Prelude

Alice was right about the first plane, no delays. But our connecting flight to Italy was \rcanceled and we were forced to wait overnight in the airport bar. Jasper placed a call to \rCarlisle, who tried to reach us while we were on route to Florida. Unfortunately it didn't \rappear that Jasper's usual gifts carried over cellular airwaves. Rose and I could clearly \rhear the tone of disapproval in Carlisle's voice.\r\r"We tend to make decisions like this together, Jasper. We are a family."\r\r"I didn't want to get the family involved. This is something I feel I have to do. We don't \rneed to all run off to fix each other's problems. We're adults."\r\r"It seems you three are acting more like adolescents than I ever would have expected."\r\r"Carlisle, Alice doesn't see any danger ahead for us. This is a friendly gesture. We'll be \rback in no time. Please, just go about your business and don't worry about us."\r\rThere was a pause before Carlisle continued, "Please send my regards to Peter and \rCharlotte, and keep in touch. I want to know you are safe."\r\rWhen we finally arrived in Rome I was ready to get going already. The sooner this was \rdone, the better. But we flew in at night and Rose had an easy time convincing me to get \ra hotel room until morning. Jasper seemed a bit impatient with the arrangement, but he \rdidn't have much of a choice. And I knew his time would be spent figuring out strategies \rfor approaching Volterra and confronting the guard. So I figured this night might work \rout for all of us.\r\rIt was nearing noon the next day as we approached Volterra. From everything we knew \rour presence alone would be enough to alert the Volturi to our arrival. Walking into the \rcity, we stayed close to the walls, keeping ourselves in shadow. \r\rThe streets were mostly empty except for a few tourists taking pictures of towers and \rturrets. But within minutes I noticed a dark figure flitting from one rooftop to another. \rThen two hooded figures appeared on the far wall and were quickly gone. We stopped \rand turned our backs to the wall. From the far side of the courtyard, the same two \rhooded figures from the wall walked fluidly toward us, at a slow and steady pace. Both \rwere tall and broad, but I had them beat in the muscle department. They stopped about \rfive paces from us and I heard a hiss escape from Rose's lips.\r\r"Abbiamo visitatori," one of the guards started. He was slightly taller than the other, \rwith a dark olive undertone to his chalky skin. I could see his black hair falling in \rringlets to his shoulders underneath his black cape.\r\r"Lei parlate italiano? No? Di dove e?" \r\rWell, this was awkward. I hadn't even thought about a language barrier. Of course \rCarlisle and Edward had no problem with Italian, but the three of us weren't necessarily \rthe bookish type. I ran through some textbook Spanish in my head, but none of it seemed \reven slightly relevant, even if I could make it understood in Italian. All three of us \rcontinued stare at the guards, our backs to the wall. \r\rI used this time to size them up. They were big, sure, but I was bigger than both of them. \rThe one that spoke first was the taller of the two. The other guard was broader, giving \rhim a slightly stocky appearance. He pulled the hood from his head, revealing a thin \raquiline nose and a strong jaw. His dark blond hair was pulled severely into a ponytail. \r\rThey didn't seem hostile, just curious and definitely all business. Both pairs of eyes were \rthe same bright red color, and were constantly flitting between the three of us. We stared \rback, and I instinctively started to crouch. But suddenly I began to feel safe and welcome \rand I stood upright. Jasper. \r\r"We're Americans," I tried.\r\rThe two guards had relaxed their stance a bit as well. They seemed almost welcoming \rnow that Jasper used his magic on them. "Ah, Americani! With so much going on in \rAmerica, what brings you here, American relations?" It was the same tall, dark and \rhandsome guard that spoke to us in Italian. Thank goodness he spoke English too. \r\r"We have a message for Aro," Jasper said calmly.\r\rThe guards' eyebrows arched in surprise. "And all our American visitors ask to speak \rwith Aro. We'll need your names, of course. Aro will let you know if he wishes to see \ryou."\r\r"I'm Emmett Cullen, this is my brother Jasper, and my mate, Rosalie," I said simply.\r\r"Il famoso Cullens? The famous Cullens?" He needlessly repeated himself in English.