CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
(JPOV)
The pack became more than Sam could control and I was soon surrounded by them, Seth and Leah flanking my left with Gentry and Sam on my right and trailing back from there.
Edward was quick to delve into his plan, his mate Tanya looking as if she was ready to flee any minute.
"When my family arrives at first light, Carlisle will be able to fill in the gaps better than I can. He agrees we should wait upon Alice's vision, even if they aren't crystal clear. Either way, it gives us more insight with her aid than without it. We're all blind without her."
"-and if her vision changes?" I pointedly addressed with another huff his way.
"Alice and I are connected. We communicate much the same way that you and your pack do now. Through the mind. If it changes, I'll see it, too."
"In time?"
"Yes." He stated. "Our idea is that Alice goes into the city of Volterra with Jasper and the two of them gather all they can for information under the false pretenses of joining Demretis new Volturi."
"Could that go south?" I inquired.
"There are a number of variances that could jeopardize the outcome, but it's the best route to take. The most reliable one we have. Once they collect the information needed, I'll be able to see it through her mind and relay it to you. This will give you and the pack an advantage. It will give you a look into what Demetri's plan is." Edward sighed.
"-and if things get ugly? If they get caught and Demetri discovers they're real intent? Then what? These are all angles you have to consider." I reminded, trying to ignore the growing pit in my stomach as Bella's face came to the forefront of my mind then.
"Alice is fast when she needs to be. I have full confidence in her ability to keep Demetri intrigued enough with the possibility of her alliance to get what she needs from him, before she and Jasper flee Volterra and come back to Washington."
"Nonetheless, if they do get caught, Demetri would chase them back here and bring his new army with him. They'd flood these lands. It would be a massacre. He'd take his revenge out on the innocent and that alone is another risk."
"It is, Jacob. It is. I would be misleading you if I dismissed that possibility altogether, so I won't."
I nodded to Sam and Gentry then, as they moved themselves back with the pack in slow retreat until they were better hidden again within the darkened forest. Tempers and frustrations were running at an all time high and they needed time to cool off before discussing this plan any further with Edward and Tanya.
I watched them leave until they were no longer visible in plain sight and phased back to human form.
Edward eyed me wearily as they turned to go, their quick retreat coming to a pause when I cleared my throat and spoke up.
"This Demetri, what you said about him-..." I questioned, my throat feeling as if someone had me in a choke hold.
"It's all true." Edward clarified. "No exaggeration."
I looked his way again and held his widened stare as Tanya nervously reached for him.
"I don't doubt that, so I'm not gonna bullshit you with this and I expect the same straight forwardness with you. Are we clear?"
"Yes, nothing less." He agreed, eyeing me with interest. "Have you seen a flaw in the plan you wanna discuss more before the others arrive at dawn?"
"No, from what you've explained, I see no other way to ensure Bella's safety than through Alice's visions. I won't lie, I'm not happy about it, but I'm not arrogant enough to dismiss the logic of the idea, even if it's not fool proof. I definitely don't like the holes in her vision, but as you said, we need her link to them."
"I know it's not what you would prefer-"
"What I prefer doesn't matter. Bella's safety- her security- that matters." I ground out.
"Agreed."
I swallowed hard and outwardly cringed from the vivid possibilities that ran through my mind like a raging wild fire if this went wrong and Alice and Jasper failed in Volterra. My chest ached from the idea alone.
"This interest Demetri has- on me and the pack- for joining his guard...-"
Something unreadable crossed Edwards stone face, his step forward making me move back as the tremors started in again from our close proximity. I drew in a deep breath, determined to stay focused long enough to remain on two legs to finish this with him.
"Jacob, he's known for recruiting, but for whatever it's worth, you have my word that my family and I will do all we can to keep him from ever trying to fulfill his goal."
"Good, but that's not where lI'm going with this."
"I'm listening...-"
"If things don't work out with this plan the way we hope, and he gets through one of our lines of defense, how sure are you that he'd still hold a valid interest in me over Bella?"
Edward narrowed his gaze in confusion, tilting his head to the side before sharing a glance back to Tanya.
"I'm not sure I know what you're asking, Jacob? You're saying, if the Volturi make it to Washington with Demetri-" He began.
"If the plan fails, and he comes for Bella, I need you to tell me how much he'd want me over taking her." I forced out, with another visible cringe.
"Jacob-"
"No, I know that you have the odds for this, because you know how they work. You know how Aro used to think and you know how Demetri works, so just tell me what the chances are that he'd take me in her place. I need to know."
Edward took another step forward and was silent for a long moment before he offered any kind of answer.
"Demetri's interest in you is far greater than his desire to have Bella as a member of what he's built for the new Volturi, so if you're asking if he'd take you and spare her, I believe he would."
"You're certain?" I hedged.
"As close to it as I can be, but that doesn't mean he wouldn't try to play you, Jacob. Demetri lives for the chase of the mind, he gets great pleasure out of playing games with his prey before dealing them their hand of fate."
I felt my skin heat at this and fought the tremors that came.
"Meaning?"
"That he could say one thing and do another. If the plan doesn't work, and if Alice gets caught before fulfilling her task in Volterra, he could come after Bella and promise her safety in exchange for your slavery, only to go back on his deal in the end and take her, too." He paused and glanced down at the ground with a dismal expression before finishing. "Alice's visions are subject to change, but she saw you both there. Be mindful of that."
"I will."
He turned to go and reached for Tanya's hand before peering over his shoulder with his final question of the evening for me.
"You'd give your life for her?"
"Twice over. In a heartbeat."
"That's good to know, Jacob. That just might be what's required of you."
He nodded and disappeared with Tanya in a blinding blur that left me alone there in the pitch black of the night.
A/N: Thank you for your reviews. More to come soon.