A/N - Sorry guys! I woke up yesterday feeling super sick. Still feeling horrid so this isn't even slightly proofread. Please feel free to let me know of any glaring mistakes. thanks all! Also special shout out to everyone that took the time to vote!
Chapter 67 – The Prospect of War
*Violet's POV*
I kept my gaze firm on them, my focus on their thoughts to react the second I felt either Jasper or Alice were in danger. Jasper's thoughts were reassuring, but held a warning. Stay ready. Don't get complacent, just yet. I found myself focusing on Alice's thoughts. The same thoughts that she showed Aro.
She's met another hybrid. This one much more like Renesmee, than myself. He too grew at an extraordinary rate. According to Alice's recollection, forced upon her by Aro's ability, this new hybrid was male. His birth much more frightening, like the folklore we read online. Turned out, those stories weren't so farfetched. Although, looking back, Renesmee could have very well exited from her mother in the same fashion.
This young man grew just as swiftly as Nessie. Another woman, a full vampire, retold the story of watching her nephew grow up. She had raised the boy, soon young man. He grew right before her eyes. I saw as Aro's mouth open wider slightly, but his thoughts weren't in our favor. I let out a soft growl, alerting those around me that something was wrong. I heard someone, maybe more than one person, calling my name as I took a step forward. Edward soon mimicked my movement, having heard Aro's thoughts too.
'Violette, I know you can hear me.' I tensed as Jasper's thoughts caught my attention, my eyes still on Alice to not give it away. 'Be calm. This will go bad. If you're going to focus, focus only on Alice for now; do NOT react. Please. Alice has seen many endings, many that lead to war with you starting it.' My eyes widened at his word's and I felt a grip on my forearm. Looking up, I spotted Edward looking down at me quizzically, yet the fear obviously reflected back.
'What's going on?' He thought to me.
'Babe?' I heard Jacob's and the rest of the pack's collective thoughts. The other vampires were just too focused on Alice to notice. I couldn't just turn to Jasper and nod, the others would suspect something was afoot. Instead, I calmed myself as I was told. In response, I opted on using his own gift against Jasper, calming him back some for just a second before releasing. I felt his budding worry fader away slightly. He understood that I got the message.
'Don't panic. But be ready.' I had been really happy to see Jasper, but in this moment, his presence was beginning to piss me off. His instructions were only worsening my worry and putting me on edge. He was doing the exact opposite.
Despite his warning, it was better said than done. I tried to block out everything focusing on Alice's mind only. It had always been hard for me to focus on just one person's thoughts and block out others. I knew it was something that even Edward struggled with to this day, but it was even harder for me. All this concentrating had me squinting one eye, the pain behind them coming back. I felt Jasper doing his best to calm me, but I knew that he was too focused on his mate's safety. Not that I blamed him.
It felt like a migraine was coming on and I found myself breathing deeply through my nose; the cold air not helping my headache. Soon, the pain became a bit too much and I closed both eyes. I made sure to keep my mind focused on Alice, although Jacob did not make it easy. His thoughts currently felt like battering rams in my head, demanding to be heard. Thankfully, they eased up when I opened both eyes. I felt my shoulders sag slightly, closing my eyes again.
"I'm okay." I whispered, just loud enough for those on my side to hear. Just loud enough to ease Jacob's worry somewhat. My thoughts still on Alice, I saw her memory become fuzzy, distorted somehow. It was like my incoming vision was overlapping with Alice's memory. Or was that a vision she was showing Aro? Regardless, my eyes remained closed as I rode out our meshed together visions and memories from within my own mind
"It doesn't matter what I show you." Alice snarled out to Aro, pulling her arm away from him. "You've already made up your mind!" She turned to us, I saw her nod to me before looking at Bella and mouth 'Now.' I turned quickly, looking at Jacob with worry.
"Take care of my daughter." Bella whispered to Jacob. I was in front of him in that second, kissing his nose.
