Chapter 5 - What Did You Do?
"What did you do?" A strawberry-blond I'd never met spat at us the second we cleared the treeline. She was comforting a sobbing Alice.
"I don't know what you mean." I replied truthfully. "What happened?" Checking with Demitri's and Edward's gifts, I sensed no intruders in the region. There weren't any lingering scents either. What had made Alice break down like this?
"Jasper comes back from talking with you, and Edward can no longer read his mind. Next thing I know, Alice is distraught mumbling 'he's going back' over and over again." Her's voice got louder with every word. "What did you monsters do?"
I turned to Demitri in silent question. He nodded and stepped forward.
"We are here on official business, Tanya. We mean no harm. Insult any members of the Crest again and I'll be forced into action." Demitri spoke the threat in a soft, comforting voice. It was then that I realized who she was. This girl, Tanya, was one of the Denali sisters. She was a venom daughter of Sasha, who was executed by the Volturi for creating an immortal child. Now I understood why she was pointing her anger at us.
"Official business..." Tanya scoffed. "I haven't heard that one before." She was like a mother to me, and she chose Little V over all of us. They took her away before I could make sure she loved us... Seeing the opportunity, I stepped around Demitri and looked directly into her eyes.
I had a way to defuse the situation that was quickly growing hostile. Aro hadn't been the judge for Sasha. It had been Master Marcus. Sasha had shared her story with him. He'd read the bond between Sasha and the immortal child, deducing that Sasha was correct and would not be able to part from it without killing herself anyway. Aro had found out Sasha's story from Marcus. From having all Aro's past thoughts, I too, knew Sasha's reasoning.
"Tanya, Sasha kept Vasilii a secret to save your life. She loved you more than you'll ever know." I whispered it, attempting to be soft with her. "Do you remember how you found out that she changed Little V because he was close to death? She would have never changed him, but fate was cruel. Vasilii was her True Mate, her other half. It mattered not that he wasn't yet two. The bond was at full strength the second they looked into each other's eyes, even if it was never love at their stage. She would have wasted away without him anyway."
"No... you lie." Tanya said, looking as if she were trying to convince herself. "She wouldn't have kept her True Mate a secret for all those years."
"She would have if it meant saving you, Irena, and Kate. She changed Vasilii because she could not watch him die, but she kept him a secret because she could not stand for her daughters to burn with her when the time came. I swear on the Crest that I speak the truth." I said honestly as I gave the Volterra Salute, which had not been used by the Volturi since shortly after Sasha's execution.
"You are only a newborn. How do you know that salute?" Tanya asked, eyes wide.
"The same way I know Sasha's motives. Please believe me, and please do not bear this untruthful weight upon your shoulders any longer. Your mother loved you, Tanya. Never doubt that." At my words, Tanya burst into tears.
Sometime during my speech, Alice must have come back to her senses. She was looking at me as if she were frightened.
"Your gift." Alice whispered. "That's how you know."
"It is." I replied.
"I had a vision of your fight against Demitri." Alice said more loudly, still backing up slowly. "Your ability is like a horrible mix between Edward's and Jasper's... only you also have a shield. I don't understand. You've changed, and now you are taking Jasper back into the life he left behind. Somehow you convinced him to do this - using your gift, no doubt - just as the old Jasper would have done!"
"Alice, please. I would never manipulate..." I started, but I was interrupted.
"No! He just left to hunt HUMANS!" Alice screeched, seeming lost in a panic. Suddenly, her voice changed, and her eyes glazed as if she were having a vision. "I can see how this will end. You do not know what you are taking him back to. The South will be a black hole. It will suck all in and leave none alive. You have convinced him to walk willingly toward death, or you will watch him become the very vampire he swore to never become again."
"I fear the same things, but you know the future can change." I replied when her eyes went back to normal.
"And you're willing to take that risk with his life?" She screeched in disbelief. "Who are you?"
"This is bigger than any of our lives, Alice, and Jasper understands that. Do you think that he wants to go back?" I asked her, beginning to feel slightly hurt. Did she really think so little of me? Did my last name and an ability really change me so much?
"Of course he doesn't want to go back!" Alice replied.
"Then why do you think he is?"
