Chapter 24:
The Seeing Eye
The next morning, it was quiet.
Glittering snowflakes fell soundlessly, taking their time before they reached their destined places of rest, enveloping everything in a calm, silent coldness that was disturbing in its own special way.
Breath pale against the numbing air, she blinked thoughtfully as the frost patiently kissed her face. Her eyelashes were wet, as were her pants, but those were the least of her worries.
Tree branches hung low from the weight of the snow, the sky was the brightest shade of white and grey, and she couldn't find it in her to take in the view of the snowy field they stood in.
It was vast and wide, enough space for a war.
They left the campsite bright and early for last minute hunting, something that Hunter failed to participate in.
Her eyes were still as red as wine, anger and defense swimming in the dark irises. She had human blood in her system and it was enough. She felt strong, strong enough to finally end the source of her torment.
Her hands were wrapped around Edward's arm as they came to a stop in the field. The atmosphere was ominous, as was the morning fog that layered the ground at the other end of the opening.
"Snowball fight part two." Hunter sighed.
Bella rolled her eyes and nudged the hybrid while a handful of others chuckled at her dark humor. She couldn't help but lighten up the situation. She could hold a straight face but she couldn't find it in her to keep a straight mouth.
Then it started.
Before she could see anything, she could hear them. Chains shackling, boots trudging, snow crunching. They have arrived. Her hand slid down Edward's arm and into his hand, her eyes staring into the far abyss.
The air grew tense, so tense she wanted to scream and run forward, beginning the battle with snatching Willow's head straight off her shoulders.
But peering over at Bella made her think otherwise. If there was a chance they could make it out alive without a fight, she didn't want to be the one to ruin it.
There had to be at least more than a hundred volturi. Guards lined the ends of the seemingly endless line of vampires, each one's eyes redder than the last. Perched in the middle, were the royals. Aro and Willow walked hand in hand, a smirk covering her villainous face.
There were more than they were expecting.
"Aro's looking for Alice." Edward muttered, reading the vampire's mind with ease.
Hunter rolled her shoulders and let out a sigh, "So are we."
A wolf's howl echoed across the field and shortly after, the Uley pack emerged from the trees, menacingly reaching their places, snorting out growls at the vampires that approached them.
The volturi seemed unphased as they came to a stop yards away. They slipped off their hoods and silence embedded the area, much like the snow that continued to fall between them.
Carlisle walked forward. His hand slipped from Esme's and he reached the front and center. He was determined and un-afraid. "Aro," he spoke softly but his voice was heard clear as day, "let us discuss things as we used to. In a civilized manner."
"Fair words, Carlisle. But a little out of place, given the battalion you've assembled against us." Aro replied just as gentle.
It was unsettling, the calmness. It was unsuspecting and ironic. If Hunter didn't know what was going on, she would've assumed the Volturi had no intentions of harming a soul. But it was the front they often pulled, to be trusting and helpful but wrongfully kill at the first chance.
"I can promise you, that was never my intent. No laws have been broken." Carlisle briefly explained.
"We see the child. Do not treat us as fools." Caius hissed, eyeing each and every last one of them with hate.
"She is not immortal!" Carlisle yelled out. His voice was sent to each and every last vampire and his chin was raised high. "These witnesses can attest to that. Or you can look. See the flush of human blood in her cheeks."
Caius opened his mouth once more, "Artifist!"
Willow, who had been staring intently on Hunter and Edward's joined hands, held her own up to stop Caius' outburst, "We will collect every facet of the truth. But from someone more central to the story."
Hunter glared holes into the woman. She already knew what she was stirring, she could see the mischief from where she stood.
"Edward," Willow mused. She held her usual smirk and Hunter tightened her grip on his hand. "as the child clings to your newborn mate- or rather, ex mate, I assume you are involved."
Hunter held back a string of insults, each second that ticked by aided to the bomb that was in her head. She couldn't even bare to glance over at Bella who no doubt, held pain in her eyes.
