EDWARD

I was sure that it would be pretty easy to convince Jasper to allow me to have a private word with his pet, even with his sudden change of mind about the current situation. All I really had to do was remind him who truly owned his pet and what I was prepared to do if he didn't willingly let me see her.

I was, of course, extremely disappointed about his switch to Alice's side. He was my favorite brother after all and I loved him very much. I really didn't want to have to fight him, but if he was going to side with Alice on this, then he'd just have to accept the consequences of that.

I really hoped that he didn't think that I was going to listen to anything that he had to say on the subject, because there was no way in hell that I was going to let him or anyone talk my out of this lifestyle.

It's like I've been telling Rosalie and Alice for years, I like what I've become and what I do. Nothing anyone says or does is going to change that. Everyone just needed to accept that and get over it, or leave.

I, of course, didn't want them to leave. They were my family and I loved them very much, but if they couldn't accept what I had become and just let me be, then they had no business being here. That's how I've felt since the very first time Rosalie and Alice tried to challenge me.

I sighed as I headed toward my study. These next few months were going to be extremely difficult for me. It was hard enough that Rose and Alice forced me to fight with them every day, but now I was going to be going head to head with my brother, the one sibling, other than Alice, that I had been closest to, just as often. I would stand my ground no matter what, though. This was who I was and no one, not even my family, was going to change that.

Mike Newton was waiting for me in my study when I arrived. He had become, for lack of a better term, my lapdog over the past few years. He did everything that I said without question and treated me with the respect that I demanded from my slaves. I suppose one could consider him my slave, just with a slightly elevated status.

I treated him with a respect that I would never give any of the humans brought to this place. He could, of course, do what he wanted when I didn't have any jobs for him. And he didn't have to get down on his hands and knees for me. He was a vampire after all, even if he was one with lower status than me.

He, of course, did everything that I wanted willingly. I was sure that he knew the only reason why he was still around was, because I still found him useful. He was determined to keep me thinking that he was useful, so that I wouldn't have him destroyed.

"Good morning, Edward." he said with a smile.

His eyes were a very deep blood red today. It was probably that last remnants of the meal that I had allowed him, Jessica, and Lauren to have last night. I was surprised, though, because one human wouldn't change his eye color that much. I mean they only time I had ever seen that dark of a red was when the Volturi used to have their massacres.

I tried to get a look into his mind to find out what else he did last night, but all he was thinking about was how much fun he, Jessica, and Lauren had with those three girls last night.

I sighed and walked over to my desk.

"Good morning, Mike." I said as I sat down. "Would you please go and find Jasper for me? Tell him that I have a favor to ask of him."

"Of course, sir." Mike bowed his head and walked out of the room leaving me to consider the best way to do this.

ALICE

Rosalie, Jasper, Bella and I talked for a long time after we made our pact. I told Bella about how I had chosen Ben to be the one to take care of Kari because of his gift as well as the fact that he was most trusted by Edward. It gave him much better access to her, than even Bella herself had. I told her that I trusted Ben with my life and was glad to hear that she trusted my judgment.

It hadn't taken me long to realize that, even in the little bit of time that Kari had been here; Bella had come to think of her like a daughter. I hadn't heard her talk about anyone the way she was talking about Kari since the day Nessie died. I didn't think that it was in the slightest bit odd, though. I mean, I had come to regard Kenzi as my daughter within hours of her being brought here. It was just sort of an instinct that took over the minute I saw her. I could tell at that point that it had been the same for Bella, especially with how much Kari looked and acted like Nessie.

I supposed it was a good thing that we had Bella on our side right now. I somehow felt that with Bella here it was going to be easier for us to break Edward down. Especially since Bella was most definitely going to have the mother who could lift a car off her child thing going on? Even if Kari wasn't her real child.

I went on to tell Bella about the rest of the coven members who were on our side. None of them could be as open about it as we were, though. Edward had every right to kill them if they did. That was why the Cullens would take care of the physical fight, while the rest of the coven worked behind the scenes, doing what they could to keep the girls safe, healthy, and cared for.

I explained my vision to Bella in as much detail as possible. Which was extremely hard because it was all just crazy flashes, you know. I told her that I was sure it all boiled down to Kari being the one who was going to somehow save Edward. I just wasn't sure how, yet.

