Chapter Thirty Three

Alice

I had been watching Volterra so I knew as soon as Caius had his man. I hadn't expected the punishment he decided on for Jasper, it was antiquated but even more satisfying for that. We had become soft as a race and I gloried in Caius brutality. One down, I got a gold star for that. The only trouble was that I could no longer see Bella or Jasper so I was reliant on the people around them for information. Through Caius I saw Bella arrive in Volterra but her appearance there clouded that avenue and I cursed, it was much harder when I didn't know what my game pieces were up to. I decided that if anything was going to happen it would show at the Cullen house so I made a flying visit, after all I didn't want to get caught up in the Volturi drag net that might be coming soon.

Carlisle and Esme were out hunting with Edward and Emmett which left only Rose and she was pleased to see me, for now at any rate, but I more or less guaranteed she wouldn't be by the time I left!

"Alice its been ages. What have you been up to?"

I glanced out the window pensively,

"Oh not a lot, just watching things. It's amazing how much has happened over the past couple of years. Jazz betraying me with Bella. Poor Edward still getting over her treachery. It makes you wonder doesn't it?"

"Wonder?"

"Yes, if we really know anyone, even those closest to us"

Rose looked at me puzzled as I smiled inwardly, I did so love the game.

Rose

I was pleased to see Alice, I felt so sorry for her, after all she'd lost the love of her life, I couldn't imagine how I would cope with that experience. I was lucky to have such a close bond with Emmett. We loved each other so much, he never looked at another woman and I knew he never would.

"Have you seen anyone in your future Alice? Its hard being alone I'm sure."

Alice sighed deeply and I could see the venom welling up in her eyes,

"No, all I can think of is Jasper and the way he left me. I still see him in the garden with Bella, their limbs entwined."

Alice

Rose came over and hugged me,

"You poor thing. It makes me so glad I have dependable and trustworthy Emmett by my side,"

"Oh Rose..."

I hid my face in her shoulder and allowed myself to shake just a little as if racked by emotions.

"I'm sorry Alice that was insensitive of me. Where are you living now?"

"I don't really, I just wander from place to place. I've never found contentment anywhere since he left me."

"Why don't you come home Alice? I know Esme and Carlisle worry about you. We all love you, Emmett would be over the moon to have his little sister back."

Again I stiffened and this time she pulled back,

"Alice what's wrong?"

I shook my head tragically and she lifted my drooping head to look into my face,

"Alice, please tell me. Perhaps I can help."

Rose

I was feeling uneasy now and I wished she would just come out with whatever was troubling her but a few minutes later I was wishing I'd never seen her.

"Very well, I guess you have a right to know. I don't want you to find out the same way I did. Its Emmett."

"Emmett? What about him?"

"You know he disappeared a few months ago to organise your anniversary surprise"

I smiled warmly,

"Yes, we went on a river cruise and he hired the whole boat so we could dance under the stars and make love in the moonlight drifting down the river. Oh Alice he's so wonderful"

"He met Bella."

I couldn't believe what I'd just heard,

"Sorry?"

Alice

This was going to be fun,

"He travelled to see Bella Swan. He's been in contact with her ever since she moved away. I didn't want to hurt you Rose but I thought you should know, after all she's already broken my heart."

"Emmett lied to me so he could meet up with Bella Swan? Why?"

I shrugged,

"She seems to have some strange hold over all the Cullen men. First Edward, then Jasper and now Emmett."

"Has he slept with her Alice?"

I shook my head doubtfully,

"I don't know Rose. I only know they spent some time together, alone."

Rose was rigid with anger and just a little push would see her explode but I bided my time, I'd seen Emmett on his way back with Edward so I gave her a minute to really wind up then jumped to my feet.

"Oh, they're back. I'm sorry Rose. I didn't see everything but he did stay overnight at her apartment. I have to go, Emmett will kill me for telling you."

"Emmett won't be in any state to kill anyone when I've finished with him."

I had a quick peek into the near future and grimaced, this was going to be good! I skipped out as they came in and smiled as they passed me.

"Have fun boys"

Emmett

I didn't like the look on Alice's face as she passed us, why was she here? I peered into the lounge to see Rose standing by the window so I went over to kiss her neck,

"Miss me Rosie?"

"Yes but I won t miss this time"

She swung round and the crystal vase full of roses smashed against my face knocking me backwards in surprise.

I looked down at my dripping clothes and the broken stemmed roses that lay on the hardwood floor in confusion. Looking back up I was just in time to duck and avoid a roundhouse then I grabbed her wrists but her strength was augmented by rage and she broke free, her teeth crashing together on my shoulder. I cried out trying to free myself but it took the combined strength of Edward who had come in to see what all the noise was about and myself to subdue her enough that I could try talking.

"Rose, what's going on? Have you lost your senses?"

"No but you have. Let go of me, don't you dare touch me Emmett McCarty. Get out of my sight, run off to the Swan bitch, I know you've been sniffing around her like she's a bitch on heat."

"What?"

"Bella?"

Edward and I spoke together but then I knew what had happened. Alice had told Rose I went looking for Bella, but what else had she said?

"Rose we're going to let you go but I want you to calm down and I'll explain everything OK?"

"Explain? What's to explain? You slept with Bella Swan along with Edward and Jasper. I knew I was right about that little slut!"

Edward looked at me,

"You've seen Bella?"

"Yes I saw her but not to talk to, I just wanted to see how she was doing that's all. There's something really wrong here and I'd like a chance to discuss it. Now Rose will you listen if we let you go?"

Before she could answer two things happened together, Carlisle and Esme ran in and we heard a car coming down the driveway fast.

"The Volturi are coming and I don't think its a social visit. Rose, Emmett, Edward stop playing around. It might be better if you three left until we know what's going on. They don't make house calls for no reason. Go"

We got up and ran, out the back and through the woods then jumped into the stream and swam a mile upstream underwater before surfacing and looking at each other.

"What the hell is going on Emmett?"