Chapter Forty

Bella

It took a long time for Jazz to talk me down because he was so angry himself but eventually cool enough we headed back but we saw the truck gone and knew Peter and Charlotte had left. Now I felt terrible because alone they were vulnerable and it was all my fault. I ran inside desperate to find out how long ago they left and where they were headed but I ran straight into Charlotte. In relief I threw myself at her repeating how sorry I was over and over until she pushed me away long enough to speak.

"I forgive you Bella. It was as much my fault as yours. I know you are possessive of The Major and I should have acted accordingly."

"Where's Peter? I need to apologise to him too."

"He's gone."

I stopped in my tracks as her words hit home,

"Gone? Without you? Where?"

"I don't know. I told him it was all a mistake and he refused to listen. He wouldn't stay even when I pointed out how dangerous it would be if we split up. I refused to go so he went alone."

"I'm so sorry Char it's all my fault. We have to find him before the Volturi do"

"Bella"

Garrett called me to the window,

"I think you're a bit too late and worrying about the wrong enemy."

Standing in the middle of the yard was Cheveyo and in his hand he held Peters shirt, torn and creased but recognisable. Charlotte gave a little cry and put a hand over her mouth while Garrett and Jazz went out to confront our visitor.

Jasper

Had Peter been attacked by the guardians or had something else happened? Cheveyo stood unspeaking as Garrett and I walked to confront him looking at the shirt hanging loosely at his side.

"Where is he?"

"Safe for now."

"Where?"

"I'm not going to answer that so there's no point in repeating the question. What you should be asking is what I want in return for his continued safety."

"So what do you want?"

"A treaty with the Volturi, peace between us and restitution for the death of our brothers."

"We can't give you that, we don't have power over the Volturi and what kind of restitution?"

"We lost many brothers so I think it only fair that you pay for their loss."

"How?"

"The Quileutes are a proud tribe and your actions have left them defenceless. We will provide them with a number of guardians but you will pay for them. The reservation is a poor one. They need a new clinic for the sick and a new school for the children. Small payment for the loss of so many young men don't you think?"

"We will give them the money for those things willingly but we can't give you a treaty with the Volturi."

"Then I suggest you remedy that as soon as possible. I'll be waiting for a message. In the meantime..."

He threw Peters shirt in the dust at our feet and turned walking slowly away.

"Now what do we do? I can't see the Volturi agreeing to a peace treaty with the guardians can you? Not to save Peter anyhow."

Bella

They came in with Peters shirt and we noticed immediately the venom stains and rips, he had put up a good fight before being taken. Did that mean there were more of the guardians close by? If so would they fight the Volturi? If they did and lost we would be blamed for bringing them into a trap. Charlotte took the shirt from Jasper and held it to her chest her body shaking with emotion. How could I ever have thought she was interested in Jasper when she was so devastated by Peters predicament. I went over and put my arm around her puling her into a hug,

"We'll get him back Charlotte, I promise"

She nodded but was too choked with emotion to speak then she turned and ran upstairs slamming the bedroom door after her. I went to follow but Rose shook her head,

"Let me Bella. You stay with Jazz, see if you can work something out."

I turned to where Jazz, Garrett, Charlie, and Emmett stood talking quietly and joined them.

"If we're going to get Peter back safe then we have to give the guardians what they ask for."

"Easier said than done Charlie. The Volturi, Aro and Caius especially won't agree to a treaty, they are enemies. The Volturi would be happy if the guardians were destroyed."

"Well if the present Volturi won't agree then we need a new one."

"A new one? Are you suggesting we kill the brothers and stage a coup?"

"I wouldn't put it quite like that Garrett but basically yes. We have the power to kill the Volturi brothers between us."

"Who takes their place? The Romanians will be chomping at the bit if they find out."

"The Romanians? Save us from the thought of that, besides they're about as likely to agree to a peace treaty as Aro."

"Then who Garrett? Any ideas?"

"As a matter of fact yes I have. Who do we know who would agree to a peace treaty but at the same time keep the Volturi as a way of policing our world?"

Jasper nodded slowly,

"Yes we might but not alone. Someone needs to keep an eye on Edward don't forget."

"Yeah that idiot could start a war on his own Em."

"Garrett please let's try to be constructive."

"Charlie that was constructive. Edward is dangerous if he's allowed to have his own way and Carlisle isn't good at saying no to his favourite son."

They were talking about Carlisle as an alternative to Aro?

"Charlie, you're a police man, how about you? Along with Carlisle I mean?"

I looked shocked between Garrett and Charlie.

"Hang on a minute. You want to give the reins of power to Carlisle? Are you mad Jazz?"

"Bella its perfect, Carlisle is compassionate so there would be no extreme measures and with Charlie to keep him on the straight and narrow where people like Edward are concerned, that's a balance of power."

I guess I could see the sense but it was still a lot to process.

"What about Esme?"

"She would make a third, two brothers and a sister."

"Would the guard accept a change of management?"

"Why don't you ring Felix and sound him out. We can trust him and maybe he would make another on the council, after all he knows as much about the working of the Volturi as the brothers, he's been with them almost since the start."

I wasn't sure about this but I rang Felix,

"Bella. Aro and the others are on their way. I was about to let you know."

"You aren't with them?"

"No, you've heard the saying if the cat is away the mice will play?"

"Yes"

"Well I'm the stand in cat while they are away. I keep the rest of the guard honest."

"Is Edward with them?"

"God no. That idiot would start a war the moment he opened his mouth. He's doing some research in the library under supervision of course."

"Oh, who drew the short straw?"

"Chelsea, she has a soft spot for him although no one else can work out why. Was there something in particular you wanted?"

"Yes. I need to ask you a question, a very strange question but you can't tell anyone else."

"I'm intrigued."

"Would a change in the make up of the Volturi be seen as a bad thing by the guard?"

There was a long tense silence,

"Did you have something in mind?"

"Possibly."

"If the change were sensible, not likely to upset the routine of the guard then possibly. But whoever was...shall we say mooted... would have to be acceptable. They wouldn't allow anyone who might be likely to take reprisals for past...actions. Can I ask you a question in return?"

"Of course."

"If I were to throw out a few names perhaps you could consider them as likely to be acceptable."

"Go ahead."

"The Major, Carlisle Cullen, Eleazer. Any of these would be seen as an improvement."

"Thank you Felix, what about you?"

"Me?"

"Well you have the experience. Think about it."

We left it like that and waited for the brothers to show up, still unsure if they, or we, would leave Canada alive.