51 | THREE'S COMPANY |

➖

ALEC VOLTURI WATCHED FROM THE SHADOWS AS THE MASTERS SPOKE TO THE BLONDE VAMPIRE. He silently stood beside Jane, listening with an apathetic expression. He didn't care for much these days, it seemed like any other nuisance that plagued the common vampire who asked the Volturi for an audience dragged on incessantly. He'd much rather be elsewhere, but he didn't have a choice. He had a duty to his coven and to his sister, who was more sadistic than ever. Ever since Aurora left, Jane was back as the top dog and she was making sure no one else forgot it.

When the whiney-looking girl began droning on and on about it being her duty as a vampire to report crime even if it betrays her friends and blah, blah, blah—Alec tuned out of the conversation. He wondered how the nightlife was in Dubai this time of year. However, his interest was piqued the second the blonde vampire said, "Cullen." The witch twin looked up in attention immediately as if his own name had been called.

"What crime has been allegedly committed?" Caius raised his brow, staring at the callous woman. In his personal opinion, it was quite annoying how much advantage the animal-drinkers took of the Volturi's leniency, only now just changing Isabella Swan even though they had been ordered to do so on St. Marcus's festival. But the matter was over, sealed with Carlisle Cullen's letter of confirmation. What have they done now?

Irina swallowed before lifting her chin up. "The Cullens harbor an immortal child."

Every vampire in the room let out a collective gasp. For the Cullens, the sanctimonious, animal-drinking, human-sympathizing good-doers, to have created and protected an immortal child, the most-grievous of offenses one could make as a vampire, was hearsay.

Aro flashed directly in front of Irina, his hand already extended in the space between them. "May I?" he asked politely. His eyes sparkled not with concern at the danger the crime projects, but at the mere prospect of dismantling the coven that was amassing much more power than the Volturi master was happy with.

She nodded, offering her hand for him to take, while her expression still conveyed how difficult it was for her to make the decision to report those she viewed as family.

As soon as she consented, Aro clasped his hands over hers, his eyes closing as he sorted through her thoughts. He had honed his gift to ignore the irrelevant details and search for the big ideas, zooming through miscellaneous memories and conversations in a fraction of a second. His grasp tightened slightly as he read Irina's thoughts pertaining to the child in the snow.

To the Volturi members watching, it had only been a minute or two until Aro suddenly pulled back from Irina, holding a wide, slightly maniacal smile on his face. They waited for their leader to announce the confirmation of the sin.

"Brother?" Caius urged Aro back into reality.

"Regretfully, my dear ones, Miss Denali has witnessed the crime indeed," Aro said sorrowfully, stepping back onto the dais to address the rest of the room. "The Cullens harbor not only an immortal child, but our long-not-so-lost, Aurora." Aro glanced at Alec momentarily, as if he had learned something from Irina.

It was in that glance that Alec was internally panicking. Aro knew. To anyone else, Aro appeared to have just been surveying the guard, but Alec was a keen observationalist. He hadn't spent a thousand years serving the man to not have picked up on Aro's nearly invisible cues. Alec was supremely fucked. Yet he continued to look forward, acting as if his entire life and reputation wasn't crumbling to dust around him. It was only a matter of time.

Irina tilted her head. "Aurora might have been the one to change the child, maybe it wasn't the Cullens," she said, trying to alter their focus. She thought of how the Volturi spared her and her sisters when their mother had created an immortal child, perhaps they would spare the Cullens.

"When it comes to immortal children, my dear Irina, all evidence and witnesses must be collected to sort out the truth," Aro said, nodding contemplatively.

"Justice will be served," Caius commented icily.

"Yes, the truth always prevails," Marcus added airily, looking from Aro to Alec pointedly, as if he read something in their relationship change drastically. He held Alec's gaze steadily as if he cared for once and mouthed a single word.

➖

"Jasper, we need to talk," Rory said quietly as they were walking back home from a quick dinner. They were alone, the others were already in the house, preparing and planning the different trips everyone would be taking in the next few days.

"That would worry me if I didn't know any better...what's wrong?" Jasper stopped walking to face her. There was something resolute about her expression.

"It's just-I have a very bad feeling about all of this," she said in one breath. Rory began pacing, a sure sign of the beginning of a panic attack. "Irina saw the both of us. Aro knows I'm back with you all and they think I made an immortal child. They have more reason than ever to hunt me down, I'm a liability."

"What are you saying?" Jasper grabbed her hands to calm her down and stop her pacing. "You don't want to go down south with Rose and Em? Rory, they're hunting us all down."

She shook her head. "As much as I want to go, it's too much of a risk. If I go look for witnesses, we won't be able to find any. They all think I'm a criminal." The anxiety and panic was running rampage within her mind. It was one thing for the Volturi to be looking for her, but for them to incriminate the entire Cullens, to condemn her niece before Renesmee even had a chance to live—Rory was freaking out.

