A/N: Enjoy! Btw, I still can't answer reviews, but I read them all, and I love you all! Special thanks to Cathy and Chanur, who (I think) have reviewed every chapter and cheered me on. You rock girls! A huge thanks to my betas Bree&Amy who made a record-fast reread after I rewrote some of this chapter after they had beta:d it. Sorry and thanks ;).
Chapter 13 – Out of the shadows I stab at thee …
A week passed by. Jasper was happier than he had ever been before. Bella was his everything, lighting up his existence in a way he'd never thought possible. Every minute he didn't have to do his duties he spent with her. There was only one thing that could make him happier: Bella's change. That was still a little more than two months away, but he would be patient. Aro had read him once more—this time Jasper had been even more reluctant. Now all of Bella was in his mind—all their moments of tenderness and trust, even their private talks. All of her soul. Aro had of course seen everything. Jasper didn't like it at all. He had complied, but he had told Aro to his face exactly how he felt about it. Aro hadn't been thrilled, but Jasper didn't care.
As it were, everything was calm and quiet in the castle. Rosalie, Emmett and Alice had decided to head back to the US, but Esme and Carlisle were staying to help Edward. Bella hadn't been happy to see her friends go, but she had understood. They needed to get on with their lives, and they weren't at home in Volterra. They hadn't decided exactly what to do yet, only that they were starting with some vacation in Maine.
It seemed as if the vampire world was taking a vacation as well. Most of the calm could probably be attributed to the fact that the Romanians had recently been dealt a heavy blow. The Volturi were still looking for Vladimir—every contact they had was on the lookout for him—but he appeared to be as elusive as always. Some rumors put him in Russia, others in South America, and finally some people swore they had seen him swim across the Atlantic.
Jasper casually leaned against the large table in the Guard's Office and studied the whiteboard. There were only three open cases—a low number indeed. On the top was Vladimir, of course, and then two matters concerning vampires going off the deep end, causing a lot of trouble by killing humans in the usual gory way. One was in Paris, already being handled by Santiago. The newspapers there had been filled with stories of "the French Jack the Ripper," but they could handle it. That row was soon to be erased. The other one was trickier. Someone was loose in Beijing, and the Volturi didn't really have jurisdiction there.
They did, however, have informants, and it was one of them who had alerted them to the problem. Young men and women, usually prostitutes, had been disappearing at an alarming rate the last couple of months. The newspapers and the police still hadn't acknowledged that anything was going on since prostitution "didn't occur." The mutilated bodies that floated to the surface in the many rivers around and in Beijing apparently had nothing to do with it. Unfortunately, it wasn't the first time this happened and the authorities turned a blind eye. Rhona had put a call in to the Japanese coven, and Demetri—who was the one who had dealt with the Japanese the most—was right at this moment answering their return call. It was a lengthy discussion, starting off with endless pleasantries then questions about the general state of things before they could get down to business. To deal with the Japanese was a delicate business; etiquette and respect were extremely important to Lady Idori and her coven. Because of that Jasper had lent Demetri his own office for the call.
When the phone on Rhona's desk rang, Jasper wasn't surprised, but he listened in when she suddenly sat up straight in her chair.
"No, sir, he's right here. One moment, please."
Jasper turned around, and Rhona waved him over. They were alone in the office at the moment; he had given Peter and Charlotte the day off. He sauntered over as Rhona punched some buttons and handed him the handheld receiver from her large switch-phone. She mouthed "Marcus" at him when he raised his eyebrows.
"My lord?" he said into the phone.
"Ah, Major. Good. I was surprised when young Miss Rhona answered. Aren't you in your office?"
"Not at the moment, my lord. Demetri's using it to talk to the Japanese."
"I see," Marcus said, and Jasper could hear the smile in his voice.
"What can I do for you, my lord?" Jasper was quite surprised. It was very rare for Marcus to call to the Guard's Office.
"If it's possible, could you come to my study? I've been going over some of the material we gained from the Romanians, and I think you could clarify some things for me."
"Of course, my lord. I can be there in just a few minutes, if that is to your liking."
"That will be fine."
The line went dead, and Jasper put the receiver down. He looked at Rhona, who looked just as confused as he felt.
