standing alone, unguarded by his shield. Renata was fighting alone with Maggie and with a quick flick of her wrist Maggie was dead. No more needed to die by her hand, and one less vampire protecting Aro was what we needed.

Jacob and I moved in sync as we charged, dodging flying limbs and scattered snow. I got to her first and ripped her away from Siobhan and flipped her small body over my head and into Jacob's awaiting jaws. They wrestled for a brief moment, her hands turning into claws as she tried to pry him off of her, but it was no use, and seconds later her body grew lifeless. 

A lump formed in my throat as Alice's cries cut through the air. Spinning on my heel my eyes widened as I took in the scene that was unfolding before me. Alec and Bella were on the floor fighting and Bella seemed to be struggling but that wasn't the major issue. Jane was focusing her power solely on Jasper, his body writhing in pain as he fell to his knees. Alice's screams got louder as Demetri approached, a smirk across his pale face. 

I took to my feet as quickly as I could, but it was too late, Demetri got there first and we had lost another family member. From the left Jesse rushed in and took the fight with Alec away from Bella. "Jesse!" The scream left my body in a shrill high-pitched tone. I closed my eyes and tried to expand my shield as quickly as possible with Jake watching my back. But I watched helplessly as the foggy mist encased Jesse, and he suddenly became unaware of his surroundings. 

"Aria! Aria! I can't see anything! Aria!" He called out, his voice ragged, as he stood there numbly. 

"I'm coming!" I screamed; my voice caged by the lump in my throat. 

I ran faster than I ever had before, dodging grabbing hands and angled kicks but Felix got to my brother first, and like deja vu when Jacob had got hurt all those months ago, Felix wrapped his arms around Jesse's grey body. The crunch of his bones was a sound that I wanted to get rid of instantly, Jesse's heart wrenching howl took over his body until suddenly there was silence, and Felix dropped his lifeless body into the snow. 

I fell to my knees. It felt like my heart had been ripped out of my chest, with Felix now holding it in his hand, squeezing it as his smirk got wider. 

Jesse was dead. 

My brother was dead. 

And Felix was going to pay. 

I shot up from the ground and blurred towards him, the snarl on my face showing my teeth as the growls rumbled from deep inside my chest. He was bigger than me, but I was stronger and faster, all I needed to do was get my hands around his neck. He stood waiting for my attack, the viscous smirk on his face that I just wanted to rip off. 

He leaned into his defensive crouch just as my body smacked into his, using all of the force I could to shove him away from the others and onto the outskirts of the battle. He tumbled backwards rolling across the snow before skilfully sliding up onto his feet, the snow dusting off of his cloak and falling back to the ground. 

I growled and he laughed menacingly. I moved for him again but then an idea in one of our witnesses' minds sparked my interest. Benjamin decided to get back onto his fault lines, making the ground shake violently and the ravine he had created earlier began to open up even more. Felix became distracted, watching as his guard began to tumble down into the opened earth... this was my chance.  

He only noticed my determined advance a second too late as I caught his right arm and then ripped it from his body. I darted behind him, ignoring his cries filled with agony, and stripped his other arm from his body. I clipped his legs out from under him and he fell to his knees, now at the perfect height for me to clasp his throat. "Now you will feel what you have done to my brother." 

A new rage and strength took over me, completely consuming me as my heart began to thump wildly and the edges around my vision began to glow with that faint red tinge. I gripped his throat in my right hand and began to squeeze so tightly that he could no longer make any sound. The cracks began to form over his thick neck, and I stared in his eyes wanting him to endure the torture. But, within the darkness of his pupils, I saw something change in me, and most importantly my eyes. The gold ring began to inflame with the crimson red that had once resided there, and then it began to expand, absorbing the blue until it had completely disappeared. A snarl ripped through my throat as I added more pressure until his neck gave in and all that remained was a powder coating my hand. 

I kicked his body away from myself and turned back towards the battle, trying to find a new focus for my rage. I looked to see who needed help first and took note of who was missing. 

A gasp left my lips as I watched Esme fall into the ravine, being dragged down by a Volturi guard on her back. I staggered forward but stopped in my tracks when Leah leaped across the crack in the earth and ripped the vampire off of Esme, sacrificing herself along with the Volturi member. Jacob's pack howled as Leah died, but I carried on watching, needing to make sure Esme climbed back up safely. 

