Chapter Text
In my waking nightmare, I saw them. The Volturi.
They were coming for us again.
Coming to destroy.
Seven years of happiness. Was that all I was entitled to? Had I run out my store of the good will the universe allowed me? I’d faced death so many times. But I thought that finally, finally, the threat was gone. I thought I was safe. I’d allowed myself to hope. I’d thought that once I was unbreakable, I would be invincible. All I had asked for was peace – peace and Edward, peace and Renesmee. Peace, and time. Time to enjoy immortality.
So stupid.
They came from the forest, emerging from the treeline, in their fan-like formation. I saw their black capes swirling over the frozen ground, their bone-coloured claws curled tightly in front of them as they ghosted towards us. They moved slowly, prolonging the moment: we were prey, there to be stalked, frozen by terror. Beneath black hoods, their red eyes gleamed sulphurously.
They came to judge. They came to condemn.
If it had just been me, if I was the only one to face these waking nightmares, I would have sacrificed myself gladly. Others were more worthy of life than I was, and I would fight to save their lives. It was second nature for me to sacrifice myself. But on this day, I was all that was standing between the Volturi and certain death for everyone. Everyone I loved, everyone who made up my world.
And my sacrifice would make no difference.
This time, logic would make no difference. Debate would make no difference. Pleading, prayers – no difference. We were all doomed. And now time was up. There was no more time.
And it was all my fault.
Even as I shifted into a crouch, my lips pulling back from my teeth, sheltering my beloved people behind me, I knew that my fight was hopeless. My sacrifice would be useless. Even though I was enraged, furious, my rage was worthless. I had always sworn I would not allow the Volturi to control my destiny and rob me of the things that were precious to me. But I did not see how we could win. I could see no way out.
But I would face death with my eyes open. And I would go first. I would madden our enemies so completely that they would sweep through my beloved ones like a mighty wave. I would battle so ferociously that the Volturi would be consumed with the lust to destroy. Death would come silent and swift.
That was the last gift I could give them. The only gift I had left.