"Can you handle it for a little while? Call if there's anything serious."
"Of course."
While Jasper walked the short distance to the Kings' Tower, Marcus' request had him wondering. All the files they had taken from the Romanians had been read, sorted and analyzed. He himself had read it all, and he was quite sure that Marcus had too. There were no obvious question marks about it, no real mystery. He was not to oppose a King, however, so he nodded to the Guards at the entrance to the tower and then knocked on the door to Marcus' study.
Draupadi answered immediately and smiled warmly at him.
"Captain, welcome." She led him into her own, smaller office. Just as Renata guarded Aro's door, Draupadi guarded Marcus'. The two women's spaces couldn't be more different, though. Renata's was dark and neat, bordering on obsessively clean. Draupadi's was full of color and light, and her desk was littered with books and papers beside her computer. She opened the door to Marcus' study without knocking and gestured for Jasper to enter. With another smile she closed the door behind him, and he waited for Marcus to acknowledge him.
This study was smaller than Aro's, but it was infinitely more pleasant to be in. The walls were covered with bookshelves, only interspersed with a few windows, and the leather bindings of the books lent their colors to the room. There was a huge rug on the floor, and Marcus' large desk was in the middle of it all, covered with books and papers. No computer, though. In front of the desk were two chairs for visitors, and beautiful lamps with shades of colorful glass spread a warm light in the room. Marcus was writing something, and the faint scratching of his pen over the paper was the only sound. Jasper carefully took in the King's emotions. Marcus was worried, even a little tense, and that surprised Jasper. The King was far from the calm he usually protruded.
After a short while Marcus put his pen down and looked up.
"Please, Major, take a seat." He gestured to the two chairs, and Jasper took a seat.
"Before I tell you anything, you should know that this room, just as Aro's study, is soundproof."
Jasper raised his eyebrows. "My lord, what has happened? Did we miss something in the Romanian files?"
Marcus shook his head. "No. That was to get you over here without rousing any suspicions."
Jasper straightened up in his chair and felt prickles at the back of his neck. He tensed and narrowed his eyes.
"My lord, that is … What is going on?"
Marcus looked at him, a grave expression in his eyes. "Has Aro spoken to you about hybrids?"
Jasper had no idea what the King was talking about and shook his head.
Marcus sighed deeply and briefly closed his eyes. When he opened them again, they were pained, and he seemed to have aged, or maybe his years shone through for once.
"What I am about to tell you will shock you, Jasper. And it is something we keep quiet about. I beg you, whatever your heart tells you to do, wait until you have heard all I have to say before you act."
Jasper didn't know what to believe, and his usual calm evaded him. For some reason he knew this had to do with Bella, and fear gripped him with its cold claws. He nodded to Marcus that he understood. Marcus continued.
"The hybrids are children conceived by a human woman with a vampire. It's very rare, as I'm sure you can understand. Usually, if a vampire falls in love with—or is mated to—a human woman, she's immediately changed. You, however, have a young mate."
Jasper sat frozen in his chair. One part of his mind wanted him to race out of here and find Bella, but the other part remembered what Marcus had said and made him stay put.
"As soon as we knew what was going on with the two of you, I spoke to Aro about it. He was adamant that she should not be changed until she was eighteen, and I asked him to warn you. He said he would."
Jasper swallowed. "Is there danger?" he asked quietly, already knowing the answer from Marcus' worried look and emotions.
"We have yet to find a mother who survived," Marcus said with a low voice.
The enormity of Marcus' words slowly sank into Jasper's mind. It was an unspoken, unwritten law that you never hurt someone's mate. It was even older than the rule of keeping the secret. Aro hadn't mentioned this to him, and Aro had known. He had known that Bella, if she had a child like this, would most likely die.
"Draupadi realized the other day, at Adam's hearing, that you and your mate are intimate. She immediately told me, since she is one of the few who knows about the hybrids. I asked Aro again, and he said he had talked to you."
"He hasn't," Jasper said with a dark voice. "Please, Marcus. How does …" He didn't know how to finish, but Marcus seemed to understand.
"The children grow within their mothers at unprecedented speed. If the mothers aren't cared for and given blood to drink, they wither away before the child is carried to term. If they are cared for, they die when the child rips its way out from the womb."
