Me and Jasper walked into the meadow were the battle had taken place. A large fire had started in the center, and it covered the ground in a purple smoke. The wolves were no where in sight, but the Cullens stood around the fire talking quietly. I checked - I double checked - but I couldn't see Carlisle.
Jasper seemed to have reached the same conclusion."Carlisle," Jasper whispered grimly. My heart sunk at his tone. We both jogged to meet the Cullens.
"Esme, where's Carlisle?" Jasper asked, I could feel his nervousness and guilt radiating off of him.
Esme just smiled softly, "He's with Jacob, dear. A newborn got its arms around that poor boy and your father went to help."
"Is Jacob okay?" I butt in.
"He'll be fine." Esme promised me softly.
I nodded my head, relieved at Esme's words. I couldn't bear the thought of him getting hurt because of me. I saw movement in the corner of my eye. I glanced over to see a young girl cowering by the a group of rocks. Jasper sensed her too.
He rushed at the girl, "There's another!"
I watched as Rosalie moved to block his path and Esme gripped onto his arm.
"We offered her mercy. She's surrendered." Esme said softly, trying to calm down my boyfriend.
"Are you insane? If the Volturi found out about this you could die, we all could die! She won't be able to control herself!" Jasper said looking at the girl like she was a terrifying monster; someone who would destroy us all in a heartbeat.
"I'll take responsibility for her." Esme said slightly sharper this time.
I took Jasper's hand trying to keep him calm and collected. Knowing his background I understood why this newborn upset him so badly. He was scared, and I needed to be there to help him.
"You're a fool," Jasper spat, "She needs to be destroyed."
"Jasper," I rebuked softly. He didn't need to start a fight; not now.
"She's innocent. None of this is her fault. You will not lay a hand on her." Esme said with more authority than I thought possible for her.
I thought Jasper would continue to argue, but he remained silent; just watching the girl's every move.
Carlisle slipped in next to all of us without a word a few moments later.
"How is he?" I asked Carlisle, referring to Jacob.
Carlisle sighed, "He'll recover. I gave him some Morphine. I'm afraid there isn't much more I can do as of the moment. I'm going to check again later tonight, you two can come with me if you so desire. I know you must be worried-"
"Carlisle," Edward interrupted he motioned towards Alice, who was staring off into the distance completely unresponsive. "The Volturi are on their way. They'll be here any moment."
Jasper tensed beside me. I clung on to his arm. I was still human. What would the Volturi do to me if they noticed? I was terrified that I might be killed.
It was dead silent as we watched the edge of the forest. I held my breath when a group of cloaked figures emerged from the woods. The girl, Jane, lead three others. She had a wicked grin on her face.
"Looks like we missed quite the fight," She spoke flatly.
"If only you'd shown a few minutes earlier, you may have been able to assist us." Alice scoffed quietly.
"Pity." Jane's tone was bored. She eyed the newborn cowering behind us. "You missed one."
"She's been offered mercy. We'll take full responsibility for her." Carlisle moved so he was stood between Jane and the newborn.
"Mercy was not something for you to offer, I'm afraid. We wouldn't want to upset Aro, now would we?" Jane smirked.
"She didn't know what she was doing. She's a victim in all this." Esme spoke up, sounding desperate to save this stranger.
"The rules are clear. Anyone who is involved in newborn armies must die. No matter the role they served." She stole a glance at Jasper and my heart sunk.
Edward moved in front of us all, "Surely you can let this one incident slip. Besides, we have much more important matters to discuss."
"Such as?"
All eyes were on Edward, what was he planning?
"I've made a decision that I'm sure Aro will be very pleased with. I'm going to join you, assuming the invitation is still open."
"Edward, no!" Carlisle gasped. Everyone else was speechless.
Jane's smile widened, "This is good news. I'm sure Aro will be ecstatic."
Edward nodded, "When do we leave?"
"Well," Jane paused, "Things seem to be taken care of here. We should leave now, we wouldn't want to keep the masters waiting."
"I think that would be best. You will allow me to say my goodbyes, won't you?" Edward questioned, seeming far too calm.
"Of course," Jane nodded.
Edward nodded and turned to face all of us. No one spoke for a long while.
It was Alice who first broke the silence, "You know you don't have to do this."
"You know I have to," Edward responded. "There is no place for me here."
"Son," Carlisle began speaking, "I don't understand. After everything - after all these years - why now?"
"It's of no fault other than my own. I appreciate everything you've done for me, but I have to go my own path."
Carlisle looked heartbroken. Esme trapped Edward in a tight embrace. She seemed on the verge of tears, even if vampires could never cry.
"Don't leave us again, Edward." Esme pleaded.
"I'll visit. I have to do this."
He kept repeating that same phrase, and I wondered why he thought that. There was no need for him to leave. I shrugged it off. It didn't matter anyway; I would never try to stop him.
He released Esme and went to say his goodbyes to the rest of the Cullens. Jasper held on tighter to me when he walked past us. His eyes lingered on me for a moment, a sad look marring his face. I leaned in closer to Jasper.
With a sigh he said his goodbyes to Rosalie, Emmett, and Alice.
"Are you ready?" Jane asked, she had been watching Edward with great interest.
Edward nodded and within a split second he and the Volturi ran off into the distance.