A/N: Well we've reached the end, as I wrote this chapter it finished itself, so I won't argue. Taking a break to finish some other stories, like I've promised. Please put me on author alert so you get any things I post xx Alexis
Marcus
It was a calm and normal day here in Volterra, Edward had returned with the Declaration and we three brothers were for once together in the throne room. Aro seemed oblivious to Caius' new state of awareness, or the absence of Chelsea. Still in the dark about Afton having not returned to Volterra with Edward, but meeting his mate midway and they have now disappeared to parts unknown. She would never be tricked or trapped again, her power was too dangerous for one man to wield. Neither she or Afton had wanted power, just the freedom to be themselves.
"Ah Edward, what can we do for you? I wasn't aware you had been sent on an assignment!" Aro asked, slightly confused.
Edward came forward and bowed low before Caius and myself before holding out a scroll to me, Aro was rattled by this, usually, everything went through him first.
"It is done my master's, I signed it on your behalf as instructed and used your seals to sanction it," he said and then handed both Caius and me, our official seals back.
"What is done? What is he blabbering about?" Aro demanded and grabbed the scroll from me.
His roar of disgust and childish tantrum of ripping it up only served to make him look a fool.
"I don't accept this, they cannot have their freedom, they belong to me!" he shouted,
"You Aro? Not the Volturi, but you personally?" Caius said bringing his blazing eyes to Aro's.
Aro stepped back half a pace and took in his surroundings. The guard around the room was not his usual handpicked ones. These were Caius' men and women through and through.
"Where are Demetri and Jane? Chelsea and Afton?" he shrieked,
"I have been restructuring, Demetri was surplus to my requirements, therefore demoted to the Upper Guard. After all, he's only a tracker and Jane now guards our wives, she too is Upper Guard. They didn't have what it takes to be part of the Elite" Caius said with a sneer to his voice.
"So who is now head of the Elite Guard?" Aro asked his voice icy and cruel.
"I am, Aro. I felt it best to take back the reins and purge ourselves of the lazy, the greedy and the insolent. That reminds me congratulations Edward you have more than earned your place in the Elite Guard, you will answer directly to Alec" Caius said cocking his brow at Aro, imitating that they were all his people being replaced.
"I gave Chelsea and Afton their freedom, her position here was untenable. Her life was in danger, after what you had made her do, on you behave! They are, well actually I have no idea where they have gone" I said with a smirk on my face.
"I won't allow this, you had no right to set the America's free, I make the decisions here. I am the supreme ruler!" Aro yelled and spluttered and all looked at him disdainfully.
"I fear you think too much of yourself 'brother'. We three ruled and we two voted yes, we did not need your input, we had our majority!" Caius said loathing colouring his tone.
"We now are making another proposal, you may vote if you wish Aro. I propose the removal of Aro Arvanitas from the Volturi ruling council!" I said playing my hand,
"Seconded!" crowed Caius.
Aro stood gaping and venom was running from his open mouth. He had just been played and he knew it.
"As of today, Aro Arvanitis is no longer Volturi. He may not use our name or gain from having been one of us. He is anepithýmitos (ανεπιθύμητος), he is nekrós (νεκρός) to us! If any try to help him, in any way against us, they will be executed for treason" I spat angrily reverting to my native Greek in places.
"You are free to leave Aro Arvanitas, take only your own personal belongings. Anything gifted to you as a former Volturi leader stays here. You have your own personal fortune, or you had. This to you may take, goodbye Aro!" Caius said in an almost bored voice.
"What of Sulpicia? What about my mate?" he demanded, I sneered at him,
"She was no more your mate than I am, just another tied to you by Chelsea. Pica wishes to stay here and we have agreed to it. She is now an honoured guest of the Volturi" I said smiling, he was now alone and almost penniless.
"Felix, Alec? Escort Mr Arvanitas to retrieve his things. Strip him of all Volturi insignia and have someone take him out to the city gate. You, Sir, are no longer welcome in Volterra for all eternity" Caius said in his most regal voice and everyone snapped to attention.
It had been an almost venomless changeover. Corin did not survive the wrath of Pica and Dora who ripped her apart and burned her in the Queen's tower, where she'd held them for more than a thousand years, making them content with their misery. They both refused to stay there ever again and moved out immediately.