Jasper was up from his chair in the blink of an eye, his hands fisted hard.
"Why?" he hissed. "Why would Aro not tell me?"
"I do not know for sure," Marcus answered. "You need to go to your mate and check on her. After that I will talk to you some more about this—find me." The King sighed. "It is, however, imperative that no one knows. Not Aro, not anyone else. For now, we need to be careful and keep this between us."
"I will tell my coven." Then Jasper was out the door and running through the hallways like the wind.
Processing it all as he ran, he didn't even dare to touch the subject of Bella's death. It could not happen. It would kill him. Maybe that was what Aro wanted? He pushed the thought aside and focused on not being overwhelmed by the worry and fear he felt. He burst into their quarters and found Bella by her computer at her new desk. Without hesitation he scooped her up and moved into the bedroom, closing the door behind them. Marcus' warnings were clear in his mind; they needed to handle this with care and secrecy. As he gently sat Bella on her feet, she gasped and looked at him with huge eyes. He cupped her face in his hands.
"Bella, this will sound strange, but you have to answer me. Do you understand?"
She nodded, looking confused and worried.
"When did you have your last period?"
Her eyes got even wider before she blushed dark red and tried to avert her eyes. He didn't let her.
"Bella, this is important." He could hear that his voice was harsh and strained.
"Um, the fact is, I'm on the shot. I haven't had a real period for almost a year and a half now." She could see how confusion took the place of worry in his face.
"It's birth control, love. I take a shot every six months, and that's it. No period. No risk of pregnancy."
The relief on Jasper's face was imminent, and he lifted her up again and sat them down on the bed. He cradled her in his arms and leaned his forehead against hers with closed eyes.
"Oh, thank the heavens," he murmured.
She gently caressed his cheek. "What's the matter, Jasper?"
He sighed deeply before he opened his eyes and looked at her. "Marcus just told me something quite disturbing." He retold what Marcus had said and watched Bella blanche.
"Oh," she said with a low voice. "And Aro didn't warn you? Why not?"
"I don't know. Clearly he has some ulterior motive with this, and I don't like it at all." Jasper took up his phone and called Peter.
"Peter? It's me. You and Char need to get over here. Walk straight in, we're waiting in the bedroom."
"The bedroom? How kinky!"
Jasper hung up without bothering to comment. Then he looked at Bella again and raised one eyebrow.
"Incidentally, when do you need your next shot?"
She smiled. "After my birthday, so I figured I won't need another one."
He returned her smile and hugged her close.
"I was so scared," he whispered. She snuggled into his chest.
They sat like that for a few minutes until Peter and Charlotte arrived. They were cheerful, but as Jasper told them what had happened, their moods grew somber. When he was done they were quiet at first. Then Peter spoke.
"We have to leave."
Bella gasped. "Leave?"
"Yes," Charlotte nodded. "Aro is clearly out to get the two of you, and you are not safe here."
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," Jasper said calmly. "We have to talk to Marcus again and hear what he has to say about it. After that we can decide on what to do."
Peter frowned. "I don't get all the hush-hush. Why don't we tell everyone what happened?"
"It's not that simple," Jasper answered. "How do you think our world would react to this kind of news? Aro has allies everywhere, and people are loyal to him. If we tell, I'd bet sweet money on him having a nice counter-story to tell. One that doesn't paint any of us in a very good light."
Peter nodded slowly. "You're right. New plan. You go and talk to Marcus again, and we don't let Bella out of our sight ever. At least not until we are out of here."
"Better." Jasper looked at Bella. She was pale, and her eyes were sad.
"Give us a minute, will you?" Jasper asked, and Peter and Charlotte exited the bedroom.
"Are you okay, love?" He caressed her cheek.
"No," she said with a small voice. "This is home now, Jasper, and I don't ... Why would Aro want to hurt us?"
"I don't know yet, sweet girl." He gently moved a lock of her hair behind her ear. "I intend to find out, though. We will get through this." He kissed her on her soft lips.
She sighed, somewhat comforted. "I know we will. As long as we have each other, we can do anything."
He pulled her closer. "We might have to leave rather hastily. I want you to start packing. Not too much, though. Only bring what you can't part with."
