I had no trouble finding my way back to the throne room. Alice was sitting in front of Aro on his throne, listening. His voice had lost that oleagenous quality that had been riding my nerves before. He was still grasping; he was giving this to Alice in the hopes of retaining her. He held her hand as he told her, not only being sure she took in everything he told her, but glimpsing any visions she might have in response. It made me sick.
"I don't know who he was, Alice, but I will draw you a likeness. You can show it to other nomads you meet. Perhaps one will have known him."
"Thank you. You don't know what this means to me. Well, of course you do." She laughed. "I was institutionalized. All these times I've joked about it, but I never really thought about it."
"You know where it was. You were twenty for all you don't look it. You were subjected to unspeakable tortures. That cretin watched, fascinated by your resistance. That was why he hunted you, why he wanted you.
"As I said, I only know what he did of the other. That one wanted you for a different reason, likely the reason I am so privileged to call you friend. He must have guessed that your delusions were nothing of the sort."
"And he was like you, not Carlisle? How did he manage to work in the asylum?" she asked.
"It is so odd seeing your eyes that color," he commented before answering. "Yes, his eyes were red in the memory. Although, that may have been you; his eyes were dark in all the other memories. I'm sorry I don't have more information for you, Alice."
"Nonsense!" She jumped up, taking both his hands now. "You've given me a place to start. I can find my name, my human family. It's something I never thought I would have. Thank you, Aro." She leaned in to kiss his cheek.
I cleared my throat.
"Jasper. Please, come. Alice has shared much about you. I hope you will not feel anything but welcome among us."
Alice looked at me, a tight smile on her face. She was torn. She wanted to stay here; these people had given her much. She wanted to go with me and Bella; she knew her future was with us. She fought the halves of herself. I came to her, keeping my distance from Aro, I held Alice around her waist, tucking her into my side. I didn't know exactly when I'd come to need the little pixie so much, but I couldn't bear to be without her anymore.
"Marcus." Aro rose, dropping Alice's hand and moving to his lethargic brother's side. He took his hand for a minute. "Yes, as she said. I wanted to be sure. Suplicia?"
A female vampire moved from those gathered at the back. She didn't wear the robe of the guard, rather a pretty floral print. She put an arm though Aro's, smiling at him.
"Jasper, I'd like to introduce you to my mate. This is Suplicia. Suplicia, meet Jasper Cullen." He was bubbling with satisfaction. Why was he so thrilled for me to meet his mate?
She smiled. She was also confused. She didn't understand any more than I did, but she took my hand. "A pleasure, Jasper."
"Ma'am." I bowed, reverting back to my oldest manners, putting her hand to my lips. Her pleasure grew. Odd, was she unaccustomed to such displays? Alice was almost bouncing next to me. Apparently I'd done something right. I straightened, meeting her red eyes.
"I wondered if maybe you and Alice would join Suplicia and I for a walk in the gardens. They are lovely in the moonlight."
I fought the cringe I felt. "I would feel better with the rest of my family, though I thank you for the offer."
"Bring them," Aro suggested immediately. "Carlisle will remember the gardens, and I'm sure Bella would enjoy them too."
I had a bad feeling about this. Alice stiffening at my side didn't make me feel better about it.
"If you insist," I answered.
He laughed. "Of course I don't insist. It was merely an invitation. Come Suplicia, join me." He put a kiss to his mate's cheek before leading her from the room. I noticed how empty it was now. Caius and several others had left. Jane and Alec were off to one side, reading something.
"Tell me?" I asked as I led Alice back to our rooms.
"I think not. It isn't going to happen any longer."
"Tell me," I didn't ask this time.
"Bella, of course. He doesn't want her to leave human."
"But she will," I confirmed.
"Yes. Carlisle will be the one to change her, and I'm fairly certain he won't do it here." She wasn't certain though, I could feel it. Why would Carlisle choose to do it here?
"She worries for you."
