Chapter Seventy.

Aro

My brothers and I were sitting together when the Guard returned, the idiots hadn't ensured I was alone before reporting back. They marched in with a bundle which they placed on the table then stood back like puppies waiting for a treat,

"Are you expecting a delivery Aro?"

Caius said and motioned for one of the Guard to unwrap it.

"And what exactly is this?" I blustered, "I send you out to bring back my daughter from our brother and you bring me a parcel instead. Imbeciles"

I cursed as Carlisle's head, or what was left of it, rolled out across the table.

"Where did you get this? I snapped.

"The Motel you told us to go to. That's all there was."

Caius picked the head up and scrutinised it before passing it to Marcus.

"So Carlisle is dead. Would you like to tell us why Aro and by whom he was killed?"

"Bella I assume, and her friends" I was forced to admit.

Caius nodded his head,

"I see, and do we know why they were so angry with him?"

I shrugged,

"I really couldn't sa,y but I did warn you that the Major was dangerous."

"I don't think this can be laid at the Majors door alone Aro. What is going on? Or am I going to have to speak to her myself?"

I cursed the girl under my breath before smiling,

"I don't think that will be necessary brother. Bella contacted Carlisle saying she wanted to come home. Obviously it was a trap. I think The Major was rather upset"

"UPSET? UPSET CARLISLE? I think it's a bit more than upset when they send this. What have you started with him? I warmed you Aro. Do you want to start Armageddon in Volterra? Because from this it would seem the next logical step. Are we going to find ourselves targets next? I want answers Aro and I want them now. Your crazy scheme to sire your own super vampires has backfired badly and I for one have no wish to be a recipient of The Majors 'anger' because of you."

"I think this was a warning, only a warning"

"Really? Because I think it's a declaration of war on us Aro by the one man who might conceivably fight and win such a war. Especially with your daughter by his side. This must stop now, what do you say Marcus?"

Marcus

I had listened with interest to the argument, Aro was an idiot and Caius had it nailed, was I finally to see my wife's murderer brought down to his knees? By a half human child, and one of his own, what excellent irony!

"I was very concerned before this latest event. It seems to me that you Aro have been planning some kind of take over bid with the help of your specially gifted offspring. Why else would you try to keep this experiment of yours from us?"

"No, never my brothers. I just wanted to strengthen the Volturi as much as possible."

"Yes well, I find that hard to believe Aro but even putting that aside I have to tell you that I am very concerned about this latest escalation. It seems to me you are forcing Bella and her "friends" to declare open war on the Volturi by your actions. The Volturi does not need a war within its own ranks when there are too many threats from the human world these days. As for Carlisle, I am of course sorry, but the deed is done, we can only hope that his death serves as a warning and not a declaration of war. I think we need to speak to your daughter Bella. What say you Caius?"

My brother looked over and I knew from his expression he was as eager as I. This was our first real opportunity to do one of two things, either rid the Volturi of Aro's grasping hands or obtain for ourselves some new blood in the power structure."

"I say that Marcus has a valid point, we need to speak to Bella and her friends if possible. I will send them an invitation to visit us"

Aro

Things were going horribly wrong and I needed Alice's sight, so I agreed to a meeting and went to find my daughter. In fact I thought it safest to collect together all my children and explain the situation to them so I sent them a summons through one of the Guard. Alice appeared almost instantly as if she already knew I needed her services,

"Aro. You won't win this one. If you'd told me what you intended I could have warned you. Now you have too many enemies, including your brothers, and they have been collecting allies themselves."

"I cannot win?"

"No Aro, your time in the Volturi is at an end."

She smiled at me before reaching up to kiss my cheek,

"Do you know the story of Judas Iscariot father?"

I knew perfectly well what she was telling me and I knew my children would not come to my aid.

Alice

I had done my part and now it was time for payment so I made my way through the silent corridors to Caius who was waiting in his rooms.

"Its done"

"Good. Thank you for your help Alice, it was invaluable. Now I think you will want me to keep my side of the bargain?"

"Yes please",

"Very well, the money you requested will be in your account and you have our solemn promise that you will be allowed to live as you please without interference from the Volturi. Just out of idle curiosity why haven't you asked for what you really want?"

"Because its something even you couldn't get for me."

"Not even with Chelsea's help?"

"No, not even then. You win some, you lose some, and there will be more opportunities down the road for me, I've seen them."

"Will you be leaving us?"

"Yes. I don't want to be here when Bella returns, I've seen what she did to Carlisle and she doesn't like me much better. If I were you I'd hand Aro over to her, she seems to have a way of expressing her anger that I'm sure he'd appreciate. Oh, and if you really want to continue as the Volturi I'd listen carefully to what she has to say."

I'd said all I could although I'd seen a lot more, it wasn't in my best interest to give too much away and besides I wanted to be away before the meeting took place or my dear father tried to stop me as I'd seen he would. Poor Aro, destroyed by his own ambition.