HEY GUYS! Sorry for the eternal wait!
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As some of you pointed out in this fic, or in my other ones, my English is not perfect. It's not my native language, since I'm from Italy, but I try to make it as readable as possible for you. Also, I'm writing all my fanfics in the evenings, after I study and do my homework, so I'm always tired and some mistakes can remain even after I re-read it. Please bear with me! xx
As I wait for Bella to come out, I pace the room. It really is beautiful.
A few seconds later, just as the sun sets, there is a knock on the door and I rush to open it. I can hear Bella opening her door and coming out of the room she was in, but I cannot see her since I'm turned.
As I turn I spy her and gape at her. My eyes sweep over her body and I'm fully aware that I'm openin' and closin' my mouth like a fish. She looks stunning. The lace clings to her curves perfectly and reveals skin in all the right places. I want to say something, just to avoid looking like an asshat, but the words are stuck in my throat.
Before anyone of us can say a word, Aro's loud voice grabs our attention. "My dear Isabella! How beautiful you are! I see you are embracing the winter theme of this room?"
I spin on my heel and turn to face the brothers, Felix, Demetri and the witch twins, who have all entered Bella's room while I was distracted. Aro is smiling at her, Marcus and Caius are looking at her and around the room, Demetri and Alec are both smirking, and I see that Felix winks at Bella. From Jane I can only feel irritation and hatred, along with a good dose of jealousy. She is looking around the room with angry eyes, and when her eyes fall on Bella pure hatred and jealousy flash there, and it reflects on her emotions.
What the hell is wrong with this bitch?
Bella quickly recovers from the hard stare, though. "Hello, Aro. Thank you for your compliment. Yeah, I really like this room. It's very beautiful."
"Mine is also very beautiful," I add, "We both thank you for your kindness for arranging our stay here."
Marcus smiles infinitesimally, and in his emotions flashes a spark of humour. "It is our honour to have two guests like you in our home."
"Shall we get down to business?" Caius says. As I taste his emotions I sense they are very business-like. "Of course. Please start away" Bella says, and takes a seat on the couch. I go and sit beside her, while the brothers sit across from us, with Felix and Demetri at their sides. Alec leans on the mantle of the fireplace, and Jane stays ramrod straight, glaring at Bella, not moving an inch. So help me God, Mary and Joseph, if she doesn't stop…
"So, we called you both here because we need your help with a… situation, that has arose again after many years. Unfortunately, our forces aren't able to squash this problem by themselves, or else we would have never bothered you" Aro says, looking contrite and angry.
"What is this situation, and what can I do to help? I mean, I get why you would want Jasper, but why me?" Bella asks, leaning forward a bit. I mentally scoff: Bella doesn't even realise how talented she is, and beautiful too. She is perfect.
I'm busy listin' Bella's talents when I'm abruptly pulled from my daydreams when I hear Southern Wars.
"Ya wanna bring Bella there?! Are you mad!" I growl at Caius, tensing up. I'm ready to send them all to their knees with a blast of pain when I feel Bella's hand on my clenched fists and suddenly I can feel myself calming down a bit. My chest is still rumbling though. I look at the Kings and all three of 'em look contrite.
Well, the better be. They're 'bout to drag us into literal Hell. They should be fuckin' cryin' right now.
Bella speaks up. "These Southern Wars are the ones you fought in when you were with Maria, right?" she asks me, and I nod. "Maria herself was one of the vampires that built newborn armies to fight for blood and territory. I was her Major, her second in command, before I got the hell outta there" I add grimly.
"We are sorry to have brought you here to help us in this ominous battle, but we need all the help we can get. It seems Maria has arisen once again and has started building an enormous army" Aro says.
"Our spies say about sixty newborns" Marcus adds.
I can feel my eyes bulge. Heavenly Father. "Sixty? That much? She must have a talent to keep 'em all in check then."
"We think so, too," Caius says, and his eyes flicker to Bella, and I understand. It seems she does, also, 'cause she speaks up, "That's why you need me. Because I might be immune to this mysterious power."
They all nod. Goddamnit. Why Bella always gets dragged into these kind of troubles?
