Chapter Thirty One
Jasper
I walked out slowly at her side and Felix fell in behind us but Bella didn't even seem to notice him, as if he meant little to her and certainly no danger. I felt her anger at my torture but also a cold clinical calm and I wondered what exactly she meant to do. She squeezed my hand and spoke low,
"Don't worry Jasper we'll soon be out of here, I just have one thing to do but I promise you that I will not let the Volturi touch you again."
As she spoke we entered the audience chamber and I felt something wrap around me, shielding me from the emotions of everyone except Bella. It was a strange feeling, almost as if her arms were wrapped around me. There were a large group of vampires standing silent in the room but why were they there? They seemed to be waiting for Bella because a low murmur went up when they saw her enter and all eyes then switched to me. They could see what had been done and I wondered if any of them would be courageous enough to complain to Aro about it? Probably not!
Bella
I looked at Aro and then the assembled witnesses and nodded,
"I'll give my testimony but then we leave."
Aro nodded his agreement so I faced the assembled witnesses again and told my story, how Edward had revealed himself as a vampire to me and Carlisle had told me of their history. How Edward did not want me to become a vampire and Carlisle had backed his decision.
"Then they decided to leave, just disappeared without a word, leaving me knowing that vampires existed and where their headquarters were. That's how I knew where to come for Jasper after you left your calling card."
Aro's eyes narrowed but my attention was on Jaspers face which looked shocked, I knew he wondered why I was doing this but I didn't have time to explain now.
"You only mentioned Carlisle and Edward, what about the rest of the family?"
"Rosalie argued against Edward telling me. I don't know about Emmett."
"And Esme? Alice?"
"They left knowing I had knowledge of the vampire world and the Volturi but they never told me about it."
"There is just one thing, wasn't The Major involved in saving you?"
"The Major and I are connected, we're mates. By bringing him here you broke your own law on the separation of mates."
"No one knew about you at the time Bella Swan."
"Is ignorance of the law allowed as an excuse in your world?"
Marcus interrupted Aro at this point,
"No Bella, it is not. However I think if you will excuse us this mistake we can excuse his part in the crime."
"So, do you have enough on the Cullens?"
Aro nodded thoughtfully,
"Well let us see. Brothers and sisters, you have heard this woman's statement, do you find Carlisle and Edward Cullen guilty of breaking our laws?"
I watched as they glanced at each other then one, the spokesman, stepped forward,
"We do."
"And is it your wish that they be summoned to Volterra to answer the charges?"
"Again we do."
"And the other Cullens?"
From his tone of voice Aro gave them to understand he wasn't too interested in the others and the spokesman picked up on this,
"We find the others only guilty by omission."
"Then I think we can safely leave them at liberty for now, however action may be taken at a later date."
I thought I would feel cheated by this but in my heart two of the three I wanted to see punished for destroying my life had been found guilty and would be punished. I smiled encouragingly at Jasper who again looked weak, he really needed to hunt although whether human or animal I couldn't tell. His eyes were a vivid red after the human blood he had been given to heal his body and I wouldn't blame him if he reverted to a human hunter, we just needed to get out of Volterra.
"Then I think my task is over Aro. I'd like to leave now."
I waited unsure if he would allow me to go without a final throw of the dice.
Aro
While Bella had given me Carlisle and Edward, even the others if I changed my mind which was always a possibility I didn't think she understood her own position, she was still at least part human and could not therefore be allowed to leave. She would have to stay as our guest until her transformation was complete. Marcus knew what I was thinking and shook his head in warning,
"You do that brother and you will bring her wrath down on us. She's already proved her capabilities and I for one don't wish to go the same way."
"Are you afraid of a mere human girl Marcus?"
"No, I am afraid of the might of justice against injustice."
I ignored him and sighed regretfully,
"Unfortunately Bella I think our witnesses may have something to say about that."
The spokesman stepped forward again dutifully,
"If you allow the human girl to leave Volterra before she is fully transformed then you will be breaking the law just as the Cullens did."
"See Bella, much as I would like to set you free my own laws prohibit me from doing so."
"I rather thought you might try something like that Aro. You gave me your word and the witnesses heard you so you already broke your own laws. Either you allow me to leave with Jasper or I will force you to. As they say, its your move."
Bella
I waited for Aro to respond as Marcus looked at me, a smile playing about his lips and Jasper, next to me, squeezed my hand gently.
"Don't worry Jasper, everything is under control, I anticipated this double cross."
Aro heard my words and scowled, he hated to be put in an awkward position and now he was knee-deep in one.
"It's never wise to threaten ones superiors Bella. You are a mere human while we have the might of the Volturi guard behind us. Perhaps you should think again. What I will promise you is that The Major will not be tortured again.
"Oh I know that Aro because I will not allow it and trust me, I know exactly what I'm doing.
As I spoke the words I realised they were true, I did know. I knew they couldn't hurt me or Jasper, not any more, they couldn't even touch us nor could they stop us leaving when we were ready but I would give Aro one more opportunity to save face.
"You made a special case for me Aro, doesn't that include an exception to the law under these circumstances?"
"I think Bella is right Aro."
Aro turned to look at his brother angrily,
"I'm sorry but there can be no exemptions Bella. I should have realised that when I agreed to your terms, please forgive me but I would like to welcome you into our world here in Volterra."
"I don't think so. I'm leaving now with Jasper and anyone who tries to stop us or pursue us will answer to me."
Grasping Jasper's hand a little more firmly I turned and he limped beside me to the chamber doors where Felix stood arms folding barring the way. I turned back to Aro,
"Call your guard dog off Aro."
He remained silent calling my bluff so I closed my eyes and allowed the rage that had been simmering below the surface its freedom.
Aro
Did she really think I would make an exception for her, no, it was time to call her bluff and I shook my head at Felix who looked from me to Marcus then stepped aside. What on earth was he thinking?
"Alec, Jane."
Hearing their names my two most powerful gifts arrayed themselves between Bella and the door. Bella sighed and looked at me again,
"Do you really want to do this Aro? I'm fast losing patience and next time someone else is going to get hurt."
I nodded at the twins and they focused on Bella and The Major but it was soon apparent that neither gift was touching either of them.
Bella
I was tired of Aro's games and worried for Jasper feeling how weak he was, so once he set his two pit bulls on me I lost my temper altogether and my rage became something tangible picking the two up and slamming them from ceiling to floor over and over until they lay broken bodies on the floor then I stepped over and looked down on them before addressing him once more.
"Last warning Aro. These two can be mended, next time it will be permanent."
"You are free to go Bella, just assure us that you will not be using your powers against the Volturi."
"You have that assurance Marcus but come for me or Jasper or any of our friends and I will return, but next time I will destroy Volterra itself."
Both Aro and Marcus stood very still as Jasper and I turned and left the chamber. He staggered slightly in the corridor then recovered himself
"Hang on Jasper, we'll be out of here soon."
It was dark when we left the clock tower and I looked around the square for a means of transport. Seeing a moped left outside a bar with the keys in I didn't hesitate to take it and helping Jasper on the back I rode out of Volterra and down the winding road towards Pisa not sure where I was going but I knowing I couldn't fly back with Jasper as he was. A figure stepped out into the centre of the road and I swerved but heard Jaspers voice in my ear,
"Its OK Bella, he's friendly."
Looking closer I recognised Garrett and pulled the moped to a halt at his feet. As I did so another figure joined him, one I had never seen before and again I tensed but Jasper hadn't so he must know this stranger too.