New Rise - Book 4

Chapter 13

I sat staring at the door for several minutes before I gave in. I had to know where this led and I needed to know now. Raising to my feet I took the five steps needed to get from my spot in the room to the door and reached my hand out for the handle. With an effortless turn the door creaked open revealing a long dark tunnel with two paths.

I could go left or I could go right.

Something inside me kept telling me to go left.

I glanced once more over my shoulder. "

Be careful of the curse that falls on young lovers. Starts so soft and sweet and turns them to hunters." I whispered as I slipped into the passage way and closed the door behind me.

Just like my instinct had told me I took to the left tunnel and started on my walk. It wasn't longer then five minutes before I came to a dead end. I ran my fingers along the walls to try and find a hidden passage but there was none. The only hint of any markings were holes running up the walls on one side.

The rational thing would have been to turn around and head but or even inspect the right tunnel but something held me in place. It was like a dog whistle made only for me, to lure me. I needed to continue on.

I slumped against the stone wall of the tunnel, closing my eyes I allowed my head to fall back and just stood in silence.

"Renesmee!" I could hear Jake calling me.

No. Please just go away!

I opened my eyes and stared up at the ceiling. I quickly caught sight of something and scrunched my face as I tried to place it.

There in the center of the ceiling was a small door.

I stood up and began looking around the room. Certainly there had to be a ladder or something so I could reach it. Then it all made sense. The holes were the ladders. They gave easy placement for hands and feet.

Dusting off my hands I grabbed hold of the highest notch I could fit my hands into and then stuck my feet in the proper nodges before I began my climb upwards. Once I was close enough I unlocked the small door and pushed it open before I lifted myself through.

After I closed the door I rose to my feet and took in my surroundings.

I was in a stone cellar of some sort. Along the walls in rows were wine racks that held bottles full of a liquid. I knew immeadiately that it wasn't wine in the bottles but blood from the smell. This was definitely the home to vampires. The kind that drank human blood.

Just off the left of the room was a spiral staircase that led up. That was my next move.

I could feel my heart pounding against my chest with each step I took. When I began ascending the stairs it felt like my heart was in my throat.

Just as I reached the upper landing I heard voices. They were too faint for my ears to pick up but I knew I had company. Then they suddenly stopped.

Footsteps were heard before I came face to face with Charles and Anne.

"Renesmee dear child, what are you doing here?" Anne spoke.

My gaze dropped quickly to my feet.

I shrugged my shoulders. "I was exploring the tunnels at my house and I somehow found my way. I'm so sorry I didn't mean to trespass."

Anne placed her hands on my shoulders before she steered me through a large ornately decorated hall.

"So you have moved in next door yes?" Charles question as we entered the sitting room that Nicholi had first introduced me in.

I nodded my head. "Yes sir. My parents are letting me use my fathers old home. It's my first time alone."

"You should be careful we have caught an unknown scent from a nomad passing through these parts on more then one occasion. It's not normal so they must be after something."

"Or someone." I added as I thought about the Volturi.

Nicholi entered the room and he smiled when he saw me. He looked as beautiful as the last time I saw him, if not handsomer. Today he wore dark blue straight legged jeans with a white polo. His hair fell around his face in the same way I remembered it. He hadn't changed much in his appearance minus the clothes, the only thing that was off was his skin color. Instead of the sunkissed color it was just pale.

"What a suprise Renesmee." He grinned. "I wondered when I would have the extraordinary honor of seeing you again."

I took a strand of hair nervously between my fingers and began playing with it. "Yeah, I was grounded for a while. Then I moved."

"She moved into the house nextdoor. Isn't that wonderful." Anne exclaimed.

Nicholi's grin seemed to grow bigger. "That is convienent for us."

My face fell into confusion.

He had said it was convienent for us, but why?

"Nicholi why don't you give her a tour of the house, it's the respectable thing to do son." Charles said.

Nicholi nodded and then steered me into the long hall. He led me to the stairs which we climbed to a second story and placed his hand on the small of my back as he guided me into a large room.

"This is the most important, and might I add best room, in the entire house. Everything else is just bland." He ginned as he closed the doors behind us.

I took a step further into the room and looked around. There were alot of books along the walls in one corner. Just beneath the shelves was a small sitting area of overly plushed leather chairs. On the other half of the room was a massive mahogany desk that was covered with maps, compasses, globes and a model of a sail boat.

Near the back of the room sat several instruments, a saxaphone, a cello, a violin and a piano. This immeadiately got my attention as I loved music.

