Chapter 28 - Alice's POV

I had lied to Jasper before but I didn't like doing it, one the Volturi decided we were going I had only a moment with him before Alec hauled him off to exchange him for Edward. I told him that everything would be alright. I was telling myself it wasn't really a lie more a delusion of confidence. In the most recent vision there had finally been the face of a vampire present. Aro had instantly recognized him and sent for some others to discuss strategy. When Alec had left with Jasper I allowed my mind to wander trying to see anything more, the room they were keeping Athendora in was bright enough with stone walls and floor. There were no furnishings not even a chair. Not that vampires needed to sit but standing in one place can become boring.

It looked as though a large number of the guard were preparing to leave on this mission, Caius had voiced his opinion that he would go and Aro had agreed. It looked like Demetri, Alec, Brendan, Christian, Chelsea & Afton were going along with Edward and myself and some others that I didn't know. It looked like a little less than twenty would be going but with the talents they possessed there was a certainty that the fight would fall to our favour. Alec and Edward appeared through the doors of the chamber Edward making it immediately to my side. "Are they alright?.... I know Jasper is worried. I haven't seen anything bad happening to them while we are gone" Edward nodded to me reading the thoughts in my mind. He and I were practiced at this form of communication having had unspoken arguments and conversations for years. The preparations were developing quickly the commotion in the hall was a humm of activity nobody gave much thought to either of us. A vision entered my mind a moment later.... and I sensed Edward tense beside me. Jane had just entered the city. "Edward? what do we do?" I asked as I heard him clear his throat I waited to see what his reaction would be. At that moment Alec called the room to attention announcing our departure.

"Aro" Edward called toward the ancients gathered toward the center of the room. "Yes Edward? is there something you require?"

Edward and I walked toward the group. "No, thank you however there is something you may be interested in." Aro cocked his head to one side "Jane has just entered the city, and I was under the impression you wanted her for this mission I suggest we delay our departure for a few minutes if that is the case."

Aro raised his eyebrow quizzically glancing toward Marcus and Caius. "That is indeed good news, Alec see to it that your sister be greeted. We will of course await her arrival."

Edward walked back to where we had been standing against a wall under one of the long tall windows. I heard him whisper quickly and quietly "I don't want her anywhere near Bella and Jasper I hope you understand they have enough to deal with since Felix is staying here." I suppose Edward had read that information from someone's mind so I didn't argue. "I understand completely Edward but the fact is she's a pint sized witch that gives me the creeps" He wrapped one arm around my shoulder whispering "Who are you calling pint sized?" He grinned at me.

The look on Jane's face when she saw Edward and I was enough to give anyone the heebie-jeebies. She instantly went into close quarters conversation with Alec. Edward told me she was getting the whole story before we were all shuttled off to the airport in black SUV's. It felt so Mafia like the dark tinted windows the faceless occupants. Edward let out a chuckle at me obviously in response to my humming the mission impossible theme.

"Do you have any idea on where we are going Edward?" I had had the vision but nobody was keeping me up on the logistics of the operation. "Romania" Edward said matter of factly, but one of the vampires in the front seat took it as a question. "Yeah, Romania, the Romanians have been after us for over a thousand years for what they call crimes that we were responsible for. Blood sucking bastards gave us all bad names taking young girls turning them into immortal concubines and the like. They've been trying to get revenge for years" His British accent sounded weird coming from his mouth, most vampires tried to acclimate to their surroundings dropping accents as soon as they were able. Edward wasn't paying attention looking past me out the window. If he was thinking what I was thinking his heart was aching because all I could think of was Jasper.

The flight to Romania was uneventful although the murderous glares that Jane passed between Edward and I were getting slightly annoying since I was getting numerous visions of her killing us in a multitude of ways. It had been obvious since we boarded the plane that Jane had been completely filled in on our presence by Alec. I'm sure Edward would pull me out of the way if she suddenly decided to dismember me in the plane.

When we landed on a rickety old airstrip in northern Romania Edward was able to, with his remedial Romanian calm down the lone radar keeper at the field that we were there on business and there was no need to involve the police. I think Jane was annoyed because she didn't get to kill him instantly. Caius glared at Edward finally saying "No, he's right... no need to draw attention with our presence." I don't think old Caius knew what to make of Edward, or me for that matter. He seemed to be warming up to us since my visions and Edward's honesty seemed to be valid. We all walked off the airfield and ran toward our destination Demetri keeping Edward and I where he could see us.

If you have ever seen the movie Bram Stokers Dracula the place we ended up would remind you of that castle, only slightly more creepy. We arrived at the base of a hill with a thin winding path leading us to 'Dracula's Lair'. Edward chuckled at me as I recounted my first viewing of the movie having jumped out of my seat and practically onto Jasper's head in a crowded theatre.

God I missed that man.... I had looked for him a few times on the plane catching small glimpses of him making un-noteworthy decisions about checking on Bella and that sort of thing. Knowing Jasper he was making extremely firm decisions so I could see him better.

As we came to the base of the castle Caius ordered the guard to spread out to cover the entrances. He kept Edward close "So what do you hear mind reader?" Edward looked uncomfortable knowing what the volturi planned for these people.

"I can only find the mind of one person and that's Athendora" Edward was shocked.

"What do you mean she's the only one there? Is this some sort of joke??!" Caius snapped at him.

"Wait.... there are two more trying to escape fifty meters from the north east corner of the building they are underground, a tunnel of some sort they think they are free and clear, they are slowing down." I spoke seeing them in my vision nearing the end of the tunnel." They were going to find them anyway Edward as least now it looks like my visions are useful to the volturi" I thought to Edward and he gave a casual nod."Demitri, Jane, Alec find them" Caius ordered, turning to Edward he asked "Where is she?" Edward led the procession following her thoughts into a small interior room of the castle. The door was another matter concrete reinforced six inch thick steel door. If only Emmett were here.