Chapter Sixty Nine
Bella
I did my best to encourage Megan to talk to me, but when she remained stubbornly silent all I could pray was that she was listening to me and understood the danger she was now in.
"Megan. I don't know how but the Volturi have discovered what happened at the Country Club and here with Charlotte. Marcus is sending someone to talk to you. They need to know exactly what happened and reassurance that it will never happen again. You have to come out and talk to them. If you don't then whatever your dad and I say will make no difference. They will take you away from us and imprison you in Volterra until they are satisfied that you are no danger to our kind. Do you understand? We can't protect you from this. Please, talk to me. Or let me on so I can talk to you face to face. Surely you don't want to end up a prisoner in Volterra and far away from us. Megan?"
Silence. I couldn't hear anything, not even my daughter's heartbeat or breathing. Her shield made it impossible for even vampire senses to break through.
Placing both my hands flat against the door I whispered hoping that maybe my very quiet would make her take heed.
"Megan, please don't do this to us. We love you. Help us to keep you safe. Please come out."
I might as well have been speaking to the wood for all the response I got and frustrated and terrified I beat on the door splintering the wood, but hard as I tried I couldn't break it down. It had been turned into an impenetrable stone by her protective shield.
Running downstairs I scribbled a note and tied it to a large rock from the garden. Maybe she hadn't been able to hear me cocooned inside her shield. That had to be it.
I went outside, took aim at her bedroom window, and threw the rock with all my strength but it merely bounced off the glass and fell uselessly to the ground lying there as if mocking me for my helplessness.
I screamed her name and fell to my knees only to feel Jasper's strong arms around my shoulders lifting me back to my feet.
"Bella, we need to get ready for the Volturi visit. They could be here at any time and we do not want them to see how helpless we are. Megan may well have heard you and is even now getting ready to appear. She's not a fool and she must know what will happen if she doesn't put in an appearance."
I nodded drawing strength from him only to turn and see the pain in his eyes. He had promised Megan that he would always protect her, but she was making it impossible for him to keep that promise.
I feared what might happen if the visit didn't go well. Could we allow the Volturi to take our daughter away? That was of course if they could actually make good on Marcus' threat. If we couldn't get in I saw no way that they could. I prayed I was right because otherwise, I could see my husband fighting the Volturi guards to protect her and either being arrested himself or more likely killed in the attempt.
Jasper
Marcus hadn't been kidding when he said the Volturi would be with us soon. I had only just taken Bella back inside when Charlotte who had been watching for our unwanted visitors came in.
"They're coming. What do you want me to do?"
I turned to her, "Did you get in touch with Peter?"
"No, his phone is still switched off. I left a message for him to call as soon as he got it. I told him it was a code red."
I nodded, Peter knew that was the signal for him to call immediately whatever he was doing. The fact he was still unavailable concerned me. He rarely went off without telling me or at the very least Charlotte where he was going. And to be absent at a time he knew we had such terrible problems was out of character. Where was my right-hand man and what the fuck was he up to?
Bella glanced up at the ceiling.
"What are we going to do, Jasper? We can't let them just take Megan."
"I've been thinking about that. Megan wants to be treated as an adult but she's shown only too clearly that she can't handle it. Maybe we shouldn't try to shield her from the ramifications of her actions. A short sharp lesson could be just what she needs."
She gaped at me in astonishment and I knew what she was thinking. That I was willing to just hand Megan over to the Volturi.
Bella
I could hardly believe what I was hearing.
"But you promised to protect her."
He turned to look into my face and I could see the conflicting emotions in his eyes.
"And I will keep that promise, no one is going to hurt Megan. I never said I would protect her from the consequences of her actions, it's the only way she can learn even if it is the hard way."
"But Volterra? What if the Volturi decides she's too dangerous to live?"
"They won't. Sulpicia would never countenance Megan's death. Bella, I had a quick talk to her while you were busy trying to get through to Megan. The Volturi will not be budged from their stance on dangerous vampires, but under the circumstances and because they know Megan, they would be willing to keep her in Volterra until she can prove to their satisfaction that she has learned to control herself."
My mouth opened in shock.
"You did that without talking to me first?"
"There wasn't time and I had to talk to her before the Volturi arrived. It's the only way to keep Megan safe for now. She's refused our help so let's see what a little Volturi harsh love can do. It will also give us a chance to find out who is telling tales on us about Volturi and why."
