Chapter Twenty Six

Jasper

The motel room was empty but there were signs that it had been hurriedly vacated. A pool of venom stained the floor of the bathroom and a shirt with one sleeve badly charred had been discarded in the tub. So, Edward had been here and hopefully was still alive and in the RV.

I called Emmett who joined me outside the room where I explained what I suspected and asked him to clear up the evidence while I called Felix.

"We don't want some unsuspecting chambermaid touching that or the authorities taking samples. It could mean trouble for the Volturi and we don't want that."

"You think that's why they left it in that state?"

"I don't know, Em. I haven't the faintest idea how they think or what they plan on doing with Edward but it needs to be dealt with."

"Is there any sign of Angie?"

I shook my head, "Nothing I could see. So maybe she's still out there looking for Edward or even following the RV."

He hesitated before speaking, "You don't think she could be involved do you?"

I studied his concerned face and sighed, "I don't think so. Remember she saved Maggie. Still, until we find her I guess it would pay to be careful."

He nodded, still a little uneasy, and disappeared inside.

I called Felix and waited for him to answer wondering how Bella and the kids were. I should be there with them, enjoying the birth of our son but instead, I was out hunting down some psycho Romanians who were hell-bent on using my kids as tools to overthrow the Volturi.

"Major?"

"Felix. Where are they?"

"Still heading east and keeping just under the speed limit. I don't think they want to draw attention to themselves."

"Have you seen any sign of Angie?"

He answered me carefully and I wondered if he too harbored suspicions about Edward's girlfriend.

"I haven't seen anything that would lead me to believe someone else is following the RV, but it's difficult following and keeping out of sight. She could be doing the same thing from the opposite side of the highway. I'll call if and when they stop again."

"OK, we'll catch you up once we sort out the mess here. It looks like they have Edward and he's definitely injured."

"So, he did get scorched. I wonder why they kept him."

I was wondering that myself as I rang off.

We were on our way a few minutes later and I called the house to speak to Bella. I was relieved to hear that she was OK and that Esme and Carlisle had arrived. The more bodies there, the more protection for my precious family.

I had already decided that Stefan and Vladimir had to die. They'd tried this once which meant that even if they failed they might try again and that was unacceptable.

Deciding that I needed more information I called Volterra and asked to speak to Aro or Marcus and within minutes I heard Marcus' voice, "Major, I understand you wish to speak to us. How can I help you?"

I thanked him for the warning and for the three Volturi guards he had sent to help us.

"We thought it was only right. Your wife and children deserve our protection and we wouldn't want you as an enemy. I understand Felix is with you on the trail of Edward Cullen. Are you sure you are comfortable leaving the twins at the farm?"

"Yes. I can't see how Felix or I could protect my family any better and it's important that we find Edward and the Romanians. I want Stefan and Vladimir and I need anything else you might have on them or their soldiers."

"I see. Well, our information is a little sketchy. As you can imagine few people are willing to give information to us for fear they will find themselves on the wrong side of the Romanians. The followers that are loyal to them are fanatics and would never turn traitor."

"I understand that, but what do you have?"

"From what we understand Stefan is in the States with his followers which number around ten, or maybe fifteen. You may be interested to hear that he recruited his soldiers from Maria's cast-offs although there is nothing to suggest she is actively involved.

As far as we know Vladimir is still in Romania and therefore out of harm's way but I can assure you that we will be making arrangements to root him out. He and his friend Stefan have been silent for so long that we believed they had given up on their goal to unseat the Volturi but it seems we were wrong and now we must act decisively. If you need anything you have only to ask."

So, I had anything between ten and fifteen of the opposition out there plus Stefan. Their first attempt to grab Maggie had been a failure, all they had was Edward who was useless to them. Unless they tried to threaten his life to force us to help but that would only work if they managed to prove to his daughter that he was in danger and no one was going to get close to the farm with Jane and Alec there.

Why then had they taken Edward? And where was Angie? The longer she remained missing and silent the more I began to wonder if she was somehow implicated in this business. Had she maneuvered her way into Edward's life in order to get close to Maggie? No, that didn't make any sense because she had delivered Maggie safely back to the farm. If she had been involved she would have handed Maggie to Stefan. So, what the hell was going on?

Felix called to tell us that the RV had pulled into a gas station to fill up.

"I got as close as I dared. I think there are four in the vehicle plus the driver. I could hear bits of the conversation and you were right, Edward Cullen is with them. I think they might be headed to a meeting. It seems that Stefan is not in the vehicle. What's the plan?"

"We follow them home. It's Stefan I want."

"What if they decide to dispose of Cullen on the way?"

"Finding Stefan is more important. They aren't going to stop trying and keeping my children safe is the only thing that matters right now although if we can save him as well then even better."

I felt terrible gambling with Edward's life but the simple truth was that finding Stefan was more important to my family's safety. Maggie would be devastated if her father died but better that than risk losing her and her brother.

Emmett and I caught up with Felix about an hour later to find that the RV had pulled into a campground in a heavily wooded wilderness.

"I didn't get too close. I guess they'll be on alert for any danger and I didn't want to warn them that they aren't alone."

"How close can we get?"

He shrugged, "That depends on how much of a risk you want to take. They parked in an open area so they are on their guard. The closest copse of trees is about a quarter of a mile away. I'm guessing that some of them will want to get out of that RV. That might be our best chance of taking a few prisoners for interrogation."

I nodded, "We'll keep a watch and see what happens. Hopefully, Stefan might come to us."

"If you're lucky, Major."

"You mean if his luck has run out, Felix."

Emmett watched us and I knew he felt out of his depth. Emmett wasn't a killer by nature. Sure he had killed several of his singers but that was from necessity and the drive of the blood scent. Killing or torturing strangers was something else entirely and I wasn't sure he was up for that so I decided to give him an out.