Aro released Willow's hand and took a few steps forward with his reading hand out. Hunter peered up at Edward with panic. She didn't know if Aro actually wanted to read his every thought on Renesemee, it could be a trap for all they knew.
Edward pressed a delicate kiss to her knuckles and released her hand. He turned to Renesemee and brushed her hair lightly, taking in any and every moment he could.
"No." Hunter mumbled. She would've stopped him if it weren't for Renesemee's tiny hand slipping into her sweaty and cold one.
"Renesemee." She thought. She had to stay strong no matter what, for Renesemee. Her eyes flicker from the child's to her long time best friend, who was already staring.
She was afraid as well, Hunter could see it. Bella breathed heavily and that alone reminded her of their past. Hunter was the one always protecting her, and she wasn't about to stop.
She sent the newborn a nod, gesturing to Edward who was halfway to Aro's menacing palm. Bella inhaled sharply and directed her attention to the boy who made and destroyed her.
Her eyes fluttered before they shut, her breathing becoming more erratic. Hunter watched and she could see the colorless barrier tumbling after Edward. Bella's amber eyes open and the shield slapped back to her. She failed.
A gasp slipped past her lips and she glanced at Hunter with disbelief. They were too late. Edward's hand slipped into Aro's and the reading began.
It was silent apart from Aro's sounds of amusement. It was deafening and Hunter dared any of them to make a move. She was praying for a reason to tear them all apart.
"I'd like to meet her." Aro beamed, pulling his hands away from Edward. He stared happily at the child in between Bella and Hunter, anxious to see what she has seen.
A deep growl escaped Jacob and Renesemee glanced at her mother knowingly. It was time. The little girl grabbed a hold of Bella's hand first, then Hunter's. She refused to go on without the both of them.
Hunter blinked in surprise. She wasn't expecting to get close to her mother so soon, but maybe this was her chance. Her face hardened again and they walked.
Jacob followed them closely, his eyes scattering amongst the vampires that were itching to attack them.
Hunter's fingertips tingled, her wolf side spastically erupting in the presence of so many pale faces.
They reached Aro, his face lightened at the sight of the newborn and hybrid. "Young Bella. Immortality becomes you."
Bella scolded him, her golden eyes shimmering with animosity. Aro's eyes fly to Hunter's and he gasped at the red shade, "The hybrid has succumbed to the natural diet." He mused, gazing over at Willow.
"A sight for sore eyes, is what I'd say." Willow grinned. Her hands were tucked away in her sleeves, her pale skin contrasting the red cloak that covered her body.
As if the moment wasn't odd enough, Aro shrieked with laughter. He pointed his finger at Renesemee, baffled yet amazed, "I hear her strange heart."
Renesemee squeezed Hunter's hand, a chill running down her spin at Aro's words. He held out his hand with a bright smile, egging her to come show him what she knows.
Bella nodded at her daughter and guided her to Aro. Jacob growled once more, a threat that failed to frighten the volturi vampires.
"Hello Aro." Renesemee greeted. Her face was normal, her cheeks filled with color and frost. There was drops of fear in her heart, but she was more determined than anything else.
She dropped her gaze to Aro's hand before reaching up to his face. He stared at her incredulously before he watched her birth memory as if he was there. His crimson eyes were wide with revelation, the truth finally being presented to him.
"Magnifico." He managed to mutter out. He stood up straight and Renesemee's hand fell to her side. "Half mortal, half immortal."
Bella pulled Renesemee back to her side frantically, a glare remaining on her flawless features. "Conceived and carried by this newborn while she was still human." Aro mused, staring at Bella with upmost amazement.
"Impossible." Caius hissed again.
Aro twisted his neck to his companion, the smile that was seemingly permanent wiping away in an instant, "Do you think they've fooled me, brother?"
Caius straightened with shock, retracting his glares quickly. Hunter darted her eyes away from the scene when she felt Renesemee and Edward's hands pulling her away from the group. She listened to Jacob's threatening growls as they rushed back to their side of the field.
"Bring the informer forward." Willow announced, motioning the guards to bring Irina, from the Denali coven, to the front.