"And what about her gifts? Did you tell Sulpicia how powerful she is?"
"Of course not. That would be far too dangerous for her. No, I just told Sulpicia that she lost control of her shield which she inherited from you. They already know she understands things, that she can read minds like Edward. It doesn't matter what the spy told them. There's nothing she's done that can't be explained by the gifts they already know about."
I was angry that he'd done this without talking to me first but he was right, it had been vital that he spoke to Sulpicia, our greatest ally in Volterra, before the Volturi got here to see for themselves what was going on.
"Am I forgiven?"
I sighed and nodded, "Yes, you're forgiven. Just promise me there isn't anything else I should know."
He crossed his heart, "I promise."
Jasper
We were almost out of time and I turned to Charlotte.
"Like I said, there's no need for you to get into this, Charlotte."
She watched me, a stubborn set to her jaw that reminded me keenly of her husband and I smiled.
"In that case, I guess all you can do is to sit out of the way and don't say anything unless you are quizzed directly."
She nodded in relief and sank down into the window seat half hidden by the drapes and stared out of the window tense and worried as she watched the Volturi appear in the yard.
Glancing out the window I saw Corin and Afton flanked by Felix and Santiago. Marcus was making a point in sending the latter two. Do not get between the Volturi and the law, Major.
Bella took a deep breath then walked over and opened the door inviting our 'guests' inside.
It was plain that Corin was ill at ease, she rarely left Volterra and I wondered who had included her in the party, Sulpicia probably. I just hoped she was right and able to keep Megan safe until she learned to control her gift and understand what she was doing to all those who loved her.
I guess I felt responsible for what had happened. I had indulged her, allowed her to believe and act as if she was a mature adult when in fact, despite her great abilities and intelligence, she was still a child in the most important ways. She still needed time to mature.
Felix and Santiago said nothing just acknowledged me with curt nods of the head but I wasn't fooled for a moment. Corin may be the spokesperson of this group but the one with the final say was Felix. Aro may be dead but I doubted that had changed the big man's place in the Volturi hierarchy.
Corin took the proffered seat with a nod of thanks and began to speak.
"Bella, Major, thank you for seeing us at such short notice. You know why we're here so perhaps you could tell us exactly what happened the other night."
I noticed Bella's hand tremble slightly as she began to speak, answering Corin's question as openly as she could. After all, no damage had been done and Megan's actions could be excused to a certain degree.
I concentrated more on the emotions of those in the room. Bella was nervous and Charlotte scared but it was the Volturi I was most interested in.
Corin seemed composed and interested, there was no hostility in her, but there was a determination to do the job she had been entrusted with and to do it well.
When Bella finished Corin nodded, "I can understand why Megan might have felt the necessity to protect you. She would naturally jump to your defence even though it was hardly necessary. Thank you for your candour, Bella."
She then turned to me, "is there anything you wish to add Major?"
"No, except that at no time were any other humans witness to what happened and the scene was dealt with. Megan understood that what she had done was reckless and dangerous and promised that such a thing would never happen again."
She glanced at Felix before turning to Charlotte.
"Now, before we speak to Megan perhaps you, Charlotte, would be so kind as to explain what happened leading to the subsequent attack on you?"
Reluctantly Charlotte sat forward and after a worried glance at us, she began her account of events. She tried to make light of the incident, even blaming herself for provoking Megan but I could see that while Corin might be willing to accept this, Felix was more sceptical.
When Charlotte concluded her interview I stepped in. "
I'd like to know just how you heard about an incident that took place within the walls of our home, in private. That is if the Volturi are not watching us and I have been assured that was not the case."
Corin looked uncomfortable and turned to Felix who straightened up and walked forward into the room.
"The Volturi were not watching your house, Major. We had no reason to do so. As to how we discovered what happened, well I can't help you there, Major. I am not privy to that information."
I studied him but decided he was speaking the truth. The council must be playing their cards very close to their chests.
"Now, could you ask Megan to join us? Or if she would prefer just to meet with her in private?"
I raised an eyebrow, did he really think that we would allow the Volturi to speak to our daughter without our presence?
Bella stood up, "I'll speak to her. Give me a moment."
Corin smiled and sat back looking a little easier now Felix had stepped in. She was way out of her depth here.
