#huilen

"Who's Chelsea?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"She's one of Aro's guards," Gabriel replied, gesturing towards a petite girl with light brown hair. "He's been using her to amass power for centuries. And because of her crucial role in the coven, Aro grants her every wish."

I shook my head in disbelief. How could someone be so easily manipulated?

"What's her power?" I asked, eager to learn more.

"She has the ability to influence the emotional ties between people," Gabriel explained. "She can either strengthen or weaken these bonds."

I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread wash over me. If Chelsea were to use her power against us, we would be in serious trouble.

But then Joseph spoke up, a smug smile on his face. "It's a good thing we have a shield on our side," he said.

Edward turned to his wife, a look of concern etched on his face. "Are you doing that?" he asked.

Bella smiled grimly at him. "I am all over this," she replied, her eyes flashing with determination.

As I watched the scene unfold before me, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the strength and resilience of my family. We may be facing a formidable opponent, but we were not going down without a fight.

Edward stumbled away from me, his hand outstretched towards Carlisle. Bella's face contorted and her body stiffened, as if she had been struck by an invisible force. In response, my right hand began to emit a faint purple glow.

"Carlisle, are you okay?" Edward gasped, his voice laced with panic.

"I'm fine, why do you ask?" Carlisle replied calmly.

"Jane," Edward muttered, his eyes darting around the room.

Suddenly, it dawned on me. Bella's shield was impervious to Jane's pain-inducing illusions. As soon as Edward mentioned her name, a barrage of sharp attacks rained down on Bella's shield, aimed at twelve different points.

"Incredible," Edward breathed.

"Why aren't they waiting for the verdict?" Tanya hissed, her eyes darting around the room.

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

Jane glared at our group with a look of seething disbelief. Then, she let out a piercing snarl that echoed through the chamber. Everyone jumped, even the stoic guards. Only the ancient vampires remained unfazed, engrossed in their private conference. Her twin brother caught her arm as she crouched, ready to pounce.

The Romanians were filled with a sinister glee, their eyes glinting with dark anticipation. Vladimir turned to Stefan, a wicked grin spreading across his face.

"I told you this was our time," he said, his voice dripping with malice.

Stefan let out a deep, throaty chuckle. "Just look at the witch's face," he said, nodding towards their target.

Alec stood beside her, his face perfectly smooth and angelic. He patted his sister's shoulder soothingly, then tucked her under his arm. His eyes flicked towards us, but his expression remained composed.

I felt a shiver run down my spine. Was he preparing to attack? Was he getting through Bella's shield?

Bella's voice was choked with fear. "Are you okay?" she asked Edward.

He whispered back, "Yes."

I turned to Gabriel. "Is Alec trying?"

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

I watched in horror as Alec's hands released dark mists, slowly creeping towards us. Then I remembered what Gabriel had told me about Alec - he was a master of illusion, able to manipulate the senses and bend reality to his will. I braced myself for the worst, knowing that we were in for a terrifying ride.

As Bella thrusted her shield forward, my midnight locks cascaded down my back like a river of silk, while my hands ignited into two pulsating orbs of neon purple. The flames danced and flickered, rising higher and higher until they were a blazing inferno.

Aro's eyes glinted with a mischievous light as he watched me with rapt attention. His lips curved into a small smile, revealing his sharp, pointed teeth. Gabriel, on the other hand, looked on with a mixture of concern and fear etched on his face.

I glared at Aro, my golden eyes now transformed into two glowing orbs of purple. I bared my teeth, snarling at him, hoping to intimidate him. But instead of cowering in fear, his smile widened, and his eyes sparkled with delight.

He was pleased with what he saw.

"Stop it, Violet," Gabriel whispered in a commanding tone. "Can't you see Aro? It's making him joyful."

Joseph chimed in, "He's right. You're playing right into his hands."

They were both right. Aro wanted to see what we were capable of, what I was capable of. I extinguished the flames reluctantly, letting the purple light fade from my eyes. Aro's smile faltered slightly, but he still watched me with intense interest.

"I wonder," I heard Ingram whispered behind me and I saw his hand stretching out.

"What are you doing?" I asked him.

"Alec's power is in a form of a dark mist, and I can control shadows..."

Ingram's voice trailed off as he focused, his eyes narrowing in concentration. His outstretched hand began to emit a shadowy tendril that intertwined with the creeping dark mist from Alec. The room's temperature seemed to drop as the two forces met in mid-air, creating a palpable tension.