Hunter watched hesitantly, the entirety of the volturi moving forward with Irina. They were anxious, sparking with adrenaline, Hunter could see that.
They weren't going to be let off the hook so easily.
"Is this the child you saw?" Willow questioned her.
Irina stared up at Renesemee shamefully, "I'm not sure."
"Jane." Caius spoke and the short blonde vampire was already on stand-by.
"She's changed." Irina cried out, hoping to avoid any sort of pain. "This child is bigger."
Caius just stared, "Then your allegations were false."
Irina's shoulders slouched forward, she was defeated and reaching her end, she could feel it. "The Cullen's are innocent. I take full responsibility for my mistake."
The apologetic vampire stared longingly at her sisters, who were on the edge of their seats in worry, "I'm sorry." She mouthed, awaiting the last moments of her life.
Hunter breathed and in an instant, a torch is lit aflame and guards begin to circle Irina. Edward's hand leaves her grasp, "Caius, no!"
The guards tore Irina's arms off her body, a glass shattering sound echoing against the snowy field. "Irina! No!" Kate and Tanya yell for their sister.
Not wasting anytime, the guard ripped Irina's head off and Caius quickly set her body on fire. She is dead.
The Denali sisters scream in agony, fighting everyone to get to the Volturi. Anger ripped through their amber eyes as they saw nothing but red.
Hunter inhaled sharply and turned to Jacob, "Kansas is sounding pretty good right now." A soft whine left his body and he leaned onto the ground.
"Ready?" Bella mumbled to Renesemee, who only stared at the two women with fear. Bella lifted her daughter up and onto Jacob's back with a frown, "I love you guys."
Hunter grabbed onto Bella's hand with a smirk, "Save the sappy love for later."
Kate electrocuted her way through while Tanya shoved. But once they were containted, Edward turned to the amazonian coven, "Blind them."
Zafrina did as told, staring at the two thrashing siblings with purpose. They stilled immediately, seeing a fake world that unwantingly calmed them down. "Give me my sight back." Tanya hissed, shaking with anger.
"Tanya, this is what they want. If you attack now, we'll all die." Edward quickly told her. His voice was hushed but she heard it all the same. They stop their actions, taking deep breaths before they nodded.
Zafrina returned their sight and all is calm.
"Edward." Hunter whispered. She could see the wheels turning in the Volturi's eyes. "Come back."
The boy did as told with his dead heart in his throat. He was afraid and Hunter was right. From where she stood she witnessed Aro turn to Jane curtly and she did as told. "Pain." She said, watching Edward collapse to floor helplessly in agony.
Hunter let Bella shuffle forward. She inhaled deeply and pushed out her gift of shield. It protruded from her body and rushed to Edward, protecting him from the darkness of Jane.
Hunter casted her eyes to the Volturi, their faces filled with surprise and confusion. Jane was angered. Her gifts were useless against Bella's shield. She wanted to run forward and kill them, destroy the Cullen clan once and for all, but Alec, her brother, held her back from making a drastic and impulsive decision.
He wanted to do that for himself.
He held his hands out and a dark matter floated from the insides of his sleeves. It was deadly and Hunter has never seen anything like it. She made a mental note to make sure he was dead before she went for Jane... if needed.
Aro held his hand up, stopping Alec from using his gift.
"Aro, you see there's no law broken here." Carlisle conveyed. Bella's shield had surrounded them all, protecting them from any form of attacks. Hunter stayed beside Jacob and Renesemee, her hand buried in the werewolf fur.
"Agreed." Aro sighed, "But does it then follow that there is no danger?" He held his hands out and walked forward, presenting himself as a fearless leader.
"For the first time in our history humans pose a threat to our kind. Their modern technology has given birth to weapons that could destroy us." Aro ranted, turning to face them with seemingly harmless eyes.
"Maintaining our secret has never been more imperative. In such perilous times, only the known is safe. Only the known is tolerable. And we know nothing of what this child will become. Can we live with such uncertainty? Spare ourselves a fight today, only to die tomorrow."
