I always knew it was possible, I stared at Peter an icy chill running silently down my spine. How was this happening though? I didn't have a clue what we had done to get on the Volturi's radar but apparently they were paying us a visit in 2 days. That didn't give me much time to plan. Honestly, my first thought was to grab Bella and run but it left almost as soon as it came. I'm Major Jasper Whitlock and I don't run.
Peter let everyone know and Bella began to panic, not so much for herself but for her dad. I think we all agreed we needed to get Charlie out of town for a few days. He had been here for a couple months now, school was winding down but he still had a couple more weeks before summer. I wondered if he could take a vacation though. My phone beeped with an incoming message.
Alice: He'll be fine, just send him to Forks for a fishing trip with his buddies, he'll love it and nothing will happen.
I tried to get more from Alice but got nothing.
So for the next two days we were all a ball of nerves, I thought about hiding Bella but if Aro came with them he'd see her in our thoughts and it wouldn't matter, in fact it may just put Charlie in danger too. I also knew that Bella and I are always stronger together than apart. I couldn't be distracted by us being apart.
Bella and I formulated a plan. I just hope we didn't need it, I don't know what is bringing the Volturi to our doorstep but I know none of us are happy about it. Emmett and Rose decided it was time to take a vacation to see Esme and Carlisle for a couple weeks.
Really we all were all still kind of mad about that necklace stunt they pulled at Christmas and trying to act like Bella would want to be a part of their family when she hasn't hardly talked to them since we last saw them in Forks a year ago.
On Wednesday we knew the Volturi were arriving but didn't know what time and school still needed to be taken care of. Emmett and Rose worked with their professors to take their finals early so they could leave. Peter and Charlotte decided they were going to go hunt to be in tip top shape yesterday and should be back later today and Bella and I headed for campus, I hunted last night.
Bella was a bundle of nerves but she was mostly just worried about her father. I kept assuring her that nothing was going to happen to Charlie and she kept assuring me that Alice's visions weren't absolute that the Volturi could change their minds about something and all Hell could break loose. We knew there was going to be trouble anyways because she was human.
I stayed close to Bella skipping my own classes she just didn't know it. She finished off the day about 3pm and we headed for home. I held her hand in the truck as I drove and we rode in silence, the stress and anxiety could be cut with knife and I wasn't even projecting. We were silently hoping they decided not to come. There had been no word from Peter today so I think neither of us knew what to think.
Turning on our street the foreboding increased and as we pulled into the drive way and a lump developed in my throat, probably in Bella's too, her big chocolate orbs turned on me with fear. In the driveway sat a plain looking black SUV but it wasn't one we knew. The little sticker on the back indicated that it was a car for hire. Peter's truck was also in the driveway. Taking a deep breath simultaneously we both were trying to prepare for what came next as we exited my truck.
I tried hard not to go in there with a chip on my shoulder, I didn't want to cause undo problems but I really didn't want these fuckers in my home, in our home. They were here because of Bella that much I was sure, but how they knew…that was the question.
"Ready?" I asked taking Bella's hand.
She nodded her big doe eyes at me and we made our way around the front of the truck and walked up to the front door to let ourselves in. I held Bella behind me, I wasn't letting her go first. I didn't know who was here or how good their control was. I opened the door and the first thing that greeted us was Spirit bounding up to us all waggles. I'd like to think this was a good sign but that damn dog never felt fear, didn't know what it was no matter what was going on.
I pet him quickly as he jumped on my leg and continued into the house, Bella did the same and he was mollified. Peter, Char and 4 other vampires sat in the living room looking very tense and quiet. Anticipation and curiosity were the only emotions coming from the strangers in the room, anxiety and worry coming from Peter and Char. No one's faces revealed a thing.
I continued to keep Bella behind me but could feel she was peeking around to see who was here. I didn't know the Voluturi, never had occasion to meet them so I stepped in taking in the 3 men and 1 girl sitting in our living room.
"Hello," I said nodding to Peter and Char, looking over to the guests.
Spirit continued to run around the room but was content to play by himself, he was staying with us while Charlie was out of town. I saw two of the strange vampires watching him out of the corners of their eyes in curiosity but they made sure never to take their eyes off me.
