Chapter One Hundred
Aro
With Bella and the Major we couldn't lose and I was looking forward to the interview with my deceitful brother. We decided the best way to let him know of our allies would be to let him make his speech or whatever it was he wanted to do before introducing them to him. The audience chamber was filling up as more and more vampires heard that things were coming to a head. By the time the rebel force came in there was hardly any room at all and I beamed as he approached.
"I hear you had no luck with your Werewolf hunt brother. What a pity, you were so convinced they existed."
"Oh they do, and one day I will prove it, for now I have another matter I wish to bring up"
"Please, the floor is yours Caius."
He turned to address the audience who waited expectantly.
"There has been too much dissent of late in Volterra. Aro and Marcus are getting weak, they no longer have the stomach for the decisions we need to make in order to keep the Volturi strong. Rebellious nomads must be destroyed, anyone who threatens our world must be eliminated. Of late we have lost gifted vampires who should be here helping us, to rebel hands without punishment. Its time we took a stand, became what we once were, feared and respected. I am here to offer you that strong leadership. Turn away from the weak leader you have now and put me in charge of upholding of laws in our world."
"Bravo Caius a very pretty speech but I'm not sure I know who you refer to brother. Are you suggesting I am weak? That I don't uphold our laws, because I would have to object to that. While its true we have lost some gifted members of our world their loss was proved not to have been a crime and you were there at the time or have you forgotten?"
"No I haven't forgotten but you were tricked and talked into forgiving their transgressions and allowing them to continue on with their own plans which in themselves threaten the Volturi. The very institution you claim to protect."
"Are you referring to the meetings with Bella and Major Whitlock? The death of Alice and Edward Cullen?"
"You know very well I am. and these people here"
He gestured to his own followers who were looking a little less sure of themselves now,
"Can bear witness to the fact the news has travelled far."
I smiled kindly,
"I fear they may have been misinformed in some way. The very people you say are trying to undermine the Volturi in fact uphold its very existence"
"Rubbish."
"Very well"
I loved the theatricality of the next few seconds as I raised my hands and The Major and Bella came from the small chamber at my back to stand at my shoulders. There was a gasp from a lot of the crowd and some of Caius rebels slipped quietly away. I wouldn't forget them and they would pay for this treachery but not now, not for a while. Caius eyes opened wider at the sight of the two who had now been joined by their friends.
"And you Marcus? Where do you stand?" Shouted Caius.
Marcus stood wearily,
"Oh where I've always stood, next to the voice of reason and power. With Aro."
This last crushed Caius hopes altogether.
"So you see Caius you have no grievance and no backing."
He turned to see he stood alone, his rebels having disappeared into the crowd.
"So what do you intend doing now Caius? Will you fight on alone?"
Jasper
Pete and I were waiting for Aro to say the word, knowing that no one would stand with him. Bella watched Aro, waiting too. He bowed his head and shook it sadly,
"I had hoped that sense might have prevailed but you leave me no choice Caius. I cannot have someone on the governing body who is untrustworthy."
He turned to me,
"Major?"
Caius knew what was coming and was ready to fight but that wasn't our plan. We wanted it over fast and efficiently so Peter came from one side and I the other taking him by surprise. He was gone in a matter of seconds, just a pall of purple smoke hanging in the air showing he had existed. We went back to our places as Aro smiled,
"Thank you my friends. Now, is there anyone else who feels aggrieved or has something they would like to bring up?"
He looked around at the fast clearing chamber smiling,
"I thought not. Then back to normality. Marcus thank you for the vote of confidence"
"Now earn it Aro, by keeping to your word to these people."
"Ah yes, very well. You wanted to nominate a new chair on the governing body. Which of you was wanting it? Bella? Or you Major?"
Bella
I smiled at his assumption,
"No Aro, I don't think it would suit any of us but we do have a candidate. We would like to have a vote on the candidate if that would be acceptable to you? Yourself, Marcus and a combined vote from us."
He looked suspiciously at Marcus then remembering what his brother had just done in backing him smiled.
"Very well Bella. Please continue."
"We would like to nominate Chelsea for the vacant position"
That surprised him,
"Chelsea? Any particular reason for choosing her?"
"The most basic one Aro. She will keep you honest. Not, of course, that you need such a safeguard but still..."
He had his own candidate and was confident of success when he put her forward,
"I would nominate Jane for the position. Shall we vote?"
"Very well. You vote Jane and we vote Chelsea...it would appear to be down to you Marcus. How do you vote?" I asked him, hoping I hadn't read him wrong.
He hesitated and I began to wonder,
"This is quite a responsibility and I have no wish to rush it. May I have a few moments to consider?"
Aro's smile showed he thought Marcus was just playing for a little time before crushing us but I knew he was weighing the odds. If he sided with Aro he stayed loyal through Chelsea's gift. If he voted with us he could possibly work with Chelsea and no longer be loyal to Aro. Two against one, I just hoped it was appealing enough for him. A chance to get some revenge for the death of his beloved wife.
Marcus who'd been standing silent and frozen suddenly looked up.
"Are you ready to cast your vote Marcus dear brother?"
He nodded,
"Yes. Having considered everything I have decided to cast my vote for...Chelsea."
Aro's shock was delightful to see. He'd lost his power base with one vote. Now we had an ally in the Volturi, we had won at last.
Peter
The flight back was very quiet but when we met Rose and Emmett at the car they insisted on a blow by blow account
"Bella was fucking magic. She kicked Aro's butt from one end of Volterra to the other. I've never seen a vampire look sick before but he was close to puking. It was fucking brilliant. I cant wait to see what she does next. Major you have a rival here."
Bella took his hand, looked at me, smiled, and shook her head.
No Peter,The Major has a partner."
"Fuck! You never said a truer word. Amen to that."