Winter Solstice (A Seth Clearwater Fanfic)

Chapter Eight- Runaway

So this was it; the on scenario I've been dreading since the beginning; getting caught. Ben and I stood awkwardly as my family and his stared at us.

The tension in the air was so thick, I swear that if I were to take a knife, I would be able to cut through it like butter.

Everyone just stared. Not a muscle twitched or an eye blinked or breath was passed between them. It was like standing among a bunch of statues, which given the vampiric nature, I guess wasn't so far off.

Finally, the trance was broken, by words I was hoping not to hear. “Carlisle, explain this. Explain right now, or else my coven and I are leaving and you can fight the Volturi by yourself.”

The man who spoke was an older vampire, probably changed in his late 30's early 40's and maintained an Arabic appeal about him, with dark, graying hair and brown sugar skin. I recognized him form Ness's messages as Ben's adoptive dad, Amun.

“Father, I can explain.” Ben moved to intervene his father, who was wound tight and looked as though he was more then ready to attack me given the chance.

“No! I want to here what the leader has to say. His reason for this. What is it!”

This. I was a this. Not a girl, not a child, not even a halfling. I was an it. I bet Renesmee was never an it

Grandpa Carlisle fluidly moved to his right. He placed his pale hand on Amun's shoulder and looked at me dead in the eyes. I wish I had looked away, for the look there, one of disappointment, was enough to make me sink to my knees. How could I be so selfish?

“Amun, this is Rosalice, Bella and Edward's other child.”

Amun looked at me skeptically, his chin raised slightly as if I was dirt from his shoe. “Other daughter? You expect me to believe such nonsense?”

“It's the truth.” My grandfather tested out patiently. “She is Renesmee's twin sister.”

“Father.” Ben grabbed his fathers hand and Amun turned and looked at his son. Ben looked at him with pleading eyes. “They speak nothing but the truth. I've just met her. I left to practice my gift and peace and I saw her there, in the clearing. She has been kept hidden.”

“Why?” Amun demanded, first to his son then to my grandfather. “Why keep her hidden if she is just another half-human? Is she dangerous, or a threat? What is you motivation for lying to us all? Are you in allegiance with the Volturi after-all and have to test my resolve? ”

“Father, please! Its not-”

“Silence Benjamin! Your words are not wanted here!” Amun ripped his hand from Ben's and held up to silence him. Ben shrunk down a bit, and sent me an apologetic glance. I gave him a sad smile. He had tried and had been a good friend. That was all that he could do. I made the mass, and now I needed to try and fix it the best I could.

“Mr. Amun?” I addressed him, being as sweet and polite as my 3 foot frame could muster. “Please, please don't be mad at my grandfather. This is all my fault to begin with.”

Amun continued to eye me. He said nothing, so I continued.

“You see, I have a gift; the gift to see visions. Well actually, I hear and feel them, but that's not the point. Anyway, I knew the Volturi were coming when I was two days old, and said nothing, until the day came my sister was threatened. Their logic was to keep me hidden so that you may be more willing to help. The Volturi do not know I exist. My family only wanted to keep me safe from harm as well as all of you, for if you did not know, the less dangerous it would be."

"That does not excuse the dishonesty!" He hissed. "I do not like to be taken for a fool and I will not tolerate it." Amun turned to my grandpa and directed his cold eyes to him. "You have lied. Consider us out of this fight."