Chapter Thirty Six
Sam
When we got back to the reservation the elders had already spoken to Johnny H and they weren't happy with me. Emily had already packed our things and was waiting.
"There's a plane waiting for us in Seattle. We have orders to fly to Denali as soon as you get back. Jared is taking over as Alpha of the pack."
I nodded knowing there was no way around Johnny's orders, the elders wouldn't go against his wishes. Harry came to see me as we loaded our things into the truck,
"It's a bad business Sam. I think you were right to act but we can't go against our leaders wishes."
"Not even for Leah?"
"Not even for Leah. She knew the dangers of being a guardian and she fought bravely for what she believed in, I could ask no more of a daughter."
"Well best of luck to Jared, I hope he doesn't make the same mistake I did."
"And what's that?"
"Believing the only good leech is a dead one."
"Did you see Charlie?"
"Yeah."
"And is Bella planning on becoming a vampire too?"
"Yes and she's got permission from Johnny H. I thought he was a brave warrior, it didn't look like it to me".
"He picks his fights wisely Sam. Never underestimate him, those who have rarely survive to tell the tale."
As we drove to Seattle I thought about the past few weeks, I'd lost pack brothers and sisters and my station as Alpha and now I was going into exile and all because of Bella Swan. There must be some way of making her pay for what she'd done, for the lives sacrificed because of her. I couldn't act and the guardians wouldn't now Johnny H had spoken so who? I had a flashback to the wolves being swept into the river, my brother guardians drowned or torn apart by the leeches. The only justice they understood was the Volturi and they were hardly likely to chastise the Cullens or Bella for beating us. No...but they might be interested in Bella's continued existence as a human among leeches. Old Quil had sat me down when I first phased and explained all about the Volturi. About their laws and their justice. Perhaps they didn't know about Bella's existence or even that she had a gift, Old Quils words floated into my mind,
"We cannot beat the Volturi, they have gifts, great gifts that mean they can snatch the eyes and ears of a warrior leaving him helpless or call down lightning bolts to torment us. Aro Volturi, their leader values gifts above everything. He is the kind of man who would sell his soul to the devil for a powerful gift, if he had one to exchange."
At the airport I left Emily to book in while I went to the phone booths and rang Old Quil,
"Samuel, I wondered if you would contact me. What can I do for you?"
"I need to contact the Volturi"
"Are you sure about that? Once unleashed the hounds of hell could turn on anyone, even you."
"Someone has to pay and there is no other way."
"Very well but make sure this is what you really want before you use the number."
I didn't ask him how he knew the telephone number for the Volturi, I didn't really care, I just dialled the number and waited impatiently as it rang.
The voice on the other end of the line sounded cold and evil,
"Aro Volturi, who is this?"
I told him in a few short sentences what had happened and heard his chuckle,
"So you want justice and you don't care how you get it. I like a man who thinks like that. Are you sure you don't want anything for this information? Thirty pieces of silver perhaps?"
The reference to Judas chilled me and I slammed the phone down feeling unclean as Emily came over to me,
"Sam are you OK? You look like a ghost just walked over your grave."
"I'm fine. Just a small bit of unfinished business. Come on let's go"
Aro
Well, well, this human certainly had the capacity to raise strong feelings in men, Edward Cullen had lusted after her and we were about to act when he left with the rest of the family. We should still have acted against the girl but Marcus felt there was more to be gained by sparing her besides which if I had arrested or killed her then I would have to act against the Cullens too and I wasn't ready for that. It seemed he'd been right though, things had become even more interesting. Bella Swan had a gift, a powerful one and I would possess it one way or another. She was in The Major's company which complicated things somewhat but that just added spice to the capture. I called Felix and Alec in and told them what I wanted,
"No fighting, no violence, just a quick snatch. Alec will suspend The Major and you Felix will snatch the girl. I don't want any trail that lead back to us so be very careful. If she is left alone even better, take her and get out."
"What about our scent? He'll pick that up"
"True, so outside and close to water would be even better. Demetri is tracing them now so be prepared to move on my signal. The jet will take you to Seattle, that's close to their last known destination. Oh yes, if you happen to come across a newborn you may dispatch him."
They nodded and left without any further questions. Felix was my best guard, he was fast, ruthless, and efficient, and he obeyed orders without question, If only all the rest were equally as good.
Sam
Johnny H was waiting for us in the plane and that I hadn't expected, had he been watching us? Did he know what I'd just done? He shook hands with Emily and spoke to her for a few minutes while his three companions, guardians I felt, watched me coldly. Then he turned his attention to me,
"Sam, I'd like a quiet word if Emily will excuse us."
Emily nodded and sat down taking the magazine from the back of the seat in front and I walked up the aisle to a curtained off area at the back of the plane.
"I know you are angry with my decision Sam but a fight we couldn't win would have done us no good at all. I gave my word to The Major that the subject was closed and I expect you to abide by that. Who were you phoning?"
So he had been watching me!
"I spoke to Quil Ateara."
"I see. Is there anything you want to tell me?"
I shook my head,
"I don't think so."
"Very well but if I find you have acted without my knowledge on the matter of the Swans I would be disappointed, very disappointed."
I heard the threat in his voice but I didn't speak, it was too late, I'd already got the ball rolling and I couldn't stop it now even had I wanted to...and I didn't.