Chapter Sixty Eight
Peter
I hadn't wanted to say anything to anyone, not even Charlotte, but my radar was going crazy although it didn't have anything to do directly with the people around me. I"d never felt this before and could only think that whatever was going on was connected in some way with someone close to me but the danger was more remote for now.
Considering all the drama going on with Megan I felt now was probably a good time to split. I wasn't good with the whole emotion scene and would probably have caused even more damage. As my dear wife was quick to point out, the words diplomacy and Peter Whitlock did not belong in the same sentence.
I wasn't sure where to head so I got in my truck closed my eyes and started the engine, allowing the feeling that worked so well in these instances to guide me.
It soon became clear that I was gonna need something a little more versatile than a fucking truck. Crap, I hated flying. Being in a tin can surrounded by my food source always made me bad-tempered, but as usual, I would grit my teeth, close my eyes, and try to forget where I was and the fact that what I really wanted was to slaughter everyone aboard.
Still, I had to have a better idea of where I was headed than due north. I could imagine the braindead girl smiling at me from behind her desk as she regarded me with pity.
"I'm sorry Sir, but I'm going to need something a little more specific than that."
I stood in the airport studying the flight information boards and hoping something would stand out as people tutted and pushed past mumbling under their breath when I refused to budge. If only they knew how close they came to losing their pathetic pointless lives.
Just as I had started to draw the attention of airport security my eyes set on one board and I sighed. Moscow? Really? Fucking hell, what next?
I grabbed my bag and headed over to book a flight that would get me as close as possible. I didn't have time to fuck about with visas and all that shit so… I rehashed my rusty world geography and then glanced back at the boards. Finland it was. I could cross the border easily enough into Russia from there.
My luck wasn't getting any better as the plastic bimbo behind the desk smiled a huge perfect and dazzling smile and informed me that the only spaces available on the next flight were in business and the flight was a two-stopover one. Great, especially as one was in Seattle. I could probably have fucking run there quicker.
Swearing under my breath I opened my wallet and pulled out my credit card. Luckily it was a good year for us and business class did have some advantages, like more room and therefore fewer cattle stinking up the place.
I still had a six-hour wait before my flight left so I slipped out to hunt after stowing my baggage. Maybe I would run into one of the assholes who had crashed into me earlier.
Jasper
I called Peter but his phone was switched off so he was either hunting or somewhere he couldn't answer or risk it ringing. Either way, he was out of contact for now. Surely his radar would have told him there was trouble here? Charlotte had been in danger of losing her life. If not, then it must mean he was already tracking something down. I just hoped it had nothing to do with us. I didn't think I could cope with anything else right now. Things with Megan had gone from bad to worse and Bella was now scared that the Volturi might discover she had lost control.
"Why would they, Bella? No one is watching us. Sulpicia has more important things on her mind right now with Aro's execution stirring things up and solidifying her position along with Marcus and Chelsea as the new council of the Volturi. As far as they are concerned Megan is of no interest to them."
"Well, let's hope it stays like that, but I have a horrible feeling this isn't the end of the matter by a long way, Jasper."
"While Megan is shut up in her room no one is going to hear anything and she can't cause any more trouble."
Me and my big mouth. An hour later the boy Trey had turned up on our doorstep asking to see Megan. When we told him that she had gone to spend some time with her grandparents to recover from her illness he asked for a contact number for her.
"I'm sorry, but I can't give you that. She's still recuperating so you'll have to be patient until she gets back, but I'll be sure to tell her that you came over."
He was obviously someone who didn't like being told no and he became a little pushy until I told him my word was final and he should leave.
If Megan had wanted to see him she must have known he was here and could have come down to talk to him. A big part of me hoped that she would, but her continued absence told me that she was no longer interested in him or she was too wrapped up in what had happened to care right now and it would be far too dangerous to allow him anywhere near our daughter.
I had just gone down to check on one of the mares who was already in foal when I heard running feet and Charlotte came bursting through the barn doors.
"Major, you need to get back to the house."
"Why? Is it that boy again? I wondered if he might try hanging around."
"No. it's Bella. She just got a call from Volterra."
Cursing I followed Charlotte back to the house at a run to find Bella pacing the floor and cursing under her breath.
When she saw me she ran into my arms distraught.
"What happened?"
"It was Marcus. He wanted to know what was happening. He said he'd heard a rumor that Megan had almost murdered a human and then tried to kill Charlotte."
"Fuck! How the hell did he hear that? I was sure the Volturi weren't watching us. They seemed happy enough after meeting Megan and our visit to Volterra."
"He wouldn't say when I asked and he wasn't taking any excuses. He wanted the truth and I told him that he'd have to speak to you. I just didn't know what to say. How did they find out so quickly? Who told them?"
She tensed suddenly and turned to Charlotte accusation in her tone.
"Was it Peter? Did he tell them?"
Charlotte looked shocked at her tone and started back.
"No, of course not. He doesn't even know yet. I haven't spoken to him. Besides, he would never do that. He loves Megan and he is loyal to the Major."