"Because you tricked him!" Alice screamed.
"Would I ever do that?" I asked rhetorically, but she answered anyway.
"I don't know what you'd do. You aren't the Bella I was best friends with." It amazed me how much hearing that bothered me. I wouldn't say it hurt, but I didn't like it. I could tell it was meant to be an insult. Her next words shattered the last of my self-control. I don't know why she didn't see it coming. "Where did the caring Bella go?"
"You killed her, Alice. You and Edward dug your nails into her chest and tore her useless heart out. Edward saying he didn't want me anymore, that hurt enough. To be abandoned by your best friend, without even a hint of good-bye, sucks rat blood. When you woke up alone, you didn't remember your family. You had nothing to miss. I had to create a whole new future for myself." My voice was steely, and I could tell my eyes were black. It didn't matter. If Alice wanted to know what had happened to her perfect, little, Barbie Bella, I would tell her. "I went catatonic for a week, and didn't improve much afterward. If you had asked me to remember the first few months after you left, I couldn't tell you one thing.
"Jacob finally brought me out of it. He became my best friend. Barbie Bella became just Bella. I had fun with Jake, told him everything. Then, I find out he's a shape-shifting werewolf. The world of supernatural creatures came to laugh in my face and remind me of what I'd lost. Who shows up then but our old friend Laurent. You recall him? Well, he was there on a mission for Victoria, and he would have killed me had the wolves not intervened. Right then, I found out that Victoria's hunt for me continued stronger than ever.
"On top of it all, Jacob said he had feelings for me. I couldn't be with him because I was too broken. Jake deserves better, so I let go my chance for happiness. The day that I go cliff diving, just as things were calming down, you show up at my house saying that Edward thinks I'm dead and went off to kill himself. I didn't want him to die, so I chose to help.
"The moment I was left in the forest, and the second I was betrayed by those I'd come to consider family, your Bella died. It wasn't until the Volturi that I found myself again. You do not know what I've suffered, Alice. Were I to be killed today, it would not be a second death. It would be a third. I've already died twice. The first time, I was murdered by the ones I'd trusted most. The second time, I chose to let myself live again. Aro saved me from the Hell you sent me too Alice, and it will take centuries to forgive you for what you've done. You ask me where your caring Bella went? You fucking killed her with your silent goodbye." Without waiting to listen for a response, I dashed into the forest, and I kept running until I hit the third Canadian town.
After a long hunt, I picked a tree and settled down deep in its branches. Knowing that Corin wouldn't arrive with the plane until at least nine in the morning, I stayed put the remainder of the night. At dawn, I took a deep breath and returned to the house. Thank the Almighty for cloud cover.
"Protect the Crest Demitri, and don't let Aro do anything stupid." I said, enveloping Demitri into a huge hug.
"He's going to hear that in my thoughts." he said, a smile coating his voice.
"Then stop thinking about it!" I shouted, giving him a joking punch on the arm as I pulled back. Demitri's smile was infectious, and I knew I wouldn't get to smile again for a long time. "You really have become a brother to me. I'll miss you, Demitri."
"As I will you." Demitri said with a sad smile. He sent huge amounts of his gift into my shield, so much that he looked even paler than usual when he was finished. "Use it wisely, Isabella. Volterra's new Leading General is needed more than you know. Please survive."
"I am determined to live through this." I replied, and continued in a near silent whisper. "Plus, with the amount of your gift you have given me, I will be able to use it in every battle."
"Good." Demitri stated, and looked over my shoulder where I knew Carlisle was standing. "You'll watch over her, won't you, Doctor?"
"I'm starting to think she will be the one watching over us." I heard Carlisle reply. "Regardless, I will do my best to ensure her safety, General."
"Thank you." Demitri said, and then he looked at me again. "I am needed in Russia."
"Yes." I said, staying emotionless. "You should go."
"For the Crest." Demitri recited formally, giving the old Volterra salute.
"Return home swiftly." I said, trying to hide exactly how hard it was for me to watch my new brother leave, especially when I knew I might not live to see him again. I decided to chance it and speak Italian in front of Carlisle even though I wasn't supposed to know the language. "A ogni uccello il suo nido รจ bello."
