No, I half-snarled.
Edward hugged me reassuringly. I shook him off just as Renesmee flitted across the yard to me, with Kate, Zafrina, and Senna right behind her.
Absolutely not, Kate, I hissed.
Renesmee reached for me, and I opened my arms automatically. She curled into me, pressing her head into the hollow beneath my shoulder.
But Momma, I want to help, she said in a determined voice. Her hand rested against my neck, reinforcing her desire with images of the two of us together, a team.
No, I said, quickly backing away. Kate had taken a deliberate step in my direction, her hand stretched toward us.
Stay away from us, Kate, I warned her.
No. She began stalking forward. She smiled like a hunter cornering her prey.
I shifted Renesmee so that she was clinging to my back, still backing away at a pace that matched Kates. Now my hands were free, and if Kate wanted to keep her hands attached to her wrists, shed better keep her distance.
Kate probably didnt understand, never having known for herself the passion of a mother for her child. She must not have realized just how far past too far shed already gone. I was so furious that my vision took on a strange reddish tint, and my tongue tasted like burning metal. The strength I usually worked to keep restrained flowed through my muscles, and I knew I could crush her into diamond-hard rubble if she pushed me to it.
The rage brought every aspect of my being into sharper focus. I could even feel the elasticity of my shield more exactly nowfeel that it was not a band so much as a layer, a thin film that covered me from head to toe. With the anger rippling through my body, I had a better sense of it, a tighter hold on it. I stretched it around myself, out from myself, swaddling Renesmee completely inside it, just in case Kate got past my guard.
Kate took another calculated step forward, and a vicious snarl ripped up my throat and through my clenched teeth.
Be careful, Kate, Edward cautioned.
Kate took another step, and then made a mistake even someone as inexpert as I could recognize. Just a short leap away from me, she looked away, turning her attention from me to Edward.
Renesmee was secure on my back; I coiled to spring.
Can you hear anything from Nessie? Kate asked him, her voice calm and easy.
Edward darted into the space between us, blocking my line to Kate.
No, nothing at all, he answered. Now give Bella some space to calm down, Kate. You shouldnt goad her like that. I know she doesnt seem her age, but shes only a few months old.
We dont have time to do this gently, Edward. Were going to have to push her. We only have a few weeks, and shes got the potential to
Back off for a minute, Kate.
Kate frowned but took Edwards warning more seriously than shed taken mine.
Renesmees hand was on my neck; she was remembering Kates attack, showing me that no harm was meant, that Daddy was in on it.
This did not pacify me. The spectrum of light I saw still seemed tainted with crimson. But I was in better control of myself, and I could see the wisdom of Kates words. The anger helped me. I would learn faster under pressure.
That didnt mean I liked it.
Kate, I growled. I rested my hand on the small of Edwards back. I could still feel my shield like a strong, flexible sheet around Renesmee and me. I pushed it farther, forcing it around Edward. There was no sign of a flaw in the stretchy fabric, no threat of a tear. I panted with the effort, and my words came out sounding breathless rather than furious. Again, I said to Kate. Edward only.
She rolled her eyes but flitted forward and pressed her palm to Edwards shoulder.
Nothing, Edward said. I heard the smile in his voice.
And now? Kate asked.
Still nothing.
And now? This time, there was the sound of strain in her voice.
Nothing at all.
Kate grunted and stepped away.
Can you see this? Zafrina asked in her deep, wild voice, staring intently at the three of us. Her English was strangely accented, her words pulling up in unexpected places.
I dont see anything I shouldnt, Edward said.
And you, Renesmee? Zafrina asked.
Renesmee smiled at Zafrina and shook her head.
My fury had almost entirely ebbed, and I clenched my teeth together, panting faster as I pushed out against the elastic shield; it felt like it was getting heavier the longer I held it. It pulled back, dragging inward.
No one panic, Zafrina warned the little group watching me. I want to see how far she can extend.
There was a shocked gasp from everyone thereEleazar, Carmen, Tanya, Garrett, Benjamin, Tia, Siobhan, Maggieeveryone but Senna, who seemed prepared for whatever Zafrina was doing. The others eyes were blank, their expressions anxious.
Raise your hand when you get your sight back, Zafrina instructed. Now, Bella. See how many you can shield.
My breath came out in a huff. Kate was the closest person to me besides Edward and Renesmee, but even she was about ten feet away. I locked my jaw and shoved, trying to heave the resisting, resilient safeguard farther from myself. Inch by inch I drove it toward Kate, fighting the reaction that fought back with every fraction that I gained. I only watched Kates anxious expression while I worked, and I groaned quietly with relief when her eyes blinked and focused. She raised her hand.
Fascinating! Edward murmured under his breath. Its like one-way glass. I can read everything theyre thinking, but they cant reach me behind it. And I can hear Renesmee, though I couldnt when I was on the outside. Ill bet Kate could shock me now, because shes underneath the umbrella. I still cant hear you hmmm. How does that work? I wonder if . . .
