The Volturi
***Jasper's point of view***
I was surprised how things had turned out with the Volturi. Aro was calm and listened to Carlisle and we ended the whole debate without bloodshed or even a fight. After Carlisle had explained all about Victoria, Bella, the armies, and Alec, we all retired into the manor to discuss our options.
I was extremely displeased with Aro's interest in Bella but she kept us protected from all of their gifts. I was astounded that she was even able to protect me from Aro's touch.
Even weirder was Jane's preoccupation with the wolves. She was always around them, and she wasn't even using her powers. I had thought she was sweet on the little wolves Brady and Colin but I kept my thoughts to myself. I wasn't in a hurry to know if Bella could protect me from Jane.
I didn't want to admit it to her, but I was afraid to train Bella. I knew she was calm and even tempered, not at all like a regular newborn but I feared that her instinct would kick in during the battle and she would begin to fight like a newborn. Someone that Victoria could easily destroy. I concentrated my efforts into training her. I wanted her to rely on strategy not strength.
The only part of training I had trouble with was when it was time for her to test her shield. I did not worry about Kate or Zafrina, not even Alec or Ben but I felt my cool mask slipping when she faced Jane. On the outside I kept my stoic demeanor, played off cool indifference but inside I was fearful and angry for my mate's safety. I worried that Jane would be able to distract Bella enough to get passed her shield and I never wanted my sweet angel to know how it felt to be on the receiving end of Jane's sadistic smirk.
I felt the growl building in my chest throughout the whole ordeal but I fought to be civil to our guests. Everything was going great. Bella was easily over powering Jane. Jane's whole defense and attack plan was her power; she was useless against someone who was immune to her talent. Jane was a novice fighter at best, while Bella possessed a natural talent.
Bella was just about to claim victory when Felix and Demetri stepped into the ring. Several snarls erupted from those who surrounded the ring. One was obviously mine, the others coming from my brothers and Jacob and surprisingly my sister Rosalie.
Rosalie had always kept a careful distance from Bella, since the return of Alice, but not because she was jealous as everyone believed. Rosalie was the most insecure person I had ever met, her greatest fear was to open up and allow someone in. She didn't want to be hurt by someone she trusted ever again. The only person she ever truly let in was Emmett, not even our parents, Carlisle or Esme could breach her walls.
Rosalie had always felt a deep sorrow towards Bella. Perhaps she knew that Bella would not be with Edward forever, he would either kill her or leave her, or get her killed. She had once confided to me that Bella wouldn't last either through an accident or the decay of time. She feared to love Bella because she knew she would lose Bella at some point.
It was Edward that led to the separation that Rosalie had so feared but even though she had kept Bella outside the fortress that was her emotions she still felt the same loss that Alice felt, the loss of a friend and sister. Even though she acted as if she didn't care, Rosalie couldn't hide from herself or me.
These last few weeks they had pretended to be politely indifferent to each other but they had both come to love and respect the other even if they remained wary. I could feel Rosalie's fierce protectiveness pouring out and before I could diffuse the situation she had sprung into the ring in defense of her sister and was issuing a low warning growl.
Demetri stepped back, putting his hands up in a sign of surrender. Felix also moved back and stood up out of his crouch, to show he did not plan to attack.
"We were just trying to see if the shield would drop if she wasn't totally focused. We honestly meant no harm. We simply wished to know how strong the shield was." Demetri had a soft pleasant voice and he even attempted to smile at the end of his speech but it looked like he was unused to it making it seem more forced and uncomfortable than friendly.
I stopped growling and everyone but Jacob followed my example. He continued to snarl and snap his teeth. He turned his head towards Edward and began to nod as well as a wolf was able.
"He says that the next time, you will announce that you are using more people or notify us of a surprise tactic or we will rip you all to shreds and ask questions later." Edward's voice had gone harsh and low.
"Once again we apologize, it won't happen again. We meant no harm to her or any of you." Demetri still had his hands in the air to show surrender and Felix nodded fervently. I laughed inwardly, Demetri seemed to fear lowering his hands, he was afraid that to do so would give us the signal to attack.
The standoff lasted another few minutes until Carlisle and Aro arrived, sensing the distress surrounding the air around us. Carlisle quickly brought our side under control, his calm demeanor and disapproving look had quieted even Jacob's fiery temper.
Aro spoke sternly to Felix and Demetri and gave Jane a literal slap on the wrist. Her broken-hearted expression was enough to convince me that she was actually sorry and wouldn't let it happen again.