\r\rI wasn't sure how to answer that one. I didn't think I would do well to say, "Well, no, \ryou might be thinking of the other half of my family, they're the famous ones. We're \rjust the ones they could spare for a while." \r\rBut then Rose perked up. "Famous, huh?" \r\rThey looked at her as she spoke, and it was like the guards really saw her for the first \rtime. It wasn't Rose's fault, all men look at her like that. They seemed to drink in her \rface, and continued to let their gaze drift down over her tank top, skinny jeans and high-\rheeled sandals. Rose, very aware of the attention, shook out her blond hair and smiled. \rThe taller guard smiled back, but the more aloof of the two composed himself quickly. I \rtried not to let this get to me. Like Alice said, this was a peace mission.\r\r"I believe Aro will know which Cullens we are," I stated, trying to bring the attention \rback to where it belonged.\r\rThe guards exchanged a glance and the taller of the two spoke again. "If you are Cullens, \rI believe you should come with us. The council will be pleased to see you, you have \rbeen in their thoughts."\r\rThe shorter guard was clearly the superior officer and stopped the talkative one with just \ra glance. The talkative one moved to our left barking, "Andiamo! Subito!" The other \rguard closed in to our right and started toward us, suddenly close enough for me to strike. \rInstinctively, Rose and I snarled, ready to fight. \r\rBut Jasper grabbed our arms. "Guys, they're herding us, not fighting us."\r\rThis was going to be harder than I thought. Keeping my guard up, but my fists down.\r\rWe walked in the shadows, away from the town square. I held Rose's hand, Jasper \rwalked in front of us, and there was one guard in front and one behind. After turning off \ra broad avenue, we continued down a narrow ally that sloped slightly downward, with \rwater running in an open gutter along the side of the road. Our footsteps echoed against \rthe walls, announcing or arrival to anyone that might be listening. I felt Rose subtly \rsqueeze my hand and I looked over at her. Very quickly she winked, shook off my hand \rand started trailing behind me to walk with the talkative guard.\r\r"My name's Rose, what's yours?" she tried.\r\rI could hear the smile on the guard's voice without turning to look. "Signora, I'm \rValentino. It's my pleasure to meet you. No one mentioned such a lovely presence in la \rfamiglia di Cullen." \r\rThis sleaze ball was making me a little sick, but I knew Rose had a plan. So did Jasper \rapparently, he turned and winked at me too. Maybe we couldn't read minds and tell the \rfuture like Edward and Alice, but hey, we could wink. Instantly, I felt a bit giddy and \rtalkative. OK, Jasper could do more than wink. \r\r"You all talk about us Cullens?" Rose's accent was suddenly game show-American, and \rher mannerisms were all innocently beguiling. \r\r"The council comes to life when your family is mentioned. A most remarkable coven."\r\r"Whatever do you mean?"\r\r"Your diet is so strange. And then your brother came only a few months ago, making \rhimself quite the spectacle. We all thought he had lost his mind, but his gift spared him. \rAnd the idea of adopting a human! No one but the Volturi has ever gotten away with \rsuch a stunt. But then, your sister's gift saved you that time. La vostra famiglia e pazzo, \rma i pui fortunati."\r\r"Hee, hee." Rose's laugh was the light tinkling of bells, echoing through the alley. "That \rwas so pretty, how would you say that in English?"\r\r"Your family is very lucky and, how do you say it . . . they do you no justice." There was \ra loaded silence and I could just imagine how Valentino must be looking at Rose. \r\r"Our Jane has just come back with word of your latest misadventure. There is nessun \raltro famigliare beside the Volturi that could survive those odds, newborn vampires or \rnot. How did you do it? That is what we want to know."\r\r"Who wants to know?" Rose tried.\r\rValentino was excited, and his English was losing out to Italian, "Tutti noi! All of us, \respecially the council. Aro is curious. And Caius is angry. Jane has their ear. Before \ryou were pazzo, then dotato...um gifted, ma adesso e una minaccia, a menace." \r\r"How silly! But we're no menace! We only want to be left alone!"\r\r"Then why are you here?"\r\r"You must have an idea?"\r\r"Il tuo animale umano? About your human pet?" I knew Rose must have been smiling \rabout this new nickname for Bella. But smiling or not, Rose didn't answer. I knew she \rliked this attention, but she wasn't giving Bella away for it.\r\r"Mmm, si, it must be. Aro will be so pleased to see you. I am very pleased to make your \racquaintance as well." Valentino's voice had fazed from excited to husky in an instant. \r"You are la donna pui bella che ho visto." \r\rI turned to see Valentino slip his arm around Rose's waist. That was all I could take. I \rswung around and a deep growl escaped from my throat. Immediately, Valentino \rlaunched himself toward me, his teeth glimmering in the weak light of the alley. But then \rfrom behind, I felt someone strike and throw me sideways and out of Valentino's way. I \rhit the wall of the alley, bricks crumbing to the pavement on impact. I was quickly up and \rready to charge. But Jasper stood between us.