"Stay safe. I'll be with you soon." I reassured him. He nodded and turned to take off. "Hold on, sweetie!" I warned Renesmee. I watched as Jacob ran off with my niece on his back, many shocked as he ran through our group and in the opposite direction of the incoming battle. I kept staring, wanting to see Jacob make it through the trees, when I heard many gasp. Turning my neck to look, I saw Aro flying through the sky, Alice's foot coming down from the air after the roundhouse kick she delivered. He managed to land, and soon, his goons had Alice in their hold.
"Alice!" I shouted.
"Take her away." Aro spoke calmly, eyeing our group now despite Alice's struggles. I growled.
"No!" I was very much ready to run after her, teleport to her if I had to, but was stopped by the usually placid Carlisle.
"Let her go!" he shouted, running towards his adoptive daughter. Some tried to stop him, but he was too skilled for him. Despite his kind nature, he was a skilled fighter and I worried very little for his wellbeing, despite not having any added offensive abilities. However, my confidence in him lessened, my worry spiking up, as I saw Aro jump up to meet him mid air. That pain in my head had me gritting my teeth.
"No!" I shouted with all my might. The sickening crunch was heard, Aro sported Carlisle's severed head like a trophy. There was no stopping us at this point. We all ran forward, ready to fight for Carlisle now. I heard Sam commanding his wolves to wait, but my kind had no hesitation. We quickly ran into the frenzy, the other side doing the same. That hadn't lasted long, Sam giving the go ahead when the other group began to advance. I didn't wait. I teleported behind the group. I saw Gen do the same.
'Violet!' I heard in my head. It was Jacob. I prayed he was out of sight, but knew he had front row seats with his pack here, sharing what they saw. Some came for me, my mark steady on Aro. I quickly dodged the one in front of me, Gen at the ready as he tore his head clean off. Using Benjamin's ability, I quickly lit him on fire.
I turned, looking for either Alice to free her or Aro, to free him of his head. Instead, I saw that I now had a clear view of the frenzy before me. The fighting, wolves against vampires, vampires against vampires. Us versus them. I winced, tears gathering in my eyes as they burned. Before I knew it, I was witnessing the vision I just saw, one of the young wolves would have their spines broken, and soon their neck. My heart broke for them before I heard Bella grunt in pain and my mind was on her. Even that did not last as I felt Jasper's pain.
"Go!" I heard Geneveve shout to me, as she danced around another enemy vampire. I was ready to turn and teleport to Jasper when I was tackled down.
"Ah, ah ah!" tsked the newcomer in my ear as I squirmed. "I was promised you, pretty lady." I growled, recognizing the voice. I teleported us, him by default as he clung to me. I knew how horrible it felt to first transport and rejoiced when I felt his hold on me slacken. I spun around and opened wide. Using Vance's ability, I gave out a shout, tossing him and a few others back.
"Nooo!" I felt my legs shake, Jasper's thoughts torn from mine as someone tore off his head. I turned to where Alice's voice came from, her crys and actions wild as she tried to get to him.
"Ahhhhhh!" I gave a lout shout, blowing back more people, friend and foe. I teleported to Alice as she managed to fight the two holding her back. I helped her remove their heads, freeing her. I turned to the left, spotting little Brady struggling. I ran to him, ramming into the one that had managed to get ahold of him. I reared back my fist and released, hitting him straight in the head, sending it flying back without it's body.
'Watch her flank!' Jacob's voice caught my attention and I turned, but too late. I was hit by another. I saw Collin come in, ready to help me, but he was taken down, convulsing on the ground. Jane. I spun around to look for her before I heard the sickening crack of someone's neck. Brady nudged his friend and I felt more tears freeze against my cold face. I was stopped when I felt something pull at my arms. 'Violet!' I let my anger consume me, letting Kate's electric current rush through my body and then felt Andre's power surge explode out from me with a loud grunt. Whoever had been holding me, was fried, body already burning. The bruning in my eyes returned, another vision.
"Sam! Warn Jacob! There's some going after them!" I shouted out towards the Black wolf. He nodded to me and I focused on his mind to get access to Jacob's.
'Tell her to watch herself, not me!' I would have smiled at his chastising, but was quickly brought down again. This time it was Sam that saved me. I looked to my arm, a stinging felt. There was a sizzling welt.
