Chapter Thirty Three
Jasper
I was about to answer Carlisle's question when three things happened in quick succession. Bella screamed as her heart beat for the last time, Charlotte ran into view, and a figure stepped out of the trees behind Peter. Instinctively I turned to run up the stairs then stopped myself as Charlotte shouted,
"Four Volturi headed this way fast"
And Peter whirled looking at the figure then relaxed,
"Christos what the hell are you doing here?"
"I thought you might need a little help, I followed Alistair and Carlisle. There are three following me too. I think your time is up Major."
I nodded and Garrett appeared too, having heard Charlotte's cry and probably Bella's scream.
"Go, Major. Check on her. I don't want a crazy newborn jumping out on me from the rear."
I nodded at Peter's words but as I stepped into the cabin there was a terrible rumble and the earth started to shake then Bella came racing down the stairs her hair flaring around her as if it had a life of its own and her crimson eyes bright with excitement and fury. She stopped at the bottom of the stairs trembling violently and at her feet the wooden floorboards started to buckle and crack.
"What the fuck?"
Peters eyes were wide.
I remembered what Alice had said, Bella wouldn't be able to control her gift without my help so I took her hand and spoke very quietly to her,
"Bella I know everything is very new and frightening but I need you to calm down. Listen to my voice and remember I love you."
Her eyes flickered from one figure to another then they rested on my face and I saw the great effort she was making to calm herself.
"The Volturi are coming darlin' and I need you with me. Can you do that? Just stand with me and we'll face them together."
She nodded curtly and her hair slowly fell to her shoulders, the floor stopped buckling and she managed a smile.
"I'm OK Jazz. I can do this."
She held my hand so tightly I felt the bones distorting but a few broken fingers were the least of our worries just now.
The Volturi glided into view, Felix, Heidi, Chelsea, two unknowns and then from the back, Aro and Renata. They stopped about thirty feet from us and Aro took four steps forward his shadow at his shoulder as always.
"So its true. Isabella you are alive, what a wonderful surprise, you had us all worried there. Edward will be so surprised, to have his wife alive and back with him"
"No"
"I'm sorry Bella?"
"No, Bella Cullen died on the plane."
"Really, then who are you?"
"Bella Whitlock, mate to Major Jasper Whitlock"
"I see. This could be awkward. Carlisle, do you see Bella Cullen here?"
Carlisle's eyes flicked from Aro to me and back,
"I don't know. I don't think Bella wants to go back to Edward"
"What you mean Carlisle is that I'm of no use to him any longer. As a vampire I can't give him what he wants."
"Well if Edward no longer wants Bella the Volturi would be quite happy to offer you a home."
"No Aro. I'm staying with my mate"
"The Major can join us, of course. I would never suggest mates were parted."
"Jasper doesn't want to live in Italy"
"Oh I think he will go where you go."
He turned to smile at Chelsea,
"I'm sure we can persuade you to join us Bella"
I tensed but Bella dropped my hand and stepped forward and as she did so her hair started to whip around her face as if it were caught in a strong wind. She glanced at me and threw me a kiss then as she turned back I saw a strange blue light in her eyes and felt the crackle of static electricity. I motioned for Peter and Garrett who were a little closer than Charlotte and they melted back a few feet.
"Aro, I really wish you would reconsider your invitation."
Aro smiled and said "Chelsea" very softly but before she could act Bella unleashed her gift and the effect was dramatic. The snow whirled up as if in a blender obscuring Chelsea and the two guards standing with her while the rest of us stood watching. When she turned back to me the blue was gone from her eyes and I waited curious to see what she had done.
"Fuck me!"
I had to admit I agreed with Peter, where Chelsea and the other two had stood was a lake of water fast freezing again in the bitter cold. Through the forming ice we could see three blackened piles of ash. Aro stepped forward to peer in then looked at Bella.
"Very impressive Bella but Chelsea was one of my guard and you destroyed her, I take it you will be taking her place as you killed her"
Bella smiled broadly her hair still stirring although the breeze wasn't strong enough to be responsible.
"Don't play games with me Aro."
She clutched my hand and I felt a frisson of electricity shoot through me as she grounded herself.
"Are you threatening me Bella?"
"No Aro, just pointing out that you can't threaten me or mine, and I include everyone here as mine."
She noticed Aro look very quickly at Felix and smiled dropping my hand again,
"Do you want to lose another guard member Aro?"
He shook his head and raised a hand to Felix who stepped back.
"Good decision. Now let me make my position very clear to everyone, you too Carlisle. I am owned by no one except The Major and if anyone, anyone, tries to harm any of my friends I will come and I will find and I will destroy that person"
She turned to me then,
"I love you Jasper, my mate, my life."
Aro
I realized that Bella's gift was too powerful for us to control, probably too powerful for her to control alone as she clutched her mates hand before the wind died down around her. She had drawn a line in the sand and dared me to cross it. Chelsea was already gone and I had no intention of losing anyone else, especially not Felix so I was forced to back down.
"Very well Bella. I understand you might want to stay here with your mate. I hope we have an understanding that you will stay away from Volterra and our domain"
"Of course Aro. I just want to be left alone. I'm sure you will find someone to take Chelsea's place."
I would have to, and Edward would do nicely if I could persuade him to come to Volterra with Carlisle. A little bird had told me Esme had left Forks and Carlisle after finding out about Carlisle and Edward so they could find a safe haven in Italy with us. It just needed the correct spin putting on things and I was a master of spin. I turned to Carlisle,
"I think we need to talk Carlisle. Thank you for persuading Alistair to find Bella for us. It might be a good idea for you to come back to Italy with us"
"I'm not sure Aro. I need to find Edward and explain everything to him"
"Of course. Edward can join you there. Besides it might be a good idea if you stay safely away from Alistair, he has a terrible temper and he might just decide to come back for you. After all you did trick him Carlisle"
He knew I wasn't asking him but he didn't look happy when I turned and waited for him to join me. The Major and Bella stood with their friends and watched us out of view. It was a great shame she couldn't be persuaded to join us but it was just too dangerous, for now at least.