He continued to mumble to himself, but I couldnt listen to the words. I ground my teeth together, struggling to force the shield out to Garrett, who was closest to Kate. His hand came up.
Very good, Zafrina complimented me. Now
But shed spoken too soon; with a sharp gasp, I felt my shield recoil like a rubber band stretched too far, snapping back into its original shape. Renesmee, experiencing for the first time the blindness Zafrina had conjured for the others, trembled against my back. Wearily, I fought back against the elastic pull, forcing the shield to include her again.
Can I have a minute? I panted. Since Id become a vampire, I hadnt felt the need to rest even once before this moment. It was unnerving to feel so drained and yet so strong at the same time.
Of course, Zafrina said, and the spectators relaxed as she let them see again.
Kate, Garrett called as the others murmured and drifted slightly away, disturbed by the moment of blindness; vampires were not used to feeling vulnerable. The tall, sandy-haired Garrett was the only non-gifted immortal who seemed drawn to my practice sessions. I wondered what the lure was for the adventurer.
I wouldnt, Garrett, Edward cautioned.
Garrett continued toward Kate despite the warning, his lips pursed in speculation. They say you can put a vampire flat on his back.
Yes, she agreed. Then, with a sly smile, she wiggled her fingers playfully at him. Curious?
Garrett shrugged. Thats something Ive never seen. Seems like it might be a bit of an exaggeration. . . .
Maybe, Kate said, her face suddenly serious. Maybe it only works on the weak or the young. Im not sure. You look strong, though. Perhaps you could withstand my gift. She stretched her hand out to him, palm upa clear invitation. Her lips twitched, and I was pretty sure her grave expression was an attempt to hustle him.
Garrett grinned at the challenge. Very confidently, he touched her palm with his index finger.
And then, with a loud gasp, his knees buckled and he keeled over backward. His head hit a piece of granite with a sharp cracking noise. It was shocking to watch. My instincts recoiled against seeing an immortal incapacitated that way; it was profoundly wrong.
I told you so, Edward muttered.
Garretts eyelids trembled for a few seconds, and then his eyes opened wide. H
e stared up at the smirking Kate, and a wondering smile lit his face.
Wow, he said.
Did you enjoy that? she asked skeptically.
Im not crazy, he laughed, shaking his head as he got slowly to his knees, but that was sure something!
Thats what I hear.
Edward rolled his eyes.
And then there was a low commotion from the front yard. I heard Carlisle speaking over a babble of surprised voices.
Did Alice send you? he asked someone, his voice unsure, slightly upset.
Another unexpected guest?
Edward darted into the house and most of the others imitated him. I followed more slowly, Renesmee still perched on my back. I would give Carlisle a moment. Let him warm up the new guest, prepare him or her or them for the idea of what was coming.
I pulled Renesmee into my arms as I walked cautiously around the house to enter through the kitchen door, listening to what I couldnt see.
No one sent us, a deep whispery voice answered Carlisles question. I was immediately reminded of the ancient voices of Aro and Caius, and I froze just inside the kitchen.
I knew the front room was crowdedalmost everyone had gone in to see the newest visitorsbut there was barely any noise. Shallow breathing, that was all.
Carlisles voice was wary as he responded. Then what brings you here now?
Word travels, a different voice answered, just as feathery as the first. We heard hints that Volturi were moving against you. There were whispers that you would not stand alone. Obviously, the whispers were true. This is an impressive gathering.
We are not challenging the Volturi, Carlisle answered in a strained tone. There has been a misunderstanding, that is all. A very serious misunderstanding, to be sure, but one were hoping to clear up. What you see are witnesses. We just need the Volturi to listen. We didnt
We dont care what they say you did, the first voice interrupted. And we dont care if you broke the law.
No matter how egregiously, the second inserted.
Weve been waiting a millennium and a half for the Italian scum to be challenged, said the first. If there is any chance they will fall, we will be here to see it.
Or even to help defeat them, the second added. They spoke in a smooth tandem, their voices so similar that less sensitive ears would assume there was only one speaker. If we think you have a chance of success.
Bella? Edward called to me in a hard voice. Bring Renesmee here, please. Maybe we should test our Romanian visitors claims.
It helped to know that probably half of the vampires in the other room would come to Renesmees defense if these Romanians were upset by her. I didnt like the sound of their voices, or the dark menace in their words. As I walked into the room, I could see that I was not alone in that assessment. Most of the motionless vampires glared with hostile eyes, and a fewCarmen, Tanya, Zafrina, and Sennarepositioned themselves subtly into defensive poses between the newcomers and Renesmee.
The vampires at the door were both slight and short, one dark-haired and the other with hair so ashy blond that it looked pale gray. They had the same powdery look to their skin as the Volturi, though I thought it was not so pronounced. I couldnt be sure about that, as I had never seen the Volturi except with human eyes; I could not make a perfect comparison. Their sharp, narrow eyes were dark burgundy, with no milky film. They wore very simple black clothes that could pass as modern but hinted at older designs.
The dark one grinned when I came into view. Well, well, Carlisle. You have been naughty, havent you?
