Chapter Thirty Six

Aro

I was eager to see this human who had captured the heart of a warrior, eager to see if she could indeed temper her sister's gift and stop her from destroying any more of the citadel. It was becoming embarrassing, coming up with excuses to the Mayor of the town to explain the terrible explosions and damage that was beginning to be noticeable even in the area around the citadel, in the square. We had already promised the funds to repair the marble fountain and the terrazzo tiles surrounding it. Sulpicia and Athena had moved to one of the villa's outside the town which necessitated half the guard being on duty away from the citadel just when we needed them most. None of us were comfortable with The Major in such close proximity but it couldn't be helped.

Alice had told Star about the visitors and it had calmed her somewhat but we didn't expect it to last and if for any reason the Cullens and their guest did not appear we quite expected even more severe damage so it was with relief we heard from watchers on the Pisa road that they were on their way mid morning. Marcus, who received the least hostile greeting from our guests, had gone to inform Alice and Star and escort them to the audience chamber which was stripped of all its valuables for the occasion. When they came in I could see Star was on edge, suspicious this might be another trick and when she refused a seat, choosing instead to stand against the wall watching us warily I decided to leave her be.

Marcus rejoined us on the dais but his eyes flickered to the girl and stayed there while Caius did his best to pretend she wasn't there. She seemed to hate him more than any of us and he knew if she lost her temper he would be her first target, not for the first time. We had a good compliment of the guard stationed around the room, Jane, Felix, Demetri, Heidi, Chelsea and many more soldiers. Alec and Santiago along with Corin were still at the villa, I deemed it unwise to leave our wives unprotected with potential enemies loose in the vicinity although I was not expecting any trouble, no double cross from The Major, it wasn't really his style.

Bella

Volterra was a quaint hillside town surrounded by thick stone walls through which we passed in the rented car. If not for our destination I would have enjoyed the drive but I was nervous, more scared of seeing Megan again than the vampire royalty and glad that Jasper was helping me to keep calm. As Carlisle drove along the winding narrow streets into the town square I heard Esme's gasp of surprise,

"What on earth has happened to the fountain?"

I looked over to see it leaning drunkenly to one side, the bowl empty of water and the tiles around it buckled as if from an earthquake.

"I think perhaps this is one of the reasons Aro was so keen to arrange this meeting."

My eyes opened wider,

"You mean Megan was responsible for this?"

"It's probable Bella. There is the Volturi headquarters just ahead, in the clock tower."

Standing in the shadows at the huge doorway to the tower was a man or at least a vampire and he was taller and more muscular than Emmett, the biggest man I had ever seen. As Carlisle pulled up another man ran down the steps and opened the doors for us then slipped into the driver's seat and drove the car out of the square while we filed up the steps to the door which the huge man opened, following us in. Once inside he turned and nodded a greeting to Carlisle before turning to gaze down on me.

"It's been a long time Carlisle. I take it this is Star's sister?"

Jasper moved to stand between us and the huge man smiled,

"No offence meant Major. It's an honour to finally meet you."

"I take it they are waiting for us, Felix?"

Taking the hint Felix turned and we followed him down what seemed like endless corridors hung with the most beautiful tapestries and paintings until finally he halted outside double doors guarded by two black cloaked guards who saluted Felix before pushing the doors open and standing back for us to enter. The chamber beyond was enormous but the only natural light came from a huge glass dome in the ceiling, the other illumination came from huge sconce's filled with thick candles around the walls which made the three men sitting in elaborately carved wooden thrones appear to be the only important thing in there. I guessed these were the Volturi "kings" and we approached, Felix fading into the shadows behind us.

I heard a sharp intake of breath and looked around, there were figures in the shadows all around the walls but I couldn't see any faces. Then one broke free, appearing in a shaft of sunlight and I recognized my sister Megan. With a cry of surprised delight, I hadn't expected to see her so soon, I ran to her opening my arms and calling her name. She smiled and grabbed me pulling me close and crushing the breath out of me. I could hear my ribs groaning in protest before she finally let me go.

"Bella. I never thought I would see you again. You've grown so much and now here you are. Why did you get yourself mixed up with the vampire world, you should be living your life as a human."

I didn't know what to say, I looked for differences just as Jasper had warned me, yes her eyes were a deep crimson, so she fed on humans. It was a shock but he had prepared me for that. She was cold and her body hard to the touch but I had been prepared for that too, I knew what vampire felt like but she was still my sister and I loved her.

Star

I had thought this a cruel deception, to promise me my sister and possibly my freedom but they knew what would happen if they disappointed me! Then suddenly I smelled a human, a familiar scent even though I hadn't smelled it in years. There she was, my little sister and I couldn't help myself, I had to touch her, to reassure myself she was not a figment of my imagination. Holding her close I began to believe that just maybe I might get away from here after all. As I held her close I felt a strange sensation, I felt vulnerable, would they threaten to harm my little sister unless I did exactly what they wanted? If that were their game they had played it all wrong, I would shield my little sister in the same way I shielded Alice and myself. If Aro or Caius tried anything I would bring Armageddon down on them and they knew it, or, at least, they should do by now.

I tucked Bella's arm under my own and joined the others, once so familiar to me, Carlisle, Esme, and the tall handsome man with the terrible scars who looked so dangerous but had always been so kind to me. I could see what Bella found attractive but his neck and even his wrists were covered in bite marks and as a vampire these marks screamed danger to me. Our eyes met and he nodded his recognition then he looked at Bella and I could see how much she meant to him, I had an ally here if she were threatened in any way. At the edge of the dais we stopped and Aro stood up smiling his usual oily smile that always set my teeth on edge and welcomed his old friend and the others saving his best for Bella.

"It is so nice to meet Star's sister. I understand you may be able to help us with a small problem."

He meant me of course but I was anything but a SMALL problem and he wasn't just glad to see Bella, he was relieved and desperate and that made me smile.