Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer is the creator of these intriguing characters. She and the filmmakers have made a fascinating and beautiful trilogy. I wish to borrow her background and add a plot twist of my own. I also made use of the site ' wiki/Volturi' a fantastic site if I may say and well worth a read for twilight fans.
Chapter 36 – Oh! What a tangled web we weave*
Edwards POV
Athenodora and Alexia came back in my room with Caius behind them. Athenodora gave a sigh of relief asking him "Where have you been?"
"I have just been discussing the Denali and Olympic coven with Aro; he is persistent in his desire to have me bring Isabella back to Volterra. He claims that the covens will try to influence her. He is very avid to discuss the training with her and I am starting to think you are right" he said nodding his head towards me "It is difficult to see Aro without quarreling about this.
"What happened when the three of you were at Sulpicia's?" Caius asked has eyes going from me to Alexia. He then nodded at Alexia asking "were you able to use your gift?"
Alexia and I looked at one another and knowing that she felt intimidated by Caius's arrogant gaze I began "When Alexia talked about her job as a human she spoke of the murder investigations she had worked on. It set both Sulpicia and Alexia off into a trance allowing Alexia to watch a discussion that took place between Aro and Sulpicia. Aro was infuriated that Didyme and Marcus intended to leave the Volturi coven. Sulpicia tried to persuade Aro to let them go unharmed but Aro would not sway and wished to keep Marcus and his powers whatever the cost. We then saw how Sulpicia reacted after Didyme's death and how guilt overridden she was because she hadn't warned Didyme of Aro's temper.
"What do you mean we?" Caius asked but before I could answer Athenodora brushed his question aside saying "So Sulpicia had nothing to do with her death".
"No" I said looking at her and then Caius "at the moment everything points to Aro and the person that helped him".
"When I was in the throne room and you looked into Aro's mind" Caius said "Did you see a face?"
"Yes" I said "but I didn't recognize him"
"Can you describe him?"
I closed my eyes concentrating on what I had seen in that brief moment "He must be about Aro's length because I had the feeling that Aro was standing and he was at face level with this person. But then, maybe Aro was on the throne room step, who is to say? He had dark blond shoulder length wavy hair and an oval face with a square jaw."
Then I remembered a distinct feature. I opened my eyes and looking at Caius, I pointed to my chin saying "he also had a cleft in his chin; something like Alec has, only more prominent. Can either of you remember someone like that in the Volturi guard? I had the distinct feeling that it was guard." I explained.
Both Caius and Athenodora pondered on my question but neither of them could come up with a name to match the description. "You'll just have to let everything sink in" I said to them.
They were about to leave my room via the door to Alexia's apartment but just before he left Caius stopped and turned to look at me repeating his question "you said we saw how Sulpicia reacted after Didyme's death; what did you mean?"
I looked at him and said "With my gift I can go into Alexia's illusions and help her get out"
Now it was his turn to be speechless.
Aro's POV
Now that I had seen Alec's attraction to Isabella I was sure that he was better suited to take her than Jane. After all Jane had already done a good job by ordering the servants in Greece to put that lovely trinket into Bella's suitcase. It wasn't a guarantee but there was a homing device and a microphone in that trinket and if she was as vain as most women, she was probably wearing it.
Nikolai already had the receiver in his possession and would be able to follow her if she were to wander off in the forest. Who knows maybe she will start hunting animals which would make her accessible.
Yes, there was still one more thing that my Jane could do to help me. She, Demitri and Felix would help me tie up any lose ends, an extra precaution, just in case anyone started to get overly inquisitive of my affairs.
A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts and when I said "Enter" the door opened and Alec came in.
Alec was standing in front of me as I began "Dear Alec I am so glad you wish to help me and I find it only fitting that I tell you my plans".
I slowly stepped around him as I began to explain his assignment "You, Jane, Demitri and Felix will take the Volturi jet from Pisa to the Anchorage airport in Alaska. Once you have arrived, you will separate from the others. I have rented two small planes, one for you and one for them. They will then leave for their destination the name and coordinates of this airport are specified in the map which you will give to your sister" he said as he pointed to a map with Jane's name on it.
"However, before you take your plane any further I want you will prepare it with the necessary things; things that will conceal your identity and keep Isabella under control. As soon as you are finished with your preparations you will take the plane to the name and coordinates of the airport I have stipulated in your map".