F
Aro
They can't do this to me, I'm Aro Volturi! I don't care what they say, this is my empire. I need a plan, none of my loyal guards is anywhere about. Heidi isn't here either, where is she and Corin is dead. Those stupid bitches killed her for doing nothing wrong. How did they expect me to keep control of them all, Love? I did what was needed, Chelsea was my ultimate weapon and Marcus set her and Afton free! How dare he, who does he think he is? He was just a means to an end, like Caius. I should have killed them years ago, once I'd seized power.
I wonder if he made her reinstate the mating bonds I'd demanded broken. Marcus will be shocked, Sulpicia and he, along with Didyme were a triad. I couldn't have that, so I took her for my own and treated her badly. How dare they all find eternal love and I go without. She should have been there to comfort him when Didyme died, but I put paid to that. I would have been happier if she hadn't been frigid. Not once over all these long years did she orgasm when we had sex. She never moved or even participated, it was really like having sex with a dead body.
But I digress, a plan, I need a plan. I will read everyone as I leave and go from there, it won't be long before I'm back and heads will roll and bodies burn! I'll put all their heads on stakes around the audience chamber, let everyone see how I deal with treason. I'll let them go mad and laugh at them every day. Well, Felix and Alec are no help, although that's not unexpected. Jane and Demetri were always the better two. Poor Jane, Alec has her on ice so to speak, waiting till I'm gone to release her. Now here's one I want to read, Edward Cullen. I fake a trip and fall towards him, the fool, he automatically caught me and yes I have it.
My freedom is at hand, Bella Swan will be mine, it's too easy she's still human and I will have her grovelling at my feet and doing my bidding very soon.
F
Edward
Damn it No! I was making sure Aro wouldn't read me by his touch, but he tricked me, feigning a fall and I just had to grab him, bloody fool that I am. I must warn Jasper, he has to change Bella now before Aro gets there, his thoughts are all of her and making her his slave. I rush to Marcus and Caius, letting them know what's happened. Caius has already destroyed any documents Aro had as Volturi, but if he has a passport in his own name then he could be there soon.
Jasper laughs and tells me about Bella's run-in with Tanya, that helps, but not by much. He says to not worry, between them all they will protect Bella and if needs be, kill Aro. He refuses to rush her change on her, she will do this at her own pace, he says. He reminds me she is the mate of the new ruler of North and South America if Aro attempts anything he will be destroyed on sight. I envy Jasper his surety in his own abilities, I have never been able to do that. But then I've never been a warrior and given the name 'The God of War' either.
F
Jasper
So Aro had finally lost his mind! Does he think it will be that easy? He decides he wants Bella and What? She just falls at his feet. Apparently, he's forgotten one small detail, she's my goddamn mate! Does he think I'll just sit back and let him take her? Over his dead body! Wow, he must believe his own press. But he doesn't have the Volturi backin' him now. I haul out my phone and text Peter, Char and Garrett to be on standby. Now I'll just have to explain this minor glitch to Bella and then we can get on with the rest of our lives.
His trail from first landin' in New York was ridiculous, he's throwin' money around like water. He really thinks Bella's his answer to gettin' his place in Volterra back, so he's not coverin' his tracks and he's usin' up his funds as if they don't matter. If this wasn't my mate the whole thin' would be laughable. He's tried to make a few contacts but they all have shut him down, no one is prepared to move against me. Not on the say so of a now-defunct ruler, he's not graspin' the obvious here, he's nobody now. Also, we no longer bend the knee to Italy here.
Garrett has tracked him across New York State and into Pennsylvania, here is where he stopped suddenly, all due to a phone call. Someone offerin' him their services, that someone was Jane! She appears to have been allowed to escape after Aro left and her brother released her from his gift. Well, that was not unexpected to me, but what the hell were they thinkin' in Volterra. Nobody changes allegiances that quickly, did they think she was bound to him by Chelsea. Even I was aware she hero-worshipped Aro, her loyalty had been given freely unlike her brothers.
Peter and Char were guardin' Bella in Michigan and I headed out to track Jane. She was less obvious than Aro, she was flyin' in from Germany on a Lufthansa flight, landin' in Philadelphia. Emmett started trackin' all European flights for me as soon as we knew she'd escaped. She had signed her own death warrant by helpin' Aro, so I would have no qualms about takin' her out. So that this was all seen to be done out in the open, Carlisle was liasin' with all the Coven leaders to keep them up to date, I will have no one accuse me later of bein' underhand or subversive about this.