Whilst fighting with Demetri, the ground beneath Edward's feet crumbled, taking him down as well. My heart skipped a beat but moments later he was flying through the air and out of the ravine, his arms outstretched aiming directly for Demetri, who he caught around the throat and ended his life with one pull. 

Alice then broke away from her captures, flipping over their arms and dismembering them. Her own personal vendetta was now on Jane. I took a deep breath in and let my shield explode out from me like a web, weaving in and out of the Volturi and locking entirely around my family, the wolves and our witnesses. Alice began to charge for Jane, using her gift, small stature, and flexibility to avoid all incoming attacks.  

Jane realised that Alice was heading for her and smirked as she began to unleash her gift. Her face crumpled with anger and confusion as she vigorously searched around her for Bella or myself and hissed when her eyes locked onto my matching red ones. I could see when the hope left her eyes, she didn't know how to defend herself, so all she could do was run. 

Alice took off on a wider berth and swung round to cut Jane off. Her reflexes were quick, and Alice's hand shot out so fast it was a blur and locked onto Jane's throat. She turned, her face emotionless as she dragged Jane along, and led her to the awaiting snarling jaws of Sam. He stalked forward, dropping the remaining hand of a guard from his mouth. With one last move, Alice shoved her forward and then Jane met her end. 

Across the field the ancients began to grow impatient. They had lost their best asset, and it was their turn to intervene. 

Caius propelled forward, going straight for Tanya but missed Kate coming up on his side. She shocked him, setting it to a voltage that stunned his face into a silent scream, his mouth hanging wide open. Tanya let the pain she felt for the loss of her sister fuel her as she clamped one hand down over his lower jaw, and then used her other had to pull his jaw upwards until finally the top half of his head was separated from the rest. 

Then, Vladimir and Stefan both became free, killing the guard members that had been set on taking them down but failed. They both made for Marcus, he was standing a little away from the Aro and the wives and, to my astonishment, sighed when he saw the incoming attack. 

He held his arms open, welcoming his impending death as he breathed the words "finally". His last thoughts were of a beautiful woman with flaming red eyes who I only assumed to be his wife. 

Suddenly, like a trigger going off inside my mind, something told me that something was going to go very wrong. I scanned the field quickly and my knees buckled as I saw Jacob charging through the snow towards the one person he had promised me he would stay away from. 

"Jacob!" My scream bounced off the snow, unfortunately alerting Aro of Jacob's speeding attack. 

Aro grinned before spinning to the left and dodging Jake's angled bite that was meant for his throat. Jacob shot round to the side, going for him again, catching Aro's wrist and yanked his head back, taking the hand with him. Aro gasped and shrieked in pain as he clutched what remained of his wrist. Jacob growled fiercely back and for a moment I believed he could actually win this. 

I scrambled up from the snow, eager to help Jake take down the last ancient, but my pacing was off as I watched Aro leap over Jake's body and wrap his arms around Jacob's neck. He began to squeeze as Jacob thrashed around, trying to get Aro off of his back. Aro squeezed tighter and as the air began to escape Jake's lungs, it left mine too. "Nooooooo!" My scream was shrill and unsettling as the life began to leave Jacob's eyes. With one final smirk Aro shot his hand and wrist to the side in one swift movement and to my horror Jake's body went limp. 

Silence. Fear. Grief. Anger.  

I was numb, lost. The tears began to stream down my face as I felt like half of my soul had been ripped away... stolen from me. I couldn't breathe. 

Aro lifted Jake's body into the air and threw him across the field until he landed and tumbled to my feet. I brought myself forward, running and then falling to my knees beside him. "Jake..." I sobbed, running my hands over the soft fur of his face. "Please, please, please wake up." I struggled to breathe, gasping for breath as I tried to listen for a heartbeat, for his thoughts. All I got back was silence. "You promised me." I whispered, leaning down to hug his body. "You promised me." I cried into his fur as howls of tributes to their alpha resounded from the remaining wolves.

Footsteps, fast falling and crunching through the snow mad me jump up, ready to take on who was coming for me next, but I froze when my eyes met Bella's. "Aria, I'm so sorry." The urge to fall into her arms and sob was compelling but I knew I had to get my revenge. "Aria, your eyes." 

