Twenty-Four

Jasper could hear Tanya and Garrett's voices downstairs. Alice, he knew, by the change in her posture, could hear them too.

She reached out for his hand, pressing her fingers against his. The creamy-colored fairy lights all around her made her skin glow an ethereal dawn color. "Go," she told him. "Go talk to Alec."

The implication was there. "What did you see?"

She smirked, the tiniest upturn of her nose. He had to stop himself from kissing her.

"You're a solider, remember?" Her voice was teasing. "Go talk about soldier things."

Jasper raised an eyebrow. "You don't mind?" He knew that it distressed her when he spoke of war and battle scars.

Alice shook her head, easing him away from her with a light push of her palm. "Tell Tanya and Garrett that I said goodbye."

He stood. "Won't you come down?"

She eyed him, quizzically. "I have to go and find a box for that cat."

"Oh," he affirmed, gently, as though the notion of the cat she had seen could be so easily dismissed. "Of course, the cat."

"I want to talk to Rosalie, too."

He knew all too well, how Rosalie could take up a lot of their time if she was in a foul enough mood.

"Don't be gone too long." He pressed a kiss into her palm, letting his eyes meet hers softly, a litany of unspoken words between them.

Taking his leave of her he made his way quickly down the staircase.

Tanya and Garrett were standing by the door, flanked by Carlisle and Esme, with Alec off to the side, seemingly forgotten, as though he were trying to stay inconspicuous.

"Jasper," Garrett extended his hand to him, shaking it. "It was good to see you again, my old friend. Please tell Emmett that I was sorry to miss him."

Esme spoke up. "Won't you stay a bit longer? You're both always welcome here."

Tanya eyed Garrett strangely.

"Didn't Garrett just say how desperate he was to get home to his fair Kate?" Alec said, emerging from the shadows of the entryway like a ghost, Tanya and Garret's uncertainty summoning him from the shadows.

"Yes," Garrett explained. "I did."

"It's hard," Tanya elaborated. "For us to be away from each other for any extended period. I'm sure you understand."

They did. They all did. For Jasper, any time spent away from Alice, or any of the other Cullen's was unendurable. Emotions were always heightened for their kind and loss was no different.

"We do understand." Esme told her, empathetic as always. "But please be assured that you will always be welcome here, all of you, whenever you choose to visit us again."

"Yes," Carlisle exclaimed. "Please don't stay away so long this time." He embraced Tanya, centuries of memories unraveling in their embrace.

"Are you sure," Tanya went on, looking at Alec. "That you won't come back with us?" Jasper could sense hesitation and regret in her tone.

Alec raised his hands to his chest, gesturing in kind toward her. "Thank you, Tanya. You've become like a sister to me in these last few months."

Jasper thought he saw Garrett flinch.

"But," Alec went on, bowing slightly in a fashion of formality that belied his age. "I want to stay here. I'm fascinated by the work Carlisle is doing here, and I cannot deny that the Cullen's may need me should anything happen with Renesmee in the future."

Tanya lowered her head, abashed. "As you say."

Esme embraced her again. Jasper could feel the emotions of sisterhood and devotion. It made him smile, despite his strange unease with the tableau unfolding before him.

"Farewell, my friends." Alec spoke to Tanya and Garrett.

They both seemed to pause in the doorway, suddenly uncommitted to departing. Garrett put his hand on Tanya's back, guiding her.

"We'll speak soon," Tanya told Esme.

Esme reassured her, "We will."

They left on foot, fading into the midday light like two blurs. Jasper knew, they could easily reach Alaska by first light if they didn't stop. And if Garrett's desperation to get back to Kate was any indication, they would not stop until they made it home.

"I should get back to my work," Carlisle explained, kissing Esme lightly on the temple. She melted into his embrace.

Jasper watched Esme glance toward Alec, as though about to offer him a meal, like any good hostess, but they all knew how foolhardy that was. This alliance they had with Alec was a tenuous one. They had welcomed him into their home, but Jasper could tell that none of them knew what to do with him.

"Alec," Jasper began. "Why don't you show me how the Volturi plan a fight."

Esme looked alarmed. "Is that wise?"

Alec eyed Jasper, sizing him up. "I can't think of a better task for today."

Side by side, Alec and Jasper left the house, walking toward the lawn. When they were several feet away from the house, they heard the side door click and slide open. Together they watched as Alice slinked out. She knew they were there and charmingly waved a flamboyant hello as she made her way to the garage.

"Where is she off to?" Alec inquired.

"She's looking for a box for a stray cat."

Alec was perplexed, thinking that Alice might be keeping a pet alive just to eat it later. Animals tended to shy away from their kind, instinctively sensing their predatory nature.

Eventually Alec asked, "Tell me about the wolves? Jacob Black and the girl who came here last night."

