[BamaFan121s]

Felix held up his hand in a gesture of refusal and briefly shook his head. “No apologies needed Carlisle. I’ll just need to attend to the formalities of…rescheduling our dinner.”
“That would be greatly appreciated,” Carlisle acknowledged.
I swallowed hard in disgust as a vivid recollection flooded my mind. It was not this same corridor I’d been led through on my only other visit to Voltera, but I didn’t need the familiar surrounding to recall that one very unpleasant memory. Through my memory, I could practically taste the fear as it poured off the unsuspecting tourist that Edward, Alice and I had stepped aside for. Panic and confusion had filled their faces as they were ushered unknowingly towards their demise. I remember the stale air rushing past me as Edward pulled me in a hurried attempt to shield me from the horror that was unfolding behind me. But his efforts had all been in vain. I fought the urge to bury my face in his chest now as I’d done then once the screams had reached my ears. I quietly gasped, pulling myself back to the present as the screams rang through my ears anew.
I felt Edward’s arm encircle my waist gently and pull me closer as we walked. Eventually the long hall opened into a larger round room off of which there were several more corridors and two large, metal doors. I marveled at the expansiveness of this underground domicile as we followed Felix through the nearest of the doors. As I stepped though it, I felt the cobblestone turn to lush carpet beneath my feet. I blinked as my eyes adjusted to the suddenly bright, fluorescent light that flooded a room a recognized.
From behind a large mahogany desk ahead of me, Gianna greeted us genuinely in a business like manner, her bright green eyes sparkling. “I trust you know you can lead your family from here?” Felix asked turning to Carlisle. “I have some matters I need to attend to elsewhere.”
“Of course, Felix. Thank you so much for escorting us.” Carlisle assured him. Felix nodded to us all, then turned and departed down the corridor from which we’d just emerged. With that, we followed Carlisle down the familiar corridor towards the room beneath the turret. I sensed as Edward cast me a sideways glanced, but acted as if I hadn’t noticed. I was afraid that if I met his gaze, my eyes would betray me and he would easily be able to pick up on the nervousness that I was sure lay in their depths.
I could hear buzz of voices ringing through the corridor ahead of me as we neared the familiar room where Edward, Alice and I had once stood, awaiting as the Volturi leaders considered our fate. As we approached the room, a felt a wave of calmness wash over me, easing my nerves, compliments of Jasper, I’m sure. I welcomed the calm and pushed my worries aside. I was still a technically a newborn and did not have centuries of experience in dealing with other vampires, but my family did…and I trusted my family.
Slowly moving his arm from around my waist, Edward reached down to take my hand in his. I quickly met surveying eyes and nodded in confidence. Then I took one last, deep calming breath and stepped forward into the large room with my family, ready to face the Volturi once again.