The red rimmed my vision again as the venom pooled in my mouth. "I'm going to kill him." I leaped over Jake's body and began to stomp my way through the snow. 

"Wait," Bella zoomed forward and grasped my hand stopping me. "I'm coming with you. We do this together." I nodded once at her words and together we charged. 

I let myself focus and absorb all of the thoughts of incoming attackers. Again the rage consumed me and the new strength I felt when I killed Felix took over. The remaining Volturi guard members saw Bella and I heading for Aro and tried to take us down along the way. I whipped around Bella, taking on each one of them and knocked them down with just one blow from my fist.

As I was taking the fire power, Bella got to him first, but he knew what was happening and used his strength to take her on and shove her away from him. She flew through the air, and just like he planned, she took Edward down to the ground with her. 

Being the one that was the closest to him I continued on. I wanted him to feel all the pain that I was feeling, all the despair and hatred for him. Without even meaning to I pushed my shield out to him, encasing him in it and letting him feel all the hurt that I was. 

He faltered in his movements and turned to look at me, a curious yet distressed look on his face as he began to feel pain deep inside of him for no reason. I growled fiercely as I let him relive Jake ripping his hand off, envisioning his memory of Jane using her gift on him, everything I could conjure up inside my head I made him feel. 

He became blinded by all that was running through his mind, so I took my chance and took a swing at him. I punched him across the face and a crack shot up through his cheek and into his temple. He stumbled back, shaking himself out of the trance I had caused. 

Bella and Edward shot past me, and she leaped up onto his shoulders as Edward took out his legs with a satisfying crunch, he fell to his knees as I rounded to the front of him. I hissed and then spit venom in his face before blurring around to the back of him to kick out his spine. His body flopped forward, giving Bella enough leverage to finally rip his head from his neck. 

The anger began to subside, and I looked back to Jake's lifeless body and let the grief take over. 

I blinked away the tears and I snapped back into reality. Quickly, I brought my hand up to clear the wetness from my cheeks. Jacob nudged into my shoulder, watching me with warm and wary eyes. "Everything okay?" He asked nervously. 

I nodded; too afraid my voice would break as I spoke. I looked to Edward, and he was watching me with worry and despair. That would be our future if Aro didn't give in. 

"Now you know." Alices spoke clearly, taking her hand out of Aro's. "That's your future. Unless you decide on another course." 

Aro's milky eyes drifted from the wonderment of Alice to me. He had a new excitement and craving on his mind and despite seeing his death he wanted nothing more to unleash the 'new' and 'undiscovered' me. He now knew how to unlock a new side of me and that was by causing me extreme sadness and pain. That was another mission to add to his agenda... claim me and all that I could do. 

"We cannot alter our course. The child still poses a grave threat." Caius countered with his sharp tongue.  

"Like we stated before," Edward began, his own voice hard and stern, fed up with Caius's excuses. "She could remain concealed if you just let us give this final piece of evidence." 

Aro nodded, still a little dazed from his vision. "Very well." 

From the forest behind us the flying footsteps of three individuals started up again until finally they broke through the tree line. The first was a woman, who was tall and muscular with long dark curly hair. She held resemblance to the other Amazons, so I only assumed that this was Kachiri.  

Behind her followed another female, though much smaller with olive-toned skin. Her black hair in braid that fell all the way to her hips. She looked at all of us before her nervously before looking back at who was last to follow. 

A young man burst through the trees, he lacked the same amount of speed and gracefulness as the vampires before him and his skin held the same tanned glow as mine, he didn't have the pale mask over his skin like the others. His eyes reminded me of Jake's, deep brown almost black pools of mystery. His black hair was braided, too, though not as long as the woman's. 

The closer he got it allowed our ears to take note of a new sound that sent us all into shock. A heartbeat, working hard due to the exhaustion the run had created. 

Kachiri joined her sisters and the other two walked towards Alice, she took a few steps back to meet them. "This is Huilen and her nephew, Nahuel." 

Caius's eyes narrowed as Alice explained the relationship between the two strangers. The Volturi witnesses hissed amongst themselves. The vampire world was changing, and everyone could feel it. 

"Speak, Huilen," Aro commanded. "Give us the witness you were brought to bear." 

