Chapter Twenty One

Jasper

When the plane finally touched down Peter and Emmett went to collect the rental cars while Charlotte collected our luggage and Rose stayed at my side, her arm in mine.

"Jazz, try to calm down, you're making us all jumpy. You'll be with her soon"

I took a deep breath and nodded, she was right, I was radiating my anger outwards to stop myself exploding but it was affecting the others, even normally amiable Emmett was showing signs of a short temper. We drove straight to the villa. It was halfway between Pisa and Volterra, set in its own grounds and close to a heavily wooded area which meant we could hunt. Peter and Charlotte went out first while we took the bags in and I gave Rose some last minute instructions.

"Keep the car topped up with fuel and ready to roll at a moments notice just in case. Get some non perishable food and bottled drinks in for Bella but packed in the trunk, ready"

"You want me to get first aid supplies too?"

I nodded in answer to Rose's question although if Bella was bleeding I didn't give her a hope in hell of getting out of Volterra alive.

"I'll scout the area, pick out a few escape routes, just in case"

Emmett was thinking ahead too. They wouldn't have time to plan if we came down in a hurry.

Peter and I left as Rose and Emmett went to hunt, Charlotte would stay at the villa until they got back then make her way closer to Volterra, that way if communication became difficult she had a chance to find out what was going on, and if things went badly send a warning to the villa.

"You know if we're right about Alice the fuckers will have a reception committee waiting"

"Good. We'll see Aro that much quicker."

I wasn't in the mood to talk and Peter who knew me as well as I knew myself went quiet. Volterra came in sight and the ache in my chest eased a little. I could have cried in relief, realizing I hadn't really believed Bella was still alive and now I had proof. Peter saw my expression,

"So it is a rescue mission."

He didn't need me to say anything, and a few minutes later we drove through the city walls of Volterra. It was dusk and the Cafe's and Bars in the square were beginning to fill up. We drove right up to the Clock Tower entrance where Peters reception committee waited, Jane, Felix, and Demetri.

As he got out of the car Peter threw the keys at Alec who caught them without thinking,

"Park it, check the levels ,and give it a polish, boy"

I grinned at Alec's furious expression, Jane wasn't amused either but Felix was stifling a grin.

"Aro is eager to see you so lets not keep him waiting"

Jane was as haughty as ever, but we fell in between Demetri and Felix with Alec bringing up the rear. Neither of us spoke, we weren't intimidated, we just had nothing to say to these underlings. It was Aro I wanted to speak to, and him alone.

Aro

They walked in as if they were in procession, not being shepherded and seeing Alec's face I realized they had upset him already. He really must learn to hold a poker face or people like Peter Whitlock would beat him every time. Jane stepped aside and I stood before our two visitors ready to greet them.

"Major Whitlock and your Captain. How nice to receive a visit from such illustrious guests. I trust you had a good journey? Flying can be so tedious in a Private Jet, it must be pure hell shut up with all those humans in a commercial plane. Still here you are, I take it there is something you think we can help you with. The Volturi is at your service."

"Good. I'll have the oil changed and the windows cleaned as well then boy"

Captain Whitlock aimed this at Alec who looked thunderous but I shook my head. I didn't want to start anything, at least not yet.

"Aro, I'm here to claim my mate,"

"Really Major? I assume you believe we have her here in Volterra?"

"Aro don't play games with me. I smelled Jane's scent near the fire, I want Bella back."

I turned a disapproving glance at Jane, very sloppy and because of her slip I had a problem confronting me.

"I see, a fire you say? Why would you be at the scene of a fire Jane Dear One? Are you quite sure Major?"

His fists clenched and I saw Felix move a little closer mirrored by the Captain. Tensions were too high, I needed to defuse the situation.

"Would you allow me a few minutes? Perhaps we can clear this matter up amicably."

They knew I wasn't asking permission but The Major played along with a nod. I called the others and we went through to a smaller chamber away from our guests. Caius and Marcus who had been watching from the balcony joined us before I spoke.

"Well I can hardly deny our involvement now Jane has been implicated."

"I warned you this was dangerous. You took The Majors mate from under his nose, now he knows and he's here to claim her back, under our own laws we have to hand her over."

"Those laws are for others. We make them, so they are ours to break if the occasion warrants it Caius."

"You do that and we lose face. Remind me why we took her in the first place Aro. Are we even sure Alice Cullen was telling the truth? She could have been lying to get us to do her dirty work."

"Perhaps we should speak to Alice again."

Marcus was uneasy too.

"Can you see the relationship between The Major and Bella?"

He smiled wearily,

"Do you really need me to tell you Aro? Surely you can see for yourself, he's come here to claim her. Oh yes, I understand Bella is demanding to speak to someone. She wants her mate, now then... what was his name?... ...oh yes...Jasper Whitlock."

I hated it when he used sarcasm and he knew it.

Alice

I knew he was here in Volterra, Felix had delighted in telling me, he knew I was apprehensive. I was sure Aro would want to speak to me again but I had nothing new to tell him, I'd seen what I'd seen, shown him my thoughts and only time would tell if I'd been right. I'd heard Bella was making a fuss and they'd asked me to speak to her, Me! As I pointed out, that would probably have made the situation even worse. Since then I'd been dodging further requests but I knew eventually I would have to face her. The rap on my door was followed by Jane's sneering face.

"Aro wants to see you. Don't worry they aren't with him".

I ignored the barb and followed her to Aro's small private audience chamber which was quite full. Marcus looked bored, Caius furious, and Aro curious, so no change there!

"Ah Alice, so good of you to come. My brothers and I wanted to talk to you further about Bella"

"I can't tell you any more. Only what I saw and she's only been here a short while"

"True dear but it seems one of us" he glared at Jane, "was careless and led The Major here to Volterra."

"It's a shame you didn't see that" Caius snapped at me.

"Sorry I can't be watching for everything. I did tell you that."

"You also told us Bella has a gift but we've seen no sign of that"

"She still has to learn how to use it. I know what I saw, it's a very powerful gift, very useful to you."

"And the rest?"

"I know what I saw"

"Very well Alice. I take it you won't be joining us when we return to our guests?"

I shook my head and left as fast as I could. I wanted to be as far from Jazz as possible. Being in the same building was enough to make me shiver.