Discovery
It was two weeks and Carlisle decided if we were ever going to find more information about Nathanial it would have to be through the Volturi's extensive library of vampires. Carlisle knew the danger of going to Volturerra, particularly from Caius. Bella and I decided we would go back to Biloxi to find any additional information we could about my time at St. Rita's. This time Jasper and Edward would take along and I was set on letting Catherine know of my travel plans. Emmett and Rosalie agreed to stay in Forks along with Ben and Angela. We all pushed Esme to go with Carlisle, she had never seen Italy and they so rarely had time to themselves. About a week later she finally relented and agreed to travel to Italy with Carlisle.
Bella had a difficult time deciding whether or not to bring Nessie with us or to leave her with Jacob or her father. Even though no one had been attacked for two months Bella was still afraid for Nessie's safety and finally concluded to bring her. Charlie agreed with Bella's decision, saying to her, "If something goes wrong, you as her mother will be able to stop her from being hurt."
All the travel arrangements were made by Carlisle who decided it was best if we took a car out to Mississippi rather than fly. He and Esme would fly first class with Continental; they never did have their honeymoon and Carlisle was intent on making it one. We left on Tuesday with Edward driving. We flew through Idaho and into Utah, then across to Colorado in a day and a half. Edward let Jasper drive the next leg so that he and I could sit in the front; Jasper is a fast driver but nothing like Edward it took us two days to make it through Kansas and Arkansas before we stopped to allow Nessie a chance to stretch her legs and for all of us to feed. Bella and I didn't stop in Arkansas at all when we last went to Mississippi, and what a meal we missed. The deer in Arkansas was far more enjoyable than what we have in the northwest. Bella decided to get Nessie to eat regular food since she had been drinking blood for so long. When we arrived at Catherine's house, we wanted Nessie to fit in as best as possible.
"Only about three more hours before we reach Mississippi" Edward said with full stock and grin on his face.
"Should we just stay the night here in Arkansas?" Jasper inquired. It was nice to have Jasper here not only for the company but he knew these areas like none of us. His early life was spent in the southern part of the United States, which could come in handy when it came time to eat.
"I think it might be best, Nessie hasn't had a full night's rest in a bed for some time now. Besides, I know I could use some more blood before we reach Mississippi." Bella was very adamant, but I knew where she was coming from. I was starved just as she was and I knew Jasper was as well. Edward had over stuffed himself before we left Forks, whatever his reasons were for doing so he finished off three grizzlies before we left. When we switch towns, on sunny days, Carlisle would take us out of school for camping trips though we always stayed home or went hunting. However, in order to make it look as though we really were going camping we acquired a number of camping utensils. Edward and Jasper unloaded the trunk with all the camping items in it; we brought a tent for Nessie to sleep in as well as cooking utensils so that we could cook for her as well. Bella and Edward not only insisted that Nessie act like a normal child around my grand nieces and nephews, but in general believed it best to raise her as a normal child. Anyone who knew Bella and Edward's true identities would never believe Nessie was a normal human child; we planned to tell Catherine the truth, Nessie was conceived when Bella was human.
"Who is going to make a trip into town to get Nessie human food?" Jasper asked.
"I'll go since I still remember human food…." Bella joked with us over our age, she always did that.
"Oh, can I go too? Leave the boys here to set up camp." I said it a split second before Edward offered to go with her. I wanted to see the town and figured Bella and I would have more fun than if Edward went; not to mention I didn't look forward to setting up camp. We were staying just outside of Little Rock, by about fifteen minutes. Bella and I decided to take the car so we didn't look too suspicious walking around with a bunch of groceries.
"Hrm, Wal Mart?" I looked at Bella with a twisted expression on my lips. I'm very good with shopping for food and I never go to Wal Mart for anything I'd wear.
"Um, yea that will work." Bella wasn't entirely convincing.
We pulled into Wal Mart's parking lot and found a space. I walked slower than usual namely because I didn't want to go in but I made the offer to go with her so I had no other choice.
"I finally got you into one of my stores!" she said enthusiastically.
"Shut up and find what you need, I don't want to be here anymore." I tried to look as angry as I could, but when it comes to Bella, Edward or Jasper anger isn't in my vocabulary.
A vision hit.
"Carlisle! Old friend, how are you?"
"Hello Aro, I'm well. I would like to introduce you to…"
"Your wife, Esme. How do you do?"
"Very well thank you. It is an honor to stand before you three."
"Aro, I apologize but our visit isn't for pleasure. I came to ask permission into the library of records in search of a vampire named Nathanial who may have lived in Biloxi, Mississippi and worked for the Volturi."
Alice, is everything ok? Alice, wake up!!
"Oh sorry. I just had a vision; Carlisle is with the Volturi asking permission from Aro to view the library." I said, still dazed.
"Ok, we should get back to Edward and Jasper then. I have all the things we should need for tonight and tomorrow." Bella said as she dragged me to the register to pay for about twenty things.
Still dazed, I let Bella drive us back to the campsite; I wanted a moment to pour over the things I just saw. Surely Carlisle would call us as soon as he found anything out.
Caius wasn't there.
"Bella. When I saw Carlisle and Esme they were with Aro but Caius wasn't there." I sounded panicked.
"It's ok Alice, he was probably just off doing something in other parts of the castle."
"Their always together, Bella, why wouldn't Caius appear in his chair?" I wasn't getting any less panicked. Bella sped up to get back to Jasper, where he could easily put me at ease. While we raced past trees I received another vision, Carlisle was calling Edward.
We arrived back at the site and I jumped from the car while it was still moving. I reached Edward just as he picked up the phone. "It's Carlisle" he said, "Let me put it on speaker phone so Alice and everyone can hear."
"Ok." Carlisle's voice boomed from the phone.
"Aro is going to allow me to view the archives in the library. Caius has left Voluterra and won't be back for a few days. Aro didn't seem too alarmed that I wanted to find more out about Nathanial. When I mentioned that Nathanial lived in Mississippi and may have worked for the Volturi he simply acknowledged both. He told me that Nathanial had been let go by the Volturi because of his work with werewolves." Carlisle was saying this all very slowly so we could grasp it.
"Does he suspect Nathanial is behind the attacks in Forks?" Bella remembered faster than us all that Aro could read Carlisle's mind.
"He does, and he believes Caius may still be working with him. Caius is upset we were able to peacefully end our hostilities and may be seeking revenge through Nathanial." Carlisle's message was both a comfort and a distress to me. "I have to go, Esme and I are being allowed into the library and cell phones don't work in there. I will call as soon as we are out."
Edward clicked the off button on the phone to disconnect from the call. We stared at each other for a few moments; Edward wanted to collect our thoughts.
"No Jasper, I don't think Aro is trying to set Carlisle up. Carlisle has done too much to protect Aro in the past; I don't think he will try to harm him." Edward seemed so certain, but only Edward knew Carlisle's inner most thoughts. "Alice, I want you to try and spy on Esme and Carlisle in the library only so we know they are safe."
Bella had already walked away to tend to Nessie's dinner. Jasper and Edward decided we would leave for Biloxi as early in the morning as we could. I used the phone to call Catherine and let her know we were coming to visit; she was quite happy to hear that. I lied and told her we just wanted to come visit; we had already worked out that two of us at a time would search around town for information that may help us.
