Chapter Forty Two

Bella

I heard Jaspers command and our group literally exploded into action, the Fraternidad throwing themselves on the guard who came forward to protect the brothers while Garrett and Philip attacked the black cloaked figures who appeared on our flanks, the Volturi had brought with them everything they had. I watched ready to protect any of our allies who got into difficulties while Charlie attacked any enemy who was isolated with pinpoint accuracy, so flaming Volturi torches lit the fight like a scene from Dantes Inferno! I watched out for Jazz who was the focus of attention for Caius and a couple of guard loyal to him in particular. Caius was good, very good, and made it hard for Jazz to get close. Aro backed away carefully trying to see a way out of the melee with Renata still at his shoulder but I waited biding my time. The second Renata's hand left Aros shoulder I was ready and threw my shield between them, making it impossible for her to regain contact.

"Aro is vulnerable"

I shouted hoping someone would understand what I meant, the Fraternidad surged forward like a single entity and Aro disappear under the weight of their attack. Jonah was in trouble, a huge guard getting a hold around his neck and wrenching so I pushed my shield out fast knocking them over to give him a chance to get free. I looked over at Charlie who was still shooting fire balls out but careful to hit only our enemies.

Charlie

It was getting more and more difficult to see through the mist and smoke and I was afraid I might hit a friend by accident so I jumped into the fray looking for black cloaks and unrecognised faces. The fight had turned into a giant free for all with screams and groans, limbs flying through the air and venom soaking into the dirt at our feet. I saw a guard, limbless writhing on the ground and sent a fireball his way then jumped aside as Garrett leaped past me to engage a guard coming up behind. I heard a woman's scream and turned to see Josie standing with her hands over her face, her mate Adam a dismembered body on the ground at her feet. Rex was struggling to free himself from a guard who had already torn his mate to pieces and dropped a match on the remains. We would win the fight I had no doubt but at what cost? With no time to think about it I rushed over and wrestled the guard to the floor joined by Emmett while Rose helped Josie free of the fight but then the girl turned and with a scream of agony and rage clawed her way through to reach the guard who had killed her mate and quite literally ripped him to shreds with her nails, throwing strips of his flesh onto the many small fires still burning. As the fight slowly drew to a close I could see that only Marcus and three of the guard remained alive, the rest in pieces being collected up by the Fraternidad who were building a huge funeral pyre in the centre of the yard. As they lit it plumes of purple scented smoke rose into the air to hang like a menacing demon above us.

Bella

I looked around checking on our allies with a sigh of relief, we had lost some but not as many as I had feared. Marcus and the two guards were surrounded by Garrett, Jazz, Rex, and three of the Spanish coven who all looked intact. Adam and Amy were both gone, burned by the Volturi. One of the Spanish coven was nursing a slowly fusing arm while Jonah sat waiting for help, his legs both ripped from his body and too far away for him to crawl, as venom pumped out from the open wounds. I collected his limbs and helped him reattach them as I watched to see what would happen to Marcus. He stood a head and shoulders taller than anyone else and on his face was a strange half-smile as if he were pleased to have lost the fight. I heard him speak in response to a question I hadn't heard

"To die isn't so bad Major. There are far worse things in our world, to be left alive and alone with no way to punish a murderer, that is far worse. Whatever you do to me matters little in the scheme of things. You may kill us all but the Volturi will endure, the faces may change but the aim remains the same, to keep our world a secret from the humans. If you are able to make peace with the guardians it will be a good thing."

Jazz didn't speak and I turned away to look for any more wounded comrades when a harsh cry made me turn back. Marcus had disappeared, his death cry being the last to be heard that day.

Garrett

I helped the Spanish clear up the rest of the guard and burn them, the smoke hanging over our heads not moved by the light breeze that was blowing. Once that job was done the Spanish coven disappeared back the way they had come, the leader speaking briefly to The Major before they left. As we assembled back in the cabin there were a few gaps in our ranks, friends and comrades we would mourn.

"Well that's the old Volturi finished. What do we put in its place? We need to act fast or the Romanians will. It's just what they've been waiting for and you can bet they've been keeping an eye on this fight."

"You're right Jonah, we have to act fast and decisively before someone else does. This isn't very democratic I know but I'd like to put forward some names for you to vote on."

"One being yours Major?"

He looked stonily at Philip,

"No, it's not a position I want for myself Philip but if you have something to say feel free."

Philip looked embarrassed and shook his head,

"No, nothing"

"Good."

I took Philip by the arm and led him out of the room as the others commented on his accusation,

"Philip, I don't know you very well so I'm willing to give you the benefit of the doubt because you fought with us but if you ever make an accusation like that again I personally will rip out your tongue and burn it and be really thankful that Peter wasn't here because he doesn't give warnings, he just acts."

I steered him back in just in time to hear the short list of names,

"Felix Volturi, Carlisle Cullen, Darius, and Charlie Swan"

Bella

I was shocked to hear my dads name but when I examined the idea I saw how suitable he really was. Charlie wasn't power-hungry, his gift made him appear powerful to any would be rebels or malcontents and he had a cops way of looking at things which would be useful in a committee overlooking the vampire world and policing its laws.

"Why Cullen?"

Jazz looked at the questioner,

"Carlisle is an intelligent man who has compassion and understanding of our world. He was with the Volturi for some time and knows how it works and he is looked up to by a large portion of our kind Rex."

"Isn't his son on the Volturi though?"

"Yes he's in Volterra but he's not a member of the Volturi and I'm sure with Charlie there he never will be, except as a member of the guard Rex."

"Talking about the guard, why Felix?"

I stepped forward here,

"Felix has done whatever he felt was right, he has upheld the laws and punished law breakers but he is more than just a guard, he's a highly intelligent man with a good sense of right and wrong and as a well known member of the law enforcement team he is easily recognised. It will make it seem that the Volturi is continuing not changing altogether."