"You play?" I asked as I made my way over to the instruments.

"Yes, and I write music."

He joined my side and picked up a sheet of music paper. There weren't only notes like my and my fathers works but words as well.

"You write songs?"

"Uh yes. I don't sing them though I sell them to other people to sing."

I ran my fingers along the mounds of papers and then pulled a couple forth. The one that held my attention was called 'Cosmic Love.' I began reading it.

A falling star fell from your heart and landed in my eyes

I screamed aloud, as it tore through them, and now it's left me blind

The stars, the moon, they have all been blown out

You left me in the dark

No dawn, no day, I'm always in this twilight

In the shadow of your heart

I paused to look up at him. He was looking at me intently. I gave him a smile before I looked back down.

I took the stars from my eyes, and then I made a map

And knew that somehow I could find my way back

Then I heard your heart beating, you were in the darkness too

So I stayed in the darkness with you

I quickly set the paper back down and continued on browsing through the decor and contents of his room. There was a massive bed on the opposite side of the room. Even a large armior that obviously held his clothes. The only objects that seemed interesting were in a glass box sitting on a shelf that hung on the wall.

"Crowns?" I pointed causually.

"Royal blood... or lack of."

Oh yeah I forgot his family was actual ancient royalty.

"Hmmm."

"Renesmee I know we haven't know each other long but I was wondering whether or not I may court you." He asked. "I've came in contact with many women but you have caught my eye. Do me the honor."

My mouth went impossibly dry as I tried to find the proper words to respond.

"I- My- You."

"I understand if you would rather not."

Finally I was able to redampin my mouth so I could speak.

"Its just my father."

"-Would say no."

"My father is old school accustomed."

"So I would have to request to court his daughter."

I nodded my head. "It's only proper." I rolled my eyes.

"Sometimes I forget my manners when I've been too familar with the new aged way of the world." He blushed. "I apologize if I have disrespected you in any way."

I held up my hands. "You haven't offended me Nicholi. I'd just rather this happen properly if it's going to happen. My father is overprotective might I add." I grinned.

"May I walk you home?" He asked as he extended his hand towards me.

This was how it's supposed to feel when I begin to like someone more than a friend right? I'm certain it is.

I was more than willing to have him walk me home even if it was just next door. I reached out and placed my hand into his before he led me from the room. We walked arm in arm down the stairs and out the front door where we recieved some sunshine that gave us both a faint glow.

"It's been a while since I'm been able to feel the fresh air and sun upon my skin." Nicholi sighed.

"Don't you get out?" I asked curiously as we walked the long path down the drive.

"My parents are worried about the unknown vampire who has been running around in these parts. You see we never encounter nomads in this area of Seattle so you can imagine what is running through their minds about this."

"My family is worried about that as well. The vampire even came onto my families island so I wasn't allowed anywhere in the house by myself. I was basically cooped up in my room everyday." I rolled my eyes as I remembered the boredom. "My family thought it might be the Volturi only it wasn't their scent."

As I reached for the door handle to the front door of my house Nicholi quickly grabbed my hand and pulled me behind him. Simeltaneously a growl ripped through him.

"That scent." he hissed as his fists clenched tightly. "It's everywhere."

My eyes widened as I thought about Jake. He wasn't a werewolf anymore so he wouldn't be able to defend himself.

"I need to get inside." I said as I pushed past him and opened the door.

Before I could cross the threshold Nicholi grabbed my arm. I turned around to look at him, my expression fierce.

"Renesmee you are just a hybrid you can't defend yourself against a vampire you will get killed."

"My friend is in there."

"But is your friend worth risking your life?" he asked.

My face softened incredibly. "My friend is the reason I'm still alive."

Nicholi gave a great sigh before he moved infront of me. "Okay you win, but stay behind me."

"You are just a hybrid you can't defend yourself against a vampire Nicholi." I repeated his words.

He stopped a couple inches past the treshold and peered at me over his shoulder. "I may not be able to defend myself but I can distract it long enough for you to get to my family and call yours for back up."

I grabbed his hand to gain his attention again. "You are willing to die for me?" I asked takenback by his words.

He glanced at me and smiled before he pulled me into the house and shut the door.

"Jake." I whispered. "Jacob where are you?"

Nicholi placed a single finger over his lips and then pointed into the living room. Through the panes on the door I could see Jakes legs. The rest of his body was shielded from view by the couch.