\r\r"May I remind you Emmett, that this is not why we are here. Please, we must see Aro."\r\rAgain, calm washed over me. Jasper was going to have to work overtime on this trip. \rWhy was I constantly riled up? \r\r"Excuse me, but Rose is with me," I growled in Valentino's direction.\r\r"Si, signore Cullen. My apologies, I mean no offense." But the distain in voice and his \reyes was evident.\r\r"Silence everyone! We must continue. They will be expecting us." I was surprised to \rhere the shorter guard speak for the first time. He didn't even turn in our direction, but \rcontinued toward what appeared to be the end of the alley. Valentino again took his place \rbehind us. Rose, Jasper and I all walked abreast of one another now, tense and on guard. \rI took Rose's hand and she smiled at me warmly, but with a hint of reproach. The guard \rin front slipped his hand over one of the bricks, 10th from the top, 113th from the left, and \rthe grate at his feet slid open. \r\r"Cullens first," he said, gesturing for us to enter. Jasper stepped forward, Rose followed, \rand I took up the rear. I fell about 60 feet, and landed on another grate. Water from the \rgutter in the street flowed down the damp stone walls, continuing through the grating \rbelow us. We were in a small stone enclosure with a low ceiling. The air was damp and \rpungent. Valentino and the other guard followed. Again the first guard moved his hand \rover a place in the wall, and a doorway materialized. We moved through a passageway \rwith a low arched ceiling, all of us stooping, but only my shoulders brushing the walls on \reither side. \r\rAs we walked through a long series of passageways, I worked to keep my mind on the \rtask at hand. They wanted to kill Bella, and I was here to save her life. I knew what \rValentino wanted and it wasn't in the same league. But I was shaken out of my reverie \ras we walked through a large set of wooden doors and saw three ancient vampires seated \ron wooden thrones. I recognized them from the picture in Carlisle's office: Aro, Marcus \rand Caius. A small vampire was facing them. I would know her anywhere. It was Jane.\r \r"Jane, that is for us to decide," Aro was saying.\r\r"But Aro, the situation requires action," Cauis countered.\r\rBut all four turned to the doorway as we entered. The shorter guard spoke to the council. \r"We found these three within the city limits on our patrol. They asked for you Aro, by \rname." The silence and stillness in the room was immediate. \r\rAro's face first registered shock at our appearance, but quickly rearranged itself into a \rlook of too-sweet welcome. Caius and Marcus wore expressions of disdain and boredom \rrespectively. "Well, well, it seems the Cullens are as drawn to us as we are to them these \rdays. I feel I already know all of you, after Edward's thoughts and Alice's visions. Of \rcourse it is no substitute for having you here in the flesh. And I must say, it is most \rfortuitous for us, as we were just discussing your family. I only wish the entire coven \rcould have made the trip."\r\rI wasn't sure what to say in reply to his formal, accented English monologue. Jazz and \rRose must have felt the same, because we all kept quiet. But we were keenly aware that \rmany more vampires had filtered into the room during Aro's speech. The walls were \rnow lined with members of the guard.\r\r"While there is much we might like to ask, you must have come here on a purpose of \ryour own," Aro continued.\r\rI felt Jasper's brand of calm confidence wash over the room and then I stepped forward. \rThis is what we were here for. "Yes, we've come with an invitation. Edward and Bella \rare getting married later this summer. We wanted to invite you to the wedding to show \rwe still plan on keeping our part of the bargain. Edward has agreed to turn Bella after \rthey are married." From what I understood, there was a little more to the bargain than \rthat. But it was really none of Aro's business.\r\r"My, my. This is a timely message. Jane here has just informed us about Bella's current \rcondition. Some among us feel Bella's time may be up," Caius sneered openly. \r\r"Alice told me that she sees Bella turning before the year is over."\r\r"I have no doubt she did, you speak in earnest. I will have to check, just the same. Please \rtell me though, why are you three the Cullen emissaries? I would expect it more \rappropriate if Edward and Bella came. This is not your business, not your concern."\r\r"Edward and Bella are happy, and this wedding is very important to them and their \rfamilies. This was something we could do for them."