Their plan, as Garrett overheard it was to meet up at Cedar Point's National Wildlife Refuge in Ohio. I had to be much more circumspect than Garrett, Jane was way more aware of her surroundin's. So I stayed back on the edge of her emotions and followed her there. She knew right off that Aro was followed and by whom,
"Show yourself traditore" she spat at Garrett.
He stepped out from the cover of the trees and she automatically dropped him with her version of pain but was visibly confused that he regained his feet after less than two seconds. Jane could only conjure up pain remembered from her human death. Most American nomads and Southern Wars veterans knew pain from torture as a vampire and it was worse much worse. She gave up as he stood there starin' at her with his teeth slightly clenched.
"Pain is a relevant term Jane, if you'd been tortured as often as we had, you'd know this. The vampire body can eventually get passed almost all. One of Maria's favourite tortures was to make eviscerated prisoners fight for their lives. Not pleasant, I can assure you, as can Garrett from personal experience" I drawled as I stepped into view, droppin' both of them with the aforementioned pain.
They both lay on the ground screamin', this really was beyond painful, one of the worst kinds. I released them both and they gasped in lungful, after lungful of unneeded air. Aro was watchin' me intently, I felt him run through all his options. He was lookin' for somethin', a way to get me to release him. What vampire would release his mates would be kidnapper! He was delusional, arrogant and well pathetic from where I was standin'. My phone buzzed and I glanced quickly at the message from Emmett,
'Eye in the sky, being broadcast worldwide, show them who he's messing with'
"Why Aro? What did you think would happen? Are you so arrogant that you thought I would just hand over my mate to you? You have brought yourself here to my domain now and would have taken Isabella. If before you left Volterra, someone had tried to take one of the Queens, what would have happened?" I asked calmly.
"Instant death of course. The Queens were sacred and revered" He said refusin' to see the connection.
"But you would take mine and that would be what? She is no less important here than Athenodora, Sulpicia and Didyme once were in Volterra. You have no power here Aro, you cannot just take what you want and damn the consequences. This is no longer the dark ages!" I say scathingly and they both flinch from the disgust and loathin', I'm projectin'.
"Garrett please secure Aro while I deal with Jane" They both hiss at me and a voice from behind me says,
"Allow me, my love" and Bella wraps Aro in her shield and lifts him in the air several feet,
"Captain?" I ask as Peter and Char step into view,
"You said guard her, protect her. Not once did you say restrain her, or sit on her to stop her leavin'!" he huffed at me and I burst out laughin'.
"Is that child trying to use her gift on me, Jasper?" Bella asks just as Jane rushes at her and is also hoisted aloft.
Aro is almost salivatin' at Bella's power, it's beyond sickenin' to see. Jane is now screamin' obscenities at her in several languages and Bella just starts to rotate her faster and faster.
"Say what you have to say, Jasper, I weary of this bitch!" She almost growls at me and damn that's sexy.
"Jane, former Volturi guard. You are sentenced to death for attemptin' to kill one of the rulers of this part of our world and also for your treasonous acts against the Volturi" I say loudly and with that, she is no more.
Bella contracted her shield and Jane disintegrated inside of it. As she released the dust Peter tossed his lighter at it and we all watched it ignite into purple smoke. Aro no longer looks so cocky and self-righteous, he looks downright scared. I pull out my phone and dial Marcus, he answers right away. They had seen it all I'm sure, so I just ask are they happy for me to deliver his punishment?
"Yes, Major. He is no longer Volturi and his crime is against your mate, even if it was to get back at us. You are well within your rights as a vampire, never mind as a ruler to takes his worthless life" Marcus said clearly and I heard Caius in the background agreein'.
"Please release him darlin'," I asked and Bella lowered him to the ground, then Peter and Garrett forced him to his knees.
"Aro Arvanitis, though I'm sure your crimes are many. This is what has brought you to your end. Death for the attempted kidnap and enslavement of Isabella Swan, my mate and one of the rulers of the free world. This is treason in its simplest form and therefore cannot be tolerated. I will personally carry out your sentence as the aggrieved mate in this case." I give him no chance to answer before swiftly removin' his head in one practised twist.
