Chapter 8 - The Beginning
Having so many gifts at my disposal was strange. Once we had overloaded my inventory, I had started to get twitchy and jerky. I was really embarrassed about it, but I felt overwhelmed. It was almost too much, and the power trip it was giving me wasn't helping any.
I was growling at sudden movements, and I could feel my shield pulsing, wanting to be put into use. It took all my self-control not to tackle anyone that got too close. Luckily, those in the Volturi or Whitlock auras seemed to be exceptions. The deep connection that was there kept the twitching to a minimum.
Jasper had joked that I was finally acting like a newborn. I had just growled, further proving his point and causing him to laugh.
My goodbyes to the guard had been much the same as my last parting with Demitri. The farewells were friendly and formal all at once. With Aro, it was different.
.:!*!:.
"You still have your cell, yes?" He'd asked, looking expressionless. I was doing my best to appear the same, but my nervousness and fear must have been obvious to at least him.
"Yes." I'd answered as he'd walked up to me. We both reached out for each other's hands. I connected our minds automatically, but neither of us said a word. None were needed. There were not even real thoughts flowing between us, just images. Dreams, hopes, fears, and meaningless flashes passed through our heads. There was one I saw in Aro's mind that caused tears to form in my eyes. I might have even whimpered aloud.
Aro, Marcus, Caius, and I were all standing on the elevated platform where the thrones were in the throne room. Aro was holding me to himself again, but this time... there were four thrones, and the fourth one had my name engraved into it.
"Make it home to me, dear Isabella, so that I may show you everything." Aro's voice caressed my mind, and I collapsed to the ground, dry sobs wracking my body. Aro's facial expression never faltered or changed. Jasper came forward and carried me to the car, setting me in the back beside Charlotte. Charlotte rubbed my back soothingly, and I could feel Jasper trying to help comfort me with his gift. It was no use though. The image of that fourth throne and Aro's arms around my waist was seared forever into my mind, and it was torturing me for only one reason.
In Aro's imagined vision of the future, Sulpica could be heard crying in the background, and Aro wasn't sure if he cared. I couldn't stop sobbing because I wasn't sure if I did either. I wanted Aro's dreams to be reality so much it hurt.
.:!*!:.
"Isabella, we're goin' on foot from here." I heard Jasper say, which snapped me out of my thoughts. I growled slightly, startled, before shaking my head. I got out of the car very slowly, taking in my surroundings. It was dark out. By the looks of it, it was two or three o'clock in the morning. It was definitely a Southern night, for there was a dry heat weighing down the air. I took a deep breath and flinched, cursing softly, and I had to work to suppress my snarl and shield.
"Major..." I hissed between my teeth.
"Interestin' smell, ain't it? Ever since livin' through the first World War, I can't help but compare it to the smell of mustard gas. I almost find it pleasant. It's a shame our instincts tell us that it's the smell of death." Jasper said, drawing out the last word in a way that made my air stand on end. His eyes were pitch as the cloudless sky behind him as he let his gaze wander around lazily. "Welcome to the South, Isabella. Keep your eyes pealed. Captain!"
"Sir." Peter replied, standing at attention in a flash.
"We're goin' to make this obvious. I'm back, and I want everyone to be aware of that fact by dawn." Jasper ordered darkly, shifting his stare to look directly at me. "Isabella is goin' to stand next to Charlotte in our formation. She's to remain a SECRET weapon, am I understood?"
"Yes, my Major." Peter saluted.
"Yes, sir." Char and I answered in unison. In other words, I would only be using my shield when told to do so.
"Stick close, and remember your places in this world." Jasper whispered, rolling his shoulders once before striding confidently forward. The further we walked, the more the sickly sweet smell increased and mixed with what was obviously supposed to be a territorial-marking-scent of some sort. I was getting really uneasy, and Jasper was now sending me a steady wave of calm.
A good hundred miles into this mysterious territory, I recognized the city in the distance as Monterrey. I'd seen it in the minds of Jasper, Aro, and Alec, and I also knew who's army was here. The ice cold dread began to harden my veins, and I was finding it extremely difficult to keep walking.
I had not felt this type of fear in ages. When I'd thought Aro might have died, it had been all consuming and instantaneous panic that had constricted me.
