Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer [172]
Carlisle and Edward had exhausted the research they could do from a distance, and now we were preparing to follow old legends at their source. We were going back to Brazil, starting there. The Ticunas had legends about children like Renesmee If other children like her had ever existed, perhaps some tale of the life span of half-mortal children still lingered
The only real question left was exactly when we would go.
I was the holdup. A small part of it was that I wanted to stay near Forks until after the holidays, for Charlies sake. But more than that, there was a different journey that I knew had to come first-that was the clear priority. Also, it had to be a solo trip.
This was the only argument that Edward and I had gotten in since Id become a vampire. The main point of contention was the solo part. But the facts were what they were, and my plan was the only one that made rational sense. I had to go see the Volturi, and I had to do it absolutely alone.
Even freed from old nightmares, from any dreams at all, it was impossible to forget the Volturi. Nor did they leave us without reminders.
Until the day that Aros present showed up, I didnt know that Alice had sent a wedding announcement to the Volturi leaders; wed been far away on Esmes island when shed seen a vision of Volturi soldiers-Jane and Alec, the devastatingly powerful twins, among them. Caius was planning to send a hunting party to see if I was still human, against their edict (because I knew about the secret vampire world, I either must join it or be silenced permanently). So Alice had mailed the announcement, seeing that this would delay them as they deciphered the meaning behind it. But they would come eventually. That was certain.
The present itself was not overtly threatening. Extravagant, yes, almost frightening in that very extravagance. The threat was in the parting line of Aros congratulatory note, written in black ink on a square of heavy, plain white paper in Aros own hand:
I so look forward to seeing the new Mrs. Cullen in person.
The gift was presented in an ornately carved, ancient wooden box inlaid with gold and mother-of-pearl, ornamented with a rainbow of gemstones. Alice said the box itself was a priceless treasure, that it would have outshone just about any piece of jewelry besides the one inside it.
I always wondered where the crown jewels disappeared to after John of England pawned them in the thirteenth century, Carlisle said. I suppose it doesnt surprise me that the Volturi have their share.
The necklace was simple-gold woven into a thick rope of a chain, almost scaled, like a smooth snake that would curl close around the throat. One jewel hung suspended from the rope: a white diamond the size of a golf ball.
The unsubtle reminder in Aros note interested me more than the jewel. The Volturi needed to see that I was immortal, that the Cullens had been obedient to the Volturis orders, and they needed to see this soon. They could not be allowed near Forks. There was only one way to keep our life here safe.
Youre not going alone, Edward had insisted through his teeth, his hands clenching into fists.
They wont hurt me, Id said as soothingly as I could manage, forcing my voice to sound sure. They have no reason to. Im a vampire. Case closed.
No. Absolutely no.
Edward, its the only way to protect her.
And he hadnt been able to argue with that. My logic was watertight.
Even in the short time Id known Aro, Id been able to see that he was a collector-and his most prized treasures were his living pieces. He coveted beauty, talent, and rarity in his immortal followers more than any jewel locked in his vaults. It was unfortunate enough that hed begun to covet Alices and Edwards abilities. I would give him no more reason to be jealous of Carlisles family. Renesmee was beautiful and gifted and unique-she was one of a kind. He could not be allowed to see her, not even through someones thoughts.
And I was the only one whose thoughts he could not hear. Of course I would go alone.
Alice did not see any trouble with my trip,