I purposefully wore a long sleeved green t-shirt and jeans today in an effort to cover my scars, again didn't need to provoke anyone unnecessarily.
"So the rumors are true?" A large male about 6'4" spoke as he rose from his seat, he wore a black 3 piece suit making him look more like he belonged on Wall Street rather than in my living room as a Volturi guard. He had short dark hair and a square jaw, he looked dangerous. His real age unknown but his appearance put him changed at about mid to late 20's, 28 maybe.
I raised an eyebrow about that, 'rumors'? I wondered. Again I could only assume they meant Bella. It was difficult to just stand there, when he rose I felt threatened and needed to protect my mate, but again, I wasn't trying to start something…yet.
"I think introductions are in order first, Felix." Another man said as he stood up, presenting as similarly dressed. His hair was long and dark, he had narrow features and a slight build, he was smaller a little younger at the time of his change, about 26,
but obviously the one in charge and the only one wearing an unassuming golden V pendant under his shirt collar that gleamed against the crisp white of his shirt.
"I am Aro, this big guy is Felix, over there is Demitri, and Jane. You are the Major. I recognize you from other's memories, but the young human behind you, I do not know. Please introduce us?" He was cocky and friendly at the same time. He sat back down, oozing curiosity, and motioned for Felix to do the same, he was trying to keep the peace also.
I moved further in the room closer to Peter and Char where I deposited Bella to Peter's right on the sofa, Char was on his left and I took up the other side of Bella choosing to sit on the arm of the sofa placing me higher than everyone in the room. This was my home and I was not going to be intimated.
Aro and Demitri both looked at me with knowing smiles, at what I had just done but I began speaking calmly and controlled before anything else was said or done. "I'm Jasper yes and this Bella she is my mate." I wanted to make sure they knew she wasn't dinner right off the bat.
Bella looked to me with a soft smile, glad that I introduced her as I had. She sent me thanks and I nodded in return. A quizzical look came over the faces of everyone across from us but Aro who much like his knowledge of my war days also had knowledge of my gift.
"We had heard that you had taken a mate in the form a human, yes." Aro began, smiling and smug feeling began to overtake him.
"What can we do for you?" I asked a little more angrily than I had anticipated, I didn't want pleasantries, or small talk, I wanted him out of our home and lives.
His eyebrows rose at my hostility but I didn't change a thing.
"You don't need to have such a tone with us," said Demitri who spoke up for the first time. I spared him a glance to take in his lighter colored grey suit, shorter dark hair, broad features, and darker skin tone. He was becoming angry but I wasn't too worried, I knew Aro ran the show and they would defer to him, he kept a smile and addressed Demitri.
"Now, now, we are not here to cause trouble Demitri, the Major here knows we have travelled a long way to speak with him and he doesn't want to waste our time. Isn't that right Major?" he asked looking back at me with his false smile and sense of righteousness.
I gave a curt nod and placed a hand on Bella's shoulder to keep me grounded. She reached up placing one of her warm gentle hands on top of mine in support.
"Well Major, as it seems you already suspected we were curious about your…mate." He turned to look at Bella and it was my super human strength that kept me in my seat. All the Voluturi's attention then turned to Bella. Peter wasn't as successful, as he let out a growl.
I sent Peter some calm and Bella placed a hand on his that sat in his lap. He glanced at her and then took her hand into his.
"Now, now, as I said we are not here to cause trouble Captain. We simply were informed that a human was residing with vampires and that laws were being broken, we have a duty to investigate these things." Aro continued to be smug and feel in control of this situation.
I was getting too anxious and worried about the whole thing, however, we needed to speed this along.
"We intend to change her, I am allowing her to age to match me and then she will be changed next year. We are not breaking any laws, she is not a pet and she is not an immortal child, she is not a risk to us since she is my mate."
"Well Major, would you mind sharing all of that and more with me?" he requested, holding his hand out as he stood up to meet me.
I did what I could to put up blocks around thoughts of Charlie and I wasn't sure how good Aro's gift was. I did know it seems as though there isn't anything that he can't see. I knew this was coming and I knew it was a possibility, I also knew it was a possibility he'd see nothing thanks to Bella.
