Hey everyone, sorry that the update is so late. The end of the semester has been kicking my butt, however, here is the next chapter. I have another almost ready, I just need to decide when to post it and add a few finishing touches. Enjoy and remember none of the characters are mine.

Chapter 24

IPOV

Garrett was by my side the entire way to the airfield. I was running through scenarios as we ran and running them by him through our minds. I did not want the Volturi guards to know of my powers and I needed to keep in mind to keep them secret.

Isa, you need to feed. Garrett was trying to help me out, but I couldn't imagine waiting any longer to get to Jasper. I could deal with the thirst.

We don't have time. He is going to anger Maria if he is there much longer and I don't know what will happen when he does. She changes her mind a lot. One punishment is akin to the one I received when he left, and I would not wish that on anyone. He would not survive that. It is worse than the one he got when he let Peter leave.

I could see Garrett shudder at the thought. Peter must have shared some of his suspicions with him when they were out, but I would not reveal that horror. Garrett was one of my greatest friends and I didn't need the pity that would come with that.

We reached a jet that was just a little too flashy for me. It was a sleek onyx black with a purple V on the back. Walking up the steps I saw plush seats with plenty of foot room. I had not been on a plane like this ever. There was a fridge and other human comforts scattered across the back of the plane as well as a table in the middle with 4 seats around it. I ushered Garrett into the inner seat on the back of the plane around the table.

I sensed around the plane and found there was only one other on board, the pilot. "Felix, do you have a map of the United States on board?" If we were going to plan at all for the upcoming encounter, we needed to know the surrounding area. Luck was on my side as Demetri pulled out an atlas and a fold up map from a cabinet to the right of where we were sitting.

I circled where the last camp was located. "Here is where the camp was when I was running the operations. If I had to guess she moved to try to hide herself considering I promised her trouble if she broke my rules when I left. I would say she is in this area." I drew another circle around the camp on the map and started waiting for Peter's gift to kick in. He was always really good in preparing for battle.

A vision came to me of a few vampires waking up and Jasper taking an arm from one of them. They just fed, and the army was going to feed before we showed up, so it would be a hard fight ahead. I had not fed properly in about 2 weeks and was starting to feel the bloodlust; however, I was keeping it under wraps and focusing on the task at hand.

"What if we approached from here." Demetri pointed at the map. "I have never met your mate, but I have met Maria once upon a time after you left and can feel her slight signature in this area. At least I think that is where she is. The internal map is a little different than this one."

I could see the usefulness of Demetri's gift in planning now and could see how I would be able to use it in the future after I had met more vampires. I hope she didn't move, but I could work with that information Demetri provided and he would know if she did.

I used Alice's visions and some other powers I picked up of future telling to see if there were any advantages that I could gain before the fight.

I investigated every possible advantage and outcome I could see. I was still prepared for unknown factors, but by the end of the flight I had thought through as many scenarios as I could come up with. We landed at the height of the day, the Volturi guard were happy to be off the plane, they seemed intimidated in my presence whenever I spoke of strategy or tact, as though women were not normally so inclined in planning their battles. I wonder how Jane felt about that.

On the plane I had communicated a plan with Garrett that required him to find me a few meals and show up to the compound with them as soon as he could. He was going to also call Peter before I arrived with the Volturi guard and tell him to not use names with him nor Char. I knew Aro was going to read the guard as soon as he arrived, and I did not want him to know any more about them then he had to.

As the door opened Demetri handed me a black cloak to keep me covered. The previous fights had ripped some of my clothing and would be in danger of exposure if I went out like this, but I was loathe to wear the cloak. I took the offending garment and put it on, adding some commentary as I did so.

"You know these tend to hinder the guard in their fights right. You might want to ask your master for a newer design before you find yourself flung into the flames by the cape attached to your back." I spoke directly to Demetri. I had thought of this possibility extensively considering the Volturi were always a factor when looking at the vampire world.

I planned for every scenario and potential battle, in my years I have planned for the fall of the Volturi. Not that I would initiate it, and it would take a lot for me to support it, but I am always prepared for it.

