Renesme's Dream

Chaoter 29: Threats of Danger and Happy Decisions

Chapter 29: Threats of Danger and Happy Decisions

I felt cold. For this first time in years, I felt cold, as though buried in snow.

Edward’s hand reached out and interwove with mine, squeezing gently. His skin felt cold as well, as though I were still human.

I looked around at my family. We could not win this fight, no matter how many we persuaded into standing with us….not when they had firearms that could penetrate our skin.

Everyone stood still as statues. “Um, Bella?” My head snapped up. Charlie has stood from the couch, and stood facing me. “What does all this mean? Who are the Volturi?”

My head snapped around to Edward. If Charlie knew about them…..

Edward looked at me sadly. “It’s only a matter of time until they find out, love…” He gently caressed my cheek comfortingly.

“Dad, don’t ever mention that word again. None of you can. Not ever.” I turned to face my father and the rest of the humans in the room.  “I’m sorry that I didn’t think to get you out of here. I had no idea….”

“Honey, what are you talking about?” Rene asked me.

“Mom, the people Ben was talking about, the Volturi, they’re the vampire police, so to speak. They’re not nice vampires, and if they know that you’re aware of their existence, they’ll kill you before you have time to defend yourself. You can never, ever say their name to anyone, no matter what.” I stopped, feeling light headed.

I was putting them all in enough danger as it was, by letting them know about the Cullens and who we were. But them knowing about the existence of the Volturi as well…

“I’m so sorry….how could I be so stupid!” I looked down at my feet. I felt Edward’s hand under my chin, lifting my face to look at him. His eyes were sad, compassionate, yet bewildered. “Bella love, why do you think this is all your fault? We are all at fault. We should have told them to leave, we all knew Ben could say things in front of them. None of us thought of it, honey.”

I nodded. I knew he was right, but I felt guilty all the same.

“Bells,” Jacob said from the couch, still holding Renesme on his lap. “I don’t think you have to worry about them being found out. Even if those vampire cops do find out, I doubt they’d do anything to them. I mean no offense guys, but you’re old as dirt now. If you’d known 50 years ago, ok then I could see this being a problem. But now?” He scoffed. “They’d just laugh and say ‘what threat?’”

I smiled. Jacob was great at saying what I needed to hear in a way that cheered me up.

“We need to decide who’s going where, and where we’ll meet back up.” Rosalie piped up.

“Yes, we do.” Carlisle agree.

“What? Where are you all going?” Charlie said, an edge of panic in his raspy voice.

“We need to call on our friends to stand with us against the Volturi.” Esme said, placing Ben on his feet. “They’re scattered throughout the world, so we’ll have to split up.”

Ben looked up at me with fearful, tired eyes.

“Edward and I will stay here, same as last time.” I spoke up. They all agreed, and I took Edward’s hand, leading him into the kitchen for some privacy.

He grabbed me as soon as we were around the corner from everyone else, kissing me.

“No, wait…” I tried to say in between kisses.