The Edge

xxiii.

"Aro, you see no rules have been broken here." Carlisle reminded the man. "Agreed, but does it then follow there is no danger?" Aro stepped forward, unsure of whether he wanted to allow the Cullens to escape from his grasp. "For the first time in our history, humans pose a threat to our kind." Aro looked over at the family before turning to his guard. "Their modern technology has given birth to weapons that could destroy us." Aro informed his guard, glancing back at the Cullens. "Maintaining our secret has never been more imperative." Aro turned to his guard again. "In such imperialist times, only the known is safe, only the known is tolerable." Aro revealed that he was not about to go down without a fight, Caius and Alec grinning at their master's words. "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." Aro gestured back to Renesmee, facing the Cullens again. Emma felt her heart jump and she glanced over Paul's wolf form to make eye contact with her mother. If the Volturi were worried about what would become of Renesmee, would they accept her story as evidence of no harm? Rosalie softly shook her head at her daughter, clenching her fists at the idea of Emma sacrificing herself for the greater good. Emmett met the eyes of Paul and the shifter growled lowly when he realized what his mate was thinking. Bella seemed angry as well when suddenly another presence arrived.

"Alice." Edward spoke in shock as Aro spoke in glee. The group of covens watched as Alice and Jasper walked out from the woods and toward Aro. Three guards intercepted the couple, roughly shoving them back as they went to approach Aro. "My dear, dear Alice, we're so glad to see you here, after all." Aro mused as he grinned at the sight of the woman. "I have evidence the child won't be a risk to our kind." Alice peaked around the guards to address Aro. "Let me show you." Alice held out her hand confidently. "Brother." Caius warned Aro as Aro began to reach out this hand for Alice's. Aro ignored Caius' warning and Alice pushed her way through the guards. Jasper tried to fight through as well, only to be restrained more. Aro eagerly grabbed Alice's hand, staring intently into her eyes.

"It doesn't matter what I show you, even when you see, you still won't change your decision." Alice scoffed at the man's lack of sight before turning around. "Now!" Alice whispered to Bella from across the field and Emma's eyes furrowed as she looked at Bella's broken expression. Bella and Jacob made eyes contact before the wolf turned around and harshly ripped past his old pack. "Get them." Caius instructed angrily as he saw Jacob take off with Renesmee. In order to protect herself Alice kicked Aro unexpectedly in the head, sending the man flying far behind his guard. Unfortunately, Aro landed on his feet after everyone starred in suspense. Two guards quickly stepped up and grabbed Alice, the woman struggling in their grip. "Take her away." Aro demanded and everyone behind Carlisle hesitantly took a step forward, looking to Carlisle for guidance. The pack dropped into a fighting position and Paul growled loudly from beside Emma, fearing for his imprint's life. "Let her go!" Carlisle yelled out as he took off toward the Volturi, one of the members meeting him halfway. Carlisle fought his way through two more guards before Aro leaped into the air after him.

Emma's heart dropped and the Cullen coven starred in shock as Aro returned to the ground, holding Carlisle's head in his hands, the man's body lying at the feet of Alice. Esme let out a scream of terror and everyone's jaw dropped as Carlisle's body was lit on fire. Everything went in slow motion as Emma looked into the eyes of her mate, preparing herself to run into a fight with her family. Paul didn't make a move when he noticed that Rosalie and Emmett had yet to move. Rosalie sped over to her daughter in an instant as the covens clashed with the Volturi. "Emma, I need you to run. Go with Paul, find Jacob. Protect your Renesmee." Rosalie gripped her daughter's sides as she placed a small manilla envelope in Emma's coat pocket. Emmett and Paul made eye contact and Paul gave a small nod of understanding, recalling the talk they had just the night before. Emma went to protest her mother's demands when a guard member slipped through and headed straight for them. "Go!" Rosalie yelled out at her daughter as Emmett rushed to protect his wife. Paul leaned down for Emma to hop on his back and with one last look at her mother, Emma obliged and climbed onto Paul's back. Emma barely had time to grip Paul's fur as he took off across the icy field, away from the battle and his pack.