"Ingram, be careful," Bella warned, her voice tense. She tightened her grip on Edward's hand, her shield expanding further to protect our group from any potential threat.

Ingram didn't reply; his focus was entirely on the shadowy duel.

"Bella, your shield," Edward said, his voice taut with urgency. "Keep it tight. Alec is still trying."

Bella nodded, her face set in concentration. I could almost see the invisible barrier she projected, shimmering and solidifying around us. Alec's dark mists coiled and writhed just outside its bounds, unable to penetrate.

The field grew still, everyone watching the struggle between the dark mist and the shadows. For a moment, it seemed like Alec's power would overwhelm Ingram's. The mist pushed forward, inching closer to us. But then, with a final surge of effort, Ingram's shadows engulfed the mist, swallowing it whole.

Alec's expression changed from calm to shocked as he realized his attack had been neutralized. His angelic face twisted into a mask of fury, but he remained silent, his eyes darting to Aro for guidance.

Aro's smile had vanished, replaced with a look of mild surprise. He glanced between Alec and Ingram, his mind clearly racing as he recalibrated his strategy.

Suddenly, the ground beneath us began to tremble, and a fierce gust of wind whipped the snow into a frenzy, obscuring our view of the Volturi's position. Benjamin, ever vigilant, attempted to disperse the mist with a powerful gust of wind, but to no avail. The mist remained impervious, like a shadow unaffected by the wind.

As we watched, the ancient vampires' triangular formation began to crumble, and a deep, jagged fissure tore through the clearing with a deafening groan. The earth shook beneath our feet, and the snow cascaded into the gaping hole. But the mist, like a ghostly apparition, glided effortlessly over the chasm, unfazed by the laws of gravity.

"I got this, Benjamin," Ingram's voice carried a confidence that momentarily eased the tension. His focus intensified, and his shadowy tendrils grew stronger, more defined, as they wrestled with Alec's dark mist. The air grew colder, the ground trembling beneath the weight of the clashing powers.

The Volturi watched with varying degrees of interest and concern. Aro's calculating eyes flicked between Ingram and the rest of our group, assessing the situation. Caius, ever the aggressor, seemed ready to leap into action, while Marcus appeared disinterested, lost in his own thoughts.

"Is he going to be okay?" I asked Gabriel, my voice barely a whisper.

"He'll manage," Gabriel replied, though his tone lacked the confidence of his words.

Aro and Caius gazed in awe at the spectacle before them, while Marcus remained stoic and unmoved. The mist drew closer, and even the wind's howling grew louder, but it was all for naught. The mist continued its relentless advance, and Jane's smile grew wider.

Then, the mist collided with an invisible barrier, and it recoiled, searching for a weakness. But there was none to be found. The mist's tendrils twisted and turned, seeking a way in, but the protective screen was too vast and impenetrable.

The air was thick with anticipation as the two sides faced off across Benjamin's gorge. The tension was palpable, and every breath felt like a weighty decision. Suddenly, there were gasps from both sides as Bella stepped forward, her eyes fixed on her opponent.

"Well done, Bella!" Benjamin's voice was low but filled with admiration as he cheered her on.

Bella's smile was radiant as she acknowledged the boyish vampire's praise. She knew that this was her moment to shine, and she was determined to make the most of it.

Benjamin looked over at Ingram. "He's doing great, too," he said, his eyes shining with pride.

"I guess there's no need for my power," Ingram said, lowering his hands and his shadow tendrils disappearing from sight.

Alec's eyes narrowed as he watched them, doubt etched on his face. His mist swirled harmlessly around the edges of Bella's shield. As it cleared, Bella stood tall and proud, her shield still intact. She had proven herself to be a force to be reckoned with, and the victory was sweet. With a smile on her face, she turned to Benjamin and nodded her thanks.

Bella had become our beacon of hope, the one we all relied on to keep us alive. She was our number-one priority, the first one to die if anything went wrong. But as long as she held, we were on more than equal footing with the Volturi. We still had Benjamin and Zafrina; they had no supernatural help at all. As long as Bella held.

"I'm going to need to focus," Bella whispered to Edward, her eyes locked on the approaching enemy. "It's going to be harder to keep the shield around the right people in hand-to-hand combat."

"I'll keep them off you," Edward replied, his voice steady and determined.