"Sweetheart, we're all criminals now," Jasper reminded her. As she shot him an annoyed look, he wrapped his arms around her, "Are you sure you're just not nervous about being out there again? We've been basically shut-ins for the last two months."

"No it's not that," Rory shook her head before pausing, "Actually it is. That's nearly three whole months that the Volturi has had to spread the word that they're looking for me. If they already know the Volturi are looking for a mind controller, they won't give us a chance to explain. The word is out and they think the mind controller created an immortal child; they won't trust a word I say."

"Then we'll stay home, hold down the fort."

Rory bit her lip, debating the idea, before shaking her head again, letting out a sigh as she met his stare. "But you'd make better use out there looking for witnesses. I know you want to help more than anything. People listen to you, they trust you, with and without your gift."

"The others will understand."

"No." Her tone was firm and absolute, empowered by her refusal to be helpless. "We will help them, somehow, just not with the others where they could get caught up in the cross fire if things go wrong."

"Are you saying we should go on the run again to mislead them?" Jasper gathered from her emotions and words.

Rory nodded slightly. "It's going to be risky now that everyone is onto me and there's a high probability we'll get caught."

He squeezed her hand reassuringly. "Wherever you go, I follow."

"You're a good man, Jasper Hale." Rory wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him into a deep, much needed kiss.

"Count me in, too." Someone popped up from behind them, causing Rory to let out a shriek of surprise, "Jesus Christ!"

Jasper to merely sighed knowing his best friend's tricks all too well, especially her penchant to sneak up on vampires. They turned to face Alice.

"Actually, it's just me," she said jokingly. She placed her hands on her hips, "You took long enough to realize looking for witnesses is a bad idea for you."

"Obviously you know something, Alice," Jasper remarked exasperatedly. "What did you see?"

She tilted her head. "Well, it's actually what I didn't see that's what's important."

Rory crossed her arms. "Cryptic, but keep talking."

"You said it yourself, Rory. The Volturi like their evidence," Alice said with an excited gleam in her golden eyes, "if we can show both sides of definitive proof that hybrids exist, they will have no reason to hurt us. They'll have no choice but to listen if we gather enough witnesses and bring evidence that hybrids won't endanger our world."

"Alice, that's a search for the impossible," Jasper sucked in a breath at the insane suggestion. "We'd be looking for a needle in 8 billion haystacks."

Rory raised her brow at the psychic. "You can't use your visions to look either, how are we supposed to find a hybrid?"

Alice pursed her lips, annoyed at herself for being blind when it came to other supernaturals. "I can't see Renesmee's future because I can only see the decisions of those like me, vampires, or what I used to be, humans. So I'm blind when it comes to hybrids or shapeshifters." She looked at both of them with a small hopeful smirk. "So, what if we look for what I can't see?"

"This isn't Bird Box, Alice," Rory said with a frown. "I can't condemn you if they find us before we find a living hybrid."

"It goes both ways; I'll know if they're close while we look for what I can't see," Alice dismissed Rory's fear of being caught, "However, we can't tell anyone where we're going or what we're doing...just in case. I've watched a million different outcomes, all ending with the destruction of our loved ones and worse." She met both Jasper and Rory's unsure looks pleadingly. "This is the path that puts the odds in our favor."

"I believe you, Effie," Rory said to Alice's clap of relief, before Rory sighed deeply, running her hand through her hair. "This sucks. I don't like leaving them without saying goodbye, but we don't have a choice."

"I know," Jasper tightened his grasp on her hand. "And we won't be leaving our family completely blindsided without helping them. I have an idea."

The three fastidiously created their game plan. With Rory's knowledge of the Volturi, Jasper's strategic mind, and Alice's visions, they crafted a course that would cover all the bases. South America was the first choice, from all knowledge they've gathered about hybrids, the source had to be in the south, where the Volturi's influence was meager in comparison to the northern hemisphere. It was most likely where vampires were willing to bend the rules.

On the way down, they would send Peter and Charlotte to Forks, as well as the Amazonian coven Alice knew of, but their prime focus was looking for a hybrid willing to testify against the Volturi.

They would be relying on Alice's visions, or lack thereof in the presence of a hybrid, to find one. But it would be a herculean task that might even push the boundaries of Alice's vision of the Volturi's arrival. They had anytime between an entire month to two weeks at minimum to find a hybrid before the snow stuck to the ground. As soon as the plans were laid out, they didn't even return home to pack, not wanting to risk Edward reading their minds or being held up by everyone's questions. There was no time to waste.