"You're right, Isabella. There's no place like home." Demitri translated, a knowing smile on his face. "Come back to it in one piece, if you can manage."
"I hope so." I whispered, and at that, Demitri entered the plane and closed the door behind the retracting stairs. I backed up, and Corin started the plane. It went speeding down the runway and took to the air. I watched until it entered the clouds. The moment the plane was out of sight, I let my shield off Demitri and turned. "Come, Carlisle, it's time I face the music."
I followed Carlisle to the car in silence. I felt utterly empty. How was I going to endure my mission alone?
"Can I ask you something?" Carlisle asked when were halfway back to the house.
"Of course." I replied quietly.
"Did you inherit your gift through our family line? Are you a Sponge Shield?" His words actually caused me to jump.
"You know of Sultana Swayn?" I was shocked to the core.
"I'll take that as a yes." Carlisle replied. "To answer your question, I was interested in genealogy and looked into my own ancestry for a few decades. I hit a dead end in my personal research and decided to ask the Royal family in Volterra if I could search their libraries. Aro told me I was related to her the moment I arrived and was proven loyal. Now that I know, you might want to cover me with your shield to keep anyone else from finding out."
"What gave me away?" I asked, taking his advise and putting my shield over him.
"The way you handled the situation with Tanya. It was superb." Carlisle said, giving me a sidelong smile.
"Thanks, I guess." I said, rubbing my face in stress. "With everything else going on, I'm finding it hard to also keep my gift a secret. Not only that, but I know it's only going to get worse when I go South, a lot worse."
"I'll help you where I can. On the positive, Peter and Charlotte will be here today. You can begin training and preparing for your departure in six days time."
"Six days." I repeated with a shake of my head. "Yes, training will be very good."
"That's the spirit." Carlisle said with a grin as he shut off the car. We opened our doors and entered the house. "Jasper's out hunting it seems. Good luck." Carlisle went up the stairs, and Emmett came bounding around the corner.
"Well, well. Leading General, huh?" He said, coming to a stop not a foot from me. "How about a spar with me, Bella?"
"Sure, Emmett." I replied, feeling comfortable with him right away. He seemed to be the only one that didn't treat me any differently.
"Cool." Emmett said with a huge, toothy smile. We went out to a clearing in the woods and stood a hundred feet apart. "Your call."
"Just go for it, Emmett. I'm waiting for your move." I replied with a smile. He smirked, and lowered into a crouch. He began to circle and close in. I started laughing. "Emmett, just stop right there. You're impossible."
"What?" Emmett asked, straightening up, truly looking confused.
"Your stance totally gives away what you're about to do." I said. "Try being a bit more spontaneous. Don't plan your moves. Don't think about what you're going to do beforehand. Just do it."
"Are you giving me lessons?" Emmett asked, the smile bigger than ever. "Less talk and more losing for you!" He reentered his crouch, and he wasn't taking my advise.
"Oh!" I replied with a chuckle. "Is that how it's going to be? That's alright with me." Without letting go of the smile, I started toward him at a leisurely walk. Since I could read him to know what he was going to do, I simply sidestepped and jumped or rolled out of the way to dodge his every attempt. I let it go on for at least ten minutes before I spoke again. "Let go of your pride, Emmett. You're never going to get me if you don't stop planning ahead. Can you imagine what would happen to you if I went onto the offensive right now?"
"What would that look like?" Emmett asked in a cocky voice. On his next attack, I got underneath him and used his own strength and height against him, flipping him over. I then bent down and placed my teeth to his neck in victory.
"It would look a bit like that." I replied, letting loose a smug grin as he stared at me in surprise.
"Let's go again." Emmett said as he ran over to the other side of the clearing. He entered his crouch, and I could tell he was taking my advise to heart now. Entering a crouch myself, we began circling each other. With his stature and build, we actually entered a competition. It was now a true spar.
Suddenly, I was hit with a sure knowledge that was obviously the cause of a nearby vampire's gift. Three extremely powerful vampires were less than two minutes away, and Emmett and I would have no chance against them when they were together. It made no sense, but I felt it was the truth. The fact that they were coming was as true as the Earth was round. I froze, and Emmett ran up to me, looking at me in question. I was glad he stayed quiet.
