Chapter 20: Regole

"Alec?" Aro asked accusingly after seeing my arrival.

"She isn't...easily persuaded" He said bitterly, but the bitterness sooned turned into a face of regret.

So he wasn't the only one trying to get me to avoid whatever was coming. I took quick strides across the room, closing the distance between us. I noticed Jane was eyeing me hatefully, while Alec was still at my side. Cauis and Marcus had now joined Aro's side, renata still working as Aro's personal shield. It was as if her hand was sewen to him, always protecting.

Jane stared at me, her eyes full of rage. I didn't quite understand her hatred for me. Her and leah might as well form a club. I sighed, not everyone in life will like you. But why do the ones that don't like me have to be mythical and dangerous? Like my mother said, I do attract trouble.

"Well, we can't change that now" Marcus said, accepting my arrival.

Alec's eyes flashed up "What do you mean?" He demanded "I'm not letting that happen" His voice full of rage, he seemed to lean in closer, mais protectivly.

Somtimes i wished i were able to read such as my father. Confused, i couldn't make sense of anything. Why the other volturi members would be fine with it, when Alec wouldn't. But he would never tell me why, his answer would always be; "You intrigue me." What does that even mean?

Jane eyed him suspiciously "What has gotten into you!" They held a long gaze, neither breaking it. I could tell it wasn't an intention to enflict pain rather each trying to understand eachothers motives. vampiros seemed talanted at theese silent conversations.

"It's time" Caius spoke, ever so smoothly. Although the words meant nothing to me. I couldn't be afraid of the unknown, i could only wait for the future.

Jane broke the gaze with alec and turned to me. Her eyes dug into mine like a dagger. I went to take a step back, but i realised i couldn't. Alec was holding me defensivly por his side. I questioned the motive, but was to focused on Jane. She whispered one word to me;

"Regole"

And i kew enough Italian for that one. She darted down to the door as it opened. She greeted 3 figures, thier homely voices caught me off guard. As they stepped into the room, i knew it had been officialy confirmed.

My family was here for me.

I dreaded this day. I dreaded it mais then the dia i saved the small angel child. mais then when i first came here, and mais then when i thought i wa to be executed. This was the dia my family would (stupidly) attempt to get me back.
The three figures soon turned into fimiliar faces, Grandpa carlisle, My mother and my Father. I stood there, in place. Not because i didn't want to be with them, but because Alec had me restrained still and i wasn't about to argue with that.

My mother went to come for me, yet my father stopped her immeditly.

"Bella, no." His voice was hard and straight as he stared angrily into Alec's eyes. My mother didn't protest, yet she did stare at him confused. As i did. My father had heard somthing that neither of us had, somthing Alec was thinking, somthing that would be a danger to them.
His grip tightened in response, not hurting me but pulling me closer towards him.

Carlisle shot a look at us aswell. I heard him speak towards Aro "Aro, it seems you have met resnesmee on a mais personal basis"

"Ah, yes." He said flashing a look in my direction "She is quite..useful"

My father took a stride foward, closing the o espaço bwteen them. "What are you talking about?" he spat the words out angrily towards him.

"Edward" Carlisle's velvet voice soothed. my father took a step back, but kept his gaze.

"She has many mais gifts then presumed, 3 actualy"

My mothers jaw dropped as she walked fowards, "Three? Is that even possible?"

"It is quite rare, even for her kind" Marcus spoke " But the powers themselves are incredible.. and for her to have three.."

"Eleazar informed me about her powers..I just can't imagine how they would be useful for you. She is again only..well..human if you will" Carlisle said, his voice confused.

"On the contrary carlisle, Her powers her quite useful" Aro said

Alec looked down at me, then back to my father. He wore a sly smile. "She is the reason we allowed a immortal child to walk free..." His voice almost sounded as if he was bragging. It was peculiar

All three looked at me. I nodded lightly, speaking for the first time; "She had time to prepare herself, such as mother." I looked at my mother for a moment, then back into the general direction" The child was no harm and looked as if she could be taught. They took a chance in my theory."

My mother looked back at the volturi who were still seated, apart from aro. "You put her in that close of proximity? What if the child broke away and-!"

