Chapter Twenty Six

Aro

We now had a dilemma, the human girl who could hand me what I most desired was on her way here expecting to see The Major but he wasn't here. If she found out what had happened she might refuse to help us and that would be such a pity. Marcus too was perturbed,

"It concerns me that this human should offer to come to Volterra wiling knowing what we are Aro."

"Marcus, humans are fools, they always think they have a way out of danger until it bites them."

I thought Caius words were a little too contemptuous especially in this case and seeing my expression he smiled and strode from the room, we had lost his interest, he knew there was no way we could explain to the human where The Major was.

"Let the girl come, who knows she might have just what we need in order to bring our friend and his son back into the fold"

I smiled at Marcus words although I understood his concerns.

"Why do we let Caius get away with such barbarities Aro?"

"Marcus, I watch over all our world and especially those I hold dear. Caius is a nuisance but a necessary evil, for now. Let him have his fun, as long as it does not interfere with the smooth running of our world."

"I think perhaps in this case he has overstepped the mark Aro. This situation makes me uneasy."

"Everything makes you uneasy Marcus. Go back to your books, lose yourself in the past, and leave the present and our future to me."

Aro

This human intrigued me, she was willing to put herself in danger, in the very heart of the vampire world to save The Major. One had to wonder why, was she attracted to him in some way? Could it be they were destined for each other? I would ask Elektra to be present when she got here and I needed to assemble some witnesses to hear her statement. My palms almost itched with the thought of getting Carlisle back to Volterra where he belonged. Edward was an extra which I would take gratefully and with Chelsea's help the guard would be increased. As to whether I should use her on Carlisle I wasn't so sure. It tended to dull the senses somewhat and I didn't want a quietened Carlisle, he was far too intelligent and vibrant for that. No, Carlisle would stay because I would make sure he understood that if he should leave Edward would be punished in his stead and I knew only too well how fond Carlisle was of his first changeling. It would be interesting to see how he reacted when he found out who had caused his recall, perhaps they could meet face to face. Yes that sounded as if it might be interesting. In all today had been a fruitful one, the sort of day that made me smile.

Caius

If Aro thought I was handing over The Major to some human girl just because she was willing to lie about the Cullens he didn't know me at all. The Major was mine and I intended he stay that way for the rest of his miserable existence. He would know nothing but thirst and pain until I decided he would be allowed to die and I would be the one to put him out of his misery. If this human was indeed close to him then I might take her for myself, Chelsea was always happy to do a little extra for me. It would be satisfying to know I had his mate in my bed. I had to be careful to keep the knowledge from Athenadora of course but then as she was confined to the tower along with Sulpicia keeping secrets from her wasn't too difficult. I already had another woman, Melusina poor Darius sister, who kept me company the days I didn't visit Athenadora and another was always welcome. It was one of the perks of being in authority, one I liked very much. For now though I would concentrate on keeping my prisoner.

Bella

There was nothing to be scared of, I had nothing left to lose, nothing I cared about anyway, except Jasper and if I were too late to save him then I didn't really care what happened to me. I spent the flight arranging my thoughts and remembering everything that Carlisle had said to Charlie, ruining my relationship with both of my parents. I never expected to get an opportunity for revenge on him and his precious son Edward but here I was on my way to the Volturi stronghold determined to do all I could to save the only member of the Cullen family worth anything. I didn't even feel sorry for Rosalie, Emmett, or Esme, they had all been in on it and possibly even Alice although the jury was still out on her guilt. She must have known what would happen at my party yet she allowed it to happen, why? I wondered if someone would be waiting for me at the airport or if Aro would leave me to make my own way to Volterra, it depended on how much he really wanted Carlisle, I just hoped Darius had been the expert I was told he was.

When I grabbed my bag and went through the crowds waiting to collect loved ones or business acquaintances I looked around for a sign with my name on it hoping Darius had been right and then I saw it.' Miss Swan' It was being held by a nondescript looking man and as I got closer I could see he wasn't a vampire, so they used humans too, interesting.

"I'm Bella Swan"

He nodded and took my bag from me leading me outside into the Italian sunshine, so that's why they sent a human, it would be very difficult for a vampire during the day here in Pisa. He opened the back door for me but I shook my head,

"I'd rather sit up front"

He looked a little taken aback but opened the passenger door for me then came round and slid in the driver's door pulling away from the terminal smoothly and negotiating the chaos that was Pisa's traffic until we hit the open road. I glanced around at the countryside before turning back to him.

"Do you work for the Volturi?"

He glanced at me a little nervously,

"My company is asked to pick up passengers occasionally Signorina,"

"So you know Volterra?"

"A little, I live in Pisa myself, I prefer the city to the countryside."

"Its beautiful countryside."

"To foreign eyes I suppose it would be."

"Have you visited America?"

"Yes I have family there. My parents came from Volterra and my sister still lives there. It is a very peaceful town."

It was obvious he didn't want to talk so I left him to drive while I watched the trees and rolling hills before we started to climb upwards along winding roads.

"That is Volterra"

He pointed to a walled town on a hilltop. It didn't look like a vampire city but then looks could be deceiving as I knew only too well. We entered the town and threaded through the narrow cobbled streets until suddenly we were back in the sunshine, in a huge square bustling with people, sipping coffee, chatting or walking purposefully from place to place seemingly unaware what lay at the heart of their picturesque town.

The driver pulled up at a clock tower in one corner of the square and came round to open my door carrying my bag up the steps nervously and handing it to a pale young man just inside the doors

"Miss Swan"

I could see he was anxious to leave and put my hand in my pocket to tip him but the threw a worried look at the young man and shook his head

"Not necessary Miss Swan I have been paid already."

He almost ran back down the steps to his car as I followed the young man into the vampires lair and checking I was pleased to note that I didn't feel in the least bit scared, just anxious to get this over with.