"No. You have to get to Demetri. Zafrina will keep them away from me," Bella said, her voice unwavering.

Zafrina nodded solemnly. "No one will lay a finger on this young one," she promised Edward, her eyes blazing with fierce determination.

The tension in the air was palpable as we all prepared for the fight of our lives. The Volturi were closing in, their eyes fixed on Bella, their intentions clear. But we were ready. We had each other, and we had Bella.

"I'll take on Jane," Kate hissed, her eyes flashing with anger. "She needs a taste of her own medicine."

"And Alec owes me many lives," Vladimir growled from the other side. "He's mine."

"I just want Caius," Tanya said evenly, her voice filled with quiet determination.

"I'll get Felix," I joined in.

But just as we were about to launch into battle, Gabriel's voice boomed out, interrupting us all.

"Violet, wait!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the clearing.

Ingram held onto me as the others started divvying up opponents, too, but they were quickly interrupted. We all knew that this was it. The moment we had been preparing for, the moment that would determine our fate. But as long as Bella held, we had a chance. And we were ready to fight with everything we had.

Aro stood there, his eyes fixed on Alec's mist, as if it were a mere inconvenience. Finally, he spoke, his voice calm and measured.

"Before we cast our votes," he began.

But Bella was having none of it. She shook her head, her anger palpable.

What was the point of waiting? We all knew Alec was up to no good.

Aro ignored her outburst and continued. "Let me remind you, whatever the council's decision, there need be no violence here."

Edward let out a low, menacing laugh.

Aro's gaze turned to him, his expression sad. "It would be a great loss to our kind to see any of you perish. Especially you, young Edward, and your newborn mate. The Volturi would be glad to welcome you into our ranks. Bella, Benjamin, Zafrina, Kate, even the young Violet—"

I cursed under my breath. Aro's eyes flicked to me, and I knew he was considering his options.

"There are many choices before you. Consider them," he said, his voice soft. "Consider them."

Chelsea's futile attempt to manipulate us was like a butterfly flapping its wings against a force field. Aro's piercing gaze scanned our unyielding faces, searching for any sign of wavering. But we were resolute, unbreakable.

Aro was desperate to keep Edward and Bella under his control, just as he had hoped to enslave Alice. But this was a battle too grand for him to win. He didn't realise that I was a maxima, capable of obliterating them all with a flick of my wrist.

"Let us vote, then," Aro reluctantly suggested.

Caius, with a sinister grin, eagerly chimed in. "The child is an unknown quantity. There is no reason to allow such a risk to existing. It must be destroyed, along with all who protect it"

Bella, fighting back a scream of defiance, refused to succumb to his cruel taunts.

Marcus lifted his eyes, but they were empty, uncaring. It was as if he was looking through us, not at us. He cast his vote, his voice barely audible, a mere whisper in the wind. "I see no immediate danger. The child is safe enough for now. We can always reevaluate later. Let us leave in peace."

I couldn't help but wonder what had happened to Marcus. What had caused him to become so detached, so indifferent to the world around him? Was it the weight of centuries of existence, or had he suffered some unimaginable tragedy that had left him numb?

Despite his words, I couldn't shake the feeling that Marcus was not to be trusted. His lack of emotion made him an enigma, a puzzle that I couldn't solve. I turned to my father, hoping for some insight.

"Are you surprised by his response?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Gabriel shook his head, his expression unreadable. "No. Marcus has never been one for violence. He's a man of peace, even if that peace is born of indifference."

I couldn't help but curl my lip in disgust. How could someone be so indifferent to the world around them? How could they not care about their own life, their own feelings? It was a mystery that I doubted I would ever solve.

The guards stood at attention, their muscles taut and ready for any sudden movements. Caius, with his sly grin, remained unfazed by Marcus's dissenting words. It was as if the elder vampire's voice had been swallowed by the thick silence that hung in the air.

Aro, the leader of the Volturi, stroked his chin thoughtfully. "It seems I must make the deciding vote," he said, his eyes scanning the room.

Suddenly, Edward's body tensed, his eyes alight with a fierce triumph. Bella and I exchanged confused glances, unsure of what had caused this sudden change in his demeanour. It was as if he had become an angel of destruction, revelling in the chaos he was about to unleash.

The guards murmured uneasily, sensing the shift in the atmosphere. Aro looked at Edward, his expression guarded. "Yes, Edward? You have something further...?" he prompted.