I was surprised that Jane seemed to truly care for Aro and wanted his approval, much how I wanted Carlisle approval. It was odd, the whole group was off. They were cold and unfeeling most of the time. Except Jane and Aro, they had a genuine affection for one and other. I found it a little disturbing that the two most sadistic vampires in existence loved each other.
I knew that a good portion of the guard served under Chelsea's control but to think some of them truly enjoyed their jobs was sickening. Even while serving in the Southern Wars I had never truly enjoyed it, I had never loved it.
I knew she loved Alec as well but she had sided against him because Aro loved and encouraged her to be bad, spoiling her and letting her get away with everything. Alec had tried to curb her sadistic side and she rebelled against him for it. Alec was truly horrified by what they had done now that he was no longer serving loyally because of Chelsea.
I guess there really is someone for everyone. Aro loved Jane more than his own wife. It was obvious that he loved her because she was powerful and as loyal as she was to him. Only I knew he would trade her for someone more powerful, it was really very sad. Aro's love would only last as long as Jane was the best and most useful. Aro's wife only had a parlor trick for a power. I am actually not sure why he kept her around. Aro and Jane are quite a pair, a match made in hell.
I knew they were doing us a favor by helping us and it made me distrust them even more. Aro would want something in return, or someone. Bella kept her shield extended to all of our allies at all times. She kept them protected from all of the Volturi's gifts, especially Chelsea's.
She refused to allow Chelsea the chance to affect their loyalty. I had been pondering this the whole way back to our room. I had sat near the window and when I looked up I found Bella studying me. She gave me her wicked smile and I knew she was trying to distract me. I was instantly aware that she was planning something. I was just about to ask her what, when she shook her head and told me to wait.
"Not out loud! Not here." echoed through my mind. Bella took my hand and led me towards our little sanctuary; once we were inside I heard her murmur "Now" in my head.
"I am going to free them all. I am slowly placing them under my shield. Once they are under it Chelsea's gift no longer affects them, I am doing it slowly for two reasons: so she doesn't get suspicious and tell Aro and so that I don't drive them insane but just breaking all their bonds. I put her under first so she isn't aware that she is no longer controlling the bonds. She can't feel them and is currently unaware that I have her gift trapped in her own mind. She is only affecting herself. The bonds will slowly break by themselves and then they are free. Much like Alec she will never be able to control them again.
"Come here my little evil genius." I wrapped her in my arms and placed a kiss on top of her head.
"Some of them are really loyal or indifferent but a lot of them are being forced to serve. When I am done only the ones who wish to serve will have to return to Volterra. In the elite guard only Caius, Jane, and Chelsea are actually loyal, the others are being controlled."
"Marcus is being held by Chelsea?" I was astounded. Surely Aro respected his co-rulers more than that.
"Marcus is not a true Volturi leader. He is Dagda, unlike most of the others. He is actually a brother to Carlisle, they have the same maker. Marcus had wished long ago to leave with his mate, Aro's sister Didyme. When Aro learned of this plan he devised a plan to keep Marcus by murdering his sister. It worked for a while but Marcus still planned to leave. Aro wouldn't allow his powerful brother-in-law to leave after putting so much effort into keeping him. Luckily for Aro, he had sent out Eleazar with a tracking party, they found Chelsea and brought her back. Aro was delighted and immediately put her to use, trapping his brother-in-law. I guess Eleazar was so disgusted that he left the Volturi; Aro let him go but only as long as he kept his silence about what Aro was doing. After that Aro called on Chelsea whenever someone he really wanted wouldn't voluntarily join him." Bella explained she had found all this in their minds.
I was shocked that everything that I knew about the Volturi was based on a lie. I almost laughed at my own gullibility. I knew how power hungry Aro was, this treachery should not surprise me at all. I can't believe I didn't suspect it sooner. I felt a profound outrage for Marcus, being held against his will for several centuries. It was against everything the Volturi was supposed to protect against; it was also against everything the Arazil stood for, our very motto was to be strong, fierce, and free.
Marcus no longer possessed any of those qualities thanks to Aro. I came to the realization that the Volturi were no longer worthy of leadership and hadn't been for a long time. We needed a better form of government that wasn't so inherently corrupted.
As I gazed into Bella's eyes, I discovered that the knowledge I had just uncovered had been clear to her all along and together we would reform the vampire royalty, the beginning would be to free Marcus.
