Chapter Fifty Eight

Jasper

We stood together, Jamie in my arms and Bella as close as Jamie's shield would allow, ironic really because it was her shield being used against her by our own son. I saw Bella studying his face,

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, he looks better, the dark circles have almost disappeared from under his eyes. It's really weird, they did that last time you held him while he slept"

I hadn't seen this but if sleeping in my arms gave him some comfort that was fine by me. We both turned as the door opened and Rose popped her head round the door.

"Can I come in?"

"Sure Rose. Jamie's asleep"

She nodded and walked over but she too was stopped by the shield wall and I saw her nod,

"What is it Rose? Any more news on Alice and Stefan?"

"I've been busy in the lab and I think I found something"

"What? Something that might help?"

Bella sounded as desperate as I felt! Rose nodded, its only a theory but it's looking promising. I infected some of Jamie's blood with venom from you and Jasper just to see how it would react."

"And?"

"Yours did nothing, I think it's too close to Jamie's own but Jasper's had a reaction. His venom seemed to slow down the venom cells in Jamie's blood and I wondered if it might work if we injected some of Jasper's venom into Jamie's bloodstream. I have to run it by Carlisle first though"

"Do you think it might slow down his body's manufacture? Give his human cells a respite"

She looked at his face,

"He looks better, what have you done?"

"Just held him while he sleeps Rose but Bella said the same thing."

Rose

This was something else to consider,

"Do you think Jamie is fighting it in his own way when he's asleep?"

He shrugged slightly not disturbing the sleeping boy,

"I don't know but once he's asleep no one can get close. He folds us in a shield and when he wakes it disappears."

"I need to talk to Carlisle then I'll be back and if Jamie is awake I'd like to take some more blood. It must be awful for him all these needles but he never complains."

I took a last look at the little family and went to find Carlisle.

Caius

"You have made a very serious accusation Stefan. Would you like to back it up?"

"No, I didn't mean...it came out...it just seems to me..."

He was floundering, realizing what he had done.

"The Volturi is in no ones pocket but we do protect and serve our kind. If you have any proof of your accusations now would be the time to unveil it."

Marcus sat back down but his face wore an angry expression, he had been deeply wounded by Stefan's accusation and I knew it was one ally less he could count on. Rose came in before Stefan had a chance to speak in his defense,

"Excuse me but could I speak to Carlisle for just a few minutes, it is quite important."

"Of course Rosalie."

She smiled at Marcus words and Carlisle followed her out.

"So the Volturi have secrets from one another"

I looked at Stefan bewildered, was he really so stupid that he would continue to cause us affront?

"I think that Rosalie wished to speak to Carlisle out of your earshot not ours Stefan. I have no problem with Carlisle leaving, do you brother?"

Marcus smiled and shook his head,

"None what so ever Caius, but I do have a problem with this man's constant insults. Either show us your evidence or withdraw the charges Stefan."

Carlisle

Stefan was digging himself in deeper with every word he uttered and I started to relax a little.

"Well Rose? I don't want to be away from the action too long"

"I have an idea I wanted to run by you, about Jamie."

She explained what she'd seen in the tests she did and her theory. She might be on to something here and I smiled a little relieved.

"Tell Jasper I think its worth a shot, anything that can slow the production of venom down or give his blood something to fight back with is worth a try. Oh yes and tell him Stefan is an idiot, he'll understand"

As I went back I felt as if we might stand a chance. We needed to keep him alive until he was old enough to try changing him if we could find a way, or maybe his own body would fight the venom off given a helping hand, who knew? We could but try. Stefan was stammering an apology but Caius ignored him and turned to look at me instead.

"Carlisle, Stefan here seems to think you and Rosalie have been plotting behind our backs. Would you like to answer that charge?"

"I never said that, I didn't mean that either, it was just an observation."

Marcus stood up and walked over to stand in front of Stefan, dwarfing him.

"You come here with grave accusations against the Volturi, with no evidence, no way to prove your words, and when questioned you try to back track. It doesn't work like that here in Volterra. A man stands by what he says, he never makes an accusation he cannot back up with hard facts. Where are your facts? You have none and I for one think you are a danger to us, to our world, and quite possibly the child now here."

He turned to look at me,

"I say we destroy this canker before it spreads."

Stefan looked terrified as I stood up nodding,

"I'm afraid I have to agree with Brother Marcus on this point. Alice, I'm surprised at you, didn't you explain the way things work here? After all you've seen it for yourself first hand? Do you stand by your mate?"

Alice

Not only had Stefan forfeit his own life but put mine in jeopardy too. Caius was asking me if I stood with my mate or abandoned him to his fate alone. I loved Stefan but was I prepared to die with him? For him? With a sinking feeling I knew I wasn't, my own life meant more to me than his, I didn't want to die for his folly so I shook my head and moved away from his side,

"No Caius."

He frowned,

"As I recall this is the second "mate" you have abandoned to his fate. Not a nice trait Alice and very worrying. There is something very distasteful about your actions that unnerves me. I don't trust you Alice Cullen and having someone around that you distrust is uncomfortable to say the least. If you had stood beside Stefan I would have applauded your loyalty and I think we could have seen our way clear to overlook your part in this but..."

I panicked,

"Please Carlisle, I never accused anyone"

"Not this time no, but you have done a lot of things which have harmed a lot of people Alice. Caius, I agree that it would be unwise to allow Alice back into the world but perhaps under supervision here in Volterra?"

Caius looked at Marcus who shook his head very deliberately then back at Carlisle.

"I am sorry Carlisle, I know you saw Alice as a daughter but Marcus agrees with me and that makes it a majority unless of course you have anything else to say in her defense"