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"So how many do we have here?" The Cullens and I gathered outside while the other vampires occupied the house. Not too far from us was the Denali coven as they lingered about. Our whole family was back, minus Alice and Jasper, and we decided it was time to regroup and figure out our final plan.

"Eighteen." Edward mentally counted. "We've made some good friends over the years."

"Most of them friendly," Emmett smirked. He and Dom shared a laugh before clearing their throats awkwardly when Esme glared at them. "Okay so we've got the numbers, now what?"

"I've suggested for those with powers, demonstrate them for us. It won't come to a fight but almost everyone here has been alone for some time." Carlisle explained.

"We've seen Benjamin's gift. Eli is practically obsessed with him now." I chuckled. "He's become a little shadow for him."

"Which I'm sure he doesn't mind." Esme smiled playfully.

"We've seen the Amazonians' abilities. And Eleazer is helping Bella with hers." Edward added.

"Oh yeah, the beginning of Kate and Garrett's love story," I smirked. I looked over my shoulder at her and caught her glare. She eventually rolled her eyes and smirked back at me.

"A tale as old as time." Emmett chuckled. We discreetly fist bumped while Esme shook her head at our joke.

"Whose gifts do we have left to see?" Esme inquired. Though her question went unanswered. The vampires around me tensed up and their heads snapped in the direction of the trees. Growling echoed from afar and the Denalis sped to our side as everyone gathered together. Emmett shoved me behind him and Kate and Garrett stood on either side of me.

"Who is it?" A question I've been asking a lot lately.

"I don't know." Which is the only answer I've been given to that question. I should've run inside the house but seeing as there was a major threat to my humanity in there too, I didn't. Also, my curiosity got the best of me.

"Emmett, Garrett, Esme, stay here." The three of them nodded and Carlisle, Edward, and Bella, along with the Denalis, ran into the woods.

"Can you hear anything?" I asked Emmett.

"Sounds like they're nomads. From I don't know where." He nudged me towards the house and I stood on the porch steps as we stood there waiting for the others to return. "They're coming." They immediately tensed up again as the others returned with two unfamiliar faces. Their eyes were red, lips still had remnants of blood, and skin paler than Edward's. An involuntary shiver ran down my spine the closer they got.

"A human?" One of them smirked at me.

"Try anything and I'll end you," Kate smirked at him as she moved past him. Before I could introduce myself, she grabbed my hand and dragged me inside. "They're not worth knowing. Trust me."

"I should still thank them for at least coming," I replied.

"They're not here for that. They're here for a chance to fight." Garrett piped in as he followed us to the living room. I stood in between the two of them and the other vampires in the room took turns glancing at me. "Or to eat you. That's always a possibility."

"You're not funny." I glared at him. It wasn't long before everyone was gathered in the living room and the sun was setting. Eli sat on the floor between my legs pretending to read one of his books while Eleazer began to speak.

"When Aro wants someone from a coven, it's not long until he finds evidence to desecrate that coven to get them." He explained. My mind immediately went to Alice as he spoke. It was no secret Aro's been after for her gift, maybe she ran to protect herself. I couldn't blame her.

"So he's done this before?" Bella asked.

"It happened so rarely, I never realized it was a pattern of his."

"Apparently he only pardons one person, one he feels whose thoughts are repentant," Carlisle added.

"This person always has an ability." Eleazer countered. "And they're given a place with the Guard."

"This is all about Alice." Edward piped in. "He has no one like her."

"Which is why she's gone," I spoke up. "He made it no secret he likes her gift."

"Why does he need witnesses? I mean I get us, but why them?" Emmett inquired.

"To spread the word that justice has been served. After he slaughters an entire coven." Alistair answered him, a smirk dancing across his face.

"Benjamin, Tia, we're leaving," Amun announced.

"No!" Eli gasped and sped to Benjamin. His little arms wrapped around the boy's legs and Benjamin rested a hand on his head comfortingly.

"And where will you go?" Edward growled. "You think he'll be satisfied with just Alice? What's to stop them from going after Benjamin next? Or Zafrina or Kate, anyone else with a gift?" He gestured around to everyone while Amun huffed. "Their goal isn't punishment. It's power." Nobody spoke as he glanced around at all of us. "Carlisle won't ask you to fight, but I will. For the sake of my family, my daughter, my nephew. For your family." Emmett placed a hand on my shoulder and gave it a small squeeze as we exchanged nervous looks. I nodded and he understood what I meant without me needing to say it. We'll fight too. Even though I'm useless.

"The packs will fight." Jacob declared as he stood up. "We've never been afraid of vampires." He smirked.

"We will fight too," Tanya announced. The Denali sisters stood to their feet and with their hands interlocked, smiled gleefully at me.

"This won't be the first time I've fought a king's rule," Garrett smirked as he stepped forward.

"We'll join you." Benjamin picked up Eli and held him in his arms as he grabbed his mate's hand and stood defiantly against Amin's order. "You may do as you please Amun but for the sake of this child's future, I'm staying."

Slowly, one by one, everyone stood to their feet and agreed to join our fight. Amun appears to be the only one still upset. "Let's hope it doesn't come to a fight." Edward nodded.

"We'll see," Alistair smirked. "The Volturi's predictably unpredictable. She," he pointed at me. "Would know that well enough." Attention was on him as he left the room before those same eyes flickered back to me.

"Clary knows about the Volturi just as much as we do. He's just trying to ruffle a few feathers." It was in that statement made by Esme that our little family decided to keep my time with the Volturi a secret. My time with them didn't help our situation any and the last thing we needed was more questions. Everyone dispersed and our impromptu meeting was over.

"We'll regroup in the morning." And with that last parting statement, Eli and I were off to bed.

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"Babe, are you don't wanna do this another day?" I ignored Emmett's whining as I buckled Eli into his car seat. Carlisle had permitted me to borrow his car for a few hours while I ran a long overdue errand. Emmett wasn't against the idea but he was protesting it in his way. I closed the door behind me and I smiled reassuringly up at him. He had the cutest pout on his face and his eyebrows were furrowed. I reached my hand up and using my thumb I smoothed out the wrinkles on his forehead.

"Em I'll be fine." I chuckled lightly. "I'll only be gone two, three hours tops."

"I just don't now's a good time for us to be separated." He exhaled loudly and I wrapped my arms around his middle.

"I'm not going alone. Jacob's coming with me and besides, you know I won't be defenseless." I stood on my toes and kissed his cheek. "I'll be back before you even notice I'm gone. Plus you're going to have so much fun seeing Edward get his ass kicked by Kate when she helps Bella later. Do you want to miss that?"

"Hell no." He smirked.

"That's what I thought. I won't be gone too long, I promise." He gave me a quick hug before opening the car door for me. He bent down and glared at Jacob in a warning.

"If you bring my girl or my kid back with one hair out of place, Renesmee will be without a mate."

"You got it." Jacob mock saluted as he smirked.

"Good." Edward stood to his full height and with a chaste kiss on my lips, he was bidding me goodbye.

"So where we goin'?" You'd think he would've asked that before he hopped into the car.

"To Sam's." I sighed softly. I drove the car down the road and he took it upon himself to flick through the radio stations.

"That's your overdue errand? I thought it would've been something else."

"Like what?"

"I don't know. I assumed maybe something with your Dad." He shrugged.

"No, he's busy with work. No offense to him, but this is kinda more important."

"Do they know Eli's- ya know?" He tilted his head and pointed at the toddler behind him.

"Nope." I popped my lips.

"Oh, that'll be fun." He smirked.