She nodded against his chest and took a deep breath. Then she looked up at him with a playful smile.
"Shame I can't put you in a bag, because you are the only thing I can't live without." Her smile was contagious, and her eyes glittered. He kissed her in earnest.
"I love you so much, Bella." Then he lifted her off his lap and stood.
"I'll get back to Marcus and talk some more to him. Don't leave here, and make sure you're never alone."
"I promise."
Bella followed him out to Peter and Charlotte.
"I'll head back to Rhona first, to make sure she doesn't suspect anything." Jasper was much calmer now and focused on the task at hand.
"Pfft," Peter said. "Sure, nothing suspicious about you leaving Marcus' study running. Anyone who saw you have got to wonder."
"I only met four Guards, lower rank. I doubt any of them wonder about anything."
Bella cleared her throat. "If we need to speak to Marcus covertly, we could use Draupadi and the library to do it. I could call her about needing help to find something, and Marcus is there all the time anyway."
Jasper kissed her and smiled at her. "Thank you. That's the perfect cover. Will you call her?"
"Sure, I just need to make up what book to ask for."
"Good. Let me know, and then I'll accompany you over there."
They all nodded at each other, and Jasper left.
Draupadi was glad when Bella called, and in cautious words made them understand that she knew they wanted to talk to Marcus. They would meet in the library in an hour, which gave Jasper plenty of time to talk to Rhona and keep tabs on what was happening. While they waited, Bella looked around the rooms she had started to call home. She would be sad if they had to leave. She liked it here. She started to pack a backpack. First in was Jasper's wooden box, her book and her pearls. She also made sure that her toothbrush was easy to get to, and she packed underwear. She had no idea for how long they might have to travel. She put the bag in the cloakroom and walked over to Charlotte who was by the windows.
"We can buy anything we want when we get to where we have to," Charlotte said and smiled at her.
"You have money?" Bella asked.
"Oh yes. You don't have to worry about that."
Bella sighed and looked out over the now familiar view. "I hope we don't have to leave," she whispered. Charlotte put her arm around her shoulders but remained silent.
Bella called Jasper and happily asked if he wanted to go to the library with her. He agreed and picked her up only a few minutes later. Peter and Charlotte wandered back to their own quarters, while Jasper took Bella's hand. They walked down to the library in silence. Jasper could feel that Bella was tense and sad, but there wasn't much he could do about it. He didn't want to influence her too much, because he didn't want to give her false feelings, but he did send her some strength and love. She smiled gratefully at him for that.
When they entered the library, Draupadi was there and greeted them warmly. She led them into the middle of the huge hall, talking about the book that Bella was after. Marcus waited for them by the tables.
"We are completely alone," Draupadi murmured quietly to Jasper before she dragged Bella off to a shelf. Jasper walked over to Marcus and Bella could see their lips move but not hear a sound.
"Ask me things, we are the cover," Draupadi whispered, and Bella forced herself to focus on the task at hand.
Some twenty minutes later Jasper came up to them and smiled, but Bella could see the worry in his eyes.
"Found what you were looking for, love?" he asked and stroked her back.
She turned around and smiled back at him. She held out a book: Pride and Prejudice.
"I did. I was curious if some of the newer prints actually had changed some of the passages. Now I can compare. Can we go back home now?"
"Of course. Thank you for your time, Draupadi." He made a small bow toward the other woman and she smiled in return.
"It was no problem, Major. Bella, never hesitate to call me if you have any more questions."
"I promise, and thanks. I'll return the book shortly."
Jasper took Bella's hand, and they walked back to their quarters.
He brought her into the bedroom and closed the door.
"From now on, anything about this must be talked about in here. Or somewhere else where it's soundproof. It would be difficult to hear us even if we were out in the other room, I know, but I don't want to risk it." Bella nodded that she understood. They moved over to the bed and sat down, Bella resting her back against the wall and pillows and Jasper in front of her, facing her.
"Marcus thinks that all of this stems from jealousy and envy."
Bella raised her eyebrows. "What? From Aro?"
Jasper nodded. "Remember what I told you about when I got here? And about Chelsea?"