"Sam don't let him touch you!" I shouted to him. I smelt burn fur soon after and I ran towards him, taking the vampires head and lighting it on fire. "Dude's skin was acidic." I realized, looking at the lingering welt on my arm and the patches of melted fur on him. He nodded to me once and jumped back into action, assisting what looked like Embry. I heard another cry from our side, Maggie convulsed on the ground as someone came by her and tore her head off next. I knew I had to find Jane. I looked around and spotted her. I was about to advance toward her when I felt the air get kncoked out of me and I was laughed into the air.
"Ugh!" I gasped as I hit the concrete like snow.
"You really have to stop ignoring me, Princess. It's beginning to piss me off." Growled Theodore, appearing before me again. Before I had the chance to stand, he clapped his hands and a powerful shockwave sent me right back into the sky. As I began to descend, I felt several more small ones keep me airborne. Despite the less air I gained from the hits, they hurt all the same, and I began to feel myself get lightheaded.
'Get to her!' I heard Jacob's voice.
"Jacob!" I heard Nessie's voice shout in warning. I was worried for them both and tried to focus on them when I hit the ground.
"Have to keep you preoccupied while we weed out all your little friends, Princess." Another hit, and I was back in the air. As I ascended I heard a horrible cry that had me opening my eyes wide, my heart aching. During the descent I saw it, Jane was hurting Seth.
"Seth!" I called out loudly despite my week standing. "No!" another cry left my lips, a sob following it as his neck was snapped and his body tossed. I heard the howls that followed.
"Jacob!" Nessie's voice again trying to get him to concentrate and I myself was knocked back in the air. I felt anger fill me, no, not just me. I felt it fill all the wolves. I heaved and opened my mouth when I saw Theodore get distracted by the howling.
"aaahahhhhhhhhhhh!" I shouted, the sonic booming sending Theodore back. I used his own power against him, launching him up into the air. "Benjamin!" I shouted out. "Now!" I saw him nod to me and I slammed my fist into the earth at the same time he had.
"That's.. Something." I looked, teeth snarling at Theodore.
"I've had, enough of you. You piece of shit!" I growled out, I was in front of him in an instant, holding him and teleporting into the crevice. "Now do me a favor and don't come back!" I shouted as we free fell towards the magma below. I pushed off of him, kicking back as he fell, shouting the whole way down. I went to teleport, but saw one of the wolves. "Leah" I shouted, getting to her before teleporting again. She looked dizzy. "Leah! Shake it off!" I commanded her. I knew she must have been hurting, shit I felt it. But she had to. I turned. "Edward!" I called out when I saw him fall. Thankfully he reappeared. "The short blonde one, where is she?!" I shouted out. Leah still looked dizzy. I growled, holding onto her and teleporting her a little bit further away.
"Violette!" At Alice's voice I ran, we would meet half way towards her. We got to her simultaneously as the coward began to run.
"No, you're not ours, bitch." I growled. I nodded to Alice, spotting as Sam made his way towards us. She'd been the reason several of his wolves died today. He needed this more than we did.
"Please, no." she shouted, but we tossed her to Sam nonetheless as he made quick work of her head, severing it.
"Edward! Get Bella!" I warned him, she was tossed into the air in that moment by Aro. I sw his brothers had been killed. Edward and Bella worked together against Aro, both still struggling to defeat him, but they did. I spent little time getting to him before setting him on fire but not before spitting onto the ground.
"You lose, asshole." I growled. I let out a gasp, opening my eyes, breathing heavily.
'Edward, is she okay?!' Jacob's panicked voice called out to him, to me. 'Babe?!' Jacob nudged me with his body while Nessie sat on top of him still.
Edward did not pay him any mind; was just as shocked as I was. That hadn't been my vision, but it was almost like I piggybacked off of it. Meshing both our visions together to see what would happen. I felt my fingers grow numb and I realized I had fallen to the floor onto my knees, hands dup into the icy fluff. I looked towards Alice and Aro again, eyes still wide.
"Violet! Violette, please get up." Bella's panicked voice begged me. "What's going on?" I stood, with her help, but didn't turn to acknowledge her.
