The next day had arrived, and everyone had agreed to stand with the Cullens if it came to a fight. I returned, resolute in my decision to join them when they confronted the Volturi. I sat in the living room, surrounded by others scattered throughout the space. My knees brushed against Emmett's as we sat together on the couch.

"Aro will want us incapacitated before he attacks," Edward began, sitting on the edge of a table, his gaze focused on Carlisle, who was settled into an armchair. "Jane and Alec will try and take me out first because I can anticipate their moves," We were deep in planning, discussing strategies that might tip the balance in our favour.

"Too bad we don't all have your shield," Garrett chimed in from beside Kate, locking eyes with Bella seated nearby.

"It doesn't help me fight, though," Bella pointed out, knowing her shield was purely defensive.

"No, but you could help the rest of us if you could project it," Tanya suggested from her seat on a kitchen stool, her eyes meeting Bella's with intent.

"What do you mean?" Bella asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Shield someone other than yourself," Tanya clarified.

Bella's tone rose with surprise. "Is that even possible?"

"Gifts can develop, over time," Carlisle added, his voice steady and thoughtful.

"At first, mine was just in my palms," Kate explained. "Now I can radiate it all over my body,"

"How do you do it?" Bella asked eagerly, jumping in right after Kate finished speaking. Kate averted her gaze as if the process would take years for Bella to master. "Tell me," Bella insisted, gripping Kate's hand a little too tightly.

"Ow," Kate winced but agreed to show Bella the basics.

Kate, Bella, Emmett, Edward, Garrett, and I made our way to the back of the house, heading into the open space where Bella could fully test her ability.

"You need to visualize it," Kate instructed. "See how it moves." Bella stood in front of us, concentrating as she followed Kate's guidance. "What colour it is... Now picture it expanding. Will it to go beyond you," all of us could see the strain on her face as she was trying to will it from her.

At that moment, it was as if the light itself was pouring from her. I could make out faint lines of energy—golden—yet they were so transparent that they were almost imperceptible to the untrained eye. I watched as it slowly stretched out toward Edward, only to snap back before it could reach him.

Bella's expression was one of defeat. Kate and Edward exchanged a glance. "I think she needs something to motivate her," Kate suggested, turning her gaze back to Bella. Edward reluctantly moved forward, pulling his hands from his jeans pockets.

"No," Bella interjected, stepping forward to protest.

"It's all right; I can take it," Edward said, trying to appear brave, hoping his wife would come through for him.

"He says that now," Garrett chimed in, and I couldn't help but smirk at his remark, considering Kate's power did look particularly painful.

"Focus, Bella," Emmett urged from my left. "Or he's gonna be hurting." He was trying to motivate her to project the shield to ensure Edward's safety.

Edward cautiously extended his hand toward Kate's. "Edward, I'm not ready for this yet," Bella said as their hands made contact. Edward grunted in pain as the electricity from Kate surged through him. The crackling sound echoed in the air, and Edward stumbled forward, overwhelmed by the intensity of the pain. He groaned, sinking to the floor for a moment.

"I'm sorry! I said that I wasn't ready!" Bella exclaimed; her gaze fixed on her husband seated on the floor.

"Dude, you're not motivating her," Emmett raised his voice slightly, glancing at Edward.

"You want to try?" Edward snapped back, rising to his feet. Emmett quickly raised his hands in defence, clearly not eager to feel the sting of Kate's power.

"Charlotte?" Bella called my name, and I turned to her, noticing the pleading look in her eyes as if she were hoping for a spell that could magically help her.

"I'm sorry, but you have to learn," I replied softly. I didn't want to deny her request, but she needed to find a way to do this on her own, without any external assistance. "Abilities take practice, just like witchcraft. I can't wiggle my nose and make things happen," I said with a chuckle at my own playful reference. "It takes time, focus, and the belief that I can achieve the impossible," I said, smiling as I took a few steps closer to her. "You need to believe in yourself, Bella," I urged, my voice soft but encouraging. I offered her a bright, warm smile, hoping to inspire a flicker of confidence within her. She nodded in response, a small spark of determination beginning to light up her expression.