"Yes. She had bound everyone to the three Kings."
"It turns out it was more specifically to Aro. While she was allowed to use her gift, Aro was sure that everyone followed him and obeyed. It appears, however, that Aro only let me have my way with the Guard because he didn't believe anyone would follow me. Marcus believes that Aro is afraid of me. He never trusted me, and as I freed more and more Guards—and they willingly followed my command—he started to fear me. I inspired a trust that he couldn't."
Bella sat quiet for a moment. "He's truly in love with his power, isn't he? To risk something like this because he's afraid of you."
"He must be." Jasper scoffed. "I knew some of it. I've always had a target on my back, but I had no idea it all stemmed from him. That he would go this far." He sighed and his shoulders slumped. "This place … It's so full of intrigue and power-play you get sick of it after a while. I stopped playing the game a long time ago. I only interfered when I thought the Kings were doing something really stupid. If I had paid closer attention, if I had just listened, maybe all of this …"
Bella reached up and put her fingers over his mouth, silencing him. "Jasper, you couldn't have known. Aro must've come up with this when he found out we were mates. He couldn't have been planning for very long."
Jasper frowned. "True. I wonder, though … Why now? He could've moved against me whenever he wanted to."
"Opportunity? I mean, he must know you'd do anything for me or to save me."
They sat silent for a while, looking at each other. Jasper traced her cheek with his fingers.
"I still have a bit of a hard time believing that Aro is so afraid of me he'd try something like this. He's a King of the Volturi for heaven's sake. The Volturi are an institution. Without them—us—our world would be in flames. What did he think I would do? Usurp him?"
Bella climbed over to him and up in his lap. He encircled her with his strong arms, trying to protect her from the world.
"I'd guess so," she replied. "As I said, he must be very much in love with his own power."
Jasper leaned his cheek on her hair, breathing in her scent. "And paranoid. I can understand being a little paranoid in his position. I doubt any of the Kings would be here today unless they watched their backs carefully. But how could he doubt my loyalty? I gave my word to serve, and I have done nothing else. To serve the Volturi is an honor, an obligation, and it's not to be taken lightly."
"Maybe," she whispered, "he's been King for too long. Maybe he doesn't care any more." She could feel how Jasper stiffened.
"That … is a horrifying concept. The Volturi are the foundation for our society. Can you imagine how we would have to live if the Volturi weren't keeping order?" A shiver ran through him. "But you do have a point, clever girl. He disregarded the law trying ... To think he would try to remove me by hurting you …" He took a deep, shivering breath, and Bella snuggled closer to his chest.
"Nothing happened, love. I'm here."
He held her tighter.
"What happens now?" she said after a while.
"I'll tell Peter and Char what I just told you. Then Marcus and I will talk to Caius. He has to be informed. After that … I don't know."
Marcus and Jasper were in one of the training halls below the castle, waiting for Caius. It was night outside, and Jasper had left Bella sleeping up in their quarters, guarded by Peter and Charlotte.
The training hall they were in was one of the smaller ones. There was a long table along one wall, and laid out on it were different throwing implements. This was a room for target practice. The door opened, and Caius entered. He was followed by Max and Vesta as usual.
"Well, brother, what is this all about? You said something about a bet?" Caius was loud and eager, and Jasper couldn't help but smile. If there was one thing the more temperamental King couldn't refuse it was a good bet. Marcus had set the perfect bait. Caius' eyes flew to Jasper, and he frowned.
"Why are you here, Major?"
Marcus smiled at his brother. "Nothing to worry about. Vesta, Max, would you please wait outside and close the door?"
Caius' eyes narrowed, but he waved off his guards. They bowed, exited, and closed the door behind them. Caius waited, arms crossed over his chest.
Marcus face turned serious. "This is not about a bet, brother. I'm sorry, but I lured you here. The matter we must discuss is very … delicate."
Caius raised an eyebrow, but apart from that he remained still. Jasper noticed, however, how the King's stance changed minutely. Caius tensed, readying himself for anything.
"It's about Aro," Marcus said and averted his eyes.
Caius relaxed some. "What has our good brother done now?" he asked, sounding not at all surprised.
"Well …" Marcus started, but Jasper got impatient.
