Chapter Thirty Six

Marcus

I knew I had to inform the dog guardians about the death of one of their number, they would still be waiting for him to report back. I could tell them I'd offered to help Adam's family but I knew they wouldn't like the deal I'd made with Bella unless they saw it as a way of breaking the Volturi once and for all. Then they too might be willing to help his family again. I didn't care what happened after Aro's death, I'd been ready for my own death for so long I would welcome it and there would always be someone waiting to step into dead men's shoes, maybe even the Romanians.

I couldn't for the life of me though, understand why Caius was stirring up such a hornet's nest. Provoking Major Whitlock was tantamount to shoving your bare hand down a tiger's throat. You were likely to end up maimed at the very least and more likely dead. Did he really think he was a match for the God of War? He'd been sheltered here too long if he did, his brain had gone soft!

I would send a message to Lucky's leader and find out what they intended to do about his death. They hated the vampires as much as the Quileute wolves did and they may decide that his death needed avenging, in which case my deal would be useless as the only person they could blame was The Major and I had to wonder if even he could conquer the whole pack?

Bella

I had no idea what Aro would decide to do but I would try my hardest to get back to Jasper and Adam, I couldn't imagine not seeing them again, never laying in Jasper's arms or making love to him. Never holding my little boy in my arms or hearing him giggle as Peter pulled faces or whoop with joy when Rose took him out on his motorbike. When the invitation finally came to see Aro again I was almost shaking with apprehension, I didn't want a war between the Whitlocks and the Volturi but if Aro pushed it, so be it, he would find out just what we were really capable of.

Aro

Caius had been a little perturbed by the fact that I knew of his little misadventure although he tried very hard to brush it aside as nothing.

"Caius, don't insult my intelligence, did you really expect your devious little plot to escape my notice? I know everything that goes on in our world brother, surely you must have realized that by now?"

"I never intended it to be a secret Aro, I merely decided it wasn't worth bothering you with."

"I see, well, what do you intend to do now? Bella is here and has asked for my help. She wants my assurance that her family, Adam and The Major are safe. You have put me in a very awkward position, what do you suggest I tell her?"

He snorted,

"She comes crawling to you? What about The Major? Has she emasculated him? I never expected to see the day when he hid behind a woman."

"I very much doubt that is the truth of the matter but what I need to know is what you intend to do next. You have stirred up the hornet's nest so how do you intend to avoid being stung? Did you really think you could send second-rate assassins against Major Whitlock and expect them to succeed? Dear brother you sorely underestimated him, please don't do the same with me."

It was a warning and he recognized it as such looking down at his hands rather than at me. Annoyed I banged my fist down on the table causing him to flinch, after all, I rarely showed signs of irritation or annoyance to anyone.

"Caius, what is it that you expect to accomplish with this childish vendetta? Maria is dead and she was the one responsible for the girl's death, not The Major. Besides, you still have your offspring here safe although I should warn you that if Major Whitlock were to find out just who your child is, he wouldn't hesitate before threatening death and destruction?"

It seemed he hadn't thought that far ahead but he was considering it now.

"I cannot put Bella off any longer, she has been more than patient so I intend to ask her to join us to discuss this situation and I suggest you think long and hard about what I have said."

Bella

When I was shown into the circular room again it brought back memories of my last visit, when Lucky was still alive and I felt angry with Caius for bringing death into my little boy's life. The three brothers sat together around a table on the low dais and there was a vacant seat that Aro having stood to greet me gestured for me to take. Marcus had also risen courteously but Caius merely nodded his head scowling.

"Bella, thank you for joining us, I am sorry to have kept you waiting so long. You know my brothers Caius and Marcus, we have spoken about your problem and I think we can come to an accommodation with your family, Caius has something to tell you."

He glanced at Caius who glared back with an expression of mixed hatred and embarrassment but then turned to me, his face placid.

"Bella, there seems to have been some kind of misunderstanding between us. I had a grievance with your husband and I think perhaps someone took it to a level beyond that which I considered proper. I must apologize for the misunderstanding and assure you there won't be a repeat of the unpleasantness. Please pass on my apology to your husband, Major Whitlock for me."

I studied the three Volturi sure that it couldn't be that easy and then Aro broke the silence.

"Now Bella, would that be an acceptable assurance for you and your husband?"

I looked at Marcus from the corner of my eye and saw the imperceptible nod then took my cue from him.

"Yes Aro, all we want is to be left in peace and the assurance from Caius is very welcome."

Caius scowled at that but Aro looked at him pointedly and he nodded and managed a thin-lipped smile upon which Aro rubbed his hands in satisfaction.

"Good. I'm so glad we were able to sort out the unpleasantness. Will you be leaving straight away Bella or would you care to stay a little longer as our guest?"

I shook my head relieved to be given the option to leave so quickly,

"No thank you, Aro, it was a kind offer but I'd like to get back to my family."

