CHAPTER SEVENTY-TWO:
THE VOLTURI

THEY ALL STOOD THERE in the snow, waiting for the Volturi. Every person was standing with their mate, spaces placed between all of them. The wolves were all patiently waiting in the woods. Emma held onto her wife, keeping their hands interlocked and giving her soft smiles to reassure her, knowing how worried she was.

"If we get through this, I'll follow you anywhere, woman." Garret says to Kate, his arm wrapped around her. Kate glances up at him before looking straight ahead once more.

"Now you tell me?"

They all listened as the Volturi started to crawl closer and closer towards them which resulted in Garrett muttering, "The red coats are coming, the red coats are coming."

The Volturi come from the woods, exposing themselves into the open area. The walked forward, coming and closer to the other group of peaceful vampires. Aro's eyes wandered through out the vampires, not liking how he didn't recognize most of them. When Emma heard Edward inform Bella that he was looking for Alice, she immediately tensed up. Rosalie gave her hand a squeeze as they watched the Volturi suddenly stop when the wolves made themselves known. They walked out of the forest and walked up to the vampires, staying in the back except Jacob who joined Bella, Edward, and Renesmee up front.

"Aro, let us discuss things as we used to, in a civilized manner." Carlisle said as he took a few steps forward, putting him in front of everyone. 

"Fair words, Carlisle. But a little out of place given the battalion you've assembled against us." Aro responds, looking at the blonde male.

"I can promise you, that was never my intent. No laws have been broken," Carlisle assured.

"We see the child, do not treat us as fools." Caius seethed, his eyes flickering from Carlisle to Renesmee then back to Carlisle.

"She is not an immortal!" Carlisle raises his voice, trying to prove a point. "These witnesses can attest to that. You can look. See the flush of human blood in her cheeks."

"Artifice." Caius waved off.

Aro holds up his hand towards the blonde Volturi leader. "I will collect every facet of the truth, but from someone more central to the story. Edward, as the child clings to your new-born mate, I assume you are involved." Edward glances at Bella before looking towards Emma who gives him the slightest nod of the head. He looks at his child before looking back towards the Volturi and then making his way towards them. Emma watches as Bella tries to shield Edward only for him to get too far, forcing her to pull back.

Edward walks up to Aro and the male immediately takes his hand, scanning through his thoughts. Aro glanced at Bella and Renesmee before looking back at Edward with a smile on his face. "I'd like to meet her."

Edward turns to look at Bella who nods slightly. She, Jacob and Renesmee start walking forward before stopping and turning to look at Emma and Emmett. The two vampires exchange looks before leaving their mates sides and walking forward. They all stood there in front of the Volturi, Emma and Emmett staying back a little ways.

"Ah, young Bella. Immortality becomes you." Aro says with a smile as he looks at the newborn. His eyes then travel down to Renesmee before he points at her and lets a manical laugh escape his lips. "I hear her strange heart," he breathes. Aro holds a hand out towards Renesmee who took a few steps closer to him.

"Hello, Aro." She greets before slowly putting her hand up to his cheek so as to not make it seem like she was going to harm him. Aro stood there, watching what Renesmee was showing him with astonishment. Finally she pulls away.

"Magnifico." Aro whispers. Bella quickly reaches for Renesmee, bringing the little girl back between herself and Jacob. Aro turns to look at the Volturi. "Half mortal, half immortal. Conceived and carried by this new-born, while she was still human." Aro turns back to face Bella, smiling at her.

"Impossible!" Caius shouts.

Aro turns his head to look at Caius. "Do you think they fooled me, brother?" The group then started to walk back towards their side, not without Jacob snarling at Aro first. As soon as Emma joins Rosalie's side once more, the blonde is quick to pull her closer, not liking the fact that her mate had been not five feet from danger.

"Bring the informant forward." Caius orders. Two guards do as told, revealing Irina. Emma, and the Denali Coven all straighten up at the sight of the blonde female. Caius points towards Renesmee before asking Irina, "Is that the child you saw?"

"I'm not sure." Irina answers.

"Jane?" Caius starts. Jane turns to look at Irina.

"She's changed!" Irina quickly answers before Jane can use her power on her. "This child is bigger."

"Then your allegations are false." Caiuse pointed out to her. Irina nodded her head.

"The Cullens are innocent. I take full responsibility for my mistake." Irina turns to look at her family before whispering, "I'm sorry."

"Caius no!" Edward shouts. Irina is brough to her knees and Caius tears her head off before Felix walks up and lights her body on fire.

"IRINA!" Kate and Tanya both shout. Emma looked at the scene with horror covering her features. Kate and Tanya started towards the Volturi, but Garret quickly grabbed Kate who electrocuted him and Emmett and Eleazar grabbed Tanya whilst Rosalie kept a tight hold on Emma, knowing that if she had the opportunity she would kill the Volturi for doing such a thing.

"Blind them." Edward quickly orders, looking at Zafrina. Zafrina does as told, forcing both girls to stop struggling.

"Give me my sight back!" Tanya begs.

"Tanya, this is what they want. If you attack now, then we'll all die." Edward explained to the girl. When both siblings finally stopped struggling, Zafrina allowed them to see once more. As Edward turns to go back towards his family, Jane mutters the word pain, sending the boy to his knees. Bella is quick to step in, concentrating before using her shield. Edward stands back up and looks at Jane as he walks over to his wife who was holding a smirk on her features. Jane looked at all of the vampires only for all of them to be protected by the girls shield.

Carlisle decided to speak once more. "Aro, you see there's no law broken here."

Aro looks at his friend as he nods his head. "Agreed. But does it then follow that there is no danger?" Aro turns to look at his army. "For the first time in our history, humans pose a threat to our kind. Their modern technology has given birth to weapons that could destroy us. Maintaining our secret has never been more imperative. In such perilous times, only the known is safe. Only the known is tolerable, and we know nothing of what this child will become. Can we live with such uncertainty? Spare ourselves a fight today, only to die tomorrow?" Suddenly, Aro turns around and let's out a laugh as well as a big smile.

"Alice?" Edward quizzed. Emma perked up at this.

"Alice!" Aro smiles widely as she and Jasper start towards the Volturi. Alice glances at the family as she walks by, sending Emma an apologetic look knowing how she felt about not knowing her brothers whereabouts. Emma wanted to run up to her brother, but she stopped when he turned his head to look at her, giving her a stern look that forced her to stay in her place. When they make it to the Volturi, two guards stop them. "My dear, dear Alice, we're so glad to see you here after all."

"I have evidence the child won't be a risk to our kind." Alice speaks up. Aro looks at her and she outstretches her hand between the shoulders of the two guards. "Let me show you." Aro motions for the guards to let her through.

"Brother," Caius starts. Aro held up a hand, silencing him. Alice pushed past the two guards and Jasper went to follow after her only for the guards to restrain him. Emma wanted to run up there and tear their arms off for even touching her brother, but by the pleading hold Rosalie had on her she stayed in her spot. Alice handed Aro her hand and he quickly took it in his own, looking at her vision.

1,430 words
THERES ONE MORE CHAPTER BEFORE THE EPILOGUE. IM NOT READY FOR IT TO BE OVER😭

I hope you all enjoyed! Stay safe! Until next time, bye loves!♥️

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