Chapter Ninety Nine

Jasper

I had no idea how they managed it but Peter and Charlotte were waiting at the airport for us, his face beaming.

"So we get to fight after all."

"No we get to stop a fight Peter. Or at least that's the idea"

"Oh fuck and I was so looking forward to kicking Caius ass. So you gonna tell us what all the dark doings was about Bells?"

"Not now. Later, did Rose and Emmett leave with you?"

"Yeah they'll be there in a few hours. Looking forward to the flight Major?"

I glared at him,

"You start anything this time Peter and I swear I'll put you out on the wing."

"Touchy! I'll behave, scouts honour"

"Were you ever a scout?"

"Nah, but it always sounds good. They wouldn't have had me anyway"

"Not if they wanted to stay sane"

"True."

Bella

The flight was mercifully peaceful, Peter reclined his seat, closed his eyes, and that was it. He never moved until the seat belt light went back on as we were coming in to land.

"See, I can do it if I try."

"Well done Peter, you get a gold star for good behaviour."

I must admit a quiet Peter worried me more than his usual behaviour and I wondered if he weren't plotting something for later, you just never knew with him. I saw Jasper glance at him uneasily too and Char grabbed his arm as soon as we landed.

"Any nonsense from you I'm gonna give you to Caius to play with"

"Fuck me. I'm behaving and I still can't win."

There was no point in announcing our arrival to Caius if he didn't already know so I rang Volterra and spoke to Marcus.

"We're here, do you need our help?"

"Caius got wind that Aro knew his plans and he fled. We don't know where he is now but he has a band of rebels with him. Not strong enough to take us on but enough to cause trouble in the human world. I think he's hoping to find those wolves and prove you a liar. That's the way to get Aro and myself looking bad so he can try out as new leader of the Volturi"

"Well he wont find any werewolves in Forks"

"No wolves at all would be my bet. You are very clever Bella, I'd hate to have you as an enemy."

"Thank you I'll take that as a compliment. What do you want us to do?"

"Well Caius wont be away long, he cant afford to give us time to call in our favours so it might make a nasty surprise for him if he was to see you standing beside us when he returns. Would that be possible?"

"Oh I think that could be arranged but of course there will be a price to be paid Marcus"

"But of course, I wouldn't have expected any less of you. What is it you want this time Bella?"

"Caius is too dangerous to be allowed to continue as a Volturi. I think he will have to be eliminated Marcus."

"That could be arranged I'm sure. I will of course have to speak to Aro first. Can we expect you soon?"

"Yes. Soon."

Jasper

When Bella put the phone down I looked at the smile on her face,

"So you get what you want. With Caius gone there wont be any threat to Rose or the wolves. Do you have a plan for Caius replacement?"

"But of course. The best way to keep an eye on the Volturi is to be involved in their decision making. I think you would make an excellent replacement"

"Me? Live in Volterra and work with Aro and Marcus I don't think so."

"I thought you might feel that way but I know someone else who would make an excellent replacement and might just keep Aro honest."

"OK I'll buy it, who do you have in mind?"

"Chelsea"

"Chelsea? But she's Aro's creature."

"Only because she's his subordinate. If she had power then she wouldn't be so happy with keeping the others loyal to him would she?"

"Its a gamble but I think you might have a point. She's always been ambitious and has some Volturi guard loyal to her already."

"Yes and don't forget that Marcus can read any emotional ties between her and anyone else. She'd have to be careful what she did. They'd spend an awful lot of time keeping an eye on each other, Chelsea and Aro. Time they couldn't spend on us"

"Not only beautiful but she has brains too. What a mixture"

Bella

When we got to Volterra there was an atmosphere of suppressed excitement and apprehension. Everyone knew there was trouble brewing between the Volturi brothers but no one was willing to take sides until they knew who was likely to be the winners. Aro and Marcus received us in the audience chamber as before,

"Bella, Major Whitlock. I understand from Marcus that you are offering us your support. Very welcome under the circumstances. I see you have persuaded Captain Whitlock and his charming wife to join us too."

"Fuck no. We're just here to make sure no one changes sides part way through."

I glared at Peter but Aro seemed to find his words amusing.

"Well you are here and that is all that should concern us. As for the price of your support I must sadly agree with you. Our brother has proved himself unworthy to continue as a leader of the vampire world. However as I'm sure you will understand, it would not be a good thing for us to be seen killing our brother"

"So you want us to do your dirty work for you Aro?"

"Well I wouldn't put it in quite those terms but I suppose yes."

"With no prejudice?"

"But of course my dear. In writing if you prefer?"

"No Aro, your word will suffice, at the appropriate moment of course."

He wasn't sure about this but he needed us to make their success a forgone conclusion so he nodded.

At that moment a messenger arrived with news that Caius and his band of rebels were on their way back from Forks having found no sign of the fabled wolves and not willing to stay away from Volterra any longer.