"He's lost." I whispered, a smile beginning to make its way onto my face despite my best efforts to fight it off. The tension did not die despite my reaction to that strong vision. My heartbeat a mile a minute, it felt like I really had just undergone all those emotions, had really lived that future. Aro's eyes found mine, wide and worried now. I felt the smile drop and I gave him a glare.
"Now you know. That's your future. Unless you decide on another course. Her face, will be the last you see." Alice warned him.
"We cannot alter our course. The child still poses a great threat." Caius butted in.
"Does your greed override your sense of self-preservation?" I called to him. Aro's wide eyes stared to me. If he saw Alice's vision, I knew he knew what my power really entailed. I'd seen what he had seen.
"You blather on with your nonsense, child! You are no less a threat to our kind." seethed the blonde male.
"But what if we assure she could remain concealed from the human world? Could we live in peace? My sister has done it all her life." We all turned to look at Edward.
"Of course. But that cannot be known. It's been stated. Your sister and your daughter and two different subspecies of hybrid."
"Actually it can." Aro had witnessed it all, but the others hadn't. The two most important witnesses here today. The ones brought today by Alice and Jasper. Alice smiled and nodded toward me and Edward and we turned, watching as two newcomers made their way towards us from behind our group. They soon passed us with a nod, walking to stand by Alice.
"I've been searching for witnesses of my own."
"We have enough witnesses." Again, Caius interjected.
"Let him speak, brother." Aro spoke with urgency.
"I am half human, half vampire. Not like the woman, but like the child." He turned to look to me and I nodded toward him. I felt Jacob huff by my side. He didn't like that there was a male hybrid now. I'd have laughed at his antics had these circumstances been different. "A vampire seduced my mom, who died giving birth to me. My aunt raised me as her own. I made her immortal." He really wasn't like me. I couldn't turn people.
"How, how old are you?" Bella asked, beginning to walk towards them. Edward walked by her side as a result and I took matching steps. Jacob, of course, matched mine.
"150 years." I felt relief flood my brother and his mate. I felt myself biting back a smile, too.
"At what age did you reach maturity?" Aro asked with a follow up question.
"I became full grown, seven years after my birth." I turned to look at him. Wow, just seven years? Would the twins have similar dispositions? "I have no changed since then." We all turned to look at my young niece. Seven years only? Before she was full grown. It was hard to comprehend. Then again, it'd only been months that she was a newborn.
"And your diet?" Asked Aro.
"Blood," the young man responded. "Human food. I can survive on either." We seemed to share that trait.
"These children are much like us." Marcus spoke next.
"Regardless, the Cullens have been consorting with werewolves. Our natural enemies. " The ever confrontational Caius spoke and I stepped forward. Aro turned to quell his brother. I did smirk that time. Caius hadn't seen what he had. It wouldn't be a werewolf that would end him if he was dead-set on us fighting.
"They are not the wolves of your time. They are not the clan which you recall. There's a whole ocean that seperates this pack and their liniage from the one you faced." I clarified. Caius still didn't look too pleased, but another shake of Aro's head left him quiet to respond.
"Dear Ones, there is no danger here. We will not fight, today." Aro spoke to his collective. Again, Caius didn't look pleased, along with others from their guard, but they said nothing. The group began to turn, ready to leave. I felt the tension many of us felt, leave our bodies. My eyes met with Marcus, who gave a slight smile and nod to me and then to his brother, Aro. Their group spent no time zooming off and away into the woods. All save for two.
Theodore stood waiting, ever Aro's lap dog. Aro went to nod at him, urging him to leave. He stayed for a second longer, a grim look on his face. His thoughts were clearly shouting his displeasure. He had been so certain they would leave with me one way or another. Throwing me one last look and side-eyeing Jacob as he turned, he too zipped away. Aro soon followed, stopping just outside the trees to look back at our group. Even from where I stood, I could hear the man's thoughts clear as day. The ambitious, greedy, power-hungry man eyed Alice, Bella, and myself.