Edward's voice was almost a shout, his excitement barely contained. "Perhaps," he said, his tone pleasant but tinged with a hint of menace.

Aro raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "First, if I could clarify one point?" Edward asked, his voice calm and measured.

"Certainly," Aro replied, his tone polite but wary.

"The danger you foresee from my daughter - this stems entirely from our inability to guess how she will develop? That is the crux of the matter?" Edward asked, his eyes locked on Aro's.

Aro nodded slowly. "Yes, friend Edward. 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, his voice tinged with regret.

"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, his feathery voice slightly shrill. He couldn't see where Edward was leading him. Neither could I. "Then, yes, there would be no question to debate."

"And we would part in peace, good friends once again?" Edward asked with a hint of irony.

Even more shrill. "Of course, my young friend. Nothing would please me more."

Edward chuckled exultantly. "Then I do have something more to offer."

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

"Not absolutely unique," Edward disagreed. "Rare, certainly, but not one of a kind."

My mind was a whirlwind of confusion, a storm of thoughts and emotions that threatened to consume me. But then, in a sudden moment, Bella flinched and her mouth twitched. It was as if she was battling against something invisible, something that wasn't me. My eyes darted towards the Volturi, and I saw Jane's furious gaze fixed on Bella. The sight of that little girl trying to harm my friend ignited a purple glow within me.

But before I could act, Ingram gripped my wrists tightly. Suddenly, a hot burning sensation rushed through my body. Then I realised he was touching the Lunaris Mark. "Ingram..." I gritted my teeth.

"I know it hurts," Ingram said to my ear. "But you need to calm down."

"Aro, would you kindly ask Jane to stop attacking my wife and my friend?" Edward's voice was calm and polite. "We are still discussing evidence."

"I wasn't trying to hurt your friend," Jane said but there was a slight innocence in her tone.

Aro turned his gaze to Jane, his expression softening into a mild reprimand. "Jane, my dear, you must restrain yourself. We are here to listen, not to provoke."

Jane's eyes flicked to Aro, then to Edward, and finally to Bella and me. Her look of innocent compliance did little to hide the malice behind it. She nodded, her lips pressed tightly together.

Aro raised his hand in a gesture of peace. "Let us hear him out, dear ones."

I watched as Bella relaxed, the invisible jabs no longer tormenting her. Jane snarled at her, but Bella simply grinned back.

"Why don't you join us, Alice?" Edward's voice rang out, breaking the tense silence.

The name echoed through the air like a desperate plea, a frantic call for a missing soul. "Alice! Alice! Where the hell was Alice?!" The words played heavy in my head during the tense atmosphere, a chorus of worried voices murmuring the same question.

And then, a single voice cut through the chaos. "Alice," Aro breathed, his tone a mixture of relief and disbelief.

I turned to face him, my own emotions a jumbled mess. Relief flooded through me at the sight of Alice, safe and sound. But anger simmered just beneath the surface, a fiery reminder of the fear and uncertainty that had plagued us all in her absence.

I didn't know what to expect as Alice approached us, her expression unreadable. But as she drew closer, I felt a sense of calm wash over me. We would deal with the fallout of her disappearance later. For now, all that mattered was that she was back.

The forest was alive with the sound of pounding footsteps, a symphony of movement that echoed through the trees. It was as if the very earth was trembling beneath their feet, urging them forward with a fierce urgency. The air was thick with anticipation, both sides poised for the inevitable clash.

The Volturi witnesses scowled in confusion, their eyes darting back and forth as they tried to make sense of the chaos unfolding before them. And then, like a bolt of lightning, Alice danced into the clearing from the southwest, her lithe form moving with a grace that defied description. Jasper was only inches behind her, his sharp eyes scanning the area for any sign of danger.

But it was the three strangers who captured everyone's attention. The first was a tall, muscular female with wild dark hair, her elongated limbs and features marking her as one of the Amazons. Kachiri, I learned later. Her eyes blazed with a fierce intensity, her every movement radiating power and strength.

The second was a small olive-toned female vampire, her long braid of black hair bobbing against her back as she nervously scanned the confrontation before her. Her deep burgundy eyes flickered with uncertainty, as if she was unsure of her place in this battle.

And then there was the young man, his skin an impossibly rich, dark brown that seemed to glow in the dappled sunlight. His wary eyes flashed across the gathering, the warm teak colour drawing everyone's attention. His hair was black and braided, like the woman's, though not as long. He was beautiful, in a way that took your breath away.