My mind was reeling. Emmett and I wouldn't make it back to the house on time, so flight was out. We'd have to fight them. I knew that splitting them up was the only option that made sense. To do that, I would need to get creative. I covered Emmett with my shield, and turned to him.
"Emmett, I need you to do exactly as I say. It could mean our lives." I whispered, my instincts yelling at me to hurry up. "I don't have time to explain."
"Don't worry about it." Emmett replied quickly. "What do I do?"
"Three extremely powerful vampires are headed this way." I began in a commanding voice, taking my pedestal for the first time in battle. I made sure that my voice gave no room for compromise. "We cannot take them alone. You need to go around to that small clearing a quarter mile to your left. I'll go to the river on the right, and we'll split them up. I'll jump out at the leader at the same time that you take out the rear defender. Weakest will be in the middle, so worry about the other two first. Take them out before they snap out of their confusion. We might live if we get them apart. If I scream for you to run, you run like a bat out of hell and get back to Rose. Get the Cullens out, and if I don't contact you in two days, call Aro personally and tell him what happened. You got it, Emmett?"
"Understood." It was weird seeing and hearing Emmett so serious, but I'm sure even he could feel the power radiating form the North as the vampires came closer. "Be careful, Bella. I never want to make that call to Aro."
"If this works, you won't have to. Go, Emmett! Remember what I told you during our spar." I ordered, dashing through the trees toward the river as fast as I could. I took a deep, silent breath but couldn't smell them. The wind was on their side, blowing in their direction. I prayed that it didn't give away our position. Three shadows entered the clearing at a brisk walk, but the trees were too thick from where I stood to see their faces. I looked across the small clearing to see Emmett in the trees, barely visible to me. Right then, the rain began to pour, covering my movements as I gave Emmett the signal.
I pounced, sending my most menacing growl. Emmett had perfect timing and had the rear defense down at the same time I had the leader down. They reacted right away. There was no confusion. The leader rolled over to throw me off, and I heard Emmett scream as the one from the middle removed his arm. Just then, I got another bit of sure, random knowledge. If I used my gift in it's full potential Emmett and I would live, and I'd become allies with these powerful vampires.
With a crazed, desperate battle cry, I shot out all of Aro's gift, Demitri's gift, Edward's gift, and even the rear defender's strange knowledge ability that I had stored up. Since Emmett was under my shield, he was unaffected, but the other three vampires fell to the ground clutching their heads. My screams of pain joined theirs as every one of their thoughts and memories entered my head simultaneously. The pain only increased my power. Their screams lasted only a moment before they collapsed, unmoving.
I fell to my knees, panting even though I didn't need to breathe. Handing Emmett his arm, I turned to him, horrified by what I'd found in their thoughts.
"Emmett, make sure they're okay. The leader is Jasper, and the other two are his friends from the South." He nodded, and ran over quickly. Crawling over, weaker than I'd ever been, I fell to the ground beside Jasper. I couldn't even hold my head up anymore. Seeing Jasper's stone face, I began sobbing tearless. "What have I done?"
"Don't worry, Bells. All three of them are still producing venom in their mouths. They're alive. You just knocked them out somehow." Emmett looked at me in confusion. I could tell he was more afraid than he was showing.
"I swear to you... I'll explain my gift later, but right now... you need to go... get Carlisle. No one else... bring only... Carlisle." I whispered, barely loud enough for him to hear. The last thing I saw was Emmett's form retreating toward the house. My shield snapped back to me from the vampires I was protecting, and I blacked out.
I woke to a sweet, warm liquid at my lips. Without thinking, I opened my mouth and swallowed the blood. When I'd finished with it, it was replaced with another. I finished off five before I was able to sit up and open my eyes. Emmett was giving Peter blood while Jasper was giving Charlotte blood. Carlisle was sitting next to me with the next blood donation bag in his hand. He smiled at me in relief. I covered him, Emmett, and Jasper with my shield once more.
"You got lucky." He said smiling. "Even after your shield being tugged off me made me physically stumble, I was able to keep from thinking about your gift. Edward still has no idea."