Hunter scoffed. His tactic of riling up his army was by using fear, fear of the unknown. It was obvious that Aro could care less if Renesemee was above the law, harmless and kind, he wanted power and the side opposing him was power.
Breaking the silence that lingered, foot steps break through the fresh snow. Hunter's eyes darted to the sound and a shaky breath escapes her.
"Alice." Edward sighed with relief.
Alice and Jasper crossed the field, sending their family pointed and knowing looks. She has evidence, purpose.
They reached the Volturi only to be harshly halted by the guards. "My dear, dear Alice, we're so glad to see you here, after all." Aro beamed, clasping his hands together.
"I have evidence the child won't be a risk to our kind." Alice started. She calmed down underneath the guards grip and held out her hand, "Let me show you."
Aro blinks with suspicion before motioning the guards to release her. "Brother?" Caius warned, finding the timing too good to be true.
Alice shoved past the guards and closed the tension filled space between her and Aro. Just as she was about to welcome him into her mind, she snatched her hand back, "Wait."
Silence returned and Aro raised his eyebrows at her. "What is it child." Willow sneered, moving closer to get a good look at Alice.
Alice turned around and her gaze settled directly into Hunter's. The hybrid awkwardly cleared her throat, wondering why Alice would need her. "I would feel safer if Hunter were beside me."
"That is unnecessary-" Caius started, his venomous voice ripping through the air. Willow held her hand up, "Caius, do you ever shut your mouth?"
"Come." Aro smirked, waving the hybrid over to them.
Renesemee scrambled for her hand, "Don't leave me." She whimpered. Hunter peered up at her and squeezed her hand. She threatened Bella that she'd end Renesemee's life before it even began, she resented the girl for taking her best friend away.
She blinked and Renesemee became one of the most important things in her life. If she were to die today, it'd be for a good cause. "I'll never leave you." Hunter sighed, "I'll be right here. Always." She pointed to Renesemee's heart with an assuring smile.
Though she was scared out of her mind.
Renesemee nodded sheepishly and released her tight squeeze. Hunter ruffled Jacob's fur one last time before she turned to Bella, "Don't let me die." Bella breathed a laugh and nodded quickly.
"You won't die." Edward mumbled, his golden irises surrounded with tears that would never fall. She smiled and let out a sigh, it was time.
Walking alone felt different this time. She had no hand to hold or protect her, she was on her own. Until she heard a snarl to her right. She peered over and caught sight of jet black fur, Sam Uley's fur.
A smirk sprouted on her face and she shook her head, "The dynamic duo. They hate to love each other." Sam huffed and walked beside her defensively.
Her hand gravitated into Alice's and she exhaled before meeting her mother's gaze. She knew what was coming. "You look like crap." Hunter told Willow abruptly.
Everyone stared at her, flabbergasted by her bluntness. Willow adjusted her cloak and cleared her throat, "You've looked worse."
Hunter huffed and squeezed her grip on Alice's palm, so hard that she winced. But that's what she was counting on.
Aro held his hand out, "Shall we?"
Alice shared a look with Hunter before she slipped her hand into the volturi king's hand. Silence returns. His eyes wide as he watched the vision unfold in before his eyes.
Hunter let out a gasp, she could see Renesemee's future, her life with Jacob. She'll be okay. The vision is obstructed when Alice snatched her hand back once more, disgust covering her face, "It doesn't matter what I show you."
Hunter blinked, her heart skipping a beat at Alice's unexpected harshness. "Even when you see. You still won't change your decision."
"Alice." Hunter warned. She glanced at Sam and egged him to go back with the pack, to which he ignored.
Alice turned back to the group and mouthed, "Now." to Bella. Hunter turned too, watching tears slip out Renesemee's eyes. That was 'now'.
Hunter breathed heavily, watching Jacob gallop away with Renesemee, unsure if she'll ever see them again.
Now her sight was on Edward, his eyes wide with fear. She didn't want to die. She just started to feel happiness again and she wasn't going to let it go so soon.
"Get them." Caius ordered the guards.
