When my eyes slowly open the following morning, I notice Hampton standing above me. His eyes looking at me sadly as he helps me stand up.
"Nobody cared for you," Hampton says. "Except Jasper, Maverick, and myself. Maverick knew where you'd be. He knew your witch was back, he was scared of what you would do. Jasper didn't want to be around the feeling, he knows your fear. I came to you. My entire time at that damned castle, I feared for my life. As a human. That is why..."
"You left when changed." I finish, wiping my swollen eyes. "Hampton.... I'm so scared."
Hampton pulls me o to his broad arms, and he rubs the back of my head with one hand. "Shh, I won't let anything happen to you, little witch. I'll die first."
"Don't say that," I whimper.
"I won't let you die, Jodi Cullen-Volturi." Hampton says again, then puts me on his back. "Hold on, my darling."
As soon as I wrap my arms around the Vampire's neck, he flashes us home. I stare at Nessie from where we stand in the shrubs, her belly has already grown. The wolf/vampire/human hybrid will be here in a week, tops. My family who officially want me dead will be here soon after.
"Won't be long now," I say to Hampton as we walk through the yard. "The Black baby will be here in a week, then The Volturi."
"You're a Volturi," Nessie says.
"I'm Cullen carrying the wrong last name," I correct her. "Those men want me dead for fighting by you, and not them."
"Trust me Jodi, I won't let you die." Hampton says again.
I just go inside and Maverick hugs me.
"You okay?" He asks.
"Her fear is worse," Jasper replies for me. "She's weak, knowing it's getting closer to time."
I nod, "he's right."
I sit on the couch with Maverick, and lay y head on his shoulder. Without hesitation, he wraps an arm around me and gives me a squeeze. My phone rings again, and the contact gives me chills. The Volturi Castle.
"H-hello?" I say into the speaker, and Hampton quickly trades places with Maverick.
"Jodi," it's Aro. "Are you okay?"
"Caius w-wants ti K-Kill me." I say.
"I know, I know." Aro says. "I don't, however. I know the Cullen's were your first family, that you are loyal to them."
"Y-you don't w-want me dead, Aro?" I ask, crying.
"You're crying?" Aro says. "Your witch came back?"
"When I he-heard Caius's threat." I reply.
Aro sighs, "Marcus will slaughter Caius if he harms you. We will come in two weeks, for the wicked hybrid baby. I hope there won't be a fight. I fear Caius will take advantage, take the."
"Witch first," I finish for him. "I fear that too. I will protect this baby."
"I know you will, Jodi." Aro says softly. "We don't want to kill it, we just want it. That mixture of creatures in one, it is very rare. This is only the second one ever."
"And is we don't hand the baby over?" I challenge, my fear fading as my eyes shine in scarlet.
"There will be a fight," Aro replies. "Caius will be dead because he will kill you out first."
Shivers shoot trough my spine, "bring it, uncle Aro. If I die, I'll be dead because the venom from Marcus is gone. Let Caius kill me, dying is worth keeping this baby from evil."
Aro gasps, "you are really willing to die?"
"At first, I was scared." I admit. "Now that I've heard your plans, I'll sacrifice myself."
"No." Aro demands. "I won't let you die."
"Why?" I ask. "So Marcus doesn't kill Caius?"
"No!" Aro demands. "Because I actually love you, Jodi. You're my family."
Everyone here, me included, gasps.
"You cannot die, you hear me?" Aro demands.
"Leave that up to Caius," I shrug.
"She won't die," I hear Felix in the background.
"Yes, she very much will." Caius replies. "You heard her. The venom she got from being Marcus's daughter is gone. She'll just be dead. Libby can't resurrect her, Libby is dead."
"Enough!" Aro yells, causing me to flinch. "Enough."
I hang up, unable to hear anymore. "Whoa..."
"Whoa, is right." Maverick says. "Caius is the only one there who wants you dead..."
"They don't want to kill the baby?" Bella asks.
"No." I reply, still confused. "They want to keep it, because of the rare mixture of species."
"There is a fight coming," Carlisle says. "An ugly one."
"With a life lost," I chip.
"No!" Hampton demands. "Over my dead body."
"Caius will kill you, but he'll focus on me again." I reply in an emotionless voice. "He wants the witch dead first."
Nessie has a hand over her mouth as we notice the sky darkening. What she says next, causes my chest to tighten.
"The baby is coming."