This was slow, infectious. Instead of making it hard to breathe, I found myself breathing too quickly. Suddenly, I knew why this was affecting me so strongly. Reality was setting in.
Before I could think on it for long, we were met just outside the town by a newborn that was obviously well into his first year of this life. He was mostly calm, even when he witnessed our scars. I couldn't help but think that he was lucky that Jasper had not decided to come in with guns blazing. Jasper had not activated the aura, so to this newborn, we most likely just seemed like four possibly experienced fighters. When in your own territory, with an army hiding in the shadows, that wasn't very threatening.
"Indique su negocio aquí. Esta tierra es reclamada." He rolled off in perfect Spanish.
"I'm very well aware that this territory "belongs" to Maria. I'm here to see her, little nipper. Let me pass without causin' any issues, and I'll have no quarrel with you." Jasper's drawl was suddenly aged. It was unnerving to watch him transform before my eyes. Like when he'd trained me, he had gone cold, but unlike when he'd trained me, there was now another aspect to his countenance. It was apathy. I realized in that moment that he could literally kill this newborn and feel nothing for it.
"I am tired of dealing with your kind." The newborn replied in broken English.
"Maria is not to be bothered by you Southern Americans. You do not belong here."
"You ever heard the tales of the Major? He lived and died in Dixie." Jasper replied softly. A slow smirk began to show on his face, and he brought the aura crackling to life around us. I actually shuddered as I felt forced to crouch slightly. When I watched Peter and Char crouch, I stopped fighting the urge and dipped low to the ground. Jasper didn't crouch, but I did watch as he gathered a cloud of negative emotions around him. They seemed to hug his skin like armor, and it was when Jasper let loose the most chilling chuckle I have ever heard that the newborn seemed to realize he'd underestimated his visitors.
"He left decades ago. Disappeared without a word." The newborn stuttered, and I found myself amazed that he'd already guessed that Jasper was the Major.
"Yes, well. As you can imagine, he became very angry when he heard about the duo that thought they could control what was HIS." Jasper hissed, actually managing to sound extremely pissed about the whole thing.
"The Romanians? They struck a deal with Paco and Manny. Maria's been working harder than ever trying to keep this place independent. You know how she is. She won't give this place up for no one."
"Why do you think I came here first, newborn?" Jasper spat harshly, laughing once with little humor. He made the aura flare slightly, and the three of us behind him hissed slightly at the same time. "If you know what's good for you, you'll take us to see her now."
"Of course, Major Whitlock. Welcome back, by the way." The newborn said, snapping once, causing the shadows to move. I nearly jumped. How had I not noticed the army was ACTUALLY in the shadows? The newborn army surrounded us, in a surprisingly non-threatening way, and began to escort us through the shadows of the city. Peter put a hand on my shoulder and squeezed slightly.
"She'll try to rattle you up, seeing that you're the new addition. She won't be happy that you were added to his aura when the Major never joined hers." Peter warned with a dark chuckle. I frowned, and one of the nearby newborns laughed slightly. I turned to glare at them, and I felt my shield pulse slightly.
"Isabella." Jasper drawled out without even turning around. I hissed a bit in acceptance, and the newborn grinned at me. It took everything I had not to hit him with some stored up power. No, I take it back. I wanted to tackle the cheeky little prick to the floor and crack his face like porcelain with a swift, well-placed, kick. Did he not know who I was?!
That brought me up short.
No. He didn't know who I was. No one was supposed to know. That was the whole idea. I really needed to let go of my pride, or I would fail my mission. I took a deep breath and let the raw smell of death overtake my senses. I let the uneasiness seep into my skin and cloud my anger. I felt as Jasper pumped my emotions with acceptance, helping me to shift my focus. Right now, I had a part to play.
I let my mind wander back to my past life. I remembered how I'd felt those first months after the Cullens had left me. As the despair, fear, worthlessness, and lack of hope filled me, I saw Jasper stiffen slightly. I quickly found my autopilot, and I let the numbness overtake me. Jasper relaxed again, but he also sent me a bit of concern. I hummed lightly in response to let him know I was alright, and he seemed to calm considerably.