As I shrugged the cloak on, I sped into the desert. Garrett knew his duties and the others did not question me as they followed.

As we approached the ridge before the camp, I saw my family standing waiting for me. I greeted them in my mind before speaking out loud.

"Report," I barked out the order to Peter, he was expecting it. The Major is harsher in words than I am even though I have not fed in the last few weeks.

"Ma'am, he is in the compound to the south of us. I believe that going in the north end will be a better option this time around. Maria is not expecting anyone, and we will be able to get a clear shot at the most experienced fighters that way. The Major has been well fed though as I am sure you are aware his first meal was not a pleasant experience. The one we really need to watch out for however is the nuisance that has become Jasper's shadow.

"He is an unknown factor. We have been observing him and cannot come up with his gift. Perhaps he is just skilled in combat, but I don't imagine that The Major would be needed if that was the case."

With the information that Peter relayed, I decided the best course of action was plan K. It would give us enough space coverage that I would not have to run anyone down as well as make sure there were not any survivors. With me and Felix and Jasper, we would be able to take out any level of army Maria created.

I felt that her numbers were dwindling right now. Sure, some were waking up, but the Pit was full of vampires that had lost their limbs that were not helpful in a fight.

"Okay, here is the plan unless we have objections to it, I am going to go in the south entrance with Felix beside me. He is well known as a Volturi enforcer and will put them off their game. Maria will not be expecting the Volturi to come calling without some kind of advance warning. You guys will take the Northeast side of the compound, make sure no one escapes. Demetri you will take the Northwest side same instructions.

'When you are sure there are no more flight risks, come inside and begin to clean up the mess. Someone also needs to light the barn on fire. I suspect that there are changing humans in there and the last thing we need is for some of them to wake up while no one is there to greet them."

I phrased the plan as a question, but I knew it would provide the best support and leverage, so if there had been objections it wouldn't have mattered, but sometimes all it takes to make people follow your lead is to give them the illusion of choice in the matter.

Peter, if you get any feelings you know to follow them. I understand the difficulty. Also, remember to keep our guy safe. He may be on human blood now, but until I can verify, he is safe and uninjured make sure he is okay. I can take care of myself and I will only be more distracted if I am focused on him as well as myself.

I noticed the nod of assent Peter shot at me as we got into position and that was enough assurance for me. Jasper would get out of this okay and we would get our forever.

We started approaching the compound as if we were just walking up for a friendly chat.

Felix stepped up beside when we got close to the gate wanting to be level as ever with someone. I could tell he wanted to be in charge in this situation and expected to take the lead role, but I had commanded armies much larger than his and was not about to bow to his command. I also had more experience with Maria having been under her command for as many years as I had.

The camp really hadn't changed that much, the smell was the same nauseating stench as when I walked out the first time. Dead, rotting flesh baking in the Mexican sun, burning vampire and human flesh. Hard to forget really, what made it better though was the sweet scent of my mate wafting toward me as the newborn vampires got into position to welcome unexpected guests. My eyes quickly scanned my surroundings, but I was prepared for what it would look like. Maria had basically recreated the compound I had built myself just in a different location.

It only took a second for Maria to appear. I guess she wanted to know why the Volturi had shown up. What she wasn't expecting however were my shimmering onyx eyes. Fury danced in them radiated off my body.

"Maria, fancy seeing you out here in this desolate terrain."

"Ah, General, I would say the pleasure is all mine, but that would be a lie and we decided long ago those don't work between us." Maria was up to the verbal spar as I was, but I am impatient and thirsty, so I cut the barbs short.

"You are correct, we did decide to forgo those long ago. So, I must ask you how many newborns are in your army right now then?" I saw her eyes flicker before settling once again on the hard indifference that was customary. With Jasper's gift I was able to feel the nervousness rolling off her though. She knew she had messed up and was now looking for a way out of the situation she found herself in.

"Not too many really, a few here, some in the pit. You know how difficult it is to keep track of the numbers with all of the activity going on around here."

"Ah I see, well I do believe that I gave you a limitation and I have seen evidence that you have surpassed that threshold."

