Chapter Thirty Seven

Bella

As my shield went down Alec's gift started to drift closer but I was mesmerized by the ball of flame that flew out dizzyingly fast to burn its way through everything in its path. Looking round to see who had created it I saw Charlies outstretched hand. Charlie was gifted and it was a powerful one to cause the damage it did. I pulled the shield back up pushing Alec's smoke back and protecting us once more while the Volturi fell back confused. Jane had fallen writhing to the ground and the guard behind her started to smoke before bursting into flames and burning to ash. Felix had moved smartly to one side and waited to see what if anything Jane would do. Alec rushed to her side with a cry of pain then turned to us,

"You are dead, all of you"

"Really son? Just how do you plan on doing that exactly?"

Alec's glare was full of malice as he answered Charlie.

"You can't stay hidden behind Bella for ever and I'll be waiting when it drops. You will be the first to die."

Charlie laughed confidently,

"You're wrong boy and here's why, Bella"

I dropped my shield momentarily and another fire ball shot from Charlies fingers just missing Alec but hitting two more guards and setting them alight.

"Do you get it now or would you like another demonstration? This time my aim might be a little better. Like to gamble your life on it?"

Alec stood up pulling Jane with him although even I could see that her body was starting to glow. He must have felt the heat because he dropped her arm and stood back as she screamed his name bursting into flames at the same time.

"I guess you got the extra lesson after all. Now you go back to Aro and tell him I want a meeting with the brothers here in two days time or I'm visiting Volterra and I can't promise I wont start throwing more fireballs around when I get there."

Peter

I watched Charlie in awe, he was one bad mother fucker and it was great to watch Alec's face as he realized there was absolutely nothing he could do but leave. He turned and moved away with the few remaining guards while Felix watched unmoving and Alec didn't even notice the huge guard wasn't following him.

"Very impressive Charlie, you take after your daughter. Bella I'd better go, I have to report in to Caius. He'll be very interested in the outcome of this encounter. It sounds like I might be back sooner than I'd imagined. Major"

He turned and walked away slowly seemingly unconcerned at his vulnerability.

"Now Charlie that's what I call a gift. Crispy fried Volturi, it might catch on as a delicacy. So, we wait for the big bosses to arrive. You plan on frying them too?"

"Damned if I know Peter. I didn't even know I could do that until it happened."

"Well just make sure you keep a tight rein on it, this cabin is only rented and I rather like my body in its raw state."

The Major called us all back in and there was an air of triumph around us all.

Jasper

Having seen Charlies gift and putting it together with Bella's I thought we were probably invincible, after all while she could protect us and kill any human Charlie had the one weapon that could destroy one of our kind at his very fingertips. I wondered if the guardians knew just how powerful we now were. If they did we would hear soon enough. As we split up to hunt, making sure we would be at full power when the Volturi next visited my phone rang again and it was the female guardian.

"Very impressive Major. It seems you have the power to destroy your own kind as well as us. What exactly are you looking for from us or do you intend to attack?"

"We are trying to avoid a war not start one. All we want is peace and an assurance that we are safe from guardian reprisals. As you can see it was never a planned attack or slaughter on our part."

"It would seem you speak the truth. Very well, we have a representative willing to meet with you and make a peace treaty but I cannot guarantee the Quileutes will abide by it."

"As they no longer have any guardians I don't think we need worry about them."

"We'll see."

She rang off and at the same time I heard a shout from Peter and ran back to the cabin to see a huge bear standing there silent and watchful. As we approached cautiously its form seemed to shimmer until it was a silver cloud and as this dispersed we found a young man standing in its place looking calm, relaxed even. He looked at me,

"Major Whitlock?"

I nodded and he held out his hand,

"Allow me to introduce myself, Cheveyo."

I shook the proffered hand,

"Cheveyo please come in and we can talk."

"I'd prefer to stay outside. I feel safer that way, not that I don't trust you but I like to be careful"

Peter

Garrett and I stayed behind with Bella and Jazz while the others went to hunt and kept a weather eye out for others.

"We have taken into consideration what you told us and what we have witnessed with our own eyes. It would seem you have been speaking the truth. You want peace not war. Why did you attack the Volturi though? It seems you are not trusted by your own kind."

"The Volturi are concerned that our actions against the Quileutes will start a war."

"It would under any other circumstances but by your actions you have proved you are trustworthy. Would you be wiling to swear that neither you nor the Volturi will take any action against us in return for your own safety?"

"How the fuck can we do that? The Volturi are a law unto themselves, we don't influence their decisions."

Cheveyo looked at me and smiled,

"Oh I think you do, or at least you will. There are changes coming, important changes. So Major?"

"Peter's right, I can't promise you that the Volturi will keep the peace although I doubt they want a war any more than we do. It would make us too conspicuous."

"Then we have nothing to discuss"

He turned and started to walk away towards the trees,

"Cheveyo, can we have a little time to discuss this?"

He turned and watched us as he thought about The Majors question then nodded.

"Very well Major. Three days then I leave."

"Thank you. How do we contact you?"

"You don't but I will know if you wish to talk to me."

He melted into the trees as we watched,

"Arrogant little prick isn't he?"

"Peter, he's a leader of his people what do you expect? I think if you look up his name you'll understand better."

"Never mind about looking it up, you know computers hate me, the fuckers always freeze when I get anywhere near them just tell me."

"Cheveyo is Native American for spirit warrior."

"You mean that kid is one of the guardian rulers?"

"No I mean he is The ruler or at least the most important when it comes to making decisions."

"Well fuck me and I thought we looked young. I doubt he's been out of diapers for long".