As he neared us, a new sound sent shock waves through the watching crowd—the sound of another heartbeat, accelerated with exertion. It was like Renesmee's, and suddenly everything fell into place. The battle lines were drawn, and there was no turning back.

Alice danced gracefully through the dissipating mist, her lithe form coming to a sinuous stop at Edward's side. Bella reached out to touch her arm, and the rest of the Cullen clan followed suit, their welcoming gestures hurried and brief. There was no time for pleasantries, not with the looming threat of the Volturi's attack.

Jasper and the others trailed behind Alice, their eyes flickering with speculation as they crossed the invisible border without difficulty. Felix and his ilk watched with sudden hope, their eyes fixed on Bella. They had been unsure of what her shield could repel, but it was now clear that it would not stop a physical attack.

As Aro prepared to give the order for the blitz, I couldn't help but wonder how many of the Volturi's soldiers Zafrina would be able to blind. Would it be enough to slow them down, to give Kate and Vladimir the chance to take out Jane and Alec? It was all I could hope for.

Edward, his focus on the coup he was directing, stiffened in response to their thoughts. He fought to control his fury and spoke to Aro once more.

"Alice has been searching for her witnesses these last weeks," he said to the ancient. "And she does not come back empty-handed. Alice, why don't you introduce the witnesses you've brought?"

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

Aro raised one finger to silence his brother, his eyes glued to Alice's face.

Alice stepped forward lightly and introduced the strangers. "This is Huilen and her nephew, Nahuel."

Caius's eyes tightened as Alice named the relationship between the newcomers. 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."

The slight woman looked at Alice nervously. Alice nodded in encouragement, and Kachiri put her long hand on the little vampire's shoulder.

"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 and 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 bowed her head when she was finished and moved back so she was partially hidden behind Kachiri. Aro's lips were pursed. He stared at the dark-skinned youth.

"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."

My eyes flickered towards Renesmee. The words that had just left his lips were almost too surreal to comprehend. But amidst the shock and disbelief, a sense of relief washed over me. At least she wasn't alone in this world, I thought to myself, grateful for the company of those who understood her unique existence.

"And your diet?" Aro pressed, seeming interested in spite of himself.

"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."

A shocked murmur ran through all three groups.

Aro's eyebrows shot up. "The rest?"

"My sisters." Nahuel shrugged again.

Aro stared wildly for a moment before composing his face.

"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 did not attempt to disguise the disgust in his tone.

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

"No," Bella responded. Nahuel's head snapped up at his question, and his teak eyes turned to bore into her face.

Caius looked to Aro for confirmation, but Aro was absorbed in his thoughts.

He pursed his lips and stared at Carlisle, and then Edward, and at last his eyes rested on me.

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

Aro's gaze bore into us, unyielding and intense. I couldn't fathom what he was seeking, nor what he had discovered, but as he scrutinized me for what felt like an eternity, a subtle transformation overtook his features. His mouth and eyes shifted ever so slightly, and in that instant, it seemed that Aro had reached a verdict.

"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, his expression solemn. And then he turned back to his guard with a warm smile.

"Dear ones," he called. "We do not fight today."

The sentries synchronised their movements, standing tall and alert as the mist dispersed into nothingness. Aro pivoted towards us, his expression as amiable as ever, yet I detected an eerie emptiness lurking beneath his facade. It was as if his machinations had reached their conclusion. Caius seethed with fury, but his anger was now directed inward, his spirit broken. Marcus appeared disinterested, his demeanour bordering on boredom. The guards were once again stoic and disciplined, devoid of individuality, functioning as a cohesive unit. They were poised to depart, their formation impeccable. The Volturi witnesses remained cautious, departing one by one, vanishing into the surrounding forest. As their numbers dwindled, the remaining few hastened their pace until they too had vanished, leaving us alone in the eerie silence.

Aro extended his hands towards us, a gesture that seemed almost apologetic. As we watched, the majority of the guard, flanked by Caius, Marcus, and their enigmatic wives, began to fade into the distance with a precision that was almost mechanical. Only the three figures that appeared to be Aro's protectors remained, hovering at his side like loyal sentinels.

"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 ourshoulders."