Bella then told us about everything that she had been doing for Edward's girls over the years. She explained that she would feed them and tend to their wounds when Edward refused to allow them to see McIntyre. She even did their chores for them when they were to sore and weak from a punishment.

I had to admit, even with her lying about it, I was quite proud of the thing that she had accomplished. She managed to take care of everyone of Edward's pets since the beginning without anyone, including the psychic or the mind reader, ever figuring it out. It was definitely something that I was sure none of us would've been able to accomplish.

We spent the rest of the night talking about more ways that we could come up with to help Edward and even Kari. We didn't come up with much. It was just one of those things that you had to let play out on its own. Kari was the only one who was going to be able to save Edward, and she had to be left alone to do it. The only thing that we could really have Ben do was ensure that she lived long enough to do what she needed to do. However, none of us just wanted to leave her with the sharks.

It was almost eight o'clock in the morning when we finally decided that we should split up. The feast had long been over and we were running a huge risk of getting caught.

We walked out of the room, to go our separate ways, and found Kenzi slumped against the wall, asleep. I smiled then looked at Jasper. I was a little worried that he was going to yell at her or even punish her for falling asleep on the job. Jasper simply smiled and shook his head.

He then walked back into the room and came out with a pillow and our comforter. He handed me the pillow and wrapped her in the comforter before picking her up bridal style. We said goodbye to Rose and Bella, then I followed Jasper toward Kenzi's room.

He carried her down the hall with all the love and care of a father. I was truly shocked by his gentleness. I was sure that getting him back to this was going to take a very long time. He even ignored all of the bewildered and disgusted stares that he received from the rest of the coven as we walked to her room.

When we got there, I opened the door for him and laid the pillow on Kenzi's mattress. He slowly lowered her to the mattress and made sure she was all tucked in. Then, in the most surprising gesture of the night, he smoothed her hair from her face and kissed her forehead.

I was floored by his actions, but decided that it was best that I not say anything. I didn't want him to think that I didn't have any faith in his ability to change. We left Kenzi's room and headed back to ours.

We were silent while we walked and I ended up getting lost in my thoughts and fears. I was almost positive that Jasper and Bella had been completely honest about their little meetings over the years. Sure, I had no doubt that they talked and were there for each other, but I was pretty sure that they had been doing a great deal more than simply talking.

I wanted to question him about the whole situation, but I didn't want to sound like a bitch that didn't trust her husband. He told me what was going on. I should just believe him and let it go, but I had this strange sinking feeling that there was way more to it than what they had told me.

I knew that he could feel the feelings of hurt and worry that were pouring off of me and part of me hoped that he would address the subject. At least that way we could talk and I'd be off the hook, but he didn't say anything as we walked back down the hallway.

I found myself wondering how I would feel if I was right. I guess I would feel hurt and betrayed, maybe a little angry, but could I forgive them both? My initial answer was, of course, no. However, after thinking about it a little longer, I realized that maybe I could.

I had to look at the whole thing from there points of view. Both of the marriages had, at one point, been going downhill and both were left with a great need for passion and intimacy. I'm not going to lie; this whole thing had affected mine and Jasper's sex life. And the entire coven knew that Bella and Edward's marriage was in shambles. It would only make since that these two would pair off and try to take care of each other, in any way they could.

I understood and could forgive them for all of that. What I wouldn't be able to forgive was if they continued lying to me about it. I mean, if one of them would just say that we've been having an affair for four years now, because we needed that outlet, but it's over now, I could forgive them. However, I wouldn't be able to forgive them if they continued to try to tell me that nothing more than talking was going on between them and I find out it was more than that later.

Jasper didn't say anything the entire walk down the hall. It wasn't until we got back to the room and he pulled me into his lap and wrapped his arms around me that he finally addressed my feelings.

