Chapter Eighty Seven

Bella

Aro had just played right into my hands and I smiled as I answered,

"I have no idea, why don't you ask her to join us. After all she's making serious allegations, I think she should make them to our faces."

Caius hissed angrily but Marcus stepped forward with jerky movements,

"Aro, I think Bella has a point. Surely she has the right to face her accuser especially when it is so obvious that she and Jasper are mates which should be all the defense they need for their actions. Personally I think we are here under false pretenses."

So the silent Marcus had finally broken that silence and given his take on the situation. Neither Caius or Aro were happy that he'd spoken, that was easy to read on their faces.

"Very well. I suppose it would only be just."

He looked over to Felix,

"Please ask Carlisle and Esme Cullen to join us"

Felix bowed his head and disappeared.

"So you had them here anyway" I pointed out.

"I thought it politic to have them here if there were any problems and it seems there might be."

Aro was not a happy Volturi at this point.

Peter

I was watching the time nervously, the wolves would be making a move soon if Jasper and Bella didn't show and it looked increasingly doubtful that they would. I saw a couple of the huge beasts pacing too and fro angrily, shooting looks at their leader who sat in human form seemingly undisturbed by our presence and staring into space.

"Do you think they really will attack?" Char whispered.

"I haven't the faintest idea but by the way our luck has been running of late pretty fucking possibly."

Sam stood and the wolves stopped moving but he shook his head and they resumed. Obviously it wasn't chow time for them yet.

"Peter. You said that Bella killed Charlie?"

"She did."

"Why?"

"He couldn't take his new life. He was changed against his will and it was killing him inside."

He nodded, looking at his feet,

"And Bella?"

"She is with her beloved Jasper. She's happy in her new life."

Still looking at his feet he sighed,

"I don't think the Elders would want revenge under those circumstances, although the treaty was broken the spirit of it wasn't. Bella wanted to be changed"

One of the larger wolves had moved closer to the conversation and snarled at Sam's last words.

"Enough Paul."

The sound of the Alpha's command stopped the growling immediately.

"I need to talk to the pack"

He turned and ran into the trees followed by the other wolves.

"Did we just get a reprieve?"

"Fucked if I know. I just wish The major and Bella would get here. These mutts are driving me crazy."

Bella

It wasn't long before Carlisle and Esme arrived but I was surprised and saddened to see Emmett and Rose in their company. I glared at Esme but behind her Emmett looked very unhappy. Aro turned and greeted them, looking more at Carlisle than Esme. His next words gave pause for thought,

"My dearest Carlisle. I know you are wondering why you were summoned here so abruptly but we have something of a problem."

I saw in Carlisle's eyes that he had no idea what was going on although Esme's were blazing with hatred for me and I didn't understand why.

"Aro it's always a pleasure to meet with you, but as you say I have no idea why we are all here. Perhaps someone could enlighten me."

"But of course my friend. Esme would you like to speak?"

Carlisle looked at her puzzled as she nodded and walked forward facing me,

"Yes Aro willingly. Since we first met Bella has done everything in her power to split my family and cause grief to us all. Because of her and her lies and games I have lost two of my dearest children. The two who made my life worthwhile, who looked to me for guidance and I know you understand why best of all Aro. My daughter was forced to flee in fear for her life and having found her true mate in Bella's father and changing him at his request she was murdered by another of my sons, one I took in and loved as the others but who repaid that with violence and hatred."

We were all looking at Esme with open mouths, not believing what we were hearing. She had obviously been existing in a parallel universe because her story didn't fit any of the facts.

Carlisle

I had been concerned when we received the invitation to meet with Aro because it came out of the blue and with no explanation but now I saw. Esme had tried to get revenge for the deaths of Alice and Edward and done so in the most dangerous of ways, by involving Aro and the Volturi. What I still didn't understand was the reference to Aro understanding why she acted as she did. I was missing a piece of the puzzle but I didn't think it would continue that way for much longer. Aro scowled at her and I knew he was unhappy with what she'd said, involving him in the problem.

"My dear Esme, Bella and Jasper have explained what happened and why and I have to say it all sounds very plausible. May I?"

He held out his hands to her and she hesitated although I knew it wasn't a request but a command wrapped prettily. He looked at her in anticipation and she moved forward slowly to place hers between his. As he closed his eyes she looked at me in panic, what had she done? I looked at Bella who was as puzzled as I by Esme's words and as I watched Emmett and Rose moved away from her towards their brother and his mate. It seemed it was time to take sides and I didn't have enough information to make one as yet so I stayed where I was, where I would in all probability stay, beside Esme my mate, for better or worse.

Bella

Esme started to speak again as Emmett and Rose came over to stand beside Jasper and myself, pulling her hands from Aro's.

"See" she screeched pointing at them, "Now she's drawing the ones I have left to her. Do something" she said this to Aro not Carlisle and I saw him shake his head minutely. Esme's look was stricken as she got his message.

"I'd like to know what started all this" queried Carlisle.

"Oh I'm sure you would Carlisle now the penny is finally dropping. You never cared about me, only your precious Edward and after him the others, Rose and Emmett. When did you ever stop to ask me how I felt about everything?"

"I don't understand Esme. You wanted a family and when I could I helped to give you one. I know Alice and Jasper weren't the same as the others but you seemed to take to them, to bring them into the family and love them"

"Love them? Love him? A cold-blooded killer with no redeeming qualities? I had no choice, to take in Alice I had to accept him too."

"Alice? She was why you accepted Jasper?"

"Of course, why else would I have him in the family. He isn't fit to be in civilized company. Look what he's done to us. We stand alone Carlisle, our family wrecked because of him and that Jezebel who lead all my sons on and ultimately destroyed them."

We all stood aghast as the truth slowly came out.