Chapter Thirty Two

Esme

Although surprised when I called Carmen was only to pleased to pick me up in Anchorage. She was alone and put her arm around me as we walked back to the car.

"No bags Esme?"

"No I remembered I had clothes I'd left with you from our last visit. I hope you didn't mind my spur of the moment decision to come?"

"Esme you are always welcome you know that. Are you alone?"

"Yes. Carlisle is busy and I didn't want to be in the house on my own, too many memories of Bella and Edward."

"Yes it was a tragedy. We both liked Bella very much, she was a most unusual human."

I nodded unable to speak. It didn't feel right lying to my friend even by omission but I didn't actually know anything for sure. The drive was mostly silent and a little awkward, Carmen shooting me glances every few miles. I was tempted to tell her everything but I resisted.

"How are Tanya and her sisters?"

"Oh they're in London at the moment, a shopping trip. I'm surprised they didn't ask Alice to go with them actually we all know she loves clothes shopping. I think Tanya is a little upset she hasn't heard from Edward recently, she had great hopes of something developing. I told her it was far too soon but you know what she's like."

If she knew what I knew she wouldn't be surprised! When we pulled up at the house Eleazer came out to greet me but it wasn't as warm as usual and I saw him glance at Carmen before he spoke,

"Alone Esme?

"Yes Carlisle is busy"

"Really? Well come in"

He took my arm and led me inside and waited for Carmen to join us by the fire before speaking again.

"I spoke to Tanya a little while ago. She saw an old friend in London yesterday. He was going to the airport, taking a flight to Seattle to visit an old friend who had asked for his help. But I guess you know all this Esme

He knew enough to join the dots so I nodded slightly shamefaced,

"Yes, at least I knew Carlisle had spoken to him"

"Who? What's going on Eleazer?"

Carmen looked from her husband to me,

"Why don't you explain Esme"

I told them everything I knew or suspected and Eleazer's face grew more grim,

"Carlisle involved Alistair with the Volturi? I find it so hard to believe."

"More than Bella's fake death?"

"Carmen told me when Edward came here instead of going back to Forks after he found out about the accident that she suspected he wasn't broken hearted over his "mates" death. If you are right then she had a narrow escape. As for Carlisle and Edward being mates I am surprised but not shocked, they were always very close, in fact I was rather surprised when Carlisle changed you and presented you to us as his mate. So what do we do now?"

"Do Eleazer? I'm not sure I understand what you mean."

"Esme do you think its fair that Bella and Jasper be handed over to the Volturi? They haven't done anything except fall in love. I think Carlisle will be lucky if he escapes this mess with his life, let alone his mate. Alistair very rarely gets riled, he usually walks away before it gets that bad but once he realizes Carlisle has got him mixed up with the Volturi he might just lose it and that is a very scary scenario. I've seen Alistair when he gets angry and I have to tell you he's a stone cold killer."

Peter

The bad feeling I had was getting worse but I still didn't believe it was the Volturi and when I finally saw two figures approaching I knew I was right, cursing I pulled out my phone and called The Major,

"Incoming, just two, and they aren't Volturi although I don't think we'll stay off their radar long now."

"Who is it?"

"Our friendly neighbourhood doctor making a house call with Alistair and believe me, Alistair doesn't look happy."

"You sure they are alone?"

"Positive, at least for now."

"Follow them in then, I'll contact the others."

I waited leaning against a tree as they got closer, the snow falling once more was swirling around them, obscuring their forms when the wind blew particularly hard.

"Well, well, I didn't know you made house calls this far out Carlisle"

He turned and acknowledged me.

"Peter, we're looking for Jasper and Bella"

"Really? Aren't you a long way from home and you even further Alistair"

He nodded to me then scowled at Carlisle.

"Yes, it seems I was brought here under false pretences."

"I happens with the Cullens I understand. So you're looking for a dead woman Doctor, what you going to do? Resurrect her?"

"She's still Edwards wife Peter"

"Really? Well I think she might argue that point, if she could of course. On the other hand if we wait a while she can show Edward just what she thinks of him, all supposing she's still alive that is"

I followed them to the cabin, both nervous having me at their backs... fucking shame that!

Standing in the cabin doorway was The Major, arms folded like a Colossus, guarding the entrance to the domain of the Gods.

He addressed the two visitors without moving,

"Carlisle, Alistair."

"Jasper. I need to see Bella please"

"Who Carlisle? What makes you think Bella is here? Didn't she die in that plane crash in Denver?"

"I know she's still alive and I know she's here with you. Alistair tracked her to this location."

"So, you working for the Volturi now Alistair? That's a shock"

"To me too Major, but I didn't have any choice. Carlisle didn't tell me why I was looking for you and the girl until I was already involved too deeply to extricate myself. He's right though, she is here, although I believe not human any longer."

I watched as The Major smiled at Carlisle,

"You see, she's no good to Edward now. Not now she can't give him a baby."

"Sick fuck!"

Carlisle turned to glare at me while Alistair looked puzzled,

"Didn't you know Alistair? The great Edward Cullen married Bella under false pretences. All he wanted was a baby he could have total control over, she was never his mate because he already had one."

"Who Peter?"

"He's standing right next to you Alistair so you were even more deceived than you thought."

Carlisle

I froze as Peter told Alistair what I thought was still a secret apart from Alice and possibly Esme if she had heard all of our conversation. He turned to look at me and I knew whatever friendship there had been between us was now over.

"Exactly why am I here Carlisle?"

"I told you. I found out that Bella had faked her death and was now mated to Jasper but she's still Edwards' wife legally and the Volturi want her, they asked me if you might find her for me if not them."

"And you didn't think I needed to know this because?"

"I had no choice. I had to find her or Aro would keep Edward in Italy in her place."

"Yeah, it seems everyone wants Bella but no one wants her for herself only for what they can get from her, even you Carlisle."

"What does Edward want from her?"

"I told you Alistair, a baby, and the Volturi want her for her gift but they're gonna be out of luck because she and The Major are mated and I don't think he'll be in any hurry to take a vacation in Italy."

Alistair turned to Carlisle,

"And you want her so you can have your precious Edward back?"

He turned back to face Jasper,

"I apologise for leading Carlisle here and for the fact he will be telling the Volturi where you are if they haven't been following us that is. I'm leaving now."

"Well that's just fucking great Alistair, you lead Aro to us then say sorry and scarper. What about us?"

"You are warned, if you choose to stay here and fight the Volturi that's your choice. I don't, that's my choice."

I stepped forward to stop him but The Major intervened,

"Let him go Peter. I'd rather not have someone on our side who doesn't want to be."

Alistair nodded his thanks and disappeared into the falling snow,

"Fuck he looks like a scared rabbit"

"Well Peter maybe he has more sense than we do."

"So Jasper where is she? I want to see Bella"