He smiled,

"Of course my dear, of course. Perhaps Felix could escort you out, I'll have him sent for"

Aro and Caius left the room first leaving Marcus and me alone for a few seconds and as he said goodbye he added a message.

"I did my part Bella, please remember that, and tell your husband that he should be very careful with regard to Ash who has a very interesting parentage."

I didn't feel comfortable until I was back in the car Felix had hurriedly arranged to take me back to the airport and even then I was worried that Aro might change his mind and call me back. Only when my flight to Rome was finally in the air did I take a deep breath and allow myself to feel it was finally over. Things had gone far smoother than I had expected and that began to worry me, why had Caius given up so completely so quickly? He didn't strike me as the kind of man who would hoist the white flag so what had Aro said to him to cause the change of mind? Or had it been Marcus who turned the tide? And what should I make of his strange warning as I left? Who was Ash? I'd never heard Jasper mention anyone of that name, Peter either but I would ask Carlisle when I saw him if he knew who Ash was. The implication being that this Ash was Caius child but he hadn't even told me the sex and it could be either with that name.

Carlisle was waiting when my plane landed, relieved that things had gone so well.

"I'm not sure quite how I did it Carlisle or even if it was anything I said but things are certainly strained in Volterra right now."

"You should call Jasper, he's been driving me crazy worrying about you."

"I will, soon, but there are some things I want to run by you first. Let's go back to the hotel so we can talk in private and book the next available flight home."

I spent the short drive to the hotel putting everything in order so when we were finally alone I was able to tell Carlisle exactly what had happened and who had said what.

"And you promised Marcus your help?"

"Yes, I felt I could trust him above the others, was I wrong?"

Carlisle shook his head,

"Marcus has always been the quiet one, he says very little but what he does say you can usually trust."

"Well, that's a relief. But what about this Ash? Have you ever heard of anyone with that name?"

"No, but as you say the implication is that Ash is Caius child by the girl Rosa, the same Rosa that Jasper killed on Maria's orders. I wonder if she knew about Caius and Rosa, maybe that's why she insisted Rosa must die."

"But why? What does it have to do with her?"

"I have no idea but I do know that Maria hated being under the nominal control of the Volturi so if she had an opportunity to strike back she would probably have taken it."

"Do you think Marcus gave me this information so we would have a weapon to use if Caius tries again?"

"Again, it's possible although as you have no idea who Ash is I don't see how it can be used although I suppose we could use a process of elimination to narrow the field of possibilities."

"How?"

"Well, he or she, let's refer to it as he for ease, he must be a recent addition to the Volturi as he was born while Jasper was with Maria and must have been allowed to grow to maturity, even Caius wouldn't break the law about immortal children. That reminds me of something I did hear some years ago about a new member of the guard who was invited to join them because he had the ability to make others hate, or break bonds of love and friendship."

"And that is Ash?"

He shrugged,

"I don't know Bella, I certainly never met him and I have never met anyone else who has, I haven't even heard of such a gift being used."

"So it may just have been a myth, a way of frightening vampires to keep them in line?"

"Aro doesn't usually work that way Bella, he has no need, the Volturi are powerful enough to keep our kind in order most of the time. No, I think this Ash may exist and keeping him a mystery makes him more formidable."

"So, Ash may or may not be a really powerful vampire who's daddy just happens to be Caius Volturi, he may not even exist, maybe Ash is a weakling who hides behind his powerful daddy. It doesn't get us far."

"Except that Marcus warned you about a vampire called Ash, remember."

I sighed, I was getting more confused talking to Carlisle, not less!

"What about Marcus and his deal? What do you think he will want of us?"

"Oh, that's quite simple. When he feels the time is right he'll expect you to kill Aro and possibly Caius too. You don't know the history of the Volturi do you?"

"No Carlisle, but why would he want to kill his brothers? I thought they formed the Volturi between them."

"Marcus was married to Aro's sister and they wanted to leave the Volturi but Aro wanted to keep Marcus for his gift so he had his sister murdered and only has Marcus allegiance through Chelsea's gift. She can bind your allegiance and she does his to Aro but I think over the centuries the hold has weakened. Marcus is tired, he wants revenge and he wants to watch as Aro dies. That's what he will ask you and Jasper to do for him. I hate to say this but you were right, you have made a pact with the devil Bella, or at least one of them."

"It was my only option, Carlisle. I won't lose Jasper and Adam whatever I have to do to keep them safe."

Carlisle

I knew exactly what Marcus craved and he thought he'd finally found a coven powerful enough to accomplish his heart's desire. I wondered if he was right, if Jasper, with Bella's gift, could actually overcome the Volturi and kill Aro. I also wondered how long it would be before Marcus called in his marker, they might have days, weeks, or even years before he did, but it would come and they needed to be prepared for it. Bella had to be able to control her shield precisely to enable Jasper a chance, so she would have to start learning now for the future.