"Such a prize." he muttered, but I was unsure which of us he had been referring to before he was finally gone. I let out a breathe of relief, smiling as I turned to hug Alice, grinning. I felt a nudge to my side and smiled at Jacob. I ran my fingers around the fur of his jaws, staring into his eyes and grinning my nose to his cold, wet one.
"We have them on the run. Now is the time to attack!" I pulled away from Jake, to give the two odd balls a look. Demitri and Vlad were clearly upset.
"Not today."
"You're all fools! The Volturi might be gone. But they will never forgive what happened here."
"Good. I hope they don't." I spoke, turning to grin at Alice as she chuckled. I really did hope this was enough to put some fear in Aro. At the least, enough so that our family could be safe. Aro now knew we were formidable. That could either help or hinder us. But I was hoping for the former. With another nudge to my arm by Jacob's wet nose, I averted my gaze from the red eyed vampires and looked at Jacob. "Let's go home." I smiled, whispering. I saw his tail wag as he nodded.
I went to take Nessie off of his back when I spotted the Denali clan taking this time to mourn. That's right. While this was a win for my family and coven, they had suffered the loss of their sister. I felt bad, but knew this was something they had to endure together. I did however find some solice in knowing that Garrette was there to console my friend Kate, and those that remained amongst their clan. It looked llike Garrette had found a home in all of this.
Bringing my niece down, she scurried off towards her parents. I smiled as I watched her be enveloped by the arms of her parents. I turned to look at Jake, wanting nothing more than to get our own babies back in our arms when I spotted the wolves looking at Jacob, waiting. He gave me a look and I stared back. I turned and smiled to my family before running off in the direction of our pack, together. My vampire family were safe, they'd be there tomorrow. For now, I had to alert the others to come home. I had two growing newborns to fuss over with their dad.
*Jacob's POV*
It was over. No sign of the ever mounting tension bringing the Cullen's and their comrades down with the threat of an impending war. Last night, Violet and I spent little time getting to our kids, my family, and bringing them back. When we were finally home, we slept, the four of us in bed and unable to pull away from each other. It was a wonderful feeling, finally able to relax since finding out I was going to be a dad. It had felt like issue after issue. It prevented us from being happy at the prospect of being parents, truthfully.
While I'd learned, or grown, to care for many of the newcomers and Violet's friends, I was glad they got the chance to go home themselves. It allowed us to get back on track. I had this beautiful woman to marry. We had a wonderful home and life to build together now. That damn house was going to get finished. ASAP! And we were going to be able to just enjoy each other's company and raise our two kids.
Violet had mentioned that vision Alice had. If she had told me prior to us falling asleep, I was almost certain that it would have given me nightmares. I'd asked her to show me, since she could using Nessie's gifts. However, she'd been adamant that she didn't think it a good idea. She said it was something she didn't want the other wolves to see. Something she didn't want them to relive. It had made me worry for her, but she said it only gave her more reason to get stronger to protect everyone she cared for. It warmed my heart, but still made me uneasy. Especially because I saw how the others had looked at her. That Aro and that Theodore guy in particular.
"Uncle Jacob, look!" I looked from Violet's smiling face, to Nessie's as Violet helped her climb up a tree with ease and jump back down. I really couldn't wait to live together with this woman. Be a happy family, forever.
"Forever's an awfully long time. I should know." I chuckled at Edward's words. I was counting on that. Any time, all the time. "I'm really glad she has you there, Jacob. Her and my niece and nephew are lucky to have you." I turned to look at him.
"Thank you." I smiled, turning to look back as our mate's played with his daughter. "She wants to bring them over later tonight. After everyone leaves." I informed him.
"I'm sure everyone would love that. Nessie has been eagerly waiting the day she gets to meet her cousins." I laughed.
"Should I start calling you bro or Eddie?" I joked. Edward's smile dropped and he turned to look back at his kid, straight-faced.
"No." He said seriously and I laughed louder.
"Did your.... the little one... Alice. Did she find anything out on ... on them?" I thought of my children, turning serious. He didn't answer at first. As a matter of fact, he looked deep in thought.