In a flash, Alice twirled back around and kicked Aro right in the chest. The Volturi vampire soared through the air and Hunter staggered backwards, shock covering her face.
It was happening. Now more than ever.
Everyone watched anxiously and angrily as Aro twirled about, hid limbs flaring around until finally, his feet slammed onto the ground and he used his hands to slow him down.
Once he did, he stood up and growled angrily. The guards act fast, they grab onto Alice and turn her around, ready to snap her limbs clean off her body at Aro's command.
Hunter made a move to help but she was restrained as well. She grunted and struggled against their tight hold, "Let me- go." She huffed, kicking at their legs.
Sam growled loudly and just as he was going to attack, Hunter felt her eyes burn brighter and she thrashed until she was facing the alpha, "Get back." She demanded him.
If Sam was to get hurt, she would never forgive herself. Sam halted his movements and backed away at her wishes. Normally, he would've ignored her, she wasn't in charge. But the way her voice changed to a much deeper octave, it made him trust her decision.
"Take them away." Willow beamed.
"Let them go!" Carlisle yelled. Not a moment later he took off. More guards ran forward, ready to restrain Carlisle, but he bobbed and weaved with ease. He tossed the two guards away and continued his trek.
Aro moved accordingly, watching his old blonde friend carefully. Carlisle growled and leaped into the air with one thing fueling his decision, protect his family. Aro jumped too, and they clashed in the air.
Hunter yanked on her arms some more until she watched Carlisle's body come crashing to the ground. Headless. Her jaw dropped with her heart, immense remorse and vengeance flooding her veins.
Caius grabbed a hold of the torch and lit Carlisle's deceased body ablaze. "Still want to be a hero?" Willow whispered, knowing well that Hunter was listening.
The hybrid watched her friends hearts tear in two, the loss of the one who brought them together creating a monster that the Volturi has been dying to see.
She knew that this was what they wanted, a fight. To end the Cullen clan for good and carry on with their eternal lives. As much as Hunter wanted to live, she was fine with dying in the place of the ones she loved.
But first, she was going to kill some vampires.
She turned to face her mother, a wicked smirk gracing her tanned skin, "Guess we're about to find out."
Hunter felt her fingertips elongate and she used her strength to flip the guards up and around her. She grunted as they crashed to ground with a thud, and without a hitch, she reached down and sliced them horizontally. Their bodies were cut in half, torso removed from the legs.
Willow's eyes widen and she backed away. She could recall the time Hunter attacked her in her wolf form and she refused to live it again until she had an advantage.
The group ran forward, Edward leading them with anger she's never seen before. Hunter turned to Sam, "Now." The black furred alpha huffed before letting out a loud roar and signaling his pack to attack.
Hunter darted her eyes back to her mother who was cowering behind three guards heading her way. The hybrid ran towards them too, her clawed hands swinging beside her hungrily.
Her vision faded in and out of red, the sight of a werewolf, but she couldn't dwell on it too much. Just as she reached the guards, she slid underneath the middle one's legs, sliced it, then rounded back onto her feet.
The middle guard screamed in agony and Hunter marched forward. She slammed her foot onto his throat and glared at the other two guards who were rushing forward in flashes of colors.
She held up her hand and the two men were halted from reaching her. She oftentimes forgot about her own gift, how helpful it was in times like this. She raised her foot once more and slammed it into the fallen guards throat harder. She continued her harsh movements until his head detached from his body.
Just as she was about to attest to the remaining two guards, a body crashed into her's and she fell to the ground. Glancing up she witnessed Alec gathering himself on his feet, shooting daggers at her through his ruby eyes.
"Perfect." She whispered as she climbed to her feet. This was who she wanted to see die. Alec held out his palms and the black smoke emitted into the air. It was quick and it's movements were unpredictable.
Hunter blinked frantically. She didn't know where to go, which move to make. It seemed like all Alec needed was for her to move an inch and in a flash, she'd be consumed with darkness and death.
The smoke was reaching her toes and she huffed. Looking at Alec felt a bit blurrier than a moment before, even he noticed that. His face fell and he hissed, the dark matter wasn't reaching her at all. It was like it was being blocked.