"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's head hung low, a portrait of regret, as he slowly retreated. However, his gaze lingered on Alice, Bella, and myself, and a sly grin crept across his lips. "Such a prize," he murmured under his breath before pivoting on his heel and disappearing into the shadows.

The air was electric with excitement and relief. We had done it. We had stood up to the Volturi and won. As the last of them disappeared into the trees, we watched in awe and wonder. It was as if the world had stopped spinning, and we were suspended in time, basking in the glory of our victory.

Bella's voice broke the silence, barely above a whisper. "Is it really over?" she asked, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Edward's smile was radiant. "Yes," he said, his voice filled with triumph. "They've given up. Like all bullies, they're cowards underneath the swagger."

Alice laughed, her joy infectious. "Seriously, people. They're not coming back. Everybody can relax now."

For a moment, we all stood there, taking in the enormity of what had just happened. Then Vladimir spoke up, his voice ringing with determination. "Now we have them on the run," he declared, marching forward. "Now it's the time to attack."

But Gabriel shook his head, pulling Helena close. "Not today," he said softly. "Today, we celebrate."

Stefan snarled, his eyes blazing with fury. "You're all fools!" he roared at us. "The Volturi might be gone, but they will never forgive for what happened here."

Silence descended once more, heavy and oppressive. But then, out of nowhere, it hit us. Cheers erupted, deafening howls filling the clearing.

Maggie's hand came down hard on Siobhan's back, a gesture of congratulations for a job well done. Rosalie and Emmett's lips met once more, their passion igniting like a wildfire. Joseph lifted Rhona off the ground, twirling her around in a dizzying display of affection. Rhona clung to him, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck.

Simon, Alana, and Ethan shared a group hug, their bodies entwined in a warm embrace. Leah nuzzled her head against Ethan's face, revelling in the closeness they shared.

Benjamin and Tia were lost in each other's arms, their love a flame that burned bright and true. Carmen and Eleazar held each other close, their bond unbreakable. Esme enveloped Alice and Jasper in a tight embrace, her love for them overflowing.

Carlisle expressed his gratitude to the South American newcomers, his words filled with warmth and sincerity. Kachiri stood close to Zafrina and Senna, their fingertips interlocked in a show of unity and strength.

Garrett lifted Kate off the ground, spinning her around in a joyous display of affection. Love was in the air, and it was a beautiful thing to behold.

Stefan hocked a loogie onto the pristine snow, his breath visible in the frigid air. Vladimir's jaw clenched, his face twisted in a sour expression. Without a word, they darted into the dense woods, disappearing into the shadows.

I turned around and looked up at Ingram. He wrapped his arms around my waist and lifted me off the snowy ground. I could feel the warmth of his embrace, a stark contrast to the chill that hung in the air. As he set me back down, he leaned in close, his breath brushing against my ear.

"I love you," he whispered, his voice filled with awe and relief. "I love you."

He still held me close to him, his left arm still snaking around my waist and his right hand caressing my hair. I hugged his neck as he did so. I pulled him closer to me and I kissed him. The kiss was a promise, a silent vow of everything we had fought for and everything we would protect. The world around us faded, and for that moment, it was just the two of us, standing against the tide of time and destiny.

"Okay, lovebirds, that's a little too much," I heard Joseph say and Ingram growled as he forcibly pulled himself away from me.

"Really, brother?" Ingram said, still holding onto me. "You were doing the same thing with Rhona."

Joseph chuckled, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "Fair enough, fair enough. But there's a whole celebration going on, in case you didn't notice."

Ingram rolled his eyes but smiled, releasing me slightly but keeping me close. The warmth of his embrace lingered, even as we turned our attention back to our friends and allies.

The joy and relief in the clearing were palpable, and it seemed everyone was eager to savor this rare moment of peace and camaraderie. Fires were lit, and groups formed naturally, sharing stories and laughter that echoed into the night. The tension of the past weeks had melted away, leaving behind a sense of unity and triumph.

I stood there, my fingers coiling around the delicate necklace that hung around my neck. The pendant felt warm against my frozen skin, a comforting weight that anchored me to the present moment. Suddenly, Seth appeared at my side, his paw prints fresh in the snow. I gazed into his soulful eyes and he let out a plaintive yelp.

"I know," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. "Ayla will be safe now."

Seth nodded, his furry head bobbing up and down in agreement. I wrapped my arms around his thick neck, burying my face in his soft fur. He purred contentedly, rubbing his nose against my sleeve.