Falling Stars

family

There was a vampire standing amidst an army of black hooded figures, at least double the size of theirs. He was staring at Kallias' father and bearing far too much a resemblance to Leon. Kallias' brow furrowed, the word brother bouncing around in his brain.

"I thought you dead."

"He apparently is not," another vampire with snowy white hair pulled down his cloak, a grimace on his face.

"Marcus," the vampire reached out his hand, and another immortal with cascading brunette hair grabbed his hand. His eyes went wide, flickering between Kallias and his parents. "This is interesting."

"Is it, Aro?" Leon was tense, taking a protective step forward in front of his son and wife.

"Come here, brother," Aro beckoned him, but Leon didn't move.

"I thought you were here for the child—"

"This is more pressing, Leon. I am sure you understand."

"Dearest," Ylva whispers to him, "There is no hiding any longer."

Aro eyed the shifter curiously, sniffing the air and face twisting in displeasure. He motioned for Leon again, "Do not make this harder than it needs to be."

Leon glanced back at Kallias, "Stay here."

"But—"

"Stay here, Kal."

Jasper kept a tight hold on his hand, and he was sure if he tried to move, then he would be forced into stillness. He just nodded at his father, and while the vampire didn't look content, at least seemed relieved that Kallias would listen.

But he still watched in helplessness when his parents walked towards the Volturi and the one that bore a striking similarity to Leon, and much to his horror, himself.

Aro didn't wait for Leon to reach him, in front of him in an instant and grasping his hand. His eyes widened, seeming to gloss over. A wicked smile took over his face, and then he was laughing– high pitched and melodic. It wasn't particularly pleasing.

"What a joy to finally meet you, my darling," Aro let go of Leon's hand and placed it in front of Ylva, "May I."

"You may," Ylva had no fear on her face. She hardly ever did. Aro once again seemed to enter a trance, and laughed again– much more subdued.

"I want to meet him," Aro's eyes immediately locked with his, and Jasper pulled him closer against his marble chest. Aro hummed in consideration, "I mean him no harm. You may accompany your mate, Jasper Hale."

"You're my uncle," Kallias said carefully, walking towards him with Jasper's hand tight on his. He reached the vampire and stared, "By blood, yes?"

"Indeed I am, child."

It irritated Kallias. He wasn't a child. But he still lifted his hand towards Aro–, the one not held by Jasper– already expecting a request to touch. Aro grabbed him eagerly, eyes shining with delight. He smiled at Kal, but it didn't feel safe– more predatory.

"You are a remarkable creature. You have lived all these years..." Aro hums in thought, "But there is still no evidence that a human hybrid would survive,"

"She has vampiric blood," Edward spoke from the distance, not daring to go to Aro.

"Yet I would still like to meet her. Come here," it was not a request; it was a demand.

"Explain this Aro," the blonde cloaked vampire said with a sneer. "Who is this woman? Who is this child?"

"Calm yourself, Caius. We are in the presence of Leon's lovely wife and their child."

"Imposible," Cauis sounded disgusted, "This is why you left us, Leon? For a werewolf?"

"She is not a werewolf, Caius," Leon said firmly, "She is a shifter."

"She stinks—"

Leon let out a deep growl, hands closing into fists, but Aro raised his hand placatingly, "Relax, brother." He looked behind them, "Come forward, Edward, I will not ask you again."

Kallias heard footsteps, moving much slower than appropriate for the dire circumstances. But then Edward and Bella were standing next to him, Renesme between them:

"Immortality becomes you, Isabella," Aro smiled, but once again it felt dangerous. His eyes focused between them, "So this is the child?"

"Hello, Aro," Renesme's voice was delicate like bells. Kallias thought that she should not be here– that they should have hidden her.

"Take my hand, child," Aro reached for her and everyone stiffened, but Renesme took his hand with no fear. Aro gasped in surprise, like he hadn't expected his gift to be disrupted by the hybrid's. He let go of her, standing tall, "How remarkable. Yet her lifespan is still unknown."

"She will live."

"Will she?" Aro tilted his head at Edward. Bella growled softly, but it was still aggressive. It made Aro laugh, "Res assured there is a solution to this," he turned his attention towards Leon, "My brother and his family will return to Volterra, but we will be visiting often to monitor this human hybrid. Understood, Mr. and Mrs. Cullen?"

"Thank you for your grace, Aro," Bella sounded relieved, but Kallias was poisoned with fear. Their future unknown.

"And as for these shifters...Do not disrupt our world and you will be spared."

A bit of comfort washed over him. He glanced over at his parents. They didn't seem surprised by the outcome of this. He knew that they had planned this all along– giving up their lives for the safety of the others. But he knew they didn't expect Kallias to be with them.

"This is ridiculous, Aro?" Caius sneered, Aro subdued him with a dominating growl.

"We will learn much from them," Marcus commented, staring at Kallias and his mother with interest. "Do not be so quick to anger."

Caius just crossed his arms in irritation. He did not seem pleased by this at all.

"We will go now. There will be no battle here today," Aro said, "But understand that your treachery will be remembered," Aro turned, "Hurry along—"

"Wait," Kallias cut him off, and Aro turned back around to stare at him questioningly. "Please let us say goodbye. And then we will go willingly."

Aro seemed to consider this request, but ultimately nodded, "You will have until the sun sets to make your goodbyes."

"Thank you," Kallias did not want to thank Aro at all.

Leon sighed heavily, looking at Kallias with devastation. He knew they did not want him here. Ylva placed a hand on the hybrid's cheek, "oh, Kal..."

"We should say goodbye," Kallias understood that nothing could be changed now.

Yet in irony...

Everything had changed.

And he didn't know what was coming next.