"He tried to kill my mate."
Caius eyes widened, and his arms fell down to his sides. His face was a mask of disbelief.
"What?"
Marcus sighed. "It's true, brother. Aro has gone too far this time."
"Tell me."
When Marcus had told him everything, Caius walked over to the table, lifted it up, and threw it across the room with a growl. It crashed into the opposite wall, and splinters rained down over them. His eyes were furious—glowing a bright red—and he spoke through gritted teeth.
"This is way too far, Marcus. This won't stand."
"That's why we are here," Marcus answered, unfazed by Caius' outburst. "We need to plan this carefully, or the Volturi will fall. If that happens, there will be chaos and bloodshed everywhere."
Caius turned to Jasper. "Is Isabella all right?"
Jasper nodded, a little surprised that the King cared. Then again, Caius had a mate. He knew what it was like. "She's a little scared and worried, my lord. She's strong, though."
Caius nodded slowly, calmer now. "We have to confront him. We have been too lenient toward him. Do we have any evidence apart from your word, Jasper?"
"No. All of this hangs on my word and Marcus'."
Caius frowned. "He will know how to counter that. How do we get more proof of this? Unbiased proof?"
All three of them looked at each other for a second before they all three said one name in unison.
"Edward."
Jasper slowly shook his head. "So there is to be some use for the brat."
Caius chuckled. "Not your favorite, huh?"
Jasper merely shot a glare at the King.
"That's all well and good," Marcus said. "But we must not forget that Aro has many loyal followers. How do we confront him without anyone coming to his aid? If Renata got to him, we would lose. He would run or call for his other lapdogs to help him. We can't let a crime like this go unpunished, but we surely don't want to start a civil war."
Jasper looked thoughtful. "If we confront him in his study, no one else will hear. Peter and Charlotte can handle Renata. Edward has quite the range with his gift. He would only need to be on the same side of the castle to be able to hear what Aro thinks." Then he sighed. "It would leave Bella unprotected, though."
"No, it would not," Caius stated. "Bring her to my quarters. Athenadora will look after her. You can trust her, Jasper."
Jasper's eyes widened, and he didn't know what to say. Caius' mate was a powerful woman, but to entrust Bella to her put Athenadora at risk as well. Caius was apparently willing to take that risk to make sure Bella was safe.
"Thank you, Caius. It means the world to me to know she will be safe."
Caius put a hand on his shoulder. "I know what it's like to have a mate. Aro does not, and that's his weakness. There is no need to thank me."
"One matter still stands and needs to be solved," Marcus said. "We need to get this out to everyone. There can't be any doubt about what has happened and why."
"Can we gather everyone in one place?" Caius wondered.
"I have given this some thought," Marcus responded. "We can call everyone to the Hall of Judging. It will be a tight fit, but everyone should be able to attend. However, the summon can't be issued until we are with Aro. That's the main problem."
Jasper smiled. "Not really. We will let Rhona handle that. She can reach everyone at minutes' notice."
"Good. You handle that then. I'll give you the message soon through Draupadi. It needs to be phrased exactly right."
Caius looked thoughtfully at Jasper. "And what will you do when all of this is resolved?"
Jasper sighed. "We'll have to leave. I've turned it over and over in my mind, and I can't see any other alternative. As you say, Aro has loyal followers. We don't even know who all of them are. This mess will put yet another target on my back, and above all, on Bella's. I can't let her live in danger."
Caius looked sad. "I understand. It will be a great loss, though. Never think anything else. You have brought order and stability to the Guard. And loyalty."
If Jasper could've blushed, he would. That was high praise to come from Caius. He bowed his head.
"Have you arranged your travels yet, Major?"
"No, and I don't really know how I could do that unnoticed. We'll go to the US to begin with, so we need to travel by plane, preferably."
Caius once again smiled. "Let me take care of that. It's a small payment for your services, Captain."
When Bella woke in the morning, Jasper was talking to Peter and Charlotte by the door to the bedroom. They were all dressed in their black suits, but Jasper's jacket lay on the couch. They spoke very fast and very low, and Bella couldn't make out what they said. As soon as Jasper noticed she was awake, the other two left, and he sat down on the bed next to her. He ran his fingers through her hair and smiled at her.