While Jasper and Alice stopped at Bella and Edward's house for the former's idea to help he others, Rory ran ahead to La Push, to tell her mother goodbye, and update Sam about the upcoming conflict. The Pack was definitely wary of allowing them to cross their land, but swimming would be the fastest way to evade other vampires, Cullen or Volturi. Rory easily convinced them to let them through though, and once Jasper and Alice caught up, they were gone, leaving a single note for their family in their leave. There was no time to say goodbye.

Rory hadn't traveled by water before. Jasper had told her before that because they didn't need to breath and they essentially had unlimited energy, vampires could swim thousands of miles in a few hours. They were focused on staying out of the radar more than they did before with just Rory and Jasper on the run. The stakes were higher than ever this time around. There was no time for games.

➖

Rory looked at the map of rural Mexico once more. They were searching the small towns and villages of the southern end of the country, for a more trusted primary source of the indigenous people's hybrid folklore. It was a long-shot to actually find anything so quickly in their quest, but they were hopeful nonetheless.

It had been a few days since they left Forks and they were no closer to finding a walking hybrid than they left. They had evaded a group of the Volturi guard Alice had foreseen searching for Rory in Mexico city and they now strictly stuck to the countryside to avoid the public.

"So," Alice nudged Rory who was holding Jasper's hand and walking through the tall grasses, "tell me how about the proposal, I still haven't heard all the details and I'll definitely need them for the wedding."

"Aren't we supposed to be looking for a hybrid?" Jasper asked, exchanging an amused look with Rory, much to Alice's chagrin.

The psychic rolled her eyes, "We can talk and walk."

"Fine, fine," Rory placated her, looking up at Jasper again softly, "Well..."

It was nearly dawn when Jasper and Rory reached Forks. Though it had only been less than three weeks since Rory had returned for Bella and Edward's wedding, this homecoming felt different, permanent. She had no reason to run away anymore.

Rory smiled softly at Jasper as he led them the long way home, heading for their spot on the mountain. The little eden was untouched, the ledge still overlooking the emerald sea of pine trees, Evangeline's headstone still glowed under the rays of the morning sun. Their own slice of heaven.

"We've been through a lot, don't you suppose?" Jasper was digging under the dirt in front of the white marble for some reason, until he retrieved a small shoebox covered in dirt.

"What an understatement," Rory continued to speak while eyeing Jasper weirdly. "Baby, we've been in each other's lives for like a year and a half and we've had enough drama to fit in like four novels." Rory snorted as she thought of everything that had happened over the last two years of her life. "It's been quite the adventure, cowboy."

Jasper opened the shoebox to reveal a small velvet box to her. "And I believe it's well time we make it official then."

Rory gaped as he met her gaze and opened the box, revealing a gorgeous engagement ring.

"Au—"

She interrupted him before he could begin, in shock and surprise, "Wait—you buried your mother's ring under Evangeline's tombstone?"

Jasper scratched his head sheepishly. "Hey, I thought you were never coming back to me. The ring was only ever meant for you." He shook his head, but he couldn't stop smiling. "Now can I get back to proposing to you ma'am?"

Rory nodded eagerly. "Go for it."

"Aurora Elena Reyes Aden, you are the very reason for my existence. For most of my immortal life, I never believed a monster like me could have a soulmate. And then you found me. All the battles, the loneliness, the pain—I would relive it all a thousand times just to meet you once." Jasper's voice was raspy with emotion as he professed his undying love to his soulmate. "They say you only fall in love once, but that can't be true...every time I look at you, see your smile, hear your snort, feel your touch—I fall in love all over again. I love you with every inch of my soul and I cannot imagine forever without you by my side. Will you do me the honor of allowing me to become your husband?"

"My answer isn't a simple yes and it's definitely not a no." They both chuckled. Rory held his cheek, their gazes locked onto each other, "I can't hear all that and not tell you what lies in my own heart, you romantic fool."

She would be balling her eyes out if she could. "Before you, I was alone as well, hurt and broken, and you stitched me back together. We've been through so much; people say love isn't easy, but with you it's like breathing, I need you with me to function. Even when I didn't remember us, deep down, I knew we were endgame. A piece of my heart is always missing when you're not with me," Rory smiled, her eyes shining with joy. "So yes, Jasper, let's get married and be together forever. Literally."

"Are you...crying?" Rory looked at Alice in concern.

She let out a loud sniff, rubbing her glassy eyes, "That was-that was so beautiful." Alice turned to Jasper. "I'm proud of you." She looked at Rory. "I can't wait for all of this to be over so we can celebrate the real reason we're all alive—love, which you two are so lucky to have found with each other." Alice couldn't help but feel a little envious of the couple, she hoped she would meet her mate soon.

Jasper wrapped his arms around Rory's waist and nodded at Alice appreciatively. "Well, we have you to thank for all of this, Alice."