Hunter's eyes widen in realization and she finds Bella standing at least a yard away from her. They share a smile, content with how well she was at controlling her gift.
The moment was disrupted and she was tackled by Alec himself. Hunter gasped and she ran forward, shoving the guards out of her way effortlessly.
Her eyes take a good scan of the field and she catched sight of Jasper. His arms lay motionless at his sides, his head turned upwards in pain. Jane. Hunter paused for a moment, conflict rising in her chest.
Bella seemed to handle herself well but no one knew Alec's movements well. Her sights flickered between her two friends, fear and panic flooding her.
"Shit." She whispered before straying off her path running to Jasper's aid. Her feet pound the snowy ground angrily, two guards grabbing Jasper's arms as he collapsed to the ground.
She was running full force, grunts escaping her soft lips. The guard had yet to see her coming as she held out her hand and flashed past him, her claws sliding perfectly between his head and neck.
Hunter stopped running and turned to face the other two guards who held Jasper down. She lifted up her hands and the two men choked. Their hands slide off Jasper and they claw at their throats, no air entering their lungs.
She scowled with heavy breaths escaping her, each moment they begged for air, it gave her more adrenaline.
Finally, she let out an aggravated yell, her head pounded loudly and at the surge of power, the two guards' heads flew off their bodies and into each of her hands.
Hunter stared in surprise and she immediately dropped the decapitaed heads. "Nice job jedi." Emmett smirked at her before taking off.
Hunter blinked at her hands, the feeling was too good. Jasper's gurgles of pain snapped her from her thoughts and she was reminded of why she was there.
She reached his side and grabbed onto his shaking hand, "It's okay Jasper, you won't feel a thing anymore." Hunter glanced around the field until her eyes settled on Jane.
The short blonde was almost too invincible. Hunter closed her eyes and took a deep breath, she transferred pain before, she only hoped she could do it again.
She squeezed Jasper's hand and let her mind take control of the rest. The veins in her arms turned black and thick, the pain of Jane's gift leaving Jasper's body and pushing through Hunter's.
The hybrid let out a string of groans, finding relief in how limp Jasper's body was becoming. She could feel it all, the agony and dread. It was worse than almost anything Hunter's ever felt.
"Hunter." Jasper whispered.
She forced her eyes open and in an instant, she heard a sickening crack. Jasper's head rolled onto the ground beside her and she couldn't even react. Her body fell forward into the snow and she let out screams now.
Jasper was dead. She failed.
Hands reach onto her arms and she continued to wail in agony. She should've went for Jane instead of taking Jasper's pain, now she was reaching her demise.
She was forced onto her knees and she stared up into the sky. It stopped snowing, the patterned and soft ice had all fallen to the ground and watched the war that ensued on top. She had never wished so badly to melt away like they did.
Hands grip her head and she could feel the pressure build up around her neck. This would never work. She wasn't like a normal vampire, bloodless and empty, skin made of diamonds and glass.
She was a hybrid with warm skin and a beating heart.
The pain ceased and Hunter sucked in a breath. The guards that struggled to destroy her, stared at her with turmoil. Her wailings stopped and she didn't seem afraid.
She took their confusion as an opportunity to escape.
She straightened her back and sent her elbows into both guards that held her down. They fell to the side and Hunter was on her feet in seconds.
"Alec's dead." Edward's voice was soft and sweet, Hunter immediately turned to him and she ran into his arms. Even amongst the cold, Edward was warm enough for her.
He unwrapped his arms from her waist and gently grabbed her face, "I love you." Hunter nodded vigorously, afraid to leave his touch.
Then, a howl was sent through the air. A helpless and sorrowful one. Hunter's shoulders fell and she turned to the source. Leah stood in the center of the chaos, howling for her now deceased brother.
Hunter sucked in a breath, "Seth."
Once again, she's knocked off her feet. Her and Edward crash onto the ground and are jumped by at least six guards. Hunter grunted as her hand slipped out of Edward's, "No!" He yelled.