\r\r"You are a curious coven indeed. I don't understand your motivations, your own self-\rinterest so intertwined with the fate of others. But before we can get to that, perhaps you \rcan solve another riddle that has plagued those among us recently."\r\rI looked to Jasper and Rose. They seemed as perplexed as I was. Alice had said nothing \rabout a riddle.\r\r"We would like to hear how your family managed to survive the recent attack, with no \rcasualties. Clearly Alice and Edward are assets, but they are defensive weapons. How \rwere you able to defend yourselves and kill off twenty vampires?"\r\rJasper stepped forward, "I have military experience, sir." With Jasper's past he had \rrespect for the law. It showed in the formality of his speech.\r\r"Ah, yes, Jasper. Your past is no secret here. But even a great tactician needs an army. \rAnd seven peace-loving vampires do not add up to an army."\r\r"We were prepared, sir. Alice told us they were coming, and we trained." \r\rI could tell by the look on Aro's face that he was becoming impatient. "Perhaps you are \rnot as adroit with the English language as your brother. We all have our strengths. \rEmmett, if you don't mind, I would like to see for myself how this battle was won." With \rthat, Aro extended his hand in my direction, but I knew he wasn't looking to shake. \rWell, I knew this was coming. So I stepped forward and let my palm rest lightly on top \rof his.\r\rAro's countenance immediately smoothed, as he saw my family's history from my point \rof view. I watched his face closely, trying to tease out emotions or other thoughts, but \rAro remained inscrutable. Finally he opened his eyes and let his hand drop from \runderneath mine. "Hmm, interesting. You are sincere, the invitation is genuine, and \rAlice did indeed tell you about her vision of Bella's future."\r\rIt seemed settled. Thank god, I wanted out of this freak show.\r\rAro continued, "I can see from your last battle that your fighting skills are impressive. \rBut I'm afraid maybe you are confused, or unsure yourself, because the battle is \rincomplete when I read your thoughts. It is as if I can only see half of what transpired."\r\rI guess Aro's skills weren't as impressive as I had imagined. It was clear enough to me \rhow we won that one.\r\rAro turned to Rose. "You, please step up." Rose glanced suspiciously at me and I nodded \rand motioned for her to come stand at my side. I took her hand in mine, and she gave her \rother hand to Aro. He took it, more impatient this time. He held it for just three seconds \rand let it drop.\r\r"Do any of you know how you won that fight?" He was a bit exasperated now. I wasn't \rsure what he was seeing and what he wasn't.\r\rHe turned to face the rest of the council and Jane. "What Emmett says on the matter of \rBella is true, Jane. Their coven plans to turn Bella after the wedding. Their intentions \rare honorable; they plan to uphold the law." And then he turned to smile somewhat \rmenacingly back to me. "In any event, Edward may do our job for us, Jane. He has \rsome interesting ideas for his bride, reserved for after the wedding. It may leave Bella a \rlittle worse for the wear."\r\rJane snickered, and then from across the room I heard Valentino laugh out loud. "Ha, ha, \runa sciattona! Just another little vampire whore."\r\rThat was it. "No one talks about my sister that way!"\r\rI was across the room in an instant, my hands around Valentino's throat, driving him into \rthe wall. Out of the corner of my eyes I saw two guards rush toward me from either side. \rI quickly caught the one to my right, punching him squarely in the face with my fist, \rsending his body crashing into the wall of the tower. I grabbed the other guard by his \rlong hair and swung him toward the line of thrones, scattering the council, and creating a \rpile of splintered wood. Before anyone could act, I reached down picked Valentine up by \rthe neck, twisting his head at a precarious angle. Then grabbing his shoulder in my other \rhand, I twisted his body in the opposite direction, easily severing his head from his body.\r\rIt had been less than three seconds. I dropped the head and the body and turned my back \rto the wall, growling, crouching; waiting for the next advance. I searched the room for \rRose and Jasper, only to see that the remaining guards now surrounded them. Their faces \rclearly conveyed disappointment and alarm. Damn. Alice said this wasn't a fight, but it \rwas now.