"Don't thank me," Alice raised her hands. She smiled at the couple, "The universe may have brought you together, but you decided to keep fighting for each other. Sometimes it's the smallest of decisions that could change your life forever."

➖

The entire throne room dropped like flies as Alec's mist flooded the room like smoke.

Only two people remained standing, bodies lying haphazardly around them, the person responsible looking around the room, just as shocked of his own actions as his twin.

"What have you done?" Jane gasped, staring at her brother with a mixture of confusion and horror.

Alec looked up slowly, meeting her eyes, identical to his own, without a shred of emotion. "What I had to."

"Brother, you make no sense," Jane stepped over the few bodies in her way as she approached Alec face to face.

Alec exhaled deeply, "It was me. I was the one who helped Aurora escape." Jane didn't seem surprised by the slightest, having already suspected his involvement. Alec continued, glaring at the fallen body of Aro, "Irina must've known somehow, I saw it in how Aro looked at me."

Jane was at lost for words. She flared her nostrils. "Return their senses to them all at this moment, Alec."

Alec shook his head. "They'll kill me. Or worse." He let out a bitter laugh, "I'm as guilty as the Cullens."

"Don't be absurd, Alec, they will forgive you, it is not too late."

"Don't you understand? I cannot and will not help them destroy her."

Jane was furious. "But you'll stand against me?" He had the decency to look apologetic. She raised her chin up high. "Brother, reconsider, you can have all you ever wanted in this coven. You cannot possibly want to be nothing once more."

"Sister, I cannot stay stagnant anymore. I don't want this power anymore. It's not just Aurora or the Cullens, it's this place, this coven, them—it is no longer about justice nor keeping order anymore than the human's governments." Alec eyed the opulent throne room in disgust. He stepped closer to his sister, "Don't you see? We've allowed them to use us for their greed and power for eons. I am not a weapon. Not anymore." He tore the cloak off his shoulders, the obsidian fabric falling around his feet in ripples.

Jane blinked, nearly flinching at the abrupt action. "You're making the wrong choice, brother."

"It's time to do what is right, not what is safe. Jane, come with me, we can leave together and never return." He extended his hand out, pleading his twin with his eyes. "We can still be great without them controlling us."

Jane stepped back, affronted by the suggestion. "No. I will not help you destroy yourself and everything we are."

"Then, I guess this is goodbye, Jane." He yanked the chain off his neck, handing the gold pendant to his sister with a look of long-needed relief in his ruby eyes, like a burden had been lifted with the removal of the Volturi chain. He headed for the doors.

"Do not do this, brother," Jane said coldly at first, but as her brother walked away from her, she grew more panicked. "Ali, please."

Alec looked at his sister one last time, and for the first time in hundreds of years, Jane's eyes shined with tears.

"I'll see you on the battlefield, sister." With that, she fell to the floor as well, knowing he would be long gone by the time any of their senses return. "I love you, Janie."

➖

"This is insanity."

Rory may not have been capable of sweating, but the blazing sun and humid air was getting on her nerves. Not to mention all the bugs and mosquitoes that kept flying in her face, unable to bite her, but insistent on annoying her. Or maybe she just needed a snack so she wouldn't be so irritable. Or maybe she was homesick and scared and tired of running away.

"Rory, it's been three weeks, and I feel that we're close," Alice promised, forcing herself to sound more optimistic for her companions. "Sachiri said to look in this region, that she's seen the vampire with the beating heart feed here just a few months ago." They had sent the three Amazons to Forks a few days ago.

"Yeah, and a few months ago I was in Italy." Rory sighed deeply, adjusting her ponytail, "Look, Christmas is a few days away. Why don't we just—"

"Wait." Alice turned around, her eyes searching the deep forests of Peru surrounding them.

"Someone is coming," Jasper growled, crouching forward as he felt the shift of another person's emotions. The person was running, faster than any human, straight for them.

Alice looked hopeful.

Rory narrowed her eyes.

Jasper let out a curse.

The stranger stepped out of the shadows, brushing some dirt off of their shoulders whilst wrinkling their nose in slight disgust. The unexpected person smiled widely as Alice, Rory, and Jasper laid eyes on them.

"You."

➖

aghhh we're so close to the end, this is so wild!! 😦😱

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id like to take this moment to thank all of you who participated in the Crimson contest, i really appreciated the submissions and the support. if u didn't get a chance to submit anything (or didnt want to) thats cool as well bc i know u all still love Crimson as much as i do and i love everyone who ever decided to click on this story.

its the end of the year and start of a new one as i write this authors note, and its been a real whirlwind of a year and throughout it all, ive had this story and yall with me. i have to give a shoutout to twitter for all those tweets about jasper hale that went around lmaooo bc i wouldve never posted this without twitter hyping up jasper again.