Previously~
"Bring forth the accuser." Irina was brought forward by two Volturi vampires, in front of the guard at Caius' demand.
They kicked her knee and ripped her head off, shocking everyone.
***********
Hope:
"Irina!" Tanya yelled as Caius lit her body on fire.
The Denali sisters screamed in pain, running forward to get revenge for their sister. Benjamin and Eleazar both moved in to stop them but Kate used her shocking power. Edward grabbed hold of Tanya, Garrett grabbing Kate and withstanding her powers.
"Zafrina," I call. She nods her head, and focuses on the two girls, making them see whatever she wanted them to.
"Give me my vision back," Tanya pleaded.
"Tanya, this is what they want. If you attack now we'll all die."
When Zafrina returned their sight, everyone remained standing where they were. Caius was trying to provoke an attack, to give the Volturi a reason to go to war with us. If we attack first, they have right to destroy this coven and everyone here.
"Pain," Jane says. Edward falls, and I immediately focus in and expand my shield to him. He stands slowly, and I smirk towards Jane. Edward walks back over to me. Jane looks to inflict pain on the other allies, even the wolves, but Bella and I were both putting a shield around them. Jane couldn't do anything.
Once again, Carlisle tries to keep the situation defused. "Aro you see there is no law broken here."
"Agreed, but does it then follow that there is no danger? For the first time in our history, humans pose a threat to our kind. Their modern technology has given birth to weapons designed to destroy us. Only the known are safe, and we know nothing of what this child will become." My stance stood strong next to Renesmee, who sat up on Jacob's back.
"Can we live with such uncertainty?"
Bella glared at Aro. Our attention divided when footsteps sounded. Relief flooded me, as I saw Alice and Jasper walking out of the woods, towards us.
Aro gasped, "Alice."
As they approached the Volturi, guards held them back and Caius stepped forward. You hurt her so help me god.
"My dear, dear Alice, we're so glad to see you."
"I have evidence the child won't be a threat to our kind." Alice held out her hand, and Aro allowed her through. He enclosed his hands around hers, staring into the vision in which she showed him. I know Edward can see the entire thing by reading and looking into Alice's mind, and his facial expressions told me it isn't such a good vision. When Aro came out of it, his eyes were wide and his mouth was hanging open. He may have witnessed his own demise.
He stared at us, before saying, "The child poses no threat. There will be no fight today."
"But-" Caius begins. Aro puts his hand up, silencing the blonde vampire.
"As agreed, no law has been broken and the child provides no risk to the safety of our kind."
"Conspiring with wolves is a crime," Caius seethes. He really was only looking to start a war.
"I would very well like to add in my input, if I may," I speak up politely. Caius' head snaps to me, eyes glaring. Aro looks at me with an expression I can't quite identify, but allows me to continue.
"Instigating a war doesn't really look too well on your part, does it?"
"No," Aro replies questioningly.
"Then why try and start one Caius? As previously said by both Carlisle and Aro himself, no law has been broken. Give up, and accept defeat."
Caius was fuming. But by the smile on Aro's face and the laugh that escaped him, he didn't seem too offended.
"What are you doing?" Edward asked me silently.
"Relax," I said, intertwining our hands together and giving him a reassuring smile.
Aro motioned with his hands for me to come forth. Edward's hand squeezed mine, as if sending me a silent message that I should listen. I mean, it's either that or they kill me. I walked forward, without allowing anyone to follow me. They were here to protect Ness, not me. I reached Aro, waiting impatiently to see what he wanted.
"Your eyes," he said in a fascinated tone, "they aren't gold or red. May I?" He placed his hand out, knowing very well the shield I've come to control, I can let down. But if I did, he could see into my memories which meant finding out I'm a hybrid, about Edward, and Xavier, and a lot of things.
I couldn't let him.
"No."
Aro's head went back, straightly aligning with his spine, standing straight.
"How dare you speak back," Caius spit.
"What is your name, my dear?" Aro asked with squinted eyes. He didn't seem mad or sinister at all right now and I think that's what worried me most.
"Hope."
"Hope, a lovely name," he paused. "Hope may I ask, what is your relationship towards the Cullens?"
"Why is it important?"
"You're a foolish child," Caius continues.
"I'm not a child, I'm grown, and it is not your job to chastise me," I fire back. I understood what this meant for me, but I'd rather die than be obedient and allow Aro inside my mind.
"Watch it brother," Aro told Caius, who, in response, died down. He then turned back to me, "I'm astonished by you. So I will make you all a proposition."
"And that is?" Edward asks with anger.
"This," he looks at me, trying to figure out what I am and why I am of use to him, "Hope. Hope for the little child's life."
My eyes widened and my mind swirled, he wanted me and in response Renesmee would live. It was an easy decision, none of them, not even Edward, would keep me and lose Renesmee.
"At least let me say goodbye," I request silently. Aro nods, and I walk back. I gave everyone a hug, even Bella, Leah, Paul, Embry, Quil, and Jake. I hugged Seth the longest.
"I'll miss you little wolf," I said to him. Then I hugged and kissed Edward.
"You can't take her," Edward said firmly to Aro when I was about to leave.
"That's not really your place Edward, Hope comes with us."
"It's fine, I'll be fine."
This time I didn't look back. The Volturi retreated, Aro staying a moment longer to look at the Cullens then at me. He held his hand out and I took it, and we left.
My new life from now on would never be the same. Renesmee would go on living and growing up with Edward and Bella, and I'd be serving the very vampires I wished to never meet. I already missed Edward but I wouldn't be selfish and stay, and let them take Renesmee's life. I cared for her too much to allow anyone to kill her, especially not for me.
Edward:
I knew the Volturi would try and bargain a price. Me, Bella, and Alice have been three of Aro's most desired members for quite some time. Maybe even Renesmee is on that list due to her gifts but never, never would I have thought the Volturi would bargain for Hope.
Seeing her leave with Aro broke me to pieces. Of course I wouldn't dare let anyone kill my daughter, but to lose my mate? Either way I'd be heartbroken and if it was up to me, I wouldn't let Aro have either of them.
Weeks ago, Hope was scared to death of what the Volturi would do if they found out about her, and now she was living her worst nightmare. And there was nothing I could do to stop it.
"Edward," Esme calls for me, but I was in too much pain to look at her. Only when I felt a small hand touch mine, did I move my eyes from the snowy ground, to Renesmee.
"I'm sorry dad."
"It's okay sweetie," I smile at her. "Come on, let's go home."
Even though we lost Hope and Irina, it was still a win for us. We didn't go to war with the Volturi, no matter how many times they tried to start one.
Hope's friends were devastated, and when Bella and I had looked back to everyone, they were all sitting on their knees on the ground. Even though Hope was more powerful and valuable than any of us, and more special than anyone could ever imagine, her personality was worth more than her gifts. She's strong, bold, brave, and more beautiful than anyone on this earth besides my daughter. And I'm truly going to miss her.
Well that is how the epic Volturi confrontation comes to an end. But their story isn't over yet.