\r\rJane stepped into my line of vision, enraged and amused all at once. Her right arm was \rextended towards me. I lunged for the tiny vampire, hoping to tackle her before her \relectric charge could reach me. But in mid-flight pain suddenly shot through my body. \rThis was worse than anything I had felt before; worse than when the bear mauled me and \rworse than when I became a vampire. Jane casually stepped out of my trajectory, and \runable to control my limbs, my body fell uselessly to the floor. I felt as if I were \rexploding on the cold stone, each cell bursting, each nerve ending digging daggers into \rmy body. \r\rI could hear Rose in the background, "Emmett, no! Stop it you bitch! Someone stop \rher." There was scuffling. I hoped Jasper and Rose didn't do anything stupid, like I had. \rThey were no match for twenty Volturi guards.\r\rJust when I thought I couldn't take any more, the pain intensified. I could no longer hold \rback, and a loud guttural yell escaped from my lips, surprising even me, and shaking the \rfloor. \r\r"No!" It was Rose again. The pain in her voice matched what I felt in my bones.\r\rThen, a simple, yet imperious command, "Enough." \r\rIn an instant the pain was gone and I was on my feet, ready to pounce. I spotted Jane ten \rfeet away, smirking wickedly in my direction and completely unconcerned by my \rproximity. A snarl escaped from my throat, but before I took a step I heard it again.\r\r"Enough." The voice was quiet, yet with an unmistakable authority born over thousands \rof years of command. I stopped and looked in the direction of the voice. It was Marcus, \ra look of disinterest on his parchment-like face.\r\r"Thank you, Marcus. Now Jane, would you please stand back," Aro continued, as if \rnothing had happened. Jane glided back toward the platform where the thrones had been. \r\r"Emmett, please rejoin your party."\r\rI strode across the room, and the guards opened around Rose and Jasper to let me \rthrough. Rose fell into my arms. "This is all wrong. Alice said no fighting," she \rwhispered. The guards closed back around the three of us.\r\rI pulled Rose closer, burying her head into my chest. I had ruined this for us, for all of \rus. I looked at the twenty guards surrounding us, all poised for the kill, with Valentino \rstill in an unmoving pile on the floor. This would be over quickly. What would they do \rto the rest of our family? I would never know.\r\r"A very curious coven indeed. Your bond with each other surpasses anything I have ever \rseen. And here I thought your brother, with his fierce love for a human, was the only \ranomaly among you. Now I see he is not alone. I am not sure if it is an asset or a \rweakness, but we will see in time. I am impressed with your ability, Emmett. Jasper has \rtrained you well. Not many could get past three guardsmen before Jane could raise her \rhand."\r\r"But I am afraid that we may have a bit of a problem. You have come here and picked a \rfight with one of the guard. While your family has plans for Bella's future, she lives as a \rhuman still." Caius and Marcus walked to either side of Aro, and each touched one of his \rhands. Aro looked at Caius and shook his head just slightly. "No, too much of a waste." \rCaius' mouth twisted into a sneer. \r\rAgain, Aro continued as if there had been no interruption, "We may let this go. But we \rneed something in return. Some way to physically show your allegiance, something \rmore than words."\r\r "Your terms?" Jasper stepped out in front of Rose and I. \r\rAro looked toward Caius and Marcus. Marcus nodded once, but Caius glared at him and \rwalked away. "We have been presented with a small problem in Saudi Arabia. Word has \rreached us about the creation of a small newborn army. Obviously, this is something that \rwe would usually see to. However, it seems we are not the only ones equipped to handle \rsuch uprisings." \r\r"If you three Cullens help us with this situation, perhaps we will overlook your \rindiscretions here and give little Bella some leeway. I think we might let her live until \rthe end of the year."\r\r"The alternative?" Jasper asked.\r\r"I'm afraid we would have to hammer that out between my family and yours. Caius was \rat Aro's side again, touching his hand. Marcus looked intently at the three of us, showing \rpassing interest. But it was the looks on the faces of Jane and the guards that sealed the \rdeal for me. The alternative would not be pleasant. \r\r"Perhaps you need time to decide?" Aro asked. "That seems fair. A contingent is leaving \rtomorrow to visit our desert friends. I can give you the night to think about it."\r\rJasper glanced at Rose and I. I didn't need the night, I was ready to go, but Rose held my \rarm in a deathly grip and I knew she wasn't convinced. "We don't need all night. Can \ryou give us five minutes?" I asked. Rose gripped my arm tighter. \r\r"Please bring our guests to a private suite," Aro commanded.