Time seemed to move with a sense of fear and purpose. Now that everyone knew that they were willing to stand if this came down to a battle, a form of understanding blossomed. The vampires were either more friendly or more standoffish. With the threat drawing ever closer, the tension continued to rise. There was a level of anxiety around the Cullen house that poked on Ellis' nerves.

Everyday Bella and Edward were out in the garden practising her shield with Kate. At first it was amusing to watch Edward get shocked repeatedly. But it grew boring after a while. Bella was improving, but it was taking time. Ellis spent most of his time inside. When he was not hunting, he was playing Tall, Dark and Handsome in his room or spending time with Nessie. Seth was almost always in wolf form now. Watching over the red eyed vamps with distrust. It was only during the night, when Jacob would shift and take over, that he would shift back and come inside.

The two of them would lay in Ellis' hammock. Seth snoring through the night with Ellis resting on his chest. Esme had given him a Kindle. So he spent the night reading through books and scrolling through the internet. The other vampires roamed the house through the night but Ellis never moved. He enjoyed closing off his door and trapping himself and Seth in a little bubble. Never mind that everyone was still audible. Here it was just the two of them. They could forget the looming danger and just relax in each other's company.

The weather grew even more colder as time passed. It had not been more than a month since Alice had first warned them. Snow still covered the forest and earth like a coat. The alert that the Volturi would arrive within the next day or so came suddenly. Ellis watched silently, hand in Seth's fur as they both looked through the living room windows. The Cullens inside assembling the gear they needed.

They were going to meet the Volturi on a large foot ball sized field about ten of twelve miles from Forks. Carslie and Jacob had been in constant contact with Sam's pack. All the wolves would be joining them on the field. The plan was to set off tonight and camp there. Ellis sighed deeply and leaned back against Seth's body. Inside the house, the vampires talked softly with their friends and their coven mates.

Ellis ignored them. He closed his eyes and savoured the sensation of Seth's body heat pressed against his back. He could feel him breathing and hear the pounding of his heartbeat. Seth was restless and antsy. His nose was nuzzled into Ellis' side as if to further imprint his presence onto his skin. Ellis wanted to say something comforting, reassure Seth that it would be okay. But he couldn't find the words. So they just sat there in silence, listening to the movements around them.

Footsteps crunched softly against the snow and Ellis lifted his head. Benjamin and his mate, Tia, emerged from the forest. Ellis could smell the scent of deer blood and pine on them. They must have been hunting. He appreciated their efforts to stick to the vegetarian diet.

Seth stiffened as the pair drew closer. His head rose and his ears flicked, a soft rumbling growl building in his throat. Honey brown eyes glaring at the two red sets. Ellis placed a hand on his snout to calm him. He quite liked Benjamin and Tia, and knew that Seth distrusted red eyed vampires. It was a wolf thing. Red eyed vampires were dangerous. Seth's nerves were making him more hostile.

"Ellis", Benjamin greeted him with a friendly grin. Seth bared his teeth and Tia stepped slightly in front of Benjamin in a protective manner.

"It's okay Seth", Ellis soothed his boyfriend.

"It's okay", Benjamin raised a hand. "We are all on edge at the moment. Is it okay if we join you?" He paused, question drifting off hesitantly as he awaited an answer. Seth considered them for a moment before giving a curt nod. Benjamin smiled and he climbed up onto the porch. He and Tia seated themselves down on the wooden planks before them. Benjamin crossing his legs and leaning on his knees. Tai positioned herself more elegantly. Body close to her mate's.

"We haven't had much time to talk", Benjamin stated. "You're one of the only vampires around my physical age, which is unusual. Although, when I was turned it was more common. How old are you?" He talked in such a clear and friendly voice that it momentarily took Ellis off guard. He had talked to Benjamin before but it was simple pleasantries.

Ellis blinked. The other seemed nice. He was loyal and wasn't afraid to stand up for his friends, or for what he believed in. Maybe Ellis should make more friends. It wouldn't be so bad. Despite his powerful gifts, Benjamin wasn't a threat. No, that was Tia. The woman was quite, but when she did speak, it was clear that she was wise and clever. There was less of a childish air to her that Benjamin held. Ellis held a slight respect towards her.

"I've only been a vampire about four years now, give or take", Ellis shrugged.

Benjamin gaped at him. "But that's so young! The current society still regards that age as children. When I was turned, I was already a adult. The age of maturity seems to get lower". He rolled his shoulders dismissively and sighed.

"That does explain why it's rare to see other fifteen year old vampires". He hadn't thought of it that way. That the age limit for changing vampires went up along with the legal age of adulthood. It explained why the Volturi got away with Alec and Jane. The twins were only thirteen, but that age had once been seen as legal. It was quite interesting.

"You are lucky to have found your mate so young", Benjamin nodded at Seth. "It took me five years to control my powers and thirst enough to find and change Tia". Tia smiled and folded a delicate hand on top of his.

"I admire your control", she said gently. Ellis nervously flickered his eyes away at the comment. The description of Seth being his mate gave him a warm itch feeling. They were boyfriends but the term 'mate' seemed so permanent somehow, so everlasting. But then, imprinting was forever. He knew that Seth would not imprint on anyone else.

"Yeah", Ellis replied after he had found his voice. "I guess I really am lucky to find my mate so soon. Although he was the one who found me. It took a while for me to reciprocate. Control is never a easy thing".

Benjamin laughed deeply. "Oh gods no. It's so painful at times. I have no idea how you live off of animals. It's like surviving off only blended food. It fills a hole but doesn't stop the hunger". He smiled, red eyes glinting and pearly white teeth sharp.

"It's a small price to pay for family", Ellis stated. Tia gave him a understanding smile as Benjamin nodded. They could relate to what he was conveying.

"Are you nervous about tomorrow?" Ellis asked, changing the topic.

"I am. Amun has kept me hidden away for so long that the thought of revealing myself is quite foreboding. However, I believe in standing up for the right thing. The girl is innocent and I refuse to be a coward. I will not abandon friends".

Tia's expression showed that she agreed with Benjamin's words. "I will stand with you to protect what I love", she swore, voice soft but with a sharp edge. "The Volturi will not stop with your coven. If they find out about Benjamin then they would want him too. It's got to stop, and I would rather stop them here with allies. Then try later when we are alone".

Ellis regarded her with a long look before nodding. "Understandable. I appreciate it. What will you two do after, if we survive? Amun and Kebi made it pretty clear that they would be leaving once they said their part. Will you join up with them?"

Benjamin shook his head with a forlorn look. "I admire Amun like a father. But this is where we must part ways. I am sick of hiding. After this, I think we might explore". Ellis examined Tia's face. It was obvious that she didn't share the same relationship with Amun that Benjamin did. "Do you two have plans for the future?"

Ellis exchanged looks with Seth. The other's eyes wide with confusion. He opened his mouth but paused. He and Seth hadn't really discussed it. Scratch that, they hadn't discussed the future at all. Ellis had only just settled down and gotten used to being in a family. They had only been technically dating for a few months. The future was something Ellis had never considered past the next day.

"Um", he floundered. "I don't know? School, maybe? If the Cullens move again I'll have to go to high school with them. But I don't know about Seth..." He trailed off, looking at Seth curiously. Seth huffed and laid his head on Ellis' lap. He chuckled and ran his hand over the fur of Seth's ears.

"The future can wait", Ellis stated. "Let's deal with the Volturi first".