Shes not what you think, Stefan.
And we dont care either way, the blonde responded. As we said before.
Then youre welcome to observe, Vladimir, but it is definitely not our plan to challenge the Volturi, as we said before.
Then well just cross our fingers, Stefan began.
And hope we get lucky, finished Vladimir.
In the end, we had pulled together seventeen witnessesthe Irish, Siobhan, Liam, and Maggie; the Egyptians, Amun, Kebi, Benjamin, and Tia; the Amazons, Zafrina and Senna; the Romanians, Vladimir and Stefan; and the nomads, Charlotte and Peter, Garrett, Alistair, Mary, and Randallto supplement our family of eleven. Tanya, Kate, Eleazar, and Carmen insisted on being counted as part of our family.
Aside from the Volturi, it was probably the largest friendly gathering of mature vampires in immortal history.
We all were beginning to be a little bit hopeful. Even I couldnt help it. Renesmee had won over so many in such a brief time. The Volturi only had to listen for just the tiniest second. . . .
The last two surviving Romaniansfocused only on their bitter resentment of the ones who had overthrown their empire fifteen hundred years earliertook everything in stride. They would not touch Renesmee, but they showed no aversion to her. They seemed mysteriously delighted by our alliance with the werewolves. They watched me practice my shield with Zafrina and Kate, watched Edward answer unspoken questions, watched Benjamin pull geysers of water from the river or sharp gusts of wind from the still air with just his mind, and their eyes glowed with their fierce hope that the Volturi had finally met their match.
We did not hope for the same things, but we all hoped.
33. FORGERY
Charlie, weve still got that strictly need-to-know company situation going. I know its been more than a week since you saw Renesmee, but a visit is just not a good idea right now. How about I bring Renesmee over to see you?
Charlie was quiet for so long that I wondered if he heard the strain beneath my faade.
But then he muttered, Need to know, ugh, and I realized it was just his wariness of the supernatural that made him slow to respond.
Okay, kid, Charlie said. Can you bring her over this morning? Sues bringing me lunch. Shes just as horrified by my cooking as you were when you first showed up.
Charlie laughed and then sighed for the old days.
This morning will be perfect. The sooner the better. Id already put this off too long.
Is Jake coming with you guys?
Though Charlie didnt know anything about werewolf imprinting, no one could be oblivious to the attachment between Jacob and Renesmee.
Probably. There was no way Jacob would voluntarily miss an afternoon with Renesmee sans bloodsuckers.
Maybe I should invite Billy, too, Charlie mused. But hmm. Maybe another time.
I was only half paying attention to Charlieenough to notice the strange reluctance in his voice when he spoke of Billy, but not enough to worry what that was about. Charlie and Billy were grown-ups; if there was something going on between them, they could figure it out for themselves. I had too many more important things to obsess over.
See you in a few, I told him, and hung up.
This trip was about more than protecting my father from the twenty-seven oddly matched vampireswho all had sworn not to kill anyone in a three-hundred-mile radius, but still Obviously, no human being should get anywhere near this group. This was the excuse Id given Edward: I was taking Renesmee to Charlie so that he wouldnt decide to come here. It was a good reason for leaving the house, but not my real reason at all.
Why cant we take your Ferrari? Jacob complained when he met me in the garage. I was already in Edwards Volvo with Renesmee.
Edward had gotten around to revealing my after car; as hed suspected, I had not been capable of showing the appropriate enthusiasm. Sure, it was pretty and fast, but I liked to run.
Too conspicuous, I answered. We could go on foot, but that would freak Charlie out.
Jacob grumbled but got into the front seat. Renesmee climbed from my lap to his.
How are you? I asked him as I pulled out of the garage.
How do you think? Jacob asked bitingly. Im sick of all these reeking bloodsuckers. He saw my expression and spoke before I could answer. Yeah, I know, I know. Theyre the good guys, theyre here to help, theyre going to save us all. Etcetera, etcetera. Say what you want, I still think Dracula One and Dracula Two are creep-tacular.
br /> I had to smile. The Romanians werent my favorite guests, either. I dont disagree with you there.
Renesmee shook her head but said nothing; unlike the rest of us, she found the Romanians strangely fascinating. Shed made the effort to speak to them aloud since they would not let her touch them. Her question was about their unusual skin and, though I was afraid they might be offended, I was kind of glad shed asked. I was curious, too.
They hadnt seemed upset by her interest. Maybe a little rueful.
We sat still for a very long time, child, Vladimir had answered, with Stefan nodding along but not continuing Vladimirs sentences as he often did. Contemplating our own divinity. It was a sign of our power that everything came to us. Prey, diplomats, those seeking our favor. We sat on our thrones and thought ourselves gods. We didnt notice for a long time that we were changingalmost petrifying. I suppose the Volturi did us one favor when they burned our castles. Stefan and I, at least, did not continue to petrify. Now the Volturis eyes are filmed with dusty scum, but ours are bright. I imagine that will give us an advantage when we gouge theirs from their sockets.