"Yo sabría esa energía en cualquier lugar. Bienvenido a casa, mi guerrero." If I'd still had a beating heart, it would have stopped. Maria was in a white sundress, and she was wearing a sultry smile that had my instincts screaming at me to either kill her quickly or run. Only my numbness kept me from moving into action one way or another. She honestly scared me to death. "¿Quién es tu amiga?"
"This is Isabella. Tell me of this deal that Paco and Manny made with the Romanians." Jasper commanded, shocking me slightly. I had been under the impression that he took orders from her.
"The ancient scum think that they can come and "restore this place to glory". The self-righteous trash are grating on my last nerve." Maria replied with a roll of her eyes in perfect English. "Were the rumors true, Major? Have you come to claim the Whitlock Empire?"
"Now, now, Maria, is that fear I feel drippin' from your pours like sweat?" Jasper asked rhetorically with a devilish smirk. "Yes. I am here to rule the South as I should have many years ago."
"What about the Volturi? They'll come down on you harder than they come down on Benito." Maria warned, looking tense. I couldn't help but grin slightly, which caught Maria's attention.
"Somethin' tells me they're smart enough not to show themselves down here while the Whitlocks are present." Jasper said carefully, wearing a grin that was probably identical to mine.
"Sweet Jesus." Maria whispered, her eyes wide. "Who did you kill?"
Jasper simply threw his head back and laughed. "Who did I kill? You're a riot."
"Major, this isn't funny." Maria hissed, and I finally saw the woman that had ruled him in her eyes. "They will retaliate for sure."
"They probably would have preferred I killed her." Jasper said through his laughter. I was growing curious. What was he going to say he did? "I introduced Isabella, yes? Well, she is King Aro's third creation, and she is the fourth member of the Whitlock aura!"
"Aro changed her?" Maria whimpered, looking at me in awe and fear. "And you stole her allegiance and brought her South? Blast! Well, what can she do? You must have stolen her for a reason."
"Revenge, Maria." Jasper replied, his voice going rough. "Were it not for them, the Romanians would not be here stealing what is mine. Eye for an eye..."
"She doesn't even have a gift?!" She shouted, throwing her hands up.
"Not that I know of." Jasper replied with a shrug. Maria let out a huge breath of exasperation before turning to me.
"Do you have a mate, Isabella?" Maria asked, and I nodded in answer. "Denounce him."
Her order to me brought me up short. Was she completely insane? Aro would feel that. He'd know, and he'd be so angry. After all he'd shown me in his mind, after all I knew of him, I knew I couldn't do it. He would burn the world down to find me and make me re-announce my tie to him.
"I will not." I declared softly.
"It's your funeral." Maria shrugged, and I felt my eyebrows come together in question. "People don't tolerate mated couples around here, right Peter?" She smirked at him.
"The South is about to change, señora." Peter replied, a relatively dark smile on his face.
"Hmm..." Maria hummed. "Touche."
"Are Paco and Manny stationed at the same camp?" Jasper asked, regaining Maria's attention.
"Yes. They still hold the deepest, most Southern territory." She replied, still keeping her eyes on me. "You will have to be more careful to not break any laws now though. The Volturi has spies everywhere now adays."
"In times of war, the law fall silent. Let them come, ma'am." I whispered, meeting her gaze evenly.
"Your newborn is very outspoken." Maria said, obviously to Jasper even though she was still watching me. I raised my eyebrows at her. She raised her own back.
"I recon you're just lucky she finally learned to follow orders and be respectful of a person's title. Haven't you, Isabella?" Jasper said pointedly. I know it was meant to rial me up, so I took a deep breath through the nose before speaking.
"Yes, Major." I said.
"Oh, you're right. That really ticks her off." Maria replied with a laugh. She went serious quickly though. "I assume you are here to use my army to assist in your overtaking."
"You assume incorrectly." Jasper answered. "I'm here to find out if I have to kill you."
"Is that so?" Maria asked dryly, crossing her arms. They had a stare-down for a while before she huffed. "Fine! What will it take to keep existing? I'd like to keep my lifestyle as well."
"Of course you would." Jasper replied, rolling his eyes. "In order for you to live, you will have to let me destroy your newborns and wait up north with a coven of my choosing until I'm finished claiming my Empire."
