Chapter Twenty Seven

Aro

We were waiting in the main audience chamber with our witnesses ready for Miss Swans arrival, eager to see if she were scared or intimidated by the presence of so many vampires. I wasn't sure what to expect but it certainly wasn't the pale young woman who came in with Alec looking around curiously. He led her to a chair set before us and put her bag down beside her. I wondered what was in it and if she expected to be staying? Marcus, always the most polite of us, stood and bowed,

"Miss Swan, thank you for coming. We are eager to hear what you have to say but can we furnish you with some refreshments first? Coffee or a cold drink? Something to eat perhaps?"

"No thank you I'm fine. Are you Aro Volturi?"

"No my name is Marcus and along with my brothers Aro and Caius we rule our world."

He had gestured to us as he spoke and Miss Swans interest switched to me.

"I didn't come for a friendly chat, just so we know where we stand. I know what you are and about your world. I take it you have your witnesses ready?"

I stood up and inclined my head in assent,

"Yes and they are eager to hear what you have to say. I take it you don't want to rest first?"

She shook her head and smiled,

"Then perhaps we should get straight down to things Miss Swan. I'll have them sent for."

"I don't think so Aro and its Bella by the way, Miss Swan sounds so formal. Before I say anything at all I want to see Jasper."

"I see. Well let's hear what you have to offer first shall we?"

"That's not the way its done Aro. You want my statement you show me Jasper first, he could be dead for all I know."

"I can assure you that he is still alive"

"Then you won't mind taking me to see him or bringing him here, will you?"

Caius

The bitch was making demands of us? The leaders of the world of the vampires? I thought we should force her to give her statement then kill her and be done with it. There would be nothing she could do about it after all. She almost seemed to read my mind as she glanced at me and smiled,

"Caius, I suppose you have Jasper in your custody. I want to see him. No Jasper, no statement."

Something suddenly hit me, this human didn't smell much like a human at all, she smelled far more vampire than human but not an entirely new smell. No, she smelled of The Major. Was she? Could she be his mate? Had he bitten her? No of course not, she would already be a vampire by now. She was a strange being, one that suddenly made me very nervous and I saw my brothers had reached the same conclusion at the same time.

Bella

I got the distinct impression that Aro was worried, that things weren't as he had assumed and it occurred to me that Jasper might not even be here, but if they thought I was going to do anything without seeing him in the flesh they were very much mistaken. I waited watching them and wondering how long it would be before someone spoke. Marcus looked at his scowling brother Caius then turned back to me.

"I fear you have been misled Bella. The Major is alive but I fear we cannot bring him to you immediately,l first we have to find him so to speak".

"Really? Well perhaps this might help jog your memory as to where he is. If it's a sample of Volturi justice then it is way past time someone taught you a lesson in real justice."

Marcus

She opened the bag she had arrived with and lifted out a wrapped object as Jane's smile widened, she knew what was coming next. Unwrapping the object carefully Bella revealed an arm, twitching very slightly and terribly scarred. It could only belong to one man and I looked at Aro before turning to Caius shocked.

"We outlawed such a punishment centuries ago Caius."

"Then perhaps we should not have been so hasty. It worked then and it will work now."

I shook my head and turned back to Aro angrily,

"I will not be a party to such barbarity brother. Either you censure Caius and demand he puts this right or I will be forced to act myself."

Aro knew what I was referring to, I wasn't squeamish but there was a reason such punishments had been outlawed and I refused to allow Caius to get away with ignoring our laws in his own pursuit of "justice" or more like "payback". He had been looking at the arm with great delight then turned a sarcastic smile on me,

"What exactly will you do Marcus? I'm quaking with fear."

"Do I have to tell Athenadora about your other female companion?"

His smile died and he snarled in anger,

"Don't you dare Marcus. This is none of your concern, why don't you go back to your books and your sulking."

Aro who was looking increasingly uncomfortable addressed the girl,

"If perhaps you could give us a few minutes."

"Of course."

She sat down, crossed her legs leaning back in the chair, and waited.

