Chapter Six

Alice

I'd seen Bella jump and everything had gone dark, she had been terribly unhappy since we left her in Forks and now she'd found a way out of her torment. I never thought she would kill herself, the depth of her feeling of depression had been deeper than even I had thought. The thing I didn't understand were her final words, they hadn't been spoken to Edward but someone else, someone she thought could pass on the message, which meant one of us. Who had she seen or heard before she died? Myself? Emmett? Even Carlisle maybe? Who knew when a human mind shattered, I was uniquely qualified to attest to that one! There was no way to find out now and when I found out Rose had told Edward I could see his end too, he would find a way to join her in death although ironically it was the fact that he wouldn't stay with her in life that had caused this tragedy, Romeo and Juliet all over again. We all tried to talk to him, well all except Jazz who'd already given up on us collectively. I had watched him as he wandered hoping he would find his future, a future too clouded for me to see anything except as an impenetrable fog of decisions not yet made and a hazy figure not yet in existence. Did that mean he too would fall in love with a human? I certainly hoped not, after seeing the chaos it had caused for the Cullens.

Carlisle

I tried Alice but she either couldn't or wouldn't help me any further so I rang Volterra and spoke to Aro.

"Carlisle, I wondered when I would hear from you. I assume you are ringing about Edwards request?"

"He isn't thinking straight Aro, you know Bella Swan killed herself and he feels responsible"

"Yes, he has some very strange ideas Carlisle and I blame you for them. He should never have seen any human as more than a meal. He seems intent on ending his existence and nothing any of us say makes any difference to him"

"But you won't let him do it will you Aro?"

"You think not? And why is that?"

"Because he's too valuable to you alive. You want his gift"

"And you are asking me to act? You realize what that will mean?"

"Yes I understand but I'm hoping when he's had time to consider things clearly he'll see how silly it would have been to kill himself for her."

"If he does I assume you are expecting me to release him back to you?"

"No Aro, I don't imagine that for a moment but I will know he is safe and that will be enough."

There was a pause and I wondered why Aro was hesitating, he wanted Edwards gift, he always had and now he could have it with my blessing.

"Edward has already told us that he doesn't wish to join the Volturi. Do you think he will change his mind?"

"No...no I don't but I was hoping you might value him enough to force the issue."

"Oh, suddenly it is appropriate, even right, to take away his ability to decide for himself. Isn't that a little hypocritical Carlisle? I remember only too vividly the arguments we had concerning the use of Chelsea's gift."

"I know but I'm desperate, I'm begging you Aro, please."

"I see, well he is blessed with a valuable gift that would be very convenient for the Volturi to have the use of. I will have to speak to my brothers first of course"

"Of course"

We both knew that was rubbish, if Aro wanted Edward Aro would go ahead, with or without Caius and Marcus consent.

Aro

How sweet to hear my friend begging for a favour, especially this one which I had already decided on in any case. The only question was did I let him know what I knew about his precious human? If I did then Chelsea would be even more necessary to keep him where I wanted him. Negotiations were still under way to procure that particular gift but I was confident I would succeed eventually, after all no one wanted trouble with the Volturi now did they? Sometimes there were just too many decisions to be made but sometimes the decisions made could give us untold riches so I called for Demetri and Chelsea as well as my brothers. When they were all here I explained the situation with Edward Cullen.

"Why don't you just ask Chelsea to act Aro? I'm weary of your games."

"Marcus it is the game that keeps life interesting. It was good to hear Carlisle asking for a favour, it puts him in my debt."

"You were going to use Chelsea anyway. I'm sure he knew that, Carlisle isn't an idiot."

"No Marcus but he wasn't sure and now if I need a "favour" he can hardly refuse can he?"

"Why don't you just tell him about the girl? He'll be happy enough to stay then."

"Because I don't have her...yet, and we don't know if they are truly mates, we only have Edwards side of the story from his thoughts and memories."

"So what if she isn't? He still thinks she is and that's all he is concerned with you know that."

Marcus looked concerned,

"Out with it brother, what exactly troubles you now?"

"The unknown brother. WE have no idea what this girl is capable of who who her mate truly is."

"True, but I'm relying on you to identify him Marcus. After all its what you do so well. As for her gift, I've seen it in Edwards mind, she is a shield, that's hardly something we need be worried about now is it?"

"You know I can't tell you who her mate is, not until I meet him with her Aro. I tire of this, do what you will."

"Thank you Marcus. And you Caius?"

"I don't like the unknown. It has a nasty habit of biting back. By all means use Chelsea to keep the idiot here, at least we'll know what he's doing and his gift is indeed useful, but I'm not sure we should be meddling with the girl. She unnerves me as a gifted human, you too Aro if you would but admit it. I have a strange feeling we may be drawing trouble to our door."

"Never fear dear brother, I'm sure we can keep whatever monster you think she might lure here from harming the Volturi"

"I hope you are right Aro, for all our sakes, but sometimes greed creates its own monsters."

Once my brothers had gone I gave Chelsea her instructions, Edward didn't know her by sight so it would be easy for her to get close enough to trigger her gift, problem one solved. Problem number two was a little more challenging.

"Demetri I need you to track a nomad named Victoria for me, she has something I would very much like to own. She is in the Volturi's debt for pulling her from some serious trouble some years ago. Its time to call in the marker and I tire of her stupid little games. When you find her call on Alec, its time she vanished but her companion is not to be harmed in any way. I want her left alone and confused so Alec can immobilize her and you or Alec can change her, you decide. When you have done so I will send Jane to fetch her here. Is that clear?"

"Of course Aro. Have I ever let you down?"

"No Demetri never, so lets keep the winning streak intact shall we?"