"Once you arrive at your destination you will wait in the airplane which you will use as your lair and organize everything in preparation for immediate take off".
"When the opportunity presents itself Nikolai will take her and I will call you. Soon after that he will bring Isabella to the plane and you will be disguised when you meet him, wearing gloves and old garments to cover your identity. You will not speak to him but you will give him this case with money. On top of the money is a seal and he will recognize it; once he sees this he will give you Isabella in exchange for the money. Remember! You must keep the seal!"
"As soon as she is on the plane you will fly her taking the plane towards the Anchorage airport. I have arranged for a private jet to be waiting there and you will head towards South America. From then on she will be under your care".
He nodded his head to inform me that he understood everything so I continued "Once you are in the air you will contact me concerning the progress and if Nikolai has done his work properly I will make sure he is taken care of. I will also tell you the exact coordinates of the safe-house".
I then explained as "It may take a while before this problem is resolved so you will have custody of Isabella and try to reform her if you can. Our safe-house is quite isolated and we have rooms prepared for human visitors but for Isabella I will have a special room prepared. It will not only be locked on the outside but it will also have a microphone system and one-sided mirror so you can hear and see her movements. You will be the only one with access to Isabella and you may deal with her as you see fit. She will be restricted to this room and although you will not mention the Volturi coven you will make her time with you so isolated that she will become aware of the advantages that the protection of the Volturi gave her".
Alec chuckled at the thought and I continued "If she is difficult, she will be constrained to make sure she behaves and only be fed when she has earned it. It will be difficult for you to control her because you cannot use your gifts to block her senses so I have gotten you this elixir" I said as I held up the vessel "If you use it on her eyes she will be blind but you must repeat the process once a day. You must never use your real voice; all instructions will be given via a speaker outside the room because that will deform your speech".
I picked up Jane's map and then went to get Alec's. When I had both in my hands I gave them to Alec saying "Remember you are not to allow either Nikolai or Isabella to see you or hear your voice, as I wish your involvement to be kept a secret even for the others. I do not wish you to be harmed. I don't know how this will end but I promise you that you will be rewarded for your services".
"My reward is to serve you". Alec said as he nodded towards me.
"You and Jane have always been my delight" I said, meaning every word as they were my most precious progeny.
Alec's POV
The sun had just set under when the limo came to pick us up at the castle. I gave Jane her map of instructions and she read them through as Demitri and I exchanged stories of the things that were going on in the castle.
He seemed to have found a delightful human which he enjoyed immensely. She was part of the tour and he had convinced Aro to allow him to enjoy her company.
"Remember how feisty Isabella was when we took her to Caius's quarters?" he asked me "Well this human is about the same and last night was quite enjoyable" he snickered.
"Yes" Felix said "I heard you two last night! Did she survive?"
"Oh yes, just a little blood and she was ready for a second round" Demitri laughed "I don't think she enjoyed it but I found it delightful to dominate her and watch as she tried to escape".
"Maybe we can have a threesome?" Felix probed as his eyes glistened.
"Why not? It might prove interesting sport" he smirked.
Once we boarded the Volturi jet Felix flew the plane and he and Demitri sat together in the cockpit. The flight took all night and I arrived in Anchorage about fourteen hours later. Thankfully it gave me time to discreetly and thoroughly look through the documents Aro had given me. I had also taken my laptop with me so that I do a little research for my task during the flight.
As soon as we landed at the airport we were able to rush through customs and quickly parted each other's company. Once they had left, I looked for pilot's information to find out where the private plane was stationed that would take me to the last piece of my journey.
When I found the plane Aro spoke of I began to make the necessary adjustments so that when Isabella's arrived everything would be ready. With the use of a large dose of "Devils Breath", which I had taken along, I would be able to quickly immobilize her as this drug made the victim coherent but gave them no free will. I could then make sure she was blinded by the elixir and would be able to keep her compliant until we reached our destination. All in all I found this a strange situation but I knew Aro was very determined to get a hold of our new recruit and form her. I wondered if she realized the power of her gift; according to Aro it could be very potent, she could be a very good asset to us all.
