𝙁𝘼𝙇𝙇𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝙃𝘼𝙍𝘿 ➣ 𝐸. 𝐶𝑢𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑛✔

thirty-six

I heard wolves growling near us. Everyone went running to find Jacob and three newly changed wolves looking at two strangers, sitting in the side of a small cliff; both vampires.

"Vladimir, Stefan. You're a long way from home," Carlisle said.

"What are they doing here?" I heard Kate mumble.

"We heard the Volturi were moving against you," the blonde one said, his Italian accent strong. "Thought that you would not stand alone."

Carlisle shook his head. "We did not do what we were accused of."

"We do not care what you did, Carlisle," the blonde one said, rolling his eyes. I have no idea which one's Vladimir and which one's Stefan.

"We have been waiting a millennium," the other one said, "for the Italian scum to be challenged."

"It is not our plan to fight the Volturi," Carlisle explained.

"Shame," the blonde one said sarcastically. "Aro's witnesses will be so disappointed."

"They enjoy a good fight," the other one said. They both chuckled.

"Aro has witnesses?" Eleazer asked, stepping forward.

The blonde stranger clicked his tongue. "Aw. You're hoping they'll listen?"

***

"When Aro wants someone from a Coven, it's never long before evidence of proving that coven committed some crime," Eleazer explained.

"So he's done this before," Bella said.

"Happens so rarely, I never realized the pattern," Eleazer said.

Carlisle said something before Eleazer added onto it. "This person always has an ability." They're talking about how the Volturi adds other vampires that have gifts; for instance, Alice, Edward, and myself. "And they're always given a place with the guard."

"This is about Alice," Edward said. "He has no one like her."

"Which is why she left," Bella added.

"Why does he need witnesses?" Emmett asked.

"To spread the word that justice has been served," a man said. I haven't met him yet. I think someone said his name was Alistair. "After he slaughters an entire coven."

"Benjamin, Tia. We're leaving," one of Carlisle's friends, Amon, said.

"And where will you go?" Edward asked. "What makes you think they'll be satisfied with Alice? What's to stop them from going after Benjamin next? Or Zafrina, or Kate, or anyone else with a gift? Anyone they want. Their goal isn't punishment, it's power; it's acquisition. Carlisle might not ask you to fight, but I will. For the sake of my family, but also for yours. And for the way you want to live."

Everyone was silent before Jacob stood. "The packs will fight. We've never been afraid of vampires."

Carmen, Kate, and Tanya stood as well. "We will fight," Tanya said.

"This won't be the first time I fought a King's rule," Garrett said, stepping forward.

"We'll join you," Benjamin said, stepping forward as well.

"No," Amon said.

"I will do the right thing, Amon," Benjamin said, looking at him. "You may do as you please."

"We will stand with you."

"So will we."

"That didn't take much," the blonde stranger whispered to the other one.