Chapter Forty Four

Aro

We had been following Bella's departure and I have to admit that her confrontation at the ranch with Edward was entertaining, she even told him she was going to hand him over to us but what of Alice? So far she hadn't been mentioned in any depth. Of course we knew of the Payers although most of their action was secret even from the Volturi. Alice was one of the top three and I liked her for that. Anyone who could manipulate a whole slew of people and ruin so many lives doing so deserved appreciation. She would be an admirable addition to the Volturi and with this little game she was handing herself to me on a plate. Biting off more than you could chew was a good way of getting yourself killed or at the least betrayed in turn. We also watched Carlisle and Esme but they stayed in their suite quiet as mice waiting for the cat to enter the room. Marcus had spoken to me on several occasions about commuting Esmes sentence but I wanted something to bargain with and her life was as good as anything.

Marcus

Since Caius death things had changed in Volterra, Athenadora had come down from the tower and demanded to know exactly what had happened to her husband although when told of his actions she hadn't looked terribly surprised.

"What about his mistress?"

Aro had looked shocked but I thought she knew more than she ever let on. Seeing his expression she laughed bitterly,

"Aro you look astounded. Did you really think he could keep a secret like that from me? From his own wife? I could smell her on him when he visited."

"I did wonder dear one."

"Don't dear one me, you kept silent about his activities and did nothing which makes you equally as guilty. I want to know what is to happen to Darius sister now my dear husband is dead."

"I think perhaps it would be as well to release her Aro"

My brother looked at me while Alec merely scowled, after having his authority weakened at the sentencing by Aro he was very wary of speaking.

"Let her go? Don't you think she is useful as a hostage for her brothers good behaviour?"

"Are you frightened of Darius Aro? He's just one man, what could he possibly do to us, to you?"

Aro glowered at me, he hated any inference that he might be anything less than fearless.

"I don't see Darius as a personal threat brother, no. I do think he could be a nuisance if he decided he wanted to be. And do we really want someone who could cause chaos loose and unfettered in any way?"

"I think if you do not release her then you are condoning Caius actions which will open you to a charge of complicity. Besides which I understand Darius is helping Bella and The Major so he has powerful allies."

My brother pondered on this then turned to Athenadora,

"What do you say my dear?"

Athenadora smiled,

"I think you broke the law in many ways Aro. You killed her mate and kept her alive then allowed my husband to keep her as a concubine against her will. Darius sister is guilty of nothing more than drawing the attention of a monster like my husband. Tell Chelsea to free her and send her on her way."

Aro wasn't happy with this but I doubted he would argue the point, he needed Athenadora and myself on side. If we decided to stand with Alec or together we could cause him severe problems and he finally understood that I was free at least in part of Chelsea's gift myself. It had taken centuries to wriggle free but I had finally achieved it. I wasn't sure I could act directly against him but I could and would make his life extremely unpleasant and painful. I saw him weighing all this up then he turned rapidly to Felix,

"Fetch the woman."

Even now he couldn't bring himself to use her name, as if by keeping her anonymous he could pretend no crime had been committed.

Aro

I had to play this very carefully or I could risk losing the support of Marcus and Athenadora. How Marcus was able to act as freely as he did was a mystery to me but then he was a very intelligent man and he'd had centuries to find a way around Chelsea's gift if such a way existed. When Felix brought in the girl I could see she had heard of Caius death and it pleased her so Chelsea had already pulled back. I hoped she wasn't going to prove a problem also.

"I see you have heard the sad news"

"Yes, the devil is dead, I wish I could dance on his grave."

"I see. Well his...widow has asked that you be freed."

She looked at Athenadora as if weighing her up. Perhaps she expected a trap but Athenadora just smiled faintly and nodded her head,

"You weren't the only prisoner my husband kept. I too lived in a prison of sorts. Go home to your brother and ask that he accept my apologies behalf of my husband, my late husband.

She looked from one to the other still uncertain then took a few steps towards the door, expecting to be halted. I nodded and Felix held it open for her.

"Ask Sulpicia to give you money and your papers. The Volturi jet will be waiting for you in Pisa."

She turned back,

"You can go to hell Aro and take the rest of the Volturi with you. I don't want your charity or your jet. I want only what is mine. Payment for the years I've spent as Caius prostitute."

She turned again and strode out of the room and I smiled inwardly, she reminded me somewhat of Bella Swan, the same arrogance, the same self confidence. I wondered if they would meet and if they did would they take to each other?

Athenadora

Having succeeded in my mission I excused myself and ran to catch up with the girl before she left.

"Stop Jenny please, just for a moment,"

She hesitated then stopped and waited for me.

"Here, I think you deserve this for all you've been through."

I handed her a brown envelope.

"There's no need for you to see Sulpicia, half Caius personal fortune is in that account. I don't care what you do with it, that's for you to decide. Will you do something for me though?"

"What?"

"Tell Bella to do her worst to the Volturi but spare Carlisle and Esme Cullen, they were played by the best, by Alice but she too has a backer if not a guide, he styles himself the Lord of Mischief but he goes by a more familiar name too, Aro Volturi. Perhaps she should be looking to punish him too but that's for her to decide. I am truly sorry for what happened to you and I hope you and your brother seek revenge."

"What about you? Why should I trust anything you say?"

"I don't have a good reason so you must decide for yourself. Good luck and again I'm so sorry. I wish I could have helped sooner but Caius was a brutal and cunning man and I feared for my own safety".