"I know what you're feeling and thinking." he said in my ear resting his head on my shoulder. "And you're wrong. There's nothing like that between Bella and I. I swear. We both just needed someone who we could talk to, who wouldn't judge us. Someone who wouldn't try to push the others opinions and beliefs on us." I opened my mouth to defend myself, but he put a finger to my lips. "I'm not saying anything bad about you, but it would've been unfair to expect something like that out of you, baby. Especially with how fiercely you fought against what I did. If you allowed me to vent about the things that I was feeling, you would've forever felt like you betrayed the girls you fought so hard for. I could never ask that of you. But Bella, she needed me as much as I needed her at the time. She vented and I vented. Neither gave nor asked for advice. That's not what we needed. We just needed someone to listen and validate our feelings. And that's what we did for each other."

"So that's all she is to you? Just a confidant?" I asked trying not to sound angry or accusing.

"Well, she's a bit more than that." Jasper said and my heart dropped into my stomach. "Relax." he whispered. "I was going to say that she's my friend and sister. Someone that I care about and hate to see hurt. I wish that I was able to knock some sense into Edward for her. I hate seeing her going through this shit. And yes, I do love her, Alice. But it's nothing compared to the way I love you." He grabbed my chin and made me look at him. "Do you believe me?"

I stared into his eyes for a long moment, trying to find the hint of lie in them. Yet, all I could see was nothing but love and sincerity deep in them. And his words, they were so sincere, loving and passionate that I found myself wondering how I could've ever doubted him in the first place.

I realized looking into his eyes that there was absolutely no way he was having an affair with my sister. It was stupid of me to even consider the idea. This was my Jasper. My husband, lover, and mate. The man that I spent years searching for and the one who helped me survive the last five decades. He was my all, my everything, my savior, and the man I loved most in the world. And I could see in his eyes that I was every one of those things for him too. I couldn't believe that I had ever doubted him.

"I do." I whispered, ignoring the sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach. I then closed the distance between our lips.

I kissed him hard and with as much intensity as I could. I tried to show him just how sorry I was in that one kiss. He responded with the same amount of intensity as he accepted the apology. Not breaking the kiss, I straddled him and pushed him back on the bed. He moaned and started unbuttoning my shirt. Eager for a repeat of two nights ago, I fumbled with his belt.

He had just started working on my bra when the song Lean on Me started playing from my dresser. I groaned and rolled off of Jasper. I was just getting off the bed when he grabbed my wrist.

"Just ignore it." he told me.

"I can't." I said pulling my wrist away. "It's Tanya. I have to make sure that nothing's wrong."

Jasper sighed, but didn't say anything. He knew there were more important things at stake right now than just our sex life. I walked to the dresser and flipped open the phone without even looking at the ID.

"Hey Tanya, what's up?" I asked.

"Hi Alice." she responded in a very subdued tone. I could tell right then and there that there was something wrong. "Do you think that you and Rosalie could come to the Seattle safe house, like now?"

"Why?" I asked, the sickeningly feeling in my stomach getting ten times worse. "What happened?"

"I don't know how, but someone found it." Tanya continued. "Carmen and Eleazar went to check on them this morning. You know, to make sure the food shipment made it and everything." My heart dropped into my stomach as Tanya's voice started cracking. "It was a massacre. Blood and bodies everywhere. None of them stood a chance."

"Were there any survivors?" I asked wishing now more than ever that I could cry.

"None that we know of, yet." Tanya told me. I could hear in the tone of her voice that she was trying desperately to keep it together. "Kate is doing a body count to see if everyone's here. God, I hope they didn't take any captives."

"So do I." I whispered. 'But how did they find the place?"

"I don't know, Alice, I don't know. Eleazar and Carmen went out to see if they could catch the scent of whoever it was."

"Good." I told her. "Rosalie isn't going to be very happy about this, but will be there in an hour. We'll find somewhere to bury them and say a few words. I wish we could contact their families, but that would be too dangerous for us. We can't risk the exposure."

"I know." Tanya sighed. "Alice, I'm sorry."

"Yeah, me too." I sighed and flipped the phone shut.

I found that this news made me angrier than I had been in years. How the hell did vampires find the place anyway? Only the Denalis, Rosalie, and myself now about the safe houses. We, of course, just told Bella and Jasper about them, but there wasn't enough time between them finding out and the massacre for them to tell anyone about it. So who the hell told?