Of course, we could all hear what was said or so I thought, but Bella must have used her shield to hide her words to Megan. I just prayed that Megan would make an appearance and avoid any unpleasantness.
A couple of minutes later Bella returned and shook her head gravely.
"I'm afraid Megan is refusing to come down or speak to you."
Again Corin deferred to Felix who slowly shook his head, "I'm afraid that is not an option. We must insist."
"And I'm afraid it doesn't matter what you need. Megan is our daughter, we've explained what happened and as you can see there is no problem now. We are fully prepared to stand surety for our daughter's behaviour."
"I wish that was enough, Major. I have no wish to cause any more unpleasantness than is absolutely necessary but we have our orders."
I could have stood up to him, but in the end, it would achieve nothing and I still felt that Megan might benefit from a scare.
"May we go upstairs and talk to her, Major?"
Bella looked at me pleadingly but our hands were tied so I nodded, "Be my guest."
"There's no need for all of us to go, Santiago, you and Afton stay here. Corin and I will go."
Was that to stop us trying anything or purely thoughtfulness on his part?
They weren't gone long and when they came down they looked grave.
This time it was Corin who spoke.
"Your daughter refuses to speak even though we have explained the consequences of her actions. Therefore I must recommend to the council that she be removed to Volterra where she can be kept under close observation until such time as a decision on her future can be determined."
Bella staggered back as if she had been struck and I put an arm around her shoulder to comfort her. Did Corin mean that they had seen Megan? Had she allowed them in or were they going to attempt to break into her room and take her by force? Did Felix really think I would allow that?
Corin excused herself to call Marcus and the others followed her outside but Santiago and Felix stayed close to the house to watch over us.
Bella turned to me, "I'm going upstairs to see if Megan is willing to talk to me now she knows the score."
I nodded watching her go but sampling the emotions in the house. I could feel Charlotte's fear now mixed with pity, Bella's helplessness and anger and another. Megan's shield was down and waves of hopelessness and desperation poured from her room.
She had given up. She was going without a fight and that saddened me.
Had she realized that she had gone too far by blocking us out or had she just given up? I needed her to know that we were still here for her and moved towards the stairs as Bella came down looking shaken and Corin and the others walked in through the open door looking grim.
"I'm sorry Major, the decision has been made. Megan must accompany us back to Volterra."
"Let's see what she has to say about that."
I'd only put one foot on the stairs when Megan appeared at the top but she didn't look at me as she spoke.
"I'm going with them. Tt's for the best. I don't belong here."
"Of course you do. This is your home."
She shook her head as she descended the stairs, "No, not anymore. At least in Volterra, I won't be able to hurt anyone and I'll be among friends. I'm sorry dad, really sorry for everything. You too mom and you, Charlotte. What I did was unforgivable. I scared everyone including myself. Maybe things will be better for me in Italy. At least I got to travel and Alec will be there."
Alec, yes, of course. All this was very convenient for the boy who always got what he wanted. Had he orchestrated all this to get his hands on Megan? If I discovered he was behind it I would tear him limb from limb.
Bella ran to Megan who allowed her mom to hug her before pulling away.
"I really am sorry, Mom. I know you did everything you could for me. You and dad fought for me ever since I was born but this is one fight I must win alone. I love you both and I know this is for the best."
She wouldn't hug me, just looked at me for a second before turning to Corin.
"Can we go now?"
"What about your things? Don't you want to take anything with you?"
She turned back to her mom, "Will you pack my things up and send them to me, please? I have enough from my last visit which I left with Nana and Grandpa. Where will I be staying?"
The last was addressed once more to Corin.
"I'm not sure. That's for the council to decide."
Megan didn't seem very interested in the answer, it was all there in that one glance she had given me. She was shamed by her behavior and her actions when she lost her temper. She had frightened herself badly and this was her way of punishing herself. What she failed to understand was that we were being punished too. I doubted we would be welcome to visit our daughter for some time, not until they were sure she was no longer any danger. she may even be put in semi-isolation at first. I just prayed they were not aware just how powerful she really was or we may never see her again.
As Corin walked her to the door she suddenly broke free and ran to hug her mom one more time and then me.
"I love you, dad. I am so sorry I let you down after all you've done for me. I hope you can forgive me in time. I should never have tried to shut you and mom out. Goodbye."
She kissed me on the cheek and then ran outside to join the Volturi leaving me to wonder what exactly she had just slipped into my hand.
