Chapter Two: Rules
“The Volturi!” I looked up in mild confusion at Alice’s gasp. Jasper was already curling around her protectively while her eyes flickered between the present and the future. “What’s happening, Alice?” Jasper asked urgently. Beside me, Edward inhaled in one short, harsh breath that he held indefinitely while he watched Alice’s vision with her. Meanwhile Rosalie floated down the stairs with Emmett in tow, giggling as she walked. “What’s going on?” she asked hesitantly once she reached the bottom step and took in the tense atmosphere. Esme glanced at Carlisle, who shrugged at Rosalie from the sofa.
Alice jumped back into the living room with a shudder and then turned her wide tawny eyes to my face. “They’re coming,” she whispered, but I assumed it was aimed at Jasper from the way his eyes narrowed in understanding. “The Volturi have been informed that we created a newborn and they’ve come to ensure that she isn’t dangerous,” Edward explained flatly. I watched the same look of horror close each of the Cullens’ faces and shivered nervously.
“Don’t worry, Mia.” Edward was gazing at me intently. I could feel him probing my thoughts and felt embarrassed by the intrusion. I wrapped my arms around my torso uncomfortably and tried to block him out. The way they had said the word Volturi, the way everyone had been horrified in response to Alice’s vision… “Really, they aren’t going to hurt you,” Edward insisted. “They’ll just come for a customary check.”
“It’s unusual, though,” Carlisle mused, “They wouldn’t normally travel all this way simply because of one newborn.” I knew for certain that everyone was able to distinguish the sinister undertone, but nobody said anything. Alice took a deep rattling breath as she searched through the future again before giving the explanation we were waiting on. “There have been problems recently; a population explosion. Too many newborns are being created and they want to cut down by checking that they’re all of benefit to society. Marcus is opposed to the plan, but he can’t stop them.”
“Of benefit to society?” I echoed unsurely. Alice nodded slowly, concentrating briefly on the future. “It isn’t a big deal; they just remove the newborns who are likely to cause them trouble – which they’ll discover you won’t. You’re perfectly safe.” I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “But your visions are subjective, right? What if they change their mind? Or what if…” Edward gave a soft ‘Oh’. “You aren’t worried about yourself.” There was that prickling sensation again; the feeling I got when he rifled through my head. “Edward,” Jasper said bluntly, “You’re making her uncomfortable. She doesn’t like you reading her mind.”
Edward peered at me curiously. “Can you feel me reading your mind?” I looked from his eyes to Jasper’s, which were still fixed on me. “Um, yes…is that not normal?” Everybody was looking at me now, and I hunched my shoulders and ducked my chin. “Sorry,” Jasper said quietly, reaching out softly with his talent. I felt that familiar sense that he was suppressing my nerves and replacing the void with warm fuzziness. “Thanks,” I said gratefully, and stood up from where I had been sat on the floor with my limbs knotted together. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to my room,” I said. I was still unused to calling it ‘my room’; it didn’t quite feel like I belonged here yet. Glancing around as though waiting for permission, I started to climb the stairs when nobody protested. Everyone’s eyes were on me, and as soon as I was out of sight they all started to talk at once.
“I’m worried about her,” Rosalie was quick to say. Despite our first meeting, she had soon warmed to me. “Yeah, me too,” Alice agreed; she was very keen on dressing me up every day – I was her newest toy. “She does seem the sort to take things onto herself and try to deal with them,” Carlisle mused. He was fascinated more by my past than anything: I still couldn’t remember where I came from. “Edward, dear, go and talk to her,” Esme said, her motherly voice sounding very concerned. I felt a twinge of guilt when I imagined her round face contorting in worry. “I don’t think it’s me she wants,” Edward said strangely, his voice sounding strangled. My brain prickled again while Emmett guffawed. “Gutted, bro. So who’s the newbie after?” Edward growled softly (at Emmett, I prayed) before he replied simply, “Jasper.”
“Oh,” Jasper said gently. I heard him hit the bottom step and flashed into my bedroom – ah, that speed! To be able to move without even wasting a millisecond! I had just flung myself onto the bed when a polite knock on the door alerted me to Jasper’s arrival – at least I hoped it was Jasper. “Yes?” I asked, trying to sound surprised. The door opened and Jasper’s head appeared in the crack. “May I come in?” he asked courteously. “Sure,” I gushed, sitting up and flapping my hands at him. He smiled and slipped in, pushing the door shut behind him.
