Astrophile (Paul Lahote)

sixty three

࿔*:･sixty three  ࿔*:･

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Carter waited by the door of the study, arms crossed, as she waited for Jacob and Paul. She gave Paul a small smile as he reached her, immediately wrapping his arm around her shoulders as Carlisle led them into the study, where the entire Cullen clan stood.

Jacob nodded up at Edward, "Hey, what's this I hear about another vampire army?"

The vampire looked down, "This time, it's just a misunderstanding," Edward muttered as Carlisle took out an old, worn book and set it in front of Bella, who immediately opened it, shifting through the pages slowly as Carlisle began to explain the history.

"The immortal children were very beautiful. So enchanting, to be near them was to love them... but their development was frozen at the age they were turned," he explained, "they couldn't be taught or restrained. A single tantrum could destroy an entire village."

Carter looked up, "They threatened your very existence," she concluded, and Carlisle nodded gravely.

"The humans heard about the devastation. Stories spread, and the Volturi were forced to step in... since the children couldn't protect our secret, they had to be destroyed. Their creators grew very attached and fought to protect them. Long-established covens were torn apart, countless humans slaughtered. Traditions, friends, even families were lost."

"That's horrible," Carter mumbled as Paul gently rubbed her shoulders from where he stood behind her. Carlisle nodded, "It was gruesome..."

He turned to Bella, telling her the story of how the Denalis had once created an immortal themselves. Bella shook her head, "Well, Renesmee's nothing like those children. She was born, not bitten. She grows every single day."

Jake stepped forward from where he was leaning up against a bookshelf, "Well, can't you just explain that to the Volturi?" he asked, but Edward shook his head, "I'm afraid it's not that simple... Aro has enough proof in Irina's thoughts."

Carter looked around at the tense expressions on everyone's face and shook her head, "So we fight," she stated as though it was the obvious choice.

"Their offensive weapons are too powerful," Carter looked over at Jasper as he spoke, "no one can stand against Jane," he said.

Alice sighed, "Alec's even worse," she added.

"Well, then we convince them," Bella decided, but Emmet shook his head, "they're coming to kill us, not to talk."

Edward nodded, "No, you're right. They won't listen to us... but maybe others can convince them." he turned to his father, "Carlisle, you have friends all around the world."

Carlisle shook his head, "I won't ask them to fight," he said, and Edward shook his head, "not fight, witness," he corrected, "if enough people knew the truth, then maybe we can convince the Volturi to listen as well."

Esme reached out for her husband, "We can ask this of our friends," she muttered.

Carter glanced up at Paul before her eyes fell on Jasper and Alice, both of them seemingly lost in their own thoughts. She thought they looked worried, but it made sense considering it was their niece's life that was in danger.

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It was way past midnight when Carter felt a little nudge against her arm. She groaned loudly as Paul poked her stomach, "Cart, wake up," he whispered in the dark, and Carter moaned, "Why?" she whined, trying to bury herself further under the blanket, "c'mon, sweetheart. It's Alice and Jasper. They're here."