Quinn O'Connell was the pretty girl in pink, the homecoming queen and all-around straight-A student. Most people saw her as uptight, narcissistic but most importantly... They saw her as a control freak with her perfect blonde hair and patronising sm...
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"Your turn, Q, show him how us Ladies rule" Kate winked at the other blonde and Quinn giggled but didn't move from her spot, slightly uncomfortable by all the gazes that flashed over to her when Kate said that. If not for how short Quinn was- she would easily fit in as another Denali sister.
"Yes, please show us these fabulous powers I've been hearing about" Garrett implored, arms folded and it was clear that his incident with Kate hadn't had a single effect on him. Quinn looked up at Carlisle who nodded reassuringly and Sophie practically grinned at the idea of it- though she was a very stern woman who quickly restrained herself. "How long does it take you to get inside someone's head."
"Oh" Quinn laughed, collecting all her nerve to seem strong in the situation "I'm already inside your head" she clicked and his smile dropped. "I'm just trying to decide what to make you do" she mused, never leaving Carlisle's arms.
"Keep it PG, Q-tips. There are children present" Emmett mocked as he leant against a tree and Garrett seemed stumped for a minute.
"That scared you" Quinn hummed. "The fact that I can make you do whatever I want you to do... I could make you... Bunny hop" she decided and he did so, leaping along in a very bad impression of a bunny, his long limbs disallowing it. "Or do a handstand" and he did so, again- badly. "How about a pirouette... Tap dancing...Anyone want to input here?" she questioned the group as she listened off things, the nomad doing them without complaint- not having a choice.
"Get him acting like an animal" a random voice called.
"That's incredible" Amun gasped as he approached, finding only seriousness in the situation- missing the fun of it as the others laughed and Quinn got Garrett to act like a dog, running around on his hands and knees. The Egyptian leader was only attracted to the power of it. And if it didn't drain Quinn so much- If it didn't require initial eye contact and if she could do more than one person at once- It would be the epitome of a perfect gift. Though, the girl didn't particularly like using it unless she had to or, in this instance... Wanted to.
"You" Garrett breathed as she allowed his mind to take control over itself once more. "Are something else, Q. Fiesty, I love it" he winked, completely unfazed by the embarrassment he had just experienced. And that was why she had done what she did, she knew he could take it. Carlisle chuckled, swaying in his spot calmly with her in his arms as he pressed a kiss to her temple and her eyes fluttered closed. With all the people there- they hadn't had a moment to themselves in the longest time and even though he had been almost constantly at his side, she missed him. He reciprocated the feeling.
"So, technically." Siobhan piped up. "If we didn't want to help, you could have made us?"
"Technically," Quinn answered. "But I wouldn't. I wouldn't bend your will to that extreme, not our friends." she smiled and the Irish leader returned the gesture warmly.
"We're lucky that gift befell on someone with a conscience" Jack hummed and she smiled at him. It was the sound of running- and the barking of the wolves in the distance- that caught their attention, shattering their calm and they all exchanged glances for a second before racing off into the forest. It wasn't long until they found two people who- to Quinn- looked as though they had lept right from the pages of a Dracula story.
"Vladamir" Carlisle nodded. "Stefan... You're a long way from home."
"What are they doing here?" Kate hissed and Quinn frowned, looking over at her in confusion. Everyone else had been greeted to witness with open arms- But for some reason, the gesture wasn't extended to them.
"We heard the Volturi were moving against you but that you would not stand alone"
"We did not do what we were accused of" Carlisle answered instantly and the two men smirked.
"We do not care what you did, Carlisle" the blond grinned.
"We have been waiting for a Millennium" the other continued- Quinn not knowing which was which at that point. "For the Italian scum to be challenged" they were all equally confused and when Bella looked over at Quinn with a questioning expression, she merely shrugged and proceeded to analyse Carlisle's gorgeous features for answers, despite knowing that he would fill her in later.
"It is not our plan to fight the Volturi"
"Shame" the blond returned. "Aro's witnesses will be so disappointed,"
"They enjoy a good fight" his coven mate chuckled along and Quinn flashed her gaze up to look at Edward who turned his gaze slowly to meet hers, blinking in a way that clearly indicated to her that he was in a lot of stress.
"Aro's witnesses?" Eleazar questioned.
"Aww, still hoping they'll listen?"
--
"When Aro wants someone from a coven- It's not long before evidence comes up that the coven has committed some crime" Eleazar filled them in, the group managing to all fit themselves into one room.
"So, he's done this before?" Bella queried.
"It happens so rarely" Eleazar frowned. "I never realised it was a pattern" he frowned and Quinn looked up at Carlisle who was lounging beside her on one of the cream coloured couches.
"Apparently he always pardons one person whose thoughts he claims are repentant." the doctor continued to explain, hand placed calmly on his fiance's shoulder.
"This person always has an ability" the Denali male persisted. "And are always given a place with the guard."
"This is all about Alice" Edward realised. "...Aro, he'd... He would want Quinn more but... he doesn't know about her yet" he stressed, swallowing as he considered the fate of his best friend and she looked up at Carlisle with worry glazing her eyes. The doctor cuddled her close to his side, hand ghosting over her arm calmly. "But Alice, he has no one like her."
"Which is why she left" Bella added.
"Then why does he need witnesses?" Edward frowned.
"To spread the word that justice has been done" he was answered quickly by Allistair. "After he slaughters an entire coven." and that was when Amun ventured forward determinedly, Kebi following easily like a lost puppy.
"Benjamin, Tia. Come. We are leaving" and they all knew with his words that it had come time to decide where loyalties lay.
"And where would you go?" Edward frowned bitterly. "What makes you think they would be satisfied with Alice? Or Quinn when they find out what she does. What's to stop them from going after Benjamin next? Or Zafrina or Kate or anyone else they can get. Anyone they want, their goal isn't punishment, it's power. Carlisle might not ask you to fight, but I will. For the sake of my family, but also for yours. For the way you want to live." and Quinn's respect for him somehow managed to grow. Jacob was the first to stand up in determination.
"The packs will fight" he nodded. "We've never been afraid of vampires." and the Denali's were next.
"We will fight" Carmen smiled gently, hand placing on Carlisle's shoulder softly to show that that was what they truly wanted.
"This won't be the first time I've fled a kings rule" Garrett piped in, stepping forward with the others.
"We'll join you" Benjamin smiled with sparkling eyes.
"No" Amun cut off instantly, making his son turn to him.
"I will do the right thing, Amun. You may do as you please."
"We will stand with you" the Amazonians stood.
"So will we" the Irish demanded, all five of them stepping forth, all around the nomads mutually agreeing- including Jasper's friends; Peter and Charlotte.
"That didn't take much" one of the Romanians beamed- Quinn still not knowing the difference and she smiled tightly up at her fiance, patting his chest in gentle reassurance because she could see how much it affected him.
And that was how witnesses became allies and their band of friends became an army. It was no longer a case of aimlessly watching because now they were all preparing to fight.
