Chapter Twenty One

Alice

When I reached the area where I knew I could arrange a meeting with a suitable contact I found a comfortable spot in the shade of a tree and sat to wait. Sure enough, it wasn't too long before I was approached by a suspicious vampire.

"Why are you here?"

"I was waiting for you, or someone just like you. I want to arrange a meeting."

"What for?"

"I have some interesting news I'm sure your leader will be interested in. It's in regard to Jasper Whitlock or rather The Major."

He raised an eyebrow at this and whistled,

"That's a dirty word around here, are you sure you want me to pass on that message?"

I nodded and smiled confidently,

"Yes. I'll wait but I it must be understood that I need a favor in return". He nodded,

"I'm sure that will be expected, a favor for a favor so to speak."

As he left to rejoin the two others who had watched our conversation from a distance I sat back and flicked open the magazine I had brought with me to pass the time. Studying the latest fashions I thought I'd look good in them, red was one of my favorite colors and it was the in thing for the season. Maybe when this was all over I would treat myself to a spending spree in Paris or Milan.

As I had expected he was back within the hour.

"Follow me"

I got up, dusted my jeans down and followed him deeper into the scrubland.

We walked in silence for some time before coming upon a high-walled compound hidden away from prying human eyes and the gates were thrown open by a scruffy looking guard who gazed at me curiously. I was escorted straight to a large wooden building in the center of the compound and found her waiting for me.

"Alice Cullen, I've heard of you and your strange coven in the north. Why are you here and what do you know of The Major?"

She tossed her long black hair and her eyes became hard as she spoke his name.

"I know where he is."

I stated it quite baldly, why waste time beating around the bush?

"Really? And why do you think that would interest me?"

I smiled,

"Oh, I know it interests you. He was the one who got away, or perhaps it would be more accurate to say the three that got away."

Her arm snapped out lightening fast and she gripped my arm tightly,

"He's with The Captain and that bitch?"

I nodded,

"Oh yes, they're together and you'll be interested to hear that he's interested in a human girl."

She laughed showing gleaming white teeth,

"Really? He always was one for the ladies. Is he intending to change her or kill her? It's been a long while since the Major and I met. My friend here said you wanted something in return for his whereabouts. What is it you want Alice Cullen?"

"Well, it's two favors really but then I am offering you three of your former soldiers who deserted."

Maria

When she told me what she wanted I laughed again.

"That's all you want? I think it can be arranged. Do you want to tell me why?"

She shook her head as I knew she would not that I cared really, but I did want The Major back and a way of ensuring he stayed. Little Miss Cullen had supplied me with both so I was happy to do as she bid.

"When do you want this doing?"

I asked watching her keenly.

"As soon as possible, I have a schedule to keep."

That stopped me,

"Is this going to bring down the fury of the Volturi on me?"

I was wary now but she laughed loudly,

"No, just the opposite in fact. If you complete my mission you'll probably get their thanks."

So, the Volturi and Alice Cullen were working together towards some specific end. Need that worry me? No, as long as they weren't interested in me, but it seemed the Cullen's had earned their censure... what a pity! I saw her looking at me,

"Is there anything wrong?"

She shook her head,

"No, I was just wondering, what was it you saw in Jasper that makes you still want him so badly?"

I shrugged,

"He was an excellent commander, but that's not the reason I want him back."

"Oh, No? Then why?"

She looked truly interested in the answer.

"It's simple, No man walks away from me, he belongs to me and he's mine until I decide otherwise. He only leaves when I decide to let him."

Maria

I'd waited such a long time for word of The Major, he had been my best find, an excellent warrior, and commander and a wonderful lover, as for the other two, they were just the icing on the cake. If I could get my hands on this human girl or the other two he would come back to me on his knees begging and that was a place I earnestly desired him to be, mine once more to command. What Alice's problem with the others was I didn't know and I didn't care. I wondered idly if the Volturi knew Alice was using me to get the job done, an interesting question but one I would probably never discover the answer to. The less I heard about them and they about me, the better.

Alice

I was pleased with myself as I left Maria's compound, things had gone exceedingly well, two birds killed with one stone. I'd heard of her reputation from Jasper and others but had always been somewhat skeptical, you know how people tend to exaggerate but she really was an evil bitch and I knew she would make Jasper's life a living hell.

Now all I needed to do was get back to the others, Maria would kill the vampire bidder in Guatemala saving me a messy task and possibly even a fresh nail job! It was a pity that Bella and her friends had to get tangled up in this but I couldn't help that. I had far more important concerns than a couple of humans, there were always plenty more to take their place.

On my way back I received the message that the bidder from Guatemala had met with an accident, well, that would teach him to play with gasoline and matches! I passed this on to Carlisle giving it my own twist of course and he was delighted although I got the usual lecture about keeping my phone switched on and checking for messages, God I would be glad to be away from this family soon, their concern was smothering me!

Back at the apartment, I had to sit through Emmett's complaints about Bella's lack of warmth towards him transmitted through Esme of course and tried very hard to make all the correct noises, I didn't want to get her antenna twitching any more than it already was where I was concerned. Charlotte's presence as Bella's attack dog would make things a little more interesting for Maria but it wasn't my concern, I had my own task to think about, Emmett the puppy dog, the darling of the Cullen family. How exactly was he going to foul his basket?

I spoke to Rosalie too although our conversations were a little cool and stilted these days, anyone would think I was to blame for her little affair with Edward blowing up in her face! She never came out as such as said so but it was implied and Edward flatly refused to speak to me at all. Again that didn't bother me but I was amused to see that his irritation extended to the whole family, not just me. I guess finding out that your status as Golden Boy had been usurped by your brother as tragic figure might just piss you off if you were an egotistical prick and where the cap fitted...

Hanging around in Jacksonville dodging the sun and trying to keep boredom at bay wasn't easy but it might look a tad suspicious if I pulled a disappearing act and then all hell broke loose. I did persuade Esme to go shopping with me a couple of times but felt I was walking on egg shells if she suspected me of something why didn't she just come out and say it? Oh, I know, because she was a coward who hated confrontation, good job she was tied up with Carlisle then and not a real man. I actually missed having a man of my own, it was no fun when there was no one to manipulate, no one who thought you were the center of the universe. I was concerned that if something didn't happen soon they'd be carrying me off in a straitjacket, I was so boooooooooored!