Chapter Fifty Four
Jasper
I told Peter, and the others when they contacted me eager to help once they heard the story, to stay away from Denali. I didn't want anyone, Dante especially to see them arriving and warn the Romanians. We agreed that once I spoke to Dante myself we would meet up, by then he would know his threat was toothless and would soon tell Stefan and Vladimir. Would they try to act on someone else close to me? Charlie would keep Bella safe from this strange gift but what about the rest of us? Alice came in during the early hours and motioned for me to join her outside so checking Bella was really asleep I left her with Charlie and Tanya who wouldn't leave his side except to get him something to eat. I thought when he went home, if indeed he did, he might well be taking a mate with him! Once outside Alice walked with me to the barn and we sat on some old lumber piled up inside,
"Well Alice what's going on? Can Charlie keep Bella safe?"
"Yes but I don't think he's going to need to very long because you're going to need her help against the Romanians."
"Are you crazy Alice? I'm not letting Bella get anywhere near Romania."
"You won't have any choice Jazz. They have the gifts Dante told you about and they will stop you with them otherwise."
"I don't understand Alice, explain yourself."
"You've seen Charlie's gift, Bella's is much more powerful than his but it needs kick starting."
"How? And why didn't Eleazer see it?
"She doesn't understand it herself but its hiding in her. She wont feel it until she sees you in danger and she will but only if she goes with you."
"Alice I'd be crazy to take Bella there"
"You'll be dead if you don't Jazz unless things change radically and that's always a possibility. Besides I'm not sure either of you could cope with being parted. Once Bella is back to full strength you need to move out so get everything ready for then. Emmett and Rose are going along with Stuart and I. Peter and Charlotte, Garrett, and Darius are all on their way as we speak along with a few others."
"How did they find out?"
"Rumours run fast in our world especially when Darius is in charge of communications. I think even the Volturi have heard a whisper or two but they aren't sure quite what to do yet. They wouldn't be sending their best in any case, they don't want to lose them but they might well send a few guard just to help out so they can claim the victory if that's what happens."
"And what do you think will happen Alice?"
"Oh I think you'll win the way things are stacking up but I'm not sure exactly what's going to happen things are getting fuzzy again, in flux I think. Give me a few minutes, someone is changing their mind."
"But you know we'll lose without Bella as things stand?"
"Yes she's your ace in the hole. No one knows anything about her except she's a human who you are planning to change as she's your mate. At worst they'll think she's a good fighter."
"I don't have time to change her Alice and she's just too vulnerable as a human."
"Oh I think you'll find Bella's a lot tougher than you think when the chips are down and there are plenty of us to watch out for her."
"What about Charlie?"
"Tanya will stick to him like a limpet plus Carlisle and Esme will go back, they have to, they have commitments."
"I think he was planning on going along Alice."
"Hush Jasper and let me concentrate, things are getting more complicated."
Bella
By the next morning I felt much better and finally had a proper meal which stayed down. I was fed up with being attached to my dad but I was allowed a little while to shower and dress and just got back to him in time as the nausea started to build once more. I heard the others had been out looking and almost caught a vampire about a mile from the house but he or she was warned and managed to evade capture. Everyone was waiting for Dante to ring Jasper, the house was full of silent watchful vampires and I felt safe and protected by them all. Stuart, Alice's new friend, came over to talk to me while Jasper spoke to someone on the phone, not Dante by the sound of things but a friend.
"So you are the girl causing all the problems. You and Major Whitlock, who'd have thought it, tell me how did you meet?"
"At school."
He laughed,
"You know I heard the Cullens were crazy but I never dreamed they were that crazy. Is it just you and your dad? I heard someone say he's a cop, is that right?"
"Yes, who told you?"
"Alice. I was curious about the humans who were in our world, it's a dangerous place to be especially for a human. Aren't you worried about the Volturi finding out? You know they'll kill you and probably the Cullens too."
"Then its a good job no one is going to tell them isn't it? Or were you thinking of carrying the tale to them?"
"Me? No."
He sounded panic-stricken and I knew he was thinking about what Jasper would do to him if he even thought Stuart might be a danger to me and I smiled. Alice looked over at us then came over,
"Bella, don't worry, no one here will tell the Volturi anything."
"I know that Alice, I didn't bring it up, Stuart did."
"He tends to speak before he thinks sometimes. Come on you, before you talk yourself onto a bonfire."
She took him away and I felt easier, he made me feel on edge although he'd done nothing to upset me.
Jasper
I could feel Bella's discomfort and looking over I expected to see Edward a little too close but it was Stuart she was wary of and Alice took him away before I reached her side. As soon as I took her hand I felt her relax but then my phone went and everyone fell silent as I answered,
"Yes?"
"Major Whitlock? I expected to hear from you before now or do you like watching those you love suffer? Maybe too many years in Maria's service."
I cut him off,
"You can tell the Romanians no deal. I'm not a mercenary for hire, they'll have to find someone else to help them with their coup."
There was a shocked silence,
"You won't help us?"
"No. Oh by the way, your little trick didn't work. My mate is fine so call your attack off before I find you and ram it straight down your throat. When you've done that I should run, get as far from me as you can because I will be looking for you and when I find you, and I will, you will understand what it means to threaten or harm The Majors mate Dante."
I disconnected then looked at Bella,
"I meant every word Bella. No one will harm you, not as long as I live."