Once I was finished with my preparations I tuned into the radio frequency to hear the last weather reports. It was good flying weather so I immediately asked the air traffic control permission to prepare for my flight. The fuel tank had already been filled and I was now checking all the instruments to make sure everything was in 'good working order'. One by one my cockpit and overhead panel lights went on and about ten minutes after preparation I was given permission to taxi and take off.
Bella's POV
I had told the group that I was tired and as soon as I reached my room I changed into something warm for my journey almost breaking the necklace I had been given by Caius in my speed. Since I found it I was stunned by Caius's thoughtfulness and when I looked at it for the second time I saw that the symbol in the intricate pendant was also on my suitcase. I then realized that it was the symbol of the Volturi and from that time on I had been wearing it under my clothes so as not to offend the covens.
I felt so guilty about sneaking out of the house while the Denali's had been so nice to me but I just couldn't risk Jake coming to the coven not after the wolf attack on Laurent. I had called him quite a few times now to postpone our appointment as there always seemed to be something else planned by the Denali coven that caused a change in my program. Jake was now getting very impatient so I knew that further delay would not be possible therefore I called him to confirm our last rendezvous.
"Hi Bells. Before you ask I won't accept any more delays; I have been waiting here for almost a week now and..." Jacob began.
"No Jacob" I replied cutting him off in mid-sentence "I have not called to postpone our meeting I only called to confirm it"
"OK Bells, see you there!" he replied pleased with my answer and before I could say another word he hung up.
Now here I was, in the middle of a blizzard looking for a place called Healy so that I could meet Jake at the Visitors center at 11 pm. It was difficult to get my bearings so I took a compass with me and ran east knowing that the place was east of the Denali home and after an hours run I was almost there. I stopped for a minute along a highway, the blizzard making it difficult to see. I was about to cross when this Van reduced its speed and stopped a little farther down the road. The driver stepped out of the car yelling my name; I didn't recognize the Van or the person in question who was dressed like a lumberjack but, I thought I recognized the voice.
"Who are you?" I shouted
"It's me Jake!" I heard him reply and in my relief I walked towards him laughing as he held his arms open for me.
"Hey Jak..!" I said but stopped in mid-sentence as my eyes were finally able to focus despite the blizzard. Whoever this was, it sure as hell wasn't Jake! I didn't recognize this guy but he did seem to recognize me or at least knew my name; this couldn't be good! I turned and took off but quickly realized I couldn't shake him so this guy had to be a vampire, only a vampire could match my speed. I ran past the center of what must have been Healy and headed for the trees. It was difficult and it took a while but I he was no longer on my tail so I headed back towards Healy and hid myself behind a building hoping he had lost me.
I was in deep trouble and because of my stupidity I had brought my friends in danger too. It would be better for everyone if I went home and explained Jakes arrival than to be here on my own like a sitting duck. But who would have thought I would be in danger; after all I was a vampire and was in the middle of nowhere. Caius would be furious and knowing him he will want revenge.
I had to get back as soon as I could but I didn't have any cover, the blizzard was now gone and the skies were clear, the stars shining so bright that it was like daylight for vampire eyesight. Still I realized I didn't have much choice at the moment so I made my decision to run for it. I looked around to see if that creep was anywhere and when I didn't see him I rushed forward.
I was tapping all of my energy sources in an attempt to get away from here as fast as possible when all of a sudden I was tackled and we rolled in the ground my face thrust into the snow. I had become strong but he was much stronger and I couldn't escape although I struggled like hell. He just pinned me to the ground with his body, put a black textile bag over my face and tied it around my neck. He then proceeded to hold me down and I heard a vehicle come towards us. When the motor stopped someone else came towards us rattling chains and as soon as I felt him adjust his weight I put the last bit of energy I had into catching him off balance. Regrettably he quickly recovered his balance punching me in my face.
He spoke in a language I didn't understand and to which his accomplice didn't respond, while he wrapped large shackles on my wrists and ankles. My mind was running full-time; who were these people and what the hell did they want with me? If I didn't have proof of Victoria's demise I would think she was behind it. I felt them pick me up, carry me and place my body in a large box that was most likely in the van; and as I heard the lid cover it I realized I would disappear leaving the covens with an unsolvable problem. As we drove away I prayed that Jake would contact Carlisle to ask where I was because then they would at least get a heads up as to what happened so that maybe he could look for me before having to tell Caius.
* Sir Walter Scott