Aro

She had called our bluff and we needed to regroup so we filed out into the smaller chamber behind this one.

"Caius I think we are going to be forced to show this girl The Major."

"No, he stays where he is. I refuse to allow you to bring him here, he's mine."

"For heaven's sake Caius. What would you have us do? She refuses to give us her statement without seeing him."

"Then kill her and find another way to get what you want. Or use Chelsea."

It was a thought so I spoke to Chelsea who went back outside to use her influence while we continued our discussion.

Caius couldn't believe that I was wiling to make a deal with this part human girl when we could force her to do our bidding and then kill her. That way he would get to keep his nemesis and I would have my Cullens. She was back within minutes frowning,

"I'm sorry Aro but there is something strange about her. I can't even feel her relationships let alone influence them."

"Well Caius I tried but it seems we must deal and as this is the first opportunity we have ever had to force Carlisle and Edward to Volterra and I will not waste it."

"And if I refuse?"

I lost patience,

" You've had your fun Caius. I want the location of your prisoner, and I want it now. We are all aware he isn't here and you know where he is so spit it out."

Caius scowled at me and I could tell he was furious but was he furious enough to refuse my request? Elektra who had been waiting silently for us to finish pushed herself from the wall.

"I think you should deal Caius."

"Do you Elektra? Really? I'll take that under consideration"

Before he could continue his rudeness to Elektra I interrupted,

"Caius do you really want to start a civil war over this?"

"Mind your own business Marcus. This has nothing to do with you."

"Really? I thought I was one of the triumvirate that ruled our world and I back Aro."

"How could you do anything else Marcus. You are a puppet of his and have been for centuries."

"Enough Caius. Either give me what I ask for or leave Volterra"

He went quiet with shock at my words but he should have known that I wouldn't stand for rebellion, not even from him.

He was saved from answering me straight away by a noise outside and then door flew open to reveal Bella Swan standing there and she looked extremely angry. It was apparent she had heard the conversation between us.

"I came here in good faith to give witness to the Cullens crimes and now I hear Jasper isn't even in Volterra. I tell you now gentlemen, you have precisely five seconds to explain yourselves before I start destroying things."

That we were shocked was something of an understatement, this girl was threatening us? The most powerful vampires in existence?

"Be very careful before threatening us Bella Swan."

"Or what Aro Volturi? You will kill me? Don't be so sure that is within your power. I heard you were a deceiver and liar and now you have proved the truth of those words."

Marcus

I could see this escalating which would further none of our causes so I interrupted,

"Brothers, Bella, I think things have got a little heated, we should all calm down. Bella, The Major is not here but we are aware of his...location. Perhaps we could come to another arrangement?"

"Why should I believe anything you say Marcus?"

"Because I have not lied to you"

"Yet."

"True but as your goal is to free The Major perhaps you should at least hear my proposal."

"Very well, l I'm listening."

"We will send some of the guard to collect The Major and once he is here you will give your statement. Would that be a suitable alternative to destroying the building?"

"If she even has the power"

She turned on Caius and I could see the flames of rage banking up in her strangely glittering eyes.

"Would you like me to demonstrate on you Caius?"

He backed away and we all felt the air was thick with menace.

"I want your word again that if I give you what you want, reason enough to bring Carlisle and Edward to Volterra I will be free to leave and take Jasper with me."

Aro and I turned as one to look at Caius, knowing he was going to be the one to cause a problem if anyone did but he just stood, jaw jumping with tension and anger. Aro nodded,

"Very well. If you give us enough of a reason to have Carlisle and his creation Edward brought back to Volterra you and your "friend" The Major will be free to leave Italy. Is that enough of an undertaking for you?"

"If your brothers agree and we may leave once I have finished speaking, then yes."

Aro turned to me first,

"Marcus?"

"I agree."

"Caius?"

Caius turned black eyes from Bella to his brother,

"It would seem I have no option but I want it remembered that I agree only under protest."

Bella smiled at him,

"As long as you agree I couldn't give a shit how you do it Caius."

Her scorn of my brother was refreshing, I was beginning to like the girl.