Jasper was cautious. "Jacob Black befriended Bella when she was still human, they remain close even now. Leah is…" Jasper contemplated his words, "…Another friend."

"And yet," Alec went on, his voice uneven, questioning and unsatisfied with Jasper's evasion. "Jacob Black is in love with Bella's daughter, Renesmee."

Jasper shrugged, noncommittal. "Renesmee is a child. I don't know what you're talking about."

They continued to walk, passing the lawn and emerging into the forest. Jasper was leading him away from the main house and farther still from the cottage where Edward and Bella lived with their daughter.

Alec's voiced changed, taking on a different approach. "It just seemed so obvious."

"Obvious?"

"That Jacob Black is in love with Renesmee. Isn't there a word for that in werewolf speech? Oh yes, imprinting? He is besotted with her, she is in his blood, he could not stay away from her even if he was dying. If her touch would kill him, he would not be able to deny her, regardless."

"What a strange way to put it," Jasper noted.

"It must be unfortunate, really. She is just a teenager—a child, really, as you say—she has her whole life ahead of her. Does she reciprocate his feelings?"

"Like you said," Jasper added, evenly. "She is just a child. She was only born four years ago."

Alec smirked. "So true, and yet, physically, she is just on the cusp of womanhood."

Jasper didn't know how to respond to that, so he simply said. "Tell me about Aro."

"Aro?" Alec seemed shocked, somehow, reluctant to reveal anything. "Aro was born more than a thousand years before the Christian messiah Jesus walked the earth. He was born in the time of hero's, Achilles and Hector. He told me once that he wandered the battlefields of Troy, that he laughed in his gilded palace and Nero watched Rome burn. He is the greatest amongst us."

"You speak of him as though he were a god."

Alec was taken aback. "I suppose I do, for many years, he was my god. My maker. The only father I ever had."

"And yet you left him?"

"Yes, I left him for a greater purpose. As you too, once left your life of killing humans for something greater. To be with your Alice."

"Alice?"

"Forgive me," Alec explained. "I meant no disrespect. I know she is your wife. Aro has always spoken so animatedly of Alice. I feel that I've known her for ages already."

"And what does Aro say about her?" He reached out with his gift, trying to ease Alec into revealing more.

Alec shook his head, as though clearing his head of the fog of Jasper's influence. "He speaks of her like a daughter. Like a long-lost daughter. As a child, almost. Someone who may one day take up the mantle of his leadership. As though she were the key to the future of the Volturi coven."

There was no trace of irony in Jasper's voice. "I doubt that."

"Please," Alec gestured. "I meant no harm, merely conveying how Aro sees her."

"That's not Alice," Jasper stated flatly. "That's not who Alice is at all."

"Of course not," Alec went on. "Forgive me, my friend. Let us change topics. I know you are curious about the Volturi's defenses. Ask me anything."

"Anything?" Jasper was leery of the bait that Alec was setting.

"I will tell you everything that I know," Alec affirmed.

Jasper was taken aback again. "You do not strike me as a fighter. I believe you hung back on the outskirts. Others protected you?"

Alec lowered his chin, as though ashamed. "It is true, the nature of my powers allows me to be a weapon of offence, rather than defense. Many underestimate me by my size. I am still a child to most of their eyes."

"If Aro were to attack us right now, today," Jasper began. "How would he do it?"

They continued to walk through the trees, strolling as slowly as a pair of humans, sizing each other up, determining the equal of the other. "Well, I would have thought that would be obvious—he would send someone to infiltrate your family."

"Like yourself?"

Alec snickered. "Exactly. You forget that I understand the apprehension that you must be feeling with my presence here. I would feel uncomfortable if I were you as well. Please believe me that I mean you no harm, and to attest to that, let me go on—Aro cannot send armies, because Alice would see them coming. He also values all of you, he would not want to destroy any of you."

"All of us?"

"You're right, many of you are expendable. He desires Alice and Edward. He enjoys Carlisle's company, but he would not mourn your patriarch's death. Esme, for her kindness, or Rosalie for her beauty, would be meaningless to him."

"Emmett?"

"Emmett is an interesting conundrum. He is very strong, yet I have seen stronger. Strength in a vampire are not exactly odd or unusual choices. All of us are strong."

"Not strong like Emmett," Jasper countered.

"Perhaps," Alec confessed. "Every generation has an Emmett. One vampire exceedingly stronger than the rest. If not Emmett then another will fill that space. Felix…" Alec gestured with his hand, "Has the strength to rival Emmett. Though if he had to choose, Aro would not choose him to be a part of his menagerie of gifted immortals."

