Chapter Eighty Six
Jasper
So Aro was coming, I thought about what his main problems with us would be and what if anything we could do about them to save ourselves. Also I wanted to know what they knew and who had told them.
Bella knowing our secret was already a moot point because she was now a vampire.
Charlie had paid the ultimate price for his knowledge so we could hardly be blamed for that.
The worst problem were the deaths of Edward and Alice who Aro had really wanted for the Volturi Guard. We were responsible for their deaths and there was no getting round the fact however, I had been protecting my mate which should count for something. It depended on Aro's state of mind when he got here and how the other two reacted. I looked at Bella who was busy studying Jane but looking very relaxed. She felt my eyes on her and turned to me with a brilliant smile,
"Don't worry Jazz. Whatever happens we'll be together."
I took her hand in mine and kissed it as Jane snorted in derision,
"I wouldn't be so sure about that Bella. Aro will be demanding payment for what you've done and I don't think playing happy families will be in his mind."
The terrible thing was that she was right, he wouldn't care about us as a couple unless forced to by someone else. Marcus would see the connection between us so I hoped he might speak up in our defence although he spoke so rarely since his wife's death, so couldn't be relied on.
Bella
We knew when the brothers were approaching because the Volturi already here went very still, as if standing to attention which made me smile again. Through the misty dawn we saw four cloaked figures appear, the three brothers and of course Aro's personal shield Renata, he never went anywhere without her. Jasper squeezed my hand and we turned to kiss, hopefully not for the last time, then turned our attention back to the brothers. Caius looked angry as usual and Marcus bored, so no change there either! It was Aro who stepped closer with Renata at his shoulder,
"Bella and Jasper, it is with sadness that I have been forced to arrange this meeting. It seems that laws have been broken and unnecessary deaths occurred. I assume you know what I am referring to?"
I stood silent, letting Jasper speak for us both,
"I understand that you might have been told some stories about things we are supposed to have done Aro although I have no idea who would do such a thing."
Aro smiled,
"Ah, my sources are protected of course but we are quite ready to hear your account."
"Is that why you sent the Guard to our home Aro?"
"Jasper, after such a long journey it would have been unfortunate if you had been unavailable to talk to us. They were a precaution against such a thing happening, no more. I hope they haven't been discourteous to either of you"
Aro looked at Jane and Alec who stood solemn faced.
Aro
This was going to be a very interesting meeting, they were going to fight their corner, I loved verbal sparring, especially when I held the trump cards.
"So my friends shall we begin? I understand that Bella's father was informed of our secret, a breach of the law. Is he with you still?"
"My father is dead Aro. I killed him after Alice changed him. So you see no law is broken and the secret safe."
"Oh good, but very upsetting for you I'm sure. Unfortunately we only have your word for it that Alice was responsible. Still I think we can dispense with that little problem under the circumstances."
I heard Caius hiss behind me but he kept silent, he knew we had plenty more ammunition and it always looked good if we passed over small indiscretions. The Volturi had to look fair.
"We understand that the problem of your knowledge was quickly dealt with so that too can be overlooked, however that still leaves the rather more difficult problems. The murder of Alice and Edward Cullen"
"That was self-defence" Jasper's answer was fast and curt.
"That is your excuse for killing two extremely gifted members of our race? Because I hear differently."
Jasper
Now we were getting to the truth,
"Really Aro? I would like to hear what you were told."
"Of course my dear Jasper. I would never condemn anyone without knowing all the details of the...crime.
We have been told that Alice Cullen was murdered because she wanted to start a relationship with someone she thought was her mate. You realize that if this is true then a very great crime was committed."
"Alice was killed because she was trying to kill Bella, my mate. She used Bella's father as bait to get Bella, he was never her mate or even close."
Aro narrowed his eyes and looked back at his brothers.
"Well as both are now dead it would be difficult to get to the truth. Perhaps we should give the Whitlocks the benefit of the doubt"
Caius cut in here,
"What? Benefit of the doubt? We have someone willing to swear to the truth of her accusations."
So it was a she, that meant Esme and that was bad, especially if she were backed by Carlisle because Aro held him in great esteem.
Aro
Caius had inadvertently told them who their accuser was, I saw that in Jaspers eyes, a pity but not disastrous.
"And Edward Cullen's death? Was that also in self-defence?"
He could hardly answer in the affirmative as we knew the circumstances surrounding this event.
Bella stepped in here, putting her arm out to stop her mate,
"No Aro, no one said Edwards death was self-defence. His death was revenge pure and simple, for what he did to me. I make no excuses for it and would do it again in a heartbeat as would every other vampire I've ever met."
She was very sure of herself and I wondered if she had more cards to play.
"Bella, revenge is one thing but I understand he was tortured first on your behalf."
She smiled happily,
"Oh yes Aro indeed he was. Do you know what they did to him or would you like me to tell you?"
I was curious because our source didn't know all the details. Her own source hadn't seen everything.
"Please do my dear but remember you are talking to your judge and jury"
"You have no right to judge me Aro. I followed your lead in what I did. You wouldn't have stood for someone attacking you without retaliating and that's exactly what it was, retaliation. I had been attacked and raped by Edward while still a human, something he needed to pay for. I don't expect you to understand what that is like but I do expect you to understand my mates reaction when he finally got his hands on the coward. Edward Cullen was a disgrace to our world and he was dangerous. Left to his own devises he would have stopped at nothing to obtain me as an unwilling mate. I would have thought you might understand that at least. So in payment for his actions he was emasculated before being killed. If you still doubt that Jasper and I are indeed mates then ask Marcus to read our connection, although it should be plain to see."
"Quite a pretty speech Bella, there is just one thing I would like you to explain to me. Why would my informant lie?"