Chapter 7

I was hunting with Jane again one night, but she ran off quicker than usual. I went to follow her but she called out “Edward, please don’t follow me. Get away from here. Now. Go. Please”
I was mystified par her words. What did I have to run from? There wasn’t anyone who was displeased with me at the moment. Well, maybe Carlisle. But he would never hurt me. Or…….or what if it was something else, something I had never thought of. What if……what if she had found a mate?
The realization hit me hard. I stumbled back, my breath knocked out of me. Of course, we’d both knew that we weren’t mates; our l’amour was never like that. It wasn’t as intense. But still, a mate! How was I supposed to compete with that. I turned and walked back to my home, slowly.

I was jolted from my thoughts when a group of vampires barged though my front door, and I meant that in a literal sense. At least it wasn’t a mate I thought grimly as I tensed to attack. They came into where I was, and sank into defensive crouches. We circled around, them trying to get me every now and then. All their thoughts centred around taking me away, but for whom, I did not know. I sprang, landing on the smallest vampire, bite all she did was bite my wrist. As I gasped in shock, the two strongest vampires grabbed my arms and led me away. I knew that there was no point fighting. One slung me on his back, like Carlisle had before, and thought that maybe I was going to him. But I looked at there eyes, and saw that they were blood red. Carlisle would never do that. I tried to think, but then I realised that we were crossing into Italy. My mind thought only one thing “Jane”. I relaxed, and the one carrying me looked at me like I was crazy. Soon we were at the entrance to the stone room. I knew who these people were.
“The Volturi” I whispered, and closed my eyes in utter defeat. One of the guards who took me was running though Aro’s lectures in his head, but only three words caught my attention.
rejoindre ou die
Just then someone opened the door and shoved me though it. I stumbled as the rest of the guard followed though and filed to the side of the room.
“Edward, how nice of toi to rejoindre us” Aro said, walking forward
“It wasn’t like I had much choice, Aro” I growled.
He laughed, and walked around me. I hardly noticed it though. I was looking for something much plus important. For Jane.
Aro laughed again. “I suppose toi want to see Jane. No need to fret, she’s here right now,” Jane stumbled out of the many vampires gathered around the room. This whole exchange was done irritatingly slowly; it was like we were human.
“Jane,” I breathed, running to her and lifting her up in a hug.
“What did they do to your arm Edward?” she asked, her face alive with concern. Aro was suddenly at my side and lifted my arm up, examining where the small vampire had bit me. ‘Hmm,” he mused “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean for our guard to be so rough on you” he said, with a chill in his voice. I’d rather save that part for…his thought broke off ‘I shall have to talk to Sophia later”
“Aro,” I growled again, “why am I here?”
Aro laughed again. ‘Oh, but we can’t ask questions until we introduce our last guest, can we,” a menacing tone in his voice ‘No, I would never want to be impolite” He went over to the far south corner and beckoned. Carlisle walked out slowly, his expression pained. I’m so sorry, Edward he thought. I stared at him in shock; he looked so out of place here, amongst all the crimson eyed vampires.
I turned my attention away from him. “Aro,” I repeated “why am I HERE?!” I threw a chair across the room as I spoke this time.
His expression was patronizing. “Oh, but Edward, I thought toi already knew”
The three words ran though my head again. rejoindre ou die.
Aro spoke again “Join us Edward. After all, toi do want to be with Jane, don’t you?”
Jane turned and smiled at him. Aro let out a tortured cry and dropped to the ground, withering in agony. Several members of his guard ran and pinned her to the ground, so that her focus was no longer on Aro. I realised why Carlisle told me not to let her smile at me. Aro sprang up “Jane,” he growled, his patronizing tone replaced with one that was as cold as steel. Jane smiled again. This time the reaction was quicker.
The patronizing tone was back “Edward, rejoindre or...” he left the sentence unfinished. He didn’t have to finish. Both of us knew the suivant word.
“Edward”
It was Carlisle who called my name this time. He walked across the room and placed his hand on my shoulder, looking in my eyes Remember what I told you. These vampires are monsters.
“Carlisle, I don’t have another option” I growled
There’s always another option
“Not this time. Anyway, I doubt that it’s really like what toi say”
It’s exactly like what I say
“How do toi know?”
I….I was a member of the Volturi
I gasped. But I didn’t have time to think about that “Carlisle, there’s not another option”
Yes there is
‘What then?” My tone was sarcastic now.
We can take them, if we get Jane on our side
“It would never work”
Maybe. But you’re faster than everyone here. And if that doesn’t work, I’m sure we can work out a truce.
“That doesn’t help me now”
I’ll talk to Aro. Work out something. toi don’t have to rejoindre them.
“No-“ I started to object, but Carlisle was already walking up to Aro. He started discussing some sort of treaty, but Aro wouldn’t agree.
“Edward, will toi rejoindre us?” Aro asked again, his smile gone. He was getting a little impatient.
I made my decision
“You can go to hell”