New Dawn

P r e f a c e

Renesmee Carlie Cullen

A knock on the front door startled me out of my inner monologue. The sound sent fear pulsing through me. No one should have known where to find us. Maybe it was a new nosy neighbor? But then hope found me as my thoughts went back to Jacob. Maybe he had come for me? Excited with the prospect, I hopped off the couch and yanked the front door open. Fear distorted my excitement when I discovered Nahuel at the threshold.

"Nahuel? What are you. . ."

Then, I saw them, Aro, Jane, and Felix stood behind him.

Nahuel's eyes filled with tears. "Renesmee, I'm so sorry."

Before I could understand what was happening, I was on fire. Pain pulsed through me with an evil vengeance. Jane's laughter pierced my ears and the pain deepened. Screaming at the top of my lungs, I collapsed onto the hard tile. I was completely frozen in pain.

"Enough," Aro hissed.

The pain melted away but the threat still lingered in Jane's smile.

"What do you want?" my voice was weak.

Aro stepped forward. "Sweet child, you have grown so much since we last saw you."

I flinched away from the group of bloodsuckers and headed up the stairs backward. "Please. We haven't done anything wrong."

"No. We are not here to persecute you. We are here for something far greater. We wish to request that your mother and your father join us," he gestured toward the group behind him.