Chapter Fifty Four
Bella
Seated around the table in the main cabin all faces were grim, this was for real, the plan had to be perfect or lives could be lost as well as the advantage. Peter seated opposite Edward glared unhappily but was ignored. He'd made his dismay at Edward's presence known loudly until told by Hunter to shut up or leave backed by Jazz which stopped him dead in his tracks. We'd waited for Peter and Charlotte to return from hunting and I had stuck close to Jazz unhappy at the thought I would soon be forced to say goodbye to him unsure if I would ever see him again and terrified at that prospect. He hugged me aware of my fears,
"Bella it's going to be fine. I'm in no danger, I just need to know what Caius is planning then I'll be back I promise."
I sat beside him gripping his hand so tightly my own was aching with the effort.
"Right, we know the Volturi have been sent to kill Bella and I and that they'll be here tomorrow sometime. Alice says we can beat Jane as long as we are ready for them as soon as they arrive. Jane needs neutralizing quickly, decapitated and burned. The others are fighters not gifts, Darius, Peter, Hunter, and myself can take them with help. Charlotte, Edward I want you two to keep Bella safe while we deal with them."
"What about me?"
Jay looked annoyed,
"We can't afford for you to be seen alongside me. Caius has to believe I'm dead and you are taking my place. You stay with Bella and the others."
He continued to grumble but understood that Jazz was right, it was imperative Caius didn't find out The Major was aware of his double or the plan.
"So what do we do when they're dead? About getting the message to Volterra?"
Hunter sounded concerned and he was only reflecting everyone's feelings. Fighting the unknown was dangerous at any time but when the Volturi were involved it made things even more dangerous or so I'd heard Hunter tell Jay.
"That's where Edward comes in, he'll read their minds and tell us how the signal was supposed to get back to Caius then we falsify it. My guess would be Jane does the reporting which will mean Charlotte weaving a little of her magic, she's a great mimic."
Darius cleared his throat,
"About that little problem we might have had Major."
Peter's eyes narrowed,
"What little problem? Major? You keeping something from us?"
"I pointed out to The Major that he was going to be on a very tight time schedule if he wanted to be here for the fight and then get to Mexico for the handover."
"So? You're the fucking expert. Find a way to get him down there."
"Thank you for your belief in me Peter. I could but there's no need. I spoke to Maria and she's arranged to cross the border, just to help us out a little. The exchange will take place in Death Valley, Caius idea apparently although he never struck me as poetic, which means no border crossing and a much easier journey for you Major. You don't even have to miss the fight. There is just one thing."
I tensed, just when things seemed to be going our way something came up. Jazz looked at me and smiled but it was an automatic gesture and his face became guarded again even before he turned back to Darius.
"Go on."
"Maria told me she'll be handing you straight over to Caius himself so you wont have long to find out exactly what she's said to him about you. Sorry but there's no way round that unless you leave before the fighting."
"Amazing, just fucking typical! We don't even know she's telling the truth, she could be working with the evil twisted little fucker from Volterra, they're like two fucking peas from the same pod."
I could feel myself tense more, could Peter be right? Could Jazz be walking into some kind of a trap?
"Peter enough! I know Maria isn't to be trusted but this time she's on our side. I believe her and you're just upsetting Bella so can it."
"Oh I'm so sorry, please forgive me Bella. I thought we were talking strategy here, I didn't realize it was a fucking kindergarten for precious little humans. Its about time Bella faced up to the cold hard facts. This is dangerous and someone could get killed, that's the way it works."
I could feel Jazz tensing with anger and interrupted Peters tirade,
"Its OK Peter, I'd rather know the truth but don't worry about me, I understand only too well how dangerous this could get. I've been in a fight with a vampire remember?"
He huffed but subsided and I felt Jazz relax a little.
"Its dangerous yes but we have the manpower and the advantage so lets stop arguing. Darius set up a perimeter watch, I want to know as soon as they get close. I want to know numbers and positions. As soon as they are close enough Hunter and Darius take the fighters. Edward I need to know the plan so you get reading as soon as they appear. Peter, you and I will take Jane out."
"It would be far better if we had a distraction, give time for you to knock her out Major."
Jasper glared at Darius but before he could speak Peter piped up,
"Yeah, Bella wants to help, you heard her and she's had experience with vampires so why not. It would give us the advantage we need."
"No, you know what Jane will do to her and I refuse to allow it."
I touched his arm,
"Please Jasper let me help, especially if it gives you an advantage. They want me so if they see me it will give them something to focus on and give you chance to kill her."
"No Bella, Jane will torture you and I won't allow it."
"Major it would only be for a second or two and I'm sure Bella will be fine."
Jazz shook his head decisively at Charlotte's words and as the others rolled their eyes I knew he was going to win but then Edward spoke up,
"Jazz, I think it might be a better idea than you think. I couldn't read Bella's mind while we were together and Jane's gift is a mental one so perhaps it won't work on Bella anyway."
I agreed with Edward but Jazz merely looked at me a little sadly,
"Bella you forget my gift is a mental one too yet that worked on you as Peter was only too happy to tell you."
Peter groaned, if he thought Jazz had forgotten about that he was sorely mistaken.
"But maybe only because you are my mate, that's why you can affect me."
"I'm not willing to take the chance Bella."
"But I am. I will not hide while you all risk your lives in part to protect me. I'm doing this, end of story, no arguments Jazz."
Peter grinned but it vanished when Jazz turned to look in his direction.
"It seems I've been outvoted but I warn you, if anything goes wrong and Bella gets hurt..."
"We know Major and she won't. Alice would have seen it so chill."
Darius words didn't comfort Jazz much but I was pleased, I would have a part to play in the overthrow of Caius and whatever plan he had.
There was a short silence then Jazz spoke again,
"A slight change in the plan that's all. We're moving the boat to the outer edge of the marina close to that small wooded area. Bella I want you to draw them in, they'll catch your scent and follow you in. You won't be alone Charlotte will wait with you and Peter will be ready to cover you if there's any trouble. Once Jane spots you I'll knock her out then you go with Charlotte out of harms way, Peter and I will do the rest."
It wasn't as much as I wanted to do but it was as much as I could do being human.