Bella made another attempt, but once again struggled to project her shield onto Edward. Meanwhile, Kate's electricity surged through his neck, causing him to double over in pain as he crouched on the floor.

"Kate!" Bella exclaimed; frustration evident in her voice as she noticed Edward wincing from the pain.

"You seem to lack incentive. Shall I go see if Renesmee's awake?" Kate suggested, casually turning toward the house as if to make her point.

"Are you crazy?" Bella shot back, her eyes blazing with anger as she stepped closer to Kate in a warning stance.

"All right," Kate replied, raising her hand. "This one's on full power." She lifted her hand higher, directing it toward Edward. I couldn't help but chuckle; Kate had a knack for making everything seem so light-hearted, even in tense moments. Edward looked at Bella with fear in his eyes, shifting uncomfortably as he braced himself for the shock.

As he prepared for the jolt, Bella concentrated on projecting her shield toward him. I watched in awe as it began to extend outward, like radiant light streaming from her. Edward nodded, deciding to get it over with if Bella was ready or not.

When Kate's hand made contact with Edward's forearm, I could see from my vantage point electricity, coursing through his arm, and the crackle of electricity. Remarkably, he remained standing, no shock sending him sprawling.

After a few tense moments, Kate finally released her hold, and Bella's projection ceased. The joy on both their faces was unmistakable. I couldn't help but smile, proud of Bella for overcoming the challenge.

"It's painful, but it's bearable," Edward said, casting a reassuring glance at Bella. She beamed back at him, her face radiating joy at her accomplishment. I turned towards Emmett, and we shared a knowing smile, both of us feeling the excitement in the air.

"Ok, we should go again," Bella declared, excited to continue practising her power on people.

"Emmett," Edward interjected, his urgency apparent as he prepared to avoid another shock from Kate. Emmett's eyes widened, and I couldn't help but chuckle at his expression.

"Uh... I'm good," Emmett stammered, shuffling his feet and retreating a few steps to avoid getting zapped by Kate's powers.

"Vido," I chanted, and in an instant, an invisible force yanked Emmett toward Kate. "I think he's volunteering after all," I joked, bursting into laughter as he fought to escape the invisible grip. Just before he reached Kate, he suddenly swerved and headed straight for me, coming to a complete stop right in front of me.

"You're lucky you're so damn cute," I said with a playful smile, leaning in to plant a soft kiss on his lips. His arms enveloped me as he deepened the kiss. And for that special moment, I forgot all my worries...

.................................

Bella kept practising, determined to expand her shield so that it would be strong enough to protect all of us if necessary. I stood on the balcony, gazing out at the forest. As I looked into the distance, my thoughts drifted to the impending fight and whether we could possibly avoid it. The memory of my tarot reading haunted me, and no matter how hard I tried, my mind kept returning to that night.

As I scanned the surroundings, my gaze suddenly fixated on one of the women who had been haunting me. While it sent a shiver through me, I found that I wasn't as frightened as I had been during our first encounter. This time, I simply held her stare, unflinching.

"I know who you are," I whispered softly, a strange intuition telling me she would hear me without the need to raise my voice. In the blink of an eye, she disappeared.

"You know nothing," a ghostly voice echoed from behind me, prompting me to spin on my heels. My back pressed against the railing as I faced the hooded figure, identical to the others, with all their features shrouded in shadow. "And it will stay that way unless you follow the destined path," she shot back, causing me to frown at her words.

"What path?" I asked, bewildered by her cryptic words.

"The one steeped in darkness and chaos," she said, and as the words left her lips, I felt my throat go dry. "Do not fear what is destined, nor should you deny it," she said, her words resonating with a truth that suggested resisting would change nothing for me.

"Please, just tell me what's coming," I urged, my voice filled with desperation. "I can't keep thinking these thoughts," the thoughts about my impending death at the hands of the Volturi. Or worse, the ones I love dying to protect me.

"Once known you can't change what is to come," she retorted swiftly, as if knowing the future wouldn't change it. "Stray not from the path," she whispered before transforming into mist and dissipating into the air.

A frustrated sigh escaped my lips as I turned back toward the forest. None of it made any sense, and I guessed it wouldn't until the time was right—until I was... I shook my head, trying to push the thought away. But I knew it would linger...

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