Chapter 105
Bella
When Jasper and Peter came back they didn't really have any news for us except that Aro had tried to recruit Gabriel as well but had been turned down. We just had to wait and see whose side Ethan would come down on. Emmett, Rose and I spent a lot of time working on strengthening my shield and extending it. If Ethan sided with the Volturi I would try to protect them from a distance. I still thought that as long as I was shielding myself before we met up with the Volturi that Ethan couldn't hijack it but Peter especially wasn't so sure. The problem was that the only information they had on Ethan was second or third hand. He was largely an unknown quantity. Every day we expected to hear from Peters contact that Aro was ready to move on us but the weeks went by and we heard nothing. Neither did we hear from Ethan and Peter was convinced this was because he had sided with Aro, although Jasper wasn't so sure. He thought Ethan was playing a waiting game, to see who Aro had on his side. I tried talking to Marcus but he wasn't giving anything away, just saying that Chelsea had made things difficult for Aro on occasion. She was flexing her muscles in Italy and it was galling to Aro who had always been top dog.
Jasper
When the phone call came from Ethan I was the one who answered it and I waited to see what he had decided,
"So Major, things are coming to a head at last. I understand Aro has a strong contingent of allies."
"Really? No more than I expected."
"Oh I'm sure. I've been doing a little research on you Major and I have to say I'm impressed. You have a certain reputation as a bad ass. I like that, a man who knows what he wants and goes out to get it. Like me, you don't know the meaning of defeat do you?"
"If I did I wouldn't be talking to you now, would I?"
"How true. Did you know that Alec has changed his allegiance? He follows Chelsea now. Only to be expected I guess, after all she can have whoever she wants. Marcus puzzles me though. After voting her onto the governing body he's done nothing to strengthen his hold on her, a strange man, tragic even."
"I have no intelligence on Marcus."
"But your mate has been in contact with him I understand"
"Yes it's not a secret. He just told her the same as you just told me. All I'm interested in is your decision, I don't play games Ethan. They are a waste of time and energy. So?"
"Oh Major, that's not the way to woo your possible allies. Still you are a straight talker and I like that in a man. With Aro you spend twice as long working out exactly what he really meant as listening to his words. I'll be with you in a couple of days. I understand Aro will be mobilising around the same time."
"How do I know you aren't coming as a spy in our camp?"
"That's the beauty of it, you don't. You have to decide if you trust me or not. Your call. I'll be waiting for your decision, if you want to talk to the others"
"No. Come"
"Very well I look forward to finally meeting the legendary Major in the flesh."
I told the others of Ethan's decision, Peter and Charlotte looked happy, Emmett ambivalent but Rose and Bella looked cautious.
"What if he's coming as Aro's spy?"
"There's nothing he can do that he couldn't have done from a distance. If he chooses to stand with Aro when we meet, then he does. If he stands with us it will be a coup. All we can do is wait."
Sitting on the porch the following morning I saw a figure in the mist which grew closer until a young man came into view. He walked slowly, hands by his side, but I recognised a fighter in his stance. Peter looked over to where my gaze was and came to stand at my right hand side, relaxed but ready for trouble. The young man stopped a few yards from the steps and bowed his head with a smile,
"Major. It's a great pleasure to meet you at last. As I'm sure you've guessed I'm Ethan."
I looked at him and laughed,
"Very good. I take it this is a test. If you are Ethan then I'm Aro Volturi."
He smiled in return and bowed lower,
"He said you'd know me for what I am but I wanted to try anyway. Ethan is coming."
He stood to one side and turned his back on us,
"Trusting little fucker isn't he?"
Peter said with no attempt to keep his voice down.
The youth turned
"Oh I know you are honourable men. You'd never attack from the rear. It wouldn't be within the code of battle"
"Where the fuck did you get a code of battle? I've never read that bit have you Major?"
I ignored him, more interested in the figure now emerging from the mist. He was tall and rangy with untidy blonde hair much like mine. His face was lean and wore a look of perpetually wariness, eyes on the move constantly, a true warrior.
Peter straightened at my side,
"Right. Now that's the real thing. Ethan I assume?"
The Warrior stopped a few paces closer than his friend and stood, hands in his pockets, looking around. Finally his gaze rested on mine and he smiled grimly,
"Major. Its been a long time coming but I'm very glad to finally meet you in the flesh. I suppose your wing man is Peter Whitlock. I've heard of you too. Again its a pleasure. I like your home, very peaceful but not for long I fear."
"Oh, what have you heard?"
"The same as you I suppose. Aro is coming with his Volturi Guards and friends. I'd say we have about forty-eight hours at the most. Can I meet the rest of your force?"
I hadn't expected him to arrive as quickly as he did, but once he told me his news it became clearer. At the same time Peter's contact came through with the same news so we knew it was genuine.
I turned and called for the others watching his face to see what he thought of us.
He seemed impressed with Emmett and Rose and with Char who he told us he'd heard of. When Bella came to stand by my other side he looked more closely.
"You must be the enigmatic Bella. The Majors wife. Pleased to meet you, I'm Ethan"
He came forward hand outstretched, and glancing at me first she stepped down to take it in her own. They stood gazing at each other silently for a minute before breaking contact. She came back to my side with a smile while he returned to his former position.
"I'm camped out by the river if you want to talk Major"
Then he turned his back on us and walked away, disappearing back into the early morning mist like a phantom, followed by his friend.