Huilen looked at Alice nervously and Alice smiled at her, encouraging her to speak. "I am Huilen," the woman announced in clear but strangely accented English. "A century and a half ago, I lived with my people, the Mapuche. My sister was Pire. Our parents named her after the snow on the mountains because of her fair skin. And she was very beautiful - too beautiful. 

"She came to me one day in secret and told me of the angel that found her in the woods, that visited her by night. I warned her." Huilen shook her head mournfully. "As if the bruises on her skin were not warning enough. I knew it was the Libishomen of our legends, but she would not listen. She was bewitched. 

"She told me when she was sure her dark angel's child was growing inside her. I didn't try to discourage her from her plan to run away - I knew even our father and mother would agree that the child must be destroyed, Pire with it. I went with her into the deepest parts of the forest. She searched for her demon angel but found nothing. I cared for her, hunted for her when her strength failed. She ate the animals raw, drinking their blood. I needed no more confirmation of what she carried in her womb. I hoped to save her life before I killed the monster. 

"But she loved the child inside her. She called him Nahuel, after the jungle cat, when he grew strong and broke her bones - and loved him still. 

"I could not save her. The child ripped his way free of her, and she died quickly, begging all the while that I would care for her Nahuel. Her dying wish - and I agreed. 

"He bit me, though, when I tried to lift him from her body. I crawled away into the jungle to die. I didn't get far - the pain was too much. But he found me; the newborn child struggled through the underbrush to my side and waited for me. When the pain ended, he was curled against my side, sleeping. 

"I cared for him until he was able to hunt for himself. We hunted the villages around our forest, staying to ourselves. We have never come so far from our home, but Nahuel wished to see the child here." 

Huilen looked to the ground when she finished her story and then stepped back behind Alice, knowing she had said her part. 

Aro pursed his lips, not sure of how to continue as he looked at Nahuel. "Nahuel, you are one hundred and fifty years old?" he questioned. 

"Give or take a decade," he answered in a clear, beautifully warm voice. His accent was barely noticeable. "We don't keep track." 

"And you reached maturity at what age?" 

"About seven years after my birth, more or less, I was full grown." 

"You have not changed since then?" 

Nahuel shrugged. "Not that I've noticed." 

From beside us, a shudder trembled through Seth's body, showing his excitement. Nessie would be with us forever... well that was only the case if the Volturi decided to let us go. 

"And your diet?" Aro pressed, intrigued but wanting to still destroy us all the same. 

"Mostly blood, but some human food, too. I can survive on either." 

"You were able to create an immortal?" As Aro gestured to Huilen, his voice was abruptly intense. 

"Yes, but none of the rest can."

The rest? How many were there of this kind? Why had more stories not been known?

Aro's eyebrows shot up. "The rest?" 

"My sisters." Nahuel shrugged again. 

Aro stared wildly for a moment before composing his face. I'm sure the rest of us held the same expression. 

"Perhaps you would tell us the rest of your story, for there seems to be more." 

Nahuel frowned. 

"My father came looking for me a few years after my mother's death." His handsome face distorted slightly. "He was pleased to find me." Nahuel's tone suggested the feeling was not mutual. "He had two daughters, but no sons. He expected me to join him, as my sisters had. 

"He was surprised I was not alone. My sisters are not venomous, but whether that's due to gender or a random chance... who knows? I already had my family with Huilen, and I was not interested" - he twisted the word - "in making a change. I see him from time to time. I have a new sister; she reached maturity about ten years back." 

"Your father's name?" Caius asked through gritted teeth. 

"Joham," Nahuel answered. "He considers himself a scientist. He thinks he's creating a new super-race." He made no attempt to disguise the disgust in his tone. 

Caius looked at Bella. "Your daughter is she venomous?" he demanded harshly. 

"No," She responded. At her words Nahuel looked up to stare deeply at Bella's face.

Caius became even more unshelled as he watched Aro ponder over what to do. Either fight the unknown and face his inevitable death or let it be. He stared at Carlisle, then Edward and Bella, and then me. 

Caius growled. "We take care of the aberration here, and then follow it south," he urged Aro. 

Aro stared at me for a long time, knowing that I would never join him if he killed my family and that if he tried to take me, I would kill a fair amount of his talented guard. With his witnesses still watching all he could do now was leave and reevaluate, especially if he wanted Bella, Edward and Alice as well, and that was only our family members.  