"Em, Felix, and I can handle this. It's likely to get messy so if you want to go back to the farm that's fine. I'll understand."

I could see he was conflicted and left him to speak to Rose. I did wonder if Felix might sneer or make fun of my brother but he just nodded as we found ourselves alone.

Glancing in the direction Emmett had taken he nodded.

"He's a fighter but he's not a warrior. I doubt he's ever killed someone in the heat of battle. I used to think all vampires were warriors when I first became one but I was wrong. There are very few true warriors even in our world. Vampires kill to survive; they don't kill out of hate or rage."

"Were you a soldier before you turned?"

"Weren't we all in centuries past? It was simple if you didn't fight you died. I was a Spartan, Major. We were raised to be warriors. Aro saw my potential and changed me and I have served him loyally ever since as a humble member of the guard."

I laughed, "Bullshit, Felix. If I had to guess I'd say you were the silent partner on the Volturi council."

He stared at me in shock, "Why would you say something like that? I'm not valuable, I don't have any gifts."

"I think that's why Aro values you so much. You don't hide behind any gifts or use tricks to maintain your position. He knows he can rely on your loyalty and your strength."

Felix grinned, "He told me not to underestimate you, Major. I see he was right. Let's just say I've proved my loyalty over the centuries and I keep the Volturi guard in their place."

"OK, although I find it ironic that you allow Jane and Alec to pretend they are in control."

He shrugged, "Their need is greater than mine."

I accepted the truth of that and we waited for Emmett to come to a decision.

My brother rejoined us looking a little sheepish and I knew he was going back to the farm. Not wanting to make things any more difficult for him I nodded, "I'm glad you're going back, Em. Carlisle and Esme will feel a lot better with you watching their backs. Besides, Felix and I can work as one. We're both soldiers, we know what to do instinctively."

Emmett mumbled his goodbye, unable to look either of us in the eye.

"Take the truck back with you and stay close to the children. I'm depending on you to keep them safe."

He nodded, relaxing a little, "Sure thing. See you both later."

I tensed, would Felix make him feel small?

"It takes guts to accept your limitations, Emmett."

Emmett looked relieved at Felix's words and I'd just heard a true warrior speak.

Edward

I didn't know who had taken me, only that they wanted Maggie badly and that wasn't going to happen if I could prevent it. It was down to me to protect my daughter so I sent her to safety with Angie. To my relief, Angie hadn't stopped to ask questions, she'd done exactly as I told her and set off running. I just hoped there weren't more of them around or she might never make it back to the farm.

I had fought the two vampires I saw to give Angie extra time to get away but eventually they overpowered me. One's thoughts I could read easily but the other. Well, he scared me. His thoughts were all over the place, mainly thinking of murder and mayhem. I'd never heard thoughts like it before, not even in a vampire.

The crazy one wanted to kill me right off and would have succeeded if the other hadn't knocked me to the ground and smothered the flames which licked my sleeve, searing my arm and causing agonizing pain that momentarily disabled me.

When they had a good hold of me they dragged me to their vehicle, a gray RV with Florida plates, and bundled me inside. I thought I might have a chance to break free at this point only to discover there were three more vampires inside.

I was thrown into the tiny bathroom and then a short dark-haired figure appeared on a phone which was thrust into my face.

"Edward Cullen. It seems you aren't as omnipotent as you are famed to be. I see you locked horns with Angus. You should be careful, he's dangerous at the best of times. Always had a passion for burning things as a human, including his mistress and her husband."

"Who are you?"

As I said it a name sprang to mind and I frowned, "Stefan Romania? What's going on?"

He smiled coldly, "Don't you know? I see our enemies are slipping. I always knew the Volturi would become complacent, just as we did. It was our downfall and it will be theirs too."

"You want to use my daughter as leverage?"

I could hear their plan in detail in the thoughts of those around me. They intended to capture Maggie and Bella and use them to force Jasper to work with them to destroy the Volturi.

"He'll never do it."

Stefan smiled, "Your gift is working overtime I see. Of course, he will, given the right incentive. Wouldn't you, in order to keep your daughter alive? Unfortunately, you aren't a warrior and that's what we need. I should kill you now but it might turn out that you are useful so you continue to live for a little longer. However, should you cause me any problems I have instructed Angus to kill you and I've seen how creative he can be. You wouldn't want him to decide on your manner of death, trust me."

Stefan seemed so sure that Jasper would do whatever it took to keep his family safe but I wasn't so sure that the Romanians could get their hands on Maggie or Bella. It would be a brave man who went up against Jasper in a fight. I had thought I could take him in my naivety when he agreed to teach us how to fight Victoria's newborn army and found out just how wrong I could be. My gift didn't help at all because he didn't have to think about what he was doing. It was all reflex and long years of training newborns himself.

"You seem very sure that you're going to get your hands on the children. Aren't you worried at all that your first attempt failed so terribly?"

Stefan scowled, "Don't worry yourself about that. I have plans in motion and maybe I'll kill your ex-wife or your daughter in front of you. Just to prove how serious I am. Now shut up and keep your head down. That arm looks bad."

I glanced down at my arm to see venom dripping onto the floor and creating a puddle that was slowly spreading. The burn was bad enough, stretching from my hand up to the elbow. The skin was burnt away and the flesh blackened. I could feel my strength slipping away and knew I could never flee from my healthy guards. I knew burns were the only injuries a vampire couldn't heal from and wondered what was going to happen to me. My only succor was that my daughter was safe and with Jasper's help she would stay that way.

"Oh, I wouldn't worry about me, Stefan. You're in far more trouble than I am."

He scowled and cut the connection before the door was slammed leaving me alone with my thoughts.