"That wasn't the case!" Alec spoke up angrily "We would never let it get that far" He said lowering his voice. His lips were in a tight line, keeping himself quiet. I tried to pull away from alec yet he just tightened his grip more.

"Alec!" I said in protest, trying to breakfree.

My father was already at my side now, glaring at him.

"What is the god-awful smell?" I heard Jane exclaim

I stood there frozen, praying that who was going to walk through that door wasn't who i thought. Hoping that he wouldn't be stupid enough to enter a room full of vampiros who have no mercy for human life, or werewolves. Wishing he hadn't come to Italy. Regretting that i had. But the unoticeable figure that stood at the door, soon turned into Jacob. My Jacob.

I couldn't breathe, i couldn't speak.

"Get .your .hands. off. her." I heard Jacob say through his clenched teeth. Each word distinct. Fierce.

Alec didn't mover an inch. He only glared at Jacob resentfully, who did just the same back.

"Jake!" My mother was already at his side, stopping him. "we told you to stay out there" Her voice urgent.

"And i told him to get his hands off her" He said shaking off my mothers hand from his shoulder, not breaking the gaze once with Alec. I stared at Jacob. As much as i regretted his coming, i didn't want him to leave. Voices flew around the background;

"Aro- We've come to get our daughter back." My mother said, the words fleeing out almost too quick for my ears to catch.

A bellowing laugh escaped from his lips, as if she had just told him a good joke. "Bella, Bella. Did you not hear us say how..special she is? Were not going to let her leave-" His voice darkened "not without a fight."

Jacobs hands soon turned into fists at his side. Paitence wasn't one of his skilled talants, especially when it came to Vampires- or my saftey. But as odd as this was, i felt nothing but seguro with Alec. He seemed mais likely to protect me then the other members.

"She stays with us." I heard caius conclued. A smile spread across Alec's urgent face, only making Jacob mais irritable. He started to tremble lightly, small convulsions covered his body.

"To hell she is!" I heard my father yell in the other direction. In response to Caius's earlier notion.

Jacob started to take slow steps foward, Alec getting mais anxious, he was half turned. As if he was ready to pick me up and run. I took advantage of the moment that he didn't have a hold on me and quickly scurried away towards Jacob.

Alec had his arm half-streched as if to grab me, but then retracted it. He stared with wide, hateful eyes at Jacob ,who was directing all of his attention towards me. As soon as i was distanced enough from Alec, and close enought to him, he wrapped his warm arms around me. he slowly stopped shaking, gaining his composure.

I looked progressivo, para a frente at Alec who was eyeing Jacob ever so thoughtfully. I couldn't decide wether he was mesuring my composure or Jacobs. Either way i found it rude and quite unessacary. I listened to Jacobs even breaths that pushed through his chest. It seemed like forever since i had heard someone (Other then myself) breathe.

"Hmm" Aro contemplated, flashing a smile in my direction. I felt Jacob tense as he did. "Why don't we let Renesmee decide"

Carlisle looked quickly at me then back to aro "Aro, you know she will-"
Aro raised one hand cutting him off. "What she decides, she will decide. Each decision will have their own concequence."

I felt sick to my stomach yet i seemed to be able to handle the pressure. But this was the moment i had to deicde on either my family's saftey or their sanity. I looked around the ancient room, examining each face quickly. Everybody stood still, even Jacob was unmoving- awaiting my answer. I foused in on Jane who grabbed my attention with her bright bloodred eyes.

"Regole" She mouthed one mais time. It seemed as if nobody had noticed.

Moments had passed before i spoke, each one getting mais tension filled.

"Well.." I started slowly, exagerating the word. Most likely to buy myself mais time to think it over. But i had come to my decision. "Considering all odds and outcomes, i think the better solution would be to- stay here."

Jacob held me mais securly as the words slipped out of my mouth. Anxious voices protested against it, others, the members of the volturi with it. But only one spoke to me, one that stood out; My mother.

"Renesmee.." My mother said so quietly i was surprised i heard it through all the comotion. She stared at me, her arms halfstreched out towards me. I would've went to comfort her- meet her pleading eyes, but Jacobs arms were like steel around me, i could tell i wasnt going to be let go of easily.

Suddenly the comotion came to a stop, all i heard was the angered breathing of Jacob.

