Chapter Thirty Seven

Marcus

I was intrigued by the fragile young human who stood with the girl who had brought the Volturi almost to its knees. In a way I applauded Star's actions, I could do nothing about my brother personally but to watch him thwarted at every turn by a mere girl, a new vampire had been extremely satisfying and I was curious to see what if anything her sister might be capable of. The Major stayed at her side or as close as he could get while the two girls greeted each other. It was easy to see the love between the sisters and that of the human girl for him and my heart ached, it reminded me of the love Didyme and I had shared for far too brief a time. One day...one day I would get my revenge on my brother in law, I could wait, I'd already waited centuries so what were a few more?

Once the girls had greeted each other and Aro had shown his superiority by greeting his guests from his "throne" we adjourned to a smaller chamber off the main one where a fire had been lit for the comfort of the human, a nice touch on Aro's behalf and one that would not be lost on Carlisle or Esme. The Major ensured he sat with Bella and Star who was incredibly calm at least for the moment and left the talking to Aro and Carlisle, Caius and I being mere bystanders unless something needed the agreement of us all.

"Thank you for meeting us like this Aro, it is appreciated. Bella was most eager to be reunited with her sister and it seems that feeling was reciprocated. I can see the damage that has been caused out in the square and appreciate that you need a speedy resolution to your problem."

"And you think Bella might be the answer to our dilemma? I see that she and The Major are indeed very close, can I take it that she understands the ramifications of this?"

Bella leaned forward, annoyed to be ignored and spoken about, I hadn't expected her to be so confident and forthright and from his demeanor neither had my brother!

"You can speak to me directly Aro."

He smiled a little awkwardly,

"Indeed? Then do you understand what it means to be a vampire's mate?"

"Yes, Jasper has explained. I have to become a vampire too. I accept that and I love him. For now, though we should discuss my sister and her release."

I grinned behind a raised hand, I was beginning to enjoy this meeting.

"Release? Star is a guest, not a prisoner but as you must appreciate we could hardly allow her to leave the security of the citadel while she is unable to control her gift. It would be unwise of the Volturi to allow her to go free and walk straight into the hands of our enemies."

"And what makes you think they would have any more success with her than you had? My sister will be perfectly safe with us and Carlisle has offered her a home with his family. I understand you know how good Carlisle is with difficult vampires, after all, he looked after Jasper!"

Caius, never one to stay silent for long leaned forward in his chair,

"You should be careful girl. Nothing has been decided yet, nothing at all, and I for one am very skeptical at the thought of your ability to help Star control her gift."

"Caius please, there is no need for any unpleasantness. Of course, Bella understands that she will need to prove her ability as well as agreeing to be transformed before being allowed to leave Volterra."

This last caused an uproar with Carlisle, The Major, and Star, all jumping to their feet and I could see Aro would have a fight on his hands if he didn't agree to at least discuss the girl's transformation. Personally, I didn't see how he could force the issue with Bella's sister and The Major both ready and willing to come to her defense but we would see.

"No one is going to force my sister to do anything she doesn't want to do, least of all you Aro. I know what it's like to be a "guest" of the Volturi and I'm heartily sick of it."

"I second that. Bella has agreed to become a vampire in order to spend eternity with me but it will be done when she is good and ready and not before. If you choose to push the issue there will be trouble Aro, that I can promise you. With or without Star's help."

Deciding someone needed to calm the situation I rose,

"Perhaps we should allow Bella and her sister a little time to catch up and for Bella to dine and rest. Tomorrow will be soon enough to reopen the conversation surely brother?"

Aro agreed reluctantly and Felix was called in to escort our guests to their suite. It had been arranged that Bella share her sister's suite of rooms while Carlisle and Esme would be accommodated closer to Aro's suite and the wives tower. I had anticipated an objection from Carlisle but with The Major at her side and Star watching over her, Bella was probably the safest person in the whole citadel, even the town. While Aro, Caius, and Carlisle settled down for more discussions I escorted Esme to their suite, she and Athena had become friends during Carlisle's last visit to introduce her and I knew the two were eager to chat. Admittedly it would have to be by phone as Aro refused permission for the wives to return to Volterra or for Esme to go to the villa and on the way she asked me about Alice and I saw she had been hoping to see her daughter although I wasn't sure the meeting would be a pleasant one, but Aro had deemed it best if Alice remove herself from the chamber before our guests were ushered in. She would be yet another bargaining chip, my brother never let an opportunity slip through his fingers. I was, however, able to tell Esme that her daughter was well and that she would be seeing her later.

"What about Edward? Is he here?"

Her voice was cold and her eyes glittered, she blamed her "son" for Star's predicament, that much was plain to see and Alice wasn't about to get off scot free either.

"Yes, he's here but I would think he is staying close to the quarters he shares with his mate Jane."

"A match made in hell! They deserve each other. I didn't see her earlier, is she skulking around in the shadows too?"

"She has accompanied Athena and Sulpicia which is why you can only speak to them on the phone. I'm afraid Bella's sister has caused us a lot of problems."

"Only because she doesn't want to be here Marcus. If Aro stopped to think for just a moment instead of just greedily grabbing at everything he sees like a spoiled toddler..."

I looked at her and grinned, I liked Esme, she reminded me of my dear Didyme,

"Probably best you don't tell Aro that to his face."

I left her at the door to their suite and retraced my footsteps only to bump into Edward in the corridor outside the tower.

"Eavesdropping Edward?"

He looked up guiltily and scowled,

"I just happened to be passing and thought I might have an opportunity to speak to Carlisle."

"Well, there's only Esme in there at the moment but don't let me stop you, go on in."

I smiled as his scowl deepened, he must have been listening in to Carlisle's thoughts as well as my conversation with Esme.

"Where is Star?"

"In the tower with her sister I would imagine, why? Thinking about visiting? That should be interesting."

"She really hates me doesn't she?"

"Yes, she does but I wouldn't feel too bad about that Edward, after all, she isn't alone. In fact, I can't think of a single person, with the exception of Jane, who doesn't hate you. Come to think about it I imagine you are even more loathed than Aro himself."

Edward threw me a dirty look and stalked off offended, I really did loathe him, what Carlisle had seen in the immature, selfish, self-centered child I didn't see. It might, however, be interesting to listen in if Edward did manage to engineer a meeting with his "father". He'd better hope Carlisle was alone because if The Major or Star were there too dear Edward might lose a few body parts, not that anyone would complain too loudly if he did. I opened the door and joined Carlisle and my brothers who were even now discussing Star and Bella, and their futures.