"Yes, but I have my impressive Major back with me. You never said that he couldn't keep them under control." She was trailing her hand up and down his arm. I had to school my features once again, his shuddering and disgust helped some.

The newborns were starting to circle tighter around us, but I was not yet concerned. "However, Maria if you will remember I also made you a promise regarding The Major did I not? Let me think, I believe that I told you if you ever went after them, I would come back here and take you out."

"You may have mentioned that, but you are no match for my Major and he is as loyal as the day he woke up to this life. I am sure you can understand the bond between a sire and their creation." I could see the lies pouring out of her mouth as she spoke about the bond between her and Jasper. What she didn't seem to know was that a mate bond can break that relationship and now Jasper held no connection to her. It was weak before, but now was nonexistent time to break the news.

"Maria, please kindly remove your hands from my mate before I do it for you, we have many things to discuss and I would hate for you to be in pain as we did so." I watched and felt the shock roll through her body. She knew she couldn't escape now and 'her' Major was not going to stop me from killing her.

"Your mate?" Maria couldn't hide the surprise from her tone at that statement and she started to look for a way out. "Well, you see, there was a misunderstanding and …" Before she finished her sentence, I noticed Peter on top of the compound wall watching events unfold. Something is going to happen, but his gift did not fill me in on the happenings as it did for him. I got different information most of the time.

On a signal I had perfected years ago for her army the newborns surged forward, and Jasper was being surrounded by flames. I panicked momentarily but it was replaced with relief when I saw Peter pounce and make contact with Jasper taking him from the flames before anything could catch.

I was focused on the battle before me. I sprung forward and engaged the shadow before he could start any other problems for myself or Felix. Aro would be most displeased if he lost his enforcer when he come to help me. Though I did not ask for his help, so the fault would like with him.

As I was close to ripping off his head Maria came from behind and got in a few good hits. Jasper was going to be unhappy with my new scars, but he was engaged with Peter fighting at his back where he should be.

The fight seemed to take forever. It was difficult to watch for the flames as I fought both this stranger and Maria, but I was consistent and stubborn, so I waited for the perfect opportunity and found it when Maria went in for another attack. I jumped to avoid her and used her as a place to jump over the shadow. I took his head with me as I landed. Turning just quick enough to watch his body crumple to the ground.

Maria screamed in her fury. ""Want to give up now Maria? I promise to make your death less painful." The smirk that accompanied that statement made Maria quake in fear. She may be a cold hard bitch, but her bravado came from the fighters in front of her most of the time. She was a fierce competitor; I did not expect her to fall as fast as she did, but she did always try to have some champion to keep her safe. That was gone now. The newborns were dwindling in numbers as Jasper and Peter fought. Felix was keeping them from recuperating and reentering the fight as he cleaned up limbs from the field. He was rarely engaged in fights, most of the newborns knew not to engage the Volturi if they could help it, so they focused on the battle-hardened warriors in front of them. Luckily for us Jasper had not been around long enough to get them up to our standard fighting and Maria had gotten lazy with her other captains.

I kept dodging and hitting Maria until I found my opening. I slide under her legs as she approached me making sure I kept my head on my shoulders. I popped up behind her before she could turn, and I ripped her head off with a swift tug. It was a difficult move to accomplish, but I had plenty of practice.

As her head disconnected The Major's eyes locked with mine and he let out the most wonderful of snarls. The newborns around him practically fell over themselves getting into a submissive pose. It was useless. I used the majority of my remaining energy to crush them all with my shield as I walked to my mate.

I was thirsty, and the bloodlust was close to the surface, but more important than that was my mate. Once I reached him, we embraced, kissed and started checking each other for marks. I dropped the head into the dust unceremoniously. The edge of my conscious kept tabs on the whereabouts and activities of the others as they cleaned up the mess before any humans came to investigate the noises from around the desert.

"General …" Felix began to speak but halted suddenly when The Major's eyes flashed dangerously to him. Something had changed in Jasper's eyes, there was a confidence that was not previously in his, and a vulnerability that was not normally in The Major's. It seems they have merged together, or at least is close. He would tell me when we had a moment alone. I stroked his arm to calm him as Felix stared speaking again. "… we have cleaned up the compound and are ready to depart. Aro would like to extend an invitation to you to join the guard in Volterra to keep the world safe from vampires that would do the same damage as you have seen here."