"Yes, Bella, but not only for that. You are very intelligent and observant, you discovered our secret in a very small time, and we need all the cleverness we can get. If you accept the mission you will be departing in a week's time with me, Felix and a few other guard members—including the twins" Caius says, nodding toward Alec and Jane, "We will land in Houston and run to our main base where other guard members are awaiting our arrival as we speak. You will be protected, Bella."
I'm most definitely not happy about this, but I sense as she looks at me and I catch her eyes. I can sense her resolve and determination in her emotions as well as in her eyes. I mentally sigh: when she has that look nothing can change her mind. So I begrudgingly nod.
I see her straightenin' her back and look at Caius straight in the eye. "Can't wait to make that bitch burn" she says, grinning savagely as I have never seen her do. He immediately returns her grin. "Mission accepted."
After the guards and kings go away, I turn to Bella.
"Bella, are you sure 'bout this? The Southern Wars are not a joke" I say seriously. It's imperative she knows this. That she isn't going to take a walk in the South, but she will go to Hell and back.
She stretches, "I know, Jazz. I know it will be dangerous and difficult, but I trust you and the Volturi to keep me safe" Then she seems to get an idea, as she straightens up and her eyes brighten. "Do you think that you could train me?"
I am so surprised, words fail me for a second. "What?"
"Could. You. Train. Me?"
I frown, "Yeah, but… Sugar, all the training in the world cannot prepare you for what we'll be going through. I can teach you the basics before we go, and it would also be great if you could learn a bit about the territory we'll be fighting in. I'll also have to refresh my memory, and get all the available info about this army. We need all the advantage we can get" I mutter the last part, feeling myself slide back and the Major take place.
Before I can fully change into the Major, I'm brought back by Bella's warm, small hands holding my own scarred ones. "Then let's do it!" she says, determination radiating from her, a crazy smile on her beautiful face.
I can't help but smile too, especially when she suddenly yawns. I laugh, "It seems the nap on the plane wasn't enough?" I tease her, and grin when I see her trademark blush rise on her cheeks. She's so adorable.
"Go to sleep, darlin'. We'll get everything set tomorrow. While you sleep I'll call home and check that everything is alright."
She yawns again, "Alright. Send them my love" she mutters sleepily.
She makes her way toward her wardrobe again and I stay in the room to check she doesn't fall asleep in there. A few minutes later she remerges, wearing a lilac PJ set with fluffy slippers. She seems a bit wobbly on her feet, so I help her get to her bed.
I gently tuck her in, and she thanks me sleepily, rubbing her eyes in the cutest way known to man or vampire. I smile, "Sweet dreams, doll."
"G'night Jazz" she manages to mutter, before she's out cold.
I smirk and kiss her head, feeling extremely protective of her.
This human knows us better than anyone else, Jasper. We must cherish her. She precious.
I can hear the Major say in my head. It has been a long time since we last talked.
Many thought that me and the Major were two separate entities, like two different personalities. In truth, we were one and the same. It's just that when we left Maria we couldn't remain united. We were too dangerous together. My strategic mind and talent with his brutality and ability to kill would have been lethal in the world outside Maria's regime. So we decided to split in two.
The God of War some vampires called me… He was nothing more than me and the Major when we were one. Most vampires think that the God of War is my most evil self, with no control and rational thought. They are wrong: the God of War is my most dangerous self. There is a big difference.
We must protect her. If the need arises, we must reunite. She will be important ta the God of War, Jasper. I can feel it as well as ya do.
We will protect her. With our very lives. Do you think she will accept us as the God of War?
She will. I think there is a hidden warrior inside her, too. We can see bits of it every now and then, but I can't wait ta see the true Isabella. She'll be magnificent.
Yeah, you're right. Now I need to call the Cullens.
I take out my phone as I feel the Major recede in my mind once again. I dial the house's number and wait. It takes 0.73 seconds for Alice to answer.
"Jasper!" she squeals. I hear through the phone several sounds of footsteps and I hear as the phone is wrenched from her grip. I chuckle at Alice's curse and shake my head benevolently when I hear Emmett's voice. "Hey, bro! How's it down there? All good? Bella's fine, isn't she?" he asks, buoyant in the beginning and concerned at the end.