"She mentioned some things," he started. "But nothing concreate." He placed his hand on my shoulder. "I'm sure there'll be time to discuss it all." He reassured me before going over to his kid and wife. I would have been more worried, had I not seen a smile on his face when he looked to Alice, a smile on her face as well. I smiled at them, understanding that she did know something. I looked around, trying to find my girl. I spotted her talking to the clan from Egypt.
"Yes, you are more than welcome to come whenever you like." I heard her say, smiling as she embraced the mate of the elemental one.
"Yes, well. We should get going." The head of their coven said. That guy had been trying to hit the road the second they had arrived here.
"Pleasure again, Amon." Vie smiled to him, despite his attitude. "And you, any questions, feel free to reach out. Takes me a lot less to get to you, than the other way around." That Benjamin kid nodded to my imprint, smiling. He turned to me, that smile still on his face.
"Do take care, Jacob. Thank you for your hospitality. I wish you and your mate all the best." I took his outstretched hand, shaking it firmly. The kid was alright.
"You too; we'll see you for the wedding." The other three nodded, that Ammon guy, not so much.
"Yes, of course. Let us go." He rushed them before taking off. Benjamin and his mate gave us a final wave before rushing off as well.
"Are your other friends leaving soon, too?" I nudged my head to the last group that remained.
"Nah, you ain't getting rid of us just yet, Jacob." The other big one, Vance, spoke. I rolled my eyes, but smiled. "Yeah, I'm sure you're eager to bone your fiance." I saw Violet's eyes widen as she sputtered before smacking him. I just smirked.
"Jacob!" she shrieked.
"What? He's not wrong." I joked, grinning. She smacked me next. It actually hurt, but I laughed still, flinching. "Okay, okay, sorry!"
"Your lovely belle, has instructed that we stay just a bit longer." Frenchie winked at me and I understood. They were waiting to see the twins.
"Well, the other's have all left. What do you all say we start the fire up to get the house warm for our little guests." Carlisle smiled at us, also eager to see the twins.
"I told Seth to bring them over around noon. He should be here soon." I informed them.
"Perfect, Jasper, could you get the fire going?" Esme asked. The mood ring just nodded to her, smiling before turning to go do as was asked.
"Now would you kindly explain what's this about my other baby niece having a a boyfriend already?" Emmette asked, Rosalie smacked him and Vie scolded him but I just bristled.
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"Emmette!" Vie warned.
"He's not her boyfriend! He just imprinted on her!" I clarified.
"So does he get to call you dad now?" Oh, this was that Karma again, wasn't it? Edward burst into laughter and glared at him.
"Suddenly, Eddie doesn't sound so bad after all." He smirked at me.
"Can someone explain?" asked the orange eyed one.
"Long story short, Jacob knows who his future son-on-law is going to be." Joked Edward, his family laughed while I glared. I felt a hand on my chest.
"Hey! Knock it off. You'll find out about that, well before Ari has any romantic feelings for boys." Violet reminded her brother. "And we have plenty of time before we have to cross that bridge, Jake." she reminded me, whispering.
"Are they here, are they here?!" Alice appeared before us, shouting eagerly. "Things went blurry. I figured they were here."
"Jacob, Violette! Seth is here!" I heard Jasper call out from inside the house.
"Ladies and gents, ready to meet Aria and Logan Black?" I smiled to everyone, arm now over my imprints shoulders and pulling her to my side. The other's didn't bother answering, their eagerness was palpable as they rushed off inside, ready to greet them.
"We better go before they think it's a good idea to annoy our babies." Violet laughed. I did too, but stopped her from going forward. She looked at me quizzically. "Jake?" I smiled to her, bending down to kiss her.
"I love you, baby." I whispered against her lips. "I think they'll be okay. They got a doctor in there." I grinned against her lips now. "How about you teleport us to our house and we get a head start on Christening parts of the house?" I felt her grin against my lips before I felt a rush. I pulled away, eyes shut. There would be nothing romantic about me puking right now.
"I like the way you think, Mr Black."
"Well let's get to it, Mrs Black." I grinned, swooping her back up into my arms and made my way toward the front door.