They both struggled against the grips, watching one another reach the point of death. "Edward." Hunter cried, feeling more helpless as the seconds went on.
Seth's death was impeccable. She wasn't close to him but from their brief interactions, he looked up to her. He was young and it broke her heart. "Edward, I can't." She cried further, letting the tears fall down her face.
She was scared.
"Don't you say that." He grumbled, fighting the men beside him.
Hunter let out a string of sobs as one man yanked her neck back by her hair. She thought this was it, the end of her line, but a roar sounded and her arms were free.
Black fur rushed past her eyes and she found herself calming down. Sam saved her.
Then the ground shook. She turned around and watched a ravine open up in the center of the field, the earth crumbling into itself amongst the fight. This was the works of Benjamin.
Hunter turned at the sound of Edward grunting and she yanked one of the guards that held him down, off and into the ravine.
Then she paled, she could hear the whines of Leah Clearwater, echoing away and down the crack. She gripped at the roots of her short locks, "Shit, shit, shit!" She yelled.
She didn't want anyone to die yet it felt like everyone was dying. The world continued to crumble and Hunter gasped. She turned back in time to see Edward fall through, the last guard that was holding him watching him slide down the rocks.
Her eyes widen angrily and she ran over in a flash. Her hands land on the guard but he was quick on his reflexes. His hand grabbed onto her's and he twirled them around until it was her hanging over the edge.
His hand was tight around her neck and he stared at her with mischief. Hunter choked and held onto him for dear life. She had no idea if Edward was alive or not, but right now, she wanted to fall.
The guard froze and Hunter continued to gag even over the sounds of Edward crushing through thick rocks and soaring out of the ravine. Edward crashed into the guard and Hunter gasped for air.
Her legs thrash and they find no ground beneath her. "Edward!" She screamed. Her hands reach up to grab a hold of something but she feels the cold sensation of a vampire's skin and she peered up.
Edward lifted her up and onto the ground, his arms wrapping around her once more, "See? I'm always there to catch you."
Hunter let out a breathless chuckle and slapped his chest before getting onto her feet, "I love you too."
The moment was quick and Hunter was back on her determination. "Jane is next." She muttered before pressing a sweet kiss to Edward's cheek and taking off.
She knew what she was doing. She dodged reaching hands and broke off legs, she shoved through guards and bit their heads off effortlessly. She needed to get to her mother, and in order to do that, she had to rid the chessboard of the protective pieces.
Hunter found Jane quickly, her sights were set on someone else, Alice, who had the same intentions as her.
Jane however, didn't see Hunter coming at all. The blonde turned to run from an angry Alice but halted at the sight of Hunter. The hybrid smirked and gripped the volturi's neck.
Alice smirked and moved out of the way, revealing a menacing Sam. The alpha werewolf discarded the dismembered vampire hand from his mouth and stomped towards them.
"How amazing is it that all your life, you say the word pain, and you hurt anyone you want, and now, you're the one who gets to feel it." Hunter mused before violently kicking Jane straight in the leg, snapping the lower half clean off.
Jane let out a loud scream and crashed to the ground. She didn't want to die. Hunter grabbed onto her neck and dragged her forward, meeting Sam halfway.
Jane peered up at the werewolf fearfully before being flung into his reach. Sam pranced at her and his sharp teeth tore at her flawless flesh, her screams and gargles bring ease to his ears.
She scratched at his face but it failed to phase him once he detached her head from her body. Hunter walked closer to him, gazing down at the now dead volturi vampire, "Good boy."
Sam growled at her and nudged her. Just as she was about to admit to her joke, Sam nodded over in the distance.
Aro stood with the royals of the Volturi, her mother included. Her eyes hardened, "I'll take it from here Sam."
Sam rubbed his head beneath her palm, allowing her to pet him for a moment, then he was gone. Hunter watched Aro grow angry at the loss his side was facing.
He ripped open his cloak and he started forward, his sights set on Bella. Hunter let out a frustrated groan as she was at a crossroads again. Her mother stood beside the remaining guards, her eyes warily watching Aro.