"Jasper, Bella is fine, right?" I hear Esme ask, concern evident in her voice.
I hurry to placate their fears, "Yeah, she good. She sleepin' now. The Brothers gave us some very beautiful suites. Carlisle ever heard of seasons-themed suites?" I ask.
A moment of silence and then, "Indeed I did, son. They are the most sought after suites, as the people who reside there represent the ones the Brothers value the most. In this case, you and Bella," he explains, and I am surprised by the honour the Brothers have granted us. Then Carlisle continues, "When I stayed with them I resided in the Summer Rooms. Where are you now?" he asks.
"I am in the Autumn Rooms, and Bella is in the Winter Rooms. They fit us perfectly" I add, remembering how beautiful Bella looked when she came out of the wardrobe, all in white and lace. Prettier than a peach.
"The Winter Rooms?!" Carlisle gasps. I'm immediately alert, "Yes. Why? Is there something wrong, are they dangerous, are they—" Carlisle immediately stops my rant.
"No, no. Nothing like it, son. It's just… that took me by surprise. You see, the Winter Rooms are the most luxurious. Their occupants are usually very close to the Kings, almost as if they were another ruler themselves. That suite is the one Jane has been after for a very long time. She won't like that a human is residing there." He says.
"So that's why I felt hatred and jealousy coming so strongly off her" I muse.
"She didn't do anything to Bella, right?" Alice asks, and then Emmett, "How did the Guard react to Bella's presence?"
"No, Ali, she's fine. The Brothers like Bella, so she not gonna dare do anythin', at least not in front of them. As for your question Em…" I growl, remembering the waves of lust I felt from the Guard in the throne room. "What." Rosalie growls, protective of Bella.
"Waves of lust. So potent I almost thought I'd shot my load" I say, and Esme immediately chastises me for my crass sentence. I almost don't hear her, through the growls that arise at the other end of the phone.
"She better be fine. Nobody better try and harm her or heads will roll, bro" Emmett threatens.
"Ya can say that out loud. They'll have ta throw my ashes ta the wind before they get ta her!" I growl. "I already threatened the guards thoroughly so it should be fine. But Jane and Heidi preoccupy me. They hate Bella, and are jealous of her."
"Then keep an eye on them. I'll keep you updated on any vision I might have. But please, Jasper, take care of my sister" Alice begs me.
"As always, Ali. I love her, too" I say, but strangely, a part of me isn't referring to brotherly love. Bah, whatever.
"Carlisle, can I speak with ya for a sec. In private, if possible." I ask, and immediately I can feel the sound of rushing air as he speeds away from the family.
"We are alone now Jasper, what is it?"
I sigh, "I'm afraid the God of War might resurface after this."
A moment of silence, "I see."
"You know what that means. I'll always love ya as my family, but I cannot stay there if I become the God of War. It'll be dangerous for y'all and of course I cannot sustain the God of War on animal blood. I hope ya know that" I say.
"I do know, Jasper. And I don't blame you. I never did. We will always love you, too. You are my son, be it as Jasper Hale, Major Whitlock or the God of War."
"Thanks Carlisle. This means really a lot to me."
I can feel the smile in his voice. "I know. I'm proud of you, son."
I smile, even though he can't see me. Then my mood darkens as I remember somethin'. "What about Edward?"
Carlisle sighs. "He's still in Denali. And blissfully knows nothing. I plan to keep it that way for as long as possible. When he'll know I'll tell you."
"I trust ya ta handle him," I say, "But I hope ya'll discipline him, in the light of what he did to Bella. He was obsessive and unhealthy. Ya need to put a leash on him."
"I will, don't worry. Is there anything else?"
"No, that's all. Thank you, Carlisle."
"You're welcome, son. Be safe. Tell Bella we said hi."
"Will do. Bye"
"Bye." Then the line is cut.
I put the phone back into my pocket.
I can hear Bella's heartbeat from the other room. She's still sleepin' soundly.
Reassured by this I go and take a shower.
This seem to be going fine as of now, but I ain't gonna let my guard down. I'll keep an eye out for Heidi and Jane. They seem like they gonna cause trouble.
Bella is safe with me, though. She my priority.
I'll protect her at all costs.
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