Chapter 104
Bella
Our two-day camping trip was a great success and we went back to the house more relaxed and in a better frame of mind. Which was just as well as there was a message waiting for us from one of Peters contacts in Italy. He opened the e-mail and sat reading for a while before turning to the rest of us.
"Well folks I've got some good news and some bad news. Which do you want first?"
"Lets have some good news first. It'll buoy us up for the bad" Rose said smiling at him.
"OK. Well Aro is having difficulty getting together a force that's willing to take us on. Mainly down to the fact we have The Major on our side."
"Good maybe he'll give up then."
"No chance my dear, and that's the bad news."
"He's not giving up, he's trying to contact Ethan."
"Oh fuck, I thought he gave up fighting years ago and disappeared."
"He did Major but if Aro can persuade him out if retirement for just one more battle against you..."
"No wonder he's taking his time."
"Excuse me" I butted in, "Who is Ethan and why is he such a problem?"
"Ethan is a very well experienced fighter who worked for the Volturi on occasion when the Southern Wars were at their height. He's a maverick, but no one ever bothers him because he's such a dangerous fucker." explained Peter grimly.
"So what's so dangerous about him?"
"He has a very rare gift, thank fuck, rather like yours. He can steal another's gift and use it himself"
"So he could use my shield to protect himself and Aro?"
"Yes"
"But that won't mean a victory for Aro. They just cancel each other out."
"Not exactly Bells" Jazz interrupted, "What Peter didn't tell you was that while Ethan is using your gift you can't. He isolates you from it"
"Just a minute though, if I'm already using my shield to protect us then how can he steal it?"
"She has a point there" Peter said eagerly.
"As long as Ethan doesn't find a way under our defences first."
"Would you know him?"
"No I never met him personally and I don't know anyone who did. He came, did his shit and got the hell out of Dodge as far as I can remember."
"Do you think Marcus would tell us if Aro contacted Ethan?"
"I don't see why he would, but he might. The thing is we won't know if Aro has Ethan or not until it's too late or at least we have to assume that. What do we do if he has?" He looked at Jasper.
"We have to keep Bella in reserve. If she isn't there Ethan can't ambush her."
"I can't hide while you risk your lives. Its me Aro wanted anyway, and he still will even if he has Ethan with him, because Ethan obviously wont join the Volturi or he would have done so long while ago."
"She's got a point but if you stay out of sight Bella until we know, then you can use your shield if he's not there"
"And if he is? You want me to sit and watch while you are destroyed? I don't think so. We stay together, we stand or fall together."
"There is another option" Peter said hesitantly looking at Jasper as he did so,
Jasper turned to him,
"No way."
"It might be our only option if Ethan's getting involved"
"No Peter. I don't care if Ethan does arrive"
"Hey. No private squabbles here. Who Peter?"
Rose stood hands on hips obviously as annoyed as the rest of us at the private altercation going on between Jazz and Peter.
Charlotte
I knew what they were referring to and I knew Jasper wouldn't sanction it or explain, so defying his wrath I answered Rose,
"I think they are talking about a guy we knew many years ago, Gabriel. He fought against Maria, one of the few who did and lived but only because he has a rather strange gift."
"Go on"
They were keen to hear the rest of this.
"He can force enemies to make peace.
"That sounds like a good idea so why is Jasper so set against using him?"
"He asks a very particular price for his services, one I don't think any of us wants to pay."
"What? It can't be that bad surely?"
"Depends on your particular way of looking at things. He chooses a companion and demands a years service from them"
"I know I'm missing something here so I'll just ask outright, what kinds of companion and what kind of service? Bella asked still puzzled.
"Last time we saw him he chose a young male newborn of Maria's."
"To do what? Fight for him?"
"No not exactly. Gabriel likes to own someone, rather like a pet."
"He chooses a companion from those he serves and keeps them like a pet?"
"More or less Bella yes."
"So he could choose any of us and that would be it for a year?"
"Yes. Would you want to be away from Jasper for a year? I wouldn't want to leave Peter for a year or him leave me."
"So if Gabriel is out why don't we try to get in contact with Ethan ourselves?"
"Never thought if that. It might amuse him to go up against the Volturi for a change. I might have a lead on him what do you say Major?" Peter looked at him hopefully.
"Its better than Gabriel. Try Peter, see if he'll agree to talk to us."
Peter
My friend in Volterra had come up trumps. I had a number for Ethan so I went into the study to ring him, The Major with me.
"Speak"
"Ethan its Peter Whitlock here. I wonder if I might have a few minutes of your time?"
"No you can't but I'll talk to The Major if he's there"
I shrugged and passed the phone over to Jasper,
"Ethan"
"Major. I wondered if I might hear from you. I take it this is about Aro?"
"Yes. I want to know if you are working with him"
"I haven't made a decision yet but he has offered me quite a lot of money. What are you offering me?"
"Nothing except a good fight."
"Really? Well that's novel. I've heard a lot about you Major Whitlock, all of it bad. I'm impressed. I like a good fight, do you expect to win?"
"I always expect to win or there's no point in fighting."
"True, well life has begun to get tedious of late. So its money or a good fight. Can I ask if what I hear about your mate is true?"
"I don't know. What have you heard?"
"That she is a shield. I've never heard of a shield except for Renata and she's very limited."
"It's not a secret, yes Bella is a shield"
"How intriguing. I'll have to think about this. Were you thinking about trying anyone else? Gabriel perhaps?"
"No."
"Good. Not that he scares me but he's such a strange person, he gives me the creeps. Did you know Aro tried to interest him first."
"No I didn't know that"
"Gabriel laughed in his face. He knew Aro's promises are worth as much as smoke in the wind. How many are you? Aro said six?"
"I hope to be seven soon."
"Good answer Major. I'll think about it and get back to you. In the mean time I'd work on that shield just in case. Bye Major."