Bella grabbed my hand on her shoulder as I rose to meet Aro in the middle with my hand extended.
The firm handshake lasted for only about 5 seconds, Aro looked at our hands and I could feel the smugness turn to confusion. He let go and returned to his seat, now nervous.
"I believe your gift is that of emotions correct? Controlling them?" He was puzzled even looking down at his hand with nervousness. I just nodded in agreement.
"I saw nothing," he whispered barely loud enough for human ears. Bella's pride and superiority swelled and I didn't keep my reaction to myself, I whipped my head to look at her and Aro's head snapped up to do the same taking in my reaction.
Peter's eyes closed and I could feel his aggravation and anger, while Char bless her heart, she sat stoically, giving nothing away, but she was scared.
"Is that because of you, my dear?" Aro asked Bella too sweetly, almost affectionately and again I had to hold a growl back. Her hand tightened on mine in support or restraint, I'm not sure. But Aro's childlike wonder began to overtake him as he stared intently at Bella.
"I guess so," she responded flatly. "But could you quit looking at me like I'm your new favorite toy."
My eyes were as big as dinner plates at this point. We had agreed to be civil already I've held back growls and spoke rudely, Peter has growled and now she's goading him? This was not going well. I knew Bella could shield us no problem from Edward, I was not sure about her ability to block a gift that required touch, not to mention Aro was significantly older and more powerful. I shouldn't have been so shocked as to give her away. I knew it was a possibility and I can't say I'm upset about it. In fact, it helped me to relax at least my concern for Charlie, though it did intensify my concern for Bella immensely.
"My my spirited, aren't you?" Aro asked calmly acting as if Bella hadn't just insulted him. Of course you can't say Spirit's name without him making an appearance and he came bounding over to Aro seeking attention. Aro stared at the animal and gently patted the top of his head twice before Spirit ran off back to the kitchen for a toy.
Demitri and Jane just glared at all of us while Felix let his attention be drawn to the dog. Aro continued to ogle Bella like a tasty treat. Unfortunately, however, it wasn't her blood he was craving.
"May I?" he asked rising again from his seat and held his hand out to her. I let go of her hand so that she could oblige, while Peter still had ahold of her other hand.
She didn't rise from her seat but merely held her hand out to him making him close the distance by leaning across the coffee table that separated us. He was gentle with her; I watched him like a hawk to make sure.
"I see nothing," he smiled, giddiness and intrigue wafted from him like a bad cologne.
"Captain, would you mind?" Aro asked leaning towards Peter who stood and took a side step in front of Bella as he released her hand to give it to Aro.
Aro again only held for a few seconds before letting go.
"Remarkable," he breathed quietly.
"Char?" He turned to her as Peter sat back, taking Bella's hand back in his.
"Hmm," Aro made the little noise as he released Char's hand and returned to his seat.
"You are very powerful my dear, I see nothing from anyone. I wonder can you block other powers?" His eyes glint with excitement.
"Jane? Can you test your powers on Isabella, please?" he requested.
"NO!" all three of us yelled and stood blocking her from view in a hummingbird heartbeat.
Char went down first with a scream, Peter grunted and then went down with a groan, and I took everything she sent and gave it back to the room bringing everyone but Bella with me. I should have realized she'd be immune. I shouldn't have reacted.
The fire raged through my body but I was still standing, I could take it, Jane waivered before it stopped when the screams of her fellow Volturi rang out.
It was too late though, before Jane stopped a wave of fear and anger hit me strongly from behind and shield came around us, it was clear but I knew it was there as soon as I felt everyone cut off from me.
The Voluturi gave Jane disgruntled looks as they resituated themselves as Char and Peter did the same, not realizing there was now a barrier between us.
Not taking my eyes off the Voluturi, I reached back for Bella's hand and was met with her soft warm fingers, knowing I was seeking comfort and affirmation that she was okay.
"Bella?" I asked gently squeezing her hand, her anger and fear still drowning her.
"Bella?" Peter repeated pulling her a little closer to himself trying to get her to respond.
This was the point where I realized the Volturi's lips were moving and I couldn't hear them. My eyes widened, I knew it took even more for her to make her shield sound proof.