Jasper stopped short at Alec's use of the word 'menagerie.' He had heard Alice use that same word to describe Aro and his plans with her, long ago, before Renesmee was born, and he and she had gone on the run to find more information about human/vampire hybrids. It seemed like a lifetime ago, really.

Jasper did not want to show his revelation to Alec, instead he professed calm and understanding, hoping that the other vampire would be put off guard. "Not having Emmett would be his loss. And what about myself?"

"He sees you as an obstacle to Alice, herself. He believes that as long as you live Alice will never willingly join his coven, and yet…"

"… And yet?"

Alec tapped his chin with his index finger. "And yet, if Aro were to kill you, well… Alice would never join him, either."

"A conundrum, really."

"Indeed," Alec confessed. "I must tell you that Aro has spent many days wondering what to do with you. Your abilities," he gestured to the invisible wave of calm that Jasper was attempting to dissipate toward him, "Are not as impressive as Aro would like. They are impressive, don't get me wrong, but they are not the caliber that Aro would typical collect."

"Not like your abilities?"

Alec nodded. "Not like mine, or my sister, Jane's. Or even your beloved Alice."

Beloved? He recoiled. Jasper could end the vampire here for his use of such a word.

"You do love her, do you not?" Alec asked, seeing as much as sensing Jasper's displeasure.

Jasper chose not to answer.

"And then, of course, there is Renesmee and Bella."

"Go on," Jasper coaxed.

"Aro must have Edward. There is no other outcome without he and Alice at his side. Bella, however, would be just as much of a boon, and of course, Renesmee."

"She is not the first vampire hybrid you have met, though."

"That is true. Desislava lived with the Volturi for many years. Several hundred years in fact."

Jasper narrowed his eyes. "And what became of her?"

With a shrug, Alec added, "She died. She was not a true immortal. She lived a few hundred years. Staying youthful, until one day, she faded away. Snuffed out by fate."

"What became of her father, Aleksandru? And the other vampire that you turned? The one who was in Aleksandru's personal guard."

They continued their walk. Alec grew silent, contemplative. Jasper waited.

Eventually Alec remarked. "Aleksandru's fate would have been much the same as your Edward's would have been had his beautiful Bella not lived. He languished for a few years. Waiting until his daughter no longer gave off the appearance of a child. A few years, more passed, perhaps. But eventually, he gave up his will to live. He was, I believe, only slightly younger than Aro, and he had wandered the world for centuries before he met his human wife."

"When you say he gave up…?"

"Oh, I see. It was not the Volturi, if that is what you mean. Rather, he revealed himself to the superstitious peasants in the town below his fortress. Allowed them to see him killing their young women, his face and hands covered in their blood. He allowed the mob to rip him apart, burning the pieces of his body. He did not fight. Aro did not object to his death."

"He allowed Desislava to witness this?"

"No. She had come to live with Aro at that point. She and Radomir."

"Radomir," Jasper tested the name on his tongue, he had never heard of this vampire. "He and Desislava were allowed to live with the Volturi."

Alec hesitated slightly. "Yes, they both were. Desislava was an oddity to Aro, a bit like a conjoined twin in a formaldehyde jar would be fascinating to human eyes."

"And what was Radomir's ability?"

"Radomir?"

"Yes, you mentioned that Aro only kept the best selections in his menagerie. What ability did Radomir have."

Alec smiled, relieved. "A very interesting one, actually, he could change his appearance to anyone else in the world, living or dead. He could just change his face, and his body, it was an interesting party trick, but he could not maintain the change for any extended amount of time. His ability, though interesting, was ultimately useless to Aro in the end."

"And in the end?"

"Desislava died. She and Radomir had been married for centuries, but once she died there was very little left for him. I have not seen him for more than a century. She died… let me see... in the 1880's, I believe." Alec continued, "Radomir vanished after that. I have not heard either from him nor about him since then. I imagine he is dead. Withered away like so many vampiric love stories."

Jasper pondered. Everything Alec said seemed to be the truth, Alice had confirmed that he was not lying, yet why? Why had this change come about and how is it that Aro just let him go? Jasper asked that very questioned and waited for Alec's response.

Alec countered, "What made you decide to stop consuming human blood? What brought about that change?"

For Jasper, it had been Alice, her belief and surety that this life was his destiny. He did not want to tell Alec that, though.

Alec did need Jasper to verbally confirm. "Ah, Alice. The lovely Alice again. Aro says that she has the capability to heal all wounds. That must be true."

Jasper bristled. "And how is it that Aro has allowed you to leave his coven? You are one of his deadliest weapons, why should be allow you to fade into this life with us?"

They continued deeper into the forest. They could no longer see the house or hear any of its inhabitants. "Aro is like a father to me, as I said. In my human life my father was a brute, a foreigner who abandoned my mother and sister and I when I was very young. Aro, when he saved us from death, became the father I had always longed for. For centuries I strived to please him, to be worthy of his love and protection. Jane, even, in her independent way, longs for his love as well."