"What coven?" Maria questioned, obviously resigned.
"The Cullen Clan." Jasper replied, his smirk huge.
"You bastard." Maria hissed, causing Jasper to laugh.
"You must follow their twisted diet as well!" He said, his grin was horrible. I almost smiled as well, but Peter pinched me.
"Are you friends with them?" Maria asked, looking at Jasper in disbelief.
"Very good friends. On that note, you kill, harm, or even disobey any of them, and I will destroy you." Jasper promised, his dark eyes swearing the truth of his words.
"Got it." Maria replied, pursing her lips. "I'm on my way. Make it quick. I want to come home as soon as possible."
"You'll never be able to fight for territory or make an army again, Maria." He told her.
"I figured as much. You were never a fan of the carnage, no matter how good you were at creating it." Maria replied, running off into the night.
"I wish I had an Easy Button." Peter remarked the second she was out of eyesight, causing me to roll my eyes as Char slapped him in the back of the head.
"We haven't even gotten started. Don't celebrate yet." Jasper drawled, putting his fingers to his lips and letting out a shrill whistle. The newborn that had met us outside the city came to it as if he was one of Pavlov's dogs or something.
"Sir?" He questioned, looking worried, as he should be.
"Ready the army. You are in for the fight of your undead lives." Jasper ordered slowly, his voice spilling from his lips like dry ice.
I watched as the newborns ran around frantic. They were obviously a well oiled machine. Even Jasper seemed to be vaguely impressed, standing motionless, letting his cold eyes roam over their movements.
"Amazing, isn't he?" Peter whispered in my ear too quietly for him to hear.
"I haven't even seen anything yet, Peter." I replied just as silently, keeping my eyes on Jasper.
"Be careful how you stare around here. I might know that you are just keeping an eye on him to make sure you complete your mission, but it won't look like that to anyone else. If people start thinking you two are mates, things could get messy for you real fast." Peter said, his eyes on Jasper as well, his face serious. "Maria wasn't kidding when she said mates aren't tolerated down here. They represent weakness, and weaknesses are ALWAYS exploited."
He left it at that, taking Charlotte's wrist and dragging her of to the east after nodding in the Major's direction. I began to watch the army scramble around. I didn't even notice when it approached.
"Hey there, honey." The newborn's voice was gruff and hungry. I somehow kept myself from flinching. "I'm gonna be straight with you. Pick me to give your body to, and I'll put in a good word with the second. I'm his strongest fighter."
Knowing my rank was at least higher than HIS in this twisted world, I replied the way I would have if I'd been talked to like that in Volterra.
"Touch me, and I will be sure to take your dick in a way that you didn't exactly have in mind. Got it?" I didn't even look at him.
"Sorry, peach, not going to work out that way." He said, going to grab my arm. I grabbed his hand and twisted so that I had him locked in my grip with his back to me.
"I am so not in the mood, man." I growled out, ripping off his arm, pushing him away, and throwing his arm at him. My shield pulsed, and I used a bit of Kelly's mirror gift on him so that he could see him as I did. "I never want to see you looking so pathetic in front of one of the Whitlocks again, or I will burn you, you dig?"
"You're lucky she's better trained than you are, scum." Jasper said as he walked to my side. "Well, that might make you unlucky, depending on whether you piss her off again or not. Scram."
The newborn picked up his arm and ran off to reattach it somewhere. I sighed, straightening my shirt. "Major?" I questioned when I still felt his stare on me.
"You need to be more careful." He said, and I pursed my lips, knowing he was talking about the use of my shield. "We can't afford any mess ups. I recon you can handle that?"
"Yes, Major." I replied, keeping my face stoic. He nodded once, calming my emotions as he walked back to the edge of the hill to continue observing the army's preparation. I did the same, staring out at the rushed movements of the newborns without much thought.
Already, I was looking forward to the end of all this, when I could leave the South forever and return to Italy, where I belonged. Sadly, I knew that this was just the beginning.
A.N.: Don't be put off my my recently sporadic updates. I will never give up on my stories. NEVER. I am just letting you all know that while Sunday will be a goal of mine, it might not always happen.
I hope you enjoyed the chapter!