Revelations II
Bella's POV
"Eleazar, you are one of the few vampires that know of Aro's greed for gifted vampires. I don't believe he changed after you left the Volturi's service. He was the same at the time you were with them too, perhaps more subtle in his dealings."
There was dead silence in the room.
"I'd like for you to take a minute, and remember all you have done for the Volturi that involves your gift. Think of all the times Aro attended a punishment of rule breakers, where there were gifted vampires among the to find the truth in what I am telling you now. I understand why you would not want to believe anything I say, as it will make you sad to see what you had been a part of. Please, don't let it sadden you. We both know that your intentions were true."
I stopped babbling. All eyes in the room were locked on me. It made me uncomfortable.
I needed Eleazar to notice the pattern in Aro's acquisitions for himself, as he had in 'Breaking Dawn'. Once I stopped talking, everyone focused on Eleazar. Carmen held his hands in her smaller ones. He was deep in thought with a crease between his brows. Edward rubbed soothing circles on my back absently, while he listened to Eleazar's thoughts.
"No! no, no, no, no! What have I done? How did you know?" Eleazar stood abruptly and started pacing the room a few minutes later.
"What is it Eleazar?"
Carmen stood in his path to stop him pacing. He stopped to look at me, and turned to pace faster than before in a different direction.
"Edward?" Carmen and Tanya asked at the same time.
"Eleazar found what Bella was referring to, in his memories. He knows she is telling the truth. It is hard for him to accept." Edward answered.
I jumped when Eleazar suddenly knelt in front of me, taking both my hands in his.
"How did you know?" He asked again, desperate for an answer. I couldn't tell them about the books. Therefore, I had no answer for him.
"Eleazar, you are frightening her." Edward warned him off.
"Bella explained this knowledge comes to her when she needs it. This can only mean it was important for you to understand Aro's true character and purpose too. Please do not push her to tell you more than she already has. Besides, you identified the pattern yourself." Edward defended.
"I-I'm sorry little one." Eleazar apologized, returning to his seat.
"I'm sorry Eleazar," I mumbled, trying to give him whatever comfort I could.
"Old friend, are you comfortable telling us what you have discovered?" Carlisle asked gently.
"Oh, Carlisle old friend! It is a sad and terrible day when a man must question the meaning of everything he has done." Eleazar sounded very exhausted and hurt.
His ancient eyes looked aged. He pulled in deep unnecessary ragged breaths while we all waited for him to speak.
"When I was with the Volturi, my duties were to search for talented vampires and humans for the guard. There were times in our history, during the southern wars or great unrest, when the Volturi needed to step in and enforce our laws. Before an intervention or punishment was carried out, the Volturi sent members of the guard to scout the troubled areas or covens. I accompanied them whenever we suspected a misuse of gifts at play. When we returned to report to Aro, he would either send peacekeepers or attend the punishments himself. I have just realized…"
He paused to look at me again. I could see how it pained him to admit the truth to himself.
"At the encouragement of your daughter," he started over.
"I have realized that all of the times Aro attended the punishments himself; the guard would punish the offenders while Alec held them motionless in place. Since Aro already knew whom among them was gifted, he would isolate the individual and find a reason to pardon them. He always claimed that the individual's thoughts cleared him of any wrong doing, or, that they were remorseful. In return, the talented one was offered a place with the guard. They would pledg their service to the Volturi. It was considered a great Honor, and showed the Volturi's tolerance and mercy." Eleazar paused and hung his head in his hands.
"Now, I sit here wondering if Aro used my gift to amass a talented guard. His Renata, Afton, Demitri and few others were found in the same fashion. I am wondering if I took part in deciding who died and who lived at those punishments. I am wondering if all of those punishments were justified, or…or simply talent acquisition missions." He finished sadly.
All the vampires in the room were shocked at the revelation.
"Eleazar, are you sure?" Tanya asked while Carmen gently comforted him.
"I am sure. That is what you wanted me to see. Is it not, dear Bella?" He asked me. I could only nod in answer. A long moment of silence passed before Jasper spoke.
"We need to plan and make provision for this development. The Volturi's presence leaves us more vulnerable."
"Eleazar, can Jane and Alec hurt someone a great distance away?" I asked.
"No, Jane needs to be in close proximity and have a clear view of her target. Alec's gift works slower when he is at a greater distance too." I smiled as a plan formed in my mind with his answer.