I threw my cell phone at the opposite wall and screamed in frustration. How the hell could I have let this happen to them? I promised that I'd protect them, but I didn't. They all died anyway. And if any didn't, they'd soon be begging for death.

I just stood there shaking with fear, anger and sadness as the phone, literally shattered against the wall. If I had been human, I honestly would've thought that I had been dreaming. There was just no way that this could be true.

The safe houses were supposed to be full proof. They were supposed to be the one place that the girls would be safe no matter what.

Was nothing sacred to these damned monsters anymore? Why couldn't they just let me have this one bit of hope for some of the girls? Why did they have to shatter everything that I had ever believed in?

It didn't take me long to realize that I had spent months asking myself the same questions after Nessie was taken from us. God, I hated irony.

I dropped to my knees, unable to stand any longer - which definitely unusual for a vampire - and let out a strangled dry sob. Why was this happening to us? Were we being punished for not stopping Edward before it got this far?

I wasn't down there for more than a second or so, before Jasper wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close to his chest. I buried my face in his neck and tried desperately to force out the tears that I knew would never come.

"It's not your fault." Jasper whispered.

"It doesn't matter." I replied. "I failed them. I promised to protect them and I failed them."

"No, honey you didn't." Jasper whispered. "You may not have been able to save them from death, but you protected them from years of horrible torture and pain."

He was right. As much as I didn't want to admit it to myself and to spend the rest of my life feeling guilty about not being able to save these girls' lives, I knew Jasper spoke the truth. It was horrible that I couldn't save them from death, no matter how badly I wanted to, but I did save them from a great deal of pain and humiliation. At least this way, it was quick and painless for them.

I just hoped that all of them got the quick and painless deaths. I didn't want to even consider the possibility that the attackers had taken captives. That would've just made the whole thing more difficult for the Denalis, Rose, and I.

'I know I just wish that they didn't have to die." I responded into his chest, knowing that he could hear me perfectly fine. "And what if they did take captives? That would be terrible."

"I know, sweetie, I know." he whispered stroking my hair and rocking me. "It's a shitty situation and I wish there was something that we could've done. But judging by Tanya's tone, I really doubt that there was anything we could've done. Hell, if we fought, we probably would've ended up dead too. Then where would that leave the others?"

I sighed. Once again, I knew he was right. I just hated the fact that more perfectly innocent girls were dying because of our assoholic brother and his inability to deal with his issues in a constructive manner. I knew I could never hate him, but I really hated what he had become and what it was doing to me, the family, and the rest of the world, mostly those beautiful, defenseless, innocent girls.

"I know." I whispered.

"I'm sorry." he told me after a minute. "I know how much protecting them means to you. I wish there was something that we could've done."

"Thank you, Jasper."

He held me for a long moment as we both fell silent to honor those poor girls. The moment lasted longer than was normally expected, because I didn't want to move. I knew what I would have to do when I did. I couldn't put it off forever, though.

"I need to go get, Rose." I sighed pushing myself away from him. "Tanya and the others need help with the clean-up."

"Do you want me to come with you?" Jasper asked.

I was surprised by the offer. I knew that he was changing and all, but it was happening faster than I thought possible. I was sure, though that this one had a little more to do with that fact that he thought I needed him, than with his change of opinion. Whatever the reason, though, I knew I had to decline. Jasper was needed here.

"As much as I would like that, you need to stay here." I told him. "Someone's got to keep an eye on Edward. I'm not sure how far he'll go to hurt Kari, and since, he knows that Kenzi's her sister; I can't take the chance of him getting his hands on her. I need you here to keep her safe."

"You're right." he answered. "We can't take that chance. I'll do everything I can to keep him away from her."

"I know you will." I smiled. "You should, also find Bella and get her up to speed. She can help you keep an eye on Kenzi too."

I mentally cringed at the idea of leaving them alone together, but, as always, there were more important things, than our marriages or love lives.

"Okay." he answered and helped me to stand. "I'm so sorry this happened, baby, I really am."

"I know you are."

"I love you." he told me and kissed me hard on the lips.

"I love you too." I responded breaking the kiss before either of us could get too distracted.

I, then, walked out the door, without turning back. I didn't want to give myself a reason not to go and do what needed to be done.

