heartbeat ⇢ demetri volturi

𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒓

Quick note: If you like the story, please don't forget to vote and comment. It's a good motivation to keep writing.

ღ

"𝐖𝐇𝐘 𝐃𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐕𝐎𝐋𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐈 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐊 𝐖𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐀 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓?"

She gazed into the mind reader's face, her anticipation palpable as she awaited a response. She had attempted to pose that question to several of the Cullens, but the answers were always elusive, as if they were trying to shield her from a dreadful truth.

And Eleanor knew that was indeed the case.

That's why she went straight to the person she knew couldn't lie to her. He could read her mind, know that she was ready for any dreadful truth, or rather, she needed to know the dreadful truth in order to prepare herself.

That was how she had grown up, after all. Renesmee may have grown up in a family that protected her from the very beginning, even before she was born. But Eleanor hadn't, and so, understanding the truth became essential if she wanted to face what lay ahead.

"You are not alone in this Eleanor, we will protect you," the vampire said, delving into her thoughts. Still, Eleanor insisted. 

Edward exhaled wearily. It was hard to remember that the half-human half-vampire was only a year old, as her thoughts and reasoning bordered on that of an adult. It was both fascinating and terrifying at the same time.

"You know what immortal children are, right?" Eleanor nodded. Children turned into vampires, charming and tender-hearted, but burdened with an inability to comprehend the rules, which made them extremely dangerous. "Irina Denali saw Renesmee from afar. She saw an infant with all the characteristics that make us vampires. She didn't pause to listen any further. Driven by her respect for the laws of our world, she informed the Volturi about her existence."

"But we're not that," Eleanor frowned. It wasn't fair at all. How could Irina make such accusations without verifying her information first?

"She has a complicated past with this matter in particular," Edward replied. Eleanor thought that still didn't justify her actions. The vampire agreed. "We were searching for evidence to prove her wrong when we came across Thomas. He was doing the same for you, although not for the same reasons. And when he met Renesmee, he knew she was just like you, the little girl hiding in his house."

"Of course, your existence still remains hidden from the Volturi. They only know about Renesmee."

Eleanor tried not to jump to a rushed conclusion, but as always, Edward was already on her mind.

"No, it wouldn't have served any purpose for you to stay hidden. Think about it. If not now, how long do you think it would take for the Volturi to find you? Thomas pondered on this too. From the moment he found us, he knew that you were doomed in the same way. Aro would have discovered your existence through us. And then, after Renesmee, they would have come for you."

"So he thought it would be better to face them all together?"

Edward nodded. "Exactly," he glanced at his family in the distance. Bella and Kate Denali were training, attempting to strengthen the former's apparent gift. "So we came up with the idea that it would be best for you to come here. Fill the house with witnesses so that everyone can see how you and Renesmee grow, how you can coexist peacefully without posing threats to humans."

She followed the direction of his gaze. Emmett had already been shock twice without Bella being able to protect him, causing great frustration in the female vampire. "But... Why then are you preparing for a fight?"