Chapter Twenty Five
Bella
It wasn't difficult to contact the Volturi, they had a human face even in Volterra complete with telephone lines to a reception desk. I found a cheap motel and locked myself in, being careful to keep Jasper's arm close. I didn't know if Peter or the others would come after me so I drove as far as I could force myself and went off the highway to find a motel hoping they would think I would drive back to my apartment, if they knew where it was or at least to an airport from my words. I wasn't going to act rashly though, this was a one time opportunity and I wasn't going to ruin my chances by acting precipitously.
"Arcama Foundation how may I help you?"
"I'd like to speak to Aro Volturi please."
"I'm sorry, we have no one of that name employed here."
"I didn't expect you to but I need to get a message to him, one I think he'll want to hear. Perhaps if I left it with you it could be passed along."
"Very well Signorina but I can assure you there is no Aro Volturi employed here."
"Could you tell him that Miss Swan wishes to discuss the Cullens with him."
"Is that all?"
"Yes. I'll ring back in a few hours for a reply."
"Wouldn't you prefer to leave a contact number with me?"
"No I don't think so. Goodbye."
Aro
When I received the message from Miss Swan I was curious, I knew no Miss Swan and neither did my brothers but she knew both me and the Cullens.
"Are you going to speak to her?"
"I think so, when she rings back."
"She was careful not to leave a contact number, I wonder why?"
"Well Caius, listen in when she calls and you'll find out the same time I do. I've instructed Lisette to put Miss Swan straight through when she calls"
We waited somewhat impatiently for Miss Swan to ring back and it was some hours later that we got the call. Caius sat forward in his seat as I spoke,
"Miss Swan it would seem you have the advantage over me. I don't think we've met."
"No but if you agree to my bargain we will."
"A bargain? I'm intrigued, what do you have to bargain with? Do you know who you are speaking with?"
"I'm hoping its Aro Volturi, the leader of the vampire world."
I froze, she hadn't said our world, could it be this was the human Elektra had spoken of?
"I see, you are very well informed for a human."
"I want Major Jasper Whitlock."
"Really? And you think I have him?"
"Yes I do"
"And what do you have to offer in return?"
Caius was shaking his head violently but I put up a hand to calm him as she spoke again,
"The Cullens, at least Edward and Carlisle. I understand you need leverage to get them to Italy. I can give you that leverage. What do you say?"
I wasn't sure quite what to say.
"What leverage?"
"My sworn statement in front of witnesses of their law breaking."
"Why would you do that?"
"To get The Major released. Do we have a bargain?"
"I have to ask what makes you think that if you travel here and give your statement that we wont just keep you here?"
"Your word Aro. I feel you are a man who takes oaths seriously."
She had me there, I was very careful never to give my oath about anything, it cramped my style too much.
"Besides, I thought it might be agreeable to you than asking you to travel here, where you have enemies. Are you willing to give me your word you will allow me to leave with The Major if I come? I need the word of your brothers too."
So she was more careful than I expected, Caius was scowling and shaking his head but Marcus looked thoughtful.
"Miss Swan, do you have enough evidence to persuade our world of the Cullens law breaking?"
"Yes, me."
So one of the Cullens had exposed himself to the humans, this was better than I expected.
"Then yes I give you my word Miss Swan. My name is Marcus Volturi, I am Aro's co ruler."
"Thank you Marcus. And your brothers?"
"Very well, you have my word Miss Swan."
"Thank you Aro, what about your brother Caius? I understand this is difficult for him, there being bad blood between him and The Major but I must insist on his agreement too."
"If you persuade our witnesses of the veracity of your words then yes, I too will agree. But any hesitation and he remains where he belongs."
"Don't threaten me Caius, it makes me nervous and I'm likely to do some damage if I feel threatened. I'll fly in tomorrow evening, have someone waiting to pick me up."
She rang off and Caius called to Felix,
"Come here and bring Jane with you."
Marcus
I knew Caius would rather lose his wife than The Major again but he would be outvoted and out gunned by Aro and myself if this Miss Swan was able to deliver the Cullens into our hands. The longer Carlisle was out in the human world and taking chances with his "family" the more nervous we became. It would take only one slip and our world would be exposed to the humans and put at terrible risk but we had never been able to prove he had broken any laws, until now, so we couldn't afford to pass up on this possibility of doing so.
The next problem was finding out from Caius exactly what had happened to The Major. The plan had been to bring him here if it were at all possible, Caius was just waiting to get his own back for past humiliations although personally I thought he stood very little chance even here with a weakened Major. To our knowledge The Major had not been brought here although I could understand Aro's reluctance to pass this on to our mystery caller. Felix and Jane came in and stood before us looking slightly nervous and I knew whatever happened couldn't be good.
"Felix, you were in command of the party that went to check on the warriors after Elektra's words and I understand you found The Major in a weakened state. Who did you speak to when you rang Volterra?"
"I didn't. It was my decision to capture him and bring him to Volterra."
"Yet there is no sign of him here so I assume your decision was overridden by someone else?"
"Yes. Caius contacted me with new orders and I carried them out but unwillingly."
"Really?"
That sounded ominous, if Felix wasn't happy with his orders they musty have been even more cruel than usual.
"Do I understand that you Jane went behind Felix back? Speaking to Caius and receiving new orders?"
She looked uncomfortable, she knew I didn't like to be the only one out of the loop although looking at Marcus I understood he too had no idea what Caius had ordered.
"If The Major is not here in Volterra then I suggest someone tells us where he is. Not forgetting that we have our caller coming and she will expect to see him here."
I waited for an answer while Jane glanced first at Caius then Felix but neither seemed in any hurry to enlighten us.
"Jane?"
"Still at the ranch"
"I'm sorry? Are you saying that The Major is at the ranch? The same ranch where you found him? I may appear slightly bemused but if he is there why is this Miss Swan so sure we have him here in Volterra?"