Chapter Fifty Two

Jasper

While we waited for Alice to get back I called the others together and told them about the call and Alice's summation.

"You can't help the Romanians Jasper, it will only get you killed."

"If I don't Esme they will kill Bella."

Charlie sat in a thoughtful silence but I knew that behind that calm exterior his cops brain would be working the odds.

"Do you think he will carry out his threat if you don't help?"

"I can't take the risk Charlie. If Alice doesn't come up with something quickly then I have no choice but to go."

Eleazer spoke up then,

"What we need to know if possible is what gifts the Romanians have discovered and how they are so sure these gifts can beat the twins. I can't imagine any gift that can defeat the two of them."

"Alice may have seen something but in the meantime I'm going to make some calls. Carmen will you and Esme sit with Bella, tell her I'll be with her as soon as I can."

"And if she asks what's happening?"

"Then tell her, she has a right to know."

I turned to Charlie,

"I'm sorry Charlie I never meant to put her in danger, I would never do that to Bella."

"I know that Jasper and I know you'll find a way out of this but if you have to go then I'm going with you."

Tanya gave a little cry and tugged on his arm,

"Charlie you can't fight the Volturi or the Romanians, they'll kill you."

"I can think of worse things to die for and vampires or not I have to help my daughter."

Alice

Stuart and I walked in as Charlie was speaking and I smiled, he was about to help her much more than he thought if my visions were right.

"Charlie I think you can help without fighting anyone."

They all turned to me and I introduced Stuart who was busy staring at Emmett in adoration. He walked over and held out his hand,

"Major Whitlock I've heard a lot about you, it's an honour to finally meet the man behind the myth and it will be an honour to serve with you."

Emmett looked at him in bewildered silence but Jasper shook his head very slightly so he just shook hands while the rest of us looked on. I was sure Jasper had something in mind, perhaps he didn't trust Stuart and I had to admit I didn't know everything about him but I didn't get any dangerous vibes and he was my mate, he would hardly be a threat to those I loved. I pulled him over to one of the couches and sat down.

"Right, Charlie I think you have a gift we just need to get it working."

"Me? A gift? One that might help Bella?"

"Yes, it's not very powerful but I don't think it needs to be, hers is far more useful but until we can protect her from this gift that's affecting her we will never find out."

"What do I have to do Alice?"

"Sit with Bella, alone for a little while. I think once you see how distressed this is making her your gift will kick in automatically. You haven't been with her much have you?"

"No I was leaving it to the girls, after all she's in bed and sick so I thought she might be more comfortable with female company."

"Oh I'm sure she would be but this is more important. You go up now please."

Charlie shrugged at Tanya then kissing her on the cheek went upstairs to Bella.

Jasper

I nudged Emmett who stood close and he caught on,

"So, what's the plan Alice?"

She smiled at him giving me a quick glance then spoke again,

"I think Charlie can shield his daughter. Once he sees how ill she is I think it will kick in and protect her from this gift, at least I'm hoping so. If it does then I think you have a chance, you can do one of two things, tell the Volturi about the Romanian plan and hope they kill off your enemies so you don't have to watch your back for ever or take the fight right back to the Romanians yourself but I don't have any information about their gifts so that could be dangerous in itself."

"If we can get close enough I could tell you the gifts and maybe we could counteract them."

Emmett nodded at Eleazer's idea,

"Thanks, so you're in on it then?"

He looked at Carmen then nodded,

"Of course. Bella has been attacked in our house and we will not stand for that. If Alice is right about Charlie's gift being very weak that may be why I didn't pick up on it, I have missed weak gifts before but it never mattered because they were of no use to the Volturi. As for Bella, I haven't felt anything and I'd be very interested as to why that is. I still think you might need to call on your friends Jasper."

He looked at me as he said it and I agreed, a look that wasn't lost on Stuart who looked confused from Emmett to me,

"Never assume you know anything without first learning all the facts Stuart. You came in here and looked around deciding the biggest man in that room must be the best fighter. Emmett is good, very good, but he's not The Major."

"You are?"

I laughed at his stunned expression,

"Looks are sometimes deceptive, you'd do well to remember that lesson, it might just keep you alive."

I went outside to make some phone calls, the more of us the better especially if we decided to take on the Romanians, I really didn't want to involve the Volturi in this because I knew if I did then I couldn't rely on my friends and I trusted them a hell of a lot more than I did Aro Volturi. Peter wasn't answering his phone so I left a message then I dialled Darius who as always answered first ring.

"My birthday has come early! I didn't expect to hear from you for a while. I take it there's trouble?"

"I need a number tracing. I want to know who its registered to and where its calling from if possible".

"So just routine then! Give me the number and stay on the line."

I heard his fingers flying across a keyboard then a whistle of surprise,

"What have you got yourself mixed up in this time Major? I thought he was dead."

"Who?"

"Dante, but then he never works alone so who is the paymaster this time? You upset the Volturi Major? No I think not, they don't use him these days, they don't need to. So, that leaves either an independent or...what did you do to upset the Romanians?"

"They want me to help them overthrow the Volturi."

"Well I hope you refused the invitation or was it too good to just ignore? I never took you for a rebel Major."

"They are going to kill my mate unless I agree to help them."

"Really? So that would mean they've got their sticky little mitts on a gift or two. I knew they would eventually, can they make good on their threat?"

"They already are. She's starving to death."

"I see. Well Dante's phone is switched off but of course that doesn't stop me tracing it, I love it when they think they're being clever. He's on the move but not far from Denali. So, is Eleazer involved? Not his kind of gig I would have said."

"It happened in his house and that upset him."

"Well I can see it would. Do you have any way of interrupting this gift that's threatening your mate?"

"Maybe, I'm not sure."

"Then you become sure Major. Be very sure by the time we get there."

"We?"

"You don't think I'm missing out on a chance to give the Romanians a bloody nose do you?"

"Well I do have one more question. What do you know about a nomad called Stuart? He's English by birth I think."

"Stuart? Don't think I know him, but I will. See you soon."