The pyre is built swiftly by Garrett and Peter, as Char stands hand in hand with Bella to one side. She does not flinch or turn away as his body is thrown onto the top and ignites rapidly. Several thin's have come out of this, one, Bella can kill vampires as a human and two, I am no barbaric killer as some have imagined. Three, I followed due process and executed him and my duty to my people with restraint and dignity. Four, I can behead in one fast move, where many others struggle to do so, this will give some pause and five comin' against us was beyond foolish. Yes, this will serve us well for the future.
F
Things are going so well for our young couple, they have become a force to reckon with and with the removal of Jane and Aro it has solidified them as good leaders. Ones capable of holding the line for years to come. Nobody now needs Bella to rush into immortality, she has proven her worth and some actually fear how strong she could become once changed. So while headquarters are made ready in Alaska by Esme Cullen and Carmen Denali, Bella prepares to finish her college education.
Jasper has approached Charlie Swan and between them deemed it better if he marries Bella as Jasper Whitlock the third, Doctor/Professor Whitlock's son. In the interim, Dr Whitlock will die in a car accident and Peter and Charlotte Whitlock become his guardians. Charlie asks only one thing,
"Will you protect my daughter with your life, for as long as you can?"
"Is eternity long enough for you Charlie?" Jasper replied and an accord between the two men who love her above all else is sealed.
Some humans are aware of their surroundings, they just don't need to know the facts, Charlie Swan is such a man.
Bella and Jasper make it known they will be moving to Alaska after she graduates, Jasper to work as an environmentalist and Bella to write. In time she will be a celebrated author of books such as 'Psychology, on the Couch' and 'Diary of a Blind Girl'. So to appease her mother and in deference of Jasper, just having lost his father, a quiet wedding will be held in Forks. A more lavish reaffirming will be held for the vampire world later at the new headquarters.
F
Bella
This life was never what I imagined as a small child. Yes, Jasper always played a part in my dreams. As a treasured extended family member, a benevolent friend and later as I grew boyfriend, lover, husband. His part in my life grew as I did, but he was always there and I knew he was important to me. No, essential to me! Today is my wedding day and I'm more than happy. I've just graduated and that makes me twenty-two. Older than Jasper yes, but not wiser. We are emotionally and physically a perfect match, my next birthday is six months away and that is when I'll become a vampire like him.
My mother has gone all out to make this day special for me and everything is more tactile and strongly scented. She's even hired a romance writer to capture today for me on paper. Where other could watch a video, I can read the day's events, as they happened and in greater detail, that others might miss. Jasper has promised to take me to a Sunny spot to let me see how we look in our wedding finery. Peter is his best man and Angela is my bridesmaid, well matron of honour. She's six months pregnant and almost declined but I convinced her. Just as we were about to start, the baby started kicking,
"Does she know it's twins?" Char whispered,
I placed my hand gingerly on her belly and it was a wonderful sensation, Char was right that was two different movements,
"Twins Angie?" I quizzed and she laughed,
"I had a feeling, but the doctor never confirmed it, I'll go tomorrow and make them check again," she said so happily. I was so pleased for her and Ben.
The rest of the day flew by and I cried as Jasper said his vows to me and he was shaking as I held his hand and told him mine. It was wonderful and all I'd hoped for, it didn't matter I couldn't see, I felt, I smelt, I heard and tasted all I needed to today. We were staying one night in Port Angeles before leaving for our honeymoon. Jasper took me to the same meadow in Forks before we left for PA, the sun was out and I saw as much as I could of how we looked for our special day.
He surprised me with champagne and chocolate strawberries. Then stunned me by saying.
"As beautiful as you look my Bella, I prefer you unencumbered, your beauty is from within. You don't need fancy clothes or jewels to make you shine, you are the most radiant light in my world and in my life"
I was momentarily silent, before attacking his tender lips, his sinful body and claiming it all as mine. This wasn't just making love, this was the joining of two bodies, two hearts, two souls entwining for all eternity.
F
It was decided that on her twenty-third birthday, Bella will become a vampire like her mate Jasper and as it is now fast approaching. Jasper is beyond happy, his destiny way a long time coming, but to him, it was well worth waiting for, his fear now is something will happen to her before her change. We have invited them to 'Fate' in Anchorage for a visit once it's done, just a couple of weeks, they can't stay away too long. But just enough time for us to get to know Isabella Whitlock, the woman who was destined for our weary soldier.
anepithýmitos (ανεπιθύμητος) Greek - Undesirable
nekrós (νεκρός) Greek - Dead
traditore Italian - Traitor