"What's happening?" she asked and yawned as she sat up.
"Everything. While you were asleep, Marcus and I met with Caius. We will confront Aro today, in his study. Charlotte has gone to talk to Edward and Rebecca. We need Edward's help to read Aro's thoughts when we confront him, so she's arranging that. In one hour she'll be back here and escort you to Lord Caius' quarters. You need to be packed by then."
Bella blinked at him. "Really? Oh. That's quick …"
"I know, my sweet girl. We need to act fast." His eyes wandered over her face, and then he pressed his lips to her forehead.
She frowned. "Lord Caius' quarters? Why?"
"Charlotte and Peter are needed elsewhere. Caius' mate, Lady Athenadora, will watch over you. You can trust her."
"Caius has a mate? I didn't even know …"
Jasper chuckled. "He does. She's quite a formidable woman. She will take you down to the Hall of Judging when the summon comes. Everyone will go there. She'll make sure that you're safe."
"Everyone? Even Carlisle and Esme?" She shivered a little. "Even Gertrude?"
"Everyone," Jasper nodded. "We will bring Aro there for everyone to see and hear. When it's over, we will leave at once." He could feel Bella's sadness, but she did her best not to show it. He hugged her close.
"I'm so sorry, my love," he whispered and kissed her hair. "We have to. There is no other way to keep you safe." He released her enough so he could look at her. "Peter and Charlotte are coming with us. We'll go to the US. We have friends there, and so have you—the rest of the Cullens are there as well. We can contact them."
She nodded. "Let's get this over with first, shall we?" she said with a low voice. Then she got out of bed and headed into the bathroom. Jasper's chest ached for her, but he knew he couldn't make any other choice. She was his everything.
When Jasper left he had been dressed in the full Captain of the Guard attire—black cloak and golden "V." He kissed her deeply before he vanished out the door, and Bella started to get worried. She suddenly had a feeling that this might be dangerous and she hadn't thought about it in those terms before. It had all happened so fast. Now, for the first time, she grasped the danger they both were in, the danger she was in. A Volturi King wanted her dead and Jasper gone. It was a sobering thought.
Peter stayed with her until Charlotte came back, then he also left. Bella didn't miss the gentle touch he and Charlotte shared. After Bella had finished stuffing clothes into her backpack, Charlotte rushed her over to the Kings' Tower. The large, black tower doors were closed, and there was a Guard on each side of them as usual. They nodded as Charlotte and Bella approached.
"Charlotte. The Lady Athenadora said that you would be coming with the human." The Guard spoke with a flat voice and opened the doors for them. It was shadowy inside. Bella hesitated, but Charlotte pulled her through. The doors closed behind them with a muted thud. They were in a hallway of sorts with long, red draperies covering the walls. The only light came from candles in sconces on the walls. Three doors led out from here, all of them were closed.
Suddenly, the door opposite opened to reveal a man dressed in a grey suit. He bowed lightly at them, but his face was blank.
"This way, please." They followed him through a short hallway and ended up in a much larger sitting room. Bella looked around with huge eyes. Everything in here was very gothic. The colors were dark—mostly black and red—and the chairs that were placed along the walls seemed to belong in a church somewhere. Below the tall windows was a long and ornate couch, and in the middle of the floor was a large table surrounded by twelve chairs. A woman slowly strode over to them from where she had been standing by the windows. She was tall, beautiful, and blonde—her thick hair fell in soft waves down to her waist. She was dressed in a black, old-fashioned dress trimmed with lace and glittering stones that rustled as she moved. She had dark-red lips that formed a warm smile, and her eyes matched the color. Charlotte bowed before the woman, and Bella followed her example. She had never been in the presence of anyone more queen-like before.
"Welcome, Miss Swan. And Mrs. Whitlock, of course. Did everything go as planned?" Her voice was darker than normal for a woman and velvet soft. Still, it rang with authority.
"So far so good, my lady," Charlotte answered. "If you'll excuse me, I need to take my leave."
"Of course."
Charlotte hugged Bella and then looked at her. "I'll see you soon, Bella. Stay with Lady Athenadora, and you'll be perfectly safe."
