Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer [237]
I came to witness. I stay to fight. The Volturi care nothing for the death of the child. They seek the death of our free will.
He turned, then, to face the ancients. So come, I say! Lets hear no more lying rationalizations. Be honest in your intents as we will be honest in ours. We will defend our freedom. You will or will not attack it. Choose now, and let these witnesses see the true issue debated here.
Once more he looked to the Volturi witnesses, his eyes probing each face. The power of his words was evident in their expressions. You might consider joining us. If you think the Volturi will let you live to tell this tale, you are mistaken. We may all be destroyed-he shrugged-but then again, maybe not. Perhaps we are on more equal footing than they know. Perhaps the Volturi have finally met their match. I promise you this, though-if we fall, so do you.
He ended his heated speech by stepping back to Kates side and then sliding forward in a half-crouch, prepared for the onslaught.
Aro smiled. A very pretty speech, my revolutionary friend.
Garrett remained poised for attack. Revolutionary? he growled. Who am I revolting against, might I ask? Are you my king? Do you wish me to call you master, too, like your sycophantic guard?
Peace, Garrett, Aro said tolerantly. I meant only to refer to your time of birth. Still a patriot, I see.
Garrett glared back furiously.
Let us ask our witnesses, Aro suggested. Let us hear their thoughts before we make our decision. Tell us, friends-and he turned his back casually on us, moving a few yards toward his mass of nervous observers hovering even closer now to the edge of the forest-what do you think of all this? I can assure you the child is not what we feared. Do we take the risk and let the child live? Do we put our world in jeopardy to preserve their family intact? Or does earnest Garrett have the right of it? Will you join them in a fight against our sudden quest for dominion?
The witnesses met his gaze with careful faces. One, a small black-haired woman, looked briefly at the dark blond male at her side.
Are those our only choices? she asked suddenly, gaze flashing back to Aro. Agree with you, or fight against you?
Of course not, most charming Makenna, Aro said, appearing horrified that anyone could come to that conclusion. You may go in peace, of course, as Amun did, even if you disagree with the councils decision.
Makenna looked at her mates face again, and he nodded minutely.
We did not come here for a fight. She paused, exhaled, then said, We came here to witness. And our witness is that this condemned family is innocent. Everything that Garrett claimed is the truth.
Ah, Aro said sadly. Im sorry you see us in that way. But such is the nature of our work.
It is not what I see, but what I feel, Makennas maize-haired mate spoke in a high, nervous voice. He glanced at Garrett. Garrett said they have ways of knowing lies. I, too, know when I am hearing the truth, and when I am not. With frightened eyes he moved closer to his mate, waiting for Aros reaction.
Do not fear us, friend Charles. No doubt the patriot truly believes what he says, Aro chuckled lightly, and Charless eyes narrowed.
That is our witness, Makenna said. Were leaving now.
She and Charles backed away slowly, not turning before they were lost from view in the trees. One other stranger began to retreat the same way, then three more darted after him.
I evaluated the thirty-seven vampires that stayed. A few of them appeared just too confused to make the decision. But the majority of them seemed only too aware of the direction this confrontation had taken. I guessed that they were giving up a head start in favor of knowing exactly who would be chasing after them.
I was sure Aro saw the same thing I did. He turned away, walking back to his guard with a measured pace. He stopped in front of them and addressed them in a clear voice.
We are