Alice smiled, wrested from her dark visions. "She is silly. She needn't worry for me. I can take care of myself. I have for nearly a century, you know."
"I know, but I doubt she realizes it." I kissed the top of Alice's head. "I worry too, but only that you might want to stay."
She sighed. "I do want to stay. They have been very good to me here, Jasper, but I can't, not unless you and Bella stay." She didn't look at me.
"I can't feed on humans again Alice. As hard as it is for me to resist, it was destroying me, I was less than a person. Do you think Carlisle and I can stay here, knowing what's going on in the next room? The mass slaughters?"
"I know, I know." She covered her eyes with a hand. "I see their futures sometimes. The futures we end. It isn't easy for me either. At least I don't always see them, not like you. That must be horrible." She did look at me now, her topaz eyes locking on mine. "They must be terrified."
I nodded. "Some are angry. I think the worst are the ones who spend their last moments reflecting on loved ones. The bittersweet sensation is crippling. Grieving a loved one, grieving oneself. Happiness that it's you and not them. A final goodbye." I felt my face contort, remembering with perfect clarity.
Alice jumped, wrapping her body around me. I felt all of her love and affection, none of it was bitter. "I go where you go - where Bella is." After a tight squeeze she jumped back down. "Aro will simply have to accept that." She squared her shoulders and continued in the direction of our suite.
I opened the door for her. Bella was lounging on a couch with her head in Carlisle's lap. He was stroking her hair as her eyes drifted open and shut. I was surprised they were still open at all. Carlisle, unlike Charlie, didn't fight thoughts about a younger woman. He was filled with love of all sorts for the human in his lap, not true lust, but sensuality was definitely among his emotions now. I could understand.
She had changed; someone had brought our bags. She was in her sleep t-shirt and boy shorts. Her hair fell in waves over her back. Carlisle's hand grazed up and back, up and back, in slow strokes, his fingers barely brushing the cotton. She was a haze of fatigue. Small prickles of anxiety pierced through it, worry for Alice, and I hoped some for herself. She was certainly the one in the most danger here. Aro didn't want her to leave human. I breathed deeply, burning my throat but filling my heart. I didn't really want to lose that scent. I didn't want to lose the sound of her steady heart beat. The beat that raced and fluttered when I touched her. The beat that was slow now, so close to sleep.
"Why didn't you lay in a bed, Bell?"
Alice got to her first, wrapping arms around Bella's shoulders and being hugged in return.
"Because I wanted to know."
"It was good news, Bella," Alice explained. "Very good. James – okay this part wasn't good, he killed the vampire who made me. But he knew where I came from, and I have a picture of my creator, so I can ask others." She pulled it out, showing it to Carlisle.
"Daniel. I only met him once. I don't know much more than his name, I'm afraid. I might be able to direct you to some people who do know him. Charles knew him, I think. I believe they travelled together a while." He smiled at Alice. "Good news indeed. I guess we know what you'll be doing when we get back."
"To Forks High School of course," she answered brightly.
"What?" Bella asked sleepily. "No, Alice. Find your family." She yawned hugely and I came and lifted her into my arms.
"Let Alice decide what Alice does. You need to sleep, little woman." I cradled her to me as I carried her into one of the adjoining rooms. The bed had thick velvet curtains that were tied back. I noticed Alice had come with me.
"One of you will stay?" she asked.
"Both of us will stay, silly." Alice answered for us. "What else have we to do but wait for Eleazar? We can do that here, with you."
She yawned again. "You don't have to do that. You have friends here, Alice... You should ..." She never finished her thought. I kissed her temple gently and felt a reflection of my love from Alice for our fragile human lover. She had slept on the plane, but it was early morning in Forks right now. We curled onto either side of Bella, Alice rolling Bella's head onto her breast. I felt Bella's mind ease in Alice's embrace. I pulled the curtains closed and put my arm over both their hips. I saw Alice had her nose in Bella's hair and her eyes closed. She looked like she was sleeping if that weren't impossible. I closed my eyes and pretended to sleep too.