Chapter Ninety Four

Peter

I got a fast car from the rental agency after using my well polished lines, the girls behind the desks were putty in my hands! The others piled in the back leaving Rose up front with me. I think it was done on purpose knowing she was the car whiz.

"Before we go I just want to warn you I don't take kindly to passenger seat drivers"

She smiled over at me,

"Then drive well and you wont get any advice."

I was looking forward to the drive before that, afterwards I felt her eyes on me constantly but luckily I didn't wrap us round a tree or drive off the road. By the time we sighted Volterra I was a bumbling wreck

"Fuck it you can drive back."

She laughed,

"You did OK Whitlock."

Great praise indeed coming from her.

Bella

When we got to the clock tower it was getting dark so we waited while Peter parked up just outside the walls.

"It seems a sensible precaution with those fuckers" he said when he got back and we all walked in to the spacious reception area. The young girl behind the desk looked nervous when she saw the crowd appear all together but she took a deep breath smiled and spoke in flawless but accented English,

"Welcome, how may I help you?"

"We're here to see Aro" I explained smiling.

"Oh, could I have a name and I'll ring through. Are you expected?"

I Handed her the letter of invitation and she glanced at it quickly.

"Please excuse me a moment And I'll announce your arrival."

She scurried away through a glass door behind her and I saw her pick up a phone.

"Nervous little mite isn't she?" noted Peter.

Emmett sat down with Char and Rose while we stood waiting. She wasn't gone long.

"I'm so sorry to keep you waiting. Someone will come to escort you to Aro soon. Can I get you anything while you wait?"

I smiled and shook my head before turning away to look at the square through the entrance doors. The dusk meant the lights had been turned on outside and sparkled through the water droplets from the fountain. It was very peaceful, hard to believe it was the power seat of the worlds vampire population. Jasper stood by my side his arm around my shoulder stroking the top of my arm making me want to purr like a contented cat.

Jasper

I knew we wouldn't be kept waiting too long, it would be a sign of respect for us to be greeted quickly and I was right, Jane and Demitri appeared to show us through almost immediately. They didn't speak except to ask us to accompany them so we kept our peace following them down the long stone corridors to the audience chamber. When we went through the huge double doors we saw the three brothers seated and watching as we walked over. Aro rose from his chair and came to greet us arms outstretched,

"How nice to see you all looking so well. Thank you for agreeing to visit so speedily. Welcome to Volterra."

Jasper and I stepped forward to answer him,

"It seemed politic to answer swiftly Aro. What exactly is it that we can do for you? I thought our contact with you was at an end after our last meeting."

"Bella, it is always a pleasure to see and speak to you and your mate, Major"

He bowed slightly and Jasper mirrored his movement.

"Our last meeting was disagreeable all round and I apologise for that. We have heard sad news about Carlisle and Esme. So sad to lose a colleague, I shall miss Carlisle especially. It seems the Cullen coven is no more. I see Rosalie and Emmett have joined you. I assume this is a permanent thing?"

"They can stay as long as they wish to but I'm sure that isn't why you asked us to come."

"Alas no, I have more disturbing news that I have to ask you about. It seems that you have had a relationship with some werewolves"

Bella

That came out of left field!

"I'm sorry Aro? What?"

"Werewolves my dear Bella. It was quite shocking to us to hear that."

"I have no idea where you heard that Aro, but it is totally untrue"

Caius stood up at this, his chair scraping along the rough flagstones,

"She lies Aro, to protect them".

I looked over to him,

"Calling me a liar is a dangerous thing to do Caius. I know of no werewolves despite your informant."

"Really, then our informant is a liar?"

"That I couldn't possibly comment on, not knowing who it is. All I can tell you is that I have no knowledge of any werewolves and neither do the rest of my party."

I looked steadily into Aro's eyes as I spoke and I saw a frown cross his brow.

Aro

She wasn't lying but at least one of the others in her party looked a little less sure.

"They lie Aro, look at their faces."

I put my hand up,

"Caius please we cannot call our friends here liars."

"We can if they are"

"If we are lying then provide proof and your informant." Bella shot at him.

I shook my head,

"Bella, I don't think name calling was intended. No one is calling you a liar. Could you be mistaken though?"

"Mistaken about whether I know any werewolves? That's hardly likely now is it Aro? We know of no werewolves. What are we accused of doing with these werewolves?"

"Accused of? Associating with them is enough to forfeit your lives" Caius snapped again.

"Well its good that we haven't then isn't it?" Bella gave as good as she got.

Jasper moved forward then and held out his hand,

"Try me, I have no knowledge of werewolves either."

I looked at his proffered hand unsure. If I took it and didn't see werewolves we would look rather stupid and he was obviously confident I wouldn't,

"That wont be necessary. Our informant was obviously mistaken."

Caius glared before turning and stalking from the room necessitating an apology from me of his rudeness,

"I am so sorry, I'm sure you know Caius history with werewolves. He is a little touchy on the subject. There is one other thing though. We had information that Carlisle was working on a certain project which his daughter has now taken on. Is this a lie also? Rosalie, perhaps you could answer this one?"