Chapter Thirty Eight

Star

I held tight to my sister all the way back to my suite and her mate followed close behind. We began to talk even before we reached there, I asked her about our parents pleased to hear she had finally escaped our mom to live with dad in Forks although now it was certain she would never see either of them again. It hadn't really bothered me, not when I ran away or when I finally got my memory back here in Volterra but I could see Bella was close to dad and felt a twinge of jealousy, I had always been his favorite but I had left, Bella had stayed and she had taken my place in his affections. Then she told me about the move to Forks and how she had come to meet the Cullens and fall in love with Jasper.

It seemed strange to me, seeing him with Bella but Alice had explained the situation between them and I was glad Bella had someone strong enough to fight for her when necessary. Once I was sure we were shielded I explained how Alice and I had come up with this plan after receiving the message from Darius although it wasn't too difficult. I had been feeling more and more restless and, as a result, frustrated and angry but I have to admit to enjoying the devastation I was causing in the Volturi citadel.

"Alice told them she thought I needed to find my mate and then they heard about you and how you might be able to help me control my gift. I don't know if you remember Bella but self-control was never my strong point."

There was a quiet tap on the door half an hour later and two of the guard came in, one bearing a tray of food for my sister and the other watching warily although what they thought I was going to do with my fragile human sister here I couldn't imagine. While Bella ate Jasper suggested that we experiment, see if Bella's presence affected my gift in any way. I asked if she had a gift of her own but they were unwilling to divulge any details until we had tried together. Once she finished eating I wanted to experiment and although I could see Bella was flagging she agreed, much to Jasper's annoyance.

"Shouldn't you rest first Bella? You've had a really stressful day."

I pounced, scared she might give in to him,

"Oh, please Bella, I've been here on my own for so long. Surely you can try, just for a little while?"

Jasper

I wasn't happy that Star was pressuring Bella but decided to watch and wait a while before stepping in, after all, they were only just reunited. Alice had prepared the way as best she could by teaching Star to concentrate on a single object and make it move at will. She thought it might help prove Bella's influence if she could prevent Star from doing her "party trick". I chose a large book from one of the bookshelves laying it on the floor and asking Star to move it to the table.

"I'm not sure I can be that precise but I'll give it a try. I'm much better at destroying things actually which can be a bind. A first edition Great Expectations exploded only the other day and that was a pain because I was in the middle of reading it."

Star could move the book easily enough, it bounced from wall to wall missing the table altogether and as she became frustrated the table started to slide about too, so I called a halt.

"Bella, you concentrate on getting the book onto the table with Star. See what happens."

I stood back, my hands on Bella's shoulders ready to move her out of harms way but the book floated into the air and headed straight for the table landing gently on its surface.

"That was great."

Bella grinned triumphantly but Star was staring at the door distractedly and only returned her gaze to Bella when her name was called.

"Do that again Bella."

"Do what?"

"Whatever you did. Do it again please."

Star sounded desperate and Bella looked questioningly at me so I nodded,

"Star, you have to concentrate with Bella."

She wrenched her eyes from the door with difficulty and nodded biting her lip just as Bella did when she was nervous or concentrating hard on something.

Again I placed the book on the floor and waited, this time, it happened more quickly but just as gently and then Star was at the door, a hand grasping the handle.

"Do it Bella, hold it back for me, please."

Then she was gone, out the door and we heard the sound of the guards shouting at her to stop.

"What's going on Bella? What did Star mean?"

Bella's eyes were unfocused, her hands trembling and then quite suddenly she collapsed as if the air had been sucked out of her violently. I caught her before she could hit the ground and heard a most unladylike curse from the corridor. As I laid Bella on the couch Star came running back in, a mixture of fear and frustration on her face but when she saw her sister she dropped to her knees beside her grabbing her hands,

"I am so sorry Bella. I should have realized you weren't strong enough. I should have been thinking of you but I was just so excited."

Bella stirred and tried to sit up but I held her down gently,

"No, you are going to rest or I'm calling Carlisle. Drink this."

I had poured a little wine from a carafe on the dresser and she sipped it making a face.

"Right, now will someone please explain what the hell just happened?"

The two girls looked at each other and Star nodded,

"I felt it, just for a few seconds. An attraction I couldn't resist. He's here somewhere, my mate. Here in Volterra and I never knew because I was shielding myself, just like I feared. It was only when Bella took control that the shield lifted from my mind and I felt it. She is the one who can control my gift, she has the delicate touch, to make violent actions subtle, to hold the gift and use it. I think she may even be able to take it from me, possibly permanently."

I held up a hand to stop Star,

"Whoa, Bella took your gift? She used it, not you?"

"Not quite, I moved the book but I couldn't send it floating gently, that was Bella. I think she can use, borrow my gift and use it as her own. As a human, she doesn't have the mental strength but as a vampire... Can we try again?"

"Bella isn't doing any more until I'm sure she's OK and that means after a good nights sleep."

Star was disappointed but she could see by my expression I wasn't going to budge on this so she nodded,

"OK. You can use the bedroom. I'm going to try guessing who my mate is because he's here in Volterra. Maybe if I find him I can learn to control my gift, it works like that sometimes doesn't it? I mean, when you find your mate everything changes, Alice told me that much."

Sweeping Bella up in my arms I carried her through to the bedroom closing the door firmly behind us and laid my mate on the bed.

"I don't want to hear any arguments, you will get some sleep and then you are going to tell me exactly what happened out there. If not, there is no way you are trying again, whatever your sister, or anyone else for that matter, says."

She looked at me in silence for a few seconds then nodded,

"OK, but can I just take a quick shower first?"

I pulled her up and steered her to the small bathroom which opened off the bedroom leaving her to her shower while I tried to work out exactly what had happened and what it meant.

Bella

Everything was moving so fast, I had my sister back and I had faced the Volturi without losing my nerve. Through it all my rock had been Jasper, he made me brave just by being there at my side. Knowing he was just the other side of this door sent butterflies whirling around in my stomach and caused a longing deep inside. I knew I loved him but more than that, I wanted him, I needed to feel him close, as close as two people could be, yet I had no idea how to tell him or even if he felt this strange ache too. I would try to speak to Megan alone later, if I got the opportunity, perhaps she could help me. Until then I would just enjoy the feelings that were driving me crazy and hope for the best.