Bella had the grace to look contrite, shock had been behind the sudden accusation.
"I'm sorry, Charlotte. Of course, he wouldn't. I didn't mean it. I just don't know which way to turn right now."
Charlotte smiled, "I know. It's OK, but it is worrying if the Volturi are watching you. Why would they do that?"
"I don't know but I aim at finding out."
I snatched up the phone and called Volterra immediately. Worryingly I was put straight through to Marcus and he didn't sound his usual mellow self. In fact, his tone was very curt.
"Major. I'm glad you called right back. What is going on with your daughter?"
"Nothing. There was a small incident but everything is under control now. No one was injured and no humans saw anything that they shouldn't. Can I ask how you knew? Are the Volturi watching my family?"
"A small incident? I understand that she almost killed a human in sight of others."
"No one saw anything, it was an accident. Bella was accosted by a drunkard and Megan saw the incident and overreacted."
"I see. What about her later attack on Captain Whitlock's mate? Another overreaction? And the incident is still ongoing from what I am led to believe. You do understand that if there is any possibility of Megan doing something to bring about the interest of the human race we would be forced to act?"
"She won't. And you haven't answered my question. Who told you? Are we being watched and if so, why?"
"The Volturi were not watching your family, Major, but it seems we should have been. The council has heard enough to concern us and as a result, we are sending representatives to ascertain exactly what happened and what is going on now. They will be with you in a few hours. This is exactly why Aro was so keen that no children were ever changed and hybrids should be discouraged."
"My daughter is not an immortal child or a dangerous hybrid."
"So you claim. We will soon see."
"You work fast for someone who claims not to have been watching us. Who are you sending?"
"When things are this serious we must move quickly. Corin, Afton, Felix and Santiago should be with you shortly."
I whistled under my breath, he was sending in the big guns! This was getting worse by the minute.
"It sounds like you're expecting trouble. Are they here to discover what happened or to take my daughter prisoner?"
"They are to take into account all the details, speak to Megan, and then decide on the best action to take. If that turns out to be bringing her back to Volterra where she can be held safely and securely then that is what will happen. I warn you, Major, if that is their decision and you choose to act contrary then you will be putting yourself and anyone who chooses to stand with you in breach of Volturi law and subject to the full force of its penalties. I do not want a fight with you, but I will not have my orders or decisions challenged."
'I hear you."
"I sincerely hope so, Major and that you take care not to put yourself above the law. No one wants any harm to come to your daughter, but we must ensure she is not in a position to harm the rest of our race."
"I will be in contact once more when I have heard back from my representatives. Cooperate with them, Major for all our sakes."
He cut the connection and I turned to the others.
"Well, it seems someone has been watching us. The question is, who and why?"
Bella shook her head, "I don't understand. If it's not the Volturi then who? And how did they stay under the radar?"
I shook my head as mystified as she was.
"The bigger problem is how do we persuade Megan to calm down before the Volturi get here? If they see her like this they're sure to recommend she be taken back to Italy."
I nodded, Charlotte was right and thinking more clearly than Bella and I for now.
"I'll go talk to her. See if I can get through to her how desperate her situation is. Bella, try to calm down. We need to show them a united front. Charlotte you should leave, you and Peter don't need trouble with the Volturi."
Even as I said this I knew Charlotte's reply before she gave it.
"Not a chance. We stick together, Major, but I will try to get in contact with Peter. I can't imagine how he missed this."
I shrugged, wishing in many ways that he was here but relieved at the same time by his absence.
"There must be something keeping him occupied and to be honest it's probably a good thing he's not going to be here."
She understood and nodded but I could see she was concerned at his lapse in concentration and continued silence.
I watched as Bella walked slowly upstairs knowing what she was thinking. If she couldn't get through to Megan then chances were neither would the Volturi and what then? If we couldn't get in to see her how would they? Could we persuade them that the best thing for our daughter would be to leave her in familiar surroundings with those she knew loved her until she was ready to face what had happened?
If not did they have a gift strong enough to force her out? It was then it dawned on me that yes, there was one person. The very same person who, if he felt he had been slighted by Megan might just feel aggrieved enough to watch her ready to pounce if an opening presented itself. I could be wrong but it would also be easy for him to remain undetected if he had a way of using his gift by degrees. Of course, I didn't know that he could, or that he felt aggrieved by their separation. From what Bella had told me I rather thought he was the one who had called a halt to their relationship but wounded male vanity could be highly dangerous.
Even so, was he deluded enough to believe that Megan would go crawling back to him? Especially if she discovered he was responsible for her being imprisoned in Volterra, but would she? Or could he persuade her that he was her only hope?
What we really needed was a rival. Someone who could reach Megan. Someone who could save her from the consequences of her actions. What we really needed was Darius but we had no idea if he was even still alive. I rather doubted it because it was obvious that they had been connected and even if he had thought he was doing the 'noble' thing by staying away for a while, he would have felt she was in danger and come running. No, we were on our own this time and for the first time in my life, I had no idea how to protect the ones I loved.