"Brother," he said softly to Caius. "There appears to be no danger. This is an unusual development, but I see no threat. These half-vampire children are much like us, it appears." 

"Is that your vote?" Caius demanded. 

"It is." 

Caius scowled. "And this Joham? This immortal so fond of experimentation?" 

"Perhaps we should speak with him," Aro agreed. 

"Stop Joham if you will," Nahuel said flatly. "But leave my sisters be. They are innocent." 

Aro nodded sincerely, a little sad about the non-violent outcome of this meeting. Then he turned around to face his guard with a warm smile. "Dear ones," he called. "We do not fight today." 

The guard nodded as one and straightened out of their crouched positions. Alec's mist dissipated away from my shield and back towards him, but I would leave my shield in place until they were gone. 

I examined the ancients's expressions as Aro turned back around to face us. He looked as if he was in mourning, scanning over the faces that belonged to those with gifts, he knew he couldn't have us now. He didn't know if he ever could. Caius was enraged though only with himself for not being more convincing. He would discuss with Aro in private about what to do next. Marcus just looked bored, and from Alice's vision it was clear he just wanted to die and be rid of this life. Though, no one would dare grant him that wish. 

The guard folded back into their emotionless formation, ready to take their leave. Aro nodded and row by row they began to drift backwards and into the trees on the other side of the meadow. 

Almost apologetically, Aro held his hands out to us, he was the only member that remained in the same spot; Caius, Marcus and the wives lingered by the trees. "I'm so glad this could be resolved without violence," he said sweetly. "My friend, Carlisle - how pleased I am to call you friend again! I hope there are no hard feelings. I know you understand the strict burden that our duty places on our shoulders." 

I fought the urge to laugh sarcastically. 

"Leave in peace, Aro," Carlisle said stiffly. "Please remember that we still have our anonymity to protect here and keep your guard from hunting in this region." 

"Of course, Carlisle," Aro assured him. "I am sorry to earn your disapproval, my dear friend. Perhaps, in time, you will forgive me." 

"Perhaps, in time, if you prove a friend to us again." 

Aro bowed his head, apologetic once again, and drifted back towards the trees, only stopping to give Alice, Bella and I one final look. "Such a prize." He muttered, then finally he disappeared into the trees. 

Silence fell upon on us and I knew that everyone was waiting on me to confirm they were all gone as my mind reading expanded further than Edward's. 

"Is it really over?" Bella whispered. 

I finally let the smile break out over my face as the only thoughts I could hear were that of the thoughts of everyone gathered here. "Yes. They've given up." 

"Like all bullies, they're cowards underneath the swagger." Edward chuckled. 

Alice laughed with us. "Seriously, people. They're not coming back. Everybody can relax now." 

There was another beat of silence. 

"Of all the rotten luck," Stefan muttered. 

And then the wave of happiness and relief hit. 

Cheers erupted. Deafening howls filled the clearing. Rosalie and Emmett kissed again - for much longer and sensually than before. Esme held Alice and Jasper in a tight embrace. Carlisle was graciously thanking the newcomers for saving us with their story. 

Our witnesses celebrated too, Maggie hugged Siobhan and Liam tightly. Benjamin and Tia were locked in each other's arms, and so were Carmen and Eleazar. The Amazons stood in a small, close circle, all three of them holding hands. Garrett picked Kate up off the ground and swung her around in a circle. 

Stefan spit on the snow. Vladimir ground his teeth together with a sour expression. 

I watched as Bella half-climbed up Seth to snatch her daughter off of his back to hold her in her arms. Edward's arms wrapped around them in the same moment. 

Jacob poked my shoulder with his nose, and I turned swiftly, swinging my arms around his neck to hug him tightly. "I love you." I breathed, so thankful that Alice's vision did not play through. 

Jacob laughed his big, barky laugh and then told me "I love you, too."  

"I get to stay with all of you?" Nessie demanded. 

"Forever," Bella promised her as our family all came together for a massive group hug, with Jacob's head resting on my shoulder. 

We really had forever to all be together with no more threats. We could just live in peace. The happiness exploded from our group and swarmed our witnesses. 

"Forever... always." Jacob whispered and I closed my eyes savouring this new, beautiful memory.