Turmoil [Emmett Cullen] (3)

[22 - Volturi]

"What do we do?" I asked, trying to hide the apprehension in my voice.

Alice's expression was grim, "Nothing. They know we're here. And with Demetri, there's no point running."

Before I could fully process the severity Alice's news, there was a new problem. Esme and Carlisle were facing a newborn. She was curled on the ground, frightened by the look on her face. I didn't blame her. If I had been on the losing side of what happened here, I would be scared out of my mind.

Jasper ran towards them, pulling up short. He stared at Carlisle with wide eyes.

"What's going on?"

"She doesn't want to fight. She's surrendered," Esme said softly. I could feel Jasper's frustration from where I was next to Emmett and Alice.

"Carlisle, I..." Jasper hesitated, then continued, "I'm sorry, but that's not possible. We can't have any of these newborns associated with us when the Volturi come. Do you realize the danger that would put us in?"

"Jasper, she's only a child. We can't just murder her in cold blood!" Esme fiercely protested.

"It's our family on the line here, Esme. We can't afford to have them think we broke this rule."

"No. I won't stand for it," Esme said firmly.

"Jasper, I think we have to take the chance," Carlisle said slowly, "We are not the Volturi. We follow their rules, but we do not take lives lightly. We will explain."

"They might think we created our own newborns in defense."

"But we didn't. And even had we, there was no indiscretion here, only in Seattle. There is no law against creating vampires if you control them."

"This is too dangerous." Carlisle touched Jasper's shoulder tentatively.

"Jasper. We cannot kill this child."
He glowered, then sighed.

"I don't like this," Jasper said, calmer than before. "At least let me take charge of her. You two don't know how to deal with someone who's been running wild so long."

"Of course," Esme said, "But be kind."

Jasper rolled his eyes. "We need to be with the others. Alice said we don't have long."

The rest of us were gathering the remains. I was taken aback by the aftermath. I didn't expect it to affect me the way it did. Most were young adults and teenagers, around my age. They didn't need to die, they should have never even been created.

Emmett started a fire and we piled on what was left of them. Fire was the only way to ensure they stayed dead.

As the flames grew, there was a shout, followed by a piercing howl. I was too late. In the opposite side of the clearing, by the edge of the forest, Jacob was on the ground, a newborn's body dismembered by another wolf. Carlisle sprinted over. The wolves growled defensively.

"Please, I'm the only one that can save him," Carlisle pleaded with Sam. The pack parted and Carlisle dashed to Jacob's side.

"You have to get him back into human form. At the speed of his healing, I'll need to rebreak the bones so they set correctly. If we could help we would, but we cannot leave. The pack needs to leave. The Volturi won't honour a truce with the wolves."

Sam nodded and the wolves hastily cleared the area.

Alice's eyes glazed over and quickly snapped back into focus, "Carlisle, Bella will need you. She's going into shock."