Chapter Fifty Three

Bella

We left the following evening by which time I felt a lot stronger, a new vampire had joined us Elspeth a friend of Charlotte's whose gift was physical healing and it certainly worked on me. Even Jasper had to agree I was looking better but we didn't tell him that Elspeth's gift wasn't a cure just an alleviation of symptoms for a short while but my body was recovering and I knew I would cope with whatever the next few days threw at me. During the flight I rested against Jaspers shoulder and I knew he was helping me all he could. What he didn't know was that since Brazil there had been an even closer connection, I could feel his own emotions as he felt mine so I knew just how much the loss of our baby had affected him, there was a deep gaping wound inside his chest as if his heart were torn open again. I guess it was the knowledge that he had the ability to father a child only for that innocent to be snatched from him that hurt him so much, after all neither of us had dreamed of such a thing happening. I wondered if we would get another chance or if I should ask him to change me if we made it out alive. Throughout the flight he ignored everyone but me as if feeling guilty that he had missed the signals before, he felt terrible guilt and there was nothing I could say that would make that go away, only time could heal such a feeling. The others were relaxing as if on a holiday not on their way to possible death and I realized that to them death wasn't something to fear, they had already died once and they felt the cause was just, the Volturi had held sway over their world for too long becoming increasingly corrupt with the centuries. It was time for a new beginning.

Once out of the airport we found our minibus and Peter drove us out to meet up with the allies Darius had arranged and there were more than I had imagined so I listened hard to their names and tried to remember each one as they were introduced. I'd heard of Siobhan, Liam, and Maggie, from Edward when he told me about the smaller covens in existence but the others were all new although Jasper seemed to know most of them.

"Hawke and his two friends Lacey and Wilhelm have an agenda of their own Major."

"Yes I heard about Heidi. Does she have any idea you are her real mate Wilhelm?"

"Not any longer, she joined the Volturi to survive and since then she has been under Chelsea's thrall. I would like a chance to speak to her so if there is an opportunity to save her life..."

"Fuck!, don't tell me we're gonna have a kill and don't kill list. Its going to be chaotic enough as it is."

"I understand Peter. It's only a hope I suppose, if she dies there is little I can do about it but I would appreciate any help in saving her."

"We'll see what we can do Wilhelm but no promises."

He nodded his agreement then stepped back to his friends.

"Garrett, Corey, and Rouke, need no introduction to you Major but it might be as well to tell the others of their gifts, Garrett is a fighter, an excellent one I may add,"

"You pay him to say that Garrett?"

"I love you too Peter."

So they were friends!

"Corey has the ability to cause a vortex, a tornado which he can control so keep that in mind and Rouke can move stones so any problems in the passages his gift might just come in useful."

"Lets' just hope he's in the right fucker then."

Everyone laughed at that except for the six men standing in a small group watching the proceedings nervously.

"Major I know you have met the Fraternidad before but I don't think any of the others have so let me explain, they are a Spanish brotherhood who have their own reasons for hating the Volturi. Their wives and sweethearts were killed by Caius Volturi when he mistakenly attacked their village thinking it harboured children of the moon."

"Sorry?"

I couldn't help asking, I hadn't heard this before,

"Sorry Bella, Antonio and his brothers lived in a small mountain village that was mistaken for a refuge for werewolves and Caius Volturi has a hatred and fear for the Children of the Moon so he killed everyone in the village with the exception of these brave men who were themselves hunting the werewolves."

"Oh right. Thank you Darius."

The leader of the group spoke to Jasper in rapid Spanish I assumed,

¿Quién es esta chica humana y por qué está aquí?"

He answered as fluently,

"Ella es mi compañera y ella está aquí como tú, de venganza."

"Ella nos hará perder tiempo, ser un peligro."

"No, Ella es mi responsabilidad, ella tiene su propio don to mantenerla a salvo."

The leader of the group looked at the others then shrugged and nodded,

Muy bien Mayor, si tú lo dices."

Charlotte saw my puzzled look and whispered in my ear,

"The Fraternidad is worried that you will slow them down, be a hindrance but The Major has said you are his responsibility and you have a gift to keep you safe."

"Thanks Charlotte. I didn't know Jasper spoke Spanish."

"That's what comes of living in Mexico for so long but he speaks many languages."

Something else I didn't know about my mate!

"Right lets see the map, then we can decide on the make up of the two groups."

They crowded round a picnic table where Peter laid the map out and explained the strategy to the others while Jasper stood talking to the Fraternidad who still looked over at me uneasily.

"Ignore them Bella, they don't like anyone very much. They tend to keep to themselves and distrust strangers."

"Then why did they come?"

"They couldn't do anything else, it might be their only chance to get Caius Volturi. They know The Majors reputation and if he thinks he had a way in then they'll follow him."

I nodded,

"He certainly inspires belief in others doesn't he?"

"It's what makes him the man he is, you've never seen The Major Bella only Jasper, his alter ego is a very different person so be prepared to see the Mr Hyde, there isn't a warrior in our world who doesn't shudder when they hear his name. Many will cross oceans to avoid a confrontation with him."

I could see she meant what she said but I found it hard to believe that my tender loving Jasper could be the fighting machine she described.

Jasper

It took a little more explanation but when I told the Fraternidad why Bella was here they understood, vengeance was something they were very familiar with and we went over to join Peter who was outlining the plan he, Darius and I had put together.

"Right, group one consisting of Corey, Rouke, Darius, Timo, Jose, and The Major will go down the first passage that leads underneath the audience chamber. The plan was for you to blow the chamber up hoping that the brothers might be in there, their wives almost certainly will be and some of the guard plus Corin. Now we have Corey with us I think we'll still blow it, but then Corey you clear up with a vortex then collect all the pieces and burn them. If you get the brothers or any of them you let us know by radio."

Group two, the Fraternidad, Garrett, Emmett, Hawke, Lacey, Wilhelm, and I will take the second passage. It comes out near Aro's study which is also close to Caius so we spread out, if we find any of the brothers we radio the other team, with these very nice fashion accessories Darius is handing out."

"Better than your idea of tin cans and wet string Peter."

"Bollocks Garrett. If these fucking things work in the citadel I'll be amazed. Kill all resistance, especially keep a look out for Chelsea or she'll cause havoc. She's usually close to the brothers so if she's not in the audience chamber she will be our responsibility so watch each other too. There will be a second wave following us so if we get into difficulties we'll have fresh support coming. Bella, Rose, Cade and Elspeth follow The Majors party, Charlotte, Siobhan, Liam, and Maggie follow my party. Everyone got it? Oh yes a little gift for you all, Jane, Demetri, Felix and a couple of minor guards are already dead so our biggest danger will be Alec but he can only keep a certain number in limbo, hence the second wave. Lets get set folks."