"I will," Bella responded with a weak voice. Then Charlotte was gone, and the man who had showed them in left as well and closed the door behind him.
Bella turned to look at Athenadora again. She was still smiling, and she reached out her hand to Bella.
"My name is Athenadora, as I'm sure you know. Please, call me Athena." Bella took her hand.
"I'm Bella, my lady."
"Oh, come now, Miss Swan, no more of that 'lady'-ing me. Can I call you Bella?"
"Of course."
"Wonderful. Come, sit with me. Tell me about yourself." Athenadora led Bella over to the tall couch, and Bella hesitantly sat down beside her, placing her back pack at her feet. She was a little intimidated by the other woman—she radiated confidence and authority. Around the high neck of Athenadora's dress she wore a large, golden necklace fitted with glittering red stones. She wore matching earrings, and when Bella had walked behind her to the couch she had seen that she also wore red jewels in her hair. On anyone else it would have looked ridiculous and theatrical, but not on this lady.
"There isn't much to tell, really." Bella squirmed a little under Athenadora's intense gaze.
"Don't be so modest, Bella. You're the mate of Jasper Whitlock, the only one to ever best my mate in battle. You have to be one strong woman."
Bella averted her eyes and blushed, but then another door in the room opened and the man came in again. He carried a tray in his hands; on it were a steaming teapot, a cup, and toast with marmalade. Bella's eyes widened as he set the tray on a small side table, bowed and left.
"Please, Bella, help yourself to anything you want."
"That's very kind of you, my … Athena." Bella poured herself some tea and carefully sipped it. She felt better at once. It was clear that Athenadora didn't mind watching over her.
"I wasn't sure if you had time for breakfast this morning," Athenadora said, still smiling.
Bella looked at her over the edge of her cup and met gentle eyes.
"Do you know what's happening?" Bella asked.
"Yes. Caius tells me everything, as I'm sure Jasper tells you everything. Being mates means complete trust. That is why Jasper was able to relent your safety to me for a short while. He trusts my mate and thus also me." Athenadora smiled at her again, and her red lips were stunning against her perfect, white skin.
Bella sighed. "I'm worried. Yesterday it all seemed so easy, but today, when Jasper left, I suddenly had a feeling that this is probably dangerous. Is it?" She looked up at Athenadora.
"I won't lie to you. It is dangerous. However, I think that when everyone is exposed to Aro's crime, far more will denounce him than rally for him. I know much of what goes on in this castle, and those who are loyal to Aro have fallen in numbers in the later years."
"Do you know Aro well?" Bella asked. She didn't know exactly how old the queen was.
Athenadora smiled again. "Yes, I do. We have built the Volturi and Volterra together—the three Kings and I—and I have been along for a long time. I always warned Caius that Aro was too hungry for power, but his gift made him indispensable. Especially in the early years. This is not the first time he has overstepped, but this is by far the worst." Her eyes and face grew cold, and Bella shivered.
"He deserves to be burned. Never doubt that, Bella. He was on his way to commit an unspeakable crime."
Bella took another sip of her tea before she spoke again. "Does he have a mate?"
"No. He has a companion, Sulpicia."
"Oh." Bella looked own into her cup and carefully swirled the tea around. Suddenly, there was a cold finger under her chin, tilting her face up. Athenadora was smiling at her, and her eyes were warm again.
"Bella, you and your mate have very strong support. Whatever happens, you will get out of here in one piece. There are not many who can stand against me and my mate."
Bella's eyes widened, and Athenadora laughed softly.
"I know it's hard to believe, but I'm quite the fighter. We will make sure that you are safe."
They talked some more, and Athenadora managed to coax some of Bella's story out of her. Then the man suddenly appeared again and bowed.
"Pardon, my lady, but there is a summons."
"Ah, finally. Very well. David, you'd better gather the others and head down. I'll take Miss Swan myself."
The man looked surprised but quickly hid it. "Of course, my lady."
As he disappeared, Athenadora turned to Bella again.
"Do you mind if I carry you? It's much safer and faster."
Bella rose and sighed but smiled a little as she put the back pack on. "All set, Athena." Athenadora smiled widely and lifted her easily into her arms.
"Hold on then, Bella."
Thank you for reading.