Chapter Fifty

Charlie

I had only just left town when I saw a young woman beside a car with the hood up although she looked scarcely old enough to be driving. Getting out I went over to see if I could help,

"What seems to be the trouble ma'am?"

"I'm not sure"

As she looked up from the engine bay I saw with shock that her eyes were a deep red and then suddenly it was as if my whole body was dipped in concrete which was curing fast. The pressure on my organs was terrible, the pain knocking me from my feet as an older guy appeared at her side.

"You sure this is Charlie Swan?"

"Yes, just get him in the car before anyone goes by"

I found myself roughly bundled into the back seat of the car which started up and drove away at speed. The pressure and pain had gone as quickly as it came but when I tried to sit up a strong hand pushed me back down,

"Don't even think of trying anything or I will break something. Just keep quiet and lay still."

"Who are you? Where are you taking me?"

"I said be quiet, I wont tell you again."

Some twenty minutes later the car parked up and I was pulled from it by the guy who had threatened me to see we were at an airstrip. Looking round I saw it was deserted except for a light aircraft with its engines running.

"Come on"

I was dragged to the plane and bundled up the steps then shoved roughly into a seat and belted up.

"If you move I'll break your legs"

The threat was chilling in its certainty and I sat back. I'd been kidnapped by vampires that much was easy to work out but who they were and what they wanted with me was more of a puzzle. They couldn't be Bella's friends which meant they were the enemy but who?

The plane took off quickly with only myself and the young girl aboard, the guy had obviously stayed behind for some reason.

"Who are you?"

She turned cold red eyes on me.

"Saffron Dacian now I suggest you keep quiet unless of course you enjoy pain."

I believed her threat so I kept silent but I thought about her name Dacian, who the hell were they? Not the leaders of the vampire world so what did they want with me? Was I a hostage for Bella's good behaviour or a means to capturing her? I had no idea but I knew I couldn't fight this girl, slight though she appeared, she was a vampire with a scary gift. This plane wasn't a jet so we couldn't be on our way to Italy where the Volturi headquarters were so where was she taking me? The flight was only about an hour and then we landed, being met by another vampire with a blacked out sedan.

Once inside the car my two "companions" largely ignored me and for that matter each other at first. We were on an unmarked highway when she spoke,

"Do you really think they'll be stupid enough to travel to Volterra?"

"The brothers seem to think so."

"So what do we do with him?"

"Keep him safe and hidden as leverage. Once I get him in the house you need to drive to the airport, Stefan will be waiting."

We pulled up at an old farm house surrounded by mile after mile of flat fields so there was nowhere to run or hide. The new vampire opened the back door and waited for me to climb out then took my arm. The girl slid into the drivers seat without a word and drove off leaving us out here alone. As soon as she left he let go of my arm and spoke,

"As you can see there's nowhere to run to, nowhere to hide, so I'm not going to tie you up or lock the doors. Provided you don't try anything you can have the run of the house. There are supplies here ready for you."

"Who are you?"

"My name is Karl and I'm a member of the Dacian guard. I don't much like humans so don't get on my wrong side. As long as you behave there's not going to be a problem but if you try anything I will hurt you. Stefan wants you alive and breathing but he never said I couldn't break a few bones if necessary."

"Why am I here?"

"To make sure your daughter doesn't try anything stupid. Stefan needs her in Volterra, but he's concerned she might not use her gift as he wants so you are here to ensure her good behaviour now you've used up your quota of questions."

He turned and walked away to stand looking over the fields and I went inside the house to see what provision had been made for me. Inside were stacks of tinned food and bottled water so at least I wouldn't go hungry or thirsty but just how long did they expect me to stay here?

I hadn't been searched so found my cell phone in my pocket and I was about to ring Bella when Karl appeared in the doorway,

"If you're ringing your daughter you might tell her that Stefan and Vladimir are hoping she will help Faith."

I didn't understand a word but as long as he was going to allow me to speak to Bella I went ahead and dialled. When she picked up I heard relief in her voice,

"What happened dad? We were warned you were on your way to the ranch but you just vanished."

"I had a slight problem, do the names Faith, Stefan, and Vladimir mean anything to you?"

"Yes, its the Romanian coven why?"

"Because I have a message from them, they are hoping you will help Faith."

There was a long silence then another voice came on the phone,

"Chief Swan this is Darius, a friend of Bella and The Major"

"Who?"

"Sorry you know him as Jasper Hale I think."

"I've heard of him."

"The story is very complicated but we are on our way to Italy to rescue The Major"

"Yeah I thought you might say that. A little birdie filled me in on some of the details."

"Good then I don't need to explain every thing. Where are you?"

"No idea but I'm with a Karl Dacian if that means anything to you.

I heard a soft oath which was echoed in the room,

"Yes unfortunately it does. Hold tight Chief."

Then he was gone, the connection broken, and I was really still none the wiser but Karl looked concerned,

"That was Darius?"

"So he said"

"I wonder if Stefan knows he's involved? Stay here I need to contact my masters."

I sat down in one of the recliners with a packet of chips and a bottle of water, whoever this Darius was his presence with Bella had certainly stirred Karl up!

Stefan

When Karl contacted us to say he had Bella's father as a hostage we were pleased, it was just an insurance policy. The leadership of our world was finally within reach and we weren't taking any chances. Once Bella knew we had her father she would understand that failure wasn't an option, she must help Faith in her endeavour, one I didn't think she knew we were totally aware of. Then came the second less welcome call with its news of Darius involvement.

"Curse him. He hates us as much as he hates the Volturi".

"Don't worry brother, Bella and her friends will get Faith inside Volterra and she and Christopher will destroy Aro and his brothers if The Major doesn't. It was so good of Samuel to give us this chance at power, if only he knew we had grasped it."

"I don't like Darius being involved, he's no friend to us."

"Darius isn't a friend to anyone as far as I know"

"Then why is he with Bella?"

"I have no idea, but don't worry Vladimir, they wont fail us, not if they want Bella and her father reunited this side of the grave."