"Good." I replied, shaking my head. I turned to where Jasper was helping Charlotte sit up. "Jasper?"
"Please, Isabella." Jasper said with an excited smile. "Don't apologize. That was amazing. If we can find a balance with your gift within this next week, I have real hope for your mission. With the four of us, the South will be gone in less than a month."
"I had no idea it was that powerful. I'm so-"
"Don't say it!" Jasper screamed, interrupting me.
"But I-"
"No."
"I'm sorry!" I said too fast for him to interrupt me.
"It's fine." Jasper said as he rolled his eyes. "Peter and Charlotte aren't angry, are you?"
"Doesn't she take the Empath's word for it?" Peter said, feeding himself another blood bag.
"Yes. I take his word for it." I replied smiling. "I still feel bad, but I won't apologize again."
"Alright then." Jasper stood and helped Charlotte and Peter up.
"Carlisle, can you help me with my arm now?" Emmett asked, shaking it around in front of him.
"I'm sorry about that too, Emmett. If I hadn't ordered an attack on the 'infamous three of the South', your arm would still be attached to your torso."
"Are you kidding, Bells?" Emmett said, smiling as Carlisle began to reattach the limb. "This is going to a beast scar!"
"Isabella, did you know it was us when you ordered the attack?" Jasper asked.
"Of course not!" I replied, shocked.
"Then orderin' the attack was what you should've done." Peter spoke up. "We're aware we give off an aura of power when we're together. If I felt that comin' toward me, I'd 'ave done the same thing."
"Aura of power doesn't even begin to cover it." I said, shaking my head. "It felt as if death were laughing in my face."
"That's how an observer of them that I once met described it." Carlisle put in from where he was finishing up working on Emmett. "Like Death himself were mocking all who would stand in their way."
"Exactly." I said, and even Emmett nodded in agreement. "Truthfully, I'm a bit unnerved... knowing I'll be a part of that aura in the end of it all."
"Yes. You will need to appear to be at one with the aura by the time we go South." Charlotte whispered from where she stood next to Peter. "You must blend in completely."
"Completely?" I whispered to myself, getting an idea. I didn't like the idea, but it would make sense. "I would be the only one without scars."
There was total silence.
"That could be a problem." Jasper admitted carefully. "I can't believe I didn't think of it."
"We'll have to fix that." I stated, wincing at the thought. "I guess training will just have to be a little more than just spars."
"It can't just be the three of us either." Jasper said thoughtfully. "Carlisle, do you think the rest of the coven and the Denalis would help out?"
"I can talk to them about it." Carlisle replied, and then he looked at me with a cautious expression. "You might want to call Aro before you begin any training like that, Jasper. You know what it's like to be a creator and have that happen." From previously collected thoughts, I knew that creators felt their created's physical pain.
"You're right, Carlisle. He'll feel her pain all the way in Russia." He replied nodding.
"Oh God. Something just occurred to me." I said, my eyes wide. "He would have felt the pain I felt using my gift. What if he passed out too? He's fighting... I... Oh God." I felt myself panicking. I wasn't breathing, I couldn't move, and I could feel my shield flashing in and out. What if he had been hurt because of me, or even worse? What if Aro was in ashes?
"Isabella, you need to calm down." Jasper said sternly, and I could feel his gift expanding to envelop me. The pressure of it brought me too my knees, but I still couldn't bring myself out of it. I couldn't think anymore. What if he was gone? I wouldn't be able to keep going.
Suddenly, my phone vibrated, and that's what snapped me out of it, not Jasper's gift.
"Yes?" I answered the phone anxiously, flashing to my feet.
"Isabella, thank God!" Aro's voice held the same crushing relief I felt at hearing his voice. "What the Hell happened?"
"I was sparing with Emmett, and I felt a huge power moving toward us. I also picked up one of their abilities to gain random bits of knowledge. Their power was beyond anything I'm sure you've even felt. Emmett and I attempted to split them, but they were even stronger when in battle than the aura suggested possible. I was forced to use my gift at full strength as a last desperate attempt. It turned out to be Jasper and his friends from the South, Peter and Charlotte" I rushed out.
"If you weren't hurt, what was the horrible pain?" Aro asked.