"Jasper, I was wondering if the wolves could stay hidden during the fight. Maybe they can attack from the sidelines. Well, Emmett could throw a few vampires their way - just off the clearing; I don't know. You'll need a watcher, someone who can hide and keep you informed of the Volturi's place at all times. Edward can hear up to three miles away, but the wolves can communicate with each other over a greater distance. If the wolves hid well…in very thick mist or deep ditches in the ground…"
I looked at Benjamin who smiled and nodded with a mischievous wink.
"...some of you can lead the other vampires towards them even…" I stopped talking at Jasper and Peter's gleaming eyes. They wore wide smiles.
"What?" I asked them.
"You know I love you Bella, don't you?" Jasper asked rhetorically. "You really would have made me a perfect second wife."
He added to the confusion of our guests. Alice huffed loudly folding her small arms across her chest.
"You couldn't protect me against Alice. Live with your loss!" I retorted, happy that he caught onto the plan I was suggesting.
"I've got an opening, since I'm also adopting two wolves." Peter piped in.
"We can take second wives?" Benjamin asked in mock seriousness.
"No! And, I'm too young to be a step-mom to giant wolves. Besides, you wouldn't stop Charlotte from eating me if she decided to. No thank you!" I replied.
Edward growled before Emmett spoke; "Dad, I think we should have a tournament, the winner gets Bella."
"No!" Everyone laughed at Carlisle and Esme's shocked response.
Tia's tinkling laughter filled the room along with small chuckles from the others. "I'm sorry, it's just strange that you can talk comfortably about our diet. I thought we'd feel like outsiders here when Amun told us how you live." She explained her nervous laughter. The serious discussion died down.
"You'll always be welcome here. Thank you for coming to stand with our family and friends." I extended my gratitude to her and her mate.
It was with a heavy heart that I hugged my family goodbye, together with Peter, Charlotte, Kate, Irina and Carmen. Edward ran us to my house with me in his arms. He threw me on my small bed and lay atop me.
"I have missed you," he told me before he started kissing me senselessly.
I had missed his touch and kisses too. He slid his hand behind my waist and pressed himself fully against me. His lips never left my skin as I tilted my head back to take a breath.
"And it does strange things to me when I see your strength shine through…whenever you say something exceptionally wise…when you show humility that can only be matched by our parents…" He said between kisses.
There was more, but I couldn't listen attentively when he kissed me the way he did.
He trailed kisses down my neck towards my chest while he gently massaged my breast. My body reacted immediately to the stimulation and my need for him increased. Our kisses grew more desperate as we started throwing off clothes frantically in an effort to have more skin contact. I was surprised to feel the electric blanket already warm when Edward suggested we get under the covers.
I shivered in pleasure as Edward grazed his fingers between my legs. I bucked my hips against his hand, begging for more contact. He tore my panties off and gently pushed his fingers in me while his lips caressed by breasts. My breath left me as I welcomed him home. He moved his fingers in tight circles using his thumb to rub my pleasure spot while his other had held my hip in place. I knew it wouldn't be long before I descended in ecstasy. I gave into everything I was feeling and my mind was only filled with Edward as I exploded.
Edward removed his finger and disappeared under the covers to replace them with his cool tongue. He kissed my naked body from head to toe, turning me over to do the same to my back side. I did the same for him and used my hands to bring him pleasure. A few short minutes after we both calmed Alice called to remind us that I had a flight to catch. Fully naked, we showered together for the first time. Edward's erection never calmed and my fascination with it was obvious. He, in turn couldn't stop staring at my breast. We were in the shower until the water turned cold.
"We better get out there; Esme and Carlisle have been waiting for twenty minutes."
Edward told me as we made our way to get dressed. I flushed in embarrassment wondering why he hadn't said anything when they arrived.
Edward got in the backseat with me while Carlisle and Esme rode in the front. I sat on his lap and curled into him. It was hard to remember why I should leave when he would be facing an army in a few hours.
Strangely, I was not worried about anyone not coming back. I trusted Jasper and Peter's battle skills and training. I was at peace inside. There was nothing more I could say or do to help.
The ride to Seattle airport was quiet. We arrived with minutes to spare before boarding our flight. Edward ran the airport parameter to check whether or not we had been followed. He came back satisfied, there were no vampire thoughts within a three mile radius.
We said our goodbyes and boarded the plane. Esme held my hand while we waited for take off. I understood how difficult it was for her to leave Carlisle's side at a time like this. I smiled and grasped her hand tighter to comfort her. There was no need for words.
