Chapter Thirty Eight
Esme
I couldn't stay here any longer, Tanya and her sisters would be back in a couple of days and I couldn't bear going through it all again so Carmen and Eleazer agreed to drive me to the airport. I wondered if Carlisle would be at the house when I returned and what he would say if he was, of course there was nothing he could say that would make any difference to the way I felt and I knew I would only be going home to collect my things before heading out into the unknown. I would visit Rose and Emmett just so they knew the state of things but then I thought I might start a new life on my own. After all there were plenty of nomads and I knew quite a few so I wouldn't be totally alone. Alice I missed most of all, the fact she hadn't followed me despite knowing I'd overheard everything was telling in its own way. She knew I would hear everything and I guessed it was her way of dropping the bombshell on me rather than having to take me to one side and spell it all out leaving me feeling an even bigger fool than I already did.
"Don't come in. I'll take my case here and thank you for everything. I'm very sorry the way things have turned out"
Carmen hugged me and Eleazer made the effort to kiss me goodbye but things were different between us now and I felt very sad as I saw them drive off together, real mates unlike Carlisle and myself. As I turned to the entrance I saw him, standing with Aro and some of the guard, looking across the parking lot obviously waiting for someone. I was about to call to him when I saw four other figures appear. Figures I recognised only too well although I'd never met them in person. Carlisle had told me many stories of the Romanian vampires and Stefan and Vladimir were easily recognisable. Before I could do more than take a breath Carlisle and the Volturi ran, away from the airport across the parking lot pursued by the Romanians. They went so fast the humans never noticed and I was torn. Did I follow them or ignore what I'd seen and go in the terminal for my flight? As I hesitated I heard another voice behind me,
"Esme what are you doing here? Where's Carlisle?"
I turned to face a concerned looking Edward and bit my lip in anguish. So Carlisle had been coming to the airport to meet Edward. Were they flying out to Italy with the Volturi? Leaving me without even the courtesy of a goodbye.
"He's gone. He and the Volturi were being pursued by the Romanians"
"Which way did they go? Was Carlisle all right?"
"Oh yes Edward, your precious mate was showing a fine set of heels behind Aro."
Edward gasped at me,
"You know? Who told you?"
"About you and Carlisle? He did, although he didn't know it at the time. I overheard him talking to Alice. So I know all about you and poor Bella. She's probably better off now than still married to you. Now if you'll excuse me I have a plane to catch."
I turned to enter the terminal but he grabbed me by the arm,
"Why were you here? Did you ask him to stay with you? What did he say?"
"I visited Carmen and Eleazer and no I didn't speak to him but if I had it would only have been to tell him what I thought of his lies and deceit. I hope the two of you are very happy in Volterra. Now let go of me Edward before I tear your arm off."
He knew I was speaking the truth and dropped his hand from my arm. Without another word I picked up my case and walked into the terminal away from my husband and my son.
Carlisle
Aro and I saw the Romanians coming at the same time and realizing we were in a dangerous position we ran, outstripping even the guard. When we eventually slowed I had no idea where we were except it was snowing and any houses had been left far behind us. The guard straggled to us in ones and twos before we saw the Romanians were still in pursuit. We couldn't outrun them, we would have to fight. Renata reached Aro and put a hand in his shoulder as the Romanians stopped a few hundred feet away and Stefan glided forward to speak.
"So we find the Volturi off their territory and weak. Such a shame for you Aro but a pleasant surprise for us. We heard you were meddling in the affairs of others again. Carlisle I'm shocked to see you standing shoulder to shoulder with Aro, is he paying you?"
"Who told you where we were?"
Aro snapped out the question but Stefan merely laughed.
"It would spoil the fun if you knew the viper in your midst Aro. So finally we see a chance to seize control of our world once more. Your corrupt governance had gone on for far too long you know and now its your turn to face the solitary life of an ex leader."
He looked at the guards Felix and Heidi,
"Neither of the witch twins? Such a shame. Still we can still have a little fun with the remainder of your force Aro."
He motioned and the four vampire's that had come with Stefan and Vladimir came forward clashing with Felix and Heidi. She was overcome with little difficulty but Felix sold his life dearly and only two of the four were still standing, the other two in small chunks on the snow.
"So Aro, it seems the fight is almost over. I see you have Renata to keep you safe from attack and Carlisle, do you still stand with the Volturi?"
Before I had a chance to answer I saw Edward running towards us only to be tackled by the two remaining Romanians. Unable to stand by and see my mate harmed I waded in. It was unexpected and between us we took down the two standing together as the Volturi faced the Romanians, unsure what might happen next.
Aro
I couldn't win this battle but neither could the Romanians, I had Renata, Edward, and Carlisle while they stood alone except for their force which was slowly reassembling itself.
"So what now Stefan?"
"It seems we are at impasse for now but the Volturi are weak so watch your back Aro, we will be coming for you and now your force has been decimated we stand a much better chance of overthrowing you."
I looked at the smoke that hung over the place, Heidi and Felix had burned to ash, wishing we'd had time to cremate their fighters. If the Whitlocks hadn't killed my best fighters we would not have been overcome so easily. I should have brought Alec with me instead of leaving him safe in Volterra but he stood between the Romanians and power which was all the edge I needed.