I sighed as I walked down the hall, past a sneering Mike Newton. I briefly wondered what the hell he was so smug about before praying that whatever was going to happen between Kari and Edward would happen soon. I wasn't sure how much more of this my heart could take.

EDWARD

I wasn't alone for more than five minutes before Jasper walked in the door. I noticed that he was wearing the same thing that he had been the night before. I briefly wondered what he had been doing that would cause him to forget to change his clothes before taking in his appearance.

I could tell the moment that he came into the room that he wasn't happy. His lips were set in a very thin line and his arms wear crossed over his chest. He was actually staring at me like he was going to kill me. Honestly, if he weren't my brother, I would've been scared of his expression. His eyes were almost completely black. Which I could understand to be from anger and not thirst. He had fed not more than seventy two hours ago. Great, things were definitely off to a wonderful start.

I tried to get inside his head to figure out exactly what had angered him so much, but all I got were images of his and Alice's latest and very passionate night of sex. I sighed and rolled my eyes at his tactics.

Normally, I would've made a comment about him blocking me in a more tasteful manner next time. However, that was a comment for a time when this family shared everything and not one of us ever tried to keep a secret. Things were different now. I was lucky if I was able to have an honest conversation that involved me knowing exactly what they were thinking anymore. I honestly didn't think that the new way of doing things promoted any kind of humor.

"You wanted to see me?" Jasper asked, before I really had a chance to say anything at all. He walked over and sat in the chair in front of my desk without even being invited. I didn't say anything, though, because that was just Jasper.

"Yes, I did." I answered unsure of exactly how to phrase my request.

"Well, I'm here, so what do you want?" he asked in an apathetic tone.

I, once again, wondered exactly what had happened that had pissed him off so much. I mean, Jasper was usually a little more cordial toward me, even when we disagreed on things. Now, he was being almost rude.

His attitude made my decision for me. If he didn't want to be polite to me, especially when I had nothing to do with whatever had made him so angry; I wasn't going to go out of my way to be polite to him either. In fact, I was just going to tell him like it is.

"I want to have a private conversation with your pet." I stated definitely.

I studied his expression for the second before he answered. I didn't think that it was possible, but his eyes got darker and his lips got thinner. I was sure that even his breathing picked up a little - something that was almost unheard of for vampires. I would've been afraid, but there was nothing he could've done to me. I was the head of this family and the larger coven and if he attacked me, the coven would defend my honor. He knew that as well as I did.

"And why's that?" he finally asked as he continued to glare at me.

"I'd like to question her about my pet's past." I told him.

I didn't elaborate and allowed him the chance to consider those words. I listened to his thoughts as the slowly clicked into place. I was amused to see him go from angry to infuriated in three point one seconds.

"So, let me get this straight. You want me to allow you to interrogate Kenzi, so that you can find out exactly what Thomas Mason did to Kari after their mother died. Is that correct?"

"Exactly."

"Now, IF I allow you to talk to her, what exactly would you do if she refused to give you the information?"

I mentally chuckled at his emphasis on the word if. It amused me that he actually thought that I was going to give him a choice. I wanted to hurt Pet too much to allow an opportunity like this to slip through my fingers. I was going to make sure that I had that girl.

"Well, Jasper, WHEN you allow her to talk to me, I'll do everything that I have to do to get her to talk. Even if it means I have to beat the information out of her." I answered a little smugly.

He chuckled at me and I could see only amusement in his eyes now. I heard his defense before he even had it completely together, but I didn't say anything. I wanted him to think that he was onto something.

"Well, Edward, if you did that, by your own rule, I'd have the option to punish you. She's been marked as mine and you have no right to lay a hand on my property. Didn't you say that when you made up all your new and stupid laws?" he replied.

"You're right." I shrugged. "I did say that when I made up that law, but you are forgetting one very important part of it."

"And what's that?"

"The part that states when it comes to the purchase of a human, the vampire who purchased the human is the true owner, regardless of who has marked them." I explained even smugger than before. "And I do believe that I was the one who spent four thousand dollars on the worthless wench three years ago." I reminded him.

He flinched at the reminder.

"I can't believe you would sink so low." he said in pure anger. "You would seriously throw the fact that she was a gift back in my face, just because it benefitted you. You would've never even brought it up if it you didn't want something."

