Chapter Seventeen
I arrive to Sam's house with Jasper and Carlisle just in time to see Jacob pull up. We share a small nod as we walk up to the door, but stop when we hear shouting from inside the house. The door is thrown open and I see a ragged form of what used to be Embry in the doorway.
"Marinna," Embry gasps.
"Hello, Embry," I say calmly. Sam pulls Embry in and he lets the rest of us in quietly. Emily walks over to give me a hug before running off tot he kitchen to avoid the possible brawl that might happen in her living room.
"What is she doing here, Sam?" Embry grumbles.
"She is your only saving grace because she is married to a vampire and the daughter of the Volturi," Sam growls. "Mari, any word from your dad on what could happen?"
"As of right now, there is silence from them," Carlisle says.
"He asked Marinna, leech," Embry snaps. He shifts his foot to jump at Carlisle, but I step in his path with a stern look on my face.
"Touch him and I will kill you right here in my cousin's house," I hiss.
"You wouldn't," Embry growls.
"Try me, because like Sam just said, I am your only saving grace right now," I say with a wicked smile.
"You have gone dark," Sam grumbles. He pushes Embry to the couch and he turns to me. "What can we do until we hear something?"
"Right now? You can lay low and only do patrols on your land. Do not come out in wolf form and don't let this dumbass out of your sight," I say.
"It may be awhile before we hear something, but Marinna and I will be travelling with Carlisle to Italy to speak to the Volturi on your behalf," Jasper says.
"You have not been there yet?" Sam asks with a hint of frustration.
"Sam , she came here first to asses the damage Embry caused because I asked her to," Jacob says.
"I leave tomorrow," I say. I turn to leave, but something stops me.
"You look good, Mari," Embry murmurs. I take Jasper's hand to keep him from retaliating and then pull him outside to the car. Carlisle joins us and we get in the car.
"When was the last time you saw him, Marinna," Carlisle asks, as we pull away from the house.
"When Manny stated he never wants to see him and the restraining order was placed," I whisper.
Heidi and Demetri meet us at the entrance and they bowed with sneers on their face. I cannot help but smile at their disgust, knowing that I can get them in trouble. Jasper and I are lead to the waiting area to see Aro and Marcus are waiting for us quietly.
"Ah, Marinna, you are as beautiful as ever," Aro says with a dark smile. Marcus gives a small smile, but remains in his seat. "I see you brought your mate with you as well, but not the children."
"The children are not a part of this," I say sternly.
"Of course, how can we be of assistance to you?" Aro says with a fake bow.
"The guard that was killed," Jasper says firmly.
"Are you here to negotiate on behalf of the beast?" Aro asks.
"Yes, we would like for you to spare his and life and spare a war between vampires and wolves," I say with my chin held high.
"And why ever would I help you? You have done nothing to earn my loyalty," Aro says.
"What do you want?" I growl.
"You and your family to join us here as a guard or even royalty," Aro says with his arms out wide. My eyes flick over to Jasper to see he is on edge a little. I pull him closer to me and take a deep breathe.
"Why are you asking now instead of forcing us like you have been over the years?" I ask.
"The children are grown now, able to make their own decisions. They should be allowed to decide if they wish to join us or not," Aro says softly. "Also, they would be able to spend some time with their grandfather here."
"Aro, do not push my daughter," Marcus says.
"Bring the children here and we will let them decide," Aro states firmly. "Then we will look into sparing the beast."
Jasper is on the phone with Manny back home talking about the trip for the children to come here. Manny and Nessie are going to accompany the younger ones and remain at the hotel for safety. I am sitting staring at an old picture of me and Matthew when we were adopted by Billy. Jasper hangs up the phone and walks over to take the photo away from me. I look into his dark eyes to see he is worried and hungry at the same time.
"Jazz, did you not eat before we got here?" I ask softly.
"I will be fine," Jasper says with a smile. I can tell he is lying because his little accent is poking out.
"Liar," I tease. Jasper pulls me close to dance with him as he hums a song.
"Well, that is a harsh word to say to your husband, ma'am," Jasper says with his accent and a big smile on his face, knowing that it makes me melt a little.
"You sure know how to make this girl's knees buckle, Mr Hale," I say softly.
"I have that affect on her since we have been together for so long, Mrs Hale," Jasper whispers. He leans down to kiss my lips softly and I lose all my sense in the kiss.