Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns all.
Rated M for a reason.
Chpt 42 Comfortably Numb
BPOV
For a moment The Major's face breaks into an ear splitting grin an' a brief flare of joy rolls across the wreckage.
Whirling I find my missing brother behind me, cradling his small, but perfectly formed wife in his arms. There aren't words to describe what the sight of him, grinning like the asshole he is, does to me. A feeling of calm starts to creep through me, numbing most of my other churning emotions an' starting to dissipate the weight in my chest, maybe everything will turn out right after all.
The Major's previous no nonsense expression returns immediately an' while everyone is pinioned by his piercing stare I take the chance to look around.
Rosalie, whilst giving me the stink eye, is helping a badly mauled but maniacally grinning Emmett through the rubble towards the relatively clear area at the front of the warehouse. Pete notices too an' strides after them, still holding Char tenderly. As he passes he blows me a kiss an' pokes his tongue out at The Major. Who growls. I supress a chuckle, who else would taunt The Major while he's holding the head of what was, formerly, the most powerful vampire in the world?
In front of me five vampires are attempting to surround the Volturi survivors who are all on their knees, bowed towards The Major with their necks exposed in submission.
Instinctively I step forwards an' fill the weakness in the line. The pirate, Demetri I presume, rewards me with a shockingly sexy smile.
"My Lord?" He asks, addressing The Major.
You can almost see the excess testosterone leaking out of The Major like air from a tyre. He regards Aro's head thoughtfully for a moment.
"The humans do not need to see what happens next." He says finally. "Bella, destroy the rest of their equipment. Demetri incapacitate the prisoners until we are ready to deal with them."
Immediately Demetri an' his four vampires jump forwards an' tear the limbs from their bodies.
Rolling my eyes I drop down onto my hands an' knees, sifting through the rubble. There is something going on here I can't quite put my finger on. An' while I normally don't like that feeling at all, for the time being I am too numb to care.
Demetri and his cohorts appear beside me.
"We know what we are looking for." He tells me. "Allow us to assist you."
Quickly we establish that most of the equipment has been destroyed by the collapse of the building. What is left, we crush.
"A masterful plan My Lady." Demetri commends me, holding out his hand to help me to my feet.
I nod mutely, not yet sure what to make of him.
He chuckles like a man used to having this effect on women. An' I hide my smile, Char's gonna love him.
While we've been working The Major has deposited Aro's head in our growing collection an' set about retrieving other body parts, making orderly piles. He's not projecting at the moment but I can tell he is deep in thought, planning an' apparently worrying. He looks old an' weary again. Another nagging tug at my subconscious.
We gather around him silently as he finishes his task.
"My Lord?" Demetri asks respectfully.
The Major eyes him unhappily before speaking in a resigned voice. "Report Demetri."
"My Lord. We were sent to capture the traitor Rutilio Asturias. He already had several members of the Guard with him, including Chelsea, they had detained him an' were already preparing to bring he and his mate to Washington.
We took your brother with us, I was able to convince Aro that his assistance would be required as I have not yet met either Asturias or his new wife.
When we returned and found this location sealed there was an altercation, Asturias and his wife escaped in the confusion. I did not judge it prudent to go after them at that time as more serious matters were occurring here. For this I apologise My Lord, my men and I will be honoured to retrieve him for you as soon as you are ready."
The Major winces an' Pete strolls up to stand beside him with a strange smile on his face.
"How do I know I can trust you an' your men?" The Major asks.
"My Lord. Caius Ofonius Tigellinus was my sire and I have remained loyal to him. It was my duty to stay on in Volterra and I owe my continued existence to him. If he had not honoured his agreement with Aro Volturi I would have been destroyed many centuries ago. Following Aro's death I am certain my men and I would not have lasted much longer in his court.
My sire trusted and admired you. I will do the same."
The Major snorts, looking strangely unhappy but before he can speak my radio crackles.
"Ma'am?" Evans's voice is strained. "Is everything okay?"
"Yes but the area is not secure yet. There are several injured vampires here, please make sure no one approaches."
"Yes Ma'am."
The Major opens his mouth but again, before he can speak, Carlisle interrupts him.
"What have you done Jasper?" He gasps in shock.
Demetri growls warningly an' Carlisle flinches.
"My Lord, what would you have me do with these prisoners?" Demetri asks, looking all piratical again.
