Chapter Thirty Eight

Jasper

The flight to Manaus wasn't long but it gave us time to discuss the next move,

"You probably worked out that the village where I found you is my birthplace."

"I did wonder, is the chief your father?"

"No, my uncle. My father was killed by a jaguar shortly after I was born. My mother was an elder with the sight, she saw what would happen and arranged for me to be taken by Dennis. I think her idea was that I should reunite Bella and yourself but it seems there was more to it. There are parts of the rainforest that are invisible to the outside world, or perhaps it's that people who inhabit them are like ghosts, not seen or heard by the rest of humanity. It's a safe haven for those the guardians cannot help without causing danger to the rest. Such a place should keep Edward and Cai safe from the Volturi but if Aro finds out you helped he will have you killed."

"He can try."

"Brave words Jasper but how can you hope to defeat his guard? No, I think this could be your last task my friend and that saddens me for Bella's sake."

"Never write me off too soon Cade, there are a lot of corpses who did that in life."

He smiled at me and nodded,

"Very well but I hope you have Bella well guarded because Aro will soon find out she is your mate and therefore a legitimate target."

I knew Cade was right and I trusted Emmett and Rose to look after Bella but they weren't warriors and stood no chance against the Volturi. I would ring them when we landed and tell them to move and keep moving until this was over. It was their only chance if Aro did go looking for Bella. I just wished I had asked Peter but he was just as likely to tell me where to go, he didn't want trouble with the Volturi either. As soon as we landed I left Cade to arrange transport while I rang Emmett. He understood what I was talking about but he had news of his own,

"We acquired a couple of "friends" a few of hours ago, Jose and Timo, they said they're friends of yours sent by Darius to help us."

How the hell had Darius found out what was going on?

"They're on patrol now."

"I still want you on the move, as soon as they get back Em."

"Sure thing, oh yeah, you want to talk to Bella only she's jumping up and down trying to get the phone off me."

It made me feel good that she was as eager to hear my voice as I was to hear hers.

"Whoa there Bell's, here you go"

I heard the receiver change hands then heard the angels voice speak my name,

"Jazz? Is everything OK? I'm worried about you. Did you send the two giants who appeared a few hours ago?"

"No but I know them and the guy who sent them. They're good men Bella, they'll keep you safe for me."

"How long will you be away?"

"I don't know. We have to wait for Edwards plane to land and it hasn't taken off yet. I'll ring you again later if I can but you'll be on the move yourself so it might be a little more difficult."

"Please take care, remember I love you Jazz."

"Love you too darlin'"

Cade appeared then shaking a set of car keys and we left the airport to find the car in the rental compound,

"Hows Bella?"

"It would seem someone else knows what's going on. Darius has sent two body guards for her, that makes me feel a little better, I know the two of them and they are very tough."

"Good. It seems you have more friends than you thought Jasper...and not just in Canada."

I looked up at his tone to see four figures leaning against a huge monster truck watching us approach,

"Somehow I don't think I'm going to be needing these keys after all."

I recognised Peter, Charlotte, and Garrett but it took a few seconds for the fourth face to register. It had been decades since I saw Darius so what the hell was he doing here? He pushed off from the truck and limped over, a sardonic smile on his face,

"Well now Major, you about to have a party and not invite me? That's very unfriendly, its been far too long."

He turned to my companion and held out his hand,

"Cade, we haven't met but I've heard a lot about you. Darius at your service."

"I thought your fees were too high for information, so who the hell is bankrolling this little enterprise?"

Darius laughed and the two shook hands briefly then I introduced Cade to the other two, still hardly believing their presence myself.

Peter

I could see The Major was shocked to see us, me especially, and while the others were busy introducing themselves I pulled him to one side.

"Let me get one thing very clear Major. I'm here under duress, personally I'd be happy to see your hide nailed to Aros study wall but Charlotte thinks I'm being unreasonable. She's wrong but it's never wise to tell a woman that so I'm here. Oh yeah and I'm very upset that you get rid of one fucking witch only to pick up with another, and a human at that. Are you stark raving mad? You're not safe to be out on your own you know? Still at least you left her at home. We've got enough on our plate without watching over some pathetic human girl. One day you're going to come to your senses and I for one cannot fucking wait."

I could see it was like water off a ducks back but I'd had my say and felt better for it. What I really wanted to do was put an arm around him and pull him close, tell him how good it was to see him again but I couldn't, I just couldn't bring myself to do it.

Jasper

I listened to Peter in silence knowing a great deal of it was relief at seeing me again, I knew he hated Alice but it was unfair tarring Bella with the same brush, I wouldn't try to defend her for now, it was pointless. He was here and that was all I cared about, I felt better with him at my shoulder once more.

"Understood Peter. For now can we just work together? Later you can take your best shot, OK?"

He nodded and wandered back to Garrett who looked at me questioningly and I answered with a shrug. I trusted Peter not to let any problem between us get in the way of the job in hand. Cade was explaining the situation to the others when I rejoined them and when he finished Darius turned to me,

"So you decided to go for the full Monty, take on Aro Volturi? Well Major you never did do things by halves did you? So, we pick Edward Cullen and his mate up from the airport and deliver them to Cade's village? Sounds simple enough but I'm betting something is going to happen to make it a bit more tricky, in fact I'm banking on it. Just as a matter of interest, if we do accomplish this how do we placate Aro? I mean, I'm pretty sure he's not going to be happy to lose not only Edward Cullen but his wife too. Are we hoping that in true Disney fashion he'll shrug and go home with a tear in his eye?"

"So far there's no indication he knows that his wife and Edward are anything more than a honey trap and her subject. If they get away safely there's no reason why he should suspect they had help, especially from me."

"Yeah sure Major and we turn back into little white rats and scatter, fuck me you are an idiot sometimes. We all know Aro will be on our tails as soon as he discovers them gone. Still, life's been far too boring of late, maybe we can all go through the looking-glass, that way Aro can hunt as long as he likes. I guess the only problem with that scenario is it leaves Bella the wrong side of the mirror. Which brings me back to another little problem. Its pretty fucking obvious that Aro will make a bee line for the Cullens and I don't suppose it will take him more than about two seconds to get the truth from them. Emmett and Rose will find themselves holding a live grenade with slippery fingers, what a fucking mess."

"I understand I owe you for sending some reinforcements to watch over her."

Darius grinned,

"Yeah well it'll be on your bill never fear, besides it wasn't my idea now was it Peter?"

"I haven't the faintest fucking idea what you are referring to."

Peter walked off but I knew my friend had suggested the security however much he said otherwise.