\r\rIt was then that I heard Jasper's cell phone ringing. He didn't pick up. Both my phone \rand Rose's started to ring then too. It would be Alice; I had certainly changed things. \rShe should have just sent Edward and Carlisle, none of this would have happened. They \rwould have been on their way home by now.\r\rWe were escorted to a small circular room with walls and flooring made of some type of \rre-enforced steel. There were no windows, and only one door. A light rain was falling to \rthe floor. Looking up I saw that the walls extended upwards indefinitely, and there was \rno ceiling. We were in the bottom of a steel well.\r\rWithout speaking to each other we each took out our cell phone. Jasper was the first on \rthe line. "Alice, is it a trap?"\r\r"I said no fighting!" There was pain in Alice's voice.\r\rI took the phone from Jasper. "The guy had it coming, Alice. He was flirting with Rose, \rand did you see what he said about Bella?"\r\r"Emmett, please pass the phone back to Jasper."\r\r"Jazz, you were supposed to stop this kind of thing from happening." I could hear the \rdefeat in Alice's voice. Now the famous Cullens would have to fly in and save us.\r\r"Alice, just tell me, is it a trap? Can we do this?"\r\r"Well, no, and yes, maybe," Alice pronounced ambiguously. "There is a budding \rvampire army. You guys can take them. But the Volturi will be watching the whole \rtime. I think they are curious."\r\r"Yes, they're interested in our fight. They clearly thought Jane would find a different \rscene when she turned up in Forks. They didn't think we would all survive. Aro listened \rin to our thoughts, but it seems like he couldn't see the werewolves."\r\rThe werewolves, of course! That's why Aro couldn't see the entire fight. Just like Alice \rcouldn't see them in the future, Aro couldn't hear them in our thoughts. \r\r"Well, let's just go and tell him. Thanks Alice, perfect," I shouted toward the phone.\r\r"Not that quick Emmett! We owe the wolves, we shouldn't put them in danger," Alice \rcountered.\r\r"OK, I'm doing this for Bella and Edward, and now you want me to do this for the \rwolves too. You're crazy." It was Rose. She was fuming.\r\r"Rose, it won't make a difference. You've made a few enemies in there. They're not \rletting you guys off easy, wolves or not. Why give away our one secret if it's not going \rto make a difference?"\r\r"Maybe to get rid of the stinking wolves." Rose snarled.\r\r"Rose, let's just concentrate on the fight at hand," Jasper admonished. "So Alice, we can \rwin?"\r\r"Yes, quite easily."\r\r"Well, let's do it then, get this over with." I looked around. Jasper was visibly calmer \rafter speaking with Alice. Funny, she seemed to be soothing him now. Rose was \rdejected, this was clearly not her idea of a good time.\r\r"This is all too much. We've done enough. Do any of you think that all this means that \rmaybe Bella and Edward aren't meant to be? Maybe we just wipe our hands and walk \raway." \r\r"I don't think so, Rose. But I love you, and if you turned around and walked away now, I \rwould follow you. But I think we have to do this. I don't think we have a choice; they're \rnot going to just let me go. I'm so sorry."\r\r"No, Emm, what's done is done." Rose put her arms around my waste. "I'm with you. \rLet's show them what we can do."\r\r"Alright, let's go find out what they want from us." Jasper turned to the doors.\r\r"Wait, Jazz." Alice's voice was suddenly anxious on the other end of the cell phone.\r\r"Alice?"\r\r"Jazz, do you love me?"\r\r"Of course."\r\r"You're coming back to me?"\r\r"Alice, what's the matter? You know me -"\r\r"Jazz, please, there isn't time. I just need to hear you say it."\r\r"You know I will always come back to you. I'm yours."\r\r"Jazz, there's going to be this vampire-"\r\r"Time's up, people." The doors opened and the guards were waiting.\r\r"Jazz, I love you."\r\r"Cell phones off in the tower room, please."\r\r"I love you Alice."\r\rThere were only a few in attendance in the main room now. Aro, Marcus and Caius were \rat the center of the room. They were flanked by Jane and Alec on one side, and \rValentino, looking a bit shaken, on the other.\r\r"Aro, we've decided; we'll do it. We have nothing to hide, we want the best for our \rfamily and for yours." \r\r"Excellent. Your plane will be ready tomorrow. Jane, Felix and Valentino will \raccompany you. This mission, like all of the Volturi's activities, is confidential. Your \rcell phones will remain in our possession. You will get them back upon successful \rcompletion of your mission. I know that the peculiar talents of your siblings will make \rcomplete secrecy somewhat impossible. However, you cannot speak of your activities to \ranyone else for fifty years. Those are the terms, they are non-negotiable."\r\rWe nodded in agreement; there was really no decision.\r\r "Jane, please get our friends ready for Rub' al Khali."