"Jane?" The sound of her name brought a shiver up Jasper's spine.

Alec smiled. "My sister's reputation proceeds her. She is a deadly advisory, and is not to be trifled with."

"And what does she think of all of this?" Jasper questioned, "You're leaving the Volturi, and coming here."

Alec paused. "In many ways, my sister and I are two sides of the same coin. She brings pain, and I can remove it. One power can exist, without the other, though, we do not need to live and serve in tandem. If," Alec went on, "You are afraid that Jane will one day come here then you should be. If given her ways she would kill Bella Swan and any who ally themselves with her."

"Why Bella? Why does she hate Bella so much?"

"Imagine," Alec spread his hands wide, indicating the full scope of their, his and Jane's, time on earth, "Your entire life passing without anyone ever being able to outsmart you. Everyone you meet is immediately cowed by your powers. To the world you present as a child, a little girl, similar to Renesmee," his voice slide over Ness' name like candy. "And then suddenly, one day, in front of everyone. A tiny, insignificant human girl stumbled awkwardly into a den of the most dangerous vampires who've ever roamed the earth and suddenly, your powers, which have always defined you, are unusable. Aro, who had never been displeased with her, was there to witness this, and his displeasure was rife."

"So, Jane is embarrassed by what happened?"

Alec smirked. "Something like that. If she ever comes face to face with Bella Swan again, she will not allow herself to be bested once more. Jane will kill her."

Jasper looked away, his nostrils flaring toward the scent of moose that he had caught in the glen up ahead. "You know," he said sarcastically, "Her name is Bella Cullen now."

Alec had scented the prey as well, and his mouth had opened, venom filling under his tongue. The hunger frenzy for him was too far gone to speak. Jasper could see that he was suddenly incapable of it.

"Shall we," Jasper gestured to the forest before him. As vampires, they could make the long strides to the animal in a few seconds. Alec lowered himself to the balls of his feet, scenting the air once more. He looked up to Jasper once, quickly, and with the flick of Jasper's head Alec left him at a run.

Jasper followed, but at a distance. His hunger was not so fierce as Alec's and he wanted to watch the other vampire as he feed. As predators, they were never as vulnerable as when they fed, guided by the overwhelming need to feed, the heartbeats of their prey, be it human or animal, alive in their ears, running through their bodies like electricity. Their guards were down while they fed.

As he watched, Alec slowed his pace, shifting downwind from the large animal which was grazing on the gnarled grasses up ahead. Surprisingly, Alec's attack was a bit clumsy. When he pounced on the animal, he fell short of the mark, making the animal rear. Jasper saw Alec clinging onto the animal's hind legs while he bucked and kicked him off. Alec's arms stretched wide across the animal's underbelly and squeezed, breaking the creature's rib cage with a ravaged cry from the beast. Without preamble, Alec sank his teeth into the pulsing vein at the back of the moose hindleg. The creature had died shortly after Alec touched it, but the vampire continued to suck greedily, Alec's cheeks were working ferociously to suck the blood out now that its heart had stopped pumping it actively through its body. Jasper was reminded of a rabid squirl, cheeks stuffed to bursting with nuts, only this time, it was a vampire with blood smeared across his lips.

With a gasp and a sigh, Alec released the beast. Pushing it away roughly with the palm of his hand. Jasper heard bones cracking as the carcass made impact with a nearby tree.

"Forgive me," Alec noted, suddenly self-conscience of his behavior. "I have not feed since we left from Alaska, and I find that my hunger, now that I only consume animal blood, is never truly satisfied."

"Yes," Jasper confirmed. "That is a condition of this life. Hunger is never truly satisfied."

"An unfortunate complication."

"They say it gets easier to live with," Jasper confessed, unable to keep the longing that he always felt for human blood from his voice.

Alec stretched his hand across his abdomen, he was more rounded from the feeding. "How long did it take you to live easier with it?"

Jasper's eyes widened. "I still struggle at times."

"I am not alone, then," Alec confessed. "I fear it will be some time before I am free of my need to consume human blood."

"No," Jasper said, although he hated to admit it, "You are not alone." He extended his hand to Alec, helping him up

"Thank you, brother."

Jasper pondered over the word, brother. Was that what Alec would become, in time? "Tell me, truthfully, brother?" He asked, testing the word on his tongue. "Do you mean us no harm in coming here? Can we trust you."

Alec smiled, his lips were stained ruby from the animal blood. "I promise you, that I mean you no harm by coming here." He slapped Jasper on the back with his flattened palm, a gesture that felt more human than vampire. "Let's get back to the house. I want to check on Renesmee."