I finally turned to look at her, her eyes closed and her face was covered with silent tears as Peter held her close, murmuring "everything is okay" over and over.
I knew the Voluturi were no danger to us with her shield up, I wasn't sure the boundaries of it but I knew we were in it and they were out. Turning my back fully to them to indicate I didn't fear them and that I wanted to focus on Bella I crouched in front of her. She was frantic in her fear and anger but she shouldn't get out of it.
"Bella, look at me, look at me," I said, gently moving her head to meet my eyes. She opened her dark eyes and was looking through me, she didn't want to take her eyes off of the threat.
"It's okay, darlin'." I took both hands and rubbed them gently with my thumbs sending her peace and calm.
"Jasper, they hurt you, Peter, Char, they tried to hurt me it's not okay!" she spoke but finished with a yell.
She glared back at them and I took a second to register their shocked expressions, not sure what they were shocked about, there was plenty for sure.
"Bella, we're fine, we shouldn't have gotten in the way, you gave yourself away, they know you're powerful now, Aro is never going to leave us alone. He may have if he thought you couldn't control it. Course I'm probably kidding myself," I said giving her a wry lopsided smile.
She smiled back and her emotions began to calm. "That's my girl," I whispered as I stood to face the enemy, that's what they were there's no denying it now.
I leveled a glare on them as their emotions and the sounds of the outside world began to slowly trickle back in.
"Can you hear us, now?" Aro asked, I heard the snort come from Bella, I knew she was thinking of the cellular commercials from a few years ago, no one forgot the AT&T guy.
"I can and that was not necessary Aro, you do not come into someone's home and attack them just to see if they are immune to something. I do not approve." I glared specifically at him but was ready should Jane try her little stunt again.
"Ah Major, I was only curious, it appears that Bella's shield goes well beyond the protection of the mind, has she always been able to manifest it as we just witnessed?"
"No, it takes a lot out of her, it takes extreme emotions and it's not something I want her using as a human, we don't know what it does to her body." I moved back to the arm of the sofa so that I could see the whole room.
"Is she unwell?" Felix asked, curiosity and worry actually coming from him. 'Huh didn't expect that?'
Aro glanced at Felix as he asked and then back to Bella and over to me. She was breathing normally but her heart was racing and her eyes were closed again, I started to worry, that wasn't normal.
"Bella?" I asked looking to see if she was okay, she let me feel her fear and anxiety but made no move to respond to me.
"Bella?" I asked again taking her hand and looking at her closely. Still no response.
"BELLA!" I said louder than I intended but her emotions were scaring me as was her lack of response.
I remember when she got lost last year, when she had Edward trapped in the black bubble. So lost in my thoughts I completely took my focus off our house guests.
"Bella, darlin' open your eyes, look at me," I commanded softly.
I moved to squat in front of her, I turned her head towards me and began sending her all my love and happiness at being her mate. It was a couple minutes but thankfully everyone was patient while I worked to get Bella's attention. Peter remained silently gently rubbing her arm while the length of his arm rested on her shoulders holding her to his side. Finally her eyes opened as though she had been asleep and just as I suspected they were liquid onyx. I couldn't resist the sigh that came out as the Volturi gasped.
"Bella, focus baby, come back, Bella it's okay, we're all okay you don't need to do this." Peter then called for Spirit.
He came bouncing over, loving the attention and I moved telling him to get up on the sofa which he was never allowed to do. He didn't think twice and jumped up curling as much as he could onto Bella. He knew she needed him. He fit a lot better in her lap as a puppy but he still knew how to cuddle.
I placed one of her hands in his fur and continued to send her love and happiness, though I'm not sure she could feel it.
"Does this happen a lot," Demitri asked.
Bella began gently petting the dog just like last year and I knew we would just have to wait.
"No," I whispered, but I knew they'd have no trouble hearing me, Bella could hear me too but I was afraid of doing anything that would startle her or delay her progress.
It took about 30 minutes of silence and all eyes on Bella before her eyes began to return to their normal chocolate pools. She blinked the last of it off and her emotions settled.