"I used every stored gift at once. All of their combined thoughts, memories, their mind's essences, and random bit's of knowledge entered my head in a matter of three seconds. Emmett was spared due to my shield on him." I said softly, remembering the pain with perfect clarity. If I was truthful, it was almost as bad as my change.
"Worst pain I've felt in over two millenniums." Aro whispered. "I thought you'd died."
"I was worried for you. Did you faint as well?"
"Yes, as a matter of fact. The Guard thought I'd died at first." Aro replied with a laugh.
"I was afraid you might have died by passing out in the middle of battle or something." I admitted. "I don't think I could have lived with myself."
"Dear, Isabella," Aro whispered softly. "I'm sure you agree that it seems like we've known each other forever."
"Of course. Your gift has that effect." I replied, smiling slightly and forgetting I had an audience.
"Use what you know of me, and tell me what I would do if I were there and heard you blaming yourself." Aro said with that slight touch of command that I respected so much.
"You would shake your head and roll your eyes." I said with a sigh. "Then you would tell me not to be ridiculous and give me something else to blame myself for."
Aro's laughter was so loud I could hear it echoing through whatever room he was in. I had to hold the phone away from my ear. His laughter was infectious, and I couldn't help but chuckle.
"I'd say spot on." Aro said when he finished laughing. "If you're going to blame yourself for anything be it the fact that Jane will be angry with us now."
"Why will she be angry with us?" I couldn't help but ask.
"You are my new favorite Volturi member." Aro whispered like a five year old telling a secret.
"I'm honored Aro, truly." I said, chuckling to hide my real emotions. I was more than honored. I felt as if I were weightless, and I felt my eyes light up. It was at that moment then that I realized that Jasper was right. I felt more than loyalty towards Aro, even if I wasn't totally sure what I felt as of yet. I replied to Aro the only truthful way I knew how. "You're my favorite too."
"I'm glad to hear it." He said, and then he changed the subject. "I was going to leave it a surprise, but you'll know soon anyway. I'm on my way to Alaska with every Guard member that has a mental ability. We are going to overload your inventory. Corin has actually just informed me that we'll be there in a half hour. We have the Harrier, so we are landing in a large clearing near the house. I don't want us walking through an airport in our cloaks, although the stares are always fun."
"Always the Diva, are you not, Aro?" I heard Marcus say in the background causing me to bust up laughing.
"I'm glad you all are coming." I said, unable to wipe the smile off my face. "There's a lot to talk about."
"I shall see you soon." he said. "Jane says that we need to talk."
"Oh... you're in trouble..."
"I'm afraid so." Aro replied with a short laugh. "I'll see you soon if Jane doesn't put me in time out for having a new favorite."
"Good luck, Aro." I sang, and hung up. I turned to the others. "I assume you all heard."
"I did." Carlisle said, smiling. "I'm excited to see my old friend again."
Jasper didn't look so excited. He looked like he wanted to run and hide, but the others didn't see it.
"Jasper, can I talk to you privately?" I asked.
"Don't worry about it, Isabella." Carlisle said. "We will head to the house. I must let the others know that we have guests on the way." Carlisle, Emmett, Peter and Charlotte left through the trees.
"You don't need to be worried. We're on the same side, remember?" I told Jasper once the others had left.
"Isabella, you know who I am, but do you know the things I've done?" He whispered under his breath. "I've always respected the Volturi, even if it was only through fear and caution at first. I didn't follow their laws when I was in the South though. I killed underneath the sun, and I lead battles without the cover of night. I am the perfect example of the kind of people the Volturi hunt into non-existence. You of all people know that the Volturi give no second chances."
"The Volturi needs you too much to kill you." I replied back logically. "Even Caius will gladly trade your death for the death of the South."
"I am still part of that world." Jasper confided. "There are nights when I feel as if I'm there again, nights when the Major comes back to life. Alice thinks I come home angry after hunts because a passing human was angry, but I can't bring myself to tell her the truth. I'm still a monster. I'm still Mars." As if to prove his point, he stared at me with his newly red eyes that radiated a piercing power, a strength beyond any other.