The Major rolls his eyes. "Carlisle please take Esme an' tend to Em an' Char, they are both injured. This matter does not concern you at present."
I think Carlisle was going to argue but then he gets another look at Demetri's face an' changes his mind. Quickly he scuttles off with Esme in tow.
As soon as they are far enough away The Major returns his attention to Demetri.
"What of these other Guards?" He asks, gesturing to our dismembered captives. "Can they be trusted?"
"I do not believe so My Lord." Demetri eyes them coldly. "Chelsea's gift is not always needed to create loyalty in the Guard."
"Very well." The Major nods. "An' the Guard members with Rutilio?"
"Chelsea and two of her men are loyal to Asturias." Demetri answers. "I do not know what the other two will do when they discover what has happened My Lord."
"Are there other Guard in the country?"
"Yes My Lord. There are currently thirty five Guard here, including ourselves." Demetri gestures to his men. "And the five with Asturias."
"Will the others be a problem?"
"No My Lord, I do not believe so."
The Major casts his eyes slowly around the warehouse an' the vampires gathered within. He sighs heavily when they finally come to rest on me an' he looks almost regretful. Again, I feel like I'm missing something.
"Let us do what needs to be done." The Major says wearily. "Recall them."
"My Lord." Demetri bows slightly in acknowledgement an' Pete gives me a small smile.
Before I can start worrying that we'll have another massive fight on our hands The Major crosses to the dismembered Guards an' silently begins moving their body parts into the fire. I step forwards intending to help but Pete gently shakes his head an' wraps his arms around me pulling my back against his chest.
"He has to do this little sister." He says quietly.
Not really understanding but unwilling to question him I sink back into my brother's embrace an' try to relax. Across the space I can see the Cullens an' Char watching intently.
In a strangely loaded silence we watch The Major methodically feed the fire. He pauses briefly after throwing Aro's body in an' looks across at us. Behind me Pete nods.
The Major lifts Felix's head an' tosses into the fire. Then he picks up Aro's an' stares into his eyes, his lips move but I can't hear what he says. Suddenly angry again he hurls Aro's head violently into the fire.
Visibly calming himself he gently lifts Jonathan's head an' now Pete releases me an' I rush to his side just as he closes his eyes an' drops his chin onto his chest.
I wrap my arms around his waist an' press my lips onto the skin between his shoulder blades. He shudders slightly an' relaxes against me.
"Bella." He breathes.
We stand like this for a long time until the sound of Pete's approach rouses us. He has Char supported in his arms again.
"Goodbye Jonathan." She says quietly, leaning down an' brushing her lips against his dirty forehead.
"Goodbye Jonathan." Pete adds, staring into Jonathan's almost lifeless eyes. "It was an honour an' a privilege man."
"Goodbye Jonathan." Jasper murmurs as they stare at each other intently.
Gently he passes Jonathan's head to me an' as I look down at him the last of the lead weight in my chest wrenches in distress.
"I am so sorry Jonathan." I whisper. "So sorry we weren't there when you needed us."
He blinks an' tries to smile.
Wrapping us in my shield I walk very slowly into the centre of the fire an' there, with venom pooling in my eyes I gently lay Jonathan's head down and let him go.
I stay there for a long time, eyes closed, not thinking about anything until I feel a twinge of concern from Jasper. With a less heavy heart I step out of the fire to find my family waiting for me.
Jasper pulls his coven into his arms an' squeezes us tightly. The four of us make a synchronised contented sigh, which says it all really.
Eventually Char lets out a little moan. "J, crushin' the injured here bro." She gasps.
Laughing Jasper releases us an' we pull apart.
Demetri an' his little group are watching us intently, drawing closer. Jasper sighs an' I look at him quizzically but he shakes his head an' gives me a look that almost strips the skin from my bones.
Reaching out his hand he places it gently around the back of my neck, twisting his fingers into my hair an' pulling me slowly towards him. Leaning down he ghosts his lips across mine, flicking out his tongue. As natural as breathing I gasp an' open my mouth. Immediately his tongue takes possession an' with a groan he pulls me roughly against him. My hands lock around his neck an' he kisses me with a passion that curls my toes an' practically sets my hair on fire.
"Darlin'." He murmurs, pulling back an' brushing my lips lightly with his. "There somethin' I need to expla . . . ."
"J." Pete interrupts. "Char an' Emmett need to hunt."