"Come along Renesmee" Jane's voice chimed in through the silence. She motioned for me to follow her, most likely back up to my room before i made any hasty decisions.
I would mover if i was physicaly able to.

"Jacob" I sighed. I had given up on trying, this was my life now.

"No Renesmee!" He protested angrily. He looked towards the volturi "I'm not letting you live alone with theese - bloodsuckers!"

A violent snarl immeditely ripped from Alec's throat. I wasn't used to his Angelic voice being used in such a horrid way. "Like your any safer, mongrel." He left the room in a rush.

Jaocb flinched at the words, he knew that it was true. They were equaly as dangerous for me, but there was amor for me and Jacob. There hasn't been one time that i didn't feel seguro with Jacob.
He looked down at me for a moment, his eyes glistening the tinest bit. The most troubling expression covered his face. It hurt, seeing him like this. "Nessie?" He asked hoarsly "Is this what you want?"

I couldn't speak, i felt that if i did no words would come out. I simply just nodded, fighting back the tears that i was sure were going to spill over soon.

He sighed lightly, and then nodded. He didn't look up once mais as if his eyes were glued to the floor.

The rest my family hugged me, i felt as if i had done somthing wrong. But i knew this was safest, for all of them. With 5 members of the volturi and 9 guards, it wasn't an easy fight. If i had let it get that far, it wouldn't take them long to exterminate the cullens, and Jacob.

He looked at me one last time as Jane towed me away. His eyes yearning for me to change my mind. It seemed as if he didn't mind the fight. He didn't want me to cadastrar-se this clan of monsters, he didn't want me to be one.


As we climbed the case of neverending stairs, i took advantage of the moment to better understand Jane.

"I dont Understand" I finaly confessed to her after a moment.

"What exactly?" Her small angelic voice replied.

"Why you are - happy - if you will, that i am staying. I thought you detested me"

"Oh" She said caught por suprised. She reminded me much of her brother, they never expected the usual from me. Yet i wasn't the usual. "It's not that i'm happy your here.." She said.

I grew even mais confused por that, she saw my expression and continued.

"I'm just not used to .. others. The volturi havn't had anyone cadastrar-se in a long time, let alone a half human." She said wrinkling her nose. "I'm happy that you stayed because - for some ridiculous reason, my brother has grown... acustom to you. He loves you."

I held back a gasp that built up in my throat. That's what he meant por a pernament change, but of course, i couldn't amor him. I amor Jacob

"So.. your happy that he is?"

"He hasn't been this happy in a long time. He's been so lonely latley..." She said as we approched my door. "But again Renesmee - don't take it personal, I just dont enjoy change"

"Well, thank-you" I said. I was glad i could better understand her now. I wondered how this would effect things. I stepped inside my new room, my new life. Although i felt empty, as if a large part of me was now missing. But that was true. A large part of me is missing, and i dont know when or if ill ever get it back.

I carefully shut the door behind me. I turned around, about to go to sleep when i noticed somthing. Had i left the door open when i left? Surely i must not have..I slowly ventured out onto the balcony, and noticed a figure standing there.

"Alec, what are you doing here?" I asked in a small voice.

"You - You stayed." He said mesmerized "I was sure you were going to leave but -"

"Now hold up" I said, taking a step closer "I stayed for the sake of my family, not for any other reason." I tried to clarify my reasons.

The warm night air was the only thing making a sound now.

He turned to me, his smile flashing brightly against the dark sky. "I know" He said with a sigh.

"I talked to your sister -" I said, changing the tone of the conversation. He immdedietly tensed up at my words.

"What did she tell you?" He asked very slowly, pronouncing each word.

"It's not what she told me, as much as what i infered. Alec, I amor Jacob."

He turned away from me now. Locking his jaw tightly staring into the open, quiet city of volterra. "I know that aswell. But you could amor me too.."

"I guess it's possible" I said, considering the options. "Yet it's very unlikely"

He sighed again "Then i guess i'll have to try harder". He kissed the topo, início of my head then left the room abrubtly.

MAY

JUNE

July

These last three months have been quite interesting. I sat here remincing. Alec and I had grown very close. It was nice to have someone there. Although i didn't talk much of going back, and i never mentioned Jacob around him. It would only upset him. It was different hearing this silent boy talk. But it seemed as if Jane was missing his brother. Anytime he wasn't with the volturi he was with me. But no geral, global he is a good companion. It worried me to know he had another word in mind; Boyfriend. Although i doubt that would happen. I spend every minuto thinking about my family. And every othe rminute thinking about Jacob.