"You're right." I answered with a smile. "I wouldn't have, but seeing as I always get what I want; I have to do what I have to do, even if it means throwing this gift back in your face. This gives you two choices; allow me to speak to her alone and without any problems. Or watch go straight to her room, punish her for your refusal, then force the answers out of her. But no matter which way we do it, I will get the information that I'm looking for."

"What happened to you, Edward?" he asked shaking his head. "You used to be one of the sweetest gentlest people that I've known. Human or vampire. You used to live in peace with the humans and ignore every instinct that told you to hurt or kill. Now, look at you. You're raping and abusing innocent girls. You kill without a second thought. And you do all of this with no regard to anyone else, but yourself. It's disgusting."

Anger flared inside me and I had to fight hard to control it. Jasper was my brother, after all, and I really didn't want to hurt him. His words, however, were pissing me off. Where the hell did he get off preaching to me about what I had become? Not even two days ago, he was acting just like me. And now, he was standing there talking like Alice. It was way too hypocritical for my tastes.

"Oh, Jasper, don't give me that holier-than-thou shit!" I nearly yelled. "Up until last night, you had no problem with the things that I was doing. In fact, you were right there with me while I was doing them. You enjoyed it every bit as much as I did, but now, Alice has somehow managed to get to you and you think that makes you better than me. Well, guess what, it doesn't. It just makes you pussy whipped."

He let out a humorless laugh and took a couple steps back from me. I couldn't be sure if he was keeping his distance to protect himself from me or to keep from hitting me himself. Whatever the reason, I was grateful. I didn't want to get physical with him.

"First of all, I'm not pussy whipped and Alice had very little to do with this decision. Secondly, yes, I was like you up until last night. I did the same horrible things to these girls as you did and yes, I liked it as much, if not more than you do. I loved the feeling of being in control that it gave me. I loved the fact that it made me forget the pain of the years since Renesmee died. However, being the empath that I am, having to feel the pain and fear of my victims takes its toll on me. Just as it had in my first century of life. That's not something that's easy to deal with." Jasper responded and I could tell that he was fighting hard to keep himself under control. "Eventually I had no choice to open my eyes and heart and realize just how wrong we were about everything. This isn't what Carlisle would've wanted for any of us. Hell, it goes against everything that he ever taught us. It's wrong and I know that somewhere inside of you, you know that. None of us ever wanted to let Carlisle down, but don't you see? We are just by doing what we're doing. So if you wanna accuse someone of being responsible for my change, then it should be our father. Because it was my faith in his faith in us that changed my mind, not Alice's refusal to allow sex to solve our problems. Maybe you should stop one day and rethink what you doing. Decide what Carlisle would say or do, if he could see you now."

I was silent for a long moment as his words sunk in. The small part of me who remembered what it was like to be a loving father, husband, brother and son as well as what it felt like not to be a monster, knew he was right. However, that part wasn't big enough to override the monster. It wasn't enough to give a damn about anything other than my own selfish tendencies. I liked what I did and I was going to make sure that no one and nothing changed that.

"As I am constantly telling Alice and Rosalie, I like who I am now and what I do." I said trying to keep my bubbling rage under control. "I like hurting these girls and making them scream. It makes me feel better about what happened. And nothing anyone says or does is going to change that. As for all that shit about Carlisle. Why don't you think about what living his lifestyle did for us? I'll tell you, not a God damned thing. So stop trying to preach to me, because I don't give a damn about what you have to say on the matter. I don't want to talk about this anymore. So just make sure you have that little bitch up on the fourth floor in an hour, or I'll come get her myself. And I can promise you, I won't be very gentle about it! Now go, before either of us do something we'd great."

Jasper just stood there for a moment staring at me in disgust and shaking his head. I wondered for a second what he was waiting for.

"Alice was right." he said after a minute. "You have become just like the Volturi."

He words slice into my heart. How dare he say something like that? I didn't think that he would sink so low.

"I am nothing like them!" I growled back through gritted teeth.

"Then you're doing a really good impression." he answered.

With that he walked out the door, slamming it and leaving me alone to contemplate the implications of his accusation.