"Thank ya Felix, but my mate and I plan on travelling. We will stop in Volterra before too long to pay a visit to that insufferable seer, but we would like to be left alone for now." The Major spoke for me, but I didn't mind. I liked the controlling part of him if it didn't hinder things I wanted to do. He would never do that though. He was my perfect match.

"Major, no disrespect, but I am supposed to bring The General back to Volterra." Jasper's growl started deep in his throat then. Peter and Charlotte had come to flank us. Peter on Jasper's right-hand side and Charlotte on my left. We were the perfect united front.

However, Felix should not have been afraid of The Major, but of me. "I have told Aro I will not be joining him," I used a little of the gift Jane had on him and waited for him to focus on me. "I will visit to get my vengeance on Alice and Edward, but I will not be joining him, now run along you little twit and never try to order me around again. You do not want to know what I am capable of." the shock and fear started to stir in his body, but it wasn't enough for me.

"Today's little display was a walk in the park. I have taken on armies and vampires that would tear you apart easily. Aro should fear my abilities, but you aren't going to tell him any of this. You are going to remember the fear you feel now. The unsettled feeling of despair that clings to your subconscious mind, but you won't know why. When Aro reads your thoughts there will be a blank spot, but you will not know what happened. Now try speaking to me again like that and I will kill you." I finished my rant and Jasper took over once again. I ignored what he was saying to Felix and spoke to Peter instead.

It may have been a little harsh, but I have not eaten in weeks and my powers have taken all the patience from me.

I know that was a bit much, but what do you expect. I rolled my eyes at Peter he was mocking me and trying to get under my skin. I opened a small rain cloud above his head that poured rain enough to make him drenched to the bone.

I know you are no match for them Isa, but couldn't you try not to reveal yourself. You never know what Aro could see in their thoughts.

Sugar, that was hilarious. I love watching you get your own out on him. Charlotte was always ready for me to pull pranks on Peter. It didn't happen often if we are honest.

Demetri was approaching, and I made sure he knew nothing of what had taken place. Once I was satisfied, I let them depart.

"Okay friends, what are we going to do now?" Peter was the first to break the silence as we saw the Volturi guards had disappeared into the rising sun returning to the plane.

"I don't know about any of you, but I am in desperate need of a good feeding." I spoke up to be interrupted by Jasper.

"Darlin' why didn't you stop on your way to me. I was fine. It doesn't look like you have had any blood in weeks."

Garrett appeared then with the humans he had retrieved for us. A bus load of the scummiest people in this part of the world. I couldn't hold myself together for long, but I waited to see if anyone needed them more than I. As Peter went to grab at one Jasper growled and he halted.

"Isa will get as many as she needs before you feed. She has been through enough and you fed recently. Your eyes are still a slight red." He was trying to protect me, but I still felt slightly guilty once I saw the reason Peter wanted that individual.

His singer. How lucky he was also a menace to society.

I bypassed his prey and found two of my own. The others could have the rest and I would get something else after we left. I drank my fill and Jasper loaded them back onto the bus before I was able to myself.

I was still a little hungry and would have to stop, but before that I needed my mate. I looked at him with hooded eyes and sent him my lust.

"Take care of them, we will meet you all back at the Ranch." Major Whitlock shouted behind him as he flung me over his shoulder and carried me off to do dirty things.

Those were the best two weeks of my life. I filled Jasper in on what happened at the Cullen's and he shared his experience with me at Maria's camp. It wasn't as bad as I had feared. He had joined with the Major and was enjoying finally being one person again.

We slowly made our way back to the ranch and were greeted by our family when we arrived.

"What adventure are we going on next?" Charlotte always did love an adventure and I couldn't think of a better group to experience on with but …

"How about we relax first and adventure next month. I do have a standing appointment in Volterra, but other than that my decade is free."

Thanks for reading. Until next time!