Chapter Thirty Nine.

Alice

I was pleased with the outcome so far, Bella had actually gone to Volterra to save Jazz and give evidence against Carlisle and the rest of the family resulting in their arrest. It was so much fun that it was worth all the hard work involved in setting it all up. Now the three remaining Cullens were going to beard the lion in his den. I wondered what they would think when they heard the truth. Would they see and admire my hard work or would they be angry and vengeful? I wasn't afraid of them, after all I could see anything they planned. Bella and Jazz themselves were more problematical as I couldn't see either of them but provided they used help, Peter, Garrett, or Darius, I would get some warning and could soon skip the country. I was ready to return to Europe in any case. I longed for the sun and sea of my Spanish island villa. In all, my little games had proved very profitable but this had been done purely for the challenge. I didn't think I could ever top this one and my colleagues who had watched with admiration were already sending in their accolades.

I was tempted to travel to Texas and spy on the proceedings because I would be blind and deaf when Bella returned there but it was a little too dangerous even for me. I wanted to witness the destruction of Carlisle and his precious Edward. I doubted the others would be killed, probably just be assimilated into the guard but that in itself was a good result. Did I feel guilty? Not in the slightest. I treated myself tonight breaking into the city zoo and helping myself to a caged tiger, it was quite a thrill but really not as good as the game. The tiger reminded me of poor Jazz, a captive animal desperate to get out. His suffering had been a real buzz.

I expected a call any time and laid bets on who it would be, not peeking so it was fair! When it rang I saw Esme's number,

"Esme? How lovely I've missed you."

"Alice listen I have to warn you the Volturi are looking for you along with the others, Carlisle and I have already been taken and he's been found guilty of breaking the law. It's all Bella's fault."

"Oh I think that's a little unfair Esme. After all she didn't do anything really."

"Alice that's very charitable but she betrayed us to Aro."

"I know, that was always the goal."

"What? You aren't making any sense Alice."

"Yes I am. This was all a game Esme. My game and its reaching the conclusion now. It went even better than I could have dreamed."

"A game? Alice what are you saying?"

"I arranged it all Esme, it was all lies. Bella never had an affair with Jazz or anyone else. She is as pure and innocent as driven snow. It was all lies, all orchestrated, and you all fell for it, well except Emmett but he helped without even knowing poor boy and Carlisle who chose to believe he was protecting her. Still thank you for playing, its been fun"

I disconnected and wondered how long it would be before she told Carlisle the truth.

Carlisle

I couldn't make sense of Esme's words for a while, she was so upset and angry but eventually she got the words out and I discovered this had all been Alice's scheme.

"Why Carlisle? Why would she do this to us? We took her in, we loved her."

"I think it's a kink in her personality Esme, one I turned a blind eye to. The one I feel sorry for is Bella when I think of the things I said to her father about his daughter. I'm ashamed of what I did Esme, Bella was shocked by my actions but even more upset at the fact her father believed me so easily."

"Carlisle, did you ever suspect Alice's story about Bella and Jasper? Because I didn't.

I looked away guiltily, I should have told Esme the truth a longh while ago but I hated the remembrance of the influence I'd used on Charlie, especially now I knew I too had been played by Alice. Esme didn't wait for the answer which was a relief but continued talking.

"You have to tell Aro."

"Why? It wont make any difference. I still broke the law, who orchestrated it is immaterial. No, Alice made a superb job of tying us all in an impenetrable knot. She may well see us all killed before this is over and maybe we deserve it for the pain it caused an innocent girl. We were all taken in one way or another by Alice. Be fair Esme, if anyone else had told you such a tale about Bella what would you have said?"

"I'd have laughed in their faces but that's not the point."

"Yes it is. We believed Alice because we always believed her. We relied on Alice, she lulled us into it and that's our fault for allowing it, not hers. I just hope the others can stay free long enough to find the truth. For myself I'm a fool and I deserve whatever punishment the Volturi decide to mete out though by rights it should be Bella and Jasper meting out the justice not Aro and his brothers"

I knew Esme couldn't understand my stance on the subject but I felt responsible for it all. Alice manipulation of us all, Bella's loss of character and her fathers trust. What had I done?

Aro

So far there was no news on Edward and the others although Demetri was on their trail.

"I think we should go ahead and make an example of Carlisle and his mate"

"Really Alec? What do you suggest I do? Behead them in public? Have them flogged? What exactly do you suggest?"

"Aro, I think Alec is just eager to feel his feet on the ruling council. Even after all these years you are still impatient Alec. Aro never intended to kill Carlisle."

"But that's the punishment for his crimes Marcus"

"In normal situations yes but Carlisle is not only a close friend but an extremely clever man. I would hate to deprive our world of his talents. No, I think Carlisle's sentence will be commuted to life exile here in Volterra. Believe me it will be worse than death to a sensitive soul like Carlisle. He suffered when he stayed before, all the killing and cruelty cut him to the bone."

"What about Esme? If you kill her he'll never work for you Aro"

"Alec, that's why I have such as Corin and Chelsea, for just these situations. I think the people will expect to see some form of justice meted out so Alec this can be your first official engagement as one of the Volturi brothers. You can pass sentence and arrange for the execution. Jane dear would you ask Chelsea to come here, I have a task for her."

Marcus was scandalised, he knew only too well Carlisle's future, it reflected his own but there was nothing he could do about it, nothing at all.

Once Alec had left us Marcus continued the conversation.

"Are you sure its wise to give Alec this responsibility Aro?"

"Of course brother. That way if anything goes wrong we can always lay the blame at his feet. Just make sure you are absent for the deeds and you'll be fine. It will be a shame to lose Esme, she is a sweet thing but the law is the law."

"Could we not commute her sentence too?"

"Alas no Marcus, too many pardoned and we would lose our reputation as upholders of the law, unless of course you wanted her for yourself that is. I know you've been alone far too long brother."

"Aro, you are on very dangerous ground now so back off. I wouldn't consider doing the kind of thing our brother was so keen on. A mate is a mate and mates should never be separated, its the law. Therefore if you murder Esme then it follows you must also murder Carlisle."

"Murder brother? Who speaks of murder? This will be an execution of sentence passed by the jury we had assembled."

"Hardly, but I refuse to argue with you Aro. Do as you please, you always do in any case."