The next day arrived, and my thoughts were still occupied by Emmett and what he had said. However, I decided not to bring it up, not wanting to upset him further. Everyone had gathered in the room where Renesmee was playing the piano, a skill Edward had taught her given his extended lifespan. Carlisle and Esme played chess, their focus divided between the game and the beautiful performance Renesmee was giving.

Emmett leaned on the piano while I stood beside him, my hand resting on his shoulder as I leaned into him. Renesmee's piano playing was so beautiful, and I couldn't help but wish I could play as skilfully as she did. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Alice enter the room, holding a vase filled with flowers. I watched her with concern as she suddenly stopped, her eyes drifting into space as if she saw something in the distance.

A moment later, she dropped the vase—flowers and all—onto the floor. Whatever she had seen must have been significant, as the glass shattered on impact, sending shards and water scattering across the room. Everyone halted their activities and turned to look at her, their faces etched with concern. Jasper was the first to reach her, his vampire speed allowing him to be by her side in an instant.

"What is it, Alice?" Jasper asked with concern, placing his hand gently on her lower back for comfort, as Esme and Carlisle rose from their seats.

"The Volturi..." she said, looking at Jasper for a moment before turning to face the rest of us. "They're coming for us. Aro. Caius. Marcus. The Guard," she said their names slowly, each as terrifying as the next. "And Irina," Alice added. Her name shocked us, as we had thought she was family and was coming here to speak with us.

"Honey, come here," Bella said, her eyes locking onto her daughter as she called her over. Renesmee stood in front of her mother, as Bella latched her hands on her daughter for protection.

"Why?" Carlisle asked, taking a step forward.

"What did Irina see in the woods?" Edward questioned urgently.

"We were just walking," Bella answered, holding her daughter close.

"Ness was catching snowflakes," Jake added, glancing at Edward.

"I was using a bit of magic for her," I said, looking at Edward, as the act was innocent, and I didn't think she was there to see me witness it.

"Of course..." Edward said softly, as Bella and I exchanged puzzled glances, unsure of what he meant. " "Irina thinks Renesmee is an Immortal Child," Edward said. The term sounded familiar, but I couldn't quite place where I had heard it before.

We had moved into Carlisle's study, which was more like a small library but spacious. Bella sat in a chair, while Carlisle placed a book in front of her, flipping to the appropriate page. The room was scattered with people; Rose was with Renesmee, and I stood next to Emmett, his arm wrapped around my waist, holding me close.

Carlisle leaned on the table as he spoke to Bella. "Immortal Children were incredibly beautiful—so enchanting. To be near them was to love them. But their development was frozen at the age they were turned. They couldn't be taught or controlled. A single tantrum could destroy an entire village..." I could hear the pages of the book Carlisle had given Bella flipping, but I was unable to tear my eyes away from him as he continued. "Humans heard of the devastation, and stories spread. The Volturi had to intervene because the children couldn't keep our secret. They had to be destroyed. Their creators grew very attached and fought to protect them. Long-established covens were torn apart. Countless humans slaughtered. Traditions, friends, even families. Lost"

I could picture the scene vividly in my mind—the burning bodies, the stench of charred flesh filling the air, and the metallic scent of blood from countless deaths.

"So, the Denalis' mother created an Immortal Child?" Bella asked, her voice breaking the silence as Carlisle let the information sink in.

"Yes," he replied simply. "And she paid the price." As his words echoed, I could vividly picture their mother being torn apart and set ablaze. I sensed that all of us were envisioning the same gruesome scene.

"Well, Renesmee is nothing like those children. She was born, not bitten. She grows every single day," Bella said quickly, her face reflecting the stress she was feeling.

"So, can't you just explain that to the Volturi?" Jake asked, focusing his gaze on Carlisle.

"Aro has enough evidence from Irina's thoughts," Edward added, and the room fell into silence. My mind raced with the realization that the Volturi knew I was a witch and that they were coming not just for Renesmee, but for me as well.

"So we fight," Jacob said as if it were obvious.

"Their offensive weapons are too powerful," Jasper replied. "No one can stand against Jane," he added, referring to the same Jane who had arrived in Forks right after we dealt with the newborn problem and killed a girl without reason.

"Alec's even worse," Alice said, and the mention of the pair seemed to unsettle even the Cullens.

"We have a witch on our side," Jake pointed out, glancing at me for a moment.

"A witch they probably now know about," I countered quickly, my voice trembling slightly. The thought of them being aware of me terrified me. Emmett's grip around my waist tightened a little bit, as he knew I was scared.

"Well, then we convince them," Bella said confidently, determined to change their minds.

"They're coming to kill us, not to talk," Emmett replied, speaking the truth. As they're not interested in talking this out. All they know is death.

"No, you're right," Edward said, acknowledging Bella's idea. "They won't listen to us. But maybe others can convince them. Carlisle, you have friends all around the world," Edward said, fixing his gaze on Carlisle.

"I won't ask them to fight," Carlisle replied. He was a good man who didn't want to involve others if it meant they might have to fight and die for them.

"Not fight—witness," Edward clarified. "If enough people know the truth, maybe we could convince the Volturi to listen."

"We can ask this of our friends," Esme said gently, placing her hand on Carlisle's arm and looking into his eyes. He studied her for a moment before placing his hand on top of hers and nodding with a smile, showing his agreement.

"What about me?" I asked, turning to Alice, my voice wavering with apprehension. "Did you see them coming for me?" Alice met my gaze, her expression softening and revealing everything. Tears welled up in my eyes as I took a shaky breath.

"We'll protect you," Emmett said firmly. I had no doubt about his resolve, but I couldn't help wondering at what cost—would it mean him dying? Or all of them dying for me?

"They won't be satisfied until the last witch is dead," tears streamed down my cheeks uncontrollably. "Their hunger for power will never end, and eliminating me only brings them closer to their goal."

"I'd rather die than see you dead," Emmett said firmly, gripping my arms with determination. The thought of losing me made him both sick and heartbroken.

"I won't let you or anyone else die for me," I retorted. If I survived and Emmett or anyone else didn't, I couldn't live with myself.

"Then... we turn you," Emmett suggested, causing me to gasp at his proposal and drawing the attention of everyone else.

"Emmett," Carlisle said warningly, prompting Emmett to look over at him. Carlisle shook his head before turning his gaze back to me.

"If we turn you, you won't be a witch anymore, and the Volturi won't have any reason to kill you," Emmett reasoned. His logic seemed flawed; turning me wouldn't solve anything. They might still kill me for having been a witch before.

"I-I can't—please, don't ask me to," I said, my voice trembling with emotion, as I searched his face. "I love being a witch. It's who I am, and it's a part of me that I cherish deeply. I don't want to lose that,"

"I can't bear the thought of losing you," Emmett said, his voice filled with deep love and admiration.

"You'll lose me if you turn me," I said, my voice rising as I pulled away from his grasp. I couldn't believe he wanted me to give up the very thing that defines me. "Magic is all I've ever known, and the thought of living without it breaks me,"

"Charlotte," Bella said, prompting me to turn my gaze toward her as she stood up. I could tell she felt the same way as Emmett, and likely everyone else did too. They'd rather see me alive in any form than face the prospect of my death.

"The answer is no," I said firmly, my eyes darting between everyone. My decision was final, regardless of how much he pleaded. "I'd rather die as myself than live as a vampire," I choked out, tears streaming uncontrollably down my cheeks.

Before anyone could respond, I turned and walked out of the library. I didn't look back, but I could feel their eyes on me, especially Emmett's.

****************