Chapter Twenty Six

Bella

How could one evening make such a difference to my life? For the first time, I found myself enjoying a family evening, the kind I had only ever seen on TV or read about in books. I had never expected to find myself in one and as I went slowly up to bed I felt almost light headed. Jasper's family had been so kind and accepted me immediately. Being with him had made a big difference too, someone who was interested in me as a person, romantically interested as well. Of course I didn't expect it to last, he could do so much better for himself and I'm sure he would eventually but I was determined to enjoy the time I had with him. I wondered if my dad would notice the difference in me tomorrow, if he did would he want to know if I was serious about Jasper and he about me? Even more interesting would be my mom's reaction if she found out I had a boyfriend.

Once in bed, I closed my eyes and allowed myself to relive the evening, the laughter and teasing, the warmth of feelings between the family and to myself. The feel of Jasper's cold hand in mine and the taste of his lips as we kissed goodnight on the porch. He had asked if I would go out with him tomorrow for a drive and I had been only too happy to agree knowing my dad would be over the moon at the idea of my having a date, especially with someone as presentable as the doctor's foster son! It was ages before I fell asleep, afraid I might wake and find this had all been some wonderful dream instead of reality.

Jasper

I listened with growing anger to Emmett, understanding we had been taken for a ride, all of us. It was something of a shock to find out Star was Bella's long lost sister and I wasn't sure how we could tell Bella without admitting to our own secrets. Besides Star was a prisoner in Volterra and Bella would in all likelihood never see her again, even if she agreed to marry me eventually and become a vampire herself. It would be far too dangerous for Aro to know Star had a sister, he might well collect her as a possible gift to join the Volturi guard and I would never allow that.

"So, you're telling me that Alice is still alive? That Aro Volturi lied and is keeping her a prisoner?"

Emmett eyed me warily,

"Jazz, keep calm."

I could feel my anger beginning to rise, that fucker had led us all to believe that Alice and Edward were both dead when in fact they were both alive and well, prisoners of the Volturi. Well, now the Volturi would find out what it meant to mess with me!

"So, do you think I should tell the others? It's going to be impossible to keep it from Rose, she always knows when I'm hiding something from her and from the look on your face I get the feeling you won't be sitting around for long. The thing is Jazz that we can't act in haste, we have to think this through properly or they will end up dead. We have to be careful, I don't even know what the rest of the family will do or say."

"Do you really think Carlisle will just sit back and accept Edward and Alice are in Italy without confronting Aro about it? Because I sure as hell am not going to."

"I don't see what he can do even if he finds out Jazz, Aro isn't going to change his mind and suddenly just let them go now is he and unlike you, the rest of us are not fighters."

"True, in fact, it might be dangerous for Carlisle to know the truth. Aro might think he would try something to free them."

Emmett pulled over to the side of the road and turned off the engine then looked at me, relief on his face and I knew he had thought I might lose it hearing the truth.

"So, you think I should just forget about it?"

"No. I just think we need to have a plan of action ready for when you do tell him."

"You mean think of a way to get them away from Volterra?"

"Yes although it won't be easy. The one thing we have on our side is that Star cannot be controlled by the Volturi. If we can think of a way to make it safer for her to live in the world with us then perhaps Aro would reconsider."

"OK, but how? Alice is the one she responds to and Aro isn't going to give her up just like that."

"What we need is a channel of communication with Alice, maybe we can manipulate the situation to our advantage then."

"And how do we do that?"

"We talk to Darius again, if anyone can get a message to Alice it's him."

Deciding there was no time like the present Emmett rang Darius and, this time, his call was picked up, Darius was as interested in our reaction as he had been to find the others alive himself. Emmett explained our conversation and put the phone on speaker so we could talk together.

"So, you want me to get word to Alice to do what exactly?"

"The best way to get Alice and Star back is if Aro thinks she is too dangerous to hold in Volterra."

"So, you need her to act up? I'm not sure exactly how powerful she is but say she could. Don't you risk Alice being killed as redundant?"

"No, Aro wouldn't kill her gratuitously, he could be really magnanimous and allow her to return to Carlisle. It makes him look good and Aro likes his reputation to be untarnished."

"Yeah, sure. You think he'd let Star go too, though? If she's too dangerous to remain in Volterra surely she would be equally a threat to them at large."

"Not if Aro thought she could be controlled by her sister. A sister who is The Major's mate. He doesn't want any part of me so he's not likely to try anything with my mate and at the same time he knows I'm no threat to the Volturi so long as they leave me alone."

"A kind of a win-win situation you mean? Well, I guess it could work. You're right about not wanting trouble with you. The brothers know you are probably the most dangerous vampire alive, they are happy for you to go your own way, you aren't ambitious, you just want some peace and that suits them. There are very few of the guard that would take you on anyway and none willingly. Leave it with me, I'll get word to Alice and see how the land lies. Are you going to tell the others?"

"Not until we hear back from you, besides I haven't exactly told Bella how I really feel or the truth about us but if we are going to free Star then I guess I'm going to be forced to pretty soon."

We drove the rest of the way home in silence, lost in our own thoughts. A lot hinged on the Volturi's fear of The Major and though I had vowed never to let him loose again I understood it was one vow I might be forced to break in order to save others. It wasn't something I relished, my life since I forced him into hiding had been far more pleasant and relaxed but if it had to be, then so be it. Luckily when we got back it was to walk into a discussion on how nice Bella was and how much everyone had enjoyed her company. Esme was keen to find out if Bella were coming over again and even Rosalie complimented me on my taste in girls.

"I like her, she isn't pushy or nosy like most human females. A little sad and timid I guess but then she was in a house full of vampires even if she wasn't aware of the fact. You haven't told her anything have you?"

The last was added quickly and I shook my head,

"There will be time for honesty later. I'd rather get to know her before I tell her I'm an ultimate predator and she is my natural prey. It tends to cramp your style if you throw it in too soon."

She laughed and threw a cushion at me but I knew Rose was terrified of being discovered for what she really was even though I didn't think Bella would cause us any trouble, I had a hunch she might take the news a lot more calmly than anyone imagined, she was a strange kind of person, part mouse, part lion and I loved the combination.