AN: Thanks to all our readers for their patience with the slow updates. Without further ado, here's the next installment of The Pawns. We don't own the characters, we just do evil things to them!

Carlisle's POV

I sighed deeply as my eyes drifted over to Alice. She was not the same spritely eternally young girl that I had known for almost a century. Jasper had always been her rock, able to ground her when her ability made it difficult for her to cope with daily life. Without him, she drifted, a buoy unmoored and battered by vicious and unforgiving breakers.

I could understand her fear and grief. Edward's kidnapping had left me feeling much the same. He was so much more than my son. He was my best friend, my first companion. I leaned on him to offer support and help me when the duties of patriarch became overwhelming. Bella was my heart. Indeed not just mine, but that of the entire family. She held us together and I wondered, not for the first time, if perhaps she was gifted in much the same way as Aro's Chelsea. Even as a human, we had needed her presence. I prayed that we would be able to resolve this situation quickly.

Feeling the vibration of my phone in my pocket, I quickly stepped outside and answered, watching Esme weed the garden to the point of viciousness. I would have to go to her when I was finished. It was obvious that my sweet mate needed another outlet for her fear and pain at her children's abduction.

"Eleazar? Have you made any headway in our dilemma?" I asked, answering the call without preamble.

I listened silently as he described the political climate at the time of Didyme's "death". The story was sordid and obviously much more complex than I had been aware. The Denali's had vowed to support us in whatever capacity necessary as we fought to recover our family members. Though loathe to fight, I would do so in the protection of my family.

It was time to begin gathering support and then we would go to Romania. Alice had seen us working with the brothers. We had no choice but to hope that their machinations would prove less brutal than those that Aro seemed intent on inflicting on us. We would need to call in all the favors available. It would be a delicate balancing act to keep this gathering of allies from Aro, Caius, and Marcus, but it was absolutely essential that we not arrive in Romania without ample back-up.

I would speak to Alice about recruiting Jasper's allies from the Southern Wars. Peter and Charlotte would surely assist us and a few more that he had made peace with over the years would perhaps surface. I had made many friends over my centuries of altruism; it would be time to gather those friends to our collective banner against the tyranny of The Volturi rule. The time had come to rise up against the tyranny of evil men.

I spoke to my empty study, "The cost of liberty is less than the cost of repression." I did not doubt that W.E.B du Bois would agree with my use of his turn-of-phrase.

I contemplated each course of action for a few moments before departing from my study and making my way to my beloved Esme.

"Esme?" I called softly, knowing she would hear me.

Her gaze lifted and it nearly broke my heart to see the pain and suffering this was causing her. It was obviously reopening the wounds from the loss of her human child all those decades ago, only this time it was our children - our Edward, Bella, and Jasper. I could not believe that my longtime and dearest friends were behind such wicked and deceitful acts. I embraced her gently, allowing her to drift away a moment later to go to Alice. I stepped back into my study to gather the notes from my conversation with Eleazar.

Had I been human, the events would have sickened me when Alice relayed them. Her voice had shaken pitifully when she described Jasper's capture. I knew she was shaken that he had been overpowered. My son would never have been taken in a fair fight; the use of Alec's power to steal his senses had been dirty fighting.

I tried to remain carefully aloof at the news of Bella's dismemberment. My sweet youngest daughter did not deserve to be treated so, but I was proud of her commitment to her mate. Edward surely fought to protect her and it sounded as if she was a woman possessed in her defense of him. Though saddened by their captures, I could not help but be proud of my children's bond to each other and their commitment to protect our family.

Alice's visions had been curiously silent since their capture and I believed it was due to the trauma created by her mate's abduction. Jasper and Alice were not as demonstrative in their affections as some mated couples I had known, but I had observed their unity in simple touches and a deep abiding sense of peace that flowed from Jasper while in her presence. I knew that I would have to approach her soon and do what I could to ease her out of the shock. We desperately needed her to be strong. Her visions were our only help at this time. We would already be at a disadvantage without Edward and Jasper's abilities. It would be critical that I help Alice to channel her feelings into action instead of despair.

The ringing of my office phone startled me out of these thoughts. Seldom did we receive any calls on the home telephone. I was so taken off guard by the call that it took a second ring before I managed to answer it.

"Cullen residence, Carlisle Cullen speaking."

"Carlisle? This is Peter…Peter Whitlock. We've got a big ass problem, sir."

I almost dropped the phone in my surprise. Jasper had told me that Peter was gifted. He would have to be; our number was unlisted and Alice had not yet contacted anyone regarding our circumstances.

"Peter. You have no idea the scope of our problem. Can we expect you and your wife, Charlotte, soon?"

He chuckled darkly and I shuddered, reminded of Jasper when we had first met. I could hear the ravages of war in his voice; even the slow lazy drawl reminded me of Jasper. I felt a flicker of hope. If anyone could lead our group into certain war, it was Peter and his mate.

"Oh, I have more idea than I rightly should. Tell Alicat that we're on our way already. We've just crossed the Canadian border."

I raised an eyebrow at "Alicat", but realized just as I was about to reply that he had already disconnected. I stood from the chair I occupied. It was time for another family meeting.

I ghosted down the stairs, using my natural speed due to the expedient nature of the news I needed to share, and called softly for each member of the family. I knew we had a hard road ahead of us and we all needed to stick together and be strong.

As we assembled, I looked over each of my family members before speaking.

"Peter, Jasper's brother, will be joining us shortly with his mate, Charlotte. I expect you to welcome them even if they choose not to follow our diet. They are family by extension and should be treated as such."

I paused for a moment, gathering my thoughts, before sighing and combing a hand through my hair.

"I am going to contact the wolfpack. They need to be aware that we will be having guests and that our guests will likely not be following our lifestyle. Additionally, I will make sure that Peter and Charlotte, as well as any other friends that arrive, are aware that they may not hunt in this area." I held my hand up and shook my head slightly at the gasps that resounded at the table. "Please, there is much to discuss. It is a courtesy to inform them and is not open for discussion. Now, does anyone have any suggestions or additional concerns before I share the information I have received from Eleazar?"

No questions were raised and without further ado I outlined the historical data that Eleazar had supplied. He and Carmen were also on their way from Denali. Tanya, Kate, and Irina would follow in a few days. They intended to move in with us for the duration of this situation and as such had certain loose ends to tie up in Denali before departing.

Finally, we compiled a list of potential allies. The list was divided between us and the meeting adjourned to begin the process of locating the vampires in question.

Without another word, I retreated to my office, slumping down into the chair behind the desk and placing my face into my hands. I needed a moment to regain my normally calm and collected demeanor. This crisis would test the mettle of us all.