Chapter Thirty Six

Marcus

When my personal phone rang I answered without thinking, we still had no word from Aro but that wasn't exactly surprising. He'd gone off without telling either Caius or myself anything. He just intimated that he knew of a new gift that might be useful to us, what he meant was a gift that might be valuable to him! I was so sick of living here, especially without my beloved Didyme. I hadn't thought about her in far too long but whenever I tried to conjure her up the visions were blurred and a lethargy fell over me. Today though was different, her beautiful face became clear, in vivid detail, and her loss made my heart ache so much I wanted to die, to join her.

"Yes?"

"Marcus?"

"Who is this?"

"Jasper Whitlock"

"Oh, and what does Jasper Whitlock have to say to me?"

"Chelsea's dead which means you are free."

"Dead? She was with Aro are you telling me that he is dead? That would be a very dangerous statement to make."

"Not if I didn't kill him, besides he's alive and will be returning to Volterra soon. I just thought you might like to know about Chelsea."

"What is it you are looking for in return for this information?"

"Safety for my mate and myself"

"Is Aro threatening you?"

"No, but he will in time. He's bringing Carlisle Cullen back to Volterra with him, hoping Edward will follow"

"Ah yes, I often wondered about those two. Well it could be interesting here in the meantime. Does Caius know about Chelsea?"

"No, only you and Aro but I think he'll be putting a spin on events to make himself look better."

"That will come as no surprise, he always does."

"There is another piece of information I hold that is of interest only to you. It concerns your wife or at least her death."

"My wife's death has nothing to do with you Major Whitlock."

"True, I didn't kill her but I know who did, so does Caius. I suggest you ask him."

"I take it from your inference that Aro was involved. Are you saying he was responsible for the death of his own sister?"

"Think about what happened as a result of her death and then answer that question yourself Marcus."

"Oh I will Major. Thank you for the information."

Caius

I was in my study when Marcus came in and by the look of him he had news for me.

"Brother I have news of Aro."

"Really? He hasn't spoken to me since he left."

"He went to collect the human girl Edward Cullen was involved with but he's found her more than a match for him and lost Chelsea in doing so."

"Chelsea is dead? Who killed her?"

"I rather fancy Major Whitlock or the girl although it wasn't actually stated."

"So it wasn't Aro you spoke to?"

"No but my informant told me a very interesting piece of news. Who killed my wife Caius?"

I stiffened, so someone had told him what happened to Didyme.

"I take it you already know?"

"I want to hear it from you."

"Aro didn't want you to go and he knew it was his sister who was pushing you to leave the Volturi."

"He didn't have to kill her, his own sister."

"He felt he had no choice and I admit I didn't stop him although I should have. I'm very sorry Marcus. Will you be leaving now Chelsea isn't here to keep you loyal?"

"And go where Caius? My wife, my mate, is dead. Where do I go?"

I understood Marcus question, where did he go? I knew if he stayed there would be a fight to the death and I wasn't sure Aro could win, even with Renata. Revenge was one of the most powerful of incentives.

"Are you going to tell Aro?"

I'd been busy thinking and Marcus brought me back to reality.

"Tell Aro? No I don't think so, you are entitled to confront him."

"And where do you stand Caius?"

"I am guilty but only by association, are you planning on killing me too?"

"I fear it is far too late for revenge that means anything. I can't avenge Didyme after so long but I can avenge my own mental imprisonment and the guilt for that lies entirely at Aro's feet. By the way you know Aro is bringing Carlisle back with him"

"Carlisle? Why?"

He knows that Edward will follow his mate and he's always wanted Edward Cullen in the Volturi."

"Edward is Carlisle's' mate? But what about Esme and the human girl? Why isn't Aro bringing her here? She's the one with knowledge that is forbidden"

"She is no longer human and she is The Majors mate. Do you think Aro stood any chance once he found that out?"

"So why did Edward marry her if he has a mate?"

"I think he wanted power, over a human and from what Aro told me before he left, power over a child of his own, one that would hopefully have a gift like its mother. So you see she wasn't important to him in herself, he's almost as ruthless as Aro himself. I think if Aro persuades Edward to join the Volturi Aro might find the ruling body a little crowded don't you? And who do you think he will be willing to lose? You and I perhaps?"

"You think he would elevate Edward Cullen to the ruling body in our places? Carlisle too?"

"No Carlisle is far too weak, he doesn't have the stomach for war, for keeping peace either. But Edward does and he would revel in the power Aro would offer him. Carlisle would become just another Volturi mate, like our wives, kept artificially happy and content."

"What are you suggesting then? A palace coup? Don't you think he has his spies here who would tell him the minute they smelled a whiff of rebellion?"

"Then we shouldn't let anyone smell treachery, or do you feel you'll be safe from his purge?"

"I don't think anyone will be safe especially now he's lost Chelsea so what are you suggesting?"

"I've already started by recalling the Volturi jet. He's stranded for a while unless he uses human transport and I don't see him doing that do you?"

"No but you can't keep the jet here for long."

"I wont need to. Just keep him away from Italy for a little longer. While he's away from here he is vulnerable."

"To whom?"

"I rang Romania before I came to see you."

"You told Stefan and Vladimir where Aro is?"

"Who better to do our dirty work? If they succeed all well and good, if they fail then at the very least Aro will be weakened. I can't see all his guard getting back here can you? Of course if you don't wish to be involved you can warn Aro."

"And if I did that? Wouldn't you kill me too?"

"Yes but I would prefer not to Caius. You are the only friend I have now."