Chapter Eighty Two
Aro
"My dear Bella, you look stunning, I take it you decided to join us immediately. A very wise move on your part"
"Yes, so it would seem or would I have gone the same way as my father I wonder?"
"Your father my dear?"
"Please don't insult my intelligence. You arranged it so I would be alone and easy prey without The Major around. What is it you want from me Aro? Because I tell you now that I will never work for you and the Volturi. If you force me to stay I will wreak havoc on you from within. All I want is my freedom, that of The Major and our friends."
"Bella, dear one. You obviously have things mixed up. We heard of your fathers death and I admit it seemed a sensible decision to invite you here so we could speak to you privately."
"We? I don't see any we, just you Aro."
"My brothers will be here soon. I believe they have gone to escort your husband and the Captain. It seems we have the whole Whitlock coven here, so nice."
"Is that a threat Aro? If so it doesn't scare me. You can kill us all but you won't get my gift. The first harmed or killed writes a death warrant for yourselves."
"Bella dear, threats are such unfriendly things"
"Oh I agree. So lets not use them shall we. I want to know who killed my father Aro."
"I'm not sure I can tell you that Bella"
"Nothing happens without your approval Aro, so please don't insult my intelligence."
"Very well, your father was killed because he knew our secret and as you know that is not allowed under any circumstances."
"Why didn't you offer him the chance to be changed?"
"I didn't see anything in him that would enhance the Volturi."
"And you knew that threatening him wouldn't get you me either."
I smiled but didn't answer, the others would be here momentarily and we would see if she was still so rebellious when their lives were threatened.
Jasper
I knew Bella was nearby because I could feel her and her emotions, she was angry but in control of that anger. I guessed Aro had been speaking to her but I also guessed he'd have no luck in enticing her to join the Volturi. As we walked through the huge doors I saw her squaring up to Aro in the centre, she was magnificent and I was so proud of her. She didn't turn but I heard her,
"Hello darling. I thought you'd be here soon. Aro and I were just having a rather interesting conversation. Do join us."
I did as she bid, putting my arm round her shoulder and pulling her close.
"It was Felix who killed Charlie." I told her.
"How do you know?"
"Charlie wasn't dead when Eddy got there. He told us who'd killed him."
She turned to Aro
"I want Felix"
"My dear Bella, I'm not handing you my best fighter."
"Oh why? You think I can take him? How very flattering."
"How about I take him on?" I offered.
Aro looked at me
"You? And if you lose?"
"I won't."
"Such arrogance! Very well Major as it was your mates family I will allow it, but if you lose Bella works willingly for me."
She answered before I could,
"Yes Aro we have a deal. If Jasper loses I have nothing left to live for."
"But you don't think he will?"
"No" she said to Aro with a smile and kissed me, "I know he won't."
Aro
She was so certain in her arrogance and I saw Caius and Marcus exchange a look. I turned to Jane,
"Fetch Felix."
She nodded and trotted out obediently throwing a glare at Bella and when Felix came in he was smirking, ready for a fight.
"Felix, Bella knows it was you who killed her father. Apparently you did a sloppy job, he was still alive when he was found. Most unsatisfactory, and now she wants reparation".
His smirk dimmed a little then came back at the last words, he cocked his head to one side and crooked a finger at her. She smiled back and shook her head,
"I have my own champion Felix. Lets see if you are as good when you are up against a real fighter."
His face when he saw it was The Major he would be fighting was almost comical in its shock.
The Major stepped forward, his face blank, Bella and Captain Peter Whitlock watching with amused expressions as if they knew something we didn't. When the attack came it was like lightening and equally as devastating. One moment The Major was standing, arms at his side relaxed, the next he had Felix on the ground one arm flying through the air to land at my feet. Felix recovered well and leapt away but he was slower and we all knew the fight was over although he came forward once more. Again The Major moved blindingly fast and this time Felix didn't get up. He lay face down on the floor, his remaining arm held in the Major's and a booted foot on the middle of his back.
"Bella?" He asked.
She looked at me and nodded.
Felix arm joined the other and it was followed closely by his head.
"We win I believe" she said to me with a smile.
"So be it" I answered and motioned for the two silent guards by the door to remove Felix from the room.
"If he comes after me or mine it will be permanent next time" The Major said.
But Bella interrupted, moving to stand before the guards and their bundle.
"NO. I won't watch my back for ever. Put him down"
They looked at me and I sighed before motioning them to drop their burden. She took a lighter from her pocket and set the pile alight watching as it burned to ash.
Caius and Marcus moved to my sides
"Brother we have to stop this now. We can't beat The Major and his mate. We need to make a peace with them" hissed Caius. "I warned you what he was capable of and that was without the protection of his mate. Felix never stood a chance, he couldn't get close enough to do any damage, surely you saw that."
I nodded, I'd seen. Then I looked at Bella,
"What is it you want now? You have your revenge."
"I want a guarantee of our safety, all of us, The Whitlocks and the Cullens."
I smiled
"You drive a hard bargain"
"Yes I'm a real bitch Aro. Its a shame you had to find out the hard way. Do I get what I want or do we need to continue this unequal pissing contest?"
Marcus spoke then, which shocked us all.
"Are you sure you want to protect The Cullens too?"
She looked at him and her smile became hard and malicious,
"Yes Marcus. We fight our own battles and I know exactly what you are alluding to. She will pay for what she did but I will pay her, not you."
Marcus inclined his head
"Then I don't think we need detain you or your friends any longer. Thank you for such an entertaining visit".
He bowed and walked out.
Then Caius stepped forward, his face its usual hard scowl,
"Don't push us again. It doesn't look good for the Volturi to be bested but it was a good fight and just for your information my money was always on The Major."
He too walked out, leaving me alone to speak to them.
"Very well played Bella, Major. You have your guarantee, please don't abuse it."
"If you play fair with us we wont Aro. But please don't assume we will forget what has happened"
Bella
We picked up Charlotte at the reception area where Aro had promised us she would be and made our way slowly to the hire car. Jasper and I hand in hand and Peter with his arm around his beloved Charlotte.
"So its over" I leaned my head on Jaspers shoulder.
"Until he decides he wants to try again, but I think it will be a long time. I think Aro's met his match with you Bella."
"Well you know what they say, lie down with dogs you're likely to get up with fleas. I learned at the feet of the master."
I kissed him gently.
"Lets go home."