Chapter Fifty Nine

Peter

So the Major was in a hole, quite literally, and I knew Maria wasn't finished with him by a long way. With Bella there too I needed help if I was going to get them out. I thought about who I could call on, I had a few friends who would help me out but they wouldn't be very happy about going against Maria, she had a certain reputation for revenge. There were the Volturi but that really was a last resort because it would be handing Bella from one manipulator to another. Of course I did have one other alternative and it was with a certain bitchy contentment that I rang the number,

"Hello Cullen residence, Dr Cullen speaking"

"Oh good just the person I wanted to talk to. We have a problem I need your help with Carlisle."

"She isn't here Peter and I haven't heard from her."

"Well that's good to hear but its not the problem I need help with"

"OK then, what?" He sounded cautious.

"The Major and Bella have been taken by Maria and I need help getting them out."

"I'm not a fighter Peter you know that, and I can't let my family get involved in violence."

"Well that's not very friendly Carlisle especially as Bella's had nothing but grief because of some of your saintly children. I need help and I'm sure Emmett wouldn't mind, he likes Bella and Jasper."

"I'm sorry Peter but I wont condone my children getting involved with her. It's too dangerous."

"I really didn't want to have to bring this up Carlisle but you will help me or I'm afraid I might have to chat with your wife."

"You're threatening me? It was years ago and there's nothing to tell."

"Then you wont mind my talking to Esme."

"Peter that's blackmail."

"I prefer to see it as an incentive Carlisle. You help me, I get amnesia."

"How do I know that?"

"Are you calling me a fucking liar Carlisle? In a word you don't trust me, but I really would prefer to keep this on a friendly footing. I just want a little help."

There was a long silence and I knew he was trying to find some way of wriggling out of it.

"Carlisle?"

"Very well, give me 24 hours and I'll get back to you."

"No longer Carlisle, or I'll be visiting your place."

There's no need for more threats Peter. I'll be in touch."

As he put the receiver down I cursed, I hated every hour they were in Maria's hands but in fairness 24 hours wasn't that long.

Bella

I begged Maria to let me see Jasper but she just shook her head.

"You do something for me and I'll consider it."

"What?"

"I want you to go to a town and protect my army against the defenders. Its been a long siege and I want it over."

"OK. Then I get to see Jasper and he gets fed."

She smiled and nodded so I agreed.

AS we left I saw Maria going over to Jasper's prison and I longed to run back and protect him but the best way of doing that was to do as she asked. I turned my back on the scene and rode off with the others. It was a long and dusty ride and not being a horsewoman I was exhausted when we got there. The poor townspeople were terrified of the red eyed soldiers gathered around their small but well defended walls. With a heavy heart I pushed my shield out to cover the soldiers and they moved in, no longer threatened by the fire being tipped from the walls onto them. It just deflected away into the scrubby bush beyond starting several small fires away from the town. I rode out of earshot when the screaming started knowing the army was feeding on the poor townspeople. It was dark by the time they had their fill and came to find me, covered in blood and gore and with wild red eyes. I pulled my shield tightly about myself but no one approached me, they just turned and we rode away, the town buildings now on fire throwing a red glow into the sky.

I hated the fact I had been responsible for the slaughter but knowing I would do it over again to keep my mate safe. When we got back there were huge bonfires in the compound and I saw there were women cowering in the centre together, prizes for a job well done, one of the soldiers explained when he saw me looking. I felt sick and dirty and I wanted to ride away and hide but I went into the compound ignoring the cries of triumph of the soldiers and screams of the women as they were thrown to the ground and stripped naked. I ran through the carnage to the shack where Jasper was, calling his name and trying desperately to shut out all the other noises. I knelt down at the entrance to the pit and called his name again. I heard a shuffling and then his voice, much too weak.

"Bella? Are you all right?"

"I'm fine"

I sobbed trying to see him in the darkness. Feeling around I found an oil lamp and closing my eyes to as much as I could I lit it from one of the fires. When I got back I held it over the pit and gasped as I saw him, he looked terrible, something had happened while I was away,

"What's happened Jazz? What's she done to you?"

He shook his head and tried to shuffle away from the light. As he moved I saw his hands, both were misshapen as if they'd been crushed in a vice.

"Oh god, Jasper"

I grabbed the bars and tried to pull the lid away but it was far too heavy. Hearing a noise behind me and scared it was one of the soldiers I turned throwing my shield out and knocking the person sneaking up on me backwards. I lifted the lamp and saw it was Maria's personal guard.

"Maria wants you"

"You tell Maria I'm not going anywhere. I did what she asked now I want her to keep her side of the bargain. Jazz gets fed."

He shrugged brushing the mud from his clothes.

"I'll be back Jazz. Hang on."

I shouted then I stormed across to her cabin throwing the door open with a crash.

"You lying bitch."

Maria turned with a smile,

"Thank you Bella. That town had been causing me problems."

"What did you do to him? You promised to feed him if I did what you wanted.

"I will feed him. I just wanted to talk to him first but he was a little uncooperative so I just reminded him who is in charge. He'll heal don't worry Bella. He's tough, very tough and he's had worse injuries and laughed them off. I think he's getting soft now, your fault possibly. He needs keeping on his toes, he's a wild animal and needs treating as such, now go to your cabin and don't disturb me until I call for you."

She turned away dismissing me and there was nothing I could do, or was there? At least while I was here I could protect him from her viciousness. I went back to his prison and lay looking through the bars down on to him.

"Jazz I'm here and I wont let anyone hurt you while I am".

I projected my shield to cover him too and closed my eyes,

"I love you Jazz"

I whispered knowing he would hear me.

I couldn't hear him but I felt his love projected to me from below and held that close to my heart