"I'll just tell you right now, Jasper, I know most things you have done in your past. I know every gruesome deed that was told in hushed voices by terrified newborns. I know the things that the leaders would think as they sent their armies into your path. Jane and Demitri once witnessed, from a far vantage point, as you nodded to Peter and led the battle cry They watched, amazed, as your aura and gift together made the whole army drop to their knees in your wake." I said, looking him in the eyes and holding his gaze. "Maria's name for you was whispered in fear for nearly ninety years, and even today the newborns in the South are told to watch out for the reappearance of the infamous Major, the vampire that was known as the God of War, the man who could make the mighty mountains cower before him. It's who you are Jasper Whitlock, and you are not a monster. You are a Fallen Angel, and you will regain your honor by destroying the very place that made you who you are. The death of the South shall be your salvation."
"What of the fact that the Volturi give no second chances?" Jasper asked, his voice and eyes showing that he had accepted what I'd said. He'd accepted who he was, but he was still worried.
"You only broke the law under Maria's command, not your own. More importantly, you will be proving your loyalty to Aro when he gets here, and you will be doing the Crest a great service to reconcile for your crimes." I replied, giving Jasper a wink. "Seriously, don't worry about it, okay? They should actually be here anytime. Would you do me the honor of flanking me as I welcome them, Major?"
"It would be my pleasure." Jasper replied with a nervous smile. We walked toward the large clearing and heard the Harrier jet landing in a clearing to the left. I stood at the edge of the clearing with Jasper and watched it land.
The jet was incredibly loud, and it was three times larger than normal to fit the Guard. Corin landed the jet with a practiced ease, and the stairs lowered. First one down was Demitri, followed by Jane, Alec, Chelsea, and various other members of the Guard. Twelve Volturi members exited the plane altogether. They moved to the side, and Marcus and Aro walked to the front of the group. They lowered their hoods at the same time, and Aro extended his arms with a huge smile.
"Isabella!" Aro exclaimed. I walked to Aro and received the hug. "Oh, come now! Use that gift of yours. It will be a much faster way to catch each other up to speed." I did as he said, and I received all his thoughts as he received mine. We pulled away from the hug, and I took this time to cover all the Volturi with my shield.
"I'm glad all went without complication in Russia." I said with a smile, secretly extremely happy. Aro was confused about his feelings for me as well! That was my hope getting away with me though. He had Sulpica, and I knew he still cared for her.
"Of course, of course. You didn't need be worried though." Aro replied, brushing my comment off. "I'm just glad you missed us as much as we all missed you."
"It's good to see you again, everyone." I said, smiling the whole time. I met Demitri's gaze, and we winked at each other at the same time. I turned to and ushered Jasper to stand at my side. "Aro, Marcus, fellow Guard members, I'd like you all to meet Jasper Whitlock, the feared Major of the South."
"Major Whitlock, we meet at last." Aro said, extending his hand. I watched Jasper straighten slightly as he placed his hand in Aro's. Suddenly, Aro grinned like a madman. "Well, that was a trip and a half! I think we'll be getting along just fine, Mars." I practically saw Jasper exhale in relief.
"That's good news, sir." Jasper replied carefully. Aro laughed.
"You're as loyal as they come. Lighten up, Jasper. We'll be friends before nightfall." Aro said, and he turned to me. "The guard and myself are going to assist in the making of your scars. First though, I'd like to see my old friend Carlisle again, and I admit seeing Edward again sounds entertaining as well." My smirk joined his as he put his arm around my shoulder and Marcus's, and I motioned for Jasper to follow at my side as Aro lead the way to the Cullen house.
A/N: Hello? Anyone still there? You guys have a reader to thank for this chapter. I got a PM from angel897 yesterday (finally checked my inbox about an hour ago) and realized I'd forgotten to post on Sunday like I'd promised!
This chapter is really the turning point. THIS is where it really starts becoming something that I can say you have probably never seen before. Time in the South will be filled with Whitlocks, necessary trials, and horrible scenes... just the way I like it. As for Aro-time, consider it a rare gift in chapters 7 and 8 (maybe even part of 9). Just a heads up. This might be my longest story ever!
As always, ask questions (I am sure you have a lot...) to your heart's content. I will answer all I can without giving a lot away.