I pushed past Nicholi and entered the room before dropping to my knees beside Jake.

"Jacob.... Jake wake up!" I said hastily as I patted his face.

His eyes flicked open and widened to the size of saucers before he moved infront of me. His eyes held to the form of a woman sitting across the room in a chair.

"Who are you and what do you want?" I snapped.

I glared right into the red eyes that gleamed back at me.

"Sili....?" Jacob said in a shaky voice.

The woman across the room looked at Jake and smiled as she nodded her head.

Then her eyes looked back to me. "I've been watching you and your family for a while now. Aro wants you he says you are powerful but I don't sense it nor do I see it. You don't have anything that our coven doesn't already have."

"You can't have her!" Nicholi shouted as he stood beside Jake to shelter me.

"What makes you think I want her." The red eyes flickered over to look at Jake.

She wanted Jacob. She wanted my friend.

"Y-you want me?" Jake stuttered.

Sili gave a slight nod.

"Come quietly and there will be no harm done to this girl you are trying to protect."

"What are you doing to do to me?" he asked.

Sili rolled her eyes. "I'm going to take you and turn you and harvest you into our coven. With your gift you will be honored and valued just as much as I am."

"Jane and Alec are Aro's favorites everyone knows that." Nicholi said.

"Jane and Alec are no more. You see Jane was his favorite until he found me then I became number one so she got jealous and decided to rebel and got herself killed. Alec was second until I mentioned about a promising turnee then he got jealous and we had to kill him. So now Aro wants the powerful vampire I promised."

"What makes me so powerful?" Jake questioned. "I'm ordinary."

"Your ex-wolf pack genes still reside inside you only they are dormant. A little bit of venom and a change will awaken them. Only you won't be member of the wolf pack anymore." She winked sinisterly.

"Jake you don't have to go." I whispered to him.

"Oh he's going to go or you will die."

"Why? Sili you are family why would you betray us?" Jake asked.

Sili grew quiet and a frown fixed on her face. "I can't go home." She shook her head. "If my brother knew what I had become-"

"Your brother hates the world because he thinks you are dead. He'll love you no matter what. Everyday around the same time he grows more angrier then usual."

"Jake... The Volturi want you they are the puppet masters and we are just puppets. They will cut the strings that give us life if we don't play the way they want. I would have chosen death but I heard them talking about you and our family and I knew the only way I could ensure protection was to find them what they want and they want power. With us on their side they will leave everyone alone." Sili finished.

"So if I join them Renesmee will be safe forever?"

"And the rest of her family. The vampires that the Volturi want have been replaced by me. I have their gifts and more so they are no longer needed. They want you so lets tie up this loose end."

"And if I say no?" Jake asked.

"If you say no the Volturi ,minus myself, will kill everyone and destroy everything you love and then force you into it. Sacrafice one and save a million. Jake its your choice."

Jake hit the floor with his first before rising to his feet. He then brought me to mine and pulled me into his arms.

"I'm doing this for you Renesmee. I know after I'm... changed I might not be the same but I want you to be happy." He leaned back far enough to tilt my chin up so he could see into my eyes. "Soon there will be nothing to be afraid of."

"Jake..."

"Shhh." He pulled my lips to his and kissed me deeply. "You are going to make someone very happy one day." He grinned before releasing me and walking over to Sili. "So lets get this party started yeah."

Sili looked up at me. "You should leave for a couple days." she whispered.

"Wait... you are going to change him here?"

Sili nodded her head.

Nicholi immeadiately grabbed my hand and started pulling me away. The entire time I couldn't take my eyes off him. I watched as Jake closed his eyes. Then Sili's mouth hovered down towards Jacob's neck. I stared horrified as I heard her teeth cut into his throat. She was there for just a second before she pulled back and lowered him to the floor.

Then came his screams. They were horrible, gut wrenching screams. The way his back arched and his body flailed was unnatural for even a vampire. Tears began pouring from my eyes as I watched the man who imprinted on me and loved every ounce of who I was hurting as he was being turned to a vampire in order to protect me.

This was the last show of love from him to me.

AUTHORS NOTE: Once you have finished reading this chapter listen to the video on the left. I've chosen this song to express Jake's emotions as he becomes his own enemy in order to protect the very person he loves.

As well if you want to listen to the song that Renesmee read of Nicholi's click the link below. It's called Cosmic Love by Florence and the Machine and I thought it fit perfectly for Nicholi feelings for Renesmee's.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TG4LBBXedc