Willow was out in the open. She could easily take out the guards then her mother. But when she watched Bella fight unbeknownst to Aro heading her way, she couldn't help but change her plan.
Hunter took off, running for the eldest volturi vampire, the strongest one at that. "Bella!" She yelled. The newborn turned at the sound of her name and found Aro's hands, grabbing onto her.
He thrusted her back and Bella soared through the air. Hunter paused and watched her best friend frail around before she crashed right into her. They fell to the snow with a groan.
"You okay?" Hunter asked, helping Bella get onto her feet. She nodded quickly and held onto her hand. Aro was coming back and he was fast.
"Lift me." Bella whispered. Hunter stared for a moment before nodding. She grabbed a hold of Bella's arms and as Aro was closing in, Hunter swung her around and Bella kicked Aro backwards.
He stumbled around in surprise before turning back. Hunter tossed Bella once more and the newborn climbed onto Aro's shoulders and kicked him again.
Hunter smirked and ran forward. She wrapped her arms around Aro and pulled on his head. He struggled for a second, his eyes widening in fear.
But it lasted a second. His hands grabbed onto her's and he twisted her arms around with a smirk. Then he growled and grabbed a hold of her head, pushing it the wrong way.
Hunter let out a scream of pain, her bones erupting with foreign pain. Bella ran forward and climbed onto Aro's shoulders again, her own hands wrapping around his skull easily.
Aro's grip on Hunter lightened and she staggered away from him, fear and anger coating her eyes.
Edward brushed her arms softly before running forward and kicking Aro's legs from underneath him. The volturi vampire crashed onto his knees, utterly helpless.
Hunter rubbed at her neck before walking forward and bending down to Aro's level. She grabbed a fist full of his hair and lifted his chin softly, his red and angry eyes boring into her own, "Sucks to be you." She whispered before pulling his head and ripping it from his body.
She tossed it to the side and Bella quickly grabbed a torch, burning Aro's head to a crisp.
"Impressive."
Hunter paled. Her mother was close. The hybrid circled around in her spot, frantically attempting to find Willow Reed.
"But not enough, sadly."
Hunter stopped when she found the red cloaked woman in front of her. Willow's smirk was evident and aggravating.
"Why's that?" Hunter dared to ask.
The fighting continued around them and no one seemed to notice the mother-daughter moment commencing.
Willow held out her arms, "Because in this story, heroes don't live-" she was cut off by snarling. Teeth grab onto her arm and she sent to the ground.
Yelps and pleas for mercy leave her throat, and Hunter watched as Sam tore through the flesh of her mother. It was pleasing, like a weight has been lifted from her shoulders.
Willow's head is yanked from her shoulders and she laid dead, forever.
Hunter blinked and Willow's body was gone. Sam tilted his head and Hunter's eyes widen in shock. "Shit-"
A hand taps on her shoulder and Hunter twirled in her spot. Willow gripped Hunter's shoulder while she gripped her arm, and Willow sends her hand straight into Hunter's chest.
Β Β "Hunter!" Edward yelled out, watching from a far.
Hunter glanced down at her chest, blood coating her mother's arm and the snow below. Breathless groans leave her body, as did her soul. "This is it." Hunter thought, feeling her heart crush beneath Willow's strength.
This was how she ended. She thought all the nightmares of her heart being detatched from her body, she thought it was just a play with her mind. But her mother was trying to tell her, her fate.
Β Β "Tricked you." Willow smirked before yanking her hand back and taking Hunter's warm heart with it. Screams erupted once more at another loss of their family.
Hunter fell to her knees and she could feel the cold winter air fly through the gaping hole in her chest. She could see the dark edges inch into her vision.
With her breaths quickly dispersing, she watched Edward and Sam tear Willow to shreds. That was all she needed to see before she disappeared.
Her eyes roll to the back of her head and her body collapsed into Bella's arms, the newborn completely hysterical. She was dead. Her mother was dead. But the ones she cared for remained. She passed her task; protecting her family.
That was all she needed.