I have done quite alot of work for the Volturi. I've saved as many lives as i could, and put as few as possible in danger. I find myself traveling around Italy quite alot, I never realised how many were out there until now. I am almost able to control my abilities, everything but the shield. I still can't manage to get it right. Aro says that i should keep trying, although i think it may just not be a strong power.

A large pile of letters had been thrown infront of me on my bed. I looked up and saw Alec's dissaproving face.

"Their going to think something is wrong and take you away if you don't answer" He said grimacing at the thought.

My family has sent letters, yet i had never wrote them back. I didn't know what to tell them, other then how i am improving my powers. ANything else would upset them and they would come for me. I couldn't tell them how i have been used as bait to lewer uncontrolable vampiros (Although Alec isn't told much about these times either. It's kept under wraps). Or the time i was attacked por a Young one. And i definetly couldn't let them know about my growing relationship with Alec.

"I wouldn't know what to say" I said focusing back on fidigting.

"You have three months of not seeing them and you have nothing to say?" He asked acusingly

"If i say somthing, they come get me." I said "If i dont, they come get me. How is this fair?"

He laughed half heartedly at my response "Renesmee, just leave out parts that would upset them"

"Me being here upsets them" I said gazing out the window.

"One letter?"He asked "I don't want to lose you.." The pain in his voice at the end made me feel bad.

"Fine" i finaly agreed. He smiled, watching my disgruntled expresion as i picked up the emmence amount of letters that were placed on topo, início of the bed.

Dear Mother and Father,
--------------------------
My days with the volturi have proven to be quite fufilling. I Am now able to control my powers mais and aro plans on making them stronger. Other then a few mishaps with new borns, all is well.

I have been touring Italy lately, finding out mais about young ones. It seems the mais information i know, the better i am able to read them.

We have discovered that my strongest readings are with human children rather then vampire. Of course this experiment was done very subtle, therefore the child did not know. I refused to let them waste a life, and they agreed that as long as i could still get effective results secretly, that would be fine.

I still refuse to go por their diet though, as much as they have tried to convince me. I have told them time after time it isn't my style, yet they still try.

I'm sorry i havn't written back to you in awhile. I have been out of volterra quite alot. But all is well, and i will inform you if anything is to happen.

-Renesmee.

I folded up the small peice of paper that held my personal caligraphy and placed it in an empty envolope. Looking up at Alec, i handed it to him "Happy?" I asked as he left to deliver it.

"Very" He called back, leaving.

I decided to open up my most recent letter, delivered only yesterday. I expected to see a long, beautifuly hand written letter But it wasn't from one of the Cullens.It was from Seth.

Renesmee,
----------
I don't know if or even when you'll get this. And i know this is against Jacobs orders, But for Jaocb's sake i will write to you.

Jacob hasn't been the same since he got back from Italy. He hasn't left La Push and he wont talk to anybody, not even billy. He blames your leaving on himself. He's messed up, and i don't know if we'll get him back. He has been messing around lately, being stupid.

We cant even mention your name anymore. I can'r tell if i wrote to you for help, or another reason. But do with the information what you will.

-Seth.

I immedietly felt my coração drop. I couldn't breathe for a moment, i stood up abruptly, letting the letters fall to the floor. I felt alec suddenly at my side, his cold hands prying mine from my chest.

"Renesmee!" He asked panicked "What's wrong?!"

His urgent voice hadn't phased me though. I thought about Jacob, and the rest of my family. I realised, though the months i had been here had been useful i missed my family, and they missed me too.

I never thought twice about what this would do to Jacob. I always thought he could handle it, but then i remember his words. Your my oxygen.
I missed Jacob so dearly, and to know he was hurting of this killed me.

I turned to Alec "I need to talk to Aro" I said exiting the room.

"Why is that, what's wrong?"

"I need to leave - my family needs me" I added.

He suddenly became very tense at my side as i walked out the door.

"Renesmee! It is strictly forbidden that you leave and if you do then -"

"I'll take my chances" I argued back.