Chapter Thirty Four

Edward

I took the flight back to Volterra with a heavy heart, I had no Bella and she'd made it very clear she would have nothing more to do with me. She seemed to have allied herself to Jasper. The one piece of information that I did get was that Alice was dead, Bella had seen the murder and Aro had kept it from us, she must have refused to return to Volterra. Would this news make any difference to Carlisle and Esme? I doubted it would make them rebel against the Volturi but it might put them on guard, Aro was quite willing to kill if he didn't get what he wanted though why he hadn't sent Chelsea with the tracker to force her to return I didn't know. Perhaps he valued her safety too much. Where was Emmett now? Would he return to Volterra and if not would Aro be as quick to kill Rosalie? I understood my own danger, I had a gift that Aro wanted but if I refused to work for him or caused any problems he might well decide I was more trouble than I was worth and order my killing too. What I needed to do was make it clear I was on the side of the Volturi and explain the danger to Carlisle and Esme. I had rung and informed the brothers I was returning without Bella, telling them she was indeed alive and with Jasper. Let them send more trackers out, they had his location within a few hundred miles and with their network of spies and intelligence gatherers it wouldn't take much to pinpoint his exact location now.

As my plane touched down in Pisa I saw two of the guard waiting and thought they had come to collect me but they ignored my arrival and I wondered if there was someone else on their way in, maybe even Bella and Jasper, but no. There would be many more of the guard on stand by for The Major. I collected the Volturi car from the compound and drove back through the beautiful Italian countryside to the town pulling up outside the clock tower and handing the keys to one of the guard on door duty. They would ensure it was gassed up and cleaned ready for the next person to use and I walked quickly to Carlisle and Esmes quarters relieved to find Carlisle there although he looked as if he had aged a century. He jumped up and ran to me throwing his arms around me in relief.

"What's happened Carlisle? Where's Esme? Have you heard anything about Emmett?"

"They've taken Esme Edward. Taken her away and I'm not even allowed to see her or speak to her on the phone."

"Taken her away? Why?"

"They found out I had kept Emmett's communications from them. I was supposed to arrange for him to return to Volterra but he's with Peter and they wont let him go. If he doesn't return they are threatening to kill Rosalie or take her too. I'm worried."

"You should be. I saw Bella, I spoke to her and she told me that Alice is dead, killed by the Volturi when she refused to come back to Volterra. Bella says she saw it happen."

"Alice dead? Surely not Edward, Aro prizes her too highly to let anyone kill her just like that. Perhaps Bella was mistaken."

"I don't think so Carlisle, she seemed very sure of her facts. Did Aro tell you when you would get Esme back?"

"No and I'm not sure I'll ever see her again."

Rose

I sat and waited for Emmett to return knowing if he didn't then I would meet the same fate as Esme, to be imprisoned in the wives tower, kept artificially happy and content and forgetting all about my mate. If Emmett knew this I was sure he'd try his hardest to get back. I guess my fate was preferable to death but neither held any hope for me. Carlisle had played us all from the very start. He could, he should, have told me about Emmett's messages, about Bella. Was Alice really a prisoner or was she still free? She could be in the tower with Esme for all we knew. As for Jasper he was the only one who stood any chance of staying free indefinitely and I hoped he kept under the radar, away from Italy and the guard. Hearing footsteps outside my room I tensed expecting it to be the guard but instead it was Edwards voice I heard requesting entry. I turned the key and he walked in coming to give me a hug, something Edward never did and I was immediately suspicious.

"Rose I'm so glad you're still here."

"Did you see Emmett?"

"No, only Bella with Jasper and his friends but I think they will be in Volturi hands soon."

"You told Aro where they were? Why would you do that? What happened with Bella?"

"She turned her back on me Rose and I suddenly realised I wasn't terribly upset about it. She's about right for Jasper, they deserve each other."

"What about Alice? How could he leave her imprisoned here and not try to save her?"

"Rose I'm really sorry but Alice is dead."

"Dead? How?"

"Bella said the Volturi guard killed her for refusing to join them in Volterra."

"Aro allowed Alice to be killed? Then there's no hope for any of us except maybe you Edward if you play nicely. Did Carlisle tell you that Esme's been taken to the tower?"

"Yes, he's dreadfully upset."

"I'll bet, she was all he had left."

"Couldn't you try to comfort him Rose?"

"No Edward, I wash my hands of him. The only person I care about is my mate. Did he mention Emmett?"

"Only that he never got to speak to him but he's with Jaspers friends and I doubt they'll be too happy to allow him back to Volterra."

Edward

When I left Rose she was sitting in the window staring out across the countryside waiting for Emmett to get back although I had my doubts about the likelihood of that happening any time soon. I made my way to Aro's study and found the door standing open. The three brothers were standing together studying a map and looked up when I cleared my throat. Aro smiled and gestured me inside,

"Edward, I'm glad you came back so quickly although alone which is a shame. How is Bella?"

"She told me that Alice is dead. Is it true?"

They looked at each other and Caius nodded,

"Your "sister" proved intractable Edward."

"And Esme?"

"Esme is company for Athenadora and Sulpicia, they see so few visitors."

"And Rosalie?"

"Rosalie is waiting for her mate to return. If he doesn't then she too will join the women, for her own safety of course."

"That just leaves me."

"You?"

Caius looked confused.

"Aren't you staying with us Edward?"

"Yes Aro, I don't see I have any alternative but will you be freeing Esme to return to Carlisle?"

"No I don't think so Edward. I think she is far happier where she is and Carlisle will be too when he thinks about it. I thought you might move into the quarters he shared with Esme, to keep him company."

The three brothers looked at each other smiling but I didn't care, I could give Carlisle some comfort and hopefully soon Emmett, Bella, and Jasper, would be here too. Then perhaps I might get my freedom or at least a partial freedom from Volterra. I might even have another chance with Bella if Aro would allow Chelsea to use her gift. Who knew?