Chapter Fifty
Aro
I had to act fast, The Major was already in the United States and no doubt already on his way to Bellingham where the Cullens were now living. I tried his number but as usual once he received new orders he didn't bother to answer his phone again until business was concluded. Probably for this very reason, he hated the idea of being called off. I was therefore forced to ring my dear brother and his voice as he answered knowing it was me was full of a gloating satisfaction.
"Aro, I wondered when I would hear from you. I take it Marcus has broken the news to you. I have to say I was most shocked by your conduct, I know Carlisle is a friend but even so, to allow him to break our most sacred law and avoid the penalty was somewhat shocking. You'll be pleased no doubt that I took it upon myself to redress the situation leaving your hands free from the taint of your friends blood so to speak."
"Was it really necessary to send The Major after them Caius? Carlisle would have come to Volterra voluntarily if asked and no one was hurt, the girl hasn't told anyone. I was keeping the situation under close observation."
"How good of you Aro. Of course unless there has been a change in the law I was unaware of the penalty for breaking that particular law is death. I don't think we can pick and choose who we give the sentence too and I did save Alice for you. You should be thanking me brother."
"And Eleazar? Edward? What of them?"
"Eleazar lied to you, to us, surely you don't condone that either? Alice will be an asset, especially as her gift is stronger than we were led to believe."
"And Edward told you that no doubt? In exchange for what Caius? Protection? Sanctuary here in Volterra?"
There was a silence and I knew I'd struck a chord,
"I thought so, he tried me first and I refused. Not because he had betrayed his sire but because he had also tried to steal from Carlisle that which was not his and Carlisle found out. Edward is running scared, he would say anything to get your help in avoiding Carlisle's wrath. Did that not occur to you?"
"So you think Edward was lying to get my help? To get Marcus and I to help him?"
"What do you think? I have been watching the girl Alice and I can tell you her gift is indeed weak and unreliable although perhaps in time and with training it might improve and who better to help that along than Carlisle?"
I had sown the seeds of doubt in Caius mind which was exactly what I wanted.
"It might be as well to speak to young Edward again Caius, find out exactly what he knows and what he only suspects. Ask for specific instances where Alice's visions helped them out. She didn't see Edwards duplicity ahead of time did she? The most dangerous threat to them all. Don't you think if she were that powerful she would have warned them well ahead of time?"
"What about their crime? That had nothing to do with Alice or Edward."
"On the contrary Caius, Edward was the one who introduced Bella Swan into the family and therefore their secret and again Alice didn't warn them of the consequences of doing so. I hardly think she has a gift we could rely on, do you?"
"Do you know where the Cullens are now Aro? Or are you just hoping your words will sway me and send me after The Major to stop him?"
"If I knew where they were I would not tell you Caius but in point of fact I don't, I would imagine well away from Bellingham and in hiding. Besides what would you tell The Major? To go ahead and kill Alice too then offer Edward sanctuary here and then keep him here using Chelsea? I don't think anything I could say would change your mind or The Majors course of action. I'm just saddened at the impending death of a friend to all of us."
"Then I guess we will just wait for the law to run its course Aro. I will make one concession, if Carlisle survives and finds his way to Volterra I will allow him his way with Edward who will become a member of the guard as his punishment for lying if you are right, and for betraying his sire if you are wrong. I can't be fairer than that now can I brother? If I can contact The Major I might suggest he leave the Denali's out of this but I hold out no great hopes of that, as you know he's like a clockwork toy, once set on a course he keeps going until he runs down, killing his quarry. We'll speak again when I get back Aro, I think there will need to be a tightening of our laws, don't you?"
When he rang off I knew he was right, if he could get to The Major the best he could hope for was to possibly keep him from taking out the Denali's but Carlisle and his family were doomed and there was nothing either of us could do about it but pray for a miracle. With a heavy heart I rang Carlisle to explain the situation only to find he and his family, instead of running, were going to try and save the human girl!
"Are you mad Carlisle? Your only hope is to get away from there as quickly as possible and keep running."
"I can't do that Aro, the girl is our responsibility, we got her into this and the least we can do is to be there with her or try to take her with us but thank you for your concern. I would ask one thing of you old friend."
"A favor? You push your luck Carlisle. What can I do for you?"
"Make sure that Edward pays for his sins."
How could I refuse such a request even if Edward were valuable to the Volturi? He had already demonstrated he was not trustworthy.
"I promise you Carlisle that Edward will find his life a living hell if he comes to Volterra for sanctuary and if not then he will be hunted down and punished severely for his betrayal my friend. Good luck, I wish I could do more."
"Thank you for all you have done for us Aro."
As he rang off I felt a pang of regret, apart from my brothers and Felix, Carlisle was the only person over the centuries I had ever seen as a real friend and now he was about to die along with his whole "family", except the treacherous Edward but he would pay for depriving me of a man I respected, one who would tell me as he saw it irrespective of the consequences, I would miss him dreadfully.
I called Felix and told him I wanted to know the second he heard anything from Caius, Carlisle, or The Major.
"If there is the slightest chance we might be able to save the Cullens I need to know. They'll head somewhere they think they might stand a chance which means lots of humans, keep a watch out for any of Carlisle's aliases coming into play, and check all his residences, especially those in cities."
"You know they can't outrun The Major for long Aro but if they hide in a city we could call him off, it would be too dangerous for him to take them out surrounded by thousands of humans."
"Good thinking, ring him and if he's not answering leave a message but make sure you know if he receives it and ring Caius, tell him the same thing. He might be able to catch up with The Major before its too late."
