JPOV
I had been in Italy for days and still hadn't seen them. I wanted to get this over with and get back to Bella. I literally ached for her. When we spoke on the phone she seemed down and I knew that if she were missing me half as much as I missed her then that would explain her mood. Today I had this strange feeling that I just couldn't shake. It was ominous and dark and it kept nagging at me. I wasn't sure if it had to do with Bella, but I intended to call her as soon as I got out of this god forsaken place. If there was ever any reason for a human to believe that vampires existed all that had to do was come here to confirm it. It was cold, dark and dare I say scary? I myself kept waiting for Dracula to greet me. Apparently the time I was spending away from my gorgeous girl was beginning to take a toll on me.
I sat patiently in the waiting area for someone to tell me when I could see Aro, but no one even looked at me. They actually had a human girl working for them. Gianna, I believe her name was and she was completely comfortable in this environment. She didn't even seem to fear me, but they probably told her about my special diet, but still how did she trust the rest of them who clearly didn't survive on animal blood. Oh well, to each is own and if she was fine with possibly being her employers next meal then so be it. She wasn't my concern.
"Mr. Whitlock." She approached me. "Aro will see you now." She motioned for me to follow her.
I was afraid this was a joke or maybe they were just sending me to another waiting area. I just didn't think it would be this easy to walk right in and see him. I followed her down a long, dark hallway and through a prominent looking archway. We took the staircase up three flights and then we stopped at the door. She didn't knock. She didn't have to.
"Come in, Mr. Whitlock." The voice behind the door said. She smiled at me and walked back down the steps. I found the whole situation to be absurd and I wanted to get this over with as quickly as possible. I opened the door, entered the elaborate conference room and saw the trio waiting patiently at the table. Well, that I didn't expect. I thought Aro would be sitting at a throne with Marcus and Caius seated on either side of him. And where were all the guards?
"A throne, Jasper? Really?" Aro said. "I'm flattered, but do you really think all of the guards are necessary?"
I smiled. He could read my thoughts. I recognized each of them from the picture that hung in Carlisle's study. I walked toward them. "Thank you for agreeing to see me."
"Yes, "Aro said. "When my good friend Carlisle called and told us that you had some news that we would be interested in how could I refuse?"
"Carlisle knows us well." Caius said. "He would not send you here unless he thought it was something we really needed to hear."
"Please sit down and let me see why you have come to us." I did as he asked and took a seat at the large conference table as Aro came to me. His movements were so fluid it was as if he were walking on air. "May I?" I extended my hands out in front of me and he took them in his own. His hands were much colder than mine. He closed his eyes and read my thoughts. This went on for a few minutes as he arched his eyebrows occasionally and said, "Interesting," a few times. I had a long and eventful life so who knew how long this would take.
Marcus and Caius rolled their eyes a few times, but for the most part waited patiently for him to finish. And then finally he spoke.
"Yes, I see why Carlisle would think that would be of some interest to us."
"What is it, brother?" Marcus asked.
"It seems Jasper has impregnated a human. His wife actually."
"You are married to a mortal?" Caius asked. "Why didn't we know about this?"
"Well, she is no longer human." I said. "I turned her a few weeks ago."
"It seems that Jasper changed her shortly after they conceived a half human, half vampire child. Pretty amazing wouldn't you say Marcus?"
Marcus rolled his eyes and dismissed the question but I felt a spike of concern coming from him.
"Forgive me for saying so," I said. "But you don't seem all that surprised. Did you know why I was coming here?"
"No," Aro said. "And while this is extremely rare you are not the first vampire to have done this. Actually, you are the third, but nonetheless do you know how extraordinary a vampire you have to be to create a child? Obviously there aren't many of us who can do it."
"Carlisle was right. He thought that if this had ever happened before you would know." I said.
"Of course we would." Caius said. "There is a reason we are in charge, but we do appreciate you coming forward."
"How is Bella?" Aro asked.
"So far she is well, but will that change? Can she carry this child to term?" Will she survive?" I asked.
"Jasper, I can see that you have many questions and your honesty shall be rewarded, but first I would like to confer with my brothers."
"I appreciate that, but I have to get back to Bella and I can't sit around Italy waiting for you three to see me again."
They all laughed in unison. I failed to see the humor.
"Carlisle seems to have quite an eclectic family there in, Forks, is it?"
"Yes." I said.
"Jasper, I've learned much through your thoughts. The Cullen clan has always intrigued me. Carlisle is a very lucky vampire as he seems to possess in his coven a mind reader, a psychic and an empath, and now it will also include a pregnant vampire who's powers have yet to be revealed, but I am sure will be astonishing and a crossbreed. Hmm... a half human, half vampire child… I'd be jealous if we didn't already have one of those."
"Aro!" Marcus yelled. I could feel his disgust over Aro's remark.
"Oh relax. Forgive my brother he can be testy when it comes to this particular subject." He looked at Marcus. "We will have to tell Jasper a few things before we send him back to Forks to reunite with his beautiful bride."
Marcus didn't seem to be relaxing and his anxiety and anger were becoming annoying to me. What was he hiding? Aro locked his gaze on me. He seemed to be studying me as I monitored Marcus.
"Jasper, would you mind calming my brother down? I'd love to see how you do it."
I stared at Marcus who seemed to become even more agitated by Aro's request. I focused in on him and sent him a peaceful vibe. His demeanor changed immediately as he relaxed into his chair.
"Amazing." Caius said. "He looks so much nicer."
Aro laughed. "Very impressive, Jasper. Can you do that to multiple people at once?"
"You know that I can." What did he want?
"Yes, I do." He laughed. "You could always do this?"