She looked over to me and her face flushed. "Sorry," she looked over to Peter and repeated her apology before looking towards our house guests wondering if she should apologize to them but didn't. She petted Spirit a couple more times and told him he was "a good boy" and sent him off to play. He got up like nothing happened and ran out the back doggy door that we had installed.
"That is a weird dog," Felix commented, more to himself but we all heard him and everyone nodded in agreement.
"Are you well, my dear?" Aro asked, his excitement and curiosity swirled around him, he was too happy about my mate and her talents, I knew he would be.
I honestly wished she wouldn't have barricaded us from Jane, Aro wasn't able to see our thoughts with just her natural desire to protect us, I handled Jane, I hate that it seems to cost her a lot emotionally, trying to save us. Physically it tires her out but doesn't seem to do any lasting damage.
Aro, is like a kid in a candy store right now his excitement and hope is through the roof.
Bella moved to get up and did her best to push Peter and myself away from her, without answering Aro's question. We finally relented and let her up, she went to the kitchen and began getting a glass of water while we all looked on as she drank down the whole thing.
"She's okay," I turned towards Aro answering his question while placing myself back on the arm of the sofa in anticipation of Bella's return.
"She manifests a power as a human? How is that possible?" Felix asked looking between me and her. He seems nosy.
In that moment I had to make a decision how much to tell them or not tell them. If I attempted to avoid the question they'd know I was hiding something, if I answer it, well… they already know she'll be even more powerful as a vampire anyway.
"As I said she can only do it with extreme emotions, the kind of which I've never felt from another living being," I said speaking to Aro, even though it wasn't his question, keeping my peripheral vision on Bella.
"She's glorious, she'll make a powerful shield when she is changed," Aro breathed as though he was in love, which in fact he is. He was exuding adoration, desire, and want like a young boy in love for the first time.
Jane gave a little huff, but otherwise said nothing, she was irritated and even a little jealous. The other two men looked on my woman in wonder and with bits of concern and worry.
Bella returned with a sandwich and her glass of water. "Sorry that made me incredibly hungry and thirsty." She said to the room while taking her seat next to Peter. Demitri was disgusted with the food Jane seemed to get interested in watching Bella eat, and I even noticed a little longing coming from her. I don't think it was in reference to hunger, just something missing from her life. I kept my focus on Aro as Bella ate silently being the centerpiece for attention, luckily she didn't mind anymore.
"Are there any other side effects to her shield?" Aro finally asked, looking at me.
"Ask her," I answered with a shrug.
"Are there, dear?" His red eyes focused intently on Bella as though she held the secret of the world.
"Not really, just exhausted and I was hungry when we got home, that just seemed to intensify it."
"It's no coincidence that her shield is fueled by emotions and your gift is exactly the compliment of that." Aro noted, looking between us with a smile that really just made me want to rip his head off and shove it up his ass to see if he's still smiling then.
"How'd you know?" Char asked with little more force than a whisper.
"Dear? Know that it was no coincidence that the Major's mate has a gift that is complimented by his? I simply put two and two together, they are true mates, his own gift is also very powerful."
"No, not that," Char began gaining her voice back. Poor dear really was scared, for us. "How did you know that Bella was even here? What 'rumor' did you hear?"
That was one of the very first questions that we all wondered when Peter told us they were coming.
"Well it would not be very appreciative of my informant to be put out there, now would it? But let's just say I wasn't even sure if it was true. Since it is however, I believe that Major and Bella need to accompany us back to Volterra so that this matter might be settled." Aro continued to grin ear to ear and his satisfaction and triumph were accompanied by his excitement at the idea of gaining Bella and me for the guard.
Bella apparently didn't care for that idea, before I could comment on that statement her rage ran through me causing me to gasp, a loud crack indicated that the sofa was sliced into pieces and Aro became surrounded in a solid black mass that now stood in my living room. The rest of the Volturi leaped to their feet from the mass as the sofa broke away falling into segments on the floor, Aro's piece apparently being in the bubble with him.
Char, Peter, and I leaped up and again blocked Bella from the possible wrath of the guard. The room was so full of dread, fear, and anger, I had to shut my own gift down so I could figure out what to do next.
A/N So did it work? I haven't written much in a while, some feedback would be appreciated. And there's thoughts, to kill Aro or not to kill Aro….hmmm.