Chapter Fifty One
Aro
Word came in that Alice was dead, well it had always been a real risk, she played hard and brutally and once Bella and The Major found out she was responsible for everything she didn't really stand a chance. Her gift had been valuable but it was never going to be within my grasp, she knew how I felt and she'd made that quite clear. The trouble with collecting her for the Volturi was that she always saw us coming! Now it was likely Bella would be back but whether to see justice served or to plead for the Cullens lives I didn't know. I told Marcus what had happened and he shrugged,
"We'll be lucky to escape this with our own lives brother. Especially if they find out you were involved from the outset."
"How did you know that Marcus?"
He laughed at my discomfort,
"Aro, I may not be able to act on the intelligence that I gather but almost nothing escapes my scrutiny but in this case it was Athenadora who told me. Caius was suspicious and as she was the computer expert of the two of them she found out but never told him, only me."
"You'd do as well to keep it to yourself Marcus."
"Or what Aro? What exactly is there left for you to threaten me with? I have no one and my own life is valueless to me so tell me brother what will you threaten me with exactly?"
I didn't answer mainly because I couldn't, he was right.
"We need a united front Marcus, especially after Caius murder, or should I say execution, at Bella's hand. We don't want the peasants feeling they can revolt with impunity now do we?"
"Personally I couldn't care less but I am interested to see what Bella will decide. Maybe she can put an end to my misery, but if so I'd like to see you go before me brother. Caius was a corrupt and evil thug but you've done much worse over the centuries and I think you too should pay."
"Never the less..."
He interrupted me,
"Of course, I have no choice, I know that, but I can always dream dear brother"
I made a mental note to check with Chelsea that she was keeping on top of Marcus, I couldn't afford to lose his loyalty now.
When the call came I was ready for it,
"Aro, we need to talk"
"Of course Bella, you are always welcome in Volterra"
"I don't think so, not this time Aro. I'd rather you visited us at the ranch. You know where it is after all"
"While I would like to be able to agree I'm afraid that will not be possible. Ruling our sometimes turbulent world requires our constant attention."
"Very well. We will be with you tomorrow"
After she disconnected I realised she had agreed far too easily and that made me suspicious. When I told Marcus he smiled,
"I think perhaps that was just what Bella expected and planned for. You are playing directly in to her hands brother. We know what she is capable of, do you really want that power back here at our very heart? Still its too late to back out now but I suggest you have the guard on standby although I don't really see what they are able to do if Bella decides to cause mayhem. It should be interesting."
The very next day Bella and her group of "friends" appeared in Volterra and when we joined them in the audience chamber the sight was slightly intimidating and I was glad I had Renata at my back. With Bella and The Major were the remaining members of the Cullen family, Darius and his sister, Garrett, and Peter and Charlotte Whitlock.
"How nice to see so many of your friends here Bella but I don't suppose this is a purely social visit."
"No it isn't. I heard some very disturbing news when I met up with Alice Cullen, or should I call her Domino?"
"I'm sorry? Is that name supposed to have some significance?"
"Perhaps Lord of Mischief will then?"
I didn't answer that, Bella knew a lot more than I gave her credit for and I was beginning to regret asking her here but it was too late for that. Before I could say anything else the doors opened and Athenadora came striding in with the witnesses from the Cullens trial.
"I'm sorry Athenadora but this is a private meeting. Perhaps you could come back later,"
"That's OK Aro I invited them, I thought we should have witnesses to the proceedings. Now we're just waiting for two more people. Ah here they come."
I turned again to see Carlisle and Esme enter looking confused and slightly afraid.
Bella
I was ready now,
"Aro. I thought the witnesses should hear the complete story of The Cullens and myself. Alice Cullen was the one responsible for the things that happened to all of us, she was playing a game, a sick game, but to her a game. However, she wasn't working totally alone. No, she had a silent partner who styled them self The Lord of Mischief, poetic isn't it? How did you come by that name Aro?"
He didn't answer straight away so I went on,
"Well we can always come back to that question. I gave witness against Carlisle and Esme because at the time I thought they were personally responsible for losing my self respect but they too were merely pawns. Guilty of no more than being extremely gullible and trusting of their daughter. For that reason I would ask that you reconsider your verdict and I ask that you consider another sentence too."
"And what would that be?"
The spokesman stepped forward to ask the question.
"Permanent exile from the human world to Volterra".
"I see, well we are always willing to discuss it."
"Before you do that I'd like to bring charges of my own against Edward Cullen and ask that for the same crimes he too stay permanently in Volterra. Also Aro Volturi, that he aided Alice Cullen in her game and as such is also responsible for the crimes they are charged with. As a leader of our world I believe his crime to be far more serious and I would like you to consider his sentence in that light. Whatever you decide I think we need a new ruling council to look after our world and I would like to give you some suggestions."
"Like yourself perhaps Bella? Or your friends here?"
I smiled and shook my head,
"Wrong again Aro. I was thinking perhaps Athenadora, and possibly Felix even but I do think that Marcus should be allowed to stay on as he knows the working of the system."
That stopped them all in their tracks.
"Perhaps you would like some time to discuss the matters?"
The witnesses, or more properly jury, filed out into the corridor and across to another chamber opposite while we sat to wait for their deliberations to end. They weren't gone as long as I expected but then they weren't aware they hadn't finished yet.
Jasper
It was really something to see, my mate taking on the might of Aro Volturi and I was enjoying every minute of it. Both Carlisle and Edward had attempted to approach Bella but Garrett, Emmett, Darius, and Peter, blocked their way.
"If I were you I'd sit back down and make like little baby mice or by the time the jury gets back they'll be too fucking late. We'll have already passed sentence and delivered justice."
I thought Esme would have liked to say something too but she just sat quietly looking at Bella with such guilt on her face that I'm sure Bella got the unspoken message. She gave no sign she had noticed any of them however, her eyes remained on the doors until the group of witnesses came back in when she turned her head to smile at me briefly before standing up to hear their decisions.