"Yes, it has gotten stronger throughout my existence, but I could always take control of an emotional crowd and manipulate them into feeling what I wanted."
"I remember you when you were in the south with Maria all those years ago. We monitored her actions and realized that she had a young, but powerful vampire within her coven. You helped her control the newborns and protect her territory."
"Yes, I did, but that was a long time ago."
"But now you are even more powerful especially when it comes to your Bella. I saw from your thoughts that you are able to feel her emotions from farther away then usual. Isn't that right?" He asked.
"Yes, but that only works with Bella and it only happened one time when she really needed me."
"Yes, when she was with your brother." He tapped his fingers on the table. "Wasn't she with Edward first? And you with Alice?"
"Now that is interesting. Two vampires in love with the same human girl." Marcus said. "You see, I am somewhat of a relationship expert and that intrigues me. I'd love to meet this Bella, and see what the fuss is all about."
Over my already dead body. Aro laughed at my thought.
"I don't see what that has to do with anything. Actually I didn't come here to give you a history lesson on my life. I came here to tell you that my wife is going to have a baby. I was honest and now I would like some answers. Will you provide them?"
They all laughed again, but I still failed to see the humor.
"You are very brave, Jasper." Marcus said. "Speaking to us that way."
"It's okay, Marcus. I like him. I think we can mutually benefit from one another."
"Oh, I see what you are getting at." Said Caius. "Yes, that would be brilliant especially with his talent."
"Jasper, would you be willing to do us a favor?" Aro asked.
"What kind of favor?" I was losing my patience but I knew they could help me especially since they had a crossbreed among them. Whether I liked it or not I needed them and they knew it.
"We have just turned a batch of newborns and we are training them for our guard. I would like to run an experiment with some of the more aggressive ones and your power would be very useful to us. We would like to train them to be more dominant than any other vampires we have ever seen, they have the talent, but not the focus and if you could stay on a few extra weeks and help us with this I would consider that a huge favor."
A few extra weeks? I couldn't be away from Bella that long. I was barely surviving now and it had only been a few days.
"In exchange for that favor I will provide you with all of the information you will need to help Bella through this delicate time. I will introduce you to Claudia, our crossbreed, and put to rest your fears about how your child will survive this world. I know you have many fears. I saw them."
He was right, but could I trust him? "Do I really have a choice?"
"Of course, but wouldn't it be to your benefit to help us?" I could feel his excitement as he anticipated my answer.
"Can I consult with Carlisle first? " I asked. "See what he thinks about all of this?"
"Yes, that would be wise." Aro said. "You are very impressive, Jasper."
"If I agree to help you do I have your word that this is a one shot deal? When I am finished I will be free to go home and live my life with no interference from you?"
"Are we really that bad, Jasper? You may find that you like the work you do for us. It will provide some purpose in your life."
"I already have a purpose and the longer I stay here the more time I am losing with her."
"I understand. She is beautiful, your Bella, and I can see why you need to get back to her. Why don't you go and consult with Carlisle. You can return here this evening and we will discuss the details of our agreement. If you choose to help me then I will give you the information you seek about the pregnancy and the future life of your child. If you don't want to help then there will be no consequences. You came here and you were honest with us. We don't take that lightly and we would bring no harm to one of Carlisle's vampires."
"Thank you. I will return in a few hours with my decision."
"You should probably hunt. I would invite you for supper but it appears that we no longer have the same palates." He smiled. "What a shame because I can see that you so enjoyed a good human in your day."
"I appreciate the offer, but I'll dine on my own." I got up and walked out of the conference room. I stopped briefly and thought of Bella. I knew we needed this information but I wasn't sure she was going to see it that way. She would want me to come home without helping them, but I swore to protect her and our baby and this was the only way to do it.
I pulled out my phone and called her. I wanted to hear her voice and then maybe that strange feeling I had been having all day would disappear. I couldn't help but feel that she needed me.
"Hello, Jazz."
"Alice? Why are you answering Bella's phone?" I asked.
"Because she is not feeling well and is in the bathroom."
"Is she okay?" Alice didn't sound right.
"Yes, just pregnancy stuff. How are you?"
"I've been better. Are you sure that all is well there? You sound agitated or distracted."
"We are fine. Bella just misses you. When are you coming back?"
"Well that's what I was calling about. Is Carlisle home?"
"Yes, he is in his study. Why?" She asked. I swore she was upset.
"I need to speak with him. Will you tell Bella that I love her and I will call her later this evening?"
"Sure. She will be able to talk to you then."
"Alice?"
"Yes."
"What are you hiding?"
"Nothing, Jazz. Just come home safe, promise?"
"Of course. Tell Bella for me, okay?"
"Bye."
She hung up and I knew something wasn't right with her, but at the moment I had more important things to figure out. I needed to call Carlisle and see what he thought about me helping the Volturi with their experiment. I knew it was something I could do with no problem. I had plenty of experience dealing with this very type of assignment and Aro knew that. My biggest concern would be them going back on their word. If I did this and proved to be successful would they really allow me to leave or would there be more favors that they would need from me? Knowing them this could go on for a very long time and I might never get the answers I sought. Unfortunately, that was a chance I would have to take. The payoff was too important because if they did keep their word I could help Bella and our baby; to me that was all that mattered.
I flipped open the phone again and called Carlisle. He would know what I should do.
***What is Aro up too? Although I can't blame him because if I could keep Jasper a little longer I certainly would!!!!
***Just wanted to thank you all again for the great responses. This story has already broken 500 reviews! I'm flattered!
A/N - Forgot to mention that I took some liberty with Aro's gift just to change things a bit. In this version he does not have to be touching a person to read their mind. Thanks!
