Rewrite: Kind but Scary

Chapter 15: The Human Toll and the Volturi's Terms

Chapter 15: The Human Toll and the Volturi's Terms

"Oh, and when I say Squibs can't use magic, they can, but only a small amount of it," Jasmine explained, gesturing softly. "They still have a powerful type of passive ability to help them, while some only have a low-rate ability but can still protect themselves from harm."

"Oh, and Eddie," Jasmine said, turning her bright green eyes toward Edward. "Could you drink this potion that Papa made, please?"

Edward—whose soul carried the heavy, lingering echo of the boy Cedric whom Jasmine had once lost—looked cautious. But seeing the absolute earnestness in her gaze, he raised the vial and drank the potion anyway.

A sudden, jarring gasp escaped his throat. He clutched his chest, feeling his dead, frozen heart give a violent, heavy thud. The cold marble of his skin flushed with sudden, radiating warmth. He gasped again, feeling the rush of oxygen filling lungs that hadn't breathed in a century.

"What... what did you do?" he exclaimed, staring at his hands in shock.

Jasmine offered a sweet, dangerous smile. "I made a potion to turn you human for about two hours."

"Yes, but why?" he asked, his voice now carrying a distinctly human raspy timber.

Jasmine walked right up to him. "Easy. So I could do this."

"What do you—"

Before Edward could finish his sentence, Jasmine reached out and firmly grabbed him by the ear, pulling him downward.

"This is what I was going to do!" Jasmine lectured angrily, her voice dropping to a dangerous, icy register that echoed off the stone walls. "HOW DARE YOU leave like a coward, knowing damn well you would both feel the agonizing pain of a severed bond! Did you honestly think it was a good idea to run to the Volturi and beg them to kill you just to escape the mess you made?"

Every vampire in the room stared in a mixture of profound amusement and genuine dread. The tiny witch's glare was absolutely terrifying, her magical aura flaring with a dangerous heat. Standing nearby, Alice and Bella tried desperately to hide their snickers behind their hands, while the rest of the guard stood completely frozen.

"You have exactly two minutes to explain why you—and only you—truly decided to leave," Jasmine commanded, keeping a firm grip on his burning, human ear.

Edward groaned, wincing at the very real, human pain. "I had to!" he huffed. "I did it to keep her safe!"

"Safe? SAFE?!" Jasmine yelled, finally releasing his ear but stepping closer. "You left her completely unwatched when you knew damn well a vengeful, red-headed vampire was actively hunting her! Alice couldn't see Victoria coming because Victoria knows Alice's gift is entirely based on making decisions that can change the future! She bypassed her vision perfectly!"

Edward stared at her, his human heart hammering against his ribs in sheer shock.

"So you better have another excuse," Jasmine warned, her green eyes shimmering with sudden, heavy tears. "Because if not, I am dragging you home by your hair, telling Carlisle exactly what you did, and letting him deal with you. You broke your promise to her, Edward."

He looked at her with deeply apologetic, sad eyes, reaching out a hand. But Jasmine stepped back, turning to wrap her arms tightly around Bella. Bella held her back just as fiercely.

"Bella... there is no reason for you to hide your pain anymore," Jasmine whispered softly against her hair. "Just let it all out."

A choked sob escaped Bella's throat. Her knees gave out, and Jasmine sank to the cold stone floor with her, holding her close as Bella finally let the months of bottled-up grief and agony wash over her in a torrent of tears.

The Sovereign's Agreement

"Well, this has been quite an event," Aro murmured, stepping forward with a creepy, yet undeniably beautiful smile. "If you like, I would like to propose an agreement."

Edward, feeling the transition of the potion beginning to fade as his skin turned cold and marble-like once more, let out a low, protective growl. Jasmine didn't even look at him; she simply reached down, slipped off one of her heavy black combat boots, and threw it with perfect accuracy straight at his head.

Thwack! Edward stumbled back, rubbing his forehead in shock. He took a step toward her, but the moment he locked eyes with Jasmine's cold, warning glare, he wisely shut his mouth and stepped back. Jasmine turned her head, nodding politely to Aro. "Please, continue."

"Thank you, darling," Aro smiled, his eyes gleaming. "I would like for both Isabella Marie Swan and Lily to be turned after their graduation. Once Lily finishes her school year, Caius, Athenodora, and Theo will bring her back to Volterra with them. To facilitate this, they will attend the human school in America as teachers."

Caius, Athenodora, and Theo—along with Theo's sister, Thea—did not look particularly thrilled about the prospect of interacting with human teenagers, but they bowed their heads in respectful obedience to the King's decree. Jasmine offered the four of them a deeply apologetic look and a small, sheepish smile.

The moment the tension broke, Felix and Demetri came rushing over to Jasmine, throwing their arms around her.

"NOOOOO! Don't go, don't go!" they whined in unison, shaking her gently.

Jasmine laughed, the sound bright and musical as she patted their massive shoulders. She placed her left hand on Felix's cheek and her right on Demetri's. "I know, my darling brothers, but you must understand that it has to be this way for now. I have to finish my studies."

Both guards nodded sadly, reluctantly letting her go. They stepped over to Bella, wrapping her in a warm, protective embrace. Bella smiled through her tears, whispering that they were exactly the brothers she had always needed in her life.

"You are always welcome in Volterra, sister," Demetri promised softly, releasing her