[BamaFan121s]

In one quick, fluid movement, Edward had repositioned himself between myself and the three figures clad in deep gray robes mirroring our own. He stood in a protective crouch in front of me as the smallest member of the group stepped forward and around the leader. The only discernable feature of the otherwise completely cloaked figure was a sickeningly sadistic smile. From beside me, I heard Alice exhale with a resigned sigh as the small figure before us cautiously raised two distinctly feminine hands to grasp her hood on either side.

As she lowered the hood, I felt Edward's posture relax as recognition registered with us.

"Hello, cousin," Kate sang mockingly.

"Kate?" Edward gasped incredulously.

"You know, I really must say," she continued in smug tone, "it really is a rare occasion when someone manages to take you by surprise." She smirked with obvious pleasure over her self proclaimed accomplishment as she took in our shocked expressions. "You didn't really expect us to sit back on this one, now did you?"

One by one, her companions lowered their hoods as well, revealing their identities; first Garret, then Tia.

"We caught up with the rest of your clan just after you three left," Garrett explained. "Jasper brought us up to speed. I must say, I rather like his style."

"Luckily, Elezear held on to these hideous things," Kate said gesturing to their robes with distaste. "Sentimental value, I guess..."

"Amun told us what had happened when Esme called him for a copy of the city plans," Tia offered. "Benjamin and I arrived outside the city four days ago and have been waiting. We caught up to Kate and Garrett here just last night."

"And Benjamin?" I asked, taking note of his absence.

"He stayed with the rest of your family. He thought maybe he could be of more assistance to them."

"Well, it makes more sense now," Edward said. "The guard that had been set on the city retreated so quickly, it must have been because there were six of us rather than three within the walls all along."

"We spotted several of them along the rooftops as we entered through the gate," Garrett explained. "We assumed they must be following you, so we took an alternate route to this spot to try to force them to separate."

Edward nodded, "It obviously worked. There were only Alec and Felix here up until just before you arrived. And Tanya?"

"She was reluctant, but agreed to stay behind to help guard Renesmee making only one small request in return - that we ensure Caius falls."

Kate and Tanya would no doubt want revenge for their sister, Irina's death at Caius' hands. I sincerely hoped the opportunity would present itself for her.

"So what's the best way in?" Garrett asked. "Manhole?"

"That seems like as good an option as any," Edward replied. He led us through the alleys to a narrow one hidden from view beside the Basilica. As we approached it, Garrett stooped to grasp its edges, silently looking up to ensure we ready before moving it. We all nodded and he easily pulled the round disc from the ground and sat it noiselessly aside.

We dropped into the pitch black, cavernous chamber below, landing without a sound. My eyes adjusted easily to the darkness and I quickly noted that we were alone. I held my breath and strained to make out even the faintest sound. There was a musky, wet, mildew odor that hung thick in the still air around us. To my right, water from the streets above steadily dripped onto the stone floor. Aside from that, it was eerily silent and very unsettling.

There were several dark halls leading off from the room. All of them were equally uninviting. Edward turned to Alice and raised one eyebrow questioningly. She appraised each of the corridors quickly before raising her finger to point to the one furthest to the left. "Everything gets fuzzy and disappears if we take that one," she said. "I'm sure that is the direction we need to go...but after that..." She trailed off and looked to myself and Edward, shrugging helplessly.

"I don't like this, Edward," Kate said quietly. "This isn't right."

He held his hand up to silence her and turned his head first one way, and then another. I continued to listen, straining to hear what I knew only he could.

After a long, silent moment, Garret took a deep breath and whispered, "They won't let us just walk in unchallenged, and they know we're here."

At that moment, Edward tensed and slowly lowered himself into a low crouch in front of me. "You are correct in that assumption - it's a trap. We're about to have company." I followed his gaze, which was locked on the nearest corridor.

"How many?" Kate breathed as she lowered herself to mirror Edward's stance.

"I can't tell. Several, but I can only read one thought. However many there are, it would appear that their thoughts are not their own. They are being controlled, but they are not being sent with the expectation that they will stop us...only to delay us. They are being sent to die."

"Four," Alice said surely. "There are four. I'm certain of it."

In the distance, far down the corridor, I heard the ghostly quiet tread of footsteps growing steadily closer.

"Can you tell who?" Kate asked.

"No," Edward growled, "but we're about to find out."