Chapter Fifty Six
Bella
When Jane looked at me I tensed expecting to feel terrible pain but I felt nothing and I saw Jane frown, she was so focused on me that she missed Jasper's move which led eventually to her death. I left with Jay reluctantly although that was a part of the plan. I wanted to stay and ensure myself that my mate was safe but that wasn't possible. I would be distracting for Jasper and that could be dangerous. Instead I found myself some distance away and sitting with Jay looking out over the water.
"Do you think they will be OK?"
"Of course Bella do you doubt your mate? You're the one who told me how courageous he was."
"No of course not but it is the Volturi he's fighting."
We didn't talk after that, just sat in a companionable silence waiting for news and I understood Jay was as frustrated as me being out of the action.
Then he started, got up, and turned sharply but relaxed as Jasper appeared and I got up calling his name and throwing myself at him in relief. He smiled broadly for a second and caught me, holding me close.
"Bella I told you we'd be fine, were you OK?"
"Yes I didn't feel anything at all Edward was right and it shocked her."
"Yes he was, there's something very unusual about you darlin' and once we get through all this maybe we'll find out more about it."
He looked over my head at Jay,
"Thank you for taking her out of danger. Look after her while I'm gone."
"I will Major, it'll be my primary concern."
"Do you have to go?"
"Yes Bella I do but it won't be for long and I'll be thinking of you all the time. Just promise me you'll be careful and do exactly what the others tell you."
I couldn't speak for the tears that choked me as I hung on to him. We stayed like this for a few minutes and then he gently pulled free.
"I have to go Bella or I won't reach Maria in time for the handover."
I nodded holding back the tears and kissing him passionately,
"I promise you I'll be careful and I'll come back to you. What else could I do? You are my world now."
I swallowed back the tears to speak,
"Watch Maria, she might want you back Jay said she regretted losing you."
He laughed and kissed me back,
"No chance. Now I have to go."
"Can I come to the airport with you? See you off?"
"No darlin' you stay here with the others, they'll look after you. Just think of me."
"That's all I will be thinking of…..you. Look after yourself."
With a final kiss he handed me back to Jay and was gone, so fast I didn't even have chance to say goodbye. I felt a cold hand grasp my heart and knew it for fear. Jazz was going into the unknown, facing one of the Volturi brothers and I had no idea when I would see him again, all I could do was pray it would be soon.
Jay
I guided Bella back to the clearing where the purple smoke of the funeral pyre still hung about the branches to find Charlotte waiting. She smiled and took Bella's hand,
"Come on let's get back to the boat. We'll be headed to a new safe location Darius set up until we know Caius has accepted The Major as Jay. You have to stay out of sight, if you are seen by any vampires it could blow the whole operation."
"Have you spoken to Caius? Did he believe you were Jane?"
She sounded desperate for some consolation.
"Yes and yes he did but even if I say so myself I am pretty good at mimicry. He was beside himself with excitement."
"He will be OK won't he? Jazz I mean?"
"Well if anyone can pull this off its him and remember he's the best fighter in our world. Besides he has the best reason in the world to survive...he's finally found his mate. Try not to worry too much Bella he'll be back soon enough."
Bella
By the time we got back the others were packed up ready to move but I had to go back to our cabin.
"Bella, we got your stuff packed already."
I just shook my head unable to speak again even to Darius but I had to go below. I needed a moment alone in our room so I could feel close to Jasper, smell him on the sheets, to know it was all real and not some wonderful dream but the room was bare, the bed stripped, and I thought my trip down here had been a waste of time but then I smelled it, his scent, our scents lingered in the atmosphere and it was enough to reassure me. I went back on deck and followed the others to the truck parked in the lot, a different one from before and I climbed in the back with Charlotte and Jay. There was no sign of Hunter or Peter and Darius explained,
"They've gone on ahead to get things set up and hunt. You OK Bella?"
I nodded but as we drove away from the marina my tears would be denied no longer and I sobbed quietly for a while until I exhausted myself and fell into an uneasy sleep wondering what Maria would say when she saw Jazz again and hoping our trust in her was justified. Would she try to seduce him again? Would he decide he loved her after all? She had been his first love, would that come flooding back once he was alone with her? Why was I torturing myself like this? I could trust my mate, I knew that.
When I woke up again with a terrible headache and looked out the window I had no idea where we were.
"Welcome to Starved Rock State Park Bella. I found a cabin we could use and there are enough assholes climbing and hiking that a few won't be missed. Also animals a plenty for Edward."
I hadn't really thought about the fact that I was surrounded by human hunting vampires until Darius spoke, Edward was the only animal hunter here, yet I didn't feel afraid or unsafe, I knew all these vampires were Jasper's friends and would protect me with their own lives if necessary. I did wonder how Alice felt about Jay hunting humans. I assumed he did as had Jasper when he was with Maria. Would he too convert to hunting animals? I certainly couldn't see Alice hunting humans and nor would I once I became a vampire but with Jasper hunting animals that wouldn't be a problem for us.
"If you look to the left Bella you'll see the cabin."
I looked but all I could see were hills and trees!
"Where?"
"Look up."
I looked to the top of one of the huge hills and could just about see a cabin.
"How do we get up there? Is there a track?"
"Yeah but not one the truck will climb, we're going up on foot."
I looked at him horrified,
"Darius I can hardly manage steps without almost breaking my neck and you expect me to climb up there?"
He turned at me and winked,
"Well we did think about it but in the end we drew lots as to who would carry you."
"Carry me? Are you crazy?"
"Actually Bella it might have been my fault. I told them how I took you up the top of the forest to see the view, riding on my back."
I glared at Edward, suddenly not liking him so much again but it was too late, they had their hiding place and that was it. With some trepidation I asked the vital question,
"Who lost?"
Jay turned and smiled at me,
"I get to be your transport Bella so you can just sit back and enjoy the ride."
